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Moiz Banoori

At Tech4Gamers, he is recognized for his insightful features and opinion pieces, where he blends his passion for gaming with a keen understanding of technological trends. His work, marked by depth and accessibility, makes him a respected voice in the tech and gaming community.

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Accessibility in the gaming industry has indeed progressed remarkably. Features like subtitles and colorblind modes, which have started showing up much more frequently in titles, ensure that more players can fully engage in games. However, I feel like now is the time to go beyond simple adjustments and broaden the design to be adapted for diverse groups, including those who have sensory, physical, and cognitive disabilities.

Thoughtful design and inclusivity are appreciated, after all—a game that can incorporate incredible immersion because more people can experience it. However, as the gaming industry begins to grow exponentially in scale and invite more people, it’s imperative these groups aren’t neglected.

Improving Accessibility In Imaginative Ways To Make Gaming Truly For Everyone

For starters, subtitles are the immediate and first thing that any player thinks of when having it in mind for gaming, although there is much improvement towards this end to invite every gamer.

Traditionally, I can’t say the common definition of subtitles only includes reading back what people say as a form of conveying simple dialogue. Still, deep captions, which may include sound, music, and emotional tinges, can certainly help most understand the atmosphere of their experience. As such, the in-game text should be configurable about the sizes, colors, transparency settings of the background, and so much more.

According to Private Internet Access (PIA), accessibility gaming maximizes user experience since it allows users to personalize certain features to their needs. Subtitles are already something most games do, so customizable captions can be even better not just for deaf players but also for those with visual impairments or dyslexia.

Visual Cues And Text-To-Speech To Remove Audio Barriers

Games, especially horror titles like Outlast 2 or Resident Evil 8, would never be as impactful had it not been for their eerie audio design. Sound effects in games add tension, emphasize key points, and alert the player to certain events. Unfortunately, players with hearing impairments can’t experience the same awe, but they must be accommodated nonetheless.

Visual cues can be icons, directional arrows, color-coded signals, or even vibrations to alert players of approaching enemies or nearby objectives. This would help the player feel the game without relying on sound. If something dangerous, like a monster, is approaching you, you can react to it with a corresponding icon instead of listening for subtle footsteps.

On the other side of the spectrum, there’s a large community that faces trouble with visual signals instead. Standard voice chat features, especially in several communication-focused multiplayer titles, are often limited to players with hearing and speech abilities.

With TTS and STT capabilities becoming mainstream in these titles, this will no longer be an issue. Visual indicators, simplified interfaces, and optional hints all allow the player to learn at their own pace, which is helpful for neurodivergent players such as those with ADHD or autism.

Customizing Controls And Difficulty Levels To Add Convenience

Traditional gaming setups can be complicated for people with physical disabilities. Heck, some games don’t even support controllers or controller configurations, which, more than anything, is just complacent.

Therefore, a controller or keyboard-customizing option can change the gaming experience to meet your unique needs. With remapping of controls, sensory adjustments, and the possibility of using one’s hand or even feet to control the game, players who suffer from motor impairments can access these games.

Let’s look at a game like Elden Ring—universally loved, an award-winning title, but it’s just so challenging for a casual player that most don’t get the chance to experience it in its full glory. Adjustable difficulty levels, as a result, allow players to experience the game at their preferred challenge level.

Other features, such as “auto-aim,” extended reaction times, and simpler user interfaces, can also create a more enjoyable experience for those who find fast-paced, high-stakes environments overwhelming.

Of course, these do have some drawbacks—you don’t want these additional tools to create an unfair advantage. As such, it’s up to the developers to ensure their games have these accessibility features implemented in such a way that it doesn’t incentivize every player to use it because of an extra edge.

Conclusion

Digital accessibility is not only a question of fairness but also increases the quality of experience for everyone. Whenever the needs and preferences of the diverse masses have been considered in game development, developers find that their games indeed include a larger audience.

I’m glad to see how these strides are being recognized, appreciated, and encouraged in the industry, but there’s so much more to do. Similar to getting a Tessan, which acts as a remote-control outlet and a solid Christmas gift because of its convenience and high range, inclusivity and added features can bring in a huge audience and potential.

