Tips on Gaming PeripheralsTips on Gaming Peripherals
I noticed that many people that ask for gaming peripherals don't provide that much information on what they're looking for, and it tends to lead to suggestions that are bias to the persons experience, which may not be perfect for the inquirer. So here's a few tips that will help other users help you!
Mechanical keyboards: what switches do you want? each switch has a different actuation point (registers halfway, or all the way down, or really high up) and it also affects the sound of the keyboard. Find something with that baseline and then find additional features that you would like. If you hear anything about Key polling rates, Anti-Ghosting, Gold Plated Connectors and Gaming Matrix... Ignore it, general marketing that hypes products up using fancy words and enticing 'features' that don't really change what your keyboard does. [Anti-Ghosting sometimes replaces Key Rollover, Gaming Matrix is a worse version of Key Rollover and Gold Plated Connectors don't change anything]
Key Rollover: How many keys that can be pressed at the same time (great for those 2 player keyboard game) starts from 2 to N (which is ur entire keyboard)
Macros: On keyboards they're additional switches that you can program to press certain keys or do specific things (using scripts) (i.e open skype or type "hello" whenever you press that button)
If you really want to go full geek with mechanical keyboards you should also research:
Plate Mounted Vs. PCB Mounted switches
Costar Style Vs. Cherry Stabilizers
Keycap Materials (ABS, PBT, POM)
O-Ring Sound Dampeners
Gaming mouse: A mouse that fits your hand and how you hold your mouse (clawgrip or palm) is most important when you're buying a mouse. You don't want to strain your hand or feel uncomfortable because your mouse is too small or too big. The features on your mouse is usually dependent on what kind of games you play (RTS/RPGs tend to use a mouse with a lot more macros)
Optical vs Laser: Well, Laser tracks on many different objects, but sometimes has issues with tracking (mouse jitters) depending on the mousepad or depth levels (since it can track from height). Overall, nothing else is different (some say optical is more efficient though)
Don't forget to see if the mouse is for left handed or right handed users (unlisted usually means right handed or neutral)
Gaming headset: Well, Headsets aren't about efficiency, but there are a few things you should be looking for. I would usually say you would have to try them out in person to compare most headsets, as headsizes and ears are different. With that being said, comfortability and durability are the things to consider firsthand before anything else. You obviously don't want something that hurts after little usage or breaking on you during the first month. Generally, you can see trends on how companies tune their sound quality in comparison to their microphone quality. You'll find that some (or most) will focus on sound quality over microphone quality, reviews will usually help you out with figuring out what you would like.
Open vs Closed headsets: A closed headset is exactly as it sounds, noise doesn't leak out, it makes ambience a lot better and people around you won't hear anything coming from. Open headsets intentionally leaks sound, but has a less muffled sound (making it sound more natural) which in turn gives better sound quality.
That's what I know about gaming peripherals! Feel free to correct any mistakes I may have and enjoy picking and choosing.
Mechanical keyboards: what switches do you want? each switch has a different actuation point (registers halfway, or all the way down, or really high up) and it also affects the sound of the keyboard. Find something with that baseline and then find additional features that you would like. If you hear anything about Key polling rates, Anti-Ghosting, Gold Plated Connectors and Gaming Matrix... Ignore it, general marketing that hypes products up using fancy words and enticing 'features' that don't really change what your keyboard does. [Anti-Ghosting sometimes replaces Key Rollover, Gaming Matrix is a worse version of Key Rollover and Gold Plated Connectors don't change anything]
Key Rollover: How many keys that can be pressed at the same time (great for those 2 player keyboard game) starts from 2 to N (which is ur entire keyboard)
Macros: On keyboards they're additional switches that you can program to press certain keys or do specific things (using scripts) (i.e open skype or type "hello" whenever you press that button)
If you really want to go full geek with mechanical keyboards you should also research:
Plate Mounted Vs. PCB Mounted switches
Costar Style Vs. Cherry Stabilizers
Keycap Materials (ABS, PBT, POM)
O-Ring Sound Dampeners
Gaming mouse: A mouse that fits your hand and how you hold your mouse (clawgrip or palm) is most important when you're buying a mouse. You don't want to strain your hand or feel uncomfortable because your mouse is too small or too big. The features on your mouse is usually dependent on what kind of games you play (RTS/RPGs tend to use a mouse with a lot more macros)
Optical vs Laser: Well, Laser tracks on many different objects, but sometimes has issues with tracking (mouse jitters) depending on the mousepad or depth levels (since it can track from height). Overall, nothing else is different (some say optical is more efficient though)
Don't forget to see if the mouse is for left handed or right handed users (unlisted usually means right handed or neutral)
Gaming headset: Well, Headsets aren't about efficiency, but there are a few things you should be looking for. I would usually say you would have to try them out in person to compare most headsets, as headsizes and ears are different. With that being said, comfortability and durability are the things to consider firsthand before anything else. You obviously don't want something that hurts after little usage or breaking on you during the first month. Generally, you can see trends on how companies tune their sound quality in comparison to their microphone quality. You'll find that some (or most) will focus on sound quality over microphone quality, reviews will usually help you out with figuring out what you would like.
Open vs Closed headsets: A closed headset is exactly as it sounds, noise doesn't leak out, it makes ambience a lot better and people around you won't hear anything coming from. Open headsets intentionally leaks sound, but has a less muffled sound (making it sound more natural) which in turn gives better sound quality.
That's what I know about gaming peripherals! Feel free to correct any mistakes I may have and enjoy picking and choosing.
