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3 reasons I regret running four sticks of RAM instead of two

When I built my current PC, I decided to fill out all four DIMM slots on my motherboard, because not only did it look great, especially with the RGB lighting enabled, but it also felt like I was getting more out of this setup. I could’ve gone with two 32GB sticks, but instead, I opted for four 16GB modules, thinking that was the smarter choice. However, after using this build for a while, I realized the reality didn’t match my expectations, and the aesthetic appeal didn’t make up for the headaches I’ve had to deal with.

I’ll admit I was not nearly as experienced back then, but I still should’ve taken the time to browse PC hardware threads on Reddit. Over time, I learned that filling every DIMM slot pushes the CPU’s memory controller harder, limits overclocking headroom, and introduces stability issues. Looking back, I could’ve just bought a pair of dummy RAM modules to fill out the slots for aesthetics, while keeping my system far more stable and flexible with two 32GB sticks. After dealing with the consequences, I can tell you exactly why I regret this configuration.

Stability becomes a real problem

Filling all slots puts more strain on the CPU’s memory controller

The biggest issue with running four sticks of RAM on a motherboard that supports dual-channel memory is stability. You could probably get away with installing four RAM modules if you’re still on the DDR4 platform, but on DDR5 motherboards, things get a lot trickier. That’s because DDR5 is already more demanding on the CPU’s memory controller, and once you populate all four slots, the chances of hitting the rated XMP or EXPO speeds drop significantly, often forcing you to loosen timings, raise voltages, or lower the frequency just to keep things stable.

Even with DDR4, you can sometimes encounter stability issues like I did. For instance, my G.Skill Trident Z Neo RAM kit worked just fine at 3600MHz with my Ryzen 9 5900X when I first built my PC. But when I upgraded to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D last year, I started running into random freezes, BSODs, and boot failures until I lowered the frequency to 3200MHz. Later, I learned that the 5800X3D’s memory controller isn’t as forgiving as the one on the 5900X. So, if you plan to swap CPUs down the line, you’re better off going with two sticks to avoid these stability issues in the long run.

Manual overclocking is a no-go

Since my RAM isn’t stable at rated speeds, I don’t have any headroom

With two RAM sticks installed, you’ll typically have some flexibility to push beyond the XMP or EXPO speeds. I’ve done this before when I had two DIMMs on my older PCs, and the system remained perfectly stable after slightly raising the voltage. However, I never had that headroom in my current PC, even though my RAM modules managed to run at the rated speeds with my Ryzen 9 5900X. When I purchased the kit, I wanted to tighten the timings, but I quickly learned I had no room to do so when my system failed to boot.

As you’ve learned from above, things only got worse after switching to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Instead of overclocking, I ended up downclocking my RAM to 3200MHz for the sake of stability. I’m not saying you won’t have any room for manual overclocking if you run four sticks. Sure, if you get four single-rank sticks, you may be able to tune it a bit because it doesn’t put as much strain on the memory controller. Unfortunately, my RAM modules are dual-rank, so any hope of overclocking goes out the window as long as I have four sticks installed.

Compatibility issues

Four RAM sticks can make upgrades unpredictable

Just because your four carefully matched RAM sticks work fine with your build right now doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way if you change anything down the road. Like I said earlier, stability wasn’t a problem even at EXPO speeds until I switched to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Despite using the same RAM kit in the same motherboard, the memory controller variation between my two processors was enough to introduce stability issues and prevent the RAM from hitting the advertised frequencies.

Likewise, even a BIOS update or moving the kit to another motherboard can trigger new problems. Since four sticks push the memory controller harder, any small change in firmware tuning or board design can throw off stability. The more sticks you run, the more likely you are to encounter boot failures and memory errors. That’s exactly why you’ll often see lower supported speeds for four DIMMs on motherboard QVLs. If you don’t want to spend hours tweaking settings in the BIOS whenever you swap components, your money is better spent on two higher-capacity modules.

Four sticks aren’t worth the looks alone

Populating all the DIMM slots definitely has aesthetic appeal, but it’s not worth the trouble unless you really need the maximum capacity possible. If you’re in the market for DDR5 RAM, I highly recommend sticking with two modules unless you want more than 128GB capacity for a workstation. Don’t forget that you always get dummy RAM modules for a fully populated look without compromising stability or performance. For instance, Corsair offers RGB Light Enhancement Kits for its Vengeance and Dominator series, which mimic the RAM modules and sync with your lighting. This one mistake that I made reminded me that the smarter choice is always the simpler one, especially when it comes to PC building. Chasing looks and raw numbers rarely pays off in the long run, but prioritizing stability gives you peace of mind every time you boot up your system.

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August 31, 2025
Ford Motors – Mustang Mach-E – Unbridled – Little Black Book | LBBOnline
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August 31, 2025
The success of AI music creators sparks debate on future of music industry

LONDON — When pop groups and rock bands practice or perform, they rely on their guitars, keyboards and drumsticks to make music. Oliver McCann, a British AI music creator who goes by the stage name imoliver, fires up his chatbot.

McCann’s songs span a range of genres, from indie-pop to electro-soul to country-rap. There’s just one crucial difference between McCann and traditional musicians.

