Best of Computex 2023: The most intriguing and innovative PC hardware

Computex is the most important PC present of the yr, yearly. Just have a look at the identify! Taiwan’s commerce present is the place laptop distributors massive and small unveil their newest, biggest gear forward of the essential again to highschool and vacation purchasing seasons. If CES is the place the business showcases its imaginative and prescient for the long run, Computex retains it actual.

Product cycles for the world’s greatest chip distributors made this Computex really feel considerably muted. Intel and AMD skipped keynotes all collectively, whereas Nvidia spent two hours speaking about AI fairly than video games. With no new CPUs or GPUs on faucet, the standard barrage of contemporary PCs packing new tech slowed to a trickle this yr, as the subsequent technology already arrived earlier this yr.

But that hole additionally offered contemporary alternatives. With laptops and chips taking a backseat, innovative peripherals flourished at Computex 2023, bolstered by thrilling new software program that guarantees to allow you to do much more with hardware.

Which reveals acquired us deeply, personally excited? This is the perfect hardware and software program of Computex 2023. Giddy up.

Corsair iCue Link

There’s a particular pattern in PC constructing this yr, one thing we’re calling the War on Cables. And whereas we’re nonetheless months away (at the least) from new motherboards, instances, and even graphics playing cards designed to get cables tucked away out of your central tower construct, Corsair’s cooling answer ought to be out this summer season. The iCue Link system helps you to daisy chain a number of followers, AIO coolers, and even coolant reservoirs alongside a single cable line.

The system can handle disparate cooling and lighting duties from its central hub, all accessible in Windows through the iCue software program. I really like the way in which that a number of adjoining followers don’t even want cables, they only snap along with electrical contacts like LEGO blocks. The solely draw back is that it’s a proprietary system, so that you’ll must go all-in on Corsair-branded hardware to see the profit. —Michael Crider

Fractal Design Terra case

Hot off the heels of profitable The Full Nerd award for Best Case of 2022, Fractal Design follows up the favored North with Terra.

Terra is the corporate’s latest small kind issue case, coming in at 10.4 liters and sporting the identical Scandinavian design options and wooden grain accent that made the North so drool inducing. This sandwich-style case options anodized aluminum, gall wing doorways, and configuration choices that enables for distinctive mixes of hardware configurations. It’s an ideal combine of model and performance and is definitely the subsequent SFF case I’m going to construct in. —Adam Patrick Murray

Acer Swift Edge 16

Acer

Acer’s Swift Edge 16 refresh was one of the most attention-grabbing laptop computer bulletins at a Computex that was…gentle on laptop computer bulletins. No matter: The newest Swift Edge 16 squeezes a 120Hz 3200×2000 OLED show right into a chassis that’s in some way even lighter than final yr’s mannequin, and with a AI-enhanced AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, as well.

Yes, it’s only a tad thicker relying on the way you have a look at it. But which means a deeper keyboard (growing from 1.0 to 1.3mm of key journey) and higher cooling, too. It all implies a extra comfy, extra highly effective laptop computer — and did we point out that at $1,299, it’s cheaper, too? —Mark Hachman

Frore’s solid-state AirJet cooling will get actual

I’m deeply intrigued by the War on Cables that Mike talked about above, however for me, the only most thrilling half of Computex 2023 is Frore Systems’ radical “solid-state” AirJet cooling know-how lastly getting actual. (That’s what occurs at Computex, keep in mind!)

We’ve been following AirJet from the bounce, masking the preliminary reveal, digging deeper at CES 2023, and even happening a Frore Systems lab tour. The magic of AirJet is a mixture of unique supplies, geometry, and physics: The 2.8mm chip has cavities within the high full of vibrating membranes, which blast cool air throughout the warmth spreader beneath, cooling down a CPU or different part. Despite the miniscule dimensions, it might ship particular person air particles whooshing over the warmth spreader at as much as 200 kilometers per hour, letting PC distributors cool compact parts far more successfully than ever earlier than.

