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For those who appreciate mechanical keyboards, you might have noticed the relatively new trend of wood casings. Sharkoon decided to join them and unveiled the Skiller SGK50 Wood Series. Available in three distinct form factors, these keyboards marry wooden casings with PBT keycaps, hot-swap switches, damping materials, and extensive customisation options.

The Skiller SGK50 Wood series effortlessly blends a gorgeous wooden shell with contemporary design elements like RGB lighting and a USB-C coiled cable, creating an attention-grabbing aesthetic. Beneath the PBT keycaps, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switches come pre-installed. These switches, known for their smoothness and an operating force of 50 (±15g), ensure a satisfying and consistent typing experience right out of the box.

The Skiller SGK50 Wood series keyboards support any 3-pin or 5-pin mechanical switches, allowing enthusiasts to experiment and find their perfect typing feel. Conveniently, all the necessary tools for hot-swapping are included with the keyboard, making customisation a breeze. To ensure the keyboard sounds as good as it looks, Sharkoon has engineered the internal acoustics, incorporating a polycarbonate positioning plate and silicone damping to produce a deep and satisfying sound profile. In addition, the Skiller SGK50 Wood series allows for rapid, on-the-fly adjustments to RGB lighting and macros without additional software, as it's compatible with VIA and QMK.

The new Skiller SGK50 Wood series is available now, with pricing varying by form factor and whether a barebones version is desired. The Skiller SGK50 S4 Gen 2 Wood PBT (60% layout) is priced at €149.90, with a barebones option at €119.90. The Skiller SGK50 S3 Wood PBT (75% layout) comes in at €159.90 or €129.90 for the barebones. For those who prefer a more complete layout, the Skiller SGK50 S2 Wood PBT (96% layout) is available for €169.90, with its barebones counterpart at €139.90.

KitGuru says: Would you consider getting a wooden keyboard? Of all the options the Skiller SGK50 Wood keyboard series offers, which do you prefer?

As the news of mass layoffs at Microsoft continues to spread, more details about cancelled games are coming to light. This afternoon, it was reported that Rare's next game, Everwild, has now been cancelled. Now, it looks like the Perfect Dark reboot and a new MMO from Zenimax have also been cancelled.

Jason Schreier, who has been closely covering the layoffs at Xbox for weeks, has learned that Zenimax Online Studios has cancelled a new MMORPG that began development back in 2018. This game, codenamed Project Blackbird, was in development for eight years before being scrapped as part of the most recent cost-cutting measures.

This news closely follows the report that Rare Studios had also suffered a cancellation, with plans for Everwild being scrapped entirely after first announcing the game in 2019.

There is also a rumour going around claiming that the Perfect Dark reboot, a collaborative project between Microsoft studio ‘The Initiative' and Crystal Dynamics, has also been cancelled. However, there has yet to be a reliable source to back this claim up.

The full scope of the layoffs at Xbox is not yet fully understood and Microsoft has still not made any public statements, despite rumours floating around in the press for weeks.

KitGuru Says: The cancellations of Everwild and this MMO are disappointing but not entirely unexpected. Everwild was announced in 2019 and was not close to being released. The same goes for this MMO, which was first discovered by fans when Microsoft acquired Zenimax in 2020.  As for Perfect Dark, that appears to just be a rumoured cancellation for now and has very little backing it up. 

Following initial rumours from last month, Microsoft has begun announcing its planned job cuts to internal studios. The full scope of the impact is still being determined but around 9000 layoffs are expected. Rare is reported as one of the studios affected, following the cancellation of Everwild. 

Rare first announced Everwild at an Xbox event in 2019. At the time, we did get a lengthy cinematic trailer but it quickly became clear through interviews that Rare didn't have a solid plan in place yet for this title. Since then, there have been no official announcements regarding the game.

