RMS Power output

RMS power refers to the average power output of the speaker over a long period of time. Generally, the higher the RMS power, the louder the speaker system. It is not worthwhile to look at the total peak power as that is not a good indication of the power output. If you are thinking of blasting your speaker away while playing your favorite game, get a computer gaming speaker with high RMS power.

Frequency Response

The effect of the speaker will depend on the range of frequency it can operate at. Our human hearing range is between 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which covered from low frequency to the high frequency. Thus, when buying a speaker, the bigger the frequency range it can operates, the better sound effect it can produce. A good 6.1 Ch surround sound speaker system usually can operate between 35 Hz to 20 kHz.

Signal to noise ratio (SNR)

Signal to noise ratio (SNR) refers to the noise interference of the input signal. The higher the SNR, the better is the sound quality. Higher SNR will be very noticeable as it cleaner with less noise during playback. For games that have a broad dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and quietest portions of the program), you have to ensure that the SNR is larger than this dynamic range, else you will experience sound clipping, distortion or even signal loss.

Number of speaker

The number of speakers in a speaker system will give a good gauge on the quality of sound it can produce. When there are more speakers, they can be tailored to fit particular sound spectrums as each component handles just part of the frequency range.

A 5.1 channel speaker system will actually consist of six components: right and left front satellites, right and left surround satellites, a center speaker and a subwoofer (for low frequency sound effects). A 6.1 channel system adds a rear center speaker and a 7.1 channel system adds left and right rear speakers. Usually, a 5.1 channel speaker system should suffice to fulfill your listening needs. However, depending on your budget and listening expectation, you might want to upgrade to a 7.1 channel system or get only a 2.1 system (stereo + subwoofer).

Surround Sound

Surround sound technology is mainly a hardware decoder that can distinguish the sound sources and frequency and output to various speaker satellites to create a surrounded environment. Many companies have created their own surround sound technology. The following are the various surround sound technology available in the market.

• Dolby Digital
• DTS
• A3D (Aureal 3-Dimensional)
• Creative Labs EAX

In general, any speakers can support any of these technologies would produce a good piece of music.

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

This is a measurement of the purity of the audio signal. A 0.1% THD is deemed reasonable, though a lower value would mean a better speaker. Any speaker that generate more than 1-2% THD will produce distorted sound and might be unpleasant to the ear. In generally, a computer gaming speaker with low value THD is what you should be looking for.

Magnetic shield

Your speakers will likely be in close proximity to your video monitor, so it’s essential that the cabinets be magnetically shielded; otherwise they’ll eventually damage your monitor. This is less of a concern for your subwoofer, since it will be most likely be placed on the floor.

Finally,

In generally, a good computer gaming speaker should have a high RMS power, Signal to noise ratio, low THD, support surround sound technology and a 5.1 channel system. However, there is no hard rule when it comes to choosing the speaker. Let your ears be your guide. Listen to the sound quality first before you make your purchase. Make sure that the highs are warm and crisp, the lows are present, and everything seems balanced. With a little time and effort, you should be able to choose the best computer gaming speaker of your choice.

This article will show you how to choose a good computer gaming chair and the features you should look out for.

The most important factor when choosing a computer gaming chair is its comfort level. If you are sitting long hours in an uncomfortable position, you will suffer back ache and lead to potential health problem.

The following features contribute directly to the comfort level of your gaming chair.

Height

A good chair should allow you to adjust the height so that you can sit in an upright position with your body ranging between 90 – 105 degrees to the floor. Your thighs should rest comfortably on the cushion and your feet flat on the floor.

Back rest

The back rest allows you to sit more comfortably and take a rest when you are tired from the screen. Some of the gaming chairs come with adjustable back rest to help you maintain an upright position without straining your back. A tall backrest is also preferable as it provide support for your upper back.

Arm rest

Whether you need armrests for your gaming chair is based totally your personal perference. Some gamers find it obstructive when they are playing fast paced game and need to move their arm regularly.

