PC games hardware
| PC games hardware | |
|---|---|
|
|
| description | Computer magazine |
| publishing company | Computec Media |
| First edition | October 6, 2000 |
| Frequency of publication | per month |
| Range | 0.35 million readers |
| ( AWA 2009) | |
| Editor-in-chief | Thilo Bayer |
| Web link | www.pcgameshardware.de |
| ISSN |
1616-6922 |
PC Games Hardware ( PCGH or PCG Hardware ) is a monthly, German-language computer magazine . It is published by Computec Media , which is based in Fürth , and mainly deals with hardware for PC players.
The PCGH is the sister magazine of the PC Games . There are synergies between the two magazines , which means that the editors of the PCGH also write articles that appear in the hardware section of the PC Games. Games tests of PC Games are often supplemented by more detailed tests on the hardware requirements in the PCGH. You also work together on the online presence .
subjects
The PC Games Hardware is mainly aimed at PC gamers. These readers generally have some basic knowledge of using computers . Because of this, in the articles of the PCGH, in contrast to “mass magazines” such as Computer Bild , banal procedures are not dealt with. Instead, more complex topics relating to the PC are also dealt with.
The PCGH contains editorial articles and interviews mainly on the following topics:
- News and previews about PC hardware
- News and previews of game engine developments
- Tests and purchase advice for PC hardware, computer games and occasionally MP3 players , digital cameras and Internet security software
- Tests of hardware requirements of computer games and tips for suitable graphics settings for different PC configurations
- Special features of game engines for current and upcoming games
- Tips for better using, troubleshooting, and tuning hardware, Windows, and games
- Case modding
- Tips and instructions for fitting, installing and overclocking (at your own risk!) PC hardware
- Tips for using the Internet safely and comfortably
- Knowledge of the functionality of PCs, hardware, game engines, drivers, etc.
editorial staff
Thilo Bayer has been the editor-in-chief since the 11/2000 issue , supported by Kay Beinroth and Christian Gögelein. He focused his specialty on graphics cards in particular, but has not worked as a specialist editor for a long time. Raffael Vötter (print) has been at his side since March 2007 and Andreas Link (online) since March 2009. In addition, numerous freelance journalists and short-term editors have supported the editorial team over the years. The current PC Games Hardware team can be found on the website.
Print edition
The first issue of PC Games Hardware, 11/2000, appeared on October 6, 2000 and cost 5 DM. This made the PCGH, according to its own statements, Germany's first hardware magazine for PC gamers.
The topics of the PCGH are dealt with in the following sections: Current, Test, Games, Practice, Knowledge and Service.
Booklet versions
CD version
The first PCGH came with a CD-ROM . A little later, two CDs were included for the first time. This CD version of the PCGH was available until the 06/2006 issue. Then it was discontinued with reference to lack of profitability. In addition, the CD-ROM was viewed as out of date.
DVD version
The PCGH has been available with a DVD-ROM since summer 2004 . At first the DVD was single sided (DVD-5). With the 01/2005 issue, a double-sided DVD (DVD-10) with a capacity of approx. 9.4 GB was included for the first time, as has been the case with PC Games for a long time. After two further single-sided DVDs, the magazine DVD has been double-sided since 04/2005 (as of issue 10/2006).
Magazine version
In response to popular requests, since issue 01/2006 there has been a cheaper magazine version without a data carrier for the first time.
Premium version
The 08/2006 edition appeared for the first time as a premium version. Premium versions were already available from PC Games shortly before. In addition to the standard DVD edition, it contained a 36 A4-page compendium on World of Warcraft . The 11/2006 edition was also published as a premium edition with a limited edition and dealt with the processor manufacturer AMD and its current product range. The limited premium edition 12/2008 dealt with the game Far Cry 2 in a supplement .
The premium edition was discontinued for edition 12/2011 and was published for the last time with this edition. Its cover story was “Upgrading” and it came with a screwdriver with the PCGH logo. The editorial team explained the decision to hire by stating that they wanted to concentrate more on the main issue.
Extended version
The 09/2006 edition was the first extended version of the PCGH. This also contained 32 pages on top games and long-running hits selected by the PCGH such as Need for Speed: Most Wanted , Battlefield 2 , Counter-Strike: Source , Half-Life 2 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion . Tuning, game tips and maps & mods were discussed. The release of the extended version should initially be a one-time action. Now it appears just like the standard version of the PC Games monthly. However, the extended edition was discontinued from 09/09.
Contents of the data carrier
The PCGH data carriers contain the following software, among others:
- Full versions and demos of computer games
- Add-ons for computer games (especially in cooperation with PC Games, which then includes the main game in the corresponding edition)
- Computer game patches
- Full and trial versions of tuning and internet security software
- Test and freeware versions of benchmarks and other useful tools
- PCGH tools (tools specially programmed by or for PCGH)
- driver
- Supplementary material for articles in the magazine (e.g. screenshots , films, tools)
- Editorial videos and video blog (since issue 09/2006)
- Complete further articles as well as articles from previous editions, each as PDF
Circulation statistics
In the fourth quarter of 2014, the average monthly circulation according to IVW was 31,292 copies. That is 7.4 percent (2,500 issues) less than in the same quarter of the previous year. The number of subscribers fell within one year by 7.95 percent to 10,761 subscribers. This means that 34.38 percent of readers get the magazine by subscription.
