Wednesday, 31 October 2018

What's new on Netflix Australia for November 2018

As the number of shows and movies available to stream in Australia continues to grow at an impressive rate, it can be tough to keep up with all the new additions to each streaming service each month.

We've all come to anticipate a new stable of Netflix Originals releases each month, but figuring out which shows they are and when exactly they become available isn't so easy. And what about the large number licensed shows and films that are made available to stream, if only for a limited time?

In an effort to keep you informed of the best shows and movies that are in the process of being added to Netflix, we'll be bringing you an updated list of what you can expect on the service on a monthly basis. 

Not only that, we'll also be singling out the biggest releases, as well as a number of quality TV shows and films which we believe deserve your Netflixing time. 

So get ready to kick off the month with an epic binge – here's what's new on Netflix in November 2018. Check out the month's highlights video below!

TV shows highlights for November 2018

House of Cards: Season 6 (2/11/2018) 

Following Kevin Spacey's very public fall from grace, his character Frank is officially out of the picture, and first lady Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) has now become the first woman president. Expect her to face formidable threats from both sides of the political divide.

The Sinner: Season 2 (9/11/2018) 

Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) is back to investigate a new case (sorry Jessica Biel fans – that story is over) in his hometown of New York involving a disturbing double murder and a 13-year-old suspect.

Narcos: Mexico (16/11/2018) 

Shifting its focus away from Colombia and over to Mexico, the latest Narcos series charts the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel and its rutheless leader, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna). An American DEA agent (Michael Peña) also learns the danger of targeting narcos in Mexico.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (16/11/2018)

In this reboot of the classic '80s series, Netflix attempts to revitalise She-Ra for a whole new generation. This fantasy series sees an orphan girl transform into the super-powered warrior She-Ra when she raises her magic sword and says "I have the power!". Together with her friends, She-Ra builds a rebellion to fight against evil.

Vikings: Season 5 (30/11/2018) 

Vikings: Season 5 has arrived on Netflix, promising to transport us to the brutal and mysterious Viking days as we follow the ongoing adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a Viking warrior who overcomes the doubts of his fellow villagers and helps lead an invasion of Britain and beyond.

Movies highlights for November 2018

Outlaw King (9/11/2018) 

Considered by historians as the real 'Braveheart', Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) continued on fighting after the death of William Wallace to eventually become King of Scots. Named an outlaw by the King of England for taking the Scottish Crown, this historical epic follows Robert the Bruce's struggle to regain control. Expect  

The Other Side of the Wind (2/11/2018) 

After 40 years, Netflix is releasing Orson Welles's unfinished final film, which has now been completed and restored. In a instance of art imitating life, this satire follows the final days of a legendary director (John Huston) struggling with an unfinished film and striving for a comeback.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (16/11/2018) 

A western anthology from the minds of Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit, No Country for Old Men), The Ballad of Buster Scruggs promises to be hilariously offbeat and impeccably crafted. 

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (9/11/2018) 

Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi family film has arrived Netflix and is ready to steal your heart all over again. E.T. follows a lonely boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) who befriends a gentle alien right as he's coming to terms with the divorce of his parents. Elliot makes it his mission help his new friend find a way home while protecting it from government forces.

Split (10/11/2018) 

Just in time for the release of M. Night Shyamalan's new film Glass (which is a direct follow-up to this film), Netflix has brought the inimitable director's most recent hit to its service. Split follows a group of girls who are kidnapped by a man diagnosed with 23 distinct personalities. They must try to escape his lair before the emergence of a frightful new 24th.

...and the rest for November 2018

ORIGINAL SERIES

Super Drags (9/11/2018) 

Westside (9/11/2018) 

Warrior (13/11/2018) 

The Kominsky Method (16/11/2018)

The Last Kingdom: Season 3 (19/11/2018) 

The Final Table (20/11/2018) 

Greenleaf: Season 3 (22/11/2018) 

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet (22/11/2018)

Fugitiva (23/11/2018) 

Frontier: Season 3 (23/11/2018) 

Sick Note (23/11/2018) 

Sick Note: Season 2 (23/11/2018) 

Death by Magic (30/11/2018) 

1983 (30/11/2018) 

Baby (30/11/2018) 

F is for Family: Season 3 (30/11/2018) 

Nicky Jam: El Ganador (30/11/2018) 

NETFLIX WEEKLY SERIES

The Judgement (1/11/2018) 

The Good Place: Season 3 (2/11/18) 

Dynasty: Season 2 (3/11/18) 

A Taiwanese Tale of Two Cities (3/11/2018) 

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (continuing weekly on Sundays) 

Oh My Ghost (5/11/18)

Black Lightning: Season 2 (6/11/18) 

Riverdale: Season 3 (8/11/18) 

NETFLIX FILM

The Holiday Calendar (2/11/2018) 

May The Devil Take You (15/11/2018) 

The Crew (15/11/2018) 

Cam (16/11/2018) 

The Princess Switch (16/11/2018) 

Sabrina (20/11/2018)  

The Tribe (21/11/2018) 

The Christmas Chronicles (22/11/2018) 

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (30/11/2018) 

Tiempo compartido (30/11/2018) 

The World Is Yours (30/11/2018) 

Rajma Chawal (30/11/2018) 

ORIGINAL COMEDY

John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons (5/11/2018) 

