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When shopping for a PC, you possibly can spend numerous time zeroing in on the precise specs on your state of affairs. But the attentiveness typically ends there. After the choice’s made, we slot the machine right into a spot on our desks after which go about enterprise as regular.
That fancy pc isn’t the one half that issues, although. The remainder of your desk setup can have a big impact in your high quality of life everyday and upgrading it doesn’t must value loads. Such was the considered a Reddit person who requested r/buildapc what their favorite desk accessories have been.
I learn by the record, hoping to glean a couple of concepts for my very own setup, and I got here away deeply glad. (Thanks, y’all!) And, after parsing by a lot of the 1K+ feedback on the submit, I assumed I’d prevent a while and share my findings, with a few of my very own commentary combined in. While there’s positively overlap in what you’ll hear from different corners of the web, many suggestions have been new to me (and presumably can be to you, too)—and so they’ll quickly make their means onto my very own desks at house.
Editor’s word: This article initially revealed in April 2023, however Reddit’s favorite desk chair is a whopping 66% off right now, so we needed to carry it to the floor as soon as once more.
Other equipment: The finest wireless gaming keyboards, mice, and headsets.
Little issues with massive affect
Desk pad
Oakywood
A big desk pad can provide easy, uninterrupted area for vast mouse actions, safety on your desk, and traction for keyboards and mouse pads which may in any other case shift. Combine with coaster use and Reddit swears even an inexpensive pad will final for years.
Heated coaster
Mr Coffee / Amazon
A basic workplace accent, however one that also has its place within the house, particularly since so many people do business from home now. Put your espresso mug on one of these bad boys and also you gained’t must endure a chilly morning beverage after you get sucked into hours of e-mail and conferences. I’m nonetheless utilizing one which dates again to the late 90s, a hand-me-down present from a coworker who retired.
Reusable mounting tape
Realth / Amazon
File this one as revelatory (for me). For years, I’ve used 3M Command image strips to connect issues that I later needed to take away cleanly. But this tip about reusable mounting tape provides up another that’s cheaper and extra unobtrusive. Reviews counsel it’s not nice for delicate surfaces (e.g., painted partitions), however the Redditor who talked about it makes use of it for sticking down light-weight equipment like USB hubs, which works for me.
Speakers
Creative
As good as headphones (or a elaborate headset) may be, sporting them for lengthy stretches may be uncomfortable. Ear sweat, stress ache, and basic overheating are frequent. Offloading the audio to a set of exterior audio system is good whenever you don’t want exact audio accuracy. A good set doesn’t must value a lot both—our top pick for budget computer speakers goes for $20 and sound good.
Caster improve
BF Brightfield / Amazon
Whether cheap or premium, rolling chairs typically include casters that may scratch hardwood flooring or don’t transfer properly. Swapping them out for a smoother, larger high quality set doesn’t value a lot and will help you roll alongside your ground effortlessly. (Sometimes too effortlessly whenever you uncover that your ground will not be as stage as you thought…however they’re nonetheless very good).
Luxe upgrades
Macropad
Elgato
Even if you happen to by no means livestream, having a macropad—which Elgato popularized with its Stream Deck—can prevent numerous time when switching between apps or adjusting controls. You could make your personal and even use a free digital model by way of Touch Portal.
In an identical vein, you may get a lot deeper management over your PC’s audio with a quantity controller, which helps you to get map particular apps to totally different controls. No fumbling round in Windows’ Volume Mixer when your pals shout at you in Discord. You can dial them down instantly. While you possibly can DIY your personal model, multiple Redditor sang the praises of PCPanel as a ready-made choice.
Ubiquiti router
Ubiquiti Amplifi
Ubiquiti’s gear could also be priced the identical as different costly routers, however each its consumer-friendly AmpliFi and prosumer Unifi traces offer you deep management over your property community. Frankly, tech fans spending $350 to $450 (or extra) on a mesh system can’t do higher. I personally upgraded to a Unifi setup and to at the present time, 4 years later, I nonetheless smile after I see all of the settings and stats within the dashboard. Reddit prefers AmpliFi (the Alien particularly), as a result of you possibly can see your entire community stats at a look—you’ll know immediately in case your gaming connection points are yours or your buddy’s.
Motherboard with wi-fi
Asus / Amazon
If you hire, chances are you’ll not at all times have the luxurious of operating an Ethernet port to your PC. Building a system with Wi-Fi assist can be certain that irrespective of the place you find yourself with a desktop rig, it may join instantly to the web. Also, since Wi-Fi modules often embody Bluetooth assist, you get the comfort of built-in compatibility with Bluetooth units, too.
When constructing a mini-ITX system, you’re finest off with a motherboard with Wi-Fi, however if you happen to’ve obtained an micro-ATX or full ATX mobo, you possibly can typically lower your expenses (and maintain your mobo choices open) by as an alternative installing a Wi-Fi PCIe card into one in all your spare slots.
Dedicated USB microphone
Elgato
A USB microphone doesn’t simply improve your sound high quality—although you’ll positively hear a giant distinction as in comparison with a headset. It frees you to select a lighter pair of headphones, for starters. It additionally opens a wider world of headphones (that’s, over-ear cans missing a microphone), which helps you to choose one which most accurately fits your audio tastes. For our favorites, take a look at our top picks for USB microphones.
For the desk itself
Desk reinforcement plates
Wali / Amazon
This one is revolutionizing my house setup. During the pandemic, I bought a few low cost Ikea tabletops for ad-hoc WFH pictures and video, and so they’re not sturdy. They can’t deal with clamp-mounted arms for a monitor or perhaps a devoted USB microphone on them…or so I assumed till Reddit rocked my world.
