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| Sydney Morning Herald - 31 May (Sydney Morning Herald)Crusaders champion Ryan Crotty has scored in his farewell match - his first try for the club since 2019. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Sydney Morning Herald | |
| | | Sydney Morning Herald - 31 May (Sydney Morning Herald)Star fullback Kalyn Ponga injured his foot in the Knights’ round-seven defeat to Cameron Ciraldo’s side. They haven’t lost since and will be out for revenge in Newcastle. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Sydney Morning Herald | |
| | | Sydney Morning Herald - 31 May (Sydney Morning Herald)Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey was given 10 in the bin for a professional foul on his Knights opposite number David Armstrong in just the sixth minute Read...Newslink ©2024 to Sydney Morning Herald | |
| | | Sydney Morning Herald - 31 May (Sydney Morning Herald)A player down and completely against the run of play, Josh Addo-Carr scored the opening try of the night for the Bulldogs against Newcastle. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Sydney Morning Herald | |
| | | PC World - 31 May (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsGreat 20Gbps read performanceHandy form factor with travel caseWeighs only slightly over an ounceConsSlows drastically when writing over 20GB of dataOur VerdictFor light duty, the 20Gbps Teamgroup PD20M SSD will get the job done. But slow write performance with larger data sets means pros should look elsewhere.
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While being a decent 20Gbps USB SSD with light workloads, the Teamgroup PD20M is not the drive for writing large data sets on a continual basis. The parsimonious 20GB of cache on our 1TB test unit had it dead last overall in our performance ratings.
That’s a shame, because it’s also one of the lightest and most attractive SSDs we’ve tested — i.e., it travels well, especially with the handy carrying case that Teamgroup bundles.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best external drives to learn about competing products.
What are the Teamgroup PD20M’s features?
The PD20M is a 20Gbps USB 3.2×2 external SSD sporting a thin, but squarish profile measuring 2.45-inches wide, by 2.75-inches long, by a mere 0.32-inches thick. The top is rounded, while the bottom is perfectly flat.
Unusually, there’s no anti-skid material on the bottom of the unit, but it makes perfect sense: The PD20M weighs a mere 1.1 ounces on its own, and only 1.3 ounces with the Type-C cable that plugs into one edge. With so little heft for gravity to effect, you’d have to use semi-adhesive tape to secure this featherweight puppy in place.
The PD20M is the lightest SSD we’ve ever tested.
The PD20M is the lightest SSD we’ve ever tested. It’s not bad looking either.
The PD20M is the lightest SSD we’ve ever tested. It’s not bad looking either.
The PD20M is the lightest SSD we’ve ever tested. It’s not bad looking either.
The large upside is that if you’re looking for an SSD you can dangle off of a port without damaging it, this is it. Performance concerns aside, that is. Just be careful that you don’t forget it’s in your pocket and put it through the wash!
Teamgroup warranties the PD20M for three years, but no mention is made of the warranty’s TBW (terabytes that may be written) rating. Given the drives slow write rate when cache runs out, which was rather early on the 1TB version we tested, you should never have to worry about writing so much data that the company considers it unfair usage.
How much does the Teamgroup PD20M cost?
The PD20M is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, which retail for $110, and $165, respectively. Given the performance, that’s a tad pricey. Indeed, when we checked Amazon, the mighty 1TB Crucial X10 Pro, a far superior SSD, was available for $100. Hopefully, the PD20M will drop in price significantly in short order.
How fast is the Teamgroup PD20M?
In our initial testing, the Teamgroup PD20M turned in a far lower (364MBps) CrystalDiskMark 8 sequential write number than the 2GBps claimed on the box. It finally wrote at 1.8GBps, but only after I reduced the size of the 64GB data set I normally use four-fold to 16GB.
Ie’ve included both the 64GB and 16GB results to illustrate exactly how important cache, and the lack thereof can be.
The dark red bars are what we based our ranking on, as all other drives we’ve tested use the same 64GB data set. The 16GB bars show what is possible when cache is in play. Longer bars are better.
