Call us pedantic, over-critical, picky, fussy, whatever. The simple truth is that everyone at PC Gamer not only has very high standards, but also masses of experience in a host of different fields. So when it comes to reviewing hardware, every piece of kit that passes through our hands gets thoroughly scrutinized.
We only give the highest review scores to products that actually meet or exceed those standards and over the whole of 2023, a mere 25 were awarded with a review score of 90% or more.
You might be surprised by what’s in the list, with some brands you wouldn’t expect to see or have never heard of before. There are a few notable names missing, though, but that just means the competition is very healthy, in the major of PC hardware sectors.
Minor spoiler: there’s not a single graphics card in our list below. You’re probably not surprised, of course, as GPU prices are generally all too high for our liking. And those that are sensibly priced don’t stand out in terms of performance. Maybe this will change next year and the 2024 list sports some lovely graphics cards.
But pretty much everything else is there: gaming headsets, CPUs, full PCs, monitors, and more. There’s a decent spread of kit to be tempted by and that’s a nice way to finish the year.
However, since I am a total grinch, I’ve also added an extra list: The five lowest scoring products we’ve reviewed in 2023. Since three of the entries all come from the same manufacturer, somebody isn’t going to have a jolly end to the year and it’s not me!
The top 5 best products of 2023
96%
Not everything needs to be a technological marvel to get a top review score. This sturdy, well-built dock is far better than its price suggests. It doesn’t suffer from the lack of USB Type-C that the competition does, though you won’t get an ethernet connection. It’s a fair trade, especially you’re not going to get anything as good as the same low price of $30.
For
95W Power DeliveryImproves on the competition for lessAdditional USB Type-C 3.0 port
Against
No ethernet portCan’t dock with a case on
95%
Philips might not be a brand you normally associated with PC gaming but it hit the ball right out of the stadium with this OLED monitor. It is very expensive, though, and doesn’t boast a super high resolution, but the panel itself is absolutely glorious. It’s the monitor we’d pick over everything else for HDR gaming. Get one and you’ll never use a non-OLED screen again.
For
Glossy panel lets OLED tech singSuper speedy performanceFewer OLED downsides than the competitionHoly hell, does it overclock
Against
Very expensivePixel density is nothing specialSome brightness limitations remain
95%
Most gaming headsets have pretty weak microphones, but that’s not the case here. In fact, it’s probably the most well-rounded headset we’ve tried. Sure, they’re expensive and the lack of sound controls takes some getting used to, but the build and audio quality more than make up for it. Don’t let the fact that it’s wired put you off, either.
For
Best headset mic I’ve triedExcellent cans tooPlug and playFairly efficientCheaper 600-series platform available
Against
No sound control on headsetExpensive for a wired headset
95%
This or the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600? They both use exactly the same QD-OLED panel from Samsung and they both have a luscious anti-glare, glossy coating that makes HDR gaming really shine. Well, the differences are minor: this Alienware is slightly cheaper but not quite as fast as the Philips model. They’re too closely matched to separate, which is why they have identical scores.
For
Glossy coating makes all the differenceUltra-quick responseGood full-screen brightnessSoftware control
Against
Still fairly priceyMediocre pixel density
95%
Few gaming chairs cosset their owners as well as the ThunderX3 Core, especially at this price. Plush materials abound, with a vast array of ergonomic features, there’s very little to not like here. It makes the office favourite, Secretlab’s Titan Evo, look rather over-priced.
For
Awesome ergonomic mechanismsSpeedy assemblyPriced just rightSoftware control
Against
Mechanism makes a clunky noiseDistant armrests when reclining
The highest rated PC gaming gear of 2023
A total of 25 products, reviewed in 2023, achieved a review score of 90% of higher. That’s just 15% of everything we’ve used, played with, sat on, type with, and poked about inside. So you be sure that, while they’re not in the top five, the remaining 20 positions are taken by products that are simply excellent.
94%
Solid. Imposing. Well built. Nicely balanced hardware specifications. The VRLA Tech Titan is all these things and the fact that it manages to achieve this without being too expensive explains why we rated this gaming PC so highly.
For
Stellar CPU and GPU gaming perfRendering ain’t too bad eitherPretty white caseReasonable price…
Against
…But still a fair chunk of moneySSD speeds are a little lacking
93%
Full size and compact seem contradictory terms, when it comes to keyboards, but the Scope II 96 is precisely both. It’s also an extremely adept gaming keyboard, with a top-tier typing experience. Shame about the software but nothing’s perfect, right?
For
Excellent switch feelSound dampening that really worksHot-swappable switchesPBT keycapsAdjustable multimedia control wheelCompact size
Against
Armoury Crate app is messy
93%
If you were told that this provides the best aural experience you’re going to get in a gaming headset, you’d think that something was amiss. But there’s not (bar the iffy software) and even the microphone isn’t too bad. For the money, there’s nothing to touch them.
For
Stunning soundLong battery lifeFast chargingComfortableGood mic
Against
Poor software
92%
Less than $200 for a ten core CPU that’s really good at gaming? Yup, and even though you can’t overclock it and it has no integrated graphics chip, this is a great little processor. It can use a fair bit of power when running a full speed, though.
For
Superb gaming performanceTen cores for how much?!High clock speedCheap motherboards available
Against
Higher power draw than 12th Gen modelNo secret overclocking :(AMD’s cheapest Zen 4 CPUs best for content creation
92%
Over recent years, ASRock has turned its reputation right around. It’s latest motherboards are just like this one: Great value-for-money, without skimping on features. It’s not the best choice if you’re into heavy overclocking, but storage options and networking, this is nigh on perfect.
