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.
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.
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.
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
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