The primary concern is how the developers can’t infuse accessibility into a challenge, motivating players to excel while giving them the right tools; this is an avenue to be improved upon. Beyond subtitles and simple accessibility features, games implementing meaningful accessibility features make every player feel empowered, connected, and worthy.

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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When upgrading PCs, many users only change a few components and call it a day, and that’s fine. I have done the same multiple times; it’s cheaper, more efficient, and gets the job done, so why not? However, if you’re making a big leap, you may have to change more than you want to. In doing so, many people leave out their power supplies. So, is your old PSU still safe for a modern PC build? Before determining whether you need a new power supply, let’s discuss what you should consider when making the choice.

Is It Still Under Warranty?

Power supplies have an extended warranty. By long, I don’t mean five or six years. Most PSUs go up to ten years of warranty, and some even higher. Therefore, you should check whether your current power supply is still under warranty. If not, there’s a good chance it’s outdated. Also, there’s a higher chance the power supply will stop working soon after the new PC is built.

You might not need a new one if your power supply is still under warranty. However, let’s say you’re switching from a GTX 1050 Ti to an RTX 4070 Ti. If you continue using the same power supply, you will face many abnormalities, potentially resulting in the PC not booting up due to insufficient power. That’s why your PSU being under warranty shouldn’t be the only metric you’re using to check whether the PSU will run your new PC.

How Big Of A Jump Are You Making?

I touched on this point earlier, but allow me to explain further. If you’re making a smaller jump or buying power-efficient PC components, you might not have to worry about your current PSU’s wattage meeting the requirements of your new PC. For example, let’s say you upgraded from an i5-2400 to a Ryzen 5 3600. In theory, this is a pretty big jump; however, the CPU is pretty efficient in power consumption.

Similarly, you upgraded from a GTX 1050 to an RTX 3060. Again, it is a phenomenal performance upgrade, but the power consumption isn’t too much. You were rocking a 550W power supply before; do you need a new one? No, you don’t. You can stay on the same power supply and enjoy your new PC without problems.

On the other hand, let’s say you’re upgrading from the Ryzen 5 3600 and RTX 3060 combo to a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RX 7900 XTX. Can you still stay on the same 550W PSU? Not anymore. I suggest upgrading to a 1000W PSU, such as the XPG CyberCore 1000W PSU. If you’re unsure how much power your new PC will consume, follow our PSU wattage calculator, and you should be ready!

Do You Have Compatible Connectors?

Does your old power supply have compatible connectors? Assuming it has enough juice and dexterity to support your new PC build, if it is from the early to mid-2000s, you will likely face issues with incompatible connectors. If you don’t want to upgrade your PSU, I recommend checking the motherboard’s 24-pin, CPU’s 4/8-pin, and GPU’s 6/8-pin PCIe connectors.

If your PSU is missing some of these or has outdated connectors, I’m sorry, my friend, but you’ll have to upgrade it. It’s okay because you can buy a budget 650W power supply like the Antec Earthwatts 650W 80+ Gold. This power supply will give you enough connectors while providing 80+ protection, making it perfect for a new build.

Does It Have Enough Power Draw On Its 12V Rail?

This is an essential factor many users don’t consider even if they looked through all the rest. If you have an old power supply, assuming a 400W from the early 2000s, it likely doesn’t have a good power draw on its 12V rail. Most of the power will be delivered through the 3.3V and 5V rails, which is terrible for modern hardware.

Ideally, you want a power supply with a decent power draw on its 12V rail. Without this, none of your new hardware will get the required wattage. If it doesn’t, you will face stability issues, lower performance, or a BSOD, and you don’t want any of those, do you?

Can You Still Use Your Old Power Supply?

Now, for the moment of truth, is your old PSU still safe for a modern PC build? Well, if you answered a resounding “Yes!” to all the questions above, then yes, you can still use your old power supply. On the other hand, if even one of the questions was a “No!” I recommend upgrading your power supply.

Generally, you should upgrade once every two generations, but read this guide if you’re trying to save some money. A decent modular power supply with a good Cybenetics rating costs around $90 to $110, so keep that in mind. When in doubt, purchase a half-decent PSU rather than take a risk.

