Gear
Photo: CAPTAIN MEDUSA · CC BY-SA 4.0Finding a gaming mouse that fits your hand
Shape and button reach deserve attention before the largest number on the specification sheet.
K–9 Gaming: equipment, settings and play
Gear
Choosing keyboard switches by feel and sound
Switch feel and keyboard sound are related, but they are not the same thing.
Gear
Photo: Hama GmbH & Co KG · CC BY-SA 4.0Checking gaming-headset comfort
Ear cushions, headband pressure and the shape of your ears all affect how a headset feels.
Gear
Photo: Mylesclark96 · CC BY-SA 4.0Choosing a controller you can hold comfortably
A comfortable controller lets you reach its controls without repeatedly changing your grip.
PC Gaming
Photo: Jacek Halicki · CC BY-SA 4.0Planning airflow in a PC case
Follow the route air can actually take through the case, including filters, radiators and the space outside it.
Consoles
Photo: Osh33m · CC BY-SA 4.0Giving a console room to ventilate
Give the console’s intake and exhaust paths space, including the air outside the cabinet.
The Setup
Photo: Shixart1985 · CC BY 2.0Arranging a second screen for gaming and chat
Keep the main game centred and make the second display easy to reach with your eyes.
Find your setup
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Before the next session
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Consoles
Comparing disc and digital game purchases
Compare the licence, storage needs and future access as well as the price on the box.
Playing
Getting started with an unfamiliar game
Learn the basic loop and the save behaviour before trying to understand every system.
Playing
Keeping keybindings consistent across games
Preserve familiar actions while leaving room for each game’s different mechanics.
Playing
Checking a mod before installing it
Confirm the source, game version, dependencies and recovery route before changing files.
Playing
Comparing game editions without buying twice
Make a small contents comparison before paying for a larger edition or an upgrade.
Connections, controls & sound
PC Gaming
Photo: Khairil Yusof from Malaysia · CC BY 2.0Ethernet or Wi-Fi for a gaming PC?
Compare consistency where you actually play, including the route between the router and the internet.
Gear
Photo: Carioca · CC BY-SA 3.0Arcade stick, leverless controller or gamepad?
The best control style is the one whose movement and button arrangement you can learn comfortably.
Consoles
Photo: Pradeep717 · CC BY-SA 4.0Choosing an HDMI cable for a console setup
Match the cable’s certified capability to the signal you need, then keep the connection simple.
Consoles
Photo: Dinopkk · CC BY-SA 3.0Checking a headset against your console
Check how game sound and microphone audio travel, not just whether the headset plug fits.
Make room for your games
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The Setup
Photo: Lipsbaterando · CC BY-SA 4.0What to check before choosing an ultrawide monitor
Check game support, pixel workload and the usable width of your desk.
The Setup
Working out how much desk depth you need
Measure the space taken by the screen stand, controls and your normal sitting position.
The Setup
Reducing glare around a gaming display
Find the light source that creates the reflection before changing display settings.
The Setup
Photo: Pascal Giessler · CC BY-SA 3.0Choosing a USB hub for gaming peripherals
Separate port count, data bandwidth and power before adding more connections.
