Cooler Master has secured four iF Design Award 2026 honours. The Hamburg-based awards, which recognise global excellence in product innovation and user experience, highlighted Cooler Master's ability to blend high-performance engineering with the creative needs of the PC building community. The winning entries span the company's entire ecosystem, ranging from modular chassis to cooling solutions.

Starting with the award-winning cases, the Cosmos Alpha marks the latest evolution of Cooler Master's flagship lineup. Built upon the proprietary FreeForm 2.0 modular platform, this full-tower chassis is designed for enthusiast-grade hardware that requires significant space and flexible internal architecture. Its design allows builders to reconfigure the interior to accommodate complex liquid-cooling loops or massive multi-GPU setups while maintaining the premium material quality and sweeping lines the Cosmos series is known for.

Breaking away from traditional “box” enclosures, the MasterFrame 360 Panorama was also awarded for its open-frame design, which serves as a visual stage for the components. It features three-sided, tempered-glass panels that provide an unobstructed view of the internal hardware. Beyond its aesthetics, it includes a dedicated “display stage” for showcasing collectibles or custom-branded hardware.

One of the most innovative wins for Cooler Master this year is the Custom GPU Fan Cooling Kit. Recognising that GPU fans are often the first point of failure or the source of system noise, this kit provides a high-performance retrofit solution. Utilising the company's Mobius fan technology, the kit allows users to replace stock GPU fans with quieter, more efficient versions without the complexity of a full custom liquid loop. This design bridges the gap between basic air cooling and high-end mods, allowing gamers to replace the cooling solution of their existing graphics cards with relative ease.

Rounding out the award-winning quartet is the MasterFan A120. While a 120mm fan may seem standard, the iF Design jury recognised the A120 for its refined blade geometry. Optimised for both restrictive radiator cooling and general case ventilation, the fan integrates a sophisticated ARGB lighting system into a frame designed for near-silent operation.

KitGuru says: Do you agree with the awards given to these Cooler Master products? What other products do you think would deserve this award?

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With chip shortages set to drive PC hardware prices up further in 2026, the current Spring sales might be a good time to upgrade to avoid higher prices and stock shortages down the line. There are a number of good deals to be found right now on the graphics card front.

Earlier this week we covered a lengthy list of MSI deals covering graphics cards, cases, PSUs, coolers and gaming monitors. Now, Nvidia has sent us a couple more UK graphics card deals to highlight, bringing RTX 5070 GPUs back down below MSRP levels for the first time in months.

The Asus RTX 5070 Dual OC 12GB graphics card is back down to £499.99 at both OverclockersUK and CCL Computers. Right now, this graphics card is also part of Nvidia's Resident Evil Requiem promotion, so you can get a free copy of the game on Steam along with the graphics card.

If you are after something else, like an RTX 5070 Ti, or an RTX 5060 series GPU, then there are some deals to be found there too via MSI.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on upgrading your gaming PC this year?

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The first major expansion for Borderlands 4, Story Pack 1: Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned, is officially launching later this month. The first of the paid DLCs adds a new vault hunter for players to master, alongside a whole new explorable zone, new bosses and story content.

The update sends players to The Whispering Glacier, a frozen region threatened by a cosmic entity and home to derelict ships, eldritch growths, and a new alien monolith. Players team up with Ellie and the returning Mancubus Bloodtooth to uncover the secrets of the glacier and enter the Vault of the Damned.

Story Pack 1 adds new missions, activities, and collectibles, along with a late‑game mechanic that lets players destroy massive fleshy growths to unlock new areas and puzzles. A new World Boss system transports players to a nightmare dimension where a random boss awaits. The pack also debuts C4SH, a CasinoBot turned rogue gambler who wields a magical deck to unleash randomized spells. C4SH features three Action Skills and three branching skill trees, with a full gameplay reveal coming next week.

Players can expect two major boss fights, 16 minibosses, and new enemy factions across the glacier. Loot drops include three Pearlescent weapons and 11 new Legendary items, plus 28 cosmetic additions ranging from Vault Hunter heads and skins to weapon, vehicle, and ECHO‑4 customisations.

Alongside the launch, Borderlands 4 will roll out shared progression across characters, with cross‑platform saves planned for a later update. Gearbox’s 2026 roadmap confirms free monthly content drops through the summer, including a raid boss in April, a Takedown in May, and Story Pack 2 arriving in Q3.

KitGuru Says: Are you returning to Borderlands 4 for the new DLC?

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Amazon has refreshed its Luna lineup for March 2026, giving Prime subscribers a new wave of cloud‑streamable titles alongside a batch of PC games to claim permanently.

Prime members can jump into eight Luna games this month, including Control: Ultimate Edition, Wobbly Life, House of Golf 2, ClayFighter, Mortal Shell, and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, offering a mix of action-adventure, retro fighters, Souls‑likes, and accessible multiplayer picks.

Prime Gaming’s claim‑and‑keep catalogue expands as well, headlined by Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon’s Keep, Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw, Total War: Three Kingdoms, and Deep Sky Derelicts, with additional titles expected throughout the month.

Luna remains included with Prime at no extra cost, allowing members to stream games instantly without installs or dedicated hardware.

KitGuru Says: Will you be playing any of this month's new Prime games?

