Purchasing or building a computer capable of effectively being used as a gaming machine can be a confusing prospect. Unlike game consoles, computers have a myriad of different components that can be upgraded or expanded. There are some essential components that all gaming computers should include.
Prime Consideration
The most important part of a gaming PC is the graphics card. This will have the greatest effect on what games you're able to play as well as the amount of detail that each game will display. Look for systems with a graphics card manufactured under the NVIDIA GeForce series or the ATI Radeon series. These two series of cards have the highest rate of compatibility with gaming software.
Hardware
After the graphics card, the processor is the next most important component of a gaming computer. The processor functions as the taskmaster of the system and delivers instructions to all the other parts. The faster the processor, the more tasks it can handle at a given time. Often with a slower processor, games crash or stall when other programs are running in the background such as email or web browsers. Using at least a 2.0 GHz processor will keep your system running smoothly during game play.
Memory
Any current generation gaming software requires at least 1 gigabyte of RAM (Random Access Memory) to run properly. The higher the RAM, the smoother your games will function. While the minimum requirement is 1 gigabyte, gamers will want to begin with 2 gigs to be ready for upcoming games.
Space
Games take up a great deal of space on a hard drive. This is why a gaming PC should include at least a 150 GB hard drive. When deciding on a hard drive, take into account the amount of games the computer will be used for. A gamer looking for a computer to run only World of Warcraft will require less space on a hard drive than someone looking to try new games every week.
Insight
The most important factor to take into account when purchasing or building a gaming computer is how it will be used. Gamers looking to partake in massive battles in the latest first-person shooter will want a higher-end computer than someone looking to explore the world of The Sims. A tip when purchasing a gaming computer is to print out a list of system requirements for the game you're yearning to play. Make sure the computer meets or exceeds these requirements, and you'll have no trouble with your new computer.
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