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I know there have been tons of topics about good gaming mice and keyboards, and its all indivual to your taste but if you could have any gear in the world (keyboard, mouse, mouse pad, headset and speakers) what would you have? Specifically for RTS (I only play SC but for the purpose of being broad.)
What I basically want to know is your experience with the equipment, so I can ultimately find the best set up for RTS games. Also this experience may help my understanding of the general gaming gear. For example I dont know what the difference is between hard and soft mouse pads, does anyone know?
Anyhow I know the best mouse is probably the salmosa (From friends and such, but I could be wrong.) I have absolutely no idea of a good keyboard and headset, or mouse pad for that matter.
Hopefully you might be able to tell me what gear is designed for FPS, as i would rather not buy a headset that was designed for FPS as they tend to focus on Audio tracking too much.
From my understanding i would have thought the best possible gear for RTS would be:
Mouse: Razer salmosa
Keyboard: maybe a cheap Logitech or is the more expensive Razer tarantula but I am not sure it is worth it (maybe someone could tell me?)
Mouse pad: Razer Sphex
Headset: Razer Megalodon
I am a bit of a razer fan admittadly. But I havent tried half the stuff on this list and I was lured in by the glitzy website. And most of us dont have 3 billion of your chosen currency to spend.
Anyways could someone give their experience so I dont spend twice as much on something that is half as good? Cheers.
Sorry if this is one of thoose threads that have to be closed instantly because its faulty or w/e :D
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mouse: the most comfortable your hands fit - for me logitech mx518 or the g5
keyboard: the most comfortable your hands fit - for me logitech g15 or cheap dell
best possible gaming gear: level head with monitor and good amount of brain material inside.
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thats some nice tips right there iceburn but wad about mousepad???
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Dont spend any? You don't need it.
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High end gaming equipment has little place in StarCraft (and to my understanding it is also limited in other rtses) because dpi is not even close to being as important as in some high resolution fps games and such, if you're not accurate enough then there's something wrong with your brain/hands, not the mouse.
After all the most important thing is the shape of the mouse, and different people obviously have different hands thus its impossible to say for sure which mouse is the best.
Keyboard should be fine as long as its not one that doesn't let you press multiple keys at once, imho. the only good thing in expensive keyboards is the easier way of making macros, but if you're a competitive rts player that isn't going to be too useful for you.
Tasteless made a good article about choosing the right keyboard a while ago, you might want to look around for it. He basically suggests you just buy an old cheap keyboard that feels nice for your fingers and how to mod it for SC.
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Microsoft intelli 3.0 + steelseries qck+ heavy + random headset... way cheaper than what you posted. You don't need a good headset for RTS compared to FPS games.
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oh yea mousepad, paper taped to the desk. i prefer the office depot white paper :p
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I have a razer keyboard, I don't like the way its set up. I bought the Lycosa. It is a pretty keyboard admittedly. However the keys are kind of flat and undefined and I have always found that to be an issue for a keyboard. I get kind of lost on the keyboard sometimes.
I think in a blog I posted someone said Cherry keyboard or something like that?
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=104531
Heres blog link. I have a lachesis and a Salmosa. I have a bigger hand so I like the Lachesis. However both are really nice mice. I also have a Razer Barracuda. The sound is shit for music and its uncomfortable on my ears for more than an hour. If you are REALLY looking for good shit without worrying about cost a friend of mine has an Astro headset that used a digital optical in for surround sound with an Xbox360, it had other inputs as well. It honestly had the BEST sound I have ever heard in a pair of headphones as well as the most comfortable thing I have ever worn on my head. He got them as part of a Halo 3 sponsorship but he said they run 300$ and come with a lifetime warranty.
If I could have any headset, I would have that. but the Barracuda isn't horrible.
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Yea, the thing is this is largely preference, and you will have to end up trying stuff and finding what you like.
Still, it is a good idea to come up with a range of products which are quality and fit the intended purpose. Hardly anyone tries out lots of hardware and knows what they are talking about though. Still, I can give a good range.