“I have no musical talent at all,” he said. “I can’t sing, I can’t play instruments, and I have no musical background at all.”

McCann, 37, who has a background as a visual designer, started experimenting with AI to see if it could boost his creativity and “bring some of my lyrics to life.” Last month, he signed with independent record label Hallwood Media after one of his tracks racked up 3 million streams, in what’s billed as the first time a music label has inked a contract with an AI music creator.

McCann is an example of how ChatGPT-style AI song generation tools like Suno and Udio have spawned a wave of synthetic music. A movement most notably highlighted by a fictitious group, Velvet Sundown, that went viral even though all its songs, lyrics and album art were created by AI.

It fueled debate about AI’s role in music while raising fears about “AI slop” — automatically generated low quality mass produced content. It also cast a spotlight on AI song generators that are democratizing song making but threaten to disrupt the music industry.

Experts say generative AI is set to transform the music world. However, there are scant details, so far, on how it’s impacting the $29.6 billion global recorded music market, which includes about $20 billion from streaming.

The most reliable figures come from music streaming service Deezer, which estimates that 18% of songs uploaded to its platform every day are purely AI generated, though they only account for a tiny amount of total streams, hinting that few people are actually listening. Other, bigger streaming platforms like Spotify haven’t released any figures on AI music.

Udio declined to comment on how many users it has and how many songs it has generated. Suno did not respond to a request for comment. Both have free basic levels as well as pro and premium tiers that come with access to more advanced AI models.

“It’s a total boom. It’s a tsunami,” said Josh Antonuccio, director of Ohio University’s School of Media Arts and Studies. The amount of AI generated music “is just going to only exponentially increase” as young people grow up with AI and become more comfortable with it, he said.

Yet generative AI, with its ability to spit out seemingly unique content, has divided the music world, with musicians and industry groups complaining that recorded works are being exploited to train AI models that power song generation tools.

Record labels are trying to fend off the threat that AI music startups pose to their revenue streams even as they hope to tap into it for new earnings, while recording artists worry that it will devalue their creativity.

Three major record companies, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Records, filed lawsuits last year against Suno and Udio for copyright infringement. In June, the two sides also reportedly entered negotiations that could go beyond settling the lawsuits and set rules for how artists are paid when AI is used to remix their songs.

GEMA, a German royalty collection society, has sued Suno, accusing it of generating music similar to songs like “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega and “Forever Young” by Alphaville.

More than 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn, released a silent album to protest proposed changes to U.K. laws on AI they fear would erode their creative control. Meanwhile, other artists, such as will.i.am, Timbaland and Imogen Heap, have embraced the technology.

Some users say the debate is just a rehash of old arguments about once-new technology that eventually became widely used, such as AutoTune, drum machines and synthesizers.

People complain “that you’re using a computer to do all the work for you. I don’t see it that way. I see it as any other tool that we have,” said Scott Smith, whose AI band, Pulse Empire, was inspired by 1980s British synthesizer-driven groups like New Order and Depeche Mode.

Smith, 56 and a semi-retired former U.S. Navy public affairs officer in Portland, Oregon, said “music producers have lots of tools in their arsenal” to enhance recordings that listeners aren’t aware of.

Like McCann, Smith never mastered a musical instrument. Both say they put lots of time and effort into crafting their music.

Once Smith gets inspiration, it takes him just 10 minutes to write the lyrics. But then he’ll spend as much as eight to nine hours generating different versions until the song “matches my vision.”

McCann said he’ll often create up to 100 different versions of a song by prompting and re-prompting the AI system before he’s satisfied.

AI song generators can churn out lyrics as well as music, but many experienced users prefer to write their own words.

“AI lyrics tend to come out quite cliche and quite boring,” McCann said.

Lukas Rams, a Philadelphia-area resident who makes songs for his AI band Sleeping With Wolves, said AI lyrics tend to be “extra corny” and not as creative as a human, but can help get the writing process started.

“It’ll do very basic rhyme schemes, and it’ll keep repeating the same structure,” said Rams, who writes his own words, sometimes while putting his kids to bed and waiting for them to fall asleep. “And then you’ll get words in there that are very telling of AI-generated lyrics, like ‘neon,’ anything with ‘shadows’.”

Rams used to play drums in high school bands and collaborated with his brother on their own songs, but work and family life started taking up more of his time.

Then he discovered AI, which he used to create three albums for Sleeping With Wolves. He’s been taking it seriously, making a CD jewel case with album art. He plans to post his songs, which combine metalcore and EDM, more widely online.

“I do want to start putting this up on YouTube or socials or distribution or whatever, just to have it out there,” Rams said. “I might as well, otherwise I’m literally the only person that hears this stuff.”

Experts say AI’s potential to let anyone come up with a hit song is poised to shake up the music industry’s production pipeline.

“Just think about what it used to cost to make a hit or make something that breaks,” Antonuccio said. “And that just keeps winnowing down from a major studio to a laptop to a bedroom. And now it’s like a text prompt — several text prompts.”

But he added that AI music is still in a “Wild West” phase because of the lack of legal clarity over copyright. He compared it to the legal battles more than two decades ago over file-sharing sites like Napster that heralded the transition from CDs to digital media and eventually paved the way for today’s music streaming services.

