Australian PC Awards 2021 winners: The best of the best in PC
The ultimate in value and performance for PC systems, tech, peripherals & components
- Best Motherboard Maker
- Best Value Motherboard
- Best Premium Motherboard
- Best Graphics Card Maker
- Best Value Graphics Card
- Best Premium Graphics Card
- Best Value CPU
- Best Premium CPU
- Best Internal Storage Maker
- Best External Storage Maker
- Best SOHO or Home NAS
- Best Value Laptop or 2-in-1
- Best Premium Laptop or 2-in-1
- Best Gaming Laptop
- Best Desktop PC Maker
- Best Memory Maker
- Best Cooling Product
- Best Monitor
- Best Keyboard
- Best Mouse
- Best Gaming Headset
- Best PC Case
- Best Router
- Best Reseller
- Excellence Award
- Gold Award
The last year has been a massive one for PC gaming and home computing and we can finally now get 20/20 hindsight vision for which products of 2020 and the start of 2021 were the absolute best in their field.
The Australian PC Awards are complete, with live streaming reveals airing across three nights on June 23, 24 and 25, 2021.
If you missed them on the nights, you can still tune in to the APCA 2021 episodes to see the live unveilings, some for great debate on the state of PC components... and a chance to win some excellent prizes!
The Australian PC Awards is presented by computing experts from TechRadar, APC, TechLife, PC Gamer, PC PowerPlay and T3. Representing a broad collection of computing veterans from some of Australia's best PC publications, there's no better way to get a complete snapshot of the highs and lows of personal computers in 2020/21.
Anyone here purely for the results of the 2021 Australian PC Awards, read on. Below is the final list of products that beat all the competition in their field to take out an APCA 2021 best product award.
Whether you're looking to build the best value rig around, or you simply want to tick off any components you might already have in your current build, all of the following products are the best in the business.
Motherboards
Best Motherboard Maker 2021
<a href="https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=318038&a=2384906&epi=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asus.com%2Fau%2FMotherboards-Components%2FMotherboards%2FAll-series%2F" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">Asus
Great BIOSes and a consistently good physical layout across the range. Asus has proven to their motherboard owners time and time again that they are both reliable and capable of the highest performance.
Best Value Motherboard 2021
<a href="https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/A520M-ITXac/index.asp" data-link-merchant="asrock.com"" target="_blank">Asrock A520M-ITX/AC
The perfect partner for one of AMD's lower-priced CPUs (or APUs), this $150 board offers a great feature set for the price and even has AC Wi-Fi.
• Read the full <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/au/asrock-a520m-itx-ac-review-amd-gaming-motherboard/" data-link-merchant="pcgamer.com"" data-link-merchant="asrock.com"" target="_blank">PC Gamer review
Highly Commended
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<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msi.com%2FMotherboard%2FMAG-Z490-TOMAHAWK&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk
A great choice for a user looking to build a powerful system without spending the big bucks.
• Read the full <a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/15723/the-intel-z490-motherboard-overview/47" data-link-merchant="anandtech.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">AnandTech review
Best Premium Motherboard 2021
<a href="https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z590-AORUS-MASTER-rev-10#kf" data-link-merchant="gigabyte.com"" target="_blank">Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Master
Mega VRM and huge heatsinks that give lots of surface area for outstanding cooling, great quality components and even 10G LAN, which is unheard of at this pricepoint.
• Read the full <a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gigabyte-z590-aorus-master" data-link-merchant="tomshardware.com"" data-link-merchant="gigabyte.com"" target="_blank">Tom's Hardware review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=318038&a=2384906&epi=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Frog.asus.com%2Fau%2Fmotherboards%2Frog-crosshair%2Frog-crosshair-viii-dark-hero-model%2F" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">Asus Crosshair VIII Dark Hero X570
The best AM4 motherboard we've yet tested, we're so enamoured with it that it's become our AMD testbed. Fantastic memory support, supporting frequencies that other boards just don't. Insane amount of USB ports. Does have a couple of weaknesses, but they're acceptable trade-offs.
