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Thrustmaster TH8S shifter review – a fun addition to your racing wheel setup
4:00 pm | September 19, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

If you enjoy using manual transmission and the benefits it brings to your favorite racers, then the Thrustmaster TH8S is worth considering for your racing wheel setup. Its sturdy build quality and ease of setup are two notable highlights, and if you’re on a fairly strict budget, you’ll be glad to know that it won’t cost the earth, either.

The Thrustmaster TH8S’s seven forward gears - and one for reverse - make it a versatile shifter, and it’s also compatible with many of the best racing games out there. If you’re into PC sims like Assetto Corsa Competizione or iRacing, the tactility offered by the TH8S goes a long way to immerse you in the simulation aspect even more. Sim-lite titles like Gran Turismo 7 and Forza Horizon 5 are also supported on console, though you may find it isn’t best suited to F1 23, as the shifter is a gear short of the open-wheelers’ eight.

While overall a very fun add-on to use, we can’t quite recommend the shifter for beginners just starting out with the best racing wheels. Shifting can feel a little cumbersome as the stick is fairly weighty and without a dedicated stand to mount it on, it can cause your setup and monitors to shake if you’re on PC. Overall, though, racing wheel aficionados will get much out of the extra immersion it provides.

Price and availability

The Thrustmaster TH8S shifter add-on can be bought right now for $69.99 / £59.99. You can buy it from Thrustmaster’s official store page, or at notable big-box retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Dell, and Argos.

Comparatively, the TH8S is slightly pricier than the Logitech G Driving Force shifter ($59.99 / £49.99). However, the trade-off here is that the TH8S features seven forward gears as opposed to Logitech’s six, making Thrustmaster’s shifter a bit more versatile.

Design and features

Thrustmaster TH8S

(Image credit: Future)

The Thrustmaster TH8S’s chassis is largely built from sturdy plastic. And while it does lack a premium feel, it certainly isn’t poorly built. There’s a nice amount of weight that helps lock the shifter firmly in place when clamped to your desk or setup, too. The shifting stick itself features a metal shaft, which is ideal for resisting wear and tear that’ll come from shifting it between gears repeatedly. With high durability, then, the TH8S is perfect for long-term use.

The shifting stick defaults to neutral position, just to the left of center. It can then be moved upwards through seven forward gears (one through seven), and there’s a dedicated reverse gear, useful for games that require careful, calculated driving like Euro Truck Simulator 2 and MudRunner.

One of the best aspects of the Thrustmaster TH8S is its overall ease of setup and use. The clamp can reach as far as 1.6 inches (4cm) and is easily secured into place by rotating clockwise. No need for extra tools like a screwdriver to get the job done. For connectivity, the TH8S can be plugged into your PC or console of choice via USB-C or DIN, and cables are included for both options.

Performance

Thrustmaster TH8S

(Image credit: Future)

The Thrustmaster TH8S works perfectly as intended, with a high degree of responsiveness meaning in-game gear shifts are registered instantaneously. However, there are a few things to keep in mind here that may hinder the overall experience for you.

For one, the act of shifting with the TH8S takes a lot of getting used to. As you are physically shunting the stick between gear changes frequently, keeping a mental map of where each gear is located is vital. During testing, it was all too easy to shift into a suboptimal gear, especially when needing to slow down to take on particularly tight corners. There may be a learning curve involved for you, especially if you’re currently used to swapping gears via paddles on a racing wheel.

Another aspect that took some getting used to was just how weighty the shifter feels. And this is a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, the fact that stick shifts require a bit of heft lends a very satisfying feeling to changing gears. On the other it often felt like a struggle to perform what is otherwise a fairly simple task on controllers and racing wheels. It certainly meant that I, personally, couldn’t use the shifter for more than a few races without feeling slightly worn out.

Additionally, the stick generates a fair degree of noise when shifting, which isn’t a deal breaker in and of itself. But it may be something you wish to take into consideration if you have roommates or particularly skittish pets.

The overall sim driving experience is enhanced with a TH8S added to your setup, though I found it to be most efficient with slower-paced titles like Euro Truck Simulator 2. That’s because the relatively lower top speeds made gear management much easier, and helped with the overall enjoyment factor, as well as being able to take corners more accurately. In comparison, I fared less well in titles like Dirt Rally 2.0; its constant changes to terrain, grip and speeds made managing gears a high-octane effort that quickly wore me down. Still extremely fun, mind, just a good deal more taxing. 

Should I buy the Thrustmaster TH8S shifter?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we reviewed the Thrustmaster TH8S

I tested the Thrustmaster TH8S on PC in a setup that also made use of the Thrustmaster T128 racing wheel and pedals. A wide range of games were tried out using manual transmission, including Dirt Rally 2.0, Euro Truck Simulator 2, MudRunner, and Assetto Corsa Competizione, to ensure the shifter was tested across titles of varying paces.

Prefer to race on console? Be sure to have a look at our guide to the best PS5 racing wheels for top setups tailor-made for Sony’s current-gen system. 

The Crew Motorfest review – occasionally spectacular
7:39 pm | September 13, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off
Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: September 14, 2023

The Crew Motorfest, the third entry in Ubisoft’s open-world racer series, differs quite drastically from prior installments. Instead of racing across a pared-down approximation of the entire United States, Motorfest dials in a more focused approach, offering up the state of Hawaii as your new playground. It’s a quality-over-quantity approach that helps Motorfest’s map feel both vibrant and richly detailed.

Throw in a truly remarkable variety of events, encompassing everything from Japanese street racing cars to wilderness treks on motorbikes, and Motorfest is genuinely quite full of surprises. In a lot of ways, The Crew Motorfest comes close to being a Forza Horizon 5 contender. Unfortunately, there are so many little frustrations here which all add up to ultimately offer a pretty unpolished experience. 

For one, the game’s handling model has some rather frustrating quirks. When this is paired with AI that often can’t decide how fast or slow it wants to be, the resulting racing is unsatisfying. I also ran into numerous crashes and game-breaking bugs during play and, to top it all off, The Crew Motorfest requires an online connection at all times. Yes, even when you’re playing solo. 

Rolling hills

The Crew 2

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

But let’s start with the good; the stuff The Crew Motorfest gets exceptionally right. Ubisoft’s racer closely mirrors that of Playground Games’ Forza Horizon series. However, there are some things Motorfest does that outclasses the Xbox Series X|S exclusive racer.

There’s a great emphasis on event variety in The Crew Motorfest, to the point that you’ll be experiencing something different in almost every race. Races are divided into categories here, named Playlists, which offer a selection of trails for you to race on with a preset selection of vehicles based on the Playlist’s theme. 

Made in Japan, for example, will put you behind the wheel of the country’s street racing icons like the Honda NSX and Nissan Skyline GT-R for a series of nighttime circuits. My favorite, by far, was the Hawaii Scenic Tours Playlist, which features a series of more laid-back races, including one that puts you in a VW Camper for a leisurely sunset stroll around the island. This Playlist in particular did an excellent job of highlighting The Crew Motorfest’s drop-dead gorgeous visuals, which really came to life via the game’s HDR support.

If it wasn’t clear already, each race also sees you driving a different vehicle. This is an approach I enjoyed greatly, as in Forza Horizon 5, I often found myself sticking to a select few cars I’d upgraded, despite that game rewarding you with cars like there’s no tomorrow. In Motorfest, you’ll get to drive a massive chunk of its 600+ vehicle roster, which also includes bikes, open-wheelers, boats, and planes. 