Now as it turns out, as part of Microsoft's ongoing cost-cutting measures, Everwild has been cancelled. Sources speaking with both Jason Schreier and Insider Gaming make this claim, but it is unknown how many jobs have been cut at Rare, which is expected to continue working on Sea of Thieves and other new projects.

Microsoft has not yet made a public statement about its layoffs but as more internal employees are informed, more information leaks out.

KitGuru Says: I wasn't particularly fond of the Everwild reveal trailer as it didn't really communicate anything about the game itself. Hopefully one day we do get to hear about the actual plan for this game before the cancellation. 

Nvidia has confirmed a significant shift in its driver support strategy, announcing that the upcoming major driver branch (version 580) will be the final release to support three of its older GPU architectures: Maxwell, Pascal, and Volta. This move will impact a range of popular GeForce and professional products that have served gamers and professionals for over a decade.

As Nvidia states in its developer forum (via BlueGoliath), starting with the driver version following the 580 branch, Nvidia will no longer provide support for Maxwell-based GPUs, including the GeForce GTX 700 series (2013) and GTX 900 series (2014). The immensely popular Pascal-based GTX 10 series (2016) will also see its driver support cease. Additionally, the Volta-based GPUs are included in this deprecation plan.

While the announcement specifically references Unix systems, the underlying driver branches are shared across both Windows and Unix-based platforms, making it highly probable that this change will extend to Game Ready drivers for Windows users. If so, Nvidia will effectively discontinue Game Ready driver updates for some of its longest-supported GeForce GTX product lines. However, it's important to note that not all GTX cards will lose support. The GeForce GTX 16 series, which is based on the newer Turing architecture, will continue to receive support.

For users who don't play the latest titles or cannot afford immediate upgrades, their existing driver installations will continue to function. Nvidia has not yet provided a firm release date for the 580 driver branch, nor is there any information regarding the timing of the subsequent major branch that will drop support for these older GPUs. This indicates that the change should still be months away, minimising any immediate impact on users.

KitGuru says: This deprecation targets architectures 11 years old, well past their typical prime in the fast-moving hardware landscape. However, Volta-based GPUs are only about 7 years old, and considering they were the flagships at launch, it seems it could be a bit premature to end support on them.

Since completing the $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in late 2023, Microsoft has been looking to pump up Xbox's profit margins. That effort has already led to several rounds of job cuts, with another now set to take place this week. 

Last month it emerged that Microsoft was intending to announce another round of company-wide job cuts. Now, Bloomberg reports that several studios across the Xbox / Microsoft Gaming branch have now been informed of the cuts being made.

It is reported that King, based in Barcelona and a key part of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, will be reducing its job count by 10%, which will lead to around 200 people losing their jobs. Other Europe-based offices for subsidiaries like Zenimax are also beginning to inform employees of layoffs.

The full scope of the layoffs still needs to be established but Microsoft has begun informing employees, which means a public announcement is likely to roll in soon.

KitGuru Says: This is the fourth round of layoffs at Microsoft since completing the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Hopefully we don't end up seeing any studios shut down in this new shake-up. 

We have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 case which heavily features aluminium throughout its construction. It looks great and comes with four case fans at a reasonable price but it also comes with some drawbacks. Watch our video and you will learn all you need to know about the MasterFrame 600.

Time stamps
00:00 Start
00:54 Overview
01:44 Fans and Rad Support
01:56 Construction, panels, brackets and filters
05:11 The Modular system – Fan installation / Panels
07:55 Moving the Cooler Master Logo !?
11:13 200mm Fans and Accessories
15:37 A look at the Drive Cage
17:17 The Test System
17:50 Testing the Case
19:25 Leo's Closing Thoughts

