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Verdict

The retro Fujifilm X half digital compact is a love letter to film photography, and a breath of fresh air. If you forget the specs, it’ll win you over with its unique half frame analog-inspired features which include twin vertical displays, Film Simulations and a Film Roll mode. Fujifilm has evidently had fun designing this camera – and you’ll have fun too when you start creating with it. I’ve been playing with the camera for well over a month, and the word playing has never felt so apt – I’m still smiling. Sure, the X half is pricey, but if it keeps calling to you, then it’s good value.

Pros

+Unique retro compact
+Clever twin displays
+Tidily packaged, healthy battery life
+Well thought out analog-inspired features

Cons

-JPEG-only photos
-Niche appeal
-No accessories at launch
-Could be cheaper

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Fujifilm X half: Two-minute review

Every now and then, a refreshingly unique camera hits the market, and theFujifilmX half retro compact is one of those few examples.

It’s a niche, digital alternative to half-frame film cameras such as thePentax 17, and for most people is the better choice of the two.

Fujifilm has really let loose in designing the X half, and it’s a love letter to film photography, specifically half frame. It offers quirky features such as a touch-sensitive film canister window-like screen, plus aFilm Roll mode which is so charming that I dedicated a whole article to it. Each idea, weird as they might seem for digital, actually make perfect sense in the spirit of film.

There’s no other digital camera that comes as close to the film camera experience as the X half, and the beauty is that you can take or leave many of these features because it’s digital, nor are you hobbled by the ongoing costs that come with using an actual film camera.

On a technical level, the X half is pretty basic. The vertical-format 1-inch sensor records JPEG-only photos up to 18MP, while video is limited to vertical Full HD. Its fixed 32mm (equivalent) lens with f/2.8-11 variable aperture is only moderately sharp, too.

To mark the X half down for such reasons, however, misses the point – this camera is all about the fun, in all the right ways. Those perceived limitations such as JPEG only are rightly there, in the spirit of film – the Film Simulation you choose is locked in once you press the shutter.

The X half is a tidily packaged retro model too. Its robust plastic body tips the scales at just 8.5oz / 240g, plus its fixed 32mm f/2.8 lens is tiny, meaning you can slip the camera into a pocket. Battery life is particularly good, too.

I love the unique design touches – that touch-sensitive LCD which emulates a film canister window, and a lever that mimics the film wind lever for diptych composites and to move onto the next frame in the Film Roll mode.

Picture quality is actually pretty decent, but after a month using the X half, I’m less focused on outright quality – this is a different kind of camera.

I’ve read many comments bemoaning the price of what is a toy-like X half, and to an extent I see the point. However, I see value in products that I will actually use, and after a month with the X half, the novelty hasn’t worn off.

Fujifilm designers with a soft spot for analog have clearly let loose with the X half, and it’s simply in a world of its own.

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Fujifilm X half: Price and availability

The X half was announced on May 21 and available globally from June 12 2025
It cost costs $849/ £699 / AU$1,349 and is available in three colorways: silver, charcoal and black
There’s a (free) dedicated Fujifilm X half app on iOS and Android stores

Fujifilm launched the X half globally on June 12 for $849 / £699 / AU$1,349, which for most people counts it out as an impulse purchase – if it was about 30% cheaper I think the X half would fly off the shelves.

The price feels high, but an alternative such as the Pentax 17 film camera costs $499 / £449, and that camera doesn’t have all the digital components that the X half does.

There are three colors to choose from: silver, charcoal and black. I think the silver version is most in keeping with the spirit of the X half, but I can also envisage it being produced in additional colors down the line if it sells well, which I expect to be the case.

There were no dedicated accessories at launch. I’d like to see optional accessories such as a half-leather case, which could look the part.

Alongside the camera, Fujifilm announced a dedicated app for the X half for iOS and Android devices, which can be used to upload images from the camera, and through which you load photos taken using the Film Roll mode. It’s a really fun app.

Price score: 3.5 / 5

>>>NP-W126S Battery for Fujifilm X-H1 X-Pro2 X-Pro1 X-T3 X-T2 XT30

Fujifilm X half: specs

Quick Specs

Camera type:	Compact
Lens	10.8mm f/2.8 (32mm equivalent)
Sensor:	Vertical 1-inch, 13.3 x 8.8mm, 18MP
Video:	Full HD, vertical
Battery:	880 shots
Weight:	8.5oz / 240g

Fujifilm X half: design

Unique twin vertical displays
Fixed 32mm (equivalent) f/2.8 lens
Weighs just 8.5oz / 240g with battery and SD card inserted

The X half is unmistakably a Fujifilm camera, while packing unique features and sharing certain similarities with the Pentax 17.

It might be plastic, but the X half is a well-built and lightweight retro compact, packing a tiny fixed lens with a 32mm-equivalent focal length and mechanical aperture, which can be manually adjusted between its f/2.8 to f/11 settings using a handy lever.

There’s an on-off switch on the top of the camera. When set to on, a lever – which is designed to mimic a film-wind lever – juts out from the camera for easy access. This lever is used to activate the diptych feature, which we’ll get into shortly, plus move onto your next frame in the charming Film Roll mode.

The shutter button is set within an exposure compensation dial, and I must say that all of these controls ooze a reassuring quality, with a suitably stubborn resistance.

Also on the top is a coldshoe for mounting accessories, but it’s not a hotshoe, so that means no accessories such as a flash gun.

Fujifilm X half compact camera in the hand

The top plate of the X half, with its film wind lever folded away.

In the absence of optional flash accessories, a low-powered LED flash sits above the lens to provide some fill light that’s particularly handy for indoor close-ups. The flash can be turned on and off using a switch on the X half’s left side, while on the other side is a USB-C port for charging the camera.

Battery life is a healthy 880 shots, with the X half utilizing the WP126S battery that’s been a long time staple in the Fujifilm X series range, used by cameras like theX100VI.

On the back there’s a small and basic look through optical viewfinder at the top-left, which comes in handy particularly for the Film Roll mode – more on this shortly.

There are no control buttons or dials on the camera’s rear, just a photo / video switch and a playback mode. Instead, the action happens through the twin touch displays – and this is where things get really interesting.

The rear of the X half, with its twin touch displays and optical viewfinder.

First up, I adore the new touch-sensitive LCD which (by default) mimics the film canister window present in many film cameras.

A swipe up or down on this display scrolls through the various Film Simulation modes, with a stripped back selection of 13 looks. It can also be used to adjust certain camera settings, depending on which part of the menu you’re navigating.

