Gaming

Force Feedback Wheel Comparison (2019)

Last updated on October 9, 2019

A force feedback wheel is an absolute must-have tool for any sim-racer. Especially when it comes to sims like Assetto Corsa and iRacing that generally don’t play too well with gamepads and cheap wheels.

But, which one should you pick? There are a ton of options out there starting from less than $100 all the way up to the thousands. That’s why we’re here to help you out with the process.

Here are some of the best wheels that you can get in 2019!

1: Logitech G29: Best Budget Force Feedback Wheel

Those of you who have been into sim-racing for a while probably saw this coming from a mile away – and rightfully so. After all, Logitech’s wheels have been an extremely popular option for a long time now.

It definitely struggles to compete with some more expensive wheels. But, for just about 200 bucks, it’s really hard to go with this one.

Covered in leather with a metal frame, the G29 does its best to look like a real driving wheel. And for the most part, it does a rather ok job at it.

That being said, the flashy buttons definitely take away from all that. So, it may be a deal-breaker for some people. While we’re at it, the Playstation buttons are also off-putting for PC gamers who are used to the Xbox layout – but that’s just a minor detail.

What really matters is the feel of the wheel and the force feedback. Thankfully, the force feedback is extremely strong. Probably more than you’ll ever need it to be.

However, the overall feel is a bit weird. It just doesn’t feel as smooth as its competitors like the T300 RS. Then again, both wheels have their own pros and cons which makes it hard to recommend one over the other.

For us, the clutch pedal is enough to go with the G29 over the T300 RS. But, that’s just a matter of personal preference. Speaking of additional features, do keep in mind that the shifter isn’t included with the wheel and actually costs 50 extra bucks or so.

Still, all things considered, finding a wheel that’s as reliable and sturdy at that price point is kind of impossible right now. So, if all you have to spend on a wheel is about $200 or so, definitely consider this one!

Pros:

Great value
Feels sturdy
Has proven to be more reliable compared to its competitors
Compatible with PS3, PS4, and PC
Strong force feedback

Cons:

Force feedback doesn’t feel as smooth compared to other options (Still much better than entry-level options)
The shifter is not included
No support for Xbox One (There is the G920 for that. But, it’s a slightly inferior version)

2: Thrustmaster T300RS GT: Best Mid-Range Force Feedback Wheel

Yet another very popular option. The T300 RS GT is all around a better choice compared to the G29. It looks like a real wheel, feels like a real wheel, doesn’t come with those flashy buttons, and the pedals are also superb.

But, with all of that being said, do keep in mind that it’s also much more expensive. On certain occasions, it asks for twice as much compared to the G29. Does that mean that it’s twice as good? Probably not.

Still, if you want something that’s objectively better than the Logitech G29 without having to spend a fortune, then this is more or less your only choice. It has one of the best force feedback responses that we’ve ever seen and it looks gorgeous as well.

If there’s one downside, then that has to be Thrustmaster’s quality control. It’s not uncommon for some people to report that their wheel stopped working after a couple of years.

On some occasions, it didn’t even last for more than a few months – and that seems to be a recurring theme with Thrustmaster wheels. That’s obviously unfortunate. But, at the same time, there are no better alternatives at this price point.

Pros:

Great force feedback
Feels great
Looks objectively good
Compatibility for both PS4 and PS3 while also being supported for PC

Cons:

Not compatible with Xbox (There is the TMX for that – but it’s a significant downgrade compared to this one)
Generally more expensive than the G29
Also doesn’t include a shifter

3: Accuforce Pro V2: Best High-End/Enthusiast Force Feedback Wheel

Let’s make one thing clear, this is not targeted towards your average consumer. The Accuforce Pro V2 is a direct drive wheel which is mainly made for pros and/or enthusiast sim racers.

To give you a point of reference, just the base with the wheel will cost you a thousand bucks. No shifter, no pedals – just the wheel and the base unit.

If that sounds expensive to you, then do keep in mind that this is one of the cheapest direct drive wheels on the market. By comparison, other direct drive wheels can easily ask for $1400 or more just for the base unit without even a wheel.

In case you’re not familiar with direct drive wheels, then you should know that the reason that they are superior to consumer alternatives is that they are directly connected to the force feedback motors.

See, cheaper wheels like the G29 use a sort of gear system to connect the wheel with the motor. The problem with that is that since there is a medium that needs to transfer the motion over to the wheel, a bit of detail and power always gets lost on the way.

Direct drive wheels, on the other hand, don’t lose any power or detail. After all, they are directly connected to the motor and that’s what makes them so much superior.

Does that mean that you should spend the extra money? Well, if you’re the average sim-racer like us, no. But, if you’re an enthusiast or someone who wants to take every bit of advantage, then do absolutely consider getting one.

Pros:

Amazing feel
Great attention to detail
Easy to use (For a direct drive wheel)
Extremely sturdy
Literally more powerful than you can handle (May even end up breaking your wrists at full power)

Cons:

Way too expensive for your average player
Complicated to use (Compared to consumer wheels)
Add-ons are relatively expensive

Conclusion

At the end of the day, there is no clear winner. Each wheel has its own pros and cons. Overall:

Logitech: Offers better reliability but the force feedback isn’t that smooth
Thrustmaster: Better force feedback but it’s more likely to break down
Accuforce: Surpasses both wheels in every single way but also costs a lot of money and is tougher to setup

What’s The Best Budget 144Hz Monitor?

Last updated on October 4, 2019

Getting the best budget 144Hz monitor is a must for budget gamers. After all, as far as gaming is concerned, there is no doubt that a higher refresh rate makes a world of difference in smoothness – at least as long as your GPU can keep pushing out these extra frames.

But, it goes without saying that when you look for cheaper alternatives, at least some functionality needs to be taken away. All you can do is balance the pros and cons out and pick whatever fits you best. That being said, here are our top picks!

1: ViewSonic XG2401: No Compromises

When we previously talked about our top overall budget monitors, this one got our approval as the best gaming monitor for the price. And it actually still holds that title.

Priced at just about 200 bucks, this is as good as it gets. 1080P, 144Hz, 1ms response time, great stand, FreeSync support, great build quality, and more. Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with it.

At 24-inches, it’s definitely not a large monitor, but it’s not small either. Arguably, this is the sweet spot for competitive gaming.

Since the size is all a matter of personal preference, though, you always have the option of selecting the 27-inch variant as well. Apart from the thinner bezels, slightly different stand, and the extra 30 bucks that it asks for, it seems to be more or less the same deal with our 24-inch recommendation – except it’s obviously bigger.

Do keep in mind that the larger your display is, the higher that the resolution will have to be in order for it to keep on looking nice and crisp. A 1080P display at 27 inches may appear to be somewhat blurry for some people.

With that out of the way, the included DP cable and FreeSync support are amazing at this price point. It’s not uncommon to see many other monitors asking for an extra $100 or more while offering the same specs and no FreeSync.