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MSI has cut prices across the board for its UK Spring sale, offering sizeable discounts across gaming monitors, as well as components like graphics cards, motherboards and power supplies.

On the gaming monitor side of things, we have always highly recommended the upgrade to OLED. MSI's QD-OLED line-up has seen some notable discounts, including the MPG 321URXW QD‑OLED, which is now down to £649, offering 4K resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth gaming.

The Ultrawide MPG 491CQPX QD‑OLED is also discounted right now, down to £899 from £1199. If you prefer a QHD option, then the MAG 272QPW QD-OLED X28 is a fantastic option at under £450, offering a 27-inch 1440p display with 280Hz refresh rate, along with all of the natural benefits that an OLED display provides.

On the components front, those looking to upgrade to an RTX 50 series GPU can find a few deals at the moment. The RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio is down to £849.99, while the RTX 5060 Ti Gaming Trio is down to £454.99. An MSI RTX 5060 can also currently be had for less than £290.

If you are going for a full new system upgrade, then you may also want to pick up a motherboard, case, power supply or CPU cooler. Fortunately, MSI has plenty of discounts there too, from the MPG A1000GS PCIE5 power supply at £129.99, to motherboards like the X670E Carbon WiFi at £279, or the Z890 Tomahawk WiFI at £239. Cases like the MPG Velox 300R and MAG PANO are also discounted right now, alongside MAG CoreLiquid AIO CPU coolers.

You can find all of MSI's Spring Sale deals, alongside a list of participating retailers for each product, HERE.

If you do end up buying some new hardware during this sale, then be sure to check out MSI's other promotions. Currently, select motherboards ship with a free copy of Crimson Desert, while QD-OLED monitors are eligible for a free copy of Resident Evil Requiem. There are also other promotions for Steam Store credit and more.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning a new PC build at the moment? Will you be looking to get anything during the Spring sale? 

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At GDC earlier this week, Nvidia made a few GeForce Now related announcements, including new additions to the UI to improve game discoverability, and confirmation that major titles like Control Resonant will be available at launch. Now, Nvidia has announced the next wave of games joining the library.

In a new update to the GeForce Now interface, game discoverability gets a boost thanks to in-app labels for connected services like Game Pass and Ubisoft+. Soon, new platforms like GOG will be available to link with GeForce Now too for even greater access to your library across all devices. The Install-to-Play feature is also expanding with a list of Xbox titles, including the likes of Brutal Legend from Double Fine and Contrast from Compulsion Games.

The full list of games joining GeForce Now this week includes:

• Warcraft I: Remastered (New release on Ubisoft, March 11)
• Warcraft II: Remastered (New release on Ubisoft, March 11)
• 1348 Ex Voto (New release on Steam, March 12, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)
• John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando (New release on Steam, March 12, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)
• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (New release on Steam, March 12, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)

On top of these titles, Nvidia has also announced that Greedfall: The Dying World has also migrated over to the RTX 5080 servers, so Ultimate members will get a performance boost.

KitGuru Says: Will you be playing any of this week's new games?

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Elgato announced the next stage of its collaboration with Voicemod, moving away from reliance on external apps toward a more seamless, hardware-integrated ecosystem. With this update, gamers and creators can access Voicemod's signature voice-changing technology and soundboards directly within Wave Link and Stream Deck. By utilising the Elgato Marketplace as a centralised hub, the partnership aims to reduce the “software bloat” and simplify the setup process.

From now on, Voicemod voice changers are available as native VST effects within Wave Link. Previously, users had to run the standalone Voicemod application in the background and route their microphone through a virtual channel to Wave Link before sending it to Discord or OBS. Now, these effects are installed directly in Wave Link. This native execution reduces system latency and improves reliability by eliminating intermediate virtual devices.

Furthermore, users with the latest Wave hardware (such as the Wave:3 or Wave XLR) can now take advantage of the Wave FX Processor. This allows voice changers to be applied directly at the hardware/driver level, enabling low-latency monitoring. Creators can hear their transformed voices in real time with zero delay.

For Stream Deck users, the update introduces pre-configured Voicemod soundboard profiles on the Elgato Marketplace. These profiles are ready for 15-key layouts, allowing users to install entire themed collections without manual mapping. To capture a wider audience, Elgato has also confirmed that Wave Link is now free to use with any microphone or interface, not just Elgato-branded hardware. This allows any creator to use Wave Link as a digital sub-mixer, routing these new Voicemod soundboards to specific outputs.

KitGuru says: Do you have any Elgato hardware? Will you be trying the new Voicemod VST effects and soundboard profiles from the marketplace?

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MSI has updated its Intel-based 800-series motherboard portfolio ahead of the launch of the Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series, a mid-generation refresh that focuses on efficiency gains, increased core counts, and improved memory compatibility.

Leading MSI's updated lineup is the MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI II. Designed with a new black-and-green aesthetic, the board features a 16-phase Duet Rail Power System to handle the Ultra 7's sustained 5.5 GHz clocks. Connectivity is a major focus, with MSI integrating Thunderbolt 4, 5G LAN, and Wi-Fi 7. The board also serves as a showcase for MSI's EZ DIY innovations, including EZ PCIe Release, which allows one-click GPU removal, and EZ M.2 Shield Frozr II and EZ M.2 Clip II, which enable tool-free installation of PCIe drives. For those moving to the latest networking standards, the EZ Antenna design replaces traditional screw-on Wi-Fi antennas with a plug-and-play snap-on mechanism.

