What Requirements Are Needed for Gaming?

We are looking at buying a new computer for my teenage son. He wants a desktop computer and he does a lot of game playing, games such as Minecraft, Arma and Blacklight Retribution.

My laptop struggles with these games and tends to overheat, so when we buy him a computer we want to make sure it has whatever is required to play these type of games.

Can anyone tell me what requirements I would need?

Thanks

 

There are some thing you need to consider before you buy.
first how much are you prepared to spend, just the same as a sports car speed = $.
The basics are a good motherboard and fast processor (faster the better) a minimum 6gb of ddr3 memory a quality power supply unit 750watts or better and good cooling.
I realise it sounds like a lot of info but if you want it to work for a few years the investment is needed in the beginning.
Now a little bad news,most so called pre-built gaming PCs are not very good because the manufacturers use the bare minimum components so that next year when the next generation of games come out you need another PC from them.
The ideal situation is to self-build a real power house job (not as hard as it sounds)that will last for years and will cost you a lot less than buying a pre-built manufacturers PC.
If you have a wish to build a PC we can give you a lot of information and help every step of the way but if you want to buy pre-built then give us an idea of the budget and we can assist you in choosing a suitable unit.

 

Just a to add to Bills post a powerful video card is the single most important thing to get,without this the computer will play games at about the same speed as a laptop.

 

Good point Rikky i forgot to mention that.

 

I noticed so added it,easy mistake

 

Thanks guys.... as for self building, I wouldn't have a clue :-o

So I guess I will be buying a prebuilt computer.

I don't have a huge budget so the cheaper the better. I know what you are saying that more power is more dollars, but unfortunately we are on a pretty limited budget.

 

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/acer-aspire-x3995-desktop-tower.html

How would something like this go or am I looking WAAAYYYYY to cheap??

 

That is a good price for the PC advertised.
The i3 processor is up to gaming and the graphics card Radeon HD 7470 is also a good gaming choice 4gb of ram is all that the PC can use because it is a 32bit system (windows 7 Home Premium)

As you are on a limited budget and that is a clearance sale (i suspect that the normal price is near $1000) it is probably the best option for you so grab it while stocks last.

If you need any further help we are always here.
Bill