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| PC World - 6 Jun (PC World)The bell is tolling for Windows 10, with the much-loved operating system going out of official support in October of next year. But with hundreds of millions of users still on the older version (and many refusing to upgrade), it looks like Microsoft has a few improvements left to make. A new beta version just dropped for Windows Insiders.
get windows 11 pro for cheap
Windows 11 Pro
It’s the first time Windows 10 has been given a beta build since 2021, as Bleeping Computer notes. While Windows 10 betas have certainly been made for the last three years, they’ve only been tested internally by Microsoft before hitting the general release. A company blog post notes that some of the new (last?) features the OS is getting will require more broad testing.
Microsoft also wants to reassure Windows 10 die-hards that joining the Insider Program and applying the beta will not automatically update the operating system to Windows 11. Just make sure you don’t join the Canary or Dev channel when you do so — that’ll apply the Windows 11 update if your PC meets the somewhat confusing base requirements. PCs that don’t meet the minimums won’t have access to Canary or Dev channels.
The new beta build isn’t heading out to Insiders just yet, it needs a few more weeks in the oven. Microsoft just wants you to be ready for it.
Further reading: Hey, everyone: It’s time to switch to Windows 11
Windows Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 5 Jun (PC World)NordVPN is not only one of the top VPNs on the market, but a subscription to the service gives you a ton of great features as well. But not all of the best features are commonly known or ready to go right out of the box. Thankfully, with just a little bit of knowledge and a few minutes of your time, you can have the VPN up and purring with ease.
Below I’ll show you my top five settings that I think everyone should change in NordVPN to get the most from their subscription. These tweaks will help you optimize your privacy and security, increase connection speeds, and take full advantage of the powerful utilities Nord has to offer.
While I highly recommend NordVPN, if you’re interested in other great services, be sure to check out our list of the best VPNs for even more options.
Turn on the Killswitch
NordVPN’s Kill switch is a must have feature when using the VPN.
NordVPN’s Kill switch is a must have feature when using the VPN.
Sam Singleton
NordVPN’s Kill switch is a must have feature when using the VPN.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
This is an easy one and something that I recommend not just for NordVPN users, but all VPN users in general. A killswitch is a fail-safe way to ensure your privacy remains intact at all times while using a VPN.
The killswitch feature will automatically disable your internet access should the VPN connection drop unexpectedly. This prevents your personal data from being exposed in the accidental event that your VPN fails.
To turn this on with NordVPN, simply open up the settings menu and click the Kill Switch feature. Then make sure to toggle the Internet Kill Switch to “On.” You can also activate the App Kill Switch instead if you prefer for only specific apps to be disabled during a disconnection rather than your entire internet.
Make sure NordLynx is your automatic protocol
Stick with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol for the best mix of speed and security.
Stick with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol for the best mix of speed and security.
Sam Singleton
Stick with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol for the best mix of speed and security.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
VPN protocols play an important role in the speed and security of your connection. Think of them like the traffic laws and road map guiding your traffic through a VPN tunnel.
Most VPN providers offer a few protocol options, but you’ll generally want to stick with WireGuard as it’s the newest and provides a great combination of speed and security. NordVPN has gone one step further by making their own proprietary version of WireGuard, which they call NordLynx. Nord supposedly added a double Network Address Translation system to WireGuard in order to overcome any privacy vulnerabilities in the original protocol.
When you download NordVPN, NordLynx is automatically set as the default protocol. However, if you want to double-check or change the protocol it’s a straightforward process. Click on the “Settings” menu on the NordVPN home screen and then click “Connection.” Here you’ll find a drop down menu for “VPN Protocol”. Simply select “NordLynx” in this menu and it will now become your default protocol for all connections.
Take some time to setup Threat Protection
NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature provides tons of great security tools that you should be using.
NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature provides tons of great security tools that you should be using.
Sam Singleton
NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature provides tons of great security tools that you should be using.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
NordVPN has expanded into more than just a simple VPN connection. It now offers a whole host of great security features such as ad- and tracker-blocking, malware protection, and more. Instead of purchasing a separate program to protect against each of these threats, I recommend just letting the included Threat Protection features in Nord keep you safe.
To get to the Threat Protection screen click on the shield icon on the left bar of the NordVPN home screen. You’ll see options for “Web protection”, “File protection”, and “Vulnerability protection” here. You can click the “View activity and customize” link below each option to explore more settings.
It’s absolutely worth taking the time to set up your desired protections with each of these three options. While I personally recommend that you turn on all protections, if you don’t want everything then I would at least turn on the Malware blocker, Web tracker blocker, Ad blocker, and File protection. These will all go a long way towards making your browsing even more secure.
Set your apps up with Split tunneling
Use NordVPN’s split tunneling feature to optimize your VPN experience.
Use NordVPN’s split tunneling feature to optimize your VPN experience.
Sam Singleton
Use NordVPN’s split tunneling feature to optimize your VPN experience.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
Split tunneling is one of the most useful features that most VPN users aren’t taking advantage of. It allows you to pick and choose which apps or websites you wish to run through the encrypted VPN tunnel and which you wish to keep outside of it.
NordVPN has a handy split tunneling feature that’s easily set up. From the home screen click on the “Settings” menu and then click on “Split tunneling” in the menu. Make sure it’s turned on and then click “Add apps” to begin adding the programs you wish to keep separate from the VPN. Alternatively, if you wish to run only specific apps through the VPN instead, you can choose “Enable VPN for selected apps” as an option and then choose individual programs to include.
Personally, I run my browser through the VPN, but keep my online videogames excluded as I want protected browsing but don’t want any potential speed restrictions caused by the VPN to affect my speeds while gaming.
Enable Meshnet
NordVPN’s Meshnet is more useful than most standalone cloud storage services.
NordVPN’s Meshnet is more useful than most standalone cloud storage services.
Sam Singleton
NordVPN’s Meshnet is more useful than most standalone cloud storage services.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
In 2022, NordVPN launched a really cool feature with their VPN subscription service called Meshnet. It allows users to create their own private network by linking up to 10 personal devices and up to 50 more with other NordVPN users. This virtual network allows devices to communicate with each other and access files and other resources on these devices no matter where they are in the world. And it has end-to-end encryption meaning your data is private and secure the whole way through.
I use Meshnet regularly to transfer loads of photos, videos, and other large files between my devices—its generous data limits make it less of a hassle than doing it through a cloud storage service. Meshnet can even be used to set up your own private gaming server so you can have an old-school, or rather new-school, LAN party with your friends. And for businesses it can also be used to collaborate between remote colleagues in real time.
To enable Meshnet, just click on the “Devices in Meshnet” icon from the NordVPN home screen and then turn it on. You can then link your devices individually or send and receive invitations for Meshnet from other users.
VPN Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | RadioNZ - 5 Jun (RadioNZ)Fiji government has stripped the role of chief legal advisor from its Justice Minister Siromi Turaga and appoints lawyer Graham Leung as the new Attorney-General. Read...Newslink ©2024 to RadioNZ | |
| | | BBCWorld - 5 Jun (BBCWorld)Adam and team unpack the first TV debate of the General Election campaign Read...Newslink ©2024 to BBCWorld | |
| | | BBCWorld - 5 Jun (BBCWorld)The former lawyer hopes to lead his party to government at the general election on 4 July. Read...Newslink ©2024 to BBCWorld | |
| | | PC World - 5 Jun (PC World)Most people when trying to maximize their gaming experience focus on the quality of the game and their computer’s processing power. But an often-overlooked variable that can greatly affect the experience is a decent gaming headset. It’s especially important if you plan on getting the best out of multiplayer games, where you’re just as likely to use your headset to chat with friends as you are to use it as a strategic tool to help you win.
As you’d expect, there’s no shortage of gaming headsets out there. No one wants to wade through the myriad options only to settle on one that ends up leaving you disappointed. That’s why I’ve done all the heavy lifting for you, testing a ton of different headsets to find the best.
Why should you trust me? Because I’m a hardcore gamer and tech user like you, which means I’m always on the hunt for better gear to improve my own experience. More than that, I’ve spent many years weighing the pros and cons of the latest new-release gaming headsets, so you could say I know more than a thing or two about them.
To see the criteria I use to test each product and some helpful buying advice, be sure to read my rundown of how we test gaming headsets at PCWorld.
Updated May 29 2024, to include the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 as my pick for the “Best budget wireless gaming headset.” It has clear audio, a long battery life of up to 80 hours, excellent cross-platform compatibility and — best of all — controls to customize and optimize your gaming experience.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – Best dual-purpose wired/wireless gaming headset / Best overall
Pros
Great-quality audio
Dual wireless functionality
Lots of software options for personalization
Cons
Quite expensive
Active Noise Cancellation won`t block out all external sound
Best Prices Today:
$294.99 at Amazon$349.99 at Best Buy
Why I like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
I have to nit pick very hard to find any flaws with this premium headset that offers the versatility of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, as well as a wired connection. In wireless mode, it delivered crisp sound in 44.1KHz/16-bit standard resolution at up to 40 feet from my computer. But when I wanted to enjoy a richer sound, I could plug into a GameDAC controller that let me access a higher 96KHz/24-bit hi-res audio. The GameDAC also let me switch between my PC and Xbox One or Xbox X/S at the press of a button — which saved me the hassle of having to buy separate headsets for my consoles.
Active Noise Cancellation and 360 Degree Spatial Audio technologies also boosted the headset’s audio experience for me, the standout of the two being the latter, which utilizes 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound tracks to accurately reflect the direction of sounds. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless also has the finest software support I’ve seen for a gaming headset, allowing me to choose from among 23 pre-made EQ presets designed for games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, Dota 2, Forza Horizon V, and Call of Duty: Warzone, to name just a few.
