Essentials Every Gamer Needs to Keep Their Setup Sharp and Performance Smooth

Over the past few years, video games have increased in detail, complexity, resolution, and many other elements.  As a result, video game file sizes have gone up from an average of 11 GB in 2012 to 80 GB in 2023. Today, most gamers wouldn’t bat an eyelid at even a 100GB game.

Given that gaming is highly technology-intensive, the right components and peripherals can make or break the gaming experience. For instance, having access to the right CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc., can impact the quality of the gaming experience. The right mechanical keyboard offers faster response times and more precise key presses, which translate into more efficient gaming execution. The right storage is critical too. As games become larger and increasingly complex, the availability of storage and the right system play a pivotal role. If storage is slow or insufficient, it can contribute to long loading times or compromised system performance. Therefore, the availability of storage plays an important role in ensuring that the game delivers an optimal experience.

As a gamer, here are the ten things you must have in your arsenal to get the most from your games:

1. Incredible Read and Write Speeds
   For today’s high-demand games, incredible read speeds of up to 7,250MB/s with theWD_BLACK™ SN7100 NVMe™SSD and write speeds of up to 6,900MB/s deliver a fantastic experience. Next-gen SSDs now reach speeds of up to 14,900MB/s with the WD_BLACK™ SN8100 SSD, offering top-tier power-efficient cooling. These drives provide the ultimate boost for next-gen gaming, AI tasks, and high-performance content creation. Play now and be ready for what’s next.
2. High-Performance Graphics Cards to Handle Demanding Games

Graphics are crucial for gaming, and nothing offers cinematic authenticity quite like the latest GPUs. Anticipate stunning ray tracing, elevated frame rates, and seamless 4K gameplay featuring DLSS 3.5 support. They are designed to handle demanding AAA games and virtual reality experiences.

3. Elite-Level CPUs for Fluid Gameplay
   Your Central Processing Unit manages all aspects, from game mechanics to multitasking while streaming. A processor with multiple cores and high clock speeds guarantees quick loading times and fluid gameplay, even in high-pressure situations. Consider it the brain driving every decision made in the game.
4. Fast, Portable Storage for On-the-Go Gaming
   Whether it’s transferring game libraries or carrying your setup on the move, a portable SSD is essential. The ideal portable SSD will have read/write speeds up to 2000MB/s. Durability in the form of water and dust resistance and up to 3 metre drop-resistant design is an important aspect to consider, making theSANDISK Extreme PRO®) Portable SSDa perfect fit.
5. High-Refresh Rate and Faster Response Times
   A high-refresh rate monitor (144Hz and above) ensures fluid visuals and faster response times, especially in fast-paced titles. Say goodbye to screen tearing and hello to buttery-smooth transitions, this upgrade is a game-changer, both visually and competitively.

6. Next-Gen Motherboards for Greater System Stability

A premium motherboard enables quicker memory, enhanced connectivity, and future enhancements. It ensures your system remains stable, even during overclocking or intense gaming sessions. The performance of your setup relies on the foundation it rests upon.

7. Mechanical Gaming Keyboard for Tactile Feedback and Fast Actuation
   With features like programmable macros and durable build quality, mechanical keyboards elevate gameplay for serious gamers. They offer tactile feedback, fast actuation, and aesthetic appeal. Many modern options include hot-swappable switches, customisable RGB lighting, and keys tailored for specific genres or personal preferences.

8. Ultra-Responsive Gaming Mouse
While a mouse may not be critical for everyday PC users, for gamers, it’s mission critical. A high-DPI gaming mouse (up to 26,000 DPI) delivers pinpoint accuracy and fluid motion. Today’s wireless models are lightweight, lag-free, and come with adjustable buttons and ergonomic designs and are ideal for long hours of play without fatigue.

9. Cooling Systems That Keep the Heat Down
Gaming setups run hot, especially with today’s powerful GPUs and CPUs. A quality liquid or high-performance air-cooling system helps prevent thermal throttling and maintains consistent performance across long sessions. Some high-end setups even use RGB liquid coolers that look just as sharp as they perform.

• Reflex Video Editing Tools
  For content creators and streamers, high-quality gameplay is only half the story. Tools help capture, edit, and share your best moments with minimal latency and maximum fidelity crucial for highlights, tutorials, or building your creator profile.

Gaming, like any craft, deserves the right tools. So, if you’re serious about performance, comfort, and consistency, invest in the essentials that match your ambition, and keep every session as smooth as your best win streak.