AMD is reportedly planning a new rebranding effort, one that will take a number of older-generation laptop processors and rename them under the new Ryzen 10 or Ryzen 100 series. 

As spotted by @Olrak29_ (via VideoCardz), the changes affect the Ryzen 7035 (Rembrandt-R, Zen 3+) and Ryzen 7020 (Mendocino, Zen 2) series, chips that originally launched back in 2023. Similar to Intel's “Core Series 1” branding, the Ryzen 7035 parts are being reborn as the Ryzen 100 series. For example, a laptop previously listed with a Ryzen 7 7735U might now show up with a Ryzen 7 160.

Similarly, the lower-end Mendocino chips are adopting a two-digit naming scheme, becoming the Ryzen 10 series. So, a Ryzen 5 7520U will now be known as a Ryzen 5 40. Note that these are purely name changes; the underlying silicon, core counts, clock speeds, and performance remain identical to the original 2023 parts. The detailed list of parts can be found below:

• Athlon Silver 7120U → Athlon Silver 10: 2C/2T
• Athlon Gold 7220U → Athlon Gold 20: 2C/4T
• Ryzen 3 7320U → Ryzen 3 30: 4C/8T
• Ryzen 5 7520U → Ryzen 5 40: 4C/8T
• Ryzen 3 7335U → Ryzen 3 110: 4C/8T
• Ryzen 5 7535U → Ryzen 5 130: 6C/12T
• Ryzen 5 7535HS → Ryzen 5 150: 6C/12T
• Ryzen 7 7735U → Ryzen 7 160: 8C/16T
• Ryzen 7 7735HS → Ryzen 7 170: 8C/16T

AMD's official website has already been updated to reflect these new names,

KitGuru says: While there are some key changes here, the general Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 structure remains the same. 

The post AMD to rebrand and re-release some older mobile CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft capped off October with the announcement of the next Halo game. Now, it looks like we are due for some more Xbox-related announcement within the next few weeks, as sources claim a new showcase is being planned. 

WindowsCentral claims to have heard from multiple sources at Microsoft that a new Xbox Partner Preview will go live in November. This would be a short stream, perhaps around 30 minutes long, containing announcements for new third-party games heading to Xbox in the near future.

There is currently no word on what games will be announced but I would expect Square Enix to make an appearance. The company has been quite open about its plans to bring Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to more platforms recently. SEGA has been a strong supporter of Xbox in recent years too, so perhaps we'll see some updates around the Yakuza games.

Apparently, this stream will have a particular focus on Play Anywhere titles, which are games released on both Xbox and PC, with just one purchase required to gain access on both platforms. Apparently, Baldur's Gate 3 is about to join the Play Anywhere program, which would be a very significant announcement.

KitGuru Says: What games would you like to see joining the Xbox Play Anywhere program? 

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Electronic Arts and Battlefield Studios today launched both Battlefield REDSEC, a new free-to-play Battle Royale game, and Season 1 of Battlefield 6, marking a major expansion of the franchise just weeks after the base game’s record-breaking debut. REDSEC introduces a new take on the battle royale genre while Battlefield 6 Season 1 delivers new maps, modes, and a roadmap of content stretching through the holiday season.

REDSEC drops players into Fort Lyndon, Battlefield’s largest map to date, set across the beaches and backyards of Southern California. The mode blends the series’ trademark large-scale combat and tactical destruction with the familiar mechanics of battle royale, pitting 100 players against one another. Alongside the core battle royale, REDSEC also debuts Gauntlet, a squad-based elimination tournament where eight teams of four compete in rapid five-minute missions.

In a surprise turn, REDSEC also supports Battlefield Portal, so users will be able to make custom maps and modes for REDSEC, as well as the full premium Battlefield 6 release.

Season 1 of Battlefield 6, titled Rogue Operations, launches today with a new map, Blackwell Fields, set in the arid shrublands of Southern California. The update also introduces Strikepoint, a close-quarters 4v4 mode that emphasizes one-life, squad-focused combat over a single capture point. Players can unlock new weapons and progress through a themed Battle Pass featuring 100 tiers, multiple progression paths, and prestige levels, with premium options available.

The season will continue with two additional content drops: California Resistance on November 18th, which adds a suburban map and the new Sabotage mode, and Winter Offensive on December 9th, which brings seasonal-themed content.

KitGuru Says: Are you going to be downloading Battlefield REDSEC this week?

The post Battlefield REDSEC is free to play launches today first appeared on KitGuru.

The GOG Autumn Sale is now live and right alongside it, the team has announced a new round of titles joining the GOG Preservation Program. Designed to keep a large selection of classics playable on PC for generations to come, the Preservation Program now adds games like Tomb Raider, Hitman and more. 

