A Gamer’s Dream – PC Gaming: The Complete Guide for Every Gamer.
PC gaming has come a long way since the days of playing with floppy disks. It’s an entirely different beast now: one that offers endless possibilities; from the modest indie games to the highly detailed AAA blockbusters. PC gaming has grown to become one of the most popular ways of playing games worldwide, and it’s easy to see why.
Benefiting from its compatibility with most hardware, PC gaming ensures that gamers both new and veteran, have access to an enormous selection of titles, often at prices that are lower than those offered on other game consoles. Plus, depending on how powerful your current rig is – which often seem to go out of date the moment you purchase them – you can make your games look their best, with high-definition options such as 4K resolution, uncapped frame rates and even access to virtual reality.
For those who are looking to get the most out of their gaming experience, but may not be too sure how, this article is the perfect guide. Packed with everything a gamer needs to know to get the most out of PC gaming, this comprehensive guide is the definitive resource on all things PC gaming. From the basics to the best gaming hardware, this guide covers it all. Let’s dive in.
1. Gearing Up for PC Gaming
So you’ve decided to jump into PC gaming, but you’re not sure the best way to go about it? Well, the first step is to start by figuring out which type of gaming PC best suits you and your needs. Everyone’s gaming experience is going to be different, so it’s important to do your research before you make any purchase.
If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, then you’ll be glad to hear that most moderately powerful gaming PCs don’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Whether you’re looking for a budget machine or something a little more powerful, there are plenty of options available at a variety of price points – the key is to identify what your particular needs are so you can make an educated purchase.
When it comes to gaming, there are three main components to consider: The graphics card, processor and RAM. If your machine is up to date and capable of playing current games, then you should be fine with any number of GPUs available on the market. That said, if you want to be able to play the very latest games and have the highest quality graphics, then it’s worth looking for a good graphics card – such as an Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti or an AMD RX 5700 XT.
As for the processor, you’ll want something that can handle the strain of running games with ease. Most commonly, you’ll find either an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 powering modern PCs. If you’re looking for a little extra juice, then you could opt for an Intel Core i7 or an AMD Ryzen 7. As for RAM, 8GB is the minimum recommended for most gaming systems, but 16GB is preferable for playing the latest titles.
Once you’ve figured out the best type of PC to get, based on your budget and gaming needs, it’s time to look at what peripherals you’ll need. One of the most important pieces of hardware for PC gaming is a reliable mouse and a comfortable keyboard. It’s important that you choose those that fits your hand comfortably and which can respond quickly to your commands. Wired mouse and keyboards often provide the most accuracy and reliability, but wireless ones based on 2.4Ghz or Bluetooth protocols can work just as well.
Of course, one of the biggest bonuses to PC gaming is its excellent sound capabilities – which can often come at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated sound system in its own right. Whether you choose to use a simple headset or go all out on a surround sound setup, having a good sound system makes a huge difference when it comes to enjoying your gaming experience.
2. Optimizing Your Gaming PC
While a great gaming PC will no doubt take you far when it comes to enjoying plenty of titles, it’s important to keep up with the various updates that allow you to get the most out of your machine. This means regularly checking for driver updates and doing some basic system maintenance such as clearing out caches and temporary files, as well as deleting unused programs.
It’s also worth considering overlocking your computer. This process allows you to boost the performance of your PC by pushing it beyond its advertised limits. Overclocking can be a tricky process and it’s worth doing your research first before changing any settings, but it can often yield great results for gamers looking for that extra edge.
It’s also good practice to ensure your gaming PC is protected with a decent security package. Malware, viruses, and adware can quickly bog down your PC, making your gaming experience a lag-filled nightmare. There are plenty of security programs on the market that will help keep your PC safe and protected, freeing up some more online gaming time.
Finally, if you want to get the most out of your games and are willing to spend some cash, you may want to consider utilising the advantages of a gaming monitor. A gaming monitor enables gamers to benefit from reduced input lag – meaning quicker response times during fast-paced gaming sessions – as well as higher refresh rates and enhanced resolutions.
3. Game Streaming
Recent years have seen the rise of streaming platforms such as Twitch, allowing gamers to share their gaming moments with others from around the globe. PC gaming lends itself particularly well to streaming because of its expansive library of titles, plus the fact that it can capture gameplay with very little strain on the hardware.
If you’re interested in streaming, then there are a few steps you’ll need to take first. The majority of streamers use the XSplit program to capture and stream their games, and this would need to be installed on your PC. Newer games that use DirectX 12 and Vulkan can be recorded without the hassle of an encoder, but those using OpenGL will require some kind of streaming software.
Once you’ve set up your capture and stream and your gaming PC is all set, it’s then time to customise and personalise your stream. This means finding the right graphics and information that you want your viewers to see and how you want your stream to look. This can be a great way of giving your stream a unique identity, and it’s also a fun and creative way to spend your free time. With streaming tech increasingly becoming more and more accessible, now has never been a better time to get into streaming your favourite games.
4. Safety, Cautions and Recommendations
It’s important to remember that PC gaming can be either a highly addictive or highly expensive pastime, so it pays to take precautionary steps to ensure your gaming is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Start by keeping a tab on how much time you’re spending playing games and ensure that you’re balancing out your gaming time with other activities. Gaming should be a healthy form of entertainment, and not something that takes over your life.
It’s also important to be mindful of how much money you’re spending on games – it’s easy to get lost in the allure of constantly purchasing new titles, but this can quickly spiral out of control. Keep an eye on how much you’re spending, and be sure to check out the sales and promotions offered by your preferred platform – you may just find something you like at a reduced price.
Finally, if you want to keep playing games but want to limit your spending, you can always take advantage of the massive library of free-to-play games on offer. There’s always something new to explore in the world of free-to-play gaming, and it’s a great way to discover a variety of interesting titles.
PC gaming continues to be one of the most preferred ways to enjoy a variety of titles, and by following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you’re sure to have lots of fun playing your favourite titles. So get your rig together and get ready to explore the world of PC gaming – it’s a journey you’ll never forget.
“A Gamer’s Dream” – PC Gaming: The Complete Guide For Every Gamer.