Then there’s another unique touch LCD: a vertical display for live view and the X half’s four menus, each of which is accessed via a swipe from one of the four sides.

One menu accesses basic camera settings such as exposure mode, another the Film Simulations and picture effects – Fujifilm has added several new film photography-inspired effects, including light leak.

Close up of Fujifilm X half compact camera's Film Simulation LCD screen

Fujifilm X half compact camera's back, on a wooden surface

Close up of Fujifilm X half compact camera's battery

Close up of Fujifilm X half compact camera's lens aperture ring

With a picture effect active or when in another menu, that second LCD displays the picture effects or camera settings instead of Film Simulations, effectively making it a secondary navigation tool.

Another menu on the main LCD accesses a new Film Roll mode, which is a fabulous concept. Select your ‘film roll’ – if you’re not already familiar with them, Fujifilm Film Simulation color modes mimic the look of actual Fujifilm film stock – and the number of shots you’d like in the film, and start shooting.

Once the Film Roll mode is active, the display is inactive, so your only compositional tool is the optical viewfinder. Given the lens is moderately wide, you can point in the direction of your subject without relying on the viewfinder for composition.

In the Film Roll mode, you’re also locked into the selected Film Simulation and settings such as ISO. And with no raw format available, once you’ve picked your look, you’ve made your bed. It’s such a fun idea which pays homage to film photography. Fujifilm X half camera in the hand at golden hour

Design score: 4/5

Fujifilm X half: Performance

18MP JPEG-only vertical photos, Full HD vertical video
13 Film Simulations and new picture effects
Face-detection autofocus

If you take photography seriously, a word of advice – don’t write the Fujifilm X half off on the basis of its image-making qualities, which on the face of it are pretty basic.

For one, JPEG-only photos and no raw? That’s a bold move by Fujifilm, but I get it. After all, the X half is supposed to be like a film camera, and since when could you work from uncompressed raw data to make drastic color and exposure adjustments to film? Locking in the look at the point of capture is in the spirit of film.

The X half’s video-making skills are also fairly stripped back, maxing out at Full HD resolution, but once again I don’t mind that.

Those vertical photos and videos are recorded using a vertical 1-inch sensor. It’s a 20MP 2:3 aspect sensor, but output is 3:4, which means the maximum photo resolution is 18MP.

Just taking the 3:4 portion of the 2:3 sensor also means the lens, which would be a 28mm-equivalent focal length, is actually more like 32mm – that’s a suitable perspective for everyday photography.

London's china town, Chinese lanterns, sunny day street scene

For close-ups, that 1-inch sensor and maximum f/2.8 aperture lens can capture nice blurry backgrounds, especially when you’re pushing nearer the minimum 0.1m focus distance.

Fujifilm’s Film Simulations number 20 in all, but the X half includes a stripped-back selection of 13 of the supposedly most popular looks.

It also gets some new picture effects, so in addition to the gimmicky mirror and toy-camera effects you have aptly analog-inspired options like light leak.

Closeup of maneki-neko in London's china town

Fujifilm’s tagline in the X half marketing is, ‘Half the size, twice the story’. This refers to the half-frame format of the pictures and the diptych-making feature for photos and videos.

The diptych feature is activated using the ‘film-wind’ lever, and composites two 3:4 images side by side, just as a half-frame film camera does onto a roll of 35mm film (it works for video, too).

However, they’re not strictly half-sized; the resolution of each photo is preserved, meaning a diptych composite is doubled in width, from the 3648 x 4864 pixels of each photo to a 7296 x 4864 pixel composite with a 3:2 aspect – that’s the same aspect as a frame of 35mm film.

Closeup of street fare in London's china town

There’s a modest selection of autofocus modes. As far as I could tell, focus is locked to the central portion of the frame; however, there’s face-detection autofocus too, which is active anywhere in the frame.

I must also touch on theFilm Roll modewhich is guaranteed to charm photographers with a soft spot for analog photography. You select the film simulation you want and the number of frames in the film roll; 36, 54 or 72.

Once the roll starts, you’re locked into the film simulation – just as if you were using a roll of film – and the rear display switches from live view to a frame count instead.

After each shot, you ‘crank’ the lever on the rear to move onto the next frame – the camera won’t take the next shot until you do this. Like liveview, image playback isn’t available mid-roll.

Fujifilm X half app UI, developing film, contact sheet, image gallery

Once the ‘roll’ is done, you upload the shots wirelessly to the Fujifilm X half app, which is where you’ll see your photos for the first time. The app reimagines the photo lab in such a fun way, ‘developing’ the roll and then displaying it as a contact sheet – as someone who learned photograph in the darkroom, this feature has won me over.

If you approach the X half as a fun camera for casual snaps with some creative looks to try out, and as a convenient digital reimagining of analog photography, then you’ll be wholly satisfied.

Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Fujifilm X half: testing scorecard

Fujifilm X half

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Price	Given the fun factor, the X half feels pretty expensive. But if it gets you out shooting, then it’s decent value.	3.5/5
Design	Packed with charming features, the X half’s retro plastic body is truly pocketable and eye catching	4/5
Performance	Not one for outright quality or high speed performance, the X half is a different kind of camera that reimagines the analog photography experience beautifully.	3.5/5

Fujifilm X half camera in the hand at golden hour

Should I buy the Fujifilm X half?

Buy it if…

You have a soft spot for film photography
The X half is clearly made be film camera fans, and wonderfully reimagines the format in digital form.

You simply want a bit of photography fun
Forget the specs, the X half is a cute, retro bundle of fun.

You’d like a truly compact camera
The X half is so small, even with its fixed lens, that’ll easily slip into your pocket.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re a stickler for image quality
Shooting 18MP JPEG-only photos and Full HD video with a vertical 1-inch sensor, the X half’s image quality is pretty basic.

You’re on the look out for a ‘regular’ compact
The X half is essentially in a category of its own and clearly geared to film photography fans.

Microsoft is finally shutting down PowerShell 2.0

PowerShell 2.0 is being pulled from Windows 11

PowerShell 2.0 gets pulled from the latest Windows 11 Insider build
Versions 5.1 and 7.x are the best replacements
No word on removal from Windows Server

Microsofthas confirmed PowerShell 2.0 is officially being removed from Windows, starting with the latestWindows 11Insider builds – Build 27891 (Canary Channel).

The news comes eight years after PowerShell 2.0 was deprecated in 2017 due to dependency-related delays (for example older SQL Server versions), but Microsoft retained backwards compatibility to ease the transition.

