Latest news with #Razer
Digital Trends
2 days ago
- Digital Trends
Are external GPUs still worth it in 2025?
External GPUs (eGPUs) have long promised a tantalizing compromise: portability when you need it, and desktop-class performance when you don't. But as laptop GPUs get faster and AI workloads move to dedicated NPUs, the value proposition of an eGPU dock feels less straightforward than ever. For gamers and creative professionals tied to thin-and-light ultrabooks, eGPUs still offer a way to transform a modest machine into a graphics powerhouse. Thunderbolt 5 and the fairly new Oculink interfaces now offer significantly improved bandwidth over their predecessors, reducing bottlenecks that once plagued external GPU performance. However, that doesn't mean all the original drawbacks have been solved. Recommended Videos Take for instance, Razer's newly launched Core X V2, which showcases the current state of external GPU (eGPU) technology by adopting the latest Thunderbolt 5 interface. This upgrade significantly boosts bandwidth up to 80 Gbps in both directions (bi-directional) or can utilize a 'Bandwidth Boost' mode for up to 120 Gbps for video-intensive tasks in one direction while maintaining 40 Gbps in the other. These speeds allow desktop-grade GPUs to perform more effectively over a cable than ever before. However, the Core X V2 also reflects modern trade-offs by dropping the built-in power supply and I/O ports found in earlier models requiring users to bring their own power supply unit and, optionally, buy a separate $390 dock for connectivity. At $350, it's also more expensive than its predecessor despite being more stripped down. On top of that, compatibility is now limited to devices running on Windows with either a Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 port while Apple Silicon Macs remain unsupported. One of the biggest arguments against eGPUs in 2025 is diminishing returns. While they still offer a dramatic performance uplift over integrated graphics, many premium laptops come with capable discrete GPUs that can handle most modern games at respectable settings and resolutions. For creators, the line between desktop and mobile GPUs has narrowed since render times and AI-assisted workflows are often bottlenecked more by CPU and memory than by pure GPU horsepower. Performance: Gains and Limitations Even with fast Thunderbolt links, eGPUs still lose some speed compared to an internal GPU slot. PC Gamer conducted a detailed performance analysis of eGPU setups using two fairly modern graphics cards including an RTX 4070 Ti and an RTX 4090. The testing was done across four different configurations including a Thunderbolt eGPU dock, an OCuLink eGPU dock (via Minisforum DEG-1), PCIe x8 (Beelink EX Dock), and a native desktop PCIe x16 connection. All tests were run on up-to-date hardware platforms with DDR5 memory and PCIe 4.0 support to ensure consistency. Benchmarks were performed at 1440p using ultra settings, measuring both average framerates and 1% lows to assess frame pacing and stutter. The goal was to evaluate how each connection standard affected GPU performance in real-world gaming scenarios. The RTX 4070 Ti results showed that Thunderbolt was by far the most limiting setup, running approximately 25% slower than OCuLink and showing pronounced frame stutter and poor 1% lows. OCuLink, despite also being limited to four PCIe lanes, performed noticeably better and approached desktop-like averages in many cases, though some minor stutter remained. Interestingly, the PCIe x8 configuration performed nearly identically to full PCIe x16 desktop usage, proving that eight lanes are sufficient for this mid-range GPU. In our own testing of the Minisforum DEG1, a $99 open-air eGPU dock using the OCuLink standard, we found that it manages to deliver good real-world performance with only modest impact even when paired with high-end GPUs. When tested with an RTX 4080 Super, Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal ran nearly identically to a desktop setup, while demanding titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Forza Horizon 5 showed a 12% drop. Horizon Zero Dawn was the exception, with a ~35% performance decline, but this still outperforms much older eGPU systems. In benchmarks like 3DMark Time Spy on a 4060 Ti, the DEG1 achieved graphics scores between ~9,600 and 13,500, depending on the host, with PCIe‑Gen4 bandwidth measured around 6–6.7 GB/s—indicating its ability to preserve the majority of a card's potential in realistic scenarios. It is