Loudon Wainwright III: Surviving Twin (13/11/2018) 

Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia (20/11/2018) 

Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attel (27/11/2018) 

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY 

Follow This: Part 3 (1/11/2018) 

ReMastered: Tricky Dick & The Man in Black (2/11/18) 

They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead (2/11/2018) 

Medal of Honor (9/11/2018) 

NETFLIX KIDS & FAMILY

Angela's Christmas (1/11/2018) 

Brainchild (2/11/2018) 

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 4 (2/11/2018) 

Spirit Riding Free: Season 7 (9/11/2018) 

Treehouse Detectives: Season 2 (9/11/2018) 

Ponysitters Club: Season 2 (16/11/2018)

Prince of Peoria (16/11/2018) 

Kulipari: Dream Walker (20/11/2018) 

Motown Magic (20/11/2018) 

Spy Kids: Mission Critical: Season 2 (30/11/2018) 

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

Shameless (U.S.): Season 8 (6/11/2018) 

Manchester by the Sea (17/11/2018) 

Donald Glover: Weirdo (19/11/2018) 

Fifty Shades Darker (24/11/2018) 

Assassin's Creed (4/11/2018) 

Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow (8/11/2018) 

The Perfect Man (9/11/2018) 

Ali G Indahouse (9/11/2018) 

The Five-Year Engagement (9/11/2018) 

Nitro Circus: The Movie (9/11/2018) 

State of Play (9/11/2018) 

An American Tail (9/11/2018) 

Waterworld (9/11/2018) 

Crazy, Stupid, Love (15/11/2018) 

Cargo (16/11/2018) 

17 Again (17/11/2018) 

Horrible Bosses (22/11/2018) 

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (22/11/2018) 

Good People (25/11/2018) 

The Polar Express (29/11/2018) 

The Great Wall (30/11/2018)

What's coming next month and beyond?

Netflix has has big plans for 2018, with a number of high-profile shows and movies confirmed for release on the service. Here's our list of the best upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflix.



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Best 4K TV 2018: the best Ultra-HD TV buying guide

Cheap NBN & broadband plans compared: the best internet deals in Australia

The array of internet options available to the average Aussie is getting to the point of being overwhelming, especially if you're just after the cheapest plan going. Thankfully, we've done the hard yards and sifted through all the fine-print to figure out which ones offer the most genuine value for your dollar.

Whether it's NBN, ADSL or cable, there's a wide variety of pricing tiers available and they all come with quirks and caveats that you'll need to look out for. Start up fees, lock-in contracts, compulsory modem purchases – we've done the maths to find you the best deal.

Cheapest NBN plans

Cheapest ADSL plans

Cheapest cable plans



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Google will use your Roomba’s house map to improve your smart home

The company behind the Roomba robot vacuum, iRobot, has announced a partnership with Google that will allow the tech giant to utilize the autonomous vacuum’s ability to digitally map its user's home.

Using a combination of photos and spatial data, the iRobot Roomba i7+ is able to create a detailed floorplan of a home, allowing its users to create cleaning schedules or issue specific room-based commands via the integrated Google Assistant functionality.

Google hopes to leverage this map data in order to make the user’s smart home more “thoughtful”. While specific functionality hasn’t been detailed, some potential use cases given include a much easier setup process and more intelligent automation.

For instance, once your connected products have access to your home’s floorplan, they’ll be able to ‘figure out’ if they are in the kitchen, the living room and so on. This could make it quicker to set up a connected light globe, door lock and more on a companion app.

Google knows where you live

Naturally, there are some concerns to be had over one of the world’s biggest data-mongers also gaining access to a detailed map of your home, but Google promises this isn’t as sinister as it sounds.

Google’s director of smart home technology, Michelle Turner, told The Verge that the data “doesn’t help current Google products” and “isn’t getting fed into some larger morass of Google information”, which implies that it won’t be used for the company’s ad-targeting network.

While the map created by your Roomba gets saved to iRobot's servers, the low-res photos the droid takes never leave the device itself. Regardless, you won't be forced to share your floorplan with Google as the option is completely voluntary.



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iPhone X and iPhone 8 get Apple’s controversial processor throttling feature

Henry Cavill is bewitching in first official clip of Netflix’s Witcher series

Almost two months ago, it was announced that Netflix's upcoming TV adaptation of The Witcher books had finally found a super leading man in Henry Cavill, who's recently been joined by actresses Freya Allan as Ciri and Anya Chalotra as Yennefer.

Today, the streaming service has given us our first official look at the former Man of Steel in full costume as Geralt of Rivia. Lasting a succinct 23 seconds in total, the short clip features Cavill in what appears to be a costume and makeup test set against a black background. 

The actor walks slowly walks into frame, looks straight into the camera, and then proceeds to take a drink from a flask – a potion perhaps? 

Fan reactions to the short video have been mixed, with many commenters bemoaning the quality of the actor's wig and his young, clean-shaven appearance. 

It's worth noting, however, that Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher will reportedly be closer to the original source material by Polish novelist Andrzej Sapkowski, which follows a much younger version of Geralt than the one featured in the video game series from developer CD Projekt Red.

Currently in the pre-production phase, there's still plenty of time for the fantasy show's creators to fine-tune the actor's hair and makeup. We'll know more once the series officially heads into production in the coming months.



