In recent years, Minisforum has developed from an insider tip to a firm name in the mini PC market. The manufacturer has become renowned for its compact systems with high computing power, innovative cooling, and sophisticated designs. With the new AI X1 Pro, Minisforum wants to prove this claim – as a powerful all-round PC with integrated AI acceleration, which is not only intended for professionals and developers, but also for smart home enthusiasts and creatives. The following review shows whether the manufacturer lives up to its own claim. At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Outstanding CPU performance sufficient for the most demanding workstation and multitasking tasks Excellent and future-proof connectivity with dual 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 7, two USB4 ports and OCuLink Superior upgradeability thanks to replaceable RAM and three M.2 slots Powerful NPU allows for advanced, local AI applications Sophisticated design with integrated power supply unit and fingerprint reader Sustainable product packaging without plastic Cons Graphics performance is somewhat slowed down by the slower DDR5 RAM compared to models with soldered LPDDR5X memory Our Verdict The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is more than just a mini PC; it’s the perfect machine for technology enthusiasts who don’t want to compromise on performance, expandability, and connectivity. If you’re looking for a compact but extremely powerful and future-proof foundation for complex automation, local AI, and media server tasks, you’ll find that the AI X1 Pro is one of the most powerful mini PCs on the market today. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Minisforum AI X1 Pro Retailer Price $1,087 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Specs CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 12 cores / 24 threads, max. frequency 5.1 GHz AI performance (NPU): up to 80 TOPS Graphics: AMD Radeon 890M Memory: 64 GB, 2 × DDR5-SO-DIMM 5600 MHz Internal storage: 1 × M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD, pre-installed Kingston OM8TAP41024K1 1TB Connectivity: 2 × 2.5 Gbit/s LAN ports (RJ45), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Front connections: 2 × USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 1 × USB 4 (Alt PD Out 15 Watt, data rate up to 40 GB/s, 3.5 mm combo socket, co-pilot button, 2 × digital microphones (DMIC) Rear connections: 1 × USB2.0 Type-A, 1 × OCuLink (PCIe 4.0 ×4), 1 × USB4 (Alt PD-In 65-100 watts & PD Out 15 watts, 1 × DisplayPort 2.0, 1× HDMI 2.1 FRL, Kensington lock OS: Windows 11 Pro Dimensions: 195 × 195 × 47.5 mm (W × D × H), 1.5kg The Minisforum AI X1 Pro delivers an impressive overall package and soundly demonstrates how much performance can be packed into a mini PC today Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Design At first glance, the appearance of the AI X1 Pro with its silver-colored housing and black accents is subtly reminiscent of a Mac Mini, but this impression quickly fades when you look at the details. Minisforum takes a much more functional approach. When comparing the housings of the Minisforum AI X1 Pro and the Geekom IT15, fundamentally different design philosophies in the mini PC segment become clear. Whilst both devices focus on compactness, they pursue different goals, which is reflected in their dimensions and structure. Christoph Hoffmann With its dimensions of 195 × 195 × 47.5 millimetres, the Minisforum AI X1 Pro is a good deal larger than many of its competitors (IT15: 117 × 112 × 49.2 millimetres). Its square footprint is almost twice as large as that of the Geekom IT15. However, this larger volume is a deliberate design decision that brings two decisive advantages: Firstly, it enables the installation of an integrated power supply unit. Finally, the unsightly external brick that causes cable clutter in many mini PCs is no longer necessary. The result is a tidy and professional look. On the other hand, the larger interior offers space for more powerful cooling and superior expandability with three M.2 slots. Weighing in at 1.5kg, the AI X1 Pro is also significantly heavier due to its robust metal chassis and internal components. Despite its immense performance and internal power supply unit, the device remains compact, even if it’s slightly larger than some of its direct competitors. On the front, there are also modern conveniences such as a fingerprint reader for secure and fast login and a dedicated Co-pilot button that emphasizes the focus on AI functions. Christoph Hoffmann With a bracket, the AI X1 Pro can be placed upright or attached to the back of a monitor or even to a wall with the VESA mount. Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Features The true strength of the AI X1 Pro is revealed when you take a look at its inner values and connectivity. Minisforum has created equipment that redefines the term mini PC and makes it a real desktop alternative. The centerpiece is the ability to upgrade—a feature that has become rare in this class. At the heart of the Minisforum AI X1 Pro is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, one of the first desktop APUs based on the Zen 5 architecture. In addition to 12 CPU cores and the powerful Radeon 890M graphics, the chip comes with a dedicated NPU that delivers up to 50 TOPS of AI performance—perfect for local language models, image analysis or Co-pilot functions without cloud dependency. Instead of relying on soldered memory, the AI X1 Pro offers two SODIMM slots for up to 128GB DDR5-5600 RAM. This gives enthusiasts the freedom to customize the system to their needs—be it for memory-hungry virtual machines running Home Assistant and other services, or for complex data processing. Our test device has 64 GB of RAM, although variants with 32 and 96GB RAM are also available. Another highlight is the mass storage: three M.2 slots for fast NVMe SSDs are available. This makes it possible to realize a huge and fast storage solution, ideal for an extensive media collection. A Kingston OM8TAP41024K1 with 1TB capacity is installed in the test device. The model with 96GB RAM comes with a 2TB NVMe SSD. The variety of