Best bit

The Crew Motorfest

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

The Crew Motorfest's sheer event variety is its crowning achievement. You'll go from racing modified street legends to bikes, open-wheel racers, and planes all in under an hour.

Most races are pretty lengthy, too, really playing into the strengths of The Crew Motorfest’s gargantuan map size. Races are mostly in the ‘get from A to B’ format and typically last anywhere between five to ten minutes. It’s actually far less of a slog than it may sound, as the game’s gorgeous environs provide a compelling background to race across. Especially so as Playlists all feature unique elements and objects to make them visually distinct.

Completing three Playlists unlocks the Main Stage, which features three avenues of progression for additional rewards. These will have you revisit races you’ve completed, participate in dynamic events, or explore the island for hidden secrets like treasure boxes or photo opps. And this is where you can take your collection of cars and apply upgrades to them for a significantly different style of racing. Yes, you’re retreading content a lot with Main Stage, but being able to change up your vehicle for these events injects some extra life into them.

One last aspect of The Crew Motorfest that both impressed and surprised me was its incredibly responsive UI. Compared to many other racing games, Motorfest can see you hopping into the menu and between vehicles in a matter of seconds, with little to no load time in between. Additionally, the game’s load times overall are brisk, especially on current-gen systems. 

Crash course

The Crew Motorfest

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Unfortunately, for everything that The Crew Motorfest gets right, it gets another aspect equally wrong. For starters, it has one of the strangest handling models I’ve ever experienced in a contemporary open-world racer. One especially irksome quirk is that cars have a habit of overcorrecting themselves after a turn like they unnaturally ‘snap’ to a lane once the turn has finished. This often leads to you needing to readjust your racing line and means you can never quite take corners or straight optimally. And yes, this even occurs with driving assists disabled.

But that’s not the end of the handling model’s woes. Unlike Forza Horizon, there’s very little difference between how different surfaces affect your car. You’ll glide across tarmac, gravel, sand, and mud like you were just traveling down a freeway. That would be fine were The Crew Motorfest strictly an arcade racer, but it’s not, as you do have access to tweaks like torque strength and brake bias.

There’s also barely a damage model to speak of in The Crew Motorfest. Your cars will get a little dinged up, certainly, but it’s all purely cosmetic (there's no option for simulated damage, either) and amounts to some light dents and paint scraping. Similarly, driving through dirtier surfaces barely muddies the car beyond a few light speckles. Granted, this isn’t exactly a dealbreaker, as more sim-like racers like Gran Turismo 7 also opt for light damage and wear. But it does take some immersion away from Motorfest’s sublime Hawaii map. 

The Crew Motorfest

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Another quarrelsome aspect is AI racers’ ability to aggressively rubber-band. That is, to artificially speed up or slow down to create an illusion of difficulty. Even playing largely on the second-highest difficulty level, AI drivers could rarely win races on their own merits. More often than not, I would catch them slingshotting into first place, gaining two to three-second leads in record time. The opposite is true, too, as I often witnessed the AI noticeably slowing down as the checkered flag approached.

All this, though, frankly pales in comparison to my biggest gripe with The Crew Motorfest. The game requires an online connection at all times, even when you’re just racing by yourself. Much like the Forza Horizon series, Motorfest employs a semi-online model that populates your session with other drivers, in case you want to race or party up with them. But even Forza lets you disconnect and race purely offline if that’s your preference. 

There’s none of that in The Crew Motorfest, so if the servers go down for whatever reason, you’re bang out of luck. And yes, that also means the game doesn’t play nice with console features like Xbox Series X|S’s Quick Resume, as you’ll be thrown out of your session when you take the game out of standby.

There is a lot to love about The Crew Motorfest. It features one of the most beautiful open-world racing maps I’ve ever seen, and I love the amount of variety on offer when it comes to the racing. But the issues I’ve highlighted, as well as its tendency to either crash or disconnect from the server, means I often can’t enjoy it as much as I want to. Future patches and updates will likely help smooth over the cracks, but as it stands, The Crew Motorfest’s frustrations tend to outweigh what it gets right.

Accessibility features

As is the case with other Ubisoft titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, The Crew Motorfest features a decent amount of accessibility options. Subtitle size and background opacity are here, as well as support for seven different text languages. There are also three different colorblind settings, as well as options for a high-contrast HUD. Players can also minutely adjust the strength of the controller’s vibration and, if playing on PS5, the strength of the DualSense wireless controller’s adaptive trigger feedback, too. 

How we reviewed The Crew Motorfest

I played approximately 20 hours of The Crew Motorfest on PS5. Being an open-world racing game, it was paramount to focus on the variety of races and challenges available in the game, as well as the quality of the overall handling model compared to some of the best racing games around.

If The Crew Motorfest isn’t quite what you’re after for your next gaming spell, consider checking out our best PS5 games and best Xbox Series X games lists for top recommendations, as well as our guide to all the upcoming games we know about.

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.

WD Black C50 expansion card review – a top storage contender for Xbox Series X
2:23 pm | August 15, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

The WD Black C50 is a very welcome addition to the Xbox expansion card space. Previously dominated by Seagate, who used to be the only manufacturer in town when it came to Xbox Series X|S-ready SSDs, Western Digital’s bespoke solution for the Series consoles impresses in many ways.

The WD Black C50 combines affordability and reliability into one neat package. Expect blazing-fast transfer speeds for your money, with the card being particularly impressive when transferring files between the Xbox Series X’s or Xbox Series S’s internal storage and itself. If you need to move the best Xbox Series X games over to take over to a friend’s house, for example, the C50 excels here by transferring large files impressively quickly.

The biggest lamentation I have with the C50, though, is its relatively small capacity. There are only two configurations available, maxing out at just 1TB. While future revisions may explore higher capacities, what we have right now with the C50 is merely serviceable, at least in comparison to the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card which offers a larger 2TB model.

WD Black C50 - price and availability

The WD Black C50’s two configurations are available right now with the 512GB unit coming in at an attractive $79.99 / £89.99. I’d recommend going for the 1TB model, however, which retails for $149.99 / £149.99, purchasable from Western Digital’s official website or online retailers including Amazon and Best Buy. 

WD Black C50 - design and features

WD Black C50

(Image credit: Future)

You’d be able to spot the WD Black C50 a mile off if you’re familiar with Western Digital’s all-black, industrial aesthetic. The card itself is impressively small – about the size of a Nintendo DS cartridge – and only as thick as a pack of gum. Build quality is reassuringly sturdy, too, featuring a rugged casing that should easily withstand years of wear and tear.

Much like Seagate’s option, the WD Black C50 slots neatly into your Xbox Series X|S console via the dedicated expansion card port. It’s a no-fuss setup, too; slot in the card for the first time to undergo a brief formatting phase, and from then onwards, the card’s good to go.

My only major gripe with the C50 is its capacity configurations. The two models listed above are, at present, the only ones available for purchase. There’s, unfortunately, no 2TB or above configuration available to buy, which is a shame given it’s arriving three years into the generation and new-gen libraries are bigger than ever.

WD Black C50 - performance

WD Black C50

(Image credit: Future)

The WD Black C50 has impressive transfer speeds when moving files over from the Xbox Series X’s internal storage to the expansion card. Fortnite (45GB) for example, transferred to the C50 in just 1 minute and 18 seconds. Meanwhile, larger titles like Wild Hearts (80GB) moved over in 2 minutes and 4 seconds.

