Bringing the PC into the Living Room
The most natural move a gaming PC can make is from the bedroom to the living room. One obvious benefit is playing your games on that LCD you have mounted on the wall. Console gamers have long since become accustomed to gaming on 40+ inches of real-estate. With gaming computers offering increased performance, increased expandability and a greater selection of game titles, it doesn't make much sense for PC users to relegate themselves to smaller, desktop-sized displays. An HDMI port means you can output your games to your HDTV or high-def projector for an in-your-face experience you can't get sitting at a desk.
Another benefit of moving your gaming PC to the living room is scalability of in-game performance. Console versions of games are designed according to the console's hardware, which is dramatically limited in comparison to a PC. That means when you play Fallout 3 on a current-generation console, and then you play it on a tricked-out PC with the game settings maxed, even on the same TV, you're going to see the difference.
However, it isn't just gaming that makes gaming computers ideal for a little on-the-couch entertainment. The expandability inherent in a PC means the functionality of a number of set-top components can be consolidated into a single unit. Blu-ray technology triumphed over HD DVD as the sole high-definition media, but sales of Blu-ray players haven't taken off to the point of replacing DVD players. For a fraction of the price of a stand-alone Blu-ray player, a PC can be equipped with a Blu-ray drive, or, for about the same price as a stand-alone player, you can upgrade to a Blu-ray burner, letting you record you own high-def video.
If you really want to build out your HD library, an internal TV tuner lets you run your cable or satellite signal directly into your computer. Basic cable that doesn't normally require a separate box can run straight from the wall to the back of your PC. Premium cable or satellite subscribers will still need to utilize the service provider's receiver, running the signal from the receiver, through the PC and then out to the TV. While you still need a receiver, this setup does let you eliminate one piece of equipment, your DVR. Even if your cable box has a DVR built in, it doesn't stack up to using your PC. Higher storage capacity, the ability to expand capacity, and even the ability to take saved shows and movies with you either by burning them to a Blu-ray disc or transferring them to another computer or USB storage device… nothing you get from the cable company is going to give you that level of freedom.
One thing we can't forget about is audio. Graphics may make or break a game, but hardcore gamers upgrade their rigs to multi-channel audio for an extra competitive edge. If 7.1 surround sound gives you an assist when you're listening for enemies sneaking up behind you, it certainly works for cranking up the volume on Blu-ray moves and your MP3 collection. Even if you don't keep all your media in one centralized location, you can use your home network to access and even wirelessly stream all your music, video and photos to your living room rig for everyone to enjoy.
The bottom line is, gamers build their rigs to compete, and if you want to compete in today's hottest titles you need the best hardware for graphics, audio and connectivity. Build a gaming PC with those specs and it will handle any task you can throw at it, including serving as the ultimate home entertainment system.