And boy does it. AirJet began displaying up in precise merchandise at Computex 2023. First, Zotac’s beforehand passively cooled PI430AJ Pico mini-PC embraced AirJet to improve from a two-core Atom processor to an Intel Core i3 with eight effectivity cores. That’s a monumental leap in efficiency. Gordon additionally acquired an opportunity to see a Sabrent Rocket SSD operating in a Thunderbolt enclosure to see the distinction AirJet’s energetic cooling can present versus conventional passive designs.

Watch it in motion within the movies above, however spoiler alert: AirJet is a few of the most thrilling PC know-how I’ve seen in years. —Brad Chacos

Nvidia ACE for Games

Nvidia’s Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) for Games affords us what seems like one future of PC gaming—and it’s an odd one that will not come to cross. That’s not as a result of it’s not potential: ACE envisions a future the place NPCs are literally AIs, with pure language interactions powered by the cloud and/or your GPU. Imagine moving into a protracted debate with a generic RPG service provider concerning the deserves of lagers versus stouts, and you get the concept. 

That means, conceptually, that that service provider may know every part there may be to know concerning the world, together with the sport’s main twists and turns. Or not. Or possibly only a piece of gossip that may advance the story. Narratively, AI characters could bathroom down the primary story or fully undermine it, which means that sport designers could merely refuse to make use of ACE. But if AIs enter society, they’ll ultimately make their manner into gaming. ACE could possibly be the way in which. —Mark Hachman

Mobile Pixels Geminos 

Mobile Pixels

I wasn’t ready to re-imagine the tried-and-true, side-by-side dual-monitor setup, however the Mobile Pixels Geminos has me doing simply that. And this stacked pair of 24-inch 1080p shows makes a powerful case for itself.  

There’s the ergonomic benefit of having each screens useless heart in your discipline of view. (Both top and angle of the screens are adjustable through the stand’s hinged and sliding mechanism.) There’s the space-saving facet, for crowded desks. And there’s the excessive versatility enabled by all of the extras: a built-in webcam and mic, a 10-in-1 dock, each USB-C and HDMI inputs, and compatibility with Windows, macOS, and sport consoles, so you may even have every display screen related to a separate gadget.  

It’s a considerate design that takes under consideration many frequent use instances. All issues thought-about, it’s not that costly both. Mobile Pixels has the Geminos listed on its website for $629.99. —Katherine Stevenson

Azza Sanctum 810 case

AZZA

I’m tremendous pumped about Azza’s funky new PC instances, particularly the Sanctum 810. It sort of seems like a futuristic terrarium at first look resulting from its glass panels. The sq. construct and angled high piece set it aside from extra traditional-looking instances as nicely.

The unorthodox design is intentional, because it’s meant to carry bigger parts and water-cooling techniques. There’s even fairly a bit of area for cable administration. The entrance followers are additionally positioned in a manner that enables airflow by means of a mesh cowl, which helps hold every part good and cool. If you’re critical about displaying off your PC and have the area for it, the Sanctum 810 seems mighty high quality. —Ashley Biancuzzo

Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 keyboard

Asus

By the time you end saying “Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 keyboard” you could nicely be capable to purchase one. Despite the lengthy identify, Asus’s first 96 % ROG wi-fi gaming keyboard packs in some very spiffy options.

The keyboard’s ROG PBT doubleshot keycaps and delicate cozy wrist relaxation sound very interesting, however the primary jam for most players would be the hot-swappable, mechanical ROG NX Snow Switches. ROG’s newest mechanical switches use new composite supplies on the highest and backside change housings to dampen sound. But additionally they have factory-applied lubrication for easy linear keystrokes and “thocky” acoustics.

But the true draw for me is the keyboard’s Tri-Mode connectivity with ROG Omni Receiver. I’m hoping the latter will imply I can overlook worrying about USB passthrough. While the Tri-Mode connectivity provides you three connection varieties—2.4GHz RF wi-fi, Bluetooth (as much as three units concurrently) and a USB connection—the ROG Omni Receiver means that you can join three units wirelessly utilizing a single USB dongle and “without compromising performance.”

