I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Besides GPUs and processors, buying the best SSDs within your budget is equally important to building robust gaming rigs. High read and write speeds can make a huge difference in how well the gaming experience and overall PC experience hold up. While most of these memory sticks with high specs can cost a ton, a new sale brings the best price-to-performance ratio you can currently find on Amazon.
The Crucial P510 2 TB NVMe SSD is now selling on Amazon for a record-low price. It is currently 38% off despite boasting some of the best specs on the market, selling for only an impressively low $129 instead of the usual $208 price tag. The memory stick brings significantly reduced load times and enhanced system responsiveness with fantastic read/write speeds soaring as high as 11,000/9,500MB/s.
PCIe 5.0 Performance: Delivers up to 11,000MB/s read and 9,500MB/s write speeds for quicker game load...
The PCIe Gen 5 compatibility of this 2 TB NVMe SSD ensures easy installation on the latest laptops and desktops, while its thin M.2 2280 single-sided form factor facilitates installation in tight spaces. It offers significantly faster bandwidth than Gen 4 or Gen 3 SSD setups, but gamers with those old-gen slots can still utilize this SSD with backward compatibility—although at reduced speeds.
The Crucial brand, with its ‘Micron’ quality, is also well-renowned in the world of NAND and DRAM manufacturers, building its drives from the ground up instead of sourcing third-party parts. The custom Acronis True Image software for cloning and recovery, smooth asset streaming, and custom firmware optimization also result in better sustained performance and reliability for the P510 memory stick.
And with its energy-efficient and reliable thermal dissipation design, it cools the SSD much faster than many competitors. The total price being slashed by $79 also makes it the ideal choice over the expensive Samsung, WD, and Sabrent SSDs.
Despite all of this, the 5-year warranty provided by the company is perfect for gamers still wanting that little nudge to take advantage of this limited-time deal.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Resident Evil Requiem will feature several boss battles that challenge Grace Ashcroft.
These encounters will encourage players to focus on exploration and using their wits to overcome obstacles.
The boss battles will not take the typical gunplay-heavy approach similar to that of Resident Evil 4 Remake.
Speaking during a recent interview, Capcom also confirmed that it would take a different approach to boss battles in Resident Evil Requiem, encouraging players to rely on their wits and intelligence to deal with threats.
Why it matters: The latest entries in the franchise have moved away from the combat-heavy focus of titles prior to Resident Evil 7. It seems the latest release will continue this tradition.
Resident Evil Requiem Arrives Next Year
Speaking to Automaton, director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem would feature more than one boss battle. However, unlike the recently released Resident Evil 4 Remake, these battles will be more tactical and planning-focused.
According to the director, the boss battles will take inspiration from Resident Evil 1 and 2. Effectively, players will be encouraged to explore the environments and surroundings as much as possible to overcome the larger-than-life threats.
The style is more like Resident Evil 1 and 2. Players overcome obstacles using their wits.
In general, Resident Evil Requiem is set to be a more grounded entry of the franchise. Unlike the action-based combat portrayed in Resident Evil 4 Remake, the upcoming entry promises a frightening trek through a post-disaster Raccoon City.
Capcom Continues To Share More Details On RE Requiem
According to the director, Grace Ashcroft also grows through her experiences in Resident Evil Requiem. This growth will be reflected in the game’s combat itself, highlighting the character’s transformation into a battle-hardened protagonist.
What do you think about Capcom’s approach to boss fights in the upcoming title? Share in the comments, and head over to the Tech4Gamers Forums for more discussions.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
Some legacy services of the PS4 are set to go offline in the spring of 2026.
This marks the beginning of the end of the legendary PS4 era that began in 2013.
Despite 12 years since release, the console is still popular for games like Call of Duty.
PlayStation 4 is one of Sony’s most legendary consoles. The title has some of the best exclusives to date and is also among the company’s best-selling consoles. Unfortunately, 12 years later, it seems that its time is coming to an end.
Some new documentation reveals that Sony is in the process of phasing out support for PS4, as some of its legacy services are going offline. This marks the beginning of the end of a great lifecycle.
Why it matters: PS4 is often considered the best PlayStation generation of all time. Not only were the consoles awesome, but the whole lineup of games they had, including God of War, Uncharted 4, and more, is still unparalleled.
Some PS4 services are being shut down, hinting at an imminent end of support
Insider Gaming has been sent some documentation that reveals that some legacy features of the PS4 will be shut down by Spring 2026, so just a few months from now. Most AAA releases have already started skipping that generation.