connections is simply outstanding and sets the AI X1 Pro apart from the competition. In addition to two USB4 ports, which enable high data rates and the connection of external GPUs, there is also a dedicated OCuLink port. This offers an even faster connection to external graphics cards and turns the mini PC into an expandable gaming or workstation platform. Christoph Hoffmann Two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure a stable and fast network connection, while Wi-Fi 7 makes wireless communication future-proof. The package is rounded off with HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and an integrated SD card reader The Minisforum AI X1 Pro offers exceptional flexibility when connecting monitors and can operate up to four displays simultaneously. It owes this capability to a combination of modern, dedicated, and multifunctional video outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0 and two USB4 ports. This makes the AI X1 Pro a powerful centre for demanding multitasking environments, whether in the office, for creative work or as a control centre in the smart home. Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Operating system The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is installed and activated with Windows 11 25H2 during the initial setup and with an active internet connection. The setup runs smoothly and drivers and firmware are automatically up to date. Copilot integration including NPU support is active and works seamlessly. This eliminates the need for the usual retrofitting of updates or AI packages—the mini PC is immediately ready for all new Windows AI features, from local text recognition and image understanding to automated workflows. Christoph Hoffmann We do not go into detail about Windows 11 25H2 itself in the test—however, it’s clear in many places that the Minisforum AI X1 Pro fully supports the system’s new AI functions. Copilot , Recall, and local model acceleration are active and access the NPU of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 directly. As a result, AI-based tasks such as text recognition, image analysis, or voice assistance run noticeably faster and without cloud dependency—a clear indication that hardware and software are optimally harmonized here. Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Performance The Minisforum AI X1 Pro with the new AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is positioned well above the previous generation of mini PCs in terms of performance and competes directly with powerful ultrabooks and compact workstations in many scenarios. We used the PCMark 10 benchmark test to determine the desktop computing performance. This software gives us realistic values by running everyday tasks one after the other. The PCMark 10 total score of 7,809 points is in a range that only systems with high-end mobile processors such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H or the Apple M3 Pro have achieved to date. The “Essentials” (11,353 points) and “Productivity” (10,594 points) categories in particular show that everyday office, communication and multitasking applications are handled with absolute ease. The “Digital Content Creation” category with 10,746 points also demonstrates strong performance in photo and video editing—an indicator of an excellently harmonized CPU and GPU balance. Christoph Hoffmann The CPU profile from 3DMark shows excellent scaling across all thread levels: With 8,292 points at full load and 1,161 points in the single-thread test, the HX 370 is on a par with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 288V and only just behind the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS, although the chip relies on a more energy-efficient Zen 5 architecture. This means: high multi-core performance with excellent efficiency—a decisive criterion for continuous operation in compact housings. Christoph Hoffmann The system achieved 3,528 points in 3DMark Time Spy, with the integrated Radeon 890M scoring an impressive 3,152 graphics points. This GPU based on RDNA-3 is around 40 percent higher than the Radeon 780M and thus brings usable gaming performance to a mini PC without a dedicated graphics card. The Intel Core U9-285H installed in the Geekom IT15 however delivers a TimeSpy result of 4,244 points. Christoph Hoffmann Games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite or Forza Horizon 5 run smoothly in 1080p at medium to high settings with the AMD CPU. The more recent synthetic tests such as Steel Nomad Light (3,023 points, 22 FPS) and Solar Bay (14,762 points) also confirm the high efficiency for CPU graphics in DirectX 12 and ray tracing scenarios. Christoph Hoffmann The Geekbench AI Pro score of 7,007 points (quantised) illustrates the strength of the integrated NPU, which is based on the XDNA-2 architecture. This makes the HX 370 one of the few chips that can run AI workloads locally at desktop level—ideal for applications such as image analysis, transcription, or local language modeling. In comparison, the values of the Geekom IT15 with Intel Core U9-285H: 8,005 in the Quantised Score. Christoph Hoffmann Finally, the performance of the SSD is also impressive: The installed 1 TB Kingston NVMe drive achieves 6,132 MB/s read and 5,259 MB/s write in the Crystal Disk Mark, which further accelerates the system response time. Here, the X1 Pro is roughly on a par with the Geekom A9 Max with its Lexar SSD and 6,242 and 5,423 MB/s respectively. Christoph Hoffmann Is the Minisforum AI X1 Pro worth it? Overall, the Minisforum AI X1 Pro delivers an impressive overall package and soundly demonstrates how much performance can be packed into a mini PC today. With the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the powerful Radeon 890M and the integrated NPU, it combines desktop power, energy efficiency and AI capability in a compact housing. Three NVMe slots, dual 2.5 GbE, OCuLink and USB4 make it extremely versatile—whether for home office, smart home, or gaming. The workmanship and features are clearly above the class average. Only the price and the lack of 10 GbE spoil the picture slightly. Overall: a powerful, future-proof mini PC for power users. Read...

