This post was temporarily removed and reposted to correct an error in attribution. Comments attributed to Jack Huynh, SVP of Computing and Graphics, were actually made by David McAfee, Corporate VP and General Manager of Client. We sincerely apologize for the error.

Intel Arc G3 is leaving AMD’s handheld gaming silicon in the dust with 42% better performance than the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, and similar frame rates to the ROG Xbox Ally X20 at half the power.

This has left everyone thinking how AMD will respond? And after announcing FSR 4.1 coming to older RDNA 3 desktop GPUs like the Radeon RX 7900 (the same graphics architecture as what you see on the company’s handheld chip), we all thought this would be the answer.

And then…the internet exploded. HardwareLuxx reported that in a conversation with David McAfee, Corporate VP and General Manager of AMD’s Client Division, he said that FSR 4.1 is “not currently planned” for RDNA 3.5, but “nothing is set in stone yet” — meaning it’s still being considered.

Following that, other publications picked up and reported on the decision “leaning towards “no.”” Then head of AMD’s Client and Graphics Marketing Frank Azor said “no such decision” has been made.

So to get to the bottom of this, we put the question ourselves to David McAfee, Corporate VP and General Manager of Client, and his answer was an interesting one.

‘Quality of service’

David started by sharing the company’s “philosophy around FSR 4 on non-RDNA 4 products” — talking about how the company is focused on making sure it’s right before releasing.

“We want to make sure the experience and the quality is right, and so having a sufficient amount of compute within that product, whether it's a GPU or an APU or whatever, to ensure that you know the performance benefit.” McAfee commented.

To go into the specifics here, AMD-based handhelds are currently locked to FSR 3.1, which is basically an AI-free version of resolution scaling and frame generation — opting to do it purely through math and code. It’s obviously more complicated than that, but for brevity, that’s the barebones explanation.

Now, FSR 4.1 is actual AI-based upscaling and frame generation (similar to the XeSS 3 that unlocks Intel Arc G3’s superpowers), which is now available on every chip from Core 100 all the way up to Core 300. So what gives with AMD?

“I guess you'd call it quality of service, so that you're always delivering frames within an appropriate frame time. All of those boxes have to be checked, so that we're delivering a quality experience that Gamers are going to be happy with and advancing the experience that they get through the use of that product.”

“The team are reading the comments and reviews about what we announced, and there is a lot of interest in taking [FSR 4.1] to other parts of the market. These first steps in our roadmap were very important, as we brought it to other architectures.”

Not a yes…but not a no either

This is probably the more critical part of this question, as we then followed up after this statement with a simple “can I take your answer as “it’s coming” then?”

His answer: “I did not say it’s coming. I said there is a high-quality bar that we care about a great deal. And as we look at other places to apply our FSR technology, the critical factor is ensuring that the quality and gaming experience is uncompromised.”

So it’s not a no, but it’s not a yes as well. It all lines up with the “decision has not been made” comment Azor made, but my personal take is that it’s only a matter of time. Architecturally, the underlying logic to bring FSR 4.1 to the table on this chip is totally possible — that’s been proven by bringing it to RDNA 3 cards.

The challenge is going to come with running a heavy, AI-driven spatial and temporal upscaler on those precious compute units on the chip. But again, given how underpowered Intel’s past two generations have been in comparison to AMD silicon, the fact these run XeSS shows that it’s doable.

AMD needs to respond, fast

But however you view it’s clear that AMD needs to respond quickly to this, as with a regular annual roadmap of upgrading its hardware and software tech for gaming, Intel’s now in a position to drink Team Red’s milkshake in the PC handheld gaming space.

Maybe it’s a quick switch to FSR 4.1, maybe it’s something that’s cooked up from its work with Sony on PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution — don’t forget the PS5 Pro chip is running on a Frankenstein creation of RDNA 2 and 3 cores, and yet that can do AI acceleration.

But whatever it is, the reasons to go AMD over Intel have almost all gone. Team Blue has a clear integrated GPU plan heading into the future (as well as a team-up with Nvidia for its RTX graphics in a couple years time).

More from Tom's Guide

• Best of Computex 2026: The 17 greatest gadgets from the world’s largest computing show
• I just sat on my dream gaming chair, and now I’m fighting the urge to take a nap to tell you about the Cougar Arker
• I’ve gone hands-on with every Nvidia RTX Spark laptop coming this fall — here’s my brutal tier list of the best options

We've reached day 2 of Computex 2026, and from holding every Nvidia RTX Spark laptop to comparing all the new budget systems competing with the MacBook Neo, I have so much to update you on!

Beyond that, I got to talk to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang about Spark, properly tested the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (spoiler alert: AMD gaming handhelds are cooked), and went on a mission to find every budget laptop that competes with the MacBook Neo.

But that's not all, as my team is out here too — running around the exhibition center and finding all the best (and weirdest) tech of Computex. So follow along with us for all the latest.

Read the latest from Computex

• I just tested Nvidia RTX Spark laptops for video editing, gaming and AI — and the MacBook Pro is in trouble
• I held the MacBook Neo in one hand and the new XPS 13 in the other — and Dell’s affordable laptop is surprisingly lighter
• I just tested Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra — Nvidia RTX Spark brings life to one of the best laptops I’ve ever tried
• I spoke to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang about RTX Spark — he is ‘willing to work’ on an RTX gaming handheld, N2X and N3X are already planned and the chip is 'more like R2D2’ than a laptop CPU
• I just tested the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ — Intel Arc G3 is a breakthrough for handheld gaming, but at what cost?
• I thought Asus' massive 32-inch OLED would be my favorite Computex 2026 monitor — but I found one that was even better
• I tested the Acer Predator Atlas 8, and played a game Intel told me not to — the numbers are staggering

LIVE UPDATES

Computex is still going strong

Hey, all! Our Computex 2026 coverage is going strong as we're on the ground in Taipei checking out the latest and greatest from the computing world. Keep it locked here four all of our live updates and hands-on impressions.

RTX Spark put to the test

We've had the opportunity to put Nvidia's RTX Spark to the test for video editing, gaming, and AI, and the results are... impressive. Now, the obvious caveat is that we don't know what these machines will cost once they arrive — but it should make Apple and its MacBook Pro a little more than nervous.

Here's what my colleague Jason had to say after he'd spent some time with Nvidia's new chip: "With Microsoft in tow, working in lockstep to rebuild Windows 11 for Nvidia's agentic vision for the future of computing, these are going to be some truly mighty notebooks that may very well revolutionize the Windows laptop and truly stand on their own as the future of computing."

• Read the full story: I just tested Nvidia RTX Spark laptops for video editing, gaming and AI — and the MacBook Pro is in trouble

MSI debuts 'Triple Mode' monitor

This right here is the MSI MPG OLED 322URDX36. It's the first 31.5-inch, 4K 360Hz gaming monitor on the market to feature the 'Triple Mode' configuration technology.

It lets gamers switch freely between 4K 360Hz, 2K 520Hz, and FHD 680Hz based on their preferences — meeting the specific performance demands of various game genres.

The monitor rocks a peak HDR brightness of 1,500 nits and integrates an AI Care Sensor that "leverages accurate human detection to provide real-time OLED panel protection without compromising user privacy." Whatever that means.

Could Microsoft be building the most exciting RTX Spark laptop?

Microsoft will be facing down the MacBook Pro with the Surface Laptop Ultra later this year, it's one of the first eight laptops to arrive with Nvidia's RTX Spark on board and it could be seriously impressive.

Microsoft claims this will be most powerful Surface it's ever built and there are a few specs we are already pretty confident about. For starters, it has a 15-inch mini-LED PixelSense Ultra display that can reportedly reach 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness. There's also a full set of ports, including HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack.

The Surface Laptop Ultra will also reportedly have “all-day” battery life and you can expect it to come in Platinum and Nightfall finishes.

• Read more: Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra packs an Nvidia Spark chip — and it could be a MacBook Pro killer

Intel Arc G3 steps up against AMD

Intel Arc G3 and G3 Extreme are really bringing the heat with a monstrous integrated GPU and XeSS 3, seemingly delivering some of the best handheld gaming experiences you can get.

We've checked out the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ here at Computex already, and both have impressed us with their smooth performance.

This is a huge win for Intel, which has, up until now, played second fiddle to AMD and its near-dominance over the handheld space.

MacBook Neo has competition from Dell

We just got to go hands-on with Dell's new XPS laptop line but one device in particular stood out: the new Dell XPS 13. Thin, light and affordable, you know where this is going. We have another MacBook Neo competitor in our midst.

The Dell XPS 13 does have a few nice extras you don't get on the Neo, like a backlit keyboard, a touchscreen and two full-featured USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 ports with one on each side. Stay tuned for our full hands-on but so far, I'm quite impressed.

A mesmerizing laptop

Laptops tend to look similar, which is why the Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Vincent van Gogh Edition stands out. Adorned with the troubled artist's work on the lid, it’s certainly a conversation starter. The fact that it’s built around a Prestige 14 Flip AI+ means you’re getting quite the workhorse here, too.

But what about the price? It’s the one question nobody can really answer, given how RAMageddon has put the whole computing market in flux.

To hazard a guess, given that the current Prestige sells for $1,299 and this is a more powerful special-edition machine, we bet it could be around $2,499. Of course, we'll have to wait and see what the actual price is.

8 laptops confirmed to launch in the fall with RTX Spark

Nvidia's RTX Spark chip is already slated to appear in a bunch of laptops arriving this fall, including a new Surface Laptop from Microsoft. Following on from the laptops, expect to see it appearing in mini PCs and small form-factor from the likes of Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, MSI, Acer and Gigabyte.

Powered by the new chip, these laptops are poised to deliver a thin-and-light form factor coupled with elite battery life and enough power for desktop-class AI development and heavy video editing. They'll also be pretty good when it comes to gaming, too.

The only question is what will the pricing be for these new machines?

• Read more: All 8 laptops launching with Nvidia RTX Spark this fall — and what they can do

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ leaves the ROG Xbox Ally in the dust

Intel Arc G3 handhelds are the talk of the town here at Computex 2026, and I just got an early hands-on with the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. In short, believe the hype — this is the next generation of gaming on the go, unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Of course, a lot of this comes from that new silicon, which copies a lot of Panther Lake’s homework, including that monster integrated GPU with XeSS 3 support to deliver some blistering frame rates (more on those later) while being much more power efficient than any AMD-filled handheld I’ve tested.

But the secret sauce here is MSI’s DNA — learning from previous Claws and dramatically upgrading the design, vastly improving airflow to keep it cool, bringing a gorgeous new display, tweaking the ergonomics and tactility of the vibration, and making it even easier to upgrade.

The Asus Xbox Ally X20 isn’t just another special edition handheld

We’ve already seen a ton of new handheld gaming PCs here at Computex 2026. Instead of going that route, Asus has decided to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its Republic of Gamers (ROG) subbrand with a special edition of the ROG Xbox Ally X.

Dubbed the ROG Xbox Ally X20, this new device uses (mostly) the same hardware as last year’s Xbox-themed handheld. You still get the powerful performance of AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

While not technically a new device, Asus has made some fundamental changes under the hood and has also given the handheld a regal makeover, with hints of gold throughout its design.

The best of Computex 2026

Our best of Computex 2026 round-up is live! There, we detail the 17 products that impressed us the most during our time at the convention.

From Nvidia’s biggest chip release in the last 20 years, Intel revolutionizing handheld gaming, mind-blowing monitors, and actual value-for-money laptops to take on the MacBook Neo, we’ve fallen in love with so much tech here in Taipei!

Computex 2026 is fully underway, and besides asking Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang about RTX Spark, I just tested the laptops of the future from Team Green!

But that's not all, as Intel's having a ball dunking on AMD with its Arc G3 gaming handheld chip in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, we've been going hands-on with every Windows laptop that's facing off with the MacBook Neo (including the new Dell Xps 13), and much more.

Follow along with us for live updates from the ground, and keep us bookmarked throughout the week. You're going to want to see what we're up to!

Read the latest from Computex

• Nvidia RTX Spark is here, and it's going to 'reinvent the pc' — here's everything you need to know about this all-new laptop chip
• I spoke to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang about RTX Spark — he is ‘willing to work’ on an RTX gaming handheld, N2X and N3X are already planned and the chip is 'more like R2D2’ than a laptop CPU
• All 8 laptops launching with Nvidia RTX Spark this fall — and what they can do
• I just tested the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ — Intel Arc G3 is a breakthrough for handheld gaming, but at what cost?
• I gamed for 250 hours on AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE — it’s a $549 nightmare for Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti
• I thought Asus' massive 32-inch OLED would be my favorite Computex 2026 monitor — but I found one that was even better
• I just held the most beautiful laptop, but I’m not sure Vincent van Gogh would be happy with his name connected to AI
• I tested the Acer Predator Atlas 8, and played a game Intel told me not to — the numbers are staggering

LIVE UPDATES

Our first in-person look at RTX Spark

The big news of the conference so far is, of course, the RTX Spark and we've just got our first look at actual devices running Nvidia's chips from MSI.

They look even better in person than they did during Jensen's keynote yesterday. Hopefully, we'll be able to go hands-on with laptops, desktops and mini PCs running Nvidia RTX Spark chips soon.

• Read more: Nvidia RTX Spark is here, and it's going to 'reinvent the pc' — here's everything you need to know about this all-new laptop chip

8 laptops confirmed to launch in the fall with RTX Spark

Nvidia's RTX Spark chip is already slated to appear in a bunch of laptops arriving this fall, including a new Surface Laptop from Microsoft. Following on from the laptops, expect to see it appearing in mini PCs and small form-factor from the likes of Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, MSI, Acer and Gigabyte.

Powered by the new chip, these laptops are poised to deliver a thin-and-light form factor coupled with elite battery life and enough power for desktop-class AI development and heavy video editing. They'll also be pretty good when it comes to gaming, too.

The only question is what will the pricing be for these new machines?

• Read more: All 8 laptops launching with Nvidia RTX Spark this fall — and what they can do

Reporting from the show floor!

Computex is the biggest computing industry event of the year, and in among the flagship keynotes it's always fun to roam the halls and see what's on offer.

So far this year, we've spied a holographic PC that uses AI to answer your questions, a custom-built GTA VI PC that could be outdated before the game itself actually arrives and the forthcoming Wireless Touchpad Keyboard from sustainable laptop company Framework.

Intel Arc G3 steps up against AMD

Intel Arc G3 and G3 Extreme are really bringing the heat with a monstrous integrated GPU and XeSS 3, seemingly delivering some of the best handheld gaming experiences you can get.

We've checked out the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ here at Computex already, and both have impressed us with their smooth performance.

This is a huge win for Intel, which has, up until now, played second fiddle to AMD and its near-dominance over the handheld space.

MacBook Neo has competition from Dell

We just got to go hands-on with Dell's new XPS laptop line but one device in particular stood out: the new Dell XPS 13. Thin, light and affordable, you know where this is going. We have another MacBook Neo competitor in our midst.

The Dell XPS 13 does have a few nice extras you don't get on the Neo, like a backlit keyboard, a touchscreen and two full-featured USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 ports with one on each side. Stay tuned for our full hands-on but so far, I'm quite impressed.

A mesmerizing laptop

Laptops tend to look similar, which is why the Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Vincent van Gogh Edition stands out. Adorned with the troubled artist's work on the lid, it’s certainly a conversation starter. The fact that it’s built around a Prestige 14 Flip AI+ means you’re getting quite the workhorse here, too.

But what about the price? It’s the one question nobody can really answer, given how RAMageddon has put the whole computing market in flux.

To hazard a guess, given that the current Prestige sells for $1,299 and this is a more powerful special-edition machine, we bet it could be around $2,499. Of course, we'll have to wait and see what the actual price is.

Could Microsoft be building the most exciting RTX Spark laptop?

Microsoft will be facing down the MacBook Pro with the Surface Laptop Ultra later this year, it's one of the first eight laptops to arrive with Nvidia's RTX Spark on board and it could be seriously impressive.

Microsoft claims this will be most powerful Surface it's ever built and there are a few specs we are already pretty confident about. For starters, it has a 15-inch mini-LED PixelSense Ultra display that can reportedly reach 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness. There's also a full set of ports, including HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack.

The Surface Laptop Ultra will also reportedly have “all-day” battery life and you can expect it to come in Platinum and Nightfall finishes.

• Read more: Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra packs an Nvidia Spark chip — and it could be a MacBook Pro killer

Asus' new laptops could include a MacBook Neo rival

Asus has revealed its new laptop family at Computex and while we already know about the RTX Spark-equipped ProArt machines, but another device has caught my eye.

Asus is launching the new Zenbook 14 with base-level specs that include a Snapdragon X1-26-100 processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. Depending on the ongoing RAM crisis, Asus may be able to price this laptop to compete with the MacBook Neo.

For those that want a bit more power, the Zenbook 14 will also come with AMD and Intel configurations too.

MSI debuts 'Triple Mode' monitor

This right here is the MSI MPG OLED 322URDX36. It's the first 31.5-inch, 4K 360Hz gaming monitor on the market to feature the 'Triple Mode' configuration technology.

It lets gamers switch freely between 4K 360Hz, 2K 520Hz, and FHD 680Hz based on their preferences — meeting the specific performance demands of various game genres.

The monitor rocks a peak HDR brightness of 1,500 nits and integrates an AI Care Sensor that "leverages accurate human detection to provide real-time OLED panel protection without compromising user privacy." Whatever that means.

RTX Spark put to the test

We've had an opportunity to put Nvidia's RTX Spark to the test when it comes to video editing, gaming and AI and the results are...impressive. Now, the obvious caveat here is that we don't know what these machines are going to cost once they do arrive — but it should serve to make Apple and its MacBook Pro a little more than nervous.

Here's what my colleague Jason had to say after he'd spent some time with Nvidia's new chip: "With Microsoft in tow, working in lockstep to rebuild Windows 11 for Nvidia's agentic vision for the future of computing, these are going to be some truly mighty notebooks that may very well revolutionize the Windows laptop and truly stand on their own as the future of computing."

• Read the full story: I just tested Nvidia RTX Spark laptops for video editing, gaming and AI — and the MacBook Pro is in trouble

I get it. One read of my Best GPUs buying guide is enough to make your bank account weep. RAMageddon has sent graphics card prices into a crisis, but AMD is fighting back with the Radeon RX 9070 GRE.

Eagle-eyed PC gamers may have already seen these out in the wild over the past year, and they're readily available in China over the past year and starting to leak from retailers across the U.S. Now, I can confirm it’s official, and I’ve been testing one for the past few weeks. In short, if they can keep to their $549 promise, this could be a rare value win in GPUs in 2026.

In raw gaming performance, this closely matches Nvidia’s RTX 5070 (which is around $150 more on average) and comfortably breezes past the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti ($20 more on average). For that out-of-the-box, ray-traced gaming performance without any AI trickery, the RX 9070 GRE is a winning 1440p formula.

Not to say it’s the perfect formula, and you’ll have to decide what matters most for you here. It doesn’t have the same productivity chops as an Nvidia card (in both creator workloads or AI). And while FSR Redstone support is starting to expand, and it’s a great AI-infused game performance booster, Nvidia’s DLSS 4.5 continues to have a clear lead in feature set and game support.

But with all that being said, provided this suggested price of $549 holds true (AMD did confirm to Tom’s Guide that a lot of stock has been produced), if your sole focus is gaming bang for your buck, this is a top option that challenges the extortionate GPU prices found elsewhere.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? This is a mid-range PC graphics card.
• Who is it for? This is for people who are looking for great 1440p gaming performance at maxed-out settings.
• What does it cost? The SEP is $549, and I’m praying it stays that way.
• What do I like? For $549, this is an impressively performant card for 1440p gameplay, with FSR 4 unlocking some 4K experiences. It's a great bang-for-your-buck pick!
• What don’t I like? I’m suspicious of that price tag (hopefully I’m proven wrong), and, much like the RX 9070 XT, while it’s a great raw performer, FSR 4 support doesn’t match Nvidia’s DLSS 4 game compatibility, and AI and productivity aren't as strong here.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE: Specs

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE: 3DMark tests

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE: The ups

So let’s tuck in. For transparency, I tested the RX 9070 GRE in my build with AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU and 32GB DDR5 RAM. And as I started tweaking settings, playing and testing, I quickly realized the raw capabilities that lie under the hood.

Challenging the gaming throne

The price of Nvidia’s GPUs has been going crazy in the U.S. Now that the Radeon RX 9070 GRE is here on sale for $549 (for now), I can only anticipate a market correction given how much more this offers for less.

This is coming close to the far more expensive RTX 5070, while pulling comfortably ahead of the 5060 Ti. With those improved ray tracing cores, you’re starting to see AMD get more comfortable with shiny surfaces and reflective windows.

At 1440p, there’s enough headroom in that 12GB of video memory, and it forms a better value for money option than the RX 9070, and is frankly miles ahead of Nvidia’s RTX 50-series lineage in performance-per-dollar.

FSR Redstone is getting better

When I reviewed the RX 9070 XT, the idea of FSR Redstone was only a glimmer in AMD’s eye, and the broader support for its upscaling/frame generation tech was left reeling. Now, over 200 games support it, and the AI trickery looks great here with extremely minimal ghosting around fast-moving objects and impressive detail even on a character’s hair.

Of course, one key difference here from the likes of Nvidia’s DLSS 4 is how it handles frame generation. With Team Green, you’re getting multi-frame generation where it can stuff up to six AI-generated frames in between two GPU-generated ones. With FSR Redstone, you’re only getting one.

But I have a counterpoint to that. With the frame rates you see in these games, does a couple of hundred frames per second even matter? In my gameplay time, I can honestly say it didn’t.

And the second point, the latency is actually a few milliseconds lower without the additional frames. Food for thought!

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE: The downs

That doesn’t mean the RX 9070 GRE is an all-around Nvidia beater. There are two clear places where this mid-ranger does falter — one comes down to Nvidia being in the AI game for longer, and the other is a side effect of when you throw all your eggs in the gaming basket.

Nvidia keeps the compatibility advantage

Chances are, you’ve seen a whole lot of AAA games in 2026 come with an Nvidia logo in their opening credits. Team Green has been busy building relationships across the board, and while AMD is catching up, Nvidia still has an advantage in this space.

Not only in-game compatibility, but also in the number of tools available. Team Red is offering the core tools needed to make all this work well (and it does), but whether you think they’re controversial or not, Nvidia’s AI trickery is evolving quickly as more games come under its umbrella.

Productivity performance is lacking

Gaming’s all good and everything — definitely the key priority for most of you reading this. However, if you need something more multipurpose, it’s clear that AMD is focusing on gaming here. You can see that in the Blender and AI benchmark results.

While Nvidia has the drivers and capabilities of doing more across the board, Team Red is focusing in. No such problem for most of you looking at this, of course, as chances are you just wanna play games fast here. But just a heads up to the creators and AI workers out there.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE: Verdict

So, to answer the fundamental question, yes, the RX 9070 GRE is a great 1440p GPU with better rasterized performance than its similarly priced competitors. Productivity performance is underwhelming compared to Nvidia, but if gaming is your main thing, this is a stellar pick.

But as the hours continued to melt by in all my favorite games, one thing became clear. I look at the grim backdrop of GPU pricing and can only pray that the RX 9070 GRE holds true to its $549 retail price. Because if it does, it could move the needle and encourage price drops across the board.

So a lot has happened since I wrote this Computex 2026 preview, and a couple of my predictions have already come true (really should've put a bet on this)!

• Intel has confirmed the Arc G3 gaming handheld chip, which will launch in the Acer Predator Atlas 8, MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and the OneXPlayer
• The fightback against the MacBook Neo is officially on with the Snapdragon C chip for cheap Windows laptops

We're just days away from the show in Taipei — happening between June 1 and June 5, with an Nvidia keynote kicking off the event, and I will be on the ground covering and testing all the latest and greatest announcements!

And while tow of my predictions have come true, there are other trends that I need to set the stage for. Because not only is this set to be the biggest Computex ever, it’s also going to be the most important. There are some huge challenges ahead for consumer computing, and we’re set to see exactly how the industry will rise to them.

And as Managing Editor of Core Tech, this is my favorite time of the year. So it's time to set the stage and tell you what I predict will be coming out of Taipei.

What to expect

Computex is my team’s Super Bowl — our season finale, setting the stage for the next 12 months (and further ahead). And what’s becoming clear from the event schedule, rumors, and leaks, four potential announcements look set to dominate the event (and the two that are already confirmed).

