Back in early September it was announced that the two-year old studio T-Minus Zero Entertainment – which was established in partnership with gaming giant NetEase – was being unceremoniously shut down before they could even ship their first project. In an opportunity which very few studios have been fortunate to receive, T-Minus Zero Entertainment has now been revived.

Making the welcome and surprise announcement on their new website, the team at T-Minus Zero Entertainment wrote: “Today, we’re proud to share that T-Minus Zero Entertainment is officially returning – reimagined, refocused, and ready to build the next great player-driven experience.”

Explaining how this revival came to be, CEO Zachary Beaudoin revealed that “A small group of veteran directors & founders have acquired the T-Minus Zero Entertainment name to carry the team’s spirit forward and are relaunching as an independent production company—with a refined development model and a funding approach inspired by the independent film world: focused, project-based, and partnership-friendly.”

Their mission statement can be found HERE, but in terms of what’s next for the studio in the immediacy, Beaudoin claimed “We are now seeking co-financing partners for our next round of development financing. Our immediate goal: bring our concept to full production with the right strategic allies—those who value quality gameplay-first experiences, executional excellence, and a sustainable business model.”

As mentioned, very few studios manage to be revived following a closure, with even fewer doing so while maintaining their independence. As such, here’s to hoping that the new and improved T-Minus Zero Entertainment manage to achieve great success.

KitGuru says: Are you glad to see T-Minus Zero brought back? What are your hopes for the studio? Is NetEase too trigger happy with shutting down studios? Let us know down below.

The post T-Minus Zero Entertainment revived following shutdown by NetEase first appeared on KitGuru.

Each month, all those with a Humble Choice membership are able to get their hands on 8 or so titles as part of the company’s Choice subscription service. For November, members can look forward to a decent variety of titles, including Etrian Odyssey HD; Another Crab’s Treasure and more.

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

• Etrian Odyssey HD
• No More Heroes 3
• Another Crab Treasure
• Total War: Warhammer 3
• Pharaoh: A New Era
• Synergy
• Spin Hero
• Paleo Pines

Though far from Humble’s best month, you’re still getting a solid selection of varied titles for £11.49, with the likes of Another Crab’s Treasure being a surprisingly excellent souls-like in which you play as a crab “on a treasure hunt to buy back his repossessed shell.”

No More Heroes 3 meanwhile is the latest entry in the wacky series from known game director Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture; starring ‘The otaku assassin’ Travis Touchdown in an experience described as “stylish, ridiculous, and a blast” for fans of the unique director.

As always, a portion of your subscription’s proceedings will go towards charity, with this month’s being ‘No Kid Hungry’ – a group “working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive.”

KitGuru says: What do you think of this month’s offerings? Is it worth the subscription price? Has Humble justified Choice’s price hike yet? Let us know down below.

The post November’s Humble Choice line-up includes Another Crab’s Treasure and No More Heroes 3 first appeared on KitGuru.

Rockstar’s PS3 exclusive ‘Agent’ had long existed in limbo, with nothing seen of the game since its reveal in 2009. Finally after well over a decade, the game was confirmed to have been cancelled. Since then, former team members have started to speak more candidly regarding Agent, with Rockstar Games’ own co-founder Dan Houser now weighing in on the matter.

In an interview with Lex Fridman (and transcribed by VGC), ex-Rockstar head writer and studio co-founder Dan Houser spoke rather candidly on the ill-fated PS3 exclusive Agent, revealing that “We worked a lot on multiple iterations of an open world spy game, and it never came together.”

Offering additional context, Houser continued, “It had about five different iterations. I don’t think it works, I concluded – and I keep thinking about it sometimes, I sometimes lie in bed thinking about it – and I’ve concluded that what makes them really good as film stories makes them not work as video games. We need to think through how to do it in a different way as a video game.”

Despite not being officially cancelled until 2021, Houser claimed that the game never left the early stages of development, stating: “I don’t know what it would’ve been because we never got it enough to even do a proper story on it. We were doing the early work where you get the world up and running, and it never really found its feet in either of them.”

Considering the lack of pretty much any development details previously regarding the ill-fated Agent, it is highly interesting to hear exactly why the project never came to be.

KitGuru says: How long did you hold out hope for Agent to be re-revealed? Does Houser’s explanation make sense to you? Would you like to see a modern day Rockstar have a second go at trying to make a spy game? Let us know down below.

The post Rockstar co-founder reveals why the ill-fated PS3 exclusive ‘Agent’ failed to release first appeared on KitGuru.

AOC's potential 2026 AGON monitor lineup has been leaked, showing some promising upcoming monitors. Out of the four monitors in the roadmap, the most significant reveal is a prototype 27-inch monitor apparently capable of a 1000Hz refresh rate.

Based on VisionTang data shared by ITHome (via Guru3D), this prototype reportedly achieves this using a dual-mode function, running at 1000Hz at a 1920×1080 resolution while also offering a 500Hz mode at 2560×1440. The panel is said to use dual-frequency rendering (DFR) technology, likely with integer scaling, to manage the pixel load.

The 2026 lineup isn't just focused on raw refresh rates. The leak also points to a 27-inch AGON model featuring Nvidia G-Sync Pulsar technology. This panel will run QHD resolution at 360Hz, but the Pulsar technology, which synchronises backlight strobing, is claimed to deliver an “effective motion clarity” of 1000Hz. For the esports purist, a more traditional 24.1-inch TN panel is also mentioned, pushing a 400Hz refresh rate.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Which of the four displays mentioned in the roadmap interests you the most?

