How To Start Gaming: Beginner PC Gaming Guide
Gaming is a massive culture within the United States and across the globe. Despite new generations of consoles generating buzz, PC gaming is maintaining a steady rise.
You’re probably here because you’re considering PC gaming but don’t know where to start.
Whether you have no gaming experience or you’re making the conversion from console to PC, we know the world of PC gaming can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot of information out there, and the options may seem endless. We’re here to help.
Today, our experts at WTFast are walking you through the essential info you need to get you started with PC gaming.
We’ll outline the benefits of PC gaming over consoles, talk about essential equipment and potential upgrades, and look at some supplementary factors to consider that can ensure you have the best experience possible.
Let’s get started.
PC vs. Console: Why Try PC Gaming?
The PC vs. console debate is old, infamous, and seemingly never-ending.
Popular gaming consoles like Playstation's PS4 and PS5 models, next-gen Xbox consoles like the Series X, and even casual consoles like the Nintendo Switch have fierce advocates in the gaming community. At the same time, many streamers and die-hard gamers love PC gaming for its customization, versatility, and top-of-the-line hardware.
Everyone from eSports pros to Youtube gamers has weighed in with their verdict, but we recognize that there isn’t a single ultimate answer to the question.
At the end of the day, it all depends on your situation: your needs, wants, and budget determine whether a PC or console is better for you.
Pros of PC Gaming
PC gaming has a lot of benefits. Here are a few of the most important to think about, especially as you decide how to build your PC.
Performance Potential
The main draw of PC gaming is the performance optimization potential. In other words, PCs can be powerful.
While console graphics and performance specs have been improving over time, they simply can’t compare to what PCs can do. If you want to run your games with absolutely maxed-out graphics, the fastest frame rates, and the smoothest gameplay, PC is the way to go.
You can build your PC to any specifications you desire as well. For example, if your main goal is to optimize speed and stability for a competitive FPS, you may not need the absolute best graphics capability.
On the other hand, if you want to run a strategy game such as Total War, you might be more concerned with handling the highest graphic settings and maxing out your RAM.
Consoles, though, don’t offer a lot of modularity or customization. You’re limited to what comes in the box, occasionally with a few different versions on offer.
Modding
PC gaming also offers the potential for modding. Mods are third-party add ons you can install to your games that change the way the game plays. Some are minor, improving quality of life or adding limited cosmetics. Others add hours of gameplay content or completely overhaul the entire game’s mechanics.
Mods are an excellent way to customize your experience, but they typically aren’t available through consoles for most games.
Longevity
PCs tend to last much longer than gaming consoles. Thanks to their modular design, they’re also easier to repair, replace, and upgrade.
PC games also offer greater longevity. Eventually, a console will move on to new generations, and your favorite old games will be left behind. If your console stops working — as is common with many systems over time — you may not be able to fix or replace it, leaving your games unplayable.
On the other hand, PC games remain playable pretty much forever. Even when technology moves beyond old games, there are still ways to make them work, and older games are frequently rereleased to work with newer computers.
Versatility
Don’t forget that a PC goes far beyond gaming. We can use PCs for all sorts of entertainment and productivity purposes. Consoles might be able to stream TV, movies, and music, but that’s about it. A PC has all the power of a computer and console wrapped in one.
Cons of PC Gaming
PCs don’t have too many downsides, but there are a few to keep in mind.
Budget
PCs are a bit more expensive than even the newest gaming consoles in general, although the price point ultimately depends on how much you want to invest and customize.
Remember that you can always upgrade your system down the line. You don’t necessarily need to buy absolute top-of-the-line PC components to get started.
Couch Co-Op
Another downside to PC gaming is the lack of couch co-op options. Consoles have the advantage of quick and easy multiplayer with your friends in the same room. To play local co-op via PC, you’ll most likely need multiple computers and a bit of setup.
Console Exclusives
The library of games available on PC is massive, but it’s important to remember that some of the most popular games out today are console exclusive. Depending on which games you want to play, PC gaming may not be the best option for you.
Building Your Console
Once you’ve decided PC gaming is for you, the next step is building your console. This can be quite an involved process, and the specific components available and at the top of the line can change over time.
Don’t let it intimidate you, though! Building a PC is very doable, even for beginners. All you need is a bit of patience and willingness to learn.
