Gaming PC Deals & Offers

Gaming PCs: Find Bargains on Components, Accessories and More

Today's gaming PCs are the most powerful, fastest, and best-looking home computers in existence. A far cry from standard laptops and the desktops familiar from office environments, these souped-up devices are the sports cars of the gaming world, and they elevate any gaming experience to a wholly new level.

But what gaming PC should you go for, and how can you find a cheap gaming PC which ticks all of your boxes? Read on to find out what makes a great gaming system, whether building your own is the best way to go, and what brands to look for when making a decision.

The History Behind Today's Gaming PCs

Gaming PCs have a long history behind them, but specialist PCs for modern games are actually something new. PCs had previously not been mass-marketed with the speed, storage options, memory, controllers, and sheer aesthetic approach of these computers. Still, they wouldn't exist without a history of gaming pioneers.

This history stretches back to the earliest gaming arcades when children of the 1970s were introduced to Pong and Pacman. Those cabinets were essentially primitive gaming PCs, created for one purpose alone – entertainment. As the 80s wore on, arcade machines became ever more powerful, and much more powerful than home computers like the Commodore 64 or even the Amiga.

PCs struggled to keep up, but the need to match arcades (and later consoles like the Genesis or SNES) meant that home gaming evolved. Joysticks and joypads became more elaborate, adding custom buttons, extra axes, steering wheels, force feedback, light-guns, and primitive motion capture. Sound cards appeared, which delivered CD quality audio. Graphics cards also debuted in the 1990s, exploiting the potential of SVGA and CD-ROM storage media.

By the 2000s, PCs were locked in competition with PlayStation and Xbox systems and was slowly winning the battle. The advent of the web made multiplayer gaming a daily reality for millions, and the PC was perfectly suited to the task. As flat screen monitors, Bluetooth headsets, and new Intel CPUs appeared, they found their way into gaming setups, and players began to refer to their builds as “gaming PCs.”

Nowadays, gaming PCs are a specific category of PC and are very different to office computers – much more so than was the case 20 years ago. Let's see how they work, and why they are so different.

What Separates Gaming PCs from Ordinary Computers?

Before we get into the details, you might be wondering what actually differentiates a gaming computer from run-of-the-mill desktops and laptops. Do you really need to invest more in powerful hardware and accessories, or will your gaming needs be met by off-the-shelf PCs with less impressive specs?

The answer depends on your passion for gaming. What's obvious is that picking up a gaming PC cheap from hotukdeals merchants can enhance your experience, whether you're into racing titles, RPGs, or Fortnite. Here's why:

• Graphics cards – Probably the most important difference between gaming PCs and regular systems, the GPU or graphics card is what allows these systems to manipulate complex visuals at lightning speeds. This is an area where costs rise relative to ordinary computers, but if you've ever tested gaming PCs in show-rooms, you'll appreciate that the extra expense is worth it. Look for models with between 8-11 GB video RAM and processors speeds above 1,300 Mhz.

• Processor – It's not much use having a top of the range graphics card, without the CPU required to put it through its paces. All gaming PCs max out on processing speed and core numbers, although the exact speeds vary, so don't get caught out. Anything around 4 GHz with a speed boost is a good yardstick to aim for. Look for “overclocked” CPUs as well – as these models can be forced to operate above manufacturers' guidelines.

• RAM – 16GB RAM is pretty much standard. Anything less, and many of the latest games will start to struggle. While memory is the most important consideration, be sure to pay attention to the DDR (Double Data Rate) type as well as the overall speed. Those looking for high-spec gaming shouldn’t do without DDR4 RAM or RAM that runs below 2400 MHz.

• Fans and Heat Sinks – With so much going on in the CPU and GPU, gaming PCs generate an immense amount of heat. Ordinary PCs wouldn't be able to dissipate this heat, causing it to damage internal components over time. That's why gaming PCs are designed to remove heat efficiently via specially designed fans or water-based cooling systems. Good fans keep noise to a minimum while ensuring that your motherboard and key components won't be zapped. Water cooling helps to target specific areas of the hardware which generate the most heat, offering as much surface area as possible to transfer heat to the external environment. Look for over 50CFM flow rates and integrated noise reduction.