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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I was recently asked, “Is a 21:9 ultrawide the perfect monitor aspect ratio?” You probably can’t decide between 16:9 and 21:9 either, can you? Let’s break down the pros and cons of both aspect ratios and come up with a solid conclusion today.

Multitasking Is Cake On An Ultrawide

Do you know why ultrawide monitors tingle my ADHD brain? I can efficiently multitask by opening multiple screens without repeatedly switching between them, like on traditional monitors. For example, while playing Teamfight Tactics (TFT), I can open my build comp cheat sheet at the side without minimizing the game.

Similarly, you can efficiently multitask while working on productive tasks like programming, graphic designing, or video editing. The possibilities are endless, and it’s easy, looks good, and feels even better on an ultrawide 21:9 monitor.

You might question, “But I can also do that on a dual-monitor setup, right?” Of course, you can. However, ultrawide monitors don’t have those annoying bezels between two monitors. Do they? You’re getting better aesthetics and a smoother feel for around the same price.

Wider Field Of View In Shooter Games

Aside from multitasking, I love a 21:9 monitor when playing shooter games. Unlike traditional monitors, which may reduce the background, an ultrawide monitor allows you to see extra details that can provide an edge. Sometimes, it feels like I’m cheating, but I’m just using better equipment than my opponents.

With ultrawide monitors, it’s like you’re watching a movie in a theater, which is why there is a more fabulous background and a wider field of vision. However, if you’re not used to such settings, it can cause disruptions in your gameplay, and you’ll find yourself dying in games like Call Of Duty much quicker than usual. I implore you not to accuse the monitor; it improves with time!

Most Ultrawide Monitors Have A Higher Pixel Density

Aside from resolutions, pixel density plays a crucial role in displaying images. For example, a 1080p 23″ monitor has a higher Pixel-Per-Inch (PPI) than a 1080p 27″ monitor. Similarly, many 21:9 ultrawide monitors have a higher PPI than many 1080p and 1440p panels in stores. I’m emphasizing PPI because a higher pixel density monitor usually has a better display than a higher resolution monitor.

A higher PPI means how much a pixel has been broken down per inch. The more it has been broken down, the greater the display you’ll see. That’s why a 23″ 1080p monitor might have a better display than a 32″ 1440p monitor. I still recommend the higher-resolution monitor, but you’ll be able to notice the pixel density in graphic-intensive games.

A 3840 x 1600p 38″ monitor like the LG Ultragear 38GN950 has a ~109.5 PPI value, while a 2560 x 1440p 27″ monitor like the Acer Nitro WQHD has a ~108.8 PPI value. Forget 1080p monitors; not even most 1440p monitors can compete with 21:9 ultrawide monitors. There’s a condescending price differential, which I’ll cover next.

The Pricing Can Make Ultrawides Less Attractive

I won’t mince my words; as much as I love ultrawide monitors, their pricing can sometimes make them less attractive. This is especially true if you only run a single-monitor layout and don’t plan on getting a dual-monitor setup. Let’s break down the pricing of 1080p, 1440p, and ultrawide monitors. I won’t consider 4K displays because 1440p’s benefits far outweigh the 4K’s cost.

For starters, if you’re running a dual-monitor setup, a 1080p setup should be perfect. You can get a decent 100Hz or 120Hz monitor for ~$100. Pair that with a cheaper secondary 60Hz monitor for a ~$160 setup. On the other hand, a decent 1440p monitor can cost anywhere between $150 and $200. I don’t recommend using a dual-monitor setup with 1440p monitors. A primary 1440p and secondary 1080p is fine, though.

Lastly, ultrawide monitor prices vary widely. For example, you can buy a 32″ 3440 x 1440p IPS monitor for around $215 or spend $1,000 on the Samsung G9 Odyssey, a super-ultrawide 49″ monitor. It’s curved, ultrawide, has a ridiculous 240Hz refresh rate with a 0.03ms response time, and is OLED. I guess that’s enough to justify its price.

So, an ultrawide monitor might not fit depending on your budget and requirements. However, you can always use a dual-mode monitor, like the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG-W, to get a dual-monitor setup experience without buying two displays.

Are 21:9 Monitors For Everyone, Though?

