So you have a hi-spec PC, graphics card, monitor, mouse etc. But theres still something "not quite right"...

Just thought I'd share my experiences with tweaking "hardware" to improve gaming.

So about a year ago I bought/built a high spec PC for gaming - if it can handle the latest FPS games, it can handle anything else (like heavy Adobe software).
The usual - 4gb ram, dual HD (one for OS, one for everything else), high end graphics card, a good 23" Dell monitor, a good mouse (I like Logitech G5, feels good, has counter balance weights etc: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/359&cl=gb,en)
but after all of that, here are the simple things I ended up changing that seemed to make a real difference...

1. I switched to a regular, normal, cheap, white keyboard!
Before I had a very expensive, thin, backlit (blue light) keyboard, and it was cr@p for gaming (or anything else). It reminded me of a laptop keyboard. Sure you can type on it, but try using WASD to control your character during an intense fight and forget it. You loose. Also, what they failed to mention on the pack, was that "backlit with blue lights" actually meant, the spaces in between the keys light up! NOT the actual letter and numbers on the keys!!! - like thats helpful, when I'm playing in the dark with a black keyboard - I want to see the spaces in between the keys!! - yea right!.
The regular (12 euro) white keyboard with big buttons works just great! I can see the keys as they are sufficiently illuminated by the light from the screen (white keys). I can feel the keys - no need to even look for WASD, and its obvious where the numbers are, as the keys are not all placed right on top of each other to save space. I recommend a regular, cheap, white keyboard for gaming.

2. I bought a "Steel Series" mouse mat! (http://www.steelseries.co.uk/proddata.php?partno=E3152&desc1=SteelSeries%204D)
I never thought a mouse mat would make any real difference. I knew that mouse mats with pictures were a no-go, as the pointer jumps around due to the laser mouse thinking the colors in the picture are different height surfaces.
But I used to use just plain (one color) foam/cloth mouse mats. When I switched to this new "plastic" black one, it really made the mouse seem much better, more accurate and sensitive. I'm peeved I didn't switch years ago. A good mouse, combined with a "proper" mat, plus the right mouse acceleration = much improvement in quality. So these hard, plastic mats may be twice the price (approx 30 euros) of a normal foam mat, but they are WELL worth it.

BTW, I got the Dell monitor approx half price from iBood.ie