Wireless Keyboard/Mouse

TheCapn · 8 May 2014 at 12:41

Hi Guys,

First time poster, recently upgraded my rig from a media center to a gaming PC so i could have a dabble with PC games (mainly after 5+ of my mates have sacked their consoles off in favor of a gaming rig).

Got myself an A10 7700k Kaveri APU and a Sapphire R9 270X 4GB, along with an SSD. I've been playing BF4 and Dayz the last 2 weeks, both running like an absolute dream and looking amazing in comparison to my PS3.

Now.. I work in IT and have been a PC user for 20+ years, I used to repair them for a living etc etc, and when I was a nipper I only ever did PC gaming. (This is the days of Commander Keen, Dizzy, C&C Read Alert & Broken Sword), but I moved onto consoles pretty much when the PS1 came out and never looked back, until now.

My PC is hooked up to my 42" in the Living Room and having 2 young boys, wires are a no-no where possible, so I'm using a basic generic Wireless KB/Mouse that I've had for ages.

I was originally playing BF4 with my 360 pad (via the USB wireless receiver) but i was advised I was at a huge disadvantage against others using a mouse, not to mention some of the controls on the campaign don't particularly lend themselves to a pad.

I have been trying to use the KB/Mouse and so far I'm getting on ok with it, no major problems. My question is though, will I notice any realistic/significant improvements with a 'gaming' KB/Mouse? (albeit a wireless one which I know PC gamers generally hate).

I'm looking at some wireless gaming combos that I can order pretty cheap through my work (no VAT) but since I'm not having any issues with my current setup, is it actually worth moving over to a gaming KB/Mouse or this only really for the 'serious' gamers? (I might play 6 hours a week-ish, so not serious by any means)

Any help/advice/recommendations would be great guys

Thanks

HeX · 8 May 2014 at 12:57

If you're happy with a pad, then stick with that, no point shelling out on fancy keyboards and mice if you're fine with a nice casual game using the controller.

Many single player games are fine on controller, I did all the Bioshock's, Dead Space's, and the latest Tomb Raider (and more) using the 360 pad from the comfort of the settee, and I've recently been playing a lot of Titanfall doing the same. It's like having a super powered console, you get all the benefits of the PC's extra graphics horsepower, and all the comfort and ease of a console (especially if you use Steam Big Picture Mode).

There's no question Key+Mouse is more accurate, and will give you a more fighting chance in MP games, but it comes down to if you prefer sitting up using them, or sprawled out with a pad

If you're after a good wireless keyboard and mouse I can highly recommend the Logitech K750 / K800 and the Logitech G602 / G700.

TheCapn · 8 May 2014 at 13:02

Thanks for the quick reply!

I'll check out the KB/Mouse on my lunch break

The-Plethora · 8 May 2014 at 14:23

I think you just have to try out a few and see what works for you in a shop. I've tried gaming keyboards like the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 along with a host of other models, at one point I had 11 of them at one point. After all that I kept coming back time and time again to a cheap mini wireless keyboard that at the time cost me about 3 quid

Same for the mouse, I have some fancy logitech thing and a few others and keep coming back to a £10 microsoft travel mouse.

HeX · 8 May 2014 at 15:17

The-Plethora said:
I think you just have to try out a few and see what works for you in a shop. I've tried gaming keyboards like the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 along with a host of other models, at one point I had 11 of them at one point. After all that I kept coming back time and time again to a cheap mini wireless keyboard that at the time cost me about 3 quid
Same for the mouse, I have some fancy logitech thing and a few others and keep coming back to a £10 microsoft travel mouse.

For wired stuff I agree, one of the best keyboards I've ever used (comfort and feel) was a cheepo £9 MS basic effort. It just felt so nice to use!

But when it comes to wireless i've found you have to spend a bit more to get something that feels like the quality and response of a wired set up.

Might just be me though.

As you say, keyboards and mice are very much personal preference.

TheCapn · 8 May 2014 at 16:46

So when you buy a 'gaming' KB/Mouse, are you only really buying the additional buttons and programmable functions or is there some sort of other benefit?

The reason I ask is that I probably would never use the programmable or additional buttons, so if that;s the only reason to upgrade to a gaming KB/Mouse then I'll stick with my cheapo one!

window · 9 May 2014 at 20:19

i use logitech for wireless. g700s is a great mouse in my opinion (but you will have to charge every night or every other night depending on usage)