Keychron is pushing the boundaries of keyboard materials with its latest announcement, teasing the new Keychron Q16 HE 8K. The upcoming 65% keyboard is claimed to be the world's first to feature a full ceramic construction, including the chassis and keycaps, and it's packed with high-end gaming features.

While we've seen ceramic keycap sets from third-party brands before, this is the first time a major manufacturer is offering a complete keyboard made from this material. According to Keychron, the full ceramic build provides a uniquely smooth typing experience, a desirable “thocky” sound profile, and a surface that remains cool to the touch. The keycaps themselves are a Cherry profile design, made to work well with the board's north-facing RGB lighting.

This keyboard is also loaded with top-tier gaming technology, including Keychron's “Ultra-fast Lime” Hall Effect magnetic switches, which allow for a customisable actuation point (down to 0.1 mm) and support features like Rapid Trigger, Dynamic Keystrokes, and Snap Click (Keychron's version of Razer's Snap Tap) for precise movement control. This is all backed by an 8,000 Hz polling rate for ultra-low latency input.

The Keychron Q16 HE 8K is set to launch via Kickstarter sometime in October, with both black and white colour options available. The company has not yet announced final pricing, but has a pre-launch page live for those who want to sign up for alerts.

KitGuru says: Have you ever typed on a keyboard with ceramic keycaps? Would you like to try a full ceramic keyboard?

The post Keychron Q16 HE 8K is the world’s first all-ceramic gaming keyboard first appeared on KitGuru.

The first major content update for last year's breakout indie hit, Balatro, has been delayed. The game's solo developer, who goes by ‘Localthunk', has announced that the 1.1 update will no longer be released in 2025 and has been pushed back to an indefinite date to allow for a healthier development pace.

In a blog post titled “I'm Slow”, Localthunk explained that the update had to be delayed because he needed more time and wanted to avoid the intense crunch that led to him being “well and truly burned out” after the game's hugely successful launch. “I'm a hobbyist developer at heart and I love to tinker”, he said, explaining that he has now “chosen to only work on the game like I did when the project began”, which is a much slower pace than the 12-hour days he was working previously.

As a result, the new official timeline for the 1.1 update is “it's done when it's done”. While apologising to fans for the delay and admitting he probably shouldn't have announced any date for the update, the developer reiterated that it's still coming out. He also confirmed that when it does arrive, it will be free.

Balatro was a surprise indie smash hit, a poker-themed roguelike that garnered millions with its addictive deck-building gameplay. While the delay of its first major update might be disappointing, the developer's transparency will likely earn a great deal of respect from the community. It's a welcome reminder that a healthier development process almost always leads to a better game in the end.

KitGuru says: Have you played Balatro? What are you expecting from the game's update 1.1?

The post Balatro 1.1 update delayed first appeared on KitGuru.

Today, ASRock is announcing AI QuickSet WSL, a new tool to enable streamlined installation for multiple AI apps for Linux. The functionality also enables users to run Linux AI apps on Windows-based PCs and laptops.

This major update empowers users to more easily establish a fully functional Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) environment and deploy a suite of AI applications. Significantly, AI QuickSet WSL is built upon AMD’s latest ROCm software platform, offering great support for ASRock’s latest AMD Radeon RX 9000 series graphics cards.

Traditionally, creating a proper AI development environment on Windows involves a multi-step, cumbersome process and many tools have been developed for Linux, so it requires extra effort to get them running on Windows. ASRock's new Quickset WSL will simplify this process to just a few clicks, saving newcomers time and allowing seasoned developers to hit the ground running with minimal downtime.

The WSL environment is pre-configured for GPU acceleration with the latest RX 9000 series graphics cards. It comes bundled with PyTorch, Audiocraft for generating music from text prompts, Image/Manga Translator for image and manga translation, PixtoonLab for transforming portraits into cartoon avatars, and Video Background Remover & Changer for effortlessly removing or replacing video backgrounds.

You can download the ASRock QuickSet WSL software, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Have you taken an interest in AI tools now that they are more readily available?

The post ASRock AI QuickSet brings popular Linux AI tools to Windows first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft is in the process of reworking the Windows 11 UI to be fully navigable with an Xbox controller. We are going to see a preview of these changes when the ROG Xbox Ally handheld releases in October. PC gamers won't be left behind though, as a new Windows Insider build enables Task View via the controller. 