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Best RAM 2018: the top memory for your PC

Even the best PCs will eventually experience some kind of slow down over time, especially as operating systems like Windows 10 and macOS Mojave become more and more demanding. If your computer is starting to drag its feet and show its age, you might want to go out and pick up the best RAM to give your PC a healthy speed boost.

One of the first things you’ll notice when you out looking for the best RAM is just how varied the memory market is. Anyone that isn’t already experienced in the PC hardware scene will have a hard time finding the best RAM for them. This is why we  created a list of the best RAM you can buy today.

Every memory kit on this list has been handpicked by the TechRadar editorial staff, so you can be confident that you’re getting the best RAM – no matter what you need. So, whether you’re looking for a quick and easy upgrade that’ll let you open more Chrome tabs, or even if you’re a gamer looking for the fastest RAM money can buy, you’ll find the best RAM right here on this list.

Luckily, buying the best RAM doesn’t have to be extraordinarily expensive – even with its inflated price. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, along with all the money saving deals. This year, we’re certain there’s going to be plenty of Black Friday PC components deals out there. So, as always be sure to keep tuned to TechRadar for all your holiday shopping needs.

Best RAM: Corsair Vengeance LED

Some of the best overall RAM on the market comes from Corsair. Their Vengeance series has something for everyone with its LED DDR4 offerings topping our list. On top of giving PC builders that extra touch of vibrancy lighting brings, the Corsair Vengeance LED series’ built-in heat spreaders maximize cooling for higher overclocking and maximum performance. Corsair’s Vengeance LED DDR4 series offers CL16 latency and 3,466 MHz speeds and color coordinated computing.

Best DDR4 RAM: G.Skill Trident Z RGB

G.Skill and its Trident Z RGB series are known for their great performance and sick lighting. The top of every memory stick features a full-spectrum rainbow wave light bar that you can use to match your RGB lighting across your entire system. Trident Z RGB DDR4 RAM comes with CAS latencies between 14 and 19 and speeds between 2,400MHz and 4,266MHz. No matter you style, the best RGB Ram is certainly the G.Skill Trident Z RGB. 

Best DDR3 RAM: Kingston HyperX Predator

Kingston’s high-performance HyperX has some of the best DDR3 RAM on the market and the Predator models is particularly tuned for  and extreme-performance that’s further expandable with XMP profiles. The Predator DDR3 series achieves CL9 to CL11 latencies and speeds between 1866MHz to 2666MHz.

Best Budget RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury 

This Kingston HyperX Fury is auto overclocked memory that won’t empty your wallet. This smart DDR3 or DDR4 RAM auto-detects system components to overclock to the highest speeds possible, optimizing performance for all of Intel’s latest chipsets. It comes with latencies between CL14 and CL16, and has speeds between 2,133 and 2,666MHz. While it’s inexpensive, it really can have a huge impact on the performance of your rig. 

Best High-end RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum

Corsair Dominator Platinum is the RAM you need to look at if you need to perform a lot of high intensity tasks. The chrome heat spreaders not only allow for premium performance, but they also allow for maximum bling. Yeah, the massive heatsinks and fans may seem ridiculous, but if you’re running your RAM at 4,000MHz, things can get pretty heated, and fast. On the low end, Corsair also offers a low-latency C14 version of the Dominator Platinum operating at 2,400MHz. 

Best gaming RAM: ADATA Spectrix D80 

If you’re going for an all-out no-holds-barred build, and you want the flashiest hardware so that your desktop can illuminate your office, you’re going to want the ADATA Spectrix D80. Not only is it available in frequencies up to 5,000MHz, but it’s liquid-cooled, which means you shouldn’t ever have to worry about it overheating on you. The ADATA Spectrix D80 is going to be the best RAM for gaming in an RGB-lit cavern. 

Best RGB RAM: HyperX Predator DDR4 RGB

HyperX has always been a huge name in desktop memory, and it’s not hard to see why. The DIMMs they release always feature the latest technologies without pushing the price higher than it really needs to be – and the HyperX Predator DDR4 RGB is yet another example. Not only is this ram fast, but it looks good, too – with Infrared Sync tech that promises to actually synchronize the lighting between DIMMs. And, with its stylish black heat spreaders, this is the best RAM if you want your gaming PC to reach max aesthetic.

Best Low-Profile RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX

Corsair’s Vengeance LPX RAM is made for users who want the maximum performance with minimum footprint. This low-profile RAM is essential for PC builds with massive CPU coolers. Despite being so low-profile, they still feature an eight-layer heat spreader to cool while overclocking. While its thin design doesn’t allow for LEDs, but you can get it in three colors: black, red or blue.  

Best Mac RAM: G.Skill Mac RAM

Just like their dedication to laptop and desktop RAM, G.Skill has RAM upgrades for Macs, too. Adding more memory on the Apple Store is needlessly expensive, so going with a third-party kit can help you save a ton of money – assuming that your machine is one the last remaining MacBooks or iMacs that are still upgradable. These SO-DIMM have a CAS latency between 9 and 11 and have between 1,333MHz and 1,600MHz. The best bang for the buck seems to be the G.Skill DDR3-1333 for Mac.

Best Laptop RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport

Crucial is by far the best RAM for laptop systems. This manufacturer has designed its Crucial Ballistix Sport SODIMMs for efficient battery life while still delivering fast speeds for multi-tasking. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to speed up the best laptops, and this memory likely offers higher memory speed than anything coming stock in your laptop. Just make sure your laptop actually lets you upgrade the RAM – repairability is falling out of fashion these days.



