Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
We’re solely midway via 2024, and I’ve already reviewed a ton of PC gaming hardware. Despite probably the most thrilling launches coming within the again half of the year — Ryzen 9000 and RTX 50-series GPUs chief amongst them — there’s already been a deluge of hardware constructed for PC gaming.
It’s been a surprisingly packed year already, however there are six items of hardware that stand out from the group. From graphics playing cards to gaming displays to a keyboard (of all issues), right here’s all of the PC gaming tech you’ll be able to’t afford to disregard.
Nvidia RTX 4070 Super
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
There has been loads of controversy surrounding Nvidia’s RTX 40-series GPUs, significantly with regards to pricing. The Super refresh felt like an apology to players, and the RTX 4070 Super stands out because the best GPU from that vary. There’s a motive it tops our record of the best graphics playing cards, and that’s as a result of it’s insanely quick. Sure, Nvidia has even sooner GPUs, however there are only a few instances the place the RTX 4070 Super falls brief.
Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
First, there’s the pricing. The unique RTX 4070 was already an important graphics card at its record worth of $600. Nvidia didn’t increase the value of the Super refresh. Instead, it reduce the value of the unique mannequin by $50 and launched the RTX 4070 Super on the similar $600, all whereas providing round 15% greater efficiency.
Like all of Nvidia’s GPUs this era, the RTX 4070 Super will get an enormous increase from DLSS 3.5. The card can’t fairly keep 60 frames per second (fps) in demanding video games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K, however DLSS 3 fully transforms the expertise. It permits the RTX 4070 Super to attain excessive body charges in daunting video games at 4K, and with solely a minor hit to picture high quality. If you need a GPU that may do all of it in 2024, the RTX 4070 Super is hard to beat.
Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
I’ve reviewed nearly each main OLED gaming monitor, and Asus’ XG27AQDMG didn’t appear to be something particular. It’s a 27-inch 1440p monitor with a 240Hz refresh fee. We’ve seen a number of iterations of this monitor already, beginning with the LG UltraGear OLED 27 early final year. But the XG27AQDMG nonetheless managed to exceed my expectations by nearly each metric.
It’s mainly the PG27AQDM that Asus launched final year, however it is available in at $750 as a substitute of $1,000. That alone is already worthy of a brand new entry in Asus’ OLED lineup, however the XG27AQDMG goes additional. It’s brighter than final year’s mannequin, clocking the very best brightness I’ve ever recorded out of an OLED show. And it comes with a shiny panel, addressing the principle problem we’ve seen with LG’s WOLED panels as much as this level.
The XG27AQDMG doesn’t simply use a shiny coating, both. It’s a real shiny panel, and based on Asus, it’s the primary of its form. The ROG Strix XG27AQDMG might not do a lot when you simply stare on the specs sheet, however with regards to real-world efficiency, it’s an ideal showcase of how far OLED has are available in 2024.
Hyte Thicc Q60
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
There isn’t a whole lot of room for innovation out there of all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers, however Hyte nonetheless managed to make one thing particular with the Thicc Q60. The very first thing you’ll discover is the display. We’ve seen small shows on coolers earlier than, however the Thicc Q60 comes with a 5-inch IPS panel that may show system stats, movies, and so way more. It’s the trademark function of the Thicc Q60, however surprisingly, it’s the least fascinating side of the cooler.
The Thicc Q60 shines in its cooling prowess. True to its identify, the radiator is extraordinarily thick — shut to 3 instances as thick as most AIOs — and the followers are particularly tuned to push air via the large radiator. The configuration results in a number of the best thermal efficiency you may get out of an AIO. Hyte’s 240mm AIO can outperform most 360mm AIOs, and that comes right down to the wonderful followers and big radiator.
The Thicc Q60 goes past simply being a cooler. It additionally serves as a major node in Hyte’s Nexus Link ecosystem of cooling, followers, and lighting. You can join as much as 18 units, from followers to RGB strips, to the Thicc Q60, with none extra energy or cables. Everything stays controllable via the Nexus Link app in your desktop, too. It’s an ingenious resolution that works shockingly effectively, and it’s backed up by glorious cooling efficiency.
