HP Gaming Accessories for the Competitive Edge

Having a good gaming setup that works for your play style can give you a better overall experience as well as an advantage against the competition. When looking at your gaming rig, there’s more to it than having the latest processor, highest graphics card specs or the best gaming monitor. Gaming accessories matter too.

Having the right accessories can give you the competitive edge you need to take your gameplay to the next level. Let’s take a look at what gaming accessories are out there, including some of the top picks from the HP gaming range, and what role they play in enhancing your PC gaming.

The role of gaming accessories

There is a range of different gaming accessories on the market, from the humble mousepad to high-spec virtual reality gear. When it comes to PC gaming, three of the core accessories gamers at any level should consider are mice, keyboards and headsets.

Gaming mouse

Unlike a standard computer mouse, gaming mice have been optimised for PC gaming. Good quality gaming mice have software that allows you to customise the mouse to suit your taste, such as remapping buttons, changing the DPI and polling rate, or creating macros to make repetitive tasks faster. They also tend to have an ergonomic shape that is more comfortable to use during longer periods of gaming.

Gaming keyboard

Most gaming keyboards come with mechanical keys rather than membrane keys. These keys are easier to press and are more responsive, which can make a huge difference when playing fast-paced games where milliseconds are important. Like gaming mice, gaming keyboards are often designed with comfort in mind. Having a full-sized keyboard that’s well-spaced is generally better for long play sessions.

Gaming headset

Using a gaming headset creates a more immersive experience. It keeps the sounds of the outside world out and limits how much your gaming disturbs others. This is perfect if you live in a busy household or like to play at night when others are asleep. Gaming headsets are designed to offer superior sound quality making it easier to pick up on in-game sound cues, and make team communication possible when playing multiplayer games such as Overwatch, Counter-Strike or Dota 2.

HP's gaming accessories: A detailed overview

Now, let’s take a look at some of the gaming accessories on offer from HP’s HyperX range and how they can work within your setup to create a better experience.

HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Gaming Headset 110

For a lightweight headset with premium sound quality you can’t go past the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Gaming Headset. It features in-line audio controls, adjustable steel sliders, a swivelling microphone and soft ear cushions with a closed-cup design. These design aspects, along with the noise-cancelling capabilities, come together to create a more immersive gaming experience.

If a 1.3 m cable isn’t quite enough for your PC gaming setup it’s no problem, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core also comes with a 1.7 m PC extension cable. Like most of the HyperX range, it’s also compatible with a range of other gaming platforms such as PS5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Having versatile gaming accessories is a huge bonus as you’ve got more opportunities to use them.

HyperX Cloud Core Wireless Gaming Headset

The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless Gaming Headset is a wireless alternative for those who prefer the freedom to move around without worrying about a cable. It has a fast 2.4 Ghz wireless connection and a battery life of up to 20 hours, meaning you can keep the communication flowing during high-speed or long gaming sessions. When using it just for the immersive sound experience, you can choose to remove the detachable noise-cancelling microphone.

In terms of durability, the frame is made of aluminium, meaning it holds up against the wear and tear of daily use. It’s also very comfortable thanks to the signature HyperX memory foam and soft leatherette that is incorporated into the design.

HyperX 60 Alloy Origins AQU Gaming Keyboard

If you move your setup around or tend to play with sweeping mouse movements, the HyperX 60 Alloy Origins AQU Gaming Keyboard might be the one. This 60% form factor keyboard is compact and durable. It has an aircraft–grade aluminium body to keep keys stable during intense gaming sessions, and the keycaps are made of a PBT thermoplastic that’s resistant to friction and solvents.

Since it’s purpose built for gamers, the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 also includes a number of well thought out design features. You can create custom keyboard macros through the HyperX INGENUITY software and the mechanical switches are highly responsive, meaning a faster in-game response.

HyperX Alloy Origins 65 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Slightly bigger in size than the HyperX Alloy Origins 60, the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a 65% form factor keyboard. It also features a fully aluminium body, durable PBT keycaps and customisation options through the HyperX INGENUITY software.

The advantage that the additional 5% of space offers is the inclusion of dedicated arrow keys, as well as Page Up/Down, Home and Delete keys. Depending on the types of games you play and whether you use your PC setup for other tasks, such as video editing, these keys might be worth having.

HyperX Pulsefire Core Gaming Mouse

With native DPI settings of up to 6,200, the HyperX Pulsefire Core Gaming Mouse provides precise tracking, It is highly responsive without the need for hardware acceleration and features the HyperX INGENUITY software, which enables you to set the mouse up to suit your gameplay style. You can create macros for the 7 programmable buttons, change the DPI settings and even customise the lighting if you feel like it.

A larger mouse in size, the HyperX Pulsefire Core was also designed with comfort in mind. The ergonomic shape is symmetrical and it is suitable for players who prefer a palm or claw grip. Its durable switches are rated for up to 20 million clicks and the 1.8 m cable is long enough to suit most gaming setups.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless Gaming Mouse

If your personal preferences lean towards wireless mice, consider taking advantage of the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless Gaming Mouse. Weighing just 61 grams, it has 2.4 Ghz wireless RF connectivity which supports a 1 ms report rate. This gives the mouse a low latency connection that is even suitable for fast-paced games where precision and accuracy are key. 

For some wireless mice, the battery life is a concern, but don’t worry, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is more than capable of handling long gaming sessions. The lightweight battery provides up to 100 hours of life packed into an anti-dust, ultra-light hex shell. It also comes with a HyperFlex cable on the off chance you forget to charge it.

Choosing your HP gaming accessories

Choosing the right gaming accessories really comes down to you and your circumstances. When building a gaming setup from the HP gaming range, try to look at the big picture and see how each component can work together to create a seamless gaming experience for you.

Here are a few factors to keep in mind as you shop around.

Gameplay

The types of games you play will impact your choice of accessories. If you prefer long play games, such as Skyrim, then ergonomics are important, whereas team games like the ones mentioned earlier necessitate a good headset. Mouse specs like DPI become more important if you play high pace, first person shooter games, while the ability to create macros might be more useful in games where combos are used, such as Street Fighter V or TEKKEN 7.

Budget

Without a doubt, budget is a significant factor in shopping for new accessories. Something to keep in mind is the durability of products. Over time, the cost of replacing cheaper, less durable accessories might overtake investing in something that’s more expensive, but also more durable with better performance from the start. At the end of the day though, it comes down to what you want and what your budget is.

Personal preference

When choosing gaming accessories, don’t just go for what others think is the best. You need to take your personal preferences into consideration. The last thing you want is to buy an accessory you don’t like the feel or functionality of. Analyse what you do and don’t want in terms of comfort, durability, functionality and design, then look for accessories that meet your specification.

Summary

There are so many different gaming accessories on the market that finding what suits you can be a little challenging. The HP gaming accessories range has been specifically designed with gamers in mind and is a good place to start looking. Time spent finding the right products is worth it, simply for the competitive edge and enhanced gaming experience you’ll gain.