KitGuru recently gave an update about the fixes Intel has put in place for its troubled family of Core Ultra 200S CPUs. After a fair amount of testing we delivered a video that clearly struck a chord with our audience so we went away and did even more testing. And now, finally, months after the original launch, we are ready to review the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K.
You can read our original report on the launch of Core Ultra 200S HERE
and our report after three months of updates is HERE
Time stamps
00:00 Intro
01:10 Architectural recap/pricing
07:01 Retesting and hardware
10:33 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core
11:41 Cinebench 2024 Single Core
12:33 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
13:02 Geekbench 6 Single Core
13:34 CPU power consumption
14:22 7-ZIP V24 Benchmark
15:12 AIDA64 Memory Bandwidth
16:01 Memory latency
16:46 3DMark TimeSpy
17:28 Far Cry 6
18:13 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
18:55 Assassins Creed Mirage
19:20 Total War Pharaoh
20:08 Cyberpunk 2077
20:53 Leo’s considers the platform
The Lian Li Digital Expo returns for 2025. If you are in the market for a new case, and you are looking to go with one of Lian Li's many aesthetically pleasing options, then the digital expo is a great way to preview some new and upcoming hardware.
Some of the highlights from the digital expo include new looks at the Lancool 217 and 207 Digital cases, the Lancool 4, the O11D Mini V2 and new AIO coolers and rotatable power supplies.
The LANCOOL 217 stands out thanks to its wood accents and comes with five pre-installed fans. This includes two 170mm front fans, two 120mm GPU cooling fans with reversed blades positioned over the PSU shroud, and a 140mm fan located at the back. Its dual PSU mounting options provide added flexibility for cable management. On the other side of the coin we have the Lancool 207 Digital, which is the same case we saw back in October, but ships with an additional 6-inch LCD screen for an extra touch of customisation in your build.
The Lancool 4 is the latest chassis to join the line-up, offering a modular design with interchangeable panels that you can swap out based on the needs of your build. The motherboard is adjustable, the PSU chamber is movable and the case supports a whopping 12 fans for cooling, allowing you to accommodate both air-cooling and liquid-cooling setups.
The O11D MINI V2 has a redesigned, space-efficient dual chamber that supports ATX motherboards, making it a great option for a compact but high-end PC build. Aside from ATX motherboard support, this case also supports Back Connect motherboards, where the power connectors have been moved to the backside of the board to keep cables out of sight without sacrificing any functionality. The GPU cooling has been improved with a bottom fan bracket angled at 10 degrees. Moreover, the O11D MINI V2 can now fit ATX-size PSUs due to a protruding mesh filter window on the right panel.
Moving on from cases, Lian Li also has some interesting power supplies on the market today. That includes the new RS Series PSU, which features a power port that can rotate towards the side of the PSU. This allows you to install the power supply in a rotated position for enhanced cable management and access without the need for extension cables.
On the cooling side, Lian Li is showcasing the new Hydroshift II LCD AIO cooler. Equipped with a slimmer 360mm radiator, a 60Hz LCD screen on the pump block and ARGB lighting, the AIO certainly looks the part for a high-end build.
To kit out your rig further, you may want to invest in some UNI Fans. The new UNI FAN SL-Infinity Wireless has a redesigned 4-wire receiver that ensures seamless motherboard fan speed control, enabling compatibility with PWM functionality and L-Connect’s MB RPM SYNC mode. The SL-INF Wireless receiver is also backward compatible with SL and TL Wireless models.
The Lian Li 2025 Digital Expo will be live from the 7th of February on the Lian Li YouTube channel, so if you are currently shopping around for new parts for a build or upgrade, be sure to tune in for a closer look at Lian Li's best products.
KitGuru Says: Lian Li makes some of the most aesthetically pleasing cases around. Are any of you thinking about picking up a Lian Li case, cooler or power supply this year?
Since its initial reveal in January, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 series has been shrouded in uncertainty. While board partners showcased their custom designs at CES 2025, AMD remained tight-lipped about the release date, leaving attendees and enthusiasts scratching their heads. Subsequent, somewhat cryptic social media posts from an AMD official hinted at a March launch, promising a dedicated event to unveil the new cards properly. However, nothing has been made official yet.
Now, whispers from the industry suggest that the RX 9070 series could be upon us sooner than expected. According to Benchlife (via @harukaze5719), AMD is aiming for an announcement before the end of this month. Interestingly, the Chinese website points to a press conference rather than a full-blown launch event. While AMD hasn't held a formal announcement event, the details of the new cards, including their names, did appear in their CES press kit, blurring the lines somewhat.
Although the report mentions the date for the event, it doesn't say anything regarding the actual release. However, the latest reports point to late March, so it could take about a month after the announcement to see the first Radeon RX 9070 series GPUs hitting the shelves.
While the usual suspects like stock levels and software optimisation might have been part of the reason for the delay of these cards, Nvidia has also undoubtedly played a significant role here. With the GeForce RTX 5070 series also expected to launch in the latter half of February, AMD is likely playing a waiting game, carefully assessing the market response to Nvidia's offerings before finalising its pricing strategy.
KitGuru says: Do you have high hopes for the AMD Radeon RX 9070 series graphics cards?
In recent years, high refresh rate gaming monitors have dropped in price quite dramatically. While we used to have to spend north of £300 for a 144Hz monitor, nowadays, new-generation Fast IPS panels can be found for under £200. This week, AOC is launching its most wallet-friendly gaming monitors yet in the G42 series.
The new G42 series is perfect for those getting into PC gaming for the first time. Each of the new models offer Fast IPS panel technology, delivering up to 180Hz refresh rates – three times higher than the standard of 60Hz. This results in better motion clarity, as well as a smoother image while gaming.
There are three monitors to choose from here – the 23.8-inch 24G42E, the 24.5-inch 25G42E, and the 27-inch 27G42E. All three offer 1080p resolution and super-fast 1ms GtG response times, or 0.5ms MPRT with Motion Blur Reduction switched on. The panels cover 90 percent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and 120% of the sRGB colour gamut. Thanks to the IPS panel technology, you'll get all of this on top of wide viewing angles with minimal colour shift when looking at the display from an off angle.
AOC's goal is clear here – to set 180Hz as the new entry level standard for PC gaming. With prices starting at just £114.99 for the 23-inch monitor, going up to just £129.99 for the 27-inch model, these monitors are an easy recommendation for those looking to jump into PC gaming for the first time, or those who simply need a new display that doesn't break the bank.
All three AOC Gaming G42 series monitors will be available starting this month.
KitGuru Says: AOC has been offering some extremely good deals in the gaming monitor market in recent years. The new G42 series should set a new standard for all monitors hitting the market at under £150.
AMD's CES 2025 keynote unveiled the Ryzen 9000HX series codenamed “Fire Range”, the successor to the 7000HX “Dragon Range”. Effectively, a BGA-packaged version of a “Granite Ridge” chip, Fire Range CPUs combine one or two “Zen 5” CCDs with a client I/O die. While it lacks an integrated NPU and sports a basic iGPU, its focus is clear: enthusiast gaming laptops and mobile workstations.
