A Gaming Computer also known as a “Gaming PC”, is a specially designed computer to play games at a higher resolution or quality. Gaming PCs differ slightly from mainstream PCs as they come with the best graphics cards, a powerful CPU, and more RAM.
Apart from playing video games, you can use a gaming PC for demanding tasks like 3D animation creation, high-end video editing, virtualization, etc.
Definition of Gaming PC
A Windows PC equipped with high-end hardware to play games at the best possible settings. A gaming PC comes with a faster processor, powerful GPU, and surplus RAM to deliver superior performance in gaming.
History of Gaming PC
John Makepeace Bennett, an Australian computer scientist, designed the first custom-built gaming PC. Afterward, this custom PC was assembled by Raymond Stuart-Williams and exhibited in the year 1951.
Raymond Stuart-Williams didn’t display this machine as a gaming PC, rather it was just to prove that computers can solve complex mathematical equations.
A few years later, the arrival of the Magnavox Odyssey and the Atari 2600 set the basis for gaming consoles. Moving on, the launch of the Apple II and the Commodore 64 (the most powerful PC of its time) in 1977 and 1982 made personal computers more popular around the globe.
Apple II & Commodore 64 were the most expensive personal computers of the time. But even at a higher cost, both offered exceptional computing power and efficiency compared to personal computers of that time.
With time, personal computers capable of handling difficult tasks became popular in the market. Chip manufacturers like Dell and HP shifted towards building computers intended for playing video games.
In 1997, Dell formed its first line of gaming PCs named “Alienware“. Likewise, HP also configured gaming PCs under the name “HP Omen“.
Today, hundreds of gaming PC brands like CyberPowerPC, iBUYPOWER, CORSAIR, MSI, and Lenovo offer pre-built and custom-made PCs.
Key Features of a Gaming PC
Below are the key features of a gaming computer:
- High-Performance GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Essential for rendering high-quality graphics in high-end games.
- Powerful CPU (Central Processing Unit): Handles game logic, physics, and multitasking. A gaming PC features a multi-core CPU to produce higher FPS in video games.
- RAM (Memory): A gaming PC features at least 4GB or 8GB of RAM. Ample RAM ensures smooth gameplay and quick loading times.
- Efficient Cooling System: Powerful air or liquid cooling solutions to dissipate the heat produced by GPU and CPU.
- Fast Storage (SSD): The latest-gen storage devices, such as M.2 or NVMe, reduce loading times and enhance responsiveness.
- Customizable RGB Lighting: Often included for aesthetics, popular among gaming enthusiasts.
- Upgradeable Components: Ability to upgrade parts like GPU, RAM, or storage for future-proofing.
Hardware Used In A Gaming PC
The performance of a gaming computer depends upon the parts or hardware used in making it. The Commodore 64 launched in 1982 was the most powerful gaming computer with an MOS Technology 6510 (8-bit) processor and 64KB of RAM.
With the advancements in technology, there are no 8-bit processors to be found on modern gaming computers. In this era, gaming computers come with multi-core processors, power-hungry graphics cards, surplus RAM, and plenty of storage space.
Just like gaming PCs, gaming laptops have become more powerful over time. You can easily get your hands on a gaming laptop like the Razer Blade 16 which features a Core i9-14900HX CPU and an RTX 4080 graphics card.
Types of Gaming PCs
The gaming PC category further falls into pre-built and custom-built PCs.
- Prebuilt: A pre-built gaming PC comes with every part (Motherboard, CPU, GPU, RAM, etc) assembled inside a PC case. Pre-built gaming PCs are ideal for someone without knowledge of building a gaming computer from scratch.
- Custom-built: A custom-built gaming PC is one that you build on your own by choosing the compatible parts. Building a custom gaming PC gives you more control over the budget and hardware you wish to install on your machine.