The post Roadmap leak points to new 1000Hz gaming monitors in 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

Voting for the “Ultimate Game of the Year” category at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is now open to the public. The annual awards ceremony is scheduled for November 20th, but the public vote for its main prize is running now.

Voters can select up to three titles from a shortlist of twelve via GamesRadar. That 12-strong list includes the two critically acclaimed PS5 exclusives, Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei, both of which are among the year's best-rated games. The RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which launched back in April to high praise, is also a clear contender for the top spot. On the indie side of things, there's Hades 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong as the fan favourites.

The complete list of nominees can be found below:

• Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
• Ghost of Yotei
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Blue Prince
• Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Silent Hill f
• Hades II
• Split Fiction
• Peak
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Remember that, as the Ultimate Game of the Year award is decided entirely by public vote, any of the twelve nominees could take the prize with enough support. This was seen last year, when Black Myth: Wukong secured the win, despite not having the same level of success at other industry events.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: What were your favourite games of 2025? Are they nominated for the Ultimate Game of the Year category at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025?

The post Golden Joystick GOTY award voting is now live first appeared on KitGuru.

SK Hynix unveiled its latest memory roadmap at the AI Summit 2025, and for PC builders, the main takeaway is this: don't hold your breath for DDR6. According to the timeline, the new RAM standard isn't expected to be a significant factor for mainstream PCs until around 2030. 

SK Hynix's roadmap shared by @harukaze5719 (via Wccftech) shows that while the company plans to launch DDR6 products in 2029, it will, as always, be destined for the server market first. This suggests DDR5 has a much longer lifespan ahead of it than many anticipated. The same long-term timeline appears to apply to storage, with PCIe 6.0-based SSDs also unlikely to hit the consumer market for a long time.

On the other hand, memory for mobile devices is accelerating. The roadmap indicates that LPDDR6 will arrive much sooner, with an expected release as early as next year. This new memory will be used in the next-generation SOCAMM2 standard, replacing LPDDR5X in high-performance laptops.

Also mentioned in the roadmap is HBM (High Bandwidth Memory). Development is relentless, with HBM4 starting in 2026, followed quickly by HBM4e, and subsequently HBM5 in 2029 and HBM5e towards 2031. SK Hynix is also moving toward Custom HBM (HBM4E/5/5E), which would allow clients to add logic functions to the memory's base die.

Lastly, for graphics memory, the roadmap teases “GDDR7 Next”. This is likely a nod to the emerging GDDR8 standard, which has appeared on other roadmaps in a similar timeframe. Alternatively, it could be something like GDDR7X.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: The DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 generation still has plenty of time left on the clock. 

The post SK Hynix roadmap points to DDR6 in 2030 first appeared on KitGuru.

NVIDIA has announced a fresh round of DLSS integrations across several PC titles this week, headlined by a major update for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The RPG will receive DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation on November 5, alongside upgrades to DLSS Frame Generation and the newest transformer‑based DLSS model.

At launch earlier this year, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth supported DLSS to boost frame rates on GeForce RTX GPUs. The upcoming update expands that support significantly, promising smoother performance and improved image quality for players on PC.

Other titles are also adding or launching with DLSS support. Deathground, a co‑op dinosaur survival game, is available now with DLSS 4, Frame Generation, DLSS, and DLAA. The Last Caretaker enters Early Access on November 6 with DLSS 4, Frame Generation, and DLSS enabled from day one. Paradox’s grand strategy sequel Europa Universalis V launches today with DLSS, while arcade racer Wreckreation is also out now with DLSS support. Looking ahead, Anno 117: Pax Romana will arrive on November 13 with DLSS enabled for GeForce RTX users.

To prepare for these releases, NVIDIA has rolled out a new GeForce Game Ready Driver. The update ensures systems are ready for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Anno 117: Pax Romana, and Europa Universalis V. As always, you can download the new driver directly through the Nvidia App, or you can download it and install it manually via the drivers download page, HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you going to be picking up any of this week's new DLSS-supported games?

The post Nvidia rolls out new Game Ready graphics drivers and brings DLSS to more games first appeared on KitGuru.

It is the first Tuesday of the month, which means it is time for another Game Pass update. November has one clear headliner already announced – Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, but there are a number of other games joining the library before then, including the likes of Sniper Elite: Resistance.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is the big new day-one game for Game Pass in November, although you'll need a Game Pass Ultimate membership to play it day-one on console. That is not the case on PC, however, as the game will still be included in the cheaper PC Game Pass membership plan, despite the recent shake-up of Game Pass tiers.

Here is the full list of titles joining Game Pass, including platforms and dates:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Cloud, Console, PC) – November 14
• Dead Static Drive (Cloud, Console, PC) – November 5
• Sniper Elite: Resistance (Cloud, Console, PC) – November 5
• Egging On (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – November 6
• Whiskerwood (PC) – November 6
• Voidtrain (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – November 7
• Great God Grove (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – November 11
• Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (Cloud, Console, PC) – November 11
• Pigeon Simulator (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – November 11
• Relic Hunters Legend (Cloud, Console, PC) – November 12
• Winter Burrow (Cloud, Console, PC) – November 12

There will be another Game Pass wave announced in two weeks, just after the Black Ops 7 launch weekend.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru Says: Will you be installing any of this month's new Game Pass titles?

