What’s cooler than being cool? That’s right, keeping your PC components ice cold. Before you go out to find more exciting components like the best graphics cards to soup up your rig, you have to seriously consider picking out the best CPU cooler first, as you’ll need it to build the best gaming PC you can. After all, keeping your CPU at a low temperature will increase your computer’s performance, not to mention, longevity.

The best CPU coolers will come in every shape, size and even price point in 2020, but finding the perfect cooler for your build depends on your processor, your budget and your overclocking demands. Luckily, even if you’re trying to save some cash, you can still pick up one of the best CPU coolers, as many air coolers are extremely cheap these days. If you’ve got the cash, on the other hand, you also have the option to splurge on a high-end liquid cooler, taking your cooling performance to the next level.

Regardless of what kind of CPU cooler you need, we’ll help you find the most ideal one. We gathered some of the best CPU coolers on the market, using our PC component expertise. And, because we’ve tested these coolers ourselves, you know these heat dissipators will be worth your money. Plus, with our price comparison tool, you’ll know you’re getting a killer deal every time.

The best CPU cooler at a glance

1. Noctua NH-D15
2. Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition
3. Noctua NH-L9
4. NZXT Kraken Z-3
5. Corsair H100i Pro
6. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240P Mirage
7. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120R RGB
8. Arctic Liquid Freezer 120
9. Corsair Hydro Series H5 SF
10. NoFan CR-95C

The Noctua NH-D15 is one of the best CPU coolers you can buy in 2019 simply because it performs just as well as – if not better – than some liquid coolers, while costing a fraction of the price. You might not be too familiar with Noctua’s name, as they’re relatively small in the CPU cooler world, but its business is revolves around designing coolers, so you know that when you buy one of their products, you’re getting a product by people who really know their craft. On top of delivering a fantastic cooling performance, the NH-D15 is nearly silent as well. 

Cooler Master’s Hyper 212 CPU RGB cooler is back with a vengeance, and sporting a sleek gun-metal black brushed aluminum finish to boot. It’s not only jet black look that’s upping this CPU cooler’s cool factor – though it does help what with that aluminum top cover and nickel plated jet black fins to complete the look. It’s also easily one of the best CPU coolers on the market with its stacked fin array that ensures least airflow resistance, four heat pipes that boast Direct Contact Technology to better battle the heat, and a wide speed range for fine-tuning cooling performance and silent operation.

Noctua is an Austrian manufacturer that does one thing, and one thing only: make the best CPU coolers and fans. What this means is that even though the Noctua NH-L9 is tiny, it is still more than capable of insane cooling with no compromises. This is a fantastic cooler for anyone with a smaller build, or even if you’re using a ton of large components, and you’re not comfortable with liquid cooling.

Whether you’re going for 360MM or 280MM, the NZXT Kraken Z-3 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for liquid cooling. First of all, thanks to its vibrant 2.36-inch LCD screen that’s capable of displaying 24-bit color, this liquid cooler allows total customization so you can fine-tune settings as well as display your favorite images and animated gifs. More importantly, it delivers impressive liquid cooling performance and is easy to install. 

Corsair has enjoyed a position at the top of the liquid cooling game for a while now, and the H100i Pro continues the trend. Not only is this thing obviously strapped in RGB lighting, but it also boasts impressive cooling performance, thanks to Corsair’s unique and powerful fans, which you can control through the iCue software. All these combined, and you’ve got among the few best CPU coolers that not only performs well, but that is also completely customizable.

With the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240P Mirage in your gaming rig, you won’t only end up playing for hours on end without worrying about thermal throttling or overheating. You might just an hour or so admiring your CPU, especially if you have one of those glass-window cases, as this CPU cooler is indeed hypnotically pretty. It’s mostly thanks to its transparent pump design that lets you see the impeller spinning while bathed in different RGB lighting, like a colorful spinning wheel at a funhouse. Performance-wise, it definitely deserves a spot in our best CPU coolers list, with its PPS+ glass fiber housing and nozzle that provides temperature and liquid resistance, EPDM rubber O-Ring that helps eliminate liquid emission, and a low-resistance radiator that increases flow rate, heat exchange efficiency and cooling performance.

There isn’t a single component that can’t be improved through RGB, and Cooler Master is well aware – jumping on the RGB bandwagon with the MasterLIquid ML 120R RGB. What’s more, it integrates some of the first addressable LEDs seen on a liquid cooler. This all-in-one liquid cooling solution isn’t just about aesthetics – it features an oxidation free pump and an efficient radiator. This means that not only will it last longer – but it’ll keep your CPU cooler, and all without giving up too much case real estate, which is why it’s made our best CPU coolers list.

For less than 70 big ones in both US dollars and British sterling, the Arctic Liquid Freezer 120 is a deal you can’t pass up if you’re on the prowl for a liquid cooler that won’t break the bank. While it lacks the bells and whistles of pricier, more extravagant liquid coolers, like the NZXT Kraken, the Arctic Liquid cooler is enough to get you by, not to mention it’s still a massive step up from the classic fan and heatsink pairing. So, while you can’t expect RGB lighting or software – or even hardware-based fan control, the 120mm variant of the Arctic Liquid Freezer makes our best CPU coolers list as it will keep your system refrigerated at a (mostly) quiet volume. 

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Corsair Hydro Series H5 SF 

Even if your budget will allow you to really go all-out on a serious liquid cooling solutions, if you have a smaller PC case, you’ll likely not have enough space. That’s where something like the Corsair Hydro H5 SF comes into play. Even on the smallest PC cases, you’re able to use this CPU cooler to keep your CPU chilled, even if you have some beastly overclocks happening. Plus, because it’s a closed loop, you don’t even need to worry about maintenance. Set it up, and let it do its thing – you won’t be disappointed. 

Rounding out our best CPU coolers list is the NoFan CR-95C. You’ve probably never heard of NoFan – unless you’re already neck deep into the rabbit hole that is silent PC assembly. The South Korean component company specializes in helping enthusiasts reach that 0dBA silent sweet spot. In doing so, of course, will severely limit your set-up in terms of power, with its CR-95C fanless solution being limited in compatibility to processors whose TDP fall below 95W. Still, the NoFan CR-95C is worth a shot if you want to build a low-power computer that completely blends into the background.

•  This Product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Noctua NH-L9 

Investing in one of the best PC cases of 2020 when you’re building your own PC might be an afterthought, especially when you’re consumed with getting the best processors and the best graphics cards, as well as the right storage and RAM for the best PC you can afford to build. And, you’re not alone – many people spend so much time and money on the inside that they don’t pay much attention to the packaging.

However, it is a great idea to put more effort in getting the best PC case for those PC components you painstakingly hand-picked. After all, picking the best housing for them will have an impact not just on how your rig looks on the outside, but also how long it will last as well. If you’re building one that will rival some of the best gaming PCs out there, you’ll need one that helps keep those components cool since having a reliable PC case that can boost airflow is vital. In addition, if you want to future-proof your rig, you should consider something that has extra room for future expansion. And, of course, if keeping it looking cool is just as important, then you might want one if a glass side panel, so you can showcase all that RGB lighting on your components.

Whatever it is you need for your PC case, whether you’re on a budget or ready to blow money, our list of the best PC cases of 2020 should narrow down your choices.

Best PC cases at a glance:

1. Corsair Obsidian 1000D
2. Fractal Design Meshify-C
3. Nanoxia Deep Silence 4
4. NZXT H200i
5. Phanteks Evolv Shift X
6. Fractal Design Define R5
7. Cooler Master H500P Mesh
8. Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass
9. Antec Cube
10. Phanteks Evolv X

If you’re going to do it, do it big – if the Corsair Obsidian 1000D had a slogan, that would be it. Packed front to back with a whopping 18 fan mounts and enough room for four 480mm radiators, this massive PC case will keep your system cool, no matter how extreme it is. What’s more, the Corsair Obsidian 1000D is a dual-system case, so you can build two separate computers here. Just think about it – a gaming PC and a streaming rig in the same chassis.

It is extremely rare to see any PC case that even vaguely resembles the Fractal Design Meshify-C. Given that the front of the case is entirely made of a mesh material sectioned off into an array of polygonal shapes, the Meshify-C has a unique style – without compromising on function. With two fans pre-installed, cooling is (forgive us) a breeze, even if the Meshify-C is held back by a number of obstacles. 

As its name suggests, the Nanoxia Deep Silence 4 has the sole purpose of being quiet as a mouse. This silence-focused case is a well-balanced Micro ATX chassis that’s affordably priced, without sacrificing room for expansion. That’s right you can fit even the biggest, most powerful graphics cards in the Nanoxia Deep Silence 4. The fact that you will never hear it go above 30 decibels is just icing on the very taciturn cake. 

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Phanteks Evolv Shift X. 

Every single day mini-ITX gets more popular, and closer to toppling Micro ATX. And, it makes sense – why not spring for a small computer that can get just as much work done as a full tower? NZXT’s new H-series case line manages to integrate a ton of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents, with mesmerizing, built-in and smart device-controlled RGB lighting and an adaptive noise sensor that sees improvement only by way of the Grid+ V3 fan controller.

When you first look at the Phanteks Evolv Shift X, it looks more like a sound bar than one of the best PC cases, but this helps it vanish into any living area or studio setup. It’s flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV as it does on a desk, next to one of the best gaming monitors. It may only be compatible with a Mini-ITX motherboard, but the Phanteks Evolv Shift X offers tons of space for components and liquid cooling loops. If this case is  a little large for your preference, you can get the smaller Phanteks Evolv Shift for easier management.

Fractal Design wins again with the Define R5, yet another mid-tower case with a gorgeous aesthetic. The metallic and blue LED-lit face of this case is simple, yet elegant, and is accompanied by noise dampening materials throughout its interior. In spite of the detachable ModuVent panels and drive trays not being toolessly accessible, it’s incredibly easy to build a system inside of the Fractal Design Define R5, plus it’s not as expense as you’d expect from a PC case with such a pretentious name, either.  

Cooler Master is kind of known for, well, cooling things – and the Cooler Master H500P Mesh is evidence of how it got there. This beautiful RGB-packed case has plenty of room for airflow, even accommodating up to 360mm radiators on the top and front for when you really want to take your cooling to the next level. Add on top of that the RGB lighting and tempered glass side panel and you have the potential to build something beautiful with this case. Go for it.

If you’re looking to save a few bucks, while still getting one of the best PC cases, look no further than the Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass. Not only does it have plenty of space for airflow, it also has a deceptively large amount of space for future expansion, meaning that even at this low price point, you won’t have to worry about fitting a full-sized graphics card. And, when you’re done building, the tempered glass side panel will allow you to show off your handiwork. 

The Antec Cube is without a doubt the best PC case for you Razer fans out there. While Razer hasn’t made its own desktop PC (not yet, anyway), you can build a Mini-ITX gaming PC, pretending it’s a razer product. You see, Antec partnered with Razer to bring its signature green-infused flare to the Cube, a small form-factor chassis. Complete with a deceptively high amount of space for future expansion, the Antec Cube is also compact enough to travel with. 