If you need an armrest, you might want to get a gaming chair with padded armrest so you can rest your forearm comfortably. The armrest should also be adjustable so you can adjust it to suit your armlength.

Design

Other than comfort, the chair should also match the room decoration and the desk design. There are plenty of design available. Look around and you should be able to find the design you want.

Choosing a good computer gaming chair will prevent your back from aching through through those gaming sessions. Hopefully, this guide has helped you in choosing the chair most suited to you.

Find the best deal of computer gaming chair here.

Room Space

First, consider the space that you have available in your room to store your computer desk. If you have only a small corner to spare, you can consider getting a L-shaped computer gaming desk. Not only does it fit into the corner and save a lot of space, its wide desk surface also makes it extremely efficient. On the other hand, if you have the whole room, you can easily choose a computer desk that best matches your room theme. A quick check from Google will give you tons of information about computer desks of various design and sizes.

Desk Space

The next thing to consider is how much desk space you need. If all you do on your computer is only gaming and simple functions like surfing the net and read email, then there is no need for a spacious table.

Adjustable Height

It is important to keep your body in the correct ergonomic position to prevent any injury to your body. Straining your body in an uncomfortable position for long period of time will result in wrist strain, carpal tunnel and tension in the shoulder and neck. Some computer gaming desks allow you to adjust the monitor platform for comfortable viewing level. Sliding keyboard trays are common in computer desks, and some also have adjustable heights.

Storage Space For Computer Accessories

Check out those computer desks that have shelving for CPU tower, printer, CD rack, scanner and a drawer for your reference books and writing materials. If you need a lot of storage space, be sure to check into computer desks that utilize vertical storage space.

When deciding on storage space for your computer accessories, you will notice that open and concealed storage are both available. Concealed storage can make your computer desk appear more streamlined and clean, while open storage allows you to see everything that you have in your desk and is sometimes more contemporary.

Type of Computer Gaming Desk

	Desk and Hutch Sets Compact computer desk with two wood finish options * Open storage hutch with divided shelving * Adjustable bookshelf next to CPU compartment * Offered in copper cherry and maple * Sliding keyboard tray and single utility drawer
	Saratoga L-Shaped Computer Desk Handsome space-saving executive desk with Harvest Cherry finish * Three letter/legal file drawers and two accessory drawers * L-shape provides extra workspace * Pullout keyboard tray attaches to left or right side * Durable laminate surface resists scratches and stains * Meets ANSI/BIFMA standards for performance and safety
	Eastwinds Laptop Desk Mobile laptop desk with a variety of adjustable features * Powdercoated steel frame on casters * Fully adjustable height * Seamless, contoured wood edges * Spilt top tilts for ergonomic considerations * Convenient side tray * Easy to assemble
	A-Line Simple Computer Desk This ultra-modern desk won’t take up much space in your office. Features include a pullout keyboard tray, clear tempered glass for safety, and floor levelers to adjust to uneven surfaces. A hanging CPU holder creates more foot room, and a rear metal mesh privacy panel stabilizes the desk.

The computer power supply is the energy source for the whole computer system. Imagine that you are not eating well for every meal, do you think you can still function well for all your daily tasks?

Power Rating

While people are discussing about the gigabytes of storage, 64 bit processing capabilities and the heavy-duty 3D graphics card, the only thing that required the most attention, but is discussed least is the computer power supply. What they have not realized is that the more powerful a computer become, the more power it needs. If you are wondering how much power you need for your system, check out the table below:

Add up the power required for your system and get the power supply with a power rating higher than the required power. If you are building a high-end gaming computer, chances are you may need a 600 – 650W power supply.

Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)

This is also known as the lifespan of the power supply. It represents the average hours the power supply can perform before it fails. Most power supplies will have MTBF ratings of 100,000 hours or more, but be aware that these figures were not collected from actual real-time testing. Most ratings are based upon the comparative failure rates of the power supply’s individual components.