fair to conclude that eGPUs still carry notable bandwidth limitations, particularly when paired with high-end GPUs. While newer interfaces like Thunderbolt 5 and OCuLink improve average framerates, stuttering remains a major bottleneck that undermines the experience. As such, it is recommended that eGPU users are better off pairing their enclosures with upper mid-range cards which are less likely to be choked by the limited bandwidth and can still deliver solid performance without the drawbacks of stutter-heavy frame pacing. In short, expect roughly 70–80% of desktop performance from an external setup, and diminishing returns as you push the GPU size upward. If you plan to output to the laptop's own screen rather than an external monitor, prepare for even more overhead as some tests found the performance penalty shrinks with an external display because data doesn't have to double-hop back into the laptop. Cost and Portability A core drawback of eGPUs is the price of admission. The enclosure itself can cost hundreds of dollars. Razer's Core X V2 is $350 on its own, not including the GPU or even a power supply. Many older TB4 enclosures similarly went for $200–400. Then you must buy a desktop-class GPU which is a luxury on its own and, in most cases, an ATX power supply unless the enclosure includes one. Compare that to buying a new gaming laptop or compact desktop for a similar investment, you could get a machine that already has a GPU with no latency penalty. Portability is another concern. An eGPU setup is far from 'light and portable' especially the ones that allow you to install a desktop class GPU. You'd dock it at home or office, not toss it in a backpack on a plane. By contrast, a high-end gaming laptop contains its GPU internally and requires only one power cord. Some companies have tried truly portable eGPUs for instance, the ROG XG Mobile dock from Asus. While the previous version included a proprietary connector, the latest variant has moved to TB5 expanding compatibility to a wider range of devices. However, it is important to know that Asus could only make the dock portable by including laptop-class GPUs instead of the more powerful desktop counterparts . Compatibility quirks also add to the hassle. You need a Thunderbolt or USB4 port with proper support, with some Windows laptops still lacking a TB port entirely. Hot-plugging is generally supported on PC, but modern Macs with Apple Silicon simply do not support any sort of external GPUs. Additionally, driver issues can crop up. While Windows 11 handles many eGPUs better than older Windows 10 did, it's not flawless. In short, an eGPU is a power-up for your laptop, but only when docked, so you must accept that you're essentially carrying a desktop GPU in one giant box, plus another dongle for ports if needed. Alternatives and Outlook Given these trade-offs, many look at alternatives. Laptops have soldered or integrated GPUs that can't be swapped. Thus, in many cases, buying a new laptop with a better GPU is simpler than an eGPU. With every laptop refresh cycle, vendors cram more GPU power into slim machines, so a consumer might choose to buy a new $1500 gaming laptop instead of spending on an eGPU setup for their old ultrabook. Additionally, services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna have matured. These let users stream AAA games to any device without a local GPU. For gamers with good internet connection, cloud services can deliver 4K at 60–120 FPS with minimal local hardware. Creative professionals likewise have cloud rendering options (e.g. Blender or Adobe cloud rendering). The upside is no hardware purchase, only a subscription. The downside is latency and variable image quality which is unacceptable for competitive play or precision tasks. But for some, cloud gaming can entirely replace the need for an eGPU or even a powerful PC, especially on portable devices like tablets. External GPU docks are more of a specialty solution than a mass-market trend. They've never been as popular as once hoped, and advances in laptop hardware and cloud services have only chipped away at their appeal. That said, they aren't completely dead. For a subset of users say, a Linux mini-PC or Windows handheld, an eGPU might be the only way to run high-end games or CUDA workloads. Ultimately, eGPUs remain a niche tool, useful if you already have a compatible laptop and an extra graphics card you want to reuse. They offer a clear benefit (big jump in GPU power on demand) but demand tradeoffs in cost, weight, and complexity.