It’s not to say that PowerShell has gone entirely – instead, users will be directed to version 5.1 (which comes preinstalled on most modern Windows editions) or 7.x (which offer cross-platform support).

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PowerShell 2.0 finally steps aside for newer versions

As a reminder of how long PowerShell 2.0 has been around, it originally shipped withWindows 7, Vista and XP, as well as Server 2003 and 2008. Although it’s set to be removed with the latest version of Windows 11, Microsoft has not shared any plans to remove it from Windows Server as yet.

“More information will be shared in the coming months on the removal of Windows PowerShell 2.0 in an upcoming update for Windows 11,” Windows Insider Program Lead Amanda Langowski and Principal Product Manager Brandon LeBland wrote in ablog post.

The removal of PowerShell 2.0 is the biggest update coming in upcoming versions of Windows 11, but Build 27891 also includes fixes to the ‘Reset this PC’ option, taskbar acrylic rendering, non-English characters (like Vietnamese and Arabic) and other bugs, including Windows Update getting stuck at 2% on some devices.

Redmond also acknowledged some issues with the update, including a Windows Hello pin and biometrics glitch on Copilot+ PCs and rendering issues for remote desktops on ARM64 machines.

In the meantime, users wanting a more reliable OS can exit the Canary Channel by installing a fresh copy of Windows 11.

5 SIGNS IT MIGHT BE TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR GRAPHICS CARD

gamer cleaning up a graphics card with vaccum

The equipment that powers adventure in the digital world is potent, complex, and constantly evolving. The video game may have started its journey as a simple traveling ball game in titles like “Tennis for Two” and “Pong,” but the experience has evolved incessantly in the years since. Modern gaming machines require high powered graphics processing units, or GPUs. Two of the most prominent GPU brands are Nvidia and AMD, but numerous other major graphics card brands also exist. Then there’s the used GPU market to consider, as well.

Modern gamers have the pick of the litter when it comes to finding the perfect GPU to augment their gaming experience. You might need a laptop GPU or one to slot into your custom tower PC, but the hunt remains largely consistent either way. Those looking for new gear to upgrade their system will frequently start with the key metrics available from the market’s current options, but it can sometimes be difficult to determine when this search needs to start. Obviously, if your PC starts failing at a heightened rate, a change in the hardware is likely required. But barring a major catastrophe in your setup, what kinds of signs should prompt the beginnings of a search for new gear? When it comes to your graphics card, these five indicators can be a solid guide that tells you a change may be required.

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Your PC can’t maintain consistently high frame rates

Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a casual player who relishes in the experience of high-end equipment, there’s no getting around the demand for games running at a smooth, consistent frame rate. Simpler games don’t typically have much trouble in keeping FPS figures at 60 or higher, perhaps even extending into the triple digits. But the most GPU-intensive titles can bog down your system and cause this part of the experience to lag behind. A monitor with a high refresh rate delivers a seamless gaming experience when it’s well cared for, but a lackluster frame rate can tank your gameplay and introduce plenty of frustration into the picture. In highly contentious multiplayer efforts, it can be the difference maker between buttery smooth operations that allow you to gain the upper hand and a clunky gameplay mechanic that slows you down and leaves you vulnerable.

Many high quality graphics cards don’t have much trouble in handling the intense workloads required to produce 60 FPS gameplay or better at a consistent rate. But the longer you use the same card the slower it will become in working through these processes. Similarly, the longer you use the card the older it gets and the farther behind it ultimately becomes when compared to the newest technology and game demands. If you’re seeing a slow down in your gameplay, looking for a new GPU may be a requirement to keep current.

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Monitoring GPU usage against CPU utilization identifies performance hangups

One of the first ports of call you should attend to if you see your computer slowing down while you adventure through an RPG or mow down enemies in a shoot ’em up universe is your system monitoring tools. Monitoring the workload of your hardware as you boot up a game and play it will help you get a clearer sense of what is going on with your system.

In many cases, either your CPU or GPU units will be running at or near full capacity, but this doesn’t mean a 90% usage rate is necessarily a bad thing. Some heavy-duty games demand that your hardware works overtime to accommodate the stunning visuals and complex processing behind the scenes. With that being said, if you’re GPU is working overtime while the CPU exhibits far less intensive demands at the same time as your game struggles to load or your refresh rate dips, you can be fairly certain of the culprit. Under these circumstances, the problem is most likely a graphics card that’s no longer up to the task of handling the processing demands placed upon it. The trouble might be in booting up new title that requires extreme processing power, but the underlying issue remains and will only get worse as time continues to march forward.

Ray tracing isn’t available in your current setup

image showing sun peaking out from clouds

In 2018, ray tracing became next big thing in the gaming world. This computational process focuses on rendering light sources in the image in a more natural manner. Lamps, sunlight, and even screens that you might encounter while in the world of your chosen video game emit light that needs to be dealt with in the creation of an on-screen image. Rendering these light sources has frequently been a point of contention in the past, but ray tracing has revolutionized that process and made in game lighting far more realistic. The result has been nothing short of transformative for the process of immersing yourself in the simulated world of the video game.

This complex process is fairly new, and naturally requires a huge amount of processing power to accomplish. Not all graphics cards can accommodate ray tracing, especially those with a few years under their belts. Contemporary cards feature dedicated cores that only handle ray tracing elements. Others have enough processing power to accomplish the task but may require computational sacrifices elsewhere in order to enable this function. Ray tracing is only going to become increasingly more prominent in games released today and into the future. If your graphics card can’t accommodate this process, it may be time to make a switch in order to upgrade your setup.

Your current GPU is over three years old

Each new wave of technological advancement both in game design and graphics card capability leaves existing hardware increasingly further behind. With each passing year, not only is your graphics card piling up the workload it has accomplished and degrading its physical components in the process, but it’s also one year further removed from the cutting edge. Most major GPU brands release a new iteration of their products every two years, on average. For most gamers there won’t be any need to replace your hardware with each new release, but after a second new offering hits the market between what is current and your existing setup, you may want to start looking into replacement opportunities.

Conventional wisdom suggests your GPU will remain viable for up to five years. It should continue performing without failure for as many as eight to 10, but most gamers won’t want to endure the performance sacrifices that come from being this out of date. With two new releases, your GPU will be four years old if you bought a brand new unit when it first came out. Four years is a long time in the technological life cycle game design and computational power. Over this time, your graphics card will likely see an increasing workload to keep up with modern demands as they evolve, and it may even fall out of the spectrum of recommended solutions to handle the computational requirements of modern games.