Tomb Raider Game of the Year Edition offers the original game in its most complete form. Under the GOG Preservation Program, the game will remain accessible on modern hardware and operating systems for years to come. This new round of games also includes the original Hitman game, a fitting addition as the franchise hits its 25th Anniversary this month.

Here is the full list of newly announced games for the GOG Preservation Program:

• Tomb Raider GOTY
• Hitman: Codename 47
• SPORE Collection
• Clive Barker’s Undying
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell®
• Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy
• Superhero League of Hoboken
• Heart of China
• Thunderscape
• North & South
• Titus The Fox: To Marrakech and Back
• Battle Chess 4000
• Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
• Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus
• Call of Cthulhu: Prisoner of Ice
• Bloodwych

If you want to see an old, unavailable game brought back to life, remember to use the GOG Dreamlist, where you can vote for old titles to be brought back in digital, DRM-free form.

On top of these announcements today, the GOG Autumn Sale has also just gone live, offering savings across thousands of games on the store.

KitGuru Says: The GOG Preservation Program is a big undertaking, and I hope that GOG gets all the support it needs to keep it going for decades to come.

The post GOG adds Tomb Raider, Hitman and other classics to Preservation Program first appeared on KitGuru.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 has received a brand-new character-focused trailer, offering the first extended look at gameplay beyond its initial May 2025 announcement. The trailer introduces Nyra Veyrath, a Sister of Battle, as a fully playable character, highlighting her speed, precision, and devastating flame-based arsenal.

Developed by Auroch Digital and published under Devolver Digital’s Big Fan label, Boltgun 2 continues directly from the events of the first game, expanding into a branching single-player campaign. Players can now choose between Nyra or Ultramarine Malum Caedo, each offering distinct weapons, abilities, and playstyles. While Caedo embodies the brute force of a Space Marine, Nyra’s agility and fiery weaponry bring a new dimension to combat, underscoring the Sisters of Battle’s reputation as relentless warriors of the Adeptas Sororitas.

The new trailer showcases Nyra’s battlefield mobility and her ability to incinerate enemies with cleansing fire, contrasting her style with the heavy armor and raw power of her Ultramarine counterpart. This marks the first time fans have seen extended gameplay since the game’s reveal, giving a clearer sense of how the sequel will expand on the original’s mechanics.

Enemies both familiar and new will challenge players, from returning Nurglings and Chaos Cultists to the ferocious Bloodletters and their Juggernauts. Developers have promised even greater horrors lurking deeper in the campaign.

With its dual protagonists, expanded arsenal, and branching campaign, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 aims to deliver a larger, bloodier, and more varied experience than its predecessor. The latest trailer signals that the sequel is not just a continuation but an evolution, offering fans a fresh perspective on the Emperor’s endless war ahead of its 2026 release.

KitGuru Says: Did you play Boltgun 1 back in 2023? Are you looking forward to the sequel?

The post New playable character revealed for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Thermalright is updating its Aqua Elite AIO series with a fresh new look. The new Aqua Elite 360 V5, which should keep the lineup's goal of offering solid cooling at an accessible price, features a completely redesigned pump block with subtle RGB lighting reminiscent of an aircraft jet engine.

Available in black or white 360 mm variants, the V5 pairs its unique pump aesthetic with a focus on low-noise operation. Three Thermalright TL-S12 fans handle cooling, each featuring a reliable S-FDB bearing and are rated to spin up to 2000 RPM, delivering a claimed 68.9 CFM of airflow and 2.21 mmH2O of static pressure. While not Thermalright's absolute top performers, these fans are known for being relatively quiet.

The pump itself can run up to 2800 RPM, circulating coolant through a standard 27 mm thick aluminium radiator. The core cooling hardware appears largely unchanged, with the main updates being the pump block's visual design and the fans.

The Aqua Elite 360 V5 comes with mounting hardware for all modern sockets right out of the box, including AMD's AM4/AM5 and Intel's LGA 115x, 1200, 1700, and 1851. While Thermalright hasn't announced final pricing, the Aqua Elite series has historically been very budget-friendly, making the V5 a potentially strong contender for mainstream builds.

KitGuru says: Do you like the new aesthetics of the Aqua Elite V5? Which colourway of this new AIO cooler do you prefer?

The post Thermalright Aqua Elite returns with new V5 models first appeared on KitGuru.

Montech is bringing its popular curved-glass aesthetic to the microATX market with the launch of the King 15. This new compact chassis is essentially a smaller version of the recently launched King 45, featuring the same 15° glass curve and dual-chamber layout.

Available in black and white, the King 15 takes the distinctive wrap-around glass look and adapts it to a smaller, more space-efficient footprint. Its dual-chamber design hides the PSU and cables behind the motherboard tray for a clean look and improved airflow. Montech has focused on thermals, incorporating angled bottom fans explicitly designed to feed fresh air directly into the GPU, enabling a chimney-effect cooling layout where hot air is exhausted out the top.