The 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes provide ample bandwidth for the discrete GPUs it's designed to complement. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the headlining model in the series, the sole model featuring 3D V-Cache. This chip has the potential to claim the crown of the fastest mobile CPU for gaming, potentially even outpacing Intel's Arrow Lake-HX, especially if the desktop 9800X3D's performance relative to the Core Ultra 9 285K is anything to go by.
Dream Machines (via VideoCardz) has already announced its intention to bring laptops powered by the 9955HX3D to market, with an estimated arrival window of late March or early April 2025. Reports suggest AMD has secured various contracts with several major laptop OEMs, pointing towards a potentially successful market run for these new Fire Range chips, unlike its predecessors.
However, this top-tier performance will come at a cost. Dream Machines listings of these upcoming laptops start at €2,530 (~£2100) for configurations pairing the 9955HX3D with an RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU, while the flagship RTX 5090 Laptop GPU variant is predicted to command a price tag closer to €3,860 (~£3200). These laptops will have 16-inch 300 Hz displays, 16 GB of DDR5-5200/5600 memory, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD.
KitGuru says: Would you consider getting a high-end gaming laptop? If so, would you go for one with an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D CPU or something less capable (and potentially cheaper) would be enough?
Corsair's Elgato brand is launching the Wave Link 2.0 this week. The latest evolution of Elgato's audio management software brings new features to the table, and a host of quality-of-life improvements to make usage easier for customers.
One of the new features in Wave Link 2.0 is Voice Focus, a tool developed in collaboration with the team at ai|coustics. By leveraging machine learning technology, this tool can remove unwanted background noises, room reverb and echo, isolating the user's voice further for more professional audio presentation. You'll be able to get close to vocal-booth levels of quality without having to decorate your room with acoustic foam panels and corner traps.
To make managing audio sources, inputs and outputs easier, Wave Link 2.0 now has a revamped app routing system, allowing you to assign apps to different audio channels with just a single click. You can also group up a number of apps for routing together, helping you consolidate the process.
To jazz up your streams or videos, Wave Link also offers a range of audio effects. The De-Esser tool will be useful for those looking to use their microphone without an additional pop filter. You can also add compression, adjust EQ or add Reverb. Wave Link also supports third-party plugins to unlock even more effects.
If you are looking to find new digital assets and software tools for your Elgato set-up, the Elgato marketplace is your one-stop shop for everything, from plugins and FX tools to custom digital icons for your Elgato Stream Deck.
KitGuru Says: Are you already using an Elgato audio set-up? What do you think of the Wave Link 2.0 upgrade?
Razer has just unveiled a fresh look for its premium Xbox controllers. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition are now available in a new white colourway. This crisp aesthetic contrasts the original design, appealing to competitive console and PC gamers who appreciate clean and minimalist aesthetics.
The white Wolverine V3 range delivers the same lightning-fast responsiveness, esports-optimised ergonomics, and tournament-grade performance as the standard models. The four mouse click-back buttons and the two claw gripper bumpers are all remappable, giving the player an extra layer of control. The controllers also feature Razer Pro Hyper Triggers, which can be configured for short or long trigger pulls, mecha-tactile action buttons, an 8-way floating D-pad, and Hall-effect thumbsticks.
The Wolverine V3 Pro, Razer's flagship wireless esports controller, is officially licensed by Xbox and designed to give players the edge in competitive scenarios. For those who prefer a wired connection, the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition is an equally good option (and also cheaper). Also officially licensed by Xbox, this wired controller offers a 1000 Hz polling rate, giving competitive gamers the confidence they need to perform at their best on Xbox and PC.
The Wolverine V3 Pro white comes with a carrying case and costs £199.99/$199.99/€219.99. The Tournament Edition white controller costs £99.99/$99.99/€109.99.
KitGuru says: Although 100 pounds for a wired controller looks steep, the rest of Wolverine V3 ProTournament Edition's feature set sure looks impressive. Whether that justifies its price is up to the buyer.
The Nintendo Switch is currently in its home stretch, with the console’s successor finally having been announced last month. Still, when all is said and done, the OG Switch will go down in history as one of the most successful consoles of all time – having now surpassed 150 million units sold.
As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings report, Nintendo published an updated list of their hardware and software sales, revealing that (as of the 31st of December 2024) 2017’s Nintendo Switch has officially reached a sales milestone only witnessed by two other systems: selling more than 150 million units (150.86 million to be specific).
This puts the Switch just shy of the DS’ total sales (154.02m) and around 10 million less than the best-selling system of all time – the PS2 with over 160 million units sold.
Whether the Switch will be able to surpass these systems is yet to be seen, however the company did recently proclaim that they are willing to support the OG Switch past the launch of its successor “if there is demand”, so it may have a couple more years left in it still. Beyond this, the team have also confirmed that Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe has sold north of 75 million copies, making it now the 4th best-selling game of all time, surpassing PUBG and sitting behind Wii Sports.
Other notable milestones include Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Switch Sports both selling more than 15 million copies each.
KitGuru says: Will the Switch become the best selling console of all time, or will it fall just short of the PS2? How long before it surpasses the DS at least? Will Switch sales fall through the roof once its successor launches? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Designed for high-performance computing, enthusiasts and gamers, TeamGroup's T-Force Xtreem DDR5 memory comes in a wide range of speeds and kit sizes. We review the Snow White model, rated at 7600 MT/s, that's priced at £175 here in the UK.
The XTREEM line-up consists of seven speeds (at the time of writing) and four kit sizes. 96GB (6800MT/s CL36 1.4V), 64GB (6000MT/s CL34, 6400MT/s CL38 both 1.35V), 48GB (8200MT/s, 8000MT/s both CL38 @ 1.40V, 7600MT/s CL36 @ 1.40V, 7200MT/s CL34 @1.4V and 6800MT/s CL34 @ 1.40V) and finally seven 32GB kits (8000MT/s CL38 @ 1.45V, 7600MT/s CL36 @.1.4V, 7200MT/s and 6800MT/s both at CL34 @ 1.40V and 6400MT/s CL32 @ 1.35V). There are two 6000MT/s options, one CL38 @ 1.25V and the other CL30 @.1.35V.
According to the XTREEM product page, 8200MT/s modules and above have XMP 3.0 profiles, while 8000MT/s and below have both XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO profiles.
For this review, TeamGroup sent us a 32GB kit of DDR5-7600MT/s (FFWD532G7600HC36FDC01) containing a pair of single-rank 16GB DIMMs using SK Hynix A-die ICs XMP/EXPO rated at 7600MHz at 36-45-45-84 at 1.40V.
TeamGroup back the memory with a Lifetime warranty.
Dragon Ball is undeniably one of the most popular anime/manga franchises of all time, with the series having a long and successful library of video games released over the past 35+ years. By far the biggest new entry in this space is Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the latest title in the much-loved Budokai series. Unsurprisingly, the game has already reached a massive sales milestone, surpassing 5 million copies sold in under four months.