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Best computer speakers 2018: the best audio systems for your PC

You’ve likely heard plenty of people out there telling you that the best headphones are the only way to get great sound out of your PC. However, not everyone is comfortable with wearing headphones all day. For these people, the best computer speakers are an amazing purchase. Still, like any PC hardware, finding the best computer speakers isn’t as easy as you’d think.

Before you decide on the best computer speakers for you, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. What do they sound like? Is the surround or stereo separation up to snuff? Do you start to get a headache after a couple minutes? Do they have balanced sound? These are all important questions to ask.

You need to also think about what you actually plan to use the best computer speakers for. Are you just going to play the best PC games, like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Call of Cthulhu, where immersion is all that matters? Are you binging the Castlevania Season 2 (like you should) to get into the spirit of the season? Or, maybe you just want to sit back, relax, and jam out to the new Robyn album. No matter what you’re trying to do, we’ll help you find the best computer speakers, so you can enjoy all the sounds your computer can spit out.

Luckily, you won’t have to spend a fortune to pick up the best computer speakers. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, and along with the Black Friday laptop and PC component deals, we’re sure you’ll be able to find some awesome deals on the best computer speakers. So, stay tuned to TechRadar to find all the best deals this holiday season.

Even if Audioengine’s A2+ came out four years ago, they’re still one of the best sets of speakers on the market. These aesthetically pleasing speakers are compatible with digital audio from your PCs USB port for uncompressed audio and unparalleled audio fidelity through its built in DAC. This winning combination means these speakers feature the highest sound quality in their class with amazing clarity and thumping bass.

When you realize that these small six-inch speakers don’t come with a sub, you start to learn that they really have a lot of bang for the buck. Be warned though, you might need to invest in a subwoofer for really low bass, or heavy bass sound at higher volumes. Luckily, they do come with an RCA output, so connecting one is a breeze. And, for just a few more dollars, you can pick up a pair of stands for even better audio.

While they may be more expensive than you’d expect to pay for the brand’s speakers, the Logitech Z623 is still very affordable when you consider just how powerful they are. The Z623 may look like your average pair of speakers, but its subwoofer produces a thundering sound that can easily dialed up or down depending on your preference. And, it offers a great soundstage – with great highs and mids – making for a more immersive gaming and movie experience. 

Logitech is practically a household name in 2018, but never before has it combined the two so spectacularly. The first Logitech computer speakers designed for gaming, the Logitech G560 are the best computer speakers for gaming – no contest. Not only do they feature RGB lighting, but through Logitech’s software, the multi-colored illumination can adapt to any kind of content you consume – whether it’s your favorite game, or the latest music.

One of the first things you might notice about the Razer Nommo Pro speakers is their immense price tag. We get it, it’s kind of hard to swallow. However, once you get past that and get a chance to use these in person, you’ll see that the sound is worth forking over 500 bucks. Not only do you get a robust down-firing subwoofer that’ll almost literally blow you away, but it also features Razer Chroma integration, so they’ll look just as good as they sound. Sure, there are cheaper options out there, but for speakers this good, the price is well worth it. 

  • This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Audioengine A2+.  

If you stare at it long enough, the Soundsticks III start to resemble some kind of glowing alien jellyfish. These translucent babies, designed by Harmon Kardon, look more like a modern art installation rather than a functional speaker system until you step back and let it do its thing. This speaker and sub combo features extra bass power thanks to its subwoofer while still managing to produce crisp highs – so you’re managing to get excellent sound at a decent price, making it perfect for music fans with a mid-range budget.

Keep in mind its few minor cons, however – it doesn’t have a headphone jack, its bass volume control is not accessible, and the LED lights cannot be turned off.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse. 

It might lean a little bit to the bass end of the spectrum, but the Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse is an aesthetic speaker setup that not only looks good, but also features sublime sound. The Luna, which comes in red, white and black, offers a powerful but controlled bass, fantastic balance with pronounced mids and good stereo separation. It even includes touch-sensitive controls and a nifty little remote. These are some of the best computer speakers, especially if you like to pump up the volume with little to no distortion. 

The Logitech MX Sound Speakers are simply the best wireless PC speakers you can buy today. They’re a thing of beauty, with their eccentric circular design and silver accents. And, for the price, they definitely deliver a little more than what you’d expect from the best laptop speakers. The bass may sometimes overpower the mids and highs, but it still delivers an excellent soundstage and powerful audio, which makes it great for gaming. It also features dual Bluetooth connectivity so you can connect two devices simultaneously. Finally, the backlit motion sensor controls are so sensitive, a light touch is all it needs. 

Read the full review: Logitech MX Sound 

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system promises enchanced sound for versatile use so that whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or listening to music, you’re in for a great experience. And it does. These THX-certified speakers boast power, a wide frequency range (31 Hz to 20kHz), and a detailed audio quality with punchy bass, maximum clarity, and great balance. It’s powerful enough to replicate that home theater quality. 

That’s a lot punch for $160, even if it means having to tolerate the fact that the sub stops at 31 Hz so there’s no low end rumble.

