As a tech writer, I've seen some weird and wonderful gaming chairs. From those with fancy footrests, to those with fan-filled backrests, to even McDonald's gaming chairs with heated nugget holders. But no high-end gaming chair captures the practical essence of ergonomics as well as the ThunderX3 Core.

I discovered this chair after a long day of walking around Computex in the Taiwanese summer heat, and while any chair would have sufficed in my sleep-deprived state, I stumbled upon it by accident. But how, you may ask, can a gaming chair improve on a heated nookie holder?

Listen. This may sound like a gimmick, but what struck me when I sat in this chair is that I have never sat up straight in a gaming chair. None of us have. We twist, we lean forward, we pull our legs up. But the various mechanisms of the ThunderX3 Core loft are up to all of this tomfoolery, and I can honestly say that I don't think I've had this much bone support since I was a little baby in my mom's arms.

However, ThunderX3 has spent a great deal of time and effort enforcing ergonomics on even the least ergonomic of people. Aside from the lumbar 360° tech backrest feature, there are more ergonomic tricks than your average gaming chair, such as the solidly padded 4D armrests and the Sync6 mechanism that I will discuss.

That little black Sync6 box is called Synchronous Tilt, which basically keeps the chair's seat more level and allows even a short queen like me to keep my feet firmly on the ground when leaning back. The only problem is that it doesn't come with armrests, so there is less support for your arms when you lean back against the backrest.

There is also a forward tilt-tilt of the seat so you can lean back if you find your opponent is better than expected. The depth of the seat can also be adjusted so that you can slide your body forward to get closer. The latter may be the least convenient, but it is useful when you want to be intimate with the PC but cannot get any closer.

The head cushion is super plush and has side supports to accommodate my awkward sitting position. The multi-purpose cushion is another great addition. A little thought is given to the fact that not everyone can touch the floor when the chair is at the proper height. Not only do the rounded sides allow you to cradle your feet, but they also separate into two cushions that can be used as armrests, which is handy when using a controller or placing a laptop on your lap.

Also, the ThunderX3's backrest can be fixed at four different angles, and while you can't tilt the entire backrest like many gaming chairs, I don't think it detracts from its practicality. Anyway, I've never used the full recline feature except to show off.

The Sync6 mechanism is an oddly simple solution given its versatility, and I had imagined a more complex assembly process. Typically, it takes me about 45 minutes to assemble a chair. This chair took just over 16 minutes out of the box. This was thanks in part to the fact that the arms were already attached and the packing foam was not applied so tightly that it would choke a wild boar. There was also no need for the awkward cover plates that many chairs have to hide mechanisms and joints. The deadly spring mechanism that threatens many gaming chairs was also not a concern, as the backrest fits snugly into a small sleeve.

Somehow the ThunderX3 Core Loft is also sleek looking, and aside from the ridiculous throne-like left and right wings that stick out as if to say, "Oh, look at me," it is by no means an ugly chair.

There are three styles: the Racer, with embossed back and seat and available in plain black or turquoise blue gofter stripes; the Modern, a bit more sophisticated and available in three muted colors; and the Loft, available in black or gray. The Loft and Modern come in luxurious fabric versions, while the Racer is wrapped in a rugged leatherette. All are relatively understated, even the Racer, given the design of gaming chairs.

The ThunderX3 is said to be available in several more colors, including a white version. For now, there are at least a few choices, and all Core styles are offered at the same price.

When I first sat in one of the chairs with so many greebles, price was also my biggest concern.

The ergonomics label usually makes them more expensive. But somehow the ThunderX3 Core managed to keep its price down to $399. Not cheap by any means, but ergonomic chairs can cost $600 or more. In general, chairs with comfort and adjustability like the ThunderX3 Core, like the Herman Miller x Logitech G-Embody, cost more than $1,000.

Comparing the ThunderX3 Core Loft to the best gaming chair available today, the Secretlab Titan Evo, makes it even clearer why this is the best gaming chair candidate. Not only does it come with the same 3-year warranty, but thanks to Sync6 and Lumbar 360°, it is loaded with features that the Evo never even considered.

Furthermore, while the ThunderX3 doesn't have the magic of a magnetic pillow, for me it beats the comfort of the $520 Titan Evo. Plus, it's $120 cheaper in every style.