Expect transfers from the card back to internal storage to take, on average, about a minute longer. In Fortnite’s case, the move back to internal storage took 2 minutes and 17 seconds, whereas Wild Hearts took exactly 3 minutes.

One thing to note is that in my testing, I found the C50 to have slightly slower boot times for games than ones installed on internal storage. Forza Horizon 5 went from boot-up to in-game in 59 seconds. The C50 managed the same in 1 minute and 9 seconds, so roughly ten seconds off the pace. It’s something you probably won’t notice unless you’re timing it yourself, but certainly worth noting if you’re planning to move your favorite games over to the card.

You’ll be dealing with a bit of a trade-off with the C50, then. While transfer speeds to the card are fantastic, the marginally slower boot times may become irksome if you regularly play larger games like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, or Halo Infinite. Still, it’s not much of a dealbreaker, and the C50 also supports X|S enhanced titles as well as Xbox’s Quick Resume feature, meaning you won’t need to reboot your favorite titles much, at all, outside of scheduled updates. 

Should I buy the WD Black C50?

WD Black C50

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the WD Black C50

In testing the WD Black C50, we made sure to transfer games of various sizes to get a good feel of how long the process takes. We also compared boot times between it and the console’s internal storage to check for any differences in how long each takes to  load your favorite games. 

Overall, we found the card to be comparable in performance to the internal storage of the Xbox Series X|S consoles, with impressively quick transfer speeds when compared to competing models. 

Interested in other storage options for Xbox Series X|S? Have a look at our best Xbox Series X hard drive and SSDs guide to learn all about storage capacity upgrades for your console.

Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV review
8:11 pm | August 11, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV: Two-minute review

The Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV is one of the latest entries from Philips' new Evnia line of gaming monitors, and it offers a lot of features and a great design, but its overall performance left me a bit underwhelmed – especially at its premium price point.

Over the past several years, Philips has released some quality ultra-wide monitors including the Brilliance 346P1CRH and 346B1C. However, the Dutch company has made a recent push into more gaming-centric displays through its Evnia line, and when it comes to the Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV, there are some impressive specs to the 34-inch display. 

The monitor has a 1440p resolution for its 21:9 aspect ratio with a 165Hz refresh rate, along with HDR1400 certification, and is backlit through mini LED with 1152 local dimming zones. 

For smoother gameplay, the Evnia 34M2C7600MV is compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and to help reduce eye strain and maintain visual comfort, the monitor also features a LowBlue Mode in addition to flicker-free technology.

A Philips Evnia 34m2c7600mv on a desk playing a racing game

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Beyond those technical specs are some noteworthy features such as KVM capabilities which are perfect for streamers who want to streamline their keyboard and mouse inputs over two devices like another desktop or laptop. The Evnia 34M2C7600MV also has two 5W speakers with DTS Sound alongside back panel Ambiglow lighting for added immersion.

This setup is definitely good enough for serious PC gamers to take notice, and there's no question that on the surface, this seems like a contender for one of the best ultrawide monitors of the year.

All of that, though, comes at a steep price of $1,299.99 (about £1,275/AU$1,920) which, along with some other issues, holds this monitor back from being a clear candidate for our best gaming monitor list. 

Though image quality and performance while gaming is excellent, the same can’t be said for more general computing tasks. Having individual color temperature settings would’ve helped alleviate those problems but the lack of them hurts when viewing video content or simply trying to browse the web. 

A Philips Evnia 34m2c7600mv on a desk playing a racing game

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

On the plus side, setting up and placing the Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV isn’t a difficult process (it's just under 25 lbs, 11kg). The base easily screws into the neck and both easily connect to the display. Despite the ultra-wide nature, it’s not cumbersome once all the pieces are put together as weight distribution is good. The ports face downward and the display can be lifted up and tilted for better access when connecting display inputs and power. 

Most PC gamers are going to use the sole DisplayPort 1.4 input, leaving the two extra HDMI 2.1 ports for various other devices like another computer or video game console (and with HDMI 2.1, a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S can get up to 120 fps). 

Through the USB Hub, users have access to four USB-A ports. To utilize KVM, there’s a sole USB-C port. Users who want a more discrete listening experience can use the audio out port as well. On the right bottom side of the rear panel is the joystick control for accessing menus for doing everything from visual presets to changing inputs. 

Design-wise, the Evnia 34M2C7600MV has a minimalistic white and silver aesthetic that’s made from 35 percent recycled materials. Making view positioning adjustments is fairly easy, and though the Ambiglow tech in the display slightly lags behind what’s on the screen, the small LED lights on the back of the panel do actually match the color of whatever is happening on the display. 

A Philips Evnia 34m2c7600mv on a desk playing a racing game

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

It’s a cool alternative to the simple RGB lighting that most gaming monitors feature. For example, when you're playing Forza Horizon 5, it would turn a brownish red when driving through sandstorms. It’s a neat trick that takes a few seconds to transition and looks great when playing at night. 

The two 5W speakers with DTS Sound are another standout on the Evnia 34M2C7600MV’s design as they offer both volume and clarity. Using external speakers is great when watching videos or listening to music, and serious gamers will obviously have one of the best PC gaming headsets for more immersive gameplay and situational awareness. 

As a nice touch, there’s also a reticle overlay to help players when playing shooters too. Alongside the pretty respectable audio quality provided by the monitor, Ambiglow and KVM help somewhat justify its high price point. 

When it comes to performance during gaming, the Evnia 34M2C7600MV offers impressive results. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, Need For Speed Unbound, and Street Fighter 6 offered great image quality in standard range as well as HDR. The mini-LEDs are really punchy in making colors look exceptionally bold. Blacks are deep when needed as well. 

There are also a few gaming presets available for first-person shooters, racing, and real-time strategy games. Those presets can be saved between two personalized settings dubbed Gamer 1 and Gamer 2. 

Having the high refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro allows a smoother gameplay experience which is essential for playing games like Street Fighter 6 or first-person-shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Doom Eternal. Input lag wasn’t an issue during our playtime with those games. 

A Philips Evnia 34m2c7600mv on a desk playing a racing game

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The problems with the Evnia 34M2C7600MV really show up during non-gaming tasks, and are most noticeable when HDR is turned on. 

Colors looked a bit flat and washed out when using Windows 11 and lacked a clear crispness. That wouldn’t have been much of an issue if the monitor featured color temperature settings to alleviate those issues, but this isn't an option, which is baffling given the monitor's price tag. 

To get the best visual quality, we had to turn HDR on for gaming and turn it off when trying to browse the web and watch video content on YouTube or Netflix, which is definitely a hassle. Meanwhile, creatives who use Adobe Photoshop or Premiere Pro may have some problems when attempting to color correct images as well, though the monitor does cover 148.8% of the sRGB, 97.8% of the Adobe, and 99.3% of the DCI-P3 color gamuts. 

Gamers looking for a great ultrawide monitor for gaming and streaming exclusively may find what they need out of the Evnia 34M2C7600MV. Games look great and KVM functionality works well. Having quality speakers does bring the value up a bit. Many may find the $1,299.99 price tag unreasonable; especially if potential buyers don’t want to do anything except game. The Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 feels lightyears ahead of the Evnia 34M2C7600MV, and can be found for roughly the same price, making this monitor a tough sell at the moment.