Launching alongside the base model is the King 15 Pro (also available in black and white). This upgraded version comes fully kitted out with Montech's new AX120 Pro and RX120 Pro (reverse-blade) fans. These fans feature a 360° ARGB lighting design on both the frame and blades for a striking look from any angle, and an optimised blade geometry that claims a 10% increase in airflow compared to previous models.

For builders looking to use these new fans in other cases, Montech is also releasing the AX120 Pro and RX120 Pro fans for individual purchase. They are available as single fans for £9.98/$19.90 or in three-unit packs with a hub for £37.99/$49.90. As for the King 15 series, the King 15 is now available for £64.99/$89.90, while the fan-loaded King 15 Pro comes in at £79.99/$109.90.

KitGuru says: Interested in any of Montech's newly introduced PC components?

The post Montech shrinks its curved glass design with new King 15 mATX case first appeared on KitGuru.

The next chapter for Guild Wars 2 officially goes live today. The new expansion, Visions of Eternity, takes players to Castora, a mysterious island steeped in magic and history, offering a fresh campaign, along with new gameplay features.

Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity, is available as of today on both Steam and through the official game website, priced at $24.99. Visions of Eternity expands the game with two new explorable maps — Shipwreck Strand and Starlit Weald, alongside new world boss encounters, legendary gear, and seasonal rewards. Additional maps and content are planned for future updates at no extra cost.

The expansion deepens Guild Wars 2’s hallmark focus on player expression. Each of the game’s nine professions receives a new elite specialization, unlocking fresh skills and traits to diversify combat styles. Mount gameplay also evolves, with the aquatic skimmer gaining new combat and exploration abilities, including projectile attacks and a sonar-like skill to uncover hidden treasures. Players can also claim a new homestead plot, transforming a shipwreck into a customizable beachside retreat.

The expansion’s storyline centers on the Inquest, a faction of researchers pursuing the secrets of Castora. Players, as the Commander, must rally allies to uncover the island’s mysteries and thwart the Inquest’s plans.

ArenaNet has confirmed that Visions of Eternity will continue to grow throughout 2026 with additional content and quality-of-life improvements. “This is the first time Guild Wars 2 is going to a location in Tyria that’s truly brand new to all players,” said Game Director Josh Davis. “We can’t wait to see how players tackle our new world and raid bosses.”

KitGuru Says: Are you picking up the new Guild Wars expansion?

The post Guild Wars 2’s sixth expansion ‘Visions of Eternity’ launches today first appeared on KitGuru.

The latest drive to join Corsair's Gen 5 stable of SSDs is the MP700 Micro. This, as you might have guessed from the name, is a small format M.2 2242 drive, aimed as a Gen 5 upgrade solution for gaming handhelds, thin and light laptops and compact workstations.

At launch, the MP700 Micro product line is made up of just two capacities: 2TB and a 4TB flagship, a very useful size in such a small format. Corsair sent us a 4TB drive for review.

The MP700 Micro utilises a Phison E31T DRAMless design controller, paired with a single 218-layer BiCS8 3D TLC NAND package. Corsair rates the Sequential performance of the drive as up to 10,000 MB/s for reads and 8,500 MB/s for writes. The 4TB drive's performance is quoted as (as stated on the box) up to 9,400MB/s for reads and up to 8,100MB/s for writes. Random 4K performance is quoted as up to 1.3 million IOPS for reads and up to 1.4 million IOPS.

Corsair backs the drive with a 5-year warranty.

Physical Specifications:

• Usable Capacities: 4TB.
• NAND Components: 218-layer BiCS8 3D TLC.
• NAND Controller: Phison PS5031-E31T.
• Cache: None, DRAMless design (HMB).
• Interface: PCIe Gen 5 x4, NVMe 2.0.
• Form Factor: M.2 2242.
• Dimensions: 22 x 42 x 3mm.
• Drive Weight: 4g.

Firmware Version: EVFM01.1

The post Corsair MP700 Micro 4TB SSD Review first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have announced two new supercomputers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The first is named Lux and will be going online in 2026, while the second is named Discovery and will be going online in 2028.

Lux, scheduled for deployment in 2026, will be the America's first dedicated “AI Factory” supercomputer. Co-developed by ORNL, AMD, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and HPE, it will be powered by AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs, EPYC CPUs, and Pensando networking technologies. Lux is intended to expand DOE’s AI leadership by enabling large-scale training and deployment of AI models across fields such as energy research, medicine, materials science, and advanced manufacturing.

