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Gaming PC: What to Look For
Gaming computers have high-end graphics cards, processors and more than enough RAM – all the components needed to enhance your gaming experience. When you're considering a gaming computer, carefully evaluate your needs. Most manufacturers provide individual customization, so you can get a desktop that will fit your gaming style and budget. Below is the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate gaming computers.
Video & Audio
A game is only as good as the video card supporting it. Many games have life-like, real-time images that require a powerful video card. ATI and NVIDIA graphics cards are the most common amongst gamers, and at least 1GB of proprietary video RAM will get the job done for most high-end games. A gaming computer sound card, integrated or not, is capable of reproducing 5.1 or 7.1 channels of sound, so you will be able to tell where your enemies are located.
A game is only as good as the video card supporting it. Many games have life-like, real-time images that require a powerful video card. ATI and NVIDIA graphics cards are the most common amongst gamers, and at least 1GB of proprietary video RAM will get the job done for most high-end games. A gaming computer sound card, integrated or not, is capable of reproducing 5.1 or 7.1 channels of sound, so you will be able to tell where your enemies are located.
Processor
A fast CPU, or processor, will aid the video card in drawing billions of polygons per second in first-person shooters and MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) alike. The best systems will include a powerful quad-core or six-core processor.
A fast CPU, or processor, will aid the video card in drawing billions of polygons per second in first-person shooters and MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) alike. The best systems will include a powerful quad-core or six-core processor.
Memory & Storage
Large amounts of memory allow the computer to quickly access frequently used information or programs – critical components for gaming. A gaming computer should have at least 6GB of RAM and sufficient hard drive space for multiple games to be installed on the system. Some games can occupy over 35GB of hard drive space. Over the past year or two, it has also become very common to use a SSD (solid-state drive) for programs and software such as the operating system. Because SSDs have no moving parts, they are quieter and generally faster than their hard disc drive counterparts.
Large amounts of memory allow the computer to quickly access frequently used information or programs – critical components for gaming. A gaming computer should have at least 6GB of RAM and sufficient hard drive space for multiple games to be installed on the system. Some games can occupy over 35GB of hard drive space. Over the past year or two, it has also become very common to use a SSD (solid-state drive) for programs and software such as the operating system. Because SSDs have no moving parts, they are quieter and generally faster than their hard disc drive counterparts.
Additional Features
Some computers come with peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, speakers and a monitor, while others don’t. This may or may not be important depending on your needs. Additionally, some gaming systems come with uniquely designed towers with custom paint and neon lights. Windows 7 is a must for any system, and you'll want at least one high-speed optical drive.
Some computers come with peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, speakers and a monitor, while others don’t. This may or may not be important depending on your needs. Additionally, some gaming systems come with uniquely designed towers with custom paint and neon lights. Windows 7 is a must for any system, and you'll want at least one high-speed optical drive.
Support & Warranty
The first-class manufacturers provide quality help and support through email, phone, online chat, a community section and a FAQs page. They also provide a warranty of up to three years at no additional cost.
The first-class manufacturers provide quality help and support through email, phone, online chat, a community section and a FAQs page. They also provide a warranty of up to three years at no additional cost.
As you can see, quite a few things make a gaming computer more than just another home office machine. Many of our top-ranked products exceed the expectations we set, which makes them some of the top gaming computers on the market.
| Video/Audio | ||||||||||
| Video Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 | NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 | AMD Radeon HD 7750 | ATI Radeon HD 7950 | AMD Radeon 6530D | NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 |
| Core Clock (megahertz) | 1058 | 915 | 1000 | 980 | 1782 | 800 | 800 | 443 | 720 | 915 |
| Video Memory (gigabytes) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0.5 | 1 | 2 |
| Audio | High Definition On-Board 7.1 | Integrated Motherboard Audio | High Definition On-Board 7.1 | High Definition On-Board 7.1 | High Definition On-Board 7.1 | On-Board | Integrated 8-Channel | High Definition On-Board 5.1+2 | High Definition On-Board 7.1 | 3D Premium Surround Sound |
| Processor | ||||||||||
| Type | Intel Core i7-3820 | Intel Core i7-3770K | Intel Core i7 3960X | Intel Core i7-3820 | AMD FX 4300 | AMD FX 6300 | Intel Xeon E5620 | AMD A6-3500 | Intel Core i7-3820 | Intel Core i7-3820 |
| CPU Speed (gigahertz) | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Cores | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 8 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Memory/Storage | ||||||||||
| RAM | 8GB DDR3 | 16GB DDR3 | 8GB DDR3 | 16GB DDR3 | 8GB DDR3 | 8GB DDR3 | 12GB DDR3 | 4GB DDR3 | 32GB DDR3 | 16GB DDR3 |
| Primary Storage | 1TB HDD | 120GB SSD | 2TB HDD | 1TB HDD | 500GB HDD | 500GB HDD | 160GB SSD | 500GB HDD | 3TB HDD | 120 GB SSD |
| Secondary Storage | None | 1TB HDD | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | 1 TB HDD |
| Additional Features | ||||||||||
| Operating System | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 | Windows 8 - 64 bit | Windows 8 - 64 bit | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 or Windows 8 | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 or Windows 8 | CentOS Linux 64 | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 or Windows 8 | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 | Windows 8 |
| Optical Drive | 24X CD/DVD Burner | 24X CD/DVD Burner | Blu-ray | Blu-ray | 24X CD/DVD Burner | 24X CD/DVD Burner | 24X CD/DVD Burner | 24X CD/DVD Burner | 24X CD/DVD Burner | Blu-Ray |
| Second Optical Drive | None | None | 24X CD/DVD Burner | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| USB Ports | 21 | 16 | 12 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 13 |
| Power Supply (watts) | 800 | 800 | 1050 | 1000 | 600 | 500 | 850 | 430 | 875 | 600 |
| Motherboard | ASUS P9X79 | ASUS Sabertooth Z77 | ASUS P9X79 | ASUS P9X79 | ASUS M5A97 | ASUS M5A99X | SuperMicro X8DAi | Asus F2A55-M | MicroATX | Intel Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 |
| Liquid Cooling | ||||||||||
| Support/Warranty | ||||||||||
| Community | ||||||||||
| Driver Downloads | ||||||||||
| FAQs | ||||||||||
| Email Support | ||||||||||
| Live Chat | ||||||||||
| Phone Support | ||||||||||
| Warranty (years) | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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