The new Windows Insider update introduces a new change to Xbox controller functionality. As spotted by The Verge, the Xbox logo button can now be long-pressed to bring up the Windows 11 task view, enabling you to switch between apps like Steam, Battle.net, Discord, the Xbox App etc without reaching for your keyboard and mouse.

The change aligns desktop functionality with the functionality of the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handheld. Microsoft is also implementing new animations and other UI features to make the overall experience feel smooth and intuitive.

The Xbox button already holds multiple functions on PC. A tap of the button should bring up the Windows 11 Game Bar, while a long press will now bring up Task View. An 8-second press and hold of the button turns off the controller, so for the Task View, you'll want to make sure you lift your finger off the button after a few seconds.

KitGuru Says: I used to use a program to use my Xbox 360 controller as a mouse in the early 2010s, and it had virtual keyboard functionality too. It has always puzzled me that Microsoft has not implemented that functionality themselves. We seem to have now finally reached the point where they are. The end result should be a PC gaming experience that feels closer to a console, while retaining the strengths of an open platform. 

The post Microsoft adds new Xbox controller functionality to Windows 11 first appeared on KitGuru.

While Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village are already ‘playable' on the Nintendo Switch, the games are only available in cloud form, meaning they don't run natively on the Switch hardware. Now with the much more powerful Switch 2 on the market, Capcom can finally bring native versions of these games to Nintendo's home console hybrid platform. 

On February 27th 2026, Resident Evil 7 and its sequel, Resident Evil Village, will launch on Switch 2. The games will contain feature parity with the other console versions of the game and better yet, Switch 2 owners will be able to catch up on the story in time for Resident Evil Requiem, the grand finale to this trilogy of games.

Resident Evil Requiem (Resident Evil 9) will also release on Switch 2 on February 27th 2026, the same day as other platforms. Recent rumours suggest that the Resident Evil Remakes will also come to Switch 2, but it seems that we won't get confirmation on that until next year.

Currently, the Resident Evil Remake series spans three games – Resident Evil 2, 3 and 4. There is no word on whether Capcom will continue with the remakes for Resident Evil 5 and 6.

KitGuru Says: Resident Evil has always been popular on Nintendo platforms, so this news should come as no surprise. Hopefully those remakes aren't too far off either. 

The post Resident Evil 7, Village and Requiem all coming to Switch 2 in February first appeared on KitGuru.

Following the record-smashing success of Grand Theft Auto V, we are all expecting Grand Theft Auto 6 to sell well. The real question is, will it break all of the same records set by its predecessor? Rockstar seems to think so, as it confidently claims that GTA 6 will be the biggest video game launch of all time. 

Rockstar is preparing to release Grand Theft Auto 6 in May 2026. As part of that effort, they are getting the tools ready to collect user data for the latest version of GTA Online, data that will then be used to inform the decision makers signing off on post-launch content. As spotted by The GTA Base, Rockstar is hiring for a lead software engineer to aid in the set-up and scaling of this data platform for “what will be the largest game launch in history”.

While many analysts have discussed the expected level of success for GTA 6, Rockstar itself hasn't made its financial goals clear. However, the wording in this job listing makes it very clear – Rockstar is gunning for that #1 spot again. Previously, the success of GTA 5 caught Rockstar and the industry at large by surprise, now with the benefit of hindsight and planning, Rockstar will be looking to capture lightning in a bottle for a second time.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is due to release on May 26th 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. A PC version of the game is expected to release roughly one year after the console versions.

KitGuru Says: Do you think Grand Theft Auto 6 will end up being the biggest game launch of all time? Or do you think rising costs may potentially hamper the game's growth? 

The post Rockstar says Grand Theft Auto 6 will be ‘largest game launch in history’ first appeared on KitGuru.

While we aren't getting a new 3D Mario game for the series' 40th Anniversary, we are getting re-releases for two of the best 3D Mario games of all time – Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2. Like most new games nowadays, the price is raising eyebrows, with the package costing more than Nintendo's previous 3D All Stars collection. 

As reported by VGC, the Super Mario Galaxy collection for Switch and Switch 2 will retail for £70, costing a hair under £35 for each game. This is more expensive than the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection, which included Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario 64, and sold for £60 at launch.