The post New wave of Xbox Game Pass titles announced, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 first appeared on KitGuru.

Kingston has introduced the FURY Renegade G5 PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, an ultra-fast drive that offers capacities as high as 8TB and read/write speeds up to 14,800MB/s and 14,000MB/s respectively. 

The Renegade G5 uses a PCIe Gen5 x4 interface and 3D TLC NAND, paired with a Silicon Motion SM2508 controller built on 6nm lithography. It also includes a low‑power DDR4 DRAM cache to help manage heat and energy consumption. A 12‑layer PCB design is intended to improve signal quality and maintain consistent performance under sustained workloads.

Performance varies slightly by capacity: the 1TB model reaches up to 14,200/11,000MB/s read/write, while the 2TB version increases write speeds to 14,000MB/s. The 4TB and 8TB models top out at 14,800/14,000MB/s. Random 4K performance is rated at up to 2.2 million IOPS, and endurance scales from 1.0PB written on the 1TB model to 8.0PB on the 8TB version.

The drive supports Microsoft DirectStorage, which allows faster game asset streaming directly from the SSD to the GPU. Power consumption ranges from 6.6W to 9.5W under maximum load depending on capacity, with average idle draw at 0.27W.

The M.2 2280 form factor ensures compatibility with modern desktops and workstations. Operating temperatures are rated between 0°C and 70°C, with a mean time between failures of 2 million hours.

Kingston backs the Renegade G5 with a limited five‑year warranty and free technical support.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It is great to see more 8TB M.2 options hitting the consumer market, especially with speeds as impressive as this.

The post Kingston unleashes Fury Renegade G5 SSDs with up to 8TB capacity first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we look at another power supply from Corsair, this time from the company's new RMx Shift range. Corsair have three models in this series – 750W, 850W and 1000W, with this review focused on the latter unit. The new ‘Shift' branding signifies side mounted connectors for easier access when inside a system.

These new Shift power supplies have ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 support for the latest graphics cards with a 12V-2×6 cable and debossed PVC cables with low profile cable combs. They also adopt a 140mm fluid dynamic bearing fan which supports Zero Fan Mode with a fan speed knob on the rear to allow for user control. More on this later.

Key Features:

• Innovative Easy Access Connection Position: Modular connections on the side of the PSU mean easier access for cables and cleaner cable management.
• Native 12v-2×6 Cable: Easily power modern graphics cards such as the Nvidia RTX50 series.
• Fully Modular connectors: Corsair Type S PSU cables are smaller, giving you plenty of room to route your cables, while their modularity ensures you only connect what you need.
• Cybenetics Gold Certified Efficiency rating.
• Debossed PVC Cable Kit: Ultra flexible cable kit with new included low profile combs.
• 140mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan: Utilises a specially calculated fan curve for high performance, low noise, and superior reliability.
• Zero RPM Mode Support: At low and medium loads the cooling fan switches off entirely for near silent operation.
• Fan Speed Knob: Users have freedom to adjust the fan speed to their own needs.
• Intel ATX 3.1 Certified. Compliant with the ATX 3.1 power standard, supporting the PCIe Gen 5.1 platform and resisting transient power spikes.
• 105c Rated 100% Japanese Capacitors: Premium internal components deliver unwavering power delivery and long term reliability.
• Modern Standby Compatible: Extremely fast wake from sleep times and better low load efficiency.
• Resonant LLC Topology with DC-to-DC Conversion: Provides clean, consistent power and enables use of more energy-efficient sleep states.
• Ten-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation that will last across several system builds.

The post Corsair RM1000x Shift (2025) PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.

AOC is launching its very first AOC GAMING QD-OLED monitors this week. Both are 27-inch QD-OLED monitors, featuring ultra-fast response times and refresh rates, all at a surprisingly low price.

The AOC Gaming Q27G4ZDR and Q27G4SDR both offer QHD resolution (2560×1440) at 110.84 pixels per inch, with 10‑bit depth for 1.07 billion colours and wide gamut coverage of 147.6% sRGB and 99.1% DCI‑P3. HDR support is included across the range: the Q27G4ZDR offers HDR10 with 400 cd/m² brightness and a 1.5M:1 contrast ratio, while the Q27G4SDR achieves VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification with 1000 cd/m² peak brightness for enhanced depth and realism.

Aside from the HDR support, the other key difference between these two models is that the Q27G4ZDR has a 240Hz refresh rate while the Q27G4SDR pushes to 360Hz for players seeking maximum speed. Both achieve an ultra‑low 0.03ms GtG response time and support both FreeSync and G-Sync.

Connectivity is future‑proof, with dual HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB 3.2 hubs with fast‑charging support. Console gamers benefit from QHD at 120Hz on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Additional gaming features include Shadow Control, Game Color, Low Input Lag mode, and customisable presets. Like other OLED gaming monitor makers, AOC also offers a 3-year burn-in warranty.

Both monitors adopt the clean G4 design language with slim bezels, ergonomic stands offering full adjustability, and VESA mounting support. Available from mid‑November 2025, the Q27G4ZDR is priced at £399 and the Q27G4SDR at £469.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you thinking about making the jump to a QD-OLED gaming monitor?