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Audeze Maxwell Headset Makes Gaming Premium — GeekTyrant
Audeze recently sent me what is possibly the best gaming headset I have ever had the chance to try out for Xbox. The Audeze Maxwell headset is available now in two varieties (one for PlayStation with MSRP of $299 and one for Xbox with MSRP of $349) and I'm in love with it. Before I really get into it, I want to talk about some of the specifications. The Maxwell features over-the-ear and closed back headphones with 90mm drivers. It has a suspension headband instead of the more typical adjustable headband and is advertised to have a battery life of 80+ hours. As far as connectivity, the Maxwell can use Bluetooth 5.3, wired USB, wired 3.5mm, and a USB dongle with ultra low latency wireless. It also has Xbox Wireless via the USB dongle. Maxwell also offers integrated A.I. noise filtration for the microphone as well as microphone EQ controls. In addition, the Xbox version comes with an embedded license to Dolby Atmos for the optimal audio experience while gaming. That's enough boring talk. The Maxwell is absolutely incredible. The audio quality is absolutely fantastic. Everything sounds so clear and crisp. Combined with the fact that it is very comfortable to wear, and it's just a fantastic headset. The padding they use for the cups is just very comfortable yet secure. The use of the suspension headband actually works better for staying on my head when I bend over versus pretty much any adjustable headband headset. Before the Maxwell, my only other Xbox headset was the Razer Kaira Pro. This was a decent headset, especially for the price. However, it's safe to say that the Maxwell blows it out of the water (albeit with a price tag over double). I recorded a few samples using the Kaira Pro, the Maxwell, and my go-to PC mic the Dark Matter Sentry. I had fairly loud music playing in the background as I recorded each sample and tested external and internal microphones on both headsets and various levels of noise suppression on the Maxwell. In my opinion, the Sentry gives the best audio quality, but it also lets a lot of the background music through. The Maxwell is definitely in second place though with the external boom mic and has much quieter background noise, even with the noise suppression turned off.
CNET
2 days ago
- CNET
The GameSir G8 Plus Is a Solid Mobile Controller, With One Big Caveat
GameSir G8 Plus $80 at Amazon Pros Great hardware Fits phones and small tablets Extra back buttons Good battery life Cons Buggy app No extra faceplates available No case included GameSir G8 Plus $80 at Amazon If you don't think gaming on your phone could be fun, you've likely never tried using it with a controller. Once you do, you'll realize why mobile gaming is continuing to grow exponentially. It really is, pun very much intended, a game-changer. There are a ton of mobile controllers out there. Most of them are bad but there are some great ones out there too. The G8 Plus from GameSir is one of the latter. It works with Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch. And it feels great to use, but the app leaves a lot to be desired. Great hardware CNET There's a lot to like about the G8 Plus, starting with the hardware. Arguably, the most important aspect of any controller is how it feels to hold and use, and luckily the G8 Plus does well there. It's not my favorite hardware on a mobile controller -- that's currently a tie between the Razer Kishi Ultra and the Elo Vagabond -- but it's still solid. It's comfortable to hold, even for long periods of time. It feels like an Xbox controller that stretches in half to make room for your phone, which is a good thing. The textured grip on the back means it won't slip out of your hands and it's light enough not feel too heavy after an hour or so. The buttons are nice and clicky with plenty of travel, and the D-Pad is decent too. D-Pads often gets overlooked on mobile controllers, but it's solid here. There's also a Home button on the front for launching the GameSir app, a capture button for recording in-game content, and an M button for switching connection modes. I was impressed by the two programmable back buttons. They aren't mushy like on the PowerA Fusion and they sit where my fingers naturally rest, so they're easy to use. These buttons are always hit or miss on mobile controllers, but here, they're great. Jason Cockerham/CNET The Hall Effect joysticks and triggers are good as well. While there is no physical hair trigger setting, you can adjust the triggers digitally in the app. More on that later. GameSir also offers a couple different joystick tops so you can pick the one that suits your gameplay. They aren't different heights, just differently shaped tops. The best part of the G8 Plus is the range of compatible devices. The two halves stretch out far enough for probably every phone and it can even fit some small tablets like the iPad Mini or the fantastic Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3. Since it's Bluetooth, there's no need to mess with connecting to USB-C. Plus, it will automatically wake up and connect to your phone as soon as you pull it apart, and it will sleep as soon as you remove your phone. Frustrating software Jason Cockerham/CNET Sadly, the biggest frustration and reason I hesitate to recommend the G8 Plus is the same one that's been plaguing GameSir controllers for years: the software. GameSir's app is not only barebones, it's barely functional and it has some annoying bugs. The UI is just... basic. There's nothing flashy or exciting about it, and it looks like the company just threw it together just to say it has an app. The games tab that's supposed to highlight the latest games for you is instead full of things that don't even exist anymore like Apex Legends: Mobile. Your own games are hidden behind a tab on the Device page. Jason Cockerham/CNET To be fair, you can do a lot within the app, including remap buttons, customize joystick and trigger dead zones, even adjust the vibration intensity. This is also where you setup the virtual touch mapping for games such as Call of Duty: Mobile that don't natively support controllers. The GameSir app will sometimes override the settings for other controllers. For example, after playing COD:M on the G8 Plus, I switched back to the Elo Vagabond to find it no longer worked; my phone didn't recognize it at all. Not even a restart would solve this. I had to uninstall and reinstall the app, which also means redownloading the dozens of gigabytes necessary to play it. Very annoying. I realize most people don't have more than one controller, but just be aware of that if you do switch controllers. Worth it if you can get past the software If you don't care much about the lackluster app, then the G8 Plus really is a solid controller. It feels great, responds well, and has respectable battery life. But it's also pricey at $100, especially with the poor app experience. If GameSir put some work into its app, the G8 Plus would be much easier to recommend. I also wish it came with a case, but there are some on Amazon that don't look too bad. Still, it's a great controller, even for $100.
