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Season 8 Power Leveling Guide
Game Reviews

Season 8 Power Leveling Guide

by admin



Image: Blizzard

Whether you’re running a new build, trying out a new class, or returning to Diablo IV after an extended break, (a break in which you were likely playing Path of Exile 2, right? I know I wasn’t alone in farming Exalted Orbs!) Whatever the case, learning how to level up fast in Diablo IV should help you check out everything new this season, along with hitting endgame so that your friends don’t cruelly make fun of you!

Diablo IV – Bear Bender Build

Power leveling tips for level 1-50

Screenshot: Blizzard Entertainment / Brandon Morgan / Kotaku

In what I would consider the early game experience—everything before level 50—grinding out levels is about the only thing on your mind. At least, it should be. First, though, pick a class. The best class this season is Barbarian, and I’m partial to Upheaval, though Whirlwind is making a comeback, too. Alternatively, opt for a Minion Necromancer or any type of Rogue.

Read More: The Whirlwind Barbarian Reigns Supreme Once More In Diablo IV Season 8

With your class chosen, here’s how to power level to 50 fast:

  • Straight out of the gate, set your difficulty to Hard. You’ll earn more experience (75 percent more) and more gold (75 percent more), allowing you to progress much quicker. You can earn your first ten levels within a matter of minutes upon loading into Kyovashad.
  • Speaking of Kyovashad, hit up the Wardrobe upstairs in the inn to equip your pet, which will auto-loot for you, thereby saving you time better spent on slaying mobs.
  • Use elixirs, like the Precision Elixir, which grants a bonus of +5 percent experience for 30 minutes. 5 percent doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up!
  • If you’ve completed the campaign, go ahead and skip it. If not, complete it. If you fall into the former camp, farm Helltide. It’s the fast way to level early on.
  • Farm Undercity, Whisper Bounty Dungeons, and Helltide until you reach level 45, raise the difficult to Expert, then complete all of the game’s Strongholds. You can lower the difficulty to Normal for Strongholds, as you’ll earn the same amount of XP without all the additional challenge. Don’t forget to re-raise it to Expert once you’re done with a Stronghold, though!

Power leveling tips for level 50-60+

Screenshot: Blizzard Entertainment / Brandon Morgan / Kotaku

Now that you’ve gained ground, it’s time to take leveling to the next level with the most challenging portion:

  • Continuing running Helltide and Strongholds, leveling up until you reach 60. It’s a grind, but should go quick with Precision Elixirs and, if necessary, group up with at least one other player for the 10% XP boost bonus.
  • Upon reaching 60, raise the difficulty to Penitent for 175 percent more experience and 175 percent more gold from monsters.
  • Run The Pit up Level 10 to unlock Torment 1, then switch difficulties to that for 300 percent more experience and gold from monster kills.
  • Now that you’re at the max level, it’s time to focus on better gear. Helltide, Bosses, Nightmare Dungeons, and Undercity will help you farm, and you can raise your difficulty through the Torment levels as you progress.

Diablo IV is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PCs.



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crypto
NFT Gaming

Malaysia’s Crypto Mining Boom Threatened By $100 Million Power Theft

by admin


Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Malaysia’s crypto miners are at a crossroads. A new study by the ACCESS Blockchain Association of Malaysia points to big gains ahead. But it also warns that illegal outfits are draining more than RM441 million from the power grid between 2020 and 2024. That $100 million loss has hit both public safety and investor trust.

Malaysia Mining Faces Power Theft Crisis

According to national utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), hidden rigs in homes and offices have been tapping into the grid without permission. Over the last five years, TNB logged power losses worth RM441 million. That’s more than $100 million in stolen electricity.

Now, grid instability is rising. Local communities risk outages. And real miners worry their bills could spike to cover the shortfall.

Legal Mining Growth Could Bring RM700 Million

Based on reports from ACCESS, formalizing crypto mining could unlock RM700 million in hardware and infrastructure this year alone. It could also create 4,000 new jobs and boost annual tax revenues by around RM150 million.

Malaysia already ranks among the top 10 countries worldwide by bitcoin hash rate share. Cheap industrial tariffs in places like East Sarawak help explain the hike. Yet many legal players stay under the radar. They fear unclear rules and sudden policy shifts.