Who should buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Gamers serious about their audio setup who want excellent cross-platform compatibility, clear sound, and a spatial audio that better enables them to hear the direction of sounds in games. There’s a lot to personalize with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, so if you love tinkering with settings, this headset is just the ticket.
Read our full
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review
Audeze Maxwell Wireless – Best audio quality
Pros
Impressive audio that sounds warm and full-bodied
Strong and robust design
Excellent cross compatibility
Cons
It`s quite heavy and large
The headband isn`t extendable
The software app is too simple
Best Prices Today:
Not Available at Amazon
Why I like the Audeze Maxwell Wireless
It has undoubtedly the best audio of any gaming headset I’ve used. Audiophile-grade headsets are usually the domain of high-end music studios and not gaming dens. But Audeze’s Maxwell Wireless is an exception, being a studio-grade headset especially made for gamers. Its secret sauce is its 90mm planar magnetic drivers, which produce a more natural, full-bodied audio signature than headsets with 40- to 50mm neodymium drivers.
To fit such large drivers, the Maxwell Wireless is extremely big and heavy — it weighs a little more than a pound (490 grams). Although, you wouldn’t know by wearing it — the comfort onboard is very luxe; soft memory foam sits under plush leatherette for a premium feel and there’s an inner adjustable suspension band that balances out the headset’s weight across the top of your head.
The Maxwell Wireless works with just about any device — Windows PC, Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS devices, and PlayStation 5. It supports Dolby Atmos for surround sound in games. For connectivity, you get a USB cable and an adapter for making a wired connection, a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle for low-latency Wi-Fi, and a 3.5mm cable for making an old-school analog connection. Although simultaneous Bluetooth isn’t available using the Wi-Fi dongle, you can still hook up simultaneous audio using the headset’s Bluetooth and a wired connection.
Who should buy the Audeze Maxwell Wireless
Anyone who’s really particular about the fidelity of their gaming audio and wants the best they can possibly find. Also, anyone who wants to use their gaming headset like a premium pair of headphones to listen to music. The Maxwell Wireless stands above many headsets for its sound quality, so if you’re an audiophile, it will definitely impress you.
Read our full
Audeze Maxwell Wireless review
Roccat Syn Max Air – Best RGB headset / Best for people who wear glasses
Pros
The audio sounds balanced
Simultaneous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth lets you listen to multiple audio sources at once
The futuristic styling looks fantastic
Cons
The microphone picks up a lot of ambient noise
The controls are reasonably basic
It`s expensive considering there`s no ANC
Best Prices Today:
$113 at Amazon$249.99 at Roccat
Why I like the Roccat Syn Max Air
I thought the Roccat Syn Max Air headset had a knockout futuristic aesthetic thanks to it cuboid shaped earcups that also have mesmerizing programmable RGB zones. The cups also feature ProSpec earpads, meaning if you wear glasses the frames will easily fit through the sides of the cups for a comfortable fit.
Looks aside, this headset impressed me with its list of gamer-centric features. Connectivity comes in the form of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a wired connection, and the Bluetooth can be used simultaneously with the Wi-Fi so that you can enjoy an extra audio source while gaming. In my review I thought its 50mm Nanoclear drivers produced a nice balanced sound that was a marked improvement over its predecessor the Syn Pro Air. It also comes with a convenient dock for charging between uses.
Who should buy the Roccat Syn Max Air
Players who want to rock the RGB look and be able to personalize the lighting effects in their headset. The headset’s spectacles-friendly design also makes it a great choice for gamers who wear glasses.
Read our full
Roccat Syn Max Air review
HyperX Cloud Alpha – Best wired gaming headset
Pros
Fully removable cabling and smarter inline control placement
Comfortable
Excellent audio quality
Cons
More expensive than the original Cloud, with fewer accessories
Upper audio range can be a bit muddled
Best Prices Today:
$74.49 at Amazon89.02 at HyperX
Why I like the HyperX Cloud Alpha
Cloud Alpha is a chip off the old block in HyperX’s Cloud series, combining comfort with impressive audio quality. The impressive sound comes courtesy of a dual driver chamber design that separates out bass notes from mids and highs — ultimately producing clearer, smoother output.
The Cloud Alpha’s earcups are the secret sauce behind its comfortable feel. These generously padded cups sit tightly on your head but without squeezing your temples, so they’re perfect for long gaming stints where you can forget you’re wearing them. In our PCWorld review our reviewer was impressed by the fact that you can fully remove the HyperX Cloud Alpha’s cables in the event they break, rather than having to buy a whole new gaming headset.
Who should buy the HyperX Cloud Alpha
Those who don’t need wireless functionality but want excellent audio fidelity and comfort while they’re gaming. The HyperX Cloud Alpha’s metal frame and headband should also please gamers wanting a tough device that won’t break easily.
Another wired option that’s a little cheaper than the HyperX Cloud Alpha but still has great audio is the Astro A10.
Read our full
HyperX Cloud Alpha review
Razer Barracuda Pro – Best surround sound
Pros
Excellent audio through the bass, mid, and high tones
THX Spatial Audio is a treat in games
Lightweight and comfortable design
Cons
No boom mic means the mic audio suffers somewhat
ANC works but could be better
Best Prices Today:
$238.99 at Amazon$249.99 at Razer
Why I like the Razer Barracuda Pro
The Razer Barracuda Pro delivers excellent-quality sound, producing deep commanding bass tones, and clear mids and highs in both games and movies. On top of that, it features THX Spatial Audio technology, which elevates your audio to a rich and satisfying surround sound experience. Unlike some spatial audio support for headsets, Razer’s Synapse app gives you quite a lot of control, allowing you to personalize the directionality of the sound with easy-to-navigate dot diagrams. You can also tailor-make and assign presets for your specific games or media.
The Razer Barracuda Pro also features decent connectivity options including 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless, as well as a USB-A-to-USB-C (wired) adapter for plugging it in. It’s compatible with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Android devices, so you won’t have to buy separate headsets for each of your devices.
Who should buy the Razer Barracuda Pro
Spatial audio aficionados who want more control over the directionality of the sound in their games. With no boom mic, but Bluetooth functionality, the Razer Barracuda Pro is another great option for players who want to use their gaming headset as a premium pair of headphones on the go.
Read our full
Razer Barracuda Pro review
Corsair Virtuoso Pro – Best for streaming
Pros
High-quality workmanship and elegant design
High sound quality
Two connection cables for flexibility
Robust hardcase transport bag
Multi-platform compatibility thanks to jack connection
Many interchangeable parts
Cons
High price
Open design not ideal for noisy environments
Hardly and sound shielding to the outside
Best Prices Today:
$199.99 at Amazon$199.99 at Corsair
Why I like the Corsair Virtuoso Pro
With an open-ear design in the earcups, the Corsair Virtuoso Pro headset lets in more sound than most gaming headsets, which is perfect if you like to stream your games and want to monitor your own voice or hear your talent interviews in real time. The headset’s design is both elegant and comfortable too. Comfort comes courtesy of an adjustable headband, soft memory foam earpads, and a lightweight frame that weighs just 13.6 ounces (338 grams). The headset’s build quality is very decent — it’s comprised of robust plastic and metal.
In our review, we found that the Corsair Virtuoso Pro’s 50mm graphene drivers produced deep bass and clear treble tones with great detail. While that makes for a great audio experience while gaming, the lack of protective shielding in the earcups does mean that this headset isn’t that effective at blocking ambient noise, so it’s best used in quiet environments.
Who should buy the Corsair Virtuoso Pro
Aspiring or experienced content streamers or gamers who want to make Let’s Plays, walkthroughs, or game tutorials for YouTube or another video platform.
Read our full
Corsair Virtuoso Pro review
ROG Delta S Wireless – Best for casual gaming
Pros
It comes with two sets of earpads to personalize comfort
The headband and cups allow for a good amount of head movement
The audio sounds great across the spectrum
The build quality is robust
Cons
The AI Noise Cancellation could be better
It lacks a boom microphone
No simultaneous Bluetooth functionality
Best Prices Today:
$153.15 at Amazon
Why I like the ROG Delta S Wireless
If you want a premium wireless gaming headset with both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wireless connectivity that you can just pop straight on for no-fuss casual gaming, then the ROG Delta S Wireless is ideal. With unique D-shaped earcups and a robust metal headband, it has plenty of gamer-centric appeal. It also features excellent cross compatibility, connecting to most devices (with the exception of Xbox), including PCs, Macs, PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
In my playtesting, the two pairs of interchangeable earpads really allowed me to personalize my comfort. For long gaming stints, the 100 percent protein leather set with one-inch-thick memory foam kept my ears luxuriously comfy, while the hybrid mesh earpads cooled things down when they got too hot.
The ROG Delta S Wireless also sounds terrific — its 50mm neodymium drivers are loud and they comfortably produce clear sound at the far ends of the audio spectrum. One nitpick is that the microphone isn’t the best. Indeed, the ROG Delta S Wireless’s internal beamforming mic can’t quite block out as much background noise as other headsets that rely on external boom microphones but doesn’t sound terrible either.
Who should buy the ROG Delta S Wireless
Casual gamers who want a great all-rounder pair of cans with equal dollops of great sound quality and great comfort but don’t necessarily want to tinker endlessly with their sound settings.
Read our full
Asus ROG Delta S Wireless review
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro – Best for FPS games
Pros
Punchy audio that`s great for FPS games
Solid attractive and versatile design
Very good noise cancellation
Cons
Lacks support for spatial audio
The batteries need frequent changing
It`s expensive
Best Prices Today:
$243.78 at Amazon
Why I like the Turtle Beach Pro
It’s a premium headset brimming with an almost complete list of premium features. It has excellent cross-platform compatibility and worked across almost all my devices. Plus, it has 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, which meant I could wander away from my PC and still enjoy my gaming audio.