The magazine was removed from the IVW count in 2017. The publisher stated a circulation of 25,300 copies in 2017, which was reduced to 22,600 copies for 2020.
Number of issues distributed monthly
Number of subscriptions sold each month
Special issues
Special issues are regularly produced by the PCGH. These deal specifically with graphics cards , infrastructure or Windows tuning , for example . These booklets are also supplied with data carriers, which usually contain a large number of tools, drivers and accompanying material.
Online presence
On the PCGH website you can always find the latest news on the topics that are also dealt with in the magazine. In the archive on the website you can buy and download special issues or individual articles in PDF format. In December 2006 a revised version of the online offer was published, with new features such as blogs by the editors and a new design.
Both the PCGH and the PC Games deal with computer games and PC hardware. The focus is different, but both magazines operated their forums together for a long time in order to reach a larger audience and interested readers. Since October 1st, 2008 the PCGH has its own forum called PCGH Extreme. The forum originally started for the Games Convention 2007 parallel to the old forum. It was supposed to ensure reporting to the GC. In addition, the new forum based on vBulletin offered some features that the previous forum software did not offer, for example image upload. The forum's topics were later expanded to include overclocking, cooling and modding. On October 1, 2008, the structure was expanded again to cover all hardware and game topics.
The PCGH also uses a web code system. Instead of printing complete URLs , so-called web codes (four-digit combinations of letters and numbers) are given. These can be entered in an input field on the PCGH page to be forwarded to the destination.
Since June 2nd, 2008 there is also an English version of the PC Games Hardware website. At the URL www.pcgameshardware.com you can find some selected articles from the German website, also in English. There is also a forum based on vBulletin .
PC Games Hardware Extreme
In addition to the PC Games Hardware Extreme forum, there has also been a special issue in the form of a magazine since December 19, 2007. It appears every three months for 5.99 euros and, due to its success, in a two-month period from issue 02/2009 (March 25, 2009) Publication rhythm. "Extreme" topics such as B. Cooling with liquid nitrogen or compressors , overclocking and case modding . Extreme was discontinued with issue 05/2009. Every year, however, a special issue is published that deals with the topics of PCGH Extreme.
Reader polls
In order to be able to tailor the reports and tests to the interests of the readers, many surveys are offered on the website, for example on the installed hardware or the purchase intentions of the readers. Evaluation forms for the current issue are also offered every month.
PCGH Awards
Products that achieve excellent performance in individual or comparative tests by the PCGH receive a PCG Hardware Award. The best in its respective category, for example graphics cards or mainboards , receives the "Top Product" award. The product that has the cheapest price with an acceptable performance is recognized as a “savings tip”. The “Top Technology” award has also been presented since the 03/2006 issue. This is used to honor products or technologies that are of particular importance. This award is much more exclusive and is only given on certain occasions. In contrast to the other two awards, it is also used to honor graphics cards or mainboard chipsets and processors .
Audience award
In addition, the PCGH awards the “Hardware of the Year” audience award every year. Every PCGH reader can choose his personal manufacturer of the year in the various categories. The election sheet is usually printed in the January issue (02 / xxxx). In the next but one issue (March - 04 / xxxx) the first three places in each category will be published every year.
There are the following categories:
- Manufacturer
- Processors
- Graphics chipset
- Motherboard chipset
- Graphics cards
- Motherboards
- monitor
- Sound cards / speakers
- Keyboards / mice
- Hard drives
- Game controller
- Power supplies (since 2005)
- Notebooks
- Products / service providers :
- Hardware shipper
- Game of the year (since 2004)
- Technology of the year (since 2004)
- Chip (set) of the year (since 2004)
Reader actions
The PCGH sometimes also has reader tests. Anyone who wants to use the respective device and who has an Internet connection can apply for this. Those who are then selected by the PCGH will then receive the devices mostly provided by hardware manufacturers, which they can then test at home. In the course of the test, the testers then prepare their report, which is then sent to the editorial office . These are then evaluated in the following outputs.
In addition, there has been a reader PC and Pimp my PC campaign since issue 10/2005. This action already existed before. Back then, the focus was still on fixing problems that readers could not deal with on their own, today hardware that is considered obsolete is being replaced by higher quality.
Web link
Individual evidence
- ↑ meedia .de: An industry capitulates: Almost all games magazines leave the IVW after the circulation losses , accessed on February 10, 2017
- ↑ Computec.de: Mediadaten 2017 ( Memento of the original from February 11, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed February 10, 2017
- ↑ Computec.de: Media data 2020 , accessed on December 8, 2019