The post AOC reveals new 240Hz and 360Hz QD-OLED gaming monitors starting at £399 first appeared on KitGuru.

This Hyte X50 case brings a number of interesting features to the table and then, right at the end, it slightly lets us down. The main thrust of the X50 is the emphasis on curves and superb metalwork, which we like a great deal. The downside is that the X50 cries out for an ARGB light show but is supplied without any fans, and the matching FA12 fans from Hyte are rather dull.

Timestamps

00:00 Start
01:03 First impressions / Pricing
02:28 Removing panels
04:53 A look inside
05:45 The rear
07:00 Fan thoughts
07:58 Installing hardware
10:12 Testing the case / Noise / Temps
11:16 Installing more fans – improvements?
12:21 FInal test configuration – more fans
12:54 Smoke Visualisation tests
13:41 Closing Thoughts

Main features

• Full-Coverage Micro-Mesh serves as a low-pressure low resistance air intake for optimal temps & noise levels
• Patent-pending Louvered Blade Ventilation reduces exhaust impedance while reinforcing chassis rigidity
• Cold-Floor Cooling that keeps your graphics card comfortably cool with up to 3x 120mm extra thick fans
• Structural PSU Canopy with ideal placement for hassle-free cable management
• Massive dual 360mm radiator support on the adjustable front (105mm thick) and side (70mm thick) of the case
• Fits the most powerful GPUs up to 430mm long with ease
• 10 total fan capacity in a compact mid tower profile
• Soft, comfortable, and round
• Tool-less steel front and side panels for quick access
• Spacious and clutter-free interior for all your components
• Adjustable front radiator bracket unlocks wide compatibility and aesthetic tuning for RGB fans
• Seamless colour-matched total coverage silicone grommets & expertly crafted cable routing channels throughout the case
• Hidden front I/O cable routing for uninterrupted visual flow
• Supports simultaneous mounting of 2x 2.5-inch an 1x 3.5-inch drives

Specification:

• Motherboard support: E-ATX up to 270mm, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
• Power supply support: ATX, SFX-L, SFX.
• Expansion slots: 7.
• Included fans: None.
• Fan mounts: 3x 120mm/140mm front, 3x 120mm side, 3x 120mm floor, 1x 120mm rear.
• Radiator mounts: 360mm front, 360mm side, 120mm rear.
• 5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
• Internal drive bays: 1x 3.5-inch, 2x 2.5-inch.
• Front I/O ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, audio.
• Dimensions: 485mm H x 510mm D x 255mm W.

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Sapphire RX 9070 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Hyte X50‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• CPU Cooler: Montech HyperFlow ARGB 360
• Motherboard: Sapphire Nitro+ B850A WiFi 7
• Memory: 32GB Adata XPG Lancer RGB DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 9070 16GB
• Power supply: Montech Titan PLA 1000W
• SSD: Crucial T700 Pro Gen 5 M.2 NVMe
• OS: Windows 11

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

We chose to install our AIO cooler in the side position, with the fans set to exhaust to the side, as this removes the heat from the CPU as quickly as possible. This leaves the main compartment dedicated to the graphics card and effectively mimics the behaviour of triple-chamber Corsair Air 5400. We found this setup requires the addition of three fans in the front of the case, however adding fans in the floor and rear of the case make very little difference to the test results. Overall we found the Hyte X50 performed well.

Closing Thoughts

Hyte has got the major parts of the X50 absolutely spot-on. We love the curvy looks and the high quality metal work and admire the overall concept hugely. The curious part is that X50 looks tailor-made for RGB lighting yet Hyte does not sell any RGB fans.

In a sense Hyte is the opposite to Corsair where you sometimes feel you are paying for a case so you can then much more for the hardware you put in the case. By contrast with Hyte it feels like you are being left hanging high and dry; here's the case now sort things out for yourself.

This seems like a wasted opportunity as Hyte must surely want to supply an X50 with suitable RGB fans in the floor, front and rear of the case that maximum the visual impact while reducing building time for the customer. The Hyte X50 comes close to being a great product but instead ends up merely being good.

You can buy the Hyte X50 for £149.99 from OCUK HERE.

Pros:

• Gorgeous curvy styling.
• High quality metal work.
• Excellent potential for really good cooling.

Cons:

• No fans included so budget for three with the X50 Air and seven with the X50.
• No support for rear connection motherboards.
• Cable management is rather basic.

KitGuru says: The Hyte X50 looks superb and comes close to being very, very good or even great.

The post Hyte X50 Case Review first appeared on KitGuru.

The DeepCool AK series of CPU coolers impressed us quite a bit. Now, the company is preparing the next generation of AK coolers, expanding the lineup with a new range of options, offering four, five or six heatpipes depending on the model. Second Gen AK DIGITAL CPU coolers are also on the way, offering users a digital display on top of the cooler for convenient system stat monitoring.

The AK400, AK500, and AK620 G2 models headline the standard second‑generation lineup. Each cooler is built around DeepCool’s updated Core Touch Technology (CTT 2.0) and a refined tower design that improves thermal efficiency while reducing overall size compared to the first generation. Depending on the model, users can choose between four, five, or six heat pipes, ensuring a solution for a wide range of system requirements.

