At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlights
According to a survey, almost 90% of developers stated that microtransactions don’t belong in AAA games.
They believe that AAA games can be financially successful based on sales alone.
More than half of the developers stated that the gaming industry will see more layoffs.
AAA gaming has become quite expensive over the years. For a very long time, game prices remained at $60, but they’ve gradually increased to $70 in the last few years. Even worse is the fact that most studios continue to add microtransactions to their games.
However, it seems developers agree with the fans that microtransactions don’t belong to premium or AAA titles after their hefty price tag.
Why it matters: Recent releases have been plagued with in-game purchases on top of their $70 price tag. This is a huge inconvenience for fans, as most of the time, these microtransactions hinder the full experience of the game.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an example of a AAA release with too many microtransactions.
According to a recent survey at Devcom (via Insider Gaming), 100 developers were asked about the addition of microtransactions to AAA titles. Out of those, 89% believe premium games can be successful just by being buy-to-play instead of adding in-game purchases.
Furthermore, most developers believe in premium models for both physical and digital games. Only a single developer stated they preferred free-to-play games with ads rather than the traditional system.
They were also asked about the state of layoffs in the industry. 57% believed that more layoffs would happen at the same or even quicker pace. The rest believed that layoffs would cease and the industry would become more stable soon.
Despite the survey, removing the microtransactions system is a near-impossible task. It was revealed that over 82% of Americans made in-game purchases in 2023. As such, the system won’t die out unless gamers begin to boycott it.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to feature many in-game purchases.
Still, some studios, like CD Projekt RED, are steadfast in not including microtransactions, especially in single-player games. Even EA’s upcoming Dragon Age: Veilguard will skip them.
This approach is appreciable because studios believe they have good enough games to earn enough revenue just through sales. On the other hand, teams like Ubisoft are going all in with upcoming releases like Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
As a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I bring the latest findings from the tech industry to our readers. Specializing in processors, graphics cards, and more, I strive to deliver detailed insights that keep our audience well-informed and engaged. Periodically, I also delve into the vibrant world of gaming to share captivating stories.
Story Highlight
The Ryzen 9 9900X’s price in Germany has dropped from €539 to €499 due to competitive retail pricing.
This CPU is priced lower than in other markets but has not seen high demand due to mixed reviews and worse gaming performance than the Ryzen 7000 series.
The Ryzen 9000 series might become cheaper soon, especially with the upcoming 9000X3D series, as the 7000X3D series is currently seen as a better value.
The expected price of the Ryzen 9 9900X was €539 in Germany and somewhat higher in France. However, German retailers have reportedly reduced the price to just €499, which is 7.4% less than the official MSRP.
The German market is highly competitive when it comes to Ryzen sales. According to the AMD website, there are more retailers in this country than anywhere else in Europe. Due to the extremely low profit margins, some were forced to adjust or risk not selling any stock immediately.
Why it matters: This is yet another sign of the poor reception of AMD’s Ryzen 9000 chips. Despite coming with promise, they have been highly underwhelming, so price cuts are necessary to entice customers into a purchase.
The Ryzen 9 9900X Launched A Few Days Ago
While price comparison tools suggest that the cost of the Ryzen 9000 series in Germany is already 1.4% to 7.4% cheaper than ComputerBase estimates, the pricing for this series should fall between €309 to €719.
The Ryzen 9 9900X is currently priced at €499, which, when converted to USD, translates to $446 excluding VAT. Despite the AMD Ryzen 9000 series being priced lower than the 7000 series at launch, customers have not been too impressed.
Moreover, the new series failed to win over critics, particularly those primarily concerned with gaming performance. All things considered, the Ryzen 7000X3D series still appears to be of better value.
Thus, it seems certain that the Ryzen 9000 chips will become even more affordable, possibly as early as next month when the rumored 9000X3D series is made available.
At Tech4Gamers, I hold the role of a News Reporter, where I merge my passion for gaming with my knack for storytelling. This unique blend allows me to bring you the latest updates, reviews, previews, and features from the gaming world.
Story Highlight
The Black Myth: Wukong reviews are out, but all the reviews are from the PC version.
The studio did not share review codes for PS5, which has become a concern for fans.
Fans are worried that this version may not be the most polished, leading to a lack of confidence from Game Science.
Although this year has many upcoming releases, the action RPG from Game Science has everyone’s attention. Black Myth: Wukong is releasing tomorrow, and the preload has already created a lot of hype, recording the highest bandwidth usage since Cyberpunk 2077.
The reviews have also been positive, but console users have been concerned since the developers gave out PC codes. Nobody received PS5 review copies, leading to speculation about a poor console version.
Why it matters: Game Science previously delayed the Xbox Series S|X ports. This was done for further optimization, so it would not be the first time the team struggled with console versions of the action RPG.
Black Myth: Wukong Has Millions Of PS5 Fans Excited But Worried At The Same Time
The Black Myth: Wukong review embargo lifted a few days ago, but nobody has shared impressions of the PS5 version. Generally, developers offer both PC and console codes to cater to large audiences that may pick up their games.
However, Game Science has gone in a different direction. The main concern is that the developers are not confident with the PS5 version and have chosen to hide its problems.
Since Unreal Engine 5 is notorious for being hard to handle for consoles, users are concerned about Black Myth: Wukong’s performance. Moreover, it was already confirmed that the PC version had its fair share of glitches, bugs, and other problems.
