Joining the ranks of the gaming elite is a long, arduous road that requires hours and hours of practice. Yet becoming a successful esports athlete can be highly profitable.
The industry has grown due to endorsements from online gambling companies and the money flowing in from players across the globe. The esports betting industry is especially popular, so it should be no surprise that people wonder how they can get involved.
If you’re looking to get started as an esports athlete, here’s all the hardware you need to get.
High-Speed Internet Connection
It all starts with your internet connection. Lags and downtime will cripple your performance and make it near impossible for you to perform at your best. Anyone who lives in a remotely urban area should have no issues getting in touch with a dependable internet service provider and investing in a high-speed package.
Most esports players recommend a minimum download speed of 3 Mbps and a minimum upload speed of 1 Mbps, but as a general rule, the higher your speed, the better.
As with almost everything these days, do your research: check out online reviews and customer feedback to ensure that you are choosing a reputable and reliable company.
Desktop Computer
Although more and more people prefer to access the online world on their laptops, a desktop computer is a must-have for any esports athlete.
Desktop computers are much more powerful and far easier to upgrade. Look for a bona fide gaming PC with enhanced cooling capabilities. Some games have high system requirements, and an inferior desktop computer will negatively impact your performance.
Internal Hardware
Esports players need a computer with a fast CPU to keep up with real-time audio and video feeds. The clock speed of a CPU will tell you how well it can process information. It’s measured in gigahertz (GHz), and as with internet speeds, the higher, the better.
The Intel 9th Generation Core i5 processor and the AMD 4th Generation Ryzen 5 Processor are two examples of great CPUs for your gaming PC. The latter has even doubled its market share in recent years due to the quality and reliability of its tech.
Make sure your gaming PC has a minimum of 8 GB of RAM. Gamers consider this the minimum for enjoying reliable 4K resolutions. However, a serious esports player will opt for at least 16 GB of RAM.
When it comes to graphics, you’ll need to invest in a high-end graphics card that comes with at least 8 GB of VRAM and can accommodate a minimum of 144 FPS. The pros will look for a graphics card with 240 FPS to avoid ghosting.
Monitor
A decent monitor enables a high-resolution gaming experience, and ensures you can quickly and clearly see everything playing out in front of you.
Your monitor should be a minimum of 21.5 inches and offer fast refresh rates, flicker-free play, and a quick response time.
Keyboard
A mechanical keyboard is widely considered the gold standard for esports due to its reliability and responsiveness. It has a switch under each key that clicks when pressed, which helps record keystrokes.
Mouse
Your mouse is a huge part of your play. Always opt for a gaming mouse, regardless of whether you prefer a wired or wireless setup. Most gamers prefer corded mice because they’re more accurate, faster, and can stand up better to long hours of gaming.
Headset
A headset enables you to communicate with your team, whether they are in the same room as you or sitting in another country halfway across the world. Comfort is a huge priority here, because chances are you’ll be using your headset for many hours at a time.
Wireless headsets cost more, but they allow better movement and are more likely to remain futureproofed.
Focus on the headset’s audio quality and ensure it comes with noise cancellation capabilities to help minimize outside distractions. You may want to try out a few models to determine which work best for you.
Conclusion
Your hardware is essential for making the most out of your esports career. Great esports players rely on their hardware to maximize their potential. Those extra milliseconds from a gaming mouse and the durability of a mechanical keyboard can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Are you ready to upgrade your gaming setup for success?