GameMax is looking to expand in the microATX market with the launch of its new Aeris 330 series. These compact cases aim to deliver a mix of style, airflow, and hardware support, all at a very aggressive price point that is sure to grab the attention of budget-conscious builders.

Builders will have the choice between two distinct versions of the case, both available in black or white finishes. For those prioritising thermal performance, the Aeris 330 Mesh features a high-airflow front panel designed to maximise air intake. Alternatively, the Aeris 330 Glass offers a more premium aesthetic with a tempered glass front panel to showcase the interior components.

Gamemax is pre-installing four of its Tornado T12 ARGB/PWM fans and a compatible control hub right out of the box. This means users get a complete set of synchronised, speed-controlled fans with the case out of the box. Despite its compact mATX footprint, the Aeris 330 cases fit a lot inside. It can house graphics cards up to 330 mm long, CPU air coolers up to 155 mm tall, and standard ATX PSUs. For liquid cooling enthusiasts, the case supports up to a 360 mm radiator in the front and a 240 mm radiator in the top.

The case is also equipped with a modern front I/O panel featuring a USB-C port and offers flexible storage mounting for up to five drives. The GameMax Aeris 330 series is priced reasonably, with the black mesh model starting at just $57.99 and the white glass version topping out at $63.99.

KitGuru says: Of all the Aeris 330 models, which one did you like the most?

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Micron has recently unveiled its new portfolio of data centre SSDs based on its 9th generation 3D NAND, and the lineup includes some exciting products. The announcement is headlined by the Micron 9650, the world's first PCIe Gen 6 NVMe SSD, which arrives alongside the 6600 Ion, a drive that packs an incredible 122TB of storage into a compact form factor.

Leveraging the PCIe Gen 6 interface, the Micron 9650 delivers a sequential read speed of up to 28GB/s and 5.5 million random read IOPS, more than doubling the performance of many previous-gen drives. Aimed at AI training and inference workloads where throughput is key, the drive is also said to be up to 67% more power-efficient on reads than its Gen5 counterparts. Micron will be offering the 9650 in both E1.S and E3.S form factors with air and liquid-cooled options available.

For those who value capacity above all else, the Micron 6600 Ion SSD offers an unparalleled level of storage density. A 122TB version of the drive is set to arrive later this year in the E3.S form factor, with a mind-boggling 245TB variant scheduled for early 2026. These drives are designed to replace vast arrays of traditional hard drives, saving considerable amounts of physical rack space and power. Rounding out the new trio is the Micron 7600 SSD, positioned as a highly efficient and low-latency PCIe Gen5 solution for more common cloud applications and edge deployments.

Micron has stated that the new SSDs have already been validated with key partners, including Nvidia, Dell, Broadcom, and Astera Labs. Samples of the 9650 and 7600 are available to customers now, with the 122TB 6600 ION expected to land later in Q3. No pricing has been announced, but for this level of record-breaking performance, you can bet it won't be cheap.

KitGuru says: PCIe Gen 6 drives will eventually make their way down to the consumer market but as always, this technology is being employed first in enterprise. With data centres requiring more and more storage, new ultra high-speed SSDs and high-capacity 100TB+ drives will be in demand.

The post Micron announces world’s first PCIe Gen 6 SSD first appeared on KitGuru.

Developer Sandfall Interactive has just rolled out a major update for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The new 1.4.0 patch delivers a host of welcome quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes. Still, the headline feature for PC gamers is the official implementation of Frame Generation for both Nvidia and Intel graphics cards.

While a mod previously enabled DLSS Frame Generation for Nvidia users, this latest patch brings official, integrated support into the game. Both DLSS and XeSS frame gen tech are now supported. Beyond the performance boost, the patch also introduces some highly-requested gameplay enhancements, including a new “Battle Retry Prompt”. This comes as a pop-up that appears after a lost combat encounter, giving players the option to quickly jump back into the fight without navigating extra menus. Other welcome additions include a cost display for Lumina abilities, an autoplay option for speech, and separate volume sliders for different parts of the game.

Sandfall Interactive has also squashed some bugs with this update. The patch addresses an issue that could cause character immortality when using specific abilities, and also fixes a problem with Lune's “Thermal Transfer” skill that was granting extra turns incorrectly. The update also includes fixes for disappearing journals, achievement errors, and a number of environmental visual refinements. The detailed patch notes can be found below:

Performance & Visuals

• DLSS & XeSS Enhancements: Added Frame Generation and Low Latency Mode support for both DLSS and XeSS (compatible GPUs only). Enjoy smoother gameplay and lower input lag!

