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Latest by J. Martindale

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X 1950X Review

AMD Threadripper 3990X is breaking CPU world records just days after release

AMD's third-generation Threadripper CPUs are all impressive, but the 3990X is really something else. It's a 64-core monster that's breaking world records already.
Nvidia RTX 2080 Super impressions

Nvidia to bring more power to laptops with notebook graphics refresh in March

Nvidia is refreshing its laptop graphics options in March, offering new Super versions of its RTX GPUs, and introducing enhanced GTX alternatives at the low end.
AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT review

AMD will refresh its Navi GPUs, deliver more RDNA 2 graphics cards in 2020

AMD is set to launch a new generation of 7nm+ graphics cards in 2020, but alongside that we can expect a refresh of its existing, first-generation Navi GPUs too. That could mean some exciting performance improvements which might be what's needed to compete with Nvidia's incoming Ampere cards.
AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT review

AMD’s RX 5600 XT is now even faster, but that’s not as awesome as it sounds

A new BIOS release for AMD's RX 5600 XT just before launch means most of the new 1080p gaming cards are faster than originally expected. That's great news for most, but not every 5600 XT has received the BIOS, and some of them may never get it. You can flash yours to the faster BIOS, but proceed with caution.
Stock photo of Intel 9th gen core processor.

Intel may slash CPU prices in late 2020 to counter AMD’s Zen 3 chips

Intel may slash the prices of its consumer CPUs in 2020, according to a new report. This is designed to combat AMD's upcoming next-generation Ryzen 4000 CPUs based on the Zen 3 architecture. If true, that dampens excitement for Intel's own next-generation chips, which are expected to debut in April.
AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT review

AMD’s ‘Nvidia Killer’ GPU may be in America for testing, launches this year

AMD's Nvidia Killer, Big Navi graphics card is reportedly on U.S. shores already undergoing testing and validation. This monster GPU is said to be twice the size of the Navi 10 chip in the RX 5700 XT, and could offer close to twice the performance, if rumors based on its specifications are to be believed.
SteelSeries Peripherals

Steelseries makes budget mice and keyboards bright and sparkly with new range

SteelSeries has a new range of entry-level peripherals inspired by the high-end, RGB LED-covered accessories that dominate the market. These affordable options include fancy lighting, enhanced durability, and some great extra features without costing the world. They could prove very popular.
apple iphone xr xs max amazon deals review feat 2 768x768

Here’s why a 5nm iPhone A14 chip would be such a big deal

iPhones built on TSMC's 5nm process might be super powerful, but they'll be merely the tip of the iceberg if the process proves as capable as some claim it to be. In just a few years, high-end desktops and laptops could sport new-generation 5nm processors that make today's technology look pedestrian in comparison.
OneSearch

Would you trust Verizon’s new privacy-focused OneSearch to protect your data?

Verizon has launched a new search engine called OneSearch. Powered by Bing, it's designed to put user privacy first, having no cookies or trackers whatsoever. It also pledges to never share or sell user data, relying on contexual (but not personalized) ads for revenue.
Windows 7 Laptop

A fond farewell to Windows 7, the last time the Start menu was useful

Windows 7 is officially dead. At least as far as official support goes. This marks the end of an era that hosted some of our favorite memories of PCs from the last two decades. One of them was the Start menu, which was sleek, streamlined, and, in this writer's opinion, the best Microsoft ever made.
mystery amd gpu beats 2080 ti openvr mysteryamdgpu02

A mystery AMD graphics card just beat an Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti by almost 30%

The OpenVR benchmark has recorded an anomaly result which seems likely to be a pairing of an AMD CPU and GPU that has output a score higher than that of a 2080 Ti. Almost 30% faster, in fact, with even the most overclocked 2080 Ti setup falling short by almost 20% itself.
intel tiger lake

AMD vs. Intel at CES 2020: Here’s how the chips fell this year

Intel and AMD have been competing forever, but AMD has been making great strides in the last few years and may surpass Intel in almost every industry in 2020. Following an underwhelming showing at CES 2020, Intel has an uphill battle to regain momentum from team red this year.

