Gaming computers are normally more expensive than the machines that people use for office work. They are quicker and more powerful. They reproduce video and sound of excellent quality. But gamers should not choose a PC relying only on its price. From this article, the readers will get to know the most important parameters of a worthy computer for games. Plus, they will discover smart tips on how to get a cool gaming pc for 500 dollars.
What Is the Minimal Price of a Good Machine?
At first, a gaming PC for 500 dollars might sound like a joke. A gaming computer for 500 dollars does not fit into the modern economic reality. The minimal price for the best gaming pc today is $700. To reduce costs, it might be wise to look for lesser-known manufacturers.
But buying a brand new machine is not the only way out. Lots of private announcements offer PCs in good condition that are just 1 year old. Such a computer might need only minimal upgrades. If the gamer has the necessary components at home, they can use them to modify a cheap PC.
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Build a PC at Home
Do it if you have relevant experience, of course. Otherwise, someone else can build it and sell it to you at an affordable price. This is a sure way to get a cool gaming PC for 500 dollars.
In this case, it would be reasonable to purchase a future-proof machine. This term means that in a few years, the computer will remain relevant. The user will be able to replace some of its components to meet the new technical standards. After the upgrade, the PC will keep running smoothly.
Opt for a 6-Core Processor
The PC’s performance in most software depends on this element. If the gamer can afford a 16-core processor, that would be amazing. But if you have a limited budget, a 6-core or 8-core one would be enough. Most games today utilize several cores simultaneously.
Be Smart When Selecting the Video Card
When picking up the video card, the gamer should rely on the number in the name of the device. The higher it is, the better. According to gaming computer reviews, the more advanced the video card, the higher resolution the PC can handle, and the more beautiful the picture on the screen appears. Those who love simple esports games are the luckiest. This type of entertainment does not need a powerful video card. But all the rest does.
One of the most confusing parameters about the video card is its memory. The VRAM acronym is used to denote this parameter. It does not improve the performance of the card. But it helps it better cope with some visual features. Thanks to VRAM, users can enjoy games with the highest resolution. There is no need to invest in an 8GB video card. In most cases, 4GB is enough. If the gamer needs to cut down their expenses, they might do with 3GB.
A few years ago, gamers relied on multiple video cards. Today, they should avoid doing it. Now, such a configuration would fail to unlock its full potential. The users should be ready to face driver or game support issues. Also, multiple cards are hotter and louder than the single one. There are hardly any arguments in favor of installing them.
Note That Games Do Not Need Too Much RAM
64GB of system RAM is too much for gaming. 16GB should be enough. With older games, even 8GB should be sufficient. However, the machine requires RAM not only for games. Keyboard drivers and the operating system need memory too.
RAM should consist of two sticks. This will double the data transfer speed. It becomes possible due to the dual-channel memory of most modern motherboards.
Prefer Solid-State Drives to Hard Drives
A typical mechanical hard drive today contains from 500GB to 1TB of free space. But the gamer will hardly need that much. For games, performance is more important than memory.
A SATA SSD costs twice as little as a hard drive. The former is faster and has enough space for everything the user needs. To store several games and Windows, it is enough to have a 512GB SSD. The minimum sufficient amount of memory is 200GB. The operating system normally boots from an SSD in less than 30 seconds. A game that loads in a minute on a hard drive would do so in 20 seconds maximum on an SSD.
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Choose From the Three Types of Power Supply
A PSU can be non-modular, semi-modular, or modular.
- If it is modular, it means all the cables are detached.
- With semi-modular models, only selected cables are attached.
- If all cables are attached, this is a non-modular PSU.
A modular power supply can cost twice as much as a non-modular one. But it makes cable management and the building process considerably more intuitive.
Remember That Cooling Is Essential
This parameter is vital for those PCs that were built from scratch. Cooling does not directly affect the performance. Yet, it is much more pleasant to play on a machine that does not overheat or produce excessive noise.
Graphic cards and AMD CPUs in most cases have their own coolers. But some gamers might not be happy with the basic specifications of the components. They might consider purchasing big air coolers for the CPU. Custom loops and all-in-one water cooling could be an option too. The user can water cool the graphic card as well, but that would be not the best way out. Ideally, they should buy a card with a good cooling solution from scratch.
Final Thoughts
These were the most important parameters that a gamer should pay attention to when choosing a PC. The choice of machines on sale is incredibly vast. To cut down expenses, the user might consider building a PC at home. Otherwise, they might ask someone to build a custom computer for them. This will be cheaper than purchasing a brand new one.
Shashank says
Quality content,
Truly informative article, will refer to this guide prior to making my next gaming PC.
I do believe that SSD (Solid-State Drives) makes a lot of difference between Regular PC and Gaming ones.
Would highly recommend this guide to any Gaming Lovers.
Tushar Thakur says
Thanks for your inputs Shashank.