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Samsung Galaxy Note 21 Ultra 5G

Now that everything is known about the Galaxy S21 line-up, we are looking ahead to the Samsung Note 21 Ultra – expected in the second half of 2021.

Samsung introduces a high-end smartphone series twice a year. The Galaxy S21 series will be officially unveiled on January 14, 2021, and the new Note models are expected in the second half of the year. This time, however, Samsung opts for a number of remarkable changes when it comes to the S series. The new smartphones will not only be introduced a month earlier than usual, the new top model – the Galaxy S21 Ultra – will also be made compatible with the S Pen for the first time.

This iconic stylus pen has been the main feature of the Samsung Galaxy Note series for many years, but will also be found in other Galaxy products from 2021. Such as the S21 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 foldable smartphone expected later this year. These new developments naturally raise the necessary questions regarding the Note line-up; will the Galaxy Note 20 still be followed up?

There have been rumors for some time that Samsung wants to drop its Galaxy Note series. Last month, however, LetsGoDigital already mentioned that a Note 21 will appear in 2021. We received this information from a reliable source in Korea, who is closely involved with Samsung Electronics. Whether it will be one or two models, our source does not yet know for certain.

A few days later, the Korean News Agency Yonhap reported that an anonymous Samsung official has stated: “We are preparing for a Galaxy Note series release for next year.” From this statement it can be concluded that it will most likely again concern two models, in the form of a Samsung Galaxy Note 21 and a Note 21 Ultra.

Now that it is clear that a new Note smartphone will arrive this year, the question remains; What can we expect from this device? Based on what is already known about the Galaxy S21 line-up and our expectations for the Note 21 line-up, LetsGoDigital has made a series of renders of the expected top model; the Samsung Note 21 Ultra.

The 3D renders are digitally designed by in-house designer Giuseppe Spinelli, aka Snoreyn. The model is drawn from sketch, after which the images are transformed into beautiful lifestyle images, creating the illusion that the pre-production device is actually laying on the table in front of you. The video animation below was also made by the Italian designer.

Samsung Galaxy Note 21 Ultra

The Note 21 Ultra will undoubtedly be provided with several new functions, which can also be found in the S21 Ultra. The devices in the Note line-up have a somewhat more rectangular design with a business appearance, compared to the round S-series models.

Although the Galaxy S20 Ultra was equipped with a 6.9” display, the S21 Ultra will have a slightly smaller 6.8″ screen. For the Note 20 Ultra, a 6.9″ screen has been chosen, presumably the display of the Note 21 Ultra will remain the same size as its predecessor.

Naturally, Samsung will opt for an AMOLED display. In addition, you may assume that the QHD+ resolution will be maintained. The device will also be equipped with an adaptive 120 Hertz refresh rate, which will remain usable in maximum screen resolution. The S20 / Note 20 only supports this high refresh rate in Full HD resolution, but this will change in 2021.

Samsung will probably further increase the maximum brightness. The soon-expected S21 Ultra will have a peak brightness of 1600 nits – a significant upgrade over the 1400 nits display of the S20 Ultra. The Note 20 falls exactly in between with 1500 nits. It is therefore in line with expectations that the Note 21 Ultra will support at least 1600 nits.

In all likelihood, Samsung will again choose to implement a curved display in the Galaxy Note 21 Ultra. In addition, premium materials will be used for the frame and rear panel. A metal frame with a glass back is the most obvious option. As long as it doesn’t become a plastic back – as is the case with the base models of the Note and S series, including the Galaxy Note 20 and the S21.

Compatible with Samsung S Pen

Of course the new Samsung Note can also be used with the S Pen. This stylus pen has been included as standard from the very first Note. Thanks to a dedicated stylus compartment you can easily store the pen in the phone, after which the S Pen is automatically being charged.

By putting the pen in the compartment for just 40 seconds, it’s ready to be used for approx. half an hour. If you are about to forget or loose the stylus, the device will automatically warn the user that the S Pen is no longer connected.

Over the years, Samsung has continuously refined and improved the S Pen, making the pen much more than a handy tool for creating sketches and drawings. As the display of smartphones have also become increasingly larger, the stylus has become a useful means to increase productivity. Select and translate text, convert handwritten text into typed text, annotate web pages, photos and even PDFs – it’s all possible with the Samsung stylus.

Samsung may see another chance to further improve the S Pen. For example, the latency of the Note 20 Ultra was reduced to 9 milliseconds. As a result, there is in fact no more input delay, so that writing with the stylus feels as if you are holding a regular pen.

There are also many writing aids available – including a ballpoint pen, a fountain pen or a highlighter – everything is available in different thicknesses and colors. Even the sound of the S Pen makes you believe you’re using a real pen on paper. Thanks to the many Air Actions that Samsung has linked to its stylus, it has become a very versatile tool.

Now that the S21 Ultra will also be compatible with the S Pen, it is all the more likely that Samsung will provide the Note 21 with new and improved S Pen functionalities. After all, this remains the most distinctive feature of this high-end smartphone series.

Renewed selfie camera and new quad camera

Although it is generally known that Samsung – like other smartphone manufacturers – is developing an in-display selfie camera, it is still unclear whether it will be used in the Note 21 Ultra. It would of course be a great innovation, especially since the Note model series will exist exactly 10 years in 2021.

Still, the question remains how far the developments of under-screen camera technology have progressed. Although the ZTE Axon 20 5G has now been officially released, there is still something to be said about the quality of this under-screen camera. Samsung will probably only build this tech into a high-end device if the company is also sure that good image quality is maintained.

It is certainly not inconceivable that Samsung will again opt for a centrally placed punch-hole camera for the Galaxy Note 21. With the Note20 Ultra, a 10 megapixel selfie camera (f / 2.2) was chosen. We assume that this front camera will at least get an update.

For example, the S20 Ultra / S21 Ultra has a 40 megapixel selfie camera (f / 2.2) with “pro-grade technology”. In poor light conditions, the camera automatically switches to 10 megapixels with larger pixels – in order to capture more details. It is possible that Samsung will also use this high-resolution selfie camera for the Note 21 Ultra. Video calls can most likely be conducted in the same resolution; 4K @ 60fps.

With regard to the camera system at the rear, the same design trend is probably followed here as with the S21 series. The latter models will have a significantly larger camera, which extends to the edges of the device. The Ultra model also gets a new camera configuration. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is expected to feature a 108 megapixel main camera (2nd generation) with an f/1.8 lens, a 12 megapixel ultra-wide angle camera (120˚) and two 10 megapixel telephoto cameras. One supports 10x Hybrid zoom, the other 3x Hybrid zoom.

It is still unknown why Samsung chooses to build in two telephoto lenses. It is quite possible that this will lead to more photography options. However, exact details are not yet known. A teaser, spread by Samsung India while sending the press invitations for the Galaxy S21 Unpacked launch event, shows that this will be an important feature to be discussed during the product presentation and probably also during the marketing campaign of the S21 Ultra.

It is not inconceivable that a comparable camera will also be used with the Note 21. For the time being, however, no information is available about the camera system of this model. The 8K video resolution will undoubtedly be maintained, it is in line with expectations that the image quality will be further improved. Think of a higher frame rate of 30fps or even 60fps. Currently 8K is only applicable at 24fps. Furthermore, there will undoubtedly be a Pro mode and a Night mode available.

As for the autofocus system, the S21 Ultra will take over the Note 20’s laser autofocus system. It may also be found in the Note 21. This works significantly faster and more accurately than the 3D DepthVision camera, which was used in previous top models from Samsung.

Hardware & Software

As every year, Samsung will install a new processor that is even faster and more powerful than its predecessor. In 2021 it will be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, although the Exynos 2100 variant from Samsung itself will be used in Europe. In previous years, the Samsung Exynos chip was less in terms of performance and energy consumption compared to Qualcomm. This year, however, Samsung seems to have made huge performance improvements, the first benchmark tests showed.