Still, the Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV may not be the best at everything it tries to do capability-wise but steps up where it counts. If the price comes down a bit, it's an easy monitor to recommend for gamers looking for the best monitor for gaming that colors outside the typical gamer RGB lines. 

A Philips Evnia 34m2c7600mv on a desk playing a racing game

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost?  $1,299.99/£1,329.87 (about AU$1,900)
  • When is it available?  Available now  
  • Where can you get it?  You can get it In the U.S. through B&H Photo and in the UK on Amazon

 The Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV is available now in the US and UK. B&H Photo has the Evnia 34M2C7600MV for $1,299.99, while you can get the Evnia 34M2C7600MV in the UK on Amazon for £1,329.87. 

That price is quite steep; especially since the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 is available for roughly the same price and is, frankly, a much better monitor. There are also cheaper ultrawide monitors like the AOC CU34G2X and BenQ EX3410R which are available for a little less than half the price. However, those particular monitors don't have extras like mini-LEDs or KVM, so it's not a straight apples-to-apples comparison. 

While there is a page on Philips's Australian website for the Evnia 34M2C7600MV, there currently isn’t a way to purchase in that territory just yet. 

Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV: Specs

A Philips Evnia 34m2c7600mv on a desk playing a racing game

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Should you buy the Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV?

Buy it if...

You need a solid ultra-wide monitor that leans toward gaming
The Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV provides great image quality and performance during gaming thanks to its hardworking mini-LEDs alongside a high refresh rate.

You require a lot of ports and KVM functionality
Beyond the four usable USB-A ports, a single Display Port, and two HDMI ports,  being able to control two devices through the sole USB-C for KVM adds enough to the gaming monitor’s value.

Don't buy it if...

You want an affordable ultra-wide monitor 
Priced at $1,299.99, the Evnia 34M2C7600MV is definitely on the higher end when it comes to ultra-wide gaming monitors. 

You need serviceable image quality outside of gaming
When gaming, the ultra-wide gaming monitor provides great image quality and performance. Non-gaming tasks like web browsing and video content viewing may require users to turn off HDR for better image quality. 

Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV: Also consider

If my review has you considering other options, here are two more of the best ultrawide monitors for gaming and content creation.

How I tested the Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV

  • I spent around two weeks with the monitor
  • I played various games ranging from Cyberpunk 2077 to Street Fighter 6 as well as worked on creative content
  • I worked with both Adobe Creative Cloud apps and Google G-Suite 

I tested the Philips Evnia 34M2C7600MV over a period of two weeks. As mentioned previously, I played various AAA games on the gaming monitor, including Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, Need For Speed Unbound, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Street Fighter 6, and Diablo IV. 

To try out creative capabilities, I used Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. When not gaming or testing creative learning software, I used it for more general computing tasks like web browsing alongside consuming video content. 

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 August 2023

Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 review: a stunner of an ultrawide monitor
5:00 pm | July 16, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Philips Evnia 34M2C8600: Two-minute review

Out of the box, the new Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 gaming monitor is arguably the pinnacle of what’s possible for ultra-wide gaming displays. This 34-inch 1440p OLED display pumping out a refresh rate of 175Hz is pure excellence through and through. Image quality is best-in-class while being matched with incredible performance. Between its Ambiglow lighting, KVM capabilities and amazing DTS certified speakers, the Evnia 34M2C8600 has plenty of value packed features. 

Regardless of tasks, the Evnia 34M2C8600 does an excellent job at catering to various users. It doesn’t matter if users want to play Cyberpunk 2077 with all the visual bells-and-whistles or looking to edit video content through Adobe Premiere Pro, its visuals are perfect. Then there’s the fantastic design of the gaming monitor itself, which is stunning to look at with excellent audio quality and port availability. 

At $1,299, the Evnia 34M2C8600 is an expensive piece of hardware but potential buyers who are care-free with their checking accounts will have much to appreciate here. If money isn’t an issue, it has to be one of the best ultrawide monitors released this year so far. To be honest, the Evnia 34M2C8600 just feels good enough to save up for even if it's out of someone’s budget. 

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The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Even setting up the Evnia 34M2C8600 feels premium. The base, neck and display connect by screwing the base to the neck, then slot the display into the neck and that’s about it. To power it, jJust plug the power cord into the jack and straight into a power socket. 

Port options are plenty on the gaming monitor as well. There are three input ports split between two HDMI 2.0 and a sole DisplayPort 1.4. Considering the reality that most PC gamers are always going to use DisplayPort, that leaves two HDMI ports for multi platform console gamers or streamers who want to use their other PC during those tasks. 

Four USB-A ports are operated through a USB-B upstream port. Interestingly enough, the USB-A ports are split between the rear panel with the rest of the ports with two at the bottom right side panel. The sole USB-C is used for KVM capabilities which allows users to operate two devices with one mouse and keyboard instead of having two input sets. This is perfect for streamers who use one PC for gaming and another device for operating streaming software like OBS studios. 

The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

When it comes to aesthetics, the Evnia 34M2C8600 looks incredibly distinctive with its white and silver colorway. One of the main visual features of this model is the Ambiglow feature. Instead of customizable RGB lighting, there are several LED lights around the back panel. Ambiglow matches whatever is displayed on screen. For example, a blue wallpaper background will turn the lights blue. It’s a really cool alternative to RGB lighting and definitely helps immersion when playing games or watching video content.

Audio quality is even top tier due to the dual 5W DTS certified speakers. Obviously, serious PC gamers will use headsets for more immersive experience but the built in audio of the Evnia 34M2C8600 works extremely well. Watching videos or listening to music through the speakers provide a fantastic experience. Audio clarity and volume levels are pretty sweet. 

The Evnia 34M2C8600 features genre-specific enhancements through SmartImage mode. SmartImage works for three gaming genres including first-person-shooters, racing and real time strategy. FPS mode improves darks and racing mode adapts the display with faster response time and image adjustments. Meanwhile, RTS mode highlights specific areas in addition to allowing size and image adjustments. Other cool features like crosshair overlays add to the overall package.

The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Performance on this ultrawide gaming desktop is phenomenal. The OLED display’s image quality is the best one can buy at the moment. It doesn’t matter what task a user is doing, colors are bold, crips and vivid. Brightness brings out clear whites and blacks get deep. HDR performance is out of this world. The Evnia 34M2C8600 really brought out the best of the many games I tried on this display. Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022), Forza Horizon 5, Street Fighter VI and Diablo IV all looked beautiful, making this easily one of the best gaming monitors going. 

Most importantly, they performed just as well. Between the 175Hz refresh rate and AMD Freesync, the display ensures buttery smooth gameplay without the worry of screen tearing. Input response was remarkably near-instantaneous and is definitely good enough for gamers who may lean a bit into competitive gaming as well. This makes the Evnia 34M2C8600 good enough for more esports games like Fortnite, League of Legends, Valorant, Rocket League and COD: Warzone. 

Outside of gaming, general computing tasks like web-browsing and the like look great. For comfortability purposes, there’s also LowBlue Mode and flicker-free technology to help against eye strain. Supporting 1.07 billion colors and ultra wide-color technology means this gaming monitor is also perfect for creatives who edit photos in addition to video content. Colorists are definitely going to have a blast using this display. 

Philips Evnia 34M2C8600: Price & availability

The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much does it cost?  $1,299.99 / £1,149.95
  • When is it available?  Now in U.S. & UK
  • Where can you get it?  B&H Photo and Video in the U.S. & Overclockers in the UK 

As of now, the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 is only available in the US and UK. Like mentioned previously, the ultra-wide gaming monitor is an expensive piece of hardware at $1,299.99/£1,149.95, but the price is commensurate with what you're getting. 

