Discord will be the latest social media platform asking for government identification or a facial scan in order to access content deemed not safe for minors. In a new blog post, Discord has announced "teen-by-default" settings, which will go into effect in "early March 2026." The new settings will set all existing and new Discord accounts to the "teen-appropriate experience" mode, which will filter out all content inappropriate for minors. Discord users who wish to access age-gated content will need to go through an age verification process, which will involve uploading a scan of a government-issued ID or by scanning their faces to verify age. This policy has already been in place in the UK and Australia since 2025, but this move will see the change roll out globally. This may not be necessary for all users, since the social media platform will also be implementing its age inference model, which will analyze user accounts—looking at the types of games users play, the amount of time users spend on Discord, and what time they are active—to determine whether they belong to adults. Discord claims the new system is being implemented in the name of "giving teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility."

Discord says that the selfie video used for age verification never leaves the user's phone, and that all processing is done locally. ID documents, on the other hand, are processed by a third party service provider, and documents are "deleted quickly—in most cases, immediately after age confirmation." Discord divulged in a support page that it uses k-ID for age verification, and even in the short time that the age verification system has been a requirement, there have already been reports of privacy breaches—in one instance, up to 70,000 user profiles (emails, names, and other contact information), along with government IDs and credit card information were reportedly accessed by hackers in October 2025. This age verification system mirrors the system adopted by Roblox not too long ago, and the online response has been similarly pessimistic.

Blizzard Entertainment's ongoing early 2026 showcase—and 35th anniversary celebration—has not produced many big surprises, although Overwatch 2's recent absorption into the larger/overall "Overwatch" brand has raised an eyebrow or three. Looking further ahead, new IP announcements could be made during September's BlizzCon 2026 event. Naturally, the North American company's dormant StarCraft franchise will be the topic of renewed online speculation. A 2017 remaster of Blizzard Entertainment's original title (1998) was not deemed substantial or good enough for a lot of the sci-fi RTS IP's fan base. The final tranche of StarCraft II DLC arrived back in late 2016; as the "Nova Covert Ops" single-player mission pack. According to a dnews report from a week ago, Blizzard and Nexon are co-operating on a "reimagination" of StarCraft as a "shooter experience." The South Korean news publication believes that "full-scale development" has commenced on a "new game utilizing the StarCraft IP (intellectual property)."

Going into further inside track detail, Nexon has allegedly completed preliminary preparations (aka a pre-production phase) in the recent past. According to an unnamed industry insider, a content development agreement was given the thumbs up by Blizzard leadership, last year. This "cooperation contract" could lead to the creation of—as phrased by the dnews article—a "megaton project capable of shaking the global gaming market." Nexon has reportedly assigned this highly important undertaking to their internal "Shooter Division" studio. Arc Raiders (2025) is a notable hit for the South Korean/Japanese video game developer and publisher, although Sweden's Embark Studios was responsible for the development of this popular PvPvE extraction shooter.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. has launched MY HERO ACADEMIA: All's Justice, the super-powered 3D arena fighter based on the global anime phenomenon My Hero Academia. The game features multiple modes where players are thrust into unforgettable battles set in the My Hero Academia universe, including an explosive Story Mode set during the climactic Final War arc. Players experience "ONE LAST SMASH" through iconic battles, exclusive new stories and missions, and action-packed PvP that showcase the series' legendary Heroes and Villains in their final and most powerful forms. MY HERO ACADEMIA: All's Justice is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam in Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate Editions.

As the news cycle approached Christmas (2025), rumors emerged of other smartphone chip manufacturers considering an adoption of Samsung's intriguing "Heat Path Block" (HPB) technology. By the middle of January, the Fixed-focus digital cameras Weibo account surmised HPB being picked up by "many chip manufacturers that commonly use Android chips." Earlier today, a leaked "SM8975" packaging set of schematics seem to show Qualcomm's integration of a Samsung-designed Heat Path Block into a next-gen Snapdragon mobile chipset. The latest finding—again, courtesy of Fixed-focus digital cameras—indicates the speculative Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro model borrowing a key piece of heatsink technology from Samsung's soon-to-be-launched Exynos 2600 SoC.

By the end of last week, multiple news articles claimed that Qualcomm was borrowing the HPB design from an arch-rival. The San Diego, California-headquartered fabless semiconductor specialist's recent flagship processors have enjoyed high placements in terms of benchmark results, but these cutting-edge chips have seemingly hit thermal limit barriers—even when combined with expensive vapor chamber-based cooling solutions. Samsung Foundry's HPB is placed over and in contact with the chipset die, without any blockage (unwantingly) enabled by a layer of DRAM. Instead, the latter aspect is moved to the side (refer to the fourth image below). Reports from late last year mentioned Qualcomm and Apple being the two main (external) frontrunners of HPB adoption, outside of Samsung pioneering the way with its 2-nanometer Exynos 2600 application processor.

In a frontier where lawlessness and legend walk side by side, a new ARPG is revealed today. The Dark West is an occult Action RPG from the new independent studio Black Hand, a team of ARPG enthusiasts determined to restore the genre to its former glory. The Dark West takes place in a frontier where faith has worn thin and something sinister has seeped into the soil. Combat is brutal and quick. Define your builds through skills, itemization, and a poker-style deck system where forming familiar hands unlocks powerful effects.

"We made The Dark West because we love ARPGs and wanted to create the kind of game we have always wanted to play. From the start, we've included the community in every step of development. Their feedback is shaping the combat, the story, and the world. This is a game made with players, not just for them," said the Game Director at Black Hand.

One of the defining traits of the Gothic franchise has always been its living world. A dynamic ecosystem full of creatures, NPCs, and critters that carry out their daily routines, whether the player is watching or not. This self-sustaining environment has long been key to Gothic's unmistakable atmosphere, turning the Valley of Mines into more than just a backdrop; it's a breathing, believable place that feels alive.

In the fifth entry of their ongoing Making Of series, the developers at Alkimia Interactive take players behind the scenes to show how this hallmark feature has been faithfully reimagined for the new generation. Every area, landmark, and character has been rebuilt from the ground up, carefully balancing authenticity with fresh detail and modern technology.

Following a mid-January PlayStation 6 chipset leak, Kepler L2 has predicted memory configurations for Sony's next-gen home console (sometimes codenamed "Orion"), as well as a futuristic handheld system. This past weekend, the experienced tech soothsayer outlined key points of interest via the NeoGAF discussion board. In a thread mostly focused on a "next-gen Xbox," a slight deviation into PlayStation territories produced a notable prediction of "up to 30 GB of GDDR7 memory" for the PS5's rumored successor. When answering queries about this impressive dollop of system RAM, Kepler L2 believes that this maximum provision is achievable through the use of 3 GB GDDR7 memory modules in an unusual clamshell configuration.

Commenters did not think that this would be possible with "only 4 GB (GDDR7) modules on a 160-bit bus." In theory, a total bandwidth of 640 GB/s could be enabled, even with a reduced bus (from 256-bit down to 160-bit)—leading to an 11% higher figure than the PS5 Pro's main transfer credential (576 GB/s). Additionally, Kepler L2 believes that the Sony PlayStation engineering team will be bunging (up to) 24 GB of memory into the speculated "PS6 Portable" (aka "Project Canis") handheld gaming console. Previous leaks have suggested the implementation of premium low-power DRAM (LPDDR5X), an expected selection for manufacturers of high-end mobile devices. This memory spec could place the PS6 handheld within the region of ASUS ROG's Xbox Ally X model. Currently, the main caveat of generous/impressively large pools of system memory boils down to pricing and availability. An ongoing supply crisis has already driven fresh rumors of Sony delaying its next-gen gaming systems beyond a proposed 2027 launch window.

A free trial for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection lets you get a taste of the game before its March 13, 2026 release. In addition to jumping right into the beginning of the story, you'll be able to customize your character, try out the battle system, and start collecting equipment and Monsties just like in the full version. You can transfer your save data to the full version and continue playing where you left off.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection—Trial Version
The trial version has only one save slot (the full version will have three). You can only advance to level 10 in the trial version. You can continue playing upon reaching the level cap, but you will no longer gain any experience points. The amount of Trade Points and Monsties you can accumulate are also capped. In order to carry over your progress to the full version, you must use the same account, with the save data on your PC.

Intel's oft-leaked Core Ultra 200 Plus "Arrow Lake Refresh" processor series is expected to launch in March or April, according to rumors floated just after the conclusion of CES 2026. This past weekend, HXL/9550pro weighed in with a more focused timeframe—they propose that Team Blue will lift an important review embargo on March 23, at a very specific 6 a.m. (PST) morning slot. Evaluations of incoming Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Ultra 5 250K, and Ultra 5 250KF desktop models are reportedly due for publication on that Monday. Oddly, the latest leak does not allude to an imminent embargo lift affecting "-HX" variants for the laptop/notebook market. Many Intel enthusiasts were looking forward to a major "Arrow Lake Refresh" unveiling at last month's CES trade show, but company leadership decided to go all-in with the introduction of "Panther Lake-H" mobile chips.

Throughout early 2026, Team Blue has kept quiet about forthcoming "Arrow Lake-S Refresh" desktop processors, but an official mid-January announcement—courtesy of the ASUS social media account—indicated a readying of BIOS support updates, in advance of an eventual retail launch. Up until recently, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus model has been the most mysterious of Intel's "ARL-S Refresh" parts—a sudden increase in pre-release benchmarking activity and premature e-tail listings has occurred in parallel with whispers of a non-arrival of its flagship sibling. Late last week, two anonymous sources—in correspondence with VideoCardz—posited that Intel had removed the 24-core Ultra 9 290K Plus SKU from its near future "Arrow Lake-S Refresh" launch lineup. This past weekend Tom's Hardware (via momomo_us) spotted prematurely published pricing information, regarding the remaining Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Ultra 5 250K, and Ultra 5 250KF models. An unspecified webstore listed price tags of $357.12, $245.92, and $227.38 (respectively).

Intel's upcoming Core Ultra Series 2 "Arrow Lake Refresh" desktop processors are confirmed to bring CPU E-core count and L3 cache uplifts at their given price-points, recent benchmark leaks confirm. The series was originally rumored to consist of three SKUs, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, and the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus. The company was later reported to have cancelled the 290K Plus, and will proceed to launch the 250K Plus and 270K Plus very soon (details in our upcoming article).

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is significantly spruced up from the current Core Ultra 5 245K. The company has given this chip a 6P+12E core configuration, up from 6P+8E of the 245K. With three "Skymont" E-core clusters at its disposal, the chip also gets an increase in L3 cache, now increased to 30 MB, from the 24 MB of the 245K. There's also a nominal increase in frequency, with the P-cores boosting up to 5.30 GHz, a 100 MHz increase over the 245K. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is essentially a downclocked Core Ultra 9 285K. It maxes out the "Arrow Lake-S" silicon, enabling all 8 P-cores, all 16 E-cores, and the entire 36 MB L3 cache present, but has clock speeds resembling the Core Ultra 7 265K, with a maximum P-core boost frequency of 5.50 GHz, compared to 5.70 GHz of the 285K. The 270K Plus could also lack Thermal Velocity Boost available in the 285K. The 270K could come at an attractive price-point below that of the 285K.

Detective Jack Foster rejoins the police department after a traumatic incident to take over the investigation of what appears to be mere political blackmail. Soon, however, he's faced with the discovery of a gruesome ritual murder that took place in a sealed room, from which no one could have gotten in or out without being seen. Along with his new partner, Harvey Whitman, an expert on cults, Foster dives deep into the shadows of the city of Arkham.

The case will get even darker when they find out it is related to three witches that escaped the Salem trials in 1693, and a conspiracy that could put an end to the world as we know it.

Are you ready for another round? Iceberg Interactive and Luminous are thrilled to circle back to their favourite ring-shaped RTS franchise with Circle Empires 2 - now available on Steam with a 15% launch discount! Conquer a world of interconnected circles, with vicious foes (or your friends) to conquer and precious loot to plunder! Strengthen your armies, vanquish enemy bosses, and adapt to ever-changing circular worlds that make each playthrough feel unique.

In Circle Empires 2, Estonian developers Luminous grabbed the strongest elements from the previous games in the series and added new core mechanics for unit customization, town layout planning, a mount system, improved unit physics and much, much more! Whether you're a seasoned veteran of circular carnage or it's your first time around, Circle Empires 2 will keep you coming back for round after round after round.

Chinese firm M5Stack has released its new AI Pyramid series, a small-form-factor edge AI PC aimed at developers and makers working with local inference workloads that stands out with its unique pyramid shape design. The lineup consists of two variants: AI Pyramid and AI Pyramid-Pro. Both models are built around the Axera AX8850 SoC, which combines an octa-core Arm Cortex-A55 CPU running at up to 1.7 GHz with a 24 TOPS INT8 NPU. The platform targets fully local AI processing, covering use cases such as computer vision, multimodal input, and on-device model inference, without depending on cloud acceleration.

Memory configurations differ between the two versions, with the standard AI Pyramid shipping with 4 GB of LPDDR4x, while the Pro model offers 8 GB. Storage is provided by 32 GB of onboard eMMC. The AX8850 supports hardware-accelerated H.264 and H.265 encoding and decoding at resolutions up to 8K at 30 FPS, as well as up to 16 concurrent 1080p decode streams. The specs are completed with dual Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0 ports, HDMI output, with the AI Pyramid-Pro adding HDMI input support. The device also integrates onboard audio hardware, an OLED status display, RGB lighting, and an active cooling solution. Pricing starts at $199 for the 4 GB AI Pyramid Computing Box, with the 8 GB Pro variant listed at $249 on the M5Stack website.

Romeo is A Dead Man is coming to Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC (Steam/Windows) on February 11, 2026! In this third-person, action adventure, players will assume the role of Romeo Stargazer, a man trapped in the space between life and death created by a mysterious time paradox. In his new role as FBI Space-Time Agent "Dead Man", Romeo will uncover a wild, unpredictable story with intense battles, hunt down some of the universe's most dangerous fugitives, and search for his missing girlfriend, Juliet. There's a lot of weird and wonderful themes at play inside Romeo is A Dead Man, and so, I sat down with Executive Director Goichi Suda (Suda 51) and Director Ren Yamazaki to find how it all came together.

The game is pretty chaotic right off the bat. How'd it end up like that?
Suda Goichi (Suda 51): The opening in particular is full speed ahead, yeah. If we're gonna cause some ruckus right off the bat, we might as well equally get the player in the thick of the action as fast as possible so they don't have to think too long about it. I'm just glad if they can enjoy the action right from the start.

InHand Networks, a global provider of industrial and enterprise networking solutions, today announced the unveiling of the CR602 5G Wi-Fi 7 Router, a next-generation connectivity solution designed to deliver high-speed, reliable, and flexible network access for modern business environments.

As businesses increasingly rely on cloud services, video collaboration, digital payments, and connected devices, the demand for stable, high-performance networking has never been greater. The CR602 addresses these challenges by combining ultra-fast 5G cellular connectivity with next-generation Wi-Fi 7 technology, enabling seamless communication across diverse professional scenarios.

Last Friday, an Overclocking.com article made an extremely bold claim about a new RTX 5000-series graphics card model arriving at some point later on in 2026. The France-based publication cites unnamed sources of inside information; mostly gathered during last month's CES trade show. The rumor-heavy report insists that the mysterious "Blackwell" gaming product range-topper exists as a separate entity; distinct from Team Green's supposedly postponed GeForce RTX 50 "SUPER" refresh family. According to Overclocking.com's CES 2026 ground team, three unnamed brand representatives had whispered about "a new RTX card for 2026." Additionally, another OCC staffer heard of similar theories—from a "different set" of company reps—during a recent trip through Asian. After gathering sufficient evidence from industry contacts, Overclocking.com proposes that a "model positioned above" NVIDIA's current "Blackwell" flagship gaming card—the GeForce RTX 5090 32 GB—is on the way. The French site even sent a tip-off to VideoCardz—latterly, the highly-popular graphics card news specialist has not picked up on similar gossip from its own network of board partner moles.

