Tech News
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Unleash Hell: DOOM: The Dark Ages Now Open for Pre-order!
The iconic FPS franchise, DOOM, an essential part of gaming history since its debut in 1993, is returning with its newest entry: DOOM: The Dark Ages. Developed by id Software in collaboration with Bethesda Softworks, this upcoming title explores the early narrative of the legendary DOOM Slayer, placing players in a medieval setting where they must confront a renewed invasion from Hell. Notably, this marks the series' first entirely new installment since the 2016 reboot.
Scheduled for release on May 15, 2025, DOOM: The Dark Ages maintains the franchise's trademark intensity but shifts the familiar sci-fi themes to a dark, gothic-inspired medieval environment. Players will navigate shadowy fortresses, expansive battlefields, dense forests, and supernatural realms, combating monstrous adversaries with an arsenal that includes new weaponry like the Shield Saw. The combat mechanics continue to emphasize brutal, fast-paced encounters, blending melee and ranged combat effectively.
According to the official website, a notable addition to this installment is the inclusion of combat vehicles. Players can control powerful units like the Atlan mech and the Mecha Dragon, significantly influencing battle strategies and providing a fresh tactical dimension alongside traditional DOOM-style gameplay.
Pre-orders for DOOM: The Dark Ages are now available, offering both a Standard Edition and a Premium Edition with various additional features.
Further details and pre-order information can be found on the official website: https://doom.bethesda.net/en-US/the-dark-ages.
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Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 Motherboard @ Funky Kit
FunkyKit recently put the Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite WiFi 7 motherboard through its paces, and the verdict is largely positive. This board offers a compelling blend of features and performance for Ryzen 7000 series processors, particularly appealing to gamers and enthusiasts.
" ... If you're planning to build a gaming PC using AMD's new Ryzen 9000-series X3D processors, then take a look at the Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WiFi7 motherboard. It offers good performance and a decent amount of features, including EZ-Latch Plus and EZ-Latch click for easy DIY assembly. What's more, with Gigabyte's X3D Turbo Mode, you can use non-X3D CPUs to achieve similar gaming performance levels as their X3D counterparts. Just enable it in the BIOS. "
The review highlights the board's robust power delivery, which ensures stable operation even under heavy loads. The inclusion of WiFi 7 is a significant advantage, offering blazing-fast wireless connectivity. FunkyKit also praises the board's solid VRMs and effective cooling solution.
While the BIOS could be a bit more user-friendly, the overall experience is positive. The board offers a good selection of connectivity options and a clean aesthetic. Ultimately, the Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite WiFi 7 is a well-rounded motherboard that delivers excellent value for its price point. Overall, Funky Kit's review confirms this is a solid choice.
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ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX Keyboard Review @ ThinkComputers.org
ThinkComputers.org recently published a review of the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard, highlighting its unique features and customizable design. This compact 75% keyboard offers a blend of functionality and aesthetics, catering to gamers and enthusiasts alike.
The review notes that the Falchion Ace HFX boasts a comfortable typing experience with its high-quality switches and customizable actuation points. The keyboard’s unique split design and detachable cable offer increased flexibility and personalization.
"If you have been following competitive keyboards over the past year you know that Hall Effect keyboards have become extremely popular allowing for faster and more accurate movement in games. ASUS is jumping into this arena with their ROG Falchion Ace HFX, which is a 65% gaming keyboard that makes use of their own ROG HFX magnetic switches, a gasket-mount design with five layers of sound dampening, 8000 Hz polling rate, and some pretty nifty features we haven't seen on other keyboards. Of course you are going to have support for things like rapid trigger and snap tap (ASUS calls it speed tap). Let's take a look a see if this is the keyboard series gamers need to consider."
Additional features include vibrant RGB lighting, customizable keycaps, and a dedicated macro key. The keyboard’s software allows for extensive customization of lighting effects, key assignments, and macro programming.
