The Best Motherboards for Gaming in 2013 (AMD)

If you're looking to build yourself a new gaming computer and you're going to go with an AMD processor, one component you'll definitely need to take some time when choosing is your motherboard. While it's true that your motherboard isn't going to directly impact your gaming experience, it will dictate what you can and can't do with your gaming computer in the future. If you choose a high-quality motherboard now, you will be able to make more upgrades in the future and make your gaming computer stay relevant for a lot longer.

In this article I will go over a few different options you have for motherboards at various different price ranges. The motherboards listed below are excellent boards that are awesome options for their price points. Each motherboard has been carefully researched and I can safely say that you can't go wrong by choosing any of them. So, if you're looking for a quality motherboard for your AMD gaming rig, then check out the boards listed below.

The Best Motherboard for Gaming in 2013 (AMD) Under $100

AS Rock EXTREME3 AMD 970 & SB950 ATX DDR3 800 AMD - AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99)

AS Rock has long been known for their ability to produce high-quality and feature-packed motherboards at affordable prices. The EXTREME3 is no different. At well under $100 this standard ATX motherboard is one of the best priced boards relative to the features and quality it brings to the table.

The EXTREME3 is the perfect motherboard for gamers who are working with a tight budget, but don't want to sacrifice the options that will allow them to upgrade their entry level system to a high-end gaming computer later down the road. So, if you're looking for a great budget-friendly board for your system, then this board is exactly what you need.

AS Rock EXTREME3 Features

• An incredibly well-built and feature-rich board at a ridiculously low price.


• The perfect board for gamers who want to upgrade their system in the future.


• Can handle multiple video cards and will allow users to overclock their processors for added performance.

Reviews of the AS Rock EXTREME3

From B. Chestnut on Amazon:

"I bought this because I was building a gaming pc and wanted a powerful motherboard. Its fast and can handle any game I throw at it. It is well worth the money."

From D. Waugh on Amazon:

"I'm typing on this board in my computer right now. One year installed with no problems so far. Stable, lots of options."

Buy the AS Rock EXTREME3 Today!

The Best Motherboard for Gaming in 2013 (AMD) Between $100-$150

ASRock 990FX EXTREME3 Socket AM3+/ AMD 990FX/ AMD Quad CrossFireX& nVidia Quad SLI/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard ($119.99)

At $100-$150 AS Rock has another more advanced version of the EXTREME3 that was listed above. For only $30 more you can get a board that will allow you to run quad video cards in CrossFireX or SLI configuration. And, while you may not be able to do that now, it certainly does give you the potential to do so in the future.

Not only can this board support four video cards, but it also has a ton of other features as well. It can handle a 7.1 surround sound speaker set for a fully immersed gaming experience and comes with all of the other options you can expect from a high-end motherboard.

AS Rock 990FX EXTREME3 Features

• Quad CrossFireX or SLI support is enough to make any gamer drool.


• A great board that's affordable and will work well with all kinds of different budgets.


• Features USB 3.0 and will accommodate 8-core processors and makes it easy to overclock.

Reviews of the AS Rock 990FX EXTREME3

From Garret Rice on Amazon:

"No issues, plug and play basically. SATA connector locations work great when combined with a good tower that lets you hide wires."

From John Blake III on Amazon:

"Fully enabled board. Has great works. Will almost anything you want. Great software included. Booted up and loaded fast and easy the first try."

Buy the AS Rock 990FX EXREME3 Today!

The Best Motherboard for Gaming in 2013 Between $150-$200

ASUS M5A97 Evo - AM3+ - 970 - SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0 - ATX AMD ATX DDR3 2133 Motherboards ($179.99)

Perhaps no other company is as well known for making quality motherboards than ASUS. If you're looking for a high-quality board with a ton of options and upgrade potential for your mid-to-high-end gaming rig, then you'll probably want to take a long look at the ASUS M5A97 Evo AM3+ motherboard.

