Facebook Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 123

AC Mirage’s Free DLC Fails to Take Off, Hardly Hit 1000 Players on Steam

Story Highlight
  • Assassin’s Creed Mirage DLC only topped at about 1000 players on Steam.
  • The game is one of the worst-performing games in the series in terms of player count.
  • The title was intended to return the series to its roots, but it couldn’t take off.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage was titled as the return to its roots title for the franchise. The promise was quite high, and in the end, it even turned out to be a decent enough release, but it couldn’t really take off among the players. 

On Steam, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the worst-performing game in the series, with the least amount of players compared to the last few releases. Even the launch of its free DLC only helped it reach just over 1000 players. 

Why it matters: Fans were tired of Ubisoft integrating RPG elements into the series instead of using the old formula, so the company had hoped Mirage would achieve more, as it was closer to the earlier classic releases. 

AC Mirage players
Mirage DLC couldn’t take off as Ubisoft had hoped, despite being free

Ubisoft released the free expansion titled ‘Valley of Memory‘ a few days ago to an underwhelming number of players. It reached just over 1000 players, mirroring the overall reception Mirage has had in general. 

For context, Assassin’s Creed Mirage had around 7,000 peak players on Steam, which is significantly less than the numbers of Shadows, Valhalla, Odyssey, or Origins, despite the former having ‘Mostly Positive’ reviews on Steam. 

assassin's creed mirage valley of memory dlc
The DLC takes Basim to the region of AlUla in Saudi Arabia

The DLC in itself isn’t bad at all. It actually feels closer to how the franchise felt in its earlier years. The gameplay is revamped with some popular classic mechanics, and the story is also half decent.

However, fans don’t like Basim as the protagonist and argue that he has the least personality of any of the recent leads, despite him being a popular side character in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the Assassin’s Creed Mirage DLC? Have you played it? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Microsoft Could Launch SteamOS Consoles, Teases Former Xbox Executive

Story Highlight
  • Ex-Xbox executive Mike Ybarra teases that Microsoft might just launch a SteamOS console in the future.
  • He believes Xbox should adopt SteamOS for a console if Valve lets third parties use the OS.
  • SteamOS will do extremely well with third-party vendors and will cause Steam revenue to further soar. 

The Steam Machine has been in the spotlight since Valve announced its new set of hardware for the near future. Gamers have praised the idea of a console-like PC, which Xbox is also exploring for next-gen. But users are pretty upset about its presumed PC-like pricing.

Regardless, the device has been praised by multiple industry figures since its reveal. Now, former Xbox executive and ex-Blizzard president Mike Ybarra implies that Microsoft may launch SteamOS consoles if Valve were to allow third parties to use its signature OS.

Why it matters: It’s entirely possible for Microsoft to adopt SteamOS for a console if Valve allows third parties to use the OS in the future, given its new platform-agnostic and transparent outlook towards hardware.

Former Xbox Executive Mike Ybarra
Former Xbox Executive Mike Ybarra says Xbox should create a third-party SteamOS console. 

On Twitter, Mike requests that Valve should let third parties use SteamOS for their hardware, clarifying that the OS will perform better and even make Steam earn more, adding to the company’s already massive yearly revenue.

He also wants Valve to launch Steam OS with many different configurations. Rumors suggest Valve is already open to the idea of a Steam Machine Pro model, which could come with much higher specs and price.

This is what Xbox should do, btw. […] They could do GREAT if they embraced SteamOS on HW.

-Mike Ybarra, former Xbox executive.

Regardless, third-party vendors like ASUS are already producing Xbox-brand products like the ROG Ally X. Mike believes that Microsoft’s new multiplatform approach will let it easily adopt SteamOS for a future device if Valve gives the green light.

steam machine frame and controller
All new hardware from Valve that was recently announced, including the Steam Machine.

However, there could be many issues with a SteamOS console, as the Linux-based platform lacks decent anti-cheat support. It means multiplayer titles like Battlefield 6 and Fortnite may not work on such a device.

We’ll see how Valve finds a workaround with its upcoming Steam Machine.

Latest Updates

Do you think Microsoft should create a third-party console based on SteamOS in the future? Would such a partnership work out for both brands? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Sources Claim Rockstar Fired 34 Employees Over Private Discord Conversations, Not GTA 6 Leaks

Story Highlight
  • A new detailed report reveals that Rockstar fired 34 employees over private Discord conversations, not GTA 6.
  • The devs were allegedly fired for sharing internal company emails on a Discord server. 
  • The management viewed these discussions as a violation of workplace conduct rules and linked them to leaks.

