From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
Maxsun Terminator B850M Pro II Motherboard Review: Competent but overpriced in the US
The Maxsun Terminator B850M Pro II is a budget AM5 motherboard with a solid feature set and average performance, but its current US pricing makes it a less competitive option. While it supports flagship processors and includes Wi-Fi 7, its performance in multi-threaded tasks is slower than other boards, and its price point exceeds that of better alternatives.
JSAUX FlipGo Horizon Pro dual-screen portable monitor reviewed for versatility
The JSAUX FlipGo Horizon Pro, a dual-screen portable monitor, was reviewed, highlighting its versatile display configurations and integrated hub with USB-A and Gigabit Ethernet ports. While praised for its build quality and multiple modes, the review noted its significant weight, average display quality, and high price compared to competitors.
QIDI Plus5 3D Printer Reviewed: Increased Build Volume and Higher Nozzle Temperature
The QIDI Plus5 3D printer has been reviewed, highlighting its suitability for large-scale prints with high-temperature filaments due to its heated chamber and increased build volume. The printer offers a competitive price point compared to similar models, making it a notable option for practical 3D printing.
GMKtec Evo-T2 Mini PC Reviewed: Panther Lake Performance at a High Price
The GMKtec Evo-T2 mini PC features Intel's Panther Lake processor with B390 integrated graphics and 64GB of DDR5 RAM, offering quiet operation and low power consumption. However, its nearly $2,000 price point and plastic build quality are noted as drawbacks compared to competitors.
DeepCool Releases Second-Generation AK400 G2 and AK620 G2 CPU Air Coolers
DeepCool has launched its second-generation AK series CPU air coolers, the AK400 G2 and AK620 G2, which feature updated designs and fan configurations. These coolers offer aesthetic options including woodgrain top covers or digital displays, and are available in black or white.
Turtle Beach KB5 Keyboard Integrates Touchscreen and Numberpad for $149.99
Turtle Beach released the KB5, a full-size wired mechanical keyboard featuring low-profile switches, an 8,000 Hz polling rate, and a built-in 2.4-inch touchscreen that functions as a mini macro pad. This keyboard offers a combined numberpad and macro pad functionality at a lower price point compared to similar products.
SSD Speed Impact on Gaming Performance Tested Across 11 Titles
Testing across 11 games shows that while SSDs significantly reduce load times compared to HDDs, the performance difference between various SSD types (SATA, PCIe NVMe, and different PCIe generations) during gameplay is often marginal. Modern games increasingly require SSDs, but faster drives do not always translate to a better gaming experience beyond initial load times.
Sandisk Optimus GX 7100M 2TB SSD reviewed for M.2 2230 form factor devices
The Sandisk Optimus GX 7100M SSD has been reviewed as a high-performance and power-efficient option for M.2 2230 form factor devices, including portable gaming systems like the Steam Deck. This drive fills a gap in the market for 2TB single-sided M.2 2230 SSDs, offering fast random read performance and TLC flash.
Beelink SER10 MAX Mini PC Ships with OpenClaw and Local AI, Faces Performance Limits
The Beelink SER10 MAX mini PC, priced at $1,649, is now available with dual-boot support for Windows 11 and Ubuntu, featuring the OpenClaw AI agent and a pre-installed Qwen-3.5 9B local AI model. While this configuration aims to simplify local AI usage, the system's hardware, specifically memory bandwidth, limits the performance of larger AI models like Google Gemma 4 31B.
Montech TG3 Panoramic Mid-tower Case Offers Value and Cooling Performance
The Montech TG3 mid-tower case, priced at $59.90, provides good CPU cooling and includes four RGB fans, making it a competitive option in the budget PC case market. Its design features panoramic glass panels and a tiered PSU shroud with integrated ARGB lighting. This product offers an affordable option for PC builders seeking aesthetic and functional features without a high cost.
Glorious Wireless InfinitePlay Gaming Headset Reviewed for Sound, Comfort, and Battery
The Glorious Wireless InfinitePlay gaming headset was reviewed, highlighting its hot-swappable battery system with continuous power during swaps, balanced sound, and dual-mode connectivity. This feature addresses common battery life concerns in wireless headsets, offering an alternative to competitors like Steelseries and Turtle Beach.
GPU prices continue to rise in 2026 due to VRAM costs and lack of discounts
Graphics card prices, including Nvidia's 50-series and AMD's 90-series, are increasing in 2026, with no significant discounts observed since their 2025 release. This trend is attributed to rising VRAM costs driven by AI demand, which is also delaying the next generation of GPUs until late 2027 or 2028.
Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti Performance Re-evaluated in 2026 Gaming Scenarios
A re-evaluation of the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti's performance in 2026 gaming scenarios indicates it still achieves close to 60 FPS in modern titles at 1080p, primarily due to its 11GB VRAM. However, the GPU struggles with newer technologies like ray tracing and upscaling, showing its age compared to current-generation cards.
Review compares sub-$400 Thunderbolt 5 docks from Keychron, Plugable, and UGREEN
A review compares three Thunderbolt 5 docks priced under $400: the Plugable TBT-UDH2, Keychron TB5D-1, and UGREEN Revodok Maxidok. The comparison highlights port configurations and design differences, with UGREEN's model noted for an M.2 NVMe slot. This comparison helps consumers identify suitable Thunderbolt 5 docking solutions within a specific budget.
Magnetic watch bands can trigger laptop lid sensors, causing unexpected lock screens
Magnetic clasps on watch bands can inadvertently activate the lid-closed sensor on laptops, leading to the screen going black and the system locking. This issue can be misdiagnosed as a hardware or software fault, but is caused by the magnetic field interfering with the laptop's internal sensors.
Motherboard M.2 Heatsink Contact Tested on 20 Intel and AMD Boards
A test of 20 modern Intel and AMD motherboards found varying contact quality between M.2 heatsinks and SSDs, which can affect thermal throttling. This matters because poor contact can lead to M.2 SSDs overheating and reducing performance, especially with newer PCIe 5.0 drives.
Laptop CPU Performance Compared on Battery vs. AC Power Across Major Vendors
An analysis compared the performance consistency of Intel, Qualcomm, Apple, and AMD laptop CPUs when running on battery power versus plugged into AC. Apple's M5 Max and Intel's Core Ultra X9 388H showed the most consistent performance, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and AMD's Ryzen AI 7 445 exhibited more variability.
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG Mini PC Review: Panther Lake in a Compact Form Factor
The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG mini PC, featuring Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" mobile processors, offers a compact design with upgradable RAM and storage. While it provides strong performance and low power consumption, its high price point and weak integrated GPU limit its overall value.
Acer ProDesigner PE320QXT Monitor Features 6K Resolution and Touchscreen
Acer released the ProDesigner PE320QXT, a professional monitor featuring a 6K resolution, a 10-point capacitive touchscreen, and an integrated webcam. This monitor is designed for content creation, collaboration, and presentations, offering features like a flexible stand and wide color gamut.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processors Mark 20th Anniversary, Recalling Performance Leadership
Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, codenamed Conroe, were launched 20 years ago, on July 27, 2006, introducing ten new processors for desktops, laptops, and workstations. These chips ended the GHz race by demonstrating significant performance and energy efficiency improvements through architectural innovations, allowing Intel to regain market leadership from AMD.
AOC U32G4 32-inch 4K Dual-Refresh Gaming Monitor Offers Performance and Value
A review of the AOC U32G4 32-inch 4K gaming monitor highlights its strong performance, bright and accurate image, and competitive pricing. The monitor features a dual-refresh operation, allowing it to switch between 4K/160 Hz and FHD 320 Hz, and includes Adaptive-Sync with backlight strobing.
Geekom A9 Max 2026 Mini PC reviewed, features AMD Ryzen AI 400 series processor
The Geekom A9 Max 2026 mini PC, featuring AMD's Ryzen AI 400 series processors, offers a compact design and low idle power consumption but suffers from loud fans under load and ships with single-channel RAM, which negatively impacts integrated GPU performance. This review highlights the trade-offs in performance and design for mini PCs adopting the latest AMD mobile processors.
Dell 14S (2026) Laptop Reviewed: Premium Design, Long Battery Life, and Varied Ports
The Dell 14S (2026) laptop offers a premium design and over 20 hours of battery life at a lower price point than the XPS 14, though its productivity performance is noted as a drawback. This model provides a cost-effective alternative for users prioritizing design and battery life over peak processing power, making it relevant for consumers considering mainstream laptops.
AMD's $5.4 Billion ATI Acquisition 20 Years Ago Shaped Radeon, APUs, and Console Dominance
Twenty years ago, AMD acquired graphics chip firm ATI for $5.4 billion, a move that influenced the development of Radeon GPUs, the creation of APUs, and AMD's position in the console market. This acquisition integrated graphics technology directly into AMD's offerings, leading to significant product innovations over two decades.
Arctic Senza AI 370 Mini PC Features Fanless Design and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Processor
Arctic released the Senza AI 370, a mini PC with a fanless design and an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 mobile processor. The device offers strong performance and a silent operation, but has limited upgradeability due to soldered RAM and a single M.2 slot.
