Looking to upgrade your gaming setup? SteelSeries has a surprising new product to help you feel more competitive when playing on PC the new QCK Performance MousepadTech14:00, 11 Mar 2025Is it weird to be excited about a mousepad?(Image: SteelSeries)PC gamers looking to gain a competitive edge have a whole host of ways to customise their setup. A mechanical keyboard can help trigger presses more quickly, while a good headset will allow you to more easily hear an enemy's footsteps.A monitor packing the right tech can reduce latency, while a mouse with a high polling rate can increase your chances of snagging that round-winning headshot in a twitchy shooter like Valorant.Article continues belowStill, there's something you may not have considered your mousepad.Now, SteelSeries is taking aim at what goes under your mouse with the QCK Performance Series of mousepads, and it might just be the final frontier for competitive gamers.SteelSeries is comparing the feel of each mat to a type of tire(Image: SteelSeries)"From actuation points in keyboards to mouse side buttons to personalized audio profiles in headsets, players want and need precision, personalization, and customization in their gaming gear," SteelSeries said in a press release."But the lonely mousepad has all but been forgotten or neglected when it comes to pure performance and playstyle for over 20 years. Essentially, there has been a barrier that SteelSeries is set to remove Enter the QcK Performance Series mousepads."Wondering what's so special about a mousepad? I'm glad you asked.SteelSeries says: "The innovative new Performance Series has been professionally engineered with different playstyles in mind, tailored not only for longevity but to enhance player performance in-game."There are three versions, with "the ultra-smooth glide of the Speed pad for lightning-fast moves", "the expertly tuned friction of the Control pad for pinpoint accuracy", and a blend of both for the 'Balance' pad.Which would you go for?(Image: SteelSeries)Each has a 3.5mm base with neoprene foam for stability, as well as a non-slip grip, and they're available in Large and Extra Large versions.The proof is in the pudding of course, and it's worth noting that three members of the FaZe Rainbow Six team used the mats last month to take home the top prize at the Six Invitational.Jaime 'Cyber' Ramos used the Balance pad, while Lucas 'soulz1' Schinke used the Control version. Finally, Thiago 'Handyy' Ferreira used the Balance version on their way to claiming a cool $1 million in prize money.Article continues belowFor more on PC gaming, be sure to check out how I switched from console in the last few years., as well as all we know about this week's Steam Spring Sale.For more of the latest news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.