Quality of Life Improvements

• Battle Retry Prompt: A new pop-up window appears after defeat, giving you the option to quickly retry the battle.
• Lumina Cost Display: The Pictos menu now clearly displays the Lumina cost of each ability for better planning.
• Autoplay Dialogue: Added an optional autoplay feature for dialogues outside cutscenes. You can toggle it in the settings and during dialogues.
• Separate Volume Sliders: Audio settings now lets you independently adjust the volume for exploration and combat phases.

Accessibility

• Added icons to Lune's Stains to improve readability and accessibility for colorblind players.

Combat

• Lune's “Thermal Transfer” skill will no longer grant an extra turn without meeting the Stain consumption requirements
• Characters will no longer gain immortality when using the Second Chance pictos combined with Healing Boon and Protecting Death

Misc

• Fixed the Rocher holding a crystal occasionally despawning after reentering the Stone Wave Cliffs
• Fixed some players being teleported behind the Monolith upon loading a save
• Fixed Gameplay modifiers being applied to a New Game save when enabled on other saves
• Fixed landing as Esquie without the party spawning, leading to input loss
• Fixed the Fog on Flying Manor covering the screen and blocking the view on Steam Deck

Achievements

• Fixed journals vanishing after loading a Save File that was created at the exact moment of picking up that journal
• The following two trophies should now pop for you when you load your save if you were effected by these bugs:
  • Fixed “Expeditioner” and “Trailbreaker” achievements not unlocking if the characters reach a level higher than 33 or 66 after a battle
  • Fixed ‘Connoisseur' and ‘Follow The Trail' achievements not unlocking after collecting all required items on some savefiles

Environmental Polish

• Various environmental bugfixes, tweaks and visual polish across multiple levels for a more immersive experience.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? What did you think of it?

The post Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 patch adds DLSS and XeSS frame generation first appeared on KitGuru.

The latest addition to Klevv's popular CRAS V RGB memory range is the low-latency CL28 module, available in 32GB and 48GB kits. Featuring a well-designed aluminium heatsink, the CRAS V RGB range is available in Obsidian Black or Brilliant White and comes in several speeds and capacities.

The new module runs at 6000MT/s (28-36-36-76) at 1.4V. Including the new timing modules, the CRAS V RGB memory range covers seven speeds and three kit sizes: 32GB (6000MT/s, 6400MT/s, 7200MT/s, 7600MT/s and 8000MT/s), 48GB (6000MT/s, 6400MT/s, 7200MsT/s, 7600MT/s, 8000MT/s, 8200MT/s and 8400MT/s) and 64GB (6000MT/s and 6400MT/s). Kit's voltage ranges from 1.35V to 1.45V.

The CL28 CRAS V RGB kit we are reviewing here uses a pair of single-rank 16GB DIMMs using SK Hynix ICs, XMP / EXPO rated at 6,000MHz at 28-36-36-76 at 1.40V,

Klevv backs the drive with a lifetime warranty.

Specification

• Model Number: KD5AGUA80-60B280G.
• Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16).
• Rated Frequency: 6000MT/s.
• Rated Timings: 28-36-36-76.
• Voltage: 1.4V.
• Module Height: 44mm.
• XMP/EXPO: EXPO.

The post Klevv Cras V RGB 6000MT/s 32GB DDR5 Review first appeared on KitGuru.

August is just a day away, and with it comes new games for GeForce NOW. Mafia: The Old Country is one of the big headliners for the month, but major releases like Grounded 2 and Farming Simulator 25 are also on the way.

August will see 11 brand-new games coming to the GeForce Now library. Next month will bring titles like Mafia: The Old Country, Echoes of the End, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Definitive Edition, VOID/BREAKER, Among Us 3D, Funko Fusion, The Rogue Prince of Persia (Ubisoft Connect), and No Sleep for Kaname Date. All of these games are being sprinkled throughout August, but there are a bunch of titles joining the GeForce Now library today as well.

Here is the full list of games joining GeForce Now today:

• Grounded 2 (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, July 29)
• Achilles: Survivor (New release on Steam, July 29)
• Frosthaven (New release on Steam, July 31)
• Dead Take (New release on Steam, July 31)
• Farming Simulator 25 (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Aug. 1)
• High on Life (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
• The King Is Watching (Steam)
• Ultimate Chicken Horse (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)

KitGuru Says: What do you think of this week's GeForce Now update?

The post GeForce Now gets 11 brand-new games in August first appeared on KitGuru.

The remake of Final Fantasy Tactics opted to retain the original's art style, so the new version isn't as much of a graphical upgrade, but the updates everywhere else are sure to reel in fans old and new. Today during a Nintendo Direct stream, a new trailer for the game released, revealing a number of major upgrades, including full voice acting. 