While not billed as a remaster, the Super Mario Galaxy collection for Nintendo Switch will include a number of improvements. The game should run at a higher resolution compared to the original Nintendo Wii version. The game has also been expanded with some additional story content, all contained in Rosalina's Book, a mechanic that was originally introduced in Super Mario Galaxy 2 but will now be present in both games on Switch.

Nintendo has confirmed that it plans to release both games as separate purchases digitally on the Switch eShop.

KitGuru Says: Super Mario Galaxy ranks highly amongst the best games in the franchise. Still, a £70 asking price is a tough pill to swallow for games well over a decade old. 

The post Super Mario Galaxy Switch bundle to cost £70 first appeared on KitGuru.

Borderlands 4 launched late last week and after a full weekend with the game, PC players have come away with the impression that the game was not very well optimised. This has led to a mixed overall score for the game on Steam and now, Randy Pitchford is tweeting out his many frustrations with PC gamers.

Randy Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox, has been known for his social media rants. He has put together one for the record books this morning as he proclaims that Borderlands 4 is actually ‘very optimal' and blames PC gamers for expecting too much from their hardware.

“Every PC gamer must accept the reality of the relationship between their hardware and what the software they are running is doing”, Pitchford's thread begins. “We have made an amazing and fun and huge looter shooter campaign game. The game is pretty damn optimal – which means that the software is doing what we want without wasteful cycles on bad processes.”

Pitchford moves on to point out that Borderlands 4 has a bunch of features that will allow PC gamers to balance their frame rate and resolution. He then goes on to say: “For a campaign shooter looter, it is absolutely reasonable for developers to focus on default settings achieving 30fps on minimum specification and 60fps on recommended specification.”

“It is a mistake to believe or expect that PCs between minimum specification and recommended specification can achieve all of extremely high frame rate, maximum/ultra features, and extremely high resolution.”

One common complaint amongst the negative Steam reviews is the need for DLSS to achieve 60FPS+ frame rates, even on high-end hardware like an RTX 5080. While it is true that DLSS is a great performance tool, when we are dealing with £1000+ graphics cards, we tend to expect native 4K performance to be high, with DLSS providing the bump to get to ultra-high frame rates. As pointed out by wccftech, an RTX 5090 can't run the game at native 4K/60FPS – and that is a £2000+ graphics card.

While Pitchford's latest rant may be ill advised, there is a good chance that some of the performance issues in Borderlands 4 are not Gearbox's fault. Unreal Engine 5 is known to be a heavy engine that causes common performance issues across a range of titles, especially games with large open world areas. Rather than blaming the gamers for not being satisfied with sub 60FPS on hardware that costs thousands of dollars, perhaps the focus should really be on Epic Games and the fact that they've allowed a number of issues to persist for years.

A number of performance problems with Unreal Engine 5 are due to be fixed with the new 5.6 version of the engine, which includes new performance optimisations developed by CD Projekt Red for use in The Witcher 4. However, it is going to be years before we see these tools in practise, in shipped games. By that time, Epic Games will likely be gearing up the marketing for Unreal Engine 6.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried Borderlands 4 since it launched last week? How is the game running for you?

The post Randy Pitchford goes to war against PC gamers following Borderlands 4 criticism first appeared on KitGuru.

Fans hoping for a new, in-depth look at Squadron 42 at the upcoming CitizenCon event will have to temper their expectations. Cloud Imperium Games has officially confirmed that the highly anticipated single-player spin-off of Star Citizen will not have a presence at this year's show.

In a live broadcast (via PC Gamer), CIG's CTO, Benoît “Bault” Beauséjou, explained that the decision was made to keep the development team focused on hitting their previously announced release window. “We drew a line in the sand when we said 2026”, he stated. “I just know we're gonna do every single thing possible to make it, and part of that is not taking the time for the distraction of CitizenCon”. He stressed that the absence is not due to a new delay but rather a commitment to preventing one.

This focus on development also extends to the event itself. Beauséjou noted that this year's “CitizenCon Direct” will be smaller compared to the hours-long, deep-dive talks of previous years. The showcase will have a narrower focus on content coming to the main Star Citizen MMO in the next year, rather than a grand reveal of the 1.0 launch or other long-term roadmaps.