• Storage – Finally, gamers need serious storage space for the games they play, but they also need the hard drives they use to be as fast as possible. This typically means using premium SSD drives that avoid lag and give plenty of capacity to add new titles as they are released. If you plan to keep multiple games on your hard drive at once, then you’ll want to be shooting for a 1 TB SSD, but with services like Steam allowing us to keep our libraries in the cloud, you can save big time by opting for a 250 GB model.

• Towers – As you've probably noticed on the hotukdeals listings, gaming PCs look significantly different to normal PCs, with all sorts of colours, jagged elements, and glass cut-outs competing for attention. Sometimes, this is purely decorative. Gamers tend to appreciate style and aesthetics more than business-oriented users. But a well-designed gaming PC case will have a functional aspect as well. They help to remove heat and dust from key components, and also provide easy access to the inner workings of a computer, making maintenance and replacements easy.

• High-end audio hardware – Sound is another core priority for most gamers, and ordinary soundcards won't always deliver the goods. That's why many gaming PC owners decide to go for specialist gaming cards like Creative's Sound Blaster Z. Some even go off-road with bespoke sound boards made with Nichicon capacitors – the type you'd expect to find in high-level stereo setups.

Which Brands Should I Look For When Buying Gaming PC Components?

When you check out gaming merchants like Overclockers, you'll find a wide range of brand names – some excellent, some not-so-excellent. Here are some reliable brands for the main elements of a killer gaming PC. Choosing any of them over unknown brands will usually result in better reliability and build quality:

• Nvidia – The industry leader in graphics processing is Nvidia, which manufacturers the GeForce range of cards. NVidia also leads the way in building gaming laptops with top-notch visuals, so if convenience is your main consideration, it's a good brand to use. Alternatives include AMD, whose Radeon cards provide stiff competition for the GeForce.

• AMD – AMD makes both graphics card and CPUs, with the Ryzen range of CPUs being particularly popular amongst gamers. The key advantage of buying an AMD is price – they offer their CPUs for a lot cheaper than their main competitor, Intel. It’s in the realm of graphics card that AMD does their best, with performance matching most Nvidia cards.

• Intel – Intel remains the go-to brand for gaming CPUs, and its “Core” collection includes a wide range of possibilities. Depending on the type of gaming your planning to do, you can opt for simple dual-core processors all the way up to might 8-core beasts.

• Corsair – Corsair is a solid choice when it comes to sourcing components that aren’t a CPU or GPU. They have solid offerings when it comes to RAM, motherboards and PC cases. They’re also a great outlet for finding accessories like keyboards, joysticks and mice.

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Building Your Own Gaming PC vs Buying A Pre-Made Model

When buying a gaming PC, this is likely to be a crucial question. And it's not as easy to answer as you might think.

Firstly, if you have no technical knowledge regarding installing cards and dealing with cable management, building your own PC is not likely to be the best option. But it doesn't actually take that much experience to build modern gaming PCs. You can access in-depth support from online forums like Overclockers, where users can submit even the simplest query and expect helpful advice. And YouTube is full of tutorials to guide you through the ABCs of how to connect GPUs, motherboards, hard drives, and fans.

Then again, if you want to get up and running as quickly as possible, and aren't too bothered about learning a few computer building basics, using a gaming PC builder might be the best option.

Gaming PC builders are specialist companies which are devoted solely to creating custom-made gaming PCs. At sites like Chillblast, customers can specify their requirements down to a single MHz. You can create PCs for flight sims and driving games, or systems adapted for multiplayer first-person shooters. And if customised options aren't vital, you can order an Alienware gaming PC from merchants like Dell. There's really no easier way to order a high-end gaming system.

However, before you make any decisions, there's a major argument in favour of building your own PC: cost. PC builders are convenient and skilled, and their prices can often be reduced in gaming PC sale promotions. But if you can source your components individually via hotukdeals, you'll certainly save money in the process.

When you go it alone, you can play off the major computer merchants against each other, benefiting from sales events like Black Friday, when components plummet in price. You can also explore lesser-known wholesalers like Overclockers, instead of relying on High Street sellers. This will almost always let you save on GPUs, fans, controllers, and memory.

Moreover, you don't have to buy as a single gaming PC bundle. This makes sense for those in a hurry (say, if you're buying as a gift for a relative) but buying in stages can be much cheaper. Many PC builders keep older systems running in parallel as they acquire the components they need.

