↩ Accueil

Vue normale

Aujourd’hui — 27 février 2025KitGuru

Former Metro devs reveal new Sci-Fi horror IP ‘La Quimera’

27 février 2025 à 17:30

4A Games is making some internal changes. Previously, 4A Games spanned multiple teams, including a studio based in Ukraine. With 4A Games Ukraine now spinning off to work on a new IP, the studio is rebranding. Now known as Reburn, the studio has revealed an all-new game – La Quimera. 

La Quimera (translated as ‘The Chimera' in English), is a new Sci-Fi shooter built by former developers behind the Metro games. Set in Latin America (hence the Spanish title), the game promises an all-new campaign written by Nicolas Winding Refn, who previously wrote Drive and The Neon Demon.

The game will intertwine Latin American folklore with ‘advanced weaponry and technology' influenced by Sci-Fi properties. It is quite the mash up that promises to deliver equal parts horror and action.

The studio behind the game, Reburn, currently has around 110 employees, many of whom have experience working on the Metro and Stalker games. It is also worth noting that while previously part of 4A Games, Reburn is actually an independent studio. Their new game can already be wishlisted on Steam, but there is no release date at this time.

KitGuru Says: As a huge fan of Metro and Stalker, I'll be looking forward to this. The game has already been in development for five years at this stage, so I've got my fingers crossed for a 2025 launch. 

The post Former Metro devs reveal new Sci-Fi horror IP ‘La Quimera’ first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD is bundling Monster Hunter Wilds with range of Ryzen CPUs and Radeon GPUs

27 février 2025 à 17:01

AMD has done very well with its hardware game bundles in recent years and that isn't stopping in 2025. This week, AMD has launched its latest hardware bundle, offering up free copies of Capcom's highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds. 

If you are thinking of buying a Ryzen 9000 or Ryzen 7000 series CPU, or a Radeon graphics card, you could be eligible to receive a free copy of Monster Hunter Wilds. On the CPU side, the list of eligible products for this promotion includes:

  • Ryzen 9 9950X
  • Ryzen 9 9900X
  • Ryzen 9 7950X
  • Ryzen 9 7900X
  • Ryzen 7 9700X
  • Ryzen 7 7700X
  • Ryzen 7 7700
  • Ryzen 5 9600X

If you are in the market for a graphics card instead, then you're in luck. The bundle also applies to Radeon RX 7700 XT, RX 7900 XT, RX 7900 XT and RX 7900 XTX graphics cards.

At this point in time, the upcoming Radeon RX 9070 series GPUs are not included in the promotion but we expect that to change when they actually become available in the coming weeks.

This bundle will be running for quite a while, so you have some time to claim it. The bundle will be live until the 26th of April. You can find the list of participating retailers, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up a new AMD CPU or GPU soon? Will you be taking advantage of the Monster Hunter Wilds bundle? 

 

The post AMD is bundling Monster Hunter Wilds with range of Ryzen CPUs and Radeon GPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Cooler Master’s new Hybrid M doubles as a massage chair

27 février 2025 à 16:15

Cooler Master is well known for its peripherals, PC cases, CPU coolers and even gaming monitors. This week, they are adding gaming chairs to that list, but this isn't your standard racing seat affair. Instead, Cooler Master has opted to release one of the few gaming chairs on the market with a massage function. 

The new Hybrid M chair from Cooler Master has one big selling point that sets it apart from others on the market. The Hybrid M comes with its own massage function with a number of settings to target key muscle groups. Precision massage heads are used and Cooler Master has also taken extra steps to make sure they don't get too noisy. When not in use, the massage heads completely retract to preserve the sleek gaming chair aesthetic.

Speaking on the new chair, Cooler Master CEO, Jimmy Sha, said: “We saw a big opportunity to do more for our customers. Gamers, creators, and enthusiasts are multitaskers— they balance work, play, and creativity every day. So why not offer them a chair that multitasks, too? The Hybrid M provides premium comfort with its ergonomic design while delivering a variety of massage programs that rejuvenate the body and keep users performing at their best.”

