PC Gaming
Today, PNY is announcing its addition to its PC memory lineup with Performance DDR5 4800MHz. DDR5, you might ask? Well, DDR5 is the next step in high-performance memory that’ll be compatible with next-generation platforms by late 2021. While CORSAIR already announced its DDR5 lineup back in May, PNY is now getting in on the product train. This DDR5 will deliver speeds of 4800MHz and is designed for next-level gaming. What all will DDR5 bring to computers? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!Less than a couple months ago, STM unleashed a few standout MagSafe-compatible accessories that caught our attention. Today, the new STM dux Tech Backpack has surfaced, and it also sports several notable features that could turn some heads. Not only does it have enough room for 17-inch laptops, but you can also stow a tablet and much more. Given just how valuable the contents inside this bag could end up being, STM has padded it all the way around to create what it calls a FoamFortress. The design delivers Mil-Spec protection with multi-direction access through both top and side pockets. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
Today, Intel gave us a look at its upcoming high-performance graphics brand, Arc. Arc will encompass hardware, software, and services from the well-known processor brand as its first foray into graphics in many years. Sure, most Intel processors have integrated graphics, but that’s nothing compared to high-end GPUs. So, to combat the increasing pressure from NVIDIA and AMD, Intel is focusing on a scalable graphics and compute architecture for multiple product launches, including those that support hardware-based ray tracing and supersampling, as well as full support for DirectX 12 Ultimate. What all does this mean for computing, and when can we expect these products to hit shelves? Find out more below.
Expand Expanding Close
Xbox Game Pass continues to showcase that it’s the best value in gaming on both console and PC, as Microsoft continually expands the already massive library. Well, there’s a list of eight total games coming to Game Pass on August 31, with many other titles launching to buy. One of the most surprising, but also most welcomed. What all does Stardew Valley bring to Game Pass, and what other titles are also on the way? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!Two new monitors have joined LG’s ever-growing portfolio of tantalizing displays. Both LG UltraWide monitors feature a 21:9 aspect ratio, with one spanning 34 inches and the other delivering 38 inches of screen real estate. USB-C connectivity can also be found across both units with 96W Power Delivery in tow. With 60Hz refresh rates, these clearly target productivity workflows with less of a focus on gaming. Dual 7W speakers with Maxx Audio support are also baked into each display. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
Forza Horizon 5 was announced formally back at E3 2021, but since then, we’ve got even more information about the upcoming racing title. This time around, Forza Horizon 5 features a world that’s 1.5 times larger than Horizon 4, which is quite insane, honestly. As someone who pre-ordered the premium version of Forza Horizon 4 back when it was released, I’m equally as excited now to see the sheer massive map that’s to come with Horizon 5. Not only that, but you’ll also find things like the largest highway in Forza Horizon history, multiple towns and cities, and the return of Horizon Festival sites. Sound intriguing? Keep reading to find out more.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!The number of available MagSafe-compatible accessories is growing at a rapid pace with an all-new gooseneck stand from TalkWorks being one of the latest to appear on Amazon. This is not the company’s first attempt, but it’s the only one we’ve seen that wields a built-in stand. This MagSafe gooseneck offering boasts a matte black colorway and sleek design that’s bound to look great in the office, kitchen, and more. In addition to this release, TalkWorks has also launched a new laptop stand and USB microphone. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
If you’re still waiting for GPU prices to come down, or next-generation consoles to come back in stock, then it’s possible you’re not able to play some of the latest AAA games how they were intended to be enjoyed just yet. Sure, AMD’s latest CPUs with built-in Radeon graphics can help hold you over, but that’s not a perfect solution, either. Well, Microsoft has finally announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) is available for Windows 10 PCs if you’re in the Insider program. This is ready to use for those with Game Pass Ultimate, which includes access to the service. So, what’s available to play as part of Xbox Cloud Gaming, and how can you sign up? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Recently, the Night School Studio team announced that its latest game, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, is not only coming to PC and Switch, but also PlayStation. As a sequel to the beloved game Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, you’ll continue the story started back in 2016, this time following Riley Poverly, who’s “grappling with the repercussions of post-adolescence” as she’s made choices that she might end up regretting. “Is she who she really wants to be?” Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, coming to PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch in 2022.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!Today we discovered that Sceptre has added yet another Nebula White monitor to its portfolio. Unlike the 43.8-inch UltraWide and 38.5-inch QHD monitors that have debuted over the last few months, this offering sticks with a more traditional 27-inch form factor. Resolution clocks in at 2560 by 1440, which is paired with an up to 165Hz refresh rate, depending on which port you use. Connectivity options include three HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C 3.1, and AUX. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
Today, AMD announced its latest addition to its 5000-series Ryzen processor lineup, the Ryzen 5 5600G and Ryzen 7 5700G. These two new SKUs offer something that no other Ryzen 5000-series CPU does: integrated graphics. That’s right, AMD’s harnessed the power of its Zen 3 architecture, with its 7nm manufacturing process, and added in Radeon graphics for an all-in-one computing solution. What all do these latest CPUs offer, and how well they change the game for AMD? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Turtle Beach’s long-awaited Recon Controller is finally available for Xbox Series X and Series S. With quite a few features packed in, as well as easy access to audio controls, there’s quite a lot to love here. The 8-way D-pad and “smooth” thumbstick movement ensures that you’ll find plenty to love about Turtle Beach’s latest controller. What else does it deliver? Let’s take a closer look at the Turtle Beach Recon Wired Game Controller.
