Hardware for gamedevs / What you need

Summary

This video offers guidance for aspiring game developers on selecting the right hardware. It discusses the trade-offs between laptops and desktops, emphasizing the importance of RAM, with a minimum recommendation of 16GB. The presenter advises on storage, favoring solid-state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard drives, and suggests a minimum of 256GB for ample space. They also touch on the significance of a capable CPU, recommending at least an i5 processor, and the necessity of a dedicated graphics card for advanced graphics work. The video also stresses the importance of screen resolution, advocating for at least 1080p for accurate game development. Lastly, it provides tips on finding good deals on hardware, including checking sites like Slickdeals and considering used markets.

Takeaways

• 💻 The video discusses the hardware requirements for game development, focusing on minimum specs and potential upgrades.
• 🖥️ It compares the pros and cons of using laptops versus desktops for game development, highlighting the personal preference of the speaker.
• 💾 The speaker emphasizes the importance of RAM, recommending at least 16GB for game development, with 32GB being ideal.
• 🗂️ Storage is crucial, with solid-state drives (SSDs) being highly recommended over traditional hard drives for their speed and efficiency.
• 💽 The minimum SSD size suggested is 256GB, but 512GB to 1TB is preferred for ample space for game projects.
• 🖥️ The video suggests that a high-resolution display, preferably 1920x1080 or higher, is important for game development to match common gaming resolutions.
• 🔧 For CPUs, an i5 or greater is recommended, with the speaker noting that a very powerful CPU isn't necessary for game development but is beneficial for gaming.
• 🎮 The video briefly touches on the importance of graphics cards, suggesting that for advanced graphics work, an Nvidia or AMD GPU is preferable.
• 🔌 Having multiple USB ports is essential for plugging in various devices during game development.
• 💰 The speaker provides tips on finding good deals on laptops, including using deal websites, checking used markets, and asking around in personal networks.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The video script discusses the hardware requirements for game development, including the minimum specifications needed and recommendations for upgrades.

What is the first decision a game developer should make according to the script?

The first decision a game developer should make is whether to use a laptop or a desktop for development.

What are the benefits of using a desktop system for game development mentioned in the script?

Desktop systems offer more power for a relatively low price, but they lack portability and require additional peripherals like a monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

How much RAM does the script recommend for a game developer?

The script recommends starting with at least 16GB of RAM, with 32GB being ideal, and 8GB being the bare minimum for game development.

What is the importance of having a solid-state drive (SSD) for game development?

A solid-state drive is recommended because it is significantly faster than traditional hard drives, which improves load times for projects and games.

What is the minimum storage capacity suggested for a game developer's system?

The minimum storage capacity suggested is a 256GB SSD, but it's generally recommended to go up to a 512GB or 1TB SSD to avoid running out of space.

What processor is recommended for game development in the script?

The script recommends an i5 or greater, with i7 or newer versions being ideal, but notes that for most game development tasks, the processor doesn't need to be super powerful.

Why is screen resolution important for game developers according to the script?

Screen resolution is important because it allows developers to see their game in the resolution most players will use, which is typically 1920x1080 (1080p).

What are the script's recommendations regarding video cards for game development?

For basic game development, any AMD, Nvidia, or Intel graphics card should suffice. However, for more advanced graphics work, it's recommended to have a mobile GPU from Nvidia or AMD.

What advice does the script give for finding good deals on hardware for game development?

The script suggests looking at deal websites like Slickdeals, checking used markets like Craigslist, and asking around on social media for people who might be selling or giving away old laptops.

What is the role of Backtrace in the context of this video script?

Backtrace is mentioned as a sponsor of the video. They offer a debugging platform that helps improve game quality by automating error capture and are hosting a game Jam where participants can win a PlayStation 5.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Choosing the Right Hardware for Game Development

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on guiding beginners through the process of selecting appropriate hardware for game development. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the minimum specifications needed and offers advice on what to consider when upgrading. They invite viewers to engage by liking, subscribing, and commenting with their thoughts or questions. The speaker shares their personal experience, highlighting the trade-offs and benefits of using both laptops and desktops for development, and mentions that while they use a desktop for high-definition and Ray tracing projects, they often code on a laptop for its portability.