Source: ACCESS Blockchain Association

Regulators Urged To Act

The study points out that no agency specifically licenses mining. The Securities Commission looks after asset trading and custody, but it stops there. Miners have no dedicated permit. They face vague electricity tariffs and murky environmental rules.

That confusion deters investors who want stability. ACCESS calls for a clear mining license, fair pricing, and defined environmental checks.

In neighboring Thailand and Indonesia, illegal mining has also spiked. Between 2018 and 2024, power-theft incidents tied to crypto rigs jumped nearly 300%, totaling nearly 2,400 cases. That regional trend underlines a shared headache. If Malaysia doesn’t tighten laws, it risks losing credibility in the fast-growing digital asset arena.

Source: TNB

TNB has started using smart meters and data analytics to spot theft early. But enforcement remains patchy. Multiple government bodies share responsibility, which means cases often slip through the cracks. Without a unified team on this, illegal operators keep hitting the grid—and the public.

ACCESS suggests updating landlord liability laws so building owners can’t turn a blind eye to unauthorized rigs. It also recommends energy pricing tied to sustainability, nudging miners toward greener power.

Featured image from LinkedIn, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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This Anker Portable Power Station Hits Its Lowest Price as Amazon Clears Out Stock Early in June
Gaming Gear

This Anker Portable Power Station Hits Its Lowest Price as Amazon Clears Out Stock Early in June

by admin


There’s nothing quite like heading into the great outdoors or prepping for a camping trip, until your devices run out of juice. You need to keep your phone charged for navigation or power a lantern at night. or just having peace of mind during a power outage, portable energy solutions have become a must-have. That’s where the Anker Portable Outdoor Generator comes in. No matter where you go, even when you’re off-grid, you can have access to power to keep you juiced up and ready for whatever’s on the agenda and then some.

See at Amazon

You can check out Amazon right now to get the Anker Portable Outdoor Generator for just $90, down from its usual price of $150. That’s $60 off and a discount of 40%.

Portable and affordable power for every situation

This isn’t your average power bank. It’s designed for people who want something more rugged, more capable, and more flexible than a typical battery pack. It offers just enough power to make a real difference when you’re off-grid but doesn’t come with the bulk or cost of a full-size power station.

The PowerCore Reserve features a 192Wh capacity (roughly 60,000mAh), which means you can charge your phone multiple times, power small appliances, or keep lights running for extended periods. If you’ve ever been out on a hike and returned to a dead phone or lost power during a storm, you know how much a little backup can matter.

It’s all kitted out with everything you need so you can get everything charged, too, like USB-C ports (60W and 27W) along with two USB-A ports. There’s also a retractable LED light built in that has multiple brightness levels and an emergency SOS function.

You can even use this power station with a solar panel if you have one with the right voltage. Y ou can plug it in and use solar power to recharge the generator. That’s a huge bonus if you don’t have an alternative energy source or just want to run clean energy to power everything you have up.

If you’ve been on the fence about getting a power solution for your outdoor adventures or household preparedness kit, this Anker option strikes the perfect balance between affordability and functionality, and right now, the price makes it even easier to justify. Saving 40% makes it an even more palatable buy, and you likely won’t see these kinds of savings for the foreseeable future, so might as well lock in.

See at Amazon



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8 Best Portable Power Stations (2025): Power Capacity, Portability, Camping, and More
Gaming Gear

8 Best Portable Power Stations (2025): Power Capacity, Portability, Camping, and More

by admin


How expensive are portable power stations?

Portable power stations can be very expensive, but discounts, sales, and deals are common. If you can afford to wait, you can likely get your chosen power station for less than the listed MSRP.

What capacity do I need?

Figure out how much power you need. The capacity is listed in watt-hours (Wh) or sometimes kilowatt-hours (kWh). If you think about the devices you want to run and how long you need to run them, you can start to calculate the capacity you need. Manufacturers will often display stuff like 12 hours of TV or 30 minutes of electric chain saw use, but not all TVs draw the same amount of power. You must calculate how much the gadgets you own actually use.

How portable are portable power stations?

The term “portable” is stretching it sometimes. Batteries are heavy. The larger-capacity power stations are typically on wheels and have telescopic handles, and they are still tough to cart around. If you’re looking for something you can actually carry on foot for a distance, you may need to temper your expectations on capacity.

