Gaming PCs – high-end computing power meets high-end design

There are lots of different opinions on what makes a gaming PC visually appealing. Some gamers consider colourful lighting essential, while others prefer a modern, monochrome look. The days of boring-looking but powerful PCs are long gone. Nowadays, cleverly designed PC components combine individualised design with gaming fun.

The PC chassis

The PC chassis comes in various finishes made from different materials like wood, glass, plastic or metal. There are open and closed solutions, some of which have transparent parts in order to showcase the individual design of the PC interior.

The MasterFrame 700 PC chassis from Cooler Master, which won a Red Dot in 2021, comprises a frame to which a panoramic tempered glass screen can be added. The frame can convert flexibly between a PC chassis or test bench mode for installation of the individual components. Side wings that fold out make the chassis very versatile, allowing for easy fitting of oversized components in particular. The open-air design provides fresh-air cooling for all components in the system.

The Core P8 TG chassis model from Thermaltake likewise offers gamers maximum scope, as the modular side panels make it suitable for use as an open or closed solution. This also facilitates wall mounting and vertical placement on a surface. Three tempered glass panels, each 4 millimetres thick, showcase the illuminated RGB components inside.

ROG Strix LC Radeon RX 6800 XT by ASUSTeK

Choosing the graphics card

Graphics cards generate the image displayed on the monitor. Without a graphics chip, you’ll be looking at a blank screen. While standard models are sufficient for everyday office use, it is worth investing in a high-end model for CPU-intensive games that need fluidity and high resolution. Graphics processing units, GPUs for short, are designed with a focus on functionality. Because the graphics card has to perform at extremely high levels during gaming, the design often incorporates a cooling component.

The ROG Strix LC Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card from ASUSTeK has an integrated air and liquid cooling system that is tailored to the requirements of the graphics card. The card and the cooling fans are equipped with addressable Aura RGB LEDs.

By contrast, the distinctive golden cover of the Titan RTX from NVIDIA is made from forged and machined die cast aluminium with diamond-cut edges. Integrated fans provide a cooling system. In this case, the product’s striking appearance underscores the performance of the hardware.

Cooling for the AORUS GeForce RTX 3080 XTREME is provided by way of three integrated space-saving fans. They rotate in such a way that the airflow always completely covers the heat sink. An LCD monitor integrated in the graphics card displays system information to the user, such as the temperature or photos for example. The RGB lighting can be customised using software.

AORUS GeForce RTX 3080 XTREME 10G by GIGABYTE

ROG MAXIMUS Z690 EXTREME GLACIAL by ASUSTeK

Mainboard – the heart of the computer

The mainboard or main circuit board of a gaming computer holds all of the individual components together. The mainboard contains the processor, making it the largest and most important component as the computer’s central interface.

The ROG MAXIMUS Z690 EXTREME GLACIAL motherboard features a sophisticated liquid cooling system. A transparent monoblock cooling system ensures that all components, including interfaces, are kept at the right temperature. A ROG-exclusive AniMe Matrix LED display and a Dash OLED with Aura Sync offer a wide range of RGB options for customising the motherboard. According to the Red Dot Jury, “This motherboard strikes a perfect balance between technical features and gaming-typical design language.”

The gaming keyboard

The keys on mechanical keyboards are more responsive than on traditional keyboards. This is why mechanical keyboards are especially popular on the gaming scene, despite the fact that they are louder when hitting the keys. There is a metal spring underneath each key. Not only does this create a clearly audible clicking sound, making for a uniform feeling when typing, it also ensures that the key is immediately pressed back into its initial position once released. Customisable lighting can be used to highlight important keys, for example the controls. This can have advantages when gaming.

The keyboards in the Apex Series from SteelSeries have individually customisable keys. Switches based on magnetic fields allow users to set an individual point at which the keys register, resulting in more accurate play. The different models have displays that allow settings to be configured directly on the keyboard. The aluminium chassis provides durability. The keys are illuminated and can be controlled individually. “The keyboards stand out with their robust workmanship and design tailored to gaming. A particular highlight is the adjustable actuation functionality”, according to the Red Dot Jury.

The gaming mouse

Gaming mice come in various shapes, sizes, materials and designs. Models for specific genres have an additional number pad as well as other helpful features. Wired mice are still very popular, as they prevent gamers from running the risk of losing battery charge at a crucial point in the game. However, wireless mice can make users faster and more accurate. Nowadays there are even mouse pads with wireless charging for wireless gaming mice.

The Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED gaming mouse is the name for the new wireless version of the classic G502. The battery lasts for up to 60 hours. The HERO 16K gaming sensor permits a scanning speed of over 400 IPS. However, the shape and layout are unchanged from the original gaming mouse. The customisable lighting creates an immersive gaming atmosphere.

Choosing the right monitor

The right monitor is a vital part of every gaming set-up. Alongside the traditional flat, height-adjustable monitors, there are also curved monitors, which create an enhanced immersive experience due to their curvature. Because the image is better adapted to a human’s field of vision, the colours appear more even and the picture looks more realistic. Eye strain is reduced because the distance between your eyes and the monitor is the same at every point on the monitor.

The Acer Nitro XR383CUR P gaming monitor offers ergonomic features, extensive adjustment options and eye-friendly technologies that benefit gamers, especially during long gaming sessions. Triangular ventilation slots and the three-pronged stand inform the monitor’s futuristic design. An integrated cable management system keeps the workspace tidy.

Acer Nitro XR383CUR P Curved Gaming Monitor

While there are lots of different set-ups, ultimately it is technical performance and the gamer’s personal preference that will determine which set-up to choose. With the right balance between ergonomics, performance and design, there are no limits to your gaming fun.