Fans are preparing themselves for the worst, questioning whether the situation is even worse on consoles. CDPR resorted to a similar tactic a few years back with Cyberpunk 2077.
The media received review codes for the PC versions, but it was later revealed that the game was in a pathetic state on last-generation consoles. Hopefully, Black Myth: Wukong won’t meet the same fate.
Cyberpunk 2077 Also Skipped Console Review Codes
Needless to say, many PS5 owners have preordered the action RPG, so major issues showing up suddenly could become a huge problem for Game Science. According to reports, the title has already climbed the list of both PlayStation and Steam’s best-sellers.
With the game now releasing tomorrow, fans should be able to find more in-depth analysis of this version soon enough. However, those who have already purchased Black Myth: Wukong can only have faith that Game Science will deliver a competent PS5 port.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Art designer Masahiro Ito was not in favor of working on Silent Hill 2 Remake originally.
He believed a remake was unnecessary and rejected Konami’s pitch to work on the remake.
The developer later joined the project to ensure he could help preserve the original identity of this beloved classic.
Silent Hill 2 is set to return to the industry in a grand manner soon. Being remade by Bloober Team, this retelling of the iconic horror game is also receiving support from various veteran developers.
One such developer is art designer Masahiro Ito, well known for his work on Silent Hill 2. However, in a recent interview, the developer revealed that he never wanted to work on such a project.
Why it matters: Many believe remakes are killing the concept of creativity and innovation in the industry since they allow developers to fall back on the success of older projects.
After previous disappointments, a new wave of previews for Silent Hill 2 Remake has just arrived, confirming multiple new details about this revamped horror classic.
As GamesRadar reports, art designer Masahiro Ito was approached to work on the remake as far back as 2019. However, when Konami asked him, he believed there was no need to do such a thing.
Therefore, he originally rejected the idea. The developer later returned since Konami was moving on with the remake without him, and he concluded that the remake would benefit from his support.
There was the initial idea of preserving the core but giving it a new coat of paint.
-Masahiro Ito
Thanks to his and many other veteran developers’ work on the team, Konami has been able to attempt a faithful remake.
Silent Hill 2 Looks Quite A Bit Better In Recent Footage
Masahiro Ito states that development may have ended in a different direction than initially expected, but he was able to inject the original’s core philosophies into the remake.
Masahiro Ito’s point is interesting since remakes are all the rage today. Many would argue that recently launched remakes like The Last of Us Part 1 were unnecessary, but developers seem insistent on re-releasing classics again and again.
Moreover, there’s a belief that most teams should pursue remakes to maximize profits. It’s interesting, then, to see certain developers like Masahiro Ito who still believe old classics are perfectly fine in their original form.
At Tech4gamers, I cover all sorts of gaming news. Whether it’s a leak of any upcoming game or an update, an announcement, or a rumour, I like to write about it all. Over the weekend, I sit and write features where I talk about games that I miss or want to see return.
Story Highlight
A new story trailer for Silent Hill 2 Remake has been shared today.
More previews of the remake have been released, stating that the remake is much better than the trailers suggest.
It has also been suggested that the remake gets close to the level of Capcom’s work on Resident Evil’s remakes.
Ever since the last Silent Hill 2 Remake trailer came out, it has received a mixed reception from fans. Most of them believed that the game was never finished and that the developers should have delayed it.
Following that, Bloober Team blamed Konami for the title’s poor marketing. The developers were still sure about the remake and asked fans to give them a chance. Much to everyone’s surprise, the recent previews have been quite positive.
Why it matters: Silent Hill is Konami’s biggest IP after Metal Gear Solid, so fans were disappointed to see the remake being worse than anticipated. Fortunately, it seems Bloober Team did a much better job than we were led to believe.
While recent footage of the remake has disappointed most fans, a three-minute-long story trailer shows a more positive outlook for Bloober Team’s work. Various outlets have also been able to share their experience with Silent Hill 2 after several hours of hands-on time.
According to these outlets, Konami is learning from the best, with the remake getting the same treatment as Capcom’s work. The developers have two goals with the project, and one is to apologize to classic fans for leaving the franchise behind.
The other one is introducing the title to the new generation of players who haven’t heard or know much about the franchise. Therefore, giving a modern touch to the remake was necessary, and it appears the team has done well here.
Most of the previews acknowledge that Silent Hill 2 Remake didn’t look the best from its marketing footage. However, they state that the actual game is much better than the trailers fans have seen.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Has A High Bar To Meet
Therefore, it’s best not to judge Bloober Team’s work from earlier gameplay. It seems the team has done a solid job of catering to classic and new players.
Fortunately, fans won’t be waiting too long to get their hands on the title, as the remake is just two months away from its release. With more positivity around the release, excitement is higher than it has ever been for the return to Silent Hill.
At Tech4Gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.
Story Highlight
A poll on NeoGAF reveals that most gamers aren’t interested in buying Concord on launch.
Only 3.6% of the voters intend to get the game’s Digital Deluxe Edition.
The game’s lack of uniqueness and similarity to other popular shooters have contributed to its low appeal.
A recent poll on the popular gaming forum NeoGAF reveals that most gamers intend to skip Concord when it releases on August 20, 2024. Instead, many voters prefer the highly anticipated game Black Myth: Wukong.
Why it matters: With the release date approaching, Concord needs to quickly win over potential players.