05:01

📊 Essential Hardware Specifications for Game Developers

The speaker delves into the critical hardware specifications for game development, starting with the recommendation of at least 16GB of RAM, noting that 32GB is ideal but not necessary for beginners. They discuss the types of storage, advocating for solid-state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard drives due to their significantly faster speeds, which are crucial for loading game files and projects. The speaker suggests a minimum of 256GB SSD storage but recommends 512GB or 1TB for ample space. They also touch on the importance of a good processor, suggesting an i5 or higher, and the significance of having a dedicated GPU from AMD or Nvidia for more advanced graphics work. Lastly, they stress the importance of screen resolution, recommending at least 1920x1080 for accurate game development visualization.

10:02

🔌 Practical Tips for Acquiring Game Development Hardware

In the final paragraph, the speaker offers practical advice on where to find good deals on the necessary hardware. They recommend checking websites like Slickdeals for discounts and setting up deal alerts. They also suggest looking into used markets, such as Craigslist, where people often sell their older laptops after upgrading. The speaker encourages viewers to ask around their social circles for anyone who might have a spare laptop they're willing to sell or give away. The paragraph concludes with a call to action to like the video, comment with additional advice or questions, and to participate in the Backtrace game Jam for an opportunity to learn and use their debugging platform.

Keywords

💡Game Development

Game development refers to the process of creating a video game. It involves several stages including design, programming, and testing. In the video, the speaker discusses the hardware requirements for individuals who are looking to get into game development, emphasizing the importance of having adequate specifications to handle the demands of game creation.

💡Minimum Specs

Minimum specs refer to the lowest level of hardware requirements needed to perform a certain task, such as running a game or software. The video aims to cover the minimum specifications necessary for a system to be used effectively in game development, suggesting that these are the baseline requirements to ensure smooth operation.

💡Laptops vs Desktops

This concept compares the two primary forms of personal computers. Laptops are portable while desktops offer more power and upgradability. The speaker discusses the trade-offs and benefits of each, sharing personal preferences and use cases for game development, such as the convenience of a laptop for coding and the power of a desktop for more intensive tasks like recording and high-definition work.

💡RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is the hardware in a computer for storing data that is being used. The video emphasizes the importance of having sufficient RAM for game development, suggesting 16GB as a minimum, with 32GB being ideal for handling larger projects or multiple tasks simultaneously.

💡Storage

Storage in computing refers to the physical or virtual storage space available on a device for saving data. The script recommends solid-state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard drives due to their faster read and write speeds, which are crucial for game development as they can significantly reduce load times for large projects.

💡CPU

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, which is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside the computer. The video suggests that while a powerful CPU is not as critical for game development as other components, an i5 or higher is recommended to ensure smooth performance, especially during compilation and gameplay testing.

💡GPU

A GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, is a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display. The script discusses the role of GPUs from AMD, Nvidia, and Intel in game development, noting that while basic game development can be done with integrated graphics, more advanced graphical work may require a dedicated GPU.

💡Screen Resolution

Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed on a screen. The video stresses the importance of having a screen resolution of at least 1920x1080 (Full HD) for game developers to accurately see and develop their games as this is a common resolution for gaming.

💡USB Ports

USB ports are connectors on computers that allow for the attachment of external devices. The script mentions the necessity of having multiple USB ports available for game development, as developers often need to connect various peripherals such as controllers and other input devices.

💡Backtrace

Backtrace is mentioned as a video sponsor and a debugging platform in the script. It is described as a service that helps improve game quality by automating error capture and providing structured, searchable error reports. The video encourages viewers to participate in a game jam hosted by Backtrace, which also offers a free tier for developers.

Highlights

The video discusses the minimum hardware specifications needed for game development.

It covers considerations for both laptops and desktops for game development.

