What to Look for in a Gaming PC

2022 GAMING DESKTOPS

GAMING PCs EQUIPPED TO OVER-PERFORM

Whether you choose a Lenovo custom gaming PC to suit your specific preferences or spring for the simplicity and power of a prebuilt gaming PC that can be upgraded over time, you’ll have more than enough juice to run the latest AAA PC games.

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OUR BEST GAMING DESKTOP MODELS

Dive in and dominate day one with the best gaming desktop models Lenovo has to offer. Browse and compare our full selection of gaming desktops. Or if you’re still unsure, you’re in the right place too. Read on to discover more about what you’ll need to scale the leaderboards.

Dive in and dominate day one with the best gaming desktop models Lenovo has to offer. Browse and compare our full selection of gaming desktops.

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CHOOSING A GAMING DESKTOP

BUILDING VS. BUYING

One of the first questions that will arise when considering an investment in a gaming machine is whether to buy an off-the-shelf model or build your own from scratch. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages in building your own computer include the potential cost savings. In some cases, particularly when it comes to very high-end components, building your own gaming computer can be less expensive than buying a prebuilt machine. A prebuilt machine can come with a markup that can make it more expensive than building a comparable machine from scratch.

If you build your own gaming machine, you can select the components that meet your specific wishes. That can be an important factor if you want to gear your machine to a specific PC game title. And if at some point in the future you decide to upgrade one of the components, you already have the skills to take on the task.

And of course, there’s a certain amount of pride and satisfaction that comes with defeating alien invaders with the tools you built yourself.

On the other hand, buying a prebuilt machine offers the peace of mind that comes with a warranty and support from the manufacturer. If there’s a problem, you know where to turn. Some manufacturers, including Lenovo, offer the ability to customize certain models in their gaming machine lines with component upgrades that may provide an improved experience.

In many cases, buying a prebuilt machine may actually be less expensive than building your own. Because they’re building thousands of machines, manufacturers have the ability to buy components in bulk, resulting in an overall less expensive final product. In addition, when building your own computer, it can be easy to overlook some components when creating your budget. An off-the-shelf model will come preloaded with an operating system, for example, while you’ll have to purchase a copy when building your own. That alone can add $100 to the cost of your system.

And lastly, the machines a company such as Lenovo offers aren’t just random compilations of components. In fact, companies spend a great deal of time and effort into designing a product that offers the best value for the money.

Key Features of a Great Gaming Desktop

GPU

The graphics processing unit, commonly referred to as the graphics card, is the component responsible for translating information from the gaming program into what we see on the screen and probably the most important component of a gaming machine. The more powerful the GPU, the faster that information is displayed and the better the gaming experience will be. A GPU with at least 8GB of onboard memory is ideal for most games. AMD and NVIDIA currently dominate the graphics card market. Look for the latest 30 Series graphics cards from NVIDIA, available on select Legion desktop models. NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 30 Series GPUs feature updated ray tracing technology that brings realistic lighting to compatible games. Plus, this series of NVIDIA GPUs features DLSS technology that boosts frame rates and generates beautiful, sharp images for your games, as well as Resizeable BAR support that increases performance in certain games that allows for more efficient CPU-to-GPU asset transfer as you move through game worlds.

PROCESSOR

The processor, or CPU, is the heart of any great gaming system and is nearly as important as the graphics card in delivering a great gaming experience. The main features to look for in a gaming processor are clock speeds and cores. The clock speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), is the speed at which the chip operates, so higher is faster. Cores can be thought of as the processors within the processor, with most CPUs today having between two and 64 cores. You’ll want at least four cores for gaming. Lenovo offers only the best processors from the top two names in the game: AMD and Intel. Look for up to 11th Gen Intel® Core™ or AMD Ryzen™ 5000 series processors on our latest Legion desktops.

RAM

RAM, or random-access memory, enables your computer to store game data in memory instead of having to constantly swap it out to the hard drive. Some games require as little as 4 GB to run properly, while others require as much as 16 GB. You’ll likely need at least 16 GB of RAM for an ideal gaming experience if you’re running top-notch competitive games. But for extreme gamers and content creators, select Legion desktop models offer up to 32GB of RAM.

