Gaming hardware you don’t need

As a gamer, there are certain items you need that a normal PC user wouldn’t. A high-end graphics card for example, a gaming keyboard and gaming mouse, even a high-end screen.

Manufacturers know this, and so a dedicated range of gaming products are now available to fill the gap in the market. However, every now and then, manufacturers push their luck, by slapping the word “gaming” in front of hardware you don’t need.

We take a look at five examples of “gaming” hardware that you should probably avoid.

Cyborg AMBX-enabled gaming lights

Cyborg wants us to party like its 1999! The only problem is its 2012. These gaming lights are supposed to create an immersive surround gaming experience and “bring the game into your world”. Tracking your enemies’ gunfire is another feature of the Cyborg gaming lights, though if I’m honest, I’d rather be shooting at things in game than looking at pretty lights outside of it.

Cyborg AMBX gaming lights, time to party up in here!

Thermaltake eSport gaming glove

Thermaltake, Michael Jackson is disappointed. If you’re going to sell a single glove, you have to cover it in diamante and make it glitterific.

That said, I don’t see the point of a gaming glove. If your hand is slipping off your mouse, you should probably get a new mouse. Or turn the aircon on.

Warning, glove to be used for playing games only. No funny stuff.

Zalman FPS gun

Have you seen how stupid this thing looks? Why would you shell out for a dumb looking mouse that is a total departure from the regular mouse form factor?

Zalman claims that the FPS gun provides you with a more immersive experience, but we all know the truth. The only people who bought the FPS gun were 60 year olds buying something “hip and funky” to give little Johnny for Christmas.

Zalman FPS gun; I don't even.

Any branded peripherals

Battlefield 3 all over my mouse? A keyboard with Tron lighting? Modern Warfare 3 splashed over my headphones? Nice, but don’t buy any of the above.

Paying more for gear due to the branding is daylight robbery, especially if the branded peripheral is identical to a regular peripheral minus a few stickers or a lick of paint. If the branded gear sells for the same price as the regular edition though, then it’s fair game.

Look at that sexy lick of paint, totally worth R500 more

Nearly any PC component with the word “Gaming” in its description

Dedicated gaming components are a cut above regular components when it comes to mice, keyboards and sometimes headphones. However when manufacturers put the word gaming in front of RAM and PC cases, it’s time to jump ship.

Gaming RAM will have next to no benefit over similar specced performance RAM, and the term “gaming case” is usually a synonym for lots of cheap plastic and poor build quality. And lights, lots of lights.

Kingmax gaming RAM, because every self respecting gamer needs some gaming RAM