POSTED: 08 November, 2024
Gaming Performance Boost: Essential Gear to Level Up Your Gaming Experience
Frustrated with lag, slow load times, or graphics that just don’t do your game justice?
If you're a serious gamer, you know that every second counts, and any dip in performance can mean the difference between winning and losing. Whether it’s missing a crucial shot or enduring endless buffering during a key moment, subpar performance can ruin your gaming experience.
That’s where a gaming performance boost comes in. High-performance gear isn’t just a luxury it’s essential for anyone looking to get the most out of their games. From sharper visuals and faster frame rates to smoother gameplay, the right setup can elevate your entire gaming experience.
In this article, we’ll explore the must-have gear that can help you unlock your gaming potential and take your setup to the next level.
So, let’s get into it!
Must-Have Gaming Gear: Let’s Transform Your Gameplay!
Investing in top-notch processors, systems, and monitors might give you the basics of gaming, but for those who are truly passionate, it’s just the beginning. Whether you're a competitive gamer or someone who spends countless hours honing your skills, there’s a whole world of upgrades that can elevate your gaming experience. From high-performance peripherals to optimised setups, if you’re serious about gaming, these essential upgrades are a must to help you play like a pro.
1. Upgrade Your Graphics Card for High-End Visuals
Forget about searching for an expensive gaming monitor; all you need to do is upgrade your graphics card!
A powerful graphics card is crucial if you want a smooth, high-definition gaming experience. It’s what transforms the pixels into the stunning, immersive worlds that pull you into your favourite games. Whether you're exploring vast open worlds or fighting in fast-paced online battles, a good GPU is key to reducing lag, improving frame rates, and delivering ultra-realistic visuals.
Here's what it does:
- Higher Resolutions: Upgrading the GPU can render games at higher resolutions, such as 1440p or even 4K, providing sharper and more detailed images.
- Improved Frame Rates: A better GPU can handle more complex graphics, resulting in smoother gameplay with higher frame rates, reducing blur and improving overall visual quality.
- Enhanced Visual Effects: Modern GPUs are capable of handling advanced visual effects like ray tracing, which simulates how light interacts with objects in a scene, creating more realistic and immersive visuals.
So, even if you have a perfectly good gaming monitor, upgrading your gaming graphics card can still dramatically enhance your gaming experience.
Our Top Pick: ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 DUAL OC V2 12GB
Elevate your gaming experience with the ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 DUAL OC V2 12GB. This powerful graphics card boasts 12GB of GDDR6 memory, boosted clock speeds, and support for stunning visuals. Its dual active fans keep it cool under pressure, while the PCI Express 4.0 interface ensures lightning-fast data transfer. With a sleek design, 3-year warranty, and exceptional performance for high-end gaming and VR, this is the perfect upgrade for gamers seeking value and power.
Grab yours today at Box.co.uk (model DUAL-RTX3060-O12G-V2 or 90YV0GB2-M0NA10), offering great deals for anyone looking to upgrade their gaming rig.
2. Stay Connected with a High-Performance Gaming Router
When it comes to online multiplayer gaming, there’s nothing more frustrating than lag or dropped connections. No matter how powerful your gaming PC is, your internet speed and stability can make or break your gaming experience. If your connection isn't up to scratch, you’re more likely to suffer from high ping, delays, and sudden disconnections, all of which can ruin those critical moments in competitive play.
Here’s how:
- Prioritises Gaming Traffic: Gaming routers are designed to prioritise gaming traffic over other network activities, ensuring that your games receive the bandwidth and resources they need for optimal performance.
- Reduces Latency: By minimising network latency, gaming routers can help reduce lag and improve responsiveness in online games.
- Enhances Stability: Gaming routers often have advanced features like Quality of Service (QoS) and dynamic bandwidth allocation to maintain a stable connection and prevent drops in performance.
- Advanced Features: Many gaming routers offer additional features like VPN support, parental controls, and built-in ad-blockers.
Did You Know? Gaming routers are different from the general routers. They are specifically designed to optimise network performance for gaming, while regular routers are more general-purpose devices.
