Custom PC

Best CPU for gaming in 2024

Edward Chester — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:47:34 +0000

What's the best gaming CPU? We're here to help you answer that very question. Our guide to the best CPU for gaming has a processor for everyone, whether you're on a tight budget or have money to burn - our CPU buyers guide will show you the best choice for your needs. We've got budget CPUs under $200 all the way up to the mammoth 24-core processing power of the latest chips that cost over $600 and all the essentials in between. We've tested and reviewed every single CPU you see recommended below - we don't recommend any products we haven't tested thoroughly. When it comes to getting the highest frame rate, a new CPU might not seem as high a priority as getting the best graphics card for your PC, but the right processor is essential for unlocking performance. What's more, while you may not need the 16 or even 24 cores of the latest chips from AMD and Intel for gaming, they come into their own for heavy multitasking and other workloads so are worth considering, if you have the budget.

Intel Core i9-14900K review

Antony Leather — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:46:47 +0000

The Intel Core i9-14900K is Intel's new flagship processor, with 24 cores made up of eight P-cores and 16 E-cores, and with a peak clock speed of 6GHz. It supports either DDR4 or DDR5 memory depending on your motherboard and is a drop-in upgrade for owners of 12th and 13th-Gen CPUs. Its performance builds on the already mighty Core i9-13900K and sets its sights on AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D gaming processor and its 16-core powerhouse Ryzen 9 7950X. The only snag is it doesn't have a new architecture or more cores than its predecessor and there are no more new generations of processors set for this socket.

Intel Core i5-14600K review

Antony Leather — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:45:04 +0000

At $319, the Intel Core i5-14600K is the most affordable 14th gen Raptor Lake refresh CPU to launch this week, and it costs less than both the Ryzen 7 7700X and Ryzen 7 7800X3D. However, unlike the Core i7-14700K, it doesn't offer a core count increase over its predecessor and has only a modest clock speed increase, making it a hard sell in the currently highly competitive gaming CPU market.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D review

Antony Leather — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:42:54 +0000

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the cheapest of AMD's Zen 4 gaming CPU lineup to be equipped with 3D V-Cache. This is an extra portion of cache stacked on top of the CPU die, which reduces latency and in turn gives you faster frame rates in games. In fact, it's the fastest CPU we've ever tested in some of our game benchmarks. The downside is that AMD has reduced this CPU's boost clock speeds, so in situations that don't benefit from the extra cache, it can be slower than cheaper models. As a pure gaming CPU, though, it can be faster than the Intel Core i9-13900K in many titles and also draws a huge amount less power. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest CPUs since 2003, and we've tested and overclocked hundreds of CPUs, going right back to the Pentium 4 and Athlon XP era. We've developed an expert testing methodology that covers all the key areas of performance, including single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, as well as gaming. Our benchmarks include our very own RealBench suite, which has a Handbrake H.264 video encoding test to gauge multi-threaded performance, as well as multi-tasking tests. We also now run an Adobe Photoshop benchmark using Procyon, which also tests with Lightroom. We also use the single and multi-threaded tests in Cinebench, and we test gaming performance with Far Cry 6, Forza Horizon 5, and Watch Dogs: Legion. For our game tests, we record the 99th percentile and average frame rates, and finally, we also measure the idle and load total system power draw at the wall while running Prime95's smallest FFT test with AVX disabled. For a full rundown of our CPU testing procedure, check out our How we test page.

AMD Ryzen 7 7700X review

Antony Leather — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:41:16 +0000

While the Ryzen 5 7600X is a questionable purchase, given the expense of buying a Socket AM5 motherboard and the need for DDR5 memory, the Ryzen 7 7700X is where AMD's Zen 4 platform starts to make a bit more sense. What's more, thanks to AMD's recent price cuts to the relatively new Ryzen 7000 series, this eight-core chip now sets you back around $339, which is much cheaper than the $399 launch price. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest CPUs since 2003, and we've tested and overclocked hundreds of CPUs, going right back to the Pentium 4 and Athlon XP era. We've developed an expert testing methodology that covers all the key areas of performance, including single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, as well as gaming. Our benchmarks include our very own RealBench suite, which had a GIMP image editing test that stresses single-threaded performance, and a Handbrake H.264 video encoding test to gauge multi-threaded performance, as well as multi-tasking tests. We also use the single and multi-threaded tests in Cinebench, as well as Far Cry 6 and Watch Dogs: Legion. For our game tests, we record the 99th percentile and average frame rates, and finally, we also measure the idle and load total system power consumption at the wall, while running Prime95's smallest FFT test with AVX disabled.

Intel Core i5-13600K review

Antony Leather — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:39:40 +0000

As if the Intel Core i5-13600K wasn't already attractive enough when we first reviewed this chip, it's also received a price cut since our first review, meaning it now sits at just $320. Both the Ryzen 7 7700X and Ryzen 7 7700 cost about the same amount, while the Ryzen 5 7600X costs significantly less and the Core i7-13700K costs £100 more, so these three CPUs are very much up against each other at the moment, courtesy of AMD's recent price cuts. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest CPUs since 2003, and we've tested and overclocked hundreds of CPUs, going right back to the Pentium 4 and Athlon XP era. We've developed an expert testing methodology that covers all the key areas of performance, including single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, as well as gaming. Our benchmarks include our very own RealBench suite, which had a GIMP image editing test that stresses single-threaded performance, and a Handbrake H.264 video encoding test to gauge multi-threaded performance, as well as multi-tasking tests. We also use the single and multi-threaded tests in Cinebench, Far Cry 6 and Watch Dogs: Legion. For our game tests, we record the 99th percentile and average frame rates, and finally, we also measure the idle and load total system power consumption at the wall, while running Prime95's smallest FFT test with AVX disabled.

