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Red Magic 9 Pro design revealed, will have even more RGB lights
10:20 am | November 15, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Red Magic 9 Pro smartphone is coming on November 23, and we already know the phone will be flat at the front and back. Today, the full design of nubia's gaming smartphone was revealed – it will have an 8.9 mm thin profile, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and RGB lights. There will be a 50 MP triple camera setup on the back, a mode trigger below the circular power key on the right-hand side, and an overall design that is in the aesthetics of the Red Magic brand. ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro RGB lights are a staple in gaming culture, and that's why nubia put some in the fan,...

Logitech Litra Beam LX review – dual functionality at a premium
6:00 pm | September 19, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming PC Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Logitech Litra Beam LX is the next iteration of the brand’s gaming light bar aimed at streamers. It builds on the foundations of the original model by adding ambient RGB lighting for a competitive price point. If you’re looking to step your streaming gear up, it’s a good choice to pair with some of the best webcams and one of the best green screens. 

It effectively doubles as both a ring light and RGB light strip in one, and the included stands mean you have a lot of different mounting options to suit your setup. However, if you’re solely interested in a light bar without this feature, then the original, far cheaper Litra Beam, may be a better choice. 

Price and availability

The Logitech Litra Beam LX launched on September 19 in countries such as the US and the UK and retails for $149 (approximately £120 / AU$230). For comparison, the original Litra Beam currently sells for $99 / £99 (around AU$150), so you’re paying about 50% for the added RGB ambient lighting.  

Design and features

Litra Beam LX Controls

(Image credit: Future)

As far as key lights go, the Logitech Litra Beam LX is among the best-designed models that I’ve used. Instead of the older Litra Glow, a small square-shaped light that attaches to the monitor, the Beam LX comes with its own stand and can be both horizontally and vertically mounted. 

Much like the original Litra Beam, the LX version is mains-powered and this has been done in order to make it considerably brighter than the previous USB-powered Glow model. The big difference here from the prior version is the RGB lighting as this is a dual-sided light. Essentially, it aims to be both mood-lighting and a ring light in one. You’re able to use it with Lightsync through Logitech’s G Hub, and there’s Bluetooth functionality to control the lighting wirelessly as well. 

The top of the Litra Beam LX houses all the controls if you just want to configure things without having to utilize a PC. You’ve got a power button, brightness control, and color temperature gauge, the latter of which doubles as an RGB color toggle when the switch is engaged. It’s all very intuitive and straightforward, meaning you can make quick adjustments if it's in reach, and then fine-tune in the software if needed. 

The stand that comes with the Litra Beam LX is excellent as you can either mount horizontally or vertically and adjust the height to several mounting points. This means you can have it under your monitor, above your displays, or stood up in between depending on how much space is available on your gaming setup. 

Performance

Logitech Litra Beam LX in a setup

(Image credit: Future)

The first thing that surprised me about the Logitech Litra Beam LX is just how bright it is when plugged in. As someone who has previously used the Litra Glow as a key light in the past, this one is a definitive upgrade in terms of its brightness. The company claims the 400-lumen LEDs are “TrueSoft for natural, radiant skin tones” and in my testing, I can confirm this. My setup is on the darker side of things usually due to an aging light bulb and lampshade, but this light bar made an immediate difference in illuminating my surroundings. 

The RGB lighting itself is vivid and the controls mean you can cycle through gradients, primary colors, and rainbow spectrums. It’s not quite as powerful as the front-facing beam in terms of raw brightness, with a softer ambiance, but it does a good job of reaching the wall behind my monitors. I found that the RGB was the most prominent with the room light turned off and relying on the light bar itself to keep me illuminated. For those darker times, a warmer color is a better option, though, as staring into harsh white light at all hours of the night wasn’t quite ideal. 

Fortunately, the temperature controls on the Litra Beam LX are easy to cycle through as swapping from a colder blue hue to a warmer orange tint only takes around a second or two. The overall temperature range of 2700-6500K is balanced, as even the most intense setting was easy on the eyes. If you’re someone who’s in need of a more powerful light than what USB ports on your PC can handle then you’re in good hands here. 

Ultimately, the Logitech Litra Beam LX is a great key light that features decent RGB lighting. However, you’re paying a premium on this added feature over the original, so if RGB is something you can live without then you’re better off going for the standard variant instead. 

Logitech Litra Beam LX vertical

(Image credit: Future)

Verdict

Buy it if…  

You want a powerful desktop key light 

The Litra Beam LX is one of the brightest and most powerful key lights I have ever used. 

You want RGB lighting in your setup

The RGB on the reverse of the Litra Beam is bright and adds a soft ambiance to the setup without being overkill.
 

Don’t buy it if…  

You don't need or want RGB lighting

You’re better off buying the standard Litra Beam if you want to get the best value for money as it is considerably cheaper.

You want a USB-powered ring light 

The Litra Beam LX requires mains power to function, so if you just want something to plug into the USB port of your PC then the Litra Glow is the better choice here. 

Complete your setup with one of the best gaming monitors and pair it with one of the best PC controllers. 

Logitech G Yeti GX review: a master at minimizing artefacts
10:05 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Logitech G Yeti GX: Two-minute review

When Logitech told us it was going to release a new addition, the Logitech G Yeti GX,  to the Yeti lineup, rounding it out to four models, expectations were understandably high. 

After all, the original Yeti has sort of become a household name in the USB mic sphere. People don’t necessarily declare it to be the absolute best USB mic in the market, but it's definitely secured its place near the top for its audio quality, build, and design. And it set a standard that all Yeti mics that follow it have to live up to. 

