While looking through my closet and around my room, I realized something: I've gone through a ton of headsets, mice, and keyboards in the last several years. Some of them are broken, some worn out, and some I just plain didn't like. This is besides all of the old equipment that I've sold or thrown away. What's with this electronics graveyard? I guess part of the reason for the mass of plastic and wires is that as a poor high school/college student, I bought cheap stuff, used it almost every day, and it broke quickly. As I've replaced these old devices and gotten more and more into PC gaming, I think my purchasing decisions have gotten better. Choosing gaming peripherals for your computer is a lot more complicated than it is for console gaming. Between 1st party or 3rd party controllers for consoles, I usually just went with the 1st party equipment. There weren't a whole lot of options (besides color) and none of it really broke on me. But with PC gaming, there are so many types of mice, keyboards, and headsets to pick from and a wide range of prices. Computers aren't just used for gaming, so you have to make sure that you have the right equipment for your needs. Personal preference also has a lot to do with it. Professional gamers all have their own gear that they like. I'm not suggesting that the following devices are THE BEST EVER or that my setup is better than yours; I'm just sharing what my preferences are. If you're new to PC gaming, perhaps this could serve as an introduction or starting point. It may take a while to find a mouse or keyboard that you really like but hopefully, whether you're a pro or a noob, you can learn something from my current equipment compared to the junk lying on my floor. Keyboard currently using: Logitech Deluxe 250 (~$10) This is just a standard, 104-key, USB keyboard. I just recently switched to this keyboard and so far, I'm really pleased with it. It's simple, cheap and compact but effective. It gets the job done. The letters are easy to read, the keys aren't too hard or easy to press down, and I'm not worried about breaking it. From past experience, I know that keyboards get really dirty. Crap gets stuck under the keys (especially if you eat at your computer) and it's really easy to spill stuff on your keyboard and break it. It has folding legs but lacks a palm rest attachment. It's small enough to take with you to a LAN party or other event and won't take up too much space on whatever desk or table you find yourself at. I'm not really too picky about keyboards. You can find any number of cheap keyboards like this one; I just like Logitech the best. past keyboards: Logitech G15, Saitek Eclipse, Logitech Elite My last keyboard, Logitech's G15, had way more features than the average keyboard. It's rockin' an LCD display that flips open, media buttons and volume dial, switch to disable the Windows key, two USB ports, backlight, and 18 customizable keys. While all these extra features are nice, I don't really miss any of them. Other mid-range priced keyboards have some of the same features like media buttons and backlighting if you so desire them. But most importantly for gaming, make sure that you are ok with how the keys feel when you press them and how they are spaced. Mouse currently using: Logitech G5 (~$45) Logitech's G5 uses the same basic design as the MX510/518 mice. It's got adjustable weights, 7 buttons, and on-the-fly sensitivity changing. I don't think I could live without the side buttons. The adjustable weight is a great feature but I don't see the usefulness in switching between three sensitivity settings on command. The feet on the underside of the mouse allow it to glide smoothly. Unlike keyboards, I think it's worth it to pay extra for a high-quality mouse like this one. past mice: Logitech MX510, Microsoft Optical Mouse, Logitech Cordless Elite Duo The mouse is what I consider to be the most important decision you must make when choosing equipment (especially if you're an FPS player). Some of the features you should look at are weight, mouse wheel (you want this), and tracking method: laser, optical, or ball (you don't want this). As you can see, I'm a little biased towards Logitech products. There was nothing wrong with the MX510; it was just worn out. I've stuck with the same mouse design for so many years because well, it fits my hand. There are a lot of quality gaming mice that just have different shapes. Make sure you can grip your mouse naturally and that it glides smoothly. As for wireless mice, the one that I owned needed recharging so it was terrible for long periods of gaming. The safest bet is to just go with a good ol' corded mouse. Mousepad currently using: fUnc Surface1030 Original (~$17) This "mousing surface" is a great quality for its price. It has a rubber "case" so to speak to keep it from sliding. The actual surface can be flipped to give you the option of two different textures: one smooth and one rough. It also comes with an attachable mouse cord clip. past mousepads: Flexiglow FX Mouse Pad, generic cloth mousepad I never really considered buying a gaming mousepad until last year. It's up to you when it comes to the surface (cloth, plastic, even metal!). I thought that my mousepad with LED lights was the best thing ever but it turned out that the poorly-placed rubber feet on the bottom led to unstable rocking of the mousepad. If you do want a mousepad that lasts longer than those cloth-covered pieces of foam, a quality gaming mousepad is well worth it. Another important thing to consider is the size of the pad. Some pro gamers use those GIANT mousepads (sometimes even hanging over the edge of the table) to allow for maximum mobility, I guess. It all depends on what sensitivity you set your mouse to and how much space you have on your desk. Headset currently using: SteelSeries Siberia Full-size USB Headset (~$70) This headset that I recently purchased has ridiculous amounts of both comfort and style. It has a durable cord with more than enough length. I would say that this headset is in the mid-range of prices but the sound quality is reasonably good and the band adjusts to fit your head perfectly. I also appreciate the detachable clip microphone and USB soundcard that comes with this device. past headsets: Sennheiser PC 151, Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset, Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset, unknown $10 headset I've gone through more headsets than I care to remember. I've always bought really cheap headphones because of how expensive the top-tier brands can get. Most of the problems that I've experienced have been with the cords or with busted mics. Since you might be wearing a headset for long periods of time, I always look for a pair that is comfortable on the ears. Sound and mic quality are also important; to some gamers more than others. You can also find a lot of behind-the-head types of headsets if you prefer. Again, it all comes down to your own personal preference and how much you want to spend. Generally, quality goes up steadily with price until a certain point. There are a ton of brands of PC gaming equipment, so don't give up the search for the right mouse, keyboard, or headset. Now, excuse me while I get rid of this pile of junk in my room…