Articles by Darren Allan

Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).

Articles by: Darren Allan

Windows 11 users with iPhones: if you’re jealous of Android’s Start menu integration, here’s some good news – Apple phones are now getting it

By Darren Allan published 29 January 25

Microsoft is only testing the Start menu side panel with iPhones, but it likely won’t be long before it’s introduced to the release version of Windows 11.

The RTX 5090 imprint on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

Rumors that RTX 5090 GPU review models are somehow faster than retail boards are shot down by Nvidia

By Darren Allan published 29 January 25

Nvidia has assured PC gamers that the RTX 5090 GPU they buy at retail won’t somehow be slower than review models, as some rumors have suggested.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090's power connection port

MSI says its RTX 5090s won’t ship until February 6, after Nvidia warns on stock levels – and I’m starting to worry that buying a next-gen GPU will be a seriously uphill struggle

By Darren Allan published 29 January 25

I’m having trouble not getting sucked into the next-gen GPU gloom at this point, sadly.

ASUS GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Prime graphics card side-on

Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU could have a February 20 launch to beat AMD’s RX 9070 to the shelves – but what about the RTX 5070?

By Darren Allan published 28 January 25

This launch date aligns with some previous rumors, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we were still waiting a while for both Nvidia’s mid-range Blackwell GPUs.

Upset young man plays computer games at home.

Microsoft admits bug that kills PC’s audio is seriously widespread affecting multiple Windows 11 versions and Windows 10 – but a fix is coming

By Darren Allan published 28 January 25

I’m left scratching my head with this one, as it’s a really odd bug for a couple of reasons.

AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU could be on sale soon – but I’m still worried about the price

By Darren Allan published 28 January 25

Heavyweight AMD Ryzen 9 X3D chips that’ll make short work of gaming and running demanding apps could be on sale soon.

Are Nvidia’s RTX 5060 GPUs about to arrive? Rumor hints they might be - with the RTX 5060 Ti potentially coming with 16GB VRAM

By Darren Allan published 28 January 25

Nvidia RTX 5060 rumor suggests 8GB of VRAM, with 5060 Ti possibly offering 16GB – a predictable, if disappointing, potential scenario.

AMD exec hints that discrete RDNA 4 GPUs won’t be in gaming laptops anytime soon, leaving Nvidia’s RTX 5000 cards unchallenged

By Darren Allan published 27 January 25

If you were hoping RDNA 4 GPUs might be powering up gaming laptops anytime soon, I’ve got some bad news for you.

Worried AMD’s FSR 4 frame rate boosting won’t be as good as Nvidia DLSS 4? Good news! Initial game support is rumored to be healthy

By Darren Allan published 27 January 25

AMD FSR 4 looks set for ‘drop in’ support with FSR 3.1 games, meaning RDNA 4 GPUs will be good to go with over 50 titles at launch.

Another gloomy Nvidia RTX 5000 rumor suggests next-gen GPUs will be price hiked over the MSRP in many cases, and I’m getting worried now

By Darren Allan published 27 January 25

Between potentially hiked pricing and graphics card stock worries, is this leaving AMD an opportunity to really pile the pressure on?

AMD RX 9070 gets a rumored March 23 release date, but I’m not buying it (the date, that is, not the graphics card)

By Darren Allan published 24 January 25

AMD’s RDNA 4 latest misfires: Ad campaign appears to suggest RX 9070 GPUs should be on sale now, and another purported release date is aired, but looks wrong.

An Nvidia RTX 5000 series graphics card against a green and black background

New Nvidia RTX 5080 benchmark rumor has got me worried that the GPU won't be a major upgrade to the RTX 4080

By Darren Allan published 24 January 25

Claimed Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics benchmarks suggest the GPU won’t quite match the RTX 4090 (unlike the RTX 4080 which easily outgunned the 3090).

AMD explains why RX 9070 GPUs won’t arrive until March – and this has got me more excited for RDNA 4, I’ve got to admit

By Darren Allan published 23 January 25

AMD looks to be really gunning to take down Nvidia’s RTX 5070, and heated competition in the mid-range GPU space is an exciting prospect.

An Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 GPU on a green patterned background.

Nvidia says RTX 5090 isn’t expected to suffer from power cable melting issues that blighted the RTX 4090, despite the GPU’s 575W power usage

By Darren Allan published 23 January 25

Afraid of the RTX 5090 GPU’s 575W power usage? You wouldn’t be alone...

Retailer appears to spill Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU release date as February 20 – but ominously there’s no mention of the RTX 5070 launch

By Darren Allan published 22 January 25

Potentially bad news for PC gamers who are hoping for an early February release for the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti.

An AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on a desk on top of its retail packaging

AMD declares battle of Ryzen 9950X3D vs 9800X3D for gaming will be a dead heat – so gamers may as well buy the cheaper CPU

By Darren Allan published 22 January 25

AMD primes us not to expect too much from the incoming Ryzen 9950X3D CPU – it’ll only offer ‘similar gaming performance’ to the 9800X3D.

The Nvidia GeForce 5090 GPU on display at CES 2025

Nvidia RTX 5090 and 5080 GPU stock shortage rumors are piling high – and now there’s a suggestion the RTX 5070 could be delayed

By Darren Allan published 22 January 25

Fresh Nvidia next-gen GPU fears emerge: shaky stock, pricing worries, and a claim the RTX 5070 is delayed until March.

G.Skilll Trident Z5 DDR5 RAM sticks on a black background

G.Skill DDR5 RAM is overclocked to a blazing 12,054MT/s with no liquid nitrogen needed – just air cooling

By Darren Allan published 21 January 25

DDR5 overclock using air cooling is seriously impressive, albeit with a slight catch.

Have RTX 5090 and 5080 stock rumors spooked PC gamers? Nvidia GeForce Now is facing high demand, with many plans now unavailable

By Darren Allan published 21 January 25

Nvidia’s GeForce Now is creaking under the weight of the gamers using the service, with the majority of its plans now unavailable.

AMD reveals RX 9070 GPUs won’t go on sale until March, which might be too late to prevent Nvidia cleaning up with RTX 5070 models

By Darren Allan published 21 January 25

A losing move in the next-gen GPU war? Perhaps, though Nvidia may have its own issues, if rumors are right.

The best Android antivirus apps for 2025

By Benedict Collins last updated 20 January 25

Updated Android malware and scams aren't going anywhere - make sure your devices are safe with these great antivirus apps.

Rumor has it AMD’s feeling the heat from Nvidia’s RTX 5000 GPU launch prices – but a decision on RX 9070 pricing must be made soon

By Darren Allan published 20 January 25

Bewildered by all the RX 9070 GPU price rumors? I know I am, and AMD needs to cut through the confusion sooner rather than later.

Fresh Nvidia RTX 5090 and 5080 stock rumors again suggest that next-gen GPUs will not be easy to buy

By Darren Allan published 20 January 25

Latest rumors on RTX 5000 stock have me even more worried that it’ll be a frustrating scramble to buy these GPUs.

Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU could sell out fast – and I’m worried things might be even worse for the flagship RTX 5090

By Darren Allan published 17 January 25

Buying a next-gen Nvidia GPU could be a real lottery. Yes, it's the rumor we all didn't want to hear...

Free Windows 11 upgrade offer won’t be getting killed off by Microsoft (yet)

By Darren Allan published 17 January 25

Worried that the Windows 11 free upgrade might expire before you take the offer? Microsoft has assured us it’s here to stay.

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