The Logitech G Yeti GX takes a different approach, however. Whereas the Yeti looms over most of the other USB mics I’ve tested with its big and tall design with multiple pickup patterns, this new model is small and short and only supercardioid. And, just to make it clear to potential buyers that it’s meant for gaming and streaming rather than for podcasts, vlogs, and music production, it throws in RGB lighting for good measure.

Logitech G Yeti GX on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

That design choice is well-executed, though. The Logitech G Yeti GX is still an elegant-looking mic, with its beautiful capsule form, soft matte finish, solid build, and premium-feeling pop filter. Though it can be mounted on a boom arm – an adapter is included in the box for this purpose – it comes with a very stable desktop stand and has great articulation and robust build quality. It even has a dial to easily adjust the mic’s position and lock it in.

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Logitech G Yeti GX on the author's deskr

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Logitech G Yeti GX on the author's deskr

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

There aren’t many physical controls on the mic itself, just a mic gain dial with a light indicator and a mute button, but for what it’s made for, you really don’t need anything else. And to connect it to your PC or laptop, there's a USB-C port at the bottom. And that’s about it.

Be mindful when using that manual gain control dial, as this mic has a lot of gain, and you don't want it turned up all the way up. Between 30-50% volume should be good enough when you’re recording or talking to your teammates in-game. Luckily, it has a smart audio lock, a pro-quality audio-processing technology that holds mic gain level to prevent clipping and distortion. But more on that later.

As I mentioned, there is a light indicator, which is helpful. It tells you when the mic gain level is too high (it flashes red) and when the smart audio lock is on (it turns cyan). 

Logitech G Yeti GX on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Those who aren’t big fans of RGB lighting – yes, they exist – need not be appalled. The RGB lighting is tastefully done here, cupping the bottom of the mic and radiating a soft yet still bright glow that’s not at all obnoxious. There are 13 lighting zones, each of which is customizable via the Logitech G Hub app, where there are several lighting animations to choose from and the option to adjust brightness. If you’re too lazy to use the app, the mic itself gives you five effects on the fly.

Now, one might assume, due to its size and gaming aesthetic, that the Logitech G Yeti GX isn’t a USB mic to be taken seriously. But it’s actually pretty impressive, even if, admittedly, there’s room for improvement in terms of sound quality. 

Logitech G Yeti GX on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

It’s important to note that this is a supercardioid dynamic mic. That means it’s a cardioid mic with a tighter field of view – which should, in theory, make it better at side rejection – and a front address (it captures audio at the top). Now, dynamic mics are better at capturing sound that's directly in front of them, while condenser mics have a wider stage of sound and tend to sound better due to their fuller frequency range.

Keeping that in mind, it’s not surprising that the Yeti GX delivers audio quality that is a little cheap-sounding. I found that there wasn't much dimensionality to my voice – in my test recordings, it’s a tiny bit compressed, like it's about to distort. Having said that, it sounds more than good enough if you’re live streaming your gameplay or communicating with your teammates during an online gaming sesh – you will come through clearly and audibly.

Again, there’s a lot of gain here, so sticking at 30% to 50% volume or toggling the Smart Audio Lock is wise. Turn it up all the way and your audio will sound harsh with distorted mid-highs. To be fair, the audio will still sound clear, just not pleasant to the ears. I highly recommend utilizing that Smart Audio Lock feature. It works like a charm, and you can actually hear it gradually adjusting as needed. 

Logitech G Yeti GX on the author's deskr

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

On the upside, it’s very good at handling sibilance and plosives. It also has no proximity effect, which means you can speak right up on it, and you'll sound the same as when you're a foot and a half away. 

It’s also amazingly good at rejecting vibrations and background noise. I tapped on its stand until my fingers were raw, and none of those taps registered. If I’m button-mashing on a keyboard while talking, you’ll still hear the clicky noises, but they’re very muted, even though the keyboard is only a few inches away.

So, honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re creating a podcast or YouTube videos that require a more professional-sounding mic. However, the Logitech G Yeti GX delivers a level of sound quality that’s great for gaming and game streaming, and it comes with the necessary features for those, which is really the whole point.

Logitech G Yeti GX: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost? $149.99 (about £120, AU$230)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

You will be paying a hefty price for such a small USB mic, however. At $149.99 (about £120, AU$230), the Logitech G Yeti GX is almost as expensive as the Yeti X, the pro-level model in the Yeti line, and about the same as the fantastic-sounding Elgato Wave:3, which managed to secure our coveted five-star rating.

If you’re looking for something less pricey, the HyperX Duocast is a more affordable option that delivers a sound quality that’s fantastic for podcasting. Just remember that both the Wave:3 and the Duocast are condenser mics, and neither is supercardioid. 

  • Value: 3.5 / 5

Logitech G Yeti GX: Specs

Should you buy the Logitech G Yeti GX?

Logitech G Yeti GX on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Buy it if...

You stream your games
If you're an online gamer or you live-stream your games, this is a great USB mic to consider.

You want beautiful RGB lighting
Its radiant RGB lighting is elegantly executed so that it looks good and isn't obnoxious.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best value for your money
For something that doesn't have the absolute best sound quality, this is actually pretty expensive.

You need pro-level sound quality
You'll come through clear and audible, but there's not a lot of dimensionality to your voice.

