AMD announced its Ryzen AI 400 series "Gorgon Point" mobile APUs based on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores at CES 2026 earlier this year, simultaneously showing off the AM5-based Ryzen AI 400-branded desktop APUs at the same show. Now, according to a new leak by Moore's Law is Dead on X, AMD will allegedly launch the new Ryzen AI 400-series desktop processors for AM5 in the first half of 2026. MLID adds that the launch may even happen as early as Q1. He also released what he claims to be a short promotional video of an AMD Ryzen AI 400 Pro processor in an AM5 socket to lend credence to his leak.

Exact specifications for the AM5 APUs are unconfirmed, but if they're anything like the laptop counterparts, it is expected that the new APUs will launch with the same silicon as Strix Point but with adjusted power management and increased clock speeds. This means we can expect to see the Ryzen AI 400 desktop processors top out with a 12-core (4× Zen 5; 8 × Zen 5c) CPU cluster tied to a 16 CU RDNA 3.5 iGPU, and a 60 TOPS NPU.

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, today announced that all of its large-sized OLED panels, including those for TVs and monitors, have been recognized for their "perfect dimming technology" - earning the industry's first "100% dimming consistency" verification from UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science. This performance, as validated by UL Solutions, objectively demonstrates the superiority of OLED's pixel-level dimming.

Dimming consistency refers to a measurement method that evaluates, in percentage terms, how effectively a display reproduces content based on its brightness performance. A reference area is set in the center of the screen and is gradually reduced from 1/10 of the panel to 11/1000, 5/1000, and finally 2/1000. The results are expressed as a percentage: if the maximum and minimum brightness values remain the same throughout the process, dimming consistency is 100%. Conversely, as the value decreases, it means that there is light intensity variation within the same screen. In such cases, brightness differs depending on the position of the light source, even for the same color.

EA's Full Circle studio published the hotly anticipated Skate, a free-to-play live-service installment in the popular franchise, just six months ago, and to a booming 134,901 peak concurrent players. However, those figures quickly dropped to the little-over-2,000 daily players we see today, and it seems as though the dwindling player count may have been an indication of what's to come. According to a recent blog post put out by Full Circle, the studio will be "reshaping" itself, making changes to better support Skate's long-term future, and those changes mean that "some roles will be impacted," which is to say that the studio is laying off staff.

Neither EA nor Full Circle have commented on how many developers or team members are being laid off, but the studio says that these are individuals who helped build the foundation of Skate, suggesting that they were part of the core development and art teams. This announcement comes not too long after EA was bought out by a group consisting of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, who subsequently announced a cost-savings plan that would see EA pivot to AI in order to increase efficiency, manage debt, and cut operating costs. The news of layoffs is also only the latest in a recent slew of layoffs and studio closures across the ailing gaming industry, which has seemingly hit the live-service genre particularly hard.

The State of New York's attorney general, Letitia James, has officially taken gaming giant, Valve, to court in a state court in Manhattan, alleging that the combination of games like Counter-Strike, Team Fortress, and Dota, wherein players can earn and use real money to buy loot boxes, and Steam's Community Market, where rare skins and items can be sold, often for exorbitant prices, amount to "quintessential gambling." There are reports of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive skins selling for as much as $2.5 million, with the game touted as having the biggest in-game economy of any video game. Valve previously adjusted the way it presented loot boxes and their rewards to players, seemingly specifically to avoid EU gambling regulations.

The lawsuit, spotted by Reuters, alleges that "Valve's loot boxes are particularly pernicious because they are popular among children and adolescents," going on to state that these mechanics put children at risk of becoming addicted, with the complaint adding that children are four times more at risk of becoming addicted to gambling in adulthood if they are exposed to gambling before the age of 12. The lawsuit seeks restitution for players and a fine of three times Valve's earnings from any activities deemed to be illegal. Loot boxes are largely looked down on by gamers and lawmakers alike, because players are encouraged to spend money on them, and they provide no guarantee of any return or specific value. If James succeeds against Valve in the lawsuit, it could set a precedent that may result in sweeping changes across both Steam and the gaming industry at large.

SK hynix Inc. and Sandisk Corporation held "HBF Spec. Standardization Consortium Kick-Off" event at Sandisk Headquarters in Milpitas, California on the 25th (local time) announcing global standardization strategy of next-generation memory solution HBF (High Bandwidth Flash) aimed at the AI inference era. SK hynix said, "By making HBF an industry standard, together with Sandisk, we will lay the foundation for the entire AI ecosystem to grow together. A dedicated workstream under OCP will be launched with Sandisk to begin standardization work."

Recently, the AI industry is shifting from training which focuses on creating Large Language Models (LLMs) to inference, which accelerates actual AI services to users. Fast and efficient memory is essential as the number of users using AI services increases rapidly. However, the existing memory structure cannot meet the high capacity data processing and power efficiency at the same time in the inference stage and HBF technology is designed to address these limitations. HBF technology is a new memory layer between ultra-fast memory, HBM and high-capacity storage device, SSD. HBF technology can fill the gap between HBM's high performance and SSD's high capacity and ensure both capacity expansion and power efficiency required for AI inferencing. While HBM handles the high level bandwidth, HBF technology serves as a supporting layer in the architecture.

NuPhy is known for making some of the best mid-range low-profile mechanical keyboards, having recently launched the Node series, a $99.95-109.95 low-profile mechanical keyboard family shortly after releasing the V3 update for its Air series keyboards. Now, adding to its growing list of accessories for its aforementioned low-profile keyboard collection, NuPhy has released a NuPhy x Riel Aquarium nSA profile keycap set, which is available on the NuPhy site for $49.95.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the NuPhy Air 60 HE is live]

NuPhy designed the Aquarium keycap set in collaboration with Riel, and the set will be manufactured by KeyTok, but it uses NuPhy's low-profile, uniform-height nSA profile, which can also be found on its pre-built low-profile keyboards. The keycap set employs a whimsical sea-life theme, featuring various shades of blue and off-white alphanumeric and modifier keys and orange navigation accent keycaps. There are also alternative white and blue modifier keycaps featuring aquarium doodles. The Aquarium nSA keycap set is made of five-sided dye-sublimated PBT, and the set has a total of 159 keycaps. Given that nSA is a uniform-height keycap set, compatibility with ortholinear and small form factor keyboards with split spaces should actually be quite high.

Back at CES 2026, we got a brief look at Keychron's resin and concrete K2 HE Special Edition wireless TMR keyboards, but the company has officially launched both the Concrete Edition and Resin Edition K2 HE keyboards, with both keyboards launching via Keychron's direct-to-consumer online store for $199.99. Both keyboards are based on the K2 HE, which has been one of Keychron's more popular models since it launched, and there isn't much by way of technical improvements over the original K2 HE aside from the design update. The resin edition features a smoky translucent case with an almost marbled aesthetic that shifts in the light, while the concrete edition has a simpler brutalist design, with color-matched keycaps and a solid gray aesthetic.

Both the K2 HE Concrete and Resin Editions are based on the same MCU, TMR sensor, and switch architectures as the original K2 HE, meaning they use the same Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches as the original—with 4 mm total travel and enabling all the typical analog features and online customization via Keychron Launcher—and feature the same 1 kHz polling rate and wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz. It also goes without saying that both keyboards have the same 75% layout as the previous K2 HE keyboards. The material changes have also resulted in different dimensions. The K2 HE Resin Edition measures 321.13 × 131.3 mm, with a 27.06 mm listed front height and 4° typing angle, while the Concrete Edition comes in at 322.13 × 132.13 mm with a 27.39 mm front height and 4° typing angle. Both also use an aluminium switch plate and have a tray-mount design.

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) today reported record revenue for the fourth quarter ended January 25, 2026, of $68.1 billion, up 20% from the previous quarter and up 73% from a year ago. For fiscal 2026, revenue was $215.9 billion, up 65% from a year ago.

For the quarter, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins were 75.0% and 75.2%, respectively. For fiscal 2026, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins were 71.1% and 71.3%, respectively.

Today during IGN Fan Fest 2026, Swedish indie publisher Raw Fury and developer Christoffer Bodegård announced that their fantasy CRPG, Esoteric Ebb, will launch on March 3 for PC. Players will soon be able to step into Esoteric Ebb's isometric, Disco-inspired TTRPG-turned-CRPG gameplay, which features deep, branching dialogue and staggering player choice, in a richly imagined Arcanepunk fantasy world.

In Esoteric Ebb, the player is the Cleric, one of many menial laborers of the city of Norvik. Tasked to solve the mystery of an exploded Tea Shop, players will roll dice against the voices in their head, explore a fantasy city on the brink of its first-ever election, and strive to become a hero of legends. Or completely ruin the campaign.

There has been a lot of talk about the new Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, since it was announced that she would be taking over from Phil Spencer, and she has even made a handful of statements about her intent for the future of the Xbox platform—even if some of those have simply led gamers and commentators to the conclusion that she is there to usher Xbox into the night. However, in a recent interview with Windows Central, Sharma and the new Xbox CCO (Chief Content Officer), Matt Booty, have commented on the immediate future of Xbox and what Sharma previously referred to as the "return to Xbox."

According to the two executives, the next steps revolve around the next-gen Xbox hardware platform, which is rumored to launch around 2028 as a PC-console hybrid, and Microsoft's first-party development efforts. Sharma said "For me, the spirit of 'Return to Xbox' is about returning to the spirit that the team was founded on... It's that spirit of surprise, it's the spirit of building something nobody else is willing to try," going on to explain that "I think that our core Xbox fans and players have invested up to 25 years of themselves in these universes and our console. I want to make sure everybody knows I'm committed to Xbox, starting with the console. We're going to keep meeting players where they are—the world continues to evolve and change. We're going to make sure Xbox is a great place for developers and players. We want to invest in reducing the artificial divide between different types of devices that they want to use with us. I think that's going to mean a lot more investment in breaking down the barriers, in helping developers build once and show up across different hardware experience."

Samsung Electronics today announced the Galaxy S26 series, powered by the most intuitive, proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experiences yet and designed to simplify the tasks people do on their phones every day. From managing plans and finding information to capturing and refining content, Galaxy S26 reduces the effort and number of steps required to get things done. As Samsung's third-generation AI phones, Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra handle complex tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on results rather than how the technology works.

The Galaxy S26 series was engineered with Samsung's most advanced capabilities working together as one: incredible performance, an industry-leading camera system and Galaxy AI. This provides a strong foundation that gives Galaxy S26 users the confidence to depend on their phone throughout the day without compromising security or privacy.

The leading system integrator iBUYPOWER is pleased to announce the official launch of its new Gen 10 series of prebuilt and custom gaming PCs. Built for those that demand cutting-edge gaming performance with contemporary aesthetics, iBUYPOWER is evolving its prebuilt computers by redefining how a modern gaming system should look and perform. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ibuypower.com/gaming-pcs/signatures/gen-10-series

iBUYPOWER's Trace X and Element Pulse X cases are at the heart of its Gen 10 lineup, as both cases feature refreshed, architectural-inspired designs that emphasize clean lines, panoramic views into your system, and eye catching RGB aesthetics. Both cases are also performance optimized, supporting high-end components like large GPUs, PSUs, and air coolers, and are backed by iBUYPOWER's comprehensive three-year labor and two-year parts warranty and nationwide Micro Center service support.

Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) introduces the Dell PowerEdge XR9700 server, a first of its kind closed-loop liquid-cooled, fully-enclosed, ruggedized server engineered to run Cloud RAN and edge AI workloads in unprotected outdoor environments. Designed to mount on utility poles, rooftops and building exteriors, the PowerEdge XR9700 brings high performance computing into dense urban areas, remote locations and space-constrained facilities where traditional data center infrastructure cannot reach.

Why it matters
Telecommunications operators and those working at the edge often struggle to deploy compute due to lack of power and space. The PowerEdge XR9700 solves this, delivering high performance compute directly at the point of need in an ultra-compact, zero-footprint IP66-rated enclosure that's sealed from the elements. For telecommunications operators, it provides a flexible, software-defined alternative to traditional RAN solutions, supporting Cloud RAN and Open RAN processing at the cell site. At the same time, the platform can run edge and AI applications directly where data is created and consumed.

Valve has steadily been adding features to SteamOS and the Steam Client since the release of the Steam Deck and leading up to the Steam Machine, but the latest Steam Deck Beta client update aims to address two main issues that have apparently been prevalent in the Steam Hardware Survey, which should result in more accurate GPU data reporting. The first change fixes incorrect VRAM reporting on some GPUs, although Valve doesn't provide any explanation about which GPUs are affected by this bug, while the second change makes it so that the Steam Client automatically detects the display adaptor with the most VRAM—therefore likely the most performant or the least likely to be an iGPU—when collecting Steam Survey information.

Aside from weird edge cases, like users running both a workstation GPU and a gaming GPU in one system, these changes should result in more accurate data from the Steam Hardware Survey. It's unclear how widespread these reporting issues were or how far back they go, but the changes are unlikely to have an effect before a wider roll-out, and it's unclear when the wider roll-out will happen. The beta client update also includes two minor updates to Steam Input. The update adds a multi-button selector for the button chord activator, which Valve says will improve compatibility with extra grip buttons on modern controllers. Valve has also changed the way the Gyro to Joystick Camera output works, matching the Gyro to Joystick Deflection behavior, which it says is useful for "identifying a game's internal joystick deadzone." Polishing both the Steam Hardware Survey results and Steam Input might be steps to prepare for the launch of the Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame.

ACEMAGIC's K1 Mini PC, powered by Intel's 12th Gen Core i5-12600H, is currently available at a substantial discount on Amazon US. Originally priced at $579.99, the system is now listed at $399.99, with an additional 10% off promo code bringing the final price down to $359.99. The promotion runs from February 4, 2026 (04:00 PST) through March 31, 2026 (23:59 PST).

Alder Lake-H Performance in a Compact Form Factor
The ACEMAGIC K1 is built around the Intel Core i5-12600H, a 12-core (4P + 8E) / 16-thread processor based on Intel's Alder Lake architecture. With boost clocks up to 4.5 GHz, the chip offers significantly higher multithreaded performance compared to typical low-power U-series mini PC CPUs, and even outpaces processors such as the i5-12450H in many workloads.

To purchase from the United States, visit this page (Amazon link).

To purchase from Canada, visit this page (Amazon Canada link).

Micron chose to unveil its latest developments in graphics memory via a blog post titled "The new performance bottleneck: How more GPU memory unlocks next gen gaming and AI PCs" which explains that its latest GDDR7 memory will allow for graphics cards with as much as 96 GB of VRAM. Micron isn't the first company with 24 Gbit or 3 GB density GDDR7 memory chips, as Samsung sampled partners back in November of last year.

Samsung's 3 GB GDDR7 chips are also offering 36 Gbps bandwidth, so Micron doesn't stand out here either and this might be why the company snuck out the details of its new product in a blog post rather than putting out a press release. Micron claims that its new GDDR7 chips offer improved efficiency, but doesn't go into any details as to what this means. The rest of the blog post is mostly about the benefits of GDDR7 at higher density and speeds and the benefits it will bring to graphics cards, AI PCs and what not. The chips aren't listed on Micron's website as yet, despite the blog linking to Micron's GDDR7 product page.

The CP152-1 is a concept PCIe storage adapter card designed to explore market demand for a compact, rear-swappable 2.5" SATA SSD/HDD solution with built-in RAID 1 functionality. By utilizing a dual-slot PCIe form factor, the CP152-1 enables the installation of two 9.5 mm 2.5" SATA drives with RAID 1 or JBOD support, delivering a simplified approach to data protection and storage expansion without the need for traditional drive cages or backplanes.

The CP152-1 adopts a rear-accessible removable tray architecture, allowing system integrators to evaluate alternative service workflows and chassis layouts while maintaining a clean, cable-free PCIe installation.

Blizzard's recent rebrand of Overwatch 2 to just Overwatch also saw the game studio announce a series of new heroes coming in the first season of Overwatch's new era, one of which is Jetpack Cat, who quickly became a fan favorite. In a recent appearance on The Omnic Podcast, Overwatch's associate director, Alec Dawson, said that the popularity of Jetpack Cat, and other unorthodox characters, has led the development and design teams to consider more "oddball" heroes for future releases. Blizzard has promised to add one hero to the game every season for the first year—meaning a new hero every two months—but there was no word on whether the plan was to continue at this cadence indefinitely. In the podcast, though, Dawson clarifies that this is the goal as long as it's sustainable and there's no big gameplay event or similar to get in the way. He also says that this release cadence also gives the developers "a lot more opportunities to take some chances" on gameplay differentiation, different roles, and "something a little bit different" so that players can find characters they enjoy playing with or whose design they enjoy. He adds that the response to Jetpack Cat has been heard in the Overwatch team, and it "helps us think about what sort of characters and heroes we want to do in the future, as well."

At the same time, in a recent interview with PCGamesN, Dawson commented that Jetpack Cat is the most banned character in Overwatch at the moment, and that is a situation Blizzard would like to address so that she can be used more frequently in competitive matches. "We love the cat, but we are going to tone down a little bit of her aggression," he continued to explain that Jetpack Cat's ability to dive a backline will likely be somewhat suppressed in an upcoming nerf: "When she gets both her minor perk, Claws Out, and her major perk, Territorial, the combination allows her to be an absolute menace that's diving backlines and taking 1v1s. So we're going to tone that down just a little bit and see how that goes, but the cat won't be scratching as much as she is currently." He added that the hero ban feature has been helpful to guide the balance and development of heroes, which will likely only become more complicated with the new hero release cadence. Notably, Blizzard has also been responding to community feedback on topics like hero design, as was the case with another new hero, Anran, who was criticized for looking generic after her announcement.

AMD has announced its EPYC 8005 series server processors, codenamed "Sorano". These new CPUs are filling the gap between the EPYC 9005 high-end Zen 5 lineup and the lower-tier EPYC 4005 parts. The new 8005 series succeeds the EPYC 8004 "Siena" family and targets single-socket (1P) platforms with an emphasis on telecom, edge, and vRAN (Virtual Radio Access Network) workloads. Built on the Zen 5 architecture, EPYC 8005 is designed around performance-per-watt and performance-per-dollar rather than peak multi-socket scalability. With these new server CPUs, AMD is targeting the telco sector where power and space-constrained environments are key factors in cell sites and distributed edge locations. AMD has not yet published a full SKU list or detailed specifications about the EPYC 8004 CPUs. However, the company says the lineup will scale up to 84 cores in a single-socket configuration, with SKUs operating in power envelopes up to 225 W.

AMD is also highlighting wide thermal operating ranges and support for NEBS (Network Equipment-Building System) compliant platforms. For vRAN specifically, EPYC 8005 adds targeted LDPC (Low-Density Parity Check) decoding optimizations to improve Layer 1 acceleration for 5G workloads. AMD claims improved uplink throughput and more efficient forward-error-correction processing, while maintaining the deterministic behavior required in RAN environments, thanks to the updated Zen 5 execution pipeline and vector capabilities. The EPYC 8005 "Sorano" CPUs should become available in the following months, with more details about the platform and performance likely closer to launch.

The disappointing launch of Highguard has been well documented by now, but the game has just hit a new low, despite recent developer efforts to keep things afloat following a round of layoffs. According to SteamDB, Highguard's player count has continued to trend downwards, reaching a new low of just 743 peak concurrent players in the 24-hour period preceding publication. February 23 marked the first time the game dipped below 1,000 peak concurrent players in a 24-hour period—down from a launch peak of 97,249—and player counts haven't recovered since then.

No Man's Sky had a similar launch trajectory, releasing with a massive 212,000+ peak player count which quickly dwindled to just over 1,000 in 2018 before the game's surprise resurrection—it now sits at around 20,000 peak concurrent daily players. Highguard's dwindling player count is despite recent content updates reportedly bringing a bit more excitement to the gameplay—recent reviews show an uptick in positive feedback and a reduction in negative reviews.

A few days ago, we reported that AMD is seemingly ending driver support for its Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC, just two and a half years after its launch. Since Lenovo issued product guidance that the company will no longer provide updates, and ASUS's own ROG Ally handheld console had not received an update in over six months, the situation was dire. However, ASUS today released a new driver update for its ROG Ally handheld console, which had been stuck with six-month-old SoC drivers from August 2025. This changes the situation from the platform being completely abandoned for half a year to a periodic update window that will likely continue unless gamers encounter a surprise change.

Initially, we couldn't determine the "blame" for this irregular driver update cycle, as it could have been either AMD or OEMs being slow with the driver updates. As AMD offers configurable TDP (cTDP) for the Z1 Extreme with values ranging from 9 to 30 W, this means that OEMs can get SoCs in various configurations, each needing to be tested and verified before distributing an official driver. To add more to the mess, Lenovo Korea has confirmed that their own driver update plan for the product has stopped, leaving users to switch to other platforms or use Linux-based operating systems that carry their own drivers for these platforms to extract maximum longevity. Hence, the entire situation is now more complicated.

Distant Shore is proud to announce the launch of the Distant Shore: BRETAGNE demo during Steam Next Fest! You can download this free taste of the Distant Shore: BRETAGNE world on Steam and prepare for the full release.

Distant Shore: BRETAGNE landed with a bang during its breakout reveal at the first edition of the New Game+ Showcase. We can't wait to share Distant Shore: BRETAGNE for the first time publicly during the Steam Next Fest. It's a major milestone for us, and we're excited to see how the community reacts. Distant Shore: BRETAGNE is a first-person parkour physics based game, where you wield your magnetic gauntlets to move, bend and break metal obstacles. Navigate through a ravaged world to complete the mission given by your employer.

Samsung is officially ending the production of its 2D NAND flash storage this year, and the company will be repurposing its old production lines to better fit the AI-driven demand. According to The Elec Korea, Samsung plans to officially stop 2D NAND production at its Hwaseong site, with Line 12 being the one carrying this aging technology. Instead of completely abandoning this facility, which houses plenty of chip-making tools, Samsung will repurpose them for DRAM metallization, which is the process of applying actual pathways within the DRAM itself to connect memory cells. Interestingly, the Hwaseong Line 12 holds a monthly wafer production capacity of 80,000 to 100,000 12-inch wafers. This is a significant number of wafers, which are now only used for 2D NAND Flash, a technology that is no longer needed in the wake of 3D NAND Flash technology.

Continuing the Line 12 legacy will be Samsung's 6th-generation 10 nm-class 1c DRAM, a technology used for HBM4, and Samsung expects the total wafer capacity for 1c DRAM to reach about 200,000 wafers per month in the second half of the year. Adapting the old 2D NAND Flash production site will definitely help, and Samsung will run this production along with Pyeongtaek Line 3 and Line 4.

Just ahead of CES, LG announced a range of new monitors and now, the biggest one of the new models, the UltraGear EVO 52G930B is available for pre-order. Back then, LG didn't reveal much in terms of details about its 52-inch giant, but the company did reveal the 5120 x 2160 pixel resolution, the 240 Hz refresh rate and the 1000R curvature. Now we know that the 52G930B will also support DisplayHDR 600 and 95% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. The panel is likely to cause some disappointment, as it's a VA panel with a contrast ratio of 4000:1 and a 1 ms grey to grey response time. Unfortunately LG doesn't provide any details with regards to what type of backlight is being used, but HDR600 doesn't require FALD. The 52G930B also has AMD FreeSync Premium support and a range of built in gaming features.

Somewhat disappointingly, the LG 52G930B only sports a single DisplayPort 2.1 input, but the two HDMI 2.1 ports also support the full resolution and refresh rate on offer here. The USB Type-C port seems to still be limited to DP 1.4 with DSC and possibly lower chroma subsampling, as even though it can support the full resolution, it tops out at 200 Hz. The monitor also has a pair of USB 3.0 Type-A ports and a headphone jack that supports DTS Headphone:X. There's also a pair of built in stereo speakers and some RGB lights around the rear. As with many other of LG's more premium monitors, KVM support and Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture is supported. Finally the stand is height adjustable and the display can be tilted and swiveled. LG is asking for US$1999.99 and the monitor is said to start shipping around the 22nd of March.

In Yongin, South Korea, the towering frame of a semiconductor fab has emerged, reaching the height of a 50-story apartment building to form the massive Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. With construction gaining momentum, SK hynix announced Feb. 25 that it has decided to invest approximately 21.6 trillion KRW (15 billion USD) in the new facility for the first fab by the end of December 2030. This brings the total investment for the construction of the first fab to approximately 31 trillion KRW (approx. 21.5 billion USD), which includes the approximately 9.4 trillion KRW (approx. 6.5 billion USD) facility investment previously announced in July 2024.