Rockstar Games fired 34 employees a few weeks ago, amid accusations that the dismissals were intended to curb union-busting. Take-Two eventually stated that the layoffs were due to gross misconduct and leaking confidential information about GTA 6.

However, new information now suggests that these 34 employees were laid off only because of private conversations at the IWGB (Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain) Discord server about new company policies regarding Slack.

Why it matters: Rockstar firing employees just over private Discord conversations that included no GTA 6 leaks could have major repercussions for the company moving forward, as protests and pressure continue to mount.

People Make Games obtained these Discord messages from a Rockstar source discussing a ‘Slack Purge,’ which saw many informal channels deleted to boost productivity.

The employees were unhappy with the changes and informed others about the new policy by sharing internal company emails. Rockstar found the Discord server after a complaint, which either contributed to or kicked off an investigation into the involved employees.

The messages […] directly contributed to the firings of these 34 former employees.

Rockstar seems to have applied a broad interpretation of its policy against sharing confidential information, viewing the discussion as a violation of workplace conduct rules and eventually linking it to GTA 6 leaks.

They couldn’t recall a single example of any confidential game details being shared.

Some of these developers had been with Rockstar Games for over 10 years, and all of them were escorted out of the office by security guards after they were terminated.

GTA 6 Delayed Again
GTA 6 was recently delayed for a second time a few weeks ago.

Multiple protests have taken place outside Rockstar’s offices to demand the reinstatement of the developers since the layoffs. IWGB is also taking legal action, intending to sue the company for unfair dismissals if its demands are not met.

Latest Updates

Do you think Rockstar Games fired the 34 employees for a legitimate reason, or were they dismissed over a nothing burger? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Linux-Based Zorin 18 OS Tops A Million Users After Windows 10 Support Ends — 780K Switch From Windows

Story Highlight
  • Zorin 18, a Linux-based OS, has gained 1 million users in just a month since its release, of which 780k were former Windows users.
  • This shift is primarily due to the end of Windows 10 support.
  • Windows 11 requires a hardware upgrade, which isn’t feasible for most.

Ending a 10-year run, support for Windows 10 was officially discontinued last month on October 14th, leaving millions of users stranded without security updates. Typically, it would make sense for these users to upgrade to Windows 11, but that didn’t happen this time.

Instead, most have been shifting to Linux, which can be regarded as one of the biggest OS migrations in the history of computing. Zorin 18, a Linux-based OS launched last month, reached 1 million users in its first month, of which 780k were Windows users.

Why it matters: Linux OSes are gaining tremendous popularity in recent times, driven by increased game compatibility and improved user experience, as demonstrated by Zorin 18.

microsoft 11 copilot ai assistant
Microsoft Calls All Windows PCs ‘AI PCs‘

The real reason for such a shift is that the Windows 11 upgrade requires hardware upgrades, including TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and specific processors. This amounts to 200 million users ineligible for an upgrade.

Zorin 18 is the perfect alternative, as it can be customised to any interface you want, including Windows or even macOS. The performance is also clean, and the OS doesn’t come quite as bloated as Windows does.

Windows 7 Share
Windows 7 Market Share Is Still Rising

For those still unwilling to upgrade to Windows 11, Microsoft is offering an extended security update program for Windows 10, but it will cost around $61 and only lasts a year.

Latest Updates

Have you tried Zorin 18 yet? Let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Arc Raiders Is Closing In On 7 Million Copies Sold Across All Platforms, Analysts Claim

Story Highlight
  • Arc Raiders has sold nearly 7 million copies across all platforms, according to Alinea Analytics.
  • The game sold almost a million units on Steam last week, bringing in $25 million in revenue.
  • In addition, Embark’s title is losing only 2% of players each consecutive weekend.

Since its launch last month, Arc Raiders has been ploughing through competition on all platforms. The extraction shooter sold 1.5 million copies in just 3 days on Steam and just recently crossed the concurrent player count of Helldivers 2.

The Embark Studios title has also been a critical darling, becoming the highest-rated multiplayer game on Metacritic in over a decade. And, new data has revealed that four weeks in, the game is still selling like hot cakes.

Why it matters: Arc Raiders is proof that good community support and fan service are necessary to sustain success.

Arc Raiders sales
Arc Raiders has sold 750k copies on Steam in the last week.

According to Alinea Analytics, Arc Raiders has sold almost 7 million copies across all platforms as of November 24. The extraction shooter sold 750K units on Steam alone last week, bringing its total on the platform to 4 million. 