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Pokémon fans: Razer has finally listened and… it's here
Can you believe it? It's finally here. Razer has just unveiled its Pokémon collection, and as a massive fan of all Pokémon games, I couldn't be more thrilled. While this isn't the first time Razer and The Pokémon Company have made a collab, it's the first time that these products will be readily available outside of Asia. The lineup is focused on four of the most popular pocket monsters that Game Freak has to offer. How fitting, because there are also four products to sink your teeth into. Although I don't mean to wax poetic about stuff I have yet to try myself, be warned: I'm a huge fan, so I might let the excitement get the best of me at times. With that said, here's what you can now get your hands on (globally, for once). Razer BlackWidow V4 X I'll start by saying that I'm overly enthusiastic not just about Pokémon, but also about fun-looking peripherals. I currently own the Razer BlackWidow V3 in Quartz, which is a fancy way of saying 'pink,' and I recently bought the Razer Seiren V3 Mini in the same colorway. I'm a PC builder with 20 years of experience, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't choose those two products chiefly for their looks. With that said, I'm also happy with their performance, so it's a win-win. Recommended Videos Much like the rest of the lineup, the Razer BlackWidow V4 X doesn't add anything in the way of features. If you already own the base model of this keyboard, you won't suddenly get anything better here. But who could resist that mix of Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander combined with some RGB lighting? This is a mechanical keyboard equipped with green clicky switches, six dedicated macro keys, a roller button for volume, and the usual media keys. The bling action is per-key, so you can fine-tune it to your heart's content. For the pleasure of staring at Pokémon while you type, you'll have to pay $170; the regular model can now be picked up for $130. Considering that I own an older version of the BlackWidow keyboard, I expect this one to be solid. I put my keyboards through the wringer a lot more than most users do, and this one's handling it like a total champ. Plus, I absolutely love how clicky it is. Razer Cobra I love the color theme of this Razer Cobra mouse. While all the gear is yellow and black, the emphasis on yellow here is pleasing to me. But, you know, it's like I said — I'm into fun-looking peripherals. This mouse is pretty lightweight at 58g, although the 8,500 DPI sensitivity puts it well under some of the best gaming mice. As much as I love Pokémon, I'm not sure that I would buy this mouse — I'm too used to wireless now, and my Razer Naga V2 Pro serves me well. However, at $60, it's an alright midrange option. Mind you, the Pokémon tax adds an extra $25 here, as the base version is currently on sale for $35. Razer Kraken V4 X Razer has its fair share of unusual headsets — those kitty-cat ears come to mind — but none of them speak to me the way this one does. This is a wired headset with a retractable cardioid microphone. It's also equipped with Razer's 40mm Triforce drivers, memory foam cushions, and Chroma RGB lighting. Razer priced this one at $100, and if not for it being wired, I'd be taking my chances and buying it for the Pokémon-themed headband alone. Razer Gigantus V2 So, I may have just bought myself this mouse pad. I'm not at all ashamed. It's $30 at Amazon, and it's money I'm willing to spare for having even more Pokémon stuff on my desk. Covered in the same collage of Kanto starters, this mouse pad is made out of thick rubber foam and covered in a micro-weave polyester surface. Razer promises to deliver 'pixel-precise accuracy' and responsiveness, but honestly, it could be made out of sandpaper and I'd probably still buy it. It's very easy to sell Pokémon merch to me. This medium-sized mouse pad is far from the biggest that Razer has to offer, measuring at around 14.1 inches wide and 10.8 inches long. I would have liked to see a bigger version, but hopefully, if this lineup does well, Razer could still release one someday. More to come? Razer revealed a Gengar Pokemon themed headset…but it's only available in China — Dexerto (@Dexerto) October 16, 2024 I've been eyeing Razer's various Pokémon-themed collabs with increasing jealousy over the years. Every single one of them was limited to Asia, including the Gengar headset you can take a peek at above. To say that I wanted to throw my money in Razer's general direction was an understatement, so it's good to see the company finally making that possible, with the range available in the United States, but also in Europe, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. Better yet, there might be more Pokémon goodies still to come. Razer has teased that Gengar gear might also be on the way, responding to a few comments with a fitting emoji. If and when this is going to happen is a mystery, but I sure hope that it will. If you already own any of these products, remember that they're all the same on the inside, so give these new versions a pass. However, if you're looking for an upgrade and you're into Pokémon, then you just might be as hyped as I am right now.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Gizmodo