Back to the main question: Is a 21:9 ultrawide the perfect monitor aspect ratio? Perhaps it is. If you’re fine with a mid-range ultrawide display, you get all your money’s worth. I can’t promise the same for a high-end ultrawide monitor, though. So, depending on your requirements, you might find a 1440p 27″ 144Hz 1ms response time monitor better than an ultrawide.

However, an ultrawide monitor is perfect for me. I don’t play many online shooter games, but the story single-player games I play benefit significantly from the more lavish vibrance and background shown on the 21:9 display.

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Ali Rashid Khan

As Tech4Gamers’ Wiki Editor, I dissect gaming products, offering detailed perspectives on a variety of PCMR hardware ranging from the Best Motherboards and CPUs to the Best GPUs, RAM, and PSUs.

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I know, I know.

You and I are both anxiously awaiting the launch of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5000 Series GPUs.

However, reports suggest we’ve still got about a month to go as credible intel (no pun intended) has led me to believe that the successor to the RTX 4000 lineup will be revealed at the next edition of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) which will be held during the second week of January 2025.

Like always, CES is poised to be another blockbuster. Fans are gearing up with great anticipation for the successor to Nvidia’s RTX 4000 Series.

So what’s the bottom line?

RTX 5000: More Performance = More Power Consumption

Akin to the buildup for previous generational launches, credible rumours are claiming unprecedented performance gains of up to 70%.

On top of that, there’s even an RTX 5050 in the works, reportedly, which is surprising as Nvidia didn’t opt to launch a successor to the RTX 3050 when it launched its RTX 4000 lineup. But of course, there’s always a catch. 

For the RTX 5000 Series, it’s the power consumption or TDPs (Thermal Design Process) of the GPUs themselves. With the exception of the aforementioned RTX 5050, every succeeding GPU to the RTX 4000 ‘Ada Lovelace’ lineup is expected to significantly up the ante with respect to power requirements. 

Understandably, increased power equates to increased thermal challenges. That being said, I’m here today NOT to debate what the best cooling solution for one of these RTX 5000 GPUs might be.

Instead, I’m here to discuss in detail and accordingly decide whether you’re going to be needing a new PSU for these next-generation, bleeding-edge GPUs.

RTX 5000: Let’s Discuss Power Delivery

First off, all of the RTX 5000 GPUs codenamed “Blackwell” will be getting 16-pin connectors in order to keep up with the latest generation GPUs’ power-hungry appetite.

Thanks to an unintentional slip-up from renowned PSU manufacturer, Seasonic, we can make a credible claim as to what the power requirements for each of Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs will be.

For starters, the RTX 5050 is rated at a very reasonable 100W, which would be a 30W decrease in comparison to the RTX 3050.

Moving on, the RTX 5060 is slated for a 170W TDP, i.e., a 55-watt increase over its outgoing predecessor, i.e., the RTX 4060.

Furthermore, the RTX 5070 will apparently be consuming 220W, which will equate to a 20W increment over the last generation RTX 4070.

Moreover, the RTX 5080 is gauged to gulp 400W of power, an 80W surplus in contrast to the RTX 4080.

Finally, the flagship RTX 5090 GPU is set to break all records and champion the hierarchy at a financially electrifying TDP of 600W, which would equate to a 150W uptick as opposed to the current flagship GPU from Nvidia, i.e., the RTX 4090.

Evidently, power comes at the cost of power.

RTX 5000: Should You Spring For A New PSU?

Well, one thing’s for sure. All the new Blackwell GPUs will be featuring 16-pin connectors, even the RTX 5050. 

What’s more, experts are claiming that the flagship RTX 5090 GPU might even boast dual 12VHPWR sockets out of the box. 

Keeping all of the data mentioned above in mind, it’s safe to assume that unless you’re springing for an RTX 5050, you’d be well-advised to upgrade your PSU to ready your gaming rig for the latest and greatest GPU tech from Nvidia.

It’s also worth noting that while the RTX 5070 will only sip through an additional 20W of power compared to its predecessor, its younger sibling, the RTX 5060 will consume 55W more than the RTX 4060.

That’s something you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re upgrading directly from an RTX 4060 to RTX 5060, RTX 4070 to RTX 5070, and so on and so forth.

Last but not least, even if you’re remotely considering the RTX 5080 or 5090, your PSU should have been upgraded by yesterday, there’s just no question about it.