A surplus of GPUs is being brought on by the rainy season. After the GeForce GTX 1080 and GTX 1070’s successful launches by Nvidia, AMD has now followed suit. The two businesses, however, are approaching things differently this year. AMD is taking it easy, whereas Nvidia has unveiled a premium GPU to top its previous generation flagship. An older model will coexist with the new Radeon RX 480, a moderately priced mid-range GPU. Although AMD isn’t aiming to set any records, it should deliver excellent performance for its cost, which feels like a step back.

The X in the model number indicates that it is a gaming GPU, the 4 denotes a fourth-generation part, and the 80 denotes that this card is designed for gaming at resolutions higher than full-HD, according to AMD’s simplified naming convention. The Radeon RX 470 and RX 460 models, which are anticipated to be positioned below the RX 480, have already received some information from AMD. While Nvidia currently holds the crown for absolute performance, there is a vast opportunity for AMD to capture cost-conscious buyers who don’t have an unlimited budget – a significantly larger market. Discover what the red team brings to the table by reading on.

The same graphics cards with customized circuit boards and coolers are typically released by Nvidia’s partners at the same time, but AMD’s vendors are more likely to stick with the reference design. For a while, companies like Asus, Sapphire, Powercolor, XFX, MSI, and others will only sell the reference design. You can be certain that there are no differences between the sample we have and the products sold by other brands, aside from a tiny sticker, even though it is a direct sample from AMD without partner branding. The product with the more attractive packaging or the lower street price should be chosen.

The graphics card is square in shape and has a cooler that extends over the edge to maximize the short PCB and draw air in from the front and back. AMD has chosen an understated design this time around; the red Radeon branding is not illuminated, and the shroud has a light, evenly distributed texture. There aren’t any gaudy red or silver highlights like there were on Nvidia’s Founders’ Edition cards or AMD’s earlier designs. Three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI port are located on the card’s back. AMD claims that it decided to abandon DVI output, but there isn’t any. This may have been done to make room for a large air vent, but some users might be inconvenienced and need adapters or new cables for their monitors.

The single 6-pin PCIe power connector for the new Radeon RX480 is situated awkwardly halfway up the card’s length, where the circuit board ends. When it comes to cable routing, the connector’s placement could present some difficulties. We’ll also discuss the controversy surrounding the 6-pin PCIe connector in this review. The Polaris-10 GPU, also known as the Radeon RX480, is hidden beneath the shroud. With 2,304 programmable execution units arranged into 36 clusters, it has the most processing power of the two 14nm Polaris chips that are currently on the market. The base speed is 1,120 MHz, and under heavy workloads, it can be increased to 1,266 MHz. When using common GDDR5 chips, the 256-bit memory bus can deliver a memory bandwidth of 7 Gbps. It is a step backward for AMD, especially after the Radeon R9 Fury series, that the card does not support 3D-stacked HBM or HBM2 memory. The high-end Vega architecture won’t be visible until the following year.

A GPU with contemporary features like ray tracing, DirectX 12 Ultimate support, variable rate shading, and HDMI 2.1 is the Radeon RX 6600 XT. Even on lower resolutions that are still frequently used, like 1080p monitors, it enables gamers to enjoy better visuals at comfortable frame and refresh rates.

The GPU has 2,048 “stream processors” with individual ray accelerator logic split into 32 compute units. It has a 2,359MHz reference “game clock” and a 2,589MHz maximum boost clock. The on-die Infinity Cache of the Radeon RX 6600 XT is 32MB, which is less than that of the Radeon RX 6800 and RX 6800 XT but is still effective. Hardware H acceleration is also supported by the GPU. 264, H. For specific resolutions and frame rates, 265, VP9, and AV1 decode. It has 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, giving it a memory bandwidth of up to 256GBps, and it uses the same 7nm manufacturing process as its siblings. Although the particular board partners’ designs may change this, AMD recommends a 160W TDP. Only platforms that support PCIe 4.0 can benefit from AMD’s decision to use only eight PCIe lanes for the Radeon RX 6600 XT. This option offers the same bandwidth as PCIe 3.0’s 16 lanes, but on an older system, PCIe 3.0’s eight lanes will only offer half the bandwidth, causing slight bottlenecks.