Who says dual-system builds have to be in a hulking full-tower case? The Phanteks Evolv X takes dual-system compatibility and squeezes it into a mid-tower. Even with that second Mini-ITX motherboard installed,  there’s plenty of room for E-ATX motherboards and power supplies, and ample cooling. It is pricey for a mid-tower case, but with all this functionality, it kind of has to be. It’s thanks to all of these high-end features that the Phanteks Evolv X is one of the best PC cases around today. 

The best webcams are not just the most vital tools of the trade anymore. In this day and age, they’ve become quite important for all households as well. More and more people are working from home, and needing to connect with loved ones from far away. And so, these peripherals are becoming relevant again.

Beyond business calls and video conferencing with clients and colleagues, the best webcams are great solutions for producing YouTube content, staying in touch with friends and family, and simply connecting with the world in general. And, while laptops or all-in-one computers already come equipped with decent webcams built-in, the desktop users out there need to buy theirs separately. 

That’s why we made a list of the best webcams 2020 has to offer, complete with a variety of models from those with 4K resolution or a high-quality mic to cams with the capability to swivel around 360 degrees. Whether you’re a content creator, a remote worker who needs to be in touch with your team or someone who wants to Zoom with the people in your life, you’ll find an ideal webcam to fit your needs on this list.

These days, webcams are in high demand with so many people temporarily working from home. Not only is it hard to find the best ones in stock, but you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money on something you’d only use for a little while. For something cheap, we’d go with the Logitech C270. Despite its 720p resolution, which honestly is good enough for video conferencing and hanging out with friends and family on Zoom, this little webcam that could is a bestseller and has received plenty of positive reviews. It’s also easy to set up – just plug and play, and most instant messaging and video chat apps will detect it automatically – so it’s perfect for those who aren’t technology savvy.

It isn’t the most attractive webcam, but the LifeCam Studio isn’t really designed to be attractive. Instead, it’s made for business conferencing and presentations, with its 1080p recording, 720p live video calling and wideband mic to deliver crystal clear sound. This is a serious peripheral – one that requires a powerful PC for max settings – but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking bells and whistles. For instance, it comes with 360-degree rotating capabilities and Microsoft’s TrueColor system, which will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit.

Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Lenovo may be better known for its laptops, but it makes nifty webcams too. If you’re willing to shell out just a bit more, the Lenovo 500 FHD Webcam is actually not too bad, price-wise, considering its plethora of features. That includes a 75° wide angle lens, pan and tilting capabilities up to 360°, a facial recognition feature for Windows Hello login, and a privacy shutter because you never know who’s watching when you’re away from your desk. Plus, you don’t have to mount it on your laptop or display if you don’t want to. Those are some mighty features for a webcam that’s less than $100. With it, you’ve basically just upgraded your PC with some cool new features. What’s even better is that they’re available right now.

Our top pick for the best webcams is more than just a webcam. The Logitech StreamCam won’t just have your back when you’re video conferencing, video chatting with families and friends, and live streaming your games. This feature-rich 1080p webcam has many tools to offer for your content creation needs as well, including auto-focusing, smart exposure, facial tracking, up to 60fps frame rate, and a flippable design so you can take photos and videos in 9:16 format. You can even mount it on a tripod, and it uses USB Type-C for fast and more efficient video transfer speeds.

The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is one of the best webcams out there. Aimed at pro users with large displays, it features a familiar configuration of 1080p recording and 720p live video calling. It rotates 360 degrees, and can be mounted on a tripod with autofocus. The wideband mic delivers crystal clear audio, and Microsoft’s TrueColor system will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit, making it a great choice for business conferencing and presentations.

The Razer Kiyo might look weird, a testament to Razer’s unique designs, but it’s still one of the best webcams out there for streaming – which is unbelievably popular in this day and age. With the Razer Kiyo, Razer has stripped away a lot of the bells and whistles that more premium webcams offer, focusing instead on what matters most to game streamers and YouTube vloggers – good image quality and lighting through a “Light Ring”. You don’t need to spend a ton of time configuring the stream – just plug in the Razer Kiyo and get to work.

The Logitech G922 Pro Stream features the same classy design as its predecessor, the C920, but it’s especially interesting for gamers this time around. The C922 still boasts excellent 1080p video quality, great for hosting video calls, and its automatic low-light correction makes it a fantastic cam for streaming with the lights off. It also supports background removal, making it ideal for budding YouTubers.

Should you buy the Logitech G922 Pro Stream?

If you’re an aspiring journalist, or even if you’re just trying to capture footage in the wild, Mevo might be one of the best webcams for you. Either the Mevo or Mevo Plus will allow you to capture footage live, no matter where you are in the world – as long as you can connect to a mobile network. Plus, because Mevo is small and inconspicuous, it won’t distract your subject during an interview.

It isn’t the most attractive webcam, but the LifeCam Studio isn’t really designed to be attractive. Instead, it’s made for business conferencing and presentations, with its 1080p recording, 720p live video calling and wideband mic to deliver crystal clear sound. This is a serious peripheral – one that requires a powerful PC for max settings – but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking bells and whistles. For instance, it comes with 360-degree rotating capabilities and Microsoft’s TrueColor system, which will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit.

Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Have you ever looked at a webcam in disgust because it just can’t hold up to your smartphone? Well, the Logitech Brio might be the webcam you’ve been looking for. With a 4K UHD resolution and HDR, the Logitech Brio has brought high fidelity to the world of the best webcams. If that wasn’t enough, it also boasts Windows Hello functionality and an easy to use stand, which will let you position it to capture your best side.

Creative may not be the first company that comes to mind when you’re in the market for the best webcams, but with the Creative Labs Senz3D, that’s clearly changed. This space-age webcam has more features than you can imagine, and the high-tech 3D scanner and facial tracking tech promises to lead to some intriguing things in both AR functionality and even gaming. It isn’t exactly cheap, but you’re getting all the bells and whistles with this offering from Creative.

The C930e claims to be Logitech's most advanced HD webcam yet, so it isn’t surprising that it's also one of Logitech’s most expensive offerings. However, unlike traditional webcams, which rely on the PC for all the heavy lifting, this unit does the video encoding itself, which should in turn result in better video quality. The wide, 90-degree field of view means it’s well-suited to business video conferencing and presentations. And of course, it’s Skype-certified for PC and Mac.

If you’re looking for a full HD webcam without that hefty price tag, this may be one of the best webcams for you. Boasting resolutions of up to 1080p HD while supporting 12MP stills, a noise-cancelling microphone and low-light compensation, this camera is feature-rich. There’s no autofocus, and you don’t get a big bundle of software, but that bargain price more than makes up for any shortcomings, which is why it’s earned a place on our best webcams list.

Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft LifeCam Studio 

• You can't stream without the best wireless router

Getting the best computer speakers might not be at the top of most people’s checklist when they’re building their PC setup, but it should be. Excellent computer speakers actually deliver sound quality, soundstage and even immersive surround sound that are far superior than their subpar counterparts. 

While it may seem like just any computer speaker will do to the untrained ears, the best computer speakers will actually make such a massive difference to your computing experience. That makes them essential to any PC setup, whether you create a lot of video content, are a hardcore gamer, or simply enjoy blasting tunes and watching movies on your computer. Plus, unlike the best gaming headsets, these speakers won’t hurt your outer ear after a while.

So, we’ve gathered the best computer speakers 2020 has to offer. Whether you want a more balanced audiophile-level sound, care more about having a great soundstage, or prefer lots of bass so you can feel those explosions deep in your spleen, you’ll find something on this list. Peruse, buy and experience sound like you’ve never before.

Best computer speakers at a glance

1. Audioengine A2+
2. Logitech Z623
3. Logitech G560
4. Razer Nommo Pro
5. Harman Kardon Soundsticks III
6. Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse
7. AudioEngine HD3 Wireless Speakers
8. Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX
9. Edifier M3200 2.1 Multimedia Audio Speaker System
10. Mackie CR4BT

While the Audioengine A2+ arrived on the scene four years back, they are still conceivably among the best computer speakers on the market. These slick-looking speakers will function with your PC’s USB port for uncompressed audio and amazing sound quality with its built-in DAC. The Audioengine A2+ comes sans subwoofer. However, if you really need that deep bass for extra rumble, that’s hardly a deal breaker: mostly because there is an RCA output, so it’s simple to connect an external woofer, which Audioengine also sells separately.

They may be more expensive than you’d expect to pay for Logitech’s best computer speakers, but the Logitech Z623 speakers are still pretty reasonable, considering that they’re an audio beast. The Z623 may look like a typical set of speakers, but the subwoofer produces a powerful, deep sound that can easily be adjusted up or down based on your preference. As a bonus, these speakers have an impressive soundstage – with great highs and mids – making for an extremely immersive gaming and movie audio experience.

When it comes to computer accessories, Logitech is a household name. However, the G560 takes the company’s speaker prowess up a level. These are the first Logitech computer speakers created specifically for gaming, and the manufacturer’s hard work has more than paid off. The Logitech G560 speakers are, without a doubt, one of the best computer speakers for gaming. Not only do they have RGB lighting – a must for gaming peripherals in 2020 – but through Logitech’s software, the multi-colored illumination can adjust to any kind of content you consume for a more brilliant, not to mention mesmerizing, experience.

The Razer Nommo Pro may have an amusing name and a uniquely funky look, but make no mistake, these are a quality set of speakers that must be taken very seriously, and not only because of its hefty price. Try to combat the urge to run in the opposite direction of that $500 price tag, the Razer Nommo Pro has a lot to offer and is definitely a sound investment. There’s the thundering down-firing subwoofer that’ll blow you away, and then there’s the Razer Chroma feature, making these speakers look just as great as they sound. There are definitely more reasonably priced computer speakers out there, but with this level of quality, the Razer Nommo Pro is worth the cost of entry.

• This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Audioengine A2+.  

Sure, the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks III may look like a bloom of jellyfish. These translucent computer speakers look more like a modern art installation protesting rising ocean temperatures, but you’ll appreciate them once you hit that power button. These are certainly an excellent speaker system that belong on our best computer speakers list. This speaker and sub combo features booming bass, thanks to its woofer, as well as detailed highs. Finally, you get that amazing sound at a good price, making it ideal for music fans with a mid-range budget.

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse. 

The Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse is a staggering speaker setup that not only has an enticing design, but also sounds terrific. It’s meant for folks who like a lot of rumbling and booming bass. The Luna, which comes in red, white and black colors, offers a powerful but well-controlled bass, as well as great balance with sharp mids and good stereo separation. It even includes a nifty little remote control so you don’t have to get up if you’re feeling lazy. The Luna Eclipse are some of the best computer speakers out there, especially if you like to pump up the volume with little to no distortion.

Wireless speakers might not make the cut for gaming, where every millisecond counts, but that’s why you should opt for the AudioEngine HD 3. The beauty of these speakers is that it offers the best of both worlds. They’ve only got about 30ms of latency when using the wireless connection, so latency is practically negligible as far as listening to audio, watching videos and doing casual gaming. For competitive gamers, these also have USB Audio and Dual Analog Audio Inputs, not to mention subwoofer output for that extra rumble. And, since it is made by AudioEngine, you know the sound quality is top-notch.