The Overclocking.com news piece posits that Team Green could be working on a "Founders Edition-only" release, marked down for launch during the "Back to School" period (Q3 2026). A current-gen "TITAN-esque" design or a "GeForce RTX 5090 Ti" SKU are listed as possible candidates to dethrone the venerable GB202-300-A1 GPU-based GeForce RTX 5090 model. Over a year ago, ChipHell presented a curious sneak peek of an NVIDIA "GB202-200-A1" ASIC—at the time, this "more capable" GPU was linked to a hypothetical GeForce RTX TITAN "Blackwell" card design. Given present-day component supply problems, bringing a possibly extremely expensive brand-new gaming product to market seems to be a tall task. GeForce RTX 5090 cards are often used for AI tasks, rather than for entertainment purposes. Allegedly, Intel has pivoted away from deploying its largest "Battlemage" GPU in Arc B-series gaming lines; instead favoring upcoming Arc Pro workstation solutions.

Following CES 2026 and the broader conversation around the role of AI in gaming, Razer is sharing more about how we think about AI, how it fits into the future of gaming, and the principles shaping our development efforts. These ideas reflect what Razer CEO and Co-founder Min-Liang Tan discussed during his appearance on The Verge's Decoder podcast.

Razer CEO Dislikes GenAI Slop in Gaming
"As gamers… what we're unhappy with is GenAI slop. When I play a game, I want to be engaged. I want to be immersed. I want to compete. I don't want to see characters with extra fingers or shoddily written storylines." said Min. AI has played a role in gaming for decades, evolving from the predictable patterns of early arcade titles like Pac-Man into the adaptive NPCs and procedural systems of modern open worlds. What has changed recently is the rise of generative AI tools that can create large volumes of content quickly, sometimes at the expense of quality. For Razer, the question has never been whether AI belongs in gaming, but how it should be used to strengthen the craft of making games.

A week ago, Sapphire Technology's social media account started to tease a forthcoming Crimson Desert collaborative product. A few days later, the Hong Kong-based computer hardware specialist unveiled an officially redecorated variant of its current flagship RDNA 4 graphics card—the NITRO+ Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB model. In the time gap between Sapphire's two preview posts, web sleuths managed to find early retail listings—pre-release info included the product code (11348-10-20G), GTIN/EAN number (4895106297623), and a full product name—Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Crimson Desert. Across a smattering of prematurely published Austrian and German webstore pages, possible placeholder pricing seems to be hovering around €970 - 980. Currently, the PCO Computer Handels GmbH online shop is advertising "in stock" availability.

Surprisingly, Sapphire's recent release of TRIXX v11.0 contained patch notes that mentioned the "Crimson Desert Version" special edition, as well as the PhantomLink spin-off. Crimson Desert, a single-player open-world fantasy action-adventure, is due to launch on multiple platforms next month—specifically March 19. The AMD x Sapphire Nitro+ x Pearl Abyss collaboration could bear fruit in the run-up to the Black Desert Online prequel's international arrival. Sapphire's promotional render shows a fairly typical Nitro+ RX 9070 XT card design that sports Crimson Desert livery; mainly on the backplate. Additionally and subtly, the triple-fan array features a different set of stickers, when compared to the standard model. Semi-recently, TechPowerUp's W1zzard was impressed by the high quality print present on ASRock and Capcom's Radeon RX 9070 XT Monster Hunter Wilds Edition card—a more mid-range-type design. Hopefully, Sapphire has applied a similar—or superior—level of treatment onto its premium-tier creation.

Meet the G7 Pro 8K PC, a wireless esports controller engineered for competitive PC gaming. Featuring ultra-responsive 8K Hz wired and 2.4G wireless polling, every movement and action is captured with lightning-fast precision, delivering a true competitive edge. In collaboration with Aimlabs, the well-known FPS training software, it combines pro-level performance with striking, software-inspired cyan aesthetics, earning its status as an officially licensed Aimlabs accessory.

With an 8000 Hz polling rate over both wired and 2.4G wireless connections, the G7 Pro 8K PC delivers smoother control and instant response, ensuring every input is registered with esports-grade precision. Designed for pro-level performance, the G7 Pro 8K PC features second-generation GameSir Mag-Res TMR sticks. Compared to the first generation, the Gen-2 TMR sticks continue to use magnetic technology to eliminate physical contact, delivering long-lasting anti-stick drift reliability. At the same time, with 8K Hz polling, they provide smoother, more linear control and ultra-low power consumption, ensuring precise and responsive gameplay for competitive gamers.

Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 5 250K Plus desktop processor has appeared in the Geekbench database, according to a post by Benchleaks on X. The CPU is part of Intel's Core Ultra 200S Plus "Arrow Lake Refresh" lineup, which is expected to launch next month. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus features an 18-core configuration with 6 Performance cores and 12 Efficiency cores, up four E-Cores from the Core Ultra 5 245K 6P+8E layout. The processor runs at a 4.2 GHz base clock and 5.3 GHz boost. Cache specifications include 6 MB of L2 cache and 30 MB of L3 cache. Compared with the 245K, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus keeps the same power ratings with a 125 W base power and a 159 W maximum turbo power, despite the higher core count and slightly increased boost clocks. P-core turbo frequencies are up by 100 MHz compared to the 245K, while E-core clocks reportedly remain unchanged at up to 4.7 GHz.

The test system used an ASUS PRIME Z890-P WIFI motherboard with 32 GB of memory. The processor scored 3,113 points in the single-core test and 15,251 points in the multicore test. As with most early database entries, performance may improve with final firmware and retail silicon. Intel is expected to position the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus in the sub-$300 segment, offering a modest upgrade over the Core Ultra 5 245K, which currently sells for around $200-215. The processor will be compatible with LGA 1851 motherboards and is part of what is expected to be the final CPU family for the socket, ahead of Intel's transition to LGA 1954 with the upcoming Nova Lake architecture later this year.

HiBy has officially announced the latest member of W Series, the HiBy W4. It is a brand-new DAC/AMP with portable and fashionable design, like an all-around swingman with dual modes, playing back Hi-res music in wired & wireless. With W4's release, HiBy aims to merge the convenience in wireless and high-fidelity in wire together.

To cover the scenarios, HiBy W4 features a flexible design with clip-on and magnetic attachment. Clip it anywhere for on-the-go. And the magnetic design fits to some smartphones or phone cases, used as a "MagSafe" accessory. The Uncharge Mode which is implemented in HiBy Digital Audio Player, isolates power supply from the smartphone, prevents draining phone's battery, and reduces interference. It builds in a 1500mAh battery to ensure a longer playing time.

Imec - a world-leading R&D center in advanced semiconductor technologies - today inaugurated a 2,000 m² cleanroom expansion at its Leuven headquarters, marking a pivotal milestone in the deployment of Europe's NanoIC pilot line. The event was attended by European EVP Henna Virkkunen, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, and ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet, alongside representatives from the European high-tech ecosystem - including industry and startups - the NanoIC pilot line consortium, and policymakers from the EU, Belgium, and Flanders. With a capacity of over 12,000 m², imec's cleanroom plays a crucial role in the European Chips Act's ambitions to position Europe at the forefront of next-generation semiconductor innovation and manufacturing; a strategy that will be instrumental in reinforcing the continent's industrial fabric in the AI era, while safeguarding a climate of sustained economic growth, security, and prosperity for decades to come.

"Since announcing in May 2024 that imec would host the NanoIC pilot line, we've moved at full speed - accelerating tool acquisition and launching a comprehensive recruitment program. Today, that effort culminates in the inauguration of a 2,000 m² cleanroom extension at the imec premises. It will house a best-in-class toolset, including ASML's next-generation High NA EUV scanner that is scheduled to arrive mid-March," said Luc Van den hove, CEO of imec.

The moment you've been waiting for is here! YUNZII is thrilled to unveil the C98 Cake Meow keyboard, the numpad version after C75! This is a delightful fusion of sweet aesthetics, versatile performance, and creamy typing bliss. Designed to charm your desk and elevate your daily touch, the C98 Cake Meow is now officially available for pre-order. Be among the first to experience this masterpiece and enjoy an exclusive pre-order price plus a complimentary gift. Your perfect slice of typing heaven is ready.

Pink / Beige / Purple
Choose your perfect slice of keyboard paradise. Will it be the sweet, playful allure of Pink? The warm, timeless elegance of Beige? Or the deep, imaginative whisper of Purple? Each C98 Cake Meow is a statement piece, crafted to bring personality and delicious style to your workspace. Select the hue that matches your vibe.

D-Link Corporation (TWSE: 2332), a global leader in networking solutions, announced the launch of its DGS-1250 Series Gigabit Smart Managed Switches. Developed to address the growing demand for greater network visibility and control without the cost and complexity of fully managed solutions, the DGS-1250 Series empowers organizations to scale their networks with confidence while maintaining operational simplicity.

Positioned between unmanaged switches and advanced Layer 3 platforms, the DGS-1250 Series delivers a balanced combination of Gigabit performance, enhanced security, and intuitive management. It is designed for businesses seeking to modernize their network infrastructure with smarter capabilities while keeping deployment and ongoing operations efficient and straightforward.

Ayaneo has officially launched Next 2, its newest Windows gaming handheld, following initial announcements and teasers from last year. The device succeeds the original Ayaneo Next, which was introduced in early 2022. It features a redesigned chassis with larger grips, and it is equipped with a 9.06-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400 × 1504. The panel supports switchable refresh rates of 60 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, and 165 Hz, along with up to 1155 nits peak brightness, 5280 Hz PWM dimming, and full DCI-P3 color coverage.

On the hardware side, the handheld is available with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 or Ryzen AI Max 385 processors. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on AMD Zen 5 "Strix Halo" architecture, manufactured on TSMC 4 nm process, with boost clocks up to 5.1 GHz. Graphics are handled by the integrated Radeon 8060S GPU based on RDNA 3.5 with 40 compute units clocked up to 2.9 GHz. The chip also integrates an XDNA 2 NPU for up to 126 TOPS of AI performance.

Toward the end of 2026, Intel will debut its next generation Core Ultra Series 4 "Nova Lake-S" desktop processors, introducing new CPU core IP and a significant uplift in CPU core counts, besides special SKUs with large L3 caches to take the fight to AMD's X3D processors with 3D V-Cache. Much has been reported on the processors, but not much about the platform and chipsets, until Jaykihn dropped a new leak. We are now hearing that Intel could take a similar approach to AMD in differentiating its desktop chipsets, with two enthusiast-segment chipset models, and a mainstream model, besides the usual chipset models for commercial desktop and workstation segments.

This approach would see the introduction of the new Z970 chipset positioned a notch below the flagship Z990 chipset that succeeds the current Z890. There will not be an "H970," as Intel has seen consistently low demand for such a chipset, and there's no "H870" in the current generation. The Intel 900-series "Nova Point" chipset family will begin with the B960 mainstream chipset succeeding the current B860. Positioned above this will be the new Z970, offering enthusiast features such as multiplier-unlocked CPU overclocking when paired with K-series processor models. Above this, is the flagship Z990 with significantly more platform I/O features. The Q970 will be the commercial desktop chipset from this generation, while W980 will cater to workstation platforms powering Xeon W-series processors based on "Nova Lake-S."

Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console is reportedly taking an unconventional route by running on a customized version Windows 11 OS instead of the specialized console OS that typically powers these devices. According to Windows Central, the system will function essentially as a gaming PC that boots into an Xbox interface by default. This UI is likely similar to what the current Xbox Full Screen Experience looks and feels like, and will likely provide the same performance boost. We have already seen that Xbox FSE mode brings about a 9.3% reduction in RAM usage and about an 8.6% higher FPS due to the smaller system overhead. Users could exit that interface to access the full Windows 11 operating system, meaning the hardware would support Steam, EPIC, and other competing game stores, as well as standard PC applications alongside Xbox games.

This is Microsoft's first radical departure from the walled-garden approach that has defined console gaming for decades. What it could translate to is the first hybrid system that serves multiple purposes, from traditional gaming to running productivity suites of Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and others, all from the same system. Teams from the Windows and Xbox divisions are reportedly collaborating closely to adapt the operating system for living room use. Microsoft is also working with hardware partners like ASUS to create multiple devices at different price points rather than releasing a single standard console. Plans for a first-party handheld device are still under consideration, though the traditional console appears to be the main focus.

ASRock has maintained close and long-term collaboration with AMD, and continues to carefully review recently discussed CPU-related issues across online communities, while optimizing BIOS functionality and further enhancing overall system stability. Following multiple rounds of collaboration, AMD has provided AGESA 1.3.0.0a to improve overall platform compatibility. ASRock has completed the corresponding integration and has released the Beta BIOS version 4.07.AS01, featuring AGESA 1.3.0.0a, on its official website.

The BIOS update includes the following highlights:

• 1. Update AGESA to ComboAM5 PI 1.3.0.0a.
• 2. Optimized Memory Compatibility.
• 3. Resolve a boot failure occurring on certain CPUs.

Intel has quietly deprecated its Software Defined Silicon initiative (SDSi), known as "Intel On Demand," according to a report from Phoronix. The company has archived the official GitHub repository for SDSi for Xeon, an effort intended to enable optional features on Intel's server processors that could be unlocked for an extra fee. Intel had hoped enterprises would pay to enable these features, but the initiative never gained mass traction and was only sporadically maintained. Because hyperscalers operate at massive scale, paying an additional fee to enable a feature on silicon they had already purchased made little sense, contributing to Intel's decision to abandon the project. Subscription services are similar in concept, but they generally apply to software on a monthly basis rather than one-time hardware activations.

Originally, Intel planned to make Quick Assist, Dynamic Load Balancer, and Data Streaming Accelerator available as On Demand features, alongside Software Guard Extensions and the In-Memory Analytics Accelerator. These were described on the Intel On Demand website as a "one-time activation of select CPU accelerators and security features." The Intel On Demand site has since been reworked to remove most information, leaving only a few documents and paragraphs. Thankfully, the idea of putting hardware features behind a paywall has not gained traction for now, leaving the paywall model to traditional software. At one point enthusiasts wondered whether Intel On Demand would trickle down to consumer CPUs, but with the project apparently dead, that possibility seems unlikely in the near term. Intel Upgrade Service existed in a similar format back in early 2010s, but was also short-lived.

AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 technology, now known simply as FSR 4, is currently supported in many games, but not across all AMD RDNA GPU generations. In response to an inquiry from Hardware Unboxed, AMD mentioned that it is still uncertain whether official FSR 4 support will be extended to the Radeon RX 7000 series and older GPUs, as the company reportedly has "no updates to share at this time." AMD official product separation stems from its RDNA 4 architecture and the support for 8-bit floating point instructions. While the latest RDNA 4 hardware supports Wave Matrix Multiply Accumulate in FP8 format, older RDNA generations like RDNA 3 and RDNA 2 lack this hardware instruction support and can't process 8-bit floating point data in this format.

However, older Radeon GPUs can instead rely on the 8-bit integer (INT8) data formats, which Radeon RX 7000 series fully supports. AMD accidentally leaked FSR 4 INT8 on its AMD GPUOpen platform, showing that FSR 4 on older GPUs is a possibility, which is just kept hidden for now. Later on, ComputerBase tested this leaked library, finding that FSR 4 offers a balance between native image quality and FSR 3.1 performance on both RDNA 3 and RDNA 2 hardware. In tests with Cyberpunk 2077 in 4K on Ultra settings using the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, FSR 4 delivered 11% faster performance than native, but was 16% slower than FSR 3.1. Interestingly, performance may be the reason why AMD is holding these INT8 FPR 4 libraries back, but another point could be product separation.

Intel is preparing to give its next-generation Core Ultra Series 4 "Nova Lake-S" desktop processors not one, but two enthusiast-segment desktop motherboard chipsets, the Z990 and Z970. The new processors introduce Socket LGA1954, which will require a motherboard upgrade. The idea behind segmenting Z990 and Z970 to succeed the current Z890 is to probably bring enthusiast features such as CPU overclocking to a wider market segment.