The Samsung Exynos 2100 will be officially announced on January 12, 2021 during an online event. Two days later, the Galaxy S21 series will be announced, becoming the first Samsung smartphones to be powered by this new and extremely powerful 5nm chipset.

The Samsung Note 21 series will also be powered by this processor. Naturally, this chip has an integrated 5G modem, so you can also make use of the super-fast 5G mobile internet network – provided you also have a 5G subscription, of course.

Last year Samsung offered a choice of 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB memory. It is still unclear whether the Note 21 will also have 12GB of RAM, but this is certainly not inconceivable. Although the S20 Ultra was equipped with 16GB RAM, it is expected that the S21 Ultra comes with 12GB RAM. 16GB of RAM is a lot and actually simply not necessary. We also do not expect to see any changes in terms of storage capacity.

Introduction Samsung Note 21 series

Normally, Samsung organizes a Galaxy Unpacked event around August to officially announce the new Note models. However, the introduction of the S-series smartphones will take place a month earlier this year. It is still unclear what this will mean for the introduction of the Note 21.

Last year, Samsung chose to simultaneously announce the S20 series and the Z Flip. This time, the S21 series will be announced earlier and the Galaxy Z Flip 2 will arrive just a little later – it is expected in the spring of 2021.

It is quite possible that Samsung also opts for a separate release of the Note 21 (Ultra) and the Z Fold 3. In that case, it is likely that the Note 21 will be announced first, for example in early August. Followed by the Z Fold 3 around October.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G carried a suggested retail price of € 1,300 (256GB). If Samsung does indeed implement the innovations and improvements as described in this publication, then it is obvious that the price will not get cheaper. The S21 Ultra will probably be € 50 more expensive on the market than the year before. It is very well possible that Samsung chooses for a similar price increase with the Note 21 Ultra.

No information is yet known about the colors. The release takes place in the fall, Samsung often opts for colors that perfectly match the season – think of the beautiful Mystic Bronze and Mystic Green color variants for the Note 20 Ultra.

For the product images we have created, we used a mix of the S21 Ultra and its Phantom Black and Phantom SIlver colors and the Mystic Bronze and Mystic Green colors of the Note 20. As the release date approaches, more details about this new flagship device will undoubtedly come to surface.

Note to editors : The product images shown in this publication are created by in-house designer Giuseppe Spinelli (aka Snoreyn). The presented 3D renders are for illustrative purposes only. The images are copyright protected. Feel free to use these renders on your own website, please be so respectful to include a source link into your publication. This product is not yet for sale, Samsung is expected to launch their 2021 Note-series devices halfway through 2021.

Samsung Galaxy S21 – the manufacturer invites you to the premiere of the latest flagships. What does the trailer for Galaxy Unpacked 2021 reveal?

The South Korean giant invites you to the Galaxy Unpacked event, where we expect to see the presentation of the latest flagship smartphones of the Samsung Galaxy S series 21. This year’s edition of the line will most likely include the following models: Basic, Plus and Ultra. I must admit that Samsung chose the date of the event quite cleverly, trying to ensure that nothing “bigger” would overshadow the premiere, so important for the producer. The event is scheduled for 12 January 2021 of the year, the last day of CES. The graphics encouraging participation in the virtual event reveal the appearance of the camera, which simply confirms the current reports on its construction.

We know when exactly the new smartphones from the Samsung Galaxy S family will debut 21. The manufacturer invites you to another event from the Galaxy Unpacked series, where we will get to know this year’s flagships.

Samsung Galaxy S smartphone test 20 FE – cheaper, not worse

About Samsung Galaxy S 21, Galaxy S 21 + and Galaxy S 21 We already know quite a lot about the Ultra. The detailed appearance of the devices leaked to the network earlier, revealing the stylistic side of this year’s flagships. This, of course, is not all, as we have also managed to get to know the lion’s share of the technical specifications of smartphones. The individual versions differ from each other with the screens, batteries, cameras and dimensions used, while the common features are processors, a system with an overlay, communication modules, selfie cameras and biometric security. Prices should range from 840 to 1399 euro.

Samsung Galaxy S Test 20 +: exemplary smartphone. Is it enough?

An event where Samsung will talk about new models will be held 14 January, i.e. the next Thursday at 16: 00 Polish time. The event will be broadcast via the giant’s social channels, while the deduction took the form of an “AR app” on Facebook and Instagram. The animation, which is also an invitation to the event, reveals a blurry module of the main camera, which strongly refers to the graphics from the leaks. Below we present a detailed specification of Samsung Galaxy S models 20 and Galaxy S 21 +. The ultra variant will receive a 6.8-inch LTPO display with WQHD + resolution with adaptive image refresh 120 Hz and a battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh.

	Samsung Galaxy S 21	Samsung Galaxy S 21 +
Processor	Samsung Exynos 2100 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM	8 GB
System	Android 11 One UI 3.1
Screen	6.2 inch Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED FHD + AOD Gorilla Glass Victus Brightness 1300 rivets 421 ppi 120 Hz	6.7-inch Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED FHD + AOD Gorilla Glass Victus Brightness 1300 rivets 394 ppi 120 Hz
Main camera	12 MP main f / 1.8 OIS 12 MP f / 2.2 ultra wide angle 120 ° 64 MP telephoto f / 2.0 3x optical zoom
Selfie Camera	10 MP f / 2.2
Video recording	8K 30 FPS, 4K 60 FPS, HD 960 FPS
Data memory	128 / 256 GB
Communication	5G, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C
Battery	4000 mAh 25 IN Qi Wireless Charging Reverse Charge	4800 mAh 25 IN Qi Wireless Charging Reverse Charge
Colors	Gray, White, Pink, Purple	Silver, Black, Purple
Dimensions	151, 7 x 71, 2 x 7.9 mm	161, 4 x 75, 6 x 7.8 mm
Weight	171 g	202 g
Other	IP 68, Samsung Knox, Dual SIM (e-SIM), in-screen ultrasonic fingerprint reader

Source: Samsung, Voice, OnLeaks

Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iChill X3 graphics card test – Non-reference Ampere in an aggressive release

Since GeForce RTX Reference Graphics Cards Availability 3070 turned out to be practically zero, potential buyers were kind of forced to search for the original versions, of which several dozen have been announced so far. One of the coolest is the Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iChill X3, which is characterized by a very extensive cooling system and a polished visual layer, especially if you expect an effective RGB backlight. The manufacturer also raised the core clock while increasing the factory power limit, thanks to which Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iChill X3 should be slightly faster than Founders Eidtion. So let’s check how it fares in the tests …

Author: Sebastian Oktaba

GeForce RTX 3000 is the second generation of NVIDIA graphics cards with hardware units for ray tracing acceleration and deep learning, using the new Ampere architecture, a development version of Turing driving the GeForce RTX family 2000. The two-year construction period was well spent – engineers have solidly improved graphics processing clusters (GPC), including increasing the cache capacity, doubling the number of shading units in SM blocks (Streaming Multiprocessors) while increasing the performance of RT and Tensor cores. A significant change is also the transition to a lower Samsung lithography, which made it possible to improve the energy efficiency factor, reduce the size of the core and increase the clock speeds. Top models received GDDR6X memory with high frequency and wide buses, the bandwidth of which is equal to the HBM2 modules. NVIDIA Ampere also introduces a chain of interesting solutions and technologies, including Reflex, RTX IO, Broadcast and HDM 2.1 connector to display 8K HDR image when refreshing 60 Hz. More strictly technical information can be found on the next subpage, devoted to the most important changes introduced in the new architecture.

Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iCHill X3 is a graphics card with a very aggressive style, but this manufacturer has maintained a similar design for years.

