I've been playing video games since high school. My first home computer was the now "retro" Commodore64. Hours of super 8-bit colour gaming and tape loading madness. But it wasn't just the launch of my interest in gaming that would carry into my adulthood, it also provided me with a platform to base my carer in. I've been a programmer ever since. So when PCs became more affordable and I had a little more time and money, it was only inevitable that my interest for gaming should rekindle. For me, gaming, when used wisely, is an experience like no other form of media. Video games can take you to place that's away from normal every day life to somewhere completely fictional and interactive. Unlike film or the mindless soaps on the TV, games provide a fictional "two way" interactive experience, putting you in control.

Friends do ask me why PC Gaming? The answer is simple. I'm interested in both the games and the hardware. I like to have the freedom of what I play and what I play it on. I want to be more involved and understand "what goes on” inside the box.

A gaming PC presents its own challenges and rewards over "out-of-the-box" gaming platforms. It's a satisfying feeling when you start playing the latest games on a machine which you have not only assembled, but have taken the time and effort to choose its components. It is this that I find most rewarding.

Although not the cheapest gaming platform, the gaming PC sets the standard for the ultimate video gaming experience and is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology. For this reason; a gaming PC needs to be at the forefront of cutting edge technology. Component manufacturers are constantly reviewing and updating their products making them faster and more competitive. A nightmare for all PC enthusiasts as upgrading becomes an expensive necessity. The good thing about building your own PC for gaming is that you can spend as much or as little as you want to obtain a decent PC. Careful research often reaps rewards at a snip of the cost.

PC gaming isn't for everyone. Consoles are fine of you're not too bothered about anything else other than the games but for me, the gaming is only part of it. The building and upgrading of a gaming PC is time consuming, frustrating and extremely expensive. But once the house has been re-mortgaged and your head is out of the case, it's good to put the screw driver down and get down to some serious gaming. The big question is PC gaming to be replaced by cheaper “off the shelf” consoles? Who knows? It’s more than likely, but for now it's mouse and keyboard for the win!

Enjoy my PC gaming pages.