There is no word on how the Z990 and Z970 are differentiated, but VideoCardz reports that the Z970 is based on a physically smaller chip resembling the mid-tier B960 chipset that succeeds the current B860. The difference between the two could hence be I/O. The Z990 could feature a larger number of platform PCIe lanes, and have a wider 8-lane DMI chipset bus, whereas the Z970 could have fewer PCIe lanes, and a 4-lane DMI bus, just like the B960, but with the added CPU overclocking capability. This chipset would hence be suitable for those who want enthusiast features but don't need an elaborate I/O. We still don't know the exact PCIe lane counts of Intel's 900-series chipset, so we can't tabulate them.

A pair of lawmakers in New York wants to put a pause on new data centres in the state for the next three years and ninety days, for the state to be able to assess the impact on water, electricity and gas usage. New York would follow in the footsteps of Georgia, Maryland, Oklahoma, Vermont and Virginia—according to Wired—with Florida also considering legislation.

New York state has at least 133 data centres, with most being located in New York City and Buffalo, followed by Albany and Long Island, which according to National Grid New York President Sally Librera will see the electricity demand jump to 10 GW over the next five years. Common among all the states is that the cost of electricity and other utilities have increased, with electricity prices by around 13 percent in 2025. Some of the states want the data centres to "pay their own way", although considering the time it takes to build the infrastructure needed, this might end up being a problem with the current growth rate of new datacentres. With an increasing number of US states considering moratoriums for new datacentres, the current AI boom might have hit a snag that none of the companies involved can get around.

Welcome to the second week of February and another packed week of new releases, even though none of them are AAA titles. The major release this week comes from the creators of Little Nightmares and to no surprise, we're talking a co-op horror adventure. The week kicks off with a bad bout of the Monday's, followed by some artifact hunting and a trip to Japan. Next up we have some motorcycle racing, followed by a sequel of a rather crazy game on alien planets. On top of all of that, we have a few extra games that didn't quite make the list, but that we reckon some of you might be interested in.

Reanimal / This week's major release / Friday 13 February
The original creators of Little Nightmares & Little Nightmares II have returned to take you on a more terrifying journey than ever before. In this co-op horror adventure game, you play as a brother & sister who go through hell to rescue their missing friends. Exploring by boat and on land, you must use your wits to survive, work together to escape the hellish island, and the dark secret that haunts you. Steam link

The company that started the entire wave of AI infrastructure and development is now enjoying the fruits of its work. NVIDIA has deployed generative AI tools across its company to an astonishing 30,000 engineers. In a partnership with San Francisco-based Anysphere Inc., the company is getting a customized version of the Cursor integrated developer environment, which focuses on AI code design. This is important to note as NVIDIA's engineers are now reportedly producing as much as three times the code compared to the previous development pipeline, and we are now probably using NVIDIA's products or services that have been designed by AI guided by humans.

NVIDIA offers a range of mission-critical products that cannot afford to be as error-prone as most AI-generated code tends to be. This includes GPU drivers that support everything from basic gaming to large-scale AI training and inference operations. The company is likely enforcing strict guidelines for its newly generated code, with an extensive range of tests required before the code is deployed in production. This isn't the first time NVIDIA has utilized AI-assisted workflows in its products. The company has already implemented a dedicated supercomputer that has been continuously enhancing DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) for several years, and some chip designs have been optimized using the company's internal AI tools.

In an exclusive report for VideoCardz, Intel is reportedly targeting an LPDDR5X memory speed of 8,533 MT/s for its upcoming Core Ultra G3 series of "Panther Lake" chips arriving in the second quarter for handheld gaming devices. After we learned that Intel is imposing certain memory mandates on its OEM partners, it seems like the Core Ultra G3 will face similar mandates from the company to prevent OEMs from "cutting corners" and implementing slower LPDDR5X memory. For the new handheld-tuned Core Ultra G3 and G3 Extreme, that specification is now set to 8,533 MT/s, which is slightly below its flagship "Panther Lake" Core Ultra X SKUs that can support LPDDR5X memory running at 9,600 MT/s.

Presumably, Intel will require OEM partners and makers of the next-generation handheld consoles to use this 8,533 MT/s memory on both SKUs. These chips will feature a 14-core CPU configuration, including two P-Cores, eight E-Cores, and four LPE-Cores. A key selling point of these SoCs is the Arc integrated graphics, with the G3 Extreme offering 12 Xe3 cores and the standard G3 featuring 10 Xe3 cores. The G3 Extreme plans to run the Arc B380 iGPU with 12 Xe3 cores at 2.3 GHz, just 200 MHz below the flagship Core Ultra X9 388H's Arc B390. Essentially, G3 Extreme handhelds can expect gaming performance similar to that of the flagship SKU, albeit with two fewer P-Cores and a slightly lower GPU clock speed. The regular G3 maintains its CPU capabilities, but the GPU is reduced to a 10-core Xe3 IP called Arc B360, with a GPU boost frequency of 2.2 GHz, resulting in a notable decrease in both gaming performance and TDP.

Noctua has earned itself a reputation in the enthusiast space not only for its highly efficient air coolers, but also for its free mounting upgrade kit policy, which allows buyers of Noctua coolers to request a new mounting kit when a new motherboard socket from AMD or Intel launches, even years after they've purchased their original cooler. The company recently announced that it has shipped 500,000 of these free mounting upgrade kits since the project started way back in 2006 with the AMD AM2 socket. Noctua also promises that "as new sockets and architectures appear, we will continue to provide free mounting or upgrade kits where technically feasible."

Noctua explains that the ethos behind the program is to "ensure that a quality product remains useful for many years," and, in the blog post celebrating the achievement, it explains that change in approach meant rethinking the design of its coolers. New coolers designed by Noctua from 2006 onwards would need to be modular and standardized to maintain support across different platforms and generations. Noctua elaborated that part of the justification for the past and ongoing commitment to the free upgrade program is as much about the environment as it is about customer service and technical compatibility. Theoretically, 500,000 mounting kit upgrades means that up to 500,000 perfectly functional CPU coolers were kept out of the e-waste pile, conserving raw materials and cutting down on waste.

Intel's Arc graphics solutions initially had a rough start to life on the Linux side of things, but it seems as though the tide is changing. Phoronix recently tested the new Panther Lake Intel Arc B390 iGPU in the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, comparing the new iGPU to the venerable Radeon 890M in the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, and, surprisingly, Intel's iGPU consistently outpaces the Radeon iGPU, which isn't a surprise if you've been keeping track of early benchmarks on Windows. The publication tested the new Xe3 integrated graphics in an MSI Prestige 14 running the latest Mesa 26.0 drivers on Linux Kernel version 6.19 on Ubuntu 26.04.

When it comes to gaming, the only games in which the Xe3 iGPU was bested by the AMD competition were Counterstrike 2, running at 1920×1200, and Quake II RTX. In every other game, the Intel Arc B390 beat both the AMD competition and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and Core Ultra 7 258V significantly. Depending on the game and in-game settings, the Arc B390 was anywhere between 15% and upwards of 50%. Hitman 3 was a particularly impressive outlier, with the B390 managing to get over 50% more FPS than the nearest competitor and 64% more FPS than the Radeon 890M at 1920×1200 and low settings, with similar gains at medium quality settings, and a slightly less impressive performance improvement when bumping up to ultra settings.

Intel's "Arrow Lake Refresh" has not even been released, but the company has already canceled its flagship SKU planned for this refresh cycle, according to a report from VideoCardz. Two sources close to the media note that Intel's flagship Core Ultra 9 290K Plus might not roll out at all, despite the massive hype and leaked benchmarks indicating that Intel is releasing this CPU SKU as part of the "Arrow Lake Refresh" generation expected to arrive in March or April. Reportedly, Intel will instead focus on delivering value with its Core Ultra 7 270K Plus SKU, which carries 8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores and a 5.5 GHz maximum turbo boost. For individual boosting frequency, P-Cores top out at 5.4 GHz, while the base runs at 3.7 GHz. For E-Cores, the boost frequency is set to a maximum of 4.7 GHz, while the base is set at 3.2 GHz.

As for a possible reason why Intel would cancel this SKU, the sources close to VideoCardz note that product overlap is the main issue, as the flagship Core Ultra 9 290K Plus would have the same core configuration as the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, just with slightly higher clock speeds. Additionally, Intel already maintains a Core Ultra 9 285K SKU from the regular "Arrow Lake" family, meaning that the company would have three similar SKUs at the very top of the stack. This way, it would only have to maintain two products, which would simplify manufacturing and supply chain logistics, allowing Intel to spend more time preparing for the next-generation "Nova Lake" launch later this year.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9995WX HEDT processor with 96 cores and 192 threads comes with a default TDP of 350 W. However, heavy overclocking can bring the CPU to 1,300 W and requires a custom integrated heat spreader (IHS) that serves as a direct-die waterblock. In the latest endeavor by Geekerwan, the enthusiast created a custom fin structure inside the Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9995WX IHS that serves as a direct-die waterblock to achieve an impressive overclock of 5.325 GHz, drawing an astonishing 1,340 W during load, with the entire system drawing around 1,700 W. According to Geekerwan, he contacted ASUS China regional manager Tony Yu to experiment with different IHS designs before "ruining" the IHS of a $12,000 HEDT CPU. He then proceeded with trying a straight fin structure common in commercial waterblocks, but also conducted computer simulations that showed a curved, wavy S-shaped fin structure is the most efficient in capturing heat, as the coolant flows over a longer distance with minimal obstruction, resulting in 20% better cooling than the straight fin structure.

The IHS of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9995WX processor is 4.1 mm thick, which left Geekerwan with about 2.0 mm of fin depth and about 2.1 mm for the structural integrity of the IHS, which is subject to a lot of water pressure. After a heavy 19-hour session of CNC milling, the result is a CPU that ran between 30-50°C, which is an amazing temperature under Cinebench 2026 load. The system also placed 7th in Cinebench R23, just behind an LN2-cooled AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7995WX running at 6.2 GHz. Impressive heat dissipation and the massive 5.325 GHz clock on a 96-core system are also made possible with an industrial chiller, two Bosch water pumps from cars, and a 37-gallon water tank. You can check out the entire process below.

MSI's most powerful GPU—the GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z—will come with an extreme price tag to match, as the company has listed its GPU for NT$165,000, which works out to about $5,200. The company noted this pricing in a 24-hour giveaway scheduled to begin on Monday, February 9, at 10:00 AM Taiwanese time, lasting until Tuesday, February 10. The listing has revealed that the card we previewed at the 2026 International CES show is not only a premium design but also a premium-priced product, as the supply is limited to only 1,300 samples. MSI advertises a factory boost clock of 2,730 MHz and an "Extreme Performance" OC profile of 2,775 MHz. Additionally, the GPU is capable of reaching 3,742 MHz, which is the fastest LN2 GeForce RTX 5090 GPU ever.

The MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z will come with an 800 W power limit out of the box, while the "Extreme" power preset mode gives it a 1000 W power envelope on the 360 mm AIO water cooling. The extensive engineering involved in the PCB design along with a 40-phase VRM allows the GPU to sustain multi-kilowatt loads. The card uses 28 Gbps Samsung GDDR7 memory, which can be overclocked to 36 Gbps on LN2. Additionally, only LN2 is capable of taming the XOC BIOS, which comes with 2.5 kW of power load and will require extensive PCB modifications. For a product that costs $5,200, only extreme overclockers would dare to modify the card. For the rest of us mere mortals, MSI recommends a power supply with a capacity of 1600 W, providing ample room for basic overclocking without ruining the card.

NVIDIA's upcoming "Vera Rubin" AI systems are scheduled for late summer shipping in the form of VR200 NVL72 rack-scale solutions that will power the next generation of AI models. However, not every memory maker of HBM4 qualified for a design win, as Micron has reportedly fallen out of the equation, with only Samsung and SK hynix left to supply the precious HBM4 memory. According to leaked institutional notes from SemiAnalysis, which tracks the supply chain in great detail, SK Hynix will represent about 70% of the HBM4 supply for VR200 NVL72 systems, with Samsung getting the remaining 30% of the supply. For a major memory maker like Micron, there is reportedly zero commitment for the supply of HBM4 memory.

Interestingly, this is not the end of Micron's share of memory in NVIDIA VR200 NVL72 systems. Instead of HBM4, the company will supply LPDDR5X memory for "Vera" CPUs, which can be equipped with up to 1.5 TB of LPDDR5X, making up for the lost share with the HBM4. It is possible that Micron didn't qualify for the significant system upgrade that NVIDIA performed for VR200 NVL72, which went from the initial system target of 13 TB/s in March 2025 to 20.5 TB/s in September. However, at CES 2026, NVIDIA confirmed that the VR200 NVL72 system is now operating at 22 TB/s of bandwidth, marking a nearly 70% increase in system bandwidth, all derived from aggressive memory specification scaling that the company demanded from the memory makers.

Intel and AMD have reportedly warned customers in China about tightening server CPU supplies, with delivery times stretching significantly and prices already moving higher. According to Reuters, average prices for Intel server processors in China have increased by more than 10%, depending on contract terms, while delivery times for some Xeon models have extended to as much as six months. The situation appears most severe for Intel's fourth and fifth-generation Xeon processors, where backlogs are reportedly building fast. AMD is facing similar, though less extreme constraints, with some server CPU orders now quoted at eight to ten weeks for delivery. China remains a major market for both companies, accounting for over 20% of Intel's total revenue, and includes customers such as large server OEMs and cloud operators like Alibaba and Tencent. The supply crunch is being driven by a mix of factors, including surging demand tied to AI infrastructure and so-called "agentic AI" systems, which significantly increase CPU requirements alongside GPUs.

Manufacturing limits are also having a negative effect with Intel admitting supply issues linked to manufacturing and yield problems, while AMD relies on TSMC, which now gives priority to high-profit AI chips. Rising memory costs in China have put more pressure on the market, with buyers rushing to buy CPUs to avoid paying more for complete systems later. Both companies say they are working to improve supply. Intel told Reuters its inventory hit a low point in Q1 but expects gradual improvement through 2026, while AMD stated it remains confident in its ability to meet demand based on supplier agreements and its partnership with TSMC. For now, however, customers may still be facing higher prices and longer waits for server CPUs.

Simon Lin, the chairman of Wistron, has gone on record to say that AI is not a bubble and that the growth of AI-related orders for the company will be higher in 2026 than those it had in 2025. Reuters is quoting him saying "We believe AI really does help all industries, so I don't think it's a bubble; I think it will mark a new era. A new AI era is arriving." Wistron is expecting AI-related orders to see them through all the way into 2027 and this year's growth is expected to be "significant."

Wistron is expecting to open its new US manufacturing facility this half of 2026, where the company will be producing AI servers on behalf of NVIDIA. Wistron is said to have a four-year contract with NVIDIA that is valued at as much as US$500 billion. The question here is if the industry is trying its best to make as much profit out of the current market trend, or if this really is a long-term business for companies such as Wistron. We've seen past bubbles where company leadership has denied it being a bubble, until it was, but maybe it's different this time around.

GALLOP INNOTEK today unveiled a new generation of silicone-free thermal gap pad, the GTP160-NS. This GTP160-NS is engineered to solve silicone out-gassing or silicone bleeding in sensitive electronics, optical systems, satellite technology, and medical devices.

With the non-silicone formulation, GALLOP INNOTEK uses different materials like acrylic or urethane polymers to solve the siloxane compatibility problem. This marks a major milestone in GALLOP's efforts to provide thermally conductive pads for silicone-sensitive applications.

According to Nikkei Asia, some of the biggest PC makers like ASUS, Acer, Dell, and HP are exploring alternative memory suppliers amid industry-wide memory shortages, which are forcing PC OEMs to seek supply even from Chinese memory maker CXMT. Late last year, CXMT unveiled its homegrown DDR5-8000 and LPDDR5X-10667 memory modules at the 2025 China International Semiconductor Expo. This has likely prompted many OEMs to start finding alternatives to the traditional triad of SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron, whose supply has been very limited outside AI accelerator workloads.

