Cooler Master has unveiled the Qube 540, a new 40L compact case with a heavy focus on builder flexibility. Following the geometric design of the Qube series, this new model is designed to be built in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, giving builders more choice when piecing together their rig. 

Despite its smaller footprint, the Qube 540 is built to handle high-performance hardware. The chassis supports motherboards from ITX up to E-ATX (as wide as 280mm) and has clearance for flagship graphics cards up to 415mm in length. For cooling, the case accommodates 360mm liquid-cooling radiators and supports CPU cooling towers up to 172mm in height.

The interior is modular, allowing builders to adjust the layout for components and airflow, and the I/O panel and handles can be repositioned. Available in dark grey and light grey, the case features one pre-installed 120mm fan at the rear and can accommodate a 3.5-inch drive, as well as up to three 2.5-inch drives. Additionally, it features dust filters on the top, bottom, and front.

Another interesting thing about the Qube 540 is its emphasis on 3D-printed customization. Cooler Master is providing official and community-developed open-source 3D files for owners to print their own accessories. To support this, the company is collaborating with 3D-printing firm Prusa to make these add-ons more accessible to builders.

KitGuru says: The Qube 540 looks like an improvement over the previous Qube cases. Would you be interested in building with one of these?

The post Cooler Master launches modular Qube 540 chassis first appeared on KitGuru.

While Contraband was announced in 2021 with a planned 2022 release date, the game continued to face delays and as a result, Microsoft ultimately pulled the publishing deal for the title. It is still unclear whether or not Avalanche will be able to revive the project, but in the meantime, newly leaked screenshots have given us a good look at what could have been. 

Contraband was going to be an open-world co-op shooter set in a fictional Southeast Asia inspired country, with a mix of 1970s flavour. The game would have seen players teaming up to smuggle contraband across borders, engage in black market trading and go on heists. The game was described officially as a “smuggler's paradise”.

In the gallery above, you can see some of the screenshots discovered by MP1st. These screenshots are primarily concept art, rather than a look at the final product, but it shows some of the UI menus and character portraits. Notably though, the character portraits in particular were not final and were merely in place for prototyping purposes.

It is unclear what Avalanche Studios will move on to next. Contraband is seemingly not coming out and recently, it came to light that the studio doesn't have full control over the Just Cause IP, and with the previous instalment not achieving high commercial success, along with the fact that many of the Just Cause creators are no longer with Avalanche, it is unlikely that we'll see Just Cause 5 instead.

KitGuru Says: Due to the Just Cause 2 multiplayer mod, Avalanche spent a lot of effort transforming into a multiplayer-first studio. Unfortunately, projects like Generation Zero failed to catch on and without some extra backing, Contraband may never see the light of day. 

The post Concept art leaks for cancelled Avalanche game ‘Contraband’ first appeared on KitGuru.

Recently, the Japanese patent office rejected Nintendo's application for a patent what would cover monster capturing and throwing mechanics, something that could serve quite the blow to the company's ongoing lawsuit against the creators of Palworld. Now, the US version of this patent, which Nintendo was granted earlier this year, is also in trouble, as the USPTO is now re-examining the patent's validity. 

Nintendo filed for patents covering monster catching, throwing and battle mechanics earlier this year in an effort to leverage those patents against PocketPair, the studio behind Palworld. While Palworld does take some inspiration from Pokémon, it is by and large a very different game to anything GameFreak has ever made. When the patent filings were initially reported, many came out to state that they should not be validated, as the vague language could impact hundreds of games, both new and old, not just Palworld.

As spotted by Gamesfray, the director of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), John Squires, has now ordered that Nintendo's recently granted patent be re-examined, as conflict has been found with a previous patent from Konami, who also seemingly has a claim over automatic and manual sub-character summoning and battle mechanics.

This doesn't mean that the patent will automatically be revoked, but in a sensible world, it would be. The patent is worded in such a way that could impact all kinds of games, from Ark: Survival Evolved, to Monster Hunter and many, many more.

KitGuru Says: While Palworld may have some Pokémon flavour in the form of its monster designs, Nintendo isn't suing over that. Instead, it is suing over mechanics that have existed in many different games for decades. If this is allowed to go ahead, it will hamper a lot of potential future innovation. 

