4KB of RAM put Apollo 11 on the moon. Today, this author’s RTX3060 powered beast with its 40GB of RAM wouldn’t be able to open an internet browser with that. Wait, that doesn’t sound like a bragging point like I thought it did. But I digress. The modern gaming PC is a marvel of engineering. From humble beginnings in the 1950s to what has today become a point of contention between two global superpowers, gaming PC components have come a long way, and boy do they have an interesting story. Five years ago, would you have guessed Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) would have been a point of friction between the United States and China? And all this author wants is to play Minecraft with ray tracing on!

The gaming PC is part of a list of technologies that are referred to by the powers that be, as “dual-use.” Meaning that they can be used for more than just one purpose (go figure!). The term dual-use, however, has more sinister undertones, meaning that it represents any material, equipment or technology that has both civilian and military applications. But wait, “since when do militaries play video games?” this author hears you ask. Well, they’ve been using the gaming PC to power wargames, simulations and training simulators for decades, but that is not what the current hullabaloo is all about. On the contrary, as any nerd frustrated by a stalled gaming PC build will bear witness, it’s the GPU everyone wants. Modern GPUs have become so powerful that they are the backbone of any AI advancement. And so, since mi casa es no su casa, the Americans don’t want the Chinese to get their hands on technology that can make them competitive in a field of technology that, in the future, may come to redefine what it means to be human. Think about that the next time you play an RTX game. 

The journey from the basic Nimrod, showcased as the first gaming computer during the 1951 Festival of Britain, to today’s high-performance devices illustrates the historic progress of the best gaming PC ever made. This sequence reflects the evolution from the Atari 2600, a seminal game console of the 1970s, to the modern gaming PC with cutting-edge gaming performance, enhanced by technologies such as ray tracing, SSD storage, and powerful CPUs capable of 1440p gaming. This shift did not happen by chance; it was driven by advancements in gaming graphics cards, the development of liquid cooling systems, and the optimization of gaming peripherals such as gaming mice, all contributing to the rise of PC gaming.

With a consistent push towards enhancing RAM capacity, introducing powerful GPUs like the RTX 4070, and leveraging the capabilities of processors such as the AMD Ryzen, the gaming computer has transformed into a centrepiece of technological prowess. This article aims to chart this transformative journey. Through an exploration of historical milestones like the advent of 3D graphics, the emergence of eSports, and the onset of game streaming, we will unravel how gaming desktops have evolved from basic setups to the multifaceted, high-performance machines that epitomise the best gaming PC today.

The advent of gaming PCs signifies a crucial period in gaming technology's history, marked by groundbreaking milestones and innovations that paved the way for today's advanced gaming machines.

The journey of gaming PCs began with the Nimrod, designed by John Makepeace Bennett for the 1951 Festival of Britain. While not originally intended for gaming, the Nimrod is recognized as the first gaming computer, marking the beginning of computer-based gaming. The development of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) in 1942 demonstrated the potential of computing technology. This massive machine, occupying 1,800 square feet and weighing almost 50 tons, was a far cry from today’s sleek gaming PCs but was a crucial step in computing history.

The introduction of the IBM PC in 1981 marked a new era of computing power and compactness, setting the stage for future gaming PCs. The release of the Commodore 64 in 1982, the best-selling personal computer of all time, with over 10,000 compatible games, heralded the beginning of serious gaming. The 1980s saw the rise of first-generation gaming computers, featuring 8-bit processors with limited graphical capabilities. Iconic games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders captivated gamers, showcasing the entertainment potential of personal computers.

Early game consoles like the Magnavox Odyssey and Atari 2600, released in 1972 and 1977 respectively, played a foundational role in the evolution of gaming PCs. These consoles laid the groundwork for integrating gaming into personal computing. The personal computing revolution gained momentum with the release of consumer-friendly systems like the Apple II in 1977 and the Commodore 64 in 1982. These systems made personal computers more appealing for general use and gaming, contributing to the widespread adoption of gaming PCs. This era of innovation and development in the late 20th century set the stage for the exponential growth and technological advancements in PC gaming that would follow, transitioning from basic setups to the high-performance gaming PC that defines the best gaming machines today.

The evolution of 3D graphics and the emergence of online gaming were transformative moments in the gaming industry, dramatically changing how games were created, played, and experienced. Several key advancements occurred during this period:

The introduction of the VGA graphics standard with its 640×480 resolution and the release of OpenGL in 1992 significantly advanced the development of first-person shooter (FPS) titles. This era saw the birth of games that could render environments in three dimensions, offering gamers a new level of immersion and realism.

The first 3D games, like Maze War and Spasim in the 1970s, laid the foundation for the FPS genre. Maze War, in particular, pioneered 3D graphics in gaming. The 1980s introduced pseudo-3D graphics, creating the illusion of a 3D environment on a 2D plane. This technique bridged the gap between 2D and fully realised 3D gaming experiences. The first home computer game to use this 2.5D approach was 3D Monster Maze in 1981.

The 32X add-on for the Genesis/Mega Drive aimed to enhance the console’s 3D rendering capabilities but did not achieve commercial success. This period also saw debates over which games truly achieved “firsts” in technological advancements. For example, despite the marketing hype, Quake was not the first game to offer true 3D with mouselook; Bethesda’s Terminator: Future Shock held that distinction. The fifth console generation, including the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo N64, marked a definitive shift from 2D to 3D games. Iconic titles such as Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64 not only showcased the potential of 3D graphics but also became enduring classics. The launch of Doom in 1993 was another pivotal moment, introducing networked multiplayer gaming and setting the stage for the future of online gaming. This innovation allowed players to connect in ways previously unimaginable, laying the foundation for today’s vast online gaming communities.

These advancements in computing power, graphics technology, and game design philosophy ushered in a new era for gaming PCs. The rise of 3D graphics and online gaming transformed the landscape, leading to changes in server provision by publishers and the pursuit of increased gaming revenue. This period was crucial in shaping the modern gaming experience, characterised by immersive 3D environments and the global connectivity of online gaming.

In today’s gaming landscape, the modern gaming PC epitomises the pinnacle of technological advancement, delivering gaming experiences that were once beyond imagination. Let’s explore the key components and features that define the best gaming PC of today:

Essential components of a modern gaming PC

Looks matter! Customising your gaming PC

The modern gaming PC represents the zenith of gaming technology, offering a blend of high performance, extensive customization, and immersive experiences. With continuous advancements such as Unreal Engine 5 pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in 3D gaming, the future of PC gaming remains bright and promising.