DeepCool has retained the AK series’ hallmark matrix fin stack and precision‑engineered copper base, while introducing new fans designed for both performance and quiet operation. These fans use hydraulic bearings and a three‑phase, six‑slot, four‑pole motor, with PWM speeds up to 2000 RPM. They also support 0‑RPM startup to minimise noise during light workloads, and feature Activate Clearing Tech (ACT), which automatically spins dust off the blades and heatsink during power‑on.

Aesthetic touches include a distinctive wood‑grain top cover and optional matrix‑style decals, giving builders a chance to personalize their systems. Installation has also been streamlined with a durable all‑metal mounting bracket compatible with both Intel and AMD platforms. The flagship AK620 G2 adds an offset mounting solution to improve RAM clearance.

Alongside the standard models, DeepCool is introducing the AK G2 DIGITAL NYX series, which adds advanced monitoring and control features to the equation. These coolers incorporate the same CTT 2.0 technology, heat pipe configurations, and matrix fin design, but stand out with a quad‑segmented digital display built into the top cover. The display provides real‑time readouts of CPU temperature, usage, wattage, and frequency, making it ideal for those tinkering with their hardware via overclocking or undervolting.

The DIGITAL NYX models also integrate with upgraded DeepCreative software, enabling AI‑driven cooling profiles that automatically balance performance and acoustics. Users can select from tailored modes such as Sleep, Office, Gaming, and Overclocking, or allow the software to dynamically adjust fan behavior.

Like the standard G2 models, the DIGITAL NYX coolers use newly designed fans with 0‑RPM startup, ACT dust clearing, and quiet hydraulic bearings. Installation remains straightforward thanks to the robust mounting system, with the AK620 G2 DIGITAL NYX again offering offset mounting for improved RAM compatibility.

The AK G2 DIGITAL NYX series will be available exclusively in black, with three models covering four, five, and six‑pipe configurations. Pricing is set at €49.99 for the AK400 G2 DIGITAL NYX, €59.99 for the AK500 G2 DIGITAL NYX, and €74.99 for the AK620 G2 DIGITAL NYX, with availability in the EU beginning January 6th, 2026. The standard edition AK G2 models will also be available in January, in both black and white colour options, priced at €39.99 for the AK400 G2, going up to €49.99 for the AK500 G2 and €69.99 for the AK620 G2.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Would you choose the AK G2 Digital, or do you prefer the standard edition? 

The post DeepCool debuts 2nd Gen AK and AK Digital CPU coolers first appeared on KitGuru.

Sharkoon has introduced the SKILLER SGM30W, a wireless gaming mouse boasting up to 70 hours of battery life on a single charge. The long runtime is paired with the convenience of recharging either wirelessly or via the included USB‑C to USB‑A cable, ensuring the mouse is always ready to go.

The SGM30W is equipped with an optical sensor offering up to 6,000 DPI, delivering the precision and speed required for both fast‑paced action and more controlled gameplay. Seven programmable buttons allow players to tailor the mouse to their preferred setup, while durable Omron switches in the main buttons are built to withstand heavy use.

It wouldn't be a modern gaming peripheral without at least a little RGB illumination. For the SGM30W, Sharkoon has included a customisable RGB-lit logo, which also serves as a battery status indicator. Through Sharkoon's gaming software, you can customise the mouse further, with access to Macros and button re-bindings.

The Sharkoon SKILLER SGM30W will be available soon, priced around €35.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you shopping around for a new gaming mouse?

The post Sharkoon’s latest wireless gaming mouse boasts 70-hour battery life at entry-level price first appeared on KitGuru.

It might not be Black Friday officially yet, but MSI has rolled out a huge range of deals on gaming monitors. If you've been looking to make the jump to a QD-OLED display, now is a good time to shop around, with some models having their prices cut by nearly half.

The MPG 321URXW QD-OLED features a 31.5-inch 4K UHD (3840×2160) QD-OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms GtG response time. It supports DisplayHDR True Black, offers high DCI-P3 coverage, and includes OLED Care features. Positioned as a flagship, its combination of 4K resolution and 240Hz performance makes it a high-end choice for gamers and creators. The normal price is £1,199, but you can currently grab one for £649.

The MPG 272URX QD-OLED is a smaller option for those who prefer a more compact display with higher pixel density. It offers the same resolution and refresh rate as the larger 32-inch model listed above, but in a 27-inch display size. Normally, this model goes for £999 but it is currently down to £549.

For fans of 21:9 ultrawide displays, you can find the MPG 341CQPX QD-OLED. This monitor sports a 34-inch curved ultrawide QD-OLED panel, offering 3440×1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate and the rapid response times OLED displays are known for. Normally, this monitor sits near the £1000 mark but this month, you can grab one for £699.

If you are looking for a 16:9 QHD OLED monitor, then the MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24 is a solid option, priced at £399 for a limited time, down from its usual £599 price tag.

There are a number of non-OLED displays also heavily discounted at the moment. For instance, the MSI MAG 275CQRF QD-E2 is a 27-inch WQHD (2560×1440) curved monitor with a 1500R Rapid-VA panel with a 0.5ms response time and up to 180Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for gaming. You can find it now for just £159.

If your goal is to upgrade to 4K resolution, then the MAG 272URDF E16 delivers a 27-inch 4K UHD Rapid-IPS panel with Dual Mode capability, running UHD at 160Hz or FHD at 320Hz. It also supports DisplayHDR 400 and Adaptive-Sync, making it a balanced mid-range option for both gaming and creative work. The normal price is £349, now reduced to £249.

