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.
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Intel’s upcoming Arc Battlemage GPU will have 14 cores, 12GB of VRAM, and a memory bandwidth of 456GB/sec.
The Battlemage architecture features faster memory compared to Arc Alchemist, offering a potential 9% increase in bandwidth.
Battlemage is expected to be announced in late 2024, with a 50% performance boost over last-generation GPUs.
The most recent GFX DRM report contains a glimpse of Intel’s upcoming Arc Battlemage discrete graphics card, confirming some of the hardware’s specifications. The company’s next Core Ultra Lunar Lake CPUs are expected to include discrete versions of the Battlemage “Xe2” GPU architecture from Intel.
Arc Battlemage engineering samples are now being tested by Intel. Operating on the 14.01 display version, the newly discovered Arc Battlemage Xe2 GPU is identified by its device ID, “e20b”. The G: A0/M: A1 stepping on this sample identified it as an Xe2-HPG part.
Why it matters: Intel’s first attempt at making consumer graphics cards showed promise. Fans are excited to see where the company goes next.
The device has 14 Xe2 GPU cores, according to the GuC specifications, which suggests that the BMG-G21 die may support a maximum of 16 Xe2 GPU cores. According to the leaks, the chip operates at two frequencies with a base and boost frequency of 1500 MHz and 1800 MHz, respectively.
Regarding memory, the stated Arc Battlemage Xe2 GPU included six 32-bit DRAM channels, for a total of 192-bit memory bus. This specific GPU featured 12GB of VRAM operating at 19Gbps, providing a maximum memory bandwidth of 456GB/sec.
Compared to Intel’s Arc Alchemist GPUs, which had 17.5 Gbps memory dies and a wider 256-bit bus interface, this memory frequency on the Arc Battlemage Xe2 GPU is higher. The same 19 Gbps modules will provide up to 608 GB/s of additional bandwidth for Intel’s 256-bit and 16GB variants.
That represents a 9% increase in overall bandwidth. Although Intel has said that Battlemage will perform 50% better than Alchemist, we won’t get to see Battlemage GPUs in action until later this year.
Since Intel has rescheduled its Innovation 2024 event for 2025, the announcement is anticipated to occur in late 2024. Intel will also be holding a special event for this purpose.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
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Pre-orders for Sony’s Astro Bot DualSense controller went live recently and instantly sold out.
Unfortunately, scalpers are already reselling the limited edition controller for more than twice the original price.
The scalping has reminded everyone of a few years ago when the PS5 was being sold for twice its price.
Sony recently announced its adorable Astro Bot controller, and pre-orders for the DualSense controller went live yesterday. However, with the limited stock available, scalping issues were inevitable.
Scalpers who quickly secured pre-orders are now reselling the controllers at much higher prices than the original $79.99 MSRP. One scalper is even selling the Astro Bot controller for a staggering $198.99. This is more than twice the original price.
Why it matters: Scalping was a major problem a few years back. The high demand for this controller has reminded everyone of the events from 2021, a time when the PS5 saw similar scalping across the globe.
The Astro Bot controller is flooding eBay, with the average listing price hovering around $150, nearly 2x the price originally set by Sony.
Sony released the Astro Bot controller primarily as a marketing tool and a collectible for fans, coinciding with Asobi Studio’s upcoming release of “Astro Bot,” set to launch on September 4 this year, which is heavily anticipated worldwide.
However, it’s unfortunate that many fans who genuinely wanted the limited edition controller now either have to miss out on it or pay a significantly higher price due to scalping.
Astro Bot Is Shaping Up To Be PlayStation’s Biggest Game This Year
It goes without saying that scalping is a major problem and should be strongly discouraged.
Many of these purchases are automated by bots, making it difficult for genuine fans to buy the products they want. This practice not only inflates prices but also creates an unfair buying experience.
While many major companies struggle to combat scalping, Nintendo has taken a firm stance, stating that they will ensure adequate supply for the Nintendo Switch 2 and won’t let scalpers get away easily this time.
