So, you’ve built your gaming PC, and now it’s time to create your new PC setup. There are several things to consider before jumping in and ending up with a poorly put-together setup that you’ll want to change within a few weeks. Peripherals, desk, chair, monitors, and of course… RGB lights are absolutely essential to creating the perfect setup.
To start, it will be important to set your desk at the right height. The average desk is 35″ high, which works well for most people. Your thighs need to be able to rest completely flat on the surface of the desk while sitting with your legs bent on. Then, take a marker and mark where your monitor is going to sit on the desk. This will help you later when it comes time to order a monitor stand or mount. Since this is a gaming setup, your monitor should also be one that supports high frame rates as well as high resolution.
Monitors that support a refresh rate of 144hz would be the best option for the ultimate gaming setup. However, they can be expensive so if you’re thinking about getting multiple monitors, maybe consider getting a single 144hz monitor and an additional standard 75hz monitor. This will give you the best of both worlds when it comes to frame rates. While one is showing 144 refreshed frames per second, the other can be set to 75 refreshed frames per second so that it is clear and smooth. The higher frame rate will allow for a smoother transition between each image on the screen, which will make it easier to spot movements in games.
Once you have your stand or mount picked out for your monitor(s), it’s time to put all of the peripherals on your desk. If you’ve got a nice-looking rig that you want to show off, you can put your PC on your desk and end up with a clean and efficient setup that has optimal airflow.
Gaming chairs have boomed in recent years with loads more companies creating them such as Corsair, Noble Chairs, and Omega. If you’re going to spend the money on gaming, it’s probably worth splurging on a nice chair with adjustable lumbar and padding.
If you’re not looking to spend money on a fancy gaming chair, there are a few options that are decent if you squint. The most commonly used gaming chairs are the ones that have casters rollers under them. These can be found at Computer & Video Game specialty stores, Walmart, and various other retailers. These chairs work well for basic setups because they eliminate the need for desk space. However, these chairs can only move very little when set flat on the ground so your feet will eventually touch while playing games. And lastly, if you are looking to get a gaming chair, it is important to consider which type of chairs are best for your needs. You may want to get a chair that will eliminate neck and shoulder pains when sitting for hours at the computer.
Monitor stands can also help you save desk space and eliminate awkward angles that you may be forced to set up because of your monitor’s height. However, they can only move so far before putting strain on the monitor’s stand or mount. Another issue with monitor stands is that it is difficult to aim the screen straight down at your desk without some kind of adjustment. You could use something like a pencil box or tape measurer as an intermediary if you don’t have anything else handy.
The next thing to consider is your broadband connection, you’ll have to ensure that you’re within very close WiFi distance or have a long enough ethernet cable to connect to your router. You need to make sure that your connection is fast enough to prevent dropped frames during gameplay. Unfortunately, the only way that you’ll know if your connection is good enough is by testing it out. Use a speed test tool to determine your download and upload speed, anything around 40Mbs will ensure a flawless gaming experience.
It’s absolutely pointless building an epic gaming PC only to have it be let down by your internet connection. So, if you’ve got a good ethernet cable, it’s not peak times and you’re still getting lag during gaming then it might be time to switch broadband providers to get faster speeds. It’s not a daunting process and is relatively simple so don’t let that put you off it.
Once you’ve got the essentials decided, it’s time to make it fancy. RGB lights are all the rage these days and can enhance the look of your rig dramatically. It’s not hard to install RGB lights, just buy a light strip and controller from your favorite gaming PC accessories retailers such as Corsair, Xigmatek, and Thermaltake and hook it up to your motherboard. If you are not sure how to set it up, there are plenty of video guides on YouTube that will help you out.
Nanoleaf lights have also become popular in the past few years as they’ve been used by big streamers and YouTubers. If you want a more subtle colored lighting effect, there are plenty of options out there that will compliment your PC’s theme. Lights can be controlled by your smartphone and change colors or turn on and off in sets of three or five.