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MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Review: Performance On A Budget

All aboard the brand new B850 chipset: a relief for the AMD fans looking for a cheaper solution for their Ryzen 9000 series build. MSI has sent us the latest addition to their ever-reliable mid-range Tomahawk lineup: the MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi. The motherboard, of course, comes out of MSI’s affordable gaming lineup.

Unlike the last generation’s counterpart, this one has the moniker Max, which in previous motherboards meant a better BIOS chip. Let’s dive in and see what MSI has to offer here!

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Ali Touseef is our hardware reviewer who tests and reviews different components, including coolers, RAM, motherboards, and processors.
  • 40+ motherboards tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 800+ hours spent testing different motherboards for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test motherboards).

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.

Key Takeaways

  • The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi is MSI’s mid-range B850 offering, with decent VRMs, 5G LAN, WiFi 7, and Gen 5 goodness for $239.
  • Buy the motherboard if you want to upgrade to Ryzen 9000 on a budget. 
  • Don’t get the motherboard if you expect advanced overclocking or built-in RGB.

Here’s a quick look at the specifications: 

CPU Support AMD Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, Ryzen 9000
Memory Support DDR5 8400+ MT/s (OC)
PCIe Slots 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1
M.2 Slots 2x PCIe 5.0 x4, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 4.0 x2
SATA Ports 4x 6Gbps
Audio Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
Network & Connectivity 1x Realtek 8126VB 5G LAN, WiFi 7, BT 5.4
USB Ports 19 ports, including 1x USB 20Gbps Type-C (Front)
Size ATX Form Factor: 243.84×304.8 (cm)
MSRP $239
[toc]

Improvements over the last generation’s B650 Tomahawk include the addition of PCI Gen 5 expansion and M.2 slots (vs. Gen 4), 5G LAN (over 2.5G), WiFi 7 and BT 5.4 (vs. WiFi 6E and BT 5.3). 

Packaging and Unboxing

The board’s packaging is the same as we’ve seen in recent Tomahawk models (X870 and Z890 Tomahawk), with a mostly grey theme. 

The front mostly has branding, plus a warning against mishandling of the CMOS battery, as we’ve been seeing. There are key features, specifications, a rear I/O layout picture, and a QR code to be scanned to open the motherboard manual at the back. 

Here’s what we get inside the box: 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi box contents
Accessories (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • Quick installation guide
  • EZ WiFi antenna
  • 1-to-3 EZ-Conn cable
  • EZ Front Panel cable
  • EZ M.2 Clips II (3x)
  • EZ M.2 Clip II remover
  • 1x SATA Cable
  • Sticker pack
  • EU regulatory notice
  • Shout-out flyer

We have the WiFi 7 antenna, which can magnetically attach to your chassis; we’re guessing that’s the “EZ” part. We also get the EZ front panel cable, combining those pesky little front panel cables like power and LED into one, making cable management easier. The 1-to-3 EZ Conn connector is an 11-pin connector combining USB 2.0, ARGB, and fan connectors into a single connector that can be used for many AIOs, including MSI’s own. 

We get 3x EZ Clips II which makes M.2 drive installation easier, but then again, installation and removing the screws is a hassle in itself. 

Design 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi design
The board, fresh out of the box (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi has a fairly minimalistic design, just like the one we saw in recent ones. We get a black PCB and heatsinks with yellow-green branding highlights on them. There’s no onboard RGB, but as usual, you get multiple RGB headers to connect your own RGB. 

The motherboard is built on an 8-layered NPG-170D server-grade PCB with 2oz thickened copper. This is the same PCB we saw in the MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi. It has transient voltage suppressors (for overvoltage protection) and over-current protection. MSI also has a patented design using copper planes to suppress electromagnetic interference. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi block diagram
Block diagram

The CPU powers PCI Gen 5 expansion and M.2 facilities, DDR5 RAM, 4x 10Gbps USB, 5x USB2, and the Super I/O controller (SIO-6687). Connecting the CPU and chipset is a DMI 4.0 x4 link. The chipset powers the remaining PCIe slots, M.2, and USB connections; plus the SATA, 5G ports, WiFi 7, and on-board audio. 

Power Delivery System

The B850 boards use AMD’s AM5 (LGA1718) socket. CPU support includes Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series, all out of the box. 

The MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi uses a 14+2+1 (VCore+SOC+Misc) duet-rail power design with 80A 14-phase SPS dedicated to the CPU. This DRPS design means two stages receive the same signal from the PWM controller, which is a better solution than doublers but not as good as one stage per controller. The CPU gets 1,120A, plenty for any Ryzen 7000/9000 CPU, even with some overclocking added to the mix. 

A closer look at the VRMs shows that this is the MP87670 variant from MPS. The capacitors are rated for 6.3V and a 560uF capacitance. There’s support for MSI’s Core Boost feature and plenty of other handy overclocking tools in the BIOS, such as load-line calibration. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi - CPU Connectors
CPU Connectors (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Power to the CPU comes from 2x 8-pin EPS connectors with a solid-pin design. The solid-pin design enables better stability (especially in overclocking) and low impedance. 

The heatsinks have a stacked fin design, each with 6x fins. We get 7W/mK MOSFET thermal pads and additional pads for the chokes underneath. There is no heat pipe connecting these heat pipes.

Design-wise, the heatsinks don’t have much going on. We get some branding and shapes printed on them. 

DIMM Slots

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi upper half
Upper half of the board (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The motherboard has 4x surface-mounted DIMM slots with room for up to 256 GB (64 GB each), with a maximum memory speed support of 8400 MT/s. MSI’s Memory Boost feature (which supposedly helps improve overclocking support) is supported. Here are the maximum memory speeds supported in different configurations: 

  • 1DPC 1R = 8400 MT/s
  • 1DPC 2R = 6400 MT/s
  • 2DPC 1R = 6400 MT/s
  • 2DPC 2R = 4800 MT/s 
Editor`s Note
Image

It’s important to remember that the memory controller in AMD’s Ryzen 7000/9000 CPUs cannot catch up with the memory beyond 6400 MT/s and switches to 1:2 with it. In this case, extra latency is introduced. If you really want to see a difference beyond 6400 MT/s, you’ll need speeds greater than 8000 MT/s.

– Ali

The motherboard supports CUDIMMs, which is the latest improvement to the UDIMM standard. With a dedicated clock driver on these memory modules, the clock signal will be regenerated quicker than in UDIMMs (where the CPU performs this role). This can enable us to reach faster speeds, but not in this case since the motherboard only supports CUDIMMs with the clock driver disabled, making them function as UDIMMs. 

PCIe Slots

The motherboards have 3x PCIe Gen slots, the first being PCIe Gen 5.0 x16. The second is a PCIe Gen 3.0 x1, and the third is a Gen 4 x4. This Gen 4 slot shares bandwidth with M2_3 and will run at half speed if a drive is installed there. The Gen 5 slot is surface-mounted and built for high-weight endurance with MSI’s Steel Armor II.

We also get the dedicated EZ PCIe release button for this slot. Our favorite PCIe release design just requires the press of a button, and the card is released. A tiny padlock icon indicates whether the lock is in place or not. MSI has made it as simple as possible!

