TechPowerUp Best of 2023

[THU31]

I'm really not seeing the good ones. At beast we got some increments on existing tech that wasn't bad. But good? At those prices?

Bad value doesn't mean a product is bad, just badly priced.

I'd say a card like the 4060 Ti is straight up bad, no matter the price, because it was slower than the 3060 Ti in some scenarios. That should never happen. The normal 4060 was also a big step backwards in terms of VRAM, but at least it was decent value.
The price can always be adjusted, but if a product has some fundamental flaws, you can't really change that without redesigning and replacing that product.

And you really don't think the 7800X3D is a good product, even at MSRP? You could even easily buy that CPU $100 cheaper just a few months after launch. It's objectively the fastest gaming CPU ever released.

 

[bug]

Bad value doesn't mean a product is bad, just badly priced.

I'd say a card like the 4060 Ti is straight up bad, no matter the price, because it was slower than the 3060 Ti in some scenarios. That should never happen. The normal 4060 was also a big step backwards in terms of VRAM, but at least it was decent value.
The price can always be adjusted, but if a product has some fundamental flaws, you can't really change that without redesigning and replacing that product.

And you really don't think the 7800X3D is a good product, even at MSRP? You could even easily buy that CPU $100 cheaper just a few months after launch. It's objectively the fastest gaming CPU ever released.

Not disagreeing with what you just said. I only meant, all we got was mild refreshes, at best. Poor pricing was just the icing on the cake, but 2023 was a complete standstill. At least that's the way I see it.

 

[Vayra86]

Not disagreeing with what you just said. I only meant, all we got was mild refreshes, at best. Poor pricing was just the icing on the cake, but 2023 was a complete standstill. At least that's the way I see it.

When it comes to awards.. apart from the 7800X3D its possibly the worst year in tech of at least the last decade? Although tech did suffer from inflation, worldwide conflict.. that aint tech's fault. The real question is, will those conditions improve in 2024... I strongly doubt that.

OTOH.. we do get Oled monitors now.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yeah 5kx3d was way overpriced for way to long

 

[bug]

When it comes to awards.. apart from the 7800X3D its possibly the worst year in tech of at least the last decade? Although tech did suffer from inflation, worldwide conflict.. that aint tech's fault. The real question is, will those conditions improve in 2024... I strongly doubt that.

When the best product of the year is a gaming CPU that is 20% than the former king, but only if you're looking at FHD and even then it comes at a price premium... Yeah, probably the worst year in a decade.

OTOH.. we do get Oled monitors now.

I have my eyes on what's coming at CES. But also on my wallet.

 

[Vayra86]

When the best product of the year is a gaming CPU that is 20% than the former king, but only if you're looking at FHD and even then it comes at a price premium... Yeah, probably the worst year in a decade.

It also gets that 120% gaming perf at around 50 watts though, and it destroys game loads many others do not, irrespective of GPU grunt (strategy, 4X, sim).

 

[lexluthermiester]

The "worst year in tech" ?!? WTAF was that? We've had a GREAT year in tech! Someone needs to lay off the drugs...

 

[ir_cow]

The "worst year in tech" ?!? WTAF was that? We've had a GREAT year in tech! Someone needs to lay off the drugs...

But the drugs soooooo goooood.

 

[Godrilla]

I'm really not seeing the good ones. At beast we got some increments on existing tech that wasn't bad. But good? At those prices?

It seems that 2023 was the best year for flash storage from the outlook. Compared to 2022 the prices dropped as lows at 65% eg 990pro 2 terabyte launched on 11/22 for $289 and sold for as low as $100 on 11/23. With more affordable flash prices it made buying more expensive gpus more palatable. Now there are articles stating flash is on a 50% upwards trajectory yikes. I disagree, I believe that 2023 was a great year for hardware, like some purchasing 7800X3D for close to $300 and game bundles with ram kits/ mobos. Some got lucky and purchased the 4080 as low as $1000, 7900xtx 15% below MSRP and even the 4090 as low as $1539 for some models ( 4090 suprim liquid was $150 off MSRP from Lenovo's website). 2023 also brought back game bundles even though it was useless game like Starfield lol, and AlanWake 2 that is mostly very positive. Ces 2024 is around the corner hopefully we will see some exciting products but I believe that 2023 is probably going to be considered a better year than what 2024 will be for the diy market imo.