In the United States, the display can be purchased through B&H Photo. Meanwhile, Overclockers is selling the monitor in the UK. There is a web page on Philips site for the device but unfortunately, it’s not available there for purchase yet. 

Despite its price, it the market alongside similarly priced ultrawide displays including the LG UltraGear 38N950 and Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. If it's still too rich for your blood though, you should consider the AOC CU34G2X. 

Should you buy the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600?

The philips evnia 34m2c8600 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy it if...

You are willing to pay for the best image quality and performance available in a gaming ultra-wide display
That awesome OLED display leads to some of the best image quality available and HDR Black 400 pushes that notion further. Competitive gamers will enjoy the 175Hz refresh rate, input response and AMD Freesync.

You want some value packed features 
KVM, crosshair overlay, wonderfully sounding speakers and the likes make the Philips Evnia 8000 worthy of its high price tag. 

Don't buy it if...

You need an affordable ultrawide
All of this perfection the Philips Evnia 8000 provides comes at a high price point. 

Philips Evnia 34M2C8600: Also consider

How I tested the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600

  • I spent two weeks testing the Evnia 34M2C8600 
  • I primarily used the monitor for PC gaming and content creation
  • I played the most recent PC games like Diablo IV and creative apps like Adobe Photoshop 

During our two weeks with the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600, we tried multiple games and applications on it. When it comes to games, we played everything from Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV to Call of Duty Modern Warfare II and Forza Horizon 5. We also tried more competitive esports titles like COD: Warzone and Street Fighter VI to push performance and latency. 

For creative tasks, we used Adobe Suite of software including both Photoshop and Premiere Pro. When it comes to more general computing tasks, apps including Google Chrome and music streaming service Tidal were used as well. 

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

Origin Chronos V3 review: big performance, small package
9:02 pm | July 13, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Origin Chronos V3: One-minute review

Going as far back as 2014, the Origin Chronos line of gaming desktops have earned a reputation by providing incredible performance in a relatively compact shell. Throughout the years, design has gotten smaller as chip sets get more and more powerful, and the same goes for the Origin Chronos V3. 

Featuring a mid-tower ITX case set-up that’s 11 inches tall and 7 inches wide, the gaming desktop is small enough to pack in dozens of combinations split between various CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, RAM and SSD storage. 

It doesn’t matter what side of the Intel, Nvidia and AMD side of the fence one stands on, the amount of personalized options are remarkable. There’s even plenty of ventilation through its steel mesh panels that also allow up to 6 120mm fans to be used as well. This allows high-end gaming performance doesn’t become uncomfortably noisy when pushed to the max. 

However, this impressive package does come with some issues. Regardless of which configuration one finds themselves choosing, the Chronos V3 is going to cost a pretty penny. Starting at $1,501 for a build with an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X CPU and no discrete graphics, you can customize your Chronos V3 to the tune of more than $5,500. Of course, the max configuration is a beast of a machine, so the price is absolutely in line with what you're getting.

Meanwhile, the smaller design means port access located at the top instead of the rear may be problematic. Most importantly, upgrading various parts over-time may be problematic due to its mini ITX case. These restrictions won’t make the Chronos V3 any less desirable but may be something potential buyers should take into consideration given how much money they're likely to drop on this bad boy. 

Origin Chronos V3: Price & availability

A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC shipping crate

Yes, they ship this thing out in a crate like it's the Ark of the Covenant (if you're into that kind of thing) (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much does it cost? Depending on the configuration, expect to spend between $1,785 and $5,695  
  •  When is it available? It is available now in the US only 
  •  Where can you get it? From Origin’s online store 

Currently only available stateside through Origin’s online store, the Chronos V3 gaming desktop can come in a variety of spec configurations that’s split between two white and black colorways. 

Our review setup runs about $3,050 (about £2,830/AU$4,560) and came packed with an Intel Core i7-13700K, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD with an additional 2 TB SSD storage. 

The Chronos V3 is going to be an all around expensive purchase regardless of what options you go for, but it is still reasonable on the lower end and not out of step with the best gaming PCs from manufacturers like Dell or Lenovo. 

Still, if you're looking for something much more on this side of affordable, do check out our best budget gaming PC  page for more affordable alternatives.

Though the front case design comes with two USB-A and one USB-C ports alongside a 3.5 mm headset jack across all configurations, port selection may differ due to the amount of motherboards available as well. This review configuration was an MPG Z790I Edge Wifi that granted four USB-A ports, a singular USB-C, RealTek 7.1 Audio Out capabilities, 2.5 LAN Ethernet port in addition to Intel Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. 

At the cheaper end of the spectrum, users can get a viable build with an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X CPU, Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 500GB SSD. That’ll cost around $1,785 (about £1,425, AU$2,675). 

On the high end, for around $5,521 (about £4,420/AU$8,280), individuals can blow up their specs to a 24-core Intel i9-13900KS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 64GB DDR5 RAM, 8GB PCIe SSD storage alongside an extra 8GB SATA SSD and a bay-mounted, low-profile Blu-Ray writer because why the hell not? 

  • Value score: 3.5 / 5

Origin Chronos V3: Specs

A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The Origin Chronos V3 currently comes in any number of configurations, letting the number of potential builds run well over 100. 

Origin Chronos V3 : Design

A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Has a very small footprint  
  • Ports are arranged at the top of the unit near a ventilation fan  
  • Design isn’t completely future proof

The Origin Chronos V3’s design is rather svelte, meaning it won’t take up much space and may remind many of the Xbox Series X. The case alone is around 5 lbs as additional components shouldn’t make the gaming desktop a heavy lift. Moving the Chronos V3 around didn’t take much effort at all. 

When it comes to aesthetics, the desktop looks great while offering a premium design. It doesn’t matter if buyers go with the white or black colorway either as the customizable RGB lighting makes it visually pop. Despite the small design and power it contains, there’s plenty of ventilation through the steel mesh panels that can easily be removed for cleaning eventual dust build-up. 

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A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Due to the design of the Chronos V3, ports are placed at the top instead of the rear. To keep things cleaner, they are accessible through a removable panel with an opening at rear for cable management. 

Some may have an issue with ports being placed at the top instead of the back, as well as the ports being so close to a ventilation fan. As mentioned previously, there are various motherboard options which will lead to different port configurations, but our review set up had enough ports at the top alongside the two additional USB-A and single USB-C near the power bottom at the front panel’s lower portion.

By default, the biggest issue with the design will be upgradability. Replacing CPU, RAM and Storage won’t be much of an issue but the cramped space is going to make upgrading GPUs and motherboards in the future a problem. At the very least, Origin does offer options to send the gaming desktop back to have them upgraded if it becomes too much of a hassle.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Origin Chronos V3 : Performance

A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Our review configuration provided respectable 1440p gaming at max settings  
  • Quiet fans despite the performance specs and small design
  • Lack of flagship GPU options limiting native 4K performance  

Considering the smaller case design of the Origin Chronos V3, there’s some serious horsepower packed in. During testing, our Intel Core i7-13700K and RTX 4080 combo provided great native 1440p performance at high frame rates. Games ranging from Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Need For Speed Unbound and Diablo IV ran buttery smooth without issue. 