Storage 

The MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi supports 4x SATA drives and many M.2. You get 2x Gen 5 slots, up from one maximum of B650 boards, and 2x Gen 4 slots. It’s important to note that the M2_3 (Gen 4) slot only supports 2x lanes and is insufficient for running PCIe Gen 4 NVMe drives at full speed. All the NVMe drives can be configured for RAID 0, RAID 1, or RAID 10.

Here are the different NVMe SSD sizes supported by the board:

  • M2_1: 22110/2280
  • M2_2, M2_3, M2_4: 2280/2260 

3x heatsinks are cooling the four drives, with the second and third slots being cooled by a joint heatsink. The primary (Gen 5) heatsink supports toolless removal and installation, while the remaining slots use screws. Let’s remove them and take a look. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi SSD heatsinks removed
SSD heatsinks removed (Image by Tech4Gamers)

There are no double-sided heatsinks used for any slots; it’s kind of disappointing not to have them on the Gen 5 slot. We do find thermal pads on each heatsink as standard. 

WARNING: Remove thermal pad stickers before installation. 

MSI uses a combination of latch designs and EZ Clips II for SSD installation. The EZ Clips II simply needs to be pulled back and then released when the SSD is set in place. You get one pre-installed on the Gen 5 slot, while the three you get in the box can be installed on the remaining slots for easy SSD removal! 

USB Connectivity 

There are 19x USB slots on offer on the board: 

  • 4x USB 2.0 (Rear)
  • 4x USB 2.0 (Front)
  • 1x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
  • 4x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
  • 2x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
  • 3x USB 10Gbps Type C (Rear)
  • 1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Front)

There’s only one 20Gbps USB port supported by the chipset, and no USB4 is on offer (which is optional). Controllers for USB include Genesys’ GL850 (5x rear USB2) and GL3523 (5x front 5Gbps Type-A). 

Network and Connectivity

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi LAN controller
LAN controller (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The board has 5G LAN for wired connectivity, while the latest wireless connectivity is provided as WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. MSI’s AI LAN manager provides some handy features for your connection. These include automatically prioritizing games, the ability to manually change application traffic priority, and analysis of WiFi signals to pick the best source. 

WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 require Windows 11 24H2. 

Audio Solution

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi audio chip
Audio chip (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The board uses the mid-range Realtek ALC4080 audio solution. MSI’s Audio Boost 5 promises the best audio quality, with “high-quality” audio capacitors, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and de-pop protection.

This is an isolated audio design, with separate PCB layers powering the left and right audio channels. Meanwhile, the isolated analogy structure separates the external framework of the audio jacks from the internal connectors for clean audio quality. 

Internal Connectors and Components

Here are all the connectors on the board: 

  • 1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
  • 2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
  • 1x Power Connector(PCIE_PWR 8pin)
  • 1x CPU Fan
  • 1x Combo Fan (Pump_Sys Fan)
  • 6x System Fan
  • 1x EZ Conn-header (JAF_2)
  • 2x Front Panel (JFP)
  • 1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
  • 1x Front Audio (JAUD)
  • 3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
  • 1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
  • 1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
  • 4x USB 2.0 ports
  • 4x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
  • 1x USB 20Gbps Type C ports

There are no connectors of special note other than the supplemental 8-pin PCIe power connector. The connector supplies up to 252W and combines with the 24-pin connector to increase the total board supply to 420W. This includes 132W for the fans and 36W for the RGB. You’ll be able to connect all the fans and RGB to the board you want, but you’ll need your power supply to provide this power, of course. 

The connector also enables 2.5x power excursion through the Gen 5 PCIe slot. The 2.5x power excursion is a temporary power supply and does not “bypass” the 75W limitation of the PCIe slots. 

This and the 24-pin ATX connector also use the solid-pin design. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi SIO controller
Super I/O controller (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi uses Nuvoton’s NCT6687D controller for monitoring voltages, temperatures, and fan speeds across the board. 

There are 4x debug LEDs and an “EZ” memory detection LED to alert you about faulty memory. We don’t get a debug code LED panel here. 

The motherboard uses an extended PCH heatsink. This cools the B650 chipset silicon. 

Heatsinks Removed

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi heatsinks removed
Naked board (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Here’s the picture of the board with all the heatsinks removed. 

Rear I/O Panel 

Following are the rear I/O connections on the board: 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Rear I/O panel
Rear I/O connections (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • Clear CMOS Button
  • USB 10Gbps Type-A
  • USB 5Gbps Type-A
  • USB 2.0
  • 5G LAN
  • Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
  • Audio Connectors
  • Flash BIOS Button
  • HDMI™
  • USB 10Gbps Type-C
  • USB 10Gbps Type-C
  • USB 10Gbps Type-A

You get a clear CMOS and BIOS flash button, but there’s no room for the “Smart Button.” 

Like the other recent MSI motherboards we’ve looked at, it’s nice to see the labeling of USB speeds for simplicity here. The cover is in black and has the MSI MAG branding. We find the I/O shield pre-installed on the motherboard: a stainless steel (anti-corrosive) one. 

Test Bench

Let’s take a look at our test bench for the motherboard: 

Synthetic Benchmarks

Here are the synthetic tests to start. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Blender render
Blender render (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The system’s output was 50 seconds with the board. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Cinebench 2024
Cinebench 2024, MT and ST (Image by Tech4Gamers)

In Cinebench 2024, the board managed 2303 points in the multi-core test and 140 points in the single-core test.

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max Corona 11 render
Corona 11 render (Image by Tech4Gamers)

We saw a 63.6-second render time. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi CPU-Z
CPU-Z, MT and ST (Image by Tech4Gamers)

In CPU-Z, the board’s score was roughly on par with other boards, again. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Geekbench 6
Geekbench 6, MT (Image by Tech4Gamers)

In Geekbench 6, the MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi system scored 21716 points. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi V-Ray render
V-Ray render (Image by Tech4Gamers)

In V-Ray, the motherboard’s score was 48921 points. 

Overall, the board’s performance was as expected, and we didn’t see any performance issues. 

Gaming Benchmarks

We’re moving on to the gaming benchmarks with three titles on our list. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The board scored 143 FPS on average, with a minimum of 109 FPS. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6 (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Moving on, we recorded 184 FPS on average in Far Cry 6. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Starfield
Starfield (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Wrapping things up with Starfield, the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi does well again.

1080P gaming numbers from the board are solid. 

Power Consumption and VRM Temperatures

Here’s a look at the total CPU/motherboard power consumption. We used Cinebench 2024 to stress (load) the system for this. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi power consumption
Motherboard/CPU power draw (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi system output 383 watts under load, 114W in gaming, and 108 watts at idle. This puts it behind the Steel Legend WiFi overall, with more power draw than the B850 Riptide WiFi and B850I Lightning WiFi from ASRock. 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi VRM temperatures
VRM temperatures (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The board’s Frozr heatsinks were hard at work, and we noted a maximum temperature of only 59°C across the VRM setup during the 30-minute Cinebench 2024 MT run. This puts it on top of the other B850 motherboards on our list!

Boot Times 

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi boot times
Boot times (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Our system with the MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi beat the other boards by a second, with a 21-second boot time. 

Should You Buy It?

It’s time for the final answer!

