Navigating the vast field of gaming-grade systems can be a mind-boggling task, but with a little bit of know-how, it’s actually easy to find what you need to suit your gaming needs.
Gaming systems are the newest trend for PC manufacturers, and we’re not just talking about a new model or two. In additional to traditional gaming centric brands such as Alien ware and Razer, almost every other brand has launched dedicated gaming sub-brands with a whole slew of models and devices: ASUS has ROG, Gigabyte has Aorus, HP has Omen, Lenovo has Legion…you get the drift.
Now, for PC gamers, there’s little doubt that the do-it-yourself route has always presented the ultimate in value and flexibility, but it may not always be the most feasible. The cost of technology has also come down quite G a bit, and purpose-built gaming PCs are no longer that hard to come by. And as manufacturers start to put in more effort in developing dedicated gaming machines, you do get better integration, with features that are actually useful and a boatload of options that suit everyone from casual all the way to the hardcore and PC enthusiast geek.
Often, the trouble is in finding the right balance between price and performance. It’s easy to get carried away with the latest advancements or excessive future-proofing. On the other hand, mismatched components may wind up giving you more trouble than it’s worth.
With that in mind, we decided to address the core need of why you’re buying a gaming PC in the first place. So this feature isn’t straight up about buying 'X' product, but rather, what kind of system would work for your needs. (If you’re actually looking for buying recommendation, we've got a Slim Gaming Notebook shootout in this very issue. – ed.)
IDENTIFYING YOUR NEEDS
THE FIRST QUESTION YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK IS: WHAT IS MY NEW SYSTEM REALLY FOR?
“Gaming” is the obvious answer but we’re going to have to be a little more specific. What do you normally, or hope to, play?
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