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will feature fully voiced cutscenes, new dynamic camera angles during combat and dialogue sequences and a brand new opening cinematic that gives players a new perspective on the War of the Lions.

As far as gameplay goes, the Final Fantasy Tactics remake will have an expanded job system, with two new classes with unique skill trees. This will bring some fresh flavour to the game for those who have already sunk in hours mastering the combat. If you make a mistake, a rewind mechanic will allow you to undo your last move, and a new Iron Valor difficulty mode will give you limited saves, as well as permadeath for all characters.

Interestingly, Final Fantasy Tactics will also include cross-save functionality, so if you have it on PC and console, you can transfer your save between whichever system you are playing on.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will release for PC, Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on the 30th of September.

KitGuru Says: I'm looking forward to giving this game a go after many years of hearing about it from strategy game fans. Will you be picking up Final Fantasy Tactics? Will it be your first time ever experiencing the game? 

The post Final Fantasy Tactics trailer reveals fully voiced dialogue and new gameplay first appeared on KitGuru.

Today's Nintendo Direct closed out with a double-dose of Square Enix. Not only did we get a new look at Final Fantasy Tactics, but we also got a big reveal for a new game in the Octopath Traveler series, coming to both Switch and Switch 2 this December.

Octopath Traveler 0 was officially announced today during the Nintendo Direct stream. The game's iconic HD-2D graphics are front and centre once again, but there are some major changes to gameplay that quickly explain why this is Octopath Traveler 0 and not Octopath Traveler 3. While the previous games told stories centred around a set of pre-determined characters, Octopath Traveler 0 will invite players to create their own protagonist this time around.

The core themes of the story are Restoration & Retribution, with players taking on the task of rebuilding a ruined hometown and confronting powerful villains. True to the game's title, the story also emphasises ‘new beginnings' and starting over after tragedy.

On the gameplay side of things, Square Enix has expanded the ‘Path Actions' mechanic, enabling characters to influence the world around them in even more ways than before. Combat has also been upgraded with a new ‘momentum' system, where strategic timing and synergy can aid you in taking down enemies at a faster rate.

Octopath Traveler 0 will release for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on the 4th of December. While previous games in the series have gone multiplatform, it appears that Octopath Traveler 2 will be a timed exclusive for the Switch at launch.

KitGuru Says: I adore the Octopath Traveler series, so this will no doubt be my game of choice come Christmas time. What did you think of the trailer for Octopath Traveler 0? Are you looking forward to the new game?

The post Octopath Traveler 0 brings character creation ‘momentum’ combat and more first appeared on KitGuru.

EA took up a good chunk of the runtime during today's Nintendo Direct. Not only did we get new looks at upcoming sports games like EA FC 26 and Madden 26, but we also got confirmation that at long last, Apex Legends will be upgrading for the Switch 2. 

Apex Legends will get its Switch 2 upgrade on the 5th of August, sporting new optimisations and upgraded graphics for better performance and visuals. You can get a sneak peek at it running in the gameplay trailer below:

Apex Legends originally came to the Nintendo Switch platform in 2021, but a Switch 2 patch was not ready in time for the console's launch in June. Specifics on performance and resolutions for the Switch 2 are not yet available, but we would expect the handheld mode to upgrade from 720p dynamic resolution to 1080p dynamic resolution, and perhaps upscaled 4K in docked mode. I would also hope for 60FPS, as that would put Switch 2 players on more equal footing to those on Xbox and PS5.

The Switch 2 upgrade arrives alongside the Apex Legends: Showdown update, which brings fast-paced 30-player battles to the game, as well as QoL updates like auto-looting.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to the Switch 2 version of Apex Legends? 

 

The post Apex Legends finally gets Switch 2 upgrade next month first appeared on KitGuru.

Last year, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero officially launched, impressing fans with its massive character roster that surpasses all previous titles from the fan-favourite Budokai Tenkaichi series. Now, the game is heading to a new platform – Nintendo Switch. 

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero! is the long-awaited return to a fan-favourite series of Dragon Ball Z games. The Budokai Tenkaichi games were classic 3D fighters, featuring many characters from the Dragon Ball universe, in addition to transformed and fused characters. With Sparking Zero, the team challenged itself in numerous ways, vastly deepening the fighting mechanics and featuring more characters than ever before. The game launched to positive reviews last year and has gone on to sell millions of copies across Xbox, PlayStation and PC. The latest trailer for the game reveals the Nintendo Switch version, complete with genuine Switch gameplay footage.

The vast character roster was a huge marketing point for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, featuring more characters than any other Budokai Tenkaichi game, in part thanks to the addition of new characters and variants from newer series, like Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima. In total, the game features 182 characters and through DLC updates, even more characters have been added since launch.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero will launch on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on the 14th of November.