The Turtle Beach Pro sounded punchy with a great level of detail across the spectrum. It was especially well-tuned for FPS games like Halo, CounterStrike 2 and Battlefield I, where it delivered realistic thuds, clinks, and ricochets. A feature specific to Turtle Beach headsets called SuperHuman Hearing made it super easy for me to hear my opponents’ footsteps as they approached.
Who should buy the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro
Keen FPS gamers will really benefit from the headset’s punchy audio that’s ideally tuned for the games they play. The headset can easily pass off as a high-end headphone, so it will also suit gamers that want to use it on the fly.
Read our full
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review
Corsair HS80 Max – Most comfortable design
Pros
Great audio performance with neutral mid-tones
Lightweight, comfortable design
Mesh coverings on the earcups minimize sweat
Flip-to-mute mic
Cons
The omnidirectional mic is not detachable
Lacks true simultaneous audio for listening to multiple audio sources
The small RGB light zones feel like an afterthought
Best Prices Today:
$179.99 at Amazon$179.99 at Corsair
Why I like the Corsair HS80 Max
Corsair has made a brave move to prioritize comfort for gamers even at the expense of what most gamers might expect from a premium gaming headset’s design. How so? The HS80 Max eschews leatherette for a cooling mesh fabric on its earcups, and swaps metal for plastic in the headband, making it extremely lightweight and relatively sweat-free for long gaming sessions.
On the audio front, the HS80 Max sounds terrific — its 50mm audio drivers produce a clear, high-resolution audio signature with neutral mid-tones, which really enliven sounds like footfalls and ricochets. It has both 2.4GHz low-latency Wi-Fi connectivity as well as Bluetooth, which you can’t listen to at the same time, but both connectivity types do have a long signal range that allows you to keep listening while taking breaks away from your rig. The non-detachable flip-to-mute mic does a great job reproducing natural-sounding speech for team chats.
Who should buy the Corsair HS80 Max
Anyone who suffers from sweaty, hot ears when they wear leather or leatherette covered earpads and want a cooler less sweat-inducing pair of cans. It’s also ideal for players that feel the burden of wearing heavy headsets and want a lighter option.
Read our full
Corsair HS80 Max review
Logitech G Pro X – Best microphone
Pros
Beautiful throwback look
Outperforms headsets two or three times the price
Fantastic microphone, with lots of software-side options
Cons
Wired headset
Built-in controls feel cheap
A bit tight until it breaks in
Best Prices Today:
$98.80 at Amazon$99.99 at Logitech G$99.99 at Logitech Gaming
Why I like the Logitech G Pro X
A while back Logitech acquired the microphone manufacturer Blue, which explains why we found the Logitech G Pro X’s mic to be so capable in our PCWorld testing. Although not physically that different from other mics, it benefits from Blue-branded software support in Logitech’s G Hub app, including presets that make it sound convincingly like a desk microphone.
As well as sporting an exceptional microphone, the G Pro X is one of Logitech’s best-looking headsets, its flat-black leatherette headband, metal forks, and pill-shaped earcups exude a retro aesthetic reminiscent of the golden era of 1940s broadcasting.
Who should buy the Logitech G Pro X
If you want your voice to sound fantastic in your gaming chats or want to record audio that’s convincingly like that of a desktop microphone, then you need this headset.
Read our full
Logitech G Pro X review
Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless – Best wireless gaming headset
Pros
The styling is very appealing
The 40mm drivers produce a natural sound
The cans are very soft and comfortable
Cons
Some moving parts feel a bit tight
Leatherette in the cups can get sweaty on hot days
Battery life is decent but not excellent
Best Prices Today:
$189 at Amazon$229.99 at Logitech G
Why I like the Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless
Not only does the Logitech Astro A30 produce a clear and natural sound, but its connectivity is also excellent. It sports dual wireless and wired connections with cross-platform compatibility, so you can easily hook it up to your PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S consoles, or even a Mac. The headset’s Bluetooth can also be used simultaneously with a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, which means you can take phone calls and participate in team chats, all the while losing absolutely none of your gaming audio.
All this functionality could have been delivered in a stock standard design, but the Astro A30 is one of the best-looking pair of cans I’ve seen in a long time. I especially like its plush leatherette earcups, stylish Astro logos, and removable speaker tags that you can swap out to personalize exactly as you wish.
Who should buy the Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless
Gamers that want a futuristic, trendy-looking headset with great sound and the option to personalize the headset’s look. Its excellent cross-platform compatibility will suit gamers that like to game on multiple devices.
Read our full
Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless review
Logitech G Astro A50 Wireless – Best wireless gaming headset runner-up
Pros
Charging cradle is smaller and still very unique
Switches to the more reliable 2.4GHz band (finally)
Comfortable and durable
Cons
Middling battery life
Poor noise isolation
Expensive
Best Prices Today:
$218.99 at Amazon299.99 at Astro
Why I like the Astro A50 Wireless
Although expensive, the Astro A50 is dependable, providing decent sound over a quick 2.4GHz wireless connection. The audio drivers located in the A50’s earcups deliver strongly through the mid-range so the A50’s sound is warm and punchy in games and while listening to music.
While previous Astro wireless gaming headsets have featured large chunky charging cradles, the A50’s is quite compact so it takes up much less space on your desk. The cradle also has a built-in display so that you can tell which EQ profile you have selected, or whether you have Dolby or stereo modes switched on.
Who should buy the Astro A 50 Wireless
Anyone who likes the convenience of simply being able to store and charge the headset in a charging cradle between games. The built-in display is also really nice to have. It’s a feature that should appeal to gamers who like to tweak and refine EQ profiles for their games.
Read our full
Logitech G Astro A50 (2019) review
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 – Best budget wireless gaming headset
Pros
Clear refined audio profile
Great control selection that you can personalize further
Attractive and comfortable design
Cons
PC and PlayStation versions lack XBox connectivity
No USB-A to USB-C adapter
Slightly heavier than the previous generation
Best Prices Today:
$99.99 at Amazon
Why I like the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3
It has just about everything I want in a gaming headset — a comfortable and lightweight design, excellent cross-platform compatibility options, and a whole lot of controls.
It also has both 2.4GHz Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth connectivity. I also really like Turtle Beach’s SuperHuman Hearing, which is a Turtle Beach-specific feature that accentuates some game sounds like player footfalls. An exceptionally long battery life of up to 80 hours meant I could go for days without a recharge, too.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 also features a flip-to-mute microphone with AI noise cancellation, which produces clear-sounding audio in my gamer chats. Thanks to the 10-band EQ chart in the headset’s companion app, I could really fine-tune the audio profiles for my games, which isn’t something I can do with every gaming headset.
Who should buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3
Casual gamers who want an all-around great headset with decent sound and a whole lot of gamer-centric functionality. At just $100 the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 punches well above its price range on the balance of its features and functionality, so gamers on a budget can save money on these cans.
If you’re on the hunt for a sub-$100 headset the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless is also a great option. It has a durable aluminum frame, comfortable memory foam earpads, a detachable microphone, and also features DTS Headphone: X support for an immersive spatial audio experience.
Read our full
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 review
Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed – Best mid-range wireless gaming headset
Pros
Ultra-light and comfortable
Excellent microphone quality
Long-lasting battery life and fast charging option
Versatile connectivity options
Cons
Sound tuning favors esports
Material quality could be better
Non-detachable microphone
Best Prices Today:
$128.99 at Amazon$129.99 at Razer
Why I like the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed
The headset’s microphone quality is very close to broadcast quality. It also weighs less than 10 ounces, so it’s ultra-light weight. Despite that, it has large 50mm audio drivers that cover a broad frequency spectrum of 12Hz to 28KHz and produce a detailed soundscape with a low bass tone. The headset’s connectivity is also very good, with all three connectivity types available: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a wired connection via USB-C.
Who should buy the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed
Tech-savvy gamers that want a lightweight headset and want to sound fantastic in voice chats. The Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed is also a very decent headset for gamers wanting to record Let’s Plays. It’s also a little cheaper than some headsets, so its suits those with mid-range budgets.
Another great mid-range option is the Logitech G935. It won’t break the bank but includes high-end luxuries like a folding boom mic, dongle storage compartment, and stylish leatherette earcups.
Read our full
Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed review
HyperX Cloud III Wireless – Best battery life
Pros
High-quality design and good workmanship
Multi-platform compatibility
Detachable microphone
Above-average battery life
Cons
Occasional sound fluctuations in DTS surround sound
Microphone adjustment required in noisy environments
No Bluetooth
Best Prices Today:
$129.99 at Amazon$169.99 at HyperX
Why I like the HyperX Cloud III Wireless
HyperX’s Cloud III Wireless headset doesn’t ace any one particular category but hits the right notes for comfort, sound, and design. In our review we found the headset’s driver configuration produces a balanced sound image with precise bass and treble tones. The headset’s best quality, however, is its long battery life that can last a full 120 hours operating at 50 percent volume.
The Cloud III wireless works with PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch consoles as well as PC; however, if you want to use the headset’s DTS surround sound, nothing less than a Windows PC with HyperX’s Ngenuity software app loaded on it will do. This headset is best for gamers who like the benefit of wireless connectivity only, since wired connectivity is not available (it’s 2.4GHz wireless connectivity only). It comes with a 10mm detachable microphone with a pop filter that does a great job muffling unwanted noise.
Who should buy the HyperX Cloud III Wireless?
