I used to overlook my peripherals, but these three factors convinced me to rethink my stance.

      It has been almost 20 years since I assembled my first PC. Those initial attempts were uncertain, intimidating, and, of course, focused on being budget-friendly, but I quickly became captivated. However, PC building can be quite an expensive hobby, leading me to prioritize high-end graphics cards and processors while neglecting my peripherals.

      Years down the line, I've gained insight and realized the importance of achieving a balance between investing in components and overlooking peripherals in favor of extravagant options. Here are three upgrades I splurged on over the past couple of years and why I believe you should consider doing the same.

      High-quality gaming mouse

      Before I even thought about building my own PC, I was already an avid gamer. I began gaming at a very young age, mostly on the SNES. Despite this, I never engaged with games that heavily relied on a good mouse.

      My early PC gaming experiences included titles like RollerCoaster Tycoon, Pharaoh, Civilization, The Sims, and Diablo 2. (You might be able to guess my age from this list.) Eventually, I moved on to World of Warcraft and found myself hooked for a lengthy period. While a mouse was necessary, it was never critical; I didn’t dive into first-person shooters or MOBAs, so I simply needed something functional.

      As a result, I repeatedly purchased mice priced between $5 and $10, which lasted only a few months before needing replacement. I thought this was sufficient, but I was mistaken.

      The idea of the Razer Naga mouse always intrigued me. Since I frequently played MMOs and other games needing numerous keybinds, it became frustrating to rely on different combinations of Shift or Control. Unfortunately, I never had the budget for a better mouse, so I ignored the idea for years—until I finally took the leap and bought a Razer Naga V2 Pro.

      Investing in a decent mouse was a revelation. The feel, speed, accuracy, and the addition of numerous extra buttons significantly enhanced my gaming experience. Although this mouse wasn’t inexpensive, after trying out several midrange options, I ultimately settled on this one—and I love it.

      My only regret? I doubt I’ll ever be satisfied using a cheap mouse again without longing for something superior. I might just stick with various versions of the Naga as long as they remain available.

      Mechanical keyboard

      I have always put my keyboards through a lot of use—anyone who types as much as I do likely does the same. I don’t merely use my keyboard for gaming; I utilize it for work and leisure (I also enjoy writing in my free time, believe it or not). Consequently, I went through keyboards as quickly as I did mice.

      Due to a tight budget for many of my PC builds, I typically opted for any keyboard I could find. Those labeled as "gaming keyboards" that barely mentioned a brand name caught my eye. I observed the well-known brands with some envy but often defaulted to those $10 to $20 no-name alternatives.

      Interestingly, reading articles on Digital Trends prompted me to rethink my view on expensive keyboards. One of my colleagues frequently reviewed mechanical keyboards and compiled a list of the best gaming keyboards. Delving into that content convinced me to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did.

      If you're a bit skeptical like I was, let me assure you: Mechanical keyboards aren't just a frivolous expense. If you appreciate a clicky keyboard that responds well to your typing, along with one you can fully customize, you should definitely consider trying one.

      For me, I had my mechanical keyboard for just five minutes before proclaiming I'd never switch back to a membrane keyboard. It’s simply far too good.

      Decent monitors (that actually match)

      I’m one of those people who still clings to a dual monitor setup rather than opting for ultrawides. My neck may despise it, but I can’t fathom going down to just one monitor. For both gaming and work, I rely heavily on my second monitor, and sometimes I wish for a third (but I'm trying to talk myself out of that idea).

      However, similar to keyboards and mice, I used to prioritize my displays significantly lower than my actual PC. I'd allocate more of my budget to components and tell myself I'd get a better monitor someday. Yet when I had saved up, I found myself tempted by things like more storage, RAM, or a superior GPU.

      When I upgraded my PC last year, I decided to balance things out more effectively. The reality is that having an excellent PC paired with low-quality displays is a waste; a monitor should be good enough to match your GPU. Consequently, I finally upgraded to 1440p monitors with 165Hz refresh rates. Those monitors have become somewhat of a standard now, especially since I had used 1080p 60Hz displays for years.

      The difference is astounding. Higher refresh rates are nearly essential with a decent PC,