Intel Core i9-13900K review

Antony Leather — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:38:46 +0000

As we wrote this review, the Core i9-13900K's usurper as Intel's mainstream flagship had just arrived, with the Core i9-13900KS being able to hit 6GHz out of the box. However, this new CPU is also likely to be very hot and power-hungry, and it also demands a hefty premium. If you're in the market for a powerful CPU that costs under $600, though, the Intel Core i9-13900K we're reviewing here is an ideal contender. What's more, the Core i9-13900K has had a price cut from around $700 all the way down to $600, allowing it to sit level with the mighty Ryzen 9 7950X. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest CPUs since 2003, and we've tested and overclocked hundreds of CPUs, going right back to the Pentium 4 and Athlon XP era. We've developed an expert testing methodology that covers all the key areas of performance, including single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, as well as gaming. You can read more on our testing methodology on our how we test CPUs page.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT review

Ben Hardwidge — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:37:34 +0000

Based on the same core GPU as its bigger sibling, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT gives you a cutdown spec for a saving of $100. That's not much of a price difference for the drop in spec, but it's still refreshing to see two top-end GPUs launch below $1,000 in these high-priced times and the Radeon RX 7900 XT is still a potent card. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest gaming GPUs since 2003, and we run a number of grueling benchmarks in order to gauge performance. Our game tests include measuring the frame rate in Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, and Metro Exodus, all with and without ray tracing, and we also test with Assassin's Creed Valhalla. For more information, please read our How we test page.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX review

Ben Hardwidge — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:37:01 +0000

AMD's latest flagship Radeon GPU is finally here, and while the Radeon RX 7900 XTX is still overpriced at $999 (£999), it looks like a veritable bargain next to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 and 4080. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest gaming GPUs since 2003, and we run a number of grueling benchmarks in order to gauge performance. Our game tests include measuring the frame rate in Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, and Metro Exodus, all with and without ray tracing, and we also test with Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The new Radeon RX 7900 XTX is based on AMD's new RDNA 3 architecture, which sees AMD make its first move to a modular, chiplet-based approach to GPU package design. Instead of having the whole lot in one monolithic die under the heatspreader, AMD has separated the L3 cache and memory controller from the main processing units, dividing them into chiplets.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti review

Ben Hardwidge — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:36:30 +0000

The GeForce RTX 4070 Ti was originally called the GeForce RTX 4080 12GB and priced at $899 / £899, but Nvidia quickly 'unlaunched' it after negative feedback about its high price and modest specs. Now relaunched with a price drop of $100 / £100, it has been renamed the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti. For this review, we're testing a Zotac AMP AIRO GeForce RTX 4070 Ti model. Looking for the GeForce RTX 4070 review, rather than the Ti version? You can now read our full Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 review to see how Nvidia's latest mid-range GPU performs in our benchmarks.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 review - Gigabyte Gaming OC

Ben Hardwidge — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:33:40 +0000

You can tell Nvidia is trying to manage your expectations when it tells you its latest gaming GPU is targeting owners of the GTX 1060 and RTX 2060 - aging graphics cards that came out seven and four years ago respectively. It then gets worse when you see that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 price starts at $299, compared with $199 for the GTX 1060. Nvidia's predicament also isn't helped by the fact that AMD has already launched a very competitive budget GPU based on its RDNA 3 architecture, which we awarded a score of 84% in our AMD Radeon RX 7600 review. Nvidia is hoping that the DLSS 3 AI frame generation tech introduced with its Ada Lovelace architecture will carry the RTX 4060 to victory, but is this enough? Gigabyte sent us its Gigabyte RTX 4060 Gaming OC card (GV-N4060GAMING OC-8GD) so we could find out. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest gaming GPUs since 2003, and we run a number of grueling GPU benchmarks in order to gauge performance. Our game tests include measuring the frame rate in Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, and Metro Exodus, all with and without ray tracing, and we also test with Assassin's Creed Valhalla. For more information, see our How we test page.

Best graphics card 2024

Ben Hardwidge — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:26:38 +0000

Are you on a mission to track down the best graphics card for your PC? Then your search is over - our guide to the best gaming GPU takes you through the cream of the crop. From budget cards for 1080p gaming to high-end 4K powerhouses, we've got you covered. You can read how we test graphics cards at the bottom of this page where you'll also find answers to all the most frequently asked questions about graphics cards. We've tested all these cards thoroughly with every entry having a link to a full review where you can find our performance charts and more. We don't just recommend any old card because it's fast or cheap, though. We've only picked out the cards that offer the best value for buyers. Well, other than the RTX 4090 - that's just the absolute fastest card you can buy so deserves a spot on our list for that alone. One of the main questions to ask yourself when choosing a card is what your general price range is: $300-$500 is entry-level, $500-$800 is mid-range, and $800+ is high-end - yes, graphics cards really are that expensive these days. Then you'll need to decide whether you really care about ray tracing all that much (we explain what it is further down this page). If you like your games to look cinematic then it's a great addition but for esports and many other gaming scenarios, ray tracing is still not either necessary or available. Nvidia leads the way on ray tracing so should be your main choice if that's a concern. Otherwise, AMD's cards tend to offer the most non-ray-tracing performance for any given price point. Its because of these factors we've recommended the cards we have below.

