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PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Old 06-27-13, 10:29 PM
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PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Just built a new rig but I'm missing a couple of key components: input devices. I've no idea what makes a good gaming keyboard or mouse these days. There are buttons all over the place for all your MMO or MOBA customization desires. I don't know that I'd ever use that stuff, but I will admit the 6-button business on the Razer Naga Hex looks intriguing. I feel like I could grow to love that, but I doubt I'd ever like the 12-button "Epic" mice. They seem too busy.

Similarly, the Razer keyboards (Black Widow, Anansi, etc) look nice, but some of the Newegg reviews are putting me off.

Anyway, this is just after a few minutes of looking. What do you use? What do you hate?
Old 06-27-13, 10:53 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

I am lame and have been mostly using a wired Xbox controller.
Old 06-27-13, 11:24 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

I am a fairly heavy pc gamer, but I find that the real expensive complicated mouses to be overboard for most games. I personally have a Razer Abyssus, which cost my 40 bucks I think. It is perfect, and has enough buttons for all the games. As for keyboard, I have just a plain one, since games tend to use the same 6-10 keys on the keyboard, and anything special will be on the mouse. Save money and just get one you are comfortable with...

How beastly did you build your rig?
Old 06-27-13, 11:27 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

also I had this mouse

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1

before my razor if you are looking for more buttons. It was a great mouse, but broke after about 1 year of use. The build quality of the razor is so much better, and I really don't expect my new mouse to break...
Old 06-27-13, 11:36 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Originally Posted by foxdvd
How beastly did you build your rig?
Intel i7-4770K w/ stock cooler
Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H MB
Patriot Viper 3 2x8GB DDR3 1600
Corsair HX850 Modular Gold PSU
Antec P280 Case
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
2x2TB Seagate 7200 SATA: RAID 0
LITE-ON 12x BD-RW
ASUS VS247P-H 23.8" 1080p LED (temporarily, I'm going to buy a 27" probably and move this one to my work's laptop)
Windows 8.1 Preview (temporarily)

No video card yet as the CPU has integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics which I think should suffice for a few weeks until I let the bank account recover and it's easy to find all the new GTX 760 models.
Old 06-27-13, 11:47 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

I have a Razer BlackWidow and Razer DeathAdder, have had them for a couple years. Love them both, and I absolutely love the feel of mechanical keyboards and hate not using them now. I don't care for all the crazy MMO mice either, too many buttons.

I also have a 360 controller, and i've used that to play some other games like Tomb Raider on PC.
Old 06-27-13, 11:55 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Yeah, I have plenty of 360 controllers. 4 wireless with dongle and a wired one the kids got me recently. It lights up green. Yeah. So, they're gung ho about green backlights on the other devices.
Old 06-27-13, 11:58 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

I use a nostromo n52te as my "keyboard" and I just bought a logitech g700s mouse. I use those for all pc centric games like fps games, rts games, etc. Since the nostromo also has a joystick it works decently for games that are somewhat mixed. I also have a 360 controller that I use for games that work better with a gamepad, like platformers, racing games, and action games where precise aiming isn't a huge factor. I also have my pc hooked up wirelessly via hdmi to my tv so I use that frequently to play games that are better on a couch.
Old 06-28-13, 12:31 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Oh I'm glad you mentioned wireless HDMI. What do you use for that and do you find it responsive enough for active gaming?
Old 06-28-13, 01:01 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Xbox 360 wired controller + Steam "Big Picture" on tv.

Otherwise, I use a Roccat Savu gaming mouse and an old Dell wired keyboard. I only play FPS on the PC so I don't need a bazillion buttons. The Savu is 10 times better than the Razer Abyssus my nephew is using. Also tried a Deathadder and didn't like it. Razer products just feel cheap to me...

That said, a gaming mouse is like shoes. Don't buy if you haven't tried it. Everybody has different size hands, different grip, etc... Get what feels comfortable to you.

