Ultimate Gaming Hardware Reviews: The Best Gear of 2023
- Claudia Levi
- Aug 4, 2024
- 7 min read
2023 has been an amazing year for gaming gear. From powerful laptops to top-notch graphics cards, the market is full of awesome choices. Whether you're a pro gamer or just starting, having the right gear can make a huge difference. Let's dive into the best gaming hardware of 2023.
Key Takeaways
The Lenovo Legion 7i Pro is a top pick for gaming laptops, offering great performance and features.
Alienware's 34 AW3423DWF monitor stands out for its impressive display quality.
The Steam Deck OLED is a fantastic handheld gaming device with a bright and clear screen.
AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a powerful CPU that's perfect for gaming.
The AMD Radeon RX 7800XT graphics card delivers excellent performance for gamers.
1. Lenovo Legion 7i Pro
The Lenovo Legion 7i Pro is a standout in the gaming laptop market for 2023. Its design is classic yet effective, reflecting Lenovo's ThinkPad origins. This laptop runs its hardware at full speed and includes all the ports you could need. Additionally, it features a handy hardware cut-off switch for the webcam.
While the screen may not match the Nebula mini-LED panels found in Asus ROG machines, it remains bright and crisp. This makes the Lenovo Legion 7i Pro a powerful, pleasant-to-use, and affordable option for gamers.
2. Alienware 34 AW3423DWF
The Alienware 34 AW3423DWF is a standout in the gaming monitor market. This model builds on its predecessor with a glossy coating that enhances the already impressive Samsung QD-OLED technology. The 34-inch screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio offers wide viewing angles and good ergonomics for an ultrawide monitor.
Key Features
Screen Size: 34 inches
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Panel Type: QD-OLED
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
Pros
Excellent color accuracy
High contrast ratio
Fast response time
Wide viewing angles
Cons
Some color fringing around windows
Bright light can worsen the picture quality
3. Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, featuring a stunning new OLED panel. This new screen offers deeper blacks, vibrant colors, faster refresh rates, and true HDR support. These enhancements make gaming on the Steam Deck OLED a visually rich experience.
Beyond the screen, the Steam Deck OLED also boasts several quality-of-life improvements. It now comes with a larger battery, a new carry case, and an option for a 1TB SSD. These updates make the device even more convenient and enjoyable to use.
New OLED panel: Deeper blacks, vibrant colors, faster refresh rates, and HDR support
Larger battery: Extended gaming sessions without frequent recharges
New carry case: Enhanced portability and protection
1TB SSD option: More storage for games and media
4. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a standout in the world of gaming processors. With its strong gaming performance, it has become a top choice for gamers in 2023. This CPU is designed to deliver exceptional gaming experiences, making it a great option for those who prioritize gaming above all else.
One of the key advantages of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is its ease of installation and configuration. Many users have found it very easy to install and configure the BIOS, which adds to its appeal. Additionally, it works perfectly with EXPO for RAM, ensuring smooth and efficient performance.
While it excels in gaming, it's worth noting that the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is less ideal for content creation tasks. There are other mid-range CPUs that come close to its performance in many games but at a lower cost. However, for those focused solely on gaming, this CPU remains an excellent choice.
5. AMD Radeon RX 7800XT
The AMD Radeon RX 7800XT is a fantastic choice for gamers who want great performance without breaking the bank. If you want bang for buck, the obvious choice is the 7800XT with its 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM and better raster performance. At 1440p, this card shines, often beating the RTX 4070 in many benchmarks.
Priced at $499, it offers excellent value, especially when compared to Nvidia's more expensive options. The RX 7800XT also supports ray tracing, although it may not be the best in this area. However, if you pair it with an AMD Ryzen processor, you can take advantage of Smart Access Memory to boost performance even further.
Overall, the RX 7800XT is a solid pick for gamers looking for high performance at a reasonable price.
6. Lexar NM790 4TB
The Lexar NM790 4TB SSD is a solid choice for those looking for high performance without breaking the bank. It uses the MaxioTech MAP1602A controller and lacks DRAM, but still manages to deliver impressive read and write speeds of 7,400MB/s and 6,500MB/s, respectively. These speeds make it one of the fastest drives we've tested.
One of the standout features of the Lexar NM790 is its ability to run cool without needing an active cooling solution. This makes it an excellent option for laptops or small form factor builds where space and cooling are at a premium.
