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I test gaming PCs for a living, and I was more impressed by the build and performance of the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) than I was expecting
11:18 pm | July 31, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming PCs | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Two-minute review

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is an ideal PC for the kind of gamer interested in building a gaming desktop, but finds picking parts and the process of assembly overwhelming. The price does reflect that, as you could conceivably save a few bucks doing everything yourself.

That said, the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is a well-built and organized machine that’s easy to get into for future upgrades, while offering the convenience that the best gaming PCs provide. And with the powerful internals, it can do just about whatever one could want.

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

You’ll find that some of the best desktops with higher spec’ed CPUs and GPUs have more oomph, but that’s more important if you’re rendering video or 3D projects. For gaming, what this desktop has to offer is more than enough.

As long as you’re willing to cover the price tag, there’s little to fault here. My only nitpick is that there isn’t a clear way to expand internally as opposed to swapping and upgrading parts. This might be minor for many people, but for those who haven’t built a PC, this might be a sticking point.

After all, this kind of desktop is going to be more appealing to those who don’t want to go with the usual pre-built machines and their proprietary parts, but aren’t yet ready to build their own.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Price & availability

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

How much does it cost? $2,033 (about £1539 / AU$3,162)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition), along with the other models on offer, is only available in the US. And since this model only has one configuration, it has one price: $2,033 (about £1539 / AU$3,162). NZXT does have a controversial PC rental option called NZXT Flex that is essentially like leasing a gaming PC available to consumers, but that doesn’t seem to be available for this model.

The price tag of this model is not cheap, but it’s not surprising either. If you want to build your own, getting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 will set you back at least $549 / £549 / AU$1,109 if not more (especially if you live in the US with impending tariffs). That’s a quarter of the cost of this computer just in the GPU.

Consider that the RTX 5070 is not quite the upgrade over the previous generation’s 4070 Super one would expect, you can get most of the way there performance-wise with something like the Alienware Aurora R16, which ran for $1,749 / £1,349 / around AU$2,670 at launch and is still available at certain retailers at a discount. It is a little older, but it’s also a little more compact.

However, if you compare the NZXT model reviewed here to the current version of the Maingear MG-1 (our review is from last year so the components are older), which costs $2,049 for a similar model, specifically with a Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB RGB DDR5 6000MT/s, and 1TB SSD, you can see that the NZXT Player PC is not overpriced. It does come with more RAM than the Maingear MG-1, though the MG-1 comes with more customization options, including a completely personalized front panel.

  • Value: 4 / 5

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Specs

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The NZXT lineup is interesting insofar that there are a number of models in the company’s prebuilt lineup totaling twelve unique listings, but they all revolve around three models – the Player: One, Player: Two, and, of course, Player: Three – differentiated by the case.

Of course, they’re all slightly different with a range of CPUs, GPUs, and so forth. The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) uses the H5 Flow case that the Player: One and Player: One Prime uses. This model reviewed here is the most powerful NZXT model with this case with a 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, and 32GB of RAM, not to mention 2TB SSD storage. There’s not really any customizations here, so you have to choose the model that fits your budget and performance needs.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) specs

Price:

$1,999.99

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070

RAM:

32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5 5200MHz

Storage:

2TB NVMe M.2 SSD

Ports:

Front I/O: 1x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 1x Headset Audio Jack

Back I/O: 6x USB 3.2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Type-C, DisplayPort, Mic In / Line In / Line Out

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth

On the bright side, there’s plenty of after-the-fact customization available with the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) since the parts are standardized, such as a Z890 motherboard. And getting inside the desktop is very simple, which I’ll get into in the next section.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Design

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • Lots of venting
  • Tool-less tempered glass side panel
  • No clear expansion slots inside

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) uses the black version of the company’s H5 Flow case (the case itself is also available in white), which is a compact mid-tower ATX form, measuring 18.31 x 8.86 x 16.93 inches (465 x 225 x 430 mm). The “Flow” in its name refers to all of the venting covering the front, top, back, and bottom of the case to keep things cool.

Most of the case is a very durable galvanized steel (SGCC), but the side panel is made of tempered glass so you can easily see what’s inside. And the internals are arranged very cleanly in a way that’s fairly aesthetically pleasing. Most of the wiring is hidden or fed into a compartment at the bottom that’s separated by a steel plate so that you can only see it through the venting near the bottom of the case.

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

It’s worth noting that the top fans do have some backlighting but the NZXT Player PC does not come with RGB lighting despite the fact that this case is available with RGB. At least, the side panel is also a nice touch because it allows tool less entry, allowing for easy upgrades and swaps without having to grab a screwdriver.

As far as ports go, there’s quite the selection. There’s a USB-C, USB-A, and headphone jack on top of the case next to the power button. And on the back, there’s an additional six USB-A along with two USB-C ports, three audio jacks, and, a bit more unusually, it has attachments for an included Wi-Fi Antenna that helps boost its Wi-Fi 7 support.

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

All in all, it’s a pretty impressive-looking PC. Being very nitpicky, it’s not apparent where any expansion slots are for upgrades. I didn’t see any additional places for an SSD either on the motherboard or anywhere else inside the case even though there’s plenty of space.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Performance

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • Powerful internal components
  • Easily runs performance-heavy games
  • Stays fairly cool under duress
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) CPU benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single-core

3,081

Geekbench 6.4 Multi-core

18,984

Crossmark Overall

2,298

Crossmark Productivity

2,159

Crossmark Creativity

2,495

Crossmark Responsiveness

2,166

Unless there’s some poorly planned layout or issues with a case that cause overheating, you can usually tell how a gaming PC will perform almost completely based on the internal components.

Considering, then, that the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) has an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF with 20 cores and 20 threads as well as 25 TOPS, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, and 32GB of DDR5 5200Hz RAM, it’s no surprise that it’s able to run all the latest games at or near the highest settings.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) GPU benchmarks

Benchmarks

Score

3DMark Fire Strike

45,049

3DMark Time Spy

21,414

3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

14,727

3DMark Time Spy Extreme

10,943

3DMark Speed Way

5,855

3DMark Steel Nomad

4,967

3DMark Port Royal

14,139

I’ve had no issues not only playing games like South of Midnight, Monster Hunter Wilds, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 but running them at High or Ultra settings on an ultrawide 5K monitor with HDR on, which requires quite a bit of power in and of itself. I didn’t have any issues with screen tearing, stuttering, or any other performance-related issues. And all the games stayed at the 165Hz refresh rate the monitor supports.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) gaming benchmarks

Game

Average FPS

Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)

60

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)

70

Monster Hunter Wilds (Max, 1080p)

83

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very high, 1080p)

201

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

182

It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve never had Cyberpunk 2077 boot up as quickly as it did on this PC. Speaking of that game, it’s still a very demanding title with all its updates for newer tech like DLSS 4.

Yet, running the game only pushed the system a little, and the overall affair stayed fairly cool, thanks to the various fans placed around inside the case.

  • Performance: 5 / 5

Should I buy the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The price tag is high, but it’s what one would expect for a computer sporting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU.

4 / 5

Design

Tool-less entry, lots of venting, and a durable, clean build are all part of the package. Too bad, expansion slots aren’t well marked and you can’t upgrade to RGB.

4.5 / 5

Performance

There’s little to fault when it comes to performance as the desktop can do it all gaming-wise.

4.5 / 5

Average rating

It’s a little pricey, but the convenience, durability, and performance are all worth it.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful gaming PC
The NZXT Player PC reviewed here has enough power to handle any gaming situation. Whether you want something capable of supporting a 5K ultrawide monitor, high ray tracing, DLSS 4, and any other performance-heavy technologies, this PC can do it.

You want easy upgradability
Sure, there’s only one configuration out of the gate. But, once you have the PC in hand, its tool-less entry and use of standardized parts make upgrading the CPU, GPU, RAM, or anything else pretty straightforward.

You want an attractive-looking PC
With all the ventilation, tempered glass side panel, and clean, organized internal setup, this is an attractive, if straightforward-looking desktop.

Don't buy it if...

You want lots of options
While you can certainly upgrade quite easily after the fact, you can’t do so or customize when purchasing. If that’s important to you out of the gate, then you should probably look elsewhere.

You’re on a budget
As good as the NZXT Player PC is, it’s not cheap. There are other options, including within the company’s own product line, that are more affordable. You just have to be willing to go with less powerful components.

Also Consider

If our NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) review has you considering other options, here are two desktops to consider...

Alienware Aurora R16
The Alienware Aurora R16 is compact with great port selection, more than adequate ventilation, and, most importantly, excellent performance. It does have an aesthetic that can’t decide if it’s for professional settings or gamers, but that’s a small complaint. Though the R16 has been discontinued by Dell, it’s available through some online retailers and at a discount.

Read our full Alienware Aurora R16 review

Maingear MG-1
The Maingear MG-1 is powerful if pricey, and comes with a lot of customization options – many more than NZXT including the ability to get a personalized front panel. Of course, depending on the upgrades, it can get very expensive, but, as they say, you get what you pay for.

Read our full Maingear MG-1 review

How I tested the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)

  • Tested for a couple of weeks
  • Used it for heavy gaming
  • Spent some time looking at the build

I used the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) for a couple of weeks, mainly using it for heavy gaming. I poked around inside the desktop to get an idea of the quality of the parts, as well as explored the software to see what tricks this desktop had up its sleeves.

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is a gaming PC that’s ideal for the kind of person who wants all the benefits of building one’s own desktop, but doesn’t want to for the headaches that come with doing so. It has the kind of quality control and clean build that one doesn’t always see in prebuilts, while making it convenient to get inside and swap out parts.

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

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed July 2025
After a couple of weeks testing the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, I found its performance and screen impressive, but its battery life? Not so much
7:33 am | July 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Two-minute review

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is an ideal desktop replacement with more than enough power to take on just about everything in PC gaming spaces and at max settings for the most part.

While there are some situations you might need to bring some settings down a smidge (cough*Cyberpunk 2077*cough), that’s only really due to the higher resolution OLED panel that only requires a bit of power.

Starting at $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999, the Legion Pro 7i comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs, a 16-inch 2560 x 1600p OLED display, and up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and 2TB PCIe SSD storage.

Along with the performance and OLED screen are a nice assortment of ports, a full keyboard, and a responsive touchpad that is, unfortunately, not ideally aligned.

For some, especially those who don’t take their gaming laptops on the road all that much, this might be among the best gaming laptops out there. But poor battery life might make one take pause if you plan on getting a laptop that you want to use regularly untethered.

Still, if you have the cash and don’t plan on transporting your gaming laptop often (or have a big backpack), the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is worth a look, especially if you want a larger 16-inch screen for your gaming experience.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Price and availability

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • How much does it cost? Starting at $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i might not be Lenovo’s most expensive gaming laptop – that honor goes to the Legion Pro 9i – but it’s still very expensive. Its most affordable price is a sizable $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999.

Starting out with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD, pricing goes up from there. The review unit I have, upgraded with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 and 2TB SSD, costs $3,559.99 / £2,990.00 / AU$6,839.00, while the maxed-out configuration of Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and 2TB SSD is a jaw-dropping $4,424.49 / £3,900.00 / AU$7,079.00.

As expensive as the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is, larger gaming laptops tend to come with an even heftier price tag. The Origin EON17-X v2 I reviewed last year started at $3,400.00 (about £2,610.00 / AU$5,120.00) for a configuration of Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 16GB of RAM, and a 17-inch 1440p@240Hz screen.

Of course, you can customize the lid on the EON17-X v2 with whatever design you want, but this does make the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i look affordable in comparison.

  • Price: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Specs

The underside of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

No matter which configuration you choose, the CPU you get is the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a 24-core/24-thread processor with a peak frequency of 5.4GHz.

However, there is some wiggle room with the GPU where you can choose from an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, or RTX 5090, 32GB or 64GB RAM, and between 1TB or 2TB SSD storage.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i base configuration

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i review configuration

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i max configuration

Price:

$2,909.99 / £2,799.99 / AU$4,999.00

$3,559.99 / £2,990.00 / AU$6,839.00

$4,424.49 / £3,900.00 / AU$7,079.00

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

RAM:

32GB DDR5

32GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen:

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

Storage:

1TB SSD

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports:

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Camera:

720p with e-privacy shutter

720p with e-privacy shutter

720p with e-privacy shutter

Weight:

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Dimensions:

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

Considering that the base configuration is still fairly expensive, it’s no wonder that all the configurations keep the more premium appointments. Specifically, no matter what you do, you’ll get that OLED 1600p @ 240Hz panel with HDR 1000.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Design

The right-side ports on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • This is a big computer
  • Large keyboard, touchpad aligned to the left
  • Lots of ports including Thunderbolt 4

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is big. It is a 16-inch laptop, after all. It’s fairly imposing in its matte “Eclipse Black” finish with only Legion emblazoned on the back of the lid and Lenovo in silver on the top back as flourishes. It’s also a little over an inch at its thickest.

