Best gaming PC 2021: which model to buy

Summary

• Best Gaming PCs Under $ 1200
• Best PC Gaming Packs
• Best premium gaming PCs
• ❓What is a Gaming computer?
• Gamer PC: tower or laptop, which one to choose?
• ? What criteria to take into account before buying a gaming PC?
• ? ‍♀️What accessories to complete my purchase?
• ? Where to buy and download games for PC gamer?
• ✅How to check if my PC Gamer config can run a game?
• Comments

Looking for the best gaming PC but a little confused? With all the things to consider, choosing a desktop PC for gaming is no easy task. Graphics card, processor, RAM, power supply, etc. Finding the perfect combination can be a real headache, especially for people who are unfamiliar with it. We've put together a buying guide to help you find the best gaming PC to suit your needs, but also your budget.   

Best Gaming PCs Under $ 1200

PC Gamer Rush

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Priced at € 499,90, this entry-level gaming PC is available on Materiel.net. It embeds an AMD Ryzen 3 3200G processor which includes 4 physical cores on Zen + architecture powered at 3,60 GHz. It has the particularity of integrating a simply amazing graphics chipset. It has 8 Radeon Vega cores, which also allows the biggest multiplayer games of the moment to run in 1080p: League of Legends, Counter Strike GO, Overwatch, DOTA, and many more!

There is a 500 GB NVMe SSD alongside the versatility of its Ryzen 3 processor. If that doesn't seem like much to you, you can always add an additional storage device. 500 GB to install your operating system and some of the best games around. The built-in RAM memory is limited to 8 GB of DDR4, but as with storage, nothing prevents you from expanding it (up to 32 GB) as needed.

Ideal for people who would like to upgrade this config, the Chipset B450 of its motherboard gives them a glimpse of many possibilities for updating. Integrated into the Corsair case, it is ready to accommodate future upgrades. The AM4 socket can accommodate the powerful Ryzen 5 or even Ryzen 7.

And if you feel like adding a real graphics card later, it's also possible. Finally, for this price note that no operating system is installed. It will therefore be necessary to install it yourself or, if necessary, call in a professional.

Altyk Alpha G1-R58-N02

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A little more expensive, the Altyk Alpha G1-R58-N02 is offered at 649,94 euros on Materiel.net. That said, it comes with an operating system, Windows 10 Home 64-bit in this case. Ideal for beginners in gaming, it integrates an AMD Ryzen 5 4650G processor. The latter is made up of 6 physical cores on Zen 2 architecture, at a rate of 3,70 GHz.

No dedicated graphics card, but a solution integrated into the processor with the AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics Chipset. The Altyk Alpha PC has a 250 GB NVMe SSD, which is 100% Flash memory storage, so much faster than a traditional hard drive. Maximum performance and plenty of room to install some of your favorite hits. Finally, there is 8 GB of RAM (DDR4), to keep a responsive system in all circumstances.

PC Gamer Frontier

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We start our selection of the best gaming PCs with this Megaport Frontier model. Offered at a price of 1 euros, it includes an Intel Core i199-7F processor as well as an Nvidia GeForce GTX10700 1660 GB GDDR6 graphics card. The amount of on-board RAM is 5 GB DDR16-SDRAM 4 Mhz.

This PC comes with Windows 10 and has a 480 GB SSD for storage as well as a SATA 6Gb / s HDD with a capacity of 1 TB. Enough to store a lot of games! An entry-level gaming PC to start playing without any problem!

Best PC Gaming Packs

Pack PC Gamer Vibox I-32

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This gaming PC pack offered under 750 euros consists of a gaming tower, an RGB gaming keyboard, a mouse and its mat, a 21.5 ″ Full HD screen and a gaming headset. At this rate, don't expect to have a war machine.

We find an AMD Ryzen 3-3200G Quad Core 12nm processor, an AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics card, a 16 GB DDR4 2666 MHz RAM memory. For the storage part, it is entrusted to a 240 GB SSD coupled to a SATA-III 6.0 Gbit / s / 7200 rpm hard drive with a capacity of 1 TB. Everything runs under the Windows 10 operating system.

Fenrir Super Mega Pack Gaming PC

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For 1 euros, this PC Gamer Megaport pack lets you start playing without necessarily breaking the bank. Admittedly, its configuration is not the most advanced on the market, but you still have a keyboard, a 149-inch screen and a gaming mouse for less than 24 euros. This gaming PC offers a design of the most beautiful effect with its Hunter RGB gaming box integrating 1 mm fans with colored RGB LEDs.

