Your Complete Guide to PC Gaming Peripherals.
Are you an aspiring PC gamer looking to get the best gaming peripheral set-up? Or maybe you’re an experienced hardcore gamer wanting more out of your gaming experience? Either way, this guide will give the best advice and tips on which PC gaming peripherals to choose.
Whether you are a casual, mid-tier, or professional gamer, balance, comfort, and accuracy are key to exceptional game play. To achieve this brink of success, gamers use a combination of gaming peripherals – devices, such as a mouse and keyboard, which connect to the gaming PC and provide the user with multiple functions.
Any significant PC gaming setup always consists of a gaming mouse and keyboard. Many professional gamers rely on the same peripherals for their gaming, as repeated use and familiarity with the same devices can be beneficial when gaming competitively.
Below, we will explore the different PC gaming peripherals available on the market, alongside their functional uses and an overview of their features. This guide will explain the best features to look for when shopping for the ideal gaming peripheral for your personalized PC gaming setup.
1. Keyboards
PC keyboards are essential gaming hardware. The keyboard is the first and most crucial component of a PC gaming setup. It allows the user to control their gaming pace, move around the game world, access menus and perform complex game tasks.
Different types of keyboards offer varying levels of durability, actuation force, key travel distance and tactile feedback.
The most common type of keyboard is the membrane keyboard. The main advantage of this type of keyboard is the less expensive price tag. However, membrane keyboards often feature slower actuation, which affects gaming responsiveness.
The newer more expensive technology is the mechanical keyboard. Professional gamers opt for mechanical keyboards as these are much faster than the membrane keyboard – providing a much more responsive gaming experience.
Mechanical keyboards often feature higher quality components and thicker cable shielding, as well as programmable key functions and media controls. These keyboards are also designed to last longer, so you can enjoy your gaming setup without the worry of it being damaged.
2. Mice
The mouse is perhaps the most influential piece of gaming hardware. It is highly recommended to always invest in a quality gaming mouse.
Gaming mice are more accurate than regular mice. A gaming mouse will feature adjustable dpi (dots per inch), which is the speed of the mouse recorded in terms of the number of pixels it can move per second. The higher the dpi of the mouse, the faster it will be able to move – this can have a significant impact on your gaming performance.
Gaming mice are designed differently to regular mice. These mice offer a better grip, as gamers often play for long hours and need a comfortable mouse to use during gameplay. Gamin mice often include extra features, such as adjustable weights and lighting features, textured grips and ergonomic designs for added comfort.
When selecting a gaming mouse, consider factors such as the mouse shape, mouse size, grip technique and the mouse resolution to ensure you find the one that suits your gaming situation best.
3. Monitors
Having the right computer monitor is essential for a smooth gaming experience. A large, high refresh rate monitor will provide the best visuals and gaming performance.
A large monitor size is important, especially for playing first-person shooters. Larger monitor sizes will provide a much more immersive gaming experience. Monitor resolution is also essential in gaming. High resolution monitors take up more graphics memory, which can delay your game performance if your PC is not powerful enough.
The refresh rate of the monitor is also a major factor. The refresh rate is the number of times a monitor updates its image per second, commonly measured in Hertz (Hz). Monitors with a higher refresh rate will display smoother images with less input lag, something particularly important for gaming.
4. Headsets
The ideal gaming headset features high sound quality and comfort levels. If you plan to play for extended amounts of time, good comfort levels are key to a pleasant gaming experience. Look for headsets that feature breathable and padded ear cups and adjustable headset bands, as well as additional features such as noise isolating and 7.1 surround sound.
When selecting headsets, compare the various sound frequencies and sound drivers that the product offers. Lower frequencies tend to be better for gaming, whereas higher frequencies can be more suitable for listening to music.
Communication is also an important consideration when gaming. For more immersive gaming experiences, many gamers prefer gaming headsets with microphones. A good headset will feature noise cancelling technology, as well as adjustable settings, to ensure that your voice is heard clearly during game play.
When shopping for headphones, consider factors such as your budget and design preferences. Consider if the headset is lightweight and comfortable, as this can be beneficial when gaming for long periods of time.
5. Joysticks
For gamers wanting to enhance their gaming experience, a joystick is an ideal piece of hardware. Joysticks offer the user a more authentic gaming experience when playing flight, vehicular and space exploration simulators than a standard keyboard and mouse. The user can fly or maneuver their vehicle around the game world with coordinated direction, height and speed.
Joysticks usually come with a range of additional buttons and controls; this allows the user to perform complex maneuvers, or access additional functions, from within the game. Buying the correct joystick is crucial to obtaining the best gaming experience.
Moreover, it is important to note that the game you are playing will dictate the type of joystick you need. For example, a joystick with a twist and rudder facility can offer more maneuverability in a space simulator than a basic joystick, but it might not be suitable for a flight simulator.
To conclude
Investing in the right gaming peripherals is essential to make the most out of any gaming experience. With this guide, you should be able to recognize which gaming peripherals are right for you and your gaming setup.
Keyboards, mice, monitors, headsets and joysticks are all vital pieces of gaming gear. The type of gaming gear you require depends on the type of gaming you are looking for and your budget. By assessing the features of each peripheral and shopping around, you should be able to find the perfect PC gaming peripherals for you.
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