reMarkable has made a name for itself in recent years by producing paper tablets that strike a minimalist, clear-minded aesthetic. Unlike a lot of tablets that try to cram as much utility into themselves as possible, reMarkable really distills the notebook experience into a digital device, avoiding pop-ups and notifications wherever possible. The reMarkable 2 was arguably the device that got people talking about this approach, but the brand is now discontinuing it to make way for a new third-generation tablet.

reMarkable has today announced the Paper Pure, which will take its place next to the flagship Paper Pro and the smaller-sized Paper Pro Move. Bundled with its marker, the Paper Pure will begin shipping in early June, starting from $399 / £359 at reMarkable, the most affordable price of the three current-gen devices.

As minimalist as the reMarkable tablets are, they've found a home amongst a few of the gamers and nerds here at GamesRadar+, myself included. I use mine for content creation as a part of my streaming gear for gamers' loadout, but also use it for ideation, notetaking, and more. Elsewhere, we've detailed how these digital notebooks can be massive for keeping track of puzzle games like Blue Prince, or even as a DM's guide for a D&D game or other tabletop activities.

The Paper Pure sticks to the reMarkable 2's black and white display, which sets it apart from the full-color Paper Pro devices. That said, it will see some feature updates from the reMarkable 2, like newly introduced smart tools which will help organise thoughts and files, as well as move them back and forth from a PC or mobile device more smoothly.

“With reMarkable Paper Pure, we challenged ourselves to make the signature reMarkable writing experience more accessible to even more people,” says Mats Herding Solberg.

“Together with reMarkable Paper Pro and reMarkable Paper Pro Move, it completes our transition from reMarkable 2 to a family of third-generation paper tablets. Whether you want a color display, frontlight, and all the other latest technology, or just an excellent digital notebook, there’s a reMarkable Paper tablet for you.”

Rather impressively, one such refinement has been battery life, as the brand reckons the Paper Pure will last an estimated three weeks on a single charge (based on around an hour of notetaking per day). After switching from the reMarkable 2 to the Paper Pro, I definitely noticed a hit to battery life thanks to the brighter, color-filled display.

The Paper Pure will, however, update the reMarkable 2's display to have a backlight and the same advanced texture writing surface as the Pro models, which reacts to pen strokes in just 21 milliseconds. The Paper Pure will also support the same marker and marker Plus as the Pro models.

One common gripe with the reMarkable 2 is that pages turned slowly and required a very specific swiping gesture to move between them. On Paper Pure, reMarkable says pages turn twice as fast, and the display has 20% more contrast.

Launching alongside the Paper Pure are three new Sleeve Folio covers, available in either Ocean Blue, Mist Green, or Desert Pink. Bundled with the covers, a Paper Pure and Marker will set you back $449 at reMarkable.

Launching right as we approach the summer season and an inevitable new round of Prime Day Kindle deals, it will be interesting to see what kinds of discounts Amazon and Kobo put out on their competitor devices. For context, despite its wider use-cases and larger feature set, the Kindle Scribe costs the same $399 at Amazon, or $499 if you opt for the larger 32GB SKU. While the reMarkable isn't designed to be an e-reader, there are a lot of similarities between these tablets and the Kindle Scribe.

My takeaway after hands-on time with both is that if you're looking for the best writing experience possible, opt for the reMarkable. If you actually want to read books on a tablet beyond PDFs and imported comics, then the Kindle Scribe is going to be better for you. Note-taking feels much more paper-like on the reMarkable devices, though.

For more on portable devices check out the best gaming handheld, the best mobile controller, and the best gaming laptop.

To celebrate the release of the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo sadly hasn't unveiled a new Super Mario Galaxy bundle or limited-edition Switch 2. But it's not all doom and gloom.

Nintendo did announce that starting April 12, 2026, it's dropping a rare limited-time offer that takes $20 off the Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 collection on Switch instead. The catch? You have to add a copy of the game and a Nintendo Switch 2 to your online shopping basket. Basically, instead of dropping $69.99 at Best Buy for the game, you'll be spending $49.99 instead, along with the full $449.99 price of the Switch 2. Out of all the deals in the universe, I'd have preferred an exclusive Switch 2 covered in Princess Rosalina's adorable Lumas, but any saving off a game that rarely sees discounts is better than nothing.

This offer is available from April 12 to May 9 at a range of US retailers, including Amazon US, Best Buy, Target, GameStop, and Walmart - all the stores we typically cover here when it comes to best Nintendo Switch bundle deals and discounts. Starting from April 12, you just have to check out with both items in your basket (like the examples from Best Buy I've included above), and you should see $20 taken off your total before you spend all your hard-earned coins.

The neat thing about this official Nintendo offer is that it doesn't just apply to the physical version of the game. If you add the digital version of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Switch available for $69.99 (Best Buy) to your basket along with the handheld come April 12, you'll get that same $20 off. Both the physical and digital versions of the game will still grant you access to the free-to-download Switch 2 upgrade, which comes with improved visuals and allows you to use the Switch 2 Joy-Con mouse controls.

If you've been eager to replay the iconic Wii games since watching the new Super Mario Galaxy Movie, this is one of the best incoming deals, but it's not the only one. If you've already got a Nintendo Switch 2, you can grab just the game for just $54.99 at Woot, saving $15 off its full $69.99 MSRP.

Better yet, you don't have to wait until April 12, as the deal is available right this very moment and will be for 7 more days or until stock runs out. It's not $20 off, but it's pretty close. You will be stuck with a physical copy in this case, so you digital-only fans will have to make do with remembering to pop in the cartridge every time you want to relive the Wii classics. But it's worth it if you want to revisit the Comet Observatory and check in with Rosalina and friends.

• View all Nintendo Switch 2 games at Best Buy
• View all Nintendo Switch 2 accessories at Best Buy

Our guides for the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers are full of accessories that can pair perfectly with your Super Mario Galaxy adventures.

Amazon's Spring Sale is a great time for finding the best Nintendo Switch 2 headsets at a more reasonable price, but the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit was already reasonable to begin with. Its MSRP is only $27.99, which is as budget-friendly as they come for wired headsets, especially ones draped in fancy official Switch 2 colors.

If that's still more than you wanted to fork out on a headset, the Spring Sale has knocked its price down to $19.74 (Amazon) today. That's still strangely not a record-low, as there are still a few cents to go until it reaches its lowest ever price I spotted during last year's holidays. But this is still a great deal, even with that teeny tiny price difference, and a great headset for all your Switch 2 gaming needs.

I love testing the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories that prove that cheap in price doesn't have to mean cheap in quality. The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit is definitely one of those products, as its sound quality is vastly better than its full $27.99 price lets on. I don't want to exaggerate, as this pair of cups doesn't have the mind-blowing sound quality you'd get from the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. However, during my Turtle Beach Airlit Fit review, I found myself using the headset to continue listening to the jazz stylings of the Mario Kart World soundtrack for hours, and it was a delight.

Turtle Beach has packed 40mm Neodymium drivers in each cup. I've tested a fair number of cheaply priced headsets, and that normally means having to deal with plenty of warbling on lower frequencies, and yet these cups never faltered, no matter if I was playing Mario Kart World or experiencing the very busy soundstage of Donkey Kong Bananza.

The microphone isn't that bad either, which is usually where the quality takes a hit with headsets below the $100 price point. Don't get me wrong, it's not broadcast quality, so I don't recommend it for podcast recording or streaming. However, it's ideal for a few hours on GameChat or Discord if you want to chat with your friends. Your voice will have a slight muffling to it, but nothing so egracious that your friends will have trouble making out a word.

If your budget can stretch a little further, I'd recommend most players start with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset, which is down to $89.99 at Amazon thanks to the same Spring Sale. The SteelSeries pair comes in a variety of colors, has a microphone you can detach and set aside, and brings Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, into the picture.

Just remember, this deal price will only be around until March 31, so you'll need to pick it up sooner rather than later.

• View all Nintendo Switch 2 headsets at Amazon
• View all Nintendo Switch 2 Spring Sale deals at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases if you're hunting for even more accessories to suit your budget.

In a move that no one versed in the world of the RAM crisis was shocked by, Sony revealed that the PS5 is getting a price increase. Announced over on its official PlayStation Blog, Isabelle Tomatis, Vice President, Global Marketing, stated that the "continued pressures in the global economic landscape" have resulted in the decision to increase the price of the PS5 Slim, PS5 Pro, and even the PlayStation Plus handheld across the globe.

Both the disc-edition and digital PS5 Slim consoles are increasing by an eye-watering $100. Meanwhile, the already pricey PlayStation 5 Pro is increasing by $150, which means you'll be expected to fork out $899.99 for the privilege of owning the Sony pixel-pusher. The PlayStation Portal wasn't free of these hikes either, and will cost $249.99 in the US when the changes all kick off.

Here's the thing: these prices don't go into effect until April 2. That means you still have a tiny window to grab the PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal at their current prices. So you don't miss out, I've gathered all consoles in one place, so you don't have to scour the internet for the best prices in the limited time you have left.

• View all Sony PlayStation 5 gaming deals at Amazon

If you already have your PS5 locked and loaded, our team has rounded up the best PS5 controllers, the best PS5 headsets, and the best SSDs for PS5 that can give your Sony console a well-deserved boost.

I took a punt on the Newmen GM326 gaming keyboard when I ordered one off Amazon last year. Having spent years testing the latest and greatest decks, I wanted to see how the budget category was faring, outside of your usual Razer and Corsair entry level models. Newmen took me completely by surprise.

This is a $30 gaming keyboard (and that's on a bad day - right now it's down to $23.99 in Amazon's Big Spring Sale), but it's offering a typing experience I would have paid over $100 for just a couple of years ago, with hot-swappable switches, a sturdy build, and dedicated media controls no less.

Considering the last keyboard I reviewed cost $359.99, there's a lot of room for the Newmen GM326 to shine. It's one of the best gaming keyboards I've tested so far for good reason.

The 75% layout keeps primarily controls to hand while still providing a good amount of navigation, but it's the density of this typing feel that surprised me.

Just a couple of years ago a mechanical keyboard at this price would have been rattly, with echoes pinging across the empty case any time I so much as looked at a key. Here, though, each stroke feels well-cushioned and any pings are incredibly difficult to hear. I've caught a few now that I've been running the GM326 for a few more months, but at first listen this could be a far more premium model.

The caps are ABS, and feel a little thinner than the PBT options you'll find elsewhere on the market. They're nicely textured, though, and still feel solid under the hands.

Even those stock 'Red' switches are impressive. Don't go in expecting the creamy thock of a set of clackers that cost more than this keyboard ten times over, but the existing linears avoid the scratchiness I'd expect at this price point, with a nice bounce to them.

Ultimately, if you're looking at this sub-$50 price point you're more likely going to be fending off offers from membrane gaming keyboards. These have typically ruled the roost when it comes to prioritizing a low price and dedicated gaming features over typing feel. The Newmen GM326 makes it nigh-on impossible to recommend a membrane deck in 2026.

• See all gaming keyboard deals at Amazon

I'm reviewing plenty more of the best hot-swappable keyboards on the market, or check out the best wireless gaming keyboards available now.

I know, I know, a handheld should be hand... held. But hear me out here.

I've been using the Razer Joro with my portable setup for just under a year now and if you use your Steam Deck in the same way as me it's an easy recommendation. I love crunching over a handheld system, but one of the biggest benefits of my Asus ROG Ally is its ability to plug in wherever I find myself. With one of the best Steam Deck docks in-hand, I'm playing on the big and small screen - Switch style.

That's where the Razer Joro comes in. It's a super slimline, lightweight Bluetooth keyboard that keeps a fantastic connection with handheld systems. It takes up practically no space in a backpack, feels great under the fingertips, and allows me to play Planet Coaster without smashing my head against the wall. It's also just dropped below $100 in Amazon's Spring Sale.

The Razer Joro isn't going to suit anyone looking for a heavy-duty writing keyboard. Its low profile keys feel fantastic for gaming, but I found fatigue can set in during longer sessions in my review. Still, as a Bluetooth Steam Deck companion there's nothing else quite like it.

The 65% layout keeps things compact while Razer's scissor switches make sure key action is springy and energetic. That's a far cry from the portable keyboards I used to hook up to my iPad, there's absolutely no sponge to this experience.

That lack of 2.4GHz connection isn't going to put any of the best gaming keyboards out of their positions on your main PC setup, but with a long-lasting battery and easy Bluetooth switching the Joro is a unique proposition for handheld power-users.

Mine normally lives in a backpack, pulled out with an HDMI cable and dock whenever I'm on the road with my Asus ROG Ally. I'm not a competitive player, but being able to tick through strategy and simulation games with a keyboard to hand whenever I need it is a massive benefit. Paired up with a cheap and cheerful mouse, like the Logitech G305 Lightspeed (now $29.99 at Amazon), it's a full setup on wheels.

• See all gaming keyboard deals at Amazon
• View the full Big Spring Sale at Amazon

We're also hunting down all the best Steam Deck accessories, but for more typing options check out the rest of the best wireless gaming keyboards and best hot-swappable keyboards I've tested.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless has still not been topped for its massive battery life. Sure, fellow best gaming headsets alum like SteelSeries' Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has hot-swappable battery tech, but you still won't find another wireless headset that manages to provide up to 300 hours of playback.

That comes with at a $199.99 premium during a normal day, but today's not a normal day. Today's the start of Amazon's Spring Sale, which means you can now get that unrivaled battery power for $119.99 (Amazon) instead. That saves you $80 to save for a rainy day, and gets you access to not just one of the best headsets with the best battery life, but a wireless pair that's equipped with 2.4GHz, spatial audio, and compatibility with everything from the PS5 to the PC.

In our HyperX Alpha Cloud Wireless review, we noted that the battery "is powered by magic, witchcraft, and the mysteries of the universe" and so far no other headset has managed to rival it. You can grab the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless instead, which has hot-swappable batteries, but you'll still have to remember to switch them out after around 22 hours.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha is a better pick for those who hate remembering to charge their tech and just want to get on gaming. While it's a wireless headset, it doesn't have any Bluetooth support, which is a bit of a bummer. It's fine for use with the PC or PS5, and you just need to pop in the 2.4GHz wireless dongle, and you're good to go. However, if you're looking for a headset for your Nintendo Switch 2, you will need to use this in docked mode or have an adapter at hand.

It's a bit unusual for wireless headsets to have 2.4GHz wireless support and not Bluetooth in tow, but it's easy to look past that when you remember its shockingly good battery life. The pair also sounds fantastic, which is what really matters. In our review, Rob Dwiar noted that the pair "excelled" no matter what was being played and that " every detail was presented beautifully." That's likely thanks to its HyperX Dual Chamber audio drivers, which keep the low, mid, and high frequencies tuned separately to avoid any distortion or warbling.

If you're after a great-sounding wireless headset, only need 2.4GHz, and absolutely hate remembering to charge your tech, this HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless deal is worth grabbing. Just remember, you have until March 31 before it and the rest of Amazon's Spring Sale deals disappear for good.

• View all gaming headset deals at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best PS5 headset, the best Xbox Series X headset, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 headset if the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless doesn't sound like the right pick for you.

Don't talk to me about the cable management trenches, I've been fighting that battle for years.

After about six setup revisions, two house moves, and a laundry list of accessory additions, I think I have it sussed. A bit of high-strength tape here, a few cable ties there and I've just cleared those cables for the last time. It took a lot of trial and error to get here, though, so I'm rounding up everything I use to keep the wires at bay - so you can skip the Amazon tat and get straight to the stuff that will actually make a difference.

Best cable management accessories

There's a mix of cheap and premium in here, but the more expensive kit like the Razer USB 4 dock is more of a nice-to-have. It will certainly go a long way to keeping a laptop setup cable-free, and can easily stick to the underside of a desk to keep the top clear, but for a PC setup or one without a bunch of extra kit it's not a must-have. Plus, there are cheaper docks from brands like Ugreen that will get you a similar result for less.

The easiest wins are going to come from that organizer tray, Gorilla tape, and reusable cable ties.

Unlike many product pictures would suggest, I wouldn't recommend this tray for your power strips. That's where the adhesive tape comes in. I've had my surge-protected power strip mounted to the underside of my desk for about a year now, and it does wonders for the overall look. Cable boxes are alright, but the ones I've tried tend to overflow pretty quickly, looking just as messy as the cords they're meant to hide.

There's also a finite space for larger plug adapters and battery packs in there. Note: If you aren't mounting your power strip, it's worth looking into cable trunking. I've had good results running these covers across skirting boards to keep longer wires contained when my setup hasn't been right next to an outlet.

I've also got a standing desk, so keeping all my plug points on the top itself is all the more important.

Instead, I recommend using a cable tray for streamlining wire placement and keeping battery packs supported. I've got four adapters in my setup right now; my monitor, laptop, Razer Laptop Cooling Pad, and the aforementioned USB 4 dock. Lined up in a row, nothing has to sit on the floor and everything still stays untangled for easy removal.

Cable management masters use the shortest cables possible to avoid hanging wires. That's not always possible, though, which is where reusable cable ties come in.

These are shipped in bulk, but you really will need more than you think. Use them to bundle up cables running in the same direction, to form one, simpler, mega-cable, or to coil overly-long wires that will otherwise drop under the desk. Just be sure not to wrap them too tightly if you're bending those cables.

Those three are going to get 90% of the job done pretty quickly, you've got your power adapter away from the floor and closer to your cable tray for easy storage, and ties are bunching up cables to avoid dropping or tangling.

To really push things a little further, and especially with a desk-mounted hub in play, I use a whole bunch of cable clips. Again, these come in bulk but don't underestimate how useful they are. I use them to train wires to their destination, keeping everything pinned to the underside of the desk rather than leaving them to hang before they eventually plug in.

These shouldn't be confused with larger cable clips (the magnetic ones listed above). While smaller, single-cord clips are best used for directing traffic, I use these cord holders above deck. They hold things like phone chargers and a spare USB-C cable - cords I want access to throughout the day, but don't need to be plugged into anything specific. Clipping them to the side of the desk means I can keep their cords tidy underneath, but still keep them close to hand.

Finally, and this is purely aesthetic. I've had mixed results with cord protectors in the past. The fabric / zip format I'm currently using isn't the best, slipping down the wires and proving difficult for removing one cord at a time. Instead, I'd recommend a curled design like the one listed above. It's going to hide your cables, keep everything bunched up nice and tight, and look a little more streamlined overall.

For a full setup renovation, check out the best gaming desks and best gaming chairs, or take a look at the best gaming monitors for more.

The Belkin Charging Case remained at the top spot of our best Switch 2 cases guide for months as it helped fight back against my biggest issue with the handheld - its awful battery life. The interior of the case is hollowed out to fit an integrated 10,000mAh powerbank, which lets you charge up your Switch 2 between gaming sessions, and I was obsessed until the new "Pro" model came around.

