Thread: PC Mic suggestions

You may want to search for a similar thread like this, however, I'll throw my 2 cents in again.

I recommend a Playstation headset, most likely a Playstation 2 one like my own. It is USB, cheap, and quite durable (I've tested this fact...lol). Playstation 3 may or may not have a USB derivative, but if they do, they should work fine as well.

Anyways, I recommend this for the following reason. A USB mic comes up as its own independent audio device. In my case, what I use this for is to send any voice related items (incoming and outgoing) to my headset. My in game sound, with all the yelling, blasting, etc, comes out of my surround sound. What this does is makes it so voice is crisp and clear in my ear, not fighting to hear it over the crazy gunfire in game. I used to have the old 'plug into the audio jack' mics and didn't care for that much. Admittedly though, they were cheaper mics, but the PS2 one has served me well for over 5 years for the same cost.

One potential downfall of a USB mic is that it doesn't utilize your sound cards processing power, but more likely will strain the CPU. I use the word strain loosely though, as I've never had even remotely a slowdown while using the mic. The CPU draw is minimal at best, and while some will base their choice on this alone, though personal use, I'll probably never go back to an audio jack mic.

I use these badboys 5H v2 - SteelSeries

The ones i got also have the steelseries USB soundcard. These are immense headphones that sound amazing and the mic is very very clear. It can also be retracted into the headset when not in use.

Sadly, as far as I know, you can't (or at least I haven't seen it) make the in game voice go to your headset, so I sometimes strain to hear people using in game chat. The benefit is most apparent when using something like TS or Ventrillo.

I've got a very good soundcard so I use one that runs through that, with a separate set up program to effect the sound dynamics. The headset was very cheap and have noticed since using it that the depth of the audio in the game is much better than the old speakers or headphones. Playing the other night it was the first time I really noticed the thunder on NM5, outstanding. However I do not know how good the mic is, no-one has complained that i'm too quiet yet (probably cuz i'm screaming at the top of my voice, "get it off!!!!!"). Suppose what i'm saying is it depends how good your soundcard is whether you choose USB or regular.

I have a creative XFi Gamer something or other (just got it this past year and was never too dead set on getting one at all, so I seldom remember the whole name)...it's a pretty stellar card, but I use it for my surround sound. I don't hear any real difference when I use my wife's mic in it, or my own USB one.