What can you run on a portable power station?

All portable power stations can charge up small gadgets like phones and laptops or be used to power lighting. Most can handle small appliances like mini-fridges or TVs. If you want to use power tools, an AC unit, or in the UK, a kettle, you need to be able to draw thousands of watts. Power stations all state the maximum output, but they often have a surge function that enables them to go higher for a short period. Sometimes, they give it a silly name. For example, Zendure calls this “AmpUp,” and EcoFlow calls it “X-Boost.” Make sure your chosen power station can handle the wattage you need.

How do I charge a portable power station?

All portable power stations can be charged from a wall outlet and should come with a charging cable. Some power stations can also be charged via a car port from your vehicle or a solar port from solar panels. Make sure you check that the ports you want are available and necessary cables are included.

How long does a portable power station take to charge?

Large-capacity power stations can take a long time to recharge. Be sure you understand how quickly your chosen power station can charge from wall power and other sources if you plan to use solar panels, a vehicle battery, or another power source for top-ups. Some power stations enable you to fast-charge from two or more inputs.

What ports should I look for in a portable power station?

While you will find certain ports across the board with portable power stations, from AC outlets to USB-A, it is crucial to check the maximum charging rate and supported charging standards to avoid disappointment. You might find USB-C ports, car ports, barrel ports, and maybe inputs for solar, but assume nothing. Check the specs before you buy.

How many years do portable power stations last?

Power stations typically last between 3 and 10 years, but can last longer, depending on how they are used and maintained. It’s important not to let them completely discharge too often or leave them empty for extended periods. Usually, the manufacturer will provide an estimate of how many charge cycles you can expect to get before the performance starts to degrade. Warranties typically range from two to five years, but make sure you retain the guarantee and proof of purchase.

What battery types are most commonly used in portable power stations?

There are various battery technologies, but the main ones used in portable power stations today are types of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, often lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li-NMC) or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP). The latter is safer (less prone to combustion) and tends to last longer (more cycles) before it starts to degrade. Overheating can be an issue for Li-NMC batteries, and they degrade faster but have a higher energy density. Zendure also offers semi-solid-state batteries in its top-of-the-line SuperBase listed above, which it promises are more stable and resilient, therefore safer, and have a higher energy density.

Can you use a portable power station as a UPS?

Some power stations can act as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS); others are classed as an emergency power supply (EPS). If you have your power station plugged into wall power and then devices plugged into it, they will work from wall power, but if there is a power outage, a UPS will switch to battery power instantly (around 10 milliseconds). An EPS will also switch when there’s a blackout but may take a bit longer (30 milliseconds or so).

What is the difference between a power bank and a portable power station?

Size is the main difference between the best power banks and the best portable power stations. Power banks are typically compact with small capacities designed to charge smartphones and other small gadgets. Power stations have far larger capacities and can potentially run small appliances and larger gadgets.



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Self-destructing graphics cards: Why are power connectors melting, and what can you do about it?
Product Reviews

Self-destructing graphics cards: Why are power connectors melting, and what can you do about it?

by admin



If you own a recent graphics card, perhaps one of the best graphics cards, with a 12VHPWR or the latest 12V-2×6 power connector, you’re probably aware of the many stories of these plugs melting. You may be wondering what you can do to protect your own GPU from an expensive failure.

(Image credit: ASUS)

Unfortunately, because of design choices baked into this connector standard and the way it’s implemented on graphics cards, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to guarantee that your GPU is 100% safe from becoming a melted mess. We dug into why this is happening to help you understand your exposure to this risk and some steps you can take to keep your card safer.

The primary reasons for this persistent risk of failure are related to design choices outside of our control. The biggest issue, of course, is that the total rated power draw of today’s highest-end graphics cards, like the GeForce RTX 5090, has climbed right up to the 600W limit of what the 12V-2×6 connector is rated to carry for extended periods.


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According to this analysis, each pin in the 12V-2×6 connector is operating with a minimal safety factor when carrying that much current. If anything does go wrong in a PC’s power delivery path when an RTX 4090 or RTX 5090 is running all-out, the low safety factor of this connector at its limits means that any one wire in the cable is more likely to end up carrying more current than it’s rated for or even physically able to, and that means a greater risk of catastrophic failure like overheating, melting, or fire, which would destroy your graphics card.

