Category: Gaming

  • Sony PS5 Pro Unboxing and Teardown with 50+ Game Updates

    Sony PS5 Pro Unboxing and Teardown with 50+ Game Updates

    The Sony PlayStation 5 Pro is set to begin shipping on Thursday, November 7. For those eager to learn more ahead of the release, an unboxing video by Digital Foundry (embedded below) is now available. It looks like Sony is again opting for packaging that resembles the PlayStation 5 Slim. Inside the box, alongside the console, you’ll find a USB-C to USB-C cable, an HDMI 2.1 cable, and a DualSense controller. However, if you need a vertical stand, you’ll have to buy that separately.

    Size Comparisons and Specs

    In the video, which runs for just under ten minutes, viewers can see a size comparison between the new PS5 Pro, the PS5 Slim, and the standard PlayStation 5. This is followed by a comparison with the original PlayStation 2. The specifications of the PlayStation 5 Pro are also displayed, as outlined in the console’s user manual. It states that the PS5 Pro has a nominal GPU performance of 16.7 TFLOPs, 16 GB of GDDR5, and an extra 2 GB DDR5 RAM, along with support for Wi-Fi 7. The maximum power draw is 390 watts.

    Disassembly and Game Updates

    Meanwhile, the Portuguese YouTube channel TAG has already taken apart the PlayStation 5 Pro to examine its components. As expected, the design of the PS5 Pro is nearly identical to that of the PS5 Slim, with the exception of a slightly larger cooling system. Sony has also released a list of games on the PlayStation Blog that will be updated at launch to take advantage of the more powerful hardware, offering enhancements like higher frame rates, resolutions, and improved ray tracing.

    More games are anticipated to be optimized for the PS5 Pro in the future. Even titles that do not receive updates will still enjoy the benefits of the upgraded hardware, particularly in terms of more stable frame rates. In cases of dynamic resolution, players can expect a higher average pixel count, resulting in a more detailed gaming experience.

    Digital Foundry | PlayStation Blog

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  • Apple’s New Mac Mini: A PS5 Pro Alternative with M4 Chip

    Apple’s New Mac Mini: A PS5 Pro Alternative with M4 Chip

    Macs have always been in the shadow of PCs when it comes to gaming, and there are a few reasons for this. Firstly, Intel-based models have not performed very well in games. Secondly, the variety of games available on macOS has been limited, and this issue continues even with the introduction of the Apple M series chips.

    A New Hope for Gaming on Mac

    However, things might be changing with the Mac mini (curr. $799 – 512 GB on Amazon) featuring the new Apple M4 and M4 Pro chipsets. Apple seems to be pushing this new mini-PC as a gaming machine, showcasing titles like Control, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Myst, and Layers of Fear on its website. This is a big step for Apple in the gaming world.

    Enhanced Gaming Experience

    Additionally, notable games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Death Stranding are now compatible with the M4 and M4 Pro chipsets, thanks to their upgraded integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs). The compact design of the new Mac mini makes it a great fit for most TV setups. Plus, it offers a high level of Smart TV compatibility, as it comes with a full-sized HDMI 2.1 port included.

    Advancements in Technology

    The Apple M4 series chipsets also bring support for advanced features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing, mesh shading, and MetalFX AI upscaling, among other enhancements over earlier models. Yet, we have heard similar claims from Apple in the past regarding gaming performance. Therefore, it might be wise to hold off until we see independent reviews. Still, it’s worth noting that the new Mac mini is priced lower than a PlayStation 5 Pro, even though it has a smaller and non-upgradeable storage drive.

    Bloomberg & Mark Gurman.

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  • OneXPlayer OneXFly F1 Pro: AMD Radeon 890M Performance in Black Myth

    OneXPlayer OneXFly F1 Pro: AMD Radeon 890M Performance in Black Myth

    One-Netbook has announced its upcoming gaming handheld, the OneXFly F1 Pro. This new addition to the OneXPlayer series comes after the launch of the OneXGPU 2, which is a more powerful version of the OneXGPU (currently priced at $560 on Amazon). The OneXFly F1 Pro will feature a 144 Hz OLED screen and will be powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU. As such, the OneXFly F1 Pro is set to be the first gaming handheld to utilize the Radeon 890M iGPU.