Sony stopped releasing its exclusives on PS4 quite some time ago to focus solely on the PS5. The legacy services that are set to go offline include:
Activity Feed
Title Small Storage
Title User Storage
Users and Profiles
Word Filters
Shared Media Web API
The PS4 is still relevant to date for titles like Call of Duty
However, the overall support might last a little longer; nonetheless, this is the start of PS4’s end. Games like Call of Duty and EA FC are still popular on PS4, but their future versions will undoubtedly stop releasing on them soon.
What are your thoughts on PS4 services going offline? What was your favorite thing about the era? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 won’t be available on the standard tiers of Xbox Game Pass.
Only the ultimate tier of the subscription will have the new games day one.
Xbox is also under fire for revealing this info in the fine print of the new advert.
Xbox is under heavy fire from fans around the globe for its recent Xbox Game Pass price increase, with many of its loyal supporters turning against the gaming giant for this anti-consumer practice.
A lot of fans have cancelled their Xbox Game Pass subscription in retaliation, with the website crashing due to the heavy traffic. And, from the looks of it, things are going to get worse before they get better for Xbox fans.
Why This Matters: Such anti-consumer practices signal a bleak future for Xbox and its push for cloud gaming.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the only tier that will have COD games day one.
Xbox has announced that new Call of Duty titles will be available only on the Ultimate tier of Xbox Game Pass, the one that costs $360 per year now. Other tiers will continue to have the older games; however, the latest titles will only come day one to the highest-priced offering.
The company is also getting criticism for hiding this fact in the fine print of its new advert for the Game Pass and not revealing the information to fans more explicitly. Hence, it’s all going downhill for Xbox PR-wise.
Its massive 50% increase in Xbox Game Pass has turned out to be a last straw for many fans who were on the fence after the American company increased the price of Xbox Series consoles twice in just one year.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 came out on all tiers at the same time.
Even with the addition of cloud streaming to all tiers, fans are not happy with the price they have to pay, thanks to this overhaul. However, there is still time as these changes are coming to the Xbox Game Pass next year.
Maybe the addition of a new ad-based tier may help Xbox bring some players back to the service, but for now, things are looking bleak.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
Analysts praise Marvel’s Wolverine for next-gen graphics and more mature themes.
They state that the visuals and shaders are a huge improvement from Spider-Man 2.
Some shortcomings from the trailer will likely be fixed as the title is still a year away.
Marvel’s Wolverine recently got an in-depth trailer showcasing what Insomniac has cooked up after years of waiting. Most fans have praised the trailer, stating that the wait was worth it, and even the analysts are quite impressed.
Analysts conclude that Marvel’s Wolverine will be truly impressive on the PS5, thanks to its mature themes and next-gen graphics. However, they would’ve preferred if the trailer had a bit more gameplay instead of cutscenes.
Why it matters: Insomniac’s next superhero release is set to take things to a whole new level with gory gameplay. Experts say that the visuals are also a significant improvement over Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the studio’s previous release.
Digital Foundry analysts have praised Wolverine and talked in detail about the improvements. They state that the lifelike shaders on the title are a big improvement over Spider-Man, and they also detected ray-traced reflections.
They also express their happiness with Insomniac going with mature themes like blood, gore, dismemberment, and more, which is the first from the studio. Overall, everything looks to be quite impressive visually.
Analysts are impressed with Marvel’s Wolverine’s next-gen graphics
The footage was likely captured on a PS5 Pro running at 30 FPS ‘Quality Mode’, therefore, the ray-tracing. However, it still seems to be using the current PSSR version instead of the upcoming version based on FSR4.
Analysts also praised Insomniac’s proprietary engine in a world plagued with Unreal Engine 5 issues. The trailer did show some shortcomings that can be easily fixed, considering it is still almost a year away from release.
What are your thoughts on Marvel’s Wolverine? Were you impressed with the graphics and the mature themes? Let us know your opinion in the comments, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
Stats show that the Windows 7 market share has suddenly increased after many years.
As Windows 10 support ends, its share has fallen to around 40%, the lowest in 8 years.
This is intriguing, as users are switching to an even older version instead of Windows 11.
This year marks almost a decade since Windows 10 was first released to the public. It has since gone on to become one of the most loved versions of Microsoft’s PC software, but all good things must come to an end.
