Anyone who loves gaming knows that there is nothing worse than having your hardware or peripherals let you down. If you can’t rely on your equipment then you will not be able to maintain your winning streaks and may even be letting your team down if you play multiplayer games, so you certainly need to know that you’ll be able to stay connected and keep your head in the game.

The right peripherals will not only enable your gaming, they will even improve your gaming experience and make it even more enjoyable and immersive. Next level peripherals take this a step further and can even improve your performance, making you a better gamer and helping you achieve peak performance. Peripheral devices for PC gaming have come a long way in the past decade or so and can be considered as being almost as important as the quality of your hardware.

One of the best things about modern PC gaming peripherals is that they take all forms, meaning you will be able to choose options that suit your gaming style, preferences and budget. You can include as many or as few gaming extras as you like, the only real limit is your budget. These are just a few of the most important gaming peripherals that you can buy that will give you the biggest returns on your spend.

Gaming mouse

If you take your gaming seriously then don’t be fooled into thinking that any old mouse will do. A mouse that is designed specifically for gaming will be precision engineered to work ergonomically with the natural movement of your hands, fingers and wrist to provide balance and reduce fatigue.

They are especially important for people who spend a lot of time gaming because they can be at a higher risk of developing repetitive strain injuries (RSI). You want to avoid developing an RSI if you can help it because they can put even the most seasoned gamers out of action for weeks if not months. If you can only stretch to one gaming-specific peripheral then it is definitely worth prioritising your gaming mouse.

Keyboard designed for gaming

As with a gaming mouse, a keyboard that has been designed for gaming will have additional features that make it suited to this purpose. Most gamers prefer to use a mechanical keyboard as this gives the tactile feedback that helps them to optimise their gaming. They help prevent issues like keyboard ghosting, plus they are much easier to take apart to give them a good clean.

Gamers who love to personalise their peripherals will also love the fact that they can switch out the keys to customise the look of their gaming keyboard so it matches the rest of their setup. A keyboard that has been designed for gaming will also come with gaming specific features like programmable hotkeys and macros.

Active noise cancelling headset

Any gamer who takes their hobby seriously will want to invest in a good quality gaming headset with active noise cancelling. You’ll be able to place them over your ears and tune out the rest of the world for a much more immersive and involved gaming experience.

They can even help improve your gaming performance because many games rely on auditory cues to help you spot your enemies in an FPS or warn you of incoming boss fights in survival horror games. Headsets are also a great idea if you live with other people in your home who may not be as enthusiastic about the soundtrack or sound effects of your latest game obsession.

Extra large mouse mat

We’ve already talked about the importance of having a mouse specifically designed for gaming, but you’ll also need to pick up a mouse mat to ensure it works smoothly. Extra large mouse mats allow you to make the most of all the available space, and they also mean you won’t have to worry about readjusting the mat if you change position during game play. Choose a mouse mat that is large enough to cover a little more space than you think you will need, or look at buying one that is full width and length to cover most if not all of your desk surface.

Useful Links:

A Brief History Of Gaming
Useful New Skills You Can Learn With Your Gaming PC