This investment comes from a strategic decision to proactively address rapidly growing global customer demand and further strengthen supply system stability. With the expansion of advanced industries such as AI, data centers, and high-performance computing (HPC), the demand for high-performance and high-density semiconductors is also experiencing structural growth. To keep pace with these changes, SK hynix aims to expand production capacity ahead of schedule and establish a foundation to ensure a stable supply of products for customers when they require it.

The all-white SAPPHIRE PURE X870A WIFI 7 returns with Wi-Fi 7, PCIe 5.0, SAPPHIRE CORE BIOS, and TriXX-M software, delivering high performance and striking design for gamers and PC builders.

Next-Gen Performance Meets Sleek Design
SAPPHIRE Technology today launches the SAPPHIRE PURE X870A WIFI 7, a fully white AM5 motherboard designed for gamers, system builders, and modders who want exceptional performance and standout aesthetics. Powered by the AMD X870 chipset and supporting Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 Series processors, the SAPPHIRE PURE X870A WIFI 7 delivers speed, stability, and reliable gaming performance in a crisp, unified white design. SAPPHIRE PURE has always embodied a coordinated, minimalist aesthetic, and the X870A continues this legacy. Every detail, from heatsinks to layout, has been designed to create a bright, cohesive look that complements modern white-themed builds, appealing to users who value both style and substance.

HP Inc. and its subsidiaries ("HP") announced fiscal 2026 first quarter net revenue of $14.4 billion, up 6.9% (up 5.2% in constant currency) from the prior-year period.
"We are pleased to report a strong first quarter, highlighted by robust growth in Personal Systems, including the continued momentum in AI PCs. Our performance reflects the strength of our portfolio and our disciplined execution of our Future of Work strategy, even as we navigate industry-wide headwinds," said Bruce Broussard, Interim CEO, HP Inc.

• First quarter GAAP diluted net earnings per share ("EPS") of $0.58, down 1.7% from the prior year period
• First quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS of $0.81, up 9.5% from the prior year period
• First quarter net revenue of $14.4 billion, up 6.9% from the prior-year period
• First quarter net cash provided by operating activities of $383 million, free cash flow of $175 million
• First quarter returned $0.6 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends

The popular hardware diagnostics utility HWiNFO launched its latest v8.42 version on February 24th. Interestingly, one of the main features of this release is the improved support for Intel "Nova Lake" processors, despite this CPU generation being months away from commercial launch. This means that the tool can now distinguish between different Intel processors and even run diagnostics on engineering samples of "Nova Lake-S," despite the processor not being commercially available for another few quarters. It is possible that the utility is now raising a flag when detecting "Nova Lake," which has its own unique processor ID, and this could be found in some early compiler patches for GCC and LLVM that are enabling these processors before launch. With the launch of v8.42, the tool also gains NPU stress testing, but only in the Pro version.Below is the complete changelog.

One of the simpler solutions manufacturers have come up with to mitigate the ubiquitous 12v-2×6 GPU power connector meltdowns is colored cable terminations that simply give the user an indication that the GPU power connector is properly connected. According to a recent post on r/MSI_Gaming, those colored connectors are both doing their jobs and causing concerns among MSI PSU users. The original poster shared an image of the stock 12v-2×6 power cables of an MSI MPG A1000GS ATX 3.1 PSU that had slowly been creeping out of both the PSU and PNY RTX 5080 GPU connectors over the course of two months, exposing the colored yellow connector end that is meant to serve as a warning against thermal meltdown events.

While the slowly loosening connector had not yet resulted in a meltdown, it had seemingly started causing instability in the user's system during heavy gaming loads. What's more concerning is the multitude of comments in the Reddit thread echoing the OP's story, saying that they had properly connected both ends of the cable until there was a positive click, but despite this, the cable seemed to be creeping out at one or both ends. Some commenters hypothesized that part of the reason for these meltdown events that happen so long after the system was first built is that repeated thermal cycling causes the plastic connector to expand and contract, resulting in the cable slowly coming loose. The redditor was eventually told to request a replacement unit through Amazon, but if the number of similar reports in the same thread are anything to go by, the issue appears to be at least somewhat widespread with MSI's cables.

Sony's upcoming Horizon Hunters Gathering three-player co-op game was revealed earlier this month, but it seems as though Sony is deeper into development than it let on during the announcement, because the gaming giant is apparently already ready for its first Horizon Hunters Gathering closed beta test. Sony announced the beta test via a post on the game's official X account, linking to a website where you can register to try out the game ahead of its official launch. The Horizon Hunters Gathering closed beta will take place from February 27 to March 1 for both PS5 and PC players (via Steam).

The closed beta will be limited to three playable hunts—Axle, Rem, and Sun—two game modes—Machine Incursion and Cauldron Descent—and just one environment—Colorado Springs, and only players from the USA, Canada, and much of Europe will be eligible for the closed beta, and the US play test will be limited to 4 PM-7 PM PST, while EU players will be allowed to play at 7 PM-10 PM CET. Players will also be subject to selection by Sony, so applying via the PlayStation Beta Program will not guarantee access to the beta. PlayStation players will be allowed to bring along two friends, for a full party of three, but PC players looking to test the beta with friends will need to apply separately—no free invites for friends on Steam. The play test will also be under strict NDA, which means players will not be able to share any gameplay or opinions outside of Sony's beta tester Discord server, nor will they be allowed to share screenshots or stream gameplay.

Shortly after Discord announced a plan to expand its use of Persona age verification globally as part of its new "teen-by-default" account settings, it has confirmed in a recent FAQ page update that it will not require age verification for "90%+ of users" after facing significant backlash. The social media platform explains that it will be going ahead with its teen-by-default, but that most users just don't access age-restricted content or because the internal age verification systems will be able to automatically determine age without any user action. Discord's CTO, Stanislav Vishnevskiy, said in a blog post that "we knew this rollout was going to be controversial. Any time you introduce something that touches identity and verification, people are going to have strong feelings," but effectively explained that the original announcement was misinterpreted or explained badly. He goes on to say that Discord was evaluating Persona for biometric age verification data in an experiment in January, but has since decided not to proceed with the Persona partnership because it did not meet the bar of requiring on-device verification. He does, however, say that Discord will require age verification via k-ID in countries like Australia, Brazil, and the UK, where laws require it and do not allow Discord's internal estimation system. Discord will also be introducing a new "spoiler" channel option, which will allow communities to stop using age-restricted channels to avoid discussions about spoilers and politics.

At the same time, however, it was revealed in a post on Bluesky that Twitch has adopted Persona as an age verification system for Twitch Partners in order to receive payment. The age verification process required users to submit a selfie along with an image of a government ID card, passport, or driver's license. This report of mandatory Persona age verification on Twitch comes shortly after it was reported that hackers had discovered an exposed frontend for Persona that both demonstrated the platform's lackluster security and revealed ties to the US government and a potential mass-surveillance apparatus, although these were partially explained as an upcoming partnership with the government to verify the identities of remote federal workers. It's unclear how widespread Twitch's use of Persona is at this point in time, but a number of creators have made their voices heard via an open letter in Twitch's User Voices feature in light of the recent controversies surrounding Persona.

Apple is preparing a massive refresh cycle for its 2026 MacBook Pro laptops, with the major redesign being at the very center of the laptop. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, one of the most reliable sources of Apple news, the company is preparing to implement its Dynamic Island feature on its MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 versions, both of which will carry the new feature. Alongside Dynamic Island, which is replacing the traditional notch we have on MacBooks today, Apple is also implementing OLED display technology that will replace the current Mini LED display found on the current generation of MacBooks.

For the Dynamic Island, Apple will bring over much of the functionality from its iPhone models, which includes status updates and a front camera cutout, but in a different shape. As the iPhone uses the Dynamic Island to host Face ID sensors, the MacBook Pro version should only include a camera sensor cutout with software support from the OS. However, the most interesting part of the announcement should be the touchscreen ability with OLED panels. Apple is reportedly optimizing its new operating system to unlock new gestures for touch, where each touch will invoke a new panel or a new interface. This design will reportedly not be similar to the iPad, but just another sensory aid to the current input method with a keyboard and a mouse.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is slated to launch on March 19 for PC after almost nine months as a PS5 exclusive, and Nixxes and Kojima Productions just revealed the minimum PC hardware requirements, as well as the supported upscaling and graphical enhancement options, in a PlayStation Blog post. According to the blog post, the absolute minimum spec, which gets you 30 FPS as 1080p with low settings, requires an AMD Ryzen 3 3100 or Intel Core i3-10100, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8 GB. Medium, or 1080p with medium settings, requires an RTX 3060 12 GB or Radeon RX 6600, and an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-11400. Stepping it up to High (or recommended specs), which gets you 1440p at 60 FPS with high settings, requires an AMD Radeon RX 6800 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 and an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X or Intel Core i7-11700. Very High, or 4K resolution at 60 FPS with very high settings, calls for an upgrade to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or Radeon RX 9070 XT, while the CPU and memory specs remain the same as for the High tier. All spec tiers require 16 GB of memory, Windows 11 or Windows 10 1909 or up, and at least a 150 GB SSD.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will also offer PC players support for both 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide aspect ratios, and players with 16:9 displays can simulate a cinematic experience by opting for a 21:9 aspect ratio with black bars on the top and bottom of the display—this option will also be introduced for PS5 at the same time as the PC release. PC players will also get support for upscaling tech from all three GPU manufacturers: NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 4, and Intel XeSS 2, with both frame generation and upscaling options available. These upscaling options can be used in conjunction with Dynamic Resolution Scaling, and players will be able to adjust upscaling quality. The game will also see the debut of Pico—Progressive Image Compositor—on PC. This is the upscaling technology used by Death Stranding 2 on PS5 and developed by Guerrilla Games for the Decima engine, and it can also be used alongside all available frame generation options and on all available graphics card manufacturers. The game will also offer native AA options for those not interested in upscaling.

Marvel's Wolverine has been on Sony's release roster for ages, with Sony having released a brutal trailer for the game as far back as September 2025. Insomniac Games, the Studio at the game's helm, just confirmed on X that Wolverine will launch on September 15, 2026, which is right in the middle of the previously promised "fall 2026" release window. Unfortunately, as expected, Marvel's Wolverine appears to be a console exclusive, at least at launch. There is no mention of a PC or Xbox launch date anywhere on the PlayStation Store or in the release date trailer.

Marvel's Wolverine will follow the titular character as he "searches for answers about his past," and the trailer reveals that players will revisit Logan's complex history as an anti-hero, fighting against and potentially alongside the likes of Sabretooth and Mystique, with scenes from the trailer teasing locations ranging from the American west to Japanese back alleys. The PlayStation Store page also confirms that Marvel's Wolverine will be single-player only and will feature offline play. Marvel's Spider-Man 2, another Marvel game developed by Insomniac for the PS5, initially launched on PS5 in October 2023, but only made it to PC in January 2025; if that game is any indication, it'll be a little over a year after launch before Marvel's Wolverine makes it to PC.

NVIDIA has posted multiple job openings, which give us several hints about the company's plans for gaming on Linux and what the possible plan could look like. According to the now-removed listing, NVIDIA is hiring engineers to diagnose CPU and GPU performance bottlenecks on Linux when running the Proton compatibility layer and Vulkan graphics API. This suggests that NVIDIA is either refining its product support for the massive wave of gamers transitioning to Linux or preparing for an entirely new platform. For example, as NVIDIA is currently preparing N1/N1X SoCs for laptops, the company could create dedicated handheld chips for devices like Valve's Steam Deck, which currently runs on AMD's SoC. There are multiple handheld vendors now, and NVIDIA could be powering a new handheld with its laptop N1/N1X chips under Linux.

The job descriptions clearly indicate that the work will cover everything from the game engine and translation layers, such as Proton, to drivers and hardware interaction. This focus suggests that efforts will not be limited to profiling but will also include proposing API usage changes, building repeatable test cases, and collaborating with translation-layer and distribution maintainers to implement fixes. Anyone using NVIDIA graphics under Linux will also be impacted, as the company's polishing of the software stack will bring a definitive quality of life improvement to games. This can include fewer stutters, better frame pacing, and reduced CPU overhead in titles that rely on Vulkan or run under Proton, which translates Windows-specific API calls and optimizes games to run on Linux.

Shortly following the recent announcement that Phil Spencer would be leaving as the head of Xbox Gaming, the division's new CEO, Asha Sharma, released a long statement expressing her distaste for AI slop and her belief that, although "AI has long been part of gaming and will continue to be," games "are and always will be art, crafted by humans and created with the most innovative technology provided by us." Many gamers have been skeptical of these and similar statements now and in the past, but it seems as though industry veteran and founder of Xbox, Seamus Blackley, seems to be convinced that those are empty words, whether Sharma believes it or not. In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Blackley said about Sharma that he believes "her job is going to be as a palliative care doctor who slides Xbox gently into the night," going on to say that assurances like the aforementioned one by Sharma are "just what occurs to people to say when they bring in someone from an outside business into games."

In Blackley's view, Microsoft's bet on AI will result in a lot of the non-AI businesses being sunsetted, and that is what is happening to Xbox under the new CEO. He says that, just like AI has taken over "everything else," it will take over gaming as well, at least at Microsoft, going on to say that "Asha's background is entirely in software as a service and AI. The implicit thing here is that games is going to be AI-driven software as a service." Part of his justification for this belief is that, despite gaming industry veteran, Matt Booty, acting as Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Sharma is an outsider to the gaming industry and doesn't necessarily understand the industry. His concern is that such an outsider, especially one coming from an AI background, can only see gaming in an abstract way. That said, he does admit that there have been outsiders that have succeeded in gaming, but those that have understood that gaming is a content business. He also jokingly says that her statement about the future of Xbox "reminded me of that meme 'Hello, fellow kids!'" and that she would have to figure out what's interesting about gaming.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced two new colorways for its next‑generation creator webcams, the Razer Kiyo V2 and Razer Kiyo V2 X. Now available in Quartz and White, the stunning new finishes join classic Black to give creators more ways to build a setup that reflects their personal style.

Razer Kiyo V2 gets smarter with AI Face Retouching
Alongside the new color options, the Kiyo V2 introduces AI Face Retouching via Camo Studio for instant, studio-ready polish. Designed to look natural on camera, the adjustable feature subtly smooths imperfections, while adapting to lighting and environmental changes in real time. Users can enable this new AI tool by updating to the latest version of Camo Studio.

We previously covered how enterprising gamers managed to bypass AMD's FSR 4 restrictions to get Redstone frame generation tech working on older RDNA GPUs with OptiScaler. Now, it seems as though OptiScaler has managed bypass another one of AMD's limitations that restricted FSR 4 implementations to DirectX 12 games. According to the build notes uncovered by a Reddit user u/eduhfx, OptiScaler is testing adding Vulkan support in a new test build v0.9.0-pre10. Notably, OptiScaler is using a compatibility tool to work around FSR 4's lack of Vulkan support, similarly to how Linux translates DirectX, calls to Vulkan with DXVK or VKD3D. This also means that FSR 4 on Vulkan should work on Linux systems, as well, where games often run better under Vulkan than DX12—although at the time of writing, FSR 4 w/DX12 currently has issues running on Linux due to a Mesa issue that seemingly cannot be solved by the OptiScaler team.

Added Vulkan w/DX12 support - FSR 4 VK w/DX12, FSR 2.1 VK w/DX12

Currently, known issues:
FSR 4 VK w/DX12 has issues on Linux due to missing Mesa extensions
Not interested in reports as nothing we can fix on our side as far as we know

ORIGIN PC today announced the launch of the new NEURON, marking the most dramatic evolution of the platform since its debut and redefining what a showcase desktop can look like. The new NEURON introduces a fully panoramic glass design and advanced airflow engineering that elevates both presentation and performance for gamers, creators, and hardware enthusiasts. First unveiled at CES 2026, the NEURON is now available for customers who want high-end components to be seen and kept cool under demanding workloads.

The updated NEURON features a wraparound single piece glass panel that provides near 360-degree visibility of the interior. A spacious modular layout, improved routing channels, and compatibility with today's largest GPUs allow users to create clean, presentation ready systems that highlight every component.

Endorfy is expanding portfolio with its first-ever microATX computer cases. Inspired by the popular Signum 300 series, the Signum M30 line is designed for users who want the full functionality of a modern PC in a compact mini-tower form factor.

The lineup includes two models - Signum M30 ARGB and Signum M30 Air - striking an ideal balance between compact dimensions and extensive configuration options. Both cases support graphics cards up to 345 mm in length, radiators up to 240 mm, and up to seven fans. As a result, they provide a versatile foundation for powerful gaming rigs, modern workstations, or office PCs built around microATX, Mini-ITX, or Flex ATX motherboards.

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.

DLSS 4.5 is our latest upgrade to the ever-improving DLSS Super Resolution, adding a second generation transformer model that further enhances image quality. Via the NVIDIA app, you can apply DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution to your game library on all GeForce RTX PCs and laptops, instantly upgrading clarity and quality.

Just last week, we reported on the closure of Spliced, a newly formed NetEase game studio that suffered layoffs even before it had announced or released any games. Now, that same misfortune has come for TiMi Montreal, a division of TiMi founded in mid-2021 to create AAA, open-world, multi-platform games. The studio's closure was revealed in a now-removed LinkedIn post (via Game File) by a programmer at the studio, who said that "Today, TiMi Montreal is officially closing its doors," and goes on to lament the fact that the "the public will never get to experience what this team was capable of producing."

While TiMi Studio Group has been responsible for a number of high-profile mobile and cross-platform titles, including Call of Duty Mobile, Delta Force, Arena of Valor, and Age of Empires Mobile, among others, TiMi Montreal had not even announced any projects. The studio and its parent company, Tencent, also have yet to address the alleged closure, but several other employees sounded off in the comments of the original LinkedIn post, suggesting that the news of the closure is more than just hearsay. This news also comes shortly after Sony shuttered Bluepoint games, serving as yet another indication of an ailing gaming industry. Of course, without an official statement or more information, it's difficult to know how many employees were affected by the closure or how many will go on to work internally at Tencent or other TiMi studios, for example.

Rise of Piracy is now available in Early Access on Steam. Developed as a passion-driven project, Rise of Piracy blends action, exploration, and real-time strategy into a sandbox pirate experience where players carve their own path across a fully hand-crafted world of open seas, rival factions, and large-scale warfare.

Starting their journey at sea and growing into the commander of a formidable fleet, players can trade, explore, conquer islands, engage in diplomacy, or dominate through naval firepower and coordinated land assaults. The Early Access launch delivers a complete and replayable campaign foundation, designed to expand further with community feedback.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) is proud to announce a collaboration with world-renowned game studio KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, as well as the launch of the ROG Flow Z13-KJP along with a new lineup of KJP peripherals. ROG and KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS are driven to create products and experiences tailored for gamers.

Cutting-edge gaming hardware meets visionary storytelling
At the heart of this collaboration is 'Ludens'—the belief that humans are not only thinkers, but also players and creators. The collaboration combines the spirit of the ROG motto For Those Who Dare with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS' vision From Sapiens to Ludens. Ludens are the ones who experiment, mod, create, and challenge what games—and gaming hardware—can be. By uniting cutting-edge ROG hardware with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS' visionary storytelling, this partnership is a tribute to that spirit: everything we build, every detail we design, is for gamers everywhere—For Ludens Who Dare.

The MIPI Alliance, an international organization that develops specifications that standardize wired interfaces for mobile and other connected ecosystems, today announced major updates to two of its foundational specifications. MIPI UniPro v3.0 and MIPI M-PHY v6.0 offer significant performance, latency and power-efficiency improvements for next-generation JEDEC Universal Flash Storage (UFS 5.0) solutions to support greater edge AI workloads in smartphones, tablets, PCs, gaming consoles, automotive and industrial applications.

"For more than a decade, M-PHY and UniPro have served as the interconnect layer for JEDEC UFS, enabling high‑performance, low‑power flash storage across a broad range of devices," said Hezi Saar, chair of MIPI Alliance. "These latest releases build on that foundation with advances in speed and efficiency to enable emerging edge AI workloads where low‑latency, high‑bandwidth and power‑efficient data access, processing and storage are increasingly essential."

AIDA64 8.25 continues refining the modern 64-bit foundation introduced in the 8.xx generation. This update focuses on deeper hardware integration, more flexible display customization, and improved automation tools. With revamped SensorPanel monitor pinning, native NVMe support, new PSU monitoring capabilities, and expanded LCD compatibility, AIDA64 becomes even more precise and adaptable across enthusiast setups and enterprise environments.

We are also introducing the new AIDA64 Command Line Builder, an online utility that helps generate correct command line switches quickly and easily for our business line products. Whether you automate reports, deploy AIDA64 across networks, or integrate it into scripts, the builder reduces configuration errors and simplifies setup. It is accessible directly from our website. Please note, that command line options are available exclusively in our business product line.

DOWNLOAD: AIDA64 Extreme v8.25

Sandisk today announced the next generation of its portable SSD portfolio, introducing a three-tier lineup designed to support larger file sizes, AI content, and the increasingly demanding digital workflows of everyday users, creators, and professionals. The portfolio includes the Sandisk Portable SSD, Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD, and Sandisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD. Delivering nearly twice the speed of its predecessor and enhanced durability, the Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD is available today, with the full portfolio of products rolling out later this year.

"Whether at home, in the office, or on the go, this new generation of portable SSDs support customers across their storage needs," said Heidi Arkinstall, Vice President of Consumer Marketing at Sandisk. "From everyday users, to creative enthusiasts, to production professionals, the Sandisk portable SSD portfolio balances performance, portability, and durability to give people storage they can depend on as their needs evolve."

Apple today announced a significant expansion of factory operations in Houston, bringing the future production of Mac mini to the U.S. for the first time. The company will also expand advanced AI server manufacturing at the factory and provide hands-on training at its new Advanced Manufacturing Center beginning later this year. Altogether, Apple's Houston operations will create thousands of jobs.

"Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we're proud to significantly expand our footprint in Houston with the production of Mac mini starting later this year," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "We began shipping advanced AI servers from Houston ahead of schedule, and we're excited to accelerate that work even further."

SambaNova today introduced their SN50 AI chip, which boasts a max speed that's 5X faster than competitive chips. The company also announced a planned collaboration with Intel to deliver high‑performance, cost‑efficient AI inference solutions, and more than $350M in investment from new and existing investors.

Positioned as the most efficient chip for agentic AI, the SN50 chip offers enterprises a 3X lower total cost of ownership - a powerful foundation to scale fast inference and bring autonomous AI agents into full production. The SN50 will be shipping to customers later this year.

AMD and Meta today announced a 6-gigawatt agreement to power Meta's next generation of AI infrastructure across multiple generations of AMD Instinct GPUs. This agreement expands on the companies' existing strategic partnership and aligns roadmaps across silicon, systems and software to deliver AI platforms purpose-built for Meta's workloads. The first deployment will use a custom AMD Instinct GPU based on the MI450 architecture to deliver AI platforms that are optimized for Meta's workloads at gigawatt-scale. Shipments supporting the first gigawatt deployment are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026 powered by the custom AMD Instinct MI450-based GPU and 6th Gen AMD EPYC CPUs, codenamed "Venice," running ROCm software and built on the AMD Helios rack-scale architecture. AMD Helios was developed jointly by AMD and Meta through the Open Compute Project to enable scalable, rack-level AI infrastructure.

"We are proud to expand our strategic partnership with Meta as they push the boundaries of AI at unprecedented scale," said Dr. Lisa Su, chair and CEO, AMD. "This multi-year, multi-generation collaboration across Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs and rack-scale AI systems aligns our roadmaps to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient infrastructure optimized for Meta's workloads, accelerating one of the industry's largest AI deployments and placing AMD at the center of the global AI buildout."

NVIDIA is reportedly preparing its long-awaited new consumer laptop processor for launch in the first half of 2026, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The chip uses a system-on-chip approach integrating CPU, GPU, and NPU into a single package. Systems based on those chips could first ship from OEMs such as Dell and Lenovo within months of launch, though no products have been confirmed. These systems are expected to focus on thin-and-light designs with an emphasis on efficiency and battery life. The report says NVIDIA is working with MediaTek on the processor, which will use the Arm architecture rather than x86. Internal names mentioned include N1 and N1X. The report also references a separate project involving Intel. That design would combine an Intel x86 CPU with NVIDIA graphics and neural processing technology, targeting improved graphics in slimmer laptops without a discrete GPU.

