The Best Gaming Setup: Essentials for PC, PS5 & Xbox

What's the best gaming setup? This is a question that has run through every gamer’s mind at one point. Video games are an incredible and complex medium, combining myriad technologies and art forms to create immersive and mind-boggling interactive experiences. Getting the optimum setup is key to accessing all that it can offer, and sometimes it's hard to know how to get it.

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What's The Best Gaming Setup?

It's easy to think that attaining the best gaming setup is a herculean feat. But it’s not. Mostly because the perfect gaming setup doesn’t exist. At least, not in a singular form. The best gaming setup is the setup that works for you, whatever your platform, whatever your budget.

This fact is liberating, but it doesn’t help narrow things down. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to run through and breakdown the essentials and debates around gaming so you can build the setup of your dreams.

In this extensive guide, we’ve pooled our knowledge and expertise to answer some of the biggest questions when creating or upgrading a gaming setup. We weigh into the debates between TVs and monitors, keyboards and controllers, and even wired and wireless internet connections, amongst others.

In this article, we’ve chosen to focus on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms. This isn’t because we don’t have immense love and respect for the Nintendo Switch and its staggering game catalogue. It’s because it’s an extremely versatile and accessible console that tops out at 1080p/60fps, connects to the internet wirelessly and has a very unique controller system. The considerations needed for the new generation of 4K 120fps machines simply don't apply.

Here’s our guide to the best essentials required for any PC or console-setup.

Monitors vs TVs

PC gamers are likely to opt for monitors, whereas console players are more likely to be using a TV. This is no real surprise or secret: the two gaming technologies have, until recently, shared little crossover. Consoles have traditionally been built as accessible video game systems that plug into standard household TVs, whereas the best PC games have always required more costly, specialist computer hardware.

However, the lines are blurring. The Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X carry specs that push them in line with hardcore gaming PCs, with resolutions, response times, frame rates and input lag becoming increasingly important when considering a screen upgrade.

Microsoft also offers the Xbox Series S, a small-but-powerful console that caps its resolution at 1440p - a number that rings with great acclaim throughout the PC gaming community. Similarly, the impressive stats of some TVs now meet the needs of PC gaming needs, and with a far larger choice of screen size.

If you’re on the horns of a screen-based dilemma, read on for the pros and cons of each technology, along with the best gaming TVs and gaming monitors available.

Gaming monitors:

Pros:

• Good stats available on smaller screen sizes

• Affordable access to game-ready features

• Curved options available

• Impressive refresh rates and response times

Cons:

• External speakers required

• Specialised - no bundled smart or streaming tech like on TVs

• Typically have limited HDR support

• Limited screen sizes

• 4K resolution is expensive - not such an issue for PC gaming, but console gamers might feel like they are missing out on 4K/120fps

TVs:

Pros:

• Readily available 4K UHD

• Multi-purpose entertainment - inbuilt smart streaming and access to terrestrial TV

• Quality inbuilt speakers

• HDMI ARC for soundbars or surround sound widely supported

• Wide range of screen sizes

• Even budget units can perform well when console gaming

Cons:

• Monitor-like speeds and refresh rates are very expensive

• Over-featured for gaming only

• Better specs often means a big physical size

Verdict: Draw

It’s too subjective and hinges on too many variables. While most console gamers will stick with TVs, those who move over to a gaming monitor will be accessing a highly-specialised visual experience. PC gamers will mostly want to stick to monitors, but those with deep pockets will certainly experience great things when moving over to a TV that carries monitor-like specifications.

The Best Gaming Monitor: ASUS TUF VG27AQ

Best Budget Pick: BenQ EL2870U. It's a 4K gaming monitor with a 60Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time - the only downside here is that it is a slightly older model and has weak HDR.

Not the screen of your dreams? Read more about the best gaming monitors here. Or, if you're looking for something for your new Sony console, read our guide to the best PS5 monitors here.

The Best TV For Gaming: LG CX OLED

Best budget pick: Samsung AU8000. The Samsung AU8000 is a 4K UHD smart TV carrying a solid 4K/60fps performance that’s perfectly suited to console gaming. The specifications elsewhere are modest, but by no means insufficient. Note that PC gamers are best to avoid this one, as a gaming monitor of a similar price will offer loads of specialist tech and features.