Steam users have spent $19 billion on games they've never played

caretaker — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:07:26 +0000

Once you've found a couple of favorite games, the tendency is to lock into them and forsake all others. How many times have you finished Baldur's Gate 3, Fallout New Vegas, or any of the other comfort game classics? Okay. Now look at your Steam library and count up how many games you've never even opened. I've got the entire Stalker collection, Disco Elysium, and the Half-Life remake Black Mesa, all just sat there like wet-eyed puppies in a pet shop window. You might wonder what all these untouched games are worth. Well, based on new research between PCGamesN and SteamIDFinder, about the same as the gross domestic product of Nicaragua.

Windows 11 Unveiled

Edward Chester — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:45:06 +0000

Windows 11 is here! Following leaked builds and rumours aplenty, Microsoft has finally taken the wraps off its latest Windows operating system, introducing a new central start menu, Android app support and much more besides.

Valve unveils new VR Half Life game

Phil Hartup — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:44:19 +0000

Well, it's not Half Life 3, but it might be the closest thing we ever get. Half Life: Alyx has been announced with a March 2020 launch date and there is almost certainly a fleet of hype trains preparing to leave the station on that front, but we're here for the hardware.

New AMD Radeon GPU driver will reduce latency in CS2

Dylan Wilby — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:43:45 +0000

The latest AMD Radeon driver download has arrived, adding general support for Assassin's Creed Mirage and The Lords of the Fallen. It also allows CS2 players to benefit from Anti-Lag+, which should help maintain performance in Valve's new tactical shooter.

New AMD Radeon GPU driver adds Lies of P support

Dylan Wilby — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:41:59 +0000

The latest AMD Radeon driver download has just been released by AMD, and it adds support for Lies of P on team red's graphics cards. The new Bloodborne-esque RPG, which PCGamesN called 'the best soulslike since Elden Ring' in its Lies of P Review, has only just been released.

New Intel GPU driver download supports Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty

Rosalie Newcombe — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:39:57 +0000

A brand new Intel GPU driver download is available for Team Blue's Arc GPUs, bringing with it a slew of optimizations to some of the latest PC games, including Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty and Lies of P. Intel beta driver 101.4826 is the latest update for its Arc A-Series GPUs and Intel Iris Xe-based GPUs, which along with Game On Driver support, brings a series of bug fixes for other games and productivity software.

Best AIO cooler 2024

Ben Hardwidge — Wed, 29 May 2024 11:03:57 +0000

If you're on the lookout for the best AIO cooler for your needs, then you've brought your web browser to exactly the right place. We've picked out the very best CPU liquid cooler models from our extensive review catalog, so you can buy the right CPU cooler for your setup, whether you're after something compact or a massive cooler that can cope with the most power-hungry of CPUs.

The future of Custom PC

Ben Hardwidge — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 17:32:28 +0000

As you may have noticed, we haven't posted anything on the Custom PC website for a while, so I thought it was about time we explained what exactly is going on. You'll be glad to know that we haven't given up writing about all the exciting goings on in the world of PC hardware. Instead, we've all moved over to the Hardware team on our brilliant (and enormous) sister site, PCGamesN.

How to build a gaming PC

Antony Leather — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:28:57 +0000

Want to know how to build a gaming PC with your own choice of components, but don't know where to start? Whether you're new to the wonderful world of PC building, or you're just a few years out of the loop, you've come to the right place, as our PC build guide will take you through every step of the process. After reading this guide, you'll be able to pick your own hardware and assemble your own gaming PC, even if you currently have zero knowledge or experience. It's the ability to customize or upgrade every single component that makes building a PC so much fun. If you're super-keen to build your own PC, but have some niggling questions about certain aspects of the build process, or just want to see how it's done, then read on. At Custom PC, we've been building PCs since 2003, and some of our team have been building PCs for even longer, so we know all about which tools to use and which methods work best. We'll be including tips we've learned from our decades-long obsession with PC hardware, with hacks that make your PC easier to build and help it to run cooler and quieter.

Best trackball mouse 2024

Edward Chester — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:50:56 +0000

Are you searching for the best trackball mouse for your PC? Well, here is the place to be as we've picked out the finest ball-based pointers you can buy, including budget, premium, wired, wireless, thumb-operated, and finger-operated options. Trackballs can be a great alternative to a mouse, as even the best mouse can become uncomfortable to use for very long periods. Plus, trackballs can be used in much more compact spaces, as they don't need a mousemat or any other space to move around - the ball does all the moving. Opt for a wireless model and you even free your cramped space of cables too. There are just three main players in the trackball market: Elecom, Kensington, and Logitech, though a few other manufacturers do make them too, including ProtoArc. You can get finger- or thumb-operated trackballs and we've included both in this guide. Finger-operated ones are generally better for accuracy while thumb-operated ones are more mouse-like and easier to get the hang of. For more guidance on how to choose the best trackball for your needs, check out the trackball FAQ at the bottom of this page.

How to water cool your PC

Antony Leather — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:16:01 +0000

In this guide, we'll show you how to water cool your PC. The benefits if you build a water cooled PC with a custom loop compared to air cooling are numerous. For a start, PC water cooling gear obviously looks fantastic, and you get to pick your own coolant to color-match it with the rest of your PC too. Your PC is going to turn far more heads if it's water-cooled than if it just has a large air cooler on top of the CPU. On a less superficial level, the extra cooling capacity you gain by using large radiators, and the increased heat capacity of using coolant compared to air, means that fans on radiators can run much more quietly, yet still offer the same or better cooling as a large air cooler. In this guide, we'll take you through the basics of how to get started, the components you need, and how to put it all together. At Custom PC, we've been modding PC cases and components since 2003, giving us loads of experience in the art of customizing your system to make it your own. We know exactly what tools you need and which methods work best.