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Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iChill X3 is based on GA graphics 104 – 300 – A1, where stuffed over 17 billions of transistors on the surface of less than 400 mm². Inside waiting 5888 stream processors, 64 rendering units, 184 texturing units, 46 RT cores and 184 Tensors. The dry technical specification indicates that despite the progress of the Ampere architecture and the changes made, the brutal computing power of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti should be much larger. Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iChill X3 does, however, have a double L2 cache (128 KB for a single SM) and extended L3 memory (5.5 vs 4 MB). Only 8 GB GDDR6 graphics memory was severely trimmed per 256 – a bit bus, the bandwidth of which is also almost half lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. The performance of RT and Tensor units has been significantly increased, so a smaller amount should be enough to achieve a similar level of efficiency in handling ray tracing and DLSS. It is also worth mentioning that NVIDIA has a lot of interesting technologies up its sleeve, including Reflex improving latency in esports games, hardware support of the NVENC codec or Broadcast removing noise and inserting the background during streaming.

	RTX 3090	RTX 3080	RTX 3070	RTX 3060 Ti
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere	Ampere	Ampere
Graphics	GA 102	GA 102	GA 104	GA 104
Lithography	8 nm	8 nm	8 nm	8 nm
Core size	628 mm²	628 mm²	392 mm²	392 mm²
Transistors	28 billion	28 billion	17 billion	17 billion
SP Units	10496	8704	5888	4864
TMUs	328	272	184	152
ROP units	112	96	96	80
RT Units	82	68	46	38
Tensor Units	328	272	184	152
Base clock	1395 MHz	1440 MHz	1499 MHz	1410 MHz
Boost clock	1650 MHz	1710 MHz	1730 MHz	1665 MHz
Memory clock	19500 MHz	19000 MHz	14000 MHz	14000 MHz
Amount of memory	24 GB	10 GB	8 GB	8 GB
Memory type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory bus	384 – bit	320 – bit	256 – bit	256 – bit
Throughput	937 GB / s	760 GB / s	448 GB / s	448 GB / s
Interface	PCI-E 4.0 x 16	PCI-E 4.0 x 16	PCI-E 4.0 x 16	PCI-E 4.0 x 16
TGP Factor	350 In	320 In	220 In	200 In
Starting price	1499 USD	699 USD	499 USD	399 USD
Release date	September 2020	September 2020	October 2020	December 2020

Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iChill X3 compared to Founders Edition runs with higher core clock speed, according to the manufacturer 1785 MHz, but thanks to GPU Boost technology a real The fixed frequency reaches the minimum 1920 MHz. The target value depends on the temperature, load, power limit, etc., and here the tested non-reference fares significantly better than the NVIDIA model, as it received a higher power limit at the start. The clock speed of GDDR6 was unchanged at 14000 MHz. The manufacturer also used standard power plugs, so additional adapters necessary for the Founders Edition will not be needed. Besides, Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iChill X3 obviously uses PCI-Express 4.0, but the new interface has a marginal impact on the results obtained, additionally being available only on the AM4 platform paired with Ryzen processors 3000 / 5000. The manufacturer gives the GeForce RTX 3070 TPD factor 220 W, admittedly lower than NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, but relatively high considering lithography and a smaller number of ROPs, TMUs, memory controllers, etc. Therefore, a decent branded minimum power supply is recommended 500 W, preferably a unit with power 600 W.

Inno3D GeForce RTX Test 2060 – Enough for ray tracing with DLSS?

Best Motherboards 2021 for Gaming, by Socket and Chipset

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

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Best Intel Motherboards 2020: Z490, Z390, H370, and X299

Note: For AMD’s AM4 X570, B550, B450 and Threadripper motherboards, see page two or our Best AMD X570 Motherboards page. This first page focuses on Intel, after laying out some basics.

Choosing the best gaming motherboard or best motherboard for another type of build is in many ways an integral part of your PC build, despite the fact that choosing the best CPU or the best graphics card often gets more attention. Nearly every part of your PC plugs into your motherboard. Its form factor dictates the size of your computer, and its chipset and socket limit what kind of processor you can install.

If you’re not sure which chipset you’re after when choosing the best gaming motherboard for you, or you have more basic questions for a different type of build, you can visit our motherboard basics and motherboard buying guide features to help narrow down your buying options.

The picks below include the best gaming motherboards designed for Intel’s 10th Gen “Comet Lake,” as well as 9th Generation “Coffee Lake Refresh,” followed by the lower-cost H370 alternative. You can see how those chips stack up in our CPU Benchmark Hierarchy. Below our mainstream picks, you’ll find our recommendations for the best motherboards with Intel’s high-end desktop (HEDT) LGA-2066 socket and X299 chipset supporting the X-Series and Extreme line of processors.

The second page of this guide covers the best AMD motherboards, including X570 and B550 chipset models, as well as high-end Threadripper picks that compete with Intel’s X-Series platform.

When choosing a motherboard, consider the following:

Get the right socket for your CPU: You can find great CPUs from either Intel or AMD, but whatever processor you choose, make sure that your board has the correct socket to support it. The latest mainstream AMD chips use AM4 CPU sockets while current Intel 8th Gen and 9th Gen Core CPUs require LGA 1151v2 sockets.

Smaller boards = fewer slots and features. Motherboards come in three main sizes–for more info see our diagram and explanation of motherboard parts. From largest to smallest, there’s ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX. (Yes, Mini is smaller than Micro). You can use a smaller chassis with the micro or mini boards, but you’ll have to settle for fewer card expansion slots, sometimes fewer RAM slots, and other connectors.

Pay for built-in Wi-Fi and high-end ports only if you need them. Don’t spend extra for wireless if you are using a wired connection. You can future proof your PC by getting USB 3.1 Gen 2 and / or Thunderbolt 3 support.

The Best Intel Gaming Motherboards: Z490, Z390, H370, and X299

ASRock Z490 Taichi (Image credit: ASRock)

1. ASRock Z490 Taichi

Best ATX Z490 Motherboard

Solid 12-phase/50A VRM for Vcore

USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 Type-C port

Three M.2 and eight SATA ports

Expensive compare to Z390 Taichi

Annoying use of star screws on chipset shroud

Tough to press PCIe slot latch for removal

The ASRock Z490 Taichi is a great motherboard in the $350-$400 price bracket for building a Z490 system, comparing favorably to similarly priced competition.It includes eight SATA ports (while others have six), as well as a speedy USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port. It also has a premium appearance and runs cooler than competing boards in the power delivery department.

If you need three M.2 slots and eight SATA ports, this is the only board around this price point with that storage configuration. If your budget allows for an upper mid-range board, ASRock’s Z490 Taichi should be at the top of the list.

Read: ASRock Z490 Taichi review

Gigabyte Z390 Designare

2. Gigabyte Z390 Designare

Best ATX Z390 Motherboard

Full-Spec Thunderbolt 3 ports

Supports 8K passthrough from DisplayPort 1.4 graphics cards

Two Gigabit Ethernet ports plus 1.73Gb/s Wi-Fi

Third x16 slot switchable between PCH and CPU lanes

Great price for the added features

Mediocre CPU Overclocking

The Z390 Designare beats its closest rival on features for the price, has similar overclocking limits to its closest rival but beats it in overclocked DRAM performance, and has at least enough extra value to justify its premium over cheaper boards. We have to consider whether the “workstation replacement” PC market will tolerate a board with mediocre CPU overclocking. But given that there’s so little to gain from overclocking the Core i9-9900K, we feel that more often than not the answer is yes.

