Building your first gaming setup is an exciting milestone. You've likely seen impressive battlestations online and imagined yourself immersed in games with a proper dedicated gaming space. But with so many components to consider—desks, chairs, monitors, peripherals, lighting, and more—knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
This comprehensive guide walks complete beginners through every aspect of creating a gaming setup, from planning and budgeting to the final touches that make your space uniquely yours. We'll help you avoid common mistakes and build a foundation that can grow with you over time.
Planning Your Gaming Space
Before purchasing anything, understand your available space and how you'll use it. A well-planned setup in a small space beats a haphazard arrangement in a large one.
Assessing Your Room
Measure the area you can dedicate to gaming. Consider not just the floor space for your desk, but also the clearance needed for your chair to roll back, room to walk around the setup, and distance from power outlets. Sketch a rough floor plan with measurements—this prevents buying furniture that doesn't fit.
Consider environmental factors too. Where do windows face? Direct sunlight on your screen creates glare. Where are the power outlets? Long extension cords create tripping hazards and look messy. What's the room's typical temperature? Hot spaces may require better PC ventilation planning.
Before buying anything, answer these: Where will cables run to reach power? Will your chair have room to move? Can you see your screen without window glare? Is the space comfortable for extended periods?
Setting a Budget
Gaming setups can cost anywhere from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. Setting a realistic budget before shopping prevents both overspending and disappointment from underestimating costs.
If starting from scratch with no existing equipment, here's a rough breakdown for the Australian market:
- Budget setup ($500-$1,000): Basic desk, entry-level chair, budget peripherals. Functional but limited.
- Mid-range setup ($1,000-$2,500): Quality gaming desk, decent chair, good peripherals. Great experience without premium pricing.
- Premium setup ($2,500-$5,000+): High-end desk, ergonomic chair, premium peripherals, quality lighting. The works.
Remember these ranges don't include your actual gaming PC or console—just the desk, chair, and accessories that make up the "setup" around your gaming system.
Choosing Your Gaming Desk
The desk is your setup's foundation. It determines how much space you have, affects your ergonomic positioning, and sets the visual tone for your entire battlestation.
Size Considerations
Bigger isn't always better, but too small is definitely a problem. Consider what equipment you'll place on the desk: your monitor(s), keyboard, mouse, headphone stand, speakers perhaps. Measure these items and ensure they'll fit comfortably with room to spare.
For a single monitor setup with standard keyboard and mouse, 120cm width is the minimum comfortable size. Dual monitors push that to 140cm or more. Triple monitors or heavy streaming setups benefit from 160cm+ widths or L-shaped configurations.
- 120cm: Minimum for single monitor, keyboard, mouse
- 140cm: Comfortable for single, workable for dual monitors
- 160cm+: Ideal for dual/triple monitors, streaming, or extra workspace
- L-shaped: Great for multi-tasking or corner placement
Features Worth Having
Cable management features—grommets, trays, and channels—make a significant difference in how clean your setup looks. They're much harder to add after the fact than to buy built-in.
Height adjustability is increasingly valuable. Standing desks offer health benefits, and even manual height adjustment lets you optimise for your specific chair and body proportions. If budget allows, this feature pays dividends over years of use.
Selecting a Gaming Chair
You'll spend hours in your gaming chair—it deserves serious consideration. While gaming-branded chairs dominate the market, the best choice depends on your body type, preferences, and budget.
What Matters in a Chair
Lumbar support is crucial. Your lower back should feel supported without pressure. Many chairs offer adjustable lumbar—either manual or built-in—which helps accommodate different body shapes.
Armrest adjustability affects how your arms rest while gaming. Look for 4D armrests (height, width, depth, and angle adjustment) if possible. Fixed armrests often end up at wrong heights, causing shoulder strain or forcing you to lean awkwardly.
Seat material matters for comfort over time. Mesh chairs breathe well for hot climates but may feel less cushioned. Foam seats are comfortable but can wear over time. Leather looks premium but can be hot and sticky during long sessions.
