Gaming

ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DY Hands-on: Still needs an upgrade

Neither basic nor great

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After playing with the TUF Gaming FX705, I have another ASUS gaming laptop. This one is aimed at those who are looking for a gaming machine on a budget. Gaming and budget don’t go always hand in hand, but this particular model can make them work together.

What I have here is the TUF Gaming FX505DY. It’s practically a smaller version of the previous TUF Gaming laptop I have, plus it’s running on pure AMD power.

I’ll not make this long, so let’s get right to it.

It has a plastic body with a distinct design

Similar to other TUF Gaming laptops

The vents face backwards

The heat is directed away from the user

All the ports are on the left

(L-R) Power, Ethernet, HDMI, 3x USB, headphone jack

There’s virtually nothing on the right side

To give space for your gaming mouse

It sports a 15.6-inch IPS-level 120Hz display…

It’s a non-glare panel

… with slim bezels

One of the laptop’s highlighted features

Still, the webcam stays on top

Quality is just okay

The keyboard has a three-stage red backlight

Budget means no RGB

Decent-looking for its price

The looks of the FX505 is not much different from its bigger cousin, the FX705. Also, the overall aesthetic is pretty much copied from the ROG line of premium gaming notebooks. Design-wise, the FX505 is not lacking; it’s certainly a gaming notebook when you see it.

The FX505 borrows the keyboard design of other new gaming laptops from ASUS, which is good. The layout is ideal for games, although the keys feel a bit mushy. As for the trackpad, it’s okay. It uses Windows Precision and it’s responsive to every gestures.

No one would suspect that this is a budget gaming machine. The slim bezels of the 15.6-inch Full HD display make the FX505 truly modern-looking. Gone are the day of fat bezels, even on a budget laptop. It does have a pretty big chin, but I prefer to trade that for slimmer side bezels. This also means that the FX505 is smaller than conventional 15-inch notebooks out there.

Not only that, the 120Hz refresh rate of the panel adds greater value to the FX505. I wasn’t expecting a high refresh rate on budget gaming laptops, so having it is really a treat. Everything on the screen is smooth and buttery. I am writing this article on the FX505 and it’s always fun to see scrolling smoother than my everyday laptop.

While the added features are welcome, ASUS still has keep the FX505 within budget. The laptop’s plastic body feels hollow, but ASUS says this laptop has passed US military-grade tests, so I’ll just have to take their word for it when it comes to durability.

Upgrade the memory, ASAP!

Let’s get to the specs. The TUF Gaming FX505DY (that’s the specific model name) is powered by the new AMD Ryzen 5-3550H processor with Radeon RX560X discrete graphics. Ryzen chips already have a capable GPU on their own, but nothing beats having a dedicated one. Unfortunately, ASUS is selling this particular with 4GB of DDR4 memory. That’s part of the cost-cutting methods, and it’s a bottleneck.

The processor and the GPU are more than capable to run most games in medium to high settings nicely, but the available system memory couldn’t keep up. 4GB of memory might be enough to let me use the FX505 for browsing, watching videos, typing, and other stuff, but it ruins the gaming experience.

I am no hardcore gamer, so my go-to game is often Cities Skylines. Guess what? I wasn’t able to even load my cloud save on Steam. The loading screen for the game always stops midway.

Of course, I tested other games. I’m glad to report that both battle royale games — CS:GO and Fortnite — run above 60fps on high settings. But, that’s not without hiccups. Due to the limited 4GB RAM, even though the GPU can handle the titles well, you can’t escape the lag. Maybe games that don’t have open-world maps won’t be as affected, but I can’t say for sure.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

No doubt that the TUF Gaming FX505 (specifically FX505DY) is a good option in its range. It might even be the best one considering the features it offers and its price tag. For just PhP 39,995, you can already grab a decent starter gaming laptop that has a 120Hz display, slim bezels, and ROG-esque design.

The display alone is a great selling point, but the 4GB RAM will never do it justice. I wish I could test out more games on the laptop, but I couldn’t even run my staple titles without any hiccups. The low memory is simply a pain and it limits the capabilities of the laptop.

Out of the box, this variant of the FX505 is not totally ready for gaming. If you’re getting one of these, make sure to buy some extra RAM. An additional 4GB stick doesn’t cost much; it’s even cheaper than fancy gaming mice out there.