Discovery, expected to arrive in 2028 with operations beginning in 2029, will serve as DOE’s next flagship supercomputer. Built with next-generation AMD EPYC CPUs, codenamed “Venice,” and AMD Instinct MI400X GPUs, Discovery is engineered for sovereign AI and scientific computing. It will build on the foundation of Frontier, the world’s first exascale system, offering higher performance, energy efficiency, and AI capabilities. The system will support research in areas including clean energy, biology, advanced materials, and national security, while maintaining compatibility with applications developed for Frontier.

Speaking on the announcement of these two new systems, AMD CEO, Dr. Lisa Su, said: “Discovery and Lux will leverage AMD’s high-performance and AI computing technologies to advance the most critical U.S. research priorities in science, energy, and medicine – demonstrating the power of public-private partnership at their best.”

KitGuru Says: AMD also recently signed a big deal with OpenAI, so the company is making multiple moves to secure its foothold in the AI race. 

The post AMD announces plans for two US AI supercomputers first appeared on KitGuru.

One of the best aspects of PC gaming is the ability to purchase a bundle of games for a relatively low price through 3rd-party services. Available now, the Fanatical ‘Build Your Own Shooter’ bundle offers over a dozen games for less than £1.50 each.

Available for the next 5 weeks or so, the Build Your Own Shooter bundle lets you add any of the 15 listed titles to your library for between £1.65 and £1.45 each – depending on how many you’ve selected. Offering a wide selection of shooters across various genres, the full list of purchasable titles is as follows:

• Neckbreak
• TombStar
• Zero Protocol
• Ash & Adam's GOBSMACKED
• OTXO
• Heretic's Fork
• HYPER DEMON
• Chambers
• Defender Bros
• Pathologic 2
• Prey

• Boomer Shooter Quad Pack, featuring:
  • Night Jackal : Blood Debt
  • REAPER
  • FLASH OF THE BLADE X
  • DOSMan: Space Aliens in Space!

Even at the lowest tier of just 3 games for £1.65 each, this latest bundle offers plenty to enjoy, with the likes of Arkane's immersive sim ‘Prey'; the hardcore and mysterious Pathologic 2; OTXO and HYPER DEMON being equally as excellent in very different ways.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in this latest bundle? Which 5 games would you pick up from the list? What's your favourite game from Arkane Lyon / Austin? Let us know down below.

The post ‘Build Your Own Shooter’ Fanatical bundle available now first appeared on KitGuru.

Of all the various different film and TV media giants, Netflix has been one of the biggest supporters of video game adaptations, having worked on all sorts from Castlevania to Tomb Raider; Splinter Cell, Sonic the Hedgehog and much more. Speaking of Sonic, the studio behind Netflix’s animated Sonic Prime series is reportedly now working on a Crash Bandicoot show.

As reported by the publication Whats-on-Netflix, WildBrain Studios – the team behind Netflix’s Sonic Prime show (among others) – has been tasked with developing an animated Crash Bandicoot show.

As of right now, no other information has been shared, with story details said to be “under wraps, and talent behind the series has yet to be revealed.”

While there is no denying that Crash is a classic in the video games space, the bandicoot’s fame and notoriety has certainly waned over recent years / generations.

That said, the release of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time a couple years ago does seem to suggest that attempts are being made to keep the marsupial alive. We will have to wait for an official announcement to find out more.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Sonic Prime? Do you have any interest in a Crash Bandicoot show? Could this be hinting at something greater? Let us know down below.

The post Crash Bandicoot Netflix series reportedly in the works first appeared on KitGuru.

The recent release of the Rog Xbox Ally has put a renewed focus on Microsoft’s Xbox Play Anywhere service, with the portable PC currently unable to play a majority of owners’ Xbox libraries due to its status as a Windows PC handheld. Fortunately, Microsoft seems to be expanding its Play Anywhere program, with the 2024 GOTY winner Baldur’s Gate 3 said to be joining Xbox Play Anywhere.

Ahead of the upcoming IGN x ID@Xbox showcase later today, Microsoft appears to have accidentally revealed one of the show’s announcements early, with the Xbox Store advertising that Baldur’s Gate 3 will be joining Xbox’s Play Anywhere program (as discovered by ResetEra user ‘Mattmo831’)

For the uninitiated, Xbox Play Anywhere offers players both PC and Xbox versions of games purchased as long as it is available through Microsoft’s Xbox store on Windows.

Though the program has existed for years, the recent release of the ROG Xbox Ally and its lack of true support for Xbox titles has made the Xbox Play Anywhere program that much more vital.

Given that the upcoming IGN showcase is said to include a section dedicated to Play Anywhere, expect more titles to be announced for the program.

All that said, considering the difficulty which Larian Studios encountered when trying to port Baldur’s Gate 3 over to Xbox previously, it is encouraging to see the team continuing to work directly with Xbox / Microsoft.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Xbox’s Play Anywhere? Is it a unique selling point for the brand? What other games do you hope will receive ‘Play Anywhere’ support? Let us know down below.