Making the announcement on Twitter, the official ‘DragonBallGames’ page celebrated this latest milestone, writing:
“We're thrilled to announce that DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO has officially sold 5 million copies worldwide!…A huge THANKS to our amazing fans for the epic journey. We truly appreciate your passion and dedication.”
KitGuru says: What’s your opinion on Sparking Zero? Does it live up to the Budokai games? What’s your favourite Dragon Ball game of all time? Let us know down below.
Late last year, FromSoftware surprised everyone with the announcement of Elden Ring: Nightreign – a co-op focused spin-off featuring rogue-like elements and unique class abilities. Ahead of the upcoming network tests slated for later this month, FromSoftware are reportedly planning to announce a ton of new details for the standalone game sometime next week.
As reported by Insider Gaming, Elden Ring: Nightreign is planned to get an infodump sometime next week, including confirmation of the game’s release date (which is currently just stated to be coming some time in 2025).
While Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion was mostly more of the same, Nightreign looks to be switching up the formula quite a bit, and so it will be interesting to see what the media thinks of the game when previews go live – and perhaps more importantly what players think when the network test goes live shortly after.
KitGuru says: Are you excited for Elden Ring: Nightreign? Did you get into the network test? How different do you think this will be to the OG Elden Ring? Let us know down below.
Wreckfest is a fun and frantic destruction-derby themed racing game from Bugbear Entertainment and published by THQ Nordic. Released back in 2018, THQ announced last year that a sequel was officially in the works. Now, we’ve gotten more details on Wreckfest 2 – including an Early Access release date.
While no specifics were given so far on what exactly the Early Access period entails, the team did state that “From day one, Wreckfest 2 will be shaped by your feedback. We're eager to create the greatest demolition derby-style game of all time,” so hopefully it will be a rather productive Early Access.
When it was first announced back in August last year, Wreckfest 2 was stated to be going all-in on the destruction aspect of the game, featuring “a completely overhauled physics engine for even more realistic destruction, fully customizable cars that you can share with other players and revamped game modes including a brand-new split screen mode.”
While we still don’t know too much beyond this right now, hopefully we’ll hear more from the game as we get closer to its upcoming (early access) release date.
KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Wreckfest 2? Is them going the Early Access route a good or bad thing in your mind? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Following the disappointment of Battlefield 2042, EA and DICE seem to be going all-in for the series’ next entry, featuring more internal tests than ever before, and recently going live with its Battlefield Labs program. While details on the game overall continue to remain light, we do know that the upcoming title will launch before April 2026.
As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings meeting (reported by VGC), EA confirmed that the next Battlefield game will launch before the end of the 2026 fiscal year – meaning by the 31st of March 2026.
Given the fact that the past three Battlefields have launched in the October-November window, it could be safe to assume that Battlefield 6 (or whatever it will be called) will target a similar timeframe.
That said, the company is seemingly trying to switch things up with the next game following the disappointment of 2042 – and so it’s entirely possible that their release strategy has been changed up as well.
We will have to wait and see, but hopefully the teams are given as much time as needed.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this tentative release window? Does the series have a chance to become relevant again? Could it ever be as big as Call of Duty? Let us know down below.
Nintendo is about to release a new console, which means it is time for Nintendo executives to start lying to us all about continued support for older hardware. Much like when the Switch launched in 2017 and Nintendo promised to continue supporting the 3DS, Nintendo is now claiming it will continue to support the original Switch console alongside the Switch 2.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said the company will continue to support the original Nintendo Switch after the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, as long as there is demand from consumers. However, the company's most recent earnings report shows that demand is rapidly waning. Currently, Switch sales have declined by 30 percent year-on-year, and that decline will only increase once Nintendo starts marketing the Switch 2 and the new games heading to the console.
With that said, the Switch 2 being backwards compatible could mean that more developers will support both systems for a couple of years. Currently, Nintendo has a few games lined up for the original Switch, including Xenoblade Chronicles X and Pokémon Legends Z-A. We will be learning more about Nintendo's game release line-up for 2025 later this week during a Nintendo Direct stream. We also expect that this stream will bring us some more Switch 2 news.
Nintendo has not yet announced a launch date for the Switch 2, nor has it revealed any exclusive Switch 2 games outside of a quick tease for a new Mario Kart. On top of all of that, we still know very little about the hardware inside.
KitGuru Says: We will no doubt see a few cross-gen games over the next couple of years, but I highly doubt Nintendo is still going to be releasing tentpole games for the original Switch in 2026.
Microsoft is bringing even more of its games to PS5. Shortly after the announcement of the next wave of cross-platform titles, Microsoft has now announced plans to bring its two biggest strategy titles.
In March, PS5 players will be able to pick up the recently released remaster, Age of Mythology: Retold, an excellent reworking of a classic strategy game centred around mythological gods.
For those who prefer something a bit more grounded, my favourite RTS game of all time, Age of Empires 2, is also heading to PS5 this Spring. It is unclear if Microsoft will also bring over the other Definitive Edition Age of Empires titles, or the most recent game in the franchise, Age of Empires IV. Better yet, these games will have full cross-play, so Xbox, PC and PS5 players will be able to battle it out online.
Another major Xbox game, Forza Horizon 5, is also due to release on PS5 later this year. Rumour has it that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will also make the jump in the coming months.
KitGuru Says: While at one time it seemed impossible to bring an RTS game to consoles, titles like Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2 really paved the way for more traditional RTS games to branch out beyond PC. We've had Age of Empires on Xbox for years at this point, with very good control schemes to replace the keyboard and mouse.
A decade ago, Valve attempted to bring PC gaming to the living room with its own ‘console' style mini-ITX PCs known as Steam Machines. Unlike the Steam Deck, Valve opted to pass off Steam Machine development to third-party partners and focused on the software side of things. This ultimately led to Steam Machines being branded as a failure. Now ten years on and armed with more experience in hardware products, Valve looks to be bringing back the Steam Machine.
According to eXtas1s, who has a reliable track record with leaks, Valve is readying a new Steam console to compete against Xbox and PlayStation. Apparently, this system will continue to use custom AMD hardware, this time based on the RDNA 4 architecture.
While the Steam Machines failed back in 2015, Valve has drastically improved its hardware capabilities since then. At this point, the company has sold millions of Steam Deck handheld systems, and the new version of SteamOS is far beyond what Valve started off with. On top of that, Valve has also been working on new Steam Controller designs, seemingly for a Steam Controller 2 launch. Chances are, a Steam console would ship with one of these new gamepads.
Whether or not a Steam home console could really take market share away from Xbox or PlayStation remains to be seen.
KitGuru Says: Would you like to see the Steam Machine make a return with new and improved hardware, combined with the latest version of SteamOS? Perhaps this is the kick some developers need to support SteamOS. After all, we still have major games like Destiny that don't support the Deck, despite the fact that the game's anti-cheat system can and does work with Proton, the compatibility took Valve uses to make Windows-only games run on SteamOS.