Nvidia enters the CPU silicon wars of 2026

Yes, I know we’ve spoken about Nvidia N1X for a while now. We predicted it for Computex 2025 and CES 2026, but it didn't happen at either event. But all the stars are aligning rumor-wise, and it’s highly anticipated that Jensen Huang will take the stage at his GTC keynote and announce the new silicon.

For those uninitiated, this is Team Green’s ARM silicon — inspired by its DGX Spark AI supercomputers but squeezed down into something that can power the latest laptops.

And yes, since it's Nvidia, you can expect some big gaming chops here, as certain leakers claim it will be the equivalent of an RTX 4070, all on integrated graphics.

And since it’s ARM, you can expect key power efficiency too, which would be significant for the future of gaming laptops. As for who’s looking to run these chips, Dell, Lenovo, and Alienware look like a lock.

But I want to pose a different prediction… Asus is celebrating the 20th anniversary of ROG, and an integrated-GPU version of the Zephyrus G14 with Intel’s Panther Lake was quietly pulled from CES. Wouldn’t it be quite a return to form if there were an N1X-armed G14? Food for thought for you!

Asus back with a new Ally!?

The rumors are beginning to mount that a new Asus ROG Ally 2 gaming handheld may be announced at Computex! News first broke by YouTuber Steam Dad, in which he spoke about a "next-gen handheld from Asus" coming to the show.

If this is true, what will we see inside? For the years it's been around, the Ally has always been on AMD silicon. That being said, Intel's bringing some gaming handheld heat to the party. Could this be one of the devices rocking Arc G3?

Speaking of...

CONFIRMED: Intel Arc G3 to rock the gaming handheld space

Intel’s been pretty clear that a retooled version of its Panther Lake chips is coming to gaming handhelds, and we’re looking ready to roll at Computex. And Team Blue has now confirmed the Intel Arc G3 and G3 Extreme chipsets are set to launch in three new gaming handhelds.

For context, this all began when we all found out that the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 CPUs had pretty beastly GPUs — paired with strong XeSS 3 scaling and multi-frame generation to deliver seriously impressive fidelity and frame rates.

Don’t expect them to be cheap, but this looks truly set to be the generational leap in handhelds we’ve been waiting for, and it’ll surely make AMD nervous.

CONFIRMED: The fightback against MacBook Neo is on for cheap Windows laptops

Of all the companies that really bring value for money back to computing, I did not expect Apple to be the one to do it. The MacBook Neo has shown that cheap laptops don’t have to be hunks of plastic with bad displays and spongy keyboards. They can actually be great and make you question whether you actually need to spend more (my time facing it off with the MacBook Pro proved that).

And if one thing is clear from asking my sources, it’s that other laptop makers were blindsided by this and rather terrified by the prospect of this premium notebook. So what's the plan to fight back? Qualcomm's shown its hand with Snapdragon C — silicon targeting laptop prices of just $300.

But what about Intel’s new Wildcat Lake chips? We've heard rumblings about this chip bring laptops with much more attention to detail on the design/build quality front in a big way, and we'll be watching closely.

AI everywhere

I mean, it’s obvious at this point, right? Last year’s show was AI-dominated, and reports say that Computex organizers are actively demoting companies that don’t have AI products to show.

From hardware fueling the AI data center explosion to new gadgets running LLMs locally for the people, you can expect this to be the biggest talking point of the show. And while you’ll see a lot of tech that just has “AI” in the name but doesn’t really offer any real benefits from having AI, there will certainly be some useful devices.

Google I/O proved just how much consumer-focused agentic AI is coming down the way, and it’s absolutely no surprise that you’ll hear a lot more about the silicon that will power these experiences. No doubt Nvidia’s GTC conference will shed some more light on this AI automation, too. Speaking of…

The robots are coming!

We’ve heard a lot about robotics and AI over the past few years, but it's all essentially been talk — maybe with some automated production lines for good measure. The idea of having your own personal robot assistant seems a bit pie-in-the-sky.

But more and more over the course of this year, we’ve been hearing about robotics finally getting the AI compute it needs, from things like Nvidia’s Jetson silicon, to make it work. And I think this may be the first moment we get a proper glimpse of what that humanoid future could look like.

Will it be a bit Black Mirror? Probably, but as a tech journalist, I can’t deny it is damn cool.

How Tom’s Guide will cover Computex 2026

So long as the tech checks off one (or more) of these boxes, you’ll be reading about it or seeing it in our coverage! These will be the criteria we use to judge the winners of our Best of Computex awards, too.

We call it “Computing for the rest of us” — our ongoing mission to not write for insiders, but so anyone can feel like the smartest geek in the room. Every year, you’ll read, hear, and see a whole lot of jargon-filled coverage with assumed knowledge coming out of Taiwan. My team and I have challenged that notion and have been rather successful in doing it!

And in our third iteration of Computex, we’re powering on with this mission but also making clear our three key goals of what we’d love to see (and tell you all about):

• Value: It’s no real surprise that this is our top priority — we have a Savings Squad after all! We want to see companies talk less about their data center hardware and more about delivering maximum bang for the buck in consumer products that are well-priced against the backdrop of RAMageddon.
• Actually useful AI: Computex’s theme this year is “AI together,” and if the past couple of years are anything to go by, you can expect these two letters to be said a lot. We don’t want to see AI stuffed into hardware just because — we want to see actually useful, thoughtful implementations.
• Fascination: Not only does the show give us a chance to test the cool stuff you’ll be able to buy, but it also gives us a sneak peek at some truly ludicrous cutting-edge tech that sets the stage for the next five years. Internally, we call it “the cool sh*t,” but a more family-friendly way to put it is that we want to be fascinated.

See y’all in Taipei

Of course, there will be much more — new PC components to talk about, new bleeding-edge silicon, new sim racing gear, new monitors and peripherals. And you best believe we’ll be covering all the best from the show floor as we see it.

So if you’re looking for a human glance at how Computex is carving out the future of computing, keep it locked on Tom’s Guide for all our written and video coverage from Taipei.

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AMD just lit a beacon of hope for gamers with older Radeon RX graphics cards. As VideoCardz reports, Jack Huynh, AMD Senior Vice President and General Manager of Computing and Graphics, says the company is bringing its FSR Upscaling 4.1 support to RDNA 3 GPUs this July.

Currently, FSR 4.1 (AMD’s answer to Nvidia’s DLSS) is only available for Radeon RX 9000 cards featuring the latest RDNA 4 technology. When this update goes live in July, Radeon RX 7000 can get in on the upscaling action. Best of all, over 300 games will be supported at launch.

AMD hasn’t forgotten about folks using older RDNA 2 GPUs, as FSR 4.1 will be coming to those cards sometime in early 2027. We don’t yet have a full compatibility list, but this should see support for the Radeon RX 6000 series of desktop and mobile GPUs. That last one is especially worth noting for anyone using one of the best gaming laptops with an AMD Radeon RX 6000 chip.

ML upscaling tech allows low- to mid-range graphics cards to punch above their weight, delivering smoother frame rates and sharper visuals. Nvidia’s DLSS is still the undisputed king of AI upscaling, but AMD has been catching up and is doing admirable work. It was always a shame that FSR 4 was only for newer cards, so it’s great that folks with older Radeon GPUs won’t miss out on the action.

AMD hasn’t said exactly when in July this update will go live for RDNA 3 cards. Still, that’s not too far in the future, so we should soon know how much better games perform and look on those older cards. I’m also curious to see whether this update translates to the best gaming handhelds with RNDA 3 GPUs, like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go 2.

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Oh, Asus TUF Gaming A14. Why do you hurt me so? You started so strong two years ago and even managed to be my personal favorite gaming laptop I’d tried over the past few years. Then there was a modest upgrade to RTX 5060 with a price bump — I let it slide mostly. But now, we’re through the looking glass with the 2026 model. It’s a classic situation of “appearances can be deceiving.”

Because after correctly predicting the rise of integrated graphics in laptops, this year’s A14 got my mind spinning with the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 chipset: the mid-ranger to the chip you find in the ROG Flow Z13 that still packs that same massive 40-core GPU. The benefits of this, of course, are lofty levels of performance paired with the power efficiency of not having to run an entire separate dedicated graphics card.

The stage was set and I was ready to have my mind changed with this Strix Halo glow up. And did it happen? …No. Asus is outside of my window with a boombox playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” and I’m hiding beneath the window sill.

Now let me be clear, that’s not because this is a terrible laptop. For all intents and purposes, it’s a decent machine. The switch to this all-in-one monster chip has done wonders for its prosumer productivity side of things. But I can’t ignore that $2,199 price tag — a massive $500 bump over last year’s model, which just so happens to play games better, handle high temperatures better, and have a longer battery life.

It’s the right laptop at the wrong price, and definitely at the wrong time as RAMageddon has made me feel pretty confident about my break up. When the going gets TUF, save yourself some cash and go for last year’s model.

Asus TUF Gaming A14: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? This is a mid-range 14-inch gaming laptop
• Who is it for? It’s ideal for portable PC gamers who want a solid 1080p/1440p system that isn’t awkward to carry around.
• What does it cost? You can pick one up for $2,199.
• What’s good about it? The switch to Strix Halo has vastly improved productivity speeds (especially in content creation), and you’re getting that same sleek body, QHD+ panel and ergonomics.
• What’s not so good? Gaming, battery life and heat management fall behind its older (cheaper) sibling, price has increased by a massive $500, and AMD’s still making it awkward to actually have the GPU perform well out the box.

Asus TUF Gaming A14: Specs

Asus TUF Gaming A14: The ups

Let’s start with the positives. Because to Asus’ credit, Strix Halo is a productivity speed boost and even though the hardware remains unchanged, it’s still pretty top notch in the gaming laptop space.

Same great display and design with some tweaks

Credit to Asus — they’ve kept the things I like about this system in the looks and works. Build quality feels familiarly premium to the touch with a metallic top and bottom, the keyboard feels great to type on and that re-engineered ventilation is there to take air in through the top deck and out the bottom.

Then there’s the QHD+ panel that is decently bright and respectably color accurate with some vividity for those key flash floods of color like speeding through Mexico in “Forza Horizon 5.”

Would I have loved OLED? Absolutely. Is this more than good enough for the task at hand? For sure.

Productivity boosts

If there’s one big good thing that can be said about the new Strix Halo internals, it’s that it does nicely equalize the general performance with gaming prowess. You can seriously get some stuff done quickly here.

Whether it's the snappiness of opening up a web browser, stretching the multitasking of many tabs, or processing advanced photo edits, this didn’t hang one iota. And with that massive GPU, local AI processing is also a breeze too — comfortably holding a 14-billion parameter model without any hitches or slowdown in its processing time. Nice!

Asus TUF Gaming A14: The downs

Value for money’s out the window and AMD’s hiding the main reason you’d buy this laptop behind a few settings screens. It’s gutting to someone who really wanted this to succeed.

Price-to-performance is way off

So you’ve felt just how fast this can be in your day-to-day creativity. Let’s move over to gaming and…well…I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves.

I’ll forgive it for ray tracing, as the RDNA 3.5 architecture was never really at its strongest in this crucible, and on a laptop screen, it’s not necessarily the biggest deal breaker to miss out on some shinier objects and reflections.

But when you take the $2,199 price of this “mid-range” gaming system and face it with last year’s A14 and the cheaper Lenovo LOQ 15, you start to see you get a bit short changed — both when you’ve got VRAM set to default (0.5 GB) and when you max it out (24 GB as tested here).

But it gets worse, as thermal management and battery life have taken a dip here too.

Now I know some of these pricing woes come down to the RAM price crisis, and there’s no two ways around how much that sucks. But if anything, that should make us more aware of better value for money in gaming laptops, and honestly? Even the more premium ROG Zephyrus G14 is better value.

Just AMD things

And speaking of the video memory thing, why on Earth is it that after over a year into the Strix Halo era, we’re still being left with the default slither of memory dedicated to the GPU? I know that most of us know this already, and dip into the AMD settings to tinker.

But for an experiment, I gave this to my non-techie friend and told him to play games for a day. The report the next day was simple: he went back to his PS5 after an hour because the TUF A14 was so choppy.

If he didn't know that VRAM allocation is set to 512MB (that’s megabytes…with an M) by default, then what does that say for anyone else who buys it? Change this for Strix Halo gaming laptops now — it’s a difference of literally 20-30% in performance as I found.

Asus TUF Gaming A14: Verdict

The Asus TUF Gaming A14 has a serious identity crisis that makes it hard to trust. On the face of it, it’s a good laptop. But I can’t look past that huge price tag and the subsequent downgrade in gaming performance and battery life that you get.

It’s like charging you more for less — the laptop equivalent of Chili’s shrinkflation. I hope that in the future, we remember this laptop is supposed to be the affordable arm of the ROG Zephyrus G14. The hatchback you walk out the dealership with when you’re lured in by the supercar.

But at the moment, it’s in no man’s land.

At some point towards the end of last year, it was becoming clear to anyone wanting to get into PC gaming that a prebuilt was becoming more cost effective than building from scratch. And out of all the towers I’ve tested — for not just performance but bang for your buck (if that’s even a thing anymore) — iBuyPower is ranking high with the RDY Element 9 Pro R07.

Sporting a respectably powerful spec pairing of AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, alongside 32GB of DDR5 RAM, recreating this kind of setup on PC Parts Picker would set you back about $2,300-$2,400. But thanks to thinking ahead and stocking up, this team’s able to get that for $250 lower than the average builder cost.

Are these costs still problematic? Yes. The RAM price crisis is something that will continue to hit hard (at least until the AI bubble bursts). However, in a space where we’re searching every nook and cranny for even a whiff of value in computing, it’s good to see a premium desktop tower like this with a three-year warranty and impressive cooling stamina coming in at this price in 2026.

From that striking design of the case that showcases your components almost like a neon museum to the performance potential, this is one of the best gaming PCs you can snag right now.

iBuyPower RDY Element 9 Pro R07: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? This is a pre-built gaming PC.
• Who is it for? This is for the “serious but not extreme” gamers — with specs sitting firmly in the mid-to-high tier.
• What does it cost? You can snag this for $2,049. The site says it’s discounted from $2,349, but it’s rarely on sale at full price.
• What do we like? This is a stylish tower with plenty of RGB chic, which reveals the impressive cooling that is sure to keep all those high performance components running at max sustained speed across all your favorite AAA titles.
• What don’t we like? The keyboard and mouse, while nice to have, are rather basic, and the lighting customization is a little limited.

iBuyPower RDY Element 9 Pro R07: Specs

iBuyPower RDY Element 9 Pro R07: The ups

The Radeon RX 9070 XT is a personal favorite gaming GPU of mine, so to get an entire pre-built around this card has been a lot of fun to daily drive! But iBuyPower’s work extends so much further than that.

It’s quite the looker

I’ve seen a lot of RGB-laden pre-builts that do a good job of showing off all those components inside your case, but this is on a different level. The two sides of glass give you a full glorious view of everything going on inside — rather than just a small window.

And the end result is an unmistakably premium aesthetic that feels much more modern compared to other simpler tower cases. Though fair warning, that glass is a fingerprint magnet!

And, since it’s a gaming PC, of course there’s plenty of RGB to inject some vibrancy into affairs here. Of course, if you’re more of a fan of subtlety, this may be very in your face — at which point you should get Asus Armoury Crate software installed to tweak some of the lighting controls.

But being honest, as someone who has been an RGB doubter, I’m quietly impressed and often catch myself staring at the four swirling 120mm fans illuminating the outer regions and the XPG RAM sticks pulsating.

As for the convenience of it, the side glass is completely screwless and can be removed easily, ports are conveniently placed on the front, and while it’s rather heavy at over 35 pounds, the dimensions keep it easy enough to carry.

Impressively performant

The Element 9 Pro sits right in that “I want a beast, but I’m not insane” bracket, and what you get at this level is stellar 1440p gaming performance that can be cranked up to 4K. I normally use my tower in a dual setup kind of layout — connected by DisplayPort to the Alienware’s AW2752Q monitor, and then by HDMI to my TV to get both desk and couch gaming.

Starting with the desk, this combo of CPU, GPU and RAM makes this quite a workhorse for content creation and AI-infused productivity. Not all the way (Nvidia GPUs still have a lead with the way they use cores to optimize to renders and edits), but more than enough.

Moving over to gaming, and without any of the FSR Redstone AI trickery turned on, you’re able to get a solid 4K picture at the highest detail. Though it's worth saying AMD GPUs always struggle a bit with ray tracing compared to Nvidia.

With FSR features turned on, that frame rate immediately accelerates with resolution scaling.

AMD’s tech has been going from strength to strength, and while Nvidia’s DLSS maintains a healthy lead in terms of virtually eliminating any of the telltale signs like ghosting and picture smearing, FSR comes damn close. Even when blown up on a giant TV, you’d struggle to notice it without some slow-motion pixel peeping.

Great warranty protection

One of the things that can often get ignored in the initial purchase of a shiny new PC is the long-term life of it, and that’s where the warranty comes in. iBuyPower offers a rather impressive three years of labor and two years of parts protection.

The company will handle diagnostics and repair within those three years, or replace defective components within the two. Of course, you’ll be using your PC for much longer than this, which is where the lifetime technical support comes in.

Doing a test call with the company’s technical support was a rapid process through the phone line’s menu tree, and a human assistant quickly resolved my faked issue of ever so slightly unseating a RAM stick. That’s great reassurance for such a high value purchase.

Oh, and speaking of longevity, shout-out to not pre-installing the GPU. Yes, that does mean that you have to follow a guide and install it yourself (the screws to attach it to the back panel of the case can be a little awkward to get to), but it also reduces packaging and ensures that PCIe slot isn’t stressed in transport.

iBuyPower RDY Element 9 Pro R07: The downs

So far so good, but it’s not all perfect out the box for the Element 9 Pro.

Mid keyboard and mouse

On one hand, I shouldn’t complain. The fact the Element 9 Pro comes with an included RGB gaming keyboard and optical mouse is quite the nice-to-have that other companies don’t provide.

But the faster you can upgrade to one of the best mechanical keyboards and best gaming mice, the better. The membrane switches on the keyboard feel a little mushy and slow on the depress — not great for fast-paced multiplayer. And there is definitely a cheap plasticky feel across the board and mouse.

RAMageddon has impacted this price

Viewing this in a vacuum of where we stand in 2026, this is a decent price. But we can’t ignore the fact that configurations of this level have gone up roughly $350-$400 since summer 2025. The RAM price crisis has hit pre-builts hard, and while iBuyPower is doing well to buy in bulk to get ahead of these issues, every time they have to comes with a cost penalty.

So the time on this price is surely running out before it goes up again!

iBuyPower RDY Element 9 Pro R07: Verdict

But at the end of the day, this is one of the best pre-built towers I’ve ever tested. The RDY Element 9 Pro R07 packs impressive performance into a gorgeous design with impressive long-term support and even a 60-day return period too.

And the liquid-cooled gaming ensures long-term stability of the performance, while looking fly as hell too.

When it comes to Windows creator laptops, it’s been my mission to hunt down the ultimate MacBook Pro alternative. As someone who creates regularly on Apple systems, this is always a good frame of reference to have, because if you want to aim for the King, you'd best not miss.

Well, that’s where I introduce you to the Asus ProArt GoPro Edition (PX13), a GoProified edition of the 13-inch 2-in-1 monster the company started making a year ago. And with a jump to Strix Halo, a fresh, durable design and ergonomics that feel like a match made in heaven for any creative, this is one helluva fighter for the throne.

With AMD’s Ryzen AI Max 395+ chipset, this chews through any complex Photoshop or Premiere Pro workload with the greatest of ease, while being a beast with AAA games too. A creator laptop that just so happens to be a serious gamer too? Who knew that was possible!? (Not Apple).

The svelte construction means this whole heap of power is easy to stash in your backpack, suitably durable for outdoor work, and with a wink to GoPro in the aesthetics, it brings the utilitarian personality on big.

And in terms of getting stuff done, you have that gorgeous OLED panel with impressive color accuracy (but still just 60Hz), the built-in DialPad is as good as ever for precision control in creative apps, and moving away from using a dedicated Nvidia GPU to the integrated all-in-one AMD chip has given battery life a serious boost.

Now, yes, let’s address that $2,999 price tag. It’s a lot — limiting it only for the pro creatives out there. But to come close to a spec set like this in the likes of a MacBook Pro (especially that high 128GB of shared system memory for running AI locally), you can spend close to $5,000.

So while this won’t be for the regular folks (if you are getting into content creation for the first time, I’ve had no trouble daily-driving the MacBook Pro M5), if you are looking to take things to the next level in video, photo or music production, and you don’t want to drop a totally bonkers amount of cash, this is a great, more palatable option.

Asus ProArt GoPro Edition: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? This is a 13-inch creator laptop.
• Who is it for? It's for what we call prosumers — power users who get mightily creative with the likes of Adobe Creative Suite and other advanced apps.
• What does it cost? You can pick one up for $2,999.
• What do we like? Asus is really hitting its stride in making the ideal Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. AMD’s Strix Halo chip is a monster here, paired with a ton of system memory for AI-intensive tasks, the OLED screen is gorgeous and the ergonomics are tip-top for getting stuff done.
• What don’t we like? So this is a pricey beast, the battery life is good, but doesn’t match what you can get from a MacBook Pro, and not having a full-size SD card slot and a refresh rate still locked at 60Hz feels like a big miss for creators (especially with slow-mo footage).

Asus ProArt GoPro Edition: Specs

Asus ProArt GoPro Edition: The ups

Transitions are never easy — even for me, hopping between Windows and macOS on the regular. But if there’s one thing that Asus nails here, it’s making that leap for creators a cinch for anyone looking to make the jump from a MacBook Pro.

Sleek stylings

And it starts with an uber premium, utilitarian body that feels great in the hand and sports impressive ergonomic touches all over the shop.

From the sharp-looking GoPro touches like the etched lines across the lid and around the side to the hinge that feels sturdy yet easy to open with one finger, you know you’re in for a treat from the first touch.

Then there’s the keyboard, which has a gorgeous tactile impact on each key press, and a decent-sized touchpad that dominates the bottom of this 13-inch deck with a nice snappy click to it. Plus, the DialPad makes a return here, which, alongside the stylus on that touchscreen display, allows for super precise edits.

Ports are well placed, it looks the business, and after watching laptops get bigger and bigger, it’s always a joy to go back to a 13-inch model — especially when it’s military standard tested for impressive durability on outdoor shoots.

Power packed

Previously, dedicated graphics were the name of the game for the PX13, but with Strix Halo, Asus is able to have its cake and eat it too with both peak performance and impressive battery life.

In the realm of creator laptops, these numbers are crazy good — every bit a match in GPU-intensive processes to the MacBook Pro lineage. I’ve handled complex 4K video edits in Premiere Pro with After Effects graphics and dabbled with massive compositions in Ableton Live.

And given that ludicrous 128GB of shared system memory (in this RAM price crisis economy!?), I’ve also been able to dip into running some local AI as well. Put simply, whatever you throw at it, this will handle it. The multitasking capabilities are insane!

Oh, and did I mention that this is a monster for gaming too? Many creator laptops forget about that bit, but the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395’s GPU capably handles all the latest AAA titles better than certain RTX 40-series dedicated cards.

Since this has the same chip as the ROG Flow Z13 KJP edition, I'll let Darragh take you through its gaming chops.

Then, for those days when you are away from the plug, so long as you manage your workload, you can eke out a full day of usage from this.

Granted, it’s not as capable in terms of stamina as the MacBook Pro, but this is still strong in the grand scheme of things.

A mesmerizing display

Then we turn our attention to that 3K OLED panel up front, which is a pure flash flood of color with accuracy that inspires confidence in your work color balancing.

Unfortunately, it still only runs at 60Hz, and it's a bit on the dim side (typical with single-layer OLED). But for creating, this sharp, vivid panel is an absolute joy to use with zero latency on the touch response. Whether you’re binge-watching in tent mode or getting stuff done, this is a bright, capable screen for all jobs.

Asus ProArt GoPro Edition: The downs

That’s not to say the transition has been completely flawless, though. There is one standard creator requirement that this doesn’t quite cut the mustard on.

Still no full-size SD card slot?

I was hoping this would be a thing of the past. I get that there are certain cameras (especially GoPro models) that use Micro SD. But the vast majority of the camera landscape uses full-size SD cards.

Is this me over-complaining? Possibly. There is always USB-4 to connect them for fast transfers. But to ignore this generic standard for most pro creators is a miss in my books.

You can leave StoryCube at the door

With the ProArt GoPro edition, you get some decent software bundled in, like CapCut and GoPro Cloud integration with 12 months of Premium+. But being honest, that’s where the nice freebies start and stop.