Your graphics card is frequently overheating

One final signal that you’re looking at an aging graphics card is a physical one. If your hardware is starting to overheat as you use it, you may be looking at a GPU that is no longer viable for the usage load you expect from it. Problems in the physical infrastructure of the component may be to blame, or you may be working with a card that is rapidly falling out of contention as a viable solution to handle the demands of the titles you frequently play.

It’s worth noting that you may also be looking at an issue with the cooling system rather than the processing power of the card itself. If your computer isn’t venting properly or the fans within the tower aren’t delivering enough cooling power because of some other issue that may be going on, addressing these concerns might resolve the (different) underlying problem. However, if you’ve explored alternative explanations for the heat issue within your system and have come up empty, it’s likely that your graphics card is due for a replacement.

Switch 2 dock supports a key feature Nintendo won’t let you use — so what’s going on?

Why isn’t Nintendo letting us use variable refresh rate?

The Nintendo Switch 2 propped up on a kitchen table

While docking theNintendo Switch 2does unlock better picture quality, including 4K resolution and up to 120fps refresh rates, there is one feature still locked off. Even if your TV supports variable refresh rate (VRR), it seems Nintendo won’t let you take advantage of it with the new console.

Weirdly, it turns out that this isn’t an issue with the Switch 2 dock itself. They tested this over atThe Verge,plugging various other handheld gaming systems in using the Switch 2’s dock.

Evidently theSteam Deck,Lenovo Legion Go SandAsus ROG Ally Xall supported VRR through the Nintendo dock. And that was tested with actual VRR testing tools, rather than just taking the handheld’s promise that it was at face value. Plus, this confirmed VRR worked at up to 120fps.

The Verge did note that connecting a handheld to the Switch 2 dock did require an extra USB-C cable, naturally. Unfortunately the Switch 2 dock is spring-loaded, and kept pushing the cable out — which means it’s a less than ideal way to connect your handheld to the TV.

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What’s going on with VRR on Switch 2?

A desk setup built around the Nintendo Switch 2 with the Switch 2 Pro Controller and the Joy-Con 2 controllers on a mouse mat

The Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode, so if you’re playing on the built-in screen you should see dynamic refresh rates as you play.

But since the console and the Dock both support VRR, why the heck can’t you get VRR working on a compatible TV or monitor? Well, we just don’t know.

We do know Nintendo originally advertised that the Switch 2 did support VRR in TV mode, but thenremoved those references from its website and support pages. Nintendo didapologize for the errorand confirmed the feature was only available in handheld mode. But the company hasn’t actually explained why things are the way they are.

Digital Foundrydid find that VRR suffered “clear problems” on the Switch 2 in handheld mode — including “juddering” in various games likeCyberpunk 2077.

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Though it was noted thatWelcome Tour, the $10 Switch 2 demo, did have proper VRR support. So it’s not like Nintendo is secretly saving us from crappy performance because VRR doesn’t actually work properly.

Sadly Digital Foundry’s Richard Leadbetter told The Verge he has no idea why VRR support hasn’t been included in TV mode. Only that he doubts Nintendo removed the feature last minute, and that the company’s previous promises were likely a mistake.

So this is down for Nintendo to explain, and so far the company has been staying quiet. It’s a pretty weird situation all round, though.

WHAT WAS THE TURBO BUTTON ON OLD ’90S PC FOR & WHY DON’T WE HAVE IT ANYMORE?

A close-up of an old 1990s personal computer showing a turbo and reset button.

Back when computers were harder to come by, and regularly banished to the ubiquitous computer room if they were in the home at all, they had a few features that can seem a little tricky to place the usefulness of. This includes the turbo button: a toggle on the front of computer towers, often near the disc drive. To make something go turbo is to supercharge it, giving it more power. Usually, turbocharging is something you would do to an engine or turbine, making it a little unclear what exactly the button would do in the context of a PC.

The reality of exactly what the button did is even more confusing. In the case of the Eagle PC Turbo, which according to How-to-Geek is probably the first computer to include an explicit turbo button, the toggle would switch clock speeds between 8 and 4.77 Megahertz (MHz). This means that pressing the turbo button actually slowed down PC clock speeds, rather than overclocking the PC. The reason behind this is that higher clock speeds could make computers seem like they were running much slower, as they weren’t compatible with a lot of pre-existing games and software.

When computers were operating at 8 MHz, it could cause programs to become unstable or crash, and games to operate at entirely the wrong speed, rendering them practically unplayable. Other home computers started following suit, tacking turbo buttons that would speed user experiences up by slowing operations down. Eventually, technology moved on from the 1980s and 1990s, leaving turbo buttons behind. Software started being designed in ways that would work in tandem with clock speed changes without requiring users to manually hit a switch.

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The turbo button charts back to the IBM Personal Computer

Back in 1981, technology company International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) launched its Personal Computer, an open-architecture system designed predominantly for home use. It wasn’t the first time consumers could buy a home PC, but it was IBM’s first time selling their computers to non-business entities. The machine rang in at around $1,500 at the time, or roughly $5,300 when accounting for inflation, and offered a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that ran at 4.77 MHz. Because of this, software was generally written to work optimally at that clock speed.

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Naturally, other computing companies followed by offering not only their own riffs on the Personal Computer, but also by trying to improve on what IBM had to offer. This included offering faster clock speeds, running right the way up to the previously mentioned 8 MHz. This caused software written for the IBM Personal Computer to frequently struggle on faster machines. Because of this, some devices started offering toggles to switch between higher and lower clock speeds, although they weren’t labelled with turbo until Eagle Computers likely started the trend.

After the arrival of the Eagle PC Turbo, the turbo button became an omnipresent aspect of 1990s computing. Other machines also started adopting similar mechanisms, until technology advanced enough that they were no longer necessary or novel. So, if you come across an old desktop PC, look out for a turbo button, or its predecessor in the form of an accelerator card. But don’t expect it to speed things up.

I wouldn’t buy a GPU with 8GB of VRAM — turns out, neither would you

8GB VRAM in 2025? Only if you’re speedrunning regret Nvidia RTX 5060

The summer has been dominated by mid-range and entry level GPU launches, fromNvidia’s RTX 5060and 5050 toAMD’s Radeon RX 9060 XT. And many of these are rocking 8GB of video memory — the critical element of a card that allows for rendered graphics to be stored and used on-demand.

This is a capacity that has been around since 2016, and if you listen to people in high places, this is enough for all-round 1080p gaming. But games likeIndiana Jones and the Great Circle(12GB of VRAM recommended) and Cyberpunk 2077 would beg to differ. Especially more so if you’re considering making the jump to 1440p gaming.

