It's been two years since NVIDIA introduced its Ada Lovelace GPUs, kicking things off with the RTX 4090 and finishing up the initial lineup with the SUPER family At CES, the company unveiled its new RTX 50 "Blackwell" family which features a brand new architecture and several changes such as new cores, AI accelerators, new memory standards, and the latest video/display capabilities. Today, NVIDIA is releasing the second fastest card within its "RTX 50" portfolio, the GeForce RTX 5080. The GeForce RTX 5080 is a top-of-the-line graphics card, designed for enthusiast gamers, and features a price point of $999 US […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/palit-geforce-rtx-5080-gamerock-oc-16-gb-gpu-review-rocking-looks/

Game Freak wrapped up the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet generation back in 2023 with the release of two expansions. Since then, we've been waiting on the next major Pokémon title to hit Nintendo consoles, and it looks like we'll get some much-needed details later this week. 

As is the case every February, The Pokémon Company will be hosting its own showcase stream. On the 27th of February at 2PM UK time, Pokemon Presents will go live once again, giving us a new look at the upcoming Pokemon Legends ZA, the next big open-world game that takes us back to an ancient version of the Pokemon region from the X & Y titles.

It is also worth noting that this year also marks the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. It is unclear if The Pokémon Company plans to do anything special to celebrate this, but given how beloved those original games are, I expect we'll get something. Perhaps some of those classic Pokémon games will finally become available on Nintendo Switch, something that fans have been asking for since the system first launched in 2017.

KitGuru Says: We'll no doubt be back next week reporting on the news as its announced, so stay tuned for that. 

Back in 2022, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto V: Expanded and Enhanced for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 consoles. The main addition? New graphical features like Ray Tracing. Now years later, and just ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, those graphical enhancements are finally coming to the PC version of GTA 5. 

Rockstar confirmed plans to release a GTA 5 PC graphics update in late 2024. Now, the update is ready and is freely available to all PC players. The update brings the game up to the same level as the newer Xbox Series X/S and PS5 versions of the game.

Below you can see some of the key highlights of the update:

• Ray tracing features only available on PC such as ambient occlusion and global illumination — plus ray traced shadows and reflections first debuted on consoles
• Support for AMD FSR1 and FSR3, and NVIDIA DLSS 3
• Faster loading times using SSD and DirectStorage on supported devices and configurations
• Enhanced support for higher resolutions, higher aspect ratios, and higher framerates
• DualSense® controller support, with adaptive triggers
• Enhanced audio with support for Dolby Atmos and improved fidelity of speech, cinematics, and music

Due to the new graphical enhancements, the recommended PC system requirements for GTA 5 have been updated – a rare sight for a decade-old game. To utilise the new features, you will want a system with at least an Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16GB of RAM and an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT graphics card.

This change also brings a whole bunch of new vehicles to the game, as well as access to GTA+, Rockstar's subscription service that grants monthly bonuses for GTA Online, as well as free access to classic games, like the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy, Bully and more.

KitGuru Says: Do you still play GTA Online regularly? Has it improved since Rockstar added anti-cheat? 

Valve has been putting a lot of its development resources into new projects in recent years. From Artifact and Dota Underworlds, to more successful releases like Half-Life Alyx and Counter-Strike 2. This has essentially meant that Team Fortress 2 has been left behind. Now, Valve has handed the keys to TF2 to the community.

Team Fortress 2 is now open source. The Team Fortress 2 Source SDK is now available. With this tool now available, people can essentially re-write Team Fortress 2, enabling game overhaul mods, new modes, new multiplayer experiences and more.

“Unlike the Steam Workshop or local content mods, this SDK gives mod makers the ability to change, extend or rewrite TF2, making anything from small tweaks to complete conversions possible”, Valve explains. “The SDK is licensed to users on a non-commercial basis, meaning that any mod created using the SDK must be free, and any content in those mods must be free. TF2 mods may be published on the Steam Store, and after publication will appear as new games in the Steam game list.”

Using TF2 as a base, developers could also create new game listings for the Steam Store. We've seen this happen with Half-Life projects in the past, like Black Mesa, a complete remake of the original Half-Life.

There is just one stipulation Valve has in place. As Workshop modders were responsible for a lot of in-game content for TF2 in the form of custom hats and other cosmetics, Valve does not want any developers to take those workshop items and then reutilise them for profit. It is unknown if Valve would make an exception for a developer willing to share a revenue split with the original workshop item creators.