How to apply thermal paste and how it works

Antony Leather — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:32:46 +0000

In this guide, we'll guide you through the wonderful world of thermal paste, or thermal interface material (TIM). We'll show you how to apply thermal paste in its various different forms, using different patterns depending on the CPU you're using. You might think that placing one metal component against another one would result in good enough contact for heat to conduct effectively, but that's not the case. A layer of thermal material between your CPU and its cooler remains an essential part of any PC build, and that situation isn't going to change any time soon. With a huge amount of options on the market, using all manner of materials, including ceramic, silver and liquid metal thermal paste, it can be tough to work out the right one to use and the differences between them. In addition, there are several different sizes of CPU heatspreaders with which to contend, each demanding its own way of applying thermal paste. In this guide, we'll cover the different types of thermal pastes, how they work, and how to apply them.

Best Online Games 2024

Adam Randall — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:51:57 +0000

The best online games give you a unique opportunity to get lost in worlds and experiences that are constantly evolving and expanding. As much as offline experiences can scratch a very different type of itch, there's no denying the thrill that comes from joining millions of other players in a living, breathing world. So you don't miss out on any of these fantastic experiences, we've compiled this list of the best online games. We've opened with a few free PC games (because who doesn't love falling in love with a free game?), and then given a healthy mixture of MMO games, plus some FPS games, and overall we've got a healthy mixture of games that should tickle your interests, no matter what your taste in games.

Best wireless gaming headset in 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:51:13 +0000

Which is the best wireless gaming headset? That's what we're here to answer, with our comprehensive guide to the best wireless gaming headsets available, including budget, high-end, and travel-oriented models. Alongside wireless mice, buying a wireless gaming headset offers one of the most impactful ways to feel the benefit of moving from a wired option to a wireless option. No longer will you walk away from your desk, forgetting you're wearing your headset, and pull the headset off your head or break your headset cable - you can stroll freely. Meanwhile, any good gaming headset is ideal for optimizing your competitive gaming setup, getting great audio for your home office, or providing superb sound for your favorite games or tunes. We've tested all these headsets thoroughly, testing the quality of the sound from the microphone and headphones, and trying out any active noise-canceling features. We also assess their features, build quality, and battery life. For more information, read our how we test page or check the how we test wireless headsets section at the bottom of this page. Also, be sure to check out our full guide to the best gaming headset if you're interested in both wireless and wired headset options.

Best USB microphone 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:50:46 +0000

Which is the best USB microphone? That's what we're here to tell you, with our comprehensive list of the best options, including the best microphone for gaming, best podcasting microphone, best microphone for home recording, best streaming microphone, and more. We've included budget and high-end options, with plenty of choice in between too. Whether you're just after a basic sound quality upgrade from your headset mic, you want studio-quality recordings, or require the versatility of variable pickup patterns, we have a recommendation for you. We've thoroughly tested every one of the microphones on this list - here at CustomPC a product doesn't make it onto our best-of guides unless it has been assessed against its peers. When testing microphones, we check for recording quality, build quality, the number of and usability of extra features, ease of use of software, accessory compatibility, and more.

Best SSD for gaming 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:49:21 +0000

Do you want faster load times? Do you need more space for the latest games? If so, our guide to the best SSD for gaming is the place to be. Here you'll find our pick of the best gaming SSDs for various prices, from the fastest SSD to the best cheap SSD, ensuring there's some solid state goodness for everyone. You won't see any SATA SSDs in our list because we don't recommend them for normal PC builds anymore. These days, the cost difference between M.2 SSDs and SATA SSDs is marginal, and the only remaining advantage of 2.5-inch SATA SSDs is that they can stretch to 8TB sizes whereas M.2 drives are limited to 4TB. Hard drives are still worth getting for cheap large storage where speed isn't a concern. We recommend at least 1TB capacity for your main drive, as even a basic Windows installation can take up nearly 20GB and many modern games use well over 100GB. You can get 1TB M.2 NVMe SSDs for under $100 now. Once you've chosen your SSD, make sure you also read our full guide on how to install an M.2 SSD. Everything you'll find on this list has been extensively tested by our in-house experts at Custom PC. You can find out more information on how we test SSDs below, but be reassured that every product we recommend will make a huge difference in your rig.

Best CPU cooler 2024

Ben Hardwidge — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:48:17 +0000

If you're looking for the best CPU cooler for your PC, then you're in the right place. Our CPU cooler buying guide has recommendations budget air coolers all the way up to super-powerful 360mm AIO liquid coolers. Whether you're looking for the very best cooling performance, quiet operation, or the best bargain, we'll tell you which CPU cooler to buy. You can find out how we test CPU coolers at the bottom of this page where you'll also find a CPU cooler FAQ where you can learn what a CPU cooler does, what types there are, and the differences between them.

Best gaming mouse in 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:46:16 +0000

Searching for the best gaming mouse? Well, you're in the right place. Finding the right gaming mouse for your needs is essential, whether you want the precision of the latest FPS gaming mice or the extra buttons of an MMO gaming mouse. Or maybe you're a left-handed user that needs either a left-handed mouse or an ambidextrous model. And that's before we consider the convenience of wireless gaming mice too. Our list of the best gaming mice covers all the above and more, providing a one-stop shop for your mouse recommendations. For non-gaming mouse recommendations, check out our best mouse guide.

