Valve has really ramped up the number of Steam sales it holds each year and as a result, the company also often reveals planned sales dates well ahead of time so gamers and game creators can be prepared. Most of the Steam Sale dates for 2025 have already been announced.
Many of these sales are smaller, week-long events focusing on specific genres. For instance, the first Steam sale of 2025 will be focused on RTS games, and a couple of weeks after that, there is another sale scheduled to highlight Couch Co-Op titles.
Here is every Steam Sale announced for 2025 so far:
Real-Time Strategy Fest: January 20 – 27
Idler Fest: February 3 –10
Couch Co-Op Fest: February 10 –17
Steam Next Fest: February Edition: February 24 – March 3
Visual Novel Fest: March 3 – 10
Steam Spring Sale: March 13 – 20
City Builder & Colony Sim Fest: March 24 – 31
Sokoban Fest: April 21 – 28
Wargames Fest: April 28 – May 5
Creature Collector Fest: May 12 – May 19
Zombies vs. Vampires Fest: May 26 – June 2
Steam Next Fest: June Edition: June 9 – 16
Fishing Fest: June 16 – 23
Steam Summer Sale: June 26 – July 10
Valve will no doubt reveal Steam Halloween, Autumn and Winter sale dates soon. We will update the list with those sales as soon as possible.
KitGuru Says: What game are you currently waiting to pick up during a Steam sale?
The pursuit of 10GHz CPU clock speeds continues, with a Chinese overclocker recently pushing closer to the milestone. Using an Intel Core i9-14900KF, a new world record frequency has been set at 9.122GHz.
Chinese overclocker wytiwx has dethroned Elmor, who previously held the record with a 9.118 GHz overclock on the Intel Core i9-14900KS. The new record, achieved on an Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Apex motherboard with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, pushes the Core i9-14900KF to 9.122 GHz.
To achieve this feat, wytiwx employed liquid helium to cool the CPU and disabled all E-cores and hyperthreading on the i9-14900KF, focusing the system's resources on pushing the eight P-cores to their absolute limit. The core voltage was set to 1.387V. Interestingly, the record-breaking run was achieved on the ageing Windows 7 OS.
While this new record falls short of the mythical 10 GHz mark, it represents a significant milestone in pursuing extreme clock speeds. It also highlights the overclocking potential of Intel's Raptor Lake-S Refresh architecture, even as the company focuses on efficiency with its latest Arrow Lake CPUs.
KitGuru says: Intel might be dominating the frequency records currently, but it's worth remembering that AMD's FX-8350 held the world record for over a decade. Do you think you'll see an AMD CPU breaking the CPU frequency world record anytime soon?
A couple of years ago, a number of CD Projekt Red developers, including the director behind The Witcher 3, left the company to form a new studio. Now, Rebel Wolves is ready to reveal its first game – The Blood of Dawnwalker.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is the first new game from the former Witcher 3 developers at Rebel Wolves studio, also based in Poland. We already knew that this game would be an RPG, but more specifically, it is a dark fantasy RPG centred around vampires.
As you can likely tell from the cinematic trailer, the game is being developed with Unreal Engine 5 and has visual fidelity on par with other major UE5 titles in development, like The Witcher 4. In Blood of Dawnwalker, players will take on the role of Coen, who has been infected with the Dawnwalker curse, thus turning them into a Vampire. A full gameplay reveal is planned for later this summer.
Unfortunately, this game does not yet have a release date but we should hear a bit more in a few months time when the gameplay reveal is due to take place.
KitGuru Says: It would be a little funny if this game managed to release before the long-delayed Vampire Masquerade 2.
Whispers of an Nvidia-designed SoC for laptops are growing louder, with fresh leaks suggesting that the company is preparing to enter the Arm-based processor scene with the N1X.
The rumours originate from the data mining efforts by WalkingCat (via VideoCardz), who uncovered evidence of a new Lenovo laptop with an unusual naming scheme. Lenovo typically uses letters like “A” for AMD, “I” for Intel, and “Q” for Qualcomm to denote the processor platform in its Yoga 2-in-1 laptops. However, a new “N” designation has surfaced, potentially hinting at an Nvidia-powered device.
Further digging by leaker Hoang Anh Phu revealed references to a mysterious “N1X” chip attributed to Nvidia within Lenovo's job postings. This has fuelled speculation that the N1X could be the name of Nvidia's first SoC designed for consumer laptops. The leaker also added that this high-end SoC has been designed in collaboration with Mediatek. It's expected to be based on Blackwell architecture, offering about 180 to 200 TOPS of AI performance. The release/announcement is expected to occur at Computex 2025 and should come alongside an N1 SoC for the mid-range segment.
Nvidia's strength lies in its software and driver expertise, an area where Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series has faced challenges. If the green team can deliver a powerful and efficient Arm-based SoC with strong graphics performance and a solid Windows on Arm experience, it could disrupt the laptop market and intensify competition, ultimately benefiting consumers with more options.
KitGuru says: The potential applications for an Nvidia SoC extend beyond traditional laptops. High-performance tablets, new 2-in-1 devices, and handheld gaming systems powered by Nvidia's SoC would be something we would definetely be interested in.
Microsoft is ushering in a new era of graphics rendering with the integration of neural rendering into its DirectX API, leveraging the power of AI and machine learning (ML) to enhance visual fidelity and efficiency in games and other graphics-intensive applications.
Neural rendering uses ML models to generate and enhance visual elements like textures, lighting, and image upscaling. By offloading rendering tasks to AI, this technique can significantly improve both speed and accuracy while reducing the computational burden on traditional rendering pipelines. Nvidia's DLSS and AMD's FSR have already demonstrated the potential of AI-enhanced rendering, and Microsoft's initiative aims to create a standardised and open foundation for these capabilities within DirectX (via Tom's Hardware).
A crucial component of this DirectX evolution is Cooperative Vector. This new feature optimises matrix-vector operations, which are essential for AI tasks like training, fine-tuning, and inference, leading to significant performance improvements in real-time rendering. By enabling AI operations to run at multiple shader stages, Cooperative Vector support allows for the efficient execution of neural networks without monopolising GPU resources.
Microsoft is actively collaborating with major GPU manufacturers, including AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, to ensure that these new features are optimised for a wide range of hardware architectures. This collaborative approach aims to democratise access to AI-accelerated graphics, fostering innovation and competition across the industry.
KitGuru says: While these advancements are still under development and lack a concrete release date, they highlight the growing importance of AI in shaping the future of graphics. Whether you're an AI advocate or not, it seems AI will eventually become standard in game graphics.
It's that time again where we are updating the KitGuru GPU test system for 2025! With a whole host of new GPU launches this year from Nvidia, AMD and Intel, it is more important than ever that our testing is as accurate and up to date as possible. This time around we've partnered with MSI, and here we go over all the details of the new GPU benchmarking system!
With our previous i9-13900KS test system starting to show its age, it was high time to upgrade to a new platform for all of our GPU testing needs. In partnership with MSI, and built by AWD-IT, at the heart of our brand-new test rig is – of course – AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Simply put, this is the fastest gaming CPU on the market right now so it was the obvious choice. I'm simply running it at stock, where it boosts to about 5.2GHz under load while sipping power, so safe to say my energy bill will be going down compared to the old Intel system!
Of course, opting for the Ryzen 9000 CPU means we are on the AM5 platform, and it makes sense to go all-out on an X870E motherboard. Specifically we have the MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi, a board Leo reviewed and gave our Must Have award, so it doesn't get much better than that. It's got a great VRM, absolute tons of I/O ports, plus as someone who swaps graphics cards all the time, the ‘EZ PCIe Release' button is an absolute life saver.
It's also important to pair that board with a good kit of DDR5 memory, where we have opted for 64GB of Kingston Fury Beast in a 2x32GB configuration. At 6000 MT/s it's not the absolute fastest in terms of raw frequency, but faster kits can run into some quirks which I wanted to avoid, plus being a CL30 kit, latency is nice and low so we'll be getting very good performance from this memory.
