Gaming on your PC is vastly different from just a few years ago. Games such as GTA Vice City and Max Payne could once be played effortlessly on desktop PCs. Nowadays, however, you need a computer equipped with the most up-to-date hardware and specifications in order to enjoy AAA titles.
But is it possible to play games on a standard PC?
That is what we will explore in this article.
While you can play on a standard PC, don’t expect to experience high frame rates or stunning visuals. Unfortunately, many standard desktops come equipped with integrated graphics and processors which are insufficient and inadequate for gaming.
For games that require minimal specifications, such as the PUBG Lite version, cheaper hardware may suffice; however, to play Triple-A Standard or Esports titles you’ll need to upgrade your system or purchase an already assembled Gaming PC.
Gaming has seen a meteoric rise in popularity over the last couple of years, and many people have invested some money to purchase an advanced gaming computer. Unfortunately, not everyone can stretch to spending nearly $1,000 on such an item, meaning many must use or upgrade their existing PC instead.
But is it really possible to use your regular computer for gaming purposes?
A standard PC is perfectly capable and capable of gaming, though they typically only support less demanding titles such as Minecraft or League of Legends. To upgrade to a higher-powered processor or motherboard along with a graphics card, however, your system will be able to run more demanding titles like Battlefield and Call of Duty smoothly.
When an application requires more power, the stronger the system must be. To get the most out of a graphics card, it can be overclocked instead of purchasing it from scratch – but this should be done slowly by an experienced person.
Regular PC vs Gaming PC
Gaming systems differ from regular PCs in that they can handle more data simultaneously and offer the power of a dedicated gaming system. Games such as The Witcher, Battlefield 5, or COD Modern Warfare require higher system settings to run optimally due to their intricate graphics, effects, and large maps.
Games such as Minecraft and others require less power-hungry hardware due to their simplified graphics, maps, and effects; regular computers can easily run these titles with no issues.
Some Popular Games and Their System Requirements
| UNIT | MINECRAFT | BATTLEFIELD 5 | GTA-SAN ANDREAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM | 4GB | 8 GB | 1 or 2 GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i3(3.2 GHz) AMD A8-7600 APU 3.1 GHz or equivalent | Core i5 6600k (minimum) | 1 GHz Pentium III or AMD Athlon Processor |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 4000 AMD Radeon R5 series Nvidia GeForce 400 Series AMD Radeon HD 7000 series | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB AMD Radeon RX 560 2 | GeForce 6600Radeon 9500 Pro |
Should I Opt for a Gaming PC or a Regular Computer?
As previously noted, gaming systems boast the most powerful hardware components and can handle more data simultaneously than regular PC components. The elements responsible for creating the greatest impact on a system include its graphics card (GPU), processor (CPU), and motherboard.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super graphics cards not only allow gamers to play at the highest graphics settings, but they also display images faster. Computers equipped with one or two graphics cards cannot display images as quickly as a top-quality card and this could cause slowdowns, stutters and lower FPS (Frames Per Second).
Another advantage of a Gaming computer is its longevity; new computers typically last several years before needing replacement parts. Many people buy gaming computers primarily for work purposes due to their superior performance levels.
Most advanced parts are more powerful than their regular counterparts and consume slightly more energy. But with the right Platinum or Gold certified power supply, your system’s energy consumption can be reduced and even improved.
Gaming PCs often come with more powerful cases in addition to their primary components. These cases offer space for fans, storage, larger parts, and glass side panels; sometimes preinstalled filters as well as sound isolation materials. On the other hand, typical cases don’t come equipped with filters or sound insulation material and may simply serve as storage or exhausts for larger parts with an unattractive style.
Many gaming computers, whether custom-built or pre-built, come equipped with premium graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD. Nvidia and AMD GPUs typically provide the advantage over standard PCs when it comes to improving resolution up to 4K without any stuttering or slowdowns. Gaming GPUs enable gamers to increase the resolution up to 4K without any noticeable delay or lag time.
Gaming computers provide more room for upgrades compared to standard PCs. As PC games become increasingly demanding on hardware, gamers have the benefit of being able to get the latest equipment as it becomes available. Most gaming PCs come complete with ATX (or Mid-Tower) PC cases, giving plenty of room in these cases for installing heavy gaming components.
Conclusion
Gaming computers are far superior to standard PCs when it comes to handling more demanding tasks and even playing games due to their superior components.
Therefore, investing in a gaming-oriented PC is much more advantageous than standard or regular PCs as they offer multiple functionalities and provide the user with an unmatchable gaming experience – especially for those who wish to play hyper games and AAA Category Games.
Mike is an experienced video game journalist and enthusiast with more than a decade of experience in the gaming industry. As founder and lead editor of mygamingsetup.net, Mike strives to keep gamers up-to-date with the latest gaming news, guides, tips and tricks for popular video games.