Read: Gigabyte Z390 Designare Review

ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX

3. ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX

Best Mini-ITX Z390 Motherboard

Vastly-improved Core i9-9900K efficiency

Great performance

Good overclocking

Thunderbolt 3 &amp

1.73Gb/s Wi-Fi at a very reasonable price

Egregious DIMM over-voltage

Firmware H/W Monitor misreports DIMM overvoltage

Thunderbolt 3 is only half-speed (20Gbps)

Meager onboard RGB lighting

No Gen2 header for front-panel USB 3.1

Even if you never use its Thunderbolt 3 port, it’s hard to deny the supremacy of a board that does everything else better than the competition, while costing less. The Z390 Phantom Gaming-ITX/ac is even cheaper than the non-Wi-Fi version of MSI’s ATX MGP Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon, though that won’t matter to anyone who needs the extra DIMM and PCIe slots afforded by the larger form factor. But for those looking for a Mini ITX board to support Intel’s Core i9-9900K, the Z390 Phantom Gaming-ITX/ac is easily our first choice, making it one of the best gaming motherboards you can buy.

Read: ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX Review

Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X

4. Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X

Best Cheap Z390 Motherboard

Consistently under $150

Fully supports Core i9-9900K

Good overclocking

Second PCIe x16 slot has only four PCH lanes

No front-panel USB3 Gen2

Only one USB3 Gen2 header

Hot voltage regulator requires a fan near CPU socket

An alternative to its award-winning Gaming SLI, Gigabyte’s Z390 Gaming X offers similar overclocking capability on substantially similar layout, at a noticeably lower price that garnered it the same value award. It’s the best gaming motherboard for Z390 if you’re on a budget. After Gigabyte stopped distributing the SLI model in USA, the Gaming X became our only option for budget overclocking of Intel’s K-series unlocked LGA-1151 processors.

Read: Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X Review

ASRock H370M Pro4

5. ASRock H370M Pro4

Best Intel H370 Motherboard

Two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports and two Gen1 USB 3.1 I/O panel ports

Four USB 3.0 front-panel ports

H370 features at B360 price

No RGB controller

No front-panel 3.1 Gen2 header

Priced around $80 (£78) and at times dipping below $70 (£70), the ASRock H370M Pro4 brings Intel’s more-advanced H370 feature set to buyers who thought they could only afford a lesser B360 model. If you have less than $100 to spend, it’s one of the best gaming motherboards for Intel’s pared-down platform. ASRock splits the H370’s extra HSIO (high-speed input/output) pathways across two rear-panel USB 3.0 ports and two internal SATA headers. Buyers who don’t need RGB or a 10Gb/s USB 3.1 Gen2 front-panel header will be pleased to find that the H370M Pro4 offers more of nearly every other port than its closest competitor, for a lower price.

Read: ASRock H370M Pro4 Review

Gigabyte X299X Designare 10G (Image credit: Newegg)

6. Gigabyte X299X Designare 10G

Best ATX X299 Motherboard

Dual 10GbE, plus 2.4Gbps Wi-Fi 6

Thunderbolt 3 with dual Type-C outputs and dual DisplayPort inputs

Price premium is lower than the value of its premium components

Expensive

Excessive PCIe, M.2 & SATA sharing

10.8-inch depth requires extra case considerations

Fully equipped for the 48 lanes of Intel’s 10th generation Core Extreme processors, the X299X Designare 10G comes loaded to the brink with Intel X550 dual 10Gb/s Ethernet and a pair of Thunderbolt 3 headers with dual DisplayPort passthrough on Intel’s 40Gb/s controller. A four-drive M.2 expander card and 2.4Gb/s Wi-Fi 6 finish a package of which the added component value far outweighs the price difference over its closest competitor.

Read: Gigabyte X299X Designare 10G Review

ASRock X299E-ITX/AC

7. ASRock X299E-ITX/AC

Best Mini ITX X299 Motherboard

Good overall performance

Great overall efficiency

Surprisingly high overclocks

Skylake-X requirement provides two M.2’s via CPU PCIe

No 110mm M.2 card support

Connecting third M.2 slot to PCH excludes RAID 5 via VROC

Only six total I/O-panel USB ports, and four of those share bandwidth

No voltage regulator temperature reporting

No Kaby Lake-X support

By being the only LGA 2066 motherboard available to Mini-ITX builders, the ASRock X299E-ITX/ac automatically becomes the best choice for these builds. Despite its lack of competition, the price is reasonable and the performance level is spot-on for the Core i9-7900X, even with the board’s lower-than-average default power ceiling. It’s not perfect, but if you’re looking to build a compact high-power Intel X299 desktop, this board should serve you well.

Read: ASRock X299E-ITX/AC Review

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Mini-LED TVs: LG announces the first QNED models with 4K and 8K

LG has announced its first TV series with mini LEDs. For the time being, a total of ten models will use the new background lighting, which, compared to conventional LED lighting, should primarily offer higher contrast values and better HDR display. According to LG, the top model is just under 30. 000 LEDs – distributed over approximately 2500 lighting zones. With full-surface LED backlights, a number of LEDs in the middle three-digit range and one to two dozen zones are common.

All models are new QNED family that LG has placed between the previous LCD and OLED series. The few technical data mentioned so far include resolutions of 4K (3840 × 2160 pixels) and 8K (7680 × 4320 pixels) and a maximum screen diagonal of 86 Inch. All models should offer a native refresh rate of 120 Hz and use the mini-LED backlight in conjunction with Quantum Dots. LG puts the maximum contrast at 1. 000. 000: 1.

With the number of LEDs and zones, LG is in a similar range to other manufacturers who already have mini-LED TVs announced or launched. So TCL installed in its top model 8-Series with 75 inch 25. 000 Mini LEDs that point to 1000 zones are distributed. In the cheaper models of the 6-Series, however, TCL only uses 240 zones at 75 Inch. It is still unknown how many mini-LEDs Samsung is using for its first corresponding televisions. However, it is certain that the company, like LG, will use the CES 2021, which will start in mid-January, as a stage for such announcements.

Better background lighting Manufacturers have been working on televisions with mini LED background lighting for several years. The smaller size of the mini-LEDs compared to the LEDs usually installed in televisions enables the use of more diodes and, as a result, more lighting zones. The latter allows a much finer control of the brightness. This is particularly beneficial for content with a high dynamic range.

Further advantages of mini-LED technology: Since the diodes are smaller, the displays are also thinner – and more delicate lighting can result in lower power consumption. For this reason, too, Apple is said to have a great interest in corresponding displays. Industry experts assume, among other things, a new iPad Pro with a mini-LED display, which will be launched in the spring 2021.

(pbe)

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition Review: Heir to the Titan Throne

Our Verdict

Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition takes the crown as the fastest GPU around, but at twice the price of an RTX 3080. It’s blazingly fast, comes with gobs of memory, and the Founders Edition is absolutely massive … and most gamers don’t need it. We discuss price, performance, availability, power, and more in our in-depth review.

For

Fastest current graphics card, period
4K ultra at more than 60 fps
8K DLSS potential
Good cooling and minimal noise
Major architectural updates for the future
Great for content creation tasks

Against

Extreme pricing for very modest gains
Massive cooler won’t fit in smaller builds
Lacks certain Titan features
Highest TGP for a single GPU ever (350W)
Needs a 4K display, maybe even 8K

Go to page:

GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition: An Absolute Unit

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition now claims the top spot on our GPU benchmarks hierarchy, though where it lands on the best graphics cards is a more difficult question to answer. While the GeForce RTX 3080 kept with the existing pricing structure of the RTX 20-series, replacing the RTX 2080 Super at the $699 price point, the RTX 3090 sees the RTX 2080 Ti’s $1200 launch price and raises it another $300. There’s an alternative viewpoint, however: The GeForce RTX 3090 is also a replacement for the $2,500 Titan RTX, in which case it’s a faster card that costs $1,000 less. Either way, you’re going to need some deep pockets if you want to own Nvidia’s new halo card.

