We receive a large number of cooler review requests each year, ranging from AIO liquid coolers to traditional tower air coolers. With so many products in circulation, we often put several models into a single multi-cooler roundup — which is exactly what we’re doing today. This time, we’re looking at new CPU air coolers from Cooler Master, CPS PCCOOLER, DeepCool, and Montech. These coolers are selected to represent a mix of sizes, designs, and performance targets. The question is, how well do they handle our current Ryzen 7 9800X3D test platform? Let's find out.

Cooler Master V4 Alpha 3DHP: $39.99 USD MSRP / £34.99 Expected UK Price

• Patented 3DHP heat-pipe architecture – The V4 Alpha 3DHP introduces Cooler Master’s “3DHP” layout: instead of conventional U-shaped pipes, the design places a third heat pipe in an offset position, improving fin-array saturation and enabling more efficient heat transfer.
• Push-pull dual-fan setup – The V4 Alpha is equipped with two 120 mm PWM fans configured for optimal airflow through, while maintaining compatibility with mid-tower cases in terms of clearance and installation.
• Engine-inspired styling with build integration in mind – The top cover and overall aesthetic resemble a V automotive engine, delivering visual presence without compromising components such as RAM clearance or motherboard compatibility.
• Strong performance at accessible price point – Positioned as a value-oriented cooler, the V4 Alpha 3DHP leverages advanced thermal architecture and dual-fan cooling to deliver enhanced performance without entering the premium pricing tier.

Specifications

• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1851 / 1700 / 1200 / 1151 / 1150 / 1155 / 1156 AMD: AM5 / AM4
• Dimensions: 133 x 114 x 161 mm
• Cooler Type: Air Cooler
• Heat Sink Material: Aluminium fins with 2 x 3DHP heat pipes
• Heat pipes: 2
• Fan Configuration: Dual fan (front + rear)
• Fan Size: 120 x 120 x 25 mm (both)
• Fan Speed: Front: 0–2050 RPM ±10%, Rear: 0–1850 RPM ±10%
• Fan Airflow: Front: 107.2 m³/h (63.1 CFM), Rear: 85.8 m³/h (50.5 CFM)
• Fan Static Pressure: Front: 2.69 mmH₂O, Rear: 1.77 mmH₂O
• Fan Noise Level: Front: 22.6 dBA, Rear: 20 dBA
• Fan Bearing Type: Loop Dynamic Bearing
• Fan Connector: 4-Pin PWM
• Fan Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
• Fan Rated Current: Front: 0.12 A, Rear: 0.08 A
• Fan Power Consumption: Front: 1.44 W, Rear: 0.96 W
• Fan Safety Current: 0.35 A
• Fan MTTF: > 200,000 hours
• Warranty: 5 Years

Cooler Master Hyper 212 3DHP Black ARGB: $29.99 USD MSRP

• 3DHP Heat Pipe Architecture – The Hyper 212 3DHP ARGB is equipped with Cooler Master’s latest 3D Heat Pipe layout, for increased contact efficiency between the heat pipes and the fin stack. By improving how heat is distributed across the tower, the cooler aims to deliver stronger real-world thermal performance than traditional straight-line heat pipe designs.
• Compact Single-Tower Form Factor – Maintaining the well-known Hyper 212 footprint, the 3DHP model remains easy to fit into mainstream mid-towers and builds with tight RAM clearance. It aims to deliver stronger cooling performance without stepping up to the size and weight of a dual-tower cooler.
• 120mm ARGB PWM Fan Included – The included addressable-RGB fan provides customisable lighting effects while supporting PWM speed control for precise fan curve tuning. The blade design prioritises a balance of airflow and static pressure, aiming to keep noise levels sensible under load.
• Broad Socket Compatibility for Modern Platforms – The mounting hardware supports the latest Intel and AMD platforms, including AM5 and LGA1700, maintaining the Hyper 212 line’s reputation for flexibility and long-term compatibility across system upgrades.

Specifications

• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1851 / 1700 / 1200 / 1151 / 1150 / 1155 / 1156, AMD: AM5 / AM4
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 133 x 86 x 158 mm
• Cooler Type: Air Cooler
• Heat Sink Material: Aluminium fins with 2 x 3DHP heat pipes
• Heat pipes: 2
• Fan Size: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
• Fan Quantity: 1
• Profile: Addressable Gen 2 RGB
• Fan Speed: 0–2050 RPM ±10%
• Fan Airflow: 107.2 m³/h (63.1 CFM)
• Fan Pressure (Max): 2.69 mmH₂O
• Fan Noise Level (Max): 22.6 dBA
• Fan Bearing Type: Loop Dynamic Bearing
• Fan Power Connector: 4-Pin PWM
• Fan Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
• Fan Rated Current: 0.12 A
• Fan Safety Current: 0.35 A
• Fan Power Consumption: 1.44 W
• Fan MTTF: >200,000 hours
• Warranty: 5 years

CPS PCCOOLER RZ820: Available to purchase now from Amazon UK priced at £119.99 HERE

• Dual-tower configuration with eight heat-pipes (4 x 8 mm + 4 x 6 mm): The RZ820 uses a composite heat-pipe arrangement to support a rated TDP of 290 W, suggesting it’s geared towards high-end CPUs and heavy workloads.
• Two different-sized PWM fans (120 x 150 x 25 mm front + 140 x 140 x 30 mm middle): These offer different airflow and pressure profiles. Front fan max ~86.7 CFM at ~3.2 mm H₂O, middle fan ~71.9 CFM at ~2.12 mm H₂O to offer performance vs noise flexibility.
• Magnetic aluminium ARGB top cover & rail-mounted front fan for adjustable clearance: The top magnetic cover adds aesthetic polish, while the front fan’s sliding/rail mount allows the cooler to adjust for taller RAM module spacing.
• Large physical footprint: Dimensions of 161 x 150 x 165mm and a significant weight of 1.8kg underline that this is a high-end air cooler rather than a compact solution so users must verify case clearance and motherboard compatibility.