This new version transforms the powerbank into a charging display stand, but that design change comes at a $99.99 MSRP. That's why I was happy to see the older Belkin Charging Case down to $59.49 at Amazon today. The Spring Sale has knocked $10 of, making its price even more appetizing when compared to the almost $100 you have to fork out for its new model. In the end, you will miss out on the powerbank and display stand combo, but this case is still equipped to charge your Switch 2 while you're on the go.

The Belkin Charging Case might not be quite as fancy as the Belkin Charging Case Pro, but the differences aren't that major. The older case still includes that 10,000mAh powerbank, and the bottom of the case is moulded so that it can store it, and safely place your handheld on top without issue. When I originally reviewed the case last year, I was a bit worried that this would cause any overheating issues, but my Switch 2 remained entirely fine for the many, many months I used this case.

Belkin even cleverly made room for the small USB-C charging cable to hook up to the bottom charging port of the handheld, so you can fully zip up this case and still have it charging. It might not sound like a big deal, but in practice, this was a lifesaver. Before this case, I could maybe get 3-4 hours of games like Donkey Kong Bananza or Mario Kart World, but being able to ensure it's charging the moment I take a break has almost doubled my playtime.

Outside of its charging powers, this clamshell design is packed with ample amounts of storage too. There's a flap in the center which protects your shiny 7.9-inch LCD display from damage and features pockets to store up to 12 physical games. There's also an accessories pocket, and inside you can find a small hidden pocket designed to store an Apple AirTag so you can keep track of your pricey tech.

I'm not an Apple tech kinda girl, so I haven't taken advantage of this feature quite yet. But I take my Switch 2 pretty much everywhere, so it's more than convinced me to grab one the next time I plan to get on a plane.

All these features come at a cost, and that's its size. This is a bulky case, and not very travel-friendly - especially if you're a fan of those mini-backpacks. I need a separate tote or messenger bag to bring this along, but I put up with it as it means I can get that extra battery power.

This is the same situation for the Belkin Charging Case Pro. The $99.99 (Amazon) case is just a lot easier to use as the powerbank is built into the bottom of the case, and can be taken out and used as a display stand. However, it's almost $100, and the Belkin Charging Case is down to $59.49 during the Spring Sale, which your savings will appreciate far more.

• View all Nintendo Switch 2 deals at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers if you're looking to complete your new Ninty gaming setup.

The BenQ X3100i has long reigned over the PS5 projector world, but its $2,000+ MSRP has never shifted into the next price bracket. Amazon's just changed all that, though, dropping the 4K thrower down to its lowest rate yet.

The best projector for gaming is now down to $1,799 on these shelves, an impressive $600 discount from its original $2,399 starting position. I've been watching this one for a while now, it never drops below $2,199. Not only is this the cheapest the X3100i has been, it's also $400 off the previous record. Excellent news for anyone building a PS5 setup for the even-bigger screen this Spring.

I called this thrower a "gamer's best friend" in my BenQ X3100i review, a 4K image that absolutely glows with anything from the muddy browns of Assassin's Creed: Mirage to the vibrant worlds of Astro Bot. It's my go-to pairing with the PS5, offering low-latency UHD resolutions at far faster speeds than more streaming-focused models.

Setup is a little more involved than most cheap lifestyle projectors. Automatic keystoning is going to give you an easy-out for that initial picture angling, though it does drop the image quality. To get the best picture I'd recommend spending some time digging around the menus yourself, but there are also physical zoom and focus dials for easy manual control and a handy lens shift option for trickier placements.

You won't need to turn those picture dials too much if you don't want to, though. I found picture quality to be pretty excellent straight out of the box.

Speed is the key measure here, though. The BenQ W4100i (currently $2,799 at Amazon) will offer up slightly better color impact but drops your latencies down to 13ms in 1080p and 17.9ms in 4K. The X3100i sneaks into the lead at 4.2ms FHD and 16.7ms UHD. Those are some of the fastest speeds I've tested in the world of gaming projectors.

Competitive players will still need to drop their resolution to get the lowest latencies possible, but for all-round gameplay the BenQ X3100i feels light, zippy, and reactive. You won't find that on more streaming-focused devices.

• See all projector deals at Amazon
• See the full Spring Sale at Amazon

You'll find plenty more of the best projectors for PS5 elsewhere, or check out the best gaming TVs and best gaming monitors for something a little smaller.

A case is the first thing I bug my friends to buy each time one of them has made a Switch 2-sized investment. Yet, not every one of them has wanted a clamshell case that you can carry around. Often, they've asked me for something like the Fastsnail Switch 2 Protective Case, which slots onto the handheld and adds everything from some comfortable Joy-Con grips to physical game storage.

The Fastsnail case is my go-to recommendation to friends, as it normally costs just $26.99, which feels more than reasonable for what you get. However, it's now down to $21.59 at Amazon for a limited time. It was cheap enough already, but this limited-time deal marks one of my favorite Switch 2 cases down to the lowest I've ever seen it cost with my own two eyes. If you want a case that wraps around your device and don't fancy the high costs of alternatives like Dbrand Killswitch, I'd jump on this saving while it lasts.

Should you buy the Fastsnail Switch 2 Protective Case?

One of the earliest Switch 2 accessories I tested was the Dbrand Killswitch case. Instead of a typical clamshell design, it consisted of parts that wrap around the handheld to make it more comfortable to hold over long periods of time. I really enjoyed my time with it, but it wasn't cheap at $79.99 (Best Buy), and that's exactly why I recommend the Fastsnail Switch 2 in its stead.

The Fastsnail Switch 2 Protective case is a far more budget-friendly alternative. It consists of three pieces in total. One piece wraps around the 7.9-inch display and protects the back from scratches and damage, all the while keeping the kickstand intact. The second is a pair of grips that you place over the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers. This was my favorite aspect of the case during testing, as it helped alleviate the usual pins and needles sensations I get from prolonged Nintendo game playing.

Lastly, there's a screen cover that attaches to the front and keeps the LCD display from general wear and tear. On the inside, it contains foam pockets to store up to 12 physical games, and the front showcases a minimal yet sleek sci-fi design, which is pretty funky. The best thing about this case, when you put all the parts together, is that it's entirely dock-friendly, something the original Dbrand Killswitch couldn't manage without an adapter.

While I'm a big fan of the case, it's not perfect. The bulk added to the handheld renders the volume buttons harder to press, which isn't fun. If you have any mobility issues or are prone to joint aches and pains, I'd maybe stick to grabbing the Belkin Carrying Case for $25.49 at Amazon, or other clamshell travel cases instead.

You can adjust the Switch 2's volume by pressing and holding down the 'Home Button' as an alternative, at least. If you're okay with that, or the added force it'll take pressing the physical buttons, the Fastsnail Switch 2 case is down to this record low for 14 more hours as of typing up these very words.

• View all Fastsnail Switch 2 accessories at Amazon
• View all Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras if you're looking for even more Ninty accessories.

The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless is going to be an RGB-head's dream and a migraine sufferer's worst nightmare. If you find yourself in the former camp, though, just know that this blindingly bright gamepad managed to sway our reviewer, an LED hater, so much so he awarded it five out of five stars at review.

That was back in January last year, and the Fusion Pro has only just sailed down below $100 for the first time. Amazon has dropped the best Xbox Series X controller we've tested from a value standpoint down to $99.98, shedding $70 from its original $169.99 launch price.

In our PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless review, we said this gamepad "truly does live up to the pro nametag and does so at a very approachable price that undercuts some of its biggest competition."

To nab the four back buttons (most only offer two), three-way trigger locks, and wireless dongle connection, you'd usually be paying around $180 (for the Victrix Pro BFG Xbox Edition) or $200 (for the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited). Even at its starting price, the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless is fending off far more premium competition, and we're $70 below that position right now.

The Fusion Pro Wireless goes beyond even those more expensive options, though, with a charging dock included in the box and an "incredibly comfortable" form factor. A textured plastic coats the main grips, providing extra support around the rear, while the sticks themselves hold a nice tension while also being height-adjustable with just a simple twist.

Onto the real good stuff, though. Underneath the main shell, this thing is basically a whole army of LEDs ready to glow at will. Lights erupt from the main chassis across six settings, undercut by the swirls of the main pattern up top. It was enough to turn Fraser into an RGB-eliever, so even if you're not a fan of blinking lights, it's worth seeing it in action.

Competitive players will need to note that we found a little latency popping into gameplay on occasion. We found a slight delay while navigating menus, with Black Ops 6 and Star Wars Outlaws sometimes bearing the brunt as well. This was rare in our testing, though, and only popped up when using the Xbox's quick resume feature. Unless you're at the very top of your game, we're still happy to recommend.

Alternatively, if you're looking for an even cheaper controller and you're not interested in the RGB or Xbox compatibility, the PowerA OPS V3 gives you all the same functionality as the Fusion Pro at an even lower price. Right now, you can bag it at Amazon for $59.99. Either will work great, but if you're only looking for a PC controller, you might be able to save yourself some money by opting for the OPS V3.

• See all Xbox controller deals at Amazon

We're also hunting down all the best PC controllers and the best PS5 controllers on the market. For something more Ninty flavored, check out the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers available now.

It's always a little embarrassing when a retailer beats a brand on its own prices. That's exactly what's happening this week, though, and on the best gaming laptop I've tested so far, no less.

The HP Omen Max 16 is down to $2,449.99 at Best Buy this week, a $400 discount on the $2,849.99 MSRP for the RTX 5080 configuration. The only problem for HP is that its own web store currently has a $2,799.99 sales price on the exact same spec. Over there, the brand is touting a $1,000 saving pretty proudly - but it's far from the best deal on the web.

Best Buy is obviously the way to go if you're in the market for a high-end gaming laptop this week. Is the HP Omen Max 16 right for you though?

I tested this exact spec on review, and it easily took out the competition, even putting the (admittedly slimmer) RTX 5090 Razer Blade 16 on blast. That GPU gets revved up with 175W TDP, giving it plenty of space to handle more demanding games without breaking a sweat. It's a dark horse in this race, with a relatively slimline chassis, fantastic display (even at this IPS level), and a gorgeous design all propping up that excellent performance.

You'll be running Cyberpunk 2077 in top settings at full resolution without even nearing that 60fps threshold. I was at a solid 70fps in my testing under these conditions, with lighter games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider nearing 200fps.

The HP Omen Max 16 has been at the top of my gaming laptop recommendation list since it launched, and so far, very few gaming laptops have come close to knocking it off the top spot. If you're looking to sink some cash into a future-proofed system that can run all of today's games no problem, this is absolutely where I'd be looking first.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

Checking out the competition? I'm also reviewing all the best Alienware laptops and best Asus gaming laptops. Or, for more slimline options check out the best Razer laptops on the market.

PS Direct is currently listing an "exclusive" Turtle Beach accessory bundle. At a quick glance, it appears to be a combo of two high-quality PS5 accessories and two of our team's favorites to boot. But on a second look, it's not really the deal it makes itself out to be.

The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded Wireless Modular Controller & Atlas 200 Wired Headset Bundle isn't awful. You're getting one of the best PS5 headsets and a revised version of one of the best PS5 controllers together, but it's the cost that's not worth the effort.
The US PS Direct store has the bundle listed for $249.99 (PS Direct), which would be a deal on an average day. The Victrix Pro BFG has a $209.99 MSRP, and when combined with the $59.99 MSRP of the Atlas 200, there's a saving of $19.99 here. Yet, thanks to Amazon and this cheeky controller deal, you're better off ignoring this bundle and grabbing them separately to save the most cash.

The Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded Wireless controller is down to just $169.99 at Amazon, saving you $40 off its full price. When combined with the $59.99 MSRP of the Atlas 200 headset, that total only takes you up to $229.98, a saving of $20 off the PS Direct bundle. If you want to save cash today, you're far better off grabbing both accessories separately, especially if you're a Prime member and have free shipping to take advantage of.

If you do, you're in for a treat. The Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PS5 is one of my favorite budget headsets I've tested to date. Its microphone is pretty subpar and will make your voice sound like that muffled plane announcer quality, but the audio is anything but. During my initial testing, I was amazed at how the sound felt almost on par with alternatives like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless, which are more than double its cost. That's because the 50mm Nanoclear audio drivers are great at bringing balance to low, mid, and high frequencies, and there's Tempest 3D AudioTech support that brings games to life.

I tested the pair with the indie horror Still Wakes the Deep, and the creepy muttering of the monsters was so crystal clear that there were moments where it felt like they were in the room with me. The only downside besides its muddying mic, is that this is a wired pair, so you will have to be happy with popping it into the 3.5mm port of your DualSense controller. But luckily, there's one included on the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded controller too.

This controller is essentially a re-release of the Victrix Pro BFG, one of our hardware team's Duncan Robertson's favorite PS5 pads. The original version, which Duncan heralded for its modular design, allows you to swap out the facial components to your liking and was available for $179.99. It's been prone to discounts over the years, and normally, I'd suggest grabbing it over the "Reloaded" version, but it has shot up to $199.99 in price at retailers like Amazon today, perhaps due to dwindling stock.

Instead, you can grab the Reloaded version for $10 less than the previous model's MSRP, and get yourself some new Hall effect modules in the process. These were sold separately for the older model, but come packaged with this new iteration in all three of the provided modules that you get right in the box.

If you had your eyes on that PS Direct bundle, grabbing both it and the Atlas 200 headset separately on Amazon is the cheaper option today. If you've ever wanted proof that you're best always double-checking the actual value of gaming bundles, let this PS Direct "exclusive" bundle be it.

• View all PS5 controller deals at Amazon
• View all PS5 headset deals at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best SSDs for PS5, the best PS5 external hard drives, and the best monitors for PS5 if you're looking to complete your Sony gaming setup.

To skirt around the inflated costs of configuring DDR5 gaming PCs at the moment, a lot of brands that make prebuilt machines are selling you short. If you shop around for an RTX 5060 gaming PC at Newegg, which is typically the best pound-for-pound e-tailer when it comes to deal prices, you'll find machines that cost $200-300 more than they would have six months ago. Not only that, but they'll house DDR4 RAM inside them. Not what you want if you're shopping for the best gaming PC possible for your budget.

I'm so impressed with Asus though, because the brand is bucking that trend and offering gamers some actual value in a time of crisis. Thanks to Best Buy's Tech Fest sale, an Asus ROG G700 Gaming Desktop is seeing a saving of $200, which brings a machine with 16GB of DDR5 down to a "normal" discount price of $999.99 at Best Buy. It's almost like the RAMpocalypse isn't even happening.

If you're finding yourself asking, "What's the RAMpocalypse?", let me fill you in. AI data centers are being built all over the world right now, and in order for them to work, they need a whole lot of computing memory. That means we consumers have no supply of DDR5 to build our own computers with, and prices on all sorts of technology are going through the roof.

In terms of shopping around for a prebuilt gaming PC, that basically means you've picked the worst possible time. Prices have shot up, and as I've said, a lot of brands are resorting to selling you what they can, rather than what you should expect for your money these days.

Asus, for whatever reason, isn't joining in on that. Before the RAM shortages started, I was seeing all sorts of gaming PCs that are a 1:1 match with the G700 above on specs, going for $999.99 after getting a discount. In fact, if you bought from a budget brand, or one of the store-owned configurators like Newegg's ABS machines, you could probably get an entry-level machine for even cheaper, around $899.

But as for the well-known brands like HP, Acer, Lenovo, and Asus, their rigs would only ever tend to reach this kind of price. So yes, while you might pay for a better-known logo on the front of your PC case here, you're still getting a genuine deal over a lot of those budget brands that are now offering DDR4 systems with up-to-date graphics cards for the same money.

In all likelihood, this deal from Asus is due to the fact that its stock of these machines was already pulled together before prices skyrocketed, and we're still seeing the tail end of its supply being sold off at an appropriate cost. Either that, or it really is a treat to celebrate Best Buy's Tech Fest sale. Whatever the reason, this is a really good price to pay for a properly futureproofed machine at the moment, and I wouldn't expect to see many PC building brands offer "normal" costs like this all too often in the coming years.

The reason this is a good deal is that you actually get DDR5 RAM in your PC, but not only that, if you opt for a DDR4 system right now, you'll be locked into DDR4 memory for the rest of that PC's life. DDR4 memory isn't compatible with DDR5 motherboards, and vice versa. Grabbing a PC that has DDR5 in it, even if it's only 16GB for now, means you'll be set up for the future. This particular G700 from Asus also has an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor in it, meaning you'll have room to upgrade it later with another Intel Core Ultra processor from that generation, or one from the incoming Intel Core Ultra 200 Plus range.

See also the best gaming PCs in the UK, the best CPU for gaming, and the best computer speakers.

The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit wired headset is instantly what comes to mind when friends, and friends who are parents, ask for a cheap-but-not-bad Switch 2 headset recommendation. It launched for just $27.99, which is shockingly affordable for a gaming accessory in the age where the cost of everything is on the up and up.

With a price that low, you can bet I was even more joyous to see it drop down to $19.99 at Amazon today. It's just an $8 difference, and if any of the other best Nintendo Switch 2 headsets were discounted by just that much, I'd not bother typing up a whole spiel about it. Yet that small $8 makes the pair of cups just cents away from a record low price, and cheaper than the average cost I spent putting together my lunch today.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit wired headset in 2026?

I'll be blunt: a fancy Switch 2 headset this is not. It's essentially a low-cost wired option for those who don't have the means to fork out a lot on an accessory alone. Or, for those who want a headset for their kids without the fear that they're going to break one of the best gaming headsets that'll be expensive to replace.

It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless, which I'd recommend for those who can spare a little extra cash. It has a wired connection which you hook up to the handheld's 3.5mm port, a flip-to-mute microphone, and two sets of earcups where the music comes from. But really, that's all you need if you just want to chill back and listen to the roaring engines of your kart in Mario Kart World, or the chill and dulcet soundtrack of Pokemon Pokopia.

Yet in 2026, it's well worth today's $19.99 deal price, and even its full price. The audio quality is pretty great, and the jersey knit-covering ear cushions are amply padded and perfectly comfortable. They're a little rounded, so they're going to better suit smaller ears (like that of any little Nintendo fans in your life), but I never had any strain or huge discomfort during any moment I tested these cups. The microphone isn't ideal, and is better left muted unless you want to subject friends to a muffled plane-like announcer's voice. But for single-player Nintendo fans, a little goes a long way with this pair.

If the Switch 2-themed design of the headset isn't quite your thing, you might want to hold off until March 30, 2026. On the day, Turtle Beach is releasing a special 'Mario Star' version of the headset, which features some classic Yoichi Kotabe Mario art on the earcups.