We already have the Ampere architecture deep dive that details what makes the GeForce RTX 3090 tick. Start there if you want more information on how the 3090 and GA102 deliver new levels of performance. We’ll cover the highlights here, but the simple answer is that Nvidia has gone with a smaller process node, more cores, faster memory … plus more power and a higher price. At 350W TGP (Total Graphics Power), this is by far the most power hungry consumer GPU Nvidia has ever released (not counting the dual-GPU cards). It’s also the most expensive GeForce branded GPU ever (unless you count the dual-GPU GeForce GTX Titan Z, which I don’t).

We have a few additional tests we’re still trying to run before we render our final verdict (looking at you 8K, or at least 4K with DSR emulating 8K), so we won’t have a final verdict just yet. We also have a few AIB (add-in board) partner cards that we’ll be looking at in the coming days, once we’ve had some time to run all the tests and gather some data.

One thing we can’t fully predict is availability, but our hunch is that it’s not going to be great. It’s actually more than a hunch, now, as Nvidia pre-emptively apologized yesterday for the limited availability of RTX 3090 cards (while at the same time confirming performance expectations). Ugh. Considering the RTX 3080 cards have been selling out as fast as inventory arrives, even though the RTX 3090 costs over twice as much … well, some people are paying nearly $1,500 for RTX 3080 cards. It’s probably not going to be pleasant if you have your heart set on a 3090 and didn’t put in a pre-order. Just give it some time, and things should eventually get sorted out. Cue mom: “Patience is a virtue!” Thanks, ma, but I’m still working on it.

The short summary of the GeForce RTX 3090 is much as you’d expect. It’s theoretically about 20% faster than the RTX 3080 based on specs alone, with over twice the memory. The extra VRAM doesn’t really matter much for most games unless you’re running at 8K (maybe 5K), but it can prove useful for some professional workloads. The RTX 3090 also requires a beefy CPU to get the most out of the card (we’ll be running some additional tests in the coming days to show that, but you can get some idea of what to expect from our RTX 3080 CPU scaling article). This is very much a GPU designed for 4K ultra gaming, and at those settings, it’s 12% faster than the 3080 on average in our existing test suite, and 14% faster in our bonus test suite. Drop down to 1440p ultra, and the 3090 is only 8% faster than the 3080. If you’re running at 1080p? Don’t bother, seriously.

Now, let’s dig into the specs and look at what’s changed relative to other Nvidia GPUs.

Nvidia GPU Specifications

Graphics Card	RTX 3090 FE	RTX 3080 FE	Titan RTX	RTX 2080 Ti FE
Architecture	GA102	GA102	TU102	TU102
Process Technology	Samsung 8N	Samsung 8N	TSMC 12FFN	TSMC 12FFN
Transistors (Billion)	28.3	28.3	18.6	18.6
Die size (mm^2)	628.4	628.4	754	754
SMs	82	68	72	68
GPU Cores (FP32)	10496	8704	4608	4352
GPU Cores (INT32)	5248	4352	4608	4352
Tensor Cores	328	272	576	544
RT Cores	82	68	72	68
Base Clock (MHz)	1395	1440	1350	1515
Boost Clock (MHz)	1695	1710	1770	1635
VRAM Speed (Gbps)	19.5	19	14	14
VRAM (GB)	24	10	24	11
VRAM Bus Width	384	320	384	352
ROPs	112	96	96	88
TMUs	328	272	288	272
TFLOPS FP32	35.6	29.8	16.3	14.2
TOPS INT32	17.8	14.9	16.3	14.2
Tensor TFLOPS FP16 (Sparsity)	142 (285)	119 (238)	130	114
RT TFLOPS	69.5	58.1	49.2	45.7
Bandwidth (GBps)	936	760	672	616
TDP (watts)	350	320	285	260
Launch Date	September 2020	September 2020	December 2018	September 2018
Launch Price	$1,499	$699	$2,499	$1,199

GeForce RTX 3090 Architecture: Nearly a Full GA102

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Again, our Ampere architecture goes into more detail on the various aspects of the new 30-series GPUs. There are a lot of changes relative to the previous Turing architecture, but here’s the highlight reel.

First, GA102 uses Samsung’s 8N process technology, which means more transistors in a smaller area than TU102. Looking strictly at overall transistor density, GA102 packs in 45 million transistors per square millimeter, whereas TU102 density is ‘only’ 24.7 million transistors per square millimeter. That’s good, but clearly not as good as TSMC’s N7 node: The larger GA100 chip used in Nvidia’s A100 contains 65.4 million transistors per square millimeter. Also, AMD’s Navi 10 has 41 million transistors per square mm, so Nvidia has at least matched that level of density — comparing across architectures is definitely looking at apples and oranges, though.

Moving on, the GeForce RTX 3090 uses a nearly complete GA102 chip. Of the 84 potential SMs (streaming multiprocessors), only two are disabled. That suggests either the yields are very good … or Nvidia isn’t planning to sell nearly as many 3090 chips as 3080 chips. We suspect the second option is closer to the truth, and actual yields are a closely guarded secret these days. The 3090 also has seven GPCs (graphics processing clusters), and the ROPs (render outputs) are now part of the GPC instead of the memory controller, giving the 3090 112 ROPS.

Perhaps a bigger change is that the GeForce RTX 3090 comes equipped with 24GB of GDDR6X memory, this time clocked at 19.5 Gbps (compared to 19 Gbps on the 3080). This is accomplished by enabling the final two 32-bit memory controllers on GA102, and then running 24 chips in half-width 16-bit interface mode. That also means the GDDR6X chips are located on both sides of the PCB (printed circuit board), whereas the RTX 3080 only has memory on the same side as the GPU. There’s certainly a question of how much this affects GDDR6X memory temperatures, particularly when half the VRAM isn’t actively cooled. However, at present, we don’t have a way to measure the GDDR6X chip temperatures.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

We’ve discussed the GPU CUDA core changes quite a bit in previous Ampere articles, because it’s one of the most significant differences between Ampere and Turing. Turing included 64 FP32-capable CUDA cores per SM, with an additional 64 INT32-capable CUDA cores (and two FP64 cores for compatibility purposes). The FP32 and INT32 cores were separate datapaths and could be used concurrently. The FP32 cores could also run FP16 math at double the performance — ‘fast math’ mode.

For Ampere, the FP32 cores lose support for FP16 fast math, which gets shifted over to the Tensor cores — it’s still twice the FP16 performance of the dedicated FP32 cores, but only equal FP16 performance overall. Meanwhile, the INT32 cores gain support for FP32 calculations, which means total FP32 performance per SM has doubled. At the same time, INT32 performance per SM has stayed the same. This has some interesting ramifications for overall performance, but basically, about 30-35% of the CUDA core workload in games is INT32 (for address pointer lookups, texture calculations, and other similar work). That means a good chunk of the second datapath will be busy with INT32, so the real-world performance boost will often be less than the raw FP32 TFLOPS number would suggest.

Elsewhere, the tensor cores are another substantial upgrade relative to Turing, with twice the throughput per core. Except there are half as many tensor cores per SM. The 3rd generation tensor cores do add support for fine-grained sparsity, which can double throughput again relative to Turing when used. Also worth noting is that the 3rd gen tensor cores add support for INT8 and INT4 data types at 2x and 4x the base FP16 throughput.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The video ports on GeForce RTX 3090 FE are the same as on RTX 3080: one HDMI 2.1 port and three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs. There’s no VirtualLink port this round, as VirtualLink is basically dead. All four outputs are capable of 8K60 using DSC (Display Stream Compression), a “visually lossless” technique that’s actually not really visually lossless (though you probably won’t notice at 8K). We’ve seen other cards with five display outputs, many opting for dual HDMI 2.1, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to use a multi-monitor setup.