On the lower end, MSI also unveiled the B860M GAMING PLUS WIFI 6E and the PRO Z890-S WIFI 6E W. The B860M GAMING PLUS WIFI 6E is an mATX board featuring a 12-phase power system and silver-and-blue accents, bringing features like Killer 5G LAN and Wi-Fi 6E to the mid-range market. Meanwhile, the PRO Z890-S WIFI 6E W is tailored for professional workstations, opting for a simpler all-white PCB and a 12-phase Duet Rail system. It maintains the Z890 chipset benefits while prioritising a clean aesthetic and high-speed USB 20 Gbps connectivity. Existing MSI Z890 owners can rest easy, as the new processors are fully compatible with current 800-series boards via a BIOS update.

KitGuru says: If you were to build or upgrade a system and use one of the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus CPUs, which new MSI motherboard would you choose?

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Before there was Fortnite Battle Royale, there was Fortnite Save the World – a tower defence styled co-op experience in which you must build and protect your base from waves of zombies. With the explosive popularity of the then-side mode ‘Fortnite BR’, support for Save the World was stripped back. Almost a decade on from its original paid release, Fortnite Save the World is now officially going free-to-play.

Making the surprise announcement on their blog, the team at Epic Games revealed that “Save the World is going free-to-play on April 16, welcoming even more players to join the fight on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Cloud, and Nintendo Switch 2.”

Seeing as how it was initially released as a paid product, current owners of the game will continue to receive their founder's benefits, including the all-important V-Bucks. Additionally, players are set to receive Superchargers, Vouchers, and Gold on April 16 “as a thank you for the last nine years of world saving.”

As part of the announcement, Epic also unveiled a community goal in anticipation of the upcoming release, with pre-registration milestones being tied in-game rewards.

Full details on this free-to-play shift (including a full FAQ) can be found HERE, but one final interesting part of the announcement was confirmation that Save the World isn’t coming to smartphones nor the Nintendo Switch 1.

Following the rise in popularity of their free-to-play BR mode, it was expected that Save the World would eventually be folded into the wider experience. Though almost a decade later than expected, Epic Games is finally once again paying attention to Save the World. It will be interesting to see how much support the mode will receive moving forward.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the announcement? Is it 9 years too late? Did you buy the founder’s pack back in the day? Let us know down below.

The post Fortnite Save the World is going free-to-play almost a decade on from release first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft made a big slash last generation with the announcement and rollout of their backwards compatibility program, bringing older Xbox 360 and OG Xbox titles forward (many with improvements). Though the program has been relatively quiet in recent years, Microsoft have now teased that they “will release some iconic games from the past” later this year.

As part of the company’s GDC announcements, Microsoft spoke on Project Helix and Xbox as a whole, with Jason Ronald (the vice president of the Next Generation of Xbox) claiming that they will be reviving their game preservation program in some form, stating:

“We’re committed to keeping games from four generations of Xbox playable for years to come. As part of our 25th anniversary later this year, we’ll be rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past.”

No further details were offered, and so fans are left to speculate somewhat, especially with this next-gen Xbox said to be pretty much a Windows PC. Hopefully this “new way to play” doesn’t wind up being cloud streaming. We will have to wait and see.

The full summary of Xbox’s developer Summit Keynote can be found HERE, including a release window for their upcoming Xbox Mode.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Microsoft’s Xbox backwards compatibility program? Are you glad to see it being revived? What do you think they mean by “new ways to play”? Let us know down below.

The post Microsoft teases “iconic games from the past” coming to Xbox preservation program first appeared on KitGuru.

With Microsoft’s next Xbox said to be pretty much a PC in most aspects, the company has been working on its ‘Xbox Mode’ front-end to make for a more user-friendly and seamless experience. Already available in an early form via the ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft have now revealed that their new Xbox mode will start rolling out to PCs beginning next month.

As part of the company’s GDC developer Summit, Jason Ronald – the Vice President of Next Generation Xbox – revealed that their in-development ‘Xbox Mode’ is expanding from next month, writing:

“After debuting an early version with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, today I’m excited to share that we are bringing the same innovation to Windows 11 with Xbox mode that begins rolling out in April, starting with select markets.”

Ronald continued, “Xbox mode lets players seamlessly switch between productivity and play, with a familiar full screen and controller optimized Xbox experience while embracing the openness of Windows.”

As mentioned, we saw this launch first on the ROG Xbox Ally…to somewhat mixed results.

That said, in Microsoft’s own words, it represented “an early version” and so it will be interesting to see what the finalised form of the mode looks like. We won’t have to wait long to find out.

In other GDC news, Ronald also spoke on the return of their games preservation program – the details of which can be found HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Microsoft’s GDC announcements? Has Xbox Mode on the ROG Ally been good enough? Will the experience be as seamless as Microsoft claims? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Xbox Mode officially comes to Windows PCs starting next month first appeared on KitGuru.

One feature introduced with the Steam Deck was the notion of games being Steam Deck verified – giving users an easy indicator as to which titles should and should not run on the gaming handheld. With the upcoming Steam Machine, it appears Valve is taking a similar approach; this time offering more concrete compatibility requirements.