Expand Expanding Close
Today, Monoprice is expanding its lineup of Dark Matter gaming monitors with three new offerings. As the flagship new offering, the brand is releasing its first IGZO display with a 180Hz refresh rate that’s being joined by a pair of two other monitors. All three are now available for purchase and you can get a closer look at the Monoprice IGZO display down below.
Expand Expanding Close
AMD just expanded its 6000-series lineup of graphics cards that originally launched late last year. While it’s still hard to pick up a card at MSRP outside of pre-built systems, hopefully supply chains have been beefed up enough to handle yet another card being added to team red’s product line. The 6600 XT is designed for 1080p gaming thanks to its 8GB of GDDR6 memory and 32MB of “high-performance” AMD Infinity Cache. There’s quite a lot to like with the 6600 XT and a few questions that have yet to be answered. So, without any more waiting, let’s take a close at the AMD RX 6600 XT 8GB graphics card.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!After a quiet announcement that largely flew under the radar back in April, ASUS’s latest 4K 144Hz monitor is now up for grabs. The UHD resolution and high refresh rate is displayed on a 27-inch screen. Other notable features include a 1ms response time, G-Sync support, and a couple of USB 3.0 ports. Along the back of the display you will find a RGB ROG logo, adds a pop of color to the back. This can be tweaked using ASUS’s Aura Sync software which also lets you sync it up with other compatible peripherals. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!There is a sea of options when shopping for PC and Mac peripherals, but only a fraction stand out like the Azio lineup does. This also rings true with the all-new Azio FOQO Wireless Mechanical Keyboard. This offering was launched as an Indiegogo campaign back in December 2019 and closed with $58,198 of support. Thankfully, Azio has finally brought this mechanical keyboard to market, and despite having a vintage camera-inspired design, it wields many, if not all, of the modern features you would expect. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
It’s that time again — Intel just refreshed its NUC lineup of mini PCs with 11th Generation processors. Simply NUC already has two units available for pre-order, including models that have the 11700B and 11900KB processors with up to eight cores and 16 threads. What’s new this generation? Well, support for full-length dual-slot graphics cards, for one. Of course, there are the other notable improvements like Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 4.0, and others. So, let’s take a closer look at the Intel Beast Canyon NUC lineup of mini computers.
Expand Expanding Close
Today EA held its Play Live event that showcased some of its largest titles, including Apex Legends, Dead Space, and Battlefield 2042. From huge sandboxes where you can essentially create your own game to the reboot of a long-forgotten franchise, as well as additional information on the upcoming Legend entering the Apex Games, we have everything for you down below to read.
Expand Expanding Close
In today’s latest Xbox Wire post, we take a look at upcoming releases on Game Pass. While we’re still a week or so out from things like Flight Simulator 2020 launching on Xbox Game Pass, there are some titles available today as well. Whether you want to dive into Battlefield V through Xbox Cloud Gaming or take to the skies in Flight Simulator 2020, there are 12 total titles coming to Game Pass over the next week.