Asus has a couple of other exclusive apps like StoryCube and MuseTree, which are essentially AI content management and idea brainstorming systems, respectively.

But I found that the natural language search of StoryCube was a bit unreliable, and the workflow of MuseTree just felt a bit off, feeling more like a glorified AI art generator rather than actually something to inspire me.

Asus ProArt GoPro Edition: Verdict

So where does that leave the Asus ProArt GoPro edition? Well, in the spirit of the name, it feels like the ProArt PX13 has finally gone pro. It’s a sleek, stylish laptop that achieves a feeling like it's worth the lofty price tag attached to it.

The move to Strix Halo has liberated this 13-inch machine from bad battery life and turned it into a serious portable creation station. And looking past the lack of a full-size SD card slot and the weird StoryCube and MusTree apps, this has the chops to really power through your workload.

As someone who daily drives a MacBook Pro for all my video, music, and graphic design work, a few weeks with this have shown me that there is a world outside of Apple where I can get things done.

The choice of which GPU to buy for your PC isn’t really about just the hardware anymore — it’s also about the AI trickery to make your games look better and run smoother too. And there are two key players at the moment: Nvidia’s DLSS 4.5 and AMD FSR 4 (a core component to FSR Redstone).

But which one looks better? Well, In a blind PC gaming test conducted by ComputerBase, 48% of players chose Nvidia DLSS 4.5 over AMD FSR and even native rendering — signaling a strong lead in AI upscaling.

By the numbers

ComputerBase’s study took the total of 6,747 votes across six games — all of which are pretty well-optimized for both AMD and Nvidia GPUs. To test this, three systems were shown to gamers:

• One with Nvidia DLSS 4.5 running (set to quality mode)
• One with AMD FSR 4 running (set to quality mode)
• One with neither — running at native resolution with Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA — more on this later)

And here are the results.

What is abundantly clear here is that while AMD has made some significant steps forward with its new FSR tech, Nvidia still holds a commanding lead with DLSS 4.5 and all of its AI tech.

FSR 4 still falls for some of the classic things you see with AI upscaling like fizzling jaggedness on finer geometry, ghosting around fast-moving objects, and some shimmering around brightly-lit scenes.

But, interestingly, while there were huge gaps between DLSS 4.5 and FSR 4 in “Satisfactory” and “Horizon Forbidden West,” many users (23%) couldn’t see much of a difference between Nvidia and AMD in “Cyberpunk 2077.”

So while Team Green has a fairly large lead on average, in certain circumstances (like 4K high-fidelity environments in this particular game), that gap is narrowing.

The biggest surprise?

The one that shocked me the most was to see DLSS 4.5 so handily beat native resolution too! But there is a logical reason for this, because the idea of “native” is almost never raw pixels.

You’ll see most games use something called Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA) to smooth out the jagged edges by blending the current and previous frame together — no AI required. But in smoothing them out like this, it can often create a blurry image during movement.

Because DLSS replaces this native TAA with its own AI-trained transformer model, which uses a massive training dataset to “know” what specific objects should look like, it can produce a much sharper and stable image.

What is a little odd, though, is how AMD’s FSR 4 came in third, because surely this should land above Native + TAA. But ComputerBase did have an answer for this, saying that the results don’t show “what is perceived as the second and third best.”

The question asked was to rate what had the “best image quality,” so to say that “FSR Upscaling looks worse than native” would be wrong given the skewing of the data based on how the study was done.

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Gaming laptop deals are getting harder and harder to come by — probably because of the RAM price crisis we find ourselves in.

But I’ve just found huge savings on my two favorite OLED gaming notebooks that are the perfect high-performance upgrades for any players out there. Right now, you can get the 2025 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 with RTX 5070 Ti for $500 off, and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI with the same GPU for $350 off at Best Buy.

Make no mistake about it. These are massive savings, and after spending months testing these laptops (and loving them a lot), I can’t recommend them enough for gaming on-the-go.

The ultraportable monster

Every year, the Asus Zephyrus G14 just gets better and better. I almost missed my flight back from Barcelona because I turned my Starbucks table into the ultimate gaming station because of it!

From the outside, you wouldn’t really think this is a gaming laptop — if anything, its premium aluminum body screams “MacBook Pro.” In fact, it’s the only gaming notebook that my fiancée has looked at and said, “Nice laptop.” Every single other model, she rolls her eyes at the blazing RGB.

Asus has also paid real attention to sound ergonomics here, with a top-notch keyboard and massive touchpad. But of course, you’re here for the games, and that RTX 5070 Ti absolutely shines. DLSS 4.5 is the AI trick up the sleeve to bring unmatched smoothness.

Cyberpunk 2077 at full-res ray-tracing ultra with all the DLSS trickery on (ray reconstruction, multi-frame gen) can take full advantage of that mesmerizing OLED panel at a buttery smooth 120 FPS.

And whatever game you’re playing, be it blasting through the colorful streets of Mexico in Forza Horizon 5, or the deep, dark depths of the isolated Romanian village in Resident Evil Village, the stunning color and contrast ratio of this Pantone-validated display shines.

Throw in AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, a spacious 32GB of RAM (in this economy!?), and a 1TB SSD, and you’re onto a winner that’s not just good for gaming but a serious workhorse for power user productivity too.

The big one

But what if a small size doesn’t matter to you? What if you want a big-screen gaming experience? That’s where I introduce the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI — another go-to daily driver that I got addicted to fast in the months I tested it.

The S stands for slim, and while this is indeed a bigger laptop, that doesn’t compromise the thinness. This is a slender system in the hands, and with that extra space, Acer’s able to run this at a higher wattage.

That’s super ideal for running DLSS 4.5 and really ramping up that frame rate to make the most of that 240Hz refresh rate (double that of the Zephyrus G14, though the resolution is slightly lower at 2560 x 1600).

And as every frame matters in competitive multiplayer (plus a bigger panel too), I’d recommend this one to anyone who wants to be at their best in online shooters. Aside from the RTX 5070 Ti, you’ll find an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD — pretty similar to Asus’ offering.

If ergonomics are your thing, I’d point you to the G14, as the keyboard does feel better. However, if you can get over the ever-so-slight sponginess of the keys, you get a bigger board with a number pad here, and a far bigger touchpad that comes in clutch for creative work.

Buy now because prices will go up

Yes, both of these have 32GB of RAM. Yes, we are in a RAM price crisis. These deals exist because of the available stock, but once Best Buy sells through them, you can expect these prices to slowly but surely creep up.

The likes of Acer and Asus do have plans to bypass the rising prices by going to smaller RAM manufacturers, as I found out when talking to an Acer exec. But this will take time, and the best advice I can give anyone on the fence about buying a gaming laptop is to buy now before things get worse.

And out of all the deals I’ve seen, these two offer the best bang for your buck.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested Intel XeSS 3 vs Nvidia DLSS 4: my laptop tests made me rethink the future of integrated graphics
• Nvidia says all RTX 50-series GPUs will 'continue to ship,' but stock and supply tell a different story
• ‘Chaotic’ RAM pricing won’t kill PC gaming, a CEO told me — and history backs him up

Something interesting happened in AMD’s earnings call, and I’m not talking about the stock price dropping significantly. CEO Lisa Su started talking about its games console chip business, and let slip that “development of Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox featuring an AMD semi-custom SoC is progressing well to support a launch in 2027.”

She also mentioned the Steam Machine is still set for “early this year” too, but it’s that Xbox comment that piqued my interest, as this conflicts with what Microsoft has said in the past. So let’s break down what I predict will be in this next console, and why I’m skeptical about the launch year.

Predicting the next Xbox specs (way too early)

So as Xbox president Sarah Bond said, this is set to be a “very premium, very high-end, curated experience.” With a higher spec ceiling to reach (and a rumored cost of $1,000), that gives Microsoft (and AMD) a lot of room to work in to create what is set to be a console/PC hybrid.

I’m going to go through the rumors I’ve seen and given them a rating out of 10 on likelihood (in my opinion of course):

• AMD Zen 6 chipset architecture (7/10): This next gen CPU architecture is set to rollout in late 2026 — moving to TSMC’s new manufacturing processes to stuff more transistors on there for improved performance. In my mind, it seems likely.
• RDNA 5 GPU (6/10): Xbox Series X sports AMD’s RDNA 2 GPU architecture, which was Team Red’s graphics tech back in 2020. While I can see the logic here (RDNA 2 launched in early 2020 for PCs and came to consoles later that year), given the GPU squeeze at the moment for AI infrastructure, I can see the current-gen RDNA 4 coming instead.
• Up to 48GB of GDDR7 RAM (5/10): Casting serious doubt on this in the current RAM price crisis. Of course, I have my (rather selfish) prayer circle that this AI bubble bursts and components are reasonably priced again. But even with that in mind, I still anticipate 16GB of VRAM.
• AI and neural rendering (10/10): AMD has pivoted hard to AI trickery using FSR Redstone, and the PS5 Pro already does this. I would be shocked if the next-gen Xbox didn’t sport this.

Why I’m pressing ‘X’ to doubt

Well, my suspicions come from what Microsoft itself said. Back in the FTC vs. Microsoft court battle, documents revealed that the next Xbox (and PS6) were set for 2028. This “hybrid game platform” is set to combine local hardware and cloud computing.

Of course, this could’ve changed over the years since this court battle happened, and the “very high-end” comments from Bond does suggest that a pivot is on the table here. But let’s go deeper.

One thing that’s clear is RAMageddon is set to impact console gaming, and with next-gen systems, companies like Microsoft and Sony have a decision to make: Stick to this expected timeline and make it hurt, or wait it out for this DRAM drought to correct.

If I were a betting man, I’d go for the latter. But I’d love to know when you think the PS6 and next-gen Xbox will launch.

More from Tom's Guide

• 'The market environment is indeed challenging': Nintendo president sounds the alarm on 'pressure' caused by surging memory prices as Switch 2 forecast stays at 19 million
• AMD is cooked: Intel has ‘more planned’ for Core Ultra Series 3 in gaming handhelds — XeSS 3 multi-frame generation could be huge
• I tested Intel XeSS 3 vs Nvidia DLSS 4: my laptop tests made me rethink the future of integrated graphics

The future of handheld gaming is shifting, with the new Intel Panther Lake and its impressive Core Ultra X9 388H CPU leading the charge. For gaming handhelds, this is looking to be a game-changer, and it's already beating AMD where it matters most.

With its next-gen XeSS 3 (Xe Super Sampling) and multi-frame generation tech, Intel has made significant gains for its Arc B390 iGPU — pushing integrated graphics to new highs on laptops. And, after benchmarking the Asus Zenbook Duo with Intel Core Ultra X9, the results are clear.

While seeing Cyberpunk 2077 running at 217 frames per second (FPS) at 1080p with Ultra settings impresses, the TDP (Thermal Design Power) it uses to reach these results will be massively beneficial for the future of gaming handhelds. In fact, it's seeing better performance than AMD's Strix Halo (Ryzen Max AI+) when it comes to low power consumption.

Not only does it outclass the AMD Ryzen Max AI+ in a Framework Desktop in single-core (see the table below), but recent benchmarks from YouTuber The Phawx have shown the Intel Core ultra X9 388H delivers stronger performance at lower TDP.

According to the results, the X9 CPU with its integrated Arc B390 graphics was able to hit 46.6 FPS at just a TDP of 15W in Black Myth: Wukong with 720p resolution at low settings. Compared to the AMD Strix Halo (featuring integrated Radeon 8060S graphics), this reached 39 FPS with the same configuration.

Not only this, but Team Blue's Core Ultra X9 388H even managed to reach 30 FPS at just 10W. Considering the ROG Xbox Ally X with its AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme offers up 16.6 FPS at 35W TDP in Cyberpunk 2077 at 720p and Ultra settings, at 11.9 FPS at 17W, this shows the gains Intel has made with its CPU for handheld gaming.

This supports the benchmarks we've seen in Intel's Core Ultra 3 X9 chip in the Asus Zenbook Duo, with it using 45W as opposed to an Acer Predator Triton 14 AI with RTX 5070 using 140W. Of course, with its discrete GPU, Nvidia's graphics card offers better performance, but with lower TDP, Team Blue's chip still impresses.

That's a promising outlook for upcoming gaming handhelds, and Intel has previously confirmed it will be launching a suite of handheld gaming consoles boasting Intel Core Ultra Series 3 at CES 2026.

"They are the testament of our strategy to bring what the market requires," an Intel spokesperson told Tom's Guide. "A powerful CPU, a powerful GPU, packed with great efficiency within the same solution. With our 12Xe configuration, we deliver performance that approaches discrete GPU levels in thinner, lighter, and more portable devices. This meets the needs of customers and reflects our strategic commitment to rapidly advancing the capabilities of integrated GPUs."

Multi-frame generation is a big win

Aside from improved power efficiency, Intel's XeSS 3 is already knocking it out of the park with its frame generation and resolution scaling.

This would be a major perk for upcoming gaming handhelds, and while Intel confirmed to Tom's Guide that it's coming to the desktop GPU Intel Arc B580 next month (making it the only GPU we'd recommend given the RAM price crisis happening), we asked them about multi-frame generation coming to gaming handhelds.

"Gaming handhelds are an exciting and growing segment where we have more planned, featuring Intel Arc graphics. We’ll share more later this year."

Not much to go on, but considering these chips for gaming handhelds will "feature Intel Arc graphics," in other words, the latest XeSS technology we've seen in the Arc B390, it's looking likely we'll see huge gains in frame generation in gaming handhelds, too.

Combine this with the Core Ultra X9 388H's significant performance and power efficiency gains we've seen, and the future of the best gaming handhelds is looking bright. While AMD claimed its Ryzen AI CPUs beat Intel Panther Lake for gaming and AI, we'll see what Team Red has to offer when it comes to handheld gaming.

More from Tom's Guide

• Forget Nvidia: Integrated graphics could be the future for gaming laptops — here’s why
• I just tested the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro — and Panther Lake is the real deal
• ‘Chaotic’ RAM pricing won’t kill PC gaming, a CEO told me — and history backs him up

2026 is going to be the year of the laptop, and I just got my first taste of it with the new Asus Vivobook 14 — sporting AMD’s new Ryzen AI 400 series processor. And in short, even the boring notebooks are turning out to be pretty great.

I’m getting serious flashbacks to the Dell 14 Plus when using it. I mean, if laptops had personalities, the Vivobook 14 would be the kind to own exactly one pair of jeans and get way too excited telling you about a trip to buy granola. And with the energy of a calendar reminder, Asus has worked quietly on the fundamentals that make this a solid all-rounder.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 processor here is enough to keep up with the general day-to-day while offering decent all-day battery life.

The display’s a bit dull (don’t expect to get work related to color accuracy done on here), but it’s bright and gets the job done. The keyboard feels nice to type on with plenty of travel, and the larger touchpad now packs edge gestures to control volume and brightness — all with value for money at its core.

But if you’re looking for any sizzle or a premium design, this isn’t the one. It’s a very cookie-cutter slab of plastic that will blend in anywhere, complete with a webcam that is more potato than prime shooter.

That being said, that’s the point of it. This isn’t meant to be the supercar you walk into the dealership to look at; it’s the boring station wagon you walk out with the keys to. And Asus putting its efforts into the ways you’ll use it makes this a dull but competent option for anybody looking for a general productivity system.

Asus Vivobook 14 (2026): Cheat Sheet

• What is it? It is a laptop. Nothing more. Nothing less.
• Who is it for? This one's for the general productivity crowd. It’s not going to set any benchmark tables alight, but it has the fundamentals to get stuff done.
• What does it cost? At the time of writing, we know the UK pricing is £749.
• What do we like? The usability fundamentals of this laptop are solid. The keyboard feels great, and the touchpad is smooth with edge gestures to boot. A decent port array gives you a nice amount of connectivity, and for the basics, that AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 processor is zippy.
• What don’t we like? That display is dull, the design is dull, and the webcam is dull. You can feel the budget nature of this system in certain areas.

Asus Vivobook 14 (2026): Specs

Asus Vivobook 14 (2026): The ups

The Asus Vivobook 14 is the laptop equivalent of sensible shoes — you’ll never love them, but your feet will thank you.

Sensible design and ergonomics

The Vivobook 14 may not pass the vibe check, but that’s on purpose. This is a sensible design that focuses on what matters — a durable construction that is military-standard tested (do quite like the blue colorway), with ergonomics that feel good to get stuff done with.

That keyboard is a joy to type on. With 1.7mm of key depth and a nice tactile bump at the bottom of every press, you’ll have no problem typing your heart away into long-form content, such as this review I’m writing up right now.

And the touchpad gets an upgrade, too. It’s roughly 20% larger and feels oh-so smooth, alongside edge gestures that I first fell in love with way back on the Huawei MateBook Pro. Controlling the brightness and volume with swipes along the left and right edges is always pretty slick.

Pack it all into a shell that seems to ensure it can do a good job at cooling without needing to sound like a jet engine under pressure, and you’ve got a decent workhorse.

Gorgon Point gets to the point

So I’ll be honest. When I first looked at the benchmark results for the AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 chip, I was a little disappointed.

The lineup has deepened this year with a focus being placed on affordability, and while the Ryzen AI 7 450 is the natural equivalent to last year’s 350, but with a slightly higher clock speed, the 445 in here is a trimmed-down version with fewer cores and a lower speed.

To you, that means you’re getting enough for your basic productivity needs and some light gaming, but there are some interesting things to write home about.

First, it does still come with that higher memory bandwidth, which provides impressively fast loading times for zippy app opens/document loads. Second, that lower wattage going to the chip does mean you won’t be feeling any noticeably bad heat or thermal pressure when under load.

And third, that also means you’re getting rather good battery life. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not Snapdragon-levels of it, but from 100% at 8 a.m., I did my standard work day of multiple Chrome tabs, a little bit of basic Photoshopping, some video over lunch and Spotify for background ambience, and by 5 p.m. I was at 32%. Not bad, Asus. Not bad — especially for that £749 price tag.

Asus Vivobook 14 (2026): The downs

This is a budget laptop after all — so there were always going to be compromises.

Performance will underwhelm (if you want to do more)

Whenever a retail assistant asks a potential laptop buyer what they want to do with it, the answer is usually “well…everything.” Of course, that’s an open-ended answer to a rather daft question, but it cuts to the core of something.

A lot of people will be just fine with the performance the Asus Vivobook 14 offers, but what you want to do with a notebook evolves over time, and if it evolves in performance demands, you’ll hit that ceiling pretty quickly.

Make no mistake about it, this is solely a great cheap laptop for casual productivity. If you want to have the confidence that it can keep up with something a little more demanding down the road, I’d invest a little more money in looking for something with a little more overhead.

Keeping it dull

I could roast the design being the equivalent of the guy who gets amped up about khakis because of the dimensions of the pockets, but that’s unnecessary. You’ve seen it — you know what you’re getting.

What I mean is you can tell some of the compromises made across other parts of the system. The display is bright, but color reproduction is much more on the faded side. The speakers do have decent clarity without distortion, but they lack any real bass.

And the webcam… On paper, it’s a full HD shooter, but the end result feels anything but. The colors are oversaturated, and it quickly falls apart in anything other than bright direct light. There is Windows Hello support, though, thanks to the IR sensor, so at least there’s that.

Asus Vivobook 14 (2026): Verdict

Design-wise, it’s a firm handshake with eye contact. Nothing more. And that’s more than enough for what most folks need out of a system. Something simple that can get your daily essentials done.

And on that scale, the Vivobook 14 does well. It’s a solid, affordable daily driver that makes compromises in the right places while putting emphasis on what matters — a laptop that can keep up with your standard day-to-day.

Intel's Panther Lake chipsets are expected to be a generational leap for handheld gaming consoles. It's something AMD, which powers machines like the MSI Claw A8 and the rumored PlayStation 6 handheld, should potentially be worried about.

Surprisingly, a new leak from regular gaming tipster Kepler_L2 shared a comparison of the Panther Lake and the rumored AMD codenamed 'Canis' custom chip.

Rumors have asserted that Canis will come with 4 Zen 6C cores based on 15W power. According to Kepler, Panther Lake will hit 30W.

The PS6 handheld is supposed to be capable of running PS5 games natively, with a slightly lower fidelity. Kepler claims that Panther Lake will offer similar performance to the Canis chip, but with double the power consumption.

He also said that the AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme is too slow, while the Strix Halo is too fast. Panther Lake, meanwhile, would hit the middle ground between those poles.

Panther Lake won't be a slouch

On one level, Panther Lake offering similar peformance as Canis with double the power consumption sounds bad. However, AMD gets to optimize its chip for Sony's proprietary PlayStation OS.

Panther Lake handhelds will handle a bigger range of games, programs and beefier operating systems, so a higher power consumption makes sense. Plus, a report from VideoCardz leaked a new Intel Core G3 chip based on Panther Lake that will be made exclusively for handheld consoles. Those will likely be more optimized with lower power draw.

Panther Lake based handhelds will likely launch before the end of 2026, so we'll see how they truly perform before the year is out. Our initial testing at CES 2026, shows these chips will be powerful.

Meanwhile, the earliest we expect to see the PS6 handheld and the main PS6 console is in the fall of 2027, possibly early 2028, which would mark the traditional seven-year cycle Sony has stuck to for its previous consoles.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried gaming on an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chip — and it kicks off a new era of PC gaming
• Intel at CES 2026: How to watch the Core Ultra Series 3 keynote and what to expect
• Apple’s M-series chip 5 years later: How ditching Intel revolutionized computing — and what’s next

I wanted to love the 2025 Asus TUF Gaming A14, but it’s complicated. For the small uplift in performance courtesy of that RTX 5060, there was a significant price hike and power efficiency took a hit because of it. What was my personal favorite gaming laptop had become a let down, and I moved onto the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10.

But at CES 2026, Asus pulled out a boombox outside my window and serenaded me with a new generation Tuf A14 that ditches the Nvidia altogether and gives me AMD Strix Halo. You know the one — that chip that blew my mind in the Asus ROG Flow Z13.

Can it win back my heart? I can’t say for sure until we’ve got it in the lab, but I’m ready to open my bedroom window and listen to what this system has to say… OK this “Say Anything” metaphor has gone on for too long! Let’s just get into it.

Asus TUF Gaming A14 (2026) specs

When the going gets TUF, the TUF goes integrated

At first glance, you’re getting the same great-looking system — with the same sleek lightweight chassis that feels durable and premium to the touch, the same 14-inch 2.5K IPS panel with 165Hz refresh rate, and the same great keyboard and glass trackpad. All-in-all, the same notebook that captured my heart back in 2024.

But the real glow-up is happening on the inside, courtesy of new AMD Ryzen AI Max+ chips. With these, Team Red wanted to bring that same beefy 40-core GPU you find in the AI Max+ 395 to mid-range laptops like this. That means one of two chips available to you:

• AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392: 12 cores/24 threads on the CPU
• AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388: 8 cores/16 threads on the CPU

Both are still capable of that 60 Teraflops of RDNA 3.5 GPU performance, which as I’ve seen in testing the 395 is near-RTX 4070 levels of gaming performance (1.6x faster gaming performance than M5 MacBook Pro in Cyberpunk 2077) — all on integrated graphics consuming a lot less power than a dedicated Nvidia card.

That is an insane premise for a system that is (hopefully) kept at the mid-range prices Asus has in mind for the machine.

Outlook

Integrated graphics are key to 2026 being the year of the laptop. Here I was thinking I’d moved on — the TUF Gaming A14 had its time in the sun as my significant other, but I was doing better with the Legion.

But Asus is back with flowers, saying “I’ve changed,” and I’m so stoked to give the new A14 a proper test when it launches soon.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m calling it now: Asus’ new Zephyrus G14 shows where gaming laptops are headed
• I went hands-on with the redesigned MSI Stealth 16 AI+ — it’s actually stealthy now, and gunning for the MacBook Pro
• Intel Panther Lake vs Snapdragon X2 Elite vs AMD Gorgon Point — one chip is already pulling ahead in 2026's CPU war

2026 is the year of the laptop, and the CPU wars are critical to that. I’ve tested Intel’s Core Ultra 300 Series chips and Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite, but there’s one more player in the Windows laptop space.

AMD is back and the rumors are true — Ryzen AI 400 Series chips (codenamed “Gorgon Point”) have just been made official at CES 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about the new silicon from Team Red.

AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series Processor specs

The same, but much better

With Ryzen AI 300 Series chips (codenamed “Strix Point”), AMD tore up the rulebook and overhauled its architecture to point their laptop chips at zippier performance, better local AI, improved graphics and power efficiency.