Fans express disinterest in buying Concord | Image via NeoGAF
The poll asked which game people planned to buy on August 20, 2024. The results showed strong disinterest in Concord, with just 3.6% choosing the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Only 1.0% said they’d buy both games, and only 0.3% planned to get Black Myth: Wukong first before considering Concord. A whopping 55% of respondents said they would buy neither game, while nearly 40% voted for Black Myth: Wukong only.
This result shows a rapidly increasing disinterest in Concord. Marketed as a futuristic team shooter similar to Overwatch and Valorant, it has been criticized for its generic look and gameplay.
Some NeoGAF users are going so far as to predict the game might be “dead on arrival.” The low interest in Concord is partly due to the excitement for Black Myth: Wukong. This action RPG has impressed players with its beautiful take on the classic Chinese story Journey to the West.
The difference between the two titles—one being a unique and visually striking single-player experience and the other a typical multiplayer shooter—likely affected the poll results.
Another reason might be that fans are more excited about other upcoming multiplayer hero shooters. For example, Marvel Rivals, another hero shooter, had 52,000 players at its peak during beta, while Concord only had 2,000.
Sony’s approach with Concord was to include all key content from the start, avoiding extra costs for expansions or battle passes. The first big update, Season 1: The Tempest, is set for October, with more content planned for 2025.
However, this plan hasn’t done much. To add to Concord’s troubles, Black Myth: Wukong has just set a new record for preloads since Cyberpunk 2077’s launch in 2020.
Regardless, this poll is an early warning for Sony. It also indicates that players are becoming more picky, preferring unique and rich experiences over standard multiplayer offerings.
Perhaps the team behind Stellar Blade was right about players now preferring single-player games.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlights
The remasters of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion seem to have been scrapped at Bethesda.
They first emerged through leaked documents from Microsoft’s FTC trial over the Activision merger.
Xbox didn’t officially announce the remasters or acknowledge their cancellation.
Microsoft’s FTC encounter during the Activision Blizzard deal revealed much information. Among the many documents revealed were ones confirming remasters of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.
Unfortunately, those looking for information on the progress might be disappointed since these projects have been scrapped.
Why it matters: Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls 4 are some of the most critically acclaimed RPGs. Fans hoped to see Bethesda remastering these RPGs to make the wait for brand-new titles less painful.
Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls 4 are considered classics from Bethesda.
According to a leaker, the remasters are no longer in development. This doesn’t seem like too good a move by Bethesda, as they already had the recipe for success. All they had to do was replicate the same games with current-gen improvements.
The cancellation may infuriate fans since Bethesda’s recent releases, including Starfield, haven’t been nearly as well-received as its biggest RPGs. The remasters could have brought the team goodwill back.
However, this decision may have been made to ensure work on The Elder Scrolls 6 goes on smoothly. The team is likely too busy to do Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls 4 justice, and it may not have wanted to outsource the remasters.
The remasters were leaked through FTC court documents.
As for Fallout, a new entry may now be much further away than initially expected. Because these IPs receive new entries after so many years, Microsoft and Bethesda should plan a new strategy to concentrate on faster releases.
Still, for those of you who were looking forward to playing The Elder Scrolls 4 again, we have good news. Skyblivion is a volunteer project that aims to remake Oblivion in Skyrim’s engine. This seems to be your best bet for now.
It is important to note that many of the projects leaked from the FTC trial were never announced officially.
As such, Bethesda may have scrapped these remasters a while ago, but the team is clearly aware of the demand for more Fallout and Elder Scrolls. Therefore, future remasters or remakes aren’t completely ruled out just yet.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
Story Highlight
Bloodborne is one of the few PlayStation exclusives that have yet to make their way to PC.
After continuously asking Sony for a PC Port, fans got tired and took matters into their own hands.
The game has now become playable on ShadPS4 in a short amount of time, so it could be 100% playable by the end of this year.
Bloodborne is arguably the most demanded PC port among any PlayStation exclusives. Many games exclusive to the platform have already made their way to PC, but Sony has zero interest in porting this first-party title to PC.
Famous streamers like Kai Cenat also hosted a marathon to convince Sony for a remake, but it was all in vain. However, with recent emulation efforts, the dream could become a reality by the end of this year.
Why it matters: Emulating PS4 games hasn’t been great until very recently, and ShadPS4 seems to be showing the most potential.
Previously, this emulator managed to run Bloodborne, but that didn’t excite most of the fans. That is because another emulator had already achieved similar results. However, shortly after using ShadPS4, the fans could reach an in-game cutscene.
This was a huge step and caused a stir in the fandom. Now, the game is playable. However, there is a catch. Firstly, hacks were used to achieve this progress, and the game is running very poorly, reaching around 10-15FPS.
However, this is a far cry from anything that was previously possible for Bloodborne via emulation. Fans thought it was impossible to get the game running, but ShadPS4 has made such rapid progress that it may just be possible to get the whole game running by 2024.
Bloodborne may not be reaching 60FPS just yet, but this is a huge first step.
Bloodborne Is Slowly Becoming Playable On PC, Thanks To ShadPS4
It should be noted that the emulator is just over four months old and is doing wonders for the fans. Meanwhile, other teams are working on separate emulators too.
All in all, the future seems bright for anyone longing to play this particular FromSoftware release on PC. FromSoftware has also acknowledged demand for the remake, but it can’t do much since PlayStation owns the IP.