Specifications

• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1851 / 1700 / 1200 / 115X / 20XX, AMD: AM4 / AM5
• Product Dimensions (L x W x H): 161 x 150 x 165 mm
• Net Weight: 1,860 g
• Heat pipes: 4 x Φ6 mm + 4 x Φ8 mm
• Fan Bearing Type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
• Fan Connector: 4-Pin PWM
• LED Type: ARGB
• LED Connector: 5V 3-Pin
• LED Rated Voltage: DC 5V
• LED Rated Current: ≤0.30 A
• LED Power Consumption: ≤1.5 W

Middle Fan Specifications:

• Dimension: 140 x 140 x 30 mm
• Speed: 400–1500 RPM ±10%
• Airflow: 71.9 CFM
• Air Pressure: 2.12 mmH₂O
• Noise Level: 27.1 dBA
• Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
• Rated Current: 0.1 A
• Power Consumption: 1.2 W

Front Fan Specifications:

• Dimension: 150 x 120 x 25 mm
• Speed: 500–2200 RPM ±10%
• Airflow: 86.7 CFM
• Air Pressure: 3.2 mmH₂O
• Noise Level: 32 dBA
• Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
• Rated Current: 0.2 A
• Power Consumption: 2.4 W

Deepcool Assassin IV VC Elite WH: £99.99 Expect UK MSRP

• Vapor-chamber base with seven heatpipes – designed to rapidly spread heat from the CPU across the heat pipes and the dual-tower fin array for optimal thermal transfer efficiency. This design supports high-end CPUs with TDPs up to 300 W, suitable for high-power workloads.
• Dual-tower heatsink with hybrid fan setup – A 140 mm main fan is paired with a 120 mm adjustable rear fan to provide a balance in airflow and static pressure. The rear fan can be repositioned on the heat sink to accommodate different case layouts, offering flexibility for complex builds.
• All-white aesthetic with clean top shroud – The cooler’s white-coated fins, fan frames, and top cover give it a sleek, premium look. The matte finish avoids reflections, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into all-white themed builds while appearing visually striking through a side-panel window.
• Flexible operational modes and straightforward mounting – Users can toggle between “Quiet” and “Performance” modes, adjusting fan speeds for lower noise or higher cooling output. The mounting system is compatible with most Intel and AMD sockets. Careful spacing ensures it avoids interference with RAM modules or nearby motherboard components.

Specifications

• Product Dimensions (L x W x H): 144 x 147 x 164 mm
• Heatsink Dimensions (L x W x H): 140 x 110 x 160 mm
• Net Weight: 1,772 g
• Supported CPU Sockets: Intel LGA 20XX / 1851 / 1700 / 1200 / 115X; AMD AM5 / AM4.
• RAM Clearance: On Intel (LGA1851/1700/1200/115X) and AMD sockets, “Unobstructed”; on Intel LGA20XX, clearance of 63 mm.
• Thermal Design Power (TDP) Rating: Up to 300 W.
• Heat pipe: Ø 6 mm x 7 pcs
• Fan Dimensions: 140 × 140 × 25 mm / 120 × 120 × 25 mm
• Fan Speed (Performance Mode): 500 ~ 1,800 RPM±10% / 500 ~ 1,700 RPM±10%
• Fan Airflow (Performance Mode):25 CFM / 58.06 CFM
• Fan Air Pressure (Performance Mode):76 mmAq / 2.1 mmAq
• Overall Noise (Performance Mode): ≤ 29.3 dB(A)
• Fan Speed (Quiet Mode): 500 ~ 1,450 RPM±10% / 500 ~ 1,350 RPM±10%
• Fan Airflow (Quiet Mode): 48.55 CFM / 46.75 CFM
• Fan Air Pressure (Quiet Mode): 2.46 mmAq / 1.35 mmAq
• Overall Noise (Quiet Mode): ≤ 22.6 dB(A)
• Fan Connector: 4‑pin PWM
• Bearing Type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
• Motor Type: 6-Pole Fan Motor
• Fan Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
• Fan Rated Current: 0.2 A / 0.2 A
• Fan Power Consumption: 2.4W / 2.4 W
• Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
• Power Consumption (Performance Mode): 4.8 W
• Power Consumption (Quiet Mode): 3.6 W

Montech NX600/NX600 ARGB: From $29.90 USD MSRP (Regular) or from $33.90 USD (ARGB)

• Dual-Tower Heatsink for Enhanced Thermal Capacity – The NX600 adopts a precision-built dual-tower design with 52 fins per stack for maximum surface area without restricting airflow. This approach aims to provide consistent, stable cooling performance under heavy workloads, particularly for modern high-core-count CPUs.
• MONTECH E28 Performance Fans Included – Both NX600 variants ship with MONTECH’s E28 fans, optimised for strong airflow and dependable static pressure. The standard model uses non-RGB PWM fans for an understated look, while the NX600 ARGB includes addressable RGB for users who want synchronised lighting control without compromising cooling efficiency.
• Six Copper Heat pipes with Soldered Copper Base – Heat is transferred from the CPU via six copper heat pipes connected to a precision-soldered copper base for even heat distribution, supporting the cooler’s ability to cope with higher TDP processors, contributing to long-term thermal stability.
• Refined Design with Broad Build Compatibility – The cooler is finished with a subtle top cover featuring visual accents and translucent elements, intended to balance appearance with practicality. The styling blends cleanly into both RGB-oriented builds and more reserved, minimalist systems.

Specifications

• Model Name: NX600 / NX600 ARGB
• Colour Options: Black / White
• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA115X / 1200 / 1700 / 1851, AMD: AM4 / AM5
• Heatpipes: 6
• Included Fans: 2
• Fan Speed: 800 ~ 2000 RPM (±10%)
• Bearing Type: HDB (Hydro Dynamic Bearing)
• Rated Voltage: 12V
• Connectors: PWM 4-Pin (fan control) / ARGB 5V 3-Pin (lighting, ARGB model only)
• Max Airflow: 85.09 CFM
• Max Static Pressure: 3.35 mmH₂O
• Max Noise Level: 34.17 dBA
• Warranty: 1 Year

The post CPU Air Cooler Round Up – November 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

It looks like 2026 could be a year of huge change for Apple. The company has employed just a handful of CEOs during its long history, and according to recent reports, they may need to search for a new one within the next year. 

The Financial Times reports that Tim Cook might be stepping down as CEO in 2026 and that John Ternus, Apple's Senior VP of Hardware Engineering, is believed to be a front-runner for the position. This would mark a major change for Apple, which has been led by Tim Cook since the passing of founder Steve Jobs in 2011.

Under Cook, Apple's market cap has continued to grow, currently sitting just shy of $4 trillion USD. As noted by The Verge, Cook was also responsible for Apple's shift towards outsourced manufacturing, allowing it to operate at a much broader, global scale. This has aided Apple's effort to capture the smartphone market, with iPhone sales continuing to be strong.

It wasn't all wins, however. Cook was also very bullish on Augmented Reality, but the Apple Vision Pro headset has not sold enough units to make mixed reality computing a true core pillar of Apple's business.

KitGuru Says: Apple has been more successful than ever under Tim Cook. It will be up to his successor to not derail that gravy train. 

