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AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU Burns Up And Destroys X870 Motherboard

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  • A user on Reddit has reported that their Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU and X870 Motherboard were burned. 
  • The CPU could be the culprit here, as the Ryzen 7800X3D had similar problems at launch. 
  • On the other hand, it could be the user’s fault, considering we noticed a damaged socket from the sides.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, pictured as the ultimate gaming CPU, lived up to its hype. The CPU sold out instantly on Amazon, Newegg, and many other famous retailers, which wasn’t a surprise. 

AMD built up the hype for its CPU, and after launch, the hype remained. However, one concern has surfaced online, which some users fear. According to a recent report, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D burned up and destroyed the X870 motherboard

Why it matters: The previous best gaming CPU, the 7800X3D, was also burning at the start, so it seems like the 9800X3D is filling the shoes of its predecessors perfectly.

TrumpPooPoosPants on Reddit shared their experience with the new CPU. The user mentioned that the new CPU and MSI Tomahawk X870 burned up. Many users believe the 9800X3D has the same problem as the 7800X3D, as the former also burned up at the start

However, as of now, we don’t know the exact reasons for the CPU and motherboard burning, but we are likely to know why shortly. Tech Jesus (Gamers Nexus) has commented in the subreddit asking users to sell these parts to them, and they are paying full retail. 

The user has agreed to sell the parts, so we will soon know whether the hardware is faulty or whether the user caused it through negligence

What do you think of the highly popular CPU burning and taking down an X870? Do you think the fault is in the hardware? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums

Nvidia Benchmarks Show RTX 4090 Can’t Do 4K 60FPS In Stalker 2 Without DLSS 3

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  • Recently, official system requirements were revealed for Stalker 2, highlighting an optimised port.
  • However, the system requirements did not mention that DLSS or FSR needs to be toggled to meet the given requirements. 
  • Nvidia’s benchmarks show that even the 4090 can’t do 4K 60FPS without using the DLSS 3.

Stalker 2, one of the most anticipated releases this year, went gold a couple of days ago and will finally be released in less than a week. The fandom’s anticipation and excitement have gone through the roof, and the official requirements showed an optimized port. 

However, there is bad news for the fans who have been thinking that the port is highly optimized, as Nvidia’s official benchmarks say the opposite. Even the most powerful GPU RTX 4090 can’t do 4K 60FPS in the game without enabling DLSS 3.

Why it matters: Stalker 2 was voted the most anticipated game of 2024, so the new benchmarks are likely to create a wave of concern among many fans. 

Stalker 2 Nvidia Benchmarks
Official Benchmarks From Nvidia Reveals That 4090 Can’t Maintain 60FPS With Native 4K Resolution in Stalker 2

The benchmarks from Nvidia were revealed a while ago after CSC Game World released the system requirements. The latter revealed that the RTX 4080 can provide a 4k 60FPS experience with ultra settings. 

However, a recent analysis from Nvidia has revealed that DLSS 3 is necessary for that. This wasn’t mentioned in the system requirements, which caused a lot of misunderstanding. 

The benchmarks show that even the beast RTX 4090 can’t maintain 60 FPS at 4k native resolution so it is pretty obvious that 4080 wouldn’t even come close. On the other hand, at 2k native resolution, RTX 4090 can dish out 75 FPS on average, but fans aren’t likely to be satisfied with that. 

Stalker 2 is an Unreal Engine 5 game that has been in development for 14 years and is massive in scope. So, even at the native 2k resolution, it is likely to look spectacular. 

That said, what do you think about the likes of 4090 struggling to maintain 60 FPS at 4k native resolution now? Do you think Stalker 2 can get away with this due to being an UE5 game? Let us know what you think in the comments section below, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamer forums.

Drop Debuts OAE 1 Headphones In Collaboration With Axel Grell

[Press Release] Corsair has returned with a brand new product for Drop, a popular e-commerce brand that strives to deliver excellent products to the community.

Collaborating with Axel Grell once again, Corsair has unveiled the Drop + Grell OAE 1 headphones, promising world-class engineering and immersive audio at an accessible price.

Drop OAE 1
Pre-orders For The OAE 1 Are Now Open At A Special Discount

The OAE 1s are based on a driver forward and open-around-ear structure to accommodate a more natural listening experience. This approach helps minimize acoustic reflections and controls sound pressure.

Moreover, the sound is naturally directed to the ear canal. To ensure maximum comfort, the headphones also feature a lighter clamping force. All of this has been made possible thanks to Axel Grell’s three decades of audio engineering experience.