Coming back to the technical characteristics of this tower, we find an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, 16 GB of DDR4-DDR RAM memory. The graphics part is entrusted to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX1660 6 GB DDR5 card. For storage, it takes a 1TB Toshiba HDD hard drive coupled with an SSD with a capacity of 240 GB. A configuration neither too weak nor too pushed, sufficient to play in 1080p.

Other models are available with in particular an RTX 3070 8GB graphics card and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor, but also a 27-inch screen. You can see them in the table below and access them directly on the Amazon seller page.

Best premium gaming PCs

PC Gamer Nightfighter I

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Let's continue with a Gaming PC incorporating the latest components on the market, starting with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8 GB GDDR6 graphics card. The processor is a 7th generation Intel Core I10700-10K which has 8 Cores (16 Threads), de 16 Mo cache and Turbo frequencies up to 5.1 GHz, and this without overclocking. It is suitable for demanding gamers and users who need a lot of computing power on a daily basis.

For the audio part, there is an integrated 7.1 sound card offering HD audio quality. If you plan to change a few components or add new ones, you can count on an Azza PSAZ 650 Watt power supply. Finally, the storage is made up of a High Performance SSD of 480 GB and 2 SATA III HDD of 1 TB or 2 TB in total.

PC Specialist Pro

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This PC Specialist Pro model is available on Amazon in 4 configurations, starting at € 1. All have 799 GB of RAM (16MHz), a Lian-Li Lancool 3000 Tower box and a Corsair CV Series 215W or 550W power supply depending on the model.

The differences are mainly at the level of the processor, and the on-board motherboard. Ryzen 5 5600X, Ryzen 7 5800X on AMD's side and i7-11700K and i7-10700K. The graphics card is an AMD Radeon RX 6700XT 12 GB with AMD RDNA 2 architecture and the all new AMD Infinity cache.

Dell Alienware Aurora

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The AlienWare Aurora Gaming Tower offers a sober and futuristic design at the same time. It comes in two configurations. The first is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8 GB graphics card, an Intel Core i7-11700F processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD coupled with a 1 TB HDD.

The second, very high-end configuration includes the powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 24 GB graphics card coupled with the Intel Core i9-11900F processor (Octo-Core 2.5 GHz / 5.2 GHz Turbo - 16 Threads - 16 MB cache).

The amount of RAM is 32 GB (2 × 16 GB HyperX DDR4 3200 MHz). If you want to add more, you can use the other two bays, and install up to 128 GB maximum. Finally, the storage part is provided by a 2 TB M.1 PCIe SSD + 1 TB hard drive (7200 RPM).

MSI Trident A 10TD-1474FR

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The MSI Trident A 10TD-1474FR model is a tower, more compact than those presented previously. It contains an Intel Core i7-10700F processor, 16 GB of RAM memory, a 512 GB SSD + 2 TB HDD. The graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8 GB. Everything runs on Windows 10 Family 64 bits. Its price: € 2.

Acer Predator Orion 5000

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We close our selection of the best gaming PCs with a very high-end model: the Acer Predator Orion 5000. Articulated around a Comet Lake generation i7 processor and an Ampere generation RTX 3080 graphics card, it has all the features. means to make you play in optimal conditions.

It incorporates a 10-core Comet Lake generation processor with the Core i7-10700K clocked at 3,80 GHz (up to 5,10 GHz in burst mode). To go with it, 16 GB of RAM are available to ensure responsiveness at all times. If your needs change, you can increase this capacity to 64 GB.

For the backup of your data, the Acer Predator Orion 5000 relies on an ultra-responsive SSD storage with a capacity of 1 TB. Finally, everything comes with the Windows 10 Home 64-bit operating system. It is displayed at 3 euros.

❓What is a Gaming computer?

By virtue of its configuration, a portable or stationary gaming computer offers the possibility of playing video games. With games that demand more and more resources, especially graphics, the best gaming PCs must be able to offer a minimum of performance and if possible benefit from a great deal of power.

Graphics rendering is one of the most important points that the best gaming PCs should know how to manage. The fluidity in navigation, the computation time and the execution of the resources are also important elements to take into account. Indeed, if you choose a PC for the game and you favor the GPU aspect to the detriment of the CPU part (processor) or vice versa, your gaming PC may not perform as well as you expected.

