How to optimize your gaming PC setup

PC gaming isn’t just about playing, it’s about creating an experience that’s fast, immersive, and personal. Your gaming PC setup is your arena, your stage, and your engine for performance. With the right mix of components, accessories, and software, you can transform a simple desk into a powerful command center.

There’s even a new class of Windows devices—Copilot+ PCs—built to take gaming performance further. This article will guide you through the must-have components, tools, and tips to build your ultimate gaming PC setup, and show you why Copilot+ PCs are the smart choice to bring it all together.

Core hardware that powers every win

Your hardware is the backbone of your setup, the foundation that decides how fast your games load, how smooth they run, and how long your system lasts. Get these choices right, and everything else in your rig will perform better.

CPU and GPU

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is your PC’s brain. It handles game logic, physics calculations, AI, and all the background tasks while you play. A strong CPU means smoother multitasking and fewer slowdowns when your game gets intense.

The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is the muscle. It renders the images, effects, and animations that make modern games look stunning and run at high frame rates. The GPU is usually the single-most important component for gaming performance.

Minimum and recommended specs

• Entry-level gaming (1080p, medium settings)
  • CPU: At least a modern quad-core like AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-12400
  • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super or AMD Radeon RX 6600
• Mid-range gaming (1440p, high settings)
  • CPU: 6-core or better, such as AMD Ryzen 5 7600 or Intel Core i5-13600K
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti / 4060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
• High-end/4K gaming
  • CPU: 8-core or better, like AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel Core i7-13700K
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

Tip: Pair your GPU with your monitor’s refresh rate. If your monitor tops out at 144 Hz, you won’t see a benefit from a GPU that can push 240 fps—save your budget for faster storage or a better cooling solution.

If you’d rather skip the part-matching headache, Copilot+ PCs come pre-configured with the latest CPUs, GPUs, and thermal designs tuned for gaming, so you can dive straight into the action.

RAM and storage

Think of RAM as your PC’s short-term memory and storage as its long-term library.

• 16 GB is plenty for most games.
• 32 GB is ideal for serious players who run the most demanding titles or use heavy mods.

An SSD is essential for fast boots and quick level loads—aim for at least 1 TB if you keep a large game library.

Did you know? Copilot+ PCs are built with the speed of SSD-first architecture, so you’ll feel the difference every time you boot up or load into a new world.

Motherboard

For gaming, a motherboard's minimum requirements are defined by compatibility with your chosen CPU, RAM, and storage. Key factors include the CPU socket for your processor, support for the right RAM type (e.g., DDR4 or DDR5) and speed, and storage interfaces like M.2 for SSDs. Beyond compatibility, a gaming motherboard needs robust power delivery, enough expansion slots, and adequate connectivity for peripherals and networking.

Helpful hint: Cable management isn’t just for neat freaks. Tidy cords mean better airflow, cooler temps, and longer component life.

Software that amplifies your gaming PC experience

In addition to strong hardware, Windows 11 brings gaming to life with speed, visuals, and the broadest support in the industry.

• Unmatched compatibility: Windows runs the widest range of PC games and works seamlessly with virtually any gaming hardware or peripheral.
• Deep customization: From performance tweaks to interface mods, Windows 11 lets you tailor settings for max frame rates or a perfectly themed desktop.
• Vibrant community: A massive ecosystem of gamers and modders means endless tips, tools, and troubleshooting help.

Together, these strengths set the stage for gaming technologies built into Windows 11—powerful features that take your hardware to the next level.

DirectX 12 Ultimate

DirectX 12 Ultimate¹ is Microsoft’s latest graphics technology standard for Windows PCs and Xbox. It’s a set of low-level programming tools that let games talk directly to your graphics card, unlocking advanced visual effects and faster performance.

With DirectX 12 Ultimate, developers can use cutting-edge features like real-time ray tracing, variable rate shading, and mesh shaders. These deliver lifelike lighting, sharper details, and smoother gameplay—so games don’t just look better, they feel more immersive.

DirectStorage and Game Mode

DirectStorage is a Windows technology that lets your graphics card pull game data straight from an NVMe SSD instead of routing everything through the CPU first. The result: much faster load times and seamless transitions in large, detailed game worlds.