Our only small complaint are the somewhat thick bezels. Sure, it’s not a massive deal-breaker. But, we’re nearing at 2020 where most modern monitors offer very thin bezels. So, that’s a small shame for Viewsonic. Otherwise, it’s almost perfect.

Pros:

Great value
Offers FreeSync
Adjustable stand (Basic)
Cheap

Cons:

Big bezels

Check out the ViewSonic XG2401 on Amazon

2: Samsung C27JG56: QHD Goodness

As we mentioned above, some people may find 1080P displays a bit blurry. Especially the ones that start from 27 inches and only get bigger without offering a better resolution.

That’s why we thought that it’d be a good idea to mention the Samsung C27JG56 as well. It offers a QHD resolution while still maintaining our much desired 144Hz refresh rate.

The first version of this monitor didn’t come with FreeSync. But, thankfully, Samsung listened to our complaints and released this newer variant that comes with FreeSync enabled with a price tag of around $300.

Sure, it’s not exactly the cheapest monitor. But, as far as high-quality QHD 144Hz panels are concerned, this is as good as it can get without us reaching deep into our pocket. At this moment, this is the best budget 144hz monitor with a 2K display.

Our only complaint isn’t with the monitor, but with Samsung. Their quality control has proven to be mediocre at best. So, there have been quite a few people complaining about dead pixels or even DOA arrivals.

That leaves us playing with our luck and obviously, nobody likes that.

Pros:

QHD
Offers FreeSync
Great value
27-inch panel

Cons:

Samsung’s bad quality control

Check out the Samsung C27JG56 on Amazon

3: Sceptre E255B-1658A: 165Hz on The Cheap

We created this article while aiming to mention 144Hz monitors, but it just so much happens that this one can actually get up to 165Hz. That arguably doesn’t make much of a difference. But, hey, if you can take that advantage without paying more, why not?

Speaking of paying, this is actually the cheapest option so far. These days, it retails for under $180. But, do keep in mind that pricing may fluctuate wildly over time.

At times, many have seen it with a price tag of over $300 which is almost two times the amount that it asks for now. So, don’t blame us if you happen to read this article at a point in time when this will not be such a budget option.

As for features, we’re looking at a 24.5-inch panel, a 165Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, 1ms response rate, thin bezels, and anti-flicker technology.

Our only complaints are the rather frail-looking stand and the mediocre build-quality control from Spectre. Just like with Samsung’s monitor, there have been quite a few complaints about dead pixels and damages on arrival.

So far, Viewsonic’s offering has been the most reliable out of the bunch. But, it also has thicker bezels and a slightly higher price tag than this one. So, it’s all a matter of weighing the pros and cons and choosing whatever fits you best.

Pros:

Cheapest option
165Hz refresh rate
FreeSync compatible
Thin bezels

Cons:

Spectre’s bad quality control

Check out the Spectre Sceptre E255B-1658A on Amazon

What Does 144Hz Mean?

144Hz stands to represent the refresh rate of a monitor. 60Hz means that it refreshes 60 times per second, 75 means that it refreshes 75 times per second, and 144Hz means that it refreshes 144 times per second.

60Hz is the “casual” refresh rate which is usually more than enough to satisfy non-gamers. But, those of you who own a beefy build that is able to push more than 100FPS can definitely take advantage of a high refresh rate monitor.

If your computer can’t render at least 90-100 frames per second, then buying a 144Hz display is probably not worth it since you’re not taking advantage of that extra refresh rate anyway.

If you bought a 144Hz monitor and just discovered that your PC can’t take advantage of it, then you can either start lowering the resolution of your game and it’s settings, or get a stronger GPU that can render more FPS.

The RX 580 and 1660Ti are good options for those who are targetting 100+ FPS on 1080P while the 5700 XT is more suitable for 1440P.

What’s The Best Budget 144Hz Monitor?

Overall, there is no single monitor that can beat them all. Each one of them have their own pros and cons. Long story short:

Viewsonic: Great option at a great price, but it also comes with thick bezels
Samsung: Higher resolution and thin bezels, but bad quality control
Sceptre: Highest refresh rate and the cheapest option, but the mediocre quality control is something to keep in mind

What’s your best budget 144Hz monitor? Let us know about it in the comments down below!

How to Pair Xbox One, PS4, and Gamesir Controllers With iOS

Last updated on October 2, 2019

Now that Apple Arcade is out, we have one more reason to grab our console or mobile controllers and pair them with our iPhone. It’s an easy way to enhance your overall gaming experience.

That being said, the process of pairing a controller to iOS devices can differ from gamepad to gamepad. It’s no surprise that so many people don’t know how.

So, here’s how to pair an Xbox, PS4, or Gamesir controller with your iPhone!

1: Inventory

First things first, let’s see what we need to have.

An Xbox One, PS4, or GameSir controller
An iPhone
And if possible, the latest version of iOS

But, one thing that may not be so obvious is that your controller needs to support Bluetooth and iOS compatibility. Some older wireless controllers like the Dualshock 3 may or may not work while there is no hope for wired ones.

For example, the older Xbox 360 controller won’t work with our guide. The same thing goes for the Gamesir G3W, Xbox 360, etc.

With that out of the way, let us move on with the guide.

2: How to Pair Xbox One and PS4 Controllers With iOS

To pair an Xbox One controller, all you need to do is:

Turn it on
Press the “Sync” button
Go to the Bluetooth settings of your iPhone
Once there, the controller should appear on the list of available devices
Tap on your Xbox One controller’s name
And that should be it

As for a PS4 controller:

Hold down the PS icon along with the “Share” button until the lights start blinking
Go to your Bluetooth settings
And connect with the PS4 controller that should appear on the list

3: How to Pair A GameSir Controller With iOS

GameSir controllers are designed to work with numerous operating systems. For that reason, you need to know the various combinations that your model uses to connect with each different OS.

For example, if you own the GameSir G3S, you need to:

Hold down the power + Y button
Wait until the Apple icon starts flashing
Head over to your Bluetooth settings
Then connect with the controller

If you see nothing but a serious of numbers with letters, then wait for a few seconds and the name should eventually change to “GameSir G3S”. That being said, the controller doesn’t officially support Apple devices. But, if you own one, you can always give it a try.

Wrapping Up

That’s all for now. If you’ve got any questions, let us and everyone else know about them in the comments section down below! Do keep in mind that not all games support controllers and that not all controllers play well with iOS.

Even some options that are kinda optimized for iOS, like the GameSir G3S, may still not work at all in the end. Still, give it a try and let us know how that worked out for you.

Subnautica Tips: How to Reach The Bottom

Last updated on September 24, 2019

Articles regarding Subnautica tips don’t seem to be that common. Many people may tell you that you don’t need them. After all, Subautica is generally not considered a very hard game. It most certainly isn’t Dark Souls.

That being said, there’s also no doubt that trying to reach the bottom of the sea will suddenly increase the level of difficulty and annoyance by a huge margin. Having finished the game a couple of times, I know all about that experience firsthand.