The post Apple may be on the hunt for a new CEO next year first appeared on KitGuru.

The Game Awards has unveiled its full list of nominees for 2025, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and Hades II emerging as frontrunners across multiple categories. The event will take place on December 11th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

In the coveted Game of the Year category, six titles are in contention: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Several of these also appear in Best Game Direction and Best Art Direction, underscoring their critical momentum.

Narrative-driven experiences are well represented, with Silent Hill f and Ghost of Yōtei joining Clair Obscur and Kingdom Come II in the Best Narrative category. Meanwhile, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades II headline Best Score and Music, alongside Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding 2.

On the performance side, nominees include Ben Starr, Charlie Cox, Erika Ishii, Jennifer English, Konatsu Kato, and Troy Baker — a mix of established and rising talent.

The genre-specific categories spotlight some of the year’s standout titles, with Ghost of Yōtei and Helldivers 2 nominated for Best Action, Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong competing in Best Action/Adventure, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II earning a nod for Best RPG. In Best Multiplayer, familiar heavyweights like Helldivers 2, Fortnite, and Battlefield 6 lead the field

Fans can already vote on which games they would like to see win in each category and of course, there are even more categories than the ones we've highlighted here, including categories for best mobile game, best adaptation, best VR game and more.

KitGuru Says: Which game do you think will win the coveted GOTY award this year?

The post The Game Awards reveals nominees for GOTY and other categories first appeared on KitGuru.

Following a disappointing debut for Arrow Lake-S, Intel is reportedly preparing to revamp its desktop portfolio with three new “Plus” models. A recent report claims that the company is planning the Core Ultra 290K Plus, Core Ultra 270K Plus, and Core Ultra 250K Plus. These chips are expected to be the final products for the LGA 1851 socket before the company transitions to LGA 1954 for Nova Lake.

The new flagship Core Ultra 290K Plus will succeed the current Core Ultra 285K. According to VideoCardz, it features the same 8P+16E core count but with minor clock adjustments. The P-Core turbo clock speed gets a 100MHz bump to 5.6GHz, the E-Core turbo clock speed rises 200MHz to 4.8GHz, and the Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) is now rated at 5.8GHz, up from 5.7GHz.

Things get more interesting with the Core Ultra 270K Plus, which replaces the Core Ultra 265K. This model increases the core count from 8P+12E to 8P+16E, matching the Core Ultra 9 SKUs. While it gets a 100MHz boost clock speed on the E-Cores, the other clock speed figures remain the same as its predecessor (P-Cores boost up to 5.4 GHz and TVB up to 5.5GHz).

Finally, the Core Ultra 250K Plus appears to be a minor update to the Core Ultra 245K. The configuration shifts from 6P+8E to 6P+12E, with a 100MHz increase in both P-Core and E-Core boost clocks, although the E-Core base speeds reportedly drop by 100MHz.

One reported change across all new SKUs is an updated memory controller, now claiming support for DDR5-7200, noticeably higher than the 6400MT/s spec on the initial Arrow Lake-S chips.

KitGuru says: Are you thinking of making the jump to an Intel Core Ultra CPU? 

The post Intel Arrow Lake desktop refresh may include three ‘Plus’ CPU models first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft has announced its next Xbox Partner Preview stream, promising new trailers, updates, and world premieres from third‑party studios. The showcase will highlight upcoming projects from IO Interactive, Tencent, and THQ Nordic, alongside fresh Game Pass announcements.

The event will be broadcast on November 20th at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM GMT, streaming across YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and regional Xbox channels. Accessibility features such as subtitles in multiple languages, audio descriptions, and ASL support will be available, with narration provided by voice actor Jennifer English.

While the confirmed titles already cover a mix of stealth, dark fantasy, and horror, speculation is building around what else might surface. With THQ Nordic involved, fans are wondering if long‑rumored projects like a new Darksiders entry or updates on Gothic Remake could appear. Tencent’s presence raises the possibility of more Chinese‑developed action RPGs following the success of Black Myth: Wukong. Meanwhile, IO Interactive’s Bond game could be joined by additional footage from its ongoing Hitman: World of Assassination updates.

Konami’s Silent Hill 2 Remake is also likely to make an appearance, as an Xbox version of the game has appeared in multiple leaks recently.

KitGuru Says: Will you be tuning in to the next Xbox Partner Preview?

The post Xbox will host third-party games showcase this week first appeared on KitGuru.

Arc Raiders has broken its concurrent player record on Steam for the third time since launch, climbing to nearly half a million simultaneous players this past weekend.

Embark Studios’ extraction shooter debuted at the end of October and immediately made waves. Within its first 24 hours, Arc Raiders surged past 250,000 concurrent players on Steam. This momentum continued into early November, when the game hit a peak of over 328,000 players, cementing its place among Steam’s most‑played titles. Just a week later, Arc Raiders surpassed 462,000 concurrents, overtaking Helldivers 2 and even edging past Battlefield 6’s weekend totals.

Now, the game has reached a new milestone: 481,966 concurrent players on November 16th, according to SteamDB. That figure places Arc Raiders among the top 25 all‑time peaks on Steam, ahead of titles like Fallout 4 and Among Us. Across all platforms, the game has already topped 700,000 concurrent users and sold more than 4 million copies worldwide.

Despite strong competition from recent shooters like Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Arc Raiders has managed to create a strong foothold amongst shooter fans. Now, Embark Studios just needs to focus on delivering on its post-launch roadmap to keep players engaged in the months ahead. Previously, Embark struggled in this aspect with its first title, The Finals, which lost a large chunk of players in the months post-launch.

KitGuru Says: Have you played Arc Raiders since launch?

The post Arc Raiders continues to reach new heights on Steam first appeared on KitGuru.

Capcom has shed new light on Resident Evil Requiem, the upcoming third entry in the modern Resident Evil saga, with producer comments pointing to a darker, more traditional survival horror experience.

Speaking to Press Start, producer Masato Kumazawa said the team’s goal was to “put the horror back in survival horror”, dialing back the action‑heavy approach of Resident Evil Village in favor of tension, scarcity, and atmosphere.

Requiem is confirmed as the conclusion to the Winters arc, tying together narrative threads introduced in Resident Evil 7 and expanded in subsequent entries. The producer teased “long‑awaited answers” for fans who have followed this storyline since 2017, while also positioning the game as a launchpad for the next era of Resident Evil games.