As for storage, I've a told of 5TB in this system, with a 1TB Kingston NV3 acting as a boot drive for Windows, and then there's a 4TB NV3 which is housing the ever-growing game library. These are PCIe Gen 4 drives, and you actually can't see them given they're under the motherboard's built-in heatsinks, but they are more than enough for my needs and give me plenty of space to as many games as I could realistically test.
Cooling the CPU, I have chosen the MSI MAG CoreLiquid i360, an all-in-one that James reviewed last year and came away highly impressed. As the name suggests, this is a 360mm AIO and that is more than enough for the relatively low-power 9800X3D – during my initial game testing, it's barely exceeded 60C with the fans set to fairly relaxed speeds, so I can't ask for more.
All of those components are housed in the MSI MPG Gungnir 300R Airflow chassis. This is a mid-tower case with a focus on airflow, which is obviously hugely important as we want to provide as much cool air to the graphics card as possible. To help with that, there's three 120mm fans at the front bringing air through the mesh panel, while the three AIO fans are exhausting out of the roof, and there's one other 120mm set to exhaust out the back of the case. All of them are RGB-equipped, too, adding that bit of extra bling.
Lastly, we come to the PSU, arguably the most important part of any build! Here we have opted for the MSI MEG Ai1300P, which delivered excellent technical results in our review. It's a Platinum unit, and the 1300W output is more than enough for even an RTX 5090 build given that GPU is rated at up to 575W! It's also handy to have a PSU that can support both a 12VHPWR connector and 3x 8-pins all plugged in at once, so I can easily swap between different GPUs without fiddling around with the power cables or using adapters.
So there we have it, our brand-new GPU benchmark system for 2025! Many thanks to MSI for partnering with us on this, we've already used this system for our Intel Arc B580 review and looking forward to using it throughout the rest of the year…
KitGuru says: I've been using this system for the last few weeks as we prepare for the next set of GPU launches and it is proving to be highly capable.
Ever since its 1.0 launch back in Summer 2022, PowerWash Simulator has been able to keep fans captivated not only through its satisfying gameplay loop, but also thanks to a number of free and paid DLCs – one of which included a full virtual reality port of the game for those with supported headsets. Unfortunately, this subsect of the community will no longer be catered to, as PowerWash Simulator’s VR support is now ending.
Making the announcement on Twitter, FuturLab’s CEO Kirsty Rigden shared the following: “I am so sorry to let you know that we won't be continuing support of PowerWash Simulator VR. We absolutely love and believe in VR, so this doesn't mean that we won't support it in the future but we aren't able to continue with support right now.”
Explaining their reasons for doing so, Rigden continued, “We have been faced with a cross roads: we have a truly excellent and kind VR team who were working on a platform which costs us more than it makes, while also having a list of job openings that were looking to be filled on other projects. We took the decision to redeploy our VR team into those other projects/roles.”
The virtual reality release of PowerWash Simulator was a welcome addition when it arrived, and so to see support for the peripheral ending is unfortunate – though understandable. Hopefully the team are able to return to virtual reality at some point in the future.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this announcement? Was VR the best way to play PowerWash Simulator? Will virtual reality ever be truly mainstream? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Apple Arcade was created with the intention to bring greater awareness to the many great video games available on mobile platforms. With a monthly subscription, iOS users can get their hands on a wide range of interesting and unique games, none of which have any microtransactions. Though the service as a whole has been a bit of a mixed bag, Apple Arcade is set to get a notable boost thanks to 10 new games dropping over the coming weeks.
Making the announcement on their blog, the iPhone maker shared the following: “Apple Arcade is kicking off the new year with an exciting slate of game launches, along with big updates to existing hits. Today, seven new titles are available, all with no ads or in-app purchases.”
For the uninitiated, the plus ‘+’ in many of these titles indicate that they are free from any ads or in-app purchases, meaning they are not Apple Arcade exclusives.
Still, it is nice to see the company continue to support its Arcade subscription – even if the rate and number of added games remain somewhat inconsistent.
KitGuru says: Have you used Apple's game subscription? What do you think of it? Would you prefer the service focuses on adding pre-existing games, or Apple Arcade exclusives? Let us know down below.
Since the explosive popularity of ‘World’ back in 2017, the Monster Hunter series has become one of Capcom’s biggest. In anticipation of the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Wilds, Humble is now offering a rather comprehensive Monster Hunter ‘New Year Hunting Collection' bundle (featuring World and Rise) for a heavily discounted price.
Upping your contribution to £11.96 adds two more titles:
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Deluxe Kit
Paying a total of £15.95 will then also include:
Monster Hunter: World
Monster Hunter: World – Deluxe Kit
Finally, paying the full £19.94 will give you all the above, plus:
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Deluxe Kit
As always, a small portion of your money will go towards a charity, with this bundle supporting Breakthrough T1D – “the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization.”
If you are at all interested in the Monster Hunter series, this bundle presents a great opportunity to try out Capcom’s hit franchise before Wilds arrives in a little over a month’s time.
KitGuru says: Will you pick up this bundle? What's your favourite Monster Hunter game? If you already own these games, how many hours have you put into both titles? Let us know down below.
Just over a year ago, Epic Games added multiple new game modes to Fortnite, including the Guitar Hero-esque Fortnite Festival. In the year since, the mode has gotten a bunch of updates – from new songs to support for guitar controllers. Now, Epic is taking its next big step with Festival, letting up to 4 players jam out together with local multiplayer.
Making the announcement on their blog, the team at Epic Games unveiled their latest set of updates coming to Fortnite Festival, saying “The launch of Festival Season 7 comes with a new local multiplayer feature on PlayStation and Xbox! In a local play session of Festival Main Stage, up to four players can play together on the same console. All of the players need to party up in the Lobby then enter the Festival Main Stage together.”
Unfortunately, despite being ‘local’ multiplayer, all participants will need to have and be signed into their Epic Games accounts in order to participate – meaning you can’t play using platform guest accounts.
Weird limitations aside, it is welcome to see local multiplayer being supported in one form or another. Hopefully the feature gets improved over time.
Fortnite Festival Season 7 launches today on the 14th of January, with vocaloid star Hatsune Miku headlining.
While the Hitman series has been well-known and loved by millions of players since the first game’s release back in 2000, the franchise truly hit it big with the release of 2016’s HITMAN and its sequels. Since rebranded to HITMAN: World of Assassination, this trilogy-turned-platform has gone on to be experienced by over 75 million total players.
“HITMAN World of Assassination has surpassed the milestone of 75 million players worldwide since its launch, ensuring even more its status as the most successful Hitman game of all time.”
It is worth noting of course that 75 million players does not equate to 75 million copies sold, especially as the World of Assassination Trilogy has been available in various different forms across multiple game subscription services.
Still, such a massive figure is worth celebrating, especially for a (now) independent studio such as IOI.
It will be interesting to see how the studio’s upcoming James Bond 007 game performs when it is eventually released sometime in the next few years.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this 75 million figure? Did you purchase the game or get it for ‘free’? Will IOI be able to capture lightning in a bottle twice with James Bond? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Each month, those who are subscribed to Amazon Prime are able to acquire a wide range of ‘free’ games as part of the company’s Prime Gaming initiative. For the first month of 2025, Amazon is continuing with its past trajectory, offering well over a dozen games, ranging from known AAA titles to interesting indies.
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader [Epic Games Store]
Available on the 23rd:
Deus Ex GOTY Edition [GOG Code]
To The Rescue! [Epic Games Store]
Star Stuff [Epic Games Store]
Spitlings [Amazon Games App]
Zombie Army 4: Dead War [Epic Games Store]
Dropping on the 30th of January:
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights [Epic Games Store]
Blood West [GOG Code]
Super Meat Boy Forever [Epic Games Store]
While it would be preferable that all of the games given away were made available through a single platform, it is still welcome to see Amazon continuing to give subscribers a massive pool of titles to obtain and play every single month.
KitGuru says: What do you think of January’s offerings? Which of the games are you most looking forward to trying? How can the service improve in 2025? Let us know down below.