The post Baldur’s Gate 3 to join Xbox Play Anywhere program first appeared on KitGuru.

While Sony’s PC initiatives have been mostly a success, one of the biggest controversies with the console maker’s recent PC ports has been its use of region locking as a result of their integration with the PlayStation Network. Fortunately, Sony seems to be backtracking on this somewhat, with an update to Ghost of Tsushima on PC removing the region-lock requirements while also adding official Steam Deck verification.

In a surprise update, the PC version of Ghost of Tsushima has gotten a highly appreciated patch. As mentioned, the biggest change with this update is the decoupling of Ghost of Tsushima’s base game from its Legends multiplayer mode, allowing all PC players across every region to now be able to purchase and play the game.

Beyond this, the other major improvement comes in the form of official Steam Deck Verification support, including a dedicated Steam Deck graphical preset for added ease-of-use.

Other ancillary changes and improvements arriving with the update include:

• Various user interface optimizations for Steam Deck
• Fixed a crash related to Steam Input
• Updated AMD FSR to version 3.1.4
• Various performance optimizations and stability improvements
• Fixed a crash on start-up that could occur on the Epic Games Store with some Bluetooth audio devices connected.

Sony’s PlayStation Network requirements on PC was not only a controversial decision, but one which actively prevented millions of potential players from purchasing the title even if they wanted to. As such, this latest change comes as a major and welcome surprise to PC players. Hopefully other PlayStation games on PC receive similar updates in the coming future.

KitGuru says: What did you think of PlayStation’s PSN requirements on PC? Did it impact you? Should all Steam Deck verified titles have a dedicated graphics preset? Let us know down below.

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It appears the rumours were true, Battlefield 6 will get its Battle Royale mode this week. Battlefield REDSEC was just announced, poised to be a direct competitor to Call of Duty Warzone as a new free-to-play Battle Royale game. 

You won't need to own Battlefield 6 to play REDSEC and EA has not yet revealed its full plans for the game. However, we do know the launch will be happening tomorrow at 3PM UK time. A launch trailer for the game is set to go live on YouTube at that time and downloads should become available on platforms shortly after.

In other news, Battlefield 6 will be rolling out its first phase of seasonal content tomorrow as well. Millions of players have already bought the full Battlefield 6 game, it will be interesting to see how many of them also install REDSEC, which appears to be a standalone game.

We will get full details tomorrow afternoon.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to the new Battlefield Battle Royale mode? 

The post Battlefield REDSEC will be free to play, launches tomorrow first appeared on KitGuru.

It seems AMD is working on a new X3D CPU. A new leak suggests that a Ryzen 5 7500X3D is in the works, potentially offering the cheapest entry point yet into 3D V-Cache gaming performance on the AM5 platform.

The evidence comes from @momomo_us, who first leaked the OPN code and the CPU associated with it, and a listing at retailer Westcoast (via Wccftech), which included the same code. As the name strongly implies, the 7500X3D would likely be based on the existing Ryzen 5 7500F (a 6-core Zen 4 chip often found in OEM systems), with a slice of 3D V-Cache stacked on top.

While official specifications are not known, we can make some educated guesses. It's likely to retain the 6-core, 12-thread configuration of the 7500F, paired with the standard 96MB total L3 cache (32MB base + 64MB V-Cache) seen on other single-CCD X3D parts.

This would position the 7500X3D as an interesting option for budget-conscious gamers building on AM5. Currently, the cheapest official X3D options are the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, priced around £280, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, often found slightly below £350. There is no word on a release date at this time.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you think a Ryzen 5 7500X3D would be a good addition to AMD's lineup of gaming CPUs?

The post AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D CPU appears at retail first appeared on KitGuru.

While Stray was initially part of the PlayStation Extra game library, it was removed a while back. The game looks to be returning in November though as part of the PlayStation Plus Essential monthly drop. 

PlayStation Plus Essential is the cheapest subscription, offering up to three free games to claim for your library each month, as well as access to online multiplayer services and special PlayStation Store discounts. According to Dealabs, Stray will be the headlining game for the PlayStation Plus Essential line-up in November, offering both the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game.

Stray is a 2022 adventure game developed by BlueTwelve Studios and published by Annapurna Interactive. In the game, you play as a stray cat lost in a neon-lit city, The game garnered praise for its atmosphere and art direction,

At this point, Stray is available across many platforms, including PS4/PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, PC, macOS and Nintendo Switch.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: We still don't know what other games will be offered for PS+ next month, and there will be a separate announcement later on for the Extra and Premium tiers. 

The post Stray to be given to all PlayStation Plus subscribers next month first appeared on KitGuru.