Also, rumors suggest that a remake is in development, but Sony has yet to officially comment on the situation. All in all, emulation seems like the biggest ray of hope for Bloodborne fans.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
[Press Release] Blackview’s 8.28 festival brings a slew of discounts and promotions on AliExpress, offering products like smartphones, smartwatches, and more at very reasonable prices.
With discounts as big as 78%, this promotion is one you don’t want to miss.
The HERO 10 Is Being Sold At A 53% Discount During The Promotion
The HERO 10 has seen its price falling to just $350.29 during the promo, marking a huge discount over the $838 MSRP. This foldable offers an affordable experience for those who find other phones in this category out of reach.
Elsewhere, it offers compelling features like 250K folds for enhanced durability, a 6.9-inch 2.5K AMOLED display for great media consumption, and a 108MP Samsung rear camera.
The smartphone also sports MediaTek’s Helio G99 chipset, along with a maximum of 24GB of memory and 256GB of internal storage. To make the package even better, Blackview is promising Android updates every three years with this foldable phone.
The BL9000 Pro is another excellent phone that has been discounted during the AliExpress promotion. Priced 28% below MSRP, this phone offers unparalleled thermal imaging for just $422.99.
Thanks to MyFLIR Pro, Teledyne FLIR Mobile SDK, and FLIR Lepton 3.5, the BL9000 Pro can meet all your thermal imaging needs. It also offers impressive hardware powered by the 5G Dimensity 8020 SoC, up to 36GB RAM, and a maximum of 512GB of storage.
Blackview is offering the MEGA 1 starting from $152.71 during this promotion. With a vivid 2.4K 120Hz 11.5-inch display, the Helio G99 chipset, and 50MP rear/13MP front cameras, the MEGA 1 tablet is equipped to handle entertainment, work, and study needs.
Moreover, it supports DokeOS_P 4.0, offering an excellent set of software features. Users should also expect solid battery life due to the long-lasting 8800mAh battery.
The Tab 16 Is One Of The Most Affordable Tablets After This Discount
Priced at a mere $127.33, this tablet offers solid multitasking.
The 11-inch 1080p display is great for content consumption and productivity, while the 7,700mAh battery and 18W fast charging keep the tablet up throughout the day. The Tab 16 Pro also comes with PC Mode 2.0 to facilitate professional tasks.
Blackview’s largest AMOLED square smartwatch is down to just $21.99. A nearly 2″ display, 800 nits of brightness, and a sleek aluminium alloy frame make this smartwatch worth your attention.
The R60 is also an excellent fit for your fitness needs. It offers more than 120 workout modes, 24/7 heart monitoring, and more. This list of features is quite extensive; Blackview even includes IP68 swim-level water resistance and a battery that lasts 25 days.
If these deals sound exciting, be sure to head over to AliExpress. The promotion is now live and lasts till August 25, so there’s plenty of time to catch up on your favorite deals.
At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.
Sameed Hussain
As a Hardware Expert at Tech4Gamers, I blend my Computer Science expertise with a love for technology. Through comprehensive reviews and comparisons, I guide our audience in making informed tech decisions.
As seen in our review, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is particularly impressive from a gaming standpoint, as it is one of the fastest gaming processors currently on my test bench. If you are planning to upgrade to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, here are our motherboard recommendations based on thorough first-hand testing.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Sameed Hussain is our hardware expert who has been testing graphics cards, processors, and motherboards for years.
40+ motherboards tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
800+ hours spent testing different motherboards for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
Our Top Picks With Comparison Table
Take a quick glance at our motherboard selections compared with each other:
Aug 19, 2024: After further testing, I have added the MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi and the ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi as the best high-end and the best white motherboards for 7800X3D, respectively.
[toc]
Unboxed the Ryzen 7 7800X3D? Be sure to check out our guides:
The MSI MAG B650 TOMAHWK WiFi is just simple. It doesn’t feature any RGB or flashy bells and whistles, but the motherboard has a beautiful all-black PCB, which goes really well along with its black heatsinks. Furthermore, the board is built on a 6-layer PCB that offers good resistance to high temperatures. The motherboard packs a high-end 14+2+1 Duet Rail Power System. In total, the 17-phase VRM design is good enough to provide plenty of adequate power to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D without any hiccups. In addition to that, the motherboard has 2x 8-pin power connectors, so you can really ramp up the power of your Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Going over the M.2 slots, you get 2x M.2 slots from the CPU, which supports PCIe 4.0 x4, and 1x M.2 slot from the chipset, which supports PCIe 4.0 x4. Additionally, you also get 6x SATA 6G ports for additional storage options. Similarly, you get 3x PCIe slots in total, with one from the CPU and two from the chipset.
When Usman Saleem, our team’s expert in motherboards, did a thorough review and testing of the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi, here’s how he summarized this beast:
The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard delivers robust performance at an affordable price of $213.18, making it a great value for budget-conscious users. The motherboard features comprehensive USB connectivity with 23 ports, including a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C. The cooling solutions, including extended heatsinks and thermal pads, also performed impressively well in all my tests. Overall, I recommend it to anyone looking for a bang-for-the-buck B650 motherboard.
✅Buy It If
You want a powerful VRM design: The 14+2+1 Duet Rail Power System and the massive heatsinks to cool down this power system are definitely what I liked the most about this motherboard.
