Image via MSI
If you’re someone that prefers consoles or maybe doesn’t want to spend thousands on a gaming PC, then you might be wondering if there’s a way to turn your Xbox console into a gaming PC.
Not only does Xbox provide Game Pass, which gives access to tons of games for a monthly fee, but the Xbox also has internet browsing on it now. So, technically, you can just Nvidia GeForce Now and play PC games right on your Xbox.
So, here are some ways you can maximize your Xbox Series X/S and make it as close to a gaming PC as possible.
1. Obtain a Screen (Either TV or Monitor)
When I first got the Series X, I was still using my 1080p, 144 Hz monitor that I use for my laptop. It’s my main gaming screen, so I figured that I’d hook up my Series X to it. Of course, getting in that 120 FPS that the Series X can get to was very nice, but I still felt that I wasn’t able to enjoy the 4K visuals that the new consoles provided.
Around the time of my purchase, TVs began going on sale for good ol’ Christmas, so I was able to get a great 4K, UHD TV with Dolby Vision and the ability to go up to 60 FPS on gaming consoles.
I hooked up the Series X to it and instantly felt like it was much nicer to look at and play with. Now, I used the Series X with its controller, so I didn’t really think about turning it into a sort of PC beforehand. However, with gaming PC items becoming harder to get, I figured that there was a way to enjoy the next-gen console experience as though it were a PC itself.
Since we’re looking at making a mock gaming PC setup, I think monitors are definitely the best way to go.
4K Monitors
This would be your best bet to maximize your Xbox’s capabilities, and since the next-gen Xbox can run up to 120 FPS on 4k, I’ve put monitors ranging from all graphical capabilities on this list:
This one has 4K, UHD, and boasts a powerful 240 Hz refresh rate. I have a 240 Hz refresh rate on my laptop and let me tell you, yes there’s a difference. It’s just so smooth. But this one is most definitely a more…beastly option.
This is a more affordable option at the 4K level, but it only gets up to 60 FPS. However, many games on the next-gen consoles still aren’t fully updated to support more than that, so you’re not really missing out on much. Besides, most 4K stuff ranges at 60 FPS, so you’re not going to be left with nothing.
2. Find a Good Keyboard to Fit Your Fancy
So, you need a keyboard to get that gaming PC feel, right? Look no further, because I have obsessively researched keyboards in the past and I honestly can’t get enough of them. However, if you’re gaming, you’re obviously going to need a good gaming keyboard.
There are a few things to look for in gaming keyboards: Is it membrane? Meca-membrance? Mechanical? Opto-mechanical? There are multiple types of keyboards, ranging from the standard keyboards you’ve probably used in an office to the infrared activated switches of the opto-mechanical family.
If you value super fast typing speeds, you may want to opt for the opto-mechanical switches. If you want something more affordable, then the membrane keyboards from brands like Razer aren’t bad options at all.
The List
The Razer Cynosa is an affordable and great membrane gaming keyboard with RGB that is sure to spice up your setup. I personally know someone that uses this keyboard and he said that it was great to type on and had a good response.
The Razer Ornata is a mecha-membrane keyboard that also boasts good travel and response. It’s got mid-height keycaps and comes with the softness of a membrane keyboard, but the tactile feel of a mechanical keyboard. Plus that ergonomic wrist rest is a great addition for comfort.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro claims to be the fastest mechanical keyboard out there and it’s a pretty popular choice amongst many gamers and streamers. SteelSeries is known for having some great keyboards and its look and feel is awesome too. They claim to have super fast switches that are adjustable, so it’s a good option for those that want to find their comfort zone.
Finally, here’s is the opto-mechanical option. An opto-mechanical keyboard comes equipped with an infrared sensor instead of metal switches, which allows for a faster actuation point. They’re great for people who value speed a lot. I personally use this kind of a keyboard and find that it helps with boosting my typing and gaming experience quite a bit.
The Corsair K100 RGB might seem like overkill at its price, but it’s honestly well-worth it. I never use any other keyboard now for gaming and typing and it’s a beast of a keyboard. Check out my full review on the Corsair K100 RGB.
3. Get a Mouse, You’re Gonna Need One
Okay, for any good setup, you need to have a good mouse. Gaming mice are wide and plenty on the internet, but they aren’t all good. There are some that are certainly better than others. I’ve tested several gaming mice in the past and found that I certainly had two that were my favorites.
However, it also depends on if you want a wireless mouse or a wired mouse. I personally think that there isn’t a big difference between the two, but I’ve put options to help you decide what’s best. Just…make sure you’re not going for those mice that straight up have “GAMING MOUSE” written on them. Chances are, they suck.
To Bluetooth or not to Bluetooth
Our first option is my personal favorite and probably the best mouse you can get on the market. It’s the Logitech G502 Hero and it’s certainly my preferred choice. This one is wired, but it’s customizable, has great DPI range, and can be configured separately for whatever games you play. It has minimal RGB so it doesn’t look too crazy for those that maybe don’t like a lot of lights.
This next choice is a Razer mouse and it’s wireless. I use this mouse a lot for on-the-go work and I think it’s great. I haven’t had any issues with it. Its RGB is also fairly minimal, it’s customizable, has a good DPI range, and has a long battery life. I started with this mouse and I think it’s great.
The last option is a very intense gaming mouse. It’s by Roccat, but it’s great for people who love to drag click in Minecraft. However, this mouse is fairly heavy compared to the other mice on this list, so if you’re not a huge fan of shooter games, then this mouse is fine for you. For people that like a bit more RGB, then this mouse is great too.
4. A Mousepad or Mouse mat for Your Mouse
In order to get the best performance from your mouse, you CANNOT skip the mousepads at all. This improves your experience so much more and you cannot just leave it aside.
There are so many great mousepads out there and there are some that are super large as well. In my eyes, the larger the mousepad, the better it is.
You may find yourself moving your wrist a lot, so you’re going to need a larger mousepad for sure. It’s also a great way to help stabilize your keyboard on your desk too.
The RGB and the Standard
I’ve decided to go with the large mousepads only, because I think that they’re the best value for their size. In my eyes, a small mousepad just isn’t really worth it. I’ve also compiled the RGB and non-RGB options as well, so here you go:
This option is one of the bigger of the bunch, but does what it needs to do. It comes with a world map, so you can show all your friends that you know some geography and it looks pretty sweet too. It’s got great reviews on Amazon and its large for bigger desk spaces.
This one is also a decently large one, but it’s plain black (aside from the logo in the bottom corner) and is pretty much good for any setup out there. Black is just one of those colors that works out in everything really. It’s also good quality and has lots of positive reviews.
Finally, we’ve got ourselves an RGB option. This is for people who want to go all out with lighting on their desks, and if you value RGB maximization, this is perfect for you. The Razer Goliath extended mousepad comes with RGB and it’s Razer, which is a very popular and well-known gaming peripheral brand out there. It’s plain colored, so there’s no distracting design for those that just want a simplistic design.
Conclusions
And that’s about all you really need to realistically turn your Xbox into a gaming PC! Let us know in the comments below if you tried this out and what your setup looks like! Tweet at us @DzshGroup with pictures of your sweet new Xbox setup!
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
