PC gaming as a form of play is versatile and expansive. It’s not hyperbolic to state that no other gaming vehicle can match the depth of PCs, as users have access to innumerable titles at their fingertips through a variety of digital storefronts. Considering this and the fact that PC gaming always seems about two steps ahead of consoles in terms of technology, the allure of playing exclusively on the vehicle is clear. The following is a list of equipment that’s sure to please any hardcore PC gamer out there – just make sure this lucky person gets their eyes checked regularly.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
The classic Blue Yeti USB microphone is an essential for any PC gamer looking to dip their toes into streaming or creating YouTube content. Perfect for Twitch, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, Skype calls, music recording, and more, the Blue Yeti can be using for a wide variety of activities outside of gaming, too, making it a sound investment regardless of whether or not your gamer’s streaming career ends up being a success. The manufacturers behind the microphone are adding extra incentive to purchase this holiday too, bundling hit titles like Assassin’s Creed Origins with the device and allowing would-be stars the opportunity to jumpstart their work right away.
Elgato Game Capture HD 60
If the lucky PC gamer on your list is into streaming or is curious about how he or she can get started, the Elgato Game Capture HD 60 is a must-buy. Easy to learn and simple to set up, the Elgato allows newly christened streamers the ability to capture footage not only directly from their native PC, but on consoles as well should they own any. The HD 60 gives users the ability in 1080p quality and 60 fps, plus seamless uploads to YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter should users want to make their content available as soon as possible.
WD Blue 2 TB Hard Drive
Has the PC gamer in your life upgraded his or her rig recently? If not, they may be in need of a new hard drive. Luckily, the WD Blue 2 TB hard drive should do just the trick, providing players with all of the specifications they need to get the most out of what their PC has to offer. This magic hunk of steel improves overall performance, boosts storage, and maximizes data access speed with ease. What’s more is that the drive comes bundled with software that automatically copies all existing data in a flash, meaning no personal information (or save progress) will be harmed in the transition.
Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse
The mouse is as pivotal to a PC gamer as a controller is to a console. It has to fit in the user’s hand perfectly for long gameplay sessions, lest the player cramps their hand and loses yet another match of League of Legends. The Logitech G600 MMO gaming mouse should do just the trick in preventing those painful muscle spasms. This slick-looking mouse is made to be a comfortable fit for most hand sizes and features a unique 12-button thumb panel designed for quick, no-look navigation.
The G600 was designed to reduce finger fatigue and adds additional support to gameplay matches by supplying a G-shift ring-finger button that allows users to double the number of actions they can perform with every button. As if that wasn’t enough, the panel, DPI levels, and button assignments are all customizable, too, meaning your PC player won’t be returning this gift anytime soon.
Razer DeathAdder Elite
The Razer DeathAdder is considered a classic gaming mouse among some PC gamers. The accuracy, responsiveness, and acceleration guaranteed by the device’s mechanical switches and tactile scroll all lend a hand when playing popular titles like Overwatch, making the DeathAdder a great next step should the PC enthusiast on your list have a desire to get into esports sometime soon. Aside from that, the mouse’s sensor is state of the art and can function on almost any surface including glass. Oh, and it’s super comfortable to use of course.
Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
Just about every PC gamer wants a rainbow keyboard these days. Lucky for you, you have us to tell you just which one you should buy. The Corsair K55 RGB has all the pretty bells and whistles a PC gamer wants in a new gaming keyboard, complete with dynamic backlighting and different light modes that allows users to choose which lighting effects they deem most suitable for play. Speaking of play, the K55 is built with that intention in mind, offering quiet and responsive keys that give a satisfying feel during gameplay and a set of macro keys that can be mapped to powerful actions or combos. It’s hard to find what else one may need in a keyboard, really.
Xbox One Wireless Controller
You may be wondering what a console controller is doing on this list. Truth be told, console controllers are popular among certain PC gamers who wish to diversify the means in which they enjoy their hobby. The best alternative means of play comes in the form of the Xbox One’s wireless controller, which was designed just as much for Xbox consoles as it was for PCs. In fact, the Xbox One wireless controller can be utilized on a PC straight from the box, with little in the way to prevent PC gamers from playing whatever games they want. The controller may be a good gift for those gamers that have recently made the transition to PC, seeing as how their fingers might not be used to controlling with a mouse and keyboard just yet. If you’re feeling a little more generous, the Xbox One Elite controller is a nice pick up as well.
HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset
The HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset is an absolute beast. Delivering the best quality sound you can ever imagine through its speakers, it was built with functionality in mind. Its lightweight design and 90-degree ear cup rotation functionality serve as examples of this, plus memory foam pads the device on the inside and a volume control is located directly beneath the right ear piece. The microphone attached has a swivel that makes muting a breeze and a built-in noise cancellation function allows for clear orders to be given when in the midst of battle. It’s the ultimate headset that PC gamers can wish for.
Razer ManO’War Wireless Gaming Headset
Perhaps the best aspect of the Razer ManO’War wireless headset is the comfortability it conveys after extended play sessions. Weighing in at only 0.83 pounds, you might never see you PC gamer take this off once he or she puts it on for the first time. Other great aspects of the ManO’War are its battery life and virtually non-existent latency. This wireless headset could work for an entire 14 hours before needing another recharge and sound is directed straight from a PC without so much as the tiniest delay. Razer has been on fire with its PC gaming offerings this past year, and the ManO’War serves as a great example of the company’s success.
Oculus Rift + Touch Virtual Reality System
If the PC gamer on your list is the creative and innovative type, we recommend that you get him or her a virtual reality device. The Oculus Rift is the one that started it all, so why not start there? The $399 bundle includes six free games to get your gamer started, immersing him or her into anther world that they might not want to leave after a while. Rest assured that touch controllers and sensors are included in the box and that you’ll be paying for the newest iteration of the device, as it improves upon itself every year (as most other virtual reality headsets do).
HTC VIVE
If you’re willing to shell out a few extra dollars, the HTC VIVE is also a worthy device to own for PC gamers out there, especially those who are well acquainted with Steam’s storefront. Seeing as how there are over 1,500 titles available for the device via SteamVR, there’s no limit to the worlds your gamer can explore. What’s more is that given how easy it may be to lose one’s bearings in the real world, the HTC VIVE comes with a built-in Chaperone system that warns players when they’ve reached the boundaries of their play area. This may be useful for children or those gamers in your life that tend to be clumsy sometimes. Let’s face it, we all have that someone in our lives.
Steam Gift Cards
No list of PC gaming gift ideas would be complete without the addition of Steam gift cards. Available for $20, $50, or $100, these are arguably the easiest and most convenient gifts you can give to PC gamer come this holiday season should you be at a loss with all the technology we just presented to you. Steam is a massive digital storefront that virtually every PC user utilizes to buy games from, so you can rest assured knowing that you’ve probably added some pretty great titles to your PC gamer’s library without even trying.
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