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(opens in new tab)Congratulations! You got some cash to spend on Black Friday PC gaming deals (opens in new tab). I won't ask how you acquired $500; I'm no narc. I'm just glad you can finally treat yourself to something nice. Now, with all the Black Friday deals floating around, you might have trouble deciding what to buy today. This sort of decision paralysis is entirely normal. That's why I'm here to help you decide what to spend your money on if it were my hard-earned cash.
You could go one of two routes here; a few big or many little purchases. I'll cover both options. The obvious choice would be spending it all on a TV. And if you desperately need one, that's fine. Though the issue is you won't get a TV with a high enough refresh rate to take advantage of your fancy GPU. I would get myself a nice-sized 1440p monitor and a gaming chair.
A 1440p monitor, not 4K, you ask? Many of us at PC Gamer feel strongly that the best resolution for gaming remains at 1440p (opens in new tab). At least on this sort of budget. While a bit old, this 27-inch Razer Predator XB27 monitor is still one of the best 1440p monitors. It's got a 165Hz refresh rate, excellent color and is selling for the lowest price it's ever been this year at $279 (opens in new tab), about $80 off its new price.
- All the best Black Friday PC gaming deals (opens in new tab) right now
Let's face it. We all spend way too much time sitting. A quality gaming chair is exactly what you need to ensure you're taking care of your butt, neck, and spine. Especially if you spend all day working and all night gaming in the same chair. A good chair is like any other piece of nice furniture in that it's not cheap.
That's why this Black Friday deal for a Noblechairs Epic Copper Limited Edition gaming chair for $199 (opens in new tab) is so good. This chair usually sells for around $400-500, depending on the retailer. While it lacks some of the fun gamer flashiness of most gaming chairs, it still provides a very well-built and well-designed chair that gives you all the support you want for day-to-day usage.
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(opens in new tab)Let's say you're happy with your current monitor and seat setup; take this opportunity to upgrade how you play your PC games. For $500, here is the keyboard and gaming headset I'd pick up, as well as some other accessories.
I've slowly embraced the wireless lifestyle since setting up my home office. Nothing gives me more anxiety than seeing a rat's nest of cables in the corner of my eye. The Razer Viper Ultimate is the first thing I'd buy, which is currently half-off for $75 (opens in new tab). It has a 75-hour battery life, a speedy 20k DPI sensor, and a small charging dock. It's also pretty lightweight and isn't overly flashy.
The Logitech G915 Lightspeed SE is the best wireless keyboard out there. It's currently on sale for $159; (opens in new tab) while expensive, I can't picture myself using any other keyboard for work or play. It comes in white or black, too.
Keeping with the wireless theme, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro wireless for $99 (opens in new tab) is an absolute steal of a Black Friday deal. It's number two on our best wireless headset page, and for a good reason. Its sound quality is the best, thanks to its 50mm TriForce drivers. At this price, you won't find a better headset. Trust me, I've checked.
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(opens in new tab)For your last $250-$275, that's pretty easy. Pick up a spare Xbox Wireless controller for $40 (opens in new tab) in a fun color. This is also an excellent time to upgrade your webcam and microphone. The Logitech StreamCam (opens in new tab) for $99 (opens in new tab) is a good choice if you're a content creator or just happen to do a lot of video calls. As far as mics go, the HyperX Quadcast S (opens in new tab) for $119 (opens in new tab) is one of my faves because it's a great mic and looks like a lava lamp.
Oh, and obviously, with the last bit of cash left over, I'd go for this variety box of 60 Pop-tarts for $20 (opens in new tab). That's just me; feel free to substitute this with a box of breakfast pastries of your choosing.
And just like that, here's how I'd spend $500 in Black Friday cash to upgrade your gaming ecosystem. See? No more agonizing over what to buy. You're welcome.