Since the start of 2025, we have seen an influx of new leaks and rumours surrounding Nintendo’s much anticipated Switch 2. It seems we may be mere days away from an official reveal, as one insider is now claiming the next-gen console could be announced by Nintendo as soon as this week.
“I've been told that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed in the coming week. Want to know when? On Thursday, January 16.”
Offering a bit more on what to expect from this event, Nate continued, “What I heard is that the reveal will focus on almost exclusively the console itself. There will not be any presence of games, there may be games shown running on the hardware on a screen/TV depending on how the trailer is put together but software will not be a focus. So if the trailer is absent of any games, do not be too surprised about it.”
Given just how long it’s been since the last Nintendo system, it will be interesting to see how their plans for the upcoming console pans out. Considering the fact that the first showing won’t include any games, here’s to hoping that the hardware itself proves to be exciting enough on its own terms. We might not have to wait long to find out.
KitGuru says: Were you expecting an announcement so soon? What are you hoping to see from the presentation? When do you think we’ll get a first look at the games? Let us know down below.
AVM is an unusual Berlin-based company that focuses on a particular niche and aims to excel at it – home and small business connectivity and communications. Its broadband routers generally offer competitive performance and features you won't find anywhere else. The AVM FRITZ!Box 7690 is a case in point. It takes the latest WiFi 7 standard and adds telephony capabilities. But that's only the headline unique feature in a router that is packed with detailed capabilities.
The AVM FRITZ!Box 7690 is barely distinguishable externally from the AVM FRITZ!Box 7590 that we reviewed nearly seven years ago to the day. But what is inside has been considerably upgraded. It can deliver WiFi 7 up to a theoretical 5,760Mbits/sec at 5GHz and 1,376Mbits/sec at 2.4GHz. You can combine multiple FRITZ!Box devices into a Mesh WiFi system. The FRITZ!Box 7690 lacks the 6GHz waveband, however, which may restrict its bandwidth.
One novel feature, which is shared with the previous model, is support for voice calling. Now that digital-only DSL is being offered without a telephone, this could become increasingly important if you still want a land line number associated with your physical location. This comes in the form of a built-in DECT base station for up to six cordless phones and jacks for analog wired ones. But the 7690 also now supports Zigbee, a wireless standard for controlling smart home devices such as lightbulbs, roller blinds, temperature and motion sensors, smart plugs, and switches. The Matter wireless smart home standard isn't supported yet, but will be soon via a firmware update.
In other words, this is more than just a router – it's meant to be the hub of your smart home and domestic communications at all levels. To achieve this, it's bristling with different connections. There's an ADSL modem built in, plus a 2.5Gbit Ethernet WAN port and a three-port LAN hub with one 2.5Gbit and two 1Gbit ports. There are also two RJ11 ports for connecting analog telephones, and a German TAE phone port on the side. The other side hosts a USB 2.0 port for storage media and dongles.
Despite the plethora of features, the AVM FRITZ!Box 7690 still comes in at under £330, which is cheaper than some WiFi 7 routers we've looked at. Let's find out if this new WiFi 7 iteration lives up to AVM's reputation for solid, feature-rich connectivity devices.
The AVM FRITZ!Box 7690 is available from Amazon UK for £329.84 inc VAT.
Specification:
Wireless protocols: MU-MIMO with 802.11b/g/n/be 2.4GHz, 802.11a/n/ac/ax/be 5GHz
Performance: BE7100 (5,760 + 1,376 Mbits/sec)
Antenna Configuration: 4×4 internal antennas
Ports: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x 2.5Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x 2.5Gigabit Ethernet WAN, 1 x ADSL, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x TAE phone, 2 x RJ11 phone
At CES 2025, Bitspower unveiled its latest advancements in cooling solutions, signalling a new chapter for the company as it seeks to elevate its profile as a standalone brand. While many liquid cooling specialists thrive on high-visibility marketing, Bitspower has traditionally focused on collaborations with industry partners like Maingear and PC Werkx- quietly earning its reputation as a trusted innovator in custom water-cooling technology. With a new CEO leading its efforts in the US and Europe, the company appears ready to position itself as more of a ‘go-to' brand for enthusiasts and system builders alike.
Founded by Vincent Yu in 2001 in Taiwan, Bitspower has developed thousands of products over the years, including CPU and GPU water blocks, radiators and reservoirs – all designed with a focus on quality and user-friendliness, but at the same time considering how to be environmentally conscious with each innovation. The simple line-up of solutions revealed at this year’s CES, suggest Bitspower is looking to make its mark not only as a ‘behind-the-scenes expert', but as more of a ‘leading name’ in high-performance cooling – from 2025 onward.
While some of the products on display in the Bitspower suite have been seen before, fittings are in the process of being updated for the new generation of CPUs. What is new, is the Atlas range of AIO coolers.
Bitspower told us that the Atlas All-In-One Liquid CPU Cooler has been specially designed to provide advanced heat management, as well as virtually silent operation. It offers everything you need to keep your CPU running at its best, including fans, radiator and pump – in a single closed loop that's easy to install and maintain.
The Bitspower Atlas All-In-One Liquid CPU Cooler is equipped with a high-quality radiator, as well as PWM fans – running at up to 2000 RPM – for concentrated airflow and improved performance. A low-noise pump and copper plate ensure quiet and efficient cooling.
The new Atlas series AIO coolers are available in 240 mm and 360 mm sizes, with options for black or white colour schemes. The pump-block features a cubical design with side-mounted coolant fittings and an infinity mirror effect on top for added aesthetics. These coolers come equipped with two or three of Bitspower's Griffin series 120 mm ARGB fans and utilise a copper cold plate paired with an aluminium radiator.
The boxes we saw, claimed compatibility with LGA1700, LGA 1851 and AM5 – as well as all of the major RGB colour control systems from MSI and Gigabyte to Razor and ASRock.
The builds on display from PC Werkx (Nebula Waterblock, Leviathan II 360 radiators, CR240 reservoir and Hexagon 34 water tank) and Maingear (Nebular waterblock, custom distro and CPU blocks) were suitably stunning.
In recent years, the CPU trend toward TDPs up to 253 watts (Intel's Core i9-13900K ) was driving up complexity in cooling and the supply of power – as well as overall system costs. AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series, has improved instructions-per-clock performance while optimising power use – particularly in multi-core workloads. Similarly, Intel’s 15th Gen Core Ultra processors focus on Efficiency Cores (E-cores) and a modular Meteor Lake chiplet design, looking to achieve scalability and competitive efficiency. This industry shift mirrors the Conroe-era move from ‘brute-force power increases’ to ‘smarter, more sustainable’ solutions. As massive thermal demands give way to innovations like AI-assisted thermal controls – it will be interesting to see where high-efficiency/capability AIO coolers like the Atlas fit in a market.
Also on display were large scale/server-focused cooling solutions. An area where Bitspower is also hoping for growth in 2025/26.
At the time of going to press, the Atlas series products have not appeared on the Bitspower store web site – so final pricing is to be confirmed shortly.
KitGuru Says: Have you used any Bitspower gear before? What did you think of their CES 2025 showing?
NetEase Games' free-to-play hero shooter, Marvel Rivals, is showing no signs of slowing down. After a hugely successful first month with over 20 million players, the game has reached new heights with the launch of its Season 1.
Just days after the season's debut, Marvel Rivals has shattered its previous concurrent player record on Steam (via SteamDB), peaking at over 644,000 players. This surpasses the previous record of 480,000 and solidifies the game's position as a major contender in the hero shooter genre.
Season 1 of Marvel Rivals introduces two new characters (Mr Fantastic and Invisible Woman), a new map, a new game mode called Doom Match (free-for-all game mode), and plenty of in-game items and cosmetics. Alongside the new season, there's also a new Twitch Drops campaign where viewers can snag special drops, including a Hela outfit, a banner, and a spray.
Of course, no new season would be complete without a Battle Pass, and Marvel Rivals delivers with its Eternal Nightfall Luxury Battle Pass. Packing over twice the content of Season 0's Battle Pass, including ten new outfits, emotes, sprays, and more.
