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I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink for a month, and it’s easily the best value PS5 SSD right now

4:00 pm | February 16, 2025

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: One-minute review

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is one of the best SSDs for PS5 in its price range. Its 4TB variant in particular is significantly cheaper than the competition, especially when it goes on sale. It also scores well in the internal PS5 benchmark, even beating pricey licensed alternatives like the WD Black SN850P and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

If your number one priority is getting a high-capacity option with solid performance at the lowest possible cost, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is the clear winner. That said, there are some significant drawbacks that arise with that reduced price tag. The most important is that this is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)-less model that uses host memory buffer (HMB) technology, something that you would expect from budget PC SSDs rather than ones made with consoles in mind.

The PS5 does not support HMB and Sony even recommends against fitting HMB drives. This is because it leads to somewhat uneven performance, which is noticeable when you’re copying particularly large files. It can also cause issues in games, though these are far from a complete dealbreaker as the vast majority of titles that I tested ran flawlessly, even the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

There was some stuttering in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, however, namely in a handful of cinematic moments where scenery changed quickly. Assassin's Creed Valhalla also had the odd hitch, though nothing that rendered either title unplayable or even really spoiled the experience.

The heatsink grooves of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink. — (Image credit: Future)

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Price and availability

1TB is $94.99 / £74.99
2TB is $159.99 / £129.99
4TB is $269.99 / £233

Unlike the seriously overpriced Lexar Play 2280, the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink comfortably undercuts the competition at its going rates. It's available at Amazon, where the 1TB model will set you back $94.99 / £74.99 - $30 / £25 less than the WD Black SN850X.

The price of the 2TB varies depending on its stock level but is most often found at $159.99 / £129.99 which is a very fair price for what you’re getting. The best value option, however, is the 4TB version which comes in at $269.99 / £233 and has been on sale for as little as $234.95 / £229.49 in the past twelve months.

This drive seems extremely popular, however, so prices do fluctuate week to week. The 4TB model, for example, is currently only available for the absurdly high asking price of $338.92 through a third-party Amazon seller in the US - so avoid purchasing one unless you can find it for around the above figures.

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Specs

Lexar Play 2280: Design and features

Looks and feels premium
Sold with and without a heatsink
HMB model, so lacks DRAM

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink has a plain overall design. It comes with a chunky black heatsink fitted out of the box, with some small grooves to give it some texture on the top. Despite its large size, it fits absolutely perfectly in a PS5 or PS5 Slim. Even though this is a more budget-oriented product, nothing about its look or feel seems particularly cheap either.

It comes well-packaged in a compact cardboard box and small plastic tray, which is easy to open and should provide a good level of protection on the move. On the box, you will find instructions on how to access more production information, in addition to warranty or return details, via the Lexar website.

The most notable feature of this drive is the fact it is an HMB model. As I explained above, this means that the drive does not have any DRAM - a small bit of separate memory used to store mapping information. This, in essence, tells your system where to find specific data quickly, improving performance and longevity. With HMB, the host device is meant to be responsible for this function.

This is not the case with the PS5 though, which does not support HMB drives. Sony states that such drives “may experience slower-than-expected performance because the PS5 console does not support HMB”. Even so, HMD models are generally significantly cheaper than those with DRAM and will still function when fitted to a PS5 - so make for solid budget picks.

The rear of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink. — (Image credit: Future)

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Performance

Impressive PS5 benchmark score
Performs well copying games
But very occasionally stutters while playing

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink delivers admirable performance on the whole, but it's far from consistent.

To give one example, copying a 67.25GB installation of Dishonored 2 to drive from the internal storage took just 22 seconds - while a smaller 59.22GB installation of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine was fully playable in 26 seconds, four seconds more. This wouldn't be noticeable in general use but does demonstrate some of the spottier moments associated with HMB drives on PS5.

The largest file I tested, 101.9GB of Far Cry 6, took just 44 seconds to copy to the SSD, while the 80.7GB Remnant 2 took 34 seconds - all good results. Smaller games also copied smoothly and quickly, with a 24.22GB copy of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 12.93GB installation of Lollipop Chainsaw RePop accomplished in 13 seconds and 6 seconds respectively. A relatively tiny file like the 2.72GB Slime Rancher 2 was then copied in only 2 seconds.

Similarly, good figures were observed copying from the drive back to the internal storage, with Far Cry 6 taking 6 minutes 51 seconds and Remnant 2 5 minutes and 24 seconds. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens took just 1 minute and 42 seconds, which is broadly in line with the times for similarly sized games on the more expensive WD Black SN850P. Just bear in mind that these figures are mainly due to the PS5’s internal write speed more than the SSD itself.

The drive also scored impressively well on the PS5’s internal benchmark, clocking in at 6,526MB/s. That’s significantly higher than the WD Black SN850P, just above the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, and close to the numbers achieved by the seriously pricey Samsung 990 Pro - excellent on the whole.

That said, things aren’t entirely perfect when you dive into games stored on the drive. The vast majority of titles that I tested were completely fine, but there were two exceptions. Exploring the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, I noticed the occasional framerate hitch which was entirely absent when playing on internal storage. Likewise, moments with lots of rapid changes in scenery in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (like the bombastic final boss fight) suffered from a few stutters - almost as though the drive was unable to load in assets quickly enough.

In the grand scheme of things, these are very minor problems and in my book are worth the cost savings represented by the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink - but it does mean that if you want a completely flawless experience across the board, you should look elsewhere.

