This review first appeared in issue 348 of PC Pro.
Armari’s lower-cost system is something of a technology showcase, exhibiting the latest options in processor, graphics and storage. The combination is one of the most powerful workstations you could buy for £4,500 inc VAT.
At the center of the Magnetar MC16R7 is AMD’s range-topping Ryzen 9 7950X. This potent 16-core processor uses AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture and is manufactured on the 5nm process. This enables an incredible base clock of 4.5GHz, which is the boost clock for AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro processors. The 7950X’s boost clock of 5.7GHz is only a few hundred megahertz behind the best Intel has to offer, and only with the latter’s P-cores, so it’s good to see that Armari makes the most out of the Ryzen 9 via its own customized CPU liquid cooling.
Armari has also taken full advantage of the fact that the AMD Ryzen 7000 series supports DDR5 memory by supplying 64GB of 6,000MHz RAM in two 32GB modules, leaving two DIMM slots free for upgrades. This is the fastest-clocked memory of any system this month.
The Magnetar MC16R7 showcases the latest CPU, graphics and storage technology(Image credit: Future)
So the Magnetar MC16R7 has a cutting-edge processor, some of the fastest system memory available, and its graphics acceleration is bleeding edge, too. In the past, choosing AMD professional GPUs might be a good choice to keep within a budget, but it rarely beat the Nvidia alternative for performance. The AMD Radeon Pro W7800 is a different matter. It’s in the same price category as the Nvidia RTX A5000 and offers 4,480 unified shaders (which aren’t equivalent to CUDA cores) on AMD’s latest RDNA 3 architecture. It also boasts 32GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, offering 576GB/sec bandwidth.
Armari is notable in the UK market because it’s one of the few local PC integrators that designs its own chassis. However, these cases come at a premium so the Magnetar MC16R7 has been built into a Fractal Design Meshify 2. This is still a great basis for a workstation, with plenty of room inside for airflow and storage upgrades. There are six spaces for 3.5in or 2.5in drives included, and there could optionally be up to 14. On top of this there are two 2.5in-only spaces as standard, but up to four are possible.
You may want to build upon the single M.2 NVMe SSD Armari supplies, but what a great foundation it provides. It’s a 2TB Crucial T700 drive, which supports PCI Express 5, as does the Asus ProArt B650-Creator motherboard. The Crucial SSD delivers incredible throughput from a single drive. CrystalDiskMark recorded sustained reading at 12,373MB/sec and writing at 11,807MB/sec, which were close to twice as fast as some of the PCI Express 4 NVMe SSDs in other workstations this month.
The Fractal Design Meshify 2 case offers lots of room for airflow and upgrades(Image credit: Future)
Considering all the powerful components in the Magnetar MC16R7, it’s no surprise that it produced some stunning test results.Our media-focused benchmarks are the Intel Core i9’s forte, but the Armari system’s overall result of 772 is still incredible, significantly beating the other system this month based on an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X. Its Cinebench R23 multithread rendering result of 38,611 was the fastest in the £4,500 category, and the Blender rendering time of 265 seconds was also top in this class. The OpenCL-accelerated Adobe Media Encoder time of 105 seconds beat every other system this month.
The AMD Radeon Pro W7800 graphics may be around the same price as Nvidia’s RTX A5000, but its performance with SPECviewperf 2020 v3.1 is in a different league as well. The results of 235 in 3dsmax-07 and an unbelievable 846 in maya-06 imply this will be a consummate accelerator for 3D animation. Likewise, 155 in catia-06, 235 in creo-03, 622 in snx-04 and 460 in solidworks-07 show strong abilities with product development, CAD and engineering.
Its LuxMark 3.1 result of 14,919 is a little behind the RTX A5000, but GPU rendering in Blender took just 141 seconds, which is ahead.
Overall, the Armari Magnetar MC16R7 provides the best possible performance for the money in most areas. If you need a powerful all-round workstation, this system should be top of your list.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring, unveiled last year, was recently launched in New Zealand and South Africa. Today, the South Korean brand's first smart ring made its debut in one more country - Malaysia.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring comes in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gold colors in Malaysia, and it has nine size options: 5 to 14. It has a recommended retail price of RM2,099, and until April 30, 2025, Samsung is offering select Galaxy S and Galaxy Z series users the opportunity to purchase the Galaxy Ring tailored to their finger size for the best experience.
Additionally,...
Yesterday we first heard that Motorola is working on the Edge 60 Stylus to bring a stylus-endowed smartphone to its flagship line, and today its pricing has been leaked by the same source, along with the renders you can see below.