Microsoft announced that it’ll end Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, to a huge disappointment of users. Amidst all this, somehow Windows 7 has seen a considerable increase in market share while Windows 10 has dropped.
Why it matters: This is quite weird as to how users are suddenly switching from an outdated piece of software to an even more outdated one; however, considering Windows 11 isn’t universally liked, it makes some sense.
The Windows 7 market share has considerably increased this month
According to data from Statcounter, as of the end of September 2025, Windows 10 saw a drop of around 40% in market share, whereas Windows 7 saw an increase by 10%, its highest since Microsoft dropped its support.
This is an intriguing turn of events, as Windows 11 is already out, but users report all sorts of issues with Microsoft‘s latest offering, including bugs, laggy responses, and more. However, it works fine on newer hardware.
Windows 11 isn’t as universally loved by fans as its older versions
So, if many people are indeed switching to Windows 7, it is safe to assume that they are using older hardware. Most gamers have already switched to Windows 11, as it has overtaken Windows 10 based on the Steam hardware survey.
Nonetheless, for those who aren’t interested in Windows 11, you can enroll for Windows 10 extended support, which will push the software for at least a few more years. This is always a better idea than going back to an even older version.
What are your thoughts on the Windows 7 market share increasing amid the end of Windows 10 support? Let us know in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
At Tech4Gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.
Story Highlight
Street art’s core idea of self-expression has moved from physical walls to digital platforms like video games and anime.
While the methods are different, the purpose of digital graffiti is the same as traditional street art: to gain visibility and make a statement.
Digital art can reach a worldwide audience immediately, unlike a physical mural, which is limited to its local area.
Street art has always been about breaking rules, speaking out, and making sure your message can’t be ignored. It used to mean sneaking out with spray paint and risking trouble to cover a wall. Now it’s gone digital, and I can’t help but notice how much it feels like what happens in gaming.
Creativity doesn’t stay in one place anymore. Artists and players are mixing real life with online worlds, and the result is just as bold as the streets ever were.
Remember wandering through GTA’s Los Santos and noticing those spray-painted walls that made the city feel real? That’s when it clicked for me that street art isn’t just stuck in the real world anymore. It’s all over our screens, especially in games, and honestly, it’s one of the coolest parts of gaming right now.
From Walls To Screens
Street Art in Cyberpunk 2077.
I used to think street art was all about the thrill, sneaking out late, spray can in hand, hoping you didn’t get caught. That raw vibe from ’70s New York, where walls became voices against the system, grabbed me right away.
Fast-forward to today, and that same spirit is alive online. In games, digital street art has leveled up. You’ll see it in Fortnite builds or Roblox worlds, where anyone can leave their mark without stepping outside.
Take Kingspray Graffiti, which just dropped a big Meta Quest update this summer. I tried it, and it felt like jumping into a neon street jam. You pick up a virtual spray can, tag massive walls with friends, and watch your art come alive in real time.
It’s got the same graffiti energy, but now with multiplayer madness, perfect for late nights creating with random people from around the world. No walls to run out of, no weather to fight, just endless, shareable chaos saved in the cloud.
Graffiti Culture Still Matters
The tools might look different now, but the significance of graffiti culture remains. Graffiti has always been a way for people to speak up when no one else was listening. In ’70s New York, whole walls turned into open journals, sharing stories that weren’t making the news. That energy is still alive today.
Digital street art keeps that same spirit, only now it’s not tied to one neighborhood but has gone global. A tag in a VR warehouse or the walls in Cyberpunk 2077 carry the same drive: to be noticed, to be heard, and to carve out a place in a noisy world.
Tech’s the secret sauce here, turning solo sketches into full-on experiences. AR apps let you overlay digital tags on real streets via your phone; super eco-friendly, no paint mess.
This is where it really overlaps with gaming, because in games, we’re already used to AR filters, custom skins, or modding spaces to make them our own. Digital street art feels like a cousin to that, just with a heavier focus on culture and storytelling.
Art Without Borders
Your digital artwork on a CS2 weapon can be seen by millions of players across the game’s community.
The best part? The reach. A wall in your neighborhood used to only speak to locals. Now, digital art can go worldwide in seconds.
I’ve watched artists from opposite sides of the planet team up and create together, just like gamers linking up from different continents.
You can easily create weapon skins in CS2 thanks to the tools given by Valve. You’re free to express yourself through your art, and if the skin gets accepted, it’ll gain exposure from millions of players playing daily.