The Lexar logo on the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink?

Buy it if...

You want a cheap high-capacity drive
If you want a decent 4TB PS5 SSD for the lowest possible price, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is a solid contender. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard to complain much when it costs such a relatively low amount.

You want a model with a quality built-in heatsink
I did not experience any noticeable thermal throttling throughout my testing of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink, no matter what kind of intensive load I threw at it suggesting that its chunky heatsink is very effective.

Don't buy it if...

You want flawless performance
You won’t run into problems in most games, but some particularly demanding titles can push this HMB drive to its limits. If you want truly flawless performance, spend more for a model with DRAM.

Also consider...

If you want to weigh up the Lexar Play 2280 against some other options, here are two great alternatives.

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5
This officially licensed drive from Seagate is a great alternative if you’re shopping for a 1TB or 2TB model. It performs much more consistently, with no noticeable negative effects on your games.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 review

Samsung 990 Pro
The Samsung 990 Pro is the cream of the crop, a premium SSD with an effective heatsink that boasts blisteringly high speeds. It's a fantastic performer and much more consistent than the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink but doesn’t come cheap.

For more information, check out our full Samsung 990 Pro review

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink upside down on a desk. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink

Tested for over a month
Tried with a wide range of games
Compared to other SSD models

I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink for over a month, using it as my primary PS5 SSD at home. During that time I played a wide variety of games, including plenty of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Doom Eternal, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and much more.

Throughout the testing period, I was careful to assess the performance of the drive in each game, in addition to a variety of copy tests, and compared my experience with hands-on testing of other models like the WD Black SN850P, Lexar Play 2280, Samsung 990 Pro, and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Two-minute review

The Acer Predator X32QFS (or X32QFSbmiiphuzx to give it its full jargon name) is a superb do-it-all gaming monitor. Its fabulous 4K IPS mini-LED panel is a joy to use no matter what game or task is on screen, and it always displays colors crisply, brightly, and with punch.

A big factor to address right from the off is that this gaming monitor is unavailable in the US - which is a huge shame. For those that can potentially buy it, however, priced at £899.99 / AU$1,099 it’s a premium monitor. However, its position as more affordable than other premium screens such as the Alienware AW3225QF and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 means it will be tempting for those looking to save up and splash out for a monitor that can do everything well.

An understated gaming monitor in its design, there are no overt ‘gamer’ flourishes adorning the monitor apart from its curved, silver stand. Otherwise, it’s a monitor that will melt into any home office or productivity setup - despite being a gaming beast under the hood.

The juice under said hood is based around the excellent mini-LED IPS 4K panel that sports 1,152 local-dimming zones, as well as gaming specs that include a 150Hz refresh rate, a 0.5ms response time, and HDMI 2.1 capability. It goes further though, channeling that do-it-all characteristic elsewhere in its feature set as it also offers 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3 color coverage and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits.

On top of that, the screen has enough ports to keep you well covered and sets itself up beautifully for being the center point of a multi-gaming machine setup. I’ve had my RTX 3090-powered gaming PC and PS5 plugged into it for a couple of months now and it’s a dream for both.

Gaming on PC is a wondrous sight - especially if you have a beefy enough machine to enjoy the 4K resolution - and games from Control to Frostpunk 2 draw you in on the X32QFS, treating you to enormous and immersive pictures and experiences.

The Acer Predator X32QFS also proves itself a worthy contender as a dedicated monitor for PS5 or monitor for Xbox Series X and was a brilliant companion to my PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro during testing. The HDMI 2.1 capable screen means you can tap into the best of Sony’s games on its newest, most powerful console while using it as an everyday PS5-presenter for games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Botany Manor has been a treat for the eyes.

However, it’s not just gaming that it excels in. Everyday work tasks from spreadsheets to writing documents are a joy and feature no text fringing or other frailties; while image work on the screen is also a pleasure with punchy, accurate colors and lovely contrasts. It’s even great for watching TV, films, or catching up on sports highlights.

Drawbacks are few, but one in particular is quite a shame: the monitor is not available in the US. This is a UK-focused release from Acer which is disappointing, if not only because the monitor exudes such a high level of quality. There’s also no remote or control hub which would be a nice touch for a monitor of this price, and some of the settings can be a bit of a drag to re-input all the time.

Away from those gripes, the fact that the Acer Predator X32QFS can do everything so well means it’s an easy screen to recommend for multi-purpose use, with gaming at the center of it. I think it goes a very long way to justify the price tag, and if you’re a UK gamer looking for a high-quality 4K 32-inch screen that’s in between premium OLEDs and affordable panels, then this is it.

The logo of the Acer Predator X32QFS gaming monitor.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Price and availability

List price: £899.99 in the UK
No US availability
UK-specific variant of the X32

The elephant in the room with the Acer Predator X32QFS is that it has no availability in the US. In something of a classic Acer style, this screen appears to be a sub-variant of a model, the X32, in this case. For full clarity, this means that you may come across different monitors also labeled as an ‘X32’ in your region. However, models with this particular variant's full name, the Acer Predator X32QFSbmiiphuzx, are the one exactly like my review unit. In practice, the result of this means that this version of the X32 is not available to US folks, though another variant may be.

Where it is available in the UK (for £899.99 at Overclockers), the price does pitch the X32QFS as something of a premium screen. In terms of other 4K 32-inch screens, it comes in at nearly twice the price of one our favourites in the Gigabyte M32UC, but it’s worth noting it comes in cheaper than super-premium OLED gaming monitors such as the Alienware AW3225QF, Samsung Odyssey G8, and LG 32GS95UE-B.