• Main features
  The MasterFrame 600 is a premium open-frame mid-tower chassis built for high-performance hardware, extreme cooling, and total customization. Designed with FreeForm 2.0 in mind, it supports ATX to E-ATX motherboards and offers full access to modular design files, empowering users to build and evolve without limits.
• FreeForm 2.0 Exo-structure
  The exposed frame structure enhances chassis adaptability and provides flexible configuration options for various scenarios.
• Versatile & Maker-Driven
  Its open source design and interchangeable panels offer endless personalization possibilities, transforming your chassis into a unique expression of style.
• Flexible Motherboard Support
  Supports Mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards, offering compatibility with a wide range of builds and configurations.
• Extensive Cooling Support
  Can house up to eleven fans and multiple radiator sizes (up to 420mm), ensuring superior thermal performance.
• Ample GPU Clearance
  Accommodates graphics cards up to 485mm, offering plenty of space for high-end GPUs.
• Tool-Free Panel Removal
  Easily remove side panels and other components without tools for quick access and modifications during build or upgrades.
• Included GPU Support Bracket
  The included GPU support bracket prevents GPU sag and ensures stability during intense gaming or high-performance workloads, maintaining a clean and secure build.

Specification:
Motherboard support: E-ATX up to 330mm, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
Power supply support: ATX.
Expansion slots: 8.
Included fans: 3x 140mm Mobius front intake, 1x 120mm Mobius rear exhaust.
Fan mounts: 3x 120mm/3x 140mm/2x 180mm/2x 200mm front, 3x 120mm/2x 140mm/2x 180mm/1x 200mm roof, 1x 120mm rear, 3x 120mm/3x 140mm side.
Radiator mounts: 360mm/420mm front, 360mm/420mm roof (if you move the IO panel), 120mm rear, 360mm/420mm side.
5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
Internal drive bays: 2x 3.5-inch/2.5-inch, 3x 2.5-inch.
Front I/O ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, audio.
Dimensions: 544mm H x 531mm D x 244mm W.

Testing
To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, Palit RTX 5080 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos II
Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BIOS 1512
Memory: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000
Graphics card: Palit RTX 5080 Gamerock OC 16GB
Power supply: Seasonic Focus GX-1000
SSD: Crucial T700 Gen 5 M.2 NVMe
OS: Windows 11 Pro

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

We tested the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 on an unpleasantly warm 27 degrees C day with high end gaming hardware and it passed the test tolerably well. Our main takeaway is the way the CPU temperature drops significantly as the fan speed ramps up. The fans supplied with the MasterFrame 600 appear to work well so we feel the the case filters are quite restrictive and require higher pressure to work adequately. The downside, as you will see in our video, is that high fan speeds result in high noise levels.

Closing Thoughts

In our video we dwell on the details of the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 to give you a deeper understanding of the process that has clearly gone into the design of this case. The problem, as we see it, is that the details are fiddly and complicated and we predict you could spend an hour or two working with the Cooler Master build guide if you decide to move the major components around.

On the other hand, if you keep things simple, ignore the various accessories and simply build a regular PC with an AIO cooler in the roof (or perhaps with an air tower on the CPU) we are confident you will be happy with the results. The aluminium panels look very good and the build quality is solid, and while the black finish is a nightmare to video it looks great sat on the test bench.

You can buy the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 for £169.99 HERE

Pros:

• High quality look and feel with loads of aluminium.
• Plenty of space for a large motherboard and extensive cooling.
• Good value with four fans included.

Cons:

• Endless options, brackets and screws make for a tough building experience.
• Air flow seems restricted
• The build guide is confusing and complicated.

KitGuru says: The MasterFrame 600 looks great but is awkward to work with.

There are some great freebies to claim this month through Amazon Prime Gaming. This month's batch of free PC games includes classics like Tomb Raider and Saints Row 2, to newer indie games like Endless Space 2.

There are six ‘Prime Day' extra games still available to claim until July 7th. This includes Dungeons of the Endless: Definitive Edition (Amazon Games App), Saints Row 2 (GOG), Saints Row 4 (GOG), Star Wars: Rebellion (GOG), TOEM (GOG) and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, also available through GOG. Getting these games through GOG is a fantastic extra to have, as it means they are all DRM-free.