And unlike traditional art, there’s no gatekeeper here. No galleries to impress, no permits to fight for. You just make something, upload it, and share.
That freedom feels the same as dropping fan art, a custom CS2 skin, or even a meme that suddenly takes off.
When Art Gets Commercial
I’m all for this digital wave, but it’s not without issues. The biggest one for me is the cash grab. Big brands are jumping in, turning tags into NFTs or plastering logos on events, and it chips away at that raw, street-level vibe.
Then there’s the access problem. VR is cool, but not everyone owns a headset. Street art in real life was free; you just walked by and saw it.
Digital versions can sit behind paywalls or pricey tech, which goes against the “for everyone” spirit. If we want this culture to grow, it needs to stay open, not locked away for a few.
Regardless, digital street art feels like the next step to me. I grew up with both games and graffiti, and this blend makes sense. I don’t think it’ll ever replace graffiti on walls. Nothing hits like spotting a giant mural on an abandoned building.
But the way gaming opened up new ways to tell stories, digital street art is pushing graffiti beyond the streets and into endless digital spaces. And that’s exciting.
At Tech4Gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.
[Press Release] MSI has revealed its latest QD-OLED gaming monitors, led by the MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 — the world’s first 27-inch 2K QD-OLED display with real-time human detection. Offering a 500Hz refresh rate and AI-powered optimization, it’s built to set a new standard for competitive gaming.
The MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 features MSI OLED Care 3.0, using an AI Care Sensor with on-device processing to detect presence every 0.2 seconds. If no user is found, the monitor powers down or activates OLED Care to prevent burn-in and save energy.
Panel Protect now runs every 24 hours instead of 16, cutting interruptions while extending panel life.
All detection is handled locally on the monitor’s NPU, ensuring no data is stored or uploaded. Alongside privacy safeguards, the monitor delivers elite performance with a 500Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, 1.5ms input lag, and support for both 27-inch and 24.5-inch modes.
With VESA ClearMR 21000 and DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, visuals remain sharp, smooth, and immersive.
With its blend of AI intelligence, privacy-focused design, and esports-ready specs, the MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 is more than a display – it’s MSI’s vision of the future of gaming monitors.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
Microsoft has increased the Game Pass Ultimate price by 50% taking it to $360 yearly.
Fans are rushing to cancel their subscriptions, and the page has now crashed.
Many are arguing that Game Pass is becoming a bad deal with every price hike.
Microsoft just dropped a bombshell, unveiling a massive hike in Game Pass prices. The subscription service is often criticised for being unsustainable, leading to losses. However, things might get even worse with the price inflation.
Amid the increase, apparently, so many people are rushing to cancel their Game Pass subscriptions that it has broken the page. This has left people in an even more frustrating situation, who are already enraged at the company.
Why it matters: Microsoft recently came under fire for increasing Xbox console prices, with the Series X 2TB costing up to $800; now, they have made their fans even angrier with what was the best deal the company had to offer.
So many users are cancelling their Game Pass subscription that it has caused the page to crash
When you head over to the Xbox app to cancel Game Pass, it takes you to the cancellation page, which has become unresponsive to the masses. Either Microsoft has locked people out, or the influx of players has broken the page.
The latter seems more likely based on the reaction of players post the news. For context, the top-tier Game Pass Ultimate has seen a 50% hike in price, taking its yearly price to $360, and it’s the only one that offers day 1 releases.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Increase
The company is also introducing a new ad-based tier that will be the cheapest offering. Nonetheless, Game Pass, known best for its value, is turning into a bad deal for some, and that is quite apparent from the fan reaction.
What are your thoughts on Game Pass? Will you be cancelling your subscription as well? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Ubisoft and Tencent’s new subsidiary is called Vantage Studios and will lead IPs such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
All Ubisoft development teams will operate under a decentralized model in the future, granting them greater autonomy over their projects.
Employees not part of Vantage Studios worry for their future in the company.
Following several flops and canceled titles, Ubisoft’s stock has fallen by a whopping 90% compared to five years ago. As such, the publisher decided to team up with the Chinese gaming giant Tencent to form a new subsidiary focused on developing its major IPs.
A new report has shed more light on this partnership. The subsidiary will result in a new developer called Vantage Studios, which will be responsible for major IPs such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.
Why it matters: While Ubisoft may have lost its charm, we cannot overlook the fact that it has produced some of the best franchises in gaming history. This subsidiary will potentially save those IPs from further damage.