That’s why I decided to make a small guide about it. No spoilers are present (assuming that you’ve already played up to this point).

1: Craft Everything That’s Necessary Before Moving On

There are lots of people that feel the need to rush their game in order to progress through the main story. I’m guilty of this as well and it has been one of my many downfalls.

So, first of all, I’d advise you to craft everything that’s necessary before heading to the depths. If you don’t, prepare to face a lot of frustration and possibly lose a ton of progress as well.

Due to the no-spoiler policy, I can’t tell you what dangers you’ll face. But, what I can tell you is that the level of difficulty is on a whole different level.

Now, regarding the tools that need to be crafted, there’s no absolute list. It all comes down to personal preferences and playstyle.

For example, despite how useful the sonar is, some people prefer saving that energy and navigating on their own. Others would rather receive damage and fix their vehicles afterward in favor of saving energy instead of using the shield generator.

And if saving energy sounds dumb to you, then chances are that you haven’t gone below a certain depth level just yet. Because believe me when I say that the travel distance to the bottom is really long.

Some of the absolute necessary parts are definitely the depth modules and maybe the drilling arm for the prawn suit. Everything else comes down to personal preferences.

2: Don’t Forget About Food and Saving

One of the most important Subnautica tips that nobody ever gave me is to take care of food and water before heading down to the bottom levels.

It makes sense that you wouldn’t be able to find a lot of edible stuff and ways to make drinkable water one thousand meters below sea level. But, at the same time, you can find all that for the rest of the game in a 5-minute swim. So, most players don’t really think about that before heading to the bottom until it’s too late and 2 hours of process are absolutely wasted.

Obviously, there are tons of choices on how you’ll manage to do that. You can just grab a ton of fish and store them to the Cyclops, maybe plant some trees that grow fruits, anything that you feel most comfortable with, really.

After my first playthrough, I personally disabled hunger and thirst completely cause they are more tedious than anything else. If you truly care about that kind of survival, check out something like The Long Dark.

As for saving, you should keep on doing it frequently, but not when you know that you’re already screwed. For example, if your vehicle is already at 20% power and you’re not sure just how much road there is to cover, then saving at that point is probably a bad idea.

When things go bad, it’s better to just load a previous, safe checkpoint. Some people may call that cheating. But, hey, if you want to craft a new Cyclops and Prawn along with everything that was stored in them, be my guest.

3: Manage Your Energy Wisely

This is the only point in the game where you’ll truly have to worry about energy consumption. Not only because the travel distance is very long, but also because it’s very easy to get lost. And that’s without even mentioning other things to avoid spoilers.

So, when it comes to Subnautica tips for reaching the bottom, saving energy is quite possibly the best tip that I can give you. And saving comes in many forms.

First of all, let’s start with the somewhat obvious by stating that you should carry extra batteries on your storage. Also, do make sure to turn off the engine of your Cyclops while you’re not driving. I don’t think that it makes a huge difference. But, just to be safe.

Things get more complicated when modules are concerned. There are things like the Sonar and the Shield that are extremely useful in certain situations.

Problem is that they are also very hungry for energy. So, don’t use such things unless you absolutely have to; especially the shield which will deplete your power storage in no time.

Other than that, do also try avoiding the usage of the Cyclops’ fabricator while you’re traveling to the depths. It’s not much, but every little bit of power drain will make a difference in the long run.

4: Don’t Be Afraid To Use Google

I understand that this sounds a bit weird, but as far as gaming is concerned, many people shy away from Googling for information and how-to guides.

When it comes to Subnautica tips for reaching the bottom of the sea, let me tell you that you WILL need Google at some point. Maybe you just can’t find a specific location, crafting material, or anything.

Stubborn people who refuse to use Google with this game have a very high chance of getting stuck for hours. Usually, the one thing that’s holding you behind isn’t but a specific material. So, don’t be that guy.

That’s unless you’re willing to spend the next 5 hours or even days just looking for one item. So, yeah. Google is your friend.

Subnautica Tips for Reaching the Bottom: Wrapping Up

For those who can’t reach the bottom, those are all the Subnautica tips that I’ve got for now. I hopefully didn’t forget anything and, hopefully, I also didn’t spoil anything. If the names “Cyclops” and “Prawn Suit” mean nothing to you, then you’re probably reading this article way too early into your playthrough.

If there any questions or extra recommendations that you wish to make, then let me know about them in the comments section or on Reddit. Try to keep it spoiler-free for those who haven’t experienced the game yet.

In case there is a question that contains spoilers, either use Google or reach to me with a PM on Reddit.

My rig:

CPU: Ryzen 5 2600 GPU: GTX 1060 6GB RAM: Corsair Value 16 GB kit (2400 MHz) PSU: Corsair RM 650X Headset: HyperX Cloud 2 Keyboard: Corsair K70 LUX Mouse: Logitech G203

Recommended Specs:

Doesn’t really matter. The game runs like trash anyways.

Anda Seat AD12 Gaming Chair Review

Last updated on August 27, 2019

Anda Seat has been making some very good chairs lately. But, the truth is that very few people have even heard of them. After all, when it comes to gaming chairs, you may have heard of Secretlab, DX Racer, etc, but chances are you’ve never heard of Anda Seat.

So, since we just got our hands on the AD12, we figured that it’s worth reviewing as it’s a pretty good and underrated choice. Let’s take a look at it!

Anda Seat AD12 Review

Introduction

Let’s make one thing clear. This is a high-quality gaming chair. Period. It’s not cheap or light and it’s not intended for use outside of the desk. So, if you’ve got any other plans for it apart from office work, gaming, or anything that doesn’t include sitting a lot of hours on your desk, then consider looking for potentially cheaper options.

For those who are still interested, the AD12 has everything that you may want to look for in a gaming or desk chair. It has the aesthetics, comfort, and build quality of a high-quality chair without asking for a very high price. At least not when compared to other options.

Pretty much everything on it is adjustable including height, armrests, pillows, and backrest. Of course, the fact that it’s a gaming chair doesn’t mean that you can’t use it for leisure activities or work. In fact, we use it all the time for everything that includes desktop use.

And with all of that being said, let’s take a closer look.

Assembly, First Impressions, and Build Quality

If you’re one of these people who are worried about assembling equipment, then you’d be glad to hear that the Anda Seat AD12 was very easy to set up. The toughest part was just getting it up the stairs really.

Everything is handled by screwing together the various parts and placing the chair at the base. So, pretty easy. The manual explains everything in detail – and if that’s not enough for you, there is also a visual representation on YouTube.

The first impressions are more than good since the chair in its box weighs 31 freaking kilos. Seriously, we highly recommend having one more person to help you out carrying it into the apartment cause it’s almost impossible on your own.

So, with that being said, it’s very clear that we’re not looking at a toy here. It’s a very heavy and sturdy chair with a steel base that can withstand a lot of weight. 180 kilos, if memory serves right. Not to mention that the XL version can handle even more than that.

