(Part 2) Best products from r/pcgaming

I'd first like to start off by saying do some research on mechanical keyboards and see if you like the feeling, but for one of those you'll have to spend a bit more.

My keyboard. I love it. The macro keys are nice, but to be honest I mostly use them for browsing, and not in game. The backlit keys are aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. It's a solid keyboard, but it ultimately has a bunch of unnecessary stuff. A simple mechanical keyboard would work just as well if not better.

My mouse. This is the best mouse I've ever used. Both interchangeable grips are amazing feeling, the weight adjustment is nice, and best of all being able to change my DPI on the fly is amazing. Crank it up in BF3 when using slower moving cannons, lower it while sniping so I can be a bit more steady. If this one breaks, or just feels worn out I'll absolutely buy another. If you have anymore questions for me just ask.

Definitely go with the mouse unless your keyboard is malfunctioning. Gaming keyboards are useful to have sometimes but not essential like a decent gaming mouse. Just make sure that the mouse you buy works well with how you play, the type of grip you use, palm or claw/fingertip.

In short, you either palm the mouse with your entire hand, moving your arm to move the mouse, or you "claw" it, grabbing it with your finger tips and moving it just with your wrist. Knowing which grip you prefer and getting a mouse that fits it well goes a long way to eliminate wrist pain and fatigue.

Personally, I claw grip and use the CM Storm Spawn. Best mouse I've ever used for my style of play due to its small size and design. (So good I bought a second one for my laptop.) It goes up to 3500 DPI but IMO the 1800 DPI preset is perfect for most all games. If I need more precision I take it down to the 800 DPI preset and if I need more look speed (i.e. BF3 vehicles) I go up to the 3500 DPI preset.

Other good options are the G500 and the Deathadder , both of which many people swear by. They're better for palm grip IMO though due to their size.

TL;DR Go with the mouse and pick one that fits your hand and style of play well.

Alera Elusion owner here. Great chair for the money. I posted this a few days ago...

>Like others have said, skip the gamer/racing chairs. Way overpriced and lack (essential) features of similarly priced ergo chairs.

>Also, the whole "get a used Leap/Aeron" thing really is good advice, if you can find a good deal. You may be apprehensive or skeptical, but a ~$300 used Leap/Aeron is a better value than you may think it is, it will also outperform and outlast a brand-new Staples/Ikea $200-$300 chair, no doubt.

>I'd steer clear of the ~$200 Ikea/Staples/whatever chairs though. Yes, they are comfy and I know many here like them...but they also tend to lack features of other purpose-built ergo chairs in the price range.

>For $250, you want:

>•adjustable seat-pans


>•adj. backrests (or at least moveable lumbar support...and I don't mean some silly pillow)


>•arms both up and out


>•full and split recline


>•open and locking recline


>Yes, everything on that list is well worth it and once you use a chair that has these functions, you'll wonder how you ever went without. That's the difference of a "comfy" chair - to a chair that truly "fits like a glove" and offers proper support. Paying something like $200-$250 for a chair that doesn't even have adjustable armrests isn't really a good deal at all.

>Now, before you think "that's impossible and I'm not dumping cash for some expensive-ass high-end chair...", you can find proper ergo chairs with the features for a good price. I'm currently using a $150 (paid $120) chair that does all of that and more. It's an Alera Elusion Multi-function High-back - it's known as the "poor man's Aeron".

>It's 85-90% as comfortable as the Aeron (no small feat...yes, I've sat on Aerons) and has a fair bit of adjustment. You can see where corners were cut (heavy plastic base - instead of metal, need to buy the $15 headrest separate), compared to a Herman Miller...but it's $150 new.

>Elusion

>It's not the end-all-be-all, it's also not the only good option. The point is, there are options for reasonably priced ergo/office chairs - made by actual chair companies - that tick all of the boxes, and are far better than just going to Staples or Ikea. Thing like this or used Hons and much more can be had for around $150-200. You just need to look around a little.