HPE enhances its GreenLake cloud platform with AI-driven features and hybrid cloud upgrades to boost security, efficiency and reduce costs for enterprises. Read...

Dynatrace enhances AWS support with new AI and cloud features, earning AWS Agentic AI Specialisation and LATAM Partner of the Year honours. Read...

WISeKey has expanded its satellite constellation via a SpaceX launch, enhancing secure global IoT connectivity with advanced post-quantum cybersecurity features. Read...

TechHive Editors Choice At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Powerful lighting effects Long-lived batteries keep them going all night Reasonably priced Cons App can be confusing Initial lens selection can be confusing Hardware isn’t the most attractive during the day Our Verdict These Bluetooth landscape lights will make a colorful statement on your property, no wires or disposable batteries needed. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Linkind Solar Pathway Lights SP6 Retailer Price $109.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Solar-powered pathway lights get a bad rap for a good reason: Most of them look like garbage, with dim bulbs that cast a weak glow after hours. With its Solar Pathway Lights SP6, Linkind smartens up this space for a second time, building on the success of its smart landscape lighting product launched earlier this year. Specifications Like the Solar Spotlight SL5C I reviewed in April 2025, Linkind’s SP6 lights are entirely self-contained and designed to be powered by the sun. Four pathway lights come to a box, each featuring a head unit that’s six inches square along with a bulbous shade and a three-part ground stake. Entirely made of plastic, all the pieces go together without tools, and the unit measures 14 inches tall once it’s staked into the ground. Linkind Solar Pathway Lights SP6 are bright, dramatic, and much more impressive than off-the-shelf hardware-store lighting. There is no other way to secure the product than via the ground stake, so this is not a good solution for hardscape or deck installations. Each light carries an IP67 weatherproofing rating. TechHive’s IP code guide indicates that means the path lights can’t be disabled by particulate matter getting inside, and that they can withstand being submerged in a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Linkind Solar Pathway Lights SP6 come packed either two or four to a box with copious amounts of plastic.Christopher Null/Foundry The top of each head unit features a 1.8W solar panel that charges an 1800mAh battery underneath. Flip the head unit over and you’ll see what is probably the SP6’s most unusual feature: Not one LED but four, arranged in a grid. Each LED offers a maximum of 60 lumens of brightness but note that only one LED can be used at a time. The idea is that each LED gets covered with a plastic lens that creates a different light pattern on the ground: concentric circles, shimmery ripples, a swirl effect, and so on. With four LEDs but five lens options, it’s up to you to decide which four effects you like the best. Each RGBTW (red, green, blue, and temperature-tunable white) LED supports 16 million colors and white temperatures from a warm 2700K to a very cool 6500K. Assembling these pathlights can be tedious, as each light has nine  parts.Christopher Null/Foundry You’ll want to charge the spotlights via a USB-C cable for a couple of hours before first use, or you can park them in the sun for two days to get them ready for initial deployment. Linkind says a full charge will provide 12 to 14 hours of running time depending on your brightness settings. As with the SL5C, the SP6 lights connect to the AiDot app on your smart phone via a Bluetooth mesh. You’ll need to be close to one of the lights to control any of them. Linkind says the lights have a maximum range of 98 feet, unobstructed, between the controlling phone and between each other. (With obstructions, I managed a range of about 25 feet.) Up to 8 groups of 32 lights can be managed in the app. Linkind offers a $40 Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge if you’d rather connect up to 32 lights to your Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz only). Installation and setup Assembling the lighting units is the more tedious part of installation, with each lamp involving nine components that you must fit together. Figuring out the lenses is the hardest part of this, as it’s not altogether easy to see at a glance which is which, and there’s no way to really understand what each lighting effect will look like until you give it a try. You should plan to test with just one of the lights to finalize your lens selection before you put the rest together and jam the stakes into the ground where you want them. Onboarding to the AiDot app is as simple as pressing the power button on each head unit and waiting for the app to auto-discover it via Bluetooth. It’s really a one-step process that couldn’t have gone more quickly in my testing. Using the Linkind Solar Pathway Lights SP6 The user interface of the AiDot app Linkind uses needs a refresh.Christopher Null/Foundry There’s not a lot to the rather dated AiDot app, to be honest. Each light appears on its own, and they can