The AI industry has reached a consensus: “Focus on applications, not just specs.” On one hand, hardware is being enhanced with AI capabilities, sparking innovations across industries such as smartphones, PCs, home appliances, cars, cleaning devices, home systems, headphones, cameras, and storage. On the other hand, AI is deeply transforming software, with native AI applications like WenXiaoYan and Doubao becoming commonplace, and traditional tools like search engines, input methods, browsers, payment systems, office software, and e-commerce being reconstructed by AI.
AI has become the “magic wand” for technological innovation, and this is only the beginning.
In December, “LeiTech Annual Special” launched, including the “Focus on 2024” section, which systematically reviews noteworthy companies, products, technologies, and individuals of the year in the tech industry. The “Outlook for 2025” section will provide a sneak peek into exciting technologies and products expected in 2025. This initiative aims to celebrate innovation, document the era, and inspire the future. Subscribe now to stay updated.
As 2024 comes to a close, NVIDIA’s delayed RTX 50 series left a gap in the PC DIY market. However, the year has still seen remarkable products, such as AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series processors, which amazed the market with outstanding performance, and Intel’s Core Ultra series, introducing AI capabilities to desktops for the first time.
Major milestones like the widespread adoption of OLED monitors, the resurgence of branded desktops, and the release of RTX Super graphics cards have significantly shaped the PC DIY market. As part of LeiTech’s 2024 review, let’s revisit the PC DIY products that left their mark this year.
Image source: JD.com
ROG PG32UCDP: How AI Drives Display Innovation
Released early this year, ROG’s flagship OLED monitor, PG32UCDP, belongs to their premium “Godlike” series. The Pro version supports a dual-mode feature allowing users to switch between 4K 240Hz and 1K 480Hz modes, offering optimal visual experiences tailored to different game genres. The display boasts peak brightness of 1300 nits in HDR mode and 400 nits in SDR mode, outperforming most OLED monitors even without HDR enabled.
Additionally, PG32UCDP integrates AI-powered features like Al Visual, Al Crosshair, and MOBA Map Helper. These enhance visuals, improve brightness in dark areas, and provide in-game tactical assistance, making it a must-have for hardcore gamers.
Image source: Intel
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: Desktop AI PCs Begin Here
Intel’s Core Ultra series debuted as the first desktop processors with built-in NPU modules, enabling AI capabilities without discrete GPUs. The Ultra 9 285K, while similar in performance to the i9-14900K, excels in power efficiency and multi-core performance, making it a favorite for creators despite being less attractive to gamers due to its lower single-core clock speed.
Image Source: AMD
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D: A Gamer’s Dream Processor
AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D, equipped with 3D V-Cache technology and 104MB of cache, delivers unmatched gaming performance. This processor resolved previous limitations in overclocking, becoming a hit among gamers. Despite early shortages and inflated prices, it remains a top choice for gaming builds.
Image source: Colorful
RTX 4070 Ti Super Vulcan OC: A Balance of Performance and Aesthetics
The RTX 4070 Ti Super stands out with upgraded memory (16GB) and modest GPU performance improvements, making it ideal for both 4K gaming and AI model computation. Colorful’s Vulcan OC version combines excellent overclocking, cooling, and stylish design, emerging as the best value among flagship GPUs.
ROG X870E HERO: The Ultimate AMD Motherboard
Image source: ROG
As ROG’s flagship motherboard, the CROSSHAIR X870E HERO features robust power delivery (18+2+2 design), advanced cooling systems, and support for cutting-edge DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 SSDs. Integrated AI tools optimize overclocking and network performance, making it the ideal companion for AMD’s Ryzen 9800X3D.
Valkyrie V36 AMG MERLIN: A Rising Star in Cooling Solutions
Newcomer Valkyrie has disrupted the AIO cooling market with its V36 AMG MERLIN. Featuring a 3.95-inch IPS display and 350W cooling capacity, it combines aesthetics, performance, and affordability, making it a strong contender for high-end PC builds.
Lenovo Legion Blade 7000K: A Game-Changing Prebuilt Desktop
Image source: Lenovo
Despite not being a traditional DIY product, Lenovo’s Legion Blade 7000K deserves recognition for its accessibility to non-enthusiasts. With configurations supporting up to an i7-14700 and RTX 4070 Ti Super, combined with government subsidies, it offers unbeatable value for gamers seeking a hassle-free experience.
2024 PC DIY: Innovation Captures the Youth, Breaking Free from the Slump
In 2024, the PC DIY market began recovering from its slump. Established brands focused on refining their product lines, while emerging players like Valkyrie gained traction with innovative strategies like bundling collectibles and emphasizing performance.
Looking ahead to 2025, NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series and Intel’s 15th-generation Core processors are poised to reignite competition, promising an exciting year for PC enthusiasts.