In order for it to be the most efficient in the task that is asked of it and so that it meets all your expectations, the ideal is to choose a balanced gaming PC, with a processor and an adapted graphics card. The choice of components such as the processor, the graphics card, the type of storage, the quantity of random access memory must be in adequacy to obtain an optimal final configuration.

Gamer PC: tower or laptop, which one to choose?

It's all about convenience, but also personal preferences. However, the configuration of a fixed gaming PC has the advantage of being able to be updated. The vast majority of portable gaming PCs are equipped with components directly soldered to their motherboard. Apart from the amount of RAM, SSD or HDD, it is not possible to replace the processor. This also applies to the integrated or dedicated graphics card with which they are equipped.

Even if some portable gaming PCs have more and more efficient cooling systems, they are incomparable compared to the watercooling dedicated to fixed gaming PCs.

If you are a nomadic gamer, it is better to turn to a Gamer Laptop PC. Conversely, if you plan to set up a setup at home and set up a gaming corner, Gamer PCs, especially when they are equipped with an RGB lighting system, will be the most beautiful effect, in addition to offering unparalleled performance.

? What criteria to take into account before buying a gaming PC?

The processor (CPU)

One of the most important components, considered the conductor of your computer. The processor is responsible for carrying out all the tasks of a computer. For the game, the latter must be able to exploit the power of the installed graphics card.

If you choose the best graphics card around, but your processor doesn't follow suit, it's like buying a motorcycle that can hit 300 km / h, but is restricted to 200 km / h. This also applies in the reverse direction. You'll find everything you need to know before making your choice in our 2021 buying guide to the best processors to buy.

The graphics card (GPU)

In graphics cards, there is a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) or graphics processor which is a specific integrated circuit. Unlike a CPU which is capable of handling various general tasks, a GPU is designed to perform particular processing, in this case graphics calculations.

In PCs and video game consoles, the GPU is used to render 2D and 3D images, videos and animations by sending pixels to the screen. It is equipped with several thousand cores, each of which performs different calculations in parallel to improve processing efficiency. This is how the GPU renders complex 3D images in a matter of milliseconds. If you are thinking of building your own gaming PC, you will find what you are looking for in our buying guide for the best graphics cards to buy in 2021.

Random access memory (RAM)

For a PC dedicated to gaming, 8 GB of RAM memory is sufficient. Having said that, it is strongly advised to have at least 16 GB minimum installed. You will be able to enjoy very greedy games, even in 2K and 4K resolution. Beyond 16 GB, you can also use your PC for professional video editing using software that requires large amounts of resources.

Storage (HDD, SSD, SHDD)

SSDs are more reliable, unlike HDDs, they do not have a moving mechanical part. This makes them less predisposed to physical wear and tear over time. They are indeed more resistant to shocks, drops and other accidents while being completely silent. But their biggest advantage is in performance.

First, in terms of latency. The data access time of a typical hard drive is 5-10ms while an SSD takes 0,35-0,1ms (10 microseconds) - up to 100 times less time. The hard drive read speed is around 150MB / s at best, but it can go up to 560MB / s for SATA SSDs, which is 3 to 4 times the throughput.

Combined with reduced access time to data, PCs come out much more efficient: fast system startup, faster application launch, better data transfer speed, less slowdowns, but also lower energy consumption.

With NVMe SSDs, sequential read and write speeds are even faster. The most powerful drives like the Samsung SSD 970 Pro reach up to 3500 MB / s read and 2700 MB / s write, enough to ensure a smooth experience in all circumstances. To go further, you can check out our buying guide for the best internal SSDs.

SSDs are offered in different formats / interfaces, as we saw above:

• 2,5-inch SATA format: these SSDs are embedded in a 2,5-inch case and are satisfied via the SATA interface like traditional HDDs. Their maximum read and write speeds are between 500 and 600MB / s.
• M.2 SATA format: M.2 format uses two types of interfaces including SATA with the same speed limits as 2,5 inch SSDs.
• M.2 PCIe Format (NVMe): These SSDs use the NVMe protocol on the PCIe bus. This protocol achieves the best sequential read and write speeds (up to 5000 MB / s with PCIe 4.0).
  Finally, the M.2 format is offered in different sizes expressed in "width x length". The standard width is 22 mm. As for the length, the most common are those of 42, 60 and 80 mm (M.2 2242, M.2 2260 or M.2 2280). The 2280 is the format found in more than 90% of cases. Before making your choice, check your PC's specifications to find out what type of SSD goes with its slots.