Mouse:
Razer Abyss (basically new salmosa, no prediction, but bit different shell)
Razer Salmosa (small and least expensive good option...used to be $20)
Steelseries xai/kinzu
Razer Orchi (their mobile mouse, small so perhaps worth checking out)
Logitech G9x
Perhaps microsoft sidewinder series
Mousepad:
There are hard mats, cloth mats, and stuff in between.
Like I said before I like hard/cloth hybrid such as steelseries 5l, razer megasoma, puretek talent.
Keyboard:
Different styles depend on layout, switches: mechanical, rubber, scissors. This seems to be less important than the two things above.
Funny how people always have to come in these threads and give 1 line comments about how they use the cheapest gear possible. Not really.
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Headset doesn't matter as long as you can hear DTs killing your units.
Mouse and keyboard need to be comfortable and cheap so that you can easily replace them since massgaming reduces their lifetime a lot.
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kinzu has reverse acceleration hardware issues, google it
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Well just about every progamer uses a Logitech mini or a Logitech g1 so there must be something to it.
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if you don't have the skills to be a top player, there really isn't any point in getting ridiculously expensive equipment.
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logitech mini optical for mouse obviously. Salmosa is apparantly decent, but why bother. It's more expensive and less comfortable.
Any cheap keyboard. I use some cheap logitech keyboard that cost £3.50.
I use Fellowes Microban large mouse pad. Alternatively, any other cheap mouse pad (flexible one so you can travel with it) that costs less than $8.
Headset - I've got nice headphones cause I like listening to music in super high quality, but for SC it doesn't matter at all. I used to use the sound from my Laptop with no headphones at all.
So basically you should be able to get this set-up for about what any of those products you listed cost by themselves. And for god's sake, don't be suckered in to buying a G5 or other modern expensive gaming mouse/keyboard. They're a rip off that don't help you at all. Not for SC anyway.
Oh and the Samsung DT-35 or whatever keyboard that all the pros use is no better or worse than any other cheap keyboard, so don't listen to anyone telling you to buy it because it's what pro players use.
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On January 07 2010 02:08 Piy wrote:
logitech mini optical for mouse obviously. Salmosa is apparantly decent, but why bother. It's more expensive and less comfortable.
Any cheap keyboard. I use some cheap logitech keyboard that cost £3.50.
I use Fellowes Microban large mouse pad. Alternatively, any other cheap mouse pad (flexible one so you can travel with it) that costs less than $8.
Headset - I've got nice headphones cause I like listening to music in super high quality, but for SC it doesn't matter at all. I used to use the sound from my Laptop with no headphones at all.
So basically you should be able to get this set-up for about what any of those products you listed cost by themselves. And for god's sake, don't be suckered in to buying a G5 or other modern expensive gaming mouse/keyboard. They're a rip off that don't help you at all. Not for SC anyway.
Oh and the Samsung DT-35 or whatever keyboard that all the pros use is no better or worse than any other cheap keyboard, so don't listen to anyone telling you to buy it because it's what pro players use.
This.
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Logitech G1 or Mini Optical + Qsenn dt35 of course
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I had an mx815 1600 dpi and 1800 dpi and they worked great. I bought a razer lacheis and it didn't feel right in my hand at first, but no mouse that's new usually does. After I got used to it I didn't notice any difference.
I think the mx815 is pretty solid.
As for keyboard, as long as the windows key is removed it doesn't really matter. It's just like the mouse... whatever you're used to using is what you'll get comfortable with. I like the G15 though for the macros for other games, but you can 3rd party that with any keyboard.
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On January 07 2010 02:25 starcraft911 wrote:
I had an mx815 1600 dpi and 1800 dpi and they worked great. I bought a razer lacheis and it didn't feel right in my hand at first, but no mouse that's new usually does. After I got used to it I didn't notice any difference.
I think the mx815 is pretty solid.
As for keyboard, as long as the windows key is removed it doesn't really matter. It's just like the mouse... whatever you're used to using is what you'll get comfortable with. I like the G15 though for the macros for other games, but you can 3rd party that with any keyboard.