Drop’s previous signature headphones sold 1,000 units in no time, motivating Axel Grell to pursue even greater heights. According to Grell, the OAE 1 headphones strive to deliver a premium audio experience accessible to as many people as possible.

If this sounds interesting, follow this link to learn more on the company’s official website. You can also pre-order the OAE 1s now for $249(MSRP $299), a $100 discount over the last headphones.

Any Xbox Franchise Can Go To Third-Party Platforms, Says Phil Spencer

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  • Phil Spencer has been really pleased with the recent shift in Xbox’s strategy.
  • He has stated that they will continue to release more titles on other platforms.
  • Spencer further confirmed that they don’t have a red line in the portfolio regarding games that can be ported to other platforms.

2024 has been a roller coaster ride for Xbox, as the company has made significant changes to its strategy, and one of the major ones was to release its title on other platforms like Nintendo and PlayStation.

Further discussing the recent changes, Phil Spencer stated that they are very pleased with the results and don’t see any red line in their portfolio regarding third-party ports.

Why it matters: While the fans weren’t in favor of this strategy, it appears that Xbox will continue to release more of its titles on other platforms.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer

During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Xbox Head Phil Spencer discussed several topics, including the response to their recent games being released on other platforms. 

Phil stated that the response has been great and that the company will continue to release more of its titles on Nintendo and PlayStation. Talking about future titles, he stated that Microsoft is open to all types of possibilities.

I do not see sort of red lines in our portfolio that say ‘thou must not.

-Phil Spencer

This means that the likes of Halo and Gears could be considered for third-party ports. However, he stated that it is still too early to make any decision regarding the next version of Halo.

Xbox business update podcast
Phil Spencer Has Been The Head of Xbox Gaming For A Decade

While this is fantastic news for Nintendo and PlayStation fans, it might hurt the Xbox fans. Halo, in particular, has been closely associated with the Xbox brand for multiple decades, so fans might not be too happy if it heads to PlayStation. Unfortunately, it seems that this is inevitable.

What do you think about this decision? Do you think Xbox is making the right decision to make their business grow, or should they go back to excellence? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Tech4Gamer’s Official Forums.

Phil Spencer Looking At More Acquisitions For Xbox Growth

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  • Xbox completed the Activision Blizzard merger last year and is now eyeing future acquisitions.
  • Phil Spencer states that future buyouts will aim to strengthen Xbox’s first-party teams with more geographical diversity.
  • He previously looked at the likes of Sega and Nintendo as potential targets.

Xbox has been on an acquisition spree for the past few years. Following purchases like Bethesda Softworks, Ninja Theory, and Double Fine, the gaming giant purchased Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 billion last year.

Many thought this would mark the end of Xbox’s acquisitions, giving it a chance to focus on existing internal studios. However, Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently confirmed that more acquisitions are being considered.

Why it matters: Following the latest acquisition, Activision Blizzard suffered major layoffs. This led many to believe that Xbox would not pursue further buyouts, but Phil Spencer suggests otherwise.

Phil Spencer Xbox
Phil Spencer Continues To Aim For Success

Speaking to Bloomberg, Phil Spencer discussed various parts of the Xbox business, including future plans.

We we can find teams that add to what we’re trying, we will keep our heads up.

On the subject of acquisitions, he stated that Microsoft is looking out for partners that can assist it in the handheld business. Moreover, the gaming giant hopes to add more geographical diversity to its first-party teams.

Since he pointed to Asian teams in particular, the CEO may be looking out for studios capable of replicating the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Stellar Blade. In fact, Phil Spencer states that China has plenty of potential.

Future acquisitions will also aim to strengthen Activision Blizzard’s mobile business as Microsoft continues to push for this market. 

Microsoft Xbox Activision Blizzard Acquisition Merger
Activision Blizzard Has Already Brought Solid Results After The Merger

Last year, a leaked document outlined Xbox’s interests in potential acquisitions. Phil Spencer had previously been eyeing the likes of Nintendo and Sega, so these could also become important targets in the future.

While future acquisitions are anybody’s guess for now, these statements suggest the Xbox business is in a good place. With big games like Black Ops 6 finding plenty of success, the gaming giant must now look toward sustaining its current momentum.

What are your thoughts on these plans? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and join the Tech4Gamers Forums for additional discussions.

