This week's reviews highlight the impact of component shortages and high DDR5 memory prices on the PC market, leading to a focus on value in product evaluations. The ASRock X870 Challenger motherboard, priced at $169, is praised for its features and performance, significantly outperforming the $800 Gigabyte X870 Aorus Infinity, which struggles to justify its high cost amid rising memory prices. Additionally, Framework's Laptop 12 enters a competitive market with a starting price of $699 but faces criticism for its cost relative to performance and quality. Overall, the reviews emphasize that consumers are now prioritizing performance-per-dollar, with many products earning accolades for their affordability and value amidst a significant decline in global PC shipments

Reviews Roundup: X870 Motherboards, Framework Laptop 12, and Gears of War E-Day

A component shortage, sky-high DDR5 memory prices, and a 20 percent plunge in global PC shipments have turned value into the only metric that matters this week. The contrast is sharpest on motherboards, where the $169 ASRock X870 Challenger handily outshines the $800 Gigabyte X870 Aorus Infinity despite the latter's class-leading overclocking credentials. Framework's repairable Laptop 12, be quiet!'s first-ever gaming mice, and Gears of War: E-Day round out a lineup where cheap boards earn the value honors while flagships get graded harder.

Reviews Roundup: X870 Motherboards, Framework Laptop 12, and Gears of War E-Day @ NT Compatible