NVIDIA has not formally announced either chip, meaning specifications, pricing, and final configurations remain undisclosed. However, we reported in January that NVIDIA's Arm-based N1 and N1X laptop chips were getting closer to launch, with Lenovo accidentally confirming several upcoming models, including Yoga and Legion designs, through a since-deleted support page listing. Dell was also spotted testing the N1X, with a November 2025 shipping manifest surfacing a "Dell 16 Premium" powered by an N1X engineering sample. According to initial leaks, both chips are based on the same GB10 Superchip found in NVIDIA's DGX Spark AI mini PC, with the N1X reportedly packing 20 Arm CPU cores and a 48-unit iGPU. Despite expectations, NVIDIA skipped CES without any official announcement, and earlier rumors of delays pushing the launch to late 2026 hadn't been fully ruled out at the time. With NVIDIA GTC 2026 just a few weeks ahead (March 16-19), that's likely the event where those new mobile processors could be announced.

GXTrust puts high-quality sound at the forefront with the Emita II microphones, featuring a premium 16 mm condenser capsule, delivering studio-quality sound that brings every word to life. With a cardioid recording pattern, they're perfectly tuned to pick up the user's voice while minimizing background noise, making these microphones ideal for any kind of streaming setup.

The Emita II includes pop and wind filters reduce plosives and distortion, ensuring clean vocals and a smooth, polished result every time. A robust metal alloy casing offers improved acoustics, while its external shock mounts block unwanted vibrations to enhance sound quality even further.

Innodisk, a leading provider of industrial-grade memory solutions, announced the CXL Add-in Card (AIC), a major addition to its CXL product portfolio. Innodisk developed this CXL-based expansion card in response to rising memory demands in next-generation computing and the limited scalability of current motherboard designs. Connecting via the widespread and mature PCIe interface, the CXL AIC delivers fast memory access without occupying system DIMM slots. It also provides greater flexibility in memory usage and allocation. Its HHHL form factor, paired with Innodisk's compact DDR5 RDIMM/RDIMM VLP, unlocks new possibilities for microdata centers and edge systems, especially in latency-critical scenarios such as 5G networking, high-frequency trading, and smart medical imaging.

Flexible Memory Expansion Up to 256 GB
The Innodisk CXL AIC features two onboard RDIMM sockets that provide flexible memory expansion up to 256 GB (128 GB x2), allowing easy capacity adjustment by swapping RDIMM modules based on system needs. By connecting through PCIe slots, it not only preserves the system's native DIMM slots but also delivers an additional 32 GB/s of bandwidth via its PCIe Gen 5 x8 interface. This minimizes latency when the CPU accesses shared memory, enabling faster data flow for bandwidth-intensive applications such as AI inference and edge processing.

Kioxia Corporation, a world leader in memory solutions, today announced that it has begun shipping evaluation samples of embedded flash memory compatible with the next-generation UFS standard, UFS 5.0, which is currently being standardized by JEDEC.

UFS 5.0 is a new standard for embedded flash storage currently being developed by JEDEC to meet the performance requirements of next-generation mobile devices such as high-end smartphones equipped with on-device AI functions. It utilizes MIPI M-PHY version 6.0 for the physical layer and UniPro version 3.0 for the protocol. M-PHY version 6.0 introduces the new HS-GEAR6 mode, theoretically supporting an interface speed of up to 46.6 Gbps per lane; with 2 lanes, UFS 5.0 can achieve approximately 10.8 GB/s of effective read/write performance.

ASUS today announced ASUS Optimized Liquid-Cooling Solutions and a strategic partner framework designed to address the escalating thermal, power, and density challenges of next-generation AI and high-performance computing data centers.

ASUS Optimized Liquid-Cooling Solutions for next-generation AI compute density
As AI and HPC workloads push compute density and power consumption beyond the capabilities of traditional air cooling, optimized liquid-cooling solutions by ASUS will provide the critical thermal management required for the next-generation NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 system based data centers. By efficiently dissipating heat from high-performance CPUs, GPUs, and accelerator-dense racks, ASUS significantly reduces energy consumption, lowers PUE, and optimizes TCO while supporting unprecedented rack density.

Shortly after news broke that Ubisoft is, in fact, working on "several" Assassin's Creed launches after its controversial Creative Houses reshuffle, the company has published an official Reddit post detailing the newly appointed lead for the Assassin's Creed franchise as well as giving gamers a taste of what's in-store for the future of the franchise. The most notable take-away from the announcement is that the Assassin's Creed franchise will be led by Martin Schelling as Head of Brand, Jean Guesdon as Head of Content, and François De Billy as Head of Production Excellence.

All three members of the Assassin's Creed leadership team have previously worked on Assassin's Creed games: Schelling was Producer and Senior Producer of Black Flag, Origins, Revelations, and Valhalla; Guesdon was Creative Director of Black Flag and Origins, among other franchise credits; and De Billy served in a number of roles on Revelations and Black Flag and as Production Director on Origins and Valhalla. Ubisoft says the new team "marks the beginning of an exciting and ambitious new chapter" for the franchise, although it will be picking up where previous leaders left off in the aforementioned Assassin's Creed projects Ubisoft already has in the works. Appropriately, given the history, it seems as though the first Assassin's Creed project that will be released after the new leaders take over is the Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake. That said, the remake is likely all but complete, especially when it comes to more meaningful gameplay and artistic elements, meaning the new team likely won't have contributed much to that, if anything.

A new patent application by Sony may provide players with an alternative to pausing a game that would ostensibly prevent halting gameplay execution by putting the game into an alternate gameplay state while players deal with momentary distractions or decide whether they want to fully pause the game to deal with something like a message. The patent, (US20260021411) filed with the USPTO, explains a number of potential ways to achieve this, seemingly with the idea that different games and genres could implement different versions of Soft Pause. Sony touts Soft Pause as particularly useful for VR use cases, in which a jarring pause and cut to a menu screen may cause nausea or dizziness

The Soft Pause concepts include everything from having the game slow down while the feature is active, making the game easier, guiding the player towards objectives or enemies, boosting player assist features—features like aim assist or stretching time windows for certain inputs—or even having a machine-learning tool take over from the player entirely while Soft Pause is active. It's unclear if that ML model would be trained on player data or if it will offer more generic support. It remains to be seen if or when this will be implemented at all, and, realistically, it could go either way. If it is implemented, it will also be interesting to see how each game implements it, especially in competitive games. Currently, being AFK in a competitive game can be disastrous, and, while something like Soft Pause might be able to provide something of a solution to short AFK moments, although games like Paladins already have an AI that takes over gameplay when players are disconnected. Other recent Sony patents include an adaptive controller of sorts that puts all controls into a touch interface.

Fosi Audio and TechPowerUp bring you the Fosi Audio C3 gaming DAC Giveaway. It's been up over the week, but entries close on February 26. Open worldwide, the Giveaway gives 10 lucky winners a chance to bag a Fosi Audio C3 external sound card (DAC + headphones amp) that's optimized for PC gaming. It packs an analog kit that's perfectly suited for various gaming genres, giving you crystal clear audio and a competitive edge in online multiplayer gaming. nlike traditional gaming sound cards that rely on fixed EQ boosts, the C3 uses AI models to recognize key in-game sounds, such as footsteps, gunfire, reloads, and directional cues, and dynamically enhance what matters while reducing irrelevant or distracting noise. Rather than simply making certain frequencies louder, the system is designed to identify and prioritize important sounds depending on the gameplay context. Sounds good? Drop your hat in before February 26!

For more information and to participate, visit this page.

With Marathon and its upcoming server slam event almost literally just around the corner by now, details have started to emerge about the game's server and anti-cheat configurations. In a new post on the @MarathonTheGame official X account, Bungie has explained the details of Marathon's anti-cheat system. Aside from both kernel- and user-level anti-cheat on clients, it was confirmed that Marathon will have server-side fog of war that will protect against wall hacks, ESP cheats, and loot revealers. The game will also use dedicated servers with authority on key combat and looting actions, meaning the servers will be protected against client-side interference. The anti-cheat announcement also mentions that in the case of a crash or connection loss, players will be able to rejoin the game as soon as the connection is re-established, although they will have to rely on teammates to protect their character.

Most notably, though, Bungie announced that any cheaters caught cheating in Marathon will receive a permanent ban from the game. While an authoritative stance has been well received by the community, there are concerns over BattlEye potentially tagging false positives and banning players who weren't guilty of cheating—an issue that was recently brought up by the Apex Legends community when a player was falsely banned after the new Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike seemingly triggered a ban threshold for gameplay automation.

Mozilla announced in early February that it had implemented its "AI kill switch" in a nightly build after severe community backlash, with the full release slated for Firefox 148. As of February 23, Firefox 148 is officially available for download via the download server ahead of the officially announced February 24 launch date. According to Mozilla, the AI features will remain disabled through updates once they have been disabled via the kill switch.

The AI kill switch isn't the only new change coming to Firefox 148, with Mozilla also slated to add features like a split view and HDR video streaming on Windows, with both features seemingly leaving experimental in build 148. Hardware acceleration is also expected to speed up PDF load times, and the sidebar will be getting a visual update with convenient access to bookmarks, history, AI tools, and the settings menu. As with other Firefox UI elements, the new sidebar is fully customizable in the settings menu.

Sidekick Publishing and developer Randwerk are excited to announce their partnership on the highly-wishlisted open-world roguelike WANDERBURG, with a surprise playable demo launching Today as part of Steam Next Fest. WANDERBURG landed with a bang during its breakout reveal at the 2025 PC Gaming Show, with a trailer that has since racked up over 470,000 views. The game has since received over 250,000 wishlists and saw 126,000 participants during the recent closed playtest.

Inspired by Mortal Engines and Howl's Moving Castle, WANDERBURG is a minimalist open-world roguelike in an ecosystem of Castles on Wheels. Consume, grow bigger, upgrade your modules, and survive! Unlock new weapons, build your castle, and discover a procedurally generated map.

ASML says it has boosted the light source power in its EUV lithography systems to 1,000 watts, up from roughly 600 W today. According to a Reuters report, the company claims the increase could enable up to 50% more chip output by the end of the decade. More source power translates directly into higher throughput. ASML says customers could process around 330 wafers per hour by 2030, compared to about 220 wafers per hour today, lowering the cost per chip. EUV light at a 13.5 nm wavelength is generated by firing a CO₂ laser at microscopic droplets of molten tin, creating plasma that emits EUV radiation. The light is then collected and directed through precision optics supplied by Carl Zeiss AG. To reach 1,000 W, ASML doubled the droplet rate to roughly 100,000 per second and shifted to a two-pulse laser shaping approach instead of a single pulse. The company says there is a path toward 1,500 W and potentially even 2,000 W over time.

ASML is the only supplier of commercial EUV scanners, used by major chipmakers including TSMC, SK Hynix, and Intel. The tools are considered critical to advanced node production and have been subject to export restrictions to China. The move is aimed at maintaining ASML's lead as U.S. companies, such as Pat Gelsinger's xLight EUV startup and Chinese efforts to develop competing lithography systems continue to ramp. Chinese companies have reportedly been sourcing parts from older ASML machines through secondary markets. Huawei is leading the charge, working to build a homegrown AI supply chain as a way around foreign tech restrictions. The company set up a large semiconductor manufacturing facility in Guanlan focused on 7 nm chips for its own processors. The Chinese government had initially aimed to have a working prototype from this effort by 2028.

The AMD VEK385 Evaluation Kit provides a fast, feature-rich, and scalable path to evaluating AMD Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 XC2VE3858 devices. With heterogeneous compute, high-performance I/O, comprehensive memory bandwidth, ready-to-run workloads, and robust bring-up tools, engineers can quickly assess system performance and accelerate the path from prototype to production.

Designed for Embedded AI, Control, and Vision Workloads
The VEK385 Evaluation Kit enables engineers to evaluate embedded AI, vision, and control systems through multiple, industry-standard interfaces:

• HDMI RX/TX and USB3/DP for 4K/8K vision pipelines
• PCIe x8 edge connector for Gen 5 x4 and Gen 3/4 x8 support
• QSFP28 and SFP28 connectors for 25-100 Gb/s high-speed Ethernet applications
• FMC+ for I/O expansion
• CAN-FD with PL/PS Ethernet for deterministic robotics and industrial control

GameSir today announced the launch of the GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition, a new flagship controller designed specifically for competitive PC gaming. Built to meet the demands of high-level esports play, the G7 Pro 8K PC combines ultra-low latency performance, deep customization, and premium components with a distinctive Aimlabs-inspired visual identity. The GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition Game Controller is available for $79.99/£89.99 on the GameSir website, Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Developed in collaboration with Aimlabs, the industry-leading FPS training platform, the G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition is an officially licensed accessory. The controller reflects Aimlabs' iconic cyan aesthetic while adhering to professional performance standards trusted by competitive gamers. This partnership unites precision hardware with a training-driven design philosophy, delivering a controller built to support skill development and tournament-level play.

AMD recently added "Crimson Desert" as an official Ryzen and Radeon game bundle partner, so it should come as little surprise that the game implements nearly the full FSR 4 "Redstone" gaming technology feature-set. This includes the ML-based upscaling AMD introduced with FSR 4, and the two new features the company introduced this year—ML-based ray regeneration, and ML-based frame generation. All three features use machine learning models that leverage the new AI acceleration capabilities introduced with AMD RDNA 4 graphics architecture, benefiting Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs.

Retail DDR5 prices in Germany have finally shown a small sign of cooling down after the steep climb in the past months. The decline is small and not yet uniform across models, but it is the first sustained easing many DIY PC enthusiasts and small shops have noticed since prices began to spike in late 2025 and reached astronomical levels recently. A widely shared community chart tracking an average 32 GB DDR5 kit across the European Union captured the climb from autumn into early February and then a late-period dip. That chart is useful as a broad signal, but it leaves open important details such as the exact kit measured, which countries were included, and whether listed prices include taxes.

To add more context, independent checks of historical listings on Amazon Germany using CamelCamelCamel show that several mainstream 32 GB DDR5 kits have dropped from their highs. Two of the larger declines were visible on popular models from Corsair and Kingston, while other brands recorded smaller pullbacks. There are a few likely reasons for the softening. Buyers may be pausing upgrades after a period of rapid price increases. Some retailers could be cutting prices to move stock and reduce inventory risk. It is also possible that a small amount of additional supply has filtered through the distribution chain, away from the AI supply chain. However, any of these explanations still need more substance. For a complete return to normal pricing, we will probably need to see clearer improvements in production capacity or a sustained drop in demand, and this improvement could only be a short term correction.

Lenovo expanded its ThinkEdge portfolio with a new generation of AI-driven edge computing solutions, including the compact and reliable ThinkEdge SE10n Gen 2, the AI-ready ThinkEdge SE30n Gen 2, the AI-powerhouse ThinkEdge SE60n Gen 2, and Lenovo's first industrial all-in-one (AIO) Panel PC, the ThinkEdge SE50a.

As enterprises push intelligence closer to operations to improve resilience, reduce latency, and keep sensitive data local, edge computing has become a critical layer between devices, infrastructure, and cloud. Lenovo's ThinkEdge solutions are purpose-built, industrial-grade edge systems designed to run reliably in harsh, space-constrained environments where traditional servers or PCs are impractical.

Samsung Foundry has struck gold as its utilization rate has jumped to an impressive 80% this quarter. This comes after many years of struggling to achieve a good utilization rate, while competitors like TSMC have consistently led the adoption of newer nodes and gained a massive customer base. However, the situation has now changed, and Samsung's foundries are now operating at about 80% of total capacity, consistently producing silicon, with the Pyeongtaek Campus P2 and P3 leading the charge. Previously, these lines were only achieving a 50% booking rate last year and even struggled with insufficient production volume in the second half of 2024. Samsung uses these sites to manufacture 4 nm, 5 nm, and 7 nm nodes, which are now considered "mature," as the leading edge shifts to sub-3 nm production.

Part of the foundry revival is attributed to the strong demand for its 6th-generation HBM, coming in the form of HBM4 with a custom base die manufactured on the 4 nm node. While competitors are making HBM4 base dies on older nodes, Samsung is using a 4 nm custom base die that provides higher design density for any logic that ASIC makers want to implement. This can include some data processing that will aid the main accelerator in AI workloads. This has translated into high demand for Samsung Foundry products from external customers, who are now keeping production at high capacity.

According to the latest job listings, we learn that Intel is planning the return of a unified core architecture, something we haven't been accustomed to in the last few years. Starting with the 12th Generation "Alder Lake" processors, Intel began selling hybrid core processors that combine "Golden Cove" performance cores and "Gracemont" efficient cores. These became commonly known as P and E-Cores, which are now being used across Intel products in hybrid designs or P/E-core-only Xeon processors, of course, with the latest designs and iterations. However, as the new job listings suggest, Intel is assembling a team of engineers for its "Unified Core" design group that will deliver the new microarchitecture to power the next generation of processors.

Separating the core design into P-Cores and E-Cores has yielded Intel the desired results that the company hoped for. This includes product separation and many goals across platforms. For example, in the consumer sector, E-Cores run a lot of side and background tasks in the operating system, while P-Cores power main applications like games. To extract maximum performance, Intel has a dedicated Thread Director that makes the entire process work and dictates just what application goes to which core, in tandem with the operating system. Intel also provides P-Core-only and E-Core-only Xeon server processors that serve either performance sectors like HPC and AI or the cloud sector that needs many cores with somewhat lower performance, but in a dense 100-core+ package.

ASRock listed one of the first branded mobile-on-desktop platforms based on the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors, barely two months into the launch of the new processor generation. The new NUC Box-358H, NUCS BOX-358H, NUCS BOX-325, and NUC BOX-325 are powered by "Panther Lake-H" (mainstream laptop) variants of the chip, and are marketed by the Industrial sub-brand of ASRock that deals with IPCs and IIoT products. All four models are TAA-compliant. The NUC Box-358H and NUCS BOX-325 come with a thicker chassis measuring 117.5 mm x 110 mm x 49 mm (WxDxH), while the NUCS BOX-358H and NUC BOX-325 come in a slimmer chassis measuring 117.5 x 110 mm x 38 mm. All four feature active fan-based cooling for the SoC, and are barebones that exclude memory and storage.

For memory, all four models offer two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, and support the latest CSODIMMs besides regular SO-DIMMs. For storage, all four offer two M.2-2280 slots, one of which is Gen 5. Intel BE200 Wi-Fi 7 WLAN adapters are standard. The thicker models come with two Intel 2.5 GbE wired Ethernet interfaces, while the thinner ones come with just the one. All four offer quad display outputs, including two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 2.1 passed through a 40 Gbps USB4/Thunderbolt 4 port, and a second DisplayPort 1.4a passed through a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 type-C port (alternate mode). All four come with 19 V, 120 W power bricks.

Welcome to the last week of February and this week we kick off with a AAA release from a franchise that started 30 years ago and it's the 9th major game about an umbrella manufacturer that turned evil or something like that. As for this week's other releases, we have a game about vermin, but they want to be royalty, a bunch of pirates that want your bounty, a chance of experiencing life in the medieval times, a new take on spellslining where everyone's flying and finally a remake of an action JRPG.

Resident Evil Requiem / This week's AAA release / Friday 27 February
A new era of survival horror arrives with Resident Evil Requiem, the latest and most immersive entry yet in the iconic Resident Evil series. Experience terrifying survival horror with FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, and dive into pulse-pounding action with legendary agent Leon S. Kennedy. Both of their journeys and unique gameplay styles intertwine into a heart-stopping, emotional experience that will chill you to your core. Steam link

The Stop Killing Games initiative announced not too long ago that it had accrued and validated the necessary number of signatures to be heard out by the EU parliament via the Stop Destroying Videogames EU citizen's initiative. According to a new video put out by activist and spokesperson for the movement, Ross Scott, key players in the movement have been hard at work in the background since that announcement, and that there has been progress since that update, although not all of it positive. The first important note is that the Stop Destroying Games citizen's initiative already has a date secured to present its case to the EU Commission, but despite this, it seems to have already had an impact on EU lawmakers.

According to Scott, in October, it seemed as though the EU was considering adding protections for videogames to the Digital Fairness Act, which is a new set of laws that aim to regulate digital ethics and consumer rights—however, it seems as though video game industry lobbyists had gotten to lawmakers first, since they parroted arguments about discouraging small indie developers, who would ostensibly have a hard time keeping games running indefinitely, but this allowed the movement to clarify to the EU that the movement doesn't seek to force publishers to maintain games indefinitely, but only to provide a way for gamers to play the games they have purchased after support is ended. Despite this, the representatives at the meeting seemed to think that the commission didn't favor adding laws surrounding gaming to the Digital Fairness Act.

AMD has reportedly stopped driver updates for its Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU solution for handheld consoles, according to the latest Lenovo Korea update. This means that only after 2 and a half years, AMD is pulling support for its SoC, leaving many enthusiasts in a difficult spot. Confirmation from multiple sources are piling up as Reddit users and customers of other handheld consoles are stating that support for their specific devices, based on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC, are also stuck using drivers that are several months old. For example, a user has commented that his ASUS ROG Ally non-X version based on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC has been stuck with six-month-old SoC drivers from August 2025. This means that AMD has effectively placed the Ryzen Z1 and Ryzen Z1 Extreme chips into a periodic update window, with no latest driver support coming to this 2023 SoC.

However, the situation is quite complex. OEMs like Lenovo and ASUS receive drivers from AMD and test them for their specific configurations. AMD offers configurable TDP (cTDP) for the Z1 Extreme with values ranging from 9 to 30 W. This means that OEMs can get a SoC with reduced clocks and power settings to match their desired handheld designs, or simply run the most aggressive 30 W configuration that will sacrifice some battery life but deliver overall higher CPU and GPU clocks. Hence, drivers must be tested to ensure they work properly on the specific TDP configuration by the OEM before they are installed by the user. Finding the "blame" is proving to be difficult, as it could be that AMD is not bothering with new updates, or OEMs are not eager to test their specific configurations.

In a new letter to channel partners, Lenovo has stated that the company expects PC price hikes in March amid the memory crunch affecting the industry. The letter, obtained by CRN, notes that Lenovo's North America channel chief, Wade McFarland, mentioned there will be some pricing changes to certain products and configurations that Lenovo offers, which will be communicated later with the exact specification changes. In the letter, Wade McFarland noted that there have been some changes to the ordering policy for the Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), responsible for PCs like desktops, notebooks, and tablets, while the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) unit responsible for server solutions is also experiencing the same changes. Lenovo's North American president, Ryan McCurdy, noted that "we've absolutely had to adjust and continue to adjust [pricing]. There's no way around it."

However, the company has advised its partners to submit orders while it is still February, as that will lock in the pricing at which Lenovo can supply PCs before the price hike expected in March. "Pricing is influenced by both order timing and fulfillment timing, and Lenovo reviews pricing periodically in response to evolving market conditions," notes Wade McFarland, adding that Lenovo's memory suppliers have been good and that the company has been informed of every pricing change in advance so that it can effectively communicate with its clients and warn them before any changes happen. That way, clients don't experience pricing shocks that may impact their purchasing decisions, as Lenovo sells millions of PCs every month. A slight, unexpected price change may result in a significant change in purchasing decisions, so communication with clients is key.

It was revealed in a recent leak that the next-gen AMD Zen 6 Ryzen CPUs would be delayed until 2027, and it has now emerged, that the upcoming Intel "Nova Lake-S" Core Ultra Series 4 CPUs may be joining AMD for an early 2027 launch, when previous reports placed the launch in late 2026. The news comes by way of ubiquitous leakers, HXL on X and Golden Pig Upgrade on Weibo, who say that a CES 2027 launch seems likely for both new CPU generations.

Previously, we got a taste of what to expect from Nova Lake-S in a series of leaks and rumors, which pointed to increased NPU performance as well as core counts that range from 12 on the low-end (4 P-cores, 4 E-cores, 4 LP-cores) to 52 on the high-end (16 P-cores, 32 E-cores, 4 LP-cores). Obviously, these are early leaks, and the official launch is still a way out, so dates may still change, but it seems as though the current silicon and DRAM shortages may result in the lengthening of product launch cycles across the PC industry in general—an outcome that was previously predicted.