I've had numerous people tell me that my Audio Technica ATH AD700 headphone are extremely comfortable. I coupled them and a Modmic together to make what I guess you are looking for, sound + voice. The Modmic has fantastic quality and the AD700s sound great, except that they do not have very strong base. They do have a good sound stage meaning that you can determine the direction of a sound quite easily. They no longer produce the original AD 700 that I have, now they are on a new model, the AD 700x. It is pretty much the same, just a different color.

Link to Amazon page for AD700x

Link to Modmic page

If you have a bit more to spend, then the Audio Technica AD900x are for the most part an upgraded / better version of the AD700x. They do sound better than the AD700x but they are about $100 more expensive.

Link to AD900x

If you are not a fan of Audio Technica then you can really use any quality headphone with the modmic. I just like the AD700 becuase it is great for gaming since it has great positional sound.

I honestly can't think of a reason to spend so little on a computer chair, unless you're a casual computer user and are sitting at it for at most 3-4 hours a day. Even then you should be ponying up the cash for something with adjustable back support if you don't want back issues.
I sit at my desk on average 8 hours a day and the cheap $200-$300 chairs from office depot etc last me at most 3 years but usually 2 before falling apart. I then spend another $200-$300 and at that point I pretty much could've bought the Rolls Royce of chairs. So if you sit for as long as I do or longer, just take the hit and buy a solid, expensive chair.

However I understand not everyone can afford that even if they try and budget for it. There are pretty nice chairs (from what I've read) in the $400 range that aren't junk gaming chairs. Here's a list I've found but keep in mind I have never owned any of these but have just heard good things about them.

Lorell Executive

Alera Elusion

ErgoChair

For the last one, the Ergo Chair. I've heard both great things about the chair but negative things about the company itself. The Chair/Company was kickstarted/crowdfunded and some reddit users complained of shady practices, but others got their chairs and loved it so take with that what you will. And as others have said, you can get the herman miller chairs, steelcase etc etc for the cheap and in good condition on craigslist and ebay etc. Companies sell them all the time.

Here's my copy/pasted response to this sort of question. I do cover virtual surround sound in it. You can add it to any pair of headphones with an inexpensive sound card.

If you do want virtual surround sound, go look at Mad Lust Envy's thread over at Head Fi - he has reviewed a bunch of headphones with Dolby Headphone(virtual surround sound) in mind.

---

Get a pair of headphones and a mic.

If you want surround sound with your headphones, go for the Asus Xonar DG($24) as your sound card. It is very inexpensive and offers Dolby Headphone(ie, it allows you to have virtual surround sound on any pair of headphones - certain headphones work better with this than others, check out this thread at Head-Fi for a plethora of headphones reviewed with Dolby Headphone in mind).

As for the microphone, the common choice is the Zalman zm-mic1($9). Another great choice if you want a better microphone is the Antlion ModMic($33).

As for the headphones, this is a very personal thing. Do you want to be able to accurately pinpoint the location of footsteps in first person shooters? Go for something that is reviewed well by Mad Lust Envy in his thread. Good choices would be the Audio Technica ATH-AD700, the AKG K701/K702/Q701, the Sennheiser HD558/HD598. All of these are open headphones, which tend to be better if you want positional accuracy, but if you'd prefer a closed pair, the Beyerdynamic DT770/DT880/DT990 are rather good. Keep in mind that the Beyers and the AKGs should not be used without an external amp. The other ones should be fine to run off the sound card.

If you don't need pristine positional accuracy in first person shooters, you could go for a huge number of different headphones to suit your tastes. Here is a great thread on Head-Fi comparing many different headphones.

This I can help with my friend. I currently have the Logitech G700 wireless gaming mouse. I freaking LOVE it. It has 7 programmable macro buttons. But, it has three profiles. With each profile you can have the buttons programmed however you want. It has a visual DPI indicator which can be changed on the fly.