G.Skill has just announced its latest memory kit. At CES, we saw new low-latency kits for AMD Ryzen based systems. This time, we are focused on Intel Core Ultra, with new large-capacity CL32 kits set to hit the market.
The new G.Skill CL32 96GB (2x 48GB) and the CL28 32GB kit are hitting the market soon under the Trident Z5, Royal, and Ripjaws series. The key differentiator between these is the heatspreader, with the Trident Z5 offering a sleek RGB lightbar at the top, while the royal version adds a crystalised pattern on the top. The Ripjaws series is G.Skill's standard kit, with a low-profile heatspreader.
CL32-42-42 at up to 96GB (2x48GB). This new specification have been validated on both Intel Z790 and Z890 platforms. Above, you can find the Memtest validation on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero motherboard with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K desktop processor, and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero motherboard with the Intel Core i9-14900K desktop processor.
These kits will be hitting the market starting in March.
KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a new system upgrade? Will you be going with G.Skill RAM? If so, be sure to check out our reviews.
February is set to be a big month for Game Pass. We already know that Obsidian's new fantasy RPG, Avowed, will be a day-one title for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Now, we know the full list of games joining the service over the next two weeks.
As Avowed is a new first-party game, it won't be available to Game Pass standard subscribers. However, like Starfield, it should join the Game Pass Standard library eventually. If you want to play it on February 18th via Game Pass, you'll need a Game Pass Ultimate or a Game Pass PC subscription. As Microsoft is still actively trying to grow Game Pass for PC, that version of the service still gets day-one first party games.
For a look at the timeline Game Pass Standard subscribers can expect, we can see that Starfield, which first launched in September 2023, is now available through Game Pass Standard, meaning it joined the library almost a year and a half after launch. With that in mind, we can expect Avowed to join the Game Pass Standard library sometime in 2026.
Below is the full list of Game Pass titles announced for February 2025, including platforms and release dates:
Far Cry New Dawn (Cloud, Console and PC) – February 4th.
Another Crab's Treasure (Console) – February 5th.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Console) – February 5th.
Starfield (Xbox Series X/S) – February 5th.
Madden NFL 25 (Cloud, Console and PC) – February 6th.
Kingdom Two Crowns (Cloud and Console) – February 13th.
Avowed (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – February 18th.
As for games leaving the library, on February 15th, Game Pass subscribers will lose access to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, EA Sports UFC 3, Indivisible, Merge and Blade, Return to Grace, A Little to the Left and Tales of Arise.
KitGuru Says: What do you think of this month's Game Pass line-up? Will you be jumping into Avowed when it drops?
Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 7 255H mobile processor shows impressive single-threaded performance in a leaked PassMark benchmark, but its multi-core capabilities raise concerns.
The Passmark results (via Notebookcheck) reveal a significant generational leap in single-threaded performance. The Core Ultra 7 255H scored 4631 points, a 32% increase over the Core Ultra 7 155H CPU. This impressive gain can be attributed to the new “Lion Cove” P-cores and TSMC's N3B process technology. Interestingly, the 255H even outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 “Strix Point” APU by around 17% in single-threaded performance.
However, the tables turn regarding its multi-core performance, where the 255H falls behind the Strix Point chip by over 20%. This discrepancy highlights the impact of Intel's decision to remove hyperthreading support from its non-K Core Ultra 200 series CPUs. While this move benefits single-threaded performance, it limits the multi-core capabilities of these processors. Despite the disappointing multi-core results, the Core Ultra 7 255H still shows a respectable 12% multi-threaded performance improvement over its predecessor.
It's worth noting that Arrow Lake-H CPUs will feature integrated GPUs with up to eight Xe LPG+ cores. While these iGPUs are expected to be slower than the Xe2-based graphics in Lunar Lake processors, they should still offer decent performance for casual gaming and everyday tasks. These processors should be available this quarter with new laptops from different manufacturers.
KitGuru says: Based on these results, the Arrow Lake-H processors will likely perform better than AMD's latest Ryzen AI 300 series in gaming when paired with a discrete GPU. However, we expect AMD Strix Point processors to be the better option for productivity.
As expected, Nvidia's RTX 50 series launch didn't have enough stock for the demand. It was predictable that stock would run relatively fast, especially considering the reported low product count arriving at retailers. As if that wasn't enough, it seems the next batch of cards will take a while to arrive, with some retailers expecting that it could be months before we see a new RTX 5090 card for sale.
While the initial launch of the RTX 5090 and 5080 Founders Edition cards went smoothly, with positive reviews and impressive benchmarks, gamers eager to get their hands on the new cards face a frustrating reality: limited availability. OverclockersUK has reported that its initial RTX 50 series cards stock has completely sold out, and pre-orders are currently unavailable. According to the retailer, more RTX 5080 cards are expected to arrive in 2 to 6 weeks. As for the RTX 5090 cards, they can take 3 to 16 weeks.
Similar reports are emerging from other regions. In the Netherlands (via Megekko forums), sources suggest that the Asus RTX 50 series cards are being shipped in batches, with varying availability depending on the specific model. Furthermore, there are claims that Nvidia won't be shipping any more Founders Edition cards until March, potentially leaving gamers with limited options for purchasing the reference designs.
Later this month, we're expected to see the launch of the RTX 5070 series cards. Hopefully, these won't have the same stock issues.
KitGuru says: Were you planning to get an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090? Were you lucky enough to get one of these at launch?
Fans of Need for Speed might have to temper their expectations for a new entry in the franchise. Criterion Games, the studio behind the franchise, has confirmed that the next Need for Speed game won't come anytime soon as the team shifts its focus to developing the next Battlefield title.
This isn't the first time Criterion has lent its expertise to the Battlefield franchise. The studio played a significant role in developing Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. However, this time, it seems their involvement in the upcoming Battlefield title is taking priority, putting the next Need for Speed game into second plan.
Given the current development timeline for the next Battlefield game, which, according to recent footage, is in pre-alpha, it's unlikely a new fully-fledged NFS game will be released for several years. Considering the typical development cycle for AAA games and Criterion's statement (via Eurogamer), active production on the next Need for Speed won't begin until the new Battlefield is complete. If that's the case, fans might have to wait until the early 2030s for a new entry in the racing franchise.
While EA could assign another studio to develop a new Need for Speed game, this seems unlikely. Criterion Games has a wealth of experience in the racing genre, and finding another studio with the same expertise in this genre would be a challenge. We could argue that Codemasters might be able to do something out of the Need For Speed franchise, but it would probably go into a more realistic racing experience than your usual NFS game.
KitGuru says: This extended hiatus marks a significant shift for the Need for Speed series, which enjoyed annual releases between 1997 and 2013. If the current release cadence holds, December 2025 will mark the longest gap between two Need for Speed titles since the franchise's inception in 1994.