The Cloud III Wireless is best suited for gamers who want a strictly wireless headset. Thanks to its long battery life, it’s an especially good option for gamers that like to get their gaming fix on the go — so players of handhelds will really dig it.
Read our full
HyperX Cloud III Wireless review
How I test gaming headsets
Because no two gaming headsets are the same, I put each product through a thorough testing protocol. I analyze everything from how comfortable and durable they are, to how they perform in games and the software support they get via their manufacturer’s apps. Here’s a list of the main categories I look at:
Design and comfort
You’ll spend an awful lot of time wearing a gaming headset, so it’s vital that it feels comfortable. Here I look at design features that either add or subtract from your overall comfort experience—features like a headset’s shape and weight, how well it fits on your head, and the amount of padding in the earcups. But design also plays a big role in a headset’s functionality, so I also look at how adjustable the band is, and how accessible the controls are.
Audio quality
There’s no point owning a headset with comfortable leatherette earcups if it can’t muster a decent sound. That said, I do a lot of listening to get an overall impression of a headset’s audio quality. I take notes on the clarity of the sound, how well the headset produces pitch, and in the case of wireless headsets, how much signal interference there is. My listening is guided by what I know about the headset’s hardware or software. For example, if a headset has Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), I’ll investigate how well the headset can isolate sound and block out noise. I also test the microphone, listening for muffled sounds, static, robotic noises, and any echoes—all signs there could be a problem.
Software support
With audio technologies getting ever more complex, gamers have more tools at their disposal than ever via headset apps. Technologies like Hi-Res audio, Spatial Surround Sound, and Parametric EQ all spring to mind, which is why I look closely at the kind of software support on offer.
FAQ
1.
Should I get a wired or wireless gaming headset, or one with both connectivity types?
Historically, gamers have mostly chosen wired headsets over wireless ones. That’s because, until recently, wired headsets were considered much better at delivering fast and secure audio signals than wireless headsets. Nowadays, thanks to the adoption of faster 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band technology, wireless headsets can also transmit audio signals very quickly and with minimal interference.
Consequently, if you’re a casual gamer and not too fussy about the very miniscule risk of your audio dropping out, a wireless headset should be completely fine for your gaming needs, the main advantage being you’ll get tons of extra mobility while still being able to listen to your game’s audio—something you don’t get when you’re tethered by wires.
Admittedly though, if you’re a serious gamer or esports player, you may still want to avoid that small chance your wireless signal will suffer some degree of loss or interference—even if that’s less likely than ever. If the stakes are high, a wired set will provide a little more surety that you won’t miss any crucial game moments, which could make all the difference in a closely contested match.
If you can’t decide, there are headsets now like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that provide both wireless and wired functionality in one easy unit and can switch between these modes in less than a minute. These headsets can cost significantly more, so be willing to pay for the privilege.
2.
What else should I know about gaming headset connectivity?
Another thing to consider is which devices you might want to connect to, since wired and wireless headsets have different compatibilities. For example, most wired headsets connect to your computer via a USB-C connection, but unlike many wireless units, some also have 3.5 mm audio jacks, so they tend to be compatible with a broader number of devices—like smartphones, gaming consoles, and tablets.
Wireless devices on the other hand, connect to your device via a USB-C dongle or Bluetooth connection, which does narrow the number of devices you can use them with to either those that are Bluetooth compatible, or that come with USB-C ports.
3.
Why is comfort so important in a gaming headset?
While you can possibly do without fancy styling, you should never buy a headset that’s going to cause you discomfort. That’s because even a small amount of force or abrasion from wearing your headset can be extremely unpleasant and result in neck pain, a rash, cranial pressure or worse.
A huge consideration here is how your headset fits on your head and ears. Granted, you won’t always have the opportunity to try them on, it pays to look closely at PCWorld product reviews where our reviewers have done the wearing for you and have summarized how they feel, even after extended periods of time with them on.
You should also pay close attention to product descriptions for the features that indicate that a manufacturer has made comfort a priority. Things you’ll want to tick off your check list are:
a) The headset has a flexible band to minimize pressure and that the band is height adjustable to fit your ears.There is sufficient padding on the earcups and the material is hypoallergenic so it won’t cause skin irritation.
b) The earcups are easily rotatable—since this will ensure they move with your head as it moves.If possible, you should avoid headsets that are excessively heavy, or tightly fitting, since the added weight and clamp force will undoubtedly cause problems. When it comes to comfort, the more premium headsets tend to do better, so again it can be a matter of paying more to get more.
4.
What kind of build quality and styling should I look for in a gaming headset?
Although wear and tear is an inevitable result of using a gaming headset, some will stand up to the rigors of gaming better than others simply because they’re made from tougher stuff. Ideally, you’ll want a gaming headset that has a metal frame and headband for durability, since plastic ones break quite easily. Metal bands also look more premium, so it’s a win-win.
Cushioning for the headband and earcups can be made from leather, velour, pleather, or foam. Leather and pleather (fake leather) look and feel luxurious. They also tend to be the most resistant to wear, but these materials aren’t very breathable and can cause sweaty ears during long gaming sessions. Foam is the opposite in that it’ll keep your ears cool, but disintegrate quicker. Sitting between the two, velour keeps your ears relatively cool but tends to be fairly resistant to wear and tear.
That’s more of a general rule than an absolute. If you do prefer a material other than velour you can buy anti-sweat or abrasion-resistant covers for your headset’s earcups, which will help them last a little longer.If your headphones do succumb to wear and tear, some manufacturers offer the option of purchasing and swapping out damaged parts. Replacing your earcups can refresh your headset’s look and feel. But having a headset with replaceable cabling can actually save you from having to buy a whole new set if the cabling wears right through.
5.
Is noise isolation important in a gaming headset?
How well your gaming headset isolates noise makes a big difference to its sound quality. This is especially the case when you’re playing first-person shooters (FPS), where external noise can make it more difficult to locate the direction of sounds, like the footsteps of approaching enemies. In marketing materials, manufacturers will often use terms like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and passive noise isolation, but these terms mean quite different things. Here’s a quick definition of each:
a) Passive noise isolation: How well a headset can block out external noise just by forming a physical noise-blocking barrier over your ears.
b) Active Noise Cancellation: A technology incorporated into your gaming headset that actively blocks or filters out ambient noise so the sound you hear is the clearest it can be.
If possible, you’ll want a headset that sports both passive noise isolation as well as ANC, since these noise-blocking measures both have benefits. Passive noise isolation tends to be better at blocking out higher-pitched sounds, whereas ANC is more effective at blocking out lower-pitched sounds—like background noise and the sound of traffic. How well ANC and passive noise isolation work can vary greatly among headsets, so it’s worth doing your research to find a headset that makes the cut.
6.
Why is surround sound important for a gaming headset?
Of all the technologies that come packed into gaming headsets, this one provides arguably the best tactical advantage for gamers. Headsets with surround sound utilize spatial audio technologies like Dolby Atmos to create a 360-degree soundscape. Multiple speakers deliver the sound at different positions in each earcup, telling your brain its precise location in your games.
If you play FPS games like Overwatch, Fortnite, or any of the Call of Duty or Battlefield games, this can have real-time benefits, like being able to hear players sneak up on you from behind, or pinpointing the direction of grenades rolling towards you, so that you can react accordingly. It’s the kind of technology that takes a bit of getting used to, but when you do, it can be a real game changer.
Headsets with surround sound technologies tend to be expensive, so if they’re out of your price range don’t worry too much. Most headsets also come with decent stereo, which will still do a good job relaying the general direction of sounds.
7.
What kind of microphone is best for a gaming headset?
Most games use either in-game chat or external chat apps like Discord, so a decent microphone is a must-have. Mics in gaming headsets tend to come in two flavors: hyper-cardioid, that pick up the sound directly in front of them, or omnidirectional, that pick up sound from different directions.
If you plan on using your headset just for gaming, a cardioid mic should do the trick, since you can use it to chat to folks in your game and then move it away from your mouth to chat to others in the same room. If however, you plan on also using your headset for, say, work meetings as well as gaming, an omnidirectional microphone will better pick up the sound of both you and your colleagues talking. Additionally, if you plan on using your set as a pair of headphones, you’ll need to make sure your headset’s mic is detachable.
The sound clarity and ease-of-use of your microphone is also important. We suggest looking out for features like noise cancellation and sound dampening for a better-quality sound experience. For convenience, an automatic mute button is useful when you want to quickly block out any sound from your end.
Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Gaming, Technology Industry Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 5 Jun (PC World)4K resolution is now within reach of everyday PC users, promising a massive improvement to image quality, with four times the pixels of a 1080p display. A 4K monitor is useful not only in games and movies but also when editing documents or browsing web pages. The extra pixels make text look clear and crisp.
After extensive testing, I’ve determined that the recommendations listed below are the best 4K monitors available today, covering a variety of budgets and use cases. If you’re looking for additional options, see our roundups of the best monitors overall, the best gaming monitors, and the best monitor deals.
Also, make sure you optimize the ergonomics and comfort while viewing that new 4K monitor with a proper monitor arm for your desktop setup. Check out our roundup of best monitor arms to see our top picks.
Dell U3223QE – Best 4K monitor
Pros
IPS Black panel fulfills its promise
Accurate color with wide gamut
High brightness in SDR
USB-C hub with 90 watts of power
Cons
Edges of display are noticeably bright
HDR performance disappoints
Only a 60Hz panel
Best Prices Today:
$631.13 at Amazon
The Dell U3223QE, which also tops our list of the best monitors overall, is an excellent 4K monitor for professionals and everyday users who want excellent image quality.
