Buying Guide for Prebuilt Gaming PC (Gaming Desktop Computers)

When it comes to gaming, many consider the PC to be the undisputed king. After all, a good gaming PC is more powerful than a console or gaming laptop. It’s easier to customize and upgrade, has access to a bigger library of games and, in general, is better suited for newer technologies like VR. But what makes a good gaming computer? Let’s look at three of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a gaming PC.

GPU

For gaming computers, the graphics card and GPU are your most important factors. After all, you can’t have a great gaming PC without a great graphics card. When choosing a GPU, it’s good to consider the types and settings of games you’ll be playing. More demanding games and settings mean you’ll most likely need a better graphics card. To understand what makes a graphics card good or not, check out our GPU primer.

CPU

A gaming PC’s processor is nearly as important as its graphics card, since it’s largely responsible for your computer’s overall performance. One of the key factors you’ll want to consider is how many cores the processor has. More cores mean faster speeds, which means better gaming performance.  

Storage Size and Type

After the graphics card and CPU, your other big consideration should be storage. Not just the amount, but the type of storage the gaming PC uses. A good strategy is to look for a solid-state drive with a reasonable amount of storage that isn’t overkill. SSDs are faster than hard drives, which will directly affect how games play, and they’re increasingly more affordable, especially if you opt for a reasonable amount of memory—remember, there’s no point in paying for storage you never use.

Other Considerations

There are, of course, other specs and features to consider when purchasing or building a gaming PC. However, if you invest the bulk of your budget on getting a suitable graphics card, processor, and the right type of storage, you should be on the right track. If you have questions about those components, or anything else related to gaming and gaming PCs, be sure to contact us. Our chat lines remain open and are always ready to help.