It was recently revealed that Xbox Gaming's long-time CEO, Phil Spencer, would be leaving Microsoft after nearly 40 years at the company, with Asha Sharma taking over as CEO of Microsoft Gaming after her role as chief of the company's CoreAI platform. Shortly after the announcement of his departure, Sharma released an internal statement with comments about the future of Xbox Gaming and her views on topics like AI, monetization, and art. In short, Sharma says she wants to prioritize creating "great games" with unforgettable characters, stories that resonate, and creative, innovative gameplay. In the latter part of the statement, she addresses the inevitable questions and concerns about a former AI leader taking over the gaming division. She makes a number of comments about AI and the future of gaming, stating that "As monetization and AI evolve and influence this future, we will not chase short-term efficiency or floor our ecosystem with soulless AI slop. Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us."

Later, in a statement to Variety, Sharma reinforced these statements, stating that she wants to "earn the right to be trusted by players and developers," and noting that "AI has long been part of gaming and will continue to be." She again emphasized the importance of "deep emotional resonance" in games, and reiterated her stance that she has "no tolerance for bad AI." It's worth noting that CoreAI, the platform Sharma was previously in charge of at Microsoft, is a suite of AI-powered developer tools designed for "the AI era," with a significant focus on agentic AI. If Sharma's statements are to be believed, it seems reasonable to assume we will be seeing more AI trickle into first-party Xbox games, but it may not be the AI-first approach that companies like EA have recently adopted in the name of efficiency.

In late 2025, ASUS announced the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti Dual Evo graphics cards, which touted a slimmer, shorter design for improved compatibility with small form factor PC builds. Now, it has silently expanded the Dual Evo line with the ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5070 Evo and Evo OC, both of which stuff an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB GPU into a package measuring just 229 × 120 × 50 mm. ASUS has not yet publicly announced the GPUs, and they don't seem to be available via retail channels just yet, but the spec sheets and product pages are available in full on the ASUS site. As such, pricing is not yet available at the time of writing.

The OC model steps up the standard boost clock from 2,512 MHz to 2,542 MHz and the OC mode clock speed from 2,542 MHz to 2,572 MHz. Both GPUs feature the same 2.5-slot shroud and cooler design, and it seems unlikely that the OC Edition has any additional changes other than a slight vBIOS tweak to achieve the higher clocks, suggesting that you can likely get similar clock speeds with a bit of tuning in GPU Tweak III. This 2.5-slot design is thicker than the 2.0-slot design of the 5060 series Dual Evo cards, but still notably thinner than most other RTX 5070 models, like the 3.2-slot ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070. The GPU shroud design is also somewhat more reserved than some of ASUS's recent designs, with just an angular, black, dual-texture shroud housing dual axial fans, while the GPU heat sink has a flow-through design for the rear fan. Much like the 5060 variants of the same series, the PCIe power plug is located almost centrally on the side of the GPU, instead of the traditional rearward position.

With the launch of Resident Evil Requiem merely a week away, it's expected that gameplay and story leaks would start to show up online and subsequently be shared online. Capcom, however, has taken to social media platform, X, to decry the early gameplay and story leaks, asking players not to share the leaks. The gaming giant says that it wants "everyone to enjoy the game's story and experience as much as possible." Capcom adds that its legal department is working to issue DMCA take-downs of any leaks posted online, "in order to preserve your day-one experience."

The gameplay leaks in question have revealed major plot points and twists, as well as potential endings to the latest installment in the Resident Evil franchise. One Reddit thread—which fortunately is covered with spoiler tags—has collated the vast majority of the leaks, including gameplay footage of part of the game's ending. It's easy to see why a game studio would want to keep a lid on such extensive leaks about a story-driven game. Another post in the subreddit was removed by the moderators, so it looks like Capcom's take-down requests or social media plea has had some effect already.

Given the similar form factors, it's unsurprising that many gamers turned to their Steam Decks to emulate Nintendo Switch games, but that era seems to be drawing to a close, as RetroDECK, a Linux emulation platform capable of emulating multiple game systems, has just confirmed that it will be removing support for Ryubing, a fork of the now-infamous Ryujinx Switch emulator, from its available emulators. The developer behind the emulator explained in a February 19 blog post that Switch emulation would be removed in a minor update. This comes after support for Ryubing was added in a November update.

The blog mentions two main reasons for the removal of Ryubing, stating that "Switch emulation has consistently been the source of the most issues within the project, generating the highest volume of warnings, bans, toxicity, and support tickets," and adding that the questionable legality of emulators like Ryubing and Nintendo's aggressive protection of its intellectual property exposes the volunteers and community involved in the RetroDECK project to undue legal exposure. As of an upcoming update, indicated in an edit to an old blog post to be 0.10.4b, Switch emulation will be removed from RetroDECK "forever," and discussions about Switch emulation will also be banned from all of RetroDECK's communities and social platforms effective immediately.

The name synonymous with Xbox—Phil Spencer—is leaving Microsoft after nearly 40 years at the company. He started as an intern back in 1988 and has been with the Xbox team since 2001, helping the project thrive in the following decades. According to the announcement, Microsoft is overhauling its Gaming division with some new names, while the old executive team has left the company. In addition to Phil Spencer, Xbox president Sarah Bond has also left the company. From now on, Asha Sharma, who currently serves as the company chief for the CoreAI product, will be taking on the new role as the CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella shared a memo with all Microsoft employees about the status of this update.

Satya NadellaLast year, Phil Spencer made the decision to retire from the company, and since then we've been talking about succession planning. I want to thank Phil for his extraordinary leadership and partnership. Over 38 years at Microsoft, including 12 years leading Gaming, Phil helped transform what we do and how we do it.

Yves Guillemot recently made an appearance in an interview with Variety, in which the Ubisoft CEO spoke about both the ongoing cost-cutting measures and in-development projects at the French gaming giant. When asked about upcoming projects in the Assassin's Creed and Far Cry franchises, Guillemot responded that there are "several" Assassin's Creed titles in development at Ubisoft, and that those titles will involve both single-player and multiplayer gameplay. Similar is true for the Far Cry franchise, in that Ubisoft currently has two Far Cry projects in development, although Guillemot declined to specify any further on what those projects were. One of the upcoming Assassin's Creed projects is almost certainly the much-rumored Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake that is slated to launch sometime in 2026.

This interview and the promises of new Far Cry and Assassin's Creed games comes the same week as Ubisoft confirmed a round of layoffs at its Toronto studio as part of its heavily criticized company-wide restructuring and cost-savings plan that will likely see up to 18% of the company laid off in order to save €200 million in five years. That same plan has seen Ubisoft divide development efforts into five creative houses, each of which will be responsible for a handful of IPs. When asked about this and the necessity for the cost reduction, Yves Guillemot blamed rapid post-COVID growth and flat-lining demand where continued growth had been anticipated. He goes on to say that "our priority today is to build a more focused, agile company, with stronger teams that strike the right balance between senior expertise and young talent and who are well positioned to deliver the highest quality games." If recent game cancellation trends at Ubisoft are anything to go by, nothing is set in stone, and the projects that have been in the pipeline for the longest seem to be the most likely to be cancelled or delayed, as was the case with the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake.

Thanks to a new table specification matrix published by a known leaker Jaykihn on X, we are seeing the final specifications of Intel's long-rumored "Bartlett Lake-S" Core 200E family of CPUs with P-Cores only. This platform is designed to fit inside Intel's LGA-1700 socket, but from a consumer standpoint represents a non-existent product that will not reach their hands, as Intel has abandoned the plan to launch this highly anticipated gamer CPU. Instead, Intel will only offer it for its edge and embedded products. At the top of the stack is the Core 9 273 PQE SKU, which is a 12 P-Core variant with 24 threads and a base frequency of 3.4 GHz. This model can boost all of its 12 cores to 5.3 GHz, while a single thread can go up to 5.9 GHz independently for tasks that require intensive single-threaded performance. It is equipped with 36 MB of L3 cache and an integrated GPU with 32 EUs of Xe-LP graphics.

Interestingly, the entire lineup is separated into three categories. One is a high-TDP PQE with a base power of 125 W, while the middle PE models are 65 W designs with lower clocks. The weakest models are the PTE SKUs that have a TDP of 45 W, which are more ideal for edge deployments where power/efficiency is the most important factor. Across the lineup, there are versions with 8, 10, and 12 cores, all with Hyper-Threading for 16, 20, and 24 threads. Some SKUs from the PE and PTE lineups do not enjoy Intel vPro and ECC memory support, while the PQE high-power SKUs are all equipped with vPro and ECC memory support. You can check out the complete table comparison and product segmentation below for more specific information on different models.

Akasa, a leading provider of thermal solutions, introduced the Euler CMX, a compact, aluminium, fanless case designed for Mini-ITX motherboards. The Euler CMX supports Intel Core (8th-14th Gen) and Core Ultra (15th Gen) processors up to 35 W TDP and integrates a 220 W DC-to-DC power converter, delivering reliable performance in space-constrained environments while ensuring long-term durability for industrial automation, point-of-sale (POS), kiosk, digital signage, surveillance or other commercial systems.

This case is compatible with Mini-ITX motherboards with Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200 or LGA115X sockets, supporting Intel Core (8th-14th Gen) and Core Ultra (15th Gen) processors up to 35 W TDP.

Thermal Grizzly announced its TG Delidded CPUs, which would see the company sell delidded AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs for enthusiast use with direct-die cooling solutions. The program started with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and has since expanded to include the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with the latest addition being the recently released AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D. The delidded 9850X3D comes in at $876.33 on the Thermal Grizzly store, which is a marked increase over the $500 MSRP, but it also includes a warranty in the case of any manufacturer defects or issues that might arise during the delidding process. The aforementioned warranty is valid for two years and covers material defects of the CPU and even extends to overclocking within manufacturer spec, as long as adequate cooling is provided. It does not cover any physical or liquid damage to the silicon, SMDs, or the PCB.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is now live]

Roman Hartung, aka Der8auer, famous overclocker and CEO of Thermal Grizzly, published a YouTube video demonstrating the delidding process and documenting potential performance and thermal improvements as a result of delidding and direct-die cooling. In the video, Hartung tests the 9850X3D in Cinebench R23, demonstrating a 90.2° C peak temperature on one CCD, with the average die temperature getting as high as 88.1° C with a peak power draw of 182.35 W in the 10-minute CPU benchmark run. Individual peak CPU core temperatures ranged from 78 to 88.2° C, whereas after applying liquid metal and a direct-die cooling solution resulted in peak CPU core temperatures of 66.1-75.3° C and a peak average CPU temperature of 75.3°C—temperatures were down around 15° C across the board following the delid. Power draw was slightly lower during this test, at 178.09 W peak package power, although the same settings were applied in BIOS ahead of the tests. Hartung also goes on to test the overclocking capabilities of the delidded CPU on the direct-die cooling solution, which can be seen in the video below.

Luckfox, a small Chinese company mostly known for its development boards and kits, expanded its portfolio with two new 16-inch 4K (3840 × 2400) and 2K (2560 × 1600) portable touch monitors. The 4K model uses an IPS panel with a pixel pitch of 0.0897 mm, 120 Hz refresh rate, and HDR support. Brightness is rated at 350 cd/m² while the 178° viewing angles are typical for a standard IPS panel. The display uses optical bonding and supports 10-point capacitive touch through a toughened glass surface. Connectivity includes Mini HDMI and USB Type-C for display input, plus a USB touch interface. A 3.5 mm audio jack and built-in Hi-fi speakers are also present. The enclosure is CNC-machined, and the monitor supports VESA 75 mm mounting. It ships with a detachable magnetic protective case that doubles as a stand with two viewing angles. The 4K model is priced at $319.99.

Luckfox also offers a more affordable 2K variant that keeps the IPS panel, HDR support, optical bonding, and 10-point touch, but increases the refresh rate to 165 Hz. It comes with the same magnetic case and multi-device compatibility, including support for full-featured USB-C PCs and smartphones, as well as boards such as Raspberry Pi and Jetson. Worth mentioning that both monitors are powered via USB-C with support for 20 W PD. The 2K version is listed at $189.99.

AMD's next-generation Ryzen "Olympic Ridge" desktop processors are rumored to have been delayed to 2027. Company roadmap slides point to a debut of the "Zen 6" microarchitecture in 2026. This could be a signal that AMD is prioritizing "Zen 6" chiplets for EPYC server processors as the enterprise market has a better-secured supply of memory, and enterprise customers are more likely to stick to their procurement roadmaps for CPUs, in stark contrast to the client segment, which has been grappling with acute shortages of DDR5 memory.

With PC memory selling at prices 5-8 times above normal, 2026 may not present an ideal environment for AMD to debut a new Ryzen desktop processor generation, especially given that AMD processors tend to be heavily favored by the DIY retail channel compared to Intel, which retains a hold over the pre-built OEM market. Besides increased IPC and an updated ISA, "Zen 6" is expected to see AMD increase CPU core counts, as well as update the client I/O die. This new cIOD, likely built on 4 nm, is expected to come with updated DDR5 memory controllers that support higher speeds and have a greater degree of parallelism for dual-channel DDR5, likely with each controller addressing two 40-bit sub-channels from different channels, an approach similar to Intel's with "Arrow Lake." If your best feature is, say, DDR5-9000 support with CUDIMM optimization, you rather hold off when a 32 GB >9000 MT/s CUDIMM kit costs upward of $800.

French developer and publisher Don't Nod has presented a new trailer for Aphelion, its upcoming third-person action-adventure game soon to be launched in Spring 2026, at the Convergence Showcase. This gameplay deep dive shows more of what awaits Ariane and Thomas on Persephone: anomalies, dangers surfacing during the planet's exploration, an unknown facility full of questions (and blood), and more tense encounters with the Nemesis.

Aphelion is a sci-fi action-adventure on the edge of the solar system. In the shoes of ESA astronauts Ariane and Thomas, players will explore and survey the uncharted planet Persephone, and solve the mystery of the crash, all while trying to survive in the terrifying presence of a hostile and unknown lifeform.

Wildlight Entertainment, the studio behind ailing free-to-play raid shooter, Highguard, has had a rough time since the game's launch and middling reception, with mass layoffs casting doubt on the game's future, despite the studio's assurances that there is content planned for the future. In a recent post to X, Wildlight announced that it will soon be releasing the first content update for the game since the aforementioned layoffs. The update, which is slated to launch the same week as the announcement, will almost certainly include bug fixes and changes to the game, but Wildlight has highlighted two important new pieces of content coming to the game.

The first bit of content is a new base, Cloudreach, which is an airship base with an airship docked high above the ground and the Anchor Stone target inside the airship itself. Players will face off in and around the airship, where gameplay will range from long-ranged sniper engagements to close-quarters combat in tight corridors. The update also introduces the Lockpick, a new Raid tool that fires darts at doors and windows to open them, temporarily disable them, and give control to your team. The Lockpick will use a new ammo type, Darts, and the tool itself can be equipped in the start loadout menu or found in red chests.

Hot on the heels of the MSI NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z launch, it seems as though the hardware maker is planning yet another special edition GPU launch. MSI recently teased in a Bilibili post on its official GPU account that it is planning a limited edition launch in collaboration with popular fantasy anime, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. It may also be the case that the GPU is part of a special edition bundle, although there's no evidence to back this up. Given that it is a limited edition, it seems reasonable that the GPU will be an RTX 5090 or 5080.

Not much else is known about the upcoming launch, although speculation suggests that the new GPU will be based on one of the brand's designs with a white shroud and a Frieren-inspired theme, purely because white is a consistent color for the character in the anime. It's also almost guaranteed to be an NVIDIA GPU, since MSI only makes GeForce GPUs. This is hardly the first GPU design or collaboration to lean into non-gaming properties, with the recent ASUS x Hatsune Miku Astral GPU and hardware series being a notable example of one such collaboration. Frieren has also been featured in a Starforge prebuilt PC design, which was also an almost entirely white build.

PMM is a mouse mod maker that provides commercially available custom ultra-light shells for popular gaming mice, like the Razer Viper V3 Pro and the Endgame Gear OP1 8K, often shaving off upwards of 15 g from the stock weight. The latest mouse on the PMM mod radar is the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike, which weighs in at a hearty 60 g in stock form. The custom shell designer revealed in a post on X that an ultra-light G Pro X2 Superstrike shell is in development, asking for community feedback on a target weight and design in the process.

Throughout the thread, there are implications that the mouse modder may be able to get the mouse weight as low as 35 g, with PMM going so far as to comment that 39 g may even be possible with a solid shell with no weight-reduction holes. Replies to comments also indicate that a final weight as low as 29 g—over 50% reduction from stock—may be possible, if somewhat challenging, while 33 g would be "ambitious" while also retaining the battery. PMM also suggests that a mod kit with a different battery position could solve the forward weight bias that some users have complained about. It will likely be a while before PMM actually launches a mod kit for the Superstrike, since the design process involves 3D scanning an existing mouse and then optimizing the design from there.

Slay the Spire is a beloved single-player indie roguelike deck-builder that debuted on Steam in 2019 and has somehow maintained an active community of over 24,000 concurrent daily players, even seven years after its initial launch. The game's sequel, Slay the Spire 2 has been hotly anticipated, and, according to an update to the game's Steam Store page, the developer will be adding four-player co-op to the game. The updated Steam Store page also revealed that the game now has a launch date of March 5, 2026 and a new Early Access trailer.

The original game's format and unique hand-crafted world will make a return in the sequel, but the world has evolved for the second installment, offering new monsters, characters, abilities, and secrets to discover. The four-player co-op mode is likely the biggest change to come to the game, though, and according to the description of the multiplayer features, there will be team-specific cards and team synergies to explore and test out. Of course, the classic single-player mode will also be an option for players who prefer to go alone or simply need to play at their own pace. The total roster of playable characters will also grow to five, offering players some added flexibility in how to approach the gameplay. Slay the Spire 2 will be launching in Steam Early Access initially, so expect the game to change as community feedback is submitted.

It's no secret that GPU prices have skyrocketed lately as a result of increased AI data center demand. This has been especially true for any GPU featuring more than 8 GB of VRAM, like AMD's Radeon RX 9060 and 9070 series. However, while AMD GPUs were previously seen as a viable alternative when NVIDIA GPUs were unaffordable or unavailable, that increased demand resulted in price spikes of up to 40% by December 2025. This is based on Japanese data collected by Gaz:Log, who also found that, since that massive price hike, reduced demand has forced retailers to drop prices for both the RX 9070 XT and RX 9060 XT 16 GB GPUs by as much as 15% and 20% respectively.

Obviously, this is just one market, and it can't be guaranteed that events will play out similarly in other regions, but it is an indication that hardware pricing may be reaching a tipping point, after which we may see prices stabilize or fall slightly in response to reduced demand. It's also worth noting that AMD and NVIDIA have both been rumored to be planning to effectively increase MSRP in early 2026, which would result in price increases of at least 10% across the board. This is on top of a late 2025 price increase of $20-40 on both 8 and 16 GB GPUs.

In late 2025, screenshots surfaced of a cancelled multiplayer, live-service God of War game that had been in development at Bluepoint Games, the studio responsible for a number of high-profile remakes, like Demon Souls and Shadow of the Colossus. It seems as though that game's cancellation may have been a sign of the times for the Sony-owned studio, as the gaming giant recently confirmed that it has closed Bluepoint Games. According to Bloomberg, this studio's closure will affect 70 employees, who will be laid off at the time of the studio's closure in March 2026. This news comes amid a slew of closures and layoffs, including 40 workers at Ubisoft Toronto losing their jobs to cost-cutting measures and NetEase closing an entire studio before it had even released or announced a game. Game Developer reports that Sony confirmed the studio's closure and issued a statement explaining that the decision to close the studio was made following a business review.

"Bluepoint Games is an incredibly talented team and their technical expertise has delivered exceptional experiences for the PlayStation community. We thank them for their passion, creativity and craftsmanship." -Sony via Game Developer.

The melting and burning 12V-2×6 connectors on high-end NVIDIA—and some AMD—GPUs is well documented at this point, and although there is mounting evidence to support the fact that the new connector standard itself is partially to blame, there is still the idea that high power draw is to blame for these meltdowns. This is not necessarily the case, according to one user of the Mobile01 forum. According to the forum post about the incident, the top row of pins in a Gigabyte Aorus Master Ice RTX 5090's GPU power connector has melted down, despite the user having implemented a steep undervolt and power limit.

When installed, the user had limited GPU power to 500 W and dropped the voltage limit down to 0.9 v—that's a reduction of 100 W and 0.205 v compared to stock settings. It's worth noting that the GPU in question was connected to the PSU using a 16-pin adaptor, and the connector melted at the GPU side, not the PSU side, and the first indication of the meltdown was frequent crashing during gaming sessions. Both connector ends at the GPU side seem to be affected, but it's entirely possible that the GPU would have suffered even more damage had the power limit been higher. Currently, independent research seems to indicate that the 12V-2×6 cable itself seems to suffer from an unstable or inadequate connection, which increases the current and temperature across individual pins. Unofficial adaptors also seem to exaggerate these contact issues.

JAPANNEXT has expanded its portfolio with a new 31.5-inch monitor, named the JN-IPS326K-HSPC9 featuring 6K (6016 × 3384) resolution. The IPS panel with its 60 Hz, 8 ms response time, and E-LED backlighting is certainly suited towards home and office work rather than gaming. Pixel pitch is listed at 0.1159 mm, delivering a noticeably sharper image than standard 4K displays at this size. Brightness is rated at 500 nits, with a 1500:1 contrast ratio. The monitor covers 100% of the sRGB color space, 96% DCI-P3, and includes HDR 10 support. Viewing angles are specified at 178° horizontally and vertically, typical for an IPS panel.

The monitor comes with Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture options. These features can be useful for people who need to work with content from different sources at the same time. It also has Flicker-Free and Low Blue Light settings, HDCP support for DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C, and a built-in KVM switch. For connections, you'll find two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C 3.1 port that can deliver up to 90 W of power. There is also an audio output and built-in 2 W speakers, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync. The stand supports tilt, swivel, height, and pivot adjustments. VESA mounting (75 × 75 mm) is also available. The JAPANNEXT JN-IPS326K-HSPC9 monitor is currently listed at €1,399 on the company's official website.

VideoCardz first spotted that AMD set a new GPU overclocking world record with its Radeon RX 9060 XT graphics card running at an amazing 4,769 MHz using liquid nitrogen as the coolant. This record was set in tandem with the world-renowned overclocker "Splave" from the United States, who already held the previous world record with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 running at 4,020 MHz. This time, using RDNA 4 silicon, "Splave" made the GPU maintain stability at a 4,769 MHz core clock. While no official HWBot submissions have been made, AMD posted a video on its AMD Gaming YouTube channel where the company showcased the amazing achievement. We are left to wonder why AMD didn't promote this record, which is a very impressive achievement for its RDNA 4 silicon. In a brief frame, "Splave" was seen running a custom tool to fine-tune the GPU. AMDships this GPU with a base clock of 1,700 MHz, a game clock of 2,530 MHz, and a maximum boost clock of 3,130 MHz, meaning that the new world record pushed the GPU boost by an additional 50%.

Following the recent announcement of a grand restructuring plan, Ubisoft has confirmed that 40 employees have been laid off at its Toronto studio, according to a statement made to MobileSyrup. This most recent round of layoffs is part of the aforementioned restructuring and cost-savings plan that could eventually see up to 18% of Ubisoft's staff laid-off. Prior to the layoffs, Ubisoft Toronto was said to have roughly 500 staff, so the layoffs make up just shy of 10% of the studio.

Despite the recent game cancellations that came as a result of the restructuring—cancellations that included a hotly anticipated Price of Persia remake—Ubisoft Toronto clarified in the statement that the in-progress Splinter Cell remake was still being worked on. This is in addition to the development assistance that Ubisoft Toronto will continue to provide on other projects, like Rainbow Six Siege. Workers' unions across Canada and France have already spoken out about the sweeping changes recently announced by the gaming giant, going so far as to strike for three days in mid-February.

The GeForce NOW anniversary celebration keeps on rolling, and this week is all about the games that make it possible. With more than 4,500 titles supported in the cloud - plus 12 new games this week - there's always something new to stream, share and discover. The #6YearsofGFN fun continues with a community giveaway hosted on the GeForce NOW Reddit. Share in-game screenshots and memes to celebrate the anniversary for a chance to win prizes such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, a Thrustmaster HOTAS ONE flight stick and more - through Friday, Feb. 20. Gamers can also join the GeForce NOW community Discord to join in on more celebrations and events.