Other changes (and we’re glossing over things here as we’ve already covered this in the RTX 3080 review, as well as the Ampere architecture piece) include RT cores that are up to twice as fast — or even more in certain workloads (like motion blur). The L1 cache/shared memory capacity and bandwidth have been increased. The L2 cache is also larger than before, and the L1 cache can be configured as varying amounts of L1 vs. shared memory, depending on the needs of the application. Register file size is also increased, and GA102 can do concurrent RT + graphics + DLSS (previously, using the RT cores would stop the CUDA cores).

The raster operators (ROPS) have been moved out of the memory controllers and into the GPCs. Each GPC has two ROP partitions of eight ROP units each. This provides more flexibility in performance, giving the GA102 and RTX 3090 a total of 112 ROPS. Each GPC also includes six TPCs (Texture Processing Clusters) with eight TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) and a polymorph engine, though these come in pairs and Nvidia enables 41 TPCs for the 3090.

Finally, as discussed before, the RTX 3090’s memory controller has a new feature called EDR: Error Detection and Replay. When the memory detects a failed transmission, rather than crashing or corrupting data, it simply tries again. It will attempt to do this until successful, though it’s still possible to cause a crash with memory overclocking. EDR allows the potential for higher memory clocks that may not actually perform better as you approach the limits of the memory. That’s because EDR ends up reducing total memory throughput when failed transmissions occur.

LG to announce QNED Mini LED TVs at CES 2021

LG has revealed that it will be announcing a new range of television during the virtual CES 2021 event. Called QNED Mini LED, this new range of televisions feature a combination of mini LED backlighting, quantum dot technology and LG’s NanoCell in one product.

Mini LED (not to be confused with microLED) is a method of backlighting for LCD panels where the backlighting is made up of tiny LED light elements. Since these are significantly smaller than standard LED backlighting solutions, you can pack many more in the same space. This allows for much more localized control over the brightness of the panel, leading to a higher overall contrast ratio and less blooming or haloing that plagues traditional full-array local dimming backlighting.

LG claims its top of the line 86-inch 8K display will have 30,000 mini LEDs, producing nearly 2500 local dimming zones and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1.

The other major aspect of the QNED Mini LED TVs is that the panel is using two technologies for improving the color output. LG has combined quantum dot technology — which uses a layer of semiconductor nanocrystals that can be excited to produce colored light — and the company’s own NanoCell technology — which is a color filter that absorbs certain wavelengths of light to improve color accuracy and increase the viewing angles — with its panel technology, which is likely still using IPS as with the company’s other models. This should result in an increased color gamut and vibrancy that quantum dot is known for. The TVs will also offer refresh rates up to 120Hz.

LG says its QNED Mini LED TV range will sit between its flagship OLED range and its more budget oriented NanoCell models.

We don’t know yet how many models will be available in this new range and what their specifications would be. LG has said, however, that it will be launching 10 new 4K and 8K TV models in 2021, with 86-inch being the max size. More information should be revealed during CES 2021, which starts January 11.

Source

LG will bring a new range of QNED Mini LED TVs to CES

LG has released details on the Mini panel LED, which will consist of 30. 000 small LEDs, can offer 2. 500 areas of micro dimming and with a contrast that can reach the value of 1, 000, 000: 1

by Roberto Colombo published on 29 December 2020 , at 15: 21 in the Audio Video channel

Quantum dot LG

Mini LED is Micro LED are preparing to be the trending topics of the CES 2021 as regards the TV area. The news is that LG will also focus on Mini-LED technology for its range of televisions 2021, throwing a blow to the competitor Samsung, also adding one layer of Quantum Dot to its panels. The new line of LG TVs will be characterized by the name QNED Mini LED

LG QNED Mini LED at CES 2021

At the moment there is only an anticipation launched via a press release, so there are few details, especially regarding the quantum dot layer that will be inserted between the Mini LED backlight and the LCD panel, on which we will also find a NanoCell layer.

LG has however released details on the Mini LED panel, which will consist of 30. 000 small LEDs , able to offer 2. 500 micro dimming zones and with a contrast that can reach the value of 1, 000, 000: 1 .

“ LG QNED Mini LED is the new LCD TV to beat “so the trademark is presented to CES 2021, with a line-up on the new technology that will affect both 4K and 8K TVs, pushing up to the top of the range LG QNED TV 8K by 86 inch .

The new series will not declare the end of the OLED, but it demonstrates how the new technologies knocking on the door promise to make great steps forward to TV, overcoming some of the limitations of the current proposals. Appointment set for 11 January 2021, when LG officially unveils all new products for next year.

Nvidia GPU Specifications
Graphics Card	RTX 3080 FE	RTX 2080 Super FE	RTX 2080 FE
Architecture	GA102	TU104	TU104
Process (nm)	Samsung 8N	TSMC 12FFN	TSMC 12FFN
Transistors (Billion)	28.3	13.6	13.6
Die size (mm^2)	628.4	545	545
GPCs	6	6	6
SMs	68	48	46
FP32 CUDA Cores	8704	3072	2944
Tensor Cores	272	384	368
RT Cores	68	48	46
Boost Clock (MHz)	1710	1815	1800
VRAM Speed (Gbps)	19	15.5	14
VRAM (GB)	10	8	8
VRAM Bus Width	320	256	256
ROPs	96	64	64
TPCs	34	24	23
TMUs	272	192	184
GFLOPS FP32	29768	11151	10598
Tensor TFLOPS FP16 (Sparsity)	119 (238)	89	85
RT TFLOPS	58	26	25
Bandwidth (GBps)	760	496	448
TDP (watts)	320	250	225
Dimensions (mm)	285x112x38	267x116x38	267x116x38
Weight (g)	1355	1278	1260
Launch Date	Sep-20	Jul-19	Sep-18
Launch Price	$699	$699	$799

Not everyone can (or will) a surround installation with eleven speakers and a handful of subwoofers. Are you doomed to go for a soundbar? Not necessary. There are also receivers such as the new Yamaha RX-V4A that offer film lovers and gamers an interesting alternative: true multi-speaker surround, but at a modest 5.1 scale and without the complexity of Atmos setups.

In 2020, not many new AV receivers have appeared. This is partly due to the corona situation, partly because manufacturers were waiting for the availability of chips with the latest HDMI video standard. They are now already reaching the consumer – and indeed, the RX-V4A is one of the first surround devices with HDMI 2.1, making it 8K 60 – and 4K / 120 – can process signals. Is that so important? Unless you’ve completely jumped on the latest generation of consoles and bought a high-end TV, that HDMI 2.1 tech isn’t all that relevant yet. It’s different for gamers. They are without a doubt one of the main target groups of this receiver, as it also has a number of features to work better with game consoles. That is of course not surprising, because just like movies, games rely heavily on surround sound to create atmosphere. The film lover who likes to have his Netflix binge watching session served compellingly will of course also find what he likes in the Yamaha RX-V4A. Just like the music lover, who will find the necessary streaming and multi-room options in the MusicCast streaming platform and AirPlay 2. Unique to Yamaha is MusicCast Surround. This allows you to wirelessly connect the rear speakers and subwoofer if desired. This makes the RX-V4A hardly more difficult to connect than a soundbar.

Fresh design The RX-V4A is one of Yamaha’s first AV receivers with a totally new design. The button-rich front of yesteryear is exchanged for a sleeker, more modern front where all the attention goes to a large volume knob in the middle. There is a smaller rotary knob with which you select inputs and a modest display with white letters, for the rest the RX-V4A presents itself very sober. Although the rounded sides and the attractive ventilation holes at the top and two sides also provide a sophisticated touch. What is not striking is that the front panel contains more buttons than first appears. These buttons seem very visible on photos, when the receiver is on the rack in our test room and we look at it from a distance, they are hardly noticeable. You can select things such as presets via these touch buttons. Speaking of remotely: from afar that shiny front appears to be made of dark glass, but this is a plastic.

