No gaming PC setup is complete without a set of gaming peripherals to go toe-to-toe with the action. While I started my PC journey with cheap no-name peripherals, I elevated my experience to quality models not too long ago. From a budget Cooler Master keyboard to premium mechanical keyboards, and knock-off headphones to high-quality gaming headsets, I've used them all.

If I were starting over on a new PC setup, I already have my peripherals wishlist ready. Despite using a keyboard, mouse, and headset at the moment, I have a few complaints that I'd like to get rid of. The options that I list below are, I believe, exactly what I need to ace my PC setup game without spending any more than I should.

5 Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X

Buy once, buy right

Audio is an integral part of any gaming PC setup, and even with a high-quality headset, I'd still want a great soundbar for my PC. I don't always want to listen to music or play a game with headphones on. Sometimes, I just need the convenience of a good speaker without losing out on immersion. And the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X is a great balance between price and performance to achieve just that.

My existing soundbar, a budget Redragon model that costs under $25, is fine for occasional music and even some casual gaming, but if I were starting over, I would want an upgrade to the experience. The Katana V2X would provide a 5.1-channel surround sound setup compared to the 2.1-channel basic experience of my Redragon soundbar. Of course, everything from peak power and sound quality to the connectivity options would see an upgrade, but the surround sound feature minus the extra cables is the USP here.

For around $250, the Katana V2X isn't cheap by any means, but the value for money is undeniable here. From a barebones soundbar good enough for casual use to an immersive sound system that can rival the best PC speakers, the impact on my audio experience would be well worth the investment.

4 Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed

Getting up to speed

When it was time to move on from my budget Cooler Master mouse a while back, I landed on the Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed, an affordable wireless model that had everything I was looking for at the time. Gradually, however, as I tested lighter mice for reviews, I realized it was time to move to a lightweight mouse. Working for 8 hours a day isn't exactly a breeze for my wrists, and a lightweight build combined with most of the features I am already using seems to be the solution.

The Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed is what I would pick today. It's a far cry from my current 88g DeathAdder V2 X, weighing in at only 55g. It's a wireless model with an impressive battery life, and it comes with a bonus — a rechargeable built-in battery instead of AAA batteries that need to be replaced often. Even though I use rechargeable batteries for my existing mouse, I'd love to upgrade to a simpler method.

The DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed is also shaped for larger hands, so it's good for me ergonomically as well. Being one of the best gaming mice, it's more than capable of whatever gaming I find time for, and the sub-$100 price doesn't blow a hole in my wallet either.

3 Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed

I love my existing Razer, except for one major flaw

I'm using the Razer Barracuda X right now, and it's mostly fine for my needs — it's lightweight, and the battery lasts long enough, but the soundstage leaves a lot to be desired. Plus, the biggest problem I have with it is the atrocious microphone, which forces people on the other end to go on about how much they can't hear what I'm saying.

If I were to buy a new headset, it would most likely be the Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed, Another Razer product on my wishlist, this one solves everything that's wrong with my current Razer. It's also wireless, has a great battery life, and isn't heavy on the head and neck. The microphone, however, is miles better, and would be a welcome addition to my setup. Besides, it doesn't cost more than $100, which is right in the sweet spot of how much I like to spend on gaming headsets.

2 Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL

Keeping a low-profile

I'm obsessed with mechanical keyboards, and have used my fair share of both premium models as well as custom options from budget brands. The satisfying typing sound and top-notch looks of some of my favorite models are always a joy to experience, but considering long-term wrist health, it's time to move to a low-profile keyboard permanently. And I'm confident the Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL could be my new daily driver.

From my time using the Asus ROG Fachion RX Low Profile and Lofree Flow Lite, I realized how less stressed my fingers and wrists were at the end of the workday. The typing experience on the G515 Lightspeed TKL might be a smidge less impressive than many of the regular models I've used, but it's not something I'd miss that badly. The added comfort, plus the TKL form factor and customization options are enough for me to ignore any downsides. As a bonus, the white variant looks great on my desk.

1 Samsung 27" Odyssey QD-OLED G6 (G61SD)

A long time coming

I've been meaning to upgrade to an OLED monitor for a while, ideally something that has all the features I want on a gaming monitor. In a nutshell, my ideal monitor would be a 4K OLED ultrawide with a 240Hz refresh rate, but anything that fits this description costs at least $1,000 on the current market. Hence, in the interest of being realistic (and being kind to my wallet), I've finalized the Samsung Odyssey QD-OLED G6 240Hz monitor.

It's not 4K or ultrawide, but I'm willing to let those go in favor of a gorgeous QD-OLED panel. The 1440p resolution is still ideal for gaming, considering I'm not about to spend another $600-$800 on a new graphics card any time soon. My existing monitor is a 27" 1440p 144Hz IPS display from LG, so moving to a 27" 1440p 240Hz OLED is a significant upgrade, even if I'm not upgrading the size or resolution.

This particular Samsung model is often on sale for around $550, which is a great deal for a monitor of this caliber, and easily makes it one of the best gaming monitors on the market.

High-quality peripherals make a huge difference

I wouldn't have said this before, but without a great keyboard, mouse, monitor, and a decent pair of headphones, my PC would feel incomplete. The products that I listed above together cost over $1100, but they are long-term investments, especially the monitor, keyboard, and soundbar. These peripherals won't make me a better gamer, but they'll enhance my gaming experience, keep my wrists safe in the long run, and allow me to enjoy high-quality audio.