I can only say what I've learned from my short lived counter strike pro gaming career, so here it goes:
Mouse - I'd say pay extra for great mouse, it will reflect to your play, since speed and accuracy are priceless, and not only for shooters, I'm sporting Logitech MX500 (or maybe newer 5xx model) for couple of years and it's like my second nature, back in the day that baby went through several big lan events with me, and after a lot of daily play she died at the age of 7, got new one the same day
Keyboard - I've allways used the old style white keyboard with high buttons, I'm used to it and hate the low profile - soft press ones, it's just what I'm used to tho
Headphones - Do you go to LANs? If so, invest into some profi gaming headphones (with Mic?), there isn't anything worse than the outside noise interfering with your game, I've used KOSS UR40, great headphones, light and yet perfectly isolating all the noise
Surface - I've bought my fUnc surface 1080 (really old pro gaming mat) back in 2000 or so, I have it till this day, it really made a difference back than, but maybe today you don't really need precision mat anymore thanks to the new laser sensors
There is a lot of other things, like mouse skatez, hand warmers and what not, but I don't consider these as important.
On April 23 2010 00:32 comis wrote: A lot of people get way too worked up about the "gaming gear" they use. I am pretty competitive at any game I play, and there is only one piece of equipment I refuse to play without ... that's my 5 button Microsoft mouse. It's old as the hills (I used one when I played SC1), optical, no fancy drivers, and is simply designed. In one word: pro. I'm using one right now and have a couple unopened in case they go out of production
Remember to have a decent chair and desk. Slouching like a slumps while you play probably will have a significant negative effect on your apm.
i see so many pictures of peoples gaming setups where the desk/ chair looks terribly constricting and uncomfortable.
I actually want to get a footrest foor under my desk, so that i can sit high enough for my arms to be slightly elevated, without my legs being uncomfortable.
On April 23 2010 00:06 ExecutioN wrote: Gaming gear gives you better quality/high tech. versions of the items. Examples: Mouse lasers are better and more accurate; keyboards are more durable and the keys press with ease. These differences are subtle and you notice them only when you grow used to pro gaming gear and return to play on mainstream peripherals for a change (say at a friends house).
I don't think this applies to all of the gaming gear. I'm fairly certain that there are actually cheaper and higher quality equipment that is not labeled as gaming. nowadays alot of equipment is labeled as gaming just so they can increase the price and have people buy it. The samsung dt35 is not labeled as gaming, yet its known as the best "gaming" keyboard in south korea. And in terms of games like fps where you might think mouse is important, most high level players end up using low sensitivity and low dpi.
If you are used to crap equipment you wouldnt think getting some 'fancy' gear would matter much... but once you are used to quality gear there is no turning back. After getting used to a mechanical keyboard... you just cant understand how u used a rubber dome keyboard all those years... rubber domes feels like walking in 2 foot of mud. This thing is the best thing ever :
This is basicly a das keyboard but from the manufacturer .. so you cut the price in half
For the mouse / mousepad there is a huge difference too... but mainly for FPS, for rts a lightweight mouse is all you need. I just recently bougt a razer salmosa to replace my microsoft mouse 1.1a and im in love with it.
Razer Abyssus mouse Audio Technica ATH-AD700 headphones (The best positional audio possibly ever) Some crappy $20 dell keyboard I had for years, I can press more than 5 buttons without it spazzing out and it hasn't broken on me yet.
No. It is not necessary at all. Expensive gaming gear is basically just stuff to make people feel like they're better when they aren't.
I use mini opticals for everything, even games with pretty high resolution it works totally fine and is very comfortable to use. Besides, having massive DPI is only actually useful if you want your mouse to move incredibly fast round the screen with no pinpoint accuracy for some reason.
Keyboards, buy a cheap one you like, and get a few of them. I use some cheap logitech one.
But no, its all about player comfort as theres very little equipment that isnt technically good enough to play with.
Athlon 64 3000+ and x800 GTO. Not pro gear and loses me some games. Pro gear really matters!(at least pro enough to run the game smoothly with no hiccups)
Kidding aside, the most important "pro gaming" piece of gear is the mouse. A great mouse will make all the difference in the world. I've been using the MX1000 for a long time with the fUnc 1030 'gaming surface' and it blows away the standard mice you find. And it feels better to me than the second gen G5 that I have as well.
Mouse: Get a Razer Salmosa. Do not buy any other mouse, especially not a Logitech G5 since it weighs about 90 kilograms. The Salmosa is lightweight, feels ergonomic, tracks well, slides easily, and has no doodads or LEDs.
On April 23 2010 04:48 Zealotdriver wrote: Mouse: Get a Razer Salmosa. Do not buy any other mouse, especially not a Logitech G5 since it weighs about 90 kilograms. The Salmosa is lightweight, feels ergonomic, tracks well, slides easily, and has no doodads or LEDs.
Although you might also want to check out the Abyssus too, it's supposed to have better tech but mainly I found the Salmosa to have an awkward to hold shape, I found the Abyssus to be much more comfortable.
All that gaming gear is nice to have and it does have its perks, but it's really up the player's own preferences. As long as everything works you are good to go.
comp, mouse, keyboard, screen, hell you don't even need speakers.
However, rather than getting "pro" equipment invest in getting a vent server and headset if you plan to play 2v2. That actually makes a big difference.
I've got like a 5 euro mouse that I think is awesome and when I sometimes go to this internet cafe that has much more expensive mice I feel unconfortable. so its really down to what you're used to and more familiar with. if I was used to the more expensive mouse instead I REALLY doubt I'd do better in games.
EPT
