When the going gets tough, the tough get gaming

With the worldwide recession impacting on everyone, gamers have had to increasingly weigh up their needs and make hard decisions about hardware and software. But this hasn't stopped those with a passion for gaming from pursuing their hobby, and with rAge on at the moment, gamers are finding that their particular hobby doesn't have to come with huge premiums.

According to Carlo Benevento, MD of Computers Only, upgrading is cheaper than replacing a whole PC. This option not only offers gamers more bang for their buck, but because new PC components are not required as frequently as they were to keep up with the changes in hardware and software technology, it makes more sense.

“Improving an existing machine is sometimes tricky,” explains Benevento. “There are three items that may be improved, and a gamer needs to look at his requirements when deciding which combination of these need to be upgraded. The reason that it's sometimes tricky is the fact that each machine may differ and an upgrade would have to be evaluated individually.”

RAM is the first to be considered, and is the cheapest item that can be upgraded. A graphics card offers the highest return on performance, with a 10-12 month replacement cycle, while CPU replacement is the most expensive upgrade option and may require a motherboard change. Benevento points out that the CPU/Motherboard/RAM replacement is regarded as an upgrade kit, however.

Glenn Ferreira, Product Manager - Components at Axiz, points out that Intel's latest range of desktop processors is optimised for multimedia and gaming tasks that support multiple threads, but come at a reasonable price. “Supporting the latest Intel Core i7 and Intel Core i5 processors in the new LGA1156 package, Intel P55 chipset-based boards feature a revolutionary two-chip design that enables lower power consumption, more advanced performance, and multiple platform capabilities,” he explains.

Trek to the summit

00Days

:

00Hrs

:

00Min

:

00Sec

As far as RAM is concerned, Vikesh Mahabeer, Category Lead - Components at Axiz, says the Kingston HyperX 6GB 2000 MHz Triple Channel Memory Kit crushes anything similar, even at stock frequencies. “The 6GB does excellent all-round under the Vista 64-bit environment for which the kit was intended,” he says. “There are cheaper kits out there, but they come at the sacrifice of memory timings. When looking for true performance based triple channel overclocking memory, the Kingston HyperX 2000 MHz offers the perfect bang for the buck that demanding users need.”

He adds that Kingston recently introduced the HyperX Fan to complement the HyperX line of RAM, but it can be purchased separately for use with any RAM. “In my experience with RAM coolers, they tend not to work very well, but the HyperX Fan is truly an exception,” he says. “The HyperX Fan works, and works very well. It's easy to install and the bright blue LEDs will add a bit of colour to your case.”

Computers Only is releasing the Phoenix Custom PC at rAge 2009, a gaming PC incorporating the latest and greatest items. “The XFX Graphics card (supplied by Axiz) is the pillar of the Phoenix's visual performance,” says Benevento. “We have also incorporated the Western Digital VelociRaptor 10000 RPM hard drive - the fastest hard drive available at the moment. ROCCAT Gaming peripherals complete the puzzle.”