I think the X32QFS goes a long way to justify its price tag, and it being in between the likes of the M32UC and those OLED monitors means it’s pitched quite well price-wise. Positioned as offering something more than the affordable models, but a cheaper alternative to OLEDs - without any of the concerns that OLED brings - is a solid spot to inhabit. The performance of the monitor only serves to reinforce this price positioning and value proposition too.

A picture of the Acer Predator X32QFS's ports and control button on the rear of the monitor. — (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Specs

A picture of the Acer Predator X32QFS's rear while mounted on a monitor arm. — (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Design and features

Super 32-inch IPS Mini-LED screen
4K; 150hz refresh; 1ms response
Plenty of ports for multi-device setups

Keeping it simple, the Acer Predator X32QFS is a 32-inch 4K Mini-LED monitor with a very plain design. The aesthetic is very subtle and understated, and there are no ‘gamer vibes’ present, especially when mounted on a monitor arm which I have it set up with. Some of the typical angular aesthetic that gaming monitors have can come from the stand, so removing that has, in effect, toned down the style of the screen. If you fancy using that, however, its curved steel look is still attractive.

Looking a bit more closely, the top and the sides have narrow bezels, while the bottom one, housing the ‘Predator’ badge is slightly wider. Inside the chassis is an IPS Mini-LED panel with 1,152 locally dimming zones that offer deep blacks and vibrant, lush colors.

The Acer Predator X32QFS’s gaming specs are robust and certainly great for those looking for a crisp and smooth 4K experience. Rated for 150Hz, the refresh rate will cover those looking to get 4K at 144Hz on PC, and, naturally, means that a PS5’s or Xbox Series X’s maximum of 120hz is well catered for too. The 0.5ms response time also keeps things speedy for those looking to play online or competitively.

Elsewhere, specs-wise, there’s AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, 99% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3 color space ratings, VESA DisplayHDR 1000 rating, 1,000 nits of peak brightness, and a color depth of 1.07 billion.

In terms of what’s lacking, there’s no remote control or separate hub for settings which is a shame, and perhaps not quite befitting of a screen that costs nearly a thousand pounds in the UK.

The monitor’s port selection is plenty good enough too. Sporting two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, a single USB-C (that can provide 65w of power delivery), an audio jack port, and two USB-A ports (with the accompanying USB upstream port) there’s enough for multi-device setups as well as the incorporation of a sound bar and USB devices too thanks to its upstream connection of the latter kind. The addition of a KVM switch in the screen is welcome too.

A picture of the Acer Predator X32QFS's ports on the rear of the monitor. — (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Performance

Fantastic gaming images and performance
Particularly perfect for PC, PS5, and PS5 Pro
Wonderful specs and HDR presentation

Simply put, the X32QFS has performed brilliantly for me in every single way I have used and tested it. From games on PC as well as PS5 and PS5 Pro, to everyday work use, the monitor is just dreamy.

In terms of gaming, I enjoyed the screen most when using it with the PS5 Slim I have set up in my home office, and the PS5 Pro which I reviewed with the monitor at the end of last year. The X32QFS is HDMI 2.1 capable, so using a current-gen console with it can really unleash a machine’s abilities. This was the case with the likes of Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 Pro, with the game’s Balanced mode providing a supreme experience on the X32QFS.

Elsewhere, Alan Wake 2 was a sheer joy to behold, while the likes of Sony first-party games like The Last of Us Part 1, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, shine incredibly brightly on the X32QFS. PlayStation 4 games also look the part on the X32QFS so those still rocking Sony’s last-gen console can have great confidence in this screen presenting their games beautifully too - they were for me on both PS5 and PS5 Pro.

For PC gaming (via DisplayPort) the screen is a joy once more. Offering an excellent amount of screen real estate for games - without ever being too overwhelming - like Frostpunk 2 and Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War 3 - the amount of the barren snowy land of the former, and the bleak battlefield of the latter that you can take in all at once, and in great detail, is exquisite. Games like Control are also a delight on the monitor on PC, with the atmospheric Federal Bureau of Control building a joy to immerse myself in.

The experience I’ve had gaming on the X32QFS goes some way to cement my belief that a 4K 32-inch monitor is the sweet spot for PC and console setups; especially for those gaming PCs that are beefy enough to play nice with the resolution.

A picture of the Acer Predator X32QFS running Control — (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

For day-to-day work, the screen is bright, punchy, and crystal clear no matter if I’m deep in research and writing, swimming the spreadsheet waters, or even putting together custom images and doing light graphic work. The 32-inch screen is big enough for me to split it in two manually with windows too, without feeling cramped.

The brightness is a great quality in the screen in particular, with there being plenty of it, and thus enough to find the right amount for you, along with its HDR capability too. The baked-in settings are useful too, though I found the best settings for me were the ones making the most of the monitor’s brightness and HDR, and have had both on, with max brightness enabled and HDR color space selected for almost all of my use after testing the modes.

Backing all of this up further is the color accuracy. Offering 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3, the monitor will have you covered if you’re using it for graphic work as well as gaming, serving up a treat for the eyes no matter its deployment.

While the Gigabyte M32UC comes in cheaper still and performs very well, and the likes of the Samsung Odyssey G8 can offer a bit more for pure gaming given the OLED panel and superb feature setup, the X32QFS is a tremendous alternative for a cheaper price, even more so if you’re afraid of OLED burn-in too. On that note, my testing didn’t throw up any other, albeit mainly-OLED-type concerns such as text fringing (where text can appear to have a shadow or blurry color around it).