  • This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Logitech Z623 

Dell’s AE715 may not be the most powerful speaker in the market. It produces a decent 360-degree sound that, while is fairly common in portable audio, is a rarity with computer speakers. For it's low, low price, this Bluetooth speaker is nothing amazing; not a lot of bass and there’s a bit of delay, but the audio quality good enough if your listening standards aren’t quite as demanding. 

However, what you’re getting in exchange are its wireless functionality, the USB charging port so you can charge the device, and the built-in mic so you can use it for conference calls. It’s definitely a great portable, wireless solution.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Jabra SPEAK 510.  

Mackie CR4BT promises professional-grade performance, which is a lot more than what its competitors offer. The question is, does it really do that? Well, they sound good for a premium pair of speakers, but there are drawbacks including thinner mid range, and high bass cut off at 70 Hz, which means while there’s good bass presence, you might be missing the really low stuff.

The pros, however, include the acoustic foam pads to isolate the speakers from the surface it’s standing on, and the front auxiliary input. Overall, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill computer speakers. They are useful for multimedia creation and production as well.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Logitech MX Sound.     


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Best PC power supply 2018: top PSUs for your PC

When you’re building one of the best PCs, the most important things you can do is get one of the best PC power supplies. We know it doesn’t sound too exciting, but every component in your rig relies on the best PC power supply for life. Even if it means you have less money for one of the best graphics cards, you shouldn’t compromise on your power supply. 

We’re just going to come out and say it – having a power supply die on you is an awful experience. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of a dying PC power supply can slip by unnoticed.

Sure, some are as obvious as your PC just outright refusing to turn on, but they can also be as subtle as a power efficiency dip. By the time you notice your PSU is beginning to fail, it may be too late. So, do yourself a favor and buy one of the best PC power supplies today, so it doesn’t fail tomorrow.

There’s some good news, though – there’s a wide range of power supplies out there right now. And, even if you're on a budget, you can still pick up one of the best PC power supplies. Plus, there are some amazing high power units out there if you can stretch your budget, with RGB lighting and everything that can power the best gaming PCs. No matter what you’re looking for, the best PC power supplies are right here on this list.

And, if you’ve been waiting for a deal, your time is almost here. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, and with them all the best PC components deals of the year. So, keep an eye on all your favorite manufacturers and retailers, because it’s about time to save some cash. And, as always, stay tuned to TechRadar for all your holiday shopping needs.

The Corsair RM750x scores the top spot on this list for one simple reason: it’s the most well-rounded power supply you can buy today. On top of a 10 year warranty and an 80 Gold Plus efficiency rating, the Corsair has a fully modular cable system. This means you only need to install the cables you need – you can say goodbye to the mess of cables and shoddy airflow that non-modular PSUs endure. 

If you’re looking to save some cash on your PC build, you don’t have a ton of options for cheap power supplies that aren’t terrible. In situations like this, an economical option like the EVGA 500 B1 might be the best PC power supply for you. For less than the cost of a AAA game, you can expect 500 watts of power transmitted through several SATA cables and two PCIe cables – it covers the bare essentials, which is exactly what a budget power supply should do. The three-year warranty is just the cherry on top.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Corsair RM750x 

Even the best PSUs seem to have extremely loud fans, and unlike case fans, it’s not exactly easy to replace them. Luckily, the Straight Power 10 line-up runs nice and quiet. Options range from 400w to 700w, and they’re SLI and Crossfire certified. They’re also modular, meaning you only need to use the cables that are necessary for your build.  

Unfortunately, the best PC power supplies have a tendency to be these giant hunks of metal that won’t fit in smaller PC cases. However, there are plenty of compact pc power supplies out there that can still provide sufficient power. The Silverstone SFT SST-SX550 is one of the best PC power supplies for compact systems – it’s half the size of most of the other PSUs on this list, allowing for more room for better airflow. This makes it the best PC power supply for micro ATX and mini-ITX builds, you can even slide it into a mid- or full-tower, if you feel like it.

If you’re a serious builder that plans on building an absolute behemoth of a rig, with multiple graphics cards, cooling systems on top of some healthy overclocking, the Corsair AX1500i is the best PC power supply for you. It has the highest possible 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating, and is fully modular, so you only need to add the cables your build actually requires. 

If you’re really trying to maximise the visual appeal of your build, a modular power supply is almost essential – you can avoid all of those messy looking wires cluttering up your case. The NZXT E650 takes things a step further. Not only is it a fully modular power supply, meaning you only need to connect the wires you actually need, but it’s also extremely attractive itself, begging to be shown off in your case. This is all topped off with an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating and a 10-year warranty – not only will it look good, but it’ll deliver power efficiently and last forever while it does it. 

In 2018, if your PC isn’t strapped to the nines with RGB lighting, you’re not trying hard enough. Enter the Thermaltake Smart RGB 700W – not only does it have beautiful, addressable RGB lighting, but it also features a reliable 80 Plus efficiency rating and enough power to support even the best gaming PCs. Yeah, it’s not modular, but at less than a hundred bucks, we’re willing to look the other way – especially with that sick lighting. 

Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article



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Best webcams 2018: the top webcams for your PC

Pretty much all of the best laptops and all-in-one computers will have HD webcams built in these days, but the best PCs don’t have the same luxury. Fortunately, you can pick up the best webcams for a similar, or even better experience than their laptop brethren can offer.

So, what makes the best webcam? Everything will boil down to what you’re trying to do with it: are you looking to do some Twitch streaming? Or, do you just want to chill and have some video calls with friends?