The post US Patent Office to ‘re-examine’ crucial Nintendo patent at centre of Palworld lawsuit first appeared on KitGuru.

Following the ransomware attack on Insomniac a couple of years ago, a roadmap from the studio began doing the rounds, claiming that Insomniac would move on from Wolverine and Spider-Man in the coming years to focus on an X-Men series of games. Recent comments from Marvel Games seem to hint at that roadmap being accurate.

Speaking with Game Informer, Marvel Games head, Haluk Mentes, confirmed that they plan on working with Insomniac well into the future, beyond next year's release of Marvel's Wolverine, which will launch as a PS5 exclusive, but is also expected to release on PC eventually.

Here is the relevant quote:

“We have been working together for more than a decade and developed such a shorthand across multiple Marvel’s Spider-Man games that when the time finally came to bring Logan back in spectacular and visceral fashion, it was obvious to everyone on our team that Insomniac was the perfect choice. It was our shared culture and values that brought us together, and we’re so proud to continue collaborating for many years to come.”

The leaked roadmap claims that after Wolverine's release in 2026, Insomniac will be focusing on getting Spider-Man 3 out of the door by late 2028. After that, X-Men games will begin dropping starting from 2030. This timeline fits with Mentes' statement that Marvel and Insomniac plan to continue working together “for many years to come”. Interestingly, it was also previously claimed in leaks that the X-Men games will be multiplatform from the get-go, so we could see an end to the timed exclusivity on PlayStation.

KitGuru Says: Insomniac struggled to juggle multiple major characters in Spider-Man 2, with one of the game's biggest drawbacks being the constant shift between Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Hopefully that is an area that will improve, because an X-Men game would require a lot more shifting between character perspectives.

The post Marvel teases plans for more Insomniac-led superhero games first appeared on KitGuru.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is launching very soon. Ahead of the game's November 14th release, Activision has now confirmed the final PC system requirements for the game, with minimum & recommended specs, alongside an Ultra specification guideline for those looking to play at 4K or chasing extremely high frame rates. 

At a minimum, players will need a system equipped with a 1st generation AMD Ryzen 5 processor, or a 6th Gen Intel Core i5, along with 8GB of RAM and a Radeon RX 470 or GeForce GTX 970 or Intel Arc A580 graphics card. In all cases, it is recommended that you run the game on an SSD rather than a traditional hard drive, and you'll need 116GB of space to install the game, a number that is likely to grow overtime, as is often the case with Call of Duty each year.

Here are the remaining recommended and Ultra PC system requirements:

Recommended Specifications

Recommended specs to run at 60FPS in most situations with all options set to high:

• OS: Windows 11 64 Bit (latest update)
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600X or Intel Core i7-6700K
• RAM: 12 GB
• Video Card: AMD Radeon RX 6600XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or Intel Arc B580
• Video Memory: 8 GB
• Storage Space: SSD with 116 GB available space

Competitive / Ultra 4k

Competitive specs to run at a high FPS for use with a high refresh monitor, and Ultra specs to run the game at a high FPS in 4K resolution.

• OS: Windows 11 64 Bit (latest update)
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i7-10700K
• RAM: 16 GB
• Video Card: AMD Radeon RX 9070XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 / 5070
• Video Memory: 16 GB
• Storage Space: SSD with 116 GB available space at launch

The specifications are roughly in line with the requirements for the beta. If you were able to run the beta well, then you should have no issues running the final release when it drops next week.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on grabbing Black Ops 7?

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 PC system requirements confirmed first appeared on KitGuru.

Prior to EA's confirmation that Battlefield 6 sold 7 million copies at launch, analysts at Alinea Analytics predicted the result. Now with October fully behind us, they've updated their sales estimates to 10 million. 

Battlefield 6 has already surpassed 10 million copies sold, according to data from Alinea Analytics. Speaking with GI.biz, the analyst firm said that a lot of this popularity is being generated on the PC market, so we may not see Battlefield overtake Call of Duty this year, as Black Ops 7 is expected to generate more sales on consoles.