Don't you mean mx518? The mx518 is an awesome mouse for FPS but is far too bulky and heavy for RTS. It also forces your hand into one position, which is ideal for FPS, but is not favourable for RTS where you tend to change grip at various stages in the game.
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Seems to have answered my questions, cheers. I guess there is no validity in buying an expensive keyboard, when the cheap ones seem so much more effective.
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On January 07 2010 02:27 KrAzYfoOL wrote:Show nested quote +On January 07 2010 02:25 starcraft911 wrote:
I had an mx815 1600 dpi and 1800 dpi and they worked great. I bought a razer lacheis and it didn't feel right in my hand at first, but no mouse that's new usually does. After I got used to it I didn't notice any difference.
I think the mx815 is pretty solid.
As for keyboard, as long as the windows key is removed it doesn't really matter. It's just like the mouse... whatever you're used to using is what you'll get comfortable with. I like the G15 though for the macros for other games, but you can 3rd party that with any keyboard. Don't you mean mx518? The mx518 is an awesome mouse for FPS but is far too bulky and heavy for RTS. It also forces your hand into one position, which is ideal for FPS, but is not favourable for RTS where you tend to change grip at various stages in the game.
I've used the MX518 for a year and before that the MX500 since it came out - I still have the one I bought in like 2000. I find it to be the most comfortable mouse I've ever used. I recently switched to the new Steel Series Xai because I got one from sponsor, and while less comfortable, it has better control, something I've never found in another mouse compared to the MX5xx series.
I don't know what you mean about grip. I never change mine, and I've watched a lot of others play live, including Korean pros, and I've never seen anyone shift their hand at all relative to the mouse itself, or change grip in any way.
For me mouse pad has always been a huge issue. I can't stand cloth pads and I have to have a wrist rest. I use the wrist pad that comes w/ the Razer ExactMat under a Steel Series SX mousepad. It's a hard smooth pad (I've always preferred hard pads).
For keyboard I use a Razer Tarantula. It has wider key spacing than normal keyboards which i find more comfortable - you don't have to hold your fingers together, they can just fall naturally on the keys.
Headset I use a Steel Series 5H V2, which is a great headset, though admittedly a little uncomfortable for me personally, as I get headaches from wearing it - the ear pieces squeeze a little tightly. I'm waiting on an SS Siberia V2 to come, which I've worn and is far more comfortable. Of course, the only reason I use an actual headset is for Ventrilo. I play with SC sounds through my speakers when at home, I only use the headset for game sound when at LANs. It's trivial though for the actual game.
As for the rest it's simply about what you find comfortable. If you happen to find a $60 mouse more comfortable than a $5 one, or vice versa, who cares? As long as you are happy with it you're fine.
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On January 07 2010 02:27 KrAzYfoOL wrote:Show nested quote +On January 07 2010 02:25 starcraft911 wrote:
I had an mx815 1600 dpi and 1800 dpi and they worked great. I bought a razer lacheis and it didn't feel right in my hand at first, but no mouse that's new usually does. After I got used to it I didn't notice any difference.
I think the mx815 is pretty solid.
As for keyboard, as long as the windows key is removed it doesn't really matter. It's just like the mouse... whatever you're used to using is what you'll get comfortable with. I like the G15 though for the macros for other games, but you can 3rd party that with any keyboard. Don't you mean mx518? The mx518 is an awesome mouse for FPS but is far too bulky and heavy for RTS. It also forces your hand into one position, which is ideal for FPS, but is not favourable for RTS where you tend to change grip at various stages in the game.
I have big hands and naturally use a claw grip on the mx518 so its great. more comfortable for long use then my salmosa, even if it is heavier. Both solid mice, just whichever one fits your hand/budget. And i love having back/forward buttons for browsing on my mx518 :-p
Keyboard doesnt really matter they're all the same more or less. I play fine on my laptop keyboard, i'm so used to flat keys now i like cant play on a normal keyboard.
