PC gaming has grown in popularity a lot in recent years, especially as it’s easier than ever to build your own powerful gaming PC. Although there are still plenty of people that swear by console gaming, there are undeniable benefits to gaming on a desktop computer: you can get better graphics, you can customize games, and you are less limited in terms of the games that you can play.
However, if you want to get the most out of PC gaming, you need to build the right setup, and there are a lot of different elements that go into it. The right PC, desk, gaming chair, mouse, and keyboard, are all important – but people often overlook the operating system. There are a number of operating systems to choose from, so which is best for gaming?
In this article, we will go through some of the important things to consider when choosing an operating system for gaming, and then look at some examples of possible operating systems.
How do you Choose an Operating System?
The first thing to consider when choosing an operating system (OS), is the computer you have, and what the default operating system is. If you are not that confident with computers and you don’t want to install a new OS, it might be best to stick with what you have. So, if you have a Mac, for example, go with macOS. Otherwise, it’s probably going to be Windows.
Next, you need to consider what kind of games you want to play. If you are only playing simple indie games or casino games in your browser, like the ones shown on this website, for example, you don’t need an especially powerful operating system. Casino games have relatively simple graphics and can be played directly in the browser, on any operating system. However, if you want to load up a brand new AAA game, it’s a different story. Modern video games with incredible graphics, require a lot of power to run smoothly, and only certain operating systems will be able to handle them properly.
Finally, consider what your budget is. Some operating systems are more expensive than others and you need to find an option that you can realistically afford.
If you weigh up all of these factors, you can find the right operating system for your gaming needs. Now, let’s look at what options you have.
Windows 11
Windows 11 is the default operating system on new PCs. It’s the latest version of Windows, and one of the best versions. It also has some excellent features that make it ideal for gaming. Xbox is a Microsoft company, so Windows 11 is completely integrated with Xbox Live, and you have access to lots of games through the Xbox Game Pass. You can also easily use your Xbox controllers on Windows 10 and 11. So, if you want a console gaming experience with the benefits of PC gaming, Windows 11 is ideal.
As long as you have a fairly decent computer, the performance and graphics on Windows 11, are very reliable. The other great thing, is that it’s already preloaded onto most PCs, so you won’t need to pay extra for another operating system.
MacOS
MacOS is the default operating system for Apple Mac computers, and it only runs on Apple products. In the past, macOS was not particularly gamer-friendly, and the general consensus was that Windows was the way to go. However, recent versions of it are improving and it is still a fairly solid choice with a lot of good games to play.
User experience is always a priority for Apple, and this shows in macOS. It’s sleek and easy to use, and it looks great. However, gaming is not a priority, so the graphics card and GPU in a Mac, are not as good as they would be in a custom-built Windows PC. So, if you are a general gamer that isn’t concerned about top of the line graphics, and you have a Mac, you can make do with the basic operating system. But if you want it to look as crisp as possible, consider other operating systems.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is one of the top Linux operating systems and it is completely free. It is not optimized for gaming, and although it will handle simple games, you won’t be able to play any graphically impressive, modern titles on it. That said, if you are looking for a budget option and you mainly play indie games, this is a good choice.
Overall, Windows 10 is the best choice for gamers, especially if you want to play AAA games. But for a more casual gamer, macOS works just fine. Ubuntu should only really be used if you play simple indie games and you want to save money.