Furthermore, Arc Raiders is retaining most of its players on Steam. 1.6 million daily users logged in to the game this past weekend, which was only a 2% drop compared to the weekend before.

The extraction shooter also raked in $25 million in revenue on Steam alone in the last 7 days, selling twice as much compared to other best-sellers like Peak and Dispatch. 

Additionally, Alinea Analytics’ research found that Embark’s content strategy is a significant factor in the success of Arc Raiders. The studio is releasing patches and incorporating fan feedback at a breakneck pace.

Arc Raiders
Arc Raiders has lost only a few players on Steam.

Unlike most modern shooting titles, Arc Raiders did not include any form of absurd skins and also refunded players for all items they lost to cheaters. Hence, the game’s community support is essential to its sales.

The fan reception around Arc Raiders has been so good that many fans and streamers wanted it to win GOTY like Overwatch. However, the game will have to settle for commercial success this awards season.

Latest Updates

Why do you think Arc Raiders has been this successful so far? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Even A Discounted 64 GB of DDR5 RAM Is More Expensive Than PS5 Right Now

Story Highlight
  • Many high-end 64 GB memory kits have become so expensive that they easily surpass the cost of the PS5.
  • Even after Black Friday discounts, many kits sold on online stores are nearly as expensive as the PS5 Pro.
  • For example, G.Skill’s Trident Z5 Neo 6000 MT/s RAM is listed on Newegg for $599 even after a 6% discount.

RAM prices have exploded in the last few months alone due to growing AI demand, leading to market scarcity as vendors continue buying remaining stock in bulk. This is directly affecting all markets that rely on memory, including the gaming market.

Now, the situation has devolved to the point that many high-end 64 GB memory kits listed on online stores like Amazon and Newegg are now more expensive than a standard PS5 and most of its variants. 

Why it matters: The rising price trajectory of RAM kits shows that consoles are quickly becoming the more affordable and feasible solution for gaming.

At the moment, the highly popular G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 6000 MT/s RAM kit is being sold for $599 on Newegg even after the 6% Black Friday discount. Originally, the RAM was priced at $639.99 on the platform. 

To put things into perspective, you can snag a digital-only PS5 for $399, while the PS5 Slim with a disc drive is available for $449. The price is also just $50 less than what the PS5 Pro would cost you these days.

Additionally, the Xbox Series X with 1 TB is priced at $569, which is still less than this RAM kit. According to Amazon tracker Camelizer, the same RAM kit sold for just $199 from third-party vendors.

The pricing history of G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series DDR5 RAM on Amazon.

The pricing for DDR5 64 GB RAM kits is the same as for many other listings on Newegg and Amazon, and it is expected to get worse in the future. For example, the Corsair Vengeance 64 GB RAM Kit is being sold at a staggering $755 on Newegg.

Latest Updates

Do you think the memory prices will continue to rise in the future, or will the situation eventually stabilize in the first half of next year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

AMD Raising GPU Prices By At Least 10% Due To Severe Memory Shortage

Story Highlight
  • AMD could raise the price of its GPUs by at least 10% in the near future due to the RAM shortage.
  • Growing AI demand is also responsible for the price hike that will affect its entire product line.
  • The new pricing standard might be adopted for AMD’s new builds and upcoming cards.

The new age of AI has resulted in a massive RAM shortage since earlier this year, which appears to be getting worse over time. This has led to memory becoming quite expensive, which in turn is affecting the pricing of all products that directly rely on it.

GPUs are also projected to see huge price increases in the future, as a new report already reveals that AMD is planning to raise the pricing of its cards by at least 10% in the near future. This price hike affects all the models under its production line.

Why it matters: AMD raising its GPU prices could make PC gaming a more costly option than it already is for many gamers, with its somewhat affordable cards becoming as expensive as other options over time.

AMD Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT NITRO+
AMD GPUs may not stay affordable for many gamers in the future.

As reported by Taiwan’s UND, AMD has seemingly started notifying its board partners of the plan to increase GPU prices, claiming that the continuous rise in RAM prices has made graphics card production more expensive.

 Industry sources indicate that AMD, the second-largest graphics card manufacturer, has notified its partners of a second price increase across its entire product line, with the increase estimated to be at least 10%.

The main culprit behind the lack of memory is the industry’s new obsession with AI and the growing need for more data centers, causing RAM prices to soar by over 150% in just a month alone. 

Regardless, it’s unclear exactly when AMD will bump up the price tags of its GPUs in the future, so we suggest taking the rumors with a pinch of salt. The new pricing standard will likely affect AMD’s future GPU builds and upcoming cards. 

