Scoping Out The Perfect Gaming PC – A Beginner’s Guide

There are many who would say that gaming on PCs is the future. Consoles are all well and good, and there’s nothing better for when a few friends are over, but “serious” gamers are still turning to PCs, as are developers. It’s not hard to argue that gaming is at its best when done on PC – the range of options, free online multiplayer (usually) and the modular nature of machine design all lend themselves very well indeed to gaming.

With all that in mind, though, how does one scope out the perfect gaming PC? Well, don’t worry, because we’re here to help you. We’ve got a guide on how to spot the perfect gaming PC for beginners. If you don’t quite have the technical know-how to build your own from scratch, don’t worry – we’ll be providing info here for both aficionados and newcomers.

Step one – find financing

This step trips people up time and time again, but the fact is that if you want to build a good gaming PC you’re going to need a decent bit of cash. There are cheaper options available out there, and they’ll more than suffice for younger customers or those who only occasionally game on PC, but if you’re serious about the hobby then you’ll want a machine that will last the test of time. Good gaming PCs can regularly run into the quadruple digits, so get some cash behind you. Going the personal loan route for this is always a good idea, since it can give you a cash injection which you’ll pay back over time. Sites like Loans 2 Go offer great rates on loans, so give them a try for your PC gaming money.

Step two – create a good space for the PC

A great gaming PC is nothing without the right space to place it in. You’ll want a desk with a good couple of inches of space around the main tower unit of the PC, because air flow and ventilation are absolutely paramount for a gaming PC. Your rig is going to get pretty hot, especially if you’re using it for graphically demanding games or processor-intensive applications like media editing suites. You’ll also want to make sure the chair you’re using is comfortable, the monitor is visible at a good height, and speakers (if you’re using them) have enough space around them for the sound to be clear and audible. Don’t scrimp on the space.

Step three – use a reputable site

If you’re not planning to personally build your PC, then it’s important to do your research into who the best company is to build it for you. Sites like Chillblast (in the UK), Overclockers (again, UK-based) and Alienware all have great reputations in the gaming community, so it’s hard to go wrong with any of them. They all have off-the-rack models available for those who don’t know their graphics card from their motherboard, too, so if you’re struggling with the nitty-gritty tech stuff then there’s no shame in taking this option. Even if you’re looking for components to construct your beast from scratch you’ll still need to find a good components site, so make sure you’re buying from the best.

Step four – don’t go overboard

You might be tempted to overload your rig with the most ridiculously powerful hardware and components you can possibly think of, but this might not be wise. When it comes to RAM, for example, 16GB is more than enough for most people’s needs, especially when you’re talking about gaming PCs. Similarly, you probably don’t need twin RTX 2080 Ti cards for Fortnite or Apex Legends, nice as they might be. Instead, try to invest soberly in something a little lower-budget. Graphics cards can be swapped out and upgraded, so don’t worry too much about your card, although you will want something with a reasonable amount of power. When it comes to processors, don’t search for how many cores the processor has but the clock speed – that’s a more important statistic that will give you a better impression of the processor’s capabilities.

 Step five – Don’t scrimp on peripherals

A great PC is nothing without an excellent keyboard and mouse to go with it. If you’re a gamer, it’s pretty much imperative that you get yourself a keyboard with mechanical switches. All this means is that the keyboard has individual mechanical switches for each key, rather than the membrane beneath many lower-end keyboards. The feeling of tactility and feedback from a mechanical keyboard is significantly better than most membrane keyboards, so don’t scrimp. Similarly, a good mouse with a few extra buttons and an ergonomic shape is crucial, especially if you play MOBAs like League of Legends or Dota 2. Finally, a good sound system is important for immersion and ambience, so get some good speakers or a nice set of headphones. Nothing ruins a gaming session like crackly, low-quality sound.

We hope these tips on scoping out the perfect gaming PC have been helpful! Let us know if we missed anything, and tell us how your journey into PC gaming is going.