hardwareunboxed posts
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Valve's Steam Machine: Dead on Arrival?
Episode 89: Valve has announced a new Steam Machine, which includes entry-level PC gaming hardware at an unknown price. We give our thoughts on whether this sounds any good and what prices would make sense. Steve also shares a motherboard story.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:40 - Initial Thoughts on Steam Machine14:42 - No Upgrade Path20:29 - Game Compatibility and Value35:35 - AMD Roadmaps39:43 - Steve Finds a Motherboard Flaw55:15 - Updates From Our Boring LivesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo:...
AMD Driver Screw Up: Hurt Confidence and Poor Decision Making
Episode 88: AMD does AMD things.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:22 - Microsoft Improves a Few Things04:15 - AMD's Disastrous Driver Fumble23:31 - What About Feature Support?46:03 - Reputational Damage vs Nvidia Drivers01:01:39 - How Big of a Mistake? Who to Blame?01:19:52 - Impact on Review Recommendations01:52:59 - Quick Boring Life StuffSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqT8Vb3jweH6_tj2SarErfwSUPPORT US DIRECTLYPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hardwareunboxed...
Intel CPUs Should Be $150
Episode 87: We revisit some discussion from last week as we've found more dodgy stuff Microsoft has done, before chatting about the current situation Intel is in with CPUs. They aren't anywhere near as competitive up against AMD now, as AMD were with Ryzen when Intel was dominant. (Note: This podcast was recorded before the recent AMD RDNA 2 driver decision, we'll discuss that in the future)CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:29 - Microsoft Does Dodgy Stuff Again11:34 - Intel CPUs when AMD is Dominant vs AMD CPUs when Intel is Dominant21:35 - T...
Live: October Supporter Stream
We are about to talk about stuff! Or you can watch the replay later
Everything We Hate About Windows
Episode 86: You all told us what you hated about Windows 11, and we fully agreed. So in this episode we go through all our grievances with the current state of Windows.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro06:21 - Unnecessary Microsoft accounts10:39 - Search is broken15:49 - Splash screens and ads20:52 - The right click context menu26:53 - Pre-installed bloatware33:21 - Windows updates hurting performance38:41 - Telemetry capture and data mining42:28 - Copilot AI integration45:45 - Updates breaking things48:14 - Inability to dismiss pop-ups and updates50:25 - J...
Battlefield 6, Intel Nerfing 14900Ks, OC Features vs Grifters, Zen 6 on AM5 "Confirmed"
Episode 85: We chat about Battlefield 6 testing and explore the difficulties with testing one-click overclocking features in benchmarks, such as PBO and 200S Boost. We also discuss the latest Intel graphics announcements including Xe3 and XeSS 3, as well as motherboard vendors beginning to say Zen 6 will be supported on AM5SOURCEShttps://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/intels-xe3-graphics-architecture-breaks-cover-panther-lakes-12-xe-core-igpu-promises-50-percent-better-performance-than-lunar-lakehttps://www.tomshardware.com/pc-componen...
Sorry, But APUs Suck for Gaming PCs
Episode 84: Tim and Steve respond to their internet crimes of using DLSS while testing and saying APUs suck. Then we chat more about Intel fixing B580 CPU overhead in some games, AMD's FSR 4 INT8 version and Microsoft destroying the value of Game Pass.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:27 - Why we tested Borderlands 4 with DLSS enabled08:58 - APUs are not a good option for desktop gaming today29:26 - Intel fixes B580 CPU overhead in some games45:47 - AMD FSR 4 INT8 is pretty good54:07 - Microsoft makes Game Pass way more expensive1:03:57 - Updates fro...
Nvidia Intel Team Up: No Impact to PC Gaming?
Episode 83: Intel and Nvidia have formed a partnership, but because APUs are not that relevant to desktop PC gamers, we discuss whether this deal will actually impact gaming significantly. Also, we put Intel's Arc GPUs into our GPU rankings, and chat about some newsCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:33 - Intel and Nvidia APU team up, but gamers don't use APUs37:00 - We add Intel Arc GPUs to the rankings45:38 - Ryzen 7 9800X3D drops in price49:52 - RX 9070 BIOS mod52:01 - Updates from our boring livesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.aca...
