Video game consoles are becoming more powerful, versatile and easier to use, but let's face it, playing on a computer is something else entirely! If you've gotten your hands on a gaming PC - a good gaming PC - you will immediately realize it. As usual, there are pros and cons: among the pros the performance you can get and the possibility to choose thousands of components tailored to your tastes, among the disadvantages the non-immediacy of the gaming experience, which is even superior on console.
If you want some advice, since you are a video game enthusiast, the next time you need to change your computer get one optimized for gaming. I assure you that you will not regret it. After all, the prices of this type of PC are increasingly accessible and there is at any time the possibility of modifying / upgrading them by purchasing new hardware components (only on fixed, almost never on notebooks and not always on all in one). You can also assemble a PC to play with individually chosen components, in order to get an experience exactly consistent with what you expect.
If you have to change your computer these days and would like to have some advice on which PC to buy to play don't hesitate. On this page I will explain everything you need to know in order not to make mistakes in your choice and I offer you a roundup of excellent gaming computers belonging to various price ranges, both fixed and portable. There are really something for everyone, even your bet, so let's ban the chatter and see which computer could do the most for you. Happy reading and have fun!
Index
- How to choose a PC to play
- Form factor
- Technical characteristics and components
- Which PC to buy to play
- Best desktop PC for gaming
- Best Notebook to Play
- Inexpensive gaming notebook
- High-end gaming notebook
- Best all in one PC to play
How to choose a PC to play
Before starting choosing a PC to play you must know that there are several form factor, as indeed happens also on traditional computers. The so-called gaming PCs are very normal computers that differ from office computers or workstations for the choice of internal components, projected to be better especially with regard to graphics processing. Be careful though! An unbalanced computer, and too driven towards the graphics part, may not deliver the performance you expect. If you're going to be assembling your PC to play games and choosing components, try to choose hardware in the same price range.
To begin with, I recommend that you read my tutorial on how to build a computer so that you can get an idea of what components are needed to assemble a PC and the basics to proceed with its assembly yourself. Then establish your budget and try to understand which components to buy by asking those who know more than you, I recommend the Hardware Upgrade forum but there are many resources, both online and offline, to which you can rely.
If you want a ready-to-use computer, keep reading so that I can help you choose your next system without you having the slightest doubt.
Form factor
First you need to establish the form factor of your computer to play, so if you need a fixed, portable or compact system. Usually the most voluminous computers, for the same price, are also more powerful because they have more space to accommodate the components and to keep them cool even during the heaviest gaming sessions. As with traditional computers, there are mainly three types of computers.
Notebook to play
The fashion to use is spreading among gamers laptops for playing games, even to the latest generation titles. They usually use hardware characterized by better efficiency than desktop systems, or by a general lower energy consumption, in order to heat as little as possible and to be integrated into smaller-volume enclosures. I recommend a notebook only if you are a person who travels often and who cannot help but play under any circumstances! They cost on average more than traditional systems, but offer all the typical advantages of the category: integrated display, easy portability, ease of insertion into the environment, slightly lower consumption. But be careful! Typically laptops designed for gaming are heavier and bulkier than traditional models, because they integrate a more effective heat dissipation system, often with more fans, and therefore larger in size. They are always characterized by the presence of one Dedicated GPU, nVidia or AMD.
All in one PC to play
I All in one PC to play they are not as widespread as notebooks, however they are intermediate solutions between laptops and stationary for saving space in the environment. All components (except, often, the power supply) are integrated into a single body, including the monitor! This solution is especially suitable for those who have little space and do not want a case scattered around the room or that occupies half the desk, but it is a compromise solution compared to a traditional desktop PC. The hardware integrated in the all-in-ones is in many cases the same as that found on notebooks, therefore more efficient, consumes less, but sometimes even less performing than that of desktop computers. In recent generations, the differences have narrowed but, just like notebooks, all-in-one games for gaming require some compromises. They undergo faster obsolescence, the internal components cannot be replaced over time with more modern ones, the maximum performance is lower than that of desktop PCs. Precisely for this reason there are always fewer all in one dedicated to gaming, now difficult to find on the market.