KitGuru Says: Some of the gameplay footage in this trailer looked rough, so I do wonder if they used Switch 1 footage, rather than Switch 2. If the game can't reach 60FPS on the Switch 2, then you're better off picking the game up on another platform. 

The post Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is coming to the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Just as promised, Nintendo hosted its Direct stream today, showcasing a ton of new third-party games coming to the Switch platform. Today's show kicked off with the reveal of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. 

The latest entry in the Monster Hunter Stories franchise is now on the way. Unlike traditional Monster Hunter titles, the Stories series is an anime-inspired RPG, with big boss fights against beasts both new and familiar, as well as turn-based combat.

There is no exact release date yet but Monster Hunter Stories 3 will release for the Switch 2 in 2026. There is no word on the latest mainline game, Monster Hunter Wilds, coming to the Switch platform.

Typically, the Monster Hunter Stories series is multiplatform, so we also expect to see this game on PC and potentially PS5 and Xbox too.

KitGuru Says: Do you play the Monster Hunter Stories series? Are you looking forward to the new one? The trailer certainly makes it look a bit grander than the prior games. 

The post Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection revealed for 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

Agon by AOC is pushing the boundaries of competitive gaming with the announcement of two new esports monitors boasting a 600Hz native refresh rate, overclockable to 610Hz. Headlining the launch is the Agon Pro CS24A, a special edition monitor developed in partnership with Counter-Strike 2, which arrives alongside its standard-design sibling, the Agon Pro AG246FK6.

Both monitors are built around a 24.1-inch TN panel that is unapologetically focused on speed. The Full HD (1920×1080) resolution enables the incredible refresh rate, which is paired with lightning-fast response times of up to 0.5ms GtG (0.3ms MPRT). While it is a TN panel, AOC is claiming surprisingly good colour performance, with 99.8% sRGB coverage and a DeltaE of less than 2, alongside VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification.

At the heart of these new displays is Agon's new MBR+ (Motion Blur Reduction Plus) technology. Unlike traditional backlight strobing, MBR+ uses a dual light bar system with 20 individual LED groups. This allows for more precise strobing in sync with the monitor's refresh rate, promising a higher level of motion clarity and a near-elimination of ghosting.

The CS24A model celebrates the partnership with unique Counter-Strike 2 branding and bold orange accents. More importantly, it includes an exclusive “CS Mode” preset. Accessible via the included wired QuickSwitch controller, this mode optimises contrast, shadow control, and the MBR+ settings specifically for Counter-Strike 2, aiming to give players a competitive advantage. The AG246FK6 offers a more understated aesthetic, following the same design lines of previous Agon Pro monitors.

Both monitors come equipped with a fully ergonomic stand, a four-port USB hub, and support for both FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility. The standard Agon Pro AG246FK6 is set to launch in August 2025, with the special edition Agon Pro CS24A following in September. Both models will share the same MSRP of £599.

KitGuru says: Would you like to pick up an extremely high refresh rate monitor like these two new models from AOC? 

The post AOC releases two 610Hz monitors with new MBR+ technology first appeared on KitGuru.

2025 has been a weird year for Microsoft, with the Xbox maker continuing to bring more and more games to other platforms, while still doubling down on the future of Xbox as a brand. With Microsoft owning so many publishers however, it comes as no surprise that ‘Xbox’ as a whole is continuing to grow – despite a free-fall in console sales.

As part of the company’s latest FY25 Q4 financial reports (collated by The Verge), Microsoft offered an update on its software and services, revealing that “Xbox content and services revenue grew 13%” while overall “gaming revenue grew 10%.”

In an unsurprising announcement however, the console maker revealed that hardware revenue in particular has fallen by 22% this quarter.

Of course, Microsoft has not shared any console sales figures for the past two generations, and so contextualising these numbers is somewhat challenging.

This of course comes in the wake of the recent mass lay-offs at Microsoft, which saw almost 10,000 employees being unceremoniously fired (which itself was just the most recent string of lay-offs).

That said, Microsoft made sure to note that its shareholders are still being taken care of, announcing that $9.4 Billion was given to them in the form of dividends this quarter.

It will be interesting to see whether the upcoming release of the ROG Xbox Ally manages to make a positive impact on Microsoft’s console sales.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Microsoft’s latest fiscal results? How many Xboxes do you think have actually been sold this generation? Let us know down below.

The post Xbox software revenue rises as console sales continue to fall first appeared on KitGuru.