• Read the full <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/au/asus-crosshair-viii-dark-hero-review/" data-link-merchant="pcgamer.com"" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">PC Gamer review
Graphics Cards
Best Graphics Card Maker 2021
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msi.com%2FGraphics-Cards&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">MSI
Consistently first-rate coolers from top to bottom across the whole range, and often priced a bit cheaper than other brands.
Highly Commended
Best Value Graphics Card 2021
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msi.com%2FGraphics-Card%2FGeForce-RTX-3060-Ti-GAMING-X-TRIO&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio
A mid range card with a triple-fan flagship design. One of the quietest gaming cards you'll find and punches well above it's weight.
• Read the full <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/au/msi-geforce-rtx-3060-ti-gaming-x-trio-review-benchmarks-performance/" data-link-merchant="pcgamer.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">PC Gamer review
Highly Commended
Highly Commended
<a href="https://www.powercolor.com/product?id=1612512855" data-link-merchant="powercolor.com"" target="_blank">PowerColor Radeon RX 6700 XT Hellhound
Why spend more when you can get a great performing and cool running option for less.
• Read <a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/news/powercolor-unchains-radeon-rx-6700-xt-hellhound" data-link-merchant="tomshardware.com"" data-link-merchant="powercolor.com"" target="_blank">Tom's Hardware's coverage
Best Premium Graphics Card 2021
<a href="https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=318038&a=2384906&epi=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Frog.asus.com%2Fau%2Fgraphics-cards%2Fgraphics-cards%2Frog-strix%2Frog-strix-rtx3080-o10g-gaming-model%2F" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">Asus ROG Strix RTX 3080 O10G Gaming
A quiet, cool, powerful and feature loaded card. It's got the lot.
Highly Commended
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msi.com%2FGraphics-Card%2FGeForce-RTX-3080-SUPRIM-X-10G&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Suprim
A powerhouse of high clocks and quality cooling to tame it.
• Read <a href="https://www.techradar.com/au/news/new-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3080-and-3070-gpus-released-by-msi" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">TechRadar's coverage
CPU
Best Value CPU 2021
<a href="https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/212271/intel-core-i5-11400f-processor-12m-cache-up-to-4-40-ghz.html" data-link-merchant="ark.intel.com"" target="_blank">Intel Core i5-11400F
With impressive performance for less than half the price of a 5600X, for those on a budget, this is a slam dunk.
- Read full PC Gamer review
Highly Commended
- Read full TechRadar review
Highly Commended
- Read full PC Gamer review
Best Premium CPU 2021
- Read full TechRadar review
Highly Commended
- Read full PC Gamer review
Highly Commended
- Read full TechRadar review
Storage
Best Internal Storage Maker 2021
Highly Commended
Best External Storage Maker 2021
Highly Commended
Best SOHO or Home NAS 2021
- Read full TechRadar Pro review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://getprice.com.au/prodhits.aspx?refname=gplink&shopid=378&subtag=hawk-custom-tracking&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mwave.com.au%2Fproduct%2Fsynology-diskstation-ds920-4bay-diskless-nas-celeron-quad-core-20ghz-4gb-ac35808%23detailTabs%3DtabAccessories#detailTabs=tabAccessories" data-link-merchant="mwave.com.au"">Synology DS920+
Simultaneously a great expandable entry point for NAS newbies and a powerful, feature-laden office server for SMBs.
- Read full TechRadar Pro review
System
Best Value Laptop or 2-in-1 2021
<a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/338476/435410/7643?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fau%2Fmacbook-air%2F" data-link-merchant="apple.com"" target="_blank">Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
A $1,499 Ultrabook with 11th Gen i7 performance, light gaming capabilities and a 19 hour battery. The biggest generational laptop innovation we've seen.