Key Specifications
7. ASRock Z790 Riptide
The ASRock Z790 Riptide is a top-tier Intel motherboard designed to support the latest 14th Gen Intel chips. It offers exceptional performance, ensuring your system runs at its full potential. This motherboard stands out with its extensive storage options, including numerous SATA ports and five M.2 sockets.
Key Features
PCIe 5.0 socket for graphics and M.2 SSDs
Additional PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot
Supports up to DDR5-6800 memory
Impressive VRM design
Comprehensive back panel
Value Proposition
The ASRock Z790 Riptide is one of the best value Z790 motherboards available. It combines a strong feature set with top-notch performance, making it a great choice for gamers and PC enthusiasts alike.
8. Audeze Maxwell
The Audeze Maxwell Wireless headset stands out with its superior sound quality. This is thanks to the large 90mm planar magnetic drivers in the earcups, which offer a richer and more varied soundscape compared to the usual 40 to 50mm neodymium drivers found in many gaming headsets.
Rather than using the traditional cone-and-coil setup to create sound waves, the Maxwell uses a flat sheet of material that pulses back and forth between two magnets. This results in a fuller and more natural sound that is immediately noticeable.
While the advanced technology makes the headset a bit heavy, Audeze has ensured it remains comfortable for long periods. The headset also boasts a long battery life and a decent microphone.
Key Features
Sound Quality: 90mm planar magnetic drivers for a rich soundscape.
Comfort: Designed for long-term wear despite its weight.
Battery Life: Extended battery life for prolonged use.
Microphone: Good quality for clear communication.
Versatility: Supports wired, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections.
Compatibility
The Xbox version of the Maxwell is cross-compatible with:
Xbox 360
Xbox X/S
Mac
PC
Android and iOS devices
It also works with PlayStation 5, although it’s not specifically designed for it.
9. Sennheiser Profile
The Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set is an excellent all-in-one package for any budding streamer. It includes a handsome cardioid condenser mic with onboard mix, gain, headphone volume controls, and a mute button, along with a sleek-looking boom arm. The sound profile is warm, with a crisp professional quality that's rather pleasing to the ear.
This set is a great starter kit for professional-sounding audio. The mic's neutral sound profile supplies a good amount of boom, making it versatile for various uses. The design is not only functional but also stylish, making it a piece of gear you'd likely be happy to show off on camera.
Cardioid condenser mic
Onboard mix and gain controls
Headphone volume controls
Mute button
Sleek boom arm
10. Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is a top contender in the gaming mouse market for 2023. It's lighter than its predecessor, making it even more comfortable for extended gaming sessions. This mouse also features a new and improved sensor, ensuring precise and responsive tracking.
Key Features
Ultra-lightweight design
Enhanced sensor for better accuracy
Comfortable for long-term use
Performance
The Superlight 2 excels in performance, offering a seamless and responsive experience. Gamers will appreciate the improved sensor, which provides pinpoint accuracy and smooth tracking.
Design
The design remains similar to its predecessor but with a focus on reducing weight. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers who prioritize speed and agility.
Conclusion
In 2023, the gaming hardware landscape has seen some amazing advancements. From powerful gaming laptops to high-quality headsets, the gear available today can truly enhance your gaming experience. Whether you're a casual gamer or a professional streamer, there's something out there for everyone. As technology continues to evolve, we can only expect even more exciting developments in the future. Stay tuned and keep gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Lenovo Legion 7i Pro stand out?
The Lenovo Legion 7i Pro is known for its powerful performance, high-quality display, and sleek design. It's a top pick for gamers who want a reliable and stylish laptop.
Is the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF good for gaming?
Yes, the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF is an excellent gaming monitor. It offers a large, immersive screen with high resolution and fast refresh rates, making it ideal for an enhanced gaming experience.
What are the features of the Steam Deck OLED?
The Steam Deck OLED features a vibrant OLED screen, powerful hardware for gaming on the go, and a user-friendly interface. It's perfect for gamers who want to play PC games anywhere.
How does the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D perform?
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D delivers exceptional performance with its advanced architecture, making it a great choice for both gaming and multitasking. It offers high processing power and efficiency.
Why should I choose the AMD Radeon RX 7800XT?
The AMD Radeon RX 7800XT is a top-tier graphics card that provides excellent performance for gaming and creative tasks. It supports high-resolution gaming and has advanced features for better visuals.
Is the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 worth it?
Yes, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is worth it for serious gamers. It's lightweight, has a high-precision sensor, and offers great battery life, making it perfect for competitive gaming.