I'm looking to buy three new things for PC gaming.

1. A new mouse
2. A mouse pad
3. A headset or set of headphones

1. I have been the proud owner of a Logitech MX500 for the last 4.5 years. It has never given me trouble, except when the left button stopped responding. I opened the mouse up and was able to fix that, however, without much problem. It freaked me out, though, so I want to buy something now and keep the MX500 as my backup (or vice versa). I would buy another MX500 in a second, but they don't sell them any more. Plus, I'm thinking they must have something better by now...?

2. I haven't owned a mouse pad since optical mice came out so I don't know what's good. It should be for gaming. I was thinking the XTRAC Ripper Optical Mouse pad I saw at newegg? The Icemat, the one with glass, also looks good, but I'm afraid it would break. I travel and move a lot.

3. As for the headphones, I've done extensive research on this. To the point that it's about to drive me nuts. I want to use the headphones for both gaming (especially something that's good for Counter-Strike) and for listening to music. Someone who has used just about every headset out there recommends the Turtle Beach X52 5.1. Some audiophiles who also play CS recommend either the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro or the HD-555. They say that 5.1 headsets are gimmicky/unworthy. PS: I don't need a microphone so we can disregard that potential variable.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated!

Habu is the best mouse around at the moment. Produced by MS in conjunction with Razer. 2000dpi feels great, 2 side buttons - cant go wrong!

I also highly recommend the Logitech G5 which I recently purchased.

Accurate, adjustable weights (I love a weighty mouse), and glides like a dream.

for mouse mats, check out the bright mat, or those steel ones i've heard good things about, in a hurry so no links. sorry!

Sennheiser headphones are bloody fantastic. I have a pair of HD-595 myself and they're the best 'phones i've ever heard. I've listened to the 555s as well and for the price i'd thoroughly recommend them.

If you're really into your music i'd look at getting a dedicated stereo system. A good starter system would be Cambridge Audio 540A amplifier with Cambridge Audio 540C CD player and some Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers. However that's going to come to around £600, so unless you're really into stereo i wouldn't bother. I myself am what i'd call an "Audiophile", although i now think i have my perfect setup. Audionet SAM V2, Audionet CD player, Nordost cabling, Wilson Benesch ARCs and an REL Subwoofer. All in it's come to around £14k, but it's well worth it. Money is nothing in pursuit of audio perfection

On the mouse front if i were you i'd stick with Logitech - the new G5 is a brilliant piece of engineering.

Mousepads i'm not too good with, whenever i've used them i've never noticed any difference!

I second the Logitech G5, it works great for me

func surface1030. I've had for 5+ years and it still works great, easy to clean, has 2 different surfaces depending on your tastes, rubber grip. I bought a 2nd one about a year ago for my work as well. Best mousepad I've ever had.
http://www.func.net/products/1030/index.html

Also haven't tried the G5, but I use my old MX500 at work (awesome mouse), and I use a G3 at home, and I love it.

I recently upgraded to the Logitech G5 (love it) and a rocketfish mousepad. The pad is double sided so you can choose between control and speed surfaces. Its a good sized pad and works well with the G5. They sell em at best buy so you can run in and take a look before deciding.

http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/ [...] black.aspx

mouse - G9 the price difference between the G5 and G9 is almost none existent, get the G9.
pad - razer speed/control - control or speed depending on your preferences i have the speed.
headset - 5.1 medusa - build quality isnt brilliant but they sound better than most and can be found for about 30-40 pound

Mouse pad for optical mice? WTF? Oh well whatever floats your boat.

Try not to get a shiny one, my bro got a steel mousepad for his optical mouse and it scattered the light from the mouse - the only place it wouldn't work was on the pad lol

I’ve got a Logitech G9, and it’s the best mouse I have used so far in my 15 years of gaming. As for mats, I once had one of those ice mats. It was very good on laser mice, not so good with red light optical mice… well it was good until someone sat on it as it was made of textured glass.

My mouse gave up and I needed one on the day so went to my local computer shop and it was this or a laptop mouse (or cordless- eugh!)

I have to say though, I do prefer the look of the G5...

id get the g5 because the g9 is ugly if u want something else the razer mice are pretty good to

Ugly it may be, but very good it is.

+1 for the G5 here... awesome mouse with some good weight/feel to it..

Razor's are good to but they tend to be suppper light... too light for my liking anyways...