Author Topic: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.  (Read 812 times)

Offline Beefcake

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2285
So I've started the hair-raising process of building my first computer and I've decided to go ahead and upgrade a few things outside the box.

First up is the monitor, I have an old Gateway 19" and I'd like to upgrade to a 22"-24" monitor. Are there any recommended brands I should look for / watch out for? And I'd like to keep the price low.

Secondly anyone know of a good reliable gaming keyboard and mouse? Once again I'm trying to see what brands are the best out there.
Retired Bomber Dweeb - 71 "Eagle" Squadron RAF

Offline Masherbrum

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 22416
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2016, 08:29:48 PM »
Keyboard and mouse?   I have a Roccat Ryos MK Pro keyboard and a Roccat Tyon. I have large hands and the Tyon is a perfect fit for me.   Mice are hard to nail down.   What works for one person, might not work for many others.

Good brands?   Roccat, Steelseries, Corsair (seem to make higher quality keys and mice).   The Mad Catz R.A.T. mice always get good reviews as well.   Also Logitech makes some good mice.

Avoid Razer if you can, but at the end of the day it is your money. 
FSO Squad 412th FNVG
http://worldfamousfridaynighters.com/
Co-Founder of DFC

Offline Chalenge

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 15179
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2016, 09:14:10 PM »
UtechSmart Pluto 8200 DPI programmable gaming mouse ($34).

I do not understand the concept of "gaming keyboard." A keyboard is a keyboard. I have an IBM Model M (non-Windows key keyboard made by Lexmark) that I use for rapid typing. I use a Perixx Performance keyboard for anything that needs a Windows key (primarily ARMA).
If you like the Sick Puppy Custom Sound Pack the please consider contributing for future updates by sending a months dues to Hitech Creations for account "Chalenge." Every little bit helps.

Offline Beefcake

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2285
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2016, 09:16:44 PM »
Yeah the mouse and keyboard aren't real priorities, I may end up just buying a generic MS mouse and keyboard like I've been using for the last 7 years. I just thought I'd probe the market just in case.
Retired Bomber Dweeb - 71 "Eagle" Squadron RAF

Offline Brooke

  • Aces High CM Staff
  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 15718
      • http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2016, 02:10:21 AM »
For monitors, I've had good luck with Samsung, but I would also try an LG, ViewSonic, Acer, Asus, or Dell.  I would also tend towards monitors that have good ratings and good reviews on Newegg or Amazon.

I tend to go for the cheaper end of things and would probably buy a monitor for $125-$200 with the following stats.  24"-28", 2-5 ms response time, 60 Hz refresh, 1920x1080 resolution.  I would probably pick a 2 ms one although I'm not sure if in reality 2 ms is any better than 5 ms to the human eye, but since you can get those in that price range, I would.

Here's a list I looked at on Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100160979%204017%204814%20600416631%20600030972%20601190102&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30

Here's a list I looked at on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_72_0?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A541966%2Cn%3A1292115011%2Cp_n_size_browse-bin%3A3547806011%2Cp_36%3A1253506011%2Cp_72%3A1248879011&bbn=1292115011&ie=UTF8&qid=1459753769&rnid=1248877011

Offline Ack-Ack

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 25260
      • FlameWarriors
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2016, 01:01:54 PM »


Avoid Razer if you can, but at the end of the day it is your money.

I am of the same belief, I avoid Razer products like they are the plague but then I got my hands on a freebie Razer Death Adder from work.  I was using the Logitech Proteus Core G502 and really liked it and figured no way the Death Adder could be better.  I was wrong, the Death Adder was by far the better of the two, the only things the Logitech G502 had over the Death Adder was more programmable buttons and adjustable weight.  The Death Adder so far has been the best "gaming" mouse I've used other than my old Microsoft Habu (coincidentally made by Razer for Micrsoft).  My only complaint about the Death Adder is the Razor Synapse software, it's bloat ware.
"If Jesus came back as an airplane, he would be a P-38." - WW2 P-38 pilot
Elite Top Aces +1 Mexican Official Squadron Song

Offline Gman

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3748
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2016, 01:21:44 PM »
The Death Adder has long been the "good" product Razer makes.  Their Keyboards, while nothing special, are "solid" IMO as well, but their other stuff, headsets, etc - IMO and general opinions online not as much.  I ran an Adder with my Razer KB system and the mouse is excellent.  I prefer Steel Series, still the same old "Microsoft" shape that I'm used to after so many years of using their mice, it's excellent for the $ as well, Sensei or other models, simple, work well, etcetc.  Just pick a decent make you like the feel of, depending on your grip (claw/palm/etc) and go from there.  Logitech's new mice are very good, well built, they have great vids out online showing their construction and design methods, but there are at least a dozen I would use and feel fine with - I just like the Steel Series due to the familiar shape, and easy/simple software, plus they are accurate for their rates.