As I said in myRTX 5060 Ti review, go for 16GB as a safe bet to protect yourself from the ever-increasing demands of AAA games. And as sales data shows, you’ve all understood the assignment.

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What does the data show?

(Image credit: Mindfactory / WCCF Tech)

This insight comes from German retailer Mindfactory, which shows how many of each listing it sells. As spotted byWCCF Tech, the sales differential between Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti in 16 and 8GB variations, and the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT in these flavors is stark.

For the RTX 5060 Ti, the 16GB model has seen 16x more unit sales than its 8GB counterpart.
For the RX 9060 XT, that number goes up to 30x more for 16GB.

One thing is evident, regardless of what you hear from companies telling you 8GB is enough, PC players aren’t buying it (literally and figuratively), and neither am I.

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Good, but only in specific circumstances

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060

If you cast your mind back, we got some hands-on testing time with the RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM. Of course, this was a test within certain conditions Nvidia set out to us — to show what was possible at 1080p with well-optimized titles packing DLSS 4.

And like I said, the end result is pretty good. But of course, as I said, you have to play within a very specific playground here. Because if you branch out and look at the raw rendering performance of this card, that 8GB is an albatross around the neck of this GPU.

Looking at the portable side of things, intesting RTX 5060 laptopsout atComputex 2025, if your game library already comes packed with DLSS 4 tech, there’s weight to a reason why first-time gaming laptop owners would find value in an RTX 5060 system.

But for desktop, it’s a different story.

Game	Frames per second at 1080p (Rasterized)	Frames per second at 1080p (DLSS with frame gen)
Cyberpunk 2077	45.42	n/a
Black Myth Wukong (Cinematic)	35	55

Some of this will come down to the number of CUDA cores in here for rendering, but a big chunk will be the barrier of that video memory. And that leads to one inevitable problem.

Demand is far outstripping this hardware

At best, these 8GB cards are made by committee — looking at Steam user data and pinpointing a particularly large area of 1080p gamers without noticing the growing trend in 1440p.

At worst, they’re here purely to say a lower price like “from $299.” And if you’re a desktop PC gamer looking for a new GPU or a pre-built tower, if you see the number 8 next to that graphics card name, avoid it.

There are some strengths to these cards right now, but the weaknesses felt in that stuttering on particularly intensive titles right now is only going to get worse into the future. Give yourself some breathing space with 16GB of VRAM.

What should you buy instead?

I know it’s a difficult answer, but the only one for real on paper is to buy a more expensive GPU. That additional video memory will be more than worthwhile in terms of long-term value.

I tested the Oukitel WP56 rugged phone and it’s the best one I’ve ever used – here’s why

Well-priced, rugged smartphone that’s an ideal option if you enjoy camping, adventure or work outside

Verdict

Every rugged smartphone has its focus, and the Oukitel WP56 targets campers and outdoor users, be that working or lesuire and offers a set of rugged features, a 108-megapixel AI camera, camping light, longbattery life, and a genuinely useful rear speaker.

Pros

+Decent camping light
+Long-life battery
+Decent enough speaker

Cons

-Large and weighty
-The screen could be brighter
-Manual SIM selection

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Oukitel WP56: 30-second review

If you’re looking for a rugged smartphone, then the Oukitel WP56 should instantly stand out and not just because it’s relatively cheap for what’s on offer. It has all the usual rugged potential such as IP68 and IP69K certification, meaning it can essentially survive being dropped in water and other harsh environments where other electronics, and especially mobile phones, can easily become damaged.

Directly out of the box, there’s no mistaking that the Oukitel WP56 is a rugged rather than consumer smartphone. The look and style feel built to withstand more than most, and its physical size and weight are larger and heavier than your standard smartphone options.

What I instantly liked about this phone is that it doesn’t try to throw everything at the design, and actually, what that means is that you’ve got a rugged smartphone that’s ideally suited for use when camping or working in the great outdoors. All of the features of this smartphone, including the base ability to make clear 5G calls, seem to have been designed to pick up from where your average Swiss Army knife leaves off.

First and foremost, there’s navigation with a decent array of technologies, including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. Then, on the back is the large, extremely bright camping light, which can be operated using the dedicated app. Then, should you be relaxing out in the evening or listening to the radio or music on site, there’s a relatively loud 3 W speaker mounted on the back. Whilst it doesn’t produce exceptional audio quality, it’s a considerable step up compared with almost every other rugged smartphone on the market.

Then, most importantly, if you’re going to be away from civilisation for any length of time, internally, there’s a 16,000 mAh battery, which offers fast charging at 45 W and enables you to reverse charge other devices through USB Type-C at 18 W.

Thankfully while at the cheaper end of the market the performance is decidedly mid-range, as it utilises one of the latest mobile chips and couples that with a relatively decent GPU, it all comes together to offer one of thebest rugged phonesI’ve ever tested – a very robust, well-priced and extremely useful rugged smartphone for anyone needing a phone for camping, adventure or working outdoors.

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Oukitel WP56: Price and availability

How much does it cost?£218.68 / $299.99
When is it out?Now
Where can you get it?Widely available

At present, the Oukitel WP56 5G rugged phone is on sale for $299.99 and can be purchased directly through the Oukitel website byclicking here.

While the phone isn’t at present available on Amazon.com, it should make an appearance on that platform and other online retailers very soon.

Value:5 / 5

Oukitel WP56: Specs

CPU:MTK Dimensity 7050
Graphics:Mali-G68 MC4
RAM:12 GB LPDDR5X (Expandable to 32 GB Virtual)
Storage:512 GB (TF/MicroSD expansion 2 TB)
Ports:USB-C
Connectivity:WiFi 6, BT 5.2, 5G
Audio:3 W speaker
Camera:Front 32 MP Sony – IMX616, 108 MP Main, 2 MP Macro
Screen:1080 x 2460, 120 Hz, 550 nit
Size:177.3 x 82.4 x 24.8 mm
Weight:524 g
OS installed:Android 15
Accessories:Power Adapter

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Oukitel WP56: Design

The Oukitel WP56 is, without a doubt from the looks and design alone, a rugged smartphone, and everything about its build reflects that. It feels large and bulky, measuring 177.3 x 82.4 x 24.8 mm and weighing 524 g, and while it fits into a trouser pocket, you’ll definitely know it’s there. It’s far from lightweight or slimline and better suited to a belt holster or being stored in a backpack side pocket.

