Keyboard and Mouse for Gaming: Any suggestions?

[chucky2]

My mouse and keyboard are old and in poor shape, so I've decided to get new ones. Don't care if either are wireless or not. I don't want to spend $200 but am OK spending around $100 for both combined.

Any suggestions? (about the only game I play is BF3 so far, as Recon)

Chuck



Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[lord_emperor]

Go to a retail store and play with display models until you find the ones you find comfortable.

Unless you are regularly participating in world-class tournaments the performance of these peripherals will make no difference to you.

 

[QuantumPion]

Mouse: Mx510 or Mx518
Keyboard: das keyboard silent or rosewill rk-9000br

/thread

 

[obidamnkenobi]

gah, my beloved Logitech G15 (v2) is discontinued. G510 seems to be the replacement ($100). I can't imagine living without the LCD screen now, with SirReals panel. Don't use it for game info, but as a clock I can easily glace at, info about CPU usage and temps, download speeds etc. Also handy are the play/pause/next and volume buttons, which work for the mp3 player even while in game.

I got mine on a sale for $60-70 or so. Totally worth it.

 

[Disconnect]

Mouse: Mx510 or Mx518
Keyboard: das keyboard silent or rosewill rk-9000br

/thread

Agreed, but try the G400. It's the same shape as the mx518 with a newer sensor.

 

[KidNiki1]

gah, my beloved Logitech G15 (v2) is discontinued. G510 seems to be the replacement ($100). I can't imagine living without the LCD screen now, with SirReals panel. Don't use it for game info, but as a clock I can easily glace at, info about CPU usage and temps, download speeds etc. Also handy are the play/pause/next and volume buttons, which work for the mp3 player even while in game.

I got mine on a sale for $60-70 or so. Totally worth it.

I also have the g15, and love it. if the G510 is so similar (looks like it anyway) i would recommend taking a look at it...the extra keys on the left are awesome. however! im not sure how much help it would be for mostly playing BF3. when i play that i use this game pad.

the mouse i have is this one. took me a bit to get used to it, but i like it a lot.

wireless mouse and keyboard suck for gaming imho. battery goes out in the middle of gaming = nerd rage.

 

[Elcs]

I also have the g15, and love it. if the G510 is so similar (looks like it anyway) i would recommend taking a look at it...the extra keys on the left are awesome. however! im not sure how much help it would be for mostly playing BF3. when i play that i use this game pad.

the mouse i have is this one. took me a bit to get used to it, but i like it a lot.

wireless mouse and keyboard suck for gaming imho. battery goes out in the middle of gaming = nerd rage.

Only issue with the G510 vs. G15v2... you lose the USB ports (very handy for my wireless receiver) but you gain the sound output and mic input.

Story: My G15v2 broke and they sent me a G510 replacement.

 

[AstroManLuca]

You don't have to spend that kind of money. This is what I use:

and

They work fine. Save your money for something else that actually matters.

 

[Barfo]

I've got a razer abyssus, it's cheap-ish and works fine. I'm not a "hardcore" gamer though.

 

[lupi]

In general I hate the direction logi mice have gone, gotten way too big and funky shapes I hate; seem most of the non oem ones are that way now though

 

[Lonyo]

You don't have to spend that kind of money. This is what I use:

and

They work fine. Save your money for something else that actually matters.

Haha, what.

The two things you use to interact with your computer don't matter?

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

If you can find one, the MX1000 is the best mouse I've ever used. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore and the G700 is not an equivalent replacement - not by a long shot.

The keyboard has never shown itself to be very valuable to me. Mice on the other hand - yeah, those are important. A good mouse increase the number of immediately available commands by 7 versus a typical wheel mouse. That's a big advantage.

 

[Arkadrel]

Mouse: Mx510 or Mx518
Keyboard: das keyboard silent or rosewill rk-9000br

/thread

I def. agree with the mouse

They work fine. Save your money for something else that actually matters.

I disagree with this.... Comfort... you spend alot of time infront of your pc, you should enjoy it.

How a mouse feels in your hand if it fits it, vs cheap flat mouse thats a pain to use over long periods = worth spending a few $ on a good mouse.

razer abyssus

Razer never did comfort, they where all about precision.... which is why I wouldnt recammend anyone buying one. Its like Razer went out of their way to make them mice "special" in shapes (not suited for your hand), but thats for brand reconision right?...

 

[Tweak155]

I am waiting for my G700 to come in the mail. I picked it due to being able to make it wired when I want to. We'll see how it goes.

Also I picked up a HP Elite V2 keyboard. I like laptop-styled keyboards, so that's why I picked it. Only $30 off Amazon. It isn't the greatest key response, but good enough. If it came down to it, I'll just use my wired keyboard when I want to.

 

[General Kenobi]

Logitech G110 & G400.

 

[Capt Caveman]

If you can find one, the MX1000 is the best mouse I've ever used. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore and the G700 is not an equivalent replacement - not by a long shot.

The keyboard has never shown itself to be very valuable to me. Mice on the other hand - yeah, those are important. A good mouse increase the number of immediately available commands by 7 versus a typical wheel mouse. That's a big advantage.

MX1000 is a not a gaming mouse nor was it good for gaming. G700 blows it away in every way. From better scrollwheel to adjustable dpi on the fly to higher dpi, can be set to not to go to sleep, higher polling rate, more buttons, lighter and chargeable while you're playing. I have both. My current MX Revolution(use for non-gaming) is better than the MX1000. The MX1000 also had issues on certain surfaces, not with the G700 or MX Revolution.

