Seeking Advice on Computer Accessories (Monitor, Keyboard, etc)

Overwatch · 05-16-2009, 04:58 PM

(Note: First off, my apologies if this isn't the right board for this to be posted in - it seemed like the best choice at the time.)

I have recently made the purchase of a new gaming machine which is set to go into another room. With my networking problem out of the way, it's time to look at a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and speakers. The new rig will primarily be used for gaming and multitasking (i.e. game + browsing, chatting, listening to music and so on). So for me, comfort and usability are more important than whether or not everything matches. I've set aside $1,000 for the aforementioned accessories - though I'd like to spend as little as possible and get the best bang for my buck.

Regarding the mouse and keyboard, I had the intention of going with the Microsoft brand. Here are the few mice and keyboards that caught my attention, but feedback on all of these (as well as non-Microsoft suggestions) would be greatly appreciated:

-Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
-Microsoft Intellimouse 3.0

OR

-Microsoft Reclusa
-Microsoft Habu

I was also looking at THIS, which seems like the best compromise between comfort and gaming, but maybe the Reclusa covers that as well?

Moving on, that leaves me with the speakers and monitor. I'm clueless when it comes to both. I want speakers that put out high quality sound, but again, I'd prefer to get the best bang for my buck. The room the new rig is going to be placed in is rather small, so as long as the speakers can produce enough sound to fill it I'd be happy. 5.1 or 2.1 are my preferences for speakers.

Regarding the monitor, I think a 22" would suit my system the best. The system has a GTX 295 in it, and I want to get the best FPS possible with the card. I get the feeling that a screen with the resolution of 1680x1020 would do that the best, but please correct me if I'm wrong on anything here or above regarding anything else.

I'm in the United States, and I think Newegg would be the best place to get anything from, but I'm perfectly willing to trust other vendors as well. I'm not sure what Newegg's policy on monitors is, but I'm afraid of getting dead pixels and not being able to return the monitor...

All that said, thanks in advance for any help and feedback. If you need anymore information, please let me know and I'll be happy to provide! Thanks!

(URLs in case anything I posted above is broken...)

-http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043

-http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=087

-http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=093

-http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=092

-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109149

Warfare · 05-16-2009, 06:31 PM

Eh, I really wouldn't use Microsoft brand "gaming" accessories.
I would suggest
Keyboard-
Saitek Cyborg
RAZER Lycosa

Mouse-
Any of these are great
Logitech G5
RAZER Lachesis
Razer Deathadder

Truthfully, for gaming you would want a headset. But if you only want speakers I would recommend you
Logitech Z-4 2.1

For a headset Newegg.com suggests
KOSS SB45
I NEVER used these, they are just a high rated item on newegg.

For a monitor I would suggest this
ASUS VW224U Black 22"
It has 2ms response time and a Contrast Ratio of 1000:1

Overwatch · 05-16-2009, 06:51 PM

Gonna hold off on any purchases until some more feedback is posted, but regarding the monitor:

Only thing that made me a bit iffy on that ASUS monitor was that the response time was 2ms for gray-to-gray. I wonder what the black-to-white response time is... Or is that entirely irrelevant? Also do you know if there's any way to detach/turn off the monitor's speaker so the ones I buy can shine?

Overwatch · 05-16-2009, 07:52 PM

...Couldn't find the edit button but I thought I'd also ask this: My GPU being a 295, would I be able to handle a resolution of like, 1900x1200 and maintain 60+ FPS? Even with DX10?

**Tyree** · 05-16-2009, 08:24 PM

I use Samsung LCD's for my personal PC's and for my higher end retail PC's. Great performance and very good customer service.
For more economical builds I use HannsG and Acer. Both offer good support and warranty service.
Keyboard and Mouse, go to some local store where you can get a "hands on" feel. I use cheapy keyboards because I don't need a lot of extra buttons and keys. I use MS mice because they fit my hand.
If you want the best in speakers, Klipschorn or Altec.
I agree with Warfare about headphones for gaming. It's courteous to family and neighbors.
Newegg,as well as most other online vendors, don't warranty for dead pixels. The manufacturer's require at least 8 dead pixels for a warranty replacement.

