Review Index Page 18

  • HP Envy x360 13 Review

    Today we're finally looking at another Ryzen Mobile laptop, the second ever system we've had proper hands on time with. Despite a few difficulties finding these systems on the market, HP has pulled through with their brand new Envy x360 13-inch, and this - spoiler alert - is a fantastic system.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    85
  • Dead Cells Review: Castlevania-inspired

    Dead Cells is a Castlevania-inspired side-scrolling action game from the French developer Motion Twin. In addition to having unusually progressive payroll policies, the indie studio is evidently very good at making video games. Yes, Dead Cells is a winner, particularly if you're into the idea of slowly rolling a boulder up a hill while periodically noticing that the boulder just got a little bit lighter.
    By Kirk Hamilton on
  • Tested: One of the Best-Selling (No Brand) Gaming Monitors on Amazon

    Today we're looking at a monitor from a brand we've never used before. Viotek is popular on Amazon as they make some of the cheapest gaming monitors you can get, but how do they stack up over a better known brand option?
    By Tim Schiesser on
    85
  • Razer Blade 2018 Review

    One of the most popular gaming laptops on the market continues to be the Razer Blade. New for 2018, Razer has refined the design and improved the internal hardware to make it even better than before. With the 2018 Blade, Razer is fully on board with the thin bezel revolution.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    80
  • Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 Review

    When Dell brought us the first Kaby Lake-G laptop to market we were very excited to see how the combo processor would perform. We've already gone through all the performance, now let's discuss whether it's actually worth buying the first Kaby Lake-G laptop: the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    75
  • GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs. Radeon RX 570 4GB: 2018 Update

    Today we're revisiting a mid-range GPU battle between the Radeon RX 570 4GB and GeForce GTX 1060 3GB. It's been a little over a year since we compared these two head to head in an extensive 28 game battle, so we thought it was about time to take another look now that GPU prices seem to be coming back down to more reasonable prices.
    By Steven Walton on
  • Intel's Spectre 'Variant 4' Performance Tested: Speculative Store Bypass

    Today we're taking a look at the impact addressing the Spectre 'Variant 4' CPU flaw has on Intel's 8th-gen Core CPUs. The initial Meltdown and Spectre patches didn't take care of everything and just recently Intel and Microsoft have rolled out updates to address Variant 4 a.k.a. 'Speculative Store Bypass'.
    By Steven Walton on
  • NVMe SSD Roundup 2018: Intel Optane, WD Black and Samsung 970 Evo/Pro

    The SSD market can seem overwhelming at first glance, but we'll tell you, it is a great time to upgrade your storage considering ever-lower prices and two distinct segments that go from fast and relatively affordable to extremely fast and more costly solutions, which we're looking at today: NVMe solid storage.
    By William Gayde on
  • GeForce GT 1030: The DDR4 Abomination Benchmarked

    Today we're taking a look at what's one of the worst graphics cards ever released. But before we get to that... imagine you're on a seriously tight budget, likely some of you won't have to be too creative, after all PC gaming is something most of us do to unwind after a day of work, relax a bit, and have some fun.
    By Steven Walton on
  • Ryzen 7 2700X vs. Core i7-8700K: 35 Game Benchmark

    Today we're finally bringing you the epic gaming battle between the Ryzen 7 2700X and Core i7-8700K that so many have been requesting. The flagship Ryzen packs 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-8700K offers two less cores for a 6 core/12 thread configuration, but at a higher frequency and with more room for overclocking.
    By Steven Walton on
  • Intel Kaby Lake G Core i7-8705G Review

    Today, we're finally going to explore Kaby Lake G, one of the most unexpected and interesting pieces of hardware to come from Intel in a while. This is the first ever chip that combines an Intel CPU and AMD GPU onto the one piece of silicon, forming what is essentially the fastest APU-style processor on the market.
    By Tim Schiesser on
  • NVMe SSD Storage Performance: Intel Z370 vs. AMD X470

    Today we're looking at high speed storage performance by comparing AMD and Intel mainstream desktop chipsets with ADATA's latest and greatest XPG SX8200 960GB SSD, one of today's favorites drives among enthusiasts, perfect for comparing the storage performance of AMD's X470 and Intel's Z370 chipsets.
    By Steven Walton on
  • We Tried the World's First Analog Mechanical Keyboard: 3 Months with the Wooting one

    The Wooting one is, to my knowledge, the world's first true tenkeyless, analog mechanical keyboard. It features pressure-sensitive keys that are specifically designed to give PC gamers the same benefits console gamers have access to. You can move at any speed you'd like, which is particularly useful for racing games, first-person shooters and stealth titles.
    By Cohen Coberly on
    85
  • MSI Infinite X Gaming Desktop Review

    Choosing your next PC can be a rather daunting process. Do you go with a pre-built or build your own? Do you go with a small form factor or a full size? Today I'll be taking a look at MSI's Infinite X Gaming Desktop which should be a strong contender in the pre-built market. It's a full sized, gaming powerhouse with an impressive aesthetic to match.
    By William Gayde on
    80
  • LG Gram 13 Review

    Today we're looking at the LG Gram, which falls into our favorite category of laptops: high-end slim and light machines (2.1 pounds to be exact). The latest LG Gram has been around for a few months, but with most reviews focusing on the larger 15" model, we specifically requested the 13" entry-level which is an affordable and compelling option at ~1,000.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    80
  • AMD Coolers Tested: Wraith Prism vs. Wraith Spire vs. Wraith Stealth

    AMD upped the game with the stock CPU coolers it bundled with Ryzen processors and they kicked it up another notch with 2nd-gen Ryzen which come with one of three Wraith models that we are comparing today: the Stealth, Spire and Prism.
    By Steven Walton on
  • FreeSync 2 in Action: How Good is It (Right Now)?