I currently us this as my keyboard because it was really cheap and was free with my desktop. I thought that I might have problems with it being a cheap piece of shit but I love it. It's simple, and it has really good key pressure for gaming. Also, on the top is good visual indicators if you have any locks on blah, blah, blah. I think my favorite part is the buttons along the top. I don't turn my computer off I put it to sleep when I'm not using it. The buttons on the top of the keyboard include: Sleep, Power, wake up, and Fn.

So ya, there ya go. I've only been PC gaming for about 8 months so this might be completely wrong but that's what I have. Happy gaming!

> Get a good headset (I use the Logitech G930s, but just find something comfortable and decent quality)

I strongly recommend getting a nice pair of headphones and a separate mic instead of a headset. Gaming headsets tend to have poor sound and mic quality when compared to a dedicated pair of headphones and a mic.

For headphones, try /r/headphones. For the mic, you could just get a clip-on like this zalman or an antlion modmic, or you can get a full blown mic like a blue yeti or blue snowball.

The Logitech F310, F510, and F710 are the best options. They have a switch on the back that changes from Direct Input to X-Input (what the 360 controller uses) to ensure compatibility for every game that supports a controller. I have 2 of them and they are great. They have great build quality and a D-pad miles better than the 360 one.

Yep, the amplifier power in a dedicated sound card is superior to most onboard sound chips, so the volume will be increased. Headphones only sound as good as the sound card and source quality (e.g. bitrate). Make sure to configure the bitrate for your sound card to its maximum supported in the sound options as well, just in case.

For the adapter:

• If this is a headphone and microphone combined on a single 3.5mm audio jack, then a Y-Splitter like this is necessary. On the other hand, if using two separate headphone and microphone 3.5mm jacks that need to be a combined into one jack for a laptop, then a Y-Splitter like this is necessary. If already using a Y-Splitter, then perhaps the jacks do not correctly align, and so you would need to find a splitter that is compatible with your jack's pole pattern.

The Steps too PC gaming headset success:

First a disclaimer. PCgaming headsets are subpar compared to equivalent consumer and entery level audiophile headphones. Buying a gaming headphones basically means you're paying money for the marketing term "gaming."

• Don't buy a gaming headet
  
• Buy an open back pair of entry level audiophile cans like These ( I assure you they're normally cheaper, they seem to have a price hike right now cause they're low on stock)
  
• Buy an Antlion mod mic or a zalman mic 1
  
• Now you can enjoy far superior sound quality than any game set can offer you. Bonus? You'll also be able to enjoy music at a much higher quality than you would have before.

I buy logitech mice pretty consistently. I currently use this, which is the best mouse I have ever owned, though it is more expensive.

For a cheaper option, I used the same MX 510 for over 5+ years before I got my current one and love it. It's cheap, has customizable buttons and is incredibly reliable. Hope that helps!

my current Carcharias are probably the most comfortable set I've ever owned. They go on sale all over the place all the time so 70 bucks isn't a necessity. I got mine at Best Buy for 50. I also love that it uses 3.5mm jacks instead of USB like most every other "modern" headset, allowing you to plug in and unplug whenever you want and not have to restart games or software like you have to do with USB.

> My folks doesnt want me punching holes in their newly built house.

If you get AT&T and they have to bring a new line inside the house, they'll have to drill whatever holes they need AND you would need to run an Ethernet cable from the AT&T modem into the attic, and then into the wall into your room and you'd have to cut a hole into the wall and patch the cable in, well if you want ethernet. I had to do something similar for a friend's apartment and put one of these in the wall: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F15CKQQ/

OR you can buy some powerline adapters and see if that works to bring internet to your room. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Powerline-Adapter-Starter-TL-PA2010KIT/dp/B00AWRUIY4/

Running ethernet cables in the attic is much easier in a 1 story house, you just have to watch your footing and only step on the rafters, otherwise you'll fall through the ceiling. If you're in a 2 story house then good luck, not happening.