A Library Built for Every PC Gamer
GeForce NOW features an ever-growing library of over 4,500 titles that are ready to stream in seconds. From cozy indies and competitive shooters to sprawling role-playing games and strategy epics, the collection has something for everyone. The GeForce NOW library spans popular stores like Steam, Xbox - including supported PC Game Pass titles - Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect and GOG.com, bringing together free-to-play hits and paid blockbusters in one place. Install-to-Play further expands access by letting members install Steam games opted in for cloud gaming, doubling the number of titles that can be launched through the service.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition, a flagship keyboard created for users who want both peak performance and a refined desktop centerpiece. Positioned at the very top of Razer's keyboard portfolio, the Huntsman Signature Edition distills years of research in switch technology, acoustics, and materials into a single, meticulously crafted form.

Every unit is the result of a demanding multi-stage process including CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, anodizing, hand-polishing, PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finishing, and rigorous unit-level inspection, reflecting Razer's commitment to crafting top-tier products without compromise.

The Razer Viper V4 Pro has already shown up in previous rumors, with what is thought to be a camouflaged version of the mouse showing up at a Valorant tournament. Now, the successor to the Viper V3 Pro has once again been confirmed, this time by Valorant pro, Canezerra, in a livestream (via BestGamers on X). Allegedly, the Viper V4 Pro is also being used by two other Valorant players. Prosettings.net also lists League of Legends pro, Myrwn, as using the Viper V4 Pro.

The current consensus is that the Viper V4 Pro will use the same or similar internals to the DeathAdder V4 Pro, but with the symmetrical shape of the Viper V3 Pro. This means it will likely feature the new dome receiver of the DeathAdder V4 Pro with a Nordic 54 series MCU, Gen-4 Razer Optical Mouse switches, a Razer Focus Pro 45K Gen 2 sensor, a slight decrease in weight, and minor physical changes, like a new coating and slight shape tweaks. The current-gen Razer Viper V3 Pro was released in April 2024, while the DeathAdder V4 Pro was launched in July 2025; by that logic, we can expect the Viper V4 Pro to launch sometime in Q2 2026 or shortly after.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is now live]

Spliced was started in 2023 as a remote-first AAA game studio that would avoid the burn-out and crunch associated with the gaming industry with flexible hours and by emphasizing work-life balance, the quality of output, and realistic project scope. Now, it seems as though NetEase has initiated redundancy proceedings at Spliced Inc, resulting in imminent layoffs at its UK branch—it's unclear if its US and Canadian branches will be affected as well. This is only the latest in a recent spate of layoffs and studio closures at NetEase and in the gaming industry at large, with Avalanche Studios recently closing down branches, Ubisoft announcing cost-savings that would see layoffs take place, and Wildlight, the developer behind Highguard, laying off swathes of developers. The Spliced Inc layoffs come just eight months after the studio started hiring for three new roles.

The news of Spliced layoffs come by way of recent LinkedIn posts by some employees, who say that "an ongoing redundancy process" is putting their positions at risk. While NetEase and Spliced have yet to make an actual announcement to the effect, three employees have posted about the incoming layoffs—Matt Johnson, a lead animator, Sergii Zlobin, senior 3D environment artist, and Kenji Shimomura, another senior environment artist who confirms that he has already been affected by the layoffs. The seniority of these positions suggests that at least one project that the studio was working on will be cancelled, although no projects have yet been announced. According to Shimomura's post, it seems as though Spliced may not be around much longer to complete those projects: "It's wild that a AAA Studio has died without showing anything."

AMD's next-generation desktop Ryzen 10000 series "Olympic Ridge" processor platform will supposedly come in various SKU flavors ranging from 6 to 24 cores, in some very specific configurations based on the CCD structure. The first in the lineup are single-CCD SKUs, which include 6, 8, 10, and 12 "Zen 6" cores. With the "Zen 6" generation, AMD is boosting its CCD core count with up to 12 instances, whereas the previous-generation CCDs maxed out at 8 cores. However, for versions with two CCDs, the core count increases, starting at 12 cores, continuing with 16 and 20-core models, and topping off with the flagship 24-core dual CCD SKU. AMD is able to pack more cores per CCD due to the new manufacturing technology, which is TSMC's N2 2 nm node, providing better transistor density compared to the older nodes used in previous generations.

The upcoming Ryzen 10000 series is expected to land on AMD's AM5 socket, extending the socket life for another processor generation and confirming AMD's long-term socket selection. For other specific information, AMD plans to implement up to 4 MB of L3 cache per core for a total of 48 MB of L3 cache per CCD, and a total of 96 MB of L3 cache for the fully-fledged 24-core SKU. This is, of course, before adding any 3D V-Cache enhancements that AMD is known for when it comes to boosting gaming performance. AMD is able to pack this much punch because TSMC's N2 2 nm technology packs more than 200 million transistors per mm², depending on the configuration and whether AMD chooses the high-density or high-performance variant.

EIZO is preparing its first OLED monitor under the ColorEdge series, targeting professional 4K HDR and SDR workflows. The 31.5-inch panel features a 3840 × 2160 resolution, HDR support, a claimed 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio, and an anti-glare, low-reflection (AGLR) surface. To address the usual OLED ABL (Auto Brightness Limiter) behavior, which can dim the entire image during bright scenes, EIZO says it uses higher luminance thresholds to reduce unnecessary dimming and better preserve mid-tones. Two modes are available: Highlight Dimming, which mainly tones down bright areas, and Uniform Dimming, which lowers brightness evenly across the screen. A blue status LED indicator shows when luminance control is active.

The display also integrates EIZO's built-in calibration sensor for automated color maintenance and includes a dedicated circuit to reduce color fringing on high-contrast edges. This is particularly useful when displaying text as this will appear cleaner and clearer. The monitor will be shown at the NAB Show 2026 (April 19-22, Las Vegas) and MPTS 2026 (May 13-14, London), two of the world's premier events for media, production, and broadcast. Pricing and availability have not been announced.

In the latest Linux kernel v7.0, freeing up system memory used for caching large files has received a noticeable performance boost. According to notes on the kernel mailing list, a new set of patches queued for the Linux 7.0 merge window showed reclaim speed improvements of up to 75% in testing. In one benchmark, developers allocated 10 GB of file-backed data in memory and then reclaimed 8 GB of it. On a 32-core Arm64 server, the reclaim process completed about 75% faster compared to the older Linux implementation, while on an x86 machine, the improvement was reported at over 50%.

Imagine your system running a large database or another memory-intensive workload. Instead of constantly reading from storage, the kernel can keep tens or even hundreds of gigabytes of frequently accessed file data in RAM for much faster access. When memory pressure builds and part of that cached data must be freed, the cleanup process now completes significantly faster. This is not going to be noticeable to consumers, but hyperscalers, HPC simulations, AI runs, and other workloads that involve heavy data processing will now see a significant performance boost. The improvement comes from work authored by Baolin Wang of Alibaba, who optimized how the kernel handles large blocks of cached file memory.

WD (Nasdaq: WDC) today announced the re-launch of its G-DRIVE brand as the unified identity for its content creator and creative professional external storage product portfolio. The brand consolidation brings together high-capacity, high-performance storage solutions under a single name brand - G-DRIVE - known for its quality, performance, and reliability.

The G-DRIVE brand, also represented by the iconic "G" logo, will replace Sandisk Professional branding across WD's creator storage lineup, including desktop drives, portable drives and multi-bay RAID systems purpose-built for the creative community's most demanding workflows: high-resolution photography, video production, graphic design, and audio engineering. Supporting individuals, businesses and production studios, G-DRIVE solutions support the full creative lifecycle, from on-set capture and real-time editing to backup and post-production. Products currently branded as Sandisk Professional will transition to the G-DRIVE brand by the end of this month.

AMD's next-generation Ryzen 500 series of APUs, which include the "Medusa Point" and "Medusa Halo" SoCs, are slowly taking shape, and we are learning more about the integrated graphics of "Medusa Point." According to the latest compiler patches, "Medusa Point" will feature a variant of RDNA 4 called RDNA 4m, likely a mobile version designed for laptops and mini PCs. In contrast, the "Medusa Halo" will utilize AMD's next-generation RDNA 5 / UDNA GPU microarchitecture. "Medusa Point" will introduce a desktop-exclusive RDNA 4 with the new RDNA 4m variant. Although we initially lack comparisons between the two, some instruction set extensions, such as WMMA and SWMMAC instructions, indicate support in the new "GFX1170" GPU, which should be associated with the GFX11 generation, also known as RDNA 3. Currently, this is believed to be an upgraded RDNA 3 with many RDNA 4 modules, enabling FSR 4 support even on the less powerful "Medusa Point" APU.

When it comes to the overall system configuration, AMD targets "Zen 6" CPU cores for both "Medusa" variants. Both "Point" and "Halo" versions will likely differentiate with the same factors we have in the current generation APUs, which is a mix of AMD's "Zen 6" and "Zen 6c" CPU cores for the "Medusa Point," while the more powerful "Medusa Halo" will feature a uniform "Zen 6" core cluster for maximum CPU performance on that side as well. Recently, we learned that the platform will adopt LPDDR6 memory, which will increase the memory bandwidth by 50% over the standard LPDDR5X memory we see implemented today.

Corsair (Nasdaq: CRSR) is delighted to announce two new limited-edition cases joining the award-winning FRAME 4000D lineup. The FRAME 4000D Vault Series Nova and Galaxy models introduce color-shift paint finishes that change tone as light moves across the surface, creating a refined and subtle look that shifts with viewing angle and ambient lighting. Nova shifts from blue through teal to purple highlights, while Galaxy transitions from pink through green to gray, giving each case a distinct visual identity. Built on the FRAME 4000D foundation, both Vault Series models add a curated set of upgrades, including a compact PSU shroud that leaves space for a 120 mm fan on the case floor, a full tempered-glass side panel to showcase the build, and an upgraded front-panel I/O.

The front I/O has also been updated, now offering three USB Type-C connectors to make charging and connecting your devices easier, with the single yellow port supporting up to 20 Gbps and the two others at 5 Gbps. This front panel features a standard 3.5 mm audio jack and an ARGB power button, allowing users to match the lighting in their builds for an all-over aesthetic. This power button uses an MX-Style green mechanical switch for a satisfying feel, and can be swapped for another mechanical switch offering a different tactile feel. These limited-edition cases feature individually numbered aluminium badges riveted onto the top of the case next to the InfiniRail section.

AGON by AOC, the world's leading gaming monitor brand, launches AOC GAMING Q27G4ZD, a 27-inch (68.6 cm) QHD gaming monitor that brings 3rd-generation QD-OLED technology to a compelling new price point. With a 280 Hz refresh rate, 0.03 ms GtG response time, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification with up to 1000 nits peak brightness (3% APL), the Q27G4ZD slots between the existing AOC GAMING Q27G4ZDR and Q27G4SDR models as a balanced option for gamers who want next-gen performance without the flagship price tag.

QD-OLED technology first arrived in the AGON by AOC portfolio through the AGON PRO line-up with models reaching up to 500 Hz, serving esports players, enthusiasts and competitive gamers who demand the absolute best. The AOC GAMING line-up now offers QD-OLED for players who want the core benefits of OLED technology, including almost instant response times, perfect blacks, and vibrant colours thanks to Quantum Dot technology, in a more straightforward package.
The Q27G4ZD joins the recently launched Q27G4ZDR (240 Hz, QD-OLED Edge) and Q27G4SDR (360 Hz, 3rd-gen QD-OLED), giving gamers three distinct options. For those who want the 3rd-generation panel improvements but don't need the full 360 Hz speed, the Q27G4ZD delivers the bliss point: 1000 nits peak brightness in 3% area of the screen (up from 400 nits on 2nd-gen), DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification, and a 280 Hz refresh rate that handles competitive play 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 is now expanding its portfolio with the Core 70 Tube Reservoir. The Core 70 Tube Reservoir was developed for modern custom watercooling systems and combines the characteristic Core design with high-quality materials and practical features. The real glass cylinder delivers a premium look, high durability, and a clear view of the coolant. The integrated lighting creates strong visual highlights and enhances the overall system appearance. The chrome-plated brass threads in the Core design blend seamlessly into the overall look while ensuring reliable and secure sealing.

The rotatable mounting brackets allow flexible integration into a wide range of case configurations, while the interchangeable tube top makes filling and bleeding the cooling loop much easier. This simplifies both installation and maintenance. To complete the overall package, the Core 70 Tube Reservoir comes with the powerful Apex pump, designed for high performance, quiet operation, and long service life. The Core 70 Tube Reservoir is now available in the Alphacool shop.

Microsoft has showcased its latest AI capabilities in the Windows 11 operating system, demonstrating what this planned integration will look like. The new interface, called "Ask Copilot," is an optional feature that users can enable in place of the standard Windows Search. Once activated, it connects to Microsoft 365 services and allows users to summon specific agents in the taskbar by typing the "@" symbol, similar to tagging someone in a message thread. For example, one of these agents, the Researcher, can perform extended research tasks that run for ten minutes or longer in the background, with small taskbar indicators tracking its progress in a manner similar to file downloads.

Although this project contradicts with the company's recent promise to step back from its "AI everywhere" strategy, this AI integration has been part of Microsoft's long-term plan. In addition to the taskbar changes, Microsoft is adding a Copilot button inside File Explorer, which provides summaries and relevant context for synced shared documents without requiring users to open a separate application. Instead of directing users to a dedicated Copilot app, Microsoft aims to integrate AI assistance into the parts of Windows that people use every day. This means that these small AI integrations across the OS can help provide little productivity boosts that compound, delivering users a slightly better experience researching new topics and creating new content. Microsoft states that these changes will be widely available to users within the next few weeks.

Microsoft's Xbox Insider program lets gamers experience the newest Xbox-related technologies, software updates, and overall improvements. Today, Xbox Insiders are getting an update for their Xbox App on Windows 11 that lets users access postgame recaps. This means that after significant gaming sessions, you can see a recap of your achievements where all the session highlights are recorded, including Xbox Game Bar screenshots and clips, which you can later check out. You also get game recommendations when you first enter a game and a quick overview of the best gaming moments/achievements you have made during your session. Microsoft notes that the feature is now only available in the preview phase to Xbox Insiders, but it is gearing up for a wide release in the Xbox App in the coming weeks.

Users can choose what they wish to see through additional customizations, and these features can be turned off completely. If you head to Settings > App > Postgame recaps, you can tailor the entire user experience and how you want the new feature to work within your PC. Interestingly, if you opt out of all postgame recap types and features, the Xbox App will not start in the system tray when you start the game, but only when you turn it on. Microsoft notes that the company has made various optimizations to minimize the memory usage of another system overlay, with little to no performance impact on the system.

ASUS is no stranger to gaming keyboards, but its previous mechanical and Hall effect efforts have been mostly focussed on the gaming realm. With the launch of the ProArt KD300, ASUS seems to be targeting the creator and office worker demographic that has previously been occupied by brands like Keychron, NuPhy, and Lofree. Despite this new target market, the ProArt KD300 seems to share the same basic hardware as the ASUS ROG Falchion RX gaming keyboard. The ProArt KD300 is a 65% keyboard, meaning there is a dedicated arrow cluster and a navigation column on the far right edge, but the F row is hidden in a secondary layer under the num row. It borrows the Falchion RX's touch panel and custom ASUS Red (linear) Optical switches, meaning there are no alternative keycap options. The switches have a middle-of-the road actuation force of 40-55 gf, and the keyboard is only available with linear Red switches.

The touch panel on the ProArt KD300 is moved to the rear of the keyboard, instead of the top panel, leaving the keyboard with a clean matte charcoal aesthetic—which ASUS calls Black Aerolite. The touch panel can be configured along with the rest of the keyboard's mapping in the Gear Link web app, and it supports gestures, media, brightness, and volume controls, and execution of features like mouse scrolling and clicking. The ProArt KD300 can connect both via a USB Type-C port or via Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless, and those wireless connectivity modes are supported by a 4,000 mAh battery that ASUS says will last up to 16 months with the backlighting off in 2.4 GHz mode. The keyboard polls at 1,000 Hz in both 2.4 GHz and wired mode, with Bluetooth dropping the polling rate down to 133 Hz. There are also convenience features, like an OS selection switch to toggle Windows or macOS modes as well as a three-way toggle switch for Bluetooth, wired, and 2.4 GHz connection modes. It appears as though the case is injection-molded plastic, and the keyboard uses a tray mount, an aluminium plate, and a floating keycap design—the benefit of a plastic case is that ASUS could include built-in dongle storage and flip-out feet for additional 4.5° and 8° typing angles. The ProArt KD300 is not yet available globally, but it has launched in China with a retail price of RMB 999 ($145 converted), so international pricing will likely be close to that of its ASUS ROG Falchion RX sibling, which retails for $199.99 but is routinely available for $139.99 on Amazon.

Rémi Verschelde, maintainer of the open-source Godot game engine project, has recently taken to Bluesky to express his frustrations at the added burden placed on open-source project maintainers and developers by the increasingly common practice of submitting PRs with completely or at least mostly AI-generated code. The gist of his issue with this code is that it often contains errors and oversights that result in maintainers wasting time not only reviewing sloppy code but also discussing the code with the developers responsible for the contributions. In the post, the developer notes that in many cases where code is obviously written entirely by AI, the proposed changes "make no sense," and goes on to question whether the code was tested, if the contributor made up test results, or even whether they understood the changes they were proposing.

In addition to questionable code, the explanations for the contributions are also excessively verbose and difficult to understand, further adding to the workload for maintainers. This isn't the first time we've heard directly from developers that AI tools have been more of a hindrance to productivity than anything else. Shortly after EA announced its AI pivot, workers at the gaming giant claimed that the AI tools that had been pushed by management for a year at that point were costing developers time instead of increasing productivity. There have been similar discussions in the Blender development forum, where one user proposed implementing an AI contributions policy that would only allow AI-generated code in a limited capacity, only when disclosed, in cases where the developer takes full accountability for their submission, and when they understand the utility and functionality of the code.

Rocket League, the popular competitive vehicular soccer game, will soon be getting an anti-cheat implementation, nearly a decade after its original launch. Psyonix announced on the game's official X account that it would be implementing Easy Anti-Cheat in Rocket League in an April update. The justifications for anti-cheat is to prevent DDoS attacks, improve bot detection, and more effectively ban cheaters in games. The announcement comes with a few caveats, though—specifically relating to how the addition of anti-cheat will affect competitive gameplay, offline LAN multiplayer, and gaming on Linux.

Unlike many high-profile EAC implementations, Rocket League will maintain compatibility with the Valve Steam Deck, and by extension other Linux gaming PCs and the upcoming Steam Machine via the Proton compatibility layer. Players will be able to disable EAC for offline play, in cases like local LAN multiplayer, or split-screen multiplayer. Additionally, the EAC implementation will eventually allow players in custom tournaments to run tournament-specific mods, and players will be able to run custom community content with EAC enabled at launch. The announcement also mentions "custom mod-inspired content" coming to Rocket League in the same April update.

Highguard players recently noticed that the game's official website was offline, leading to widespread speculation that the ailing game was silently shutting down shortly after the studio laid off "most" of its development team. However, according to a response from one of the developers on Discord, the site being down isn't an indication of the future of the game, with the implication being that resources are being redirected towards the game content itself, while the site will be reworked and "simplified" before it is put back online.

"Not sure on the timeframe, but basically needs to be transferred and simplified. Low priority atm (reputational damage already done). Now we just need to focus on delivering updates and content to improve," explains the developer in a response to a question about the site being down, implying that the studio is still investing some resources into keeping the game alive, even if much of game's development team is no longer there. This isn't the first time we're hearing of planned new content, as a former developer at Wildlight revealed that the company had already been working on a lot of new, unreleased content that was to land post-launch.

Considering almost everything PC related seems to be going up in price this year, Dell has surprised with a pair of very affordable 240 Hz gaming monitors. The two models are the SE2726HG and SE2726HGS, both sporting 27-inch IPS panels. The not so good part is that both monitors only have 1080p panels, which might appeal to some gamers, but it's not that great for a multipurpose monitor. The only difference between the two models is that the SE2726HGS comes with a height adjustable stand.

The IPS panel delivers 300 nits of brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio and is said to deliver 99 percent of the sRGB colour gamut. The standard response time is 5 ms, but this can be tweaked in the menu settings down to 0.5 by switching to the extreme mode. AMD FreeSync Premium is also part of the package. Connectivity is quite sparse, with two HDMI ports with VRR support as well as a single DP 1.4 port. Dell lists a standard power draw of 19.7 W, with a maximum power draw of 40 W, suggesting that these are pretty power efficient displays. The SE2726HG comes in at US$130, with the height adjustable stand of the SE2726HGS adding an extra US$40 for a price tag of US$170.

Earlier this week, Thai news outlets have reported a recent approval of a major THB2.3 billion (~$73.81 million USD) investment into Western Digital's local operations. The Southeast Asian nation's Board of Investment (BOI) gave the thumbs up to a new on-site HAMR HDD technology research and development project. Western Digital's central location has grown over the past couple of years—for example, around August 2024, Thailand's BOI gave a proposed HDD production hub enlargement the greenlight. Fresh news items outline an upcoming research and development project that will focus on HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording) technology, with a view to enhance hard disk drive (HDD) manufacturing capabilities. Additional details mention an international collaboration; involving the North American and Japanese teams—the Thai unit seems to be tasked with devising key components and HAMR's crucial "laser-based data recording process." Earlier on in February, WD's Innovation Day 2026 roadmapped an extensive future HAMR release cadence. By the end of the decade, the data storage specialist projects the debut of 100+ TB drives.

We have an important update to share regarding the launch of REPLACED. After a lot of back and forth, we have decided to shift our release date to 14 April 2026. As a small team working on our very first title, we've poured everything we have into this project. While the game is technically finished, reaching this final stretch has shown us that we need just a few more weeks to ensure the experience is exactly what you deserve. We want the version of REPLACED you play on day one to be polished, stable, and true to the vision we've shared with you.

The response to our Steam demo has been the ultimate fuel for us. To be honest, putting it out there was nerve-wracking, but seeing your gameplay, reading your reviews, and hearing your excitement has been overwhelming in the best way possible. We are constantly reading your comments, and that feedback is helping us make the final tweaks that will make the full game shine.

Yesterday, Microsoft's insider program debuted Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 (KB5077241). Enjoyers of the Release Preview Channel can play around with some nifty new features and improvements, within the 24H2 (Build 26100) and 25H2 (Build 26200) releases. The North American megacorp's Windows Insider blog outlines two separate rollouts: "gradual" and "normal." Within the former, a brand-new "Taskbar & System Tray" tool has attracted the most media attention over the past day. The official company description details this nice-to-have feature: "(a) built‑in network speed test is now available from the taskbar. Open it from the Wi‑Fi or Cellular Quick Settings, or by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray."

Continuing that line of thought, the blog proceeds with: "the speed test opens in the default browser and measures Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and Cellular connections. This feature helps check network performance and troubleshoot issues." Normally, modern-day Windows users rely on third-party apps or relevant websites for this type of diagnostic data. An official and handy integrated alternative will be welcomed by network speed demons. Last Friday (February 13), the phantomofearth social media account shared an early insight, days ahead of the official introductory blog entry's publication. The self-described "Windows Insider and older Windows beta" tester noted that the snazzy tool sends privileged previewers to (Microsoft's preferred default) "Bing to do the speed test."

NACON, one of the world's leading gaming accessory companies, is proud to announce the availability of its Revolution X Unlimited - Anniversary Edition wireless controller on nacongaming.com and in stores. Designed for Xbox Series X|S and PC, this special limited edition pays a vibrant tribute to the iconic Xbox 360 console, combining a retro design with cutting-edge performance.

With the Revolution X Unlimited - Anniversary Edition, NACON offers nostalgic gamers and demanding competitors the best of both worlds. This controller is inspired by the design of the Xbox 360 and its controller, while integrating the latest technologies developed by NACON in the Revolution X Unlimited released in April 2025. Considered one of the best controllers on the market, it is praised for its durability, precision, and customization options.

Late last month, ASUS released an official statement regarding user reported discrepancies between AMD 800-series motherboards and highly popular "Zen 5" Ryzen 7 9800X3D desktop processors. At the time, the Taiwanese PC hardware manufacturer advised that customers immediately update relevant mainboard models with the latest BIOS revisions. Since the launch of Team Red's 3D V-Cache-augmented Ryzen 9000-series "Granite Ridge" CPUs, the majority of "killings" have been recorded on ASRock-made AM5 boards. Unfortunately, an increased number of processor failures—when platformed on ASUS designs—have been tracked in recent months. Yesterday, another puzzling case was presented on the official ASUS subreddit. Bizarrely, UniverseWillDecide's tale involved both of Team Red's 8-core gaming champion models, paired with an ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WIFI motherboard. The first build iteration was based around the Ryzen 7 9800X3D SKU.