Today we are back with our first RTX 50 series partner card review! We're looking at the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC – a beast of a graphics card in every sense of the word. Not only does it boast a quad-slot cooler that's about 36cm long, but it's been aggressively factory overclocked, while also featuring dual-BIOS, three 100mm fans and plentiful RGB lighting. Let's see just how well it compares to Nvidia's Founders Edition.
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:44 The pricing situation
01:41 Design impressions
02:15 It’s HUGE – comparisons vs 5090 FE
02:57 Dual-BIOS, RGB lighting
04:09 Revealing the PCB and heatsink
05:33 Test setup
06:19 Thermals, noise
07:34 Game benchmarks
08:08 Clock speed + power
09:08 Overclocking
10:07 Closing thoughts – is it worth 2.6K?
Of course, the other factor to consider is pricing, and while MSI didn't actually disclose an official MSRP to us, we've found it on Currys for £2600, while it's higher still at OCUK. Needless to say, that is some extreme pricing, with a £660 price premium over the £1939 MSRP. It's hard to say if those are just inflated figures given there's zero stock of the RTX 5090 right now, and I'd have to hope that pricing falls as supply levels increase. Right now that's all we have to go on though, so that will have to factor into our final buying advice.
RTX 5090
RTX 5080
RTX 4090
RTX 4080 Super
RTX 4080
Process
TSMC N4
TSMC N4
TSMC N4
TSMC N4
TSMC N4
SMs
170
84
128
80
76
CUDA Cores
21760
10752
16384
10240
9728
Tensor Cores
680
336
512
320
304
RT Cores
170
84
128
80
76
Texture Units
680
336
512
320
304
ROPs
176
112
176
112
112
GPU Boost Clock
2407 MHz
2617 MHz
2520 MHz
2550 MHz
2505 MHz
Memory Data Rate
28 Gbps
30 Gbps
21 Gbps
23 Gbps
22.4 Gbps
L2 Cache
98304 KB
65536 KB
73729 KB
65536 KB
65536 KB
Total Video Memory
32GB GDDR7
16GB GDDR7
24GB GDDR6X
16GB GDDR6X
16GB GDDR6X
Memory Interface
512-bit
256-bit
384-bit
256-bit
256-bit
Memory Bandwidth
1792 GB/Sec
960 GB/Sec
1008 GB/Sec
736 GB/Sec
716.8 GB/Sec
TGP
575W
360W
450W
320W
320W
First, a quick spec recap. The RTX 5090 is built on the new GB202 die, measuring 750mm2, though it's not quite a full implementation of the silicon. Instead we find a total of 11 Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), each holding up to eight Texture Processing Clusters (TPCs), for a total of 85. Each TPC is home to two Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), giving us 170, and each SM still holds 256 CUDA Cores, meaning the RTX 5090 has an eye-watering total of 21760 shaders. We also find 170 RT cores, 680 Tensor cores, 680 Texture Units, and 176 ROPs.
This time around, however, there's no node-shrink, and GB202 remains fabricated on TSMC's N4 node, as per the RTX 40-series. As such, rated clock speed is not increased this generation and is actually touted slightly below that of the RTX 4090, with the reference RTX 5090 delivering a rated 2407MHz boost clock. MSI has increased this to 2565MHz for the Gaming BIOS, and 2512MHz for the Silent BIOS.
The memory configuration has seen significant upgrades this generation. The RTX 5090 now comes equipped with a super-wide 512-bit memory interface, paired with 32GB GDDR7 memory running at 28Gbps, and that puts total memory bandwidth at a staggering 1792 GB/s. L2 cache is also increased to 98MB, up from the 74MB of the RTX 4090.
Considering the large increases to die size and core count, but with no node shrink, it's perhaps unsurprising to see power draw has increased, this time boasting a 575W TGP at reference. MSI has maxed this out at 600W for the Gaming BIOS, too, the limit of the 12V-2X6 connector.
Following Microsoft’s recent developer direct, the console maker has announced another – albeit smaller – presentation with the ID@Xbox Showcase. Going live on the 24th of February, the stream will feature a ton of indie studios as well as a new collaboration with Balatro.
Announced in partnership with IGN, the next ID@Xbox showcase will go live on the 24th of February at 6PM BST, kicking off the publication’s annual IGN Fan Fest.
Though no specific games (except one) were highlighted for the event, over a dozen studios are confirmed to be present during the showcase, with the full list being as follows:
11 Bit
BigFan
Critical Reflex
Daedalic
Game Source Entertainment
No More Robots
Panic
Playstack
Raw Fury
Thunderlotus
Cult Games
Team17
Curve
Akapura
Don’t Nod
While some of these names might be more recognisable than others, the best part about indie events is the fact that you never know what you’ll get – often for the better.
The one game which is confirmed for the showcase is Balatro, with “the next big collaboration” set to be announced during the stream. That said, it is unclear right now whether this collab will bring content into Balatro, or see Balatro added to another game (as was the case with Dave the Diver). Either way, more Balatro is always a good thing.
KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the next ID@Xbox? Which studio are you most interested in? What’s your favourite new indie game so far this year? Let us know down below.
Following a lengthy hiatus, the Devil May Cry series returned in a big way with DMC 5 in 2019 – quickly becoming the best-selling entry in the series. While we have yet to get a new game since, interest in Dante and co. has not waned, with the latest Devil May Cry 5 having now officially sold 10 million copies.
Every quarter, Capcom publicly publishes its updated list of ‘Platinum Titles’ – games which have sold over 1 million units. Sharing the latest stats across their franchises, the publisher has now revealed that as of the 31st of December 2024, 2019’s Devil May Cry (in combination with its Special Edition remaster / expansion) has sold 10 million copies, making it by far the best-selling entry in the entire franchise.
For context, the second-best-selling title is 2013’s DmC Devil May Cry which pushed a total of 3.1 million copies – 1/3rd of DMC 5’s total sales.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, there’s been no new activity in the DMC space ever since Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition.
That said, with how much of a success the latest entry continues to be, hopefully the chefs over at Capcom are cooking up something great. We will have to continue to wait and see.
KitGuru says: Are you surprised by the success of DMC 5? How much longer will we have to wait for a new Devil May Cry? What would you want from the next entry? Let us know down below.
Despite being an undeniable icon in the video games space, Capcom’s Mega Man franchise has never been a massive seller. While this somewhat remains the case, it seems Rock Man is having a slight reassurance with the latest Mega Man 11 now becoming the best-selling entry in the series.
Every quarter, Capcom publicly publishes its updated list of ‘Platinum Titles’ – games which have sold over 1 million units. The publisher has now released its latest figures, revealing that the latest entry in the Mega Man series – 2018’s Mega Man 11 – has surpassed the ‘Mega Man Legacy Collection’ to become the best-selling entry in the series.
Even so, the numbers are relatively modest when compared to Capcom’s other contemporary franchises, with Mega Man 11 just selling north of 2 million copies – 400k more than the aforementioned Legacy Collection.
As stated, Mega Man 11 is the latest entry in the series, however in the years since its launch we have seen further collections released to great success, including the ‘Battle Network Legacy Collection‘ which managed to shift 1 million units in its first two weeks back in 2023.