❌Don't Buy It If
❌You need Gen 5.0 connectivity: The MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WiFi has no PCIe or M.2 Gen 5.0 connectivity. So, if you require such connectivity for your productivity work, I don’t recommend purchasing this motherboard.
You have a limited budget: While there isn’t anything specifically wrong with the motherboard, it is definitely priced on the higher end of the spectrum. So, if you need high-end performance, you will have to pay more for it.
What Makes It The Best High-End Motherboard For Ryzen 7 7800X3D?
With that said, if you’re looking to get the most out of your Ryzen 7 7800X3D and really push it to its limits, then you’re going to need a motherboard that offers high-end VRM design and exceptional cooling to go along with it. Well, the MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WiFi offers just that, and that’s why it is the best high-end motherboard for Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
The MSI MPG X670E CARBON WiFi motherboard is a performance beast with a 21-phase VRM featuring excelling cooling. Additionally, its beautiful aesthetics and RGB lighting match most PC builds. Because of its robust quality, you won’t face any power issues with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D when using this motherboard. I also loved the clear CMOS and BIOS buttons, making it easier for users to troubleshoot any problems.
Regarding connectivity, the motherboard goes above and beyond to provide 4x M.2 slots and 6x SATA slots for storage options. Moreover, you also get 12x rear and 13x front USB ports, with Gen 5.0 ports included, so you don’t have to worry about connectivity with this motherboard. Additionally, I loved the 7,800MHz RAM support, which allows users to utilize higher-end RAM kits, ensuring better performance with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Usman Saleem was surprised by the MSI MPG X670E CARBON WiFi motherboard’s outstanding features and robust quality during his review and stated the following:
Buy It If
✅You need more USB connections: One of the MSI MPG X670E CARBON WiFi’s biggest selling points is its many USB ports. It allows up to 12x rear and 13x front ports, including a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port.
✅Gen 5.0 connectivity is one of your requirements: If you require Gen 5.0 connectivity for your productivity tasks, the MSI MPG X670E CARBON WiFi features 2x PCIe 5.0 slots and 2x Gen 5.0 M.2 ports.
Don't Buy It If
❌The motherboard lacks a 10G LAN port: Although WiFi 6E gets the job done for most users, you may feel restricted without a 10G LAN port if you use faster internet.
What Makes It The Best High-End Motherboard For Ryzen 7 7800X3D?
The MSI MPG X670E CARBON WiFi motherboard provides outstanding connectivity and storage solutions without breaking the bank. Furthermore, the motherboard’s robust VRM quality and features, such as CMOS and BIOS buttons, make it the best high-end motherboard for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU.
Editor`s Note
Although the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU can’t be overclocked, the higher RAM frequency support and a robust 18+2+1 VRM phase of the MSI MPG X670E CARBON WiFi motherboard ensures the processor provides the highest performance.
If you’re looking for a motherboard with beautiful aesthetics and impressive performance, the ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi is a decent choice for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Firstly, the motherboard is smothered in a beautiful white color and features incredible RGB lighting and customization options. Furthermore, with a 16+2+1 VRM phase, you don’t have to worry about power issues, even with higher-end CPUs.
The motherboard is slightly lackluster when it comes to storage connectivity options. While the 3x M.2 storage options are decent, having only 2x SATA ports limits the storage users can have. Otherwise, the motherboard provides decent USB connectors, with 8x rear and 9x front ports, allowing you to connect as many peripherals as you wish.
When Usman Saleem was reviewing the motherboard, he loved it’s aesthetics yet robust quality. This is what he commented in his review:
Buy It If
✅You require effective cooling for power stages: ASRock has provided an effective cooling solution for the motherboard’s VRM phases. During our testing, it performed better than most of its competition, even though they came at a higher price tag.
Don't Buy It If
❌You need more storage options: I don’t recommend the ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi motherboard if you need more storage because it only comes with 3x M.2 and 2x SATA ports. There’s a chance the motherboard might not cover all your requirements.
What Makes It The Best White Motherboard For Ryzen 7 7800X3D?
The ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi motherboard has a beautiful all-white aesthetic with shades of silver and black, making it one of the best motherboards for AM5 CPUs. Moreover, with features such as a BIOS flash button, a GPU support socket, and good VRM cooling, it is the best white motherboard for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU.
WARNING: Because it only provides two SATA ports, you may have to cut down on your storage options if you’re considering purchasing this motherboard.
You can tell that the B650 AORUS Elite AX is a high-quality motherboard at first glance. Even though it includes some RGB components, there aren’t many because just the chipset cover can be illuminated. The contrast between the black PCB and the grey heatsinks gives the motherboard a really menacing appearance.The Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX uses a Twin 14+2+1 Phases Digital VRM. The power stages for the 2 SOC phases, 14 VCORE phases, and 1 MISC phase are each 60A, 70A, and 30A, respectively. Furthermore, the MOSFET is kept cool by the board’s usage of massive heatsinks along with a 6mm thick heatpipe.
The motherboard provides 3x M.2 slots and 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports. Two of the three M.2 slots come from the processor, one of which is PCIe 4.0, and the other is PCIe 5.0. You also get 7x Front and 12x Rear USB ports. This configuration has one Type-C connector on the front panel and one on the rear, which is ideal.