Ready for the future Because the RX-V4A is a 5.1 receiver, you don’t have a lot of options in terms of speaker setups. That is different with machines that 9, 11 or more channels and designed for Dolby Atmos home theaters. However, this Yamaha is aimed at someone who wants a better surround experience, but who is not looking for the extremes either. The 5.1 input of the RX-V4A is perfect if you like to watch films and TV series via streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Video. These services do have content in Dolby Atmos (5.1.4, where that 4 stands for four extra height channels), but most videos come with a 5.1 surround track. Due to its focus on 5.1, connecting speakers to the RX-V4A is easy. There are few connections at the back and you can therefore do little wrong. At first sight, the speaker terminals only seem suitable for stripped wires, but if you remove the small caps, banana plugs will also fit.

To connect video sources, such as consoles and Blu-ray players, you have four HDMI inputs. There is exactly one HDMI output that you connect to your TV or projector. This is eARC compatible, which means that the sound from TV apps or a device directly connected to your television is delivered to the receiver in the highest quality. Do you have an older TV? Then the receiver will switch back to HDMI-ARC.

For connecting music sources there are three analog cinch pairs and two digital (1 x optical, 1 x coaxial). Yamaha keeps the back relatively sober, but for most this offer will suffice. The modest offer seems to us a strength in this case.

Surround without wires Yamaha offers an option on its newer receivers that makes it easier to install a real surround setup: MusicCast Surround. The wired rear speakers can be replaced with one or two MusicCast with this function 20 or 50 – speakers. If you wish, you can do the same with the subwoofer: instead of connecting a device with cable to the receiver, do the same with the MusicCast 100. Since it is best to place a subwoofer in the front of the room anyway, that wireless sub option may be less necessary. Cordless rear speakers are useful, because you can then replace the longest and usually difficult to hide speaker cables. We have not tested MusicCast Surround with this receiver, but we have tried it before with a previous generation Yamaha receiver. The function works well and delivers a decent result.

With a MusicCast Surround setup, there are two wireless speakers at the back of the room, while the three speakers at the screen (left-center-right) with the cable are connected. This is a reasonable compromise compared to a high-end soundbar with wireless rear speakers. By using three separate speakers at the front, the soundstage with the RX-V4A will usually be larger and more realistic; however, high-end soundbars (such as the Samsung HW-Q 950 will also are often Atmos-compatible and theoretically create a three-dimensional representation via additional overhead speakers. Although the performance of such speakers in sound bars is sometimes very disappointing, depending on the space in which they end up.

Ready for 8K Yamaha positions this receiver as the first of a new generation ready for the future. And indeed, eARC, among others, indicates that it is indeed a future-proof receiver. Thanks to eARC, you don’t have to panic if you have more video sources than the four you can hang on the receiver. You simply connect a fifth to the TV without compromising on audio quality.

In terms of functions, the look of the RX-V4A focused on the horizon. The HDMI 2.1 ports support many new features, for example, including HDR 11 + (a new Samsung HDR standard) and video signals at 4K / 120 and 8K / 60 (HDMI 2.0a is â ???? limitedâ ???? to 4K / 60 and 8K / 30). In addition, there is support for a range of video features intended for gamers, such as ALLM (which automatically switches the TV to the correct game mode) and VRR, QMS and QFT (all of which intervene on the refresh rate and frames to show smoother game images). Note that some of these functions will only come with a firmware update.

The Yamaha receiver also has the HDMI chipset, which seems to have problems with the combination Xbox Series X and a 4K / 120 – or 8K / 60 – video signal. The manufacturer says it will offer a solution for this. A temporary workaround is to connect the new Xbox console directly to your TV and send the sound to the receiver via eARC. With the new PlayStation 5 there is no problem with game forwarding in 4K / 120 or 8K / 60 . After all, Sony does not use the optional video compression that on the new Xbox causes outages.

Handy app to help you The RX-V4A’s TV interface remains quintessentially Yamaha: a bit more technical in appearance and bone-dry when on explanation arrives. Press the button â ???? Setupâ ???? and a menu slides over some of your screen content. This is sufficient on our large 65 inch TV , on a 40 – inch screen it will seem a bit small. You don’t have to descend the menus often to use this receiver, but whoever does it may need the manual initially. It is, in some ways, the flip side of the many options that Yamaha is happy to offer its customers. A plus is that Yamaha really gives you many options to personalize the device. Naming the HDMI inputs appropriately (such as â ???? Xboxâ ???? or â ???? Ziggoâ ????) for example, is very simple.

Positive is that the information-poor interface is supplemented by an app that helps you to set up and use the receiver. This AV Setup app is simple and straightforward, just what you need if you have little experience configuring an AV receiver â ???? perhaps the most complex audio device you can get at home. On the basis of questions you will be helped in very practical settings. You will see, among other things, how to connect the speakers and devices in your specific situation. There is even a checklist that tells you which cables you need. Good found.

Quick measurement Â AV receivers can be very complex. If you get started with the many options that such a device offers, you can even quickly get lost at first. In particular the â ???? room correctionâ ???? can seem complicated on some devices, with measurements at various points in the room and target curves you can adjust. Some really like that and that tech path will take you to the very best surround experience too.

However, Yamaha is aiming with this receiver at film lovers who want the best possible result with minimal effort. To achieve this, the RX-V4A is equipped with YPAO, a system that very quickly identifies the acoustic problems in a room. And with â € œ fastâ € we mean exactly that: you take the hockey puck-shaped microphone out of the packaging, plug it in and confirm that you want to take the measurement. Just place the microphone on the back of the sofa … and then test tones sound for a minute to check that your speakers are correctly connected and what the room problems are. And then it is done. It is a big difference from the extensive measurements at Audyssey and Dirac. This is the simple form of YPAO, higher Yamaha receivers come with an advanced version where you can (optionally) measure several times and with extra functions, such as YPAO Volume (which flattens high and low peaks in a mix).

With this entry-level receiver, we really think it is an asset that setting the room correction is so effortless. YPAO does a lot to improve the surround sound (including by matching speakers to each other), which benefits the experience when watching movies and gaming.

Excellent for streaming Despite its relatively modest price tag, the RX-V4A has exactly the same streaming options as the more expensive Yamaha models. Thank you for not being punished for choosing to buy a cheaper model.

Almost all AV receivers from the Japanese brand are equipped with MusicCast, Yamaha’s proprietary streaming and multi-room platform. You control everything via the MusicCast app (iOS or Android), which is now completely on point and works very well. It is really a versatile app, in which you can also select the physical inputs in addition to streaming options elect and sound modes.

H and if you have other MusicCast devices in your home, you can control them all via this one app. This part of the app really looks good: each zone / room is represented by a large photo. You can use your own images here, which really gives the app a personal touch. Streaming audio from one MusicCast device to another is simple. For example, you can play the music you play on a MusicCast Vinyl 500 – turntable in the hobby room can also be heard via the RX-V4A receiver. There are dozens of MusicCast devices, ranging from Sonos-like wireless speakers to hi-fi devices (and even a piano). When building a multiroom system, you can choose from a lot of building blocks.

If you don’t feel like a new app, just use a other ways to stream. Spotify users have it easy: they just see the receiver pop up in the app of the music service. Tap and the music will play on the receiver. The RX-V4A does not have a Chromecast on board, but you can cast the audio from any app on an iPad or iPhone via Airplay 2. That works fine in our experience and is in lossless quality.

A final option is Bluetooth, with support for AAC. This is unusual with mainstream receivers, usually only the basic SBC codec is provided. We are also happy to see that the RX-V4A has a Bluetooth transmitter, not just a receiver. So you can connect wireless headphones when the rest of the family goes to sleep but still want to watch the movie.