For
Loads of storage potentialWiFi 7Terrific valueVery comfortable
Against
The VRM heatsinks are so-soA rear 20Gbps USB port would be nice
92%
How wild is this? With a touch of a button, the panel switch between being curved or totally flat. Pick the former for gaming, the latter for movies and media. Add in sumptuous OLED colours and it’s one hell of an experience. You will, of course, pay a very steep price for such luxuries.
For
Gorgeous OLED Evo panelMotorized curving with stepsLG’s best TV featuresGame optimizer offers a lotBetter battery life
Against
So damn expensiveNo DisplayPort
91%
Want the very best CPU for nothing but gaming? Then you get the Ryzen 7 7800X3D—no ifs or buts. There are better choices if you want to be more versatile but this thing will steamroller its way through any game you have.
For
Top gaming performanceSuper efficientCool running
Against
High price compared with an i5 13600K/FComparatively weak outside of gaming
91%
Comfortable, well-priced, and easy to use, the Quest 3 is the perfect headset for you, if you’re looking to take those first steps into the world of VR gaming. You’ll want something more powerful, if you’re already a serious virtual gamer.
For
Easy setupCompact, comfy designGreat displayAn actual affordable VR headset
Against
Unproven Mixed Reality content Expensive accessoriesModest performance upgrades
91%
Looking for a laptop that handles office work and gaming? What about customisation? The Framework 13 offers all this and more. It’s not a truly modular laptop but you’ll be able to keep upgrading it for many years to come.
For
Genuine 1080p performanceStellar productivity chopsCheaper than Intel’s bestAnd outperforms it, tooBetter battery life
Against
Trackpad’s a touch finickyNow I want a higher refresh screenLoud when gaming
90%
Logitech’s Chorus is a fairly niche product: It’s an add-on speaker system for VR headsets. But if you have the Meta Quest 2, the Chorus will utterly transform its audio chops. It’s a little pricey but it’s far more comfortable than using a pair of headphones over your VR headset.
For
High quality VR audioEasy installOverhauls the Quest 2’s weakest feature
Against
An expensive upgradeLink cable won’t connect via Chorus USB Type-C connection
90%
Sometimes hardware reviews give you tricky decisions to make. The ROG Azoth is the best gaming keyboard Asus has ever made and one of the best enthusiast-level keebs you can buy. But at $250, you really need a solid reason to get one. Fortunately, what it offers makes up for the price tag.
For
Outstanding build qualityGreat typing experienceSolid, speedy wirelessUseful OLED display
Against
How much?!Damned Armoury Crate
90%
Nextorage might be a brand you’ve never heard of and yes, it’s just an SSD, but it’s made by ex-Sony engineers and boasts the latest hardware on the market. Despite this, the price tag is very competitive, as is the performance. And just look at that chonky heatsink!
For
Strong all-round performanceRuns super coolVery competitively priced
Against
Slightly disappointing PC Mark results4K numbers are unspectacular
The five lowest scoring products of 2023
Not everything was all sweetness and loveliness in the PC hardware world this. Here are the five lowest scoring products that we reviewed in 2023. And as you’ll soon see, there was a bit of common theme running across our bottom rated products.
53%
This is what happens when you jam an ugly chassis full of the most expensive, powerful, and energy-demanding hardware. Hot and noisy, with little in the way of refinement to justify its excessively high price tag.
For
Highest benchmark performanceUltimate spec
Against
Laptop roars when pushedChassis is uglyMini LED screen’s a bit of a letdown$5,300 is a ludicrous priceSo much software
52%
Another MSI product and another model displaying all the same flaws as the Titan GT77 HX. Some of the hardware inside is the best you can get but not all of it, the whole package falls well short of being worthy of its $5,999 asking price.
For
RTX 4090 and i9 13900KF gaming gruntThe HMI touch LCD is pretty coolUnique aesthetic
Against
Its price is simply insaneSlow DDR5 speedWeak USB complementOnly the storage is upgradeable
50%
Yeah, 2023 hasn’t been the best year for MSI. This Cyborg laptop looks very sleek and it’s very quiet in use, but the performance is well below par for the hardware inside. Add in software problems and poor storage options, and you’ve got a pretty disappointing affair.
For
Quiet operationDoesn’t get too hot
Against
Power limited GPUSluggish gaming performanceOnly one NVMe SSD slotFrustrating pre-loaded softwareBattery life isn’t great
50%
For something that’s more than double the price of the standard Xbox controller, you’d expect magic touches and special features everywhere. Asus managed to get some of it right, but if buttons on a controller aren’t spot-on, what’s the point of even trying?
For
Good battery lifeStored profiles and dongle storage are great portability ideasLooks cool
Against
Sticky face buttonsAwkward backplate buttonsOLED menu is awful to useVery pricy
45%
Looks like a well built and stylish gaming PC, yes? That’s because it is, but beyond it’s looks, there only lies disappointment. Budget-grade parts do battle with a recalcitrant Intel Arc GPU, all at a price that suggests it should be a lot better than it actually is.
For
The case lighting is niceLightweight buildDecent 1080p performance
Against
It’s too expensive for the GPUIntel Arc driver issuesMany games aren’t optimized for Arc Lacks the QA of a genuine LEGO product
