Games

Important Specs for a Gaming PC

Gaming is an industry that has exploded in popularity over the last decade. It feels like nearly everyone games in some way, shape, or form. While there are still millions of console gamers out there, millions more are turning to PC gaming.

If you’ve been thinking long and hard about getting (or building) a gaming PC, you need to get the specs down. Everyone has their own preferences but these specs will set you up nicely.

CPU

The central processing unit is the brain of the computer. It runs all of the essential functions and commands, making it possible for you to gun down that opposing player from the other side of the map. If you don’t have a processor that can stand up to your demands, it is going to seriously hamper the performance of your PC.

Of all the different gaming PC specs you will run into, nothing is more critical than the processor. An i5 is about standard for low-end gaming computers while the i9 is considered optimal. Don’t go cheap on your CPU or it will wind up costing you in the heat of the battle.

GPU

The graphics processing unit is an important piece of technology. This little card impacts what you see on the screen. A graphics card that can’t really stand up to the requirements will display pixelated graphics that only get worse when movement is involved. You’re going to be gaming and need to see the action as it unfolds, so a good GPU is a must.

Depending on your rig and how competitive you want to be, it might be wise to invest in dual graphics cards. The more power you can bring to the table, the better your PC will be at handling the increasing software demands of modern games. Don’t fall behind because your graphics card couldn’t hold up.

Available Ports

One of the more underrated aspects of choosing a gaming PC is ensuring that you have enough ports available. For most of the gaming PCs you will find now, USB 3.0 is the standard. Because of the faster speed and instant responsiveness, it is a must for even semi-competitive gamers.

Moreover, those slots will hold all of the essentials. There should be ports for wired or wireless keyboard and mouse, speakers, controllers, charging devices, and more. You can never have too many USB slots available on your gaming PC, so don’t forget about them.

Memory

Memory is oftentimes confused with not only storage but the CPU. Think about it this way. If the CPU is the brain, the RAM is the part of the brain that houses the most recent commands. By storing those commands in short-term memory, the processor can go through them individually and execute them.

Having subpar RAM can be a major issue for gaming PCs. In an environment where your PC needs to respond far faster than you do, not enough RAM can make it difficult for your computer to keep up. Start with 16GB though 32GB may be more optimal on a gaming rig.

Storage

Given how big games are these days, you are going to need a lot of storage to house your collection. It is common for new PC gaming rigs to have a minimum of 1TB storage though it is not uncommon to see at least double that.

Having enough storage is important because you won’t have to tightly manage your games. Without enough space, you will have to decide which games get removed whenever a new one is downloaded or installed. It can wind up being a major hassle.

 

 

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button