The Basics: Desktop Computers for Gamers

Desktop computers for gamers are, by definition, powerful PCs that are geared toward high-end graphics performance. They are usually much more expensive than typical home desktop computers with an emphasis on faster processors, more RAM and powerful graphics cards with dedicated video memory.

Gamers used to shy away from flat panel displays, instead opting for the crisper resolution of traditional CRTs. But improvements in flat panel resolutions have made them more of a staple in a desktop computer for gamers. In fact, large 19- and 21-inch LCDs are some of the more popular displays you'll find paired with desktop computers for gamers.

The recent addition of PCI-Express x16 graphics slots on motherboards has led to more powerful graphics cards that can handle even more special effects that developers build into their games. These slots feature double the bandwidth of the previous standard, AGP 8X. That means that graphics data can be sent to and from the graphics card twice as fast, boosting 3D gaming performance.

The dual core processors that are common on desktop computers for home users are of course quite popular with gaming desktop computers as well. These CPUs feature two chips on the same processor which boost multitasking performance. Another leap in the processing world is the 64-bit processor -- ready for upcoming operating systems such as Windows Vista as well as 64-bit applications and games.

How to Shop

Desktop computers for gamers start out at least $1,000, and can cost much more. You can find gaming desktop computers for less, but you'll end up cutting corners on core components. The average desktop computer for gamers -- complete with monitor and speakers -- will probably cost around $2,000 or more.

The type of chassis plays a much larger role in a desktop computer for gamers than a traditional PC. For starters, you'll be running high-end components and pushing them hard, so cooling the system becomes more of a concern. You'll want a case that has plenty of fans for keeping the core components cool or even a more advanced option such as a water-cooled system. You also want a larger power supply than standard home PCs use -- most gaming chassis offer power supplies with 300W or more.

Desktop computers for gamers are often upgraded, so make sure that there's lots of expansion room if you plan on upgrades. This means bays, expansion slots and memory slots. Some chassis for gaming desktop computers include other extras such as windows in the case and interior lighting so you can show off the powerful insides of your PC.

After you've made sure the shell of your desktop computer for gamers meets your specifications, it's time to choose the components. As we mentioned above, 64-bit and dual core processors are becoming more ubiquitous. Both AMD and Intel offer CPUs with dual cores and 64-bit processing, so it comes down to personal preference. In general, buy as much processing power as you can afford -- it's the best way to improve the longevity of your gaming desktop computer.

Get a gigabyte of memory. Home and office users can still get by with 512MB for browsing the Web and running office applications, but gamers will appreciate the performance boost that extra 512MB of memory will provide. And the faster the memory, the better the performance. Look for DDR2 RAM running at 533MHz or more.

With desktop computers for gamers, the most telling feature is often the graphics card. You'll want a current generation graphics card from NVIDIA or ATI with at least 128MB of dedicated video memory. You don't need the top-of-the-line board in your system (these can often run $500 or more), but you don't want a second generation graphics board that already dates your PC. If you're buying a system without a graphics board and plan to add one of your own, be sure that it has a PCI-Express graphics slot so you can get the most powerful boards to play nice with your gaming desktop computer.

Hard drive space and speed are important considerations for a desktop computer for gamers as well. Game installs take up a lot of room, so you want to make sure you've got the gigabytes of storage space to handle all your games. Serial ATA is becoming the de facto standard for hard drives, offering faster read and write performance at around the same price as traditional ATA drives. Look for drives that spin at speeds of 7,200rpm or higher -- the faster the rpms, the faster game data makes it on and off the hard drive, boosting all-around performance. RAID hard drives are another high-speed option for desktop computers for gamers. These configurations pair twin hard drives for high-capacity fast data transfers, but you need a compatible motherboard.

The optical drive is an area where you can cut corners with your desktop computer for gamers, depending on your personal needs. You'll want at least a CD-RW drive so you can burn audio and data CDs, and you may want a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive so you can watch DVD movies on your system as well. But depending on your usage, you can choose to forego a DVD writer unless you plan on burning your own DVD movies or need to make larger backups.

As we mentioned earlier, desktop computers for gamers used to almost exclusively involve CRTs. But the sharpness of LCD monitors has improved greatly over the years with many gamers appreciating the aesthetic and weight advantages that a large LCD has over a traditional CRT. Most desktop computers for gamers will ship with at least a 17-inch LCD or a 19-inch CRT.

Speakers and internal audio are also more important with gaming desktop computers than other PCs. Surround sound speakers can actually play a role in your games -- for example, letting you know when an enemy is approaching you from behind. And while integrated audio has improved over the years, some audiophiles appreciate the purer sound that a dedicated card such as a SoundBlaster Audigy can provide.

Input devices can be critical for gaming performance. While most desktop computers for gamers ship with traditional mice and keyboards, some systems offer high-end gaming input devices such as mice that let you change their weight and keyboards that let you program macros into hotkeys for improved gaming performance.

Most gamers want a decent set of ports on their PCs, but don't often need to have advanced connections such as Firewire or media card readers. You'll usually find USB 2.0 ports on the front for hooking up mice and keyboards and moving data such as game saves to and from USB thumb drives.

More important is a network interface, as most desktop computers for gamers will be connected to the Internet via a broadband provider. Some gamers also like to network their gaming PCs together for LAN parties. Modems are less important as using a dial-up connection for online gaming is often painfully full of lag.

Most gamers use Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, but some tech-savvy gamers also use Linux, an open-source operating system that is available in commercial and free versions. Windows Vista also poses some interesting changes for desktop computers for gamers. For example, some of tomorrow's games will require Vista in order to run.

While most gamers use their systems primarily for gaming, these powerful gaming desktop computers are well suited for other applications such as serving as personal video recorders. A TV tuner card added to a desktop computer for gamers allows you to input a cable TV signal so you can watch, pause and record live TV.

Desktop computers for gamers are not inexpensive, but these powerful PCs deliver excellent gaming and multimedia performance and can be found from almost every major computer vendor.