These are just a handful of highlights but there are many, many more MSI monitors on sale this month, so no matter your budget, you should be able to find one that suits you. You can find a complete list of MSI Black Friday deals HERE.

As always, MSI has a number of promotions also running in tandem with the Black Friday deals. For instance, graphics card purchases currently come with up to £100 in Steam credit. In keeping with the theme of this article, select QD-OLED monitors from MSI come with a free copy of Borderlands 4, so be sure to check out all of the various promotions to see what freebies you might be eligible for.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking anything up during the sales this month? 

The post MSI slashes prices across a range of monitors – including 46% off their flagship QD-OLED first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel's “Game Days” promotion, which wrapped up in late October, has already been replaced, though you could be forgiven for not noticing. Intel hasn't made any formal announcements, but new game packages spotted on retailers like Newegg indicate that the blue team is already underway with a new promotion.

While the previous promotion was relatively straightforward, focusing solely on Battlefield 6, this new bundle, spotted by VideoCardz, is split into two distinct tiers: Standard and Platinum. The list of included titles has grown significantly, and Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition is also now part of the offer in the Platinum tier.

Image credit: VideoCardz

The Standard tier appears to have shifted focus. It no longer applies to Raptor Lake CPUs, instead being restricted to Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors and Intel Arc Alchemist or Battlemage desktop and laptop GPUs. Buyers who qualify for this tier get to select one game from a pool of four major titles. The choices include Battlefield 6, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Sid Meier's Civilization VII, or Dying Light: The Beast. In addition to the single game, the Standard bundle also includes a suite of software. This package, which appears to be shared with the Platinum tier, offers in-game content for Marvel Rivals alongside productivity applications, including Vegas Pro 23, XSplit Premium Suite, Canvid, and Cephable Plus.

Things get more interesting with the Platinum deal. This one is aimed at high-end laptops, requiring a Core Ultra 200 series CPU from the H or HX families. As for the bundle's content, instead of choosing one game, Platinum buyers reportedly receive three games. The bundle is said to include the Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition and the Assassin's Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe Edition outright. On top of those two, buyers will be able to choose between Sid Meier's Civilization VII and Dying Light: The Beast, making for a much more substantial package.

The table lists the OEMs and retailers offering the Platinum bundle in each country (Currys in the UK). This new promotion is apparently already active and is set to run until January 31st, 2026. Anyone who snags a code will have until March 15th, 2026, to redeem their games.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you planning to take advantage of this new campaign to get some extra value for your purchase?

The post Intel quietly rolls out new Holiday bundle for Arc GPUs and Core Ultra CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

The October 2025 Steam hardware and software survey shows that Linux gamers have surpassed the 3% threshold for the first time, while Windows' share dropped by almost 1%.

According to the new data, Linux user share rose by 0.41% to hit 3.05%. This growth comes at the expense of Windows, which dropped 0.75 percentage points to 94.84%. macOS also saw a bump, rising 0.34% to 2.11%. This trend has been visible for some time, likely accelerated by the end-of-support for Windows 10, pushing more users to experiment with alternatives.

Based on GamingOnLinux Steam Tracker, the primary driver for this growth in Linux users is the Steam Deck. The handheld, which runs on SteamOS Holo, remains a top 10 global seller on Steam and accounts for the most significant chunk of Linux users at 27.18%.

The rest of the Linux landscape shows significant fragmentation. Arch Linux holds second place with a 10.32% share. The survey also reveals considerable movement, with notable new entries for Linux Mint 22.2 (6.65%) and CachyOS (6.01%). Interestingly, Flatpak runtimes, such as the Freedesktop SDK, are now appearing in the breakdown, alongside other gaming-focused OSs like Bazzite.

Valve has not provided an updated monthly active user (MAU) count since 2022, but even based on that old figure, the Linux user base would be well over 4 million. Given the millions of Steam Deck sales since then, the actual number is likely higher.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you already joined the Linux gang, or will you remain with Windows for the time being?

The post Linux sees growth on Steam thanks to continued adoption of SteamOS first appeared on KitGuru.

It appears Embark Studios is facing a classic case of success-induced server strain. This weekend, Arc Raiders saw its concurrent player count on Steam explode, rocketing past an all-time high of over 350,000 players. While this is a massive milestone for the extraction shooter, the victory wasn't achieved without its issues, as many who tried to log in on November 2nd.

While the peak concurrent user number is incredible (peaking at 354,836, according to SteamDB), it could have been much larger if not for the login issues the game experienced during the past weekend. Players hoping to jump in were instead met with significant queues and extended matchmaking times. Reports flooded in of queue waits ranging from five to ten minutes, only for some to be met with matchmaking errors that sent them back to the start.

The sudden influx of users clearly put more stress on the servers than anticipated. SteamDB charts showed a noticeable drop in player numbers shortly after the new peak was established, suggesting the server issues were actively preventing players from accessing the game.

Developer Embark Studios has acknowledged the problems. In a statement on the official Arc Raiders Discord, the studio confirmed it was aware of the widespread server, party system, and voice chat instability. About an hour later, Embark deployed a temporary login queue to handle the situation.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Arc Raiders? Did you face any problems while logging in?

The post Arc Raiders peak at over 350K concurrent players while facing login issues first appeared on KitGuru.