This is not the most portable of gaming laptops. So, while it makes for a great desktop replacement, leave plenty of space in your backpack if you plan on getting this.

The left-side ports on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Almost all the venting is underneath and back, so you don’t have to worry about hot air being blown onto you when gaming, assuming you’re using a mouse situated next to the laptop.

Besides the large 16-inch OLED screen, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i comes with a full-size keyboard complete with a ten-key numpad. There aren’t any standalone hotkeys, but plenty of keys have secondary functions, so I didn’t really miss them.

The keyboard of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The keycaps have a quality feel to them with a concave shape and textured feel that makes typing a relative pleasure. I do find the keyboard to feel a little big for some reason and find myself sometimes pressing the wrong button when reaching (mainly when gaming).

The touchpad is not oversized, but it’s set off to the left, which makes sense as the keyboard with the Numpad pushes the natural hand placement to the left as well. However, I’m not a fan of the touchpad’s placement – I would prefer it to be a bit more centered. At least, it’s accurate and responsive.

If you do want to use the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i as a desktop replacement, you’ll be happy to know that the port selection is fairly plentiful. It comes with an HDMI 2.1 port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, and a USB-C port, both of which support DisplayPort 2.1. There are also three USB-A ports and an Ethernet one, along with an eShutter button for privacy’s sake.

  • Design: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Performance

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table playing a game

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • Strong performance that’s limited somewhat by the power-hungry panel
  • Can run most games at max settings with speedy results
  • Sound quality is pretty good

Considering the powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and higher-end Nvidia 5000-series GPUs – I tested the model with an RTX 5080 – not to mention a minimum of 32GB of RAM, the gaming performance here is going to be quite robust.

Now, all that hardware has to power the 16-inch OLED panel which has a 2560 x 1600p resolution with a refresh rate of 240Hz. That panel also manages 500 nits of brightness and has HDR 1000 True Black support.

So, that can knock off up to 20 or 30 fps from the Lenovo Legion 7i’s performance if you want to take full advantage of this laptop’s display. It’s worth noting that it also achieves a DCI-P3 of 100%, making this a sharp looking, vibrant display. I definitely preferred running games like South of Midnight, Starfield, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Cyberpunk 2077 at that higher resolution.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Synthetic Benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single Core

3,103

Geekbench 6.4 Multi Core

19,829

Crossmark Overall

2,163

Crossmark Productivity

1,998

Crossmark Creativity

2,525

Crossmark Responsiveness

1,727

25GB File Copy Transfer Rate (MB/s)

2,030.38

3DMark Fire Strike

34,434

3DMark Time Spy

16,928

3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

11,388

3DMark Time Spy Extreme

8,337

3DMark Speed Way

4,301

3DMark Steel Nomad

3,999

3DMark Port Royal

10,958

Speaking of, I was able to run all those games at basically max settings, including Ray Tracing where applicable, with smooth results and crisp, clear images. I didn’t experience any skipping, stuttering, or screen tearing. Any way you cut it, this is a powerful gaming laptop that will hold up.

If you look at our benchmarks, you can get a solid idea of what to expect. Cyberpunk 2077 with everything maxed will look good and will be smooth enough, but won’t really take advantage of that high refresh rate as it gets just an okay 30 fps on average on 1600p, so if you plan on playing at the display's native resolution, make sure to use DLSS for the best experience.

However, there are plenty of games where I can achieve up to and above 100 fps even before compromising on settings.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gaming Benchmarks

Game & settings

Frames per second

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Ultra High, 1080p)

45 fps

Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)

45 fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)

50 fps

Metro: Exodus (Extreme, 1080p)

63 fps

Monster Hunter Wilds (Very High, 1080p)

73 fps

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very High, 1080p)

163 fps

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

144 fps

Web Surfing Battery Informant

4:37

PCMark 10 Gaming Battery Test

1:36

As mentioned before, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i has a four-speaker system. I didn’t mention that it supports Nahimic Audio, so you get some spatial audio support. Laptops often have mediocre audio at best, but this one sounds pretty good.

Besides the usual caveat that laptop speakers will never surpass dedicated headphones or speakers, the sound is full with plenty of clarity. There’s not a lot of rumble (to be expected, of course), but there’s not anything else missing from the frequency range.

Lastly, the webcam with its 5MP resolution looks good and is pretty smooth to boot. If you get this laptop to stream, you might not need to get a dedicated webcam. It’s also nice that it has a privacy eShutter button.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Battery life

  • Suffers from the typical short battery life of a gaming laptop
  • Doesn’t do a great job of retaining charge while in sleep mode
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Battery Test Results

Web Surfing Battery Informant

4:37 hours

PCMark 10 Gaming Battery Test

1:36 hours

The battery life on gaming laptops is typically not all that great. There are some exceptions, but a powerhouse sporting a 16-inch OLED screen with a 1600p resolution is not going to be one of them.

For proof, just look at our benchmarks. In our web surfing test, it lasted a whopping four and a half hours. That’s not great, but this isn’t a new MacBook Air that lasts almost 15 hours, nor is it supposed to be.

It’s not surprising that in the PCMark 10 gaming benchmark, it lasts just over an hour and a half. If you want extended cordless gaming, you should probably get a Steam Deck (or one of its competitors).

A little more concerning and a little more unexpected is the fact that the battery runs down even when in sleep mode. Now, this is not atypical, but there are plenty of laptops that don’t drop down to 35% battery life after being unplugged for a day, even though they haven’t been used.

  • Battery life: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i?

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

It may start at a hefty two grand asking price, but that’s not unusual for large screen gaming laptops.

4 / 5

Design

This laptop is massive, making it more of a desktop replacement than a portable gaming machine. At least, it has plenty of ports.

4 / 5

Performance

The gaming performance here is pretty great, only really limited by the fact that it also has to power an OLED screen.

4.5 / 5

Battery Life

The battery life is not great, though about what one would expect with a gaming powerhouse. However, it could do better holding a charge when asleep.

3.5 / 5

Final score

Despite a high cost and low battery life, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a very powerful machine, ideal for those wanting a gaming desktop replacement.

4 / 5

Buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i if...

You want a powerful desktop replacement
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is quite big, and it’s quite powerful. If you’re looking for something that can replace a gaming desktop, this model is more than capable.

You want an OLED screen
The OLED screen here comes with a higher resolution and frame rate, not to mention strong HDR support and DCI-P3 color coverage. If you want a good OLED screen with your gaming laptop, you’re certainly getting it here.

You can afford it
This laptop has the latest and greatest powerful components (at least for a laptop), so it comes with a hefty price tag. Consider this one if money is no object.

Don't buy it if...

You have a limited budget
If you have limited cash for a gaming laptop, then the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is going to be out of your price range, considering its starting price is around 2K.

You want good battery life
Gaming laptops typically don’t have good battery life, and this laptop is no different. If you want one that can last a while without being plugged in, there’s a short list of options out there that don’t include this one.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

  • Tested for a couple weeks
  • Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
  • Played different types of games

I used the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i for a couple of weeks, playing all sorts of games including Battlefield 2042, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Cyberpunk 2077, to get a feel for what this laptop is capable of.

I tried them at max settings, including Ray Tracing where applicable, mainly Cyberpunk, to see where their limitations are. I wrote most of this article on it and used it for some day-to-day browsing and streaming.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is ideal for gamers who want a desktop replacement that can handle just about everything gaming-wise and have the budget to afford that kind of gaming rig.

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

  • First reviewed July 2025
Asus ROG Flow Z13 review: great on-the-go gaming, but at a cost
5:02 pm | July 15, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming PCs | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Flow Z13: Two-minute review

This year has seen some of the best gaming laptops and gaming handhelds ever made hit the market, which means it can be hard to decide which device you want to pick up for your on-the-go gaming needs.

However, what if you were to take both device categories and smoosh them together? You get the Asus ROG Flow Z13: a high-performance gaming tablet which, unlike other gaming tablets on the market, actually allows you to play ambitious AAA titles and achieve not just playable but good frame rates, all while staying cool and quiet.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)

The downsides, which stop this device from achieving a perfect score, is the battery life not being great when gaming. However, it does last a decent amount of time when using it for general browsing or watching videos.

It’s also very expensive, coming in at over $2,000, which means this device is not for those who are on a budget, with gaming laptops in the same price range delivering much higher performance.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 review: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $2,099 / £2,199
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Only available in certain regions

Coming in at $2,099 / £2,199, this is an exceptionally expensive device in terms of gaming tablets. However, with alternatives unbale to offer a similar level of performance, it's hard to compare price-wise with other gaming tablets.

More similar alternatives are products like the Asus ROG Ally X, the gaming handheld from the same company, which comes in at $799 / £799 and provides you with the same kind of performance.

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is available in certain regions including the UK and US, however unfortunately it cannot be picked up worldwide.

  • Value: 3 / 5

Asus ROG Flow Z13 review: Specs

This gaming tablet from Asus ROG Flow Z13 comes in one iteration in 2025. You get an AMD CPU with a built-in NPU and GPU paired with 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD making for a powerful machine.

Price

$2,099 / £2,199

CPU

AMD Ryzen AI MAX 390 12-Core Processor

Graphics

Integrated

RAM

32GB DDR5

Screen

13.4-inch WQXGA IPS 180Hz 100% DCI-P3 Screen

Storage

1TB SSD

Ports

1x USB-A, 2x USB-C with DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack, 1x MicroSD Card Reader

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

13MP camera and 5MP IR camera

Weight

2.65lbs (1.20kg)

Dimensions

11.81 x 8.03 x 0.51-inches (30 x 20.4 x 1.30cm)

Unfortunately you only get a 1TB SSD with no way to expand the storage, so you may have to invest in an external hard drive if you’re planning on installing large games.

There are other iterations of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 from previous years if you’re looking for other specifications.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 review: Design

  • Very portable
  • Fantastic design
  • Good selection of ports

One of my favourite parts of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is how compact it is, as you’d expect from a gaming tablet.

This is a device you can take pretty much anywhere, chucking it into any bag, even a small handbag thanks to how small it is (measuring 30 x 20.4 x 1.30cm). Compared to many gaming laptops that weigh around 3kg, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 comes in at just 1.2kg, perfect for taking your device on the go.

In terms of style, you get a simple and sleek tablet with a detachable keyboard and trackpad. There’s a small window on the back of the device that allows you to view some of the components inside, which is a really nice touch.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)

While it doesn’t have an OLED screen - something that did shock me initially - the Asus ROG Flow Z13 still has a pretty nice display. It won’t blow you away by any means, but it has a great color range and an exceptional refresh rate for a tablet at 180Hz.

There are a fair amount of ports on the Asus ROG Flow Z13 , including USB-A, two USB-C ports (either can be used for charging), HDMI, an audio jack, and a microSD card reader. This is great for those who are hoping to use other gaming peripherals with their device as there are plenty of options to plug in.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)

The included keyboard is extremely slim, and while I usually despise tablet keyboards, this one wasn’t as squidgy as alternative options. It made for a satisfying typing and gaming experience, however for those playing competitive titles, I would recommend opting for an external gaming keyboard for those precise responses.

  • Design score: 5 / 5

Asus ROG Flow Z13 review: Performance

  • Gaming performance is impressive
  • Overall user experience is great
  • Quiet when in use
Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Asus ROG Flow Z13:

3DMark: Night Raid: 36,307; Fire Strike: 11,230; Time Spy: 4,634
GeekBench 6: 2,162 (single-core); 11,575 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1,417; Productivity: 1,241; Creativity: 1,760; Responsiveness: 1,100
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 63; (1080p, Low): 122
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 73; (1080p, Low): 93
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 39; (1080p, Low): 80
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 6 hr 4 min
TechRadar movie test: 5hr 55 min

In terms of performance, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 delivers some pretty good framerates for a gaming tablet, however considering the price point, I was actually expecting more.

While for the most part, you get above 60 fps when playing in 1080p at Ultra graphics presets, equivalently-priced gaming laptops would likely be delivering significantly better performance, as they can make use off more powerful hardware without having to fit it into a tablet-like form factor.

