Are you getting ready to build your first gaming computer and don’t know where to start? I’ll share the requirements for a good gaming PC to produce a smooth and clear experience for you.
If you want to get a thrilling experience playing the latest and most intense games like League of Legends, then you’ll want to invest in a proper gaming rig.
There’s a wide range of gaming computer options available on the market, but not all of them will meet your needs.
The best gaming gear for you will depend largely on your budget and the kind of games you play. With that in mind, here are five factors to consider when shopping for a gaming PC.
1. Basic Setup
Your basic gaming setup should contain the following:
- Central processing unit (CPU)
- Motherboard
- CPU cooler
- Random access memory (RAM)
- Graphics processing unit (GPU)
- Hard drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD)
- Peripherals (mouse, monitor, keyboard)
2. Are your CPU and motherboard compatible?
A gaming processor functions best with at least four cores. If you’re working with a limited budget, however, you can choose two cores and avoid running your games on maximum settings.
Additionally, if you want a Full-HD experience, consider choosing at least a 2.5 GHz processor. If you’ll be overclocking your machine, you should also be ready to deal with not only increased power consumption but also core PC temperature.
3. Feed speed-hungry CPUs with DRAM!
It’s important that the RAM you choose matches your motherboard’s requirements. Fortunately, most modern motherboards use DDR3 or DDR4, which are designed differently. Many new AMD® and Intel® processors feed on high-speed DDR4 memory.Â
This ensures you don’t accidentally install the wrong RAM into your motherboard.
It’s worth noting that the amount of memory you can add to your gaming rig will depend on the number of slots in your motherboard. 16 GB memory works fine for gaming, but if you’re into multi-tasking or other intensive gaming tasks, you may consider investing in up to 32 GB.
3. The Graphics Card
A graphics card is an integral component of a gaming PC.  It’s the only component that is specially designed to display high-resolution, highly-detailed graphics. You may have the most powerful computer, but without a good graphics card, it will deliver an awful gaming experience.
While it’s difficult to tell how powerful a graphics card is without actually testing it, reading online reviews and seeking the opinion of fellow gamers is a good way to get a rough idea where to start.
4. Storage
You can choose either a hard drive (HDD) or a Solid-State Drive (SDD). If you’re looking to use your computer for gaming only, however, an SSD would be an ideal option.
While SSD is somewhat more expensive than HDD, it’s quieter and more power-efficient. It also offers faster boot times and quick loading of games. If you’ll be storing photos and videos on your PC, however, an HDD would be a better option. You can learn more about the difference here.
5. Cooling
Gaming rig computers can get very hot, thanks to their powerful processors and graphics cards. As such, it’s imperative that your gaming PC is equipped with some form of cooling system.
While processors normally come with heatsinks and cooling fans, some manufacturers add a liquid coolant system to enhance cooling with almost no noise.
Ready to build your own gaming PC?
When shopping for the best gaming computer for your needs, there are countless options from which to choose. By considering the CPU, graphics card, RAM, storage, and other factors, you’ll have an easy time narrowing down your choices.
Take a look at the infographic below for more advice on requirements for a good gaming PC.
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