Buy It If:

✅You’re looking for a well-equipped mid-range board: Besides the lack of onboard RGB, the motherboard’s offering is excellent for a mid-ranger, with good performance and VRMs, 5G LAN, WiFi 7, and more. 

✅You’re looking to connect plenty of USB/fans/RGB: With its extra PCIe connector providing up to 252W, you can fill the motherboard with fans, RGB, and USB devices without worries. 

✅You want an easy-to-work-with board: With EZ-DIY features like EZ PCIe release and EZ front panel cable, the motherboard is easy to work with. There are also plenty of EZ software features like one-click overclocking.  

Don’t Buy It If: 

❌You need USB4: USB4 is optional on this chipset, and MSI has not included it in this board. 

My Thoughts

The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi is our first introduction to the chipset, and it’s a fresh one. For $239, the motherboard offers a proper set of “mid-range” features. Starting with the VRMs, the board rocks a fairly capable 14+2+1 with 14x 80A SPS for the CPU VCore. This setup is enough to rock any Ryzen 7000/9000 CPU and will also allow you to overclock them to some degree. Cooling on the VRMs is excellent; we recorded a 59°C maximum during a 30-minute Cinebench 2024 test.

The motherboard has a fairly simple design and no RGB, and that’s okay since it’s a budget-focused board. You get an almost all-black design, just with yellow-green highlights. For RGB, you can install your own devices to fill your chassis. 

Moving to expansion, there are 3x PCIe slots, including a full Gen 5 x16 slot. The other slots are Gen 3 x1 and Gen 4 x4. The primary Gen 5 slot is surface-mounted and steel-reinforced to support bulky GPUs. It also has an EZ PCIe release button to remove and install your graphics card easily. The motherboard has 4x M.2 slots (as many SATA ports), including 2x Gen 5 ones. On the primary Gen 5 slot, you can find an EZ (screwless) removal mechanism for the heatsink. The drives also support easy installation mechanisms with the EZ M.2 II clips. 

We get a decent selection of USB ports (19), including a 20Gbps Type-C and 5x 10Gbps ones, but USB4 is not part of the package. Connectivity is powered by 5G LAN, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. The MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi uses Realtek’s ALC4080 for audio, a solution similar to the ALC1220, but using a USB connection between the chip and chipset. 

For a $239 price tag, the features offered by the motherboard are adequate, with the motherboard offering better features like 5G LAN, WiFi 7, dual Gen 5 M.2 slots, and faster memory speeds. We just would’ve liked to see dual-sided thermal pads for the Gen 5 M.2 slots. MSI is offering a 3-year warranty for the board.

 

Avowed Marks A Turning Point In Microsoft’s Gaming Approach

Story Highlights
  • Avowed is Obsidian’s eagerly awaited RPG, showcasing Microsoft’s evolving, multiplatform gaming strategy.
  • The delay to February 18, 2025, provides additional time for polish and avoids a crowded release window.
  • Microsoft’s shift towards a service-focused, inclusive ecosystem is evident with Avowed available on Battle.net, Steam, and Xbox.

When I first came across the announcement of Avowed back in 2020, it immediately piqued my interest. A brand-new RPG from Obsidian Entertainment set in the lore-rich world of Pillars of Eternity? That alone was enough to spark curiosity.

Avowed isn’t just another RPG from Obsidian Entertainment; it indicates how Microsoft is redefining its place in the gaming world. Avowed’s release strategy, multiplatform approach, and integration into the Xbox ecosystem feel like a cornerstone of Microsoft’s evolving vision.

The Delay That Might Save Avowed

The announcement of Avowed’s delay from 2024 to February 18, 2025, was disappointing initially, but I believe it might ultimately benefit the game. Launching during a less competitive period for a new IP without the established clout of franchises like Elder Scrolls could help it gain the attention it deserves.

Avowed
Avowed’s Delaid From 2024 To February 18, 2025

The first timeline placed it alongside blockbuster releases on Xbox Game Pass in Fall 2024, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The new release date may help Avowed make a stronger impression by avoiding competition with significant titles.

Obsidian has always excelled in creating deep, intricate worlds; additional development time can only enhance this strength. One of my favorite RPGs, Fallout: New Vegas, showcases Obsidian’s storytelling prowess, but many people claimed the game launched with its fair share of technical issues due to tight deadlines.

Therefore, Avowed might avoid the pitfalls of rushed development. A smoother, bug-free experience could make Avowed a standout in a crowded RPG market.

Microsoft’s Multiplatform Vision

What truly caught my attention about Avowed is its availability on Battle.net. This feels like a monumental shift as someone who’s been gaming across various platforms for years. It’s the first time I’ve seen an Obsidian title launch on Blizzard’s platform, illustrating Microsoft’s broader strategy.

Avowed
Avowed Confirms Availability On Battle.net

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King wasn’t just about securing big-name franchises but redefining what Xbox represents. Instead of focusing solely on hardware exclusivity, Microsoft has leaned into creating an ecosystem that transcends traditional boundaries.

Game Pass is the clearest example of this shift, with its reach extending to PCs, mobile devices, and even smart TVs through cloud gaming. The tagline of their recent “This Is an Xbox” campaign encapsulates this perfectly: Xbox is no longer a device but an inclusive gaming environment.

This is a refreshing change for players like me, who value flexibility in choosing where and how to play. By offering Avowed across platforms like Steam, Xbox, and Battle.net, Microsoft emphasizes player choice in a way that few companies do. It’s a smart business move that welcomes a broader, more diverse audience.

A Showcase Of Obsidian’s Growth

Avowed also marks a significant moment for Obsidian Entertainment. Since joining Microsoft in 2018, the studio has explored new genres with titles like Pentiment and Grounded. However, Avowed sees Obsidian returning to its RPG roots.

Avowed
Avowed Will Be A Single-Player RPG

What excites me most is the ambition behind Avowed. The blend of first-person gameplay, spellcasting, and medieval combat in the stunning Living Lands shows the game’s ambition. Obsidian’s history of delivering memorable stories and complex worlds gives me confidence that this will be an RPG worth diving into.

A successful launch could solidify Obsidian’s reputation within Xbox Game Studios and ensure they continue to thrive creatively. It’s an opportunity for the studio to prove its worth and set a new benchmark for what Microsoft-backed developers can achieve.

A Glimpse Into Xbox’s Future

To me, Avowed is more than just an RPG; it’s a symbol of the direction Microsoft is steering its gaming division. By embracing accessibility, fostering innovation within its studios, and focusing on service over hardware, Microsoft is redefining the rules of the gaming industry.

Avowed Aiming For 30FPS On Consoles

While success is never guaranteed, Avowed has all the ingredients to be a game-changer. If it delivers on its potential, it could serve as a defining moment for Obsidian and Microsoft, showcasing the viability of a multiplatform, service-oriented approach.

Now, I feel excited for what’s to come. And with Avowed on the horizon, the future looks brighter than ever for players like me who crave flexibility and unforgettable gaming experiences.

Latest Updates

G.SKILL Showcases DDR5-8133 CSO-DIMM With ASRock DeskMini PC

[Press Release] G.Skill is flexing its DDR5 CSO-DIMM memory with new benchmarks that achieve groundbreaking speeds of DDR5-8133 at a 48GB(2x24GB) capacity. This DDR5 CSO-DIMM showcase has been made possible thanks to ASRock’s DeskMini B860 system, which provides outstanding memory overclocking.