 

[bug]

It seems that 2023 was the best year for flash storage from the outlook. Compared to 2022 the prices dropped as lows at 65% eg 990pro 2 terabyte launched on 11/22 for $289 and sold for as low as $100 on 11/23. With more affordable flash prices it made buying more expensive gpus more palatable. Now there are articles stating flash is on a 50% upwards trajectory yikes. I disagree, I believe that 2023 was a great year for hardware, like some purchasing 7800X3D for close to $300 and game bundles with ram kits/ mobos. Some got lucky and purchased the 4080 as low as $1000, 7900xtx 15% below MSRP and even the 4090 as low as $1539 for some models ( 4090 suprim liquid was $150 off MSRP from Lenovo's website). 2023 also brought back game bundles even though it was useless game like Starfield lol, and AlanWake 2 that is mostly very positive. Ces 2024 is around the corner hopefully we will see some exciting products but I believe that 2023 is probably going to be considered a better year than what 2024 will be for the diy market imo.

You and I have a very different understanding of "low"
Flash was ok, I guess (got a 4TB drive myself), but Idk whether that was actual improvement during 2023 or just lowering prices on controllers and NAND that were already there.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
M.2 storage wise it was better at the end of the year than ever before especially 4tb models
2tb have been so-so priced and frankly those are okay but face it 4tb is expandable 2tb isn't unless you have more slots you can fill which most only have two to begin with so they settle with 2-2tb instead of having all storage and games on one m.2 they split it
Hell just my movies and tv series almost fills 2tb so no room at all for any games so I opted to wait for better 4tb pricing
GPU wise I'm happy with what I have and could care a less about rt nonsense even though my new laptop has a 4060 on it, another fairly good end of year score

 

[THU31]

Hell just my movies and tv series almost fills 2tb so no room at all for any games so I opted to wait for better 4tb pricing

Why would you keep video files on an SSD? For editing, sure, but for storage/playback?

I don't think I'll ever give up having one HDD in my system, unless prices become almost identical. I actually want to replace my 3 TB HDD with a 4 TB one, just waiting for a good deal. The old one will go to my USB3 docking station that I connect when I need to transfer something.

 

[ThrashZone]

Why would you keep video files on an SSD? For editing, sure, but for storage/playback?

I don't think I'll ever give up having one HDD in my system, unless prices become almost identical. I actually want to replace my 3 TB HDD with a 4 TB one, just waiting for a good deal. The old one will go to my USB3 docking station that I connect when I need to transfer something.

Hi,
Play back is a lot better so far I've noticed probably bad hdd cache really no telling.
I have had to redo quite a few movie files because they were crap quality

I still use lots of hdd's pretty much clones and even third backups
My laptop I had little choice than m.2 for them because I didn't want to lug around hdd's enclosure everywhere.
I just did the same on my z490 system as well until my game storage needs change.

 

[Godrilla]

You and I have a very different understanding of "low"
Flash was ok, I guess (got a 4TB drive myself), but Idk whether that was actual improvement during 2023 or just lowering prices on controllers and NAND that were already there.

Does anyone even know why the prices of flash dropped by as much as 65% within a year? Was it nand density getting cheaper which doesn't reflect the 8 terabyte nvme drives? If we recall the whole Samsung's flash life degradation fiasco and public outcry the prices of the 2 terabyte 990pro dropped by 50% overnight . This was the biggest factor from what I can recall. Naturally Black Friday brought even better prices. If we look at 2 terabyte drives on _11/22 they even more expensive than the 4 terabytes from the same models in 11/23. Why Is this date so significant? It's because everyone dumps their inventory on this date. Now Samsung is leading the charge in the opposite direction. According to the WD_BLACK 4TB SN850X NVMe price history chart https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0B7CQ2CHH
The price of the 4 terabytes nvme drives a pcie gen 4 saturation performance were over $400 on 11/22 as well .

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep got one 4tb sn850x 11-21 with my laptop and another 11-27 for z490 system
Both at 230.us.
Saw the current 295.us and list price 700.us and said wtf lol

 

[Dawora]

Nvidia > Amd

 

[bug]

Why would you keep video files on an SSD? For editing, sure, but for storage/playback?

I don't think I'll ever give up having one HDD in my system, unless prices become almost identical. I actually want to replace my 3 TB HDD with a 4 TB one, just waiting for a good deal. The old one will go to my USB3 docking station that I connect when I need to transfer something.

