Essential Gear for the Serious PC Gamer

Gaming has become a titan of the entertainment industry, and PC game sales make up a vast chunk of that business. The ESRB reports that PC gamers spend half a billion dollars a year on games. Whereas console gaming systems tend to have a few manufacturers developing peripherals, PC gamers have a veritable ocean of gaming gear to wade through in search of the best tools. Below are the cutting-edge tools that every hardcore PC gamer should consider when searching for the ultimate gaming experience.

Razer Hydra Motion Controller

Motion controllers for the PC are a relatively new technology, but the Razer Hydra is an elegant low-latency controller that gives you unparalleled control in three dimensions. Optimized for more than 150 games including “Portal 2,” the Hydra is also programmable, so you can customize the motion mapping for play with even the most obscure title.

Unlike many motion controllers, the Hydra uses a magnetic sensor to compute the location and orientation of the controllers, providing you with an accurate and precise control experience. Maximum PC reports the Hydra comes packaged with a special edition of “Portal 2” that comes with a set of 10 new levels designed specifically for the Hydra motion controller. With motion control long being a staple of console gaming, the technology has been improved and optimized for the high-end PC gaming world.

Mad Catz M.M.O. 7 Gaming Mouse

Optimized for games such as “World of Warcraft,” “EVE Online” and “Star Wars: The Old Republic,” the Mad Catz M.M.O. 7 Gaming Mouse provides enhanced ergonomics, interchangeable grips and a custom weight system to provide you with the perfect feel. The M.M.O. 7 allows for 90 user-definable game commands for its 15 buttons. The M.M.O. 7’s manufacturer Cyborg notes that every M.M.O 7 comes with a “World of Warcraft” plug-in that allows simple drag-and-drop functionality for the world’s most popular MMORPG, eliminating set-up and getting you directly in the game. When it comes time to organize a raid against the forces of evil in an MMORPG-like “World of Warcraft,” having quick access to spells, macros and items makes the difference between a wiped-out party and a victorious conquest.

High-Speed DSL

Oftentimes, the player with the fastest Internet connection is the player with the edge. Finding a DSL provider with a plan that suits your needs is essential. A solid, low-latency Internet service starts around $14.95 a month, according to www.dsl.com. This service suffices for users who aren’t gaming, but Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) are perhaps the best option for gamers—especially those in rural areas, as they are more readily available than cable and provide the lowest latency of all services.

Logitech G930 Gaming Headset

Logitech’s G930 wireless gaming headset offers seven channels of audio data and an additional Low Frequency Effects channel, effectively creating a personal 7.1 surround-sound system. The G930 uses a proprietary technology for its wireless connection, which Logitech claims is 38 percent faster than standard Bluetooth technology, and is capable of jumping between frequencies to ensure a strong and reliable signal. In addition, the Logitech G930 features three programmable buttons on the left earpiece that allow you touch access control to in-game audio features such as voice distortion and music, all easily customizable using Logitech Gaming Software.

Authors Bio :  Sophia Peters

Sophia is a technology writer for a number of blogs. She works at a big-box electronics store during the day.