    Gaming Performance Insights

    Recently, One-Netbook showcased the expected gaming performance of the Radeon 890M in conjunction with the OneXFly F1 Pro. At this point, the company has primarily highlighted performance metrics using Black Myth: Wukong, a game we previously benchmarked with a variety of modern GPUs.

    For comparison, the Arc Graphics 140V and Radeon 780M struggle to maintain a steady 30 FPS at 1080p with low-quality settings. This testing was conducted with Temporal Super Resolution (TSR) set to 100, meaning resolution scaling was not a factor in the results.

    Promising Results

    In contrast, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 paired with the Radeon 890M achieves an average of about 58 FPS under similar conditions. Even more impressive, the OneXFly F1 Pro reaches this framerate while maintaining a 15 W TDP. However, it’s important to note that One-Netbook used a resolution scaling of 65%, which might not provide a fully accurate comparison. Therefore, we suggest holding off on any final conclusions for now.

    OneXPlayer via VideoCardz

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  • PlayStation 5 Pro Hardware Boost Revealed in New Gameplay Videos

    PlayStation 5 Pro Hardware Boost Revealed in New Gameplay Videos

    Sony revealed the PS5 Pro in September, and fans can expect the new console to hit stores on November 7. Priced at $699.99, this mid-generation upgrade offers more powerful hardware compared to the standard PlayStation 5. In the launch event, Sony emphasized three major enhancements: AI-driven upscaling, improved ray tracing, and an expanded GPU.

    Improved Gaming Experience

    Thanks to these upgrades, the PlayStation 5 Pro is expected to deliver a significantly better gaming experience than its non-Pro counterpart (Slim model can be found on Amazon). Leading up to the launch, YouTuber Gabriel Master has shared footage showcasing several games on the new console. He claims that the enhanced hardware provides a clear performance boost.

    Performance Highlights

    For instance, a gameplay video of Dragon’s Dogma 2 reveals that it operates more smoothly on the PS5 Pro. The same can be said for Monster Hunter Wilds, which seems to run at a higher resolution and maintain steadier FPS when compared to the original model.

    Gabriel Master also posted gameplay of Spider-Man 2, and it looks like the game runs seamlessly at 60 FPS with the resolution cranked up to 4K and ray tracing enabled.

    Game Boost Feature

    The YouTuber also highlighted the Game Boost feature. In his footage of Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s visible that the texture quality has improved, and the game runs at a higher resolution than what the standard PlayStation 5 offers.

    Other gameplay clips shared by the YouTuber include Dragon Age: The Vanguard and The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Both titles are displayed running at 4K resolution and 60 FPS.

    Gabriel Master’s YouTube channel (videos embedded above) via: Wccftech.

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  • AMD Neural Supersampling Aims to Compete with Nvidia DLSS

    AMD’s research team has introduced a new step forward in real-time path tracing, launching a fresh neural network method that merges both denoising and upscaling. This initiative is directly aimed at competing with Nvidia’s dominance in AI-based graphics technology.

    Tackling Challenges in Path Tracing

    The innovative technology addresses one of the main challenges faced in real-time path tracing: achieving high-quality images with only a few ray samples per pixel. Typically, path tracing requires thousands of rays per pixel to produce those intricate frames, explaining why rendering a single frame in films can take hours. AMD’s approach emphasizes reconstructing detailed scenes from limited samples using neural network processing.

    A Unified Process

    The neural network developed by AMD effectively combines denoising and upscaling into a singular process. In most rendering systems, these steps are usually separate, but AMD has streamlined the workflow. By processing low-resolution renders with merely one sample per pixel and utilizing temporal accumulation and guidance buffers, their system can recreate sharp, high-resolution visuals.

    Comparing with Nvidia’s Technology

    This technique is not quite the same as Nvidia’s DLSS, which divides upscaling, frame generation, and ray reconstruction into distinct phases. DLSS also relies on specialized AI hardware found in RTX GPUs, but it remains uncertain whether AMD’s solution will function on existing RDNA GPUs or if new hardware will be necessary for support.