AMD Radeon RX 9070
Like Nvidia, the company is also suffering from the memory shortage.

In the past, it’s also been rumored that Microsoft wants to increase the Xbox Series X|S pricing soon due to rising memory costs.  

Latest Updates

Do you think AMD raising GPU prices across its entire product line will prove disastrous for the gaming industry? What is the best solution against the RAM shortage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Intel–NVIDIA Alliance: Effects on AMD & Gamers

Story Highlights
  • The alliance of Intel with Nvidia introduces the fusion of x86 CPUs with RTX-grade GPU technology, creating hybrid chips.
  • This new approach can help make gaming laptops and small PCs faster, cooler and much more efficient.
  • Some features may work best on Intel or Nvidia setups, making the ecosystem tighter.
  • AMD is now facing harder competition and must innovate at a higher pace to keep up.

The announcement of Intel and Nvidia working together riled up a lot of attention. This was not because the companies had never worked together, but rather due to the fact that their partnership is so good. Nvidia has announced $5 billion investment in Intel, and both have agreed to co-develop hybrid chips that merge x86 CPU technology with RTX-level GPU technology.

This partnership marks a rare moment in the tech industry where two giants set aside their differences to achieve something that neither could do alone. This highlights a future where the CPU and GPU are not only connected but are intertwined at the silicon level. Let’s dive right into what this alliance could mean for AMD and PC gamers.

Setting Aside Boundaries

For the longest time, PC architecture has relied on the CPU and GPU working as separate components that communicate with one another through PCIe lanes. While improved bandwidth and latency have contributed to better performance, the physical separation of the two components still limits the effective transfer of data between them. 

Intel and Nvidia
Nvidia Has Bet $5 billion on Intel – Image credits (Mobile World)

The alliance of Nvidia and Intel aims to break that barrier. The goal is to manufacture system-on-chip devices that integrate Nvidia’s GPU tiles with Intel’s CPU tiles on the same silicon chip. The CPU and GPU will be connected through Nvidia’s ultra-fast NVLink interface, allowing the two systems to function more like a single brain than two separate units.

Nvidia’s NVLink enables significantly faster communication than PCIe, which allows a shared memory architecture where the GPU and CPU can access the same memory pool. This will eliminate the delay between data transfers, particularly for work that involves rapid back-and-forth communication, making it a game-changer. This alone represents a generational leap forward in processing technology.

What It Means For Next-Gen PCs

The implications for consumers of this hardware are immense. If Intel and Nvidia succeed, the next wave of gaming laptops and desktops could behave much differently than what we see today. Instead of having a discrete GPU that consumes large amounts of power and dissipates a lot of heat, powerful RTX-level graphical technology could be embedded directly on the CPU package.

intel nvidia vs amd
Nvidia and Intel vs AMD – Image Credits (OrbeatX)

This would enable designers to create much thinner devices that consume less energy and generate less heat without sacrificing graphical power. This approach will also help consumers save cost of purchasing components; instead, they could opt for a hybrid chip. 

Gamers would notice the change immediately through faster load times, better frame rates, and an overall better performance in demanding titles. Also, AI technologies such as frame generation, neural graphics pipelines, and intelligent resolution scaling would be able to operate without bottlenecks. The integration will also help open paths for a multitude of new features that were previously not possible.

AMD’s Position In This New Era

Being the only company with high-power CPUs and GPUs under the same roof, AMD now faces a challenge on both fronts. For many years, AMD has excelled by offering APUs, gaming consoles, handheld PC chips, and desktop components that work seamlessly well together. But, Intel and Nvidia’s team-up could be the biggest challenge AMD has faced in decades. 

AMD itself acknowledged this partnership as a strategic technological threat. AMD now faces increased pricing pressure, stronger OEM relationships on the Intel–NVIDIA side, and the accelerated adoption of hybrid SoCs. All of these have put new consumer demands on AMD’s plate. 

AMD Vs Intel - Intel Processor
Intel Core Processor Chip – Image Credits (Pinterest)

Regardless of this, AMD has its own strongholds. The chiplet architecture is mature, APUs already dominate handheld gaming, and its GPUs are among the best out there. Apart from this, the partnership between AMD and consoles gives it a unique stand in gaming ecosystems. To maintain its position, AMD must now innovate, focus on efficiency, and work harder on cross-platform tech such as FSR and Hyper-RX.

Challenges Behind The Vision

Bringing two complex architectures together requires significant engineering coordination and planning. Integrating GPU tiles produced at one foundry with CPU tiles manufactured at another also introduces some supply-chain and packaging challenges. Apart from this, regulatory bodies may also scrutinise the alliance due to the impact it may have on market competition.

