AIO VS Air Cooling: Which CPU Cooler Should You Go For?

CPU Cooler Battle: AIO VS Air Cooling

One of the most important parts when building a desktop PC is deciding which CPU cooler to go for. After all, we would want our CPU to perform without any issues or throttling whatsoever for the best experience. While custom liquid cooling looks and works great, it’s not cost-efficient enough for most people, which leaves us with two options. Is AIO or air cooling better for you?
While both of them work fundamentally the same, which is to transfer heat away from the CPU, the methods and effectiveness of doing so can be quite different. Let’s dive into each part first, shall we?

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The air cooler shown on the right is the Cooler Master MA624 Stealth, which looks neat and performs great. Click here to buy the Cooler Master MA624 Stealth air cooler.
What is Air Cooling?

When it comes to air cooling, the heat from a CPU is transferred from the integrated heat spreader via thermal paste into a conductive baseplate that is made of metal, usually either copper or aluminum. From here, it is then moved to the attached heat pipes and then to a heatsink, which is typically elevated off of the motherboard so as to not block all the other components.
The fins on heatsinks are designed to maximize exposure to cooler air, which absorbs the heat from the metal itself. A fan is then used to blow hot air away from the heatsink, and the cycle continues. Without a fan, it is basically a passive cooling method, though it is relatively rare as it’s harder to sustain over longer periods of time.
How effective air cooling is, depends on a number of factors, most notably materials, size, and fans attached to the heatsink. For instance, more fans will work better, a bigger heatsink can hold more heat and potentially make it easier to move heat away, and copper is more conductive than aluminum. As much as size does matter (giggity), it might not fit your setup as it depends on the size of your desktop. Small form factor PCs will typically face this hurdle.
The picture listed above is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED Turbo ARGB which we reviewed here on our website previously. You can also purchase the Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED Turbo ARGB if it already piqued your interest.
What is AIO?

An AIO (all-in-one) cooler on the other hand is a liquid cooling solution that is a lot more affordable than custom cooling loops, though both share the same fundamental principles for cooling a CPU down. The heat from a CPU is transferred from the integrated heat spreader via thermal paste into a conductive baseplate. This baseplate is part of the waterblock that is filled with coolant.
The coolant will then absorb heat and move it through the waterblock in order to move the heat away from the CPU. It moves through the system upwards through one of two tubes connected to a radiator. The radiator then exposes the liquid to air in order to cool it down while the fans move the heat away from the cooler. The coolant then re-enters the waterblock through the other tube and starts the whole process all over again.
The AiO cooler used in the picture shows the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion ARGB which you can purchase from here. Oh, that catchy case you ask? That’s the MasterFrame 700 Open-frame case. If you’re interested in it, click right here.
Why Should You Go For Air Cooling?

Air cooling has a number of appeals to consumers which make them an attractive choice. For starters, it’s very easy and quick to install as the process is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is make sure you have the right mounting bracket, put some thermal paste on the integrated heat spreader, put the baseplate on, screw it in, make sure it’s plugged in, and you’re good to go. I’ve seen LEGO pieces that are harder to assemble than this.
For most people, CPU air cooling solutions are more than adequate because it’s noticeably better and quieter than stock fans. You even have a little bit of headroom for some overclocking if you wish. For enthusiasts who are truly looking to push the limits, then this isn’t the solution for you.
Lastly, air coolers are typically more affordable than their AIO counterparts. Not only are they generally inexpensive to purchase, you get better value given how much it can cool down your CPU for the price you’re paying. Maintenance is pretty easy too since you just need to occasionally wipe it down for dust, which is what you should do for your entire PC anyway once every 3 to 6 months.
Why Should You Go For AIO?

The main benefit of going for an AIO cooler for your CPU is performance. No matter how you spin it, liquid will always cool better than air, and the difference can be substantial depending on your AIO of choice. Not only that, you don’t have to worry about raising the ambient temperature inside your PC as well. This is ideal for enthusiasts looking to make the most out of their machine.
Furthermore, AIO coolers tend to run quieter than their air cooler counterparts. This is especially the case since the fans on an AIO do not require to spin as fast given its efficiency cool the CPU down. If you’re very particular about PC noise, then look no further than an AIO cooling solution.
Lastly, an AIO cooler can be more versatile as it’s capable of accommodating to a wide variety of desktop sizes. Where air coolers can get rather bulky, this one can fit well in small form factor desktops as you can choose smaller / lesser fan options. Feel free to scale it accordingly with your PC case for the best experience.
CPU Cooler Verdict
At this point, you might be wondering which CPU cooler should you get. There is no right or wrong answer here as each side has their own benefits and drawbacks, and some people might chastise you for your decision. The way I see it, it’s a battle between value and performance. At the end of the day, it’s your PC and you get to decide what’s best for you.
If you want to get an air cooler, you can get the Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED Turbo ARGB and if you want to get an AiO cooler, get the beautiful Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion ARGB and grace your build.
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Research Shows Gaming Time and Levels of Wellbeing Has No Correlation

Research Shows No Relation Between Gaming Time and Levels of Wellbeing

In recent news, research from the Oxford Internet Institute revealed that time spent playing video games has no influence on people’s wellbeing, debunking claims that gaming might be detrimental to mental health.
Seven different game companies who agreed to exchange data without control over publishing were able to help trace the gameplay behaviours of over 39,000 individual players, all of whom volunteered to participate in the study.

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According to Professor Andrew Przybylski, one of the researchers, the findings do not encompass the entirety of gaming. Despite pursuing over 30 companies, only seven consented to participate, and the games investigated over the course of six weeks were:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Apex Legends
Eve Online
Forza Horizon 4
Gran Turismo Sport
Outriders
The Crew

The games do reflect a broad but not comprehensive cross-section of the genre.

The results were obtained with happiness measured by inquiring about life satisfaction and degrees of emotions such as happy, sorrow, rage, and frustration. Players would need to game for 10 hours longer than normal every day to observe any improvements in their well-being.
The study also discovered that healthier motivation was related to good well-being, whereas players who felt they were forced to play the game had lower happiness regardless of how long they played.
However, Przybylski did further explain that this study is pretty basic as they didn’t even go into what individuals are doing when they’re playing games.
Despite not doing an experiment and not having any solid data, nations are enacting ordinances in the case of Japan, or laws in the case of China that restrict or limit gaming.
Source , Source, Source
Pokdepinion: Finally we have a bigger sample size to prove that gaming for a long time does not affect our mental health. However, we do need to consume things in moderation and this also applies to gaming as people do tend to go to extremes.
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ASUS ZenFone 5 Review (ZE620KL) – Perfection defining Marvel

Introduction

Ever since the launch of the Apple iPhone X, the craze about notches has been trending. ASUS decided to jump onto the bandwagon too and they have chosen the flagship device to hone it. Introducing, the ASUS ZenFone 5 (ZE620KL), ASUS’ attempt in a comeback after the less accepted ASUS ZenFone 4 last year just because of its unreasonable price tag. Which was technically the only thing that we weren’t too happy about back then. If ASUS has decided to make a comeback, that’s one part they need to put a heavy competition in it. So will ASUS excel with their ASUS ZenFone 5? Let’s find out.
Unboxing the ASUS ZenFone 5 (ZE620KL)
Recently, we posted the unboxing of the ASUS ZenFone 5, here’s the video again in case you missed it.

Appearance
I’m gonna be completely honest here, I might sound a bit too exaggerating, but I don’t want you to just take my word for what I’m about to say about its appearance, but rather, get out and see it for yourself and compare your word against mine. The ASUS ZenFone 5 is seriously a stunning looking device that the people whom I have shown at least had a hard time that this is actually an ASUS ZenFone device. Sounds exaggerating? Let me show it to you.

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Be a judge that you are. Just look at that! The ASUS ZenFone 5 front facade looks astonishing! I’m not a big fan of notches because I find it pointless to have in the first place but as a reviewer, I can’t dismiss the fact that the Apple iPhone X is a widely accepted device and the notch does have its fans. So we’ll keep that as a good thing and a bad thing (for the first time ever in our review history). Sure, it sinks in after a while and you do get used to it especially after you find out the minor details about it but I’ll explain that later on. Full View display is nothing new today, with ASUS even implementing them in their lower tier devices, but ASUS has done an excellent job with the ASUS ZenFone 5.

Fused with Android Oreo, coupled with the fresh ASUS ZenUI 5, even the notifications become a pleasant sight! The edge-to-edge display has just the right amount of space so you don’t end up accidentally touching the display when it’s in your palms. It’s an experience of its own. Let’s have a tour around it and allow me to show you the actual prowess of this beautiful piece of hardware because the best is yet to come.

Tell me that I was wrong? Tell me that this didn’t just WOW you? Tell me that you want to know how it feels like touching all that surface! Or do you need more enticement? Well, so be it then. Let’s bring it closer.

This is the meteor silver, different from the color that I first showed you guys in our first hands-on article, the midnight blue and I would pick this over the other anytime! The ASUS ZenFone 5 channels all its sight to the fingerprint sensor, thanks to the concentric design that explodes out of it. The sideways symmetrical design is all to fall in love with while the ASUS emblem gracefully sits shyly under the sensor. Following the new trend, the camera setup has been configured vertically and there is a dual LED flash that would aid you in the extra lighting that you might need.

The top side unveils two strips of the antenna for improved reception and a secondary microphone on the side that would function as noise cancelling or stereo audio input.

Moving to the other side of the device, you would find that ASUS has adopted the USB Type-C much like its predecessor. Next to it, the 3.5mm Auxiliary jack is still present, so rejoice, wired headphone users! On the other side of the charging socket is the primary microphone that sits next to the main loud speaker. What do I mean main loud speaker? We’ll get to that later on, but for now, just look at how the speaker holes have been drilled and meticulously chamfered to give it such a premium look! Not just that, if you look at the sides of the device, it’s bezeled too.

On the right side of the device, you could see the volume rocker and the power button position just like they should be in order. The bottom side of the device sees another strip of the antenna crossing the device, again, for improved reception. Now, you might be wondering about that bulging camera. How would it look like when it’s placed with the display upwards?

Which is probably what ASUS needs to bring back to the drawing board. Putting the device facing upwards puts the top section burden on the camera and I’m not sure how long will it take for it to get its first scratch, but I’m not testing that for sure! The gap between the device caused by the bulge is pretty significant, making it a rather painful sight. Slipping it into the protective case that is provided with the device saves it, but hey, I don’t want to spoil this 2.5D curved glass beauty (which is present on both front and back, by the way) with some ugly plastic, do I?
Specifications

CPU/Chipset:
Snapdragon 636 (4 x Kryo 260 @ 1.8 GHz + 4 x Kryo 260 @ 1.6 GHz), 14nm FinFET
AI Capabilities & AI Boost

GPU:
Adreno 509

RAM:
4GB LPDDR4X

Display:
6.2″, FHD+ (2246×1080) 19:9 All-Screen Super IPS+ display
550nits Brightness
100% DCI-P3 / 96% NTSC colour gamut coverage
2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass

Storage:
64GB eMCP 5.1 (expandable via microSD up to 2TB)

Camera:
Main Camera
12MP f/1.8, 4-axis Photo OIS / Video EIS
Sony IMX363 Sensor, 78° viewing angle, 6-element lens
LED flash, RGB sensor, HDR, 4K video
Secondary Camera
8MP f/2.2, 120° viewing angle
Omnivision 8856 sensor, 5-element lens
Front Camera
8MP f/2.0, 84° viewing angle
Omnivision 8856 sensor, 4-element lens, RGB sensor

Audio:
2nd Generation Dual NXP9874 Smart Amp-powered 5-magnet Dual Speakers
Piezoelectric top speaker, Voice coil bottom speaker
Hi-Res Audio and DTS Headphone: X 7.1 certification
Bluetooth Audio: A2DP / aptX

OS:
Android 8.1 Oreo w/ ZenUI 5.0 (with future upgrades to Android P)

Connectivity:
Wireless
Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
LTE CAT12 (up to 600mb/s data transfer)
Bluetooth 5.0 w/ A2DP / aptX
Audio / Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
Human Interface Device (HID)
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Object Push Profile (OPP)
FM Radio
Wired
USB 2.0 Type-C
3.5mm combo audio jack

SIM:
Dual nanoSIM (2nd SIM doubles as MicroSD slot)

Battery:
Li-ion 3300 mAh (non-removable)

Dimensions:
75.6 x 153 x 7.7 mm, 155 g

Just look at that specifications sheet! If you realized, we just released our ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 review recently. ASUS ZenFone 5 is bearing the same SoC as it, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, coupled to 4GB of LPDDRX RAM. The 3300 mAh battery will definitely lose to the ZenFone Max Pro M1’s monstrous battery life, but ASUS has tricks up its sleeve that I will explain later on.

Performance
But of course, what good is a beautiful phone if it’s unable to actually deliver what it was made for. The ASUS ZenFone 5 spots the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 octacore with 4 performance cores clocked at 1.8GHz and another 4 power saving cores clocked at 1.6GHz constructed around 14nm lithography. Once of the most in-demand CPU of the year, ASUS made a right choice to plant this under the hoods of their flagship.

Our Antutu v6 scores are very, very promising as it stands so high up the charts, it’s catching up with the Snapdragon 800-series CPUs. In our tests, we always put the device in it’s maximum state for all benchmarks, so the Ai Boost feature on the ASUS ZenFone 5 is turned on, optimizing it for maximum performance. Of course this would drain the battery faster too, and I expect it not to fare high in battery charts when running in this mode, only to keep things fair.

Oh, you thought that was shocking? Geekbench has even more interesting stories to tell here. The multi cores of the ASUS ZenFone 5 scored insanely well, kicking out even the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe that was spotting a Snapdragon 821. In fact, even on a single core, it put a heads on collision with its predecessor proving that ASUS did not just refresh the looks of the ZenFone series, but actually bring some punching performance to the scene!

What about the Adreno 509 GPU? Well, it clearly is the perfect couple for the Snapdragon 636 as it tops the charts against most 600-series powered devices, gaining it the best performing GPU in its class to date! Trust me, I’m having equal pleasure in writing as you are having in reading this!

Now lets bring on our favorite practical test, PCMark’s Work 2.0 Performance that pits it against some real world scenarios. Why is it our favorite test, you ask? Rendering web pages, running intensive javascript via AJAX, adding AJAX items using Android’s WebView are some of the most important tests that are done. Most websites utilise hefty jQuery manipulation and AJAX HTTP calls (including our own website) and these scripts are redundant on responsive based websites. Javascript is the costliest overhead for browsers and being able to chuckle while rendering is big boasting task. Apart from that, it also pushes the device to play, edit and save a video using OpenGL ES 2.0, the Android’s native MediaCodec API and Exoplayer. Then, a productivity test is carried out using Android’s native EditText view and PdfDocument API. Next, it runs PhotoEditing 2.0 which it harnesses Android renderscript API. Finally, it ends with a data manipulation process that parses data from various file formats, measuring frame rates while manipulating dynamic charts.
The ASUS ZenFone 5 scored a smashing 5711 score on the charts. Productivity on the ASUS ZenFone 5? Check!

Now, this is where the ASUS ZenFone 5 is going to have a hard time justifying itself. Like I mentioned earlier, we keep the device in its top performance to get the best out of it and this would definitely affect the battery life. In which case, we managed to get a 5 hours and 47 minutes with the device running from 100% down to 20%, putting it rather low on the charts with its maximum performance pushing hard.
Here’s an additional note to consider. ASUS has implemented several AI or AI-like features where the phone studies a data source based on the owner’s usage patterns and choices, and then optimizes its performance to adapt to them. This means, if the Ai Boost is smart enough, it is supposed to put a balance in performance and battery life over time as it learns my behaviors. Learning will take its sweet time and if I see some significant improvements, I’ll bring some updates here.
User Experience
So how does it feel like owning an ASUS ZenFone 5? How much intimacy are we talking about? Let’s get down with it. I like to seek details in the slightest things, so if you bought the device, probably the first thing you would have done is to put it to charge once the battery dries out. And this is when you would have noticed something interesting.

ASUS has a shorter notch than the Apple iPhone X (thank god to that) and to make it slim, ASUS has put the notification LED under the speaker mesh, right next to the speaker itself, so the front facing camera and the light sensitive sensor are the only hardware next to the speaker piece. Like I said, the little details :)

The biggest bummer of the ASUS ZenFone 5? The combo tray! Unlike the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 that lets you have all three in one tray, ASUS did not go that route with the ZenFone 5 and it bugs me as to why not since they already can do it. Oh well, let’s cheer up a bit because we’re going to look at the display.

Trust me, the display is one to fall in love with. In fact, in my lifetime of testing all the ZenFones, the ASUS ZenFone 5 probably has the perfect display. It’s a 6.2-inch FHD+ large display with a 19:9 aspect ratio covering 90% of the screen-to-body ratio. It looks like AMOLED display, but its in fact a Super IPS+ panel. 550 nits brightness only makes things better but what you will really have to notice here is the color balance. It actually achieves 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. Wait, what? What happened to sRGB? What is DCI-P3?
Like the Adobe RGB gamut, the DCI-P3 color space is a much wider gamut compared to sRGB, but is biased slightly more towards red tones while Adobe RGB favors greens. Display devices that can offer 100% Adobe or DCI-P3 color space coverage are highly color accurate, and offer viewers a greater range of tones and hues (provided that the source has been properly encoded with them).
DCI-P3 started out as a high color accuracy standard for digital cinema because it is based on the color range reproduced by the type of digital projector you’d find at a movie theater. In practice users will find little to no difference between displays that offer 100% Adobe RGB or 100% DCI-P3 coverage, but in theory, DCI-P3 is supposed to be marginally better at portraying the color of digital videos.

As for the notch, there is a hidden secret feature that you would probably realize it over time. If you swipe down the notification drawer from the left side of the notch, it would only show the first line of the shortcut buttons, followed by the notifications under it. However, if you slide down the notification drawer from the right side of the notch, it would reveal all the shortcuts, followed by the notifications under it. If you slide down from the notch, you will only dirty the front facing camera :P (actually it’s divided in the centre following the left and right behavior as above).
Let’s talk about Artificial Intelligence because the next parts are affected by this. ASUS has implemented so much Artificial Intelligence into the ASUS ZenFone 5, that if it was applied to human, we might as well just turn into Android bots. lol. On a serious note, the ASUS ZenFone 5 slowly learns you and your behavior over time, the longer you use the device. It’s like your pet puppy trying to understand its owner and slowly becoming more and more obedient.
Do take note, that my “puppy” is still a “puppy” and some of these implementations are not fully matured with me yet because AI takes a very long time deciphering behaviors into algorithms and running predictions. If you have ever delved into Artificial Intelligence, you would know the need of a “corpus”. Think of the Corpus like a data bank with massive amount of information related to a specific subject. The more information it contains, the more skewed the behavior results become, subsequently allowing predictive calculations.
When you get a new smartphone, for the first few days and weeks, you would be spending more time exploring and getting used to it. You would be charging it more often, the display will be turned on for longer time, and because you are excited, you would take out the device more frequently just to fulfill your insecurities. As time passes by, you get seasoned with it and your behavior changes into norms. The pattern of usage changes too. With this data loaded into the Corpus, now the algorithm predicts your next action. Are you still infatuated with your device and will take it out while eating your lunch? Or now it remains longer in the pocket? Corpus keeps on adding this information until eventually its prediction becomes closer to reality. Only closer, not actually reality. Hence, Artificial Intelligence.
Ai Photography

The ASUS ZenFone 5 has three cameras, the rear configuration bearing a 120° wide angle, f/2.2 aperture, 8MPx camera that captures wide landscapes, the main rear camera that is highly light sensitive, 12MPx Sony IMX363 sensor with a large 1.4 micron pixels and a f/1.8 wide aperture. In front, it has an 8MPx selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture. All these cameras have one goal; to identify what type of images does it’s owner actually find most attractive. Combining what you have learned earlier about Corpus, this is how the camera aims to deliver this:
Ai Scene Detection by learning from cloud
This mode cannot be turned off and is on by default. Using “Ai Data Model”, it senses the scene or the subject that you are shooting and tries to predict what it is before applying the ideal settings. If it detects “skin tone” for example, it predicts that you are taking a portrait and applies the rendered settings. If you are shooting what it thinks is food, it will apply soft blur around the focused subject and make the colors more vibrant to make things look juicy. The Snapdragon 636 is capable of predicting up to 16 different scenes:

Do not worry, your pictures are not sent to ASUS because maintaining a “good corpus” is important for better prediction and ASUS stores stock images and pictures submitted by their photography ambassadors to maintain the highest standard of corpus.
Ai Photo Learning from the owner
Another way the cameras use AI to produce the photos that their owners want is through AI Photo Learning. Through this feature, the ZenFone 5 presents you with identical sets of photos treated with slightly different image settings and lets you choose the one you prefer.
As this happens more often, the ASUS ZenFone 5 gets more familiar with the type of photography that you are interested in and tries to refine it. Again, like I said, building your Corpus takes time and Ai will not be accurate in the beginning. Just look at how my predictions are for just one week using the ASUS ZenFone 5:

I don’t think the two ladies actually represented Sky, nor I believe an empty plate is actually a Sunset. Also, the last time I checked on my friend, he was still a human and not a Document. At least not yet. LOL! But another picture of what it thought was “Sky” turned out to be People and it did guess the flowers accurately. It’s building its local corpus and trying to predict. As time passes by, it will improvise. Interesting right?
Ai Boost
We already talked a little about Ai Boost earlier. Basically, it provides instant performance boost when it needs to run demanding apps like graphically-rich games or play extremely high definition videos.

It automatically detects if demanding apps have been launched, and gives the user an option for it to be turned on. When activated, it provides an increased level of performance while monitoring system health and stability.
Ai Charging
ASUS ZenFone 5 detects your daily charging patterns and estimates the periods when you let it charge for longer amounts of time. It then varies its charging pattern to reduce heat or speed up charging when needed. (for example, it will apply a slower charge when it is connected to power after 10pm, but apply a faster charge if connected during the day). This is supposed to prolong the battery lifespan but I don’t have any proof to back this just yet at the moment.

Let’s move on to the camera test. I have some samples of photographs that are taken in various situations. The ASUS ZenFone 5 camera performs very well under dark conditions and this comes as no surprise considering its 1.4 micron pixels but back in the days, ZenFones always struggles in images with backlight. This has drastically changed as it now even identifies prints on blocks with lights directly glowing behind them. Take a look at these sample pictures as we might be writing an elaborate article specifically on the ASUS ZenFone 5 camera in the near future.

Now let’s talk about the speaker. In case you didn’t realize, when I was showing you the LED under the earpiece mesh, I referred to the speaker as “speaker piece” rather than “ear piece”. Well, that’s because it actually is a speaker. It assists the main speaker at the bottom to further amplify the sound coming from the ASUS ZenFone 5.
Playing music on the ASUS ZenFone 5 is unbelievable. At maximum volume, it clear and loud, yet distortion free. And if you need a further push, it even has an Outdoor Mode which is not a new feature anymore on the ZenFone series. It supports Hi-Res Audio (HRA) and DTS. If you prefer Bluetooth, the ASUS ZenFone 5 also has Qualcomm’s aptX technology embedded for uninterrupted wireless audio.
Conclusion
This is the first time ASUS has implemented the notch on their ASUS ZenFone device. This is the first time ASUS is dabbling with Artificial Intelligence. This is the first time ASUS is bringing near-high-end specifications at the price of mid-range. With so many firsts, ASUS seems very committed in innovating and improving their products. In fact, most of the concerns that we addressed previously based on the ASUS ZenFone 4 has pretty much solved in the ASUS ZenFone 5. With this commitment, at this price point, ASUS is definitely set to make a comeback this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the ASUS ZenFone 5 becomes the best overall smartphone of 2018!
The last time we awarded the Pokdeward Gold to ASUS ZenFone device was their ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom and none of their 4th generation ZenFones obtained a Pokdeward Gold. If you agreed with us then, you would agree with us this time too.

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Cryorig Computex 2015 line up

How would does one spell Cryorig correctly, I’m having hard time to spell it – sigh. For the upcoming Computex 2015 this Juna, Cryorig have teases their new multiple line up for the market.
Let start with the cooler segment on C series, the C7 is the new low profile cooler form factor, with total height of under 53mm its even smaller if compare with Intel stock cooler. Equipped with of four 6mm copper heatpipe anda full proprietary 92 mm 600~2500 RPM PWM fan with Quad Air Inlet technology, the C7 is designed to be a “fit anywhere, cool anything” cooler.

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Continuing to the M series, the M9 features three high quality U-Type nickel-plated copper heat pipes, and a total of 40 aluminium fins. The M9 will come in two flavors, the M9i is for Intel 115x systems and the M9a for modern AMD sockets. The M9 is targeted at budget systems or slim systems which need the cooling power of a tower cooler. It is a good balance of price, performance and size.

Focused on both high-end performance and memory compatibility, the Z1 Universal features memory compatibility for both front and back rows and the Intel X99/X79 platform. The Z1 Universal is the first round shaped cooler with CRYORIG’s 2nd Gen. Radial Jet Fin Acceleration tech that mimics the fin alignment of a turbine engine, and is optimized to catch and accelerate fan exhaust airflow.

The Z1 Universal will allow for a RAM height limit of 63 mm on the back DIMM slots and has Zero Ram Interference on the front DIMM slots.

Pokdepinion : I’ve set my eyes on this brand since before it arrived in the Malaysian market. It not only has good looks but the performance has also impressed me greatly. If you are interested to get your hands on a Cryorig cooler, you can get it from Idealtech.
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Transcend Announces 1TB M.2 Solid State Drive for Ultra-thin Applications to Malaysian Market

April 22nd, 2016, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a leading manufacturer of storage and multimedia products, is proud to announce the availability of 1 Terabyte M.2 Solid State Drive coming with 2280 form factor for ultra-thin computing devices, such as Ultrabook, tablet computers and laptops. Transcend’s MTS800 M.2 SSD is equipped with high-quality MLC NAND flash to maintain its excellent stability, and is exclusively built with protective technologies, such as Global Wear-levelling, Advanced Garbage Collection, and Device Sleep mode.
Spacious Capacity and Super Speed

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By utilizing next-generation SATA III 6Gb/s interface, Transcend’s MTS800 is capable of delivering sequential read/write performance of up to 560MB/s and 460MB/s respectively. The newly released spacious 1TB supplies the MTS800’s capacity to its full scale ranging from 32GB to 1TB, which is determined to satisfy the needs of various market fields and individual consumer with personal budget plans.
Protective Technology Leads to High Performance
Transcend’s MTS800 features multiple built-in technologies for optimum protection, including Error Correction Code (ECC) that helps detect and correct potential transfer errors, Device Sleep mode to reduce power consumption and shorten the response time upon wake-up from Sleep or Hibernate, and the S.M.A.R.T. function to efficiently monitor SSD health conditions. More standard mechanisms include Intelligent Block Management and Wear-levelling algorithm to protect data integrity and prolong SSD lifespan.
Intel Smart Response Technology (ISRT) Supported
Transcend’s MTS series supports Intel® Smart Response Technology (ISRT) in which an SSD is used as a cache between the hard disk drive and the computer system to memorize the applications and files that are most frequently accessed. This allows the hard disk more storage capacity to process and store other programs and files so as to improve the overall efficiency.
Apart from MTS800 available in 32GB~1TB capacities, two other Transcend’s MTS400 and MTS600 M.2 SSD models are also available in 32GB~512GB. All the MTS series are backed by Transcend’s Three-year Limited Warranty. The MTS800 1TB will be priced at RM1999 RRP.

Pokdepinion: The RM1999 RRP of this SSD may seem a little steep but when you consider the possibility of using it in applications that do not support 2.5″ SSDs, then there is where the value is at. However I do hope that it drops in price as 1TB 2.5″ SATA SSDs do not cost nearly as much.
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TM Unifi Air with Unlimited Data Leaked – The Solution for Streamyx Users?

TM Unifi Air with Unlimited Data Leaked

It appears that the folks over at Telekom Malaysia has something very interesting brewing behind the scenes as the new TM Unifi Air plan has been leaked. It’s said to come with unlimited data / no quota and a discounted price of RM79 per month.
The leak was due to a slideshow which started surfacing on social media. It was labeled “Proposed Plans Consumer / SME”, with the original price showing RM129 but then was slashed to reflect the discounted price of RM79 per month. It will be coming with the HUAWEI B618-65D LTE device which utilizes the 2.3GHz band (the slide says MHz, but we’re fairly certain it’s a typo).

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It is said to be capable of connecting up to 64 devices, which is more than enough for a typical household and definitely better than your average mobile hotspot. The TM Unifi Air plan is expected to come with a 24-month contract with no upfront free. The slide showed that consumers will be given a one-month free waiver upon registration. It’s also expected to be simple enough for consumers to install it themselves, so no technicians are necessary.
This could be the badly needed solution for Streamyx users, of which Minister Gobind Singh Deo has requested for a proposal on how to address the issue. The LTE 2.3GHz band is expected to be faster than 4G LTE, delivering fibre-like speeds as fast as 500Mbps.
This isn’t the first time Telekom Malaysia has plans that is centered around the HUAWEI B618-65D-LTE as there was a similar rollout in the Puchong area in March 2019. However, nothing has been officially confirmed yet so do take this information with a grain of salt. We will be reporting on the matter as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Source: The Star
Pokdepinion: It is a much needed solution and hopefully when it gets a formal announcement, Streamyx users can finally cry in joy.
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Free-to-play Call of Duty: Warzone Coming Soon

If you’re a fan of battle royale games, well get ready for Call of Duty: Warzone, which will be coming real soon on PC, PS4, and Xbox One for free.
Call of Duty: Warzone

It may seem that Call of Duty did something out of the blue with Warzone, something similar to when Respawn launched Apex Legends. Well it’s not entirely correct. If you were a player on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, you might’ve noticed that the developers of the game have been teasing about a batte royale game.
Despite Call of Duty: Warzone being a free-to-play title, the game will at first be available for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare owners first, where they will get access to the game at 8am (PDT) on March 10. As for the rest of the gamers who don’t have the Modern Warfare, it’ll be accessible at 12pm (PDT) on the same day.

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Yes, since the game is free-to-play, you don’t need to own Call of Duty: Modern Warfare to download and play Call of Duty: Warzone.
The game is set to feature two game modes; Battle Royale and Plunder. Battle Royale mode sees up to 150 players for the fight to be the last squad standing.
As for Plunder, the race is on to collect the most in-match Cash by looting across the map, taking down enemies to steal their Cash, and completing in-match Contracts.
For Call of Duty: Modern Warfare owners, Activision have stated that the file size for the game update will take around 18 to 22GB. Meanwhile, non-owners will need to make space and download around 83-101GB to play the game.
Pokdepinion: Pretty sure I can drag our very own Shy Guy to play the game.. maybe on PokdeLIVE as well…
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PS Plus May 2023 FREE Games Lineup

The PS Plus May 2023 free games lineup for the Essential tier, featuring GRID Legends, Descenders, and Chivalry 2. Learn more about these titles and how to claim them for a limited time.
PS Plus May 2023

Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially revealed the PS Plus May 2023 free games lineup, which will be available starting 2nd May 2023. This in particular is for the Essential tier, which allows players to enjoy online gameplay and offers three to five games for free within that time period, provided the account remains active.

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The headliner for this month is GRID Legends, a motorsport racing game with an interesting twist – its story mode is presented through a documentary featuring actors such as Ncuti Gatwa from Sex Education and Doctor Who.
Other games included in the lineup are Descenders, a technical downhill biking game, and Chivalry 2, a medieval first-person slasher with objective-based or free-for-all battles for up to 64 players. These games replace April’s selection of Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Meet Your Maker, and Tails of Iron. Meanwhile, PlayStation Plus’s higher tiers, Extra and Premium, will be losing 50 games in May 2023.
Once again, the PS Plus May 2023 free games lineup will be arriving on 2nd May 2023.
Source
Pokdepinion: Not gonna lie, GRID Legends is one of those games I know I could have at least some level of fun with, but not one I’m willing to spend on. This would be a good opportunity for me to start playing when I’m done with a couple of other games.
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Samsung Galaxy A60 specifications leaked out on Weibo

With Samsung commited to release a new Samsung Galaxy A device every month, we can expect a consistent stream of mid-range smartphones from Samsung. Hot on the tails of the just recently launched Samsung Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50, more specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A60 have just surfaced.
The Samsung Galaxy A60 is going to slot above the Samsung Galaxy A50 comfortably, with a beefier Snapdragon 675 chipset, a larger display and a larger battery to boot. It will still tout the same 3D Glasstic body. Durability may be questionable, but the Samsung Galaxy A60 will definitely look amazing, if the Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 are anything to go by.

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Here are the leaked specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A60:
Samsung Galaxy A60 Specifications

Snapdragon 675, octa-core up to 2.0 GHz, 11nm FinFET
Up to 8GB RAM
128GB storage
6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED display, Infinity-U notch
32MP + 5MP depth sensor + 8MP wide-angle cameras
32MP selfie camera
One UI based on Android 9 Pie
4500 mAh battery

The device is also expected to feature an under-display fingerprint scanner, which should be expected since the Galaxy A60 is supposed to be more premium than the Galaxy A50. The leak also reveals a 19th April launch, which is just a bit more than a month from now.
What do you think about Samsung’s strategy to saturate the market with their Galaxy A series devices? Let us know your thoughts!
Pokdepinion: More choice is good, but too many options can get confusing, especially if they are all priced around the same range.
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MSI readies two MSI C236 workstation motherboards — harness the power of Intel Xeon E3 V5

MSI launched two new motherboards to unleash the full potential of the Intel Xeon E3 v5 processor based on the latest Intel Skylake architecture. The MSI C236A and MSI C236M workstation motherboards are engineered to offer best performance and stability for entry-level workstation, server and data center use.

MSI C236 workstation motherboards are optimized for professional and industrial use. Advanced PCB design and quality components use passing the most extreme quality validation, guarantee the best performance and reliability.

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Specially designed and optimized for NVIDIA Quadro and AMD FirePro graphics card with multi-GPU configuration is ideal and perfect for heavy duty GPU computing.

The MSI C236 workstation motherboards also offers DDR4 Boost feature for optimizing DDR4 ECC modules. Support for Turbo M.2, Turbo U.2 and SATA Express as well as a USB 3.1 Type-C port.

Pokdepinion: An ideal choice for who seek an Intel Xeon based setup and focuses on heavy duty workloads and have a need for stability and reliability.
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Super Meat Boy Gets Nintendo Switch Release Date; Don’t Break the Joy-Cons Now

Super Meat Boy finally has a proper release date for its Nintendo Switch release. Fair warning, try your best not to break those Joy-Cons now.
Super Meat Boy Gets Nintendo Switch Release Date

Wanna race? Coming to #NintendoSwitch January 11th 2018 pic.twitter.com/WvT9Ql1XHD
— Team Meat (@SuperMeatBoy) December 24, 2017

Team Meat has finally revealed the release date for the port of Super Meat Boy on the Nintendo Switch. According to a posting on Twitter, the game will be available to Nintendo Switch owners early next year on January 11th. Also, it looks like the team will be incorporating a new race mode into the game, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch at the moment.

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The title was announced just a few months ago in early August, on Twitter. Furthermore, Super Meat Boy Forever, the sequel to Super Meat Boy, was announced over the Summer during a Nindies Showcase. Originally, the first title was supposed to be making its debut on the Nintendo Switch digitally before the end of the year, and with a physical edition in 2018. Even so, we won’t have to wait too long to get our hands on the game in 2018.

If you’re unfamiliar with the series, Team Meat released the original game in 2010. You play as Meat Boy as he tries to save his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the evil clutches of Dr. Fetus. The title is a platformer where you through over 300 levels that are divided into different chapters that each feature their own setting, boss, and obstacles. While the game is incredibly addicting, it’s also incredibly difficult at times.
Super Meat Boy is currently available on a wide range of platforms including the PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Android, iOS, Windows PC, PS Vita, Linux, and Nintendo Wii U.
If you’re facing problems with your Joy-Con controllers, check this out to see if this is one the you’re facing. You might need to change it.
Pokdepinion: Super Meat Boy is a great game…for those with patience.
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You can now shop on Lazada with Touch ‘n Go eWallet

Touch ‘n Go eWallet is the latest addition to the long list of payment options available on Lazada, to make it even more convenient for you to spend all your money on the leading e-commerce platform in Malaysia.
Touch ‘n Go eWallet is currently the largest eWallet provider with more than 5 million users and over 100 000 physical retail points. Adding a e-commerce option is just the next step forward for the top cashless platform.
Lazada and TNG Digital seem quite excited to push forward with their collaboration. The upcoming 11.11 sale is also expected to be the perfect test scenario for the platforms. At the launch event yesterday, a bricks-to-clicks pop-up store was showcased featuring products from L’Oreal Paris, Maybelline, Garnier, Nestle and more.

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To celebrate the launch, there’s a RM5 voucher that’s valid with a minimum purchase of RM50. The promotion is valid until 31st October, with the “Collectible Payment Voucher” available via the Lazada app for Touch ‘n Go eWallet users only. There are 3000 vouchers up for grabs, and each Touch ‘n Go eWallet account is entitled to one RM5 voucher only.
In addition to this, you can expect amazing promotions and cashbacks for the upcoming Lazada 11.11 and 12.12 annual shopping festivals with Touch ‘n Go eWallet.
Pokdepinion: So… Can we use the TnG eWallet to reload our Lazada Wallet…
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Hogwarts Legacy PS4 and Xbox One Versions Delayed Again

Hogwarts Legacy, the highly anticipated video game set in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, has been delayed once again for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The last-gen versions were originally scheduled to release in April 2023, but now have a new launch date.
Delay of Hogwarts Legacy Raises Concerns for Players on Older Hardware

We’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the response to Hogwarts Legacy from fans around the globe. The team is working hard to deliver the best possible experience on all platforms and we need more time to do this. Hogwarts Legacy will launch for PS4 and Xbox One May 5, 2023. pic.twitter.com/UjEIPXDZj2
— Hogwarts Legacy (@HogwartsLegacy) March 6, 2023

Hogwarts Legacy fans on last-gen consoles will have to wait a bit longer before they can attend the famous school of witchcraft and wizardry. The much-anticipated game was released a month ago, but players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were left disappointed when the game’s developers, Avalanche Software, announced that the last-gen console versions would be delayed again.

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Originally set to release in April 2023, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Hogwarts Legacy are now expected to launch on 5th May 2023. The delay is expected to address the technical challenges that the game faces on older hardware. The game was first announced in 2020, and fans eagerly awaited its release. However, the developers have faced several challenges and delays, including the cancellation of the Nintendo Switch version.

While the game has been met with generally positive reviews, it’s not without its flaws, particularly on older hardware. One of the most significant differences between last-gen and current-gen consoles is the loading time, with the latter featuring an SSD through which data can travel much faster. As a result, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One may struggle to load some of the game’s more detailed high-fidelity areas with a lot of individual assets.
It remains to be seen how Avalanche Software will address these issues, but fans are hopeful that the extra time will result in a more polished and enjoyable experience.
Source
Pokdepinion: For those waiting for the last-gen console versions, it’s advisable to wait a few more days post-release to see how the game is running and whether any sacrifices have been made in terms of graphical fidelity. My biggest concern on running this game using the PS4 or Xbox One would be the load times.
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Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 RGB Special Edition Celebrates Company’s 35th Anniversary

In time for Kingston’s 35th anniversary, the company has released a special edition FURY Beast DDR4 RAM featuring all-white heat spreader with smooth RGB strip design.

Users can control the lighting, featuring 10 LED lightbulbs, through the Kingston FURY CTRL software – with patented Infrared Sync Technology keeping the module lighting in sync. This set of modules operate up to 3600MT/s, with Intel XMP certification and ready for AMD-based systems.

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The module comes with two capacities per module – 8GB and 16GB – with kit of two totaling 16GB and 32GB respectively. Kingston offers limited lifetime warranty on both models.
Visit kingston.com for more information.
Pokdepinion: A curved shaped heat spreader makes for one special edition RAM indeed.
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vivo Malaysia Announce Goal Goal Goal Campaign Offering Rebates And More

You might have remembered our previous article on vivo’s To Beautiful Moments campaign. Well now they will also be running a Goal Goal Goal Sales campaign from now till the 30th of June, offering customers an instant rebate when purchasing their latest smartphone series.
vivo Malaysia Goal Goal Goal Sales

You can enjoy an instant rebate of RM50 and RM100 OGAWA vouchers when you purchase their vivo V21 series smartphones. This includes 1-year Extended Warranty and 1-year Screen Crack Protection worth RM399 as well as VIP vivo care services.

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In addition to that, you are eligible for a lucky draw when you purchase a vivo V21 series smartphone and stand a chance to win prizes including another vivo V21 series smartphone, UEFA EURO 2020 package, OGAWA Tinkle Touch Music Massager, OGAWA Eye Mask, and Khind hairdryer at all vivo concept store, vivo official E-platforms, chain-store partners, as well as authorized dealer stores.
To join the lucky draw, you may follow these steps:

Upload a photo of your V21 series smartphone on your Facebook profile
Include the hashtags #vivogoalgoalgoalsales and #vivoV21series
You’ll be in the run to win the prizes

Aside from that, they are offering personalized one-to-one online service for the entire month of June to ensure you a worry-free shopping experience. You can book a time slot with one of vivo Malaysia’s sales consultant by heading to vivo Malaysia’s Facebook page and scan the provided QR code.
You will then be needed to fill out your details and preferred communications method. A consultant will reach out to you and help with any purchase or enquiries that you may have. You can also get your purchased items to be delivered to your doorstep through their one-day express delivery service.
For more details, you may head to the link right here. Stay tuned to Pokde.net for the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews.
Pokdepinion: In case you don’t know about the vivo V21 series, you can also check out our full review of the vivo V21 right here.
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We could Possibly See Two New Nintendo Switch Variants Soon

According to reports, two new versions of the Nintendo Switch is in the development, though Nintendo has yet to confirm of the news. If it does indeed come true, it is said that one of the variant will come with a similar form factor but will be offering better components inside, while the other will be a more affordable (with lower specs of course).
Adding to the news, it seems that Nintendo is looking to migrate to Southeast Asia instead of China to manufacture the new consoles. Why? Well remember when last time we’ve reported that the US government is looking to increase the tariff for gaming consoles? That is exactly the reason as to why.
As you might have guessed, the new tariff changes will likely see the increase prices on gaming consoles, thus the reason why Nintendo has opted to move out. Usually console companies don’t set their machines at a high price point and instead earn their money from games as well as online services.

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Previously Nintendo announced that the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will make its way to Nintendo Switch at this year’s E3 2019.
Pokdepinion: Well I’m intrigued with the affordable version of the Switch. Let’s just hope that they will indeed come out!
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Celcom Explores 5G Technology’s Future At Langkawi

Recently the folks at Celcom continued on with their journey with the deployment of 5G Safety and Security Smart City solutions in the island of Langkawi, where they aim to enhance daily operations for local businesses as well as authorities.

In collaboration with Langkawi’s Royal Malaysian Police and the local council, Celcom has deployed the latest 5G Safety and Security Smart City use-case. With it, they enable a breakthrough in security and monitoring effectiveness with multiple 360-degrees UHD 4K panoramic live video.
With the technology, they can utilize 5G capabilities of low latency and high data speeds which helps in improving real-time surveillance.

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Celcom has also announced that they will be expanding their 5G use-cases to cover Digital Defense for Beach Boundaries, Crowd Control Monitoring, Digital Control of Inbound and Outbound of Cargo, Fleet Management System, Geo-Fencing & Smart Perimeters and 5G Fixed Wireless Access.
Pokdepinion: Having seen a bit of demonstration of 5G before, the technology indeed helps in more ways than just providing fast and low latency speeds to end users. Let’s hope that it will come sooner that later to the country.
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WhatsApp Companion Mode Closed Testing Phase Has Begun

The highly anticipated multi-device support feature on WhatsApp, Companion Mode, has finally entered the closed testing phase.
WhatsApp Companion Mode

It has been reported that the WhatsApp Companion Mode feature has rolled out to a selected group of users for testing purposes. This means that development of the feature is proceeding well and we’re getting closer to its launch.

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For those of you who aren’t aware, the WhatsApp Companion Mode feature lets you link to secondary devices by simply scanning a QR code from your primary device (likely your smartphone), and will no longer require internet access on the primary device to use it. You can even link an iPhone to an Android tablet if you wish.

There is no word on exactly how many devices can be used at once with this feature. Furthermore, if another account is detected on your secondary device, all data will be erased on it so if you plan on keeping that, make sure to have it backed up first.
For now, there is no word on when the feature will be made available for public use. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion: This feature couldn’t come any sooner. Given how you can do the same on Telegram for years now, it really makes you wonder what is going on behind the scenes.
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Google wakes up from their Daydream — ends development for Daydream VR

My first experience with Daydream VR was on the ASUS ZenFone AR, and it was kinda fun. Not exactly great though given that support was limited at that time. It seems like Daydream VR never really took off though, as Google is discontinuing the Daydream View headsets and the entire Daydream VR platform.

Google admits that having to put your smartphone into a headset isn’t exactly a seamless experience, especially when we are all so attached to our devices. With that said, the Daydream app and store will still stay around for the few existing users.
 We saw a lot of potential in smartphone VR—being able to use the smartphone you carry with you everywhere to power an immersive on-the-go experience. But over time we noticed some clear limitations constraining smartphone VR from being a viable long-term solution. Most notably, asking people to put their phone in a headset and lose access to the apps they use throughout the day causes immense friction.There also hasn’t been the broad consumer or developer adoption we had hoped, and we’ve seen decreasing usage over time of the Daydream View headset. So while we are no longer selling Daydream View or supporting Daydream on Pixel 4, the Daydream app and store will remain available for existing users.We’re investing heavily in helpful AR experiences like Google Lens, AR walking navigation in Maps, and AR in Search that use the smartphone camera to bridge the digital and physical worlds, helping people do more with what they see and learn about the world around them. – Google

Google has already dropped support for Daydream since the Pixel 3a series, so I guess this move isn’t exactly unexpected. The latest device listed on the Google Daydream landing site is the Pixel 3, with the most recent one from Android OEMs being the Galaxy S9.

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Did you have a good experience with Daydream VR?
Pokdepinion: I must say that the Daydream View headset is really comfy.
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GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT + RX 5600 XT Gaming OC Review — More money, more value?

We took a look at the AORUS Radeon RX 5700 XT, which proved itself to be an impressive example of a Radeon RX 5700 XT, albeit one positioned in the premium price segment. Today we will look at two more of GIGABYTE’s more affordable Radeon Navi offerings, the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC and the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC. Both cards are pretty similar, with a number of differences. Which card should you get if you are in the market for a more wallet-friendly AMD GPU? Well, read on to find out.
Unboxing

Packaging wise, they are pretty similar. Even the highlighted features are the same, because both of these are quite nearly identical.

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Over on the back, we see an identical situation. There are a few changes considering the cooler design is slightly different between the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC and GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC.

In the box you get the same stuff, i.e. a quick start guide and the card itself. Both the cards look pretty similar, as GIGABYTE utilized most of the same design elements on both cards.
Appearance

The cards look identical to most of the recent GIGABYTE cards, with three WINDFORCE fans per piece. To break up the monotony of the predominantly black fan shroud, there are a few silver accents across the card.

The silver accents are carried over to the side as well. This is where you will begin to notice the differences between the cards. As you might expect, the higher end GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC is thicker than the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC to pack in more surface area for cooling. Meanwhile the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC has the advantage of cleaner cabling, with the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC exposing more of the wires running into the shroud from the PCB.

The backplates on these cards are also quite the different. The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC above sports a metal backplate, while the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC offers a plastic one. Considering that the latter’s cooler is also smaller and thus lighter, the less substantial backplate should suffice.

The tail-end of the cards illustrates their differences better. The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC sports exposed aluminium heatsinks, which the radeon GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC’s backplate wraps around the rear end to meet the fan shroud. I personally prefer the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC’s design as it looks a touch cleaner, but I also understand that it is probably not a smart decision to make the metal backplate bend over the end of the heatsink as that would make the backplate more expensive to produce.

For the ports, you get the standard ensemble of three DisplayPort 1.4 outputs and one HDMI 2.0b outputs on both the Radeon RX 5600 XT and RX 5500 XT. It’s a pretty nice combination, unless you are using multiple older monitors. The connectors themselves appear to be gold-plated, or at least feature copper casings.

The RGB lighting on these cards aren’t exactly enticing. Their AORUS lineup for the NVIDIA GeForce cards definitely offer much flashier lighting. Here all you get is the glowing RGB logo. Perfect for people who prefer sleeper builds, I guess?
Specifications
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC, GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC

GPU
AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (Navi 14 XTX)
AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (Navi 10 XLE)

Clocks
Boost: Up to 1845 MHz
Game: 1737 MHz
Boost: Up to 1620 MHz
Game: 1560 MHz

Cores
1408 SP (22 CU)
2304 Compute Units (36 CU)

Memory
8GB GDDR6
6GB GDDR6

Memory Clocks
14 000 MHz
14 000 MHz

Memory Interface
128-bit
192-bit

Display outputs
3 x DisplayPort 1.4
1 x HDMI 2.0b
3 x DisplayPort 1.4
1 x HDMI 2.0b

Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin
1 x 8-pin

Recommended PSU
450W
450W

Interface
PCIe 4.0 x8
PCIe 4.0 x16

Dimensions
28.1 x 11.5 x 4.0 cm
28.0 x 11.44 x 4.96 cm

Test Machine

CPU
Intel Core i7-5820K @ 4.125 GHz

Motherboard
ROG Rampage V Extreme

Memory
4 x 4GB Kingston HyperX Predator 3000 MHz CL15

Storage
256GB Samsung 850 EVO SATA SSD
512GB Plextor M9PeY PCIe 3.0×4 NVMe SSD
256GB Toshiba PCIe 3.0×4 NVMe SSD
1TB Seagate FireCuda SSHD

Power Supply
Cooler Master V850 Gold

Monitor
BenQ EL2870U

GPU Driver
Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 20.2.2

Testing Methodology
We will be running in-game benchmarks where available, at the specified resolution(s) and at the maximum graphics preset, unless otherwise specified. Average framerates during gameplay will be recorded with Fraps, in the event of a benchmarked game not having an in-game benchmarking tool. Temperatures will be recorded with HWiNFO, and the maximum temperature in a 45-minute long Superposition stress test run will be reported. Fan speeds will be according to the default fan curve as defined by the manufacturer. The latest drivers available will be used, unless otherwise specified. Default clocks will be used, unless otherwise specified.
Performance
Synthetic

The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC is the weakest Radeon RX 5600 XT we have tested in Superposition, while the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC understandably slots below it. The gap between the two cards is quite significant, as you might expect.

Superposition sees a similarly large gap between the cards, and we can see where the cards generally sit in AMD and also versus NVIDIA’s product stack.
Gaming
          GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC (1080p Gaming)            GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC (1080p Gaming)
At 1080p, we can see that the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC does a pretty good job, with it delivering above 60 FPS in most of the titles we have tested. The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC does an even better job here, with an average of 45% higher FPS across the titles we tested.
          GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC (1440p Gaming)            GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC (1440p Gaming)
1440p is not what the Radeon RX 5600 XT is designed for, and most definitely not the Radeon RX 5500 XT. So we can see that while the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC holds up with decent enough frame rates in most titles at 1440p, you should still opt for a stronger GPU if you want to run a 1440p monitor. Meanwhile the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC is really stumbling along at this point, with the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC being 49% faster at this point.
          GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC (4K Gaming)            GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC (4K Gaming)
4K sees the gap between the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC and GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC shrink to 48%, but neither card can deliver a playable experience at this point.

Thermal

The maximum temperatures achieved by the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC was much lower than the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC, presumably due to the beefier cooler that sports five heatpipes instead of the two that the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC has to make do with.

Taking a closer look at the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC, we can see that it maintains clocks of around 1849 MHz, just a touch above the 1845 MHz boost frequency that GIGABYTE has claimed for this card. Temperatures are quite well controlled, with the hotspot temperatures averaging at at around 83°C. The fan curve of this card appears to be quite effective, balancing silent operation with cool operating temperatures.
Memory temperatures are also maintained well throughout the run. However we did not have a method to observe the VRM temperatures, which was not reported in HWiNFO. Meanwhile its Radeon RX 5600 XT sibling reported the VRM temperatures.

GIGABYTE deployed a much better cooling system for the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC, with hotspot temperatures maintained at around 76°C. The GPU averaged 1735 MHz throughout the 1 hour Superposition run. VRM temps stabilized at just 63°C, while the GDDR6 memory was also kept at a cool 71°C. Overall, these are some pretty nice temperatures for a RX 5600 XT. While the fan speeds appear rather erratic, the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC ran quietly, barely noticeable above the other fans on our test bench.
Conclusion
Both cards serve very different target markets, and it goes without saying that you should get the card that’s within your means. But if you can afford both cards, the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC is definitely the card to get. It offers significantly better performance to the tune of at least 45%, while being priced rather reasonably at just RM1538, a mere 29% over the RM1189 price tag that GIGABYTE Malaysia has slapped on the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC.

It also runs significantly cooler than the other Radeon RX 5600 XTs we have tested, thanks to a more aggressive default fan profile, although it is worth noting that you most probably won’t be able to hear it in a well-designed case. The Windforce fans used on both coolers are excellent.
Our thanks to GIGABYTE Malaysia for sending us the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming OC and GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC used in this review.

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Leaked PS Plus July 2023 Free Games Lineup: Call of Duty and More

Excitement is brewing among PS Plus subscribers as the next batch of games rumoured to join the service has been leaked. According to a trusted source with a solid track record, billbil-kun on dealabs, next month’s PS Plus lineup is expected to include Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Alan Wake Remastered, and Endling: Extinction Is Forever. While Sony has yet to confirm these titles, the leak comes from a source known for accurately predicting previous PS Plus games. However, it’s important to treat this information with caution until an official announcement is made.
Leaked PS Plus July 2023 Free Games Lineup

DEALABS EXCLUSIVE
July 2023 PS Plus Monthly Games are
👇https://t.co/cb1UJDIe4Y#Playstation #Plus #PSPlus pic.twitter.com/VGa696Tkrg
— billbil-kun (@billbil_kun) June 28, 2023

Billbil-kun has established a reputation for accurately leaking upcoming PS Plus games for nearly two years. With a perfect track record, their credibility lends weight to the leaked information. While not official confirmation, it has become increasingly likely that these games will be part of the next PS Plus lineup.

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If the leak proves true, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Alan Wake Remastered, and Endling: Extinction Is Forever will be available for all PS Plus tiers, including essential, extra, and premium. While extra and premium tiers offer an extensive game library that rotates monthly, essential tier subscribers can retain the games permanently as long as their subscription remains active.

PlayStation 4 and 5 owners will need to subscribe to the essential tier to redeem next month’s games. Typically, new titles become available on the first Tuesday of each month, suggesting that players should be able to claim the leaked games on Tuesday, July 4th.
If the leaked information holds true, the inclusion of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is undoubtedly the standout title. Released in November 2020 for multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, and PC, the game’s addition to PS Plus would be a significant offering for subscribers. Alan Wake Remastered, a beloved psychological action-adventure game, and Endling: Extinction Is Forever, an indie title focusing on wildlife survival, would also bring diverse experiences to the lineup.
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Pokdepinion: While awaiting official confirmation from Sony, the leaked PS Plus games for next month have ignited anticipation among subscribers. The rumoured titles promise an exciting selection for gamers. As Sony unveils the official lineup, gamers can look forward to updates on the confirmed games and prepare to immerse themselves in these thrilling experiences.
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Apple Expected to Unveil Design Overhaul with watchOS 10 at WWDC 2023

Apple is set to announce a major design and feature overhaul for watchOS 10 at this year’s WWDC event in June. The update is expected to address the relatively static state of the operating system and persuade new buyers and existing users to upgrade.
Apple to Announce Significant watchOS 10 Redesign and Features at WWDC 2023

Apple Watch enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) as rumours abound that the company will announce a design and feature overhaul for watchOS 10. The news comes from a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

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According to Gurman’s report, the watchOS 10 update will be the main focus of the event, scheduled for June 5. There are several reasons why this is likely to be the case. First, rumours suggest that this year’s Apple Watch hardware upgrade will be relatively modest, so the company needs a way to persuade new and existing users to upgrade. Second, the new iOS 17 update is expected to bring only a few new features and optimizations. Finally, the watchOS has remained largely unchanged in recent years, making it ripe for a significant upgrade.
While Gurman’s report is based on speculation and market analysis, it has certainly piqued the interest of the Apple Watch community. Given the popularity of the wearable device, any major updates to watchOS 10 are sure to be met with enthusiasm. Apple has yet to make any official statements regarding the potential upgrade, so it remains to be seen what changes will be made.

However, some rumours have suggested that the new watchOS 10 update could feature a new user interface design, making it easier to navigate the device’s various features. There have also been suggestions of new health features, such as blood glucose monitoring, and improved integration with other Apple devices.
Regardless of what features are included in the watchOS 10 update, Apple Watch enthusiasts will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on this year’s WWDC event. With the potential for a significant upgrade, this could be a game-changing moment for the popular wearable device.
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Pokdepinion: It’s about time for it and it will give their wearables a breath of fresh air even if the hardware is mostly the same. I also hope to see some interesting new features being added on to aid with its usability.
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Realme Wins Number 1 Best Selling Smartphone On Shopee

It seems that Realme has won the top award for the best selling smartphone on eCommerce platform, Shopee. Launched just recently in November 2018, the brand has been known to focus on smartphones that caters to the youth, where they offer performance while being at an affordable price range.
Sold at Shopee’s 12.12 Birthday Sale, the Realme 2 Pro prove to be a successful smartphone as it won the “No.1 Best Selling Phone” award on the platform. Previously, it had won the “Best Selling Item” award during Shopee’s 11.11 Big Sale, breaking the first sale record among all smartphone brands on Shopee. It was also the “Smartphone Champion” during Shopee’s 15.11 Men’s Festival.
The Realme 2 Pro packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660AIE chipset that comes with Adreno 512 GPU with a built-in AI engine. Do you want to learn more on the device? You can check out our full hands-on review of the Realme 2 Pro right here, just in case you’ve missed it.

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Pokdepinion: We were quite satisfied with the device, so it wasn’t really a shocker that they’ve won the award. Additionally, the pricing of the device made it look really attractive.
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