Game Mode is a built-in Windows setting that automatically prioritizes gaming tasks. It reduces background activity, allocates more CPU and GPU power to the game you’re running, and helps maintain steadier frame rates.

Hint: Turning on Game Mode is one of the quickest ways to give older rigs a small but noticeable boost.

On Copilot+ PCs, these features run at full potential, making every transition seamless.

Game Bar and Edge Game Assist

Game Bar puts recording, streaming, and performance tracking at your fingertips with a single keystroke. Add Edge Game Assist (preview) and walkthroughs, tips, and guides appear right where you need them.²

Auto HDR and Dynamic Lighting

Auto HDR upgrades older titles with brighter highlights and richer colors³, while Dynamic Lighting syncs your accessories and screen to the game for a fully immersive environment.

Did you know? HDR monitors can reveal hidden detail in dark scenes, helping you spot rivals before they spot you.

Accessories that amplify gaming PC performance

The right peripherals don’t just look good—they give you an edge. They can make your inputs sharper, your visuals smoother, and your entire setup more immersive.

Monitors

A great monitor makes every frame count. When choosing a gaming display, pay attention to these key specs:

• Refresh rate (Hz): How many times the screen updates per second.
  • 144 Hz is a solid baseline for smooth play.
  • 165 Hz–240 Hz benefits competitive shooters or fast-action games.
• Response time (ms): The time a pixel takes to change color.
  • 1 ms–3 ms is ideal for gaming, reducing ghosting and motion blur during fast action.
• Panel types:
  • IPS: Excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles—great all-round choice.
  • VA: Deeper contrast and richer blacks, though slightly slower response than IPS.
  • OLED: Superb contrast and near-instant response, with true blacks and vibrant colors, but can cost more.

Add HDR support and every detail—from bright sunlight to deep shadows—pops with realism, bringing your games to life.

Keyboards and mice

Your input devices are your direct link to the game, so precision matters.

• Mechanical keyboards: Offer crisp, tactile feedback and faster actuation than membrane keys, giving you more control in competitive play. Switch types—linear, tactile, or clicky—let you choose between smooth keypresses or audible feedback.
• Gaming mice: Adjustable DPI (dots per inch) lets you fine-tune cursor sensitivity for different genres. Higher DPI is great for quick camera movements; lower DPI gives steadier aim in shooters.
• Extra features: Look for programmable side buttons, customizable RGB lighting, and weight tuning for a truly personalized setup.

Pro tip: Many pros lower DPI for precision aiming—accuracy beats raw speed every time.

Headsets

Great audio can change how you play as much as how you listen.

• Surround sound: Pinpoint enemy footsteps or distant gunfire for a competitive edge.
• Drivers and frequency range: Larger drivers (40–50 mm) deliver richer bass and clearer highs, bringing explosions and ambient sounds to life.
• Microphones: Choose noise-canceling or directional mics so your squad hears you clearly, even in chaotic matches.
• Comfort: Lightweight frames and memory-foam earcups keep long sessions comfortable.

Controllers and handhelds

Sometimes a game just feels better with a controller or on the go.

• Controllers: Xbox Wireless Controllers connect to Windows seamlessly via Bluetooth or USB, offering precise analog sticks, responsive triggers, and full button remapping through the Xbox Accessories app.
• Handheld PCs: Windows-based handheld devices let you take your full game library anywhere while maintaining compatibility with your favorite accessories.
• Customization: Windows supports extensive control mapping and vibration settings, so you can tailor the feel of every button and trigger to your play style.

Stay connected, stay competitive

Smooth gameplay doesn’t stop at your desk—it depends on how you connect. Strong connectivity ensures you don’t lose the match to lag or interruptions. A wired internet connection is still the gold standard for stability and low latency, especially in competitive play.

Level up your gaming setup with a Copilot+ PC

A great gaming experience is built piece by piece—powerful core hardware, optimized software, accessories that give you an edge, and connectivity that keeps you in the action. Put them together, and you get more than a setup—you get an arena that’s uniquely yours.

But when you want those pieces working at their absolute best, Copilot+ PCs take everything further. Faster than MacBook Air M4 and up to 5x faster than a 5-year-old Windows device,⁴ they’re designed to maximize every Windows gaming feature, from DirectStorage to Auto HDR.

Game smarter. Game faster. Game your way. Start your next adventure on a Copilot+ PC today.