Whether you’re keenly anticipating the drop of GTA 6 or you’re especially excited to learn that (spoiler alert) Mbappe is the highest rated player in FIFA 23, you’ll know that each gamer has their own preference for the games they enjoy playing and the equipment they like to use.
To get the ultimate gaming experience, however, it’s not just about elevating what’s on the screen in front of you, but what’s going on around you, too.
When you sit down for a gaming session, you want to enjoy every single minute of play, after all. And as any gamer will attest, there are a surprising number of external factors which contribute to their overall enjoyment of a game, such as comfort, internet speed, the size of the screen and, perhaps most decisively, the dedicated removal of any distractions.
If you’ve got an area in your home that you can dedicate to gaming, then you’ve got a huge head start on controlling those external factors; lucky you!
With that in mind, here’s how to create the ultimate PC gaming room.
Choose A Suitable Gaming PC or Laptop
We can’t kick things off without talking about the most important component of all – your gaming PC! Without one, your ideal gaming set-up is basically a rather depressing room.
Firstly, you’re going to need to decide on your preferred medium for gaming. In the modern world of gaming, the vast majority of gamers prefer to use a PC, since this can handle the ultra-advanced graphics which many of the most cutting-edge games now come with.
Generally speaking, a PC is advantageous over a laptop when considering price versus performance, but a laptop is fantastic for versatility and mobility, should you need to move your gaming room (or, you just love playing on the train, of course).
If you have gamer friends who regularly host LAN parties, then a gaming laptop is essential; you don’t want to be lugging your gaming PC around with you to friend’s houses or public events spaces.
That’s not to say that gaming laptops don’t deliver incredibly high performance, and are certainly more powerful than consoles in this respect. Either way, consoles simply can’t compete with the spec of a PC or laptop.
To drill down into the finer details, CCL Online, who sell horizon gaming PCs, streaming PCs, and 4K gaming PCs, suggest there are 9 key factors to consider when shopping for a gaming PC. They are:
- Screen size/aspect ratio.
- Panel types.
- Refresh rate.
- Response time.
- FreeSync and G-Sync.
- Colour.
- Ports.
- Peripheral ports.
- Audio.
Determine your priorities before deciding on a medium and budget.
Consider Internet Speed Carefully
When constructing the ultimate PC gaming room, one of the most critical components is your internet connection. A fast and stable internet connection is the backbone of online gaming, ensuring smooth, lag-free experiences and uninterrupted gameplay.
To choose the best internet for your gaming sanctuary, prioritise services that offer high download and upload speeds with low latency. Fiber-optic connections are typically the gold standard for gamers, offering superior speed and reliability compared to traditional cable or DSL connections. Look for an internet service provider (ISP) with a strong track record of consistent performance and minimal downtime.
Additionally, consider the quality of the router and its ability to handle high-speed gaming traffic; investing in a gaming-specific router can provide features like Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritise gaming packets. Remember, the faster and more stable your internet connection, the more seamless and immersive your gaming sessions will be, and broadly speaking, getting fiber internet can significantly enhance your gaming experience.
Find The Right Gaming Chair
When you’re in the midst of gaming, the hours can fly by without you noticing. With so much time sitting down, you should be concentrating on comfort above anything else. Yep, even above your survival on Minecraft.
The last thing you want is to get back pain while you’re in the middle of a game. So, to ensure you’re optimising your home gaming experience, make sure you pick a gaming chair that provides plenty of support.
You should also consider the material of your chair. Chairs that are made from leather are very easy to clean, whereas cotton chairs are generally much more breathable. If you have room in the budget, you could always look at the top-of-the-line gaming chairs.
Invest In A Sturdy Desk
You need to use your common sense when searching for a PC gaming desk. Your gaming PC and all the accessories that come with it aren’t light. And that’s before you consider the battering they’re going to get as you tug, toil and tussle with your controller as you become more and more invested in your game.
Therefore, you need to invest in a sturdy desk that can support everything. The last thing you want is to buy a cheap desk that collapses with all your equipment tumbling to the floor!