Overall, the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX is a well-designed and feature-rich keyboard that offers a unique blend of performance, customization, and aesthetics.
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Crucial P310 2TB NVMe M.2 2230 SSD @ Funky Kit
Funky Kit has just published an in-depth review of the Crucial P310 2TB NVMe M.2 2230 SSD, highlighting its performance and suitability for compact devices. Designed with a focus on power efficiency, the P310 leverages Micron's advanced 3D NAND technology and a Phison controller to deliver sequential read speeds up to 7,100 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,000 MB/s. This makes it a compelling choice for ultrabooks and handheld gaming consoles requiring high-speed storage in a compact form factor.
" ... The Crucial P310 is one of the best tiny SSDs we've seen for mobile computers and handheld gaming consoles. It delivers high performance for all those who need it the most, and is compatible with most devices on the market. "
The review notes that the P310's M.2 2230 form factor enhances its compatibility with space-constrained devices, offering a significant performance boost over previous-generation SSDs. However, it also mentions the use of QLC NAND flash, which results in a relatively modest endurance rating of 440 TBW. Despite this, Funky Kit concludes that the Crucial P310 2TB SSD provides a balance of high performance and reasonable pricing, making it a viable option for users seeking to upgrade their portable devices.
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ADATA SC740 External Solid State Drive Review @ ThinkComputers.org
ThinkComputers recently published a comprehensive review of the ADATA SC740 External Solid State Drive (SSD), highlighting its innovative design and performance capabilities. This portable SSD distinguishes itself with an integrated USB-C cable, ensuring users are never without a connection—a thoughtful feature that enhances convenience for those frequently on the move. The SC740 boasts impressive sequential read and write speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s and 1,000 MB/s, respectively, facilitating rapid data transfers suitable for tasks ranging from file migration between systems to serving as a reliable game or editing drive.
"External solid state drives are nothing new, they provide fast portable storage whether you are transferring files between systems, need a portable game or editing drive, or even just need to add some quick storage to something like a laptop. ADATA's latest external solid state drive is the SC740. What sets this drive apart from many others is that it comes with a built-in USB cable so you never forget it! On top of that the drive features read and write speeds of 1050 MB/s and 1000 MB/s respectively as well as a pretty compact design. Let's take a look and see what this drive is all about."
Overall, ThinkComputers' review underscores the ADATA SC740 as a compelling option for users seeking a portable SSD that combines speed, durability, and user-friendly features. Its integrated cable design and high-performance metrics position it favorably among competitors in the external SSD market.
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Lexar Ships the World’s First 1TB microSD Express Card for use with Nintendo Switch 2
The Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card delivers 4x the performance to significantly level-up handheld gaming
San Jose, CA, USA, April 2, 2025—Lexar, a leading global brand of flash memory solutions, is excited to ship of the world’s first 1TB microSD Express card. Built on the new SD card standard that combines PCI Express 3.0 and NVMe 1.3 interfaces, the PLAY PRO microSDXC™ Express Card delivers substantially improved performance, perfect for handheld gaming devices.
Key Features
- PCIe technology delivers read speeds up to 900MB/s* so the game loads 4x faster
- Write speed up to 600MB/s* delivers accelerated download speeds**
- 1TB microSD Express card offers more space for games
- Backwards-compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II host devices (at UHS-I speeds)
- Includes a limited lifetime warranty** and lifetime access to the Lexar Recovery Tool
With up to 900MB/s read and 600MB/s write1, the PLAY PRO microSDXC™ Express Card offers the fastest speeds in the microSD Express card format and gives gamers an epic performance power-up that delivers faster game loads and accelerated downloads. With capacity up to 1TB,*** it also offers space for many large AAA games. It is backwards-compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II host devices (at UHS-I speeds), but future-proofed for tomorrow’s cutting-edge handheld gaming systems and other upcoming devices that will leverage this next-gen technology.