Difference Between Regular PC VS Gaming PC
The main differences between a regular and a gaming PC are shown in the table below:
| Feature | Regular PC | Gaming PC |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Standard multi-core processors | High-performance multi-core processors |
| Graphics (GPU) | Integrated or basic dedicated graphics | High-end dedicated graphics cards |
| RAM | 2-4 GB | 8-32 GB |
| Storage | Low-capacity HDD or SDD | Large capacity SSDs (NVMe) or HDDs |
| Cooling System | Air cooling | Advanced air or liquid cooling systems |
| Power Supply (PSU) | Standard power supply (300-500W) | High-wattage power supply (600-1000W) |
| Motherboard | Motherboard with limited slots and I/Os | High-performance motherboard with advanced I/Os |
| Input Devices | Standard keyboard and mouse | Gaming keyboard and mouse with additional features |
| Sound | Basic onboard audio | High-quality sound cards or onboard audio with advanced features |
| Customization | Limited customization options | Extensive customization options (RGB lighting, custom cases, etc.) |
| Price | Affordable | Expensive |
| Use Case | General computing tasks (browsing, office work) | High-performance gaming, video editing, 3D rendering |
| Upgradeability | Limited upgrade options | Designed for easy upgrades |
| Networking | Standard Ethernet and Wi-Fi | Advanced networking options, including low-latency Ethernet and high-speed Wi-Fi |
Difference Between Gaming Computer VS Workstation
The main differences between a gaming computer and a workstation are shown in the table below:
| Feature | Gaming Computer | Workstation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Gaming, entertainment | Professional tasks, heavy computational work |
| CPU | High clock speed, often fewer cores (e.g., Intel i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7/9) | Many cores, high multi-threading performance (e.g., Intel Xeon, AMD Threadripper) |
| GPU | High-performance gaming GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX, AMD Radeon RX) | Professional-grade GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA Quadro, AMD Radeon Pro) |
| RAM | Typically 16GB to 32GB | 32GB to 128GB or more, ECC memory |
| Storage | Fast SSDs for quick load times (e.g., NVMe SSDs) | Large, reliable storage solutions (e.g., multiple SSDs and HDDs, RAID configurations) |
| Cooling System | Air or liquid cooling | Advanced cooling solutions, often liquid cooling, |
| Expansion Options | Limited expandability, focused on performance parts | Extensive expandability for additional GPUs, RAM, storage |
| Reliability | Consumer-grade components, suitable for gaming sessions | Enterprise-grade components, built for continuous operation |
| Price Range | $1,000 – $3,000 | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
| Form Factor | Sleek, often RGB-lit designs | Practical, robust cases with high focus on functionality |
| Noise Level | Can be noisy due to high-performance cooling solutions | Designed for quieter operation, especially under load |
| Power Supply | High wattage to support powerful GPUs and CPUs | High wattage, highly reliable power supplies with redundancy options |
| Upgradability | Moderate, with a focus on upgrading GPU and storage | High, with a focus on adding more RAM, storage, and additional GPUs |
| Network | High-speed internet for gaming (Wi-Fi, Ethernet) | High-speed, reliable internet with advanced networking options (Ethernet, potential for multiple NICs) |
| Display Output | High refresh rates, multiple monitor support for gaming | Multi-monitor setups, high resolution, color accuracy for professional work |
| Port Selection | Ample USB ports, HDMI/DisplayPort for gaming monitors | Extensive ports including USB, Thunderbolt, multiple DisplayPorts, professional-grade audio/video outputs |
How Much Does A Gaming PC Cost?
There’s no fixed cost for a gaming PC. The overall cost of a gaming computer depends upon the hardware used in building it. Custom-built gaming PCs cost less compared to their pre-assembled counterparts.
We have reviewed gaming PCs under $500 and $1000 on PCPartGo.com.
Can You Use A Gaming Computer for Other Tasks Besides Gaming?
Yes, you can use a gaming computer to edit videos, create animations, do live streaming, do 3D modeling, etc. Moreover, you can also perform daily tasks like browsing, word processing, listening to music, watching videos, and sending emails on a gaming computer.
Can You Use Any Monitor With A Gaming Computer?
Yes, you can use any monitor with a gaming computer. However, for an immersive and rich graphical performance, it’s recommended to use a higher refresh rate monitor with a gaming PC. Modern monitors feature G-Sync or FreeSync technologies that produce higher refresh rates and lag-free visuals.
What is the Optimal Amount of RAM for a Gaming PC?
The amount of RAM you need for a gaming PC depends on the games you intend to play. 16GB of RAM is considered a good amount for modern gaming PCs. A 16GB RAM is enough for gaming and multitasking on your gaming computer.
Mosaab Jamal Ahmed is a seasoned technology enthusiast with a passion for gaming and PC upgrades. His journey began in 1998 with a Pentium 1 PC, igniting his lifelong fascination with computer hardware.
Over the years, Mosaab has honed his skills in upgrading and optimizing PCs with the latest components, ensuring peak performance for gaming and other demanding applications.
Through his insightful articles, Mosaab shares his extensive knowledge on building and enhancing gaming PCs.