We love a bit of multiplayer gaming mayhem here at Overclockers UK, and we’re sure you do too. But is your gaming PC up to scratch?
With single-player gaming, you only have to worry about your gaming PC running the game in question. Add multiplayer into the mix, and you’ve got additional programs to consider, connectivity issues to contend with, and extra hardware to plug in. We’re here to clear the air and make sure you know just what you need for popular multiplayer genres.
Key Features to Look Out For
What do you need to look out for when buying a gaming PC with the intent of multiplayer gaming? First of all, you are going to need a multi-core CPU that is capable of multitasking efficiently. This gaming PC is going to need to run your chosen game and communication platform in tandem– think Discord, video calls, and such – without either affecting the performance of the other. No lagging in-game, no dropping out of calls – just smooth operation all the way.
Another key factor is having audio. Most PC cases come with either dedicated 3.5mm jacks for audio in (microphone) and audio out (headphones/headset), or even a combined audio in/out jack. As such, they are able to support microphones, headphones, and headsets, so you can communicate with the squad.
Considerations
Something else to consider is the increased use of USBs for these peripherals. There is an easy solution, adding a USB hub to your set-up. You can explore our extensive collection of multi-port docking stations, including a model which has thirteen USB 3.0 ports! If you’re looking for something with more aesthetic, then there’s the Streamplify CTRL HUB 7 and Streamplify HUB DECK 5. Both of these hubs feature RGB lighting, interchangeable icons, and a port with power charging – so you can stay charged if your comms are open on a mobile device! The only question you need to ask yourself is how many ports do you need?
Finally, making sure you have high-capacity, fast storage is a must – for all walks of gaming really! Do you really want to be the teammate lagging behind because your loading screens take so long? Whilst HDDs are a great, cheaper option for bolstering bytes to hold all your media files, investing in an SSD is seriously going to speed things up. A PCIe NVMe SSD has lightning-fast read and write speeds, which will reduce boot times and loading screens. They are fantastic for storing your games and frequently used programs.
Brush up on the ins and outs of how to best instal your drives, with the OcUK Guide to Storage.
Gaming Performance
Of course, you also need a GPU that can run your favourite games. Old graphics hardware or even out of date drivers could make you an easy target or a team liability, while you’re fighting screen tearing, poor resolutions, and the like. Plus, you want to enjoy your games the way they were meant to be played!
Thankfully, graphics cards come in a range of performance tiers to suit every budget. Explore the collection at Overclockers UK!
Gaming PC Vs Gaming Laptop
You may be asking yourself, which is better for multiplayer gaming: desktop PC or laptop? Not to make life more difficult, but both are great for gaming. Especially with NVIDIA RTX 40 Series laptops, ever bridging the performance gap between hardware! Gaming PC versus gaming laptop will always come down to personal preference.
Gaming laptops are great for portability and all the peripherals you need are integrated. You know the hardware is going to work well together and you don’t necessarily need to buy all the extras. (Certainly not straight away, at least!) You can upgrade your set-up as and when you need or have the budget for it. For multiplayer gaming, they usually have high-speed storage, varied USB connectivity, a combi-audio jack, and hardware from recent generations. Easily checking off the details you need to look for.
For more tips on how to pick out the best gaming laptop for you, check out our Ultimate Guide.
Explore our range of gaming laptops.
Gaming PCs, on the other hand, are easier and cheaper to upgrade, future-proofing your investment. Components can be sourced as needed. This does require a better knowledge of which standards work together and, if moving onto a new generation, more than one component needs to be bought. We know that most of you here are PC enthusiasts, so that’s not really an issue. (Plus, we have plenty of handy guides for those who aren’t!) Additionally, we have an extensive range of gaming PCs that cover a variety of budgets, gameplay styles, and aesthetic needs. Go configurable and fine-tune the specs to suit your needs, or opt for a pre-built PC that can be delivered to your door next day*!
Looking for some upgrades? Explore all the components at Overclockers UK.
If you are in the market for a new gaming PC, check out our full range.
*Eligible for next day delivery when in stock. External factors may affect shipping.
Our Top PCs for Multiplayer Gaming
Now we’ve tackled what to look for, we’re getting to the recommendation portion of this article. We know that there is a whole plethora of multiplayer games out there. From casual to competitive, from co-op to PvP, and covering a vast range of genres to boot. Therefore, we’re breaking down a few popular gaming categories and suggesting great hardware to go with them. Read them all or skip to your favourite genre!
Casual Multiplayer Gaming
Whilst taking on the latest, intensive AAA titles is a great way to spend your time, sometimes your brain needs to unwind with more casual games. The likes of Stardew Valley, Botany Manor, and Doomsday Paradise. Chill games to relax, or a touch of controlled chaos to blow off some steam. Generally speaking, this breed of game doesn’t have the highest spec requirements. Stardew can even be run on integrated graphics and a CPU with 2GHz+ clock speeds.