Nonetheless, Astro Bot arrives on September 6. Sony has also launched a PlayStation Direct queue for those looking to buy the controller, giving fans some hope as they wait for an attempt to buy this DualSense controller.
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.
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The developer behind the worst-rated game of 2023 has announced that it won’t work with Sweet Baby Inc. anymore.
Daedalic Entertainment states that this is because of the recent controversies around the group.
Fans have showered the publisher’s latest release with negative reviews due to Sweet Baby Inc’s involvement.
Many might remember the legendary Lord of the Rings: Gollum from last year. As the undisputed worst release of 2023, it ended Daedalic Entertainment’s development career and positioned it as a publisher.
In early 2022, the publisher worked with Sweet Baby Inc for an indie game titled Capes. Fans were not fond of this company’s involvement and showered the game with negative reviews after this discovery.
In the aftermath of these events, Daedalic Entertainment confirmed it won’t work with Sweet Baby Inc. anymore.
Why it matters: Fans are not fond of forced inclusivity in gaming, and this DEI group has earned a negative reputation for itself.
Capes Has Received A Lot of Negative Reviews Due to The Involvement of SBI | Source: Steam
Penta, the Community Strategist for Daedalic Entertainment, has recently revealed that the company won’t work with Sweet Baby Inc. anymore. He highlighted that Capes initially received a positive reception.
However, shortly after, the reviews were changed. Now, the reviews aren’t nearly as positive, and fans are criticizing the voice acting. It seems like Sweet Baby Inc. was behind the voice actors’ selection.
The Devs collaborated with SBI in early 2022. it is likely that the decision would have been a different one in 2024.
-Penta
According to Penta, the company will still take inclusivity and equality seriously. However, it won’t work with Sweet Baby Inc. due to the controversies around various members of the group.
For instance, shortly after Akira Toriyama’s death, one Sweet Baby Inc. member posted a disrespectful tweet. This is just one instance of the many controversies the group has been involved in.
Daedalic Entertainment’s Community Strategist has also been upset at the negative reviews for Cape. He argues that fans are trying to harm a small indie studio for working with Sweet Baby Inc.
Users have refuted this statement and explained that they are just voicing their concerns as customers. They clarified that no harm was intended to the developers or the game itself.
According to the users, there is no modern audience that is looking for a well-rounded, diverse cast, as it is boring and not natural at all.
All in all, Sweet Baby Inc. is quickly losing popularity within the industry. Not too long ago, the studio behind Black Myth: Wukong also refused to work with the company. It seems various other developers are following suit.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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Apex Legends has been the target of controversy due to some battle pass changes and microtransactions that left many players disappointed.
The latest season addresses some of these concerns by bringing promising changes.
Issues like server instability, loot problems, and matchmaking imbalances persist, but the update is a step towards regaining player trust.
While we are way past the peak of battle royale games, a few titles still dominate, such as Fortnite, Warzone, and Apex Legends. Apex Legends is the most different of these titles and is set in the Titanfall universe.
Released in 2019, this battle royale still has a strong player base. However, knowing EA, many controversial changes have been introduced since launch, leading to a massive outburst in the community that made even dedicated players leave for good.
For context, the game introduced two battle passes that could only be bought with real money, multiple currencies, and event collections equivalent to gambling. It was also full of cheaters and balancing problems that EA failed to address.
However, with the release of Season 22, EA has finally addressed many of these issues following the community’s negative reception. They even made changes that improved the experience for new players.
Why it matters: Apex Legends has built quite a big and strong community, with players having invested many hours into the title. This is why each update risks upsetting these dedicated fans, making it challenging for the studio to strike an intricate balance.
New Map And Battle Pass Restoration
The E-District Map Is A Breath of Fresh Air
Season 22 strays from the biggest tradition by not adding a new Legend for the first time in a season. Instead, the content focused on improving the balance and player experience.
