PC Gaming

Qi charging is far from new. But like many other technologies, popularity was significantly bolstered once iPhone received support. Since then we’ve seen all sorts of unique and high-end wireless chargers flood the market. With HyperX ChargePlay Base, Kingston is now offering a dual Qi-charger that should fit in nicely with the company’s gaming peripherals and many other devices that support the now-popular wireless charging standard.
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When it comes to computing, having great peripherals can seriously boost productivity. This is not only true for office work, but also when gaming. With Logitech’s new G604 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse, the company appears to have added yet another robust option in its broad peripheral portfolio. This specific model delivers a ‘best-in-class High Efficiency Rated Optical 16K Sensor’, 15 programmable controls, lag-free connectivity, and more.
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Razer has been my personal go-to when it comes to gaming peripherals for many years. The company recently brought its optical technology to the Viper mouse, providing “triple your [normal] actuation speed”. Today, Razer announced the Huntsman Tournament Edition compact gaming keyboard. This new keyboard also sports ultra-fast light-activated Optical Switches. This brings the best feature of the Huntsman Elite to a more compact, tournament-style keyboard, with one slight improvement. The Huntsman Tournament Edition features an all-new type of switch that’s even faster than before, dubbed the Razer Linear Optical Switch.

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The Dell-owned Alienware brand is known for delivering hardware focused on bringing top-notch gaming gear to those who want it. With a new Alienware 4K OLED monitor with incredible specifications on the way, the brand is lifting gamer’s expectations to even greater heights.

This 55-inch beast was originally announced earlier this year at CES, but today at Gamescom 2019, even more information regarding the specifications, release, and pricing of the new Alienware 4K OLED monitor was shared. Alongside quite a bit of I/O, it will be able to handle 4K at 120Hz, a notable achievement that will pave the way for better refresh rates than what is typically seen in UHD gaming.
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Today Logitech is out with a pair of new mechanical keyboards aimed to take on the gaming market. Both the G915 and G815 models tout a host of premium features, headlined by the company’s new low-profile Romer GL switches and RGB lighting. Lightspeed connectivity also enters with the higher-end model to offer low-latency wireless capabilities. Both options will be launching later this month, with prices starting at $200. Head below for a closer look and to lock in your pre-orders.

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Apple created a huge market for dongles and hubs when it debuted MacBook Pros that went all-in on USB-C. While many of us have embraced it and moved on, there are quite a few still resistant to the thought of giving up some of their favorite ports. With the latest VAIO, consumers have proof that it is possible to make light and portable laptops with less hardware compromises than what Apple’s current MacBooks have.

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Gaming monitors with 240Hz refresh rates are a must for those looking to get a competitive edge in esports-caliber titles, and now Acer is out with two new entires. The Nitro XF2 Series Monitors from Acer look to take on the competition with a suite of eye-catching features that will appeal to gamers like up to a sub 1ms response time and more. Head below for a closer look.

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NVMe SSDs have been coming down in price recently, and this is something that all computer builders (both at-home and manufacturers alike) have been enjoying. Kingston’s latest NVMe PCIe-based SSD, the A2000, was just announced, sporting up to 2.2GB/s transfer speeds. Using 4 lances of PCIe Gen 3.0 technology, you’ll be able to read files at up to 2,200 MB/s and write at up to 2,000 MB/s, depending on which size drive you go with. These drives offer quite a bit of power and start at a budget-friendly price of just $40.

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Razer, a 9to5Toys favorite, just introduced its latest mouse: the Razer Viper. This mouse packs a feature that nothing else on the market does yet, optical switches. Yes, optical mice have been around for a while, but until now, the laser was only used for tracking. Now, Razer has brought optics to the actual mouse click, giving you “up to triple your current actuation speed”. That’s not the only trick that the Razer Viper has up its sleeve, however, so keep reading to find out more.

