What Makes A Gaming PC A Gaming PC? Here's All You Need To Know
An expensive computer doesn't necessarily mean it can handle gaming.
By Syazwan Bahri — 10 Jul 2024, 03:38 PM
Gaming PCs are becoming increasingly popular in today's world
It's common to see endless lists of part configurations with a plethora of prices. With so many options on the market, it's no surprise that many people struggle to find the right setup for their needs without breaking the bank.
We've streamlined the process to help you understand which components are crucial for an enjoyable gaming experience.
We start off with the core of the gaming PC: the CPU and the GPU
Both of these components are equally essential for enhancing your gaming experience. However, most gamers argue that the GPU is more important for achieving better frame rates.
In our experience, CPUs nowadays are faster than those in the past. Most importantly, a capable CPU and motherboard configuration does not have to break the bank.
For example, a modest Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is enough for gaming purposes. If you're looking for the best of the best regardless of budget, the higher tier Intel i7 and AMD Ryzen 7 are suited for enthusiast-grade gamers.
GPUs, or graphics processing units, are responsible for processing and rendering the pixels you see on the screen. Both AMD and Nvidia are brands that manufacture these products.
You should look out for products with the RTX or Radeon RX nomenclature as these are gaming-grade hardware.
Another important piece of the puzzle is your RAM
A common misconception is that the more RAM that you have, the faster your PC will be. This is true to a certain extent.
RAM works in wonderful ways: it is the component that temporarily holds data for rapid transfer. Let's say your game requires a large map to load as your character roams the world — RAM lets your computer preload the game and its world data into the RAM for faster access so you won't experience stutters or choppy gameplay.
In essence, having more RAM is not the be-all-end-all solution for a faster PC, but it's a crucial part of a machine with many components. Think of it this way — using premium fuel won't turn a Kancil into a Ferrari.
Last but not least: blazing fast storage for shorter loading times
Let's be honest, nobody likes to wait at a loading screen, especially gamers. It's therefore crucial to have a solid-state drive (SSD) storage installed. This type of storage also makes your computer snappier and more responsive.
However, SSD storage is slightly pricier than a standard hard-disk drive (HDD).
To maximise your budget, we recommend getting a 256GB SSD as your boot drive, and a 1TB HDD for additional storage. Once you have the budget, you can upgrade your PC with more SSD storage for installing your games .