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system offers fantastic, versatile sound. This means regardless of whether you’re listening to music, watching movies or gaming, you’re getting the best computer speaker experience. These THX-certified speakers boast a lot of power, a wide frequency range of 31Hz to 20kHz, and detailed audio quality with strong bass, maximum clarity and great balance. When we say it’s powerful enough to replicate that home theater quality in your living room, we’re not exaggerating. The best part is that the price is very reasonable.

• This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Logitech Z623 

Edifier has always been a trusted name in audio, so it’s no surprise that it’s making a two-time appearance on this list. Just like the E25 Luna Eclipse, the Edifier M3200 comes in a unique form – that of an hourglass – because why the heck not? And, just like the E25, this audio speaker system boasts audiophile-level sound. It also comes with a magnetically shielded subwoofer with 5½ inch driver for richer, deeper bass whether you’re gaming or watching The Witcher. What’s more, that price that’s less than $100/£100 is perfect for budget gamers.

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Jabra SPEAK 510.  

The Mackie CR4BT promises professional-grade performance. True, it has its share of drawbacks – including a weaker mid-range and bass that cut off at 70 Hz, meaning while there’s good bass presence, you might be missing that extra low stuff. However, they do sound great for a premium pair of speakers, and the pros include the acoustic foam pads to isolate the speakers from the surface below it, as well as the front auxiliary input. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill peripherals; they are the best computer speakers if you do a lot of multimedia creation and production-related work.

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Logitech MX Sound.     

• Check out the best gaming laptops

Invest in one of the best SSDs, and stop putting up with those slow, loud and unreliable hard drives. Not only are solid state drives more durable, but they’re also faster, more efficient and produces less fan noise. In fact, the best SSDs are here to free you from the mechanical shackles of hard drives.

A few years back, SSDs were expensive. Now, however, they’re more affordable than ever, so you can buy one of the best SSDs on the market without breaking the bank.

What’s even better is that you won’t even need to purchase one of the best PCs to take advantage of the huge speed boost the best SSDs offer. Even the best Ultrabooks out there boast the best SSDs. 

And, if you’re not ready to replace your current computer yet, don’t worry. Pick one on our best SSDs list and slot it yourself, as they’re easy to install. You can even slot one of the best SSDs into your PS4 Pro to seriously slash loading times. 

You’ll find the SSD for you on our best SSDs list, no matter your budget and requirements. And, with Black Friday coming, you might even find excellent deals out there.

• SSD vs HDD: which is best for your needs?
• Best portable SSD of 2019: top external solid state drives
• Best cloud storage of 2019 online: free, paid and business options

Best SSDs at a glance:

1. Intel Optane 905P – best U.2 SSD
2. Samsung 970 Pro – best NVMe SSD
3. Toshiba OCZ RD400 – best PCIe SSD
4. Adata XPG SX8200 SSD – best M.2 SSD
5. Samsung 860 Pro – best SATA 3 SSD
6. Intel 750 Series – best U.2 SSD
7. Samsung 860 Evo – best budget SSD
8. HP S700 Pro – best endurance SSD
9. Intel 760p Series SSD – best SSD boot drive
10. Samsung X5 Portable SSD – best External SSD

Samsung is no stranger to creating some of the best SSDs, so when it launched the Samsung 970 Evo Plus with higher speeds and new silicon, even we were surprised. The Samsung 970 Evo Plus is simply one of the fastest drives on the market, but the fact that Samsung is selling it at such a bargain price is just the icing on the cake. Because of how affordable this drive is, it’s not hard to recommend it as the best SSD for anyone. 

Read the full review: Samsung 970 Evo Plus

Western Digital has been busy making a name for itself producing many of the best SSDs and hard drives for a few years now, and the WD Black SN750 continues that tradition, claiming the best gaming SSD throne. This NVMe SSD has extremely high random read speeds of 412.5MB/s, which should make games load before you get a chance to chug some of that Mountain Dew. And, when you consider that this is one of the most affordable NVMe SSDs, it’s easy to recommend it to any gamer looking for a new SSD, whatever their budget.

Read the full review: WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD

The Optane SSD 905P is hardly a newcomer, but with a random read rated at 575,000 IOPS and random write rated at 555,000 IOPs, it’s definitely one of Intel’s fastest drives. Granted, its 2,600MB/s sequential read and 2,200MB/s sequential write speeds might seem a bit pedestrian, especially next to the Samsung 970 Evo and WD Black NVMe SSDs, that doesn’t stop it from being a fast solid-state drive, not to mention one of the best SSDs on the market.

Again, Samsung has been behind some of the best SSDs that have been hitting the streets for years, and even though other manufacturers like Western Digital and Adata are trying their best to give it a run for its money, the Samsung 970 Evo is still the best SSD you can buy if you’re after raw speed. The read speeds haven’t improved over the previous generation’s 960 Pro, but the write speeds see a significant bump – up to 2,700MB/s – which is how it retains its ‘fastest SSD’ crown. If you’re looking for the best SSDs to choose from, with no compromises, you can’t go wrong adding the Samsung 970 Pro to your list.

Read the full review: Samsung 970 Pro 

If you're looking for several options, looks- and size-wise, then Toshiba OCZ RD400 series of drives are some of the best SSDs to consider. They come in 4 sizes and three different form factors: M.2, M.2 2280, and add-in card (AIC). Not all sizes are in all form factors, so if you're looking for a fast 1TB drive, make sure you have room in your computer case. 

Read the full review: Toshiba OCZ RD400

If you’ve been waiting to jump on the M.2 train for an SSD that’s both fast and affordable, you’ve come to the right place. The Adata XPG SX8200 isn’t one of the best SSDs because it’s the fastest drive on the market, but because there isn’t a single drive out there that can match the raw price to performance ratio that it offers. Sure you can get any of the much faster, much more pricey SSDs on the market, but this is the drive we can recommend to anyone.

Read the full review: Adata XPG SX8200 

People might not be going crazy about SATA 3 anymore, but the Samsung 860 Pro proves that there’s still plenty of life in the aging interface after all. With storage up to 4TB and transfer speeds that approach the theoretical maximum of the SATA 3 interface – not to mention top-of the-line reliability and security – the Samsung 860 Pro is among the best SSDs for anyone still clinging to SATA 3.

Read the full review: Samsung 860 Pro 

The U.2 standard allows for bigger SSD capacities and uses your computer's PCIe x4 slot to send all that data back and forth. The Intel 750 series includes a cable so you can mount the drive in the bay on your case and still plug it into the PCIe slot on your motherboard, making it among our favorite, as well as among the best, SSDs on offer today.

Read the full review: Intel 750 Series

Samsung had a hard act to follow – the Samsung 850 Evo was beloved for its stunning performance and affordability. Luckily, the Samsung 860 Evo absolutely succeeded in, well… succeeding it. Though limited by the SATA3 interface, the Samsung 860 Evo delivers performance that iterates on its predecessor with improved read/write speeds and an array of form factors, while still maintaining its budget price. The 860 Evo is, without a doubt, best SSD for anyone looking for an entry-level SSD without having to break open their piggy banks.

Read the full review: Samsung 860 Evo 

If you need an SSD that will last through multiple computers, the HP S700 Pro is exactly what you want. Its life will far exceed its warranty, offering up to 2 million hours of use and up to 650 terabytes written. This is one of the best SSDs you can buy if you need something that’s built to last, even if the SATA interface may slow things down a bit in the read/write department, as this technically helps it last even longer. 

Read the full review: HP S700 Pro

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Samsung 860 Evo 

The best NVMe SSDs used to be way too expensive for most users. But, those days are coming to an end – the Intel 760p Series SSD changes everything. This SSD features impressive performance that’s only slightly behind the beloved Samsung 960 Evo, boasting speeds of 3,056 MB/s read and 1,606 MB/s write. But, what really makes the 760p stand out is the fantastic price to performance ratio. Yeah, there are faster NVMe drives on the market, but you’ll be paying a premium them, and frankly, it’s not worth it. This is one of the best SSDs out there, not just because it’s fast, but because the Intel 760p makes us excited about the future.

Read the full review: Intel 760p Series SSD

If you’re a creative or a professional, and you need an external NVMe SSD that’s going to save you time rather than waste it, you might want to give the Samsung X5 Portable SSD a look. Thanks to its use of Thunderbolt 3, rugged magnesium build and AES 256-bit encryption, it’s fast, secure and durable – everything you want in an external SSD in which to store all your hard creativework. This isn’t a cheap accessory, but this is one of the best SSDs and is priced as such. Everyday users may want to look elsewhere, this is all about sheer speed.

Read the full review: Samsung X5 Portable SSD 

Welcome to TechRadar's PC Gaming Week 2019. We're celebrating the most powerful gaming platform on Earth with in-depth articles, exclusive interviews and essential buying guides that showcase everything PC gaming has to offer. Visit our PC Gaming Week 2019 page to see all our coverage in one place.

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

What can you expect from the best hard drives? While they won’t beat the best SSDs in any speed tests, there’s a reason they’re still around. And those reasons come down to two things: price and space. Not only are they more affordable, but the best hard drives also give you that extra space needed to back everything up, especially for data-heavy users.

There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best hard drive for your needs. Are you trying to get some more storage for your PS4 or Xbox One? If that’s the case, an ideal option might be a 2.5-inch drive or possibly an external hard drive. Alternately, you might have one of the best gaming PCs but no room for your bulging library of half played games. You should take a look at a 7,200 RPM 3.5-inch drive, as that could be one of the best hard drives for your needs.

This might be a lot to wrap your head around, particularly if you’re new to shopping for internal components, such as hard drives. We’ve cut out some of the guesswork for you and collected the best hard drives we’ve come across below.

• SSD vs HDD: which is best for your needs?
• Best portable SSD of 2019: top external solid state drives
• Best cloud storage of 2019 online: free, paid and business options

Best hard drives at a glance:

1. Seagate BarraCuda
2. Toshiba X300
3. WD VelociRaptor
4. WD Blue Desktop
5. Seagate Firecuda Desktop
6. Seagate IronWolf NAS
7. Seagate FireCuda Mobile
8. WD My Book
9. G-Technology G-Drive

It’s almost impossible to talk about hard drives without mentioning Seagate’s BarraCuda lineup – it’s a force to be reckoned with. And, it’s not hard to see why, Seagate BarraCuda drives offer a great gigabyte-per-dollar ratio and speed benefits to top it off. The 2TB model hits a sweet spot by balancing high performance and affordability. Since this drive combines 7,200rpm platters and high density data, computers outfitted with this drive will be able to read data extraordinarily fast.

Even if its laptops aren’t as popular as they used to be, Toshiba is still a huge name in computing, and has a lot to offer. When it comes to the best hard drives, the Toshiba X300 is a high-capacity, high-performance champ worth taking a look at. The X300 drives boast great gigabyte-to-dollar value without sacrificing on performance. These drives all spin at 7,200 rpm and include 128MB of cache for higher speeds. The only downside is the warranty only lasts two years, which feels short for a drive meant to store so much important data.