As part of the company’s GDC talk, Valve spoke on their upcoming hardware releases including the much-anticipated Steam Machine. According to Valve (as collated by PCGamer), the upcoming box will require a similar level of testing to that of the Steam Deck, meaning if it is Steam Deck verified then the game should also be Steam Machine verified.

That said, for all of its good, Steam Deck verification varies widely from title to title, with some offering bespoke graphics modes for the platform whereas others can run like a potato while still receiving the green checkmark.

For the Steam Machine, it seems requirements are slightly more stringent, with Valve revealing that there’s a performance target requirement of 1080p and 30fps. Given that this device is designed for TV play, here’s to hoping that most titles are able to run at perceptively higher resolutions and with increased framerates than than above however.

Regardless, it appears to be a step up compared to Steam Deck Verification. Of course, we will have to wait and see how strict Valve will be in this regard.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Steam Deck verification system? Is it too lenient? Would you accept modern games running at 1080p 30fps? Let us know down below.

The post Valve reveals Steam Machine verification requirements first appeared on KitGuru.

Following on from leaks last night, Sony has announced the next wave of games for the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium catalogues. A number of big games will be added to the PlayStation Plus Extra library this week, including Persona 5 Royal and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

Persona 5 Royal is a standout game on the list. It is the highest-selling Persona game to date and really put the series on the map for a whole new audience. In the Royal edition, you get some extra content over the base edition of the game, including a new character to learn all about. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is also a big hit for March, providing hours of action up against vicious Tyranid swarms.

Here is the full list of titles joining PlayStation Plus Extra on March 17th:

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 | PS5
• EA Sports Madden NFL 26 | PS5
• Persona 5 Royal | PS5, PS4
• Persona 5 Royal – Ultimate Edition | PS4
• Blasphemous 2 | PS5, PS4
• Metal Eden | PS5
• Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria | PS5
• Astroneer | PS5, PS4

PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will get one extra game this month – Tekken Dark Resurrection. It will be made available at the same time as the new PlayStation Plus Extra titles.

KitGuru Says: Will you be installing any of this month's new games?

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Arctic has expanded its operations beyond the consumer market with the announcement of the Liquid Freezer WS360, a specialised AIO liquid cooler built for high-end workstation processors.

Designed to tame the thermal output of AMD Epyc, Ryzen Threadripper Pro, and Intel Xeon chips, the WS360 moves away from the multi-compatible mounting brackets of the consumer series in favour of an enlarged copper cold plate that ensures full coverage of the giant integrated heat spreaders found on server-grade silicon. This focus on maximising contact area is critical for workstation workloads, which can see CPUs draw several hundred watts under sustained load.

For specs, the WS360 shares Arctic's Liquid Freezer III DNA but optimises it for professional reliability. It features a similar high-density 38 mm thick radiator, which provides more thermal mass and liquid volume than the 27 mm radiators typically found in consumer AIOs. To move air through this fin stack, Arctic has equipped the unit with pre-mounted P12 Pro PST CO fans, where the “CO” stands for Continuous Operation. As such, these fans use dual ball bearings rated for long-term, high-intensity use in workstation environments. The cooler comes with 2 grams of Arctic's new MX-7 thermal paste, ensuring an efficient interface between the die and the cold plate right out of the box.

Arctic is launching the WS360 in three versions, each optimised for its respective socket. The WS360-4710 is tailored for Intel's LGA4710 and LGA4677 sockets and is currently priced at $114.99/€131.24 (originally MSRP $174.99/€174.99). For AMD systems, the WS360-SP5, as the name implies, targets the SP5 platform at $119.99/€134.99 (vs. $179.99/€179.99), while the WS360-SP6 covers a range of AMD workstation sockets, including SP6, SP3, sTR5, sWRX8, and sTRX4, priced at $109.99/€127.49 (vs. $169.99/€169.99).

KitGuru says: Arctic might be able to disrupt the workstation cooling market by bringing its “performance-per-dollar” philosophy to a segment often dominated by overpriced industrial solutions. Do you think Arctic can make a similar stand in the server and workstation market as it did for mainstream consumers?

The post Arctic expands workstation-focused lineup with Liquid Freezer WS360 AIO cooler first appeared on KitGuru.

Konami has confirmed that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater has surpassed 2 million copies sold worldwide. The remake, which launched on August 28th, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, sold one million units in its debut week. Over the following six months, the title maintained steady momentum to double that figure, proving that the appetite for Big Boss's origin story remains incredibly high two decades after its original debut.

Developed by Konami and Virtuos Studios using Unreal Engine 5, the remake strikes a balance between modernisation and historical preservation. While the environments and character models have been completely rebuilt to 2026 standards, the developers opted to keep the original's area-based structure and loading sections to maintain the pacing of the 2004 classic. The game also retains the original voice acting, ensuring that David Hayter's and the late Lori Alan's performances remain faithful to the original.

Despite this approach, Virtuos introduced several QoL improvements that change the gameplay. For example, players can now crouch-walk and crawl on their backs. The Close Quarters Combat (CQC) system has also been expanded, offering more tactical options in both stealth and open combat. Given the sales numbers, these additions have clearly resonated with both series veterans and newcomers.

This sales success is a win for Konami's broader strategy to revive its older IPs. With Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 scheduled for release on August 27th, the franchise is firmly back in the spotlight. The upcoming collection is particularly anticipated as it will finally bring Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots to more platforms, alongside a remastered version of the fan-favourite Peace Walker.