Atmosphere is central to the design, with lighting, sound, and environmental storytelling used to create unease. Combat remains part of the formula, but resources will be limited, forcing players to make difficult choices. “We want players to feel vulnerable again”, Kumazawa said, noting that scarcity is a deliberate design choice to heighten tension and reward careful exploration. Influences include Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, though Capcom stressed Requiem is not a throwback. Instead, the game blends classic mechanics with modern presentation to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled to release on February 27th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and Nintendo Switch 2.

KitGuru Says: Have you been keeping up with the modern Resident Evil games? Are you looking forward to Requiem?

The post Resident Evil Requiem will close out trilogy with return to survival horror gameplay first appeared on KitGuru.

MONTECH has announced the NX600 and NX600 ARGB, a new pair of dual‑tower CPU coolers aimed at delivering strong thermal performance at a competitive price. The company positions the NX600 series as a solution for high-TDP CPUs, with support for both Intel and AMD-based systems. 

The NX600 design uses a dual‑tower structure with 52 fins per stack, optimized for airflow and heat dissipation under heavy workloads. Six copper heatpipes and a soldered copper base transfer heat efficiently from the CPU to the fin array, supporting high‑TDP processors with consistent reliability. Cooling is handled by MONTECH’s E28 fans. The standard NX600 ships with two 120mm PWM fans for a clean, understated look, while the NX600 ARGB includes two addressable‑RGB versions of the same fans, adding lighting effects without compromising performance. Both models aim to balance noise levels with airflow, targeting builders who want dependable cooling without moving to liquid solutions.

Aesthetically, the NX600 series features a redesigned top cover with striped and translucent accents, intended to blend into both RGB‑heavy and minimalist builds. MONTECH highlights this as a way to offer visual appeal without overwhelming system design.

Compatibility covers Intel LGA115X, 1200, 1700, and the upcoming 1851 socket, alongside AMD AM4 and AM5 platforms. With its dual‑tower layout, copper base, and choice of ARGB or non‑RGB fans, the NX600 series enters the market as MONTECH’s latest attempt to compete with established air‑cooling brands while keeping pricing accessible.

The standard non-ARGB black and ARGB black versions of the cooler will be available in the UK via SCAN priced at £24.99 and £29.99 respectively. Over in the US, the white versions are also available in both ARGB and non-ARGB form.

KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a new air CPU cooler? If you are on a tighter budget, these could be well worth checking out. 

The post Montech NX600 series CPU coolers add six heatpipes and broad socket support first appeared on KitGuru.

SilverStone has unexpectedly unveiled its new FLP03 chassis at EXPO 2025 in Japan. This new model continues the company's retro line, offering a classic 80s beige-style PC look, but this time explicitly designed for micro-ATX motherboards.

The reveal came as a surprise, as the community was still awaiting the launch of its larger sibling, the FLP02. According to Tom's Hardware, SilverStone had delayed shipments of the FLP02 to coincide with its presentation at the Tokyo tech fair, making the appearance of a second, more compact model an unannounced bonus.

Image via @hermita_akiba

The FLP03 is visibly smaller than the FLP02 but maintains the key design elements of its predecessor, most notably the iconic front panel. This panel is fully equipped with power and reset buttons, a physical key lock, and a Turbo button, complete with LED indicators.

This reduction in size, however, comes with compatibility trade-offs. The FLP03 drops support for the SSI-CEB and standard ATX motherboards that the FLP02 could house. It also features fewer drive bays and expansion slots, as well as inferior compatibility with cooling components. Despite its new Micro-ATX focus, the FLP03 maintains a high level of compatibility with graphics cards up to 412 mm in length, CPU coolers up to 171 mm in height, and standard ATX PSUs. More details about the FLP03 are expected to be revealed during CES 2026.

KitGuru says: Do you like the retro aesthetics of SilverStone FLP series cases?

The post SilverStone surprises with Micro-ATX FLP03 retro case first appeared on KitGuru.

Intrepid Studios' long-in-development fantasy MMORPG, Ashes of Creation, is set to launch on Steam Early Access on December 11th. This move marks the next major phase for the game, which has been in various forms of intermittent testing since 2020.

In preparation for the Steam debut, the current Alpha 2 realms will be taken offline after a “send-off celebration” and will be wiped on December 1st. This will be preceded by Private Test Realms testing in late November to ensure the new build is stable for the Early Access launch.

During the announcement stream, the developers confirmed that existing customers with Beta 1 and Beta 2 access will be granted entitlements to play the game on Steam. However, for those who already own Ashes of Creation and are considering purchasing it again on Steam, the studio stated it is “investigating” potential alternate entitlements but has no firm plans to announce at this time. Moreover, Intrepid and Steam users will be able to play together.

Alongside the Early Access, the game will be getting the v0.18 Harbinger Update, which will introduce the new Harbinger system, open sea fishing, the Summoner archetype, QoL updates, a new Ren'Kai race, new world bosses, and mules.

KitGuru says: Have you ever played Ashes of Creation? If you didn't, will you do so when it gets on Steam Early Access?

The post Ashes of Creation is coming to Steam Early Access this December first appeared on KitGuru.

Since the first game’s arrival in 2017, the Horizon franchise has grown massively, with recent figures putting the series at 40 million copies sold. Despite being a single player focused franchise, Guerrilla Games have revealed in the wake of NCSoft’s Horizon Steel Frontiers MMO announcement that “from the first moment we imagined Horizon, we always thought about it as a multiplayer game.”

Following the official announcement of Sony/NCSoft’s Horizon Steel Frontiers MMO, the current Studio and Art Director at Guerrilla Games ‘Jan-Bart van Beek’ claimed that:

“From the first moment we imagined Horizon, we always thought about it as a multiplayer game. LEGO Horizon Adventures was our first small step, with Steel Frontiers we’re taking a bigger one. There is much more to come, and we’re excited to show you what is coming.”

While the Horizon series works well as a single-player focused experience, the world in which the franchise takes place is also ripe for a co-op spin-off.

With leaks and rumours suggesting that Guerrilla Games themselves are also currently working on a multiplayer-focused Horizon game (separate from NCSoft’s MMO), it will be interesting to see whether fans of the franchise are receptive to the series shifting genres.

KitGuru says: Would the Horizon series work well as a multiplayer experience? Do you have any interest in the two upcoming multiplayer entries? Let us know down below.

The post “We always thought about [Horizon] as a multiplayer game” claims Guerrilla Games first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we’re taking a look at the Lian Li Lancool 217 INF, an airflow-focused mid-tower that builds on the original Lancool 217. Leo spent some time with the standard model earlier this year, and this new version keeps the same core layout and cooling philosophy but adds a striking infinity mirror front panel that instantly changes the look of the system. We’ll be going over the design, the build experience, and the thermal performance to see how well this updated configuration holds up, and whether the visual upgrade brings anything practical along with it.