Currently, I use a G700 mouse and G13 keypad for gaming.

 

[bononos]

Mouse: Mx510 or Mx518
Keyboard: das keyboard silent or rosewill rk-9000br

/thread

The MX518 is very capable except for its ancient polling rate of 125/s (overclockable but can die early). The replacement model G400 is rated at 1000/s in its specs which is is good since anything above 500 is advertisement fluff.

 

[TidusZ]

You don't have to spend that kind of money. This is what I use:

and

They work fine. Save your money for something else that actually matters.

I spend 8 hours a day typing for work and a good portion of my free time mousing and keying in cpu games. I've used crappy mice in the past that hampered my enjoyment and ability in games. I make use of the macros and media keys on my keyboard, as well as the extra buttons on my mouse that the one you linked clearly does not have, on a regular basis.

I use my computer about 12 hours a day or more. Cheaping out on a mouse that would give me issues in gaming and a keyboard that lacks features I use would be putting my money in the wrong place.

Mice last me 2-3 years and keyboards about the same. Spending $40 extra on keyboard and $60 more on mouse is well worth the investment in my opinion and frankly I can't help but shake my head at your post. Not everyone uses their computer for light browsing and to check email, some people will benefit from better mice and keyboards. There are much worse ways to spend your money for me, and likely the OP as well.

As for my recommendations, I like smaller fingertip grip mice and find that the Logitech G9 is the best mouse I've used. I haven't found a keyboard that I could strongly recommend yet, but I'd look at the microsoft sidewinder x4.

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

I went with a G500 after my MX1000 died and couldn't be happier. It has a good amount of buttons and is very comfortable during extended gaming sessions.

As for keyboards I went with the Razer Blackwidow as I wanted to get into mechanical keyboards without breaking the bank. While the Cherry Blues might not be the best for everyone I do a lot of typing for school so they work well for me.

Edit: I had been using wireless for years but this round I decided to go wired and really feel like I made the right decision. I love the convenience of wireless but since I went wired I no longer have to worry about losing a keystroke or mouse going haywire like I did with my old wireless keyboard. It seems like where I am living has a lot of RF interference however so this likely won't be an issue for everyone.

 

[iamlilysdad]

Very happy with my Corsair gaming mouse (the MMO one, can't remember the model number, sorry). $60 on Amazon.

 

[Aikouka]

I've fought quite a bit over what keyboard to use as a replacement for my Logitech G15 (v1). The biggest problem that I have is that most keyboards don't have a windows key disable feature, which I do use on my G15. Even though I'm pretty sure I've seen software solutions for it, I'd rather just have a physical switch.

I ended up ordering one of those Corsair K90s after reading the review on Anandtech. Unfortunately, the top two tech e-tailers (Newegg, Amazon) don't have them in stock right now, so I'll have to wait a little bit. I was considering dropping the macro keys, but after playing Magicka, I think I'll keep them around. I also like the fact that it doesn't have the L-shaped enter key, which is oddly common on some high-end keyboards (I'm looking at you, Steelseries!).

I don't mind spending the money on a keyboard with good features. I used my G15 for a ridiculous number of years, and the only negative is that I ended up ripping one of the G keys off. I would adjust the keyboard's physical position by tugging on that key with my pinky.

MX1000 is a not a gaming mouse nor was it good for gaming. G700 blows it away in every way. From better scrollwheel to adjustable dpi on the fly to higher dpi, can be set to not to go to sleep, higher polling rate, more buttons, lighter and chargeable while you're playing. I have both. My current MX Revolution(use for non-gaming) is better than the MX1000. The MX1000 also had issues on certain surfaces, not with the G700 or MX Revolution.

Currently, I use a G700 mouse and G13 keypad for gaming.

I use a G700 mouse as well, and it works fairly well. To the person that was buying one, I would say my only (minor) complaint is that I wish the cable for the mouse was a little bit thinner like my old G5's braided cable. Although, I also wish Logitech had a G700 variant that was only corded since I've never used mine as a cordless mouse.

 

[piasabird]

Here is an interesting website for mini keyboards. Never Tried them.

http://www.riimini.com/

 

[chucky2]

Just wanted to say thanks Everyone for your suggestions! I'm infrequently by a Fry's, so next time I'm in the area I'm going to stop in and try out their offerings first hand, see what I like and don't like.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Cherry MX Reds are fantastic! I gamed with Cherry MX Blacks for almost a year and if you double tap alot for dodging or what have you, the Blacks will give you fatigue sooner than the Reds.

For my other input device I'm currently using a Cyborg R.A.T. 7 Despite all the negative reviews I don't have one negative thing to say about it, and those negative reviews puzzle me What brought me to the R.A.T. 7 is the ability to adjust your grip on the mouse. The MX 518 i took back immediately. I found it put more strain on my thumb and pinky muscles, in movement because of it's narrow shape. The Cyborg mouse can be adjusted to comfort your hand in most every single way.

 

[bononos]

Are there keyboards which use scissor hinges which are available for desktops?

Cherry MX Reds are fantastic! I gamed with Cherry MX Blacks for almost a year and if you double tap alot for dodging or what have you, the Blacks will give you fatigue sooner than the Reds.
........

ugh gaming on a cherry black is no fun.