STORAGE

When it comes to storage, gamers have a few main options: the traditional hard disc drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), and more recent NVME storage. Traditional HDDs utilize physical components which limits how fast you can read or store on them. However, they are often a much more affordable option for storing larger files like videos and movies. For gaming purposes specifically, you’ll likely want to consider a faster option than HDD. SSD drives use flash memory, so programs, like PC games, load much faster than they do from a traditional HDD. And because they don’t have any moving parts, they’re more reliable than a traditional hard drive and are better able to handle being bumped or dropped. They use less electricity and run cooler and quieter than a traditional drive. Thanks to their speedier data access, they also have improved multitasking capabilities compared to an HDD. Like SSDs, NVME storage is a more recent technology. NVME storage cards are your fastest consumer option for gaming. These cards attach directly to compatible motherboards, meaning they offer even greater read/write speeds than that of SSDs, but will come at a higher price point most often.

COOLING

Any type of electrical component will generate a certain amount of heat, and because the components of a gaming laptop are much more powerful than those in a traditional business laptop they’ll run much hotter. As a result, cooling is a critical factor. Most gaming processors and graphics cards include features that slow down their performance if they get too hot, and insufficient cooling can cause damage to those components. Lenovo Legion gaming laptops utilize advanced Coldfront 2.0 cooling technology which cools and dissipates heat via a dual-channel thermal mechanism, so that your critical components are always protected. What’s more, you can adjust between Quiet, Balance, and Performance thermal modes depending on your activity and needs.

Peripherals & Accessories for Gaming Desktops

Although the desktop PC itself is the key component of any gaming rig, the peripherals can be a significant contributor as well. In fact, there are many peripherals specifically designed to enhance the gaming experience. Those include the:

Monitor

Computer monitors continue to get larger and their resolution continues to increase. In addition, the recent introduction of curved monitors promise to make the gaming experience more immersive. A monitor featuring 1080p resolution is the minimum needed for today’s games, with 4K offering the sharpest detail. When it comes to refresh rates bigger is better, with most gaming monitors offering at least 144 Hz. Response time is an indicator of how long a monitor takes to change individual pixels from black to white or from one shade of gray to another. Longer response times can result in a blurry picture. Top-of-the-line monitors offer a 0.5ms response time.

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Keyboard

Although it may seem that a keyboard isn’t an important component when it comes to gaming, the opposite is true. There are two types of keyboards: membrane and mechanical. Membrane keyboards use a layer of rubber or silicone that acts as both the “spring” and the electrical contact, while mechanical keyboards feature a mechanical switch under each key. Serious gamers prefer mechanical keyboards. Not only are they more precise, but they’re typically tougher than a membrane-based keyboard and better able to stand up to repeated keystrokes. Gaming keyboards also include the ability to allow multiple keys to be pressed at once, and often include features such as backlighting and dedicated macro keys.

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Mouse

As with gaming keyboards, the value of a gaming mouse can be overlooked. Although a gaming mouse does the same things as a standard mouse bundled with a business PC, a great gaming mouse is one that fits comfortably in your hand and offers greater sensitivity and faster response time than a traditional mouse. Features of a gaming mouse includes higher dots per inch, or DPI, than a traditional mouse, as well as higher acceleration. DPI is a measure of how much the cursor moves with a movement of your hand, while acceleration indicates how quickly the cursor moves based on how quickly your hand moves. In both cases, higher is better. Other features of a gaming mouse include programmable buttons and faster response time than a standard mouse.

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Headset

Gamers often spend hours in battle, so one of the main features to look for in a gaming headset is comfort. Other features include wired vs. wireless and open vs. closed earpieces. Do you want to leave your headset on when getting up for a snack? Do you want to be able to hear people coming up behind you while you’re gaming? Many gaming headsets offer surround sound for a more immersive sonic experience. And of course, because you’ll likely be constantly communicating with teammates, you’ll want a microphone that picks up your voice clearly. Unidirectional mics are much better at isolating your voice from background sounds than omnidirectional designs.

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PREBUILT LENOVO GAMING DESKTOPS

When it comes to choosing a prebuilt gaming desktop PC, Lenovo offers a number of excellent choices. Those include Lenovo’s:

LEGION GAMING TOWERS

Lenovo Legion Towers are expertly engineered, from their refined chassis to their impressive lighting effects to their high-performance components. Featuring the latest gaming processors and discrete graphics, these gaming towers deliver powerful performance.