Drop BMR1 V2 speakers discounted to $23 from $130
Drop's BMR1 V2 desktop speakers are on sale for $23.99, down from $130, due to a limited-time deal. This represents a significant 82% discount and offers improved cooling and performance features compared to the original model.
Dell and Alienware Hold July 4th Flash Sale on Gaming PCs and Laptops
Dell and Alienware are offering steep discounts on gaming PCs, laptops, monitors, and gaming chairs for July 4th. The sales include select products equipped with the latest Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs and special coupon codes to further reduce prices.
Secretlab offers July 4 discounts on gaming chairs and desks
Secretlab is running an Independence Sale with discounts of up to $129 on its gaming chairs and desks. The sale includes popular models like the Titan Evo and innovations featuring new materials such as NanoGen.
July 4th Deals Offer Discounts on 3D Printers and Materials
Several 3D printer manufacturers are offering significant discounts during the July 4th weekend. Sales include price drops on models from brands like Bambu Lab and Creality, making 3D printing more accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
AI World Model Trained to Select Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Red
An AI world model, based on a variant of Yann LeCun's JEPA architecture, was trained to perform the task of selecting a starter Pokémon in the game Pokémon Red. This experiment demonstrates the application of world models to learn and execute specific actions within a simulated environment, highlighting the practical challenges in training such models for even seemingly simple tasks.
Guide to Requesting Windows License Refunds for Pre-installed Software on New Laptops
This guide outlines steps for consumers to request refunds for pre-installed Microsoft Windows licenses on new laptops if they do not wish to use the operating system. It advocates for the right to purchase laptops without mandatory software and provides instructions for contacting manufacturers and reporting issues to antitrust authorities.
Liquid Death and Garage Beer launch ad campaign targeting AI data center water use
Liquid Death and Garage Beer, co-owned by Jason Kelce, released an ad campaign encouraging people to send their urine to AI data centers to protest their water consumption. The campaign uses humor to highlight public concerns about data center water usage, which has led to local water supply issues in some areas.
Father loses job after 9-year-old spends $118,000 on Minecraft YouTube ads
A father lost his job and faces a $118,000 debt after his 9-year-old son used his company credit card to promote a Minecraft YouTube channel. The family is considering selling their home to cover the unexpected expense.
Enthusiast Builds Proxmox Server and Repairs Laptop from Landfill-Scavenged PC Parts
A tech enthusiast assembled a Proxmox home lab server and repaired an Asus ROG laptop using components recovered from a county landfill's electronics recycling area. The server incorporates scavenged SSDs and HDDs, while the laptop required only a new battery, demonstrating the potential for repurposing discarded electronics.
Modders solder power cables directly to RTX 5090 PCB to bypass 16-pin connector issues
Brazilian YouTuber TecLab soldered power cables directly to an RTX 5090D PCB, bypassing the problematic 16-pin power connector. This modification allowed the card to operate at 600W under chiller cooling, demonstrating an alternative power delivery method for high-power GPUs.
Guide to Installing an M.2 SSD in a PlayStation 5
A guide details the process for installing an M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD into a PlayStation 5 console to expand storage. The installation requires a Phillips screwdriver and a compatible SSD with a heatsink, and it does not void the console's warranty if done correctly.
Redditor connects AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT to Lenovo Yoga laptop via M.2 for local AI
A Redditor successfully connected an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT GPU to a Lenovo Yoga laptop using an M.2 slot and external power for local AI chatbot use. The setup faced significant performance bottlenecks due to the laptop's limited DRAM, which led to heavy swap usage and GPU idleness when running large language models.
Guide to choosing a motherboard without overpaying, focusing on necessary features
Motherboard prices have increased, with high-end models costing over $1,000, but many features in expensive boards may not be utilized by the average user. This guide helps PC builders identify essential motherboard features to avoid unnecessary spending.
Michael Dell Shares 1984 Quarterly Report That Influenced His Career Path
Michael Dell, founder of Dell Technologies, shared his company's first quarterly earnings report from July 31, 1984, on X, highlighting its impact on his decision to continue building the company. The report showed nearly a million dollars in sales and a net income of over $134,000, which convinced his parents of the venture's viability.
Gamer repurposes fanless Subway menu PCs for gaming, achieving low frame rates
A TechTuber converted Advantech DS-081 mini PCs, originally used for Subway sandwich menus, into gaming rigs. These fanless Intel Core i3 units, despite RAM upgrades, delivered only 15 fps in GTA V and 25 fps in Minecraft, demonstrating their limited gaming capability.