Expand Expanding Close
Apex Legends is currently in its Legacy season that introduced a few new things and brought back some old. We got Arenas as well as the return of the original World’s Edge and Kings Canyon. Now that we’re nearing the end of the season, it’s time to look at what’s next. For Season 10, dubbed Emergence, we’re getting a new Legend, World’s Edge map update, a new weapon, and Ranked Arenas. What all is coming in Apex Legends Season 10 Emergence on August 3? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Alongside announcing its Facecam yesterday, Elgato also released the Wave XLR and updated Stream Decks to bolster its live streaming lineup. The Wave:1 and Wave:3 microphones set themselves apart from other USB microphones by offering extremely customizable software, and Elgato has now brought that same feature set to XLR mics for those who want higher-quality audio. The Stream Deck update isn’t quite as big, though you’ll find removable USB-C cables and a redesigned face there as well. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look at Elgato’s latest products.
Expand Expanding Close
Today, Valve, the team behind Steam, announced the long-awaited portable gaming “powerhouse,” the Steam Deck. Sporting a 4-core 8-thread AMD Zen 2 processor and an 8-core RDNA 2 GPU, there’s plenty of power to play your favorite games on the go. There’s quite a lot to unpack here, including the fact that all models ship with the same performance spec with prices starting as low as $399. Pre-orders open tomorrow and it’s slated to start shipping by the end of the year. Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Razer just announced that its lineup of Blade 17 and Blade 15 Base laptops will be receiving the 11th Generation Intel upgrade. With this, you’ll find the “most powerful” processor ever offered in a Razer laptop boasting eight cores and 16 threads. You’ll find up to the i9-11900H processor and NVIDIA’s RTX 3080 graphics card here, which deliver plenty of power to handle anything you throw at it. What else has changed? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
PC gaming seems to be all the rage these days. But, there’s this…stigma…around buying a pre-built PC. As you’ll see in our upcoming review, pre-built desktops can actually be pretty great, especially in this market. But, if you’re determined to get a custom-built PC and don’t know where to start or how to assemble one, Newegg has you covered. The company recently launched a professional build service that’s just $99 on top of parts, and honestly, it’s probably the best way to get your hands on next-generation GPUs right now. Keep reading to find out more and see why you’re able to get RTX 30-series and RX 6000-series graphics cards through Newegg’s new PC building service.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!When it comes to UHD displays, Sceptre offers some of the most affordable on the market. This rings true for an all-new Sceptre 4K monitor that has recently surfaced at Amazon. It’s priced at just under $280 and boasts an up to 70Hz refresh rate. This beats out many of its UHD competitors with similar pricing, which have a tendency to top out at 60Hz when used in 4K. Other notable features include integrated speakers, four inputs, Blue Light Shift, and a VESA mount-ready design. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!Working from home has caused many of us to become very creative in the realm of productivity. Since clear audio and video is something everyone can appreciate, the last year has caused many folks to upgrade their webcam, microphone, and more. For anyone that has yet to do this, an upcoming 4K document camera from IPEVO could be the perfect way to address several issues. In addition to scanning documents, IPEVO V4K Pro also functions as a dedicated webcam with an onboard microphone. It is upheld by an adjustable aluminum arm, ensuring you can find a great viewing angle for meetings, document captures, and more.
Expand Expanding Close
Today, Logitech is expanding its collection of gaming accessories with an upcoming wired headset that comes in a bright new color. Entering as a more affordable yet capable offering in the Color Collection, the new Logitech G335 Gaming Headset debuts with a wired design, lightweight form factor, and comes in a mint colorway for the first time. Head below for all of the details.
Expand Expanding Close
Over the weekend, Microsoft and Bethesda announced a slew of new games, updates, and more for its Xbox consoles. Well, buried in a blog post recapping the event, Microsoft detailed plans to release the Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) app on Xbox One, enabling “millions of players” to enjoy next-gen games like Flight Simulator without having to buy a new console. What all does this mean for Xbox One owners and how can you take advantage? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!The world of gaming monitors is packed with what can feel like a never-ending list of options. Commonly used resolutions range from 1080p to 4K, but many agree that 2K (or QHD) is the sweet spot as processing too many pixels often leads to sluggish performance. This is precisely where the latest Monoprice Zero-G monitor lands while also wielding a 144Hz refresh rate, 1500R curvature, HDR support, and Adaptive Sync. Pricing for this unit is quite competitive, undercutting other displays with similar specifications by around $40 or so. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
During Microsoft’s E3 event this past Sunday, we got our first look at Flight Simulator 2020 on Xbox Series X/S. Honestly, I was blown away by how good the game looks on console and can’t wait to get my hands on it. I recently tried out Flight Sim 2020 on PC and found that it’s a fantastic game that’s quite fun, though playing with a keyboard is a bit cumbersome. Heck, playing with a controller won’t be the easiest thing. That’s why Turtle Beach prepared its VelocityOne Flight system that’s designed specifically to be used with Xbox Series X/S and Windows 10 PCs for flying around in Flight Simulator 2020. What all does the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight System do? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
As we close out E3 2021 this week, we’ve already seen quite a few announcements from several of the larger brands, including Square Enix’s launch with Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers, and much more, as well as the Xbox and Bethesda show, which showcased Elder Scrolls 6, Starfield, Halo Infinite, and even Forza Horizon 5. That’s far from all though, as yesterday the Gearbox show detailed Borderlands and more, as well as Ubisoft Forward with information on Rainbow Six Extraction, Far Cry 6, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. Just yesterday, we also got a glimpse at the PC Gaming Show and the Capcom event earlier today. Now, it’s Razer’s turn to take centerstage. What all did Razer’s E3 2021 showcase include? For one, there’s now an AMD-powered Razer Blade 14, but let’s take a closer look at everything announced.