Pay Attention To Your Walls
Once you’ve got your gaming PC and chair sorted, it’s time to focus on the interior of your PC gaming room. You don’t have to settle for the stereotypical image of a gaming room; of bare walls, stark lighting and little in the way of aesthetic intrigue.
If your walls are currently looking a little bare, why not bring them to life? You can do this by hanging some cool gaming-related posters or more conventional artwork, adding some pot plants, and introducing a few trinkets for good measure.
Read: How to frame, hang and display your artwork
You don’t need to overthink this thing; this room is primarily for gaming, after all, and you don’t want to distract yourself whilst playing. But you do want your gaming room to be a pleasant place to spend time. And nothing matters more in that respect than lighting…
Think About Lighting
Lighting is an important feature that must be carefully planned in your PC gaming room. To get the best experience, you will need several lighting sources such as a primary overhead light, as well as options for ambient and lower-level lighting.
When deciding on your layout, it’s wise to have ambient lights where they can be directed away from your screen. You may like the idea of having recessed lighting too. This can create a pleasing glow from behind your setup. Ultimately, you’ll want to keep your PC gaming room dim. This enables you to focus on what is happening on the screen.
It should be noted that too much bright lighting can create glare and subsequently, lead to squinting, risk digital eye strain and bring about a real decrease in enjoyment.
On the flip side, sitting completely in the dark is bad for both your mental health and your eyes. You need to look for soft lighting features that provide enough light without creating glare on your screen.
Focus On Surround Sound
Though you may prefer a gaming headset, many believe that modern games need to be played with surround sound to get the full experience. This is particularly true for some first-person shooters (FPSs), which are more immersive to play if gamers can get a decent idea of what direction things like gunshots and footsteps are coming from. A good surround sound system will make playing any game more enjoyable and may improve competitive gamers’ chances of winning, too, so it’s worth the investment.
Surround sound is what will truly elevate your overall PC gaming experience. While you may be able to get through a game without dialogue or music, impressive sound effects can have an incredible influence. If you invest in surround sound, you’ll feel as though you’re in the game itself!
Each gamer has different preferences regarding sound design. The good thing about surround sound is you can customise it to your liking, which will help you find a level you’re comfortable with. We won’t lie and say surround sound is cheap, but if you have money to splurge and want the best experience, it’s worth shelling out on.
Don’t Forget About Storage
If you’re a PC gamer, you’re going to have a ton of equipment that can quickly clutter up your room. You don’t want your PC gaming space to look cramped. Otherwise, there may be restrictions while playing. It’s wise to include storage units or shelves around and above your setup. Doing so won’t interfere with your field of vision. Having storage will ensure everything is kept neat and tidy and all your valuable accessories and equipment are kept safe and secure.
Bear Your Loved Ones in Mind
When you’re playing PC games all day and night, you need to have consideration for those around you. If you live with others, then chances are they won’t be too happy hearing loud sounds 24/7! One way to combat this is by soundproofing your PC gaming room.
There is the option to go down the DIY route for soundproofing your room. Alternatively, you may prefer to leave it up to the professionals. Soundproofing your PC gaming room will mean you can have your surround sound on full volume without being a nuisance other members of your household (and your neighbours!).
Finish Off With Accessories
After you’ve got all the basics set up, it’s time to finish kitting out your PC gaming room with any accessories you may need. Items like a mini-fridge can make for a wonderful addition. You can store lots of drinks and chilled snacks in your mini-fridge, meaning you won’t have to venture out of your cave to satisfy your hunger. You could also buy a large seat bean bag or two that can fill empty floor space and provide somewhere for friends to sit on if they come round for a spot of PC gaming.
The Bottom Line
For avid PC gamers, there’s nothing better than having your own space in your home to relish playing your favourite games. Whether you’re an action thriller kind of gamer, or sports titles draw your attention, taking all the above into consideration will leave you with the gaming room you’ve always dreamed of.