KitGuru says: Two million copies in six months is a respectable showing for a remake that stayed so close to its roots. While some critics initially questioned the decision to keep the “room-based” level design, the sales figures suggest that at least some fans value the 1:1 recreation over a complete reimagining.

The post Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater reaches 2 million sales first appeared on KitGuru.

As the launch of Crimson Desert looms, Pearl Abyss has provided an exhaustive breakdown of how its highly anticipated open-world title will perform across a sprawling landscape of gaming hardware. By unveiling specific targets for PC, home consoles, and even dedicated handhelds and Mac specifications, the studio seems pretty confident in its proprietary BlackSpace Engine.

On the console front, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X users will have access to three distinct graphical profiles tailored to different gameplay priorities. The Performance Mode aims for a fluid 60 FPS by targeting a native 1080p resolution with ray tracing set to its lowest settings and using Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) or VSync to maintain stability. For those seeking a middle ground, the Balanced Mode pushes the visual envelope to 4K by upscaling from a 1280p base using AMD's FSR 3 technology, targeting a stable 40 FPS. Finally, the Quality Mode prioritises fidelity, scaling a 1440p internal resolution to 4K with FSR 3 to hit a 30 FPS target, with the Xbox Series X and PS5 versions using the high preset ray tracing.

The Xbox Series S is more restricted, offering a 720p Performance profile at 40 FPS and a 1080p Quality profile at 30 FPS, both with ray tracing disabled to ensure consistent performance on the more modest hardware. Lastly, the PS5 Pro runs the game with the same performance targets as the standard consoles, but at 4K. However, in Performance mode, the base is 1080p, while in Balanced mode, it increases to 1440p. In both cases, PSSR is the upscaling method used, and ray tracing is set at high. In the Ultra preset, the ray tracing is set at Ultra.

For PC players, the entry-level requirements are surprisingly inclusive, allowing the game to run on hardware nearly a decade old. The minimum spec calls for an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT paired with an Intel Core i5-8500 or Ryzen 5 2600X, targeting 30 FPS at 1080p (upscaled from 900p) on minimum settings.

To reach a native 1080p at 30 FPS with low settings, a slight bump to a GTX 1660 or RX 6500 XT is required. The Recommended Spec, which aims for 1080p at 60 FPS or 4K at 30 FPS with medium settings, moves into the mid-range territory, requiring an RTX 2080 or RX 6700 XT paired with a Ryzen 5 5600 or i5-11600K. For 1440p at 60 FPS with high settings, users will need an RTX 4070/Radeon RX 7700 XT and a Core i5-12600K/Ryzen 5 7600X. Those targeting 4K at 60 FPS on Ultra settings will need an Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti or the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, backed by an i5-13600K or Ryzen 7 7700X. All PC configurations require 150 GB of SSD space and 16 GB of RAM.

Handheld owners have also received dedicated guidance, with Pearl Abyss highlighting the performance delta between various handheld units. The standard Asus ROG Xbox Ally (Z2 A) is expected to maintain 40 FPS at 720p with FSR 3 Frame Generation. However, the newer ROG Xbox Ally X (Z2 Extreme) leverages its superior thermal and memory headroom to reach 60 FPS in Performance mode by upscaling 720p to 1080p with FSR 3 Frame Generation enabled. Even in its Quality mode, the Ally X is projected to deliver a respectable 1080p at 30 FPS, making it a viable way to experience the continent of Pywel on the go.

Surprisingly, Pearl Abyss also shared the specs for Mac systems, and in quite a lot of detail. Note that the chart highlights a massive performance delta between macOS 15 and the upcoming macOS 26, with the latter leveraging advanced MetalFX frame interpolation to effectively double frame rates across all tiers. Regardless of the system, like on PC and handheld systems, you'll need 16 GB of RAM and 150 GB of storage. To even get through the gate at “Minimum” settings, you're looking at an M2 Pro (ray tracing off) or a base M3/M4 chip (ray tracing on) to hit 30 FPS at sub-1080p resolutions. To push for “Ultra” settings at 4K with 60 FPS, you'll need an M3 Ultra or an M4 Max (both require macOS 26+).

KitGuru says: In an era where many “next-gen” titles feel unoptimised at launch, Pearl Abyss's new game looks to have gone the other way around. If the launch-day performance matches these specs, Crimson Desert could become the new standard for open-world tech.

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Razer has chosen the GDC 2026 stage to reveal a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools designed to transform how games are developed and experienced. With the gaming market projected to hit $206.5 billion by 2028, Razer's “Future of Play” showcase highlights a shift toward “agentic” development, using AI not just to generate assets but to manage complex workflows, automate quality assurance, and drive multi-sensory immersion.

Starting with Ava, what started as a 3D hologram desk companion at CES 2026 has evolved into an AI agent. Razer Ava has transitioned from a reactive chatbot to a proactive assistant capable of understanding user intent and executing multi-step workflows across various apps and services. This is powered by the new Razer Inference Control Plane, which routes tasks between local and cloud models to maintain low latency. AVA can now interface with third-party apps like Spotify and coordinate with other AVA units to handle scheduling or meeting proposals. By managing the setup and coordination, Razer positions Ava as a tool for developers and casual gamers. Beta sign-ups for Razer AVA are currently open via Razer Cortex, with early access invitations expected to begin rolling out in the second quarter of 2026.