In practical day-to-day use, some of the settings wouldn’t be ‘remembered’ by the monitor and would revert every time I booted up my PC. This is a small gripe but one I noticed happening relatively frequently despite tinkering in the settings. Also speaking practically, I’ve been able to hook up my PC, the PS5, a soundbar output, and utilize the USB ports on the monitor with no issue, as well as mount it on my Secretlab monitor arm and deploy a BenQ monitor bar on its top too.

It’s this ‘great at everything’ characteristic that makes the Acer Predator X32QFS an easy recommendation to make. It can turn its hand to anything and do a terrific job, and I’m looking forward to relying on its excellence for PC and PS5 gaming, as well as the demands of work going forward.

A picture of the Acer Predator X32QFS gaming monitor next to an LG productivity screen and a Volcanic Red PS5 Slim — (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Should you buy the Acer Predator X32QFS?

Buy it if...

You’re a UK gamer looking for a 4K 120Hz gaming monitor
While it is not widely available on a global scale, it’s an excellent monitor for shoppers in the UK who can pick it up from the likes of Overclockers. Its specs and feature set, and quality mini-LED panel, mean that its price offers decent value for a high-end screen on that side of the Atlantic.

You’re looking for a super 4K screen for a multi-device setup and as an all-rounder
The range of ports the Acer Predator X32QFS has makes it a great screen for multi-device setups on a practical level but its outright quality means that playing on both PC and PS5 is a dream. It’s also a good fit for entertainment and daily office use making it a veritable jack of all trades.

You want a Mini-LED screen for high-fidelity gaming, entertainment, and productivity
The panel on this monitor is a joy to behold and a great advert for Mini-LED gaming screens. If you’ve been eyeing up this screen tech for your PC or console then I can confirm it’s a great match and makes for excellent gaming experiences as well as watching entertainment and doing work.

You’ve got a gaming PC that can make the most of 4K
If you have a PC that can crank out 4K gaming then, naturally, this 4K screen is a great match for you - throw in the rest of its qualities and you have an excellent companion to a 4K-capable gaming PC.

Don't buy it if...

You’re in the US
This is sadly more of a ‘can’t’ than a ‘don’t’, but US shoppers need to look elsewhere, perhaps to the ‘main’ X32, as this particular model isn’t available stateside.

You need even greater, faster specs
While the X32QFS has decent specs for 4K gaming, if you need something that can do any resolution faster in terms of Hz and frame rates, then you’ll need to look elsewhere.

You haven’t got a 4K-capable gaming PC
While not a total deal breaker given how enjoyable the monitor is to use as a PS5 screen, if you want to pair this with a gaming PC, but haven’t got a 4K capable machine, then you won’t get the best or make the most out of the X32QFS.

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Also consider

If you’re still not convinced about the Acer Predator X32QFS, or it’s not available in your region, then check out these alternative monitors.

Gigabyte M32UC
This remains one of our overall top picks for any console gamer or PC player and comes in much cheaper than the X32QFS too. It’s also got a curved screen for extra immersion and sports a great feature set that makes for excellent performance from colors to refresh rate, and from picture quality to response time.

For more information, check out our full Gigabyte M32UC review

Samsung Odyssey OLED G8
Perhaps the best 32-inch gaming screen money can buy right now, the Odyssey OLED G8 barely puts a foot wrong - in any department. If you can stretch your budget, then this is the screen to go for, bagging you that sweet OLED performance and picture quality as well as a top-tier feature set, specs, and screen protection suite.

For more information, check out our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 review

How I tested the Acer Predator X32QFS

Tested over the course of multiple months
Used almost daily for work and gaming
Tested with an RTX 3090-powered PC, PS5 Slim, and PS5 Pro

The menu of the Acer Predator X32QFS gaming monitor. — (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

I’ve had the pleasure of using the Acer Predator X32QFS monitor for a few months now, using it almost every day for work, and several times a week for gaming. I’ve used it all day for work, from writing to managing spreadsheets and making work calls and communications, testing the screen in both light and dark modes constantly.

I have my RTX 3090-powered gaming PC connected to the monitor, a Yamaha SR-C20A soundbar for sound output when playing my connected PS5 Slim console, and I have made use of the USB ports on the monitor too to great effect. I tested the monitor on its own stand initially, but largely when connected to my Secretlab Magnus Pro gaming desk with the Secretlab monitor arm.

I’ve played a variety of PC games and PS5 games to test the screen out. On PC, I played Frostpunk 2, Control, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3, and A Total War Saga: Troy; while on PS5 and PS5 Pro, I tested Alan Wake 2, Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part 1, and Part 2 Remastered, and Horizon Forbidden West and Zero Dawn Remastered, as well as PS4 games such as Doom (2016) and Infamous Second Son.

I also tested the PS5 Pro extensively with the monitor when reviewing Sony’s latest console, and found it to provide excellent performance, opening up the extra modes in some of Sony’s first-party games, wonderfully, and presenting them beautifully.

Strand game

Traversing a brick building in Eternal Strands. — (Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)

You play as Brynn, a weaver who knows her way around a sword and bow. It's her use of elemental magic powers, strands, that makes her stand out, however.