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CORSAIR is on a buying spree, it seems. First, CORSAIR bought the gaming division of Elgato about a year ago. Now, CORSAIR just purchased ORIGIN PC, a custom-built gaming computer manufacturer. With CORSAIR’s latest acquisition, they’ll now be combining their knowledge in peripheral production with ORIGIN PC’s expertise in building custom computers. But, what all does this mean for both companies? Keep reading to find out.

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Samsung has unveiled a new 27-inch display that is made specifically with gamers in mind. Features that give this away include a curved form-factor, smooth 240Hz refresh rate, and compatibility with NVIDIA G-SYNC. The new 27-inch Samsung CRG5 display joins the existing 23.5-inch, but easily outperforms many specifications of its older sibling.
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Razer’s Kraken headset has long been a go-to for intense gaming sessions. Offering high-quality audio, comfort, and a great microphone, the Kraken has it all. But, today, Razer announced the Kraken X, a budget-friendly headset designed for “all-day” gaming. Offering 7.1-Channel surround sound, cooling-gel cushions, and a retractable cardioid microphone, this headset will become a staple of many gaming battle stations.

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Update 5/30: You can now purchase the HP OMEN X 2s 15 direct from HP starting at $2,099.99 shipped.

HP unveiled some of its latest gaming gear earlier today. Among its announcements, the most notable is the launch of the ‘world’s first dual-screen gaming laptop’. It’s called the HP Omen X 2S and aims to help gamers multitask.

In its announcement, HP used various metrics to call out why this product should exist. The company revealed that 82% of gamers use phones for messaging, 61% listen to music, and 49% watch live streams or browse the web while playing. HP Omen X 2S attacks this multitasking dilemma head-on with the inclusion of a second screen.
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Razer is making waves in just about every area of gaming they can. Not only does the peripheral company now make much more than just mice, but now they’re getting into streaming. Razer has introduced the Razer Ripsaw HD capture card with 4K60 passthrough and the ability to stream 1080p60. This desktop accessory aims to take down the industry standard Elgato.

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Just one day after HP announced its all-new Reverb VR headset, Oculus has unveiled its latest Rift offering. Sticking with the branding of its most popular headset, the Oculus Rift S delivers a robust feature set at a rather compelling price.

The Oculus Rift S brings resolution enhancements, increased comfort, and an improved light blocking design. This is just a few of many ways that Oculus is planning to deliver one of its best PC-compatible headsets to date.

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Western Digital is one of the longest-standing companies when it comes to computer storage. Though late to the game, the company has been almost on a warpath to take over, updating all of its storage lineups with speedy SSD alternatives. Recently, WD launched the Black SN750, and now the company is launching the Blue SN500 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD.

The WD Blue SN500 NVMe SSD is geared toward more budget-friendly setups compared to the Black SN750. It offers slightly lower speeds, but the same great reliability that you’ve come to know and love from Western Digital.

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Razer has been developing gaming peripherals for going on two decades now. Its products have become loved and well-respected by consumers and have also pushed the envelope when it comes to what’s available in the industry.

Up to this point, the only real caveat to shopping Razer has been that its products can be somewhat costly. With the release of this new Razer gaming lineup, the company attempting to reach customers that have been put off by high prices. At launch, the new Razer gaming lineup consists of three products that include a keyboard, mouse, and headset.

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If you’ve ever looked at Logitech’s MX lineup of mice, you’ve likely wondered what the major difference was. Would you like the MX Anywhere, MX Master, or even the new MX Vertical and MX ERGO? Also, there’s the regular MX Anywhere/Master and now an MX Anywhere/Master 2S, so what’s the difference? Keep reading for our full breakdown.

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Corsair is well-known for its computer peripherals which cater to a more hardcore demographic of PC gamers. Today the company has announced an all-new keyboard which brings several premium features to the playing field in a couch-friendly design. Headlined by a built-in trackpad, shoulder bumpers and a joystick, the new Corsair K83 Wireless Keyboard looks to combine the best of both worlds from PC and console gaming. Head below for all of the details.

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I’m a hardcore Mac user, but even I’ll admit that quite a few gaming PC components are very eye-catching. Just like anything, bright multi-color LEDs can look ridiculous when overdone, but when someone pieces everything together just right, it can be mesmerizing.

