Phil Hayton
I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
Latest articles by Phil Hayton
Trust me, grab this Samsung Odyssey ultrawide monitor deal before Starfield arrives
By Phil Hayton published
Deals Samsung's Odyssey CRG9 ultrawide gaming monitor is currently $900 off, and it could pair perfectly with Starfield on PC if you're looking to spend less on a premium panel.
Lenovo Legion Go leak suggest Switch style controllers, but is that what we really need?
By Phil Hayton published
News Images of the yet to be announced Lenovo Legion Go have leaked online, and the handheld gaming PC appears use detachable gamepads.
The Ayn Odin 2 is a powerful Android handheld with Game Boy color vibes, and it’s under $300
By Phil Hayton published
News Another gaming handheld is on the way, and the Ayn Odin 2 pairs the Samsung S23 Ultra's processor with Game Boy color aesthetics.
Armored Core 6 system requirements: Intel Arc A770 recommended for ray tracing
By Phil Hayton published
News Armored Core 6 requirements aren't too menacing, and you'll apparently be able to use an Intel Arc GPU to enable ray tracing on your gaming PC.
Alienware Aurora R15 review: I'm slightly scared of this RTX 4090 rig
By Phil Hayton published
Review The Alienware Aurora R15 is an exceptional RTX 4090 rig that packs a premium punch, but this beastly rig comes with upgradability caveats.
We’re one step closer to the Starfield gaming PC of my dreams, thanks to AMD
By Phil Hayton published
News AMD is giving away a limited edition Starfield Radeon RX 7900 XTX GPU and Ryzen 7 7800X3D bundle, and the parts could help create the ultimate themed gaming PC.
You can now use a Dualsense with your old PS1, thanks to 8bitdo
By Phil Hayton published
News 8bitdo Retro Receiver is a dongle that'll let you hook your DualSense wirelessly to an original PS1 or PS2 console, and it's a retro gaming godsend.
Acefast GaN Smart PD Charger Hub review: “A Steam Deck dock for my pocket”
By Phil Hayton published
Review The Acefast GaN Smart PD Charger Hub is a fantastic Steam Deck dock for travel, and I've been keeping it in my jacket pocket when visiting friends.
Can you run Baldur’s Gate 3? Here’s the PC build we'd use to play the Steam RPG
By Phil Hayton published
Guides Wondering whether your PC can run Baldur’s Gate 3? We've got you covered, as we've tested the Steam RPG using budget and premium builds.
You can now grab an official refurbished Steam Deck for less than a Switch OLED
By Phil Hayton published
news Valve is now selling officially refurbished Steam Deck models, and you can grab a renewed handheld PC for less than a Nintendo Switch OLED.
The Intel Arc graphics card I’ve been waiting for finally shows up a year late
By Phil Hayton published
News It looks like Intel's Arc A580 graphics card could finally be ready to launch, as an AliExpress listing for the GPU has popped up online.
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT specs spill out ahead of launch, thanks to GPU maker
By Phil Hayton published
News Looks like the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT will be the company's next new-gen graphics card, as GPU maker Powercolor has shared specs ahead of schedule.
A new Alienware gaming PC has landed, and I can’t get over the shape
By Phil Hayton published
news The newly launched Alienware Aurora R16 is a surprisingly conventional gaming PC compared to its predecessor, but absurd case designs could return.
LG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B review: “Overwhelms my eyes in the best way possible”
By Phil Hayton published
Review The LG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B is a brilliant ultrawide gaming monitor that'll dominate your desk, and its 800R curve serves to trick the senses.
AI could spark another graphics card shortage and I’m tired
By Phil Hayton published
News The AI industry could start using AMD and Nvidia gaming GPUs to power projects, as businesses are reportedly buying RX 7900 XTX graphics cards in bulk.
Lenovo is cooking up a handheld gaming PC, and I’m hoping it’s the cheapest Steam Deck competitor yet
By Phil Hayton published
News The Lenovo Go is reportedly the laptop company's answer to the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally, but will it be the cheapest handheld PC yet?
Steam players are reverting back to GTX 1660 graphics cards, despite Nvidia's best efforts
By Phil Hayton published
News The latest Steam Hardware Survey suggests more players are now using an Nvidia GTX 1660 GPU, rather than making the jump to newer cards like the RTX 4060.
The Ayaneo Pocket Air isn't a Steam Deck rival, but it could be the next best retro handheld
By Phil Hayton published
News The upcoming Ayaneo Pocket Air targets retro gamers with an OLED display and Android capabilities, and it could become the go-to handheld emulation station.
I build gaming PCs, and my favorite 12th gen Intel i5 CPU is less than $150 right now
By Phil Hayton published
deal The 12th gen Intel Core i5-12400F CPU is currently under $150 on Amazon right now, and it's the same chip I use to test the latest Nvidia RTX graphics cards.
Is it just me, or is the new AMD Radeon RX 7900 actually an RX 7800 XT in disguise?
By Phil Hayton published
News AMD just officially revealed the 16GB Radeon RX 7900, but is it actually just an RX 7800 XT graphics card with a different name badge?
Nvidia RTX 4090 Ti GPU apparently isn’t a thing anymore, but do we really need one anyway?
By Phil Hayton published
News Fresh leaks suggest the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Ti is no longer a thing, so don't hold your breath for the would-be flagship graphics card.
Ayaneo 2S review: “More than just an expensive Steam Deck rival”
By Phil Hayton published
Review The Ayaneo 2S is pricey, but it offers handheld gaming PC performance unrivalled by the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally, even if the software included is quirky.
Baseus 6-in-1 Docking Station review: “my new favorite Steam Deck dock”
By Phil Hayton published
Review The Baseus 6-in-1 Docking Station is more than just a Steam Deck dock, and its adjustable cradle makes it one of the best handheld gaming PC accessories around.