At those settings, there wasn’t a game the Chronos V3 couldn’t handle even with the addition of ray-tracing. Our standard test from Total War: Warhammer III and Dirt 5 provided frame rates that all went above 200 when using Ultra settings. If 1440p gameplay is all one is concerned about, this gaming desktop is more than enough. 

Just be mindful that the case will limit which GPUs the Chronos V3 can hold, and there aren't any options to preconfigure the PC with AMD and Nvidia's flagship GPUs, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090. This means that native 4K performance will be a problem depending on the game, but thankfully, upscaling measures like Nvidia DLSS or AMD FSR can deliver 4K resolutions at high frame rates with some of the GPU options for the build. Those can come with issues like loss of visual details and input delay, though, so it's not a perfect substitute.

Individuals who want native 4K or even 8K performance may want to stay clear of this particular gaming desktop as the case understandably prevents bigger GPU sizes. One thing that is consistent is that fan cooling doesn’t get very loud during intense performance.

We also found the Chronos V3 to be a great workstation for creative tasks. Our PugetBench test for Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro delivered fantastic performance as well. Running Photoshop with high resolution photo files and multiple layers wasn't a problem at all while 4K video exports could be considered relatively snappy.

  • Performance score: 4.5/ 5

Should you buy the Origin Chronos V3?

A Origin Chronos V3 gaming PC on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Origin Chronos V3

I spent two weeks with the Origin Chronos V3, playing the latest PC games, used it for general computing tasks, and using various creative apps like Adobe Photoshop. 

Pushing the compact gaming desktop to its limits, I played games including Cyberpunk 2077, Need For Speed Unbound, Forza Horizon 5, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. 

More general computing use included using Google Chrome for various tasks ranging from Google Docs to utilizing various social media platforms. Outside of PugetBench tests, we also used Adobe Photoshop and Premier as well. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

Origin EON17-X review: a gaming beast with style to spare
9:49 pm | July 3, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Origin EON17-X: One-minute review

The last time we reviewed the Origin EON17-X gaming laptop in 2016, it was dubbed “the most powerful gaming laptop we ever tested,” and this is just as true today as it was in 2016 with latest EON17-X. This latest version features everything from a lovely 4K display and high octane performance to wonderfully lit RGB keyboard. 

This time around, we didn’t have much issue with the trackpad (which won’t get much use during most mouse-based games anyway) but the laptop lacks a fingerprint reader, which is a shame. All in all though, everything about the EON17-X is bigger and better in every way. 

This includes some impressive specs. Our review model featured a 24-core 13th-Gen Intel i9-13900HX, Nvidia RTX 4090 mobile, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD alongside an additional 2TB SSD. The component list is more than enough to take advantage of the beautiful 17-inch 144Hz 4K display. Gamers looking to have more of a competitive edge can get a lesser spec 1440p display configuration that can go up to 240Hz as well.

Between those two display ranges, those looking for one of the best 17-inch gaming laptops around can make everything about their EON17-X personalized to their specifications in nearly every way. From laptop chassis graphics to its internal components, so gamers should be able to get whatever performance benchmarks they particularly want with this high-powered gaming laptop. 

There are a few things that may annoyingly unify all of the configurations available. One thing for sure is the fan noise that can get pretty loud during menial tasks. It also hurts the already lacking internal speaker set up. Meanwhile, the EON17-X is pretty expensive regardless of which configuration you go with, ranging between $2,720 (about £2,650/AU$4,360) and $5,390 (about £4,315/AU$8,090). That said, this is easily one of the best gaming laptops around for those with deep pockets, so if you go for this one you won't be disappointed. 

Origin EON17-X: Price & availability

An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Currently, the Origin EON17-X is only available in the US through the Origin store
  • Prices range from $2,720 to $5,390, depending on configuration

There is a lot of flexibility in how potential buyers can design their Origin EON17-X experience, but it is going to cost a lot no matter what you decide. There are tons of customization options when buying the EON17-X through Origin’s online store, but our review set-up costs about $3,790. 

Starting out at around $2,720, individuals can get an Intel i9-13900HX, Nvidia RTX 4080, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD RAM with a 17.3-inch 1440p display with a 240Hz refresh rate. 

Folks with big money looking to blow some stacks can go as high as $5,390 (about £4,315/AU$8,090) which includes everything in the review configuration alongside 64GB DDR5 RAM and a pair of Corsair 8TB MP600 Pro XT NVMe SSDs. Regardless of how buyers get their EON17-X, it does come with Origin’s signature lifetime service and support with options that can be extended between one to three years for a fee as well. Simply put, there is a feeling of luxury customer service alongside the high-end purchase.

As of now, there aren’t any available options for either UK and Australian territories.

  • Value score: 4.5 / 5

Origin EON17-X: Specs

An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

 The Origin EON17-X currently comes in a variety of customizable configuration options, so you'll have to dig into the configuration section of Origin's site to get a sense of how much your ideal laptop will cost you, but these are the specs on our review unit as well as the starting configuration.

Origin EON17-X: Design

An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • There are plenty of ports including two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports for use on two 4K displays or one 8K display
  • The 4K display has fantastic image quality and performance
  • Not having SD card slot nor fingerprint scanner is disappointing

Compared to previous generations, Origin has said that the EON17-X is 13% lighter and 42% thinner. Considering the amount of components in the spec heavy gaming laptop, it still manages to weigh under 8lbs. Though it’ll still be a bit difficult to fit inside a mid-to-large backpack, it doesn’t feel as bulky as it potentially could have. 

Looking at it closed, the most noticeable thing many will recognize are the customizable display rear which can feature HD UV printed panel or custom laser etching. The all black material used throughout really blends well with whatever custom panel used and feels adequately durable.

Beyond the various ventilation grills, it’s clear as day that there is a nice variety of ports. The right side are two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports with two USB-A 3.2 ports alongside headset and mic jack on the left. Having Thunderbolt 4 ports allows users to use two 4K displays or one 8K display for added measure. 

On the rear are singular HDMI and Mini DisplayPort ports, ethernet 2.5 port, charging port and Kensington Lock port. It would have been nice to have an SD card slot for creatives alongside a fingerprint reader for security purposes.

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An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
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An Origin EON17-X on a desk

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The EON17-X opens about an inch near where the bottom panel ends to reveal the gorgeous 17-inch 4K display with full HD webcam at the top. From general browsing to playing stunning AAA games, this is one of the best laptop displays in its class. 

Having the 140Hz refresh rate ensures games and videos are relatively smooth. Colors are crisp and vivid while offering really good general image quality. As an added cherry on top, the display also features G-Sync too. Gamers who want a higher 240Hz refresh rate can try the 1440p configuration if needed.

At the bottom half is a lovely keyboard featuring per-key RGB lighting. Those personalizations in lighting can be customized through the featured Control Center app that also features performance options but more on that later. It felt good using the keyboard as it offered both comfortable keystrokes and plenty of function keys. 

Even the touchpad is smooth to use during general and creative tasks. Of course, it’s best to use a gaming mouse if trying to play genres including shooters and the like.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Origin EON17-X: Performance

An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Handles AAA gaming at 4K resolutions at max settings really well
  • Fans can get obnoxiously loud
  • There are several performance modes through the Control Center app
Origin EON17-X Benchmarks

Here's how the Origin EON17-X  performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark Night Raid: 40,694; Fire Strike: 30,845; Time Spy: 19,778
GeekBench 5: 1,994 (single-core); 18,463 (multi-core)
CineBenchR23: 24,956 (multi-core)
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 121 fps; (1080p, Low): 163 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 92 fps; (1080p, Low): 107 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 148 fps; (1080p, Low): 203 fps
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 3 hours and 16 minutes 

There isn't a modern game that the Origin EON17-X can't handle. The review configuration we received with the Intel i9-13900HX and Nvidia RTX 4090 can handle 4K resolution gaming at max settings while maintaining respectable frame rates. 