The dark red bars are what we based our ranking on, as all other drives we’ve tested use the same 64GB data set. The 16GB bars show what is possible when cache is in play. Longer bars are better.
The dark red bars are what we based our ranking on, as all other drives we’ve tested use the same 64GB data set. The 16GB bars show what is possible when cache is in play. Longer bars are better.
Note again, that the PD20M we tested was a 1TB drive. The Corsair EX100U on the charts, which experienced similar slowdowns at one point or another, was a 2TB drive. If Teamgroup has sent us the 2TB version, it likely would’ve outpaced the Corsair.
The PD20M’s random performance was better, but you can still see the effects of the small cache. Longer bars are better.
The PD20M’s random performance was better, but you can still see the effects of the small cache. Longer bars are better.
The PD20M’s random performance was better, but you can still see the effects of the small cache. Longer bars are better.
The Crucial X10 Pro is a much faster drive, and given that it’s currently $10 less for 1TB, and only $10 more than the PD20M for 2TB, there’s little reason to opt for latter other than weight.
The parsimonious caching again showed up in our real-world transfers. While the PD20M was not the slowest external SSD we’ve tested (there are four or five slower 10Gbps units), it was easily the slowest 20Gbps SSD we’ve seen.
Again, the small amount of cache bit the PD20M in our 48GB transfers. Shorter bars are better.
Again, the small amount of cache bit the PD20M in our 48GB transfers. Shorter bars are better.
Again, the small amount of cache bit the PD20M in our 48GB transfers. Shorter bars are better.
Below you can see where the PD20M ran out of cache — at around the 20GB mark.
The drive ran out of cache at around the 20GB mark. Normally we only see a drop like this in the 450GB write.
The drive ran out of cache at around the 20GB mark. Normally we only see a drop like this in the 450GB write.
The drive ran out of cache at around the 20GB mark. Normally we only see a drop like this in the 450GB write.
The story was no better in the 450GB write, which basically proceeded at 364MBps from the relative get go. Slow.
The PD20M was no great shakes in the 450GB write. Only 20GB of cache will do that to a drive. Shorter bars are better.
The PD20M was no great shakes in the 450GB write. Only 20GB of cache will do that to a drive. Shorter bars are better.
The PD20M was no great shakes in the 450GB write. Only 20GB of cache will do that to a drive. Shorter bars are better.
In truth, few users write even 48GB at a time, so like the Corsair EX100U, the RD20M will do the job the majority of the time when writing — and all of the time when reading.
Should you buy the Teamgroup PD20M?
The PD20M is fine for light duties, but the write slowdowns occur far to early, at least on the 1TB model, for me to recommend it for anything other than a light-duty drive. Also, compare prices. At least at the moment, there are numerous 20Gbps SSDs, some of them far more consistent performers, for less.
How we test
Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11 (22H2) 64-bit running on an X790 (PCIe 5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 modules (64GB of memory total). Intel integrated graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a Samsung 990 Pro 2TB, which also contains the operating system. For external drives, the motherboard’s dedicated Thunderbolt 4 and 20Gbps USB ports on the rear panel are used.
Each test is performed on a newly NTSF-formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that as any drive fills up, performance will decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, and other factors.
The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped as well as the capacity tested. SSD performance can vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to read/write across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching (writing TLC/QLC as SLC). Vendors also occasionally swap components.
If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report (systems being roughly equal), by all means—let us know.
Computer Storage Devices, Storage Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 31 May (PC World)If you walk in on a team of graphic designers, you may be believe you’ve just stumbled into a PC gaming tournament. To power 3D intensive applications, many of those users seek out powerful gaming laptops. They can carry them to the field as a bonus, with or without the RGB.
Video editors are similarly enticed by gaming laptops. They’re often right behind gamers in the queue when a new model sees light of day. Bleeding-edge hardware and new screen technology constantly ups the ante for these users who depend on the best.
