In This Article
What is Gaming Computer?
A gaming computer refers to a personal computer that is designed and built specially to support playing high-end video games with no technical glitches or lags.
Also referred to as a gaming PC, these systems technically differ from the regular computers mainly in terms of the processing and graphics power.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The gaming computers are those high performing systems that allow playing Triple A titles.
- These systems come with very high-performing and costly components that may vary according to the brand and model.
- The gaming PCs not only support playing high-end games but also allow doing graphics and CPU intensive tasks such as video editing and others.
Understanding Gaming Computer
In simple terms, a gaming computer is that which allows playing all types of games, basic as well as advanced.
Much unlike the regular computers, these systems come with relatively costly and high performing components that make them a truly gaming computer.
A gaming desktop is not like a gaming console because it will allow you to do much more than play games on it only.
A good gaming computer will also double as a powerful PC to stream movies, listen to music, surf the web, do all your office work, edit videos, produce music, and even watch TV shows if there is a TV tuner card installed in it.
With all these functions played efficiently and reliably, a gaming computer, especially the desktop variant, may last for about 10 years before you notice any drop in its performance.
Therefore, from the performance and life expectancy perspective, spending on a gaming desktop computer is worth the investment.
Gaming computers are usually custom built to provide more graphical and processing power.
These systems come with a lot of upgrading options as well which will further add to its utility and life.
The graphics card of a gaming computer plays the most significant role in the gaming performance though the processor and other parts are equally important.
The gaming laptops are also specially designed to support playing high-end games but are less preferred by the professional gamers due to power constraints, limited space and upgradability options, and heat generated.
A gaming laptop is useful specifically for those gamers who visit LAN parties frequently for its portability in comparison to a desktop gaming PC.
Requirements for a Good Gaming PC
A good gaming PC will require high-performing components inside the case right from the processor to the graphics card, memory to storage and motherboard to the cooling system.
The components that you should specifically focus on are:
- The CPU or the Central Processing Unit – The processor will determine how fast the computer will perform when you run a high-end game on it. Therefore, you will need a multi-core processor with a higher base clock speed from the latest generation and higher category of the Intel or AMD family.
- The GPU or the Graphics Processing Unit – The high-end games will need a lot of graphics power and therefore a high-end discrete graphics card of the latest generation and with high Video RAM is necessary. It can be from NVIDIA or AMD.
- The motherboard – A good quality motherboard is required in a gaming PC because it is the single point of integration of all other components of the computer. It determines the features and type of processors and other components that you can use in your computer. It should support an adequate number of ports to allow connecting several gaming accessories as well.
- The memory – The amount of memory or RAM you have in your computer will also play a significant role in the gaming performance. The more RAM you have, the fewer the chances of bottlenecks. Also make sure that it is compatible with the motherboard.
- The storage – Though HDDs will offer larger storage space, an SSD is more preferred for faster performance and less vulnerability to damages due to absence of moving parts in it. It will emit less noise and heat but save and load games fast.
- The PSU or Power Supply Unit – This component will provide the necessary power to the entire system and therefore should be good enough.
- The cooling system – Since gaming PCs will go through excessive workload, it will generate a lot of heat that should be drawn away quickly and more efficiently. A proper and efficient cooling system is therefore also essential. It is better to have a blend of CPU fans and liquid cooling system for better effects.
- The Monitor – A larger and good quality display with high refresh rate, resolution, response time and preferably with High Dynamic Range, G-Sync and FreeSync technologies is also required for a better visual and gaming experience.
- Keyboard – Good quality keyboard is also needed for proper and fast navigation while playing the game. Keyboards should have softer keys with backlights, provide hotkey support, and preferably should be mechanical and wireless.
- Mouse – A highly sensitive, lightweight and easy to grip mouse with high polling rate and additional buttons is also required for a good gaming PC.
The computer case may be of any type since it will not have direct influence in gaming but it should be large enough to hold all the components inside it properly.
Can You Use a Regular PC for Gaming?
Yes, you can use a regular computer to play games provided you run only those games that are less demanding such as Minecraft, Solitaire and others.
You can even play a few other games on it by overclocking the graphics card. Nonetheless, this should only be done slowly and only if you are experienced.
However, if the requirements of the games are higher, you will need a more powerful computer with high-end processor, graphics card and motherboard so that it can offer greater hardware power to handle more data.
Conclusion
So, now you know that a gaming computer is much different from the regular computer, desktop or laptop, which you already have and why it does not allow you to play the high-end games on it.
If you really want to have a much higher gaming experience, upgrade it or buy the best gaming PC after thorough research.