What’s the finest gaming gear of 2023? So far as PC gaming goes, the massive tech story of 2023 has been that graphics playing cards lastly turned reasonably priced once more, after years of pandemic and crypto mining-induced inflated costs. We noticed the arrival of the likes of the Nvidia RTX 4070, the Nvidia RTX 4060, AMD RX 7800 XT, and AMD RX 7600, all of which introduced true current-generation GPU efficiency to costs not seen for a while – it’s no shock a number of of them sit on our greatest graphics card information.
We’ve additionally seen OLED gaming screens steadily infiltrate our greatest gaming monitor information, turning into extra broadly obtainable and succesful, even when they continue to be a premium possibility. Elsewhere, with the likes of the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed that tops our finest gaming mouse information, we’ve seen attention-grabbing developments in mice, with that mannequin providing a lightning-fast 8KHz wi-fi polling price whereas nonetheless sustaining wonderful battery life, because of it utilizing an AA battery – is that this an indication of a very wire-free future for gaming mice?
There are numerous extra tales to inform in regards to the 12 months of {hardware} that has been 2023 however what issues most is which merchandise are the cream of the crop. Which supplied efficiency so highly effective or worth so… worthwhile that we couldn’t assist however rejoice them? Nicely, that’s what we’re right here to search out out. With out additional ado, right here’s our record of the most effective gear of the 12 months 2023.
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Greatest CPU of 2023
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D has been the most effective CPU for gaming because it landed again in April. Intel’s latest 14th-gen chips, such because the 14900K and 14600K gave it run for its cash however the AMD possibility nonetheless wins out in lots of gaming assessments and provides very good worth.
The key sauce is the X3D bit – the 3D V-Cache – which offers the eight-core chip with an enormous chunk of additional L3 cache which implies it additionally has numerous the very newest program knowledge able to work. It’s much less vital for predictable workloads like video encoding or different workstation stuff however for gaming it’s good. Discover out extra in our full AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D assessment.
Greatest graphics card of 2023
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
Let’s face it, the RTX 4070 wasn’t a slam dunk when it first arrived. It was costlier than the earlier 70 class graphics playing cards and efficiency relative to some merchandise round it wasn’t excellent. Nonetheless, it marked a turning level for Nvidia’s RTX 40 sequence when it turned way more reasonably priced, and in contrast to the severely underpowered RTX 4060 lineup, it nonetheless had a great deal of horsepower. For avid gamers operating QHD and FHD shows who need to get pleasure from excessive frame-rate gaming, the RTX 4070 delivers the products and sips energy whereas doing it.
Key to the vary as a complete is Nvidia’s DLSS 3 suite, which continues to impress with its body rate-boosting upscaling skills and ray tracing efficiency. With ray tracing and upscaling options turning into extra commonplace, Nvidia’s mid-range card is able to run probably the most demanding video games of the longer term with out breaking a lot of a sweat.
Learn our Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 assessment.
Greatest gaming handheld of 2023
Steam Deck OLED
Having already captured the hearts and minds of avid gamers aplenty with the unique Steam Deck, Valve realized the total potential of its handheld this 12 months with the Steam Deck OLED. Not solely is the display greater, brighter, and higher in each approach, however this refresh is way over meets the attention. It’s virtually every little thing we wished the unique was and extra.
This system is stuffed with welcome surprises, very like the reveal of the Steam Deck OLED itself. Essentially the most transformative modifications, for sure, are the enhancements to battery life and weight discount. Longer, extra comfy gaming classes. What extra may you need? Suffice it to say, this second wind for the Steam Deck as a platform ought to fortunately carry us to its true successor.
Discover out extra in our Steam Deck OLED assessment.
Greatest gaming headset of 2023
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi is the whole gaming headset. It provides crystal-clear audio paired with a wide-band microphone and intuitive AI-driven audio cancellation. Past the noise, the Sport DAC can be a implausible technique to monitor your recreation/chat ranges and alter your EQ on the fly. It even delivers in-game statistics in supported titles like Counter-Strike 2.