In contrast, the six- and eight-pin PCIe connectors we’ve used for years offer such large safety factors that it would be extremely difficult to create a situation where one would be at risk of melting down. Indeed, I can’t recall a single instance where one of these older connectors suffered a failure due to an overload in typical use.

Less power-hungry cards like the RTX 4080, RTX 5080, and below either have board power ratings well within the 600W maximum of the 12V-2×6 connector, or they use the older six-pin or eight-pin connectors. Simply due to their lower power draw, these cards are less likely to experience catastrophic failures.

(Image credit: u/ivan6953 / Reddit)

Beyond the physical limits of the connector itself, the power-delivery designs of graphics cards have also changed in a way that can decrease safety. As explained by extreme overclocker and power-delivery guru Buildzoid, graphics card board designs have been simplified over time to reduce cost and complexity, but those same changes have removed the ability for a graphics card to actively balance its current draw in order to maintain safe operation in the event of a failure.

Because recent graphics cards that use this connector, like the RTX 4090 and RTX 5090, are only aware of the state of the overall 12V signal rather than including circuitry that monitors and rebalances the current on each 12V pin, a failed cable or poor contact on this connector won’t be detected or mitigated by the graphics card. That coarse monitoring and management is by design, and it’s not something you can fix.

The 12V-2×6 connector on the Sapphire Nitro RX 9070 XT graphics card (Image credit: Sapphire)

It’s rare to see the 12V-2×6 connector on AMD graphics cards, but it has been used on designs like the Sapphire RX 9070 XT Nitro+. Buildzoid notes that Sapphire’s 12V-2×6 implementation lacks any kind of current balancing or monitoring circuitry, just as we see on some RTX 40-series and RTX 50-series board designs. This RX 9070 XT only comes rated for 330W of total board power, though, so a catastrophic failure at the power connector or its cabling is less likely.

Not every graphics card today is built with such coarse power monitoring. We found that ASUS’ ROG Astral RTX 5090 32GB cards do mitigate these risks to some degree by implementing a more sophisticated monitoring circuit at the power connector. If you’re using Asus’ GPU Tweak software, this circuitry will warn you if it detects an imbalance so you can check the connection. Even so, Buildzoid warns that circuit design can only alert the user that a current imbalance exists, not actively rebalance load across the individual pins to avoid failures.

How to lower your risk of a melted cable or connector

If you’re purchasing a GPU with a total board power that approaches the 600W maximum sustained power that the 12V-2×6 connector is rated for, and that card also doesn’t implement a fine-grained current monitoring or balancing solution in its board design, there’s only so much you can do to protect your system and your card. There are a few common-sense steps you can take, though.

The first is to be aware of how much power your GPU will draw when choosing your components, and to plan accordingly. Make sure every part of your power delivery setup is properly rated and of the highest quality it can be.

Choose only a high-end, high-wattage power supply from a reputable vendor that’s more likely to include heavy-duty cabling, properly tuned overcurrent and overvoltage protections, and wattage ratings on the 12V rail or rails that are more likely to be trustworthy. It’s never wise to skimp on your power supply, but it would be especially foolish to cheap out when you’re looking at a top-end graphics card like an RTX 4090 or RTX 5090.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

If you’re thinking of carrying over a PSU from an older build or using the one in your existing system, you might also put that older unit on your shelf as a backup and buy a new one to go with your new graphics card. Power supply performance does degrade with age, and your older unit might not be able to deliver its rated performance any longer.

A new PSU that conforms to the latest ATX 3.0 or ATX 3.1 standards is also more likely to have been designed with the demands of the latest components in mind. Check out our list of the best PSUs to help you in your search.

When you build your PC or install a new graphics card in an existing system, take utmost care that you’re fully inserting the power connector at both ends. Be extra careful with your cable routing to ensure that neither end of the cable is placed under any kind of strain that would result in poor contact.

(Image credit: Cooler Master)

Seasonic, for example, suggests that users not introduce any bends or strains in the 12V-2×6 cable any closer than 35mm from the connector. Given the massive size of many RTX 5090 graphics cards, you might find that you have less clearance between the side of the GPU and the side panel of your case than you expect, so be careful and measure clearance yourself.