Our Top Router Choice: TP-Link Archer GX90
The TP-Link Archer GX90 is an outstanding router for gamers who need a reliable, high-performance connection. Featuring Tri-band Wi-Fi 6, it offers faster speeds and greater bandwidth compared to traditional routers. What makes it a top choice for gaming is its dedicated gaming band, which prioritises gaming traffic, reducing latency and ensuring smoother gameplay. With ultra-low latency and the ability to support multiple devices without compromising speed, this router is ideal for busy households where gaming, streaming, and browsing happen simultaneously.
3. Enhance Your Setup with Gaming Peripherals
When it comes to levelling up your gaming experience, peripherals like keyboards, mice, headsets, and monitors can make all the difference in performance. So, don’t overlook their potential.
Here's why each of these gaming essentials matters:
Mechanical Keyboards
Mechanical keyboards are a must-have for gamers who need speed and accuracy. With individual mechanical switches under each key, these keyboards offer tactile feedback, meaning you can feel and hear each keystroke. This not only enhances your typing experience but also improves in-game response time, allowing for quicker and more precise commands during fast-paced gameplay.
Membrane Keyboards: More affordable, quieter, but may lack responsiveness and durability.
Hybrid Keyboards: Combine the best of both worlds: affordability, durability, and responsiveness.
High-DPI Gaming Mice
A high-DPI (dots per inch) gaming mouse is essential for precise control in any game, from first-person shooters to strategy games. With adjustable DPI settings and customisable buttons, these mice allow you to fine-tune sensitivity and configure shortcuts for quicker actions. Whether you're aiming for that perfect headshot or navigating complex in-game menus, a gaming mouse ensures your movements are swift and accurate. If you enjoy fast-paced or competitive games, investing in a quality gaming mouse can give you the precision you need to improve your reaction time.
Immersive Gaming Headsets
Sound is a crucial part of gaming, especially in FPS (first-person shooter) or open-world games where detecting footsteps or distant action can make all the difference. Gaming headsets with spatial audio immerse you deeper into the game, allowing you to hear exactly where sounds are coming from. Prioritise headsets with rich bass, clear mids, and crisp highs for a well-balanced audio experience. This is vital for players looking to gain an edge in competitive gaming, where split-second reactions to audio cues can determine victory or defeat.
Elevate Your Gaming with Our Favourites!
Peripheral |
Gaming-Specific Features |
Why Gamers Should Buy It? |
How It Boosts Gaming Experience |
Availability at Box.co.uk |
Pricing (Approximate) |
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 2 |
RGB lighting, anti-ghosting, spill-resistant design |
Affordable entry-level option with essential features like anti-ghosting and spill resistance |
Provides smooth, responsive typing with durability and essential lighting for immersive gaming |
Available at Box.co.uk |
£50 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II NX Snow |
Full-size mechanical switches, RGB lighting, customisable macros, built for FPS games |
Ideal for FPS gamers with precision mechanical switches and wide Ctrl key for better control |
Increases precision and responsiveness in FPS games, with vibrant lighting to match your setup |
Available at Box.co.uk |
£130 |
ASUS ROG Keris Optical Gaming Mouse |
16,000 DPI sensor, ultra-lightweight design, ROG paracord for smooth gliding |
Perfect for fast-paced games, offering customisable DPI and ultra-lightweight feel for fluid movements |
Provides high precision and ultra-fast response times for more accurate in-game movements |
Available at Box.co.uk |
£70 |
Logitech G G502 HERO |
HERO 25K sensor, adjustable weights, 11 programmable buttons |
Gamers who need customisability will love its adjustable weights and programmable buttons |
Allows for tailored sensitivity settings and custom button configurations for an edge in fast-paced games |
Available at Box.co.uk |
£80 |
ASUS ROG Delta S |
Hi-res audio, dual-mode wireless (2.4 GHz and Bluetooth), AI noise-cancelling mic |
Ideal for gamers who need high-quality sound and the freedom of wireless, plus noise-cancelling for clear comms |
Boosts immersion with high-quality audio and removes distractions with its noise-cancelling mic |
Available at Box.co.uk |
£180 |
ASUS TUF Gaming P3 |
Anti-fray stitching, smooth cloth surface for precise tracking |
Budget-friendly option that enhances the performance of any gaming mouse |
Offers a smooth surface for precise tracking, enhancing accuracy for mouse movements |
Available at Box.co.uk |
£15 |
Tips & Tricks for Maximising Your Gaming Performance!