Finally, there's the issue of flexibility. Serious gamers want the look, speed, graphical capabilities, and even the noise of their PCs to be just right. You can customise purchases from PC builders, but you'll never enjoy the freedom that comes with sourcing every component yourself.

4 Accessories You Shouldn’t Neglect When Buying A Gaming PC

No matter which way you decide to build your PC, it’s essential to have decent accessories for playing your games. While the low price tags of certain brands seem at first appealing, you can be shooting yourself in the long run with poor performance. Buying decent accessories doesn’t have to be cheap though – we even have a dedicated listing for gaming accessories.

• Controllers – The peripherals market is much more packed than for cases or CPUs, but some names stand out. When it comes to joypads, Logitech and Microsoft offer excellent devices, and you can also connect PlayStation's DualShock pads if you enjoy that style. Thrustmaster dominates where flight sticks are concerned and competes with Logitech in the steering wheel stakes. The Corsair Harpoon is probably the best-dedicated gaming mouse, but Logitech's Proteus comes close.

• Chairs – With some gaming sessions continuing on the early hours of the mornings, protecting your posture and staying comfortable are vital when it comes to protecting your overall health. Gaming chairs are built for sitting in for an extending period of time, while also being more designed to suit the particular posture you might take while gaming.

• Monitors – If you are buying a gaming laptop, this isn't a factor, but many people will purchase a gaming PC with the monitor to ensure the best possible visual performance. You can get hold of some pretty amazing Ultra HD flat screens from brands like Acer, Alienware and BenQ, usually with exceptional refresh rates and customisable aspect ratios – just what gamers need.

• Headsets – When picking a gaming PC headset, you'll encounter plenty of options, which can represent a buying minefield. The Cloud Revolver from HyperX won't let you down, with Dolby sound and excellent comfort levels. But check out models from SteelSeries, Creative, and Logitech as well. All offer solid headsets, and prices vary significantly.

Should You Choose a Gaming PC or a Cutting Edge Console?

By now, another question has probably entered your mind. Given the prominence of Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 consoles, do players actually need to find the cheapest gaming PC, or will consoles deliver a better gaming experience?

Are games better on PC or console? In general, the consensus among gamers is clear: playing games on a good, high-spec gaming PC will ensure better performance than consoles ever could. Consoles are developed at specific points in time (such as the PS4, which appeared in 2013). They may be advanced at the time, but after a few years, PCs always overtake them. And consoles are fixed in one configuration. Because you can upgrade PCs as and when required, they are much better suited to gamers who always need to be at the cutting edge of hardware development.

So why choose consoles? The main reason is convenience and brand loyalty. If you want easy access to Sony or Microsoft's download platforms, you can turn on the console, start a download, and play straight away. Most games have lively multiplayer platforms as well, along with well-designed controllers. And sometimes, great games simply don't appear on PC, such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In that case, it often makes sense to use PCs and consoles together.

How and When to Make a Gaming PC Purchase

If you've always desired a high-spec gaming PC, now could be the ideal time to make a purchase. But beware: gaming systems can become a money sink for poorly informed buyers, and it's essential to plan every purchase to ensure that it meets your needs.

There are plenty of ways to avoid spending thousands of pounds on the hardware you need. First up, you could take the easy route and choose a PC builder. But when you do this, be sure to compare retailers for discounts at hotukdeals. It should be possible to chip away at the total bill via promo codes and other savings, and bundle deals shouldn't be written off, either. Look for deals from merchants like Alienware, Nvidia, and CCL Online.

If you intend to go it alone, make a checklist of the components you want, and search for them regularly at hotukdeals. Merchants like Overclockers, Amazon or Currys, as well as manufacturers like Nvidia or AMD are good places to hunt down bargains. But be prepared to wait for sales events like Amazon Prime Day, the New Year, or Black Friday. They often yield the lowest prices for computer components.

So, the takeaway is this. If you're worried about the question is PC gaming expensive, don't be. There are ways to build a gaming PC with all of the features you need, but a price tag that leaves room to buy some titles that will put it through its paces. Just shop smart and be prepared to be a little bit patient.

Experience the Latest Games in Style With a Premium Gaming PC from hotukdeals

Why settle for bog standard gaming performance with conventional PCs? These days, it's easy to build or purchase gaming PCs that outshine store-bought systems in every department. From precision controllers and surround sound to comfortable gaming chairs, super-fast processors, and huge cases, the gaming PCs available from hotukdeals will revolutionise the way you play.