I’ve checked out a ton of PC gaming {hardware} this yr already, however there’s a number of time left in 2024. Between new generations of CPUs from AMD and Intel, modern peripherals, and functions of AI in PC gaming that we haven’t seen earlier than, there’s quite a bit I’m nonetheless wanting ahead to within the again half of the yr.
We’ve hit the second part of product releases for 2024, kicking off with AMD’s Ryzen 9000 CPUs arriving in July. As we get deeper into the yr, there’ll undoubtedly be extra merchandise that we find out about. For now, although, right here’s what I’m maintaining a tally of all through the remainder of the yr.
AMD Ryzen 9000
Relying on whenever you’re studying this, AMD’s Ryzen 9000 CPUs would possibly already be out. Though we anticipated to see Zen 5 CPUs this yr, AMD pushed up the discharge date. On the time of writing, these CPUs are releasing in a matter of weeks. There isn’t a lot to speak about in relation to specs, with AMD preserving a well-recognized checklist of core counts and clock speeds from the Ryzen 5 9600X as much as the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X. Nevertheless, there’s an enormous distinction in relation to structure.
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Utilizing TSMC’s N4 node, AMD claims that Ryzen 9000 brings a rise of 16% in Directions Per Clock (IPC) on common, which is kind of the leap. We’ve already seen some leaked benchmarks that again up that declare, with the Ryzen 9 9900X beating last-gen’s Ryzen 9 7950X in each single core and multi-core efficiency.
These are some massive claims, however we’ve to attend to see how Ryzen 9000 holds up as soon as it’s really right here. The CPUs are reportedly arriving on July 31, however AMD hasn’t confirmed a launch date but. The large boon for them exterior of efficiency is assist for the AM5 socket. True to AMD’s phrase, it says it’s going to proceed supporting the AM5 socket that launched alongside Ryzen 7000 CPUs, that means you’ll be able to slot a brand new Ryzen 9000 CPU into an older AM5 motherboard.
Asus ROG Azoth Excessive
Asus already had one of many finest gaming keyboards cash can purchase with the Azoth, however it’s nonetheless upping the ante with the Azoth Excessive. True to the title, that is one excessive keyboard. It’s constructed out of the bones of the unique Azoth, however Asus touched practically each side of the keyboard. You’re nonetheless getting a gasket mount, however Asus is now utilizing a carbon fiber swap plate together with three layers of sound absorption. The aluminum prime shell now extends across the physique as nicely, including a little bit of heft to the keyboard.
What actually issues right here, although, is the adjustable gasket. A swap on the underside of the keyboard means that you can swap between a agency and unfastened typing really feel by adjusting how stiff the gaskets are. Asus isn’t the primary one so as to add such a function to a keyboard, however it’s positively the primary so as to add it to a gaming keyboard. I don’t suspect you’ll go between the modes fairly often, however it’s good that Asus remains to be giving players a simple option to regulate their typing expertise with out totally modding the keyboard.
Exterior of the adjustable gasket, Asus up to date the OLED show. It’s now a contact show, and it will probably show colours (the earlier model was restricted to black and white). There are additionally a number of units of metallic toes, once more including much more premium touches to the keyboard.
I’ve already used the keyboard for a bit, however I’m excited to get my arms on it for an prolonged time frame. I do know the Azoth is a good keyboard, however I’m actually curious to see how the adjustable gasket impacts the expertise of proudly owning the keyboard. Regardless, that is one to keep watch over.
NZXT F-series single body followers
All of us hate PC followers. They appear nice, particularly when you’ve got some good RGB followers, however putting in each, routing the tiny cables, and making an attempt to cope with the rat’s nest that ensues is infuriating. NZXT’s F-series single body followers appear like the answer. As you most likely picked up from the title, these are followers that put a number of blades in a single body. As a substitute of a bunch of 120mm followers, you’ll be able to set up a single unit that’s 240mm, 280mm, or 360mm.
NZXT isn’t the primary firm to give you this concept. Phanteks has single body followers, however they’re costly, and subjectively, they don’t look as good as NZXT’s F-series design. Plus, NZXT makes CAM, which is likely one of the extra helpful PC tuning and lighting utilities out there.
The fan (followers?) join with a single 8-pin cable for RGB and PWM, preserving your rig clear. The actual draw is the worth, although. NXZT is asking $45 for 240mm, $50 for 280mm, and $70 for 360mm. These aren’t unhealthy costs contemplating you’ll be able to simply spend extra for particular person 120mm followers.
Intel Arrow Lake
Intel has confirmed that its Fifteenth-gen Arrow Lake CPUs are coming this yr, however we nonetheless don’t know a ton of particulars concerning the chips. Intel hasn’t made any efficiency claims, revealed any specs, or a lot as shared a mannequin quantity. Arrow Lake is a serious new era for Intel, although, and it’ll outline how AMD and Intel stack up for the subsequent few years.
