Can You Do Schoolwork on a Gaming PC? 10 Non-Gaming Uses
Is your child asking you for a gaming PC? Are you worried about needing a second computer for his or her schoolwork? A gaming PC is just an ordinary computer beefed up for gaming, so can you do school work on it as well?
You can do school work on a gaming PC as it is just an ordinary computer but with better specifications – faster speeds, better graphics, and more powerful processors. In addition to gaming, you can use a gaming PC for anything, including office work, school work, graphic design, and video editing.
This article will discuss the differences between a gaming PC and a normal PC. You will learn all the things you can do on a gaming PC, no matter which Windows 10 version you have. This includes everyday tasks like office work or school work and tasks that require more processing power, such as crypto mining and music production.
Reasons to buy a gaming PC
The differences between a gaming PC and a regular PC are equivalent to the differences between a Ferrari and a Chevy: they will both get you where you need to go, but one will be much faster.
Standard PCs are designed for light use, such as internet browsing, writing documents, and streaming movies. You can even do some light gaming on a regular PC. However, standard computers struggle with tasks that require a lot of processing power. For example, graphic design, music production, crypto mining, and serious gaming require better processors.
These are some reasons why people buy gaming PCs in the first place. Of course, these machines are far more powerful than your average desktop. However, although gaming PCs are often explicitly bought for gaming, you can still do mundane tasks such as schoolwork or office work. It is a computer, after all, with internet access, graphics, and processing power, so it can do everything a regular computer can do. It just does those things better.
Let’s take a look at how a gaming PC is better than a regular desktop.
Better graphics
Modern games are highly realistic, and some almost look like movies. These games required good graphics, which only gaming PCs can deliver.
The most remarkable difference between a gaming PC and a regular PC is the graphic processing unit (GPU), which accelerates computer graphics processing. This unit makes it easier for your computer to render realistic video games and improves the quality of photos, animations, and videos you look at on your computer.
So how does this help a non-gamer? As just mentioned, the photos and videos you watch on your computer will be of higher quality. Obviously, this is more of a luxury than a need, but it is still nice to have.
Maybe the average student or employee won’t need this feature for their work. Still, professionals such as graphic designers, animators, and photo or video editors will benefit from having a great GPU. The GPUs in gaming PCs allow these professionals to see their work in more detail than an ordinary computer. So if you are either a professional or dabble in these fields, you will want to buy a gaming PC with a great GPU.
A good quality monitor will be a must when purchasing a gaming computer. I have written three articles on various gaming monitors to suit your budget and requirements. Please refer to the recommended products page to select an article.
More powerful processors
Ever notice how your computer significantly slows down when you have too many programs open? Or are there certain tasks that instantly slow down your computer or don’t work at all? That means your computer doesn’t have a processor powerful enough to meet your needs.
A powerful central processing unit (CPU) is crucial if you use your computer for demanding tasks. A CPU is responsible for executing every task you ask of it—opening programs, showing photos, playing video games, etc. So your CPU is in charge of it all.
Modern gaming has become incredibly taxing for computers, which is why gaming PCs exist at all. Gaming PCs are built with the best CPUs, guaranteeing that they can handle any program or task you throw at it. If nothing else in this article convinces you to buy a gaming PC, this point will. If your computer runs slow when asked to do your everyday tasks, you need to upgrade your PC.
A gaming PC’s CPU will rarely let you down. It is built to run games with realistic graphics and execute hundreds of commands at a time. Therefore, it can efficiently run routine tasks and operations at a greater speed than an ordinary computer.
RAM
Another reason why your computer may be slowing down while you’re working is that it doesn’t have enough Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is a short-term memory storage space that a computer uses to place data that it is currently working on. You can think of RAM as a workbench: the bigger the bench, the more work you can do at one time.
If your computer struggles with multitasking, then you need a computer with more RAM. RAM is essential if your profession requires you to use multiple programs at the same time. Graphic design and video editing are two examples of professions that require a large amount of RAM.
Most standard PCs only have enough RAM for simple tasks and internet browsing. However, if your work or hobbies are more intensive and require more applications open simultaneously, you will want to get a gaming PC with a lot of RAM.
Standard computers have an average of 8GB of RAM, but gaming PCs can contain up to 32GB of RAM.
Premium sound
Gaming PCs come with premium sound quality, designed to immerse you in the game you are playing. However, you don’t need to be an avid gamer to enjoy this benefit.
As mentioned, the sound quality of your Spotify sessions or YouTube binges will increase significantly. If you love listening to music while you work, you will love the audio that comes with a gaming PC. But, as with graphics, this may also be a luxury more than a need.
However, if you need to listen to audio files or videos for your work or schoolwork, the premium audio of a gaming PC will come in handy. Furthermore, better audio is a massive benefit to those who produce music or edit videos.
Cons of a gaming PC: Price
With more power comes higher prices. This is the only downside of buying a gaming PC: gaming PCs are far more expensive than regular desktops.
A standard desktop computer (excluding the costs of monitor and accessories) can cost anywhere from $300 to $1000, with the average computer costing only about $500-$700. Gaming PCs typically range anywhere from $800 to $2000. Gamers who are tech-savvy often build their PCs to save money, but most consumers are not interested in this option.
