Windows 7 - New to PC Gaming and need advice

I have been a console gamer for a while, namely PS3 and Xbox 360. I got this computer last year an I have been toying with the idea of getting some pc games. I love first person shooters and I have also heard that adventure games are excellent on the PC.

How do most people play games on the PC? Is it keyboard and mouse or gamepad etc?
Would I need anything else to play games on the PC such as a headset that I can talk into? Is my graphics card ok for this and finally can anyone recommend some good games to invest in?

Thanks for any help in advance.

keyboard and mouse ftw! you can't beat the accuracy and controllability, especially in shooters.

a lot of games let you use an xbox controller if you prefer - especially games labelled as 'games for windows'

i use an xbox controller for my driving games, as it's more fun.

your current graphics card should play games well.

as for recomendations, it all depends what genre of games you enjoy.

there are loads of shooters, driving games, flight sims, rpg's, adventures, rts's, sport sims, massively multiplayer or more involved strategy games.

fancier controllers like steering wheels, joysticks, infra-red tracking headsets etc are also available and supported in many games. having a mouse with extra buttons on the side is very convenient too - so you can quickly pull out a knife (for example) and stab someone without scrabbling around on the keyboard looking for a certain key.

360 controller for racing and football etc etc and mouse and keyboard for shooters.

Just cause 2, assassin creed etc etc I say joypad, it's only the modern warfare type games that I use mouse and keyboard for.

Your PC will be good for playing most games max settings with good framerate.

Happy pc gaming, imo it is far better than them one trick wonder consoles

See this thread here for suggestions on games, it covers just about all decent games.

Games Titles

Thank you both for the responses. I have been thinking about this for a while and never went further than that. At least your answers will get me started and I don't need to buy much else. The only other thing is should I get a headset I can speak into and do you have any recommendations?

i would buy a headset when you think you need one - depending on what games you'll be playing online.

i can't recommend any particular set - i only use a very cheap mic myself, which is enough to communicate with my squadmates in bf2 or bfbc2. i'm also lucky living singly in a very detached bungalow, so i can crank the 5.1 sound system up even late at night without bothering anyone except some cats, chickens, ducks and a goose, so i don't need the headphone aspect of a headset.

1) Your system will play most games just fine. In the next year or so, it'll get to the point where you can't play games at max settings anymore but you should have atleast a little bit until you need to upgrade.

2) I suggest that you keep an Xbox/Xbox 360 controller for the time being so that you have time to get used to a keyboard and mouse. The keyboard and mouse are usually better, but it's really a matter of opinion.

3) The only real accessories you'll need are a third party sound card if you're an audiophile and a nice headset. Personally, I recommend the Sennheiser PC line if you want the best audio experience. The Sennheiser PC 151, 161, and 350 come with a 3 meter cord, in line volume / mic control and have amazing sound. If you really don't want a Sennheiser, I recommend the SteelSeries Siberia v2 Full Size Headset. It's the only other headset I'd buy for gaming. Granted, there are other headphones out there with decent sound quality but not many headsets (speakers w/ a mic). Here are some links to the sets I mentioned:

Sennheiser PC 151 - $40
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC1.../ref=pd_cp_e_3

Sennheiser PC 161 - $70
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Ope...8882217&sr=1-1

Sennheiser PC 350 - $130
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

SteelSeries Siberia v2 Full Size - $70
http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-51.../ref=pd_cp_e_2

Seeing that you have an i7 system it'll be good for playing games for some time. The only thing you might want to do in the immediate future is upgrade the video card.

As far as game to invest in, you already said you like first person shooters and I'm quite sure most of the popular ones that you might have been interested on X-Box have also been released PC. My point is is that you already know what's out there.

One game I will recommend is Singularity. I just finished it and must say I rather enjoyed it. It's somewhat of a sleeper and hasn't gotten the hype some of the big name titles did/do like Cyrsis, Fallout, Bioshock or even Mass Effect enjoyed.

You can check out my thoughts about it here... Anybody playing/played Singularity?

As to "gaming" headsets I don't use them, but notsograymatter has listed some good ones as I do prefer sennheiser headsets myself.

As to using keyboards, I guess it's something you get used to. Since I don't do consoles, I guess it would take me a minute or two to get used to the game controller so... Also, you can customize the keyboard settings for your games as well.

By the way I haven't had any issues with my i7 system whatsoever. See system specs.

Good luck and enjoy.

Peace

Thanks for the help. This has gave me all I need to get going.