Razer is also addressing quality assurance processes with its updated QA Companion-AI. The main feature of this 2026 update is its “zero-integration” deployment, meaning it requires no SDKs or code changes to function. It operates through a vision-based system that analyses gameplay footage to detect rendering, physics, and animation bugs. Beyond simple detection, the tool can now generate functional and negative test cases directly from developer prompts or game design documents. Autonomous gameplay agents are also in development to execute these test cases and provide pass/fail summaries without scripting. By automating the reproduction steps and reporting, Razer aims to accelerate the QA cycle for studios of all sizes.

Rounding out is the Razer Adaptive Immersive Experience, a new runtime that unifies haptics, lighting, and audio into the WYVRN developer ecosystem. This system is designed to reduce the time developers spend tuning sensory effects to as little as three days by providing a plug-and-play library compatible with Unity and Unreal Engine. The system uses “Dynamic Haptics” to blend designer-authored effects with real-time “Audio-to-Haptics” (A2H) conversion. This allows the game to provide a consistent ambient baseline of tactile feedback even in moments where developers haven't manually scripted an effect. Built on the foundation of Razer Sensa HD Haptics, Razer Chroma RGB, and THX Spatial Audio+, the runtime intelligently adapts to in-game signals without overriding the studio's creative intent. This immersive layer will begin its phased rollout in the first quarter of 2026.

KitGuru says: Have you ever thought Razer would get into the developer market segment? What do you think of this new venture for the company?

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Today Intel expanded its desktop CPU lineup with new Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra 7 Plus processors. These new chips are supported on all existing 800-series chipset motherboards, but some models may require an update first. Today, ASRock is confirming its broad support for these new chips across its full 800-series motherboard lineup.

ASRock’s complete 800 series motherboard lineup, including Z890, B860, and H810 chipset models, all are fully compatible with the latest Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors, enabling users to easily upgrade.

In the table below you can see the full list of ASRock 800-series motherboards along with the optimised BIOS version that you'll want to install if running a new Core Ultra 200S Plus CPU:  

Model	Bootable BIOS version	Optimized BIOS version
Z890 Taichi AQUA		3.23
Z890 Taichi OCF	3.17	3.22
Z890 Taichi	3.15	3.24
Z890 Taichi Lite	3.15	3.24
Z890 Nova WiFi	3.15	3.24
Z890 LiveMixer WiFi	3.12	3.21
Z890 Steel Legend WiFi	3.15	3.24
Z890 Lightning WiFi	3.15	3.24
Z890 Riptide WiFi	3.12	3.21
Z890 Pro RS	3.15	3.24
Z890 Pro RS WiFi	3.15	3.24
Z890 Pro RS WiFi White	3.15	3.24
Z890 Pro-A	3.15	3.24
Z890 Pro-A WiFi	3.15	3.24
Z890M Riptide WiFi	3.15	3.24
Z890I Nova WiFi	3.14	3.20
B860 LiveMixer WiFi	2.11	3.21
B860 Steel Legend WiFi	2.11	3.21
B860 Lightning WiFi	2.11	3.21
B860 Challenger WiFi	1.10	3.21
B860 Challenger WiFi White	1.10	3.21
B860 Rock WiFi 7	1.10	3.21
B860 Pro RS	1.27	3.22
B860 Pro RS WiFi	1.27	3.22
B860 Pro-A	1.27	3.22
B860 Pro-A WiFi	1.27	3.22
B860M Steel Legend WiFi	2.06	3.21
B860M Lightning WiFi	2.06	3.21
B860M LiveMixer WiFi	2.04	3.21
B860M Rock WiFi	1.08	3.22
B860M Pro RS	1.25	3.21
B860M Pro RS WiFi	1.25	3.21
B860M Pro-A	1.25	3.21
B860M Pro-A WiFi	1.25	3.21
B860M Pro-A/TPM	1.21	1.22
B860I Lightning WiFi	2.03	3.21
B860I WiFi	3.12	3.22
B860M-X Gen5	2.12	3.22
B860M-X Gen5 WiFi
B860M-X	2.13	3.22
B860M-X WiFi
B860M-H2	2.11	3.22
B860M-HDVP	1.23	1.31
H810M-X Gen5	1.04	3.21
H810M-X Gen5 WiFi	1.04	3.21
H810M-P Gen5	1.03	3.21
H810M-X	2.11	3.21
H810M-X WiFi	2.11	3.21
H810M-HDVP	1.21	1.31

KitGuru Says: Are you thinking about upgrading to a new Intel CPU this year? 

The post ASRock’s 800-series motherboards already support Intel’s new Core Ultra 200S Plus CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Today Intel is expanding its desktop CPU portfolio with two new SKUs – the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, bringing increased core counts and more performance.

Both of these new CPUs are fully compatible with existing Intel 800-series chipset motherboards, although you may want to check for a BIOS update from your motherboard vendor first. Both CPUs utilise the Arrow Lake architecture, offering key new options for system builders at the $199 and $299 price points.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus offers a total of 18 CPU cores and 18 threads, split between six P-Cores and 12 E-Cores, along with a max boost speed of 5.3GHz. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus goes a step further, offering 24 total cores, split between 8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores, along with a 5.5GHz max boost speed.