It’s been a while since we got a new map for Apex Legends. This happened last in Season 15, and Broken Moon wasn’t exactly a good map since it came with cramped spaces and poor visibility.
However, Season 22 introduced players to E-District, a neon-themed map that is smaller but one of the best in the game. The map is well-designed, and its aesthetics are pleasing to the sore eyes that suffered through Broken Moon these past few seasons.
Season 22 also fixes the controversial battle pass, which could only be bought with real money instead of Apex coins. Now, battle passes can once again be bought with Apex coins. However, they are still split into two passes with 60 levels instead of 110 throughout the season.
Some more good news for fans is that players can now get the premium battle pass for free by completing a few challenges. However, it is to be noted that Apex coins can’t unlock premium battle passes until Split II.
Great Balance Changes
Apex Legends Was Review Bombed By The Community | Image via Tech4Gamers
With this update, Legends have undergone significant changes, especially Controller Legends, who now have extra HP in the zone and can use their tactical abilities from anywhere. Recon classes now gain a threat vision while in ADS, with few adjustments to survey beacons.
Other changes include a PC-exclusive nerf to controller aim assist, weapon buffs and nerfs, and a new LMG attachment that spawns a shield. The R99 SMG moves to the care package, with EVA-8 returning to ground loot.
Additional quality-of-life changes include mid-game loot bin resets, and the removal of aim flinch. Regarding changes made for newer audiences, Apex Legends is now finally available to download on the Epic Games Store.
This is big since Fortnite players could potentially try out this battle royale. Bot Royale is also a new training mode designed to make the game feel more familiar for newer players.
Wrapping up the best changes, the new LTM mode, Revival, has free respawns as long as your teammates are alive, making it reminiscent of Rebirth from Warzone. To check out the full list of changes, head to the official patch notes.
Future Of Apex Legends
Apex Legends Season 22 Paves The Path For A Solid Future
Season 22 is just the first step in the right direction; hopefully, more changes will follow. The developers have already stated earlier that Seasons 22 and 23, which are yet to be released, will bring big changes.
Various problems still persist, such as server issues, which haven’t been stable for once in my thousand hours of gameplay. The loot issues are also here, and the audio is somehow even worse.
Despite promises, the SBMM isn’t any better either. Predator-level players are dropping behind silver and gold ranks, making the experience quite frustrating. However, no battle royale is truly perfect.
Apex Legends still has a long way to go before it gains a positive reception again from the audience, but Season 22 shows what can happen when developers listen to the community and work with the fans.
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.
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A journalist has revealed that the development of Marathon at Bungie isn’t going too well.
The game missed its deadline for this year, and the developers are pessimistic about next year’s targets.
Troubles at Bungie Entertainment have been quite recurrent ever since PlayStation acquired the studio.
Bungie has been experiencing all sorts of troubles ever since Sony acquired it. After the recent layoffs, Sony took over the majority of the company. However, it has been revealed that Marathon’s development isn’t going great.
Why it matters: Marathon is supposed to be Bungie’s next big title. As the studio continues to struggle, many are doubtful about its ability to deliver a successful release for PlayStation.
According to reporter Jason Schreier, the sentiment around Marathon at Bungie isn’t great. The sci-fi shooter was supposed to be released in 2024 but has now slipped to 2025. Some developers say it might not even meet the new deadline either.
Not great from what I’ve heard (Marathon’s development). There’s a reason it was planned for this year and slipped to a whole year.
-Jason Schreier
Marathon also lost its original director a few months ago. Moreover, the game is quite different from what Bungie fans have come to expect, making the project quite challenging for now.
Bungie is going through a very tough time.
Things at Bungie have been quite problematic for the last few months. Sony cut 17% of the team’s workforce amid a new focus on restructuring and optimization. A report also emerged stating that PlayStation sees Bungie as a failed acquisition.
Now, PlayStation has taken over the studio and will make most of the decisions. However, this turmoil puts Marathon at risk. Even if the game meets its targets, there is no guarantee that it will have a positive reception.