Any mousepad should do really, i picked up a goliathus control for ~15$ and its nicer than my old generic mousepad because the surface is firmer and has less friction
sound is pretty much irrelevant in RTS as long as you have it.
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is awesome32269 Posts
#1 Don't buy "gaming headphones"
#2 The best mouse is the one that feels good for you and you are comfortable with to play for hours.
#3 keyboard, same as #2 provided it accepts more than 4 key pressings at once.
have fun
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mouse = Intelimouse 3.0
mousepad = some random I bought at BestBuy. It was rigide so OK for me.
HeadPhone = Random headphone that had a Mic.
keyboard = the one that came with my PC when I bough it 8 year ago O.o
Cost of like 80$ all together
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I completely do not understand why would anyone use that SEM DT keyboard. I have never held it, but according to the descriptions and screenshots, it's a "standard" keyboard, with "high" keys. I suppose that those keys need to be pushed pretty hard/deep and after that give some kickback when they are sprining back. I wonder if this is so useful in a high apm game of starcraft; wonder if a flat keyboard, with shorter keys and lower "jump" means that the keys can be pressed a bit faster. I know that this sounds stupid, but that 400 apm nada probably experiences some of the key kickback.
As for the mouse, I always thought that one should pick the one which has decent DPI and doesnt weight much, so that one doesnt have to move it much in order to move the cursor around the screen, because you should only move the wrist, not whole arm. I think most progamers have small hands thus they use small mice; my hands are big, so I cant even imagine playing with a small mouse.
I would also add that starcraft (and games in general) looks better on CRT; but maybe this is just my opinion. The parameters of high end CRTs still tend to beat the modern LCDs.
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Mouse: There is no "best", but there are bad ones. While this is mostly preference, the only thing you want to shy away from is something that doesn't go down to 400 DPI (especially for SC).
Keyboard: Preference.
Mouse pad: Absolutely unimportant unless you have a newer laser mouse that, for some reason, has trouble on certain surfaces. Even still, a "gaming" mousepad isn't the solution, as you can likely solve it with another cheap mousepad of a different color/material. $5 allsop raindrops have yet to fail me on any mouse.
Headset: $2 earbuds will do you just as well as $200 gaming headphones.
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well... what did the korean/non-korean rts progamer use for their practise and televised matches?
makes u wonder abit though, why doesn't korean keyboard/mouse manufacturer or companies makes money off pro-gamer advertisement for gaming hardwares? i mean imagine a Boxer signed keyboard or mouse-pads, even if its crap quality i can see that there's still some money to be made there, food for thought...
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I honestly thought the OP was an advertisement for Razer products which struck me as very strange. I guess it's not? Maybe it still is.
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honestly i dont mean to offend anyone in this thread but everytime i see a thread like this, it makes my head hurt
find a keyboard thats comfortable for you, and a mouse that fits nicely in your hand, and you are set to go. having the razer superorgasm2900 isnt going to make you play better.
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Mouse - Logitech MX518
Keyboard - Filco Majestouch NKRO Blue Cherry
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The mouse depends on the person, but I would always go for optical instead of laser.
The keyboard...well...the one mentioned is the best keyboard probably ever made. I'm not saying that because I use it, but because I have never found a better one. Proper button spacing, blue cherry switches for medium strength compression and a tactile click sound, gold plated connectors, and supports more simultaneous key presses than I have fingers (and a standard size backspace, not that single button bullshit).
You would think you could find a keyboard with all of this, but you just fucking can't. Seriously, I don't think there is one.
Just my 2cents.
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One decent brain.
For mouse/keyboard anything gonna work great if you get used to it.
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On January 07 2010 03:26 Vedic wrote:
Mouse: There is no "best", but there are bad ones. While this is mostly preference, the only thing you want to shy away from is something that doesn't go down to 400 DPI (especially for SC).