Although Marvel Rivals just got into Season 1, the game is already a success, and that has translated into impressive revenue figures. Estimates from Game Look suggest that Marvel Rivals generated over $100 million outside of China in its first month, with a total of $136 million including the Chinese market.
KitGuru says: Have you been playing Marvel Rivals? What do you think of it?
AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT is back in the spotlight, with leaked gaming benchmarks suggesting it could be a formidable contender against Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super and 4080 Super GPUs.
Chiphell forum user nApoleon (via VideoCardz), who previously leaked details about the RX 9070 XT's specifications and performance in synthetic benchmarks, has now shared gaming benchmarks from two titles: Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong. These games are known to be optimized for Nvidia GPUs, with Cyberpunk 2077 even serving as a showcase for DLSS 4 at CES 2025. However, the leaked benchmarks suggest that the RX 9070 XT can hold its own against the green team's offerings.
The leaked results show the RX 9070 XT going toe-to-toe with the RTX 4070 Ti Super in Cyberpunk 2077 (Ray Tracing enabled) across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions. However, comparing the two GPUs in Black Myth: Wukong (also on 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions), there's a clear winner in the Radeon RX 9070 XT.
The RX 9070 XT, based on AMD's next-generation RDNA 4 architecture, is expected to launch later this month.
KitGuru says: Are you impressed with these performance numbers? Would you consider getting an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT if it performs like this across a wider range of games?
Fresh off of its CES 2025 showcase, Intel is already gearing up for its next big event: Vision 2025. This business-focused gathering, scheduled for March 31st to April 1st, will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and investors to explore the future of technology.
Unlike Intel's consumer-oriented Innovation event, which typically takes place in Q3 and focuses on product launches, Vision is geared towards a more business-oriented audience. It's a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and exploring the impact of technology on various industries.
However, this doesn't mean Vision will be devoid of interesting announcements. Intel has confirmed a keynote presentation by co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus, scheduled for April 1st (from 16:30 a.m. to 18:00 a.m. GMT). While the specific topics remain under wraps, we can expect updates on Intel's strategic direction and its latest innovations in areas like AI, data centres, and emerging technologies.
With Holthaus at the helm, Vision 2025 will likely focus on Intel's ongoing transformation and its commitment to driving innovation across various sectors. We can anticipate updates on the company's progress in AI, its efforts to expand its foundry business, and its vision for the future of computing.
KitGuru says: Will you be watching Intel Vision 2025?
In early 2024, Microsoft took its first steps towards transforming into a multi-platform games publisher by bringing titles like Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush to PlayStation consoles. In 2025, there are bigger multi-platform releases supposedly being planned, and it looks like Microsoft also wants to up its support of Nintendo platforms with the arrival of the Switch 2.
Over the past week, rumours have claimed that Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. Since then, Windows Central's Jez Corden has corroborated this rumour, and added a few more games to keep our eyes on in the coming months.
According to the report, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Hellblade 2, Age of Mythology, Halo and MSFS 2024 are destined to land on PlayStation 5. Such a move would be Microsoft's biggest step away from exclusive games, although the company still maintains that Xbox will continue to have exclusives.
Currently, the biggest Xbox exclusive is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which launched to rave reviews in December 2024. However, even before its release, there have been rumours that this game will be coming to PS5 later this summer.
Microsoft is set to host an Xbox Direct on the 23rd of January, during which we expect to hear more news about upcoming titles like Fable, Avowed and more.
KitGuru Says: It seems likely that moving forward, every major Xbox exclusive will be a timed exclusive. Especially if flagship franchises like Gears and Halo are set to make the jump over to other platforms.
At The Game Awards in December, From Software surprised us all with a new Elden Ring game. The new spin-off, titled “Elden Ring: Nightreign” is set in the Limgrave region of the map, inviting squads of up to three players to band together to take down massive monsters.
As Elden Ring: Nightreign is a multiplayer focused game, network tests will be taking place ahead of launch to ensure that the servers and backend systems are all working correctly. Sign-ups for the first network test are open and the test itself will take place from February 14th to February 17th.
Unfortunately, the network test is not taking place for the PC version of the game. This first test is limited to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles, so if you want to try the game early, you'll need to sign up and have one of the consoles.
It is unclear if From Software will hold an additional network test for PC gamers, or if there will be more network tests at all after this one. As the game does not currently have a final release date, it seems likely that another beta will take place closer to launch.
KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to Elden Ring Nightreign? Will you be signing up to participate in the upcoming network test?
Following a several month delay to Assassin's Creed Shadows in 2024, we've now starting off 2025 with news of yet another delay. The game will no longer be coming out in February as planned and will instead drop in March ahead of Ubisoft's end-of-year earnings call.
In a new announcement this month, Ubisoft's Marc-Alexis Côté revealed that Assassin's Creed Shadows has been pushed again, this time to March. The move is in order to give the development team “additional weeks” to implement changes based on feedback from recent playtests.
“Since November, we’ve been thrilled to share our progress through Gameplay Overviews, and the overwhelming excitement has truly inspired us. Each week has brought valuable feedback from our community. While we’ve already made remarkable strides, we believe a few additional weeks are needed to implement that feedback and ensure an even more ambitious and engaging day-one experience.”
In an additional statement sent out via press release, Ubisoft CEO, Yves Guillemot, stated that the delay is part of the company's “renewed focus on quality and engaging Day-1 experiences”.
Ubisoft has been in crisis mode for months, after facing a number of high-profile flops with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Skull & Bones and Star Wars Outlaws. In the case of Outlaws, a very promising game was hampered by day-one bugs and other issues. Ubisoft is now being very careful with Assassin's Creed Shadows in an effort to avoid any major negative headlines on day-one.
Ubisoft's stock price has tanked during that time period as well, leading to talks of a potential buyout between Ubisoft and Tencent. So far though, nothing has come from those talks.
KitGuru Says: I started Star Wars Outlaws for the first time just recently. Based on the version of the game available now, a lot of the day-one criticisms no longer seem to apply. Hopefully Assassin's Creed Shadows can avoid an awkward launch entirely, although you are still going to have a loud group online endlessly taking about Yasuke.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is finally heading to PC in April, giving PC gamers a chance to experience the second half of Joel and Ellie's adventure. Unfortunately for some, the game will require a PSN account to play on PC, despite all of the fan backlash from last year, when PSN account linking was first introduced.
Initially when Sony first began bringing its PlayStation titles over to PC, it did so without any kind of PSN integration, allowing the titles to just run as-is on PC, with launchers like Steam providing things like Achievements. This changed in 2024, starting with Helldivers 2.
While Helldivers 2 didn't launch with PSN integration, it was added several weeks after release and as a result, hundreds of countries were locked out from purchasing the game. Many saw this as an unfair change, and Sony received plenty of online backlash for it, as did the Helldivers team, despite the situation being out of their hands.
Since then, PSN account linking has launched with all PlayStation PC games, starting with the likes of Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut and God of War: Ragnarok. This trend will continue into the future with games like Spider-Man 2, which hits PC later this month, and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, which comes to PC in April.
KitGuru Says: Much like Microsoft has begun tying the Xbox ecosystem in with PC games, Sony is looking to do the same with PlayStation. Perhaps in a few years' time, Nintendo will start doing the same.
Last week at CES, Genki, an accessory manufacturer that makes cases for products like the Nintendo Switch, arrived at the show armed with its first Nintendo Switch 2 case, and a dummy model of the console to proudly unveil to everyone in attendance. At this point, a number of accessories makes have leaked details about the Switch 2, but Nintendo is staying quiet for now.
Despite the numerous leaks in recent months, Nintendo's marketing plans for the Switch 2 have not changed. Nintendo is still moving forward with its planned, secret launch date. As for all of the leaks, Nintendo simply responded by telling Japanese news outlet, Sankei, that the videos and images circulating from CES are “not official”.
