Buying a desktop PC on Black Friday? You’ll need these accessories too

With some desktop PCs marked down by as much as $1,000, the Black Friday sales can be the perfect time to save on a new rig. The best thing about buying a desktop PC at a bargain price is that you can accessorize it with the cash you would otherwise have spent on a full-price PC — plus, you will save even more if those items are on sale too.

What will you need? For starters you’ll want a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. To expand your PC’s port options, you’ll also want a USB hub.

A surge protector will help protect your PC hardware from electrical surges. To transfer files to and from your device, an external hard drive or an external SSD is what you’re looking for. Don’t forget to invest in security measures like an antivirus subscription and/or a VPN. That’s enough chit-chat! Dive in and browse our list of must-have desktop PC accessories below.

Must-have desktop PC accessories

• Surge protector: This will protect your PC’s hardware from sudden power surges that can damage its internal components. This Trond surge protector has 13 widely spaced AC outlets to fit your plugs, plus it also comes with 3x USB-A ports and a USB-C port for charging your devices. It’s just $30 on Amazon.
• USB hub: Most desktop PCs come with just a few ports, but you can expand the number and type of ports you have available with a USB hub. Hieracool’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub gives you a great mix of port options including USB-A and USB-C ports as well as an HDMI port and microSD card slot. See the different options on Amazon.
• Webcam: Even if your monitor has a built-in webcam, you might want to invest in an external one for a better-quality picture and extra features like motion tracking. The Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K is a simple-to-use plug-and-play webcam that’s both affordable and feature-packed; it can capture 4K UHD video as well as 1080p and features 360-degree rotation and 95-degree field of view. It’s just $50 at Creative.
• Speakers: A good-quality pair of speakers that outdoes a laptop for sound quality is a treat worth taking advantage of with a desktop PC. For quality audio without spending a fortune, it’s hard to surpass the Creative Pebble V3 with USB-C connectivity and Bluetooth. Pick it up for $35 on Amazon.
• Monitor: After buying your PC this is arguably the most important thing you’ll need since you’ll be spending so much time looking at it. This LG UltraGear 27-inch monitor features a high resolution QHD and quick 144Hz refresh rate, so it’s suitable for work, personal use, and gaming. Get it for $190 (37% off) on Amazon.
• Keyboard: Since your desktop PC is staying put in one location, you should go all-out and buy a large keyboard with a generous key configuration. The Razer Huntsman V2 is just such a keyboard, with a full-sized layout and extremely comfortable keys with linear optical switches. It’s just $160 (down 20%) at Amazon.
• Mouse: A mouse that fits your hand and whose sensor tracks accurately makes using your PC effortless. The Turtle Beach Kone II is a capable all-rounder mouse with a comfortable right-handed fit, powerful 26K DPI sensor, 23 commands, and wired connectivity. Get it for $70 on Amazon.
• External SSD storage: If you need extra storage for your files and want only the quickest and safest format available, then get one of these. This Samsung 1TB external SSD has read / write speeds twice as fast as Samsung’s previous-generation SSD. It’s $99 (38% off) on Amazon.
• External hard drive: If you’ve filled up your internal storage and don’t have a big budget to spend on an external storage device, an external hard drive is the best value option. Seagate’s 5TB external hard drive with USB 3.0 works with PC, Mac, PS4, and Xbox. It costs just $129 on Amazon.
• Headset: Buy one if any sound you make on your PC is going to disturb others or if you need to make yourself more audible for teleconferencing or gaming chats. Logitech’s G Pro X 2 Lightspeed Wireless headset is comfortable and has 50mm graphene drivers that produce a very clear and refined sound. It’s on sale this Black Friday for $287 (9%) at Amazon.
• Antivirus software: A comprehensive antivirus program will protect you from viruses, malware, and dangerous websites. As well as virus protection, Norton 360 Deluxe offers comprehensive protection against threats including antivirus scans, malicious link and attachment screening, dark web monitoring, a VPN, and parental controls. It’s available for just $20 on the PCWorld Software store.
• VPN subscription: A VPN will mask your identity and web activity providing you extra privacy and security. ExpressVPN is fast, has a comprehensive selection of countries, and extra security features like ad- and tracker-blocking and a password manager. See the ExpressVPN Black Friday offer.
• Cable management kit: Desktop PCs tend to have a lot of cables, but with a cable management kit you can keep them confined where you want them and keep your desk clutter free. A Norocme cable management kit has everything you need to keep cables at bay including cable sleeves, wires, cord holders, adhesive cable tie rolls, and cable clips. Get it for $15 on Amazon.

If you’re making the Black Friday sales your once-a-year technology shopping blitz or just want to finally pick up a few items you’ve been pining for, then be sure to check out our other helpful accessory guides for laptops, TVs, monitors, smartphones, and tablets. Happy shopping!