Creators hope AI, too, will eventually become a part of the mainstream music world.

“I think we’re entering a world where anyone, anywhere could make the next big hit,” said McCann. “As AI becomes more widely accepted among people as a musical art form, I think it opens up the possibility for AI music to be featured in charts.”

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August 31, 2025
Apple iPhones are falling behind… but it’s not about AI

Since inception, smartphones have been on a mission — to become the pocket computers that cover all our digital needs. For the most part, they can do that — you can write an email on a phone; you can open and read websites on a phone; you can binge YouTube and Netflix… on a phone.

So, what’s the reason we turn to laptops and desktop computers? Simple — the workflow that a big device gives us. A bigger screen allows for more webpage tabs to be open and juggled conveniently. A big, physical keyboard is much more convenient for prolonged typing, naturally. The way the desktop is laid out is much more convenient for multi-tasking.

And, for an actually healthy work process… looking forward at a screen in front of you is much better than looking down at a smartphone screen. Just ask your neck about it.

Duh, obviously, right?

But let’s not take away from smartphones. They now have processors that can rival entry-level laptops. They have high-quality apps that allow you to create and edit a lot of social media presence material straight from your phone. And I do know a couple of people in my life that don’t even own a computer. But, more to the point, they own their own business, and do promote said business online entirely through their smartphones.

So, we are halfway there — what’s next?

Foldable smartphones set out to solve one of the challenges of the smartphone workflow, and that’s display size. Not only to see things in bigger form, but to be able to juggle 2, 3, or 5 apps at a time.And that process is still ongoing, with manufacturers coming up with more ways to make multi-tasking convenient. Oppo and OnePlus have the “Open Canvas” mode, which allows you to juggle 4 apps on screen, quickly switching between which one is displayed in full with just a tap.

The latest Honor Magic V5 has something similar in the form of “Three app multi-tasking”, where the three apps are laid out horizontally on screen. You can have all of them full-screened, and you scroll from one to the other by tapping on the left or right side of the screen.

That’s all well and good. But what if you don’t want a foldable? Either due to the form factor, fragility, or price. Well, that’s fine, because the future lies elsewhere.

The future is in Desktop Experience

Credit given where credit is due — Samsung locked in on the mobile future 8 years ago, when it launched Galaxy S8 with the DeX station. That’s right, back then, DeX wasn’t an autonomous software feature in the phone, you had to actually carry around a small dock with you. It had fans to keep the phone cool, and connections to keep it charged.Since then, DeX has evolved. Nowadays, you can plug an external monitor into a Galaxy S25 or Galaxy Z Fold 7 via the USB C port, then connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you get a full-blown desktop experience on the monitor.

Samsung Desktop Experience

It’s still powered by Android, so it has some quirks, specifically when it comes to copying and editing text, or how the mouse pointer works. But it’s workable.

I’ve been talking up DeX for some years, and even though I see a lot of skepticism, you can also find comments online by people that enjoy it. Students are one example, but there are also professionals that are on the move and enjoy the fact that all their files and work projects are on their phone, so they can just plug in and work from anywhere with little pause.

And there’s even a new class of product out now — a sort of “Shell of a laptop” that has no hardware inside. It’s a screen, keyboard, and touchpad, all designed to be paired with your Samsung phone and run DeX. What’s the benefit? It can be cheaper and lighter, and if you find yourself working more from the phone than a computer, it makes sense.

Google has caught on

Pixel has Desktop Mode!

It took some years, but Google finally paid attention to DeX. With Android 16, Pixel devices (Pixel 8 and up) are getting Desktop Mode. It does what it says on the tin, and operates much like DeX — plug in a monitor and go.Unfortunately, it seems to be a Pixel-exclusive feature at the moment. My hope is that it will eventually be unlocked as a general Android feature for all phones. Obviously, there will probably be hardware limitations, but if you have a higher tier Android phone, you should be able to run it, I’d hope.

Where is Apple in this?

Apple is pretty slow to cave and allow its devices to do more than “that one thing”. Look no further than the story of iPads to confirm.

The first iPad Pro launched in 2015 as an extra-expensive, extra-large iPad. And the only thing it could do with that large canvas? Slide Over and Split View, which were very limited ways of split-screen multi-tasking. Not only are they — to this day — not supported by all apps, but they only let you snap windows to specific sizes and specific places on screen.

Then, in 2022, Apple had to invent a whole new way of having floating windows on-screen, called Stage Manager. And, again, it wasn’t great, as windows still had to lock in specific sizes. It took until 2023 for Stage Manager to become free-floating and usable.

And yes, today, I can go to work with just an iPad Pro, plug in one of the docks that are connected to a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and do my work as an author at PhoneArena. The future is now! And, just like Samsung DeX on the tablets, an iPad can run the Stage Manager UI autonomously — you don’t need an external monitor, just go into Stage Manager and use the multi-window mode however you please.

But what about the iPhone?

The history of the iPhone is not much different. The first “Plus” model was the iPhone 6 Plus with a 5.5-inch screen. It doesn’t sound big by today’s standards, but keep in mind it had a 16:9 aspect ratio, so it was a pretty wide 5.5-inch screen. It became even bigger when the iPhone XS Max launched in 2018.