UniverseWillDecide recounted a brief honeymoon period: "everything was working fine for a week or so, until my system started (going into) these weird freezes or locks ups, while booting into Windows or being idle. OCCT memory test passed without any errors, so memory was cleared, but it started crashing with AVX2. I got pissed off and decided to return it to Amazon, since it was still 30 day return window." The Australian PC enthusiast moved onto the recently released Ryzen 7 9850X3D model, purchased during AMD's official launch period. The unlucky owner enjoyed problem-free experience: "for (a) few weeks, (but) guess what. The chip is dead too. I am not blaming AMD directly, but I suspect...something related to the ASUS BIOS applying incorrect voltages. I am...above and beyond disappointed, and not sure what to do (next). I also have (an) ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 5090 (card)—I bought it because I believed this company builds quality products.

NZXT, a leading brand in PC gaming components and prebuilt systems, today introduced the H2 Flow Mini-ITX Case and the C850 SFX Power Supply, two compact solutions designed to bring high-performance PC builds into smaller spaces without compromise. With a focus on airflow, compatibility, and ease of installation, these products make small form factor (SFF) systems more powerful and accessible than ever.

For players who want the performance and design of the H2 Flow without building it themselves, NZXT is also launching the H2 Mini PC, available for a limited time, exclusively in the United States. This prebuilt option delivers the same compact footprint and performance-focused design in a fully assembled, ready-to-play system, making small form factor PC gaming more accessible to a wider audience.

[Editor's note: You can read ourin-depth review of the NZXT H2 Flow Mini-ITX case here]

Not every hero fights for glory or is destined to save kingdoms. Not every legend is born from noble sacrifice. Some are forged in shadows, driven by selfish ambition, bad decisions, and an impressive lack of moral standards. In Styx: Blades of Greed, our favorite goblin anti-hero returns with a sharper blade, a sharper tongue, and a brand-new obsession: Quartz… no matter whom he has to kill along the way. Whether you've followed Styx since his early days or you're about to meet him for the first time, here's why he's the kind of character you'll absolutely love to hate.

Embodying the perfect anti-hero
As a goblin, Styx isn't your typical fantasy protagonist and that's exactly the point. He isn't the chosen one here to save the world. He's not a hero. He's a sharp-tongued protagonist, here to survive, preferably with a full purse and someone else taking the blame. Armed with razor-sharp sarcasm and a constant stream of cynical observations, Styx comments on nearly everything he encounters, mocking pompous rulers, scoffing at heroic ideals, and questioning the intelligence of just about everyone around him.

Earlier in the month, Sony Group issued Q3 FY2025 consolidated financial results. In a related earnings call, company leadership discussed the current impact of climbing computer memory costs. In particular, they anticipate new strategies that will ensure minimal price fluctuations affecting core PlayStation 5 hardware. According to an Inside Games Japan news article, the extremely popular home console has: "surpassed 92 million units in cumulative sales on a sell-in basis." Reportedly, Lin Tao—Sony Group's Chief Financial Officer (CFO)—mentioned a sufficient procurement of memory modules; enough to maintain stable PlayStation 5 pricing throughout 2026. Additionally, ongoing negotiations with suppliers will focus on plentiful numbers—hopefully leading to an uninterrupted flow of standard PS5 units, as well as the more capable Pro design.

Given present-day circumstances, even the largest players are very likely paying more for in demand components (memory and storage). During the recent call, Tao outlined a plan for offsetting some of these elevated costs: "given the stage of our console cycle, our hardware sales strategy can be adjusted flexibly, and we intend to minimize the impact of the increased memory costs on this segment going forward by prioritizing monetization of the installed base to date and striving to further expand our software and network services revenue." Last year, Nintendo avoided hiking up Switch 2 MSRPs, during and after the hybrid system's launch period. In order to counteract "tariffgate," company bigwigs decided to drive up first-party Switch 2 accessory pricing, and (oddly) original Switch model price tags.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the European launch of its latest premium PC lineup, Galaxy Book6 Ultra, Galaxy Book6 Pro and Galaxy Book6; delivering Samsung's most advanced Galaxy Book performance yet in a refined, perfectly balanced slim design. The latest lineup reflects Samsung's continued focus on delivering premium PCs that balance power, portability and intelligent productivity features for modern work and everyday use.

Performance Designed for Modern WorkFlows
Built with the newest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, the Galaxy Book6 series is designed to handle demanding multitasking, creative workloads and AI-enhanced applications with ease. The upgraded processing platform enables significantly faster responsiveness, helping users work more efficiently whether they are editing content, collaborating online or managing complex tasks. Galaxy Book6 Ultra has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card to further enhance performance, enabling smoother visual experiences and supporting advanced creative tools powered by AI. Samsung also introduced an improved internal cooling structure across the lineup, allowing the devices to maintain stable performance even during intensive usage.

The Korea Economic Daily had an exclusive mid-month sit-down with Jensen Huang, just after his attendance of a casual NVIDIA and SK hynix engineering team meetup. As disclosed in an exclusive report, the South Korean publication managed to extract some intriguing tidbits during an "unscheduled interview," that took place in Santa Clara, California (not far from Team Green's HQ). A headline generating quote was pulled from part of the conversation concerning next month's GPU Technology Conference. The NVIDIA did not hold back, after granting plentiful access: "ask as much as you want." When asked about plans for the company's forthcoming (March 16 to 19) conference, Huang confidently let slip that: "a chip that will surprise the world will be unveiled at GTC next month."

With an annual cadence, the Team Green boss—is once more—expected to present the latest and greatest items in a keynote presentation. Since 2026 is the launch year of "Vera Rubin," industry observers have already predicted a very VR200 NVL72-heavy on-stage showcase. Later on in the exclusive Q&A, Huang teased multiple unnamed new properties, due for introduction at GTC 2026: "we've prepared several new chips the world has never seen before." Potentially, very early "Feynman" AI accelerator prototypes could make it onto the main stage. Alternatively, "Vera GPU" offshoots are also likelihoods. In the interview, Green Team leader hinted about the slog of getting cutting-edge IPs into fruition: "nothing is easy because all technologies are at their limits." The Korea Economic Daily reporter noted Huang's just concluded meal with "NVIDIA and SK Hynix memory engineers"—elaborating on this potent HBM4-focused partnership, Huang remarked boastfully: "with a team like this, nothing is impossible."

Pricing for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has increased dramatically in Japan, according to recent reports by Automaton, likely indicating an imminent price increase for Western markets as well. The price increase sees the listed price jump by 21%, from ¥139,800 to ¥169,000 including tax. The increase only applies to the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X models, which are specced with 24 GB of LPDDR5X memory, as opposed to the regular ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, which uses 16 GB of regular LPDDR5 RAM. This has led to speculation that the reason for the price increase is the ongoing DRAM shortage, which has caused widespread price increases, delays, and general hardware shortages in the ailing PC market.

Hardware price increases often take place in Asia first, and this is hardly the first price increase we've seen occur in recent weeks. Acer Japan also just announced a price increase for both its laptops and desktop PCs in the same week as ASUS's price increase. For now, pricing for the non-Xbox-branded ASUS ROG Ally X remains stable, and pricing for the Xbox Ally X seems to have remained the same in the US on both the ASUS online store and third-party retailers, as well.

A year after the initial launch, the Avowed team is capping its post-launch roadmap with a special anniversary update that goes live for all today. This update, for which full details can be read over on the Obsidian site, brings with it a variety of community requested features, a host of quality-of-life fixes, and a few extra additions that the team wanted to get in just for the fans. Avowed is also launching on PlayStation 5 with the past year of updates included, allowing more players to get in and explore the Living Lands.

New Faces with New Races
To top the list of big new features being added to Avowed is the ability to choose from three new races during character creation. Joining the pre-existing human and elves are the stout and well-traveled Dwarves; the two-toned skin, hairy, and big ear having Orlans; and the large and uniquely strong Aumauan. Players will be able to choose as one of the five when starting off their adventure and bringing their envoy to the Living Lands.

Earlier in the week GameSir representatives started teasing an upcoming launch of GameHub for Mac. Apparently, members of the Chinese gaming brand's Discord community were the first to hear about this exciting development. Soon after that, the GameSir social media account issued a succinct message to the world: "your Mac is now a gaming PC. Introducing GameHub for Mac. Unlock your entire Steam library. Coming soon." A promo image shows a variety of modern Apple desktop and laptop systems, accompanied by another short section of text: "Run Win games/Steam natively...Reborn, and be free." Currently, the Android version of GameSir's GameHub app is advertised as offering the ability to "play any game anywhere" through emulation. Elaborating further, the application's main splash page states: "choose from thousands of games on supported platforms, from mobile games to next-gen console exclusives streamed from the cloud."

The Apple-based teaser shows MacBook, iMac, Mac Studio, Mac Mini, and iMac hardware surrounding a mysterious GameSir controller and dock—only appearing as a white cut-out. Over the past couple of years, the popular brand has released several officially licensed Xbox models. Could they be working on an Apple variant of the G7 Pro? According to information shared within the official GameSir Discord server, GameHub for macOS will feature a "proprietary AI frame interpolation" system, graphics performance tweaks, color adjustment functions, and a V-Sync mode. Additionally, company reps mentioned "60+ FPS smoothness on AAA titles." Initials reports have highlighted an existing GameHub app for iOS-base devices, but this particular software suite does not provide any PC emulation or access to cloud gaming. Instead, it grants the ability to calibrate connected GameSir controllers.

The NVIDIA Blackwell platform has been widely adopted by leading inference providers such as Baseten, DeepInfra, Fireworks AI and Together AI to reduce cost per token by up to 10x. Now, the NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra platform is taking this momentum further for agentic AI. AI agents and coding assistants are driving explosive growth in software-programming-related AI queries: from 11% to about 50% last year, according to OpenRouter's State of Inference report. These applications require low latency to maintain real-time responsiveness across multistep workflows and long context when reasoning across entire codebases.

New SemiAnalysis InferenceX performance data shows that the combination of NVIDIA's software optimizations and the next-generation NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra platform has delivered breakthrough advances on both fronts. NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 systems now deliver up to 50x higher throughput per megawatt, resulting in 35x lower cost per token compared with the NVIDIA Hopper platform. By innovating across chips, system architecture and software, NVIDIA's extreme codesign accelerates performance across AI workloads—from agentic coding to interactive coding assistants—while driving down costs at scale.

GXTrust expands its extensive gaming line-up with the launch of two new high-performance mice. Designed to bring precision, speed, and style to every session, the Felox+ Wired Gaming Mouse and the Felox+ Dual Wireless Illuminated Gaming Mouse give gamers the control and accuracy they need to master each and every game.

Get ready for freedom without compromise with Felox+ Dual Wireless Illuminated Gaming Mouse. Equipped with a PixArt PAW3311 12,000 DPI sensor and 1000 Hz polling rate, it guarantees precision and speed, whether playing wired or wirelessly. Gamers can choose their preferred connection via the ultra-low latency 2.4 GHz USB-A receiver or Bluetooth, and enjoy up to 40 hours of playtime thanks to the built-in rechargeable battery. There's even the option to keep on playing whilst charging with the included 1.5 m cable.

Intel's Japan president, Makoto Ohno, made interesting remarks that this year will be a make-or-break year for AI PCs. He also mentioned that by 2026, AI PCs will account for roughly half of the unit shipments for the year. This means that out of the total unit shipments, which IDC estimates at around 260 million, about 130 million are expected to be AI PCs. This loosely defined term means that the PC comes with an NPU or other AI processing unit, allowing the system to perform some local AI processing with enough power to meet basic user needs. However, Makoto Ohno also admits that the primary reason for purchasing an AI PC may not be its AI capabilities, but rather the better battery life due to newer and more optimized silicon.

Intel Makoto OhnoIt is also predicted that by 2026, this will exceed half, with one in two computers being an AI PC. However, given the current situation, reasons for choosing an AI PC include its high performance and the long battery life provided by the use of an NPU. In other words, it is important to reflect on the fact that people are not currently purchasing an AI PC in order to use its AI-related functions.

Once a target of the largest industry acquisition that was halted by market regulators, NVIDIA has officially divested all its holdings in Arm Holdings PLC by selling 1.1 million shares, valued at about $140 million at the time of writing. Importantly, this does not end the NVIDIA-Arm relationship, as NVIDIA continues to be a customer and partner, licensing Arm IP and its instruction set for its older "Grace" and newer "Vera" CPUs. If readers recall, NVIDIA announced in late 2020 that it was acquiring Arm Ltd. in a deal valued at $40 billion. However, regulators from the UK and EU blocked the deal to preserve fair market competition, citing concerns that the NVIDIA-Arm deal would harm competition and stifle innovation. NVIDIA even paid a break-up fee of $1.25 billion as the deal collapsed under regulatory pressure.

As mentioned, NVIDIA's partnership with Arm is not limited to investment or stock ownership, as the company utilizes its IP and instruction set across a range of products. For example, NVIDIA has Arm-based SoCs in various forms in its embedded computing unit with Jetson modules and mini-computers that power everything from robotics to automated driving development in modern vehicles. Additionally, NVIDIA recently began offering its "Vera" CPUs as standalone server CPUs designed to compete with the industry's latest and greatest x86-based designs from AMD and Intel, demonstrating that NVIDIA is serious about being an Arm ISA licensee for the foreseeable future, not just viewing the company as an investment target.

Following Discord's introduction of digital ID and face scanning requirements for some online servers, many users have started exploring alternative communication platforms. As a result, the well-known TeamSpeak software has experienced a significant increase in new users. In the United States, TeamSpeak's current hosting capacity has reportedly been maxed out, with all servers operating at full capacity. Despite this, the company has announced plans to expand by adding additional Frankfurt-3 and Toronto-1 instances to accommodate new users. Currently, only a few regions still have available capacity, including Amsterdam-3, along with the newly announced Frankfurt-3 and Toronto-1.

Discord has revealed that its new age verification requirements will take effect in early March 2026. These settings will automatically place all existing and new Discord accounts into a mode that filters out content unsuitable for minors, creating a "teen-appropriate experience." Users who wish to access age-restricted content will need to complete an age verification process, which involves either uploading a scan of a government-issued ID or using facial recognition to confirm their age. However, not all users will need to undergo this process, as Discord will also implement an age inference model. This model will analyze user accounts by examining the types of games played, the amount of time spent on Discord, and the times users are active to determine if they are adults. Discord states that the new system aims to provide strong protections for teens while allowing verified adults more flexibility. As users seek software that doesn't restrict their online experience, migrations are expected, and TeamSpeak is the "old reliable" alternative that the community leans on.

Hardcore PC users tend to think of privacy risk as something that happens to other people: the careless, the click-happy, the ones who reuse passwords or fall for obvious scams. Power users, by contrast, optimize. They tweak BIOS settings, benchmark GPUs, curate mod lists, and participate deeply in the ecosystems that make PC culture what it is.

That's the problem.

For highly engaged users, having their personal data exposed is rarely the result of negligence; it's the unfortunate side of visibility. The more you understand and participate in gaming communities, online forums, and similar spaces, the more you will create an enduring, discoverable identity footprint.

This blog isn't about fearmongering over privacy, but rather about practical digital hygiene for people who are already technically savvy.

ComputerBase conducted a massive online blind test, allowing thousands of gamers to vote on their preferred game video output. The options included NVIDIA's latest Deep Learning Super Sampling 4.5, AMD's FSR Upscaling AI with FSR 4 on Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs, and native resolution rendering without AI upscaling. Interestingly, DLSS 4.5 received the highest percentage of votes, winning in every scenario. ComputerBase tested various games like Anno 117, ARC Raiders, Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Forbidden West, Satisfactory, and The Last of Us Part II. Only in Cyberpunk 2077 did gamers almost equally prefer native resolution rendering, but DLSS 4.5 still came out on top with a slight edge.

Initially, the ComputerBase team conducted the comparison using videos labeled only with options like 1/2/3/4, without revealing which rendering method was used, to ensure a fully blind test. After two weeks of testing and thousands of votes, the results showed a significant preference for NVIDIA's latest DLSS 4.5 technology. This conclusion highlights that NVIDIA's newest technology is now so refined that its video output offers superior visual appeal. DLSS 4.5 uses a second-generation Transformer model trained on a much larger dataset of video games, with five times the computational investment of the first DLSS 4 Transformer upscaler. It utilizes the FP8 data format, allowing for more processing with minimal precision loss. The new algorithm is more context-aware, and NVIDIA confirmed that the input for upscaling is used more intelligently, resulting in much more detailed and precise video output.

NVIDIA today announced a multiyear, multigenerational strategic partnership with Meta spanning on-premises, cloud and AI infrastructure. Meta will build hyperscale data centers optimized for both training and inference in support of the company's long-term AI infrastructure roadmap. This partnership will enable the large-scale deployment of NVIDIA CPUs and millions of NVIDIA Blackwell and Rubin GPUs, as well as the integration of NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet switches for Meta's Facebook Open Switching System platform.

"No one deploys AI at Meta's scale—integrating frontier research with industrial-scale infrastructure to power the world's largest personalization and recommendation systems for billions of users," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. "Through deep codesign across CPUs, GPUs, networking and software, we are bringing the full NVIDIA platform to Meta's researchers and engineers as they build the foundation for the next AI frontier."

This week's release of the Intel Arc 32.0.101.8509 WHQL driver package has benefited many of the company's in-house graphics product lines. Current and past-generations of hardware are enjoying XeSS 3 with multi-frame generation (MFG) support. Earlier today, PC Games Hardware Germany (PCGH.de) published an in-depth article that covers the new feature on Arc "Battlemage" B580 12 GB and an Arc "Alchemist" A770 16 GB desktop graphics card models. The "XeSS Quality" setting was selected across seven game test scenarios, at 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolutions—involving: Assassin's Creed Shadows, Battlefield 6, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Cyberpunk 2077, Dying Light: The Beast, F1 '25, and Hogwarts Legacy.

PCGH.de observed Team Blue's top-end "Alchemist" option doing very well, at least with XeLL (a low latency function) enabled, in particular with the driver overridden MFG three and fours-times modes. Despite launching back in late 2022, their ASRock Arc A770 Phantom OC 16 GB test sample has enjoyed: "something of a second spring thanks to MFG. While the card isn't (yet?) maturing as much as NVIDIA's (GeForce) RTX 2000-series, its usability has been significantly improved overnight. Thanks to 16 GB of memory, there's no need to worry about bottlenecks. The Arc B580 scales even better thanks to the improved hardware, and performs comparably." Despite the pleasing findings, PCGH's reviewer notes that Multi Frame Generation (MFG) is not an all-encompassing property—after all, only a certain selection of titles support XeSS. Due to visual discrepancies being tracked in Battlefield 6 sessions, PCGH preferred the presentation of native frames operation or rival frame generation tech (FSR 4 and DLSS 4.5).

For the last few weeks, Blizzard has been going big. Blizzard Showcase brought together the four key titles—Overwatch, Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Hearthstone—and gave the space to bring their updates, announcements (and some surprises!) in their own ways. It's all a part of the road to BlizzCon 2026: the year of Blizzard's 35th anniversary, not to mention the 30th anniversary of Diablo, and the 10th anniversary of Overwatch. This is the perfect space in time to look back at the universes that have brought us together and look forward to the future.

For Blizzard President, Johanna Faries—speaking on the Official Xbox Podcast—the Showcase has been a combination of careful planning and happy serendipity: "We've been really thoughtful about (giving) our players what they're hoping for, and hopefully delight them and surprise them in some big ways. I think those have landed. And we'll just continue to sort of prime what we hope to be a very, very big year as we continue on here in 2026."

AMD has released its latest Ryzen Chipset Software version 8.01.20.513 driver, which includes general bug fixes and performance improvements. These updates should provide Ryzen CPU owners with some quality-of-life enhancements. In the release highlights, AMD mentions that the installer file has been updated with a new installation wrapper called Install Shield. Interestingly, AMD notes that this latest package does not include the AMS Mailbox and S0i3 filter drivers, which now need to be installed independently on systems that require them or may produce errors without them. Finally, AMD acknowledges that some issues persist, such as the regression from branch version 7 to the earlier chipset driver branch version 6, but the company offers a workaround, which is listed below. We have included the entire changelog below, as well as a download option on TechPowerUp's download section page.

DOWNLOAD: AMD Chipset Software 8.01.20.513

This week, the OldUnreal community project has pushed out the first public update of Unreal Tournament 2004 (UT2004) in two decades. In a bygone era—prior to all things Fornite—Epic Games and Digital Extremes co-produced several popular sci-fi titles based on and named after the widespread Unreal Engine. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, PC gamers enjoyed a good number of single and "arena shooter" multiplayer Unreal titles. In particular, Unreal Tournament 2004 left a lasting impression. Epic ended official support of the now almost 22-year-old first-person shooter classic back in 2022; prompting online community efforts to keep the chaotic (up to) 32-player experience alive. With Epic's blessing, the Unreal Engine v2.5-driven title has been reissued—for free—on modern PC (Windows, Linux) and Mac systems, thanks to the long-running OldUnreal initiative's recent endeavors.

Last December, a preview post described a forthcoming bug fix and QoL-rich "simultaneous" game release and issuing of a community patch. Unfortunately, the present-day download and installation process is a bit convoluted, especially when compared to relatively breezy launcher experiences. Currently, the Old Unreal website provides a link to the full UT2004 game installer. Stijn Volckaert—the project's main overseer—has shared a couple of tidbits regarding the launch of "Preview 9." In a public GitHub post, the Belgian Associate Professor addressed modernized UT2004 landscapes: "hi everyone! Thank you for your patience. This is a preview of our 3374 patch. It has gone through internal testing and is relatively stable. It works in online games, except on servers with AntiTCC. We will release a new, 3374-compatible version of AntiTCC soon to address this issue."

Gather your warriors, a song of swords awaits…Tripwire Presents, the publishing division of Tripwire Interactive, and developer Arctic Hazard today announced the release of their Viking turn-based tactical game set in Dark Age Norway, NORSE: Oath of Blood, on Windows PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Good Old Games (GOG). The standard digital edition is available for $34.99 and a Special Edition, including the in-game Kievan War armor set and unique Ulfberht sword, is available for $44.99, with both versions discounted 15% on all storefronts, including as part of the Tripwire Interactive Publisher Sale on Steam, through Tuesday, Feb. 24. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions remain in development and will launch this Spring.

"I'm thrilled to say, 'The Vikings are here!' Creating NORSE: Oath of blood has been a saga in its own right, one that has brought many challenges, forged new friendships, and highlighted the spirit, dedication, and passion of everyone involved," said Terje Lundberg, CEO and Creative Director at Arctic Hazard. "We will continue to work on and support the game as it makes its way into the world, and we truly hope people enjoy playing it as much as we have enjoyed making it."

Yesterday, a Semi Analysis article predicted the postponement of a forthcoming AMD Instinct MI455X AI mass manufacturing phase. As covered by TechPowerUp this morning, this controversial forecast places Team Red's next-gen design in a precarious position, especially when compared to the apparent rapid progression of NVIDIA's competitive "Vera Rubin" server-grade hardware. This evening, Anush Elangovan has responded to the latest claims—the Corporate Vice President of AMD AI software and solutions issued a curt reply to a tech industry analyst's quoting of Semi Analysis' hit piece: "B.S (bullshit). Right on target for H2 2026."

The high volume rollout of Team Red's first rack scale "Helios" MI455X UALoE72 system has—allegedly—been plagued with engineering sample problems and manufacturing hiccups. In a separate social media post, Elangovan insisted that the finalized MI455X model will not be postponed into the second quarter of 2027: "speed is the moat. MI455X is both fast, and is the fastest I have seen in execution for bring-up of a complex GPU platform. MI455X is right on target for shipments in 2H2026—irrespective of what Semi Analysis says—rev your engines because speed is coming." Technology-wise, AMD's Artificial Intelligence Group (AIG) seems ready to answer NVIDIA's incoming new-gen wave, but it is not clear whether the upcoming "Helios" rack system can compete in terms of sheer factory output numbers.

As the demand for local data management continues to grow among households and small teams, storage devices are no longer just file containers. They are expected to deliver computing capability, scalability, and long-term operational stability. The Acemagic N3A Mini PCNAS combines Mini PC performance with NAS storage in an integrated design, bringing computing power and multi-drive storage into a compact form factor. It enables users to build an efficient and reliable local storage and collaboration environment within limited space.