We all know that fire burns, ice freezes, that fire is effective against ice, and vice versa. But rather than just a simplistic rock, paper, scissors approach, the laws of thermodynamics are carefully applied. You don't just shoot ice to freeze an enemy completely, but if you can encase a dragon's feet with ice then it will stop them from taking off in the air. But get too close yourself and you'll also take damage if you're not properly protected from the cold.

These strands must be earned by felling the big bad monsters and arks (ancient colossal machines) that roam more than half a dozen of the maps that make up a secluded realm known as the Enclave. While you could just keep thwacking them until their health bar's gone – you're also encouraged to deal damage to all parts of their body – figuring out the steps to expose their weakness that allows you to harvest their strand.

It feels especially badass clinging onto these bosses for dear life then reaching into their glowing weak spot, sending the titan crashing down regardless of how much health they still have.

Best bit

Climbing on an enemy in Eternal Strands. — (Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)

While there's a strong emphasis on flame and frost, kinetic powers are probably my favorite. Weaver's Grasp is terrific when you can grab and hurl containers or lanterns that set off a chain of explosions, while a strand that unlocks in the latter half creates a kind of speeding warp tunnel that makes it possible to launch yourself in the air – even cooler if you use it to grab onto a flying monster!

It would feel epic if these were one-offs like in Shadow of the Colossus. However, the structure here is designed so that you'll have to fight them multiple times Monster Hunter-style to upgrade your gear, or powers, or to advance the story.

The loop diminishes somewhat on repeat because, once you know how to take down one of them, it becomes very straightforward and I found myself rinsing and repeating the same tactics. What does keep you on your toes is a more deadly enemy type that appears partway through the story that hits harder and requires flame or frost powers to finish off.

A good time, not an eternal time

Chatting with other characters in Eternal Strands. — (Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)

Much of Eternal Strands is divided between a hub where you spend time with your weaverband companions and teleporting to different parts of the Enclave, made up of impressively large buildings to scale or underground caverns to delve deeper into. It's worth exploring every nook and cranny, as you'll find new information about an area, as well as recipes for crafting new gear.

The weaverband and other characters you eventually meet in the Enclave are well-written with their own arcs and issues, tackling topics like mental health and redemption, and there's even a married couple who just about stay on the right side of endearing.

Personally, I was more interested in their function than their chattiness, such as Casmyn's ability to increase the number of tonics I can carry or Sola's forge that doesn't just let you create new gear, but even reforge something you already have with better materials.

A towering enemy in Eternal Strands. — (Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)

That said, my gripe comes from having to return to the hub more often than I'd like. There's a stop-start nature to missions where, after you've found something, you just drop what you're doing and have to teleport back to the hub to debrief with the gang before you can continue the story.

You can, of course double, up the mission by fighting a boss too, though because you can't refill your supplies until you're back at camp you're at a disadvantage, and - if you die you lose most of your loot. At the same time, once you've explored these maps, the second half feels a bit padded, as you're just revisiting the same areas as initially optional boss hunts suddenly become mandatory. A day and night cycle that also changes weather and enemy locations does at least things up here.

Nonetheless, these are minor complaints as the story avoids overstaying its welcome. Its mechanics may not sustain a much longer gameplay loop like Tears of the Kingdom or Monster Hunter World but then this is not trying to be an epic timesink.

With its novel use of magic and colossal set pieces, Eternal Strands is a fun and breezy adventure to kickstart 2025.

Should you play Eternal Strands?

Play it if...

You like an interesting mix of combat options
The physics-based magic is definitely a highlight in Eternal Strands when it comes to combat and exploring its world.

You like fighting giant monsters and ancient machines
There's a mix of Monster Hunter and Shadow of Colossus in taking on the game's large enemies, identifying their weaknesses, and enjoying the catharsis or taking one down for the first time.

Don't play it if...

You're expecting a choice-driven RPG
As an action RPG, Eternal Strands is very much focused on the action side with an authored story rather than making your own choices. There is nonetheless a rich cast of companions with their own questlines and plenty of optional dialogue for fleshing out the world.

Accessibility

Eternal Strands' options menu provides a suite of accessibility features. Subtitles can be toggled on, off, or only during cinematics and voiceovers, with three font sizes and the option to display on a background. Colorblind options can be set according to type and severity.

If you don't have headphones, there is a night mode, which raises the volume of ambient sound while making explosion sounds less prominent. Game difficulty can be adjusted at any time, which only affects your maximum health and the amount of health recovered from vitality tonics. In easy mode, vitality tonics are restored after defeat.

How I reviewed Eternal Strands

Characters in Eternal Strands. — (Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)

I played Eternal Strands for 20 hours on my PS5 Pro, which allowed me to complete the main story and some side quests, although that didn’t include upgrading every strand to max level or completing all companion questlines, which would extend the game’s length.

There are no specific graphics modes apart from an option to turn on and off depth of field in-game.

Throughout, I used an LG C2 OLED TV with the default TV speakers and a DualSense Edge controller.

First reviewed January 2025

GameSir Tarantula Pro review: one of our favorite brands goes symmetrical – and it’s rad

2:50 pm | November 5, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Dragon Age, Nintendo Switch, PC | Comments: Off

GameSir Tarantula Pro: one-minute review

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is yet another winner from one of our favorite third-party gamepad brands. After seriously impressing us with the GameSir Kaleid, GameSir Nova, and the GameSir X2S Type-C mobile controller, it has now followed up with something a bit different.