During our benchmark tests, Cyberpunk 2077 was able to get 92 frames per second at 1080p. Playing at 4K with the same settings and ray tracing gave an average in the low 60s. Users who want higher frame rates can utilize DLSS for image upscaling if that's not enough. 

The same results came during our time trying out Dirt 5 which provided 148 fps average at 1080p with max settings. Playing the rally racer at 4K allowed the game to hover around 100 fps as well. 

When it came to everyday usage, we were able to get high frame rates at 4K resolution on games including Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Need for Speed Unbound and Forza Horizon 5. Meanwhile, it was fairly easy to create and export 4K video through Adobe Premiere Pro as well.

Be mindful that when maximizing system resources, the cooling system will have the fans running at high volume. This can be trouble if using the EON17-X without headphones as it can intrude a rather unflattering speaker system. One way to quiet it down is through the Control Center app which has a quiet mode outside of various performance modes. 

The internal speakers have Sound Blaster Pro audio support but general audio quality is subpar in addition to lacking good volume. We suggest picking up one of the best PC gaming headsets you can when using the gaming laptop. Go on, you can afford it.

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Origin EON17-X: Battery Life

An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Battery life is marketed for about 6.5 hours
  • During test we got around 4 hours of usage
  • Charging to full takes a few hours max

As with many high powered laptops of its nature, don’t expect very much battery life out of the Origin EON17-X. Origin estimates up to 6 ½ hours between charges but we weren’t able to reach that during tests. Using PCMark 10 Battery Life tests, we only received around 3 hours and 16 minutes. 

Taking the EON17-X to bed to work on editorials through Google Docs, the gaming laptop reached around four hours before shutting down. Part of that was turning off various settings like keyboard lighting, dimming the screen a bit and putting on Power Saving mode through the Control Center app. Individuals taking a bi-coastal flight may barely make it with the EON17-X. 

Charging the device through the rear power port may take around two hours and the power brick that’s included is a bit hefty as well. Again, this is expected when dealing with gaming laptops of this nature.

  • Battery score: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Origin EON17-X?

An Origin EON17-X on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy it if...

You want an absolutely powerful gaming laptop without thought of cost
It doesn’t matter what configuration one is interested in, the Origin EON17-X shines when it comes down to performance. From 1440p to 4K, it can handle pretty much anything.

You require some personal customization in your gaming laptop
There are so many options in how potential buyers may want their gaming laptop including visual, performance, storage and warranty. 

You want a quality high resolution display and refresh rate
The 4K display offered on the EON17-X provides great image quality and has a 140Hz refresh rate. If screen resolution doesn’t matter much, there’s also a 1440p option that has an even higher refresh rate of 240Hz.

Don't buy it if...

You need a more affordable gaming laptop
Nah, this ain't it.

You want a quieter gaming laptop
All of that power means some serious cooling solutions and those fans get loud when operating on all cylinders.

You are a creative who wants an easier process and added security
Considering how expensive the EON17-X is, it would be nice to have some form of biometric security like a fingerprint scanner. Also, creatives may miss the lack of an SD card slot. 

Origin EON17-X: Also consider

If my Origin EON17-X has you considering other options, here are two more gaming laptops to consider...

First reviewed July 2023

Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review: a futuristic monitor with a backwards UI
7:42 pm | June 30, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Samsung Odyssey OLED G9: Two-minute review

Upon seeing the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 monitor for the first time, it truly is a sight to behold. A glorious 49-inch display size, Dual Quad High Definition (5,120 x 1,440), and 32:9 aspect ratio that’s guaranteed to extend the full length of your desk space. I adore the lighter color, as it immediately stands out and looks far prettier, especially paired with the gentle curve of the display. Of course, unboxing it isn’t so glorious, as its sheer size alone requires at least two people to lift it out of the box. Despite this, its weight is still quite manageable once you remove it from the foam packaging.

Setup is simple, as you only need to slot the base into the monitor and then connect the cables as needed. No tools are necessary at all unless you plan on wall mounting the monitor, and even then it only really requires one piece. After setting up, it’s a matter of shifting it around to sit on the desk proper. It can be tricky but thanks to the build quality it doesn’t feel like hitting it against anything will immediately cause a crack in the screen.

The monitor is made of a mix of aluminum and plastic to keep it relatively lightweight, while the base is pure aluminum. This ensures that the monitor is well-balanced and won’t topple over. I’ve tested this aspect too and it’s really that sturdy – unless you lift it up it doesn’t shake or move around in the slightest. Considering how long the screen is, it’s impressive how stable the build is. You can move the screen up and down and slightly tilt it, but I do wish you can tilt it more and swivel it in place, for more dynamic movement. Being able to also turn it to portrait mode would have complemented the Multi-View feature, letting you customize how the split screen mode presents.

If you’re a fan of RGB lighting like I am, the CoreSync and Core Lighting+ features are a lot of fun to play around with. There’s a ring in the back of the monitor that illuminates in multiple colors, and you can switch between different effects using the included remote control. If you have the monitor against the wall, it even projects the colors on it, which is very visually appealing.

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a large curved gaming monitor

(Image credit: Future)
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a large curved gaming monitor

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a large curved gaming monitor

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 There are several modes to choose from, each with its own purpose and specs that correspond with that. Samsung claims that the monitor has 250 nits of brightness on average and, depending on what settings you choose, can greatly affect the screen brightness. The highest nit by far was from Standard Mode with HDR Brightness at 10%, which caps out at 556 nits. 

Other modes like Movie Mode have an average brightness of 266 nits, above average. While most gaming modes average around 160 nits (except for Eco Mode at 238 nits), in those cases refresh rate, resolution, and framerate are far more important during gaming sessions.

Specs for the color tend not to deviate too much, with the Delta-E staying around 1. Color gamut is also relatively stable between gaming modes and other modes, with sRGB scoring 143 under gaming display modes and around 194 everywhere else, and DCI-P3 staying almost entirely at 137 unless in almost every gaming mode in which it dips to 101 at the lowest. This makes sense as those numbers are best for creative projects, while games don’t need the color gamut nearly as high.

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a large curved gaming monitor

(Image credit: Future)
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a large curved gaming monitor

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a large curved gaming monitor

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a large curved gaming monitor

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a large curved gaming monitor

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a large curved gaming monitor

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Getting to really dig into the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, as long as you pair it with a solid graphics card, you can max out the resolution and still hit high framerates. One example is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, one of the best graphics cards on the market, which managed to average nearly 60 fps on Forza Horizon 5 with maxed-out resolution and graphical settings. But if you want the best gaming monitor, an RTX 4090 is the card to go, as it fully supports 4K gaming.

Though most games look impressive on the curved monitor due to its great specs, having that 32:9 support is truly magical. Titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Doom: Eternal look absolutely phenomenal in that ratio, as it not only avoids having UI cut off but the amount of scenery and detail you can see at once is truly gorgeous. Unfortunately, most games don’t support this aspect ratio, including bizarre choices like the recently released Diablo 4. That’s something to consider when investing in this monitor.

