If you’re researching and scouring the internet for advice on what starter PC you should invest in, you’ve found the review you need. I spent months looking for a decent starter PC which would allow me to play all my games and store my content effectively while maintaining speed and quality. I wanted something that was visually appealing and functional. Personally, I’m a broke college kid who needed an outlet to balance school and fun. I wasn’t sure where to begin my search, and had no idea what requirements and features were required to have an effective and quality PC.
In this review, I’m putting you in the same position as me when I started looking through the PC marketplace. When beginning the search for your first PC, the search can be incredibly overwhelming and daunting. However, you are doing an amazing job searching if the internet miraculously placed you with this item.
Let’s break down the features of the PC. This computer is a pre-built, which means there is no assembly required on your part. There’s a plethora of components that make a PC worth buying, and I’m going to break down the specifics of each component and how they correlate to the performance and quality of your gaming.
The primary function of any PC is the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU, also known as the processor, is responsible for executing and refining the power of the computer and directly affects how fast your computer, or computer games, run. The CPU also processes the inputs from the user. The CPU included in this pre-built is an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3rd Generation.
Another important factor in the PC is the RAM. RAM stands for random access memory. The purpose of RAM is to store short term data and allow the computer to process applications properly. RAM’s data is temporarily stored while applications are currently operating, like having a game playing. This PC includes an 8 GB card, which means if your game requires around 8 GB of RAM, your game will function and run properly. If you’re not sure about a game’s required RAM, the developers include those requirements in the breakdown and analytics of each game. The RAM only holds the contents of the game for the duration you are playing. Once the application is shut off, the RAM is no longer active.
While RAM is temporary storage, the hard drive processor is not. The hard drive is responsible for keeping your saved digital storage. For example, the space required for saving your game or Microsoft Office software. The hard drive also stores pictures, videos, and the applications you have downloaded on your PC. Hard drives can be external or internal, which means saving data to an external memory device or to the PC itself, and the contents can be deleted or cleared once you no longer need them. The hard drive included in this pre-built is a 500 GB SSD card.You can store up to 500 gigabytes of content as soon as you start up the PC.
While those features are required for every PC, even for basic processes and storage, this review will highlight the rest of the features through a gaming perspective since this is a gaming PC. The graphics card is responsible for rendering the images and content in a game and running them effectively. It renders the movements, animations, inputs, and images that are in a game through a series of fast acting calculations completed internally in the PC. The graphics card included in this PC is a GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6G GDDR5, which holds 6 GB of RAM.
If you are a little confused about whether or not your graphics card is going to make or break your gaming experience, multiple YouTube creators offer a compilation of benchmark videos with clips and segments from video games with demanding animation and experiences. The benchmark videos include multiple different video games from varying genres that allow gamers to evaluate how well the game is running and performing according to the graphics card.
In regard to usability and functionality of the PC, the developers include a detailed pamphlet that illustrates how to properly connect your PC to a monitor, how to enable your microphone and speakers, and the purpose of each feature throughout the PC. The PC does require a three-prong plug, and I recommend plugging the cord into a direct power source, like a wall outlet, instead of a surge protector or extension cord.
When plugging in a monitor, there are two different HDMI ports on the back of the PC for up to 2 different monitors to be used simultaneously. Computer speakers should have a USB port to plug into the back of the PC, and headsets unfortunately require a splitter to listen to music and use a microphone concurrently. Splitters are cords that connect to the aux section of your headphone cord, and it divides this cord into two auxiliaries that can be plugged into two corresponding holes. The PC permits one USB powered keyboard and one USB mouse. These assets are included in the Amazon listing.
This PC in particular is incredibly visually appealing. It features a white tower, which is the casing around all the important parts of the PC, with a tempered glass window on the side to look into the tower. It also has multiple RGB lights and various functions. There are seven varying lighting functions to encourage individuality and styles. Located around the lighting fixtures are three fans to cool the system down. The fans blend in with the circular lighting fixtures. The PC is very cohesive in design, and incorporates each feature into the overall aesthetic of the computer.
Overall, I believe this PC is a quality starter PC within its budget of $1200. It strives in multi-tasking, allowing the user to edit documents while having a YouTube video or music running in the background. I have been using this system for school and gaming for around eight months, and have had no issues with it. I give it an A for price point, functionality, and visual appeal. I believe this is an ideal PC for a casual gamer who wants something to balance work and entertainment with.
| Standing screen display size | 1 |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz core_i5 |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MHz |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB SSD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | 4060 |
| Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 8 GB |
| Wireless Type | 802.11ac |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 1 |