Latest Updates

Regardless, for gamers, this alliance holds both uncertainty and opportunity. On one hand, there are more powerful, cooler, and smarter devices, and on the other, more tightly controlled ecosystems. The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear that this is a big leap forward in gaming technology.

MSI MPG EZ120R ARGB Fans Review: A Must-Have Reverse-Blade Fan Set

I looked at MSI MPG EZ120 ARGB White edition fans last year. MSI brought a different approach to an already saturated market, with simplified fan connections using one cable connection with the EZ series of fans, and white fans are quite dope as well.

However, I felt that these fans lack the proper reverse design since the backside of regular fans is still far from giving a neat look if installed for air intake. MSI was listening to the feedback, and they have released the reverse-blade version of these fans. Say hello to MPG EZ120R ARGB fans. Where I wanted white fans to sync well with already available white edition EZ120 ARGB fans, I got the black edition of these to work with.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Nauman Siddique is our hardware expert who has been testing graphics cards, motherboards, processors, and AIOs for more than a decade.
  • 80+ coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 900+ hours spent testing different CPU coolers for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test CPU Coolers).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

The good thing is that I already have MSI MAG PANO 100L PZ White and MSI MPG Velox 300R Airflow PZ in black. The EZ120R ARGB is available in single-fan, 3-fan, and 4-fan packs. This is good thinking by the MSI. However, the hub is only provided in the 3 and 4-fan packs.

I am not sure about pricing, but my guess is that it would be near USD 119 since it was the price at which EZ120 ARGB 3-fan packs were released.

Dimension 120x120x28mm
Speed 0 to 1800 RPM ± 180
Noise Level 30.78 dBA
Air Flow 66.72 CFM
Air Pressure 1.82 mmH₂O
Rated Voltage
  • 12VDC for fan
  • 5VDC for ARGB LEDs
Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic Bearing
Connector 7-pin JAF / 4-pin PWM and 3-pin A-RGB
[toc]

Packaging And Unboxing

The fans are shipped inside a cardboard box. The box has a colorful packaging printing. The main shipping box has two more boxes inside that have cables, interconnects and a hub, etc.

The following are provided in a 3-fan pack:

  • 3 x MPG EZ120R ARGB fans
  • 3 x Decorative Blocks
  • 4 x Magnetic Connector Blocks
  • 1 x ARGB Fan Control Hub
  • 1 x Self-Adhesive Magnetic Plate
  • 1 x MicroUSB-JUSB Cable
  • 1 x Hub-JAF1 Cable
  • 1 x Hub-Fan-ARGB Y Cable
  • 4 x Fan-Hub Cables
  • 1 x Daisy Chain Cable
  • 12 x Screws (M5 10mm)
  • 12 x Screws (#6-32 33mm)

Design

Let’s start taking a look at these fans, starting with salient features:

  • Reverse Fan Blade Design
  • Patented Magnetic Connector Blocks
  • Magnetic Design Simplifies the Installation
  • Exclusive Fluid Dynamic Bearing with Extra Nut Fixing
  • Copper Tube or Cylinder in the motor hub
  • Fan hub & Daisy-chain cable are included in the 3-fan pack

Fans

The EZ120R fan has the same outlook and design as the EZ120 with a key difference. The R fans have 9x reverse blades, whereas the non-R fans have a regular blade design. The blades are frosted for even lighting.

These fans have the same diffuser lines on the borders. Mounting corners feature anti-vibration pads. The backside of the frame has an angular 4-armed set providing a focused flow. No cable can be seen since this is a cable-free design.

The center has a copper tube for the motor housing. This reinforces the FDB bearing and provides resistance to scaling, high mechanical strength and lifetime resistance. The FDB also utilizes the extra nut fixing to reduce the vibration noise from the bearing.

I am showing the side frames of the fans. First thing to notice is that these fans interconnect magnetically just like the CORSAIR QX120. However, the magnetic strength of EZ120/EZ120R is not as strong as that of CORSAIR fans.

The side of the frame also features a diffuser with backlighting, hence providing a 360-degree visual effect. Two sides of the frame have contact pads. One side has two similar black 6-pin pads, whereas one side has one black and one white pad.

These are actual contact points to transfer the signal and power. But they have another function, which is they add much-needed strength to the interconnected fans. Once these blocks are installed, we have a strong union on the assembly.

