Have you ever seen any TikTok videos of gamers showcasing their gaming setup? What are the features in a gaming device that makes it suitable for gaming? If you’re not a gamer, or you’re just starting to dive into the world of gaming, chances are you wouldn’t know the difference between gaming devices and regular devices.
In this guide, we explain the key differences between gaming devices and regular ones, as well as what you should be looking for when shopping for them.
Gaming Mouse
The main difference between a gaming mouse and a regular mouse is the number of buttons they have and their dots per inch (DPI).
DPI is a measurement that indicates how sensitive a mouse is. The higher the DPI, the better your mouse will be at detecting small movements between different spots per inch. This means that even the smallest movements will be detected, helping you become more responsive.
A gaming mouse will typically have a higher DPI than a regular mouse. A gaming mouse may have 4000dpi, whereas a regular mouse may only have 1000dpi.
There are numerous types of gaming mice available, some of which allow you to customise the DPI between 100 and 16,000 max DPI, enabling you to optimize it for both work and gaming. If you’re not sure what DPI is best for you, you can always get a customisable gaming mouse.
A standard mouse has left and right buttons as well as a scroll wheel. A gaming mouse, on the other hand, will usually feature extra buttons where you can map more input options so you can game without moving your hands. This allows you to play quickly even when your hands are in a resting position. Some gaming mice even have 12-button configurations with advanced customisation options that allow you to optimise them for better gaming performance.
An additional feature to consider is ergonomics. Many regular mice lack ergonomic functions, making them unsuitable for gaming because you will need to hold a mouse for long periods of time while gaming.
When shopping for your gaming mouse, look for one with a higher DPI for a faster and more accurate reaction, extra buttons for convenience and quicker reaction, high durability to withstand multiple clicks during an intense game, and ergonomic qualities for comfort.
Gaming Keyboard
Gaming keyboards are built to improve game performance. Hence, they include features that are rarely found in normal keyboards. Some of these features include RGB backlights, media controls and programmable keys, which can help gamers locate keys easily and quickly during a game or play with better performance.
One of the key differences between regular and gaming keyboards is the switch used.
Regular keyboards typically use membrane switches, which have a higher latency of 30 milliseconds on average, whereas mechanical switches used in gaming keyboards have a lower latency of roughly 12 to 25 milliseconds. This means that gaming keyboards allow you a faster response time and quicker reactions, which can make a huge difference in competitive games such as Overwatch or Fortnite.
Generally, it is recommended that gamers use a mechanical keyboard because they offer better performance for both gaming and typing compared to membrane keyboards.
Another difference between regular and gaming keyboards is the N-Key Rollover (NKRO), which refers to the ability to press any number of keys simultaneously and have them accurately registered in the correct order in which they were pressed.
NKRO is possible in mechanical gaming keyboards because each keypress is scanned independently regardless of how many other keys are held down or pressed. Regular keyboards using membrane switches, on the other hand, can only handle a maximum of six simultaneous key presses.
NKRO isn’t necessary when you’re performing tasks such as typing. However, it is useful in gaming because you may need to simultaneously press and release different keys while holding down others in certain games. For example, while performing boss attacks or combos in fast-paced action games.
Most gaming keyboards also have a longer lifespan and are built to withstand repeated, and sometimes forceful, key presses. Many of them make use of Cherry MX switches, which can last up to 100 million clicks. Depending on the type of Cherry MX switch used, some of them also have a higher actuation point, which is the distance at which the switch must be depressed before it registers as an input. This means you’ll have fewer accidental key presses.
Gaming Monitor
Gaming monitors typically have a faster refresh rate and response time than standard monitors. As a result, they run games much more smoothly.
The refresh rate of a monitor refers to how many times the screen can be refreshed each second. A minimum of 60Hz is recommended and this is only the bare minimum. In comparison, standard displays and televisions operate at around 30Hz. For the best performance gaming monitor, look for 240Hz refresh rates.
Response time is critical in many games, such as Call of Duty, where players must be able to react to an enemy’s movements quickly with zero latency in order to win. It refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from black to white or from one shade of grey to another. It determines how quickly a pixel can change colour, which influences the clarity and accuracy with which a moving object is displayed. For response time, look for those with a lower number.
Regular LCD panels, such as TN panels, can usually go down to 1ms response time. On the other hand, IPS panels, which are newer types with a better viewing angle, can only go as low as 4ms. However, there are newer IPS panels that also feature a 1ms response time now.
There are also curved gaming monitors in the market and they are said to be easier on the eyes while providing a better and more comfortable viewing experience. The curved screen angles each pixel toward you, which results in better colour consistency.
Gaming Headsets
There are three types of headsets available on the market: studio, gaming, and regular. Studio headsets are used for recording and other professional audio work, gaming headsets are used for gaming, and regular consumer headsets are used for music and daily use.
In gaming, there are two types of headsets: those that use true surround sound and those that use virtual surround sound.
True surround sound headphones have multiple speaker drivers on each side of the headset, positioned around the ear in an optimal location suitable for each channel speaker. This means that audio comes from different speakers located around your ears in the headset to mimic where the sound is coming from for better surround sound. These headphones are generally better than virtual surround sound headsets.
Virtual surround sound headphones can be thought of as standard headphones that use a binaural algorithm to process multichannel audio streams, placing audio channels in virtual spaces around each ear. They are an excellent low-cost gaming headset with a decent surround sound performance.
Gaming devices are all specially designed to provide optimal performance during games and are well worth the investment if you are a frequent gamer. They also work well as a regular mouse, keyboard, monitor, and headphone, so you can use them for productivity as well.
Shop all the gaming devices you need at Harvey Norman, where we carry a variety of gaming essentials suitable for all types of budget and gaming lifestyles.