05-16-2009, 04:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Overwatch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP SP3	Seeking Advice on Computer Accessories (Monitor, Keyboard, etc) (Note: First off, my apologies if this isn't the right board for this to be posted in - it seemed like the best choice at the time.) I have recently made the purchase of a new gaming machine which is set to go into another room. With my networking problem out of the way, it's time to look at a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and speakers. The new rig will primarily be used for gaming and multitasking (i.e. game + browsing, chatting, listening to music and so on). So for me, comfort and usability are more important than whether or not everything matches. I've set aside $1,000 for the aforementioned accessories - though I'd like to spend as little as possible and get the best bang for my buck. Regarding the mouse and keyboard, I had the intention of going with the Microsoft brand. Here are the few mice and keyboards that caught my attention, but feedback on all of these (as well as non-Microsoft suggestions) would be greatly appreciated: -Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 -Microsoft Intellimouse 3.0 OR -Microsoft Reclusa -Microsoft Habu I was also looking at THIS, which seems like the best compromise between comfort and gaming, but maybe the Reclusa covers that as well? Moving on, that leaves me with the speakers and monitor. I'm clueless when it comes to both. I want speakers that put out high quality sound, but again, I'd prefer to get the best bang for my buck. The room the new rig is going to be placed in is rather small, so as long as the speakers can produce enough sound to fill it I'd be happy. 5.1 or 2.1 are my preferences for speakers. Regarding the monitor, I think a 22" would suit my system the best. The system has a GTX 295 in it, and I want to get the best FPS possible with the card. I get the feeling that a screen with the resolution of 1680x1020 would do that the best, but please correct me if I'm wrong on anything here or above regarding anything else. I'm in the United States, and I think Newegg would be the best place to get anything from, but I'm perfectly willing to trust other vendors as well. I'm not sure what Newegg's policy on monitors is, but I'm afraid of getting dead pixels and not being able to return the monitor... All that said, thanks in advance for any help and feedback. If you need anymore information, please let me know and I'll be happy to provide! Thanks! (URLs in case anything I posted above is broken...) -http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043 -http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=087 -http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=093 -http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=092 -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109149 Last edited by Overwatch; 05-16-2009 at 05:00 PM.

05-16-2009, 06:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Warfare Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 372 OS: Win7 Ultimate 64bit My System	Re: Seeking Advice on Computer Accessories (Monitor, Keyboard, etc) Eh, I really wouldn't use Microsoft brand "gaming" accessories. I would suggest Keyboard- Saitek Cyborg RAZER Lycosa Mouse- Any of these are great Logitech G5 RAZER Lachesis Razer Deathadder Truthfully, for gaming you would want a headset. But if you only want speakers I would recommend you Logitech Z-4 2.1 For a headset Newegg.com suggests KOSS SB45 I NEVER used these, they are just a high rated item on newegg. For a monitor I would suggest this ASUS VW224U Black 22" It has 2ms response time and a Contrast Ratio of 1000:1 Last edited by Warfare; 05-16-2009 at 06:36 PM.

05-16-2009, 06:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Overwatch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Seeking Advice on Computer Accessories (Monitor, Keyboard, etc) Gonna hold off on any purchases until some more feedback is posted, but regarding the monitor: Only thing that made me a bit iffy on that ASUS monitor was that the response time was 2ms for gray-to-gray. I wonder what the black-to-white response time is... Or is that entirely irrelevant? Also do you know if there's any way to detach/turn off the monitor's speaker so the ones I buy can shine?

05-16-2009, 07:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Overwatch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Seeking Advice on Computer Accessories (Monitor, Keyboard, etc) ...Couldn't find the edit button but I thought I'd also ask this: My GPU being a 295, would I be able to handle a resolution of like, 1900x1200 and maintain 60+ FPS? Even with DX10?

05-16-2009, 08:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,600 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Seeking Advice on Computer Accessories (Monitor, Keyboard, etc) I use Samsung LCD's for my personal PC's and for my higher end retail PC's. Great performance and very good customer service. For more economical builds I use HannsG and Acer. Both offer good support and warranty service. Keyboard and Mouse, go to some local store where you can get a "hands on" feel. I use cheapy keyboards because I don't need a lot of extra buttons and keys. I use MS mice because they fit my hand. If you want the best in speakers, Klipschorn or Altec. I agree with Warfare about headphones for gaming. It's courteous to family and neighbors. Newegg,as well as most other online vendors, don't warranty for dead pixels. The manufacturer's require at least 8 dead pixels for a warranty replacement.