The best monitors of CES 2020: Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, and more

The best monitors at CES 2020 are a varied bunch. Some have high refresh rates, others great color clarity, and others are gorgeous to look at both within and without their wafer-thin bezels. CES 2020 has something for everyone and these are our favorite monitors that we've seen at the show so far.
best mice ces 2020 asus chakram mouse 01

The Asus Chakram was the best mouse of CES 2020 — and the most interesting

CES 2020 has heaps of new laptops, processors, graphics cards, cards, blenders, vacuums, and everything else in between. But don't forget the PC peripherals. Asus' Chakram mouse with its built-in (but detachable) joystick, wireless charging, and replaceable switches was our favorite mouse of CES 2020.
EVGA RTX 2060 KO

Nvidia RTX 2060 prices may drop to just $300 to counter AMD RX 5600 XT

EVGA has launched a cut-price RTX 2060 called the KO, with a price tag of just $300. That puts it within striking distance of the newly launched AMD RX 5600 XT, but it also puts pressure on Nvidia's top GTX cards, the 1660 Ti and 1660 Super. How other board partners respond will be interesting.
AMD Ryzen 4000 Series

With Ryzen 4000, does AMD finally have a real shot at winning the laptop race?

AMD Ryzen 4000 laptops are ready to roll off the production line and they could be fantastic! But how many of them will actually make it to the public, and will they be bought? Strong performance is a given, but can AMD's comparably limited mindshare compete with Intel's dominance on mobile?
intel ice lake wont rid spectre insecure chip

How to watch Intel’s CES 2020 press conference today and what to expect

Intel will join the ranks of the other major tech companies at CES 2020 to unveil all of its new exciting hardware and software slated for release in 2020. With plans for new CPUs, connective technologies, and maybe even a discrete graphics card, Intel may show a lot at CES 2020. Here's how to watch live.
AMD CEO Lisa Su at CES 2020

Everything AMD has announced at CES 2020: Ryzen, Radeon, and more

AMD had a lot to say and a lot to show at this year's CES. Whether you're interested in the red team's new CPUs, plans for its GPU division, or its next-generation architectures, we've collected all of the most exciting announcements together, to tell you everything AMD announced at CES 2020.
amd threadripper 3990x 64 core 128 thread ces 2020 02

Threadripper 3990X smashes its way on stage at CES with 64 cores and 128 threads

AMD debuted its Threadripper 3990X at CES 2020, showcasing its incredible multithreaded performance with 64 cores and 128 threads. It's not a cheap processor, but it still massively undercuts even the closest competition, decimating even multichip systems in the demonstrated benchmarks.
amd radeon rx 5600 xt ces 2020

AMD bolsters Navi with new $279 RX 5600 XT graphics card at CES 2020

AMD's midrange graphics card line is looking more robust than ever with the debut of the brand new RX 5600 XT at CES 2020. With the same number of stream processors as the 5700 and a comparable clock speed, it only really falls behind on memory. OVerclocking that GDDR6 could unlock massive performance.
AMD Ryzen 4000 Series

AMD’s monster Ryzen 4000 laptop processors arrive with eight cores at CES 2020

AMD kicked off its CES 2020 press conference with the debut of a new generation of CPUs. Ryzen 4000 starts as Ryzen 3000 did before it: With mobile CPUs. These chips use Zen 2 cores and should compete favorably with Intel's Comet Lake and Ice Lake alternatives, with great gaming and productivity performance.
LG G-Sync TV

LG brings Nvidia’s G-Sync to its entire lineup OLED TVs at CES 2020

Nvidia and LG announced a range of brand new OLED TVs at CES 2020. Available in sizes ranging from 48 to 88-inches, these new screens are rated as G-Sync compatible. While that means they don't have all the features of G-Sync Ultimate screens, screen tearing should be a thing of the past.
AMD CEO Lisa Ku

How to watch AMD’s CES 2020 press conference and what to expect

Want to tune in to AMD's CES 2020 press conference to hear all the latest news about its new hardware and software? Here's how to do it. We expect a lot from the red team in 2020, with new CPUs, GPUs, and more all on the horizon. Watch the livestream here to get a first glimpse of what AMD is working on.
AMD CEO Lisa Ku

AMD may unveil Zen 3 CPU architecture details at CES 2020

AMD may reveal the first hard details of its next-generation Zen 3 architecture at CES 2020, according to a Taiwanese newspaper. CEO Dr. Lisa Su will reportedly address crowds at the show, hinting at the potential of what AMD has planned for the rest of the year, alongside more immediate product announcements.
An AMD Ryzen 9 3900X on a table.