This is what Nauman Siddique, our motherboard expert, said about the B650 AORUS ELITE AX after his testing:
At the end of the day, the B650 AORUS ELITE AX is almost a balanced feature set provider motherboard that the user can get for their daily driver need. The game is strong with the storage department of this motherboard and USB Type-C Gen 2×2 port provisions as well, though don’t expect to find a PCIe Gen 5 X16 slot.
Buy It If
✅You want to maximize value for money: The Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX’s pricing is undoubtedly its strongest feature. The motherboard is fairly inexpensive and offers excellent value.
Don't Buy It If
❌You want an x4 PCIe slot: The only disappointing feature is the lack of a single x4 PCIe slot. Apart from that, the motherboard is a default recommendation.
What Makes It The Best Value Motherboard For Ryzen 7 7800X3D?
Put simply, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX go together really well. The motherboard provides reliable performance, great expansion and storage options, and the ideal appearance. However, the reason we selected this motherboard is because of how much of a bang for the buck it is. So, the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX is undoubtedly the best value motherboard for Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Editor`s Note
Since the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D does not have an unlocked multiplier, you can get away with a modest VRM setup and save a lot of money. Here, the 14+2+1 phase VRM design of the B650 AORUS Elite AX is perfectly valid for this CPU.
Looks-wise, the mini-ITX board has a very basic aesthetic. It features a black PCB with a grayish heatsink. The board does not feature any RGB, but it makes sense because you’re hardly going to have room to spot any lights in a compact build. Its build quality is exceptional with the highlight being its 10-layer PCB. The motherboard features a durable 10+2+1 VRM design, with 10 phases for VCORE, 2 phases for SOC, and one for Misc. The 12 phases for VCORE and SOC are capable of handling 105A, and the one Misc phase is capable of handling 60A. So, despite the tiny size, the board has great power capabilities.
Going over the storage options, you get 2x M.2 sockets straight from the CPU. One of these sockets is called Blazing M.2 Socket, and it supports PCIe 5.0 x4, and the other socket is called Hyper M.2 Socket, and it supports PCIe 4.0 x4. In addition, you also get 2x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors.
Seeking expert commentary on the ASRock B650E PG-ITX, we turned to our motherboard specialist, Nauman Siddique.
“It is a tiny beast featuring an AM5 platform with a plethora of features and efficient cooling for key components”.
Buy It If
✅You want a feature-rich motherboard: The ASRock B650E PG-ITX WiFi’s high-end VRM design and the inclusion of PCIe 5.0 support are what I liked the most about it.
Don't Buy It If
❌You want a better acoustic experience: One annoying thing about this motherboard is that its M.2 heatsink fan can get really loud.
What Makes It The Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For Ryzen 7 7800X3D?
The ASRock B650E PG-ITX WiFi is a tiny package that packs a beautifully powerful punch. You get a solid power design, great cooling, and a really impressive expansion slot and storage option configuration. Overall, the ASRock B650E PG-ITX WiFi is the best mini-ITX motherboard for Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
PRO TIP: Make sure that your PC case is compatible with the motherboard when buying a mini-ITX or micro-ATX board.
VRM: A VRM, as its name suggests, is in charge of managing and supplying a constant and stable flow of voltage to the processor and other components of your computer. So, we chose the motherboards that had a durable and high-quality VRM design with several phases made of reliable components.
Overclocking Potential: The overclocking potential of a motherboard relies heavily on its VRM structure; as a result, the better the VRM, the greater the motherboard’s overclocking potential. On top of that, the overclocking potential is also influenced by the cooling system.
Heatsink – Cooling: Every motherboard we selected incorporates great cooling capabilities to support and ensure high-end performance during lots of loads. That’s because, without a good thermal solution, the MOSFETs and SSDs will begin to thermal throttle, which will ultimately plummet their performance.
Features: Moreover, features like RGB, expansion slots, USB ports, and memory support must be taken into account. For instance, the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS MASTER might be your motherboard of choice if you prefer to have lots of USB ports and storage options.
Price: Last but not least, another equally important factor is the price. After all, if a motherboard is too expensive or doesn’t provide enough features for the price, you won’t buy it. So, we ensured that every motherboard we chose provided excellent value for money.
Give Us Your Opinion
FAQs
Is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D good for gaming?
The Ryzen 7 7800X alone is really good for gaming. So, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which offers an even higher L3 cache, is undoubtedly one of the best CPUs for gaming.
What does X3D mean?
X3D means Extended 3D Technology, meaning that the Ryzen CPUs with the X3D technology come with higher cache because they have an additional layer of cache storage stacked on top of the L3 cache.
Is the 7800X3D better than the 7900X?
The only aspect where the 7800X3D is better than the 7900X is the L3 cache, where the 7800X3D has 96MB and the 7900X has 64MB. Other than that, the 7900X has more cores and threads, along with higher clock speeds.
Is the 7800X3D compatible with AM4 Chipset Motherboards?
No, as part of the Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, along with its other X3D siblings, are only compatible with AM5 Chipset Motherboards.
Recent Updates
May 23, 2024: I have changed the formatting to improve readability.
December 2, 2023: Few text changes to improve readability. No products were changed.
August 20, 2023: Few text changes to improve readability. No products were changed.
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.
MSI Afterburner is well-regarded all-rounder software, especially for gamers like us. The suite is popular for its multiple features that are easy to use and customize. These include different skins, the ability to monitor your PC’s in-game performance, and the option to squeeze more performance out of the graphics card via overclocking.