Resident Evil 9 Will Reportedly Feature Two ‘Unkillable’ Enemies Like Mr. X & Nemesis

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  • An official announcement of Resident Evil 9 is yet to be made.
  • Recent leaks have suggested that the game will feature two unkillable stalker enemies.
  • It has also been reported that the game has taken great inspiration from Resident Evil 4 and other entries in the franchise. 

Although Resident Evil 9 hasn’t been officially announced yet, it is reportedly the most ambitious game in the franchise. 

While recent reports have suggested that it will mark Leon Kennedy and Jill Valentine’s return, more potential leaks have surfaced on the internet. Following the recent playtest, it has been reported that the Resident Evil 9 will feature two unkillable enemies.

Why it matters: Previous entries in the franchise have also featured unkillable enemies like Mr. X and Nemesis, and it appears that the developers are planning to introduce more in the next entry.

In a recent video of Residence of Evil, the creator talked about the recent playtest of the game, which, of course, comes with many leaks and details about Resident Evil 9.

It has been reported that the game will feature two unkillable enemies. While the first one is called Goatman, the other one is said to be a witch who is capable of transforming into flies and inducing hallucinations.

Other information has also suggested that the game has taken great inspiration from Resident Evil 4

While this information seems believable, it’s best to take it with a grain of salt, as nothing has been officially confirmed by Capcom. 

Resident Evil 9 New featured
Resident Evil 9 Has Been Officially Announced Yet

The fans have highly praised unkillable Stalker enemies in entries like Resident Evil 3, so it might be nice to see two similar enemies in the next entry. 

It has also been reported that Capcom is aiming to get a 90+ score with Resident Evil 9. Looking at recent releases in the franchise, our expectations are higher than ever from the team. 

Nonetheless, what do you think about this? Do you enjoy the unkillable enemies in the franchise, or do you find them annoying? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or the Tech4Gamers Official Forum

Final Fantasy 16 Extremely Underperformed On PC; Sold Only 289K Units Since Launch

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  • Final Fantasy 16 didn’t launch to massive numbers on Steam.
  • A new report reveals that the game has sold only 289K copies on Steam since its launch.
  • Square Enix is now shifting its focus to releasing games on different platforms to attract more sales. 

Square Enix launched Final Fantasy 16 exclusively on the PlayStation 5 in mid-2023. The sales were pretty good, given it was launched on a single console, but Square Enix always has high expectations for its franchises. 

So, the gaming giant finally released the game on PC in September to attract more players. However, the game seems to have severely underperformed on the platform, as it has sold only 289K units since its launch

Why it matters: Square Enix launched Final Fantasy 16 on PC after over a year, killing the game’s hype and ultimately hurting sales. 

Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy 16 Severely Underperformed On The PC Platform | Source: eXtas1s

The game on launch peaked at just 27.5 players on Steam, which is pretty low for a title as big as FF16. While low sales were expected, it seems like Square Enix has been disappointed yet again

A new report has revealed that there were no recent updates regarding the game’s PC sales. The report then revealed that it has only sold 289k units on the PC since the launch in September, which is highly concerning given how massive the Steam players are. 

The JRPG Final Fantasy XVI had a low-key launch on Steam in September 2024 and only managed to sell 289,000 copies on that platform. The lack of a sales update in the latest report raises questions about its performance.

-eXtas1s

Square Enix’s operating income is down, and revenue has declined massively. The company also lost nearly $350M in market capitalization

Now, Square Enix has changed its strategy and is moving toward multiplatform releases, so PC and Xbox launches are expected on day one. The gaming giant also aims to bring many of its previous games to Xbox.

Delaying launch on PC doesn’t seem to work anymore as it hurts a game’s sales, which Square Enix has learned thoroughly. So, hopefully, the company’s new strategy will turn the tables in its favor. 

What do you think of the game’s performance on PC? Do you think the Japanese publisher should have launched it on day one PC? Let us know what you think in the comments section below, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forums.

V-Color XFinity DDR5 Achieves 12,264MHz OC World Record

[Press Release] V-Color continues to solidify its position as one of the leading overclocking brands. Following past world records, the company’s DDR5 memory has been pushed to speeds as high as 12,264MHz.

V-Color XFinity DDR5
AKM’s World Record Is Available To See On HWBOT

This benchmark, achieved by overclocker AKM, combined the prowess of ASRock’s Z890 Taichi OCF and the Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU.

V-Color’s XFinity DDR5 memory was already a popular choice for enthusiast overclockers, and this world record gives them just one more reason to consider the series for future PC builds.