The analyst also reckons that despite the perception of good will for Battlefield and distaste for Call of Duty amongst many gamers at the moment, these factors are not expected to significantly impact sales. Of course, we have seen confidence in Call of Duty falter once or twice over the years, most notably with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Call of Duty: Vanguard, but the series has consistently bounced back and retained industry-leading sales.

We'll see just how well Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 performs very soon, as the game is due to drop on the 14th of November.

KitGuru Says: Have you been playing Battlefield 6 since launch? Will you also be picking up this year's Call of Duty? 

The post Battlefield 6 has surpassed 10 million copies sold, with PC leading the charge first appeared on KitGuru.

Mchose has launched its latest mechanical keyboard, the Ace 68 Turbo, targeting the competitive gaming market. The new model is built around Hall-effect magnetic switches and features a dual-chip architecture. The keyboard has an MSRP of $119, but it is currently available for a promotional launch price. 

The Ace 68 Turbo (via Xiaomi Today) features a dual-core, dual-chip design specifically designed to manage its 16K polling rate. Mchose claims this configuration delivers a 0.06 ms response time, intended to ensure stable input during gaming. The board utilises North Pole magnetic (Hall Effect) switches, which avoid physical contact for actuation. This design should reduce wear and maintain a smooth press over the keyboard's lifespan.

The hardware is housed in an aluminum chassis for a solid, durable build. On the software side, the keyboard features “RT Smart control”, which allows users to customise the actuation point of individual keys to suit their preference. The Ace 68 Turbo also includes “Self-adaptive dynamic calibration 2.0” technology, which Mchose states automatically aligns key response based on ambient conditions.

Connectivity is handled via tri-mode support, including wired USB, 2.4 GHz wireless, and Bluetooth, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. Users can manage settings through the Mchose software, which handles key remapping, macro creation, and the multi-zone RGB lighting. Customers can pay an $8 deposit to secure a $40 discount, dropping the price of the keyboard to $79.

KitGuru says: Do you think a 16K polling rate is overkill, or is it just the next step for the peripheral market?

The post The world’s first 16K polling keyboard has arrived first appeared on KitGuru.

Minecraft's latest crossover DLC is very interesting for anime fans. While we typically see a lot of licensed skin packs in Minecraft, the new Dragon Ball Z DLC goes much further, offering new gameplay elements and game modes, alongside fan favourite characters from the series. 

The Minecraft DLC features playable versions of characters like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, Piccolo, Krillin, Cell, Majin Buu, Frieza, Android 18 and even Bulma. On top of that, the DLC includes a new fighting game mode, allowing players to battle it out in 1v1, 5v5 or co-op in the World Martial Arts Tournament.

Each character will have access to their usual special skills, from Goku's Kamehameha and Vegeta's Galick Gun to Krillin's Destructo Disc. Fan favourite locations from the Dragon Ball series also appear as playable maps in the game, including the Cell Games arena, Planet Namek, Kami's Temple, Capsule Corp and more.

Beyond the new gameplay elements, the DLC also includes 17 character skins that can be used in normal Minecraft games, and fans will also get a Scouter cosmetic item for a limited time as well.

The Dragon Ball Z Minecraft DLC is available now for Minecraft Bedrock Edition, priced at $8.99.

KitGuru Says: It is cool to see some experimental gameplay features in Minecraft, going a full step beyond the usual cosmetic packs. The gameplay reminds me a little of Earth's Special Forces, which was a fantastic mod for Half-Life back in the 2000s. 

The post Minecraft gets Dragon Ball Z DLC with full fighting game mode first appeared on KitGuru.

NZXT has announced its entry into the premium fan market with the introduction of the Performance series. The new models include the F120X, F140X, F240X, F280X, and F360X, all featuring a single-frame design, Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) construction, and RGB lighting.

The frame and blades of each fan are constructed from LCP, an ultra-rigid material intended to resist flex and vibration at high speeds. This is paired with an optimised aerodynamic design that features a thicker 30 mm frame (up from the standard 25 mm), allowing the blades to move more air. NZXT also claims a minimal blade-to-frame gap to reduce turbulence.