Lenovo Legion towers employ an innovative cooling system with streamlined air intake (and optional liquid cooling on some models). And when it comes to being ready for the future, Lenovo Legion towers feature a tool-free upgrade system that provides easy access to the internal components whenever you want to upgrade.

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MAKING THE CHOICE

Gaming is one of the most popular activities in which we can engage today. In fact, gaming is quickly taking its place alongside athletic activities, with educational institutions ranging from elementary schools to colleges and universities sponsoring competitive gaming teams.

In fact, some universities are offering gaming related degrees, and some cities around the world are sponsoring professional gaming leagues. In 2019, the top gamer in the world earned more than $17 million in winnings and endorsements. Gaming has moved beyond being an enjoyable pastime and is now serious business.

If you’re seeking an outstanding gaming machine, check out what Lenovo has to offer. We stand ready to help!

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Lenovo Gaming Desktops

Lenovo has always figured out a way to give gamers a taste of extremity in gaming. Their desktop collection features up-to-date processors, a speedy solid-state drive, and all of the ports a gamer needs.

Lenovo gaming desktops include custom cases that are more aggressive, angular, and flashy than typical PCs. Moreover, most of them come with a graphics card that can handle current and next-gen games and gaming-oriented components such as one or more high-end video cards. The power and speed of these machines will make your game experience smooth and enjoyable.

We take a look at some of the Lenovo gaming desktops and give them a high-performance overall category, to give you a more organized idea of the details to consider.

Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO: An All-in-one Gaming Desktop

All-in-one gaming desktops are the perfect middle ground between portability and upgradability. Lenovo makes all-in-one gaming desktops machines that pack top-end components into compact cases and throw in extra features to boot.

In the world of high-performance desktop PCs, it’s not enough to have a blazing-fast processor. You need a gaming desktop that looks good doing it. If you don’t have the room for a full-sized system, the AIO is an excellent choice, but no matter how crowded your space is, there will be something about it that will catch your eye.

This all-in-one desktop is striking, with its glossy white outer shell and matching side panels. The whole unit is so compact — at only 9.2 inches tall — that you’ll wonder why the designers didn’t go with a smaller footprint, but they could fit in plenty of system guts and still keep everything looking perfectly proportioned.

The case opens up like an accordion to reveal the bundled accessories — a keyboard and mouse — or you can remove them and store them elsewhere. The black surface of the principal display panel is textured for easy grip, and the slim profile means this system won’t take up too much space on your desk.

Inside the case are some essential components: AMD Radeon graphics and 4GB of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory (with support for up to 16GB), plus a 500GB Lenovo Legion Series gaming desktop excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts. It has various features and components designed to provide a fantastic gaming experience.

A top-notch processor, combined with the NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, can handle all the latest games today. This Graphics processing unit (GPU) can also run older titles with no problem at all.

Lenovo IdeaCentre AMD gaming desktop

AMD gaming desktops have become popular with those who don’t want to spend a lot of money but want to enjoy excellent performance. And there are plenty of reasons to buy an AMD gaming desktop. Let’s take a look at some of them:

· Cheaper processors: It’s no secret that Lenovo processors typically cost more than AMD ones, even when they offer similar performance levels. An AMD CPU is a great way to get more bang for your buck.

· Better graphics cards: When it comes to graphics cards, AMD offers its line of Radeon GPUs that can provide significant performance for a low cost. If you want to save money on your desktop without sacrificing too much gaming performance, an AMD graphics card could be the way to go.

· More affordable overall PC: This all-in-one desktop hits the sweet spot of performance and value. It is an incredibly cheap gaming desktop computer, given its excellent performance capacity. AMD Athlon processor provides seamless multitasking & smooth streaming. A sleek space saver that comes with a built-in cable collector in the stand. It also has an Adjustable display to find your perfect angle and enjoy added security with a physical webcam privacy shutter.

· It’s a small gaming desktop: The 22” mini gaming desktop does not consume much physical space, thus nothing to worry about if you have a tight gaming room.

· Large storage: The desktop has a 1TB drive to accommodate enough games for your entertainment needs. Also, if you're looking for a gaming desktop that won't break the bank, consider the AMD-based Lenovo Legion Series. Packing impressive components, including a Graphics Core Next Radeon 4GB graphics card and an 8th Generation Lenovo Core processor in an attractive chassis with a wide range of connectivity options, this machine is capable of playing most games at medium settings.