KitGuru Says: With this move, I think we can safely say that there will be no more major content updates for Team Fortress 2. Now fans have to wonder – is Valve considering a Team Fortress 3?

It seems the wait for AMD's Ryzen 9 9000 series with 3D V-Cache might be over soon. Both the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X3D have just surfaced on Geekbench with single-core and multi-core benchmark scores.

The leaked Geekbench results shared by @Olrak29_(1, 2) show both CPUs tested on Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AXE motherboards with 32 GB of DDR5-4800 memory. The 9900X3D achieved 3,274 and 19,227 points in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively, while the 9950X3D scored 3,363 and 20,465.

Comparing these leaked results to the previous generation 7000X3D series reveals some interesting trends. The 9950X3D shows a roughly 15% improvement in single-core performance and a 4% gain in multi-core performance compared to the 7950X3D. The 9900X3D boasts a 14.5% increase in single-core and a 9.3% increase in multi-core performance relative to the 7900X3D.

While AMD officially announced these CPUs for release this quarter, they haven't provided specific launch dates. Rumours suggest that the 9950X3D and 9900X3D could launch alongside the RDNA4 GPUs, which makes sense strategically, especially if the RX 9070 XT proves to be AMD's flagship offering this generation. Pairing it with top-tier CPUs would create a compelling combination for customers.

KitGuru says: Were you expecting a bigger performance uplift on the new X3D processors, or do these values match your expectations?

EK has unveiled its next-generation EK-Quantum Velocity³ CPU water blocks. Designed for compatibility with AMD AM5 and Intel LGA 1700/1851 sockets, the Velocity³ offers a high level of customisation, allowing users to fine-tune their cooling setup for optimal performance and aesthetics.

One of the key innovations of the Velocity³ is its flexible design, enabling easy switching between Intel and AMD platforms with minimal adjustments. Users can reposition the jet plate alignment, cold plate, and mounting bracket to accommodate their chosen socket type. This adaptability ensures that the Velocity³ remains a viable cooling solution even if you decide to switch platforms in the future.

The customisation goes beyond mere socket compatibility. The Velocity³ allows for the rotation of internal components, adjustment of the heat spreader, and repositioning the ports, giving enthusiasts control over their liquid cooling setup. This level of flexibility caters to those who demand both performance and aesthetics, ensuring the Velocity³ integrates into any build.

Available in Plexi, Acetal (black), and White finishes, the Velocity³ features a sleek, modern design crafted from high-quality materials. Its optimised cooling engine delivers exceptional performance, boasting up to a 2°C improvement over previous EK water blocks. The EK-Quantum Velocity³ 1700/1851/AM5 is available for purchase now for €109.90 (all variants).

KitGuru says: Are you planning on building a new custom loop? Would you take a thorough look at the new EK-Quantum Velocity³ water blocks, or do you already have something else in mind?

Apple has officially unveiled its much-anticipated “budget-friendly” iPhone, the iPhone 16e. While rumours previously suggested it might be named “iPhone SE 4,” Apple has opted for a new moniker for its entry-level offering.

The iPhone 16e features an A18 SoC with four GPU cores (instead of five), likely paired with 8 GB of RAM, ensuring compatibility with Apple Intelligence features. As predicted, the design takes cues from the iPhone 13 era, with a 6.1-inch OLED display boasting a 460 ppi pixel density and a 12 MP TrueDepth camera with Face ID support. The mute toggle switch has been replaced with the new action button, and the phone incorporates Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the C1, promising significant efficiency gains.

The iconic notch remains, and on the back, there's a single 48 MP camera. Other notable features include a USB-C port (albeit with USB 2.0 speeds), an impressive 26 hours of video playback (up from 22 hours on the iPhone 16), an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and emergency SOS via satellite.

The iPhone 16e starting price is $599 for the 128GB model and will be available on February 28th. While this represents a price increase compared to the now-discontinued iPhone SE 3, which started at $429 for the 64 GB model, the iPhone 16e's array of new features and increased base storage arguably justify the premium.

KitGuru says: Were you waiting for Apple to launch a new “entry-level” smartphone? Are you planning on upgrading your current smartphone, or do you think Apple is asking too much for an “entry-level” device?

Following on from pre-release reviews yesterday, today the RTX 5070 Ti graphics card is launching to the masses globally. As we've seen with the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, stock may be hard to come by. If you are looking to pick up an RTX 5070 Ti as soon as possible in the UK, we've compiled a range of listings for you to choose from, with a particular light shown on GPUs that actually get close to the MSRP price tag. 