When it comes to PC gaming, it’s better to be fast than capacious. So, if you’ve been resisting the allure of an SSD, and looking to kick it old school with one of the best hard drives, the WD VelociRaptor should be up your alley. Not only does this drive have a whopping 10,000 rpm spin speed, but you’re going to want to pay attention to it. With capacities up to 1TB, the VelociRaptor drives are ready to store large game libraries, and the super fast platters will help your games launch and load quickly.

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Seagate FireCuda 

Western Digital offers a solid bargain with its line of WD Blue hard drives. With a wide variety of storage options from a small 500GB to a capacious 6TB, the WD Blue is a viable pick for almost any type of PC build that’s sticking to a budget. The best value comes from the larger drives – they’ll give you much more storage per dollar spent. And, if you’re looking for a bit more speed, there are also 7,200rpm models available that don’t come with too much of a price hike. 

SSDs are incredibly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. But, if you need a lot of fast storage, and you don’t have a vault of cash, hybrid hard drives are a great option. The SeaGate FireCuda is the best hybrid hard drive on the market. It can fit up to 2TB of data, and then its 8GB of solid state cache storage learns which data you use most, so that you can access it quickly. That speed boost is even sweeter when you consider that this drive spins at 7,200rpm. With a 5-year warranty and an approachable price tag, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best hard drives you can buy today.

It’s a little unfortunate that the Seagate IronWolf NAS drives come at a premium, but they aren’t priced much more expensively than a standard hard drive at their capacity. However, their native NAS optimization makes that premium totally worth it. These drives are capable of running at a fast 7,200rpm spin rate 24/7 without having to worry about drive failure. Really, if you have one of the best NAS devices for your business or home, the Seagate IronWolf NAS really is your best bet. 

Upgrading the storage in a laptop can be tough, since the hard drives are much smaller. There aren’t a lot of impressive 2.5-inch hard drives, as anything fast comes with a serious markup, but Seagate’s 2.5-inch FireCuda hybrid drive strikes a nice balance. It offers an easy way to add loads of storage to a laptop while also giving it a speed boost thanks to 8GB of flash storage. A five-year warranty on the drive will also help ensure it lasts a long time.

Game consoles hard drives fill up fast with massive libraries. And, like laptops, the upgrade path for 2.5-inch hard drives isn’t all that great, but that’s where an external drive comes in. The WD My Book strikes an amazing balance of storage and price, offering enough room for massive game libraries. Running on USB 3.0, it may not be quite as fast as an internal drive upgrade, but it will run games and offer more storage at a cheaper rate.

A lot of people seem to think that the best hard drives are ancient and dead technology in 2019. However, with devices like the G-Technology G-Drive, you can show the naysayers in your life that spinning disks have their own place in the future. Not only does this external hard drive offer huge amounts of storage – up to 10 TB – but thanks to Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, it can even charge your laptop while you work. If you have a MacBook Pro, it’s hard to think of a better work companion.

Read the full review: G-Technology G-Drive 

When you’ve got the best motherboard under the hood, you’re ensuring that your hardware reaches its full potential as it utilizes and optimizes every inch of performance. It’ll even help you overclock better when you’re gaming. 

Simply, a motherboard serves as your PC’s foundation. They may not be as sexy as the best graphics cards or processors, but they’re one of the most crucial PC components in building computers. So, when you’re setting out to build the best PC you can muster with your budget, investing in one of the best motherboards is the only way to go. If you cheap out and settle for less, you might end up having to rebuild your entire PC from scratch. 

We gathered the best motherboards 2020 has to offer, each of which has been tested and reviewed by us, so you can find the ideal one for your setup. With Asus and MSI recently unveiling their new Intel Z490 motherboards for the newly-released Intel Comet Lake-S, now’s an even better time to invest.

Coming to terms

If you’re unfamiliar with the best motherboards out there, use this list as a primer for your next build. Motherboards are available in a broad range of different form factors, the most common of which are ATX and Micro ATX. However, there are plenty of less common form factors including mini ITX and E-ATX. Don’t worry though, most of the best PC cases will support more than one form factor. 

Moreover, in our rundown of the best motherboards, we detailed the socket type that each mobo adheres to. The socket, for those not in the know, is the part on the motherboard that the CPU locks into. Typically, newer Intel processors use either LGA 1151 or 2066 while the latest AMD Ryzen architecture is designed for the AM4 chipset.

Best motherboards of 2020 at a glance

1. Best Intel Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro Wifi
2. Best high-end Intel motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus XI Code Z390 Gaming
3. Best budget Intel motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 UD
4. Best Intel Micro-ATX motherboard: MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC
5. Best Intel Mini-ITX motherboard: Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming
6. Best AMD motherboard: Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi
7. Best budget AMD motherboard: MSI X470 Gaming Plus
8. Best AMD Micro ATX motherboard: ASRock B450M-HDV
9. Best AMD Mini-ITX motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X470-I
10. Best Intel Core X-Series motherboard: ASRock X299 Taichi
11. Best AMD Ryzen Threadripper motherboard: ASRock X399 Professional Gaming sTR4

When Coffee Lake Refresh CPUs hit the streets, Intel promised that they would be the best processors for gaming, and we knew that meant kitted out motherboards were on their way. Lo and behold comes the Z390 Aorus Gaming Pro Wifi – maybe one of the best motherboards from Intel right now. It’s packed with gaming-centric features like reinforced PCIe slots and enough RGB lighting to blind you. It’s hard to find a better motherboard, especially at this price point.

When you’re shopping for PC hardware, overwhelmed by all the different features, components and requirements, you might be tempted to throw your hands up and just get the best you can possibly afford. In times like these, you can bet on the Asus ROG Maximus XI Code Z390 Gaming. It’s packed with every feature that Intel’s new Coffee Lake Refresh processors support and then some, with an RGB-lit shroud covering every corner of circuitry on this motherboard, making it one of the best motherboards you don’t have to think twice about choosing.

Now that Coffee Lake Refresh has been available for a while, you’ll want to maximize all the power it has to offer. However, high-end motherboards can get really expensive real fast. If you’re looking for a budget option without many compromises, the Gigabyte Z390 should be at the top of your list of best motherboards to consider. It skips many of the bells and whistles like RGB lighting and built-in Wi-Fi but it does make up for these compromises by providing excellent value. You get all the essential features that Z390 has to offer for a great price. If you want to build a budget gaming system, the Gigabyte Z390 UD is probably the best motherboard for you.

If you’re looking to get an edge on the competition, but you don’t have a lot of extra space on your desk, you’re going to need a Micro-ATX motherboard – more specifically, the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC. What you’re getting here is a Micro-ATX motherboard with all the features a full-sized ATX one offers, but at a fraction of the price. Despite its smaller size, you still get dual M.2 slots, SLI and Crossfire support, and all the fiery performance that Intel Coffee Lake Refresh has to offer. If you’re looking for a smaller motherboard, you can’t afford to pass on the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge MC.

If you need the smallest possible motherboard available without compromising on key features of your CPU, you should look into the Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming. With this motherboard, you don’t need to compromise on features or power. You don’t even need to settle for a measly 32GB of RAM. Thanks to Asus’ double capacity memory compatibility – you can have up to 64GB of memory in the most miniscule motherboard you’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, like most Z390 boards, its price tag is not for the faint of heart, so prepare yourself to shell out some serious dough if you want the smallest of the best motherboards.

With the X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi, Gigabyte further illustrates its command of motherboard design. Rocking the new AMD X470 chipset, allowing full support of the new AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation processors, this may be the best motherboard if you’re looking to side with Team Red. What’s more, it supports Quad-GPU SLi and lightning fast RAM (up to 3,600 MHz) for peerless expandability, and thanks to its multi-zone RGB lighting, it looks good while kicking butt and taking names.

For the longest time, AMD has been the reigning champion of budget builds, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Marketed exclusively to gamers, the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is loaded front to back with features like two PCIe M.2 slots and quick performance tweaking buttons to make sure you’re on the top of the leaderboard at all times. And, since it’s a gamer-focused motherboard, it comes with flashy RGB lighting that you can even easily customize from your smartphone. Best of all, it’s the best value of all the best motherboards.

These days, small form-factor PCs are all the rage and with one of the best motherboards like the ASRock B450M-HDV on offer, we think that it’s going to stay that way. Now, while this one doesn't do SLI and only supports up to 32GB of RAM– it is a B450 unit, after all – it is still compelling due to its affordable price. Outside of these omissions, you still get a slot for a NVMe SSD and four USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports around back. If you’re looking to build a solid budget gaming PC, the ASRock B450M-HDV is your best bet.

Asus is out to prove that big things can and do come in small packages with the ROG Strix X470-I. Featuring the latest and greatest AMD chipset, everything in this tiny board is designed with excellent performance in mind. That extends down to the BIOS where you can find a stress test for overclocks before you even boot into Windows. This board also elevates beyond the constraints of the Mini-ITX form factor by including an M.2 Audio Combo riser, so that you can install your M.2 NVMe SSD without crowding out other components.

The X-series processors are here, and they are spectacular. But if you want to take advantage of all they have to offer, you need an X-series motherboard. This ASRock X299 is an incredible choice with support for overclocked memory speeds up to 4400MHz(!!!) and 8 different slots for memory modules. It also supports up to 128GB of RAM. Add in an X-series processor and a good graphics card or 3, and this thing will absolutely tear apart anything you could possibly throw at it. If you’re seeking one of the best motherboards money can buy, this is it.

If you want absolutely every feature you can get and budget is not an issue, the AsRock X399 Professional Gaming sTR4 may be the most ideal motherboard for you. Not only does this monster of a board support 4-way SLI configurations, but you can also pack this thing with up to 128GB of DDR4 memory. It even features a ton of flashy RGB lighting, so that people will be mesmerized by your rig. And, keep in mind that this mobo is compatible with Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation chips, so you might need to update the BIOS first.

The best gaming keyboards are more than just peripherals with some flashy lighting. Cheap keyboards might do an adequate job, but there's a lot of performance, features, and, yes, aesthetics, that only come with a great keyboard. And, while getting one is not going to make you an immediate master of the best PC games, it will certainly make the experience better in every way. 

Similar to getting the best gaming mouse and the best gaming monitors, once you’ve upgraded to one of the best gaming keyboards, you’ll realize what you’ve been missing this whole time. These keyboards deliver accurate and quick responses, features you didn’t realize you needed or wanted such as Macros, and a level of comfort that will enhance any gaming session. Of course, they’re also pretty to look at, thanks to great RGB lighting, some of which can sync with other devices or with your gaming experience.

Improve your gaming experience, whether it’s comfort, features, or just solid performance that you’re looking for. These are the best gaming keyboards available right now, alongside our price comparison tool so you’re also getting the best price available.

• These are the best budget gaming PCs of 2020

The best gaming keyboard 2020 at a glance

1. SteelSeries Apex Pro
2. Razer Huntsman Elite
3. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
4. Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768
5. Cooler Master MasterSet MS120
6. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
7. Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard
8. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
9. SteelSeries Apex 3
10. Razer Ornata V2 

The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are just the appetizers. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $199 price tag worth the splurge.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex Pro

If you have the need for speed, then the Huntsman Elite is your best bet, thanks to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like a mouthful, but essentially, it means that Razer has managed to combine mechanical switches with optical sensors. This unthinkable allows the Huntsman Elite to take its actuation to the next level, and you would be hard-pressed to find a faster keyboard on the market. Switches aside, it’s also remarkably comfortable to type on. Plus, it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it needs two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it.

