The Full Nerd awards: Our favourite PC {hardware} of 2022

What a 12 months 2022 has been for {hardware}. After a pandemic-induced drought, the skies lastly rained unbelievable launches upon parched fanatics. Whether or not a holdout for a brand new processor or graphics card, or an keen fan of moveable PC gaming, your endurance was richly rewarded.

So for fully reverse causes than 2021, selecting our prime picks for the annual The Full Nerd awards was as soon as once more tough going. The dialogue between Gordon Ung, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, Keith Might, and Adam Patrick Murray obtained downright heated about our favorites of this 12 months. By the point the workforce settled on the eight winners for 2022, everybody was downright drained. And perhaps slightly unhappy.

Need to know what set off the fireworks? Proceed studying for a recap of the outcomes, together with the arguments that set Gordon and particularly Brad off. (Sorry, boss.) For the complete dialogue, take a look at the video embedded under. Additionally, needless to say these picks are merely the favorites as nominated and voted on in dwell fight debate by the members of our Full Nerd podcast, which focuses on deeply geeky enthusiast-level tech. Be sure you take a look at our separate roundup of the finest PC {hardware} and software program of 2022 for PCWorld’s wider checklist of champions, in addition to our roundup of the finest work-from-home tech of 2022.

Finest CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Each Intel and AMD launched heavy hitters this 12 months, with Thirteenth-generation Raptor Lake and Ryzen 7000 blowing previous their predecessors on benchmark charts. With how a lot uncooked energy they provide, you’d assume that the highest canine Core i9-13900K would have been a shoo-in for this choose. Gordon, our resident CPU reviewer, definitely did.

Sadly for Gordon, democracy prevailed. The remainder of the crew a lot most popular the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, AMD’s very good bookend to the AM4 period. Given the 5800X3D’s present avenue costs, the bulk felt this chip provides glorious efficiency within the areas most individuals care about—gaming and streaming—whereas additionally showcasing AMD’s spectacular new V-Cache tech. It additionally didn’t harm that this ultra-powerful CPU can slip into your current motherboard as a reasonably straightforward and low-cost improve.

One massive factor that got here out of this dialogue: Every individual defining what makes a product a favourite of the 12 months, reasonably than the very best (a shift in theme for these 2022 Nerdies). This turns into very related within the subsequent subject, GPUs.

Finest GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090

Poor Brad. On the one hand, 2022 noticed the launch of recent graphics playing cards, saving him from one more 12 months of tolerating a win for built-in graphics as our GPU choose. Nevertheless, then again, he had to spend so much of effort for almost all to agree on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 as the favourite.

Regardless of clear proof of the 4090’s futuristically quick efficiency, Adam and Keith countered arduous with Intel’s new Arc graphics playing cards as their favourite of the 12 months—regardless of the A770 and A750 displaying as much as the desk with points (like drivers). The pair defended Intel passionately, touting the trouble (and the eye paid to the mid-range) as worthy of favourite standing. Maybe not finest, however favourite.

Let’s simply say the dialog obtained downright emotional quick, lasting practically twice so long as the CPU dialogue and reaching an intense fever level earlier than Adam and Keith lastly cracked. (At Alaina’s instigation.) Ultimately, the GeForce RTX 4090’s face-melting velocity and unlocking of all-new gaming experiences—no-compromises ray tracing and 120Hz+ 4K gaming, together with the introduction of AI-powered DLSS Body Technology—earned this brutal graphics card a hard-won crown. It’s a beast for content material creation, too.

Finest case: Fractal Design North

Like 2021, a ton of nice new circumstances got here accessible in 2022—and in any respect sizes. Whether or not you needed one thing small and modular just like the Phanteks Evolv Shift XT, a tidy case that helps optical drives just like the Fractal Design Pop Mini Air, or a reasonably but meaty field just like the Lian Li Lancool III, everybody obtained one thing novel and new.

However none had been as recent because the Fractal Design North, a mid-tower airflow case with typical proportions however an unique tackle a slatted entrance panel. Somewhat than plastic or steel, Fractal used wooden, together with your alternative of stain colours. It’ll mix in with most of at the moment’s present dwelling decor, too, given how standard mid-century fashionable is correct now. The Fractal Design North additionally provides glorious airflow, cooling efficiency, and buildability. That’s a phrase, proper?

