What Makes a Good Gaming PC?

So you've finally decided to enter the world of PC gaming. You've made a great choice! With a gaming PC, you can get your hands on some of the best games out there, and you'll be able to run them in high-quality. But what makes a gaming PC tick? How much RAM will you need? What's the difference between an SSD and a hard drive? If you're new to the world of computers, these terms may sound like another language. Whether you want to build your own gaming desktop or you want to find a decent pre-built model, you'll need to learn a thing or two about PC parts. Read on to find out what makes a good gaming PC.

PC Parts

Though every part of your PC ultimately contributes to how well it will be able to run, we're only going to cover the main PC parts that give your computer the ability to effectively run games. The following parts are standard across every computer out there. The only real difference between the parts you'll find in a gaming computer and a regular PC is that a gaming PC requires a high-quality graphics card and faster components to ensure that you can properly run all of the demanding games you plan on playing.

CPU

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. This component is extremely important when it comes to how effectively your PC can run. Your CPU is essentially the brain of your PC, and whether you plan on using it for gaming or not, this component is what allows your computer to process all of the different things you're doing on it. The better processor you have, the more efficiently your machine will be able to run multiple programs at once. This is something to keep in mind if you plan on streaming as you play.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the piece that connects everything to your CPU. It also acts as the middle piece that transfers power from your power bank to every part of your computer. It's important to note that certain motherboards and CPUs aren't compatible with one another, so you always need to make sure that your desired motherboard and CPU can fit in with each other. This is mostly only important for people who are building their PC.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It's hard to describe RAM simply, but essentially the more RAM you have, the more efficiently your computer can run a variety of programs at once. Having more RAM also allows it to run games. Gaming PCs usually should have at least 16GB of RAM to ensure that they can effectively run your games.

Graphics Card

Your graphics card is what allows your gaming PC to run games at a higher quality. The more recent your graphics card, the better it will be. Having a high-quality graphics card means you'll be able to run the latest games at high graphical settings so you can get the most immersive experience out of them. You need to make sure that your computer has a motherboard that is compatible with your graphics card as well, but again, this is mostly important for builders.

Hard Drive

The hard drive is where everything you download on your computer gets stored. Whether it's games or work files, everything you download will arrive on your hard drive. An SSD (Solid State Drive) is a type of hard drive that can run faster than a normal hard drive, allowing it access the data on your computer more quickly. A gaming computer should optimally have a large hard drive with enough space to store plenty of games, or it may have more than one hard drive.

To Build or Not to Build

There are two ways to acquire your new gaming PC. You can either buy each individual component of your computer and put them all together, or you can get a prebuilt computer. There are many benefits to both methods. When building your computer, you'll have more control over how well it will run. You can specifically choose each component that's going to be able to run the games that you want to play at the quality that you want to play them. Of course, you'll also need to know how to put the parts together, and you'll need to make sure that all of your parts are compatible with one another. There's plenty of instruction available online to help you put the computer together should you go this route. Getting a prebuilt gaming PC allows you to skip the process of researching and buying each part, and of course it'll be completely assembled when you get it. Before you commit to buying any prebuilt model, make sure to look over its specs. You're going to want to make sure that its hardware is able to run the games you want to play at the quality that you'll want to play them.

Gaming Laptops

If you want to get into PC gaming but don't want to commit to a desktop, a gaming laptop may be a better choice. Gaming laptops often have the same specs as a desktop, but their parts are much slimmer, and of course they're portable too. This is an especially good option for anyone who wants to be able to game on the go. When you buy a laptop, you're also saving on accessories. Every gaming laptop will at least come with a keyboard (usually one that's backlit), speakers, and a decent display. The one thing you'll absolutely need to buy is a mouse. Anyone who's tried to play a competitive game on a trackpad knows that it is not ideal for gaming. Most gaming laptops will also come with plenty of ports too, so you can hook up your gaming headset, or even a monitor if you want a dual-screen setup for multitasking as you game.

PC Gaming

Once you finally get your hands on your new gaming PC, you're going to need a full set of computer accessories. A nice keyboard and mouse are essential for playing any game on PC, and a gaming headset will help keep you immersed in your favorite games while allowing you to communicate with your team in multiplayer games.

When you've got everything all set, you're going to want to invest a nice collection of games. Some of the most popular games to play on PC are highly competitive. Games like League of Legends, Valorant and Counterstrike: Global Offense are all free to play with massive communities. Check out our Top 5 Games of the Console Generation to find about some other exciting titles.

Regardless of how you choose to acquire your new gaming PC, you're making a great decision. PC gaming is considered to be the best way to game, and their ability to be updated on the fly with new parts or software gives them more staying power than most consoles. Make sure you weigh your options before making any decision, and happy gaming!