From the outset, it’s clear this is a phone built for the outdoors. Despite its bulk, it’s comfortable to hold and can still be used like a standard smartphone. The buttons are well-positioned and easy to reach in use. A biometric fingerprint button on the side enables fast access, and face recognition via Android 15 also works well.

On the right side is a customisable red button, which can be set to SOS or other functions. Just above it is the SIM tray, supporting two nano SIMs. These don’t switch automatically—you must select one manually—but it can receive calls from both. Next to the SIMs is a TF/microSD slot supporting up to 2 TB of storage, bringing total optional storage to 2.5 TB.

Above the power button are the volume controls. On the base is a USB-C port covered by a rubber flap, unfortunately there’s no 3.5 mm headphone jack, so you’ll need a USB-C connector for audio.

On the back is where most of the key hardware fetaures appears, including a large LED camping light, above which is the camera array which includes a 108-megapixel main sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a third lens which at the time of writing there is very little detail available. The array also features an LED flash for low-light shots and adding fill light when needed.

In the centre of the camera section is a large rear speaker, which is uncommon in rugged phones. It offers significantly more volume than you’d usually expect and improves media playback in outdoor settings where audio performance from rugged smartphones is often quite poor.

The construction features a blend of metal and plastic, providing a solid, rugged feel. The 6.8-inch display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, helping reduce the risk of scratches and further reinforcing the outdoor-ready design of the phone.

Design:4 / 5

Oukitel WP56: Features

The Oukitel WP56 is clearly built for outdoor use, starting with its 16,000 mAh battery, bright camping light, and 128 dB rear loudspeaker. It also offers several useful technical features, including 12 GB of RAM that can be expanded up to 36 GB using internal storage as virtual RAM. While the expanded RAM is slower than the dedicated, this expansion is helpful if you run multiple apps or play games regularly.

Storage at 512 GB is on a par with other rugged phones and support for TF/microSD cards up to 2 TB ensure that there is plenty of space for multimedia and other files. The same tray that holds the TF/MicroSD card also houses two nano SIM slots. Both SIMs can receive calls, though switching data usage between them must be done manually.

One of the more unusual features is the 128 dB, 3 W speaker on the back. It’s always active as the main speaker and offers greater loudness and clarity than most phones in this category. It sits somewhere between a standard phone speaker and a compact Bluetooth speaker, making it a great solution for listening to music, radio, podcasts etc, outdoors.

Powering the phone is a 16,000 mAh battery that supports 45 W fast charging, and through the tests it reached around 70% in under two hours from flat. This battery also supports 18 W reverse charging to other devices via USB-C, though it’s worth noting that this is not wirelessly.

Powering the WP65 is a MediaTek 7050 processor, this is a solid mid-range chip that provides good performance for apps, media, and light to moderate gaming. It’s also extremely power efficient, which helps retain battery life.

Dominating the front is the large 6.8-inch display that offers a 1080 x 2460 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate and this is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, some form of protective screen along these lines is a standard for rugged phones, even at this price. The screen is an IPS panel rather than AMOLED, so while bright at 550 nit, visibility in direct sunlight does require shading the screen.

The rear camera setup includes a 108-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a third sensor, though details on the latter are limited. There’s also an LED flash for low-light photography. On the front is a 32-megapixel Sony IMX616 camera, which performed well during testing, offering strong clarity for selfies and video calls.

Features:5 / 5

Oukitel WP56: Performance

Crystal Disk Mark Read: 1296 MB/s
Crystal Disk Mark Write: 443 MB/s
Geek bench CPU Multi: 2431
Geek bench CPU Single: 961
Geek bench GPU: 2715
SlingShot: 5364
Wild life Overall: 686
Steel Nomad Overall: 271

From the outset, it was clear that while the Oukitel WP56 is priced as an entry-level rugged smartphone, its specifications suggest far more. With a mid-range CPU and GPU, ample RAM and internal storage, it offers excellent value, especially if you’re into camping, outdoor work or adventure.

I tested out the phone’s basic functions first, including call quality and general mobile use. With dual SIM support, I tested on Vodafone and EE networks in the UK. Reception and data performance were very good, although as ever both networks struggled in the New Forest with reception, however, this is on par with other mobiles and in towns the connection proved to be solid. The phone also makes use of 5G when available, dropping to 4G in more remote areas without issue.

For everyday tasks like browsing, document editing and email, the phone performed well. The touchscreen was highly responsive, possibly a little too sensitive at times, but accurate. The display is high-resolution and generally bright enough for typical lighting conditions. At 550 nits, it copes well, though, in direct sunlight, you may need to shade the screen.

In real-world use, apps such as Google Docs ran well, and general multimedia playback was good. When editing videos in CapCut, performance did dip slightly, particularly when applying effects or rendering. By contrast, editing images in Lightroom was fast with adjustments applying quickly, whether working with files from the cloud or the phone’s own camera.

Gaming was surprisingly capable. I ran titles like Need for Speed, Asphalt, and Call of Duty Mobile with good frame rates and responsiveness.

Overall, the WP56 handles most everyday tasks and light gaming without issue, though it does slow during heavier multimedia processing. Android 15 runs well, with both the fingerprint sensor and face recognition proving fast and reliable. Face recognition is especially useful if you’re outdoors or wearing gloves and need quick access.

On the media front, the rear 3W speaker performs well. Watching video or listening to music on YouTube, Vimeo, or stored media was enjoyable. The speaker is noticeably louder than typical smartphone audio, and placing the phone against a solid surface helps boost bass. It’s not as rich as many Bluetooth speakers, but it’s a clear step up from other rugged handsets.

Camera performance is mixed. The front-facing 32 MP Sony sensor produces sharp, clear images, ideal for selfies and video calls. The rear 108 MP main camera performs well in bright conditions, but resolution suffers when zoomed in, and dynamic range is limited. In low light, results degrade significantly. Interestingly, the front camera often delivers better results in dim conditions. The 2 MP macro lens is underwhelming, images appear soft and are only really usable on the phone’s display.

One standout feature is the rear camping light. It’s very bright and diffused well enough to serve as a practical light source. Controlled via a dedicated app, it includes timer settings: 5-minute default, 60-minute option, or continuous mode. After three hours of use at half brightness, the battery dropped from 100% to about 80%, which is reasonable.

Battery life is generally excellent and on standby, it can last up to 75 days. Talk time reaches around five days, music playback just over two days, and video playback slightly more than a day. With mid to heavy mixed-use, it manages three full days on one charge.