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:55 Pricing
01:11 Overview
02:06 Physical Dimensions
02:25 Features and specifications
03:32 Top buttons
04:00 Front I/O
05:21 Cooling/Radiator support
07:22 Motherboard and GPU Support
07:47 Cable Management / Anti Sag
08:14 Case Rear / PSU setup
09:58 Right hand compartment
11:18 Hub / Lighting / Software
12:00 Storage Support
13:27 Accessories
14:10 Testing Methodology
14:45 Thermal Performance
15:40 Smoke tests
16:10 Noise Performance
16:46 Build Experience
18:20 James' Closing Thoughts

Lian Li Lancool 217 INF Features:

• Dual 170mm front fans with an infinity mirror and mesh front panel – Equipped with two large pre-installed intake fans behind a removable mesh system designed to allow strong airflow while reducing dust build-up.
• Tool-less side panel design with cable management channels – Features quick-release side panels and integrated routing paths to simplify system assembly and keep internal layouts clean.
• Support for multiple cooling configurations – Accommodates up to 360mm radiators in the front as well as air coolers and vertical GPU mounting options for varied cooling setups.
• Modular storage drive bay system – Includes adjustable and removable drive cages supporting both 2.5″ and 3.5″ storage, allowing flexible interior layouts depending on hardware configuration.
• ARGB lighting compatibility – Integrated ARGB functionality is sync-ready with major motherboard lighting control standards for coordinated illumination across components, as well as wireless control via the L-Wireless adaptor that can be purchased separately.

Specifications:

• Case Type: Mid-Tower
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 482 mm (L) × 238 mm (W) × 503 mm (H)
• Materials: Steel frame with 4.0 mm tempered glass side panel
• Motherboard Support: SSI-EEB (max width 330 mm), E-ATX (max width 280 mm), ATX /Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
• Back-connect motherboard support: ATX / M-ATX
• Expansion Slots: 7
• Storage bays: Behind motherboard tray: up to 2 × 2.5″ SSD (or 1 × 2.5″ SSD when using back-connect mATX board) Drive cages (2 total): each supports 1 × 3.5″ HDD + 1 × 2.5″ SSD, or 1 × 3.5″ HDD or 2 × 2.5″ SSD, PSU shroud cover: 1 × 2.5″ SSD
• Max GPU Length: up to 380mm
• Max CPU Cooler Height: up to 180mm
• PSU Type: ATX up to 220 mm (standard orientation) , up to 180 mm (rotated orientation)
• Pre-installed Fans: 2 x 170mm (Front) 1 x 140mm (Rear)
• Fan Support: 2 x 170 mm (Front) 3 x 120 mm / 2 x 140 mm(Top) 1 x 120mm / 1 x 140mm (Rear) 3 x 120 mm (Bottom)
• Radiator Support: 360 / 280 / 240 mm (Top)
• Dust Filters: Bottom x 1 / Front × 1 (x 2 RU version only)
• Front I/O: 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Type-C, 1 x Audio / Microphone Combo Jack, 1 x Power button, 1 x M1 Front Panel Lighting Control Button, 1 x M2 Fan Lighting Control Button
• LCD Screen: N/A

Thermal Performance Testing

To simulate thermal demand we run the Cinebench R23 multi-thread benchmark and 3DMark Speed Way stress test simultaneously in a loop for 30 minutes to load the system fully. This gives the CPU and GPU enough time to reach constant steady-state temperature. With this data, we can compare how the system handles the thermal demand and measure peak noise levels.

Thermal performance is measured with the case in various configurations, such as the default, with the tempered glass left-hand side panel removed and with the front panel removed to see how these configurations affect the CPU and GPU temperature. During testing, only stock case fans are used unless otherwise specified. All water pumps are set to maximum RPM and fans are set to a custom RPM curve by the Motherboard software/BIOS.

All temperature measurements are presented as Deltas – meaning the ambient temperature has been deducted from the CPU temperature giving us a Delta. Data shown in the charts represent the average component temperature over the length of the test as measured by HWiNFO and then the last 15 minutes of the data are calculated to get the average. The ambient temperature during thermal tests is between 19-20⁰C.

Test System Specification:

• CPU – AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• Motherboard – MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk Wifi
• Graphics Card – Gigabyte RTX 5080 Gaming OC
• Memory – 64GB (2 x 32GB modules) G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000
• Storage – 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD
• CPU Cooler – Lian Li Hydroshift II LCD-C 360TL
• Power Supply – Seasonic Focus GX-1000 ATX 3 80+ Gold
• Case fans – Stock
• Chassis – Lian Li Lancool 217 INF
• Operating System – Windows 11 24h2

Thermal Performance Overview

We tested the case thermals with a 360mm AIO as the exhaust at the top and in several different configurations. The default configuration shown in the charts is with the 360mm AIO at the top, 2 x 170mm front intake fans, 1 x 140mm exhaust fan and with all panels installed.

In terms of thermals, the Lancool 217 INF delivers solid results straight out of the box. In the default configuration, the CPU recorded a steady-state temperature of 53°C over ambient, while the GPU sat at 49°C over ambient under load. Removing the glass side panel or swapping the front and top mesh out didn’t significantly alter these results, showing that the case’s airflow design is already very efficient as standard.

The only notable improvement came from adding bottom-mounted fans, which reduced GPU temperatures to 46°C over ambient and lowered CPU temperatures slightly to 52°C. This indicates that the extra intake helps the graphics card breathe more easily, improving airflow across the lower section of the case. Overall, the Lancool 217 INF maintains strong thermal performance, and with just a small tweak by bottom fans, it can cool high-end components even more effectively.

You can get a better sense of how the airflow changes when adding floor fans by looking at the smoke tests in the video.

With no bottom fans installed, the GPU still draws air in through the lower side vent, so there’s already a natural intake path. However, once the two bottom intake fans are added, you can clearly see that airflow towards the GPU becomes much more direct and faster. This extra push of air helps feed the graphics card more efficiently, which ties in neatly with the small drop in GPU temperature we saw during the thermal testing.

Noise Output

Noise performance from the Lancool 217 INF stayed very consistent across all configurations, with system idle noise sitting at around 37 dBA regardless of setup. Under load, most configurations peaked at 50 dBA, showing that removing panels or swapping materials didn’t noticeably alter the acoustic profile.