SEE ALSO: ASUS TUF Gaming FX705 Review: Another big-screen option

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Gaming

GTA VI pre-loading now available on PS5, Xbox

Get ready for Leonida

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November 10, 2026

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Players who digitally pre-ordered Grand Theft Auto VI can now pre-load the game ahead of its launch.

Rockstar Games confirmed that pre-loading is available to all digital pre-order customers. Those who purchased the code-in-box version can also begin downloading once they receive and activate their codes.

The announcement also reveals new performance details for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

GTA VI targets 30fps on consoles

Rockstar says Grand Theft Auto VI was built from the ground up for the current generation of consoles.

The game targets 30 frames per second on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

According to Rockstar, this approach allows the game to maintain the visual fidelity and density of Leonida’s environments.

The developer says it is pushing both platforms to their limits to bring the game’s expansive world to life.

PS5 Pro gets exclusive visual enhancements

PlayStation 5 Pro players can expect additional graphical improvements.

These include enhanced image clarity through PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and ray-traced shadows exclusive to the PS5 Pro.

The PS5 version also features integrated DualSense haptic feedback, with adjustable settings for accessibility.

Rockstar is also highlighting improved spatial audio through Tempest 3D Audio and faster loading times on PlayStation consoles.

Cloud gaming and Remote Play support

Grand Theft Auto VI will also be playable through Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

The cloud version will use Xbox Series S graphics settings. However, performance may vary depending on internet speeds and other streaming conditions.

The game will also support Remote Play on both PlayStation and Xbox.

Alongside the announcement, Rockstar released a new video featuring “Blood in Your Eyes” by Tove Lo, taken from Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album.

Players can visit the official GTA VI website for more information.

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Gaming

Nintendo eShop launches in the Philippines

Digital games, now local

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November 10, 2026

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Switch 2

Nintendo Switch owners in the Philippines can finally access Nintendo’s digital storefront and online subscription service.

Nintendo Singapore and Nintendo Co., Ltd. announced the Philippine launch of Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online on November 10, 2026.

Nintendo eShop lets players purchase digital games and additional content directly from their Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles. Players can also download free demos of selected titles.

Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch Online unlocks online multiplayer, classic games, cloud save backups, and other membership benefits.

Nintendo eShop makes digital purchases easier

Nintendo eShop is an online storefront accessible directly from Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch consoles.

Players can browse major releases, indie games, and digital-only titles. They can purchase games and download them straight to their consoles.

The storefront also offers free demos of selected games. Players can try these titles before deciding to buy them.

Nintendo Switch Online brings multiplayer gaming to the Philippines

Nintendo Switch Online lets members play compatible games with friends and family over the internet. Players can also connect with others around the world.

Supported titles include Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch Sports, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A.

Membership also unlocks several additional features:

  • Nintendo Classics: Play over 200 classic games from the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy libraries. Selected titles support online and local multiplayer through the Play while Sharing feature. Players can also use Suspend Points and Rewind.
  • GameChat: Nintendo Switch 2 owners can talk with friends and share their gameplay screens through GameChat.
  • Nintendo Music: Listen to music from Nintendo games anytime, anywhere.
  • Save Data Cloud: Automatically back up save data from supported games online. This helps players recover their progress if something happens to their console.

Expansion Pack unlocks more classic games

Players who want more retro games can subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

This membership adds classic games from the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 libraries. Nintendo Switch 2 owners also gain access to Nintendo GameCube games.

Nintendo Switch Online membership plans and pricing

Nintendo offers Individual and Family memberships for both subscription tiers.

A Family membership supports up to eight Nintendo Account holders under one plan. Members can share access to online play, Nintendo Classics, and other services.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is available through a 12-month membership.

For the complete list of Philippine membership plans and pricing, visit the official Nintendo Philippines website.

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Accessories

Is it comfortable to sleep on a Secretlab Atlas?

You can grab the chair now through Secretlab’s 11.11 sale!

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November 10, 2026

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The biggest reason to get an ergonomic chair is to stay comfortable while working or playing all day. But how about getting that well-deserved siesta after lunch or falling asleep on your chair after a long day of gaming?

The new Secretlab Atlas is more than just a chair for when you’re busy. It’s a perfect chair for dozing off and taking it easy.

Today, you can grab the Atlas and everything else from Secretlab to complete your workstation during Secretlab’s 11.11 sale on Shopee. You can enjoy discounts of up to PhP 9,300. You can also stack and save vouchers of up to PhP 1,500, plus additional vouchers from Shopee. Once purchased, customers can grab free gifts worth up to PhP 7,500. Finally, it’s free shipping!

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