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.
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Alan Wake 2 still hasn’t been profitable for the developers nearly one year after its launch.
While the game has recouped most of its development and marketing expenses, it’s yet to make any profit.
The game is getting a physical launch later this year, which might lead to additional sales.
Alan Wake 2 was one of last year’s most well-received titles, and it was also the fast-selling release for Remedy Entertainment, selling over a million copies just a few months after its launch.
Despite these encouraging results, the game was not profitable as of Remedy’s last financial report. The studio’s latest report confirms this is still the case as Alan Wake 2 approaches its first anniversary.
Why it matters: Alan Wake 2 had a lower budget than most AAA releases. This makes it even more surprising that the game was less of a financial success than expected.
Remedy Entertainment’s Latest Earnings Report Discusses All Its IPs
Remedy Entertainment’s latest earnings report confirms that Alan Wake 2 is closer than ever to generating royalties. While it has recouped nearly all its costs, the game is still not profitable.
Royalties consisted mainly of game sales of Control and Alan Wake Remastered. Alan Wake 2 did not yet generate royalties.
-Remedy
The CEO further confirmed that the Night Springs expansion for Alan Wake 2 received excellent reviews from fans and critics. The physical version of the title will also be released later this year, which will help boost sales further.
Alan Wake 2 Was Nominated For Game of The Year In 2023
Moving forward, Remedy has plans to focus on maximizing the potential of Alan Wake and Control. The publisher still seems quite satisfied with the sequel’s performance despite not generating any royalties yet.
One major reason for the lack of profitability may be the Epic Games exclusivity on PC. However, Remedy does not have much of a say in this decision. Should Epic Games allow a Steam release, the game will likely find a larger audience and instantly become more lucrative.
Nonetheless, we expect Alan Wake 2 to generate royalties soon. The team is also looking forward to various other projects for the future, including the Max Payne remakes, so it has a promising future ahead.
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.
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The CEO of Take-Two Interactive has stated that they don’t do day one Game Pass releases because they’re ‘rational.’
He further said that the availability of Call of Duty on Game Pass will boost the service temporarily.
They have no issues with releasing legacy titles on subscription services.
Take-Two Interactive is among the biggest publishers in the industry. With lucrative IPs like Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands, and more under their belt, they are immensely successful. However, one thing they shy away from is Game Pass.
According to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, they don’t prefer releasing their IPs on Game Pass on day one because that is not a rational move.
Why it matters: As successful as Take-Two is, it doesn’t have to release titles on Game Pass. The company has published hits after hits that don’t necessarily need the assistance of a subscription.
Take-Two Interactive is more interested in full-priced releases.
However, that isn’t to say that they don’t support subscriptions. They are fine with their legacy titles coming to these services but don’t want to release their new AAA titles on them because it just isn’t good for business.
Furthermore, talking to Gamesindustry.biz, Zelnick said that games like Call of Duty coming to Game Pass will boost numbers, but only for a while. Therefore, this still doesn’t tempt Take-Two to consider the platform for day-one releases.
No, it won’t affect our decisions, because our decisions are rational.
– Strauss Zelnick
The company is fine with legacy titles on Game Pass.
Take-Two recently revealed their financial report that confirmed the latest sales numbers for their titles. Red Dead Redemption 2 is sitting at 65 million, while GTA 5 has crossed 200 million units sold. These numbers are nothing short of staggering.
This shows why the publisher is fine with ignoring Game Pass. The company made similar comments in the past, and it seems that its views on the service have not changed much over the years.
Take-Two has also released its titles on Game Pass before. GTA 5 was available for quite a few months after being removed in January. Nonetheless, the publisher is now preparing for GTA 6, which comes out in the fall of 2025.
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.
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Black Myth: Wukong recently received its final trailer, and David Jaffe has reacted to it.
He has praised the footage thoroughly and even compared it to FromSoftware releases.