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 stayed very quiet the whole time I was using it. Even when putting it through its paces, like running AAA titles at Ultra, I was barely able to hear the device which makes it perfect for using on the go so you’re not disturbing everyone around you.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)

As you’d expect, due to how quiet it was, it also stayed very cool which is great for a tablet as it means you can still hold it and use the touchscreen as intended without worrying about burning your hands and fingers.

The speakers are pretty good, however as always I would recommend plugging in and using a headset to ensure the best gaming experience. For watching videos and movies, the speakers are absolutely perfect since you don’t need the directional precision.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)

Outside of the actual performance I was getting in-game, using the device itself has been a very pleasant experience. I enjoyed typing on it, and I found it easy to switch between tablet and laptop mode by just removing or flipping the keyboard back.

One downside for me was the built in trackpad, I found it a little bit slow in terms of responsiveness, while fine for browsing and general use, I obviously opted for a gaming mouse when playing.

  • Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Asus ROG Flow Z13 review: Battery life

The battery life of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is actually surprisingly great, surpassing even some of the highest-performance and more expensive gaming laptops I’ve tried recently.

When benchmarking the battery, I was able to get around sixhours of usage, which is more representative of watching videos on the device rather than gaming. When gaming on the Asus ROG Flow Z13, I found I got closer to four hours of battery, with AAA games draining the device even faster.

For example, when playing Cyberpunk I only got around an hour of half of game time before the device shut off, which certainly limits how portable this device actually is, no matter how thin and light it might be.

  • Battery life: 3 / 5

Should I buy the Asus ROG Flow Z13?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

This is a very expensive device, but it’s hard to compare to alternatives as it's so unique.

3 / 5

Design

You get a sleek and stunning device which is lightweight and has an excellent range of ports.

5 / 5

Performance

This tablet delivers great performance while staying cool and quiet however laptops at a similar price point would surpass this easily.

4 / 5

Battery life

While delivering a better battery life than some gaming laptops on the market, it's significantly reduced when gaming.

3 / 5

Total Score

This unique gaming tablet can be used as a more traditional laptop, and offers impressive performance and a fantastic and innovative design. Its high price and compromised battery life prevent it from being perfect, however.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a portable gaming device
This is super lightweight and compact, making for a great on-the-go gaming device.

You want something cool and quiet
Even when put through its paces, it stays very cool and quiet.

You’re looking for good performance across AAA titles
I got decent frames in all of the titles I tested out, including AAA titles at 'Ultra' graphical settings.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
You do get a decent battery capacity here, but it won’t last you very long when gaming.

You want a long-lasting battery
You do get a decent battery capacity here, but it won’t last you very long when gaming.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 review: Also consider

Asus ROG Flow Z13

Razer Blade 14 (2024)

MSI Katana 15

Price

$2,099 / £2,199

From $2,199.99 / £2,149.99 / AU$3,999

$999 (about £785 / AU$1,543)

CPU

AMD Ryzen AI MAX 390 12-Core Processor

AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS

Intel Core i7-13620H

Graphics

Integrated

Nvidia RTX 4060 - RTX 4070

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 - 4070

RAM

32GB DDR5

16GB DDR5 - 32GB DDR5

16GB DDR5 - 32GB DDR5

Screen

13.4-inch WQXGA IPS 180Hz 100% DCI-P3 Screen

14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600p, up to 100% DCI-P3, Factory calibrated, Calman Verified

15.6-inch FHD, IPS-Level 144Hz

Storage

1TB SSD

1TB SSD

1TB SSD

Ports

1x USB-A, 2x USB-C with DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack, 1x MicroSD Card Reader

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A , 2 x USB4 Type-C Ports with Power Delivery and Display Port 1.4, Charging supported with 20V USB-C chargers with PD 3.0 (100W), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Power port, 1 x 3.5mm combo jack

1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm Combo-Jack

Weight

2.65lbs (1.20kg)

4.05 lbs (1.84kg)

4.96 lbs (2.25 kg)

Dimensions

11.81 x 8.03 x 0.51-inches (30 x 20.4 x 1.30cm)

12.23 x 8.97 x 0.70 inches (310.7 x 228 x 17.99mm)

14.13 x 10.20 x 0.98 inches (359 x 259 x 25mm)

Here are some alternatives if the Asus ROG Flow Z13 doesn't sound right for your needs:

Razer Blade 14
You can grab this powerful gaming laptop which provides you with immaculate performance regardless of if you’re looking for stunning visuals or high frame rates all packed into a compact and stunning chassis, then the Razer Blade 14 is a great option.

Read our full Razer Blade 14 review

MSI Katana 15
For those not looking to spend too much, then the MSI Katana 15 is a great budget option for those who are looking for a powerful gaming laptop. You can pick it up at less than $1,000 and still get decent AAA performance in 1080p.

Read our full MSI Katana 15 review

How I tested the Asus ROG Flow Z13

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Used for work and for gaming
  • Ran benchmarks

I spent two weeks using the Asus ROG Flow Z13 as my everyday laptop for work and leisure. I was sure to use the device all day for my typical workday, and then also used it for gaming in the evening.

I took it on the go with me to different locations where I needed to work to see how it would feel outside of my workstation. As well as using it every day, I also benchmarked the laptop using a range of different benchmarking software and in-game benchmarking tools for a range of titles.

MSI Raider A18 HX review: big in power, big in size… as in literally too big
2:53 pm | June 11, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

MSI Raider A18 HX: Two-minute review

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a high-end, premium gaming laptop with a price point to match. Featuring some of the absolute best specifications on offer on the market right now, there’s no need to worry about low frame rates or poor game quality when sporting this titan of a machine.

You do get absolutely brilliant gaming performance on the MSI Raider A18 HX, however this is the expectation when it comes to a laptop at this price point. This device is by no means an option for those who are budget-conscious, however, but you get gaming performance like no other, a stunning 4K display, and a laptop which is future-proofed for years to come.

It does, however, come with some big flaws. Of course, you’d expect an 18-inch gaming laptop to be large, but this device really and truly is on another level in terms of both size and weight.

It’s a behemoth of a device which does have its perks, such as an immersive screen size and lots of ports, but on the other hand, it's so large to a point I wouldn’t necessarily consider it portable. It also only features a 2TB SSD, which despite sounding large, will easily be filled with the size of AAA titles in this day and age.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $5,609.99 / £4,799
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? UK and US

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-of-the-line laptop in terms of performance and of course that comes with a matching price point. Coming in at over $5,000 for the highest specification edition of this laptop, this price point is not for the faint of heart. Considering the specifications of the laptop, the price point does make sense as similar options are around the same price point.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which also features a RTX 5090 graphics card and a larger SSD, will set you back $4,499.99 / £5,099.

You can currently get this laptop in the UK, US and other select regions across the world. However, it’s currently not available in Australia.

  • Value: 4 /5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Closed lid of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Base configuration

Review configuration

Model

Raider A18 HX A9WIG-003

Raider A18 HX A9WJG-002

Price

$4,499.99 / £3,999

$5,609.99 / £4,799

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

RAM

64GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Storage

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

Weight

3.6kg

3.6kg

Dimensions

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-end gaming device where you can either opt for the Nvidia RTX 5090 or Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics cards. While both of these provide high-level graphics performance, if you really want the best of the best in terms of specifications then of course the Nvidia RTX 5090 is the clear option.

All the other specs between these two devices are identical, so no matter which option you pick up, you’ll be getting a mighty processor as well as an almost excessive amount of RAM with 64GB at your disposal.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Design

  • Large and heavy
  • 18-inch screen looks fantastic
  • Plenty of ports

When first unboxing the MSI Raider A18 HX, all I could think was… woah. Weighing in at 3.6kg, this definitely isn’t the lightest of laptops, and pair this with the absolutely massive size measuring at 404 x 307.5 x 32.05 mm, this device is almost certainly too big for most laptop backpacks.

Being an avid collector of laptop bags, I tried it in a whole load of different bags, and the only thing I could fit this device in was a suitcase. This is definitely something to take note of if you’re planning to use a gaming laptop on the go.

Size aside, the laptop itself is very traditionally gamer-y in terms of style. You get red accents around the edge of the device as well as RGB on the logo and along the bottom bezel. Contributing to this aesthetic is the font of the keyboard, which is quite aggressive.

You get a stunning 18-inch screen with this laptop with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, perfect for playing AAA titles in 4K. However, for those who play competitive titles where frames win games - you also get a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring you have the best of both worlds with this display.

The MSI Raider A18 HX features 3 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. You also get an ethernet port and HDMI port on the back of the device. While this is more than enough ports for a standard set up of gaming peripherals, you’ll likely need extenders if you’re hoping to run a full streaming setup.

  • Design: 3 / 5

Side view of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Raider A18 HX: Performance

  • Can become unstable when battery drops too far
  • Top-tier gaming performance
  • Fans get loud
MSI Raider A18 HX: Benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 80877 ; Fire Strike: 42898 ; Time Spy: 18448
GeekBench 6: 2867 (single-core); 12285 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1578 Productivity: 1532 Creativity: 1851 Responsiveness: 1067
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 203 ; (1080p, Low): 454
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 167 ; (1080p, Low): 198
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 306 ; (1080p, Low): 204
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 1hr 27mins
TechRadar movie test: 1hr 45mins

I did have some teething issues when first booting up the MSI Raider A18 HX. At first it was freezing frequently and at one point in the middle of benchmarking it completely froze and I needed to hold down the power button to shut it off. I realised the main issue was when the battery dropped below 10% - it became practically useless, even when I adjusted power saving settings to ensure the best performance.

I resorted to using the laptop plugged in the majority of the time because of the power draw, and risking dropping below 10% battery and having the entire system shut off was not a gamble I was willing to take - especially when playing online. However, when the laptop did work as intended, it was absolutely fantastic, I got top-tier performance from every single title I booted up in Ultra.

Whether I was running lower-intensity titles or AAA games, which did send the fans of the laptop into orbit, I was able to get amazing quality graphics and high frames every time.

It’s worth noting that - as with a lot of gaming machines of this calibre - it did get very hot and very loud quite quickly, with fans going full throttle as soon as I would boot up a game in 4K.

The speakers on the laptop are pretty good, while they of course don’t match headset-level quality, they are perfectly fine for gaming with.

However, if you're looking for pinpoint-accurate directional audio, you won’t really find that from laptop speakers in general anyway, and should in vest in the best PC speakers.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Battery life

The battery life was the biggest let down of this laptop. Of course, most gaming laptops have a very high power draw since they contain some pretty intense components, but the MSI Raider A18 HX really was unbelievably low.

When playing AAA games at 4K, I got less than an hour out of the laptop before it would shut itself off. Considering the performance issue I experienced when reaching low battery levels, this rendered the device even more useless for portability.

In tune with the size of the laptop, you get an absolutely gigantic 400w charging brick which also contributes to the lack of portability. However, the perk of having such a big charging brick is that your laptop will charge back to full battery very quickly with mine going from 10% back to 100% in around an hour.

It’s clear that this laptop was designed to remain plugged in at all times, whether it's due to the size of the device itself, the size of the charger or just the battery life in general. While it is a gaming laptop, it’s clearly one intended to remain stationary.

  • Battery life: 1 / 5

Should you buy the MSI Raider A18 HX?

MSI Raider A18 HX with its charging cable on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Value

Value

4 / 5

Priced appropriately based on specs, the one downside here is the lack of availability in certain territories

Design

3 / 5

Despite coming with a gorgeous chassis, it’s hard to look past just how big this laptop is which takes away from its portability.

Performance

4 / 5

You get fantastic performance here which is let down when you get to lower battery percentages.

Battery

1 / 5

The battery is a major letdown when it comes to this laptop to the point I wouldn’t even consider using it unplugged.

Average rating

3 / 5

The MSI Raider A18 HX is huge and chugs through its battery, but there's no faulting the level of performance for the price, even if it comes at the (literal) cost of everything else.

Buy it if...

You want top-of-the-line performance
The specifications of this laptop are some of the best on the market right now, which deliver top-tier performance

You want something with the traditional gamer aesthetic
You get a traditional gamer-y style with this laptop including RGB and aggressive font

You want a built-in 4K display
You get a stunning display on this laptop which makes for a beautiful gaming experienceView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want a portable gaming solution
Despite being a laptop, this device is so large that it means portability is essentially non-existent.View Deal

You need something with good battery life
All that power comes at the cost of (expectedly) woeful battery life. You'll need to keep a wall socket handy for this oneView Deal

MSI Raider A18 HX: Also Consider

Razer Blade 14

If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop which provides you with immaculate performance regardless of if you’re looking for stunning visuals or high frame rates all packed into a compact and stunning chassis, then the Razer Blade 14 is a great option.