The keyboard format seems promising too, providing all of the performance of a full-sized keyboard, however with bonuses like rad hotkeys preprogrammed for Xbox Game Bar and recording. —Dominic Bayley

MSI MAG A850GL energy provide (and its yellow 12VHPWR cables)

It’s the easy issues in life that all the time amaze you. MSI’s reply to what’s extensively believed to be the foundation of melting GPU cables final yr was a bit coloration. With the corporate’s new 850-watt MAG A850GL energy provide, the corporate has modified the 12VHPWR connection tricks to a brilliant yellow.

That little splash of coloration works as a visible indicator to let PC players know if the cable has labored unfastened or probably was not totally inserted. While some folks nonetheless resist the 12VHPWR cable, the ship as sailed, and the MSI MAG A850GL’s easy yellow cables might go a good distance towards serving to folks keep away from issues.

Cooler Master Motion 1 haptic gaming chair

Say good day to a brand new frontier for immersive gaming. Motion 1, a “haptic engine gaming chair” collaboration between Cooler Master and D-Box, goals to get your entire physique within the sport.

It makes use of greater than 65,000 haptic results comparable to actions, waves, vibrations, and textures. All of these supposedly mix to simulate the leisure you’re experiencing on display screen. And simply in case you’re involved about ergonomics, the Motion 1 contains magnetic lumbar assist and a headrest as nicely. So at the least it can save you your precise physique even when your in-game physique will get pulverized within the digital world.

The chair is already up for pre-order on Cooler Master’s CMODX web site retailing for $2,229.00. That’s greater than the Herman Miller Aeron ergonomic wonder-chair so that you’ll want to essentially be invested within the haptic know-how to justify the expense. But on the finish of the day gaming is about having enjoyable, and a chair that makes the expertise extra immersive seems like a hell of lots of enjoyable. —Sam Singleton

PC parts in precise colours!

Thermaltake

For the longest time, PC parts have been restricted in coloration. You’ll see tons of black, and generally (however not all the time) some white and silver as nicely. Computer instances get extra selection, with occasional choices in wild shades like blue or purple. (Ahem.) Inside the case? It will be work to seek out sufficient worthy parts to do an all-white construct, a lot much less one with enjoyable coloration accents.

But at Computex 2023, distributors are branching out, and it’s fantastic. We noticed a number of instances sporting mid-century trendy hues, with Thermaltake even providing matching AIO coolers. Think pale turquoise, matcha inexperienced, forest inexperienced, and pastel pink—shades that may actually pop in opposition to a white construct, or add a refined taste to a black one. (A darkish forest inexperienced AIO in an in any other case all-black PC? Yes, please.) Fingers crossed that this turns into a long-lasting pattern—and one which brings much more colours into play. —Alaina Yee

Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack

Cooler Master

Adult Lego is in style, and for good purpose—assembling a equipment right into a full merchandise will be stress-free. Cooler Master is capturing that very same vibe with its Qube 500 Flatpack case, which comes deconstructed. You put it collectively your self.

The novelty of the design is compelling, particularly since this totally modular case is easy but versatile in each configuration and aesthetics. This 33L mini-tower can match a lot of hardware inside—an E-ATX motherboard, a CPU cooler as much as 172mm in top, a GPU so long as 365mm, a 280mm radiator, and as much as three 3.5-inch drives. Not every part will match on the identical time, of course, however lots will.

You also can swap the included panels for different colours, and the choices embody a number of enjoyable shades. There’s a brilliant yellow (aka “Bumblebee”), and then three dessert-colored pastel hues (mint, pink, and cream). With this combine of attractiveness and good design, the Qube 500 might go a good distance in recognition, particularly with the corporate’s encouragement of 3D-printed equipment. If it kicks off a brand new pattern when it launches on September 15, I received’t be stunned. —Alaina Yee

Cooler Master Sneaker X

Cooler Master

I imply, it’s every part that you must home a high-end gaming rig nevertheless it seems like a big sneaker. What else must be mentioned? (Maybe that it’ll be $5,999 when it launches in July.) —Brad Chacos