When it comes to making gaming all the more exciting, apart from the obvious that is software, the right hardware equally matters. Bruno Dieter Chan shares his recommendations in three segments: mouse, keyboard
and graphics card.
 |
| Logitech G9 |
 |
| Microsoft Siderwinder Mouse |
 |
| Razer Death Adder |
 |
| Logitech G15 |
 |
| Razer Lycosa |
Mouse
When choosing a mouse, consider the number of buttons you are going to push on it when using it, whether the device fits in your hand, and how well it is built.
Try not to choose a mouse with more than five buttons. Most of the time you will only use the right, left, middle and one side button; any other button will be forgotten or substituted with keyboard keys.
If possible, get a mouse that you can rest your whole hand on. It is better for your hand to be sitting on the mouse than rubbing against the mouse pad.
How do you know if a mouse is well-built? Well, it has fast and responsive buttons with a sharp click when you press them. It also has three or four large feet so the mouse is stable and has a smooth glide.
Weight is another consideration. You will want a mouse that sticks to the mouse pad instead of launching from it every time you execute a high-speed turn. If the mouse comes with a set of weight, even better.
Logitech G9
Enquiries: MCL Systems (M) Sdn Bhd (03-80233800)
Price: RM290
Specifications: Resolution at up to 3,200dpi (user-selectable), image processing at
6.4 megapixels per second, maximum acceleration 20 G, maximum speed at 45 to 65 inches per second (depending on surface), tuning weight at up to 28g, mouse button durability (left/right) at eight million clicks, mouse feet durability at 250km
This model has been in the market for some time and proven itself as a solid successor to the G5. It has an interchangeable shell that allows you some adjustment to suit your hand size. Indeed, a solid performer with a stylish look.
Microsoft Siderwinder Mouse
Enquiries: Microsoft Malaysia (03-21796838)
Price: RM285
Specifications: Resolution at 2,000dpi, image processing at 7,080 frames per second, maximum acceleration 20 G, maximum speed at 45 inches per second, mouse button durability (left/right) at nine million clicks
This is another well-received mouse of last year. It is a large mouse, so those with small hands may want to get a feel of it before making a purchase. Also, the side buttons may be awkward to use.
Razer Death Adder
Enquiries: Ban Leong Technologies Sdn Bhd (03-79566300)
Price: RM210
Specifications: Resolution at 1,800dpi (user-selectable), image processing at 6,400 frames per second (5.8 megapixels per second), maximum acceleration at 60 to 120 inches per second (15g of acceleration), maximum speed at 45 to 65 inches per second
Just as good as competitors’, maybe even better. This model is considered the ultimate all-around mouse for any occasion.
Keyboard
If you think a mouse is a long-term investment, a keyboard is an even longer one. A good keyboard has a snap in the keys, just like how a good mouse snaps back quickly after you press its buttons.
Next, you should check for firmness of the keyboard’s body. It should not flex easily, especially when you rest your palms on it.
Avoid keyboards with plenty of “extra” keys, or oddly shaped ones. They may look cool, but as with in most mice, you tend to avoid them when gaming.
If you need extra keys or specially arranged keys, try keyboards such as the WolfClaw, which has an extended pad with the most-used gaming keys arranged in an easy-reach configuration. Or get a gaming keyboard pad such as the WolfClaw Devour.
Otherwise, stick to keyboards that look “normal” because after you have finished playing your game, you still have to use the keyboard to type.
Logitech G15
Enquiries: MCL Systems (M) Sdn Bhd
(03-80233800)
Price: RM299
Specifications: Measures 495mm by 267mm, non-slip coating, backlight illumination with WASD cluster lighting option, fully hardware-programmable keys with macro capability, GamePanel LCD with easy-access media keys, two USB 1.1 extension ports
The G15 has six programmable macro keys with three mode keys, so you have 16 marco keys to play with. Along with the ultra-cool GamePanel LCD that supports a good number of games and applications, this keyboard should suit almost all gamers.
Razer Lycosa
Enquiries: Ban Leong Technologies Sdn Bhd (03-79566300)
Price: RM290
Specifications: Measures 469mm by 168mm by 15mm without the wrist rest (or 469mm by 221mm by 15mm with the wrist rest), keytop with non-slip rubber finish, backlight illumination with WASD cluster lighting option, fully-programmable keys with macro capability, gaming cluster with anti-ghosting capability, slim keycap structure with Hyperesponse technology, TouchPanel with easy-access media keys, gaming mode option for deactivation of the Windows key, 10 customisable software profiles, 1,000Hz ultra-polling or 1ms response time, earphone-out and microphone-in jacks, detachable wrist rest, one integrated USB extension port
A fan favourite, it boasts backlighting for all of the keys or just the WASD keys, with every non-multimedia key macro-programmable (16 key strokes, including mouse clicks) plus rubberised texture coating on the keyboard surface and headphone/mic jacks. This model is basically a Jack of all trades.
