The All COSTCO Gaming Setup

The Desk: Teresanti Aurora [00:00:00]

• The setup begins with the Teresanti Aurora 47-inch adjustable height desk, featuring LED lighting.
• Despite its features, the desk's legs are described as "sketchy" and it's only rated for 100 pounds, which is considered low for a sit-stand desk.
• The desk struggles to lift but ultimately succeeds, though it makes concerning noises.

  "It should never be like that, obviously, but geez."

The Chair: DPS Series [00:01:43]

• The DPS-series chair is introduced as a necessary component for a sit-stand desk.
• Assembly and initial impressions are negative, with the chair taking a long time to lift and being uncomfortable despite ample padding, attributed to cheap foam.
• The price is noted as $149, which is considered a good deal for a gaming chair in this price range, offering enough cushion to prevent sitting directly on plywood.

  "How can they put this much padding on it and have it be this uncomfortable?"

Monitor Mounts & Monitors [00:02:41]

• The Platinum Series dual monitor arm, only available in Costco Canada, is presented as a difficult assembly.
• Two 2560x1440 IPS monitors with a 170Hz refresh rate (upgraded to 180Hz for the 2024 model) are showcased.
• The monitors are considered a good deal at $150 each, with 400 nits typical brightness.

  "Wait. What the hell does that mean?"

Monitor Arm Assembly Woes [00:04:18]

• The assembly of the dual monitor arm is a significant challenge, with issues arising from incorrect tools and order of operations.
• The presenters struggle with fitting pieces, using the wrong Allen key, and accidentally scratching the desk.
• Despite the difficulties, the arm is eventually mounted, though not without minor damage to the desk's finish.

  "Yeah, you got to give the guy credit. At least he owns it."

Keyboard and Mouse: Logitech [00:08:12]

• A Logitech keyboard and MX Anywhere 2S mouse are introduced as the only options available at Costco at the time.
• The packaging is praised for being eco-friendly, and the construction feels solid with a metal backing.
• The mouse is considered a good deal at $149, featuring a click-to-free-spin scroll wheel, but is noted as being too small for adult-sized hands.

  "Huh. No, it's a metal backing."

Speakers: Kef Bookshelf Speakers [00:09:37]

• Kef bookshelf wireless speakers are chosen because they were the only PC-compatible option available at Costco.com.
• The speakers are praised for their nice cardboard packaging and robust build, though one speaker is accidentally broken during a durability test.
• These speakers offer 200-watt power, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Chromecast support, priced at $399.

  "Oh, it broke. Hey, this is becoming a running theme in our video."

Headphones: Bose QC [00:11:45]

• Bose QC headphones are selected as the only available option, reflecting Costco's strategy of offering a single, decent product at a good price.
• The carrying case and headphones themselves show signs of cost-cutting, with cheaper foam, leading to a $329 price tag.
• Despite the cheap feel, the headphones are noted to sound good and be comfortable due to their light weight.

  "If Bose is charging more than 139 for these, then they should be embarrassed."

Lighting and UPS [00:13:19]

• Hexagon garage LED lights are installed, featuring adhesive backing and a simple snap-together design, though the assembly process still has minor hiccups.
• The lights are bright and provide cool white illumination, priced at $109, considered a good deal.
• A Cyber Power UPS is included to protect the setup, priced at $209, highlighting its importance for reliability and saving work during power outages.

  "Yeah, thank you for that. It's not like I was cleaning up over here or anything."

Final Thoughts on Costco Build [00:15:19]

• The video concludes with a review of the entire Costco gaming setup, acknowledging the mixed quality of the items.
• While some items like the monitors and speakers offered great value, others like the desk and chair had notable flaws.
• The overall sentiment is that Costco provides good deals, especially on electronics, making it a viable option for budget-conscious builders, with the added benefit of Costco's return policy.

  "And out of all the stuff we did get, I gotta say I'm pretty happy with the deals we got."