This is my PC setup as of 2/16/2026. I expect a decent amount to change regarding the OS soon but most of the peripherals will probably be the same.
My computer is an old beast. It's been with me for a decade now, and only had a couple of its parts changed. I'm kind of amazed with how I treat the thing, and at this point since the cost of DDR 4 ram is fucked I'm obliged to stay with it till it dies. It runs an older motherboard (hence the DDR3) and a 2018 or 19 Nvida budget card that replaced a AMD card. That's about all the notable info about the parts. It's running a Windows 10 install currently, and this is the second iteration since I upgraded from an HDD install to SSD like 4 years ago. The original HDD in this system actually died not too long ago, thankfully not that much was lost. The hit to my doujin/indie shmup collection was a bit sad however. I plan on moving to a Linux distro once Windows gives out.
I have a 2 monitor set up, one being 5:4 and the other is a 9:16 vertical monitor. The vertical is actually just a 16:9 I was given a while back that I realized had rotation. I don't like using traditional 16:9 monitors anymore. When my first monitor died (which was a 16:9), I used one of the old 5:4s laying around and never looked back. My current 5:4 is one I got from a computer store I went to when my first one broke. I was hoping to fix it but the lady working told me it wasn't doable. Thankfully she told me they had a couple of 5:4s in the back and I got to grab my current one.
It's a Dell 5:4. My other ones were Dell's but this is the nicest one I've had so far. Big screen and sturdy base with good extension and rotation/pivoting. It's got a nice sturdy base that doesn't take up much space. I'm used to these things being absolute tanks so something that doesn't have the biggest support is really lovely. Generally I just find 5:4/4:3 to be the ideal resolution for most things I want to do. It's the best for games even if a lot of games don't properly support it :/. Never find myself wanting to return to 16:9 unless something decides it doesn't want to work at all. Though something with no 5:4 support probably isn't worth messing around with tbh.
My vertical is a viewsonic my brother gave me ages ago to get me off the 5:4. I used to just leave it at my parent's, until I found out one visit that it could rotate. I had been wanting a vertical for a couple months at that point. After a while of playing STGs I thought it would be great to get something that would more closely replicate the original aspect ratio. I was kind of a fool as it turns out. Not only are most STGs on Steam not strictly compatiable with 9:16, requiring the use of Tate mode to actually work, but most of these games are still in 4:3, just in a more vertical orientation. While I can just set up an Autohotkey to switch between portrait and landscape at will, I don't really find the need right now. Most games work fine enough even despite the limitations. I ended up liking it more for doing work or reading. It's great and makes taking notes while reading super nice. Also reading comics/manga on it is lovely, especially with a high quality scan.
After a WRI, I had to throw out most of my stock equipment due to it causing too much strain. I was mostly just using old membrane keyboards (much to my friends' dismay) and mice I borrowed from my brother. I invested in ergonomic equipment and it's been an absolute game changer. I'd recommend anyone with the means to do so to consider basic ergonomic gear. For my keyboard I use the ZSA Moonlander. This seems to be the common entry level split keyboard option. It was what I was recommended by someone with experience. I'm not a keyboard person but I do think this device is absolutely amazing and a game changer. Once you get used to the different feel, it becomes so apparent why this is a superior option. Hands feel instantly better but also it's efficient as hell. The columnars (side portions where you rest thumbs) are so nice and make typing even faster. I still need to figure out a proper layer system for my needs. It can have issues with playing games and other random stuff (no print screen binded by default :/ ) but the advantages are too important.
I have 2 mice I rotate depending on use. One thing you'll learn when switching is that you basically need a separate device/control methods for many things. My main mouse is an Elecom Thumb Trackball mouse. Elecom was a brand recommended to me by my good friend Endove. They make consistent and affordable products from my understanding. Thumb Trackball mice are typically considered the worst by , and among my friend's they seem to dislike them compared to index finger designs. Personally I haven't been bothered. Not having to move around constantly is great and it rests comfortably in my hand. I find it superior for general computer use and software.
Using it for games is highly dependent on what game. It sucks for FPS games, something about the perspective and the amount of motion required for aiming is annoying. Minute aim is difficult with the trackball and having to swing my thumb constantly for broader motions was uncomfortable. Increasing sensitivity would just exacerbate issues with more fine aim, so I don't use them for fps games. Funnily enough third person games are completely fine, maybe even better. Bigger hitboxs/projectiles and also less focus on fine aim are the contributers in my experience. It also helps that third person camera systems are closer to the broader/gestural motions that trackballs are good at. 2D games with mouse aim are generally great, but if there's a lot of precision or speed required (such as higher level Rusted Moss), it starts to have trouble keeping up.
As back up I have this cheap shitter vertical mouse I use for any games that trackball suffers on. I forget the brand, I got it for like 16 bucks + shipping on mercari. Does the job, I hate how it can't be plugged in and has to be charged. Still, it's definitely nicer than a normal mouse. As for other devices, I have a cheap little usb mic for talking with friends, a ps4 controller for any games that need it, and a network switch that I use to have a local connection with all my consoles for FTP.
I currently use a pair of Edifier R1280DB bookshelf speakers. These have been with me for a few years and I've loved em ever since. Not the best obviously but good sound for me and has all I want. The bluetooth comes in handy every so often. I keep them inbetween my main monitor and the vertical is next to the right speaker. I still need to find a subwoofer, I used to have some Logitech system back at my parents.