Are gaming laptops a good choice for a budding video editor or graphic designer? We’ll go over the hardware typically required, the all-important screen, and the drawbacks you will be dealing with by going this route.
Further reading: Best gaming laptops 2024: What to look for and highest-rated models
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Performance
On the surface, it makes a lot of sense why professional users go on this RGB-laden path. Robust gaming laptops such as the Razer Blade 16 are filled to the brim with an overabundance of hardware. They’re chock full of RAM and the fastest mobile CPUs. The Intel Core i9-14900HX and Powerhouse GPUs such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB of VRAM delivery astounding levels of performance.
It’s simple: PC games demand maximum performance of the GPU, CPU, and RAM. This means that gaming laptops are conveniently equipped to deal with non-gaming tasks. Video editing relies heavily on the GPU, with some CPU backup. 3D Graphics workflows are likewise dispatched intuitively, taking advantage of the same potent hardware.
Utilitarian workstation laptops may have unnecessary specialized hardware that adds to the price. Much of consumer grade hardware is well-suited for workflows such as Blackmagic Design’s Davinci Resolve or Adobe Photoshop.
Nvidia’s CUDA on its GPUs make easy work of 3D tasks, along with available Studio Drivers on consumer hardware.
Desktops can have higher performance for a lower price, but with a lack of mobility as a caveat.
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Let’s break down what you’re getting in a high-end laptop. Workflows with video editing or 3D graphics will depend on the GPU. The CPU plays a vital role with photography and overall performance.
CPU
The fastest gaming laptops will pack a CPU such as the Intel Core i9-14900HX or an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX. Power draw is lower than desktop counterparts due to thermal limits. The Intel Core i9-14900HX utilizes a whopping 24 cores and 32 threads. This means it will breeze through synthetic benchmarks such as Cinebench R23 and software such as Handbrake.
Adobe Creative Cloud users with apps such as Photoshop will benefit from these fast CPUs. The highest clock speeds are shy of their desktop counterparts, but they remain capable. Encoding and decoding can also be a benefit with modern CPUs for video editors where the GPU is not needed.
New chips such as the Intel Ultra Core lineup have built-in AI capabilities, which help to regulate performance and power usage.
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
A drawback of these powerful CPUs will come down to cooling. Thermal limits are quickly reached and result in throttled performance. Higher fan noise will be expected unless power settings are tweaked by the user. Laptop cooling pads will be essential for prolonged sessions. Video editing or 3D design software can often have similar demands as gaming on the hardware.
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Gaming laptops have sizable power bricks to supply their ample performance. Battery life is typically poor, irrespective of the large power supplies. The high performance on tap and bright screens makes for quick depletion of batteries. Mark Hachman shared some of his thoughts on these power adapters in his review of the MSI Raider GE78.
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
RAM
Gaming laptops often pack 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM. Some models, such as the MSI Titan 18 HX, can handle upwards of 128GB of RAM. The sweet spot for most will fall between 32GB and 64GB of RAM. It remains one of the most upgradable components on gaming laptops, which is a major plus.
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
GPU
Ah, the GPU. It’s the star of the show for users seeking 3D performance. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB of VRAM can breeze through many tasks with aplomb.
Video editors who use Blackmagic’s Davinci Resolve or Adobe Premier Pro have seen tremendous results. A powerful GPU can help with timeline scrubbing, adding affects, exporting, and overall snappiness. 3D graphics artists using software such as Blender will be all too familiar with GPU grunt to aid in workflow.
VRAM is vital in video editing or 3D work such as the 16GB found in the top-end Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090. These mobile GPUs are not the full versions found on desktop, as power limits enter the fray in mobile hardware.
Gaming laptops will have both an internal GPU such as on an Intel chip and a discreet GPU such as an Nvidia GeForce RTX. The switch is often seamless and can aid with battery life. The internal GPU can sometimes aid in tasks like encoding when the CPU is involved, too.
There are some caveats with even the fastest laptop GPUs, though. They remain less powerful than their desktop counterparts for those requiring maximum performance. For example, a desktop Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 will be far superior to its mobile brethren. The laptop version is more on the level of a GeForce RTX 4070 Ti. This is par for the course due to mobile’s smaller size and thermal constraints.