Plenty of sound options Via the MusicCast app is the fastest way to discover the many DSP and sound options that are specific to Yamaha receivers. Most AV receivers are full of such options, but the Japanese company is still the main samurai in that area. In addition to typical sound modes such as “stereo”, “stereo over all channels” and â ???? surroundâ ???? (with various decoder and upmixing options) also quirky DSP choices like â ???? Dramaâ ????, â ???? Role-Playing Gameâ ???? and a number of simulations of well-known concert halls. To try to your own taste; we still tend to choose “Pure Direct” for films and TV series with a surround track. With musical content, the result is somewhat more changeable and depends on the content. Sometimes one of those DSP modes can really provide a more enjoyable listening experience. At other times it becomes very artificial. Whatever your preferences, the advantage with this device is that you can easily try out the different choices via the MusicCast app. And that’s the most important thing, we think.

As you dive into the sound settings, you discover even more options that you can use or not to adjust the sound. We find the Dialogue Level setting handy, with which you can bring dialogues more to the foreground in a film. You can also quickly turn the sub quieter or louder. That is handy if you decide to watch a Michael Bay movie and discover that the director has gone all out in the LFE channel again.

By the way, you can also do all of the above calls via the supplied remote. It’s not a super luxurious thing, but it is effective. There are quite a few buttons on it, but compared to the cabinets of some rivals â ???? Denon for example â ???? it’s not overwhelming. A number of settings are conveniently accessible immediately, such as that Pure Direct option. Also very practical: you can call up four scenes both via the app and via the remote. These are presets that you set and that, for example, take you immediately to the Blu-ray player and select the correct sound modes. It is worth setting the scenes, because after that it is very comfortable to work â ???? also for other family members who may not feel like a workshop â ???? how do I operate the AV receiver (and what is such a thing actually)? â ????.

Mando Approved The RX-V4X was set up just in time for the last two episodes of â ???? The Mandalorian S2â ???? (Disney +, Dolby Digital, via an Apple TV 4K). Especially in the exciting final to save baby Yoda from the clutches of the perfidious Moff Gideon, the Yamaha receiver got a chance to prove its worth. True to the Star Wars credo pioneered by Lucas and Williams, this series uses music by Ludwig GÃ¶ransson almost continuously to get you in the right mood. The composer does work more subtly than with the big Star Wars films, for example by exchanging the large orchestral movements of Williams for soft pan flutes that are played playfully in the background by the Yamaha. The soundstage that the RX-V4A creates is spacious and well-defined, an important feature if you want to discover why surround is also worthwhile with subtle mixes. This is also the case with games. It’s not all about explosions and gunshots. With an accurate surround you can also access, say, â ???? CoD: Warzoneâ ???? pick up small audio cues that tell you something about the position and armament of your opponents.

Bombast can also handle the Yamaha. We remain in the Star Wars universe and switch to “Rise of Skywalker”, to the scene where the not-dead Emperor Kylo Ren seduces by him “everything” ??? ? to offer. In terms of adjustment, that single YPAO measurement has delivered an excellent result on our DALI Rubicon speakers. We are effectively in the middle of a sound bubble, and the emperor’s grave voice comes full and menacing from the center speaker. The Monitor Audio Silver W 11 – sub complements the rest of the speakers quite well, which is mainly a matter of good tuning by YPAO. (A sub is usually active and owns its own amplifier.) When the Emperor reveals that he has thousands of Star Destroyers in reserve and the many spacecraft come out of the ground, the spectacle enthusiast in us is spoiled with earth-shaking rumble and a menacing atmosphere. This is exactly what you are looking for if you go to the trouble of building a real surround setup.

Also later in the same movie, during the lightsaber fight between Kylo Ren and Rey, the Yamaha comes across as convincing. The pair fight on the debris of the Death Star, in the middle of a stormy sea, which creates a lot of sound effects that come at you from all sides. The Yamaha receiver manages that well. The main channels are well represented, so you get the screams and the swishing lightsaber sounds fine. The mood-building water sounds â ???? crashing waves, especially â ???? are transmitted sufficiently powerfully. A more expensive receiver may provide a bit more body and definition, but this is a good performance for this price segment.

In terms of power, the RX-V4A delivers enough to drive typical speakers at living room volumes. . It is of course a great contrast to the previous receiver, the Denon AVC-A 110 with 11 reinforced channels. But that device literally costs ten times more and is certainly intended for another target group.

Conclusion The reasonable price point of the Yamaha RX-V4A makes this receiver a real alternative to better sound bars. Sure, you still have to buy the necessary speakers, but if you choose well, you will end up with a price tag that is lower than a high-end soundbar, but you do enjoy a better surround experience with films, TV series and games. The option to work with wireless rears is particularly useful if you do not want to run cables through the living room.

The RX-V4A is a well-equipped machine that is very expensive for 500 euro (which is not much for a receiver) much offers. There are plenty of HDMI inputs, excellent streaming options and an easy-to-use room correction function that still works fine. For Dolby Atmos you have to go to a higher model, but those who are satisfied with a nice 5.1 setup to take their Netflix viewing experience to a higher level will be satisfied with this Yamaha.

Yamaha RX-V4A

â ?? ¬ 499 | yamaha.com

Rating 4.5 out of 5

Construction	metal frame Gorilla Glass Victus front protection rear glass or leather
Dimensions and weight	Glass: 164, 3 x 74, 6 x 8, 06 mm 196 g Skin : 164, 3 x 74, 6 x 8, 56 mm 194 g
Screen	Display of 6, 81 ″ QHD + AMOLED Refresh rate to 120 Hz Touch Response Speed of 480 Hz Pixel density of 515 ppi 1500 nits of maximum brightness Color a 10 bit HDR 10 + Display punch-hole Quadruple curve
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888: 1x Kryo 680 to 2, 84 GHz 3x Kryo cores 680 at 2.4 GHz 4x Kryo 680 at 1.8 GHz Adreno 660
RAM and storage	8GB LPDDR5 + UFS from 120 GB 3.1 8 GB + 256 GB 12 GB + 256 GB
Battery	4. 600 mAh Fast cable charging from 55 W. Fast wireless charging from 50 W. Reverse charging from 10 W.
Safety	Optical fingerprint sensor under the display y
Rear camera	Primary: 108 MP, sensor 1/1, 33 “, f / 1, 85, 1.6 µm, OIS Secondary : 11 MP, f / 2.4 , 123 ° FoV, wide angle sensor Tertiary: 5MP, f / 2.4, AF, macro Video: 8K HDR 10 +
Front camera	20 MP, f / 2.4
Doors	USB type C.
Audio	Speakers stereo tuned by Harman Kardon
Connectivity	NFC Wi-Fi 6 IR Blaster
Software	MIUI 12. 5 based on Android 11

	Xiaomi Mi 11	Xiaomi Mi 10 T
Screen	6, 81 – all AMOLED QHD + 120 Hz	6, 67-whole IPS FHD + 144 Hz
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
RAM	8 GB / 12 GB	8 GB
Data storage	128 GB / 256 GB UFS 3.1	128 GB UFS 3.1
Main camera	108 Main MP 13 MP ultra wide angle 5 MP macro	64 Main MP 12 MP ultra wide angle 5 MP Macro
Front camera	20 MP	20 MP
Dimensions	164, 3 x 74, 6 x 8, 06 mm	165, 1 x 76, 4 x 9, 33 mm
Weight	196 g	218 g
Colors	Black, Blue	Black, Silver
Other	USB-C, WiFi 6, Bluetooth, IR	USB-C, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, IR
Battery	4600 mAh 55 In	5000 mAh 33 In
Price	~ 2250 PLN
~ 2500 PLN

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