Best computer speakers 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:45:00 +0000

Are you looking to find the best computer speakers for your PC? Well, you're at the right place. Our list of the best speakers has something for everyone, whether you're on a tight budget, need big bass above all else, or you're after a compact but great-sounding set of speakers. We've got budget options under $70 all the way up to premium $300+ options, with plenty in between. And guess what? We've tested and reviewed every single speaker set we recommend below. You can read all about our testing methodology below and on our How we test page. Meanwhile, for more on how to choose the best speaker for your needs, head to the how to chose your computer speakers section at the bottom of this page.

Best AMD AM5 motherboard 2024

Ben Hardwidge — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:44:32 +0000

Are you looking for the best AM5 motherboard to partner with one of the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs? Then you've landed in exactly the right spot - our expert buying guide to the best AMD motherboard takes you through a range of options to suit various needs, going all the way from the best B650 motherboard options, which cost under $300, to the high-end best X670E motherboard models, as well as the best mini-ITX AM5 motherboard options.

Best RAM for gaming in 2024

Ben Hardwidge — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:34:39 +0000

Are you looking for the best RAM for a gaming PC? Whether you're building a brand new rig, or just looking for the best RAM upgrade for an existing system, our memory buying guide takes you through both the best DDR4 memory and the best DDR5 memory, at every budget. If you don't care for flashing rainbow lights, you'll find the best quality no-frills memory, and if you like to have it all, we also cover the best RGB RAM, for those who want to display their PC's innards with pride.

Best PC case in 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:32:09 +0000

Are you looking for the best PC case? If so, you've absolutely come to the right place. Our full guide to the best PC chassis includes recommendations for most budgets, from under $100, all the way up to over $400, and includes both ATX and mini-ITX models, as well as dual chamber, compact, and white PC case options.

Best gaming headset in 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:31:43 +0000

What's the best gaming headset? With our comprehensive list of the best gaming headsets, from budget wired headsets all the way through to premium wireless headsets, that's what we're here to tell you. A gaming headset is an essential tool for getting the most from your gaming PC, whether you're looking to optimize your competitive gaming setup, get great audio for your home office, or if you just want a comfortable way to take in your favorite games or tunes. We've tested all these headsets thoroughly, looking at features such as whether the headset is wired, wireless, or has Bluetooth, as well as whether the microphone is removable, and if many buttons and controls are included. We also assess the comfort, ease of use, accessibility of functions, battery life, and of course sound quality of both the headphones and the microphone. For more information, see the how we test gaming headsets section at the bottom of this list or check out How we test page. Also, check out the best gaming headset FAQ section at the bottom of this page for more answers to the most common gaming headset questions. Meanwhile, if you want more wireless headset recommendations than you find here, check out our best wireless gaming headset guide.

Best PC controller 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:31:14 +0000

Which is the best PC controller? That's what we're here to tell you, with our comprehensive list of the best gamepads including budget, high-end, wired, and wireless models. Whether you like a Sony DualShock-style layout or a Microsoft Xbox-style layout, we have a recommendation for you. Plus, if you need some guidance on what to look for when searching for a PC controller, check out our frequently asked questions (FAQ) at the bottom of the page, where you'll also find a section that explains how we test the controllers on this list.

Best gaming keyboard 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:30:46 +0000

What's the best gaming keyboard? Well, a great keyboard is an essential addition to any PC, whether a gaming PC or just for general desktop work. If you're looking for a more reliable typing experience, useful extra features, or lightning-quick gaming key response, we've got something for you in our list of the best gaming keyboards. There are many factors to consider when buying a keyboard, such as whether you prefer low-profile keys and the softer feel of membrane keyswitches or the more precise, louder feel of mechanical keyswitches. Even the latter come in many different styles, with smooth linear actions, those that provide a tactile bump feedback when pressed or those that give off an audible click. Then there are the number of features you can add such as multimedia controls, volume wheels, extra programmable gaming keys, whether they're wireless or wired and the size of the board. Many users need all the keys of a full-size keyboard while others may prefer the more compact tenkeyless (TKL) form factor or the tiny 60 and 65 percent boards that do away with the numpad and F keys. Whatever your needs, our list of best keyboards has you covered.

Best PC VPN 2024

Adam Randall — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:27:44 +0000

What's the best PC VPN service? That's what you'll find out here with our rundown of eight top VPN choices. With privacy and anonymity on the internet being eroded more and more all the time, VPNs are a great way to help prevent cutthroat corporations and ghastly governments from leering over your shoulder and jotting down your entire search history. It's particularly important to use a VPN if you're a laptop user, as if you're out and about, connecting through public Wi-Fi spots, you don't know what kind of cyber-criminals might be using those access points to worm their way to your private data. On top of that, VPNs can help protect online gaming fans from DDoS attacks and can enhance your experience when streaming shows through your PC, by stopping your internet service provider (ISP) from artificially reducing your download speeds and providing access to shows that your current location wouldn't normally allow.

Best mouse 2024

Edward Chester — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:27:08 +0000

What is the best mouse? Well the answer to that question will depend on your needs, but whatever those needs are you'll find an ideal option in this list. We've got ergonomic, gaming, productivity, trackball, wireless, and more. Plus, if you're left-handed there are a few choices too. All the mice in the list below have been thoroughly tested and reviewed - we don't make best of lists of products we haven't actually used. The exact testing will depend on the type of mouse and its intended purpose but rest assured the below choices are the best in their category (a little personal preference aside). If you're looking for more options for each mouse category, you can also check out our best gaming mouse guide and best trackball mouse guide.