While the news will undoubtedly be disappointing for those eager to see more of the perpetually in-development title, CIG is framing this as a necessary sacrifice to get the game into players' hands. In the meantime, the main game continues to receive regular content updates as the long wait for Squadron 42 continues.

KitGuru says: Have you played Star Citizen? Are you interested in Squadron 42? 

The post Star Citizen’s Squadron 42 reportedly won’t be at CitizenCon due to fresh delays first appeared on KitGuru.

Borderlands 4 arrives six years after the last game in the series. Bigger and better, it's much more demanding on your hardware, especially when it comes to PC gaming handhelds. How does Borderlands 4 run on the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally X? Find out in our Borderlands 4 handheld performance review.

Following years of silence, it seems as though we might finally be getting our first proper look at Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Wolverine some time this month. Ahead of any official showings, leakers have now claimed that the PS5 exclusive is set to arrive some time next year – with Marvel’s Venom planned to release in the years following.

As reported by MP1ST, “someone familiar with the situation” confirmed to the publication that Marvel’s Wolverine is currently planned to launch some time in 2026.

While not too surprising given the previous data breach which suggested as such, this seems to indicate that the hack has fortunately not impacted development too badly.

Though yet to be officially announced by Insomniac Games, the same hack revealed that the team is also working on a Venom-focused spin-off. According to MP1ST, this project is much further away, with the sources simply confirming that the title is still “in development.”

Additional information, including potential story spoilers, can be found HERE. That said, it is exciting to know that despite the cancellation of the multiplayer Spider-Man project, Insomniac still has plenty of exciting things cooking in the oven.

Hopefully we will learn more about Marvel’s Wolverine in particular during the rumoured upcoming State of Play later this month.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Insomniac Games’ output this generation? Are you more excited for the Venom of Wolverine game? Let us know down below.

The post Marvel’s Wolverine reportedly slated for 2026 launch as Insomniac’s Venom remains “in development” first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD’s X3D desktop CPUs have dominated desktop gaming performance for what seems like a lifetime at this point. But what happens when you try to squeeze that same tech into a laptop? The 2025 model of the Recoil 16 gaming laptop from PCSpecialist does exactly that, featuring a Ryzen 9 9955HX3D – a 16-core, 32-thread mobile CPU that AMD claim is the ‘world's fastest gaming processor'. Let's put that to the test today.

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
01:07 Pricing / Warranty
01:53 Hardware Specifications
04:30 Display
04:55 Battery and Charger
05:31 Laptop Design / RGB
06:32 Ports and connectivity
07:01 Weight / Hinges / Flex
07:28 Trackpad and Keyboard
08:50 Audio Performance / Sound Test
09:29 1080p Webcam
09:58 Mats thoughts so far
10:33 PCSpecialist Control Center Software
11:41 Gaming Experience
11:57 A Plague Tale Requiem
12:16 Cyberpunk 2077
12:36 Black Myth Wukong
12:57 Red Dead Redemption 2
13:10 Marvel Rivals
13:34 Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
13:55 Hogwarts Legacy
14:19 Forza Horizon 5
14:41 F1 2025
14:55 Counter Strike 2
15:11 Gaming performance thoughts
15:39 9955HX3D Performance / Thermals / Clocks
17:57 Noise Levels
18:29 Closing thoughts

Specifications:

• CPU – AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D 16-Core Processor
• Memory – 32GB Crucial 5600MT/s SODIMM DDR5 (2x16GB)
• GPU – Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
• SSD – 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus PCIe 4.0 & 5.0 NVMe
• AC Adaptor – 280W Charger
• Battery – Recoil Series Integrated 99WH Lithium Ion Battery
• I/O –
  • 2 x USB 3.2 Type C
  • 3 x USB 3.2 Type A
  • 1GB LAN, WiFi 6E
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • SD Card Reader
  • HDMI 2.1
  • Mini DisplayPort

The core specs are confirmed in the following CPU-Z and GPU-Z screenshots:

Across a variety of ten titles tested at the laptop’s native QHD+ resolution, the Recoil 16 delivered good gaming performance. Even without upscaling, frame rates were smooth and very playable, and in titles that support DLSS and Frame Generation, frame rates can be pushed even further. The result is a system that feels comfortable handling modern games at high settings, with plenty of headroom for competitive play as well.