Corsair is a company that is constantly churning out RGB PC gear. From products like the Crystal 570X Case to the LL120 Dual Light Loop Fan, Corsair has something out there that’ll grab nearly anyone’s attention. With the launch of the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB, folks looking to upgrade their RAM will now be able to pick up sticks that sport a bunch of RGB LEDs.
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Something that I’ve realized I can’t live without is a curved monitor. Sure, flat panels are what everyone is used to and the “status quo” when it comes to displays, but there’s just something about a curved computer monitor that’s appealing. I can look at it and it almost seems to wrap around my view. AOC recently announced two new 27-inch curved gaming monitors, the AG273QCG and AG273QCX.

With 1440p resolution, NVIDIA’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync2, 144/165Hz, and even HDR support, these monitors are designed for the masses. There’s also a unique RGB ring on the back which illuminates your wall and gives your battlestation a little something extra.

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When it comes to SSDs, Samsung sells some of the best options on the market. As one of the big players in tech, it is the company’s job to always be on the lookout for how it can push technical boundaries and make a better product year-over-year. With the announcement of its 970 EVO Plus, Samsung is keeping its competitors on their toes.

The Samsung 970 EVO Plus follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the 970 EVO, by providing significant improvements write speeds and more while also keeping its foot on the brakes when it comes to price.
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NVMe SSDs have really upped the game when it comes to read and write speeds. What once was only a pipe dream is now a common reality. Apple uses PCIe SSDs in their Mac lineup, and NVMe is the closest non-Apple users can get to it. Last year, WD announced its Black lineup of NVMe SSD, but now the company is updating the line with the SN750.

These NVMe SSDs feature an all-new design and a more sleek look. Plus, you can even get the SN750 NVMe SSD with an optional heatsink to give passive cooling, allowing you to maintain optimal levels of performance.

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Dell’s Alienware division decided to make a huge announcement at CES 2019, claiming that it’ll be the first manufacturer to sell a laptop with a 240Hz display built-in. Alienware will also offer an OLED version of the m15 gaming laptop, for those who would prefer that.

Also on the OLED front, Alienware announced a 55-inch 4K gaming monitor (more like display at that size). This massive screen features a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare on 4K OLED monitors like this. Dell is also updating its XPS and G-series laptops with OLED as well, which is great for consumers everywhere. More details below.

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Last year, HTC released its Vive Pro VR headset. At CES 2019, the company is upping its game with the Vive Pro Eye. The Vive Pro brought dual OLED displays with high-end headphones built-in, which is something that hadn’t been done in mass market VR headsets prior to its release. The Vive Pro Eye broadens virtual reality horizons by introducing native eye tracking.

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If you’ve been in PC gaming for any length of time, you’ve likely noticed the huge price difference in Freesync and G-SYNC monitors. The variable refresh rate (VRR) options go from budget-friendly with AMD’s Freesync standard to NVIDIA’s high-end and high-priced G-SYNC standard. G-SYNC requires certification and licensing, but is by-and-large a better experience when it works well. At CES 2019, NVIDIA announced that it’s bringing its G-SYNC ecosystem to Freesync and other VRR monitors through a certification program with 12 monitors already being certified.

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With CES 2019 right around the corner, plenty of hardware manufacturers are pre-announcing products that they plan to debut at the show. Unsurprisingly, LG has gear to show off, and at the very least we know it plans to add two new UltraWide monitors to its existing lineup.

