I know I'll get rinsed by rising costs somewhere when building a PC but my favorite product this year was one of a few things that didn't ask for more money

Gear of the Year

(Image credit: Future)

Check out more of the year's best tech in our PC Gamer Hardware Awards 2025 coverage.

We've got most of the big stuff covered with our Gear of the Year awards. Though even I'll admit we're missing award categories for cases and coolers. There are many deserving of a nomination, from the excellent Havn BF 360 to the return of a legend, the Corsair Air 5400. But I had to go with my gut.

One product stands out to me in a sea of increasingly expensive components.