That’s as a result of Intel is transferring on from the LGA 1700 socket and Intel 7 node that it launched with Twelfth-gen CPUs. Intel has confirmed it’s going to use not less than one node from TSMC, however it’s going to probably use its personal 20A node, as nicely. Intel’s Twelfth-gen CPUs felt like a revelation with the corporate lastly transferring onto a brand new course of node. After some lukewarm CPUs just like the Core i9-14900K, hopefully Arrow Lake can signify the same leap in efficiency.
On condition that AMD is first on the scene with Ryzen 9000, it will likely be very attention-grabbing to see how Arrow Lake stacks up later within the yr. Ryzen 9000 ought to deliver efficiency good points, however AMD isn’t making as radical of a shift as Intel is. We should always know extra about Arrow Lake earlier than too lengthy — rumor has it that Intel will focus on the CPUs at its Innovation occasion in September.
Nvidia G-Help
Nvidia G-Help isn’t really a product, not less than not but. We noticed the AI assistant in motion at Computex, however for now, Nvidia says that it’s extra of a tech demo than something. Hopefully we’ll see G-Help present up in some type this yr, although. It has a number of potential, making use of AI to your PC regionally in a means that makes excellent sense for PC gaming.
In the event you’re lower than pace, G-Help is principally an AI assistant in your video games. It doesn’t simply provide you with hints or rephrase walkthroughs written by actual individuals, although. It hooks right into a sport, and it will probably pull particulars from what you’re seeing on display. It might see what’s in your stock, clarify stats, and supply recommendations for the best way to progress. All of that is contextual based mostly on the sport you’re operating, not just a few generic recommendation. Theoretically, a sport developer may add absolutely anything to G-Help, and that looks as if the thought. As a substitute of an app that may do every little thing, G-Help is a system that builders can apply to particular person video games.
Nvidia can positively do quite a bit by itself, too. One function it’s already proven off is G-Help’s means to see your system data. It might do issues like monitor your body charge and routinely plot it on a graph, routinely overclock your GPU, and even cut back the facility draw of your GPU whereas sustaining a selected body charge in video games. There are a ton of functions for G-Help, and I can’t wait to mess around with it myself.
Hyte Thicc P60 Duo
Hyte’s Thicc Q60 floored me once I took a take a look at it earlier this yr. It’s a incredible cooler, however there’s one massive downside with it — it’s costly. The Thicc P60 Duo seems like a stripped-down model that may hopefully are available in at a less expensive value.
We don’t know the way less expensive the P60 Duo is but, however Hyte has confirmed it’s going to certainly be cheaper. In comparison with the Q60, the large distinction with the P60 is the water block. As a substitute of the 5-inch IPS show that you simply’ll discover on the dearer cooler, the P60 Duo comes with a normal water block with a little bit of RGB lighting. I’m glad that’s the place Hyte is chopping, too. In any other case, the P60 Duo ought to present the identical cooling prowess that the Q60 delivered earlier this yr.
Exterior of the cooling, the P60 additionally features as a major node within the Hyte Nexus Hyperlink ecosystem, permitting you to energy and management as much as 18 followers and/or RGB strips simply off the cooler. Given how spectacular the Q60 was, I think the P60 Duo will likely be fairly the favored cooler when it launches in September.
MSI MEG 321URX
I doubt I’ll find yourself recommending MSI’s MEG 321URX, however I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I wasn’t wanting ahead to it. The monitor itself needs to be nice. This can be a 32-inch OLED show from MSI, utilizing the identical panel as MSI’s MPG 321URX. OLED is the least attention-grabbing a part of this show, although. MSI says the shows packs an AI processor that may primarily can help you cheat in video games. You learn that proper.
Up so far, MSI has proven off the MEG 321URX in League of Legends. The AI overlay can present you enemy positions which are offscreen, in addition to show stats like your well being via the built-in RGB lighting. MSI says it’s working so as to add the AI assistant to different video games as nicely, similar to Counter-Strike 2. I’m not in opposition to corporations exploring alternative ways to use AI to PC gaming, however a monitor that actually offers you what equates to a cheat in video games? That’s pushing it a bit far.
Nonetheless, I’m very to see how the MEG 321URX performs out. Will it really work? Will sport builders ban it from aggressive play? How will they even know? There are such a lot of attention-grabbing questions that the MEG 321URX brings up simply attributable to its existence, and I’m curious to see what affect it’s going to have. I think the query most individuals will likely be asking, although, is that this: How can the MEG 321URX justify its $1,700 checklist value? We’ll simply have to attend till it’s lastly right here to get all of these solutions.
Lian Li wi-fi RGB
Coping with RGB lighting in a PC is a trouble, however Lian Li is simplifying the method. At Computex, it launched an ecosystem of merchandise that carry RGB lighting wirelessly. No extra searching round for a spare header in your motherboard or fussing with a hub to get your whole lights linked.
The system works via a USB receiver. Lian Li’s upcoming followers and lightweight strips will embody a wi-fi antenna within the product itself, which is able to hook as much as the receiver and provide you with management over your lights. It’s a easy resolution, and one which I’m shocked we haven’t seen prior so far. Lian Li says the primary wi-fi merchandise will launch within the third quarter of the yr, and I’m excited to see how they’ll work in follow.