While we’re at it, let us not forget to mention that the XL version is mostly recommended for those who are at least 1.85 tall. Otherwise, you may not even be able to step down cause it’s just that tall.

Anda Seat AD12: Comfiness

So, the AD12 definitely feels sturdy and reliable. But, even the most premium chair in the universe would be useless if it didn’t feel comfortable.

Thankfully, this chair does feel comfy. But, that’s also depending on what your definition of “Comfiness” is. Do you like the kind where you can fall asleep on your chair? Or the one that keeps you alert over long periods of time? Cause the AD12 falls more into the second category. Let us explain.

When it comes to chair comfiness, there are usually two kinds:

Soft foam
Firm foam

Both have their own pros and cons. The soft foam feels more comfortable and relaxing but may introduce back pain over long periods of sitting. Not to mention that integrity wise; it usually doesn’t last as long as firm foam.

Firm foam, on the other hand, doesn’t feel as relaxing and, well, soft as soft foam. But, thanks to its stiffness, it also generally lasts much longer and it allows you to sit pretty much all day on it without back pain problems. Mostly because you are not sinking into the chair.

Again, the Anda Seat AD 12 is that kind of chair. It’s not “hard” per se. But, it definitely doesn’t offer that ultra-soft cushion that you’ll find in lounge chairs either.

It kinda stands in the middle and we think that this is near perfect for a gaming or office chair.

Anda Seat AD12: Adjustability Options and durability

If you’re going to sit on a chair for the biggest part of the day, then it’s very important that you’ll be able to adjust it to fit your body. And the AD12 offers everything that you may want to look out for.

Armrests: the armrests can be adjusted left or right, up or down, or even at an inwards or outwards angle. The last one doesn’t require a button, so don’t bother looking for it.

Height: the overall height of the chair can easily be adjusted up to a point where a 1.83 male could barely touch the ground with his feet. Admittedly, even at the lowest height, this chair may be a bit too tall for a short person.

Back Angle: just like any other gaming chair, the Anda Seat AD12 can lean back all the way to the point where taking a nap doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

Body and head pillows: both are removable and adjustable. Do keep in mind that if you want the version with the wide pillow then you need to specifically look for it on Amazon (Seems like our version with the small version has almost disappeared at this point anyway)

All of these options increase the overall comfiness level of the chair even more. But, as for durability, we feel like it’s too early to talk about it at this point.

So, we’ll come back to update this section of the article in at least a few months of using the chair and if there are any problems with it, then we’re going to let you know about them.

Wrapping Up

Overall, the Anda Seat AD12 is a very solid option. It offers excellent build quality, lots of adjustability options, and comfiness. All of that at generally about $300 (Depending on your region, seller, and version of the chair).

If we have to mention a downside, then that’s without a doubt the warmth of it. The leather makes it a very good option during the cold winter. But, you better have AC during the summer or you’re gonna sweat in it. Throwing a towel over it helps a lot, though.

Other than that, do also keep in mind that it may be a bit too high for people of medium to a short height. I, as a 1.85 male, need to turn the height all the way down to feel like I’m comfortably stepping on to the ground.

As of now, we can’t find the AD12 on Amazon, so we’re going to link to the Dark Knight which is the same thing except it can withstand more weight and comes with the upgraded pillows.

Check out the Dark Knight on Amazon

Admittedly, this is a bit more expensive than the AD12. But, we wouldn’t recommend looking at cheaper chairs since they don’t offer a lot of adjustability options and that can be a deal-breaker.

Laptop Overheating? Here Are A Few Fixes

Last updated on May 31, 2019

Laptop overheating? Well, as we’re getting closer and closer to the hot days of summer, the problem is only bound to get worse and worse. The good thing is that there actually numerous possible solutions for this issue – all of them with their pros and cons. Without any further ado, let’s check them out!

Laptop Overheating? Try Using External Coolers

When it comes to laptop cooling, external coolers have been the most popular choice for quite some time now. There are mainly two types of coolers to choose from:

Cooling pads
Vacuum coolers

This is a vacuum cooler. It attaches directly to your laptop’s air vent and “pulls” the hot air directly out from the CPU. If your laptop is suffering from CPU overheating, then this may help quite a bit.

As for which one to choose? According to numerous Amazon positive reviews and our previous review on the best laptop coolers, Opolar’s vacuum is currently one of the best coolers that you can get; if not the best. It’s a tiny bit expensive, but, if that’s what you need to prevent your laptop from running too hot, getting slow, and potentially having a premature death, then it’s worth the investment.

Apart from a vacuum cooler, you can also add a cooling pad for maximum cooling. You can add the vacuum as an exhaust fan that takes the hot air out and the cooling pad as intake fans that push cool air in. They make a great pair.

The only issue with external cooling is that it can get a bit noisy, it occupies extra USB ports, and it also costs money. On the other hand, depending on your laptop, this method can allow you to avoid overheating without losing any performance.

To summarize, here are the pros and cons of this method.

Pros:

One of the best ways to cool down your laptop
Doesn’t sacrifice performance

Cons:

Can get noisy
Costs money

Restrict Your CPU

Restricting your processor’s usage will surely bring down the temperatures. But, it’s also going to slow down your machine. Whether you’ll feel that slowdown or not largely depends on your laptop and what kind of activities you’re performing on it.

For example: if you’re watching a movie, then chances are that you won’t notice a difference in playback smoothness regardless of how restricted your CPU is. After all, most modern laptops have more than enough processing power to play a 720P/1080P movie effortlessly.

However, if you’re doing something CPU intensive like playing games, editing videos, or anything like that, then chances are that you’ll feel the impact quite a lot. So, would we want to restrict our CPU usage?

Well, for once, maybe you added external cooling but that didn’t help too much. Or maybe you’re just too broke at the moment and you want something that’ll get the job done even if that means losing performance.

In any case, here is how to restrict your CPU usage in Windows 10:

Go to Cortana’s search bar and type: “Power plan”
Click on the option which says “Edit power plan”
Click on “Change advanced power settings”
Go to: “Processor power management -> Maximum processor state

Once you’re there, all you have to do is restrict your CPU usage to the maximum percentage which you think is acceptable. It may be 80%, 70%, half of your CPU power; maybe even lower.

You can use something like open hardware monitor to check your temperatures. Most CPUs will not allow you to over 90-celsius degrees without throttling which impacts your performance anyway.

Pros:

Will make your processor cooler
Doesn’t add extra noise

Cons:

Harms performance

Restrict Your GPU

Maybe your processor isn’t to blame. If you’ve got a gaming laptop, there is a good chance that your graphics card is the culprit here and you can add all the cooling in the world while restricting your CPU and you’ll still end up wondering “Why is my laptop overheating?”.

Apart from the fact that your laptop is probably hot to the touch, you can find out if your GPU is to blame by using hardware monitoring software like open hardware monitor or MSI Afterburner. Most GPUs will start throttling after reaching the 83C mark.

And the biggest issues with graphics cards is that they are often way too passive when it comes to cooling. The fans don’t really kick in until you’re already very close to throttling or actually throttling.

