4 Overlooked Hardware Components that Will Improve Your Gaming Experience

Maximizing your dollar value for PC performance is always the priority when upgrading or building a new gaming PC. Extraneous purchases that are not vital to squeezing out those extra frames per second on higher settings can often be overlooked. However, if you have some extra cash and want to create a more well-rounded gaming experience, these four components are worth investing in.

1) Audio - Quality Headphones

Onboard audio on modern motherboards will suffice to get good in-game sound, but your output device should also be able to take advantage of audio potential. If you really want to push your audio quality, then you'd probably look into an external digital to analog converter (DAC) and/or amplifier. The right setup can create a richer experience with more detailed sound, but it can also help with positioning and anticipation in multiplayer games.

You don't have to be an audiophile, or spend close to what an audiophile would spend, for decent audio setup. Almost anything is an upgrade from built-in TV/monitor speakers or standard earbuds.

Headphones

If you're looking for a pair of headphones to help accurately detect footsteps in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or gunshots in Battlefield 1, you're looking for something with good soundstage. Soundstage is the perception of where a sound takes place in-game, in what direction and at what depth.

It's imperative to understand the simple difference between open-back and closed-back headphones when investing in headphones. Open-back means that the cups do not seal off noise and will leak sound to the outside world. As a consequence, noise-cancelling is limited and others will hear your audio in a quiet space. The advantage you gain is more accurate audio positioning or soundstage, audio will flow more naturally given open-back's non-isolating design.

That's not to say closed-back headphones can't provide the same quality audio. You may not notice a large difference in directional sound with this design, but will notice a large difference with outside noise. If you plan on using your headphones in moderately loud areas, or quiet areas where people are not be disturbed, closed-back headphones are a must.

My top recommendations would be the Sennheiser HD 598 for open-back headphones and the Audio Technica ATH-M50x for closed-back headphones. I can only speak to the comfort of the Sennheiser HD 598s, which are the easiest pair I've had to wear. I haven't had the chance to use the ATH-M50x for an extended period of time. Comfort is very much a personal preference based on the size and shape of your ears and head. There are great options either way. Regardless of your budget, doing research and testing different products is always the key to smart purchasing.

Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) / Amplifier

A DAC converts a bunch of zeroes and ones into something we can actually hear. It's a key component in sound cards. All onboard audio contains a DAC, but beefier external DACs can provide punchier bass, higher range and depth of sound, and less distortion.

Many DAC products are also amplifiers. This helps drive higher volume without distorting your audio and power high-end headphones to bring out detailed sound.

Much like performance parts (CPU, GPU, RAM, etc.), your audio hardware can create bottlenecks. High-end headphones are only as good as your DAC, and there's no point investing in a better DAC if you're using earbuds or low budget speakers.

2) Controls - Quality Keyboard, Mouse, and Controller

If you don't feel that higher quality keyboards, mice, and controllers will improve your in-game performance, then you should at least find what fits your style and provides the most comfort.

The Right Keyboard

Mechanical Keyboards provide better feedback and distinct key response. For lack of a better term, standard membrane keyboards feel squishy. No matter what type of switch or keyboard you choose, every switch has what's called an actuation point or the specific point at which a keystroke is registered. Every key is operated by an individual switch that is placed beneath the key cap.

The series of colored switches made by Cherry are the most widely available in mechanical keyboards and offer different functions:

• Blue and Green switches have a distinct tactile click to indicate actuation. The keystroke is loud and may disturb those around you, but the switch's physical feedback can be advantageous.
• Black and Red switches are both linear, meaning a keystroke has no tactile feedback or click to indicate actuation. This makes keystrokes effortless. Black switches require a little more force to push down than red switches.
• Brown and Clear switches offer a tactile bump to indicate actuation, but do not have a distinct click on a keystroke. It is essentially the middle ground between the aformentioned switch types.

Keyboards also come in several shapes and sizes. A full size keyboard with a number pad and the directional key column will traditionally have 104 keys. There are plenty of options for smaller form keyboard known as tenkeyless which ditch the number pad and sometimes the directional keys. If you need to save desk space, have no need for the extra keys, or just prefer the smaller aesthetic, tenkeyless keyboards might interest you.

The Right Mouse

Purchasing the right mouse mainly comes down to preference. Weight, shape, extra buttons, scroll wheel feel, and click force cannot be objectively quantified as better or worse. For example, I needed a mouse that was light, small, good for a claw grip, and had at least two thumb-side buttons. Some might want a heavy mouse to suit their play style, deeper thumb grooves for ergonomic reasons, or more programmable buttons on the side. Whatever it is you need from a mouse, be sure to test out your options and ask questions.

