It’s an infamous fact that most gaming setups are prebuilt, optimized to handle different types of games, and some people agree that custom-made builds are cheaper and work better. Whether they are high-octane FPS action or immersive cinematic single-player adventures, each build can bring different things to the table.
But it’s not just the CPU that contributes to a satisfying gaming experience; other pieces of hardware and even furnishing options also do their part.
Here are three tips in making the right call in buying the correct elements for a gaming setup.
Setting Up a Gaming Station
A gaming desk is one of the essential elements of a gaming setup, as it has to be spacious enough to hold various pieces of hardware. It needs to have a wide surface area for each device so it does not feel cramped while having enough space that it has sufficient ventilation.
Desks with built-in lighting functions can instead use separate LED lamps, which are cheap and affordable. Placing these lamps next to the wall but behind hardware will create a DIY backlight effect, which makes it easier to see in dim lights.
Alternative solutions exist in dealing with multiple problems.
Most people overthink purchasing an all-in-one solution to this because they want to have one area to hold all their gaming hardware. Most people have a rigging system that connects various consoles to one monitor, with an apt gaming desk separating them.
The issue now comes with the pricing of these optimized desks, which can cost a lot with its added features.
Sometimes the best solution to save space, and to save money, is by using a creative homemade solution. Segmenting gaming accessories, such as keyboards, joysticks, and headsets, are easier to handle when divided into shelf compartments.
The tricky part in segmenting the devices is in being familiar with their wires so that there would be no mess in quickly reconnecting them, so it could help to label them.
Differentiating Monitor Display Types
Buying gaming monitors aren’t always about getting the highest resolution possible. Monitors with higher HDR (high dynamic range) are usually for games with stunning visuals, while monitors with a higher refresh rate are for fast-paced games.
Finding out which type suits best in one’s setup can alter the gaming experience completely.
Fast-paced platformers with tight controls or shooters usually require split-second responses from players. A higher monitor refresh rate, set at around 144 Hz on average, has less input lag for the user to execute precise commands.
On the other hand, single-player games that are known for stunning visuals and cinematics are best with 4K HDR monitors.
Knowing which game is best for what type is a necessity in choosing the right monitor. To compare prices and specifications conveniently without having to enter a store, purchase LCD monitors online. Consider refurbished and fully functional ones that offer the same high-functioning specs at a lower price.
With limited options in local establishments, and most housing only the latest models, variability isn’t as present in person as it is online.
Investing in a Mechanical Keyboard
For PC gamers, owning an RGB backlit keyboard is the cornerstone of one’s setup. The flashy, adjustable lighting options on the keys are a great way to show off a piece of hardware. But it’s not always flash and colored lights that is the best option for competitive gamers.
Mechanical keyboards offer a higher advantage over membrane keyboards, which professionals on the scene agree with as a fact. The power of mechanical keyboards is their tactile feedback, which shows a feeling of pressing the right key with an audible click.
In terms of durability, mechanical keyboards have an edge of more than 20 to 50 million keystrokes over typical rubber dome keyboards’ 10 million.
Individual keys on mechanical keyboards are also easily replaceable, while rubber dome keys degrade in time, which leads to shorter shelf life.
Afterword
Gaming has seen a peculiar rise in popularity, invading even mobile devices as a potential market for expansion. With more people choosing to play in their free time, the lifestyle of having a dedicated gaming station at home is undervalued nowadays.
Hopefully, with the popularity of streaming, more people will recognize how playing on the go cannot compare with a full-fledged gaming area at home.
Creating a unique gaming setup doesn’t have to come at the cost of one’s wallet. With proper knowledge of what works for the right type of games and the creativity to go beyond pay-to-win solutions, an affordable solution is possible.