This board has everything you could ever want and then some. With USB 3.0 and Quad-GPU support for either CrossFireX or SLI configurations, there really isn't anything you can't do with this board. And, with one of the most easy BIOS setups to use, you will have no problem overclocking and system-tuning your computer.

ASUS M5A97 Evo AM3+ Features

• High-end high-quality motherboard that gives you a ton of options and upgrade potential


• Supports multiple video card installation for incredible performance


• The perfect board for overclockers who want more performance out of their system

Reviews of the ASUS M5A97 Evo AM3+

From Bob on Amazon:

"Matched this up with an AMD Phenom II 1090T Black Box Edition and an Artic Cooling Freezer 13. No problems, booted right up. The new bios is awesome! Overclocking seems to be limited only by the amount of cooling I can provide. Would recommend. My existing Windows 7 migrated to the new MB without a hitch from Microsoft. I changed MB, CPU and memory all at once, authenticated my existing Windows OS online, and changed the boot/OS drive a few days later without any issues."

From Johnnyb5mb on Amazon:

"Best Board for on a budget. I only have had it for two days but it has worked flawlessly so far. The UEFI bios is top notch. Will comment in a couple months to see how it is still working."

Buy the ASUS M5A97 Evo AM3+ Today!

Build Your Own Gaming Computer Today!

If you need more help choosing components or building your gaming computer, check out Elite Gaming Computers. They have all of the information you could ever need in order to build your own gaming rig.

The Best Motherboards for Gaming in 2013 (Intel)

If you're in the market for a new Intel-based gaming computer, and you're thinking about building it yourself, one component that you'll definitely need to spend some time picking out is your motherboard. Although your motherboard will not have a direct impact on your gaming experience, it will dictate the quality of components that go into your build.

By choosing a high-quality motherboard for your Intel gaming computer, you will set yourself up for a solid gaming machine now, and in the future. In this post I will take a look at some really good options you have at various different price ranges.

The motherboards listed below are high-quality boards that will give you plenty of options and will allow you to make the necessary upgrades in the future.

The Best Motherboards for Gaming in 2013 Under $100

AS Rock LGA 1155 Intel Z77 CrossFireX SATA3 USB3.0 ATX Motherboard Z77 PRO3

For just under $100 you can land yourself a high-quality board that has USB 3.0, will allow you to overclock your processor, and will accommodate multiple video cards. That's pretty incredible for an intel board under $100.

The AS Rock PRO3 board is not just a perfect motherboard for gamers on a budget... it's perfect for anyone who wants to get more out of their system. This board will give you a ton of options now, and will set you up with a ton of upgrade opportunities in the future. So, if you're looking for a cost-effective motherboard that doesn't lack any features, this is the board for you.

AS Rock PRO3 Features

• A ton of features and options for just under $100!


• Great board for budget-builds and high-end systems alike.


• USB 3.0, multiple video card accommodation, and overclock-friendly

Reviews of the AS Rock PRO3

From Chris Gordon on Amazon:

"Has lots of controls for CPU/GPU/RAM overclocking, even for a noob like me! Has everything advertised of course! Very happy with this budget purchase."

From Greg Henry on Amazon:

"This is a great Z77 board regardless of the price. I highly recommend it for any budget to mid range build."

Buy the AS Rock PRO3 Z77 Today!

The Best Motherboard for Gaming in 2013 Between $100-$150

AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Quad CrossFireX and Quad SLI A GbE ATX Motherboard Z77 EXTREME4

The AS Rock EXTREME4 plays like a high-end motherboard, but costs a lot less. This motherboard is perfect for Intel-lovers who want to build a mid-to-high-end gaming computer. The EXTREME4 can handle an unlocked processor and will support quad CrossFireX or SLI video card configurations.

Basically, if you're looking for a high-end board but you don't want to pay a crazy amount of money (because you want to put that extra money into other components) then the EXTREME4 is the motherboard you need.