be grouped for control en masse. Individual management is limited to altering brightness with a slider, choosing white temperature or color from another slider, and selecting which of the four lens effects you want to use. Choosing a different lens doesn’t change the rest of the lighting settings; whatever color or effect was applied when you had the “diamond” lens active will be copied over to the “triangle” lens once you select it. In other words, you can’t configure four different effects, one for each lens, and then cycle among them that way. You can, however, configure each lamp to cycle through the four available lens patterns, shifting every 30 seconds (this time limit can’t be adjusted). You’ll just get the same color or effect cast through a different lens. Various preset effects are also available, with a range of holiday and seasonal themes offered. If those don’t work, you can use the DIY editor to choose up to eight colors to cycle through, as well as set how they transition and how quickly. A music mode can cause lights to dance either via the built-in microphone on the lamp or your phone’s mic. Finally, if you want to see what other people have done, you can check out AiDot’s “Light Lab;” however, I was unable to import any of the publicly available settings to my SP6 installation—even from other SP6 users. These lenses must be fitted over the four LEDs in each pathlight. Only one LED is active at a time, with its beam shaped by the pattern of its lesn.  Christopher Null/Foundry Groups are a more useful way to control lights in bulk, and group management adds a new mode called Light Show, which lets the lights work as a team. “Christmas Cheer” cycles lights through different colors so they all blink at the same time, while “Spellbound Specter” creates a shimmering effect that runs along the lights from one to the next as if they were wired together. The unfortunate issue with groups is that they can’t do everything, and numerous settings must be applied light by light. This includes power-saving features such as the automatic power-down setting, which defaults to 30 seconds, and any timers you set. As with the SL5C, you can tie a schedule to the ambient light level or time of day, but only in the individual light management system. There is however a shortcut workaround: Using the “Copy Work Mode” feature you’ll can find in the gear-icon menu, you can take the settings on one light and push them out to others. (Note also that these lights do not work with AiDot’s more complex Automations system.) The Linkind Solar Pathway Lights SP6 can also cast white light in various color temperatures.Christopher Null/Foundry Again, much like the SL5C, the lights are bright, dramatic, and much more impressive than off-the-shelf hardware-store lighting. Cast down, the lights create a circle four feet in diameter, so you can quickly cover a lot of ground with just a handful of units. For what it’s worth, I found the SP6’s downlighting to be more impressive than the SL5C’s uplighting. On the other hand, the SP6 hardware isn’t very interesting to look at when it’s off, coming off as a little cheap. Remember, you’ll be looking at the hardware during the day when it’s dormant as well as at night when it’s lit up. Should you buy the Linkind Solar Pathway Lights SP6? At a street price of $100 for four lamps, the Linkind SP6 is well priced, particularly if you want to make a colorful splash on your driveway or sidewalk. Users who only need white light for safety reasons can probably get by with dimmer commodity bulbs. But those who want to make a seasonal statement with their lighting will find these to be an impressive and flexible alternative. In fact, I’m keeping a few of them around for the holidays to see if they merit a permanent home in my yard. Read...

Be honest: you’re still using the weak, old power adapter that came with your phone, aren’t you? Or one that came with one of your many other devices, like your tablet or earbuds. It’s slow, it’s bulky, it looks ugly, and it only has one port—the complete opposite of this Ugreen Nexode charger that’s now on sale for $50 with Amazon Prime. (Sign up for a free 30-day Prime trial to score this discount today!) View this Amazon deal This compact charger features a built-in 30-inch retractable USB-C cable that eliminates the need to carry a separate cable when you’re traveling or commuting. Its 100W output is powerful enough to fast-charge everything from smartphones to tablets to most laptops. And not only does the charger have that pull-out USB-C cable, but there are two extra USB-C ports and an additional USB-A port, allowing you to charge multiple devices at once when necessary. Another thing that makes this charging block an absolute dream travel companion is the fact that its prongs are foldable. So, when you slip this thing into your backpack, you don’t have to worry about it scratching your tech or snagging on your clothes or breaking. Grab this Ugreen Nexode USB-C charger for $50 while it’s still on sale! You just won’t know how convenient it is to have a charger block with a pull-out cable until you start using one. Seriously. This fast USB-C charger with a retractable cable is on sale nowBuy now at Amazon Read...