The Hybrid M features a 14,400 mAh rechargeable power bank to power the massage system, so you'll need to charge it up once in a while depending on how often you use it. The upside to this is you won't need to run a cable from your chair to an electrical outlet and potentially hinder your movement. Using Cooler Master's mobile app, you can also create your own presets and customise settings.

Here are some of the key features of the Cooler Master Hybrid M chair:

  • Ergonomic 3D armrests, an integrated headrest, and a magnetic lumbar support provide optimal comfort and adjustability.
  • MuscleFlex mesh backrest and perforated PU seat base enhance breathability, ensuring long-lasting comfort.
  • Cold-molded foam cushioning adapts to the user’s body shape, offering tailored ergonomic support.
  • A reinforced steel frame and aluminum base ensure lasting structural integrity, built to withstand years of use.

The Cooler Master Hybrid M will be available starting this week, priced at €899.99.

KitGuru Says: I do like this idea, but I would also like to see more gaming chairs offering a retractable footrest to go with the common recline function. Add one of those and this would potentially be one of the most comfortable, do-it-all chairs on the market. 

The post Cooler Master’s new Hybrid M doubles as a massage chair first appeared on KitGuru.

Halo, Balatro and more join GeForce Now this week

27 février 2025 à 15:30

The next wave of games heading to GeForce Now have been announced. This week will see seven games joining the library, including the PC Game Pass version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and the deck-building rogue-like hit, Balatro. 

Balatro was one of the best games of 2024 and has only grown in popularity since thanks to the release of console and mobile ports. Just this week, the game landed on PC Game Pass, so now, you can freely stream it via GeForce Now. The Steam & Xbox App versions of Halo: The Master Chief Collection are also joining the library, so you can finish the fight anytime, on any device.

Here are the games joining GeForce Now this week:

  • Balatro (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • The Evil Within 2 (Epic Games Store, Steam, and Xbox available on PC Game Pass)
  • Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • Murky Divers (Steam)
  • Somerville (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)

Nvidia has also given us a preview of what's coming to GeForce Now next month. There are 17 guaranteed games, excluding any surprises that may pop up in the coming weeks:

  • Dragonkin: The Banished  (New release on Steam Mar. 6)
  • Split Fiction (New release on EA App and Steam, Mar. 6)
  • Split Fiction: Friend’s Pass  (New release on EA App and Steam, Mar. 6 App)
  • Assassin's Creed Shadows (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, Mar. 20)
  • Wreckfest 2 (New release on Steam, Mar. 20)
  • Killing Floor 3 (New Release on Steam, Mar. 25)
  • Atomfall (New release on Steam and Xbox available on PC Game Pass, Mar. 27)
  • The First Berserker: Khazan (New Release on Steam, Mar. 27
  • inZOI (New release on Steam, Mar. 28)
  • City Transport Simulator: Tram (Steam)
  • Dave the Diver (Steam)
  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II (Steam)
  • Motor Town: Behind The Wheel (Steam)
  • Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (Steam)

KitGuru Says: Are you thinking of subscribing to GeForce Now for a month to give it a try?

The post Halo, Balatro and more join GeForce Now this week first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia rolls out new Game Ready driver for Monster Hunter Wilds

27 février 2025 à 15:00

Monster Hunter Wilds is launching this week, complete with support for DLSS and other RTX features. As a result, it is also time for a new Game Ready driver.

The latest Nvidia Game Ready driver is now available to download. This update brings a few notable additions. For starters, we have day-one optimisations for Monster Hunter Wilds, which launches tomorrow with support for DLSS Frame Generation, Ray-Traced Reflections and Nvidia Reflex to reduce latency.

The second big addition is Multi-Frame Generation support for NARAKA: Bladepoint. The PvP game now supports Nvidia's RTX 50-exclusive Multi-Frame Gen technology to boost frame rates further. According to Nvidia's own tests, the RTX 5090 can run the game at over 900 frames per second at 1080p with Multi-Frame Gen enabled.

This week's driver update also adds support for 29 more G-Sync Compatible displays, including models from Acer, AOC, Asus, LG and Philips. You can find full details on that, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you picking up Monster Hunter Wilds tomorrow? Have you installed the new driver in preparation? 