From webcams with quirky and beautiful aesthetics to traditional cameras that focus on fidelity above all things, we found the best webcams you can buy today – no matter what you’re looking to do with them.

If you want the best webcam for video calling through Google Hangouts or Skype, look no further – we have the best webcams on the market gathered together. So, sit back, relax and get ready to find the perfect webcam for your setup.

Luckily, the best webcams are about to get a lot cheaper – Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner. So, along with all the Black Friday laptop deals, you should be able to score a sick deal on the best webcam. And, as always, keep it locked to TechRadar for all your holiday shopping needs.

Logitech C922 Pro Stream

Logitech's newest webcam, the Logitech G922 Pro Stream features the same classy design as the C920 before it, but it’s especially interesting for gamers this time around. The C922 still boasts excellent 1080p video quality when it comes to hosting video calls, and its automatic low-light correction makes it a great cam for streaming with the lights off. It also supports background removal, making it ideal for budding YouTubers.

Razer Kiyo

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a webcam coming from Razer is almost entirely focused on streaming – it’s all the rage amongst gamers these days. However, with the Razer Kiyo, Razer has stripped away many of the fancy bells and whistles that higher-end webcams boast and focused on what matters to streamers – good image quality and lighting with their special Light Ring. This Light Ring ensures that you won’t have to spend an inordinate amount of time before your stream messing with lights to get that perfect effect – just plug in the Razer Kiyo and you’re good to go.

3. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000

If you need something cheap and cheerful for Skype, Messenger, Facebook or AOL, Microsoft's LifeCam range offers decent performance for a low price. You don't get 1080p video at this price point, but you do get automatic color correction, a noise-cancelling unidirectional microphone and a stand to fit laptops and desktops alike. It's a cheap way to solve the problem of a PC without a camera or even with a camera that isn't up to snuff.

If you’re looking to do some live streaming or you’re trying to capture some video out in the real world, Mevo might be the best webcam for you. If you’re an aspiring journalist, or even if you want to capture your daily adventures around the city, keep an eye on the Mevo or the Mevo Plus, as either of these devices will allow you to livestream from anywhere that you can connect to your mobile network. As an added bonus, the Mevo is small and inconspicuous enough to not distract your subject in the middle of an interview. 

4. Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Aimed at pro users with large displays, the LifeCam Studio features a familiar combination of 1080p recording and 720p live video calling. It rotates 360 degrees, and can be mounted on a tripod with autofocus. The wideband mic delivers crystal clear sound and Microsoft’s TrueColor system will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit. It’s a great choice for business conferencing and presentations. 

Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Logitech Brio Webcam

Have you ever used a webcam and turned up your nose because it can’t push the same amount of pixels as your phone? Well, you’re in luck. Featuring a stunning 2160p resolution and HDR compatibility, the Logitech Brio Webcam has finally brought 4K HDR performance to the webcam world. And if that isn’t enough, it’s also loaded with Windows Hello compatibility and an easy to use stand which will let you position it wherever you need to.

Creative Labs Senz3D

Creative may not be the first company you think of when you’re looking for the best webcams, but after the Creative Labs Senz3D, that will change. This space-age webcam has more features than you can shake a stick at, and the high-tech 3D scanner and facial tracking tech promises to lead to some intriguing things in both AR functionality and even gaming. It isn’t cheap, but you’re getting all the bells and whistles with this Creative webcam

7. Logitech C930e

The C930e claims to be Logitech's most advanced HD webcam and it's also one of the most expensive ones on the market. But, unlike traditional webcams, which rely on the PC to do the heavy lifting, this unit does the video encoding itself, which should in turn result in better video quality. The wide, 90-degree field of view means it’s well-suited to business videoconferencing and presentations, and of course it’s Skype-certified for PC and Mac.

8. Samsung VG-STC5000

Normal webcams don't work with Samsung smart TVs, and by an interesting coincidence Samsung just happens to have its own proprietary camera for its H, HU, JS and JU models. We wouldn't recommend buying one for Skype as the smart TV version of Skype is no longer being supported, but if you want to use Samsung's own gesture control features and its virtual mirror for fitness apps then it's really your only option. 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Logitech C930e 

10. AUSDOM 1080P HD Webcam

If you’re looking for a full HD webcam without the full HD webcam price, this little webcam is currently pretty cheap. Bolstering resolutions up to 20180p HD while supporting 12MP stills, a noise-cancelling microphone and low-light compensation, this camera is feature-packed yet frugal. There’s no autofocus and you don’t get a big bundle of software, but the low, low price more than makes up for any shortcomings. 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft LifeCam Studio 

Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article



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Best hard drives 2018: the top HDD for desktops and laptops

The best motherboard 2018: the top Intel and AMD motherboards we've seen

While they’re not as exciting as the best processors or graphics cards, the best motherboards are probably the most important part of your new PC build. With all the latest PC technology, the best motherboards are the backbone of the best PCs. The best motherboards will help your PC hardware reach its full potential by fully utilizing and optimizing it. They can even beef up your processor – by giving it more overclocking headroom.

Due to their critical importance, you should make sure you only pick up one of the best motherboards. If you try to cut corners and your motherboard dies on you, you may have to rebuild your entire PC from scratch – and trust us, no one wants to do that. Listen, just do yourself a favor and pick up one of the best motherboards today, so you can save yourself the hassle of replacing it tomorrow.

