Computers

XPG Mars 980 Blade review: High-speed storage that finally makes sense

Fast, reliable, and no longer offensively expensive

Published

July 29, 2025

GadgetMatch

A few years ago, adding high-speed storage to your PS5 or gaming rig meant coughing up a small fortune — sometimes nearly half the price of the console itself. Back then, PCIe Gen4 NVMe drives were bleeding-edge tech, and prices reflected that. But now that the dust has settled, more affordable options are emerging without compromising performance. One of those options is the XPG Mars 980 Blade, and it’s a drive that gets the job done without the unnecessary frills.

We tested the 980 Blade primarily as a PS5 storage expansion, and the experience was so seamless, it was almost forgettable — in the best way. Games launched quickly, performance remained stable, and the system treated it as if it were native storage. That’s a high compliment for any aftermarket SSD.

But beyond raw performance, what makes the Mars 980 Blade stand out is how reasonably priced it is. The 1TB model goes for $135 USD, while the 2TB version has an SRP of $205 USD. That’s a far cry from the $400+ Gen4 SSD we purchased just a year into the PS5’s life cycle. In many ways, this is the drive we wished we had back then.

Designed to disappear (in a good way)

The Mars 980 Blade isn’t flashy, and that’s part of its appeal. There’s no RGB, no oversized heat pipes, and no branding overload. Instead, you get a low-profile aluminum heatsink that makes it compatible with the PS5’s expansion slot — no modification required. It slid in easily and was recognized by the system almost instantly. The included heatsink keeps things cool enough without getting in the way, which also makes it a strong contender for slim laptops or handhelds.

There’s something refreshing about a component that’s meant to be installed once and forgotten. The Mars 980 Blade leans into that philosophy — performance where it matters, no extra distractions.

Real-World PS5 Use

The real test was daily usage. I moved a few of my heavier titles — including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Spider-Man 2 — from the PS5’s internal SSD onto the Mars 980 Blade. The result? No noticeable difference in performance. Boot times, in-game loading, and texture streaming all felt identical.

This is what makes the Mars 980 Blade a smart buy. You don’t have to sacrifice performance for price. And if you’ve been juggling which games to keep installed, this SSD becomes an easy way to expand your library without babysitting your storage every week.

It also helps that the Mars 980 Blade supports sequential read speeds of up to 7400 MB/s — more than enough to meet Sony’s requirements for PS5-compatible drives. And for those who care about durability, XPG uses TLC NAND, which typically offers better endurance and sustained speed than cheaper QLC-based alternatives.

What about Gaming Laptops and Handhelds?

While we focused our testing on the PS5, it’s not hard to project how this SSD will perform on modern gaming laptops and handhelds like the Legion Go 7 Gen9. With its PCIe Gen4 x4 interface and slim thermal profile, the Mars 980 Blade should integrate seamlessly into most M.2 slots — even in space-constrained builds.

Games installed on internal NVMe drives typically launch faster, stream assets more smoothly, and reduce system hiccups, especially in open-world or live-service titles. That’s exactly where the Mars 980 Blade fits in. Whether you’re booting into Windows or loading up a massive game like Starfield or Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll benefit from the fast sequential speeds and consistent write performance.

Plus, unlike relying on microSD cards or external drives, having a fast internal Gen4 SSD means you’re getting the full performance potential of your hardware. For power users who multitask with game capture, editing, or large file transfers, the Mars 980 Blade should hold its own.

Price vs Performance: A turning point

Let’s talk value — because that’s where this drive really shines. When the PS5 launched, the earliest compatible SSDs often sold for well over $300 to $400 USD, especially if you wanted 2TB with a heatsink. Now, we’re finally seeing drives like the Mars 980 Blade deliver that same tier of performance at nearly half the cost.

At $205 USD for 2TB, this drive undercuts many premium-branded options while offering the same Gen4 speed, excellent thermal control, and broad compatibility. You’re not paying for flashy marketing — just solid performance. For comparison, popular alternatives like the WD_BLACK SN850X or Samsung 980 Pro may come with slightly faster random read/write speeds or longer warranties, but for everyday gaming use, the difference is marginal at best.

The Mars 980 Blade hits a practical sweet spot for gamers who just want more room to play — whether they’re on a console, laptop, or handheld.

Is the XPG Mars 980 Blade your storage expansion Match?

The XPG Mars 980 Blade isn’t trying to reinvent storage. Instead, it focuses on what matters: delivering fast, stable performance at a price that makes sense in 2025. Whether you’re upgrading your PS5 or adding more muscle to a handheld gaming PC, this drive holds its own.

It may not come with flashy extras or aggressive marketing claims, but it doesn’t need to. It performs exactly how you want it to — and at a price that doesn’t feel like a punch to the gut.

The XPG Mars 980 Blade is one of the best-value Gen4 SSDs for console and PC gamers who just want to play more — and worry less.

Buy the XPG Mars 980 Blade here.

Computers

AMD launches Radeon RX 9050 graphics card

Affordable GPU option for AAA titles

Published

July 30, 2026

GadgetMatch

AMD has launched the new AMD Radeon RX 9050 graphics card, expanding the Radeon RX 9000 series with an affordable option.

This brings AMD RDNA 4 gaming technologies to mainstream gamers with a retail price of US$ 279.

