With millions of people across the web-connected world eagerly engaging in live streaming PC games (and with many newbies learning how to do so every day), it’s hardly surprising to find that many tech consumers want to know more about what computer specs will make the gaming experience really pop.
No one wants to be in the middle of heart-pounding action only to find the screen freezing at the critical moment, after all.
The same applies to customers who enjoy online casino games, especially the newest high-tech online offerings that use blockchain technology to power them. If you’re getting used to the transactional ease and outstanding graphics offered by Bitcoin slot games at cutting-edge sites such as VIPCoin Casino, you’ll be as frustrated as any Assassin’s Creed fan if your experience is marred by recurrent glitches. Your laptop has to be gutsy enough to handle the power requirements of the games.
While hardcore devotees of gaming generally prefer powerful desktops, many others prefer a portable gaming experience – but want a larger screen size than a smartphone or tablet can offer. So, here’s a quick guide to what specs you need for a great gaming experience.
Some tech experts are skeptical about whether laptops are the best platform for this genre of entertainment. Online tech news giant CNET, for example, recently gave a guarded verdict: some laptops (especially slimline models) lack the physical space to allow for adequate cooling, for example (gaming requires a significant amount of power and heat). Others, however, can put in a creditable performance.
The GPU must be up to the gaming task
Most games require distinctly muscular GPUs to function properly. Get this right, and your laptop will play games at top settings for years to come. If you’re an entry-level gamer, you won’t need to opt for the highest settings – go for something like an RX 5500M or GTX 1650 (if your budget can stretch a little further, a GTX 6000 would be optimal).
If your gaming is to include virtual reality, Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 is a good option.
At the highest end for ultimate performance (which, of course, comes at a price), try an RTX 3070 or 3080 CPU.
CPU
A solid powerhouse of a CPU for gaming is Core i7 (some gaming laptops even come with desktop CPUs). Bear in mind that with laptops, you usually can’t subsequently upgrade the CPU, so the one you choose is the one you’ll be using for quite some time!
Random-access memory (RAM)
The minimum level of RAM you’ll need for smoothly executing your gaming experience is 8GB – but if you can afford the extra cost, 16GB would be better. The good news is that if you can’t afford this immediately, RAM is usually upgradable on most gaming laptops.
Storage: hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD)
If money isn’t too much of a barrier, a solid-state drive (SSD) will significantly improve your game loading times. It’s possible to get the best of both worlds with, say, a 128GB SSD working in tandem with a 1TB HDD.
Finally, enjoy your gaming experience!