The gaming world is in a constant state of change. If your gaming system is a gaming computer, Computer PRO can help as well. That said, take the time to understand what a gaming computer is, and how it’s different from a standard computer.
Gaming Computers Have A Few Extra Parts
The term gaming computer is part of a changing definition. For the sake of argument, a gaming computer is defined here as a computer that can play the latest high-definition, high system-demand games with recommended system requirements.
Recommended system requirements are the important points here. Your computer needs to have enough resources to not just play the game, but to play it smoothly.
This requires a strong processor, enough RAM (Random Access Memory), and a video card. The video card is the part that stands out, but let’s discuss how this separates a gaming computer from all other computers.
Any standard desktop or laptop will have a few common components:
- Processor – Performs the calculations needed to run programs, and games are a type of program. Processors are measured in clock speed such as 3.0 or 4.0 GHz (gigahertz) and cores, such as quad-core or 8-core.Cores are basically smaller virtual processors that share the load of processor work to stop the system from being overwhelmed.
- Memory – RAM sticks are the easiest to upgrade, and it’s hard to have too much. While both processors and memory increase your speed, memory increases speed by handing files to the processor faster.The processor does the calculating, but it has to work harder if it needs to search a big, slow hard drive. Memory holds the most commonly-used files for fast processor access, which means faster performance for you.
- Video Card – The Video card—also known as a graphics card, graphics processing unit, or GPU—is like a small computer on a board. The card is dedicated to creating or rendering graphics, and graphics means a lot more than pretty colors and lights.Everything from special effects to the physics in the game will be handled by the GPU. A standard office computer can’t play the newest, highest system-demand games because the computer would have to struggle with the game and running the computer itself, while the GPU takes away a lot of that burden.
- Storage drive – Your computer’s Operating System (OS, such as Windows, Mac, or Linux) is stored here, but so are all of your files.Gaming computers are increasingly using Solid State Drives (SSDs) over hard drives because they can access files faster. This leads to shorter load times in games with loading screens.
- Power Supply Unit (PSU) – More parts mean more power demands. An average gaming computer won’t need more than a 600w (watt) PSU, but more powerful gaming rigs may need more.You don’t just buy the biggest power supply because you think you need more power; while a 1000w won’t draw 1000 watts unused, it does draw a bit of additional, unused power that becomes wasted energy on your power bill.
A Computer PRO technician will understand how to address each of these components and how they all work together. Whether you need repairs on your current gaming rig or want to build a new one, having an understanding of how it all works together is key.
Contact a gaming system and consumer electronics expert to get help today.
Hi, My name is Josh Giesing. I am the Operations Manager at Computer PRO Unltd. In my free time, I enjoy reading and have a passion for learning.