What to look out for when buying a gaming computer
Gaming PCs are one of the best ways to enjoy the latest games with high resolution and excellent visual quality. There are so many brands and specifications to consider that it's hard to know where to start.
This buying guide will help you decide which gaming PC to buy based on your needs, budget, and taste.
At its core, a gaming PC is just a computer, but it's not like most other computers. While an average PC can run office-based software, browse the Internet, and allow for basic photo or video editing, a typical PC can only run simple games at low resolutions.
If you want to play today's level of gaming on your PC, it's important to choose a gaming system with dedicated gaming hardware. While a regular computer can run some basic or older games, you'll need a dedicated graphics card and more powerful hardware to play the latest titles. Today's top games are among the most computationally complex tasks a computer can accomplish.
There are some key factors to keep in mind that differ from buying a regular computer. When you look at gaming computers, you'll notice that they all offer different specs and features.
Getting a balanced gaming PC is crucial, from making sure you have the best storage space to the right specs for your needs. Here are five key areas to consider before investing in a new gaming computer:
- cost
- graphics card
- Processor/Memory
- harddisk
- Out of the box or custom?
You can buy a cheap gaming PC for $500, or you can buy a high-end gaming PC for $5,000. Ultimately, it's up to you and how much you're willing to pay.
The more money you spend, the more likely you are to invest in top-quality components. This means that gaming PCs are expected to last longer, so it's wise to spend a little more money upfront to future-proof yourself.
However, this is not always practical. If you're on a budget, you can still make a good investment and have a great gaming computer.
| price range | What you can expect |
|---|---|
| $500-$1000 | Can handle games that don't involve high-end graphics and older games. Best for users who don't need to play games at high resolutions or quality levels. Not suitable for games like Forza Horizon 5 , Cyberpunk 2077 or Control . |
| $1000-$1500 | Able to play the latest games, but you may need to lower the resolution to 1080p and reduce detail levels to avoid game stuttering. This range is best for those who are willing to compromise or are keen on playing older, less demanding games. |
| $1500-$3000 | Play the latest games at high resolution, including 4K games. Best for players who don't want to sacrifice image quality by spending less. |
| $3000-$5000 | Be able to play the latest games and be prepared for more demanding games in the future. Best for players with a lot of spare cash. |
If you want a concrete number, between $1,500 and $2,000 (the middle two rows on the chart) will provide most people with a good gaming computer, especially as prices drop during the sales season.
As with any purchase, it's crucial to only spend what you can afford, but with something as expensive as a gaming PC, it's easy to get carried away.
The most critical component in any gaming computer is its graphics card (video). The graphics card is at the heart of allowing you to play games at high resolutions and with as many graphical capabilities as possible. They are also one of the most expensive components.
Look for:
- The graphics card is suitable for playing at least 1080p resolution, and 4K resolution is also an option depending on your budget.
- The most powerful GPU processor you can afford.
- The biggest GPU RAM you can afford.
Two companies offer graphics cards: AMD and Nvidia. Currently, the best graphics card offered by Nvidia is the RTX 40 graphics card. If money is no object, the GeForce RTX 40 SUPER series are the best graphics cards, but you're more likely to come across the RTX 3060 or 3070 series when shopping for a gaming PC.
If you're looking to play games at 4K resolution or high or ultra-high graphics settings, the RTX 40 series is generally the best choice.
If your budget is tight, AMD is still worth paying attention to, and the RX 7000 series is worth considering. These cards are suitable for gaming at 4K or 1080p resolution, depending on which card you choose.
Depending on the graphics card, the latest Call of Duty games and Final Fantasy XVI will scale down to 1080p, while games like Cyberpunk 2077 can stutter a little with lower-end graphics cards. Perennial favorites like Fortnite scale well so most GPUs can handle it.
In either case, it's worth paying attention to the model number.
