May Extreme Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 6

Mouse: Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse

Cost: $46
Months on list: 5
Price Change: $+9

There hasn't been a lot of movement in the peripheral market, so Logitech's MX500 Optical mouse makes another return to the Extreme guide. This is an excellent corded optical mouse, which utilizes Logitech's new "MX" technology for optical mice. The MX500 has an 800 dpi sample rate, which helps scan fast-motion movements faster, and with higher rates, than before. The MX-500 is also a sleek, very comfortable mouse to work or game with.

The MX500 features two standard left and right buttons, as well as two scroll buttons on top, a scroll wheel, a quick switch program selection button, and two thumb buttons to flip back and forth between web pages. Its reaction time is instantaneous, making the MX-500 an instant winner for players of FPS games. Combine all of these features with the fact that it is an optical mouse, that virtually never requires maintenance, and it's a very safe bet for any gaming system.

Mousepad: fUnc sUrface 1030 Mousepad

Cost: $20
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

With the inclusion of the fUnc sUrface 1030 mousepad, we've finally corrected an omission from our previous guides, and made sure that our Extreme Gaming System now has a decent mousepad. The fUnc sUrface 1030 includes a cord clip, a rubbermat to prevent it from sliding, and two surfaces, one is a smooth side for quicker movement, and a rougher side for more precise movement. The biggest advantage that this mousepad provides over other high performance mousepads is its thickness, it's not even half a centimeter thick and will help to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Natural Keyboard Retail

Cost: $46
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

There are basically two different types of keyboards out there: the standard type, or the ergonomic (split) models. This month's Extreme keyboard is Microsoft's improved and more attractive version of their previous ergonomic units, the Multimedia Natural Keyboard. It features the same build quality as their predecessors, but has a more eye catching stylistic design with enhanced F Keys, as well as a media control center with volume control, play/pause, forward/backward etc. There are also hot keys that provide instant access to MS Messenger, Mail, Internet, Calculator and more. For those with more conventional tastes, Microsoft also offers the standard Multimedia Keyboard.

Game pad: Logitech Wingman 2.4 GHz Cordless Rumblepad

Cost: $29
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

Although hardcore gamers generally don't accept cordless devices, we're making one our new Extreme pick. The Logitech Wingman 2.4 GHz Cordless Rumblepad wins out simply because its freedom of movement outweighs the slight delays in reaction time inherent in using a cordless gamepad. As the name suggests, the device can function in rumble mode, and will support force feedback in certain games. The game pad has 6 buttons on top, two trigger buttons, two analogue sticks, a digital d-pad, and a throttle switch. This feature-packed controller will definitely satisfy the needs of an Extreme gamer, and best of all, there isn't much of a price premium over the previous corded model.