MSI Katana 15

The MSI Katana 15 is a great budget option for those who are looking for a powerful gaming laptop without having to fork out too much cash. You can pick it up at less than £1,000 and still get decent AAA performance in 1080p.

How I tested the MSI Raider A18 HX

I spent two weeks using the MSI Raider A18 HX as my everyday laptop for work and leisure. I was sure to use the device all day for my typical work day, and then also used it for gaming in the evening. I took it on the go with me to different locations where I needed to work to see how it would feel outside of my workstation. As well as using it every day I also benchmarked the laptop using a range of different benchmarking software.

  • First reviewed: June 2025
MSI Raider A18 HX review: big in power, big in size… as in literally too big
2:53 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

MSI Raider A18 HX: Two-minute review

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a high-end, premium gaming laptop with a price point to match. Featuring some of the absolute best specifications on offer on the market right now, there’s no need to worry about low frame rates or poor game quality when sporting this titan of a machine.

You do get absolutely brilliant gaming performance on the MSI Raider A18 HX, however this is the expectation when it comes to a laptop at this price point. This device is by no means an option for those who are budget-conscious, however, but you get gaming performance like no other, a stunning 4K display, and a laptop which is future-proofed for years to come.

It does, however, come with some big flaws. Of course, you’d expect an 18-inch gaming laptop to be large, but this device really and truly is on another level in terms of both size and weight.

It’s a behemoth of a device which does have its perks, such as an immersive screen size and lots of ports, but on the other hand, it's so large to a point I wouldn’t necessarily consider it portable. It also only features a 2TB SSD, which despite sounding large, will easily be filled with the size of AAA titles in this day and age.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $5,609.99 / £4,799
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? UK and US

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-of-the-line laptop in terms of performance and of course that comes with a matching price point. Coming in at over $5,000 for the highest specification edition of this laptop, this price point is not for the faint of heart. Considering the specifications of the laptop, the price point does make sense as similar options are around the same price point.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which also features a RTX 5090 graphics card and a larger SSD, will set you back $4,499.99 / £5,099.

You can currently get this laptop in the UK, US and other select regions across the world. However, it’s currently not available in Australia.

  • Value: 4 /5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Closed lid of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Base configuration

Review configuration

Model

Raider A18 HX A9WIG-003

Raider A18 HX A9WJG-002

Price

$4,499.99 / £3,999

$5,609.99 / £4,799

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

RAM

64GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Storage

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

Weight

3.6kg

3.6kg

Dimensions

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-end gaming device where you can either opt for the Nvidia RTX 5090 or Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics cards. While both of these provide high-level graphics performance, if you really want the best of the best in terms of specifications then of course the Nvidia RTX 5090 is the clear option.

All the other specs between these two devices are identical, so no matter which option you pick up, you’ll be getting a mighty processor as well as an almost excessive amount of RAM with 64GB at your disposal.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Design

  • Large and heavy
  • 18-inch screen looks fantastic
  • Plenty of ports

When first unboxing the MSI Raider A18 HX, all I could think was… woah. Weighing in at 3.6kg, this definitely isn’t the lightest of laptops, and pair this with the absolutely massive size measuring at 404 x 307.5 x 32.05 mm, this device is almost certainly too big for most laptop backpacks.

Being an avid collector of laptop bags, I tried it in a whole load of different bags, and the only thing I could fit this device in was a suitcase. This is definitely something to take note of if you’re planning to use a gaming laptop on the go.

Size aside, the laptop itself is very traditionally gamer-y in terms of style. You get red accents around the edge of the device as well as RGB on the logo and along the bottom bezel. Contributing to this aesthetic is the font of the keyboard, which is quite aggressive.

You get a stunning 18-inch screen with this laptop with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, perfect for playing AAA titles in 4K. However, for those who play competitive titles where frames win games - you also get a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring you have the best of both worlds with this display.

The MSI Raider A18 HX features 3 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. You also get an ethernet port and HDMI port on the back of the device. While this is more than enough ports for a standard set up of gaming peripherals, you’ll likely need extenders if you’re hoping to run a full streaming setup.

  • Design: 3 / 5

Side view of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Raider A18 HX: Performance

  • Can become unstable when battery drops too far
  • Top-tier gaming performance
  • Fans get loud
MSI Raider A18 HX: Benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 80877 ; Fire Strike: 42898 ; Time Spy: 18448
GeekBench 6: 2867 (single-core); 12285 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1578 Productivity: 1532 Creativity: 1851 Responsiveness: 1067
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 203 ; (1080p, Low): 454
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 167 ; (1080p, Low): 198
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 306 ; (1080p, Low): 204
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 1hr 27mins
TechRadar movie test: 1hr 45mins

I did have some teething issues when first booting up the MSI Raider A18 HX. At first it was freezing frequently and at one point in the middle of benchmarking it completely froze and I needed to hold down the power button to shut it off. I realised the main issue was when the battery dropped below 10% - it became practically useless, even when I adjusted power saving settings to ensure the best performance.

I resorted to using the laptop plugged in the majority of the time because of the power draw, and risking dropping below 10% battery and having the entire system shut off was not a gamble I was willing to take - especially when playing online. However, when the laptop did work as intended, it was absolutely fantastic, I got top-tier performance from every single title I booted up in Ultra.

Whether I was running lower-intensity titles or AAA games, which did send the fans of the laptop into orbit, I was able to get amazing quality graphics and high frames every time.

It’s worth noting that - as with a lot of gaming machines of this calibre - it did get very hot and very loud quite quickly, with fans going full throttle as soon as I would boot up a game in 4K.

The speakers on the laptop are pretty good, while they of course don’t match headset-level quality, they are perfectly fine for gaming with.

However, if you're looking for pinpoint-accurate directional audio, you won’t really find that from laptop speakers in general anyway, and should in vest in the best PC speakers.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Battery life

The battery life was the biggest let down of this laptop. Of course, most gaming laptops have a very high power draw since they contain some pretty intense components, but the MSI Raider A18 HX really was unbelievably low.

When playing AAA games at 4K, I got less than an hour out of the laptop before it would shut itself off. Considering the performance issue I experienced when reaching low battery levels, this rendered the device even more useless for portability.

In tune with the size of the laptop, you get an absolutely gigantic 400w charging brick which also contributes to the lack of portability. However, the perk of having such a big charging brick is that your laptop will charge back to full battery very quickly with mine going from 10% back to 100% in around an hour.

It’s clear that this laptop was designed to remain plugged in at all times, whether it's due to the size of the device itself, the size of the charger or just the battery life in general. While it is a gaming laptop, it’s clearly one intended to remain stationary.

  • Battery life: 1 / 5

Should you buy the MSI Raider A18 HX?

MSI Raider A18 HX with its charging cable on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Value

Value

4 / 5

Priced appropriately based on specs, the one downside here is the lack of availability in certain territories

Design

3 / 5

Despite coming with a gorgeous chassis, it’s hard to look past just how big this laptop is which takes away from its portability.

Performance

4 / 5

You get fantastic performance here which is let down when you get to lower battery percentages.

Battery

1 / 5

The battery is a major letdown when it comes to this laptop to the point I wouldn’t even consider using it unplugged.

Average rating

3 / 5

The MSI Raider A18 HX is huge and chugs through its battery, but there's no faulting the level of performance for the price, even if it comes at the (literal) cost of everything else.

Buy it if...

You want top-of-the-line performance
The specifications of this laptop are some of the best on the market right now, which deliver top-tier performance

You want something with the traditional gamer aesthetic
You get a traditional gamer-y style with this laptop including RGB and aggressive font

You want a built-in 4K display
You get a stunning display on this laptop which makes for a beautiful gaming experienceView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want a portable gaming solution
Despite being a laptop, this device is so large that it means portability is essentially non-existent.View Deal

You need something with good battery life
All that power comes at the cost of (expectedly) woeful battery life. You'll need to keep a wall socket handy for this oneView Deal

MSI Raider A18 HX: Also Consider

Razer Blade 14

If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop which provides you with immaculate performance regardless of if you’re looking for stunning visuals or high frame rates all packed into a compact and stunning chassis, then the Razer Blade 14 is a great option.

MSI Katana 15

The MSI Katana 15 is a great budget option for those who are looking for a powerful gaming laptop without having to fork out too much cash. You can pick it up at less than £1,000 and still get decent AAA performance in 1080p.

How I tested the MSI Raider A18 HX

I spent two weeks using the MSI Raider A18 HX as my everyday laptop for work and leisure. I was sure to use the device all day for my typical work day, and then also used it for gaming in the evening. I took it on the go with me to different locations where I needed to work to see how it would feel outside of my workstation. As well as using it every day I also benchmarked the laptop using a range of different benchmarking software.

  • First reviewed: June 2025
The new Alienware Area-51 (2025) delivers incredible performance, but at an obscene cost
4:30 pm | May 28, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming PCs | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Two-minute review

Alienware has a reputation among system-building enthusiasts for being, well, a little odd, a little out of the ordinary. As premium brands go, there's a certain air about it, a je ne sais quoi, so to speak. Iconic? Perhaps, but it also doesn't know quite what it wants to be. Whether it's a company that's dedicated to the teenage gamer from yesteryear or the modern-day millennial professional is still up for debate, and its products show that. None more so than the Alienware Area-51 (2025), I've been testing over the last few weeks.

Built for a gamer who's not interested in the finer details, yet equipped with enough hardware to simulate the sun, it has a professional workstation price tag but a physical appearance that'd be more at home in 2009 than 2025. It's got a top-tier spec sheet, yet lacks some of the fundamentals that would make it a more pro-grade workstation. In short, who it's for is kind of a mystery.

The unit I tested comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5, and a 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, so this is not going to be a budget gaming PC, that's for sure. The configuration I tested comes in at $5,700 in the US (although that's with a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, not the 5.0 SSD in review), £5,469 in the UK, and an obscene AU$12,320 in Australia. That is a staggering cost, particularly when you consider similar-spec'd DIY machines can be built for a lot less.

That, of course, comes with some fairly major caveats. If you do want to build your own machine, you have to know what you're doing, put in the research, and be comfortable buying all those individual parts and putting it all together. There is some justification for skipping all of that and picking one of these up. Particularly if you're dead set on the hardware and have the budget for it.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

What you get is otherworldly performance, as you'd imagine. Computational tasks absolutely crumble before the Area-51, and gaming, particularly at 4K, is outstanding with even the most intense titles out there landing north of 100 fps on average without AI upscaling or any of the more modern frame generation shenanigans. Slap those settings on top of that stock performance, and that RTX 5090 just runs away with it, hitting frame rates well into the 200s.

The Area-51 keeps its components nice and cool too, thanks to twin 180mm intake fans in the front, two 120mm fans in the PSU floor, plus a 360mm AIO in the roof, exhausting upwards. That's all backed up with a rather curious 1500W platinum-rated PSU delivering power to the lot.

Aside from the premium pricing, problems also arise when you begin to dig under the surface. The rear I/O on that custom Alienware motherboard is sub-tier at best, with an overreliance on USB-C and very little USB-A at all, and the rest of the I/O is equally as lackluster, with minimal ethernet support and little in the way of integrated HDMI/DisplayPort or other features all too commonplace on even the cheapest of modern-day Z890 boards.

Then there's the case itself. It's big, bulky, and far too heavy. The dimensions are massive, and on delivery, the entire thing weighs 88 lbs (or 40 kg), requiring either one strong PC gamer or a two-person team to lift it and chuck it on your desk. That's surprising given the exterior of the chassis feels particularly dull, mostly composed of an unemotive satin plastic, rather than the thick, girthy steel you'd likely expect, given the heft.

Yes, there are those signature Alienware curves and lines and enough RGB lighting dotted around to keep that 15-year-old kid in you happy, but it just lacks the finesse that the best gaming PCs of this price and caliber should come with, and that's a problem.

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Price & Availability

  • How much is it? Starting at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271
  • When is it available? You can pick one up today
  • Where can you get it? Directly from Dell's webstore

Let's be fair, we all knew the price tag for this thing was going to be ridiculous; after all, it's without a doubt Alienware's signature party trick and is loaded down with top-tier specs from the best graphics cards, best processors, best RAM, and best SSDs you can find on the market right now.

