The Ideal MW3 Gaming Setup

Regardless of what system you prefer, every gamer is looking to perfect his/her gaming setup. So the question is, what is the ideal gaming setup? For the sake of Modern Warfare 3's release date approaching, I'm going to pretend that this setup is being tailored specifically for Modern Warfare 3 play.



What is the Ideal Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Gaming Setup?

Let's break this down into a few key aspects of the perfect gaming setup.

Environment

If you're one of those players that will play for hours at a time, your console/PC is going to get pretty hot. If you're running a fairly recent PC, you should have enough cooling to support long hours of gaming. For that, many fans are recommended. If you have the cash, liquid-cooling is the most ideal solution. For you console buffs, an open area is ideal. Make sure that your console isn't secluded in a tight area, like a shelf. For example, my Xbox 360 is sitting on top of my desk with nothing on top of it. It's debatable whether positioning your console on its bottom or its side is better. Do some research, see what others are saying. If you're playing in a competitive league such as GameBattles, trying to get into the game, or just chatting with your friends, you're going to need a headset. This means you'll be talking, and most likely, you're going to sound pretty obnoxious. My parents do not appreciate when I yell "Dude, A Flag!" during the wee hours of the night. If you're a loud game, such as myself, try to aim for a separate room or area of your living space.

Display

Something we all love about gaming is the sweet sight of HD graphics. Modern Warfare 3 is looking pretty sweet, so if you're really into Call of Duty, I suggest picking up a HD-ready display. For the PC gamers, an HD-ready graphics card will run you somewhere between $100 and $200. Top-of-the-line graphics cards can cost anywhere from that much to $600, so make sure you know what your budget is. If you want to know the exact System Requirements, check out this thread. For you console guys, your PS3/Xbox 360 is already ready for an HD display. If you're looking to save money, you can purchase the Xbox 360 VGA HD/AV Cable and a 1080p-capable monitor for close to $200. If you're looking for the best possible quality, a 1080p-capable HDTV will cost you about $200. From there, you can choose to use Component Cables or an HDMI Cable. Both of those options are going to cost you something extra. Also, make sure you are at the ideal viewing distance for your display size. Refer to this calculator for your ideal viewing distance.

Sound

My first piece of advice to anyone looking to get better at Call of Duty is this: BUY A HEADSET! A good quality headset will take your playing to the next level. As for purchase advice, there are many options out there. Do some research, check out what's available for your price range, and make a decision. If possible, buy a headset that will allow you to simultaneously use teamspeak/in-game chat. For the PS3 users, this shouldn't be a problem. Almost all USB headsets will allow this. For the Xbox 360 users, make sure your headset of choice is compatible with Xbox LIVE Chat. In terms of Wired vs. Wireless, it all comes down to preference. If your setup is close to you, try out a wired headset. If you're playing on a large display, wireless might be the ideal choice.

What is your ideal MW3 gaming setup?