Casual gamers can get away with playing The Sims on the family laptop, but hardcore gamers need a lot more speed and storage for high-resolution games. If you’ve been hobbling along with a basic setup, pieced together haphazardly, then 2020 is your year to level-up to a better gaming rig. A little planning and research before getting down to business can help you stay on budget while still getting everything you need for the perfect personalized system.
The following three questions will help you get started on the right track. So get yourself some Mountain Dew, a pen, and some paper and let’s start planning.
Question #1. What Types Of Games Do You Enjoy Playing Most?
The perfect computer setup will vary from gamer to gamer. Do you play more strategy games or high-octane shooters with lots of sounds and high-res graphics? Do you need VR? Are most of your games played with a mouse or the keypad? Your gameplay style will determine your needs. Setups that require better processors, lots of memory, and perfect graphics will be more expensive to build.
Question #2. What Is Your Total Budget For Your Gaming Rig?
A killer rig can cost upwards of 3 to 4 thousand dollars. Especially if you want to get really fancy with decals and lights to customize the setup to your aesthetic goals. There are ways to save money, however, and a budget rig can be closer to the $500 to $750 range for a PC. Forbes went over some basics on how to build a gaming rig for under $1,000 dollars.
Question #3. Are You Techie Enough To Build Your Own Or Would You Rather Buy A Computer That Works Right Out Of The Box?
This question used to be a no brainer. Serious gamers built their own computers, period. It cost less and it was the only way to get all the important components a gaming PC needed. But we live in the actual future my friends, where gaming PCs you’ll actually fall in love with are fully manufactured in factories and shipped to your door ready to play out of the box. Sometimes it can even be cheaper to buy a pre-made set if you’re going for budget items. If you want the full-on customized experience though, you’ll have to build it yourself by carefully selecting the perfect parts.
Level-Up Your Gaming Rig With These Important Components
#1. Desks And Chairs
First things first, you need a desk to set your stuff on and a chair to sit your butt down on. According to Kate Huber, at NJGamblingFun “A great basic desk that’s adjustable and low-cost is the Eureka Ergonomic Gaming Desk. It features a large gaming surface and a sturdy design. If you need more space, go for an L-shaped desk like the L Shaped Corner Computer Desk, also available on Amazon. You can really go all out with gaming chairs and they can get pretty costly.”
There are a lot of budget chairs out there but take into account the number of hours you might spend sitting in it. The current gold standard seat is the Secretlab Omega with high-end materials and lots of back support.
#2. The Need For Processor Speed
The processor is arguably the most important component in your gaming computer. Think of it as the brain of the whole system. CPUs can be found in all price ranges. A fast processor will reduce lag time! Don’t forget to invest in some extra memory for your system as well.
#3. Great Graphics Are Everything
If the processor is the brain then the graphics card is the beautifully beating heart of it all. Gamer Geeks can debate endlessly on the best graphic cards but you can check out a range of cards and various prices on Amazon right here. The better the graphics card, the more powerful your visual experience will be while gaming.
#4. Super Sonic Sound Systems
The key to a fulfilling gaming experience is total immersion. A powerful sound system will help you create the illusion that you are inside the game. The most trendy speakers right now are soundbars, that help distribute the sound evenly. You’ll want to check out the Sony HT-S350 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer on this techie list by Giftwits.
#5. The Perfect Display
Speaking of total game immersion, how about a gigantic curved gaming monitor? Check out the Alienware 34 Curbed Monitor to practically wrap the graphics around your head. You could also go for flat screens but double up with two screens. It’s all a matter of taste and budget. If graphics are important to you then having a killer graphics card and the best high-resolution monitor money can buy might be the way to go.
#6. Keyboards, Mice, And Controllers, Oh My!
If you’re looking for the perfect gaming experience, not all keyboards are created equally. For example. The SteelSeries Apex 7 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a cut above the standard fare. Gaming keyboards are sensitive, with adjustable keys and programable hotkeys. They also have cool lights that not only look neat but can help you quickly find the core keys you need for gameplay, especially in the dark. If you think the keyboards have gone high-tech wait until you see the many mouse options waiting for you. Like the Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse that has a ton of programable and customizable features. You can also opt to purchase a variety of controllers to replicate console gaming, steering wheels, guns, you name it.
Gaming in today’s digital world is no joke. If you grew up with a mom who constantly nagged that video games rotted your brain, then you’ll love this article from the BBC that talks about how gaming can get you a better job. That’s right, puzzle and strategic games teach you skills that are applicable to the real world. Who knew? So go ahead and indulge in the perfect gaming system, you deserve it.