CXMT offers 12 Gb and 16 Gb LPDDR5X capacities, while DDR5 scales to 16 Gb and 24 Gb module formats. The 16 Gb DDR5 chips from CXMT measure 67 square millimeters, with a density of 0.239 Gb per square millimeter. The G4 DRAM cells are 20% smaller than CXMT's previous G3 generation. Reportedly, CXMT manufactures these chips using a 16 nm node, which is three years behind Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron in manufacturing capabilities. However, CXMT is progressing quickly, and its DRAM modules adhere to the official JEDEC specifications and even exceeding the specification, making them ideal for OEM PCs depending on the use case.

At Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 in Barcelona, Akasa showcased its latest solutions that embed LCD screens in passively-cooled cases. There are three versions, including "Kepler," "Maxwell Pro Plus," and "Euler CMX," all of which come with an LCD screen for monitoring or providing a visual interface that a user might need. First on the list is the new "Kepler" chassis, which is a 2U rack-mountable design with support for microATX and Mini-ITX boards, compatible with either Intel LGA1851 or LGA1700 sockets, capable of running anything from 12th to 14th Generation Intel Core processors, or Core Ultra in the latest 15th Generation "Arrow Lake." The system limits the CPU TDP to 35 W, which makes sense since it is a completely passively cooled enclosure. Kepler includes a 150 W AC-to-DC converter to power the system, and there is the possibility to install up to four single-slot low-profile PCIe cards or anything that fits within four slots of low-profile PCIe space.

ASUS IoT, a global leader in AIoT solutions, today announced PE1000U, a compact DIN-rail-mountable edge computer powered by an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor. Measuring just 63 x 110 x 160 mm, PE1000U features extensive I/O connectivity to address the growing demand for real-time intelligence at the edge. Housed in a fanless, rugged IP40-rated chassis that's been subjected to US MIL-STD-810H testing for 5Grms vibration, PE1000U is able to operate in environments with temperatures ranging between -25°C to 70°C. It accepts a wide 9-36 V DC power input and includes built-in ignition control, making it suitable for on-vehicle deployment. PE1000U is also ideal for collaborative robots, AMR, industrial vision equipment, and other space-constrained deployments where reliability is paramount.

Performance and connectivity in a palm-sized package
PE1000U is powered by either an Intel Core Ultra 265U or 235U processor paired with hybrid cutting-edge CPU, GPU, and NPU acceleration for high single-thread responsiveness for motion control while simultaneously accelerating AI inference and graphics workloads. Front-access I/O connectors include four USB ports, up to four COM ports, and up to four Ethernet ports (two 2.5G by default) to simplify sensor, camera, and network integration. Onboard dual CAN Bus and an isolated DIO module enhance deterministic control, while DisplayPort and HDMI outputs support up to two 4K displays for HMI or machine-vision monitoring.

According to HardwareLuxx, NVIDIA has confirmed that Dynamic Multi Frame Generation (MFG) and Multi Frame Generation 6x mode are scheduled for release in April. HardwareLuxx visited NVIDIA's Munich office in Germany and obtained some exclusive information from the company. This includes the exact release date for NVIDIA's latest Dynamic Multi Frame Generation and Multi Frame Generation 6x mode, which are bringing NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 technologies to the public. With DLSS 4.5, NVIDIA can get the GPU to draw up to 5 frames following each traditionally rendered frame, made entirely using generative AI. Using the new MFG 6x mode results in a 6x performance uplift, where a game that traditionally runs at 60 FPS can now run at 360 FPS.

However, for setups where a monitor is maxed out at 240 Hz or 144 Hz, like many gaming panels are, using 6x MFG would be overkill. This is where Dynamic MFG comes into play. This technology will determine which MFG multiplier is needed based on the display's refresh rate capability that is used for the MFG target and the input framerate from the upscaler. The company calls this "automatic transmission" for MFG, making a parallel to modern vehicle automatic transmission systems that also switch gears based on the need. For example, in demanding game scenarios, the MFG multiplier could be 4x, 5x, or 6x, while less demanding game sections like the settings menu or some static scenes will require only a 2x multiplier to achieve the FPS goal. HardwareLuxx tested this and reported smooth transitions while keeping the FPS stable.

There have been previous rumors that Guerrilla games was working on a new multiplayer game in the Horizon universe, but it was thought that the game would be an MMO. Instead—or maybe in addition to the MMO—Sony has just announced Horizon Hunters Gathering, a co-op PvE game with teams of three players. It seems like Hunters Gathering will largely follow a similar formula to the Monster Hunter series, where parties take on missions to hunt monsters. At launch, there will be three playable characters to choose from, each with their own weapons, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, and there will be two mission types to choose from during the first playtest, scheduled for late February. Machine Incursion sees players defend an area from a machine attack, replete with a tough boss fight at the end. Cauldron Descent is a dungeon crawling-style affair, where players mount an assault on a machine base, exploring a multi-stage dungeon and fighting enemies along the way and tackling environmental puzzles. Hunters Gathering will also have a campaign mode at launch, which can be played through single-player or in co-op mode.

While the Hunters Gathering announcement trailer details much of the gameplay, it does not confirm if players will stick with one class throughout various missions, but there is no mention of progression, so it seems as though players will choose a character at the start of each mission queue. Guerrilla Games also confirmed that more hunters will be added to the game at a later stage, adding credence to this theory. Horizon Hunters Gathering is set in the American West, 1,000 years into the future and after the collapse of civilization. The premise is that the hunters are the last line of defense against the machines that roam the wilds and threaten human tribes. The machine designs will feel familiar to anyone who's played the original single-player Horizon games, but the visual style is now much more stylized and cartoon-like. The game will launch on PC and PlayStation 5 and cross-play will be available at launch, although an exact launch date has not yet been announced.

Keychron has announced two new low-profile wireless keyboards, the K3 HE and K3 Ultra, both set to launch on February 12. The pair builds on the company's recent HE and Ultra designs, combining a slim form factor with gaming-focused features and wood accent details. Similar to the K2 HE, the upcoming K3 HE keyboard uses Lime low-profile hall effect magnetic switches, so users will be able to adjust actuation points, trigger and reset behavior, and configure multi-action or analog inputs. The Keychron K3 HE is also expected to support third-party low-profile Hall effect switches, including Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro and TTC KOM, avoiding a fully proprietary ecosystem. By contrast, the K3 Ultra sticks with traditional mechanical switches, using pre-lubed low-profile Milk POM switches with a high 8,000 Hz polling rate. This puts input latency as low as 0.125 ms, targeting competitive gaming scenarios where response time is a priority. The keyboard runs on ZMK firmware and is rated for up to 550 hours of battery life in 2.4 GHz wireless mode.

Both models emphasize portability and are expected to use an ABS bottom case with metal and wood frame similar to earlier HE Special Edition keyboards. The keyboards will be available in black and white versions. Keychron has not yet disclosed final pricing, though early access requires a $3 reservation fee.

EMEET today announced the launch of the EMEET S600L, a 4K webcam designed to deliver clear, consistent, and professional-quality video through the integration of intelligent imaging technology and a built-in ring light. The S600L is created for creators, streamers, and professionals seeking high-quality visuals without complex setups.

Powered by a 4K imaging system and EMEET's AI imaging capabilities, the S600L delivers sharp detail, balanced exposure, and natural color reproduction across various lighting environments. Intelligent image processing helps ensure visual clarity and stability, whether users are live streaming, recording content, or participating in virtual meetings.

Darmoshark has announced a new wireless gaming mouse designed specifically for users with big hands, with the mouse making its debut in a post on Bilibili. The Darmoshark M9 has a similar shape to the ever-popular Razer Viper V3 Pro, but it measures in at 136.5 × 68.1 × 43.5 mm, compared to the Viper V3 Pro's 127.1 × 63.9 × 39.9 mm. A few millimeters' difference may not seem like much, but it's a bigger difference across the board than the difference between the original Razer Viper Ultimate (126.8 × 57.6 × 37.8 mm) and the Viper Mini (118.3 mm × 53.5 × 38.3 mm), and the shape being what it is, it should provide a decent experience for users who would otherwise feel cramped on a standard-size gaming mouse. Darmoshark makes no hard claims, but it says that it "may well be the largest mouse to date."

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the Razer Viper V3 Pro is live]

The Darmoshark M9 doesn't skimp on the specs, either, featuring a PixArt PAW 3950 sensor, a Nordic 54L15 MCU, Omron Optical switches, and a 500 mAh battery, all at a claimed weight of 59 g—only 5 g heavier than the Viper V3 Pro and roughly the same weight as the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2. This hardware means it will have 8 kHz polling as well as features like a 20 FPS mode and adjustable lift-off. Like the aforementioned mice, it has a solid shell and two programmable side buttons. It seems as though the increased shell size has made it necessary to move the hump slightly to the back for more palm support without affecting click height too much, and the scroll wheel has a rubberized coating. The mouse is already available in China for RMB 400, which converts to roughly $58, although it's likely the price will increase if and when it eventually gets a global release.

Corsair has been listed on Nasdaq since September 2020, when the company made an IPO at $17 per share. However, the company, which is a gaming staple, has now fallen to a measly sub-$5 range for the first time. Just days ahead of its full-year earnings and Q4 2025 results scheduled for February 12, Corsair is trading at $4.80 with a market capitalization of $504.63 million. During the first three months of its public listing, the stock reached an all-time high of $51.37, and the price has been in free fall since. This represents a 90% market value reduction over nearly five and a half years.

For the previous Q3 2025 report, the company reported a year-over-year revenue increase of 14% to $345.8 million, with projections for a full-year outlook being $1.425 billion to $1.475 billion, and adjusted operating income in the range of $76 million to $81 million. However, since the stock is now falling, we can expect that the earnings will possibly be at the lower end of the range. Interestingly, Corsair is one of the few publicly listed companies with revenues exceeding its market capitalization. This indicates that the company is capturing a significant revenue share among PC enthusiasts, but its operating costs are very high, and the business is net profit margin negative, which is a massive concern for investors using their hard-earned funds.

Wardogs is a new massively multiplayer tactical FPS that has been in development at Bulkhead for a number of years. It puts players in all-out warfare in a massive 256 km² map with 99 other players split into three teams. On February 5, 2026, the game studio released a new gameplay trailer and a Steam Store page for the upcoming FPS, revealing some previously unknown details about the upcoming shooter. One of the major reveals is that Wardogs will use Easy Anti-Cheat, which may spell bad news for Linux gamers. EAC does have a Linux mode that developers can enable, and Team17, the publisher behind the game, is known for being Linux-friendly, but there is currently no guarantee that Wardogs will be playable on devices like the Valve Steam Deck, the upcoming Steam Machine, or any other Linux system out there. Minimum hardware requirements are fairly low, calling for an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 590, 16 GB of RAM, and either an Intel Core i5 8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500, meaning it will likely be reasonably playable on a iGPU if playing at lower resolution and quality settings.

Aside from the confirmation of EAC, the Wardogs Steam page denies that the game is a battle royale or an extraction shooter, instead emphasizing that it's a "new tactical take on the all-out-warfare FPS genre that rewards decision-making, communication, and teamwork," all within a modern militaristic setting and a fully player-driven sandbox with destructible environments and building mechanics. The game will feature realistic graphics, vehicular combat, and it will give players the freedom to approach the game as they see fit. The upgrade system depends on purchasing gear, weapons, and vehicles from a store, and each player starts with $10,000, but earnings persist from match to match. The game format itself revolves around controlling a 4 km² zone located randomly on the map—the more players a team has in the control zone, the more points they rack up. Wardogs is slated to launch in 2026, but the game studio will conduct limited playtests ahead of launch.

During today's Nintendo Direct, SQUARE ENIX announced PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse, the second installment in the series, following the cult hit PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, is coming to Nintendo Switch and other major platforms on Feb. 19. The company also revealed that FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the acclaimed sequel and second game in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake series, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC on June 3.

In addition to these exciting announcements, the Nintendo Direct also debuted a new trailer for the upcoming action-RPG The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, which is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and other platforms on June 18.

Artificial Intelligence may be eating the world of software now, but gamers are suffering. According to The Information, NVIDIA has reportedly entirely postponed the launch of its GeForce RTX 50 "SUPER" refresh, as the company's executives are prioritizing AI accelerators over the gaming sector, which consumes precious cutting edge GDDR7 memory. The GeForce RTX 50 "SUPER" refresh was originally scheduled for an announcement at CES 2026, with shipping in Q1 or Q2 of 2026. However, the GDDR7 memory used in the SUPER lineup was a high-capacity 3 GB version, which NVIDIA managers in December deemed too important for gamers, postponing the refresh entirely.

The "SUPER" series was planned with denser GDDR7 memory modules, offering 3 GB of capacity per chip, increasing the memory configuration of the standard GeForce RTX 5070, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5080. Initially, the RTX 5070 SUPER was planned with an upgrade to offer 18 GB, while the RTX 5070 Ti SUPER and RTX 5080 SUPER would each provide 24 GB of GDDR7 memory. As NVIDIA's AI GPU portfolio also uses the high-density GDDR7 memory, like the RTX PRO 6000 "Blackwell" and "Rubin CPX" the company has decided to instead prioritize this high-margin business, leaving gamers with inflated prices of the regular GeForce RTX 50-series.

Break out the cake and green sprinkles - GeForce NOW is turning six. Since launch, members have streamed over 1 billion hours, and the party's just getting started. Throughout February, members can look forward to new games, fresh ways to play across more devices and even more ways to bring RTX power to every screen in the house. There's plenty to celebrate: the February games list kicks off with 24 new games. Start with the 10 new games in the cloud this week, including the launch of Team Jade's Delta Force and the newest title launching in the PUBG universe, PUBG: BLINDSPOT.

Reporting for Duty
Delta Force, now boots on the ground and fully deployed on GeForce NOW, brings the tactical first‑person shooter from Team Jade (TiMi Studio Group) to the cloud. The game features high-stakes extraction with an all-out warfare mode, giving players a playground of open environments, vehicles and gadgets to pull off coordinated assaults. Players join elite units tasked with tackling high‑risk missions across sprawling maps, from tight urban incursions to rugged open‑terrain operations. Expect strategic objectives, combined‑arms combat with land, air and sea vehicles, and tense firefights where teamwork and planning are just as important as quick reflexes.

When Intel unveiled its "Panther Lake" Core Ultra Series 3 mobile processors built on the 18A node, the company announced that a separate version fine-tuned for handheld gaming consoles is in the works. Called Intel Core Ultra G3 "Panther Lake," the chip is now scheduled to arrive in the second quarter of 2026, according to Golden Pig Upgrade. The company plans to bring two SKUs to the masses, which will be called G3 and G3 Extreme, each carrying a 14-core CPU configuration consisting of two P-Cores, eight E-Cores, and four additional LPE-Cores. However, the real star of the show of this SoC will be the Arc integrated graphics, which will arrive with 12 Xe3 cores in the G3 Extreme, or 10 Xe3 cores in the regular G3.

For the G3 Extreme, the plan is to run the Arc B380 iGPU with 12 Xe3 cores at 2.3 GHz, which is just 200 MHz shy of the flagship Core Ultra X9 388H's Arc B390. Basically, G3 Extreme handhelds can expect similar gaming performance to what we observed in our review of the flagship SKU, just with two P-Cores less and a slightly lower GPU clock. For the regular G3, the CPU configuration retains its capability, but the GPU drops to a 10-Core Xe3 IP called Arc B360. This integrated graphics drops core counts and GPU boost frequency to 2.2 GHz, which will result in a significant reduction in both gaming performance and TDP. Intel still hasn't revealed plans about TDP configurations, so we have to wait a bit longer for that.

Each week, new games and apps integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players.

