PC Gaming: The Ultimate Guide to Like a Pro.
Gaming on your PC has always been the ultimate experience, offering ultimate levels of power, control, and convenience. With the ever-growing library of new releases, constantly evolving hardware and near-unlimited modding capabilities, it’s no wonder that PC gamers are the most dedicated and passionate of all gamers.
However, as with anything, a great gaming experience requires more than just buying the best hardware and games. There are a few essential tips and tricks that every PC gamer needs to know in order to maximize their gaming setup and get the most out of their games. This ultimate guide is designed to help you do just that and get the most out of your PC gaming experience.
So, what does it take to become a pro PC gamer? Let’s find out.
Tip #1: Start with the Right Hardware
When it comes to gaming, your PC’s hardware will play an integral role in determining your overall gaming experience. Investing in quality components that are both powerful and reliable is key to ensuring your PC can run the games you want to play smoothly and at the highest settings.
When building or upgrading your gaming PC, there are several key components to consider:
CPU: At the heart of your gaming computer will be the CPU (central processing unit). This is what will be in charge of processing all the instructions and calculations that are needed to run your games, so a powerful and reliable CPU is essential. When choosing your CPU, look for one with a high core count and a powerful clock speed.
GPU: Your graphics processing unit (GPU) is responsible for rendering the 3D graphics you’ll see in your games and generally requires more power than the CPU. Aim for a powerful but balanced GPU with a large capacity for 1080p resolution and smoother game play on higher settings.
Motherboard: This is the component that will connect all your PC’s components together and allow your games to run smoothly. Check the compatibility of your CPU and GPU with the motherboard and make sure it comes with enough ports for all your peripherals.
RAM: Your PC’s RAM (random access memory) essentially acts as a buffer for all the data your PC will need to process while running your games, so it’s important to invest in a respectable amount. 8GB is the minimum amount of RAM to look for when building or upgrading your PC for gaming.
Storage: You’ll need plenty of storage space for all your games, DLC and high-resolution screenshots. Solid-State Drives are generally the best choice for gaming PCs as they offer faster loading times and improved performance.
Tip #2: Optimize Your Audio Setup
A great audio setup is essential for truly immersing yourself in your games. Offering better sound quality than headsets, a good surround sound system will envelop you in the action of your game and make it easier to pinpoint enemy locations.
Many gaming PCs come with a 7.1 surround sound setup preinstalled, but if not, you’ll have to buy an audio setup separately. Look for one with a quality preamp and good connectivity options like optical or HDMI to get the best audio performance from your games.
Tip #3: Upgrade Your Peripherals
Using the right peripherals for your gaming setup will make all the difference. Depending on your budget and preferences, you’ll need to look for peripherals that best suit your style of gaming.
A gaming mouse and keyboard are essential for FPS and RTS games and should be comfortable and precise. A gaming headset will also be needed for vocal communication in team-based games and should also be comfortable and offer good sound quality.
Tip #4: Get the Best Graphics Settings
No matter how powerful your PC is, the experience can be let down by improper graphics settings. Games will often set the graphics settings to low by default to ensure compatibility with the widest range of PCs, so it’s essential to make sure that the settings are appropriately adjusted for your machine.
You will also want to make sure your game has the best resolution for your monitor, as well as an appropriate refresh rate that matches the capabilities your monitor can handle.
Tip #5: Install Performance-Enhancing Mods
PC gaming has one big advantage over console gaming: mods. If you’re looking to get the most out of your gaming setup, then modding games is a great way to do it. Installing performance-enhancing mods can make a game look and run better, as well as add new content and functionality.
Mods can range from anything from small modifications that tweak existing game mechanics to larger, more extensive overhauls that can change the way a game is played. Just make sure you never use any mods that might be deemed as cheating!
Tip #6: Join a Community
The best way to become a pro PC gamer is to join a gaming community where you can learn from more experienced players. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions, get feedback on your performance, and form connections that could one day lead to team gaming or tournaments.
Forums, Discord and Twitch channels are just some examples of places where you can find like-minded PC gamers. So, take the time to find a place where you can talk openly about PC gaming and discuss tips, tricks, and strategies that work for you.
Conclusion
Being a pro PC gamer isn’t just about having the best hardware or the most mods, it’s about taking the time to optimize and tweak your gaming setup to make sure that it runs properly and suits your own play style. With this ultimate guide, you should now have a better idea of how to get the most out of your PC gaming setup and take your skills to the next level. Now all that’s left to do is get out there and start gaming like a pro!