Internally, the fans use a hybrid magnetic levitation and fluid dynamic bearing system. This is supported by a reinforced metal bearing enclosure and a 3-phase, 6-pole motor, which NZXT states is more efficient and provides smoother speed control. For aesthetics, the fans feature brushed aluminum side panels and subtle RGB lighting.

While the F120X and F140X are single-fan models, the other three are not. The F240X, F280X, and F360X integrate multiple fans into a single, solid frame, simplifying installation and significantly reducing cable clutter. All fans in the series are PWM-controlled and come with anti-vibration rubber corners.

The NZXT Performance fan series is now available in both black and white, and a 5-year warranty is included with all models. Pricing starts at £39.99/$44.99/€44.99 for the F120X and £44.99/$46.99/€46.99 for the F140X. The single-frame units are priced at £74.99/$84.99/€84.99 for the F240X, £79.99/$89.99/€89.99 for the F280X, and £99.99/$119.99/€119.99 for the F360X.

KitGuru says: How much would you spend on new case fans? 

The post NZXT targets premium market with new Performance fans first appeared on KitGuru.

Since the launch of the Switch, Nintendo has managed to achieve a level of adoption for its first-party games which we perhaps have never seen before, with countless titles selling over 10 million copies – and others like Mario Kart going even beyond 50 million. As they do each quarter, Nintendo has published updated game sales data, revealing that a solid half-dozen of their titles are about to hit new major milestones.

Taking to their investor relations site to publish the updated sales figures, Nintendo revealed just how well their legacy Switch 1 titles are doing, and how the current crop of Switch 2 games are performing.

With the data tracking up to the 30th of September, the Switch 1 titles which are set to hit major milestone sales are the following:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 69.56 million
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 48.62 million
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 36.93 million
• Super Mario Odyssey – 29.84 million
• Pokémon Scarlet/Violet – 27.61 million
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – 18.53 million

Given that the Switch 2 is still in its early days (and considering the fact that the data only goes up to the end of September), only two titles have made its list so far, with Mario Kart World sitting at 9.57 million copies sold and Donkey Kong Bananza bringing up the rear at 3.49 million.

We also got updated hardware sales data for the Switch 2 at the same time, allowing us to figure out the exact adoption rate for both Mario Kart World and Bananza – with the former at an impressive 92.37% and the latter at a respectable 33.69%.

Of course, Mario Kart World was given away as part of a Switch 2 launch bundle, helping its sales. Still, it appears as though like the OG, the Switch 2 will have plenty of best-selling games given time.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Switch 2 so far? Is it worth a purchase? Which Switch 2 exclusives are system sellers? Let us know down below.

The post Mario Kart World nears 10 million sales as Switch 1’s 8 Deluxe approaches 70 million first appeared on KitGuru.

As they do each Quarter, Nintendo published its latest earnings report while updating its investor relations website, revealing just how well the console maker’s software and hardware are doing. Four months on from the launch of the Switch 2 (as of the 30th of September), Nintendo’s latest and greatest has officially sold over 10 million units.

Taking to their investor relations site to update the figures, Nintendo revealed that as of the 30th of September (almost exactly 4 months on from the console's launch) the Switch 2 has officially sold over 10 million units – 10.36 million to be specific.

While it is far too soon to come to any major conclusions from this data (especially as Nintendo made sure to offer plenty of supply during the system’s launch period), the Switch 2 has already almost reached the life-time sales for the ill-fated Wii U, which ended with just 13.56 million units sold.

The Switch 1 meanwhile continues to slowly inch its way towards becoming the best-selling console of all time, with it now sitting at 154.01 million units (just 0.01 million away from the Nintendo DS and a little over 6 million to take the top spot above the PlayStation 2).

All that said, with the Switch 1 going up in price instead of down, we will have to wait and see whether the nearly 9 year old console has enough juice in the tank to make it to the top of the podium.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Switch 2’s early sales? Does it have a chance of reaching Switch 1 numbers eventually? Will the PS2 be dethroned by the end of the Switch 1’s life? Let us know down below.

The post Switch 2 officially sold over 10 million units in its first 4 months first appeared on KitGuru.

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.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

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.”

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

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.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

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.