Stable Performance for Multi-Scenario Applications
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 3750H processor, the N3A features a 4-core, 8-thread architecture with boost speeds of up to 4.0 GHz, delivering a balanced combination of performance and power efficiency within a 35 W TDP. Whether handling simultaneous file access from multiple devices, everyday multimedia workloads, or containerized applications such as Docker, the system maintains consistent responsiveness, supporting long-term, stable use for both home users and small teams. Integrated Radeon RX Vega graphics with 4K@60 Hz display output ensures smooth content playback and flexible support for media-centric and display-oriented use cases.

Last week, computer memory industry observers noted the US Government's "very brief" removal of ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) from a trade blacklist. In early 2026, leading North American OEMs were reported as seeking alternative suppliers of consumer-grade DDR5 and DDR4 memory. China's CXMT seems to be an ideal frontrunner for brands that are currently struggling with procurements of more mainstream modules—as produced by Micron, SK hynix, and Samsung. Australia's Hardware Unboxed is in a fortunate geographical position; where CXMT IC-based kits are (kind of) readily available via big box stores. The ongoing "DDR pricing nightmare" has prompted Steve Walton's recent purchase of a cheaper KingBank KFRW DDR5-6000 CL36 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) White RGB kit. The KFRW range seems to be an Aussie market exclusive, derived from KingBank's Soarblade UDIMM product family.

Primarily, Walton compared this less familiar Chinese brand set to a "sweet spot" G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo DDR5-6000 CL30 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) kit. Prior to the present-day crisis, this former price-to-performance champ was available as low as $115 in North America. Fast-forward to February 2026, and the kit's price tag has reached a $490 high. A few weeks ago, Walton managed to pick up one of the cheapest KingBank kits, that happened to feature CXMT's homegrown modules—he did not disclose how much was forked over for review candidate ownership. Today's Hardware Unboxed investigative video notes that KingBank prices have increased around the mid-February period—Australians have to pay a minimum of AU$649 (~$458 USD) for currently in-stock CMXT-based sticks. Curiously, a screenshot of Mwave store listings shows a KingBank Hynix M-die-based kit being sold for a relatively reasonable AU$599 (~$423 USD). Overall, Walton recommends that locals pick up Chinese-made DRAM, if price tags are reasonable.

According to reports from Chinese local media, Apple is considering partnering with Chinese semiconductor manufacturers CXMT and YMTC for its upcoming iPhone 18 series and potentially other products like MacBooks and Mac computers. With memory and storage suppliers such as Kioxia, Samsung, and SK hynix raising prices due to a significant industry shortage, Apple is experiencing a squeeze on its profit margins while maintaining the same MSRP for its products. To diversify its supply chain, Apple is reportedly exploring the addition of DRAM from CXMT and NAND Flash from YMTC to reduce its dependence on South Korean and Japanese suppliers.

Recently, the U.S. Government's Bureau of Industry and Security reportedly removed CXMT and YMTC from the list of restricted Chinese companies. This move could benefit Apple, which may now utilize products from both firms. CXMT offers LPDDR5X and DDR5 memory, which aligns with Apple's needs for its products. Since Apple's iPhones and M-series SoCs primarily use LPDDR5X memory, CXMT's 12 Gb and 16 Gb LPDDR5X capacities could serve both the smartphone and computer sectors effectively.

Electronic Arts Inc. and Battlefield Studios today launched Season 2 across Battlefield 6 and REDSEC. Season 2 sends the fight to Europe with two new maps, limited-time modes, and much more, rolling out across three seasonal phases beginning today.

Launching across Battlefield 6 and Battlefield REDSEC, Season 2 introduces two all-new maps, Contaminated, a large-scale map set in a once-vibrant forest now scarred by experimental weapons and heavy shelling, alongside Hagental Base, a military facility that becomes the stage for intense close-quarters combat and stealth-focused gameplay later in the season.

Step into the brutal world of Nioh 3 with the GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC, a high-performance controller built for fast reactions, precise inputs, and uncompromising control. Designed to meet the demands of high-intensity action combat, it delivers the speed and accuracy required to survive every clash. In collaboration with Nioh 3, the latest installment in the epic action RPG series, Nioh, this controller draws inspiration from the iconic Living Weapon state. The deep black armor on the grips evokes the awakened battle form, while radiant gold accents capture the surge of spiritual energy.

With an 8000 Hz polling rate over both wired and 2.4G wireless connections, the G7 Pro 8K PC ensures every parry, dodge, and counterattack is registered instantly. In battles where timing defines victory, ultra-low latency gives you the edge you need. 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 control for high-intensity action combat.

Virtuix Inc., a leading developer of full-body virtual reality systems, today announced that it has joined the Made for Meta program of Meta Platforms, Inc. Through the program, Virtuix plans to make its "Omni One" 360-degree treadmill compatible with Meta Quest headsets and games, broadening Omni One's reach to the world's largest XR user base.

"Joining the Made for Meta program expands our addressable market to millions of active Quest users who already own and love their VR headset and games library," said Jan Goetgeluk, CEO of Virtuix. "We look forward to collaborating with Meta as we continue to scale our consumer business and bring our immersive, full-body gaming experience to a mass audience."

Moore Threads has invited developers to contribute and work together to improve the recently launched GPU Compute Driver Bench. This fairly fresh release is described as a: "comprehensive performance evaluation suite focused on assessing GPU compute driver performance from practical development and deployment perspectives. It supports both Moore Threads MUSA drivers and CUDA-compatible GPU drivers, enabling fair and repeatable cross-platform evaluation." The Chinese GPU specialist's open-source toolkit was issued via the GitHub platform, late last week, under the Apache 2.0 license. The self-described domestic GPU innovator could become a world contender, with the advent of a new generation of enterprise and entertainment models. The previous mentioning of industry-leading CUDA support is not a big surprise, considering that Moore Threads is headed by a former NVIDIA China exec—Zhang Jianzhong.

At the tail end of January, the firm released the open-sourced TileLang-MUSA project; advertised as cutting code volume by roughly 90%. When detailing this month's GPU Compute Driver Benching suite, the Moore Threads development team focused on several key features. Starting with "realistic workloads," they expect to cover "diverse compute and memory scenarios closely aligned with real-world usage patterns." The multi-dimensional driver evaluation system will weigh up driver performance, resource management, and (aptly) execution efficiency across multiple dimensions. "Standardized metrics and baselines" will provide a methodical platform for the comparison of hardware and software optimizations. "Granular and Holistic Analysis" will enable both "fine-grained subsystem testing and holistic, end-to-end performance assessment." An automated scoring system will measure performance regression tracking across driver and hardware versions.

As the traditional projector market continues to decline, BenQ is accelerating growth in the industry's most dynamic segment: short throw projectors designed for immersive, simulation-driven, and non-traditional applications. Today, BenQ announced the expansion of its projector lineup with four purpose-built models - LU895UST, LH860ST, LK830ST, and LW830ST - designed specifically for simulation, experiential environments.

From golf and sports simulators to projection mapping, immersive rooms, and advanced training environments, these applications demand precise geometry, flexible aspect ratios, color accuracy, and simplified installation. BenQ's latest short throw and ultra short throw projectors are engineered for immersive, simulation-driven environments and powered by BenQ Screen Fill technology, purpose-built for non-standard screens, flexible aspect ratios, and immersive layouts.

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, Styx: Blades of Greed and Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown are launching with native support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, while NORSE: Oath of Blood can be upgraded to DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation via the NVIDIA app.

And Battlefield 6: Season 2 begins today, featuring support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation. Read on for all the details.

Classiq, the leading quantum computing software company, Comcast and AMD today announced the completion of a groundbreaking trial aimed at improving Internet delivery by leveraging quantum algorithms to supercharge network routing resilience.

"What our customers want is simple: fast, secure and reliable connectivity, but when you operate a network as large and dynamic as ours, delivering on that promise is complex, especially in the face of growing network demand," said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast Connectivity and Platforms. "We launched these trials with Classiq last year with the goal of understanding how quantum software and technology could tackle real network challenges. Our results have shown that quantum computing for network optimization isn't theoretical - it's practical, scalable, and grounded in the needs of our customers."

SoftBank and AMD have started joint validation of AMD Instinct GPUs for next-generation AI infrastructure by focusing on a GPU partitioning mechanism that lets a single GPU handle multiple AI workloads simultaneously. SoftBank developed an Orchestrator system that divides AMD Instinct GPU resources based on workload requirements: model size, number of concurrent executions, and memory needs. The system splits compute workloads across multiple GPU instances running on individual Accelerator Complex Dies (XCDs). These can range from single instance mode (SPX mode) up to eight instances (CPX mode). The HBM memory pools are also divided into individual regions for each GPU instance to prevent latency spikes. The goal is to avoid the inefficiency of uniform GPU resource allocation, which can lead to GPU resource shortages or waste depending on workload demands.

SoftBank says the enhanced Orchestrator runs multiple AI applications on a single GPU with minimal resource strain. No performance figures have been shared yet, though SoftBank mentions improved resource allocation for small and mid-size language model workloads. The company also plans to explore similar orchestration for other AI accelerators beyond AMD. A live demonstration is planned at the AMD booth during MWC Barcelona 2026 in March 2-5. SoftBank also published technical details on architecture and Orchestrator management methods on its Research Institute of Advanced Technology blog. In a recent report, we noted that AMD's next-gen Instinct MI455X accelerators, set to compete with NVIDIA's Vera Rubin, are running into serious manufacturing problems that are pushing back AMD's roadmap. Only limited production is expected this year, with mass production pushed to Q2 2027.

Happy Tuesday everyone—I know this day of the week is always better when it comes with a side of games coming soon, games available today, and updates you might have missed for some of your favorites. Let's jump in!

Available Today: Aerial_Knight's DropShot (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC)—February 17
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available Day One with Xbox Game Pass! Aerial_Knight's Dropshot is a high-speed, stylized FPS / Race where you play as Smoke Wallace. As a kid, he was bitten by a radioactive dragon, turning his skin purple and giving him the power to fire bullets from his fingertips. Race rivals, fight dragons, shoot smart, and look cool when you land.

Kuroutoshikou's GALAKURO gaming graphics card range continues to grow in early 2026—lately, the Japanese PC hardware brand has added three new SKUs to this custom GeForce RTX 50-series lineup. So far, this regional specialist has launched the vast majority of NVIDIA's "Blackwell" era of hardware, barring the flagship GeForce RTX 5090 32 GB model. The latest additions are all GeForce RTX 5060 Ti SKUs, starting with a lone 16 GB special edition. Once more, GALAKURO has partnered up with NCSoft—this collaboration has produced the Lineage II-themed GALAKURO GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Dual Fan OC 16 GB black model. A previous licensing deal resulted in the Blade and Soul NEO Radeon RX 7600 8 GB collab card. As expected, Kuroutoshikou's latest special edition retail packaging features Lineage II artwork, but the actual card is devoid of any fantasy MMORPG sequel-themed prints or stickers.

In fact, Kuroutoshikou has simply rebranded GALAX's Dual Fan 1-Click OC card design—the closest equivalent in TechPowerUp's GPU database is the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 1-Click OC V2 16 GB model. As covered in the past, the aforementioned Blade and Soul NEO collaboration edition is just a re-stickered plus re-boxed PowerColor Fighter RX 7600 8 GB card. The much newer Kuroutoshikou x NCSoft Collaboration Edition is due to launch later this week (February 20). Buyers will be gifted a free Lineage II in-game "summoning ticket." This promotion starts on release day, and ends on November 30.

AMD is excited to announce Day 0 support for Alibaba's latest generation of Large Language Models, Qwen 3.5, on AMD Instinct MI300X, MI325X, and MI355X GPU accelerators, in close collaboration with Alibaba Qwen team. Leveraging the optimized ROCm software stack, SGLang and vLLM inference serving framework, developers can immediately deploy these state-of-the-art models.

The Strategic Value of Qwen 3.5 on AMD Instinct
Empowering Next-Generation AI Agents—This Day 0 enablement is designed for AI developers, system architects, and DevOps professionals building the next wave of AI agents and enterprise platforms. While previous models required trade-offs between parameter depth and reasoning speed, the Qwen 3.5 family on AMD Instinct GPUs allows teams to deploy massive 256K context windows and complex multimodal workflows with unprecedented efficiency.

KDE released Plasma 6.6 today, the latest version of the popular Linux desktop environment, also used in Steam Deck desktop mode. The biggest addition is the new Plasma Login Manager, a potential replacement for Simple Desktop Display Manager (SDDM) in distributions like Fedora Linux 44, CachyOS, and EndeavourOS. Note that it requires systemd, so it won't work on systemd-free distros. The Spectacle screenshot tool gains OCR capabilities, and a new USB portal lets sandboxed apps request access to USB devices. Users running Linux kernel 6.19 can now adjust the visual sharpness of all on-screen content. You can also turn your current Plasma setup into a global theme. KDE Plasma 6.6 adds XRandr emulation in KWin for better XWayland app compatibility, per-DRM-plane color pipeline support, and custom screen mode support in Wayland sessions. Screen mirroring is improved, and a new "Slow Keys" accessibility feature has been added.

Windows games with HDR running through Wine or Proton also get a color accuracy workaround. Wi-Fi passwords can now be stored in a root-owned location for better security, and a QR code in the Networks widget makes connecting easier. Battery handling on laptops is improved, ambient light sensor support enables automatic brightness adjustment, and colorblind user support has been enhanced. Windows can now be selectively excluded from screen recordings.

ASUS has released an official statement in response to the recent decision by a Munich court to prohibit the sale of its PCs and notebooks in Germany. Although the company is now unable to sell these products in Germany, it will continue to provide after-sales services, including support and warranty claims. This decision stems from a ruling that ASUS infringed on Nokia's HEVC/H.265 patents. As a result, ASUS is prevented from generating additional revenue in Europe's largest economy. The court found that the two OEMs, ASUS and Acer, did not demonstrate behavior consistent with willing licensees under FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) terms, leading the court to issue an injunction rather than limit the remedy to financial damages.

ASUSASUS has temporarily suspended its official website and online store in Germany following a Munich I Regional Court ruling (case no. Munich I - 7 O 4102/25) related to a patent dispute with Nokia. The suspension, resulting from a temporary injunction, affects select ASUS PCs and products using High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). All after-sales services in Germany remain fully operational, and existing customers will continue to receive uninterrupted support in full compliance with the current court order. ASUS is evaluating and pursuing further legal action to reach a fair resolution as soon as possible. ASUS continues to stand by its position and remains committed to our customers and partners.

The acute shortage of DRAM and NAND flash memory could shut down many consumer electronics companies by the end of 2026, Phison CEO Chien Chen Pang warned in an interview with Chen Ning Kuan of Taiwan's Era News. The Phison CEO warns of a "massive die-off" among consumer electronics companies designing cost-effective products that use even the smallest amounts of DRAM and NAND flash components (think TV set-top boxes, Wi-Fi routers, smart TVs, etc). For instance, an 8 GB eMMC chip used in smart TVs rose in pricing from $1.5 in early 2025, to nearly $20 now. Extrapolate this to the vast selection of products priced under the $100-mark, and you can see how component prices could wreck the consumer electronics industry.

Pricing is only half the problem, the other is supply. Memory is now an extremely supplier-driven market, with manufacturers onboarding orders up to three years into the future (i.e. you order now, your DRAM chip reels won't arrive before 2030. All this said, the crisis could fade by the end of the decade as memory manufacturers build more foundry capacity, and industrial pressure causes geopolitical changes, such as the re-entry of Chinese DRAM and NAND flash companies. Phison is a leading manufacturer of NAND flash-based storage device controllers powering SSDs, flash drives, and memory cards.

According to SemiAnalysis, which recently released its InferenceX benchmark comparing the inference performance of the latest AI accelerators, AMD's next-generation Instinct MI455X accelerators, designed to compete with NVIDIA's "Vera Rubin," are facing serious manufacturing difficulties, causing delays in AMD's roadmap execution. Only low-volume production will occur this year, while customers will be generating AI tokens in Q2 2027. This means that NVIDIA's "Vera Rubin" VR200 rack-scale system will be the most powerful system shipping this summer, without competition. As AMD's first rack-scale system, the "Helios" AI rack with the MI455X UALoE72 configuration packs 72 GPUs and 6th Gen AMD EPYC "Venice" CPUs in a heterogeneous system designed to run as a single homogeneous GPU, delivering massive AI performance with multi-ExaFLOP compute output.

SemiAnalysisEngineering samples and low volume production of AMD's first rack scale MI455X UALoE72 system will be in H2 2026 while due to manufacturing delays, the mass production ramp and first production tokens will only be generated on an MI455X UALoE72 by Q2 2027.

Valve updated its Steam Deck website with a disclaimer, noting that the availability of the Steam Deck OLED version may be affected by the storage and memory shortage across the industry. While Valve has been able to secure a significant inventory of NAND Flash and DRAM modules for its Steam Deck handheld console, demand might be outpacing supply. The component shortage at Valve is not an isolated case, as many are expressing concerns over not being able to secure sufficient capacity. The only ones able to secure massive DRAM and NAND Flash capacities are hyperscalers building out data center infrastructure, who are securing long-term agreements with storage and memory makers.

Last week, we saw customers facing difficulty acquiring new Steam Deck OLED stock. Unfortunately, potential buyers in North America, Japan (through Komodo, Valve's regional distribution partner), Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong were unable to get their hands on new OLED units. Initial reports suggested a "plentiful" supply for customers in the UK and Australia, but several key markets appear to be suddenly experiencing shortages, as the inventory is depleting across the globe. While other components are plentiful, memory and storage are in a dire shortage situation, which might be prolonged. Regarding the 256 GB LCD version, Valve has reiterated that it will only be available while existing stock lasts, as this model was discontinued in December of last year.

We've just released the Launch Trailer for Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown, offering a final look at the game's survival-strategy core, crew-driven decisions, and its take on U.S.S Voyager's journey through the Delta Quadrant. Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown is developed by gameXcite and published by Daedalic Entertainment. The full game will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 on February 18.

Set the U.S.S. Voyager and deep in the unexplored reaches of the Delta Quadrant aboard, Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown invites players to relive—and redefine—the legendary starship's journey back to earth. The game blends exploration, ship & resource management, roguelite elements, and meaningful choices. Experience crew dynamics and a fresh take on a beloved sci-fi universe - with what-if scenarios that open up new possibilities.

Ready for the next level? Weighing just 59 g and with a high-resolution 12,000 DPI sensor, the SKILLER SGM25W will always keep you in control of the action. In addition, the mouse's dual mode offers wired or wireless operation, giving you the freedom to play the way you want, while the gaming software ensures that you can tease every last ounce out of your game.

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The black design of the SKILLER SGM25W is a classic among gaming mice and blends in particularly well with dark or high-contrast setups. The maritime color design of the SKILLER SGM25W Ocean will be a real eye-catcher in your setup. The design is also a matching complement to our SKILLER SGK50 S3 Ultimate Rev2 bundle.

It's been widely reported that the next-gen Sony PlayStation 6 is in the works, with AMD once again in charge of the APU that will power gaming experiences, even if rumors suggest that the next-gen console launch may be pushed back as far as 2029. It's also common knowledge by now that RDNA 5 will power the PS6, but a new rumor that originated from prolific leaker, KeplerL2 on the NeoGAF forum, suggest that the architecture in the PS6 will not be the full-fledged RDNA 5.

The leaker does not expand on this further, other than to remind that the PS5 doesn't use the full RDNA 2 architecture either, but consoles have always used custom APUs, so the idea that the PS6 won't use the full RDNA 5 feature stack isn't unreasonable. Some have postulated that one feature that wouldn't make the cut is the NPU, since that may not get used in a modern console. It's also possible that certain productivity features or video encoders, although even a lot of the AI improvements in RDNA 4 have been marketed as gaming upgrades.

Darkhaven, a new multiplayer online ARPG that makes some pretty bold promises, has officially gone live on Kickstarter to raise its $500,000 funding goal, managing to raise $79,906 halfway through the first day of funding. Darkhaven's developer, Moon Beast Productions, explains that the game will have a fully procedurally generated, destructible sandbox world with "Diablo-style progression, skills, and itemization," and free, open exploration with a high degree of mobility in and out of combat. The Kickstarter will run until March 20, 2026, giving the developer a little over a month to garner funding. In addition to the Kickstarter, Moon Beast Productions has published both a development timeline and a pre-alpha demo on Steam.

The pre-alpha demo is touted as the foundation of the game, and it admittedly lacks polish and serves only as a way for players to test out the gameplay mechanics of Darkhaven. Moon Beast claims that the pre-alpha is an "unfiltered version of what we're building, not a watered-down teaser," suggesting players will be able to explore much more of the game world than a traditional demo would allow. The developer has also published a timeline explaining what it had been working on in the time the game has been in development as part of its Darkhaven timeline, in the process revealing that Darkhaven should launch in Steam Early Access close to Q4 2026. The studio also explains that the Kickstarter funding will go towards developing more character classes and skills, adding to the mob roster, building out the game's lore, NPCs, and quests, and adding more biomes and environmental events.

The alleged "low-cost" MacBook design could launch later this year, with mid-2025 reports suggesting that the even cheaper Apple notebook product tier will be powered by A-series chipsets. Industry trackers propose a sub-13-inch device that relies on an A18 Pro SoC—this particular chip is found in iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max (2024) smartphone models. Currently, Apple's entry-level MacBook Air range uses M-series APUs—for example, the 2025 lineup of 13 and 15-inch options are based around the ubiquitous 10-core M4 processor. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman continues to predict the "low-cost MacBook" model's deployment of A18 Pro hardware and a mere 8 GB of unified system memory, likely in a bid to take on Google's Chromebook line. In his latest "Power On" newsletter, the veteran Apple soothsayer believes that the North American giant's engineering design team is exploring a new type of aluminium shell, reserved for the cheaper notebook range.

Leaks from last year described a bright and colorful selection of casing options. Gurman proposes ongoing experiments with light yellow, light green, blue, pink, classic silver, and dark gray schemes. He notes that some colorways are not expected to reach market; possibly as early as next month (within Q1 2026). The budget shell design has reportedly warranted a fresh manufacturing approach; the "Power On" scribe thinks that a swifter and more cost-effective production process has been implemented in recent times. Previously, industry insiders had picked up on whispers regarding an intriguing graphite-clad aluminium substructure—akin to what is used for the iPhone 16 Pro's thermal-wicking internals. A dedicated "Low-cost MacBook" launch event is anticipated; tipsters posit Apple leadership marking a March date on company calendars.

ASUS today announced ASUS ExpertBook B3 G2, a configurable Copilot+ PC designed for business, available in 14-inch and 16-inch models and featuring a durable, lightweight design starting from just 1.45 kg, a 180° lay-flat design, advanced AI capabilities, enterprise-grade security, and seamless collaboration.

Powered by up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 3 processors with integrated GPU and NPU acceleration power, ExpertBook B3 G2's advanced AI features—including ASUS MyExpert, Microsoft Copilot+, and noise-canceling technology—enhance business productivity. The lightweight, easily-maintained design offers extensive I/O options and support for high-speed Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Security is strengthened by ASUS ExpertGuardian, delivering NIST SP 800-193 compliance, dual-ROM recovery, and TPM 2.0 protection for robust data resilience.

Dive into an unforgettable adventure with Darwin the octopus! Darwin's Paradox!—a brand new story-driven adventure platformer developed in partnership with ZDT Studio—releases April 2. Pre-orders have started! Embark on a grand adventure worthy of a true animated movie with Darwin, an octopus as charming as he is clever, ripped from the ocean and trapped in a massive and mysterious industrial complex. With his extraordinary intelligence and incredible abilities—swimming, camouflage, and many other fascinating skills—help him overcome the most formidable traps and dangers in this captivating platformer, adventure, and puzzle game.

The time for tactical tentacle action has arrived
Play the Darwin's Paradox! Tactical Octopus Action Demo right now. Can you find all the Easter eggs? In the peaceful vastness of the ocean, Darwin, a young octopus, explores the deep sea… until a strange beam of light pierces the abyss and pulls him toward the surface. Thrust out of his aquatic world, he wakes up disoriented in the middle of a gigantic junkyard, backed by a foreboding factory. But something is wrong. Between the threatening machines, strange holding tanks, and the mysterious and dangerous creatures and characters that inhabit the place, Darwin realizes he is in danger.