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Storage
Professionals rely on storage much like oxygen and gaming laptops do not disappoint. The Alienware M16 laptop above features multiple slots for fast NVME SSDs, which can be placed in RAID setups. With large and fast sizes readily available, internal storage can accommodate the workflows of professionals with ease.
Along with RAM, NVME drives account for the only user-accessible upgrades that can be done. The drawback here is that you’re stuck with the CPU and GPU for the life of the machine.
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Ports
If the internal storage isn’t sufficient, many gaming laptops pack a bevy of ports to accommodate professionals. With Intel based machines, Thunderbolt 4 is available with the fastest transfer rates.
Various flavors of USB are also abundant on gaming laptops, along with the prerequisite HDMI outputs. Connecting to external monitors will be essential for professionals, and gaming laptops have that capability built in.
Screens and usability
Gamers are not alone in chasing the best screen technology available. Video editors, photographers, and graphic designers rely on accurate, bright screens.
Creators enjoy working with high resolution 4K screens with maximum pixel density. Gaming laptops do not disappoint with numerous models such as the Razer Blade 16 offering such screens. One drawback will be screen size, as the biggest laptop currently tops out at 18 inches. The MSI Titan 18 HX packs a 120Hz 4K mini LED display, accompanied by a jaw-dropping price of around $5,000.
Looking for a more high-end gaming laptop? The MSI Titan 18 hx is your best bet.
MSI Titan 18 HX
Read our review
Image fidelity is essential for professionals and gaming laptops understand this dual nature. The Titan MSI 18 HX laptop has a 100 percent DCI-P3 screen capable of HDR 1,000, for example. Adobe RGB and sRGB are typically respectable and acceptable for most. Professional calibrated monitors may be preferred and they can easily be attached to most gaming laptops externally.
Lower priced gaming laptops such as the Alienware M16 will come with 2550×1600 resolution LCD screens. These are still high quality and may be adequate for all but the most precise work needing top color accuracy.
Check out our top pick for gaming laptops
Alienware m16 R2
Read our review
The ergonomics of gaming laptops come with its own pros and cons. First, many gaming laptops will have great keyboards such as the low-profile mechanical MX Cherry keyboards found on top-end units. Tactile response and accuracy are important for professional work, benefiting from the gaming-DNA.
Trackpads are often large and responsive, but one always has the flexibility of connecting external peripherals for more accurate inputs.
Audio is another component that will be important for users such as video editors. Laptop speakers are notoriously flimsy, but some high-end models such as the Razer Blade series have adequate speakers. Most professionals will turn to external solutions or headphones for mission critical work, however. Spatial or surround sound aspects of many gaming laptops will also be lost on professionals.
Conclusion
If you look past RGB aesthetics adorning most gaming laptops, they’re stellar professional machines. With hot-rod levels of hardware to power demanding games, it translates directly to many professional workflows.
Adobe Photoshop users will find powerful CPUs with high-clock speeds very capable. 3D graphics artists and video editors will benefit from the powerful GPUs with more than sufficient VRAM. Fast NVME drives and abundant RAM limits means that many demanding apps can have a home on these mobile powerhouses. Nvidia Studio drivers are available for professional applications and feature widespread support on consumer hardware. it’s a no-brainer that creators venture towards gaming laptops.
The garden variety of gaming laptops, such as those curated by PCWorld, is a big help to creators. Not everyone wants or needs a $5,000 laptop, so there are plenty of cheaper offerings available. With upgradability in the form of RAM and NVME drives, there’s also flexibility built-in for future proofing.
Mobility will be important for many who rely on travel and need portability. Poor battery life, loud fans, and smaller screens are often outweighed by the performance on tap. When the work is done, you’ll also have the benefit of playing the latest games for some leisurely activity if you so desire. The only choice you’re left with is if you’ll leave the RGB on or off.
Gaming Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
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