G.Skill CSO-DIMM DDR5-8133
Memtest Overclock Screenshot via G.Skill

For the unaware, the CSO-DIMM form factor has a clock driver on the compact SO-DIMM design. It is also supported by Intel’s newest Core Ultra 200 lineup.

As per G.Skill, the overclock was achieved using the ASRock B860M-STX motherboard and Intel Core Ultra 9 285 processor. Together with this combo, the memory kit was pushed to DDR-8133 CL46-52-52-130.

Elsewhere, ASRock brings an exciting set of features to the table with its DeskMini B860 series. With support for quad-independent displays and Intel Thunderbolt 4, this collaboration between G.Skill and ASRock promises to be quite promising for the prebuilt PC market.

RTX 4090 Vs RTX 3080 Ti: Should You Upgrade In 2025?

GeForce RTX 4090

Rated: 8/10

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

Rated: 6.5/10

Pros And Cons

GPUProsCons
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090✅ Best performing consumer graphics card
✅ Relatively power efficient
✅ DLSS 3 frame generation		❌Absurdly high price
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti✅Good enough performance for modern games
✅Significantly lower price tag		❌No access to DLSS 3 frame generation
❌Low power efficiency

Key Takeaways
  • Since the RTX 4090 is based on a 4nm process node and a smaller die, it packs more power than ever. It has 1.7x more transistors than the RTX 3080 Ti, 6144 more CUDA cores, and up to 875 MHz higher clock speeds.
  • Consequently, the RTX 4090 is miles ahead of the RTX 3080 Ti in gaming performance. On average, the RTX 4090 ran all 12 games with about 52% more FPS.
  • The higher performance of the RTX 4090 only warranted a 23% higher power draw in our performance testing.
  • If you wish to be on the bleeding edge of technology, the RTX 4090 is the GPU for you. However, if you cannot afford its absurd price tag, the RTX 3080 Ti will also give an enjoyable gaming experience for many years to come.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Abde Manaf is our comparison expert who has been benchmarking graphics cards, and processors.
  • 100+ components tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 100+ hours spent testing different components for our comparisons.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we compare PC hardware).

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.

Comparison Table

Technical SpecsRTX 4090RTX 3080 Ti
GPUAD102GA102
ArchitectureAda LovelaceAmpere
Pipelines / CUDA cores16384 CUDA cores10240 CUDA cores
Memory speed21 Gbps19 Gbps
Bandwidth1018 GB/s912.4 GB/s
Tensor cores576328
Best VariantsBest RTX 4090Best RTX 3080 Ti

Architectural Differences

  1. Process Node: Nvidia went from an 8nm manufacturing node to a 4nm manufacturing node, going from the RTX 30 series of cards to the 40 series. This has allowed them to get unparalleled efficiency out of their cards.
  2. TDP: Being a higher-tier card, the RTX 4090 has a higher TDP of 450 watts than the RTX 3080 Ti, which is rated for a TDP of 350 watts.
  3. VRAM: The VRAM on the RTX 4090 is double that of the 3080 Ti at 24GB of GDDR6X memory versus the 12GB of GDDR6X memory on the older card.
  4. Clock Speeds: The RTX 3080 Ti has a base clock speed of 1365MHz, with a boost of up to 1665MHz. The RTX 4090 blows it out of the water in this regard, with a base clock of 2235MHz, while its boost clock is closer to 2520MHz.
  5. Other Features: The newer 4090 can use Nvidia’s DLSS 3 frame generation technology, whereas the older card lacks this feature. The RTX 3080 Ti can still use frame generation using AMD’s software, though it has a little less fit and finish than the Nvidia variant.

The introduction of the RTX 4090 has challenged all the great graphics cards before it, which is making some consumers wonder if the performance of this card is unnecessary to play modern games. The RTX 4090 vs RTX 3080 Ti comparison will facilitate the answer to where the needs of performance end in modern gaming.

RTX 4090 Vs. RTX 3080 Ti: Gaming Benchmarks

Now that we know how the numbers define both of these cards, this part of the comparison will look at the real-world performance of the RTX 4090 vs RTX 3080 Ti. To do this, we put together a testbench tailored to these cards, the specifications of which are mentioned below:

Testing Rig

The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3 Performance
The Witcher 3 @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • As the first game of our testing, the Witcher 3 averaged a framerate of 243 FPS on the RTX 4090, while the RTX 3080 Ti had an average framerate of 151 FPS. This comes out to a lead of around 60% for the 4090.
  • The difference became less drastic between the 1% lows of the two cards. Here, the RTX 4090 dropped to around 172 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti went down to around 134 FPS.

Watch Dogs: Legion

Watch Dogs Legion
Watch Dogs Legion @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • There was an even bigger advantage for the RTX 4090 in Watch Dogs Legion, with the card getting an average framerate of 116 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti could only manage a framerate of 66 FPS. This calculates to a 75.7% win for the newer card.
  • The 1% lows dropped to around 58 FPS for the RTX 3080 Ti, whereas the RTX 4090 went down to around 86 FPS in graphically intense scenes. 

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
Shadow Of The Tomb Raider @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The average framerate hovered around 218 FPS on the RTX 4090 in our test of SotTR, which is almost double the average we saw from the RTX 3080 Ti, which averaged a framerate of 113 FPS.
  • The 1% lows weren’t as different between the two cards, with the RTX 4090 dropping down to 262 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti went down to around 185 FPS.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
Shadow Of The Tomb Raider @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Our test of RDR 2 gave the RTX 3080 Ti an average framerate of 133 FPS, while the RTX 4090 was a relatively modest 25% ahead with a framerate of 166 FPS average.
  • The 1% lows were also relatively close in this game, with dips to around 118 FPS on the RTX 4090, while the RTX 3080 Ti went down to around 103 FPS.

Metro Exodus

Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The average framerate of the RTX 4090 in our test of Metro Exodus was around 153 FPS, which was a whopping 76% higher than the 87 FPS average of the RTX 3080 Ti.
  • The difference 1% lows went down to around 50% with the RTX 4090 going down to 98 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti had lows of around 65 FPS.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • There was a 25% improvement going from the older card to the newer card in our run of Horizon Zero Dawn. The RTX 4090 had an average of 210 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti had an average framerate of close to 168 FPS.
  • The lows were around 134 FPS on the RTX 4090, while the RTX 3080 Ti had a minimum framerate of around 115 FPS.

God Of War

God Of War Perfromance
God Of War @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Testing God Of War gave the RTX 4090 a 70% uplift in average framerate compared to the 3080 Ti. It had an average framerate of 211 FPS, while the 3080 Ti averaged a framerate of 124 FPS.
  • The 1% lows followed a similar vein, with the 4090 getting minimums of around 113 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti went all the way down to a framerate of 92 FPS.

Far Cry 6

Far Cry 6 Performance
Far Cry 6 @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The difference in performance between the two cards dropped down to 15% in the benchmark for Far Cry 6. The RTX 4090 gave an average framerate of 139 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti had an average of 120 FPS.
  • The 1% lows were around 106 FPS for the RTX 4090, while the RTX 3080 Ti had lows closer to 89 FPS.

