# AMD’s Ryzen 9000X3D CPUs: Performance Leap Expected
AMD’s latest Ryzen 9000X3D CPUs are anticipated to deliver superior multi-core performance compared to their non-X3D counterparts.
According to a recent leak by CodeCommando, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8-core) and Ryzen 9 9950X3D (16-core) produced impressive Cinebench R23 scores. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D scored 2,145 points in single-core and 23,315 points in multi-core tests. Meanwhile, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D achieved 2,245 in single-core and 42,375 in multi-core, highlighting notable enhancements over their predecessors.
These upcoming CPUs are expected to offer a significant performance boost, partly due to full overclocking support, a feature previously absent in 3D V-Cache designs. While these preliminary scores are exciting, they remain speculative until official reviews are available.
# Single-Player Preference Dominates Gaming Market
A recent study by Rhys Elliott reveals that 53% of gamers prefer single-player games, despite the financial success often seen with live-service games. Although the AAA games market generates substantial revenue from in-game purchases in live-service models, many fail due to market saturation.
Games like Elden Ring and Black Myth: Wukong illustrate the ongoing success of single-player formats, with sales of 25 million and 20 million copies, respectively. The trend shows a shift, especially for gamers over 25, who favor single-player experiences often facilitated by portable devices like the Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal.
# Sony’s Controversial Horizon Zero Dawn Moves
Sony’s decision to delist the Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition from Steam and the Epic Games Store, in favor of the upcoming Remastered version, has sparked controversy. This move requires players to have a PSN account, which is not universally accessible, restricting some gamers from accessing these updated titles.
The remastered version will be available from October 31, coinciding with Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s launch, adding tension to an already heated market. The decision follows a pattern where Sony mandates PSN accounts for PC ports, which has led to backlash in the past with titles like Until Dawn and God of War Ragnarok.
# Dragon Age: The Veilguard Set for Release
BioWare has announced that Dragon Age: The Veilguard has gone gold and is slated for release on October 31 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X. This marks nearly a decade since the last installment, Dragon Age: Inquisition. The development saw multiple changes, eventually refocusing on a single-player experience after the failure of live-service attempts.
# AMD’s Radeon RX 7000 GPU Price Drops
With the impending launch of next-gen GPUs, retailers have slashed prices on AMD’s Radeon RX 7000 series. The RX 7700 XT now retails for $349.99, down from its $449 MSRP, while the RX 7900 XT and XTX have seen significant reductions, priced at $659 and $870, respectively.
These discounts signal an inventory correction ahead of new product releases, offering consumers substantial savings on GPUs during this period.
# Apple Watch Update Brings Stability
In response to issues with watchOS 11, Apple has rolled out watchOS 11.0.1, addressing touchscreen and battery life problems among others. Users are advised to install the update for improved performance and to mitigate known issues, as detailed in Apple’s release notes.
As technology giants like AMD, Sony, and BioWare position themselves for their latest releases, consumers can expect competitive markets and robust product offerings in the coming weeks.