To take advantage of AMD’s Smart Access Memory feature, which allows a CPU to access the GPU’s entire memory capacity rather than the conventional 256MB limit, a relatively modern PC is required. Up to 10% more performance can be achieved in some games by implementing the Resizable BAR (Base Address Register). Since this mid-range tier lacks a reference design, all Radeon RX 6600 XT GPUs will have unique coolers. With a strong emphasis on customization and design, ASRock has created a large card that is 305mm long, 40mm longer than most high-end cards, and taller than average cards, taking up three motherboard slots. The central fan is the only one with RGB LED lighting, and the other two fans on the front of the card have notches to improve airflow and lower noise. The central fan’s RGB LEDs always show a circular pattern, whether the fan is spinning or not. The top panel of the card also features RGB LEDs and the ASRock Phantom Gaming logo. For synchronizing and controlling the lights with ASRock motherboards that are compatible, downloadable software is available.

The card’s actual PCB only makes up 190mm of its length; the remaining space is occupied by aluminum heatsink fins under the shroud. Because of this, even though it is at the end of the board, the single 8-pin PCIe power connector looks to be in the middle of the card. Due to the card’s weight of 894g, the metal backplate lends rigidity to the entire construction.

A year after its global launch, the Asus ROG Strix XG16 compact gaming screen has at long last come to India. It is made explicitly for gaming in a hurry. The gadget, as its name recommends, is versatile and an individual from Asus’ Republic of Gamers line, which targets gamers. In spite of the fact that Asus recommends utilizing it with a ROG PC, it can likewise be utilized with different devices like a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck. The gadget’s ergonomics, in any case, may introduce a test since it must be set up utilizing either the coordinated kickstand or the movable mount that accompanies it. In different countries, Asus offers two adaptations of the screen — one with and one without the stand — yet just the variant with the mount is presented in India, compelling clients to pay for something they may not actually need.

The Asus ROG Strix XG16 convenient gaming screen is intended for gamers who need to take their gaming experience in a hurry. The screen’s name, ROG (Republic of Gamers), clarifies that it is explicitly worked for the end goal of gaming. The Strix XG16 can be matched with a ROG PC or utilized with a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. Notwithstanding, the screen’s ergonomics can be risky paying little heed to which technique you use. The underlying kickstand is slender and slants from five to 27.5 degrees, making it unsound and challenging to track down an ideal survey position. Furthermore, the mount that accompanies the screen is massive, weighty, and occupies a ton of room, making it challenging to heft around. Regardless of these issues, the screen succeeds in its gaming capacities, with a 144Hz revive rate and Nvidia G-Sync support. The tones are likewise fabulous, and the screen accompanies an alignment report sheet for calibrating.

The 7,800 mAh battery in the Asus ROG Strix XG16 is expected for use while voyaging and, as per Asus, can endure as long as three hours. 144Hz result and greatest brilliance were not tried, however genuine utilization is more critical. The battery duration came around 20% following 45 minutes of full-screen live video seeing at half splendor. The battery ran out in four hours when utilized as an optional screen at 30% splendor with the Leeway window open.

Rather than involving the ROG Strix XG16 as a gaming screen, I viewed it as more valuable as an optional showcase for work. On my essential Dell screen, I could utilize it to watch a Network program or write in a report while monitoring making it known on TweetDeck. Furthermore, I could utilize an alternate showcase to peruse the web while watching Wimbledon or the Republic Games streams on the XG16. Having a second screen to move the see and controls to made dealing with an Adobe Debut Master timetable a lot easier, despite the fact that I don’t alter recordings frequently nowadays.

When the PlayStation 5 debuted in November 2020, one of its most noteworthy features was the innovative DualSense controller. A significant departure from its predecessor, the DualShock 4, Sony’s new controller offered improved haptic feedback, adaptive trigger functions, an ergonomic redesign, and a USB Type-C port. While Microsoft chose to stick with a nearly unchanged controller for its Xbox Series S/X consoles, the DualSense embodied everything that was considered “next-gen” about the PS5, giving Sony a slight edge in the console wars. However, Xbox offers its own Elite Series 2 controller, which has proven its worth in the professional-grade gaming controller space that Sony may be attempting to challenge with its new product.