Coil whine is generally harmless, but can be maddening. Due to its inconsistency, varying between components and changing behaviour under different load levels, pinpointing the source isn't always easy. Now, the developers of the popular OCCT have added a brilliantly clever new feature in version 15 designed to help you hunt down that annoying buzz.

When running the coil whine detector, OCCT v15 (via Tom's Hardware) deliberately modulates the system's power load to force the coil whine to emit one of three predefined “tunes”. Transforming the constant, high-pitched noise into a recognisable pattern makes the whining component stand out dramatically from the background noise.

This technique exploits the nature of coil whine itself, as the noise often changes in pitch or intensity depending on the power flowing through the component's electromagnetic coils. It's why you usually only notice it during gaming, especially when hitting extremely high frame rates where power draw fluctuates rapidly. OCCT is essentially making your components sing their annoying song on command.

In addition to the coil whine detector, OCCT V15 also introduces new skins, an improved 3D Adaptive test with enhanced error detection efficiency, and the stable release of its new storage test and benchmark.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: For most home users in a quiet room, simply listening is often enough to identify the culprit. However, this new OCCT feature could be invaluable for system builders, repair shops, or anyone trying to diagnose a PC in a loud environment, helping confirm whether that annoying sound is just coil whine or something else.

The post OCCT v15 adds coil whine detector feature first appeared on KitGuru.

Just when you thought the PC storefront wars had settled down, a new challenger is reportedly entering the arena. According to recent rumours, ByteDance, the massive tech conglomerate behind TikTok, is gearing up to launch its own competitor to Steam named “GameTop”.

While Steam still holds the lion's share of the market, its dominance has been eroded by rivals such as the Epic Games Store and GOG. Now, ByteDance appears ready to throw its weight into the ring, with job postings shared by ITHome (via Technode) suggesting the new platform is targeting “overseas markets” for a global push beyond its home turf in China.

This move follows a significant internal restructuring of ByteDance's gaming division over the past year, shifting away from big-budget game development towards a more focused strategy centred on game publishing. GameTop looks to be the cornerstone of this new direction. Job listings for the reportedly upcoming platform mention roles focused on user acquisition and engagement, suggesting a social-media-like approach.

Early details suggest GameTop aims to be more feature-complete than its rivals out of the gate. Reports mention plans for social features like user profiles, badges, and points systems, alongside AI-assisted creation tools, which could give it a leg up on competitors still playing catch-up in the AI space.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: ByteDance is already a significant force in the Chinese gaming market and has made moves internationally. However, it lacks the sheer scale of Tencent (which owns part of Epic Games). With Gametop, ByteDance has a chance to get to that level.  

The post ByteDance reportedly building PC gaming platform first appeared on KitGuru.

KitGuru was invited to an event hosted by TAITRA, Taiwan’s national trade and export body, which took place at Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd’s Bush. The showcase focused on smart and healthy living, highlighting advances in AI technologies, healthcare, mobility, and sustainable solutions from some of Taiwan’s most innovative and award-winning companies. However, among the exhibits, Gigabyte drew our attention with a compact system it describes as a ‘personal AI supercomputer' – the AI TOP ATOM. Measuring just one litre in volume and weighing around 1.2 kg, the unit houses NVIDIA’s new Grace Blackwell GB10 Superchip, pairing a 20-core Arm CPU with Blackwell GPU technology in a single integrated package.

According to Gigabyte’s technical sheet, the AI TOP ATOM delivers up to 1 petaFLOP of AI performance and features 128GB of unified LPDDR5x system memory on a 256-bit interface with 273 GB/s bandwidth. Storage options extend up to 4TB of PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSD, while connectivity includes USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports, HDMI 2.1a, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 10GbE RJ-45 port. Networking is further enhanced by an NVIDIA ConnectX-7 SmartNIC, offering high-speed interconnect capabilities and potential multi-unit clustering.

The system runs NVIDIA’s DGX OS, based on Ubuntu Linux, and supports the AI TOP Utility, designed to simplify local model training and inference workflows. Gigabyte claims the unit can handle models of up to 200 billion parameters standalone or around 405 billion parameters when connected to a second device.

Unlike conventional desktops, the AI TOP ATOM does not use a standard DC or IEC power connector. Instead, it draws up to 240W through USB Power Delivery 3.1, marking one of the first commercial AI systems to rely entirely on USB-based charging. Cooling and acoustic behaviour weren’t publicly demonstrated, but the compact chassis suggests laptop-class thermals with a focus on low-noise operation.

Gigabyte representatives indicated that the AI TOP ATOM is not expected to be a high-volume product, but a strategic platform aimed at education, research, and modelling companies—organisations seeking local compute power without the cost or compliance limitations of cloud infrastructure.

The device also reflects Gigabyte’s deep experience with small-form-factor design. The company was once Intel’s closest NUC partner, producing many of the most refined compact PCs in that range. That expertise has now been channelled into a new generation of AI-focused edge systems.