For the full results from all games, check out our full video review on our YouTube channel.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2560×1600 – Max Settings – DLSS Balanced)

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2560×1600 – Max Settings)

A Plague Tale: Requiem (2560×1600 – Max Settings – DLSS Balanced – Frame Generation On)

Cyberpunk 2077 (2560×1600 – Max Settings – DLSS Balanced – 4X Multi Frame Generation)

F1 25 (2560×1600 – Max Settings)

Hogwarts Legacy (2560×1600 – Max Settings)

Closing Thoughts

The PCSpecialist Recoil 16 is a compelling example of how AMD’s X3D cache tech can shine in a mobile form by delivering good gaming performance in a compact, understated package.

At around £1899, the spec sheet offers decent value: a Ryzen 9 9955HX3D with that extra L3 cache, paired with the  RTX 5070 Ti Mobile, alongside 32GB of fast DDR5-5600 RAM and a spacious 2 TB SSD. The 16″ 2560×1600 300Hz display is bright and vivid, offering enough speed for competitive play but also the colour and clarity needed for creative tasks.

The Recoil 16 handled modern titles at its native 2560×1600 resolution quite well and adding DLSS or Frame Generation where applicable can push the frame rates even higher. Unlike many flashy gaming rigs, its aluminium design and lack of any tacky branding help to deliver a sophisticated and mature look.

There are a couple of compromises worth mentioning. It’s not lightweight, at around 2.5kg, and then there’s the trackpad, which is positioned oddly to the left and frustratingly inconsistent in use. It is easily the system’s weakest point.

All in all, the Recoil 16 brings AMD’s X3D gaming supremacy to the laptop world in a package that’s practical, well-built, and priced sharply.

You can purchase the Recoil 16 laptop directly from PCSpecialist for £1899 HERE.

Pros:

• Great gaming performance.
• Very good CPU performance.
• Good heat and power management.
• Vibrant, sharp and fast 300Hz screen.
• Aluminium chassis feels well made.
• Tasteful RGB implementation.
• 2TB SSD is a welcome sight.
• Priced competitively.

Cons:

• Trackpad is inconsistent with tracking, clicking and tapping.
• Slight wobble in the lid.

KitGuru says: The Recoil 16 is a great gaming laptop with powerful components that deliver solid gaming performance. It's slightly let down by a frustratingly poor trackpad. 

The post PCSpecialist Recoil 16 Laptop Review (9955HX3D + 5070 Ti) first appeared on KitGuru.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is currently tied with Split Fiction as the highest rated game of 2025 so far, with the JRPG-inspired title receiving universal acclaim from both critics and fans alike. Alongside the game’s undeniable critical accomplishments, Clair Obscur has seen an equal amount of commercial success – having now sold over 4.4 million copies.

As part of the annual French charity stream ZEvent, the team at Sandfall Interactive partook in an interview in which they were asked about the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

As mentioned by the team, the last official update put Expedition 33 as having sold 3.3 million copies within its first 33 days. That said, the devs did offer an update on this figure, revealing (as translated by ResetEra user DamageEX2) that the title has now reached 4.4 million copies sold.

While sales for the RPG has of course slowed down since its launch back in April, this updated figure is certainly worth celebrating – especially as it marked the debut title from Sandfall Interactive (and was made available day-one on Game Pass).

Regardless, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a major achievement and deserves all of the success that it has received (and is continuing to receive). It will be interesting to see how many units will have been sold officially by the time The Game Awards comes around.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 4.4 million players? Is Expedition 33 your personal GOTY so far? Does the game have the juice to keep its momentum going? Let us know down below.

The post Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold over 4.4 million copies first appeared on KitGuru.

Humble Bundles are a great way to get your hands on a selection of titles for a relatively low price. Available right now, the service’s ‘Humbling Soulslikes’ bundle includes a number of underrated FromSoftware-inspired experiences.