Powerline adapters are probably your best bet.

Logan reviewed 2 headphones that are less than $50 each. Here is the video.

For the mic you can always just pick up the very popular Zalman clip-on mic or spend more money for a modmic.

Edit: This setup is more about audio quality than comfort now that I took a second to think about it. Sorry. I'll leave it up for people who likes options.

Edit 2: I have owned this headset and I can say they were very comfortable, and at the perfect price point for you OP.

While it doesn't have much in the way of a pinky rest, I am surprisingly happy with my UtechSmart Venus ($37.99 Amazon). I thought it'd be a cheap chinese knockoff, but it has so far been every bit as good as my Razer Naga was. (My second Naga in two years began suffering from an oxidized switch like the first one. I decided I didn't want to spend $90 a year on a gaming mouse so looked for a cheaper alternative).

If you're in the market for a budget gaming mouse with a 12-button thumb grid, long braided USB cable, configurable LEDs, and removable weights, I can't recommend the Venus enough. I've also used the Redragon Mammoth and Perdition and they were surprisingly good for the price.

A quick glance on Amazon for gaming mice that have a pinky rest yielded this one for only $11.99. I can't vouch for its quality, but at that price I'd imagine it's worth risking just to see what it's like.

Here is my mouse link https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IFRH6JS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . It says it has an average 4 star review but I still believe most of these reviews come from casual gamers. And rn I'm playing csgo against bots to better my skills. I also play the og csgo. Also do I really need a new mouse rn? Definitely by christmas I'm getting a new gaming mouse/keyboard.

Thanks for the blunt breakdown. Really. I don't have any evidence to point to, but PC controllers used be like $20. I get that quality has improved, but $50 seems like a big jump. Anyway, I guess I'll go with this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QRKWKQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

That's what I want, yea?

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Carcharias-Gaming-Headset-Black/dp/B001PTH0VW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1301801164&sr=8-7

i really like those for purely gaming. theyre comfy so you can wear them forever. they have decent positional sound and good sound quality and the microphone is good too.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU

• 
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Microphone-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b
  
  
  the best headphones money can buy for a decent price plus a highly flexible/mobile/good microphone to just clip on when you need it.
  

I have the Razer Deathadder and it's pretty good. Very comfortable feel, cool light up effect, and it has two side buttons.

I have a Steam Link and didn't get good performance over wifi, so I picked up some powerline adapters and they work great. I never dip below 60fps anymore. Honestly it's like playing the game straight on the computer. I don't notice any lag.

I use this:

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500P-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001U899HQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1370380797&sr=8-3&keywords=datavac

Its not the cheapest method but I have had great luck with this thing so far.

It seems like you already dropped the $107 on some ATH-AD700's, which is an awesome choice! I figured I'd add a $50 mic to that mix, in case you want something a little fancier. I've been using a Blue Snowball for games/podcasting for about a year and a half, and they've really come down in price. I got it from my lady, who picked it out because she works for a cable TV company and they use Blue Snowballs professionally to record voice-over. My voice is muddy as all hell, so getting a clear mic was on the import side for me.

Though honestly, the Zalman mic that DaFox linked to is very good as well, and will probably suit all your needs.

Well that's a gaming headset and super cheap at that. Here's my combination of headphones and attachable mic.

This is about options though and is technically cheaper. You can use any headphones where you'd be able to stick the mics magnet attachment on the side. Someone also mentioned the V-MODA which is a cheaper attachable mic. A much more fault tolerant setup as well. I don't have to worry about breaking cheaply made plastic and throwing down full price to replace it.

I like my Logitech G9X. Easy sensitivity. Can change the scroll settings. Comes with additional weights and has this thing you can put over it to make it wider. I love it

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NTFATI

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Gaming-Headset-Surround/dp/B003VANOFY/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1341198926&sr=1-2&keywords=g35+logitech

I got this exact model at best buy for 80$. Best headphones for that price I could find.