Performance:5 / 5

Oukitel WP56: Final verdict

Oukitel WP56

Even factoring in the price, the Oukitel WP56 offers exceptional value. If you need a rugged smartphone for camping, outdoor work or unpredictable Britich summer weather, this is a solid choice. It goes beyond most other rugged smartphones by focusing on genuinely useful features for outdoor use.

With IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certifications, the phone is built to survive water, drops and rough handling, more than most consumer models would survive. For leisure use, the camping light is particularly handy. Unlike other phones that try to pack in flashy effects, this one provides a bright, practical light with an SOS option controlled through its own app.

The rear speaker, while not outstanding in audio quality, is louder and clearer than you’ll find on many smartphones. It’s more than enough for music, podcasts or games while you’re out in the field and is very welcome.

The WP65 is a large and heavy phone, but that bulk allows for a 16,000 mAh battery. During testing, I only had to charge it once over a full week of use, and through the intensive test period with heavy use it lasted a good three days. It also supports 45 W fast charging, reaching 80% in under two hours.

Call quality and network connectivity were good and comparable to mainstream models. Dual SIM support is a great addition, though switching data between SIMs must be done manually.

If you’re looking for a straightforward, outdoor-ready smartphone with reliable features and battery life, the WP56 stands out. It’s not overloaded with extras, it delivers what’s needed, at a decent budget with a focus on practicality.

Buy it if…

You want a rugged phone.

For work, camping, and adventure, this is one of the best-priced rugged smartphones to have been released, with a feature set that feels well thought out and focused.

You need a camping light.

Camping lights are generally quite large and bulky, so having one built into your phone is actually a great idea. With its brightness and longevity, it just cuts down what you’ll need to carry camping.

Don’t buy it if…

You want something lightweight.

Finding a lightweight, rugged smartphone isn’t that easy, with only a few options available. At just over half a kilogram in weight, this is going to add weight to your load.

You need to edit the video.

If you’re creating content, then CapCut and other multimedia editors are essential. This is the one area where this smartphone struggles.

Don’t Buy a Laptop if It Doesn’t Have Two USB-C Ports

A close-up of two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports on a laptop.

Summary

Always look for laptops with two USB-C Power Delivery ports for redundancy and flexibility.
Avoid laptops with a single USB-C PD port to prevent expensive repairs if the port fails.
Check the laptop’s specifications to confirm both USB-C ports support Power Delivery before buying.

Shopping for a laptop means making a lot of decisions, so it’s easy to overlook a small detail or two. However, one thing you should never overlook is the number of USB-C ports. Skimping here can come back to bite you sooner than you think.

To Be Clear: I’m Talking About USB-C PD

You might be aware that many modern laptops can now charge via USB-C in place of old-school AC barrel chargers. This special port can be used both as a regular USB-C port and for charging, and it’s calledUSB Power Delivery(PD). The latest version (USB-C PD 3.2) can receive up to a whopping 240W of power, so many manufacturers design fast charging algorithms around it.

While fast charging standards can get a little complicated and support isn’t always guaranteed just based on wattage, the important thing is that the port allows you to connect any compatible USB-C charger to charge your laptop. For example, I’ve used my brother’s 67W charging brick on myDell Latitude 5420, and not only did it charge the laptop, but it also supported fast charging.

This essentially means I can use a single charger for both my phone and laptop, as long as it can charge the laptop quickly enough for my needs. It eliminates the need to carry that bulky laptop charging brick (assuming I don’t forget it in the first place).

However, not all laptops on the market have USB-C PD. Cheaper or older models might have an earlier version of Thunderbolt without Power Delivery, a standard USB-C port, or no USB-C ports at all. I’d recommendavoiding such laptopsaltogether, as even many affordable used models can now be found with USB-C PD.

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One USB-C PD Port Means No Laptop if It Breaks

The main reason why you should avoid buying a laptop that only uses a single USB-C PD port (like theinfamous 2015 Apple MacBook) is that you won’t have a backup if it breaks.

For a laptop, no charging means no laptop until you get the USB-C PD port fixed or replaced. It’s an expensive repair that, in addition to disassembly andsoldering, also involves the use of a hot air soldering station to safely remove the port’s contacts without damaging the PCB. It’s a lot more difficult than replacing a standard laptop power jack.

While USB-C ports are quite durable and can withstand up to 10,000 insertion and removal cycles, there’s no guarantee that they can’t fail sooner. A few instances of rough mishandling, some water and grime in the port, or an unlucky drop or bend while the charger is plugged in, and you could be left with a non-functional paperweight.

A second USB-C PD port provides redundancy and doubles your chances of avoiding an expensive repair. Just check the laptop’s full specifications to confirm that both USB-C ports support power delivery, not just one.

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Two USB-C PD Ports Make Life Easier and More Flexible

While redundancy is extremely important, another major advantage is functionality. There are all kinds of handyUSB-C hubson the market that can transform your laptop into a workstation machine with several additional USB ports, Ethernet, HDMI, SD card slots, and more.

If you use anexternal GPU enclosurewith Thunderbolt and it doesn’t support power delivery, your only real option is to use the second USB-C PD port to plug in your charger.

However, practicality doesn’t have to involve expensive GPU enclosures and hubs; it can be as simple as wanting to plug in a USB-C flash drive or dongle while the laptop is charging. I frequently use the two USB-C ports on my laptop: one for charging and the other for my 2.4GHz dongle for theSteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, allowing me to game without the latency issues associated with Bluetooth.

You can also use the second USB-C port to charge a device such as a phone or headphones while the laptop is charging. All you need is an extraUSB-C cable, and you’re all set for a minimalist travel setup.

Another small but important advantage of laptops with USB-C PD ports on both sides is that you can charge the laptop from either side. It can be more convenient in tight workspaces or if your outlet is far away.

Many Modern Laptops Have Two USB-C PD Ports (But Some Don’t)

The good news is that most thin and light laptops now use USB-C PD for charging, and considering how vital this port is, they come with two USB-C PD ports. Unless you’re buying a budget model, like thisHP Student/Business Laptop (14-dq6012dx), which has a single USB-C port without power delivery, you should be fine. Still, it’s best to check the laptop’s spec sheet to confirm that both USB-C ports support Power Delivery.

Even Microsoft is likely going to phase out its proprietaryMicrosoft Connect Portin favor of USB-C, as seen with thenew Surface Pro.

Another interesting trend is how some gaming laptops are bridging the gap by including both USB-C PD and a (usually proprietary) barrel connector.