MSI's "built to be perfect" GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z design was heavily showcased at CES 2026, with press material referring to an unusual 2500 W "Extreme Performance OC" (XOC) BIOS. At the time, it was rumored that an official file had been issued exclusively to professional overclockers. Weeks later, said XOC BIOS has seeped out onto the net—as of this afternoon, the TechPowerUp VGA BIOS collection contains this release (also leaked on the Overclock.net forum). As outlined during the January Las Vegas trade event (and since), experts surmised that LN2 (liquid nitron)-based cooling would be essential in tempering the card's supposed extreme modes of operation. TechPowerUp's resident graphics card reviewer, W1zzard, did not delve into world record-breaking activities when evaluating MSI's ultra flagship model. The card's "800 W out of the box" power limit should be sufficient for most mortals who can afford the audaciously official $5090 MSRP. Fresh news reports have tracked wild fluctuations in price; going as high as $14,000.

Jonathan Alva, an Indonesian extreme overclocker and YouTuber, has run several GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z experiments. A past weekend video upload mentions a consulting role as part of the MSI Lightning Z model's development. Unfortunately, a recent session—involving the aforementioned 2500 W XOC BIOS—has resulted in the cracking of the first sample's "Blackwell" GB202-300-A1 GPU die. Despite the leveraging of a custom LN2 solution, in collaboration with the ARX (arxidmedia) lab, a probable thermal shock incident ended the GPU's existence. It is suspected that an outdated version of the firmware caused too much voltage to be sent within a short frame of time. Thankfully, Alva can continue his "just an average overclocker" adventures with another prototype board, as well as three finalized retail units.

Giants in the gaming industry seem to be increasingly excited about the future of generative AI in gaming. Unity, who has previously toyed with AI for features like facial animations, just announced in a recent earnings call that it will be leaning further into the tech with what it calls "AI-driven authoring," a new tech that it is planning on introducing at the Game Developer Conference in March. Unity says that this new AI solution will allow developers to create entire casual games native to the Unity engine without ever needing to touch code. "At the Game Developer Conference in March, we'll be unveiling a beta of the new upgraded Unity AI, which will enable developers to prompt full casual games into existence with natural language only, native to our platform—so it's simple to move from prototype to finished product," said Unity CEO, Matthew Bromberg. It's telling that the CEO specifies that the model will be able to generate casual games, which are usually less demanding than a full-scale AAA game, for example, but it remains to be seen what level of complexity the AI will be capable of and what sort of human intervention will be required.

He explained that the natural language model will be "powered by our unique understanding of the project context and our runtime," and that this combination will "provide more efficient, more effective results to game developers than general-purpose models alone." Unity uses a mixture of first- and third-party AI models during different steps of the Unity AI pipeline, all of which is detailed in the Unity AI legal guidelines document. This announcement comes shortly after a State of the Game Industry Survey revealed that, while many game industry workers at large studios are using generative AI across multiple disciplines, most of those same workers agree that the widespread use of generative AI is a detriment to the industry. Workers at EA have previously noted that increased use of gen-AI tools has also come at the cost of time and efficiency. Despite this, EA's new owner will continue leaning into an AI pivot in the name of cost savings, which is a pattern we may see become increasingly common as game engines and other development tools continue to integrate AI tools.

Hello, in 2025, No Man's Sky Travellers were treated to one of our biggest years yet. Even we struggle to know how we pulled off so many large updates last year—Worlds Part II and Voyagers were both transformational and released in the same year, interspersed with smaller but significant updates in Relics, Beacon and Breach. We're pleased to announce that our first update of 2026, our 10th anniversary year, is already rolling out. It's called Remnant, and it introduces something that we and the community have been aching to introduce to No Man's Sky since the beginning… a fully operational gravity gun! Full patch notes are available here.

The Gravitino Coil is a powerful new anti-gravity module for your multi-tool. It turns No Man's Sky into a physics playground. Allowing you to grab large objects and fling, toss or carefully carry them around the world. Salvage and debris that could always be found on planets can now be collected and recycled for rare and highly prized resources. New trucks, tipping flatbeds and haulers can be constructed, to transport resources back to industrial yards for reclamation. You can work alone or join a salvage crew with friends. It creates this really fun and tactile new loop of searching for wrecks, loading trucks full of cargo and hauling across the alien landscape to industrial yards to gain new loot and rewards.

Over a month ago, ASRock fully presented its brand-new Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi White OC 16 GB graphics card model. To some surprise, the Taiwanese PC hardware manufacturer has not released a simple pale redecoration of this generation's (RDNA 4) standard gray metallic Taichi SKU. Last week, a sponsored review was published by GDM Japan. So far, only Japanese PC enthusiasts have enjoyed public hands-on experience with the new flagship model. Despite claims of ASRock exhibiting a preview sample at CES 2026, TechPowerUp's ground team did not spot any demo units at the firm's Las Vegas graphics card showcase. The opening section of GDM's write-up mentions several recent domestic promo events, including one held in Tokyo's Akihabara Electric Town. The new model's unique selling point is an integrated 2-inch color LCD screen—officially dubbed "LCD Information Center." As expected, GDM dives deep into this fun feature. They managed to upload custom images and animated content (GIFs) via ASRock's Polychrome SYNC suite. Under normal modes, the small screen can inform users about GPU clocks, fan speeds, and operating temperatures.

The Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi White OC candidate was hooked up to a test build based on Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K processor and ASRock's "ultra-high-end" Z890 Taichi AQUA motherboard. Performance-wise, the white variant seems to do just as well as its metallic gray sibling. GDM concludes that the latest model only distinguishes itself in terms of aesthetics; mainly through its "striking" white design and integrated screen gimmick. In their analysis of the Taichi White OC's debut review, VideoCardz has highlighted the test subject boosting well beyond the factory-set 3.1 GHz boost clock rating. Months into RDNA 4's lifecycle, only a handful of Team Red board partners had released custom designs overclocked to this level, with only ASRock and Sapphire choosing to implement the controversial 12V-2×6 power connector. Under load, GDM reported the "Navi 48 XTX" GPU boosting up to a maximum of 3296 MHz. Last March, TechPowerUp's W1zzard got his gray Taichi evaluation unit overclocked up to an average of 3213 MHz. We hope that upcoming non-sponsored reviews will provide a clearer picture of the Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi White OC SKU's capabilities.

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition has launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC via the Ubisoft Store and Steam, and with a Ubisoft+ subscription. Rediscover the magical world of Rayman as you rescue Electoons and save the world from Mr. Dark by punching and hair-coptering your way through memorable areas like the Dream Forest and the musical chaos of the Band Lands.

Rayman is back again!
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the initial release, Ubisoft partnered with Atari and Digital Eclipse to bring this timeless classic to current-gen consoles and PC. Many of you may have enjoyed a magical journey to the Glade of Dreams a while back, but this time all of us have worked hard to let you play the experience you might remember.

Since the introduction of Intel's brand-new "Panther Lake-H" mobile processor series, the flagship Arc B390 integrated graphics solution has received the lion's share of media attention. The impressive 12 Xe3-core iGPU is reserved for Core Ultra 300 series X9 and X7 models—likely a sore point for budget-conscious prospective buyers. When considering Team Blue's (roughly) "20% upcharge for a generational leap," customers seek current-gen solace elsewhere (AMD Radeon 890M). Fortunately, the step-down Arc B370 model seems to be relatively performant. The (presumably) much cheaper in-house alternative has been test driven by Notebookcheck. A preview report, published on February 13, provides an initial look at the 10 Xe3-core contender, that was onboard a Core Ultra 5 338H engineering sample. The German publication noted that the 12-core (4P + 8E) processor test subject ran with a "steady power limit of 35 watts." When comparing the Arc B370 to its more capable sibling, Notebookcheck outlined key points of interest: "the maximum GPU clock is also slightly lower at 2.4 vs. 2.5 GHz. Just like models (armed with) the Arc B390 GPU, the Core Ultra 5 338H is only available with soldered RAM (up to 8533 MHz)."

A disappointing Furmark score leaked out late last year, but it is reassuring to see the B370 performing admirably a few months later. Notebookcheck's tester observed this model being: "beaten by the Arc B390 in the synthetic benchmarks, but the power limits also play a role here...The results of the Arc B370 are very promising in general and there is a big advantage over previous iGPUs from Intel (Arc Graphics 140V/140T) as well as AMD (Radeon 890M)." Their 3DMark/Time Spy graphics chart shows the Core Ultra 5 338H engineering sample's Arc B370 iGPU scoring 5933 points. The B390 managed 6679 points, when evaluated on an ASUS ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA test platform. When analyzing performance at lower TDP values, Notebookcheck noticed that the Arc B370's performance being "virtually identical to the Arc B390 at 20 Watts, while the deficit is just 6 % at 35 Watts." Further comprehensive tests are expected in the coming weeks, as Intel's Core Ultra 5 338H heads to retail in finalized form.

Upgrade the standard 9.5 mm Ultra-Slim ODD bay into a removable U.2/U.3 NVMe SSD bay that delivers enterprise-class speed and reliability in limited space. Ideal for Dell, HP, and Lenovo business desktops, compact workstations, and industrial or government systems, the MB411V4PO-2B enables quick drive maintenance, secure data access, and flexible storage expansion for environments where uptime and serviceability matter. This conversion adapter enables quick drive maintenance, secure data access, and flexible storage expansion where uptime and serviceability are essential.

OCuLink 4i PCIe Gen 4 x4 - Native U.2/U.3 NVMe Performance
Equipped with a native OCuLink 4i (SFF-8612) interface, the MB411V4PO-2B connects directly to NVMe hosts for PCIe Gen 4 x4 performance, delivering up to 64 Gbps transfer bandwidth - over 10× faster than traditional SATA ODD interfaces (6 Gbps). This dramatic increase in throughput enables faster data migration, real-time backups, and improved workflow efficiency for business and industrial applications.

Razer, the world's leading lifestyle brand for gamers, proudly announces the launch of the Razer NiKo Collection, an exclusive line created in partnership with Counter-Strike (CS) icon Nikola "NiKo" Kovač. Built for competitive dominance and inspired by NiKo's relentless pursuit of victory, this collection brings pro-level performance and bold design to gamers worldwide.

A year into his tenure with Team Razer, this collection marks a long-awaited milestone for NiKo and his community. Crafted through an extensive development process, this collaboration was guided by authenticity and intention - built to meet the standards of one of the greatest players in CS history.

I am thrilled to finally be able to deliver updates on Silent Hill: Townfall, following our announcement back in 2022. Screen Burn may be a small development team, but they have taken their time to craft a game that we can now present with confidence. In the recent State of Play, we (Konami) revealed a new trailer that gives you a glimpse into the world that awaits. Please enjoy. To explain more, I will hand it over to Jon McKellan, Writer and Director at Screen Burn Interactive on Silent Hill: Townfall.

A new chapter
With Silent Hill: Townfall, we at Screen Burn Interactive wanted to both evolve the unique narrative design that we had experimented with in our past games while pushing into ambitious territory, with a new town to explore, horrific enemies to fight and evade, and story-driven puzzles that help deliver a new but distinctly Silent Hill tale of mystery, tragedy and loss. With our first full trailer release, we have shown a slice of what to expect, answered some long lingering questions, and likely raised some new ones too…

In mid-February, Acer is facing multiple challenges in Europe and Asia. This past weekend, news reports outlined a court-ordered cease and desist ruling that prevents PC and laptop sales in Germany. Last Friday (February 13), the company's Japanese office informed the local customer base about forthcoming price tag changes. Since November 2025, tech companies have wrestled with an extremely constrained supply of vital components. The regional branch's social media account described inevitable hikes: "due to rising prices of major components such as memory and SSDs, Acer will revise the prices of PC products on its official online store starting from February 20, 2026. Purchases at the current prices will be available until February 19. We will continue striving to improve our product value. We appreciate your understanding." The same notification was issued by the firm's gaming brand (Acer Predator/PlayMaster) to local customers. The Taiwanese multinational PC hardware manufacturer's Japanese division did hint about current circumstances not affecting a handful of items; their statement alluded to a non-specific selection of products remaining "unchanged" in terms of asking prices. At the time writing, Acer's other regional operations have not released similar warnings.

TSMC is reportedly planning to announce the addition of four new fabs at its Phoenix, Arizona site, known as TSMC Arizona. According to the Financial Times, TSMC will add four additional fab buildings at its Arizona campus, worth about $100 billion, with an official confirmation expected as early as April, just two months from the time of writing. In January, TSMC reportedly purchased additional 900-acres of land directly across the highway from the existing site north of Phoenix, preparing to expand its campus across. That extra production capacity will be supported by an estimated $100 billion of additional funding that TSMC is willing to spend on U.S. soil, despite making additional simultaneous investments back home in Taiwan.

However, many of the deal's specifics are still uncertain. According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, about $100 billion of those pledges are firm, which means that the total value of TSMC's investment in Arizona will amount to $265 billion. About $165 billion has already been invested in Arizona, and another $100 billion will make this one of the highest ever external investments on U.S. soil. Interestingly, TSMC is not alone in this investment round, as its supply chain partners are expected to contribute about $30 billion of the $100 billion figure, meaning that many more players are gathering funds to form the new supply chain independence.

UK-based seating specialist, Boulies, a leader in high-performance ergonomic seating, today announces the launch of the EP500 ergonomic chair, designed to provide all-day comfort for work, rest or gaming with adjustable features and a wide 51 cm seat to suit users of all different heights and body shapes.

Designed for larger body types and personalized comfort, the Boulies EP500 has a wide 51 cm seat and is built for people from 165 cm to 190 cm, ensuring that it can support people of all body types and a wide range of users. Combined with the adjustable backrest height and seat depth adjustment, it allows users to personalize their seating position, ensuring ergonomic support for people of different heights and body shapes.

Of all the action-RPG franchises to make you work for an epic moment, Monster Hunter is up there among the ones that push you hardest, and the Monster Hunter Stories series is no exception to the rule. You take on the lowest rank Monsters, you get pummelled into the dirt until you learn how to beat them, and then you excitedly hurry back home to build a new weapon and a cool set of armor from the creature you've just murked, ready to go through the entire process again with a slightly harder monster. It's a rewarding battle, but a tough one, and Monster Hunter's greatest secrets are often reserved for those that take the time to fully embrace its many systems.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection shows you right from the start that things are going to be a little different around here. In the first minute of my hands-on session with the game, my Rider (not a Hunter, but we'll get into that later) is sprinting down a cliff at warp speed before leaping right off the edge, only to be caught mid-air by her pet Rathalos and, together, they soar across a glittering lake, in what may be the most breath-taking introduction to a Monster Hunter game I've seen yet, inviting you, the player, to immediately take the reigns of this majestic creature - who, for once, isn't a foe to be conquered, but a friend. It's a stark contrast to the opening of Monster Hunter Stories 2, in which you carry a Rathalos egg around for hours before it hatches. This introduction feels like the culmination of a spin-off that's ready to step out of the shadow of its mainline series, and show us exactly what it can do.

Earlier last week, more details emerged regarding Intel's rumored top-level 52-core "Nova Lake-S" processor model. According to recent leaks, this flagship Core Ultra Series 4 design is expected to feature a 16 P-core, 32 E-core, and 4 low-power island E-core configuration, paired with big last-level cache (bLLC). An unprecedented 700 W power consumption figure (under full load) was floated by kopite7kimi, with Jaykihn weighing in about the "NVL-S" series' TJMax (Thermal Junction Maximum) not being offset. Also, they mentioned that "thermal throttling cannot be disabled." Days later (on February 13), Jaykihn issued another "preliminary" prediction: "only some (motherboards) will support the full-power 52-core (52C) platform. Other boards will limit the performance and power of the 52C platform." When poring over this information, VideoCardz connected dots between the very best "Core Ultra Series 4" dual-tile options to a speculative and new "Core X" HEDT product lineup.

In theory, the highest level models could bear "Core X9" designations; akin to the recently launched flagship "Panther Lake-H" chip (Core Ultra X9 388H). Normally, Intel's workstation-focused Xeon processor families have occupied the HEDT segment. As a fallback hypothesis, VideoCardz envisions the "X" marking being applied exclusively to bLLC-augmented variants—likely specifying advertising elevated gaming performance; similar to AMD's "X3D" naming scheme. In their past weekend report, the popular online publication has dismissed rumors about Team Blue nixing the single-tile (with bLLC) side of the "Nova Lake-S" series. Instead, VideoCardz envisions two "mainstream" single-tile SKUs arriving—later in the year—pipped to take on equivalents within Team Red's Ryzen 7 and 9 desktop processor tiers. Two larger siblings, in premium dual-time form (with bLLC), are anticipated as forming a new HEDT line.

Sony is reportedly postponing the launch of its next-generation PlayStation 6 console to 2028 or 2029 due to the massive rise in memory costs. This is reportedly impacting decision-making at the top of the company unit responsible for PlayStation strategic planning. Rising memory costs and a tight semiconductor supply chain are the core reasons behind any changes. Initially, we expected to see the wave of next-generation consoles in 2027, as AMD recently confirmed Microsoft's next-generation Xbox arriving in 2027. However, Sony could be abandoning the 2027 release window and pushing its PlayStation 6 console to a late 2028 or even 2029 launch, indicating that the company is not capable of securing sufficient DRAM allocation from its partners. This could leave Microsoft's new Xbox console as superior for an entire year or even two before Sony could join the next-generation console wars.

BloombergSony Group Corp. is now considering pushing back the debut of its next PlayStation console to 2028 or even 2029, according to people familiar with the company's thinking. That would be a major upset to a carefully orchestrated strategy to sustain user engagement between hardware generations.

AMD, a leader in high-performance and AI computing, and Tata Consultancy Services, a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, have expanded their strategic collaboration. TCS, through its subsidiary HyperVault AI Data Center Limited (HyperVault), and AMD will codevelop a rack-scale AI infrastructure design based on the AMD "Helios" platform in support of India's national AI initiatives.

Powered by GPUs, next-generation AMD EPYC "Venice" CPUs, AMD Pensando Vulcano NICs and the open ROCm software ecosystem, "Helios" is purpose-built to deliver a rack-scale AI platform supporting sovereign AI factories. "Helios," combined with TCS' enterprise expertise and scale, will accelerate deployment and enhance operational efficiencies for enterprises. As part of this strategic collaboration, both companies will offer an AI-ready data center blueprint supporting up to 200 MW of capacity and will work with hyperscalers and AI companies to accelerate data center build-outs in India.

Engineered for gamers who demand both extreme performance and portability, the HE30 one-handed keyboard embodies the "ready-to-fight-on-the-go" philosophy, packing professional-grade esports capabilities into a lightweight body. Featuring a compact 30% layout, it also boasts advanced features like 0.01 mm adjustable Hall effect triggers and DKS/SOCD support, all aimed at helping players break records and set new benchmarks in mobile esports.

Ultimate Portability Design
The HE30 is crafted with a lightweight body and a detachable wrist strap for ultimate portability. Its 36-key ultra-compressed layout retains the F-key row while expanding the TGB key area, accurately covering the control needs of FPS, MOBA, and other mainstream esports games. The compact 30% layout leaves ample space for low-sensitivity mouse movements, especially suited for high-paced games like FPS. The innovative removable wrist strap design ensures the keyboard can be easily attached to a gear bag, making it highly portable for travel, tournaments, or casual gaming sessions.

According to the latest ruling from the Munich Regional Court, ASUS and Acer are banned from directly selling their PCs in Germany—Europe's largest economy. The judgment, handed down on January 22, 2026, has already led both manufacturers to suspend or remove affected product listings from their German online stores while they assess legal options and the scope of the ruling. The court's order targets the manufacturers' own sales and distribution channels, rather than retailers selling existing stock, effectively leaving the German market to supply only through other OEMs and the remaining inventory from ASUS and Acer.

The core reasoning behind this decision is patent claims asserted by Nokia, including patents related to core HEVC/H.265 encoding and decoding techniques. As both ASUS and Acer use GPUs, processors, and many other digital decoding/encoding engines for video, the use has to be licensed, and the sales can only proceed with approval from Nokia. The judges concluded that the two OEMs had not demonstrated the conduct of willing licensees under FRAND rules, which allowed the court to grant injunctive relief instead of limiting the remedy to damages. We don't have information on the length of the ban, which will likely require a followup with the court and two OEMs.

Intel has released its latest 32.0.101.8509 WHQL driver package, bringing support for XeSS 3 across multiple graphics generations and finally ending the launch exclusivity of "Panther Lake" integrated graphics. Now, Intel supports XeSS 3 multi-frame generation across Arc B-series "Battlemage" and A-series "Alchemist" discrete GPUs. For other integrated GPUs, only the Intel Arc GPU family is receiving official support, with "Meteor Lake," "Lunar Lake," and laptop "Arrow Lake-H" chips now offering full XeSS 3 support for 4x the frame output with AI-based frame generation. As Intel recently launched "Panther Lake," some game issues occurred, but thankfully they have been resolved. This includes color corruption in Ghost of Tsushima using DirectX 12 and game crashes in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord using DirectX 11. However, some "Panther Lake" issues persist, with certain titles crashing and experiencing in-game corruption, which is expected to receive an official fix in upcoming driver releases.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.8509 WHQL

Intel has once again confirmed its product roadmap for the next generation of graphics IP, despite rumors that there might not be anything new after the launch of the Xe3P. According to a new presentation from Intel's Anil Nanduri, Vice President of GTM & Product Management AI Accelerators, responsible for data center AI accelerators, Intel will have a dedicated graphics portfolio after the recently introduced "Crescent Island." Labeled as "Xe Next," the next generation of GPU IP is still under development and currently without an official name. It is expected to follow the rollout of the Xe3P-based "Crescent Island" inference-focused GPUs. With "Xe Next," the data center lineup is seemingly expanding into two production lines: inference-focused "Crescent Island" GPUs and the long-awaited "Jaguar Shores" GPU for AI training and HPC workloads.

For AI training and HPC workloads, Intel's "Jaguar Shores" design is reportedly being finalized and will be completed by the middle of this year, with production starting shortly after. Assuming a perfect design, we could see Intel's "Jaguar Shores" GPU late this year or early 2027. It will likely involve a mix of Intel's internal production in collaboration with TSMC or Intel's pure 18A design, assuming yields are manageable. We have already seen that Intel confirmed HBM4 memory will be used in these accelerators, and SK hynix appears to be the main partner supplying Intel with this memory. As a rack-scale design, Intel will compete with NVIDIA and AMD in the highest-margin business.

In a rather unfortunate throwback to the early days of the Hall effect gaming keyboard boom, it seems as though the new Haptic Inductive Trigger System in the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike gaming mouse is resulting in players getting permanently banned from Apex Legends for cheating. This is according to a new post on X by Iaroslav Mamalat, who shared a screenshot of an Apex Legends ban report that claims the player used gameplay enhancements.

An email received by the same player reads: "We observed: Gameplay enhancement. This means using unauthorized methods to enhance in-game performance by removing gameplay constraints or improving in-game abilities (e.g. weapon, movement, or item enhancements)." This potentially refers to the use of rapid trigger technology in the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike, but there are other reports in the replies to the X post that suggest it may simply have been a false ban, since similar has happened to other players who weren't using the new Logitech gaming mouse. Curiously, EA doesn't actually ordinarily ban rapid trigger keyboards in Apex Legends, but it isn't uncommon for game studios to ban SOCD, especially in competitive FPS games. Some theories online suggest that EA's anti-cheat may be using timing as a way to detect macro inputs, and that rapid trigger on the Superstrike may be resulting in click spamming that exceeds that timing threshold, resulting in a ban.

Update Feb 23rd: It has been confirmed by a Respawn team member in the r/apexlegends subreddit that this was a false ban, although it was seemingly still the result of the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike triggering a minimum threshold.

ADLINK Technology Inc., a global leader in edge AI computing, announced the expansion of its product portfolio with four high-performance, server-class edge AI systems—the ISB-W890 server board, and the AXE-7440GW, AXE-7420GWA, and AXE-7220GW GPU servers. This new lineup is purpose-built on the Intel Xeon 600 processors, complementing ADLINK's existing Edge AI platforms by addressing more compute-intensive workloads, enabling high-end, real-time vision processing, advanced analytics, and large-scale generative AI at the edge.

As industries move beyond AI pilots, the demand for server-class performance at the edge is growing rapidly, particularly for real-time visual intelligence and on-site generative AI inference. ADLINK's Edge AI servers support high-end vision processing and analytics—including VLA workloads—making them ideal for demanding environments like medical imaging, robotics, and smart factory AOI, where latency, accuracy, and reliability are critical.

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.