Expand Expanding Close
We first looked at the wired version of the Model D back in March of last year and then the wireless Model O in February of this year. Well, it’s time to take a look at the Model D Wireless, a newcomer to the scene. With 71 hours of battery life and a price of just $80, it’s easy to say this could be the mouse that changes you, just like the Model O changed Jordan earlier this year. What all does the Glorious Model D Wireless bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding Close
Razer is kicking off the summer season with a new battlestation upgrade fit for a captain, the Iskur X Ergonomic Gaming Chair. Whether you’re an established eSports pro, up-and-coming Twitch streamer, or just have a love for the sport, this chair was made for you. The Iskur X is crafted from steel and plush, velvety smooth synthetic leather. And it’s ergonomically designed to keep you in command through hours of intense play. We’ll be going over all the details below, so hit the jump to see if this one-of-a-kind throne can lead you to victory down below.
Expand Expanding Close
NZXT, a leader in the gaming PC scene, just announced its latest motherboard: the N7 Z590. With support for Intel’s latest 10th and 11th Generation Core processors, there’s quite a bit to like about this motherboard. Namely, you’ll find next-generation features like WI-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, and much more here. So, should you use the NZXT N7 Z590 motherboard in your next build? I think so. Keep reading to find out why.
Expand Expanding Close
Today at Computex, NVIDIA announced its latest graphics cards, the RTX 3080 Ti and 3070 Ti. Dubbing the RTX 3080 Ti the new “gaming flagship” of its 30 series lineup, you’ll find that it’s 1.5x faster than the RTX 2080 Ti at 4K gameplay, and the 3070 Ti “supercharges” the company’s most popular 30 series card, as it’s 1.5x faster than the RTX 2070 super. What do these numbers mean, and how easy will it be able to pick up these cards? Well, let’s take a look at the founders editions, as well as third-party board partner cards below.
Expand Expanding Close
After releasing the SN750 and SN850 NVMe SSDs in 2019 and 2020, respectively, WD_BLACK is back with the SN750 SE. This solid-state drive is designed for those on tighter budgets who still want the best performance their computer can muster. So the company made the SN750 SE. This drive is designed using PCIe Gen 4 technology and features up to 3.6GB/s transfer speeds. Remember how we mentioned that these were budget-focused? Well, pricing starts as low as $55, making it an easy buy for any system. So, let’s take a closer look at the SN750 SE as well as the other products that WD_BLACK is launching today.
Expand Expanding Close
Order Now!While ROCCAT may not be as well-known as Logitech G or Blue Microphones, the company has been cranking out reputable computer accessories since it was founded in 2006. The latest offering to join the company’s portfolio is ROCCAT Torch. It’s touted as being a studio-grade microphone with 24-bit audio that’s paired with cardioid, stereo, and whisper pick-up patterns. Users will also benefit from contactless mute, which is activated by lightly waving your hand over the top of this microphone. RGB lighting and boom arm compatibility are a couple of other notable features. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand Expanding Close
Destiny 2 just entered its latest season, which included a little cross-play bug that allowed players on various platforms to join each other’s Fireteams before the official launch in Season 15. Well, that bug was quickly squashed, and we were back to being locked into our own platform for multiplayer. That all changes on May 25, as Bungie aims to launch an official cross-play beta that day to test out the servers in a more prepared capacity. Also, we’ll be entering the Vault of Glass tomorrow, along with other updates in the latest Bungie Destiny 2 blog.
