Big Rigs
Of course, it’s possible that both your graphics card and processor aren’t up to scratch, in which case you’re looking at a whole different proposition – replacing the rig with something faster. This usually involves scavenging whatever components can be reused – the monitor, hard drives and accessories are a good start, and replacing almost everything else. After that, it’s a case of finding the biggest pile of cash you can, as every single dollar will be going towards gaming greatness.
At this point you have two options: either buy a new box to replace the old one, or build one yourself from scratch. The former option usually involves a compromise of some sort, comparing system specs and parts to get the best performance for your dollars. There’s no shortage of suppliers either: IBuyPower, CyberPowerPC, Doghouse Systems and others will happily supply you with a brand new gaming rig to fit your budget. If you’re not confident in building one yourself, and don’t have a friend who you can bribe into helping you, this may be your best option.
Building a new PC from the ground up isn’t as hard as it sounds. There are many, many guides on how to do it, and the parts are easy to fit together. Sketching out the parts to buy is also a lot like theorycrafting, in that you’re weighing up a number of options in order to get the best result. It’s also one of the nicer tasks for IT geeks to get involved in – we get to spend someone else’s money, build something shiny, and get intoxicated by the smell of new electronics. Compared to the drudgery of doing system maintenance, this is fun. If you don’t have a friend to tap for this part – the Reddit Build-A-PC folks are all too willing to come up with the perfect parts list, and will even help hunt down the odd bargain.
One final note about budget: the reason why I suggest scrimping and saving ever cent is because you want to give your new joy machine as long a lifespan as possible. Cut corners now, and there’s every likelihood that you’ll be forced to do the same again in a year’s time. Push the boat out a little further, and you’ll get a rig that gives a significant difference now, while also lasting a good three to five years before it needs to be upgraded. And even then, you could probably consider piecemeal parts rather than a full replacement.
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Minor Improvements
There’s every chance that, in the end, your PC won’t actually need replacing or upgrading, particularly if it’s fairly new. But that’s no reason why you can’t splash out on a few minor improvements here and there if you’ve got the cash to spare. From slashing loading times to improving your reaction time, there’s a device for every facet of gaming.
The first upgrade that I always recommend is to buy a Solid State Drive. If you’ve ever sat waiting for Windows to boot up, or for a game level to load, an SSD is going to be the first purchase you’ll want to make. This tiny box acts like a small yet incredibly fast hard drive, slashing loading times dramatically. They are on the pricey side though, which is why I tend to use one for Windows and whatever game I happen to be playing the most. For everything else, I use a standard (but still reasonably quick) traditional hard drive.
Next, take a look at what’s resting on your desk. If you can see an old keyboard and mouse from when you first got a computer, encrusted with the remains of a decade of take-out, it’s time to replace them. On the mouse front, I strongly recommend getting something that will make your thumb useful and pick up something with side buttons – Logitech’s gaming range and Razer’s MMO/MOBA gear are both held in high regard here. For the keyboard side, consider getting a mechanical keyboard if you only play games, as the key actuation and responsiveness tends to be much better. Personally, I love playing all games on a mechanical keyboard, but I find them terrible to write with, switching over to a low profile chicklet (MacBook Laptop style) keyboard instead.
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Finally, consider what sits on your head. If you’re still using the $15 Wal-Mart headset that you bought to join your guild’s TeamSpeak, it’s well worth replacing it. A good quality headset works two ways – it makes it much easier to pick up a range of game sounds with a wide tonal experience, and your guild mates will thank you for getting a better microphone. Trust me, they’ll notice. There are a couple of things to consider (going wireless being one of them) but, as with everything, let reviews and recommendations help to guide you.