AS Rock EXTREME4 Features

• All the features you could ever hope for for a lot less than the other high-end Intel motherboards


• Excellent board for building a system that is powerful now and can be upgraded in the future.


• USB 3.0, multiple video card accommodation, and overclock-friendly

Reviews of the AS Rock EXTREME4

From Arel Armour on Amazon:

"Well this was rated Toms Hardware best board of 2012, so its gotta be pretty good. And it is. Installation was painless (although it seems smaller than standard ATX). Have yet to have a hiccup. The UEFI BIOS is amazing, and the fact that there is an on-board diagnostic LED is extremely handy. Plenty of room for all your goodies, and yeah...now for the bad"

From M. Lowney on Amazon:

"My second AS Rock MBA and just like the last one, this one was great. I will buy another without hesitation."

Buy the AS Rock EXREME4 Today!

The Best Motherboard for Gaming in 2013 Between $150-$200

ASUS P8Z77-V LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASUS has always been a major player in the motherboard business. That's because they continually produce the highest quality motherboards on the market. The ASUS P8Z77-V is no exception.

This board has everything you could ever need, including multiple video card support and USB 3.0 technology. It's the perfect board for any gamer who wants to put together a high-end gaming computer. And, it definitely has enough options so that you can make upgrades in the future as necessary.

ASUS P8Z77-V Features

• High-end high-quality motherboard that gives you a ton of options and upgrade potential


• Supports multiple video card installation for incredible performance


• The perfect board for overclockers who want more performance out of their system

Reviews of the ASUS P8Z77-V

From Lavon on Amazon:

"Overall Excellent Motherboard. I used this for my first build and i enjoy it very much. It has a very simple BIOS that is easy to navigate and easy to set up OC for your CPU. This is a good buy, I recommend it."

From Pat Harrington on Amazon:

"This is one of the best Motherboards I have ever purchased or used. I have been a home PC builder enthusiast for 20 years and I have always found ASUS products to be some of the best. I tried a Gigabyte mother board for this project and returned it to Amazon because of hardware compatibility issues. This board worked right out of the box. I do recommend updating the bios immediately for Windows 8 compatibility. The software suite that comes with this board is wide and deep. The Wi-Fi works flawlessly but be sure to mount it on the motherboard before mounting the ATX motherboard in your case. Amazon is also my go to for great prices and support."

Buy the ASUS P8Z77-V Today!

The Best Motherboard for Gaming in 2013 Over $200

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Up until the ASUS Sabertooth hit the scene, there was really no such thing as a "cool-looking" motherboard. That's all changed with the Sabertooth's Thermal Armor Technology. However, cool-looking is just one of the many features that sets the Sabertooth apart from all of the other boards...

The ASUS Sabertooth is a high-end motherboard meant for high-end machines. With it's Thermal Armor Technology and Dust Defender features, the Sabertooth is better equipped to have an extended lifespan than any other motherboard on the market. So, if you're putting together a high-end gaming computer, and you want to choose a motherboard that will stay with you through multiple upgrades, then the Sabertooth is definitely what you're looking for.

ASUS Sabertooth Features

• Built with military-grade components to ensure durability


• Every feature and option you could ever hope for out of a motherboard


• Thermal Armor Technology and Dust Defender ensure that the Sabertooth is the longest lasting motherboard on the market

Reviews of the ASUS Sabertooth

From BMac on Amazon:

"It's the Sabertooth, it has a 5 year warranty, military-grade components, and it also has surprisingly vibrant audio! I was actually taken back by how well this board throws out music, videos, and games. I know on the RoG lines Asus always adds extra power and islolates the audio driver on the board, and this technology has certainly carried over! What you get is audio that is crisp, clean, and powerful when that 'nade explodes beside you!

Overall, I would get this board again and again, it is extremely high quality, looks fantastic in a case, offers great cooling, and has all the latest capabilities."