Technology is what sets this monitor apart. It has a new IPS Black panel that offers roughly twice the contrast of computer monitors with older IPS panels. This provides a richer image with a better sense of depth and darker black levels in dark scenes. The U3223QE also has a high maximum brightness and excellent color performance with high color accuracy. Images are vibrant and true to life.
Yet there’s more to the Dell U3223QE than image quality. It’s also a versatile USB-C hub monitor with up to 90 watts of Power Delivery. The built-in hub has multiple USB-A ports, Ethernet, and even DisplayPort out.
This is a 32-inch 4K monitor, which may be too large for some desks. Dell also has a 27-inch model, the U2723QE, which offers 4K resolution and the same IPS Black panel. We haven’t reviewed that model but expect it will deliver similar performance.
Read our full
Dell U3223QE review
Asus ProArt PA279CV – Best budget 4K monitor for creatives
Pros
Accurate image
High maximum brightness
Menu settings allow calibration
Has USB-C with 65 watts Power Delivery
Competitive price
Cons
Unimpressive design
Luminance uniformity could be better
HDR is bright but otherwise falls short
Best Prices Today:
$415.99 at Adorama$449.99 at Best Buy
Want a great 4K monitor, but need to spend less than $500? The Asus ProArt PA279CV is an excellent choice.
The ProArt PA279CV is a 27-inch 4K monitor that targets entry-level professional use. It has excellent color accuracy, high maximum brightness, and a good contrast ratio for an IPS monitor.
This monitor also throws in USB-C connectivity. It’s not a great USB-C hub, as it has only a couple USB-A ports, but it offers 65 watts of Power Delivery for charging a connected laptop or tablet.
Asus throws in adaptive sync support compatible with AMD and Nvidia video cards. This prevents screen tearing and provides smooth motion in 3D games. The monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz.
The ProArt PA279CV carries an MSRP of about $500, but that price can swing significantly lower when retailers run a sale. We recommend waiting for a discount if possible.
Read our full
Asus ProArt PA279CV review
Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX – Best budget 4K gaming monitor
Pros
4K resolution
Good gaming performance
Tons of ergonomic adjustment options
Inexpensive
Cons
A relatively low 60Hz refresh rate
Best Prices Today:
$299.99 at Amazon
For gamers who enjoy stunning graphic detail and slower paced games the focus shouldn’t be on refresh rate, but image quality and high resolution. The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q gives you both. It is a 28-inch 4K display with a refresh rate of 60Hz and adaptive sync making it compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync. It’s also modestly priced at only $400 which is a bargain for a 4K display.
The refresh rate is quite low for something branded as “gaming”, but if you aren’t planning to play quick e-sports or shooter games, then you won’t have to worry about it. It provides you with outstanding image quality and a vivid color range that more than makes up for the middling refresh rate.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q delivers on that in most aspects for gamers. But in the end, it’s all about getting a budget friendly 4K display and in that aspect this monitor delivers exceptional value.
Read our full
Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q review
Alienware AW3225QF – Best 4K gaming monitor
Pros
Excellent color performance and contrast
Good overall HDR performance
240Hz refresh rate with great motion clarity
Big price drop from prior 4K OLED monitors
Cons
Stand is too large
Curved panel is an acquired taste
HDR brightness is still just okay
Best Prices Today:
$1199.99 at Dell
The Alienware AW3225QF sets a new benchmark for 4K gaming monitors. It delivers a new 4K QD-OLED panel from Samsung that delivers crystal-clear visuals at a buttery-smooth 240Hz refresh rate, a new high mark for a 4K OLED displays. And it manages to do all of this at a price that undercuts earlier 4K OLED displays, which typically retailed for $2,000 to $3,000 (or more).
Despite that, the AW3225QF looks just as stunning as its more expensive predecessors. It achieves vibrant color with an infinite contrast ratio, and kicking the resolution up to 4K reduces the sharpness problems that plagued many OLED gaming monitors in 2023. The AW3225QF also performs well in HDR games. It can’t sustain the extreme brightness of an OLED monitor but handles small, bright objects well and delivers excellent detail in both bright and dark scenes.
Alienware’s design is both stylish and sophisticated with an attractive white-and-black color scheme. However, the monitor comes with a massive stand that’s a poor fit for smaller desks. A VESA mount is provided for use with a third-party monitor arm or stand.
The AW3225QF’s connectivity options complement its high resolution. It has one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports, all of which support the monitor’s 4K resolution at its peak refresh rate. One of the HDMI ports also provides eARC support, which is handy for connecting to home theater devices. In fact, this may prove a popular use for the AW3225QF. Its connectivity makes it a reasonable alternative to a small 4K TV, so the monitor’s appeal extends beyond PC gaming. Console gamers who need a small display should also give it a look.
Read our full
Alienware AW3225QF review
Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED – Best portable 4K monitor
Pros
Excellent image quality
Useful built-in kickstand
Attractive and sturdy design
Extensive image-quality options
Cons
Flimsy bundled keyboard cover
Some on-screen menu options are confusing
Power adapter could be smaller
Best Prices Today:
$499.99 at Amazon$499.99 at Viewsonic
Viewsonic’s VX1655-4K-OLED is our top choice for creators seeking top-notch image quality in a portable display.
This 16-inch OLED monitor delivers class-leading sharpness with 275 pixels per inch (a 27-inch 4K monitor, for comparison, has 163 pixels per inch). It also delivers vivid, accurate colors and deep contrast that make it perfect for both entertainment and creative work. The monitor’s HDR performance also far surpasses other portable monitors, so it’s a good choice if you want to sit back and watch a movie after a busy day.
Unlike most portable monitors, the VX1655-4K-OLED has a built-in kickstand that flips out from the rear of the display. The kickstand is more stable and easier to use than the detachable, folding stands that inexpensive portable monitors rely on. Connectivity is solid, as well, with dual USB-C inputs and one mini-HDMI.
The monitor has a few minor flaws. The bundled display cover feels somewhat flimsy, the on-screen menu system can be tricky to navigate, and the relatively large power adapter is more cumbersome than it needs to be.
Yet it’s clear the portable monitor’s perks far outweigh its problems. While shoppers can find cheaper alternatives, the VX1655-4K-OLED stands out for its ability to deliver a professional-grade visual experience on the go.
Read our full
Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED review
Samsung M8 Smart Monitor – Best 4K monitor for entertainment
Pros
Has Samsung’s Tizen OS with smart TV features
Remote, webcam, and speakers included
Excellent SDR image quality
HDR quality is good for the price
Cons
Limited connectivity
Annoying to set up and access some features
No adaptive sync or enhanced refresh rate
Narrow viewing angle
Best Prices Today:
$673.52 at Amazon$699.99 at Samsung
A 32-inch 4K monitor is great for everyday PC tasks like web browsing and document editing, but it can be more than that. Monitors in this category are an ideal substitute for a television in a small mixed-used space like a studio apartment, rented room, or dormitory.
Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor leans into this by fusing the features of a Smart TV with a traditional 32-inch 4K monitor. The monitor comes with a remote and runs Samsung’s Tizen operating system. You can access streaming content, like Netflix or Hulu, directly from the monitor.
Yet this is still a great PC monitor. A connected PC or other external device can be used by flipping the input source, as you would on a television. Image quality is solid with excellent sharpness, top-tier contrast, high brightness, and attractive color performance.
The monitor also comes in a variety of attractive stand and bezel color options, with a detachable webcam, and has a USB-C port with up to 65 watts of Power Delivery. It supports Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5, too.
Read our full
Samsung M8 Smart Monitor review
BenQ SW272U – Best 4K monitor for photographers
Pros
Incredible sharpness from its paper-like display
Wide color gamut and high color accuracy
Excellent ergonomic stand
Extensive image quality controls accessible through bundled remote
Cons
Disappointing contrast ratio
Modest connectivity for the price
Very expensive for its feature set
Best Prices Today:
$1,495.68 at Amazon
The BenQ SW272U is an excellent 4K monitor for photographers and publishers who prioritize sharpness and accuracy. This 27-inch monitor has a “fine-coated panel” that delivers a simulated paper-like texture and boasts a resolution of 3840×2160 at 60Hz. It also provides a robust, industrial design with ergonomic stand that offers a wide range of adjustment and a glare-reducing hood designed to reduce ambient light.
Connectivity includes standard ports like HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C, with the notable addition of an SD card reader, which photographers are sure to like. However, it misses some advanced features like Thunderbolt. The monitor offers an exceptional menu system, accessible through a joystick or a wireless remote, with extensive customization for color gamut, color temperature, and gamma. That’s another key feature for photographers, as it helps users precisely calibrate the monitor’s image based on their needs.
The SW272U also has excellent image quality which, of course, is key for its target market. Its color gamut coverage and color accuracy are defeated only by a few of the best OLED and QD-OLED monitors. The monitor’s sharpness also stands out, offering a high pixel density that, in combination with the fine-coated panel, mimics the quality of printed material. The monitor’s contrast ratio is limited, which proves a downside for entertainment, but it’s less of a concern for its target audience.
There’s only one real issue, and that’s the price. BenQ asks almost $1,500 for the SW272U, and that’s a lot even for a 27-inch 4K monitor. If you’re a photographer hoping to see what your photos might look like in print, though, it’s worth the premium.
Read our full
BenQ SW272U review
Dell G3223Q – Best 4K 144Hz monitor
Pros
Bright, sharp SDR image
Good color gamut and accuracy
Solid build quality and ergonomic stand
Great motion clarity at 120Hz or 144Hz
Cons
Disappointing HDR performance
Odd menu choices for creators
Modest USB connectivity
Best Prices Today:
$593.37 at Amazon$599.99 at Dell
Want a 4K monitor with a high refresh rate for smooth gaming? The Dell G3223Q is an excellent option.