Eurogamer reports that Vantage Studios will comprise 2,300 employees from teams in Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Sofia, and Barcelona, and is expected to start operations as soon as today.
The best part about this subsidiary is that it will operate on a less centralized model compared to other Ubisoft studios. Eurogamers’ sources say that this will allow ‘developers to be more fluid, and pivot according to industry changes and player expectations’
Going forward, all Ubisoft teams are expected to work in a decentralized manner.
This will give each team more authority and direction over their projects, which seems to be a promising omen of good things to come.
Tencent will own a 25% stake in this subsidiary and will assume an advisory role. Other than that, Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot will lead the new studio, which has already sparked some controversy.
Currently, Ubisoft has nearly 20,000 staff members employed, and considering that 2,300 staff members have been reduced, it’s unknown how the publisher will move forward. There are a few major IPs left after this subsidiary, and the future of these remaining employees remains uncertain.
Some of these employees were already concerned that they might get laid off following this announcement and claimed that they were unclear about what was happening internally.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Microsoft has big changes planned for Xbox Game Pass.
The popular PC-only tier appears to be disappearing, with plans to introduce a new ad-based tier by next year.
Microsoft also appears to be changing the subscription’s naming scheme, along with other elements.
Xbox Game Pass has been the driving force behind Microsoft’s current growth in the gaming business over the past few years. This service has generated billions of dollars recently, but it has also encountered a few hurdles.
Due to multiple price hikes, the value proposition of Xbox Game Pass has become slightly less attractive than it once was. Although the service continues to provide exceptional games, fans are skeptical about its future.
Why it matters: Xbox Game Pass could lose further popularity once these changes take effect, potentially shifting the direction of Microsoft’s gaming division.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Increase. | Source: Xbox
For starters, PC Game Pass is about to be discontinued in favor of the standard console tiers. Game Pass Ultimate is also expected to see a price hike to $29.99/month, though this particular change may be implemented next year.
Elsewhere, Xbox seems to have plans to add cloud streaming to all tiers of the service as part of its push for cloud gaming. Finally, Microsoft appears to be introducing its long-rumored ad-based tier next year.
This could become the cheapest way to access Xbox Game Pass content by 2026. Adding to the list of changes, an even more affordable or free tier limited to cloud gaming could be coming to the service next year. All in all, Xbox Game Pass is set to go through its biggest overhaul to date.
Game Pass Will Add The Next Call of Duty To Its Offerings Soon
Microsoft’s big overhaul also includes plans to change the naming scheme and bring it closer in line with that of PlayStation’s subscription.
By next year, Xbox Game Pass could be divided into three tiers: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. These changes are likely to be rolled out gradually, but by this time next year, the subscription could look completely different.
At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.
The Live Mixer series from ASRock aims towards the content creators in particular, where focus is more on the connectivity and productivity, hence you may see less beefier power delivery design compared to gaming motherboards. Nevertheless, these motherboards are still well equipped for your gaming needs.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Nauman Siddique is the most senior hardware tester at Tech4Gamers. He brings an ocean of knowledge to the table, including unmatched expertise in motherboards.
40+ motherboards tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
800+ hours spent testing different motherboards for our reviews.
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 ASRock X870 Live Mixer WiFi motherboard, priced at only USD 230, features 25 USB ports and 3x PCIe slots, providing a ton of connectivity options for content creation. This motherboard also consists of WiFi 7, a 5GbE LAN port, and an ALC4082 audio solution.