The only setup that made a difference was with additional bottom fans installed. This configuration not only lowered GPU temperatures slightly but also reduced load noise to 49 dBA, suggesting that the improved airflow helped the GPU maintain lower fan speeds. It’s a small but welcome gain in both thermal and acoustic efficiency.

Closing Thoughts

The Lian Li Lancool 217 INF builds on the strengths of the original model while adding a much more eye-catching front design. The infinity mirror panel paired with the two large 170mm fans gives the case a distinctive look, but the visual upgrade doesn’t come at the cost of performance. Airflow through the front mesh remains strong, and the case maintains the high level of cooling capability that the Lancool series is renowned for.

Thermal performance throughout testing was consistently good, with the default configuration handling both CPU and GPU loads without breaking a sweat. The only notable improvement came when adding bottom intake fans, which helped direct airflow more efficiently towards the graphics card. This lined up neatly with the slight reduction in GPU temperatures we recorded. It’s not essential, but adding bottom fans is a small, worthwhile tweak for high-end GPU setups.

Hardware support is another area where the 217 INF performs well. There’s plenty of room for larger components, including all motherboard types, big GPUs and top radiators, plus the interior layout makes it straightforward to build in. Cable management is tidy, the tool-free panels are easy to work with, and overall build quality feels as solid as you’d expect from Lian Li at this price point. Nothing about the redesign interferes with the usability of the chassis.

Taken as a whole, the Lancool 217 INF is a well-executed refresh of an already great chassis that retains all the positive features of the original while adding a more striking front aesthetic. If you’re after a mid-tower that delivers strong airflow, great thermals, and a clean and simple building experience, all wrapped in a unique-looking package, the Lian Li Lancool 217 INF is a very well-rounded option that’s easy to recommend, especially at this price point.

The Lian Li Lancool 217 INF is available to purchase now from Scan priced from £107.99 for the black version HERE and £112.99 HERE for the white version.

Pros: 

• Great airflow and cooling.
• Excellent build quality and hardware support.
• Brilliant cable management.

Cons:

• The front infinity mirror panel shows up every fingerprint.
• Lack of front radiator installation is not good for custom cooling.

KitGuru Says: The Lancool 217 INF is a strong evolution of the original, with excellent airflow, great thermals, high-end hardware support, clean build experience and impressive build quality with a striking new look at a decent price.

The post Lian Li Lancool 217 INF Case Review first appeared on KitGuru.

While Steam has been lauded for years thanks to its user-friendly approach to game refunds, GOG’s return policy is arguably even more friendly. Despite this, the team at CD Projekt have confirmed that just 0.03% of GOG users have exploited this generosity – claiming “when you trust players, they give you every reason to keep trusting them.”

Responding to a Reddit thread discussing the potential exploitation of GOG’s generous refund policy – in which one user revealed that they “literally played Cyberpunk, finished it + a ton of side content, then refunded it because I needed the money” – the official GOG Twitter page offered a surprisingly candid comment, stating:

“As this Reddit thread gains traction, we want to stress that when you trust players, they give you every reason to keep trusting them: only 0.03% of our active users in October abused our Refund Policy.”

For context, GOG’s refund policy is currently stated as follows: “You may request a refund for a product up to 30 days after purchase, even if it was downloaded, launched, and played” – with no wording on whether there is a maximum amount of play time allowed before requesting a refund.

Of course, it is worth noting that the team at ‘Good Old Games' does have every right to deny a request, but it appears as though for now they are primarily placing their trust in the players.

GOG has made a ton of strides in ensuring they are objectively the best place to purchase and play PC games. Hopefully their refund policy is maintained and doesn’t wind up being exploited further in the wake of this revelation.

KitGuru says: What do you think of GOG in general? Would you switch over to the platform permanently in the future? Let us know down below.

The post Just 0.03% of users have ‘abused’ GOG’s generous refund policy first appeared on KitGuru.

Earlier this year, as part of the ongoing lawsuit between Sony and Tencent, the PS5 console maker revealed that their Horizon Zero Dawn / Forbidden West franchise had sold a total of 38 million copies since the first game’s launch back in 2017. In the months since, it appears as though the series has only continued to grow, with the franchise having reportedly now exceeded 40 million copies sold.

As reported by the Korean publication ‘news.nate.com’ (and translated by ResetEra user Red Kong XIX) in the wake of the official announcement of NCSoft’s Horizon Steel Frontiers MMO, it was revealed that since the first game’s arrival in early 2017, the Horizon franchise has sold a total of 40 million copies.

As mentioned, the last ‘official’ figure put the series at 38 million copies as of July 2025, meaning either the previous data was somewhat outdated, or the series has pushed a further 2 million copies since the previous report.

As of right now, the Horizon series consists of 4 games: 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn; 2022’s Horizon Forbidden West; the PSVR2-exclusive Horizon Call of the Mountain in 2023 and most recently Lego Horizon Adventures last year.

Given that at least two more Horizon projects have been confirmed, it will be interesting to see how quickly the series will take to reach its next major milestone of 50 million copies.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 40 million players? Which of the 4 Horizon games is your favourite? Are you more excited for NCSoft’s Horizon MMO or Guerrilla Games’s multiplayer project? Let us know down below.

The post Sony’s Horizon franchise has reportedly sold over 40 million copies first appeared on KitGuru.

After well over a decade being limited to the 7th generation of video game consoles, the much-loved Red Dead Redemption was finally ported to ‘modern’ systems in 2023. Technically only released for the PS4/Pro and the OG switch (as well as PC later on), Rockstar has now unveiled a free current-gen update, coming to the PS5; Series X|S and Switch 2 – alongside an Android/iOS port.

Making the announcement the team at Rockstar Games officially confirmed that “Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare are coming to Netflix, iOS, Android, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2.”

While we did not get any specifics regarding what this upgrade will entail, the studio confirmed that it will be a free update including “the ability to carry over game progress, and a number of enhancements.”

As mentioned, Red Dead Redemption was first remastered back in 2023, arriving primarily for the PS4/Pro at the time (though it did get a PS5-specific FPS unlock option after-the-fact).

As such, it will be interesting to see what this 9th-gen release winds up introducing on top of the previously-offered boost to resolution and FPS.

At the very least, it is encouraging to see the update being offered for free. Hopefully Red Dead Redemption 2 is next in line for a remaster.

KitGuru says: Were you hoping to see RDR get a native current-gen update? Would you have preferred to have Red Dead Redemption 2 be remastered first? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Red Dead Redemption 1 to get native PS5, Series X|S and Switch 2 update next month first appeared on KitGuru.

Lian Li has launched its new SP Platinum Series, a line of high-performance SFX power supplies designed for premium small-form-factor builds. The new units are available in 850W and 1000W capacities, both achieving an 80 Plus Platinum certified efficiency.

