About controllers

Logitech f series or xbox one, no other options.

Of course it worth, I have a Thrustmaster GP Xid, cuz it was the cheapest Xbox 360 controller for PC xd, but it's good.

I got mine for around $30 dollars online, honestly I would definitely just go with the xbox controller, its a one off purchase, basically all games work perfect with the controller, and will be a lot less headaches to pay the extra 10 or 20 bucks for the xbox one. Then again the only other controllers I've tried have been REALLY crappy so I may be a little bias.

I have a Logitech F310. I prefer a PlayStation layout, and this one also has a switch on the back to change between XInput (for newer games, makes the computer recognize it as 360 controller) and DInput (for older games), so it seems to avoid all possible compatibility issues, whether the game's new or old. There's also a wireless version with rumble if you prefer that.

edit: And I should mention I love both my Logitechs (I had an older one before this - only reason I upgraded was for the XInput switch). My old one's been working for years, and my new one has a great feel - control sticks are more precise than my old one and the D-pad's awesome.

I really like the XBox 360 Controller for Windows, even more than the PS3 or any similar layout.
It's good quality, and the fact that it works out of the box with Windows itself and with any game makes it the best choice.

Still use my old Xbox Type-S along with x360ce plugin for xinput games and it's working like a charm. With any Logitech controller you'll still have the thumbstick in the middle of the controller with your thumbs stretched to reach them taking away any precision which is I guess the main reason why you want something else than a PS-style gamepad. Being you I'd go for an xbox360.

Xbox 360 controller is good, most of games support only it, so I say this. Cheaper option: get any c
ontroller and use x360ce emulator (you need to put it in every game folder you want to play)

Buy an official 360 controller. Mine has lasted maybe five years with insane amounts of abuse.

XBox controller is cheap. Just make sure you don't fall for the "for PC" scam some vendors are engaging in. When I bought mine, I bought the normal XBox controller. The shop also had a box with "For Windows" written on it, which was much more expensive. I don't know if it's Microsoft that's doing this or the shops. Fact is, you don't need a "for Windows" version of the controller. There's no difference. Just buy the normal controller, as if you had an actual XBox 360. Simply plug it in and you're good to go.

You don't even need to install the XBox Controller software. In fact, I recommend that you don't. It installs a background service that DOES NOTHING USEFUL other than eat memory.