The statement doesn't deny the accuracy of the leaks. Nintendo is simply stating the obvious – they haven't announced or shown anything publicly yet. Given the magnitude of recent leaks, fans are growing impatient with Nintendo, but we'll have to wait a bit longer. Chances are, the new Nintendo Switch will be revealed before the end of the fiscal year, which ends for Nintendo in March.
Nintendo doesn't have a lot on the books for the Switch this year but from what we understand, a Nintendo Switch 2 reveal will be happening within the next couple of months. Additionally, a number of third-party developers are readying Triple A games for the Switch 2, including titles that just wouldn't run on the original model. The new console should have more AAA support due to new features like AI upscaling, powered by the Nvidia GPU under the hood of the Switch 2.
KitGuru Says: I was a big fan of the Nintendo Switch but since the Steam Deck hit the market, I've had little interest in having a locked down handheld console. Are you planning on getting a Switch 2?
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was one of the best games of 2024, but due to the game only being available on PS5, sales were not nearly as expected. Fortunately, the game is coming to new platforms very soon, starting with PC on the 23rd of January. Ahead of launch, Square Enix has revealed the game's PC-specific features.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second game in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, is launching on PC on the 23rd of January 2025. That puts the PC launch just under one year after the game's initial release on PS5. Square Enix has been making efforts to speed up its multiplatform releases, so we are getting this game on PC much quicker than Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which took two years to come to PC after its original PS4 release.
See the full PC system requirements in the table below:
In terms of PC-specific features, gamers can expect support for high resolution 4K displays, the ability to play at up to 120 frames per second (like Final Fantasy 7 Remake), you'll be able to play with full keyboard/mouse bindings or with a gamepad. Additionally, if you have a DualSense controller, you'll be able to utilise all the same controller features as the PS5 version of the game.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will also support DLSS, but it is unclear if it will be DLSS 3 with Frame Generation, or DLSS 2, which does not include the Frame Gen component.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth when it comes to PC next week? I've been speed-running my way through FF7 Remake in preparation using the new ‘Head Start' mode that Square Enix added to the game.
CES 2025 has wrapped up. We went back over our extensive video coverage from the week to round up the best tech of the show! If you missed out on any of last week's announcements, this round-up will get you up to speed fast.
Watch via YouTube below:
Timestamps:
01:04 MSI – high end laptop
01:57 Powercolor – best reveal
02:56 Thermaltake – most colourful cases
03:52 INNO3D – most ‘beef’ GPU
04:19 PATRIOT – for pushing their memory to 9600 MT/s
04:58 PC COOLER – best aircooler lineup
06:35 ALPHACOOL – custom cooling hardware for Nvidia 50 series
07:09 PALIT – sexiest GPU’s of the show
08:14 ENDORFY – the mystery white case everyone has asked about
08:37 MSI – for when one watercooled PC in a case isnt enough
09:42 Gigabyte – LEOS favourite monitors
10:21 Gigabyte – Best RTX Gaming laptops
We also want to make a quick shoutout to Kyle Hansen, AKA Bitwit. We met him at CES this year and he unfortunately returned home to find that his house had burned down in the wildfires going on in California. Be sure to go to his channel and show some support in this difficult time.
KitGuru Says: Who do you think had the best showing at CES this year? I think it is clear that Nvidia had the biggest impact, with a lot of focus placed on the latest RTX 50 GPUs for desktops and laptops.
The KitGuru team has been over in Las Vegas at CES 2025- today they managed to get some time to visit Endorfy at their room and look at new keyboards, headsets, mice and some new air coolers – as well as a prototype case they are releasing later this year.
Watch on YouTube below:
Timestamps:
00:00 Keyboards and Mice
01:28 Coolers
01:53 Microphones and headsets
02:16 Air coolers
02:44 Boom Arm
03:08 Solaris 1800 keyboard
04:05 Case prototype
04:28 Supremo FM6 1000W
Endorfy burst onto the scene with an impressive array of peripherals. In 2025, a new array of products will be hitting the market, starting off with the new Thock V2 keyboards. These are 60% keyboards, making them ultra compact to maximise desk space. You get a cool grey and blue colour scheme, and Endorfy Yellow mechanical switches with foam padding underneath to reduce clicks and clacks. For gaming mice, the Liv Plus Wireless is returning in a new white colour. A version of this mouse without the charging dock is also in the works, which will be available at a discount.
The Endorfy Navis AIO liquid coolers, which start at £60, but you can get the 360mm ARGB version for £90, which seems like exceptional value. If you prefer air cooling, you can grab a Fortis 5 series CPU cooler for just £40.
The Solum Voice microphone and Viro Plus Wireless are due out soon in a new white colour option. We hope to get the chance to review both of these in the coming months. Endorfy also has a microphone boom arm coming soon with a ton of adjustment capabilities and flashy ARGB LEDs along the arm.
The Solaris 1800 keyboard is the flagship, offering a fullsize layout, a Windows and Mac toggle, dual-wireless capabilities, dampened yellow mechanical switches and more.
Aside from all of that Endorfy is cooking up a new case. We got to see a prototype, which looks pretty standard for a modern mid-tower. Hopefully we'll get to see the final version in around Computex.
KitGuru Says: What did you all think of the Endorfy showing at CES this year?
Intel has quietly introduced a refreshed CPU cooler alongside its new Core Ultra 200 non-K series processors. The Laminar RH2, bundled exclusively with the Core Ultra 9 285, promises improved cooling performance and a touch of style with integrated ARGB lighting. As for the new RM2, bundled with the remaining 65W Core Ultra 200 series processors, it will be similar to its predecessor but with a bigger plastic frame around the fan.
While Intel's CES 2025 keynote was somewhat light on surprises, the company (via @momomo_us) quietly introduced its new stock coolers designed for the 65W non-K Core Ultra 200 series after the keynote.
The Laminar RH2 is the new “high-end” model, featuring a sleek design with ARGB lighting and a focus on quiet operation. It uses an aluminium heatsink with a copper heat column for efficient heat transfer. Intel claims that the cooler offers “near-silent” performance, suggesting improvements in both cooling capacity and noise levels compared to previous stock coolers.
The Laminar RH2 will be bundled exclusively with the Core Ultra 9 285 processor, the flagship model in the 65W non-K lineup. For the other Core Ultra 5/7 200 series SKUs, Intel will include the smaller Laminar RM2 cooler, which lacks ARGB lighting and a more compact heatsink.
Intel will release the 65W Core Ultra 200 series in a few days, so it shouldn't take long before we can try out the new CPU coolers bundled with them.
KitGuru says: While stock coolers often get a bad rap for their mediocre performance, the Laminar RH2 appears to be a step in the right direction. For Core Ultra 9 285, it should be good enough.
G.Skill and ASRock are teaming up to redefine mini-PC performance with the introduction of high-speed DDR5 CSO-DIMM memory modules. These new modules showcased in the ASRock DeskMini B860 system deliver impressive speeds and capacities in a compact form.
CSO-DIMMs (Clocked Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Modules) are a new form factor that integrates a clock driver (CKD) into the compact SO-DIMM design. This allows for higher frequencies and improved signal integrity, unlocking greater performance potential for mini-PCs and small form factor systems.
G.Skill has achieved an impressive DDR5-8133 speed with CL46-52-52-130 timings on a 48 GB (2x 24 GB) kit in the ASRock DeskMini B860, showcasing the potential of this new memory technology. The DeskMini B860, equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285 desktop CPU and the ASRock B860M-STX motherboard, provides the ideal platform for pushing the limits of DDR5 CSO-DIMM performance.
In addition, the ASRock DeskMini B860, with its support for DDR5 CSO-DIMMs, multiple USB ports, and four storage devices, offers a compelling solution for professionals, content creators, and enthusiasts seeking a compact yet powerful system. The inclusion of Intel Thunderbolt 4 and support for four displays further enhances the DeskMini B860's versatility.
KitGuru says: Although this high-speed CSO-DIMM kit has been showcased on a mini-PC, they should also find their way into laptops, bringing faster DDR5 speed to the format.