Generally speaking, the higher the number, the better the card. For example, the GeForce RTX 30 series is older than the GeForce RTX 40 series. The 30 series can still play the latest games, but you should invest in RTX 40 series cards for the best quality.
The 30-series GPU cards themselves typically cost about $300 less than the GeForce RTX 40-series cards, but when buying as a desktop system, expect to spend about $200 more for the latest RTX 40-series cards. Due to the ongoing global shortage of microchips, prices often fluctuate.
Finally, check how much memory is on the card. A graphics card with 12 GB of RAM may perform better than a graphics card with 8 GB of RAM. GPU RAM, also known as VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), is a special type of RAM that is used only to assist your computer's graphics card and not for any other part of the system.
Unlike regular RAM, you cannot upgrade it later. More VRAM means your graphics card can access details like game textures or other effects faster than lower amounts.
Intel and AMD are two options when picking a gaming PC. Currently, the most powerful gaming processors vary depending on your price range. As with graphics cards, generally the higher the number, the better the processing power.
The processor, also known as the CPU, is essentially the brain of the computer. It is responsible for interpreting and executing almost everything displayed on the screen. Its speed and cores affect how quickly it runs and completes tasks.
Cores are like processors within processors. Most CPUs have 4 to 8.
Computer RAM works much like VRAM, but instead of assisting the graphics card processor, it assists the main CPU. The more RAM, the better the system's ability to retrieve temporary information, thereby increasing speed and performance.
Talking about RAM, you need 16 GB of memory. An average PC can multitask well with 8 GB of RAM. However, at least 16 GB is required when playing games, as gaming is more demanding than browsing the internet or using office-related software.
When you have at least 16 GB of RAM while gaming, you can rest easy knowing that your system won't bottleneck while loading new data for fast-moving games.
8GB is only worth looking at if you're using the cheapest gaming PCs. If you're looking for the best affordable gaming computer, chances are your budget is for playing older games or less demanding games like Fortnite .
Not all RAM is created equal. Check RAM speed and RAM type. DDR5 is the newest and fastest RAM, but many systems use DDR4. Avoid anything lower than DDR4.
With Intel processors, you need RAM running at 3,200 MHz for optimal performance, while AMD systems can handle 3,600 MHz. Slower RAM can also work, but your PC may hit a bottleneck when trying to process all the information, and performance may suffer.
AMD has the Ryzen 5 series, which you're likely to come across in gaming PC systems, but it also has the Ryzen 9 series for high-end gaming.
Additionally, Intel also offers the i9 series for high-end gaming, as well as the i5 and i7 for more affordable but faster gaming. As expected, the processor world is a rapidly evolving one, but if you stick to higher numbers and the latest processors (available for Intel and AMD), you should be fine.
Usually, upgrading the processor yourself in a gaming PC is difficult, but replacing RAM is often one of the easiest tasks in gaming hardware. If you're comfortable using a screwdriver, you can upgrade the RAM later.
Most gaming computers use solid-state drives (SSDs) for storage. If you see a product that only offers regular hard drive storage, skip it. The only exception is gaming computers that offer both SSD and hard disk drive (HDD).
SSD storage is one of the easiest ways to improve the performance of your gaming computer. Your computer can read files faster, reducing game load times and improving performance.
It's crucial to make sure you purchase as much SSD storage as possible. Some gaming PCs only offer 256 GB of SSD storage, and with recent games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III requiring over 100 GB of space, you won't be able to install multiple games at the same time. Instead, you'll need to frequently uninstall the game to switch.
Reinstalling games can take a while, most of which are digital or require extensive patches. You must also take into account that there is enough free space to expand and install the above patches.
Unless you're buying a PC to only play one or two games, 512 GB should be the minimum consideration. If you only plan to play one or two games, 256 GB may be enough, but you'll soon need more space, as new games are often larger than previous ones. Fortunately, it is possible to install a new hard drive in many systems.
Many people prefer to build their own gaming PC, and it's certainly possible to do so. Building a computer is like a slightly more complex Lego set with electronic components.