This week, gamers can check out Nioh 3, Sea of Remnants' Closed Alpha, and Vampires: Bloodlord Rising, featuring DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, and Carmageddon: Rogue Shift and Nightmare Frontier, featuring DLSS Super Resolution.

Announcing North Series Momentum Edition—a performance-driven expression of North's transformative design, delivering Momentum-powered cooling straight out of the box.

With three Momentum fans featuring LCP blades and true FDB bearings, North Series Momentum Edition keeps high-performance components running smoothly, supported by the same iconic open front design and top mesh ventilation as the original. That performance foundation is paired with a blackened oak front and
dark alloy accents for a sleek aesthetic that integrates naturally into the gaming station.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the North Momentum Edition is now live]

Forge Nano, Inc., a technology company pioneering domestic battery and semiconductor innovations, today announced a breakthrough that fundamentally redefines the economics and architecture of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The company has demonstrated high-speed, defect-free atomic layer deposition (ALD) coatings in semiconductor features at a 1000:1 aspect ratio. Conformality is maintained at production-scale while providing coverage on features 2 orders of magnitude greater than line-of-sight techniques.

This breakthrough removes the primary constraint that has limited 3D semiconductor scaling and enables architectures previously considered uneconomic or impossible. The demonstration was performed on production-representative wafers supplied by C2MI, a leading semiconductor process development and manufacturing innovation center in Canada, with conformality, defectivity and electrical performance independently validated through the partner's internal metrology and reliability testing.

GL.iNet, a leading developer in OpenWrt-based networking and remote access solutions announces the launch of the Comet 5G (GL-RM10RC), the world's first remote KVM with 5G RedCap (Reduced Capacity). With its cellular connectivity through 5G RedCap, Comet 5G can still provide remote access when Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is down.

Multi-network Failover
Comet 5G features a multi-network failover system, it automatically switches from Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, then cellular, ensuring the device stays online when the primary connection method fails. This makes Comet 5G suitable for troubleshooting and maintenance in air-gapped environments or disaster recovery cases, where network conditions are restricted and unstable.

In the latest set of enablement patches, Intel has confirmed that the upcoming "Nova Lake-P" processors will utilize Xe3P-LPG to power their integrated graphics. In addition, "Nova Lake-P" processors will include multiple new IPs like the Xe3P-LPM for media processing, which includes decoding and encoding, and the Xe3P-LPD for display output processing. These new IPs will work in tandem to deliver the next generation of Intel graphics, which will be separated into two categories within the "Nova Lake" generation. Interestingly, we learned a while back that not every "Nova Lake" SKU will ship with the same GPU configuration. "Nova Lake-H" mobile variants are expected to support ray tracing with the Xe3P-LPG graphics, while "Nova Lake-S," "Nova Lake-HX," and "Nova Lake-UL" may not.

The company seems to be selectively enabling advanced GPU features across these SKUs rather than providing a uniform feature set, as Xe3P-boosted "Nova Lake-H" notebook chips will be succeeding "Panther Lake-H" with its Xe3 GPU IP, so the new P variant will bring more power to mobile gaming setups and be a true successor in late 2026 or early 2027. This type of segmentation is a common strategy to differentiate products using the same silicon, which will influence purchasing decisions for gamers, creators, and laptop buyers of the future "Nova Lake" systems. Additionally, bundling next-generation GPU graphics IP like the Xe3P-LPG will be of massive significance only to those users relying on integrated GPUs, while those purchasing systems with discrete GPUs will focus primarily on the CPU and display/media output side.

AutoFull, a leading brand in the esports peripheral equipment industry known for its professional-grade gaming furniture and player-driven design philosophy, has launched the new and upgraded AutoFull M6 Ultra 2.0 gaming chair, the latest evolution of its flagship ergonomic gaming throne designed for gamers, creators and hybrid workers seeking uncompromising comfort and performance. The AutoFull M6 Ultra 2.0 gaming chair is available now from AutoFull US website at $599.99 (RRP $899.99) and £599.99 (RRP £999) on the UK website.

The AutoFull M6 Ultra 2.0 builds on the success of the original M6 Ultra with next-generation comfort technology and extensive adjustability, positioning it as a premium solution for long gaming sessions, competitive esports, professional streaming and everyday work. Designed to transition seamlessly between gaming, work and leisure, the chair delivers precision support across the entire body while maintaining a luxurious, stable and durable construction.

ASRock is closely monitoring recent discussions regarding the performance and behavior of AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors on ASRock AMD platforms. In response to these reports, we have implemented comprehensive internal reviews and rigorous verification processes. We have been working in seamless coordination with AMD continuously to further validate system performance across a wide range of hardware configurations, while optimizing BIOS and enhancing overall system stability.

ASRock deeply values user feedback as a cornerstone of our continuous improvement. Customers experiencing technical difficulties or seeking further assistance are encouraged to contact the ASRock Technical Support Department. We remain committed to delivering high-performance products that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

MelGeek has officially entered the gaming mouse market with the Horus Lightweight Esports Gaming Mouse, signaling a technically focused expansion following the brand's recent innovations in mechanical keyboard design.

Weighing approximately 49 grams, the mouse maintains structural rigidity without aggressive shell perforation. Its internal layout is tuned to a 50:50 balanced weight distribution, helping preserve sensor alignment during rapid hand movements.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Strix Aiolos SSD Enclosure, a premium external SSD enclosure built for gamers and creators who demand top-tier performance, seamless device management. Engineered for next-generation NVMe M.2 storage, the ROG Strix Aiolos delivers lightning-fast transfer speeds, enhanced thermal efficiency, and an exclusive ROG SSD Dashboard, which provides real-time drive status updates. Designed for life on the move, it also incorporates a durable metal hook with a fabric tag to ensure convenient and secure portability.

Ultra-fast transfers and smarter storage management
The ROG Strix Aiolos delivers high-speed portable performance with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 connectivity supporting transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps, enabling users to move large media files or entire game libraries with ease. Its versatile dual M.2 interface, compatible with both NVMe PCIe (2242/2260/2280) and SATA SSDs, offers flexible upgrade and expansion options for a wide range of user needs. For effortless oversight, the enclosure features the exclusive ROG SSD Dashboard, which features a custom UI that provides users with a complete real-time overview of SSD status, performance, and other key metrics. Tailored for ROG enclosures, it makes storage management simple and intuitive.

ZOTAC GAMING, a global leader in PC gaming hardware, is launching the ZOTAC GAMING ALLOY microATX computer case in select Asia Pacific regions.

ALLOY is The Brand's first-ever Computer Case catered to DIY PC enthusiasts looking for a relatively compact microATX (mATX) form factor and optimized cooling performance. Designed to match the distinctly robust and elegant design language of current generation ZOTAC GAMING products, the ALLOY is made with today's flagship GPUs in mind, enabling enthusiasts to build high-end, high-performance gaming PCs with ease.

Alphacool International GmbH from Braunschweig is a pioneer in PC water cooling technology. With one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry and over 20 years of experience, Alphacool now expands its lineup with the Apex Thermal Putty X1. The Alphacool Apex Thermal Putty X1 is a high-performance alternative to conventional thermal pads. As a non-curing, electrically non-conductive silicone gel, it adapts perfectly to uneven surfaces and varying gap heights with minimal contact pressure. No need to choose pad thickness, no compromises, lower temperatures.

A key advantage of the Apex Thermal Putty lies in its optimal consistency for handling and shape stability. Under light pressure, the material adapts ideally to different gap heights while remaining dimensionally stable. This reliably compensates for unevenness and tolerances between the cooler and the component, ensuring optimal contact between the heat source and the heatsink at all times. This is especially important for modern graphics cards and other sensitive electronic components, as delicate parts such as memory chips or voltage regulators are effectively protected from damage.

When Valve announced the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and updated Steam Controller late in 2025, it did not reveal pricing, but the gaming giant said that the hardware would launch in early 2026. That launch window is still on the cards, but according to a recent announcement by Valve, it is still unable to announce pricing or specific launch dates for any of the hardware. As the announcement explains, "the memory and storage shortages you've likely heard about across the industry have rapidly increased since then. The limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing (especially around Steam Machine and Steam Frame)."

The Steam hardware is hardly the only hardware launch said to be affected by the current memory crisis, with even laptops and potentially the upcoming console generation rumored to see delays as a result of the RAM shortage caused by the AI boom. For Valve's part, the company promises that the actual release dates have not been affected, but it just needs to find a concrete launch price that makes sense. That could mean that the Steam Machine will launch at higher prices than the $700-800 initially predicted by many. Valve has previously said that the Steam Machine would be priced more like a PC than a console, meaning the prospective price increase will still likely be in line with what you'd expect from a similarly equipped PC. Valve also demystified some other aspects of the upcoming Steam hardware, confirming once again that the Steam Machine is able to reach 4K 60 FPS with FSR enabled, although the team admits that some games may need to be upscaled from 1080p with VRR enabled in order to guarantee a smooth gameplay experience. Valve also confirmed that it plans to make CAD files and specs available for the Steam Machine's faceplate so that gamers and third-party manufacturers can build accessories for the PC. Both the SSD and memory will also be upgradeable and easily accessible.

News recently broke that Borderlands 4 may not ever launch on the Nintendo Switch 2, but, as 2K recently announced via the official Borderlands account on X, the looter shooter is officially verified for the Steam Deck. While Borderlands 4 has been playable on the Steam Deck basically since launch, the numerous performance issues it exhibits led us to recommend against playing it on Valve's handheld in our in-depth handheld performance review. There were signs that Gearbox was preparing Borderlands 4 for Steam Deck Verified status, specifically the updated menu screens that came to the game around a month ahead of the announcement.

Importantly, Valve's requirements for Steam Deck verification include functional controller input, seamless compatibility with the Steam Deck hardware and software with no compatibility warnings, support for the default Steam Deck Display resolutions, with good default settings, and full support for Proton. Notably, performance doesn't really enter into the equation, and that has become the main focus of many online users, who pointed out on sites like X and Reddit pointing out that the game still doesn't run well on the Steam Deck, even after numerous performance patches nearly six months after the initial launch. Most users who have tested the game say that they still struggle to maintain a solid 30 FPS in the looter shooter on the Steam Deck's iGPU.

Despite the success of the first game in the series, Overwatch 2 has had a rough time of it, with reviews on Steam rating the game "Mostly Negative," with 34% of its reviews being of a positive nature. It seems as though Blizzard is trying to change this. In one of the multiple developer-led showcases scheduled for early February, Blizzard announced that Overwatch 2 is becoming just "Overwatch," and, more importantly, receiving a number of changes that aim to make gameplay more dynamic and attract more players to the game. The change also marks a number of changes to Overwatch's structure, which will see the game feature an annual story in a system that will officially go into effect with the new Season 1 on February 10. The story will be told across six seasons throughout the year, after which a new story will kick off with a new Season 1 in the following year. The first season in the revamp is called "Reign of Talon," and the plot kicked off with an animated cinematic at the start of the Overwatch spotlight on YouTube, but the rest will be told through various in-game events, animated hero trailers, short stories, and comics released throughout the year.

Blizzard also announced 10 new characters and an all-new class system. The first five characters will launch on February with the start of Season 1, and the rest of the line-up will follow throughout the year. It seems as though the heroes released throughout the year will all somehow be related to the plot being told in that particular year and also enter the game when each respective season launches. The five heroes coming in Season 1 include Domina, a new tank, Emre, a damage hero, Mizuki, a new support, Anran, another damage who will be available to trial from February 5-10, and Jetpack Cat, a stray cat serving aerial support that will be able to move allies around the battlefield from the air. The new update also sees Overwatch's class system get an overhaul, with the main tank, damage, and support roles now divided into three or four subclasses each—initiator, bruiser, and stalwart fall under the tank class; specialist, flanker, recon, and sharpshooter fall under damage, and medic, tactician, and survivor fall under support. Each role also comes with its own set of buffs and perks to consider. Blizzard also revealed that it would be reworking some classic Overwatch heroes later in 2026, although it did not reveal which heroes would be getting reworked.

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced results for its fiscal first quarter ended December 28, 2025.

"We are pleased to deliver strong quarterly results, with record total company revenues," said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated. "Our momentum across personal, industrial and physical AI is growing, as evidenced by recent product announcements at CES and customer traction. While our near-term handsets outlook is impacted by industry-wide memory supply constraints, we are encouraged by end-consumer demand for premium and high tier smartphones, and remain on track to achieve our fiscal 2029 revenue goals."

Today (Feb. 4, 2026) Arm (NASDAQ: ARM) published a letter to its shareholders containing the company's results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 ended December 31, 2025. The infographic below provides the key highlights:

Here are what the results mean and how they were achieved:

• Revenue grew 26% year-on-year to $1.24 billion, representing Arm's fourth consecutive billion-dollar revenue quarter.
• Royalty revenue grew 27% year-over-year to a record $737 million, driven by growth across Arm's target end markets, including AI and general-purpose data center, smartphones, physical AI and edge AI.
• License and other revenue of $505 million increased 25% year-over-year, as more leading companies sign high-value licenses for next-generation Arm technologies.
• Demand for Arm Compute Subsystems (CSS) continues to exceed expectations as adoption grows in light of increasingly complex chip designs. This represents a significant tailwind to royalty growth, as Arm expands both the value delivered and economics captured per chip.
  • During the quarter, Arm signed two CSS licenses for use in both edge AI tablets and smartphones, bringing the total number of CSS licenses to 21 across 12 companies.
  • Additionally, five customers are now shipping Arm CSS-based chips, including two shipping its second-generation platform, while the top four Android smartphone vendors are all shipping Arm CSS-powered devices.

Despite previously taking a very pro-generative AI stance, advocating for AI protagonists in games, Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, recently commented in an interview with Gameindustry.biz that generative AI was not used in the development of Grand Theft Auto VI. The CEO is quoted as saying "Specifically with regards to GTA 6, Generative AI has zero part in what Rockstar Games is building. Their worlds are handcrafted. That's what differentiates them. They're built from the ground up, building by building, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. They're not procedurally generated, they shouldn't be. That's what makes great entertainment." He also clarifies that he doesn't think that AI can or will be able to build "great entertainment properties" by themselves, suggesting that Take-Two might think twice about putting AI assets into its games.

He does also mention, however, that he is enthusiastic about AI, and that Take-Two's "products have always been built with machine learning and artificial intelligence," and that "right now we have hundreds of pilots and implementations across our company and within our studios. And we're already seeing instances where generative AI tools are driving costs and time efficiencies." Notably, this isn't the first time we've seen similar rhetoric or AI applied similarly in game studios, despite game workers generally opposing the idea of generative AI in gaming. Embark, the studio behind Arc Raiders, used generative AI to speed up the work on voice acting, while Ubisoft is exploring AI-generated teammates, and EA has announced a pivot to generative AI tools across multiple applications.

Tenstorrent, a startup focused on designing high-performance AI accelerators and led by the renowned computer architect Jim Keller as CEO, has announced significant hardware updates to its existing Blackhole P150 accelerators, which include the P150a and P150b models. In the latest documentation change, the company notes that its Blackhole P150 accelerators will now work with about 14.3% fewer cores than originally advertised. In the official documents, the P150 accelerators are now shipping with 120 working "Tensix" cores instead of the previously advertised 140 cores. The reason for this change is unknown, as the company provided a vague explanation: "To present a unified interface to metal and other system software, firmware v19.5.0 and later will change the core count on all existing cards to 120. Typical workloads show a non-material (~1-2%) performance difference."

The Blackhole P150 accelerators featured 140 "Tensix" cores and 32 GB of GDDR6 memory, operating at up to 300 W in an actively cooled form factor designed for desktop workstations, and the P150a model includes four passive QSFP-DD 800G ports. However, as the number of cores is reduced by approximately 14%, TeraFLOPS take a nosedive as well. In the older documents for the 140-core SKUs, the BLOCKFP8 8-bit floating point performance was listed at 774 TeraFLOPS, while the new 120-core version reduces that number to 664 TeraFLOPS at the same precision level. Why this sudden change is happening is still a mystery. However, the HPC community with a lot of knowledge in the industry suggests a few reasons.