Meletrix Boog75
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
I’d forgive you when you’ve by no means heard of the Boog75 or Meletrix, the corporate that makes it. Although it’s one of the crucial recognizable manufacturers within the area of fanatic keyboards, Meletrix definitely isn’t a family identify. The Boog75 proves that it needs to be. It’s the best gaming keyboard I’ve ever laid my arms on, no questions requested, and when you can cough up the $230 Meletrix is charging and wait a number of week for a cargo, you’re in for a deal with.
The foundation of the Boog75 is Meletrix’s legendary Zoom75. You’re getting a 75% structure with a gasket mount, which already offers a incredible typing and gaming really feel. Meletrix makes use of an especially hefty shell for the Boog75, too. It’s nearly 8 kilos, supplying you with a strong basis to sort on.
The Boog75 stands out with its magnetic switches, nonetheless. It makes use of two opposing magnets within the switches to provide you an adjustable actuation level, all the way in which right down to 0.1mm. You can bind a number of instructions to totally different factors of the important thing press, or alter the depth of a command primarily based on how onerous you’re urgent. But the best use case for gaming is speedy triggers. With a really brief actuation level, you’re capable of ship instructions to your PC sooner, supplying you with an edge in video games.
Although the Boog75 is dear, you’ll know instantly the place your $230 went whenever you contact the keyboard. I’ve already reviewed half a dozen keyboards in 2024, however none of them can contact Meletrix.
Razer Viper V3 Pro
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Gaming mice don’t normally stand out. I exploit dozens of various ones every year, however I not often write a full assessment. I had to speak concerning the Razer Viper V3 Pro, although. The second I unboxed it and sat it on my desk, the mouse match like a glove. It’s a well-known form general, particularly when you’ve used a light-weight aggressive mouse. Razer provides a slight curve to the left to nestle your thumb, nonetheless, and a bit of additional peak on the rear to assist your palm.
The specs are positively there. You’re getting a wi-fi mouse with an 8,000Hz polling fee — sure, wirelessly — and Razer’s Focus Pro 35K optical sensor. You additionally get optical switches, which Razer says actuate in simply 0.2ms. This is simply concerning the highest-performing mouse cash should purchase proper now, however that’s not why I find it irresistible.
It’s the texture. The form is unimaginable, however it joins two massive toes on the underside of the mouse that assistance is glide effortlessly throughout any floor. Razer additionally consists of a number of items of precut grip tape that cowl the perimeters and buttons of the mouse, which assist rather a lot whenever you’re within the warmth of battle — and your arms are sweating like mine do. Razer’s Viper mice have all the time been glorious, however the Viper V3 Pro is actually one thing particular.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
If there’s a controversial choose on this record, it’s the Zephyrus G14. This laptop computer has been a staple of Asus’ lineup for the previous a number of years, and the go-to advice when you had been searching for a high-performance, transportable gaming laptop computer at an affordable worth. The 2024 Zephyrus G14 is a radical departure. Asus ditched the plastic shell for an all-aluminum end, making the Zephyrus G14 a way more premium gadget.
Still, it’s cheaper than the direct competitors within the type of the Razer Blade 14, and in some methods, the 2024 Zephyrus G14 is even higher. It’s lighter than the Blade 14 — and even the MacBook Pro 14 — and it’s practically an inch thinner. Still, Asus is ready to pack in as much as an RTX 4070 and Ryzen 9 8945HS, and it manages to maintain temperatures in examine with out extra fan noise. The 2024 Zephyrus G14 is actually the transportable powerhouse I’ve been looking for.
Asus went even additional, although, packing in one of the crucial beautiful OLED shows we’ve seen on a laptop computer. It’s nearly good out of the field, and it comes with a speedy 120Hz refresh fee. Despite all the adjustments, the Zephyrus G14 nonetheless comes with all the trimmings that made it successful within the first place — first rate battery life, rock-solid construct high quality, and one of many best keyboards obtainable on a gaming laptop computer. The 2024 Zephyrus G14 is a radical departure, however it makes the design higher in nearly each method.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-pc-gaming-hardware-2024-half-year-update/