The PLAY PRO microSDXC™ Express Card also comes with a limited lifetime warranty** and lifetime access to the Lexar Recovery Tool,**** which customers can use to restore accidentally deleted or formatted files.
“The new microSD Express standard offers us a way to deliver a memory card with incomparable performance in that form factor,” said Joey Lopez, Director of Brand Marketing. “We’re excited to create a card for our customers that leverages the benefits of this new standard and prepares gamers for the next generation of handheld gaming.”
The Lexar® PLAY PRO microSDXC™ Express Card is available in 1TB for an MSRP of $199.99, 512GB for an MSRP of $99.99, and 256GB for an MSRP of $49.99.
Availability: Amazon
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KLEVV Expands DDR5 Gaming/OC Memory Lineup with New Colors, Lower Latency, and AMD-Optimized Variants
BLAZING FAST PERFORMANCE MEETS MINIMALIST DESIGN FOR GAMERS AND CREATORS
KLEVV, the leading consumer memory and storage brand introduced by Essencore, today announces exciting updates to its DDR5 Gaming/OC memory lineup. The new releases include stylish color options for the FIT V and BOLT V series, enhanced performance with lower latency SKUs, and “Optimized for AMD” variants across its DDR5 OC models. This update boosts overall system efficiency and expands platform compatibility, offering gamers, creators, and professionals even more choices to elevate their systems.
Sleek New Color Options for Every Build
KLEVV introduces two fresh color variations to its FIT V and BOLT V memory series, complementing a broader range of system designs. The FIT V series now features an elegant Jet Black edition, delivering a minimalist and understated aesthetic tailored for creators and professionals. Meanwhile, the BOLT V series now features an all new pure White edition, combining a bold, modern aesthetic alongside high-speed performance tailored for gamers.
KLEVV is updating its FIT V and BOLT V memory series with two fresh new color variations to complement a broader range of system designs. The FIT V series now introduces a sophisticated Jet Black version, delivering a minimalist and understated aesthetic tailored for creators and professionals. Meanwhile, the BOLT V series debuts a Pure White edition, combining a bold, modern look with the high-speed performance that gamers demand.
Enhanced Performance with Lower Latency
Beyond aesthetics, KLEVV improves its CRAS V RGB, URBANE V RGB, BOLT V, and FIT V series with reduced latency, enhancing responsiveness and efficiency. The 6000MT/s variants now offer latency as low as CL26 or CL28, while the 6400MT/s models achieve CL30, , depending on the model, ensuring smoother and more efficient operation for demanding applications and gaming scenarios.
Broader Platform Compatibility with "Optimized for AMD" Versions
To provide a seamless user experience, KLEVV is updating its DDR5 Gaming/OC memory lineup with additional "Optimized for AMD" versions. Users can easily identify compatible SKUs by checking the designated sticker on the packaging. This update expands broader compatibility, allowing users to maximize system efficiency across both Intel and AMD platforms effortlessly.
Designed for Gamers, Creators and Professionals
The new black and white heatsink color options align with minimalist design philosophy, catering to users who prefer a sleek and refined aesthetic. Whether for gaming, content creation, or professional workloads, KLEVV’s updated memory lineup delivers unrivaled style and performance.
Availability & Warranty
KLEVV's new DDR5 Gaming/OC memory module variants come with a limited lifetime peace of mind warranty and will be available starting Q2. Consumers may visit KLEVV official site for detailed purchase information, or visit Amazon sites and other online retailers for direct purchases.
Further Information
- CRAS V RGB: https://www.klevv.com/ken/products_details/memory/Klevv_CrasVRGB
- URBANE V RGB: https://www.klevv.com/ken/products_details/memory/Klevv_UrbaneVRGB
- BOLT V DDR5: https://www.klevv.com/ken/products_details/memory/Klevv_BoltV
- FIT V DDR5: https://www.klevv.com/ken/products_details/memory/Klevv_FITV
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ASUS GeForce RTX 5090 TUF @ TechPowerUp
TechPowerUp recently published a detailed review of the ASUS GeForce RTX 5090 TUF, underscoring its outstanding performance capabilities and durable construction. Engineered for high-end gaming and intensive professional applications, this flagship GPU delivers cutting-edge graphics performance and exceptional thermal efficiency.
