“Upgrade Your Experience: The Ultimate Guide to PC Gaming.”
For millions of gamers around the world, the PC remains one of the most popular gaming platforms to experience. From the biggest triple-A titles to indies and MMOs, the PC provides an unrivalled selection of gaming experiences for a range of different players.
But with so much choice, it can be daunting to know where to start when it comes to your gaming rig. So, in this guide we’re taking a look at what you need to know before taking the plunge into PC gaming.
Whether you’re curious to understand why PC gamers love their rigs so much or you know what you need and want to upgrade the system you already have, this ultimate guide to PC gaming is here to help.
First, we’ll look at what exactly PC gaming is and why it’s such an attractive option for gamers. We’ll cover some of the benefits of playing on a PC versus playing on other platforms such as console, mobile and even retro gaming.
Next, we’ll look at the essential hardware components you’ll need and be taking you through the basics to get your PC gaming rig up and running. From processors and graphics cards to monitors and peripherals, we’ll run through everything you’ll need to bring your games to life.
Then, we’ll look at some additional upgrades you can make to support higher-end games and advanced settings. We’ll also walk you through what games you might want to get your hands on, from the biggest blockbusters to the most obscure indie titles.
Finally, we’ll wrap up with a section on where to get the best deals on your new gaming gear and provide some top-tips for upholding your system to ensure a long-life of gaming.
So, if you’re ready to get a handle on PC gaming, let’s dive in.
What Is PC Gaming?
Before we go any further, it’s important to understand exactly what PC gaming is and why so many gamers are drawn to the platform.
Put simply, PC gaming is playing video games on a personal computer. This could be either a desktop computer which bolts together the essential parts to create a powerful gaming machine, or it could be a laptop which is capable of running all of your favourite games.
PC gaming is attractive to gamers because it gives them a level of control over the hardware which can’t be matched on platforms such as console or mobile. Not only does this allow for the best possible graphical fidelity, but it also allows players to tailor the system to match their individual needs, whether that be a lightweight laptop for mobile gaming or a powerful desktop for more intensive titles.
It also means that PC gaming has a far wider selection of titles than other platforms, with low-cost to mid-range titles to more expensive titles. This can allow gamers of all budgets to experience a high-quality gaming experience.
Essential Hardware
When it comes to PC gaming, the hardware you choose can drastically affect the experience you have. Different hardware components will provide different levels of power, so it’s important to be aware of what you will need before you buy hardware for your system.
Let’s start with the processor, which is essentially the ‘brain’ of your computer. The processor is also known as the central processing unit or CPU and this is essentially the component which determines how powerful a system is.
The type of processor you choose will depend on which games you are trying to play and how much money you are willing to spend. Generally speaking, Intel and AMD processors are the most popular choices for PC gaming and there are a variety of different models available.
The next most important hardware choice is likely to be the graphics card, which is also known as the GPU. This is the component which processes video data so it can be displayed on the monitor. The more powerful graphics cards available on the market give you the ability to view high-resolution graphics and play more graphically-intensive titles.
The next component we’ll cover is your monitor. This is where most of the action takes place and will make up the majority of the visible parts of your rig. It’s important to choose an appropriate screen based on the number of pixels you’d like to be able to see, as well as how large you would like the screen to be.
Finally, it’s time to look at peripherals. These are accessories such as a mouse, keyboard and gaming headset which are used to control the game and communicate with other players.
Additional Upgrades
Now that you know the essentials of PC gaming hardware, let’s look at some of the extras you can add to your system to support higher-end games and boost performance.
One of the most popular choices for gamers is to purchase an SSD (solid state drive) in order to reduce loading times for games. An SSD offers up to four-times faster access to data than a traditional hard drive, meaning you won’t be waiting around for your games to load.
Another common upgrade is a higher RAM count in your rig. This is essentially the ‘memory’ of your device and adding RAM to your computer gives it more ‘space’ to process data, meaning it can support more complex games.
For more serious gamers, it’s also possible to invest in a higher-end processor and graphics card in order to experience the best possible gaming performance. This can be a more expensive option than the other upgrades, however, and it’s not necessary for most games.
Once you’ve set up your hardware, it’s time to look at some of the games you could be playing on your system.
Picking the Perfect Games
One of the most amazing aspects of PC gaming is the amount of choice there is when it comes to games. Whether you’re after the newest triple-A titles or some obscure indie games, there is something for everyone.
If you’re after a selection of some of the biggest titles on the market, platforms such as Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store offer up a huge range of choice from all genres. You’ll find plenty of classic games available here too, so you can get your hands on the games you’ve been playing since your childhood.
If you’re after something truly unique, however, there are plenty of independent developers that are providing amazing games that you simply won’t find on any other platform. In recent years, titles such as Stardew Valley, Undertale and Papers, Please have become massively popular due to the quirky and often thought-provoking experiences they offer.
These games can usually be found on the same platforms as bigger titles, although you’ll also find lots of great games available through smaller storefronts such as itch.io and Humble Bundle.
So, whatever experience you’re after, there’s likely to be something to fit your needs.
Where to Find the Best Deals
Once you’ve decided on the games you’d like for your system, it’s time to shop around for the best deals.
In most cases, the biggest platforms such as Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store are the best places to find deals. These websites offer up daily discounts on their own titles, as well as discounts on other stores’ games. It’s worth checking daily in order to make sure you don’t miss out on great deals.
It’s also worth checking out marketplace websites such as eBay, Green Man Gaming and Humble Bundle. Each of these websites provide some great deals on older games, as well as discounted bundles which allow you to get a great range of titles for a reduced price.
Finally, don’t forget about sales events such as Steam’s Summer and Winter sales, or the recently-launched Epic Mega Sale. These events offer up some of the best deals you’ll find all year, so it’s worth checking out.
Maintaining Your System
Finally, it’s important to make sure that you keep your system in tip-top shape in order to get the best performance and the longest life out of your rig.
One of the most important things to do is to invest in anti-virus software and make sure that your system is regularly updated. This will prevent any viruses or malware from infecting your computer, as well as ensuring that the operating system is using the most recent patches.
It’s also important to make sure your PC is kept clean, both physically and virtually. We recommend using a quality air duster to remove dust build-up on components and using a file cleaner to clear out any unnecessary files. This will help ensure that your PC is running at maximum efficiency.
Finally, make sure to keep an eye on any hardware that is getting on in years. If your processor is a few generations old, for example, it’s likely that it will lose performance over time due to the advances in new hardware.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has been helpful and given you an insight into the world of PC gaming. Even if you have an idea of the topics talked about here already remember that knowledge is power, and the more information you have about PC gaming, the smoother your experience will be.
We wish you luck on your gaming adventures and remember – upgrade your experience and explore PC gaming today!