- Read full T3 review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=318038&a=2384906&epi=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asus.com%2Fau%2FLaptops%2FFor-Gaming%2FTUF-Gaming%2F2021-ASUS-TUF-Gaming-A15%2F" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">Asus TUF A15 (2021)
An AMD gaming laptop that's ahead in performance, price and perks.
- Read full TechRadar review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://lenovo.evyy.net/c/338476/239209/4053?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lenovo.com%2Fau%2Fen%2Flaptops%2Flenovo%2Fchromebooks%2FIdeaPad-F5-CB-13CML-05%2Fp%2F88IPFC51448" data-link-merchant="lenovo.com"" target="_blank">Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook
A great cheap alternative to Windows 10 for browser-based workers.
Best Premium Laptop or 2-in-1 2021
<a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/338476/435410/7643?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fau%2Fmacbook-pro-13%2F" data-link-merchant="apple.com"" target="_blank">Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1)
Impressive performance bump, massive GPU improvement, double the battery and cheaper. What more could you want?
- Read full T3 review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fau.msi.com%2FBusiness-Productivity%2FPrestige-14-Evo-A11X&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">MSI Prestige 14 Evo A11M
Great all-round professional device with fast Gen 4 PCIe storage.
- Read full AnandTech review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=318038&a=2384906&epi=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asus.com%2Fau%2FLaptops%2FFor-Home%2FZenBook%2FZenBook-Duo-14-UX482%2F" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">Asus ZenBook Duo 14 (UX482)
A unique premium product offering, if money is no object.
- Read full Tom's Guide review
Best Gaming Laptop 2021
<a href="https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=318038&a=2384906&epi=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Frog.asus.com%2Fau%2Flaptops%2Frog-zephyrus%2Frog-zephyrus-g14-series%2F" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The turning point for AMD Mobile CPUs in a perfectly executed package by Asus.
- Read full T3 review
Highly Commended
- Read full TechRadar review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://dell.rrmo.net/c/338476/521695/8903?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dell.com%2Fen-au%2Fshop%2Fdell-laptops%2Falienware-m15-r3-gaming-laptop%2Fspd%2Falienware-m15-r3-laptop" data-link-merchant="dell.com"" target="_blank">Alienware m15 R3
A seriously well engineered, premium device with a wide range of options and a great looking chassis.
- Read full TechRadar review
Best Desktop PC Maker 2021
<a href="https://www.aftershockpc.com.au/welcome/products/desktops" data-link-merchant="aftershockpc.com.au"" target="_blank">Aftershock
Aftershock has to take it for its insane personalised builds. There's a price premium, but you get a custom-built Ferrari for it. They also have the quality sewn up.
Highly Commended
Highly Commended
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fau.msi.com%2FContent-Creation-PCs&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - msi.com"" target="_blank">MSI
We like that MSI pushes the boundaries of PC case design not only in terms of looks, but also functionality and interactivity.
Peripherals & Components
Best Memory Maker 2021
Highly Commended
Best Cooling Product 2021
<a href="https://go.corsair.com/c/221109/490888/8513?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.corsair.com%2Fus%2Fen%2FCategories%2FProducts%2FLiquid-Cooling%2FiCUE-ELITE-CAPELLIX-Liquid-CPU-Cooler%2Fp%2FCW-9060046-WW" data-link-merchant="corsair.com"" target="_blank">Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler
A 240mm AIO CPU cooler that hits just the right balance of performance, low noise levels and value.
Highly Commended
Highly Commended
- Read full Tom's Hardware review
Best Monitor 2021
<a href="https://dell.rrmo.net/c/338476/521695/8903?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dell.com%2Fen-au%2Fshop%2Falienware-38-curved-gaming-monitor-aw3821dw%2Fapd%2F210-axni%2Fmonitors-monitor-accessories" data-link-merchant="dell.com"" target="_blank">Alienware AW3821DW
A gaming screen that really delivers for productivity, and is very good value.
