Video games have become one of the most popular pastimes in recent years. With different genres to choose from and many ways to have fun, it’s not hard to see why. But if you want to maximize your experience and fun playing the game, you’ll need the right gear. Here are some of the most important equipment you’ll need for the best gaming experience.
Gamepad (or other controller devices)
While there are many people that still prefer the good old mouse and gaming keyboard, there’s no denying the comfort and feel of playing with a gamepad. It’s easier on the hands, has more convenient controls, and many games are built with gamepad controls in mind, so it feels very natural.
Other than PC gamepads, you’ll also want specialized controller devices if you want to really immerse yourself in a particular game. For example, a PC racing wheel would make playing something like the Forza series be a blast. PC joysticks are also great for flight simulator games, as the default PC flight controls feel pretty clunky on the keyboard and mouse.
Gaming Headset
Gaming headsets seem like an unnecessary expense, but high-quality headphones that deliver great sound can really up the immersive experience. Many modern gaming headphones come with surround sound, allowing the user to feel like they’re actually in the environment they’re playing in.
If you’re not a fan of the average gamer headset, consider getting audiophile headphones instead. While most audiophile headphones lack the visual flair and RGB lighting of premium gaming headphones, they make up for it with superior sound quality.
Internet Connection via Ethernet Cable
This sounds like a no-brainer, but many gamers still rely on a wireless router to connect to the Internet. And while wireless tech has certainly gone a long way, it’s still very inconsistent, and can ruin your experience when playing online. This is especially true if you’re playing competitive games such as League of Legends or Valorant, where you want to make sure your connection is both fast and reliable.
Gaming Monitor
Gaming monitors are essential in any gaming setup, especially if you play competitive games. Gaming monitors are designed with both performance and visual display in mind, and you can get up to 360 frames per second on some of the best monitors out there. Of course, they’re expensive but well worth the cost.
The reason why gaming monitors are great for competitive games is that they provide the user with more information per second. A 144Hz monitor, for example, will give you double the frames per second of a 60Hz monitor, which lets you react just a bit faster and get you that winning edge. In competitive games where matches are won by a hair, you’ll need any advantage you can get.
A Good Chair
While it isn’t exactly part of a PC setup, a chair is important if you play games for hours every day. Eventually, you’ll feel uncomfortable on your chair, which can make you lose focus or break your immersion. To avoid this, get a comfortable, ergonomic chair that’s both flexible and comfortable so you don’t need to worry about your back or butt while playing your games. Of course, there are gaming chairs available in the market today that aim to solve this problem, but you could also definitely make do with a high-quality office swivel chair or something similar.
Conclusion
Gaming is a lot more complex than one might think. If you really want to maximize your fun and enjoyment playing games, you’ll want to invest in the right equipment to do so. With great audio, a high-FPS gaming monitor, and the right controllers, any game you play will feel real and immersive.