Read the full review: Razer Huntsman Elite 

The Roccat Vulcan 120 should be at the top of your gaming keyboard wish list, if you want one that looks and feels good. This svelte keyboard uses Roccat’s own Titan switches, rather than the Cherry MX switches found on most other keyboards on this list, and we can vouch for how superb they are. This gaming keyboard combines amazing tactile feedback with quiet and comfort. It really isn’t hard to see why this is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market today.

Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo 

When you think Alienware, “value” isn’t the word that comes to mind. But, this time around, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is a genuinely great deal. At under 100 bucks or quid, you’re getting the toughest gaming keyboard fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. It’s not the most feature rich keyboard in the game, but at this price, it really doesn’t need to be. One of the best gaming keyboards in 2020, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 gets the job done, and looks good while doing it.

Read the full review: Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 

Not everything has to be super high-end to be good, and the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is the perfect example. Though this one’s a keyboard and mouse set, the keyboard is the star of the show. Sitting at just under a hundred bucks, the MasterSet’s keyboard is affordable while being up there with its more premium ‘mem-chanical’ competitors in terms of quality. The switches on offer bring a ton of tactile feedback and deep travel. It’s quiet as well, so you can furiously pounding away during an intense late-night Overwatch match without worry. The Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is, without a doubt, one of the best gaming keyboards under $100.

Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 

A $159 price tag on a gaming keyboard might a tad too steep, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last year, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. We’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting either – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By bang, we actually mean its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame.

Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

You might be thinking that if you’ve seen one of the best gaming keyboards, you’ve seen them all: big, garish hunks of metal with bright RGB lighting. Well, the Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard will surprise you. While it definitely has the RGB lighting (honestly, how could it not?), it leaves the rest of the cliches in the past where they belong. Appealing and responsive, this keyboard is only as big as it needs to be, and is thus extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. There are no multimedia buttons, but we’d happily make that trade any day for a keyboard this good at such a low price.

Read the full review: Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard  

Shelling out more than $100 for a great gaming keyboard is to be expected if you’re even slightly serious your gaming performance. But the beauty of Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is that it manages to deliver fast performance without being the most expensive keyboard in town. True, there aren’t a lot of features here, which puts it behind many of its feature-rich rivals, but it makes up for that by being small and boasting a removable to make it perfectly portable for on-the-go gaming.

Read our full review: Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

Not all great gaming keyboards have mechanical switches, as this affordable Apex keyboard is proving. The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features that more than make up for those compromises. One of those features is its IP32 water resistance for protection against any spills – because who hasn’t accidentally knocked over a can of soda while gaming? Another is its reactive and customizable 10-zone RGB illumination to make your gaming experience all the more impressive. And, if you absolutely hate those clickety clacking noises that mechanical keyboards love to make, you’ll really appreciate this keyboard’s whisper quiet gaming switches. 

Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex 3

Although the Razer Ornata V2’s mecha-membrane keys aren’t as comfortable to type on as other mechanical switch keyboards, this gaming keyboard does have a few selling points that really set it apart from its rivals. Some of the notable design elements here, which are typically seen in more expensive products, are the dedicated media keys, a volume wheel that has a really nice texture to it, and an incredibly comfortable wrist rest. Plus, those mecha-membrane switches are incredibly quiet, making them perfect for late night gaming when you’ve got a roommate. This is definitely one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in 2020.

Read the full review: Razer Ornata V2

Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation processors are out in the wild. AMD has finally released its first two next generation HEDT processors, following the success of the Ryzen 3rd Generation processors. 

The new Zen 2 architecture was revealed at CES 2019, with AMD promising dramatically improved efficiency and performance, thanks to the new 7nm manufacturing process. This is the architecture behind the latest Ryzen processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, and sees performance jump up dramatically, thanks to a 15% boost to IPC (instructions per clock). In fact, new benchmarks for the upcoming 64-core Threadripper 3990X CPU shows it outperforming Intel’s Xeon Platinum 8280 processors.

There will be more new information coming out about AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000 chips over the next few months, especially since we still haven’t seen the mysterious Threadripper 3rd Generation chip recently appeared – though this could be Threadripper 3970X, which just boasts a higher boost clock. So, be sure to keep this page bookmarked, and we'll keep it updated with all the latest Threadripper news.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? AMD’s next line of HEDT processors
• When is it out? Out since November 25, 2019
• What will it cost? Starting at $1,399

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release date

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd-generation chips first rolled out in November 25, 2019, alongside the much-anticipated Ryzen 9 3950X, starting the line off with Threadripper 3960X and the 32-core Threadripper 3970X. But, because AMD is never one to quit early, it followed up the 3970X with the absolutely jaw-dropping AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X - a 64-thread behemoth - at CES 2020. 

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation price

Now that two AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd-generation chips are out and another one is on its way soon, we have the pricing information on them.

The original lineup of Threadripper topped out with the $999 (£999, AU$1,439) AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, but the second generation introduced surprisingly lower priced replacements. There were also two higher specced – and higher priced – additions. 

The Ryzen Threadripper 3rd-generation have received a considerable price bump from the previous generations, however, so if you’re thinking of upgrading, be ready to spend more. The pricing for them are as follows:

• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X: $1,399 (about £1,070, AU$2,000)
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X: $1,999 (about £1,525, AU$2,860)
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X: $3,990 (about £3,050, AU$5,715)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation specs

With AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation, you’ll see a huge bump in core counts, efficiency and per-core performance with Threadripper 3rd Generation. If you need a refresher on last year’s Threadripper lineup’s specs they’re as follows:

• Ryzen Threadripper 2920X: 12-cores, 24-threads, clocked at 3.5GHz to 4.3GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 2950X: 16-cores, 32-threads, clocked at 3.5GHz to 4.4GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX: 24-cores, 48-threads, clocked at 3.0GHz to 4.2GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX: 32-cores, 64-threads, clocked at 3.0GHz to 4.2GHz

We knew that the Threadripper 3rd Generation will start with a 24-core processor built on AMD's 7nm Zen 2 architecture. With its Ryzen 3rd Generation processors, the move to 7nm has massively improved specs, not only resulting in higher core counts, but boosted clock speeds, much higher cache and lower power consumption. So, we also knew that performance on the Threadripper 3rd Generation was going to be massively improved.

Two of these chips have been out for more or less a couple of months now, with one more on the way, so that’s obviously confirmed. We’re also glad to see the leaked 32-core make an appearance, with even higher base and boost clocks. These are the specs of the three confirmed AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation chips below:

• Ryzen Threadripper 3960X: 24-cores, 48-threads, clocked at 3.8GHz to 4.5GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 3970X: 32-cores, 64-threads, clocked at 3.7GHz to 4.5GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 3990X: 64-cores, 128-threads, clocked at 2.9GHz to 4.3GHz

AMD Zen 2 processors feature up to 8-core chiplets that are smaller than the IO die. This allows the Threadripper 3rd Generation to have many more cores in the same amount of space. We also know that this new range of CPUs uses the new TRX40 chipset and the new sTRX4 socket, which means you’ll need a new motherboard.

Because Intel’s Cascade Lake-X HEDT processors are built, yet again, on its 14nm process, AMD has effectively claimed the HEDT throne, and Intel has little hope of claiming it back. In fact, AMD has thrashed Intel so harshly here that Team Blue had to cut its prices in half.

• Here are the best processors you can buy today

The best keyboards can do a lot more than just decking out your rig. They offer the right bounce, travel and tactile feedback for a much more comfortable and less fatiguing experience. More importantly for professionals and gamers, they deliver impressive speed, responsiveness and accuracy. And, they far outweigh their inferior counterparts across the board, enhancing your overall computing experience.

The benefits to comfort, speed, reliability and convenience you gain with one of these peripherals easily justifies the asking price, which really isn’t much. And, it’s not just the big gamers playing the best PC games for hours on end that need the best keyboard with all the bells and whistles. Even if what you do all day long is type up documents for work, these keyboards can actually change your experience for the better – not to mention, save your wrists from a lifetime of pain. 

Whether you need one that’s ideal for multitasking and creative work or one of the best gaming keyboards, we have the best keyboards of 2020 for you right here.

The best keyboards of 2020 at a glance:

1. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
2. Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard
3. Topre Realforce 104UBS Silent variable
4. Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
5. Logitech Craft
6. PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 (HHKB2)
7. Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
8. Leopold Fc660c
9. Unicomp Classic 104
10. Das Keyboard Prime 13
11. Logitech K780

It has become the norm for keyboard manufacturers to implement their own custom keyboard switches, and Roccat – with the Vulcan 120 Aimo – is no different. While this keyboard is primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, its Titan Switches are tactile enough to be satisfying, while still bouncing back quickly enough to be comfortable to type on for extended periods. And, we’d be remiss to not mention the looks – the Vulcan 120 Aimo looks like a science fiction keyboard, and we love it. It’s no surprise this tops our list for the best keyboard of 2020.

Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo 

If you have a home theater PC, you might be frustrated by the lack of keyboards that explicitly appeal to your use case. Luckily, there’s a keyboard for you – the Corsair K83 Wireless is a fantastic entertainment-focused keyboard. Not only is it light and portable, it also has a bevy of entertainment functions that’ll make life easier in your living room. And, with its wealth of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless through a dongle, you can use it with many different platforms. However, it’s not great at gaming, so keep that in mind. 

Read the full review: Corsair K83 Wireless

As long as you don’t mind missing out on some of that signature ‘thock’ sound that’s associated with regular Realforce keyboards, opting for a silenced model like the 104 UBS offers some solid benefits. Hitting the 104 UBS’s keys produces sound on par with a membrane keyboard, so it’s going to be great if you work in a busy office or a shared bedroom. The ‘dampened’ feel of Topre’s silenced switches can feel kind of like typing on sandpaper compared to a non-silenced board, but we found that it’s worth the trade-off if you need a quieter keyboard. 

• This product is only available in the US and UK. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2.

Filco's keyboards tend to be built like tanks, and the Majestouch TKL is no different. This space-saving mechanical keyboard features a compact tenkeyless design that has less than 1cm of space between the edge of the keys and the keyboard. Its durability doesn't simply allow it to stand up well to knocks and scrapes – it has a positive impact on its typing feel too. You can hammer away on it at speed, even bottoming out to your heart's content, and the Majestouch 2 will take every bit of punishment making this among the best keyboards out there.

We’ve seen all kinds of keyboards over the years here at TechRadar, from stylish tenkeyless keyboards to RGB-laden gaming behemoths, but something has always been missing – a focus on creatives. Thankfully, with the Logitech Craft, this is no longer the case. Not only is this a sturdy, tactile and attractive keyboard but it also features a unique dial on its top left corner, which will help creatives expedite their workflow. This dial’s utility will vary depending on the application, from simply controlling the volume on the desktop, to changing levels in various tools in Photoshop. If you spend a lot of time creating content on your PC, the Logitech Craft is one of the best keyboards you can buy today.

