The Best Gaming PCs in Canada

The key component of a PC gaming set up is the computer itself. The best gaming PCs provide crystal clear resolution and incredibly fast frame rates. They can also run the most graphically and resource demanding video games with ease. But finding a good gaming PC at a reasonable price can be tricky. The number of brands and models does not help matters. To help you in your search, we’ve created this guide to list the best gaming PCs in Canada.

Specs: Before buying a gaming PC, look at its technical specifications. The specs tell you how well the computer performs, e.g., how fast the computer runs. Some of the specs to look for are:

• Processor type (CPU): Also called the central processor. The CPU is the engine of your PC. Any task performed by the computer is managed by the CPU. Complicated tasks require a powerful CPU.
• Graphics card (GPU): The graphics card influences the image quality displayed by your gaming monitor. A good GPU dispalys images in HD. Some GPUs also support 3D graphics. Lower-end GPUs are fine for simple tasks like browsing websites or reading emails. But for gaming, they may cause lags and/or stuttering.
• Storage (HDD/SSD): There are two storage formats: HDD (hard disk drive) and SSD (solid state drive). HDDs use spinning platters and moving heads to read and write data. SSDs do not use moving parts and are extremely thin and lightweight. Therefore SSDs are faster than HDD storage, which makes them good for gaming. Many pre-built gaming PCs have 512 GB of onboard SSD storage. Higher-end models have up 1TB of SSD storage. You can find some gaming PCs that have both types.
• Processor speed (GHz): Measured in gigahertz (GHz), processor speeds indicate how fast the gaming PC is. The higher the GHz number, the better the PC performs. Some standard rates include 2.10 and 3.7 GHz.
• RAM: Also called Random Access Memory. RAM is the temporary memory used by your computer to hold documents, applications, or data from web pages. RAM is located on the motherboard. For basic computing 2-3 GB of RAM works well. For more demanding applications, 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM is recommended.

Price: Prices are a major factor when shopping for a gaming PC. They can affect performance and quality of the computer. Expensive gaming PCs tend to be more powerful, while cheaper models usually have less capabilities. You can sometimes find good gaming PC on sale for a fraction of the original price. These sales usually occur during Black Friday or Boxing Day. I bought my gaming PC on Boxing Day and saved around $400.00.

Upgradability: Computer parts constantly evolve, with new versions being released every year. Eventually, parts become outdated. A good gaming PC should be easy to upgrade. This means you have enough room to install new parts. Smaller gaming PCs are harder to work with.

For this guide, we spent eight hours researching different gaming PCs. We only considered products rated four or more stars by customers. Our team also consulted tech articles for further information on gaming PCs. We tried to select computers that had above average to high end specs and were listed at a reasonable price (around $1,400-$2,000).

Where do you buy a gaming PC?

There are many places to buy a gaming PC. Retailers include Best Buy, Amazon, and Newegg. You can also buy gaming PCs from company websites, like Dell, HP Canada, and Acer.

Which is better: a gaming desktop or a gaming laptop?

Gaming desktops and laptops both provide a good gaming experience. But you may be wondering which one is better. According to Tom’sHardware, each machine has their positives and negatives in various categories.

For upgradeability, gaming desktops edge out laptops. Since you can built your own gaming desktop, making upgrades to it are easy. Prebuilt desktops are harder to upgrade, but it’s still possible. Some gaming laptops allow you to change the RAM or storage. But for the most part, you’re stuck with the parts used by the manufacturer.

Performance depends on the device’s specs. But in general, gaming desktops outperform gaming laptops. The deciding factor is the cooling system. Desktops allow for more fans, which means better cooling, and the lower temperatures equal a stronger performance. Plus, desktops can use liquid cooling. While some advancements have occurred for gaming laptops, most fall behind desktops in the performance category.

Portability is an easy win for gaming laptops. Even the largest models can fit into a laptop bag or carrying case. Smaller/thinner gaming laptops easily fit into a backpack. Gaming desktops are much harder to transport. Along with the computer case, you’ll have to pack the monitor, keyboard, and other accessories into large containers.

Prices for gaming desktops and laptops are somewhat similar across the board. On Best Buy, both gaming laptops and desktops are listed at comparable prices, although the desktops seem to cost more overall. Still, prices are virtually identical, so there is no clear winner for this category.

From an objective standpoint, gaming desktops are better than gaming laptops. However, deciding between a the two can be a personal decision.

How much does a gaming PC cost?

High end gaming PCs cost around $2,000-$5,000. Standard gaming PCs sell around $1,200-$1,500, while cheap models average between $800-$1,000. However, you can find gaming desktops as low as $430.00. During certain times in the year, retailers sell gaming PCs at marked down prices. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day are the three best days to buy gaming PCs at lower prices. Some computers have up to $600.00 taken off their regular price.

How do you make your computer faster for gaming?