Best gaming monitor 2023: 1080p, 4K, curved, OLED, 144Hz+, and more

Edward Chester — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:29:00 +0000

Are you looking for the best gaming monitor to suit your needs? If so, this is the place to be. Our gaming monitor guide includes a wide selection of displays to suit all needs, from small, budget gaming monitors, through ultra-fast 240Hz and 360Hz esports gaming monitors to enormous 4K panels.

Nvidia AI cards sell in staggering numbers, according to new report

Edward Chester — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:54:52 +0000

Reports of Nvidia's huge financial success due to the uptake of its AI-specific chips has been widespread, but today it has been revealed just what the scale of that success has been. According to a new report, Nvidia has sold half a million AI cards in Q3 2023 alone. Just yesterday we saw that TSMC has predicted Nvidia will be the world's largest chips company, while last week we saw that the company's AI revenue has grown 279% year-on-year. That Nvidia is seemingly shifting from being a GPU company to an AI company, then, isn't news, but the sheer number of chips the company is selling certainly is.

Nvidia set to become biggest global chip company, says TSMC chairman

Dylan Wilby — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:31:22 +0000

Mark Liu, chairman of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), has tipped Nvidia to overtake Intel as the largest global chip manufacturer in 2023. Nvidia GeForce graphics cards are making a huge splash in the AI world, leading to a huge rise in stock price for the California-based tech company.

The next AMD Ryzen 3D V-Cache CPU may only be a few months away

Samuel Willetts — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:29:18 +0000

There's no denying that 3D V-Cache is an impressive technology, giving otherwise midrange AMD processors the power to compete with flagships from Intel. As such, it makes perfect sense for the company to make as many X3D chips as possible, and it appears poised to do just that. Strangely, though, it seems owners of AM4 motherboards will be the beneficiaries.

More GeForce RTX 4090 graphics cards are meeting their AI maker

Samuel Willetts — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:50:07 +0000

The GeForce RTX 4090 is an undeniably powerful graphics card for gaming and even some professional workloads, with the latter strength now attracting the interests of the AI market in China. So much so, in fact, that countless Nvidia GPUs are meeting grizzly AI server farm fates, with frustrating consequences for gamers.

Best Cyber Monday PC deals 2023 guide: top live deals

Edward Chester — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 18:11:20 +0000

The Black Friday weekend has been and gone but Cyber Monday is still here, and there are heavy discounts on a massive range of PC products. Picking through all the deals can be a mind-numbing task, but we're here to help. While you can find Black Friday deals 2023 on hundreds of websites, we've concentrated on the best picks for PC enthusiasts. This page is updated all day to bring you cut-price CPUs and coolers, maximum-value mice and monitors, and special offers on speakers and SSDs. We'll also be listing the best Cyber Monday PC deals on this page too, so check back over the whole weekend.

This Acer Nitro 17 gaming laptop is less than $1K this Cyber Monday

Rosalie Newcombe — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 12:54:14 +0000

When it comes to gaming laptops, they're always going to be a pricey investment, whether one is decked out with the best specs possible, or if it's a budget-friendly one from Acer, with specs a few years behind the rest. While typically you're looking at a triple-digit expense regardless of the brand, thanks to the latest Cyber Monday deals, the Acer Nitro 17 gaming laptop is under $1k, only on Amazon.

Grab $90 off Corsair's best gaming keyboard this Black Friday

Samuel Willetts — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 16:36:49 +0000

There's nothing like gracing your fingertips with the feel of a top-tier keyboard, be it for gaming or typing. While mechanical keebs have come a long way in providing excellent value, those that want to take the quality of their clacker to the highest level should look to the Corsair K100 RGB. While it normally commands a sky-high price point, it's come crashing down to Earth this Black Friday, with its cost slashed by $90.

Save 20% on these excellent Corsair AIO liquid CPU coolers

Samuel Willetts — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:42:06 +0000

Keeping your processor cool is key to extracting every drop of performance out of it, as poor thermals can result in reduced clock speeds. With this in mind, the Corsair H150i Elite series is an excellent choice to keep your CPU in check, and make for a stylish addition to your build too. Better still, you can save up to 20% on them this Black Friday.

The best QD-OLED ultrawide gaming monitor is $200 off at Best Buy

Samuel Willetts — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:41:13 +0000

Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) technology is continuing to push the quality of gaming monitors forward, and no other screen serves as a better example of that than the Alienware AW3423DWF. Now, the best-in-class display can be yours at a more affordable price thanks to a $200 Black Friday discount courtesy of Best Buy.

Nvidia RTX 4090 GPUs being transformed into AI cards in China

Edward Chester — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:32:13 +0000

Hundreds if not thousands of Nvidia RTX 4090 graphics cards are being converted from gaming GPUs to AI cards in dedicated factories in China, according to a new report. With China facing a ban on imports of top-tier AI-processing chips and RTX 4090s, existing gaming cards are being converted to become dedicated AI processors.

Get this MSI Z790 motherboard at its lowest ever price

Samuel Willetts — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:02:51 +0000

Following the launch of 14th Gen Intel Core processors, there's never been a better time to upgrade to an LGA 1700 CPU. Regardless of which generation you go for, be it the older 13th and 12th too, a solid motherboard is a must. Now, a previously premium MSI Z790 model is now available at its lowest ever price.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 belongs in the trash

Ben Hardwidge — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:03:38 +0000

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 is reportedly dead, and by Geralt I hope this latest round of tech gossip is true. The RTX 4080 has been a clown car on a PCB since it was unleashed at a completely baffling price of $1,199 at the end of 2022. If graphics cards had feelings, I'd feel a bit sorry for it and give it a caring pat on its oversized cooler. The RTX 4080 isn't a bad GPU, after all, it just has a price that was seemingly conjured up during a 'pin the GPU on the price chart' party game.