Read the full review: Logitech Craft 

The PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 has somewhat of a cult following in the keyboard scene, and it’s not hard to see why. This keyboard is aimed at coders, but it’s fantastic for all you writers out there, too. It forgoes traditional arrow keys, instead making use of function keys and key combinations to get that stuff done. It will take a minute to get used to, but once you get that out of the way the small size is a huge benefit, as you’ll be able to take it anywhere you go. Plus, that sweet ‘thock’ sound of the Topre switches is a wonder to behold.

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Das Keyboard Prime 13

 

You just need to look at Microsoft’s Surface devices to know that they’re kind of killing it when it comes to design, and the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID takes things to a whole new level. If you’re running Windows 10, and you’re into the Surface aesthetic, this is easily one of the best keyboards out there. Not only does it feel great, but it also features biometric security, by including a discrete fingerprint scanner right next to the “Alt” key. It is an expensive device, but as with everything Microsoft, you can be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.

Read the full review: Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID 

Leopold's Fc660c is more portable than the Realforce 87u, but less so than the lighter and more compact HHKB2. However, the Fc660c benefits from its extra heft and feels like the more solid board. Despite having the same 45 gram actuation force as the HHKB2, the Leopold's keys feel slightly weightier - somewhere nearer to 50 grams. It results one of the most satisfying "thock" sounds on a Topre board.

• This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the HyperX Alloy Elite 

Remember those old IBM Model M keyboards? Well, that’s what the Unicomp Classic 104 seeks to emulate. Available in both USB and PS/2 versions, it uses a buckling spring switch that takes more effort to press than just about every other modern switch. You’re rewarded for this hard pressing with a tactile response that feels like the classic mechanical keyboards of old, along with a noise that will drive everyone around you mad. 

Some keyboards just ooze class, and the Das Keyboard Prime 13 is one of them. Its features a solid aluminum top panel for added rigidity and a very minimalistic look. With Cherry's MX Red or Brown switches under the keycaps, you're given a choice between linear and non-linear offerings with a range of actuation points.

It's a great option for media enthusiasts thanks to side lit media control and the inclusion of white backlighting is another bonus. It's not the most affordable keyboard on our list, but if you're looking for something a little bit more premium, Das is the way to go.

With its latest keyboard, Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to use their device while sat at a desk. And, if you were a fan of the predecessor, the K380, the Logitech K780 should be right up your alley, especially with its added number pad. This keyboard still has the ability to pair with three devices using Bluetooth or wireless, so you can swap between all your gadgets on the fly. And, thanks to its comfortable rounded keycaps, it’s still a pleasure to type on. The keyboard’s base is the star of the show, however, as it can hold mobile devices up to 11.3mm thick in an upright position. This places them within arms’ reach to make anything from replying to WhatsApp messages or reading a digital magazine easier than ever. 

 How to determine the best keyboard for you 

 

It goes without saying that if you demand the look and feel only mechanical switches can provide, rather than those that are slim and stealthy, we suggest perusing our best gaming keyboards round-up instead.

Gamers prioritize the actuation that clicky feeling mechanical keyboards bring, whereas traditional home and office users are more about practicality. That said, the sheer magnitude of sound produced by a lot of mechanical keyboards is offputting to some. For those folks, we have some membrane keyboards to recommend as well.

• Image Credit: TechRadar

Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

Android has been around for so long, and in so many forms, that the open-source operating system has evolved on multiple fronts thanks to the frantic competition among the many vendors using the platform. 

For all the bells and whistles of Samsung, LG and HTC, there’s always been a market for something a little purer – a 'stock' OS that strips away all the third-party bloat for an experience that’s as close to Google’s vision of Android as it’s possible to get.

From the evolution of Google's Nexus smartphone range (and their successors, the improving Google Pixel phones) to the simultaneous innovation of Android One, pure Android devices have carved out more than one niche for themselves. It’s been quite the journey, and the story isn’t over yet...

The Nexus genesis

The 'pure Android' project began in 2009 when Google confirmed it had begun internal testing on a new device it envisioned as offering a true Android experience. Soon after, Google revealed a partnership with HTC. The product of that union? The Nexus One. 

With a handful of litigation lawsuits to contend with off the bat (one for hardware specs filed by Apple and the other, of all sources, came from the estate of the late sci-fi author Philip K Dick), the Nexus One launched on January 5 2010, and set a blueprint for Google’s streamlined approach to both its own OS and software features.

However, despite a handful of attractive utilities, such as voice-to-text transcription, it didn’t offer enough hardware innovations to match the stylized form factor that had given the iPhone such a considerable fan base.

Never a company to be accused of twiddling its fingers, Google followed it up by the end of that year with the Nexus S. 

Trading HTC for Samsung (the carousel of hardware partners would become a calling card for the range), this new handset boasted an architecture similar to that used in the Galaxy S range, and was the first device to run Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

The Nexus S was a step forwards in terms of hardware innovation, featuring the earliest Android use of NFC technology, sowing the seeds for Android Pay and Apple Pay in the process. It was also, oddly enough, the first commercial handset to be certified for use in missions by NASA. 

In 2011, the third entry in the range, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, continued the partnership with the Korean giant with a dual-core processor, the ability to shoot video in 1080p and the very first use of Google Wallet.

In 2012, Google parted ways with Samsung on its mobile front and joined forces with LG to produce the Nexus 4. 

Like the Nexus S, this next entry in the series was well received by critics, offering relatively high-end specs – such as a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and an 8-megapixel rear camera – at an affordable price point. It proved to be one of the most popular entries in the range.

The end for Nexus, and the birth of Android One

The following year, Google kept its partnership with LG going to produce the next iteration in the Nexus line: the Nexus 5. 

As one of the first handsets to ship with Android 4.4 KitKat (this was also the first time Android had used a piece of branded confectionery to name its OS iterations), the Nexus 5 saw Google attempting to revert to the pure ideology of its earlier models with the inclusion of the Google Now Launcher, offering easier access to its smart assistant. 

Like all of the Nexus devices before it, it wasn’t perfect – shortcomings included a dim screen and a camera that didn’t match up to the power of other ‘less pure’ Android phones – but it was still a traditional Android user’s ideal handset.

Having fulfilled its two-device commitment with LG, in 2014 Google decided to work with Motorola (which it had recently sold to Lenovo) for the next handset in its stock range: the Nexus 6. 

Phablets were the new in thing, with big screens becoming hugely popular, so Google went all-in with a 2560 x 1440 AMOLED display, one of the earliest examples of this high-end screen spec. 

Based largely on the Moto X, Google used the Nexus 6 as the first handset to support Project Fi, the firm’s own mobile operator service.

It was also in 2014 that a new approach to the stock Android experience was born: Android One. The brainchild of Sundar Pichai, product chief and designated CEO of Google, it was designed as a streamlined and unmodified version of Android, specifically for affordable entry-level devices in emerging markets. 

India served as the testbed for this OS variant, and in the four years since its launch Android One has helped shape the development of Android in Google’s own devices. The ethos of a cleaner UI, with high security and faster updates, can be seen in the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL today.

2015 marked the final year for the Nexus line, and while Google would eventually begin work on what would become the first Pixel handset, it went all out for its Nexus swansong.

With Motorola now sold on, Google broke its usual pattern on multiple fronts by returning to LG for the Nexus 5X and Chinese manufacturer Huawei for the Nexus 6P. Needlessly confusing naming conventions aside, these two devices were testbeds for some of Android’s latest features. 

The Android Sensor Hub (for detecting when the phone has been picked up) and Google Now on Tap helped the 5X stand apart, while the 6P saw the Nexus range out in style as arguably its best entry, with a thinner aluminum body, an octa-core Snapdragon 810 chip and more. 

Pixel perfect

In October 2016, Google's decision to leave the Nexus range behind, but build on its legacy with a new range of stock-focused handsets, saw the arrival of the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. 

The even-thinner aluminum chassis and glass rear panel represented a move towards a more premium build quality than the Nexus phones, but it was the new Android features that really made the Pixel stand apart.

Google Assistant was originally exclusive to the first generation of Pixels, while access to unlimited, full-resolution Google Photos backup really sold the exclusivity of the Android 7.1 Nougat update that came with this phone. 

It wasn’t perfect – the lack of waterproofing and a litany of hardware issues butted heads with the higher price point – but as the first genuine pure-Android phone designed, developed and marketed mostly by Google (HTC was technically involved), it was sending a clear message to Samsung and Apple.

For the launch of the Pixel 2 in 2017, Google worked with both HTC and LG to produce its regular and XL handsets, but made a point of announcing that there wouldn’t be a ‘cheaper’ version to match some brands' 'lite' models. 

These were more premium handsets, and their cameras were the centerpiece of the design. Finally living up the Pixel branding, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL featured a stunning 12.2-megapixel rear camera that could capture Full HD video, and HDR+ processing. 

The Pixel 2 XL boasted more premium features, and did make the regular version look a little cheap by comparison, but Google was clearly getting closer to finding its ‘perfect’ pure Android model.

Pixel present – and future?

So we come to the most recent chapter in Google’s pure Android journey: the Pixel 3. While not a vast improvement on the previous generation of phones, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL sum up Google’s homegrown approach to phone development. 

They tick just enough boxes on the hardware front – another impressive suite of cameras, and an overall design that’s easier on the eye – while placing an emphasis on the strength of Android operating at its cleanest. 

Debuting in 2018 with Android Pie via the Pixel Launcher, the Pixel 3 phones offer the best way yet to experience Android in its pure form. 

A clean UI, the use of Duplex AI to answer spam calls, and the Digital Wellbeing tool have proved that, while Google is still working out the kinks in terms of hardware, it’s showing the direction in which Google hopes to take its OS innovation.

• Brought to you in association with Nokia and Android One, helping you to make more of your smartphone. You can learn more about the new Nokia 7.1 here, and you'll find more great advice on getting the most from your phone here. 

AMD’s staunchly amazing 2017 was so hard to follow up that often compare company’s performance 2018 to Age of Ultron in the grand scheme of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (This is going to be a long, winding metaphor here, but stick with us here) Last year, was practically AMDs first Avengers movie in that it pulled off what nothing we had seen before with Ryzen making Intel quake in its boots, the first 16-core HEDT chips and the first few exciting graphics cards from AMD in a long time.

This year was a definite improvement with the introduction of Ryzen 2nd Generation and Threadripper 2nd Generation CPUs, but there was also the severe lack of almost any new discrete GPUs whatsoever. More than anything this year felt like a hold-over – almost a preamble – to AMD’s version of Infinity War that will herald its first 7nm processors and graphics cards coming next year.

Winding up for its biggest pitch

AMD couldn’t have had a stronger start for 2018. The company was performing well off the back of its new processor families while largely dodging the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities plaguing Intel.

At CES 2018, AMD also made a strong showing announcing new entry-level, quad-core mobile processors and powerful Ryzen APUs that would introduce discrete-class Vega graphics to desktop CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G were easily highlights of the year in their ability to play modern games at Full HD without breaking a sweat.

AMD’s integrated graphics were so impressive that Intel and AMD teamed up to create its first mashup chip, Kaby Lake G. This chip found its way into the impressively powerful, yet small, Intel Hades Canyon NUC, as well as some gaming capable 2-in-1 laptops like the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 and HP Spectre x360 15.