Logitech G Yeti GX: Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G Yeti GX

  • Tested the USB mic for a few days
  • Used it for recording, on calls, and during gaming
  • Made sure to test its special features and employed my usual mic-testing process

Using the Logitech G Yeti GX for a couple of days on video calls, while gaming, and in recordings, I played close attention to sound quality and any artefacts it might have picked up. I also made sure to test its control, light indicators, and the accompanying software to see how easy it is to use, especially for beginners. 

During testing, I spoke from the front, as well as from the back, from the sides, and from different distances. I also checked how it handled things like vibrations and background noise by tapping on the surface it was on and on its stand and making noises in the background during recordings.

I’ve been testing devices like computing peripherals for years. Mics are a newer thing for me, having only started testing them last year, but my experience with audio devices like gaming headsets, headphones, and speakers made it easy for me to understand USB microphones and what matters most to users during testing.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed [Month Year]

Meizu 21 series to arrive earlier than expected with SD 8 Gen 3 and RGB ring flash
6:44 pm | August 31, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: , | Comments: Off

In a now-deleted post on Weibo, well-known tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed some details regarding the upcoming Meizu 21 lineup. The Geely-owned company is busy developing its car infotainment system called Flyme Auto alongside its flagship phone series and it's going to be a busy 2024 year for Meizu. In fact, the company recently struck a deal with Polestar for in-car infotainment development. Meizu 20 Pro Back to the smartphones, Meizu, the Meizu 20 family was introduced in March of this year, it's probably safe to assume that the Meizu 21 will come around in Q1 2024. It...

PDP Afterglow Wave review – an RGB novelty that misses several marks
6:38 pm | August 18, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

The PDP Afterglow Wave sets a mighty fine first impression, at least out of the box. Boot up your console with the gamepad plugged in via USB-C and you’ll be treated to a lovely RGB lighting effect that cascades down the grips, and lights up the surroundings of each analog stick. It’s certainly an eye-catching pad, and one that would suit RGB heavy gaming setups.

Unfortunately, all other aspects of the Afterglow Wave can’t match its lovely lighting. Overall, the controller has a cheap, almost tacky feel to it. This is especially apparent in the analog sticks, bumpers, face buttons, and triggers which all feel frustratingly stiff and below the level of quality you should expect. The two programmable back buttons do salvage things somewhat, however, feeling nicely tactile. Additionally, the circular D-pad design is a welcome touch.

Still, there is an argument to be made in favor of the Afterglow Wave in that of its welcomely affordable sticker price. But, the same can be said for some of the best Xbox controllers, including the 8BitDo Pro 2 and HyperX Clutch Gladiate, which sit around the same price point and perform much better overall which leaves this one with precious little to say for itself.

PDP Afterglow Wave - price and availability

The PDP Afterglow Wave is available to buy right now, for $44.99 / £34.99 / AU$69. The gamepad is purchasable from PDP’s official website, as well as big box retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Gamestop. If you’re not keen on the default black colorway, then white and gray options are also available should you prefer. 

PDP Afterglow Wave - design and features

PDP Afterglow Wave

(Image credit: Future)

The most eye-catching design element of the PDP Afterglow Wave is certainly its RGB lighting, which is some of the best I’ve seen for an Xbox Series X|S controller. I love the cascading light trail that slides down the sides of the controller’s grips, and the ring of RGB around both analog sticks is an equally nice touch. Even better, you can fully customize your lighting profile, including colors, patterns and speed, via the PDP Control Hub app if you’re playing on PC.

It’s a crying shame, then, that the rest of the controller’s features don’t match up in terms of quality. The Afterglow Wave’s build feels fairly cheap, which may be expected for a budget pad. However, the 8BitDo Pro 2 proves that you can have high build quality and affordability both. The Afterglow Wave’s RGB lighting is doing some extra heavy lifting here, but overall I would have preferred even slightly better build quality.

As for ancillary features, the Afterglow Wave does feel complete with a 3.5mm headphone jack, a dedicated mic mute button and two additional back paddle buttons, which can be assigned to an input of your choosing via the PDP Control Hub app, wherein you’re able to set multiple button profiles, too.

PDP Afterglow Wave - performance

PDP Afterglow Wave

(Image credit: Future)

Being a wired only controller, you can expect minimal input lag when using the PDP Afterglow Wave, which is always nice. Wireless functionality would of course have been welcome, but that is a rarity at this price point. The included USB-C cable is at least of a decent length (10ft), so you should have no trouble sitting comfortably during play.

The controller’s modules are underwhelming overall. Almost every module on the controller, including sticks, bumpers and triggers, all feel unnaturally stiff. They offer slightly more resistance than what I’m used to, especially compared to the pack-in Xbox Wireless Controller and the manufacturer’s own Victrix Gambit. This proved to be an issue in racers like Forza Horizon 5, and shooters including Halo Infinite, where trigger management is especially important.

The one saving grace here is those competent back paddle buttons, both of which feel nicely tactile and satisfying to press. I found myself assigning frequent inputs to these buttons, such as accessing secondary hotbars in Final Fantasy 14 Online, and felt like this was something the Afterglow Wave handled very well. It’s just a shame the rest of the controller’s modules don’t share that level of quality. 

Should I buy the PDP Afterglow Wave?

PDP Afterglow Wave

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we reviewed the PDP Afterglow Wave

We tested the PDP Afterglow Wave over the course of about a week, making sure to play a variety of titles across Xbox Series X and PC. While we rate the aesthetics of the controller, what was most important was testing its overall performance, which was overall quite underwhelming no matter the title we tested it with. 