While many expected that Grand Theft Auto VI would mark the first $80 video game, Nintendo beat Take-Two to the punch with Mario Kart World for the Switch 2. Despite the dam being broken, it seems as though other publishers are less bullish on raising their game prices, with EA now confirming that they are “not looking to make any changes on pricing at this stage.”

As part of the publisher's most recent quarterly earnings call (transcribed by IGN), CEO Andrew Wilson was asked about the publisher’s pricing plans and whether they would begin to launch games at $80 as standard. According to Wilson:

“We're not looking to make any changes on pricing at this stage. That's in the construct of, we already offer a fairly broad pricing scheme across our various products. When you think about everything from free-to-play through to our premium products and deluxe editions, our orientation is always to capture the full spectrum of pricing so that we can serve players in the best way possible and offer them the greatest value.”

As expected, Wilson still kept the door open for such possibilities in future, adding “we'll continue to look at opportunities to deliver great value to our players through various pricing schemes over the course of time, but no dramatic changes planned yet.”

Interestingly, this goes against a recent report from leaker Billbil-kun who claimed that the upcoming Battlefield 6 would be $70 on PC but $80 on consoles. It seems like for now that Electronic Arts is not yet bold enough to jump on the $80 train…thankfully.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Wilson’s statement? Are you taking it at face value? Let us know down below.

The post EA claims there are no plans to charge $80 for its games “at this stage” first appeared on KitGuru.

As was the case with the first game, Microsoft released Grounded 2 into Early Access, giving fans of Obsidian Entertainment’s ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ styled survival crafter a chance to get in on the sequel as it is being built. This strategy seems to be working, as Grounded 2 has already far surpassed the first game’s peak concurrent players on Steam.

With a peak CCU of 49,836 following its Early Access launch on Steam just a couple days ago, Grounded 2 is currently seeing far greater consolidated interest when compared to the first game – which managed just 32,012 concurrents at its peak.

More interestingly however, Grounded 1’s peak player count was actually achieved during one of the game’s many free weekend offerings, with figures outside of these periods maxing out at 27,478 around its 1.0 release.

Of course, it is worth noting that Grounded itself was a relatively modest game, which saw its popularity grow over time both in the lead-up to and following its 1.0 launch.

As a result it is not surprising to see that the sequel has managed to nearly double its peak player count. That said, it will be interesting to see whether Grounded 2 manages to pull in as many players in the long-run – be it through Steam or Game Pass.

KitGuru says: Have you checked out Grounded 2 yet? What do you think? Is it an improvement over the first game so far? Let us know down below.

The post Grounded 2 launches to almost 50k concurrent players on Steam first appeared on KitGuru.

Following months of playtests, EA finally started revving up its marketing machine for Battlefield 6, giving us our first look at the game last week ahead of its multiplayer reveal later today. Those wanting to get their own hands on the upcoming shooter will soon get the opportunity to do so, as insiders have now leaked Battlefield 6’s closed and open beta plans.

As reported by known leakers Insider-Gaming, EA is poised to host a couple different beta periods ahead of Battlefield 6’s official launch in October.

According to the report, the closed beta will be live between the 7th and 8th of August – with fans being able to gain access through pre-orders, or via various Twitch drops.

Following these two days, the beta is then set to open up to everyone else, running between the 9th and 10th of August.

As with most pre-launch betas, EA is also planning a second open beta later in the same month, going live between the 14th and 17th of August – likely alongside some subtle tweaks and changes based on feedback from the week prior.

Of course, we should learn all about this and more officially when the Battlefield 6 multiplayer reveal event goes live later today at 7:30 PM BST.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the multiplayer reveal event? Will they show off the rumoured free-to-play battle royale mode? Will you participate in any of the betas? Let us know down below.

The post Battlefield 6 beta dates leak ahead of multiplayer reveal event first appeared on KitGuru.

Ahead of the Switch 2 launch, Nintendo did hold a Nintendo Direct stream to showcase a number of launch-day and launch-period titles for the new console. However, outside of this summer, we know very little about the Switch 2 release schedule for the rest of 2025. That will change tomorrow, when the next Nintendo Direct goes live. 

Nintendo skipped June's Summer Game Fest for new game announcements in favour of saving everything for future Direct streams. Last month, we first heard that a Nintendo Direct was being planned for July and now weeks later, Nintendo has confirmed exactly that. The new Nintendo Direct will go live tomorrow, the 31st of July, featuring a number of Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch 2 titles.

Unfortunately, this is labelled as a ‘partner showcase', so don't expect any major first-party announcements. There will be no new Mario or Zelda here. Instead, we are likely to get confirmation on major third-party games like Assassin's Creed Shadows, Star Wars Outlaws and the upcoming wave of sports games like Madden 26 and NBA 2K26.