The presenter uses a desktop for high-definition and Ray tracing work, but a laptop for most development tasks.

Backtrace is highlighted as a sponsor, offering a game Jam with a PlayStation 5 prize.

Backtrace is a debugging platform that automates error capture for game quality improvement.

The importance of RAM for game development is emphasized, with a recommendation of at least 16GB.

Solid state drives (SSDs) are recommended over traditional hard drives for their speed advantages.

A minimum of 256GB SSD storage is suggested, with 512GB or 1TB being ideal.

The video advises on the importance of the processor (CPU) for game development, recommending at least an i5.

The presenter discusses the adequacy of integrated graphics for basic game development needs.

For more advanced graphics work, dedicated GPUs from Nvidia or AMD are recommended.

Screen resolution is highlighted as crucial, with a minimum recommendation of 1920x1080.

The presenter prefers a larger screen or monitor for game development work.

Having multiple USB ports is important for plugging in various game development peripherals.

Tips for finding good deals on laptops and desktops for game development are provided.

The presenter suggests checking used markets and asking around for good deals on hardware.

The video concludes with a reminder to participate in Backtrace's game Jam and to use their platform for debugging.

Transcripts

if you've been looking at getting into

game development but you're not sure

what Hardware you need then this video

is going to be perfect for you today I'm

going to cover what the minimum specs

are that you're going to need as a game

developer and I'll also talk about some

of the things that you should consider

upgrading if you're making a purchase

now if that sounds interesting make sure

that you hit the like And subscribe

button and if you have some comments or

thoughts on the stuff that I recommend

or questions about stuff that maybe I

didn't cover drop them down below and

I'll try to answer all of them for you

the first thing that I want to talk

about is laptops versus desktops because

this is probably the first place that

people look in it's probably the biggest

decision that you're going to make there

are a lot of trade-offs when you go to a

laptop but there are also some big

benefits now personally I do my

development on both types of systems

right now I'm working and recording on a

desktop system I find that recording

works a lot better and a lot of the high

definition stuff that I end up doing if

it's in the hdrp setup where I really

need Ray tracing and advanced graphics I

find that doing that on my desktop

system works best but most of the time I

do my development on a laptop I sit

either at my desk or on a bed and I just

type away and do the stuff that I need

to do because the majority of what I'm

doing is writing code we're writing code

and a little bit of running code and as

long as the Project's not too big I

don't need a giant powerful system like

I've got here to run it but before we

get to the details I want to share an

exciting opportunity from this video

sponsor backtrace next week starting

December 9th back Trace is hosting their

fifth game Jam as usual this will be a

48 hour game Jam but this time you can

win a PlayStation 5. all while utilizing

their amazing free debugging platform

and building your game for those of you

who don't already know backtrace is a

debugging platform that helps you

improve game quality by automating error

capture it lets you capture errors from

all instances of your game and then

generate structured searchable error

reports from your data and with their

web console it's extremely easy to

analyze Monitor and debug your games

across all platforms the best thing is

that backtraces developer plan is

completely free and lets you manage up

to 25

000 errors a month so go join the jam by

clicking the link in the description and

check out backtrace to start optimizing

your error capture workflow so let's

break down the differences or the pros

and cons of each of the types of systems

that you can use with a desktop you're

going to get lots of power for a

relatively low price you also don't have

the ability to move it around and you're

going to need to get a couple other

things like a monitor a mouse and a

keyboard although with a laptop I'd

still recommend you at the very least

get a mouse because you probably don't

want to be using a trackpad too often

although most of the time when I use my

laptop to be honest I do use the

trackpad because I'm not playing games

on them I'm just writing a lot of code

but occasionally I still need to plug in

a mouse now it kind of talked about the

differences between laptops and desktops

although you probably already knew those

let's talk about the actual specs that I

recommend the first thing and probably

the most important thing or the first

thing I look at when choosing a system

is the RAM and I would recommend that

you start with at least 16 gigs of RAM

32 is great 16 is perfectly fine and if

you can get 12 and that's it then it are

okay and eight is kind of the bare

minimum if you're going below eight