The particular GPU is designed for responsive gameplay at 1080p. That’s for esports and modern AAA titles.

Some popular titles it can run at high frame rates on a 1080p resolution include: Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 6, Pragmata, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Valorant, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, to name a few.

This highly efficient, drop-in upgrade features a 92W TBP and fully supports the latest AMD FSR technologies, next-gen raytracing, and high-quality AV1 video streaming.

Key specs:

Architecture: AMD RDNA 4
Compute Units: 16
VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
Game Clock / Boost Clock: 1.92 GHz / Up to 2.60 GHz
TBP: 92W

In line with the Radeon RX 9050 launch, AMD has also released AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 26.7.1.

This driver introduces official day-one support for Radeon RX 9050, alongside early multiplayer access for Gears of War: E-Day.

Users can download the software here.

Accessories

OBSBOT’s Meet Flip is your next best pocketable 4K webcam

Fold the Flip for further protection

Published

July 29, 2026

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Several months ago, you might remember that OBSBOT revealed the Tiny 3 series of web cameras.

Six months after, they also unveil the all-new Meet Flip. From the name itself, it’s the company’s latest foldable 4K webcam that puts hardware privacy front and center.

Foldable and pocketable

Despite weighing just 37.7 grams, the Meet Flip aims to deliver premium webcam features for all types of users. Be it remote workers, professionals, or content creators.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Undoubtedly, the biggest highlight has got to be the webcam’s folding design. Not only it’s portable, it protects your privacy too.

Closing the device physically blocks the lens, giving users a visual confirmation that the camera is no longer active. When it’s time for a meeting, simply unfold it and it’s ready to go.

That lightweight body also features a built-in mounting clip that works with laptops, monitors, and tripods. Users can mount it in landscape, portrait, or even upside-down orientations depending on their setup.

Despite that absurd amount of lightweightness, the OBSBOT Meet Flip is still able to house a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology. That’s something more commonly found among bigger and higher-end web cameras.

Other camera features include:

4K video recording / 30fps
1080p recording / up to 60fps
HDR support for challenging lighting
Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)
4x digital zoom
f/1.8 aperture with ISO 100-6400 support for low-light environments

Beyond just video calls

The OBSBOT Meet Flip isn’t just packed with serious camera hardware, it’s seriously intelligent as well.

The Meet Flip supports AI Auto Framing. This automatically keeps users centered during meetings — regardless if they are presenting alone or with a group. Gesture controls also let users activate framing or adjust zoom without touching the keyboard or mouse.

Another standout feature is AI Magic Notes which provides real-time meeting transcription and automatically generates summaries, action items, and key discussion points.

The feature works with Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams through OBSBOT Center. Every webcam includes complimentary transcription of 120 minutes.

With that being mentioned, OBSBOT Center also makes users gain access to software features such as background blur, virtual backgrounds, beauty mode, and picture-in-picture overlays for presentations.

Those who want more advanced controls can enable Smart Eye Tracking, teleprompter support, and manual image adjustments.

Audio also gets an upgrade through an intelligent dual-microphone system that offers four recording modes:

Directional Mode / solo calls
Dual-Directional Mode / interviews
Smart Omni Mode / group meetings
Pure Audio Mode / unprocessed stereo recording

AI Noise Reduction and Automatic Gain Control are also available across most modes to help improve voice clarity.

OBSBOT’s Meet Flip is also compatible with mobile devices through the OBSBOT Live app and supports integrations with accessories including Elgato Stream Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, and UVC-to-NDI/HDMI adapters.

Pricing and Availability

The OBSBOT Meet Flip is available starting today for US$119 through OBSBOT’s online store, Amazon US, and select retailers worldwide. Regional pricing may vary.

Computers

AORUS MASTER 16 Gen 2 2026 AI gaming laptop launches

For AI-powered performance, immersive gameplay

Published

July 26, 2026

GadgetMatch

GIGABYTE has announced the availability of the AORUS MASTER 16 Gen 2 2026 flagship AI gaming laptop.

This machine combines desktop-class performance, advanced cooling, and an exclusive AI agent in an ultra-thin 19mm portable design.

It is configurable up to an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU. Together, these work to provide close to desktop-level power.

The model also supports MUX Switch to simplify integrated GPU or discrete GPU selection with fast mode.

Beyond gaming, with an advanced GPU AI capability of up to 1824 AI TOPS, the AORUS MASTER 16 Gen 2 2026 is built for next-gen AI-assisted creation and accelerated workflow.

The entire system also leverages the flagship WINDFORCE INFINITY EX thermal solution, featuring a vapor chamber design and the integrated Frost Fan 2.0.

In front is a 16-inch 16:10 2.5K 240Hz OLED display with creator-grade color accuracy. It has up to a 0.2ms response time, 100% DCI-P3, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

Furthermore, it is Pantone Validated, TÜV Rheinland Certified, and VESA DisplayHDR 1000. Complementing this is Dolby Atmos and four dual-force speakers with Smart Amplifier.

At the center of the experience is the GiMATE exclusive AI agent. It is designed for more flexible and intelligent system control, streamlining performance management and introducing tools for modern workflow.

For instance, GiMATE Creator integrates generative image models into a manageable local workflow.

Meanwhile, GiMATE Coder supports natural-language code generation, correction, and optimization with Visual Studio Code auto-completion.