His only concern is that the game might be too focused on bosses with little room for exploration.
Black Myth: Wukong has already gone gold, as the game is set to release on August 20. So far, the action RPG has received a positive reception from the fandom, and it seems like we may have a GOTY contender on our hands.
To cater to a larger audience, the developers used a different approach than your average Souls-like. According to the team, the action RPG is more like God of War than any Souls-like, and quite fittingly, David Jaffe seems to be a fan.
Now that the final trailer has been released, the creator of God of War has showered the footage with compliments.
Why it matters: A game from a relatively unknown developer getting compliments from a veteran like Jaffe is quite the achievement.
At first, David Jaffe shows signs of concern that Black Myth: Wukong might not be the game for him, but as he watches the trailer, he continuously showers it with compliments.
Jaffe doesn’t want Black Myth: Wukong to be a boss rush game, as that is not his cup of tea.
It’s one of the only games I have seen in the last five years that gives FromSoftware a run for their money.
-David Jaffe
The God of War creator talks about the visuals and animations, praising how exceptional Black Myth: Wukong’s presentation looks. This is precisely why he wants to explore the world and hopes that the title offers more than just boss-rush combat.
In the video, Jaffe highlights and appreciates the monster designs the most. He loved almost every single enemy, boss, and character, eventually comparing the results to FromSoftware’s work.
In an era where FromSoftware has reigned supreme, this type of comparison can speak volumes about a game’s quality. Like David Jaffe, we are expecting great things from this Game Science.
Toward the end, David Jaffe notes that he might end up buying the game due to the latest trailer.
He still has a few concerns that are preventing him from pre-ordering, so the director might wait for reviews before finally pulling the trigger on a purchase. However, one thing is clear: the God of War creator is already a fan of Black Myth: Wukong.
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.
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Max Payne 1 and 2 remakes are now in full production, suggesting a potential release within two years.
Development started in 2022, and the project has reached full production after planning and preparation.
The remakes have a similar budget to Alan Wake 2, indicating a significant investment and focus on high quality.
Remedy Entertainment has announced that the remakes of Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2 are now in full production. This news comes from their official H1 2024 earnings reports published today.
Why it matters: These remakes entering the full production stage means the games could be released within two years. The games will be fully-fledged AAA titles, so the development will take some time.
The Max Payne franchise is one of Remedy’s biggest IPs.
The Max Payne franchise recently turned 23 years old, and it’s about time fans got remakes of these timeless classics.
The path to full production has been long, starting with the project’s announcement in April 2022. Since then, Remedy has been steadily working through different development stages.
By October 2023, the project was ready for production, with the team finalizing the project’s scope and style. This stage helped Remedy ensure they could capture the original feel of the games while updating them for modern platforms.
As of the second quarter of 2024, Remedy has confirmed that full production is now in progress. This stage involves a larger team working hard to develop the games. Remedy expects this phase to last 1 to 2 years, depending on the work required.
With the project’s size and goals, a release date is still a while off, likely around mid to late 2026. A key highlight of the Max Payne remakes is their increased budget. Remedy has stated that the budget will be similar to Alan Wake 2, which cost around €50 million.
Rockstar Games’ support shows a strong commitment to making these remakes both visually impressive and true to the originals. This backing will allow Remedy to use modern tools and techniques to refresh these classics.
A big question after the announcement is who will voice Max Payne. James McCaffrey, who originally voiced the character, sadly passed away in 2023. Fans are eager to see how Remedy will handle this important role.
The new voice actor will need to capture Max Payne’s essence while offering a fresh take for today’s players. Regardless, as the remakes continue through full production, fans can look forward to more updates from Remedy.
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.
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Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has significantly boosted Bandai Namco’s profit.
The DLC has sold 5 million copies in just over a month amid all the hype.
Both the base game and the DLC remained on the top sellers chart for quite some time.
Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, was undoubtedly a great hit. While it comes as no surprise that it sold well, Bandai Namco has confirmed that the DLC helped boost their digital operating profit by 553% year-on-year.