The SP Platinum series is built to the latest Intel ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 specifications, making it fully ready for next-generation components. It includes Lian Li's own in-house manufactured 12V-2×6 GPU cable, which features alloy copper terminals for lower contact resistance and a dual-colour connector to help ensure it's fully seated. Internally, the PSUs are built with 100% Japanese 105°C capacitors and are equipped with a comprehensive suite of protections, including OCP, OVP, OTP, OPP, SCP, UVP, NLP, and SIP.

Cooling is handled by a 92 mm FDB fan governed by a smart curve, which enables a zero-RPM mode by switching the fan off entirely at loads of 40% or less. For builders working in cramped SFF chassis, the SP Platinum Series comes with “super-flexible” braided modular cables to improve routing and airflow.

Lian Li has also included two notable quality-of-life features. An SFX-to-ATX adapter bracket is in the box for compatibility with larger cases. More uniquely, the PSU ships with an extension power cord that features an integrated on/off switch, allowing users to cut power to the installed PSU more easily. The Lian Li SP Platinum Series is now available in both black and white versions, starting at £142.99/€164.90 for the 850W models and £159.95/€184.90 for the 1000W models.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Planning on building an SFF system? Have you already locked in on a PSU, or does the new Lian Li SP series PSUs still have a chance?

The post Lian Li targets high-end SFF builds with new SP Platinum ATX 3.1 PSUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Adata has introduced a 128GB DDR5 CUDIMM module, effectively doubling the maximum capacity per stick for the mainstream desktop platform. This breakthrough brings 4-rank memory, previously available only in server space, into consumer-grade hardware.

Until now, the consumer DDR5 market has been limited to single- and dual-rank modules, with a maximum capacity of 64GB per DIMM. With a 4-rank module architecture (dividing the module into four groups via chip stacking), Adata has pushed the new capacity limit to 128GB. This means that even dual-DIMM motherboards can now support 256GB of RAM.

Despite the clear advantage of using such a design, there is a technical trade-off to it. A 4-rank configuration increases the load on the memory bus, which can negatively impact maximum stable frequencies. For gaming, less dense memory modules might still be better, but for memory-intensive applications, such as AI workloads and high-end content creation, the sheer increase in capacity may outweigh the benefit of higher clock speeds.

To ensure stability, Adata has already been validating its 4-rank DDR5 5600 MT/s CUDIMM modules on MSI's upcoming Z890 motherboards. This development is particularly significant for the small form-factor (SFF) market, where dual-DIMM motherboards are the standard, removing a major capacity limitation for high-performance compact builds. Adata has not yet shared detailed specifications or a retail launch date for the new 128GB modules, but a 2026 release looks plausible.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Would you make use of these 128GB memory modules, or is this overkill for your needs?

The post ADATA brings 128GB DDR5 modules to mainstream desktops with new 4-Rank CUDIMMs first appeared on KitGuru.

Mojang has officially announced Minecraft Blast, a new free-to-play mobile puzzle game developed in collaboration with King, the studio behind Candy Crush Saga. The announcement confirms that this is a separate project and will not interfere with or delay future updates for the core Minecraft game, such as the upcoming Mounts of Mayhem update.

The new title (via MobileGamer) is described as a “modern match puzzle” game. Based on early screenshots, players will match blocks by colour or type within a set number of moves to complete level objectives. The gameplay is supplemented with familiar Minecraft mechanics, including boosters themed as tools like pickaxes and shovels. Beyond the puzzle levels, players will also be able to unlock themed locations and construct their own Minecraft-inspired structures.

Minecraft Blast is still in its “extremely early days” according to Mojang. The first limited playtest is currently being rolled out in Malaysia only. This initial test is only available via the Apple App Store on iOS. Mojang has stated that it plans to expand testing to other regions and platforms in the future to gather feedback.

As is standard for this kind of early-phase testing, the current build contains only a small portion of the final content. Mojang has also confirmed that any progress made by players during this test period will be reset and will not carry over to the final, full release of the game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Minecraft? What do you think of this mix between Minecraft and Candy Crush Saga?

The post Mojang and Candy Crush developer reveal ‘Minecraft Blast’ first appeared on KitGuru.

Back around 2018, an E3 leak claimed that Ubisoft was planning on announcing a new Splinter Cell game. That turned out to be entirely false, but the publisher was indeed working on a revival of the stealth-action franchise at one point, although it was quickly cancelled in a pivot towards ‘live service' games.

This week, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier published a new interview with AdHoc Studios co-founder, Nick Herman, covering his journey from Ubisoft to founding his new studio and releasing the new hit-game Dispatch. In this interview, Herman reveals that around 2017, when he took on a role at Ubisoft's San Francisco studio, he and a small team had worked on a new Splinter Cell game for several months:

Herman had the following to say about his time working on Splinter Cell:

“I was so excited to be a part of this and help revitalize it, because it’s been dormant for a while, and we thought we could tell a great story and do something the fans would love”.

However, it is claimed that the game was cancelled very early on, as Ubisoft had begun asking its studios to focus on ‘Games as a service', otherwise known as live-service games. The group struggled to come up with an idea that would stick and ultimately, Herman left Ubisoft to start up AdHoc Studios, which just released its first hit game, Dispatch, which prominently features Breaking Bad co-star, Aaron Paul in a lead acting role.

Eventually, Ubisoft San Francisco hired a new leader, Mark Rubin, and began working on XDefiant. While the game garnered some hype during its beta testing phase, players had issues with the title at launch and ultimately, Ubisoft shut the game down and closed the San Francisco studio.

While some have taken this interview to mean that Splinter Cell was cancelled specifically for XDefiant, that was not the case. The Splinter Cell project had a short-lived life in 2017 and was cancelled to focus on live-service multiplayer games. However, XDefiant didn't come to be until after 2019, at least two years after the short-lived Splinter Cell project.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: There is a serious lack of stealth-action games on the current market. Ubisoft has the perfect IP to fill that gap. Hopefully at some point in the next couple of years, it capitalises on that opportunity.

The post Former Ubisoft studio lead confirms Splinter Cell project was cancelled in 2017 first appeared on KitGuru.

Over the past year, Bungie has been attempting to fight a plagiarism lawsuit from a writer who claimed that the original Red War campaign for Destiny 2 copied from his own published work. Now, Bungie has been forced to settle, after content vaulting ruined its chances of effectively fighting the case.

