Looking to build an Instagram-able gaming setup? Well, if that’s the case, I have got you covered. The cool gaming setups that grace the Instagram or Reddit screens, what if I told you they are not as hard to build as they look? With the right accessories and equipment, you can also elevate your gaming desk setup.
Today, I will tell you what you need for the perfect gaming desk setup. We will go over some tips and tricks to get the most out of all the accessories and gadgets.
We don’t keep things generic here. The tips and tricks I will tell you will take your gaming setup to the next level. So, ready to give your gaming desk setup a complete makeover? Then, let’s begin.
So, What Does The Perfect Gaming Setup Need?
A perfect gaming desk setup consists of more than just a computer, a table, and a screen. On a perfect gaming desk setup, everything needs to make sense and be purposeful. The whole ambiance of the setup has to flow in a similar vibe. Here’s how you can build yourself the perfect gaming desk setup.
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Here’s everything you need for the best PC gaming setup:
- A great desk
- An ergonomic gaming chair
- An adjustable arm or stand for your monitors
- Good quality gaming peripherals
- A reliable gaming mouse and keyboard
- Phone charger/holder
- Drinks holder
- A good webcam and microphone
- Cable management accessories
It’s worth noting that you can build a gaming PC and a desk space with any budget. Sure, a bigger budget might result in a better build to make your gaming experience more smooth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an epic setup for less cash. All of the setup ideas in this article can be purchased within even the tightest of budgets. That said, let’s take a further look into each element of your gaming station.
Set the Right Foundation With a Great Desk
Starting with the obvious, however, you would be surprised how many gamers skimp on a good desk. The desk is the foundation of your gaming setup. Consider the desk like your shoes – good apparel is incomplete without great shoes. Similarly, a gaming desk setup is incomplete without a good desk.
When it comes to gaming desks, you can either opt for an off-the-rack solution like an Ikea or make yourself a DIY desk. Regardless of which desk you opt for, make sure whichever you buy has sublime quality.
If you want to take your gaming desk to the next level, go for a height-adjustable desk or a standing desk. Height adjustable desks are great because they provide better ergonomics and adjustability than a regular desk.
Also, make sure your desk has ample width. Many gamers consider length but forget about having sufficient width, which results in compromised desk space for mouse movements. If your game room has the space, l-shaped gaming desks are always a good idea for the best gaming experience.
Our Favorite Gaming Desks
- For smaller budgets: L-Shaped Gaming Desk available in 5 colors ($99.99)
- For bigger budgets: Seven Warrior 6o-inch Gaming Desk ($189.99)
Use An Ergonomic Gaming Chair
If you are anything like me, chances are you will be spending most of your day sitting at the computer. Therefore, an ergonomic chair is a must if you want your spine, back, and shoulder muscles to be pain-free. You have two options for an ergonomic chair: a mesh gaming chair or a leather gaming chair.
A mesh gaming chair is breathable and will keep your body cool. On the contrary, leather is more comfortable for longer gaming sessions due to its softer and more supportive padding. In terms of what you buy, it is a toss-up between comfort and breathability.
A mesh gaming chair is a no-brainer if you live in a hot and humid climate. However, in cold climates, a leather chair makes more sense. Even if you’re only gaming a few hours per day, it pays to invest in a comfortable and adjustable chair.
Tip: Gaming chairs come in different colors. Therefore, match the color of your gaming chair with your gaming PC for a more uniform and eye-catching aesthetic in your gaming room.
Our Favorite Gaming Chairs
- For smaller budgets: Ergonomic Gaming Chair with Lumbar Support ($92.99)
- For bigger budgets: Razer Iskur Gaming Chair ($342.39)
Mount Your Screen on a Monitor Arm or Stand
You could place your monitor on the desk. However, that is what everyone does. A better technique is to mount your computer screen on a monitor arm. Using the monitor arm not only enhances the ergonomics but also tidies up the look of the setup.
There is only a finite amount of space on the desk. So, using the monitor arm frees up valuable space that will come in handy for other accessories and peripherals.
Tip: Always keep the height of your monitor perpendicular to your vision. Ensure the top of the screen is directly aligned with your eyes. This will put less strain on your eyes, resulting in minimal fatigue. As a result, you are less likely to develop migraines or headaches.
Use The Top-of-the-Line Gaming Peripherals
Gaming peripherals can make or break your gaming setup. Most gamers only go as far as to buy gaming peripherals that look good. No doubt looks matter, but usability and performance also matter.
Let’s take the example of a mouse, which is the most essential accessory to your gaming setup. Having a mouse with RGB lighting is great, but if it is uncomfortable, you will not be able to aim well with it. The same goes for keyboards and headphones.
Therefore, all your peripherals should have practical substance besides looking good. It’s worth spending the cash to buy gaming accessories that last.
Use a Full Desk Mouse Pad
Okay, I know full desk mouse pads can seem costly for what is otherwise a rubber on your desk. However, you would be amazed at how quickly they can transform your gaming setup.
A full desk mouse pad brings your gaming peripherals to life. Think of the full desk mouse pad as a motherboard. Without a solid motherboard, the PC is incomplete; similarly, without a full desk mouse pad, your gaming desk is incomplete.
Besides enhancing the appeal of the setup, a full desk mouse pad also protects the desk from wear and tear. Particularly if your desk is made of wooden material.
Our Favorite Mouse Pads
- Amazon Basics XXL Gaming Mouse Pad in Black
- Gaming Mouse Pad With Print Options
Incorporate RGB Lighting for the ‘Wow Factor’
Nothing has more appeal than a well-lit gaming desk setup. The right RGB lighting makes an average space look more upscale and fancy.