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NasdaqGS: SIMO) ("Silicon Motion," the "Company," "we" or similar terms) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. For the fourth quarter of 2025, net sales (GAAP) increased sequentially to $278.5 million from $242.0 million in the third quarter of 2025. Net income (GAAP) also increased sequentially to $47.7 million, or $1.41 per diluted American depositary share ("ADS") (GAAP), from net income (GAAP) of $39.1 million, or $1.16 per diluted ADS (GAAP), in the third quarter of 2025.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, net income (non-GAAP) increased sequentially to $42.7 million, or $1.26 per diluted ADS (non-GAAP), from net income (non-GAAP) of $33.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted ADS (non-GAAP), in the third quarter of 2025. All financial numbers are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment premiered a Gameplay Overview Trailer for 80s action-horror-inspired game John Carpenter's Toxic Commando. This new IP from the creators of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, World War Z and SnowRunner shows what it is made of - from story and missions to weapons and classes. Zombie addicts and fans of 80s silly gory action horror can finally gear up ahead of John Carpenter's Toxic Commando releasing March 12 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Get ready for non-stop zombie destruction
The trailer introduces the highly trained team of mercenaries you'll be cleaning the zombie mess as in this 4-player co-op action survival shooter, taking on multiple missions through a semi-open world infested with Sabers hellish Swarm technology, sending endless, simultaneous waves of mutated monstrosities straight at your face.

As February has just started, Valve finished processing data for the January edition of the Steam Hardware and Software Survey. One of the few interesting takeaways is that for the first time in months, Intel's share of consumer CPU usage has seen an uptick, instead of the slow decline it has been experiencing. According to the January update, Intel's CPU share among Steam platform users has grown to 56.64%, representing a small but pleasant increase of 0.25% over the December data. On the other hand, AMD recorded a slight decrease of 0.19%, now standing at 43.34% of the market. This means that Intel's market share has increased for the first time in months, as data from September reported a market share of 58.61%, then October showed 57.82%, 57.30% in November, and 56.39% in December. The chain of declining share has finally stopped, suggesting that Intel could have a chance to rebound in the consumer market section.

On the contrary, AMD's CPU market share has been rising for months, moving up from 41.31% in September to 43.53% in December, with a small correction now standing at 43.34%. This indicates that many new CPU purchasing decisions were made in favor of AMD, driven by the massive popularity of its Ryzen 9000X3D series, which has been well-received by PC enthusiasts. In contrast, Intel's latest "Arrow Lake" launch has faced some initial challenges with less-than-expected gaming performance, but besides discounts and firmware updates improving the situation, the community is now anticipating the launch of the "Arrow Lake Refresh" scheduled for March or April, which is expected to address these issues by shipping with higher out-of-the-box frequencies and additional tuning.

Borderlands 4 can't seem to escape its reputation for poor performance and demanding hardware requirements. Although the game was meant to launch on the relatively low-power Nintendo Switch 2 shortly after it launched on PC and console, the handheld port of the game was delayed, with the development team declaring that it needed more time to "deliver the best game possible" for fans of the series. Now, as of February 3, the development of Borderlands 4 for the Switch 2 has officially been put on hold. This is according to a new announcement by 2K Interactive in a recent earnings call. The gaming giant instead says that it wants to focus on optimizing Borderlands 4 for the devices on which it is already available. It's unclear whether the development will be picked up again at a later stage or if the port is effectively cancelled.

The full statement by 2K reads: "We made the difficult decision to pause development on that SKU. Our focus continues to be delivering quality post-launch content for players on the ongoing improvements to optimize the game. We're continuing to collaborate closely with our friends at Nintendo. We have PGA Tour 2K25 coming out and WWE 2K26, and we're incredibly excited about bringing more of our titles to that platform in the future." No official explanation was provided for the halt in development, but speculation has gone two ways. While some think 2K put the Switch 2 port on hold over performance concerns—Gearbox's Randy Pitchford previously promised that the game would run at 30 FPS "with some dips" on the Switch 2, which didn't give gamers much hope for performance—while others suspect that sales numbers simply didn't justify the increased development costs for the Switch 2. The fact that the Switch 2 version had already been indefinitely delayed lends credence to the theory that performance concerns and optimization difficulties could have had something to do with the cancellation.

Texas Instruments (Nasdaq: TXN), a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures and sells analog and embedded processing chips, and Silicon Labs (Nasdaq: SLAB), a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology, today announced they have signed a definitive agreement under which Texas Instruments will acquire Silicon Labs for $231.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, representing a total enterprise value of approximately $7.5 billion.

The acquisition will create a global leader in embedded wireless connectivity solutions by combining Silicon Labs' strong portfolio and expertise in mixed signal solutions with Texas Instruments' leading analog and embedded processing portfolio and internally owned technology and manufacturing capabilities. The combined company will accelerate growth by better serving existing and new customers through enhanced innovation and market access.

AMD posted its record fourth quarter revenue of $10.3 billion in 2025, and during the earnings call, the company issued some guidance on the upcoming product portfolio. During the call, AMD confirmed that Valve's Steam Machine is on track and shipping early this year, while its custom SoC division that designs processors for PlayStation and Xbox consoles will deliver an RDNA 5-based SoC for the next-generation Xbox console. While the Steam Machine specifications are confirmed, Xbox "Magnus" SoC is still largely a collection of rumored specifications. The "Magnus" SoC is rumored to feature the largest APU ever designed for a consumer console, with a 408 mm² chiplet design. Of this, 144 mm² is dedicated to the SoC built on TSMC's N3P node, while the GPU occupies 264 mm². The AMD chip is expected to include up to 11 CPU cores—three Zen 6 and eight Zen 6c—alongside a substantial GPU setup with 68 RDNA 5 compute units, four shader engines, and at least 24 MB of L2 cache. Memory might expand to 48 GB of GDDR7 on a 192-bit bus. A dedicated NPU is rumored to offer significant on-device AI performance, with reports suggesting up to 110 TOPS.

Dr. Lisa SuFor 2026, we expect semi-custom SoC annual revenue to decline by a significant double-digit percentage as we enter the seventh year of what has been a very strong console cycle. From a product standpoint, Valve is on track to begin shipping its AMD-powered Steam Machine early this year, and development of Microsoft's next-gen Xbox featuring an AMD semi-custom SoC is progressing well to support a launch in 2027.

At its Innovation Day 2026, Western Digital today unveiled a new customer-centric storage roadmap that reinvents the hard drive for AI needs, reinforcing its position as a strategic storage infrastructure partner for the AI-driven data economy. The announcements reflect how WD's fundamental business transformation has enabled a new generation of storage technologies spanning scalable capacity, breakthrough performance optimizations, power efficiency innovations and an intelligent platform API with cost-effective economics.

As AI generates massive amounts of data, it has spurred intense demand for data storage. To meet the moment, WD has focused deeply on customer needs, particularly capacity with proven reliability and economics, performance, power efficiency, and faster qualifications without customer business disruptions. During its Innovation Day, WD showcased technologies that address these essential customer requirements and will deliver them at scale.

Electronic Arts Inc. today announced preliminary financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2025.

Selected Operating Highlights and Metrics

• Net bookings 1 for the quarter totaled $3.046 billion, up 38% year-over-year.
• Battlefield 6 was the best-selling shooter title of 2025, setting new franchise engagement records.
• EA SPORTS FC net bookings increased high single digits year-over-year in Q3, excluding the benefit of deluxe edition content timing, driven by strength in Ultimate Team and FC Mobile.
• Apex Legends momentum continued in Q3 with net bookings up double-digits year-over-year driven by innovative new features and events.

EasySMX, the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals, reproduced X05Pro Controller, the next evolution of its highly popular X05 line. Designed through extensive feedback from over 10,000 real gamers worldwide, the X05Pro delivers a balance of quiet operation, precision control, and immersive feedback, making it the ideal choice for PC and console players seeking performance without compromise.

The X05Pro introduces Redesigned Quiet Buttons with restructured mechanics and noise-dampening silicone, significantly reducing click sounds while maintaining tactile responsiveness—perfect for shared spaces like dorms, living rooms, or late-night gaming sessions. Players will also experience enhanced realism with the Dual-Stage Trigger Vibration System, featuring a 2+2 motor structure that brings distinct feedback for acceleration, braking, or in-game combat, combined with 2-stage trigger locks: a longer travel distance for precise control in racing games, and a shorter travel distance for fast firing or immediate action in shooters. Meanwhile, the 8-Directional D-Pad with metal dome switches ensures accurate diagonal inputs, a must-have for fighting game fans and retro enthusiasts.

AMD today unveiled the Kintex UltraScale+ Gen 2 FPGA family. The company's latest announcement is a strategic play for the middle-of-the-market in the FPGA segment that's dominated by the likes of Intel Agilex 5 series. Targeting sectors that demand longevity and reliability, such as medical imaging, industrial automation, and broadcast video production, the Gen 2 family is not just a lithography shrink, but it represents a significant architectural modernization of the existing 16 nm Kintex platform, infusing it with the high-speed connectivity and memory standards required for the data-heavy workloads of 2027 and beyond.

The original Kintex UltraScale+ series from the Xilinx era is popular in the industry, for a performance/Watt balance that made it the suitable for everything from ultrasound machines to 5G radio heads. However, as edge devices have become hungrier for bandwidth, the original platform's connectivity options began to show their age. The Gen 2 update addresses the I/O modernization need. The most striking upgrade is the memory subsystem, replacing DDR4 with newer LPDDR4X, DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory standards. LPDDR tends to be popular for compact, edge devices in the IIoT (industrial IoT) space. This should even pave the way for a new crop of 8K or 4K broadcast-tier cameras. Since these are produced in small batches, FPGAs are preferred over ASICs or elaborate SoCs.

OneOdio, a global audio brand known for delivering accessible and high-performance sound solutions, today announced the launch of the OneOdio solocaster, an all-in-one voice transformer and sound card designed for streaming, recording, gaming and content creation. Engineered for gamers and emerging creators alike, the solocaster combines professional-grade audio performance with creative sound tools and visual customization in a compact, easy-to-use format.

Positioned as a versatile audio hub for live content, the solocaster enables creators to manage microphones, system audio, background music and external sources from a single device. Universal compatibility with five independent audio channels and multi-port connectivity (USB-C, 3.5 mm, XLR, Bluetooth and AUX). The solocaster operates as a true plug-and-play device with no drivers required, supporting virtually all major streaming and recording apps across Windows, Mac and mobile.

Levelplay is proud to announce the launch of its latest all-in-one (AIO) CPU cooling solutions, the Combat Liquid HUD and Combat Liquid SE, expanding the Combat Liquid family with performance-driven cooling and real-time system visibility. Designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts who demand immediate access to live CPU data, the Combat Liquid 360 HUD features an integrated digital display on the pump cap that presents critical system information at a glance, while delivering high-efficiency thermal performance for modern high-core processors.

More Than Just a Display
The Combat Liquid 360 HUD is more than a high-performance CPU cooler—it's a real-time command center for your system. At the heart of the cooler is a 2.6" circular digital display, transforming the pump cap into a mission-ready HUD that delivers live system intelligence at a glance. The display provides real-time readouts including CPU temperature, usage rate, power draw, and clock speeds, allowing users to monitor performance instantly without relying on on-screen software overlays. Simply update the driver and unlock full access to the HUD's real-time system monitoring features.

AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025. Fourth quarter revenue was a record $10.3 billion, gross margin was 54%, operating income was $1.8 billion, net income was $1.5 billion and diluted earnings per share was $0.92. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 57%, operating income was a record $2.9 billion, net income was a record $2.5 billion and diluted earnings per share was a record $1.53.

For the full year 2025, AMD reported record revenue of $34.6 billion, gross margin of 50%, operating income of $3.7 billion, net income of $4.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share of $2.65. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 52%, operating income was a record $7.8 billion, net income was a record $6.8 billion and diluted earnings per share was a record $4.17.

Western Digital has today presented its latest effort to catch up with traditional QLC NAND Flash SSDs by improving its HDD offerings. With the latest High-Bandwidth HDDs, Western Digital has implemented two new technologies in a classical multi-platter HDD design. The first innovation comes in a form of High Bandwidth Drive Technology, which enables double the I/O bandwidth with a path to 8x the current bandwidth in the future. It relies on simultaneous reading and writing from multiple heads on multiple tracks, which is already in customer hands for validation. The second one is Dual Pivot Technology that introduces a second set of independent actuators on a separate pivot, which will not scarify drive capacity unlike older dual actuator designs.

Using Dual Pivot Technology, HDDs can pack more drive platters in a standard 3.5-inch body for higher capacities, and the performance grows by an additional 2x, which is 4x I/O bandwidth compared to today's drives. This technology will pave the way for 100 TB HDDs, that offer speeds comparable to QLC-based SATA III SSDs, at much better price/performance ratio and better data retention, prompting the massive boom of HDD development. Western Digital's drives with High Bandwidth Drive Technology are already shipping to customers, while drives with Dual Pivot Technology are in development in Western Digital's labs and are scheduled to become available in 2028, with early customer sampling probably much sooner.

According to Chinese Board Channels, a reliable source of GPU news, AMD's add-in board (AIB) partners are preparing for another round of GPU price increases. They also seem to be shifting their product focus toward 8 GB Radeon models. After distributors implemented a 5-10% price adjustment in January, another increase is reportedly planned for February or March, though the exact percentage is not yet known. Board Channels also reports that AMD is expected to prioritize stocking 8 GB SKUs such as the Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB and the older RDNA 3-based RX 7650 GRE, rather than the 16 GB SKUs like the Radeon RX 9070 XT. This shift is due to a shortage of GDDR6 memory, which is reducing the profit margins for AIBs without a significant price increase.

Distributors reportedly stocked up after January's price increase, which could lead to uneven availability if resellers hold onto inventory in anticipation of another adjustment. With DRAM prices having risen sharply in recent months, manufacturers are reassessing which memory configurations to produce, favoring 8 GB variants because they are cheaper to manufacture. This shift might also cause some 16 GB parts to become more expensive, narrowing the price gap between AMD and NVIDIA in the midrange market. The earliest effects of these changes are expected to be seen in mainland China, where partners may allocate more volume to 8 GB cards and reduce the output of certain 16 GB GRE and non-GRE models. We are yet to see how it reflects on the Western stores and pricing imposed by retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and others.

Cable Matters, a leading innovator in connectivity solutions, today announced the release of its first 2-meter (6.6-foot) Thunderbolt 5 Active Cable. Designed to maintain full Thunderbolt 5 performance at extended distances, this new cable delivers elite connectivity for power users, creators, and IT professionals seeking clean, flexible workstation layouts without sacrificing speed or reliability.

The Thunderbolt 5 Active Cable supports up to 80 Gbps of bi-directional data throughput and up to 120 Gbps of video bandwidth with Bandwidth Boost enabled. This allows users to power advanced workflows such as high-resolution video editing, large-scale data transfers, and AI or 3D rendering. The cable also supports up to 240 W charging and can drive demanding display configurations, including dual 8K 60 Hz displays or triple 4K 144 Hz displays, depending on host and GPU capabilities.

Calling all heroes - the GXTrust Batman gaming range has landed, bringing the iconic look and feel of Gotham's greatest protector to your gaming setup. In collaboration with Warner Bros. and DC, this high-performance gaming collection merges bold Batman aesthetics with powerful functionality, giving fans a chance to game in Dark Knight style. Featuring the Ruya Pro Gaming Chair, Carus Gaming Headset, Muta Wireless Controller, and XXL Mousepad, this striking line-up offers everything you need to level up your play, whether you're saving the city in VR or chasing your next high score.

