In those good old days, we’d spend hours sitting in front of a grainy TV screen and sometimes playing video games on that hard-to-press remote. Fortunately those video games are over and now we don’t need to search for cassettes and play games like Mario, Contra etc. And the graphics and gaming experience offered by those games at that time was a joke compared to what PC gaming has to offer us in this age.
Fast forward to 2011, and we’re now equipped with all the high-tech gadgets a gamer could want. PlayStation, XBOX, Wii and computer are the new gaming devices of this age and they offer great graphics and enjoyment that we can’t even think of those old or should we call dark ages. With so many options available with us, shopping for play equipment can be a bit more of a challenge.
There are a few important elements that make up a good gaming PC. We probably all know the importance of the Processor (Dual core or Quad Core, at least), Power Supply (at least 450W), RAM (the more gigabytes, the better) and hard drives (the more capacity and speed, the better). But what really makes a gaming PC a gaming PC is its amazingly powerful graphics card, also known as a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). That’s the most important thing to think about when assembling a gaming PC. So which graphics card to buy?
Confused? Don’t be, as it all depends on how much you’re willing to shell out. The more you spend, the better you get, isn’t it simple? But here are some recommendations:
For AMD fans:
MSI Cyclone OC HD6850 1GB GDDR5 – Price of $180
MSI Nvidia N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC 1GB GDDR5 – Price of $190
For NVIDIA fans:
EVGA GTX 560 (Fermi) – Price of $200
MSI N 580GTX – Priced at $520
(These prices may change over time)
I hope this gives you an idea of graphics cards and their costs. Now we come to other gaming accessories for the gamer in you.
A gamer is not only equipped with a powerful graphics card, but also with other accessories such as headsets, gaming mice, responsive mouse pads, USB controllers, ergonomic chairs, and more.
Headsets help you not only communicate with other team members, but enhance the entire gaming experience. What is a game without good audio? That’s where the headphones provide that perfect sound clarity.
Gaming mice are the ultimate point and shoot device for gamers. High DPI gaming mice like the Logitech G5 and Razer copperhead are very popular. But expect to pay a lot more than a regular mouse. For example, Logitech G5 costs $150. That’s a huge price, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. This is the one player’s delight that every gamer desires.
Gaming mouse pads like the Razer Goliathus can cost around $13. The Razer Goliathus is optimized for use with all gaming mice, regardless of sensitivity setting and sensor type. Offers pixel-precise targeting and tracking.
With so many options available, it’s important to do your homework and do your research on what you’re looking to buy. Before you buy, don’t forget to check the reviews for that device. Reviews are a great way to find out if that device is worth buying or not.
There is no rush, do your research, check their prices, check reviews, what accessories it comes with, warranty and then proceed to buy that gaming device. Buy smart!