If you’ve been looking for the best motherboard, you likely already know that the market is extremely confusing. Don’t worry, we have your back – we’ve created a list of the best motherboards you can buy today. Every motherboard on this list has been individually picked by our knowledgeable TechRadar editorial staff. Not only do they do everything you need them to and more, the best motherboards are built to last. So, let’s dive into the best motherboards, so you know which ones to add to your Black Friday and Cyber Monday list.

We’re expecting a ton of Black Friday components deals this year, and the best motherboards are no exception. Make sure you keep an eye on your favorite manufacturers and retailers, as there will likely be a ton of discounts to match all the Black Friday gaming deals. And, be sure to keep TechRadar bookmarked, as we’ll help you find all the best deals throughout the Black Friday season.

When Intel launched its Coffee Lake Refresh platform, and promised that they’d be the best processors for gaming, we knew we were going to get some kitted out motherboards that put that theory to the test. And, lo and behold, the Z390 Aorus Gaming Pro Wifi – one of the best motherboards on the market today. Packed to the brim with gamer-centric features like reinforced PCIe slots and enough RGB lighting to blind you – this is the best Intel motherboard on the market right now. 

Sometimes, when building a new PC, you’re just want  to throw your hands up and say “just give me everything.” In times like this, you’ll want the Asus ROG Maximus XI Code Z390 Gaming. Packed with every feature that Intel’s new Coffee Lake Refresh processors support and then some with a RGB-lit shroud covering every inch of circuitry on this motherboard.  

If you want to take advantage of everything Coffee Lake Refresh is capable of, but you can’t afford more exotic motherboards, you might want to look at the Gigabyte Z390 UD. This motherboard doesn’t have the same level of RGB bells and built-in Wi-Fi, but what it does have is a solid price to performance ratio. For a much lower cost, you’re getting all of the essential features that Z390 has to offer, while sacrificing some of the unnecessary features like SLI or extra M.2 slots. If you’re a budget gamer, the Gigabyte Z390 UD might be the best motherboard for you. 

If you’re looking for an edge on the competition, and you don’t have a lot of extra room on your desk, you’re going to want a Micro-ATX motherboard – you’re going to want the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC. What you’re getting here is a Micro-ATX motherboard with all the features a full-sized ATX part, but a fraction of the price. Despite it’s reduced size, you still get getting dual M.2 slots, SLI and Crossfire support and all the scalding performance that Intel Coffee Lake Refresh has to offer. If you’re looking for a smaller motherboard, you can’t afford not to get the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge MC. 

Sometimes you need something even smaller – maybe you’re looking to build a gaming PC that can hide alongside your consoles, or you just want a ridiculously bright home theater PC. Either way, in times like this, you should look at the Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming. With this motherboard, you don’t have to compromise on power or features. You don’t even need to settle for a measly 32GB of RAM, thanks to Asus’ double capacity memory compatibility – you can have up to 64GB of memory on this  Mini-ITX board, what a time to be alive. Unfortunately, like most Z390 boards ahead of the 9th-gen Intel release, it’s a bit pricey, so prepare yourself for that.  

With the X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi, Gigabyte further illustrates is mastery of motherboard design. Rocking the new AMD X470 chipset, allowing full support of the new AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation processors, this is the best motherboard if you’re looking to side with Team Red. What’s more, it supports Quad-GPU SLi and extremely fast RAM (up to 3,600 MHz) for peerless expandability, and thanks to its multi-zone RGB lighting, it looks good while kicking butt. 

For the longest time, AMD has been the reigning champion of budget builds, and in 2018 that doesn’t seem to be changing. Marketed exclusively to gamers, the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is loaded front to back with features like two PCIe M.2 slots and quick performance tweaking buttons to make sure you’re on the top of the leaderboards at all times. And, since it’s a gamer-focused motherboard, it comes with all kinds of flashy RGB lighting that you can even customise from your smartphone.

These days, small form-factor PCs are all the rage and with motherboards like the ASRock B450M-HDV, we think they’re going to stay that way. Now, while this motherboard doesn't do SLI and supports only up to 32GB of RAM– it is a B450 unit, after all – it is still compelling due to its low price. Outside of these omissions, you still get a slot for a NVMe SSD and four USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports around back. If you’re looking to build a solid budget gaming PC, this is going to be the best motherboard for you.  

Asus aims to prove that big things can come in small packages with the ROG Strix X470-I. Featuring the latest and greatest AMD chipset, everything in this tiny board is designed with performance in mind. Even down to the BIOS, where you can find a stress test for overclocks before you even boot into Windows. This board even elevates beyond the constraints of the Mnii-ITX form factor by including an M.2 Audio Combo riser, so that you can install your M.2 NVMe SSD without getting in the way of other components. 

The X-series processors are here and they're spectacular, so if you want to take advantage of all they have to offer, you need an X-series motherboard. This ASRock X299 is an excellent choice, with support for overclocked memory speeds up to 4400MHz(!!!) and 8 different slots for memory modules. It also supports up to 128GB of RAM, so with an X-series processor and a good graphics card (or 3…) this thing will absolutely tear apart anything you throw at it.