    AMD’s team has outlined several key objectives they hope to achieve with this new technology:

    This breakthrough may serve as the foundation for the upcoming next-gen FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) from AMD. Nevertheless, considering how demanding modern path-traced games are, we will probably require more powerful hardware to fully utilize the capabilities this technology offers.

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  • RedMagic 10 Pro Launch Date Announced for Snapdragon 8 Elite

    RedMagic 10 Pro Launch Date Announced for Snapdragon 8 Elite

    RedMagic has announced when its new gaming smartphone, the RedMagic 10 Pro, will be released. It is set to launch in China on November 13, with an international release possibly happening in December or early 2025. There are also whispers about an Ultra model, but details from the company are still missing on that front.

    Specifications of the RedMagic 10 Pro

    The RedMagic 10 Pro will be one of the first gaming smartphones featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. A recent teaser image shared by the company shows that it will come equipped with an active cooling system, similar to previous models. This design will help the new Qualcomm flagship SoC maintain consistent performance even during demanding tasks.

    Design Features

    The teaser also gives a sneak peek at the phone’s front design, revealing a full-screen display that includes an under-display selfie camera. When compared to the RedMagic 9S Pro (which can be found on Amazon), it looks like the bezels have been reduced a bit. If this is accurate, the new gaming phone may provide a richer viewing experience than its predecessors.

    Possible Variants and Battery

    Though not officially confirmed, it seems likely that the RedMagic 10 Pro+ will launch alongside the Pro version. It’s still uncertain how these two models will differ, but the speculated Ultra variant might come with a display of 7 inches or more. The Pro+ is expected to feature a substantial 7,050 mAh battery—much larger than the previous model—potentially made possible with a SiC battery. Additionally, it is rumored to support 120W fast charging.

    RedMagic shared this information on Weibo.

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  • October 2024 Steam Hardware Survey Shows Stable Trends

    October 2024 Steam Hardware Survey Shows Stable Trends

    Steam has released the findings from its October hardware survey. The hardware landscape remains mostly unchanged, with Intel processors leading the way over AMD, holding a 66%-33% advantage. Unlike GPUs, we don’t see a detailed breakdown of models, but it’s clear that Intel’s stronghold in the laptop sector plays a significant role in this dominance.

    GPU Popularity

    The xx60 series GPUs remain a favorite among gamers, as the GeForce RTX 3060 leads in desktops while the GeForce RTX 4060 takes the lead in laptops. The desktop variant is catching up quickly and should reach similar levels soon. Interestingly, the older GeForce RTX 1650 ranks fourth, surpassing the more robust RTX 2060.

    AMD’s Position

    As expected, AMD’s products are lower on the ranking. The first entry is an unlisted Radeon GPU, which is probably the 780M. Following that is the Radeon RX 6600, then the Radeon RX 580. Notably, Nvidia’s top-tier GeForce RTX 4090 ranks above AMD’s offerings, while the Radeon RX 7900 XTX is positioned below the aging GeForce RTX 1650 Super.

    Operating System Trends

    Windows 11 remains the most commonly used operating system, and 1080p is still the favored resolution for gamers. Despite the Steam Deck’s rise in popularity, Linux users represent a mere 2% of the total user base. These patterns are expected to persist until early 2025, when we might see a slow shift as new hardware from Intel, Nvidia, and AMD becomes available.

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  • Samsung to Bring Back Manual Thermal Throttling in One UI 7

    Samsung to Bring Back Manual Thermal Throttling in One UI 7

    Samsung Galaxy phone users who want the ultimate gaming experience might find a recent leak regarding the new One UI 7 update intriguing.

    New Feature Discovery

    Chuvn8888, a trusted source known for accurate info on Samsung updates, has revealed that One UI 7 might include a hidden feature allowing users to completely turn off thermal throttling. Thermal throttling is a safety measure that automatically reduces the processor’s speed when the device’s internal temperature rises too high. This process helps prevent overheating, which can harm parts of the phone and reduce its overall lifespan. However, this feature can also cause performance drops during graphically intensive tasks, like gaming.