If it’s not possible to avoid such strain at either end with your existing parts, you might consider a high-quality 90° cable that gives you more routing flexibility. You might even need to swap out your entire case for one with more clearance and a more accommodating cable-routing path. Check out our list of the best PC cases for suggestions.

Given that some investigations of this issue have shown changes in current balancing across individual supply wires after 12VHPWR or 12V2x6 cables are unplugged and then replugged, you could be extra cautious and perform only one mating and unmating cycle of this cable type at either end before discarding it and using another. If you do need to replace your cable, make sure that you’re purchasing a compatible replacement directly from your PSU’s manufacturer or that any third-party cable you purchase is from a reputable supplier.

(Image credit: Thermal Grizzly)

Finally, you might add a third-party hardware monitoring tool, like Thermal Grizzly’s Wireview Pro or the upcoming Wireview Pro 2, to your system. These tools give you fine-grained, in-depth monitoring capabilities on the 12V-2×6 connector, like current draw and temperature, on a per-pin basis.

If something does go wrong, these tools can sound an alarm to let you act before a catastrophic failure occurs. It’s worth noting that these tools add another potential point of failure in your power delivery path, remote as that risk may be. You can also take advantage of community-developed solutions that monitor connector temperatures and warn of overheating.

To banish this risk forever, it appears that the industry heavyweights that comprise the PCI Special Interest Group (or PCI-SIG) are going to have to create an even more robust version of the 12V-2×6 specification with a higher safety factor than the spec includes today. We look forward to the day when PC builders won’t have to worry about the risk of melting connectors or overheating wires when they fire up a game on a high-end GPU. Until then, if you have one of these connectors on your graphics card, it’s worth being extra cautious with your PC’s power delivery setup, all the way from the PSU to its cabling to the GPU.



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Anker Solix C1000 Bag
Product Reviews

By Adding This Free Carry Bag to Your Cart, The Anker Solix Power Station Drops 50% in Price on Amazon

by admin


If you’re looking for the best value on portable power solutions, there’s a unique opportunity on Amazon right now that’s hard to ignore: The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station is a top pick for anyone needing reliable backup power for home, outdoor adventures, or emergencies.

But the catch: although the power station itself retails at $799, Amazon is having a flash sale on the bundle containing the Solix C1000 and the standard water-resistant carrying case for just $549. That’s an astonishing 50% discount from the normal $1,068 bundle price so you’re getting more value for less, a bargain that doesn’t come by very often, especially to a premium brand like Anker

See at Amazon

Real Power

The Anker Solix C1000 isn’t your typical carry-along battery: It’s made for those who need real, dependable power in the event of home emergencies, on the road in an RV, or out camping in the woods. With a strong 1056Wh LiFePO4 battery, this station is designed to last with up to 3,000 battery cycles and a life expectancy of more than 10 years. The station itself has four AC outlets and eleven multi-purpose ports in total, which means it supports 99% of devices like your laptop, your fridge and even power-hungry medical equipment or tools.

The Solix C1000 is also great when it comes to recharging: With an AC input and the Anker app, you get 80% charge in just 43 minutes and complete charge in under an hour. That’s a true game-changer when you need power stat and can’t afford to lose time. Should you wish to go green, the C1000 also recharges with up to 600W of quick solar recharging.

The carry bag included is a thoughtful accessory that offers real value: The bag is IP54 waterproof, protects your power station against rain and splashes and features a secure storage area for chargers, cables, and accessories. The rubber feet keep your station away from wet floors and the easy-to-use velcro design lets you plug into outlets without taking off the cover so you can just keep on charging and recharging no matter the weather.

What truly differentiates this Amazon offer is that you’re basically receiving the carry bag for nothing, paying only $250 less than the price of the power station by itself. It’s a rare case where the package isn’t only cheaper than individual purchase of the main product, but you’ll have a more complete, ready-to-go setup for less.

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AI's Power Consumption Will Dwarf Bitcoin by Year's End, Says Study
NFT Gaming

AI’s Power Consumption Will Dwarf Bitcoin by Year’s End, Says Study

by admin



In brief

  • A recently published paper reveals that AI energy consumption is projected to top that of Bitcoin mining by the start of 2026.
  • Unlike Bitcoin’s transparent energy usage, tech giants like Google and Microsoft deliberately obscure AI-specific power consumption data while reporting increased emissions driven primarily by AI operations.
  • The research asserts that Nvidia consumed 44-48% of the world’s advanced chip packaging capacity in recent years, with production set to double in 2025.

