The gaming industry has been subject to some of the most impressive and interesting evolutions of technology. Considering the state of video-gaming just two decades ago, modern gaming has revolutionized into a larger-than-life experience that has millions of gamer flocking to their computers to enter fantasy worlds completely unlike the one we call home.
With more advanced games comes the call for more advanced technology that can deliver speedy performance, lifelike graphics, and responsive gameplay—and fortunately for avid gamers, that call is supremely answered by modern computers specifically built for gaming, and new technologies that allow you to inject advanced upgrades into your current rig.
If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming desktop or laptop to accommodate all of the new video game titles on your to-buy list, you’ll need to focus on upgrades that will improve overall performance. Not sure where to start? We’re here to give you the lowdown on the PC revamps you should consider first.
Upgrade Your Graphics Card
Lovers of graphics-heavy, immersive games like Red Dead Redemption II or Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey may not be able to achieve the highest levels of visual glory without top-end graphics settings in place on their PC. Older PCs aren’t typically equipped with graphics cards that can handle the high resolutions and refresh rate requirements of these pixel-pushing titles, however, upgrading your PC’s graphics card is the easiest first step toward harnessing those lifelike visuals.
Nvidia and Radeon have earned a reputation as the gaming world’s top two graphics card providers, so when weighing your options, you may consider these two buzz brands first. And, once you’ve bought into a graphics card that satiates your sensory needs, you reap the benefits of all of the regular driver updates that keep your graphics card in tip-top shape.
Check out these top-selling graphics cards:
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
- AMD RX Vega 56
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super
- MD Radeon RX 570
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- AMD Radeon VII
Add a Second Monitor
They say that two is better than one, and your gaming rig is no exception to this rule. Having two PC monitors can wildly improve your gameplay while making multitasking a feasible task. With increased real estate, you’ll be able to see more of your game and scale the leaderboards all the while. Whether you’re working with a limited budget or are free to shop to your heart’s content, getting your hands on high-quality monitors is made easy with today’s flooded market. A bit of careful research goes a long way, so be choosy when it comes to spec hunting.
Buy a Solid-State Drive
Solid-state drives take everything you know and love about traditional hard drives and make them faster and far more efficient. As a gamer, it’s no secret to you that your library of games requires a substantial portion of storage space and computing power from your hard drive—so investing in an upgrade that both increases the storage capacity and performance speed is a near no brainer. Say goodbye to slow loading times and storage bottlenecks by upgrading to a solid-state drive. We suggest opting for an SSD that has a minimum of 250GB.
Invest in Cooling
Unbeknownst to most, computers require a lot more maintenance and regular tuning than their console counterparts ever would. The reality of computers is that they generate heat—and a lot of it! An overheated computer may be the one thing standing between you and seamless gameplay as a computer that’s too hot can’t perform well. Ultimately, a computer that’s too hot can cause some serious internal damage that could fry your PC altogether. The bottom line is that hot computers are a no-no.
If you’re looking to find those peak clock-speeds and optimized performance, investing in some form of PC cooling system goes a long way. A laptop fan or internal desktop fan upgrade may be your one-stop-shop answer. Not sure what kind of cooling upgrade is right for you? Consult a local computer technician before cracking into your PC case.The gaming sphere is fast-changing and becoming more personalized and customizable as each year passes. Take advantage of all of the new advancements being made by incorporating these key features into your gaming rig. How will you build your perfect PC? Let us know in the comments below!