Why it matters: Shadow of the Erdtree is critically acclaimed, so great sales numbers were expected. But, according to the report, it has sold so well that it managed to bring a huge boost to the company’s overall revenue.
This is not the first time Elden Ring has boosted profits by such a massive margin.
As per Bandai Namco’s financial report, the Elden Ring DLC was a great ‘hit’ and contributed to strong results in the digital business. Moreover, the company saw an increase of 24.8% in sales and 56.3% in profit overall compared to their last report.
The report ended on June 30, and Shadow of The Erdtree, released on June 21, gave a significant boost to these numbers in the last week. At one point, both the base game as well as the DLC were the top sellers on Steam.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is the fact that Elden Ring was barely part of Bandai Namco’s last quarter, but managed to show the most significant result.
The Elden Ring DLC beat Blood and Wine as the best-rated expansion.
It is also quite remarkable that years after launch, Elden Ring still manages great sales with impressive player counts.
As for the DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree managed to outshine many major releases from 2024. Despite a few controversies over its difficulty, the expansion ended up dominating the competition.
After the success, fans demanded that the developers create another DLC. They have argued that there is much more lore to explore, and Shadow of the Erdtree doesn’t do enough. However, for now, FromSoftware doesn’t have any plans for another expansion.
At Tech4Gamers, I’m the PC Hardware Specialist, primarily contributing to the “Best-Ofs” section. I provide thoughtful buying advice based on thorough testing and personal expertise. I also review hardware products and games to keep things fresh.
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The Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X have lower TDP ratings than their predecessors, but these only come as negatives as performance is being limited by power limits.
While they do show improved single-core and multi-core performance, their numbers in 1080P gaming are hardly better than their predecessors.
They are also priced lower than their predecessors (at launch), but the 7700X ($294) and 7600X ($199) offer far better value at the moment.
AMD’s Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X have dropped, and I was very excited to test them. With lower TDP ratings and slightly lower price tags than their predecessors, they seemed like the next ideal mid- to high-range gaming CPUs. Things haven’t quite gone that way though, and I was disappointed after testing them.
A Quick Preview
Ryzen 5 9600X CPU-Z. (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Ryzen 7 9700X CPU-Z
The thing to note about the Ryzen 9000 series is that AMD has not relied on clock speed bumps or core count increases to improve performance over the previous generation. So, we have the same 6C/12T and 8C/16T configurations, and the base clock speeds are actually lower than their predecessors. In the cache department, improvements were only made to the L1 cache.
Ryzen 5 9600X. (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Ryzen 7 9700X
AMD relied on microarchitectural changes instead, including a shift to TSMC’s 4nm FinFET processing node. They have also claimed improved branch prediction, a wider instructions pipeline, and more cache bandwidth. All in all, AMD promised an average 16% IPC uplift over Zen 4, all with better thermal and power efficiency.
I Can’t Tell What They Are Supposed To Be Competing With
Ryzen 5 9600X and 7 9700X vs various CPUs in Cinebench R23 (Image by Tech4Gamers)
Compared to their predecessors, the overall gains are simply not worth upgrading. Both the 9600X and the 9700X score around 1000-1500 higher in multi-core, which makes up for merely a refresh. The same applies to their single-core benchmarks as well, the difference is just not enough.
Given the Ryzen 5 9600X is priced at $279, its direct competitor should be the previous gen’s 7700X ($294) and Intel’s Core i5-14600K ($299), but it was beaten by both in my multi-threaded GeekBench and Cinbench tests (and by the 13600K). Of course, that happened, though; the 14600K has over 2x more cores, while the 7700X has higher base speeds and two more cores. The 9600X did show decent gains over the 7600X if that’s something.
The 9700X is priced near the 13700K ($329) and 14700K ($381), but can’t compete with the 16-core 13700K let alone the 14700K in multi-core performance. It does stand on par with the 14700K in single-core performance, though.
