PC Gaming for Beginners: How to Get Started in 2022

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The PC remains the best platform for gaming, whether information technology be for esports, graphics fidelity, and even massive multiplayer experiences. There are hundreds of thousands of titles bachelor and digital distribution services like Steam and GOG make it easier than ever to build a game collection without leaving the house. We'll run yous through how to set upwardly and configure your PC, go started with said digital stores and go the most out of Windows 10 for all things games.

Hardware gear up

Thermaltake Core P5

Before you begin with gaming on a PC, yous first need to buy or build i capable of running whatsoever yous wish to play. Unlike consoles, games released for PC have different requirements, some are more demanding than others. Depending on what kind of power the PC you'll be using packs, you'll need to adjust graphics settings accordingly, which allows yous to reduce the expect of a game slightly to improve operation. It'south a fragile balancing human action but offers more control than a panel.

There are many pre-built options out there but building your own can cut some costs but yous'll need to troubleshoot everything yourself. Generally speaking, you'll want to aim for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor and Nvidia GTX 1070 GPU. This will allow yous to enjoy even more enervating titles at 1440p resolution and a comfortable 60 frames-per-second at the very least.

Build a capable gaming PC for less than $800

Philips Monitor

And unlike a console where a Television receiver and living room are usually an ideal combination, for PC gaming it's all nearly the gaming den and smaller monitor. 25-inch panels are generally considered the sweetness spot, especially when you consider 1440p. 4K isn't quite ready, regardless of what console makers and others would lead you to believe. Even a pricier GTX 1080 struggles to push content at that resolution — give it a few more years.

You'd be hard-pressed to build a PC that matches the Xbox I X for 4K gaming at the 10's cost point, but a PC offers so much more and is well worth the added cost.

Great PC games y'all don't need an expensive GPU to enjoy

Preparing Windows x

The Witcher 3

Microsoft's latest Bone is a solid piece of kit. Windows 10 not simply offers excellent levels of performance in games only also comes pretty well-optimized out-the-box. You should be good to go every bit soon as you complete the initial Bone installation just one of the most important tasks you'll need to complete is to update your GPU drivers, depending on which vendor you lot've called to go with (AMD or Nvidia):

Download AMD drivers.
Download NVIDIA drivers.

Another good thought is to ensure you lot have the latest updates for Windows 10 itself and yous have all drivers installed for other PC components — this aids in keeping everything working together in harmony. Nosotros compiled some other useful tips, which while aren't as important equally keeping drivers up-to-appointment may assist extract even more operation from your setup.

How to optimize Windows ten for PC gaming

Lastly, you'll want to download Discord, which is the go-to app for gamers who wish to communicate with friends. In society to talk with them, you lot'll need a headset.

Total Steam ahead

GOG

At present that your PC is all configured and set for action, you need to install some games. There are 2 major storefronts that are popular correct now — Steam and GOG. Too equally these two, yous also have the pick between some publisher stores similar Ubisoft's UPlay, Blizzard's Battle.internet, and EA'southward Origin, not to mention Amazon and retailer websites for physical copies.

For digital downloads, each of the available storefronts piece of work in similar ways. You download and install the software, create an business relationship and attach necessary payment information, browse the catalog of games and brand purchases. Any games you purchase tin can subsequently be downloaded and installed. GOG is unique in that it allows for you to run games without DRM protection, meaning you don't have to exist logged in to play games, nor do you need to take the GOG suite installed.

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