The salient features include:
This motherboard supports AMD Ryzen™ 9000, 8000, and 7000 Series Processors
It is equipped with 16+2+1 Power Phases
It supports Dual Channel DDR% up to 8000+ (OC)
It is equipped with 1 PCIe 5.0 x16, 2 PCIe 3.0 x16
Audio Solution is from Realtek ALC4082
Total of 4x M.2 slots and 2x SATA ports
2 USB4 Type-C (Rear)
1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
Realtek 5GbE LAN and 802.11be WiFi 7 + Bluetooth
Form Factor
ATX
CPU Support
AMD Socket AM5 Series Desktop CPUs
CPU Socket
LGA1718 AM5
Memory Support
4x DDR5 DIMM Slots
PCIe Support
1x PCIe Gen5 x16 slot
2x PCIe Gen3 x16 slots [x4 Mode]
On-board Graphics
Integrated AMD RDNA Graphics
1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS/FRL
2x USB4 HDCP 2.3
Storage
2x SATA ports
2x Gen5 NVMe M.2 port
2x Gen4 NVMe M.2 ports
USB Ports
25x USB Ports including 2x USB4.0 Ports
LAN
5 Gbps RealTek RTL8126
WiFi
Intel WiFi 7 802.11be
Bluetooth 5.4
[toc]
Packaging And Unboxing
The main packing box is made of cardboard material. It has a black and purple color scheme. The motherboard is placed inside an anti-static container. The salient specifications and features are listed on the packing box. ASRock has included the following in the box:
1x ATX-sized Motherboard
2 x SATA Data Cables
2 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
1 x Thermistor Cable
2x Velcro Strips
1x Quick Installation Guide
1x Regulatory Notice
Design Overview
ASRock X870 Live Mixer WiFi motherboard is driven by an AMD LGA1718 AM5 socket controlling the 4x DIMM slots. HDMI port, MCU, Flash Back BIOS are all handled by the CPU socket. SIO NCT6686D is also wired to the CPU socket. PCIe Gen5x16 slot is wired to the socket along with 2x M.2 Gen5x4 ports.
However, M2_2 is PCIe Gen5 shares bus with 2x USB 4.0 ports, hence it operates at Gen5x2 by default unless you disable USB4 ports in the BIOS. This motherboard’s PCB is an 8-layer design using 2Oz thickened copper.
The DMI link operates at x4 PCIe between the socket and chipset. The rest of the connectivity comes from the X870 PROM21 chipset, including 2x Gen4x4 M.2 slots, 2x PCIe Gen3x16 slots, WiFi 7 solution, Intel NUC, SATA, USB ports, Serial IO, and Audio solution.
M2_3 shares a bus with PCIE2, making them both operate at x2 speeds. The same goes for the M2_4 and PCIE3 slots. The front USB 3.2G20 port uses ReDriver and is wired to the chipset.
Power Delivery To Socket
This motherboard is powered by an LGA1718 AM5 socket supporting AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series desktop CPUs. It uses an ILM mounting mechanism.
Two aluminum heatsink covers are over the power delivery circuit. They are light gray and silver textured. They have cutouts for effective heat ventilation. This design does not use a heat pipe, and these covers don’t have any backlighting.
Power Phases
1 of 5
This motherboard has a total of 19 power phases, arranged in 16+2+1 for VCore, MISC, and SOC. Each is rated for 80A Vishay SiC 661. ASRock has equipped this motherboard with DEC3908CX and DC39F2BX N-Channel MOSFETs.
PWM controllers are from Richtek in the form of RT3678BE and RT3672EE. In addition, ASRock has used upgraded 20K Black capacitors, which are rated for a minimum 20,000 hours lifespan while increasing the capacitance value from 560uF to 1000uF. ASRock has implemented Hi-Density power connectors.
DIMM Slots
This motherboard is equipped with 4x Dual Channel DDR5 UDIMM slots supporting a total of 256GB capacity. It supports Intel XMP and AMD EXPO. This motherboard supports a frequency up to 8000+MHz (OC).
Storage Options
This motherboard has a total of 4x M.2 NVMe ports. These ports have a form factor of 2280/2260. All ports have heatsink covers for effective heat transfer to avoid throttling. The top two ports (Blazing M.2 socket) are wired to the CPU socket and rated at Gen5x4, whereas the last two slots (Hyper M.2 socket) are wired to the chipset and rated at Gen4x4.
Although 4x M.2 slots sound good, we have a few considerations:
M2_2 shares a bus with both USB 4 ports; using M2_2 will make M2_2 and USB 4 ports run at x2 speed.
Running M2_2 at full x4 speed (from BIOS) will disable USB 4 ports.
Using the M2_3 slot will make the PCIE2 slot run in x2 mode.
Using the M2_4 slot will make the PCIE3 slot run in x2 mode.
M2_2 will be disabled with AMD Ryzen 8000 series CPUs.
The Gen5 on M2_1 and M2_2 is possible with AMD Ryzen 7000 and 9000 series CPUs only.
You can see that all heatsink covers have thermal pads. The cover on the top port uses a tool-less design. The enlarged heatsink has an anti-drop screw design.
Speaking of SATA ports, this motherboard has a total of 4x ports wired to the chipset.
PCIe Connectivity
This motherboard has a total of 3x PCIe slots. All three slots are full x16, although the bottom two operate at x4 and are wired to the chipset. The first slot is PCIe Gen5 and wired to the CPU socket. It can’t be bifurcated or split. The last two slots are PCIe 3.0 x16.
