Esports has experienced a huge boom in recent years and continues to grow on a worldwide scale. One of the best aspects of such a discipline is its inclusivity. As opposed to a conventional sports league that requires one to have a certain level of talent to make it to a team, esports hopefuls need no physical ability beyond using a mouse, keyboard, or controller. All one really needs to do is be good enough at a particular video game, or at least a few of them.
Most people play games for free so the opportunity to maximize their output by playing competitively and making money off of it is very alluring. Nowadays, one doesn’t even have to be a participant in an esports event to make some cash. Tournaments could be bet on in the same way regular sports are bet on and esports picks are readily available from most of the major online sportsbooks.
If you are keen on beginning an esports career, though, having the right setup could mean the difference between a satisfying win and a heartbreaking loss. Of course, skill is the most important factor when it comes to gaming but the equipment is just as vital.
Anyone interested in getting into competitive gaming would do well to choose the optimal computer. That said, you could still engage in esports with a console; the next-gen era is already upon us, with both Sony and Microsoft releasing their latest systems last year. The PS5, though very hard to get, is an incredible machine, as is the Xbox Series X|S, which is just as hard to get one’s hands-on due to limited supply. Most pro gamers, though, use computers.
An aspiring esports player would have to choose between a laptop or desktop computer. The latter could be bought as is or built from scratch by choosing the best, most affordable parts such as CPUs, GPUs, and the best cooling system available. Monitors, mouses, and keyboards are also deserving of the best consideration, as well as headsets for communicating with fellow players.
Also very important is the selection of a gaming chair, those can set you back several hundred as the best ones are pretty pricey but your comfort is of great importance, as is your spine. A crappy chair could have you age a lot quicker than you should as they’re quite rough on your back. If you’re going to be gaming for several hours, you definitely want to be comfortable. Considering the number of time gamers spend in a seated position, it’s important to actively think about how you can improve your posture to avoid health problems and injuries. Blue light filter glasses wouldn’t go amiss either.
As it pertains to whether you should go for a laptop or desktop, here are a few things to consider: laptops allow for portability and you’d be able to set up stations in multiple locations should you please. If you’re going to be playing on a team, it would help to be as mobile as possible, and buying a gaming laptop would facilitate that. You could find a guide on picking the most suitable gaming laptops here.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo GX550LXS
Also, you wouldn’t immediately need a power source for running a laptop as it has a battery. On the downside, batteries deteriorate over time and need replacing every now and then. When it comes to replacing performance parts to improve specs, that isn’t as easy to do with a laptop, which is one of the main reasons desktops are preferred.
Desktop computers typically carry more powerful processors but those are also a lot easier to upgrade should the need arise. Unlike laptops, they aren’t meant to be moved around, which shouldn’t be an issue if you plan on playing in a single location.
Aside from changing parts, one could also upgrade keyboards and monitors since they aren’t a single unit as opposed to a laptop.
Graphics cards and processors are probably the most important things to consider when it comes to performance. Cards can be a bit tricky but the main thing is to ensure that they can facilitate the requisite resolution. For gaming, you’d need 4GB of video RAM at the very least but one exceeding 8GB would be optimal. Nvidia and AMD are the most popular manufacturers of such hardware but you could find a list of some of the best ones here.
Nvidia Tesla P40
As for processors, you’re best off with a CPU harnessing multiple cores. You’d also do well to get the fastest clock speed your wallet can afford. A processor presenting the possibility of overclocking is also great if you have a dependable cooling system. AMD also manufactures processors but Intel is the leader in that department, although the AMD Ryzen lineup has seen them do much to even the playing field.
There’s equipment available out there for the most modest of budgets but, if you want to be a competitive esports pro, it’s worth getting the best tech your money can buy.