But those big screens only underlined one thing — the iPhone supported no split screen or floating windows, in an age when Samsung, LG (you are missed), Sony, and others had it as a default, no-big-deal feature.

It took all the way to 2020 for Apple to finally include Picture-in-Picture video for iPhones. Hey, it’s not much, but it’s something. At least you can binge Apple TV or your favorite YouTube channel (is it PhoneArena?) while doing other stuff on that 6.5-inch screen.

So, with this tempo, it’ll be about 2027 or 2030 before the iPhone gets a Stage Manager mode. Especially since the focus right now is to actually develop and implement the AI features that were promised for, but not delivered in, March 2025.

Then again… maybe I am wrong and this is not a big deal. Poll time!

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August 31, 2025
Polish tennis star meets fan after US Open hat snatching viral video

Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak has met a young fan after a video appearing to show a man snatching his hat from a boy in the crowd at the US Open went viral.

Majchrzak shared two clips on his official Instagram account in which he shook hands with two boys and presented them with gifts – including a cap similar to one handed to the boy and then swiftly taken off him in the clip.

“Today after warm up, I had a nice meeting,” the tennis pro wrote, adding: “Do you recognise [the cap]?”

The viral video, widely reported to be from Majchrzak’s match on Thursday, showed the tennis player interacting with fans before offering a child the cap he had been wearing.

A man next to the child can then be seen taking the cap before the child had a chance to grab it himself. The boy can then be seen pleading to get it back.

Versions of the clip were subsequently shared on social media, with many users criticising the man – who multiple media outlets have since named as Piotr Szczerek, a Polish CEO of a paving company.

BBC News has approached Mr Szczerek through his company for comment.

Majchrzak also posted an image of him standing and smiling next to the boy wearing the cap.

“Hello World, together with Brock we wish you a great day!” the tennis player’s caption said.

Majchrzak, 29, is ranked 76th in the world in men’s singles.

He won Thursday’s match at Flushing Meadows, New York against Russian player Karen Khachanov, ranked ninth in the world, but retired from a later match – saying he had torn an intercostal muscle.

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August 31, 2025

Luka Doncic becomes fourth player in recorded EuroBasket history to post triple-double

The official EuroBasket app

KATOWICE (Poland) – Luka Doncic became on Sunday only the fourth player since 1995 to post a triple-double in a FIBA EuroBasket game after coming up with 26 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to spark Slovenia to their first win in this year’s big event, 86-69 over Belgium.

The calm with which Slovenia reacted to the accomplishment is a testament to the fact that, Doncic was destined for greatness ever since he debuted at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 as an 18-year-old and helped Slovenia conquer the title . As teammate Edo Muric put it, “He’s breaking records, and I’ve always believed he could do this. This is a normal day at the office for him.”

However, that was not the only page of EuroBasket lore the Los Angeles Lakers star wrote on Sunday. Doncic became also the youngest player in the 21st century to surpass 400 career points, 100 career assists and 100 career rebounds in EuroBasket.

When it comes to the scoring aspect specifically, at 26 years and 184 days old Doncic is the youngest player to reach the 400-point milestone in the competition since Tony Parker in 2007, who was 25 years old and 122 days old at the time.

Player	Edition	Triple-Double
Luka Doncic (SLO)	2025	26 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST
Mateusz Ponitka (POL)	2022	26 PTS, 16 REB, 10 AST
Andrei Mandache (ROU)	2017	14 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST
Toni Kukoc (CRO)	1995	15 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST

*Stojan Vrankovic of Croatia posted a triple-double in FIBA EuroBasket 1993 which however is not taken into consideration as records of blocks before 1995 are not ratified.

FIBA

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August 31, 2025

Alessandro Ghiretti celebrates important victory in the title fight

31/08/2025

Alessandro Ghiretti won the penultimate round of the 2025 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Zandvoort, extending his championship lead over Robert de Haan (BWT Lechner Racing) to nine points. Ghiretti’s Schumacher CLRT teammate Flynt Schuring missed out on converting his pole position into a win but secured third place and took home the rookie title early.

Fellow Porsche Junior Theo Oeverhaus also delivered a strong performance, rounding off his weekend on a redeeming note with a seventh-place finish.

With his third win of the season, Alessandro Ghiretti has strengthened his position in the battle for the 2025 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup title ahead of the upcoming finale in Monza. Following his triumph in round seven at Zandvoort, the Schumacher CLRT driver from France extended his lead over Robert de Haan to nine points. Racing for BWT Lechner Racing, the Dutchman fought hard for second place and heads to the final race of the season in northern Italy still firmly in contention for the crown.

Alessandro Ghiretti

Flynt Schuring suffered a minor setback in the battle for the overall win. The polesitter crossed the finish line in third place after 17 laps on the dune circuit just outside Amsterdam. The Dutchman now trails his French teammate by 14 points in the standings. At the same time, the 19-year-old had good reason to celebrate: third place was enough for him to secure the rookie title in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup ahead of schedule.