Besides all those, it’s quite easy to download MSI Afterburner. All you have to do is search the web with the software name and access the official MSI site for a free downloadable setup.
User Interface And Usability
The UI of MSI Afterburner is very well-organized, with everything placed right where it needs to be. From stuff required to perform overclocking, such as core voltages, clock speed sliders, and power & temperature limits, to accessing the settings menu, everything is right on the main page as it should be.
MSI Afterburner UI (Image credit: Tech4Gamers)
In terms of usability, it does a lot more than just overclocking, we use it almost daily to monitor the in-game system’s average performance for our reviews and tests. You can also use it to monitor performance side by side while you’re adjusting the game’s graphics settings to get the best possible visuals and fps.
Core Features
MSI Afterburner is jam-packed with many cool features that add to its reputation. Some of its essential features are:
GPU Overclock & Undervolt
Plethora of Skins
System Performance Monitoring
Non-proprietary nature
Free to use
Built-in Stress Test
GPU Overclock & Undervolt
Those sliders on the front aren’t there just for cosmetic reasons; MSI has made overclocking effortless, all you have to do is increase the core & memory clock sliders until the graphics card starts showing artifacts, crashes, or a black screen.
Stop the sliders right before the point where those things happen. Don’t forget to feed more power via the core voltage slider if it helps achieve a higher clock speed. The same goes for performing undervolt where you have to push the voltage slider in the opposite direction before reaching the crashing point. MSI also allows the user to save profiles with customized settings for later use.
System Performance Monitoring
You can monitor in-game performance metrics such as CPU, GPU, RAM usage & temperature as well as FPS with a frame time graph in real-time with the metrics overlay that will show up at the corner of your screen. All this can be enabled by going into the monitoring tab inside the settings menu.
OSD Settings Menu (Image credit: Tech4Gamers)
Moreover, Afterburner comes with an additional app called RivaTuner which caters to this side of the utility. We can adjust the size and position of the metrics on screen, as well as set a custom fps limit, which sometimes makes the frame time graph a lot more stable than the actual in-game Vsync.
Plethora of Skins
You can also select from a number of different skins for Afterburner, each skin is distinct from the other, and this gives the user a more immersive experience. In case, you can’t seem to find a suitable skin for yourself, you can create your own and share it with other Afterburner users as well.
Skin Customization Menu (Image credit: Tech4Gamers)
Benchmarking Tools
As mentioned above, MSI Afterburner only offers a single benchmarking tool called Kombustor. The tool is exclusively for graphics cards only and can’t be used to stress test the CPU and check its stability. We find the tool to be extremely helpful, as we don’t have to open another app to check the GPU’s stability after tweaking it via Afterburner.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
What We Disliked
Simplified UI for easier OC & undervolting.
Screen capture isn’t as strong as OBS.
Real-time performance monitoring.
Works with any hardware setup.
Handy Kombustor stress test for GPU tweaks.
Variety of skins adds a fun touch.
Comparison with Competitors
The MSI Afterburner isn’t all alone in this battle and has competitors like ASUS GPU Tweak II, NZXT CAM, and EVGA Precision X1. However, Afterburner stands out from the rest, because some lack overclocking capabilities, and some don’t offer real-time hardware monitoring. Whereas, Afterburner offers all those features at once.
Use Cases
This is one of the cases where we had to use Afterburner’s system monitoring feature to keep track of system performance, temperatures, and other stuff. So, if we feel like the system could use a little more juice, we can crank the graphics card’s clocks via the same software too.
Frequent Crashes: If you’re experiencing app or system crashes, you might want to check on the overclocking settings you made and tune down those where everything feels stable.
Performance Metrics Not Visible: In case, you can see the performance metrics on the screen, make sure you have checked the empty box named “Show in on-screen display” within the monitoring tab.
Glossary of Terms
Overclocking: The process of increasing the clock speeds of a component from base clocks for extra performance is called overclocking.
Clock Speed: The speed at which the components like RAM, CPU, and GPU run is called their clock speed, and it’s usually calculated in GHz or MHz.
Voltage: The power supplied from the PSU to other components of the PC is called voltage, and it’s adjustable as per the component.
On-screen overlay: This feature enables the performance metrics to be visible on-screen during any game.
Custom Fan Curve: The customized fan curve that causes the fan to spin at different speeds based on the temperature readings is known as Custom Fan Curve.
At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.
Mussab Ali
At Tech4Gamers I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy
I am reviewing the G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo DDR5-6000 CL28 EXPO Kit today. This is G.Skill’s enthusiast-grade kit designed for high-end PC users. This RAM comes with EXPO and is optimized for both AMD 7000 and 9000 series processors.
We have had a shortage of DDR5 Memory kits optimized for AMD processors. Due to the processors’ popularity, it seems that many companies are now switching and catering to a large chunk of AMD users.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Mussab Ali is our PC expert who has a decade-long experience in building, testing, and troubleshooting PCs.
70+ RAM tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
200+ hours spent testing different RAM kits for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
Key Takeaways
The G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo DDR5-6000 CL28 EXPO is an enthusiast-grade kit that packs a punch for performance and is one of the best-looking memory kits on the market.
You should buy it if you have a large budget and you prioritize both looks and performance.
You should avoid it if you can’t spare the cash for an expensive kit, as cheaper options are available.