The first slot uses 15µ gold contact and is steel reinforced. However, it does not have an extended arm on the locker for convenient removal of the graphics card. This slot will run at Gen5x16 for AMD Ryzen 7000 and 9000 series CPUs, but it will run at Gen4x8 for AMD Ryzen 8000 (Phoenix I) and Gen4x4 for AMD Ryzen 8000 (Phoenix II) processors.
USB Connectivity
This motherboard is packed with 25 USB ports on the front, rear, and mid-board. It has:
2 x USB4 Type-C (Rear) [From CPU]
2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (Rear (USB32_1 and USB32_4)) [From CPU]
1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
9 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (5 Rear (USB32_2, USB32_356, USB32_7), 4 Front))
1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Rear)
10 x USB 2.0 (6 Rear, 4 Front)
ASRock has used several USB hubs and controllers, including multiple GL852G and ASM1074. The USB 4.0 ports are driven by the ASM4242 controller, which is a Thunderbolt 4-certified controller. This controller has a small heatsink for heat ventilation. It will be visible once the VRM cover is removed. All ports support ESD protection.
You can see two yellow colored USB ports on the rear IO panel. These are Lightning Gaming Ports. Each port has a dedicated controller that takes power from the 12V rail instead of the 5V rail from the PSU. This is to reduce latency and jitter.
This motherboard has an ITE IT8857N chip, which provides 15W PD 3.0 functionality on the USB4 ports on the rear panel.
Networking Solution
This motherboard has wired and wireless connectivity options. The wired connectivity comes from 5 GbE Lan port being driven by Realtek RTL8126 controller. The WiFi module is installed on the M.2 port and is controlled by the Realtek RTL8922AE controller for 160Hz WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Audio Solution
This motherboard uses the RealTek ALC4082 codec for 7.1 channel sound output. It supports S/PDIF output as well. The right and left audio channels are
Internal Connectors
Connectors
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There are:
1 x SPI TPM Header
1 x Thermistor Cable Header
1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
1 x RGB LED Header
3 x Addressable LED Headers
2 x CPU Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
3 x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
1 x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
1 x 24-pin ATX Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
2 x 8-pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)
Each fan header is powered and controlled by NuvoTon 3961SP. The Pump Header and other fan headers, except the CPU_Fan header, are rated for 3A. The CPU Fan header is rated for 1A.
This motherboard also has 4x LEDs to troubleshoot the system. These LEDs correspond to CPU, RAM, VGA, and Boot. The 3-pin 5V ARGB headers support a total of up to 5V/3A, 15W LED strip, whereas the 4-pin 12V header supports 12V/3A, 36W LED Strip.
Rear IO Panel
2 x Antenna Ports
1 x HDMI Port
1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
2 x USB4 Type-C Ports (40 Gb/s)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C Port
7 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Ports (USB32_34 are Lightning Gaming Ports. USB32_56 support Ultra USB Power.)
6 x USB 2.0 Ports
1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
1 x BIOS Flashback Button
1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
The rear IO cover is pre-installed on this motherboard. ASRock has reserved more tolerance space and allows the IO shield to be adjustable when installing, thus fitting the chassis perfectly without any mechanical issues.
I am showing the PCB after removing the heatsink covers.
I am showing the backside of the motherboard.
I am showing the X870 PROM21 chipset after removing its heatsink cover. The main IO chip is Nuvoton NCT6686D.
Controllers
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Some other controllers on the motherboard.
ASRock has mentioned that they have tested multiple video capture devices from various manufacturers with this motherboard. List is:
GC553
GC573
Bu113
GC311
GC570D
GC570
HD60 S+
AG03MK2
AG06MK2
ZG02
BIOS
The BIOS interface is the same as we have been seeing on almost all of their motherboards that we have tested, hence I am not going into the details here.
Software
If you enable (enabled by default) the System Drivers Installer in the BIOS, you will be prompted to use the Auto driver installer on the Windows startup. This is an automated utility. It will look for available drivers and updates on the server and download/install them as per the user selection. AI Tuning is the main software to tweak your system.
Test Build
I have used the following configuration to test the motherboard:
Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open frame layout
The above is a picture showing a run of CPU-Z. We can see that CPU is reported at almost 4359.44MHz (Bus speed was at 99.74MHz to show this value). The RAM was operating at its tested speed of 6400MT/s after loading the EXPO.