you're probably gonna really struggle

even at eight it's going to be difficult

and slow so I would recommend at least

16 gigs of RAM if possible and if that's

something that you can trade up on and

get 16 you're good you don't really

necessarily need to go above 16 to 32 or

24 though it does help if you're loading

up bigger projects or multiple projects

find that one game fits perfectly fine

in 16 gigs of RAM for the most part of

course you know your game better than I

do you can probably load your game up

but if you're just getting into it and

it's brand new then 16 is a good solid

number to go with now you don't really

care about if it's DDR3 ddr4 or ddr5

it's going to be specific specific to

the system that you get and that's more

tied into the processor that you're

going to get the speed of the ram isn't

going to make a huge difference here

we'll talk about processors in a second

though because next I want to talk about

what I think is the second most

important thing that's the storage on

your device you've got a couple options

when it comes to storage you can get an

old traditional hard drive

those are the kind with the spinning

magnetic platters and that's what used

to be really common and is still in a

lot of desktop systems most laptops

though have switched over to solid state

drives and in fact most kind of mid to

high end

um yeah I'd say desktops have as well

and I would highly recommend that you go

with a solid state drive in whatever

system that you're using now the minimum

I would go with is a 256 gig SSD but I

would generally recommend going up to a

512 or one terabyte SSD so that you have

lots of room to store our store game

projects and other things without

running out of space it really sucks

when you run out of space but it is one

of the few things that's very easy to

upgrade 95 of the time there are a

couple laptops where upgrading the hard

drive is difficult but for the most part

upgrading the hard drive is almost

always going to be the probably the

easiest thing that you can operate other

than sometimes it's easier to upgrade

ram depending on systems but a hard

drive is usually the one that is almost

always available as an upgrade but I'd

still recommend a solid state drive of

at least 256 gigs ideally up to a

terabyte and the reason for the solid

state drive is pretty simple it's

drastically faster we're talking orders

magnitude faster it's going to be you

know your load up time for Windows is

going to drop way less than in half but

your startup time and load time for your

projects in your games is going to

plummet because accessing all of the

files required for your game or all of

the files that build up your game is

slow especially when you get to

thousands or tens of thousands of files

so having a solid state drive will make

it dramatically faster I I can't I don't

know emphasize this enough once you have

enough RAM solid state drive is

definitely the next most important thing

oh what else is important though

CPUs the processor in your system does

matter it doesn't make a huge difference

when it comes to building games because

most of the time when you're building

games again you're just typing you're in

a code editor you're not really beating

up that processor it's only when you're

playing the game that you're really

hitting the CPU a little bit when you're

compiling but that's a a minor small

portion of what you do nowadays most of

it is going to be the the playing and if

you end up with a CPU that's so powerful

that it's way better than everybody

else's you get false positives of it

being a great game that plays well

anyway so you don't want it to be super

powerful but I do recommend that you go

with something like an i5 or greater an

i5 an i7 or something like that in your

laptop you can get away with an I3 CPU

or the AMD equivalent but I would not

recommend going down to like the um the

old school Core 2 level or the the

celerons or something like that go to

something that's um at least an i5

ideally one of the slightly newer ones

although it's not going to make huge

difference you just want to have

something that's somewhat fast has a

little bit of CPU cash so I I30 work I5

is good seven or nine nine is great of

course or some of the AMD equivalents as

well so there's one other thing that I

think well actually I lied there are two

other things that are very important I

just mentioned AMD and you're probably

thinking what about video cards because

there's AMD cards or Nvidia cards

available and there's also Intel cards

available that are using the on onboard

GPU that's kind of built into the

processor all three of those will work

okay depending on the type of game that

you want I would

recommend um well let's talk about this

a little bit let's pull back and freeze

for a second if you're building a game

and you don't really know what the game

is you don't have any specific

requirements graphically you just know

that it's going to be a 3D game then

either AMD or an Nvidia card or an Intel

graphics card will probably work just

fine for you if you're just getting

started and you're not going to really