Enter the DualSense Edge, Sony’s more customizable and decked-out version to compete with high-end gaming controllers. At its core, the DualSense Edge, which was released globally on January 26, maintains the DualSense’s DNA. If you’re not paying close attention, you could easily mistake it for the default PS5 controller at first glance. The DualSense Edge features familiar aesthetics and textures and is constructed in the DualSense mold. It’s slightly heavier, weighing roughly 325g compared to the DualSense’s 281g, and has a dual-tone white-and-black finish that matches the PS5’s color scheme. On the surface, there are some visual differences, such as the black-filled D-pad and face buttons, as well as the black touchpad at the top, which features the iconic PlayStation symbols embossed as a subtle detail. Lastly, two new Function buttons protrude just below the two thumbsticks.

The DualSense Edge boasts an array of features, many of which are found on the rear of the controller. The back of the controller has a release switch that removes the front cover, allowing for easy stick replacement. Swappable thumbsticks, which can be replaced with new ones sold separately by Sony, can be detached from the controller using a lever next to each stick module. The back of the controller is also equipped with two slots for mappable back buttons, providing added functionality and input. Additionally, two switches at the top-rear allow for the adjustment of trigger depths.

The DualSense Edge is accompanied by a premium hardshell carrying case that includes a braided USB Type-C cable and a connector housing that prevents accidental disconnections during wired gaming sessions. It also comes with a variety of components and accessories, including default standard caps, high-dome and low-dome caps, offering different height settings for both the left and right stick. These additional caps have convex textured rubber ends that enhance gaming experience, with the taller caps allowing for faster and finer movements, and the shorter ones enabling more purposeful, measured input.

For some time now, Rode has been satisfying the needs of podcasters with their Rodecaster Pro. However, the company noticed a desire for more, and thus the Rodecaster Pro 2 was born. This new device is marketed as a “revolution” when compared to its predecessor, and is feature-packed enough to be referred to as an “integrated audio production console.” While the Rodecaster Pro 2 may be costly, it is an impressive piece of audio equipment that offers endless possibilities for content creation and audio capture. We appreciate how easy it is for beginners to use, as well as the numerous customization options available to tailor it to your specific requirements. The preamp setup and processing capabilities result in some of the best sound quality we have heard from a device like this, which is truly remarkable. Aside from its price, there are hardly any negative aspects we can highlight about this audio interface. Therefore, if you are looking for the ultimate solution to enhance your production quality, this is it.

The Rodecaster Pro 2 offers flexibility and versatility as an audio device. Featuring four top-notch combo inputs, the device allows you to connect XLR microphones, line-level devices, and instruments. This makes it perfect for podcasting or conducting high-quality interviews with multiple microphones. With its hardware sliders, you can easily adjust the levels, add audio enhancements, and include FX. Plus, you can record shows in real-time without needing a PC by utilizing a microSD card or USB drive. The device boasts nine channels, with six hardware faders and three virtual ones, offering you the ability to route audio from various sources, including Bluetooth devices, smartphones, and 3.5mm connections. You can control the audio of each source individually. Moreover, the device has two USB-C connections, enabling you to connect up to two PCs and pull in audio from them. The Rodecaster Pro 2 is more than just a podcasting tool. It’s versatile enough to be used for at-home music production, voice-over work, and streaming too.

The Rodecaster Pro 2 impressed us with its flexibility and versatility, allowing for a range of different use cases. By connecting two XLR microphones such as the Rode Podmics, you can capture stereo audio by setting each mic to a different channel. Additionally, we found the Rodecaster Pro 2 to be a great tool for YouTube streaming. Once connected to a gaming PC via USB-C, you gain access to a couple of USB channels. One is dedicated to voice chat programs like Discord, while the other handles other sounds like music and game audio. While more expensive than the popular TC Helicon GoXLR, the Rodecaster Pro 2 offers more potential use cases. It can control up to four XLR microphones compared to the GoXLR’s one, although the GoXLR currently offers more virtual sound channels than the Rodecaster Pro 2. For example, it’s not currently possible to assign game audio to a specific audio slider and adjust it on-the-fly, as is possible with the GoXLR. However, Rode regularly releases firmware updates, so this may change in the future. Overall, we were pleased with the Rodecaster Pro 2’s user-friendly design and convenient setup.