From Cray on Amazon:

"The most amazing mobo I have ever owned. The item came in a perfectly safe packaging and the installation is very easy. What I like the most was the multiple onboard sensors which told you the temperatures at various points in your motherboard. The software features included in the AI Suite II are definitely great and easy to use. Before buying this, I did a great deal of my own homework on various other mobo's and decided to go with this one. The dust protection features and just the layout of the motherboard is lovely. A great motherboard I'd recommend to whoever wanting to buy it."

Buy the ASUS Sabertooth Today!

Build Your Own Gaming Computer Today!

For more information on choosing components for your gaming computer, or for help putting your system together, please click here to go to Elite Gaming Computers. There you will find everything you will need in order to choose components for your computer and assemble it correctly.

The Best Gaming Processors for 2013

For those of you who are looking to build your own gaming computer, or upgrade your current system, and you're on a tight budget, this article will give you plenty of ideas on the different processors under $150 that you can choose for your system. The processor you choose will have an enormous impact on your gaming experience and it's important that you take your time when picking out a CPU for your gaming computer.

In this post I'll list multiple processors that are perfect for budget builders and I'll give you some details on why the processor would be a great choice for you.

The Best Gaming Processor Under $150

AMD Phenom II x4 965

While AMD may not be the top dog in the high-end desktop processor market, they do make some quality CPUs that are budget friendly and that can be overclocked to pretty insane levels. This is most true for the AMD Phenom II x4 965. Just a few years ago the Phenom II series CPUs were making waves and were the processors of choice among gamers. And, while a lot has changed since then, the Phenom II x4 965 is still the best budget processor on the market.

With four cores and a ton of overclocking potential, the x4 965 can compete with the higher end processors on the market. For just under $100, this CPU is the only choice for gamers on a serious budget. So, if you're looking to build your own gaming computer, you don't have to worry about spending $200+ on a processor... this one will give you excellent performance for under $100.

AMD Phenom II x4 965 Features

• A quad-core processor under $100... you can't beat that!


• Perfect for budget-builders who want to play the best games on the highest settings.


• Can be overclocked to extreme levels for extreme performance.

Reviews of the AMD Phenom II x4 965

From Carlos Franco on Amazon:

"Excellent processor. Excellent speed and performance on my pc. Good design of the cooling system. all at a good price" (Click here to read the review...)

From M. Strileckis on Amazon:

If you can grab this processor for under $100 for a budget build, I highly recommend it. Paired with a GTX 560, I can max out almost everything available. Also a very easy overclock to 3.9-4.1 GHZ using the AMD autotune software."(Click here to read the review...)

Buy the AMD Phenom II x4 965 Today!

The Best Gaming Processor Under $150 in 2013

Intel Core i3-3225

For just under $150 you can have the best dual-core processor on the market. But don't let the fact that it's a dual-core CPU fool you... the i3-3225 competes with and surpasses a lot of the AMD quad-core processors. Not only that, but by going with an Intel processor, you are setting yourself up with the ability to upgrade to an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor in the future. And, since those processors are currently the top CPUs on the market, choosing an i3 now will give you options in the future if you choose to upgrade.

So, if you're working with a low-to-mid-range budget and you want to build for now and the future, then you would be hard-pressed to find a better CPU than the i3-3225.

Intel Core i3-3225 Features

• All the benefits that come with Intel's efficient Ivy Bridge architecture.


• Matches up with and beats other similarly priced quad-core processors.


• Perfect processor for anyone who wants to upgrade to one of the bigger Intel chips in the future and still wants performance now.

Reviews of the Intel Core i3-3225

From April R. Holmstrom on Amazon:

"If you want a great CPU for a sub $140 price, this is your processor." (Click here to read the review...)

From H. Lee Eichelberger on Amazon:

"No complaints. It delivers the goods on both the processing and graphics sides. Best value Ivy Bridge chip you can buy." (Click here to read the review...)

Buy the Intel Core i3-3225 Today!