try to push the edge or push the

boundaries of anything visually you just

want to make some 2D games or you want

to make some simple 3D stuff that's not

you know like I said not really pushing

the edges of game development or even

coming close to the edges if you want to

start doing more advanced Graphics work

though then I would recommend that you

go with something that has one of Nvidia

or amd's mobile gpus and it doesn't have

to be a super high-end GPU just one of

them either one of those brands on there

and you're probably going to end up just

fine there's something that I think is

even more important if you're a game

developer though it's very related is

the screen resolution if you end up

getting a laptop which can totally fine

option make sure that the resolution is

at least 1920 by 1080. most people are

going to be playing games in that 1080p

resolution the 1920x1080 and you want to

be able to actually develop and see your

game in that resolution my recommended

or preferred is something like 1990

1920 by 1200 there we go so that you

have a couple extra pixels you got some

room for the bar down below you can see

your game and still have the extra room

for toolbars and things in there but

having at least full screen or at least

full resolution full HD I think is very

important if you don't have that and you

have a laptop that has an external GPU

option or an external output like an

HDMI cable you can plug in then just get

an external monitor that's at least

1080p because you're going to see a huge

difference in your performance if or

your workflow if you don't have to scale

everything down I generally recommend a

much larger monitor my ideal and the one

that I'm using right now is a 49 inch

Ultra wide that's

51 something by

1440. I've lost track of my resolutions

and my math is failing me right now

because I'm looking at too many numbers

in front of me but you get the idea nice

big resolution is important I generally

like a large single screen with a big

resolution over multiple monitors

because I find it easier to work with

but either one will work the last thing

that I think that you need to make sure

you've got is at least just a couple of

open USB ports super simple to deal with

but some laptops really struggle with

this or have like one or two USB ports I

would recommend ideally having more or

at least to have a USB hub ready so you

can split off because when you're doing

game development you're going to start

plugging in a bunch of random devices

eventually controllers and other

different types of things maybe you

won't but I definitely do I plug in I

don't know every port I think on the

back of my system is full plus a couple

in the front and the Hub so I I would

say make sure you have at least a couple

ports so I mentioned at the beginning

that I would also give a couple tips on

places to get good deals on these things

so if you're looking for laptops there

are a couple things that I would

generally do the first is I always look

at slick deals it's a great place to

just find deals on random stuff it's

something I've been using for I don't

know maybe a decade or more now and

first thing I'll do is just go search on

there maybe add in a deal alert and let

it just email me and notify me if

something close to what I want comes up

so if I want a laptop with you know 16

gigs of RAM I'll put in laptop 16 GB and

do a search and then maybe do an alert

and see if I can find something good

there another great place though is like

Craigslist or the used markets because I

find that a lot of people unload their

old laptops after they get new ones

especially after the holidays when all

the new stuff everybody got a new laptop

and they want to get rid of their

three-year-old laptop the one I'm using

is probably like five six seven years

old and it works great so it doesn't

have to be a brand new device as long as

it works and it's functional you can get

a really good deal on something used

there the other final bit of or last

place I would recommend is just um ask

around because probably on your social

media your Facebook or whatever other

things you use that you've got a couple

friends on there who may have upgraded

their stuff and they've got old laptops

laying around I know it's happened to me

multiple times and I just when I find

them I give them away to the first

person that I know that needs a laptop

so if you're looking for them you know

those the general places that I would

recommend looking for now if you watch

this video and you liked it please hit

the thumbs up button and if you have

some advice or thoughts on other things

that like that I might have missed in

the specs or good ways to get good deals

on these things please drop a comment

down below and let me and everybody else

know all right thanks again for watching

and I'll see you in the next one also

don't forget to check out backtrace and

join their game Jam that starts next

week on December 9th this is a great

opportunity to learn how to use their

platform and start automating your debug

and crash analysis workflow so go join

now by clicking the link in the

description