    FreeSync 2 is AMD's monitor technology for the next generation of HDR gaming displays. After an explainer on FreeSync 2, now we are testing one of these monitors for some gaming, and telling you if they're worth buying right now.
    By Tim Schiesser on
  • Sega Genesis Flashback HD Review

    While Nintendo is setting the world on fire with its 90s nostalgia trip, let's say your 16-bit desires are more unconventional. Perhaps you enjoy your games with a bit more violence and/or hedgehogs. Then the Sega Genesis Flashback HD may have you covered.
    By Chris Kohler on
  • Ryzen 5 2600 vs. Core i5-8400: 36 Game Benchmark

    For the past few weeks we've been busy benchmarking AMD's Ryzen 5 2600 and Intel's Core i5-8400. For testing we have 36 games on the menu, each tested at 720p, 1080p and 1440p using the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. That is, 324 individual tests, three times each... almost 1,000 benchmark runs, so grab a drink, some snacks and get comfortable.
    By Steven Walton on
  • A Gamer's Guide to Not Getting Hacked

    If you play video games, you are an ideal target to get wrecked by hackers. Gamers are very online. They log in to a lot of stuff. They have some money. They want to be better than other gamers. And they like to use the password "Dragon."
    By Cecilia D'Anastasio on
  • The Best Value CPU: Pentium Gold G5400 vs. Ryzen 3 2200G

    There are now several Coffee Lake-based Pentium Gold chips starting at just $64. So we've decided to pit it against AMD's best value CPU, the Ryzen 3 2200G which is $100 but it gets you good integrated graphics. You have to wonder what's the best value between the two.
    By Steven Walton on
  • MSI GS65 Stealth Thin Review

    MSI has joined the Coffee Lake laptop party with a brand new slim gaming laptop. The MSI GS65 has been hotly anticipated as it brings new internal hardware along with a full refresh of MSI's gaming line build and design.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    85
  • AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Review

    Today we're checking out the $200 Ryzen 5 2600, the most affordable chip of AMD's 2nd-gen processors. It's a bit cheaper than the 2600X we tested on launch day, but the real competition comes from the Core i5-8400 which is a little more affordable at $179. Let's find out where each stands.
    By Steven Walton on
    90
  • Gigabyte Aero 15X v8 Review

    Today we're taking a closer look at the Gigabyte Aero 15X, launched alongside Intel's new H-series Coffee Lake processors which brought up to 6 cores and 12 threads to the laptop form factor. Gigabyte is key to stress this isn't just a gaming laptop, but a machine designed for productivity, and that shows with features like an X-Rite certified display.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    80
  • AMD Ryzen 7 2700X & Ryzen 5 2600X Review

    It's been great to have more competition in the CPU sector since Ryzen arrived. Based on a refreshed Zen+ architecture, today we're testing AMD's new X processors: the 2700X is an 8-core/16-thread CPU with a 3.7 GHz base and a 4.3 GHz max boost and the 2600X is a 6-core/12-thread CPU operating at 100 MHz lower clocks.
    By Steven Walton on
    90
  • Samsung Galaxy S9+ Review

    In the Android world, there is no bigger event than Samsung's yearly launch of their latest Galaxy S devices. It is also one of the earliest on the year cycle with the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ arriving at MWC in late February. Both devices present iterative updates for 2018, with upgrades on most fronts along with some neat feature additions as well as more gimmicky ones.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    70
  • God of War Review

    This new God of War is an excellent game, lovingly crafted and engaging all the way through. But much has changed. It's not merely the drastically revamped combat, with its over-the-shoulder angle and its emphasis on evasion. It's also the story, and the way it tells that story, with an emphasis on family relationships and quiet, low-key moments.
    By Chris Kohler on
  • HP Envy x2 Review

    Today we're looking closely at the first Snapdragon 835 device running Windows: the HP Envy x2. Having used it for a few weeks, there's a lot of things HP did well to make this a hardware experience to rival the Microsoft Surface.
    By Tim Schiesser on
    50
  • Intel Core i5-8400 (B360) vs. AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (B350)

    Before the incoming 2nd-gen Ryzen parts arrive this shootout will let us establish how AMD and Intel currently stack up with all the latest Windows updates, BIOS updates, driver updates and new motherboards we have on hand, giving us an up to date reference point for the new CPUs.
    By Steven Walton on
  • Intel Core i7-8750H Review: Hexa-core Processor for Laptops

    The Core i7-8750H is one of seven new Coffee Lake H-series processors designed for performance notebooks, workstations and gaming laptops. The i7-8750H is essentially the successor to the widely popular 'Kaby Lake' Core i7-7700HQ that was used in nearly every top-end gaming laptop over the last year or so.
    By Tim Schiesser on