Crysis Remastered

Crysis Remastered
Crysis Remastered @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The answer to the age-old question of “will it run Crisis?” was an astounding yes for the RTX 4090, with an average framerate of 144 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti averaged a framerate of only 87 FPS, which gave the newer card a solid lead of 65%.
  • The 1% lows for the RTX 3080 Ti dropped to 80 FPS, while the RTX 4090 went down to 144 FPS.

Overall Gaming Performance

Featured
RTX 3080 Ti
RTX 4090
Average FPS
87📈
178 📈
1% lows
80📉
137 📉
Winner
-
GeForce RTX 4090
Buy Now
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Featured
RTX 3080 Ti
Average FPS
87📈
1% lows
80📉
Winner
-
Buy Now
Buy on Amazon
Featured
RTX 4090
Average FPS
178 📈
1% lows
137 📉
Winner
GeForce RTX 4090
Buy Now
Buy on Amazon

Average FPS

The RTX 4090 was much more powerful in our gaming tests, averaging a difference in performance of around 52%. The average framerate of this card was around 178 FPS, while the 3080 Ti averaged a much lower 117 FPS. Safe to say, the newer, higher-tier card is much more powerful.

1% Lows

The 1% lows hovered around 102 FPS for the RTX 3080 Ti, whereas the RTX 4090 had lows of around 137 FPS. This difference accumulated to an advantage of around 34% for the RTX 4090. The performance of the RTX 4090 was clearly much better than the RTX 3080 Ti, which forces us to give it the win in this category.

Winner: Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4090

Power Efficiency

Power Consumption
Power Consumption @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)

In our performance testing, the average power consumption of the RTX 3080 Ti was around 304 watts, whereas the RTX 4090 drew around 375 watts on average. This equates to a 23% higher power draw, which is well worth the near 50% improvement in performance we witnessed on average.

Price And Availability

GPUMSRPCurrent Price
Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti💲1199💲1179
Nvidia RTX 4090
💲1599💲1799
Difference33%52%

The MSRP of the RTX 4090 is around $1599, though this price can vary from model to model. The cheapest we could find on Amazon was around $1799. In contrast, the RTX 3080 goes for around $1179 for the cheapest variant at the time of writing this article. Both cards come at a premium price, but they both are undoubtedly premium cards.

What We Recommend

RTX 4090: The decision between these cards hinges on your budget. If you want to go all out, there is no better graphics card that will keep you up to date for ages than the RTX 4090. It performs excellently in all gaming scenarios while also being relatively efficient for the performance it puts out.

RTX 3080 Ti: If your budget is lower but you can spare spending nearly a grand on a new graphics card, there are fewer better performers than the RTX 3080 Ti. It has an excellent performance all around, including great ray tracing performance, allowing you to play even the most demanding games comfortably at very high resolutions.

To cap this discussion off, the RTX 4090 is a card that offers you the latest and greatest in consumer gaming technology, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti gives you a luxury gaming experience at a lower yet still premium price tag.

FAQs

Is the RTX 4090 cooler than the RTX 3080 Ti?

Yes, in our RTX 4090 vs. RTX 3080 Ti comparison, we found that the RTX 4090 stayed about 21.6% cooler on average in the 12 games we analyzed.

Will I need a bigger PSU for the RTX 4090?

Yes, the latest and greatest RTX 4090 is a power-hungry beast. Its recommended PSU is rated for 850W. So, unless you already have an 850+W PSU, you will have to upgrade.

Can I game on 4K with an RTX 4090?

Definitely, the RTX 4090 is an extremely powerful GPU, and when paired with the i9-13900K, you will have absolutely no issues in gaming on 4K.

More From RTX 3080 Ti

More From RTX 4090

Ryzen 9 9900X Vs Ryzen 9 7900X [We Tested Both In 2025]

Ryzen 9 9900X

Rated: 8.5/10

Ryzen 9 7900X

Rated: 8.2/10

Pros And Cons

CPUsProsCons
Ryzen 9 9900X✅ Slightly Higher Performance.
✅ Better Thermal & Power Efficiency.
❌ Expensive because it is recently launched.
Ryzen 9 7900X✅ Higher Base Clock .
✅ Way Cheaper With Similar Performance.		❌ Less supported chipsets.

Key Takeaways

  • Based on our calculations, the Ryzen 9 9900X only managed to run 1.4% better than the Ryzen 9 7900X, which isn’t much of a difference. 
  • Similarly, the Ryzen 9 9900X operated at 3.3% cooler temperatures and consumed 5.3% less power than the Ryzen 9 7900X.
  • We also saw that the Ryzen 9 7900X is currently 44% cheaper than the Ryzen 9 9900X, making it great value for money.
  • Given the similar performance and a huge difference in price, we recommend you go for the Ryzen 9 7900X and wait for the 9900X’s price to drop.

Comparison Table

FeatureRyzen 9 9900XRyzen 9 7900X
Integrated GPURadeon GraphicsRadeon Graphics
Release DateAug 15th, 2024Sep 27th, 2022
Memory & SpeedDDR5 5600 MT/sDDR5 5600 MT/s
Cores & Threads12 Cores & 24 Threads
12 Cores & 24 Threads
Memory Size192 GB192 GB
PCI Express Lanes2424
Best MotherboardsBest Motherboards For Ryzen 9 9900XBest Motherboards For Ryzen 9 7900X
Best CPU CoolersBest CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 9900XBest CPU Coolers For Ryzen 9 7900X
Best RAM-Best RAM For Ryzen 9 7900X

Architectural Differences

  1. Process Node & TDP: The newer Ryzen 9 9900X comes with a 4nm process node and a TDP rating of 120W. Whereas the Ryzen 9 7900X has a 5nm node with a 170W TDP. 
  2. Cores & Threads: Both of these processors arrive with 12 cores and 24 threads. 
  3. Clock Speed: Although new, the Ryzen 9 9900X consists of a 4.4 GHz frequency while the Ryzen 9 7900X boasts a 4.7 GHz speed. Both can be sped up to 5.6 GHz. 
  4. Cache: The Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 have an L1 cache of 80KB and 64KB (per core), respectively. Both share the same L2 and L3 cache of 1MB and 64MB, respectively.
  5. Chipsets: The Ryzen 9 7900X supports only X670E, X670, B650E, B650. Conversely, the Ryzen 9 9900X supports all of these and also X870E, X870, B850, and B840.

AMD has released four variants of the Ryzen 9000 Series, so we decided to put one of its variants up against one of the strongest variants present in the Ryzen 7000 series. We’ll compare the Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 7900X and take you along.

Gaming Benchmarks – 1080p

Since it’s easier to judge the performance of two processors at 1080p, it is reasonable to test them at 1080p. Most of these games run on the Ultra settings, with some titles pushing the RTX to its full limits. Using the following bench can get you similar results. 

Test Bench

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The Ryzen 9 9900X pushes for an average FPS of 122, getting a 1.65% boost, while the Ryzen 9 7900X stays right behind it by achieving an average of 120 FPS.
  • As for the 1% lows, the Ryzen 9 9900X showed a 6.8% lead, gaining an average of 91 FPS over the Ryzen 9 7900X, which averaged 85 FPS.