For this reason, apart from restricting your GPU, you can also simply turn up your fan’s RPM count as this will offer better cooling at the expense of power consumption and noise. Or you could always do both.

In any case, to control your GPU, follow the steps below:

Download and install MSI Afterburner
Open it
Restrict your power limit, increase your fan speed, or both

If you decide to restrict your GPU’s power limit, then you’re sure to suffer a performance hit. However, it shouldn’t be as major as restricting your CPU.

In my experience, by using a GTX 1060, I managed to go from 75 degrees down to 61 under full load while losing about 20% of performance. And while this is not considered overheating, I’m just trying to show you the power to performance ratio.

And in some cases, you won’t even notice that performance hit. For example, if you’re getting 100 FPS without a power limit and 80 FPS while limited, then this isn’t that noticeable. Unless you have a 144Hz display I guess.

Pros:

Can make a huge difference in cooling
Reducing the power limit makes your fan ultra quiet

Cons:

Depending on how powerful your machine is, you may suffer a performance hit
Increasing fan speed will make your laptop sound like a jet engine

Laptop Overheating Still? Here Are A Few Extra Tips

So, you tried your best, but that didn’t solve the issue. Is there anything else to do? Well, while I’ve got a couple of big tips and lots of minor ones that most of you hopefully know, pay attention here cause you may end up screwing something very bad to the point of bricking your machine. And if such a thing happens, neither I, the author, or WTLS will take any responsibility for it. So, again, be careful here. Treading on thin ice you are.

The first big tip: try replacing your CPU’s thermal paste.

Computers use thermal paste on their processors to effectively transfer the heat on to the heatsink. However, as time goes on, that thermal paste may start drying out a bit and lose its effectiveness.

You can fix that by replacing your thermal paste with a new one. It’s generally inexpensive and all you need apart from it is isopropyl alcohol to clean up which is also kinda cheap.

HOWEVER, this requires you to open your laptop, take off the heatsink, remove the old thermal paste, apply the new one, and reassemble the machine. The problem is that lots of things may go wrong in that process and I can’t guide you through it step by step as each laptop is different.

So, if you’re willing to follow that process, look at YouTube tutorials on how to open your laptop and replace the paste and proceed with caution. As for the second big tip? Open your laptop and use compressed air to clean the dust!

This isn’t as risky. But, it still requires you to open up your laptop. So, again, be careful. All you need to do is open it without damaging anything and use a can of compressed air to blow all the gathered dust from the fans and components out.

You should be able to find compressed air in one of your local electronics stores.

Extra Minor Tips

Most of you should know these. And if not, now is the time to learn:

Never use your laptop on the bed or soft surfaces. It destroys the airflow which is what can most easily cause overheating issues
Try to avoid multitasking when you don’t need it as it increases the power usage and thus, heat
Stay away from hot surfaces and places as it only makes the problem worse
Don’t leave your computer under the sun or your car during the summer heat – especially if it’s left on
If your battery is getting too hot, consider unplugging it to take power only from the wall. Most laptops can work solely through their charger/power supply. And don’t forget that heat is extremely bad for batteries as well

That’s all for now. Feel free to correct me if you feel like something is wrong or if I forgot to mention anything. And if you’ve got any questions, you can leave them in the comments section!

The Long Dark Tips: Survival Guide

Last updated on May 30, 2019

The Long Dark’s permadeath mechanic makes it a truly unforgiving game – especially towards newcomers. All you need is one wrong move and you’ll be forced to start a new playthrough all over again. For this reason, as someone who has more than 200 hours into the game and more than 300 days of survival on a single playthrough (ongoing), I decided to give you a few The Long Dark tips that will help you survive for one more day – or a hundred… Depending on how vigilant you are.

That being said, those tips aren’t necessarily meant to be read only by beginners. Even as a veteran player, you may be able to learn a thing or two. So, let’s dig right into it!

The Long Dark Tips 1: Navigation is Important

Navigation is an extremely important aspect of survival that lots of people neglect. In a world where blizzards can kill you in a handful of ways and the weather is changing from totally fine to a death trap in mere moments, knowing how to navigate means the difference between life and death.

As we all know, there are no maps, a compass, or any means of “normal” navigation in this game. And although you can spend time and effort into drawing your own map, I’d recommend against it since it wastes precious time and puts you at risk of getting hurt without getting much in return.

So, how do we do it then? Well, while each player has his own way of understanding the game’s world, there are primarily two ways of navigating in this game:

Using the landscape
Natural game-sense

Using The Landscape

The first way is the easiest to understand. You simply need to look for visual or even aural cues into the surrounding environment that will help you understand where you are and where you are heading.

Those cues can be anything from mountains and buildings to the location of the Sun and the sound of a rushing river. Take Desolation Point as an example.

The lighthouse is visible from a big part of the map. So, it makes for a good reference point. Speaking of which, make it a habit to always know where your nearest shelter is relative to your position. Because when a blizzard kicks in, you won’t be able to see a thing.

As mentioned in the beginning, you can also use the overall landscape, position of the sun, the surrounding sounds, or whatever makes you feel more comfortable. It’s a matter of personal preference.

Natural Game-Sense/Navigation

There is not much to say about this one. Natural navigation is just that – natural. Most people gain it naturally by playing the game, learning the world around them piece by piece, and thus they know where they are at any given point.

However, this is only useful if you’re venturing into explored areas. If you’re still exploring the maps, then it’s pretty much useless. Still, do try to learn the maps as you play. It’ll make your future playthroughs 10 times easier.

The Long Dark Tips 2: Manage Your Resources

The Long Dark doesn’t give you a lot of room for carrying stuff. There are more than 60kg of equipment that you can use but you can only carry 30 or 35 if you’re well fed and 40 if you’re both well fed and have the carrying satchel.

So, you do need to leave some stuff behind and for that reason, you need to learn how to manage your resources. Again, each player has his own way of managing resources – different playstyles and everything. So, even though I can give you a few tips now, you’ll need to develop your own personal style over time.

Personal Setup/Sample

From category to category, this is what I normally carry:

Firewood: Little next to nothing. Usually only matches. There is a lot of firewood everywhere along with sticks, crates, etc.
Meds: A little bit of everything. They are very lightweight and can make the difference between life and death when you’re injured.
Clothing: A mix of crafted stuff and “normal” clothing for the ultimate balance between mobility and warmth. Bear’s coat is a must.
Food: 2 liters of water and maybe enough food for a day while traveling or in case of emergency. Sometimes little pieces of meat for bait.
Tools: Two empty cans for boiling water, a knife for quick harvesting, hatchet for protection and chopping wood, sewer for clothing, whetstone for sharpening, and a flare or torch for crossing caves or protection against wolves. A bow and a couple of arrows is usually the best weapon choice.
Materials: Usually a few pieces of cloth and leather for repairing clothing.

This setup is usually enough for surviving while also leaving enough room for carrying meat when you’re out hunting. It will definitely carry you as a beginner. But, you’ll want to adjust it to fit your own style as you progress through the game.