Fixed PC for gaming
I PC for fixed gaming represent the historically best solution in terms of performance. They are often large and bulky, and have followed the trend - as notebooks and all in one gaming - of RGB LED lighting in recent years. They are often very showy, but they always give a lot of satisfaction with the latest generation games. They use components that can almost always be replaced very easily, thus representing the most forward-looking solution in terms of performance. Once a faster and more powerful video card is on the market, you can almost always replace it by removing a few screws and with few skills, in order to keep your computer updated not only from the software point of view, but also from the hardware point of view without having to do it again. entire investment. They have no major disadvantages, apart from the space occupied in the environment and the tangle of cables that is created if you are not careful during the assembly phases.
Technical characteristics and components
If you are assembling a new computer with components chosen by you, or if you are choosing a ready-to-use system, you must pay attention to the integrated technical characteristics. They are essential to evaluate the performance of the system and the characteristics it will have.
Display and resolution
Il , Said monitor, it is already integrated on notebooks and all in one, but must be bought separately on stationary (if it is not present in a kit). It is a fundamental component of a system, and it can have dimensions e resolutions different. The first is a mainly subjective feature and must be chosen according to your tastes and the space you find yourself in the environment: on a notebook it can range from 14 to 18 inches for the more conventional models, while between the all in one and fixed models you can find models even over 30 inches, curved and ultra-wide (with a perspective ratio for both sides of 21: 9). The latter two models guarantee a better identification, but usually cost more. There resolution it must be as high as possible in order to reproduce extremely detailed images. The most popular resolutions at the moment are the following.
- HD: The HD standard is no longer recommended with video games as it offers the minimum level of detail. The latest generation hardware allows you to better handle higher resolutions, which offer better quality. HD refers to systems with a resolution of 1280 × 720 or 1366 × 768 pixels.
- Full HD: Most gaming systems use Full HD (1920 × 1080) resolution, or its more squashed aspect ratio variants. To date it represents the best compromise between performance and image quality.
- 2KQuad HD: I recommend this resolution (2560 × 1440 pixels) for high-end gaming computers with the most powerful latest generation GPUs. In this way you will get very high performance and excellent image definition.
- 4K Ultra HD: it is the maximum, as a standard, you can aspire to today and by 4K we mean the resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels. However, it is very difficult to manage even for the latest generation hardware. I recommend that you choose a 4K Ultra HD monitor only in combination with very high-end components.
Un gaming monitor must have, then, a refresh rate very high (60Hz, but better 120 or 144Hz) if you play fast games, and a response time rather low (preferably close to 1 millisecond). Support for technologies such as nVidia G-Sync e AMD Freesync which guarantee a smoother and less jagged image without loss of speed.
Among the gaming monitors that currently offer the best value for money is the Samsung CFG73 featuring a 24 "or 27" VA panel with a 1800R curvature that guarantees total immersion in the game, supports Quantum Dot technology for richer color rendering (its color coverage is approximately 125% sRGB) , has response times of just 1ms, a refresh rate of 144Hz and thanks to its advanced LED backlight system, it does not suffer from the annoying ghosting effect typical of VA panels (the effect for which images remain for a few moments on the screen after their display). It has a 178 ° (H / V) viewing angle and a gamma contrast ratio of 3000: 1 that allows for deep blacks and brilliant whites in all scenes, both light and dark. Also noteworthy is the presence of support for Eye Saver mode and Flicker Free technology that reduce eye strain, the presence of AMD FreeSync technology that improves communication between processor and monitor by eliminating image defects and the Game Color Mode that allows you to have a perfect color rendering in every game session. Also very convenient is the vertical base of the monitor, which can be rotated, tilted and adjusted in height according to the user's needs, as well as the simplified configuration menu that allows quick access to all monitor settings. More info here.
