5 specifications to consider when buying a gaming PC

There are a few key factors to keep in mind when buying a gaming PC. When researching the gaming PC market, you will see a wide variety of specifications and features.

It's essential to have a balanced gaming PC, from ensuring it has the best memory to getting the right specs for your needs. Here are 5 key factors you need to consider before investing in a new gaming PC:

How much to spend on a gaming PC?

You can spend $500 on an average gaming PC or up to $5,000 on a high-end gaming PC. The final decision is up to you.

The more money you spend, the more top quality components you get. Good quality components will help your gaming PC last longer, so to ensure your future, don't skimp too much.

However, that is not always practical. If you're on a tight budget, you can still make a smart investment to get a great PC.

Price range	What to expect
$500 - $1000	Can handle games that do not involve high-end graphics and old games. Best for users who don't need to play games at high resolution or quality. Not suitable for games like Forza Horizon 5, Cyberpunk 2077 or Control.
$1000 - $1500	It's possible to play the latest games but will likely need to lower the resolution to 1080p and reduce the level of detail to keep the game from stuttering. This price range is best for those willing to compromise or those who like to play older games with lower requirements.
$1500 - $3000	Can play the latest games in high resolution, including 4K games. Best for players willing to spend more money to get high image quality.
$3000 - $5000	Can play the latest games and be ready for future games with higher requirements. Most suitable for players with good finances.

The $1,500 to $2,000 price range will get most people a good gaming PC.

Tip : Remember when making any purchase: Only spend what you can afford, because with something as expensive as a gaming PC, it's easy to get carried away.

What kind of graphics card should a gaming PC have?

The most important component in any gaming PC is the graphics card. The graphics card is the component that allows gaming at high resolution and has as many graphics features as possible. They are also one of the most expensive components available.

Let's find:

1. The card is suitable for playing at a minimum resolution of 1080p (optional), depending on budget.
2. The most powerful GPU processor money can buy.
3. The most GPU RAM you can buy.

Two companies provide graphics cards: AMD and Nvidia. Currently, Nvidia offers the best graphics card (RTX 40 card). If money is no object then GeForce RTX 40 SUPER Series is the best graphics card. Besides, the RTX 3060 or 3070 series is also very popular when buying a gaming PC.

If you want to play games at 4K resolution, with high or ultra-high graphics settings, the RTX 40 series is usually the best choice.

If you're on a tighter budget, AMD is still worth considering (consider the RX 7000 Series). These cards are suitable for gaming at 4K or 1080p resolution.

Depending on the graphics card, the latest Call of Duty and Final Fantasy XVI games will drop to 1080p, while games like Cyberpunk 2077 may stutter a bit with low-end graphics cards. Most GPUs will handle perennial favorites like Fortnite just fine.

In both cases, attention should be paid to the model number. In general, the higher the number, the better the card. For example, the GeForce RTX 30 series is older than the GeForce RTX 40 series. The 30-series can still play the latest games, but you should invest in an RTX 40-series card for the best quality.

30-series GPU cards typically cost about $300 less than GeForce RTX 40-series cards when purchased separately. But when buying as a desktop system, you will have to pay about $200 more to buy the latest RTX 40-series card. Prices fluctuate frequently as the global microchip shortage continues.

Finally, see how much memory is on the card. A graphics card with 12GB RAM will perform better than a graphics card with 8GB RAM. GPU RAM, also known as VRAM (video random access memory), is a specific type of RAM that only works to support a computer's graphics card and not any other part of the system.

Unlike regular RAM, VRAM cannot be upgraded later. More VRAM means the graphics card can access details like game textures or other effects faster.

What processor and RAM should a gaming PC have?

Intel and AMD are two options when buying a gaming PC. Currently, the most powerful processors for gaming vary depending on the price range. Like graphics cards, in general, the higher the number, the better the processing.

The processor, also known as the CPU, is essentially the brain of the computer. It is responsible for interpreting and executing almost everything displayed on the screen. Speed ​​and cores affect how quickly the CPU operates and completes tasks. Most CPUs have between 4 and 8 cores.

Computer RAM works like VRAM but instead of supporting the graphics card's processor, it supports the main CPU. The more RAM a system has, the better it can retrieve temporary information, improving speed and performance.

When it comes to RAM, a minimum of 16GB is required. The average PC can multitask quite well with 8GB of memory. However, 16GB is the minimum you need when playing games, because games are much more demanding than browsing the Internet or using office software.

If you have at least 16GB of RAM when playing games, you can rest assured that there will be no bottlenecks when the system loads new data for a fast-paced game.

Important note : Only choose 8GB gaming PCs if their price is extremely attractive. Affordable gaming PCs are only suitable for people on a tight budget and want to play old games or less demanding titles like Fortnite.

Not all RAM is equal. Check the RAM speed and type. DDR5 is the newest and fastest RAM but many systems use DDR4. Stay away from RAM lower than DDR4.

For Intel processors, RAM needs to run at 3,200 MHz for best performance, while AMD systems can handle 3,600 MHz. Slower RAM will still work, but the PC may have problems trying to process all the information and performance may suffer. AMD has the Ryzen 5 series commonly found on gaming PC systems, but also has the AMD 9 series for high-end gaming PCs.

Additionally, Intel has the i9 series for high-end gaming, and the i5 and i7 for more affordable but still quite fast gaming. The world of processors is always changing rapidly, but if you choose the latest processor (this applies to both Intel and AMD), everything will be fine.

Note : Typically, it's difficult to upgrade the processor yourself, but replacing RAM is often one of the simplest tasks in upgrading gaming hardware. If you are confident enough, you can proceed to upgrade RAM later.

What type of hard drive should a gaming PC have?

Most gaming PCs use SSD drives for storage. If your PC only offers regular hard drive storage, skip it.

An SSD is one of the easiest ways to make your gaming PC run faster. PCs can read files faster, reduce game load times and improve performance.

It's essential to make sure you buy as much SSD storage as possible. Some gaming PCs only offer 256GBm of SSD storage, and the latest games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III also require over 100GB of space, so it won't be possible to install multiple games at the same time.

It may take some time to delete old games and install new ones. It must also be taken into account that there is significant free space for expansion and installation of important patches.

512GB is the minimum. While 256GB may be enough if you only plan to play a game or two, you'll soon need more space, as the newer the game, the larger the capacity. Luckily, installing a new hard drive isn't too difficult.

Should I build my own gaming PC?

Many people like to build their own gaming PC and it is certainly possible. The hardest part is buying computer components that work together. It took quite a while to research all the parts. In addition, there is also the cost factor to consider.

It used to be that building a PC was cheaper than buying a pre-built unit, but those days are gone, with individual components like graphics cards sometimes costing more than a complete gaming PC. good.

Warning : You should only build your own gaming PC if you have enough expertise and technological ability. If in doubt, buy a pre-built PC.