A monitor arm and real cable management change a gaming desk more than any RGB accessory, with USB hubs and headset stands filling the gaps after ergonomics is handled.
A monitor on its stock base forces your eyes down and eats keyboard and mouse space. Fixing that costs less than most decorative upgrades. Solve eye level and cable clutter first, then add hubs and stands as your gear demands them.
Why A Monitor Arm Leads The List
A monitor arm lifts the display to eye level, clears the desk underneath, and usually hides cables while doing it. ASUS builds cable-management channels into its ROG Ergo Monitor Arm AAS01 for that reason.
Check three things before buying:
- Desk material and edge. The NB ERGONOMIC Model A5 manual warns against fragile tops like marble or glass, and against narrow clamp surfaces or beveled edges.
- Mounting method. That manual supports C-Clamp and grommet mounting, with desk thickness from 20–90 mm (0.8″–3.5″) and grommet holes 10–60 mm (0.4″–2.3″) across. Those numbers belong to that model — verify your arm’s spec sheet.
- VESA pattern. The monitor needs 75×75 mm or 100×100 mm mounting holes.
Assembly order: install the base by clamp or grommet, bolt the VESA plate to the monitor, then mount it. Do not touch the tension screw until the monitor is hanging. With the monitor drooping, turn toward “+” to raise it; if it floats upward, turn toward “−”. Route cables through the arm’s channels last.
Cable Management Is The Other Half
Cable management works best when cables are bundled and mounted under the desk or along a leg instead of left loose. A floor-level power strip is the biggest visual mess and hardest thing to reach. Secure it to a tray or strap it to a desk leg, run one bundle up to the PC, and label the ends you swap often. The payoff is access as much as looks.
USB Hubs And Headset Stands
A USB hub earns its place when ports are limited or awkward to reach; a headset stand when your headset lives on the desk or monitor. Neither is mandatory, and buying them before fixing ergonomics is backwards.
Pick a powered hub over bus-powered whenever several peripherals draw current at once.
Headset stands split into plain and loaded versions. Tilted Nation’s gaming headphone stand goes further — its Amazon listing describes a built-in mouse bungee and a 2-port USB hub, though the port spec varies between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 across description variants on that same page. Treat stand USB ports as a convenience, not a reason to buy.
What To Buy First, And What To Skip
Buy in the order your problems appear: arm first, cable control second, hub or stand only when a port shortage or homeless headset shows up. Desk mats and wrist rests are reasonable comfort add-ons; decor belongs at the end. The recurring mistake is buying RGB pieces before solving eye level and cable clutter. For a shortcut, this roundup of tested accessories for gaming desk builds covers picks that account for the fit and compatibility checks above.
| Accessory | What It Fixes | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor arm | Eye level, freed desk space, hidden cables | Desk thickness, edge shape, VESA pattern |
| Cable tray / under-desk straps | Floor clutter, hard-to-reach power strip | Mount under the desk, not on the floor |
| Powered USB hub | Too few or hard-to-reach ports | Bus-powered hubs on high-draw gear |
| Headset stand | Headset storage, sometimes extra ports | USB spec varies by model and variant |
| Desk mat | Mouse tracking, surface wear | Measure your desk depth first |
ASUS publishes the full spec sheet for the ROG Ergo Monitor Arm AAS01, worth reading before committing to any arm with similar cable-routing claims.
FAQs
Do I need a monitor arm if my monitor already has a height-adjustable stand?
Only if you want the space back. A built-in stand can reach eye level but still occupies desk area and rarely routes cables. A monitor arm wins when desk space or wire clutter is the complaint.
Is a bus-powered USB hub ever good enough?
Yes, for light loads. Keyboards, mice, and flash drives draw little current and usually run fine. Add a powered hub when you connect drives, charging docks, or several peripherals at once.
Should I mount my monitor arm on a glass desk?
No. The NB ERGONOMIC Model A5 manual warns against fragile surfaces like marble or glass, and narrow or beveled clamp edges. A freestanding arm base or wall mount is safer.
References & Sources
- ASUS ROG. “ROG Ergo Monitor Arm AAS01.” Confirms cable-management channels built into the arm.
- Autonomous. “Cool Gaming Desk Accessories Every Gamer Should Have.” Supports prioritizing ergonomics and cable control over decor.
- Game Rant. “Best Gaming Desk Accessories.” Editorial context on which accessory categories matter most.