If you are an online PC gamer, you will need a computer built for maximum performance during actual gaming and there are a variety of computer components that are required for a standard gaming PC. Extreme gamers usually build their gaming PCs themselves by searching for parts. Other gamers have custom built rigs assembled by gaming and hardware enthusiasts and computer companies, which are more expensive than building one’s own. Most computer manufacturers offer different computer software and hardware specifications, making each gaming experience different from the next.
Gaming on a Mac computer is not different from using a Windows computer except the use of a different browser like Safari. The state of the art graphics, quality and sound on Apple Macs like the Mac Pro and iMac Pro computers offer a great gaming experience. Majority of online gaming sites offer downloadable games and software designed both for Mac and Windows computers. Most of the best online gaming websites use the latest computer hardware with high tech animations to create live games with the feel of a real life experience. Also with the introduction of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and multiplayer online gaming require the right hardware. Some of the computer components include:
Graphic Cards
A graphic card is the one of the most vital components of a gaming computer and it is the first thing gamers think about when deciding to build or buy a computer, as it runs the visual experience of video games. The cost of acquiring a graphic card can range from £100 to over £2,000. The introduction and popularity of cryptocurrencies have led to graphic card shortages and price hikes because they are now being used for Bitcoin mining. The two major manufacturers for PC gaming are AMD and NVIDIA and the standard GPU should at least have GDDR3 video Ram and supports DirectX11. The recommendation varies between GeForce GTX 780 and GTX 1070 or Radeon RX 570 GPU and RX Vega 64. If you want the best of the best, you can go for the new Nvidia Titan V, based on Nvidia’s AI Volta architecture. However this card will set you back a cool £2700.
Processors
Another major component of a gaming computer is the CPU Processor, because it interprets and executes most commands from the computer hardware and software. The two major computer manufacturers are Intel and AMD. The most popular CPU architectures are the Kaby Lake processors from Intel or the Ryzen processors from AMD. Most gamers are moving away from Intel’s Kaby Lake processors to Ryzen’s mainly due to the fact that AMD Ryzen’s processors offer comparable performance to Intel’s Kaby Lake CPUs but at half the price. Most AAA games require a minimum processor speed of 2.0GHz with a 32-bit operating system, but to get the best out of your gaming rig, at least having a 3.1GHz, 64 bit operating system should be the minimum.
Motherboard
Another crucial part of a computer is the Motherboard, because it determines the type of processor, graphics card, ram, expansion slots and connectors you will be able to use. So it is important to know your wants in order to pick the right motherboard. The size determines the amount of memory that can be installed on it due to the number of board plots and slots and the socket type determines the specific processor that can be installed in it. There are three different sizes: ATX, micro- ATX (mATX) and mini- ITX and if you want to install graphic cards or overclock your computer make sure the motherboard supports multigraphic configurations (SLI and CrossfireX).
Memory
Memory is also called RAM and it provides the processor with quick access to the computer’s operating systems, stored data and for also executing tasks. There are different types of memory and some are built on graphic cards, they include, DDR memory, GDDR memory and high bandwidth memory. The minimum memory required for a modern day computer is 4GB but high end computers can have up to 48GB of memory. The more memory you have, the faster the computer can perform tasks. A computer can be upgraded with more RAM, just make sure the motherboard supports it.
Solid State Drives
Solid state drives (SSD) are becoming popular and it is a newer form of data storage than its counterpart, the traditional Hard Drive (HDD). It has no moving mechanical parts and runs silently. This means that it is less prone to shocks and loss of data. The access time for SSD can be 4 to 5 times faster than HDD and the files open almost immediately. SSD decreases the load time for games as there is less lag time anytime the game needs to access the SSD to load items such as levels. SSDs cost more than HDD, but generally have a lower capacity than most HDD.
Online gaming does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Most computers now come with the minimum standard hardware and software requirements for gaming. In respect to some of the hardware components listed above there are some important softwares that a gamer needs for videos to render properly on a computer. Most computers come with softwares such as Adobe Flash which is vital as some video games on browsers are animated with Flash. Such games include, Super Mario 63, Age of War, Kingdom Rush Frontiers and online slot machines. Other gaming software that can be downloaded for free or with a small token include Twitch.tv, OBS Studio, Steam and TeamSpeak. So go out there, buy a PC and get started with Overwatch, Divinity Original Sin 2, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Zelda and Live Poker.
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