Not found the solution for you? Read our guide to the best TVs for gaming here. We’ve also rounded up the best TVs under £1,000 here.

A Note On HDMI Cables

Please note that high resolution and refresh rates require that a HDMI cable meets certain criteria. A HDMI 1.4 cable can transfer 1080p/120Hz and 4K/30Hz, whereas a HDMI 2.0 cable can handle 4K/60Hz. A HDMI 2.1 cable is needed for 8K/60Hz. You can read more about this in the quick guide found on our best gaming TV rundown.

Speakers vs Headset

While visuals tend to grab the headlines, the sound is an essential component of the video gaming experience - it sets the mood in solo play and gives a tactical edge in online arenas. Whether on PC or console, monitor or TV, a gaming setup can reply on either speakers or a dedicated gaming headset. In all but the most extreme (and expensive) circumstances, the inbuilt speakers found on TVs and monitors aren't going to cut it. So, there’s a choice to make.

Speakers:

Pros:

• Versatile

• Good for solo gaming

• Easy to use

• Powerful

• Good for local multiplayer

Cons:

• Take up space

• Audio can bleed into the mic during team chats

• Less impressive at low volumes - not ideal for play late at night or in a shared house

• Expensive premium units

Headsets:

Pros:

• Powerful audio

• Surround sound experience without the cost or physical size of external setup

• Built-in mic

• Balance between game and chat audio

• Choice between wired and wireless options

Cons:

• Cables can create clutter

• Can’t be used during local multiplayer

• Potentially uncomfortable during prolonged use

• Battery life can limit play

Verdict: Headset

For day-to-day play, a gaming headset is going to deliver audio excellence, convenience and affordability. Wireless options are now ubiquitous and carry excellent connection strengths and bitrates. Wired options will cause no issue to PC gamers, and many console controllers support audio-out ports for fuss-free listening. Headsets add to the sense of immersion and provide a surround or 3D audio experience at a fraction of a full-system cost. Just be aware that you will get headset hair.

The Best Headset For Gaming: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

Budget pick: Logitech Pro X. Coming in under £120, the Logitech Pro X is a headset designed to impress. The drivers deliver a powerful and organic audio profile, while the DTS Headphone provides a wide surround sound experience, perfectly showcasing near- and far-field sounds. The mic is powered by BLUE VO!CE. A wireless model, the Pro X Wireless, is also available.

The Best Speaker For Gaming On TV: Sonos Arc Soundbar

Budget pick: LG SJ2 with Subwoofer. For excellent gaming audio on a TV at a reasonable price, the LG SJ2 provides a compelling solution. The soundbar houses two speakers to deliver audio detail, while the wireless subwoofer takes care of the atmospheric and cinematic booms, rumble and throaty roars. It's a neat system that ups the stakes of any movie, TV show or video game pushed through its drivers.

Read more on the best soundbars here, or the best budget soundbars here.

The Best Speaker For Gaming On PC: Razer Leviathan

Budget pick: Logitech Z333. Logitech is a leading force in delivering excellent audio at affordable prices, and the Z333 Multimedia Speaker System continues this reputation. Competent across all media types, the Z333 is a 2.1 system loaded with thick, punchy subwoofer and rich satellites.

Keyboard & Mouse vs Controller

The choice between a traditional keyboard and mouse or a dedicated controller is almost exclusively an issue for PC gamers. Some live and die by keyboard/mouse PC peripheral configuration, but PC gaming controllers certainly have their stalwarts and advocates.

Though there are several console games with mouse and keyboard support, the overwhelming majority of console owners will want to stick with a controller. Microsoft has released several proprietary controllers, but owners of the Sony PS4 and PS5 are limited to the DualShock 4 and DualSense, respectively. Thankfully, both these controllers are comfortable, robust and well-featured. Third-party options are available for both platforms, but they don’t come close to the originals.