I've had the g700 from logitech for the past few years. It has a dpi indicator, as well as a battery indicator. It's by far the best mouse i've used personally. They currently have the g700 and the g700s which has a better sensor I believe. It works wireless or wired.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Gaming-Mouse-G700/dp/B003VAM32E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395821182&sr=8-2&keywords=g700

i'll do my best to figure it out, just researching a number from what you linked, this seems fantastic, and leaves me with a little extra cash.

Okay so maybe I should consider going with 5M not 10M?

Would something like this work? It has the option to power it via a 5V power supply by the looks of it. But do I need that power for a couple of game controllers? Cheers!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extension-UGREEN-Amplifier-Repeater-Keyboards/dp/B00A30FOD0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=10m+usb+hub&qid=1570013628&sr=8-3

Can I get your opinion on the Logitech G930?

I love the design, the fact that the mic is built in, and that it is wireless - which is a HUGE bonus to me.

Yep!

I got this one

I learned about it when I was planning my PC and looking for ways around having to use wifi. thought it was too good to be true. It isn't.

[This is the best investment I ever made as far as PC cleaning.] (http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500P-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001U899HQ/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1427598236&sr=8-32&keywords=canned+air) Three times a year and I'm good.

I know this is $15 over budget, but I own these and am very impressed. Very comfy and long wireless range. Virtual surround works well for FPS games. Battery lasts a while too.

Logitech G930

Keep in mind if you are in an apartment and there's lots if WiFi networks then your experience with wireless headsets will not be a good one.

Just $10 more than you want to spend, but it's a pretty decent budget gaming mouse:

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Deathadder-Infrared-Gaming-RZ01-00151400-R3/dp/B002Q4U5DK/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1341471547&sr=1-1

$100 wireless you say? Logitech G930, I've had mine for about a month now and love them.

If you're interested in a wireless headset, I really like my Logitech g930

Yeah, Amazon and Newegg have them, as do most stores with gaming stuff. You can get the wireless or wired version, depending on your preference, but if you get the wireless one, make sure it says for windows (the wired one shouldn't matter).

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-360-Controller-Windows/dp/B004QRKWLA

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/dp/B004QRKWKQ

I have a Logitech Gamepad F710 wireless controller. I got it because I put Defiance on my netbook and I just can't do TPS or FPS games with keyboard and mouse, I don't understand how people do it. It's just mroe comfortable for me to play those games with thumbsticks and trigger buttons. This is also one of the reasons I can't really play MMOs. Spam clicking wasd and hot keys to move around and attack, does a number on my fucking wrists. But to each his own.

I love it.

If you're referring to this it's fine. If not, I wouldn't risk it. These electronic dusters are designed for the purpose they fulfill.

If you have cash to spare. These are supposed to be fantastic. If not, you may have to experiment with different mics.

There are ways to do it, but I don't recommend it. The only game I have been able to use it well is Dark Souls because it lets you change the on-screen button prompts. But it is still a hassle to get set up.

If you need a controller NOW, get this. If not, you might want to wait until the Xbox One launches. The new Xbox One controller will become the new standard controller for PC gaming as well.

An electric leaf blower more expensive around $30 but will last longer than cans of air. I see people recommend the DataVac Electric Duster but it's more expensive at around $60.

I've had two mx518s, and one of them was replaced by my G9x. I use the G9x at home and the mx518 at work. It's not the same feeling, but I do like it a lot.

Wifi? Yuck. Run a wire if you can or use HomePlug to convert your electrical outlets to ethernet cables.

Even the best, latest-and-greatest wifi will drop.

I got a pair of Logitech F710 controllers. They're a bit cheaper than the Xbox 360 controllers, and are quite nice.