It's available to pre-order for $27.99 at Amazon right this very moment, and I have to say I much prefer its design. Its chassis is made up of a semi-translucent plastic, which reminds me of the transparent Game Boy Color and N64 designs of my childhood. It's essentially the exact same headset, though, so while it looks fundamentally cooler, all your Switch 2 games are going to sound the same whether they come from it or the model included in today's limited edition deal above.

• View all early Spring Sale gaming deals at Amazon
• View all Switch 2 headsets at Amazon

Our hardware team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers if you're after more budget-friendly accessories.

Alright, I'm gonna level with you. It's bleak out there. Buying the best RAM for gaming will cost you an absolute fortune right now, but it is Memorial Day weekend, which means that there are lots of sales and offers running right now. Obviously, it's hard to really call RAM deals discounts right now, seeing as they're still a massive markup over original prices. That said, they might help you get some new DDR5 memory a bit cheaper than you would otherwise in 2026.

We have big AI companies to thank for inflated RAM costs and memory shortages in all sorts of technology. But I'm here to do my part to try and help. On this page, you'll find the best RAM deals I can find from week to week. For starters, the best deals I can find in Memorial Day sales are these...

The best RAM deals this Memorial Day

But I'm no fool. I know that when you're upgrading parts inside your PC, you might not want the absolute cheapest memory kit you can find just now. That's why I'm filtering through some of the RAM I've had hands-on experience with down below to try and find the best possible value for money. That way, you're getting great memory for your gaming PC, but you have some assurance that what you're spending money on will be worth it.

Again, let me reiterate that I believe only given people should really be thinking about upgrading at this point in time. If you want to know when to upgrade your RAM, click the linked text and see if that clarifies anything.

T-Force Delta RGB DDR5

My favorite budget DDR5 kit is seeing an offer at Newegg right now, and you don't need to drop to 16GB for it either. Fair warning, this is still extremely expensive, but it's the cheapest I can find 32GB of T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 online. I have plenty of hands-on time with this RAM in my own machines and in prebuilt gaming PCs I've tested, so I can attest that it punches above its often budget price when gaming.

Crucial DDR5 Pro

If you're looking for plain and simple, no-nonsense RAM, this kit of Crucial DDR5 Pro RAM is my go-to recommendation, but it's getting harder to find since Crucial, as a brand, was brushed to the side by Micron. In some instances, you may find that means it's cheaper, but as supply continues to get sold, it'll get more expensive.

Klevv Cras XR5 RGB DDR5

My favorite RAM for gaming is Klevv's Cras XR5 RGB DDR5, but it's getting harder to find at the moment too, and not just due to stock shortages, but because it's slightly older, and it's been supplanted by a newer version. I haven't been able to go hands-on with the updated Cras V yet, but you can find it listed at Amazon, currently at a discounted price.

Kingston Fury Beast DDR5

The most recent kit of memory (that I had been keen to test out for a while) is a bit of a mainstay of the market. While I didn't review it on its own, I did test and benchmark it as a component within the Quoted Tech Horizon Custom Build that I reviewed. This isn't the best RAM for overclocking, but it's reliable nonetheless. Be aware that if you're shopping around for this kit that the DDR4 Kit comes under the same name and looks eerily similar, so ensure you buy the right type of memory for your build.

If you're not happy with those options, or you've found that stock has run out of any of the deals above, I've added our price comparison software below this to automatically pull through the best deals in your region for the DDR5 RAM I've reviewed and would recommend.

For more on the best gaming PCs, check out the best CPUs for gaming, and the best graphics cards.

Grim news about graphics cards keeps getting grimmer, and experts are predicting that they’re only going to get more expensive through 2026. Bad news for anyone wanting or needing to buy a new one – including me.

I’ve started to bump up against a few games that my RTX GeForce 3060 Ti struggles with, and more and more recently I’ve had to turn off certain features or bump down the resolution to have a good time. But with rising prices, buying one of the latest contenders for the best graphics card title just isn’t worth it right now.

Instead, I’ve been perfecting some techniques to keep my graphics card ticking along for longer, and maybe they’ll help you too while we wait for prices to become a little more reasonable.

Keepin’ it clean

My first tip is the most hands-on, but it’s something that you should be doing frequently, not just when postponing buying a new one. This is, as you’ve probably guessed, GPU maintenance.

If you’ve owned and used your GPU a while, you’ll definitely notice the benefits of cleaning your graphics card. It’ll keep it ticking longer, stop it from overheating and ensure you’re getting peak performance for as long as possible.

Thankfully, keeping your GPU cleaned is a pretty easy task: you don’t need to take it to a professional or stick it in the dishwasher.

Instead, it’s recommended that you remove the graphics card and use compressed air to blow away any dust that’s gathering on it; both from the card, its ports and its connectors. Remember the rules from when you built your PC; don’t do anything that could release static, get it wet or damage it physically.

Keeping it cool

One of the benefits of cleaning your GPU is that you’ll keep it cool, but that’s so important that it’s worth dedicating a whole section to it.

A hot graphics card will impact your moment-to-moment gaming in a few ways, but it could also cause damage in the long run. Sustained heat increases the failure rate of a GPU, and you really don’t want your trusty card giving up the ghost when prices are so high.

Any PC gamer has already heard the benefits and strategies of rig cooling: cases that increase airflow, water-cooling cards and top-tier fans are all recommended readily. But there are some simpler and easier-to-overlook ways to keep your PC cool. Turning it off when not in use instead of leaving it on standby is an easy one, and smart placement in your set-up is another: don’t put your computer right by a radiator, warm lamp or other heat-generating gadget, or in direct sunlight.

This is where I get to reiterate my cleaning advice: dust can affect temperature too. Not just on your GPU itself, but inside and under the case body.

Finding the right games

There’s no two ways about it: an old GPU won’t handle newer games like a more modern component. My strategy to address this is simple: lean into it.

I’m using my graphics card’s ‘golden years’ to catch up on loads of older games that I let pass me by; GOG has been enjoying a lot more of my money than usual, and I’ve been enjoying games that’ve been untouched on my Steam list for 10+ years.

We’ve already got a guide to the best classic PC games to enjoy, and none of them are going to need an RTX 50 or equivalent GPU to run. They’re all just as, if not more, fun than the newest fare.

If you like keeping up-to-date with the latest games, there are options available. I’m often surprised just how far you can reduce the graphics settings in modern titles to make them somewhat playable; if you don’t mind your Triple-A title looking like Roblox, you can get away with a lot. Although personally, I’m saving these for when I finally get a new GPU.

• See all GPU deals at Newegg

We're also rounding up all the best gaming PCs for a prebuilt overhaul, and checking out the best gaming laptops and best gaming handhelds for something more portable.

One of the most popular items every Cyber Monday is iPads, with even the smallest percentage discount on these expensive tablets saving you loads of money. But as we enter the final day of these annual sales, time is ticking down on the discounts, and so it's time to take stock of what's left.

Loads of earlier iPad deals I've seen have sold out, or worse: risen slightly in price so they still seem like a discount but aren't as good as they were. Plus, on the best-discounted iPads, certain color options and storage sizes are rapidly going out of stock even if some items still remain.

But there are still some really great iPad deals out there, so with only a few hours left of Cyber Monday in which to grab a bargain, let me run through you my favorite discounts. These run the gamut from cheap to pricey iPad, as I've tried to choose from a spectrum, and many of the retailers I've picked still have tablets for a tiny bit less than the competition...

Once you've bought an iPad, it's worth continuing this momentum while the sales are still on; it's definitely worth buying a cover, and possible also perhaps a stylus and/or keyboard folio too:

• See all Cyber Monday deals at Amazon
• See more Cyber Monday iPad deals at Amazon

If you don't know which iPad or alternative to pick up, these are the best gaming tablets we recommend. We've also found all the Cyber Monday gaming deals you need to know about, so you can save money where it matters.

I've gamed on all kind of tablets, including meaty iPad Pros and giant Android tablets. But honestly, if you're on a budget, the entry-level iPad is an affordable powerhouse — and a fantastic Black Friday iPad deal has brought the newest-gen model down to its lowest-ever price.

The Apple iPad A16, which launched earlier this year, can be found for just $274 at Amazon, marking $75 or 21% off its MSRP. That's a great price on tech that isn't very old, and the savings extend to the cell models as well as various storage sizes. Even the much-pricier 512GB model has a $70 saving, for example, and these all mark the best Black Friday iPad deals of the year.

To give you a quick run-down of the tablet's specs, it has an Apple A16 chipset as well as an 11-inch Liquid Retina display. The front and back cameras are both 12MP, and the tablet has Touch ID built into the power button. Like all of Apple's new tablets, it uses the modern thin-bezel design. Accessories like a keyboard folio or stylus don't come included.

The base model, which I've covered in the deal, has 128GB storage. That's enough for a light entertainment device, for watching Netflix or Apple TV Plus, but may not be enough for gamers, students or business users. The 256GB and 512GB models provide you more space but while they are on offer too, the prices are still higher.

Should you buy the iPad for gaming?

I really rate the iPad for gaming.

Partly, that's because it provides you access to Apple Arcade, the company's games hub which provides you access to quite a few great mobile games. There are over 200 titles and some of my personal picks include Slay The Spire, Balatro, Really Bad Chess and What The Golf?.

This is a paid additional subscription but new purchases of Apple tech generally include a free trial, which you can use to test out the platform.

Beyond that, there are plenty of great games on iPad and the A16 can handle them all. I have a different, slightly weaker iPad and I still easily get stuck into games like Mechanicus, Lego Star Wars, Minecraft, Tropico and several Total War titles. My particular Achilles' Heel is XCOM 2, and I find myself getting stuck into a new playthrough every few months.

Most of those games are PC or console games which have been ported over to iPad, and that's mainly my preference so I can enjoy PC games on the go, but there are plenty of other titles built for the mobile experience too.

If this has won you over to team iPad gaming, then this deal is really worth jumping on. I'd only advise avoiding it if you need a more powerful slate for work or your other hobbies, but there are deals on those too:

• See all Black Friday deals at Amazon
• More iPad deals at Amazon
• iPad A16 (128GB) | $349 $274 at Amazon

We've got an overall page on the best Black Friday gaming deals for you to peruse, as well as pages on Black Friday iPad deals that are already live, and also Black Friday retro deals.

There are two types of people in this world: folks who need an L-shaped desk, and those who don't. I am absolutely on the side of reason, in that I've had an L-shaped desk for close to a decade now, and I would never go back to not having a corner in my workspace. For some reason, these slightly quirky worktops can set you back a small fortune compared to some of the other best gaming desks.

While I was hunting down some last-minute Prime Day deals to recommend though, I stumbled across the desk I use every single day, and as luck would have it, it's in the discount aisle. I know, I know, who on earth buys a desk as a last-minute deal in a two-day sale? Call me crazy, but I feel I need to let the world know about how good this desk is for its current asking price of $279.99 at Amazon.

Even if you can't make use of the discount on this desk before the sale ends, maybe it'll help just to know about it so you can plan ahead for Black Friday, when it might also get a discount. If you've been hunting for the perfect desk, I'd seriously consider this offer - not least because it's so much cheaper than when I wrote my review of the Fezibo Triple Motor L-Shaped Desk. Back then, in December of 2023, it was listed for a starting price of $599 - and that was before adding any of the bells and whistles this desk has as opt-ins.

Admittedly, the one on offer here is a slightly different variant of the one I have. Instead of its upper shelf having downward-firing RGB lighting, it has some very handy drawer pockets, which may honestly be more of a selling point. Personally, I love the vibes that this desk's lighting creates, but I could absolutely make use of some cubby drawers to stow away some of my clutter.

Ignoring the subtle differences, this desk has plenty of space on it, but its side panel isn't even its best part. One of the reasons I'm shocked to see it going for so cheap is that it's an electric standing desk that'll raise and lower to your desired height. For that kind of versatility from bigger brands, I'd expect to see a stubborn $500+ price tag.

Where I think this desk stands apart, regardless of whether you get RGB lighting or drawer space, is its upper shelf surface. When I was measuring up my old desk, I felt like the Fezibo was going to mean a compromise of worktop depth, but I was wrong. The surface area on the lower level is plenty, but having a top shelf actually means I get even more space to stow stuff away underneath, and my monitors standing on the top shelf means they're more ergonomically aligned with my eyes - which is vital when I'm reviewing the best gaming chairs. With a second shelf, I can shift things around and avoid the clutter I had on my old one-floor desk.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and I have to warn you that the assembly process of this desk was a total nightmare. It was maybe the most complicated bit of furniture I've ever assembled, and I moved house a lot as a kid; building furniture is like breathing to me. The very vague instructions combined with unclear diagrams did not help. Because there are a few different variants of this desk, the instructions don't cater to just one - Fezibo sent a manual that was written for all of the variants, so flicking through the pages to find my exact one in each step was a truly frustrating experience that led me down quite a few wrong paths.

With that as a distant memory though, I've been using this desk for almost two years now, and I wouldn't trade it. This is an awesome desk for gaming and remote work. Would I prefer a slightly thicker wooden surface? Absolutely, the thinner veneer is a bit of a missed opportunity for a truly premium feel. But in terms of functionality, practicality, and looks, this is an amazing investment for your gaming setup.

• View all gaming desks at Amazon
• Shop for desk accessories at Amazon
• Cable management: Starting at $13 at Amazon

Refining your setup? Check out the best console gaming chairs, the best standing desks, and the best gaming PCs.

If you have a 4th-grader, or kid of a similar age, tablets and iPads are likely their gaming weapon of choice. While I much prefer the feel of physical controls and classic capers featuring speedy hedgehogs and Italian plumbers, most younglings these days would rather tap away at something like Roblox. That's certainly the case for my partner's nine-year-old, and the device she uses has been firmly Prime Day'd.

In a move to distract you and your little ones from Prime Day iPad deals, Amazon has knocked over 50% off its Fire HD 8 Kids Pro range. As a result, you can grab the same model that the tiny gamer in my life uses for $64.99, which is a big drop from its typical $139.99 MSRP.

Naturally, Prime Day tablet deals will set you back far less than an actual iPad. I've got no doubts that some kids will turn their noses up at a device like the Fire HD. However, many will end up just calling any square device that can run games and apps an "iPad" anyway, and I've yet to hear any complaints from my junior Roblox expert.

Whenever I visit my partner's kid, they usually pitch up next to me with their Fire HD 8 tab like an IRL YouTuber giving a tutorial. Naturally, as a hardware reviewer I'm normally the one using and explaining tech, but watching her use a device specifically designed for her demographic is fascinating.

Sometimes it's the small things, like using the chonky bumper cases' kickstand as a makeshift handle when playing "Dandy's World," whereas in other instances, I'm impressed with multiple-screen presses for whatever Roblox concoction she happens to be playing that day. Luckily, the 8-inch IPS display is large enough to pull off pretty complex moves without being unwieldy, and I've already been shot down for suggesting pairing it with a Bluetooth controller.

The tablet seems to keep up perfectly well in terms of frame rates, although I doubt she's quite at the age yet of understanding the benefits of that 60fps sweet spot, and the colors and brightness are perfectly servicable too. The Fire HD 8 isn't remotely beefy in terms of specs, possessing a modest 3GB RAM alongside a 2Ghz hexa-core processor, and 32GB default storage.

Yet, as far as I can tell, that's not remotely an issue when running games like Roblox or even Five Nights at Freddy's. So far, we've not heard any complaints about wanting more power or even something with proper iPad pizazz, but that might change with time. Still, even though we paid more than this current Prime Day deal last Christmas, it feels like the investment is going to good use since our future pro-gamer is practically glued to the thing.

That latter factor, though, is an issue. I can't deny that when that tablet reaches the youngling's hands, it pretty much becomes her primary focus. As someone who rotted their eyes in the '90s trying to beat Sonic the Hedgehog 2, I was sympathetic to the idea of not intervening, but we inevitably ended up tapping into the main reason to buy the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro: the parental controls.

Rather than having to wrestle the tablet away from the bairn, the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro links up with the Amazon app for external parental options. You'll be able to set timers and specific restrictions without having to go near the device, which I find sets softer boundaries and expectations with playtimes and specific content. As a result, the kid usually simply puts down the tab once the "all done for now" message pops up, rather than kicking and screaming to keep the party going.

These are features that you can pull off on the iPad, but it's worth hammering home that you don't have to invest in pricey Apple tech for decent parental controls. It might feel like you'd have less control over a device that costs under $70, but in reality, you'll have just as much versatile control over your kid's experience.

I would call the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro a prelude tablet that serves as an intro to mobile gaming and app access. You're getting a year of Amazon's KIDS+ subscription with the device, meaning it'll have access to an abundance of games and even educational content if you're keen on squeezing that in. It also comes with a two-year "worry-free" guarantee, which is handy since our tween likes to sneak theirs to the park where it often bounces off the tarmac.

The TL;DR is this - if you've got a kid under the age of ten, this Fire HD Prime deal might be a much better fit than an iPad. I still have no idea what Roblox is, and I'm going to work on getting them to use a controller, but the device ultimately caters to a new generation of gamers' needs before they try and ask Santa (mom) to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 for Christmas.

Default answer to that for now? Father Christmas lacks the skills to make JoyCon.

• View more Prime Day tablet deals
• Fire HD 10 | $139.99 $69.99 at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ | $219.99 $132.99 at Amazon

Looking for more portable gaming offers? Swing by the best Prime Day Steam Deck deals and best Prime Day Asus ROG Ally deals. You'll want to peek at Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals too if you need Ninty handheld accessories.

This might sound dramatic, but owning a digital notepad has been life-changing. I've been using a reMarkable tablet for just over a year now, and it's revolutionized the way I create content, organise my thoughts, and read articles. If you're in the market for one of these ingenious little tablets, Prime Day Kindle deals are already making them easier to afford.

The Kindle Scribe (Amazon's more affordable alternative to the reMarkable devices) is already on sale with a Prime Exclusive discount. It's not a small one either; the Scribe is down from its $399.99 full price to $259.99 at Amazon, despite us technically being a day away from Prime Day's official start. I'll admit that I'm pretty loyal to my reMarkable, but when the most affordable one of those devices costs $449, the Kindle Scribe looks pretty irresistible.

I wish the reMarkable 2, and the newer reMarkable Paper Pro were more discount-prone, because they're undeniably pricey bits of technology. Compared to the Kindle Scribe, they're much more minimalist as well. The Scribe is a Kindle first and foremost, which means it has all of the e-reading potential you could ask for, access to Amazon's vast library of books (and audiobooks), and notetaking perks on top of that. The reMarkables can allow you to read PDFs and articles, which is one of my favorite features, but they don't have Kindle's huge range of books ready to access at the touch of the screen.