New Cherry MX2A switches get first outing in Cherry KC 200 MX keyboard

Rosalie Newcombe — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:17:35 +0000

Cherry is a legend in the keyboard industry thanks to its creation of the most popular standard of mechanical keyswitch, the venerable Cherry MX. However, even such brilliance can be improved upon, which is what Cherry has aimed to do with its new MX2A switches. First announced a few months ago, the company has now debuted its new switches in a new own-brand keyboard, the Cherry KC 200 MX.

Intel Core i5-14400F specs and benchmarks leaked

Ben Hardwidge — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:39:25 +0000

Specs of the new Intel Core i5-14400F CPU have just been leaked, showing a small increase in clock speed over its predecessor. While Intel's K-series enthusiast CPUs grab all the initial headlines, the company's locked Core i5 CPUs further down the chain have long been favorites among gamers looking to build a solid gaming PC on a tight budget, particularly the F models without integrated graphics, as they're so cheap. Indeed, the Core i5-13400F is currently our favorite budget choice on our guide to the best gaming CPU. This affordable Intel CPU gives you six P-cores that boost to up to 4.6GHz, which is all you need for solid performance in games, and you also get four E-cores to provide a lift in heavily multi-threaded software.

Get a free Razer Edge and Kishi V2 Pro in Razer Blade laptop deal

Edward Chester — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:33:01 +0000

Yes, it's really that simple. If you buy one of a selection of Razer Blade gaming laptops right now from laptopsdirect you can get a free Razer Edge gaming tablet and Razer Kishi V2 Pro game controller, worth a combined £450. This Razer Blade Black Friday deal is live now and we suspect stock won't be around for long, so check out the deals below.

Crucial T500 price drops under half price in Black Friday SSD deal

Edward Chester — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:55:08 +0000

Crucial has just dropped one of the seemingly more ludicrous Black Friday SSD deals we've seen so far, dropping the price of the new Crucial T500 by more than half. Listed as previously costing $170 for 1TB, this high-performance drive is available now for just $64.99 on Amazon.

Nvidia RTX 5000 series GPUs to use TSMC 3nm

Niall Walsh — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:03:24 +0000

We're steadily learning more about the Nvidia 5000 series GPUs - codenamed Blackwell - and more rumors have surfaced regarding its manufacturing process. According to X/Twitter user kopite7kimi, the Blackwell cards will use the TSMC 3nm process, the most advanced currently available on the market following the start of its high-volume production in 2022. Despite being unconfirmed, the move to 3nm isn't one that would be a major surprise. Multiple tech companies are set to adopt it in future products including Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Indeed its use would seem like the only option for Nvidia to have a chance of maintaining its dominance in our and any other best graphics card list.

Asus attaches an RTX 4090 and SSD to an RTX 4060 Ti because reasons

Samuel Willetts — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 17:40:00 +0000

In a stunt that evokes memories of the glory days of SLI setups, Asus has found an altogether unexpected way to showcase the capabilities of its new GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics card. While the performance of the device isn't anything out of the ordinary, it separates itself from the pack with the addition of an M.2 slot that can be used for SSDs and wholly unnecessary additional pixel pushers too.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super apparently won't replace existing model

Samuel Willetts — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:17:53 +0000

The expected launch of the GeForce RTX 4070 Super is drawing closer, but don't expect the existing version of the Nvidia graphics card to disappear following its arrival. However, the same seemingly cannot be said for the GeForce RTX 4080 or 4070 Ti.

Nvidia is an AI company now, with GeForce taking a backseat

Samuel Willetts — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:43:24 +0000

In the wake of its Q3 FY24 financial results, it's clear that Nvidia is no longer a business that is near-equally split across data center and gaming markets. Instead, it is now firmly a company that primarily deals in the AI and data center business, with its GeForce graphics cards and technologies serving as a much smaller, secondary source of income.

Samsung 990 Pro hits lowest ever price in Black Friday SSD deal

Edward Chester — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 17:15:00 +0000

Samsung has hit the Black Friday discount button on its Samsung 990 Pro SSDs. One of the fastest PCIe 4 SSDs going, this speedy storage solution has been dropping steadily in price over the last year but has now reached its lowest price ever.

New AMD Threadripper Pro CPU breaks cinebench records

Rosalie Newcombe — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:49:17 +0000

We've already seen Cinebench records tumble thanks to the new AMD Threadripper 7000 CPUs, but now the mega-cored flagship of the range has broken new ground, hitting even higher highs than any desktop CPU we've seen before. Thanks to the team at ElmorLabs, an AMD Threadripper Pro 7995WX has been overclocked to 6GHz and in the process surpassed 200k point mark in Cinebench for the first time.

New AMD RDNA 4 performance estimates dampen high-end hopes

Samuel Willetts — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:38:23 +0000

With the Radeon RX 7000 series seemingly complete, attention now turns to the AMD RDNA 4 microarchitecture and the graphics cards built using it. Those hoping for a boundary-pushing generation of pixel pushers, though, may be left disappointed if recent performance estimations are anything to go by.

Win an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, and a 4080 for your buddy

Ben Hardwidge — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:35:33 +0000

If you've been weeping at the current stratospheric prices of RTX 4090 cards, then here's a chance for you to not only win an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 for the grand price of absolutely nothing but also land a GeForce RTX 4080 for your friend. Not only that, but this Nvidia giveaway also gives you the chance to win an MSI Stealth 17 gaming laptop, with a 240Hz QHD screen and an RTX 4080 laptop GPU.

