Just curious what kind of gaming hardware (outside the case) people use. I remember being told about a phenomenal CSS player who used a 15" CRT, wondering if there are some hardcore gameheads out there still using stock mice and keyboards I'll start, stock Acer keyboard (pilfered from my Dads PC, cos its nice to type on), fleabayed original G5, £30 2.1 speakers from Lydl (soon to be changed to...something else...) and a Esso promotional mousemat I got when I was 14. Thinking I'll get a 360 pad for driving/platformers sometime. NOTE : NOT an internal hardware discussion please, theres plenty of those. I just wanna know what play with.
Logitech G15 mk2 Logitech MX revolution Logitech g25 racing wheel Logitech Z5500's Dell 2407 v01 belkin N1 Vision Everglide Giganta rat mat
Logitech G5 (rev 2) mouse Saitek Eclipse 2 Razer Goliathus (extra large) mouse mat Logitech X-540 Samsung SM206BW
This is my setup... it all goes togther will if it was purchased from OEM, I don't think you can get a better match. Please note: My setup is all about comfort while providing the best gaming and working experience. Bringing both worlds (gaming/working) is hard stuff, but I am super happy with my setup. Case: Antec SOLO (I know outside... but it all goes together) Keyboard: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard (worth every penny) Mouse: Logitech MX Revolution (best mouse money can buy) Speakers: Logitech Z-4 (2.1 setup, just the way I like, and fits my budget) Router: Linksys router WRT160N (I don't need better) External HDD: Vantec NexStar3 Black USB/eSATA for SATA HDD (has a W.D 7200RPM 640GB HDD) Webcam: Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Monitor: NEC CRT MultiSync FE791SB (17inch). I am about to change my monitor soon, as my CRT is starting to show age (and is colored white and doesn't go with my setup) This is one looks kick ass, with it's metal and real glass stand. http://accessories.dell.com/sna/pro...tdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&cs=cadhs1&sku=223-4890 But really, I am looking a ISP LCD panel.. maybe Dell Ultrasharp 2407
Screen: Dell 3007WFP Keyboard: Logitech G15 (Old blue one) Mouse: Razer Copperhead Blue Mouse Mouse Mat:Razer Mantis Mat/Pad Audio: Pioneer Home Stero Sound (2.1) Router: Belkin N1 Vision- ADSL- Be Broadband Switch: Netgear GS605 v2 I do want a proper speaker system, so i can give mum back her stero, i do like the look of the Z-4 kit. How do they sound GoodBytes? Am fairly tempted myself. Sam
In short: Superb for the price, I don't think you will find better. In long: My previous speakers where the Logitech Z-3, so not some cheap 20$ ones. I find the Logitech Z-4 speakers impressive for home. They provide a powerful sound output with it's 40W RMS combine setup, but not the kind of speakers that will you can use if you trow in a party. It's really speakers designed for home or office. Now the speakers are in the 100-150$ price range, usually this is not enough for 2.1 speaker system that can be classified as good. But, these speakers clearly prove this wrong. The reason for this, is that most computer speakers are just a plastic box with a speaker. However, the Logitech's does far more than that. Not only Logitech makes these specially designed speakers and amp to have it all work together nicely, but they also use some engineering to produce a far better sound output. What I mean is that if you open the speakers, you can see that Logitech applies a lot of engineering to the speaker to produce a sound that competes with larger speakers which more expensive speaker, all by keeping it's low price. Now I am not talking about some cheap SRS sound modifier type of thing. I really do mean engineering. How they do it? If you look at the satellites, you notice 3 speakers on each of them, but in reality it's 1 real speaker and the 2 others are passive ones (meaning "fake" ones) but these passive ones do play a large role. If you put your hand on them, you feel the sound completely changes. You notice that it brings back the richness as well some level of bass that is lost by small speakers in a plastic enclosure. These passive speakers completely vibrate almost just as the real main one (the center one). If I didn't tell you this, you would never know that it's actually 1 speaker. The subwoofer is even more interesting. Bass level speakers are expensive, this is usually the component (other than the amp) that is the most expensive. If you look at pictures, you will notice that there is no holes for the air to escape on the subwoofer. In reality, there is, but it's invisible... I'll explain later. The reason for this, is yes, you are