According to the review, the RTX 5090 TUF excels in both synthetic benchmarks and real-world usage, delivering fluid gameplay at ultra-high resolutions with ray tracing fully enabled. Its robust cooling solution—featuring an oversized heatsink and dual axial-tech fans—maintains optimal temperatures during extended workloads, effectively minimizing the risk of thermal throttling.
The card also offers a range of customization options through ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting, allowing seamless integration into personalized system builds. In addition, the included GPU Tweak III software provides users with intuitive tools for performance tuning and real-time monitoring.
"The ASUS GeForce RTX 5090 TUF comes at a $450 price increase over the NVIDIA MSRP, and that's not even the OC model. You get excellent build quality, great looks, and some unexpected extra performance. Thanks to the dual BIOS you have a choice between great temperatures and a quiet gaming experience..."
Supporting advanced technologies such as DLSS 3 and real-time ray tracing, the RTX 5090 TUF is well-suited for gamers and professionals demanding premium performance, stability, and visual fidelity. TechPowerUp concludes that it is a compelling choice for those building high-performance systems with reliability and customization in mind.
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Assassin's Creed Shadows Performance Benchmark @ TechPowerUp
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has been generating buzz in the gaming community, and TechPowerUp recently published an in-depth performance benchmark of the title. Set in feudal Japan, the game offers a dual-protagonist system featuring Naoe, a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, a formidable samurai. The review highlights the game's visually rich environments, cinematic presentation, and immersive world-building, which together mark a new technical direction for the franchise.
TechPowerUp’s analysis focuses on the game's performance across a wide range of modern GPUs. Built on the Anvil Engine with significant enhancements, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows includes ray-traced shadows, ambient occlusion, and reflections. The benchmark results show that while the game is demanding, especially at ultra settings with ray tracing enabled, it scales well across different hardware tiers. However, to achieve smooth 4K gameplay with maximum settings, high-end GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX are recommended.
"Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally here, transporting players to feudal Japan in an open-world adventure filled with stealth, combat, and exploration. Shadows finally brings RT support to the Series and delivers stunning visuals but also demands powerful hardware. In our performance review, we examine its graphical fidelity, VRAM usage, and how well it runs on a variety of modern GPUs."
The review also dives into VRAM usage and CPU performance, noting that the game can exceed 10 GB of VRAM at higher resolutions and quality presets. TechPowerUp praised Ubisoft's efforts in offering flexible graphics options, DLSS and FSR support, and reasonably optimized performance for such a visually ambitious title. Overall, the review concludes that Assassin’s Creed: Shadows delivers a strong technical showcase—one that benefits from modern hardware and rewards players with both visual fidelity and a compelling gameplay experience.
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Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review @ GURU3D
Guru3D recently released a comprehensive review of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, emphasizing its remarkable performance in both gaming and multitasking scenarios. Designed for high-end users, this processor boasts 16 cores and 32 threads, paired with AMD’s innovative 3D V-Cache technology to boost memory throughput and minimize latency.
According to the review, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers top-tier gaming performance across a wide range of titles, frequently surpassing rival CPUs in benchmark results. The enhanced cache structure contributes to higher frame rates and faster load times, offering a smoother and more responsive gameplay experience.
Beyond gaming, the CPU proves highly capable in demanding productivity workloads, including video editing, 3D rendering, and development environments. Its impressive power efficiency supports sustained performance under heavy use, with minimal risk of thermal throttling.
Guru3D also commends the chip’s seamless integration with tools like AMD Ryzen Master, allowing users to fine-tune performance and monitor system health. Altogether, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands out as a powerful and versatile solution for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