Short Circuit Protection

When choosing a computer power supply, make sure that it is equipped with a short circuit protection feature. This is to prevent the computer parts from drawing excessive currents which might cause its internal chips to be burned.

Low Noise

The main reason for a power supply to be noisy is because of its inability to dissipate heat fast. The fan has to work extra hard to maintain the required temperature. When choosing a computer power supply, make sure that it comes with a big powerful 140mm fan or two 80mm fans to effectively dissipate the heat away.

Load Current (Maximum and Minimum values)

Each computer part requires different voltage and current to function. It is important that the power supply can support the various voltage levels and the current supplied.

Maximum load current – Tthe maximum current that the computer part can accept for a particular voltage level

Minimum load current – The minimum current the computer part needs to be functional.

If the part is not getting the minimum load current from the power supply, chances are the power supply is spoiled.

Form Factor

Most of the power supplies in the market are of the ATX form factor. However if you are using a micro ATX computer case, you have to get a micro ATX power supply, else it won’t be able to fit inside the case.

Conclusion

Power supply is definitely a computer part that you must pay attention to. When choosing a computer power supply, always get a power supply that has a higher power rating than what your system needs. In addition, unless you are willing to risk your computer to system jeopardizing power spikes and surges, don’t ever scrimp on the power supply.

For gamer, do you know that the design, accuracy and the sensitivity of the mouse make a huge difference between winning and losing. There are a variety of mouse in the market. This guide serves to help you to make the correct decision in choosing the best mouse.

What to look for in a computer mouse?

Tracking Technology

Trackball

The trackball technology is a technology of the past. It uses a solid (and heavy) tracking ball at the bottom of the mouse to track its movement.

The trackball mouse tends to become insensitive over time. This is because it collects dust and debris easily, which add to the friction. As such, regular maintenance is required. In addition, a mouse pad is required to use together with the trackball mouse so as to allow the trackball to roll smoothly.

The trackball mouse has been phased out with the evolution of new tracking technology.

Optical
Optical mouse has become the norm because of its improved sensitivity and durability. Optical mouse uses optical sensor and a beam of light to detect its movement. As it moves, the beam of light shines on the surface and the sensor uses the light to track the movement.

The resolution of the optical mouse ranges from 800dpi to 2000dpi, making it much more precise than the trackball mouse. Without the trackball, the optical mouse is also much lighter and smaller.

Laser
The latest technology available in the market now is the laser technology. It works exactly the same way as the optical mouse. The only difference is that it uses a very small beam of laser light rather than a wide beam of light. Laser mouse has a much improved sensitivity than the optical mouse and is great for gaming use.

Connection Type

Wired

	Serial – this type of connection is quite old and slow and has already become obsolete and phased out in most computer.
	PS2 – PS2 mouse has been the standard for mouse connection for a long time, until recently when USB mouse takes over as the standard. PS2 connection is still in use nowadays, though its production has reduced by a great deal.
	USB – As an alternative to PS2, USB connection has gained much popularity over the past years. The convenience and flexibility of the USB port has made the USB mouse a better choice than the PS2 mouse.

Wireless

	Radio Frequency – Most of the wireless mouse uses radio wave technology. When the mouse moves, it sends a radio frequency of 27MHz to report its position to the receiver that is connected to the PC.
	Bluetooth – The Bluetooth mouse uses the 2.4GHz radio frequency to communicate with an included receiver/charger or other Bluetooth adaptor.
	RFID – The latest wireless technology is the RFID technology developed by a company called A4Tech. The A4Tech ND-30 RFID wireless mouse does not require any batteries to operate. It must be used with the included mouse pad in order to function. It works by using electromagnetic induction between the pad (which is plugged into a USB port) and the wireless, non-powered mouse. This is indeed a breakthrough in design by transferring the wire connection to the mouse pad, making the mouse light and easy to operate.