There is no need to set the DPI to 400 for SC. You can simply reduce the mouse speed in your OS / chaos launcher. I have yet to hear about any disadvantage of max DPI + reduced speed. It actually is better than reducing the DPI, even though you can barely notice any differences.
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Does anyone have a good mouse pad?
I bought a stealseries one but my mouse (logitec optic) jumps around. It is not a problem with the mouse because it is very precise on white paper, but all mouse pads make it suck.
Also, what about wrist rests?
Thanks.
PS I read about taping white paper down, but that is not suitable for the surface I use, else I would 
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On January 07 2010 03:28 Shizuru~ wrote:
well... what did the korean/non-korean rts progamer use for their practise and televised matches?
makes u wonder abit though, why doesn't korean keyboard/mouse manufacturer or companies makes money off pro-gamer advertisement for gaming hardwares? i mean imagine a Boxer signed keyboard or mouse-pads, even if its crap quality i can see that there's still some money to be made there, food for thought...
KTEC mouses/mousepads used to have Boxer's pictures in the packaging and came with his autographs. KTEC also made mouses that were created for StarCraft and those mouses were moderately popular amongst pro-gamers years ago, nowadays it seems like its 90% mini optical and the occassional mx300/G1/G3 though and the KTEC mouses have disappeared.
Back in the day when GG.net was selling these KTEC mouses I asked a korean friend about those mouses and how good were they considered in korea, he bluntly told me that mini optical is all that is needed and that KTEC is a waste of money, so I guess the marketing was a failure even though they got Boxer to pose for the boxes.
On January 07 2010 04:32 Muff2n wrote:Does anyone have a good mouse pad? I bought a stealseries one but my mouse (logitec optic) jumps around. It is not a problem with the mouse because it is very precise on white paper, but all mouse pads make it suck. Also, what about wrist rests? Thanks. PS I read about taping white paper down, but that is not suitable for the surface I use, else I would
I used the func 1030 for years until I got the wemade fox pad for fan boy purposes and it was the best all around pad I've ever had, it was perfect with all kinds of mouses I have used and seems to be generally considered a good product. Also Allsop has gotten a lot of praise for their cheapish pads.
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On January 07 2010 04:19 spinesheath wrote:Show nested quote +On January 07 2010 03:26 Vedic wrote:
Mouse: There is no "best", but there are bad ones. While this is mostly preference, the only thing you want to shy away from is something that doesn't go down to 400 DPI (especially for SC).
There is no need to set the DPI to 400 for SC. You can simply reduce the mouse speed in your OS / chaos launcher. I have yet to hear about any disadvantage of max DPI + reduced speed. It actually is better than reducing the DPI, even though you can barely notice any differences.
Scaling input reduces accuracy, so no.
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On January 07 2010 02:27 KrAzYfoOL wrote:Show nested quote +On January 07 2010 02:25 starcraft911 wrote:
I had an mx815 1600 dpi and 1800 dpi and they worked great. I bought a razer lacheis and it didn't feel right in my hand at first, but no mouse that's new usually does. After I got used to it I didn't notice any difference.
I think the mx815 is pretty solid.
As for keyboard, as long as the windows key is removed it doesn't really matter. It's just like the mouse... whatever you're used to using is what you'll get comfortable with. I like the G15 though for the macros for other games, but you can 3rd party that with any keyboard. Don't you mean mx518? The mx518 is an awesome mouse for FPS but is far too bulky and heavy for RTS. It also forces your hand into one position, which is ideal for FPS, but is not favourable for RTS where you tend to change grip at various stages in the game.
rofl yeah it's wayyyy too heavy for RTS cause u gotta be liftin dem weights to play with one
please....it's subjective, everyone uses what they like.
the most amusing thing to me about these kinds of threads is all the noobs who come in and bash everyone and say shit like THE RAZER ORGAMOTRON2009 ISNT GOING TO MAKE YOU PLAY BETTER, "just find a mouse that fits your hand and you are comfortable with."
Well what the hell do you say to someone who says that the Razer Orgasmatron2009 IS the mouse that is most comfortable for them?
