Online Gaming And Professional Streaming Are At Your Fingertips

Gaming, Internet entertainment and computer technology have come together to build an industry upon hobbies for millions of people. Video game designers, players and people looking for something to watch have all been empowered by the high speed Internet age. If you want to contribute to the gaming as a professional gamer or media personality, you'll need a system and connection to support it. A few concepts of computer building and network connectivity can help you be prepared to make your mark on the gaming room from your own home.

Computer System Needs For Gaming And Streaming

When it comes to computers, the term 'powerful' is thrown around a bit too often. It's quite subjective and the requirements change every few months as better parts come out. Instead of trudging through multiple processor cores, stockpiles of Random Access Memory (RAM) and other information that can be found on a game's system requirements, take the time to understand why certain parts matter.

The standard computer has at least a processor, memory and a hard drive for its core components. A processor handles the complex calculations required to do anything--moving the mouse, opening a program, typing or even seeing anything aside from a blank screen.

Most modern computers have comparable parts. In order to get into the basic part of online gaming and professional streaming, simply add a video card. The video card is basically a smaller computer on a board dedicated to graphics only. The card is required for the complex graphics and instructions needed to play modern games.

If you're not building a custom computer and just trying to break into gaming and streaming, simply putting a video card into a modern, standard computer will get you into at least mid-level quality. Unfortunately, laptops/notebook computers aren't capable of having an additional video device added unless you specifically buy a device that accepts the limited selection of mobile graphics devices.

Network Requirements Are A Bit Easier

For most gamers, Internet is a question of getting a fast enough connection for everything they do. You need to be able to play the game, communicate with other players and upload your gameplay.

Most games have relatively low Internet requirements. In order to serve the most players as fast as possible, there is a niche technology science devoted to sending as much information in as small a package as possible. That way it doesn't take too long to keep you, the game server and all other gamers on the same page in the game.

The problem part is uploading a game stream and communications. For streaming high quality, you need a strong connection that can handle recording and sending a video at the same time. There's no single technical requirement, but any upload below 2 megabits per second (mbps) may be too low.

If you play team games, you'll likely be using a third party voice chat program. The demands aren't especially high for voice communications, but if the communications will be poor and distorted if the connection is weak.

Contact a high speed Internet service provider, such as Virginia Broadband, LLC, to gauge your network needs against their available plans in order to launch your gaming personality as far as possible with the just the right amount of investment.