(Ed., March 14th, 1999: The link to this page was incorrect, so we are running this article again).

1998 was an evolutionary year for hardware, rather than revolutionary. In spite of that, the advances were significant. In this article we look back at our Top Pick choices in hardware.

Although we didn't review a board with the Vortex 2 chip in 1998, we have begun to see the impact of Diamond's MX300 and we will soon see this chip on the Turtle Beach Montego II as well as Videologic's SonicVortex2.

The best part of the MX 300 is that it supports both A3d and Creative Lab's EAX extensions. Initially, we were worried that CPU utilization might be excessive, but tests with recent driver revisions have quelled those anxieties. While we didn't complete the review until January '99, Diamond released their board in December '98 and so we include it here.

In the meantime, Creative Labs SB Live! is an incredible value. With slightly better CPU utilization figures than the Vortex 2 and a wealth of features and expandability, this sound board is serious hardware! Both boards are great options for gaming sound and music.

In 1998 we began to review multimedia systems for the PC, and both the PCWorks FourPoint system and Microsoft's Sound System 80 stood out. Depending on your needs one of these should suit you.

Audio Top Picks:

• Sound Blaster Live!
• Diamond MX300
• Microsoft SS 80
• PCWorks FourPoint Surround

Video Top Picks:

It was an evolutionary year for video also, though some might argue that AGP 2x and dual texel units was revolutionary!

Of these five boards, Diamond's Monster Fusion stands out, but all five boards are excellent. The Diamond board represents the best Banshee product out there (ie. easy install, and VERY fast). The Diamond Viper 550 and STB V4400 AGP represent the best of the TNT boards we tested.

Finally, the Matrox Mystique is also a great 2d/3d single board solution, though no longer in the running when compared to the speed of the TNT or Banshee. For dedicated 3d boards, we chose the Canopus as the best of the V2s although honorable mention should go to Metabyte with their Wicked3d-2.

• Diamond Monster Fusion
• Diamond Viper 550
• STB V4400 AGP
• Matrox Mystique G200
• Canopus Pure3d II

Click to continue . . .

Controller Top Picks:

• Quickshot Masterpilot
• SFS Split Throttle
• Logitech Wingman Force
• Cyborg 3d
• Simped Pedals

Ah, game controllers. They have a soft spot in my hard heart!

Again, 1998 wasn't revolutionary, but it was the year that SUNCOM introduced their split throttle and Quickshot introduced their Masterpilot. Come to think of it, Logitech's entry into the force feedback arena was also more than welcome!!

Special mention goes to the Quickshot Masterpilot. I love this device! After a year of experimenting, I concede that there are some improvements that can be made. But when all is said and done, every virtual pilot would love to have two of these grace his desktop in between his HOTAS. (For a look at what the SUNCOM throttle is like with the Masterpilot, go to SUNCOM HOTAS).

Saitek's Cyborg3d is about the neatest single stick solution out there, if you don't need/desire force feedback. Great interface and quick programming. The WIngman force will co-exist peacefully with your favorite rudder pedals, what more would you need in EAW, WW2 Fighters, MS CFS or other prop sim? Add the Simped pedals if you have the extra bucks!

Upgrade Solutions

Finally, we have to mention the ubiquitous CeleronA. A CPU any mother could love! Most of us would trade our favorite golf clubs, nay, even our wife's favorite golf clubs for this item, and many of us already have. At about $100 US, it's the bargain of the century (er, at least until the AMD K7 arrives).

• Celeron 300A

So, that's it for Top Picks for 1998. We've already made our first hardware award for 1999 in the Kenwood 52X Multibeam CD ROM. Time now to take a look at some DVD drives, the up and coming mass storage media for the next millenium.