And now, Ryzen AI 400 Series (“Gorgon Point”) looks set to take that to a new level with a suite of chips that you’ll find in budget, mid-range and premium notebooks that focus on three key things — faster multitasking, better graphics and AI, and improved power efficiency.

Starting with the first, that CPU boost clock has been increased up to 5.2 GHz and RAM speed support has been upped to 8,533 Mega Transfers per Second (MT/s). So faster CPU cores and zippier RAM.

Second, those RDNA 3.5 GPU cores now run at a faster boost clock of up to 3.1 GHz, and the next-gen NPU on the chip die contains up to 60 TOPs of AI performance. And finally, the low power architecture on the chip has been optimized to allow for not just faster unplugged performance, but improved power efficiency too.

By the numbers

Much like everyone else reporting on these chips, we won’t have specific numbers until we are able to give it a full test in our labs. However, there have been several leaks — all of which I’m keeping an eye on in my CPU wars report.

This can give us context as to whether AMD’s numbers can be backed up, and when we take our Geekbench tests of laptops we reviewed over the past 18 months and compare, Team Red’s claims are legit.

But of course, this is looking at it through a vacuum of comparing old to new. Seeing the numbers when compared to the competition of 2026 shows that it’s neck and neck with Intel, whereas the Arm-based likes of Snapdragon X2 Elite have a considerable lead.

That being said, there’s compatibility on AMD’s side here running on x86 architecture and not needing an emulation layer. For tests on the likes of the company’s battery life, gaming and NPU claims, we’ll have to wait and see when we get to properly test these.

Outlook

Geekbench is only half the story here when it comes to chips, but an effective part in showing that AMD has stepped up its game performance-wise for the next generation of laptops and mini PCs coming this year.

But it's also the attention paid to tackling the issues with x86 that make people go for the Arm likes of a MacBook that could pay off for them in the long run — faster performance when unplugged, speedier content creation workloads and multitasking, and of course that overhauled low power architecture for multi-day battery life.

Whether these claims will be backed up, we’ll see when laptops from the likes of Acer, Asus, Dell and more launch over the next few months. But signs point to optimism.

More from Tom's Guide

• I went hands-on with the redesigned MSI Stealth 16 AI+ — it’s actually stealthy now, and gunning for the MacBook Pro
• Gaming on Snapdragon X Elite laptops just got a whole lot better — I tested the latest update and saw 40% faster gameplay
• Intel Panther Lake vs Snapdragon X2 Elite vs AMD Gorgon Point — one chip is already pulling ahead in 2026's CPU war

So far, my team and I have been blown away by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (codenamed Strix Halo) — packing integrated graphics so powerful they match up to dedicated Nvidia laptop GPUs. In fact, it’s one of the more crucial chips to 2026 being the year of the laptop.

And in response, Team Red is bringing this prowess to more mid-range options with two new Strix Halo chips. These reduce the total CPU cores and the clock speed, while giving you that same 40-core GPU, and I’m so excited to see these capabilities come at better prices.

Meet the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ family

A gaming powerhouse

Over the course of 2025, one thing became abundantly clear — that AMD Radeon 8060S GPU built into the Ryzen AI Max+ chip is the key reason why “integrated” is no longer a dirty word in PC gaming.

Whether it’s the Asus ROG Flow Z13 or the Framework Desktop, we’ve been stunned at just what that RDNA 3.5 architecture can pull off in AAA games running at buttery smooth framerates. Turn on FSR and that potential gets even higher.

And this year, by compromising a little on the CPU side, that same fully-loaded GPU can come to cheaper systems. Price was always one of the main obstacles here, so it’s great to see the company tackle this head on.

A true workhorse

And one of the key things that grew in the background of all this is the ability to support huge offline large language models via this chipset’s GPU cores. In fact, it can run ChatGPT-OSS 120B 1.7x faster than Nvidia’s own DGX Spark AI mini supercomputer (according to AMD’s own testing).

In a more apples-to-apples comparison, it has 1.4x faster AI performance than an M5 MacBook Pro, and 1.8x faster content creation performance to boot.

Put simply, Strix Halo drove a lot more of the AI PC era than any chip’s NPU ever did, in terms of actually getting stuff done. And I’m excited to see the systems this chip ends up in from the likes of Asus, Acer, HP, Lenovo and more.

More from Tom's Guide

• AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series might finally make charging anxiety a thing of the past — 1.7x higher unplugged performance and big multitasking upgrades
• Gaming on Snapdragon X Elite laptops just got a whole lot better — I tested the latest update and saw 40% faster gameplay
• Intel Panther Lake vs Snapdragon X2 Elite vs AMD Gorgon Point — one chip is already pulling ahead in 2026's CPU war

The team at AMD brought some new silicon to CES 2026 in Las Vegas this week, and one of the most exciting is a new addition to the company's Ryzen lineup of desktop CPUs.

The new AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D looks like a slightly souped-up version of what's arguably AMD's best desktop chip to date, the AMD Ryzen 9800X3D. This is a big deal because the 9800X3D is generally regarded as the best CPU for gaming PCs right now thanks to its winning combo of killer speeds and a hefty L3 memory cache for rapid loads.

In fact, the current AMD Ryzen 9800X3D ($479) is so good for gaming that it's what we put in the RTX 5090 gaming PC we built and it's what our old contributor Dave Meikleham put in the high-end gaming PC he built last year. So the fact that AMD just released a slightly better version at CES 2026 is a big deal.

I'm afraid AMD announced the specs of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the general release window (first quarter of 2026), but the company hasn't yet confirmed pricing for the new CPU. We'll update this article with that fact as soon as we have it, but in the meantime let's dive into the specs and talk about what's new!

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D specs and where it fits in the Ryzen lineup

The best Ryzen desktop CPU for gaming just got an upgrade

As you can see from the specs chart, there isn't a huge difference between the 9800X3D and the new and improved 9850X3D.

The big upgrade is the clock speed, as AMD has juiced the max boost up from 5.2 Ghz on the old chip to 5.6 Ghz on the new CPU. According to performance testing conducted by AMD that appears to deliver a small but noticeable improvement over the old 9800X3D when benchmarking games at 1080p, though of course we'll need to wait for data from use in the wild before we know for sure.

And since the AMD Radeon 7 9850X3D is slated to ship in the first few months of this year, I don't expect we'll need to wait too long.

Outlook

Knowing what we do now about AMD's new desktop CPU, I think there are only two major questions left to answer: what will it cost and how much better is it, under real-world conditions, than the 9800X3D?

Because right now as I look at the tiny performance improvements that AMD claims its new CPU offers over the old top model, I don't see much reason to buy this over the 9800X3D unless they're very close in price.

On the other hand, after years of watching PC component prices bounce up and down due to the intricacies of global commerce I think it's great that AMD is expanding its desktop CPU line around presumably the most popular product, so having another attractive Ryzen 7 gaming CPU option is a good thing for anyone building a gaming PC in the years ahead.

Since we're in Las Vegas covering CES 2026 live all this week I hope we'll have a chance to go more hands-on with an AMD Ryzen 9850X3D system and tell you all about it—stay tuned!

More from Tom's Guide

• I went hands-on with the redesigned MSI Stealth 16 AI+ — it’s actually stealthy now, and gunning for the MacBook Pro
• Gaming on Snapdragon X Elite laptops just got a whole lot better — I tested the latest update and saw 40% faster gameplay
• Intel Panther Lake vs Snapdragon X2 Elite vs AMD Gorgon Point — one chip is already pulling ahead in 2026's CPU war

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 didn’t need a glow up. It is already a Tom’s Guide Award winner for its sleek design and mighty gaming performance. But Kojima Productions gave it one anyway, and it’s one of the most striking 2-in-1s I’ve ever seen.

Every angle tells a new story, while giving away clues to that awesome performance inside, courtesy of that AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chipset. Not only that, but the collab extends to a whole suite of peripherals and accessories, too, giving your desk a real “Death Stranding” makeover.

Nothing quite like it visually

Combining the Ludens of Kojima with the gaming motif of Asus ROG, this is a bold, challenging design that comes along once in a while in a sea of aluminum shells. The dynamic edges paired with the bold colors and use of angularity across this CNC-milled chassis paired with carbon fiber gives it a unique aesthetic on any desk.

“I wanted to create a gadget that belongs to Ludens, and I integrated that into this PC design,” artist Yoji Shinkawa commented. “Parts and designs are inspired by Ludens and has its essence.”

This leads to cheeky nods to Kojima Productions and “Death Stranding” over the ROG Flow Z13 — making it look like something you’d see Sam Porter-Bridges deliver across many hundreds of miles.

A bold digitized typeface identifying several key elements across the system like the battery and heat vent, and the keyboard keys reading both English and Japanese letters with WASD keys that are designed to stand out.

There’s nothing quite like this, not just because of those monstrous integrated graphics of AMD’s Strix Halo chip that could hang with the likes of the RTX 4070 dedicated GPU, but also the looks that are sure to catch your gaze.

Not just a new laptop

But this extends into a headset, gaming pad and mouse, too — all of which pack these same concept art sketches from Shinkawa and bring together the worlds of ROG and Kojima nicely.

There may be some times when you look at a Kojima game and think “wait…what’s going on?” but the beautiful artistry really makes sense on physical devices like these. Now if we could get something similar on the ROG Zephyrus G14…please!

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• I went hands-on with the redesigned MSI Stealth 16 AI+ — it’s actually stealthy now, and gunning for the MacBook Pro
• Gaming on Snapdragon X Elite laptops just got a whole lot better — I tested the latest update and saw 40% faster gameplay
• Intel Panther Lake vs Snapdragon X2 Elite vs AMD Gorgon Point — one chip is already pulling ahead in 2026's CPU war

MSI’s addressing the subtlety of a premium gaming laptop with the Stealth 16, but what about for those who don’t care about stealthiness? What if you just want the most powerful system on the planet?

That’s where the new MSI Raider 16 Max HX comes in — just announced at CES 2026. I got an early look at the laptop, and yes, it is very “in your face” about its gaming looks, but with a massive 300 watts of total system power pumping through its veins, a tasty display upgrade to OLED, a beefy cooling tune-up and a 10% smaller build, this could very the beefiest system you see in 2026.

MSI Raider 16 Max MX specs

Sleeker than you’d expect

• 10% smaller in size than the previous Raider, while being 25% more power efficient.
• Huge cooling system with triple fans and a five-exhaust heatsink design allows for insane wattage.
• RGB everywhere, increased I/O in all the right places, and fast access to upgrading your SSD and RAM.

The re-engineered Raider 16 Max HX is all about the small details coming together to provide serious speed boosts where it matters. In these tweaks, MSI has been able to make it 10% smaller in size while providing more bang for your buck in the performance and ergonomics department.

For example, there’s much more flare courtesy of a strip of RGB across the bottom lip, and per-key RGB provided by Steelseries on the keyboard, which feels great to use. Throw in a tasty improvement in I/O with an SD card reader, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, all the USB-A you’d need, and HDMI 2.1 placed tactically on the back for better cable management and you’re onto a winner here.

Then there’s what’s happening on the inside. First off, you’ve got super easy upgradeability of RAM and SSD storage (provided the prices aren’t too crazy in the future) with a two-screw door to get to all the slots you need for it.

And second, there’s a monstrous cooling system here — consisting of an all-new Cooler Boost Trinity with Intra Flow thermal system to be specific. Put simply, take the back off and you’ll find three fans, six heat pipes, five exhaust vents and a phase-change thermal compound (safer to use than liquid metal), which allows for much more power to be pumped through the system.

The number? Up to 300 watts of total system power. That is insane for a gaming laptop and ensures this is the most powerful system in the world right now, while also quietening the fans from the jumbo jets you found in the last generation model.

Insane horsepower

• Refreshed Intel Core Ultra 200HX CPU with up to RTX 5090 GPU.
• Gorgeous 240Hz OLED display, up to 128GB DDR5 RAM and 2x NVMe SSD slots.

And with all that power potential, you need the chips that will take full advantage of it. Here, MSI has (obviously) gone for the top of the range RTX 5090 (other options are available) alongside the refreshed Intel Core Ultra 200HX chipset or AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX.

Power efficiency is not the biggest concern here, so focusing on the CPU that has the highest performance potential is critical. No need for Panther Lake's slow sipping of power here.

Alongside that, you can spec it out with up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM and you’ve got two PCIe SSD slots (one Gen 4 and the other Gen 5) for zippy SSD loading speeds.

All of this together will surely lead to monstrous gaming performance that pushes the max 240Hz of that mesmerizing 16-inch QHD+ OLED display (available in the Intel model only).

Outlook

This is part of MSI’s revived efforts in the gaming laptop space — simplifying the product lineup and listening to what customers want here. That involves more I/O, better displays, a slimmer chassis and an improved portable experience all around.

I didn’t even get to mention the loud-yet-clear Nahimic 3-enhanced speakers with surprisingly good bass from the woofers, or the great tactility from that keyboard and touchpad. But as it all came together in my hands, it began to make sense.

Up until this point, every super pricey MSI gaming system like the Titan 18 HX I tested last year always went hard on the performance, but also fell shy on the usability portion of it. Now, the team’s elevating all the elements, and while it will be expensive (the company’s not mentioned a price yet), you’re much more likely to feel that value on the day-to-day.

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Already, I'm expecting a big year ahead for AMD, and it's all set to kick off during its CES 2026 keynote on January 5. With CEO Lisa Su taking to the stage to spotlight the future of its CPUs and AI solutions, it's all pointing to the rumored AMD Gorgon Point — a.k.a. Ryzen AI 400 series and a Strix Halo refresh.

Taking place in Las Vegas, Team Red clearly has a big reveal up its sleeve, with "advancements in AI PCs, gaming" and more taking the spotlight during the keynote. If next-gen chips are coming our way, we may see these Ryzen CPUs come fitted in the best laptops coming in 2026. Find out how to watch the keynote and what to expect, and for everything else, check out our CES 2026 live blog.

How to watch AMD keynote

AMD will be holding it's keynote at CES 2026 in Las Vegas on Monday, January 5 at 6.30 p.m. PT / 9.30 p.m. ET / 2.30 a.m. GMT.

We'll see CEO Dr. Lisa Su take to the stage to make big announcements, and you can catch them all over on the livestream on AMD's official site or on YouTube (see the video above).

What to expect from AMD at CES 2026

As per AMD's page, Su will "highlight the AMD vision for delivering future AI solutions – from cloud to enterprise, edge and devices." For laptops, that should include AMD Gorgon Point (Ryzen AI 400 series/Ryzen AI HX 400 series) and possibly an AMD Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max series) refresh.

For now, all we've heard of is from leaks. Given it’s leaked on Geekbench, the AMD Ryzen AI HX 400 series looks set to take the current core configurations you see in AMD laptops today, but give them a turboboost, specifically 15-20% higher than the previous generation.

Not only that, but the leak reported by VideoCardz seemingly confirms a new generation of integrated graphics, too, that will support RDNA 3.5 — specifically the Radeon 890M.

From what we've seen in our own benchmarks and leaks, here's how AMD's expected chips stack up against the competition.

The latter is still a possibility at the moment, but the plan seems to be a Strix Halo refresh that broadens the amount of chips available to target both mid-range and high-end offerings with that diabolical integrated GPU. WCCF reports that these will also bring faster memory support.

In what laptops will we see these chips? If it's anything like the upcoming Intel Core Ultra 3 processors and Snapdragon X2 series chips, you'll find AMD's CPUs in machines from Lenovo to Asus. So, expect faster clock speeds, higher TDPs and improved AI performance. Oh, and even greater integrated graphics in Ryzen AI Max.

Regardless, it's only a matter of time until we see Team Red's game plan for the year, and we'll be on the ground covering the latest in Las Vegas. Stay tuned!

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• Gaming on Snapdragon X Elite laptops just got a whole lot better — I tested the latest update and saw 40% faster gameplay
• Intel Panther Lake vs Snapdragon X2 Elite vs AMD Gorgon Point — one chip is already pulling ahead in 2026's CPU war
• I think 2026 will be a breakout year for laptops and a brutal one for buyers

The world of computing has become a rather busy one over the last few years, growing from minor tech talk to one of the biggest conversation points on the planet. From the explosion in PC building popularity to being the bedrock to the AI boom (or bubble, whichever way you look at it), it all starts with a computer and its components.

And in these past few years of leading my team into this bright future, I’ve become pretty adept at reading the tea leaves on what the next big thing will be. Last year, it was GPUs. This year, it is going to be laptops, and it all starts at CES 2026.

The stars are aligning for some incredible notebooks, with breakthrough chip development, innovations in display tech and maybe a revolution in battery capacity. But there’s also a huge, costly obstacle in the way. So let’s talk about how 2026 will be the year of the laptop — based on the many people I’ve talked to and looking at the state of things going into the new year.

Everything will be OLED

So far, a lot of laptops have made the OLED transition. 2026 looks set to be the year when everyone goes all-in. From the rumored OLED MacBook Pro in the fall to the droves of Windows laptops we expect to see at CES, I’d be more shocked if I didn’t see super vibrant panels all around.

It’s becoming clear that the cost of manufacturing OLED is coming down to the point where it’s no longer a special option you can request on a spec page, but rather the default. The Lenovo Legion 5i I reviewed recently is a testament to that — a solid value for money option that comes with that mesmerizing screen.

In short, OLED is not a new standard anymore. It’s the whole thing.

The new chip wars

I’m already following every beat of the great CPU wars as they happen. But to catch you up, the battleground is set for a huge clash in Vegas: Intel vs AMD vs Qualcomm.

Intel Core Ultra 300 series (codename Panther Lake) looks set to bring the performance of Arrow Lake and power efficiency of Lunar Lake into one chunk of silicon that packs a breakthrough GPU at the same time.

AMD’s coming to Sin City with Gorgon Point (AMD Ryzen AI HX 400 series) and a rumored refresh of Strix Halo. Again, two chips that bring massive GPU power alongside renewed CPU cores and improved power efficiency to boot.

And finally, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite and Elite Extreme will bring a serious Arm-based turboboost. In my own testing, gaming performance is shockingly good, and in benchmarking, it’s faster than Apple M5.

This is going to be a crucial title fight in 2026, and they will be driving a new kind of notebook next year — one that isn’t just great at productivity performance and battery life, but just so happens to also play games rather well.

You can even see that integrated graphics are actually creeping into gaming laptops too, if you look at the leaked Panther Lake ROG Zephyrus G14.

The silicon carbon pivot?

This is more of a tin foil hat prediction rather than something based on rumors and leaks, but something I’ve been envious of seeing my colleagues in the phones team get. Seeing a same-size smartphone like the OnePlus 15 get a ludicrous battery life with a 7,300mAh cell is impressive.

The reason? Silicon-Carbon battery tech — a new kind of cell that uses silicon anodes instead of graphite, which means a 20-30% higher density of energy in the same size. Now, imagine that on a laptop scale...pretty interesting, right?

You could get a full-blown 99Wh battery in something the size of a thin notebook after all! This would tie up nicely with the power efficiency gains of the new CPUs to provide insane multi-day battery life, or even give smaller gaming laptops even more juice.

The real challenge

But there’s a problem, and it’s a big (and expensive) one. If you’ve been anywhere near a computing retailer recently, you’ll have noticed RAM prices are exploding. Talking to several companies, the tension is apparent — pricing is something nobody wants to talk about because they don’t know how bad it’ll become.

This is an ever-developing situation, and said companies are keeping tight-lipped about how much of a DRAM stockpile they’re sitting on. But one thing is becoming increasingly apparent: the cost of a laptop is going to go up slowly but surely in 2026.

DRAM pricing is even changing how companies may approach the specifications of laptops, too. Faster than you can say “it’s 2015 again,” we may see base models of mainstream systems pack only 8GB of RAM to maintain some semblance of affordability.

Now, there’s a world where this isn’t a problem…before you shout at me in the comments, let me explain. The likes of Windows 11 and macOS are impressive, feature-rich OSes, but in a lot of situations, it’s clear they’re not the most well-optimized for memory consumption. On top of that, certain apps can be RAM killers (looking at you, Google Chrome).

If this is the direction the laptop industry is forced to go, software providers need to follow suit and better optimize their work to be even more lightweight in terms of RAM requirements. If not, this could be problematic.

The buying cycle repeats

I’ll finish by giving you a peek behind the curtain. Tech publications like this one absolutely raked in affiliate revenue in 2020. I wasn’t here at the time, but for the sites I wrote for, turns out all that extra time at home gave people itchy trigger fingers to upgrade all their tech — with laptops being a particular bestseller.

Given people spend an average of three to five years using a laptop before upgrading, that makes this the time you’ll see people looking to buy again. And based on what I’m anticipating will happen in the notebook space in 2026, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

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It was first announced way back at Computex 2025, but finally, AMD has launched FSR Redstone — its own platform of AI trickery to make supported PC games perform even better. This is Team Red’s effort to close in on the reigning champ of resolution scaling and frame generation: Nvidia’s DLSS 4.

So what does FSR Redstone do exactly? And how does it stack up to what Nvidia has cooked up? Let’s get into it.

What is AMD FSR Redstone?

• FSR Redstone is now available via an AMD Adrenalin driver — available only on RX 9000 GPUs (like the RX 9070 XT I reviewed recently).
• AI/machine learning-aided resolution scaling, ray tracing and frame generation.

In a way, Redstone is AMD realizing its initial approach wasn’t working — a plan B approach. You see, previous versions of FSR didn’t use machine learning/AI to do all of its performance optimizations. Instead, it would rely on preset algorithms for resolution scaling and frame generation.

This always meant it was a step behind what Nvidia was doing with DLSS, fully embracing AI. FSR Redstone is the all-important transition point, as AMD is now all-in on similar machine learning capabilities to do the following things:

• FSR Upscaling: This is the same machine learned resolution scaling that you saw in FSR 4 on any AMD Radeon RX 9000 series GPU so far. Basically, it renders the game at a lower resolution, then uses an upscaling model trained on the game itself to boost the resolution back up — easing the pressure of intensive games.
• FSR Frame Generation: AMD’s adding some machine learning sauce to its frame generation, too. A neural network running under the hood will analyze every rendered frame and the underlying game data, and merge it with generated frames to provide a smoother frame rate.
• FSR Ray Regeneration: Ever looked at ray tracing in a game and thought something was ever so slightly off? Maybe it’s way too shiny or too noisy. That’s what Ray Regeneration aims to resolve, by using machine learning to denoise ray-traced reflections and a neural network to do it efficiently (rather than testing your GPU’s limits through raw rendering).
• FSR Radiance Caching: Another neural network at play here, but for the complexities of ray tracing and path-traced lighting. All of that indirect lighting is such a challenge — even for the latest and greatest hardware, so machine learning is here again to calculate the radiance of illumination within the level you’re playing.

The end result of all of this is a less clunky process flow for optimizing game performance. Using neural networks, particularly for frame generation, virtually eliminates ghosting compared to AMD’s past efforts.

Plus, it will make the calculations for ray tracing and upscaling far less GPU-intensive, delivering sharper textures and smoother frame rates at higher levels of detail (at least that’s what I’ve seen from my friends testing it out).

How many games support AMD FSR Redstone?

• Over 200 games will support FSR Redstone by the end of 2025, including Arc Raiders, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and God of War Ragnarök.
• But 32 games are currently listed to support FSR Frame Generation (machine learning)

One look at the list on AMD’s website shows a whole lot of titles that support FSR Redstone technology. Specifically, Team Red claims over 200 games will support it by the end of 2025.

But scroll down this list a little bit, and you see it's not that simple. There’s a secondary list at the bottom titled “AMD FSR Frame Generation (ML) Support.” This seems like the neural frame gen part of Redstone is only coming to 32 games.

How does it compare to Nvidia DLSS 4?

• DLSS 4 has a lot of the same features as FSR Redstone, but has been around a lot longer to grow those features.
• The Transformer AI used in DLSS 4 is more mature, providing a stable output.
• DLSS Frame Gen is now multi-frame generation — two additional frames for every one rendered frame than FSR Redstone.
• DLSS 4 supports older GPUs, whereas FSR Redstone is locked to AMD’s newest cards.
• They are seemingly tied to Ray regeneration/reconstruction and neural radiance caching.
• But AMD can catch up.

DLSS 4 has been around for a while now and has had much more time to mature into its new feature set. It offers pretty much all the same features as AMD’s FSR Redstone does, but Nvidia seems to be doing these a little bit better, given they’ve been around the block a while.