In fairness, the reMarkable Paper Pro does have the Kindle Scribe beat thanks to its color display, and its gentle backlight makes it a lot more versatile than the older reMarkable 2. That model will set you back even more money, however, and it pains me to say it, but the Kindle Scribe deal I've detailed above is a much easier sell to most users.

If I may defend one of my favorite pieces of technology, though, reMarkable's more minimalist approach is by design. The whole point is that you're cutting out distractions for a pure note-taking, reading, or creation experience. While the reMarkables lack a few features, they really hone in on the ones they do offer. I've tried both the Kindle Scribe, and the two more recent models of the reMarkable, and I can say without a doubt that the writing feel of the latter two is so noticeably better than the Scribe.

Is the writing feel important enough for you to pay an extra couple of hundred dollars? You'll need to tell me. Prime Day will last the rest of this week, ending on July 11, so there's still plenty of time for us to see the reMarkable tablets and more of the Kindles come down in price. Mind you, this Kindle Scribe deal is one worth jumping on early if it's been on your wishlist for a while.

Choose your digital notepad:

• All Kindle deals: View the whole Kindle family
• reMarkable 2: $449 at Amazon
• reMarkable Paper Pro: $679 at Amazon

Going shopping this week? Also check out Prime Day gaming deals, Prime Day PC deals, and Prime Day Meta Quest deals.

There was a time this year when the Elgato Prompter was impossible to find anywhere. It was so popular when it launched that I couldn't even get my hands on a review sample because they were in constant backorder. With such a highly coveted product that has no real competition, I really didn't think we'd see it get reduced this Black Friday.

Oh, how wrong I was, though, because this one-of-a-kind gadget has just seen a $80 price slash, bringing it from its $279.99 launch price to $199.99 at Amazon. Now before I say anymore, I'll remind you that this is a product that flew off the shelves for the first half of this year, so if you're keen for one, I wouldn't wait around. The Corsair and Elgato overlords have been kind enough to bless us with a Black Friday deal here, so act fast.

Besides a few bundle offers popping up among Black Friday gaming deals in the last few weeks, I haven't seen the Elgato Prompter drop in price since it came out. If it has, its discounts have been so quick and minor that no one noticed. Needless to say, this is the cheapest the Prompter has ever been, although there are a few bundles you may want to look into if you're missing a stand for it, or you'd like a small keylight to sit on top of it.

Should you buy the Elgato Prompter?

Obviously, this isn't going to be necessary for every content creator out there. If you present to camera often, or present during remote working meetings, then there's no better tool to streamline your delivery, and the Elgato Prompter is genuinely going to come in very, very handy. Twitch streamers, if you only have one monitor, or you hate having to look off to the side to read your chat, the prompter can also adopt its "chat" mode, in which it syncs to your stream so you can look straight into the lens of your camera when trying to connect with your audience.

More generally though, the Prompter has its uses. When you've not got it configured into the Elgato Camera Hub, it acts as a small monitor. I found this handy for always keeping a Spotify window up while working, or when I was video editing, having a file window open so I could easily drag and drop media onto my timeline. Just keep in mind that it connects to your PC or laptop using a USB-C cable, so if your machine already struggles, this could just end up slowing you down.

I also recommend Elgato's prompter because of its versatility for working with different cameras. It comes with so many different lens rings, which means that if you're using one of the best webcams or a proper DSLR bad-boy, it's going to be compatible with the rest of your gear for streaming.

I'd usually recommend this to the creator who's got some budget to play with and who wants to take their production skills to the next level, but in all honesty, with a price this good I'd recommend it to people who are getting started on their content creation journeys too. For more Elgato deals this Black Friday, check out the window below.

Gear up this November with Black Friday VR headset deals, Black Friday gaming PC deals, and Black Friday Meta Quest deals.

The RodeCaster Duo is maybe one of my favorite bits of technology ever. Back in my university days, I was the station manager of my student radio station, and we broadcast live three days a week using the holy grail of audio interfaces, the Rodecaster Pro II.

The RodeCaster Duo is a lightly smaller, just as powerful mixer designed to be used for at-home live streaming, but even as a bit of an audiophile and minor control freak, I use it for routing all of my PC's audio to my speakers or headphones regardless of whether I'm live or not. Now, it's Black Friday, so I won't bury the lead. After months of watching for a discount, the pristine, white version of the RodeCaster Duo is $100 off at Amazon, bringing it down to $399.

I really didn't expect this all-in-one broadcasting device to appear among Black Friday gaming deals, especially the white model. This is the lowest price either version of the Duo has ever fallen to at Amazon, which isn't surprising to me since they'll happily sit at their $499 launch price the whole year round.

Should you buy the RodeCaster Duo?

Buying one of the best streaming mixers is a necessity if you want to broadcast on Twitch or YouTube with ease. Managing audio sources in OBS, Streamlabs, or even Windows can be a total headache, but so far, nothing has made all of that fun like the RodeCaster Duo has. I think my favorite thing about it is the four physical faders you get, which are supported by two additional virtual ones. Six audio channels is more than most creators need, but it gives you total control over your broadcast's sounds, and if that's a priority to you, nothing beats the RodeCaster Duo - save maybe its larger sibling, the RodeCaster Pro II.

This is the perfect bit of streaming gear whether you're rocking a single or dual PC setup because it features two USB-C channels. With that, you can tether both your gaming PC and streaming PC to it, and have a fader for both. If you're on a single PC like me, you can slot both into your PC and separate out the apps you want on each fader. I use one channel for my game and system audio, and one dedicated to Spotify and other music apps so I can have fun with crossfades.

Dimming out Hunt: Showdown's audio while sliding my Spotify background music up between rounds makes me feel like I'm back in a professional radio studio, and it gives my live streams a premium feel. As do all of the clever effects Rode packs into this interface. Ducking ensures I always sound louder than my game audio and music, and the microphone preset for the Shure SM7dB makes it easy to get the best quality when recording a voice-over.

There are very few reasons I'd tell you not to get the RodeCaster Duo, but one of them is its incompatibility with the PS5. If you're streaming console gameplay, this is not the device for you.

There are more Black Friday offers waiting for you. Check out Black Friday gaming PC deals, Black Friday Xbox deals, and Black Friday Meta Quest deals.

It's a hard time to be an external capture card. PC streamers with a single computer setup don't really need them, and modern consoles are so good at capturing their own footage that it can be hard to know who should even spend the money on an external device. On the other hand, if you stream gameplay from a console but want the benefits of proper broadcasting software, or you just want perfect footage for making pristine YouTube clips, an external capture card is a must-have.

I've been using external capture cards to make YouTube content for just shy of a decade, and there is no better one than the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1, which is seeing a maddening Black Friday discount at Amazon right now. Launching to the tune of $299, this was clearly a futureproofed and overpowered device for professionals who had the budget. Now, it's going for $189.99, which is a deal so good it made me wonder if my number dyslexia was getting the better of me.

I've spotted the best capture card crown holder slowly trickling down in price over the last year, despite firmware updates continuing to improve its performance. I never expected it to drop this low though, particularly when it's got the features to justify its original price tag.

Should you buy the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1?

Throwing together the odd gameplay compilation and uploading it to YouTube doesn't exactly demand the best production quality, and probably isn't worth spending this sort of money on. But if you want to get really creative and produce highly stylized YouTube videos, having a few extra tools on your utility belt can make a world of difference. You don't even need to have dreams of becoming the next Twitch star - content creation can be a very fun, very rewarding hobby to invest in.

If that sounds like you, I can say from experience that the best capture card I've ever used is the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1. It's futureproofed beyond belief, to the point where I'm not sure even professional Twitch streamers and YouTubers could make the most of all its features. There's variable refresh rate passthrough for up to 4K 144Hz, which means even if you've got a dual PC setup, or you're recording console gameplay competitively, you don't need to worry about your in-game performance suffering while you capture gameplay footage.

It also has some excellent audio capabilities, which can be massive for streamers on PS5, since routing that console's audio through a headset while also capturing part chat can be difficult, even with one of the best streaming mixers. For YouTubers, editing videos can be a formatting nightmare, and I've never seen a capture card's software suite with a conclusive list of options like AverMedia's. No matter the video format you're targetting, or the resolution, bitrate, or framerate, this is one that does it all.

The biggest point of frustration with this bit of streaming gear is that AverMedia's PC software doesn't let you adjust the picture quality - things like brightness, contrast, and colors. That's something you can do with the Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro, so it's disappointing you don't have access to it here. Fortunately, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 does turn out really well-balanced footage, so it's not a deal breaker.

Looking for more Black Friday deals to make the most of? Check out Black Friday Meta Quest deals, Black Friday Xbox deals, and Black Friday gaming chair deals.

You don't have to watch many podcasts before you see someone talking into Shure's iconic SM7dB microphone. This black, classy, epic-sounding mic turns up in so much content these days, and for good reason. It's versatile, it sounds great when you talk close to it, and it has a design that hides annoying cable clutter so it looks great on camera.

Since it's so popular and has a high level of quality, it's no surprise that it's an expensive piece of kit. So much so that the majority of streamers, gamers, and podcasters don't actually need to buy it. However, as someone who uses it every day, I can absolutely see the appeal, and thanks to Black Friday, it's currently going a little cheaper at Amazon. Right now, it's seeing a $50 discount, which brings it down to $449. If you opt for Shure's XLR cable bundle, you can get it with a connecting cable and additional windscreen for $459 at Amazon.

I didn't actually expect to see the Shure SM7dB in this year's Black Friday gaming deals, especially since this updated version only came out at the tail end of last year. The SM7B has been on the shelves for decades now, and it's rarely seen big discounts due to its popularity and premium reputation. This new "dB" version comes with a built-in pre-amp, which helps those using this mic for vocal recording by boosting its gain.

Of course, I'd understand if Shure's iconic mic was still too expensive for you, even with the discount applied. In truth, while this is the best microphone for streaming and gaming in my opinion, there are so many cheaper alternatives that would be more than enough for the majority of content creators streaming on Twitch a few times a month.

Luckily, Shure's Black Friday offerings don't end there. Its MV7+ Podcast microphone is arguably even more versatile since it can be hooked up via XLR cable or USB-C, and it's seeing a $30 reduction from $279 down to $249 at Amazon.

Should you buy the Shure SM7dB?

If you're going all in on a content creation setup, and you don't have a tight budget for the best gear for streaming, the Shure SM7dB is one of the holy grails. You get extreme production quality here, and you can listen to the audio sample I recorded for my review down below to give you an idea of what it sounds like. That said, I wouldn't argue this is the best mic for everyone.

This isn't the easiest mic to use, because it's an XLR option, first of all. So if you don't have one of the best streaming mixers, you're going to struggle to control it. USB microphones have come a long way, and these days, you can get ones like the SteelSeries Alias that are easy to use for plug-and-play purposes but still have loads of software to help you hone their sound. That microphone is also on offer right now, with a $40 reduction bringing it down to $139 at Amazon.

If you want the best production quality, but still use a USB setup, I'd recommend the likes of Rode's Podmic USB, or Shure's MV7+, linked above. Both of those can connect via USB, and have amazing sound quality, but can also link up via XLR cable if you choose to upgrade your setup later.

For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Meta Quest deals, Black Friday Secretlab deals, and Black Friday gaming PC deals.

"Do you think the Kindle Scribe will be cheaper during Prime Day?" asks my dad. I recently gave him a shot at scribbling notes down on my reMarkable tablet, and it didn't take long for him to see its appeal. My dad's an avid reader who's recently started studying the art of kilt-making, so in many ways, the Kindle Scribe is the perfect device for him. I told him, yes, the Kindle Scribe will almost certainly be discounted during Prime Day, and you're always better waiting to see. That was last week.

This week, the Kindle Scribe has already taken a £100 discount at Amazon in the UK, and as soon as I spotted it, I told my dad there was no need to wait for October 8. That price cut brings the Kindle Scribe down to £229 at its absolute cheapest - that's with only 16GB of storage and Amazon's basic pen. The good news is that the £100 saving applies to any configuration of storage and stylus, or whether you opt in for 3 months of Kindle Unlimited.

Prime Day Kindle deals usually don't come this early. Usually, it's the case that they all go on offer at the same time, and that's normally when Prime Day officially begins. We saw a great Kindle Scribe deal during the summer edition of Prime Day this year, but even that only saved you £55 if you were in the UK. This deal is the equivalent to what US shoppers got and brings the Kindle Scribe down to a new record low price.

Kindle Scribe is probably the most desirable of Amazon's E-readers. It has the largest display, and while it can do all the normal things a Kindle can in terms of reading, it also doubles as a digital notebook. If you're a student, a creative, or someone who likes to annotate the books they read with comments and the like, the Kindle Scribe is a luxurious device. 

Should you buy the Kindle Scribe?

Of course, the Kindle Scribe isn't the only paper tablet you can scribble things on. As I mentioned up above, I use the reMarkable 2, which doesn't have access to a huge digital library like Kindles do, but is incredible for taking notes, annotating PDFs, or reading articles. Kindle Scribe, especially during discounts like this, is so much more affordable though, and even if the whole point of reMarkable is that it's fairly minimalist in terms of its function, the Kindle Scribe is a lot more versatile. 

If it is the pure notetaking you'd like from a device like this, I'd recommend the reMarkable over the Scribe. Its writing feel is stunning - and I use that word with no ounce of exaggeration. The friction its pen gives you against the display, the sound it makes, the immediate response of the writing appearing on it - all of it tricks your brain into thinking you're actually writing on paper. The Kindle Scribe is a close second, I'll grant you. There's an ever so slight increase in delay, and it doesn't quite pick up the same nuance in handwriting. Those are small prices to pay though, especially when the Scribe offers you so much more utility.

Since the Scribe is the flagship Kindle, it is the most expensive. If you aren't actually interested in the notetaking side of things, you're just as well getting a more affordable model. The Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis can offer you nice middle grounds in terms of display brightness and size, and are more than likely to go on offer during Prime Day. Will they see £100 come off their tags though? Only time will tell.

You can also follow along with October's Prime Day PC deals, Prime Day tablet deals, and Prime Day Meta Quest deals.

You don't need to wait for big sales to get cheap 3D printers; there are plenty of discounts all year round, so long as you know where to look. To help point you in the right direction, the GamesRadar+ team and I have corralled the best 3D printer deals here.

This list of savings includes everything from professional-grade options to beginner-friendly machines, so you should find something to suit you below regardless of what you want to make. And if you're keen to find the best 3D printers for miniatures and cosplay? Well, you're in luck. A few are included in this month's roundup of cheap 3D printers, partially due to the Father's Day sale that's all the rage at multiple manufacturers right now.

Because we've been handling all things bargain for almost six years, we've also gathered our fair share of tips and tricks. Where will you find the best offers, and how do you know if something is a good deal or not? Read on for the full lowdown on the best 3D printer deals.

Quick links

• Amazon deals: Save up to $100
• Walmart deals: Get up to $700 off
• Newegg deals: Up to $110 off
• Anycubic deals: Save up to $450
• Elegoo deals: Up to 53% off
• Creality deals: Savings up to $1,300
• Resin deals: Amazon savings up to $12
• Filament deals: Get up to $8 off at Amazon

UK

• Amazon deals: Save up to £100
• 3D Jake deals: Up to £250 off
• Anycubic deals: Get up to £330 off
• Elegoo deals: Save up to £110
• Creality deals: Up to £1,000 off
• Resin deals: Save up to £6 at Amazon
• Filament deals: Get up to £7 off at Amazon

This week's best 3D printer deals

How we find 3D printer deals

Curious about how and why we choose the offers we do when hunting down 3D printer deals? Well, we pride ourselves on finding the lowest prices on the best machines, and to do so, we do the following:

Cheap 3D printer FAQ

For advice on how to use your new machine, be sure to check out our guide on how to 3D print miniatures. Need a better device for slicing, on the other hand? The best gaming PCs should sort you out.

For the last two weeks, I've been testing out the reMarkable 2. Since I've been tasked with tracking all of Prime Day's Kindle discounts, I wanted to get hands-on with one of Amazon's biggest competitors to see what all the fuss was about. reMarkable is a luxurious rival to the most expensive Kindle, the Scribe, which is a digital library and a virtual notebook rolled into one. In short, the reMarkable is a more premium, less versatile option, and while I'd happily recommend it, its price is undeniably high. 

In what is one of the first official early Prime Day offers, Amazon's alternative has just dropped to a new low. Right now, it's going for only $234.99 (down from $369.99). Considering reMarkable 2's all-in cost is over $500 once you add up the marker and Type Folio, the Kindle Scribe at this price looks pretty appealing.

A previous low of $264 just last month could hint at the Prime Day Kindle deals to come. If the priciest option in the family is heavily discounted, we can cross our fingers for the more affordable ones. Personally, the lowest I expected this to drop to was around $300. That would have seemed fair versus the competition, especially since the Kindle Scribe doesn't purposefully try to limit its own use cases like reMarkable does. 

I can't lie, The reMarkable is my favorite out of the two devices, but there's no denying that if you read comics and books more than you take notes, you'll get more use out of a Kindle Scribe. 

It's worth noting that this is a Prime exclusive deal, so if you're not a paying member, now is a perfect time to take out a 30-day free trial. That way, you can make the most of Prime Day gaming deals as and when they arrive, but you can cancel after the event is done and not pay a penny for the access.

Quick Prime Day deals you can still grab

• Gift cards: 20% off Roblox and more
• Chairs: savings up to $90
• Desks: corner units from $79.99
• Headsets: up to $40 off Logitech
• Keyboards: up to $130 off Razer
• Projectors: up to $200 off BenQ
• Tablets: iPads from $249
• VR: $500 off Quest Pro

Should you buy the Kindle Scribe?

Against the other, more affordable Kindles, the Scribe is alluring, but do you actually need it? Well, if you're someone who likes to annotate their reading material, the Scribe lets you leave sticky notes in their E-books. This could be massive for any student, or an enthusiast who wants to keep their physical books pristine. 

If the ability to write on the Kindle seems surplus to requirements for you, then a Kindle Paperwhite, Oasis, or regular Kindle is probably the option for you. The clever front-lit display of the Scribe is also found down the price range, so the reading experience can be found elsewhere.  

For anyone who doesn't want to compromise though, the reMarkable has the best writing feel I've ever come across for something that isn't an actual notepad made of paper. Its display has the degree of friction needed to pick up the nuance of my handwriting, where the Scribe narrowly misses out. There's nest to no delay in what you jot down appearing, and that's a tad more noticeable on the Scribe. The sound of reMarkable's scribbles tricks your brain into thinking it's actually paper. It is, if you can stomach this pun, remarkable. 

