Are Gaming PCs Good For General Use?

Written by Nikhil in Gaming / Desktop

I’m a college student, athletic trainer, and serving in the Marine Corps. My gaming PC has been with my this entire time, and for good reason. I built my gaming PC several years ago, and I wish I did it even sooner. I knew it would serve me in every way outside of gaming as I studied computer science and geography making word documents and PowerPoints. I also needed a media device to stream Netflix to my TV besides my laptop.

What I hope to help you understand is that the power of a gaming PC is limitless even if you don’t game.

But are gaming PCs good for general use? As a whole, gaming PCs outperform regular computers for all non-gaming activities. Everything from graphic design, surfing the web, photo-editing to making word documents, gaming PCs perform even the most basic tasks at a level normal computers can’t compete with. 

You don’t need to just take my insight because I’m also going to share the wisdom of the gaming community on Facebook. Most of them have full time jobs and use their gaming PCs for work.

This article will leave you with 3 solid understandings. First, how gaming PCs are good for general use. Second, a general list of all the non-gaming activities your gaming PC will be great for doing. And lastly, if a gaming PC is right for you. There’s some additional considerations that you should be aware of to give you the best experience possible.

If something doesn’t make any sense, feel free to email me at entertainmentden.ns@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to respond!

What Non-Gaming Activities Are Gaming PC’s Good For?

These are the top non-gaming things your PC will be best for:

  1. Graphic Design. Gaming PCs’ utilize the best graphics cards, so they can handle anything media related with exceptional speed and proficiency.
  2. Gaming and Video Editing. You’ll easily be able to render video footage to make lengthy and complicated projects. Gaming PCs have great processors and graphics cards.
  3. Netflix Streaming. Your computer will only be limited by the speed of the internet and not by its ability to internally process internet search requests.
  4. Day Trading. Gaming PCs will easily have enough processing power to display multiple screens at once without lag.
  5. Computer Programming. Windows 10 works best on a gaming PC, which also means you can run the most demanding coding software like C, Java, and even Kali Linux!
  6. Architecture, 3D Design, and Interior Design Projects. Gaming Laptops are great for college students majoring in architecture and anything related to design. My roommate uses an Asus Gaming Laptop and he’s an architecture major. Ironically, he barely even games on it!
  7. Making PowerPoints. Easily animate complicated slides and assemble in-depth presentations for your company or college project. Gaming PCs come with all the features of a normal computer (not just for gaming).
  8. Typing on Word Documents. 
  9. Surfing the Web
  10. Online Learning (for kids and adults). Online classes can be viewed in high quality without lag if you have good internet. Accessibility and user experience is significantly better on a gaming PC because it just runs faster.

Important Note*: Your gaming pc will naturally have a better processor than the average desktop or laptop computer. This means that regular activities like surfing the web will naturally be a lot faster! Your processor will last your for years to come, and you can upgrade it whenever you want. I’ve had the Intel Core Processors i5 for years and it’s still running strong.

But Is a Gaming PC Right For Me? Here’s What You Should Know

There’s a few things you should be aware of before you decide to buy a gaming PC. These are just general tips that would help you make the right decision and by the end of this section, you will have a definite answer. These are also some things I wish someone had told me before I committed to building one right away.

Gaming PCs cost more

The cheapest gaming PC (laptop as well) will cost you around $1000. That is considered entry level but you can have outstanding game performance with this as well. The most expensive components of you PC will be the graphics card and the processor. My first build was $1200. If you’re interested in what I did, check out my article on my first gaming PC setup, lessons learned and how I did it. It has the link to my parts and everything!

You need to be a little savvy with computers

Building your gaming computer is easy, but it looks complicated at first. It’s best to have a friend help you who’s done it before or who knows about computer parts. Additionally, it’s best to watch some user tutorials on how to use Windows settings so you can easily get everything to how you want it to be.

Windows 10 is the Only Operating System You Can Use

This can be a bummer for people who use Mac for work. But Windows 10 is the only system that supports gaming and responds the best to PC computers. I learned how to use Windows as I used my gaming PC and now I love the fact I’m comfortable with both Mac and Windows

There’s additional planning required if you move frequently

I’m in the military, so I move around every few years. Every time I move, I carefully disassemble the graphics card and wrap it in bubble wrap as well as other parts to make sure none of it comes loose during a long drive or a move. If your in a similar situation, consider a gaming laptop or just make sure to keep the gaming PC case’s original box with the Styrofoam padding. It’ll make packing it a lot easier!

It is Recommended You Upgrade Parts Every 5 Years

I’ve had my computer for four years now. Around the five or six year mark, you may want to consider upgrading your processor or graphics card if the market has significantly improved the quality of them. Every year there’s a new generation of parts that are released.

You Can use Gaming monitors for normal work too

If you want to get the whole gaming setup with a great monitor. Check out another one of my articles on why gaming monitors are great for normal work. 

NINJA TIP: Invest in a really good, gold power supply. It will last you well past five years if you get a good one right off the bat. 

Here’s what the gaming community thinks about why anyone should buy a gaming PC. I made a poll just to see what people would say.

Should I Buy My Kid a Gaming PC?

Getting your kid a gaming PC is a great option. Parental controls are more elaborate, more games exist for all ages, and they come with tons of other benefits which will be mentioned in this article. 

Final Considerations

I love my gaming pc, and I’m so glad I built one to use for work and everything else. It is extremely worth the investment and the few hours researching the right parts before you build. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next article!

 

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