As you may count on, it is a premium headset with a worth to match, however the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi deserves each ounce of reward we’ve thrown its approach, and it’s price each penny too.
Learn our SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi assessment for extra.
Greatest gaming keyboard of 2023
SteelSeries Apex Professional Mini
A mini keyboard successful out in 2023? You’re rattling proper. The SteelSeries Apex Professional Mini is a big enchancment over your commonplace mechanical keyboard and has unbelievable ranges of responsiveness. Onboard profile storage and a small, gentle kind issue imply it’s a super journey buddy for any event.
Whether or not you utilize it contemporary out of the field or spend hours tinkering with actuation factors and meta bindings, the Apex Professional Mini has gorgeous worth even at a premium worth level.
Learn our SteelSeries Apex Professional Mini assessment.
Greatest gaming laptop computer of 2023
Razer Blade 16
The twin-screen tech contained in the Razer Blade 16 goes an extended technique to making it the most effective gaming laptops we’ve seen this 12 months, however this wouldn’t matter if not for the stellar construct high quality and efficiency it additionally provides. Collectively, this moveable bundle is unbeatable.
Prime-tier specs, particularly a Core i9 13950HX processor and GPU choices topping out on the RTX 4090, assist to make full use of the dual-mode mini LED show’s capabilities. Whether or not you’re up for a aggressive session at QHD+ 240Hz or a extra narrative-driven expertise at UHD+ 120Hz, the Blade 16’s versatility has you lined.
Learn our full Razer Blade 16 assessment.
Greatest gaming monitor of 2023
Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240
The OLED gaming monitor revolution is in full swing, and the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 serves as a shining instance of how nice this panel expertise could be. As was the case with the Steam Deck, as soon as you progress from an LCD monitor to an OLED mannequin, it’s really troublesome to return for thus many causes.
The Xeneon 27QHD240 packs all the benefits of OLED we’ve come to count on, particularly lightning-fast response occasions, superior distinction ranges with inky blacks, and per-pixel brightness management (no backlight required right here). It additionally comes with welcome niceties like a well-rounded I/O and a surprisingly helpful proximity sensor.
Keep tuned for our full Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 assessment.
Greatest gaming mouse of 2023
Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed
The Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed is undoubtedly the most effective mouse of 2023. Its unbelievable design, efficiency, and battery life all culminate in a mouse that ought to price way over it does.
Razer took years of design analysis and improvement from the final Viper mannequin and refined every little thing it may to deliver the V3 Hyperspeed to market with a bang. After we examined it for assessment, we discovered it to be tremendous responsive with an extended battery life – because of it utilizing a replaceable AA battery moderately than a chargeable unit – and its ergonomic design makes it a pleasure to take a seat underneath your palm. Some dangers have been taken, similar to a front-end sensor and comparatively excessive weight for an esports mouse (82g), but it surely works like a dream and no mouse launched this 12 months comes near providing the worth of it.
Learn our Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed assessment for extra.
Greatest SSD of 2023
Essential T700
You gained’t truly discover this drive on the PCGN finest SSD information simply but as we first reviewed it on Customized PC. Nonetheless, the Essential T700 is sort of merely among the many quickest SSDs you should purchase proper now. It has delivered the quickest sequential learn and write speeds we’ve seen from a client M.2 SSD. Particularly, its outcomes have been near double these of the mid-range PCIe 4 SSDs we’ve examined, displaying there may be some further pace available from getting a PCIe 5 SSD.
One factor to notice is that the drive does run fairly sizzling, so that you’ll want to purchase it both with its non-compulsory heatsink or use the heatsink supplied together with your motherboard (or use a Third-party one like Corsair’s water-cooled SSD cooler). It’s definitely not the most cost effective SSD going – and all that pace doesn’t translate to an enormous distinction in gaming efficiency – however in the event you simply desire a reliably quick possibility proper now, it’s the one to get.
Learn the Corsair T700 assessment on our sister website.