For an even deeper look at the Samsung CFG73 and more tips on finding the right monitor for your computer, check out my buying guide on the best monitors.
Processor
Il processor it is considered the brain of the computer, and the component that performs all general computational calculations. Its power is expressed in GHz, with the models of recent years that use different computing units (called cores) that work in parallel to perform multiple tasks at the same time and carry out all operations with greater reactivity. For a gaming system I recommend the processors Intel Core i5, i7 or i9 of the latest generations (we have reached the eleventh), or the brand new ones AMD processors from the Ryzen family of families 3 × 00 or 5 × 00.
Video card or GPU
La Video Card (on fixed) and, more generally the But by the full GPU acceleration tech (the dedicated chip), usually represent the most important components of a PC dedicated to gaming. They mainly carry out the calculations related to the graphic representation of the elements (both two-dimensional and three-dimensional) and must always be present on a PC, even if integrated in the same “package” of the processor. For a PC gaming I recommend a powerful video card, dedicated to notebooks or all in one. There is great innovation from year to year, so I advise you not to save by taking an already obsolete model and not to use components from more than a generation ago. The nVidia GeForce RTX 20 × 0 or 30X0 are among the best solutions you can find currently, along with the latest AMD Radeon RX 6X00. Unfortunately in recent years the availability of video cards for desktop systems has been drastically reduced, so in many cases it is better to order the product in advance and wait for its arrival.
Memory
The compartment memory it is very important on a personal computer, and is divided into two aspects: RAM, which is the short-term memory of a computer where all the data that it momentarily uses are entered; And storage memory, which is the long-term memory where all files, the operating system, games and applications are stored locally. As for the RAM I don't recommend going below 8GB on a gaming computer, while for storage I recommend you stick to a solid state drive (SSD). There are several platforms, such as SATA III or the best performing NVMe on PCI Express slot and M.2 format. In combination with the SSD you can still buy a mechanical hard-disk for mass storage.
Keyboard and mouse
On a notebook to play the keyboard it is integrated, but on a fixed and an all in one it must be purchased separately. The mouseinstead, it is essential on all systems to play. As for keyboards, the trend of mechanical keyboards, which make use of mechanical "switches" and not a membrane as happens on the cheaper models. Always consider the presence of the backlight, to play even in the dark. THE gaming mouse instead they are characterized, in addition to the RGB LED lights (as for keyboards), by a sensitivity and precision usually higher than traditional ones.
Operating System
Il operating system that I recommend to play is absolutely Windows 10. Apple's Linux and macOS platforms are trying to increase compatibility with the latest generation of video games, however Microsoft's operating system is still the best in terms of versatility with gaming, both on the software side and on the hardware side with peripherals.
Other components
There are other components that you need to consider when buying a PC gaming, Such as audio card or the audio chip, preferably with multichannel support, or thepower pack, which must be commensurate with the energy consumption of the components (usually it is chosen with double wattage compared to the maximum consumption of the components integrated in the PC). A gaming computer can also have a optical drive and, if fixed, you must also buy the CASE (read my buying guide on gaming PC cases if you have any doubts), the speaker system, a pair of headphones with microphone if you play in multiplayer (see my buying guide on gaming headphones, if you have doubts in merit) and, last but not least, consider whether to buy a third party heatsink (air or liquid) for your CPU.
Which PC to buy to play
Now that we have made all the considerations for choosing a new personal computer, it is time to choose which PC to buy to play according to your needs. Here is my selection that you can rely on to get an idea!
Best desktop PC for gaming
Let's start with i Fixed PCs for gaming, that is, those that you have to place on a desk, connect to an external monitor and to all input peripherals and game controllers. They are the most powerful solutions, but obviously you will struggle to carry them around.