The G3223Q is a 32-inch, 4K monitor with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (Nvidia G-Sync also works, unofficially). You can play games at high refresh rates with no screen tearing and smooth frame pacing.
You’ll find two HDMI 2.1 ports on the rear. They’re great for connecting a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X game console, since you can play at each console’s maximum resolution and refresh rate. There’s also a DisplayPort input for connecting your PC.
None of this would matter if the G3223Q’s image quality wasn’t excellent—but it is. The monitor has great color performance, high brightness, good contrast, and a razor-sharp image thanks to its 4K resolution.
It’s a good value, too. The G3223Q is towards the low end of pricing for a 32-inch, 4K 144Hz monitor but doesn’t sacrifice features or build quality to achieve it.
Read our full
Dell G3223Q review
Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX – Best 4K HDR monitor
Pros
Excellent gaming performance
4K resolution
Dimmable mini-LED backlight
Ergonomic adjustment options
Cons
High power consumption
Extremely expensive
Best Prices Today:
$1,892.85 at Amazon
Want the last word in high-resolution, high-definition gaming and entertainment? You need a fantastic HDR monitor like the Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX.
This monitor has a Mini-LED backlight with 1,152 independent backlight zones. The backlight greatly improves the monitor’s contrast ratio and achieves eye-searing levels of brightness in small areas of the display. The monitor’s maximum sustained brightness is exceptionally high, as well.
As a result, the PG32UQX delivers excellent detail in bright areas of the screen while maintaining good contrast and black levels in darker scenes. It also has exceptional color, which further contributes to a great HDR experience. Overall HDR performance rivals the best HDTVs and blows away most HDR monitors.
This is also a 4K 144Hz monitor with support for Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate. HDMI 2.1 is missing, but Xbox Series X|S consoles can achieve 4K 120Hz over HDMI 2.0 through a chroma subsampling mode.
The only problem? You can expect to pay up to $3,000 for this monitor. Viewsonic’s XG321UG is a less expensive alternative that performs similarly, though it lacks 4K 120Hz support on Xbox Series X|S.
Read our full
Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX review
Asus ProArt Display OLED PA32DC – Best 4K monitor for professionals
Pros
The best SDR image quality yet
Good HDR performance
Long list of image quality features
Exceptionally sturdy
Numerous inputs, plus USB hub
Cons
HDR brightness could be better
Glare can be an issue in bright rooms
Only 60Hz, no adaptive sync
Best Prices Today:
$3499 at Asus
Most professional monitors support 4K resolution, but the Asus ProArt Display OLED PA32DC stands above the pack.
The secret is in the OLED panel. OLED looks fantastic, of course, with excellent contrast, a wide color gamut, and superb color accuracy. What sets the PA32DC apart from less expensive OLED monitors, though, is its use of a conventional RGB subpixel layout. This delivers the best clarity on modern PCs and prevents the color fringing issues that can appear on competitors that use QD-OLED display panels.
Asus provides a long list of image quality presets and options. The monitor has built-in modes for sRGB, DCI-P3, Rec. 709, and AdobeRGB, among others. It also includes multiple, accurate color temperature and gamma modes. A built-in colorimeter can be used to precisely calibrate color accuracy.
The monitor is built for use in a variety of professional settings. It’s a rugged, beefy display with thick bezels and a built-in carrying handle to help with transportation. A standard VESA desk stand is available for use in an office or at home, and the monitor has built-in legs for easy setup at a mobile studio or jobsite.
Priced at $3,000, the PA32DC may seem expensive, but it undercuts competitors like the LG UltraFine 32EP950, Apple Pro Display XDR, and Asus’ older ProArt OLED displays. This is a top-notch professional monitor suited to a wide range of content creation, and those who need excellent color performance will find that it’s well worth the price.
Read our full
Asus ProArt OLED PA32DC review
What to look for in a 4K monitor
4K monitors are more expensive than other monitors, so they pack numerous features and a quality display panel. A typical 4K monitor will have features that are optional on a 1080p monitor. Still, there are a few details you should know before buying a 4K monitor.
USB-C
USB-C is an excellent choice for connecting a 4K monitor to a modern laptop with USB-C or Thunderbolt. USB-C can bundle Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which means the monitor can charge a connected device while it outputs video to the monitor. Some monitors, like the Dell U3223QE, are USB-C hubs that expand connectivity for the connected device.
Refresh rate
Most 4K monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate. Those that go beyond 60Hz may only support an enhanced refresh rate over a specific port, so be sure to check the specifications. A monitor will need to support HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 to handle 4K at up to 144Hz.
HDR
Many 4K monitors support HDR, but most offer lackluster HDR performance. HDR will function, and may look better than SDR, but won’t approach the quality of a good HDTV. If you want quality HDR, look for a minimum of VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification (or VESA DisplayHDR True Black). See our article on everything you need to know about HDR on your PC to learn more.
How we test 4K monitors
We test 4K monitors with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra color calibration tool. It provides objective measurements for contrast, brightness, black levels, color gamut, color accuracy, and gamma, among other metrics. These objective results can be compared with other monitors to see how each performs against the competition.
These objective image results are supplemented with our subjective evaluation of a monitor. We evaluate out-of-box image quality, sampling all types of content from gaming to movies. We look at the feature set. We closely consider details like a monitor’s on-screen menu, ergonomic stand (or lack thereof), and overall build quality.
FAQ
1.
Does a 4K monitor need HDMI 2.1?
HDMI 2.1 is only important if you want to connect a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X game console at 4K resolution and play titles with 120Hz support. These consoles only support HDMI output, so an HDMI connection is your only option.
Most desktop PCs and laptops also have a DisplayPort output. This is preferable to HDMI 2.1 because it supports higher resolutions and refresh rates, so HDMI 2.1 is not necessary to connect a PC.
2.
Can my PC handle a 4K monitor?
Support for 4K video output went mainstream around 2015. If you have a computer newer than 2015, odds are high that it supports 4K. Most PCs sold prior to 2015 will not support 4K.
Want to be sure? Our guide to checking what graphics card you have will help identify your PC’s graphics hardware. You can then reference its official specifications to find its maximum supported resolution.
Gamers be warned: 4K resolution is demanding in 3D games, so you may struggle to see smooth gameplay unless you have the latest graphics hardware. You’ll need at least an Nvidia RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 to play the latest titles at 4K and 60 frames per second.
3.
Is text too small on a 4K monitor?
Early adopters of 4K monitors often struggled to read small text. That’s because many older applications were programmed such that interface elements have a defined, concrete size in pixels. The higher a display’s resolution, the smaller the interface appears.
Thankfully, this problem is mostly solved. Windows and MacOS have excellent text scaling options and most software developers have updated their applications to properly support 4K displays. It’s still a problem with very old apps that were never updated but, in general, it’s rare to see tiny, unreadable text on a 4K monitor.
Monitors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 4 Jun (PC World)You bought into the hype and purchased a first-gen AI laptop with an Intel Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) chip inside. Congratulations! But in a world that shifted overnight to Copilot+ PCs with much more stringent requirements, were you a fool for doing so?
It’s a tough question, and one that’s already hit home for us, as well. But Intel executives say that’s not necessarily the case, and there are plenty of reasons to own an older AI PC — which includes the possibility that AI PCs will be able to run Copilot+ functions in Windows over time.
Here’s the conundrum: A Core Ultra Series 1 chip (Meteor Lake) produces about 11 TOPS from the NPU, and laptops bearing those chips rolled out the first half of this year. But mere weeks ago Microsoft launched Copilot+ PCs, and placed a restriction upon them: if the NPU doesn’t deliver 40 TOPS, they’ll be unable to access new Windows 11 apps like Recall, plus generative AI in Paint and Photos. Intel’s latest Core Ultra chips, the “Lunar Lake” generation debuting at Computex, meets this threshold with 45 TOPS. Meteor Lake doesn’t. Gulp.
So that begs the question: What does Intel have to tell those early adopters that bought into the AI PC? I asked Michelle Johnston Holthaus, the executive vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel, if Meteor Lake buyers wasted their money on an AI PC.
Intel’s Michelle Johnston Holthaus revealing Lunar Lake to press.
Intel’s Michelle Johnston Holthaus revealing Lunar Lake to press.Mark Hachman / IDG
Intel’s Michelle Johnston Holthaus revealing Lunar Lake to press.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
“Well, there’s a lot of assumptions in that question about the advantages of Copilot+,” Johnston replied. “There’s a lot of things that people want to do with AI in Meteor Lake that they can absolutely take advantage of. I think we would argue that in a few years based upon how the software will improve that Meteor Lake will be able to run something like the Copilot+ as those language models become a little more efficient.”
Johnston was referring to the ongoing improvements in the various middleware components: APIs, runtimes, and the language models themselves. Like software drivers, they’re tuned over time, making them more efficient, and theoretically allowing them to run on older, inefficient hardware. But she also unexpectedly threw some cold water on the need for an AI-powered PC.
“You know we haven’t seen Copilot+ PCs en masse yet, and I think we need to take time and understand what it is that users want to take advantage of in that operating system, which things are most important,” Johnston added, pointing out that the cloud was an option, too. “Obviously, we’ve been working with Microsoft to ensure that Lunar Lake meets all of the specifications for Copilot+… So it’s maybe a little overstated to say that everybody needs a Copilot+ PC.
“I think we need to look at how each individual user is going to use it, what they are going to do with AI, and then we really need to define those products for users,” Johnston said. “There are a lot of people out there today buying PCs who aren’t going to use AI. Right? That’s why we say you have to first have to have a great modern CPU.”
“There will be something for everyone,” Johnston said.