I know Black Friday and Cyber Monday have ended, but this Walmart deal makes it feel like they haven’t. How else could you explain an Intel laptop with RTX 5050 and 16GB of RAM for just $579? Yeah, I’m not kidding. You can get that in the Acer Nitro V, and you can get it at that price right now with this crazy $350 discount. View this Walmart deal This gaming laptop is the perfect balance of price and performance for someone looking for an affordable machine they can use for work, hobbies, and gaming. The Acer Nitro V runs on an Intel Core i5-13420H processor and 16GB of RAM, which is the minimum PCWorld recommends for a Windows 11 laptop. The 512GB SSD is fast for loading and spacious enough as long as you aren’t a data hoarder. It’s a great everyday machine for juggling apps, browser tabs, and more. The visual experience is nice, too. The Nitro V has a vibrant 15.6-inch 1080p IPS screen at a snappy 165Hz refresh rate for smooth frame rates while gaming, and the Nvidia RTX 5050 GPU offers enough power to reach those frame rates, especially if you use the latest DLSS 4 features like upscaling and multi-frame generation. It’ll serve you well for at least a few years, which is darn impressive at this price. If there’s something not to like about this laptop, it might be the 8 hours of stated battery life (so expect less with real-world usage), or the plastic chassis, or the lack of port variety (it has one USB-C and three USB-A), or not having an IR webcam for Windows Hello face unlock. All of these are acceptable sacrifices for a sub-$600 RTX 50-series laptop. Frankly, the Acer Nitro V is an absolute catch for $579, so grab this hot Walmart deal before it expires! Or if you want something a little more powerful but still affordable, check out PCWorld’s picks for the best budget gaming laptops under $1,000. Score this Acer Nitro V with RTX 5050 and 16GB RAM for $350 offBuy now at Walmart Read...

Is your PC slow, programs start sluggishly, and current games stutter? This does not automatically mean that you need a new computer. Targeted upgrades are often enough to significantly improve performance. In this guide, you’ll find out which components are really worthwhile – from SSD and RAM, to graphics cards and processors, through to coolers, fans, and peripherals. SSD: Faster storage for everyone An SSD (Solid State Drive) is the simplest and most worthwhile upgrade of all and provides the biggest performance boost per dollar invested in everyday use. Anyone still working with an old hard disk drive (HDD) is wasting time unnecessarily. However, SSDs differ in terms of design and technology. Classic 2.5-inch models use the older SATA interface and achieve up to 550 MB/s, while modern flash memory in M.2 plug-in card format can be plugged directly into the mainboard and deliver data rates of several thousand megabytes per second via PCI Express (via the NVMe protocol). These NVMe drives are therefore significantly faster, but require a corresponding M.2 slot on the motherboard. Our article“SATA, PCIe, and M.2: The slots on your motherboard, explained” also provides clarity here. Corsair PCIe 4.0 models such as the Crucial P310 or WD Black SN7100 offer up to 7,000 MB/s, making them ideal for gaming or video editing. Even faster are PCIe 5.0 models such as the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 or Crucial T710, which achieve transfer rates almost twice as high at over 12,000 MB/s. However, these high-end models are primarily worthwhile for professional applications, large video files, or particularly demanding users, as they generate more heat and are significantly more expensive. If you have an older system that can only boast SATA connections, you will still benefit enormously: A 2.5-inch SSD (such as the Crucial BX500) for around $60 will get even old PCs up and running again. It’s important that the motherboard supports the appropriate connection, i.e. M.2 for NVMe or SATA ports for 2.5-inch SSDs. Kingston Tip: Cloning old systems saves you time as you take over Windows and programs. However, this method uses a little more storage space because old system files, temporary data and possibly faulty structures are also copied. A new installation takes longer, but ensures a tidier system with a little more free memory. Be sure to check out our list of the best SSDs for even more great upgrade options. Working memory (RAM): More room for multitasking If Chrome has 20 tabs open and Excel reacts sluggishly, more RAM is usually the easiest solution. And upgrading is also less complicated than many people think: open the housing, release the side clips on the slots, remove the old latches, and insert the new modules firmly. Then after switching your computer on, usually the system will recognize the memory automatically. G.Skill Today, 16GB is standard for office users, 32GB is worthwhile for gamers and creative types, and those who regularly work with large photos, videos, or music projects will even benefit from 64GB. Currently, 16GB DDR4 can cost less that $50; kits such as the Kingston Fury Beast or Corsair Vengeance LPX are good options. DDR5 RAM, such as the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 kit, offers higher clock rates, lower power consumption and more bandwidth. However, this requires an up-to-date motherboard and modern processors: DDR5 is supported by Intel from the 12th Core generation (Alder Lake) with chipsets such as Z690, B660, and newer, and by AMD from the Ryzen 7000 series (AM5 platform) with B650, X670, or X670E boards. DDR4 therefore remains the first choice for older systems, while DDR5 is the future-proof option for new PCs. Above