Gaming Laptops Have a Secret Weapon Against Desktop PCs, and It Looks a Lot Like the Switch 2
I want a future where we don't need a desktop PC to get the best gaming graphics. Maybe I'm a dreamer who needs to keep on dreaming, but I think that that pie-in-the-sky wonderland is closer to reality than you may think, and all PC component makers need to do is hop on the eGPU train. Better yet, they need to make something that's as easily dockable as a Switch 2, but with the added power of a discrete graphics card that could push a laptop or gaming handheld into a full desktop experience. The recently revealed Razer Core X V2 has been weighing on my mind as much as it seems it would weigh down my desk. At its core, it's an eGPU, or external graphics processing unit. The GPU normally handles the most intensive rendering tasks necessary for high-end creative apps or gaming. Razer's latest version is a $350 shoebox filled with surplus PC parts that could bump up the gaming potential of your average lightweight laptop. It makes use of Thunderbolt 5 connectivity to allow for faster data transfer speeds, though it will only grant those 80 Gbps bidirectional speeds with a compatible device that also has a Thunderbolt 5 port. It's compatible with USB-C-based Thunderbolt 4 laptops and USB 4 handhelds, but those devices also need to support external graphics to get the juice from the discrete GPU. We've seen similar designs from companies like Gigabyte with its recently announced Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box. It's the opposite of what I want to see from an eGPU. Even after you spend the Benjamins on Razer's case, you have to source your own graphics card and power supply with enough wattage to power it. This means you're already halfway there to a mini ATX desktop. It could be so much more. Why does it have to be in a box, anyway? Couldn't an eGPU enclosure be a complete docking station for your laptop or handheld? Imagine how nice it would be, after schlepping around town all day, to take your lightweight laptop, slot it into your desktop battle station, and then be set up for a console-like gaming experience. To keep it low-profile, you would need to engineer some novel ways to power the device and still manage excess heat. Smaller companies like Ayaneo sell the $600 Graphics Starship with an AMD Radeon 7600M XT housed inside. That eGPU has reverse power support for up to four monitors. It's still pretty chunky, which is why the better options for some kind of dockable device lie in laptop GPUs. We could have slimmer boxes with a device-specific slot for a laptop or handheld. It could have enough ports to support multiple monitors and include USB and Ethernet. What I'm saying is: what if Razer combined its Dock Chroma with a laptop-level eGPU? Asus kicked off 2025 with the promise of the XG Mobile eGPU with Thunderbolt 5 support and up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090-level graphics. Gizmodo first saw it in January this year, but it has yet to see the light of day. Asus promised it would be compatible with a $900 Asus ROG Ally X, but we don't yet know how well this could improve the graphics capabilities of the company's most expensive handheld. The upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X with the all-new Xbox-ified version of Windows has the same USB 4 connection, so it will similarly support the XG Mobile should it arrive sometime later this year. As for pricing, all we have right now are rumors, but I don't expect either the Xbox Ally or XG Mobile to be cheap. Desktops will still have the edge in graphics capability above any mobile dock, especially if they house a solid gaming CPU like AMD's leading Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The data speeds will continue to be a hindrance. USB 4's bandwidth maxes out at 40 Gbps, which may not be enough for the highest-end GPUs. Plus, so few handhelds have USB 4 compatibility. You can't hook up a Steam Deck unless you do surgery on your device to enable Oculink—a separate type of fast data connection. We need to wait for the next era of handheld APUs—AKA accelerated processing units—to see if their performance matches up with an external graphics card and makes the setup worth the cost. I'll just keep dreaming until some saint-like Santa figure finally hears my pleas.