Interested in more Xbox hardware? Have a read of our best Xbox Series X accessories and best Xbox Game Pass streaming accessories guides to upgrade your experience on Microsoft's current-gen systems.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i review: mid-range to the max
7:55 pm | July 25, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: One-minute review

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is quite a machine. It might not be some premium desktop that defies labels, but it’s a solid, good-looking desktop that does what it’s supposed to and does it quite well. On top of that, the price is pretty good.

Being a mid-range desktop, it does have a few flaws such as the limitations that are inherent in mid-range hardware. Well, and some bloatware that I’ll mention later on. But, you shouldn’t expect a computer equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 to handle ultra settings with ray tracing on. 

That said, the total package is impressive enough that, for at least anyone looking for a good mid-range option, it might be one of the best gaming PCs available right now. While it doesn’t get cheap enough for those looking for budget gaming PCs, you should consider the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i if you can stretch your savings a little bit.  

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost? $1,249.99 (about £975, AU$21850) 
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US with limited configurations in UK 

Almost all of the configurations of the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i come with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 3060, or 3060 Ti. Only the kitted-out version comes with a 4000 series GPU, specifically the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, which will set you back $2,099.99 /  £2,150.00 (about AU$3114.88).

Interestingly, the base model that goes for $1,299.99 (about £975, AU$21850) is more expensive than the review unit, which seems to be a Best Buy exclusive. That means if you’re in the US, you can pay $1,249.99 / about £974.47 / about AU$21851.92 and save $50 while upgrading from an RTX 3050 to an RTX 3060 if you get the version from Best Buy.

To make matters more confusing, potential interested parties in the UK will be limited to more expensive builds with the RTX 4070 and those in Australia will only have access to the RTX 3050. Of course, we’re just discussing the configurations with Nvidia GPUs. If you prefer to go with Team Red, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 (note the missing “i”) offer a whole set of configurations based around AMD, though we won’t dig into that in this review.

Looking beyond the various configurations, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is a solidly mid-range model in the company’s gaming desktop line. And, paying around $1,300 for great 1080p performance is, while not a bargain, pretty darn good. For comparison, the HP Victus 15L, which is a smaller, more stripped down PC (ie very limited RGB lighting) has very similar specs but goes for a higher $1,399.99 /  £1,049.99 / about AU$2094.65. 

  • Price score: 5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Specs

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i comes in a few different configurations, with the review unit being very similar to the base one. There's not a wide variation, with most coming with an Intel Core i5 and a mid-range Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 series, with the kitted out version being the only one with a 4000 series GPU. The RAM is the same across all models, though the storage space is different from configuration to configuration.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Design

  • Has a nice elegant gamer look
  • Plenty of nice RGB lighting
  • Plenty of ventilation

Aesthetically, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i strikes that elegant gamer look that, to my eyes, all Lenovo Legion products have. It’s a look I’ve always appreciated and that’s certainly the case here, especially since it’s on the larger side so is not the kind of computer you can discreetly place out of the way.

Part of its aesthetic is that almost matte-black color that Lenovo refers to as Storm Grey. But, part of it is the way Lenovo’s managed to give the case texture with its venting on the top and front without adding aggressive looking lines as you’ll find on many gamer-oriented products.

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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

On top of that, the RGB lighting comes through in a few ways so that you get a nice light show instead of just one or two small zones of lighting. Not only is “LEGION” emblazoned down the front of the case, but the venting on the front allows for the cooling fans, which all sport RGB lighting, to shine through.

The glass side panel, which is held in place by two screws, allows for the lighting from the back cooling fan as well as the name on the graphics card to be easily seen. And, of course, that side panel lets you gaze and see the internals, which are cleanly installed.

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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Speaking of the ventilation on this case, I never felt that there were any issues with a thermal bottleneck or potential overheating here. Along with the three cooling fans, not counting the one on the CPU, even pushing this computer hard didn’t concern me regarding internal temperatures.

When it comes to ports, there’s plenty on hand, though the selection is not quite what I would like. The top panel holds two USB ports as well as a headphone and mic jack, but there’s no USB-C. For that, you’ll have to go to the back where there are just two. On top of that, there’s no optical out, which I was hoping to use with a gaming soundbar. 

  • Design score: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Performance

  • Great 1080p performance for most games
  • Not powerful enough for ray tracing with high overall settings
  • Has some bloatware
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: PC benchmarks

Here's how the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Night Raid: 52,433; Fire Strike: 19,192; Time Spy: 8,992
GeekBench 5.5: 1673 (single-core); 11272 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1754 Productivity: 1667 Creativity: 1899 Responsiveness: 1612
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 74 fps; (1080p, Low): 204 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 71.07 fps; (1080p, Low): 117.39 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 82.6 fps; (1080p, Low): 193.7 fps
Handbrake 1.6: 5:35 

Even though the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i reviewed is pretty close to the base configuration, it’s surprisingly powerful as long as you stay at 1080p. With a 13th-Gen Intel Core i5, 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, the 1080p performance is very strong.

Just look at our benchmarks. Cyberpunk 2077 hits over 70 fps on Ultra settings and that’s a fairly demanding title, even if it’s been out for a few years. Beyond the benchmarks, I ran Control, Far Cry 6 and Gotham Knights all at pretty high settings with great results. However, I still could see the limitations of the RTX 3060. I would get slight screen tearing in Control at max settings, while I had to stick with medium settings with Vsync on for Hogwarts Legacy to minimize screen tearing. And, even then I would get some stuttering.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i on a side table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

To that end, turning on ray tracing would negatively affect performance and I would get enough screen tearing to be very distracting. And, while I couldn’t test HDR with my current setup, you probably will have to adjust settings as well if you want to turn HDR on.

