... what a difference the right peripherals make when gaming.

I wont get into graphics cards because I don't want to start a war between AMD and Nvidia fanboys O_o.

Monitor: I currently use the ASUS VG236. I don't use it for the 3D really, but the 120 hz refresh rate. The detail and smoothness of a 120hz monitor provides much needed clarity and fluidness I need spot and follow my prey.

Keyboard: I currently use the Gigabyte GK-OSMIUM Mechanical Keyboard. I noticed an increase in my mobility responsiveness and overall reaction speed in gaming.

Mice: Currently using the Microsoft SideWinder. The right mouse can really make a huge difference IMO. This one fits my hand so well because it's big. I have long skinny fingers and need a good sized mouse to play. I love the customizability of the DPI switching. Love the two extra side buttons for macros. It all around improved my gaming by a big margin.

Mousepad: I just got the ROCCAT Alumic Double Sided Gaming Mousepad. I never thought a mousepad could make such a difference. I mean the size of this thing is perfect for my desk and DPI usage on my mouse. I've been able to lower my DPI as I have more room to move the mouse around. This comes in really handy for steady aim and fluid tracking.

Sound: Currently using the CM Storm Sirus 5.1 headset. The true 5.1 surround on these is phenomenal. They won the Red Dot award for a reason. For the price, you're getting a great wired headset. I wouldn't play a FPS without 5.1 or 7.1 surround. It's just not ideal.

Now, one by one these each make slight improvements.. but by combining everything together, you're improving quite a bit. I can't tell you which is my favorite peripheral because each one has a purpose and improved my game. I just can't believe what a difference the addition of these babies has done to make me a better player.

On that note, practice was also a huge factor. None of these perfs would have help me if I didn't practice and become a better instinctual player. They merely assist with amplifying and bringing forth your abilities.

Sorry, just bored tonight and thought I'd share something I've been thinking about over the past few days. I have been daydreaming at work about how I was a year ago when starting Crysis 2 to where I'm at now.

If anyone else has a story about how the right perfs helped you play better, I'd like to hear.

The Gigabyte Osmium is a nice keyboard but overpriced, $130 is too much.

As for the headset, just an FYI that almost any decent stereo headphone with a decent soundstage (HD500 series, ATH700, DT700/800 series, etc) can emulate surround fairly well, and most importantly you can actually use them for something OTHER than gaming because the audio quality doesn't svck balls (as it does with Sirius).

The last gaming headset I used was a Platronics Gamecom and after that I was just turned off headsets, most are made of cheap plastic, the comfort is almost always a hit-or-miss (usually too bulky/tight), audio quality is garbage, durability is questionable, etc. Not ALL of those may be true for Sirius 5.1 but from what I've read in reviews, some definitely apply.

Since them I've stuck to stereo headphones + a desktop microphone <3

My own peripherals...

Monitor: ASUS VG236H (same as you!)
Keyboard: Corsair K90
Mouse: Logitech G400
Mousepad: Razer Goliathus Frag ~Speed
Soundcard: Asus Xonar Essence STX
Headphones: Sennheiser HD558
Speakers: Corsair SP2500
Mic: Logitech USB Desktop mic

Gallery/specs: http://imgur.com/a/9WAPN

Nice wire management on that setup!

I wasn't trying to say my perfs are the best or only option, just what fits me and has made me a better player.

Oh no I'm not saying your perfs are bad, they're actually about as good as perfs need to be for gaming!

The true 5.1 thing on Sirius actually got me interested because there are physical drivers located around the earcups. Now I want to know what it sounds like