By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 30 September 2026
In short: in September 2023, hardware news was all about the Radeon RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT, Starfield performance on PC, future Intel and AMD processors, the Zenbleed flaw in Ryzen Zen 2, a new Valve machine, and the Cerabyte ceramic storage. Three years later, here’s what those developments have become, and what you should choose instead in 2026.
Why look back at September 2023?
Re-reading the news from three years ago is a good way to see how quickly hardware evolves. Graphics cards presented as new have been replaced, a highly anticipated game has received expansions, and a futuristic storage technology has found investors. For each topic, you’ll get the state of play in 2026 and a link to our detailed article.
Three years of hardware evolution, at a glance.
What the September 2023 releases became
| Topic | In September 2023 | In 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Radeon RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT | Launched on 6 September 2023, with 16 and 12 GB of memory | Replaced by the RX 9000 since 2025 (RX 9070 XT, RX 9070, RX 9060 XT) |
| Starfield on PC | Released on 6 September 2023, criticised for its performance | Two expansions, and the Free Lanes update in April 2026 |
| Intel processors | The 14th generation (Raptor Lake Refresh) expected | Released in October 2023, then replaced by the Core Ultra 200S in late 2024 |
| Zenbleed vulnerability (Zen 2) | Zen 2 security flaw in Ryzen revealed in July 2023 | Fixed through microcode and BIOS updates |
| A new Valve machine | Rumours of a new Steam Deck | The Steam Deck OLED launched on 16 November 2023 |
| Cerabyte | Data storage etched onto ceramic | Backed by the European Commission (2024) and Western Digital (2025), for archiving in data centres |
Graphics cards: from RX 7000 to RX 9000
The RX 7800 XT ($499) and RX 7700 XT ($449) targeted 1440p. In 2025, they made way for the RX 9070 XT, RX 9070 and RX 9060 XT, more efficient and compatible with FSR 4. Everything you need to know about AMD’s current lineup is in our article. the end of AMD graphics cards?
Starfield: from a tough launch to Free Lanes
At launch, Starfield demanded a high-end setup and required an SSD. Since then, the game has received Shattered Space in 2024, then Free Lanes and Terran Armada on 7 April 2026, with a PS5 version. The configuration you should aim for in 2026 is detailed in Starfield: which gaming PC to play it on.
Processors: where do Intel and AMD stand?
Intel’s 14th generation launched in October 2023, before the Core Ultra 200S. On the AMD side, Ryzen X3D has established itself as the best processors for gaming. For the details, read what the 14th-gen Intel is worth in 2026 and our comparison Intel or AMD.
Cerabyte: ceramic storage
German start-up Cerabyte etches data onto thin layers of ceramic, for archiving intended to last for centuries. It received a grant from the EIC Accelerator of the European Commission in late 2024, followed by a strategic investment from Western Digital in May 2025. But it’s a technology for data centres, not for your PC: for storing data on a gaming PC, an NVMe SSD is still the reference, see how to choose your SSD.
Our PCs in 2026
Prism PC: RX 9070 XT
The successor to the RX 7800 XT: RX 9070 XT 16 GB, Ryzen 5 7600 and 32 GB of DDR5 for 1440p in ultra settings.
Rift PC: RX 9060 XT 16 GB
Ryzen 5 7500F or 7500X3D and RX 9060 XT 16 GB: 1080p and 1440p with 16 GB of video memory.
FAQ: September 2023 hardware news
When were the RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT released?
On 6 September 2023, for $499 and $449 in the United States.
Which AMD card replaces the RX 7800 XT?
The RX 9070 or RX 9070 XT, released in March 2025, faster and compatible with FSR 4.
What is the Zenbleed flaw?
A security flaw in AMD Zen 2 processors, revealed in July 2023, fixed by microcode and BIOS updates.
What is Cerabyte?
A German start-up developing ceramic data storage for very long-term archiving in data centres.
When was the Steam Deck OLED released?
On 16 November 2023.
Sources
- Business Wire, Western Digital’s investment in Cerabyte (May 2025)
- Business Wire, EIC Accelerator grant for Cerabyte (December 2024)