Further reading: Your ‘AI PC’ is already obsolete: The curse of early adoption strikes again
CPUs and Processors, Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 4 Jun (PC World)Intel launches Lunar Lake, its next entrant into its Core Ultra series of laptop processors, today at Computex, ushering in a new generation of AI-infused Copilot+ PCs that have been initially overshadowed by Qualcomm.
Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Intel is prioritizing low power, perhaps feeling the pressure from Qualcomm’s just-launched Snapdragon X Elite. Several tweaks to Lunar Lake’s design, however, resulted in power savings and performance boosts, including shifting all of the E-cores to a low-power architecture. The Xe2 GPU at the heart of Intel’s “Battlemage” is here. Oh, and hyperthreading? Gone.
But there’s a fairly major change that affects you, a potential laptop buyer: Intel is embedding the DRAM onto the chip package. Yes, the PC’s memory. For now, if you buy a Lunar Lake laptop, you’ll have a choice between 16GB and 32GB of DRAM, but with no option to upgrade it later.
We’re diving deep into Lunar Lake in this story, so feel free to jump ahead to the section you’re interested in. We’d expect Intel to eventually market Lunar Lake as the Intel Core Ultra Series 2, the unofficial 15th-gen Core chip.
Intel’s Lunar Lake chip.
Intel’s Lunar Lake chip.Intel
Intel’s Lunar Lake chip.Intel
Intel
Lunar Lake: Made in Taiwan?
First, let’s be clear: Though Intel announced Lunar Lake at Computex, this isn’t a product yet. Intel is working with early production steppings, but Lunar Lake (and presumably laptops) won’t ship until sometime in the third quarter.
IFA, the Berlin trade show that begins Sept. 6, is the projected launch venue, sources at notebooks vendors say. Arrow Lake, the next iteration of Intel’s desktop processors (and possibly mobile chips for gaming laptops), are also due this year and could launch around IFA, too.
Intel
Intel
Intel
While Intel’s Meteor Lake was a relatively complex chip with multiple tiles, Lunar Lake is a simpler design. While there are four tiles, only two matter: there is a compute tile (fabricated on TSMC’s 3nm-class N3B process) and the platform controller tile (on TSMC N6, an older 7 nm process). There is also a “filler” tile, a structural “blank” piece of silicon that’s just there to fill out the remainder of the chip and avoid it bending. It’s all mounted over a passive interposer, the “base” tile, which provides interconnections between the chips.
That’s a significant change: Intel had always targeted Lunar Lake as the first of the “angstrom” generation, fabricated on its 18A process. Meteor Lake was the first time that Intel mixed and matched tiles from its own fabs as well as TSMC. The key there, though, was that the compute tile was manufactured on Intel’s Intel 4 process, as it originally promised. With Lunar Lake, only the base tile is manufactured at Intel, according to executives, though Intel handles the assembly.
“You’ve probably heard my boss Pat [Gelsinger, Intel’s CEO] talk a little bit about 18A and we’re on track to fully utilize this process,” said Michelle Johnston Holthaus, executive vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel. “We’re going to market on B0 silicon and we’re on track to be in production in [the third quarter] of this year.”
Following Apple: On-package memory
When you buy a laptop, a PC maker will install memory: sometimes soldered on, sometimes with slots that allow more memory to be added in the future. Now, Lunar Lake puts that memory within the chip package itself.
Apple has most recently been known for adding on-package memory with its M3-based Macs (with up to 128GB of unified memory) and the M4-based iPad, which follows suit. Now Intel is joining the crowd. Lunar Lake will mount 16GB and 32GB of LPDDR5X memory (with up to 8.5 gigatransfers per chip in two ranks), saving up to 250 sq. mm on the motherboard.
“I said, how do we build the best thin-and-light PC, and memory on package with our customers was by far the desired first step,” said Jim Johnson, senior vice president of the Client Computing Group and general manager of the Client Business Group at Intel, in an interview.
Intel
Intel
Intel
“The technical part is that we want to have an exquisite notebook that will take on ecosystem competitors,” Johnson added. “And that’s what we built. And we think 16[GB] and 32[GB] is the right matchup and yes, it’s not upgradable beyond that, but this is the cornerstone of our architecture moving forward and we will offer those options in the future.”
If you don’t like the idea of not being able to upgrade your memory, or if you want more memory configurations, it sounds like they might be coming. “I would just say that the next turn of the roadmaps are going to offer more traditional options,” Johnson said, which other Intel executives said referred to Lunar Lake’s successor, Panther Lake.
Low-power DDR DRAM needs to be soldered as close to the CPU as possible, so Intel’s decision makes sense — if weren’t for the recent introduction of LPCAMM2, an upgradable module which actually allows you to replace the memory, too.
Lunar Lake e-core are all low power now
Intel’s Lunar Lake makes two major changes to the CPU designs that you’re familiar with. First, what’s known as the “Skymont” efficiency core no longer has the low-power E-core that its predecessor, Meteor Lake, shipped with — all of the Skymont E-cores are essentially low-power E-cores, period.
But there’s a bigger twist: hyperthreading has been completely disabled across the board. All cores simply have a single thread associated with them for performance reasons. Even the performance cores, known as “Lion Cove,” are single-threaded. More on that later.
Intel’s Skymont E-cores offer substantive performance and power gains over Meteor Lake, Intel says.
Intel’s Skymont E-cores offer substantive performance and power gains over Meteor Lake, Intel says.Intel
Intel’s Skymont E-cores offer substantive performance and power gains over Meteor Lake, Intel says.Intel
Intel
Lunar Lake has four E-cores and four P-cores. Stephen Robinson, an Intel fellow and the lead architect for the new Skymont E-core, explained that at least for this generation, the E-cores should be thought of as a “brick,” which implies that Lunar Lake products will have blocks of four E-cores each — so a Lunar Lake chip with six E-cores sounds highly unlikely.
Lunar Lake’s E-core has a number of substantial architectural enhancements — wider machine decoding and out-of-order engines, a 4MB level-2 cache shared among all four cores — but the improved performance is startling.
Lunar Lake’s E-cores make the now-familiar tradeoff: they can either be run at lower power or at substantially higher performance for the same power. Here, the low-power cores can either be run at one-third the power of Meteor Lake’s E-cores, or else offer a substantial 1.7X performance improvement.
Intel is even claiming that its E-cores outperform the 13th-gen Core’s performance CPU, Raptor Cove.
Intel is even claiming that its E-cores outperform the 13th-gen Core’s performance CPU, Raptor Cove.Intel
Intel is even claiming that its E-cores outperform the 13th-gen Core’s performance CPU, Raptor Cove.Intel
Intel
At peak load, Lunar Lake’s E-core performance is basically double that of Meteor Lake, Robinson said. In multithreaded performance (where the four E-cores in Lunar Lake double the two low-power E-cores in Meteor Lake) multithreaded performance reaches 2.9X or 4X at peak clock speeds.
If put in a desktop compute tile, the Skymont E-cores actually outperform Raptor Cove, the 13th-gen Core CPU tile by about 2 percent in both fixed-point and floating-point operations, with some variation. Lunar Lake is not a desktop architecture. Instead, that’s a tip that may point to how the next-gen Intel desktop chip, Arrow Lake, performs.
Intel is not saying how fast that Lunar Lake will be clocked, unfortunately. For now, it’s just talking about the design of the chip itself.
Intel Thread Director gives Windows more control
Intel’s Thread Director has thankfully been simplified within Lunar Lake, too. Thread Director interacts with the Windows operating system, determining where and when to send tasks on to which cores. On Lunar Lake, it’s simple: tasks are assigned to the E-cores first. If they’re full or the workload exceeds their capabilities, then they’re routed to the P-cores.
As you might expect, there is a wrinkle: the creation of “OS containment zones.” Users have been asking for years for controls to specify playing a game, for example, on all of the chip’s P-cores. It’s not quite clear whether users will be granted this sort of specificity, but the OS will. For example, Microsoft Teams has been granted an OS containment zone so that the app will run only on the E-cores, and won’t touch a P-core, according to a presentation by Rajshree Chabukswar, an Intel fellow.
As a result, Teams power was cut by 35 percent, Chabukswar said.
Lunar Lake’s P-cores kill hyperthreading
The performance core within Lunar Lake, Lion Cove, is 14 percent faster than the P-core within Meteor Lake, known as Redwood Cove. And that’s with a huge change: Intel has turned off hyperthreading across Lunar Lake. Yes, hyperthreading, the SMT technology that’s been a staple of Intel’s chips for about twenty years.
Intel is making the case that hyperthreading is just too expensive in terms of power and cost.
Intel is making the case that hyperthreading is just too expensive in terms of power and cost.Intel
Intel is making the case that hyperthreading is just too expensive in terms of power and cost.Intel
Intel
So why get rid of hyperthreading? According to Ori Lempel, the senior principal engineer of Intel’s P-Core, Intel’s goals were to optimize single-threaded performance, with an eye toward maximizing the performance per watt per area on the chip — low performance per watt costs battery life, and low performance per area essentially costs Intel money in manufacturing costs.
Hyperthreading does make sense for performance parts and datacenters, Lempel noted. But it requires physical space for the hyperthreading logic and the associated silicon. But in thin-and-light laptops, the target for Lunar Lake, Intel engineers discovered that they achieved 15 percent more performance per watt and 10 percent more performance per area with hyperthreading turned off than a hyperthreading-enabled processor.
Intel’s Lion Cove, and its relative performance.
Intel’s Lion Cove, and its relative performance.Intel
Intel’s Lion Cove, and its relative performance.Intel
Intel
There are two other key changes in the P-Core. First, if a Lunar Lake needs to add or subtract performance, it will do so more gradually. Intel processors currently increase and decrease in 100MHz increments; Lunar Lake will step up and step down at 16.67MHz intervals. Second, Intel has added a small “AI” controller, which will monitor and watch the system in real time. The idea is that Lunar Lake systems will make small, incremental adjustments to power and speed, maximizing performance and battery life for users.
