Gaming PC Accessories Buying Guide

PC gaming is often considered the best way to play video games. With a performance ceiling that is nearly limitless, gaming on a computer allows you to achieve the very best that the industry has to offer. Though gaming computers are powerful devices, those tall, colorful towers can't do it all on their own - they need a whole suite of quality computer accessories to reach their full potential. From keyboards to mice to furniture, let's talk PC gaming accessories.

Keyboards

Your keyboard is the cornerstone of your gaming setup. Gaming keyboard tech has come a long way over the past few years, and with innovation has come lots of confusing jargon. Most keyboards you'll use for gaming are mechanical, meaning each key will have a physical switch underneath it. These spring-loaded switches register inputs faster than those you would find on a typical membrane keyboard. Membrane keyboards have one big, flexible rubber layer under all of their keys rather than individual switches. This spongy layer can lead to input errors and slower response times. What's more, they generally don't feel as good to use as the individual switches in mechanical keyboards, making them generally less suitable for gaming. The types of switches you can find on mechanical keyboards can also be broken down further into three groups: linear, clicky, and tactile. Linear switches are quiet and smooth; they come with no “bump” (physical resistance intentionally built into the key) to allow you to seamlessly press each key without any tactile feedback. These keys are built for rapid, smooth inputs when gaming. Clicky switches are purposely meant to be loud, satisfying, and precise. They come with a pronounced bump that requires more force to push through. Overcoming this resistance is meant to signal to you that you've pressed hard and long enough on a key to get the desired input, leading to more accurate and efficient key presses. They also emit a loud click when you've pushed far enough that acts as an audible cue. Tactile switches fall somewhere in the middle - they offer more tactile feedback than you would find on a linear switch, but they're not as loud, nor do they have as much resistance as clicky switches. You're only really going to know which one is right for you once you try all three types, but a clicky keyboard is definitely not roommate-friendly! Once you figure out the switch type you like best, you can decide if you want a wireless keyboard or a wired model. Though wireless units used to have latency issues, most modern wireless keyboards have bypassed this issue through the use of high-speed dongles. Of course, you'll have to charge most wireless keyboards periodically, which is not something you'll need to worry about with a wired unit. To fully complete the vibe of your gaming station, make sure your keyboard comes with RGB lighting.

Your mouse is also a component worth looking into thoroughly before making a commitment. A gaming mouse generally needs to be lightweight, and should offer at least a few additional programmable buttons. These buttons can be assigned to perform certain actions in game that might've been less convenient to do before, giving you a split-second edge over your competition. Just like with your keyboard, you're also going to have to decide if you want to go wireless or wired. Thankfully, gaming mice offer high-speed wireless connectivity, so going wire-free won't affect your in-game reaction time. You're also going to need a mousepad to make sure you can move your mouse around smoothly. Make sure it's large enough to allow you to make large, sweeping movements without falling off of it. Just like your keyboard, gaming mice tend to have many options when it comes to RGB lighting as well.

Though there are a few audio devices you're probably going to want for your PC, a gaming headset is definitely a necessity. Gaming headsets tend to be over-ear models that help immerse you into whatever you might be playing. That means deep bass and incredible surround sound to allow you to hear everything in the in-game environment. They also usually include a microphone so you can communicate with your friends and teammates as you play. As with everything else we've talked about so far, you can take your pick between low latency wireless headsets or wired headsets, and many of them will come with RGB lighting. Latency tends to be extra important when it comes to your headphones, and you can learn more about it from our Latency in Headphones blog article. Though they may not be a necessity for all gaming rigs, a nice set of computer speakers or even a soundbar is a great way to give your ears a break when you're playing something a little less competitive without losing audio quality.

Now that we've got all of the glitz and glam out of the way, we can get down to talking about monitors. A good monitor is going to contribute both to your visual quality and your framerate. Even if your PC has the hardware to handle running games at high quality, you won't actually get to see that quality in action if your monitor can't keep up. If you want to game competitively, or you just want the best graphics for the sake of immersion, you're going to need a monitor that can handle displaying content at 144Hz at minimum. 165Hz and up is ideal, while anything higher just gets better and better. These numbers all refer to your refresh rate, which determines how often your monitor can update the images on screen. The higher this number is, the smoother your gameplay will look and feel. For a truly immersive experience, consider looking into specialty monitors like curved or ultrawide models. Many gamers also opt for having multiple monitors for the sake of multitasking, and having another monitor available for browsing or music control while the main monitor runs a game.

Gaming isn't all about the tech. You're also going to need some physical support for your long gaming sessions. Gaming chairs often come with extra lumbar support and soft padding to keep you comfy for as long as possible. Most models also come with armrests, a 360-degree swivel, and a deep tilt so you can rest easy whether you're gaming or not. If a gaming chair doesn't sound appealing to you, then you can always get yourself a nice office chair instead.

Gaming desks usually come with more space than your average computer desk. This should give you more than enough room for your multi-monitor setup, along with all of your accessories. You're going to want the extra mouse space as well so you have enough room to make wide motions in-game. Having to operate within a tight space is absolutely going to hinder your gameplay, so ensuring you have enough space to be comfortable is a must.

With the essentials out of the way, we can start to get into some non-essential specialty accessories you might want to pick up too. Many gaming controllers from video game consoles like the PS5 or the Xbox Series X can connect to your PC through either a wired or a wireless connection. This is helpful for playing video games that are easier to navigate with a console controller. There are also some more niche gaming products you can hook up to your PC, like a racing wheel and a gearshift that both feel like they were pulled straight from a real car. These devices are great for driving simulators or racing games, as they give you both more immersion and often greater control.

Getting into PC gaming can definitely be a daunting process, and figuring out exactly what you need to make sure you can be on the top of your game is enough to make anyone's head spin. We hope this blog has helped dispel some of your anxieties when it comes to assembling your gaming PC accessories. If you want more guidance when it comes to PC gaming, feel free to check out our other blogs: “Creating the Perfect Gaming Space” and “What Makes a Good Gaming PC?” Remember that this process is just a stepping stone to countless hours of fun!