UK retailers including Scan and CCL list the AI TOP ATOM for pre-order at around £3,649–£3,799, with shipments expected to begin in mid-November 2025. Global pricing appears to start around US $3,499 for a 1TB configuration, rising to US $3,999 for the 4TB model.

While the quoted 1 petaFLOP rating is almost certainly a theoretical peak, the combination of Arm efficiency, NVIDIA’s Grace-Blackwell integration, and unified memory architecture marks a notable shift in what desktop AI computing can look like. When we spoke to people familiar with the market, we were told that the number one application/sales channel for a product like this will be into the education channel.

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KitGuru says: The Gigabyte AI TOP ATOM stands as an early example of how AI-class compute is moving from data centres to desks. For researchers, educators, and developers working with large models, the idea of carrying a petaFLOP-capable system in a one-litre form factor would have seemed implausible only a few years ago. Whether such devices become commonplace remains to be seen, but this first UK showing demonstrates how Taiwan’s technology sector continues to blend engineering efficiency with AI-driven innovation.

The post Gigabyte shows mini supercomputer at Taiwan Select in London first appeared on KitGuru.

Earlier this year following the then-latest round of lay-offs at Microsoft, insiders claimed that Turn 10 Studios – the team behind Forza Motorsport – had been directly impacted with future work on the racing series essentially being cancelled. While the studio themselves briefly addressed the reports at the time, Xbox head Phil Spencer has now offered his own statement on the matter.

In an interview conducted by the Japanese publication Famitsu (and translated by Windows Central), Xbox’s Phil Spencer was asked about the future of the Forza Motorsport series and whether it had been cancelled. 

Directly addressing the lay-offs and reports from earlier this year, Spencer stated: “As for Forza Motorsport, we sometimes have to shift our focus to games that will be released earlier. And I also understand that many people reacted when the scale of Turn 10 Studios was reduced.”

He continued, “As far as we are concerned, there are many games that we would like to support carefully, and sometimes we give the development team a little more time so that they do not continue to be in a state of tension.”

While mostly a nothingburger of a statement, it does indicate that Xbox has plans to keep the Forza Motorsport series alive…for now.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Spencer’s statement? Do you believe it? Let us know down below.

The post Phil Spencer addresses the future of Forza Motorsport first appeared on KitGuru.

Montech has created the King 45 Pro as a smaller version of the King 95 that caters for modern motherboards with rear connections such as MSI Project Zero and Asus BTF. Another feature is the trio of angled fans in the floor of the case that promise to keep your high powered graphics card pleasingly cool. To top things off the price is decidedly budget, and that makes a pleasant change in these bizarre AI times.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:41 Removing panels, a look inside
02:30 Fan configuration
03:11 Installing hardware
03:55 Clearance and cabling
05:25 Main chamber and rear
05:58 CPU Cooler install
06:19 GPU Install
07:07 Test Procedures and Results
08:38 Smoke Visualisation tests
08:51 Drastic Action with an AIO
09:35 Pricing
10:18 Closing Thoughts

Main features

• Panoramic Clarity, Iconic Style – Turn your build into art. The curved glass opens a panoramic view that celebrates your components in stunning clarity.
• Precision Architecture, Performance Perfected – Smarter design, stronger performance. The dual-chamber layout keeps airflow efficient and cables hidden for a rig that’s as sleek as it is powerful.
• Airflow That Bends to Your Advantage – Cooling where it counts. Angled bottom fans channel fresh air straight to your GPU, keeping next-gen hardware running at peak power.
• Chimney Effect Cooling for Next-Gen GPUs – Direct bottom-to-top airflow pulls heat off oversized GPUs and exhausts it upward — reducing core temps for steadier clocks and longer peak performance.
• Compact by Design, Uncompromised in Power – King 45 is crafted for compact setups while still supporting the latest GPUs, tall CPU coolers, and even top-mounted 360mm radiators up to an extreme 84mm thick — fully compatible with the most premium liquid cooling systems on the market. Delivering uncompromised cooling power in a sleek Micro-ATX form.
• Performance That Shines 360° (PRO) – AX120 PRO fans engineered to deliver more than just airflow. Optimised blade geometry pushes 10% more airflow for lower system temps. At the same time, immersive 360° ARGB lighting transforms your build into a visual statement, glowing from every angle with vibrant, customisable effect

Specification:

• Motherboard support: ATX, Micro-ATX in regular and BTF forms.
• Power supply support: ATX.
• Expansion slots: 7.
• Included fans: 3x RX120mm bottom intake, 1x AX120mm rear exhaust.
• Fan mounts: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm roof, 1x 120mm/140mm rear, 3x 120mm/2x 140mm floor.
• Radiator mounts: 360mm/280mm roof, 120mm rear.
• 5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
• Internal drive bays: 2x 3.5-inch/2.5-inch.
• Front I/O ports: 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x USB 3.1 type-C, audio.
• Dimensions: 462mm H x 450mm D x 245mm W.