Here's a fantastic price on a great mouse (not for you if you need lots of buttons):

SteelSeries Kinzu v2 Pro Edition - $15

http://tech.woot.com/plus/steelserie...l-gaming-mouse

Review:

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/457...iew/index.html


Too bad for me it's a US deal only...
Old 06-28-13, 01:16 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Originally Posted by foxdvd
also I had this mouse

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1

before my razor if you are looking for more buttons. It was a great mouse, but broke after about 1 year of use.
I have one of those but I paid $4.99 for it at a Boxing Day sale. It's still in the box.
Old 06-28-13, 01:39 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Even though I'm an exclusive PC gamer, I don't go all out on peripherals. All I use is a standard MS IntelliMouse and an IBM Model M a.k.a. the greatest keyboard ever made.

I do all gaming with mouse and keyboard, but I've lately considered getting some sort of gamepad.
Old 06-28-13, 11:38 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

The mouse I use is a Logitech G500 and my Keyboard is a Logitech G15.
Old 06-28-13, 11:41 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

A wired 360 controller works like a charm.
Old 06-28-13, 11:45 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Wireless 360 controller (+ wireless HDMI so I can HTPC that bitch)

For FPS I mostly use kb+m using one of those old logitech mice that has weights and on-mouse speed control.
Old 06-28-13, 11:51 AM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Originally Posted by msdmoney
I also have my pc hooked up wirelessly via hdmi to my tv so I use that frequently to play games that are better on a couch.
Originally Posted by RichC2
wireless HDMI so I can HTPC that bitch
Alright, I'mma need one of you to step up to the plate here and recommend me a wireless HDMI solution and tell me that it's relatively lag free!
Old 06-28-13, 12:01 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

If you don't mind buying another controller, get the Xbox 360 wireless controller for Windows which includes the dongle. You can't really buy the dongle on its own anymore, so if you get it separately you'll have to take a chance on a knockoff unless you can find a genuine MS version on Craigslist or something.

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, I suggest first deciding on a switch type by reading this guide: http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/me...keyboard-guide. The switch is the most important aspect IMHO and will narrow down the available models. If you're still not sure, I think the brown switches are fine for starting out, as they strike a good balance between typing and gaming.

I have heard the Razer keyboards aren't as well-made as others like Leopold or Ducky. I would probably avoid Razer for keyboards unless you must have lighted keys (that said, Razer mice aren't bad and I like the Deathadder). Logitech now makes a mechanical version of their gaming keyboard, but as you can imagine it's expensive.
Old 06-28-13, 12:08 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Originally Posted by pinata242
Alright, I'mma need one of you to step up to the plate here and recommend me a wireless HDMI solution and tell me that it's relatively lag free!
It greatly depends on how far away your computer is from your TV.
Old 06-28-13, 12:13 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Originally Posted by RichC2
It greatly depends on how far away your computer is from your TV.
Probably about 12', as the signal flies. Though there would be a column of brick for the chimney in the way.
Old 06-28-13, 12:24 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

I'm using a cheap solution -

http://www.actiontec.com/products/pr...9#.Uc3FXvnVDms

I got the set for about $70 off eBay a year or so ago. They have a version intended just for PCs, but I don't know how well video output from USB 2.0 in 1080p would actually work. I have had a few problems, namely losing HDCP Auth after not using the unit for a long time, snow/static (not on the image, just a full screen of it.), and a few bad signals (mine goes from downstairs to upstairs) but unplugging the transmitter and plugging it back in fixed it immediately.

I'm also 2 firmware updates behind (One from Oct 2011, the other from June 2013) and I hear those fixed numerous problems. I use mine for gaming and for transmitting my Roku upstairs. 1 transmitter can transmit to I think 4 receivers, but you lose a little resolution for every added receiver. This has worked so far decently for my PC and Xbox 360 gameplay.

Last edited by RichC2; 06-28-13 at 12:32 PM.
Old 06-28-13, 01:02 PM
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Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?

Razer Deathadder




Razer Nostromo (i love this, it is awesome)




Razer Onza Tournament Edition


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