In a true show of force, AMD even announced it plans for the rest of the year all the way into 2020. In 2018, AMD planned to introduce its 12nm Zen+ architecture, would lead to Ryzen 2nd Generation and Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation processors. Beyond that, the company also laid out its plans to introduce 7nm Zen 2 architecture following that, as well as 7nm Vega and Navi architectures on the graphics card side.

Silicon companies typically don’t reveal what they have in store for even the coming year, so to get detailed, multi-year roadmaps like this was incredible and unheard of. We had to give AMD props for this.

Riding on and against the tide of Crypto

Like Nvidia, AMD was heavily impacted by crypto, which is to say the company was both profiting from the extreme demand for bitcoin mining GPUs while trying to stay true to gamers first. The company was doing so well from cryptocurrency that it even managed to outpace the popularity of Nvidia for a short time.

Despite, doing extremely well thanks to mining, the company promised its first-priority was to gamers. Interestingly, to try and stem the shortage of graphics cards, AMD suggested mining with its Threadripper high-end desktop processors.

Partial rise

Thankfully, we wouldn’t have to wait too long into the year for some new Ryzen 2nd Generation processors. The first quartet of AMD 12nm processors would arrive on April 19th with the introduction of the Ryzen 7 2700X, Ryzen 7 2700, Ryzen 5 2600X and Ryzen 5 2600.

All of AMD’s Ryzen 2nd Generation processors pushed the envelope with their higher clock speeds and enhanced overclocking capabilities. In our reviews we found the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X to completely overtake Intel’s existing flagship mainstream CPU, the Intel Core i7-8700K, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X was easily the best mid-range CPU for power users.

Unfortunately, AMD didn’t really produce nearly as many Ryzen 2nd Generation processors as it did for its previous family of chips.

In fact, we had to wait until September for AMD to release its next Ryzen processors, the Ryzen 5 2500X and Ryzen 3 2300X, but these were chips that average consumers couldn’t even purchase. Instead, AMD chose to reserve its lower end chips for OEMs and system integrators. To this day, you still can’t get these CPUs without buying a pre-built PC assembled around them.

Overall, we would say AMD did a great job of delivering even more impressive CPUs, but they felt like much more of a blip than setting the narrative for all of 2018 as the previous generation did last year.

Ripping it up

AMD really threw down the gauntlet at Computex 2018. The company saw Intel’s 28-core processor and raised it a 32-core CPU mammoth, which we would later learn was the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. 

At the computing-focused show, AMD also revealed a new nano-version of the Radeon RX Vega 56 and details of its next-generation 7nm Radeon Instinct graphics card – unfortunately, this would the last time AMD would talk about graphics cards until much later into the year.

Not long after Computex, AMD official announced four new Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation processors in August. These HEDT processors that not only increased core counts, but also performance while lowering prices.

The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X was the perfect example of our latter points, as it vastly outpaced the outgoing Ryzen Threadripper 1950X while coming at a slightly lower price point. Meanwhile, the 32-core and 64-thread Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX delivered the highest multi-core performance we had ever seen from a high-end desktop PC.

It seemed like AMD was on track to completely dominate the high-end desktop market, unfortunately, the company waited until the end of October to release the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Ryzen Threadripper 2920X. By this time Intel has announced its Basin Falls Refresh HEDT family and the greater threat of the Intel Core i9-9900K.

Better late than never

If there was one thing AMD lacked in 2018, it was graphics cards. Aside from the impressive integrated graphics the company introduced at the start of the year, AMD only announced a ‘new’ range of Radeon RX 500X Polaris GPUs for OEMs (which were sadly only new in name), a nano-sized version of its existing Radeon RX Vega 56 and a new Radeon RX 590 for the mid-range market.

This practically left Nvidia’s new Turing RTX 20-series of graphics cards unchallenged in 2018, but we have high hopes for the 7nm graphics cards AMD is due to announce in 2019.

What will 2019 have in store for AMD

2019 will be arguably AMD’s biggest year yet. The company has already announced that it would talk about its 7nm processors and graphics cards at CES 2019.

This should lead to AMD introducing its 7nm Zen 2 architecture that will lead to Ryzen 3rd Generation and Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation processors. From what we know so far, AMD next CPU family will start with quad-core entry-level chips and stack all the way up to 16-core mainstream processors. We may even dare to dream of 48-core or 64-thread HEDT processors on the HEDT front.

Meanwhile, AMD 7nm GPU architecture could lead to the introduction of both Vega II and Navi graphics cards we sorely wanted this year.

If AMD can successfully pull off all three of these products next year, it will assemble its Infinity Gauntlet of silicon to snap Nvidia and Intel out of existence (or at least from their comfortable thrones). AMD’s greatest threat next year will be Intel, as the company is gearing up to introduce its 10nm Sunny Cove processors and we might even see the introduction of Intel Graphics Cards as well.

No matter how you slice it, 2019 should be one of the most exciting years in computing and AMD will undoubtedly play a big part of it.

Apple has Siri, Amazon has Alexa, and if you've got an Android phone, tablet or Google Home device, don't forget that you've got Google Assistant built-in.

It may not have captured the public's imagination as much as its smart counterparts, particularly Alexa, but it's just as useful. In fact, there are plenty of things the voice-activated assistant can help you with that most users don’t even know it’s capable of doing.

To make sure you’re getting the most from your trusty voice-activated partner, we’ve gathered together nine handy, but not necessarily obvious, Google Assistant features that will help to make it genuinely useful in loads of situations you might not have expected.

Google Assistant FAQ: quick questions answered

What is Google Assistant? Google Assistant is Google's voice assistant, and it's available on smartphones and smart home devices. Powered by artificial intelligence, it's Google's answer to Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Microsoft's Cortana. 

How do I turn on Google Assistant? If you're using a phone or tablet, touch and hold the Home button, or say "OK Google." A the top-right of the screen, touch More Settings. Then, under Devices, select your phone or tablet. This is where we can turn on Google Assistant, by selection "OK Google" detection on or off.  

If you have a Google Home, you'll just need to plug in the device and follow the set-up instructions.

How to use Google Assistant? Once activated, you need to long hold the Home button and Google Assistant will ask you what you want. You should be able to trigger it by saying "OK Google" too.

Is there a charge for Google Assistant? No. But you'll need a compatible device.

Can you give Google Assistant a name? If you want Google Assistant to respond to something other than "OK Google", you can change the wake phrase to "Hey Google". In the future, there might be a way to rename it. 

• Google Assistant: how to make your Google Home speaker work for you

1. Find your way home (and check for traffic updates)

Drawing on the sheer breadth of information at Google’s search engine fingertips, it’s safe to say Google Assistant has a lot of potential uses, including the ability to find the best route to a certain location.

Just say “Get me home” and it will draw information from Google Maps to show you (or tell you) the best route based on your current location. 

You can also use the voice-activated element to check traffic updates, and get the latest information on diversions and closures. This feature is especially useful if you primarily use Google Assistant on the move.

2. Make a shopping list… with your voice

Google Assistant has been designed to assist you, after all, so it makes sense that something as mundane (yet important) as making a shopping list can be done with your voice. 

No more scrabbling for a piece of paper (only to lose it) or typing one out in your drafts – you just need to say “Add [item] to my shopping list.”

Not only does Google Assistant collate all those items into one place, it will even read back what’s on your currently saved list to ensure you haven't left anything out, enabling you to go about your day with one less thing to worry about.

3. Listen to the latest news headlines

Most of us are so busy these days that even taking the time to browse the latest stories on Twitter or your chosen RSS feed can feel like a drag on your time. 

So why not use Google Assistant to read them out for you? It’s not an obvious feature, but if you say “Play the news” Assistant will start reading out stories from your preferred news sources.

You can ask it to stop, pause and play at any time, and you can even ask it to read stories from a specific source or specialist media site. If you’re running around the house trying to find your keys while grabbing a piece of toast before work, it’s a great way to keep up to date.

4. Control your smart home

If you’re like us and you’ve started to slowly add more and more smart devices to your home – be they thermostats, lightbulbs or ovens that preheat themselves – then you can use Google Assistant to connect you to them via a single voice-controlled hub.

Open Google Assistant, press the menu icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Settings. From there you can add any compatible smart devices (and many devices are compatible) that are currently active in your home. 

From Philips Hue lightbulbs to Honeywell thermostats, plenty of gadgets will respond to your voice-activated commands.

5. Convert money, measurements and more

Whether you’re looking to check how many dollars you can get to the pound or wondering how many inches there are in a kilometer, you can rely on your voice-activated servant to do the math for you. 

Google Assistant can perform almost any conversion calculation, and it will read out the answer.

The same goes for translations. If you’re wondering what the word for ‘Hello’ is in Swedish, you just have to say “What’s the Swedish word for ‘hello’?” and Assistant will instantly respond with the correct answer: “Hej!”

6. Screen your phone calls

Tired of getting dogged with cold calls from automated messages and companies trying to sell you a dodgy service? Well, Google Assistant can help with that, too. 

If you happen to own a Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, the voice-activated service includes a feature that will answer certain calls on your behalf.

It’s one of the many ways Google is evolving Assistant, with the Call Screen feature enabling you to leave Assistant to answer the call and even record a transcript of the conversation so you can review it later. Telemarketers, beware...

7. Queue up your favorite shows on Netflix

Netflix has made its way onto most our smart devices, and whether you’re still mourning the cancellation of Daredevil or looking for a belly laugh or two with Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Google Assistant can help connect you to your favorite TV shows and films, all with voice commands.

Simply say, for example, “Play Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle on Netflix” and – as long as Netflix is set up on your Android device, you’re signed into the app and you've connected it up – Google Assistant will queue up the show/film and start playing it in a matter of seconds.

This is handier on a TV with Google Assistant built in than on some other devices, but it’s a simple way to call up a movie to watch on your phone too.

8. Check appointments and emails

If you're using Google Assistant there’s a good chance that you use some of Google’s other services, including Gmail and Google Drive, so why not use Assistant to connect to some of these apps? 

If you use Gmail as your work account, you can ask the utility to check through your emails for certain keywords, or bring up an appointment that’s been added to your Calendar app.

You can even use Google Assistant to take notes with Google Keep, should you need to jot down a quick thought or idea while you’re busy with other tasks. This feature is especially useful if you need to catch up any new emails you’ve yet to read or respond to.

9. Let Assistant entertain you

Struggling to find someone to enjoy a quick game with? Want to test your grey matter while you have a few minutes to spare? Well, Google Assistant can help on both accounts by challenging you to a game of solitaire or naughts and crosses / tic-tac-toe.

It can also tell you some awful jokes or puns, and even read out an inspirational quote or message if you’re need of a little motivation – you can even ask Assistant to find something funny for you to watch by checking currently trending videos on YouTube.

• Amazon Echo vs Google Home: which is the smart speaker for you?

You can’t avoid the fact that 2018 was simply a bizarre year for PC components overall – especially when it comes to the best processors. Intel spent the whole year churning out microarchitecture after microarchitecture, in an attempt to prevent AMD from taking too much market share. 

But, throughout the myriad products Intel released this year, we were left wondering if there was something missing. 