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, a Palit RTX 5080 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Montech King 45 PRO ‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• CPU Cooler: Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360
• Motherboard: MSI X870E Tomahawk Max WiFi PZ
• Memory: 32GB Adata XPG Lancer RGB DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: Palit GeForce RTX 5080 OC 16GB
• Power supply: Montech Titan PLA 1000W
• SSD: Crucial T700 Gen 5 M.2 NVMe
• OS: Windows 11

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

As you will see in our video we suffered during testing with an air cooler on our CPU, but switching to a 360mm AIO fixed things and gave decent cooling results. It is clear that cramming a 300W graphics card inside this compact tower case has a huge impact on the flow of cooling air to the CPU and we recommend you bear this point in mind when you build your PC.

Closing Thoughts

The Montech King 45 Pro is a compact ATX case that moves a few components around to open up the main chamber. This focuses our attention on the three reverse ARGB fans in the floor of the case that feed cooling air directly to your graphics card.

The downside to this way of thinking is that the CPU is directly above the graphics card and is bathed in the hot air as it travels upwards.

Our takeaway is that the Montech King 45 Pro is a decent case for a mid-level PC build, however if you pack in high-end components it will demand compromises for your CPU cooling.

Another consideration is that this case supports our MSI Project Zero and makes the main compartment incredibly tidy, however we had to find space for all the excess cables in the right hand side of the case.

You can buy the Montech King 45 Pro for £89.99 inc VAT MSRP, or $119.90.

Pros:

• Smart looks, especially with plenty of ARGB lighting.
• Four ARGB fans are included.
• Good value for money.

Cons:

• Cable management requires careful work.
• Fan cables are messy.
• Air coolers are best avoided.

KitGuru says: Montech King 45 Pro is a smart ATX case that offers good value for money .

The post Montech King 45 Pro Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Following plenty of leaks and rumours, the Halo 1 Remake – Halo: Campaign Evolved – was finally announced to be coming to PC, Xbox and PlayStation. Being the core pillar of the Xbox brand, Halo’s arrival onto PlayStation has once again sparked up discussions regarding exclusivity. According to Xbox’s Matt Booty however, “our biggest competition isn't another console.”

Taking part in an interview conducted by The New York Times (paywalled) following the official announcement of Halo: Campaign Evolved, Xbox game content and studios President Matt Booty was asked about the Xbox mascot coming to what was at one point its competitor’s console.

In a similar response to that which we have heard from plenty of gaming executives over recent years, Booty stated: “We are all seeking to meet people where they are. Our biggest competition isn't another console. We are competing more and more with everything from TikTok to movies.”

As mentioned, we’ve heard similar words from various higher ups across multiple different publishers over the years. Still, while technically the likes of TikTok could be competing for someone’s time, the comparison still feels odd and creates a direct equivalency between two entirely different mediums based on a single metric.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this statement? Do you agree? Are you excited to see Halo coming to PlayStation? Let us know down below.

The post Microsoft claims “our biggest competition isn’t another console” following Halo PS5 announcement first appeared on KitGuru.

One of the biggest new features introduced with the Nintendo Switch 2 was the Joy-Cons’ Mouse Mode, allowing you to control supported titles as you would on a PC. So far, only a limited selection of titles have made use of the feature. Fortunately, one game set to receive the Mouse Mode treatment is the construction / management sim Factorio.

Making the announcement on their blog, the team at Wube Software officially confirmed that Factorio is set to come to Switch 2 some time later this year – “aiming for a December release.”

The Switch 2 version of Factorio will be a free upgrade to all those who own the original Switch release and as mentioned will include Mouse Mode support; a highly appreciated addition for a PC-focused isometric management sim.

Beyond this however, the rest of the Switch 2 enhancements are as follows:

• Increased resolution to 1080p in handheld and 4k on a TV
• Variable refresh rate support for the console's screen
• Some higher quality animations
• Some higher resolution sprites
• Other visual improvements
• Faster loading times
• Ability to build much larger bases

As mentioned, the Switch 2’s Mouse Mode has been a rather underutilised feature so far, and so it is exciting to see the functionality being used to make games which require precision more easily controllable. Hopefully mouse mode becomes a ubiquitous addition to most-if-not-all future Switch 2 games.

KitGuru says: Have you tried playing Factorio on consoles? How were the controls? Would you like to see more Switch 2 games implement mouse mode? Let us know down below.

The post Factorio Switch 2 upgrade announced, adding Mouse Mode support and more first appeared on KitGuru.