There is one major design flaw that does damper an otherwise amazing experience with this monitor: the UI itself. Samsung previously had an easy-to-use UI for both TVs and monitors, which was replaced by this current one. And it’s so unbelievably clunky and complicated, making locating any feature needlessly difficult. It’s a shame too, as there are so many great tools and ways to customize your experience and best suit your needs, with Multi-View being one of my favorites. However, trying to enable it with both screens is like pulling teeth. It’s a shame that such a sleek and future-forward gaming monitor like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is held back by such a bad user interface.

a large curved gaming monitor

(Image credit: Future)

Samsung Odyssey OLED G9: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost? $2,199.99 / £1,599 / AU$3,399
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 costs 2,199.99 / £1,599 / AU$3,399, which is extremely expensive and even approaching the price of premium gaming laptops that were released in 2023. If you’re looking for the ultimate gaming monitor experience and have the spare change, this is definitely an investment. However, for most buyers, it’s completely out of their price range.

It’s available in several regions including the US, UK, and Australia, meaning that you won’t be thankfully adding on the cost of import fees and international shipping if you were located outside the US.

ultrawide samsung monitor

(Image credit: Future)

Samsung Odyssey OLED G9: Specs

Should you buy the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9?

Buy it if...

You want a giant 4K display
Between the excellent refresh rate, resolution, size, aspect ratio, color gamut, and response time, this gaming monitor has been tricked in every way.

You want a solid built-in speaker system
Most gaming monitors have speakers so bad it makes your ears bleed, but this one sounds quite good. It makes titles like Forza Horizons 5 pop.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
If you have limited income, this is not the gaming monitor for you. It costs as much or sometimes even more than a gaming PC or laptop.

You want an easy-to-use UI
The UI is the real drawback of this gaming monitor, as it's clunky and at times completely unnavigable. It makes finding features a chore. 

Samsung Odyssey OLED G9: Also consider

Still not sold on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.

How I tested the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9

  • I tested this monitor for a week
  • I tested it through gaming, productivity work, and even a creative project
  • Mainly used work software and video games to test it out

As soon as I was unboxing this monitor, I paid attention to the ease of unpacking and setup, as well as its weight, build quality, and stability once it was set up in my office space. Then I tested it every day for a week under normal work conditions for several hours per day.

This is primarily meant as a gaming and creative monitor, meaning it would be used for hardcore video game sessions, basic editing, and creative projects under Photoshop and Indesign. It can also be used as a work monitor, and functions well under that.

Not only do I have prior experience reviewing PC monitors, I constantly use a wide variety of them and understand what makes a quality one work and why a low-quality one doesn't.

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 June 2023

PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra review: a versatile, yet clunky controller
1:11 pm | June 5, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

At a surface level, there’s a lot to like about the PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra controller. Its modular design allows for much versatility, great for whether you’re sitting on the couch or out on the go. And whether you opt for the full controller setup or the smaller pop-out module for mobile play, you’re getting seriously impressive battery life.

Those factors alone make the PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra a good choice for mobile gaming, especially for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Unfortunately, that versatility comes at a price, and not just the one that’ll sting your wallet. That modular nature leads to the MOGA XP-Ultra feeling somewhat unwieldy; too bulky when slotted in the controller grip dock and a little too small without it.

The PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra could’ve earned some leverage if its modules felt satisfying to use, but that’s sadly not the case. Face and shoulder buttons, triggers and analog sticks are all serviceable, if unremarkable while the D-pad disappoints with an overtly stiff feel. Compared to the PowerA Fusion Pro 3, and other mobile-centric gamepads like the PowerA MOGA XP7-X Plus, the MOGA XP-Ultra sadly feels like a step back despite its emphasis on versatility.

Price and Availability

The PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra is available to buy right now, either directly from PowerA’s online store or from big box retailers including Amazon. If you’re interested, it’ll run you the retail price of $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$249, which puts it in the ballpark of other Pro-adjacent Xbox Series X|S controllers such as the Nacon Revolution X. 

Design and Features

PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

The boxed contents of the PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra are fairly straightforward. You’re getting the controller itself, pre-positioned in the controller grip dock, a clip to secure your phone for portable play, and a 10ft braided USB-C cable, which is always a welcome addition in case you prefer wired play.

The XP-Ultra’s box proudly states that the gamepad presents four ways to play your favorite games. But really, that’s just a fancy way of saying you can use the clip for mobile gaming with or without the controller’s grip dock. Either way, the clip itself is of adequate quality, and slots in and out of place with relative ease.

It’s an impressively versatile gamepad, then, but is let down by a number of key factors. Face and shoulder buttons and triggers are serviceable, as are the dual analog sticks which are made better by a ruggedly textured concave design. However, I’m certainly not a fan of the controller’s D-pad, which tries to emulate the look and feel of the one on the official Xbox Wireless Controller. 

Sadly, the XP-Ultra’s feels overly stiff in comparison, and makes playing games that rely heavily on D-pad input more difficult than it needs to be. The D-pad is the worst thing about the controller, perhaps tied with the placement of the central Menu and Share buttons which are awkwardly high on the pad. That means you really have to reach your thumbs over, creating a somewhat uncomfortable gaming experience.

The most novel aspect of the PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra’s design is the ability to detach the central pad from the grip dock. It’s a convenient option if you’re playing on your Android or iPhone, but certainly feels cramped in the hands of an adult. And even without that extra bulk, I started to miss holding the grips in my hands after just a few hours.

Performance

PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

The PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra performs adequately as a controller, with no glaring flaws when it comes to connectivity or input delay. It’ll certainly get the job done as a spare pad if you have friends round, but any of the best Xbox controllers will be better suited if you’re looking for a new primary gamepad.

That said, the XP-Ultra seriously impresses in one key area: battery life. Offering up to 40 hours via Bluetooth and a whopping 60 hours when paired to an Xbox console, the XP-Ultra’s battery life is among the best in the business, and certainly at its price range. It’s also relatively quick to charge via USB-C, from empty to full in just two to three hours. If the controller was just a bit cheaper, then I’d be able to recommend it on battery life alone.

Sure, you could argue that your phone’s battery will run out long before the XP-Ultra does, and it lacks the amazing phone-charging capabilities of the MOGA XP7-X Plus. But I’ll always be receptive to high battery life, especially when the controller is suited to both mobile and console play. It’s just such a shame that the controller’s overall design quality leaves much to be desired. Otherwise, we could be looking at a seriously compelling alternative to Microsoft’s official offerings.

Should you buy the PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra?

PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You’re big on battery life

The XP-Ultra offers an utterly ridiculous amount of battery life that’s perfect for multiple lengthy gaming sessions, on both console and mobile.

You’re after a solid mobile pad

It’s not the best mobile gaming controller out there, but the XP-Ultra’s versatility lends itself well to mobile gaming.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget

The XP-Ultra is far too expensive for what it offers. If you’re after a mobile-specific pad, consider the cheaper MOGA XP7-X Plus.

You’re all about the feel

If satisfying gamepad feel is important to you, then I’d suggest looking elsewhere.

How we tested

The PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra was tested over the course of a week. To get a well-rounded feel for the controller, it was tested as both a standard Xbox controller on console and PC, and for mobile, specifically with my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

On mobile, it was primarily tested with Xbox Cloud Gaming titles, including Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite and Powerwash Simulator. Games were tested both with the MOGA XP-Ultra in its grip dock, and without it for more portable play on the go.

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