As we've already seen in the US, many RTX 5070 Ti models are already being marked up above MSRP pricing. While Nvidia's MSRP for this GPU is $750, there is no Founders Edition card for board partners to compete with, leading to a slew of $900 to $1000 versions of the RTX 5070 Ti. If you are seriously considering spending that kind of money on a new graphics card, be sure to check out a range of reviews first – here's our RTX 5070 Ti launch day review. So far, the general consensus seems to be that the RTX 5070 Ti is not worth its marked up price, but that could change from individual to individual based on when you last upgraded your graphics card. The jump is likely far more worth it to someone coming from an RTX 20 or a lower-tier RTX 30 GPU, compared to an RTX 40 graphics card.

The Asus Prime RTX 5070 Ti was supplied to reviewers in the US as an example of an MSRP-level card. Here in the UK, this graphics card is launching at £739 for the OC Edition. Pricing varies between Scan, eBuyer, OCUK and CLL, with Scan being the cheapest at the time of publishing.

On the MSI front, there are several listings for the RTX 5070 Ti Ventus 3X model, priced at £729.99. For Gigabyte, your best bet for a reasonable price is the Gigabyte RTX 5070 Ti Eagle model, which is coming in at £899.

Unfortunately, there are not many options available at launch for those wanting to only pay the MSRP price. PNY, Zotac and Gainward each have options available that come pretty close, with MSI being the cheapest with an MSRP-level £729.99 card.

Speaking of Scan, if you are looking to pick up an RTX 50 GPU, they have set up a very handy RTX 50 notification page with daily stock updates, as well as updates to currency conversion rates so customers know when to expect prices to rise or fall slightly.

Do note that all prices here are correct as of 2PM GMT on February 20th. Prices are subject to change due to a myriad of factors, chief of which is supply and demand, followed by currency conversion fluctuations.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of the RTX 5070 Ti launch? Will you be upgrading or avoiding this current generation until prices settle down? 

NVIDIA has lifted the embargo on non-MSRP cards, and today's ZOTAC is the company's highest-end RTX 5070 Ti offering. Presented for your inspection in this review is the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX…

NVIDIA's latest GPU is about to hit shelves, however briefly, and we were able to test out an ASUS PRIME ahead of the launch. And, as I sifted through the benchmark results,…

There have been many disappointed enthusiasts who have been unable to get hold of an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 graphics card since launch last month. In an effort to avoid scalpers buying up Founders Edition graphics cards, Nvidia has now set up a Verified Priority Access program. 

In a statement shared on the Nvidia forums today, Nvidia confirmed plans for the Verified Priority Access program, saying that it will give “a limited number of verified GeForce gamers and creators” an opportunity to buy one RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card from the Nvidia Marketplace.

To be eligible, you have to A) be in the US. B) have a registered Nvidia account from before January 30th. You can sign-up to be considered for it by filling out a form where you simply select which graphics card you are looking to buy and then tick a box to say that you agree to Nvidia verifying participation “based on region, configuration, games and app usage”. From the sounds of it, Nvidia will be targeting power users who have spent time engaging with Nvidia's services.

There is no word on whether or not this program will roll out worldwide, or if Nvidia will have plans to put something like this in place for future Founders Edition launches. It certainly would have helped a lot of enthusiasts avoid the stress of retail queues and scalpers driving prices up.

KitGuru Says: Do you think something like this should be in place for enthusiasts looking to upgrade moving forward? Do you want to see this program open up in Europe and other regions?

As they have done for years now, each week a new game or two are given away for free via the Epic Games Store for all those with an EGS account. From today, users can get their hands on the cute indie RGP Garden Story as well as Saber Interactive’s World War Z: Aftermath.

Available to add to your library from today until the 27th of February at 4pm, this week’s free titles are being headlined by World War Z: Aftermath. While this has been given away on the Epic Store in the past, in case you missed it back then, this Saber Interactive-developed co-op shooter functions similarly to that of the iconic Left4Dead series but with a 3rd-person perspective.

As expected, the game throws massive swarms of zombies all clumped together at you with intent to kill. Featuring a number of different and unique classes, you and three other friends can buddy up and take on its co-op story driven campaigns which take you all across the world.

World War Z: Aftermath is the complete version of the game, and so if you aren’t one of the 15 million who've already experienced this title, now is as good a time as any.

Garden Story meanwhile is a cute indie RPG in which you must “unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove”. Think of it kind of like Stardew Valley except you play as a grape.