    Developer Options Insight

    According to Chuvn8888, the forthcoming Samsung skin will feature a distinct “Disable Thermal Throttling” toggle located in the Developer Options menu. This section usually consists of advanced settings not designed for everyday users, as changing these options can result in unintended results. This isn’t the first time Samsung has explored such a feature. One UI 6 previously had a similar option but required users to access the Samsung Device Health Manager Service via a third-party application. Samsung eventually eliminated this workaround, indicating some reluctance to allow users to bypass the thermal throttling protections.

    Uncertain Future

    The leak indicates that One UI 7 might bring back this capability. However, it’s crucial to note that Developer Options are aimed at experienced users and contain settings that could negatively affect the phone’s stability if not managed correctly. Moreover, One UI 7 is still in the works, and there is no certainty that this specific feature will make it to the final version. Even if it does, users should be cautious about completely disabling thermal throttling.

    While the temptation to enhance performance is easy to understand, skipping the phone’s built-in safety measures could result in overheating problems. This could, in turn, shorten the device’s lifespan and possibly lead to hardware issues.

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  • Google Play Store Teases Upcoming New Android Device Category

    Google Play Store Teases Upcoming New Android Device Category

    Google is getting ready to broaden the reach of its Play Store to cover extended reality (XR) headsets, based on recent findings in the app store’s code. This development indicates that Google is setting the stage for a major entry into the XR market, possibly with its own devices or through collaborations with other companies.

    Play Store Welcomes XR

    The newest version of the Play Store app has a fresh icon showing an XR headset and mentions of “XR headset” in the app listings. This shows that Google is planning a special section for XR applications, much like the current categories for smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices.

    In the past, Google has dabbled in XR with projects like Cardboard and Daydream, but these were mainly focused on mobile virtual reality. The new support for XR headsets marks a more serious dedication to this technology and a wish to compete with other significant players in this field.

    Collaborations in the Works

    The timing of this update lines up with Google’s current partnerships with Samsung and Qualcomm on a new XR headset. This joint project is designed to create a premium XR device powered by Android and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors. By adding XR support to the Play Store, Google can build a strong ecosystem of applications and content for its forthcoming headset.

    While the specific aspects of Google’s XR ambitions remain uncertain, the detection of these code alterations hints that we might witness a major announcement soon. This could mean the unveiling of Google’s own XR headset, collaborations with other manufacturers, or merely an extension of the Play Store to accommodate current XR devices.

    Positive Outlook for XR

    No matter the exact direction ahead, Google’s initiative to welcome XR is a promising indicator for the technology’s future. With the backing of a significant player like Google, XR could potentially evolve into a mainstream platform for gaming, entertainment, and productivity.

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  • Xiaomi Launches G24i Gaming Monitor for $129.99 with 180Hz IPS

    Xiaomi Launches G24i Gaming Monitor for $129.99 with 180Hz IPS

    Xiaomi has recently pushed out the Gaming Monitor G24i, a compact gaming display that was first revealed back in September. At that time, the company shared a variety of information about the monitor but didn’t disclose its pricing details.

    Availability and Specs

    Now, the monitor is available for purchase in Europe, the UK, and the US. To summarize the features, the Gaming Monitor G24i includes an IPS panel with a diagonal measurement of only 23.8 inches. It has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and offers viewing angles of 178 degrees horizontally and vertically.

    Performance Features

    This monitor also boasts a peak brightness of 250 nits and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, along with an impressive 99% coverage of the sRGB color space. Additionally, it features a refresh rate of 180 Hz, a 1 ms response time (GtG), and supports AMD FreeSync technology. For connectivity, there is one DisplayPort and one HDMI port for video outputs.

    Pricing Information

    Right now, the Gaming Monitor G24i can be found for £89.99 in the UK and €119.99 in the Eurozone when bought directly from Xiaomi. Alternatively, in the US, it is listed for $129.99 on Amazon. For further information, check out Xiaomi’s official website.

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