So, we’re going to dive into everything Intel achieved over the last year, creating a sort of report card on how the tech giant handled 2018.

Under the Spectre of a Meltdown

Intel didn’t exactly start 2018 off on the right foot – a white paper from Google Project Zero revealed the Spectre and Meltdown exploits that made 90% of Intel processors vulnerable to attack. Intel immediately responded, saying it would fix the exploits. However, there was a ton of confusion out there related to these fixes.

Initially, Intel suggested that these fixes would impact stability and performance by up to 30%, which it later redacted, saying that the slowdown would be ‘workload-related’, and that most users wouldn’t notice any change. And, eventually the patches made their way through Windows Update, but not everyone got a happily ever after. 

In April, Intel said that certain older processors wouldn’t be getting the update, namely the Intel Core i7 900 series, due to issues with the microarchitecture itself. It also cited the fact that most of these older processors weren’t being serviced anyway.

Luckily, if you buy a newer Intel Coffee Lake Refresh processor you have nothing to worry about.

Name a more ambitious crossover event

In a move that threw us all for a loop, Intel teamed up with AMD earlier in the year to produce 8th-generation Kaby Lake processors for laptops with AMD Vega graphics. Especially in a year when Intel has been plotting its own GPUs, this team up with its biggest rival kind of came out of nowhere. But, you know what? It paid off.

These Kaby Lake G processors provided awesome performance without some of the pitfalls that dedicated graphics experience. Laptops like the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 showed great performance, not just in professional workloads, but even in gaming. That’s right, these laptop CPUs enabled a pretty decent gaming experience on laptops that were thin, light and convertible.  

Pint-sized gaming computers

Of course, Intel doesn’t just make chunks of silicon, it also makes full-fledged computers occasionally. And, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC, beyond having an awesome name, is genuinely one of the best gaming PCs you can get – as long as you’re looking for a very tiny machine. 

Now, while this tiny PC doesn’t come with RAM, storage or an OS – you’ll have to supply all that on your own, you are paying just $799 (£743, AU$1,099) for a pretty powerful little machine. It packs one of those Kaby Lake G processors we just talked about, which means it can provide GTX 1060-level performance for a fraction of the price of a similarly specced gaming laptop.

And, because it’s a barebones system, you can upgrade it however you want. Well, barring the GPU and CPU, of course – at least it has ThunderBolt 3 for external graphics.

All the cores!

Back at Computex 2018, we were sure we’d get some new processors from either Intel or AMD. And, while both manufacturers teased some HEDT chips, we just got some vague glimpses. But, the chip Intel teased was absolutely insane.

We’re talking a 28-core, 56-thread behemoth that was overclocked to 5.0GHz across all cores. Turns out that it was overclocked to high heaven using some exotic cooling methods, but it was still impressive anyways. 

Turns out that it wasn’t a consumer chip at all, but instead the Intel Xeon W-3175X workstation chip. This chip isn’t quite out yet, but it’s around the corner and is rumored to launch it at a whopping $4,000 (£4,000, about AU$5,600) price tag. Still, dreaming about such an insane consumer processor was fun while it lasted. 

Intel also used the event to introduce a special anniversary processor in the form of the Intel Core i7-8086K to commemorate the original 8086 CPU that released 40 years ago.

Just stay mobile

Coffee Lake was already a massive success, thanks to the awesome desktop performance it offered, but when Intel brought Coffee Lake H-series processors for laptops, the performance was off the charts. 

Coffee Lake H-series brought Intel’s 6-core 12-thread mobile processors to laptops for the first time, including the overwhelmingly powerful Intel Core i9-8950HK, found in even the thinnest workstation-class laptops like the MacBook Pro 15-inch.

Where these processors really shined, however, was in the best gaming laptops. Devices like the Razer Blade 15 and MSI GS65 Stealth were able to stay thin, light and aesthetic while providing nearly desktop-class performance.

However, some manufacturers took that thin, light and powerful concept a little too far. We already mentioned the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but when that thing launched back in July, there was an uproar about its tendency to thermal throttle almost immediately. This problem was patched out by Apple almost immediately – but it still runs dangerously hot. 

The Core i9-8950HK offers fantastic performance, but it basically requires a heavy duty laptop to reach its full potential. But, the rest of the Intel Coffee Lake H-series mobile processors don’t have the same problem.

How many lakes???

Intel has never been the easiest manufacturer to follow, but it seems like in 2018, there was just a deluge of different microarchitectures, all of which named after some fictional lake. Beyond the ever-elusive Cannon Lake, we got Whiskey Lake, Cascade Lake, Amber Lake and Coffee Lake Refresh. That’s not even mentioning the non-lake microarchitectures like the HEDT-focused Basin Falls Refresh. 

Most of the year ended up being a guessing game, trying to pin rumored silicon to the lake it belonged to. And, with Cannon Lake and Sunny Cove already rumored for 2019, it looks like the same shotgun approach is going to repeat itself next year. 

A refreshing move

After months of speculation and false leads, Intel finally released its 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh consumer and Basin Falls Refresh HEDT chips. Basin Falls Refresh might not have been all that exciting, but the level of performance offered by Coffee Lake Refresh is worth a mention. 

The Intel Core i9-9900K, by itself, was worth all the headaches – a 8-core, 16-thread CPU that absolutely demolished the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X – along with many Threadripper 2nd Generation chips. You see, it wasn’t just the core counts that matter here – it’s the clock speeds. This consumer chip is able to boost up to 5GHz – and that’s before overclocking.

Less than a month later, Intel would also release the new Intel Core i9-9980XE to reclaim the high-end desktop processor crown.

What does 2019 have in store for Intel?

2018 was a year of reactions and delays from Intel, as it desperately fought to maintain its place in the market, and basically lost. However, don’t think for a second that Intel is down for the count. 

After years of delaying its 10nm Cannon Lake chips, there are already rumors that Intel is going to release Sunny Cove next year, which is … well, it’s another 10nm microarchitecture. We should see increased performance and efficiency with this shrink in die size, but with AMD getting ready to launch 7nm Ryzen 3 processors in 2019, the competition is only going to get more heated from here. 

What should be particularly interesting, however, is Intel’s GPUs. Intel graphics cards have been lurking in the shadows for a while now. We’re not sure what these graphics cards will be capable, and we likely won’t see them actually materialize in 2019. But, if its Gen11 integrated graphics are any indication, we’re going to brace ourselves for a late entry in the Nvidia vs AMD GPU war. 

• Here are the best processors you can pick up today

There’s something on our best 3D printers list for everyone, whether you’re a beginner 3D artist, a hobbyist or a business owner looking for an enterprise-quality 3D printer for commercial purposes.

We not only scoured the market to find the best of the best for you, but we also found a variety of printers covering a wide range of sizes, prices and functionalities. This list has something to fit your desk, match the needs of hobbyists, meet the high-quality demands of a business and even handle production in large volumes. You'll also find the best 3D printers for a wide range of budgets, from affordable 3D printers, to high-end 3D printers that may have high price tags, but offer unrivalled quality.

There are many 3D printers out there to choose from, and there are a few factors to consider when picking the best 3D printer for you, which means spending quite a bit of time doing research. Worry not, though; our list of the best 3D printers should get you started. 

Our list of the best 3D printers contains clear and concise information on all kinds of 3D printers, so you can find the best 3D printer no matter what your needs are. And, we've included our exclusive price comparison tool, so you can be sure you're finding the best deal on the 3D printer of your dream – without waiting for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Just bear in mind that because this list is so diverse – and the 3D printers on it are aimed at different use cases - we've not listed them in any particular order.

Best 3D Printers at a glance

1. MakerBot Replicator+
2. XYZprinting da Vinci Mini
3. Ultimaker 2+
4. FlashForge Creator Pro 2017
5. LulzBot Mini
6. CubePro Trio
7. BEEVERYCREATIVE - BEETHEFIRST+
8. LulzBot Taz6

• Check out what printers made it into our top 10 best business printer roundup

The MakerBot Replicator+ is the successor to the popular MakerBot Replicator 3D printer, and the new version has brought improvements to nearly every part of the Replicator. This means the Replicator+ is faster and quieter than the previous version, while maintaining its excellent design and safety features. This desktop 3D printer is expensive, but it offers excellent print quality, and uses 1.75mm polylactic acid (PLA) filament. It's also user-friendly enough for home users and hobbyists to use - as long as your budget can stretch to the high asking price. 

If you're looking for a budget 3D printer, then there really is no better option than the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini. It remains one of the most affordable ways to get into 3D printing, and also the easiest, thanks to an easy-to-use interface. Just because it's a budget model, doesn't mean it doesn't produce good results, and the 3D printed objects it creates are very impressive considering the price - and size - of this 3D printer. Speaking of size, the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini is an impressively compact printer that makes it easy to store in an office or on a desk.

The Ultimaker 2+ is a 3D printer that offers amazing print quality, making it one of the best 3D printers for professional use. It is incredibly reliable when it comes to producing 3D models, and the accuracy of the 3D replications is incredibly impressive. If you need a 3D printer that can reliably reproduce many 3D objects accurately, this is a fantastic choice. However, it is expensive, and the fact that it is aimed at professional environments means it's less beginner-friendly than some of the other 3D printers here. Home users are better off looking elsewhere.

The FlashForge Creator Pro 2017 is the best 3D printer that sits between budget 3D printers and expensive professional models. It's a lot cheaper than pro models, though it maintains the build quality and reliability that you'd come to expect from a professional 3D printer. It's not quite as cheap as the budget and beginner models in this list, but it offers greater accuracy when printing 3D models. It is a tad noisy in use, however.

If you're looking for a first 3D printer to learn the ropes with, then the LulzBot Mini is another excellent choice. It's got a decent price, and is easy to use, though the print speed is quite slow. The hardware is open source, which means it has a flexibility that propitiatory hardware lacks, as a committed community of makers can work together to create add-ons for the printer.  

The bulk of home 3D printers are limited to one- or two-colour printing, but the CubePro Trio has the capability to print three different materials in one session. This can be especially useful if you want to create an enclosed mechanism: nylon can be used for the gears, ABS for the surround and PLA for the support structure that can then be dissolved with caustic soda. The CubePro is an ideal solution for modellers and engineers who need to create 3D prints with moving parts.

In general terms 3D printers are designed as boxes with purpose, however BeeTheFirst has created a printer with both quality of print and actual design in mind – this is a machine that really wouldn't look out of place in a modern living room. BeeTheFirst has also thought about how and where people will be wanting to use their printers – at work, home or both – and has incorporated a thin design with a handle that enables the printer to be easily transported. 

Initially you might be hard pressed to see the differences between the Taz 5 and 6; both feature a solid open frame build, large print base and ease of use.

However take a closer look at the refinements in design and improvements in usability and the upgrades quickly stand out. Features such as the auto leveling base has evolved from the one featured on the Luzbot Mini and works just as well on this larger scale, and the slight changes to frame layout and control panel are all welcome.

The Taz 6 is a big machine with an impressive print area of 280mm x 280mm x 250mm, with a 0.5mm nozzle capable of a minimum layer height of 75 microns and takes 2.85mm filament.

• Here's our pick of the best traditional 2D printers