Other features

Resolution

The higher the resolution (measured in dpi), the more precise the mouse is. The most common resolution used is 800dpi. However, Logitech has designed a gaming mouse Logitech G7 Laser Gaming Mouse that enables user to adjust the resolution up to a maximum of 2000dpi.

No of buttons
Most of the computer mouse comes with at least 2 buttons, but other buttons may be featured on a mouse to further simplify common tasks.

Conclusion

Selecting a computer mouse is easy, but to select a best computer mouse for your needs require some knowledge. Hopefully, this guide has given you a good insight and help you in your selection of mouse.

If you are using the computer for normal daily word processing or email reading, any keyboard is fine and it is advisable to get the cheapest one around. However if you are using it for gaming purpose where you will be spend hours pounding on it, then it is worthwhile to spend a little effort and time to search for the best keyboard around.

Most of the keyboards use PS/2 connection. Some of the later model uses USB2.0 connection. Though it doesn’t make much difference, using a PS/2 keyboard can free up your USB2.0 slot for other devices. If you always move your keyboard around, then there the wireless keyboard might be suitable for you.

Computer keyboards come in various shape and size. Choose the one that is best suited to your needs. Ergonomic keyboard was designed to bring comfort to the user. They come with natural wrist alignment to rest your wrist in a more comfortable position. If you are a frequent computer user, you can consider getting a ergonomic keyboard.

For gaming purpose, it is advisable to get a gaming keyboard. The thing to look out for is the in-game control and hotkeys programmability. A good gaming keyboard such as Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard allows you to have a lot of control over the gaming execution. It has 18 keys for hotkeys programming and also comes with a LCD display to give you a clearer view of the game information.

Ideazon Zboard ZBD-101 is also another good gaming keyboard that comes with an extra gaming keyset for FPS and action games. The multi function keys can also be used to program various commands in one button. Its user-friendliness enables gamers to accustom to it in a very short time.

Frequent multimedia user can also benefit from the various types of multimedia keyboard available in the market. These keyboards have extra shortcut keys to give you full control of your favorite media player or video playback. Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard has a full range of multimedia shortcut keys that gives you convenient access to all your favorite player. I am quite surprised that a keyboard with so many functions is only as cheap as a simple keyboard.

Conclusion

Choosing a computer keyboard is actually a very fun thing. Take your time to go through the various keyboards and you will be able to find the one most suitable for you in no time.

If you are looking for ways to reduce your computer temperature, liquid cooling system might be the solution that you are looking for. As technology advances, computer parts are made to run faster (especially CPU and GPU), drawing more power and thus dissipating a much higher amount of heat. If you are still using the conventional CPU fan, chances are your system will be very noisy due to the heavy workload the fan has to bear to dissipate the heat. Various solutions have been invented to deal with this issue; one of them is liquid cooling.

What is Liquid Cooling?

Liquid cooling works just like a refrigerator. It circulates a liquid through the computer parts. Heat transfers from the hot components to the liquid. The hot liquid then flows out to the radiator where it is cooled down. It is then pumped back to the system to start the whole process again.

Why choose Liquid Cooling?

The most significant advantage of liquid cooling is its ability to bring down the temperature drastically. It is much more efficient and durable than the conventional fan. During overclocking, the heat generated by the CPU tends to be exponentially proportional to the overclocked speed. To maintain its functionality within the manufacturer?s specification, there is a need to reduce the temperature significantly. Most overclockers employ liquid cooling to achieve the cooling effect.

Another benefit is the silent operation of the system. Unlike conventional fan, liquid cooling does not generate noise at all. In fact, it acts as a noise insulator. You sure have a piece of mind when using the liquid cooling system.

What makes up a liquid cooling system?

Generally, a liquid cooling system consists of a water block that is attached to the CPU, a liquid pump to transport water, liquid tank to hold the coolant, pipe and a radiator with fan. There is a wide range of liquid cooling system in the market. Some contain sophisticated components such as temperature sensor and illuminated pipes to light up the case.

