Best Antivirus for PC Gaming in 2020
Source: LG
Best Antivirus for PC Gaming Windows Central 2020
Gaming PCs are some of the most powerful systems out there, but GPU horsepower and processor clock speeds won’t matter at all if a virus infects your computer and prevents it from working properly. Therefore, dedicated antivirus software is something every PC gamer should opt to install, as it will effectively shield your PC from dangerous forms of malware and spyware. However, since you want most of your system’s RAM to be used for gaming purposes, it’s essential to choose an antivirus software that takes up as little memory as possible while active. Among these softwares, our favorite is BullGuard Antivirus 2020. Between its comprehensive security systems, small resource demands, and additional Game Booster feature, BullGuard is the best overall option for PC gamers.
Best Overall: BullGuard Antivirus 2020
Source: BullGuard
Pros:
- Powerful security
- Plenty of options and features
- Game Booster program
Cons:
- A little expensive
Best Overall
BullGuard Antivirus 2020
A beast of an antivirus
BullGuard offers strong and balanced antivirus protection that’s not too expensive and offers game performance-boosting, making it our top pick.
Best Runner-Up: Norton Antivirus Plus
Source: Norton
Pros:
- Powerful security
- Plenty of options and features
- Less expensive
Cons:
- No Game Booster
Best Runner-Up
Norton Antivirus Plus
Second place is still incredible
Norton’s antivirus offering lacks a Game Booster, but otherwise offers everything that BullGuard’s does, making it our favorite runner-up.
Best Heavyweight: Kaspersky Antivirus 2020
Source: Kaspersky
Pros:
- Best security
- Plenty of options and features
Cons:
- A little expensive
- Uses considerably more RAM
Best Heavyweight
Kaspersky Antivirus 2020
This one means business
Kaspersky’s antivirus is a little pricey and uses more RAM than other choices on the list, but its elite and robust security may be worth it for some.
Best Lightweight: Webroot SecureAnywhere
Source: Webroot
Pros:
- Great security
- Lowest RAM usage
- Less expensive
Cons:
- Not as robust as other choices in terms of customization
- Security isn’t as amazing
Best Lightweight
Webroot SecureAnywhere
You won’t even notice it’s running
Webroot’s cloud-based antivirus isn’t as robust as other choices, but it also has a minuscule impact on system performance.
Best Mutli-Device: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Source: Bitdefender
Pros:
- Powerful security
- Less expensive
- Upgraded version works on mobile devices
Cons:
- Not as robust as other choices in terms of customization
Best Multi-Device
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Keep everything covered
Bitdefender’s strong protection and affordable multi-device plans make it ideal for folks who want to prioritize keeping several devices covered at once.
Affordable Game Booster: McAfee Gamer Security
Source: McAfee
Pros:
- Great security
- Less expensive
- Game Booster program
Cons:
- Not as robust as other choices in terms of customization
- Security isn’t as amazing
Affordable Game Booster
McAfee Gamer Security
Game Booster FTW
McAfee Gamer Security is the most affordable way to get access to an effective Game Booster through an antivirus software, though it isn’t as protective as other options.
Bottom line
Every PC gamer needs a good antivirus software, as none of your gaming horsepower will ultimately get a chance to shine if your system falls prey to predatory malware and spyware. Ideally, for a gaming PC, you’ll want to opt for an antivirus that uses a small amount of RAM so that your computer can allocate most of your memory to your games.
When it comes to gaming-friendly antivirus softwares, there are a lot of different options available, and each one has something unique to offer. Out of all of them, we think that BullGuard Antivirus 2020 is the best one due to its powerful security systems, low RAM usage, and competent Game Booster program. You’ll have to pay a little extra for it, but at the end of the day, the quality and versatility of BullGuard speaks for itself.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s relatively new to the writing scene, but he counters that lack of experience with a rock-solid work ethic and a desire to improve at every opportunity. You’ll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.
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