First up, the Transformer AI used in DLSS 4 has been around a lot longer than FSR upscaling (even when it was called FSR 4 for a couple of months before). That means you should get a more stable game output from Team Green.

Second, frame generation. While the frame interpolation of FSR Redstone is 1 new frame for every 1 rendered, DLSS 4 has multi-frame generation — giving you a 3:1 ratio. And third is compatibility: you can use DLSS 4 features on cards all the way back to RTX 30-series, but AMD is locking Redstone just to Radeon RX 9000 cards and newer (when they’re launched).

The big disadvantage here to FSR Redstone is game support. Nvidia maintains a massive game compatibility lead with over 800 games benefiting from DLSS 4 automatically. AMD’s made an admirable effort with over 200 titles by the end of the year (and they can catch up from that), but it’s a huge gulf.

My take: This could be part of a killer Steam Machine build

So here’s my take on it. In the Windows PC gaming space, Nvidia should be a little worried. Its top competitor has finally got its act together with FSR Redstone for its GPUs, which are a better value for money for gaming. And while there is still a clear lead in terms of game support, that’s a gap AMD can close.

But I see a far bigger threat coming in somewhere else: SteamOS. While the Steam Machine looks set to disrupt both the console market and PC gaming in a big way next year, that hasn’t stopped people from building AMD-laden machines and installing SteamOS.

The outgoing FSR 4 is supported on the underlying Linux after all — it should only be a matter of time before the Proton layer for translating DirectX 12 code used in Windows games gets updated for Redstone.

Imagine a super-powered Steam machine with all of this new AI-aided gaming goodness, but without the bulk of Windows 11… To me, that sounds like a mighty exciting proposition, and if I were in any post-release planning meeting in AMD’s HQ, I’d be shouting for a closer tie with Valve to make something like this happen.

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The stage is set for a huge CPU battle in 2026, and it’s already started as Intel and Qualcomm have fired away ahead of Panther Lake and Snapdragon X2 Elite debuting early next year (read: CES 2026).

We’re also seeing leaks related to AMD and will bring to the party with Gorgon Point, and there are a lot of moving parts. So to keep track of everything, I’ll keep this hub updated with everything you need to know about the next generation of laptop and desktop chips.

Meet the competitors

• Intel “Panther Lake” (Core Ultra 300 Series) laptop chips - CONFIRMED
• Intel “Arrow Lake-S” desktop chip refresh - PREDICTED
• Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite - CONFIRMED
• AMD “Gorgon Point” (Ryzen AI 400) laptops, “Strix Halo” (Ryzen AI Max+) laptop refresh and Ryzen desktop CPUs - EXPECTED

Three big players are entering the arena: Intel, Qualcomm and AMD. They are coming in heavy with a huge suite of new chips. Let’s break it down into a battle on two fronts.

Laptops

2026 will be the year of the laptop, and we already know it's going to be a silicon bloodbath. In one corner, you’ve got Intel Panther Lake — built on the company’s 18A platform, which is a new technological foundation that brings the best of Intel’s faster chips and the more power-efficient chips into one piece of silicon.

As we’ve tested, this is looking to provide up to 50% faster CPU performance, a 50% faster GPU, up to 1.2x faster AI performance, and up to 40% higher performance per watt (better power efficiency).

In the other corner is Qualcomm. We’ve got to test the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme, which follow a lot of the same formula as the original X Elite, bar one difference — memory (RAM) can be embedded directly onto the chip. Taking notes from Intel and AMD, the company’s now adding shared memory between the CPU, GPU and NPU.

This rethink and generational uplift is showing up to 39% faster single-core and 50% faster multi-core speeds, 69% higher memory bandwidth, 78% faster AI performance, and up to 2.3x faster graphics performance.

And in the final corner (shrouded in secrecy because this is based on leaks and rumors at the moment) is AMD. Team Red has the headline keynote slot at CES 2026, so they have to be bringing something! And that much seems true with two new laptop chip lines: Gorgon Point and a Strix Halo refresh.

Given it’s leaked on Geekbench, the AMD Ryzen AI HX 400 series (Gorgon Point) looks set to take the current core configurations you see in AMD laptops today, but give them a turboboost — specifically 15-20% higher than the previous generation. Not only that, but the leak reported by VideoCardz seemingly confirms a new generation of integrated graphics, too, that will support RDNA 3.5 — specifically the Radeon 890M.

The latter is still a possibility at the moment, but the plan seems to be a Strix Halo refresh that broadens the amount of chips available — to target both mid-range and high-end offerings with that diabolical integrated GPU. WCCF reports that these will also bring faster memory support.

Desktops

Starting with Intel, Team Blue is taking another crack at its Arrow Lake desktop chips with a refreshed range. The original launch was quite the stumble, with problems in power management, performance limitations, and some BIOS bugs, so Intel wants to take another crack at it.

Looking at leaks, it seems the company’s getting its act together with higher clock speeds, more efficiency cores, and better RAM support to overcome memory latency issues. Basically, this is a much more optimized version of the same chips.

Meanwhile, AMD seems to be all in on launching two new CPU lines at CES — the souped-up gaming-centric CPUs in the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2. X3D chips are finely tuned to play super nicely with dedicated GPUs, and it seems to be more of the case here.

Second is a new Ryzen 9000G desktop APU, which is more of an all-in-one approach that updates the architecture for newer graphics standards like RDNA 3.5.

Codename translator: what will they actually be named?

• Intel Panther Lake = Core Ultra 300 Series (according to leaks)
• AMD Gorgon Point = Ryzen AI 400 series/Ryzen AI HX 400 series
• AMD Strix Halo = Ryzen AI Max series

This can get confusing. You're reading me flipping between calling the latest Intel chips "Panther Lake" and "Core Ultra 300 Series." So what will you actually be buying in retail stores in early 2026? AMD is just as guilty of this with calling their chips "Gorgon Point" and "Strix Halo."

Luckily, Qualcomm's much more straightforward with the names "Snapdragon X2 Elite" and "Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme" (even though the latter is getting a little too close to what I'd name an energy drink back in the 90s). But to help you out, let me translate the codenames here.

Intel Panther Lake

We know three levels of Panther Lake chips exist (I've tested them). But here's what the Geekbench leaks point to these being called.

• Intel Core Ultra 300V: This would be the base configuration with 8 CPU cores and 4 GPU cores
• Intel Core Ultra 300H: This name may designate the chip that sports 16 CPU cores, but ditches the GPU (the one you will probably see in gaming laptops)
• Intel Core Ultra X 300H: That X looks set to identify the top-of-the-range model with 16 CPU cores and that full-blown 12-core GPU. Geekbench results just dropped on the Ultra X9 388H.

AMD Gorgon Point

AMD's not messing too much with the formula here, and just upping the number by one. So far, leaks have shown the following chip names.

• AMD Ryzen AI 400 series: Based on the past generation, these will be the base-to-mid-range chipsets.
• AMD Ryzen AI HX 400 series: That HX stands for higher performance, so is reserved for their upper-level chipsets with faster clock speeds, higher TDPs and improved AI performance.
• Strix Halo = Ryzen AI Max+: Given the rumors of more Strix Halo chips coming to CES, it's worth me noting that for the all-in-one chips with crazy good integrated graphics, you're going to want to find the name "AMD Ryzen AI Max" followed by a number.

How they stack up (according to our tests and leaks)

• Snapdragon X2 Elite has established an early lead in CPU speeds
• Intel Panther Lake has overhauled graphics performance and power efficiency
• But AMD leaks show Gorgon Point may crash Intel’s party

To get into this, I need to break something down here — the difference between Arm and x86 computing is significant, because they go about completing tasks very differently.

So this is not just a battle of companies, it’s a battle of principles, and this shows in the performance numbers. Arm usually gets a lead on pure CPU speed and battery life, but x86 gets its advantage in graphics and compatibility.

There are going to be many more chips than what we've tested/seen leaked so far. For example, we don't have benchmarks for the top-of-the-range Panther Lake chip with a 12-core CPU. But these are a good baseline of what to expect.

When we get more benchmarks, I'll update this chart over time!

UPDATE: New leaked Geekbench benchmarks just dropped for some of the mid-range AMD and Intel chips.These numbers are (mostly) based on the leaks we’ve seen. I did get to benchmark the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Elite Extreme myself, so these numbers are accurate based on my own testing. Other numbers came from leaks courtesy of VideoCardz and PC Gamer.

Geekbench CPU benchmark results

So in terms of Geekbench leaks and testing, Qualcomm has the early advantage, but that’s only half the story. Intel’s fully gone in on turboboosting those Xe3 GPU cores, and adding a whole lot of AI-infused trickery to boost gaming. In fact, it’s looking like you could get something similar to a dedicated Nvidia laptop GPU in integrated graphics.

We saw this start to happen throughout the course of this year, and while I was a little too dramatic in saying Nvidia’s days on top were numbered back on New Year’s Day, the crux of the piece is still true — integrated graphics are really taking the fight to dedicated GPUs.

That much was true with AMD Strix Halo, and the company seems to be taking another step forward performance-wise, while also broadening its range of chips available to make them more affordable, too. One step forward with Gorgon Point, while giving you more Strix choices to pick from.

What about Apple?

• M5 is already offering similar performance to what we see in Snapdragon X2 Elite
• M5 Pro architecture rumored to be altered to offer vastly improved performance

This is a big unknown heading into 2026. Apple Silicon runs on an Arm architecture, and one thing we know for sure is that the latest M5 chip in the MacBook Pro is a power-efficient screamer.

But what about the M5 Pro and M5 Max? It’s being rumored that the architecture may be getting a big switch-up from a system on a chip (everything on one die) to a system of chips (separate chiplets for each thing). As we’ve learnt from Intel Panther Lake and AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+, doing so makes for some serious performance upgrades.

We won’t know for sure until they are officially in our hands, which is looking likely to arrive in Spring 2026.

More from Tom's Guide

• RAM prices are exploding — here's why and everything you need to know about surviving RAMageddon
• Lenovo leak confirms first rollable gaming laptop with ultrawide OLED display coming in 2026 — here's what we know
• M5 MacBook Air reportedly coming Spring 2026 — plus the missing MacBook Pros and a new Mac Mini

Cyber Monday is taking over from Black Friday, and that means one thing for PC gamers: the GPU deals are still pouring in. The biggest sales event of the year continues, and it's becoming clear that now is your last chance to grab a graphics card before all the major RAM and memory price surges kick off.

Whether it's an Nvidia RTX 50-series GPU, AMD Radeon or Intel Arc you're looking at, you'll find these graphics cards have hit all-time low prices. And after 18 years of being a PC gamer and testing the best GPUs around, now is the time to grab a massive upgrade for your PC.

There are plenty of GPUs around in all flavors that even beat the performance and price of a PS5, whether that be from Team Green or Team Red. But a personal pick of mine to crank up the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 at max settings without breaking a sweat is the RTX 5070 Ti — and this beast can now be yours for under $800.

I'm tracking all the GPUs with a great discount that will easily power the best gaming PCs and tackle the latest AAA games for years to come. So, if you're after a budget powerhouse or a maxed-out graphics cards, the deals have arrived for Cyber Monday, and I'd jump on these prices right now.

Quick links

US GPU deals

• Nvidia RTX 5050: was $249 now $219 @ Amazon
• Intel Arc B580: was $269 now $249 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060: was $299 now $279 @ Walmart
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was $370 now $349 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): was $439 now $394 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was $549 now $499 @ Newegg
• AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: was $649 now $599 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was $819 now $749 @ Newegg

UK GPU deals

• Intel Arc B570: was £269 now £179 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5050: was £239 now £218 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5060: was £274 now £249 @ Scan
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was £329 now £319 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): £399 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was £539 now £499 @ Overclockers
• AMD RX 9070 XT: was £578 now £539 @ Amazon
• Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was £729 now £698 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5080: was £999 now £979 @ Scan
• Nvidia RTX 5090: was £2,149 @ Scan

Best Cyber Monday GPU deals US

Best Cyber Monday GPU deals UK

Your GPU price snoop is back!

I've tested every single GPU that has launched this year (you can see my results in the best GPUs guide I keep up to date), and I'm also a Black Friday/Cyber Monday veteran with eight years of covering this event under my belt.

And I'm combining those talents and watching every GPU price like a hawk, to see what Cyber Monday deals pop up. At the moment, I'm spotting a lot of lowest prices ever, so keep it locked on here for more as they arrive.

US GPU deals

• Nvidia RTX 5050: was $249 now $219 @ Amazon
• Intel Arc B580: was $269 now $249 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060: was $299 now $279 @ Walmart
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was $370 now $349 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): was $439 now $394 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was $549 now $527 @ B&H
• AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: was $649 now $599 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was $819 now $729 @ Newegg

UK GPU deals

• Intel Arc B570: was £269 now £179 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5050: was £239 now £218 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5060: was £274 now £249 @ Scan
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was £329 now £319 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): was £399 now £379 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was £539 now £499 @ Overclockers
• AMD RX 9070 XT: was £578 now £539 @ Amazon
• Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was £729 now £698 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5080: was £999 now £979 @ Scan
• Nvidia RTX 5090: was £2,149 @ Scan

On a budget? Put this Intel Arc B580 on your shopping list

When I think GPUs, Nvidia and AMD come to mind, but now Intel has come into the mix with its affordable yet quietly mighty Intel Arc B580. Coming with 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM, while it may not be the latest in video memory tech, it can still offer up impressive 1080p and 1440p gaming performance. Oh, and now for under $250? That's some might to get for beyond entry-level gaming.

• ASRock Challenger Intel Arc B580: was $269 now $249 @ Newegg

A whole 16GB VRAM for this much? AMD takes a win with this offer!

If the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is too rich for your tastes, no matter, as the RX 9060 XT that still comes with 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM is at an amazingly affordable price right now. As in, under $350/£320, and it even offers up FSR 4 tech for greater frame rates and details.

• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was $370 now $349 @ Newegg
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was £329 now £319 @ Overclockers

For peak performance for the price, don't miss this RTX 5070 Ti deal!

If there's one GPU I'd shell out for right now, it's Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti. This upper-midrange graphics card will dish out peak performance thanks to its mix of strong 16GB GDDR7 VRAM and DLSS 4 on board, and while it's a pricey one, for far less than $800 right now? It's the GPU that will last you for years to come.

• MSI Ventus RTX 5070 Ti: was $819 now $749 @ Newegg
• Gainward GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: was £729 now £698 @ Overclockers

Help! How do I know which GPU is for me?

If you want to buy a GPU but you're not sure what to look for, don't sweat it. I'm here to help you. We've got a whole guide on how to choose the GPU for you, but for sake of brevity, I'll explain here too.

First, follow GPU experts to tell you when drops are. This can be YouTube channels or us folks here at Tom's Guide. Secondly, figure out what you're going to be using your GPU for. Gaming requires a more advanced GPU, as does 4K video editing. Last, figure out your budget.

Oh, and of course, ensure the GPU is compatible with your PC!

US GPU deals

• Nvidia RTX 5050: was $249 now $219 @ Amazon
• Intel Arc B580: was $269 now $249 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060: was $299 now $279 @ Walmart
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was $370 now $349 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): was $439 now $394 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was $549 now $527 @ B&H
• AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: was $649 now $599 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was $819 now $749 @ Newegg

Is the RTX 5070 worth it? Yes, especially at this price

I've got an RTX 5070 packed in my current setup, and it even gave me smooth 4K performance in games like Battlefield 6 with wicked smooth frame rates. Sure, its 12GB GDDR7 VRAM may not seem like much, but now that it's below MSRP, it's worthy for those after more affordable (and strong) mid-range gaming.

• Nvidia RTX 5070: was $549 now $499 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was £539 now £499 @ Overclockers

Any RTX 5090 GPU deals worth it?

Being Nvidia's strongest graphics card, it's the GPU that everyone eyes up. But for over its MSRP? Not a chance. Seeing as you'll find the RTX 5090 for up to a whopping $4,000 right now, and a deal is only taking it down to $2,849 on Newegg right now, the RTX 5090 is still as expensive as ever. And yes, it's supposed to cost $1,999. Even if you've got the extra cash, don't expect good deals on this graphics card

Now under $300? The RTX 5060 is a worthy graphics card for entry-level gaming

So, the RTX 5060 with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM isn't exactly so tempting, even though it still offers strong 1080p and even 1440p performance with DLSS 4. For its usual price, it's probably better to save and spend a little more on the next step up, but for under MSRP? It's a good shout for beyond entry-level gaming.

• PNY OC Dual Fan RTX 5060: was $299 now $279 @ Walmart
• MSI Ventus 2X OC RTX 5060: was £274 now £249 @ Scan UK

What's going on with this price surge?

This has been a low-key problem all throughout 2026, but now, thanks to the massive AI boom, it’s officially here with a bang. Think about it: to power services like ChatGPT and Gemini, AI companies are buying up tons of silicon for their data centers to handle all our questions and requests. The two essential chips they're hoarding?

That would be DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) and NAND flash—or as you probably know them: RAM and SSD storage. The moment demand for these chips went totally bananas, two things happened:

• The companies that manufacture these types of chips are seeing demand for cheaper, older memory chips vanish, given their biggest customers (companies behind the AI boom) are throwing handfuls of cash at them for the latest stuff. So these older options are being phased out.
• Smaller NAND flash chips are being deprioritized in favor of the highest bidders looking to pack their AI data centers with tons of memory.

What this means is a drastic silicon shortage for consumer products like GPUs, and companies are already warning prices are going up. That's why I'm urging you to buy a GPU now to get ahead of it.

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT deserves your attention (with these deals!)

AMD pulled out all the stops with its AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, which actually achieves even better gaming performance than an RTX 5070 Ti when we tested it. And at a lower price! Well, even lower thanks to Cyber Monday. Sporting impressive 1080p, 1440p and 4K gaming performance, along with FSR 4 for even better details and higher frame rates (when it works), this GPU is hard to miss now that it's dropped in price!

• ASRock Challenger Radeon RX 9070 XT: was $649 now $599 @ Newegg
• Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070 XT: was £599 now £539 @ Amazon

Wait, an RTX 5080 that's actually at MSRP? It's here!

The RTX 5080 is the next step up in graphical power, but it's rarely found at its actual MSRP. In fact, I completely forgot you can get it just under $1,000. And yes, you can now grab a Gigabyte Windforce RTX 5080 for its actual retail price. Because it's rare, it's quite like this is a deal in itself! It's pek power for a 16GB GDDR7 VRAM GPU, and will knock any game out of the park at 1080p, 1440p and 4K.

• Gigabyte Windforce RTX 5080: $999 @ Newegg

GPU price check!

There's been some chopping and changing in GPU pricing during Cyber Monday. So I've investigated and found these same cards at their same low prices at different retailers!

Only one victim during this checkup, which is the £20 saving on RTX 5060 Ti in the UK. That's now gone, but its still available at RRP.

US GPU deals

• Nvidia RTX 5050: was $249 now $219 @ Amazon
• Intel Arc B580: was $269 now $249 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060: was $299 now $279 @ Walmart
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was $370 now $349 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): was $439 now $394 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was $549 now $499 @ Newegg
• AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: was $649 now $599 @ Newegg
• Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was $819 now $749 @ Newegg

UK GPU deals

• Intel Arc B570: was £269 now £179 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5050: was £239 now £218 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5060: was £274 now £249 @ Scan
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was £329 now £319 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): £399 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5070: was £539 now £499 @ Overclockers
• AMD RX 9070 XT: was £578 now £539 @ Amazon
• Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was £729 now £698 @ Overclockers
• Nvidia RTX 5080: was £999 now £979 @ Scan
• Nvidia RTX 5090: was £2,149 @ Scan

For entry-level gamers, Intel's GPU is a steal

• Intel Arc B570 GPU: was £269 now £179 @ Overclockers UK

If all you need is a GPU that covers competitive multiplayer games for high refresh rates, the Intel Arc B570 with 10GB GDDR6 VRAM is worth considering. This will blaze through 1080p gaming with high refresh rates, and it will now only set you back under £200! It may not be the most powerful out there, but if you're not looking to crank up settings to max on a 4K display, then you'll be saving yourself a huge chunk of change.

Don't miss out on a mighty RTX 5080 that's below $1,000!

The RTX 5080 is the next step up in graphical power, but it's rarely found at its actual MSRP. In fact, I completely forgot you can get it just under $1,000. And yes, you can now grab a Gigabyte Windforce RTX 5080 for its actual retail price. Because it's rare, it's quite like this is a deal in itself! It's pek power for a 16GB GDDR7 VRAM GPU, and will knock any game out of the park at 1080p, 1440p and 4K.

• Gigabyte Windforce RTX 5080: $999 @ Newegg

Last chance to grab a 16GB VRAM GPU from AMD for under $350!

AMD has outdone itself with its latest GPU offerings, and the Radeon RX 9060 XT is a fine example. Boasting 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM and now for under $350/£320, this graphics card will take PC gaming to new heights, and there's plenty here for smooth 1440p gameplay. For beyond entry-level gaming, this one's for you.

• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was $370 now $349 @ Newegg
• AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was £329 now £319 @ Overclockers

For entry-level gamers, Intel's GPU is a steal right now

For excellent 1080p and 1440p performance at an extremely low price, the Intel Arc B850 GPU with 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM is the deal you'll want. We called it the best budget GPU you can buy right now for good reason, and at under $250, it's certainly worth grabbing to build an affordable gaming PC.

• ASRock Challenger Intel Arc B580: was $269 now $249 @ Newegg

When looking at the best Black Friday GPU deals, it seems to be a whole lot of savings that bring prices down to the actual retail price or slightly below. This is the best we’re going to get, and given the impending price hikes coming in 2026, this will be your last chance to get the latest graphics cards at prices this low.

This all comes down to the price of video memory (GDDR) modules surging by 172% year-over-year, which is causing the likes of Nvidia and AMD to seriously rethink what models they offer and the price they’re selling at. Prices are going to go up, so now is the time to buy to avoid disappointment.

GPU deals you need to buy now

U.S. GPU deals

• 🇺🇸 Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was $819 now $729 @ Newegg
• 🇺🇸 Nvidia RTX 5070: was $549 now $543 @ Best Buy
• 🇺🇸 Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): was $439 now $399 @ Newegg
• 🇺🇸 AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: was $649 now $599 @ Newegg
• 🇺🇸 AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): was $370 now $349 @ Newegg
• 🇺🇸 Intel Arc B580: was $269 now $249 @ Newegg

U.K. GPU deals

• 🇬🇧 Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti: was £729 now £698 @ Overclockers
• 🇬🇧 Nvidia RTX 5070: was £539 now £479 @ Overclockers
• 🇬🇧 Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti (16GB): was £399 now £379 @ Overclockers
• 🇬🇧 AMD RX 9070 XT: was £578 now £549 @ Amazon
• 🇬🇧 AMD RX 9060 XT (16GB): £329 @ Overclockers
• 🇬🇧 Intel Arc B580: was £229 now £199 @ Overclockers

What’s happening?

This all comes off the back of a shocking year-over-year price jump for DRAM — the memory used not only in GPUs, but also in smartphones, consoles and PCs more generally. Reported by TechPowerUp, DRAM costs have surged 172% compared to this time last year.

We first started hearing rumblings of this around the time leaks seemed to confirm that Nvidia cancelled the RTX 50 SUPER series GPUs, which were set to launch in early 2026. The main reason being that the video memory module supply is extremely limited, which in turn makes it way more expensive.

And in turn, given the scarcity, it’s causing a ripple effect across the rest of the GPU market. Asus, MSI and more have hinted at warnings to me about this, but the clearest came from PowerColor on the company’s subreddit. “Buy before the last week of the year before prices kick up,” the post reads.

The ripple effect could kill budget GPUs

While a lot of us dream of an RTX 5090, I don’t want to remortgage my house for the chance of path tracing. So my daily driver is the RTX 5060 Ti connected to the Minisforum DEG-1 GPU dock — you can read all about my mini PC/GPU dock setup.

Well, this range of budget-to-mid-range gaming GPUs may be discontinued given the increasing prices of that essential video memory. This is hitting both AMD and Nvidia hard right now. So I know last time I spoke about this, I said to “think” about buying now.

But with a much clearer view of how things are taking a turn for the worse, I can be a lot more definitive: buy now or pay much more later.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best graphics cards in 2025: I've tested every GPU to find the best bang for your buck
• Steam Machine vs PS5 vs Xbox Series X/S vs Mac mini: How does Valve's new console compare?
• I’m shocked at how well Snapdragon X2 Elite can play games with Cyberpunk hitting over 75 FPS in my testing

The laptop chip war of 2026 is really starting to heat up, and out of all the options I’ve tested like Apple’s M5 and Intel Panther Lake, Snapdragon X2 Elite looks like it could be a real threat.