The Best Gaming Processor Under $200

Intel Core i5-3470

Coming in at just under $200, the i5-3470 is an extremely energy-efficient and powerful quad-core processor. With a stock clock rate of 3.2 GHz and the ability to hit 3.6 GHz with Intel's Turbo Boost technology, this processor is fast enough to handle anything you throw at it.

This processor is perfect for mid-range builds and will keep your computer running strong for a long time.

Intel Core i5-3470 Features

• Quad-core processor that is strong enough to handle pretty much anything you throw at it.


• Built using Intel's award-winning Ivy Bridge architecture.


• Extremely energy efficient.

Reviews of the Intel Core i5-3470

From J Doodle on Amazon:

"I have no bad things to say about this processor. Runs cool with stock fan, its lightning fast, and its well priced..."(Click here to read the review...)

From Michael Foster on Amazon:

"The benchmarks don't lie, if you don't plan on overclocking this CPU is the sweet spot. You get nearly 3570k benchmarks at a much cheaper price. Overclockers should avoid though." (Click here to read the review...)

Buy the Intel Core i5-3470 Today!

The Best Gaming Processor Under $300 in 2013

Intel Core i5-3570k

The Intel Core i5-3570k is the ideal processor for most gamers. It's ridiculously fast. It can be overclocked to pretty awesome levels. It's energy-efficient. It's not ridiculously expensive. All-in-all it's just the perfect processor.

With four cores and the ability to overclock, the i5-3570k will give you more than you could ever need. It's the perfect processor for a mid-to-high-end gaming computer.

Intel Core i5-3570k Features

• Crazy fast clock rates and doesn't use a ton of power.


• Can be overclocked for incredible performance boosts.


• The best processor available on the market dollar-for-dollar.

Reviews of the Intel Core i5-3570k

From Matthew Koloski on Amazon:

"This processor is at the right price-point for gamers. Any more processing power is typically wasted and the returns for price aren't worthwhile..." (Click here to read the review...)

From Patrick Somerville on Amazon:

"I have this 3570k running at 4.5ghz overclocked using 1.248v. I am getting 30c idle and 74c-78c at 100% cpu usage. I am using a ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 with 92mm PWM Fan cpu cooler on a Asus p8z77-v pro motherboard. I am new to overclocking and used the asus auto tuning to help me figure it out. I have noticed a huge improvement in video ecoding time, almost cut in half from a i5 2400 sandy bridge." (Click here to read the review...)

Buy the Intel Core i5-3570k Today!

Best Gaming Processor Over $400 in 2013

Intel Core i7-3770k

Maybe you're a gamer with a large budget that isn't just a gamer. Maybe you're a video/image editor. Or maybe you work a lot with 3D graphics. Or, maybe you just want to record or stream your gameplay. Either way, if you're looking to get more out of your build, you will probably want to take a long look at the Intel Core i7-3770k.

The i7-3770k introduces hyperthreading to the table. While most games don't accommodate hyperthreading, there are a lot of other tasks (like video/image editing or video recording) that do benefit from hyperthreading. So, while the i7-3770k won't give you any increase in performance over the i5-3570k, it will help with other things you may or may not like to do with your computer. If you are looking to do some image/video editing, then the i7-3770k is the CPU for you.
Intel Core i7-3770k Features

• Top of the line processor for gamers who also need to use their computer for other CPU-intensive tasks.


• Phenomenal overclocker for even more performance.


• Four cores and eight threads will keep this high-end processor future proof for a long time.

Reviews of the Intel Core i7-3770k

From Michael Brule on Amazon:

"Blazing fast - video editing, photo editing, gaming - anything you throw at this it can handle!! This is such an awesome processor!" (Click here to read the review...)

From Scott B. Husted on Amazon:

"I have this mounted in an ASUS P8Z77-V LK motherboard and have it overclocked to 4.66GHz with absolutely no heating or stability issues. I am using an after market Cooler Master cpu air cooler, but temps are absolutely not a problem at all." (Click here to read the review...)