AMD's Frank Azor, Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions and Marketing, has shed some light on the upcoming Radeon RX 9000 series and FSR 4 in a recent interview. Although details were somewhat scarce, it seems we'll learn more about the upcoming GPU series soon, in an event dedicated to AMD's upcoming consumer graphics hardware and technology.
Speaking with Michael Quesada (via VideoCardz), Azor addressed the absence of RDNA 4 at AMD's CES 2025 keynote, reiterating that the company simply didn't have enough time to cover everything. He confirmed that a separate event dedicated to RDNA 4 and FSR 4 will be held soon, potentially within the next two weeks. Azor remained tight-lipped about specific performance figures and pricing but stated that the RX 9000 series will be positioned in the mid-range segment, with prices neither as low as $300 nor as high as $1000. He also hinted that the RX 9070 series will offer a similar performance-per-dollar value as the current RX 7800 XT and RX 7900 GRE.
Addressing the question of FSR 4 support for older GPUs, Azor initially stated that only RDNA 4 cards would have the necessary horsepower to utilise the AI-powered upscaling technology. However, he later clarified that AMD is actively working on optimising FSR 4 for RDNA 3 GPUs, offering a glimmer of hope for those with current-generation Radeon cards.
In a separate interview with PCWorld, Azor addressed the recent leaks surrounding RDNA 4 performance, stating that the actual performance will be “better than most of the leaks” he's seen. While he didn't specify which leaks he was referring to, this suggests that the RX 9000 series might exceed expectations, potentially surpassing the performance levels indicated in early rumours. This is particularly exciting considering that pre-CES leaks suggested the RX 9070 XT would offer ray tracing performance comparable to the RTX 4080 (Super) and overall performance similar to the RX 7900 GRE/XT.
KitGuru says: Do you think AMD RDNA 4 GPUs, even without a high-end model, can battle Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs in their respective market segments?
At CES this week, a mysterious company known as Shenzen Fluence Technology caught our eye. This company is responsible for the PC Cooler brand and it appears they share some similarities with a company many KitGuru readers are familiar with – Deepcool.
Watch via YouTube below:
Timestamps:
00:00 Coolers / PSU
03:23 SFF K101 Mesh
03:59 C3 Case
04:36 Fans
05:25 AIO Coolers
Shenzen Fluence is a couple of years older than Deepcool but from what we've heard, staff have moved between the two companies over the years. Having a look at the RZ820 cooler from PC COOLER, it has a lot of visual similarities to Deepcool's Assassin air cooler.
As we move through the line-up of air coolers, we also spot the RT620, a dual-tower heatsink solution with two fans capable of handling up to 265W of heat. This one clearly seems intended for workstations, as it lacks the RGB and coverings of the RZ820, which has more of a ‘gamer' style to it. The RC620 Digital is more interesting, as it includes a display on the top of the heatsink that can be controlled by software to show important stats like CPU temperatures.
On the AIO Cooler side we have the DT360, which has a large LCD display that magnetically attaches to the CPU block. The cooler is said to be capable of handling up to 320W of heat, making it ideal for high-end and high core-count CPUs. This is an impressive claim but we would need hands-on testing to see just how good it really is.
Under the CPS label, Shenzen Fluence also has power supplies and cases available. The SFF K101 Mesh is exactly what the name suggests, a small form-factor chassis with mesh panels to ensure plenty of airflow for the hardware inside. We also had a quick look at the YS1200, which is an ATX power supply, so you wouldn't want to pair it with the K101 case, but if you were building a desktop and are looking for a reliable PSU, this unit has ratings for Cybenetics Gold and 80Plus Gold.
KitGuru Says: Hopefully we'll get to spend some time reviewing some of this in the months ahead. Is there anything shown here that you would like to see tested?
Both AMD and Nvidia announced new GPUs this week and that means there are a ton of custom-cooled graphics cards heading our way in the coming weeks. At CES this week, Leo caught up with Gigabyte to get a closer look at their new Radeon RX 9070 graphics cards, as well as new RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 models.
Watch on YouTube below:
Timestamps:
00:00 Radeon RX 9070 Cards
00:54 Motherboards
02:47 Workstation GPUS/SSD/PSU’s
03:58 Monitors
05:08 Graphics cards
07:23 Laptops
While AMD didn't reveal much about the incoming RX 9070 graphics cards, board partners are still showcasing their custom-cooled models. The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC edition for instance uses the tried-and-true Windforce triple-fan cooler design, but with tweaked ‘Hawk' fan blades that aim to generate more airflow. The AORUS ELITE version of this graphics card uses a more angular cooling shroud with more RGB and a dual BIOS setup so you can swap between silent and performance modes.
On the Nvidia side of the GPU isle, Gigabyte has its new Aorus Master RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards. The angular AORUS version of the Windforce cooler returns here, but Gigabyte has added a few extras in here. For instance, these graphics cards use server-grade conductive gel to cool the GDDR7 VRAM modules, and metal grease for the GPU, allowing for better contact between the graphics chip and the heatsink. An LCD screen on the side gives you another avenue of customisation for your system, with the ability to display animations or system stats like GPU temperature, clock speed etc.
If you are a liquid-cooling enthusiast, then you'll want to check out the Aorus RTX 5090 XTREME Waterforce. This comes with a sleek black waterblock pre-installed on the card, and a big 360mm radiator attached via flexible tubing so you can quickly set it up in your system. The Waterforce WB edition comes with a standard GPU block for custom liquid-cooling setups.
The Gigabyte Eagle and Aero series return as well, with a triple-fan RTX 5070 Eagle and a triple-fan RTX 5080 Aero. Interestingly, we've seen a few other RTX 5070 models using slimmer dual-fan models, but it seems Gigabyte has opted to maintain the triple-fan setup for additional cooling performance, which could in-turn help with overclocks.
Gigabyte has its fingers in a lot of pies, so naturally, graphics cards weren't our only focus at the Gigabyte booth. We also get a good look at the new array of B580 motherboards and some new X870E motherboards, the most interesting of which is the X870I AORUS PRO ICE. This is an all-white Mini ITX motherboard designed for the latest Ryzen 9000 (or Ryzen 7000) series CPUs and looks to offer all the features you need for a high-end build in a small form factor.
The new AORUS Z890 XTREME AI TOP also stands out thanks to its massive VRM cooling solution around the CPU socket. This board aims to offer ultimate stability and next-gen connectivity, including two PCIe 5.0 X16 slots and four PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD lanes. Thunderbolt 5 and Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C with DP-Alt are also supported.
On the monitor front we have Gigabyte's new QD-OLED displays, utilising the latest generation Samsung panel, offering up to 4K resolution with 240Hz refresh rate. For more competitive gamers, you'll find the AORUS FO27Q5P, which offers QHD resolution at a whopping 500Hz, making this one of the very first QHD monitors to achieve such a fast refresh rate.
Finally, we come to laptops. All of Gigabyte's new Aero and Aorus gaming laptops pack RTX 50 graphics, as well as the latest laptop CPUs from Intel and AMD, which you can read all about HERE and HERE.
KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for some new gaming gear in 2025? There is a lot going on, with even more OLED monitor options hitting the market, new graphics cards & processors, so be sure to keep an eye out for reviews from us in the coming weeks and months.
When it comes to ultra high-speed DDR5 memory, typically names like G.Skill and Corsair spring to mind. However, Patriot looks to be making a push to rank amongst the fastest DDR5 memory providers with its new 9600MT/s kit. Join Leo as we take a closer look, live from the CES show floor.
Watch on YouTube below:
At the top of Patriot's line-up is the Signature series of memory, offering speeds of 6400MT/s and capacities up to 64GB but without a heatshield mounted over it. It is perfectly safe to run memory like this and you'll likely save some money, but if you are going for an aesthetically pleasing build, then you'll want to find memory with a heatspreader, which is where the Signature Premium series comes in, with a black shroud covering the memory and aiding in passive cooling, while keeping the same specs.
