Read on November 6, 2026. Where a point rests on a source, the source is named in the text. The rest is buying advice, not test results, and this guide lists no prices.

A cheap upgrade is only worth buying if it fixes a problem you actually have. This guide covers five low-cost additions that gamers often consider: what each one does, what to check before you buy and when it is better to skip it. Prices vary by country and change often, so there are none here. Use current prices in your own market to decide what counts as a budget purchase. For the wider picture of gear, see our gaming gear guide.

A small status screen for PC monitoring

A status screen puts live readings such as temperatures, usage and clock speeds on a separate display, so you can glance at them without an overlay covering the game. Before buying one, try a software overlay or monitoring tool. If you find yourself checking the numbers often, a dedicated screen starts to make sense, and if you never do, you will have saved the money.

How a screen connects matters. Many small displays connect like any other monitor, through a video output and a power cable. Others use a USB data connection with the maker’s own software. Microsoft’s page on multiple monitors describes how Windows numbers each display, lets you arrange them under Settings, System, Display, and offers a Detect option when a display does not show up. A screen that connects as a monitor is set up there, so windows and games do not land on it by accident. Check that you have a free video output if one is needed. Size and resolution should suit the distance you read it from, and user feedback on the viewing angle is worth reading if you will look at it from above or below. Read the license terms of any monitoring software before you rely on it.

Skip it if the numbers would mostly sit there unread. A software overlay may be enough for occasional checks.

A USB desk fan

A desk fan is about your comfort, not the PC’s. It moves air across you and can make a warm desk more bearable, but it does not cool the machine. If the PC itself runs hot, look at the airflow of the case first. Our PC performance guide covers cooling.

For a fan, read the maker’s stated power requirements and use a USB power source that meets them. Check the noise at the speed you will actually use, because the top setting is often the loudest. Look at the stand or clamp for stability and for a guard that keeps fingers and cables away from the blades. Place it where it does not push papers or light items around.

Skip it in a cool room, or one that already has a fan or air conditioning.

Under-desk controller storage

If a controller keeps ending up on the desk, a holder under the desk edge keeps it within reach and off the surface. The choice comes down to fit and attachment. Make sure the holder suits your controller models, including any grips or cases you use. Adhesive holders depend on a clean, flat surface that suits the adhesive, so follow the maker’s instructions for preparation and curing time, and compare the controller’s weight with the stated rating.

Where you put it matters as much as which one you buy. OSHA’s desk guidance says a desk should leave adequate clearance for your legs, so choose a spot you can reach from your seat that does not catch your knees. Our gaming desk setup guide covers the desk itself.

Skip it if you only use a controller now and then. A drawer, a shelf or a wall hook does the same job.

An external power button

An external button is for a PC that sits somewhere awkward, such as under a desk, in a corner or on a shelf. It connects to the motherboard’s front-panel header and lets you start the PC from a convenient spot. Use your motherboard’s manual and the button’s own instructions to identify the correct pins, because layouts differ between boards. Do not assume.

Check what happens to the case’s own button. Some external buttons replace its connection on the header, while others come with a splitter or pass-through that lets both work. Follow the wiring that comes with your button. Also check that the cable is long enough for the route from the case to the desk, and switch off and unplug the PC before you work inside it.

Skip it if the case button is already within easy reach.

A precision screwdriver set

A decent screwdriver set is the one item here that helps even if you never buy anything else on the list. It makes building, upgrading and maintaining a PC less fiddly. What matters most is the match: the bit type and size must fit the screw, because a poorly fitting bit slips and can damage the head. Check that the set includes the types you actually meet in your parts, and prefer magnetic bits and a comfortable handle over a long list of bits you will never use.

Follow the instructions for the part you are fitting on how tightly to fasten it. Small fasteners on boards and drives are easy to overtighten.

Skip it if you open a case once in a long while and already own a driver that fits.

How to choose

Start with the problem, not the product. If you never check temperatures, skip the screen. If your room is warm, a fan may be worth it. If a controller keeps ending up on the desk, storage helps. If the case is out of reach, a power button helps. If you build or repair, a decent driver pays off. Fixing one real irritation is better than buying all five.

What this guide does not cover

• Prices, brands and models.
• Test results. Nothing here was tested.
• Monitoring software, and any change after November 6, 2026.