Starfield

Starfield
Starfield @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • In Starfield, we saw that the Ryzen 9 9900X maintained a lead by a margin of 3.2% as it obtained an average of 127 FPS over the Ryzen 9 7900X’s 123 FPS.
  • In terms of the 1% lows, the Ryzen 9 7900X was 7.8% behind with 61 FPS. Whereas the Ryzen 9 9900X stayed ahead with an average of 66 FPS.

Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Here, we saw the Ryzen 9 9900X with an average of 204 FPS and the Ryzen 9 7900X averaging 201 FPS, stalling only 1.4% behind its competitor.
  • The Ryzen 9 9900X rose at the top on an average of 1%, low by 2% as it achieved 145 FPS over the Ryzen 9 7900X, which obtained 142 FPS.

The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • With RTX On, the Ryzen 9 7900X pushed to achieve an average of 97 FPS over the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 98 FPS, being only 1% behind.
  • This time, the average 1% lows favored the Ryzen 9 7900X by 5%, which achieved 81 FPS over the newly released Ryzen 9 9900X, which averaged 77 FPS.

Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Again, we saw similar results as the Ryzen 9 7900X pushed for an average of 255 FPS over the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 256 FPS – with only an insignificant difference of 0.3%.
  • The Ryzen 9 7900X outperformed the Ryzen 9 9900X by 1.1% by obtaining an average of 180 FPS over 9900X’s 178 FPS.  

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simluator
Microsoft Flight Simulator @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • In this 2020 game, the Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 7900X obtained a similar average of 64 FPS and 62 FPS, respectively, equating to a 3.1% difference.
  • The Ryzen 9 9900X dominated the Ryzen 9 7900X by 11.3% by achieving 56 FPS over Ryzen 9 7900X’s 50 FPS. 

Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • The Ryzen 9 9900X outperformed the Ryzen 9 7900X by 3.9% as it gained 77 FPS. Whereas, the Ryzen 9 7900X obtained an average of 74 FPS.
  • In terms of the average 1% lows, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 7900X obtained 58 FPS and 55 FPS, respectively, – showcasing a 5.3% margin

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • Lastly, we saw that both the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 7900X achieved the same average of 171 FPS.
  • With Ryzen 9 7900X is only 3.6% behind in terms of 1% lows, averaging 135 FPS over Ryzen 9 9900X’s slightly better 140 FPS.

Overall Gaming Performance

FeaturedRTX 4070 Ti SuperRTX 3080 Ti
Average FPS103.8 📈89.4 📈
1% lows79 📉72 📉
Winner: Nvidia's RTX 4070 Ti Super

The Ryzen 9 9900X displayed a slight edge of 1.4% over the Ryzen 9 7900X, which isn’t much of a difference when it comes to the average FPS. As for the 1% lows, there’s only a 2.7% margin gained by the Ryzen 9 9900X.

Thermal Efficiency

GameRyzen 9 9900X (°C)Ryzen 9 7900X (°C)
Cyberpunk 20776268
Starfield6869
Horizon Forbidden West6871
The Witcher 36164
Forza Horizon 56064
Microsoft Flight Simluator6763
Hogwarts Legacy5861
Red Dead Redemption 26263
Average Temperature63.25 🌡️65.375 🌡️
Winner: Ryzen 9 9900X

The difference between the Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 7900X is only 3.3%, whereas the Ryzen 9 9900X maintains a slightly lower temperature. On a grand scale, this is insignificant because it doesn’t affect the processors at all.

Power Consumption

GameRyzen 9 9900X (W)Ryzen 9 7900X (W)
Cyberpunk 2077117126
Starfield130138
Horizon Forbidden West114126
The Witcher 3108110
Forza Horizon 5113114
Microsoft Flight Simluator8992
Hogwarts Legacy91102
Red Dead Redemption 2111113
Average Power Draw109.13 ⚡115.13 ⚡
Winner: Ryzen 9 9900X

In terms of power consumption, we saw that the Ryzen 9 9900X consumed about 5.3% less power than the Ryzen 9 7900X. Even if the percentage figure is larger than that of the average FPS and of the temperature, it isn’t much whatsoever.

Price And Availability

CPULaunch MSRPCurrent Price
Ryzen 9 9950X💲649💲649
Core i7 14700K💲549💲319
Price Difference18%103%

Since the Ryzen 9 9900X has recently been released, its current price remains the same as its launch price. The Ryzen 9 7900X, on the other hand, has seen a 52.9% price drop since its release and is also 44% cheaper than the Ryzen 9 9900X.

Editor`s Note
Image

Even though the price of the Ryzen 9 9900X seems unjustified given that the Ryzen 9 7900X managed to push for similar performance, I recommend you wait a few months so that its price decreases. Then, it’ll be worth more than the Ryzen 9 7900X.

– Uzair Qureshi

What We Recommend

Ryzen 9 9900X: This processor rules in terms of average FPS, consumes less power, and runs at a relatively lower temperature than its rival. Since it is new, its price is higher, but it will drop in a few months, which would make it the ideal choice, especially for gamers.

Ryzen 9 7900X: Although this CPU was behind in each aspect, it is still the best option out of the two. This is because there is not much difference in performance, power, and temperature.

Given the advantages and disadvantages of each processor, we would still recommend you to purchase the Ryzen 9 7900X because it is very reasonably priced and performs similarly to the Ryzen 9 9900X, making it the best choice for you. 

FAQs

Should I get the Ryzen 9 9900X over the Ryzen 9 7900X?

  Both the CPUs share similar performance with little difference in performance but a higher difference in price. Therefore, we recommend you wait for the Ryzen 9 9900X’s price to decrease before you purchase it.

How good is the Ryzen 9 9900X compared to the Ryzen 9 7900X?

The Ryzen 9 9900X offers slightly better framerates, runs slightly cooler, and consumes slightly lower power than the Ryzen 9 7900X.

Is the Ryzen 9 9900X worth it?

For now, the Ryzen 9 9900X is not worth its price because it is newly released and is 44% more expensive than the Ryzen 9 7900X and offers similar performance.

Latest Updates

ASRock Releases Pocket-Friendly CL25FFA and CL27FFA 1080p 120Hz Monitors

[Press Release] ASRock has just launched two budget-friendly gaming monitors for the mainstream audience. The CL25FFA and CL27FFA are positioned as ‘light gaming monitors,’ meeting the needs of modern eSports gamers, fans of single-player titles, and more.

ASRock CL25FFA CL27FFA
ASRock Brings 1080p Goodness With The CL25FFA And CL27FFA

With a 120Hz refresh rate, both displays stand above the typical 60Hz monitors on the market. This makes them ideal for fast-paced genres like first-person shooters and MOBAs in both casual and competitive sessions.

Elsewhere, the monitors boast an IPS display with 1080p resolution and 178° wide viewing angles. This quality display allows ASRock to strike a solid balance between price, performance, and image quality.

For detailed product specifications, find more information on the CL25FFA and CL27FFA on their official product pages. While you’re at it, you can also visit ASRock’s official website for more gaming products.