The race at the demanding Circuit Zandvoort served up drama from start to finish. From pole, Schuring didn’t get off the line cleanly and had to concede his position not only to Ghiretti but also to de Haan. Meanwhile, contact between Mathys Jaubert (Martinet by Alméras) and Ariel Levi (Team GP Elite) on the opening lap triggered a safety-car phase, ending the race for both drivers.

When the race resumed on lap five, de Haan shadowed leader Ghiretti closely, ramping up the pressure. A collision between Francesco Braschi (Ombra Racing) and Dirk Schouten (Dinamic Motorsport) ended the hopes of the crowd for a dramatic final showdown between the title contenders. As one of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup ended up beached in the gravel at Turn 11, forcing race control to deploy the safety car once again. With the final two laps neutralised, Ghiretti’s victory was no longer under threat.

‟I had everything under control,” insisted the Porsche Junior. ‟Robert pushed hard and was very fast. I’m sure I could have held him off until the finish even without the safety car. This victory means a lot to me. A nine-point lead is not huge, but I’d rather be nine points ahead than nine behind. The Monza finale promises be a tough race weekend with spectacular slipstream battles and plenty of action. I’m ready for the fight!”

De Haan was frustrated by the late safety-car period: ‟I gave it everything, put him under a lot of pressure and forced him into some mistakes. I had the pace to win today and was just waiting for the right moment for the decisive attack. So the second safety car really couldn’t have come at a worse time for me. Luck was not on my side. The situation for Monza is clear: I have to win, and Alessandro must not finish better than third. I will fight until the very last metre.”

Schuring, meanwhile, was torn over his personal Zandvoort outcome: ‟My feelings are a bit mixed. Obviously, I’m thrilled with the rookie title, but the race didn’t go as planned. My start wasn’t great, and after contact out of Turn 1, the front splitter of my Porsche broke. After that I was unable to match the pace of the two leaders. So I’m pleased I managed to hold onto third. No need for any maths at the finale, I simply need to win and then see what the others do.”

Flynt Schuring

The decision on the fight for the team championship has been delayed. Schumacher CLRT with their drivers Ghiretti and Schuring heads to the finale with a comfortable lead over BWT Lechner Racing. The Austrian team will once again field two cars for de Haan and Frenchman Marvin Klein.

Home drivers Wouter Boerekamps (Team GP Elite) and Jaap van Lagen (Proton Huber Competition), and the youngest driver on the grid, 18-year-old German Janne Stiak (Target), also put in very strong performances at Zandvoort. They finished just behind the podium places in fourth, fifth and sixth.

The second Porsche Junior Theo Oeverhaus also ended the weekend on a high note. The 20-year-old German worked his way up from P12 on the grid to finish seventh in Proton Huber Competition’s 911. ‟Compared to qualifying, we could make a good step forward,” he said, clearly pleased. ‟A small tweak to the car helped me very much, and the way the race unfolded played into my hands. Today I also had that little bit of luck that has been missing here and there this season. I hope we can deliver again in Monza, ideally starting with qualifying.”

‟The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup once again delivered plenty of intensity and drama in 2025,” said Thomas Laudenbach. The Vice President Porsche Motorsport watched the race action in Zandvoort. ‟It was a shame the final two laps ran behind the safety car, and the thrilling duel between Alessandro Ghiretti and Robert de Haan didn’t go all the way to the flag. Still, we can look forward to a real title showdown next weekend in Monza, which is entirely fitting given the season we’ve had in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. I’m particularly impressed by Flynt Schuring, who at just 19 has enjoyed a tremendous season and fully deserves the title in the rookie championship. We’ll be seeing a lot more from this young driver in the future.”

Thomas Laudenbach

The 2025 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup finale promises high drama. The title will be decided next weekend as part of the Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. In the Temple of Speed just outside Milan, 14 laps over 80.793 kilometres are on the schedule for Sunday, 7 September, starting at 11:45 am.

Result round 7 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Zandvoort (Netherlands)

1. Alessandro Ghiretti (FRA/Schumacher CLRT), 17 laps in 31:00.358 min (= 139.989 km/h)
2. Robert de Haan (NLD/BWT Lechner Racing), 0.107 seconds behind
3. Flynt Schuring (NLD/Schumacher CLRT), 0.301 seconds behind
4. Wouter Boerekamps (NLD/Team GP Elite), 0.514 seconds behind
5. Jaap van Lagen (NLD/Proton Huber Competition), 0.829 seconds behind
6. Janne Stiak (DEU/Target), 1.141 seconds behind

Standings Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup (after 7 of 8 races)

1. Alessandro Ghiretti (FRA/Schumacher CLRT), 110.5 points
2. Robert de Haan (NLD/BWT Lechner Racing), 101.5 points
3. Flynt Schuring (NLD/Schumacher CLRT), 96.5 points

Full result and overall standings on the Porsche Motorsport Hub:

https://racing.porsche.com/mobil-1-supercup/results-season-2025

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August 31, 2025
The M4 Mac Mini Offers the Best Value I’ve Seen From an Apple Product, and It’s $54 Off for Labor Day

Labor Day deal: With concerns over tariffs and price increases, Labor Day offers greater discounts on a ton of items, including top tech like the Apple M4 Mac Mini. Right now you can pick one up for$545 at Amazon. This powerful computer already offers great value, so saving $54 is a bonus. But if you were planning on picking one up, we can’t promise this deal will last beyond Labor Day, so we suggest buying sooner rather than later.