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standard keyboard, logitech mini optical, mp3 speakers (like u get from ipod ur mp3). mouse pad im not sure to be honest, personally i use a cheap mouse pad thats plastic and mouse slides very smoothly on it
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Until this christmas, I've played with the dell default mouse and keyboard for 5 years. The mouse is all worn out from were my fingers have been, and the keyboard is full of hair and crumbs... I'm sure there is at least 3-4 dead bugs in there too.
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51393 Posts
get whatever you feel comfortable with.
i think the only thing 'important' to buy would be a mousepad. i played with a really shitty pad and it was horrible. and then i bought a steelpad qck and i've had it for 3+ years, hasn't worn or torn in any shape or form.
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You could buy a mechanical keyboard if you have the $ i guess. But a cheap keyboard would be ok.
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starcraft is a game that can be played on the cheapest of computers, mice, and keyboards
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steelseries 7g (nice and basic but still high quality although expensive for what it is)
steelseries xai (drivers and stuff saved on the mouse/light/laser precise mouse)
steelseries quick heavy mousepad (big ass mousepad)
sennheisier pc350 headset
boom
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I prefer ball mouses over optical mouses. Its probably because I'm more use to it though.
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The best gear is what is comfortable and what you're used to. I've had the same keyboard, mouse and mousepad for the past 3 years and I don't plan to change any time soon.
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No mention of monitors? O_o
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I just use everything that came with the computer. Works fine for me.
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I play sc on my desktop and eee pc so I have different gear for both.
Mice
desktop: HP hdx laser gaming mouse or logitech trackman. Might try a kinzu out
eee pc: Microsoft basic optical wheel mouse ($8 at microcenter)
Keyboard
desktop: Microsoft natural multimedia keyboard and have an ocz alchemy elixir on the way (no windows key on the left side sold me). Might try a cyber snipa warboard too
eee pc: the onboard keyboard is perfect
Mousepad
desktop: steelseries qck
eee pc: $3 puppy mouse pad from micro center
Headset
desktop: Sony mdr-v700s with zalman clipon mic
eee pc: iPod earbuds and built in mic
As has been said by many here it is mostly preference what you use. As an audio engineer my trackball mouse, split keyboard and Sony headphones work great for editing purposes but aside from my headphones don't translate well for gaming. I don't have huge hands so the Microsoft and HP mice and eee pc keyboard feel great for me. If you are playing mostly rts games you shouldn't need to spend more than $30 for a mouse and keyboard individually. It might be necessary for a little more powerful mouse once Starcraft 2 drops but I play Warcraft 3 on the same dpi settings as Starcraft at twice the resolution with no issues. Be cheap and save yourself money.
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My friend has ridiculous gaming gear, but I always feel awkward using them...
Too many buttons/elaborate keyboard layout really isn't helping at all. Whatever mouse/keyboard you have used and is comfortable is the best one you will ever find.
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Nothing is really going to matter because as people said its all just what youre comfortable with.
But, Ive had my mx518 for about 5 years now, still works great and I'm not planning on buying a new one anytime soon.
I use a razer destructor mousepad, and even though it works really well i dont like buying razer peripherals because of how much they put into making it look nice. My brother has a func 1030 and it seems better in every way, including durability.
Ofc headphones don't really matter, but if comfort and sound quality is important to you (ie if you do anything else besides sc) i would DEFINITELY recommend the speedlink medusa. Got it about a year ago and it demolishes anything ive had before.
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i realize someone raised this thread from the dead, but for the sake of contributing, i like the Reach style microsoft optical manmouse because of the weight distribution and balance. the Razer Tarantula is alright, i used one for about a year but the keys had sort of a plasticky friction to them.
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That statistic has nothing at all to do with RTS gaming. In RTS, you generally want a very fast cursor speed so that you can plant your wrist bone and move around the entire screen without moving your arm. I'm pretty sure you'd have to be some kind of awesome Olympic mouse tosser to mess up even the slowest mouse on that list while playing an RTS game with proper settings.
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EPT
