PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?
#1
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
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?
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?
#3
gamer for life
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?
How beastly did you build your rig?
#4
gamer for life
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...
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...
#5
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?
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.
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.
#6
DVD Talk Godfather
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.
I also have a 360 controller, and i've used that to play some other games like Tomb Raider on PC.
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
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.
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
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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.
#9
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
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?
#10
DVD Talk Hero
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...
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...
#11
DVD Talk Hero
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.
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.
#12
DVD Talk Legend
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.
I do all gaming with mouse and keyboard, but I've lately considered getting some sort of gamepad.
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?
A wired 360 controller works like a charm.
#15
DVD Talk Hero
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.
For FPS I mostly use kb+m using one of those old logitech mice that has weights and on-mouse speed control.
#16
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Re: PC Gaming Input Devices: What Do You Use/Recommend?
#17
DVD Talk Legend
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.
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.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
#19
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
#20
DVD Talk Hero
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.
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.