Gaming PC Buying Guide

"Gaming PC" or "gaming computer" describes computers built expressly to play the best of personal computer games -- games that have more detail and effects than those designed for other computer flavors like home or office PCs. For fun, they often have overdone PC cases with exciting shapes, lights, etc., in addition to their high-end operational PC hardware. Most gaming PCs run on Microsoft operating systems, but MAC computers are also available.

Modern games feature amazing graphics and sound effects, so the programs are very large. To run them properly, look for a computer with top-grade technology. You can purchase gaming PCs factory-built or you can buy and install your own custom-selected components:

Computer Case

If you buy a factory-built gaming computer, you get what the factory wants to give. If you choose to build your own, you can pick between:

• Computer cases: A computer case is just that -- the box inside which you'll build your dream machine. Decide which components you want to install then get a case with enough bays and expansion slots. (Oh, yeah, don't forget the lights!)
• Barebones systems: "Barebones systems" have a few components, among which might be a CPU, video controller, operating system, network card and so on. If the installed components meet your needs, you'll save both time and money.

Motherboard

The brain, the main circuit board of a computer, always contains the central processing unit (CPU) and some memory plus slots for expansion cards (additional integrated circuit chips), disk drives and other peripheral devices.

Speed is the measure of a CPU; current CPUs run anywhere from 600MHz to 3.0GHz. The faster the speed, the faster the CPU and memory exchange data. "Overclocking" is becoming a popular term; it means pushing the CPU to run faster than it was designed to run. Both sellers and users overclock their computers; be advised, this usually voids the warranty.

Graphics card

For the ordinary user's computer monitor, the video processor on the motherboard is usually enough. Add-on video cards have their own processor and RAM chips, this extra computing power allows gaming PCs to display the newest 3 -D graphics in high definition. Things to look for:

• Memory: 256MB minimum; 512MB to 1.0GB preferred.
• Clock speed: at least 400-600MHz.
• Connector: HDMI cables are needed for high-definition computer monitors.
• Maximum resolution: 2000 x 1600 pixels or above.
• Supports multiple monitors: Yes.
• High-end rasterisation-based rendering/image quality (or similar phrasing): "Rasterize" means to convert an image to pixels or a bitmap grid.

Not all gamers have wide-screen, high-definition computer monitors, but if gamers don't have one, they want one. Get a video card they won't have to replace when their dream monitor arrives:

• Desktop displays: Generally max out around 24 inches.
• Mounted monitors: Above 24 inches, displays are more likely to end up on a television stand or a wall mount.
• Frame rate: 30 fps (frames per second) minimum; 60 fps is preferable.

Sound Card

Like with any computer system, gamers have two basic audio choices: speakers or headphones. Both can deliver very realistic audio if you have a good sound card. Many reviewers say the integrated sound card on the motherboard is good enough; others say you must upgrade to a dedicated sound card. Some reviewers are not even impressed with the music from gaming-quality sound cards, so if music is important to your game, you may need two sound expansion cards.

Overstock.com has buying guides on audio specifications, speakers and other consumer electronics with everything you need to know to set up a computer or home audio system. Things to look for:

• RAM: 64MB or above.
• Conversion: 24-bit ADC and DAC at a sample rate of 96KHz.
• Recording: 16- and 24-bit with sampling rates of 8KHz up to 96KHz.
• Speaker support: 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.
• Sound card: If you play 3-D games, get a card that processes 3-D sound.

Hard Drive

The operating system and game software are stored on hard drives. Most reviewers recommend buying as much memory as you can afford (you'll use it sooner or later). The largest single hard drives have passed 500GB, heading for 1.0TB. Some computer cases include two hard drive bays; if not, there is always the external hard drive. (If you do decide to upgrade, be sure you take security precautions before getting rid of your old hard drive to remove any personal information it contains.)

Networking

Simply put, CPUs connect to network cards which connect to modems which connect to the Net. If you're into MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) -- the Internet-based games in which you defend yourself against players world-wide -- you need networking hardware. Which cables make the connection depends on your network card, your modem and your Internet service provider. Many computers and modems are equipped to take a phone or Ethernet cable, though USB wireless modems are gaining in popularity every year much due to their ease and mobility.

Interfaces

Interfaces connect the people to the technology: The keyboard and mouse are the basic interfaces, also called input devices or game controllers. Gaming mice may include extra buttons; gaming keyboards may have a small LCD screen. Other interfaces include joysticks, steering wheels, game pads, airplane gauges, drumsticks, dancing mats and foot pedals.

"Haptic feedback" (also known as "force feedback") provides some force, vibration or other sensation to the user. This adds realism, putting players deeper into the game. More haptic feedback game controllers are available every year.

Gaming PC terminology

Mega-: 1 million; 1MB is 1,000,000 bytes, 1MHz is 1,000,000 operations per second.

Giga-: 1 billion; 1GB is 1,000MB, 1GHz is 1,000,000,000 operations per second.

Tera-: 1 trillion; 1TB is 1,000,000MB; no THz CPUs yet, but hang on, somebody is out there working on one.