Entering the world of PC gaming can be exciting, but also just a little intimidating.
It’s a world in which many are well-versed, and there are so many terms to learn, parts to understand, and software processes to fiddle about with that it can feel overwhelming at first.
PC gaming is actually a lot less complex than many elitists would have you believe, but since it’s easy to get scared by the “difficulty curve” if you’re coming from consoles, we thought we’d throw together a list of 10 tips and tricks you can use to get the most out of your first gaming PC!
1. Test out browsers
The browser you use is actually one of the most important elements of your PC gaming experience.
Your new machine will be an absolute monster that’s capable of running pretty much every browser without breaking a sweat, but it’s important to try running lots of different browsers alongside games and other apps so you can see which one you like best.
After all, browser games are still something you can enjoy on your gaming PC!
2. Overclock your graphics card
If you’re not quite getting the juice out of your graphics card that you want, then you should consider overclocking it to add that little extra bit of power.
Overclocking sounds scary, but it’s actually a pretty straightforward process; it involves pushing your hardware just that little bit further than the system default to get extra performance out of it.
Contrary to what you might believe, it’s totally safe as well, provided that you don’t push too far.
3. Download lots of different storefront apps
Naturally, the most popular PC gaming storefront is Valve’s Steam, which has tons of games to choose from.
However, there are alternatives, and each of them has their own benefits. The Epic Games Store, for instance, hands out free games every week, while GOG offers DRM-free versions of games you can keep forever.
Other apps, like the Xbox app, Ubisoft Connect, and Origin offer exclusive games that you might not be able to find elsewhere, so download ‘em all to get the most out of PC gaming!
4. Pair it with the right peripherals
It’s no good building a beast of a gaming PC if you’re not also using a great keyboard, mouse, and monitor to go with it.
We’d recommend a mechanical gaming keyboard, especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of competitive gaming. Mechanical keyboards tend to be more responsive, and their per-key switches feel much better to use.
You might also be tempted by a wireless mouse, but unless you’re going to be sitting at a significant distance from your PC, a wired mouse should do the trick just fine.
5. Game at 1440p
4K PC gaming is often seen as overkill by the gaming community.
You’re going to be sitting pretty close to your PC monitor, and at that distance – combined with the kind of screen sizes PC monitors usually have – 4K isn’t really necessary.
As such, it’s a good idea to aim for 1440p resolution when you’re putting together a PC gaming setup. 1440p is a resolution most top-of-the-range graphics cards won’t struggle with, but it’s sharper and crisper than 1080p.
6. Don’t build it yourself if you don’t feel confident…
Building your first gaming PC is a big undertaking, so don’t take on the task if you don’t feel ready.
There are a lot of parts and components inside a gaming PC, and while the actual process of putting them all together is often fairly straightforward, the margin for error is wider because you’re not involving professionals.
If you aren’t 100% confident in what you’re doing, then don’t be afraid to get a professional company – or even a friend who knows their PC onions – to build your machine for you.
7. …but building it yourself is cheaper
With that said, if you do feel confident that you aren’t going to mess it up, building your first gaming PC yourself is cheaper.
Since you’re paying a fair amount on top of the parts for labour and other overheads when you ask someone else to build it for you, it stands to reason that completing the task yourself would cost less.
Assembling a gaming PC isn’t the most difficult task in the world; it’s tricky enough, sure, but with the right tutorials and a healthy dose of common sense – as well as lots of patience – you’ll get it right.
8. Get a controller
You’re probably going to be tempted to play everything with a keyboard and mouse setup on your new gaming PC, but that would be a mistake.
Many modern PC games are essentially just ports of their console counterparts, and there are games that simply don’t feel right with a keyboard and mouse-oriented control scheme.
As such, you should definitely get yourself a PC controller to pair with your new setup.
9. Clean it regularly
Once your new machine is set up and whirring away happily, it’s easy to forget that it’s going to need regular maintenance.
Make sure to open up your PC at least once every couple of months and give it a good clean. That means cleaning the motherboard, the graphics card, and all of the nooks and crannies inside the case.
Compressed air is a great way to clear out dust without using microfiber cloths, which can sometimes be damaging to PC components.
10. Get comfortable
Being hunched over your keyboard and mouse all day while you game is only going to lead to health problems.
While it’s certainly true that peripherals are important, a good gaming chair and desk will also mean that you don’t suffer any long-term ailments from bad posture while you’re gaming.
There are tons of great gaming chairs and desks out there, so make sure to pick ones that work for your space and that can be adjusted to your height requirements.