As reported by The Game Post, Bungie has settled the lawsuit, although the specific details of the settlement agreement have not been made public. The settlement comes after Bungie failed to get the case dismissed, in large part due to its decision to delete the Red War campaign from the game.

While initially the Content Vault was pitched as something Bungie could pull content in and out from, that turned out to not be the case. All of the ‘vaulted' content can no longer be implemented back into Destiny 2. As a result, Bungie attempted to submit YouTuber playthroughs, lore videos and Wiki articles as evidence to fight the lawsuit. The judge assigned to the case would not accept this evidence, as they were third-party retellings of the events and could not be considered truly representative of the product.

If Bungie had been able to create a legacy build of Destiny 2 with the Red War campaign still in-tact, then it would have been able to properly demonstrate the differences between its own work and that of the writer on the other side of the lawsuit. Content Vaulting continues to look like a worse and worse idea by the day. Fortunately for Destiny players, Bungie has since realised what a colossal mistake this was and will no longer be vaulting content.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It isn't much of a ‘vault' if Bungie itself can't unlock it and reimplement the content. I imagine a lot of Destiny players right now would be keen for a limited-time event that allowed them to replay the original campaign missions, but it simply isn't possible according to Bungie itself. If it had been possible, they wouldn't have had to settle this lawsuit.

The post Bungie settles lawsuit over original ‘Red War’ campaign for Destiny 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Escape from Tarkov has officially launched on Steam but the transition to the biggest PC gaming platform hasn't gone smoothly. Following the launch, many players had issues getting into the game and so far, the store page has been flooded with negative user reviews. 

Escape from Tarkov has launched to ‘mixed' reviews on Steam, with the majority of the top-rated reviews being negative. Players had issues creating accounts at launch, while others had issues with an error stating the game files were ‘corrupted' after a fresh install. Due to the game using a third-party launcher, even when purchased on Steam, players also expressed concern about missing their 2-hour refund window before even getting to try the game for themselves.

Currently, the review split stands at 10K negative reviews to just over 4K positive reviews. The positive reviews that do exist all express admiration for Escape from Tarkov's tension, immersion, realistic shooting and difficulty. It is perhaps the most ‘hardcore' extraction shooter on the market, while games like Arc Raiders and Marathon look to serve a broader audience of players.

Battlestate Games had increased server capacity for Escape from Tarkov in the lead-up to the Steam launch. However, many players encountered issues with the game launcher and the website for creating accounts. We expect those issues to subside pretty quickly, at which point, players should have an easier time getting into the game. Still, it is clear that Tarkov is not a game for everyone.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried Escape from Tarkov since the Steam launch earlier this week? Have you had any issues? 

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Patriot Memory's flagship Viper Xtreme 5 DDR5 has officially broken the world record for memory frequency, becoming the first to surpass the 13,200 MT/s barrier.

The new record was set by professional overclocker Ai Max and tuning specialist Brian “Chew”. Using liquid nitrogen cooling (LN2), the team achieved a validated speed of 6605.7MHz (CL68-127-127-127-2), which translates to an effective data rate of 13,211.4MT/s. This score now sits at the top of the international rankings on HWBOT.

Funny enough, the platform used to achieve this result was built on previous-generation hardware. The record-breaking Viper Xtreme 5 memory module was installed on a Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Tachyon Ice motherboard and paired with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor underclocked to 2.1GHz on the P-cores and 1.7GHz on the E-cores. Both components were operating under LN2.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Seeing how often the DDR5 frequency record is being beaten, how long do you think this one will last?

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Crystal Dynamics has had a rough few months. Following the cancellation of Perfect Dark, which Crystal Dynamics was the primary developer for, the studio was forced to cut a sizable number of developers from the team. Now just a short while later, the company has had to let go of more employees. 

Crystal Dynamics is undergoing its fourth round of lay-offs in just two years. This time around, the company has announced plans to let go of 30 employees as part of a ‘restructuring' effort.

The company claims the cuts were made to “optimise the continued development” of Tomb Raider, the studio's flagship franchise. If we take out the marketing spin, then we can gather that the next Tomb Raider game is not close to release, and Crystal Dynamics simply had more employees than it needed at this point in the project's lifespan.

The next Tomb Raider game was greenlit a couple of years ago, shortly after Embracer Group acquired Crystal Dynamics and the Tomb Raider IP from Square Enix. While Embracer continues to own Crystal Dynamics and by extension, Tomb Raider, it is actually Amazon Games that will be publishing the next game in the series. This is notable, as Amazon Games also underwent a massive round of lay-offs last month, leading to the cancellation of multiple projects, and the shelving of New World, the company's only successfully released game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If you've been looking forward to the return of Tomb Raider, it sounds like you'll be waiting a few more years at least. 

The post Crystal Dynamics undergoes more layoffs, but Tomb Raider development continues first appeared on KitGuru.

Lian Li has expanded its power supply portfolio with the launch of the SX series. Available in 850W, 1000W, and 1200W capacities, these new units are designed to meet the Intel ATX 3.1 specification and carry 80 Plus and PPLP Platinum certifications, promising up to 92% efficiency under typical loads.

Ready for the latest graphics cards, each SX series unit includes a native PCIe Gen 5.1 12V-2×6 connector capable of delivering up to 600W without the need for bulky adapters. For the higher wattage 1000W and 1200W models, Lian Li also includes a 12V-2×6 to dual 6+2 PCIe cable to ensure compatibility with a wider range of peripherals and older cards. The units ship with flexible, braided-texture modular cables designed to facilitate easy routing in tight chassis.

Internals are cooled by a 120 mm fluid dynamic bearing fan. This cooling solution features a Zero RPM mode, which stops the fan completely under light loads for silent operation. A physical switch on the rear of the PSU allows users to toggle this hybrid mode on or off depending on their noise preference. Under the hood, the SX series is constructed using 100% Japanese 105°C capacitors and uses a single +12V rail layout.

Aesthetically, the casing features an embossed mesh pattern to assist with ventilation. As expected for a high-end unit, it comes with a comprehensive suite of industrial-grade protections, including OPP, OVP, SCP, OCP, OTP, UVP, SIP, and NLP, to safeguard the hardware. The Lian Li SX series is now available for pre-order in black and white, and it comes with a 10-year warranty. The SX850P costs £109.99/$119.99/€124.90, the SX1000P costs £130.99/$149.99/€149.90, and the SX1200P costs £139.99/$159.99/€159.90 for the flagship.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: If you were in the market for a new PSU, would any of the new Lian Li SX PSUs have been on your radar?

The post Lian Li launches new SX PSUs with ATX 3.1 and Platinum efficiency first appeared on KitGuru.