Purchasable in three different forms, the Humbling Soulslikes bundle is available for the next 3 weeks or so. Paying the minimum of £5.31 will net you:

• Achilles: Legends Untold (an isometric soulslike set in Ancient Greece)
• Salt and Sacrifice (a co-op enabled 2D souls-like)
• ELDERBORN (a first-person “metal action fantasy slasher”)

Upping your contribution to £8.86 meanwhile adds the following:

• Steelrising (a 3rd-person souls-like set during the French Revolution from studio Spiders)
• Asterigos: Curse of the Stars (a high fantasy indie Souls-like with a focus on combat, collectibles and story choices)

Finally, paying the full amount of £14.18 gets you all the above, plus:

• Flintlock: Deluxe Edition (a gun-focused souls-like from the team behind ‘Ashen’)
• Enotria: The Last Song (an indie souls-like set in “a beautiful sun-lit world inspired by Italian folklore”)

As always, a portion of the money raised by the bundle will go towards charity, with this bundle in particular supporting the Starlight Children’s Foundation – delivering “happiness to seriously ill children and their families” through the power of video games.

KitGuru says: Will you be picking up this collection? What’s your favourite non-FromSoftware developed Souls-like? Do you prefer first-person, 3rd person or isometric souls-likes? Let us know down below.

The post Humble announces ‘Humbling Soulslikes’ bundle first appeared on KitGuru.

Dying Light: The Beast is the next game from Techland following 2022’s somewhat controversial Dying Light 2. Unlike their previous release, The Beast appears to have had a relatively smooth development cycle – with the team announcing that the game is officially set to arrive one day earlier than previously announced in celebration of 1 million pre-orders.

Taking to twitter to make the announcement, the team at Techland wrote: “Big news! Since more than 1 million players have already secured their copy of Dying Light: The Beast ahead of launch, we're moving the release forward to SEPTEMBER 18!”

Of course, bringing the game forwards by a single day is not the biggest deal in the world, however this does indicate a certain degree of confidence in the final product (especially as The Beast did receive a month-long delay earlier this year).

For the uninitiated, Dying Light: The Beast is a spin-off / sequel of sorts which follows Kyle Crane – the player character from the first game. Initially pitched as a standalone expansion to Dying Light 2, the game’s scope grew over time, turning it into the full release that it is today.

As mentioned, Dying Light 2 was seen as a step back in some ways compared to the first game. That said, the sequel did suffer from a number of development issues, necessitating a rewrite of the entire game’s story in a short amount of time.

As far as we know, the upcoming spin-off has not suffered any such setbacks, and so hopefully Dying Light: The Beast winds up being Techland’s best game yet when it launches later this week.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 1 million pre-orders? Do you have high hopes for The Beast? What’s the most important aspect of Dying Light in your eyes? Let us know down below.

The post Dying Light: The Beast launches earlier than expected in celebration of 1 million pre-orders first appeared on KitGuru.

When it comes to Mini PCs, Geekom is a name that most of you will be familiar with as they offer a wide range of solutions based on AMD and Intel hardware. We have covered a range of Mini PCs in the last couple of years, featuring the latest and greatest solutions from each CPU vendor. While we have seen some incredibly powerful options that cost a premium, Geekom has now announced its high-end AMD solution, the Geekom A9 Max, a Mini PC powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. This is a top-of-the-line solution that has […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/geekom-a9-max-amd-ryzen-ai-9-hx-370-mini-pc-great-performance-all-around-solid-io/

Intel developers are already hard at work optimising the open-source Linux drivers for the company's next-generation “Panther Lake” mobile CPUs. A new series of changes has just been merged into the Mesa 3D graphics stack, designed to fix performance regressions and promising a significant performance uplift for the new Xe3 integrated GPUs.

According to Intel's own internal lab tests (via Phoronix), these compiler fixes have a tangible impact on gaming performance. While many games saw a healthy uplift in the mid-to-high single-digit percentages, peak performance gains were recorded at up to an impressive 18%. The fixes primarily focus on improving compiler scheduling and thread-level parallelism to better suit the new Xe3 architecture's behavior.

Image credit: Kevron Rees

However, these runtime gains come with a couple of caveats. The first is a direct trade-off: the new optimisations result in shader pre-compilation times that are roughly 25% longer, a price Intel has deemed worth paying for the smoother in-game frame rates. More concerning for now are some stability issues that were discovered during testing. The developers noted that a few games caused occasional GPU hangs, with one particularly demanding title having to be removed from the test suite due to a recurring GPU hang.

These fixes are currently in the Mesa 25.3 development branch but are planned to be backported to the 25.2 stable branch closer to the launch of Panther Lake hardware later this year. This means that Linux users who pick up one of the new laptops will need to ensure they are on an up-to-date Mesa package to get the best day-one experience and avoid these regressions.

