Types of gaming PCs

Let’s start with the basics – laptop or desktop? Both have pros and cons, so have a think about what matters to you most. In a hurry?

Because desktops and towers are so much larger than laptops, they’re easier to cool and the components don’t have to be so small. That means you’ll usually get a lot more power for your money. It’s also easier to upgrade them. So, if you want to swap out your graphics card down the line to keep up with the latest games, you can.

A pre-built gaming PC is a smart choice if you don’t feel comfortable tinkering around with your computer since you’re ready to play straight out the box.

Pre-built gaming desktops

Know a fair bit about PC components? You can build your own gaming PC then! You get to choose all the individual parts – from the processor to the cooling system - to put together your perfect PC. You can custom-build desktops with incredible specs, colours and components for something completely unique to how you want to play. Just remember to get components that are compatible and be prepared to put it all together when it arrives. Screwdrivers at the ready.

Build-your-own gaming desktop

Gaming laptops are getting more and more popular and powerful. And if you want your PC to double up for work and studying, it makes sense to get something you can take wherever you go. So, if you don’t mind paying a little extra, a laptop could be the way to go.

Gaming laptops

What to consider when buying a gaming PC

Not 100% sure on the technical side of PC gaming? We’ve made it easy with UL benchmarking at a glance you can tell how good a laptop or desktop is to play your favourite titles, and they've each got a score so you can easily compare them too. You can find UL scores and game benchmarking on each product page. Want a refresher on the difference between a CPU and a GPU? We’ve got you covered.

The good thing about storage is you can always add more. Just back up your old games to an external storage drive and you won’t have to worry about losing all those hours (and hours) of play.

Katrina, Currys tech expert

Extra features to up your PC gaming experience

VR ready

Some VR (virtual reality) headsets, like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive need to be hooked up to a PC to work. Each have their own system requirements, but you’ll need at least a Core™ i5 processor with 8GB RAM, as well as a GTX 970 graphics card or better.

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RGB lighting

Some computers come with RGB lighting, which means they have lights that can be programmed to be any colour you like. On certain laptops you can even customise individual keys to make your most used keys light up, so you don’t struggle to find them in the heat of battle.

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Mechanical keyboard

Some people swear by mechanical keyboards. They’re more durable, but they’re also faster and give you greater control over each keystroke. But they do tend to be a bit bulkier and louder, so if you’re getting a laptop, it’s worth thinking about what matters most to you.

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Shop Nvidia desktops

DLSS stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling. Sounds technical but essentially it means you get sharper images and boosted frame rates. All thanks to fancy AI tech. You’ll get this boost on loads of titles with RTX 30 series graphics cards

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Guide to buying a gaming monitor

Why get a specialist gaming monitor? If you’ve got a gaming PC, you won’t see the full effect of its GPU unless you’ve got the display to match. And dedicated gaming monitors are filled with features designed to make your games (and everything else you do) look amazing. Take your PC or console gaming to the next level or add a second screen to your gaming laptop.

Things to consider when buying a gaming monitor

Factor in screen size when you’re deciding what resolution to go for. A smaller screen doesn’t need as high a resolution to look sharp, while a bigger one needs more pixels to fill the space.

Mish, Currys tech expert

Get a better gaming experience with these top monitor features

Curved monitors

Having a curved screen is perfect for getting more immersed into your game. If you love racing or flight sim games, curved monitors are a key part of creating your dream setup. They’re also great for marathon gaming sessions as they reduce eye strain and picture distortion – giving the illusion of a bigger screen.

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Console compatibility

Like switching from PC to console gaming? If you want to get the most out of your next-gen console like the PS5 or Xbox Series X, you’ll want a 4K monitor with 120 Hz.

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Variable Refresh Rates (VRR)

When your graphics card is out of sync with your display, it can cause annoying bits of distortion like tearing and stuttering. But if your monitor has some kind of VRR tech, it will adapt its refresh rate in real-time to match whatever you’re playing or watching. So, there’s no stop and start motion to throw you off your game.

Different brands have different types of VRR tech. And both your monitor and GPU will need to be compatible with that particular type for it to work. NVIDIA graphics cards will usually work with NVIDIA G-Sync, while AMD ones will work with AMD FreeSync.

Built-in speakers

A gaming laptop will have its own in-built speakers, but a tower won’t. So, if you don’t have the space for a separate speaker system and care about quality audio, a monitor with built-in speakers is a good move. But when it comes to premium gaming sound, you’ll want a gaming headset.

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Wall mounting

There are plenty of reasons you might want to keep your monitor flush to the wall – whether it’s for watching movies in bed or to free up desk space. If that’s the case, check out a wall mountable monitor.

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