We're leaving 2021 with mixed feelings. While the great chip shortage rages on, making it nearly impossible to grab a new graphics card at retail price, it's not all bad news. Brands are still putting out some of the best hardware we've seen to date, from lightweight gaming mice to RTX-adorned gaming laptops and Us that usher in for next-generation technologies.
We saw the introduction of AIO coolers got even cooler, with the MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 bringing a screen that also plays .mp4 videos as well as gifs.
With some products barely even touching shelves, we've avoided the fanfare of an awards ceremony, but still wanted to showcase our favourite hardware from the year.
So, without further ado, here is a small selection of the best PC gaming hardware in 2021:
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Nvidia GeForce Now RTX 3080
It goes without saying that the best graphics card in 2021 is the one you can get your hands on, but Nvidia's cloud gaming solution comes in a close second. With the newly introduced RTX 3080 subscription, you can get the beauty of a new GPU without slotting one into your system. If your broadband can keep up, you can crank settings up to ultra at 1440p resolution and still maintain a silky smooth 120fps without breaking a sweat. Better yet, the MSRP of an RTX 3080 is equivalent to three years' worth of the subscription, giving it incredible value for money.
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Intel Core i5 12600K
You'd be forgiven for thinking it was just a weird fever dream that Intel released its 11th generation Rocket Lake Us this year but it's true, team blue really did go at it twice in 2021. Alder Lake leaves takes the cake, however, as the 12th generation gives us a mid-range marvel with the Intel Core i5 12600K. It s DDR5, is future-proofed with PCIe 5.0 compatibility, and outperforms AMD chips that cost more than double.
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SteelSeries Rival 5
2021 wasn't short of good mice to choose from, but few impressed us more than the SteelSeries Rival 5. Sporting a similar shape to the now legendary G502, the Rival 5 hits the perfect middle-ground between ergonomics and macro buttons at just 85g – which is especially important since gamers demand the lightest clicker possible. If you want a wireless experience, you're probably better off with the SteelSeries Prime Wireless, but otherwise, the Rival 5 is one of the best all-rounders you can wield.
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Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense
Haptic is a staple in the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense has marked improvements over the original Nari, tuning the vibrations just right to give you an immersive experience. This works by enhancing the bass, much like a subwoofer, so you can feel every gunshot and explosion. On top of that, it has beautiful RGB lighting on top of a clean look, comfy pads, and a clear, detachable microphone.
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Eve Spectrum 4K
It's no secret that PC is our platform of choice here, but we have to extend a big handshake to Sony and Microsoft for giving technology a much-needed push with their new consoles. 4K resolution at 144Hz is finally becoming an accessible standard for Nvidia DLSS, AMD FSR, and eventually Intel XeSS making things much easier, higher resolutions and refresh rates are within reach.
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Secretlab Magnus
You can attach the words gaming chairs, with every inch of the surface feeling . It's made of solid metal, which means it's not fun to lug up a set of stairs but it is the perfect companion to a wealth of magnetic accessories, from cable feeds to a headset hanger or an RGB lighting strip to a full desk-length leatherette mouse pad. Even if you opt to use it without any fancy additions, its cable tray helps keep things neat.