For below $20, you possibly can add metal reinforcement plates to your desk. You slide these over the spots the place you wish to connect a clamped merchandise, significantly a heavy one like a monitor. It provides rigidity and spreads out the stress over a wider space, decreasing the chance of denting your Ikea Linnmon desk. Or watching it crumble.
An even bigger tabletop
The extra desk area you possibly can have, the much less cluttered it’ll really feel. (Assuming you don’t add extra stuff.) Even if an extended desk doesn’t work, a deeper desk can nonetheless make a distinction. I just lately found this myself after briefly organising on a folding desk with a 30-inch depth. My regular desk is simply six inches shallower, but it surely couldn’t deal with monitor placement as properly. Also, I abruptly had much more room for snack plates.
Better desk legs
Bench Depot
Maybe your ready-made desk is wobblier on its ft than you’d like. Or your DIY venture’s tabletop is just too heavy for its legs. Provided your desktop is thick sufficient—often 1 inch minimal—you possibly can swap in workbench legs for a much more sturdy, resilient desk. (In the Reddit thread, these were recommended particularly). Combine these with reinforcement plates on your desktop and also you’ve obtained your self a sturdy, resilient setup.
Clutter management
Monitor arms, stands, and risers
Amazon
Monitor arms create extra room in your desk—plus they will help with ergonomics, too. If you don’t have sufficient room behind your desk to accommodate arms, you possibly can as an alternative select a riser to get a bit extra space. Or, when you have a giant heavy monitor, a floor stand.
Pro tip: Screen fastidiously for sturdy arms, particularly if you happen to’re purchasing on Amazon. Surprisingly, different components of Reddit have good issues to say in regards to the AmazonBasics lift models—they’re purportedly white-label variations of Ergotron’s beefy (and beloved) arms, whereas being a heck of loads cheaper.
USB hub and/or KVM swap
IOgear / Amazon
A USB hub not solely expands the variety of usable ports in your PC, however having one makes transferring equipment between units simpler, too. (Check out our picks for the best USB-C hubs). Meanwhile, if you happen to’re flipping between energetic PCs at your desk typically (say, a piece system and a private one), a KVM switch enables you to use the identical set of monitor(s) and peripherals with out having to plug and unplug wires any time you wish to swap machines.
Hooks & stands
NZXT
Using a headphone hook (be it an attachment to your desk or NZXT’s magnetic Puck), phone charging stand, and controller stand not solely reduces desk muddle, however will help with maintaining observe of your gear, too. (At least, I can now discover issues sooner on my desk).
Cable administration gadgets
Ikea
That hideous Medusa’s tangle of cables doesn’t have to exist. An cheap cable administration tray (both the clamp or drilled variety) and a handful of Velcro ties can maintain the unruliness to a minimal. Also, tidy exterior cables lower down on problem when swapping PC equipment or the PC itself. (Tip: Label your cables when you’re neatening up again there).
Wireless peripherals
Dominic Bayley / IDG
Speaking of cable administration, the simplest strategy to handle cords is to nix all of them collectively. A wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and wireless headset go a good distance towards decreasing visible noise in your desk. Plus, with no wire tethering your headset to the PC, you possibly can stand up to reply a name or the door with out unintentionally strangling your self.
Side desk
Ikea
Having a small facet desk subsequent to your desk—be it an TV tray, finish desk, rolling drawer unit, or a random field (ahem) will help maintain gadgets at hand whereas decreasing muddle. I just like the field for my air air purifier simply wonderful, however there are positively extra refined choices on the market.
Ergonomics
A greater chair
Steelcase
Spend hours sitting in an uncomfortable chair, and your physique gained’t allow you to overlook it, particularly the older you get. Reddit has a few good suggestions right here: Shopping refurbished for costly chairs from Herman Miller and Steelcase, or in search of out extra reasonably priced however nonetheless well-liked fashions just like the Staples Hyken.
Comfier peripherals
Azeron
As bizarre as they appear, ergonomic mice and keyboards could make a world of distinction in consolation. I’ve lengthy been on board this practice out of necessity—a Goldtouch keyboard and a Contour Rollermouse are my each day drivers.
You can prolong that philosophy to gaming as properly. PC gaming keypads may be well worth the funding, and so they vary from the more conventional to the downright wild. (Not gonna lie, I’m intrigued by that Azeron—and I’m a dyed-in-the-wool controller participant).
A keyboard tray
HUANUO / Amazon
Ok, this one’s not from Reddit (however technically I’m a Redditor myself, so perhaps this nonetheless counts). However, if we’re speaking ergonomics at a desk, a keyboard tray can do wonders for correct alignment. You don’t have to drill holes in your desk, both—as I simply found myself, fantastic no-drill keyboard trays now exist.
Light strip or gentle bar
BenQ / Amazon
Eye pressure is as problematic as any shoulder, elbow, or wrist ache. Adding lighting to your desk will help with overhead glare in addition to maintaining your space adequately lit whenever you’ve turned down most of your different lamps. Light bars like the BenQ Screenbar are a luxe choice, however you possibly can add monitor backlighting for $15 or much less.
Amazon
Sometimes you simply have to elevate your ft a bit and alter the stress in your again. A foot relaxation doesn’t have to take a lot area, both. Whether you’re shopping for an ergonomic model, a small ottoman, and even a foot hammock, you possibly can tuck one thing below your desk fairly simply.
Sit/stand desk
FlexiSpot / Amazon
Even when you have an excellent chair, the human physique wasn’t constructed to sit down all day. A sit/stand desk enables you to swap between positions extra steadily. The child step is to get a riser that you may place in your present desk. Meanwhile, a cheaper DIY route is re-purposing an present desk’s tabletop (or shopping for kitchen counter prime materials) and including a motorized body. Regardless, make sure to get a standing mat—they’re cheap and can assist your again.
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