What a yr 2022 has been for {hardware}. After a pandemic-induced drought, the skies lastly rained unimaginable launches upon parched fans. Whether a holdout for a brand new processor or graphics card, or an keen fan of transportable PC gaming, your persistence was richly rewarded.

So for entirely opposite reasons 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 May, and Adam Patrick Murray bought downright heated about our favorites of this yr. By the time the staff settled on the eight winners for 2022, everybody was downright drained. And perhaps a bit of unhappy.

Want to know what set off the fireworks? Continue studying for a recap of the outcomes, together with the arguments that set Gordon and particularly Brad off. (Sorry, boss.) For the complete dialogue, take a look at the video embedded under. Also, remember that these picks are merely the favorites as nominated and voted on in reside fight debate by the members of our Full Nerd podcast, which focuses on deeply geeky enthusiast-level tech. Be certain to take a look at our separate roundup of the best PC hardware and software of 2022 for PCWorld’s wider record of champions.

Best CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Both Intel and AMD launched heavy hitters this yr, with 13th-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 choose. Gordon, our resident CPU reviewer, definitely did.

Unfortunately 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 presents glorious efficiency within the areas most individuals care about—gaming and streaming—whereas additionally showcasing AMD’s impressive 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: Each 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.

Best GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090

Poor Brad. On the one hand, 2022 noticed the launch of latest graphics playing cards, saving him from one more yr of tolerating a win for integrated graphics as our GPU choose. However, however, he had to spend so much of effort for almost all to agree on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 as the favourite.

Despite clear proof of the 4090’s futuristically quick efficiency, Adam and Keith countered exhausting with Intel’s new Arc graphics 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. Perhaps not finest, however favourite.

Let’s simply say the dialog bought 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.) In the tip, 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 Frame Generation—earned this brutal graphics card a hard-won crown. It’s a beast for content creation, too.

Best case: Fractal Design North

Like 2021, a ton of nice new circumstances got here accessible in 2022—and in any respect sizes. Whether 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 reasonably but meaty field just like the Lian Li Lancool III, everybody bought one thing novel and new.

But none have been as recent because the Fractal Design North, a mid-tower airflow case with typical proportions however an authentic tackle a slatted entrance panel. Rather than plastic or steel, Fractal used wooden, together with your selection of stain colours. It’ll mix in with most of at present’s present dwelling decor, too, given how well-liked mid-century trendy is true now. The Fractal Design North additionally presents glorious airflow, cooling efficiency, and buildability. That’s a phrase, proper?

Our solely criticism? There’s not a smaller mini-ITX model accessible. Yet. (Ahem.)

Best PC accent: Valve Steam Deck

Accessories are outlined as gadgets that add worth or utility, or improve the looks of the first merchandise. Which means you’ll be able to rely a whole lot of issues that aren’t simply keyboards, mice, headphones, and the like. For instance: The Steam Deck. Actually, not only for instance, provided that we picked it as our favourite PC accent.

Yes, it’s a pc unto itself. But for the way it’s utilized in the actual world—as a complement somewhat than alternative 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 house all collectively). Adam and Keith couldn’t cease talking enthusiastically about their Steam Decks, and even these of us with out one plan to ultimately rectify that. Valve truly managed to make a conveyable gaming handheld a actuality, and Linux gaming a actuality, all for underneath $400. Bravo.

Best laptop computer: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

Choosing a laptop (very like a pc case) typically boils right down to your wants and private style. Which makes selecting a consensus favourite troublesome.

But 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. (Well, 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 data, music visualizations, and extra. At $2,500, this model of the ROG Zephyrus G14 isn’t low cost, however you get quite a bit on this 3.8-lb pocket book. And it’s a enjoyable machine. Seriously, take a look at that AniME Matrix show on its lid!

Best merch: Paul’s Hardware 8-bit PC gear

Paul’s Hardware

Sponsored by: The Full Nerd Outrage Pony T-Shirt

These days, you should purchase loads of improbable merchandise that not solely help your favourite creators, however pay homage to your pursuits in simply the proper methods, too. It’s not all t-shirts and mugs, both: Take for instance the ratcheting screwdriver from the Linus Tech Tips retailer or GamersNexus’ perennially well-liked mod mat.

But for this yr, nostalgia gained our hearts (and our bucks). Over on the store for Paul’s Hardware, you will discover majestic 8-bit renditions of PCs and PC elements. 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.

Best 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. Without its revolutionary new 3D V-Cache technology, 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 stuffed with scrumptious high-performance. 

In the case of the 5800X3D, the usage of 3D-VCache expertise tripled the chip’s quantity of L3 cache in comparison with its siblings to present it a big increase to gaming efficiency. Enough in order that the 5800X3D might beat the then-flagship Intel Core i9-12900K—and each Intel and AMD have been hesitant to check their latest generations of processors towards this stacked-cache stunner. At this level, the one query we’ve about 3D V-Cache is when it’ll subsequent seem. We can’t wait to see what a Ryzen 7 7800X3D (or no matter chip seems with this type of further fats cache) can do.

Worst development: 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.

Unlike 2021, when costs ballooned on account of mining, scalping, logistics woes, and common shortages on items all of us wished, this yr we needed to abdomen increased record costs for brand new launches. Of course, not all {hardware} bloated in worth and dropped in worth, however GPUs just like the $1,200 RTX 4080 and the upcoming $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. But it feels just like the madness won’t ever finish.