Yeah, nothing like watching a movie and hearing that HDD spinning up, a SSD will break that experience.
My system has been HDD-free for a few years now and it's a joy, most of the time you don't even know it's on. Then again, I don't hoard movies (hell, I don't watch movies on the PC, unless it's something from YouTube), if I did, I would still want a HDD around. Probably in an external enclosure or a NAS connected to the router.

 

[THU31]

Yeah, nothing like watching a movie and hearing that HDD spinning up, a SSD will break that experience.

HDDs spin at a constant speed. I guess you mean the head moving around accessing data, but that shouldn't happen during video playback, unless your file is fragmented all over the drive.

I've also moved to low-RPM drives ages ago, they're barely audible even from up close. I think my last 7200 drive was 320 GB, I think I even still have it somewhere.

 

[lexluthermiester]

My system has been HDD-free for a few years now and it's a joy

To each there own of course. HDD noise has never bothered me personally. But then again, I remember the days when HDDs starting up sounded like a jet engine. Modern drives are VERY silent, for the most part and comparatively.

Then again, I don't hoard movies

You mean you don't buy movies?

(hell, I don't watch movies on the PC, unless it's something from YouTube)

Fair enough. A lot of people do.

if I did, I would still want a HDD around.

Exactly.

I've also moved to low-RPM drives ages ago, they're barely audible even from up close. I think my last 7200 drive was 320 GB, I think I even still have it somewhere.

Oh wow. Not here! I ONLY use 7200rpm drives.

 

[bug]

HDDs spin at a constant speed. I guess you mean the head moving around accessing data, but that shouldn't happen during video playback, unless your file is fragmented all over the drive.

I've also moved to low-RPM drives ages ago, they're barely audible even from up close. I think my last 7200 drive was 320 GB, I think I even still have it somewhere.

I meant drives that decide to come back from sleep and start spinning up. I don't miss those one bit.

 

[ThrashZone]

Yeah, nothing like watching a movie and hearing that HDD spinning up, a SSD will break that experience.
My system has been HDD-free for a few years now and it's a joy, most of the time you don't even know it's on. Then again, I don't hoard movies (hell, I don't watch movies on the PC, unless it's something from YouTube), if I did, I would still want a HDD around. Probably in an external enclosure or a NAS connected to the router.

Hi,
I confess I horde all the good movies I can, via download "rare" or just screen capture, there are a few sites I pillage from, 2 main ones now with the best streaming hehe
I'm only up to about 500 and 6 popular tv series atm but I do not miss cable tv at all or commercials

But as far as watching movies/.. on pc well thankfully hdmi cables work to large screen t.v's so you'd never know except they start right away without delay unlike dvd's do plus there is no commercials unless you watch/ record one that just got released like avatar ...water they can have some slots of fun stuff but eventually a clean version will be released.

 

[b1k3rdude]