If you are only using a computer for more routine tasks such as using spreadsheets, word documents, and browsing the internet, then you may not want to invest in a gaming PC. However, if you need more processing power, faster speeds, better graphics, and premium audio, you will need to invest in a high-end computer.
Of course, a second-hand gaming computer is also an option, but I would recommend buying one from a reputable store that can offer some kind of warranty.
If you buy one privately, consider reading my other article about things to look over when buying a used computer.
Gaming computers also use more power. Now, you may not notice much of a change in your monthly power bill, depending on how you use it. But if you would like to know more, please read my other post explaining how much power a gaming computer uses.
10 Non-gaming uses for gaming PCs
There are so many benefits to owning a gaming PC. Though all the advantages mentioned were designed for the ultimate gaming experience, these benefits also enhance everything you can do on the computer. Most people buy gaming PCs for the games but find that the non-gaming tasks benefit as well.
Below are some everyday tasks performed on gaming PCs by non-gamers. These tasks are broken down into routine computer tasks and tasks done in more technical professions.
Routine Tasks
1. Schoolwork
Yes, your child can do their homework on a gaming PC. You’re probably skeptical of buying a gaming PC, as it seems like a huge expense just for video games. But this computer possesses everything else your child needs in a computer. Lessons through Zoom, researching the internet for a report, and reading an e-textbook for a class are all possible with a gaming PC.
As long as you have a good internet connection and your child is good at prioritizing school over gaming, they should have no issue doing their school work on a gaming PC.
2. Office work
Excel sheets, Word Documents, and Powerpoint are all also available on a gaming PC. But, of course, any software that works on a normal computer will work even better with a higher-end computer.
In fact, it will be even easier to do your work on a gaming PC than on a normal computer. If your job requires you to multitask, the increased RAM and CPU will be a huge benefit for your career. Also, if you’re like me and need over a dozen internet tabs open at any time but don’t want your computer to slow down and constantly overheat, a gaming PC will help you immensely.
3. Browsing the internet
As mentioned, due to the increased RAM and better processors, you will have a much easier time browsing the internet. If you need multiple tabs open to research for schoolwork, performing multiple tasks at work, or just because you like having many tabs open, you won’t have any issue using a gaming PC.
4. Streaming
Streaming platforms and YouTube videos have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Gaming PCs enhance these experiences with better graphics and premium audio. With a gaming PC, you can watch your favorite shows and streams in incredible quality.
Technical professions
5. Graphic design
The incredible graphics found on a gaming PC are a huge benefit to any graphic artist. These graphics enhance the quality of images and animations, making it easier for graphic artists to design and edit their work. Furthermore, graphic artists will get better color accuracy on a gaming PC than a normal PC.
6. Video editing
Video editors require great graphics, a high-quality processor, and lots of RAM. Video editing is a processor-heavy task, so editors need the best CPUs for their profession. You will often see professional YouTubers (especially in the gaming genre) use their gaming PCs to edit their videos. Standard computers are rarely up to the task of video editing, so professionals depend on gaming PCs.
7. Crypto mining
Almost everyone has heard of cryptocurrency by now, but very few people realize what’s involved. Crypto miners use computers and cryptographic processes to solve complex functions and record data to a blockchain. Cryptocurrency is the reward for that process.
Crypto mining is a processor-heavy task that certainly isn’t for standard computers. Many people involved in crypto mining either build their own PCs to handle the workload or invest in high-end computers.
Gaming PCs come with top-of-the-line processors, which makes them a great option for crypto mining. So if you’re interested in getting involved in this process, a gaming PC will be a perfect option.
8. Programming
Professionals in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and similar fields can greatly benefit from a gaming PC. Unfortunately, programming tasks in these fields often require lots of RAM and processing power, and standard computers are rarely sufficient.
Programming complex tasks can easily overwhelm a normal computer, so professionals in these fields need a computer that they can depend on. In addition, a computer that crashes often can ruin a program made by developers, so these professionals need a computer to handle their workload.
9. Photo editing
As with graphic artists, photographers and image editors will benefit from the advanced GPUs found in gaming PCs. Gaming PC graphics enhance the quality of photos and make it easier to edit images professionally.
10. Music production
Since gaming PCs are designed to be entertainment centers, they are built with premium sound. This is incredibly useful for anyone involved in the technical side of the music industry.
Music editors and producers need to hear their music clearly to make the best edits and changes. Therefore, a standard computer does not suffice. Furthermore, the programs used by these professionals often require a lot of processing power, making a gaming PC the perfect option for these tasks.
Conclusion
Choosing between a gaming PC and a normal PC is an easy option. If you are looking for enhanced graphics, premium sound, faster speeds, and an overall better computer experience, getting a gaming PC is the best option.
Anything you do on a standard computer, you can do on a gaming PC. For example, schoolwork, office work, internet browsing, and streaming are all activities you can do on a gaming PC, but with enhanced visuals and speed instead. Furthermore, you can do more intensive tasks such as graphic design, crypto mining, and programming without all the hiccups that a standard computer would give you.