OCZ Alchemy Elixir
Enquiries: Convergent Distribution
(03-21441881)
Price: RM105
Specifications: Measures 508mm by 200mm by 29mm, keytop with non-slip rubber finish, 10 blue macro keys with three user-defined profiles, seven Internet hotkeys, eight keys for media, mode selection between standard PC mode and customised gaming mode, key lifespan of five million cycles, spare WASD
To call it a poor man’s gaming keyboard is unfair. To be honest, it is basically a baby Lycosa in some sense. It comes with macros similar to the Lycosa, but at half the keystrokes. If you need neat and simple, this model is it.
Graphics card
- Competition in the graphics card market is heating up as ATI takes aim at Nvidia in every opportunity it gets in terms of performance-to-money value.
Now, I would have liked to include Nvidia’s cards in my lineup, but I’m afraid that some readers may think that getting an Nvidia card in a similar model range may mean ending up with a rebranded 8800 card. Plus, I don’t like the idea of Nvidia rebranding its 8800 card to 9800 and GTS 240/250. So, I will stick with ATI whose card numbering system is easy to understand and does not have old cards under the hood of new names.
And if you can wait another two weeks, you can get the new ATI HD 4890, which should push the HD 4870 down from its price position, and also for the HD 4850. If you want to place an early order, look for the HD 4890 threads at http://forum.lowyat.net/BulkOrders/.
Sapphire HD 4670 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E
Enquiries: Any PC supply shop
Price: RM270
Specifications: Dual DL-DVI-I+HDTV, core clock at 750MHz, 320 Stream processors, memory clock at 1,000MHz, 2,000Mbps, PCI Express 2.0 x 16 bus interface, 512MB/128-bit GDDR3 memory interface, Single Slot Active Cooler, HDMI compliant through dongle, 7.1 audio channel support, Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, Shader Model 4.1 support.
The HD 4670 is currently the all-time favourite for gamers with 19-inch LCD monitors from my observation. It allows you to play most of the current titles in high detail at full resolution, barring, of course, the dreaded Crysis.
Sapphire HD 4830 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E
Enquiries: Any PC supply shop
Price: RM375
Specifications: Dual DL-DVI-I+HDTV, core clock at 575MHz, 640 Stream processors, memory clock at 900MHz, 1,800Mbps, PCI Express 2.0 x 16 bus interface, 512MB/256-bit GDDR3 memory interface, Dual Slot Active Cooler, HDMI compliant through dongle, 7.1 audio channel support, Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, Shader Model 4.1 support.
If you have an extra RM100 or so, then you can double the speed of the HD 4670 with the low-end model of the 4800 series, the HD 4830. This card caters to those with
20-inch LCD monitors who want almost all of the bells and whistles turned on in their games.
Sapphire HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E Dual Slot Fansink
Enquiries: Any PC supply shop
Price: RM520
Specifications: Dual DL-DVI-I+HDTV, core clock at 625MHz, 800 Stream processors, memory clock at 993MHz, 1,986Mbps, PCI Express 2.0 x 16 bus interface, 512MB/256-bit GDDR3 memory interface, Dual Slot Active Cooler, HDMI compliant through dongle, 7.1 audio channel support, Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, Shader Model 4.1 support.
There is only a handful of games that can stress the HD 4850. For the most part, this card will render all your games in all their goodness and still take on the big-budget blockbusters at year-end.
Sapphire HD 4870 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E
Enquiries: Any PC supply shop
Price: RM880
Specifications: Dual DL-DVI-I+HDTV, core clock at 750MHz, 800 Stream processors, memory clock at 900MHz, 3.6Gbps, PCI Express 2.0 x 16 bus interface, 1,024MB/256-bit GDDR3 memory interface, Dual Slot Active Cooler, HDMI compliant through dongle, 7.1 audio channel support, Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, Shader Model 4.1 support.
If you are wondering why I am recommending the 1GB version of the HD 4870 series instead of 512MB, the reason is simple: Unlike other ATI cards tested, the 1GB version has shown marked improvement with the extra RAM. So, coughing up a little extra is a wiser investment and provides some futureproof against games coming out next year.
Sapphire HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E Dual Slot Fansink
Enquiries: Any PC supply shop
Price: RM520
Specifications: Dual DL-DVI-I+HDTV, core clock at 625MHz, 800 Stream processors, memory clock at 993MHz, 1,986Mbps, PCI Express 2.0 x 16 bus interface, 512MB/256-bit GDDR3 memory interface, Dual Slot Active Cooler, HDMI compliant through dongle, 7.1 audio channel support, Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, Shader Model 4.1 support
There is only a handful of games that can stress the HD 4850. For the most part, this card will render all your games in all their goodness and still take on the big-budget blockbusters at year-end.
tq sir
ReplyDelete