From a security standpoint, Intel has added a “partner security engine” to the Intel silicon security engine and the Intel graphics security controller. That partner security engine is Pluton, the Microsoft-AMD security engine that has successfully protected the Xbox.
It’s time for Xe2 to debut
Intel has steadily increased the performance of its integrated GPU in successive generations, but Lunar Lake marks a sharp leap: this is the debut of the Xe2 graphics architecture. Tom Petersen, an Intel fellow, confirmed that Xe2 is inside Lunar Lake, and this is the same architecture that will debut later in a discrete GPU for desktops, code-named “Battlemage.”
intel’s Xe2 architecture: Lunar Lake on the left, Battlemage on the right.
intel’s Xe2 architecture: Lunar Lake on the left, Battlemage on the right.Intel
intel’s Xe2 architecture: Lunar Lake on the left, Battlemage on the right.Intel
Intel
Again, Intel isn’t talking specifics, including Xe2’s clock speeds, memory, or details of the Lunar Lake implementation. But Intel provided a more general overview of how Lunar Lake’s Xe2 implementation compares to the integrated GPU within Meteor Lake.
Petersen described the Xe2 architecture as “more compatible with games and with a higher utilization.”
Intel isn’t providing actual performance numbers yet, but it providing some comparisons to the first-gen architecture.
Intel isn’t providing actual performance numbers yet, but it providing some comparisons to the first-gen architecture.Intel
Intel isn’t providing actual performance numbers yet, but it providing some comparisons to the first-gen architecture.Intel
Intel
Intel’s Xe2 core has been redesigned, with eight 512-bit vector engines accompanied by eight 2048-bit Xe Matrix Extension (XMX) engines capable of 2,048 FP16 operations per clock and 4,096 8-bit integer operations per clock — both tools that can be used for traditional graphics as well as AI. There’s an improved ray tracing unit, too.
In Lunar Lake, Intel has set up the GPU to offer eight Xe cores, with 64 vector engines and two geometry pipelines. All told, Intel believes it will offer 1.5X the performance of the previous generation, at the same power.
Here’s how Intel’s Xe2 will be configured within Lunar Lake.
Here’s how Intel’s Xe2 will be configured within Lunar Lake.Intel
Here’s how Intel’s Xe2 will be configured within Lunar Lake.Intel
Intel
“I don’t think I’m allowed to tell you the performance at higher power,” Petersen added.
The Lunar Lake display engine will offer 3 display pipes, with HDMI 2.1 (up to 8K60 HDR 10-bit), DisplayPort 2.1 (three 4K60 displays) and a new eDP 1.5 connection, which will allow for 360Hz 1440p displays for gaming.
Intel also has a technology called “panel replay,” which is an evolution of how the display panel can self-refresh. Adaptive sync displays adjust the panel’s frame rate to match the content coming in, eliminating judder or screen tearing. Panel replay does something similar. The example shown was a movie, where the panel has to self-adjust its timing to account for the 24fps movies are broadcast in, as opposed to the native 60Hz (or higher) of the panel.
What panel replay does is understand that certain frames may need to be repeated. If this happens, though, the display engine can turn off the CPU cores and in some cases the memory when they aren’t needed. The GPU just queues the needed frames in place.
There’s also something new in the video codec front. While Lunar Lake performs coding and decoding of the AV1 video codec, it has added decoding support for VVC (H.266), an advanced video codec. AV1 shrinks file size by about 40 percent compared to the older HEVC file format, and VVC file sizes will be about 90 percent of a AV1 file, Petersen said. However, VVC’s file complexity is substantially more.
Lunar Lake’s NPU: It’s finally time for Copilot
Naturally, a key focus for Lunar Lake is AI, which features a significantly improved “NPU 4” core.
We live at a weird intersection of AI capabilities, which Lunar Lake lands in. Most people have only used AI in the cloud, through Windows Copilot, Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, or some other service. Chipmakers would love for you to use local AI, and Copilot+ PCs with native AI capabilities will start shipping later this month — but only initially with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips inside.
Intel is making the case that whatever the platform — CPU, NPU, or GPU — it can deliver.
Intel is making the case that whatever the platform — CPU, NPU, or GPU — it can deliver.Intel
Intel is making the case that whatever the platform — CPU, NPU, or GPU — it can deliver.Intel
Intel
Customers who bought into Intel’s initial vision of an AI PC may feel a little jilted; current Meteor Lake laptops only generated 11.5 TOPS from the NPU, significantly under the 40 TOPS that Microsoft’s Copilot+ program requires. The new “NPU 4” inside Lunar Lake produces 48 TOPS all by itself. That means Lunar Lake PCs will be Copilot+ capable, when they ship. Meteor Lake AI PCs are not.
Further reading: Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC push leaves existing ‘AI PCs’ behind
What’s new? Meteor Lake had a pair of inference pipelines in the NPU. Lunar Lake has six, each of which triples the amount of multiply-accumulate (MAC) engines that are fundamental to AI processing. That basically works out to double the performance in the same power envelope. AI processing is essentially a ton of specific matrix and vector mathematics, and Intel has begun adding in specialized blocks. What it calls the SHAVE DSP is one vector engine, which provides 12 times the vector performance. Basically, Intel is saying that SHAVE will boost the performance of LLMs, or AI chatbots, running locally on your PC.
Intel believes that Lunar Lake offers a potent combination of AI capabilities, with 120 TOPS spread over the CPU (5 TOPS), GPU (67 TOPS), and NPU (48 TOPS). But that unfortunately ignores the broader point: most applications pick one chip, and don’t use all three at once.
Not all, though. In a demo, Intel showed how running 20 iterations of Stable Diffusion could be achieved in about a quarter of the time of Meteor Lake, and at lower power, too, using the NPU and GPU in concert.
Intel NPU4 on Lunar Lake in action.,
Intel NPU4 on Lunar Lake in action.,Intel
Intel NPU4 on Lunar Lake in action.,Intel
Intel
Lunar Lake’s communications technology: using Wi-Fi as a sensor and more
Surprisingly, Lunar Lake will not be the debut platform of Thunderbolt 5, as you might have expected. But it will integrate Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, and provide an enhanced multi-link single-radio (eMLSR) technology that should improve throughput by hopping back and forth between wireless channels. And there’s a wild new technology, called Wi-Fi Sensing, that uses a Wi-Fi radio as essentially a type of radar.
According to Carlos Cordeiro, an Intel fellow the wireless CTO of Intel’s Client Computing Group, Intel is strongly encouraging laptop makers to cluster all of the Thunderbolt ports on one side of a laptop, stop mixing and matching Thunderbolt and USB-C ports, and properly label all Thunderbolt ports — all things that should have happened long ago. (Lunar Lake will also support three Thunderbolt ports, up from two, and the Thunderbolt Share sneakernet will be featured.) Cordeiro indicated that Thunderbolt 5 will be in Intel silicon later this year, which likely means Arrow Lake.
Interestingly, you will see higher throughput with Thunderbolt 5. Thunderbolt 5 SSDs will actually deliver 25 percent more performance on a Lunar Lake PC with a Thunderbolt 4 port, Cordeiro said.
Wi-Fi 7 was in Meteor Lake, too, but now it’s been more fully integrated, saving power. Intel built in a small 11Gbps interface between the Lunar Lake platform controller tile as well as the wireless, future-proofing the connection.
Though the Intel WiFi radio can talk on the three bands — 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz — those bands can still become congested, slowing data throughput. Intel built a technology called enhanced multi-link single operation to solve that problem. Essentially, eMLSO concentrates on a single frequency, but periodically listens to others, especially if the frequency becomes congested. The technology will then shift the radio’s communication over to the uncongested frequency.
And did you know that DDR memory itself can cause Wi-Fi interference? Intel uses a technology called RF Interference Mitigation to dynamically adjust the clock frequency of the memory to prevent interference.
Intel can adjust the frequency of its DDR memory to avoid interference with your laptop’s WiFi radio.
Intel can adjust the frequency of its DDR memory to avoid interference with your laptop’s WiFi radio.Intel
Intel can adjust the frequency of its DDR memory to avoid interference with your laptop’s WiFi radio.Intel
Intel
WiFi Sensing uses both antennas, one broadcasting and one receiving. The laptop essentially broadcasts radio data out, then uses the other antenna to “listen” for a bounce off various objects — specifically you. If the WiFi Sensing technology detects you’re walking away, it locks your computer and shuts off the display. If you then approach, it wakes the displays (but doesn’t unlock the computer.)
“You can be a kid, a big person — that’s the other type of magic,” Cordeiro said. “We can retrain the model so that we know the size of the person that’s approaching.”
It’s a little scary! Intel has bigger plans for Wi-Fi Sensing, though it’s unclear whether they’ll come to market. “Future PCs will be able to detect user movements and gestures, monitor heartbeat and breathing rate, whether accessories are to the left or right, how many there are, etc.,” Intel said.
Intel’s Unison is getting beefed up, too, with tablet control, a quick connect to phones that don’t have access to Unison, and a universal hotspot. The latter functionality is already in Windows, so it’s unclear what Unison will deliver.
Intel
Intel
Intel
Finally, Lunar Lake can run Bluetooth over PCIe, which Cordeiro said will save time accessing the Bluetooth device.
In all, Lunar Lake is yet another substantive rewriting of the mobile PC processor. But with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 waiting in the wings, can it maintain its traditional laptop leadership? We’ll see.
CPUs and Processors, Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
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