Alongside the new CPUs, Intel has also announced the Binary Optimisation Tool, a new software utility that helps users optimise app and game binaries for improved performance. The tool will ship alongside the new CPUs, starting on the 26th of March.

KitGuru Says: We will look forward to taking a closer look at these later in the month.

The post Intel launches new Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

AOC is adding another compact and portable IPS monitor to its line-up. The new AOC 16T20E2 offers users an easily transportable display with wide viewing angles and accurate colours, ideal for multi-monitor work with a laptop.

The monitor is impressive for its slim and light profile, measuring in at just 9mm thick and weighing under 1kg, making it one of the slimmest and lightest portable monitors on the market. At this size, it is also easy to fit in a backpack, laptop bag or carry-on, making it ideal for business trips. It also has a 3H hardness for scratch resistance for more durability during travels.

As noted earlier, the display here is a 16-inch IPS panel with 1080p resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate, along with a 4ms GtG response time. The 1000:1 contrast ratio ensures clear distinction between dark and light content, while the wide 178°/178° viewing angles maintain consistent colour accuracy even when viewed from the side.

As far as connection options go, the AOC 16T20E2 offers USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, along with a Mini HDMI port and a headphone output. The monitor also comes with a magnetic cover to keep it protected during transport – the cover can also be used as an adjustable stand.

The AOC 16T20E2 portable monitor will be available starting this month, priced around £89.99.

KitGuru Says: Have you used a portable monitor before?

The post AOC’s new 16T20E2 portable monitor hits the market at under £90 first appeared on KitGuru.

A couple weeks into each month, Sony announces and releases its line-up of PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium titles. As with most months however, leakers have uncovered Sony’s plans early – revealing a pretty meaty month for PS Plus Extra including but not limited to Persona 5 royal and Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2.

As reported by Billbil-kun via dealabs (who has accurately leaked tons of previous monthly line-ups), PlayStation Plus Extra / Premium subscribers are set to receive a strong selection of titles next week. While things could of course change, as it stands Sony is set to bring half a dozen titles to the service on the 17th of March, namely:

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (PS5)
• Persona 5 Royal (PS5 | PS4)
• Madden NFL 26 (PS5)
• Metal Eden (PS5)
• The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (PS5)
• Astroneer (PS4)

For many, the headliners for the month are Persona 5 Royal and Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2.

Of course, Persona 5 Royal is the expanded/complete version of ATLUS’ 2016 JRPG. Released in 2019 (2020 in the West) the title introduced new characters; confidants; a 3rd semester and more. If you’ve not played Persona 5 in any capacity, Royal will have you sorted out for the next 100-150 hours or so.

Space Marine 2 on the other hand released in 2024 – a decade on from its first entry. The wait was worth it however, with the action-heavy 3rd-person shooter going on to sell millions of copies. Since launch, the title has only continued to improve, with the game receiving a ton of major updates, adding all sorts from new weapons to modes and much more; meaning now (well, next week) is as good a time as any to get stuck in.

Of course, Sony have yet to make the announcement themselves, and so we will have to wait and see, but Billbil’s track record when it comes to PlayStation Plus has been pretty much spotless and so expect the above to be your PS Plus Extra titles for the month of March.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this month’s offerings? Which title are you most looking forward to trying? How long was your first Persona 5 playthrough? Let us know down below.

The post PlayStation Plus Extra line-up for March has leaked early first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent years, SEGA has seen a notable rise, with many of their franchises (Sonic included) receiving both strong sales and high ratings. Unfortunately, it appears as though these numbers have not been strong enough, with the publisher claiming that “high evaluations have yet to translate into a further increase in unit sales.”

As part of the publisher’s latest fiscal earnings Q&A (collated by VGC), SEGA commented on their recent output and how players/fans have responded to these releases, stating that “we recognize that our strength lies in the relatively high acclaim we receive for quality. On the other hand, we also recognize that such high evaluations have yet to translate into a further increase in unit sales.”

Adding greater context, SEGA claimed: “While continuing to hone our development capabilities—the source of our strength—we believe there is still significant room for improvement and earnings upside in our ‘power to sell,’ namely our marketing and sales mechanisms.”

In discussing how they plan to push more units, the publisher continued: “We will strengthen data analysis to optimize digital sales pricing by region and shift our marketing focus from individual new releases to an IP-based approach, aiming to maximize sales over the long term, including repeat sales.”

As mentioned, SEGA has had a number of major and successful releases, with the Persona and Like a Dragon franchises alone contributing greatly. That said, as with most major companies, expectations are set sky high, and so it will be interesting to see what this new ‘IP-based approach’ will look like.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of SEGA’s output recently? Have they been improving? Are all publisher expectations simply too high? Let us know down below.

