A gaming desktop computer will require a bunch of different features that a regular desktop computer won't ever need. While this may result in a much faster computer, it will also require you to do a lot more research before you buy your computer. There are a lot more "fine points" that you need to consider when you purchase a desktop computer for gaming, but there are also a few tricks that the stores won't let you in on. First, a fast processor is a must. Games today have a lot more going on than they used to, and that means that you need a computer that can keep up with everything. Everything from shadows to the resolution settings you use has an effect on your computer's performance, and you need to take that into account when buying a new gaming computer. Make sure that the video and audio cards in the desktop are up to snuff with what's required by the games you want to play. If you're not that well versed in technological lingo, the best way to check the capabilities of a specific computer is to check out one of the system requirements labs online. If the computer is hooked up to the internet, find one of these labs and let it run a diagnostic on the computer. This will show you if it will play the games you want it to play. Also, keep in mind that just because a computer isn't a "gaming" desktop computer doesn't mean it won't play your favorite games perfectly well. Even if your processor or graphics card isn't "good enough" to run the game, you can still tweak a few things to make any game work. For example, if you use a lower resolution when you're playing the game, then the load on your system is not as intense. You can also turn off shadows and other "extra" graphical features of games to help streamline things. You want to buy a gaming desktop computer because you want to have fun, not because you want to spend days and weeks belaboring every single aspect of a computer. By using these tips, you'll be able to find a decent gaming desktop computer without spending a fortune.