9600X and 9700X vs competitors in Cyberpunk 2077 (Image by Tech4Gamers)
In 1080P ultra gaming, we were reassured that the 9600X’s 6 cores are adequate, but again, it trailed both the 14600K and 7700X and output almost the same FPS as the $198 7600X. The 9700X couldn’t beat its Intel Core i7 rivals either.
AMD’s Power Targets Are Too Optimistic, And Unnecessary.
AMD aimed for even lower power targets than last time, promising “15% thermal resistance” along with a 16% IPC increase. Both CPUs come in at 65W (down from 105W). YouTuber der8auer showed that you can get much better performance from the 9700X by removing the power limits through manual PBO adjustment. You can do this, but make sure you have the thermal headroom, as the CPUs can consume over 150W under load.
Ryzen 5 9600X Installed
Ryzen 7 9700X Installed
I think that AMD would have been better off keeping the same 105W TDP and base clock speeds on the two CPUs. They would still remain more power efficient than the Intel competition and would be able to pull closer in gaming performance. It seems AMD tried to outdo themselves when they could’ve reserved these power targets for (possibly) 9600 and 9700 non-X chips, like those of the 7000 series.
The Price Isn’t Justified
Ryzen 5 9600X Box. (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Ryzen 7 9700X Box
Not only did the Ryzen 5 9600X barely outperform the Ryzen 5 7600X, but it’s currently priced about 40% higher than it. Even compared to the 14600K, it’s only about $20 cheaper but can’t match its performance in gaming or multi-threaded applications. Meanwhile, the 9700X also barely managed to outperform the Ryzen 7 7700X in any applications I tested but has a 22% higher price tag.
Go For The 7600X/7700X Or Overclock
We all knew the real deal would be the Ryzen 9000 X3D CPUs, but AMD could have done better here for the non-X3D chips. There is not much reason to buy the Ryzen 5 9600X or its big brother, whether you’re upgrading from the 7000 series or building a new PC. Performance-wise, Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs are ahead, and value-wise, the 7600X and 7700X are miles ahead.
While these were only the first two Ryzen 9000 CPUs, I expect a similar pattern to follow for the remaining non-X3D CPUs (except the 9950X, as it hasn’t received a TDP cut). So, all in all, it has been underwhelming so far from AMD, and the near future doesn’t look much better.
AMD had a real chance to deliver a crushing blow to Intel, which is already struggling with the surge of failing 13th and 14th-generation CPUs. Instead, it’s almost like AMD followed in Intel’s footsteps and released refresh CPUs, heck Intel’s refresh chips at least showed some noticeable gaming performance gains.
Of course, the main culprit behind such underwhelming performance is AMD’s aggressive approach towards lower power limits, and sure, the CPUs are indeed impressive in that regard, but at this point they have gone one step too ahead. For anyone planning to get these CPUs, I’d say you should play around with the power limits and try some overclocking to really enjoy these chips.
Lastly, Hayyan Serwer, my fellow hardware tester at Tech4Gamers, and I have also tested several different CPU coolers and motherboards for these processors, and based on performance, design, value, and overall features, we’ve rounded up the top options to help our readers. You can take a look at our results here:
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] Megaloot is, as the name suggests, all about the loot. Described as an inventory management rogue-like RPG, this game has just received a release date. Moreover, developer Ravenage Games has announced that a new demo is now available on Steam to prepare players for the August 30th launch.
Megaloot puts players in a peculiar dungeon filled with enemies, monsters, and, of course, loot. This loot serves two purposes: it can either be equipped or used for stat buffs. Once a dungeon floor is cleared, players can even dismantle loot for permanent buffs.
This leads to a gameplay loop that not only encourages replayability but also offers real depth. Additionally, the RPG boasts a minimalist art style to keep players focused on the gameplay at all times.
To get a glimpse at these features, players can head over and try the Steam demo for free. More information about Megaloot and developer Ravenage Games can also be found on Twitter and various other social media channels.