Cheap gaming PC (less than € 1500)
PJ DigitalStore with Intel Celeron and integrated GPU
If you need a PC to play browser games or titles that don't require a lot of computing power, then you can also spend very little. Here I propose you a pre-assembled of PJDigitalStore with integrated Intel Celeron G5905 processor and Intel UHD 610 graphics. The RAM is 16 GB, while as regards the storage space we find a 256 GB SSD. Among the ports we have USB, audio ports, VGA and integrated HDMI, while the operating system is Windows 10 Pro. Obviously do not think about launching the latest generation 3D video games!
Megaport with AMD Athlon and integrated GPU
This preassembled can offer decent performance with not too complex video games thanks to the presence of an AMD Radeon Vega 3 integrated into the maximum 3000GHz AMD Athlon 3,2G APU. If you need a PC to play less complex titles (for example League of Legends or World of Warcraft) this computer can be fine even if you will have to make some compromises in terms of quality. Not the best, having 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, while the power supply is 400W. At less than 500 euros it can be a great compromise, but not good for triple A games.
Megaport con AMD Ryzen e GeForce GTX1660 Super
This is the first PC that allows you to play any video game seriously enough thanks to the presence of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super GPU, which can offer excellent Full HD performance even with fairly recent titles. It is not of the latest generation, but if you do not have extreme demands it can be fine. The CPU is an AMD Ryzen 3 3100, paired with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB HDD. I recommend adding an SSD to load OS and games and have stellar performance. If you're wondering which model to get, try checking out my guide on the best SSD for each price range.
Megaport con AMD Ryzen e GeForce GTX1660 Super / RTX 2060
Around € 1000 you can find a Megaport preassembled very, very interesting. Here we find an AMD Ryzen 5 3500X with 16GB of RAM, 240GB SSD + 1TB HDD for storage and as a GPU an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660, with 6GB of RAM and capable of good performance with all video games if you play at resolutions Full HD or lower. The Wi-Fi adapter is already supplied. One of the most complete and versatile computers in this price range, even for non-gaming activities but which require good computing power on the CPU side. The same computer can be purchased with the nVidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, should you also want to push yourself towards 2K resolution or are interested in VR.
Megaport con Intel Core i7 e GeForce RTX 2060
Going even further with the price you can find another very balanced solution, with Intel Core i7-10700F processor and nVidia GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB of VRAM. This system is also suitable for 2K or 4K gaming with slightly older titles, and is equipped with 16GB of RAM, 480GB SSD paired with a 1TB hard drive and Wi-Fi adapter. Windows 10 is pre-installed.
High-end gaming PC (over € 1500)
Megaport with Intel Core i7 and GeForce RTX 3060Ti / 3070 and 3080
Raising the price a little Mega port offers a preassembled 7th generation Intel Core i10700-16F CPU, with 480GB of RAM, 1GB SSD combined with 3060TB of mechanical disk storage space. It is very similar to the last model that I recommended to you in the economic range, only here we find the very latest GPUs from nVidia, so the GeForce RTX 2Ti to play in 4K with excellent performance and in 3070K with some compromises, the RTX 4 to play in 3080K to all the titles in circulation, and finally the RTX 4 to play in XNUMXK with high performance. These are three very interesting computers to play, also characterized by a good air circulation. Obviously they are all equipped with RGB LEDs.
Sedatech PC Pro con vario hardware
If you want a pre-assembled without any compromise, then I recommend a model prepared by silktech: there are so many affordable models offered in the high-end by this assembler, some with Intel processors and others with latest generation AMD computers. We also find systems with nVidia GeForce RTX 3000 Series GPUs or the latest AMD Radeon RX6800XT, so the guaranteed performance is in any case of a very high level. The models I suggest below also have different RAM memory sizes, different storage solutions, and also WiFi, Bluetooth and HDMI ports. Sedatech PCs are also offered with less powerful hardware (and therefore with much cheaper solutions): you can access all the variants through one of the links below.
Alienware Aurora R12
Alienware has always been synonymous with PC gaming, and the model Dawn R12 is among the most representative of its line-up. Offered starting at € 1179, it can integrate various technologies such as 9th generation Intel Core processors up to i3000, AMD Radeon and nVidia GeForce GPUs (GTX and RTX 64 Series), a maximum of 10 GB of memory, and is offered with Windows 4.000 pre-installed. The top-of-the-range model exceeds € XNUMX, but it's money well spent, especially if you make gaming your reason for living. More information on the official Dell website.