Both World War Z: Aftermath and Garden Story are available to claim from today at 4PM UK time.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offerings? Have you tried World War Z: Aftermath in the past? What’s your favourite fruit? Let us know down below.

Just yesterday, we reported on the possibility of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series returning, thanks to one professional skater who let slip that he is in an upcoming ‘remaster’ of the series. It seems as though this will indeed be the case, as following his claims leakers have now revealed that THPS 3+4 is set to be officially announced this June.

As reported by known industry insider eXtas1s, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is planned to be shadow dropped by Microsoft during the company’s Xbox Games Showcase in June. According to the insider, this release will launch simultaneously on PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5 – marking another first-party Xbox title headed to PlayStation.

For the uninitiated, following the success of 2020’s Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 (which went on to become the fastest-selling entry in the franchise), studio Vicarious Visions were working on a similar remake for the 3rd and 4th entries…until it was cancelled by Activision.

Given the fact that Vicarious Visions has since been absorbed and renamed to Blizzard Albany, it is unknown which studio has been tasked with this remake – though hopefully the Albany team were involved in some way.

As mentioned, just yesterday professional skater Tyshawn Jones revealed that “I’m in a Tony Hawk coming out, that’s cool. They got a new one they remastering so that’s about to come out, I was in the last one”. With collaborators and now leakers reporting on this remaster, it seems as though we might finally be getting the previously-ill-fated Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the return of THPS? Which game in the series is your all-time favourite? Which studio do you think is working on the remake? Let us know down below.

Each month, Sony updates its PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium libraries with a new line-up of titles. Similarly, every month a number of games are also removed from the service. With February’s line-up now available to claim, the console maker has revealed that 10 titles are set to leave the service in a month’s time.

In going to the PlayStation Plus tab on your PS5, you’ll find a list of 10 titles under the ‘Last Chance to Play’ section. Leaving the service at some point in March (likely around the 18th) are the following:

• Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6
• Resident Evil 3 Remake
• DBZ Kakarot
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
• Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R
• Life is Strange True Colors
• Life is Strange 2 Complete Season
• Final Fantasy Type-O HD
• Street Fighter 5 Champion Edition
• Mortal Kombat 11

Fighting game fans might be disappointed to see 3 major titles leaving PS Plus, with Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R stinging particularly hard. In addition, it is interesting to see two Life is Strange titles being removed given the fact that the brand new Lost Records: Bloom and Rage has been added as a day-one release onto the service.

If you have not yet caught up with the Life is Strange series, you might want to give the two departing titles a go before they’re removed. Fortunately, both entries are relatively short affairs, and so you should have plenty of time to complete them.

In case you missed it, February’s PS Plus Extra/Premium titles are now available on the service, including the likes of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor; TopSpin 2K25 and Patapon 3. The full list can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of February’s PS Plus additions? What about the games set to leave? Will you try to finish any of these games before they’re gone? Let us know down below.

Back in May of last year, the team at Supergiant Games surprise-dropped the early access launch of Hades II. Since then, the game has seen one major content update alongside a bunch of smaller patches. Finally, Supergiant Games are back with Hades II’s 2nd major update – bringing new levels, gods, boons, revamped menus and a whole lot more.

Making the announcement, the team at Supergiant Games officially released and detailed their latest ‘Warsong Update’ writing:

“Our second Major Update has arrived, featuring the final confrontation of the surface route, one last Olympian and all his Boons, a new Animal Familiar to bond with, streamlined resource gathering, plenty of new music and artwork, and more! We're excited to know what you think, and will be monitoring feedback in the coming weeks to ensure these latest additions are working properly.”

The full list of patch notes can be found HERE, but some of the more interesting/notable changes include:

• More than 2,000 new voice lines and new events
• New final confrontation
• New Olymian (Ares) plus boons
• Revamped boons
• Revamped Altar of Ashes
• New and reworked keepsakes
• New enemies
• Revamped special encounters
• Much much more

In case you haven’t been keeping up with Hades II’s early access release, each major update has been huge for the game, not only in terms of new content, but how the currently available content is dished out and used.

Weapons and boons in particular have seen a great deal of changes over the months, and so it will be interesting to see how the Warsong Update switches up the gameplay formula. If you have yet to give Hades II a chance, now might be the best time to do so ahead of its full 1.0 release.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? Will you be heading back into Hades II? What’s been your favourite weapon to use thus far? Let us know down below.