Need a Gaming Setup Checklist?

Got ya covered! Gaming requires ultimate focus and determination, but also some swag as you play to feed the ego extra. Thus, you can’t be lacking in your gaming setup while you’re dominating in game. We looked through the interwebs narrowing down the best gaming setup needs, and here’s what we found!

The 10 Requirements for your Setup!

1.     The Desk

As a painter might agree, the desk is our blank canvas. Therefore, it has to be large enough to hold the rest of the list, while also complimenting the style of the computer, monitor, etc. You can never go wrong with the simple black or white computer desk from Ikea, offering affordable pricing for exactly what you need, and you can customize the bottom of the desk with self-rising legs or drawers for storage.

2.     The Chair

Gaming is a marathon, not a sprint… thus comfort is everything! Gaming chairs have a standard look to them, with a high back, reclinable, extra padded, and touch every wick of the color spectrum. The key most people miss is the longevity of these chairs, primarily in the cushions. Most chairs rely on looks and give you Styrofoam padding, which will start to ache after a few months of ownership. Another area to think about is lumbar support. Humans weren’t designed to sit all day and game, but we’ve adapted pretty well and the right chair with lumbar support can cover the rest.

We found THESE chairs that provide the perfect comfort without breaking the bank!

3.     The Computer

DUH!! There’s no gaming without the PC or laptop!! I can throw a ton of specs and brands at you, but when designing your own gaming setup, the computer box has to be aesthetically pleasing. Most gaming setups offer a clear see-through panel of the computer so you can enjoy what’s going on under the hood, and most desktops have interior lighting to help flaunt the internals.

If you need ideas for the best gaming laptop, check out Our recommendations in Best Gaming Laptop Under $1500!

4.     The Monitor

You can fight me on it, but the monitor choice comes down to 3 factors, refresh rate, screen size, and single or multiple. You can add curved in there as well, but frankly, if you’re looking straight on the curve goes unnoticed. You want a monitor with REFRESH RATE and CLARITY. Ideally something in the range of 26’. If want to rock dual (or even triple) monitors, make sure your computer has the appropriate amount of HDMI ports, or buy an adapter to link up all the screens. It’s also important to note that the more monitors you use, the more GPU power you’ll want to keep the refresh rates and processing streamlined.

Monitors come in all brands, with top choices being Samsung, LG, and Dell. There are plenty of options in all sizes and all budgets, most often found on Amazon or Walmart.com!

5.     The Mic

For all of the streamers out there, having a clear mic to clearly express your trash talk or keep your viewers entertained, a mic and stand are recommended. If you’re more of a quiet gamer like myself, you can skip this one…

6.     The Keyboard

The keyboard choice falls on 2 decisions.. what do you want your keys to sound like? And do you care about backlighting? Keys: There are 3 types of keys to familiarize yourself with. RED, BROWN, BLUE/GREEN. Ok, so 3 and a half keys to know… Either way, these key types each give you a different sound and feel to the keystroke. The loudest is going to be a blue/green key, which sounds great when you’re on a roll typing and coding, but that loud key can get old quick. The red key is a favorite in gaming computers because it is relatively quiet with a ‘ticky’ type noise per stroke. What makes it a gamer’s choice is the key length (or lack of) that leads to a more responsive signal from the keyboard to the computer, which is great for quick gaming. My personal favorite, however, is the brown key! The brown key provides a genuine ‘THUD!’ for every stroke and it is also quiet and soothing enough to get lost in the typing as you write your memoirs… or code… or smash the WASD/SPACE in-game. I recently picked up the Royal Kludge Mechanical Keyboard and I’m in love! This is my first brown key keyboard from a blue key and the aesthetic mixed with the acoustic of the clicks is pure bliss!

Not sure which key you think you’ll like? My advice is to take a trip to Best Buy or Target and test out the keyboards on display, and then check out the more unique choice keyboards with your favorite key type on Amazon.

7.     The Mouse

Unlike the keyboard, the mouse is a bit more important in your choice. Even if you’re a controller player (like me I admit it) you still need a comfortable and responsive mouse for daily computer use. And if you’re going for a gaming setup, you can’t skimp on the mouse! For gaming setups, brands like Razr, Logitech, and Corsair all provide excellent choices!

8.     The Modem

Now we’re getting a bit into the supporting characters, but equally as important. For starters, you’re not multiplayer gaming if you’re not connected to the internet! And secondly, unless you want to be known as ‘Laggy’, you need to think about upgrading your modem. Cable companies provide a modem when you sign up for their services, however, they sometimes lack the speed you need to comfortably stream and game without interruption. Looking to upgrade to your own modem with companies like NETGEAR or ASUS also saves money in the long run as cable companies tend to charge a rental fee for using their modems.

9.     The Speakers or Headset

Call of duty crew, what’s one necessity when roaming the map looking for other players? Being able to hear them! Headphones work the best, but you can also get away with using a solid speaker system to hear the tiptoes of your victims. Many times you can get by using a good pair of noise-canceling headphones from Beats by Dre, or Bose. However, these lack a quality microphone for gaming. Instead, check out brands like Razer, Logitech, or Corsair.

10. The Accessories (The Flare!)

Last but not least, we have all the pieces that truly customize your gaming setup! All of these accessories mentioned provide comfort, uniqueness, and purpose to your setup that makes it truly your own!

• Keyboard mat
• Wrist rest
• Coasters
• Headphone Rest
• Wireless Charging
• Fan
• Webcam
• Stream deck
• LED lighting
• Soundproof Padding
• Anything your heart desires!

While space will always play a factor, all of these categories and accessories can definitely find the room, and make your ultimate gaming setup completely Your Own!