HP Omen X 900-293nl
HP Omen X 900-293nl it was for a long time one of the most iconic computers on the gaming side, also thanks to the incessant media campaign (also found on famous videos on YouTube) carried out by the American manufacturer. Its fame is deserved: in addition to the original cube-shaped form factor, it implements a sophisticated hardware equipment. In this case I suggest the variant with 7th generation Intel Core i16 processor with 256 GB of RAM, 2 GB SSD with 2080 TB HDD, and nVidia GeForce RTX 4Ti video card. With this system you can play any title, often even in XNUMXK. You can find more information on the official website, but it is now very difficult to find it on the market
Corsair One i200, Mini-PC
Due to its extremely compact size, practically like a Mini-PC, Corsair one i200 it is one of the most expensive and atmospheric gaming computers. On the official website you can find different variants, such as that of the connection with Intel Core i9-11900K, nVidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, 32GB of RAM and two storage drives including a 1TB SSD on M.2 interface. Despite volume and weight, this PC can play video games even at 4K Ultra HD resolution without batting an eyelid, also thanks to the liquid dissipation.
Best Notebook to Play
If you want a computer to play games, but you need to carry it around easily, or you want to use it on the go, it is obviously advisable to buy a notebook, preferably with a dedicated GPU.
Inexpensive gaming notebook (less than € 1500)
Acer Nitro 5
Acer Nitro 5 is a family of budget gaming notebooks with a red backlit keyboard and capable of handling the latest generation games well at the resolution of its integrated display. Specifically, we have a 15,6-inch IPS at Full HD resolution, combined with an Intel Core i5-9300H processor, 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage space on a PCIe NVMe SSD drive and a GeForce GTX 1650 to manage the graphics loads. 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM.
HP Gaming Pavilion 15
Those who simply want a powerful notebook to play, without too many frills, can focus onHP Gaming Pavilion 15, portable system with 15,6-inch IPS LCD display at Full HD resolution, AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor, 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB storage on a fairly performing SSD unit, and finally we also find an nVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU with 4 GB of RAM dedicated to graphics. This notebook features audio edited by Bang & Olufsen.
Acer Nitro 5
Another budget notebook in the series Acer Nitro 5, which allows with a very reasonable expense to have the characteristics of the GeForce RTX 3000 series. This model that I suggest below is specifically the Nitro 5 AN515-55-55DW, with Intel Core i5-10300H processor paired with a 3060GB VRAM GeForce RTX 6, 8GB RAM and a very fast 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. It uses a 144Hz, 15,6-inch diagonal IPS Full HD display.
ASUS ROG Strix G15
THEASUS ROG Strix G15 it is a good budget gaming notebook, by virtue of its good quality hardware and high refresh rate display. It mounts an Intel Core i7-10870H processor with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage on a PCIe SSD, while on the graphics side we find a GeForce GTX 1650Ti with 4 GB of dedicated RAM. It uses an RGB illuminated keyboard, while the display is a 15,6 ″ Full HD anti-glare with 144Hz refresh rate supported.
MSI Alpha 15
MSI Alpha 15 is a gaming laptop with AMD Radeon RX5600M GPU, which is installed in a fairly traditional chassis in size. It adopts a 15,6 "panel at Full HD resolution with a maximum frequency of 144Hz, while the processor is an excellent AMD Ryzen 7 4800H combined with 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD on M.2 platform and PCIe interface. It comes with Windows 10 Home, and is a great versatile notebook at the right price.
Notebook for giocare di fascia alta (più di 1500 €)
Razer Blade Stealth
Razer Blade Stealth it is one of the most representative products of the category due to its design features. In this version that I suggest below, it adopts a 13,3-inch Full HD resolution display with a 120Hz refresh rate, paired with an Intel Core i7 series processor and a GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, with a 512 GB SSD. Famous and iconic, and therefore significantly more expensive than other less refined models, but with the same hardware features.