I bought the M4 Mac Mini after reading CNET laptop expert Joshua Goldman’s review of the tiny machine. I was looking for a computer that would increase my productivity and better organize my workflow. Since then, I’ve found it to be the best value for money among Apple’s lineup. For less than $600, you can get a more powerful computer than the $999 MacBook Air.

The M4 Mac Mini, Apple’s smallest computer, is an easy recommendation for me since it’s one of CNET’s picks for the best desktop computers of 2025. It’s also our go-to for the best cheap desktop alternative to a MacBook or iMac. Even better, it’s now selling at Amazon for $54 off, which brings the price down to $545. That’s a fantastic deal for work-from-home employees and creatives.

LAPTOP DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

The M4 Mac Mini has been my best tech investment this year

The M4 Mac Mini plus Apple’s current crop of USB-C Magic accessories make for a really nice portable computing solution. Add a portable monitor and you’re set.

Josh Goldman/CNET

I’ve been joyfully surprised by the M4 Mac Mini’s value and how wonderful it’s been for me to work from a desk. As a freelance remote worker, I travel at least 10 days every month, so I need a portable computer. Based on my lifestyle, I should be recommending the M4 MacBook Air. But it’s the remaining 20 days of the month that I need to work harder than usual to put together new pitches, deliver approved stories, sort admin tasks, conduct research and more. All this requires immense organization and productivity, and the M4 Mac Mini has helped make my life easier.

This smallest of Apple’s computers doesn’t compromise on power. It features a 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory and a 256GB solid-state drive for storage. It’s very powerful for a $599 machine and a bargain at $545. You likely won’t be able to find similar reliability and power on a Windows machine for $500. I’ve tried and failed. And no, I’m not forgetting that the Mac Mini doesn’t come with a display or a mouse and keyboard.

I paired my M4 Mac Mini with a 27-inch LG UltraGear monitor (currently down to $239) and a Logitech mouse and keyboard combo — all for under $200. The UltraGear’s big screen is quite useful for research and multitasking, as well as watching movies.

The M4 Mac Mini can be excellent for home office and content creation needs. As CNET’s Goldman wrote in his review, “The Mini can fit in your hand and be everything from an everyday home office computer to a full-on professional content-creation machine — and an easily portable one at that — with support for up to three 6K-resolution displays.”

My buying recommendation

The M4 Mac Mini was launched in November 2024, and it’s now available at a $54 discount, which is not the lowest price we’ve seen but a decent discount. The small Apple computer offers superb value for remote workers and content creators. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a PC for home, I’d say pick up a M4 Mac Mini and see the difference for yourself.

Want to check out the competition? We’ve rounded up the best desktop computer deals from HP, Lenovo, Dell and, naturally, Apple. And if this desktop doesn’t suit your taste, you can check out the best laptop deals.

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August 31, 2025
15 Cardiologist-Approved Foods to Lower Cholesterol Naturally
When you think about cholesterol, do you automatically think “bad”? If so, you’re not alone, nor are you totally wrong. High cholesterol is indeed a serious problem that affects 86 million American adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “High cholesterol is a top risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and poor circulation,” said Omar Ali, M.D., F.A.C.C., a board-certified interventional cardiologist at ARK Medical Center in Michigan. So if you’re looking for how to lower cholesterol naturally to avoid these conditions, you’re making a smart choice for your health.

It is important to remember, though, that your body does need some cholesterol. Per the Cleveland Clinic, cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance found in your cells. Your liver makes it naturally, but it’s also found in animal products like meat and dairy. Cholesterol is responsible for building cell membranes, helping your liver make bile, and assisting in the production of hormones. However, getting more than you need—which can happen from eating too many cholesterol-rich foods—causes plaque to form in the arteries, which could lead to dangerous blood flow blockages.

Meet the experts: Omar Ali, M.D., F.A.C.C., a board-certified interventional cardiologist at ARK Medical Center in Michigan; Jennifer Haythe, M.D., an associate professor of cardiology and director of the cardio-obstetrics program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.
Here, discover what healthy cholesterol levels look like, plus the best expert-approved foods to lower cholesterol naturally.

What do healthy cholesterol numbers look like?

There are two types of cholesterol in the body: LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol and HDL (or “good”) cholesterol. In general, you should limit LDL as much as you can, hopefully replacing it with HDL.

