If you’re on the lookout for a decent gaming PC, you’ve come to the right place. Purchasing a prebuilt gaming PC can be a daunting task, with a massive selection of models available. This article will provide you with all the information you need to make a knowledgeable decision regarding where to buy a good prebuilt gaming PC.
The first thing to consider when buying a new prebuilt gaming PC is the available budget. A gamer may be able to get a great PC for a few hundred dollars, or upwards of several thousand dollars. Having a budget in mind will help narrow down the selection, and ensure that the PC can adequately meet your gaming needs.
In terms of choosing an online vendor, Amazon, Newegg, and iBUYPOWER are three great options. Amazon offers a wide selection of prebuilt gaming PCs and often provides fast shipping and great customer support. Newegg is another popular online vendor and has a great selection of PCs with comparably low prices. On the other hand, iBUYPOWER may be a better option for gamers who require more powerful gaming rigs, as their PCs are optimized for heavy gaming.
For gamers who prefer the convenience of purchasing a PC from a brick and mortar store, Micro Center is a great choice. Apart from containing a wide selection of gaming PCs, they also provide customers with helpful advice on what to purchase. Alternatively, Best Buy also provides a selection of prebuilt gaming PCs, but they generally come with higher price tags than at Micro Center.
When shopping online, don’t forget to check out different websites such as Walmart or Target. Walmart offers steep discounts on their PCs and they often have great deals around special holidays. Target also has an array of prebuilt gaming PCs that might become great value purchases.
Finally, gamers can buy a prebuilt gaming PC directly from gaming-centric PC manufacturers. CyberpowerPC, Origin PC, and Digital Storm are some of the most prominent builders, and offer well-built gaming PCs in a variety of configurations. Note that although these companies generally offer better hardware and customer support, their PC’s usually come with significantly higher price tags.
What To Look for in a Prebuilt Gaming PC
The specifications of a prebuilt gaming PC should always be scrutinized before purchase. While hardware requirements vary from game to game, look for a minimum of 8GB-16GB of RAM depending on whether you need a budget or a high-end PC. A standard processor such as an Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 also provide good performance for most games. You should also look for at least a GTX 1660 SUPER or an RX 5500 XT for graphical power.
Storage wise, a large 1-2 TB hard drive or 512GB+ SSD is recommended, depending on the type of games you are looking to play. Those looking to play smaller, indie titles should be fine with a hard drive, while a 1TB or 2TB SSD would be more suitable for larger AAA games. Lastly, check out the review page, if available, from the manufacturer website or look for third-party reviews, as these will provide details on the quality of the PC.
Configuring a Prebuilt Gaming PC
Gaming machine vendors usually offer buyers different options for configurations. The configuration process is important for ensuring the highest possible performance and to get the most value for your money. This is especially true if you plan to keep the PC for a long time, as it can allow you to make upgrades over time. Make sure to check the PC’s warranty period and purchase options to determine what sort of upgrades and replacements are possible.
You also have to determine which type of input devices you want with the prebuilt gaming PC. You should consider a gaming mouse and a gaming keyboard, as these are essential for controlling a PC-based game. Headphones and webcams may also be necessary depending on the circumstances.
Adapting a Prebuilt Gaming PC to Your Needs
Depending on the types of games you plan to play, there are various additional adjustments you can make to your prebuilt gaming PC to best suit your needs. Check if you need a beefier GPU or processor for the newer games, and if the PC you buy can accommodate this. Airflow is another important factor when considering upgrades, as better airflow will help keep the machine cool during long gaming sessions. Moreover, check that the prebuilt gaming PC has enough ports for connecting gaming controllers and other peripherals.
It’s also a good idea to research the type of GPU and processor the prebuilt gaming PC offers. Many come with integrated graphics, which aren’t suitable for serious gaming. Upgrading will allow you to access better graphics and make use of the latest gaming technologies. Even if a new gaming PC might seem expensive, buying components separately and assembling them yourself might be more economical in the long run.
Upgrading a Prebuilt Gaming PC
Upgrading a prebuilt gaming PC can be intimidating, depending on the type of hardware you’re looking to upgrade. It’s important to research the specs of the PC before buying it, as higher-end PCs are often more upgradeable. Beginners should look for models that are easy to upgrade, such as those which support common GPU models. If you’re looking to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC’s CPU, it’s important to have a compatible motherboard to ensure it functions properly.
You should also consider the type of cooling solutions you’re going to use if you plan to upgrade the PC. With powerful processors come powerful temperatures, that can quickly become a problem. This is why it’s important to consider the cooling system of a prebuilt gaming PC when making upgrades. Large tower coolers or vertical ones can make huge differences in keeping the temperature down during heavy gaming sessions.
In terms of storage, you can upgrade the PC by either getting a larger capacity hard drive or a higher-end NVMe M.2 SSD. An NVMe M.2 SSD will provide much faster transfer speeds, making it ideal for faster PC gaming.
Ensuring Optimal Performance
Due to its capable hardware, a prebuilt gaming PC should be able to run most games on high settings with no problems. However, you can also optimize your PC to ensure that its performance is at its peak. There are several settings in the control panel that you can tweak such as memory, processor, and system variables. You can also try overclocking your processor to increase its clock speed, but only do so with caution if you are confident in your technical knowledge.
Apart from hardware modifications, there are many software tools now available that help optimize gaming PCs. You can use these techniques to shut off unnecessary programs, defragment your hard drive, and turn off system services which are not being used. Another important tip would be to use a dedicated gaming browser such as Vivaldi or Firefox Quantum, as these offer better speed and performance than the more commonly used web browsers.
Lastly, updating your PC’s drivers should be one of the first things when configuring a prebuilt gaming PC. Update your graphics and sound cards, as well as the BIOS, to ensure that your PC features the latest features and works reliably. Many driver packages also come with game-specific optimizations, which can help enhance the gaming experience.