The Edge 60 Stylus definitely integrates very well into the overall design language of recent Motorola smartphones, including the Edge 60 Fusion and the Moto G Stylus (2025). It's said to launch in India for INR 22,999 ($266 or €243 at the current exchange rates).
Exclusive 🌟Motorola Edge 60 Stylus Indian variant price.💰 ₹22,999 (8GB+256GB)Launch date: 17...
Apple's Vision Pro is a flop, sales-wise, there's no beating around the bush about that. The company is now working on an incremental upgrade to the device, and this will allegedly come by the end of this year.
Ahead of its launch, key components for it, including panels, housings, and circuitry, have entered mass production at Apple's hardware partners. Some suppliers are said to be "rushing" to fulfill the orders.
Apple reportedly reduced production of the existing Vision Pro last year, with plans to stop making it altogether by the end of 2024. Presumably the company has already...
Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, most likely due to launch this August, will allegedly be cheaper than its predecessor, according to a new rumor. The device will go for $1,600, which is $200 less than what the Pixel 9 Pro Fold launched at.
Then, in 2027, the Pixel 12 Pro Fold will go for $1,500. While this obviously doesn't make the foldable member of the Pixel lineup quite as affordable as a slab-style flagship smartphone, the price drops are still notable - if they pan out, of course.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google will reportedly keep launching four new Pixels each August for the...
Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, most likely due to launch this August, will allegedly be cheaper than its predecessor, according to a new rumor. The device will go for $1,600, which is $200 less than what the Pixel 9 Pro Fold launched at.
Then, in 2027, the Pixel 12 Pro Fold will go for $1,500. While this obviously doesn't make the foldable member of the Pixel lineup quite as affordable as a slab-style flagship smartphone, the price drops are still notable - if they pan out, of course.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google will reportedly keep launching four new Pixels each August for the...
The Infinix GT 30 Pro was spotted in a Geekbench listing ahead of its upcoming launch. The device appeared with the X6873 model number, the same identifier previously spotted on the IMEI database. The new listing confirms the phone is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset and 12GB RAM.
Infinix GT 30 Pro (X6873) on Geekbench
The device scored a 1,204 single-core score and 4,057 multi-core score. The listing also confirms it boots Android 15 out the box, presumably with Infinix XOS on top. Based on last year’s GT 20 Pro, we can expect the GT 30 Pro to offer a high-refresh...
Samsung may now be offering seven years of updates for its latest flagships (even eight for Enterprise models), but that hasn't always been the case. The Galaxy S20 series has now reached the end of the road - none of the devices will receive any more software updates from now on.
We're talking about the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra, by the way, which have all reached the five-year mark since their release. Samsung issued them with monthly security updates for the first four of those years, then switching them to a quarterly schedule for the last year. And now all of that has ended, as those...
Oppo is fully unveiling the Find X8 Ultra on April 10, and ahead of that the brand has today shared its key specs and features. The phone has a "2K" resolution LTPO OLED flat screen with 120 Hz refresh rate, will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and it will have a 6,100 mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging support.
The Find X8 Ultra is both IP68 and IP69 certified for dust and water resistance. Previously, the brand also shared some official images of the phone.
Oppo Find X8 Ultra key specs
Another previous teaser revealed its camera setup: a...
The GameSir Super Nova is a controller compatible with PC, mobile, and Nintendo Switch, and features Hall effect technology for enhanced precision and longevity from its thumbsticks.
It emulates the very familiar Xbox design, although the various colorways and RGB lighting add a little more vibrancy, especially the Whipped Pink variant. It also has a different D-pad, opting for the four-point approach.
In the hands, the Super Nova feels solid and well-made; in fact, it belies its modest price tag and rivals some of the best PC controllers in terms of build quality. It also features a magnetic faceplate, allowing for easy access to the swappable face buttons, designed to match whatever platform you’re playing on.
The buttons are satisfyingly damped and have very little play to them, sitting tightly in place yet still being easy to use. The same is true of the analog sticks, as there’s hardly any play in them at all. They are finished in a harder material than you might find on other controllers, but I still found them comfortable. However, the two optional back buttons are considerably less damped, and my fingers didn’t quite land in the optimal place for triggering them.
The Super Nova can be tweaked using the 'M' (multifunction) button on the front, which allows you to adjust aspects such as stick deadzone and RGB lighting, among others. But many more tweaks can be made using GameSir Connect, the brand’s peripheral tool on PC. Here you’ll find more options than I think I’ve ever seen offered in controller software, so everybody’s preferences should be catered for here.