Expand Expanding Close
While we got a glimpse as to what’s to come this summer for The Sims 4, June 1 will be the start of upcoming content for the game. It’s starting with the The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack, which will allow you to become the interior decorator that you’ve always wanted to be. The latest Sims 4 blog was translated from Simlish and is written by Patina Wainscot, an interior designer inside of the Sims 4 game, so let’s take a look at what she has to say.
Expand Expanding Close
NVIDIA’s DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, is available on RTX graphics cards. It’s an AI rendering technology that allows the dedicated Tensor Core AI processors in NVIDIA’s latest graphics cards to boost frame rates while still delivering “beautiful, sharp images” for your games. Well, until now, DLSS has only been available for those who were playing standard games, and not inside of VR, which can arguably be more demanding. That’s officially changed, and NVIDIA gave us a hands-on impression with just what enabling DLSS in VR can do by playing No Man’s Sky. The results? A substantial performance increase across the board, including with the RTX 2060.
Expand Expanding Close
Elite Dangerous: Odyssey is the latest step in Frontier’s long-term vision for the game. We first wrote about it in June of last year, as the expansion that would let players take their first steps off a ship in the game’s history. Well, that update is finally here, and we now have our first trailer to showcase just what Elite Dangerous: Odyssey will consist of.
Expand Expanding Close
Framework is launching its first modular laptop with an unusual method to encourage sustainability. You can get a hold of a couple version of the laptop at varying price levels, but the most affordable one comes without memory, storage, Wi-Fi, or even an OS. This DIY laptop comes unassembled so that you can customize it to your satisfaction. Laymen-friendly tutorials can be found on the frame.work website, as well as those for basic repairs and upgrades. Hoping to spark a trend in the tech industry, you can find out how to cop your own build-a-laptop set and more down below.
Expand Expanding Close
HTC took the world by storm when it launched the original HTC Vive back in 2016 and has come a long way since. We’ve covered the Vive Cosmos, Vive Pro, and more from the company in the past, but it’s time to step it up to the big leagues now once again with the Vive Pro 2. This VR headset aims to deliver “next-level graphics and sound” for a “riveting PC VR” experience. Each eye now has a 2.5K display in front of it for a combined 5K viewing experience, and the field of view has also been increased to 120 degrees. This all combines to create an awe-inspiring experience, so without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the HTC Vive Pro 2.
Expand Expanding Close
Destiny 2 Season 14, Season of the Splicer, launched today. With it comes quite a bit of new content, but there’s one thing that’s working for some that we’ve been waiting for: cross-play. Now, it’s not in full swing, and it doesn’t work in every scenario, but multiple people have reported being able to cross-play with PC and Xbox in Season of the Splicer. This feature wasn’t set to roll out until Season 15, which launches this fall, but it’s awesome to see it already working. So, let’s take a closer look as to why cross-play is seemingly working, as well as the other changes that Destiny 2: Season of the Splicer brings to the table.
Expand Expanding Close
Razer is lifting the veil on its latest and arguably most popular portable gaming machine: the all-new Razer Blade 15 Advanced. Offering improved performance and decked out touchscreen capabilities, the Blade 15 Advanced also touts itself as the thinnest 15-inch RTX gaming laptop available. And lest we forget the unprecedented 360Hz 1080p display, or 4K60 quality for those who favor a lifelike picture quality. We’ll be going in-depth on all this and more, so hit the jump to find out how you can cop this zenith of gaming machinery.
Expand Expanding Close
RAM is a crucial aspect of any desktop, and with more and more cases featuring transparent side panels, how your memory looks is becoming just as important. Because of this, PNY’s latest XLR8 lineup of EPIC-X RGB RAM features a beautiful design as well as high-end specs, like a 4000MHz clock speed.
Expand Expanding Close
Today, MSI is releasing a number of gaming laptops that have some killer features. You’ll find the latest 11th generation Intel processors here alongside RTX 30-series graphics cards, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE, and much more in MSI’s new computers. With a wide range of options available in all budgets, let’s take a look at the latest that MSI has to offer with 11th gen Intel processors and RTX 30-series graphics cards.
Expand Expanding Close
We first heard about Mass Effect: Legendary Edition back in February. With fresh information being released over the past few months, the game is set to launch on console and PC this Friday. Featuring brand-new 4K visuals, enhanced performance, and HDR, there’s quite a bit to explore in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the game and where you can pre-order it.
Expand Expanding Close