MSI has provided 3x decorative blocks. These are to be installed on the unused mounting corners. These are numbered to make it easy to identify the mounting corner to fill. Refer to the user guide for that. Why three? Because one mounting corner will have a cable connection.

MSI has provided magnetic blocks. I refer to these as inter-connects. However, you take it, these four blocks complete the internal circuit of the fans, delivering the power and signal while adding strength.

Blocks numbered five are used on one side, whereas the 6-number labelled blocks are installed on the opposite side. The arrow marker shows the direction of installation.

 

MSI has provided 4x Fan-to-Hub cables and 1x Daisy-Chain cable. Each fan-to-hub cable has a 7-pin connector that is connected to the hub and a 6-pin connector on the other end, which is connected to a mounting corner of the fan.

The daisy-chain cable allows the fans to be connected in a combination like 2+1, where 2 fans are interconnected and then a connection is established with the third fan. This is not needed if using all three fans on a single assembly.

I have connected three fans. Now you can see that one complete side of the assembly has same color pads. For these, you will need to use 5-number-labeled magnetic blocks as shown. Insert them on the corners, and they will form a tight seal between two adjacent fans while also completing the circuit.

The opposite side of the assembled fans will have two color pads as can be seen in the pictures. You will need 6 number labeled magnetic blocks to connect these fans. You must align the white contact pins with white pads and black on black.

The above pictures show the integrated fan assembly using magnetic and decorative blocks. The white fans are EZ120 ARGB fans with regular fan blade assembly.

The above picture shows the cable(s) connected to the fan assembly. I have also shown a daisy-chain application for understanding.

Fan Hub

Now it is time to a look at the hub and its connectivity options.

The hub is made of plastic material and has MSI branding over the top. It has a total of 4x ports labeled from 1 to 4. It is important to pay attention to this numbering. You must start from number 1 port. Each port can support up to 6x EZ120/R fans. However, total fans support per hub is 18. Keep that in mind. Each port has 7-pins.

The two ports on the SATA cable side are used to connect the hub with the PC using a USB 2.0 connector and the other port connects the hub to the motherboard either using JAF port on MSI motherboards or using standard 4-pin PWM and 3-pin, 5V ARGB connectors. Hence this solution is not dependent on MSI Ecosystem.

The bottom of the hub has an inset where the 3M’s self-adhesive plate (on one side) is installed. I would want the magnets integrated into the main housing for a fully magnetic mount instead of relying on a single sided self-adhesive tape.

Also, I have noticed that once cables are connected, the magnetic force from the plate is not sufficient to hold the hub in its place as it was coming off easily.

MSI has provided following cables with the hub:

  • 1x Micro-USB to J-USB
  • 1x Hub-Fan-ARGB Y Cable
  • 1x Hub-JAF1 Cable

Two SATA cables come from the hub. One has 4 wires and other has 2 wires. You must use both cables if using more than 12 EZ120/R fans.

Fans Setup

I have used MSI B850MPOWER WiFi motherboard to illustrate the fans connection possibilities. I have used the JAF header in one example whereas the other example connects the hub with standard 4-pin PWN and 3-pin 5V, ARGB headers.

Installation

I have used following main MSI components to test these fans:

  • MSI MAG Velox 300R PZ Black PC Case
  • MSI Z790 PZ
  • MSI EZ120R ARGB Black Fans

The MSI Z790 PZ motherboard does not have JAF header hence I had to use the standard 4-pin PWM and 3-pin, 5V ARGB headers on the motherboard. This is where I ran into trouble. This motherboard has only 3-pin, 5V, ARGB headers and I had to connect the EZ120R fans, front 160mm ARGZ fans of the Velox 300R and Lian Li cooler’s ARGB cable. Luckily, I have a 1-to-4 ARGB extension cable which I used for Lian Li and PC Case ARGB devices. I had to connect the EZ120R hub’s ARGB cable separately as it does not pick the other devices connected on the extension cable.

Digital RGB Lighting

You would need MSI Center to access the controller hub and control the speed and lighting effects of the fans. I appreciate MSI design team for listening to the feedback. You can control the speed of the fans via BIOS without even needing the software which was not possible when I tested EZ120 ARGB white fans.

Above are some pictures.

MSI Center

I really don’t appreciate brands who force users to have active internet connection when installing their software. What’s the point of downloading a heavy size file from their website when it still needs to download more files during installation.

My Z790 PZ is having issues with WiFi connectivity which limited my access to the internet. I ended up buying a USB WiFi dongle to make it work and install the software.

You have a full control over the lighting of the EZ120R ARGB fans and the other ARGB devices. The software infact detects the Kingston Fury Renegade ARGB DDR5 kit. You can also synchronize all devices for a single control.