Remember when Elon Musk made Bitcoin crash by tweeting that Tesla would stop accepting it due to environmental concerns, and everyone was worried about the environmental impact of proof-of-work mining? That was in 2021, and degens haven’t forgotten.

Yet today, Musk’s xAI is building what might be the world’s largest AI supercluster, with governments rushing to create laws to boost AI innovation—while hardly anyone is questioning the energy consumption.

A new peer-reviewed research paper published in the scientific magazine Joule revealed that artificial intelligence could account for up to 49% of global data center electricity usage by the end of 2025—surpassing even Bitcoin’s notorious energy appetite.

Alex de Vries-Gao, a PhD candidate at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and longtime Bitcoin energy consumption critic, found AI’s power demand could hit 23 gigawatts by January 1, equivalent to about 201 terawatt-hours annually. Bitcoin currently consumes around 176 TWh per year.

Image: Joule

“Big tech companies are well aware of this trend, as companies such as Google even mention having faced a ‘power capacity crisis’ in their efforts to expand data center capacity,” de Vries-Gao wrote on LinkedIn. “At the same time, these companies prefer not to talk about the numbers involved.”

“Since ChatGPT kicked off the AI hype, we’ve never seen anything like this again,” he added. “As a result, it remains virtually impossible to gain a good insight into the actual energy consumption of AI.”

Unlike Bitcoin’s transparent energy consumption, which anyone can calculate from the network hash rate, AI’s power hunger is deliberately opaque. Companies such as Microsoft and Google reported increasing electricity consumption and carbon emissions in their 2024 environmental reports, citing AI as the main driver of this growth. However, these companies only provide metrics for their data centers in total, without specifically breaking out AI consumption.

Since the tech giants refused to disclose AI-specific energy data, de Vries-Gao followed the chips. He tracked Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s chip packaging capacity, since virtually every advanced AI chip requires its technology.

The math, de Vries-Gao explained, works like a business card analogy. If you know how many cards fit on a sheet and how many sheets the printer can handle, then you can calculate total production. De Vries-Gao applied this logic to semiconductors, analyzing earnings calls where TSMC executives admitted to “very tight capacity” and being unable to “fulfill 100% of what customers needed.”

His findings: Nvidia alone used an estimated 44% and 48% of TSMC’s CoWoS capacity in 2023 and 2024, respectively. With AMD taking another slice, these two companies could produce enough AI chips to consume 3.8 GW of power before even considering other manufacturers.

Image: Joule

De Vries-Gao’s projection showed AI hitting 23 GW by end of 2025, assuming no additional production growth. TSMC has already confirmed plans to double its CoWoS capacity again in 2025.

Power demand is unlikely to slow down. Nvidia and AMD announced record revenue, while OpenAI announced Stargate, a $500 billion data center venture. Indeed, AI is the most profitable business in the tech industry, with any of the top three tech companies in the world surpassing the total market capitalization of the entire $3.4 trillion crypto ecosystem.

So the environment will probably have to wait.

Generally Intelligent Newsletter

A weekly AI journey narrated by Gen, a generative AI model.



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GeForce RTX 5080 X3W Max 16GB
Gaming Gear

This RTX 50-series GPU design hides its custom L-shaped 16-pin power cable behind a magnetic shroud

by admin



Some of the best graphics cards come from Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 50-series (codenamed Blackwell) family. The chipmaker’s partners are constantly exploring innovative strategies to differentiate their products. According to VideoCardz, AX Gaming has introduced the new X3W Max series, featuring a concealed power connector design and a custom 16-pin (12VHPWR) power cable.

We have seen numerous graphics cards on the market featuring concealed power connectors, and thus, AX Gaming’s latest is no exception. Like other custom Blackwell gaming graphics cards, the 16-pin power connector remains centrally located, but it’s recessed in the X3W Max graphics cards, and includes a custom 16-pin power cable.

AX Gaming’s 16-pin power cable runs alongside the graphics card’s heatsink, hidden behind a magnetic shroud, allowing easy attachment and detachment of the 16-pin power cable. However, the renders released by AX Gaming do not indicate what is at the opposite end of the 16-pin power cable. It might be another 16-pin connector, or potentially feature three or four 8-pin PCIe power connectors, similar to Nvidia’s supplied 16-pin adapters. For now, it’s uncertain what lies at the end.