Things can get tricky when purchasing computer components that work together. Unless you purchase a bundle deal from a retailer that includes a range of compatible components, it will take a lot of research to purchase all the right parts. There is also the issue of rising costs.
It used to be cheaper to build a computer than buy it pre-built, but those days are gone and individual components like graphics cards can sometimes cost more than an entire gaming computer tower.
If you can build a regular computer, you can build a gaming PC. However, be brutally honest about your technical expertise and abilities. If you're not sure, just buy one that works right out of the box.
A few key types of gamers will benefit the most from purchasing a gaming computer.
- Casual gamer. Gamers who particularly like one or two games. Casual gamers don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a gaming PC, but instead indulge in a fun game or two that they're familiar with, like an MMO or a free-to-play game like Fortnite or Apex Legends . At this level, it's worth investing in a cheap gaming computer to improve your gaming experience.
- People who play more than 20 hours a week. If you prefer a PC to a gaming console, a gaming PC can provide enough flexibility in your choice of games. Typically, PC games cost less to purchase than console versions.
- ribbon . If you're keen on streaming gaming content on Twitch and other streaming networks, you'll need a gaming PC to play games quickly and at a good quality level. No one wants to see a streamer struggling to load a game.
- Domestic workers . If you work from home, you probably already need a computer. A gaming PC means you can combine work and play, so your system can efficiently do everything you need throughout the day and rev up into gaming mode in the evening.
- Experienced gamers who love mods . One of the advantages of a gaming PC over a console is that you can usually modify or adapt a game more on a PC than on a console. This is a great way to add more content to a well-loved game with many cheap or free mods.
If you have used the computer before, then setting it up will be very simple after transferring files from your old computer. Here's a quick overview of what else to do after buying a gaming computer.
- Buy a new monitor . Most gaming computers don’t come with a monitor, so you’ll need to buy a new one. Research the best gaming monitor you can afford and try not to skimp on the cost. A regular monitor will work, but a gaming monitor is better because it offers superior refresh rates and input lag, meaning there's no risk of motion blur or brief, ugly pictures.
- Purchase new peripherals . Your gaming PC needs a new keyboard, mouse, headset, and game controller. You may already have these (console controllers work just fine), but this is a great excuse to upgrade. Many gaming mice offer programmable buttons and excellent speed. Mechanical gaming keyboards are more responsive than regular membrane keyboards and can come in handy when playing fast-paced games.
Headsets are only necessary if you plan on talking to teammates or want more immersive sound, but for most gamers, investing in a gaming keyboard and mouse is a good idea.
- Find a suitable living space for it . Create space in your den, den, or living room for a new gaming PC. Clean up some wiring so the new unit is ready for the new rig.
There are a few other things you may want to consider before you start shopping for a gaming computer.
- Do you need a gaming computer? Do you own a gaming console that you haven't touched yet because you never have time to play? Do you own a computer that's already running a game you want to play? Then you probably don't need a gaming PC.
- A gaming laptop might be a better choice. If you like to play your games in a portable way or have limited space at home, a gaming laptop might be a good choice. Gaming laptops are usually more expensive than regular gaming computers, but are still very convenient.
- Don't forget aesthetics. A gaming PC doesn't have to be a bland, black tower of hardware. Nowadays, you can add RGB lighting and cool windows to see inside your computer. Find one that matches both your aesthetic and your personality.
Building your own computer is an alternative to buying a computer and allows you to customize everything from the start, including the memory, processor, and appearance. You'll start with a basic case, then purchase the components (including logic board, memory, CPU) and install them.
Most ways to make your computer run games better involves upgrading. You can install more memory and swap out the graphics card and drivers for larger changes, but you can also make some optimizations without buying more hardware. Try killing unnecessary programs in Task Manager, cleaning up startup and shutdown items, and overclocking to squeeze more performance out of the hardware you have.