The GameSir Tarantula Pro features a symmetrical thumbstick layout much like the PS5’s DualSense. However, this controller is compatible with PC, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices. Not only does that make it one of the very few Nintendo Switch controllers with symmetrical sticks, but it’s also perfect for gamers who prefer that layout on PC and mobile.

Otherwise, the Tarantula Pro is packed to the gills with desirable controller features, including drift-resisting TMR (that’s short for tunnel magnetoresistance, for those curious) sticks, trigger stops, nine (yes, nine!) remappable buttons, and even near field communication (NFC) scanning for amiibo figures on Nintendo Switch. You’re also getting excellent build quality here, as well as an impressively compact design that’s shorter than the average asymmetrical Xbox-style gamepad.

Perhaps the controller’s coolest feature, though, has to be its quick switching for button layouts. With a quick touch of the multifunction button on the rear of the pad, you can swap between Xbox and Switch face button layouts. These buttons are LED-powered too, and leads to a very stylish controller aesthetic in tandem with the small strip of RGB lighting underneath the central remappable button. All this lighting is fully customizable, too, letting you add a personal touch to the controller which is always welcome.

There’s a lot you can do with the GameSir Tarantula Pro, then, and it might take a while for you to fully grasp and remember all the multifunction button macros. But overall, this is an impressively robust Pro-adjacent controller that - like most other GameSir pads - comes at an aggressively affordable price. It can absolutely be considered one of the best PC controllers and best Nintendo Switch controllers released this year.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: Price and availability

$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105)
Available from October 10, 2024
Comparable in price to the 8BitDo Ultimate and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is available to buy now for $69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105), and you can purchase one either from GameSir’s own website or the brand’s Amazon store page. It is worth noting, however, that the bundle with the charging stand will cost you a bit extra, at $79.99 / £79.99.

This is a pretty competitive price point that places it squarely in the same bracket as some of the best Nintendo Switch controllers, including the 8BitDo Ultimate and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

You’re getting exceptional value for money here; the Tarantula Pro’s feature set vastly outclasses what you’ll find on other similarly priced gamepads. If you’re after a PC or Switch controller that offers optimal performance across a wide variety of game genres, then the GameSir Tarantula Pro comes highly recommended.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: specs

GameSir Tarantula Pro: design and features

Smart, compact design
Symmetrical stick layout
Swappable button layout is a blessing

The most immediately noticeable design element of the GameSir Tarantula Pro is its symmetrical thumbstick layout, making it ideal for players who prefer a PlayStation-style layout over the offset, asymmetrical design seen on most Xbox and Nintendo Switch compatible controllers. These sticks are joined by a large, tactile d-pad and the usual face buttons, as well as a smattering of remappable buttons, trigger locks, and a rear multifunction button.

Compared to controllers with an Xbox Wireless Controller-esque silhouette like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or GameSir’s own T4 Kaleid, the Tarantula Pro is impressively compact in terms of size. It’s about as wide as those gamepads, but slightly stouter in terms of top-to-bottom length. The subtle, camo-like finish on the front of the controller’s shell (not to mention the pleasing RGB light strip) lends it a pretty eye-catching look too.

The charging bay is a nice addition as well, though it is lacking in build quality compared to the controller itself. It’s basically a charging dock sat atop a rather flimsy plastic frame, powered by a USB Type-C cable. You’ll want to handle this with extra care, as that thin frame seems like it’ll be prone to snapping under even slight pressure. Still, its lightweight and unassuming design means it can take up desk space without being the least bit intrusive.

I’ve saved my favorite feature for last here; the GameSir Tarantula Pro features a swappable face button layout that’s incredibly slick. By holding down the multifunction and ‘A’ (or ‘B’ for the Switch layout) buttons for a few seconds, the controller will swap between Xbox and Switch layouts. This is accompanied by a satisfying mechanical whirr, and the buttons will even change color based on your chosen layout (multicolored for Xbox, white for Switch).

This addresses my biggest issue with multiplatform controllers like the T4 Kaleid; they may work across PC and Switch, but you’re typically stuck with a single layout for the face buttons. The Tarantula Pro sidesteps this entirely by letting you swap layouts on the fly, thus aligning it with your platform of choice. It’s worth noting that the controller will work regardless of button layout, but this is a nice, thoughtful extra for those who often find themselves glancing at the face buttons to better align themselves.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: performance

GameSir’s TMR thumbsticks are delightfully responsive
A whopping total of nine remappable buttons is excellent for competitive players
Multifunction button is handy for accessing more features on the fly

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is an absolute joy to use across PC and Nintendo Switch, and it’s honestly replaced the T4 Kaleid as my go-to PC controller. This is, in part, down to the fact that this new controller can be used wirelessly. You’re getting a 2.4GHz dongle included in the box, allowing you to connect to PC wirelessly with no fuss. Over on Switch, you can also rely on Bluetooth connectivity.

The controller is exceptional to play games with, offering drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks which GameSir claims have greater longevity and durability than traditional Hall effect sticks. That’d take a good few years to know for sure, but in my time with the pad, I found these thumbsticks to be brilliantly responsive. Meanwhile, while I prefer floating circular d-pads like that of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, the Tarantula Pro’s still feels great thanks to its micro switch feedback, allowing for very swift and decisive inputs.

You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to tailoring your very own Tarantula Pro experience too. Trigger locks allow you to switch between full-press Hall effect and more immediate micro switch presses. As mentioned, there are also nine remappable buttons (two on the rear of the controller next to the grips, four more around the central menu buttons, and three all in that central touchpad-style button (that’s one in the center, and two on the top which essentially act as two extra bumpers).

