Gaming setup: the gear that makes the biggest difference
The parts of a gaming setup you touch and look at every second matter more than the RGB. Start with a fast monitor and a mouse that fits your hand, then add the rest. Here is each piece with the gear independent reviewers recommend most right now.
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Essential
A high-refresh gaming monitor
A 144 Hz or faster screen makes motion clearer and aiming easier. 27-inch 1440p is the most popular balance of sharpness and frame rate.
Top pick: MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 · Full list: Best gaming monitors
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Essential
A gaming mouse that fits your hand
Shape and weight matter more than DPI. Lighter mice suit fast flicks; ergonomic shapes suit long sessions.
Top pick: Razer Viper V4 Pro · Full list: Best gaming mice
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Essential
A gaming keyboard
Tenkeyless and 75% boards leave room for wide mouse movements. Rapid trigger switches help in competitive shooters.
Top pick: Logitech POP Icon Keys · Full list: Best tenkeyless keyboards
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Essential
A gaming headset
Clear positional audio helps you hear footsteps, and a decent mic keeps team chat clean.
Top pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite · Full list: Best gaming headsets
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Essential
A large mouse pad
A big, consistent surface lets you play at low sensitivity without running off the edge.
Top pick: SteelSeries QcK Medium · Full list: Best gaming mouse pads
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Essential
A gaming chair or ergonomic chair
Long sessions reward a chair that supports your lower back and lets your feet sit flat.
Top pick: Secretlab Titan Evo · Full list: Best gaming chairs
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Upgrade
A gaming desk
Enough width for the monitor and a full arm swing with the mouse, and depth to sit back from the screen.
Top pick: Arozzi Arena · Full list: Best gaming desks
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Upgrade
A gaming router or wired connection
Ethernet beats Wi-Fi for steady ping; if you must use Wi-Fi, a modern router with traffic prioritising helps.
Top pick: ASUS ROG Strix GS-BE18000 · Full list: Best gaming routers
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How to set it up
Set the monitor's refresh rate
New monitors often run at 60 Hz until you change it. Pick the highest rate in your operating system's display settings, use DisplayPort or the right HDMI version, and confirm with our refresh rate test.
Dial in your mouse
Pick a DPI between 400 and 1600 and adjust sensitivity in game rather than cranking DPI. Our DPI analyzer and sensitivity converter help you keep the same feel across games.
Seat yourself at the right height
Elbows roughly level with the desk, feet flat, and the top of the monitor at or slightly below eye level. Sit about an arm's length from a 27-inch screen.
Wire what you can
Plug the PC or console into the router with Ethernet if possible. Use the mouse's wired mode or keep its wireless receiver close to it.
Check the inputs work
Run the keyboard test and mouse test to catch chattering switches or dead keys before they cost you a match.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving a 144 Hz or faster monitor running at 60 Hz.
- Buying a mouse by DPI number instead of by shape and weight.
- Playing on Wi-Fi far from the router and blaming the game for lag.
- Spending on lighting before the monitor, mouse and chair.
Questions
What do I need for a gaming setup?
A gaming PC or console, a monitor or TV, a mouse and keyboard or controller, a headset, a desk and a chair. A fast monitor and a mouse that fits your hand make the biggest difference to how games feel.
What should I upgrade first in my gaming setup?
For PC games, a high-refresh monitor is usually the most noticeable upgrade if your PC can reach the frame rates. After that, a mouse that suits your grip and a headset with clear positional audio.
Is 144 Hz enough for gaming?
For most players, yes. 144 Hz to 180 Hz is a big step up from 60 Hz; 240 Hz and above mainly helps competitive shooter players with PCs that hold those frame rates.
What size gaming monitor is best?
24 to 25 inches suits esports players who want everything in view. 27 inches at 1440p is the most popular all-round size; ultrawides suit racing, flight and strategy games.
Do gaming chairs help?
A chair that fits you and supports your lower back helps over long sessions, whether it is sold as a gaming chair or an office chair. Many reviewers prefer ergonomic office chairs for long-term comfort.
We don't test products ourselves: each pick is the one independent reviewers recommend most in our matching buying guide, and changes as their recommendations do.