The post SEGA claims that high review scores for their games “have yet to translate into a further increase in unit sales” first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we’re taking a look at the Antec Vortex View 360, a premium 360mm AIO cooler built around Asetek’s latest 9th-generation pump design, featuring an integrated 5-inch 360-degree rotatable IPS display. On paper, Antec is targeting both strong thermal performance and a high level of visual customisation with the Vortex View 360. In this review, we’ll be testing installation, build quality, acoustics and, of course, thermal performance to see how it compares against other 360mm AIOs.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:44 Pricing and key details
01:42 Closer look – radiator
03:29 CPU block + screen!
07:00 Tranquil fans
08:19 Other accessories
09:09 Installation process
10:30 Screen software
11:41 Acoustics and thermals
13:48 Closing thoughts

Features:

• Huge 5-inch IPS display — Vortex View 360 is equipped with a 1280 x 720 IPS panel that can be oriented through 360 degrees to suit your build, perfect for monitoring real-time system stats or custom visuals that show through your chassis side panel.
• 9th-Gen Asetek cooling platform with quieter pump — engineered for up to ~400 W TDP cooling power with reduced vibration and optimised acoustics, pairing performance with lower noise.
• Integrated iUnity 2.0 — Users can fine-tune fan and pump curves, customise lighting zones and control what the display shows, all through Antec’s updated iUnity 2.0 software.

Specifications:

• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA115X / 1200 / 1700 / 1851, AMD: AM4 / AM5
• Radiator Material: Aluminium
• Radiator Dimensions: 394 × 120 × 27 mm
• Pump Speed: up to 3000RPM
• Pump Noise: ≤27 dB(A)
• Cold Plate Material: Micro Skived Copper
• Pump Connector: 4-pin Molex
• Fan Dimensions: 120 × 120 × 25 mm
• Fan Speed (PWM): 400 ±100 ~ 2000 ±150 RPM
• Air flow: 59.23 CFM (max.)
• Air Pressure: 2.46 mmH₂O (max.)
• Fan Noise: 28.6 dB(A)
• Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
• LCD Screen: IPS 1280 x 720 resolution, 60Hz refresh, 300 nits brightness
• Warranty: 6 Years

Test System Specifications:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
• Motherboard: ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
• Memory: 32GB (2 x 16GB Modules) Kingston Fury DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming X
• Storage: 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIe Gen4x4 NVME M.2 SSD
• Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-1600
• Chassis: Open Test Bench
• Thermal Compound: Arctic MX-6
• O/S: Windows 11 Version 24H2

The post Antec Vortex View 360 AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we're checking out a monitor from iiyama's new ProGraphic lineup. As the name suggests, it's a family of displays geared towards professionals and creatives, rather than the gaming audience that we'd associate with the company's G-Master range. Specifically, we are analysing the HB2701UHSNP, sporting a 27in diagonal and 4K resolution. It's also packing in one of LG's new IPS Black 2.0 panels, designed to increase contrast, while iiyama also claims 99% DCI-P3 coverage.

Right now, iiyama's ProGraphic lineup consists of two models – the HB2701UHSNP we are reviewing today, along with the HB3201UHSNP. Both are very similar overall, built on IPS Black 2.0 technology with a wide colour gamut, but the latter is slightly larger at 32in.

On top of the new IPS panel technology, iiyama highlights wide colour gamut, Pantone Validated colours, sharp visuals thanks to the UHD resolution, alongside an anti-glare screen coating and useful features like a KVM switch.

Here in the UK, the HB2701UHSNP is retailing for just under £500, so let's see what it can bring to the table.

Specification:

• Design: 4-side edge-to-edge
• Diagonal: 27″, 68.5 cm
• Panel: IPS Black 2.0, matte finish
• Native resolution: 3840 x 2160 @60Hz (8.3 megapixel 4K UHD)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Panel brightness: 450 cd/m²
• Static contrast: 3000:1
• Advanced contrast: 80M:1
• Response time (GTG): 4 ms
• Viewing zone: horizontal/vertical 178°/178°, right/left 89°/89°, up/down 89°/89°
• Colour support: 1.07B 8-bit (DCI-P3 99%, sRGB 100%, NTSC 72%)
• Horizontal sync: 30 – 140 kHz
• Viewable area (W x H): 596.7 x 335.7 mm (23.5 x 13.2″)
• Pixel pitch: 0.155 mm
• Colour: matte black
• Signal input: HDMI x1 (v2.0), DisplayPort x1 (v1.2), USB-C x1 (Power Delivery 96W)
• Signal output: DisplayPort x1 (Daisy Chain MST up to 3840 x 2160)
• USB hub: 4x (3x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 5Gbps 4.5W, 1x USB Type-C 5Gbps 15W)
• USB-C dock: 1x (Power Delivery 96W, LAN, DP out, USB 3.2 Gen1 5Gbps; not supported on Mac)
• HDCP: Yes
• Headphone connector: Yes
• RJ45 (LAN): 1x
• KVM switch: Yes
• Blue light reducer: Yes
• Flicker free: Yes
• Extra features: Delta E <2.0, EyeComfort, Low Blue Light panel, Eyesafe® Certified, Pantone Validated, AGLR polarizer (anti-glare low reflective)
• HDR: HDR400
• Speakers: 2 x 2W
• Convenience: Kensington-lock prepared, DDC/CI, DDC2B
• Display position adjustments: height, swivel, tilt, pivot
• Height adjustment: 150 mm
• Rotation (pivot): 90°
• Swivel stand: 360° (180° left / 180° right)
• Tilt angle: 23° up / 5° down
• VESA mounting: 100 x 100 mm
• Cable management system: Yes

Firmware tested: V101

The post iiyama ProGraphic HB2701UHSNP Review (4K/60Hz Professional Monitor) first appeared on KitGuru.