Using this PC in general is easy and straightforward as Lenovo has included some proprietary software that’s useful but limited, thankfully, to just a handful of apps. They do what you would expect from gaming computer apps like monitoring internal temperatures and doing slight overclocks or network boosts. And, as nice as the apps are, Lenovo has also included McAfee. If you use that brand of antivirus software, then this isn’t an issue. I don’t, however, and get bombarded regularly to activate my subscription. It’s a bit invasive. While it’s typical to get some extra software that requires a subscription, this one’s a bit much.

  • Performance score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i?

Buy it if...

You want a fantastic 1080p machine
While you’re limited by the hardware that you get, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i squeezes every bit of performance out of its components for rock solid 1080p performance in most situations.

You want a good-looking gaming desktop
It’s not overly aggressive with its styling, but this desktop manages to look in a gamer kind of way while not coming off as ostentatious.

Don't buy it if...

You want 4K or ray tracing
Though this is a killer 1080p machine, it’s not so killer when it comes to higher resolutions or maxing all the settings and turning ray tracing on. You’re still using an RTX 3060. That is, unless you upgrade to the kitted-out configuration.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Also consider

If our Lenovo Legion Tower 5i review has you considering other options, here are two gaming desktops to consider...  

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i

  • Tested for a week
  • Used it with a number of games including very demanding ones
  • Dived into included software

I tested the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i over the course of a week, playing a number of demanding games including Hogwarts Legacy, Control, Gotham Knights, Far Cry 6, and Battlefield 2042. While testing, I ran those games at different settings while also turning ray tracing and other VRAM-hungry features like Motion Blur on and off.

I paid attention to how the actual machine was running while under duress, not to mention taking a closer look at its physical attributes. I weighed the performance and design against its price as well as that of its competitors to come to a decision regarding the score and overall review.

Having spent the last few years reviewing tech of all sorts including for gaming, I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

HP Omen 25L review: solid 1080p gaming in a monolith-like case
5:18 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

HP Omen 25L: One-minute review

As long as you’re not looking for cutting-edge gaming, the HP Omen 25L is more than enough for your needs. This gaming PC has a lot to offer for anyone willing to mostly stick to 1080p gaming. While we’ve reviewed a robust configuration here, just about any version of this PC will give you great results whether you’re escaping futuristic police in Cyberpunk 2077 or commanding fantastical armies in Total War: Warhammer III.

Whether it’s among the best gaming PCs out there somewhat depends unfortunately on the individual unit you get as there can be some quality control issues with more than a few. However, if you have one that performs as it should, you’ll have little to complain about except for maybe wanting an extra port or two. Plus, at its most basic configuration, it ranks among the best budget gaming PCs available.  

HP Omen 25L: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost?  $1,399.99 /  £1,049.99 / about AU$2094.65 
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US with limited configurations in UK 

Starting at $1,139.99, the HP Omen 25L is a solid mid-tier offering from the computer behemoth. That price tag will net you a base configuration of a 13th-Gen Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT, and 256GB SSD. 

As with most customizable PCs from HP or other big manufacturers, the different configurations listed under the HP Omen 25L name are confusing and all over the place. You can get models with Intel CPUs and Nvidia graphics, Intel CPUs and AMD graphics, AMD CPUs and Nvidia Graphics, and AMD CPUs and AMD graphics. And, they’re all presented under different listings instead of a single “HP Omen 25L” page with whatever upgrades you want to choose from.

The review model, unlike the cheapest configuration, sports an AMD CPU with Nvidia graphics, specifically an AMD Ryzen 7 5700G, 16GB, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, and a 512GB SSD with an additional 1TB hard drive. This configuration goes for $1,902.99, though it is usually on sale as most of this PC’s configurations.

For the most kitted-out configuration, you’re going to have to drop a cool $3,018.99 for the pleasure, which includes a 13th-gen Intel Core i7, 64GB RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, and a 1TB SSD with an additional 1TB SSD for extra storage. Considering these are all customizable, you can certainly pick and choose what you find important. Just be aware that upgrading the GPU or CPU is going to dramatically increase the price quickly. For example, going from a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 to the 3060 Ti is an additional $200.

However, if you’re in the UK, you’re limited to two configurations, a 13th-Gen i5, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD for £1,199.99 or an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for £1,099.99. 

And, if you’re in Australia, you won’t have access to this model. Instead, you can either grab the more budget-friendly Victus 15L or the more robust HP Omen 45L.

  • Price score: 4 / 5

HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

HP Omen 25L: Specs

The HP Omen 25L comes in a few configurations, sporting both AMD and Intel processors as well as AMD and Nvidia graphics cards. 

HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

HP Omen 25L: Design

  • Striking all-white design with RGB bling
  • Easy tool-less access to internal components
  • Port selection is just okay

As a desktop tower, the HP Omen 25L cuts a striking almost monolith-like figure with its almost all-white design. It helps that the PC is on the taller side, dwarfing HP’s more budget-friendly Victus line.

That all-white design is accentuated by an RGB diamond on the front, while the side glass panel allows you to ogle the internals in all its RGB glory. And, yes, there’s plenty of lighting bling happening inside the case as well, including the fans and RAM sticks.

Getting inside the chassis is pretty easy as that side panel can be removed with a push of a button. No need to grab any tools to get access. On top of that, everything is pretty organized so you don’t have to worry about navigating the PC’s layout if you’re trying to replace a part. That said, there is a plastic placeholder covering the graphics card that you’ll have to unscrew if you ever need to replace it.

