The right tools make all the difference
if you want a job done right. For those that play online poker, that
means having the right PC.
When looking for a computer to grind
online sessions with, you don’t need the fanciest computer on the
market, but you do need to have an idea of what to look for.
When looking for the right PC, you are
looking for computer with good quality parts, one that is compatible
with most hardware and software, and one that will fit into your
budget.
What Do You Need?
When you start to build your computer,
the actual CPU or tower is the most important part. You do not need
to be a technical expert, but you should have some basic knowledge
about computers so you don’t overpay or get suckered into getting
things you don’t need.
Your computer is composed of the
following items:
Motherboard
Processor and RAM
Hard Drive, Sound Card, and
Network CardCase and Power Supply
Building a Solid Core
The first three things you need to
focus on are your motherboard, processor, and RAM. These are the
items on your PC that control how well it functions and your
performance will depend on these items. Remember that you get what
you pay for.
Make sure that your motherboard is
compatible with the latest versions of Windows and does not have a
lot of known compatibility issues with hardware and software. Every
motherboard will have some issues simply because there are so many
hardware and software brands out there. However, boards such as
those made by ASUS and MSI are going to be among those that have the
fewest problems.
In regards to your CPU, you are going
to want to stick with 64 bit processors to keep yourself compatible.
Also, you want no worse than a dual core processor. If you can
afford it, go with the quad core processor. As far as whether to go
with AMD or Intel, that is a matter of personal preference. AMD is
usually on the faster side, but Intel is usually more stable. The
difference in speed is probably not even going to be an issue for
online
poker gaming.
In regards to Ram, don’t even think of
going for any less than 4 gigs of RAM. The RAM will be where most of
your program processing will occur. If you can afford 8 gig or more,
that will help you in the future as programs become more memory
intensive.
Peripherals and the Rest
Once you have your core built, the rest
is really a matter of preference. For sound cards, stick with 5.1
surround sound and better unless you have a reason to need something
with better performance.
In regards to network cards, make sure
you have either an onboard card or a network card installed. If you
want to go wireless, that is fine, but there may be times where
wireless drops or you need to have a hard line.
For graphics cards, ATI or NVIDIA
(read about the pros
and cons here) are going to be your most compatible
bets. Purchase a card with a minimum of 512 megs of DDR3 ram and
Dual-DVI video outputs. If you are a high end gamer, consider buying
something with a little more power.
For your hard drive, there is no reason
to go any less than a 500 gig drive. Western Digital are among the
best drives and offer a lot of cheap options. If you shop around,
you may find a good deal and can get at least a 1 TB drive for what
you pay for most 500 gig drives.
Your power supply and case is what
keeps your power going to all systems and keeps your pc cool. A
750-watt PSU like the Ultra LSP750 should be more than enough to run
your system. In a lot of instances, a standard case with a 750-watt
power supply may be enough, but if you do a lot of gaming or lot of
graphic intensive apps, you may want a case with an extra internal
cooling system like a water-cooling unit.
Creature Comforts
Once you have your PC assembled, you
want to bring it all together with your monitors, keyboard, and
mouse. Starting with your monitors, and yes we said monitors, you
want to get a couple of 20 inch or 22 inch screens. Viewsonic offers
a solid line of monitors like the vx2262vm 22″ widescreen LCD.
The keyboard and mouse are the two
things that many skimp on when buying their PC and while that is
understandable, buying the right one can increase your overall
comfort. Microsoft has a great line of ergonomic keyboards and for
those that don’t like that style of layout can try out Microsoft’s
line of wireless keyboards.
An ergonomic mouse is almost a
requirement if you are going to do a lot of online grinding. You may
want to try a trackball style mouse like Logitech’s Trackman Wheel
mouse. They take a bit of getting used to, but they may stave off
Carpel Tunnel.
The above suggestions are just some
guidelines and you can do your own research for more specifics. If
you are the non-technical type, you will want to find a tech head or
PC shop that you trust to help in your process.