Naturally, casual games can be played on higher-spec gaming PCs. But if you and your squad are all about that cosy vibe, then here are two machines well-suited for casual gameplay.
Refract Crimson Home & Office PC
The Refract Crimson was crafted for casual gaming. With its AMD Ryzen 5 5600G APU with integrated RX Vega Graphics, it is perfect for running lowkey games. The 16GB of DDR4 dual-channel RAM keeps this pre-built PC running smoothly, whilst the 250GB SSD and 1TB HDD storage combo provide ample capacity and speed for all your files, media, and programs.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Gaming Laptop
As causal gaming doesn’t necessarily need a full-blown, water-cooled rig, a gaming laptop could fit the bill. The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is equipped with an AMD Ryzen R7-7735HS CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Together, they work efficiently to support all your favourite cosy titles, with the 144Hz display providing smooth, immersive viewing.
Must-Haves for MOBAs and MMOs
Moving onto MOBAs and MMOs, these games have a little more meat on their bones, so to speak. More demanding graphics, requiring more storage space, and such. Great examples would be Fortnite, Overwatch 2, and League of Legends. Whilst LoL and Fornite’s base specs are not that demanding, it is definitely recommended playing with newer tech to get the most from these popular games.
As such, we’re going to want hardware that can keep up with the fast-paced action and ever-changing situations. We reckon these two do the job.
OcUK Gaming Oxygen Gaming PC
The OcUK Gaming Oxygen Configurable PC has a base spec of an AMD Ryzen 5 7500F CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU. This provides an excellent foundation for your MMO and MOBA gaming needs, but can be upgraded, should you require a little more bang for your buck! As standard, this gaming PC has two SSDs for a total of 2TB of high-speed storage. Once again, with flexible options, this can be adjusted to up to three drives in a variety of capacities.
MSI Pulse 15 Gaming Laptop
Alternatively, if you battle your squad whilst on the move, the MSI Pulse 15 is packed with premium gaming hardware. Sporting an Intel Core i7-13700H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, this laptop will beautifully render your favourite MOBAs and MMOs on the Quad HD display. Just imagine the advantage you’ll have thanks to the 165Hz refresh rate and impeccable resolution!
FPS: Fire Performance Specs
First-person shooters are a firm favourite. Whether you’re working through a compelling co-op campaign or going toe to toe in PvP play, this is the genre that keeps on giving. Firm favourites would definitely be Valorant, CS2, and Apex Legends.
Here are a gaming PC and laptop that we think are great for fast-paced FPS action.
Refract Celeste Gaming PC
Another from our Refract Gaming range, the Refract Celeste is primed for 1080p and 1440p on your favourite first-person shooters. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 770X CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, you can enjoy all your games with photo-realistic quality. If that happens to give you the competitive edge over your mates, well then that’s a juicy bonus!
Gigabyte AORUS 16X Gaming Laptop
Armed with the Gigabyte AROUS 16X you can take full advantage of a QHD+ 165Hz display paired with an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. This high-performance hardware allows you to master your gaming skills and use them to take down your enemies. Even if they are usually your mates. All’s fair in love and first-person shooters!
Racing for the Finish Line
Another great way to blow off steam among friends is with a good, ol’ fashioned race. With super cars and phenomenal graphics. Whether it’s Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon 5, or F1 22, sometimes there is nothing better than seeing who has what it takes to cross the finish line first. Obviously, the ultimate way to enjoy racing sims is with a racing wheel and pedal set, but your gaming PC is going to need to be up to scratch. Especially with F1 22 recommending at least an RTX 3070 for ray tracing!
We love these two powerhouses for high-octane races.
OcUK Gaming Sabre Gaming PC
Straight from our Driving Sim PC category, we have the OcUK Gaming Sabre. This gaming PC has an intel Core i7-13700F CPU paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super – going above and beyond the F1 22 recs for ray tracing. However, as a configurable gaming PC, you can opt for more a more powerful CPU, including the Intel Core i9-13900F CPU with advanced hybrid core architecture.
OcUK Gaming Osprey Gaming PC
Alternatively, you can pair that 3D cache technology with AMD’s latest generation of graphics cards. The OcUK Gaming Osprey comes with the choice of an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT or 7900 XTX graphics card, boasting RDNA 3 architecture, up to 54% more performance per watt, and advanced AMD features like FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution).
High-End AAA Gaming
Of course, one of the best things about multiplayer gaming is when that highly anticipated game of the year drops with multiplayer modes. You can enjoy the very best in gaming with your favourite people! Games like Elden Ring, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and Battlefield 2042 had us all eagerly awaiting their cutting-edge graphics and RTX integration, which demand high performance from our gaming PCs.
If you need an upgrade for AAA gaming, we recommend these bad boys!