The Area 51 starts at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271 in the US, UK, and Australia, respectively, which is still pretty premium as far as gaming PCs go. That's especially true considering you're getting a Core Ultra 7 system with an RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5 (or even 16GB DDR5 in Australia), and fairly modest 1TB or 2TB storage. The RTX 5090 configuration I tested (with Core Ultra 9 285K, 64GB RAM, and 2TB PCIe SSD) comes in at $5,699.99 in the US, £5,469 in the UK, and a frightful AU$12,320 Down Under.

If I'm honest, we've not tested much like this PC at TechRadar to date, largely because of the RTX 5090 at its heart. And while it's an unabashed monster that delivers exceptional performance, compared to last gen's RTX 4090, it's seen a significant price increase—and that was before Nvidia's low availability and stock issues that it's suffered since its release.

Put this against the best price possible on a DIY rig, though, with the same component tier as my review unit, and the price difference is substantial. According to PC Part Picker, a DIY build would set you back just $4,842.91 in the US, £4,267.64 in the UK, or AU$9,914.60 in Australia. It's up to you whether you want to pay a roughly 18-28% premium to have a prebuilt system like this, but you can likely get the same performance for cheaper.

  • Value: 3 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Specs

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)
  • Solid starting configurations in the US and UK
  • Easy to upgrade later down the line
  • Configuration options vary greatly by region
Alienware Area-51 (2025) Base Specs

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price

$3,749.99 at Dell.com

£3,799 at Dell.com

AU$7,271 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 265

Intel Core Ultra 7 265

Intel Core Ultra 7 265

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5080

Nvidia RTX 5080

Nvidia RTX 5080

Memory

32GB DDR5-6400

32GB DDR5-6400

16GB DDR5-5600

Storage

1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

1TB SSD

Cooling

240mm AIO

360mm AIO

240mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

1500W 80+ Platinum

850W 80+ Gold

All configurations come with a custom 02JGX1 E-ATX Z890 motherboard and vary from there based on region. Additionally, all models feature a bespoke PSU, with the US and Australia starting with an 80+ Gold 850W power supply, while the UK only has an option for a 1500W 80+ Platinum PSU.

The US and Australia start with 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, while the UK starts with a larger 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The US and Australia also start with a smaller 240mm AIO cooler, while the UK only has a 360mm AIO option.

There are also a total of eight fans included: two 180mm intakes, two 120mm intakes in the PSU floor, and three 120mm exhausts hidden above the topmost radiator.

Starting memory options come in the form of a dual-channel kit of Kingston Fury DDR5, ranging from 16GB all the way up to 64GB capacity, depending on your region.

Alienware Area-51 (2025) Max Specs

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price

$6,099.99 at Dell.com

£6,299.02 at Dell.com

AU$14,120.70 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5090

Nvidia RTX 5090

Nvidia RTX 5090

Memory

64GB DDR5-6400

64GB DDR5-6400

64GB DDR5-6400

Storage

4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

4TB + 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs

4TB + 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs

Cooling

360mm AIO

360mm AIO

360mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

1500W 80+ Platinum

1500W 80+ Platinum

When it comes to max spec configurations, there's not much difference between regions, other than the US maxing out at just one 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, while the UK and Australia come with two 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSDs for a total of 8TB of storage.

For the top-tier configurations, you get an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB DDR5-6400 memory with XMP overclocking, a 1500W Platinum-rated PSU, and a 360mm AIO cooler.

Alienware Area-51 (2025) review configuration

Price

$5,699.99 at Dell.com / £5,469.01 at Dell.com / AU$12,320 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5090

Memory

64GB DDR5-6400

Storage

2TB PCIe NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0 in the US, PCIe 5.0 in UK and Australia)

Cooling

360mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

The configuration I'm reviewing here is towards the higher end, featuring a Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD, though the closest US config to my review unit has a PCIe 4.0 SSD, rather than a PCIe 5.0. It also has a 360mm AIO cooler and the beefier 1500W PSU.

  • Specs: 4 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Design

An Alienware Area-51 (2025) on a desk

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)
  • Oversized case leaves much to be desired
  • Internal industrial styling is intense
  • External shell a bit dull in the modern era

The Alienware Area-51 desktop is big. Seriously big. Its monstrous size will likely keep it off most desks. Even on my own test bench, at three meters long and 60cm deep, it could easily hang off the edge if I had situated it like I do my normal machine.

It's heavy too; that nearly 90 lbs/40kg weight is nothing to snort at—it's the kind of heft I'd expect from a custom liquid-cooled machine, not a pre-built system like this that's mostly comprised of plastic and a single AIO cooler.

An Alienware Area-51 (2025) on a desk with a triple-slot GPU next to it to show scale

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

The overall design is alright. It's got that Alienware chic, with the curves and the alien head logo on the front. Fonts are tidy, and cooling is for the most part well implemented across the board. The internal layout is massive, and there are QR codes littered everywhere for you to scan if you ever need a handy guide on how to update the graphics card or install new memory in the future. It still looks better suited to a launch a decade ago by modern styling standards.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

What's less impressive is Alienware cutting some corners to bring this machine to market. Cable management internally is less than stellar. There are no braided cables here, and although the rear of the case is tidy, neat, and well-managed, there's a lot of extra cable around the front jutting out that's quite unsightly, or it's bound together awkwardly, pushed into headers on that bespoke motherboard.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

There's even a massive chunk of metal strapped to the right-hand side of the GPU, solely to help cable-manage that 12VHPWR cable going into the RTX 5090, which not only feels massively overkill but also kind of doesn't work, as it's still draped along the top of it anyway. I mean, yes, technically it is acting as an anti-sag bracket as well here. The RTX 5090 isn't the lightest of cards out there, but there are so many better, more elegant solutions out there these days than just a large block of rectangular metal. It's a real shame.

The CPU cooler on the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Then there's that custom Z890 motherboard, the adorably named—hang on, let me check my notes here—ah yes, the 02JGX1. A bizarre-looking thing, complete with two DIMM slots for your RAM, three M.2 ports, and, well, that's about it.

It does look like Alienware has attempted to lean into that industrial aesthetic here, but there's so much exposed PCB, wireless cards, and ports just littered everywhere, combined with that poor cabling, it's seriously distracting.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Power phase setup is fairly tame too (which directly translates to CPU performance, which I'll speak to momentarily), with a 14-phase design, and the rear I/O is practically nonexistent, with only a smattering of USB Type-A and far too many USB Type-C.

You get one Ethernet port and WiFi support (weirdly running as a passthrough all the way at the bottom of the chassis), and that's kind of it. No Clear CMOS, BIOS flashback, HDMI or DisplayPort out, and no 5.1 audio either.

I bring this up very specifically because this is a $5,700 machine, and motherboards at $235 deliver far more for far less.

  • Design: 3 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Performance

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)
  • Incredible 4K gaming framerates
  • PCIe 5.0 SSD rips
  • CPU relatively sluggish
Alienware Area-51 (2025) Benchmarks

Here's how the Alienware Area-51 (2025) performed in our suite of synthetic and gaming benchmarks:

Cinebench R24 (Multi-core): 2,186; (Single-core): 136
Geekbench 6.4 (Multi-core): 21,786; (Single-core): 3,148

CrossMark Overall:
2,500
CrossMark Creativity):
2,872
CrossMark Productivity:
2,256
CrossMark Responsiveness:
2,242

3DMark Fire Strike:
44,342
3DMark Time Spy: 36,886
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra: 30,352
3DMark Time Spy Extreme: 22,215
3DMark Speed Way: 14,285
3DMark Steel Nomad: 13,707
3DMark Port Royal: 34,020

Black Myth: Wukong (1080p, Cinematic): 102 fps; (4K, Cinematic): 59 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 120 fps; (4K, Ultra): 57 fps
Metro: Exodus (1080p, Extreme): 149 fps; (4K, Extreme): 90 fps
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, Highest): 102 fps; (4K, Highest): 79 fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Highest): 244 fps; (4K, Highest): 169 fps
Total War: Warhammer III Battle (1080p, Ultra): 291 fps; (4K, Ultra): 150 fps

When it comes to performance, the Area-51 delivers, although you probably expect it to with top-line specs like it has.

Cinebench R24 performance was well into the two thousands, with a multi-core count of 2,186, on average, and an average single-core score of 136. That's not too shabby at all. In fact, the multi-score number is around 91 points per thread, making it wildly efficient. Similarly, Geekbench 6 also had a pretty good outing, with 21,786 points scored on the multi-core and 3,148 in single-core performance.

That SK Hynix PCIe 5.0 drive in my system, though, is the real winner, and although its sequentials were relatively low for a modern-day PCIe 5.0 drive (averaging just 12.3 GB/s on both read and write), the random 4K performance absolutely decimates pretty much every drive I've seen this year. Its random 4K read performance hit a relatively speedy 113 MB/s, with random writes coming in at 350 MB/s. You're going to see some seriously quick load times with this drive.

Temperatures and power draw were well within parameters, too, with the CPU topping out at around 92°C and the GPU at 75.8°C. Nothing out of the ordinary there. And while it is power-thirsty, the max power draw I saw during testing hit 840.8 W from the wall at peak, which isn't great, but isn't the worst either.

On the gaming side, in my 1080p testing, pretty much every title was well into the 120+ fps range or higher without the help of DLSS or Frame Gen, and a 4K, I saw upwards of 150 fps in Total War: Warhammer III's Battle benchmark, while Cyberpunk 2077 averaged 57 fps at 4K with ray tracing and no DLSS support at all.

The only mild problem I have with this setup is the slight discrepancy against an equally kitted-out rig I built earlier this year. Complete with an RTX 5090 plus Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, my own DIY rig beat out the Area-51 in practically every graphical and computational test.

At a guess, this is likely down to that CPU performance being heavily limited by the 14-phase VRM design, as it just couldn't produce enough juice to keep that Ultra 9 running at full speed for as long as its DIY counterpart.

The odd element about that, though, is that the DIY machine only featured a $220 Gigabyte motherboard, yet temps were at 100°C for the chip (and stable), but performance, both computational and in-game, was around 5-10% higher, depending. For a system that's $1,500 cheaper, that's not a good look.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

Should You Buy The Alienware Area-51 (2025)?

Alienware Area-51 (2025) Scorecard

Category

Verdict

Score

Value

This isn't a cheap gaming PC, not one bit. Unless you can justify the cost, or it saves you time in some manner, you'd be far better off building your own.

3 / 5

Specs

With the right config, you can easily get the best of the best hardware on the market right now, and you can upgrade it later—if you've got any budget left over.

4 / 5

Design

A design straight of the 2010s, there's numerous fumbles here that let down an otherwise stellar spec sheet.

3 / 5

Performance

Unsurprisingly with that top-tier hardware it absolutely dominates 4K gaming and any task you can throw at it.

4 / 5

Total

Big, bold, and a bit brash. It delivers on the performance front, but with mediocre styling, average build quality, and an insane price, it doesn't quite hit the mark.

3.5 / 5

Buy the Alienware Area-51 If…

You need to save time
If you're not interested in building your own machine but want the best hardware, there's no denying this is a good pick, and easily upgradable long-term.

You have the desk space for it
It's massive; the case is seriously long, and it's heavy enough that you'll need help just getting it on your desk.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best value
A similarly kitted-out gaming PC, built yourself, can save you a lot of money.

You're looking for something a little more stylish
Alienware has a style you'll either love or hate, but if you're after something with sharp lines and modern flair, then aside from the interior, you might want to look elsewhere.

  • Originally reviewed May 2025
The new Alienware Area-51 (2025) delivers incredible performance, but at an obscene cost
4:30 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming PCs | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Two-minute review

Alienware has a reputation among system-building enthusiasts for being, well, a little odd, a little out of the ordinary. As premium brands go, there's a certain air about it, a je ne sais quoi, so to speak. Iconic? Perhaps, but it also doesn't know quite what it wants to be. Whether it's a company that's dedicated to the teenage gamer from yesteryear or the modern-day millennial professional is still up for debate, and its products show that. None more so than the Alienware Area-51 (2025), I've been testing over the last few weeks.

Built for a gamer who's not interested in the finer details, yet equipped with enough hardware to simulate the sun, it has a professional workstation price tag but a physical appearance that'd be more at home in 2009 than 2025. It's got a top-tier spec sheet, yet lacks some of the fundamentals that would make it a more pro-grade workstation. In short, who it's for is kind of a mystery.