For those interested, the world record can be verified through HWBOT and CPU-Z. In the future, V-Color will continue to offer similarly high-quality memory sticks that equip enthusiasts and overclockers with the tools necessary to keep aiming for even bigger records.

After Recent Failures, Ubisoft Is Reviving Its Forgotten Project U

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  • Ubisoft has rebooted Project U after spending five years on its development.
  • The game offers a co-op PVE experience similar to Helldivers 2.
  • Reports outline that this project has been held back by a general lack of replayability so far.

Ubisoft has wrestled with major AAA releases underperforming, backlash over Assassin’s Creed, and a general lack of stability recently. This approach has called for a restructuring, encouraging the studio to reconsider its approach in several departments, including future games.

One game that has recently returned to the drawing board is Project U. Initially announced in 2022, this project has restarted development this year.

Why it matters: Project U was part of Ubisoft’s initial push for live-service games. During the same era, the gaming giant hoped to find success with titles like Hyper Scape.

Ubisoft Project U
The Gaming Giant Is Betting Big On Project U

According to reports from Insider Gaming, this title is now returning to the drawing board. Perhaps the most interesting part of this whole experiment is the fact that Ubisoft has already spent five years on development.

If the gaming giant continues to bounce between ideas and concepts in a similar manner, Project U could quickly turn into another Skull and Bones situation. The title is currently described as a co-op shooter experience consisting of 40 players divided into ten teams fighting against thousands of AI robots.

While this concept sounds interesting on paper, Ubisoft reportedly struggled with replayability, leading to scrapped concepts and a ballooning budget. According to sources, Ubisoft was motivated to continue development following the explosive success of Helldivers 2.

Why Not Try Something Different, Ubisoft? (Image by Tech4Gamers)
Ubisoft’s Recent Releases Have Not Been Great | Image via Tech4Gamers

The team believes Project U still has the potential to become something bigger in the future. Since Project U is unlikely to show up anytime soon, Ubisoft will rely on Assassin’s Creed to make up for recent losses.

Perhaps this approach will give the gaming giant enough momentum to take more risks with concepts like Project U.

What are your thoughts on the studio returning to the drawing board? Let us know in the comments, and join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Xbox Now Lead Platform For Black Ops 6 Over PlayStation and Steam

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  • Xbox has reportedly become the platform of choice for Black Ops 6 players.
  • The Xbox ecosystem, comprising Game Pass, consoles, and PC, has left PlayStation and Steam behind.
  • This is a major win for the gaming giant since PlayStation previously boasted a huge lead in terms of Call of Duty player counts.

The last few weeks have been massive for Xbox and Game Pass. The service has seen substantial growth following the release of Black Ops 6, with Microsoft confirming a record-breaking release for this Black Ops entry.

It was previously said that half of all PC players accessed Black Ops 6 through Game Pass, and a new report highlights Xbox’s dominance further. According to sources, Xbox is now the leading platform for Call of Duty.

Why it matters: PlayStation has been the platform of choice for Call of Duty fans for nearly 10 years. It seems Xbox’s gamble with a day-one Game Pass launch has tipped the balance in its favor.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Adler
Russel Adler Returned For The Latest Call of Duty Campaign

According to Windows Central’s Jez Corden, Call of Duty has grown significantly on both PlayStation and Steam. However, the biggest growth has been observed on Xbox, putting this ecosystem, which comprises both PC and console players, at the forefront.

For context, PlayStation previously held the lead due to content exclusivity and marketing rights. This dominance was established with games like Black Ops 3 and seemed impossible to break until today.

According to the insider, doubts over the Game Pass strategy have been cleared following this release, giving developers more confidence in supporting Microsoft’s subscription service.

Game Pass could also lead to a future where the balance continues to shift in favor of Xbox, giving it a bigger lead over rival platforms.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6
The Call of Duty franchise is one of the biggest money-makers for Activision and Microsoft.

Black Ops 6 is set to kick off season 1 tomorrow. This should be the first of many seasons to bring new maps, game modes, and characters to the multiplayer experience. Since Xbox already has plenty of players hooked on the game, the first season’s popularity should be a solid indicator of things to come.

All in all, Black Ops 6 is doing well across all platforms. PlayStation and Steam are no slouch, but the latest reports are certainly more favorable for Xbox. What are your thoughts on the changing dynamics of Call of Duty?

Did you play Black Ops 6 through Game Pass? Let us know in the comments, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums for more discussions.