Cooling Wizard allows you to control and customize the fans’ speed. It also has pre-built profiles that you can use at one click convenience.

Thermal Testing

I have used the configuration below to test the performance of these fans: –

Here is the settings table for testing:

All Cores
  • 5.3GHz on P-Cores
  • 4.2GHz on E-Cores
VCore (V) Adaptive+Offset with -0.050V
Power Limits Removed
Thermal Paste Noctua NT-H2
Test Run Time Simultaneous Run of CINEBENCH R23.2 and Unigine Superposition 1080P Extreme
PC Shutdown State between each test config Minimum 2 hours
Idle Time 10 minutes
Fan/Pump Speed 100% PWM Duty Cycle
Monitoring Software HWInfo64

 

The following test parameters are used:

  • First thermal test using Velox 300R in stock configuration without EZ120R fans.
  • Second thermal test by disabling the front fans of the case and installing EZ120R fans on the side.
  • Third thermal test by using front fans as well as side intake from EZ120R fans

EZ120R ARGB fans provide adequate airflow as is evident from the test result. Their noise output was near 43 dB(A) which is even better than the EZ120 ARGB fans.

Should You Buy It?

Buy It If:

✅If you are planning for MSI ecosystem: These fans are a perfect choice if you are into MSI ecosystem particularly Project Zero.

✅If simplified connection of fans is your requirement: The major objective of these fans is to provide a single cable connection while providing a cable free look.

✅If you want to experience Aesthetically pleasing color fans: This kit costs less than CORSAIR QX120 kit and offers you probably one of the best looking fans on the market without a doubt.

✅If you are in a market for premium reverse blade fans: EZ120R are reverse blade fans providing a superb look and feel while at a same time boding well with regular EZ120 fans.

Don’t Buy It If:

❌If you are on a budget: The MSI MPG EZ120R ARGB Black 3-fans pack might retail near around $119.99. This is a steep price.

❌If warranty is your thing: MSI may be offering a 2-year warranty on these fans. A minimum of 3-year warranty may be considered given the premium price tag.

Final Words

I have tested MSI MPG EZ120R ARGB Black fans. These are new fans based on regular EZ120 fans released last year. The main difference stems in the reverse blade design on R series fans. Other than that, these fans have a bit lowered overall spec profile against the EZ120 (non-R) fans which is understandable since the R edition fans are for case ventilation.

The main design philosophy and building block are same as I saw on the regular EZ120 fans. These fans are magnetically inter-connected. The internal circuit is completed using magnetic blocks which provide signal and power while adding strength to the assembly. Three decorative blocks fill the un-used mounting corners since one would have cable connection.

The fan hub is similar and it has 4 ports capable of housing up to 18 fans in total while maximum of 6x fans is supported by a port. Hub is SATA powered. For motherboard connectivity, you have the option of either using JAF cable within MSI Ecosystem or standard connectors.

These fans are rated for up to 1800 RPM ±180 generating 66.72 CFM at an air pressure of 1.82 mmH₂O. They use FDB bearing with extra nut fixing and copper tube for added durability and reducing vibrational noise.

These fans serve as air intake and provide sufficient airflow for adequate thermal performance.

 

Following Oblivion Remastered’s Success, Bethesda Aims to Shadowdrop More Games

Story Highlight
  • Bethesda says the boss, Todd Howard, was always interested in shadowdropping games.
  • It shadowdropped Oblivion Remastered and Hi-Fi Rush, both receiving great critical response.
  • The studio aims to follow the tactics with its future projects as well.

The general trend for the gaming industry is to reveal a game years before it’s actually ready to come out to build hype around and give fans an initial idea of what to expect; however, with shadowdrop, you don’t see it coming. 

That’s what Bethesda did with the Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remastered, and they aim to shadowdrop more games in the future. The studio has found great success with this tactic, as it did with another hit, Hi-Fi Rush. 

Why it matters: Shadowdropping games is a good idea because it comes out of nowhere and takes everyone by surprise. So, naturally, everybody is more into it, making the games commercially more successful, especially with bigger franchises. 

Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered
After the success of Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda wants to shadowdrop more games.

Talking to Gamesradar at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, Tom Mustaine discussed their policy of releasing games. He said shadowdropping games was something Todd Howard was quite into, and he finally got it. 

Todd Howard, the boss man, he’s wanted to shadowdrop things for a long time. I don’t have any ideas of what would be next, but I hope it’s not the last.