If, like me, you were targeted by reMarkable's Don Draper-esque marketing, but the price is depressingly out of reach, the Kindle Scribe is definitely a worthy alternative. The writing feel of the Scribe is impressive, and while it isn't quite on par with reMarkable, it does a fine job for the price discrepancy.

We're also keeping track of this year's Prime Day PC deals, Prime Day tablet deals, and Prime Day Meta Quest deals.

If you’re a beginner looking to dive into the wonderful world of 3D printers or are in the market for a new 3D printer under $400, now is the perfect time to add the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s to your shopping basket.

As we gushed about in our Anycubic Photon Mono M5s review, this resin 3D printer is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. This is thanks not only to its speedy processing and its capacity for 12K resolution prints, but also to its headlining feature: its leveling-free printing. By eliminating the need to manually fiddle with the build plate, the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s is not only super accessible for beginners but has a reduced possibility of printer errors.

While it turns out getting access to this game-changing 3D printing technology is a lot cheaper than we thought it would be, $579 is still a pretty premium price tag. It definitely doesn’t compare to the kinds of costs we’d see on top-tier industrial 3D printers but still, a discount would be nice. Thankfully, Anycubic is running an epic sale offering up to 53% off some of its best 3D printers and accessories and the Photon Mono M5s is right there in the mix at a reduced price of $369.

Should you buy the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s?

The Anycubic Photon Mono M5s has been hogging the top spot on our best 3D printers list for months now – and rightfully so. We’ve yet to come across anything that competes with its nigh flawless mix of print quality, speed, and ease of use. Given the great results you can get from this resin 3D printer pretty much straight out of the box, I’d recommend the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s to anyone from beginners to experts.

Now that the Photon Mono M5s’ price tag has been slashed so significantly, it’s an even better option for 3D printing newbies. Sure, $369 is still a hefty investment but getting your hands on a 3D printer with a self-leveling function that is capable of 12K prints is a decision you definitely won’t regret later in your journey with the hobby. 

Want some inspiration for awesome minis to print? Check out the best tabletop RPGs or these best Dungeons and Dragons books. And if you need something a little speedier to handle your slicing software, check out the best gaming PCs.

The AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE originally launched exclusively in China, but the GPU giant just announced that it’ll release worldwide for $549. Better still, it apparently outperforms the RTX 4070, and there’s a good chance it’ll actually end up becoming my favorite affordable 4K GPU as a result. 

At this point, it feels like there’s a GPU for everyone roaming around the best graphics card battlefield. At the start of the generation, both the main players did focus solely on having a dance off at the premium party, with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 catering to beyond enthusiast levels of performance and the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX playing the role of a traditional flagship card. However, the red team’s next release proves that the year ahead is going to be about valve, and that’s fantastic news for those of you hoping to enjoy 4K PC visuals for a reasonable price.

In a press release, AMD reveals that the Radeon RX 7900 GRE will be released worldwide on February 27. As I already spoiled above, it’s set to come in at $549, which just so happens to be the same price as the original Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 that arrived in 2023.

In terms of specs, the RX 7900 GRE comes armed with a Navi 31 and 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, meaning it’s sort of a mix between the Radeon RX 7900 XT and newer RX 7800 XT. However, despite using the same RDNA 3 chip as the flagship, it’s 2,245MHz boost clock speed and slower memory mean it’s ultimately gunning for the mid-range crown.

Despite numerous references to the card being a mid-range rival, including in-house 1440p benchmarks, AMD does suggest the RX 7900 GRE is also a 4K GPU. I’d prefer to get my hands on one for testing before committing to that idea, but I reckon that it could pull off some impressive UHD tricks with some settings tweaks. Not to mention that it has access to HYPR-RX, consisting of both FSR 3.0 upscaling and Frame Generation tech.

I’m not saying the RX 7900 GRE will serve as a fully fledged 4K graphics card, nor do I think it’ll trump something like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super. That said, I do think for many players, it will provide just enough oomph and upscaling tricks to become a UHD option, and for $540, it's arguably better value than the rest of the upper mid-range crowd.

Looking for a rig that's ready to go? Check out the best gaming PC for powerhouse pre-builds. Alternatively, swing by the best gaming handheld and best gaming laptop options for systems you can play on the go.

As someone who's been using external capture cards for just shy of a decade, the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 had me intrigued from the get-go. I've always kept to the Elgato side of the market, and even if that brand's previous options have been a cornerstone of my content creation setup, I've been waiting to be truly won over by a competitor.

AverMedia has been one of the only true, long-standing rivals to Elgato in the best capture card race, but its products have never done enough to make me switch camps. Its latest external option, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1, is particularly enticing because it allows 4K60 passthrough and recording, but more importantly, variable passthrough refresh rates of up to 144Hz. As consoles continue to achieve slicker frame rates, the ability to reliably record footage while not compromising on in-game performance is a bigger and bigger draw. 

At $299.99 / £279.99 though, is this enough to make status-quo Elgato options look second-rate? And do most players really need to spend that much for the features on offer here? Well, as someone who's always been scared to spend that type of money on a brand that doesn't seem as gaming-focused as Elgato, I can say my fears have well and truly gone.

Design

Capture cards don't usually put much emphasis on their aesthetics. For the most part, they're simple little black boxes that have some minor branding but don't exactly sing and dance. The AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 has a tantalizing RGB array on its front though, which really cements it as something that tries to go above and beyond what's come before. You can sync this RGB lighting with your PC hardware if you're so inclined, and at the time of writing, AverMedia has support for ASRock Polychrome and MSI Mystic Light, as well as settings in its own gaming utility tool. 

Pretty lighting aside, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is still easy on the eye. It sits flat and routes all of its cables through its spine, making it easy to access and lovely to display on a TV stand or gaming desk. 

Remarkably, as light as this capture card is at 115g, it actually manages to sit flat when cables are routed through it. Most of the best HDMI cables are so thick that they make horizontal capture cards like this sit up on one end, but the Ultra 2.1 holds fast, which is something we found the AverMedia Live Gamer Extreme 3 struggled with. 

The IO on the back of the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 isn't quite as heavy-duty as the Rode Streamer X, but it does allow for some really solid connectivity for capturing footage. There's a standard HDMI-in and HDMI-out - both of which are 2.1 compatible so you can 4K to your heart's content. There's a USB-C port for connecting the card to a gaming PC or laptop, and there's a 3.5mm headphone jack for routing audio as well. Something I absolutely adore though, is the final port you'll find. 

If you stream on a console with an external capture card through a PC, and you want to play with headphones, chat with your friends, hear everything clearly, and record your chat audio, you will likely run into some very infuriating technical issues. For Elgato's older capture cards, this meant you needed to invest in a separate chat-link cable which just made things so much more complicated. For the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1, AverMedia has put an ingenious second 3.5mm headphone jack on board and supplied a cable for it in the box. Basically, this means you can put the supplied 3.5mm cable into your PS5 controller, route all your audio into the capture card, but then plug your headset into the capture card's second audio port and you'll still be able to hear everything without having to completely mess up your PC's audio settings. 

Features

As mentioned, the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 allows for recording in up to 4K 60fps, but in truth, that's just the beginning. At 4K, you can record footage at 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, and 60fps. I particularly like the ability to record at the 29.97 and 59.94fps rates because a lot of video editing suites work to that speed rather than full-fat 30 or 60fps.

You can, however, record at a wad of other resolutions. The Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 supports 1440p recording and has ultra-wide recording capabilities as well. There's a lot of versatility to be had with your recording setup here, and as someone who records footage on varying platforms and is very particular about their video editing settings, I appreciate that. 

There's also allowance for HDR, which will be a big plus for current-gen console gamers who don't want to miss out on color accuracy in online play, which can give them a big leg-up against the competition. 

RECentral is the companion software for capturing footage or live streaming, although OBS and Streamlabs will obviously work as well. In RECentral though, you'll be able to record in 2160p, 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p, 480i, and in YUY2, NV12, RGB24, P010(HDR) formats. Exporting works a treat, and the software gives you the option of H.264 or H.265 codecs at varying video and audio bitrates. Finally, you can customize how many audio channels go into each recording, and choose to route your best mic for streaming and gaming into the mix as well.

Performance

Although an external capture card is what you pay for, companion software is honestly where true value for money lies with this kind of accessory. This is where Elgato has always fallen short for me, not because its application lacks settings but because it can be very volatile, bringing in a load of infuriating technical issues. Those technical issues for me have included random freezes, hours of lost gameplay recordings, and bizarre firmware bugs that mean restarting your application or sometimes your whole system. These things are a nightmare, and not what you want after spending money on a bespoke product that's designed for this specific purpose.

AverMedia has dodged every one of those bumps in the road, and during my entire time testing the new Live Gamer Ultra 2.1, it's been plain sailing. It is, however, a bit bizarre to me that AverMedia has allowed for such a vast array of recording setups when it comes to resolutions, framerates, and bitrates, and yet it hasn't updated its software to allow for things like color grading, capture editing, or even a render progress bar. 

I was slightly wary of not being able to edit things like contrast levels and saturation - for more artsy creators this will need to be done in post. Luckily, when I reviewed the recorded footage from this card, I was amazed at the brilliant clarity and vivid colors that greeted me. It just so happened that when this capture card arrived on my doorstep I had a lot of footage to record for a video all about gaming landscapes - and it made every single gaming vista I featured look stunning. 

I mainly tested this card with a PS5 hooked into my PC, and the only times I thought the software/capture card was failing me was when I recorded two different games in two separate files, back to back. If you've used an external capture card before, you'll likely know that it's important to let one video render completely before starting the next recording. However, without the addition of any kind of "render-export-ometer," it's a bit tough to know when you're safe to get going again. Even hooking this capture card up to the Acer Predator Orion X and utilizing its unlocked i9 processor and RTX 4080 GPU, I got a few bits of choppy footage that lacked a bit of clarity when recording back-to-back. Luckily, framerates were always consistent so this didn't cause any video editing headaches.

What I was really impressed with, was the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1's ability to capture solid 30fps footage even in games that had unreliable framerates. Sable is one of my favorite games from recent years, and personally, I think its janky framerate dips can add to its charm. Nonetheless, it is a choppy game to try and snag footage of for that reason, and yet the Ultra 2.1 turned out blissfully smooth 1440p video. When recording on a lesser card or on the PS5 itself, that definitely hasn't been the case for me, so that's a big win. 

But what of that high refresh rate passthrough? While external capture cards specialize in console recording, to me, that 144Hz refresh rate tells me this one is designed to make the most of higher-end PC gameplay too. While it's slightly more unorthodox to hook up an external capture card between a GPU and a monitor, that's what I did, and the results were pretty telling. My Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 does struggle with video encoding at times, and any time I've tried recording footage directly from it the results haven't been the best. A versatile external capture card like this definitely helped to take the strain off my PC components and captured more consistent footage overall. If you have the CPU and RAM to help the program run while also playing demanding games at 4K60, this can definitely help. 

Should you buy the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1?

If you're looking to take your content creation, whether it's lets plays, live streams, or video essays, to the next stage, external capture cards don't get much better than the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1. If you want 4K60 passthrough, variable refresh rates, and recording capabilities up to that point, this is probably the most competitive external option we've tested at the time of writing.

However, this capture card doesn't come cheap, and the money could arguably be put towards one of the best graphics cards or an internal capture card instead - although that will only really suit those recording off a PC. 

Admittedly, I don't have much need to record footage at 4K60, but having wanted to boost the resolution of my YouTube videos for a while now, this is definitely something I'll be looking to do from now on. Really, this is a perfect capture card for console gamers looking to stay competitive while streaming. The passthrough, at least in competitive games, is where a lot of value is heading these days, and if you can afford it, this is a product you can count on. 

For me personally, this has put an end to years of technical issues I suffered from with Elgato cards, and that's exactly what I was hoping for.

How we tested the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1

I put the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 to the test by hooking it up to my gaming PC and PS5 to capture a bunch of footage for a YouTube video. I recorded predominantly at 1440p/30fps, but also tested recordings at 4K60, 4K30, and 1080p as well. To test how reliable the recordings were, I put them into an Adobe Premiere Pro editing session and carefully examined how they matched up. For an extra test, I used the capture card with my PC to record test footage and take the strain off my components. I also integrated it into my streaming setup and Streamlabs loadout to see how it would play with other bits of hardware. 

For more on how we test the latest streaming gear, check out our hardware policy.

Looking for more live-streaming accessories? Get our thoughts on the best webcams, the best green screen, and the best ring lights.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 seems to be the one graphics card that’s immune to price cuts, and its MSRP is a little nauseating. However, new stats reveal that the premium GPU is dropping in price in Europe, even if there aren’t any real deals to be had yet. 

Out of all the best graphics card contenders available right now, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 is without a doubt the most expensive. That hasn’t stopped some enthusiasts picking on up, as AMD has yet to whip up a challenger that can actually take the GPU head on. That situation has sadly meant that the card has been rocking out at the premium party consistently since its release, maintaining a price tag that’s well over MSRP.

Thankfully, there are signs that the RTX 4090 is ready to come down from its expensive pedestal and mingle with the masses. According to a report by 3DCentre, the graphics card is starting to creep into a lower price range in Europe, following a massive hike after release (via Videocards). The stats suggest that the GPU will currently set players back between €1,850 and €1,950 as of February 2024, a drop from between €1,900 and €2,100 during the latter half of 2023.

Those of you outside of Europe might be wondering how this actually affects graphics card prices for you specifically, as regional differences will always be a thing. Ultimately, it’s more evidence of a shift in value than prices plummeting in the US, as it suggests card sales within the enthusiasts scene could be tapering off. 

Perhaps that’s to be expected given that in another year’s time, a new Nvidia RTX GeForce RTX 5090 could show up and supersede the expensive component, and even the smallest rumours have the power to deter serious players from investing. That said, it’s important to remember there’s every chance these figures will start trending again upwards in coming months, and a consistent decline is not remotely a given. 

As for current RTX 4090 prices in the US, the cheapest model at Newegg right now is the ASUS TUF RTX 4090 OG OC Edition for $1,899.99. Not remotely what I’d describe as a real deal, and it’s substantially more expensive than Nvidia’s $1,599 MSRP. While the flagship card is still top in terms of raw performance, you might want to check out alternatives like the one featured in our Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super review instead. Not only does the mid-range card come with an easier to digest price tag, but it’s surprisingly capable when it comes to 1440p and 4K.

Looking for a rig that's ready to go? Check out the best gaming PC builds for a selection of high spec systems. Alternatively, swing by the best gaming laptops and best gaming handheld options for ways to play your Steam games on the move.

If I had to describe the Anycubic Kobra 2 in a sentence, I'd say "small but mighty." Despite being unassuming to look at, this is a powerhouse that's done nothing but impress from the moment I set off my first print.

Does it take my breath away or do something no-one else has tried before? Not necessarily. But the Anycubic Kobra 2 manages what it sets out to do – provide fast but accurate prints – exceptionally well. So far as filament machines go, it's a contender for our list of the best 3D printers. 

Anycubic Kobra 2 features & design

• Speeds up to 300mm/s
• Automatic leveling
• New and 'upgraded' cooling

The Anycubic Kobra 2's biggest party trick is its ability to print at 300mm/s. Sure, the recommended level is 200mm/s, but still – that's incredibly nippy. It's also packing automatic leveling with Smart Z-Offset, meaning you don't have to faff about as much with getting it ready to go.

Actually building the printer is just as straightforward. This machine comes partially assembled out of the box, and slots together really easily with minimal effort - it's just a few screws for the uprights, plugging in the connectors, and screwing on the screen. That's it.

There is a key difference to what's come before, though; alongside a new direct extruder, it also comes with an "upgraded cooling system."

Anycubic Kobra 2 performance

• Can print incredibly quickly
• Prints tend to be of a high quality
• Fans are loud

Much like Anycubic's other printers, this is dead simple to operate and prints perfectly every time. I literally booted it up, inserted the filament – which was admittedly a nuisance because it didn't feed in nicely at first – and off I went. 

Speed is the Kobra 2's secret sauce. Anycubic says that it's six times faster than standard, and it certainly doesn't hang about. Thanks to that max setting of 300mm/s and a recommended speed of 200mm/s, the Kobra 2 can complete tasks at a furious clip. I found that it was able to breeze through standard Benchy tests in around 30 or so minutes, for example, and larger pieces (such as tabletop scenery) were finished over an hour sooner than they would have been on my old Vyper.

This puts it in the same ballpark as the Creality Ender-5 S1, an equally nimble machine. Indeed, there isn't much between them from my experience; they're broadly similar in terms of speed and quality. Actually, the best compliment I can give the Kobra 2 is that I didn't notice the difference at all when swapping between them. (The S1 had been my go-to printer until then.)

Anycubic's machine has it beat in a few key areas, though. While the down-and-dirty printing is similar enough that we're splitting hairs, the Kobra 2 doesn't have the bulk of Creality's square frame. In addition, I preferred the design of Anycubic's extruder fan. It feels a little more slick than the Ender-5 S1's mass of black plastic. Oh, and I'd wager that it's ever so slightly more efficient. Prints wouldn't take quite as long on the Kobra 2 as they would with the Ender-5 S1.

The problem? It's very loud. Few printers are dead silent (the Anycubic Kobra Go being one of the few I've tried that comes close), but this is significantly noisier than even the big boy S1. It works perfectly well and shouldn't trouble you if you operate it behind closed doors, but I was taken by surprise nonetheless.

Fortunately, this is my one and only criticism. Everything else works swimmingly – not least the self-leveling software. Anyone that's read my 3D printer coverage will know that I find this to be the most frustrating part of the hobby, but I haven't needed to worry about it once with the Kobra 2. After setting it to auto-level, it's been spot-on ever since.

Should you buy the Anycubic Kobra 2?

The majority of us rattle through our day wishing for just a little more time in it, so the speedy Anycubic Kobra 2 comes highly recommended – it gets you the goods a lot faster than most competitors. The quality doesn't suffer too much, either.

This puts it head and shoulders above rival machines, and the self-leveling tech keeps it there. Want a reliable printer that'll smash through almost any task you throw at it in record time? It doesn't get much better than the Kobra 2. 

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the Anycubic Kobra 2

I spent weeks putting this machine through its paces; I worked on classic tests like the Benchy boat, more ambitious models for D&D terrain, and wargaming buildings designed for the (tiny) Epic scale. I even ran this alongside the Creality Ender-5 S1 for a direct comparison, not to mention at various settings for a broad overview of the machine's capabilities.

For more details on our process, be sure to check out our Hardware policy.

Want to get some ideas of what to print next? Check out the monsters and heroes of the best tabletop RPGs.

