In the world of gaming, your PC is a critical piece of equipment. You can use it for more than just gaming, but if you do plan on playing games with it, then it's important to consider what components are best and which ones will be most cost-effective.
When looking at computers in general, there are four main considerations: graphics card, monitor size, and screen resolution, keyboard type, mouse type. In addition to these considerations for all PCs, other factors apply when buying a computer for gaming purposes, such as sound system type (speakers/headset with microphone). To help you make an informed decision about the right machine for you, we created this article outlining five things to think about when buying a new or used gaming PC.
GPU
The first step to consider is what graphics card you should get for your new or used gaming computer. If you're a dedicated gamer, then a high-end graphics card can take a game from good looking to beautiful.
Graphics card memory is important when thinking about high-end graphics cards, so keep the following in mind: For an NVIDIA GTX 900 series or AMD Radeon 300/R7 200 series or higher, you will need at least three GB of dedicated video memory. Anything lower than that and two GB of video memory may not be enough for some games to run smoothly.
Additionally, if you like to play newer games or games that push the limits of video cards (read: graphics heavy), then you should make sure your card has a display port. Most new monitors and TVs use display ports instead of HDMI and DVI/VGA, so it's important to make sure your PC will have enough display ports.
To make things even more complicated, there are three levels of NVIDIA GTX series cards 10, 9, and 8, ,3 with the number representing how powerful it is. For example, a GeForce GTX 3070 would be on the low end, whereas a GTX 1080 or GTX 1080 Ti would be high-end.
Screen Resolution
The second step to consider is the size of your monitor and what screen resolution you should have. A higher screen resolution means a sharper image, so if you're really into graphic design or playing a specific game, a high-end PC may help achieve a sharp picture.
If it's gaming that you're looking to do on your new or used PC, consider the various screen resolutions available. A standard screen resolution is 1080p, which is 1920 x 1080 pixels. If you don't have a 4k TV, getting a 4k computer monitor may be unnecessary, although you will still benefit from higher graphics with 1440p (2560 x 1440 pixels) and 4k (3840 x 2160 pixels).
4k is currently the highest resolution that a PC can produce, so if you want an extremely sharp image, then go with a 4k monitor. Remember that your graphics card will need to support 4k, or else it may not be able to push that many pixels.
Finally, Hz is the speed at which your monitor refreshes itself and changes images. You should be looking for 144hz or higher for gamers to avoid any lag when playing fast-paced games. However, it's important to note that the more high-end PC parts (e.g., graphics card) you have, the higher Hz monitor you will need.
Keyword
The third step is keyboard type. Gaming keyboards are designed to stand up to intense gaming sessions and come with features like programmable keys, anti-ghosting technology (so you can press multiple buttons at once), and backlighting for easier use in low light environments. It's important to consider whether you tend to game at home or away from the computer, as keyboards may vary based on their size and design.
For example, if you're looking for a compact keyboard that travels well, then consider whether your preferred style has an ergonomic key layout (angled keycaps) rather than standard flat ones. If you're looking for a membrane keyboard (one whose keys press down on a rubber/plastic grid), keep in mind that these types of keyboards are typically less durable and don't offer any customization options.
For those who want mechanical key switches, it may be worthwhile to add some sound to your experience with gaming keyboards that play different sounds when specific keys are pressed.
Additionally, you should also consider the location of the keys (e.g., WASD and QWERTY) and whether or not you're comfortable with certain layouts before purchasing a gaming keyboard. For example, some Razer keyboards come with an ergonomic key layout which allows gamers to avoid hand fatigue in the long term.
Mouse
Mouse type is the fourth consideration. Most gamers prefer to use wired mice with an optical sensor rather than wireless ones with laser sensors because of issues like latency with response time and inaccuracy when playing intense games.
As far as mouse button type goes, there are three types: primary buttons, secondary buttons, and scroll wheels. Primary buttons are the left and right-click buttons, while secondary buttons are anything else on the mouse (e.g., a forward button for web browsing).
Scroll wheels allow you to go back and forth through web pages, reduce or increase volume as well as zoom in and out on photos by scrolling up or down. Finally, it's important to consider best mouse grip and the length of the mouse cord.
For those that don't like wired mice, you can also go with wireless variants and avoid the issue of dealing with cords and latency (when your movement with the mouse is delayed on your computer).
Speaker
The fifth and final factor to consider is speaker/headset type. For speakers, you should look for ones that provide a surround sound experience (especially when playing first-person shooter games) and offer low latency (so you can hear voices in fast-paced games without any delays). Some examples of features include noise-canceling microphones, wireless connectivity, and compatibility with mobile gaming devices when it comes to headsets.