I’ve gone through a lot of PC gaming gear to find the perfect accessories for my desk. With all the upgrades that I’ve done over the past decade, only five upgrades really stand out to me. These are the things that completely changed how I game at my desk (and why I think these upgrades might apply to you, too).
5Programmable Mechanical Keyboard
I’ve usedmechanical keyboardsfor over a decade at this point, and it was a huge upgrade over the membrane-backed keyboards I used previously. However, I wouldn’t really say that going mechanical “changed how I gamed.”
The thing that really changed gaming for me was a programmable keyboard. Not macros, per se, but actually being able to change a keyboard layout on the fly.
I use a split tented keyboardwhich has multiple layers where the entire keyboard layout can be changed at the single click of a button. It’s awesome in so many ways, but the programming is where it shines.
I have multiple layers on the keyboard for various games. Some titles are best played with a traditional layout, and others I have custom macros programmed so that way my left hand can access everything needed while my right hand sits on the mouse.
I prefer this totraditional macro-based keyboardsbecause I can still create macros but assign them to any key I want—and then only use that layer when playing a specific game. Normal macro keyboards have dedicated macro keys off to the side, which means I have to move my hand from the WASD keys to access the macros.
With a programmable keyboard with layers, I can just put a macro anywhere I want on the left half of my keyboard, keeping my fingers on WASD where they need to be.
Dygma Raise 2
This split keyboard has optional tenting that allows for maximum ergonomics and productivity.
4High-Quality Microphone
For me, gaming isn’t just about playing the game—it’s about the experience. Sometimes that experience can includeplaying with others, and sometimes it can even bemaking content about that game.
All of this (in my opinion) requires a high-quality microphone. Yes, many gaming headsets have decent microphones on them, but they typically can’t compare with a proper USB or XLR microphone.
A high-quality mic doesn’t have to be expensive, however. I recently reviewed theNZXT Capsule Elite USB microphone, which has become my go-to for both voiceovers and podcasting. The cost? Under $100. It’s actually really affordable.
Having a dedicated microphone is also crucial for my favorite way to play games: open back headphones.
NZXT Capsule Elite Microphone
The NZXT Capsule Elite is a USB-C gaming microphone with a 24-bit depth and 192kHz sample rate. Designed for both gaming and voiceovers, this microphone is sleek, pairs well with gaming decor, and offers a high-quality experience at an affordable price.
3Comfortable Headphones
I’ve used many gaming headsets over my years as a reviewer, but I always come back to a unique, non-gaming-focused headphone style: open-back audiophile-grade headphones.
I’ve got thePhilips Fidelio X3andPhilips SHP9600, both of which I absolutely love. The Philips SHP9600 are my favorite open-back headphones for gaming that I own.
A downside toopen-back audiophile-grade headphonesis that they don’t come with a mic, which is another reason I prefer to have an external USB microphone on-hand.
Now, why do I prefer wired open-back headphones? They’re far more comfortable than any gaming headset I’ve ever worn. Since there is no battery, these headphones are much lighter than traditional gaming headsets. They’re also less bulky, can sound drastically better, and are often more repairable than gaming headsets.
Overall, the experience that open-back headphones offer is just superior to closed-back gaming headsets in my experience. The lighter build and open backs allow me to game for hours on end without my head hurting or ears sweating.
Philips Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones (SHP9600)
The Philips SHP9600 over-ear open-back headphones offer superb audio clarity, balanced sound, and all-day comfort. With premium 50mm drivers, a durable design, and a detachable cable, they’re perfect for audiophiles seeking high-quality, natural sound.Override
2MMO Gaming Mouse
Just like headphones, I’ve used a lot of gaming mice over the years, and I have a favorite. Not necessarily a specific favorite mouse, but a favorite style: MMO.
A MMO mouse puts a plethora of buttons at your thumbtip. A typical MMO mouse will have 9 to 12 buttons on the side that you can click with your thumb. My preferred MMO mouse right now is theSteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless, as it’s lightweight, has great battery life, and delivers 12 total side buttons.
I love these types of mice because they allow me to further immerse myself in any game I play. Just like with a programmable keyboard, it’s all about how efficient I can be in game.
The types of games I play vary greatly. However, in an FPS or MMO game, keyboard usage is the most important to me. WhenI used to play battle royale games heavily, I really relied on my MMO mouse.
I would have buttons one through three programmed to weapons, button four for healing, button five for grenades (or other throwables), and button six for my character’s special ability. I still had even more buttons to program if I needed.
The biggest benefit here is that I could keep my left hand dedicated to simply movement instead of character and weapon abilities. This helped me to have an edge on others, because my fingers moved less between actions. I simply moved my thumb on the side of my mouse to change weapons, instead of having to lift my fingers off of WASD and stop moving to switch weapons.
SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless
The SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless is a MMO-style wireless gaming mouse in the ultralight category. Weighing just 89g and sporting a 180-hour battery life, this mouse comes with 12 side buttons as well as a programmable top button, so you can ensure that it is set up exactly how you need it.
1High Refresh Rate Display
I was part of the 60Hz monitor team for quite a few years. However, a couple of years ago, I made the switch to high refresh rate—and I could never go back now.
I originally went to a 144Hz Ultrawide monitor, and then to a 240Hz 16:9 display. Personally, I can’t tell a huge difference between 144Hz and 240Hz. I know there’s a difference, and some might call me out for it being massive—I just can’t tell a huge difference.
However, from 60Hz to 120Hz or 144Hz was a massive upgrsade for me.My current display is 4K 144Hz(running at 120Hz on macOS) and I honestly can’t live with anything less at this point.
A higher refresh rate display is just so much smoother. It also helps out in gaming, as you can actually see more information on the display since it is refreshing more frequently.
If you are pushing 120 FPS in a game, and only have a 60Hz monitor, then your game is refreshing two times for every one time that your monitor refreshes. You lose this information without a high refresh rate display.
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 32-Inch Gaming Monitor
This Odyssey G7 gaming monitor has a 4K resolution, IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium support, and smart Tizen features.
These are the five upgrades that completely changed my gaming setup. However, these upgrades aren’t always the most budget-friendly, and I get that.
For those who are on a tighter budget, here arenine PC gaming upgrades that won’t break the bank. From affordable keyboards to a more ergonomic desk, you won’t want to miss these budget-focused upgrades.