Let's take a closer look at the main pros and cons for each setup:

Keyboard and Mouse

Pros:

• Immediacy to mouse control

• Extreme customisation through macros and key bindings

• Deep control over movement sensitivity

• Simultaneous complex commands and in-game actions

Cons:

• Not particularly intuitive

• Expensive for high-quality options

• Feature-heavy designs not always applicable

Controller

Pros:

• Intuitive and ergonomic

• Streamlined control schemes

• Versatile - many work across PC, consoles, tablets and smartphones

• Handheld and mobile - you're not tied to a desk

Cons:

• Shooting games will often rely on auto-assist

• Limited sensitivity and button mapping

• Complex commands can be difficult

Verdict: Draw

Both peripheral configurations have very compelling pros and tolerable cons, it’s all a matter of taste. Often, it's the quality of the peripheral used that has the most profound effect on in-game performance and overall gaming experience.

Best Keyboard: Razer Huntsman v2 Analog

Budget pick: Logitech G413. It's a well-rounded and well-considered mechanical keyboard that comes in at roughly half the price of our premium Razer pick. It’s robust, comfortable and precise. It carries brilliant Logitech proprietary Romer switches, too, and uses the Logitech G-Hub software suite.

Best Mouse: Razer Viper Ultimate

Budget pick: SteelSeries Rival 3. This is a budget option from a big name. Its 8.5K CPI sensor is versatile for multiple play styles, and the simple button layout and size are accessible and intuitive.

Best Controller for Xbox and PC: Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Budget pick: Xbox Wireless Controller. The Xbox Wireless Controller is the foundation from which the Elite builds. As it shares the same DNA, it too is ergonomic and robust. It's also available in a range of funky colours. The only downside is that it runs on AA batteries - they really should be retired by now.

The best accessible controller for PC and Xbox: Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller & Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit

The Xbox Adaptive Controller couples with the Logitech Adaptive Kit to create a well-considered and highly versatile accessible gaming controller. It allows for buttons and triggers to be laid out in any configuration across and a hook-and-loop mat for unrivalled accessibility and customisation.

Buy the Xbox Adaptive Controller here

Buy the Logitech Adaptive Kit here

Wireless vs Wired Internet Connection

For a long time now, video games and a solid internet connection have gone hand in hand, bringing us online chats, multiplayer deathmatches and game-redeeming patches. Increasingly, it’s also the way we shop, purchase and access new titles through storefronts like Steam, Epic, PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store. With the advent of services like Xbox Game Pass, it’s unlikely that our reliance on the internet is going to plateau any time soon.

So, what’s the best way to connect your PC or console to the world wide web? The choice is between a wired and a wireless connection.

Wireless

Pros:

• Convenient

• Clutter-free

• Affordable

Cons:

• Range can be limited

• Speeds are limited

• Inconsistent signal strengths

• Susceptible to interference

Wired

Pros:

• Strong, reliable connection

• Faster, more stable speeds

• No passwords needed

Cons:

• Wires and cable clutter

• Immobile

Verdict: Wired

When gaming, a wired ethernet connection is preferable to wireless. Though wired connections are immobile and may require some installation, the speeds and connection stability is far greater than wireless. A dedicated wired connection to your router will maximise download speeds and reduce ping and lag when gaming online. To ensure the best performance, pick up at least a Cat 7 ethernet cable to avoid bottlenecking the data - these cables are suitable for speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second.

Best Router For Gaming: ASUS RT-AC86U

Best Desk and Gaming Chair

A gaming desk is more than a table. It’s a space optimised for gaming and all things related, with cable routing, height adjustments, forearm-friendly chamfers and sturdy frames that keep out of the way. Similarly, a gaming chair is more than a seat - it’s a throne dedicated to keeping you comfortable throughout the way, with plenty of adjustable features and ergonomics curves. There are plenty of choices available, but here are the best.

The best gaming desk:

The best gaming chair: Tied

The Secretlab TITAN and noblechairs HERO are two excellent gaming chairs. Each carries a top-tier build quality and design sensibility, with proprietary synthetic leathers and cooling foams being used to promote user comfort and ergonomic support. While both fantastic offerings, there are a few finer points of difference between the two that will sway some users one way or another - you can read our detailed reviews in our best gaming chairs roundup here.

Accessories For The Best Gaming Setup

What’s a gaming setup without some accessories? Not only do they allow video game enthusiasts the chance to indulge their love for ‘stuff’, many items can serve a useful purpose, refreshing and revolutionising a setup. Here are a few of our essential gaming setup accessories:

READ MORE: The best gaming laptops

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