Last year, we started to see prototypes popping up for LPCAMM2 memory, a new standard designed to work with both laptops and desktops. Patriot has one of its LPCAMM2 engineering samples here on show, but we're still some ways off from seeing these hit the market. For cooling, Patriot also has a Viper Steel heatshield prototype. If this new memory format hits the market, you would likely slot your memory in horizontally, next to your CPU. That way, you can cover it up with a heatshield solution, similar to M.2 SSDs.
The star of the show is Patriot's Viper Xtreme 5 memory, offering speeds up to a staggering 9600MT/s and capacities up to 48GB. These units use high quality CKD, exclusive thermal pads for the PMIC and comes with a special edition silver heatshield.
As Patriot is celebrating its 40th anniversary, the company is also launching Anniversary Edition Viper Xtreme 5 DDR5 kits with speeds up to 8,000MT/s.
Be sure to watch the video for a look at all of the custom PC builds at the Patriot booth – they look great and will serve as good inspiration for your next upgrade.
KitGuru Says: What do you all think of Patriot's CES showing? Would you like to see LPCAMM2 memory become the next standard?
AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT is back in the spotlight, with leaked 3DMark benchmark scores suggesting an impressive performance uplift, more so considering that it has been reported that these weren't obtained with a stable graphics driver.
Chiphell forum user nApoleon (via VideoCardz) has shared a cryptic message urging users to hold off on purchasing Nvidia's RTX 50 series, claiming that “everything has changed”. This has fueled speculation that AMD's RX 9070 XT's performance could compete with Nvidia's next-generation GPUs.
Moreover, hardware leaker Zhanghonghao claims that AMD has increased the RX 9070 XT's Total Board Power (TBP) through a new BIOS update for reference models. A leaked Furmark screenshot of a custom card shows a maximum board power of 329W, significantly higher than previously rumoured. As for the rest of the specs, these can be confirmed on the screenshots shared on Chiphell (via Wukongmyth). The leaked specifications reveal a base clock of 2520 MHz, a boost clock of 3060 MHz, and 16 GB of GDDR6 memory clocked at 20 Gbps. The card is reportedly an Asus custom model with 4096 Stream Processors.
Moving on to the leaked scores, the card reportedly achieved a graphics score of 14,591 in Time Spy Extreme and 6,345 in Speed Way. These results place it between the RX 7900 XTX and the RTX 4070 Ti in the ray tracing-focused Speed Way benchmark and above the RTX 4080 Super in the rasterisation-heavy Time Spy Extreme test. It's important to note that these benchmarks were conducted on an early sample with pre-release drivers. Further optimizations and driver updates could improve performance before the official launch.
AMD is expected to share more details about the Radeon RX 9070 series later this month. Rumours claim the official release date will be on January 24th.
KitGuru says: If these results are accurate, even considering they're achievable using pre-release drivers, the RX 9070 XT could be a formidable contender in the mid/high-end market, assuming the rumoured ~£500 price tag.
AMD has finally lifted the curtain on FSR 4. At CES 2025, the red team revealed its next-generation upscaling technology, and it sure looks impressive. Leveraging the power of machine learning to deliver a significant leap in image quality, we had our first look at the tech used on Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.
While AMD's official presentation was limited to a single slide confirming FSR 4's AI-driven foundation and its support in upcoming titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Hardware Unboxed managed to capture some footage of FSR 4 in action on the CES show floor. The demo, running on a system equipped with a Radeon RX 9000 series GPU (likely from the RX 9070 family), showcased FSR 4's capabilities.
Hardware Unboxed conducted a side-by-side comparison of FSR 3.1 and FSR 4 in Performance Mode (1080p to 4K), and the results were impressive. Although AMD didn't display any FPS counters, FSR 4 demonstrated noticeable improvements in areas where previous FSR iterations struggled, including rendering fast-moving objects, reproducing accurate colours, and handling translucent elements. The enhancements were particularly evident in the confetti, which no longer exhibited distracting streaks. Crowd details, textures, and character models also appeared more refined and lifelike, with significantly reduced shimmering and improved overall clarity.
While FSR 4 might not yet reach the level of visual fidelity offered by Nvidia's DLSS technology, the improvements are undeniable. Interestingly, the demo was titled “AMD Graphics Research AI-based Upscaling” rather than explicitly mentioning FSR 4, suggesting the naming of the new upscaling technology might change.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the visual quality improvements brought by “FSR 4”?
Pico is bringing the power of cloud gaming to its VR headsets with the integration of Nvidia GeForce Now. This exciting partnership opens up a world of AAA gaming experiences for Pico users, offering seamless access to a vast library of titles without needing a powerful PC or console.
Announced at CES 2025, this collaboration allows Pico headset owners to stream games directly from Nvidia's GeForce RTX servers, delivering high-fidelity visuals and smooth gameplay on the go. The integration leverages the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard and Nvidia DLSS technology to minimise latency and enhance image quality, ensuring a responsive and immersive VR gaming experience. Also worth noting is that Bluetooth controllers are supported.
The GeForce Now app will be available for download from the Pico Store later this month, coinciding with the latest GeForce Now update. This update will allow users to stream games at up to 1440p resolution, delivering a more immersive experience when using the app with VR and MR headsets.
Pico users can choose from various GeForce Now subscription plans, including day passes, monthly subscriptions, and 6-month memberships. The “Performance” membership offers priority access to GeForce RTX servers with DLSS and ray tracing enabled for £9.99 monthly. The “Ultimate” membership, which provides access to GeForce RTX 4080-powered servers, costs £19.99 per month.
KitGuru says: Do you own a Pico headset? Will you play games through GeForce Now on it?
This week at CES, Nvidia officially announced its new generation of graphics cards. The RTX 50 / RTX 5000 series, based on the Blackwell architecture, is launching later this month and plenty of board partners are showing off custom-cooled models. In this video, Leo checks in with Inno3D to see all of their upcoming graphics cards.
Watch via YouTube below:
For custom-cooled models, Inno3D has the RTX 5090 X3 at the top of the pile, featuring a chunky triple-fan cooler. We are anticipating a £2000 price tag here, so you'll need deep pockets to grab Nvidia's latest top-range GPU.
The RTX 5070 Ti X3 is a heavy triple-slot card, but it does have a slimmer profile compared to the RTX 5090. For the standard RTX 5070, Inno3D has gone for a smaller dual-fan cooler, which will more comfortably fit in most cases. For the slimmest RTX 5090 possible, you'll want the Inno3D iChill RTX 5090, which comes with a water block attached for easy connection to custom liquid cooling loops.
As a reminder, here are the full specs for the RTX 50 series:
RTX 5090
RTX 5080
RTX 5070 Ti
RTX 5070
RTX 4090
NVIDIA Architecture
Blackwell
Blackwell
Blackwell
Blackwell
Ada Lovelace
DLSS
DLSS 4
DLSS 4
DLSS 4
DLSS 4
DLSS 3
AI TOPS
3352
1801
1406
988
1321
Tensor Cores
5th Gen
5th Gen
5th Gen
5th Gen
4th Gen
Ray Tracing Cores
4th Gen
4th Gen
4th Gen
4th Gen
3rd Gen
NVIDIA Encoder (NVENC)
3x 9th Gen
2x 9th Gen
2x 9th Gen
1x 9th Gen
2x 8th Gen
NVIDIA Decoder (NVDEC)
2x 6th Gen
2x 6th Gen
1x 6th Gen
1x 6th Gen
1x 5th Gen
Memory Configuration
32 GB
GDDR7
16 GB
GDDR7
16 GB
GDDR7
12 GB
GDDR7
24 GB
GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth
1792 GB/sec
960 GB/sec
896 GB/sec
672 GB/sec
1008 GB/sec
Inno3D's first custom-cooled RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards will be available starting January 30th. The RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti will be available starting in February. Out of the box clock speeds for custom-cooled cards will be confirmed when retail availability begins.
KitGuru Says: Are you thinking of making the jump to an RTX 50 series graphics card?
At CES this week, MSI has a huge amount to showcase. We've already taken a look at laptops, now it is time to take a look at components, including everything from a new flagship dual-system chassis to new coolers, monitors and RTX 50 graphics cards.