? ‍♀️What accessories to complete my purchase?

Screen or monitor

What size ?

The ideal size depends largely on the definition of the screen. For Full HD, stay on a 24-inch screen ideally. 27 inches is the middle height for almost all definitions. It is particularly prevalent on 1440p screens.

From 32 inches up the diagonal starts to get massive for a PC monitor, but if you've got space on your furniture and are used to gaming on TV, you won't have a hard time getting used to it.

As for 4K displays, manufacturers are constantly pushing the limits. 27-32 inch monitors find a large audience in this definition, but brands no longer hesitate to offer 43 inches and up to 55 inches like the Dell Alienware AW5520QF and the Viewsonic XG550 announced at CES 2021, both of which are OLED displays offering a response time of 0,5 ms.

TN, VA, IPS, OLED, that type de dalle?

Difficult to see clearly when it comes time to choose the screen of a gaming PC. Indeed, there are several types of tiles on the market. Each type of tile has its advantages and disadvantages.

The TN screens, the older companions of gamers are known to offer lightning-fast response times and are the cheapest screens. But this type of panel suffers from poorer color accuracy. These are duller and less vibrant. However, manufacturers keep improving rendering through better software processing. The viewing angle is also limited.

The IPS displays are the preferred choice for many players. They offer better image quality with excellent colorimetry and a better viewing angle, but this is to the detriment of the response time, the average of which is around 4 ms compared to 1 ms for TN panels.

The VA screens As far as they are concerned, they offer a good compromise between the two types previously mentioned with colors which approach IPS panels without equaling them in the best configurations. They especially benefit from a high contrast allowing to have deeper blacks.

Finally, écrans OLED represent the ultimate for gaming screens. Like smartphones and TV screens, they are much better than IPS / LCD screens in all categories, with very high contrast ratio, excellent color rendering and responsiveness. However, for the few models currently available on the market, prices are currently out of reach for the masses.

G-Sync ou FreeSync ?

G-Sync and FreeSync, two technologies with different names, but the main purpose of which is the same. Whether it is one or the other, they have been designed in order to synchronize in real time the number of images per second delivered by the graphics card and the display frequency of the screen.

With this in mind, they help prevent tearing and skipping of frames for a smooth and smooth gaming experience. AMD is at the origin of the so-called open technology FreeSync. It is based on the Adaptive-Sync standard. G-Sync is a proprietary and closed technology put forward by NVidia.

For a long time, Nvidia graphics cards only synced with G-Sync displays. But since January 2021, the chameleon brand has taken a big step forward by announcing its opening to the FreeSync standard.

In other words, it is now possible with a FreeSync screen to benefit from synchronization with recent Nvidia graphics cards, either automatically (screen tested and certified G-Sync Compatible) or by manually activating synchronization. However, the reverse is not possible. In other words, you cannot enjoy syncing using a G-Sycn display with an AMD graphics card. To go further, we invite you to consult our guide to buying the best gaming screens in 2021.

Gaming keyboards

Mechanical or membrane

Among the gamer keyboards available, two main families stand out from the others: mechanical keyboards or keyboards with membrane. Noisier, mechanical keyboards nevertheless offer better responsiveness and incomparable comfort. It is also more resistant over time. If a key is faulty, for example, replacing the key is sufficient to resolve the problem. This therefore avoids having to change the keyboard.

Mechanical keyboards are rather to be reserved for gamers keen on video games putting the reflexes to the test. Membrane keyboards are the most common types of keyboards, especially in office use. They are indeed less responsive than mechanical keyboards. However, they offer a much quieter sound level, but are less resistant over time, and therefore less durable.

If you have a problem with a key, you will therefore have to change the keyboard. Membrane keyboards are more suitable for fans of MMORPG type games for example, and users whose use promises to be versatile. Logically, they are cheaper than mechanical keyboards.

With or without backlight

Most keyboards dedicated to gaming are equipped with one or more backlighting systems. If you opt for a wireless keyboard, then this feature if it turns out to be the most beautiful effect may have a significant impact on battery life. If you choose a wired keyboard, the problem does not arise.