Our solely criticism? There’s not a smaller mini-ITX model accessible. But. (Ahem.)

Finest PC accent: Valve Steam Deck

Equipment are outlined as gadgets that add worth or utility, or improve the looks of the first merchandise. Which implies you may rely a number of issues that aren’t simply keyboards, mice, headphones, and the like. For instance: The Steam Deck. Really, not only for instance, provided that we picked it as our favourite PC accent.

Sure, it’s a pc unto itself. However for the way it’s utilized in the true world—as a complement reasonably than substitute for a gaming rig—it’s extra an adjunct than an unbiased system, permitting you to proceed your video games away out of your desk (or your private home all collectively). Adam and Keith couldn’t cease talking enthusiastically about their Steam Decks, and even these of us with out one plan to finally rectify that. Valve really managed to make a conveyable gaming handheld a actuality, and Linux gaming a actuality, all for below $400. Bravo.

Finest laptop computer: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

Selecting a laptop computer (very similar to a pc case) usually boils right down to your wants and private style. Which makes selecting a consensus favourite tough.

However Asus’s enhancements to its Zephyrus G14 (plus a hefty help from AMD’s glorious Ryzen 6900HS and Radeon RX 6800S) helped the corporate win this class twice with the identical mannequin. (Properly, technically, the 2020 and 2022 fashions.) It’s quick, {powerful}, light-weight, and even sports activities a futuristic mini-LED show on its exterior for displaying notifications, battery life data, music visualizations, and extra. At $2,500, this model of the ROG Zephyrus G14 isn’t low cost, however you get quite a bit on this 3.8-lb pocket book. And it’s a enjoyable machine. Critically, take a look at that AniME Matrix show on its lid!

Finest merch: Paul’s {Hardware} 8-bit PC gear

Sponsored by: The Full Nerd Outrage Pony T-Shirt

Nowadays, you should buy loads of implausible merchandise that not solely assist your favourite creators, however pay homage to your pursuits in simply the correct methods, too. It’s not all t-shirts and mugs, both: Take for instance the ratcheting screwdriver from the Linus Tech Ideas retailer or GamersNexus’ perennially standard mod mat.

However for this 12 months, nostalgia gained our hearts (and our bucks). Over on the shop for Paul’s {Hardware}, yow will discover majestic 8-bit renditions of PCs and PC elements. T-shirt, hoodie, or mug—it doesn’t matter which model you select. We simply love the way it merges our fashionable lives with the acquainted issues of our youth.

Finest innovation: Valve Steam Deck

Editor’s be aware: A earlier model of this text listed 3D V-Cache because the winner of this class. This was a mistake and never the unintended reveal of an alternate timeline the place Brad and Alaina’s favourite obtained its due. We remorse the error.

For unlocking the shackles on PC gaming and making it potential to play your enormous Steam backlog wherever, the Steam Deck gained our Finest Accent award this 12 months. However its sheer existence can also be of be aware: Because the fruits of a decade of labor, it lastly gave life to the dream of enjoying video games on a console-sized PC that remained a PC. If you wish to play video games outdoors your Steam library, you may.

Furthermore, powering that accomplishment is a tremendous technological trick—seamless integration of Proton, the software program layer that enables Steam Deck house owners to play Home windows video games on Linux. And amazingly, Valve priced the entire bundle in the identical vary as an precise console. Whether or not the Steam Deck in the end boosts Linux gaming throughout the board stays to be seen, however for merely being right here on this earth, the Steam Deck nabbed the bulk vote and cinched a win.

Worst development: Pricing

Brad Chacos/IDG

We imply pricing on new {hardware} launched in 2022, however actually, it’s the price of every thing in 2022. MSRPs preserve rising.

In contrast to 2021, when costs ballooned as a result of mining, scalping, logistics woes, and common shortages on items all of us needed, this 12 months we needed to abdomen larger checklist costs for brand new launches. In fact, not all {hardware} bloated in worth and dropped in worth, however GPUs just like the $1,200 RTX 4080 and the approaching $899 Radeon RX 7900 XT positive really feel overpriced relative to their specs. AMD’s Ryzen 7000 processors already obtained heavy criticism for his or her perceived excessive value. Are we entitled to quick {hardware} at loss-leader costs? No. But it surely feels just like the madness won’t ever finish.