One way to make your gaming PC faster is updating the graphics card. Companies like AMD and NVIDIA regularly release new GPUs that have the latest technology. Updating your current graphics card with a new version can drastically improve your gaming PC’s speed. Improving your computer’s airflow is another way to increase operating speeds. At higher temperatures, the computer’s performance suffers. By adding additional cooling fans or adjusting your cable management, you can improve the air circulation. The PC will run at a lower temperature, which boosts the operating speed.

There are other simple things you can do to increase your computer’s speed. Instead of using Wi-Fi, connect to the internet via an ethernet cable. Wired connection is usually faster and stronger; you’re less likely to experience lags, freezes, or stutters. Windows 10 has a built-in tool called Game Mode to optimizes your computer for gaming. The tool deactivates background apps to help boost the FPS (frames per second) in your game. To activate, open Settings, select the Gaming category, select Game Mode from the menu and set the switch to On.

Source: Rank-It.ca

Tweaking your display settings can see a drastic improvement in speeds. Go to Settings→System→Display and select Advanced Display Settings. Set the refresh rate to the highest setting possible (e.g., 144Hz). Your monitor can now display graphics at a higher rate. Lastly, you can adjust your game’s graphics. Some settings you can adjust are the resolution, graphical details, draw distance, and graphical effects. Depending on the setting, lowering/increasing the level or switching the setting on/off can improve your computer’s speed.

What are the recommended specs for a good gaming PC?

The recommended specs for a gaming PC depend on the type of games you play. On Steam, games list the system requirements for running the game, both minimum and recommended specs. For example, to play Cyberpunk 2077, Steam lists the following system requirements:

Minimum

• OS (operating system): Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K or AMD FX-8310
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 470
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 70 GB available space

Recommended

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i7-4790 or AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
• Memory: 12 GB RAM
• Graphics: GTX 1060 6 GB/GTX 1660 Super or Radeon RX 590
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 70 GB available space (SSD recommended)

Source: Steam

How do you build a gaming PC

Prebuilt gaming PCs are convenient since all the components are installed for you; the parts are usually top quality as well. But building your own gaming PC has its advantages. For starters, you have greater control over how the computer performs; you customize it to your liking. Many people also find the experience rewarding. Building a powerful gaming PC yourself can be very satisfying and gratifying.

Before you begin, you will need the necessary parts. A gaming PC needs:

• A processor (CPU)
• A graphics card (GPU)
• A motherboard
• Memory/RAM
• Storage: usually SSD but you can also include HDD if possible
• A case
• A power supply unit (PSU)
• Cooling fans
• A monitor
• A mouse and keyboard
• An operating system: e.g., Windows, Linux

Other tools needed include screws, screwdrivers, and tool bits

To find compatible parts, you can use one of the many custom PC builder websites. A good example is the NZXT custom PC builder.

Once the parts are gathered, you can start building your gaming PC. For beginners, this part can be intimidating. However, most components are designed to fit together easily. For example, installing RAM is straightforward. Push open the two tabs on either side of the RAM slot on the motherboard. Line up the RAM chip with the slot and push down until you hear a click. The only tricky part is installing the motherboard. It’s a delicate component, so you need to be patient and careful. The motherboard should fit securely in the case but be careful of over-tightening the screws. The telltale sign of overtightening is if the board is bending.

For detailed guide on building a gaming PC, check out this video from Newegg.

How do you properly clean a gaming computer?

Over time, dust and debris accumulates inside the computer case, hindering your PC’s performance. Regularly cleaning your gaming PC will help keep it running smoothly. Before you start, gather all the necessary tools. Here are some of the things you’ll need:

• Compressed air cannister: to blow out dust from tight places
• Microfibre cloth: add small amount of cleaning solution to mop up dust
• Antistatic wristband: prevents static damage to the components
• Screw drivers and bits: for opening or removing certain parts
• Dust mask or respirator: prevents you from inhaling dust and dirt as you clean your case

Once you have your tools, turn off the PC and unplug the power cable. Move the computer to a well ventilated area or open a window for better circulation. If possible, remove the side panels and front panel of your case.

If your gaming PC only has a small amount of dust inside it, a light dusting gets the job done. Use your air cannister to blow out as much as possible. You can probably fit the straw through a small vent or crevis. If not, then you’ll have to remove the front or side panel.

If your computer hasn’t been dusted in a while, you’ll need to do a much deeper clean. Start by removing most of the components from the case, which includes your CPU, GPU, motherboard, and cooling fans. This is where your antistatic wristband comes in handy; it prevents any static from damaging the parts. Next, lay out the parts on a nonconductive surface. Wipe them down with a microfibre cloth. Apply a small amount of cleaning solution to the cloth for better results, e.g., Isopropyl alcohol. Some components get dust build up inside a covered area or in tiny crevasses. In this case, you need to disassemble the part with a small screwdriver or Torx bit. Once everything has been cleaned, reinstall the components. Take the opportunity to adjust your cable management; this will help improve airflow and prevent dust build up.

Cleaning your gaming PC seems like a chore, but your efforts will pay off in the long run.

For a detailed look at cleaning a gaming PC, check out this article from PCGamer.