Chosing the right PC components for gaming now will mean worry-free gaming for years.
Year after year, with the release of newer video games, the specs required for smooth and visually appealing performance get higher. With PC gaming specs, its a smarter idea to build or upgrade well ahead of the curve rather then right at it. A strong processor combined with a high-end video card and ample RAM can help get you ahead of the PC gaming curve so you wont have to worry about upgrading for a couple of years.
The Processor
The processor is an integral part of any computer. In gaming, the strength of your processor determines how quickly your computer can run what you want it too. The key measure of the strength of a processor comes from its clock speed, measured in gigahertz. The high end of recommenced clock speeds for gaming, as of October 2010, tops out at close to a 2.4GHz processor, but buying a 2.4GHz processor would get you the desired performance now. A processor running at 2.8GHz and higher will increase the time you computer will be an effective gaming machine.
As of October 2010, the Intel Core i5-750 and Core i5-760 are the processors of choice, according to Tom's Hardware, which says processors over $200 offer smaller and smaller performance boosts in games relative to the increased costs.
The Video Card
In gaming, the power of a video card is key to game performance. Just like the processor, the video card can be purchased to serve you in the short term or in the long run. For a mix of longevity and good price, the GeForce GTX 470 and the Radeon HD 5850 are the best options as of October 2010. These video cards will provide exceptional performance now and should be usable for a couple years, though over time, with new games, quality settings may have to be reduced for best playability. For the best longevity, the Radeon HD 5970 is the card of choice. By committing to the October 2010 price tag of $550.00 you are providing your PC with quality performance for at least a couple years.
Random-Access Memory (RAM)
Random-access memory (RAM) provides the storage space for your CPU to keep the data it is most likely to need quickly accessible, reducing the frequency of hard-drive access, which is much slower. Purchasing RAM for your computer is the easiest decision of the three major gaming components, since it comes down to how much your motherboard will hold and how much you want to spend. The recommended requirement for most games today is 2GB, but those specs tend to be the minimum. By picking up between 4GB to 6GB of RAM, you provide a PC with good longevity as of October 2010.
Tags: October 2010, couple years, 4GHz processor, video card, your computer