all, gamers should consider which DDR5 RAM is currently the best choice. Dual-channel operation is also important: If two identical modules run in parallel, the memory controller can process twice as much data at the same time, which can increase performance by up to 15 percent depending on the application. It’s therefore worthwhile to always install RAM in pairs and make sure there are free slots for both. Swapping out smaller modules pairs can maximize performance, stability, and value for money. Graphics card (GPU): The biggest upgrade for gamers If you want to enjoy games in high quality, there’s no getting round an up-to-date graphics card (GPU). The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT with 16GB or Nvidia Geforce RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB offer sufficient performance for Full HD resolution (1080p). If you want to play in WQHD (1440p), you should opt for a graphics card such as the Radeon RX 9070 or Nvidia Geforce RTX 5070. For 4K gaming, cards like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT or Nvidia Geforce RTX 5070 Ti are the minimum required to deliver smooth results. Video memory (VRAM) is just as important as pure performance. Today, it should be at least 12 GB so that modern games have sufficient buffer for textures and effects. Cards with less memory are increasingly reaching their limits, especially at high resolutions. Before buying, you should check whether the power supply delivers enough power (at least 550 watts) and whether the correct connections are available: PCIe power connectors are the cables used to supply the graphics card with power in addition to the mainboard. Older power supplies often only have 6- or 8-pin connectors, while new GPUs sometimes require special 12VHPWR connectors. Also, make sure there is enough space in the case: many modern graphics cards are long and occupy up to three slots. Mifcom If you don’t game, you can save yourself the GPU upgrade. This is because the integrated graphics solutions of modern processors (such as Intel UHD or AMD Radeon Graphics) are completely sufficient for office, streaming, or everyday tasks. Processor (CPU): Computing power for those who need it A CPU upgrade is only worthwhile if the processor really slows things down – and if the new CPU is a good technical fit for the system. Compatibility with the socket and chipset as well as support for the existing RAM are important. Depending on the age of the PC, it may also make sense to change the motherboard so that you can install a modern processor. For many users, a current six-core processor such as the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is completely sufficient. If you absolutely need an Intel CPU, then the Intel Core i5-14600K is similar to the AMD CPU in terms of performance, but is typically more expensive. Nevertheless, both offer enough power for gaming, office, and multimedia, but both require motherboards with suitable sockets: Intel’s 14600K relies on an LGA1700 socket with a Z690, B660, or Z790 chipset, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F requires an AM5 motherboard with a B650 or X670 chipset and DDR5 RAM. More demanding users opt for eight-cores such as the Ryzen 7 7800X or Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, which deliver more performance in computing-intensive applications, but also require up-to-date platforms. Anyone coming from an older platform (e.g. Intel’s eighth Core generation or the Ryzen 1000 series) almost always has to change the motherboard and RAM as well. Although this increases the effort and costs, it also brings greater efficiency, better energy management, and future-proofing. A CPU replacement is rarely worthwhile for pure office computers. An SSD instead provides a more noticeable improvement here. If you need a lot of CPU performance, you should go straight for a modern 12- or 16-core processor such as the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X or AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. Intel currently isn’t competitive in this area, so we cannot make a recommendation here. Aorus Motherboard: A centerpiece for future upgrades A motherboard change usually goes hand in hand with a new CPU, as sockets and chipsets often change. This makes the replacement more complex than a RAM or SSD upgrade, for example, as the CPU, cooler, RAM, and cabling usually have to be completely reassembled during the upgrade. This can quickly become a challenge for beginners, as many sensitive components are affected. Anyone who dares to take this step should therefore prepare well or seek expert help. Whether the effort is worth it depends on how old the system is and which interfaces are required. As a rule of thumb, if your computer is more than five years old, a motherboard upgrade is usually worthwhile. Modern motherboards differ significantly in terms of size, connectivity, and features. The form factor determines the size of the board and therefore what the housing can be: ATX offers the most slots and expansion options, Micro-ATX is more compact and a good mid-range option, while Mini-ITX is primarily intended for small, space-saving systems. Aorus Technical features such as PCIe 5.0 slots for graphics cards and fast SSDs, several M.2 slots for additional memory, and sufficient RAM banks are important. A good power supply (VRMs) ensures stable performance, especially with powerful CPUs. Integrated functions such as Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB-C also increase convenience and future-proofing. A solid mid-range board typically costs around $200. Those who upgrade frequently or plan for