We have divided the overall tests into four major categories. These are:
CPU and Memory Tests
Gaming Tests
Storage Tests
Overall System Tests
Test Result
The testing was done on stock settings with EXPO loaded. It is time to take a look at the test results.
CPU And Memory Benchmarks.
CPU And Memory Benchmarks
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The overall performance of the CPU and memory on this motherboard is satisfactory and competitive.
Storage Test
Storage Test
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I have used PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe and PCIe Gen5x4 drives for the storage performance. The storage performance is satisfactory as well.
Editor`s Note
On X870 platform, A M.2 port shares bus with USB4.0 which makes them to operate at x2 speed. You can change this behavior in the BIOS. However, note that setting M.2 port to operate at x4 port will disable the USB4.0 ports. This is a platform implementation limitation. I have shown the effects in the graphs.
– Nauman Siddique
Gaming Test
Gaming Test
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The overall gaming performance is satisfactory.
System Performance Test
System Performance Test
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The overall system performance is also excellent.
Core Clock Behavior
Core Clock Behavior
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The system was left on idle for 10 minutes under Balanced Power Profile. The idle clocks were 4.32GHz. The clocks were peaking to 5.6GHz under 1T load. All cores load put these clocks to 5.2GHz.
Power Draw
I am reporting the system wide power draw here. This power draw is not comparable with any other system and it only tells you the relevant power usage given this particular configuration. The four categories are:
System Idle Power
System Gaming Load Power
System Power with Single-Core Load
System Power with Multi-Core Load
Power Draw
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I did not observe any power peak or abnormal behavior from this motherboard.
Thermals
Testing was done at an ambient temperature of 21ᵒC. The CPU was idling at 39ᵒC and the graphics card was idling at 25ᵒC. Under load, the CPU did 67ᵒC whereas the GPU did 69ᵒC. Under PBO load, the CPU did 81.5ᵒC.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅If you want to experience AMD’s Mainstream platform: X870 is AMD’s mainstream platform following the enthusiast X870E platform with key difference coming from chiplets count and PCIe lanes.
✅If you want a budget motherboard: Live Mixer is a budget-oriented motherboard that still provides enough features for your daily needs.
✅Gaming without hiccup: The ASRock X870 Live Mixer packs a Gen5 PCIe slot and M.2 slots to cover your gaming needs.
✅Content Creation Tool: This motherboard is equipped with 25 USB ports, including two USB4.0 Type-C ports and 2x PCIe Gen3x16 (x4) slots, providing a range of connection possibilities for content creators.
✅If value is your thing: This motherboard retails at USD 230, giving you a better value for your money.
Don’t Buy It If
❌If you already have an X870/B850 motherboard: I would not upgrade if I am already on an X870 or even a B850 motherboard unless I need those extensive connectivity options.
Final Words
ASRock X870 Live Mixer WiFi is another mainstream/budget-oriented motherboard that is aimed towards the content creation. This motherboard is also powered by an Intel AMD AM5 LGA1718 socket and X870 PROM21 Chipset. This motherboard comes with 3x PCIe Slots.
The storage solution consists of 2x SATA ports and 4x M.2 ports. This motherboard has one less M.2 port compared to the B860 Steel Legend WiFi. The top-most M.2 ports (Blazing M.2 Sockets) operate at PCIe Gen5x4, whereas two slots (Hyper M.2 Sockets) are PCIe Gen4x4. Only the top slot has a tool-less cover.
The motherboard packs 25 USB ports, including two USB 4.0 Type-C ports and one USB 3.2 G20 front port. The USB 4.0 Type-C ports provide display function as well as PD charging of 15W. The overall cons or design limitations that I have observed are more or less common to all X870 motherboards.
This motherboard features a 16+2+1 power delivery mechanism, which is adequate for this motherboard and target market. The cooling provision is fine with 6x fan headers, adequate heatsink covers, and thermal pads. ASRock has provided a 160Hz WiFi 7 wireless solution in addition to a wired 5GbE LAN port.
The BIOS interface is the same as I have seen on other ASRock motherboards. ASRock has used RealTek ALC4082 codec for the audio solution. Total RAM capacity is up to 256GB with 8000+ MHz (OC) frequency support on two-channel DDR5 slots.
ASRock has tested this motherboard with a variety of video capture devices for the convenience of the user. ASRock has managed to provide an adequate feature set in a reduced price bracket, enabling the user a taste of the X870 platform.