Live: September Stream
Join Steve and Tim as they discuss... well not sure, your questions and other things probably
Borderlands 4 Poor Optimization, DLSS as a Crutch, Can it Be Fixed?
Episode 82: A quick update on the YouTube views situation, then into a Borderlands 4 discussion. What is the state of the game currently? What do we make of Randy Pitchford's comments? Is DLSS being used as a crutch instead of proper optimization? Can it be fixed?CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro01:05 - Update on the YouTube views situation17:17 - Initial thoughts on Borderlands 428:27 - The crutch of DLSS upscaling and frame generation44:17 - Bizarre development choices53:01 - Can Gearbox fix Borderlands 4?1:07:14 - Updates from our boring livesSUBSCR...
Our Views Are Also Down... Why?
Episode 81: We're back! Lots to discuss in this video, including YouTube weirdness, the future of AMD and Intel's CPU platforms, the good old CPU core debate, upcoming GPU rumors and more.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro03:13 - Our YouTube views are down, this is what the stats say31:14 - Zen 7 on AM5 and Intel's competing platform54:13 - How important is platform longevity?1:07:58 - Six core CPUs are still powerful for gaming1:17:27 - Will Intel make an Arc B770?1:26:22 - No RTX Super any time soon1:29:14 - Updates from our boring livesSUBSCR...
Help me get rid of some monitors (yet again)
Support Hardware Unboxed and take some monitors off our handsOnce again the monitor situation in my office is getting out of hand. This happens every year at about the same time as it turns out. I've got like 60 in storage this time, which is way too many.This means I need to clear some stuff out. If you live in Australia and want to support the channel by grabbing a monitor off me, that would be a big help.Same deal as last time: If you want to get one of the monitor's I've used for testing, let me know and you'll help fund the...
August Live Stream!
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgci_tHLf6s
What time is best for a livestream?
Tim is away this month so Balin and I are going to do the livestream, probably Tomorrow (27th). We can do just about any hour of the day (our day), so what works best for the majority of you? Vote on a start time please.
Ranking All Current GPUs from Worst to Best (2025 Edition)
Episode 80: It's that time of the year! We're ranking all the current graphics card models from worst to best, based on vibes. Always a very challenging task that brings up a lot of discussion so you can enjoy hearing our thought process as we try to upset everyone by ranking the models they like down the bottom.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro02:03 - Quick Radeon RX 9060 Update08:40 - Let The Rankings Begin!1:11:42 - Updates From Our Boring LivesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://www....
The Biggest Issues With the GPU Market (feat. Daniel Owen)
Episode 79: We chat with Daniel Owen about all sorts of stuff affecting PC gaming right now. His thoughts on the worst parts of the GPU market, plus opinions on upscaling and frame generation (including Optiscaler and driver-based frame gen), game optimization and misleading marketing. We round it out with some listener questions submitted by Patreon members.DANIEL OWENCheck out Daniel's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@danielowentech CHAPTERS00:00 - Welcome to the Podcast: Daniel Owen10:03 - Current State of the GPU Market22:04 - How Goo...
Live: July Supporter Stream
Come join us as we chat about all the latest topics and answer your burning questions
Are We Too Negative About PC Gaming GPUs?
Episode 78: Steve gives an update about B850 testing, Tim talks about a new phone that he's bought, and then we chat about whether we've been too negative about the current state of PC graphics cards.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:50 - Steve's B850 Testing Struggles16:44 - Tim Bought a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 727:41 - Are We Too Negative About PC GPUs?1:21:17 - Updates From Our Boring LivesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqT8Vb3jweH6_tj2SarErfwSUPPORT ...
Should AMD Make A $200 Graphics Card?
Episode 77: We chat about future plans for this GPU generation, including the latest RTX 50 Super series rumors, the latest benchmarks of the RX 9070 GRE, and the potential for a lower cost RX 9060 model from AMD. Also we give a few updates on the AMD FineWine situation from last week.EXTRA STUFFComputerBase AMD driver testing: https://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/nvidia-geforce-amd-radeon-treiber-vergleich-2025.93443/#abschnitt_benchmarksergebnisse_im_standardparcoursMostly Positive Reviews driver testing: https://www.youtube.com/w...