I'm using a G9x, way more than $30 but totally worth it to me.

I recommend the Logitech F710 for Emulation, MMOs, New games and old games alike. It has two separate input methods (Direct Input, and XInput) for the broadest compatibility.

Sounds like a job for Skyrim and a controller.

• Wireless Xbox 360 Controller for Windows - $43.28
  
  
• DS4 Bluetooth Controller - $59.96
  
  The Xbox Controller comes with one of the dongles in the box anyway. It's really up to you if the DS4 is worth $16.68 more. Personally I think I'm just going to get the Xbox 360 controller, and I was thinking about picking on of these up for movie watching and web-browsing in bed anyway, so the trackpad support on the DS4 would probably be useless for me.

This might work for you. http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-940-000110-Gamepad-F310/dp/B003VAHYQY/ref=pd_cp_pc_0 I was telling my brother to get it because it has both Direct Input and Xinput. Has the layout of a PS3 controller, but has the button icons of an Xbox controller, so if someone who isn't a gamer uses it and the screen says press "Y", they'll still see the "Y" on the controller.

And the F710 someone else recommended. http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-940-000117-Gamepad-F710/dp/B0041RR0TW/ref=pd_tcs_subst_e_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=14Y12G1HJ1KN1C1CENZ9

You don't need that particular model; I have this one and I've been using it for 2+ years with no issues. I clean a bunch of PCs with it.

I bought similar electric duster about a year ago called DataVac and it's so much better compared to compressed air cans that get cold and lose pressure the more you use them. The first time I used this thing dust was flying out places the compressed air could never get to. Works great on other stuff around the house too.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/dp/B004QRKWKQ

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/dp/B004QRKWKQ/ref=pd_sim_vg_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1BZ072XF6YYT98W5FE4P

I bought mine with it's bundled. There is one called Xbox 360 controller for Windows.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/dp/B004QRKWKQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409344641&sr=8-2&keywords=Xbox+360+windows

In my country it's actually cheaper then the wierd controller, which I found a bit wired

I don't think they are $50. You can get one that comes with a wireless controller right now for $40.
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/dp/B004QRKWKQ

There's an infrared version which is cheaper: http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Deathadder-Infrared-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B002Q4U5DK -- How does it compare with this? http://www.amazon.com/Razer-DeathAdder-Ergonomic-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00AAS888S

They cost $100-$140 USD here in the US.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S332TQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_W6JPCbYS9D0V6

HEADPHONES - AKG Q701 Reference Headphones

• Very detailed (especially treble), bass is high quality but lacking much oomph
  
  
• Huge sound-stage that allows you to hear enemies behind you or the orchestra surrounding you.
  
  
• Ear pads are very comfy, headband is torture device (but fine after I added a $7 headphone band cushion)
  
  SPEAKERS - AudioEngine A2+
  
  
  DAC - HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC 96khz/24bit
  
  
  
  
  AMP
  

• SCHIIT Magni V1

You should know that you can buy a USB adapter to use any wireless Xbox 360 controller for your PC. The above comment didn't make that clear.
This one is the controller + the USB adapter. You can use one USB adapter for up to 4 controllers, so only buy 1 adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/dp/B004QRKWKQ/

Amazon reviews (for what they're worth) seem to disagree. More and better reviews on the g930 and it's ~$60 cheaper.

EDIT: Links for the lazy.
G930
Z300

I've been using it for over 2 years with no issues, and you can program the buttons to whatever you want.

Of the research I did do, I read about the Zalman mic indicated it would have the EXACT problem I'm experiencing now. Since it is omni-directional, people can hear EVERYTHING around me. This is exactly what i was trying to avoid. it literally says right on the amazon product description (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Gaming-Headset-Surround/dp/B003VANOFY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1372388552&sr=1-1&keywords=g930) "noise canceling boom mic: reduces background noise" so I'm wondering what the fuck is going on with my headset.