The unit I tested comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5, and a 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, so this is not going to be a budget gaming PC, that's for sure. The configuration I tested comes in at $5,700 in the US (although that's with a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, not the 5.0 SSD in review), £5,469 in the UK, and an obscene AU$12,320 in Australia. That is a staggering cost, particularly when you consider similar-spec'd DIY machines can be built for a lot less.

That, of course, comes with some fairly major caveats. If you do want to build your own machine, you have to know what you're doing, put in the research, and be comfortable buying all those individual parts and putting it all together. There is some justification for skipping all of that and picking one of these up. Particularly if you're dead set on the hardware and have the budget for it.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

What you get is otherworldly performance, as you'd imagine. Computational tasks absolutely crumble before the Area-51, and gaming, particularly at 4K, is outstanding with even the most intense titles out there landing north of 100 fps on average without AI upscaling or any of the more modern frame generation shenanigans. Slap those settings on top of that stock performance, and that RTX 5090 just runs away with it, hitting frame rates well into the 200s.

The Area-51 keeps its components nice and cool too, thanks to twin 180mm intake fans in the front, two 120mm fans in the PSU floor, plus a 360mm AIO in the roof, exhausting upwards. That's all backed up with a rather curious 1500W platinum-rated PSU delivering power to the lot.

Aside from the premium pricing, problems also arise when you begin to dig under the surface. The rear I/O on that custom Alienware motherboard is sub-tier at best, with an overreliance on USB-C and very little USB-A at all, and the rest of the I/O is equally as lackluster, with minimal ethernet support and little in the way of integrated HDMI/DisplayPort or other features all too commonplace on even the cheapest of modern-day Z890 boards.

Then there's the case itself. It's big, bulky, and far too heavy. The dimensions are massive, and on delivery, the entire thing weighs 88 lbs (or 40 kg), requiring either one strong PC gamer or a two-person team to lift it and chuck it on your desk. That's surprising given the exterior of the chassis feels particularly dull, mostly composed of an unemotive satin plastic, rather than the thick, girthy steel you'd likely expect, given the heft.

Yes, there are those signature Alienware curves and lines and enough RGB lighting dotted around to keep that 15-year-old kid in you happy, but it just lacks the finesse that the best gaming PCs of this price and caliber should come with, and that's a problem.

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Price & Availability

  • How much is it? Starting at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271
  • When is it available? You can pick one up today
  • Where can you get it? Directly from Dell's webstore

Let's be fair, we all knew the price tag for this thing was going to be ridiculous; after all, it's without a doubt Alienware's signature party trick and is loaded down with top-tier specs from the best graphics cards, best processors, best RAM, and best SSDs you can find on the market right now.

The Area 51 starts at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271 in the US, UK, and Australia, respectively, which is still pretty premium as far as gaming PCs go. That's especially true considering you're getting a Core Ultra 7 system with an RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5 (or even 16GB DDR5 in Australia), and fairly modest 1TB or 2TB storage. The RTX 5090 configuration I tested (with Core Ultra 9 285K, 64GB RAM, and 2TB PCIe SSD) comes in at $5,699.99 in the US, £5,469 in the UK, and a frightful AU$12,320 Down Under.

If I'm honest, we've not tested much like this PC at TechRadar to date, largely because of the RTX 5090 at its heart. And while it's an unabashed monster that delivers exceptional performance, compared to last gen's RTX 4090, it's seen a significant price increase—and that was before Nvidia's low availability and stock issues that it's suffered since its release.

Put this against the best price possible on a DIY rig, though, with the same component tier as my review unit, and the price difference is substantial. According to PC Part Picker, a DIY build would set you back just $4,842.91 in the US, £4,267.64 in the UK, or AU$9,914.60 in Australia. It's up to you whether you want to pay a roughly 18-28% premium to have a prebuilt system like this, but you can likely get the same performance for cheaper.

  • Value: 3 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Specs

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)
  • Solid starting configurations in the US and UK
  • Easy to upgrade later down the line
  • Configuration options vary greatly by region
Alienware Area-51 (2025) Base Specs

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price

$3,749.99 at Dell.com

£3,799 at Dell.com

AU$7,271 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 265

Intel Core Ultra 7 265

Intel Core Ultra 7 265

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5080

Nvidia RTX 5080

Nvidia RTX 5080

Memory

32GB DDR5-6400

32GB DDR5-6400

16GB DDR5-5600

Storage

1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

1TB SSD

Cooling

240mm AIO

360mm AIO

240mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

1500W 80+ Platinum

850W 80+ Gold

All configurations come with a custom 02JGX1 E-ATX Z890 motherboard and vary from there based on region. Additionally, all models feature a bespoke PSU, with the US and Australia starting with an 80+ Gold 850W power supply, while the UK only has an option for a 1500W 80+ Platinum PSU.

The US and Australia start with 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, while the UK starts with a larger 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The US and Australia also start with a smaller 240mm AIO cooler, while the UK only has a 360mm AIO option.

There are also a total of eight fans included: two 180mm intakes, two 120mm intakes in the PSU floor, and three 120mm exhausts hidden above the topmost radiator.

Starting memory options come in the form of a dual-channel kit of Kingston Fury DDR5, ranging from 16GB all the way up to 64GB capacity, depending on your region.

Alienware Area-51 (2025) Max Specs

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price

$6,099.99 at Dell.com

£6,299.02 at Dell.com

AU$14,120.70 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5090

Nvidia RTX 5090

Nvidia RTX 5090

Memory

64GB DDR5-6400

64GB DDR5-6400

64GB DDR5-6400

Storage

4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

4TB + 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs

4TB + 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs

Cooling

360mm AIO

360mm AIO

360mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

1500W 80+ Platinum

1500W 80+ Platinum

When it comes to max spec configurations, there's not much difference between regions, other than the US maxing out at just one 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, while the UK and Australia come with two 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSDs for a total of 8TB of storage.

For the top-tier configurations, you get an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB DDR5-6400 memory with XMP overclocking, a 1500W Platinum-rated PSU, and a 360mm AIO cooler.

Alienware Area-51 (2025) review configuration

Price

$5,699.99 at Dell.com / £5,469.01 at Dell.com / AU$12,320 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5090

Memory

64GB DDR5-6400

Storage

2TB PCIe NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0 in the US, PCIe 5.0 in UK and Australia)

Cooling

360mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

The configuration I'm reviewing here is towards the higher end, featuring a Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD, though the closest US config to my review unit has a PCIe 4.0 SSD, rather than a PCIe 5.0. It also has a 360mm AIO cooler and the beefier 1500W PSU.

  • Specs: 4 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Design

An Alienware Area-51 (2025) on a desk

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)
  • Oversized case leaves much to be desired
  • Internal industrial styling is intense
  • External shell a bit dull in the modern era

The Alienware Area-51 desktop is big. Seriously big. Its monstrous size will likely keep it off most desks. Even on my own test bench, at three meters long and 60cm deep, it could easily hang off the edge if I had situated it like I do my normal machine.

It's heavy too; that nearly 90 lbs/40kg weight is nothing to snort at—it's the kind of heft I'd expect from a custom liquid-cooled machine, not a pre-built system like this that's mostly comprised of plastic and a single AIO cooler.

An Alienware Area-51 (2025) on a desk with a triple-slot GPU next to it to show scale

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

The overall design is alright. It's got that Alienware chic, with the curves and the alien head logo on the front. Fonts are tidy, and cooling is for the most part well implemented across the board. The internal layout is massive, and there are QR codes littered everywhere for you to scan if you ever need a handy guide on how to update the graphics card or install new memory in the future. It still looks better suited to a launch a decade ago by modern styling standards.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

What's less impressive is Alienware cutting some corners to bring this machine to market. Cable management internally is less than stellar. There are no braided cables here, and although the rear of the case is tidy, neat, and well-managed, there's a lot of extra cable around the front jutting out that's quite unsightly, or it's bound together awkwardly, pushed into headers on that bespoke motherboard.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

There's even a massive chunk of metal strapped to the right-hand side of the GPU, solely to help cable-manage that 12VHPWR cable going into the RTX 5090, which not only feels massively overkill but also kind of doesn't work, as it's still draped along the top of it anyway. I mean, yes, technically it is acting as an anti-sag bracket as well here. The RTX 5090 isn't the lightest of cards out there, but there are so many better, more elegant solutions out there these days than just a large block of rectangular metal. It's a real shame.

The CPU cooler on the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Then there's that custom Z890 motherboard, the adorably named—hang on, let me check my notes here—ah yes, the 02JGX1. A bizarre-looking thing, complete with two DIMM slots for your RAM, three M.2 ports, and, well, that's about it.

It does look like Alienware has attempted to lean into that industrial aesthetic here, but there's so much exposed PCB, wireless cards, and ports just littered everywhere, combined with that poor cabling, it's seriously distracting.

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Power phase setup is fairly tame too (which directly translates to CPU performance, which I'll speak to momentarily), with a 14-phase design, and the rear I/O is practically nonexistent, with only a smattering of USB Type-A and far too many USB Type-C.

You get one Ethernet port and WiFi support (weirdly running as a passthrough all the way at the bottom of the chassis), and that's kind of it. No Clear CMOS, BIOS flashback, HDMI or DisplayPort out, and no 5.1 audio either.

I bring this up very specifically because this is a $5,700 machine, and motherboards at $235 deliver far more for far less.

  • Design: 3 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Performance

The inside of the Alienware Area-51 (2025)

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)
  • Incredible 4K gaming framerates
  • PCIe 5.0 SSD rips
  • CPU relatively sluggish
Alienware Area-51 (2025) Benchmarks

Here's how the Alienware Area-51 (2025) performed in our suite of synthetic and gaming benchmarks:

Cinebench R24 (Multi-core): 2,186; (Single-core): 136
Geekbench 6.4 (Multi-core): 21,786; (Single-core): 3,148

CrossMark Overall:
2,500
CrossMark Creativity):
2,872
CrossMark Productivity:
2,256
CrossMark Responsiveness:
2,242

3DMark Fire Strike:
44,342
3DMark Time Spy: 36,886
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra: 30,352
3DMark Time Spy Extreme: 22,215
3DMark Speed Way: 14,285
3DMark Steel Nomad: 13,707
3DMark Port Royal: 34,020

Black Myth: Wukong (1080p, Cinematic): 102 fps; (4K, Cinematic): 59 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 120 fps; (4K, Ultra): 57 fps
Metro: Exodus (1080p, Extreme): 149 fps; (4K, Extreme): 90 fps
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, Highest): 102 fps; (4K, Highest): 79 fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Highest): 244 fps; (4K, Highest): 169 fps
Total War: Warhammer III Battle (1080p, Ultra): 291 fps; (4K, Ultra): 150 fps

When it comes to performance, the Area-51 delivers, although you probably expect it to with top-line specs like it has.

Cinebench R24 performance was well into the two thousands, with a multi-core count of 2,186, on average, and an average single-core score of 136. That's not too shabby at all. In fact, the multi-score number is around 91 points per thread, making it wildly efficient. Similarly, Geekbench 6 also had a pretty good outing, with 21,786 points scored on the multi-core and 3,148 in single-core performance.

That SK Hynix PCIe 5.0 drive in my system, though, is the real winner, and although its sequentials were relatively low for a modern-day PCIe 5.0 drive (averaging just 12.3 GB/s on both read and write), the random 4K performance absolutely decimates pretty much every drive I've seen this year. Its random 4K read performance hit a relatively speedy 113 MB/s, with random writes coming in at 350 MB/s. You're going to see some seriously quick load times with this drive.

Temperatures and power draw were well within parameters, too, with the CPU topping out at around 92°C and the GPU at 75.8°C. Nothing out of the ordinary there. And while it is power-thirsty, the max power draw I saw during testing hit 840.8 W from the wall at peak, which isn't great, but isn't the worst either.

On the gaming side, in my 1080p testing, pretty much every title was well into the 120+ fps range or higher without the help of DLSS or Frame Gen, and a 4K, I saw upwards of 150 fps in Total War: Warhammer III's Battle benchmark, while Cyberpunk 2077 averaged 57 fps at 4K with ray tracing and no DLSS support at all.

The only mild problem I have with this setup is the slight discrepancy against an equally kitted-out rig I built earlier this year. Complete with an RTX 5090 plus Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, my own DIY rig beat out the Area-51 in practically every graphical and computational test.