KitGuru says: It's great to see Intel being so proactive in optimising its open-source drivers well ahead of a major launch. While there are clearly still some stability kinks to iron out, these performance gains are a promising sign for the gaming potential of the upcoming Panther Lake iGPUs on Linux.

The post Intel Panther Lake gets performance uplift with latest Mesa update first appeared on KitGuru.

PC case manufacturer darkFlash has a new microATX chassis with a very distinctive aesthetic. The new Floatron F1 features a unique “floating base”, which the company claims not only gives the case a unique look but also significantly improves airflow for your components.

The most standout feature of the Floatron F1's design is its elevated base. The main chassis sits on top of an expanded platform, creating a gap underneath that allows for unrestricted airflow to the bottom-mounted fans. darkFlash claims that this vertical air duct architecture and improved GPU ventilation can result in a 5-7°C drop in graphics card temperatures compared to traditional designs. The base also doubles as a display platform for personal decorations or custom lighting.

Despite its relatively compact microATX footprint, the Floatron F1 boasts some impressive hardware support. It has room for three SSDs/HDDs, ITX and mATX motherboards, tall CPU air coolers up to 185 mm in height, and graphics cards up to 350 mm long. The cooling potential is equally good, supporting up to nine case fans in total and featuring a 360 mm radiator in the top panel. darkFlash has also included a few builder-friendly touches to improve the user experience, featuring a tool-free side panel, a screwless clamshell design for easy access to your components

Available in both black and white, the Floatron F1 is offered in standard or back-connect editions. Both versions feature a modern front I/O, including a USB-C port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and an HD-Audio port.

KitGuru says: The darkFlash Floatron F1 appears to be an intriguing option for builders seeking a distinctive aesthetic without compromising on cooling potential. Do you like the aesthetics of darkFash's new case?

The post The darkFlash Floatron F1 case showcases fresh design in mATX format first appeared on KitGuru.

Asus has taken the wraps off its latest high-end professional display at the IBC 2025 trade show in Amsterdam. The new ProArt OLED PA27USD is a 27-inch monitor that combines a 4K QD-OLED panel with a suite of professional-grade features and connectivity, designed for content creators, video editors, and colour-critical work.

The new ProArt monitor (via Guru3D) features a 27-inch 4K QD-OLED panel that promises top-tier colour performance, with a claimed 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and true 10-bit colour depth. For professionals who demand accuracy right out of the box, each monitor is factory pre-calibrated to a Delta E value of less than one. The monitor also comes with a built-in colourimeter that supports automatic hardware calibration and is compatible with the major professional calibration suites from Calman and Light Illusion ColourSpace CMS. It supports multiple HDR formats, including HDR10 and HLG, with a peak brightness of 1000 nits.

What really sets the PA27USD apart from consumer displays is its I/O. In a move that will please video production professionals, Asus has included a 12G SDI input, a high-end connection rarely seen outside of dedicated and high-end production monitors. This is complemented by a Thunderbolt 4 port that provides video input and 96W of power delivery, as well as a second Thunderbolt 4 output for easy daisy-chaining of other devices. A built-in USB hub and standard HDMI ports are also included.

The monitor also comes with a fully flexible stand offering a choice of two different mounting options for optimal positioning, and an included screen hood helps to reduce reflections from ambient light.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: With such a feature set, the ProArt OLED PA27USD will likely be a bit too expensive for the majority of users. However, this same majority probably wouldn't need most of the features this monitor has.

The post Asus’s new ProArt OLED PA27USD comes with a rare 12G SDI port first appeared on KitGuru.

In a surprise announcement during the latest Nintendo Direct, developer Supergiant Games has confirmed that its critically acclaimed sequel, Hades II, is officially leaving early access. The full 1.0 version of the game is set to launch in just a couple of weeks, on September 25th.

Alongside the 1.0 launch on PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), the game will also be making its console debut on the Nintendo Switch and the new Switch 2. Supergiant has confirmed that the Switch 2 version will feature a high-performance mode, running at 120 fps when in TV Mode, while the original Switch will target 60 fps. For now, it appears to be a timed console exclusive, similar to the launch of the original game, with PlayStation and Xbox versions likely to follow later.

Moreover, the Switch versions will support cross-saves. This will allow players to seamlessly transfer their progress from PC save files to their Nintendo console, enabling them to take their progress on the go.