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HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

As far as ports go, the selection is decent if not exceptional. The front ports, situated next to the power button on top of the tower, are limited to just two USB-A ports, a headphone and a mic jack. You’ll have to plug any USB-C peripherals into the back where there are just two on hand as well as four USB-A ports. 

HP does offer an optional keyboard and mouse for an extra $14 / about £11.01, and their quality is worth about that. These wired peripherals do the trick for a while, but they feel cheap and don’t come with any surprisingly robust features. You won’t be getting a mechanical keyboard in the deal.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

HP Omen 25L: Performance

  • Solid gaming performance in 1080p
  • Not great for 4K gaming
  • Some reported performance issues when running games
HP Omen 25L: PC benchmarks

Here's how the HP Omen 25L performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Night Raid: 58,086; Fire Strike: 25,635; Time Spy: 11,086
GeekBench 5.5: 1525 (single-core); 8904 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1457 Productivity: 1454 Creativity: 1545 Responsiveness: 1229
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 89.3 fps; (1080p, Low): 233.9 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 85.79 fps; (1080p, Low): 121.64 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 102.7 fps; (1080p, Low): 196.4 fps
Handbrake 1.6: 5:46 

As would be expected from a PC with an AMD Ryzen 7 chip and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GPU, the 1080p performance is very solid, more than capable of handling just about any game you throw at it. Cyberpunk 2077 might be a few years old at this point, but it’s still an incredibly popular game and one that needs a good amount of resources for good performance. So, the fact that this computer can deliver almost 86 fps on Ultra settings is pretty heartening. RTS fans will be happy to hear that I was able to get an equally impressive 89 fps in Total War: Warhammer III with Ultra settings on.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti still has easily reachable limitations, notably with higher resolutions. While I was testing the HP Omen 25L, I had it connected to a 4K monitor and was able to reach that limitation fairly quickly. While I was able to get through a full campaign on Battlefield 2042 on medium settings, I experienced enough stuttering to make running it in 1080p much more preferable.

Now, if you’ve done any googling of this particular model in HP’s gaming lineup, you’ll probably see more than a few results regarding issues with it freezing and rebooting any time someone tries to run a game, which is most likely an issue with either the graphics card or the power supply. I’m not sure if it’s an issue with quality control or if a bad batch hit the market, but this is one computer that you’ll want to be up to date on what your warranty options are.

  • Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the HP Omen 25L?

HP Omen 25L on the floor

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Buy it if...

You want solid 1080p gaming
The HP Omen 25L can deliver where it counts for anyone wanting to game in 1080p gaming, even on max settings for many demanding games.

You want an attractive and different-looking PC
This desktop looks like a monolith in white with RGB lighting. Not only is it attractive but in a way that’s slightly different than many other PCs out there.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
While it’s not egregiously priced, the HP Omen 25L is not a budget PC. Look to HP’s Victus line for that.

HP Omen 25L: Also consider

If the HP Omen 25L has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...

How I tested the HP Omen 25L

  • I tested for a week
  • I played a variety of games
  • I opened it up and checked out the internals

Having used the HP Omen 25L for a week, I played a variety of games on it, including Far Cry 6, Battlefield 2042, and Cyberpunk 2077. I tried them at different graphics settings as well as different resolutions. I also opened the computer up and took a look around to see how easy it is to access the internals in case of issues.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation. And, I’ve spent even longer playing computer games so I have an understanding of what gamers look for to get the most out of their titles.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto review: better thermals and smaller form factor make this PNY card a winner
4:00 pm | July 21, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto: Two-minute review

The PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto graphics card marks the arrival of a true budget graphics card for this generation, and it's one the market desperately needs. 

The PNY RTX 4060 Verto lacks some of the frills and razzle-dazzle of many of the best graphics cards from other third-party manufacturers – or even PNY's XLR8 Epic-X RGB branded cards – but this lightweight and downright svelte GPU is the best cheap graphics card for budget builders looking for a more compact card without sacrificing too much in terms of power.

The PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto is available now for $299/£299 (about AU$450), which is the same price as Nvidia’s MSRP. That doesn’t mean that the card doesn’t have some nice extras that the Nvidia Founders Edition (if it existed) might not have had.

Looking at the card, the actual PCB underneath the fan shroud is fairly small, which means the heat sink for the GPU actually overextends the circuit board. This allows for some improved airflow to help keep the GPU cool under load.

A PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto on a table with its retail box

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Pulling down just 115W, the RTX 4060 sips power judiciously, and that translates directly into better thermal performance. In terms of heat, the PNY RTX 4060 Verto typically runs about 5°C cooler than the Asus Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC Edition I tested for my Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 review back in June 2023, but given that the Asus card ran at higher clocks, you should expect it to run hotter.

Speaking of OC, the PNY RTX 4060 Verto is not an OC card, so it doesn't ship from the factory with higher base/boost clock speeds than Nvidia's reference design, but PNY’s VelocityX software tool does allow for some modest software overclocking and optimizations.

A PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto on a table with its retail box

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The PNY RTX 4060 Verto is a genuine dual-slot card, as opposed to the chonkier 2.5-slot Asus Dual RTX 4060 OC, making the PNY card much easier to squeeze into a case. It only requires a single 8-pin power connector, so no need to worry about adapter cables, and the card is light enough that you can almost certainly get by without needing to use a support bracket, though having one handy never hurts.