Still, with what will likely be Capcom’s biggest game of all time (Monster Hunter Wilds) set to come out later this month, the publisher’s focus is unlikely to be on Mega Man at the moment. Hopefully some time over the next couple years maybe.
KitGuru says: Are you surprised by Mega Man’s relatively low sales? Will it ever be one of Capcom’s biggest franchises once again? Could we see a Mega Man 12 one day? Let us know your thoughts down below.
While not quite the sales juggernaut that GTA is, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption series remains one of the biggest in the industry, with RDR2 alone selling more than 67 million units. Despite little post-launch support for the game (especially when it came to Red Dead Online), RDR2 has reached a new peak player count on Steam with just under 100,000 concurrents.
Upon its PC release back in early 2020, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 saw a solid influx of players, peaking at 55 thousand concurrent users on Steam. Naturally, since then the figures have ebbed and flowed, though only on a few occasions has it surpassed its launch peak.
Unfortunately, this recent influx is unlikely to affect Rockstar’s future plans for Red Dead 2 (or lack thereof), and so the online portion probably won’t see a ton of new support all of a sudden.
KitGuru says: Did you hop into Red Dead Redemption 2 recently? Has Rockstar fully moved on from the game? Could Red Dead Online see a resurgence? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Everyone likes a big screen for watching content but often, 100+-inch TVs are prohibitively expensive, and projectors can be too bulky to set up properly in a lot of spaces. Acer looks to solve this issue with the Acer PD1520Us, a compact LED projector that weighs less than 1kg.
This is a short-throw projector, meaning it is designed to be placed close to the surface. With this design, you can get 100-inches of screen space while placing the projector just centimetres away from the wall or screen, making it an ideal solution for businesses and schools, where conditions can be a bit more crowded.
The bulb inside the projector has a 30,000 hour life span, so you'll get plenty of use out of it before you start to see any brightness drop-off and need to replace the bulb. The projector has its own built-in speakers for convenient audio, and support for 1080p and 4K sources. The projector has plenty of connectivity options too, with dual HDMI 2.0 ports, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and options for screen mirroring.
For those concerned about setup, the projector comes with auto focus so you won't need to manually turn the focus ring to get things looking sharp. Additionally, 2D Keystone Correction can fix up distorted images for maximum clarity out of the box. For those looking to take things on the go, a 5200mAh battery pack is also available, which will allow you to run the projector for up to two hours. As part of the Acer UST projector series, the PD1520U also has an integrated smart platform, allowing you to install apps to access streaming services.
The Acer PD1520Us projector will be available in EMEA starting in March, priced at €699. The additional battery pack is sold separately, priced at €99.
KitGuru Says: Would you replace your TV with a projector for a cheaper solution to a bigger screen?
EA has launched a number of community playtest programs over the years, seeking feedback for projects still in development. Typically, we see these for smaller games, like Skate, while games like Battlefield are kept under wraps until the public beta tests that take place just weeks before release. This blew up in EA's face with Battlefield 2042, as the game launched with a huge number of bugs and issues. To avoid this next time around, DICE is launching Battlefield Labs.
Battlefield Labs is the new community testing program for the Battlefield franchise. EA and DICE claim it is “the most ambitious community testing program in franchise history”. Respawn and EA Studios GM, Vince Zampella, explained that Battlefield Labs will be used to “test the experiences our teams have been building for the upcoming launch”.
From the sounds of it, fans will be able to sign up and then test out early, experimental builds of different modes being planned for the final game. The first phase of Battlefield Labs testing will go live in the coming weeks and sign-ups are already live on the Battlefield Labs page.
To start off with, playtests will be held in the US and European countries, before expanding to other territories. DICE says that this program will play “a significant role” in the development of future Battlefield games, not just the next mainline entry to the series.
KitGuru Says: DICE has struggled to really figure out how best to differentiate Battlefield from Call of Duty and how to please fans with each new entry. Even Battlefield 4, which many fans look back on fondly, launched with a myriad of bugs and issues that took months to fix. This cycle has consistently repeated with each game. Hopefully once Battlefield Labs gets off the ground, DICE can finally put those struggles behind them.
Midnight Society has been an interesting studio to follow. The company, founded by streamer Dr Disrespect, was working on its own extraction shooter, with a Counter-Strike style skin system that would see players owning their own skins with the ability to trade or sell. The studio faced financial struggles months ago after cutting ties with Dr Disrespect and now, the studio is shutting down for good.
In an announcement, Midnight Society confirmed that it will be closing its doors after three years in the game development business. The company was working on Deadrop, which had around 10,000 players in the early alpha stages of development. However, now that the company is shutting down, Deadrop will no longer be pushed through to a full release.
In the meantime, Midnight Society, which employed just over 50 game developers, is now actively searching for job openings at other studios to help workers get back on their feet.
Just a few months ago after laying off half of the Deadrop team, Midnight Society stated that it was still on track to launch the game in 2025. At the time, I struggled with this idea, as losing half of your development team certainly isn't going to result in work getting done faster. Now just one month into the new year, we can see that this timeline was unrealistic.
KitGuru Says: Deadrop will no longer launch and all of those who spent money on expensive NFTs to gain access are unlikely to get any of their money back.
After a six month beta, a six month hiatus and a year of ‘official' release, Warner Bros is now pulling the plug on MultiVersus. The game officially released in 2024 and is now shutting down alongside another 2024 flop, Suicide Squad.
WB Games did not have a very good time in 2024. The company had high hopes for two of its ‘live service' games, MultiVersus, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. A few weeks ago, Warner Bros announced plans to shut down Suicide Squad, leaving players with an offline version of the game to play. Now, the same thing is happening with the Smash Bros. style cross-over fighting game.
In an announcement this week, WB and Player First Games confirmed that MultiVersus Season 5 would be the game's final update. The season runs from February 4th until the 30th of May. After that, the online multiplayer servers will shut down.
Fortunately, players won't lose access to the game entirely. While official online services are closing in a few months, the Season 5 update will also generate a local save file for the game. From there, you will be able to continue to access the game modes and your purchased content offline, in single-player battles vs AI or in private matches with friends locally.
Microtransactions from the in-game store have already been removed. However, you can still unlock new characters by playing the game, including the two latest additions to the roster, Aquaman and Lola Bunny.
KitGuru Says: MultiVersus seemed like a cool idea when it was first announced, but taking the game offline for so long and then re-launching it in a crowded 2024 was a bad idea. We'll no doubt see some of these characters appearing in Fortnite in the future instead, as presumably, WB is going to pump the brakes on its own expensive live-service projects.
Nvidia's RTX Video Super Resolution (RVSR) technology, which uses the power of your GPU to upscale video content, has received a significant update that addresses one of its main drawbacks: power consumption.