There are curve profiles and actuation settings for the triggers and sticks, numerous button remapping options, and even an option to set motion controls to always on, allowing you to substitute them with analog stick or even mouse inputs.
To game with, the Super Nova puts in an admirable performance. The buttons are responsive, while the Hall effect technology in the sticks and triggers offer precise movements, although I did find the triggers a little too light to actuate, which did take some getting used to. I didn’t find the D-pad quite so amenable either, as I had to press more towards its center to get a consistent response, which isn’t ideal from an ergonomic standpoint.
Connectivity was good for the most part during my time with the Super Nova, as I managed to connect to multiple platforms via both Bluetooth and the 2.4GHz USB dongle. However, there were occasions when it failed to reconnect to the Nintendo Switch, with the controller failing to wake the console from its sleep. Switching between various devices isn’t the snappiest, either, although not many are lightning quick in this regard.
After several days of use the Super Nova was still going strong, although the lack of a battery readout, either on board or in the software, is a glaring omission; the only indicator is the flashing red RGB when it dips below 15%. GameSir did tell me that it should last about 15 hours, though, which is towards the lower end of the spectrum compared to its rivals.
For the price, though, the Super Nova offers great value for money, considering its performance and platform support, not to mention the incredible level of customization provided by Connect. The D-pad and some minor connectivity issues are drawbacks, but this is still a worthy choice for your next gamepad.
GameSir Super Nova review: Price and availability
$44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89
Available now in two colorways
Cheaper than rivals
The GameSir Super Nova costs $44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89 and is available now in two colorways: Nightfall Blue and Whipped Pink. It comes with a 2.4GHz USB dongle, as well as a charging base and USB cable. Other face plates in a variety of colors are also available from GameSir.
When it's on sale, the official Xbox Wireless Controller, one of the best Xbox controllers and best PC controllers, can be found for a little less than the Super Nova. While it’s a great all-round performer, it pales in comparison to the Super Nova in terms of features and customization options. It also lacks a rechargeable battery as standard.
If you’re after a gamepad with even more tweakability than the Super Nova, then the PDP Victrix Pro BFG, one of the best PS5 controllers and best controllers for Call of Duty, is a fine pick. This controller has a fully modular setup, allowing you to replace the face buttons, D-pad, and sticks depending on your preferences, as well as myriad customization options via the Victrix Control Hub App. However, it’s considerably more expensive than the Super Nova.
GameSir Super Nova review: specs
(Image credit: Future)
GameSir Super Nova review: design and features
Typical Xbox controller design
Well made
Incredibly in-depth software
The Super Nova is heavily inspired by the Xbox controller in terms of its form, with its substantial grips and asymmetrical analog sticks mirroring Microsoft’s official gamepad. The D-pad is a point of departure, though, as it harks back to older generations with its four-prong design, rather than a more modern circular hat. There’s also some RGB lighting, although this is quite subtle, confined to just two thin bars running around either grip.
In the hand, the Super Nova feels weighty without being onerous, and the overall construction seems solid. The removable, magnetic faceplate feels premium, as do the rubberized handles, which provide enough grip while maintaining good levels of comfort.
This high standard extends to the face buttons, as they feel smooth to the touch and are damped nicely. There’s very little wobble to them, as with some other controllers, which is especially impressive given they can be swapped around to align with the Nintendo Switch layout (hence the removable faceplate). The analog sticks are similarly solid, and although their material is a little harder than on many other sticks, I still found they offered enough grip.
The triggers are somewhat shallower than on some other controllers. Each has its own lock slider, situated on the back of the Super Nova, which shortens their travel considerably – useful when playing shooters and other games requiring rapid taps.
The two back buttons aren’t damped, and therefore feel less tactile. Also, I found they extended too far outwards, meaning my fingers failed to fall naturally on their end points for the best leverage.
These back buttons can be programmed using the M button at the bottom of the Super Nova – a button that can also be used to make other adjustments on the fly by pressing in conjunction with other buttons. You can change the RGB lighting, vibration intensity, and stick deadzone this way, as well as toggle the Turbo and Hair Trigger modes. These M button adjustments are responsive and provide feedback when changes are made, via flashes of the RGB lighting or small rumbles.
Other customizations can be made in the GameSir mobile app, although this is very limited. Thankfully, the Super Nova also works with GameSir Connect, the company’s peripheral software on PC. This facilitates many tweaks in addition to those accessible via the M button.