The Nintendo Direct will go on for 25 minutes, so it is on the shorter side of these events. However, Gamescom is also just a few weeks away, so Nintendo may have more exciting news from its first-party studios in the very near future.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: As a multi-platform gamer, a Nintendo ‘partner' direct has little appeal to me, as all the games shown will be better played on my PC or PS5. What I really want is to see more major Switch 1 exclusives upgraded for the Switch 2, as well as new exclusive games to look forward to over the next year. 

The post Nintendo Direct returns tomorrow with new Switch 2 game announcements first appeared on KitGuru.

Fritz! is known throughout Europe for its easy-to-use routers, enabling customers to fully control their network and traffic. Today, Fritz!OS 8.20 is rolling out to all, packing optimised parental controls, a failsafe fallback system to keep your internet connection stable and more. 

AVM, the company behind Fritz!Box routers and the Fritz!OS, is now rolling out its latest software update, including over 40 improvements. The rollout begins today for the Fritz!Box 7590, the flagship WiFi 6 router. The update also makes improvements to Mesh WiFi setups and provides new energy saving options so you can take more direct control over your carbon footprint.

After the update, users can go into the online monitor and show utilisation for the past two weeks, filtering by devices or users eating up the most bandwidth. Using the Energy Efficient Ethernet feature, you can now reduce the energy consumption for your WAN and LAN sockets separately.

On the parental controls side, the Fritz!OS 8.20 update includes a new UI that clearly displays the access profiles and corresponding devices on one page, and tickets for online time are easier to find. The number of ‘online tickets' you can issue has also been increased from 10 to 12.

One of the most interesting features is the Fritz! Failsafe, a new fallback protection to help Fritz!Box users stay online without dropouts. FRITZ! Failsafe does this by using a substitute connection via a fallback device connected upstream from the FRITZ!Box as a reserve via a WAN, LAN or USB socket.

As for Mesh WiFi, setting up a mesh system is now simplified, so you no longer need to re-enter your password for each signal repeater you add to the system, and you can activate several repeaters at once without having to press the connection button on the Fritz!Box.

You can find full guides for setting up your Fritz!Box and managing your network for entertainment, cloud gaming, smart home devices and much more on the Fritz! website.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do any of you use a Fritz!Box at home? How has your experience been? 

The post Fritz!OS 8.20 update enhances Mesh WiFi, parental controls and more first appeared on KitGuru.

New details on AMD's next-generation Ryzen Pro lineup have surfaced thanks to an apparent leak. The specifications for three new AM5-based business CPUs have appeared in an Asus motherboard support list, giving us our first look at the Zen 5 “Granite Ridge” architecture coming to the commercial desktop platform.

The ever-reliable @momomo_us shared a post including the three Ryzen Pro 9000 series SKUs and respective specifications. The new series lineup includes the 12-core Ryzen 9 Pro 9945 (64MB cache), the 8-core Ryzen 7 Pro 9745 (32MB cache), and the 6-core Ryzen 5 Pro 9645 (32MB cache), mirroring the core counts of their Zen 4 predecessors.

The leaked specifications reveal some interesting changes to the base clocks. While the 8-core and 6-core models either maintain or see a slight 100MHz increase in their base frequency, the 12-core Pro 9945 is listed with a 3.4GHz base clock. That puts it 300MHz lower than the previous-gen Ryzen Pro 7945, which could point to a different power or thermal target for the new 12-core business chip.

The appearance of these SKUs on an official motherboard support list lends them significant credibility. Combined with the fact that these product names have been visible on AMD's website for some time, it suggests a launch could be just around the corner, potentially arriving alongside the rumoured Ryzen 7 9700F, which was also mentioned in the leak.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: The AMD Ryzen Pro series is typically for enterprise use, so you're unlikely to find one of these in a gaming PC.

The post Following Threadripper 9000, AMD has new ‘Ryzen Pro’ CPUs on the way first appeared on KitGuru.

Cougar has a new mechanical keyboard hitting the market in Q4 2025, the Ultimus Pro. While the ‘Pro' name might suggest a top-of-the-line flagship, this new board appears to be taking a more practical approach, focusing on delivering a core set of highly sought-after features in a straightforward package.

The Ultimus Pro is built around a compact 98% layout, offering a near-full-size experience with a smaller desk footprint. Available in black and white, it's a wireless board at its heart, featuring triple-mode connectivity that allows it to connect to up to five devices simultaneously via 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, or a wired USB-C connection. Cougar is also claiming a battery life of up to 380 hours, though as is typical, this figure is achieved with the RGB lighting switched off.