RTX VSR allows you to enjoy sharper and more detailed videos in your web browser or media player, even if the source is low resolution. Imagine watching Netflix in 4K, even if the stream is only available in 1080p. However, this magic comes at a cost, as the initial version of RTX VSR was notorious for its high power consumption, with some users reporting their GPUs drawing over 200W while upscaling video.
Thankfully, Nvidia has listened to feedback and optimised RTX VSR for improved efficiency. The latest update introduces a new AI model that reduces power consumption by up to 30%, allowing you to enjoy enhanced visuals without putting excessive strain on your graphics card. RTX VSR is now integrated into the Nvidia App, making it easier than ever to access and control. To enable the feature, navigate to the “System” menu, then “Video,” and adjust it according to your preferences. You can also choose to display an on-screen indicator to indicate when RTX VSR is active.
The update also introduces a new “Auto” quality level that dynamically adjusts the upscaling intensity based on the video content and your GPU's capabilities. Alternatively, select “Manual” and choose one of the presets available to set the upscaling quality.
KitGuru says: Do you use Nvidia's RTX Video Super Resolution? Have you ever noticed high GPU power consumption while upscaling a video using this technology?
The success of Black Myth: Wukong shows no signs of slowing down. The action RPG, inspired by the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West, has surpassed the 25 million copies sold worldwide.
Since its launch in August 2024, Black Myth: Wukong has amassed an enormous community with its visuals, gameplay, and story. It has become the single-player game in Steam history with the most concurrent in-game players, peaking at over 2.2 million users soon after launch.
This incredible momentum continued, with the game selling 10 million copies in its first three days and reaching 20 million sales within a month. Now, nearly six months after its debut, Black Myth: Wukong has crossed the 25 million mark, according to Niko News (via Game World Observer).
While the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase worldwide, its popularity in China is at another level. It has become a cultural phenomenon. According to Yicai Global, a recently opened Black Myth: Wukong merchandise store in the country reportedly earned over $410,000 within its first three days, and many products quickly sold out.
KitGuru says: With its impressive sales figures, critical acclaim, and dedicated fanbase, the game is already a success even if it doesn't sell any more copies. However, we believe that won't happen, and the sales figures will only increase as time passes.
A new State of Play event is reportedly just around the corner, potentially bringing a few exciting announcements and updates later this month.
Gaming insider NatetheHate (via VGC) has hinted that Sony is planning a State of Play event sometime during February without specifying a date. However, when asked for it, the leaker answered, “What does your heart tell you?”, suggesting that it would occur during the week of Valentine's Day.
While details about the rumoured State of Play remain scarce, there's plenty of speculation about what Sony might have up its sleeve. Potential highlights could include updates on highly anticipated titles like Ghost of Tsushima 2 and Death Stranding 2, as well as the announcement of new content for Astro Bot. Moreover, there should be time to show a few new titles during the presentation.
This news comes after a relatively quiet start to the year for PlayStation, with only minor announcements and updates to Sony's platform. On the other hand, Nintendo and Xbox have been making waves with their recent announcements, including the first look at Switch 2 and the surprise reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4 and a Ninja Gaiden 2 remake.
KitGuru says: Do you usually watch PlayStation's State of Play presentations? What will Sony showcase during the next event?
PowerColor, a brand well known for producing graphics cards, has branched out with the release of its first gaming headset – the Alphyn AH10. Featuring a choice of 2.4GHz wireless or 3.5mm connectivity, alongside 50mm drivers and a retractable built in mic – can the company turn its expertise to a new product category and deliver a great experience for gamers?
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:29 Design
02:07 Buttons, ports and controls
02:51 Microphone
03:26 The minimalist look
03:45 Build Quality
03:58 Specs and performance
04:33 Preset EQ Modes
05:11 Sound quality
05:29 Microphone sound test
07:53 Connectivity and accessories
08:17 Battery Life and thoughts
09:13 Software
10:36 Pricing
10:54 Closing Thoughts
Specifications:
Driver Diameter – 50 mm
Frequency Response – 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance – 32 Ω ± 15 %
Sensitivity – 98 ± 3 dB
Battery Life – Up to 30 hours
Rechargeable Battery – 1500 mAh / 3.7V
Charging Time – ≤ 2.5 hours
Supply Voltage – 3.4~4.2 V
Current Consumption – 58 mA
Microphone Type- Electret Condenser
Microphone Pickup Pattern – Bi-Directional
Microphone Frequency Response – 100 Hz – 10 kHz
Microphone Impedance – 2.2 KΩ
Microphone Sensitivity – -44 dB
Connection Type – Type-C Wireless (2.4 GHz), 3.5 mm(Wired)
Wireless Range – 10 m
Approximate Weight – 326 g
Dimension – 240*176*90 mm
PC Compatible – Windows 10 or higher, 3.5 mm audio devices, USB 2.0 Port : Type-A, Type-C
Controls
Power On/Off, Microphone Mute Switch
Audio Profiles Switcher
Volume Control Knob
Accessories Bundle
Type-C Transmitter
Type-C to C Adaptor
Type-A to C Adaptor
Type-C to Type-A Charging Cable 1.7m
3.5 mm Audio Cable 1.3m
Microphone Foam Cover
Carry Pouch
You can buy the Alphyn AH10 Wireless Headset from Scan for £79.99 HERE.
Pros:
Nice design and colour scheme
No RGB
Decent Battery Life
Good audio output
Convenient retractable mic design
Cons:
Almost zero mic customisation
Very basic software
Voice and custom profiles can only be accessed by opening Keystone software
No way to tell the exact battery life remaining
KitGuru says: The Alphyn AH10 is a decent headset debut from PowerColor. However, it needs more in-depth mic customisation and more software functionality.
Colorful, a major Nvidia board partner in China, has seemingly leaked key details about the upcoming GeForce RTX 5060 series, including a potential March release date.
This information comes from Chaintech (via @wxnod), a Taiwanese company that supplies components to Colorful. Based on Chaintech's 2025 earnings forecast presentation, we know the supposed release dates for all the RTX 50 series cards. With the RTX 5090D (China exclusive) and RTX 5080 already available, we can expect to get the RTX 5070 series later this month, including the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti. Afterward, in March, we can expect the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060. This aligns with previous rumours and suggests that Nvidia aims to complete its RTX 50 series lineup within the year's first quarter.
Based on previous rumours, it's believed that there will be two RTX 5060 Ti models: one with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory and another with 8 GB. This has been corroborated by an EEC filing by MaxSun (via @Olrak29_), another Nvidia board partner, showing both 16G and 8G models. As for the RTX 5060, it's expected to launch with 8 GB of memory unless Nvidia decides to use 3 GB memory modules.
The GeForce RTX 5060 series is poised to compete with AMD's upcoming Radeon RX 9060 series, which is expected to launch later this year. The RTX 5060 non-Ti could also face competition from Intel's Arc B580, which offers a compelling combination of performance and value in the mainstream segment, albeit with not-so-good drivers (which can always be improved with time).
KitGuru says: What kind of performance are you expecting from the RTX 5060 series cards?