Stellar Blade PC Port Announced For 2025; Dev Expects More Success On PC

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  • Stellar Blade is finally set for a launch on PC in 2025, Shift Up confirms.
  • The developers are confident that the game will perform better on PC and will experience success similar to that of Black Myth: Wukong.
  • The PC version will likely support features like ultrawide resolution, ray tracing, and DLSS 3.

Shift Up Studios has just confirmed its plans to bring Stellar Blade to PC in 2025. This announcement comes after the game’s strong performance on consoles, as the studio looks to reach more players.

The developers are excited about the game’s potential success on PC, given the platform’s growing popularity in the AAA gaming scene.

Why it matters: Earlier this year, one developer from Shift Up claimed Stellar Blade would be more successful on PC than consoles. Now the studio has finally revealed the release year for the game’s PC port.

Stellar Blade PC Port Confirmed 2025
PC players have been demanding a Stellar Blade PC port ever since its launch on PS5.

During a Q&A session in Shift Up’s Q3 earnings call, a spokesperson announced Stellar Blade’s PC port:

We’re aiming for a [Stellar Blade] PC launch in 2025. We expect to see more growth on PC than consoles.

-Shift Up

The studio is confident that Stellar Blade is good enough to replicate Black Myth: Wukong’s success on PC. The mention of Black Myth: Wukong shows how Asian game developers are finally getting major recognition worldwide.

Shift Up’s decision follows a trend in the industry, where more games are being released on PC. Originally a PlayStation exclusive, Stellar Blade is well-suited for PC players, especially considering the modding potential.

The upcoming PC version will take advantage of features like ultrawide support and potentially ray tracing that will appeal to PC gamers. Furthermore, the possibility of having DLSS 3 and Frame Generation ensures PC players will have a Stellar experience, pun intended.

Stellar Blade 18+ Rating
Shift Up’s CEO “followed his instincts” while designing the game’s characters.

Shift Up’s experience with mobile and multi-platform games like Destiny Child and Nikke: Goddess of Victory has given them the skills for successful cross-platform releases. This expertise will be key in ensuring that the PC version of Stellar Blade lives up to the quality of the console version.

For now, PC gamers can look forward to 2025, when Stellar Blade will join a growing list of console-to-PC transitions. With its mind-blowing visuals, intense action, and beautiful character design, the title promises to deliver a brilliant experience.

Are you excited about the prospect of Stellar Blade finally releasing on PC next year? Let us know in the comments or join the conversation on Tech4Gamers Forum.

Stalker 2 Requires RTX 4080 For 4K 60FPS Experience

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  • GSC Game World has shared new system requirements for Stalker 2.
  • The game promises over 60FPS at 4K using the Epic preset with a graphics card like the RTX 4080.
  • It also asks for a whopping 160GB of storage.

Stalker 2 is right around the corner, and fans couldn’t be more excited. After enduring all sorts of hardships, GSC Game World has finally wrapped up development, and all signs point to a major success for the team.

Stalker 2 is also launching day one on Game Pass, giving the studio an opportunity to reach more players than ever. To keep the excitement going, GSC Game World has shared system requirements for this Unreal Engine 5 title, showing signs of a very optimized PC version.

Why it matters: Unreal Engine 5 games are known to be very demanding on PC, but recent examples like Black Myth: Wukong have shown a shift away from this trend. GSC Game World appears to be following suit.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Stalker 2 System Requirements via Twitter

According to the latest requirements, the game demands a whopping 160GB of storage and at least 16GB of Dual Channel memory.

On the CPU and GPU side, a combination consisting of a Ryzen 7 3700X and an RTX 2070 Super is recommended for 1080p 60FPS gameplay at the Medium preset. On the other hand, those aiming for 1440p gameplay should consider using an RTX 3070 Ti or Radeon RX 6800 XT.

Furthermore, GSC Game World recommends an RTX 4080 for 4K 60FPS gameplay at the Epic preset. What’s interesting about these requirements is that they do not appear to consider upscaling.

All in all, the system requirements are quite modest for a brand-new Unreal Engine 5 title boasting cutting-edge visuals.

Stalker 2 officially arrives on November 20, promising a survival experience like no other. The game is set to serve as one of Xbox’s flagship exclusives this year, with a PlayStation release expected next year once the timed exclusivity window ends.

What are your thoughts on these system requirements? Is your PC ready for the game? Let us know in the comments, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums to continue the discussion.