Following plenty of hype, previews and playtests, the Embark Studios-developed extraction shooter Arc Raiders is finally here. While there is already plenty to enjoy, the studio has now unveiled their 2025 roadmap for Arc Raiders – confirming the addition of new maps, weather, enemies and more.

Making the announcement on their blog, the team at Embark Studios have officially detailed their post-launch plans for the rest of 2025 as it pertains to Arc Raiders, writing:

“Welcome to the Raiders who have joined us since launch! Our development team is hard at work to expand the world, introduce new ARC threats, and adding many other new and exciting ways to play.”

The full list of upcoming additions can be found HERE, but some of the most notable include:

• New map conditions
• New feats and trials
• Cosmetic and QoL additions
• New map ‘Stella Montis’ (November)
• Community Events (November)
• New Arc (November)
• Additional gameplay items and quests (November)
• Snowfall map condition (December)
• New event (December)
• New Raider Deck (December)
• “And more”

While Arc Raiders is off to a strong start, it appears as though Embark Studios already have plenty of ideas planned out in order to ensure the game’s long-term success and prosperity.

KitGuru says: Have you been playing Arc Raiders? What do you think so far? What other additions / improvements not listed above would you like to see implemented? Let us know down below.

The post Arc Raiders 2025 roadmap revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

Over a decade on from its initial release, the highly popular extraction Shooter Escape From Tarkov was finally confirmed to be leaving Early Access in November – alongside getting a Steam release. With the title just under two weeks away from hitting 1.0, the team at Battlestate Games have confirmed that Tarkov has finally officially gone Gold.

Making the announcement on their socials, the team at Battlestate Games confirmed that Escape From Tarkov has Gone Gold ahead of the game’s 1.0 launch on the 15th of November.

For the uninitiated, ‘Going Gold’ means that the Escape From Tarkov master disc has been submitted to Battlestate Games’ publisher (in this case, themselves). After this, discs can then be pressed with finalised software and digital storefronts can upload the 1.0 version of the game ready for release.

Of course, seeing as how Tarkov has been publicly purchasable for a decade (and is a digital-only release), much of the processes for ‘Going Gold’ do not apply here.

Still, this marks a notable milestone for Escape From Tarkov regardless and is one worth celebrating. Hopefully the 1.0 – and Steam – launch go smoothly.

KitGuru says: When did you first try out Escape From Tarkov? Will you be hopping into the official release? Have you been waiting for the game to come to Steam? Let us know down below.

The post Escape From Tarkov goes Gold ahead of 15th November launch first appeared on KitGuru.

Pokémon GO was a bit of a cultural phenomenon when the mobile game released all the way back in 2016. Since then the app has gone on to be downloaded hundreds of millions of times while earning billions. It looks like Nintendo might have found their next Pokémon GO, with the recently-released Pokémon TCG Pocket having made more money in its first year compared to 2016’s viral sensation.

Last week, we reported that the card collecting Pokémon TCG Pocket had surpassed 150 million downloads ahead of its 1st anniversary on the 30th of October.

With the game now officially one year old, industry analysts AppMagic revealed that Pokémon TCG Pocket managed to earn almost $1.3 Billion during its first year on the market.

For comparison (as reported by ‘PocketGamer'), 2016’s Pokémon GO ‘only’ managed to make a Billion in its first year – though this still far outpaces any other Pokémon game released on mobile.

Given that Pokémon GO has since gone on to be downloaded over 600 million times while amassing over $5 Billion in revenue, it will be interesting to see whether TCG Pocket winds up having just as strong legs as Pokémon GO.

KitGuru says: What do you think of TCG Pocket? Are you surprised by its rapid success? Will it surpass Pokémon GO in the long run? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Pokémon TCG Pocket has made more money than Pokémon GO in its first year first appeared on KitGuru.

When it comes to controllers designed for mobile devices, Backbone is perhaps one of the most well known, having worked alongside both PlayStation and Xbox to create officially licensed smartphone controllers. Furthering this effort, Backbone has now announced a limited edition Death Stranding 2 controller.

Made in collaboration with Kojima Productions (and officially licensed by PlayStation), the Backbone One – DEATH STRANDING 2 Limited Edition controller is designed as a “utilitarian symbol of survival and delivery in the DEATH STRANDING universe.”

While ostensibly a regular gen-2 Backbone One, this limited edition version – of course – features a unique design, but also a special aluminium D-Pad and PlayStation buttons.

Being more of a collectors’ item (limited to just 1,350 units), the DS2 edition of the Backbone One is shipped in a themed “numbered hard case made only for this release.”

The Death Stranding 2 Backbone One officially goes on sale this Thursday the 6th of November.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the design? How does it compare to the DS1 Backbone? Let us know down below.

The post Limited edition Death Stranding 2 Backbone One controller announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we’re taking a look at another prebuilt desktop from the folks over at PCSpecialist, and this time it’s the turn of the Hyperion Master. Featuring a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, this could very well be the sweet spot for 1440p gaming. What's more, PCSpecialist have lowered the price to just £1649. It certainly looks a bargain on paper, but can it bring the performance to match?