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AX Gaming GeForce RTX 50-series X3W Max Graphics Cards

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Graphics Card

Boost Clock (GHz)

Power Consumption (W)

Minimum Power Supply Capacity (W)

GeForce RTX 5080 X3W Max 16GB

2,670

360

850

GeForce RTX 5070 Ti X3W Max 16GB

2,512

300

800

GeForce RTX 5070 X3W Max 12GB

2,572

250

750

AX Gaming has released the X3W Max versions of the GeForce RTX 5080, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and GeForce RTX 5070. Notably, the brand has omitted the GeForce RTX 5090D, but there could be a valid reason for it. The GeForce RTX 5090D, similar to the GeForce RTX 5090, is banned in China, which may explain AX Gaming’s decision to exclude the Blackwell flagship. However, rumors have been brewing that Nvidia may further downgrade the GeForce RTX 5090D to make the graphics card export-compliant.

From a specifications standpoint, the X3W Max graphics cards feature minor factory overclocks, amounting to about 2-3% above Nvidia’s reference specifications. Consequently, the TDP ratings for the X3W Max graphics cards remain consistent with Nvidia’s guidelines.

AX Gaming suggests using larger power supplies for its X3W Max graphics card to address minor overclocks. The company recommends 800W and 750W units for the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti X3W Max 16GB and GeForce RTX 5070 X3W Max 12GB, respectively, while the official guidance suggests 750W and 650W. The minimum power supply recommendation for the GeForce RTX 5080 X3W Max 16GB is still set at 850W.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: AX Gaming)(Image credit: AX Gaming)(Image credit: AX Gaming)(Image credit: AX Gaming)

AX Gaming’s X3W Max graphics cards are essentially identical; once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. The company chose a uniform design for the GeForce RTX 5080, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and GeForce RTX 5070. In terms of aesthetics, the X3W Max features a sleek all-white finish and a triple-slot design. As the model name suggests, this graphics card is equipped with a cooling solution that employs three cooling fans.

AX Gaming has yet to announce the pricing or availability of the X3W Max graphics cards. Part of Inno3D, AX Gaming mainly focuses on the Chinese market and is not widely recognized in our hemisphere. Nevertheless, these graphics cards can often be found in the U.S. market through occasional listings on Amazon and the company’s store on Newegg.

Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.



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Ec Ecoflow Delta 2
Gaming Gear

EcoFlow 2400W Max Portable Power Station Hits All-Time Low on Amazon, Deal Ends in 2 Hours

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When it comes to portable power stations, EcoFlow stands as the industry benchmark. Their lineup is packed with innovative solutions but if you’re after the ultimate in power and versatility, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max is the model to beat. This powerhouse is currently available in a flash sale on Amazon, and the deal is so good that you’ll want to act fast: the offer expires in just two hours. Normally listed at $1,699, the DELTA 2 Max is now down to $999 which is a jaw-dropping 41% off, which also marks an all-time low for this top-tier portable power station.

See Delta 2 Max at Amazon

Most Powerful Model on The Market

The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max is the strongest model from the company and it’s designed to provide whatever power you might imagine. If you’re preparing for emergencies, embarking on an off-grid adventure or simply want home backup power, this thing delivers and copes like nothing else. Its features are just fantastic: a massive 2048Wh (expandable to 6kWh with extra batteries), a 2400W output, and an astonishing 3400W surge capacity in X-Boost mode. That means charging nearly every household appliance, from refrigerators and power tools to medical equipment and entertainment systems, in a single convenient package.

With EcoFlow’s latest innovation, you can pair up to 1000W of solar input with AC charging for record-breaking speed to refuel up to 80% in just 43 minutes. In case charging from AC alone, you’ll still achieve an 80% charge within approximately 1.1 hours. This renders the DELTA 2 Max one of the fastest-charging portable power stations on the market, and you’ll never be stuck in the dark for too long.

DELTA 2 Max uses advanced LFP battery chemistry, with 3000 full cycles when the battery drops to 80% capacity, which is six times the industry norm and a cost-efficient behemoth step ahead. EcoFlow complements this with a longer 5-year warranty of service for you peace of mind for years to come.