Lack of Love for Mainstream GPU Buyers, 9070 XT FineWine and the RTX 5050
Episode 76: This week we give an update on the RX 9070 XT FineWine situation after some people called out Steve's testing. Also we look further into the mainstream GPU market, where typically buyers have not received a lot of love lately.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro03:27 - AMD 9070 XT FineWine Situation27:01 - Further Thoughts on the RTX 505040:51 - Comparisons Between Mainstream GPUs Over the Years52:30 - Updates From Our Boring LivesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://www.youtube.com/...
GeForce RTX 5050 Graphs
Here are all the 1080p and 1440p graphs.
Live: June Supporter Stream
We are live to talk about all sorts of news and things that have been happening. You can also use the above video to watch the replay later if you miss it
BTS: Steve's Gym Part 2
Steve gives a second look at his gym now that more stuff has been done, and also talks about an AIO issue
The Dodgy "RTX 5090" Laptop Situation (feat. Jarrod's Tech)
Episode 75: Jarrod from Jarrod's Tech joins us to talk about gaming laptops. We discuss the situation with horrible laptop GPU names, poor VRAM configurations, absurd pricing for higher tier models and whether gaming laptops actually make sense to begin with.JARROD'S TECHCheck out Jarrod's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jarrodstechCheck out Jarrod's website: https://gaminglaptop.deals/CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro01:32 - VRAM on Laptops06:25 - RTX 5090 Laptop vs Desktop18:22 - Absurd Laptop Pricing30:37 - Do Gaming Laptops Make Sense...
The Future of QD-OLED Gaming Monitors & Cool Upcoming Products (feat. TFTCentral)
Episode 74: Simon from TFTCentral joins us at Computex to discuss everything we saw at the show, our favorite upcoming monitors, impressions from various products, the future of OLED monitors and more.TFTCENTRALCheck out the video Tim filmed with Simon on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1KDWb0tWcMCheck out Simon's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tftcentralCheck out Simon's website: https://tftcentral.co.uk/CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro01:47 - Our Favorite Monitors from Computex19:01 - Thoughts on More Glossy WOLED Displays28:34...
High Bitrate 15 Month OLED Burn In Examples
To go along with our recently released 15 month OLED burn in update on Monitors Unboxed, here are the native high resolution, high bitrate versions for Patreon members which shows extra detail you can't see in the YouTube video.The best way to view this is to download the file above and view it locally on your PCCheck out the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2kPsKyF5bQ
Steve's Updates, June 2025
Steve gives a look at his studio and progress on his gym
The RX 9060 XT Leaves Us With Mixed Opinions
Episode 73: Now that the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT is released and we have reviewed both models, we give some further thoughts on the 16GB card, the 8GB card, the weirdness around the launch (samples, NDAs) and where AMD have gone wrongCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro03:50 - The RX 9060 XT 16GB is Decent14:11 - The RX 9060 XT 8GB is Problematic31:26 - RX 9060 XT 8GB vs RTX 5060 Ti 8GB40:50 - AMD Stuffs Up The Review Program1:10:56 - Updates From Our Boring LivesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://w...
Good vs Bad: AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT Launch
Episode 72: Live from Computex in Taipei, we discuss the latest in graphics cards, including how we managed to review the GeForce RTX 5060 from our hotel room, and what we think about the Radeon RX 9060 XT now that it's been officially announced.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro03:21 - We Reviewed the RTX 5060 in Taiwan19:54 - Thoughts on the 9060 XT Launch37:58 - OutroSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqT8Vb3jweH6_tj2SarErfwSUPPORT US DIRECTLYPatreon: https://www....
Will AMD Make the RX 9060 XT Overpriced?
Episode 71: We chat about potential upcoming Intel Arc GPUs including the B770 and B580 24GB, discuss the RX 9060 XT and what AMD might do with pricing, and round out the chat with some discoveries about laptop GPUs.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro05:13 - Intel Arc B770, Is It Real?22:10 - New Arc B580 Configurations?26:18 - Lead-Up to the RX 9060 XT39:04 - Price Considerations and Concerns with 9060 XT1:04:30 - The RTX 5090 Laptop is a Joke1:14:25 - Updates From Our Boring LivesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-...