As of today, Amazon Prime subscribers can also claim free copies of Boxes: Lost Fragments (Epic Games Store) and Paquerette Down the Bunburrows (Epic Games Store). On July 17th, two more games will be available to claim – Endless Space 2: Definitive Edition and Beseige: The Splintered Sea.

On July 24th, you can claim a GOG code for Venba, and you can get a free copy of I Love Finding Wild Friends Collector's Edition. The final game of the month arrives on July 31st – Heroes of Loot (GOG).

KitGuru Says: Will you be claiming any of this month's free Prime games?  

Phanteks has announced the official launch of the XT M3, the latest addition to its XT chassis family. This new micro-ATX offering is designed for gamers and PC builders seeking a blend of high-end performance, exceptional airflow, and a clean, contemporary design—all within an accessible price bracket.

The XT M3 emphasises user-friendliness with its toolless side panels, providing easy access to the interior. Despite its compact footprint, this chassis boasts impressive internal capacity, supporting up to nine fans. It comes pre-installed with three M25 120 mm fans, ensuring a solid cooling foundation right out of the box. The XT M3 also supports 360 mm radiators on the top panel for those who prefer liquid cooling. Furthermore, triple fan mounts allow users to ventilate the graphics card directly.

The interior also accommodates full-size GPUs and is compatible with rear-connect motherboards, facilitating incredibly clean cable routing for a clutter-free interior. Moreover, the XT M3 includes a front I/O panel featuring USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-A 3.0 ports, ensuring modern connectivity options for peripherals.

The Phanteks XT M3 is now available with three M25 fans included or fanless. The version with three pre-installed fans is priced at £59.99/$69.99/€69.90, while the fanless variant is priced at £49.99/€59.90. Both versions are offered in black and white finishes.

KitGuru says: Which colour option of the XT M3 do you like the most?

Each month, all those with a Humble subscription are privy to a select number of titles for ‘free’ as part of the company’s Humble Choice service. For the month of July, all subscribers can get their hands on 8 solid titles, including Cat Quest 3; Death’s Door; Wizard with a Gun and more.

Available to add to your library from now until the end of July, this month’s Humble Choice line-up features the following:

• Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
• Cat Quest 3
• Death's Door
• Daemon x Machina
• Wizard with a Gun
• Neo Cab
• Everafter Falls
• Blanc

While far from the most heavy-hitting of months, July’s line-up features a ton of worthwhile indie experiences, from the cutesy action RPG Cat Quest 3, to the sandbox survival game Wizard with a Gun. In addition, those who missed out on Daemon x Machina back when it released can now give it a go ahead of the sequel’s launch in September.

It is worth noting that Humble recently increased the subscription prices for its Choice service, going up from £8.99 a month (or £98 a year) to £11.49 (and £119.99 a year) beginning this July.

As such, while the above does represent a strong line-up of titles, it appears as though Humble aren’t interested in upping the number/value of games being offered.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this month’s offerings? Is it worth the new asking price? Should Humble offer more titles as a result of the price hike? Let us know down below.

While Marvel Rivals had an extremely strong start following its launch late last year, the live-service hero shooter has since fallen in both player numbers and review scores. That said, NetEase is set to drop their biggest update yet, with Season 3 arriving in just over a week’s time.

Releasing a cinematic teaser trailer (and expanded on later through a dev vlog), the team at NetEase officially announced and detailed Marvel Rivals Season 3: The Abyss Awakens. Set to go live on the 11th of June, the team have confirmed the characters which are planned to release during the season.

Based on the teaser, players can expect to look forward to the additions of Phoenix (likely at the start of the Season) followed by Blade (Season 3.5)

That said, NetEase previously confirmed that starting with Season 3, Marvel Rivals will introduce 3 new characters a season instead of the previous 2. As such, though not yet confirmed, the teaser seems to suggest that Season 3’s villain – Knull – could also become playable later on in the Season.