The PNY RTX 4060 Verto card has identical specs to the Nvidia reference design, which unfortunately includes 8GB GDDR6 VRAM on a 128-bit memory bus, supplemented by an expanded 24MB L2 cache. This, in theory, should allow the PNY RTX 4060 Verto to get better memory performance with a tighter bus and VRAM pool, but in practice, this isn’t really noticeable. Everyone would have been better off with 12GB VRAM or a wider memory bus (preferably both).

A PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto on a table with its retail box

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

In terms of performance, there isn’t much difference between the Asus Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC Edition and the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto cards. The Asus card pulls ahead by about 1% - to - 2% on average thanks to its faster clock speeds, but in practice, this translates into a difference of 102 fps in a game with the Asus Dual versus 100 fps in a game with the PNY Verto.

For the most part, you can take all the performance numbers I pulled together for my RTX 4060 review and divide any given score or fps by 1.015 and you’ll pretty much land on the PNY Verto’s performance numbers (without using PNY VelocityX software overclocking), give or take a few points on either end.

This means that like the Asus Dual RTX 4060, the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto does just OK at 1440p (the best 1440p graphics card, this is not) and absolutely tanks when attempting serious 4K gaming with ray tracing turned on (even with DLSS 3). No, this is strictly a 1080p graphics card, but for what it sets out to do, it does better than any other 1080p GPU at this price.

Where the PNY RTX 4060 Verto has the advantage over the Asus Dual though is twofold. First, in terms of thermals, the better airflow over the heat sink really makes a difference here. While the Asus Dual maxed out at about 70°C, with a minimum of 54°C, the PNY RTX 4060 Verto topped out at around 65°C with a lower minimum of 47°C.

A PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto on a table with its retail box

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

In terms of power draw, the PNY RTX 4060 Verto never drew more than 116.285W, while the Asus Dual RTX 4060 pulled in a maximum of 120.498W. Certainly not the biggest difference, and you’re not likely to notice it unless you’re looking through HWiNFO64 data on GPU temperatures and power draw.

Ultimately, the appeal of the PNY RTX 4060 Verto is its tight form factor and lightweight design, helped out by its low power draw and better heat dissipation. The problems with the RTX 4060 Verto are actually problems with the RTX 4060 itself, namely the tighter memory bus and VRAM pool, so there’s really nothing that PNY can do about that.

If you absolutely must have control over fan and GPU clock speeds and the like, you can do that to an extent through VelocityX, but, in the end, this is the budgeteer’s RTX 4060, and of the RTX 4060s I’ve seen thus far, the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto is arguably the best 1080p graphics card you’re going to find at this price.

PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto: Price & availability

A PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto on a table with its retail box

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much does it cost? $299/£299 (about AU$450)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto is available now for $299/£299 (about AU$450) through PNY’s website in the US, as well as other US retailers, and with various retailers in the UK and Australia. Since the card isn’t available directly from PNY in those regions, the price you’ll pay for the PNY RTX 4060 Verto will vary by ±10% of these base prices. 

PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto: Specs

Should you buy the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto?

A PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto on a table with its retail box

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy it if...

You want one of the best 1080p graphics cards around
While this card won't be great for 1440p or 4K gaming, it's fantastic for 1080p, which is where a lot of gamers are and will likely remain for some time.

You’re not worried about fancy RGB or overclocking
While this card can look a bit spartan, for many out there, that is exactly what they want.

Don't buy it if...

You plan on playing a lot of 1440p or 4K games
Some 1440p games you'll be able to sneak past this card's 8GB VRAM (especially with DLSS 3 and Frame Generation), but Cyberpunk 2077 absolutely wrecks this card at 4K.

You want a graphics card with some flash to it
This card is all business. If you're looking for something that will be a showpiece for a case, look elsewhere. This card is a workhorse, not a showhorse.

PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto: Also consider

How I tested the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto

  • I spent about a week and a half testing the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto
  • I tested it using our standard benchmarking tools
  • I used the card to play PC games and produce creative content
Test system specs

This is the system we used to test the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
CPU Cooler: Cougar Poseidon GT 360 AIO
RAM: 32GB G.Skillz Trident Neo Z5 DDR5-6600MHz
Motherboard: Asus Prime X670E Pro Wifi
SSD: Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD
Power Supply: Corsair AX1000
Case: Praxis Wetbench

I spent about a week and a half with the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto on a dedicated basis, using it as my primary GPU for both work and PC gaming at home.

I also used it to produce a lot of creative content, mostly through Photoshop, as well as running our standard benchmark suite. I did not test the PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Verto as extensively as I would have if I had not already tested an RTX 4060 and collected its performance data. But I tested the PNY RTX 4060 Verto enough to confirm that its performance was in line with the RTX 4060 performance data I already had on hand.

I’ve been a tech journalist for several years now and a PC gamer for even longer, so I know how gaming hardware should perform for the price you’re paying for it, and I continuously test gaming hardware to make sure that my numbers are validated and up to date with any driver updates and changes.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released. If you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

Video shows Tecno Pova’s new Arc Interface with RGB lights on the back
10:00 pm | July 18, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

Tecno is apparently working on something called the Arc Interface – RGB lights on the back of the phone that light up for new notifications. Here “the phone” appears to be the Tecno Pova 5, although there is a chance that it is a different device instead. Here is a demo of Arc by Ishan Agarwal, which shows the light strips blink into life for an incoming call: Exclusive: This is your first look of #ArcInterface from an upcoming @TecnoMobileInd POVA series smartphone.The @pova_mobile seems to feature LED lights for notifications at the back & here it is in action as the phone gets a...

PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC: better than the real thing
11:28 pm | May 23, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8: Two-minute review

The PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC is a fantastic improvement on an already fantastic product, I just wish it was a little cheaper.

