What a yr 2022 has been for {hardware}. After a pandemic-induced drought, the skies lastly rained unbelievable launches upon parched lovers. Whether or not a holdout for a brand new processor or graphics card, or an keen fan of moveable PC gaming, your persistence was richly rewarded.
So for solely 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 yr. By the point the staff settled on the eight winners for 2022, everybody was downright drained. And possibly a bit of unhappy.
Wish 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, try the video embedded beneath. Additionally, remember that these picks are merely the favorites as nominated and voted on in stay fight debate by the members of our Full Nerd podcast, which focuses on deeply geeky enthusiast-level tech. Be sure you try our separate roundup of the most effective PC {hardware} and software program of 2022 for PCWorld’s wider listing of champions.
Greatest CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Each Intel and AMD launched heavy hitters this yr, 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 suppose that the highest canine Core i9-13900K would have been a shoo-in for this decide. Gordon, our resident CPU reviewer, definitely did.
Sadly for Gordon, democracy prevailed. The remainder of the crew a lot most well-liked the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, AMD’s very good bookend to the AM4 period. Given the 5800X3D’s present road costs, the bulk felt this chip affords 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 large factor that got here out of this dialogue: Every individual defining what makes a product a favourite of the yr, somewhat than the most effective (a shift in theme for these 2022 Nerdies). This turns into very related within the subsequent matter, GPUs.
Greatest 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 yr of tolerating a win for built-in graphics as our GPU decide. 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 yr—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 greatest, however favourite.
Let’s simply say the dialog obtained downright emotional quick, lasting almost 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 Era—earned this brutal graphics card a hard-won crown. It’s a beast for content material creation, too.
Greatest 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 wished 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 fairly 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 authentic tackle a slatted entrance panel. Slightly than plastic or steel, Fractal used wooden, together with your selection of stain colours. It’ll mix in with most of at the moment’s present house decor, too, given how in style mid-century trendy is true now. The Fractal Design North additionally affords glorious airflow, cooling efficiency, and buildability. That’s a phrase, proper?
Our solely grievance? There’s not a smaller mini-ITX model accessible. But. (Ahem.)
Greatest 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’ll be able to rely plenty of issues that aren’t simply keyboards, mice, headphones, and the like. For instance: The Steam Deck. Truly, not only for instance, on condition 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 somewhat than substitute for a gaming rig—it’s extra an adjunct than an unbiased gadget, permitting you to proceed your video games away out of your desk (or your own 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 underneath $400. Bravo.
Greatest 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 choosing 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. (Effectively, 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 information, music visualizations, and extra. At $2,500, this model of the ROG Zephyrus G14 isn’t low cost, however you get lots on this 3.8-lb pocket book. And it’s a enjoyable machine. Severely, take a look at that AniME Matrix show on its lid!
Greatest merch: Paul’s {Hardware} 8-bit PC gear
Paul’s {Hardware}
Sponsored by: The Full Nerd Outrage Pony T-Shirt
Lately, you should purchase loads of incredible merchandise that not solely help your favourite creators, however pay homage to your pursuits in simply the appropriate methods, too. It’s not all t-shirts and mugs, both: Take for instance the ratcheting screwdriver from the Linus Tech Suggestions retailer or GamersNexus’ perennially in style mod mat.
However for this yr, 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 components. T-shirt, hoodie, or mug—it doesn’t matter which model you select. We simply love the way it merges our trendy lives with the acquainted issues of our youth.
Greatest innovation: 3D V-Cache
YouTube / AMD
Behind each throne lies the true energy, and that adage holds for our favourite CPU, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. With out its revolutionary new 3D V-Cache know-how, this top-notch gaming chip wouldn’t—couldn’t—exist. First introduced mid-2021, AMD’s brand-new tech provides L3 cache to a chip by stacking it atop the die itself, making a silicon sandwich filled with scrumptious high-performance.
Within the case of the 5800X3D, the usage of 3D-VCache know-how tripled the chip’s quantity of L3 cache in comparison with its siblings to present it a big increase to gaming efficiency. Sufficient in order that the 5800X3D may beat the then-flagship Intel Core i9-12900K—and each Intel and AMD had been hesitant to match their latest generations of processors in opposition to this stacked-cache stunner. At this level, the one query we’ve got about 3D V-Cache is when it’ll subsequent seem. We are able to’t wait to see what a Ryzen 7 7800X3D (or no matter chip seems with this sort of additional fats cache) can do.
Worst pattern: Pricing
Brad Chacos/IDG
We imply pricing on new {hardware} launched in 2022, however actually, it’s the price of all the pieces in 2022. MSRPs maintain rising.
Not like 2021, when costs ballooned resulting from mining, scalping, logistics woes, and common shortages on items all of us wished, this yr we needed to abdomen increased listing costs for brand spanking 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 certain 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. Nevertheless it feels just like the madness won’t ever finish.