Counter to this however, it seems as though plans may have changed since then, with Season 3 lasting just two months instead of the previous three – meaning we may only get two new characters after all (albeit at a faster pace).

Finally, NetEase also hinted that a new Klyntar map could be on its way as part of Season 3 – alongside the other typical additions such as new skins and cosmetics, team-up abilities; modes and more.

Additional details on Seasons 3’s other changes, including quality-of-life improvements, customisation enhancements and more, can be found HERE.

As mentioned, Marvel Rivals is currently in the lowest spot it’s been since launch, with the game consistently falling below 100,000 peak concurrent players, and sitting at a ‘Mixed’ on Steam’s recent reviews. It will be interesting to see how impactful the launch of Season 3 will be when it arrives next week.

KitGuru says: Have you played Marvel Rivals recently? What do you think of the state of the game in Season 2? Are you glad they are shortening future Seasons? Let us know down below.

Phasmophobia hit it big back in 2020 when the game was released in Early Access, launching to near immediate success. In the years since, the team at Kinetic Games have continued to work diligently on the game, improving it across the board. 5 years on and Phasmophobia continues to thrive, having now officially sold over 25 million copies.

Making the announcement via a press release, the team at Kinetic Games officially revealed that “Phasmophobia has now surpassed over 25 million sales across all platforms.”

For context, the game first arrived in early access back in September of 2020, going on to achieve near immediate success.

In the years following, a console version of the game was planned. Unfortunately, a fire at the studio’s office led to a number of delays. Finally however, Phasmophobia officially launched on consoles back in October of last year – going on to sell over 1 million units in its first month and pushing total copies to 22 million.

Though we did not get a breakdown of platforms, it is likely that a majority of the 3 million additional players hail from the PS5 / Series X|S. That said, given just how much support Phasmophobia has received (and continues to receive), it’s entirely possible that the game has simply found even more of an audience on the PC platform.

Regardless, Phasmophobia is now one of the best selling games of all time, putting it just outside of the top 50 list. Given just how much the game continues to sell however, it’ll only be a matter of time before it outperforms the likes of GTA: San Andreas; Super Mario Odyssey and perhaps even Elden Ring. We will have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Phasmophobia in 2025? Are you still playing it? Will it outsell Elden Ring when all is said and done? Let us know down below.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of Rockstar’s biggest games of all time, with the open-world title having sold more than 50 million copies since its launch back in 2019. Despite this, the game’s online mode has been mostly abandoned by the team. In a surprise announcement however, Red Dead Online has gotten its first update in 3 years.

In a surprise announcement, Rockstar Games have dropped a new update for Red Dead Online – the first in 3 years. Titled ‘Strange Tales of the West’, the release is described as follows:

“Author Theodore Levin can’t believe the rumors and missives he’s been receiving from the four corners of the American frontier. He’s working on an anthology of these unexplained and weird phenomena and he needs your help investigating the wildest claims that cross his desk.”

Clearly inspired by the likes of the first RDR’s Undead Nightmare zombies mode, this latest update to Red Dead Online introduces “four new Telegram Missions” – each themed around a different genre:

• Strange Tales of The Plague
• Strange Tales of Modern Science
• Strange Tales of The Bayou
• Strange Tales of The Wilderness

Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that the update is listed as being ‘Volume 1’ – suggesting that more volumes are on their way.

Given that Rockstar announced all the way back in 2022 that they were pretty much done with Red Dead Online, this update comes as a welcome surprise – giving credence to the rumours that a Red Dead Redemption 2 remaster is on its way for current-gen consoles. Here’s to hoping.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this surprise update? Is it part of something bigger? When do you think we’ll get the long-awaited RDR2 remaster? Let us know down below.