MSI GP66 Leopard / GP76 Leopard
These two laptops from MSI differ mainly, but not limited to, in the size of the display. MSI GP66 Leopard it is 15,6 inch and 144Hz version, MSI GP76 Leopard 17,3 "and 240Hz. The first is offered with an Intel Core i7-10750H processor, Wi-Fi 6, 16 GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD space, the other with a more recent i7-11800H, Wi-Fi 6e, 8 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage space. Both adopt the excellent nVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. Both have a backlit keyboard, and can be configured with different hardware based on the model.
ASUS ROG Strix G17
Also ASUS ROG Strix G17 it can be configured with different hardware. Here are two variants, one with AMD Ryzen 7 5800H and 16GB of RAM, the other with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX and 32GB of RAM. Both make use of a 1 TB SSD, while on the graphics side we have a nVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB and a more powerful nVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB respectively. Prices vary considerably, but they are both systems with the right cost based on their technical characteristics.
Alienware
When will parla di notebook gaming non possiamo dimenticarci Alienware, producer of the devices from the device to the owner of the Dell property. The company proposes quattro diverse famiglie: Alienware X15 e Alienware X17 up to 9th generation Intel Core iXNUMX processors, and Alienware m15 e Alienware m17, two families characterized by a smaller body. Learn more about the line-up on the Dell website.
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 / 17
Another popular gaming notebook family is the ROG Strix Scar di ASUS, with systems proposed in diagonals of 15 and 17 inches. The systems I propose below are equipped with nVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, which is one of the best graphics solutions you can find on notebooks to date, if not the best. They use 300Hz refresh rate displays, therefore very fluid, AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processors, 32 GB of RAM with dual 1 TB SSD as a storage solution and support Full HD resolution in the integrated displays. It's hard to ask for more!
Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581
Sebbene non sia pensato nello specifico per il gaming, l 'Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 potrà essere impiegato wide per il gioco grazie alla GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB di VRAM dedicati. Even the CPU è decidedly powerful, seen that it mounts Intel Core i7 or i9 of no generation, abbinati to a massimo of 32GB of RAM and SSD of massimo 1TB. If you go back to the creative, and not to the gamer, it is worth mentioning it further in this guide to all'acquisto. Which model is infatti if it is characterized by the presence of a doppio display: the main è a 4K OLED (3840 × 2160 pixel) gives 15,6 ″, the secondary è little installation over the tastiera and has a 14 ″ diagonal with risoluzione 3840 × 1100 pixel. Puoi saperne di più on the official Asus site.
Best all in one PC to play
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i
If you are looking for an all in one computer to play, I suggest you take a look at the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i, with 27-inch display at WQHD resolution (2560 × 1440 pixels), Intel Core i5-10400T processor, 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB internal storage on SSD drives. It is characterized by the presence of the nVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, which allows you to play almost all titles at Full HD resolution without too many problems. It is not specifically designed to play, but it can give some satisfaction even with the most recent titles.
HP EliteOne 800 G6
Another family of all in one that can be found with gaming setups is the HP EliteOne 800 G6. On the official HP website you can find very interesting configurations, such as the one with Intel Core i7-10700 processor, 16 GB of RAM, very fast PCIe NVMe SSD on 2 GB M.512 interface and NVIDIA RTX 2070 video card with 8 GB of RAM dedicated.
HP Envy 32
An exceptional computer from all points of view, the HP Envy 32, which is characterized by the large 31,5-inch display at 4K resolution. Excellent in viewing multimedia content, this system is not specifically designed for gaming but with an integrated nVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 it can unleash excellent performance, even in 4K. It also uses a 7th generation Intel Core i32 processor, and comes with 3GB of RAM and 6TB of SSD + HDD storage. Inside there is also a network adapter compatible with the latest Wi-Fi XNUMX standard.