With 15 ports, the DELTA 2 Max can charge all your devices at the same time and its plug-and-play architecture allows for hassle-free expansion of your energy storage with the ability to add up to two additional batteries, tripling your capacity to 6kWh. This flexibility is ideal for tailoring your configuration to meet your requirements whether planning for a blackout, going camping, or powering a small business off-grid.

IDuring this flash sale on Amazon, you can have the best of the best for a lower price than ever, but move fast since the deal disappears in just two hours.

See Delta 2 Max at Amazon



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Priority Current Plus Ebike Review: Serious Power, Effortless Fun
Product Reviews

Priority Current Plus Ebike Review: Serious Power, Effortless Fun

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I’ve been an avid biker for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I’d cruise my BMX around town with friends all day during the summer, reveling in the freedom and autonomy that only comes from your own ride. Decades later, my introduction to the ebike scene has provided a renewed sense of that nostalgic joy for the open road.

As a relative newcomer, most of my ebike experience over the past year or so has been with relatively cheap ebikes, like the Propella 9S and Priority’s e-Classic Plus. So when Priority offered me a chance to try the much pricier Current Plus, my first question was, “What do you get from an ebike that costs over three grand?”

In this case, the short answer is range, style, features, and power. Lots of power, which may be the biggest key to the Current’s success. As a throttle-equipped Class 2 ebike that converts to Class 3, you can absolutely blaze on this thing at up to 28 mph with pedal assist, and there’s virtually no hill that can slow you down.

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

Most importantly, the bike’s punchy motor keeps you safe in sketchy situations. Simply kick up the motor speed to level 5 and let the Current Plus fire you through traffic or cut through busy roads. I rarely pushed the motor above the midpoint, but when I needed the power, it swiftly arrived, affording me the freedom to cruise virtually anywhere on Portland, Oregon’s mean streets.

The Current’s impressive battery range adds to that go-anywhere feeling, letting me ride worry-free for days without the need to top it off. That kind of freedom and autonomy has brought back that BMX feeling, taking me from ebike tourist to true commuter.

Greaseless Lightning

As a direct-to-consumer bike, the Current Plus needs some assembly when it arrives. A local bike shop can do the job for you for around $150-200, which I recommend considering for beginners. If you’re more ambitious, you can assemble it yourself, but Priority still recommends having a shop give it a once-over for safety.

Otherwise, the Current Plus is extremely hands-off from a maintenance standpoint. The Gates Carbon Drive belt requires no lube or grease and is claimed to last up to “2-3 times longer” than chains, while Priority tested the 750 Wh battery for up to 90 miles per charge on the lowest pedal-assist speed. Letting the bike loose up and down the hills of southeast Portland for weeks, I squeezed out a still-impressive 60 miles per charge, give or take.

I tested the bike with the five-speed Shimano Nexus gear system, but for $200 more you can swap in the Enviolo CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). This is a swap that you might consider if you’re hauling a lot of gear—it’s much safer to be able to make tiny adjustments to the torque if your bike is heavy or off-balance—but if you don’t have a kid or two clinging to the back, you probably won’t need it.

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

While the bike’s mid-drive motor is much smoother than the front-mounted eClassic, I noticed some pedal buzz when starting the bike in higher gears. Downshifting to lower-tension gears eliminated the buzz, and the simplified belt drive made it brilliantly smooth to shift to any gear at a standstill. After a few rides, I was shifting and swapping through motor speeds without thinking, like driving a car with a manual transmission.

Before long, I was flying across town like a pro, increasingly leaving my car behind as Portland’s rainy winter turned to sunlit spring. And man, does this thing fly. When boxed in at 20 mph as a Class 2 bike, I was hitting the top speed in seconds from anything above the second pedal-assist motor speed, so you’ll likely want to convert it to Class 3 from the display settings if local laws allow. After converting, I still only hit around 26 mph on flats, but that was fast enough.

I spent the majority of my time between the first and second pedal-assist speeds, but when I got tired (or curious), moving to the fourth or fifth speeds was a blast. It’s empowering to know you can make any hill your … subordinate, allowing you to choose virtually any path to your destination. Need to catch up after a late start or get rid of a car on your tail? Punch up the speed and let it rip. It’s truly a joyful feeling.



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