You can incorporate RGB neon lighting into your gaming desk setup in multiple ways. For starters, you can buy RGB components for your gaming PC. Using an RGB fan, RAM, SSD, and graphics card is the quickest way of adding RGB lighting to your setup.
The next step would be adding RGB led strips to your gaming desk setup. These RGB strips can be installed on your PC or around the desk. Mounting them is quite easy because they come with pre-installed adhesive.
These two ways of adding RGB lighting to your setup are quick and easy. However, if you want that instant wow factor, you need to go above and beyond – quite literally. Consider adding RGB lighting to your entire gaming room.
For instance, use RGB light bulbs, nano leaf panels, and other smart home gadgets. Sync these gadgets to Alexa or Siri, allowing you to change the room’s lighting on the fly depending on your mood.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to RGB lighting. You can do all sorts of exciting and interesting things with it. However, you must ensure it makes sense toward the vibe of your gaming desk setup.
Personalize Your Space
Great gaming desk setups have a personality to them. They reflect the user’s intention behind every element that goes into the gaming desk setup.
Therefore, to elevate your setup, you must make it unique to reflect your taste. How you want to do that really depends upon you. If I am the one telling you how to make your setup personalized, that isn’t a personalized gaming setup.
Adding some of your favorite elements to the gaming setup is an excellent place to start. For instance, if you love a particular game character, consider adding its action figure or wall art to your gaming desk setup.
Add in a Phone Holder/Charger
Let’s face it, it is hard being away from the phone. Most of us keep our phones on the desk, which makes for a very organized look. Therefore, a simple accessory that can instantly enhance your gaming desk setup is adding a phone holder.
It will be better if the phone holder doubles as a wireless charger. That way, you will keep your gaming desk organized and your phone charged simultaneously.
Cup/Drink Holder
I don’t know about you, but I cannot go for a long time unless I get my dose of coffee. Gaming without your favorite cup of drink is incomplete. Even if you feel like drinking, just seeing the cup on the desk is fulfilling.
You might have understood the point by now, no unnecessary clutter on the desk. Therefore, get a proper cup/drink holder to put your drink in. Keep it minimalist; you definitely don’t want to go overboard here.
Invest in a Good Webcam and Mic
A good webcam and mic are essential in a gaming desk setup. Even if you are not streaming, a quality webcam and mic are more required than ever because of the prevailing work-from-home condition.
Our Favorite Web Cams
- AUKUU 1080P Webcam with LED Video Light
- Razer Seiren X USB Streaming Microphone
Hide Those Cables with Cable Sleeves
Cable management can make or break a gaming desk setup. Many gamers invest in a great PC, desk, and other accessories. Still, when it comes to putting it all together, you see loose cables dangling around.
This is not the look you want because loose cables can single-handedly destroy the aesthetics of your gaming desk. Hiding cables is not easy, but with carefully executed planning and some cable sleeves, you can also give your gaming setup that floating appeal.
The first thing you need to do is to get all the cables away from the desk. Run the main cables along the monitor arm clamp using cable sleeves and rubber grommets. You can also opt to drill holes in your desk for a cleaner look.
The other thing you will have to do is to lift the cables away from the ground. An IKEA cable raceway is a great option that mounts under your desk and keeps all the cables away from sight. A DIY solution is also applicable if it keeps the cable off the ground.
Choose the Right Wallpaper to Tie Everything Together
An eye-catching wallpaper adds the wow factor to your gaming desk setup. It pulls other people toward your gaming desk setup and helps tie everything together.
The choice of wallpaper depends entirely on your personal taste. However, make sure it flows with the overall vibe of the setup. You can download wallpaper from the Internet or take your wallpaper game to the next level by creating one in Steam’s wallpaper engine.
Is it expensive to build the perfect gaming station?
Yes, building a perfect gaming desk setup can get very expensive. However, if you plan accordingly and invest in the right accessories, you can build the perfect gaming desk setup without breaking the bank.
Don’t get me wrong, you will still need to spend more than an average gamer, but I reckon you are already ready for that since you clicked on this article.
All the accessories I mentioned in the article will take your gaming setup a notch above the rest without costing a lot of money. That was the premise when writing the article.
Getting to the perfect gaming desk setup is a process. Most streamers or content creators you see don’t build their gaming desk setups in one go. So, it is perfectly alright if you cannot invest in all the accessories needed to build a perfect setup. Just get the ones that are most important to you right now, and you can always add more later down the road.
If you take your sweet time building your ideal gaming desk setup, it will also feel more rewarding when you finally finish it. So, give it a shot and start from somewhere, and I guarantee you will get over the finish line.
Gaming Setup Ideas: The Conclusion
Building a perfect gaming desk setup results from continued commitment and unwavering passion. Many accessories and gadgets are needed to enhance your gaming setup and take it to the next level.
However, the choice of accessories is entirely dependent on you. Hence, no two gaming desk setups are the same. Every gaming setup is unique and showcases an individual personal taste.
I hope you are clear about all the accessories and gadgets I discussed in this article. Also, try to incorporate the tips I gave you into your gaming setup to elevate it just the extra bit. Remember, it’s your gaming desk setup, so don’t shy away from making it your own.
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Tech enthusiast by the day and spirit gamer by night. Waleed loves combining his two passions into writing and is ready to contribute to making Tech easy and accessible for everyone.