As indicated by our assessment, the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld is an extremely noteworthy gadget. The gadget has been outfitted with an outwardly staggering plan, basic controls, a long battery duration, as well as an extremely low cost. In spite of the fact that we actually need to completely test it in true situations to check its overall exhibition, this gadget could be a helpful expansion to the tool compartment for enthusiastic cloud gamers.

On October 17, the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld will make its true introduction in the USA, with a pre-request cost of $299.99. The gadget’s exhibition on the US market will decide if it is presented in different regions. The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld hangs out in a market previously overwhelmed by notable brands like Nintendo’s Switch and Valve’s Steam Deck. In any case, what separates it isn’t its handling power, however its huge library of games open with only a couple of taps. The allure of cloud gaming is having limitless admittance to games without purchasing costly equipment. This compact control center is an engaging decision, and it is sensibly evaluated at $299.99 for pre-request.

We tried the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld with famous titles like Long ways 5, Forza Skyline 5, and Radiance Boundless. The framework took care of these games effortlessly, bringing about a pleasurable and consistent gaming experience. While we encountered some minor slack and periodic errors during our test, it was on a public Wi-Fi network with different gadgets being used. We accept that the experience will be fundamentally better at home, given that you have a fit Wi-Fi organization. Logitech has collaborated with Nvidia and Xbox to give clients simple admittance to a plenty of games, including a few triple-A titles. Moreover, the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld has Steam Connection pre-introduced, which is particularly valuable for PC gamers and empowers you to locally stream games from your own Steam library on your gaming PC.

The allure of Logitech’s gaming framework lies in its cloud gaming rationale, which simplifies it to get to a tremendous choice of games and offers different benefits. The control center is fueled by a Snapdragon 720g processor, which is above and beyond for its planned use. While it may not be the most up to date processor available, it takes into consideration a sensible sticker cost and a more drawn out life expectancy for the control center. Logitech claims that it can give as long as 12 hours of recess, which is fundamentally more than the a few hours normally presented by the Steamdeck, making it a brilliant benefit.

Because of their visually stunning design and distinctive aesthetic, Roccat’s gaming keyboards have become well-known over the past few years. The full-size keyboard on the Roccat Vulcan II Max is equipped with seriously impressive RGB lighting, making it no different. However, this keyboard’s aesthetic appeal is not all that it offers. It has been thoughtfully designed for comfort and usability, and it includes TITAN II optical switches and strong tools like Easy-Shift that make it a useful addition to any gamer’s toolkit. To see how the keyboard compares to the competition, we put it through its paces with a range of tasks, from work to gaming.

The Vulcan II Max might not impress you at first when you first take it out of the box compared to other keyboards in its price range. It’s by no means a cheap or disappointing product, though. Without being plugged in, the keyboard doesn’t seem like much. However, things really start to get interesting once you attach the distinctive, jelly-like wrist rest and plug it in. The wrist rest fits into the keyboard’s bottom edge so that light can pass through its opaque body and illuminate your desk with lovely RGB lighting. It’s important to remember that the Vulcan II Max needs two USB-A connections in order to operate properly, so make sure you have enough free ports before making a purchase. This not only turns on the RGB lighting but also makes other keyboard features available.

A clear emphasis on its RGB design can be seen in the Roccat Vulcan II Max. Its raised switch housing and low-profile keycaps make it possible to see the RGB lighting easily from a variety of angles. In addition, cleaning the keyboard without removing the keycaps is made simpler by the slight distance between each switch. The keycaps’ ABS plastic construction, as opposed to PBT doubleshot, may disappoint some users, but it allows more light to pass through. A nice curve is present on the keycaps as well, giving the fingers a cozy feel.

The ABS plastic keycaps on the Roccat Vulcan II Max have an impressive design, but they can be a little slick to the touch. This might be a problem if you sweat a lot or have oily fingers, but we had no issues. The switches, however, are compatible with Cherry MX style crosshatch keycaps if you prefer a different type of keycap. Extremely bright RGB lighting on the keyboard can be annoying in dimly lit areas. Fortunately, you can change the lighting mode and brightness using the Roccat Swarm software or hardware controls (FN arrow keys). Other useful features of the software include the ability to customize each key’s illumination and its various profiles. The default AIMO intelligent lighting is adequate and doesn’t need to be significantly adjusted.