If you’re the type of builder with lots of cash to burn and an ‘everything and the kitchen sink’ build method, the Ryzen Thredripper X399 Professional Gaming board is for you. Not only does it support 4-way SLI or Crossfire configurations, but you can also pack this thing with up to 128GB DDR4 memory. It even features a ton of flashy RGB lighting, so that people can’t help but stare at your rig when they walk in the room. And, if you upgrade to Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation, you can use this board, but keep in mind you may have to update your BIOS. 

Coming to terms

If you’re unfamiliar about what makes the best motherboards, well, better than the rest, we’d like to include a primer for anyone who might not know that much about them. Motherboards are available in a broad range of different form factors, the most common of which being ATX and Micro ATX. However, there are plenty of more less common form factors including mini ITX and E-ATX. Don’t worry though, most of the best PC cases will support multiple form factors. 

Moreover, in our rundown of the best motherboards, we detailed the socket type that each mobo adheres to. For those not in the know, the socket is the part on the motherboard that the CPU locks into. Typically, newer Intel processors use either LGA 1151 or 2066 while the latest AMD Ryzen architecture is designed for the AM4 chipset.



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The best graphics cards 2018: all the top GPUs for gaming

Now that the RTX 2080 and 2080 Ti have arrived, heralding the Nvidia Turing revolution, we’re faced with a tough choice: do we splurge on these expensive new cards? Or, do we pick up the best graphics card from the Pascal generation in order to save a few bucks. No matter what you choose, you can still use the best graphics cards to play the best PC games from Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey to Forza Horizon 4.

You should keep in mind that there are graphics cards out there for every kind of build, so it might be hard to find what’s best for you. That’s why we decided to compile a guide to the best graphics cards you can buy today, all of which have been tested and reviewed right here at TechRadar. So, before you go out on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and before you pick a side in the AMD vs Nvidia turf war – let’s go over the best graphics cards out there. 

It’s no secret that the best graphics cards are expensive. Luckily, we expect that a lot of Black Friday components deals are going to appear, that’ll make the best gaming PCs affordable for once. So, on top of all the Black Friday gaming deals out there, stay tuned to TechRadar and we’ll help you keep an eye out for the best graphics card deals.

Turing is finally here, and shouldn’t come as a surprise that the RTX 2080 is the best graphics card out there right now. While it is much more expensive than Nvidia’s ‘80’ cards have been in the past, it’s also much more powerful – showing up even the four-figure price Titan Xp. With the RTX 2080, there should be nothing stopping you from achieving high resolution gaming, though you’ll have to turn down some settings on some titles in 4K if you want a silky smooth 60 fps at all times. 

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 

If you’re looking for the best graphics card, and you’ve got some cash to burn, you might want to look at the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. It is, without a doubt, the best graphics card for anyone looking to do some 4K gaming at 60 fps – just as long as the price of entry doesn’t scare you away. And, now that the Windows 10 October 2018 Update has released, supporting ray tracing, the RTX 2080 Ti will spearhead the RTX revolution – you don’t have to live any more of your life without ray tracing.

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 

If you’re good sticking with QHD, but you want to experiment occasionally with 4K, then you might want to look at the RTX 2070 – at least once the GTX 1080 is out of stock. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 brings the new Turing architecture to the mid-range with performance that completely blows its predecessor out of the water. Not only will you be able to play all your games at 1440p, but you’re going to get insane performance – up to 120fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. However, keep in mind that the RTX 2070 is significantly more expensive than its predecessor, so that trade-off in price-to-performance might not be worth it – especially if you’re coming from a Pascal card.

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070

The AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 is the best graphics card for Full HD gaming you can buy today – your benchmarks put it above the GTX 1070. And, now that it’s fallen in price to  what we would call an ‘acceptable’ level, there’s never been a better time to pick one up. While it’s arguably a bit overkill for Full HD gaming, the RX Vega 56 will come in handy for 144 to 240hz monitors and future-proofing against increasingly demanding games. You can also expect a fantastic 1440p experience with this card. 

Especially now that it’s fallen in price from the heyday of cryptocurrency miners, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 is the best graphics card for VR gaming. Boasting 4,096 stream processors, 256 texture units and 8GB of HBM2 memory, it’s every bit as competent as the Nvidia GTX 1080 – at a lower price. This truly is the AMD card to rule them all. 

Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX Vega 64

When you build a microATX or even a mini ITX gaming PC, you don’t have to settle for anything other than the best graphics cards – you can find mini GPUs like the Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini. You’ll sacrifice some performance over its full-sized counterpart, but when it measures in at 211 x 125 x 41mm, the performance loss will seem practically non-existent when you’re staring at your beautiful mini PC. 

The Nvidia GTX 1050 might not look like much on paper, what with only 2GB of video memory onboard, but this affordable GPU plays games better than you would think. If you’re willing to drop settings to medium, you can play Overwatch, CS:GO and other popular competitive shooters well above the silky smooth 60fps mark. Thanks to its compact size, it’s also perfect for small builds and entertainment center-bound streaming PCs.

Any eSports player will tell you that high frame rates are far more important than beautifully rendered graphical details – and that’s where the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti shines. In a time where graphics cards cost as much as rent, it’s an affordable, but potent GPU that can play most eSports games well above 60fps. It’s a bit pricier than the lower-end Nvidia GTX 1050, but you’ll appreciate the extra power behind this card to play future eSports titles, as well as the odd AAA title. 

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti



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