The Games On!

Does hardcore gaming slow down your PC or laptop? Here’s how to beef up your computer system

Though the PS3 and the Xbox look advanced and feel like the very best one could get a more powerful gaming gig in PC, there are many available options available to those who want a gaming PC. Here’s how to get yourself a decent gaming system while not burning a big hole in your pocket. While buying a gaming PC one might be feel helpless looking at the options available to build your PC. While buying a good rig there quite a few things to keep in mind like the graphics card, processor, RAM and the screen among other things. WHAT YOU WANT
So what exactly are you looking out while buying your PC? Linus Aranha points out “First comes the processor an integral part of your gig. Many people look at the Ghz and think higher the Ghz, the faster the processor but this isn’t necessarily so, what matters is how fast the processor transfers data between the motherboard and back.” The other very important part that you need to look out for to make your gaming to the next level is a good graphics card so that you get a sharp and realistic feel to the game. Other important parts are the RAM, the screen and your gamepads/joysticks. WHAT YOU SHOULD GET
Since most games today are processor intensive, that is, depends a lot on speed of the machine one needs to look out for powerful processor which give a good speed and can also overclock themselves. Many think that the higher the clock speed the better the processor but this is not necessarily so, as what’s more important is how fast the data is transferred from the processor and the motherboard. The best processor that meets such demands is the Intel Extreme line which has a dual core — thus helping to save power and give out more processing power. Your next lookout should be for a graphics card. There are various brands available in the market. Though most are not as good nVidia the company that makes graphics cards for the PS3 too. For optimum performance, go for one with a minimum of 256MB. nVidia GeFroce 8700M too supports DirectX 10 and also has 512MB of dedicated memory; Something not too many cards out there come with. Another important part is your screen. With LCD screens being so cheap, it makes for a great investment look for one that has a good FPS speed with a minimum size being at least 17inch. One last thing do remember to get yourself a DVD drive as most games today are written on DVD’s and missing out on that small but very important feature could mean losing out on a whole lot of famous game titles that are released on DVD’s only. WHAT YOU COULD GET Other options to spice up your gameplay would be by adding gamepads but depends on what games you play so if you a regular flight simulator player you would want to check out a SideWinder joystick while if you prefer playing FPS games you might like the Xbox gaming stick made for PC’s with a USB cord. WHAT GAMERS SAY
Reagan George, an architect by profession, loves chilling out playing videogames and counts NFS as his favourite. He currently uses a Lenovo for his gaming needs and is now aspiring for a Macintosh “since it can run windows and is more powerful than most machines and I can run my architecture software while I play.”

While Siddhartha Bijoor from H R College another NFS gamer says that though his current set up isnt too “hi fi” and would prefer getting himself a 17inch LCD screen and a gaming wheel which he says would “make me feel like I am actually driving the car”. Most gamers in India prefer buying off the shelf but some gamers like Linus feel that going in for a proprietary machine “doesn’t make for a great gaming PC” and would rather make his own gig to his specifications so when you finish playing your game not only do you feel good that you won the game but also that you built the machine to your specifications.

The article as appeared in todays Bombay Times page 6.  And Mondays Pune Times…..Do Check it out!!!

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