For keyboard enthusiasts, the board comes equipped with hot-swappable sockets, allowing you to change out the switches easily. Cougar is shipping it with its pre-lubricated linear switches, though their origin is currently undisclosed. The keycaps are said to be made from durable PBT plastic (doubleshot).

A couple of thoughtful design touches are also included. The keyboard features feet that can be adjusted to three different angles to suit your typing preference, and the detachable USB-C cable can be routed through one of three channels on the back of the board for cleaner cable management. The Cougar UIX software is supported for customising settings.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you like 98% keyboards? Do you see the Ultimus Pro keyboard as a potential buy when it comes out?

The post Cougar Ultimus Pro keyboard packs premium features and a no-nonsense 98% design first appeared on KitGuru.

Following their reveal at CES earlier this year, Cherry Xtrfy has now officially launched its latest batch of premium gaming peripherals. The new lineup is headlined by the MX 8.3 TKL Wireless mechanical keyboard, which is joined by the GP6 and GP7 mousepads.

The MX 8.3 TKL Wireless keyboard is aimed at the high-end enthusiast market. It boasts a solid aluminium case with a gasket-mounted construction and multiple layers of internal padding for a smooth and dampened typing sound. The board offers a 4000Hz polling rate over its 2.4GHz wireless connection and an even faster 8000Hz rate when used via cable. It also provides Bluetooth connectivity for up to three devices, all managed by a media dial and integrated display.

Inside the board are Cherry's new and improved MX2A switches. These are a refinement of the classic MX design, now featuring precisely applied factory lubricant and a new spring design for smoother actuation and improved acoustics right out of the box. The board is also hot-swappable, so you can easily change out the switches to find your perfect feel without any soldering.

To go along with the keyboard, Cherry Xtrfy has launched two new mousepads, the GP6 (black and Hydrus red) and GP7 (black). Both feature a unique cloth surface that provides variable friction, offering high speed for quick flicks with light pressure, but adding resistance for more control during precise micro-movements. The more premium GP7 model infuses the cloth with graphene, which is said to increase its durability.

The Cherry Xtrfy MX 8.3 TKL Wireless carries a suggested retail price of €299. The GP6 and GP7 mousepads are priced at €29 and €39, respectively.

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KitGuru says: Would you be willing to spend this much on a gaming keyboard?

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Razer has today unveiled the next generation of BlackShark headsets, with the BlackShark V3 Pro at the forefront. Building on a legacy that started back in 2012, the new lineup expands into a complete portfolio with platform-optimised versions for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, all designed with input from top esports professionals.

At the core of the new flagship is Razer's HyperSpeed Gen-2 Wireless technology, which promises a responsive connection with a latency as low as 10 ms. Communication, a critical part of competitive play, is handled by a new detachable 12 mm microphone with a 48 kHz sampling rate for crystal-clear voice chat during gaming.

For the first time in the series, the BlackShark V3 Pro introduces a 4-microphone hybrid ANC system to help players maintain focus in loud environments. The audio is powered by new Gen-2 TriForce 50mm drivers with ultra-thin bio-cellulose diaphragms for clearer sound. For PC gamers, the standout feature is an updated version of THX Spatial Audio, which now supports a 7.1.4 channel configuration, adding four virtual height channels to improve vertical sound cues in supported games.

The headset offers impressive connectivity, with options for 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB-A, and 3.5 mm, including support for simultaneous dual-device connection. In addition to the flagship Pro model, Razer is also launching two other variants. The standard Razer BlackShark V3 offers a core wireless experience with THX Spatial Audio, while the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed provides a more affordable wireless entry point with standard 7.1 surround sound.

Each model has been specifically tuned to get the most out of its target platform, whether that's the full THX experience on PC or compatibility with Tempest 3D Audio on PlayStation. With input from esports stars like Shotzzy of OpTic and NiKo of Team Razer, and features like onboard EQ profiles tuned for popular FPS games, the new BlackShark V3 lineup has an option for every budget. The “entry-level” BlackShark V3 X starts at £99.99/$99.99/119.99€, while the standard V3 goes for £149.99/$149.99/169.99€. The flagship V3 Pro costs £249.99/$249.99/€269.99.

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KitGuru says: Of all three BlackShark V3 models announced, which one seems the most interesting to you?

The post Razer reveals new BlackShark V3 headsets with quad-microphone array first appeared on KitGuru.

KLEVV has updated its SSD line-up this month with new and improved models. Ther CRAS C925G and CRAS C910G NVMe Gen4 M.2 SSDs will be launching this September, alongside the new NEO N410+, a SATA SSD. 