– Tom Mustaine

He stated that people have a short attention span these days, so waiting for something for a long time can be problematic in some instances. With this strategy, their attention is diverted, and they have something to talk about in the moment. 

Hi-Fi Rush
They did it with Hi-Fi Rush as well, which was also a big hit.

There are some great examples of titles being shadowdropped and becoming huge hits, including Oblivion Remastered, Hi-Fi Rush, and even EA’s Apex Legends. Mustaine wants to see more of it in the industry. 

This could mean that Bethesda might surprise us a few more times. It is reportedly already working on a Fallout 3 Remaster/Remake, so maybe they could do another Oblivion and drop it when we least expect it. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Bethesda shadowdropping more games in the future? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Stellar Blade is Reportedly PlayStation’s Best-Performing Single-Player PC Port Ever

Story Highlight
  • Stellar Blade is the best-performing single-player PlayStation PC port on Steam.
  • The game is among the best-selling titles and had a peak player count of 192K.
  • It’s higher than other releases and 2.5x more than the last hit, Ghost of Tsushima.

Stellar Blade exceeded all expectations when it initially released on the PS5. The title absolutely flew off with great reviews and huge commercial success. So, naturally, Sony released it on PC a year later and mimicked the success. 

Now, Shift Up Entertainment has confirmed that Stellar Blade is PlayStation’s best-performing single-player PC launch of all time. It even had the highest concurrent player count of every single-player PlayStation game at 192K. 

Why it matters: Considering Stellar Blade was a new IP, and PlayStation already had huge franchises on PC, the success seems like an even bigger feat if you compare it to the likes of those games.

Stellar Blade Steam
Stellar Blade is PlayStation’s best-performing PC port.

The analytic slide (via Genki) shows Stellar Blade reached a peak of 192K players. For context, Ghost of Tsushima had 77K, God of War 73K, Spider-Man 66K, Horizon 57K, and The Last of Us had just 37K peak player count. 

The slide also calls it one of the best-selling single-player PlayStation games on PC, highlighting Stellar Blade’s massive popularity. It even stands at ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews on Steam. 

Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade blew everyone away with great visuals and gameplay.

PlayStation’s PC ports haven’t always been a huge success. Stellar Blade was the game that changed this, and it helped the studio hit record revenues; work on the sequel is already underway. 

Despite that, the studio continues to focus on the original game by partnering with other studios for various in-game perks. It was also the second-highest modded game of the year, showing how much love fans have for it. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Stellar Blade being PlayStation’s best-performing single-player PC game? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum. 

Valve Projected to Hit $17B Revenue, Achieving the Highest $50M per Employee in the World

Story Highlight
  • Valve has made $50 million per employee in 2025, making it one of the most efficient businesses on the planet.
  • The gaming powerhouse had an employee count of only 336.
  • Valve is expected to generate $17 billion this year, putting only Crypto giants ahead of it in efficiency.

Valve has had a year to remember so far, with the company’s Steam platform hitting a record-breaking revenue of $16.2 billion. The gaming giant also introduced the world to its brand-new living room PC, the Steam Machine, which has started all kinds of discourse.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, new data has revealed that the company is the world’s most efficient business if crypto giants aren’t taken into account.

Why It Matters: Valve’s treatment of its employees is one of the biggest reasons it keeps breaking records and maintains a satisfactory customer base.

Valve
Valve had a record-breaking 2025.

According to Deedydas on X, Valve grossed $50 million per employee in 2025, which makes it the most efficient business in the world right now that isn’t a Crypto company. 

Currently, Valve employs around 336 people, and its expected revenue in 2025 is said to be around $17 billion. The business at no.2 in this list, OnlyFans, made around $30 million per employee this year, giving Valve a hefty lead. 

Crypto giants like Hyperliquid and Tether are the only major companies on the planet that are more efficient than Valve. Both these businesses rake in around $100 million per employee, giving the owner of Steam a lot of room to improve if it wants to reach the top.

Valve's Steam Machine
Valve’s Steam Machine is also coming out in 2026.

This new data also backs up previous information about Valve employees. A study last year revealed that people working at the company make more than developers at Microsoft, Netflix, and Apple combined. 

When you consider how efficient Valve is at customer service, stats like these are not a surprise. The gaming giant has insisted that the reason for its success is putting customers first, and moves like banning in-game ads as a source of revenue reflect this mentality.

With Half-Life 3 rumored to be around the corner, Valve is only going to bring in more cash, and who knows, it might even eclipse some Crypto giants very soon.

Latest Updates

What do you think is the reason behind Valve’s success? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

1...828384Page 123 of 84