Nvidia CEO Dismisses 5090 Pricing Concerns; Says Gamers ‘Just Want The Best’

Story Highlight
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has seemingly dismissed the RTX 5090 pricing concerns in a new statement. 
  • He claims gamers who opt for the flagship want the best and don’t want to trade for slightly worse by saving $100.
  • Jensen accepts that the 5090 is not for everyone; it’s for gamers who already spend thousands on their rigs.

Many gamers are arguing that Nvidia has inflated the pricing of its new RTX 5090 GPU by outright doubling it compared to the RTX 4090. The rest of the lineup is also quite expensive for an everyday gamer.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has dismissed these concerns entirely while clarifying that the flagship experience only comes with a pretty penny.

Why it matters: Nvidia CEO says the 5090’s exorbitant pricing is not a concern since it offers the best specs that the targeted audience wants.

Nvidai CEO AI Presentation
Jensen Huang also confirmed that an ARM-based desktop CPU is in the works.

In an in-depth interview with global media following the opening keynote at CES 2025, the Nvidia CEO claims that gamers who will go for the RTX 5090 do not mind the $1999 price tag. These ‘enthusiasts’ don’t want to save $100 by opting for something slightly worse.

Our enthusiasts, if they want the best, they won’t settle for something slightly better or save $100 by choosing something a bit worse.

-Jensen Huang, CEO Nvidia

Huand understands that it is not a small amount, and 5090 is not meant for everyone. He believes that gamers who spend over $10K building a theater-level PC setup can also afford the GPU with ease.

Previously, results have shown that the RTX 50 series only offers limited performance gains over the RTX 40 lineup without using DLSS 4.0 and Multi Frame Generation. So, the claims made about RTX 50’s performance simply fail to hold up, as per our report.

RTX 5070 Vs RTX 4090
Nvidia’s RTX 5070 can’t beat the RTX 4090 GPU without using DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation.

Latest Updates

Do you think the remarks of the Nvidia CEO justify the high price tags for the RTX 5090 GPU? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.

78% of Nvidia’s Employees Are Millionaire Now, Reveals Insider

Story Highlight

Nvidia is currently the second most valuable company in the world, falling behind Apple. 

  • A recent report revealed that almost 80% of its employees are now millionaires, but they have a pretty hectic work routine.
  • The employees work 7 times a week, with 2 a.m. shifts. They have to go through pretty intense meetings and micromanage their schedules.
  • Due to that, many of the old-timers considered themselves semi-retired and didn’t work hard enough. 

Nvidia is the second biggest company in the world, and it may only be a matter of time before it becomes the first, as it has surpassed Apple on occasion. The RTX 50 series can help it attain an even higher position, but it can also backfire, given many fans are not convinced by the technical leap.

That said, Nvidia has seen massive success in the past few years, and thanks to that, 78% of its employees are now millionaires. That is just how big of a company this tech giant has become, as the majority of its employees are millionaires, which is straight-up absurd. 

Why it matters: Since 2019, Nvidia’s success has been quite prominent in the industry as its value has kept on increasing, and now it is the second most valuable company in the whole world. 

Nvidia Employees
Majority of Nvidia’s Employees Are Millionaires Due To Massive Rise In Stock From Past Few Years

Many reports have revealed this information about Nvidia’s work culture and employees’ wealth. Ruben D. on LinkedIn has briefed us on information and revealed some interesting points.

The tech giant’s stock since 2019 has increased by 3,776%, which is pretty amazing. It has done wonders for its employees. The company’s massive increase in value in the past few years created an unprecedented wave of wealth among its employees, which is exactly why nearly 80% of its employees are millionaires. 

Furthermore, 1 in 2 employees is worth $25 million. This amount for an employee at a company is arguably crazy, but how can one earn a massive amount without a catch? Fans might also have been wondering whether there is a catch; well, there is. 

The Company Has Just Recently Revealed RTX 50 Series, Which Has Become A Little Controversial 

The employees report 7-day work weeks and 2 a.m. shifts, which is not normal, and so is the paycheck. Not only that, but the employees have to go through intense meetings and micromanage their schedules. One can only assume how hard it would be to work at Nvidia. 

It would be fair to say the employees are basically handcuffed to work, but those handcuffs are made of gold. This also keeps them from leaving, which explains how the company has seen a massive increase of 3,776% in value in the past 5 years. 

Working 7 days a week late nights could take a toll on one’s mental health no matter how much money they are earning. This may even lead to a toxic work environment as the employees may not spend much time with their loved ones. 

This is why those employees who are millionaires think of semi-retirement. Some old employees are also just sitting on their wealth of company stock and aren’t really working as hard as they should.

Jensen Huang addressed this issue. During an all-hands meeting, Huang picked one of the pre-submitted employee questions, which asked what to do about the old-timers in semi-retirement mode. 

Huang answered that working at Nvidia is like a “voluntary sport”, so every employee should act as the CEO of their time. Despite this, the company is ranked 2nd in Glassdoor’s ‘Best Places To Work’ in 2024.

Latest Updates

Even the world’s second most successful company has its fair share of problems, but the CEO seems to have enough strategies to address them and not let the employees create a toxic environment. 

What do you think about almost 80% of the company’s employees being millionaires? Do you think the RTX 50 series will increase the company’s value? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forums.

AMD Accuse Intel, Blaming Them For The Shortage of Ryzen 9800X3D

Story Highlight
  • The AMD 9800X3D has exceeded expectations, leading to high demand and stock shortages.
  • AMD claims that the poor performance of Intel’s Arrow Lake CPUs has contributed to the increased demand for the X3D series.
  • Despite efforts to increase output, AMD is still struggling to meet demand due to manufacturing delays.

AMD’s 9800X3D not only destroyed the competition but also nearly disappeared from shelves since launch. AMD execs claim that the “horrible” Arrow Lake CPUs from Intel are the unanticipated cause of the shortage.

Although that is a bold claim, AMD deserves credit for having the performance and sales figures to support it. Regarding gaming performance, Intel’s new Arrow Lake chips were a complete failure.

Why it matters: The high demand for the Ryzen 9800X3D points towards AMD’s growing dominance in the CPU market, despite production challenges.

According to PC World, Frank Azor, AMD’s chief architect of gaming solutions, and David McAfee, the company’s corporate vice president, recently answered reporters’ questions about the Ryzen 9800X3D’s high demand and production difficulties.

Azor stated,

We knew we built a great part… We were unaware the rival had built such a terrible one.

-Frank Azor

As a result, demand has been somewhat higher than anticipated. 

McAfee emphasized the production issues due to its enormous success and lack of availability on retail shelves, saying:  “All I can say is that we have been increasing the amount of X3D parts we can produce on a monthly and quarterly basis. That is both 7000X3D and 9000X3D series and we have grown far more than we had anticipated.”

Latest Updates

Although AMD knew they had a great product, they didn’t anticipate the level of competition would be so low, which is why so many people chose AMD.  

The manufacturing process is still a bottleneck, even with increased production. It takes about 12 weeks from wafer fabrication to the final product, and AMD is struggling to meet demand.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows First Expansion Is Claws of Awaji; Features 10+ Hours Of New Content

Story Highlight
  • The first Assassin’s Creed expansion is titled “Claws of Awaji.”
  • According to the deleted description on Steam, the expansion will include a new region and more than 10 hours of new content.
  • Speculations suggest future expansions may introduce additional content and co-op mode.