Gaming Chair vs Office Chair
Gaming-branded chairs often feature racing-style aesthetics with bucket seats and flashy designs. This style works for some but isn't inherently better than quality office chairs. Ergonomic office chairs often offer superior adjustability and long-term comfort, though they typically lack the gaming aesthetic.
The best approach is testing chairs if possible. What feels comfortable for one person might not work for another. If buying online, check return policies carefully.
Essential Peripherals
Keyboard
Mechanical keyboards are popular among gamers for their tactile feedback and durability, but membrane keyboards work fine and cost less. For beginners, a mid-range mechanical keyboard offers a good balance of quality and value.
Consider switch types—linear switches (smooth keypress), tactile (bump feedback), or clicky (audible click). Try different types if possible, as personal preference varies significantly. Size matters too: full-size keyboards have numpads, tenkeyless removes the numpad for more mouse space, and compact layouts save even more space.
Mouse
Gaming mice range from simple to extremely complex. For most beginners, a mid-range mouse with adjustable DPI, comfortable grip, and a few extra buttons provides everything needed. Wireless mice have become excellent—input lag is negligible in modern models—but wired ensures you never deal with batteries dying mid-session.
Shape and size matter more than brand. Mice come in various sizes and grip styles (palm grip, claw grip, fingertip grip). A mouse that's too large or too small will cause discomfort during extended use.
Headset or Speakers
Audio is often overlooked but significantly affects immersion. A gaming headset provides positional audio for competitive advantage and doesn't disturb others. Quality speakers offer a more natural listening experience but aren't practical for all environments.
For headsets, prioritise comfort—they'll be on your head for hours. Sound quality varies by price, but even mid-range headsets provide good gaming audio. If you'll communicate while gaming, check microphone quality in reviews.
If budget is limited, invest most in your mouse and chair—you'll touch and sit on these constantly. Keyboard and headset can be upgraded later without affecting gameplay as significantly.
Monitor Setup
Your monitor is your window into games, making it one of the most impactful components. For beginners, focusing on a few key specifications helps navigate the overwhelming options.
Resolution and Size
1080p (Full HD) remains the standard and is perfectly adequate for most gaming. 1440p offers noticeably sharper image quality. 4K is beautiful but demands powerful hardware to run games smoothly. For most beginners, a 24-27 inch 1080p or 1440p monitor hits the sweet spot of quality and value.
Refresh Rate
Standard monitors run at 60Hz. Gaming monitors often offer 144Hz or higher, which provides smoother motion in fast-paced games. If playing competitive shooters or racing games, higher refresh rates make a noticeable difference. For casual or story-driven games, 60Hz is fine.
Monitor Arms and Stands
Don't overlook monitor positioning. The included stand might not allow proper height adjustment for ergonomic viewing. Monitor arms offer flexible positioning, reclaim desk space, and make adjusting your setup easy. They're an excellent upgrade but not essential for a first setup.
Putting It All Together
Cable Management
Plan for cables from the start. Route cables along desk legs and behind the desk surface. Use cable ties to bundle wires together and cable trays to hide excess length. A clean setup isn't just about aesthetics—it's easier to clean, troubleshoot, and modify.
Lighting
Proper lighting reduces eye strain during long sessions. Bias lighting behind your monitor is the most impactful addition—it softens the contrast between your bright screen and dark surroundings. Beyond that, ambient lighting sets atmosphere without being strictly necessary.
Personal Touches
What makes a setup yours are the personal elements: artwork, collectibles, plants, or whatever reflects your interests. Don't rush this—your setup will evolve as you discover what you actually need and want. Start functional and add personality over time.
Growing Your Setup
Your first setup doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to be functional and comfortable. Over time, you'll discover what matters to you—maybe you want more desk space, better audio, or upgraded peripherals. A solid foundation lets you improve piece by piece rather than starting over.
Keep your receipts and boxes for items that might be returned or sold. Take photos of your setup evolution—it's satisfying to look back and see how far you've come. And most importantly, enjoy the process. Building a gaming setup is itself a hobby, and your battlestation will continue evolving as long as you're gaming.