- Read full PC Gamer review
Highly Commended
- Read full Tom's Hardware review
Highly Commended
- Read full PC Gamer review
Best Keyboard 2021
<a href="https://razer.a9yw.net/c/221109/642901/10229?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.razer.com%2Fgaming-keyboards%2Frazer-huntsman-v2-analog%2FRZ03-03610200-R3U1" data-link-merchant="razer.com"" target="_blank">Razer Huntsman V2 Analog
A rare case of an expensive product delivering everything it promises. Analog keys are game-changer - literally.
- Read the full TechRadar review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://imp.i125364.net/c/221109/795933/11355?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.logitechg.com%2Fen-au%2Fproducts%2Fgaming-keyboards%2Fg915-tkl-wireless.html" data-link-merchant="logitechg.com"" target="_blank">Logitech G915 TKL
Absolutely everything you could wish for in a wireless productivity keyboard.
- Read full PC Gamer review
Highly Commended
Best Mouse 2021
<a href="https://imp.i125364.net/c/221109/795933/11355?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.logitechg.com%2Fen-au%2Fproducts%2Fgaming-mice%2Fpro-x-superlight-wireless-mouse.910-005882.html" data-link-merchant="logitechg.com"" target="_blank">Logitech G Pro X Superlight
Small, light, simple and ideal for gaming as well as regular use.
- Read full TechRadar review
Highly Commended
<a href="https://razer.a9yw.net/c/221109/642901/10229?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.razer.com%2Fau-en%2Fstore%2Frazer-deathadder-v2-pro" data-link-merchant="razer.com"" target="_blank">Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro
Updated sensor and extremely durable switches make this a great mouse for dedicated gamers.
- Read full TechRadar review
Best Gaming Headset 2021
<a href="https://razer.a9yw.net/c/221109/642901/10229?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.razer.com%2Fgaming-headsets%2Frazer-blackshark-v2-pro%2FRZ04-03220100-R3U1" data-link-merchant="razer.com"" target="_blank">Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
Brings in key gamer features like 2.4 wireless and THX Spatial Audio in a quality package with top notch sound quality.
- Read full TechRadar review
Highly Commended
- Read full PC Gamer review
Highly Commended
Best PC Case 2021
- Read full Tom's Hardware review
Highly Commended
- Read full Tom's Hardware review
Highly Commended
- Read full Tom's Hardware review
Best Router 2021
- Read full Tom's Guide review
Highly Commended
Reseller
Best Reseller 2021
<a href="https://t.cfjump.com/14042/t/60221?UniqueId=hawk-custom-tracking&Url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ple.com.au%2F" data-link-merchant="ple.com.au"" target="_blank">PLE
PLE's excellent website allows easy editing of pre-built designs and their unique and wide range of cases is impressive.
Highly Commended
Excellence
Excellence Award 2021
<a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/338476/435410/7643?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fau%2Fnewsroom%2F2020%2F11%2Fapple-unleashes-m1%2F" data-link-merchant="apple.com"" target="_blank">Apple's M1 processor
The biggest WTF moment in computer processors for 20 years.
Highly Commended
<a href="https://www.intel.com.au/content/www/au/en/architecture-and-technology/visual-technology/graphics-overview.html" data-link-merchant="intel.com.au"" target="_blank">Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Intel doubled integrated GPU performance for light 1080p gaming on Ultrabooks with this generational update, putting light gaming on the agenda.
Gold Award
APCA Gold Award 2021
<a href="https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=318038&a=2384906&epi=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asus.com%2Fau%2F" data-link-merchant="asus.com"" target="_blank">Asus
Asus is the company that does it all, and does it well. With a reputation for quality and reliability, great engineering and always pushing the industry forwards with clever new products and ideas, Asus covers a huge spectrum of product categories and is trusted and genuinely loved by its customers.
Highly Commended
Highly Commended
<a href="https://www.aftershockpc.com.au/" data-link-merchant="aftershockpc.com.au"" target="_blank">Aftershock PC
Proving that people like things that are powerful and look amazing, Aftershock arrived from Singapore just a few years ago and is now a go-to reseller for truly stunning PCs and laptops.