Nvidia just released a new AI tool that turns your GeForce RTX graphics card into an AI chatbot, which admittedly sounds like something out of a Black Mirror episode. I mean, it’s not surprising given the green team’s transformation into an artificial intelligence enterprise, but the app is one of the first to transform a GPU into something like ChatGPT or Google Bard. If you’ve got an RTX 30-series card or newer in your rig, you’ll be able to start messing around with it right now for free, but I’m not so sure I want to hear what the RTX 4090 has to say.

I’ve reviewed most of the best graphics card contenders out there, and while I’m not entirely sold on AI being the solution to everything, it does have its uses when it comes to gaming PC performance. Tools like DLSS 3.5 and Super Resolution can help even the ricketiest of rigs pull off acceptable frame rates, while high spec machines are able to produce realistic ray traced visuals that wouldn’t be possible natively today without some assistance. 

That said, even with artificial intelligence creeping into the PC graphics conversation, I didn’t expect to be talking about how you can talk to cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090. Dubbed Chat with RTX, the new application allows you to use a chatbot on your PC using a local dataset. That means you won’t have to go online, but you will have to free up over 35GB to install the app. Once you’re up and running, you can hook it up to language models like Mistral and Llama, saving anyone who’s into the whole chatbot thing from relying on big data centres.  

In case you can’t already tell, I’m not really here for the whole AI revolution. Sure, the tech will have its use cases, and I’ve already confessed I’m a fan of DLSS. However, it definitely feels like more of a fad right now than anything else, one that has its sights set on graphics card supplies. Call me paranoid, but having just got through a few years of GPU supplies being slurped up by the crypo community, the idea of having graphics cards do things other than, well, graphics, rubs me the wrong way. 

Nvidia does have specialist cards available, but $40K AI GPU options like the Nvidia H100 are naturally reserved for big enterprises. So, there’s a chance smaller operations and enthusiasts will have more of an excuse to turn to consumer graphics cards now that there’s a chatbot designed specifically for them, reversing the progress we’ve made with available over the past few years. 

Of course, there’s no guarantee we’ll end up in the exact same situation, especially since last time we were last dealing with global component shortages. Still, I’m hoping we don’t end up with a bunch of graphics cards becoming artificial chat assistants, rather than providing someone with pretty visuals in their favorite PC games. 

As a side note, if you're looking for the low down on the green team's newest mid-range GPU, swing by our Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super review for a deep dive.

Looking for a complete system? Check out the best gaming PC builds with powerhouse GPUs inside. Alternatively, take a peep at the best gaming laptops and best gaming handheld options if you'd rather play on the go.

I feel I’ve picked the optimal time to check out the AMD Radeon RX 7600. Not only does team red’s cheapest graphics card boast Frame Generation abilities thanks to FSR 3, but it can also use an alternative version of the same Fluid Motion Frames tech to boost fps across your entire PC library. The catch? Well, the RX 7600 isn’t leader of the pack when it comes to 1080p performance, meaning picking one up almost entirely hinges on price.

Typically, you’ll pay around $259.99 / £269.99 for an AMD Radeon RX 7600, placing it at the cheapest end of the best graphics card race. However, the one I’ll be testing today happens to be a custom Acer Predator Bifrost variant, which will set you back around $300. That means this model is sort of playing a game of price chicken with its main rival, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 –  a pretty bold move considering the entry-level Lovelace card has raw performance on its side.

Still, there’s a lot to like about the RX 7600, and AMD could really be onto something with its Frame Generation vision. I don’t think its Radeon AI tech is fully ready to take on Nvidia’s mighty DLSS 3.5 suite just yet, but with a little time and polish, we could be looking at a graphics card that can pull off ridiculous FPS trickery no matter what game you’re playing.

Specs

Packing just 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, the RX 7600 is firmly an entry-level graphics card. It’s not alone in the minimal memory department, as the RTX 4060 is rocking the exact same setup, but it’s still pretty low key considering the new RX 7600 XT is rocking 16GB. AMD argues that 8GB is plenty when it comes to running modern games at 1080p, and while I don’t think that’s entirely incorrect, it’s a generalisation that disregards the existence of poorly optimized PC games. 

As for cores, the RX 7600 is armed with 2,048 stream processors, just like the newer XT model. In fact, both cards utilise the same number of Compute Units, Ray Accelerators, and AI Accelerators, despite the fact each technically features a different version of AMD’s Navi 33 GPU. Simply put, the main draw to choosing the XT version rather than the one I’m about to talk about is that extra memory bump, and I’m not so sure that’s worth the extra $70 or so. However, the Acer Predator Bifrost model does feature a slightly higher 2,725Mhz boost clock thanks to factor overclocking, giving the custom variant a little bit of an edge.

As for connectivity, the RX 7600 wears HDMI 2.1 and three DisplayPort 1.4 ports, fairly standard for a modern age card. What does feel like a good step backward, however, is the fact it uses a traditional 8-pin power connector. It has that in common with the RTX 4060, but I’m just off the back of testing the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super, so I’ve had my fill trying to keep my case innards tidy while using a 12VHPWR dongle. 

Design

As I already spoiled above, I’ve been specifically testing the Acer Predator Bifrost RX 7600, and the model in question boasts a unique dual blower and fan combo. Prior to now, the last time I held a GPU with a blower-style cooler was when I finally ripped the Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 out of my rig back in 2012, so you’ll have to forgive me if I get all nostalgic. 

Naturally, the hybrid setup is designed with efficiency in mind, with the blower punting as much heat away from the card while the fan keeps things frosty. I was sceptical at first, as I always considered blower-style coolers to be an inferior option suited to cramped cases with bad airflow. Yet, under full load, the card typically sat at around 65°C during testing, so I’ll put those doubts back in my big drawer of wrong ideas. I also didn’t really hear much of a peep out of the card, unlike that old GeForce horror I used to play Left 4 Dead 2 with. 

Functionality aside, it is nice to see a graphics card in 2024 that isn’t just multiple big fans slapped on a chonky shroud. Not that the Predator Bifrost RX 7600 isn’t thicc, as it’s noticeably so compared to MSI’s floaty light RTX 4060. I suspect other models aren’t quite as weighty, but Acer’s take feels heavy duty. That’s not remotely a bad thing, as its mix of matt and glossy plastic and themed metal black plate add a quality feel, one that sets an impression when unboxing. 

Features

Just like with new Nvidia cards, AI tools are a big RX 7600 selling point. As I already spoiled above, AMD has added some extra bells and whistles to FidelityFX Super Resolution, namely Fluid Motion Frames. This new component links up with its existing dynamic resolution tech to improve performance, filling in missing frames to speed up visuals. Sounds familiar right? Well, yes, but the fight would already be over if Radeon cards didn’t try and pull off the same tricks. 

I say the same, but FSR 3 isn’t quite the same beats as DLSS 3.5. I’d argue the actual AI Frame Generation elements are the same, but it’s the AI upscaling elements that produce slightly different results. From experience. FidelityFX Super Resolution produces more weird effects than Super Resolution, with noticeable quirks that make it obvious resolution switching is happening.

On the flip side, DLSS isn’t as widely available across games as FSR, and while we’ll need to wait a bit for developers to embrace AMD’s latest version, you can technically use Fluid Motion Frames in any game you like right now. I’ll dive into what that actually entails down below, but let’s just say it’s an easy, but flawed way to combat low fps using some clever post-processing techniques. 

Performance

If you’ve already checked out my RTX 4070 Ti Super review, you’ll know that a recent Cyberpunk 2077 update borked the RPG on 13th gen Intel systems. Therefore, I’ve skipped on using it for benchmarks for now, but I’ll update this review with some figures once CD Projekt Red issues a fix. I’m planning on diving right into the whole FSR 3 and Fluid Motion Frames chat soon anyway, so I’ll no doubt be wandering the streets of Night City using the RX 7600 again soon. 

As for the rest of my benchmark selection, things panned out sort of how I was expecting for the most part. A few surprise results did catch me off guard, like the fact the RX 7600 reached an average of 130fps at 1080p in Hitman 3, as the RTX 4060 could only manage around 100fps. The card also pulled of 90fps in Total War: Warhammer 3, whereas its Nvidia competitor churns out around 84fps. 

Don’t let those figures fool you into thinking the RX 7600 is immune to taking L’s, as when it did let the side down, it did so rather heavily. Specifically, the card had a rough time trying to keep up in Shadow of Tomb Raider, just about pulling off an average of 95fps at 1080p. I’m not entirely convinced there isn’t something quirky going on that influenced this figure, as I noticed a few obscure frame spikes during benchmarking. Nevertheless, the result I ended up with leaves a pretty noticeable gap between it and the RTX 4060’s 131fps.

The RTX 4060 also outpaces the RX 7600 in Returnal – 84fps vs 96fps using Nvidia’s entry-level card. Not quite as disruptive, but definitely a performance boost that could sway you towards Nvidia if you’re a fan of gutsy PlayStation ports. That’s not to say every third person romp of this calibre will run better on the GeForce card, and you will typically pay more than you will for the RDNA 3 GPU. 

Where things really start to get spicy is when you delve into Fluid Motion Frames, as AMD’s Frame Generation methods pack an obscure punch. By that, I mean that I was able to pull off stunts like boosting 1440p performance in Total War: Warhammer 3 from 56fps to 97fps simply by enabling the driver-level option in Adrenaline. That same experiment helped me uplift my Hitman 3 4K figure from 54fps to 84fps, so the option is definitely worth its salt.

However, it’s well worth diving into the difference between FSR 3 Frame Generation and the Fluid Motion Frames toggle within AMD’s software. For starters, the former is only compatible with select games, like Square Enix’s Forspoken, while the global option post processes at a driver level. The results can be similar, but the latter absolutely comes with more caveats attached, such as potential lag and weird motion effects in fast paced scenarios. The setting will actually also turn itself off if it detects any disruptive visual shenanigans, in turn affecting the consistency of frame boosting benefits.

In any case, I did try out proper FSR 3 Frame Generation using Forspoken, just to get a feel for what the proper DLSS 3.5 competitor can do. Thankfully, the feature worked exactly how I imagined it would, hiking fps at 1440p max settings from around 49fps to 92fps. Naturally, AMD has some catching up to do when it comes to supported games, but if it rolls out in the same way as DLSS 3.5, we’re looking at a pretty competent competitor with the same performance boosting capabilities. Just keep in mind that the red team’s suite currently lacks an Nvidia Reflex equivalent, as Radeon Anti Lag can’t quite produce the same latency busting results. 

Should you buy the AMD Radeon RX 7600? 

Whether or not you should pick up the AMD Radeon RX 7600 over budget GPU alternatives ultimately comes down to price. If you’re looking to spend as little as possible on the new gen graphics card that can boost fps using AI and handle ultra settings at 1080p, this entry-level RDNA 3 card will serve your needs. That said, finding a model like the Predator Bifrost for cheaper than an RTX 4060 is anything but a guarantee, and the latter does provide a more rounded experience that feels less experimental. 

What I will say is that the idea of being able to enable a version of Fluid Motion Frames in every game is a big reason to buy the Radeon RX 7600. I’d still prefer to use baked-in support when available, but as time goes on, providing a widely available way to enhance performance using AI may help AMD win a few battles as the technology matures. But that aside, I’d only recommend picking this GPU up if it’s going cheap.

How I tested the AMD Radeon RX 7600 

For two weeks, I used the Acer Predator Bifrost Radeon RX 7600 in my main rig for both work and leisure. To measure performance, I used a specific collection of games so as to compare results against rival cards, minus Cyberpunk 2077 due to technical issues. I also played segments of Forspoken at 1440p to test FSR 3 support, enabling and disabling Fluid Motion Frames to assess potential performance uplifts. 

If you'd like to learn about how we test graphics cards and other PC components, pop by our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy for more information.  

Prefer rigs that are ready to go? Check out the best Alienware gaming PCs with out of this world GPUs within. Alternatively, take a peek at the best gaming laptops and the best gaming handhelds for those of you who want to take your library on the go.

I don’t want to say the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super feels like a graphics card confessional of sorts, but it does feel like the GPU giant is trying to change its mid-range narrative. This isn’t even the first time it has attempted to do so - if you trace the convoluted string of this model’s history, you’ll find that it was likely supposed to be released as the RTX 4080 12GB. But hey, I’m up for letting bygones be bygones, especially since the new RTX 4070 Ti Super provides a worthwhile performance uplift.

As for how much more of a punch the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super packs? Well, the revamp isn’t enough to send it atop the best graphics card totem pole. The fact that the RTX 4080 Super is a thing doesn’t help, and the mighty Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 still pretty much reigns supreme in the GPU performance ring. Nevertheless, if you’ve got $800 to splash on gaming PC upgrades and aren’t looking for proper 4K performance, this newbie is a winner.

In case you’re out of the loop, the original versions of Nvidia’s mid-range card like the Zotac GeForce RTX 4070 Ti AMP AIRO are designed with 1440p gameplay in mind. In a nutshell, that means you shouldn’t have to worry about actively boosting fps with ultra settings enabled in the latest games, as 60fps should be more than doable. However, that’s not to say these cards aren’t 4K capable, and with tools like DLSS 3.5, you’ll be able to harness higher frame rates using AI and scaling tricks. That exact same premise applies to the new RTX 4070 Ti Super, but the extra VRAM headroom means UHD is now even more viable. 

Specs

With the card starting at $799 / £769, it’d be a little disappointing if RTX 4070 Ti Super specs weren’t out to impress, and there’s absolutely an on paper difference compared to the original. For starters, Nvidia has finally caved in and armed its mid-range Lovelace GPU with 16GB GDDR6X VRAM. Considering this is something that has cast a shadow over the line-up since day one, I’m surprised it has taken this long for a redemption release. Still, I’m pleased to see the green team get on board with more memory, especially since it leaves the door open to more 4K possibilities.

The GPU stowed away within the RTX 4070 Ti Super wields a beefier AD103 chip. It’s not quite full fat, as it has 8,448 CUDA cores enabled out of a possible 10,240. If you’re looking for that sort of count, you’re going to have to opt for the RTX 4080 Super instead. Otherwise, we’re talking about a 10% shader increase that should theoretically correlate with better performance.

Other than that, everything else with the RTX 4070 Ti Super remains the same. It’ll still sip the same power from your PSU thanks to its 285W TDP and boasts boost clock speeds up to 2,610MHz. That may sound a little boring considering its title, but I guess changing the GPU within is enough to grant this card a metaphorical cape. Just like the original RTX 4070 Ti, there’s no Founder’s Edition. Therefore, it’s worth mentioning that I’m using a PNY model for this review instead, which just so happens to be overclocked slightly to 2,625MHz.

Design

The PNY GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super VERTO design combines fashion sense and functionality, as you would expect from a custom variant. On an aesthetic level, this version is practically identical to the OG, wearing the exact same triple cooler three slot shroud that screams minimalist. I’d argue this model doesn’t quite pull the look off as well as the MSI card featured in our Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 review, which might be down to the crude industrial vibe provided by its chonky cooling fins.

Of course, it’d be silly to ignore the practicality of PNY’s cooling setup, as its trio of RTX 4070 TI Super cooling fans are going to shift a lot of heat. Thankfully, that didn’t also translate into louder caveats during use, with noise levels feeling on par with the original model and other cards with a similar setup. 

My biggest gripe with the RTX 4070 Ti Super’s design is one that ties to almost every RTX 4000 card out there. If you guessed it’s the placement of the 12VHPWR power connector you can pat yourself on the back, as keeping it pretty much in the centre is a cable management nightmare. The inside of my case is already questionable, but making me have to wrangle a dongle that extends from the middle of the card is a sure fire way to keep me from redemption. As such, my gaming PC lacks the clean, spacious internal look of other rigs, and while I’m partly to blame, I’m absolutely going to dunk on Nvidia as an excuse.  

Features

The mere mention of anything AI tends to get my back up these days, but it remains one of the standout features of cards like the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super. Namely, Nvidia DLSS 3.5 and Frame Generation will provide you with access to performance enhancing tech that borderline feels like technomancy, especially since the latter can boost fps with almost no visual evidence. 

Some enthusiasts will argue that these techniques aren’t worthwhile compared to native raw performance, and there are absolutely caveats tied to the tool kit when it comes to potential latency and artifacting. However, Nvidia does offset any potential lag with Reflex abilities and, from experience, you’ll notice less visual quirks with Super Resolution upscaling compared to the likes of AMD FSR 2. Nevertheless, we are talking about enhancements that won’t work with every release out there, and if you only play games without support, the feature will mean nothing to you.

PNY’s VelocityX suite will provide you with plenty of dials to play around with. The software will enable you to set fan speed parameters and mess around with custom overclocking if you’re brave enough, and its interface is pretty clean compared to some custom settings kits out there. This is where you’d also be able to customise RGB lighting, but the VERTO edition I’m testing is completely devoid of flashing lights.

Performance 

Moving onto PNY GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super VERTO performance, and while I was able to produce some impressive benchmarks, luck wasn’t exactly on my side. By that, I mean a Cyberpunk 2077 update landed that is meant to boost performance for Intel 13th gen CPU users, but instead introduces egregious frame spikes. As such, I wasn’t able to get a true average fps reading for the RPG using my test rig, which means my go-to stress test game isn’t too available this time around. I’ve still included some of the results below, but the fact they’re almost the same as the original’s is a sign that something is off. 

On the bright side, I was able to use the rest of my test suite of games without a hitch, kicking things off with Hitman 3. At 1440p, the stealth romp managed to maintain an average of 144fps, which is a hefty uplift compared to the 103fps produced by the original. I was also delighted to find that ramping things up to 4K only reduced that figure by 20fps, leaving plenty of headroom. Naturally, throwing ray tracing into the mix completely tanks those figures, but switching on DLSS 3.5 did help me punt frame rates back from 45fps to 126fps. 

Running Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1440p also produced some pleasing benchmarks, averages reaching 164fps. The gap narrows between the Super card and the original when it comes to 4K, but I’m not about to start grumbling about Lara’s outing running at 107fps. I am, however, grateful for the modest uplift when it comes to ray tracing, with an increase from 67 to 73fps adding a bit more distance from that sub 60 line. 

The more I use Returnal as a benchmark game, the more I realise it’s pretty gutsy with GPU performance. That may explain why there’s not a huge difference in frame rates using the new RTX 4070 Ti Super compared to the vanilla variant, with only a 6 frame difference between the two at 1440p. This same trend also applies to 4K and ray tracing tests, leaving little to be desired. 

Unfortunately, Total War: Warhammer 3 ended up committing similar sins. At 1440p, I only gained 9fps compared to the non-super card, and my 4K figure only increased from 60 to 66fps. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting a massive performance gulf between the two SKUs, and I use this strategy game mashup specifically because it’s taxing. I think my feelings of disappointment are linked to the impressive differences measured in Hitman 3 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which perhaps simply illustrates that your mileage may vary across your entire Steam library.