While USB-C PD can deliver 240W—far more than what most laptops withintegrated graphicswould ever need—workstation and gaming laptops withdedicated graphicsare a different beast. Their power-hungry GPUs and powerful CPUs demand a more robust charging solution, so in addition to integrating USB-C PD, they also add an AC charger. For example, in addition to having two USB-C PD ports, theAlienware x16 R2 Gaming Laptopuses a proprietary charger that can do up to 330W.

While a second USB-C PD port might not be at the top of everyone’s priority list when shopping for a laptop, it definitely should be. From a longevity and flexibility standpoint, I believe it is even more important than having a nice display, extra RAM, storage, or a more powerful CPU. It reduces the risk of needing an expensive repair down the line and gives you far more connectivity options through the simple and flexible USB-C port. So, be sure to keep an eye out for it when shopping!

DOES YOUR PC NEED A DEDICATED SOUND CARD? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Sound card on table with cables plugged in

If these were the early 2000s. We would have said that having a sound card is a flex. With good reason, too. You’d slap one into your PC, crank up a media player, and pretend you were mastering audio. But today, most motherboards come with a pretty solid built-in audio system. So, do you really need a sound card anymore? The short answer is no, you probably don’t. But the longer answer is more interesting.

These advancements in built-in audio chips mean that the average PC user can expect good audio quality. It won’t need any add-ons. Built-in audio also means sound cards are no longer among the must-have components for your gaming PC. The sound quality is usually good enough on the major PC brands. However, some people require more than just good enough, and this is why sound cards still exist.

Perhaps your motherboard’s audio port has malfunctioned. Maybe you have high-impedance headphones that your onboard audio can’t drive properly. You could also just be into audio production and want that extra clarity, detail, or control. These and more make up the multiple reasons for wanting better audio. But, does your PC need a dedicated sound card? Here’s what you need to know.

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You don’t need one, but here’s when you might

A sound card simply converts digital data into analog sound — just like your built-in audio does. The difference is that a sound card usually does it better. Most internal sound cards come with higher-quality DACs. The DACs are great amplifiers. They enhance your audio quality and allow you to utilize other advanced features. That said, don’t expect it to work miracles. If you’re using budget headphones or small laptop speakers, the upgrade will not feel like one.

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Another reason you might want a sound card is isolation from motherboard interference. Onboard audio can pick up electrical noise from hardware components. Sound cards, especially external DACs, avoid this. This is because they have their own dedicated circuit or are used externally, outside the case. Even then, you might experience certain issues, especially with mid and low-tier sound cards. You might also only notice improvements if your ears are trained or your setup is high-end.

Additionally, most modern media formats offer both stereo and standard surround sound anyway. Every major gaming laptop brand should support this. So, a sound card won’t drastically change your life. That is, unless you’re using a specific audio workflow. For instance, lossless audio production and high-res playback. In fact, if you really want better audio, using an external DAC and amp might be a smarter move. These are easier to move around, and you won’t even have to open your PC case.

WHAT IS PCIE LANE SHARING? (AND HOW IT IMPACTS PERFORMANCE)

An Asus Tuf AM5 motherboard with two M.2 and three PCIe slots

PC components have a finite number of channels that connect with the CPU. These channels are physically built into the CPU, the motherboard, and the components themselves — and they’re called PCIe lanes. Every GPU, SSD, or creator card you plug into your motherboard needs to send data to the CPU to function, and it does that through these PCIe lanes.

Every CPU has a fixed number of PCIe lanes, which dictate the bandwidth and are listed as x4, x8, x16, or x20 in spec sheets and user manuals. Plugging components into the PCIe slots uses up those lanes. The GPU, for instance, is usually installed into the primary x16 slot for the most bandwidth. If you have an M.2 SSD, that will use up four additional lanes, taking up a total of 20.

If your CPU only offers 20 lanes, any additional GPUs or SSDs will be routed through the motherboard’s PCIe lanes, which are still connected to the CPU, but indirectly. This is lane sharing in action, and it can slow things down without most users being aware. If you have PCIe 5.0 hardware and want to get full Gen 5 speeds, you’ll need full support across the board — that means a CPU, motherboard, and device with native Gen 5 support. But even then, your setup might not run at full speed if PCIe lanes become the bottleneck.

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AMD Ryzen CPUs offer more Gen 5 lanes than recent Intel CPUs

As of this publication, only AMD’s Ryzen 7000 and 9000-series chips offer full PCIe Gen 5 bandwidth without lane sharing. These CPUs offer 28 Gen 5 PCIe lanes total — enough for a GPU in an x16 slot and at least one PCI 5.0 5 NVMe SSD to run at max speeds. Intel’s 12 trough 14th-gen CPUs only offer 16 Gen 5 lanes for graphics and an NVMe to split. That means Intel’s Alder and Raptor Lake CPUs can’t run a Gen 5 GPU with a Gen 5 SSD at full speeds without lane sharing at the same time.

If you do install both a Gen 5 SSD and a GPU on Intel, something has to give — the SSD gets its full four lane bandwidth, but the GPU starts running at x8 instead of x16. With no SSD in the first M.2 slot, the GPU will use all 16 lanes. But if you drop even a Gen 4 SSD in the top PCIe x4 NVMe slot – that shares lanes with the GPU — on an Intel system, the GPU will still drop to x8. This is especially relevant for cards like the Radeon RX 9000 series and the RTX 50 series, which are designed to take full advantage of Gen 5 natively.

How to check if your SSDs are hurting your GPU performance

AMD gives you the most Gen 5 lanes upfront, but you’ll still need at least a B650e motherboard to actually make use of them. Entry-level B650 boards don’t offer Gen 5 M.2 slots at all, and even on high-end X870E motherboards — which come with up to three Gen 5 NVMe slots — the lane layout matters. Board documentation from Asus shows how lane sharing works on the X870E with different PCIe slots occupied: if you use the third M.2 slot, the first PCIe x16 Gen 5 slot drops to x8, and the second starts running at x4.

At eight lanes, that is still equal to x16 bandwidth of a PCIe 4.0 slot, and x8 for the second slot. If both the second and third M.2 slots have SSDs in them, that second PCIe x16 slot gets disabled entirely. Thankfully, the real-world impact is smaller than it seems — for gamers, at least. Gamers Nexus tested this with an RTX 5090 and found that dropping from Gen 5 x16 to Gen 3 x16 only resulted in a 1-4% performance loss in modern games.

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However, if you still want to check your GPU’s PCIe lane configuration, use a software like CPU-Z — it’s easier than going through your motherboard manual. Just go to the “Mainboard” tab and look for the “Graphic Interface” section. Under the “Bus” block, check if the “current link width” link width matches the “max supported.” If they don’t match, your GPU is running at the lower of the two.