PC Gaming – All You Need to Know.
As technology advances, the possibilities for gaming continue to expand. Today, gaming has become a popular pastime, with PC gaming taking up a sizeable portion of the market. Whether you’re a passionate gamer, or someone who just wants to dip a toe in the gaming world, you’ll want to understand the ins and outs of PC gaming. Here, we run through the basics to help you get on your way.
Before launching into the details, we’ll go over why you might consider PC gaming as a possible option. For one thing, PC gaming is highly customizable, meaning you can tinker with and modify your PC to get the exact specs you’re looking for. You’re also likely to get better hardware than is available with console gaming, which can also make a huge difference when it comes to game play.
Now we come to the components of a gaming PC. As mentioned earlier, a gaming platform is highly customizable, but the main components to consider are the processor, graphics card, memory, motherboard, and storage. We’ll jump into each one in turn.
The processor, or CPU, is the engine of the PC and is responsible for performing all the calculations needed for gaming. You’ll find a range of options available, from entry-level processors to powerful ones suitable for heavy gaming. Naturally, the better the processor, the better the gaming performance. Prices vary according to power, with low-end options costing around $50 and powerful processors costing upwards of $400.
Next up is the graphics card, or GPU, which is the heart and soul of any gaming system. The graphics card is responsible for the visuals of the game, and the more powerful the graphics card, the more detailed and realistic the visuals. Graphics cards typically range in price from around $100 at the low-end to $1000s for the top-end options. Be sure to double check what resolution you’ll be gaming at (1080p, 1440p, etc.) and select a graphics card that’s appropriate.
The memory, or RAM, is a very important component of a gaming PC. The RAM houses all the necessary data so that the processor can quickly access it and perform its calculations. Low-end PCs may have as little as 4GB of RAM, and modern gaming systems can have anything from 16GB to 128GB of RAM.
The motherboard is essentially the brain of the gaming PC, connecting all the components together. It determines the form factor (how big and wide the PC is), what type of memory can be installed, and other features. Generally speaking, all modern motherboards are suitable for gaming, so you won’t need to break the bank to get a good one.
Finally, there’s storage. Usually, this will be in the form of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and/or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Large HDDs were the go-to option for a long time, but speeds are now much faster with SSDs. Typically, a 250GB to 500GB SSD is better suited to the needs of a gamer, providing the space to store all their games while also giving fast loading times.
Once you have the components, it’s time to build your PC. Building a PC isn’t as difficult as it sounds, and there are ample tutorials online to help you through the process. In the end, with patience and perseverance, you’ll have a custom-built PC that’s tailored exactly to your needs.
There are a few considerations to factor in when searching for a gaming PC. Firstly, you should determine your budget and how much you’re willing to spend on a gaming PC. If you’re on a tight budget, then you should look out for pieces like motherboards and RAM that may be slightly older but still offer good performance.
The next thing to consider is what type of games you’ll be playing. Certain games require more powerful components in order to run at good frame rates. If you’re an avid gamer, then you should invest in higher-end components, such as a powerful GPU, to ensure you get the best experience.
As you get further into the world of PC gaming, you may have the inclination to overclock certain components for even more performance. This involves tweaking certain settings in order to extract more performance from those components. However, it’s an art, and the process needs to be done correctly. Otherwise, you risk damaging your hardware and voiding your warranty. It’s best to do some research and look for reliable tutorials before you attempt it.
Finally, it’s important to remember that PC gaming isn’t just limited to the hardware. You also need to consider peripherals such as a monitor, mouse and keyboard, as well as audio components like speakers and headphones. If budget permits, a good gaming headset can make a huge difference in your gaming experience.
In summary, PC gaming can offer a more powerful and customizable experience than console gaming. It requires some knowledge of the components, as well as the willingness to spend a little more money. Hopefully, this primer on PC gaming has armed you with the essential knowledge you need to get your feet wet in the world of PC gaming.