Refract Ultraviolet Pre-Built PC
Get the top of the line system from our Refract range. The Refract Gaming Ultraviolet is packed with titan-class hardware, to facilitate smooth, seamless, and immersive gaming in all your demanding AAA titles. Experience peak performance, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPU with 3D V-Cache and NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU.
OcUK Gaming Germanium Z7 Gaming PC
If it’s just your gaming PC that needs a performance boost, then we recommend the OcUK Gaming Germanium Z7. Making use of both a 14th Gen Intel Core CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series GPU, this gaming PC is at the very latest edge of gaming performance and innovation. Hybrid core and Ada Lovelace architecture will elevate your favourite AAA games to new levels. Plus, it is configurable, so you have your choice of the latest hardware.
Paired with Perfect Peripherals
Finally, we need to look at some peripherals. What’s the point in multiplayer if you can’t talk to your mates? With chat supported in-game or on independent apps like Discord, being able to live chat has become an integral part of multiplayer gaming. As such, we’ve taken a look at some of our headsets and microphones, picking out a few faves for you to peruse.
Headsets
If you go for only one peripheral, it should be the headset. A headset is imperative. You get to enjoy the gaming soundscapes close up, you’ll be able to hear the voice chat channel, and you won’t cause any feedback on your mates’ audio feeds. Headsets also come with an integrated microphone, either embedded in an earcup or on an adjustable mic arm. You can opt for wired or wireless, models with RGB, black, white, and everything in between – so there is definitely a headset to suit your aesthetic and needs.
Here are three that we’re loving right now.
Logitech G G332
- Lightweight, wired headset
- Cross-platform 3.5mm audio jack
- Premium 50mm neodymium drivers
- Unidirectional mic on adjustable arm
- Stylish black finish with orange accents
Corsair VIRTUOSO Wireless
- Corsair Slipstream Wireless tech
- USB and 3.5mm connectivity as well
- 20-hour battery life
- Custom 50mm neodymium drivers
- White aesthetic with silver accents and subtle RGB
ASUS ROG Delta USB
- Wired USB headset
- Hyper Grounding Technology
- ASUS Essence drivers with Audio Signal Diversion tech
- Configurable RGB lighting with Aura Sync
- Stylish black and grey aesthetic
Microphones
Alternatively, you could include a dedicated microphone into your gaming set-up, for absolute clarity on chat. Something that would be especially helpful if you ever wanted to stream your multiplayer hijinks! Our range of microphones boast crystal clear audio, included accessories such as pop filters, and even stylish RGB to light up your gaming battle station.
These are just three of our faves.
Streamplify MIC TRIPOD
- Cardioid microphone with pop filter
- Includes adjustable tripod stand
- Two audio modes: Podcast and Gaming
- RGB with eight effects
- USB connectivity
Endgame Gear XSTRM
- USB microphone with shock mount and pop filter
- RGB lighting on grill and gain indicator
- Stylish white finish
- 20mm gold-plated condenser
- AI noise cancelling feature
Razer Seiren V2 X
- Supercardioid microphone with 25mm condenser
- USB connectivity
- Digital Analogue Limiter to prevent distortion
- Plug in headset for monitoring
- Integrated volume, gain, and mute buttons
Are your mouse and keyboard now the weak link in your arsenal? Explore our range of expertly crafted mouse and keyboard bundles.
Ready for Battle
Are you and your squad ready for some multiplayer madness? Now you’re properly kitted out, it’s time to get some inspo for games to play! We’ve been suggesting weekend gameplay since 2022, so there’s plenty to get you started. Happy gaming, all!
2022
- Great Games for a Weekend Playcation with Your Friends
- Great Winter Games to Play With Your Friends This Weekend
- Check Out These Great Multiplayer Games to Play with Your Friends This Weekend
- Spook-tacular Games to Play With Your Friends This Weekend
- Great Games for You to Play with Your Friends This Weekend
- Great Brawlers to Play With (or Against) Your Friends This Weekend
- Great Party Games to Play With Your Friends for Christmas Weekend
2023
- Have a Battle of Wits with Strategy Games This Weekend
- Battle it Out in a MOBA with Friends this Weekend
- Host a Grand Prix: Best Racing Sim Games for Friends
- The Best FPS Games to Play with Friends this Weekend
- Play Survival of the Fittest with Survival Games this Weekend
- Who is the Fittest? Compete in These Great Sports Games this Weekend
- Duke it Out With Some Brawlers This Weekend
- Great Co-Op Games to Play with the Squad This Weekend
- Gather the Party for an MMORPG This Weekend
- Who Will Be Last Player Standing? Great Battle Royales for the Weekend
- Virtual Board Game Night: Weekend Fun with the Gang!
- Get Together For Some Party Games This Weekend
PC specs are subject to change.
- 15 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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