Having a dedicated home theatre may not be feasible for everyone, particularly when factors like space, cost, and installation make it challenging. The Dangbei N2 Mini might change your mind, especially if you want to mitigate all those challenges to a great extent. The N2 Mini is just a compact version of the Dangbei N2, and while it does downgrade some of the specs, many of the features remain on the Mini version. If you are someone who wants a compact home theatre system at an affordable price, then the N2 Mini might be a compelling option. But before you […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/dangbei-n2-mini-projector-review/

If you have an Nvidia RTX graphics card, you might want to check the rewards section of the Nvidia App, as the company currently offers a free subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. This promotion allows you to try out a broad suite of Adobe's professional photo and video editing tools, including Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects, without an immediate financial commitment.

To be eligible for this offer, you must own an RTX GPU from one of the past three generations. The duration of the free trial varies based on the generation of your card: if you have a GeForce RTX 30 or RTX 40 series card, you'll receive one free month of Adobe Creative Cloud. However, if you own an RTX 50 series GPU, Nvidia is doubling that offer, providing two free months instead.

Furthermore, RTX 50 series GPU owners receive an exclusive bonus: access to Adobe's Substance 3D collection. This reward grants entry to five distinct Adobe applications, such as 3D Sampler, 3D Designer, and 3D Painter, and a substantial content library that can be valuable for game development and other 3D creative projects. A full Adobe Creative Cloud subscription typically costs around $69 per month, so these offers represent a significant value proposition.

A key detail to remember when claiming this reward is that you must provide payment information to Adobe for the one- or two-month trial. After the complimentary period concludes, your subscription will automatically renew, and you will be charged the standard monthly fee. If you do not intend to continue your membership, you must cancel your subscription before your free month or two expires to avoid any charges. It's also important to note that this reward is exclusively for first-time Adobe Creative Cloud users.

KitGuru says: Do you have an RTX 30, 40, or 50 series card? Are you planning to register it to take advantage of Adobe Creative Cloud's free month (or two)?

Montech has announced the global availability of its latest cases, the X5 and X5M. These cases are engineered for performance PC builders, and hardware enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive refresh that blends modern design with next-generation component compatibility and a sleek, racing-inspired aesthetic.

The X5 is a full-featured evolution of the preceding X3 series. It boasts an expanded interior capable of housing E-ATX motherboards, providing ample room for even the most complex and power-hungry system configurations. The X5 accommodates graphics cards up to 420 mm in length. A thoughtful addition is the integrated GPU holder, built directly into the casing, which negates the need for any additional accessories and ensures even the largest next-generation GPUs are securely installed and free from sag. Moreover, the case comes pre-equipped with three 140 mm fans in the front and a single 120 mm fan at the rear. Furthermore, it offers extensive radiator support, with room for up to 360 mm radiators on both the front and top panels.

Aesthetically, the X5 features a fine carbon print finish, lending a sleek, gaming, and subtly motorsport-inspired accent to the case. The integrated ARGB lighting system offers a diverse palette of 25 lighting styles, all controllable via a physical switch on the top I/O interface. This I/O panel includes USB-A and USB-C ports and a compact audio jack.

Accompanying the full-sized X5, the X5M emerges as a more compact alternative with the same design language. It arrives ready for action with four pre-installed 120 mm fans, configured to ensure internal compatibility for top-tier components within its smaller chassis footprint. This makes the X5M ideal for tighter setups or minimalist desk environments with more limited space. Despite its reduced size, the X5M doesn't compromise on visual appeal. It retains the sophisticated carbon-textured appearance and the vibrant ARGB lighting system, ensuring a cohesive look whether paired with its larger X5 sibling or utilised as a standalone build.

Together, the X5 and X5M form a versatile and high-performance case series. The new X5 cases are available in black and white with an MSRP of $75, while the more compact X5M in black and white retails for $59.

KitGuru says: What colour and model are your favourites of the new Montech X5 series?

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