Remappable buttons aren’t for everyone, and having nine of them is arguably overkill, but if you’re the kind of person to make use of secondary inputs - be that for shooters or fighting games, for example - then you’ll be flush with options. To assign these, simply hold the multifunction button, your desired remappable button, and then the button you wish to assign. It’s quite a convoluted process at first glance, but very easy to get used to.

Battery life unfortunately isn’t the best ever here. I managed around 12 hours on a full charge during my playthrough of the Silent Hill 2 remake. That’s not dreadful, but is outclassed by other pads at this price range. Charge time also isn’t the greatest ever, coming in at around 3 hours whether you use the charging dock or USB-C.

Lastly, I’ll touch on the GameSir Connect software for PC, which is really quite good. It’s got a simple, one-screen interface that contains most of the gamepad’s customization options. That includes the RGB profile, trigger and stick deadzone alteration, remappable button mapping, and the activation or disabling of certain functions such as gyro aiming. It’s not particularly robust but offers most of what you’ll need all on one handy screen.

Should I buy the GameSir Tarantula Pro?

Buy it if...

You want a real kitchen sink of a controller
Bespoke Hall effect sticks, nine remappable buttons, trigger stops, and a handy multifunction button all make for an impressively robust gamepad that’s ideal for tinkerers.

You’re after a controller that’s perfect for both PC and Switch
If PC and Switch are your go-to gaming platforms, the GameSir Tarantula Pro is ideal for you. Especially with its quick-switch face button layouts.

Don't buy it if...

You were hoping for better battery life
12 hours isn’t terrible. But you’ll find greater amounts with competing controllers like the 8BitDo Ultimate (around 20-30 hours) and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (40-50 hours).

Also consider...

Not sure about the GameSir Tarantula Pro? We’ve got a couple of other options reviewed here for your consideration.

8BitDo Ultimate
Among the very best Nintendo Switch controllers you can buy today, the 8BitDo Ultimate is an impressive package featuring Hall effect sticks, remappable buttons, and a charging dock.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate review

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
While sorely lacking in features compared to the competition, practically nothing has the official Switch controller beat on battery life. If you want to potentially play through an entire, lengthy RPG without needing to charge, then this is your best bet.

Read our full Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review

How I tested the GameSir Tarantula Pro

Tested for two weeks
Platforms tested: PC, Nintendo Switch
Made use of all the controller’s major features

I tested the GameSir Tarantula Pro over the course of a fortnight, primarily on PC but also with some of the best Nintendo Switch games. In endeavored to make use of the controller’s features where best applicable, such as micro switch trigger stops for quicker inputs in fighting games like Street Fighter 6 and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, as well as a number of remappable buttons in shooters like Halo Infinite for quick access to jumping, grenades and melee attacks.

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is currently my go-to PC controller, and I’ve been using it to play through Silent Hill 2 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This is largely because I’ve also found the controller to be a comfortable fit thanks to its symmetrical design, and the ability to play wirelessly is a boon on PC for eliminating the need for extra cables.

Fight club

Archery-based combat in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

Veilguard’s combat system is a courageous offering, combining engaging, kinetic action with occasional moments of thoughtful strategy. As you battle, you’ll use a real-time combination of attacks, dodges, parries, and special skills to win victory. Much like BioWare’s sci-fi series Mass Effect, combat exists in real-time but may be paused at the touch of a button, allowing you to direct your comrades or select some of your more powerful, cooldown-based abilities. These abilities vary wildly depending on your build. As a Rogue, I had access to special bombs, daring shooting techniques, and devastating sword attacks, all of which could be refined and tweaked as I leveled up.

Abilities can be strung together in combos, where certain actions ‘detonate’ corresponding status ailments (such as ongoing damage over time or a flat damage reduction), creating a satisfying magical explosion. What’s more, given that these abilities work on a cooldown, you often have to choose between damaging combos and necessary combat utility. Is it better to heal or to unleash a maelstrom of deadly necrotic magic? Do I have my ally taunt my opponents, or should I order them to make me temporarily invulnerable with an inspiring shout? Questions like this keep Veilguard’s combat engaging hundreds of battles into the campaign.

The party combat wheel in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

All of this is punctuated by a slick system of parries and dodges, allowing you to rapidly react to enemy attacks. Parry at the right time, and you’ll perform a ‘perfect parry’, sometimes stunning your opponent and, depending on your build, offering you significant buffs to damage. This adds an ebb and flow to battles, rewarding you for attentive play. However, those looking for a more laid-back experience can easily customize Veilguard’s combat difficulty to suit their needs, tweaking granular elements from parry windows to enemy health.

This sort of customisability is at the forefront of Veilguard. Not only is the character creation process detailed enough to give Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077 a run for their money with its wide range of body types and permutations, but you also have access to a massive advancement tree which varies depending on your class. This tree contains dozens of nodes, each unlocking novelties ranging from significant passive buffs to brand-new abilities. Each of the game’s three core classes (Warrior, Rogue, and Mage) boasts a completely different tree and, thanks to the meaningful choices on offer, I always found myself looking forward to my next level up.

Bonding moments

The companion screen in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

BioWare RPGs tend to live and die on the strength of their supporting cast, and Veilguard is no exception. While I shall do my best to avoid spoilers, rest assured that the cast of supporting characters in Veilguard is diverse and relatable.