The Ruya Pro Gaming Chair Batman Edition delivers serious comfort with a sleek black and yellow design and premium Batman logo that's unmistakably cool. Built for long gaming sessions and all-day comfort, it's engineered to support even the most intense marathons:

• A height adjustable frame, 4D armrests and a tilt-lock mechanism to personalize your position
• Built-in lumbar support, extra-thick molded seat cushion, and a removable headrest for maximum comfort and support
• A combination of breathable fabric and PU leather that keeps things cool even during high-stakes matches
• A durable aluminium star base and Class 4 gas lift tested up to 150 kg, built to endure game after game

Today, developer and publisher Funcom is proud to announce that the biggest free update yet to Dune: Awakening, Dune: Awakening, one of Steam's highest-grossing new releases of 2025, is LIVE along with the paid Raiders of the Broken Lands DLC. The open world survival game inspired by Frank Herbert's Dune as well as Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment's acclaimed blockbuster franchise, just got a whole lot bigger and better.

Chapter 3 Free Update: Bigger and Better Endgame
Chapter 3 delivers one of the most requested improvements: a bigger and better endgame. Once players reach Tier 6, progression has now been extended. Chapter 3 introduces new systems that let players continue to grow their power, refine their build, and define their role. Importantly, players can now progress meaningfully through PVE-focused content.

Independent game developer WATT Studio has announced that the first public demo for GRIMPS, its wildly chaotic plush-infested shooter, will launches today on Steam. Players will soon get hands-on with a world where cuddly stuffed creatures become deadly enemies, absurd weapons rule the battlefield, and a sarcastic pigeon sidekick might be your only hope of survival.

In GRIMPS, players fight through hordes of possessed plush monsters in a quest to rescue a missing lover and rise to legendary status. Expect fast-paced arena combat, platforming challenges, environmental puzzles and an escalating descent into stuffed-animal mayhem. This game trades traditional polygonal realism for striking color blocking and stylized texture masks, creating a cohesive and atmospheric world filled with custom-built weapons, characters, and environments.

Mozilla's plans to make Firefox "a modern AI browser" have fallen flat on its face. When Anthony Enzor-DeMeo took over the Mozilla the new CEO, he announced plans to make the browser a modernized version of AI-first browsing experience. However, massive community backslash has resulted in the CEO quickly apologizing to the community and promising a killswitch. In the upcoming Firefox version 148, scheduled for a release on February 24, there will be an option to turn off AI features in the browser individually, or all at once. This includes AI-assisted translations, alt text in PDFs, AI-enhanced tab grouping, link previews, and an AI chatbot in the sidebar. Users can choose which features to enable or disable, and those who prefer not to use any AI functions can turn them off entirely with a single switch. This setting will persist even after future updates, ensuring that users who opt out will not encounter generative AI features.

Mozilla is fulfilling its earlier promise to implement an AI killswitch, an option increasingly sought after by many users. While some enjoy a web experience assisted by AI, many do not. Having an option to individually turn off specific features, or all at once, is the perfect solution. Interestingly, this is not the first time we are seeing features from companies that are marked as new updates, but instead delivering a shield from all the "AI enhancements." Users are clearly expressing a frustration of AI everywhere approach, and Mozilla is aiming to position Firefox right where the community wants it to be. For Firefox Nightly users, the feature is available right away. However, for Firefox stable, users must wait a few days until February 24 to install Firefox 148.

A true icon of the 1990s golden age of combat flight simulation is preparing for takeoff once again. F-22: Air Dominance Fighter, originally developed by Digital Image Design, is releasing soon on Steam, published by MicroProse—a name synonymous with some of the most respected and influential PC flight simulations ever made.

Originally renowned for striking a rare balance between accessibility and authenticity, F-22: Air Dominance Fighter puts players in control of one of the most advanced jet fighters ever conceived. More than a cockpit experience, the game also allows players to command the wider air war as an AWACS controller—overseeing the entire theatre, directing allied aircraft, observing every engagement in real time, and instantly jumping into the cockpit of any F-22 when the situation demands it.

Intel and SoftBank subsidiary Saimemory have signed an agreement to work together on developing and selling Z-Angle Memory (ZAM) technology aimed at AI and high-performance computing tasks. ZAM is described as a stacked DRAM architecture designed to go beyond current high-bandwidth memory (HBM) solutions. The goal is higher memory capacity and bandwidth at lower power. The name refers to vertical (Z-axis) stacking, according to reports from EE Times Japan. The project builds on Intel Next Generation DRAM Bonding (NGDB) work, developed under the U.S. government-backed Advanced Memory Technology (AMT) program in collaboration with Sandia, Lawrence Livermore, and Los Alamos national laboratories. Recent NGDB prototypes featuring eight vertically stacked DRAM layers have demonstrated full functionality using this new vertical stacking and bonding approach, as disclosed by Sandia in January.

According to reports from Nikkei and Wallstreet.cn, Saimemory is targeting two to three times the capacity of today's HBM, with 40-50% lower power consumption, while keeping costs competitive. Saimemory plans to have prototypes ready by early 2028, with commercial products following in 2029. SoftBank is said to be investing around ¥3 billion through the prototype phase. For Intel, the partnership marks a return to advanced memory technologies after exiting the DRAM market decades ago.

Cyber Acoustics, a leading provider of reliable and affordable audio solutions for 30 years, today announced the launch of its latest monitor-mounted speaker bar, the patent-pending CA-2890GX with LED lights.

Designed for casual gamers looking to enhance their play sessions with immersive lighting and surprisingly loud, crisp sound, the CA-2890GX is an ideal speaker for games with great musical soundtracks, such as Stardew Valley, Undertale, Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of Wisps, Enter the Gungeon, Binding of Isaac, Slay the Spire, Hollow Knight: Silk Song, and Castle Crashers, as well as games with vivid dialogue, including Disco Elysium, The Walking Dead (Telltale series), Life is Strange, Firewatch, and Hades.

Intel's upcoming "Arrow Lake Refresh" are weeks away from the final release, but new listing suggests that there might be more SKUs getting a refresh makeover than we initially thought. In the latest listing by a Romanian retailer, there is a new SKU called Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, with a code number BX80768250KF. The SKU is supposed to be the first version of the ARLR family with a "KF" mark, meaning that there won't be an integrated GPU in this processor Instead, only the CPU is provided, meaning that a GPU is mandatory, much like the previous KF SKUs. In the listing there is a mention of 4.2 GHz frequency, which aligns with the previously rumored Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and its P-core base speed of 4.2 GHz. This means that other specifications will remain similar to the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, like the E-Core base speed of 3.5 GHz, E-Core turbo of 4.7 GHz, and P-Core boost frequency of 5.3 GHz. The only difference will be the lack of iGPU, as it has been a case with previous KF SKUs.

Interestingly, the Romanian retailer is also listing the Core Ultra 250K Plus (BX80768250K) and Core Ultra 270K Plus (BX80768270K), while the flagship Ultra 9 290K Plus is not yet listed. This doesn't necessarily mean the SKU won't exist, but rather that this preliminary listing is incomplete for now. For the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, the retailer listed it at 1,049 Romanian Leu, which is about $243. As previous leaks suggest a March or April release of the ARLR family, we can expect the information and listings to intensify in the coming weeks. Some early benchmark runs also point to a 10% performance boost in flagship SKUs with the new refresh, so we have to wait and see how these mid-range chips perform in more testing.

Broadcom Inc., a global leader in semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions, today announced the industry's first Wi-Fi 8 access point (AP) and switch solution purpose-built with a unified architecture for AI-ready enterprise networks.

Building on Broadcom's first-to-market Wi-Fi 8 radios launched in October 2025, the new enterprise-grade Wi-Fi 8 AP platform is powered by a new accelerated processing unit (APU) chip, the BCM49438, designed to optimize wireless networking and AI acceleration at the enterprise edge. Additionally, Broadcom unveiled an enterprise-grade switch platform powered by a new Ethernet switch, the Trident X3+ BCM56390, with Broadcom's industry-leading multi-gigabit PHY and PoE power sourcing equipment (PSE) chips. Together, these platforms form a unified architecture that maximizes the performance, efficiency and security for the Wi-Fi 8 wireless network in the enterprise.

Data from ASUS's Future of SMB Report reveals that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly adopting the mindset, and tools, of large enterprises to stay competitive. According to the report, 88% of SMB owners in the United States believe that "thinking bigger" is essential for future growth. This shift is being driven in part by competitive pressure: among those who strongly agree, 41% say they face the most competition from larger enterprises, not just peers or start-ups.

Rather than relying solely on headcount or traditional infrastructure, SMBs are using AI-powered PCs to boost productivity and streamline decision-making. From intelligent forecasting to content creation and workflow automation, AI is now a key enabler of enterprise-level capability delivered with small business agility.

Nintendo's return to the modern handheld gaming market has proven to be a record-breaking success. The company has reportedly sold 155 million Switch units worldwide since its initial launch. The latest Nintendo Switch 2 has sold 17.37 million units since its release in June 2025. During the holiday quarter, shipments reached 7.01 million units globally, while the original Switch sold 1.36 million units in the same period. Combined lifetime shipments for the Switch family now stands at 155.37 million units, surpassing the Nintendo DS total of 154.02 million, making it Nintendo's best-selling console ever.

Regarding software for these record-breaking units, sales for the new console are also strong, with 37.93 million Switch 2 titles sold to date, largely driven by first-party games. Mario Kart World has reached 14.03 million copies, Donkey Kong Bananza 4.25 million, and Pokémon Legends: ZA 3.89 million. Kirby Air Riders, released in November, has sold 1.76 million units. The older Switch remains commercially relevant, with cumulative software sales of 108.93 million this quarter. Long-running catalog titles such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, now at 70.59 million copies, and Super Mario Party Jamboree at 9.41 million, continue to sell well, aided by backward compatibility.

As AI workloads, industrial digitalization, and edge data centers continue to scale, industrial manufacturers are facing a fundamental shift in how high-performance computing platforms must be designed. Today's systems must not only deliver extreme performance, but also ensure continuous uptime, remote operability, and long-term deployment stability in demanding production environment. In response to these demands, ASRock Industrial proudly announced the launch of IMB-X1904, a high-performance EATX motherboard powered by Intel Xeon 600 processors and the W890 chipset, designed to serve as a new backbone for AI computing, advanced industrial automation, and compute-intensive applications.

Designed for manufacturers that operate performance-critical systems, the IMB-X1904 delivers exceptional performance with robust-class processing power, high-speed DDR5 memory, extensive PCIe Gen 5 expansion, and next-generation I/O in a platform engineered for continuous operation, remote deployment, and secure lifecycle management.

OCBASE has updated its OCCT tool to include overclocking support for Intel's latest Xeon 600 "Granite Rapids-WS" workstation processors, designed for precise tuning of Intel's best HEDT offering. While OCCT is traditionally known for hardware stability testing, OCBASE aims to transform it into a universal platform that combines fine-tuning, including overclocking, with stability testing in a single application. The company has worked with Intel to create a special skin for the OCCT tool, featuring an Intel-like blue and white theme. Besides the visual makeover, lots of under the hood changes follow.

For instance, Intel's flagship Xeon 698X, with 86 cores and 172 threads and 336 MB of L3 cache, can be overclocked from the application UI. The processor operates at a 2.0 GHz base clock and can boost up to 4.8 GHz with Turbo Boost Max 3.0 or 4.6 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0. Intel confirms that the 698X is fully unlocked, which is unusual for the Xeon processor family. With OCCT, users can now make per-core clock adjustments and live parameter edits while running continuous stress tests. Currently in a closed beta program, the public release is expected within weeks and will include Linux compatibility.

AVerMedia Technologies, a global leader in streaming and digital audiovisual solutions, today announces the launch of Live Streamer, a new mobile streaming app, and new feature updates to its PC-based Streaming Center software. These updates together expand AVerMedia's creator ecosystem across mobile and PC workflows. Developed to complement the X'TRA GO GC515 and ELITE GO GC313Pro capture devices, Live Streamer offers a lightweight alternative for creators who want the flexibility of mobile streaming without replacing their existing PC-based workflows. For moments when portability matters such as traveling, staying in hotels, or creating content on the move, creators can now stream using just their mobile devices, without carrying a laptop.

"Creators don't always want to carry a full PC setup, but they still need control, reliability, and quality when streaming on the go," said Michael Kuo, President and CEO of AVerMedia Technologies. "With the GO Series and Live Streamer, we're offering a mobile streaming solution that is easy to use, powerful where it matters, and flexible enough to fit into different creative moments."

Logitech G today announced the Logitech G325 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset, a new wireless gaming headset designed for players who want effortless versatility, immersive audio, and all-day comfort, without the premium price tag. Offered at just $79.99 MSRP, the G325 delivers LIGHTSPEED wireless performance and premium audio, in a modern, minimalist design.

"We want all gamers to have premium experiences," said Ujesh Desai, General Manager of Logitech G. "That's why we packed so much into the new G325 headset. It's got a super comfortable design, long battery life, great audio, and works across PC, console, and mobile. It's designed for gamers who love to play across a variety of platforms."

ATK Gear showed off its latest Ghost gaming mouse at CES earlier this year, but the brand is apparently stepping into the less gamer-focussed peripheral scene as well with the new Yogo 75 low-profile mechanical keyboard. The Yogo 75 is, as the name suggests, a 75% mechanical keyboard, but it uses a new all-POM low-profile switch designed in collaboration with Kailh and features some unique design touches, making it a competitive option at its expected $100-130 price point, depending on sales and the specific model. ATK is currently wrapping up the Kickstarter campaign for the Yogo 75, and the keyboard will soon become available on the ATK Gear online store. It will be available with both silent linear and regular linear switches and in black, silver, or yellow (which looks more like a creamy color).

The ATK Yogo 75 has an all-aluminium chassis with a silicone gasket mount, while the Pro version has a built-in pixel display with a frosted cover, and a rotary encoder, and both models feature the retro-future aesthetic that's going around at the moment. Much like the Wooting 80HE (review here), the Yogo 75 has detachable feet for typing angle adjustment, although they are magnetic on the Yogo, where they are simply press-fit on the Wooting. The Yogo 75 will be available with two switch options, and it will have universal-height dye-sublimated PBT keycaps that look like they have the same profile as the keycaps from the similar Iqunix Magi and MQ series keyboards. In terms of connectivity, the standard tri-mode affair—Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and USB-C connectivity. ATK has put a 5,000 mAh battery into the Yogo 75, and the brand says that it will be able to run for as long as 2,500 hours on a single charge. This is likely tested without the north-facing RGB backlighting enabled.

After a long wait, Intel has launched its Xeon 600 Series processors dedicated to workstations. Codenamed Granite Rapids-WS, the new lineup is targeting single-socket workstations, with a strong emphasis on high core counts, large memory capacity, and extensive I/O for multi-GPU and storage-heavy configurations. The new chip family will replace the existing Sapphire Rapids‑based Xeon W-2500 and W-3500 Series workstation chips and will go up against AMD high-end workstation equivalent, the Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9000 Series. In total, Intel has 11 SKUs for Xeon 600 series and all are built around Redwood Cove P-cores, with no E-cores present. At the top of the stack sits the Xeon 698X, featuring 86 cores and 172 threads, backed by 336 MB of L3 cache. The chip runs at a 2.0 GHz base clock, boosting up to 4.8 GHz with Turbo Boost Max 3.0, or 4.6 GHz under Turbo Boost 2.0. Intel confirms that the 698X is fully unlocked, allowing overclocking, something still relatively rare in the Xeon workstation space.

They are paired with the Intel W890 chipset that offers up to 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes directly from the CPU. It features eight memory channels supporting DDR5-6400 RDIMMs, and up to 4 TB of system memory. Compared to the previous Xeon WS generation, Granite Rapids-WS brings larger L2 and L3 caches, CXL 2.0 support and updated platform features. Intel also highlights support for vPro Enterprise, as well as Intel Deep Learning Boost, including VNNI, AVX-512, and AMX, targeting AI inference and advanced compute workloads.

