S-Tier: The Audio Foundation That Changes Everything
Let me tell you something that’s going to sound controversial but I’m willing to stake my reputation on it: a decent pair of headphones will transform your gaming experience more than any other single upgrade, period. I’m not talking about those flashy RGB headsets that scream “gamer” from across the room. I’m talking about proper audio equipment that lets you hear the subtleties developers actually spent months crafting.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x tops this tier because it gives you studio-quality sound without the studio price tag. When I first plugged these into my setup and loaded up Hollow Knight, I heard environmental audio layers I’d completely missed during my first playthrough. The way Team Cherry designed the ambient sounds in the Forgotten Crossroads suddenly made perfect sense. These headphones don’t lie to you with artificial bass boosts or shrieking highs. They just tell you exactly what the developers intended.
Yes, I know the argument against putting audio first. “What about my mechanical keyboard?” “Surely a good mouse is more important for competitive gaming?” Here’s the thing though: audio affects every single gaming session, regardless of genre. Whether you’re navigating by enemy footsteps in a tactical shooter or getting lost in the atmospheric storytelling of an indie darling like Outer Wilds, proper audio is your direct connection to the developer’s vision.
A-Tier: The Input Devices That Define Your Relationship With Games
Your mouse and keyboard are where the magic of intention meets execution, and this is where I see people make the most expensive mistakes. The Logitech G Pro X Superlight earns its A-tier spot not because it’s the most feature-packed mouse on the market, but because it gets out of your way completely. When you’re deep in a flow state, whether you’re building in Satisfactory or clutching a round in Valorant, you want your peripherals to become invisible extensions of your intent.
For keyboards, I’m going to champion something that might surprise you: the humble Keychron K2. Yes, it’s a 75% layout that some people swear is too cramped. Yes, it’s not the most expensive option available. But it hits this perfect balance between tactile satisfaction and practical functionality that works across every genre. The hot-swappable switches mean you can experiment with different feels as your preferences evolve, and the wireless capability gives you setup flexibility that cable-bound boards simply can’t match.
The controversial take here is placing these in A-tier instead of S-tier. Input devices matter, absolutely, but they’re genre-dependent in ways that audio isn’t. A fighting game enthusiast might prefer a different setup than someone who lives in city builders. Audio quality, however, enhances every single gaming experience universally.
B-Tier: The Visual Upgrade That’s More Important Than You Think
Monitor upgrades fall into B-tier because they’re transformative but expensive, and the law of diminishing returns hits hard here. The sweet spot right now is a 1440p display with a 144Hz refresh rate, and I’ll specifically recommend the LG 27GL850 because it balances color accuracy with gaming performance in ways that pure gaming monitors often sacrifice.
Here’s where I’ll die on a hill that might surprise you: refresh rate matters more than resolution for most gaming experiences. I’d rather play on a crisp 1080p display at 144Hz than a 4K monitor locked at 60Hz. The smoothness of higher refresh rates doesn’t just improve competitive gaming; it makes every interaction feel more responsive and connected. Even something as simple as scrolling through menus in Persona 5 Royal feels more satisfying when your display can keep up with rapid movements.
The argument against B-tier usually centers on visual fidelity being paramount, especially for story-driven or artistic games. I get that perspective, but consider this: a beautiful game running at inconsistent frame rates or with input lag can actually hurt immersion more than slightly lower resolution with buttery smooth performance.
C-Tier: The Comfort Investments That Pay Long-Term Dividends
Your chair and desk setup lands in C-tier not because it’s unimportant, but because it’s foundational rather than transformative. You need a proper setup to avoid long-term health issues, but it won’t directly change how games feel or play. The Herman Miller Sayl hits an excellent balance between ergonomic support and reasonable pricing, though I know that’s still a significant investment for many setups.
What pushes seating into C-tier is that comfort is highly individual and often achievable through budget-conscious solutions. A quality lumbar support cushion and a height-adjustable desk can solve 80% of ergonomic issues for a fraction of the cost of premium furniture. The diminishing returns on expensive gaming chairs are particularly steep, especially when many prioritize aesthetic over actual ergonomic design.
The desk situation is where I see people overthink things constantly. You don’t need a massive battlestation with built-in cable management and RGB lighting strips. You need a stable surface at the right height with enough space for your peripherals. A simple standing desk converter can add versatility without requiring a complete setup overhaul.
D-Tier: The RGB and Accessories That Look Better Than They Perform
RGB lighting, cable management solutions, and most gaming-branded accessories occupy D-tier because they’re about aesthetics rather than performance. Don’t get me wrong, a clean, personalized setup can boost your enjoyment and make your space feel more intentional. But these elements should come after you’ve nailed the fundamentals.
The webcam and microphone situation deserves special mention here. If you’re streaming or creating content, these jump immediately to A-tier or higher. For everyone else, they’re nice-to-have additions that shouldn’t take priority over core gaming peripherals. A decent USB microphone like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB can handle double duty for gaming chat and content creation when the time comes.
I know there’s pushback against putting RGB in D-tier, especially from people who find genuine joy in customizing their aesthetic. That’s completely valid, and honestly, if colorful lighting makes you more excited to sit down and game, it’s doing its job. My ranking simply reflects performance impact on the gaming experience itself rather than personal satisfaction with your setup’s appearance.
What’s your peripheral upgrade path looking like? I’d love to hear about any hidden gems you’ve discovered or controversial opinions about where certain items should rank. The beauty of building a gaming setup is that there’s no single perfect configuration, just the one that works best for how you actually play games.