Ubisoft is locked in on the upcoming release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but it has now been delayed for the second time. The new release date is March 20th this year.

Following the delay, Ubisoft updated the first details of the game’s post-release content on Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s Steam page.

A now-deleted description revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will receive a new expansion pack post-launch, titled “Claws of Awaji.” This pack will feature more than 10 hours of new content, and players will be able to visit an entirely new region, separated from the base game’s map. 

Why it matters: All the mainline Assassin’s Creed games get major DLC expansions as part of their post-launch treatment, bringing new stories and gameplay features to visit. Claws of Awaji will do the same as is set to expand more on the base game’s elements.

assassin's creed expansion claws of awaji steam page
In A Now Deleted Description, Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s Steam Page Revealed Claws of Awaji Expansion As A Pre-Purchase Offer.

As the details read, Claws of Awaji will introduce a new weapon, Bo, which players must master while reclaiming a lost treasure on the island, as a mysterious threat is hunting them.

If Shadows follows the tradition of past Assassin’s Creed RPG games, this DLC will introduce fantastical elements and serve as a bridge to the base game and expansion.

Subsequent speculation suggests that the second expansion will introduce more elements and hours of content. Reports have also previously indicated that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will include a co-op mode in the future.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe Parkour
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Shows Huge Upgrade In The Game’s Parkour Elements

All hope rides on Assassin’s Creed Shadows to save the franchise and the French publisher Ubisoft itself, as the possibility of a buyout rises daily.

Latest Updates

What do you think about the Claws of Awaji DLC and will you buy Assassin’s Creed Shadows when it launches on 20th March? Let us know in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forums.

Ubisoft Releasing AC Shadows On Same Day A Major Incident Happened In Japan

Story Highlight
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been delayed for the second time, and now it will be released on March 20. 
  • Coincidentally, a major domestic attack occurred in Japan on the same day, known as the “Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack.”
  • Fans are claiming Ubisoft to have done this deliberately, but that seems like a reach given the company’s current condition. 

Ubisoft just recently announced that it is delaying Assassin’s Creed Shadows once again. The gaming giant is still not satisfied with the game’s quality and now wants the team working on it to implement player feedback for more improvements. 

However, the next release date seems to have triggered another controversy. “Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack”, one of the worst domestic terror attacks, took place in Japan on March 20, 1995.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is also releasing on the same date now. 

Why it matters: People were quick to notice this similarity, and it triggered another controversy. This might not be intended, but it proves that Ubisoft’s upcoming title can’t catch a break no matter what.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Delayed Again
Ubisoft Has Delayed AC Shadows For The Second Time

For those unaware, the Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack was a brutal crime where some members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult released nerve gas into the Tokyo Subway. This incident caused 13 people to lose their lives and injured thousands of innocent bystanders. 

That is why it is considered one of the worst and major domestic attacks in the history of Japan. So, Ubisoft releasing AC Shadows on a similar date has not received a positive reception from the fandom, and it is pretty obvious why. 

Ubisoft’s blatantly disrespecting Japan again with this date. I feel that the DEI people within the company intentionally chose this date to spite the Japanese.

-Twitter User

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is Facing Yet Another Controversy

Before this, fans were claiming that Ubisoft was releasing AC Shadows during Black History Month due to the game’s male lead, Yasuke. Fans were quick to call out the company yet again. 

Missing Black history month and releasing a offensive culture appropriative game on a tragic Japanese date. We might witness the first game with negative sales

Others are claiming that Ubisoft is doing this to make the Japanese fandom angry but it seems like a reach. The company’s condition is already very sensitive as it could potentially go bankrupt this year.

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So, Ubisoft deliberately releasing the game on such a date would put it in harm’s way, which is why it doesn’t seem intentional. 

What do you think about Assassin’s Creed Shadows being delayed once again? Do you think it is offensive to Japanese people to release the game on March 20? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.

Ubisoft Faces Its Toughest Year Yet: 2025 Will Make or Break the Gaming Giant

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  • The new year hasn’t been kind to Ubisoft, as the company continues to struggle with poor game launches, AC Shadows delay, and plummeting stock.
  • Internal problems include project failures like XDefiant, game cancellations, and low employee morale.
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Ubisoft’s last hope, and if it fails, we might see a probable buyout from Tencent.

2024 has proven to be a challenging year for Ubisoft. The highly anticipated Skull and Bones reportedly costing over $800 million launch faltered, facing significant criticism. Meanwhile, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, their last hope, has been delayed twice.

Stock plummets by over 45%, hitting a historic one-year low and many other factors raising concerns among fans and investors. These setbacks, coupled with multiple rounds of layoffs, have cast a shadow over the company’s future.

This article looks at the challenges Ubisoft is facing, including internal issues, game delays, and a potential takeover. Can the company overcome these obstacles and stay competitive in the gaming world? Let’s find out.

Tencent Negotiations: Uncertainty and Expectations

the division
Tencent already owns 9.2% of Ubisoft.

Ubisoft has been in talks with Tencent about a possible buyout and taking the company private. However, the discussions have stalled due to the Guillemot brothers’ desire to retain control. Tencent, for its part, prefers to buy shares, increasing its influence.

The key factor in resuming negotiations will be the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and that’s the main reason the game gets delayed for the second time so they can further polish the experience as it could be their last shot at survival.

A successful release will give Guillemot a strong negotiating position, and the failure of the game will be an opportunity for Tencent to acquire the stake at a reduced price.

Internal Turmoil: Hindering Growth and Innovation

The company is experiencing serious internal problems that are hindering effective development:

  • Failures of Major Projects: Skull & Bones didn’t live up to expectations and there are a lot of problems with Beyond Good and Evil 2. The latter, announced 16 years ago, still has no release date.
  • Cancellations: A large number of games have been shelved or canceled due to a lack of a clear vision. For example, the development of Project U cost more than $100 million, which was the result of management problems.
  • Low Employee Trust: In a recent anonymous survey, trust in management was only 15-20%.

Even the successful launch of XDefiant, a shooter with good reviews, did not save the game from being shut down. The reasons were an insufficient player base and unprofitable development.

Ubisoft’s Path to Redemption: A Course for Change

Naoe
Ubisoft has several upcoming games, and the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is key to its recovery.

2025 could be a pivotal year for Ubisoft. Among the upcoming releases, in addition to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, are:

The developers are also continuing to work on Beyond Good and Evil 2, but its release is expected much later than other projects.

Ubisoft needs to streamline its development processes and stop chasing current trends. The success of Shadows will be the first step to regaining the trust of players, but for the long-term success of the company, it will need to change its internal structure from stretch. 

The Road Ahead

AC-Shadows-Delayed-March-20
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been delayed once more, and it’s hurting Ubisoft.

If Shadows fails, Ubisoft risks facing major changes. Options include a Change Management coupled with major layoffs or a partial sale of stocks to Tencent.

In any case, Ubisoft is on the threshold of a new era that will affect thousands of employees and millions of players. Whether the company will be able to live up to expectations and return to the leaders of the gaming industry – time will tell.

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What’s your take on Ubisoft’s current position? Do you believe they can successfully overcome these obstacles and maintain their place as a major player? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. 

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