Recently, GOG, the game storefront and distribution platform, took some heat over the inclusion of AI-generated art in promotional imagery for a New Year sale. It received so much backlash online that an employee in the marketing department took to the GOG forum to respond the same day news broke, however, now, GOG has issued an official response in its Discord server for GOG Patrons (courtesy of Kotaku).

In the lengthy response, the GOG representative explains that the art was indeed AI generated, although this had been confirmed previously, but they explain that the banner was a WIP (work in progress) asset and was never meant to be shared. GOG also says that it "failed on at least two levels: Quality-control of the asset that landed on the front page, and then reacting quickly enough when we noticed the error." The rep goes on to acknowledge its community's disappointment in the use of AI, but says that GOG is a very small team that has been testing different technologies and tools that allow the team to do more with fewer hands. The full statement is available below, but it essentially seems as though GOG is incorporating generative AI into its workflows, despite the negative backlash, internally, externally, and even from the gaming industry at large.

Acemagic's latest entry into its retro mini PC line, the Retro X3, is apparently powered by AMD's Ryzen 7 H 255, and it offers a slightly toned-down look compared to the Gorgon Point and Panther Lake devices we previewed at CES earlier this year. The Retro X3 has officially launched in China, and is available for pre-order at a price of RMB 1,899 without RAM or storage. This translates to around $273, although it will likely be slightly more expensive when it launches globally. The Retro X3 will be available with and AMD Ryzen 7 H 255, which is an eight-core CPU with AMD's Zen 4 Architecture and an AMD Radeon 780M iGPU, meaning the mini PC should offer similar low-end gaming performance to the APU in the ASUS ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go.

It features modular RAM, with support for up to 128 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and up to 4 TB of NVMe storage via a 2280 M.2 slot. As with the other retro PCs by Acemagic, it features a beige plastic enclosure with a big red power button and plenty of ports. On the front alone, there are two USB 3.2 ports, along with a 3.5 mm audio jack and a USB4 Type-C port, while the back features an HDMI 2.1 port and a DisplayPort 2.0 port alongside 2.5G LAN and four USB 3.2 ports. It also packs Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6 for wireless connectivity and peripherals. The air cooling system draws in cool air from the top of the chassis and exhausts heat through vents on the sides and rear of the mini PC, and the whole package measures in at just 128.2 × 128.2 × 44 mm.

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 last year, and if your computer is still running it, then your data is at risk. If you want an easy way to upgrade, right now, you can get Windows 11 Pro on sale for only $12.97 (reg. $199). Windows 11 Pro adds security tools that help protect your files and accounts in ways Windows 10 simply doesn't. BitLocker can encrypt your drive so someone who gets your laptop can't just pull the data off it. Smart App Control can block unknown or suspicious programs before they run, which is helpful if you download software from different places. Windows Defender works in the background to scan for threats without a separate antivirus subscription.

There are also changes that make it easier to work on a crowded desktop. Snap layouts let you click a layout and drop apps into neat side-by-side or grid views instead of dragging windows around. Virtual desktops help you keep work, personal tasks, and side projects in separate spaces on the same computer. When you plug back into a monitor or dock, Windows 11 Pro does a better job of putting windows back where they were instead of stacking them on one screen.

Right now, it's only $12.97 to get Windows 11 Pro, but it won't stay that way.

Giga Computing, a subsidiary of GIGABYTE and a leader in high-performance computing and data center solutions, today announced two new enterprise-grade workstation motherboards for demanding workloads in engineering, AI development, data science, and media creation. For Intel Xeon 600 processors for workstations, the first wave of products from Giga Computing includes the GIGABYTE MW94-RP0 and MW54-HP0. Designed for a traditional computer chassis, these new motherboards are feature rich and offer a significant boost in AI bound workloads.

Intel Xeon 600 Processors for Workstations
Modern workstation workloads are evolving rapidly, driven by AI, higher core density, and the need for faster data movement across the system. Intel Xeon 600 processors for workstations are built on the new Redwood Cove+ P-core architecture and the Intel 3 process, delivering a significant leap in compute capability, AI acceleration, and platform bandwidth. With expanded PCIe 5.0 connectivity, faster DDR5 memory, and the new W890 workstation chipset, this platform provides a future-ready foundation for professionals tackling demanding workloads in engineering, AI development, data science, and media creation.

Hi Civ fans - Ed Beach here, creative director for the Civilization franchise. For more than 30 years, Civilization has challenged players to build an empire to stand the test of time, offering rich, strategic gameplay that has resonated with fans across the world. That includes many of us on the Firaxis development team, who have devoted much of our lives to working on this legendary series.

One year ago, we embarked on a bold new journey with the launch of Civilization VII. Our vision was to push the boundaries of the franchise, introducing new mechanics that offered a fresh perspective for our players. The most rewarding part of the past year has been spending it with you - our community. Your passion, your ideas, and your feedback have shaped how we think about Civilization VII, and continue to guide where we're taking this game next. As we look ahead, we're committed to building on that foundation and weaving what we've heard directly into the game's DNA - so Civ VII keeps growing into something that feels great for deity veterans and new players alike. We're excited to build the future of Civilization VII together, and now we're ready to share a bit about where it's going next.

Chinese company Loongson has been developing custom processors based on the LoongArch instruction set, a new design initiated in 2020. Phoronix reviewed the company's 3B6000 processor, which has 12 cores supporting simultaneous multithreading (SMT2), resulting in 24 threads. The platform is compatible with DDR4 memory, with a controller targeting speeds up to 3,200 MT/s and ECC support, and the CPU runs at 2.4/2.5 GHz base frequency. In testing, the 3B6000 processor achieved about one-third the performance of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X in aggregate benchmark testing. However, it outperformed the Raspberry Pi 500+ by a factor of 2.5, placing it between single-board computers and entry-level desktop systems.

For testing, Phoronix used the 3B6000x1-7A2000x1-EVB evaluation board, which appears dated compared to current motherboard designs, especially in terms of component selection and the cooling solution for the chipset. Expansion options include two PCIe x16 slots, one PCIe x4 slot, an M.2 connector, and four SATA ports. The integrated graphics unit supports both HDMI and VGA outputs. While the LoongArch64 architecture represents China's effort to develop an independent instruction set with the ability to tune features like security and specialized workloads, these benchmarks suggest the hardware execution still lags several generations behind x86-64 designs from AMD and Intel. Significant, multifold improvements are needed before it can match the performance of Western CPU makers.

Intel's next desktop "Arrow Lake Refresh" CPU upgrade is inching closer to reality. The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has been spotted in a new Geekbench run, adding to the evidence that the "Arrow Lake Refresh" will indeed offer a meaningful performance improvements over its predecessors. The test system used an ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming Wi-Fi board with 64 GB of DDR5-6800 memory. The processor achieved scores of 3,535 in the single-core test and 25,106 in the multicore test. Compared to the Core Ultra 9 285K's typical scores of around 3,200 and 22,560, this represents improvements of approximately 10.5% and 11.3%, respectively. These results place the 290K Plus at the top of Intel's consumer CPU rankings in Geekbench's database. An earlier leak on different hardware showed slightly lower results, suggesting that this newer test run benefits from better optimization rather than just faster memory.

The 290K Plus SKU keeps the same 24-core layout as its predecessor with 8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores, plus identical power limits of PL1 of 125 W and PL2 of 250 W. The gains come from higher clock speeds. According to rumors, the efficiency cores now boost to 4.8 GHz, up 200 MHz, while the performance cores get an extra 100 MHz on both turbo and thermal velocity boost. The benchmark registered the chip running at 5.7 GHz during testing. Intel has confirmed the ARLR is coming but has stayed quiet on specific models and dates. Leaks suggest a March or April release, and since these chips use the same LGA 1851 socket, they should work as drop-in upgrades for current Z890 motherboards. As with any pre-release numbers, may not reflect final CPU performance, so final performance data and gaming results that come from third-party reviews will show the real-world situation.

Arm Flexible Access is evolving, unlocking broader startup eligibility, expanded edge AI capabilities, and a more flexible way to design, test, and bring silicon to market. Innovation in silicon design thrives on iteration. For startups and established design teams alike, the ability to explore, test, and refine without financial friction is essential. That's why Arm Flexible Access is evolving to make that journey even easier.

Arm Flexible Access already offers up-front, low-cost or no-cost access to a wide portfolio of Arm technology, tools, and training. This "try before you buy" model allows teams to build and test designs freely, only paying licensing fees for the technologies used in production silicon. It's helped launch over 400 chips across more than 100 companies.

GMKtec today officially announced the launch of the NucBox K13, a next-generation ultra-compact workstation designed to deliver exceptional AI computing, creative performance, and everyday productivity in a remarkably small footprint. Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (Lunar Lake) processor, the NucBox K13 represents a major step forward in GMKtec's mini PC lineup—both in performance and industrial design.

Positioned as an all-in-one workstation, the NucBox K13 integrates CPU, GPU, and NPU acceleration to deliver up to 115 TOPS of AI performance, enabling local AI inference, automation workflows, and advanced multitasking previously reserved for much larger systems.

Intel is reportedly mandating OEM integrators of the latest "Panther Lake" SoCs to use LPDDR5X memory starting at 7,467 MT/s and beyond, with an interesting software differentiator between adequate speeds or those below. According to Golden Pig Upgrade, LDDR5X memory running below the 7,467 MT/s threshold will force the software to display a generic mark of "Intel (R) Graphics," while configurations with that exact memory speed or higher will display the full name of "Intel (R) Arc (TM) Graphics B390" or "Intel (R) Arc (TM) Graphics B370" marking in Windows 11 Task Manager. Reportedly, Intel is doing this to stop OEMs from cutting corners with their "Panther Lake" laptop configurations, where they could bundle a lower-speed LDDR5X memory out of the Intel specification.

Without the required memory, Intel's Arc B390/B370 iGPUs would likely be left starving for bandwidth, as the whole SoC is being powered by that memory. At higher speeds, memory can do the data transfer faster, resulting in a boost of the overall system performance, and most importantly, the frame rate that these chips can push out. Especially for single-package systems like "Panther Lake" is, faster memory is a great way to get extra performance boost. Intel's flagship SKUs are advertised as capable of running with LPDDR5X memory at speeds up to 9,600 MT/s, which is just below the point where LPDDR5X technology tops out at 10,700 MT/s. Interestingly, there are lots of options from Intel's OEM partners that integrate top-end memory, which is a positive sign for the ecosystem.

Intel XeSS 3 with multi-frame generation (MFG) is expected to be available this month for the Arc B580 "Battlemage" graphics cards. However, some Redditors suggest there's a workaround to enable XeSS 3 and gain the FPS boost from MFG through a simple file swap. Gamers using Intel's Arc B580 have discovered that by installing Intel's driver package for "Panther Lake"—which includes XeSS 3 with MFG—and renaming certain dynamic link libraries, the drivers for Arc B580 can use libraries intended for Arc B390 and Arc B370 integrated graphics. The process is straightforward, allowing gamers to download, extract, rename, and activate XeSS 3 on their non-PTL systems without issues. This raises the question of why Intel chose not to officially support the discrete "Battlemage" GPUs for XeSS 3 on the new driver release day. Possible reasons could include marketing strategies or additional beta-testing before the official release.Here is a complete step-by-step solution.

Samsung Electronics today announced that its 2026 OLED TV lineup and next-generation Odyssey gaming monitors are NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, delivering smoother gameplay to meet the needs of gamers and display enthusiasts alike

NVIDIA G-SYNC technology enables the display's refresh rate to synchronize with the NVIDIA GeForce GPU's frame rate, reducing screen tearing and stuttering for a more seamless visual experience. Models that are G-SYNC Compatible include the OLED S95H, S90H and S85H, as well as the new Odyssey G6 (G60H, G61SH) gaming monitors.

TrendForce's latest memory industry survey indicates that persistent AI and data center demands in 1Q26 are further worsening the global memory supply and demand imbalance, thereby increasing suppliers' pricing power. As a result, TrendForce has significantly raised its 1Q26 price forecasts for both DRAM and NAND Flash products. The quarter-over-quarter increase in conventional DRAM contract prices has been revised upward, from a previous estimate of 55-60% to now 90-95%. Similarly, NAND Flash contract prices are now expected to rise from 33-38% to 55-60%. Further upward adjustments may still occur.

TrendForce reports that PC shipments in 4Q25 exceeded expectations, resulting in a widespread shortage of PC DRAM. Even tier-1 PC OEMs with secured allocations from memory suppliers are experiencing declining inventory levels. In a market dominated by sellers, which is driving contract prices higher, PC DRAM prices in 1Q26 are projected to increase by over 100% QoQ, setting a new record for a quarterly surge.

If you're tired of seeing Microsoft's AI features like Copilot, agentic workloads, and Recall forced into their products, you're not alone. Microsoft has finally confirmed that it will be stepping back from its "AI everywhere" strategy. According to an exclusive report by Windows Central, the internal Windows 11 teams at Microsoft are now focusing on reducing forced AI integration. Instead, they aim to address what truly matters to consumers, such as fixing the bug-prone operating system and enhancing core features for a smoother user experience. The integration of Copilot into basic apps like Notepad and Paint is reportedly under review, and Microsoft may remove these features to restore the basic functionality users have come to appreciate. This includes features like basic text formatting and tables in Notepad, which are nice additions to a core application.

Additionally, forcing Copilot AI button in every application has been paused, as there has been very little interest from users in actually using these features. TechPowerUp Forums has been a constant source of criticism for Microsoft's forced AI integration, among the remaining large crowd of PC enthusiasts who have been fighting the "AI everywhere" approach for a while. Microsoft's telemetry records usage of these AI buttons and additions, likely showing that only a few percent of Windows 11 users are actually interested in having AI access every application layer, especially with the recent ambition to shape Windows 11 into "agentic OS." The company confirmed that these features are a security nightmare to maintain, so thankfully these efforts are now cancelled.

The AI arms race is now in full swing, and corporate espionage is reaching levels beyond what we previously imagined. According to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), former Google software engineer Linwei Ding has been convicted of economic espionage and theft of confidential AI technology, specifically related to Google Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). An FBI investigation revealed that the ex-Googler was suspected of stealing information about the entire infrastructure surrounding TPUs, including chip architecture, external connectivity, and more. The DOJ concluded that Linwei Ding was acting for the benefit of the People's Republic of China (PRC), with the primary goal of stealing sensitive intellectual property that Google has spent years and billions of US Dollars developing. Naturally, Google collaborated with the FBI to protect its intellectual property and found the former employee guilty of stealing as many as two thousand pages of confidential information.

U.S. Department of JusticeThe trade secrets contained detailed information about the architecture and functionality of Google's custom Tensor Processing Unit chips and systems and Google's Graphics Processing Unit systems, the software that allows the chips to communicate and execute tasks, and the software that orchestrates thousands of chips into a supercomputer capable of training and executing cutting-edge AI workloads. The trade secrets also pertained to Google's custom-designed SmartNIC, a type of network interface card used to facilitate high speed communication within Google's AI supercomputers and cloud networking products.

Welcome to the month of February and this month kicks off with a pretty packed week of new releases. This week's major release brings Command & Conquer to mind, but on an alien planet and turn-based. The week kicks off with a retro style 2D RPG, which is followed by a magical horror co-op game and an island full of cats. Next up we have a re-imagined version of a Square Enix game and we round off the week with some samurai vs. ninja action. There's also a bunch of other games launching this week, so check out those too.

Menace / This week's major release / Thursday 5 February / Early access
Command a strike force of marines, mercenaries, and criminals in a distant system, cut off from the Core Worlds. At the lawless frontier, the Wayback system is controlled by pirate warlords, questionable corporations, and fractured planetary governments who struggle for a new order. Though you initially lead your strike force of marines from aboard the strike cruiser TCRN Impetus, you'll quickly need to unite the disparate locals under your leadership to defeat an unknown threat. Fielding tanks, walkers, and infantry squads with a massive selection of equipment to choose from, you'll train your troops, plan out operations, and engage in deadly tactical battles. Steam link