The Long Dark Tips 3: Set Up A Base And Be Efficient

First of all, set up a base. You don’t need to stay there or anything. But, have a place, two, three or however many you want where you can gather extra tools, food, meds, anything that may come in handy that you can’t carry around all the time. This way, you’ll know where to find meds when you run out. You know where there is food when your hunt didn’t go as expected.

Other than that, be efficient and learn how to prioritize. Time isn’t just money. Time can make the difference between having food, water, or the necessary tools available to you, the difference between being stuck into a blizzard and arriving safely to shelter, etc.

Your time is important. So, don’t waste it! Multitask! While you’re waiting for water to boil, meat to cook, a storm to pass, don’t just sit there twiddling your fingers. Use that time to repair your clothing, read a book, craft something, maintain your tools.

The Long Dark Tips 4: Prioritize

And that brings us to the last point: prioritization – it’s definitely one of the best The Long Dark tips that I can give you. This is a game that relies heavily on choices. Both in real-life and in-game, you don’t always have the luxury of choosing between right and wrong. Sometimes you only have two bad choices and you need to decide which one is the worst.

You may find yourself in such situations more often than you may think. So, prioritize. For example, it’s nighttime, lots of things happened and you couldn’t get food for the day. You just ate your last provisions so you need to go out hunting – despite being tired.

Then you see the deer. You pull out your bow, ready to fire, and a blizzard kicks in. What do you do? Keep on hunting despite the cold and darkness? Go to sleep and leave it for the morning? Hide and wait for the storm to pass?

In this situation, no matter which way you go, you’ll put yourself into a difficult situation – each one with pros and cons. And each one with its own chances of something going horribly wrong. So, learn to prioritize what you need the most. In that example: is it food? Rest? Warmth? The answer will differ from player to player and the exact situation.

Extra Tips

Leave cooked meat outside. It loses condition much slower.
Try to avoid wearing out your tools and fire-starters for surviving longer. Ex: use a magnifying lens instead of matches, harvest with your hands instead of a knife, smash furniture and pick up sticks instead of chopping wood with the hatchet, etc.
Use a headsetto locate wildlife with sound.
Open your ears. Sit still every now and then and listen for the footsteps of a bear, the howling of wolves, etc.
Stay calm. Fear and anger can mud your thoughts.
Understand the risk and reward ratio. Do you really need to hunt down that bear? Is it really necessary to carry that extra gear which slows you down and puts you at risk of spraining? Understand how much you may lose and what you may get in return.
Learn how to hunt. Bad weather can erase the footsteps of animals, cover blood tracks, and prevent crows from gathering above a corpse. All of which make tracking very tough.
Stop being a scaredy cat. If you camp indoors all the time, not only you won’t be able to get equipment which will save your life later on, but you’ll also develop cabin fever which can be the death of you if it catches you unprepared.
Plan ahead. The Long Dark rewards those who are living in the future.
Always assume the worst. Especially when you’re traveling. This is not a world for the optimistic.

Minor Tips For Longevity

Conserve your fire starters. Every time you light a fire, cook as much meat and melt as much water as you can.
Careful with the ammo. If you’re using the rifle and/or the revolver, do understand that ammo is scarce and limited. One bullet should be enough to take out most targets with a couple of exceptions.
Bears are not afraid of fire or rifles. Only a revolver or a distress pistol has a chance of temporarily stopping a bear charge.
Do NOT run away from wolves. They smell fear and weakness. Keep your eyes on them and only run once you’re out of sight.
Make sure that every time you light a fire outdoors, it’s covered from the wind. Try to make it so that the wind can’t get at it no matter what.
Blizzards can damage your clothing. Just because your clothes are warm enough to withstand the cold, doesn’t mean that you should sit and “chill” outside.
Do not forget to clean your rifle and maintain your tools. You don’t want to experience a jam while a bear is charging at you.
Don’t walk on steep surfaces unless you absolutely have to or you’re risking getting a sprain
Choose a snow shelter over a bedroll. It only asks for a few pieces of cloth once and then you can maintain with sticks after that. Not to mention that it’s much warmer.
Extreme draw distances will kill your performance/stress your GPU without making any difference. Turn them down to where you actually see a difference. (PC only)

Conclusion

When it comes to The Long Dark tips, that’s all we’ve got for now. Feel free to let me know about your tips in the comments section.

My Specs:

Recommended Specs:

What’s the Best Budget Gaming Mouse to Grab Right Now?

Last updated on May 7, 2019

Finding the best budget gaming mouse is no easy task. There are hundreds of options to choose from. For this reason, our experience will definitely come in handy here. After hundreds of hours of playing, trying, and researching, we came to the conclusion that those are the best budget choices right now! Pick whatever fits you best.

1: Logitech G203

The G203 is considered by many as the best budget gaming mouse that anyone can get. And up to a certain extent, that’s not far from the truth.

This mouse has everything that you may want to look out for on a gaming mouse without asking for a lot of money. In fact, it costs less than 30 bucks at the moment which is dirt cheap for something that’s so good.

The Logitech G203 is very well built, offers high-quality RGB lighting, two side buttons, and one DPI button. And while we’re at this subject, let us not forget to mention that the buttons feel very clicky. Overall, it most certainly doesn’t feel like a budget choice.

Furthermore, there is also the software which is insanely good. It allows you to customize the button actions, DPI range, the mouse acceleration and deceleration, and the RGB lighting.

Last, but not least, it only weighs 85 grams. That’s one of the most lightweight mice that you can get – ever. So, that makes it a great choice for FPS gamers. Its shape also makes it a good fit for most hand grips/playstyles, but not ideally the best for palm grip.

If there’s one thing that you may consider a downside, then that would be the fact that it comes with the Mercury sensor and not with anything from the PMW series. Still, as someone who has more than 800 hours on CS: GO, I can assure you that it’s flawless.

One more thing that you may want to keep in mind is that it clicks a bit too easily. So, if you’ve got big arms or something, you may want to keep on reading.

Get the Logitech G203 From Amazon

2: Steel Series Rival 110

The Steel Series Rival 110 is another great budget choice. And if you primarily use claw or fingertip grip, then this is probably the best budget gaming mouse for you.

Like the G203, it feels well built, offers RGB, two side buttons, one DPI button, and software which allows you to customize pretty much anything. At 90 grams, it’s just a tiny bit heavier than our previous choice. But, to be honest with you, we had a rough time telling the difference in terms of weight.

As we mentioned before, due to its shape, the Rival 110 is naturally more fitted for people who use claw grip. You can still use it with a palm grip, but it feels kinda strange because of the curve when you do that. Or at least it did for us. So, do keep that in mind.

Two downsides that we immediately noticed is that the RGB isn’t as powerful as the G203’s and the buttons feel a lot mushier. However, they also feel a bit heavier which makes misclicks rarer.