The two new monitors will have the model numbers 49WL95 and 38GL950G. Based on this information alone, it is pretty clear that the sizes will be 49 and 38 inches, respectively. The 49-inch model will be targeted at business professionals while the 38-inch option packs features that are akin to gaming.
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If you are a hardcore gamer, playing on a PC is typically the best way to go. Sure, some of the big releases like Red Dead Redemption 2 might be console-only at launch, but when games do make in onto PC, they look better than ever before. High-end graphics cards, more powerful CPUs, and large amount of RAM contribute to performance, but the monitor you’re viewing it all through is one of the most important factors. ViewSonic’s new 24-inch gaming monitor may not be the largest out there, but with built-in RGB lighting, it may be one of the most intriguing.
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I owned an early 2018 Razer Blade Stealth for quite a few months before making my journey back to macOS. It was a fantastic computer, but I just missed macOS too much to stay on it. The hardware was great, it was fast, and the screen was beautiful. But, the overall design was not really updated, and there were no dedicated graphics. Despite packing Intel’s latest, the machine simply felt dated.

Fast forward to today: Razer just announced an updated Blade Stealth. This update brings a “near bezel-less display”, better battery life, and now offers dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics for more power. Oh, and the only other grip I had was resolved: Razer now includes Windows Hello natively. Keep reading to learn more.

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CORSAIR is primarily recognized for their quality PC gaming peripherals, however, more recently they’ve been known for their components. The computer gaming company makes everything from keyboards and mice, to power supplies and now SSDs. A few years ago, CORSAIR introduced the Bulldog, which was basically a pre-built computer (though it was missing a few parts.) Now, you can get a complete pre-built system from the company, called the CORSAIR VENGEANCE 5180 Gaming PC.
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HyperX Cloud MIX is the latest entry in the company’s growing lineup of highly rated headsets. Known for its pro-quality audio solutions for gamers, HyperX is looking to branch out with the latest release. While it is very much designed with gamers in mind, its hybrid design allows it to transition from the living room to the street with ease.
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Razer has become a household name when it comes to PC gaming. From keyboards and mice to gaming laptops, phones, and eGPUs, I thought Razer was in just about every category it wanted to be in. But,recently it announced that it was entering the Wi-Fi game with the Razor Sila wireless router.

You’ll get a slim build on Sila, and this router prioritizes applications so your online game is never interrupted. There are multiple new technologies used here, and some are proprietary engines build by Razer itself. The Razor Sila Wireless Router is designed to give you reliable and high-performance networking for gaming, but what all does it do that normal routers don’t provide? Keep reading to find out more.

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There’s a craze sweeping PC gamers worldwide. It’s called RGB, and nothing seems to be safe from it. We have RGB mice, keyboards, headsets, mousepads, and even speakers. Just last week, we showed you how to start a budget-friendly RGB setup. The latest victims of this RGBification are SSDs from HyperX. Though RGB SSDs have been around for a while, these new models are sure to spice up any custom PC build.

HyperX’s latest FURY RGB SSD lineup brings colorful sections to the logo and surrounding areas, making your SSD go from something that blends into making a statement. The company also announced its SAVAGE EXO Portable SSD today, which boasts PS4/Xbox One compatibility as well as the ability to be used with your PC or Mac easily.

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Keyboards are something that many of us spend hours a day in front of. In fact, I spend the better part of 10+ hours a day with my fingers either on, or really close to my keyboard. It only makes sense that the less your fingers have to move, the more productive you are, right?

Well, that’s what Das Keyboard though with its latest X50Q RGB Smart Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (X50Q for short). According to Das, this is the “world’s first smart gaming keyboard” but what does that really mean, and could it actually benefit you in the long run?

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Now that IFA is officially underway, there are plenty of announcements to go around. We’re seeing some awesome new computers heading into the holidays from companies like Lenovo and Acer.

Lenovo is launching a number of products with new laptops, and Acer has several different offerings from laptops to chairs, Mixed Reality Headsets, and more.

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Gamescom, a trade fair for video games, has been held in Cologne, Germany annually since 2009. At this year’s event, ASUS has certainly made a splash with lots of new products including two new TUF Gaming notebooks. With FX505 and FX705, ASUS is offering two size options for gamers that appreciate rugged design. The FX505 has the smaller display of the two, coming in at 15.6-inches, while the larger FX705 packs a 17.3-inch screen.
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NVIDIA, one of the biggest names in computer gaming, is back at it with the company’s latest graphics cards. Featuring NVIDIA Turing architecture, the 20-series GPUs feature something computer gamers have long wanted: real-time ray tracing. This, along with more performance, could make the 20-series graphics cards one of the biggest updates to gaming in a long time…but should you upgrade?