LDL cholesterol is the main culprit behind buildup and blockage in the arteries, per the National Library of Medicine (NLM), while HDL actually helps remove LDL. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood, abbreviated as mg/dL. Ideally, this is what healthy cholesterol numbers look like, according to the NLM:

Women over age 20:

Total cholesterol: 125 to 200 mg/dL

LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL

HDL cholesterol: 50 mg/dL or higher

Men over age 20:

Total cholesterol: 125 to 200 mg/dL

LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL

HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or higher

Medications like statins can help you get to healthy levels, though most experts recommend trying to make healthy lifestyle changes first. “I always advise people to try and lower their cholesterol through diet and exercise,” said Jennifer Haythe, M.D., an associate professor of cardiology and director of the cardio-obstetrics program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

Lowering your cholesterol without medication is possible, but it’ll take some work. One of the most beneficial changes is simply getting more active. “To reduce cholesterol, it’s essential to start a cardiovascular fitness routine that involves moderately vigorous exercise four times per week,” Dr. Haythe said. You can start with moderate exercises, like walking, for 15 to 20 minutes a day, building up from there. (And if you smoke, you should try to stop as soon as you can.)

Eating a nutrient-rich diet is also crucial. Cutting back on high-cholesterol foods—like fried foods, sugary desserts, and fatty meats—is a start, but you should also eat more of the fare that can actually help lower your cholesterol. Fans of the Mediterranean diet should be pleased; its staples are naturally low in LDL cholesterol and can actively remove it from your system. Here, you’ll find the best picks to add to your grocery list.

Best foods to lower cholesterol naturally

Whole grains

Getting 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber (found in whole grains like oats and brown rice) daily could help lower LDL cholesterol, per the National Lipid Association. Because you digest fiber slowly, it’s able to bind to cholesterol in the blood and remove it from the body, Dr. Haythe explained. Cooked oats are a top source, offering 2 grams of soluble fiber per half-cup serving.

Try it: These apple oatmeal muffins include a half-serving of oats each.

Fatty fish

Aim to eat at least two 3.5-ounce servings of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, or herring per week, according the American Heart Association. The omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood can help improve your triglycerides—a type of cholesterol-like fat found in the blood that can cause your arteries to become hard or thick.

Try it: Roasted salmon, artichokes, and red onion come together on a single sheet pan in just 30 minutes.

Nuts

Research shows that regular consumption of tree nuts like walnuts and almonds is tied to lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. “This is likely because they contain unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin E, and plant sterols,” Dr. Haythe explained. Just watch your portion size, since nuts are high in calories.

Try it: This blueberry parfait contains walnuts, almonds, and pecans, plus fiber-rich oats.

Green tea

Studies show that drinking green tea can significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Experts suspect that’s because the brew is rich in catechins, a family of flavonoids that can thwart the production and absorption of cholesterol.

Try it: Drink it straight up or use it as the liquid in a smoothie.

Legumes

Research in The Journal of Nutrition found that eating a daily serving of legumes (including beans, peanuts, lentils, and peas) could lower both LDL and total cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. Like oats, beans are packed with soluble fiber that sweeps cholesterol out of the bloodstream, Dr. Ali explained.

Try it: Legumes fit in with basically any savory dish—and some sweet ones as well. Start with this fiery black bean soup and arugula and chickpea salad.

Seeds

Like whole grains, seeds are rich in fiber, which binds to bad cholesterol and drives it out of the body. Chia seeds and flax seeds, especially, are good to add to your diet; they’re easy to sprinkle on everything and have been shown in recent research to lower LDL cholesterol. These seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a rare plant-based source of the nutrient.

Try it: Make this coconut chia pudding for a sweet and filling breakfast.

Dark chocolate

Who says treats can’t also be good for you? A 2023 study found that dark chocolate can help raise levels of good-for-you HDL cholesterol. This is probably due to high levels of flavonoids, compounds with an antioxidant effect. Stick with 70% dark chocolate or higher—it contains more antioxidants and less sugar than the milkier stuff.

Try it: Stock up on dark chocolate bars or create these fruit and nut coins.

Strawberries

Speaking of indulgent desserts, strawberries also provide a health boost. Research in Nutrients showed that regular consumption of the fruit is linked with lower cholesterol, probably thanks to its high levels of polyphenols, compounds found in plants that prevent LDL cholesterol from inflaming or clogging arteries. Knowing that, strawberries taste just a bit sweeter.

Try it: We all love ‘em with chocolate or in a smoothie.

Brussels sprouts

Almost like an unlikely combination of seafood and whole grains, Brussels sprouts are actually a great source of both soluble fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are known to lower cholesterol. The cruciferous veggies have also been shown to decrease the likelihood of other vascular diseases, meaning they’ll pull double duty in protecting your arteries.

Try it: Roast mustard-glazed sprouts in the oven or shave them for a refreshing salad with lemon and sharp cheese.

Safflower oil

This neutral, high-heat oil is rich in phytosterols, cholesterol-blocking plant compounds that could lower your LDL cholesterol by as much as 14%, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In fact, regular consumption of safflower oil is tied to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared to that of olive oil, making it a good go-to cooking oil.

Try it: Use safflower oil anywhere you’d use another oil.

Kale

The leafy green (along with cousins like collard and mustard greens) has been shown to bind to bile acid. “That helps the liver burn more fat, which in turn lowers cholesterol,” Dr. Ali said. Plus, research has shown that eating one cup of leafy greens a day can lower heart disease risk. For the biggest benefit, opt for lightly cooked greens over raw ones.

Try it: Toss greens in a kale and parmesan salad or turn them into hearty, fiber-rich kale and chickpea soup.