Here are the gaming performance tips and tricks for the best gaming performance boost:
- Turn on Game Mode: Most modern operating systems have a built-in game mode that prioritises gaming processes, allocating more system resources to ensure smooth gameplay.
- Update Your Graphics Driver: Regularly updating your graphics card driver ensures you're using the latest optimizations and bug fixes, leading to better performance.
- Disable Notifications: Annoying pop-ups can disrupt your gaming experience. Disable notifications from apps and services while playing to avoid distractions.
- Adjust Your Monitor Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate means smoother gameplay. If your monitor supports it, increase the refresh rate to reduce motion blur and improve visual clarity.
- Uninstall Old Programs: Cluttered systems can slow down your computer. Uninstall any programs you no longer use to free up resources and improve gaming performance.
- Optimise Your Settings: Fine-tune in-game settings like resolution, texture quality, and V-Sync to enhance performance. Lowering resolution can boost frame rates, while adjusting texture quality maintains visuals without lag. Consider turning off V-Sync for higher frame rates but be mindful of potential screen tearing.
- Keep Software Up-to-Date: Regularly update your graphics card drivers and router firmware. New driver updates can enhance performance and fix bugs, while a well-maintained router ensures a stable connection, especially during intense multiplayer sessions.
- Manage Your Environment: Prevent overheating with effective cooling solutions, such as fans or cooling pads. Keeping your system cool during long gaming sessions helps maintain optimal performance and prevents slowdowns.
Choosing the Right Gaming Setup for Your Needs
When it comes to gaming, the right setup can make all the difference in how much you enjoy your experience. Understanding the distinctions between budget builds and high-end systems can help you make an informed choice.
Budget Builds: If you’re new to gaming or play casually, a budget setup is a great choice. These systems deliver solid performance for popular titles without straining your wallet. They run games at decent settings, making them perfect for casual gaming sessions with friends.
High-End Systems: For serious gamers, especially in competitive settings or content creation, a high-end setup is worth the investment. Equipped with powerful processors, top-tier graphics cards, and ample RAM, these systems ensure smooth gameplay and stunning visuals. They can handle demanding games at high settings and multitask effortlessly, ideal for streamers and content creators.
Ultimately, your choice should reflect your gaming goals and budget!
Bonus: Affordable Gaming Setup for You!
For those of you who’ve read this far, we’ve put together an affordable gaming setup just for you! This includes all the essential gaming devices and components available at Box, giving you a clear idea of how much you might need to save for your ideal gaming rig.
Item |
Product |
PC |
Medion Erazer Recon E20 Intel Core i5 16GB RAM 512GB NVIDIA GTX 1650 Gaming Desktop PC |
Gaming Monitor |
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQA1A 27 inch 2560 x 1440 WQHD AMD FreeSync 170Hz Flat Monitor |
Graphics Card |
ASUS Dual NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB GDDR6 Ampere Graphics Card |
Keyboard |
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 2 Membrane RGB Gaming Keyboard |
Mouse |
MSI M88 USB Wired Optical Gaming Mouse - Black |
Headset |
MSI H991 Over Ear Gaming Headset with Microphone - Black |
Router |
TP-LINK Archer AX12 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router |
Approximate Total Budget |
|
Note: Pricing is approximate, and deals may change over time. Be sure to visit the website for the most up-to-date information!
Final Thoughts!
In conclusion, upgrading key components like your graphics card and router can significantly boost your gaming performance, offering smoother gameplay and immersive visuals. By investing in the right gaming essentials, you'll enhance your overall gaming experience and gain that competitive edge you’ve been looking for.
So why wait? Explore the top gaming gear on Box.co.uk and grab the latest gaming graphics card deals to elevate your gaming setup today. Remember, a gaming setup upgrade is just a click away—make your gaming dreams a reality!