Building on KLEVV’s highly rated CRAS SSD lineup, the updated CRAS C925G and CRAS C910G NVMe Gen4 M.2 SSDs deliver top-end speeds for the PCIe 4.0 segment. The CRAS C925G achieves peak sequential speeds of up to 7,400MB/s read and 6,500MB/s write. Meanwhile, the CRAS C910G delivers sequential read speeds of up to 5,200MB/s and write speeds of up to 4,800MB/s, depending on capacity, perfect for gaming PCs, creative workstations, and laptops.

Both M.2 SSDs come equipped with intelligent SLC caching and Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, to deliver consistent speeds and durability. These SSDs also support AES 256-bit encryption, LDPC ECC, CRC parity, and SRAM error handling to protect data integrity and come with an ultra-thin graphene-copper heatsink to improve cooling by up to 15%. The heatsink is so slim that it can be used in the PS5's very cramped M.2 expansion slot, making it perfect for PC and console gamers.

If you would prefer a SATA SSD, then the refreshed Neo N410+ is hitting the market with a SATA 6GB/s interface, offering sequential read speeds of up to 540MB/s and write speeds of up to 500MB/s. The SSD is also designed with shock resistance in mind, making it an ideal SSD for laptops, particularly models that still have a HDD inside, as it can easily be swapped out with a SATA SSD instead.

All three of Klevv's new SSDs will be available in September. The CRAS M.2 drives offer up to 4TB capacity, while the Neo N410 SATA SSD tops out at 512GB.

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KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a new SSD? Are you considering going with a KLEVV drive? 

The post KLEVV unveils new CRAS NVMe SSDs and an upgraded SATA SSD first appeared on KitGuru.

Computex 2025 was light on major launches from AMD, Intel and Nvidia so we welcomed news about AMD Threadripper 9000 which uses their latest Zen 5 architecture to deliver heaps of grunt. Today we are reviewing the 32-core Threadripper 9970X and the 64-core Threadripper 9980X so hang on to your power bill, this review is going to get juicy…

Time stamps

00:00 Start
01:07 Threadripper History Lesson
05:14 Threadripper 9000 Platform Details
06:37 Threadripper 9000 High End Desktop
09:00 Gigabyte motherboards & 3D V-Cache info
12:19 A lot of cores in action
16:13 Leo shares some info
19:38 Cinebench R23 Single Core
20:09 Cinebench R23 Multi Core Points Per Watt
21:00 Blender: Classroom Render
22:12 Handbrake Conversion (h264)
22:52 Handbrake Conversion (h265)
23:42 7-Zip Decompressing Benchmark
24:17 7-Zip Compressing Benchmark
24:40 AIDA 64 Memory Bandwidth
25:29 Adobe Premiere Test
26:16 Gaming benchmarks (well we had to)
28:25 What hardware did we use?
29:58 Closing thoughts

In appearance the new Zen 5 Threadrippers look exactly the same as previous models and that is for very good reason as AMD has carried over the CPU socket and cooler mounting points.

When you dig into the specifications you might wonder exactly what has changed from Threadripper 7000 on Zen 4 technology to these Zen 5 Threadripper 9000 parts. The answer on the face of it is ‘not much' apart from support for slightly faster memory and the expectation of improved IPC.

The post AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and 9970X Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Each month, Sony offers 3 games for ‘free’ to all those with a PlayStation Plus subscription – titles which will remain in your library as long as you are subscribed to the service. For the month of August, Sony is offering the highly-praised souls-like Lies of P – alongside a couple other welcome inclusions.

Taking to the PlayStation Blog to make the announcement, Adam Michel, the director of game services and content at SIE, wrote: “Battle macabre puppets in a twisted soulslike take on well-known children’s tale, use your wits to survive sprawling maps filled with threats and relive an iconic anime first-hand with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup for August”

Available to add to your library from the 5th of August, next month’s PS Plus titles are as follows:

• Lies of P (PS5 | PS4)
• Day Z (PS4)
• My Hero One’s Justice 2 (PS4)

Of course, the main headliner for August is Lies of P – the FromSoftware-esque souls-like developed by NEOWIZ which released back in 2023 to a ton of praise.

In case you missed it back when it first launched, Lies of P has received plenty of post-launch support; most recently adding new difficulty options for increased accessibility.

In addition, though not available as part of PS Plus, the team released Lies of P: Overture just last month – to equal success.

Alongside the monthly games, Sony also confirmed that a set of new PlayStation avatars will be released as part of PlayStation Plus’ ongoing 15th anniversary celebrations; also available from the 5th of August.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of August’s line-up? Did you check out Lies of P back in 2023? What do you think of PS Plus’ output in 2025 so far? Let us know down below.

The post Lies of P headlines August’s PlayStation Plus Essential line-up first appeared on KitGuru.