If you realize me personally or have been following my journalistic work, you may know that there are few issues I like greater than gaming. When I’m not working, you may normally discover me sinking hours into my favourite RPGs. They’re like my protected house, and enjoying single-player video games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur’s Gate 3 feels therapeutic to me.
My favourite and go-to console is the PS5 Slim. I’ve logged in 1000’s of hours on it. When I check the perfect gaming headsets or the perfect controllers, I normally play on my PS5. But I additionally evaluate the perfect laptop audio system and the perfect gaming keyboards, and I check them by enjoying video games on the Dell Alienware 16X Aurora.
A monitor with a rapid refresh rate
The first and most important thing you need to elevate your PC gaming setup is a good, competent monitor. There are so many out there, though, that it can be overwhelming to make a decision. I’m here to make that easier. Get the Lenovo Legion R27qe Gen 2 if you’re based in Europe, or get the first-gen R27qe in the event you’re based in the States (as there is not a lot of a distinction between the 2 fashions).
Lenovo’s R27qe Gen 2 is an absolute beast for productivity and gaming. You get a QHD panel, and a 200Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time which means you don’t experience motion blur, choppiness or input lag. The monitor also brings all the dark and light shades to life thanks to impeccable color accuracy and coverage, as shown in our lab testing too — the results of which you can see in my full Lenovo Legion R27qe Gen 2 review.
I love just how bright the R27qe Gen 2 is too, with SDR brightness topping at 321.2 nits and HDR brightness at 222 nits. This is more than enough, as I was able to read and see everything on screen accurately and in great detail. The monitor itself is well-built and its head has a -5° to +22° tilt, 30° left and right swivel, and a -90° to +90° pivot, providing great flexibility.
Speakers that pack meaty bass
I’ve tested many speakers in my time so believe me when I say that the Edifier QR65 are some of the best-looking speakers money can buy today. Wrapped in textured faux leather that’s soft to touch and fitted with customizable LED lighting panels, the QR65 strike a great balance between gaming and bookshelf speakers. One of the reasons why they still haven’t left my desk is their design; the “infinity mirror” lighting effect really does turn my frown upside down.
Of course, there’s no point in spending any amount of money on speakers if they fail to create immersive soundscapes — and the good news is that the QR65 excel at that. Fitted with two 1.25-inch tweeters and two 2.75-inch mid-low drivers, they cover a frequency response range of 55Hz-40KHz. Sound is reproduced faithfully, and Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 comes to life, while you can hear the quiet hum of dungeons while thoroughly enjoying the power ballads in in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
If you’re an FPS player, you’ll appreciate just how clearly footsteps sound through the QR65. What I also love is that the speakers create a sort of virtual surround sound where you can hear audio not just around you, but above you too. This makes you feel immersed and you end up feeling like the main character. The QR65 are the perfect computer speakers for those who want aesthetic flair as well as bonkers sound quality.
An ergonomic Hall Effect controller
As a console gamer, I’m more comfortable using a controller than a keyboard and mouse for gaming. Few controllers are better than the GameSir G7 Pro, especially if you’re a PC gamer who doesn’t mind a wired gamepad. If you game for long periods of time, the G7 Pro should be right up your alley as it’s inspired by the Xbox Elite Series 2, so it sports chunky grips that are comfortable to hold.
There’s one area where the G7 Pro upstages the Xbox Elite Series 2, and that’s performance. Unlike the first-party Xbox gamepad, the G7 Pro is fitted with Hall Effect triggers with adjustable sensitivity, and TMR thumbsticks which register even the most minute adjustments. User-friendly companion software makes customization easy too, and 1,000Hz polling means latency issues are basically non-existent.
The G7 Pro is compatible with an array of consoles and devices too. You get Bluetooth LE and a 2.4GHz dongle to effortlessly and wirelessly connect to PC and Android devices. You can use the controller with your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S too, by simply plugging it in. This versatility makes the G7 Pro the controller to beat.
A 96% keyboard for work and play
If you’re someone who loves gaming but also types for a living, the best keyboard you can get right now is the Keychron Q12 HE. This 96% layout keyboard packs Gateron Double-Rail Hall Effect switches whose sensitivity can be adjusted all the way down to 0.1mm for ultra-responsive gameplay in FPS titles. The 1,000Hz polling rate should suffice most players, and it means that you don’t experience any latency issues or input lag.
The Q12 HE is a joy to type on too, with double-shot PBT keycaps which feel soft to touch. Being able to adjust each switch’s sensitivity means you can tailor it to your liking. The keyboard also sports a southpaw design, meaning the numpad is on the left-hand side, saving you space to move your mouse around freely, and using the numpad with your left hand feels more natural.
If you want a well-built keyboard that will stand the test of time, I can’t think of one better than the Q12 HE. The durable PBT keycaps won’t be worn down or get glossy from sweat, and the full CNC-machined case means this deck could probably fell a tree!
A speedy mouse
Any gaming desk setup is incomplete without one of the best gaming mice — after all, you need it to accompany your keyboard, right? For competitive gamers, an 8,000Hz polling rate and 30,000 DPI are non-negotiable. These give you a competitive advantage and enable you to tailor the settings to your gamestyle. Oh, and who can forget angle snapping? The Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K packs all this and more, and it’s my top pick for PC gamers.
The M3 Mini V2 8K’s 8,000Hz polling means there are no latency issues or input lag, and the DPI button on its body enables you to change it on the fly, so no need to dive into companion software to adjust it. Aside from boasting powerful gaming performance, the M3 Mini V2 8K is built of high-quality plastic and it’s lightweight but sturdy. The mouse itself is ergonomically-designed so it’s comfortable to use for long periods of time.
What’s great about the M3 Mini V2 8K is that it doesn’t break the bank, so it’s perfect for gamers on a budget. It packs pro-level specs and delivers them at an affordable price, and it’s the cheapest 8,000Hz polling mouse I’ve tested yet.
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