Starting at $679 (about £560 / AU$1,020), the RTX 4070 XLR8 OC is a third-party version of our current top pick for best graphics card of 2023, so it's not surprising that the RTX 4070 XLR8 brings fantastic 1440p gaming performance to the table. It does manage to do so with a lot more flair than the Founders Edition card from Nvidia, however, and this is coming from someone who is generally anti-RGB.

Where the PNY card succeeds in its design is that, while bold, it's fairly subdued but allows for just enough customization to let you blend this card in fairly cleanly into just about any build. 

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC graphics card on a purple desk mat

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Assuming the card fits. Lightweight though it is at just 1.87 lbs (about 0.84kg), it is a good bit longer than the RTX 4070 Founders Edition, 305.1mm to the Founders Edition's 242mm. So if you've got a tight case, make sure you have the clearance for this one before you try to cram it into place.

As a dual-slot card, it's going to take up some room, but it feels like it takes up less space than the RTX 4070 Founders Edition despite being a couple of millimeters thicker. A huge part of that is the decision by PNY to go with the 8-pin power connector rather than Nvidia's 12VHPWR cable, the latter of which requires an cumbersome adapter if you don't have an ATX 3.0 power supply with the new power cable leads.

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC graphics card on a purple desk mat

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

I really can't emphasize how much easier working with a single 8-pin cable is versus having to try and finagle two 8-pin cables into an adapter cable and then into a graphics card. 

While not the absolute worst — which would be the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 and it's 4-to-1 8-pin adapter cable — even two 8-pins plugged into an adapter can wreak havoc on your cable management, especially if you've got a fairly tight fit in your PC case. The 8-pin power connector alone makes this card worth buying over the Founders Edition card. 

Yes, I would pay an $80 premium just to not have to use a 12VPWR cable.

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC graphics card on a purple desk mat

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Fortunately, you do get some additional features to make the RTX 4070 XLR8 even more appealing than just it's power input. Though the card comes with the same base and boost clocks as the Founders Edition (unlike the PNY GeForce RTX 4080 XLR8 OC, which shipped with higher boost clock speeds), the PNY RTX 4070 XLR8 OC starts at stock speeds but PNY's VelocityX software allows you to overclock the card to a degree.

Just be sure that the card you're buying is the overclockable model, as the non-OC and OC cards look identical other than their price, and price can be a moving target sometimes.

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC graphics card on a purple desk mat

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

You also get a triple-fan cooling solution for the RTX 4070 XLR8 OC, which is 50% more fans than the Founders Edition, though I didn't notice too much of a difference in terms of temperature. But it's there, with the PNY RTX 4070 XLR8 staying about 4-5°C cooler under load, but with the RTX 4070's max temperature only hitting about 68°C, neither card was ever really at risk for throttling.

In terms of performance, at its stock clock speeds, the PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC has its performance land within 1% to 2% on either side of the Founders Edition's performance, which is what I expected. If you want to do a deeper dive into this card's performance, definitely check out my Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 review for all my relevant testing data.

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 running on a test bench in an office

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Overclocking the card gets you somewhat better performance, but given that it's strictly an 8-pin card (which means you can only really push 200W safely), I wouldn't push the overclocking too hard for too long unless you want to burn your card out much faster.

All told, the premium price is a tougher pill to swallow than it should be, but given that one of the RTX 4070's better selling points was its price, it's hard to not wrinkle your nose a bit. 

Still, if the RTX 4070 is what you're after and you want some extra bells, whistles, and a touch of RGB, you can't go wrong with the PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC.

PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8: Price & availability

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC graphics card on a purple desk mat

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much does it cost? $679 (about £560 / AU$1,020)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC is available now in the US, UK, and Australia with an MSRP of $679 (about £560 / AU$1,020). This price puts it a good bit higher than the RTX 4070 Founders Edition, but it's not entirely out of step with third-party graphics card pricing.

And while the price isn't great, this is more on Nvidia's head than PNY's since Nvidia is the one who significantly raised the price on the RTX 4070 over the RTX 3070. At the moment, AMD hasn't released the RX 7700 XT or RX 7800, which would be the natural competitors for this card, so it's uncertain how this card will stack up against AMD's lower-premium class of GPUs until those are released in the next few months, presumeably.

PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8: Specs

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC graphics card on a purple desk mat

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Should you buy the PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8?

A PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC graphics card on a purple desk mat

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy it if...

You want the RTX 4070 with some extras
The performance of the RTX 4070 XLR8 OC is on par or slightly better than the reference card.

You want to have customizeable RGB
The Nvidia RTX 4070 Founders Edition is pretty staid in terms of appearance, so the XLR8 version definitely lets you liven things up a bit.

Don't buy it if...

You want a cheap graphics card
The RTX 4070 might be one of the best graphics cards on the market, but it definitely isn't one of the best cheap graphics cards.

You have a very tight case
The PNY RTX 4070 XLR8 OC is a pretty long graphics card, so make sure you have clearance for it.

PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC: Also consider

How I tested the PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC

  • I spend about three weeks with the PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC
  • I used it to play games, produce and edit creative content, and more
  • I used our standard battery of benchamarking tools to test it

I used the PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC as the graphics card in my main PC at home for about three weeks.

During that time, I played PC games like Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and more. I also used Adobe Creative Suite extensively to edit photos and video.

I also ran my standard battery of benchmark tests to assess how much the PNY GeForce RTX 4070 XLR8 OC deviated from the baseline RTX 4070, if at all. 

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

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