the long term should invest a little more, as the motherboard forms the foundation of every system. CPU cooler: Targeted upgrading instead of overcooling A cooler upgrade is particularly worthwhile when new processors are installed or older systems are subjected to higher loads. Boxed coolers quickly reach their limits. Anyone switching from a Core i5 to a Ryzen 7, for example, should immediately plan for a more efficient cooler. Models such as the Arctic Freezer 36 or the Bequiet Pure Rock Pro 3 offer significantly more cooling reserve for $50 to $60 and remain whisper-quiet. For applications where CPUs get particularly hot – such as rendering or overclocking – AiO (all-in-one) water cooling systems from $100 are a good choice. However, AiO cooling is not automatically always the best choice. Phanteks However, it’s important to check whether the new cooler physically fits into the case before buying: For air coolers, the height is the most important factor, so that the cooler does not hit the side panel. For water coolers, there must be sufficient space for the radiator and the mounted fans – often at the top or front of the housing. Socket compatibility and housing size are equally important. A targeted cooler upgrade can improve stability, volume, and service life without breaking the budget. Case fans: Airflow efficiency for old and new systems Many PCs run too hot because the case ventilation is inadequate. Especially after a CPU or GPU upgrade, better airflow can be crucial. Two 120mm fans – one blowing in at the front, one blowing out at the back – significantly improve the cooling performance and cost less than $30. Models from Arctic or Noctua combine efficiency with low noise output. It’s worth cleaning or replacing the fans when upgrading. Dust filters, PWM control, and the correct air flow direction are more beneficial than additional fans alone. RGB light remains a matter of taste, the decisive factor is the temperature advantage. Bequiet Peripherals: The finishing touches An upgrade can also make sense outside the case as well. Those who work a lot will benefit from an ergonomic setup with a good monitor arm and flicker-free display. There are many good 27-inch 1440p monitors with 144 Hz that can be had for under $400 which are equally beneficial for gaming and working from home. The best mechanical keyboards with linear switches or quiet buttons offer more precision when typing or gaming. While a high-quality mouse with a low weight and precise sensor ensures control and comfort. Asus In general, the upgrades mentioned cost comparatively little, but increase productivity and well-being – the ideal finishing touch after a successful PC upgrade. Conclusion A targeted upgrade is almost always worthwhile. SSD, RAM, and graphics card deliver the greatest performance per dollar right off the bat, while CPU and motherboard upgrades can payoff in the long term. If you look after your PC regularly, keeping your components clean and upgrading wisely can keep your system running at peak performance for many years without having to buy a completely new one. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Fits in smaller 2242 M.2 slots Far faster than PCIe 4.0 2230/2242 SSDs 5-year warranty and 600TBW rating Cons Slower than 2280 PCIe 5.0 SSDs A touch pricey Our Verdict If you have one of the still rather rare 2242 PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, the MP700 Micro provides very good performance, albeit at at slight surcharge for the form factor. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Corsair MP700 Micro PCIe 5.0 Retailer Price $484.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices There are a few devices out there (Lenovo/HP laptops, Nvidia DGX Spark) that sport smaller 2242 (42mm long) PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots. If you have one, then the new Corsair MP700 Micro, successor to the MP600, can leverage much of the extra bandwidth. I say much of, because the MP700 Micro’s sequential benchmark numbers are about 60 percent of what you’ll see from full 2280 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs. That said, it’s certainly faster than any short PCIe 4.0 SSD I’ve tested — by a lot. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best SSDs for comparison. What are the MP700 Micro’s features? The MP700 Micro uses Phison’s E31T host memory buffer (HMB) controller to harness four lanes of PCIe 5.0, delivering data to and from its 218-layer TLC (Triple-Level Cell/3-bit) NAND. A closeup of the Corsair MP700 Micro PCIe 5.0, 2242 SSD.Jon L. Jacobi Corsair warranties the MP700 Micro for five years, or 600TBW (terabytes that may be written) — whichever arrives first. Unless you’re extraordinarily active writing data, that should be the former easily. How much is the MP700 Micro? The MP700 Micro comes in 2TB/$250 and 4TB/ $485 capacities (though, as of this writing only the 4TB option is available). That’s not bargain bin, but also not absurdly out-of-line pricing. You do pay a bit extra for the form factor, but less is more, as they say. (Yes, I know…) How fast is the MP700 Micro? There’s good news and bad news concerning the MP700 Micro’s performance. It’s far faster than 2230/2242 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs. But it’s also considerably slower in some ways than a full 2280 PCIe 5.0 SSD. As this is our first small-fry PCIe 5.0 SSD, we have no other results for the class. Instead, we’ve compared our 4TB MP700 Micro test unit to it’s top-of-the-line 2280 cousin — the MP700 Pro XT (2TB) — and the PCIe 4.0 drive the MP700 Micro is replacing — the MP600 Micro (1TB). In CrystalDiskMark 