Please share your list, I'm genuinely interested

Afternoon Wizz, as requested -

• CPU - 7800X3D/13700k - Intel 14series is a joke/insult.
• GPU - 4070/7800XT - but would hold off untill after the launch of the super series for pricing.
• GamingTech - DLSS3.0/FSR3.0, Not frame-gen (due to latency issues and requiring 100fps base perf (so 4070 or above) to be of any use)
• Mobo - (AMD) MSI MAG X670E TOMAHAWK (£289), I would prefer the MPG but I am not paying an extra £140 just to get the diag display) and for an EOL platform, then MSI MAG Z690 Unify (£249). Dont trust ASUS anymore (fucking with the bios and killing CPU's and telling customers that they were wrong untill they got called out on it) and Gigabyte used to be my goto untill they got to big for thier boots.
• RAM - Any 32GB, CL36, DDR5-6000 kit for for under £130. Both the kits in the 'best of list', will only work on Intel.
• SSD - Sabrent Rocket 4+, sustained writes dont completly drop off a cliff. Then the 970 evo as a backup drive, has superior nand that sadley never got used beyond this generation. I cant recommend the 980/900 series from Samsung, due to the self desctucting f/w issue.
• PSU - 1600/1300w power supplies are overkill not to mentuion stupid expensive. I am running a Fractal Ion 750w 80PlusGold. Psu calculator says I need a min of 619w, so I am 131w over, but realistically my typical gaming load (as measured at the wall) is 400-550w.
• CPU-COOLER: Arctic Freezer II 280, nice to have feature is it has a VRM cooling fan (I own one), I agree with the DeepCoolAssasin as runner up.
• DIY-COOLERS: I have no comment on this section as its something I never never considered due to needing open-loop and being very expensive and well, well past the point of diminishing returns.
• FANS: My only requirement for a fan is that it pushes a lot of air, isnt noisey and suitable for the task - so either static-pressure(radiator) or high-airflow (case). But now that link-able fans are becoming a thing I would like to replace all my Acrtic P14's, would be nice to reduce cable clutter and reduce the noise ethey make above 1100rpm. I have zero-f's to give for RGB anything.
• CASE: The Hyte Y60 has gotten a lot of good reviews and were I not happy with my Define R6 I would consider this case. The screen on the Y70 is like RGB to me, expensive pretty for the sake of pretty. That and my case is on the floor to my right, so the screen would be hard too see.
• DISPLAY: While the Xeneon Flex is an impressive monitor, Im not paying 'TV-like money' for a gaming monitor.
  • Ultrawide - Gaming Alienware AW2423DWF or a good all-rounder - LG 34GN850 (I own the 750 version).
  • For 27" MSI G274QPX is a decent enough monitor.
• HEADPHONES: I have owned my Bose QC35II (on firmware 3.1.8) for over 5 years and love them, these can be found for £82-150 on cex.co.uk. Can't speak to other headphone models, but I hear the Sony WH-1000XM3/4 are support be compareable.
• KEYBOARDS: Again not spending £200-300 on a bloody keyboard. I daily drive a Logitech K120 and a Deathadder mini essential mouse. But for a good mechanical gaming kb that wont break the bank, I would be happy to buy the "Wooting Two". It is a lot of bang for your buck and has compainion software that makes Razer/SteelSeries/Corsair/Logitech's software look like boatware (which they are).
• MICE: When you can still get the Deathadder V2 pro for £62, makes the V3 seem overly expensive. If your going to spend £150+ on a mouse then the "FinalMouse UltralightX" is a worthy consideration "when they are in-stock". (dont be scalped and pay more than £150 though).

 

[lexluthermiester]

I only meant, all we got was mild refreshes, at best.

Sorry, that's just not true. AMD had a great year! The X3D series of Ryzen 7000 have been great! The 7800X3D is the current gaming CPU King. There were a lot of other solid advancements as well.

The reality is we can't keep expecting the industry to pull rabbits out of it's hat every year. So inbetween magic shows, we need to appreciate all the other advances that happen along the way.

 

[Onasi]

The reality is we can't keep expecting the industry to pull rabbits out of it's hat every year. So inbetween magic shows, we need to appreciate all the other advances that happen along the way.

I also think that a lot of people expect advancements where there are either unlikely to be significant ones, or they are unnecessary. Sure, CPUs and GPUs are always expected to be faster and the tasks adjust - there is no such thing as too much performance in those cases. That’s fine. But storage, for example? It’s been established pretty definitely that increases in linear speed are not useful for vast majority of users and the actual progress that people expect are in capacity for price. Everything else is mostly at a plateau.
Then we have cooling. I think that people should just kinda get used to the fact that air coolers are pretty much done evolving. We know what works, what is the largest practical size and most efficient way to mount those. Beyond small tweaks to the fin array and weird stuff like offset mounts that are caused by CPU compromises the fact of the matter is that the “best” will always be some variation on the dual-tower, two or three 140mm fans design. You just can’t really do much more with air. All the attempts to strap a vapor chamber or some TEC element to them just ends in failure. We are done, seemingly. The physics can only be pushed so much. If you have a need for higher cooling performance to, I dunno, run a current i9 maxed out with no limits - welcome to water, AIO or custom.
Let us not even get into devices where for years the innovation was and continues to be slim just because we kinda figured them out already. Mice really only significantly improved because wireless is finally actually usable in a serious way without compromising anything. And keyboards? The only thing I can dig up off the top of my head recently that was an actual advancement is the introduction of analog switches. Even then, those are Hall-effect, which is far from a new technology. Same with headphones. IEM boom aside, for traditional full-sized cans you can use an HD580 from the 90s and you’d be hard pressed to find something that will be an actual tangible improvement. Hell, the widely accepted best headphone in the world, the HE-1, is just a slight evolution of the Orpheus, which came out in 1991. And that is also almost 10 years old in itself.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Just seeing intel have their asses handed to them is great year indeed
Those poor intel fanboi's just can't see oobe is just not there