There are some overlooked gaming PC accessories that will help you tremendously. Accessories don’t necessarily have to improve PC performance; You can just make things more convenient and tidy.
The best accessories complement your gaming setup and improve its overall aesthetics without breaking the bank. This article lists some accessories that not many people use, but which make a huge improvement to a gaming setup.
Overlooked gaming accessories that improve your quality of life
1) UPS
A power surge is unpredictable and unexpected and can catastrophically burn out all of your components. The best device to provide extra protection for your valuable components is a UPS (uninterruptible power supply), which protects your PC from power failures and surges. Even though modern power supplies have built-in surge protection, they still can’t keep your PC from shutting down and possibly corrupting your data, even if all your components are protected.
Another benefit of connecting your PC through a UPS is that it gives you time to save your work in the event of a power outage and protects your data from corruption. UPS gives you at least 2-3 minutes to save your work and safely shut down your PC before it runs out of battery backup, which is a lot of time. While it’s a hefty device, it’s worth buying and can be kept out of sight to preserve the aesthetics of your setup.
2) cable ties
Cable ties are cheap and effective. A pack of 100 reusable cable ties can be purchased for just $10 to organize cables and keep your setup looking tidy. Cable management is an essential aspect of a gaming setup, and anyone who wants their area to stay clean needs to implement it.
There are several types of cable ties: velcro, releasable, beaded, tighten and tear off. They can also be used inside the PC as they don’t take up much space and effectively keep all types of cables together. Outside of the PC, cable ties can be paired with other cable management accessories to hide any visible cables.
3) Self-powered USB hub
Usually there are several peripheral devices connected to the PC and it often happens that the USB ports run out. There are about six ports on the back of the PC and two more in the front IO, which is not always enough. A powered USB hub is not powered by the PC’s power supply. Instead, it plugs into a wall outlet and is externally powered while connected to your PC via USB.
A powered USB hub adds up to ten USB 3.0 ports and mounts under a desk with double-sided tape for easy access. It makes things convenient and you never have to worry about running out of USB ports.
4) Extended mouse pad
Having a mouse pad for your entire desk is both luxurious and practical. An extended mouse pad gives you plenty of room to move your mouse and not extend beyond the surface of the mouse pad. A soft surface that grips all your components including the headset, keyboard, monitor, speakers and controllers, protecting them and your desk’s surface by preventing unnecessary scratches.
Users can get a custom mouse pad that will change the entire aesthetic of your setup. There are even RGB versions of enhanced mouse pads that can complement your setup. Most mouse pads are also washable, so they can be cleaned with a damp cloth when they get dirty.
5) Headphone stand
If you need to save some desk space, getting a headphone stand is a great way to do it. The headphone stand is one of the least used accessories that houses a device that is used by everyone throughout the day. It helps organize the workspace and is super affordable.
There are also RGB versions of headphone stands if you want each component to emit the light. The headphone stand can also be tucked under the desk, making it a headphone hanger and further saving space on your desk.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects only the opinion of the author.