Manufacturers keep coming up with the most ingenious customization options. Thus, on some gamer keyboard models, it is possible to illuminate only the essential shortcuts of your video game. A handy option that allows, for example, players lurking in the dark to keep an eye on what they are doing. Finally, if you want to find the right one for your needs, you can also take a look at our guide to buying the best gaming keyboards in 2021.

Gaming mice

Wired or wireless

Who says PC Gamer, necessarily says Gamer mouse! Choosing a wired or wireless mouse is usually a personal decision, and therefore indisputable. That said, if there is one element to take into account, it is at the level of the tariff. Indeed, entry-level wired mice are in the price bracket between 30 and 45 euros. The best performing models can generally reach 65 - 80 euros. As with keyboards, the cost of wireless mice is logically higher.

There are models priced around 75 euros. The more upscale mice, with a slick design and a hardened steel technical sheet, easily pass the 100 euros mark. The most demanding players, or esports professionals can sometimes invest more than 150 or even 200 euros in a luxury mouse.

Depending on the type of games

FPS (FirstPerson Shooter) shooter enthusiasts will rather orient themselves towards the lightest and most responsive / precise mice in this guide. In addition, snipers will appreciate the presence of the Sniper button, which lowers DPI during the most difficult shooting phases.

For fans of MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) games, MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) or RPGs (role-playing games), we recommend that you opt for a mouse that has a large number of programmable buttons. In this type of game, you will indeed need to use many shortcuts.

With optical or laser sensor

All mice on the market are either equipped with a laser sensor or an optical sensor. More traditional, the optical sensor is a little less precise than its laser equivalent. In addition, the laser sensor can be used properly on a glass surface and without a mouse pad. Mice with an optical sensor, on the other hand, are cheaper.

What frequency of DPI or PPP?

The DPI (Dot Per Inch) or PPP (Points Per Inch) is the unit of measurement for the sensitivity of the mouse. This number represents the number of pixels that the cursor is able to travel when moving one inch with the mouse. The higher this number, the more precise and responsive the mouse will be. To find out which one is right for you, take a look at our guide to buying the best gaming mice in 2021.

Gaming headsets

Wired or wireless?

Wired headsets are fitted with a Jack (6.35mm) or mini-Jack (3.5mm) or a USB connector. If you intend to use your headset with a smartphone, tablet or even a PC without a USB port, such as a Macbook for example, we advise you to opt for a solution equipped with a jack connector. The USB connectors will be reserved for users who limit themselves to playing on a PC.

On the wireless side, gaming headsets are divided into two categories: headsets that connect via Bluetooth without additional accessories and headsets that absolutely need a Bluetooth receiver. This key is usually plugged into USB and guarantees a much more stable connection. On the other hand, it is impossible to use it on smartphone or tablet. We therefore invite you to weigh the pros and cons before purchasing. Finally, it should be noted that wireless headsets are most of the time a little more expensive than the wired variants.

Stereo or Surround?

Most of the more affordable headphones are happy with stereo sound. Stereo sound is based on two different channels (right and left). Headphones with stereo sound offer less complex and rich sound, which is not a problem when listening to music or playing games like RPGs for example.

On the other hand, headphones that advertise surround sound rely on different channels. As a result, the sound is more complex and richer. It's perfect for reproducing the sound atmosphere of a place and immersing yourself in a universe. We recommend the purchase of a 7.1 surround headset for gamers fans of FPS, MMO or Battle Royale. With 7.1 surround you will be more immersed or hear all the sonic details of your games. In short, it's the foot! You will find the latest models on the market in our buying guide to the best gaming headsets to buy in 2021.

? Where to buy and download games for PC gamer?

Several platforms are available to buy and download video games. Among the most popular are Steam, the Ubisoft Store, but also the Epic Games Store. Windows PC owners can also count on the Microsoft Store which also offers video games for download.

✅How to check if my PC Gamer config can run a game?

Once equipped with your Gaming PC, you may want to know if it is capable of running a particular game in the best conditions. Many online services allow you to check if your gaming PC meets the minimum requirements for a particular game. The most famous and popular of these is called “Can You Run It” which means “Can I run it”. .

Very easy to use, its operation could not be simpler. You just have to go to the site at this address. Then indicate in the search bar the game you want to know if it will be optimized for your machine. Confirm your choice by clicking on “Can You Run It ?".

The tool prompts you to install a program that will automatically detect your configuration. Download and launch it. When the detection application finishes scanning the hardware, your results are displayed on the page and let you know if your gaming PC can optimally run the game you are interested in.

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