8’s sequential throughput tests, the difference between the three drives is blatantly obvious. Buy the MP700 Micro if you have a small 2242 PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot that you need to fill. In CrystalDiskMark 8’s sequential throughput tests, the difference between the three drives is blatantly obvious. The MP700 Micro is faster than PCIe 4.0, but not nearly as fast as the MP700 Pro XT. Longer bars are better. When it came to CrystalDiskMark 8’s 4K file tests, however, the competition was much closer. The increased throughput of PCIe 5.0 over 4.0 doesn’t make nearly as much of a difference with small files. What is a bit surprising is that the MP700 Pro XT, which is a DRAM design, didn’t skewer the other two drives. When it came to CrystalDiskMark 8’s 4K file tests, however, the competition was much closer. Longer bars are better. When it came to real-world 48GB transfers, the MP700 Micro held its own under Windows Explorer. But with Fast Copy, the greater potential of the MP700 Pro XT is apparent, as is the slower throughput of the MP600 Micro. When it came to real-world 48GB transfers, the MP700 Micro held its own under Windows Explorer. But with Fast Copy, the greater potential of the MP700 Pro XT is apparent, as is the slower throughput of the MP600 Micro. Shorter bars are better. As for the longer 450GB write, the MP700 Micro held its own against the MP700 Pro XT, but at least partly because it’s a 4TB unit and the Pro XT is only 2TB. When it came to the longer 450GB write, the MP700 Micro held its own against the MP700 Pro XT, but largely because it’s a 4TB unit and the Pro XT is only 2TB. Shorter bars are better. Writing 450GB to the MP700 Micro revealed some speed fluctuations, with it dropping to around 1GBps to 1.5GBps near the end. I can live with that. Writing 450GB to the MP700 Micro did show some speed fluctuations, with it dropping to around 1GBps to 1.5GBps near the end. If you have the PCIe 5.0 port to support it, then the MP700 Micro offers both greater capacity, and good performance. It’s a worthy upgrade if your unit doesn’t already sport a PCIe 5.0 SSD. Should you buy the MP700 Micro? Absolutely. Buy the MP700 Micro if you have a small 2242 PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot that you need to fill. But don’t buy it because you think it’ll look cute in a slot that accepts larger 2280 SSDs. The latter will give you better sustained throughput. Much better if you leverage Fast Copy. How we test Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11 24H2, 64-bit running off of a PCIe 4.0 Samsung 990 Pro in an Asus Z890-Creator WiFi (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard. The CPU is a Core Ultra i5 225 feeding/fed by two Crucial 64GB DDR5 5600MHz modules (128GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 5 are integrated into the motherboard and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. Internal PCIe 5.0 SSDs involved in testing are mounted in an Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 adapter card sitting in a PCIe 5.0 slot. We run the CrystalDiskMark 8.04 (and 9), AS SSD 2, and ATTO 4 synthetic benchmarks (to keep article length down, we report only the former) to find the storage device’s potential performance. Then we run a series of 48GB transfer and 450GB write tests using Windows Explorer drag and drop to show what users will see during routine copy operations, as well as the far faster FastCopy run as administrator to show what’s possible. A 25GBps two-SSD RAID 0 array on the aforementioned Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 is used as the second drive in our transfer tests. Formerly the 48GB tests were done with a RAM disk serving that purpose. Each test is performed on a NTFS-formatted and newly TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This issue has abated somewhat with the current crop of SSDs utilizing more mature controllers and far faster, late-generation NAND. Note that our testing MO evolves and these results may not match those from previous articles. Only comparisons inside the article are 100% valid as those results are gathered using the current hardware and MO. Read...

TL;DR: Get PDF Agile for Windows while it’s on sale for $39.99 during Cyber Week, normally $119. Looking for a Cyber Week deal that actually pays for itself? This lifetime PDF editor for Windows allows you to drop the monthly fees that come with software like Adobe Acrobat for a single payment that covers your needs for life. Right now, you can grab it while it’s 66% less than usual! PDF Agile is simple and easy to use. It can edit text, images, or scanned files directly, and convert between PDF and Microsoft Office formats without losing your fonts or formatting. If you work with a lot of documents, there are tools to merge files, split them up, reorder pages, crop layouts, and even reduce file size without sacrificing quality. OCR is also included, so you can extract text from images or scanned documents with just a few clicks. The app includes a full set of annotation tools like highlighting, freehand drawing, and comment bubbles, along with features to redact sensitive content or add electronic signatures. You can also use slideshow mode to present your PDFs without having to convert them into PowerPoint. PDF Agile runs on Windows, and each license works on two devices. Once activated, your access is permanent, with updates included and no recurring fees. Don’t miss your chance to get a PDF Agile lifetime subscription on sale for $39.99 during Cyber Week (MSRP $119). PDF Agile for Windows: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...