I want to stress that the above benchmarks focus on raw performance under strenuous circumstances. Therefore, there are various tweaks you can make to elevate frame rates that aren’t going to hinder the visual experience that much. That includes using both Nvidia Super Resolution and Frame Generation where available, as it can work wonders if you’re struggling with fps. For example, I was able to reach 114fps in Returnal at 4K with ray tracing enabled, and it was all thanks to DLSS 3.5. The AI feature won’t always be there to save the day, and I get why some players might feel icky using it to simulate better performance, but it’s still worthwhile.  

Should you buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super? 

As of now, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super is my new go-to mid-range GPU, and I’d recommend picking it up over the original by default. That’s not to say there’s a huge difference between the souped-up card and the first RTX 4070 Ti, but having 16GB VRAM at your disposal and more CUDA cores does help uptick performance in demanding games. That said, if vanilla variants start showing up for a chunk less, it might be worth taking the Clark Kent approach rather than paying more for its alter ego. 

How I tested the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super 

For two weeks, I used the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super  within my test bench PC for work and playing games. While my controlled benchmark tests covered Hitman 3, Returnal, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and I also used the GPU to play some Baldur's Gate 3 and other outings on my Steam backlog.

If you'd like to learn more about how we how we test graphics cards and other PC related bit, pop by our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.  

Prefer to stick to pre-builds? Check out the best Alienware gaming PCs with out of this world GPUs already inside. Alternatively, take a peek at the best gaming laptops if you're looking for a portable powerhouse. We've also got a selection of the best gaming handhelds for those of you who like to get proper hands on.

New PC games are more ravenous for RAM than ever, and Valve's latest Steam hardware survey hints that more players are making the jump to 16GB systems. Traditionally, 8GB tends to be what developers will recommend as a minimum within system requirements for games, but if recent releases like Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League tell us anything, it’s that your gaming PC will soon need more memory just to even reach the menu screen of blockbuster outings.

Memory alone isn’t a ticket to the best gaming PC ball, and capacity is only one factor to consider when picking up RAM for gaming. Still, developers still use a face value figure to provide insight into whether Steam releases will actually run, as drifting below minimum requirements can cause a complete performance ruckus. So, it’s not entirely surprising that there’s a shift towards using either upgrading their rigs or investing in new systems armed with more DIMM sticks. 

If you look closely at Steam Hardware Survey results for January, you’ll see that aforementioned shift within the section labelled ‘system RAM’. Out of every configuration stat listed, the biggest shift was ultimately towards 16GB, with an 1.07% increase in usage bringing the total number of players up to 49.60%. At the same time, users using 8GB dropped by 0.43%, accompanied by a 0.22% dip in 4GB users. That latter percentage change is likely also a result of more gaming laptops coming with 8GB minimum, but there’s still reason to believe that the losses can be accounted for within the 16GB configuration gains.

It’s worth hammering home that Valve’s Steam survey isn’t fool proof, and it’s based on a sample of users rather than the entirety of the platform. Nevertheless, it still provides some insight into the habits of PC players when it comes to hardware, not to mention it’s useful for detecting trends early.

Again, the stats included in January’s Steam hardware survey results aren’t a shocker, and moving towards higher PC specs is an inevitability. Admittedly, the biggest changes normally involve parts that regularly receive new line-ups, like graphics cards and new generation CPUs, but memory standards also change over time. 

What these results don’t fill us in on is whether players are making the leap to using faster DDR5 RAM kits, or if the majority of players are still rocking DDR4. Since quicker data transfer rates don’t tend to impact performance as capacity, you could say there’s less of a rush to upgrade, but it would be handy to see how quickly the PC scene moves on from one generation of components to the next. 

How much RAM does your PC need? 

The question of how much RAM to arm your gaming PC or laptop with will change over time. However, at the moment, I’d say 16GB should be regarded as a minimum. That’s not to say you’ll need that amount to run every Steam game in your library, but when it comes to big budget adventures and fancy new releases, the extra headroom will prevent any hardware headaches.

Not every new game currently demands 16GB RAM, and minimum specs can vary depending on genre. For instance, Tekken 8 can get by on 8GB minimum, whereas open world romps like Starfield will make full use of more than 16GB. Even more traditional action adventures like Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League are now advising more memory as a minimum, demonstrating that PC games as a whole are becoming more demanding.

In any case, if you think your rig might need a RAM revamp, have a peek below at some memory offers available right now.

Looking for more than memory? Check out the best gaming CPU and best SSD for gaming and give your entire rig a refresh. We've even rounded up the best PC cases if you need something to throw everything into.

The past five years have been pretty steady in the gaming headset space, but there's a new material looking to shake things up. 2023 introduced a plethora of new cups to hear through, but among them stood a few contenders doing things a little differently. Gaming headsets like the Corsair Virtuoso Pro, Logitech G Pro X2, and the soon to be released Astro A50X have introduced graphene to their construction, and shouted about its benefits pretty loudly - but what exactly are graphene drivers, and what are they doing in some of the best gaming headsets to change your listening experience? 

To answer that, we'll need to take a look inside a standard headset. We talk a lot about 50mm or 90mm, planar or dynamic drivers - these are all terms describing the size and design of a diaphragm and magnet that is responsible for converting electrical signals into sound. We're focusing on dynamic drivers here, rather than planar or electrostatic options.

In the case of a dynamic driver, this membrane is connected to a magnet via a copper coil. That copper coil becomes magnetized when an electric signal is passed through - causing it, and therefore the diaphragm, to vibrate and produce the sound you hear through your headset.

There's a problem here, though. Dynamic drivers power the vast majority of headphones and gaming headsets, because they're the cheapest options on the market. That also means the membrane (or diaphragm) covering the magnet tends to be made out of cheaper and more flexible materials. These can warp once those vibrations become too much, creating distortion, particularly with higher volumes. Of course, there's more to it than that - there's a whole world of dynamic driver designs and materials that each have their own sound qualities and limitations. However, graphene drivers are simply dynamic drivers that use graphene for this membrane.

Why? Graphene as a material is super thin (it's just one carbon atom thin) and incredibly light. That means less power is needed to move the membrane itself, leaving us with less distortion and greater energy efficiency overall - perfect for wireless gaming headsets. Being so lightweight, graphene drivers are also capable of more precise modulation - the vibrations picked up by the membrane are more responsive to the electric signal being fed through the magnet, resulting in a more faithful sound reproduction. While the effects aren't going to be game changing for the everyday player, in theory that could offer up more intense atmospheric horror sounds and greater clarity in a competitive setting.

In short, graphene drivers are dynamic drivers that use super thin atom-sized membranes to produce a low-distortion, highly responsive sound through a gaming headset. 

As we mentioned up top, there are a number of gaming headsets with graphene drivers available these days and that count is growing. They're by no means industry standard, though, due to their higher cost. If you're after the best listening experience possible, you're certainly going to pay for it. 

We're rounding up all the best PS5 headsets and the best Xbox Series X headsets right here, but if you're after something more desk based, check out the best headsets for PC at the moment.

There’s a new Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC in town, and the latest configuration comes armed with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super. The new build on the block comes in at $1,899, meaning it’s technically cheaper than the OG RTX 4070 model listed alongside the system. However, there are a few spec differences between the two that are well worth considering, and it might be worth waiting for more models to enter the fold.

When the Alienware Aurora R16 arrived in 2023, it somewhat changed Dell’s approach to winning the best gaming PC crown. Not only did the system maker scale back the R16’s out of this world aesthetic, but it placed more focus on performance and efficiency, something that matters more to most players than a bulky shell. That said, that hasn’t affected the way the company rolls out new SKUs, and it’s already kitting out its latest build Nvidia's shiny new best graphics card contenders.

You'll find the Alienware Aurora R16 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super, Intel Core i7 14700F CPU, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD for $1,899 at Dell. You're getting largely the same specs as the first RTX 4070 system that released for $1,999, which comes with a Core i7 14700F chip and 1TB drive but double the amount of memory with 32GB installed. 

Unlike some configurations, this one doesn’t appear to be customizable, meaning you’ll have to make upgrades yourself if you’re not completely happy with the build. It’s likely that Dell has conjured up this specific concoction of parts to hit what it thinks is an eye catching price, and while I don’t entirely disagree with that, the original 32GB RAM RTX 4070 build is $100 more at $1,999.99.

DDR5 RAM for gaming isn’t cheap, and the Alienware Aurora R16 makes things slightly awkward when it comes to upgrading. That’s largely down to the fact it only features two DIMM slots, which means you’d need to swap out the two existing 8GB sticks of memory for a higher capacity set. Sure, you could argue that 16GB is still perfectly fine in 2024, but as someone who regularly puts system requirements to the test, I reckon it’ll swiftly become the minimum as more new games arrive on the scene. 

Opting for the non-Super model isn’t ideal either, as the RTX 4070 Super will provide a substantial performance boost. I’m currently working on putting the new souped-up line-up to the test, but we’re talking about a 22% higher CUDA core count. It’s still got the same 12GB GDDR6X VRAM as before, though, so you’ll need to take a peek at the RTX 4070 Ti Super R16 for $2,399.99  if you’re looking for more video memory headroom. 

The new Alienware Aurora R16 will no doubt provide an extra punch thanks to its new RTX Super cards, but I do think it’s worth waiting for more builds. RTX 4080 Super options are also missing from the line-up, and it’ll be interesting to see where it falls price wise compared to its siblings. Of course, if you’re looking for something with even more oomph, you might be better off checking out our Alienware Aurora R15 review, as the RTX 4090 version is one of the best Alienware gaming PC builds out there in terms of raw performance.

On a related note, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super is now available at Newegg from $999.99, with various custom cards by a variety of brands.

Looking for something portable? Check out the best gaming laptop and best gaming handheld options for something that'll fit in your bag. Alternatively, check out the best PC cases and put together your own powerhouse rig.

BenQ is well known for its excellent projectors, and with the brand's gaming heritage, it makes sense that many of its devices are geared towards console players. Their latest model, though, the BenQ X300G proves just how tapped into the gaming space they are.

The X300G is the first 4K projector designed for gaming on the go that I've seen. The 212 x 180.9 x 194.8mm short throw box can fit on pretty much any hard surface and pushes out native 4K picture with three game modes for RPG, SPG, and FPS and even crosshair overlays. At $1,799 / £1,599 it's fairly priced too - less than I was expecting from the makers of some of the best projectors on the market.

With such headway being made in the world of the best gaming handhelds, and gaming TVs continuing to offer incremental upgrades (and often substantially higher price tags to get them), I reckon BenQ might be onto something here. The Asus ROG Ally has significantly changed my play habits - I'm no longer tethered to a desk or couch to play. Being able to quickly set up the BenQ X300G for big-screen entertainment wherever I please could be another game changer - for me and many others. It's certainly a smart move considering the current enthusiasm for portable play.

There are some drawbacks with that lower price point, though. HDMI is limited to 2.0 rather than 2.1 (the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 can get you the full 2.1 whack - albeit for $5K), and refresh rates at 4K are limited to 60Hz (though 1080p gaming can run you up to 240Hz). That, and the price point, means this isn't one for the hardcore among us - it might not end up being the best projector for PS5 overall, but it's certainly looking like one of the easiest to use.

I've been hesitant to spend too much on gaming projectors in recent years. I have a solid TV that gives me all the super bright HDR goodness I need, and the extra faff in setup (not to mention having those cables wriggling between the consoles and sound system) was enough to stop me making the change for good outside of testing. With its compact footprint, motorized zoom, built-in spatial audio, smart autofocus, and instant key stoning - this could be my way in.

The BenQ X300G launched in US markets today and is available direct at BenQ.com - if you get in before January 31 you can even claim a free game and these options aren't lightweight. You can choose from Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Resident Evil 4, Spider-Man 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Those in the UK will be waiting a little longer for a European release, though. 

We're rounding up plenty more of the best portable projectors on the market, but if you're after something even more flexible check out the best outdoor projectors. You'll also need one of the best projector screens to make the most of these gadgets as well. 

Today marks the official release date of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super, and reviews of the MSI VENTUS 3X version are now alive and kicking. However, it sounds like we’re lucky to see any for the card at all, as a BIOS update is reportedly causing havoc when it comes in benchmarks. While the green team has since addressed the issue and a vBIOS fix is apparently now available, it could serve to confuse PC players looking to compare the new souped-up card with the original.

The new Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super won’t outright replace the original in the best graphics card race, but it should theoretically provide a performance boost for mid-range PC enthusiasts. The new card on the block boasts a higher CUDA core count and 16GB GDDR6X VRAM, meaning it could be more desirable than the first wave. That said, launch day teething problems are already becoming apparent, and investing in the MSI RTX 4070 Ti Super might mean having to mess around with BIOS settings to unleash its full capabilities.

Highlighted by our GPU savvy sister site PC Gamer, news of the MSI RTX 4070 Ti Super BIOS problem was shared just a day before reviews were set to go live. The fault seemingly knocked up to 5% off of the card’s potential performance in games, with an initial BIOS update only reducing the loss by about 3%. The company now says that MSI has released a vBIOS fix that fully resolves the quirk, but the whole dilemma will likely haunt the VENTUS 3X post-release.

Weird BIOS shenanigans aside, the MSI RTX 4070 Ti Super has actually received decent review scores so far, with PC Gamer gracing it with an 80%. That’s not a bad result given the issues at hand, but the idea of having to update a GPU BIOS may ultimately put players off opting for the VENTUS 3X model. Since there’s already going to be heaps of stock sitting in warehouses waiting to be shipped, I’m not feeling too optimistic about some sort of magical fix arriving to save buyer’s hassle. Therefore, I’d perhaps hold off from opting for this custom card for now.

As a side note, I’ll have an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super review to share with you all soon, and I’m excited to dive into the differences between the newbie and the original. With the arrival of both new card across the board, the battlefield is getting pretty busy, so it’s important to compare and contrast to ensure you pick the right card for your rig.

If you're looking for our thoughts on the OG version, you'll want to swing by either our PNY GeForce RTX 4070 Ti or Zotac GeForce RTX 4070 Ti AMP AIRO review for benchmarks and more.

Not into DIY? Check out the best gaming PC builds for a collection of ready to go rigs. Alternatively, check out the best gaming handheld for something more console-shaped.

Crucial DDR5 Pro RAM doesn't have time for your RGB lust. It doesn't care about that overclocking video you watched on YouTube, and it's not going to pretend that it's anything more than it is. As someone who reviews RAM, I hate to admit that it's probably the most boring of all the PC components. DDR5 manufacturers have tried to bury that secret under a slew of enticing features as they try to ensnare people into upgrading, but it's nonetheless true. 

Crucial's best RAM for gaming almost leans into that though - it's plain, it's simple, and it's the kind of RAM your dad might like the look of. But when there's very little separating one memory kit from the next, is a less-is-more approach really the tactic to choose? 

You'd at least hope that this strategy would involve a more affordable price tag, but at $120 / £120, Crucial DDR5 Pro exists in the same arena as a lot of gaming-specific competitors. Even if Crucial's prices dip early and dip often, and you can find this 32GB (2x 16GB) kit for $100 / £100, you're still up against the best of the best. 

Design and Features

In a lot of ways, Crucial DDR5 Pro RAM reminds me of our PNY XLR8 MAKO DDR5 review, because its design is so scaled back. If anything, Crucial's sticks are even more bare-bones since they don't even have some flashy shark fins on their heatsinks to help jazz them up. What you see is what you get here, there's a black chassis covering the sticks themselves, and some fairly subdued branding that won't make itself known inside one of the best gaming PCs. 

Thankfully, these still feel substantial enough that I wasn't at all worried about snapping them during installation. When I first tried to seat Sabrent's Rocket DDR5 RAM, which is our favorite memory for overclocking, the sticks seemed so thin I was genuinely a bit worried. I felt I could click these Crucial sticks into place with no bother at all though.

The heat spreader Crucial has designed is made of aluminium, and I found that while it dissipated heat fairly well across the modules, the sticks were still warmer to the touch than with some more flashy RGB RAM I've tested. 

As far as physical design, there really isn't much more to say. There's no RGB lighting, there's no B/E-die, and there are no dedicated design decisions to help with overclocking. These sticks have two XMP profiles on board, along with one AMD Expo profile, and that's pretty much as exciting as they get. These sticks are available in kits of 8, 16, 24, 32, and 48GB, and in speeds of 4800, 5200, and 5600MT/s. Keep in mind that MT/s isn't the same as MHz, but I tested 32GB of 5600MT/s for this review.

Even when it comes to features, we really don't have much to discuss. I could get into the weeds of unbuffered DIMMS, the 16GB Die Density, and the fact that Crucial uses Micron's own D8DDZ chips. The latter is a welcome change from the usual SK Hynix or Samsung chips found in a lot of gaming RAM today. Nevertheless, Crucial clearly doesn't want my design and features section to be long, so we'll cut straight to performance since I've already covered what you need to know.

Performance

As someone who loves overclocking RAM to test it for these reviews, I am a bit disappointed with Crucial's DDR5 Pro kit. It feels a bit like I'm a bungee jumping instructor, and Crucial's DDR5 Pro is that one person in the group who signed up even though they hate heights and were realistically never going to take the leap anyway. 

To review DDR5 RAM, I usually install it into our testing PC, pair it with an i7 CPU and an RTX 3050 GPU, and play around with XMP profiles and different speeds to see how it performs when I'm gaming. For the last few reviews, 6000MHz has been the main testing speed, since most DDR5 kits aimed at gaming will sit around that mark, or at least overclock to it comfortably. As hard as I tried, I couldn't get the PC to post and successfully retrain this RAM above the 5000MHz mark. 

Now, this isn't bad, by any means. You're still getting significantly faster speeds than DDR4, and a lot of starter DDR5 kits that offer 4800MHz on the box. The RAM I use in my own personal machine is that aforementioned Sabrent Rocket DDR5 kit, and that's advertised at 4800MHz. The difference is that Sabrent's sticks overclock way, way higher than that, and can comfortably sit above 4800MHz. When other DDR5 makes overclocking a main selling point, it's a bit of a disappointment when Crucial shows no interest yet charges the same kind of price. 

Advertised JDEC timings are 46-45-45, but CPUZ gave me 36-36-36-76, with voltages of 1.10v. Again, these are nothing to get overly excited about - they're probably the average readings I see from DDR5 tests. Again though, when other RAM offers more for these types of demands and can give you more stability, it doesn't make Crucial very appealing.