Today, we’re focusing less on the technical details and more on the big picture. Before looking at specific parts and prices or assembling anything, you need to know what factors matter to you and why.
What Parts Will I Need To Build My PC?
Believe it or not, the list of things you need to go from nothing to a working PC is rather small, considering the complexity and capabilities of a PC. The list is as follows:
GPU (Graphics Card)
Cooling System
RAM (Memory)
Motherboard
Storage Device
PSU (Power Supply Unit)
Case
Operating System
Monitor
Inputs (Keyboard, Mouse)
Of course, beyond this, you may also want accessories like webcams, a streaming camera and capture card, or a top-of-the-line microphone and headset if you decide to live stream your desktop gaming on a YouTube gaming channel or Twitch.
Many PC-lovers specifically enjoy their ability to create walkthroughs of popular video games like Minecraft or take part in live broadcasts with their friends. Whether or not you're trying to be the next Pewdiepie or Ninja, sometimes live streaming can add to the fun.
How Do I Choose Which Parts To Buy?
Should I choose an Nvidia GPU or an AMD? Is Intel really the best processor? And what type of mouse do I need?
If you want to keep things as simple as possible, you definitely can. There are some considerations to be aware of, such as making sure the components you choose are compatible and physically fit inside your case of choice.
However, it’s generally an easy task to make sure it all works together. A quick web search will usually confirm whether components are compatible, and many tools can automatically check and track your build as you go.
The meat of the process comes in once you start to customize things to your preferences. This is highly recommended, and it isn’t too hard to do!
Start by deciding the priority for your system.
Graphics Focus
Do you want to focus on running your games at the highest graphic settings possible? Start by choosing your GPU and work your way down. CPU, RAM, and cooling should be top priority investments.
These games often require a lot of storage, and a top-of-the-line monitor is a must. This will likely be on the higher end of the budget, but it can totally be worth it.
Some games may not even offer graphics that require such a beefed-up system, so check the capabilities of the games you intend to play before going all out.
Speed Focus
If your focus is to optimize competitive gameplay at moderate graphics settings, you may not need the absolute best and most expensive components.
The most important thing is to ensure you have plenty of RAM, sufficient cooling, and a monitor with a high refresh rate.
Finding a super fast monitor is especially key. Remember that a high resolution does not necessarily correlate to a high refresh rate. You can find super-fast monitors on a budget if you plan to run your games at moderate settings instead of 4K resolution.
Remember that online gaming speed isn’t just about your PC but even more so your internet connection. Whether you use a low-budget PC or a top-of-the-line system, you’ll be best off with a gaming VPN to ensure a fast and stable connection.
Versatility Focus
If the goal for your PC isn’t solely gaming, you may not need to invest as much in certain components.
RAM will give you a lot of power to multitask if you need it, so it’s a must for video editing, but not as important if you’re just going to be doing homework with office software and streaming some music.
Other Factors
Even if you build your PC using only the absolute best components, other factors can hugely impact your gaming experience.
The main factor is your internet connection. For online gaming, your connection needs speed and stability; otherwise, you’ll be plagued by constant lag and FPS drop.
Lag is more than just frustrating. It often leads to preventable losses, which can be a real problem for competitive gamers or casual ones alike.
The best ways to prevent lag are using ethernet, pausing downloads and streams, and most importantly, using a GPN or Gamer’s Private Network.
A GPN works like a VPN, but with a focus on optimizing gaming connections.
While a VPN can protect your privacy, it’s often a slower connection and can cause security issues with certain game servers, which flag VPNs automatically as potential bots or hackers.
When you use our WTFast GPN, whether you’re on a budget PC or a $5000 system, you’ll be able to enjoy your best gaming experience without lag.
Our technology sends your gaming data (and only your gaming data) along the fastest traceroute possible, maximizing your connection speed and all but eliminating lag spikes and ping drops.
We also don’t mask your connection, so game servers won’t have any issues with security while you use our GPN.
Conclusion
Building your first PC and getting into PC gaming might seem daunting at first, but with our helpful guide, you should have everything you need to go out there, choose your build, and start gaming!
When you add our WTFast GPN into the mix, you’ll enjoy the best gaming experience you’ve ever had, finally lag-free!
Sources:
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | Investopedia
central processing unit | Definition & Function | Britannica