Qualcomm flew me out to their campus in San Diego and took me properly behind the scenes on how this new generation of notebook silicon has been designed, tested, and gave me a chance to benchmark it.

And I mean really benchmark it. Usually at these events, you get cherry picked demos with vague numbers to really shine a new chip in its best light. However, here, we got three reference design laptops:

• 12-core Snapdragon X2 Elite laptop with 32GB RAM — running at 22W
• 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite laptop with 32GB RAM — running at 22W
• 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme laptop with 48GB RAM — running at 45W

So realistic representations of the kinds of laptops you will get sporting these chips next year. Not only that, but the benchmark tests I’ve been able to do are the same ones we use to test laptops here in Tom’s Guide labs. Now we have a clear view of things, and it’s scary fast.

What’s new in X2 Elite?

With the Snapdragon X2 Elite, Qualcomm may be sticking to the same system-on-a-chip design over moving to dedicated chiplets on a system (like Intel Panther Lake). But drastic upgrades have been brought to the table nonetheless.

You’ll find more than 31 billion transistors put together on a 3nm process. With all these additional transistors, the company has added some impressive new features here:

• The 3rd generation Oryon CPU prime cores are 39% faster single-core speeds, whereas the performance cores pack up to 50% faster in multi-core.
• Memory (RAM) being embedded directly on the chip allows for 69% more memory bandwidth shared between the CPU, GPU and NPU.
• Speaking of NPU and GPU, the new Hexagon AI engine is up to 78% faster in AI tasks, and the GPU offers up to a whopping 2.3x faster graphics performance.

But alongside these performance uplifts, Qualcomm managed to sneak a couple of extra elements onto this chip. First, a new low-power island handles essential tasks when the laptop is asleep — further reducing the amount of power draw when the lid is closed.

Second, a new sensing hub is essentially a low-power chip within a chip (with its own eNPU) to handle things like enhancing webcam picture, speaker quality and WiFi connectivity.

Then comes the Snapdragon Guardian Technology — a new piece of architecture that allows you to find your laptop anywhere, remotely lock and wipe it. Think of it like Apple’s Find My, but even better because X2 Elite now packs support for 4G and 5G cellular connectivity.

Snapdragon X2 Elite benchmark results

Let’s kick off with the obvious test — Geekbench 6.5. This is an effective way to test both single-core speed (how fast you can navigate the UI and open apps), and multicore (complex tasks like rendering or loading multiple objects).

Geekbench benchmark results

As you can see, the X2 Elite surpasses Intel and AMD in single-core speeds, and even manages to keep up with Apple’s M5. But it's in those multi-core speeds where you’ll really see these chips start to peel ahead.

In fact, I think the Elite Extreme is gunning for the future in the rumored M5 Pro chip coming next year. These are mightily competitive chips.

Then there’s AI performance, and as you can see in Geekbench AI 1.5, the new generation of NPU in the X2 Elite lineage, sporting 80 TOPS of performance, frankly embarrasses the competition.

Geekbench AI benchmark results

Intel’s Panther Lake needs to pull something seriously good out of the bag here to come close to this, as Team Blue did talk about the next-gen chips being built for agentic AI. Qualcomm has the receipts to back up that the X2 silicon is more than ready for this.

Not losing performance when disconnected

Why do people pick MacBooks? I know there are a few reasons, and one of them for me is the same zippy performance both when plugged in and disconnected from the charger. It’s a small thing when I say it out loud, but you can really start to feel some sluggishness from the likes of an Intel laptop that turns the total wattage down to preserve battery life.

The ARM architecture preserves those speeds while slow sipping the juice, and that much was obvious in my own testing too:

Geekbench benchmark plugged in vs battery results

Qualcomm acknowledges that you’ll get around 97-99% of the same performance on battery, which, in my time using these laptops, is barely negligible.

X2 Elite at the front of the pack?

So here’s the ultimate question. Do these numbers indicate a chipset primed to take Windows laptops into the future? The question comes down to your particular use cases for it.

Because there are drawbacks to going ARM over the x86 of Intel and AMD. For those not in the know, Microsoft systems have run on x86 chips for the better part of 30 years, and that is a huge history of ecosystem support that needs to be forced through Prism emulation to work on Arm.

What this means is a degradation in performance that brings certain apps back in line with the speeds you get from Intel and AMD laptops. However, the list of apps that have been rebuilt for Arm is ever-growing.

If compatibility is crucial, there are still some difficulties that may impact you. However, there’s a good chance that many of you won’t see this problem, given how many are on the list. In terms of a strong all-rounder of a chip that can do it all in Windows and take the fight to Apple, Qualcomm looks prime to be in the driving seat.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m shocked at how well Snapdragon X2 Elite can play games with Cyberpunk hitting over 75 FPS in my testing
• The M5 MacBook Pro just came out and it's already $100 off in this killer Black Friday deal!
• I just tested Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11 with my Meta Quest 3, and it’s shockingly good for a free feature

You're here to find out the best GPU you can buy in 2026. Well, after testing the latest graphics cards from Nvidia, AMD and Intel, from gaming to video editing and AI performance, my team of experts and I are here to cut through the jargon and guide you to the absolute best graphics cards. But right now, more than ever, that's difficult to pin down.

Today's market is more complex than ever, and we have the RAM crisis to thank for that. Prices are jumping to absurd levels, meaning what was once a more budget-friendly graphics card has now been pushed up to mid-range prices — and so on.

It's been rough. So, at a time when GPUs are seeing truly obscene price hikes, there are huge benefits to finding the sweet spot between price and performance. That's why we've named the Intel Arc B580 the GPU for most, but there are other graphics cards that should be on your radar. So, let’s dive in to find the best GPU to power your setup for years to come.

GPU Price index

GPU prices have always fluctuated, but RAMageddon has tipped the scales so far that it isn't about raw horsepower anymore. It isn't as simple as saying "just get an RTX 5090," unless you want to spend close to or over $4,000. In fact, you'll find that an RTX 5070 Ti, which we rate highly, can be $1,000 and beyond, despite its $749 MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price).

It's not all "doomer narrative," though, as we now have Nvidia's DLSS 4.5, AMD's FSR 4.1 and Intel's XeSS 3 for multi-frame generation and resolution scaling, boosting performance while working with less. And now, we're gearing up for Nvidia DLSS 5 in fall 2026. Even better, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE GPU can actually be found at MSRP (for now)!

Originally, our golden rule was to never buy a card that is over $50/£50 above MSRP, but costs have gone well above this (but not for all!). Regardless, we're here to find the best possible price, and I recommend keeping an eye out during big sale events. Here's a GPU pricing matrix to ensure you get the best possible price.

Best graphics cards: 3DMark test results

3DMark benchmarks are a good way of seeing how much overall gaming performance your GPU has.

I take the average of all of the tests I do, and while this isn't an exact science (some games are better optimized), here's a guide:

• 18,000 and above is capable of 4K gaming
• 11-18,000 is squarely aimed at 1440p
• And 8,000 upwards is more than ideal for 1080p

This guide to 3DMark numbers is not a hard and fast rule, as there are some cheat codes to unlock more performance like Nvidia's DLSS, AMD's FSR and Intel's XeSS. This guide is based on what the raw performance can achieve without any AI trickery. You can find out how they compare below:

3DMark average benchmark test results

Higher is better

3DMark average

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (16GB GDDR7)

20271

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT (16GB GDDR6)

19679

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE (12GB GDDR6)

14115

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti (16GB GDDR7)

11195

Intel Arc B580 (12GB GDDR6)

9692

07,50015,00022,50030,000

3DMark average Data

Product	Value
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (16GB GDDR7)	20271
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT (16GB GDDR6)	19679
AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE (12GB GDDR6)	14115
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti (16GB GDDR7)	11195
Intel Arc B580 (12GB GDDR6)	9692

The best graphics cards you can buy right now

Best GPU overall

This may come as a shock, but ever since bringing Intel XeSS 3 on board, the Intel Arc B580 is now the GPU for most to get. How so? With multi-frame generation and the budget price it continues to (kind of) stick to, you can get a lot out of playing the latest games with Intel's graphics card.

This is a real budget buster of a card that proves you can get more than 8GB of video memory for $250 and a fantastic 1080p/1440p gaming graphics card for a great price. Ray tracing may not be its best friend, but Intel XeSS is improving nicely, and it’s simply the best GPU for many.

Buy it if

👍 You want cheap and cheerful gaming: Tweak the settings to get the optimal levels, and you’re in for a damn good time. At 1440p and maxed out settings, you can comfortably see over 60 FPS. Turn on XeSS, and that goes up to nearly 100 FPS with minimal ghosting around fast-moving in-game objects.

👍 You don’t want to spend a fortune: I mean, it’s $249, and prices haven't skyrocketed — sometimes it's discounted to $239. I’m floored by what it was able to achieve at the price.

👍 XeSS 3 now included: With Intel adding XeSS 3 with multi-frame generation, this GPU scores even more highs with its 12GB of VRAM. Now, it's the value king.

Don’t buy it if

👎 Ray tracing matters: Put simply, just turn off ray tracing here; otherwise, you will have a bad time. No XeSS frame gen can fix the huge fall off in performance you’ll see.

👎 You need it for work too: Whether it’s animation, video editing or an AI workload, the Arc B580 isn’t really built for these, so you won’t see great speeds working with it.

Intel Arc B580 test results

Intel Arc B580 test results

Gaming benchmarks/Productivity and AI benchmarks

< Prev

Frames Per Second (FPS)

Next >

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra no ray tracing XeSS frame gen)

90

Black Myth: Wukong (1440p Medium no ray tracing XeSS)

77

Forza Horizon 5 (1440p Ultra no ray tracing XeSS)

106

Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p High XeSS resolution scaling/no frame gen)

126

Alan Wake 2 (1440p High/Medium no ray tracing XeSS)

44

037.575112.5150

Frames Per Second (FPS) Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra no ray tracing XeSS frame gen)	90
Black Myth: Wukong (1440p Medium no ray tracing XeSS)	77
Forza Horizon 5 (1440p Ultra no ray tracing XeSS)	106
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p High XeSS resolution scaling/no frame gen)	126
Alan Wake 2 (1440p High/Medium no ray tracing XeSS)	44
Blender Median score (Animation)	N/A
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	N/A
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	N/A

Blender Median score (Animation)

1952

Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)

1614

Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)

2651

07501,5002,2503,000

Benchmark Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra no ray tracing XeSS frame gen)	N/A
Black Myth: Wukong (1440p Medium no ray tracing XeSS)	N/A
Forza Horizon 5 (1440p Ultra no ray tracing XeSS)	N/A
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p High XeSS resolution scaling/no frame gen)	N/A
Alan Wake 2 (1440p High/Medium no ray tracing XeSS)	N/A
Blender Median score (Animation)	1952
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	1614
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	2651

1 of 2

Best value GPU

In a very welcome turn of events, AMD has released its all-new Radeon RX 9070 GRE at a price that won't blow a hole in your wallet. That's right, $549/£489, and we're hoping this cost stays that way for the foreseeable future. Even at this price, this GPU still delivers exceptional 1440p gaming performance and even greater ray tracing capabilities than Nvidia's similar RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB.

Throw in improvements to FSR Redstone upscaling, and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE offers up rare value that's harder to find these days. No, it's not as strong as its 9070 XT sibling, and FSR's compatibility and performance in games has its limits compared to Nvidia's DLSS, but for lean, clean gaming prowess, this is pure value.

Buy it if

👍 You want the best bang for your buck: If the RX 9070 GRE stays at $549, it’s the rare mid-range GPU that delivers genuine value in today’s market.

👍 You’re aiming for top-tier 1440p gaming: Performance closely matches Nvidia’s pricier RTX 5070 and beats the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti, making it a 1440p sweet spot.

👍 You need enough VRAM for modern titles: With 12GB of GDDR6 video memory, the RX 9070 GRE has the headroom needed for big new releases and plenty of demanding games to come (with FSR to help out).

Don’t buy it if

👎 You prioritize AI/creator workloads: The RX 9070 GRE lags Nvidia cards for productivity and AI performance—look elsewhere if these are your focus.

👎 You want the most powerful upscaling and features: DLSS still leads FSR Redstone in features and game support, so stick with Nvidia's offerings if you're after bleeding-edge upscaling.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE test results

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE test results

Gaming benchmarks/Productivity and AI benchmarks

< Prev

Frames Per Second (FPS)

Next >

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra ray tracing no FSR)

36

Black Myth: Wukong (1440p Cinematic no FSR)

81

Forza Horizon 5 (1440p Ultra no FSR)

142

Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p Max no FSR)

136

037.575112.5150

Frames Per Second (FPS) Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra ray tracing no FSR)	36
Black Myth: Wukong (1440p Cinematic no FSR)	81
Forza Horizon 5 (1440p Ultra no FSR)	142
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p Max no FSR)	136
Blender combined score	N/A
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	N/A

Blender combined score

975

Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)

1516

05001,0001,5002,000

Benchmark Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra ray tracing no FSR)	N/A
Black Myth: Wukong (1440p Cinematic no FSR)	N/A
Forza Horizon 5 (1440p Ultra no FSR)	N/A
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p Max no FSR)	N/A
Blender combined score	975
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	1516

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Best mid-range GPU

Let me emphasize: GET THE 16GB VERSION! The 8GB version of the RTX 5060 Ti is far too limited on the video memory. But the 16GB version is a banger of a mid-range GPU that sees its value unlocked with DLSS 4.

In raw rasterization, you can get impressive frame rates at 1080p and 1440p for sure, but with Nvidia’s AI magic turned on, you can really enjoy 4K single-player gaming too! Plus, you’ll find decent content creation performance too.

Buy it if

👍 You want solid 1440p gaming performance: Raw game rendering speeds are impressive here, and the 16GB of GDDR7 video memory is more than enough to store all those textures and ensure zero bottlenecking of complex games.

👍 You don’t mind a bit of DLSS 4: When it comes to the debate about DLSS 4 AI trickery, I’m more on the side of supporting it, unlocking more value from cheaper GPUs like this. And it absolutely does with zippy 4K gaming performance with low latency.

Don’t buy it if

👎 You need the absolute best in multiplayer: If you’re a competitive player, latency less than 10ms is essential, and in my testing, I couldn’t achieve this in online shooters.

👎 You have big AI plans: There are only minor gains in AI performance over the RTX 4060 Ti, which doesn’t make this a good value card if you’re looking to run on-device AI tasks.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti test results

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti test results

Gaming benchmarks/Productivity and AI benchmarks

< Prev

Frames Per Second (FPS)

Next >

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)

17

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)

132

Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)

25

Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic DLSS 4)

41

Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p Max no frame gen)

80

Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)

15

Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max DLSS MFG 4x)

102

037.575112.5150

Frames Per Second (FPS) Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)	17
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	132
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)	25
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic DLSS 4)	41
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p Max no frame gen)	80
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)	15
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max DLSS MFG 4x)	102
Blender Median score (Animation)	N/A
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	N/A
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	N/A

Blender Median score (Animation)

4312

Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)

1811

Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)

2642

01,5003,0004,5006,000

Benchmark Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)	N/A
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	N/A
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)	N/A
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic DLSS 4)	N/A
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (1440p Max no frame gen)	N/A
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)	N/A
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max DLSS MFG 4x)	N/A
Blender Median score (Animation)	4312
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	1811
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	2642

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Best GPU for gaming

If your main goal is getting awesome gaming performance, AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT nails it while being cheaper than the RTX 5070 Ti at the same time. Overall, you’re getting roughly 95% of the performance of Nvidia’s card (sometimes even faster frame rates) at 80% of the cost.

To me, that’s the sweet spot of gaming GPUs. You could, of course, blow thousands of dollars and get the absolute maximum, but is that really the best use of your money when you see what you can actually achieve with this card?

Buy it if

👍 You want maximum gaming bang for your buck: When it comes to solid gaming performance that either comes close to or beats the $150 more expensive RTX 5070 Ti, the Radeon RX 9070 XT has it in the bag.

👍 You don’t want to fiddle around with complicated connectors: After testing Nvidia cards and growing a little frustrated with the 2x6 12VHPWR connector, it’s a breath of fresh air to go back to a card that just requires standard 8-pin PCIe power connectors.

Don't buy it if

👎 You care about ray tracing and wide game support: Yes, Nvidia’s ray tracing cores still have the edge over AMD. And by that last point, I don’t mean this just won’t work with all games — of course it will. What I mean is Nvidia’s DLSS 4 has far more support (over 175 games) vs AMD’s FSR 4 (over 85 games).

👎 You want to get work done with it too: While this is amazing for gaming, it’s not so hot on creator performance or AI. Nvidia clearly has the advantage here.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT test results

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT test results

Gaming benchmarks/Productivity and AI benchmarks

< Prev

Frames Per Second (FPS)

Next >

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)

50

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)

102

Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)

57

Call of Duty Modern Warfare (4K Max no frame gen)

92

Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)

92

037.575112.5150

Frames Per Second (FPS) Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)	50
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	102
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)	57
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (4K Max no frame gen)	92
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)	92
Blender Median score (Animation)	N/A
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	N/A
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	N/A

Blender Median score (Animation)

3327

Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)

1797

Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)

1916

01,0002,0003,0004,000

Benchmark Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)	N/A
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	N/A
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)	N/A
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (4K Max no frame gen)	N/A
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)	N/A
Blender Median score (Animation)	3327
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	1797
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	1916

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Best GPU for performance

Don't get us wrong. The RTX 5070 Ti is still one of the best offerings you can get in a GPU, but prices are outrageous right now. If you can find it closer to its $749 MSRP (fingers crossed), then you'll definitely want to go for it. But for over $1,000? It's a stretch.

Still, the RTX 5070 Ti is the sweet spot of Nvidia’s RTX 50-series — bringing just the right amount of blistering performance and versatility across 1440p gameplay, and a true showcase of DLSS 4 AI trickery at 4K to boot. But it doesn’t forget about productivity and AI either, as those cores are finely tuned to deliver huge GPU performance to your prosumer workloads too.

Buy it if

👍 You’re looking for great gameplay across the board: In all of my tests, the RTX 5070 Ti was a stellar, versatile GPU for gaming — bringing esports-level frame rates at 1080p, silky smoothness at 1440p, and even 60+ FPS in 4K in some circumstances. Throw in DLSS 4 and multi-frame gen, and nothing gets in its way of delivering a buttery gaming experience.

👍 You also need a creative powerhouse: Whether you’re editing multiple layers of 4K video in Davinci Resolve or doing AI neural Photoshop edits locally on-device, the RTX 5070 Ti keeps up with it all. Throw in support for the 4:2:2 color format, and you’ve got flexibility and fidelity in all your prosumer tasks.

Don’t buy it if

👎 You’re worried about power consumption: Yes, I know that if you’re buying a GPU, your electric bills may not be high on your priority list. But it’s worth noting that power usage when idle is a bit higher than I’d expect on a desktop graphics card.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Test results

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti test results

Gaming benchmarks/Productivity and AI benchmarks

< Prev

Frames Per Second (FPS)

Next >

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)

51

Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)

240

Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)

73

Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic DLSS 4)

107

Call of Duty Modern Warfare (4K Max no frame gen)

86

Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)

31

Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max DLSS 4 MFG 4x)

125

075150225300

Frames Per Second (FPS) Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)	51
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	240
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)	73
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic DLSS 4)	107
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (4K Max no frame gen)	86
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)	31
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	125
Blender Median score (Animation)	N/A
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	N/A
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	N/A

Blender Median score (Animation)

7621

Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)

3344

Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)

4330

02,0004,0006,0008,000

Benchmark Data

Product	Value
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res)	N/A
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra/Psycho Super Res DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	N/A
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic)	N/A
Black Myth: Wukong (4K Cinematic DLSS 4)	N/A
Call of Duty Modern Warfare (4K Max no frame gen)	N/A
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max)	N/A
Alan Wake 2 (1440p Max DLSS 4 MFG 4x)	N/A
Blender Median score (Animation)	7621
Procyon Stable Diffusion XL (AI image gen)	3344
Procyon Llama-3.1-8b (local LLM AI)	4330

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What's coming up

Truthfully, I wasn't expecting many big GPU releases this year, but AMD proved me wrong with the launch of its Radeon RX 9070 GRE. With this in mind, stay tuned for more major drops as they happen. Otherwise, there are still big updates and features set to arrive in 2026. Here's a look at what's ahead:

• During Nvidia GTC 2026, Team Green announced DLSS 5. This next-gen graphics tech uses real-time neural rendering that brings photo-realistic lighting and materials to RTX 50-series GPUs, and we got a taste of how it looks. It will be available in fall 2026, but we won't know how good it will be until we properly see it in action. For now, it's leaning towards "uncanny valley," but it's another feature Nvidia's GPUs will have down the line if you choose to buy one.
• There's good news for AMD Radeon RX graphics card owners. AMD is bringing FSR 4.1 upscaling to older GPUs, meaning you won't need to upgrade to the latest Radeon 9000 series cards to get a bump in frame rates and visuals via AI upscaling (like Nvidia's DLSS). FSR 4.1 will be available for Radeon 7000 GPUs with RDNA 3 in July 2026, while Radeon 6000 series with RDNA 2 will see FSR upscaling in early 2027. So, expect FSR 4.1 support for over 300 games on older GPUs for titles that support it!
• Wondering how the latest games look and perform, and the settings you should use on these graphics cards? Check out our thoughts on path tracing in Resident Evil Requiem (it's horrifyingly impressive) and path tracing in Pragmata (it looks glorious).

How do we test graphics cards?

To ensure fair and accurate results across the board, we here at Tom's Guide test all GPUs in the same system that sports an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 2TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD.

We then test for three key purposes through a range of benchmarks and performance analysis: gaming (average frame rates and 1% lows tested across multiple titles), productivity (GPU-intensive tasks like animation rendering), and AI performance (image generation and local LLM processing).

This is done with a range of 3DMark gaming benchmark tests, benchmarks across the top-selling AAA titles on Steam, Procyon generative AI tests and the classic Blender benchmark.

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT surprised me in the best way possible — reaching higher frame rates in some games than the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, while also being up to $150 cheaper at the same time.

In raw rasterization, this is (mostly) a slick GPU that can run all your favorite titles at buttery smooth frame rates with all the fidelity options turned up to max. Ray tracing has definitely improved, but it hasn’t matched the same levels as Team Green — not that this is a complete dealbreaker as all your favorite AAA titles still look amazing with baked in lights, shadows and reflections.

And AMD’s AI trickery, known as FSR 4, is a fantastic resolution scaler that extracts more performance while eliminating practically all of that telltale ghosting. Put simply, Nvidia has enjoyed its time on top for a while, but there’s some serious competition now. If you’re sitting on $600 and you want the best bang for your buck, this is a darn good way to go.

That’s not to say it’s all sunshine and rainbows. Outside of the ray tracing issues, this GPU doesn’t hold a candle to the RTX 5070 Ti for being a multipurpose card to facilitate AI and prosumer workloads. On top of that, FSR 4 is cool and all, but it’s definitely more finicky to use in AMD’s software compared to DLSS 4 in the Nvidia app.

But if you’re solely focused on gaming and you want to maximize your horsepower in this area specifically while not breaking the bank, the RX 9070 XT is a great buy.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? This is a higher mid-range PC graphics card.
• Who is it for? This is for PC gaming enthusiasts who are looking for stellar 1440p smoothness, and great 4K gaming too.
• What does it cost? MSRP starts at $599/£569. In reality, you’re looking at paying $50 more in the U.S., and £20 more in the U.K.
• What do I like? This is a beasty GPU — more powerful in some of the PC gaming bestsellers than the RTX 5070 Ti at a lower price to boot. FSR 4 has also seen some impressive gains over time too.
• What don’t I like? While the RX 9070 XT may have the edge in gaming, Nvidia clearly has an advantage in multipurpose usage, as AI and productivity are not as strong on AMD’s GPU. On top of that, ray tracing isn’t quite as good, and Nvidia’s software is easier to use with far better DLSS 4 reliability over FSR 4.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: Specs

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: 3DMark tests

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: The ups

Just a short while ago, I called the RTX 5070 Ti the beacon of mid-range gaming. Now, well, I take that back.

A gaming monster

It’s a price-to-performance thing when you look at it, and AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT either comes close or beats the $150 more expensive RTX 5070 Ti in key games. Of course, there’s DLSS 4 and multi-frame gen which give Nvidia a leg up in some situations and there are other areas where Team Green stays ahead.

But looking at the math, you’re getting around 95% of the performance of the 5070 Ti at 80% the cost. The dollars and cents make sense here.

As you can see, you’ve got three different scenarios here: either AMD’s GPU is a bit far off because of the ray tracing requirements (more on that later, but turn RT down to low in these games), it comes damn close or it either surpasses it.

It’s real sweet spot is at 1440p, but go even further and you’d be surprised at just what this is able to do at 4K — even more so when you turn on FSR 4. For those uninitiated, the 4th generation of FidelityFX Super Resolution is AMD’s version of Nvidia’s DLSS. It’s an upscaler that uses machine learning to look at what’s going on at a lower resolution, then make everything sharper through neural trickery to deliver faster frame rates.

There is no multi-frame gen technically available yet (though there are some hacky ways to get it like Lossless Scaling from Steam). But ultimately, the rasterized baseline trades blows with Nvidia’s vastly more expensive GPU.

Plus there’s the promise of more to come. FSR Redstone looks prime to really make up for the ray tracing short-fall with things like neural radiance caching and ML ray regeneration, as well as frame generation too. But this is all tech coming down the line, and I don’t review products based on the promise of future updates.

Following simple standards

When it comes to connectivity, this may not matter if you’re getting a prebuilt PC with this GPU already installed. But if you’re upgrading your pre-existing card, it’s comforting that the power plugs are your standard 8-pin PCIe power connectors — rather than the 2x6 ports found on the RTX 5070 Ti.

Especially given the documented cases of the 2x6 12VHPWR connector melting. Of course, this has been linked to poor manufacturing or bending the cables at uncomfortable angles, but with the 8-pin, it’s certainly much less common.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: The downs

This GPU does indeed go hard on gaming, and that is at the expense of a couple other use cases. Plus, there’s one thing that while improved, doesn’t match what Nvidia is capable of.

Nvidia still has some gaming advantages

Take a look back at those tables again. You may see a gulf in performance in Cyberpunk 2077, which comes down to my testing conditions set to RT Ultra settings. And unfortunately, ray tracing is still not quite there on the Radeon RX 9070 XT.

Turn on FSR 4 and you can see that bump right back up to over 100 FPS, which is great! But on raw rasterization, the RT cores of Team Green continue to be one step ahead.

And speaking of one step ahead, Nvidia’s game support is far more vast for DLSS 4 (over 175 games) vs FSR 4 (over 85 games). And in terms of accessing settings to force DLSS 4, Nvidia’s app seems to be more reliable, whereas AMD Adrenalin’s FSR 4 toggle is a bit more hit-and-miss.

Not for creative pros or AI workloads

Throwing all your eggs into the gaming basket is fair and all, but if you aimed to do more with your desktop than just play, you’ll be left a little shorthanded with the RX 9070 XT. In terms of GPU-intensive creator tasks, you’ll see AMD’s GPU fall behind the RTX 5070 Ti by 11.2%.

For the lower price, that could be an OK compromise, though. But it just depends where you sit on how you balance productivity and play.

Then there’s the AI side of things, which…well there’s no better way to say it: Nvidia absolutely trounces AMD here.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: Verdict

It may not be the most versatile GPU given its lacking creator workload performance, and Nvidia may have an advantage in dedicated game support and ray tracing. However, when it comes down to gaming and extracting the most performance for every dollar you spend, the RX 9070 XT is a fantastic option.

The current pricing is within the region of where I’d feel comfortable buying one without feeling overly scaled (way cheaper than the RTX 5070 Ti), and this card often dukes it out performance-wise with Nvidia’s pricier option.

It would be fair to say that Xbox has endured mixed fortunes in the last month. The Tokyo Game Show and the reveal of Forza Horizon 6 (not coming to PlayStation at launch, by the way) were followed by a price hike for Xbox Game Pass, which came just after Microsoft did its best to price itself out of the console market.

Then, as if to compound the issue, the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X didn’t get a price until the eleventh hour, and then dropped at an eye-watering $599 and $999. Is the legacy of Xbox to be one of pricey hardware and services, then? Not quite. I think its story runs into the next generation. Let me explain.

Is this an Xbox?

Microsoft’s biggest issue, dating back to the rollout of the Xbox One, has been how it messages its plans. That console, which should have been a slam dunk after the Xbox 360 catapulted the brand into the global consciousness, launched atop a wave of mealy-mouthed, confusion-inducing communications.

Does it need to be online? Yes. Can you share games? Yes, but also no, because people would have to be part of your family plan. Do you have to have a Kinect? Yes, and the price is higher than the PS4 because of it.

And, while that was now 12 years ago, Microsoft hasn’t really learned from those same mistakes. When it came to releasing games on PlayStation (a necessity given the cost of game development and wanting to find as wide an audience as possible, Microsoft let the rumor mill and leaks spring eternal before confirming that four games would come to Sony’s system.

That then shifted again - some games would land day-and-date on PS5, and there were no barriers to even allowing something like Halo to cross the fence.

Imagine our surprise, then, when Xbox finally hit upon a strong messaging beat. “This is an Xbox” became a memeable catchphrase in the same way “Xbox Game Pass is the best deal in gaming” was parrotted by many online (including from this writer, but more on that later).

The idea is simple: thanks to Cloud Gaming and Xbox Play Anywhere, you can play Xbox titles on your phone, tablet, PC, VR headset, and even an Amazon Fire TV stick. It’s a smart idea, albeit one that essentially removes the need to buy an Xbox console for those with a good enough PC.

But it gets you in the ecosystem that Microsoft, to its credit, has been pushing to build seemingly every year, gradually (and not without some frustrating closures along the way), since current Xbox boss Phil Spencer took over.

No, it’s not

The trouble is that, when an Xbox handheld hits shelves, even at its sky-high price, there’s now a reasonable expectation that it can play Xbox games.

And it can…sort of. But only if the game in question has Play Anywhere support which includes a PC version as well as a console one, or if you’re happy to stream your games to the system.

Despite what Good Morning America may suggest, you can’t technically play Xbox console games on it.

It’s yet another asterisk next to a handy marketing slogan - “This Is An Xbox” (that’s actually a PC) will sit alongside “Play it on Day One with Xbox Game Pass” (as long as you’ve got the right tier that has day one launches).

The discerning Tom’s Guide reader will know all this regardless, but if you’re a grandparent or parent shopping for a new console this holiday season, you could be opening a can of worms gifting a $999 Xbox console (which Microsoft itself describes as an Xbox) to an Xbox gamer only to find they don’t have anything to play natively on it.

So what next?

When Microsoft raised the price of Xbox Game Pass, it didn’t take long for discussions to turn to whether the company was abandoning the gaming space, having seen its returns seemingly diminish against Nintendo and, primarily, Sony.

It’s perhaps telling that it feels like Xbox is the only one of the three where a rumor seemingly takes on new life, pushing Microsoft to confirm that no, its billions-of-dollars investment in AMD for the next console generation isn’t being sidelined just yet.

And yet, I think if Microsoft could be onto something. The rise of handheld PCs has blurred the lines between console and more traditional PC gaming, and now more than ever, users have libraries spread across different systems and launchers.

More from Tom's Guide

• Intel Panther Lake could power the future of handheld gaming — here's why AMD should be nervous
• I just tested the new Scuf Valor Pro controller — and it’s a must-have for PC gamers
• Legion Go 2 vs. Legion Go S: Which handheld should you buy?

The death of Windows 10 has finally arrived with support for the most recent iteration of Microsoft's operating system ending on October 14. It's not good news for older laptops or desktops that will lose new feature updates and security patches.

The transition from Windows 10 to 11 doesn't just affect consumers, even if the best laptops can upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

Partner companies like AMD are helping Microsoft build new systems that are compatible with Windows 11. But how are they avoiding e-waste? Outside of selling new PCs, what's the point of getting a new one? How are they future-proofing?

I had a chance to sit down with AMD's Vice President and General Manager of the Client OEM group, Jason Banta, to ask those questions and to see how AMD is working through the Windows 11 transition.

Editor's note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Context: Despite the end of life for Windows 10 finally landing, it doesn't appear to have spurred a massive refresh. GS Statcounter lists Windows 10 as declining with a 40.5% market share compared to 48.9% for Windows 11. Interestingly, their stats show Windows 7 going up with a near 10% claim as of this writing.

The way we look at it is that the update needs to happen. And what we want to do from an AMD perspective is tell our best story about.

Why is it a great time to upgrade?

If you move to a Zen 5-based, RDNA-based Ryzen product, you're going to see massive improvements in productivity performance, content creation performance, and battery life.

We're helping folks understand what benefit they get from that, and we think that's going to lead people to a Ryzen-based product. But we're also making sure that they understand that there's urgency, too.

We're guiding folks to future-proof those purchases when they're choosing a new PC with AI and NPU technology. That's something where AMD has the strongest performance; we have a lead in NPU performance and AI performance.

There are experiences that will benefit from that AI technology today, but there's a whole road map of experiences to come that will also leverage that technology.

If you haven't bought a PC in four or five years and want something that will last several years longer, consider getting one with AIPC capability, as more experiences will come out that leverage and need it.

More from Tom's Guide

• Windows 10 End of Life deadline today — LIVE updates and what you need to do
• Sony confirms PS6 will arrive 'in a few years' as AMD teases breakthrough GPU performance
• Time has run out for millions of Windows 10 users, but here's the trick for a free one-year extension

The PS5 Pro may be the current top dog in the console world and the best video game system you can buy, but things don't stay still for long when it comes to gaming.

In a new video, Sony’s Mark Cerny and AMD’s Jack Huynh sat down to discuss Project Amethyst, which is the technology expected to power the PS6. While we didn’t receive any updates about the unannounced PlayStation console, we did learn a little more about how it will push the limits of gaming tech.

The PS5 and PS5 Pro can both deliver ray-traced graphics, but this takes a big toll on the systems’ GPU, which is why you often see games running at 30 frames per second when ray tracing is enabled. Sony and AMD are refining the process for ray tracing and path tracing to alleviate some of the stress on the GPU. Machine Learning (or AI) will play a major role in this, and should not only result in less stress on the GPU, but also better graphics and smoother gameplay.

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• PS5 Pro is getting a big upgrade in 2026 — I asked Mark Cerny what’s coming, and why AMD’s future PC GPUs feel more 'PlayStation' than ever

It's official: Nvidia and Intel are partnering up, and is set to bring a fusion of Intel CPUs and Nvidia's RTX GPU power into a new breed of SoC (System on Chip): Intel x86 RTX silicon.

Two rival juggernauts of the industry are now in alliance, with Nvidia throwing $5 billion at Intel to kick-start a new era of chips in PCs. With Team Blue's massive share of laptops in the market and Team Green's dominance as a GPU maker, this is arguably the dream scenario not just for both companies, but for the rest of us, too.

Having an Intel SoC fitted with an Nvidia RTX graphics chip should deliver more thin, lightweight Windows laptops made for productivity and gaming. It truly would be a leap forward for PC gaming, even if it may be putting Intel's own Arc GPUs on thin ice.

But there's one player who may feel the sting of this partnership — AMD. Team Red has been gaining momentum with its latest suite of CPUs and GPUs, showing off incredible performance with its AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 in the Asus ROG Flow Z13, which shows off its integrated graphics prowess.

That's the kind of might Nvidia and Intel appear to be striving towards with their new investment into SoCs, but it isn't just desktops and laptops that are on the line here. With AMD's hand in powering the best gaming handhelds and the latest consoles, including the PS5 and Xbox Series X, we could see a change in the future of gaming consoles, and AMD may have a serious fight on its hands to remain the go-to chip maker.

Gaming laptops and beyond

Despite many of the best gaming laptops today coming equipped with Intel's latest CPUs, they only manage to be top-of-the-line machines thanks to discrete GPUs, whether it be from Nvidia or AMD.

Laptop manufacturers can do their best to make them more portable, with the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 or Razer Blade 14 being fine examples, but they can't match the ultra-lightweight design or power efficiency of, say, a MacBook Pro sporting the latest M-series silicon that, for the most part, acts as a work laptop by day and a gaming machine by night — with a battery that lasts.

And so, having Nvidia and Intel's next venture into a CPU with integrated graphics would potentially solve that problem. But AMD has already been chipping away at this for a while. In fact, AMD put the scare in Intel with its Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, surpassing Team Blue's Lunar Lake chip (the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V) in gaming handhelds.

That's why you'll find AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme in the most popular gaming handhelds arriving, including the ROG Xbox Ally X and MSI Claw A8. It simply pulls ahead of its competition, and there's a very good reason behind Sony and Microsoft continuously using a custom AMD chip to power their consoles.

The PS5 Pro managed to become the most powerful console on the market thanks to AMD, and as we learned from lead architect Mark Cerny, it will continue to push ahead with FSR 4 (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and Project Amethyst, the multi-year partnership with Sony and AMD.

But what if Nvidia and Intel's newfound partnership disrupts AMD's current journey into different platforms? Nvidia has an edge in the GPU market, with its GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards bringing DLSS 4 (Deep Learning Super Sampling) upscaling tech, and it's taken the lead on how games can perform on PCs, whether it be on a desktop or laptop.

Since Nvidia and Intel's x86 RTX silicon should deliver more powerful and efficient performance for gaming and AI on laptops (as tech analyst Avi Greengart told Tom's Guide), if this expands onto other platforms like handheld PCs and consoles, then who's to say tech giants won't make a shift in chip makers?

Now, when this upcoming Nvidia/Intel chip will arrive is anyone's guess, and AMD already appears to have plans in place for its next-gen SoC in the rumored AMD Medusa Ryzen CPUs tipped for 2026. What's more, the long-rumored PS6 is expected to be powered by an AMD chip capable of being 8x faster than the PS5, with 4K at 120 FPS.

But with this shift in the tech industry, the future of gaming on different platforms could see a new name powering these devices, and Team Red may not be the first choice much longer.

Nvidia has its own card to play

During the chat to confirm the deal, Huang made it clear that the partnership has nothing to do with President Trump (as pointed out by The Verge) or Nvidia's own chip plans. If anything, that means Team Green is still pushing ahead on its expected Nvidia N1X chip.

Interestingly, that appears to be another deal Nvidia is striking up with MediaTek, which hints at bringing Arm-based CPUs for desktops and laptops. Again, that means slimmer, more powerful gaming laptops thanks to the might of Nvidia's latest graphics cards. Apparently, this SoC could arrive sometime in 2026, and it's looking to leverage the power of an RTX GPU.

There have been hints that the N1X will come with RTX 5070 desktop GPU power, boasting a 20-core CPU and 6,144 CUDA cores. This is exciting to hear, considering this is just from a single chip. If this is the performance we might expect, then Nvidia is setting itself up to shake up the industry.

Of course, without an official announcement, we won't know what kind of consumer-grade SoC we can expect from Nvidia until it's revealed. The performance of Nvidia's new lineup of silicon is still up in the air, but the implications of the top GPU maker venturing into the CPU world should put AMD and other chip makers on their toes.

The takeaway

It's not like Nvidia hasn't made its own custom chip for consoles before. The Nintendo Switch 2 is powered by a custom Nvidia processor featuring a GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores. But an all-new SoC with Intel by its side could drastically shift the type of chips we see in not just PCs, but handhelds and consoles, too.

Sure, it's not like we haven't seen Arm chips for Windows in action before, with Snapdragon X Elite laptops impressing with their long battery life and fast speeds. That said, we've tested Snapdragon X Elite PCs for gaming, and while impressive, they aren't quite built for demanding titles.

Still, there are other plans from Intel and Nvidia's competitors underway. For one, the AMD Strix Halo APU already delivers close to RTX 4060 desktop GPU power, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Series chip is set to arrive soon.

In any case, we're sure to see some exciting developments in the CPU market over the next few years, and AMD has now found an even bigger rival in a combined effort between Nvidia and Intel — and I can't wait to play on whatever devices come from this battle.

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I miss netbooks. There, I said it. Yes, they were always super cramped to use, packed touchpads that even a mouse would describe as “a little small,” and they were drastically underpowered to boot. But there was something special about having such a tiny Windows device for getting stuff done.

But after testing the world’s first glasses-free 3D laptop-handheld hybrid at IFA 2025, I had a crystallizing moment — the netbook craze has been in front of me the entire time and I just didn’t see it.

As my friend Cale Hunt over at Windows Central surmised, gaming handhelds are the new netbooks. Reading his thoughts last month, I wasn't convinced. But after going hands-on with the Digiera Holomax, he's definitely onto something!

Let me explain why.

Power play

One thing that I sure am glad isn’t coming over from netbooks is the lack of raw horsepower. This is a beast that should be able to hang with the likes of the Xbox ROG Ally X — packing an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip, up to 64GB of RAM and up to 4TB of storage.

For stamina, there’s an 80 Wh battery that the company says can last 10 hours (...sus), and everything is kept cool with a mix of copper heat pipes, an aluminum heatsink and a 4,200 RPM fan.

But we’ve got to talk about the screen here: an 11-inch 2560 x 1600-pixel resolution panel that is capable of autostereoscopic 3D. Using a smart eye-tracking system built into the bezel, it can find your peepers, and use AI to convert 2D content to 3D for your eyes only. The effect is impressive — it reminds me of Acer’s SpatialLabs 3D tech in terms of producing a crispy picture that doesn’t hurt your eyes.

And of course, this is a hybrid device. You’re currently seeing it in handheld mode with those ergonomically sound controllers attached magnetically on the side, but there’s also a keyboard to attach to the bottom too. Once you attach the board and begin to type, your mind is taken back to the Netbook era.

One big problem

But with all of this, there’s one crucial issue. MSRP: $2,699. In the gaming handheld space, that’s diabolical. Even in the laptop space, that’s unseemly — the Asus ROG Flow Z13 with its monster Ryzen AI Max+ 395 CPU (vastly better at gaming than the Holomax’s 370) is $400 cheaper.

That’s steep and if this makes it to market, I can’t in good conscience say you should buy it. This is an interesting device for sure — the form factor and ways to use make it a fascinating one to play on. But for nearly three grand? You'd best be absolutely sure this is everything you’ve ever wanted.

Outlook

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Next-gen CPUs are always on their way, but now we've got a taste of what Intel and AMD may be cooking up, and when we may see these new processors.

Reliable leaker momomo_us on X has revealed a roadmap of Intel and AMD mobile CPUs set to arrive until 2027, showcasing the processors we can expect to see in upcoming laptops. According to VideoCardz, this comes from an unknown laptop manufacturer, with the roadmap dated back in May.

As per the leak, we can expect Intel Core Ultra 300 CPUs, also known as Panther Lake, and AMD Medusa Ryzen CPUs, in Q2 of 2026. This puts the launch window around April, but they could come earlier, seeing as Intel already had demos of Panther Lake CPUs at Computex 2025.

Interestingly, we also get a glimpse of what Intel has planned for 2027. If accurate, we can expect Intel Core Ultra 400 CPUs — codenamed Nova Lake — just a year after Intel launches its Panther Lake SoC on laptops.

There has been plenty of talk on Intel's Nova Lake, including CPU spec leaks showcasing double the performance and efficiency over Arrow Lake. We also saw Nova Lake-HX, H and U processors in this leak, although this was expected to be for next year's lineup of chips. With this leaked roadmap, those specs may have to wait until 2027.

While AMD's future plans stop in 2026, and don't show the series of CPUs that will arrive, it's likely to be the follow-up to its Ryzen AI 300 series CPUs. If that's the case, expect a suite of Ryzen AI 400 chips coming early next year.

CPU competition heats up

We've heard about Intel and AMD's chips for a while, but there are others now in the limelight. With rumors of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 chips and Nvidia's N1X coming out of the woodwork, Team Blue and Team Red will need to deliver some reputable performance to shine through its rumored competition.

For one, the N1-series chip will reportedly deliver the same performance as an RTX 4070-equipped laptop, but it's also been hinting at RTX 5070 power in recent reports. For gamers and creatives, that's a huge gain in a laptop, especially if it keeps the price down without having a discrete GPU. Plus, it makes for an ultra-portable machine.

While gaming on a Snapdragon X laptop doesn't compete with the likes of an Intel or AMD machine (think Asus ROG Flow Z13), the Snapdragon X2 chip is expected to deliver a major boost in performance, if the rumored 18-core CPU configuration and up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM in the X2 Elite is to be believed.

Either way, it's looking to be less than a year until we see what Intel and AMD have up their sleeves with their next-gen CPUs. That's still a while away, though, so for the best laptops around right now, we've got you covered.

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If you're looking to get the best performance and the most rock solid frame rates from your gaming, you'll need to know how to keep your drivers updated. No matter what AMD GPU you're using, keeping them updated is crucial.

Unlike other areas of hardware, graphics cards often get pretty frequent driver updates. You can expect to see a new one roll around each month. Knowing where to look to find them, as well as how to roll back an update when you need to, is a key part of PC ownership.

Fortunately, updating AMD GPU drivers is very simple. I'll walk you through the entire process below. First, check your PC specs to make sure you're searching for updates for the right GPU.

How to update AMD GPU drivers

AMD makes some of the best processors, but it also makes superb graphics cards. The good news is that you can update drivers for both in the exact same way, and it's a super simple process. You'll be using AMD's proprietary software to get your new drivers.

How to reinstall an older AMD driver

If your current driver is misbehaving, it could help to get rid of it and go back to an older version. There are a few ways to do this, but we'll outline the most reliable option below.

Keep in mind that both AMD lets you do this in its own software.

That's it — hopefully, now you have a good grasp on how to keep your AMD drivers up to date. If you want to go even further, you can follow my guide on replacing your GPU directly right here.

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From cheaper games to tweaking your settings to get them exactly how you want them, there’s a lot of perks to being a PC gamer. However, being stuck at your desk when your console-wielding counterparts are sprawled out on the couch in front of their massive TVs isn’t one of them.

Sure, if you have one of the best gaming PCs with a powerful GPU, you could bring your rig out to the living room for some couch gaming — that is if you live by yourself. I used to do just this back when I was on my own but now with a family and a little one at home, having a big bulky gaming desktop under my TV just isn’t feasible.

Not only would doing so put my gaming PC at risk of getting knocked over or damaged, but it would definitely throw off the aesthetics of the living room I’ve spent the last two weekends remodeling. While you can probably convince your significant other that your game console definitely deserves a place in the living room, doing so with your gaming PC is a much harder sell.

As I’ve spent the past few years testing and reviewing the best mini PCs, I’ve also moved away from building and using larger, desktop gaming PCs, especially as graphics card and component prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Much to my surprise though, I’ve been able to play quite a few of the best PC games on some of the mini PCs I’ve tested. However, it wasn’t until I reviewed the Framework Desktop that I told myself this might be the perfect mini PC for a more discrete, yet still quite powerful living room PC.

Here’s what it’s been like using and gaming on the Framework Desktop on a 65-inch TV from the comfort of my couch for the past week and why a mini PC like this one could easily earn a permanent spot in my entertainment center.

PC building, miniaturized

Best known for its repairable and upgradeable laptops, Framework is a company I’ve been following since the release of the first Framework Laptop back in 2021. It wasn’t until the start of this year when the company announced that it would be making a mini PC, though, that my interest was truly piqued.

You see, unlike the rest of the mini PCs I’ve checked out in the past, this one would be modular with upgradeable parts as well as highly customizable.

With multiple side panel options available and a unique front panel with slots for 21 different tiles, you can really make the Framework Desktop your own. On the front of its case, there are two slots where you can add whatever ports you want from your standard USB-A and USB-C to SD and microSD card readers. thanks to the company’s Expansion Cards which also come in a number of different colors and finishes.

With most mini PCs, I unbox them and then go right to incorporating them into one of my desk setups. With the Framework Desktop though, I had to build it first. Besides being a lot of fun and taking me back to my PC building days, this was also incredibly easy.

Framework takes all of the guesswork out of building a PC by pre-installing the motherboard, CPU and RAM. All you need to do on your end is to install your storage and the CPU fan, close everything up and you’re ready to go.

You do need to install your own operating system with both Windows and Linux supported right out of the box. As I’m not quite ready to delve back into the world of Linux distros, I went with Windows 11, though for a living room gaming PC, I’m sure something like Bazzite would work like a charm on the Framework Desktop.

The last thing besides its more compact form factor that makes the Framework Desktop perfect for moving between rooms or even taking it with you on the go is the optional carrying handle. This one is still in the works and will likely be finalized soon but Framework sent over a prototype with my review unit for me to test out.

Back to the couch in style

With a completely empty room, it’s very easy to see all the potential possibilities before you start bringing your furniture back in. I originally picked up this entertainment center due to the fact that there was enough space on either side to fit a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

After dealing with overheating issues from my own Xbox Series X not having enough room for good ventilation though, I started thinking about putting a mini PC there instead. As it turns out, there’s more than enough space for the Framework Desktop there and airflow isn’t an issue at all, since all of the hot air from my review unit’s AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 CPU is expelled out of the side instead of from the top.

Another thing that I really like about the Framework Desktop is that it uses a standard PC power cable. They’re readily available and, best of all, very inexpensive so picking up an extra one won’t be an issue at all. As I have a few on hand from various PCs I built over the years, I could leave one plugged in here and have another at my desk to easily move the Framework Desktop from my office out to the living room in a pinch.

With a living room PC setup, you’re definitely going to need one of the best keyboards and a wireless mouse for downloading updates, opening games and browsing the web. While I always used to have a Logitech K400 and later a Logitech K400 Plus wireless keyboard with built-in trackpad at the ready for using my PC in the living room, this time around I wanted to do things differently.

Given the more refined look we’re going for with our remodeled living room, I decided to use the Keychron K2 HE wireless mechanical keyboard with magnetic Hall Effect switches I recently picked up, as I love its rosewood side panels. Given that I wanted to play games on the Framework Desktop with one of the best PC game controllers, I’m using a mini trackball mouse from Elecom alongside it.

After changing the Framework Desktop’s resolution to match that of my TV, it was time to put it to the test with a few more demanding games that I’ve struggled to run well on some of the other mini PCs. Fortunately though, thanks to AMD’s Radeon Super Resolution feature and its game-boosting FSR tech, things worked out even better than I had expected they would.

Playing is believing

With AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 or an Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and from 32GB to 128GB of LPDDR5x memory, the Framework Desktop is a petite powerhouse capable of handling a variety of workloads from everyday web browsing and office tasks to photo/video editing and even running AI models locally.

While testing it for my review, I was quite impressed with its performance as I used it for work during the day. However, it wasn’t until I dimmed the lights and fired up a few of my favorite games at night that I was blown away.

Unlike some other gaming-focused mini PCs I’ve tested in the past such as the Asus ROG NUC 970 or the AtomMan G7 Ti, the Framework Desktop doesn’t have a discrete GPU. Instead, everything from work to gaming is handled by its APU which combines a CPU and a GPU on a single chip. This helps cut down on costs while also freeing up room inside its case, all while using less power in the process.

Normally with integrated graphics on a mini PC, you’re quite limited as to what sorts of games you can run and what resolutions you can play them at. Typically while playing games on mini PCs, I’ve opted for a lower resolution 1080p monitor over a 4K display like the one in my living room TV. However, after testing some games in my office on the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED 4K gaming monitor, I knew the Framework Desktop was up to the task of playing games on my TV.

I know some PC gamers might scoff at the idea of using Nvidia’s DLSS or in this case, AMD’s FSR performance and framerate-boosting tech but in this case, it’s the perfect solution. I never would have been able to run more demanding games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth or Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC without it.

In both of these titles, I saw smooth and steady frame rates of 60 fps with either it or AMD’s Radeon Super Resolution enabled. And since I was sitting a lot farther back from the screen on my couch, I wasn’t pixel peeping and going over every imperfection. Instead, I was able to kick back and play some PC games almost as effortlessly as I would have on a game console.

The best of both

In terms of your initial investment, gaming on a console will always beat a PC. However, with a full-fledged computer, anything’s possible. I’ve worked on the Framework Desktop, edited photos, played games and almost as importantly, I had a really fun time building and customizing it.

As this is a review unit after all, it’s not going to remain a permanent fixture in my living room but even if this was my own PC, I still don’t think it would. Instead, I like the flexibility of using it in my office for work or gaming and then when everyone’s out of the house or asleep for the night, I can easily bring it out to the living room for some big screen gaming.

Likewise, with a starting price of $1,099, the Framework Desktop isn’t exactly a budget mini PC like the Geekom A5 I just reviewed. It’s actually more of a crossover between a standard mini PC and a small form factor (SFF) desktop. While you could likely put together a comparable little gaming PC for around the same price or even less, I really like how Framework has simplified the process of PC building for those who might be hesitant to try doing so out for themselves.

It’s not really that hard after all but with the Framework Desktop, you also get the customization the company is known for and once this mini PC finally becomes readily available (you can preorder one now), I guarantee there will be even more custom tiles, side panels and maybe even alternate carrying handles so that you can truly make it your own.

When I first reached out to Framework about reviewing its first desktop computer, I thought I was just going to see what the company’s modular devices were all about. However, I ended up seeing the full potential of AMD’s latest integrated graphics and given how far they’ve come so far, I really feel like the sky is the limit for what you can pull off without a dedicated GPU.

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The APU powering the next Xbox could help it compete with pre-built PCs. That’s what the experts at Digital Foundry discuss in the latest episode of their DF Direct Weekly podcast (via Wccftech).

Digital Foundry notes that the leaked “Magnus” APU image that we previously reported on reveals a chip that’s very different from past and current console APUs like the ones powering the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

For instance, the design has separate CPU and GPU dies, which distinguishes it from the typical design. Digital Foundry also says this chip should be extremely powerful and could support an iterative console design.

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One of the big focuses of handheld gaming PCs like Valve’s Steam Deck or the ROG Xbox Ally is on not just power, but efficiency. In something so small, its critical that the chipsets inside are able to offer impressive frame rates while slow-sipping that battery juice.

It's always been an important tradeoff since the advent of laptops, but smaller devices requiring more power have brought it into a sharper focus. Now it appears that AMD’s Z2 Extreme has leapfrogged Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V, as seen in new gaming benchmarks comparing the AMD-armed MSI Claw A8 and the Intel-ified MSI Claw 8 AI+.

Is AMD pulling ahead of Intel?

As reported by Tom’s Hardware, the tide could be turning somewhat in AMD’s favor. Intel's Lunar Lake chip has been impressive at medium wattages, but Team Red has surpassed it.

That delta has not only shrunk, but it’s now gone entirely when the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme and the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V are both running at 17W, with a new video on Bilibili.com showing the Z2 Extreme pulling away in the likes of Resident Evil Village and Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord, while staying relatively consistent for other test titles.

With the Z2 Extreme in the MSI Claw A8 and the Core 7 Ultra 258V in the MSI Claw 8 AI+, this is a great chance to see how the two stack up in comparatively priced devices.

It’s perhaps no surprise to see the Z2 Extreme performing above expectations, given that it’s AMD’s top-of-the-line handheld system-on-chip (SoC) and has eight cores, sixteen threads, and runs at up to 5GHz.

The SoC sees an 80 percent improvement on last year’s Z1 Extreme at 10 watts, managing more than 20 FPS in GR Extreme benchmarking, but it’s not all good news. As Tom’s Hardware points out, once the SoC hit its default power configuration, frame rates actually began to drop.

It seems the SoC was taking power away from the GPU, but locking the SPPT (Slow Package Power Tracking) to 48W seemingly alleviated the issue.

Performance 🤝 Power efficiency

Given the understandable furore over Monster Hunter Wilds’ PC performance, it’s impressive to see the game running at just over 30 FPS in 1080p at 17W on the Ryzen Z2, but Capcom’s action title wasn’t alone.

Far Cry 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 saw smaller gains, but Resident Evil Village was almost 8 FPS better off on the Z2 Extreme than the Intel SoC, leading to an 8.5% average lead across the four titles.

If nothing else, this comparison does suggest that customers deciding between the MSI Claw A8 and the Claw 8 AI+ will have increased headroom from the former.

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With Microsoft making everything an Xbox, and a move to branded partnerships like the ROG Xbox Ally handheld, it might feel surprising that the company is still working on a next generation console.

A new leak from YouTuber Moore's Law is Dead, claims that Microsoft is going all-in on graphics for its next Xbox console, and it could launch within the next two years. As reported by Notebookcheck, the next Xbox console could have double the performance and visual fidelity of the PS5 Pro.

The leak is a follow up from previous leaks reported by Moore's indicating that the console, allegedly codenamed Magnus, will run a new AMD RDNA 5 GPU and Zen 6 CPU. According to them, this system would produce graphics basically on par with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080.

He also said that the system would reportedly hit 120fps natively at 4k resolution with improved ray tracing. It would be built on an AT2 GPU die, that would also power AMD's mid-range desktop graphics cards.

Reportedly, that GPU will have 68 compute units and a 192-bit GDDR7 memory bus. With some speculation it could mean that using the AT2 die would allow Microsoft to lower production costs over the time, while improving driver support.

Moore's Law suggested that the new console is in its final development stage which means the next Xbox could launch in late 2026, possibly 2027. It's much earlier than previous rumors which suggested a 2028 release.

Reportedly, Xbox will use AMD's FSR upscaling technology, similar to the PS5 Pro's PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) for AI upscaling.

We have yet to see a price leak, but some speculation places the console between $500 and $600, though with the PS5 Pro price level and the Switch 2 rise, those numbers might go higher. It also might feature 32GB of RAM to enable 120fps gaming.

The leak also hints at Microsoft developing Xbox backwards compatibility for PC and consoles, which means Xbox players could easily transfer their game library to the next console easily. Though that does depend on whether or not Microsoft includes a disc drive. with its next Xbox

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A couple of weeks ago, the YouTuber Moore's Law is Dead posted a video on the unannounced AMD Zen 6 APU codenamed "Magnus" that would reportedly power the next Xbox or PlayStation 6.

Now, he's returned with an update that confirms Magnus will power the new Xbox, while two different AMD APUs are alleged to feature in the PS6 and a PlayStation handheld.

There is a lot of speculation in the update surrounding various codenames and Shakespearean characters. I'll break it down below plus details on what AMD's next APU could look like.

PlayStation 6 and PlayStation handheld

According to Moore's Law is Dead, there are two groups of codenames that could be the PS6 and a potential handheld; Orion and Canis or Robin and Robin Plus. In the former set, Orion is the codename for the PS6 and Canis would power the handheld.

Another known console leaker, Kepler L2 seemed to confirmed the Canis naming convention on the NeoGaf forums. They also claimed in another post that Canis has a monolithic design, meaning that the single silicon would contain the CPU and GPU on the on the same node. Different compared to say the AMD Ryzen SoC which has multiple smaller dies or chiplets connected to one another.

The Robin/Robin Plus moniker is interesting in so far that AMD reportedly uses Shakespearean characters as codenames for PlayStation chips. For the PS5 the company allegedly used Oberon and Oberon Plus. Robin is a character from A Midsummer Night's Dream, though Puck would be the more well known name.

Sony and AMD did recently announce a partnership for the next PlayStation console. It should be powerful, as we recently reported that the next Sony console could utilize up to 24GB of RAM. Currently, the PS5 uses 16GB of RAM.

Magnus and Xbox

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony wants to bring PlayStation exclusives to Xbox, according to new job listing
• PS5 Pro is getting a big upgrade in 2026 — I asked Mark Cerny what’s coming, and why AMD’s future PC GPUs feel more 'PlayStation' than ever
• PS5 30th Anniversary Collection restock live — latest updates as limited-edition console and controller drop at PlayStation Direct

The APU for either the PS6 or the next Xbox might have just been revealed.

YouTuber Moore’s Law is Dead (via Wccftech) posted a video discussing an unannounced AMD Zen 6 APU codenamed “Magnus.”

This processor supposedly has a large 264mm squared graphics die with a 384-bit memory bus. As Wccftech explains, that’s a wider bus than even the Xbox Series X’s 320-bit bus. Magnus allegedly also packs 11 CPU cores featuring three Zen 6 cores and eight Zen 6 cores, which is a strange core count.

What makes Moore’s Law is Dead believe this APU is for the PS6? In the documents he discusses, he found other code names, such as Mero and Jupiter, with the former being an unused codename for the Steam Deck’s APU and the latter rumored to be the APU for the equally rumored PlayStation handheld. In other words, these are chips for gaming systems and not the best gaming laptops.

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• Nintendo Switch 2 restocks — live updates
• Death Stranding 2 review
• These are the best gaming monitors in 2025

We've learned that Sony is gearing up to deliver a major PS5 Pro upgrade in 2026, but now we may know specific timing of when it may arrive — and it sets up nicely for one of the biggest upcoming game launches.

Leaker DetectiveSeeds on X suggests the upcoming PS5 Pro update in 2026 is set to arrive in May, according to a PlayStation engineer. That's just in time for another major release, as the highly anticipated GTA 6 is confirmed to release on May 26.

With the timing, many now speculate that GTA 6 will run at 60 FPS on PS5 Pro thanks to the software update. This would be a major upgrade over other games from developers Rockstar on PlayStation consoles, with titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA V and more only ever reaching 30 FPS.

While official specs of GTA 6 have yet to be released, a tech breakdown from Digital Foundry revealed that the second GTA 6 trailer ran on a base PS5, with 1440p resolution at 30 FPS. Notably, this wasn't on PS5 Pro, which uses PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) upscaling tech.

While PSSR offers an uplift in image clarity at increased resolutions in supported PS5 games, it's the upcoming advanced graphics upscaling algorithm for PS5 Pro that Sony's lead architect Mark Cerny told Tom's Guide about that would push the performance of titles like GTA 6.

This "drop-in replacement for the current PSSR" will arrive in 2026, as per Cerny's comments, but only for PS5 Pro users. It's expected to deliver even further improvements in framerate and image quality, with FSR 4 (FidelityFX Super Resolution) potentially leading the charge thanks to AMD and Sony's partnership in Project Amethyst.

Now that this update is tipped to arrive next May, there's a strong indication that Sony is preparing the upgrade just in time for GTA 6, which is already the most highly anticipated game to arrive in 2026 (originally set to arrive in fall 2025). If the update brings 60 FPS and improvements, this could drive further sales for the PS5 Pro.

The PS5 Pro update is set to deliver improvements to many upcoming PS5 titles that developers can implement, but having it timed for a GTA 6 release would make PlayStation's latest powerful console all the more interesting. It could even indicate what's to come in a potential PS6.

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• AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme benchmarks revealed — here's how the MSI Claw A8 and ROG Xbox Ally X may perform
• Death Stranding 2 is the most beautiful game I've ever played — and it's everything I'd hope for in a sequel
• I'm skeptical about the PS6 — here's 3 upgrades that could change my mind

Gaming handhelds are about to see a major boost in gaming performance thanks to AMD's new flagship chip, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, and we now have a taste of what to expect thanks to new benchmarks.

The first AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme benchmarks are in on Geekbench, as spotted by X user Olrak29_, showcasing the performance we can expect in the upcoming MSI Claw A8 — both in CPU and GPU performance.

In the Geekbench 6 CPU results, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme-equipped MSI Claw A8 delivered a 2,748 single-core score, along with a 12,182 multi-core score. This is a strong improvement over its predecessor, the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, with around a 27% boost overall compared to other Geekbench benchmarks (via Wccftech).

We expected a major boost in performance, with AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme coming with 8 cores and 16 threads based on Zen 5 architecture for faster multitasking, 15W to 35W power output and 16 GPU cores from its Radeon 890M iGPU with AMD's RDNA 3.5 to deliver FSR and frame-gen tech to boost frame rates.

Speaking of graphics, the GPU performance is also shown on Geekbench, with a Vulkan score of 45,064 and an OpenCL score of 37,970. As per the Geekbench results, this pushes past the AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 (44,399/37,297) and crushes the Z1 Extreme (34,715/29,632).

According to the results shown on Geekbench, here's how it measures up against the previous Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU in the Asus ROG Ally X, along with the laptop equivalent AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in the Asus TUF Gaming A14 in our testing.

As you can see, this shows a smaller boost in CPU performance (a 6-9% boost), but given the Z2 Extreme APU is made for handheld gaming, this is still a solid uplift, and the GPU power it appears to offer will make this chip a beast for gaming on the move. Plus, it isn't certain if this ran on 15W or 30W power, and the MSI Claw A8 tested appears to use 16GB of DDR5 RAM as opposed to the 24GB it can go up to.

Regardless, the improvements are clear, and this also gives us a look at what the ROG Xbox Ally X will deliver, seeing as Microsoft's upcoming handheld comes with the same Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU.

Top-tier performance at a price

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• Nintendo Switch 2 was top of my gadget wishlist — then I played the Asus Rog Ally X
• ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld prices leak, and your wallet might weep
• I love the MSI Claw A8, but its price proves PC handhelds are officially going off the rails — here's why

Let’s be honest: Prime Day graphics card deals in the U.S. this year have been… a journey. I’ve been refreshing tabs like it’s my full-time job, hoping for real discounts — and while the U.K. is living the dream with proper savings on RTX 50-series and AMD GPUs, over here in the States, things have gotten a little unhinged.

Case in point: people are hyping up a “$1,000 off” RTX 5090 deal… which still costs $2,649. That’s almost $700 above MSRP. I genuinely hope you weren’t mid-sip, because yeah — it’s that bad.

Let’s get something straight: a price drop down to MSRP is not a deal. Neither is shaving a few bucks off a price that’s already been scalped into another dimension.

That said, not all hope is lost. I’ve dug through the chaos to find the best Prime Day GPU deals that actually make sense — including some MSRP-level pricing on the latest cards, and actual discounts if you’re shopping in the U.K.

So, come with me. Let’s skip the overpriced nonsense and track down the graphics cards actually worth buying on Prime Day.

Quick links

Oh, you REALLY want that RTX 5090?

If you've got the money for it, the RTX 5090 is the best GPU you can buy right now — no workload is safe from this tearing through it at max speed and the gaming performance is simply unmatched.

Been saving and have the flexibility to go $649 over MSRP? Don't let me stop you!

My advice to U.S. PC gamers

But enough showing off about the U.K. — let’s try and find my friends in the States a little something. Here are 3 tips for your GPU-buying mission:

1. Be prepared to go over slightly: I’ll be real with you — it’s rare you’ll find the better GPU choices for MSRP. But that doesn’t mean you should dramatically overpay to grab one. Aim for a $50 flexibility if you’re keen to buy sooner rather than later.
2. Look to bundles: While the GPU itself may be slightly scalped, if you get it as part of a bundle with maybe some RAM or a power supply, the discount on this bit may bring the cost more in-line.
3. Consider a pre-build: Normally, the lowest cost approach to a gaming PC is to build it yourself, but that’s not necessarily the case anymore. When comparing pre-builds spotted on Newegg and Best Buy to the equally-specced pcpartpicker equivalent, we’ve seen the price of the pre-build actually be lower about 50% of the time.

Got all that? Good! Rather than go immediately for the first thing you see a big red sale sticker on (that's not actually a sale), go for these instead.

U.S. Graphics Cards - best prices

Live in the U.K.? No need to worry!

I’ve checked for GPU stock over the course of this entire year, and one thing has become abundantly clear — scalping is not really a thing in Britain.

That's not to say it doesn’t exist. There are still plenty of cards that are being sold for £30-50 more. But stocking issues don’t seem to be plaguing the U.K. as much, and because of that, retailers are selling some models at (or even below) recommended retail price (RRP).

UK Prime Day Graphics Card deals

If you own a PC, the day will eventually come when you'll need to replace your graphics card (GPU), Maybe you just got your hands on Nvidia's beastly RTX 5090, or you made a more mid-range upgrade to the likes of the RTX 5060 Ti or the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT.

One way or another, knowing how to take out your GPU and install a new one will come in handy, but it can be an intimidating process if you've never had to do it before.

It's been nearly 20 years since I built my first PC, so suffice it to say I've installed my fair share of GPUs. Below, I'll tell you everything you need to know and walk you through the process of replacing a graphics card quickly and easily.

Things to do before replacing your GPU

There are a few things to be mindful of before you're elbow-deep inside your PC case. Ideally, before you take out your old GPU, check out the following.

• 6-pin and 8-pin (6 + 2), common in older GPUs
• Some GPUs require dual 8-pin (2 x 8), dual 6-pin, or a combination
• Newer Nvidia GPUs use the 12VHPWR (16-pin) or 12V-2x6 (12-pin) connector, both of which may require an adapter (often bundled with the GPU)

Not sure which PSU is installed in your system? The easiest way is to power everything down, open up your case, and look for the label on your power supply, as well as scoping out the connectors. I'll talk about how to safely open your PC case below.

• Case size and clearance, including power connector (it should fit without bending).
• Monitor compatibility, including whether you have the right cables and/or adapters.
• PCIe compatibility — this is less of an issue, as PCIe is backward compatible, so don't worry if you have an older motherboard.

• Clear some room on your desk or on an otherwise clean, dust-free, non-static surface. Avoid setting your PC down on carpet; if you have no other option, put it down on a cardboard box instead.
• If you're installing a big, heavy GPU, make sure that you have an anti-sag brace or support bracket.
• Buy an anti-static wrist strap, if possible.
• Grab a Philips screwdriver, ideally a magnetic one to avoid dropping screws into your case.
• Prepare an anti-static bag to store your old graphics card.

With all that out of the way, it's time to remove your old GPU.

How to remove your old GPU

With all the pre-flight checks complete, it's time to roll up your sleeves and remove your old GPU. But first, drivers.

Hint: We also have a complete guide to building a PC if you need help picking your components as well as putting the build together.

How to install your new GPU

We're almost done! It's time to give your new GPU a new home. Here's how to install your GPU.

• Nvidia App
• AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
• Intel Graphics Software

Alternatively, you can download the drivers manually. This makes for a less streamlined installation process, though. Here are the direct links:

• Nvidia drivers
• AMD drivers
• Intel drivers

Once you've got your drivers, it's time to power up your favorite game and enjoy your new GPU! Next step: Benchmark your GPU. Have fun!

More from Tom's Guide

• I wouldn’t buy a GPU with 8GB of VRAM — turns out, neither would you
• Prime Day graphics card deals are trash — here are the GPUs I'd actually buy
• I played 1,000 hours on Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti – here’s why it’s the MVP (if you don’t overpay)

The summer has been dominated by mid-range and entry level GPU launches, from Nvidia’s RTX 5060 and 5050 to AMD’s Radeon RX 9060 XT. And many of these are rocking 8GB of video memory — the critical element of a card that allows for rendered graphics to be stored and used on-demand.

This is a capacity that has been around since 2016, and if you listen to people in high places, this is enough for all-round 1080p gaming. But games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (12GB of VRAM recommended) and Cyberpunk 2077 would beg to differ. Especially more so if you’re considering making the jump to 1440p gaming.

As I said in my RTX 5060 Ti review, go for 16GB as a safe bet to protect yourself from the ever-increasing demands of AAA games. And as sales data shows, you’ve all understood the assignment.

What does the data show?

This insight comes from German retailer Mindfactory, which shows how many of each listing it sells. As spotted by WCCF Tech, the sales differential between Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti in 16 and 8GB variations, and the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT in these flavors is stark.

• For the RTX 5060 Ti, the 16GB model has seen 16x more unit sales than its 8GB counterpart.
• For the RX 9060 XT, that number goes up to 30x more for 16GB.

One thing is evident, regardless of what you hear from companies telling you 8GB is enough, PC players aren’t buying it (literally and figuratively), and neither am I.

Good, but only in specific circumstances

If you cast your mind back, we got some hands-on testing time with the RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM. Of course, this was a test within certain conditions Nvidia set out to us — to show what was possible at 1080p with well-optimized titles packing DLSS 4.

And like I said, the end result is pretty good. But of course, as I said, you have to play within a very specific playground here. Because if you branch out and look at the raw rendering performance of this card, that 8GB is an albatross around the neck of this GPU.

Looking at the portable side of things, in testing RTX 5060 laptops out at Computex 2025, if your game library already comes packed with DLSS 4 tech, there’s weight to a reason why first-time gaming laptop owners would find value in an RTX 5060 system.

But for desktop, it’s a different story.

Some of this will come down to the number of CUDA cores in here for rendering, but a big chunk will be the barrier of that video memory. And that leads to one inevitable problem.

Demand is far outstripping this hardware

At best, these 8GB cards are made by committee — looking at Steam user data and pinpointing a particularly large area of 1080p gamers without noticing the growing trend in 1440p.

At worst, they’re here purely to say a lower price like “from $299.” And if you’re a desktop PC gamer looking for a new GPU or a pre-built tower, if you see the number 8 next to that graphics card name, avoid it.

There are some strengths to these cards right now, but the weaknesses felt in that stuttering on particularly intensive titles right now is only going to get worse into the future. Give yourself some breathing space with 16GB of VRAM.

What should you buy instead?

I know it's a difficult answer, but the only one for real on paper is to buy a more expensive GPU. That additional video memory will be more than worthwhile in terms of long-term value.