At a guess, this is likely down to that CPU performance being heavily limited by the 14-phase VRM design, as it just couldn't produce enough juice to keep that Ultra 9 running at full speed for as long as its DIY counterpart.

The odd element about that, though, is that the DIY machine only featured a $220 Gigabyte motherboard, yet temps were at 100°C for the chip (and stable), but performance, both computational and in-game, was around 5-10% higher, depending. For a system that's $1,500 cheaper, that's not a good look.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

Should You Buy The Alienware Area-51 (2025)?

Alienware Area-51 (2025) Scorecard

Category

Verdict

Score

Value

This isn't a cheap gaming PC, not one bit. Unless you can justify the cost, or it saves you time in some manner, you'd be far better off building your own.

3 / 5

Specs

With the right config, you can easily get the best of the best hardware on the market right now, and you can upgrade it later—if you've got any budget left over.

4 / 5

Design

A design straight of the 2010s, there's numerous fumbles here that let down an otherwise stellar spec sheet.

3 / 5

Performance

Unsurprisingly with that top-tier hardware it absolutely dominates 4K gaming and any task you can throw at it.

4 / 5

Total

Big, bold, and a bit brash. It delivers on the performance front, but with mediocre styling, average build quality, and an insane price, it doesn't quite hit the mark.

3.5 / 5

Buy the Alienware Area-51 If…

You need to save time
If you're not interested in building your own machine but want the best hardware, there's no denying this is a good pick, and easily upgradable long-term.

You have the desk space for it
It's massive; the case is seriously long, and it's heavy enough that you'll need help just getting it on your desk.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best value
A similarly kitted-out gaming PC, built yourself, can save you a lot of money.

You're looking for something a little more stylish
Alienware has a style you'll either love or hate, but if you're after something with sharp lines and modern flair, then aside from the interior, you might want to look elsewhere.

  • Originally reviewed May 2025
I’ve reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is
4:00 pm | March 11, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Computing Components Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Two-minute review

So the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has something of a high bar to clear given the strength of AMD's first Zen 5 3D V-Cache chip, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but having spent a week testing this chip, I can say unequivocally that AMD has produced the best processor ever made for the consumer market.

Whether it's gaming, creating, or general productivity work, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D doesn't suffer from the same hang-ups that held its predecessor, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, from completely dominating its competition among the previous generation of processors.

Like its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D will sell for $699 / £699 / AU$1,349 when it goes on sale on March 12, 2025. This makes it the most expensive consumer processor on the market, so definitely be prepared to invest quite a bit for this chip, especially if you're upgrading from an Intel or AMD AM4 system. As an AM5 chip, you'll need to upgrade some major components, including motherboard and possibly RAM.

Unlike nearly all other X3D chips besides the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, however, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is fully overclockable thanks to AMD rearchitecting the way the 3D V-cache sits on the compute die, so there's a lot more that this chip can do that other X3D chips can't.

That includes beating out the current champ for the best gaming CPU, the 9800X3D, in most games while also offering substantially better general and creative performance thanks to twice as many processing cores.

That doesn't mean that the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is flawless, as there are some things to caveat here (which I'll get into in more depth below), but as an overall package, you simply won't find a better CPU on the market right now that will let you do just about anything you want exceptionally well while still letting you run a more reasonable cooling solution. Just be prepared to pay a premium for all that performance.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Price & availability

An AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leaning against its retail packaging

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much will it cost? US MSRP is $699 / £699 / AU$1,349
  • When is it available? It goes on sale on March 12, 2025
  • Where is it available? It will be available in the US, UK, and Australia at launch

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D goes on sale March 12, 2025, for a US MSRP of $699 / £699 / AU$1,349 in the US, UK, and Australia, respectively, making it the most expensive processor on the market.

It comes in at the same price as its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D when it launched, and costs $100 more than the Ryzen 9 9900X3D that launches on the same day.

This is also just over $200 more expensive than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D which has nearly the same level of gaming performance (and in some cases surpasses the 9950X3D), so if you are strictly looking for a gaming CPU, the 9800X3D might be the better value.

Compared to Intel's latest flagship processor, meanwhile, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is just over $100 more expensive than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, though that chip requires a whole new motherboard chipset if you're coming from an Intel LGA 1700 chip like the Intel Core i9-12900K, so it might represent a much larger investment overall.

  • Value: 3.5 / 5

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Specs

  • 128MB L3 Cache (96MB + 32MB)
  • Fully overclockable
  • Not all processing cores have access to 3D V-cache

Compared to the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, there don't seem to be too many changes spec wise, but there's a lot going on under the hood here.

First, the way the 3D V-cache is seated over the CCX for the 9950X3D differs considerably than with the 7950X3D, specifically that its seated underneath the processing die, rather than above it.

This means that the processing cores are now in 'direct' contact with the lid and cooling solution for the chip, allowing the 9950X3D to be fully overclocked, whereas the V-cache in the 7950X3D sat between the lid and the processing cores, making careful thermal design and limiting necessary and ruling out overclocking.

The 9950X3D does keep the same two-module split in its L3 cache as the 7950X3D, so that only one of the eight-core CCXs in the chip actually has access to the added V-cache (32MB + 64MB), while the other just has access to 32MB.

This had some benefit for more dedicated, directy access for individual cores in use more cache. In the last-gen, this honestly produced somewhat mixed results compared to the 7800X3D, which didn't split the V-cache up this way, leading ultimately to high levels of gaming performance for the 7800X3D.

Whatever issue there was with the 7950X3D looks to have been largely fixed with the 9950X3D, but some hiccups remains, which I'll get to in the performance section.

Beyond that, the 9950X3D has slightly higher base and boost clock speeds, as well as a 50W higher TDP, but its 170W TDP isn't completely unmanageable, especially next to Intel's competing chips.

  • Specs: 4.5 / 5

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Performance

An AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D in a motherboard

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Almost best-in-class gaming performance
  • Strong overall performance

While the Ryzen 7 7800X3D was indisputably a better gaming chip than the Ryzen 9 7950X3D by the numbers, I was very curious going into my testing how this chip would fare against the 9800X3D, but I'm happy to report that not only is it better on the whole when it comes to gaming, it's a powerhouse for general computing and creative work as well, making it the best all-around processor on the market right now.

On the synthetic side, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D goes toe-to-toe with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in multi-core performance, coming within 2% of Intel's best on average, and chocking up a 10% stronger single-core result than the 285K.

Compared to its predecessor, the 7950X3D, the 9950X3D is about 15% faster in multi-core and single-core performance, while also barely edging out the Ryzen 9 9950X in multi-core performance.

Compared to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the eight-core difference between the two really shows up in the results, with the 9950X3D posting a 61% better multi-core performance, and a roughly 5% better single core score compared to the 9800X3D.

On the creative front, the 9950X3D outclasses Intel's best and anything else in the AMD Ryzen lineup that I've tested overall (we'll see how it fares against the 9900X3D once I've had a chance to test that chip), though it is worth noting that the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is still the better processor for video editing work.

The AMD Ryzen X3D line is all about gaming though, and here, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D posts the best gaming performance of all the chips tested, with one caveat.

In the Total War: Warhammer III Mirrors of Madness benchmark, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D only scores a few fps higher than the non-X3D Ryzen 9 9950X (331 fps to 318 fps, respectively), while also scoring substantially lower than the 9800X3D's 506 fps in that same benchmark. That's a roughly 35% slower showing for the 9950X3D, and given its roughly where the non-X3D chip scored, it's clear that Total War: Warhammer III was running on one of those cores that didn't have access to the extra V-cache.

This is an issue with the Windows process scheduler that might be fixed in time so that games are run on the right cores to leverage the extra cache available, but that's not a guarantee the way it is with the 9800X3D, which gives all cores access to its added V-cache so there aren't similar issues.

It might be a fairly rare occurence, but if your favorite game does take advantage of the extra cache that you're paying a lot of money for, that could be an issue, and it might not be something you'll ever know unless you have a non-X3D 9950X handy to test the way I do.

With that in mind, if all you want is a gaming processor, and you really don't care about any of these other performance categories, you're probably going to be better served by the 9800X3D, as you will get guaranteed gaming performance increases, even if you don't get the same boost in other areas.

While that's a large caveat, it can't take away from the overall performance profile of this chip, which is just astounding pretty much across the board.

If you want the best processor on the market overall, this is it, even with its occasional blips, especially since it runs much cooler than Intel's chips and its power draw is much more acceptable for midrange PCs to manage.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D?

A masculine hand holding an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D if...

You want spectacular performance no matter the workload
While gamers will be especially interested in this chip, it's real strength is that it's strong everywhere.

You want the best gaming performance
When using 3D V-cache, this processor's gaming chops are unbeatable.

Don't buy it if...

You want consistent top-tier gaming performance
When games run on one of this chip's 3D V-cache cores, you're going to get the best performance possible, but Windows might not assign a game to those cores, so you might miss out on this chip's signature feature.

You're on a budget
This chip is crazy expensive, so only buy it if you're flush with cash.

Also consider

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
If you want consistent, top-tier gaming performance, the 9800X3D will get you performance nearly as good as this chip's, though more consistently.

Read the full AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review

How I tested the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

  • I spent several days with the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
  • I used the chip as my main workstation processor and used my updated battery of benchmarks to measure its performance
  • I used it for general productivity, creative, and gaming workloads

I spent about a week with the Ryzen 9 9950X3D as my main workstation CPU, where I ran basic computing workloads as well as extensive creative work, such as Adobe Photoshop.

I also spent as much time as I could gaming with the chip, including titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Civilization VII. I also used my updated suite of benchmark tools including industry standard utilities like Geekbench 6.2, Cyberpunk 2077, and PugetBench for Creators.

I've been reviewing components for TechRadar for three years now, including more than a dozen processor reviews in that time, so you can trust my testing process and recommendations if you're looking for the best processor for your needs and budget.

  • First reviewed March 2025
Intel Arc B570 review: great value, but overshadowed by the far superior Arc B580
5:00 pm | January 16, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Computing Components Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Intel Arc B570: Two-minute review

The Intel Arc B570 is the kind of graphics card I desperately want to love, but my tech-addled PC gaming heart belongs to another.

I'm not talking about the recently-announced Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs (though we'll see about those in due time). No, I've fallen for the Intel Arc B580, easily one of the best graphics cards on the market thanks to its fantastic 1440p and 1080p gaming performance. And, unfortunately, its price is so good that it's hard to really recommend the Arc B570 in good conscience.

To be fair, the Intel Arc B570's $219 / £219 (around AU$350) MSRP arguably makes it the best cheap graphics card going right now simply by default. The next cheapest current-gen GPU (as of January 2025) from AMD (the Radeon RX 7600) and Nvidia (the GeForce RTX 4060) are roughly 20% to 25% more expensive, and it's still $30 / £30 (about AU$90) cheaper than the Arc B580.

But the problem is that despite some impressive specs for a card this cheap, and solid 1080p performance, for just a little bit more you can get a far more future-proofed GPU that will let you game without compromise at a higher 1440p resolution if you go for the Arc B580. Of course, that's assuming you can get that card at its normal retail price and not the jacked-up prices being charged online by profiteering retailers and third-party sellers.

An Intel Arc B570 seen from the back

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

But looking at the Arc B570 strictly on its merits, ignoring any external factors that are subject to change, and it's undeniable that the Arc B570 is one of the best 1080p graphics cards you can buy, especially considering its price.

At this price price point, you really have to compare the Arc B570 against cards that are several years old, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 1060 to really put things in perspective. For example, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 had a launch price $30 higher than the Arc B570, and even though I no longer have that card to compare Intel's latest against in a head-to-head matchup like I'd like, it really wasn't that good of a card to justify its price. Say what you will about the Arc B570, but in no universe can you say that you're not getting your money's worth with this GPU.

The heartbreak, then, is just that this card is simply overshadowed by its slightly more expensive sibling. If the Intel Arc B570 was priced at $199, it would be walking away with a definitive budget win. Hell, it still is, but with so little separating the B570 and the B580, pretty much every potential buyer is better off borrowing that extra bit of cash from a friend, sibling, parent, or even a stranger, and picking up the more powerful B580.

Intel Arc B570: Price & availability

An Intel Arc B570 on top of its retail packaging

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much is it? Starting at $219 / £219 (around AU$350)
  • When can you get it? You can get it from January 16, 2025
  • Where is it available? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia

The Intel Arc B570 goes on sale in the US, UK, and Australia on January 16, 2025, for $219 / £219 (around AU$350).