Buy the Intel Core i7-3770k Today!

Build a Good Gaming Computer Today!

If you're looking to build your own gaming computer, but you're not sure what parts to get, you can always check out the budget builds section at elitegamingcomputers.com to give you a guide of what kind of components work well together.

Choosing an Intel i3/i5/i7 Processor for Your Good Gaming Computer

The central processing unit is one of the main components in your good gaming computer. It will dictate how quickly your computer can retrieve and process data and execute commands. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose a processor that will not only get the job done, but will do so in an outstanding fashion. 

There are two main brands of computer processors: Intel and AMD. In this post we will discuss the many different features of the different Intel processors available. Intel produces many different processors, but today we're going to talk about their i3, i5, and i7 chips.

Intel's i3 Processors

Of Intel's new line of processors, the i3 is the least powerful. But that doesn't mean they won't get the job done. They will...

...the job just won't get done as fast as the others can get it done.

• i3 processors utilize hyperthreading technology (which was explained earlier in this post)
• At the very least, i3 processors are dual-core. There have been some quad-core i3's as well.
• They typically have 3-4 MB Cache (Cache is important--we will explain it later)
• 2.5-3.4 GHz

Ultimately, i3 processors are excellent choices for good gaming computers that must be built on a budget--they are good enough to support a quality gaming experience.

The best thing to do if you are on a budget (~$500), is to save some money by getting an i3 processor and then use that extra cash on a better graphics card.

Intel's i5 Processors

You really can't go wrong with an i5 processor. In fact, unless you've got an unlimited budget, then you're better off getting an i5 processor. The difference in gaming between an i5 processor and an i7 processor is not noticeable enough to warrant the higher costs.

If you have a moderate budget ($700-$1250) the i5 is a great processor. However, if you're also using your computer for other computing intensive tasks, like video rendering, you may want to consider an i7.

• Hyperthreading technology
• i5's come in either dual- or quad-core
• They can have between 3-8 MB Cache
• 2.5-3.6 GHz

At this point, you might be wondering where the difference between i3's and i5's are. Besides those extra MB's Cache (which is important) everything looks basically the same.

Ah, but there's a kicker. (There always is!)

The i5's have something that the i3's don't: Turbo Boost. It sounds cool and it is cool.

To understand Turbo Boost, you first have to understand that the clock speed on the box of the processor is much lower than that processor's max clock speed. This is done to protect the manufacturer from the worst case scenario. (However, many gamers get around this by 'overclocking' their processors--we will explain this in a later post.)

Turbo Boost allows the processor to temporarily reach higher GHz when the computer comes under heavy workloads.

To get a better idea of this boost, think of your computer as Mario and the Turbo Boost star-power. I need not say any more.

Intel's i7 Processors

Now, if you have an unlimited amount of money, then you might want to consider Intel's extreme i7 processors. These bad boys stand alone in the world of computer CPU's.

The i7's are especially good processors to get if you do a lot of heavy video editing and other processor intensive tasks. However, if you just want to build a good gaming computer and you don't have millions of dollars, an i5 will provide similar capabilities and the difference in gaming won't be so noticeable that you will regret your decision.

• Hyperthread technology (8 threads... mmmm so many hyperthreads... we don't need you, but we'll have you anyways!)
• Turbo Boost
• Quad-core (some extreme processors come with six cores!)
• Ranges from 4-8 MB Cache
• ~3.0+ GHz

Generally speaking, the i7's are for those gamers who'd rather put off going to the bathroom for 40 minutes than to miss an intense battle. (Guilty!)

Or, for those who'd rather ride a bike to work and have the sickest computer around than drive in the comfort of their own car.

Ultimately, it takes a different breed to go with the i7's. And, while they don't make you a better gamer, they do make you a lot cooler.

Choose A Quality Processor for Your Good Gaming Computer

In the end, the processor you choose will have a huge impact on your gaming experience. So, it's important that you take your time and choose a CPU that you know will do a good job.