Adding to the list of downsides the fact that the scroll wheel gave up on us after a few months of use. So, do keep that in mind as well. One positive aspect of the Rival 110 is that it uses a PMW sensor which is rumored to be the PMW 3360.

Though, let us not forget to mention that the G203 felt a bit more responsive and fluid – even though both mice claim to support a refresh rate of 1000Hz.

Get the Steel Series Rival 110 From Amazon

3: Corsair HarpoonCorsair Harpoon

The Corsair Harpoon is just as bit as good as our other choices. That’s why we’re counting it as one of the best budget gaming mice that you can grab.

It comes with the PMW 3320 sensor, RGB lighting, two side buttons, the DPI change button, software, etc. However, in case you haven’t noticed already, its shape is not meant to fit everyone.

Taking a quick look at the Amazon reviews, the negative opinions almost always refer to either its shape or size. So, before you buy it, make sure that it fits your preference. If you can’t try it at your local store, you can watch YouTube videos to get a better understanding of how big or small it is.

Though, with all of that being said, its overall shape and size aren’t all that different compared to the Rival 110. In fact, they’ve got pretty much the same weight.

One good reason for going with the Harpoon instead of with our other options is if you’ve got yourself a Corsair setup. Corsair’s software is made so that it will be able to sync the lighting across multiple Corsair products. So, if you already have a Corsair keyboard, then this would make a good addition.

There’s also a wireless version which asks for about 50 bucks. The problem is that this is not exactly placed on the budget range and that’s why we won’t be looking at it today.

Get the Corsair Harpoon From Amazon

Pro Tip: Stay Away From Extremely Cheap Mice

While checking out gaming mice of online stores, there is a good chance that you’ll come across some very cheap options with positive reviews. We’re talking about mice for less than 7 or 5 bucks here. In some cases, even less than 3.

That seems like a tempting offer. But, don’t do it. You’ll only end up throwing your money away. Or at least you can get one as a backup option just in case. Take it from someone who’s tried numerous options only to be disappointed in a different way every time.

First of all, it’s a huge gamble. You may get something that’s worth it or something that’s complete garbage and the odds are against you. The positive reviews are often either fake or filtered. It’s no mistake that numerous sellers delete and don’t accept the negative reviews. Especially some famous Chinese E-Shops.

After that, the build quality is terrible. If you get a couple of months of usage out of a dirt cheap mice without something breaking, consider yourself lucky.

But, most importantly, the sensor is almost always crappy. That’s not a big deal for casual gaming. But, if you’re thinking of entering the competitive scene, stay away from extremely cheap mice. Just be patient and save a bit of money so that you can at least get one of our above recommendations.

That’s all we’ve got for now. If you feel like there is another mouse that’s worthy of being on this list, then let us and everyone else know about it. Also, if you liked this article, then don’t forget to share it with your friends. Thanks for reading!

What’s The Best Mechanical Keyboard That you can Grab in 2019?

Last updated on May 1, 2019

Mechanical keyboards are the bread and butter of not only gamers but also professionals and even casual users who are willing to reach deep into their pockets for a better typing experience. But, with that being said, choosing the right mechanical keyboard is no easy task. There are so many around. So, let us help you.

As per usual, we’ll be looking at some of the best choices so that you can pick whatever fits you best. Here we go!

Best Mechanical Keyboard for Everything: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

The Corsair K70 Lux was called by many the best keyboard to ever come out. The K95 RGB Platinum came out a couple of years ago and to this day, it’s still one of the best mechanical keyboards that you can get, if not the best. It’s basically the improved version of the K70 in every single way.

If there’s one thing that’s a turn off for multiple people with this keyboard, then that would be its price. When it first came out, you were looking at more than 200 bucks. Now that you can grab it for 150, it’s definitely closer to the competition. Still expensive, though. But, if you consider that this is how much the K70 asks for as well, then there’s really no need (almost) to not go with this one instead.

You get:

Cherry MX speed switches
RGB lighting all around the keyboard (not just on the keycaps)
Dedicated media keys
A dedicated volume bar
Six macro keys that you can use for whatever you want
Sturdy build quality
Software which allows you to fully control the lighting
Corsair’s warranty
USB passthrough for easy USB access
Detachable wrist rest with two sides: textured and non-textured

Overall, the K95 is definitely one of the best choices around. The only downsides?

Very expensive
It’s rather huge
Only comes with Cherry MX speed switches
Non-removable cable

You can solve at least two of those downsides if you go with the K70 Lux Red LED version. It’s much cheaper at less than $100 and gives you numerous options for switches.

However, that’s not RGB, doesn’t come with macro keys, and the wrist rest is textured only. So, pick whatever fits you best.

Get the Corsair K95 From Amazon

Best Keyboard for Gaming: HyperX Alloy FPS

Kingston has offered numerous great gaming peripherals with their HyperX series and this keyboard is no different. Numerous pro gamers are using the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro as their main keyboard. S1mple and Shroud are two of the most popular pro gamers (even though Shroud has abandoned the pro scene) who are using this keyboard as their go-to choice when gaming. If it’s good enough for them, then it should be good enough for you.

The compact version with RED Led lighting costs less than half the price of the K95 while it also offers a detachable cable and an extremely small design. It just doesn’t get any better for FPS gamers who are looking for a good mechanical keyboard without too many bells and whistles. Not to mention without spending a fortune on it.

The pros of the HyperX Alloy include:

Great compact design and portability
Detachable cord
Solid build quality with an alloy frame
Very minimalistic – a great choice for those who want something that just works
The cable can be replaced in case that you end up destroying the old one somehow

As for the cons:

Lack of numpad can be a deal breaker for some people
Same thing goes for missing features like RGB, USB passthrough, media keys, etc
The full-sized version costs so much that you may as well pick up the K70 Lux or spend a bit more and go with the K95

Get the HyperX Alloy FPS From Amazon

Best Keyboard for Typing: Corsair K70 Lux

Wait, what? Two Corsair products in one list? Well, yeah. Corsair is known for kinda dominating the keyboard market. So, not that big of a surprise there.

Why the K70? Well, it’s simple. You get most of the features and benefits that the K95 gives you, except you can now choose between different switches. That makes all the difference in the world for typists.

Most writers will prefer Chery MX Blue switches. The clickiness and heavy tactile feedback lets you know when you pressed a key and that’s one of the most important reasons to go for a mechanical keyboard instead of a membrane one. Or at least that’s when typing is involved.

If you want a middle line between typing and gaming, then you can go with Cherry MX Browns. They are not as heavy as the Blues and they don’t offer the clicky sound but they still come with lighter tactile feedback.

The only downside of this keyboard is that it doesn’t come with RGB lighting (though, you can still get the RGB version for an extra 60 bucks if you want). Also, it doesn’t have the extra macro keys and the full body lighting that the K95 offers.

Still, if you only need it for typing, then that shouldn’t be an issue. Overall, the K70 is a slightly nerfed K95 that asks for much less money and offers tactile feedback. Hard to go wrong with it.