Disadvantages of Liquid Cooling System

Though it is a great heat dissipation device, it is not meant for novice or beginner. Technical skill is required to install the system and some people might find it too troublesome to go through the finer detail of installing it.

In addition, liquid cooling system takes up a big space in the computer case. There are quite a number of components in the liquid cooling system and they take up lot of space. In some cases, the liquid cooling system has to be placed outside of the case due to insufficient space inside the case. This is unsightly and may seem messy.

Also, a liquid cooling system does not come cheap, ranging from $70 to $250. This might be a deterrent to a lot of people, especially for those who are budget constrained.

Conclusion

In general, a liquid cooling system is a useful device to help you dissipate heat and reduce temperature efficiently. However, most computer systems are still operating within the reasonable temperature range and there is no need for such an extreme device. If you are overclocking your system, or building an extreme computer that requires plenty of power, then the liquid cooling system is definitely the one to go for.

Gaming Mouse

In game such as Counterstrike, Half-life and other FPS games, the mouse plays an important role. A sensitive mouse can give you faster movements and more accuracy, which will give you the edge over your competitor.

Logitech G7 Laser Gaming Mouse is one of the best gaming mouses currently on the market. It has a highly sensitive level of 2000dpi and uses a laser engine to provide high accuracy even for small movements. I have personally used this mouse for my Counterstrike session and the difference was huge compared to my previous conventional optical mouse. My movement was much faster and my shots were more accurate.

Along with a good gaming mouse is a good mouse pad. A good mouse pad must have a smooth surface to match the movement of the mouse. Soft Trading Icemat 2nd Edition Mouse Pad provides a large surface to make sure that your mouse never runs out of space. With a size of 10x12inch, it is currently the largest mouse pad on the market.

RatpadzGS is a mouse pad that provides an excellent surface. It is claimed to be designed by gamers, tested by gamers, and built by gamers. During a major national gaming event, over 1,500 RatpadzGS prototype pads were given to all types of PC gamers. The makers listened to the gamers’ feedback, and made improvements. Its size at 11.55×9.3inches also makes the mouse movement very comfortable.

Gaming Keyboard

In the gaming world, a keyboard is no longer a tool used solely for typing. It is also used for movement, hot keys and many other things.

There are several gaming keyboards on the market. I personally prefer and recommend Ideazon Zboard ZBD-101. Apart from the standard keyset for typing, it has an extra gaming keyset for FPS and action games. The multi-function keys that can be used to program various commands in one button have made it very user-friendly. Gamers should be able to get accustomed to this keyboard in a very short time.

Headset

There will be times when you are playing games till the late night and have to switch off your speakers. This is when the headset comes into play. A good headset should preserve the audio quality and retain the same performance as a surround sound speaker.

Tritton AXPC 5.1 USB Rumble Gaming Headphones is one of the few headsets that are Dolby Digital and Dolby Prologic certified. This headset really impresses me a lot. The eight speakers in the two ear cups act like a surround sound speakers and the vibration really rocks my ears. Definitely one of the best headsets I would recommend.

Gamepad & Joystick

Most computer games require only a keyboard and a mouse, but there are some specialized games that require a gamepad or joystick for better gaming experience. Most of the gamepads are similar to those used by popular console (such as PS2 or Xbox). This allows the user to switch between different consoles easily. It is also one of the marketing strategies for PC game developers to recapture the market lost to PS2 and Xbox.

Check out Controller Store for your selection of controllers.

Optional Accessories

A gamer usually spends a lot of time staring at the screen. Getting an anti-glare cover will help to protect your eyes from radiation. You may also want to consider getting a wrist rest to improve your comfort level.

Others

If you own a laptop, you can check out Direct Laptops Guide for more information on laptop accessories

Conclusion

Gaming accessories serve as a complement to your gaming computer. Though they are not the main components, their presence will surely add spice and bite to your game play. If you have already invested in a great gaming computer, getting the best gaming accessories around makes a lot of sense