Watch on YouTube below:
Timestamps:
00:00 RTX 5000 Series cards
03:53 Systems
04:33 Peripherials
05:00 MEG Maestro 900 PZ Series Modded PC
06:06 Motherboards / power supplies
07:39 Coolers
08:14 Monitors and Project Zero Builds
10:35 Gaming Desktop systems
11:25 CES Innovation awards
The new B860 and H810 motherboards cater to a wide range of users, from budget-conscious gamers to content creators and everyday users. While the B860 chipset stands out for performance enthusiasts with its PCIe 5.0 support, M.2 storage options, and memory overclocking capabilities, the H810 provides a more value-oriented solution for those seeking essential features. The “Project Zero” lineup is expanding with the new PZ series. These motherboards relocate most connectors to the rear, minimising cable clutter and creating a cleaner aesthetic. The MAG Z890 Tomahawk WIFI PZ (standard and White) and the PRO Z890-S WIFI PZ offer high-end features and stylish designs for those seeking performance and cleaner visuals.
Adding to the software side, MSI is announcing a collaboration with SignalRGB to create a new application that allows for synchronised and customisable RGB lighting control across multiple MSI motherboards. This user-friendly software simplifies RGB management by enabling users to configure all MSI products with RGB and ARGB in a single app.
The new MAG Coreliquid A15 liquid cooler combines high-performance cooling with a user-friendly design. The A15 series uses a redesigned copper base and the new CycloBlade 9 fans, improving performance compared to its previous AIO liquid coolers. For those who love a bit of bling, the A15 series features customisable ARGB Gen 2 LEDs controllable through MSI Center. MSI's focus on “EZ DIY” is evident in features like the Uni Bracket, EZ Connect, and EZ Conn-Design, simplifying the installation of the CPU cooler.
MSI is also introducing two new flagship power supplies: the MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 and MPG A1250GS PCIE5. Both models feature dual native 12VHPWR connectors for high-end GPUs and comply with the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards. With 80 Plus, Cybenetics, and PPLP certifications, these PSUs have been tested to ensure they offer the performance, efficiency, and reliability that you want from high-end power supplies.
The star of the show is the MEG Maestro 900L PZ concept case, a revolutionary case inspired by stage displays. This modular chassis supports dual-system configurations (ATX and Mini-ITX), offering unparalleled flexibility and expandability. It can accommodate up to 16x 120mm fans or two 420mm radiators, ensuring exceptional cooling for even the most demanding systems. The modular motherboard tray can be rotated 90º for customised layouts, allowing for personalised builds.
If a pre-built desktop is what you are after, then the new MSI MEG VISION X AI combines next-level power with smart control, featuring the latest NVIDIA RTX 50 series graphics cards and Intel Core Ultra 200 processors. With its 13-inch AI HMI touchscreen, gamers can enjoy intuitive system control via the MSI AI app and voice interaction. This combination led to this system winning two CES Innovation Awards. For a smaller desktop system, the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M and NUC AI 1UM systems are available, packing Intel Core Ultra 200 CPUs and AI capabilities in a chassis that measures less than 1L.
On the monitor side, MSI is launching its latest generation QD-OLED displays. At 27-inches, the new MPG 272URX QD-OLED offers increased pixel density compared to the larger 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor that MSI released last year. This model comes equipped with a 5-layer tandem OLED panel featuring EL Gen 3 technology. This new material composition improves efficiency up to 30%. While increased pixel density and sharpness is nice, some of us like to have a bit more size, especially when dealing with 4K resolutions. That is where the MPG 322URX QD-OLED comes in, offering a larger 32-inch 4K QD-OLED display with 240Hz refresh rate for ultra smooth gaming.
The final monitor MSI is showcasing at CES this year is the new MPG 274URDFW E16M, which features a MIni-LED backlight with 1152 local dimming zones. The monitor also offers dual-mode technology, so you can switch between 4K/160Hz or 1080p/320Hz modes. That means you can have access to sharper graphics and more virtual space to work in the 4K mode, and then you can swap to 1080p to access even faster refresh rates for competitive games like Counter-Strike, Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty or Fortnite.
KitGuru Says: Do you have your eyes on any of MSI's new products for a new build or PC upgrade this year?
We always like to swing by and visit the big liquid cooling component makers at events like CES and Computex. This year, Leo spent some time with Alphacool, getting an early look at the new generation water blocks for RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 graphics cards.
Watch on YouTube below:
Alphacool has been working hard to get these blocks ready in time for Nvidia's launch this week. After getting dimension details for the RTX 5080 and 5090, the Alphacool team went back and completely redesigned its Core GPU block, optimising the distance between the cooler and components on the PCB, and simulating waterflow tests to verify the design works as intended. Alphacool has also paid special attention to the cooler base and nozzle to ensure the best possible cooling performance for enthusiasts looking to upgrade this year.
Alphacool continues to rely on pure brass fittings in the Core series to ensure the highest quality and safety. A Core emblem can be found above the jetplate and you will find chrome plating on the copper cooler instead of nickel plating. Chrome plating is more durable and appears significantly brighter and smoother than pure nickel plating. As always, a backplate is included with the Core GPU block, alongside a complete set of mounting materials, pre-cut thermal pads and extra thermal paste.
Alphacool Core block for RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 will support various models, including the MSI Suprim and MSI Gaming cards, Asus ROG Strix and TUF Gaming, Inno3D, Gainward and Palit.
Pricing for these blocks is set to land at €199.98, but if you want, you can get an Enterprise edition that comes with a slimmer 1-slot design for €299.98.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on putting together a custom liquid cooling loop this year? Be sure to have a look at Alphacool's range, we've used a lot of their parts in our own custom builds.
Following various announcements of new AMD Ryzen Z2-powered consoles over at CES 2025, reports emerged that MSI would also join the party by launching a Claw handheld using a Z2 APU.
This intriguing tidbit comes from CodeCommando (via VideoCardz), a leaker with a reliable track record for AMD and MSI-related leaks. Unfortunately, the leaker has remained tight-lipped about the details, only confirming the information without providing a specific timeframe or model details.
Currently, MSI's Claw AI+ handhelds exclusively utilise Intel's platforms (Core Ultra 100H and 200V series). This makes the Claw series the only gaming handheld lineup solely reliant on Intel processors, despite AMD's dominance in the handheld market with its Ryzen Z1 series.
AMD recently unveiled its next-generation Ryzen Z2 APUs at CES 2025, with confirmed designs for Lenovo's Legion Go devices. While MSI also launched its refreshed Claw AI+ series in December, these models are not expected to ship until mid-January.
KitGuru says: Is MSI planning to offer Intel and AMD options in its Claw lineup? Or could this be a sign of a strategic shift towards AMD for future handhelds?
Valve has made a significant move to expand the reach of SteamOS, officially licensing the operating system for third-party handheld gaming PCs. And leading the charge is Lenovo, with its newly announced Legion Go S.
This marks a major milestone for SteamOS, which was previously exclusive to Valve's own Steam Deck. While other manufacturers have expressed interest in using SteamOS, Lenovo is the first to officially partner with Valve and release a “Powered by SteamOS” device. Valve's licensing program allows manufacturers like Lenovo to pre-install SteamOS and utilise the “Powered by SteamOS” branding, ensuring a consistent and optimised user experience.
Besides the SteamOS Legion Go S, Lenovo also announced other two new Legion Go handhelds, all powered by AMD's Ryzen Z2 series APUs. These are the Legion Go S with Windows 11 and Ryzen Z2 Go, and the Legion Go 2 prototype powered by the Ryzen Z2 series and featuring an 8.8-inch OLED display and Windows 11.
Valve plans to release a beta version of SteamOS before the Legion Go S hits the market in May. This will allow users to test the operating system and provide feedback. While not officially part of Valve's CES announcement, GPD, another handheld PC manufacturer, has also revealed its intention to offer SteamOS on its devices.
KitGuru says: Do you think handheld manufacturers should follow Lenovo's footsteps and launch their own “Powered by SteamOS” handhelds?
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