New Nvidia driver update 546.17 adds Call of Duty: MW3 support

Ben Hardwidge — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:34:50 +0000

The latest Nvidia driver update adds official Game Ready support for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 across the company's GeForce graphics cards from the last five Nvidia GPU generations. It also adds a few bug fixes, including stability and performance issues in Alan Wake 2, as well as stuttering in both Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077.

Corsair unleashes its fastest SSD yet, meet the MP700 Pro

Ben Hardwidge — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:34:21 +0000

Corsair has upped the ante in the battle for the fastest SSD, with a brand new PCIe 5 NVMe SSD that boasts sequential read speeds of up to 12,400MB/s. It looks like the new Corsair MP700 Pro gets pretty toasty when it's running at full pelt as well, as the company provides a heatsink with an active fan for it, as well as a waterblock option.

New Intel Arc GPU driver download fixes Starfield corruption

Ben Hardwidge — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:33:09 +0000

The latest Intel Arc driver download is now available, and it promises to fix corruption issues in both Starfield and Alan Wake 2. The latest 31.0.101.4953 WHQL Intel GPU driver update also shows Intel continuing to wade through its sea of frame rate issues in DirectX 11 games, with performance addressed in both Halo: The Master Chief Collection and World War Z.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 series rumored to support DisplayPort 2.1

Samuel Willetts — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:20:45 +0000

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 series will undoubtedly push the performance envelope, so it'd be a shame for its capabilities to be constrained by an aging interface. Thankfully, it appears that the new graphics card range will avoid this particular pitfall by sporting the latest display inputs, making them primed and ready for gaming monitors of today and the future.

Lian Li 011 Vision is the ultimate aquarium PC case

Ben Hardwidge — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:08:02 +0000

If you like to parade all the RGB lighting and fine-looking components in your rig for all to see, then the new Lian Li 011 Vision dual chamber case looks set to be your friend. This new chassis takes the already popular design of the Lian Li 011D, but gives it another tempered glass panel on the roof, and removes the column strip on the left of the front panel, providing an unobstructed view of all your PC's innards - you'd better make sure your cables are tidy.

Elgato Key Light review

Edward Chester — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:50:40 +0000

The Elgato Key Light is an LED light panel designed for streamers and other content creators, aiming to give them an easy-to-use, software-controllable setup for lighting their streaming or video-making area. It provides integration into the company's streaming ecosystem, allowing for remote control via your PC, phone, or one of Elgato's dedicated Stream Deck hardware controllers, so you can control your lighting without leaving your desk.

Secretlab Black Friday sale arrives early with $150 off gaming chairs

Dylan Wilby — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:09:19 +0000

Secretlab, renowned for its excellent gaming chairs, has put up some major discounts ahead of Black Friday weekend. The Secretlab Black Friday sale sees savings on some of its most popular brands, like the formidable Titan Evo gaming chair.

Elgato Key Light MK.2 leaked in sneaky update

Niall Walsh — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:47:33 +0000

It's been an interesting few weeks if you're a fan of Elgato products, with the tease of two new capture cards at Twitchcon and now the accidental reveal of the Key Light MK.2 through what Elgato might have thought would be an under-the-radar update to the Control Center app. There have been plenty of instances where a company has let slip some info that wasn't quite ready for the public, but Elgato might have been unfortunate with this latest slip-up. The brand behind one of the best USB microphones recently updated its app for iOS, only they have revealed the existence of the Key Light MK.2 in the process.

This tiny graphics card is perfect for your next microATX PC build

Dylan Wilby — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:41:44 +0000

Are you planning a compact microATX or mini-ITX rig for your next PC build? MSI might just have released the perfect GPU. The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Aero ITX 8G, measuring just 167 x 111 x 43mm and weighing 455g, is one of the smallest current-gen graphics cards you'll find anywhere.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 review

Ben Hardwidge — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:42:02 +0000

We're writing this review the day after the Nvidia GeForce GTX 4080 launched, by which time we'd usually expect every retailer to be out of stock, while a bunch of seriously overpriced cards were appearing on eBay. Not this time, though. At Custom PC, we've been reviewing the latest gaming GPUs since 2003, and we run a number of grueling benchmarks in order to gauge performance. Our game tests include measuring the frame rate in Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, and Metro Exodus, all with and without ray tracing, and we also test with Assassin's Creed Valhalla. For more information, please read our How we test page. We don't yet know whether the stock situation is a result of plentiful supply, or over-ambitious pricing from Nvidia, but it certainly makes a change. Even so, the price of $1,199 USD / £1,199 GBP is massively higher than the $699 (£649) launch price of the GeForce RTX 3080 just two years ago. It's a new approach to pricing from Nvidia, where both the top-end flagship card and its nearest sibling cost well over a grand at launch. It remains to be seen whether it will pay off, but the RTX 4080 has its work cut out if Nvidia is going to justify that whopping price. Despite being closer to the flagship product's price than previous 80-series Nvidia GPUs, the RTX 4080 has a substantially lesser spec on paper.

Hands on with the Lian Li Strimer Plus

Antony Leather — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:29:42 +0000

A couple of years ago we thought we'd reached peak RGB, until Lian Li released its Strimer - an RGB-illuminated 24-pin ATX extension cable that meant even your cables could have lighting. Now, though, the company has upped the ante further with the Strimer Plus - a full digital RGB version of the Strimer. There's now more than just a 24-pin ATX connector too, as Lian Li has added a pair of 8-pin GPU power connectors, as well as 8-pin CPU power connectors, to the equation.