This puts it at just $30 / £30 (about AU$90) cheaper than the Intel Arc B580 released in December 2024. That said, it is a good deal cheaper than the competing AMD Radeon RX 7600 and Nvidia RTX 4060, both of which run at least 20% more expensive for roughly the same performance.

I'll dig into the performance-per-dollar of this card in a bit, but I can tell you now that it's one of the best you find on a modern GPU, but it still comes in a distant second to the Intel Arc B580, making it hard card to recommend unless you are seriously strapped for cash or the B580 is being scalped at too high a price.

  • Value: 4.5 / 5

Intel Arc B570: Specs

The top trim of an Intel Arc B570

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • 10GB VRAM is a nice-to-have feature
  • Decently-sized memory bus
  • Specs: 4 / 5

Intel Arc B570: Performance

An Intel Arc B570 running on an open test bench

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Great 1080p performance
  • Doable 1440p (within reason)
  • Arc B580 is way better for not a whole lot more money

Ultimately, what matters is performance, and the top-line numbers for the Intel Arc B570 are impressive for a card at its price point, but it is almost exclusively a 1080p graphics card unless you make a lot of compromises for 1440p resolution that frankly aren't going to be worth it in the end.

In terms of creative workloads or AI, this isn't the card for you. I'd simply go for the RTX 4060 if you're really strapped for cash but need something more than a basic cheap gaming GPU.

It also has to be noted that its 1080p gaming performance isn't going to match its more expensive competition on a lot of games, so if you're looking for a graphics card that consistently gets you 60fps at 1080p on max settings without question, you might be better off with some of this card's more expensive competitors.

That said, on average across the several games in my testing suite, including titles like Cyberpunk 2077, F1 2024, Total War: Warhammer III, and others, this card did manage an average 1080p fps of 60. with an average minimum fps of 34.

Of course, it played better on some games more than others, and some games you won't be able to play at max settings for a playable frame rate (like Black Myth Wukong), but over the course of all the titles I played, it's more than passable for 1080p, with the occasionally playable 1440p experience.

For its price, it's genuinely excellent, especially for getting you a card capable of ray-traced gameplay, but for just a little bit more, you can get a lot better with the B580.

  • Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Intel Arc B570?

An Intel Arc B570 being held by a masculine hand

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy the Intel Arc B570 if...

You are on a very tight budget
There aren't a lot of current-gen GPUs available at this price point, and even then, this is the cheapest so far.View Deal

You only care about basic 1080p gaming
If you are only looking for a cheap 1080p GPU with some modern extras like ray tracing, this card could be a compelling value at MSRP. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want to game at 1440p
Despite its extra VRAM and decent memory bus, it just doesn't have the specs for consistent 1440p gaming without some serious compromises.View Deal

You have some wiggle room in your budget
If you are even slightly flexible in your budget, the Arc B580 is a much, much better option for not a whole lot more money.View Deal

Also consider

Intel Arc B580
OK, so I'm going to be honest, the only other card you should be considering is the Arc B580. If you have any room in your budget, get this card instead. It's so much better for just a little more of an investment.

Read the full Intel Arc B580 review

How I tested the Intel Arc B570

  • I spent about a week with the Intel Arc B570
  • I used it primarily as a gaming GPU with some light creative work
  • I ran the Arc B570 thgouh my revamped testing suite

I tested the Intel Arc B570 using my newly revamped testing suite, including the latest 3DMark tests like Steel Nomad and Solar Bay, as well as the newest gaming benchmarks like Black Myth Wukong and F1 2024.

I used the Arc B570 as my primary GPU on my work PC, using it for basic productivity, creative, and moderate gaming in the office.

I've been testing GPUs for TechRadar for more than two years now, and have extensively benchmarked all of the latest GPUs several times over, so I am well aware of where this card's performance sits amongst its competition as well as how good of a value it is at its price point.

  • Originally reviewed January 2025
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (Gen 8) review
4:46 am | December 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Desktop PCs Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : One-minute review

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i, side panel off to expose the components inside

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Compared to it’s bigger 7i sibling, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is a smaller budget pre-build that starts at $1,149. This gaming desktop is well suited for anyone looking for a rig that handles 1080p gaming without much noise and is big enough to upgrade later on.

The base configuration features an Intel Core i5, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD. Gamers who want to play newer AAA titles at mid-to-high settings in 1080p like Black Myth: Wukong or aspiring competitive gamers in need of high frame rates for games like Valorant should definitely keep this in mind. Everything from CPU to GPU alongside storage or RAM can be configured to more powerful components - for an extra cost of course - to suit your needs.

Outside of performance specs, the Legion Tower 5i has some extras that help it stand out amongst the fierce competition. Cooling is handled by several 150w fans alongside a VRM heatsink which keeps the desktop from overheating. Like the 7i, the rig stays quiet even during the most demanding tasks.

The front panel Lenovo logo and fans feature ARGB lighting which grants users control of each LED individually. This adds a bit of flair to the desktop but not as much as the i7 which featured lighting on the GPU and CPU. Finally, the Legion Tower 5i features Nahimic 3D audio for virtual surround sound.

Everything including performance, lighting and Nahimic are controlled through Lenovo’s Vantage application that comes packed in. For added measure, there’s also a keyboard and mouse included in the box.

The Legion 5i’s design does carry over certain problems of the bigger 7i. Though the mesh bezel at the front of the desktop allows proper airflow, maintenance is going to be a bit of a pain as there’s no dust filtration capabilities available.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of ports available sans a single USB-C which users may find issue with. In an age where USB-C is the current standard for many mobile devices, mouses, keyboards and headsets, this means users may need to stock up on adaptors or get a hub.

If those issues don’t matter more than the gaming experience, the Legion Tower 5i should be kept in consideration. It’s 1080p performance is respectable, well ventilated design that’s peaceful sounding and upgradability that potential buyers will appreciate.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Price and availability

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i logo

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much does it cost? Starts at $1,149/ £1,080 / AU $1,799
  • When is it available? Now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is available now in U.S., UK, and Australia territories starting at $1,149 / £1,080 / AU $1,799. Potential buyers can purchase the pre-build gaming desktop through Lenovo’s online store or various other retailers depending on the territory.

In the U.S., there are five configurations available that range between the previously mentioned starting price and $2,399. That higher-priced tier will get you an Intel Core i7 14700F, Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD in storage.

For those living in the UK, there’s only one buildable option that ranges between £1,080 and £2,187. At the lower end, users will get an Core i7 14700F, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD in storage. The higher £2,187 configuration grants an Intel i9, Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super, 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD.

Four customizable configurations for Australia range between AU $1,799 and AU $5,359. At the lower end, potential buyers can get an Intel i5, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. An Intel i7, Nvidia RTX 4070 Super, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD alongside an extra 2TB HDD in storage is available at the highest configuration tier.

Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Specs

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Design

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming PC resting on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Roomy enough for future upgrades
  • Has ARGB lighting
  • Dust maintenance will be a problem

The mesh front grill featuring the Legion logo with ARGB lighting sets a nice impression of something that could fit in an office space as well as a gaming set-up. The all-black colorway blends really well with the lighting as the mesh design also manages to lend a level of aggression.

As mentioned previously, only the fans and Legion logo are lit unlike the 7i which has CPU and GPU lighting too. Though the mesh on the front looks terrific, it does come at the cost of function in terms of maintenance. It might be a bit difficult to clean every nook and cranny as dust accumulates over time. Thankfully, the case is big enough for upgrades over time in the CPU, GPU and storage area as well.

Image 1 of 4

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i's top USB and audio ports

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 2 of 4

Back side of the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming pc, showcasing its ports and rear ventilation

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 3 of 4

Computer mouse that comes included with the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming pc

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 4 of 4

Keyboard that comes included with the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

There are loads of ports available on the Legion Tower 5i, including 8 USB-A ports of various power delivery capabilities alongside standard audio and ethernet ports. Those are split between the top panel and the rear with two USB-A ports alongside singular jacks for headset and microphone. It’s a shame that there’s only one singular USB-C, which at this point and time is a bit strange. There are plenty of accessories like controllers, VR headsets, mouses, keyboards and headsets that use USB-C alongside most modern mobile devices.

For potential buyers who have devices that require USB-C, some adapters or hubs are going to be required. One thing for sure is that the included keyboard and mouse within the package isn’t going to make serious gamers happy as they lack the function of even the most budget gaming centered input devices. However, those who are new into PC gaming might find some usage at the start before moving on.

Design: 3.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Performance

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming PC's Intel Core i5 logo sticker

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • 1080p performance is fantastic
  • Isn’t loud even when pushed

One of the first games I played on the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i was Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2. Though the lower 8GB of VRAM on the RTX 4060 prevented the ability to play the game at max settings, it looked great at mid-to-low settings and provided consistent 60 frames per second at 1080p resolution. This was consistent with other games played with high visual fidelity on the gaming desktop.

Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra settings gave us 82 fps and dropped to the mid-60s when using mid ray tracing settings. Playing the ultra resource intensive Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 provided around 30 fps on mid to low settings too.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Benchmarks

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

3DMark: Speed Way: 2578; Fire Strike: 21744; Time Spy: 10060

GeekBench 6: 2362 (single-core); 11791 (multi-core)

Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 85 fps; (1080p, Low): 226 fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 82 fps; (1080p, Low): 127 fps

Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 97.43333333 fps; (1080p, Low):198.2666667 fps

Handbrake (1080p, Fast): 5:33

There are a few ways to get more performance out of the Legion 5i as well. The first is through Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology which uses artificial intelligence to bump up resolutions. This is a great way to get 1440p resolution without the worry of frame rate drops. The other way is through the Lenovo Vantage application which allows for some overclocking for CPU and GPU performance.

On the esports side of things, playing games at recommended settings at 1080p provided great results as well. For example, playing Valorant on those settings pushed us into the 200+ frame rate range. I saw similar results for other titles including Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone. Games that are somewhat in the middle between visual fidelity and competitive performance like Forza Motorsport were able to run on recommended settings at 60 fps.

When it comes to general computing tasks, the Legion Tower 5i is speedy where it counts from using Google Chrome to music streaming services like Tidal. Creatives will be happy to know that Adobe Suite software like Photoshop and Premiere Pro works great for media that stays within the 1080p range. When it comes to Premiere Pro, trying to edit complex 4K video may lead to some issues in regards to sluggish prformance.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i front panel

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Should I buy the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i?

Buy it if…

You need some solid 1080p performance

Native 1080p performance is pretty good on the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i from esports titles like Valorant to big-budget AAA titles like Black Myth: Wukong.

You want a quiet gaming rig

Lenovo put a nice focus on cooling technology for a gaming desktop that doesn’t get loud when under pressure.

You require an affordable price point

$1,149 is great for budget gamers looking for 1080p performance and the ability to upgrade in the future.

Don’t buy it if…

You want better maintenance opportunities

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i case doesn’t have removable panes to prevent the build-up of dust, which will make maintenance in the future a pain.

You need more than one USB-C

USB-C is a standard at this point for many mobile devices and accessories. This means that users are probably going to have to invest in a hub or adaptor.

Also Consider

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

HP Victus 15L

The HP Victus 15L is a bit cheaper than the 8th-gen Lenovo Legion Tower 5i and provides comparable performance power.

Read our full HP Victus 15L review

Acer Predator Orion 3000

Beyond the compact form, this gaming desktop packs a punch at an affordable price.

Read our full Acer Predator Orion 3000 review

How I tested the Lenovo Legion 5i

  • Tested over a week and some change
  • Games played include Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2, Black Myth: Wukong and Forza Motorsport (2023)
  • General computing tasks including Google Chrome and Adobe Creative Suite

I spent over a week using the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i, putting it to the test across various tasks. During work hours, I managed everyday computing using Google Chrome, running multiple tabs for apps like Asana, Google Docs, and Hootsuite. For content creation, I leaned on Adobe Premiere and Photoshop to design graphics and produce short-form social media videos.

To evaluate its high frame rate capabilities, I played fast-paced games like Valorant and Fortnite. Pushing the system further, I tested graphically demanding titles like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and Black Myth: Wukong. Additionally, I also ran Forza Motorsport (2023) and Starfield to assess how the Legion Tower 5i handles diverse gaming experiences and visual performance.

I’ve spent the past several years covering monitors alongside other PC components for TechRadar. Outside of gaming, I’ve been proficient in Adobe Suite for over a decade as well.

First reviewed October 2024

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