PC gaming is fantastic, but can it hold its own against console games? After all, can a PC truly replace a console like the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5? Well, it’s possible. Everything you need to know about converting your PC into a gaming console is right here.
Can You Turn Your PC into an Actual Game Console?
The answer is no if you’re hoping to convert your PC into an Xbox One or a PlayStation 4. It is not possible to convert your PC into an Xbox One or PlayStation 4 gaming console. Regardless, there are ways to convert your computer into a PC game console. To do so, you’ll need:
To do so, you’ll need:
• A computer that can run modern operating systems like Windows or Linux;
• A suitable GPU or GFX card;
• An HDMI cable to link your PC to a TV; and
• Good game controllers.
• Steam: Steam is pretty much the only option for a console-style interface.
• Let’s build on this list to get you ready to convert a regular PC into a dedicated gaming console.
Can Your PC Run Console-Level Games?
First, check sure your machine is capable of handling the task. It could be a desktop, laptop, or even a home theatre PC that you constructed yourself. It makes no difference as long as it can play the games you desire. While a video game may be played on almost any computer, some outdated technology may cause issues. Old CPUs and juddery hard disc drives, for example, will result in a dismal PC game console experience.
Opt for new or recent hardware:
CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU or newer RAM: DDR4 RAM should be at least 8GB in your system.
Storage: Use a SATA SSD or a slimline NVMe or SATA 3 M.2 drive with 1TB of storage for the greatest performance.
GPU: Although this is a debatable topic, as a general guideline, aim for the best performance from the graphics card that is best matched to your motherboard.
Do you want to give your PC a complete makeover for gaming? These upgrades will have the greatest impact on PC performance. If you’re on a tight budget, our list of the top cheap graphics cards will come in handy.
Install an Operating System on Your PC Game Console
You’re almost certainly going to use Windows for your PC gaming console. After all, you probably already have a licence if you’re using an existing PC. However, if you’re creating your own PC game console from the ground up, you won’t have access to a copy of Windows. What’s the alternative? Linux. Linux is a free operating system that does not require the purchase of a license. While Windows 10 costs roughly $100, Linux variants like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Arch Linux, and others are completely free. While Steam works great on Linux, you can save time by using SteamOS instead. This is a version of Linux that comes pre-installed with Steam and is designed primarily for gaming.
It’s worth noting that playing games designed for Windows on Linux can cause the system to crash.
Find the Best Controllers and a Wireless Keyboard
You’ll need something to experiment with with your hardware setup. This could be a keyboard and mouse, or a USB or wireless controller. Of course, it will be determined by the types of games you wish to play. Other console controllers should function just fine on your PC gaming console. Choose a controller and search for it in connection to your operating system of choice to see if it’s compatible. It’s easier to choose a controller than to present an entire list of consoles over the past 20 years. There are several created guidelines on the internet for connecting Xbox One and Playstation 4 controllers to a Windows PC to save you time.
Conclusion:
You can utilize your computer as a game console whether you have a high-end PC or a system that is more suited to cloud gaming. It may necessitate some careful planning for more hardware or a gaming subscription, but it’s becoming a more realistic option. Your PC can give you the entire game console experience if you have the appropriate setup, decent controllers, and a smart TV, not to mention good audio.