While Battlefield 2042 was hyped up prior to release, a series of launch-day issues hampered the game's long-term performance. As a result, EA has made some changes behind the scenes and is now preparing for the next Battlefield game. We'll get our first look at what's in the works later today with the reveal of the Community Test Program.
To avoid another launch riddled with problems, DICE and EA have announced plans for a Battlefield Community Test program, similar to the alpha and beta test programs EA has been running for other projects like Skate.
At 5PM CET today, EA and DICE will be revealing the details behind this test program, which will give fans an opportunity to play early builds of the next Battlefield months ahead of release.
Currently, it is unclear when the next Battlefield game will launch. However, we do know that EA has set up a campaign team to work on a single-player mode, while DICE will handle the game's main multiplayer modes. Other studios around EA, like Respawn Entertainment, will also assist in development.
KitGuru Says: It has felt like Battlefield has been on a downward spiral since Battlefield 4. Hopefully with this next game, DICE can deliver a quality product on day-one, rather than months after launch.
Thermal Grizzly has expanded its KryoSheet line of liquid metal thermal pads with a new size specifically designed for the Nvidia GB 202 GPU of the GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards.
This pre-applied liquid metal pad offers a convenient and effective alternative to traditional thermal paste, simplifying the installation and improving cooling performance. The new KryoSheet measures 44 x 37 mm, covering the GB202-300-A1 GPU in the RTX 5090. It extends slightly beyond the chip's edges, requiring electrical insulation of the surrounding components. To address this, Thermal Grizzly includes a TG Kapton Insulation Sheet with the new KryoSheet.
Applying the KryoSheet is a straightforward process:
Clean and degrease the GPU and surrounding area using isopropanol or a similar cleaning agent.
Apply the Kapton Insulation Sheet, aligning the strips along the borders of the GPU die. Ensure that the Kapton strips do not cover the GPU itself.
Once the surrounding area is insulated, apply the KryoSheet according to the included instructions.
The KryoSheet does not need to be cut to size, as it is already sized for the RTX 5090's GPU. Thermal Grizzly's KryoSheet offers a hassle-free way to experience the benefits of liquid metal cooling. Its pre-applied design eliminates the mess and potential risks associated with liquid metal application, making it suitable for air- and water-cooled RTX 5090 graphics cards.
KitGuru says: If you got an RTX 5090, would you use the Thermal Grizzly KryoSheet to reduce temperatures?
Obsidian has an extremely busy year ahead with Avowed due to launch this month, followed by The Outer Worlds 2 later this year. In the middle of this, Obsidian is also preparing for its next major game, and it has brought back the lead writer behind Fallout New Vegas to work on it.
Since acquiring both Obsidian Entertainment and Bethesda, there have been rumours that Microsoft could put Obsidian back onto the Fallout series. Many fans have New Vegas as their favourite game in the franchise and plenty of developers at Obsidian still have interest in the Fallout IP. However, while there have been rumours around a New Vegas 2, the re-hiring of the first game's lead writer is apparently not a hint at a sequel being in development.
John Gonzalez left Obsidian 14 years ago after shipping New Vegas and working on other projects. After leaving Obsidian, Gonzalez joined Guerrilla Games and worked on the Horizon Zero Dawn IP. Now, Gonzalez is returning to Obsidian, he has revealed on LinkedIn. However, in an effort to get out ahead of rumours, he did also state that the project he is working on is “not Fallout: New Vegas 2”.
Since joining Microsoft, Obsidian has worked on numerous new IP. The studio has shipped Grounded, Pentiment, and The Outer Worlds. The Outer Worlds was created as a spiritual successor to Obsidian's work on the Fallout series, while Avowed is due to be Obsidian's way of expanding its fantasy universe from Pillars of Eternity, the crowdfunded project that saved Obsidian from bankruptcy a decade ago.
KitGuru Says: Bethesda is likely so far off from releasing Fallout 5, that it makes perfect sense to have the speed demons at Obsidian to develop a new spin-off game to bridge the gap between Fallout 4 and Fallout 5. For now though, despite moves like this, Obsidian is apparently not working on anything Fallout-related.
Intel has confirmed part of its CPU roadmap for the next two years, confirming the arrival of Panther Lake in 2025 and Nova Lake in 2026. But while Panther Lake's future in the desktop market remains uncertain, Nova Lake could shake things up with a new architecture with dual CPU tiles.
During its Q4 earnings call, Intel shed light on its upcoming processor plans. Panther Lake, the successor to the current Core Ultra 200 series, is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2025. However, Intel has not confirmed whether Panther Lake will be available for desktop PCs.
Following Panther Lake, Intel will unleash Nova Lake in 2026. Unlike its predecessor, Nova Lake has explicitly mentioned that it will have a desktop variant, suggesting a potential shift in Intel's strategy. Leaks from Reddit user Exist50 (via HXL) suggest that Nova Lake could feature a hybrid architecture with two 8P+16E tiles. These tiles are expected to combine “Coyote Cove” P-cores and “Arctic Wolf” E-cores.
Intel's Nova Lake SKUs would come for desktops (Nova Lake-SK), featuring up to 16x P-cores and 32x E-cores on two tiles. The high-end mobile (HX), mainstream mobile (H), and low-power mobile (U) variants would feature a single CPU tile. The Nova Lake-HX platform for enthusiast gaming laptops is rumoured to feature up to 8x P-cores and 16x E-cores, potentially indicating a move away from using the same dies as desktop CPUs. As for Nova Lake-S and Nova Lake-H SKUs, these would come with up to 4x P-cores and 8x E-cores. Lastly, the Nova Lake-U chips would pack up to 4x P-cores only.
During the earnings call, Intel also announced a delay for Falcon Shores, its next-generation XPU/GPU designed for the data centres. Originally intended to compete with rival AI accelerators, Falcon Shores will now be used internally as a test chip. Instead, Intel will focus on Jaguar Shores, the successor to Falcon Shores, for its next data centre offering.
KitGuru says: Do you think Panther Lake will come to the desktop, or will Intel Core Ultra's next-generation CPUs use the Nova Lake platform?
Sandfall Interactive has unveiled the official PC system requirements for its upcoming turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This title, powered by Unreal Engine 5, promises a captivating blend of strategic combat and real-time exploration, bringing a spin to the traditional turn-based combat of RPGs.
Before you embark on your journey into the mysterious world of Clair Obscur, make sure your PC is up to the task. To experience the game at 1080p resolution with low settings at 30 FPS, you'll need at least an Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070, an AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, or an Intel Arc A580 graphics card. It also requires 55 GB of free disk space for installation.
For those seeking a more visually stunning and fluid experience at 1080p with high settings and 60 FPS, the developers recommend an Intel Core i7-11700K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a more powerful GPU like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. Here are the detailed system requirements for Clair Obscur:
Additional Notes: For 1080p 60FPS high settings gameplay.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released on April 24 on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. It will also be available at launch via Game Pass on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Cloud.
KitGuru says: Are you interested in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Is your PC ready for it?
Connexion
