Stuck at home? Do these 4 things to get started gaming on your PC.

NZXT H1 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

Many of us are being told to stay at home, which is a pretty good idea to help curb the spread of the COVID-nineteen virus. There are enough of things to do at home, including cleaning, experimenting with food, playing some board games, and catching upwards on TV serial, but PC gaming is also a great avenue to take.

It's easy to get into as well, even if you don't have a PC at hand. I'll exist running you through a few steps to take to get upwardly and running in no time at all.

1. Prepare your PC

Rich's Gaming PC Source: Windows Fundamental

To play games on the PC, you'll need ... well, a PC. If you already take i, brilliant! Y'all're already partway there. All we need is to check your organisation components to see what you'll exist able to play. To do this, follow these steps:

Striking Win Key + R.
Enter "dxdiag".
Hit Enter.
Choose "No" in the prompt.

This volition open The DirectX Diagnostic tool. In the chief window, you lot'll be able to meet what processor (CPU) y'all have, as well as how much RAM. The display tab will show you what GPU is currently installed. If your hardware is a little on the older side, you may desire to wait at performing some upgrades if y'all plan on playing the latest games. Just I'll be certain to highlight some infrequent games that can run on almost anything.

If y'all know you demand to upgrade a component or two to play the game you desire at the resolution and frame rate you desire, you'll want to check out our collections for the post-obit:

Best CPU (best CPU coolers).
Best PSU.
Best motherboards.
Best RAM.
All-time GPU.
Best SSD.

And carry in mind, unlike a panel where a TV and living room are usually an ideal combination, for PC gaming, information technology'southward all almost the gaming den and smaller monitor. 25-inch panels are mostly considered the sweetness spot, especially when you consider 1080p and 1440p resolutions. For 4K, you're going to have to spend some serious greenbacks.

If you don't already take a PC

If yous exercise not have a PC and want to build one, nosotros've already got a stellar guide that walks you through each step of the process. Since you're at habitation, now's a skillful a time as any to put a new gaming rig together. It'll focus your mind, allow you lot to feel the sense of achievement, and get you online to communicate with others while beingness entertained.

Edifice your own PC

Source: Windows Central

Building your ain PC isn't a complicated process. Y'all only have to make certain you lot buy all the right parts and put everything together in such a manner that no component is damaged. To showcase just how piece of cake it is, give our helpful guide a quick read and apply it as reference.

How to build your own PC

You tin really build a capable gaming PC for less than $800 from scratch. It'south all dependant on what games you lot want to play.

two. Get Windows 10 set

Nvidia driver app Source: Windows Primal

So this may sound strange, but Windows ten isn't quite ready for heavy gaming sessions from the outset. Nosotros need first to brand sure we accept the latest drivers for our organization, notably the GPU. Depending on which manufacturer your card is from, you lot'll need to employ either of the following links:

Download AMD drivers.
Download NVIDIA drivers.

Some other adept idea is to bank check there aren't any outstanding Windows ten updates available. Y'all could even look at optimizing Windows for gaming a little to get the most out of your PC. Lastly, install Discord and set up an account if you don't already have one — Discord is a fantastic tool to communicate with friends and others online while in-game.

Buy a gaming headset

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Source: Windows Central

To communicate with friends, hear others talk through Discord, and bask your games in peace, you'll need a headset that works on PC. Luckily, for you, we've rounded up some of our favorites.

Best PC gaming headsets

3. Choose a storefront (or few)

GOG Galaxy Source: Windows Central

Playing games on a PC is much like on a console like an Xbox or a smartphone. You need to install a gaming storefront (call back of these like app stores for PC games), create an account, and pick some titles to play. Here are a few of the top gaming storefronts around:

GOG: GOG is positioned as the 2nd-largest distributor of PC games, behind Steam, just it offers DRM-costless ownership and some older games too.
Steam: Steam is the virtually popular PC gaming distributor by numerous miles. It has the largest collection of games likewise.
Origin: EA'due south own storefront, which not merely provides access to games published by the company just titles from other parties too.
UPlay: Similar to EA's Origin, simply from Ubisoft.
Microsoft Store: Microsoft's Store on Windows has some games for you lot to endeavour out, though the selection is a little limited.

Fearfulness not if this is all a trivial disruptive. Yous can consider each store as a separate entity. Still, an endeavor is underway within the PC gaming community to bring all these together in a single location, called GOG Milky way 2.0.

4. Play some games

Witcher 3 Source: CD Projekt RED

Now your PC is all ready to go; y'all demand some games to play. Here are some of my favorites. Be sure to check each title for its requirements to brand sure you will exist able to play it. (No one wants to waste product money, right?)

Terraria

Terraria is one of the best PC games of all fourth dimension. Period. For the low toll, this nigh decade-old game offers hundreds of hours of enjoyment, and even more if you team upwardly with friends.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley puts you in command of a subcontract you've inherited from a passing relative. It's a blank canvas in a location y'all've never visited prior, tasking you with getting to know locals, explore caves and go fishing.

GTA V

Yard Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Motorcar V is one for the mature audition, but if yous're old enough to play information technology, you lot're going to have a pocketbook of fun. With the impressive storyline complemented by an online mode, GTA Five will hold your attention for endless hours while y'all get effectually, causing carnage.

Witcher 3

The Witcher three

The Witcher 3 is one of the all-time RPGs to grace the PC platform. With an open-world, incredible story, fantastic lore, and plenty to do, yous'll be slaying all kinds of monsters and taking in the scenic surround.

Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon four is Microsoft'south latest online racing simulator, and information technology'south so much fun. Based in the beautiful land of Scotland, you're able to choose your favorite machine, modify it, and race against others in an open-world surround.

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