Each companion’s personal storyline is a coherent multi-part adventure, composed of dramatic set-piece battles, gripping dialogue, and gentle walk-and-talk scenes framed against Veilguard’s jaw-dropping environments. Having a gut-wrenching discussion about family trauma is one thing, but doing so on a sprawling, torchlit coastline at dusk elevates the scene to new heights. Though these scenes are occasionally undermined by slightly janky facial animations, such flaws rarely detract from the meaningful exchanges on the screen.

Best Bit

Taash from Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

Getting to know Taash, a brusque dragon hunter, was a particular highlight. Without spoiling too much, Taash’s story is intimate and relatable, addressing themes of family, identity, and personal growth in a moving and refreshing way. It’s arguably one of the strongest personal storylines in a Bioware game to date.

Veilguard draws each of its companions from a different faction and, by extension, a different region of the setting. This ensures that their differences in opinion seem organic rather than forced. It follows that an upstanding and knightly Grey Warden would be skeptical of a dubious assassin from the cutthroat, Venice-inspired nation of Antiva.

Unfortunately, not every aspect of Veilguard’s storytelling is as consistent or impressive as these character-driven vignettes. The RPG’s explorable environments boast plenty of side quests, but almost all of them are forgettable and leave little scope for decision points and player agency. In one particularly disappointing showing, you meet a fan-favorite character from Dragon Age 2, only for her to have you fight a series of repetitive arena battles as she offers repeated, canned dialogue after each of your victories. While Veilguard rarely stumbles to this extent, the side-quests often feel rushed and do little to broaden the fantasy.

Despite its high barrier to entry, the main story does demonstrate opportunities to make meaningful decisions as a player character. One particularly gut-wrenching decision forced me to choose between two missions offered by different companions. There was only time for one, and, no matter what I did, somebody was bound to lose out. When I made my decision, the venomous disappointment of the offended party felt compelling and realized.

It’s these moments that cement Veilguard’s place in the Dragon Age canon. While flawed, janky, and rushed in places, BioWare’s latest delivers a coherent and rewarding adventure that will delight fans of the series. However, those newer to Dragon Age will need to hit the books if they want to enjoy everything Veilguard has to offer.

Should you play Dragon Age: The Veilguard?

Play it if...

You’re a Dragon Age fan
For fans of the Dragon Age setting, Veilguard is an absolute treat. If you’ve been yearning to return to Thedas, you’ve come to the right place. The campaign is a whistle-stop tour of yet-unexplored locales - a wish come true for long-time fans.

You love ensemble casts
Veilguard treats its supporting characters with love and attention. Invest time and effort into this RPG’s ensemble and you’ll be rewarded with resonant, relatable, and memorable character drama.

You enjoy character customization
The character creation systems in Veilguard are as comprehensive as they come. In addition to extensive face and body customization which includes a wide range of gender presentations, you can also choose from six meaningful backstories which affect dialogue in the game proper.

Don't play it if...

You're concerned about having to learn a whole new fantasy setting
While it’s entirely possible to enjoy Veilguard as a newcomer, complex in-setting terms and weighty pre-existing plotlines come at you thick and fast. If you’re new, make sure you’ve got a wiki open in another tab or you’re liable to have a confusing time. If you’re looking for a fantasy epic with less of a buy-in, we recommend Baldur’s Gate 3.

You’re looking for a full-on open-world experience
Veilguard frames its main campaign and companion missions amidst a range of gorgeous and varied environments. While there are places to explore and things to collect, the side-quests are far thinner than would be ideal. Those looking for an open-world RPG will be better served by Elden Ring or Diablo 4.

Accessibility

Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers a broad range of accessibility options. The game offers filters for colorblind players with Protanopia, Deuteranopia, and Tritanopia. Subtitle size and frequency can also be customized. Visual effects such as motion blur, camera shake, and depth of field can also be adjusted.

Combat and exploration are highly customizable. Difficulty in battle can be tailored to remove requirements for quick and precise input timing while the glint distance on objects can be adjusted along with objective marker and waypoint visibility. There are also sliders for the camera and aiming sensitivity.

Rook, the main character, from Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

How I reviewed Dragon Age: The Veilguard

I spent over 35 hours with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, taking time to explore the central campaign, companion storylines, and numerous side-quests. I took the time to experiment with all three classes as well as a wide range of different builds. I also replayed certain set pieces throughout the game to test the extent to which making different choices would affect the story.

I played the game on PS5 on a 48-inch LG C2 OLED 4K TV with a Dualsense Wireless Controller. The game mostly ran smoothly, but I did occasionally notice input lag when in menus. That said, the lag was rarely sufficient to meaningfully detract from the experience.

First reviewed October 2024

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: One-minute review

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Price and availability

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Specs

Lexar Play 2280: Design and features

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Performance

Should I buy the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

How I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink

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Acer Predator X32QFS review: Price and availability

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Specs

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Design and features

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Performance

Should you buy the Acer Predator X32QFS?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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Strand game

A good time, not an eternal time

Should you play Eternal Strands?

Play it if...

Don't play it if...

Accessibility

How I reviewed Eternal Strands

GameSir Tarantula Pro: one-minute review

GameSir Tarantula Pro: Price and availability

GameSir Tarantula Pro: specs

GameSir Tarantula Pro: design and features

GameSir Tarantula Pro: performance

Should I buy the GameSir Tarantula Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

How I tested the GameSir Tarantula Pro

Fight club

Bonding moments

Should you play Dragon Age: The Veilguard?

Play it if...

Don't play it if...

Accessibility

How I reviewed Dragon Age: The Veilguard

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