right, again smart engineering, which results in a superior output without the premium price. The bass speaker, is actually a special one. Unlike cheap sound system, the bass speaker in this setup is a real bass speakers and not some ordinary speaker where low frequency is simply sent to them. The real speaker is a 4inch drive one, pointed behind, in a dual chamber setup. The speaker that you see in front, is well you guessed it, a passive one. It takes a 4inch drive and delivers bass and vibrations like a large speaker. How it works, is that the air being pushed by the real speakers passed through a tunnel which brings it in the front chamber and makes the passive speaker vibrate. The subwoofer works in conjunction with your table. A wood table is prefers, as it allows the vibration to transfer and really gives out an even better sound output. Here is some picture of the Logitech Z-3 subwoofer, which is very similar to the Z-4. http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=172520 Just a note: - Logitech Z-3 amplifier is from Labtech, but in the Z-4's it's from Logitech. When I peeked inside my new Z-4's, I notice that the component and build quality where increased. So, don't worry about that. - The excessive plastic glue everywhere is to prevent the wired to vibrate and hit the side of the subwoofer, as there are no air escape hole How about the wired remote and cabling? The wired remote is great. It feels solid, despite being all in plastic, and the bass volume control on the wired remote is practical. There are 2 plugs in front of the remote. One of them is for the headphone, where mutes the speaker when you insert them, and the second one, is a Line-in. This is not a MIC plug. It's for you to plug a MP3 player or other device where it's output, comes our directly to the speakers. The sound is fused with the computer output sound. Which is great because, you can hear your computer sounds, and your MP3 player at the same time. What is really nice about the idea of the wired remote, is that you can put these control anywhere you want on your desk. In my case I placed them next to my keyboard for easy access to volume while I game. Each device has it's own cable. The wired remote is using a serial port which holds great with it's 2 screws (like VGA/DVI plugs), and the speakers are on RCA, which make it easy to extend, if needed. All wire length are fairly long for a desk setup. The stand of the speakers are in metal (probably aluminum), which adds weight to the satellites to hold them properly. Moreover, the satellites are wall mountable (yes, you can remove the stand, if you wonder) Ok, all that is nice and interesting, but how do they sound? It sounds better than my old Z-3 speakers by quiet a bit, and they sound about 10% less than the Z-2300 in sound quality. Knowing that the Z-2300 are about twice the price, I think it's worth it. The speakers produces a clean, non-static, sound even under max volume, assuming that you are using a dedicated sound card of good quality, of course. They are great for movies, games, and for those who enjoy listening to music. These speakers are ideal for any kind of music style, including Jazz and Classical music, except for very deep bass music. This is the downside of the speakers, it won't shake your doors, it won't be powerful enough to vibrate the metal mesh in the concrete in a apartment building and have the people under you hear it, and it won't vibrate your windows. If you are a Bass Lover and enjoy music with extra deep bass, these speakers are simply not for you, and should seek for far more expensive ones. If that doesn't concern you, they are truly superb for the price. To get a better deal out of them, watch online stores, including Dell, to see for specials. These speakers sells at 130$ normally, in Canada. I saw Dell Canada had a 80$ off + free shipping on them, making these speakers virtually free for what they deliver. I highly recommend these, for anyone looking under 200$ speakers. Don't be fooled with JBL speakers or Bose, or even Altec Lansing for the same price range. I tried them, and the sound was lower quality, and lack a lot of life or were the same as my old Z-3's. I returned all of them. The Z-4 simply beats them quiet a bit. How's that as a review!
Dell E248FWP + Viewsonice VX922 Saitek Eclipse III Logitech VX Revolution Sennheiser HD130 wireless 'phones
I've got one of those lap trays with a beanbag on the bottom that old people use to eat in front of the telly. It did have a nice Constable scene on it, until I took the hammerite to it - sits on the lap nicely for a gamepad (Belkin Nostromo) and mouse combo.