AMD is on the rise, but its processor market share is nowhere near 40%

AMD's CPU market share is growing considerably, but it's not at 40 percent yet. Not even close. While some reports might suggest as such, others report much more modest figures. Some suggest it's closer to 30, while others still claim that AMD has lost almost as much as it's gained in recent months.
Stock photo of Intel 9th gen core processor.

Leaked Intel slide suggests 10900K can be up to 30% faster than 9900K

Intel's upcoming Comet Lake generation may not change much, but it will give Intel's top chips more cores and higher clock speeds, which can have a noticeable improvement on multi-threaded performance. In a leaked slide, Intel shows the flagship 10900K beating out a 9900K by as much as 30%.
AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT review

The AMD ‘Big Navi’ GPU could be twice the size of a Radeon RX 5700 XT

AMD has been working on an "Nvidia Killer" GPU for some time now and reportedly, it's absolutely huge. Twice the size of an RX 5700 XT, the next-gen GPU is said to be twice as fast as a Navi 10, the same GPU you'll find at the core of the RX 5700 and 5700 XT. That puts it well into 2080 Ti territory.
AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT review

ASRock leaks AMD RX 5600 XT specs, outing probable GTX 1660 Ti-like performance

ASRock has leaked the full specifications for one of its aftermarket AMD RX 5600 XTs, a card that AMD hasn't even officially announced yet. If the specs prove accurate, it should be competitive with Nvidia's GTX 1660 Super and Ti models, as well as AMD's own, aged Vega 56.
HTC Vive Wireless

I fell out of love with VR, but the Vive Wireless rekindled the flame

The HTC Vive wasn't my first VR love, but it was the most impactful. So why did I abandon it? I can't say for sure, but maybe I can rekindle that interest with some new accessories and upgrades for my aging headset. It's certainly cheaper than buying any of the new generation outright.
AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT review

Gigabyte leaks AMD RX 5600 XT in new Eagle series graphics card lineup

A Gigabyte GPU called the Radeon RX 5600 XT has appeared in the latest ECC filing and suggests that in the not-to-distant-future we could be looking at a further expanded Navi graphics line. This card would join the existing 5700, 5700 XT, and 5500 XT models, likely as a midtier solution.

iPad Pro vs. Surface Pro 7

Microsoft and Apple produce some fantastic 2-in-1s in the form of the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 7. But which is better? To find out, we pitted the iPad Pro vs. Surface Pro 7 in a classic head to head on hardware, software, and pure portability. Which will come out on top?
Nvidia RTX 2060 Super and RTX 2070 Super review

AMD RX 5700 XT vs. Nvidia RTX 2060 Super

AMD and Nvidia both have new graphics cards that continue to push the envelope for what we can expect from graphics cards designed for that 1440p gaming sweet spot. But how do they compare? We pitted the AMD Radeon 5700 XT vs. Nvidia RTX 2060 Super to crown the new king of midrange graphics.
amd radeon rx 5500 xt vs 1650 super 5500xt033

AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT vs. GTX 1650 Super vs. GTX 1650

AMD and Nvidia have great cards in the midrange, but what about entry-level GPUs? That's where these cards come in. The 5500 XT vs. 1650 Super vs. 1650 head to had is the battle for the best entry-level graphics card of this generation and it's a close won fight. But one card has to come out on top.
MSI Radeon rX 5500 XT

AMD’s new $170 RX Radeon 5500 XT graphics card appears to beat Nvidia in most games

AMD has some new-gen competition for Nvidia's GTX 16-series, after months of waiting following the launch of its midrange RX 5700 GPUs. The new RX 5500 XT is cost and performance competitive with Nvidia's best entry-level options, giving gamers far more choice for budget gaming.