Last year, I upgraded from my GTX 970 to the GTX 1080, and it was one of the best computer upgrades I had done in a long time. With Turing, however, I’m likely going to be passing, at least at the start.

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Earlier today, Dell announced two new gaming monitors that will soon join its line-up that will be referred to as 2419HGF and 2719DGF. Its new offerings are sized at 24- and 27-inches, providing consumers two sizes to consider for their next display. If you were expecting size to be the only differentiator, you would be wrong. The 27-inch monitor packs a higher resolution in addition to faster refresh rates. Each display packs connectivity options that include HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB, but the number and specifications of ports vary between models.

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While most people enjoy the plug-and-play conveniences offered by consoles like Playstation 4 Pro, Xbox One X, or Nintendo Switch, many prefer the customization and higher-end graphics options that come with PC gaming. While the more tech-minded gamers typically prefer to build a desktop, many others are looking for something that they can take with them while on-the-go. When choosing the second route, gamers are left looking for a laptop that is both portable and powerful. These are features that ASUS is cramming into its new ROG Zephyrus S, which it claims to be the ‘world’s thinnest’ gaming laptop.
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Razer has been expanding into new categories lately, with one of the latest being its Nommo speaker line. We reviewed the Nommo Chroma earlier this year and absolutely loved them, but today the Nommo Pro launched and are available for purchase.

The Nommo Pro speakers are similar to Nommo Chroma, but with quite a few extra bells and whistles. You’ll find THX-certification, an added subwoofer, and more on the higher-end Nommo Pro, but is this the speaker set you need? Keep reading to find out more.

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NZXT is well-known in the custom PC world for making quality cases and now motherboards. Another thing NZXT made a name for itself through was custom-themed computer cases. Well, the company is back at it again with a custom H700 to help you survive in a post-nuclear apocalyptic wasteland through the refreshing taste of Nuka-Cola.

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Destiny is a beloved gaming franchise from Bungie that people play on every platform. I’ve been a huge fan of the series from the first game on my original Xbox One, and now own Destiny 2 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Destiny 2 was great at the beginning, but quickly flittered out and I lost interested like with the original game.

This is something that Destiny is known for, launching with a fairly decent game that’s fun for a while, but not really becoming a must-play until a few updates later. Well, we’re at those updates, and Destiny 2: Forsaken is just around the corner, promising the “most transformative moment in Destiny 2.”

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UltraWide is the new 16×9 when it comes to monitors, but some companies take it to the extreme. Both Samsung and Philips offer a 32:9 49-inch monitor (behemoth, insanity, call it whatever you like), and that’s just too wide. While I love my 21:9 35-inch UltraWide monitor, I’ve been wanting something slightly larger, but not quite as large as the Samsung or Philips 49-inch offering.

Well, Samsung now makes a 32:10 43-inch curved monitor and that seems slightly more manageable. Though the previous Samsung 49-inch was locked at a 1080p resolution, this new 43-inch offering has a slightly higher pixel density with a 3840×1200 resolution. With this higher resolution, a built-in KVM switch, a 120Hz refresh rate, and more, could Samsung’s 43-inch C43J89 be my next monitor?

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Gaming chairs have started to take the PC gaming world by storm. With car racing inspired design, these chairs can both vary in price, function, and feature set. Most gaming chairs are around $250-500 and are seen as a higher-end option to regular chairs, but lower-priced options compared to buying something like a Herman Miller.

High-end office furniture is never cheap, and some office chairs, like Herman Miller, can go for upwards of $1,000 or more. What if you’re on more of a budget and still want to get good lumbar support, fully adjustable armrests, and comfort for long gaming sessions? That’s where Respawn comes in. Its latest RSP-300 gaming chair is a reclining option with a fully mesh back and seat, plus tons of other feature you’d generally only find on higher-end models.

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