Mice have come to a point where high sensor precision and multiple DPI options come standard. Check out PC Gamer's article on busting myths about gaming mice by Wes Fenlon to go in-depth about technical mouse features.

The Right Controller

Modern PC games have seamlessly integrated gamepad support. Plug-and-play and switching to controller on the fly has become a standard. The options for the right controller are simpler compared to keyboards and mice.

Windows will automatically detect a wired Xbox 360 controller then you're set for games with controller support. Wired X360 controllers can be found for cheap, but the buttons themselves may not give the overall best feel. Getting the Xbox One wireless controller to connect to your PC may take some work, but many find the textured grip, thumbstick precision, and button response to be great.

The Dualshock 3 or 4 can also be made to work on PC. Sony has gone as far as releasing a USB bluetooth dongle specifically for the Dualshock 4, but a traditional bluetooth connection or USB cable can work as well. Drivers, such as DS4Windows, will be required to download if you plan to use either Dualshock without the dongle.

The Steam Controller takes some getting used to, but if you can spend some time with it and test it in game, you may prefer its design. Instead of a traditional right thumbstick, the Steam Controller implements a touchpad in its place to simulate the precision of a mouse. It also adds two extra buttons behind the controller face with paddles on each side of the controller arms.

3) Cooling - Temperature Control and Cable Management

A hot system is not an efficient one. Modern drivers and software will have general safeguards from overheating, such as downclocking itself or simply shutting down before damage is done. But you should not have to come to that point if you follow these tips.

Cleaning Your System

Never underestimate the impact of cleaning your computer. Dust naturally traps heat and blocks efficient airflow. Using compressed air to blow out lingering dust stuck in GPU fans and case fan blades will yield cooler temperatures.

Dusting out my EVGA GTX 970 alone dropped my idle and load GPU temperatures by 5C. Dusting out your rig doesn't have to be done at a high frequency, but it's a best practice to keep it reasonably clean through its lifespan.

Managing Airflow and Monitoring Activity

You can throw in as many case fans as you want, but if you don't manage their speed and flow direction then you're not doing your rig any favors. As a general rule you want air intake from the side and bottom, and air exhaust from the back and top of your case.

Several third-party applications will let you monitor temperatures, load, and speed of all your fans (like Open Hardware Monitor). You may also want an application to set your fan speeds manually or react to certain rises in temperature (like SpeedFan). I haven't had a problem with stock fan speeds, but it's a best practice to at least monitor activity.

Thermal Paste and Water Cooling

Thermal paste is generally applied on top of your CPU and forgotten about for its lifespan. When installing an aftermarket CPU or GPU cooler, the application of thermal paste is a critical step and must be applied correctly.

Aftermarket CPU coolers will either come with its own thermal paste or a coat already applied to the area that comes in contact with the CPU. If you need thermal paste alone, Arctic Silver 5 is a highly regarded thermal paste.

Water cooling is regarding as the most effective way to keep component temperatures down. A block that holds water is placed on your CPU or GPU and tubes flow the water to a radiator where the water is cooled by a fan. This cycle happens continuously and brings your temperatures down further than traditional cooling methods, though it can be pricey.

Cable Management for Functionality

Some of us find satisfaction in the sleek aesthetic of a properly cabled rig, but cable management is just as important in managing your airflow and temperatures. You don't want cables hanging in front of fans or stuffed into a compartment where vital hardware is situated.

The key to cable management is found in the right case and proper power supply. A decent case will have holes and openings to funnel your cables through the backend of the case and behind the motherboard. These openings should coincide with the necessary ports on a motherboard. Modular power supplies allow you to detach unused cables from the unit itself leading to less clutter.

Figuring out how and where to fit your cables will require a decent amount of work, but it will result in the best form and function for your rig.

4) Ergonomics - The Right Chair and Seating Support

Regardless of whether you're sitting at a desk or lounging on the couch while gaming, proper seat support pays dividends. This is one aspect of gaming that does not directly affect what happens in-game, but understanding the affect on your own body will have you consider investing in a the right chair or couch.

Soft cushioning is not always the answer. Sinking too far into a seat makes maintaining decent posture during long gaming sessions difficult. It can also cause problems with weight distribution on different parts of your body. A seat too firm will cause general discomfort and lower back pain. The right seat has a lot to do with body type and personal preference. Like many other components discussed here, try before you buy.

Lumbar support is crtical to avoiding lower back pain and maintaining a straight back. It is essentially a cushioned wedge that is placed at the lower back. This pushes the lower back forward and prevents slouching when leaning back into your chair.

Neck support can be found in higher-end desk chairs. The ability to lean into a neck or head support make longer sessions more comfortable and help avoid hanging your head.