For more information on good gaming computers, follow the link provided to continue reading.

 

If You're Building A Gaming Computer, Then You Need A Stand Alone Graphics Card

If you have decided to build your own gaming computer, then you're going to need to do some research on the components you need. One of the most important of these components is the graphics card.

The graphics card is going to play a huge role in your gaming experience, as it will dictate the quality of the picture you see, the smoothness of the graphics in the game, and, perhaps most importantly, your frame rate.

If you've ever gamed on a crappy computer, then you know how awful a low frame rate can be. 

It's seriously the worst thing ever.

Not only do you have to play on the lowest graphics settings, but the game isn't even enjoyable.

On the flip side, if you go from playing on a low frame rate computer with crappy graphics to a sick gaming computer, then you will likely experience some kind of awesome 'nerd-awakening' in which you declare independence from crappy computer manufacturers.

That's what I did. And that's what you can do, too.

Stand-Alone Graphics is the Only Way to Go

You really only have one option when it comes to graphics cards: stand-alone. Graphics cards that are integrated into the motherboard are fine for standard computers and low-end gaming.

However, if you want to build a sick gaming rig (which you undoubtedly do) then you're going to need a stand alone card.

You must be asking yourself the following: "Why do I need a stand-alone video card, oh wise and all-knowing gaming nerd guru guy?" 

Well, you see, my fellow gaming friends, a stand-alone graphics card is going to take some pressure off of the CPU  because it will help out with some of the work. If your graphics card is integreated into your motherboard, then it takes up a ton of RAM from your computer. 

However, if you have a stand-alone card, it will have memory built into it, thus allowing your game to use memory from the card and not from your computer. This will make your game run much faster and will ultimately enhance your gaming experience.

So, when you go to build your own gaming computer, you want to make sure that you pick out a quality stand-alone video card. It will seriously make all the difference in the world.

For more information on building a good gaming computer, follow the link provided to continue reading.

Build Your Own Gaming Computer in Four Easy Steps

If you are like most PC gamers then you know how important it is to have a quality gaming computer. A high-end gaming rig will allow you to play your game at the highest visual settings and will enable you to execute in-game commands much more quickly than you would be able to on a standard computer. These two aspects of having a good gaming computer will greatly enhance your gaming experience.
However, most people don't know where to go to get a quality gaming PC. The fact is, you don't have to go anywhere...
...you can build your own gaming computer.
Now, don't be intimidated by the complex nature of a computer. When it comes to assembling your own system, it's really not that hard. In fact, you can build your own gaming computer in four easy steps.
Four Steps to Build Your Own Gaming Computer
Step 1 - Set Your Budget
The best part about building your own computer, is that it will end up costing you a lot less than if you were to get the same system from a manufacturer. This is due to the fact that manufacturers will often cut corners on their standard machines and sell you computers with low-quality components inside them. So, by building your own system, you get a lot more bang for your buck.
When setting the budget for your build, you need to consider the fact that gaming computers are, in their own right, extreme systems. There's really no such thing a cheap gaming computer.
You can, however, assemble a quality gaming rig for $500. Although, you probably don't want to go any lower than that.
In any case, it is a good idea to set the budget for your build before you go out and select the different components for your computer. It is an even better idea to break down your budget for each computer component.
Step 2 - Choosing Components for Your Gaming Computer
The budget you set for your build will determine the quality of components that go into your gaming computer. One important aspect of choosing components, is to create balance in your system. 
If you have a $500 budget and you purchase a $300 processor, you are going to have to fill the rest of your computer with low-quality parts. And, those low-quality parts will not work well with your high-end processor.
So, always seek to achieve a balance.
That isn't to say that you shouldn't spend more on some parts than others. Naturally, a gaming computer requires a good processor and a solid gaming card. These will be the two items you will want to spend a good chunk of your budget on, as they will have the biggest impact on your gaming experience.
With that being said, let's take a look at the components you will need to build your own gaming computer:

• Processor (CPU)
• Graphics Card
• Computer Case
• Hard Drive
• Motherboard
• Optical Drive
• Memory
• Power Supply
• Sound Card
• Speakers
• Monitor
• Accessories - (gaming keyboard, mouse, etc.)
• Operating System

It's important that you do your homework and research the components you're going to buy, in order to ensure that you get the best products. By doing this, you will increase the performance of your gaming computer and lengthen its lifespan.
Step 3 - Assemble Your Gaming Computer
Once you have your components, it's time to assemble your computer! Now, I know what you must be thinking...
"...this is going to be hard. I don't know anything about building computers."
Well, I assure you, it's not as difficult as you think.
What it really boils down to, is the ability to follow directions and assemble your computer components one at a time. 
In fact, newegg.com put up a computer assembly three-part series on YouTube not too long ago. It shows the whole process from start to finish. If you follow along with this video, you should have no problem assembling your computer correctly.
You can watch the video by clicking here.
The important thing to note when assembling a computer, is to take your time, be careful not to touch any of the computers sensitive parts, and make sure you get everything attached properly. If you can do that, then you build a good gaming computer.
Step 4 - Turn That Badboy On!
You've got your computer all put together... now all you have to do is turn it on and install the operating system. Fortunately, the video mentioned above shows you how to do that as well.
Now you're ready to start pwning n00bs left and right!

For those of you who want to build your own gaming computer, that is pretty much as easy it gets. Check out Good Gaming Computer HQ for more information on what components to choose and how to approach the building process.

Good Gaming Computer Keyboards

If you are looking for a good gaming computer keyboard to add to your aresenal of gaming gear, then you should do your homework and find one that will fit your needs. The truth is that a solid keyboard could give you a huge advantage over your opponents by giving you the ability to execute moves more quickly.
And being able to execute commands quicker is huge!
A solid gaming keyboard will also enhance your gaming experience by giving you some cool extra features. The extra features that come with gaming keyboards are what separates them from the standard keyboard. Gaming keyboard can simply do things that other keyboards can't.
The following is a list of some things that you should look for when buying a keyboard:

• USB Ports - That's right! You can get keyboards that will allow you to plug external devices directly into them through a USB port. However, if you're going to get a keyboard with USB ports, make sure you get the up-to-date USB ports installed to maximize efficiency.
• Customizable Keys to Set Macros - A good gaming computer keyboard will have special keys that you can program to execute a command or series of commands with one push of the button. This will give you a serious advantage.
• Audio Ports for Headphones - Sometimes you're just too far away from the headphone jack on your computer, and you don't have a long enough chord. A headphone jack on your keyboard is the perfect solution to this and makes it incredibly easy to enjoy your game with headphones on.
• Backlit - With the high powered graphics and stunning visuals of today's PC games, playing your game is like watching a movie--it's way better with the lights off. However, a gamer has to be able to see the keys on his keyboard. That's where a backlit keyboard comes in handy. You get the enhanced visual effect of playing in the dark and you are still able to see fine.
• Design of the Keys - You will definitely want to get mechanical switch keys. They are much easier to type with.

If you find a keyboard with all of these options, you will have found yourself a solid keyboard.
When shopping for the keyboard, you should check out a few reputable brand names. By choosing a quality keyboard manufacturer, you will be protected against faulty equipment and you'll likely receive a warranty that will prevent you from getting stuck having to replace a malfunctioning keyboard.
Look for keyboards from the following reputable manufacturers:

• Logitech
• Alienware
• Razer
• Microsoft

You can't go wrong with any of these companies. They offer great products and, if anything should go wrong, they will help you get the problem solved quickly.
Now that you have the information you need to select a quality keyboard for your gaming PC, now it's time to go out there and get it.
Don't be surprised, however, when your gaming experience increases tenfold!
For more information on good gaming computer hardware and accessories, keep coming back to this page! We'll keep you updated on all of the latest news from the industry.