At Home: Dell 2.1 Speakers purely because I hate fiddling with wires Razer Deathadder since my G7 packed in G15 keyboard - very mucky And a Novint Falcon Headphones are Sennheiser 215HDs At work: Razer Deathadder Razer Tarantula keyboard No speakers, just some Creative in-ears
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP Speakers/Headphones: Logitech Z5500 Digital 5.1 & Sennheiser HD435 cans Keyboard: Saitek Eclipse Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Mouse Matt: Black Icemat 2nd Edition - best mouse matt I've ever had by far.
Logitech G5 (v2) Logitech G15 (v1) Logitech X230 I'm also looking at some Logitech headsets (can you tell i'm a bit of a fan?) but their only circumaural one (G35) is way too expensive for my needs so for now i got a circumaural A4tech. Also, i have a 17" CRT for now but i really need to get a TFT now because this thing has faded years ago.
Screen: Samsung XL20 Keyboard: Logitech Wave wireless Mouse I: Razer Mamba Mouse II: Logitech G7 Mouse Mat: The desk with a bit of Pledge polish before gaming Audio: Logitech Z10 (2.0 system) Headphones/mic: Sennheiser PC350
Screens: 2x Samsung SM913N although I don't hook up the second one anymore, that one is now just for xbawks Keyboard: MS Ergonomic 3000 or whatever it is Mouse: Razor Diamondback in Chameleon Mat: An awesome HP one that's see through with 2 liquids inside Speakers: Altec Lansing AVS300 - 2.1 speakers that I got aaaaages ago and have never got round to replacing Headphones: Speedlink Medusa 5.1 Home or something like that Printer: HP LaserJet 1018 - cheap and cheerful B&W laser that's great for printing out notes and stuff Also have A wired 360 pad I used to use in BF2 A Logitech joystick which I can't remember the exact name of that I very briefly used for BF2 Ummmm, I think that's about it Oh yeah, I used to have a Seagate FreeAgent 500Gb external HDD, the circuitry packed in though so I had to put it inside.
monitor: cheap 22" monitor mouse: Logitech rx1000 (best cheap mouse ever) Keyboard: Saitek cyborg Speakers: some cheap 2.1 system, rarely used. Headphones: creative 1200s. Worth every penny.
Monitor: Samsung 2233BW (I hate the factory stand, will get a wall-mount) Keyboard: Logitech G15 v2 Mouse: Logitech MX 1100 Speakers: Logitech Z4 Now to add a word about the speakers. They are great for music but sometimes they just don't do the justice. The second thing is if you tend to have a mobile phone near the wired remote you'll be hearing interference (you know the sound) very frequently, I believe that is because the remote isn't shielded and the signal goes to the volume control and back to the sub-woofer so it tends to pick up stuff.
Every computer speakers I had and friends does this. There is a easy and cheap fix. Put a Ferrite bead on each wires. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrite_bead http://www.maclife.com/article/iphone_buzz_kill Also cellular phone can be freaking dangerous, especially close to a oven that are not shielded. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/18/national/main5248949.shtml (video at the bottom of page)
I know it's not the best but I like it; Monitor: Sony KDL46X 2000 LCD - http://www.sony.co.uk/product/t46-x-series/kdl-46x2000/tab/technicalspecs) Mouse: A4TECH BRW-5 Outlook 8K Wireless Keyboard: A4TECH RFKBS-26A - http://www.a4tech.com/ennew/product.asp?cid=100&scid=14&id=197 Mouse Mat: I use the matte varnished table I built to fold away attached to the side of my bed Speakers: Phillips FW-P750 Home Cinema Mini Hi-Fi System DPL 5.1 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...image_text_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=560798&s=electronics Subwoofer: Audiosource Home Theatre 10001 Sub box - Too old to find on the net
Screen: Asus VH226H 22" ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051 ) Mouse: Razer Mamba Pad: Razer Goliathus Keyboard: Razer Lycosa Rest of rig in sig
Screen: LG L226wTQ 22" wall mounted Mouse: Logitech MX Revolution Keyboard: Logitech MX5500 Pad: Desktop Speakers: Creative 6.1 blah blah
Screen: Samsung 226BW 22" LCD Speakers: Logitech Z-4 (and yes- they are great) Mouse: Logitech G5 Keyboard: MS Comfort Curve 2000 - soft touch, nice to work on Got a Logitech Joystick somewhere as well as an old MS Sidewinder precision Pro.