Get the Corsair K70 Lux From Amazon

Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard: Redragon K552

In case you haven’t noticed till now, mechanical keyboards are freaking expensive. Even at the cheapest options with compact keyboards, you’re looking at more than 60 bucks. And once you start venturing lower, chances are that you’ll encounter numerous mechanical “feel” keyboards that are actually membrane keyboards.

Not in this case. The Redragon K552 is a real mechanical keyboard that asks for 35 bucks. That’s really how cheap you can go without completely butchering the build quality.

Now, with that being said, when you wanna get something that is so much cheaper than the competition, there are compromises that need to be made. For once, this doesn’t come with Cherry MX switches but with cheap knock-offs.

Let us clarify something, this is definitely not a bad keyboard. Is it as good as our other options? Obviously not. Is it a good keyboard regardless of that? Yes. While the switches aren’t anywhere near as consistent and high-quality as the Cherry MX counterparts, they are still mechanical switches.

The same thing goes for the build quality. It’s not as good as the other choices. But, still, not bad. Overall, if you want a mechanical keyboard that gets the job done for as cheap as possible, do definitely consider this one.

Of course, you don’t get anything that “normal” mechanicals offer. No dedicated media keys, no removable cable, no RGB (except if you wanna spend the extra money for it), no wrist rest, or anything for that matter.

Still, it’s a mechanical keyboard and it doesn’t ask for a lot of money.

Get the Redragon K552 From Amazon

If you feel like there’s another keyboard that’s worthy of being on this list, then do let us and everyone else know about it. Also, if you liked this article, then don’t forget to share it with your friends.

Best Headphones for Gaming in 2019

Last updated on April 22, 2019

Trying to find the best headphones for gaming? No need to. We found them for you. All you have to do is pick the one that fits your personal preferences.

But, before we start, let us clarify one thing. We know that gaming headphones are actually called headsets. Alright? The only reason that we’re calling them headphones is because people can find this article more easily in that way. SEO and stuff.

Other than that, do keep in mind that the headphones (or headsets) are not ranked in any order. We’re just listing the best that we found, each one having its own pros and cons, and you can pick the one that best works for you. Now that all this is out of the way, let us proceed.

1: HyperX Cloud Alpha

The HyperX Cloud 2 has been the world’s most popular gaming headset for a while now. The Cloud Alpha is the evolved version that’s slightly better in every single way. Comfort, sound quality, etc. Except, it’s asking for the same price. So, clearly a better option.

One of the main reasons that people have loved the HyperX series is because of the extreme comfort that it offers. After all, when you’re going to be playing for hours, comfiness is of the utmost importance.

Other than that, as far as audio quality goes in gaming headsets, the Cloud Alpha is absolutely brilliant. Combine that with the removable microphone and the removable braided cable, and you can easily see why this is considered one of the best headphones for gaming.

Last, but not least, the microphone is fairly decent and better than what most headsets offer. If build quality matters to you, then you’ll also be pleased to know that the Cloud Alpha has a very sturdy, metal alloy build.

Overall, for the mid-range price of a hundred bucks, you get a solid, comfortable headset with decent audio and microphone quality.

Pros:

Very good build quality
Mid-range price makes it affordable for lots of people
Doesn’t have fancy gaming aesthetics which makes it good for casual outdoor usage as well
Decent audio and microphone quality

Cons:

You can’t use them wirelessly
Bass is slightly lacking

Get the HyperX Cloud Alphas from Amazon

2: SteelSeries Arctis Pro

Gaming headsets/headphones are generally known for sacrificing a bit of audio quality in order to offer more comfiness, features, and the gaming aesthetic. So, it’s no surprise that audiophiles will generally stay away from them.

However, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro goes against those rules and brings an audiophile experience to the gaming world. With the wired version that comes along with a DAC asking for more than 200 bucks and the wireless version asking for more than 300, this is definitely not a headset for everyone.

But, is it for you? Well, if you’re an audiophile who can tell the difference between the casual 25,000 Hz that most people are listening to and the 40,000 Hz that Arctis Pro can offer, then do consider picking these up. Not to mention that the DAC can actually send sound at 96 kHz/24 bit.

For the rest of you, chances are that you’re better off sticking with a mid-range headset and saving your money since you won’t notice a big difference anyway. The only big downside that the Arctis Pro has is that it has been proven to come up with numerous quality issues over the months.

People have reported that the headset ended up breaking on them, annoying sounds coming up when nothing is playing, and more. That’s generally unacceptable for a premium headset. But, still, when it works, it’s absolutely one of the best headphones for gaming to ever come out!

Pros:

Superb audio quality
Comes with a proprietary high-quality DAC
Generally comfortable
Keeps a fine balance between gaming aesthetics and seriousness

Cons:

Way too expensive for most people
Has a bad history of problems
Hard to use outdoors with a phone because of the proprietary DAC – if it’s possible to use it at all

Get the SteelSeries Arctis Pro from Amazon

3: Beexcellent

So, both the Arctis Pro and the Cloud Alphas are great options. But, not everyone can spare a hundred or two hundred bucks on a headset. If you’re one of those people, then do take a look at the Beexcellent.

While this is definitely not the best headset that you’ll ever get, it’s definitely one of the best headphones for gaming when it comes to budget options. At 20 bucks, this is a great option if you want something cheap.

Audio quality is mediocre and so is the mic. But, you know what? It gets the job done. Comfiness is also not the best around. But, it’s not like they are painful to wear either. Generally, a very OK choice, but that’s about it!

The good thing is that they are using a 3.5mm jack connection which means that you can use them on your phone as well. That’s assuming that your phone has a headphone jack, of course.

Overall, the Beexcellent is a great choice for those who are on a budget. But, that’s about it.

Pros:

Very cheap
Gets the job done
Looks cool
Compatible with phones

Cons:

Mediocre audio and build quality
The microphone and audio cable aren’t detachable
A bit too fancy for outdoor usage

Get the Beexcellent from Amazon

4: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

While technically not gaming headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is one of the best pair of headphones that you’ll ever grab. They offer incredible sound quality, strong bass, treble, and are generally great for audiophiles. Not to mention for professionals as well.

Their only downside is that they don’t come with a microphone. That, and they are also not the most comfortable headphones that you’ll find. After an hour or two of usage, they definitely get a bit heavy and tiresome to use. The Cloud Alpha and the Arctis Pro are definitely the winners on that category.

As for pricing, you can generally find the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for about 150 bucks. So, just between the Cloud Alphas and the Arctis Pro.

Are they worth the price point? Well, if you’re a casual gamer and you’re looking for the best audio quality that you can get, do definitely consider picking those headphones along with a microphone.

Pros:

Superb audio quality
Great build quality
Balanced price
You can easily use them outdoors

Cons:

The included ear pads could be a bit better
Not that comfortable for long gaming sessions

Get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x from Amazon

Do you feel like there is another pair of headphones that’s worthy of being on this list? Then do let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below!

Read this article For the best waterproof headphones you can take from swimming.

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