Here at GamesRadar+, we test RAM for the purpose of gaming, so we like to examine how each kit performs in three specific benchmarking games. With an entry-level 1080p graphics card, we've found cranking up speeds and playing around with XMP profiles can actually have impacts on the stability of frame rates, sometimes even offering advantages when running at 1440p. Our testing rig houses an Intel Core i7 13700K CPU currently, as well as a Gigabyte RTX 3050, and a PNY CS1030 SSD, all on a Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X motherboard. Here's how Crucial's DDR5 Pro got on running at 5000MHz.

For all its lack of features and fun, Crucial's DDR5 Pro did manage to turn out some decent frame rates for operating at this speed. We tested Sabrent's Rocket DDR5 and PNY's XLR8 Mako DDR5 at 5000MHz, albeit with the previous generation of i7 processor, and Crucial managed to turn in very similar results. 

Perhaps most noticeably, Hunt Showdown seemed to hit some sort of sweet spot with this RAM and this speed at 1080p - since it managed to clock significantly higher frame rates at full HD than it has in our last few RAM tests. The other numbers across the board are much of a likeness to other kits operating closer to 6000MHz, so that's a solid result at least. 

What I will say, is that those frame rates did fluctuate more with this RAM than with the likes of Klevv Cras XR5 RGB DDR5, which is our current favorite RAM recommendation.

Overall, this is a solid RAM performer, but one that we'd recommend more to gamers rocking an i5/Ryzen 5 CPU than someone looking to pair it with a flagship processor and overclock it for all its worth. It is particularly disappointing that boosting speeds isn't an option here.

Should you buy Crucial DDR5 Pro RAM?

If you're someone who doesn't care about overclocking, wants simplicity, and is putting together a 1080p gaming PC, Crucial's DDR5 Pro RAM may be a solid choice for you. Particularly if you have a case without a transparent panel and you don't care about showing off beautiful RGB lights inside, this is a match made in heaven.

If you want the truest benefits of what DDR5 gaming RAM can offer, maybe think again. For starters, some RGB can make your PC shine, but even putting looks to one side, there are genuinely beneficial overclocking features and design choices that'll give you more bang for your buck. 

Sometimes, less is more, and for people who want no-fuss RAM, I'm sure Crucial is appealing. For the money you're paying here though, is less really more? I for one think people wanting to squeeze every last drop of performance out of their PCs can do better.

How we tested Crucial DDR5 Pro RAM

I put Crucial's Pro DDR5 RAM to the test inside our testing PC and got a feel for how it performed in general productivity tasks. It worked just as smoothly as any other DDR5 RAM I've reviewed in that regard. For gaming, I played three specific games at 1080p and 1440p with an entry-level GPU to see how it could help take the strain away from other components, particularly when the GPU was working to capacity. I also played around with speed settings in the BIOS menu and examined to what extent the RAM's XMP profiles made a difference. Lastly, I used CPUZ to track the finer numbers of voltages and readings. 

For more on how we test the latest PC components, check out our hardware policy.

Looking for more PC upgrades? Take a look at the best CPU for gaming, the best graphics cards, and the best computer speakers.

It’s D-Day for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super, and the revamped graphics card is now available at various retailers. First unveiled at CES 2024, the mid-range contender is the first of three souped-up cards slated to arrive on the scene this month, but you’ll need to be quick on your feet if you want to grab the Founder’s Edition GPU.

In many ways, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super is arguably the best graphics card contender that should have arrived back in 2023. Instead, its dialled back sibling, the original GeForce RTX 4070, showed up with 20% fewer cores, meaning it wasn’t quite an RTX 3090 replacement. Now that the new beefier card is available and armed with 7,168 CUDA cores, more gaming PC owners may finally take the plunge and upgrade their rigs, resulting in a high demand scenario that may catch laid back players off guard.

At the moment, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Founder’s Edition is still available direct from the GPU giant. However, upon adding one to my basket, I was placed in a queue of over 600 people, which suggests the card is already pretty sought after. It’s worth noting that custom variants, including stock cards priced at $599, are readily available at Newegg, so we’re not talking about a complete wipe out like a few years ago. Still, the FE model isn’t grab and go right now, and Nvidia caveats that “being in the queue does not guarantee a purchase” when it comes to its own RTX 4070.

Where to buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super UK stock

Should you buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super?

At the moment, the GeForce RTX 4070 Super is one of the best value mid-range Nvidia GPUs, especially since its lower spec sibling still costs $549. For an extra $50, you’re getting a graphics card that feels more like a suitable replacement for an RTX 3090, and it’s going to run rings around older flagship RTX cards.

That said, it’s worth noting that it’s still armed with the same 12GB GDDR6X VRAM, and that could be an issue if you’re looking to enjoy the new release well into the future. Typically, more memory is required when games offer up higher resolution textures, with 16GB proving to be somewhat of a sweet spot in some scenarios. Of course, if you’re looking for a true 4K experience, you’re going to want to opt for something like the RTX 4080 Super instead anyway, as Nvidia’s mid-range selection really relies on AI trickery like DLSS 3.5 to pull off any sort of UHD action.

Looking for a system with a GPU already inside? Check out the best gaming PC options for ready to go rigs. Alternatively, take a peek at the best gaming handheld and get your hands on a portable powerhouse.

We already know a second generation of Intel Arc graphics cards is coming, and a new CES 2024 interview suggests the tech giant is actually a step ahead. While a successor to the current ‘Alchemist’ line-up, dubbed ‘Battlemage’, is scheduled to arrive at some point in 2024, there’s a chance we’ll see an additional new wave of GPUs emerge soon after. As someone who hoped the blue team would properly disrupt the scene last year I’m excited at this prospect, and the extra competition could be the kick that AMD and Nvidia need.

The Intel Arc A770 is arguably one of the best graphics card options right now in terms of value, but the Alchemist line-up sticks to entry level. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the scene is pretty top heavy when it comes to mid-range and high end GPUs, especially with new gen Nvidia shenanigans. However, Intel clearly has a battleplan, and if things go right, we may eventually end up with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 challenger, or at least a premium 4K contender that boasts better value for money.

Intel Fellow Tom Petersen provided an idea of what the company is cooking up in terms of graphics cards during a sit down chat with PC World at CES 2024. Touching on the next generation of GPUs, the ex Nvidia director says that “30% of our engineers are working on Battlemage,” but clarifies that those efforts are focusing on software. That’s down to the fact that, according to Petersen, “the hardware group is on the next thing.” 

Naturally, Petersen reiterates that he can’t properly delve into Battlemage, or the so-called “next thing” up Intel’s graphics sleeve. Still, if things stay on track, it should mean we’ll also see the company’s Celestial architecture show up in the not so distant future. The fact that Battlemage is already at the silicon stage, and the team is apparently working on the driver side of things, is also a promising sign, as it means the company will potentially avoid the teething problems experienced the first time around with Alchemist. 

As for the current roadmap, previous leaks by RedGamingTech suggest that Battlemage could start to roll out in Q2 2024, starting with the beefier cards. That’s not to say we’ll end up with anything that can take on the RTX 4090 this year, as the next cards will seemingly tap out at 225W. That said, if Celestial is set to show up at the start of 2025, we may end up with something with even more oomph, providing the company with access to the premium GPU ring.

So, why am I so excited? Well, Intel has established a track record for setting competitive MSRPs and offering as much “bang for buck” as possible. At the moment, that’s not going to matter to those of you looking to boost fps as high as possible at 4K, but that might all change if an alternative to premium AMD and Nvidia GPUs arrives for much less. We’re already seeing both parties gear up for that scenario, as you can now grab an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super for less than the original card, and AMD has made sure to cover all its mid-range bases with Radeon RX 7800 and RX 7700 options. 

Simply put, things could get real interesting in 2024 if everything pans out for Intel, and I’m keen to see what the company can achieve.

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Along with the official reveal of AMD's Ryzen 8000 Series desktop processors at CES 2024, the brand snuck in the news that it would be adding to its line-up of Ryzen 5000 Series processors. 

No, you read that correctly - the Ryzen 5000 Series that was released in 2020 is getting four new entries. The Ryzen 7 5700X3D, AMD Ryzen 7 5700, AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT, and AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT will all launch toward the end of this month and will sport Zen 3 architecture.

It's sort of like if Intel went back to its 11th Gen family (which doesn't use its current architecture) and decided to give it an update with four new processors. 

This decision is... weird. On one hand, I love the fact that AMD is allowing people who splashed out on one of the best gaming PCs in the chaotic pandemic era to net some upgrades without completely changing their rig from the motherboard up. Folks in 2020 paid a hell of a lot for their components, and since multiple generational updates have come out in the proceeding years, those buyers must feel a sting. 

More than that, I do slightly despise the fact that for so many PC gamers, an upgrade to the latest and greatest parts is all too often locked behind new motherboard architecture. Simply put, it means they'll have to fork out on a completely new set of components that, quite honestly, won't give them the performance boost that their sometimes obscene price tags should give them.

On the other hand, though, this isn't exactly a great move for current buyers. Older motherboards that use the 5000 series architecture aren't compatible with DDR5 RAM, future GPUs with PCIe Gen 5 support, or indeed Gen 5 SSDs. So, in buying one of these updated 5000 Series chips you're not exactly futureproofing yourself. It's a bit like if a cul-de-sac got one more house built at the bottom of it. There's now more to the street you live on, but it's still ultimately a dead-end. 

I suppose to assess true value, we need to look at some specs.

Luckily, these are all reasonably priced - and they'd have to be. The Ryzen 5000 processors have stayed on our best CPU for gaming list because of their extreme value for money. If you've been looking for a budget CPU since 2020, that wave of AMD chips has been the one to call.

But even then, these new entries don't make a whole lot of sense. The new Ryzen 7 57000X3D almost matches up with an Intel Core i5-12600K, but that Intel chip gives you access to DDR5 and two more cores. For its sins, the 12600K is often found around the same $250 asking price, and the same goes for an AMD Ryzen 7 7700, which is usually around the $300 mark. So again, why would you shoot yourself in the foot with a purchase of the new 5000 Series options?

Is AMD simply taking a jab at Intel here so that they both technically have three generations of desktop processors on the go at the same time?

Well, there is always the argument that these chips will be targeted at the people who already have compatible AMD systems and have no interest in moving to a DDR5-compatible machine yet. These new 5000 Series chips are built with Zen 3 architecture and fit into an AM4 motherboard socket. Depending on how old your PC is, this could bring an unexpected upgrade to a machine that previously seemed dead in the water. Imagine having a Ryzen 5 3500 CPU with Vega Graphics (which I used to use on a daily basis), and learning that there are now four brand new CPUs coming out that will provide you with a genuine upgrade. You wouldn't need to buy a whole new PC after all. 

For that reason, this is a generous and quite brilliant move by AMD. This is the sort of move that breeds brand loyalty - something that Intel has fallen short of in recent years. 

While upgrading to one of these four CPUs could offer some real value, it must be said that desktop CPUs do drop in price pretty quickly when new generations arrive. The new Ryzen 8000 Series CPUs are worth getting excited about, but they use the same motherboard slot as the 7000 Series, so those 2022 chips will likely come down to much more reasonable prices in no time at all. Is a new 5000 Series chip really worth committing to when DDR5 and Ryzen 7000 CPUs are getting cheaper by the day?

If you were to ask me how to upgrade an older rig from 2020 without changing motherboards, I'd say that your CPU is likely fine as it is - the biggest quality-of-life update will probably come from buying one of the newest, and one of the best graphics cards. Maybe for people putting together a new build from scratch, these refreshed CPUs might offer the best value for money, but even to those people, I'd recommend waiting for updated architecture to drop to your price range, because at least then you're giving yourself a bit more future-proofing.

All in all, it's great to see a celebration of the Ryzen 5000 Series. While AMD tries to see just how long it can keep its longevity going, I will applaud support for an aging motherboard socket. Without support for the best RAM for gaming though, I'm left questioning how long they'll be viable. While a certain subset of gamers might be happy with a small budget-buy upgrade, if they're going to spend money on components, I'd always recommend thinking as long-term as possible.

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The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is on the way, and the new entry level RDNA 3 graphics card will furnish more PCs with 16GB VRAM. That’s undoubtedly a good thing, especially when it comes to maxing out settings in the latest games at 1080p, but I’m disappointed that it doesn’t have much else up its proverbial sleeve. Effectively, the card is set to use the same GPU and core count as its non-XT predecessor, meaning its price point feels a little bit off.

You only have to look at the best graphics card scene to know prices are all over the place, and AMD has led the charge with competitive MSRPs. It feels like only yesterday that the Radeon RX 7600 arrived to challenge the RTX 4060 with a $269.99 tag attached, not to mention the company managed to dodge the same pricing criticism fired at Nvidia for the more expensive RTX 4060 Ti 16GB. However, it feels like team red is now falling into the same trap as its main rival, as the Radeon RX 7600 XT feels like the same pitch.

Revealed at CES 2024, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT arrives on January 24 and will come in at $329.99. Featuring 32 Compute Units, 64 AI accelerators, and 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, the only real difference between the new model and the non-XT is the extra memory, which might help explain why I’m a little bit narked about its MSRP. 

That’s not to say I don’t think having an entry-level GPU with more memory to spare is worthwhile, as I’ve experienced first hand what gluttonous new releases are like when sticking to 8GB. However, while the Radeon RX 7600 XT will buffer some gaming PCs against the horrors of maxed out settings, it’s not going to provide an fps boost over and above the non-XT version, even though you’re practically paying a $60 premium. 

Of course, AMD is known for post-release price cuts, so there’s every chance the Radeon RX 7600 XT will dip a little in the future. I’d argue that it will have to if it wants to survive in the ring, as new Intel Arc Battlemage graphics cards could show up in 2024 as a disruptor. Naturally, Nvidia could also look at giving the RTX 4060 a glow up in a similar fashion to the GeForce RTX 4080 Super, and piling on additional pressure. 

Pricing aside, it’s nice to see more 16GB options show up to the graphics card fold, and the move from 8GB will ultimately help keep things future proofed. We’ll need to put the new card through our usual tests to see whether it stacks up against the best, but I suspect there won’t be too many surprises in store during benchmarking.

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Compact gaming machines are hardly a new concept, but Asus just announced a NUC mini PC that now lives in my head rent free. The reason? Well, the new system squeezes an RTX 4070 graphics card and an Intel Core Ultra i9 CPU into something that’ll take up the same sort of space as a Nintendo Switch, and that’s a game changer if you’ve got a busy living room setup. 

When it comes to building the best gaming PC, size matters, and specs are naturally tied to case size. That’s not to say you can’t cram powerhouse components into an extremely small footprint, as that’s exactly what rigs like Intel’s NUC (Next Unit of Compute) machines have set out to achieve in the past. Now that the tech giant has tasked other companies with the quest of putting together similar compact gaming machine, my brain is firing off living room ideas all over the place.

Unveiled during CES 2024, the Asus ROG NUC is a 25-litre mini gaming PC that the company claims “will cater to the needs of esports enthusiasts”. That’s a roundabout way of saying its discrete RTX 4070 graphics and Intel Core Ultra i9 processor will help you boost fps to competitive levels, which is impressive given its tiny footprint. Even if you’re not into virtually shooting in a sporting fashion, this dinky rig is going to outpace many chonkier mid-range machines out there in the latest games

If you’re on more of a budget, you’ll be pleased to hear there are lower spec versions of the Asus ROG NUC, with Intel Arc and RTX 4060 options serving as an alternative. Even then, you’ll still end up with a Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chip, 32GB DDR5 RAM – a bananas ensemble that’d end up taking up far more space if I were to attempt a similar build myself. 

And that’s exactly why the Asus ROG NUC is currently occupying my living room endeavours, as the setup feels impossibly small. I was well aware that rigs like this were a possibility, but the company’s whole approach to design and implementation hits pretty hard. I previously used a PS5-sized rig as part of my setup with an RTX 3070 within, but it still felt like it occupied too much space to permanently pitch up.

It’s also worth noting that the ROG NUC uses a tool-less chassis that’ll allegedly enable you to carry out any upgrades within 10 minutes. As someone who’s always looking to refine and improve anything dwelling in my house, this is invaluable, and it has me wondering whether the tiny rig could outlast everything else I currently use Steam on. After all, while I’m a big fan of using the best gaming handheld connected to a dock, mileage with newer games will inevitably decrease month by month, and upgrading means buying an entirely new machine.

Naturally, we'll need to run our own tests to see whether the ROG NUC PC lives up to  my expectations, and Asus hasn't mentioned any word of price yet. Still, it's great to see smaller rigs arrive in a big way, and this system could be the start of something special.

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The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super has officially landed thanks to a trio of CES graphics card announcements, and I’m pleasantly surprised. Not only are we also getting RTX 4070 and RTX 4070 Ti Super variants with more oomph, but the new range costs less than the original line-up. That’s great news for anyone that’s been holding off, and it’s a step in the right direction for the scene in terms of pricing and specs.

Needless to say, the original RTX 4080 was a controversial contender to the best graphics card race. While it’s undeniably an impressive card, its price tag arguably didn’t place enough distance between it and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090. Plus, while I still value it as a 4K GPU, I can see why many would opt for the cheaper RTX 4070 Ti. Thankfully, the newly announced wave of options strikes a much better balance between performance and cost, and I don’t feel remotely as grumpy about each option’s MSRP.

Unveiled in line with CES 2024, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super will arrive on January 31 for $999 / £959. That’s $200 less than the original model that landed back in 2022, but it also now features a full fat AD103 GPU, more CUDA cores, and faster memory. Simply put, you’re getting something closer to the RTX 4090 for cheaper than before, which is sure to please enthusiasts who can’t justify spending over a grand on a single component.

If you’d rather keep to conventional pricing, you’ll instead want to turn your attention to either the Nvidia RTX 4070 Super or RTX 4070 Ti Super. The latter feels like the bigger revamp comparatively, as Nvidia has increased the SKU’s memory to 16GB and has also granted it a CUDA core bump. Those qualities in conjunction with a wider 256-bit memory bus should make for a pretty premium option, and while it still comes in at $799 / £769, it’s naturally better value for money than its predecessor.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super feels like the lightest revision announced, as the main difference between it and the original is an increased core count. However, the company is now framing it more as a more efficient RTX 3090 replacement, meaning it should theoretically offer up last gen flagship performance at 1440p. Just like every card announced, I’ll have to run my own benchmarks before knowing whether those marketing claims hold up, but it feels like we’re looking at what could be the GPU we should have received in 2022 to begin with.

As for release dates, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super will rock up on January 24, while the RTX 4070 Super will arrive first on Jan 17. Unlike with the RTX 4080 Super, the two 70-series cards will seemingly co-exist alongside the original variants, but we’ll need to wait and see how much this affects the price of older custom cards by board partners. 

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