The game first launched into early access back in May 2024 and has been met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from both critics and players. Supergiant has been signalling that the 1.0 release was imminent, with a series of major updates over the past few months that have brought the game's content to completion.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you been waiting for Hades 2 v1.0 to play it, or have you already delved into it?

The post Hades 2 is leaving Early Access this month first appeared on KitGuru.

The long wait for Xbox and Nintendo fans is finally over. Square Enix has announced that the console exclusivity for its Final Fantasy VII Remake saga is ending. The first part of the trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch 2 on January 22, 2026.

In an even bigger reveal, Square Enix confirmed that this is not a one-off port. The entire trilogy, including the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and the currently in-development third and final game, are all confirmed to be launching on Xbox and Switch 2 in the future.

These new versions of Intergrade will also launch with a brand new “streamlined progression” setting. This is essentially a “god mode” that gives the player limitless HP, MP, and special attacks, with every hit dealing 9999 damage. Director Naoki Hamaguchi explained that this was added for “players who want to be able to enjoy the battles and exploration more casually while they really focus on that story”, effectively creating an easy story mode for those who find the hybrid combat system challenging.

Like the console and PC versions, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade bundles the original 2020 RPG with its Intermission DLC, which stars the fan-favourite ninja, Yuffie Kisaragi.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you already played Final Fantasy VII Remake? Will you do so now that it's coming to more platforms?

The post Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy confirmed for multiplatform release first appeared on KitGuru.

Hot on the heels of its wood-accented View 270 Plus WS, Thermaltake has unveiled another new case featuring a touch of natural material, the S370 WS. Unlike the previous release, which was a refresh of an existing model, this is a brand-new chassis design, featuring vertical wood slats on a high-airflow mesh front panel.

The S370 WS is a fairly large mid-tower with a sleek yet stylish design available in black and white. Vertical wood strips flank the mesh front panel, and the case itself is elevated on high feet, creating a large air gap underneath for bottom intake. One potentially divisive design choice is the placement of the front I/O ports, which are located at the very bottom of the front panel. This may be ideal for users who place their PC on their desk, but it could be awkward for those with floor-based setups.

Internally, the case is spacious, accommodating up to an E-ATX motherboard and 6x storage drives (4x 3.5″ + 2x 2.5″ or 1x 3.5W + 5x 2.5″). It's also fully compatible with modern back-connect motherboards for an ultra-clean build, but using one will render the 2x 3.5-inch drive bays unusable. There's plenty of clearance for high-end components, with support for GPUs up to 410 mm long and CPU air coolers up to 175 mm tall. The PCI brackets can also be rotated for vertical GPU mounting.

Cooling is clearly a priority, with four of Thermaltake's CT120 fans included right out of the box (three front, one rear). Additionally, there's space for five more 140/120 mm fans. For those looking to build a custom loop or use an AIO liquid cooler, the S370 WS can accommodate two 360 mm radiators simultaneously, one at the front and one at the top. The Thermaltake S370 WS is already available at some European retailers for €120.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: The wooden accent trend strikes once again, but on the S370 WS, it does so in a more conservative manner. Would you prefer a bit more of it or no wood at all?

The post Thermaltake launches yet another mid-tower with wooden accents first appeared on KitGuru.

In one of the most unexpected product updates we've seen in a long time, Intel has quietly added a new processor to its official Ark database. But this isn't a new Arrow Lake Refresh or a sneak peek at Nova Lake. Here, we're talking about the new Core i5-110, a 6-core CPU based on the five-year-old “Comet Lake” architecture and the venerable 14nm process node.

As first spotted by @momomo_us, the Core i5-110 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor for the older LGA1200 socket, featuring a base clock of 2.9 GHz and a maximum turbo of 4.3 GHz. It also features the integrated UHD Graphics 630. For all intents and purposes, this is a re-release of the Core i5-10400 from back in 2020, now with a new, somewhat confusing model number.

What makes this launch truly bizarre is the price. The Core i5-110 has a retail price of $200. In today's market, that is a tough sell, as Arrow Lake CPUs can be found for less.

KitGuru says: How do you feel about the ongoing trend of re-releasing CPUs for generations long-past? 

The post Intel Comet Lake-S reportedly set for a comeback first appeared on KitGuru.

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