Wondering what to consider when getting a gaming PC? Check out these 8 important factors to look into:
- Motherboard
The motherboard is a crucial component for all PCs, which determine the processor your PC can use, the features it has, and more! Make sure that the motherboard is compatible with the components of the PC you plan to get. Gaming laptops can be expensive as only high-end parts are used to build one. Click and learn here why gaming laptops are expensive. - Processor
This is another important component when getting a gaming PC. While games utilize more GPU, the CPU is still crucial for better overall system performance. The top-end gaming PCs use i5 or i7 processors, consisting of up to 8 cores, while cheaper PCs have a processor with 4 cores.
If you have a lower budget, you can get a dual-core processor, though this affects gaming performance. The sweet spot is an Intel Core i5 processor, though it’s vest to get a longer-lasting one while you can upgrade the rest of the parts. - Memory
To have a gaming PC run smoothly, it needs to have enough RAM. However, this isn’t absolutely necessary, so you won’t need to go overboard here. A DDR3 RAM is an affordable upgrade, and a legit gaming PC should have at least 8GB RAM to run games well, though this is the bare minimum. I recommend getting 16GB RAM, which is a good enough amount since anything more won’t really increase your gaming performance.
With that in mind, a bugger RAM allows you to run more applications simultaneously, though if your games would use system memory rather than dedicated video memory on the graphics card, it affects your performance. While you can opt for a higher speed memory, especially when you overclock, the additional expense for performance won’t be significant. - GPU
A graphics card is one of the most important aspects, which is what sets the gaming PC apart. With a dedicated graphics card, you can see a huge boost in gaming performance, which is why you should avoid getting the cheapest and lower-end card.
I recommend that you allocate around a third of your overall budget for buying the best graphics card you’re able to afford. You can get mid-range cards that perform excellently, just visit Allied Gaming PC official website to learn more about how you can get the best balance of price and performance.
Sure, you can play games using lower-end graphics cards, but you’ll notice a loss in terms of gaming performance, especially when you want to try playing virtual reality games. - Storage
There are two options when considering your PC’s storage capacity, either a solid-state or a hard drive.
Solid-state drives are suitable when you want to use your gaming PC purely for games. SSD prices are more affordable and allow quicker boot times, loading of game and game levels, as well as lower noise and less power consumption. But if you need storage for your computer for photos, videos, and other bigger-sized documents, then opt for hard drives instead. - CPU and Cooling
There are many high–end gaming PCs that use six-core processors, though these aren’t necessary if you’re just focusing on playing games on the PC. However, if you also want to use the PC as a workstation with heavy video editing software and the like, look into getting a six-core processor.
If not, then you can cut back on this component, focusing on investing more in better graphics or state drives. - Audio and Communications
Today’s new games take sound and communications seriously. That’s why modern gaming PCs now have on-board multichannel audio codecs, which can take on multichannel game audios. Make sure that your chosen gaming PC also has this feature, as well as quality sounds that can be played clearly when on full blast.
If you’d like to play online multiplayer games, then consider also investing in quality headsets with mics. Thanks to 3D virtualization software, you can also get multichannel audio features with headsets. - Your Budget
Of course, you can’t get all these components and a good gaming PC without being able to set a proper budget for it. See how much you can afford since not everyone has an unlimited budget. Set a max limit on how much you can spend, while still balancing out the specs you need.
You can start with a budget of $300, giving you an entry-level gaming PC. If you have extra, you can get great specs and a mid-level gaming PC with a budget of around $500-700. For those who want advanced and the ultimate gaming experience with longer-lasting and high-quality components, you will need to set aside at least $800.
Wrapping It Up
When getting a good gaming PC, you have to consider these factors explained above. Utilize my tips and look into these gaming PC aspects to get the best one made for you and your budget! Good luck hunting!