Compared with an ordinary office computer that is simply used for everyday computing tasks and browsing the internet, gaming computers are a different breed altogether, hiding bleeding edge technology in sometimes unassuming cases. With so many new video games that come out into the market every month or so, making sure that your PC is capable of playing such games is dependent on the hardware that you initially buy or purchase and install later.
Unless you know what components to look for, you might end up being sadly disappointed when trying to install a game and finding that it can’t be played, or that the graphics are too disappointing to make it a pleasurable gaming experience. The best gaming computers require more than just standard hardware. If you plan on getting one, make sure that you are armed with the right information and know exactly where to cut corners if you are trying to save on your purchase.
The video card is essentially the most important component of a gaming PC as it offloads the processing of graphics information and allows the rendering of 3D environments to ensure a quality gaming experience. Most video cards advertised as gaming hardware start out with 512 MB of graphic memory, however it is recommended that you get at least 1 GB worth of memory coupled with a fast core clock and memory clock to ensure that you get smooth frame-rates even on larger screens with higher resolutions. In addition to a good video card, the best gaming computers generally have at least dual core processors, 4 GB of DDR 3 memory, and high capacity, high speed hard drives. Although most dual core processors that clock at 2.66 Ghz are enough for most games, getting a quad core processor from Intel or even 6-core processor from AMD are highly recommended. While some people like to cut corners on the hard drive just to get higher specs on other hardware, it is best to get at least 512 GB hard drive space from the start.
Other hardware that you may want to consider when getting the best gaming computers is to ensure the ability of expansion of your PC and future-proof it for future expansion. A 700 watt power supply is recommended over the standard 500 watts that is commonly seen on business computers. High speed USB 3.0 ports allow you to connect a plethora of gaming accessories like racing wheels and flight sticks. A gaming keyboard is an accessory that you might want to consider as it will allow you to pre-program specific functions and also generally come in a form-factor more suited for extended gaming sessions. The best gaming computers usually top it off with a large widescreen LCD or LED monitor that allow you to fully appreciate your games. Upgrade this from the get-go and pair it off with quality 2.1 or 5.1 surround speakers depending on the size of your room.
Ariel Norton