Keyboard wise decide if you want mechanical switches or not.  They are usually better and more tactile than regular switches, and there are various types (red black blue brown) which have different levels of "click" and pressure.  Brown are good all round and are quiet, blue are loud, good for some types of games/gamers, and so on.  Once you pick your switch, THEN pick your keyboard type.  Filco and Ducky make very solid, heavy, simple RGB mechanicals which you may like if you like the simple look yet having features, otherwise Roccat, Corsair, Logi, etc all have good mech gaming kb as well.

One good option is find an IBM model M older mechanical keyboard, these have an older yet never beaten buckling spring key system which is still the best bar none, IMO.  I find them from free, to 25$, and some for over 100$ in new condition still.  You'll need an adapter most like, but that's simple/cheap.  NO pretty lights, but they work well, and Unicomp remakes them in black if you're picky, but their switches just aren't quite as good I find still. 

Monitor - I'd pick a 144hz monitor for sure in your shoes.  You can get a 24" one in the mid 200$ range.  144hz will make more of a difference in how your games look and play than ANY other feature IMO, including free/Gsync, 1440p, TN/TPS, or size.  It'll give you the ability to go above 60 observed FPS in your games (up to the 144/165/etc hz of the monitor) and give you a much more fluid picture than a 60 max one will.  Every single person I've shown or recommenced to go to a faster than 60hz (100, usually 144 or 165hz) monitor has NOT gone back.  Ask around here, you'll get similar responses.  Jumping to 144hz is the cheapest, yet as said single BEST option you can add to a "gaming" LCD.  All the other stuff helps and can be great too, gsync, freesync, higher rez 1440p/4k, and IPS panels, but none of these things do what 144hz over 60hz does just all on its own to such a great degree IMO.

There are a number of Asus, BenQ, and others which make a pretty inexpensive gaming 144hz 24" LCD -

VG248QE from Asus is available everywhere, I've had 3 of them over the years, still in the mid 200$ but worth it.  Others can be found on sale from time to time too, I've seen 24" BenQ 144hz for 150$ before.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2016, 01:26:55 PM by Gman »

Offline Ratsy

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 564
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2016, 01:29:38 PM »
I'm not a Razer fan for the same reason, AK.  I took a chance and bought a R.A.T. 9.  I really like it because it is so adjustable to the hand.

I'm running an ASUS VG248QE monitor.  It's probably overkill, but I really like it.  Mrs. Raider has the 27" version of the same monitor.  I was watching her play Star Wars Battlefront Friday night from about 8 feet away and it was clear, clean and crisp.  Worth the money, IMHO.

Good luck, Beef.
 :salute



   

George "Ratsy" Preddy
328th FS - 352nd FG
Died December 25th, 1944, Near Liege - Ardennes

Operating with the Arabian Knights - callsign AKRaider

Offline Beefcake

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2285
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2016, 05:00:21 PM »
Well the ASUS VG248QE is a little more than I'd like to pay at the moment but it has high reviews and since some of you guys recommend it I may get it. I figure if it's really good 250 is a small price to pay for a monitor that might last a long time.
Retired Bomber Dweeb - 71 "Eagle" Squadron RAF

Offline Brooke

  • Aces High CM Staff
  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 15718
      • http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2016, 06:17:36 PM »
For me, I'd still go with a $100-$200 monitor, as I'm happy enough with 60 fps.

You can get a system that will hit about 60 fps for about $700 ($550 for the computer and $150 for the graphics card), then add a $150 monitor for a total cost with monitor of $850.

If you want a 144 Hz monitor with the plan of getting higher than 60 fps, that is perhaps an extra $100 for the monitor and an extra $100 in CPU and/or GPU to get past 60 fps.

To each, his own, of course -- nothing wrong with however you prefer to go.

Offline Beefcake

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2285
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2016, 08:36:36 PM »
For me, I'd still go with a $100-$200 monitor, as I'm happy enough with 60 fps.

You can get a system that will hit about 60 fps for about $700 ($550 for the computer and $150 for the graphics card), then add a $150 monitor for a total cost with monitor of $850.

If you want a 144 Hz monitor with the plan of getting higher than 60 fps, that is perhaps an extra $100 for the monitor and an extra $100 in CPU and/or GPU to get past 60 fps.

To each, his own, of course -- nothing wrong with however you prefer to go.

I get ya brooke, at this point I've already invested $1,500 bucks in my system so having a $200 monitor to go with my GeForce 970 wouldn't be much of a stretch.

I'm building this system with the idea of not having to do a major upgrade for at least 5-8 years, so expensive parts up front, but hey last a long time.
Retired Bomber Dweeb - 71 "Eagle" Squadron RAF

Offline Brooke

  • Aces High CM Staff
  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 15718
      • http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/
Re: Looking for recommendations on a monitor and gaming mouse / keyboard.
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2016, 11:03:14 PM »
I get ya brooke, at this point I've already invested $1,500 bucks in my system so having a $200 monitor to go with my GeForce 970 wouldn't be much of a stretch.

I'm building this system with the idea of not having to do a major upgrade for at least 5-8 years, so expensive parts up front, but hey last a long time.

Roger that.  For a system like that, $200 or $250 on a monitor does seem like a decent plan.

So, you are going to be in the following, right?  :aok