Avocado

Thanks to their fiber and monounsaturated fat, avocados could help lower your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, studies show. The key is using the buttery fruit to replace foods with saturated fat—swap sliced avocado for mayo on a sandwich, for example.

Try it: Make creamy guacamole or dice on a chopped salad.

Apples

An apple a day really might help keep the (heart) doctor away; apples are some of the best sources of pectin, a type of fiber that’s been shown to lower levels of LDL cholesterol. They’re also chock-full of antioxidants like those all-important polyphenols, which work to keep arteries clear. Just don’t peel the skin, since that’s where most of the nutrients are.

Try it: Pop an apple in your bag for a healthy snack when you’re on the go.

Red wine

A staple of the Mediterranean diet, red wine has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol and decrease the chances of heart disease. Moderation is the name of the game, though; one glass a day is the most these studies suggest drinking, since too much alcohol can cause plenty of its own issues. If you already plan on indulging, though, enjoy every sip!

Try it: Might we suggest a bottle (or box) of red wine?

Tomatoes

You say tomato, we say lower cholesterol. The fruits are high in lycopene, a compound that prevents LDL from oxidizing (becoming even more detrimental to your health). Studies have shown that tomatoes and tomato juice have a positive effect on cholesterol levels, specifically raising levels of HDL cholesterol.

Try it: This simple salad combines tomato, avocado, salmon, and nuts.
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August 31, 2025
New Asia Launches 4 Affordable Electric Scooters in Pakistan

New Asia has introduced four new electric scooters in Pakistan under the Ramza branding.

The launch includes Ramza Yaari, Ramza A7, Ramza Linbo, and Ramza Liberty—each built to suit different riding needs, ranging from basic urban commuting to higher-powered performance.

This rollout marks a significant expansion of the country’s electric two-wheeler market, which continues to grow in response to rising petrol costs and demand for low-maintenance mobility solutions.

Ramza Yaari

Targeted at new riders and short-distance commuters, Ramza Yaari offers a compact and lightweight frame with a focus on efficiency and affordability.

Dimensions: 1780 × 706 × 1090 mm

Motor Power: 800W (rated), 1320W (peak)

Top Speed: 45 km/h

Battery: Graphene-based, 60V, 26Ah

Range: Up to 100 km (at 25 km/h constant speed)

Charging Time: Not officially listed, but estimated between 4–6 hours

Brakes: Front disc, rear drum

Suspension: Telescopic front fork, dual spring rear shocks

Tires: Street-oriented, tubeless

Display: Digital instrument cluster

Colors: White, Blue, Green

Battery & Controller: 24 months or 20,000 km

Motor Lifespan: 36 months

Price: Rs. 165,000

This model is suitable for everyday riders looking for a practical and budget-friendly entry point into electric mobility.

Ramza A7

The Ramza A7 is the most powerful model in the lineup and is intended for users who require greater speed, power, and range.

Dimensions: 1890 × 690 × 1170 mm

Motor Power: 2000W (rated), 3078W (peak)

Top Speed: 65 km/h

Battery: Graphene-based, 72V, 38Ah

Range: Up to 129 km (at 25 km/h constant speed)

Charging Time: Likely around 6–8 hours

Brakes: Front and rear disc

Suspension: Heavier-duty telescopic fork, twin rear shocks

Tires: Larger and wider, better for stability at higher speeds

Display: Fully digital with battery monitoring and trip meter

Colors: Black, Red

Battery & Controller: 24 months or 20,000 km

Motor Lifespan: 36 months

Price: Rs. 320,000

Ramza A7 is well-suited for longer commutes, hilly terrain, and users who value performance and extended range.

Ramza Linbo

Ramza Linbo is designed as a compact, economical option for low-speed, short-range use, particularly suited for smaller riders or dense traffic areas.

Dimensions: 1740 × 660 × 1080 mm

Motor Power: 600W (rated), 1480W (peak)

Top Speed: 40 km/h

Battery: Graphene-based, 60V, 22Ah

Range: Up to 104 km (at 25 km/h constant speed)

Brakes: Front and rear drum

Suspension: Basic front and rear suspension

Tires: Narrower profile, lower rolling resistance

Display: Basic digital screen

Colors: Beige, Red, Black

Battery & Controller: 18 months or 18,000 km

Motor Lifespan: 36 months

Price: Rs. 155,000

Its compact design makes it ideal for younger or first-time riders, or for errands within city limits.

Ramza Liberty

The Ramza Liberty balances power, size, and affordability, offering moderate performance with good range and safety features.

Dimensions: 1769 × 680 × 1150 mm

Motor Power: 1000W (rated), 1580W (peak)

Top Speed: 45 km/h

Battery: Graphene-based, 60V, 26Ah

Range: Up to 91 km (at 25 km/h constant speed)

Brakes: Front and rear disc

Suspension: Upgraded for comfort and stability

Tires: Mid-size for a mix of grip and efficiency

Display: Backlit digital cluster

Colors: Blue-White, Black-Red, Gray, Black

Battery & Controller: 24 months or 20,000 km

Motor Lifespan: 36 months

Price: Rs. 180,000

Liberty is best suited for moderate-range daily riders who want a balance between performance and cost.

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August 31, 2025