Connect provides remapping (including the option to assign multiple inputs to a single button), as well as multiple curve profiles for the sticks and the triggers. There are also various motion control settings, including an option to set which axes are active, as well as an option to turn on motion controls permanently. When this is activated, you can set motion controls to replace the input of either stick or even mouse movements. I was also pleased to see always-on motion controls work when using the Super Nova with the Switch, meaning you can use motion controls in place of the analog sticks with any Switch game.
There are plenty more tweaking options besides those I’ve already mentioned, and I struggle to think of any that are missing here. Connect is also stable for the most part, and the UI is clear and easy to use, although it’s a shame there are no explanations or visual feedback for some of the more advanced settings. What’s more, there doesn’t appear to be any way to save multiple profiles.
(Image credit: Future)
GameSir Super Nova review: performance
Satisfying and precise
Not the best D-pad
Some minor connectivity issues
The overall performance of the Super Nova is very good. The face buttons are responsive and a joy to use, thanks to their aforementioned dampening. However, while the same is true of the D-pad, I found this less satisfying to use.
When playing Tekken 8, for instance, a rapid series of inputs, especially rolls between adjacent directions, can be uncomfortable and unresponsive, especially towards the outer edges of each direction. I found that actually keeping my thumb towards the center of the d-pad improved matters, but was less ergonomic.
Both the triggers and the sticks on the Super Nova employ Hall effect technology, which is also used in some of the best gaming keyboards, and is often claimed to improve precision as well as longevity.
I found the sticks provided a good level of accuracy when playing Goldeneye 64 on the Switch, while modulating the throttle and brake with the triggers in Art of Rally was a smooth experience. However, the triggers don’t offer quite as much resistance as those on some other controllers, resulting in a more sensitive response and requiring a finer touch than usual.
Motion controls also performed well on the Nintendo Switch, providing accurate inputs as I found while aiming bows in Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, even rivaling some of the best Nintendo Switch controllers in this regard.
Connectivity is generally good, with the Super Nova connecting easily to PC via the 2.4GHz dongle, and just as easily via Bluetooth to my Android phone. Connecting via both wireless methods to the Nintendo Switch was also relatively straightforward, although there were occasions when I couldn’t wake the console from sleep with the controller.
Whether this is an issue with the gamepad or the console itself is hard to determine, but it’s a point worth mentioning all the same. Switching between various devices isn’t the quickest either, although many multiplatform controllers aren’t much quicker.
The battery life of the Super Nova is hard to determine, since there’s no indicator other than the RGB lighting flashing red when it dips below 15%. This means I can’t say how much battery life remained after my several days of testing, other than that it was above 15%. What’s more, GameSir doesn’t even provide an estimated battery life, although when I reached out to the company for a figure, it replied that it should last about 15 hours, which isn't particularly impressive compared to the competition.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the GameSir Super Nova?
Buy it if...
You want something familiar If you’re accustomed to Xbox gamepads, then you’ll be right at home here, as the design is virtually the same, aside from a few differences.
You want to tweak a lot From the back buttons and trigger locks to the seriously in-depth customization options, you can tailor the Super Nova to your exact preferences.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best D-pad The four-point design won’t be for everyone, and I found it difficult to use in games requiring heavy use of it.
You’re wanting to use it on PlayStation If you’re after one of the best PS5 controllers, then the Super Nova isn’t for you, as it’s not compatible with Sony’s console, nor does it have the same layout.
GameSir Super Nova review: Also consider
If you're after more wireless controllers, then take a look at some of these alternatives to the GameSir Super Nova.
PDP Victrix Pro BFG If it’s customization options you want, look no further than the Victrix Pro BFG. The unique modular hardware means you can set it up depending on the games you play, with further adjustments available via its software. You’ll have to part with considerably more cash than you would for the Super Nova, though.
Xbox Wireless Controller The standard-bearer for all gamepads, Microsoft’s official peripheral has the ergonomics and performance to make it the default choice for many. It can often be found for less than its original price, too. However, you can’t customize it anywhere close to the same extent as the Super Nova, and it lacks the same multiplatform reach. It doesn’t come with a rechargeable battery as standard, either.
I tested the Super Nova for several days, during which time I used it on PC, Nintendo Switch, and an Android phone. I used both the 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth where I could.
I played a variety of games to test the various aspects of the Super Nova’s performance. I played Tekken 8 to test the responsiveness and ergonomics of the face buttons and D-pad, Art of Rally to test the precision of the triggers, Goldeneye 64 on Switch Online to test stick aiming, and Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to test the motion controls and more general performance.
I have been gaming for decades, and during that time have experienced many different controllers. I have also reviewed a number of them, including other Hall effect and GameSir models.