This kit has a latency (in nanoseconds) of just 9.3ns, a very good number. You can use our RAM Latency Calculator to measure your DDR5 RAM’s latency as well.
How Is It Different?
The Trident Z5 Royal Neo targets the top 3-5% of PC users in the community who spend like royalty. Hence, G.Skill’s Royal product line. While the performance is top-notch, the most striking feature of the memory is its design.
The futuristic crystalline RGB diffuser with a mirrored finish screams ‘High-End’. It is truly worthy of being called the best-looking RAM on the market right now and there aren’t many that will challenge this title.
Packing Box
G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal NEO RGB Box (Image By Tech4Gamers)
G.Skill ships out the Memory kit in a black card box which is similar to a jewelry or fashion box, although the color scheme is different this time to showcase that it’s a premium-grade kit. The company is going all out with this Memory kit!
The back of the box comes with the product sticker which holds the information about the memory kit inside. The standard contact and warranty information is also printed on the back as well. There’s no mention of which RGB utility can be used to control the RGB, although it supports all RGB motherboard software and you can use them to control the RGB effects of the RAM.
The following contents are provided:
2x DIMM Modules.
Design
Both Kits
Design
G.SKILL ships this Memory Kit in gold or silver. However, the thing to note is the RGB diffuser that comes with a crystalline lightbar with electroplated heat spreaders with a mirrored finish that will improve the overall aesthetic value of your PC build and make it a treat to watch.
The Z5 marking is present on the front showcasing its support for the DDR5 platform. The G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal series brand can be found at the bottom right corner of each DIMM.
You can get the kits in these capacities:
2x16GB
2x32GB
2x24GB
2x48GB
Back kit Sticker (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The back of the box contains the info about the actual memory on a sticker. This is the company’s standard practice with its RAM kits as we have seen other kits with back stickers as well.
Test Build
Here are some test build pictures that we took after plugging in the Memory kit:
RGB Effects
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RGB Lighting (Image By Tech4Gamers)
RGB Lighting (Image By Tech4Gamers)
RGB Lighting (Image By Tech4Gamers)
RGB Lighting (Image By Tech4Gamers)
RGB Lighting (Image By Tech4Gamers)
RGB Lighting (Image By Tech4Gamers)
We are using the mentioned configuration for RAM testing:
Attaching the CPU-Z screenshot below. You can see the memory kit is operating in a Dual-channel configuration. It operates at 6000 MHz, at 28-36-36-96 timings:
CPU-Z (Image By Tech4Gamers)
G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo Test Results
When reviewing, we make the RAMs undergo extensive synthetic and gaming benchmarks. You can find the results below, however, let me tell you about the other kits that we have:
As usual, we will start with the AIDA 64 Results. In all the benchmarks, the Royal Neo performed superbly. Especially in the AIDA memory Write benchmark and the Latency benchmark, it scored way ahead of the competition, soundly beating them. Against the likes of Dominator Titanium, it came out ahead.
AIDA64 Results
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AIDA64 Copy Benchmark (Image By Tech4Gamers)
AIDA64 Latency Benchmark (Image By Tech4Gamers)
AIDA64 Read Benchmark (Image By Tech4Gamers)
AIDA64 Write Benchmark (Image By Tech4Gamers)
It just goes to show that G.Skill’s memory division knows its stuff when it comes to launching an enthusiast-grade kit.
Cinebench R23 Benchmark results
The picture changes slightly in the Cinebench R23 CPU benchmark, but not a lot. The memory kit didn’t win by a big margin but lags behind a few points to the Corsair Dominator kits. Still, this is an impressive result, and no matter what you throw at this RAM, it will perform at a high level.
Cinebench R23 (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Gaming Benchmarks
When tested in games, the Trident Z5 Royal Neo gives top-tier performance in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Apex Legends, and Black Myth Wukong. The high-performance DDR5 kit consistently delivers high frame rates and doesn’t bottleneck the rest of the hardware at all, in fact, it pushes it to its limit so you get the maximum performance your PC is capable of.
Gaming Benchmarks (Image by Tech4Gamers))
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Apex Legends Benchmarks (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Black Myth WuKong Benchmarks (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Cyberpunk 2077 Benchmarks (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Should You Buy It?
✅ You want high-performing RAM: Well, this pretty much explains it. This RAM kit comes packed under the hood.
✅ You are after a distinct design: The crystalline RGB lighting is not only beautiful but also one of a kind; it is a great way to stand out from the rest.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ Your budget is on the lower end: Expectedly, it is a rather pricey kit, making it out of reach for many gamers.
My Thoughts
After reviewing the Trident Z5 Royal Neo, it has won me over all the way. It’s a remarkable piece of hardware that showcases how far memory technology has come. Being a Tech Geek, I value both performance and aesthetics, and this kit trumps both fronts.
While the RAM’s raw performance is impressive, its luxurious design is the thing that sets it apart. The Crystalline light bar and the polished aluminum spreaders enhance the kit’s thermal performance as well as add to the overall aesthetics of your PC build. G.Skill has put in a lot of effort when designing this RAM, which is why it is a hot commodity among enthusiasts who want their PC to look good while it performs their tasks.
It trumps the competition and does it with a sort of panache that makes it worthy of its price tag. It’s a statement that combines aesthetics with top-notch performance making it more than a high-speed RAM.
