Complete Guide to Buying a Gaming Desktop

Your Guide to buying the best Gaming desktops

Overview

If you're in the market for a gaming desktop, you're in for a treat—gaming PCs offer unparalleled performance and customization. With the right gaming desktop, you can experience the thrill of your favorite games with smooth, visually stunning graphics and smooth frame rates. This guide will help you find the best gaming desktop for your budget, so you can get the most out of your gaming experience. We'll cover gaming desktop specs, features, and components, and provide tips on how to choose the right gaming desktop for your needs.

Key features

  1. Purpose - What will you use the gaming desktop for? Do you need a gaming PC that can handle intensive tasks like video editing, or will a basic gaming machine suffice?
  2. Hardware - What type of processor and graphics card will you need for your gaming desktop? Are you looking for a high-end processor or a budget option?
  3. Storage - How much storage will you require for your gaming PC? Will you need an SSD hard drive?
  4. Cooling - What type of cooling system do you need for your gaming PC? Does it need to be water-cooled or air-cooled?
  5. Size and Design - What size and design do you need for your gaming PC? Do you want a traditional tower or a more compact option?
  6. Price - What is your budget for a gaming desktop? How much do you want to pay for it?
  7. Warranty - Does the gaming desktop include a warranty? If so, what is the coverage and length?

See the most popular Gaming desktops on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Ease of use - Gaming desktops are user-friendly and easy to set up. They come pre-packaged with the necessary components, allowing anyone to quickly assemble and start playing.
  • Performance - Gaming desktops offer superior performance, with components such as graphics cards and dedicated processors that are designed to handle complex gaming tasks.
  • Storage - Gaming desktops usually come with larger hard drives that can store a large library of games and other media.
  • Cooling systems - Many gaming desktops come with built-in cooling systems that keep the components cool and running at optimal levels.
  • Customization - Most gaming desktops allow for some level of customization, allowing users to add or upgrade components as they need them.
  • Price - Gaming desktops offer good value for their cost, with many models offering good performance for a lower price than comparable laptops.

Cons

  • Price: Gaming desktops can be expensive, with some models costing thousands of dollars.
  • Size and Mobility: Gaming desktops are generally large and bulky, and are not as portable as laptops.
  • Noise and Heat: Gaming desktops often require powerful fans and processors, which can produce a lot of heat and noise.
  • Hardware Limitations: Gaming desktops often require expensive and proprietary hardware components, which may limit upgradability, and reduce customization options.
  • Power Consumption: Gaming desktops require more power than regular computers, which can lead to higher electricity bills.

Best alternatives

  1. Laptops - Portable computers that are powered by a rechargeable battery.
  2. Tablets - Portable touchscreen devices that are designed to be used with a stylus or finger.
  3. All-in-one PCs - Desktop computers with the monitor integrated into the same unit.
  4. Mini PCs - Compact computers with limited hardware that are designed to take up minimal space.
  5. Workstations - High-end computers designed for intensive tasks such as product design, video editing, and 3D modeling.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Gaming Motherboard - The motherboard is the central piece of a gaming desktop and is the primary connection point for all other components.
  • Graphics Card/GPU - The graphics card is the most important component of a gaming desktop as it handles the visual processing power.
  • Processor/CPU - The processor is the brains of the gaming desktop and provides the power for the gaming experience.
  • Memory/RAM - The memory provides the temporary storage for program instructions and data.
  • Storage/HDD - The storage provides a place to store your games and applications.
  • Power Supply Unit - The power supply provides the electricity for the gaming desktop.
  • Gaming Case/Tower - The gaming case provides the physical structure for the gaming desktop.
  • Cooling Fans - The cooling fans help keep the gaming desktop’s temperature low for optimal performance.
  • Gaming Mouse/Keyboard - A gaming mouse and keyboard provide a comfortable experience for gaming.
  • Gaming Headset - A gaming headset provides a comfortable and immersive audio experience.

Common questions

  1. What is the difference between a gaming desktop and a regular desktop? A gaming desktop is typically designed with gaming-specific components that may include a high-end processor, graphics cards, and more RAM than regular desktops. This allows them to have improved performance for gaming compared to non-gaming desktops.
  2. What are the benefits of buying a gaming desktop? The main benefit of buying a gaming desktop is the improved performance for gaming compared to non-gaming desktops. Other benefits include ease of use, customizability, and upgradability.
  3. Are gaming desktops expensive? No, gaming desktops can range from budget-friendly models to high-end models with more expensive components. It all depends on what you are looking for.
  4. How much RAM do I need on a gaming desktop? The amount of RAM you need depends on the type of games you will be playing. Generally speaking, 8GB of RAM should be enough for most gaming needs, but more RAM can always be beneficial.
  5. What type of processor is best for gaming? The type of processor you need depends on the types of games you plan on playing. Generally speaking, Intel Core i5 or i7 processors are best for gaming. AMD Ryzen processors are also gaining popularity for gaming.
  6. How much storage do I need for gaming? The amount of storage you need depends on the types of games you plan on playing. For most gaming needs, a 1TB hard drive should be enough, but an SSD can be beneficial for faster loading times.
  7. Do I need a powerful graphics card for gaming? Yes, a powerful graphics card is essential for gaming. The type of card you need depends on the types of games you plan on playing, but generally speaking, a mid-range card such as the NVIDIA GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 580 should be enough for most gaming needs.

Trivia

In 2006, a British gamer named Ed Zarick built a custom gaming rig inside an Xbox 360 to create an Xbox 360/PC hybrid. The hybrid still looked like an Xbox 360 from the outside, but had a full-sized ATX board and all the gaming power of a desktop PC. The hybrid was nicknamed “Xbook 360” and was featured in gaming websites and magazines, leading to a full-fledged modding craze. Zarick’s device is still available for purchase, and he has since gone on to build various other gaming-based hybrids. Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/xbook-360-the-best-worst-xbox-360-pc-hybrid/

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.