You don’t have to invest a lot if you’re planning to build a gaming platform, and choosing a pre-assembled computer with gaming capabilities is not the best option either. Just because these machines are priced below $1000 doesn’t mean they are a perfect deal. In the world of computers and technology, it’s important to remember that things are constantly changing. No matter how much you initially invest in them, there will always be a newer and better machine.
The first step towards building your gaming platform is to familiarize yourself with the basic system requirements for games. For example, a Pentium Core 2 Duo processor – 2.3GHz, 2GB RAM, Windows 7, a 1GB graphics card, and 15GB of hard drive space are the standard requirements. Each component has different variations, and the choices you make for each of them will contribute to the final output.
The best advice I can give you for building your gaming platform is not to splurge on an expensive processor or motherboard. Any processor like AMD or Core 2 Duo will work just fine for several years. Your focus should be on purchasing a good graphics card. Take your time to research which card is the best and offers maximum performance. You can also spend a little more and get additional GPUs. Cards from ATI or Nvidia are sufficient and will last for a few years. Make sure to get ones with 1GB of memory.
Now, when it comes to the motherboard, ensure that you choose one that remains cool and has SLI or Crossfire capabilities. This will allow you to add another GPU in the future and link two cards together to function as one unit. This way, as your GPU becomes outdated, you can add another card and enhance performance.
In most cases, 2GB of memory is enough for gaming, but it’s better if you can get 3 or 4GB of memory, particularly the DDR3 type. This will provide good performance on Windows 7 and other latest operating systems. Opt for cheaper memory modules instead of expensive ones like Dominator.
Finally, for the remaining components, you can choose from the options available in the market. You can buy cheaper versions of hard disks, DVD ROMs, peripherals, etc., as the gaming environment doesn’t require expensive versions of these items. On the contrary, a good motherboard and graphics card are essential, so it’s worth investing more in these components.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME