Latest news with #Cyberpunk2077
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Tiny RTX 5000 eGPU Turns Handhelds into Gaming Powerhouses
Imagine playing Cyberpunk 2077 on a handheld device with smooth, desktop-class graphics—no stuttering, no compromises. It might sound like a futuristic dream, but the new RTX 5000 eGPU prototype is making it a reality. This compact powerhouse, designed to deliver high-end performance in a portable form factor, is poised to redefine what's possible for handhelds and laptops. With its desktop-class RTX 5060 GPU and versatile connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4, this device promises to bring serious gaming and content creation capabilities to the palm of your hand. But as with any innovative technology, there are challenges to overcome, from thermal management to future-proofing. Could this tiny GPU really be the answer to portable performance enthusiasts have been waiting for? ETA Prime explores how the RTX 5000 eGPU prototype is setting a new standard for portable computing. From its impressive specs—like 8GB of VRAM and 100W USB-C fast charging—to its innovative design, this device is packed with features that could transform how we think about handhelds and laptops. However, it's not all smooth sailing; we'll also dive into the hurdles that need addressing, such as driver optimization and cooling. Whether you're a gamer, a creative professional, or just someone who values portability without sacrificing power, this prototype offers a glimpse into the future of mobile performance. The question is: how close are we to that future? RTX 5000 eGPU Overview Key Features and Specifications At the heart of the prototype is a desktop-class RTX 5060 GPU equipped with 8GB of VRAM, offering a substantial boost in graphics performance for portable devices. This eGPU supports multiple connectivity standards, making sure compatibility with a variety of devices: Thunderbolt 4: High-speed data transfer and low-latency performance. High-speed data transfer and low-latency performance. USB 4: Versatile connectivity for modern devices. Versatile connectivity for modern devices. Oculink: A niche interface for specialized use cases. However, the absence of Thunderbolt 5 support may limit its long-term compatibility with future devices. Despite this, the prototype's compact design and impressive specifications make it a strong contender for users seeking portable solutions without compromising on power. Connectivity and Power Efficiency The eGPU offers a range of connectivity options, making sure seamless integration with laptops, handhelds, and external monitors. Key features include: Data Transfer Speeds: Up to 36 Gbps via USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4, making sure smooth performance for demanding tasks. Up to 36 Gbps via USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4, making sure smooth performance for demanding tasks. Power Supply: A 280W power adapter capable of meeting the GPU's energy demands. A 280W power adapter capable of meeting the GPU's energy demands. USB-C Fast Charging: Supports 100W charging, allowing users to power their laptops or handheld devices while using the eGPU. This dual functionality enhances its practicality, particularly for users who prioritize portability and efficiency. The inclusion of Oculink further broadens its appeal for niche applications, though its adoption remains limited. RTX 5000 eGPU Specs, Features & Performance Insights Watch this video on YouTube. Expand your understanding of External GPU (eGPU) with additional resources from our extensive library of articles. Performance and Thermal Management Performance testing reveals the eGPU's ability to handle demanding workloads with ease. In synthetic benchmarks such as 3DMark Time Spy, it achieves competitive scores, while real-world gaming tests demonstrate its capability to run modern titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at medium to high settings. However, performance varies depending on the game: Optimized Titles: Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 run smoothly, showcasing the GPU's potential. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 run smoothly, showcasing the GPU's potential. Challenging Titles: Games such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Spider-Man 2 encounter occasional frame drops at higher settings, likely due to early-stage driver or game optimization issues. The GPU's power consumption peaks at 145W, with temperatures reaching 86°C under load. While these figures are within acceptable ranges, the current thermal management system struggles to maintain optimal temperatures during extended use. Refining the fan curve and cooling design will be critical to making sure long-term reliability and consistent performance. Design and Usability The eGPU's compact design is comparable to other small form factor devices, making it an attractive option for users with limited desk space or those frequently on the move. It features multiple output options, including: Two HDMI Ports: Ideal for connecting external monitors or TVs. Ideal for connecting external monitors or TVs. Two DisplayPorts: Suitable for high-resolution, multi-monitor setups. While the eGPU can enhance the performance of a laptop or handheld display, using an external monitor is recommended for the best visual experience. The inclusion of USB 4 and Oculink interfaces further enhances its versatility, making it a valuable addition to portable setups for gaming, video editing, and other graphics-intensive tasks. Challenges and Development Goals Despite its strengths, the eGPU prototype faces several challenges that must be addressed to maximize its potential: Thermal Management: The current cooling system struggles to maintain optimal temperatures under heavy loads, which could impact performance and reliability over time. The current cooling system struggles to maintain optimal temperatures under heavy loads, which could impact performance and reliability over time. Driver Optimization: Early-stage drivers and firmware result in inconsistent performance across certain games, highlighting the need for further refinement. Early-stage drivers and firmware result in inconsistent performance across certain games, highlighting the need for further refinement. Future-Proofing: The lack of Thunderbolt 5 support may limit its appeal as newer connectivity standards become more prevalent. To address these issues, the development team is actively working on refining the cooling system, optimizing drivers, and expanding compatibility with a broader range of devices and applications. Looking Ahead: Enhancements and Innovations The development team is exploring several innovative features to enhance the eGPU's appeal and functionality. One potential addition is battery-powered operation, which would significantly improve portability for users who frequently travel or work in environments without easy access to power outlets. Other planned improvements include: Expanded Testing: Conducting extensive testing with a wider range of devices and games to ensure consistent performance and compatibility. Conducting extensive testing with a wider range of devices and games to ensure consistent performance and compatibility. Improved Firmware: Addressing current limitations through regular updates to drivers and firmware. Addressing current limitations through regular updates to drivers and firmware. Enhanced Cooling Solutions: Developing more efficient thermal management systems to maintain optimal performance under load. These efforts aim to refine the eGPU's design and functionality, making sure it meets the needs of its target audience while addressing current limitations. Final Thoughts The RTX 5000 series eGPU prototype represents a significant advancement in portable graphics technology. Its compact design, robust performance, and versatile connectivity options make it a compelling choice for users seeking desktop-class graphics in a portable form factor. While challenges such as thermal management and driver optimization remain, ongoing development efforts are expected to address these issues, paving the way for a more refined and reliable product. As the prototype evolves, it has the potential to bridge the gap between portability and performance, offering a versatile solution for gamers, professionals, and content creators alike. With further refinement, this eGPU could redefine how users approach portable computing, delivering a seamless blend of power and convenience. Media Credit: ETA PRIME Filed Under: Gaming News, Hardware, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Nintendo Switch 2 review: The good, the bad and the middling of the $719 console
The Switch 2's most noticeable upgrade is its 7.9-inch 1,080p screen with up to 120Hz refresh rates. PHOTO: AFP Nintendo Switch 2 review: The good, the bad and the middling of the $719 console SINGAPORE – Nintendo has done it again. Eight years after the Nintendo Switch revolutionised console gaming by offering a hybrid experience that combines handheld gaming and home consoles, the Switch 2 brings key refinements to the Japanese gamemaker's flagship console. The question is not whether the Switch 2 improves on its predecessor – it does – but whether these improvements justify the hike from the first iteration's $425 launch price. Despite key improvements, playtesting the console reminds me more of the modest step from Nintendo's Wii to the Wii U, rather than the revolutionary leap between the latter console and the Switch. The Good: A better Switch The Switch 2's most noticeable upgrade is its 7.9-inch 1,080p screen with up to 120Hz refresh rates – a big improvement over the original's 6.2-inch 720p screen. Games look visibly sharper and crisper, and the larger screen makes extended handheld sessions more comfortable. Under the hood, hardware improvements enable technically demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (2020) to run smoothly on Nintendo hardware for the first time. Storage also receives a long overdue upgrade from 32GB of internal storage to 256GB – addressing one of the Switch's most frustrating limitations: insufficient space for today's increasingly expansive digital games. Build quality remains a Nintendo hallmark, but the new aesthetic abandons the bold neon red-blue scheme for subtler accents and sleeker lines. The new Joy-Cons have a magnetic attachment system that make for easier attachment and removal. And they now allow for motion-controlled mouse functionality, opening up games that were originally made for the PC, like Civilization VII (2025), to more intuitive gameplay. Backwards compatibility with the original Switch's games is another selling point. Only a few of the over 15,000 games available for the device cannot be played on the Switch 2. The Lukewarm: Launch games are hit or miss The biggest new release in the small line-up of games made for the Switch 2 is racing game Mario Kart World (2025). PHOTO: AFP What might turn some enthusiasts off is the new console's reliance on this backwards compatibility. The biggest new release in the small line-up of games made for the Switch 2 is racing game Mario Kart World (2025) – unlike in 2017 when the original Switch launched with The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (2017) as one of its exclusive titles. Most of the other launch highlights are Nintendo Switch 2 ports or remakes of popular hits like Breath Of The Wild , Cyberpunk 2077 , Split Fiction (2025) and Bravely Default (2012). While all original Switch games can be played on the new Switch, not all games will receive the free update that allows them to fully utilise the Switch's new features – like the social function GameChat or the device's upgraded hardware. As a gamer whose most anticipated upcoming Nintendo release is Pokemon Z-A (set for an Oct 16 release), one point of frustration is having to pay US$10 (S$13) more for the Nintendo Switch 2 edition. T his mark-up on Switch 2 game prices appears to be the norm for games also available for the Switch. Other small but easy-to-miss tweaks include the console's new kickstand. When coupled with a new USB-C charging port on top of the device, this allows for yet another mode of portable gameplay. A new feature, GameShare, lets players share their e-cartridges – digital versions of games they have bought – with fellow Switch 2 owners for up to 14 days. However, porting over old digital games from the original Switch locks them out of that device. The Ugly: Cost of technical refinements The technical refinements come with some frustrating drawbacks. The biggest among them is that the new console's battery life marks a regression from that of the original Switch. While the original has a battery life of 4½ to nine hours, the new Switch has only two to 6½ hours of battery life – a step back for the hybrid console . The console's weight with Joy-Cons attached has also gone up to 534g from 400g , though it still feels comfortable to hold. Nintendo's traditional stubbornness also persists in unintuitive ways. For one, Singapore still lacks a dedicated eShop, meaning that Singapore users looking to buy and download their favourite games must do so in foreign currencies. The Switch 2's $719 price point positions it as a premium gaming device, approaching the cost of a PlayStation 5 ($669+) and Xbox Series X ($799+), but with greater portability – at the cost of poorer technical performance in certain areas. As an evolution of the concept, the Switch 2 delivers what it promises: a better Switch. But it does not fundamentally reimagine what that means. Verdict: To buy or not to buy? If you are a gamer already satisfied with your current Switch and do not crave the technical upgrades necessary to run hardware-demanding games, it might make sense to hold off until more exclusive games are released for the Switch 2. But if you loved the original Switch and everything it represents , the Switch 2's refinements make it a clear upgrade in every regard except for battery life and price point. For dedicated Nintendo fans, these upgrades seem to be worth the investment. The console s old 3.5 million units worldwide in its first four days. I n contrast, i ts predecessor sold 2.7 million units in its first month. Part of what explains this feat – beyond the Switch 2's refinements – is how, much like the original Switch, Nintendo's flagship console arrives at a lull period in video game console development. Console-makers Sony and Microsoft have only just begun to tease the next-generation PlayStation and Xbox. Their last new consoles were released in 2020. In the absence of other next-generation offerings, console enthusiasts seeking a shiny new bauble are hardly spoilt for choice. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I got the Switch 2 and the hardware is incredible — but Nintendo's launch game lineup leaves me with one glaring problem
I've been gaming for over two decades, and the Nintendo Switch 2 genuinely impressed me from the moment I picked it up. Those magnetic Joy-Cons are far more secure than the original's flimsy rails. The 1080p screen is gorgeous, and performance improvements eliminate the stuttering that plagued its predecessor. Having lived through every major console launch since the Sega Dreamcast, the Switch 2 is clearly more than an incremental upgrade — and that's not up for debate. But here's what ultimately let me down: Nintendo has delivered what feels like their most conservative game lineup in years. It's a frustrating contradiction. Nintendo has built their most capable console yet, but the company has been playing it safe with familiar franchises and games in circulation for years. The Switch 2 is undeniably impressive, but whether that's enough depends on what you're looking for. Let me start with what Nintendo absolutely nailed. The Switch 2 feels like a premium device in ways the original never did. The larger 1080p screen supports HDR and up to 120fps, while docked mode can output 4K at 60fps. But the real game-changers are the details you don't see in spec sheets. Those magnetic Joy-Con controllers are genuinely revolutionary. Nintendo originally wanted magnets for the first Switch but couldn't make them work. They've clearly solved that problem — these controllers snap on with satisfying precision and feel rock-solid during gameplay. Nintendo's banner first-party game, Mario Kart World, looks far and away better than anything the old Switch could offer. The visual improvements are immediately apparent, and seeing games like Cyberpunk 2077 running reasonably well on a Nintendo handheld still feels surreal. Here's where my enthusiasm starts to wane. For all the hardware prowess, Nintendo's approach to the launch lineup feels conservative to the point of disappointment. Mario Kart World is the next Mario Kart game, touting an open-world racing adventure, but it's essentially the only major new Nintendo exclusive at launch. Compare this to the original Switch launch, which gave us the perfect game: Breath of the Wild — a genuinely revolutionary game that redefined what Zelda could be. Mario Kart World is good, but it's still fundamentally Mario Kart with some open-world elements tacked on. The rest of the launch library is dominated by ports and upgraded versions of existing games, like Street Fighter 6, Cyberpunk 2077, and Hogwarts Legacy. This is great for people who haven't played these games, but if you've played them elsewhere, it's disappointing — and I say this as someone who considers Cyberpunk a masterpiece. Even more frustrating is the timing of Nintendo's other big games. Donkey Kong Banaza and Metroid Prime 4 feel like games that could have been launch titles but were deliberately held back. What really gets me is that this hardware could handle so much more. The Switch 2 has significantly more storage (256GB vs 64GB) and support for faster microSD cards. According to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the Switch 2 chip features the most "advanced graphics ever in a mobile device". This is a system that could have launched with a new 3D Mario, a fresh Zelda adventure, or something completely unexpected. Instead, we get Mario Kart World and a paid tech demo called Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. The backwards compatibility is excellent, the vast majority of the old Switch catalog works seamlessly, but a $450 console shouldn't just run existing games slightly better. This hardware begs for new games that showcase its capabilities. The Switch 2 sold 3.5 million units in its first four days, making it Nintendo's fastest-selling console to date. Those sales figures suggest consumers recognize the hardware's potential — they're buying into what this system could become, not necessarily what it is right now. Nintendo had the perfect opportunity to debut games that could only exist on this more powerful hardware. Instead, they delivered the same cautious approach that prioritizes familiar franchises over boundary-pushing experiences. The Switch 2 represents a significant hardware leap that deserves software to match. Those that purchased at launch are betting on its future potential rather than present reality. While that bet will likely pay off eventually, the current library feels like a missed opportunity to showcase what this impressive hardware can truly do. On the bright side, my existing game collection has never looked better.
The Verge
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Update 2.3 is gonna be late, chooms.
Posted Jun 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM UTC Update 2.3 is gonna be late, chooms. CD Project RED has announced that the next update for Cyberpunk 2077 will be late. The company announced the delay via social media, saying it planned to release the update this week but needed more time for polish. While CDPR hasn't said Update 2.3 contains, it did say it'll be of similar scope to the game's previous update. The 2.2 patch, which released in December, included new customization options for your V, your cars, and photo mode updates.
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Unlock better gaming and editing on your laptop with the right GPU choice
Buying a new laptop can be tricky with so many specs and options out there. One feature that often gets people thinking is the GPU. Some laptops come with a dedicated graphics card, while others rely on built-in graphics. Understanding what each one does can help you make the right choice based on how you plan to use your laptop. A dedicated GPU is a separate graphics chip inside your laptop. It has its own memory and power. It's built to handle visuals like games, videos, and 3D graphics. In comparison, integrated graphics are built into the main processor and share system memory. They work well for everyday tasks but struggle with heavy visuals. If you enjoy gaming, you'll want a dedicated GPU. Modern games are more detailed and need more power to run smoothly. With a dedicated GPU, your games will look better, load faster, and feel smoother. You'll get better lighting, textures, and frame rates. Without one, you might experience lag, low graphics quality, or even games not running at all. For titles like Call of Duty, GTA V, or Cyberpunk 2077, integrated graphics just won't cut it. If you work with videos, photos, animation, or 3D models, a dedicated GPU can speed things up. Video editing tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve use the GPU to render projects faster. Graphic designers and digital artists also notice smoother performance while editing high-resolution files or using effects. Without a strong GPU, rendering times are slower, and software may feel laggy. You don't always need a dedicated GPU. If your work includes typing documents, browsing the web, watching videos, or attending video calls, integrated graphics are more than enough. Laptops with integrated GPUs are also lighter, cheaper, and offer longer battery life. For students or casual users, this is often the smarter choice.