IdeaCentre and Lenovo – Razer Gaming Desktop

PC gaming is no longer limited to a tower under your desk. The IdeaCentre (Razer Edition) is an expandable, high-performance gaming desktop designed for serious gamers.

This 27" wide display with Full HD resolution takes your gaming to a new level. And since it curves inward, it provides you with an immersive experience similar to being on the inside of your game!

Plus, it features Razer Chroma lighting on the back cover, which can be customized to display up to 16.8 million colors, and plug-and-play Razer Chroma lighting peripherals through the Razer Synapse software.

With the latest Lenovo Core processors, up to NVIDIA GeForce graphics, and available liquid cooling options, you can play with ease and speed. And thanks to Windows Home, you have the peace of mind of Microsoft's latest operating system.

Its striking design features a glass side panel with customizable LED backlighting that changes color and effects based on CPU temperatures. The lighting is also synchronized with your games, music, and movies! The curved Full High Definition (FHD) (1920 x 1080) display is Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) certified as G-Sync capable and supports refresh rates up to 144 Hz.

The Lenovo Series comes with a full suite of gamer software from Razer that includes an enhanced game interface and voice communication tools. Razer Synapse controls keyboard lighting, macros, binds, and more; Razer Comms lets you instantly communicate with friends via text or voice chat; Razer Cortex optimizes your system settings maximum. The Lenovo Series gaming desktop delivers the ultimate combination of raw power, next-generation graphics, and functionality in a sleek, modern design.

Custom-designed mechanical keys on the keyboard feel like no other for accurate control during gameplay. The mouse features a 16K Dots per inch (DPI) optical sensor for precision movement and clicking feedback so fast your opponents won't know what hit them!

A customizable lighting system lets you choose from 16.8 million color options or create your unique look. The Lenovo Series (Razer Edition) monitor takes you beyond gaming on a curved 27" Vertical Alignment (VA) display.

It features a 144Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-SYNC technology with Ultra Low Motion Blur technology — delivering smooth and precise movements even in the fastest scenes. The ergonomic design helps improve your posture for long hours of comfortable gaming.

Lenovo Curved Gaming Desktop Monitor

The Lenovo Curved Gaming Desktop Series is a 27" Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor that has a 144 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time. Featuring AMD Free Sync technology and a curved design, this series reduces screen tearing and stuttering for a smooth gaming experience with stunningly realistic visuals.

Designed for the gamer demanding an exceptional gaming experience, the Lenovo Curved Gaming Series comes with its in-plane switching (IPS) panel providing remarkable clarity with vivid colors from any angle.

The curved design of the monitor ensures every point on the screen is central to your eyes, which helps reduce eye strain over long hours of gameplay.

The wide range of connectivity options, including HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, offers flexibility for multiple devices, while integrated speakers provide a truly immersive gaming experience. With tilt, swivel, height adjusts pivot functionality, and a 100 mm Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mount, you can easily customize the monitor to fit your seating position and size.

· Superior Connectivity: This series comes equipped with HDMI 2.0, Video Graphics Array (VGA), and DisplayPort (DP) ports for added convenience. The HDMI 2.0 provides faster data transmission than HDMI 1.4, making it compatible with 4K resolution at a 60 Hz refresh rate. It has a refresh rate of 165 Hz and response time of 1 ms, offering you smooth gameplay in even the most action-packed games. It also features AMD Radeon Free Sync technology that further reduces stuttering and tearing when images are not in sync with the monitor’s refresh rate. Moreover, it is equipped with flicker-free technology.

· Extraordinary Audio: This series comes with two 2W built-in speakers, which produce crisp and clear audio for an immersive gaming experience. The monitor also features Digital Theater Systems (DTS) Sound, which delivers a surround sound experience for your favorite games.

Conclusion

Gamers are a breed of their own. They have specific needs regarding the equipment they use, especially when it comes to computers. Gamers will go to great lengths to find the perfect gaming desktop PC that meets all their requirements and keeps them on top of their game.

If you're looking for a desktop to play games, Lenovo has some great options. They have desktops that are specifically designed for gaming and ones with the horsepower to handle any other computing tasks you care to throw their way. Lenovo's desktops will undoubtedly provide the proper environment for an impressive gaming experience for gamers who want more than a gaming laptop.