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:53 Pricing and Warranty Details
01:34 CPU and GPU
02:59 Memory / Some tests
03:26 Storage
04:15 Motherboard
05:22 PSU
05:53 CPU Cooler
06:20 The Case
07:23 Mat's thoughts so far
08:07 Any problems with the build?
10:06 How we will test games
10:37 F1 2025 1440p / 4k
10:59 Hogwarts 1440p / 4k
11:27 Cyberpunk 2077 1440p / 4k
12:00 BlackOps 6 1440p / 4k
12:33 Forza Horizon 5 1440p / 4k
13:03 DLSS / Frame Gen testing
15:08 CPU and GPU real world operation
16:23 Thermal Camera footage
16:44 Noise output
16:58 So is it worth buying?

Specifications:

• FRACTAL EPOCH TG RGB GAMING CASE (BLACK)
• AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Eight Core CPU (Up to 5.2GHz/104MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5)
• ASUS® PRIME B850-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, M.2 PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E)
• 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 6000MHz CL30 (2 x 16GB)
• 12GB ASUS PRIME GEFORCE RTX 5070 OC – HDMI, 3 x DP
• 2TB CRUCIAL P310 GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7100MB/sR, 6000MB/sW)
• CORSAIR 750W RMe SERIES ATX 3.1, MODULAR, CYBENETICS GOLD
• PCS FrostFlow 240 Series ARGB High Performance Liquid Cooler
• 1 x PCS ARGB LED Fan

The core specs are confirmed in the following CPU-Z and GPU-Z screenshots:

We tested the Hyperion Master desktop through a series of games at both 1440p and 4k. A selection of results are in the screenshots below, but for full details, watch the full video review over on YouTube.

Overall, the system manages to provide a great gaming experience at 1440p, with many titles exceeding 100fps while running at maximum graphics settings with no scaling or frame generation. Performance could be improved even further with various setting tweaks to create an optimal experience in certain titles such as Black Ops 6 or Cyberpunk. Pushing the resolution up to 4k, obviously comes with a fairly substantial hit to framerates, but the system still managed to maintain 60+fps, again at maximum graphics settings, on more than one occasion.

Battlefield 6 (2560×1440 – Max Settings)

Battlefield 6 (3840×2160 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance, 4x Multi Frame Generation)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2560×1440 – Max Settings)

Cyberpunk 2077 (3840×2160 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance

F1 25 (3840×2160 – Max Settings)

Forza Horizon 5 (2560×1440 – Max Settings)

Closing Thoughts

PCSpecialist’s Hyperion Master is a well-balanced, capable gaming desktop that delivers exactly what most people want at 1440p – that being strong performance, sensible component choices, and fair pricing. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RTX 5070 pairing works really well together, backed up by fast 32GB DDR5 memory and a 2TB Gen 4 SSD that keeps things feeling responsive. Cooling performance is solid too, with the Frostflow 240 AIO keeping temperatures under control without adding unnecessary noise.

There were a few minor build details worth noting, but nothing serious and not something we’d usually expect from PC Specialist. The overall presentation is neat, the cable management is tidy, and the Fractal Design Epoch case gives it a simple, smart look that suits most setups.

At £1649, the value on offer is impressive. Building the same system yourself would cost about the same or slightly more, which makes this a very competitive prebuilt package. A cleaner, more understated version without RGB would be a nice future option, but as it stands, the Hyperion Master is an excellent all-round system for anyone wanting reliable 1440p gaming performance straight out of the box.

You can buy the Hyperion Master prebuilt desktop directly from PC Specialist for a limited time for £1649 HERE.

Pros:

• Great 1440p gaming performance.
• Excellent pricing.
• 2TB SSD will hold plenty of games.
• 6000MT/s CL30 memory is the sweet spot for Ryzen.
• Good cable management.

Cons:

• A few quality control issues upon delivery, like a loose screw and some plastic left on the GPU backplate.
• RGB balance is a little off – the system would have been great as ‘lights out’ build.

KitGuru says: Despite the minor attention to detail issues, the Hyperion Master is a very well priced machine that provides a solid all-round 1440p gaming experience.

The post PCSpecialist Hyperion Master Prebuilt Review (9800X3D + RTX 5070) first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD is partially reversing course after a recent announcement that it would move RDNA 1- and RDNA 2-based GPUs into “maintenance mode”, halting the development of game-ready drivers for these cards. Following significant backlash from the PC gaming community, the company has clarified that game optimisations for these cards will not be abandoned entirely.

The controversy began when AMD stated its Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2 driver would place the Radeon RX 5000 and RX 6000 series in maintenance mode. This was intended to concentrate on optimising and delivering new features for its latest GPUs. The original statement implied that older cards would only receive critical security and bug fixes, cutting off game-ready support.

This decision was met with immediate criticism, as it affects a massive install base. RDNA 2 is the architecture powering the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Steam Deck. It's also used in the original Asus ROG Ally handheld and as integrated graphics in numerous Ryzen 6000 and 7000 series laptops. Furthermore, popular cards like the Radeon RX 6700XT remain prominent despite the oldest RX 6000 cards being around five years old.

In a new statement to Tom's Hardware, an AMD representative attempted to clarify the situation: “New features, bug fixes, and game optimisations will continue to be delivered as required by market needs in the maintenance mode branch”. While AMD confirmed that day-zero support for games will continue, the term “as required by market needs” is vague. The clarification seems to suggest that major feature development will still be focused on RDNA 3 and 4, but popular new game releases may still get optimisations.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you glad AMD isn't stopping to develop game-ready drivers for its older graphics GPUs?

The post AMD will continue to bring launch-period game optimisations to RDNA and RDNA 2 after all first appeared on KitGuru.