The post Nvidia rolls out new Game Ready driver for Monster Hunter Wilds first appeared on KitGuru.

8bitdo unveils the Ultimate 2 wireless controller with TMR joysticks

27 février 2025 à 14:00

8BitDo is expanding its controller lineup with an interesting product, the Ultimate 2 Wireless. This new gamepad introduces cutting-edge “TMR” (tunneling magnetoresistance) technology for its thumbsticks, promising precision and responsiveness that surpasses even the most advanced Hall effect sensors.

Hall effect sensors have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their resistance to stick drift, but TMR technology represents a significant leap forward. TMR sensors offer superior sensitivity and responsiveness by using tiny electromagnets to detect thumbstick position, which will help it become the new standard for gaming controllers.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is designed for PC and Android platforms. This is a notable departure for 8BitDo, whose original Ultimate controller was specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch. The upcoming release of the Switch 2 might explain this shift in focus, as the company may be holding back on new products for the aging Nintendo console.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless has a magnetic charging station and a wireless 2.4GHz USB dongle. Thanks to its “8Speed” wireless technology, the Ultimate 2 offers a 1000Hz polling rate in wireless and wired connections. Further enhancing its versatility, the controller features trigger mode switches that users can adjust the trigger travel distance, enabling faster presses for competitive gaming. Two back buttons and an additional set of bumpers provide further customization options, all programmable to execute your preferred in-game actions.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless is one of the few controllers to feature TMR joysticks, but from what we know, it's the cheapest. Priced at £49.99/$59.99, it's now available to pre-order in black, white and blue.

KitGuru says: Are you in the market for a new PC controller? Does the new 8bitdo Ultimate 2 meet your criteria?

The post 8bitdo unveils the Ultimate 2 wireless controller with TMR joysticks first appeared on KitGuru.

Biwin launches the world’s first dual EXPO profile DDR5 memory

27 février 2025 à 13:15

Biwin has partnered with OC Lab to launch the new OC Lab Gold Edition DW100 RGB DDR5 memory kits, the world's first dual EXPO profile DDR5 memory sticks. Whether you choose the EXPO DDR5-8000 CL34/36 profile or the DDR5-6400 CL28 profile, changing between the two is as simple as flipping a switch.

According to TechPowerUP, the Biwin OC Lab Gold Edition DW100 DDR5-8000 is available in CL34 and CL36 with a 32GB (2x 16GB) capacity. For those seeking a balance of speed and responsiveness, the kits also include a secondary EXPO profile at DDR5-6400 CL28, prioritising low latency for smoother gameplay and faster application loading.

Biwin claims these kits have undergone rigorous tests and die selection to minimise the trade-off between frequency and latency that often plagues high-performance memory. The company added that these modules can be manually overclocked even further, reaching an impressive 8400 MT/s with CL34 latency. The secondary EXPO profile at DDR5-6400 CL28 adds another layer of versatility. Optimised timings and efficient voltage control provide further overclocking headroom while maintaining stability, allowing users to achieve even lower latencies. As per Biwin, reaching 8000MT/s at CL30 and 6400MT/s at CL26 under optimal conditions is possible.

Beyond raw performance, the Biwin OC Lab Gold Edition DW100 prioritises stability and reliability. A sophisticated 10-layer PCB design minimises electromagnetic interference and ensures stable data transmission. An unlocked PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit) dynamically adjusts voltage based on demand, guaranteeing consistent power delivery and aiding in thermal management. The three-fin heat spreader design further enhances cooling, maintaining optimal operating temperatures even under heavy loads. Stress testing at 1.45V and 1.50V revealed average temperatures below 50°C, showcasing the kit's exceptional thermal performance.

The Biwin OC Lab Gold Edition DW100 series also makes a visual statement with its sleek black design accented by gold elements, adding a touch of luxury to any build. Customisable RGB lighting with eight zones allows further personalisation, creating a cohesive and dynamic aesthetic. These new kits will join the Biwin DW100 family and will be available in late March, starting at $169.

KitGuru says: Should other companies follow the approach of adding distinct EXPO profiles for different use cases?

The post Biwin launches the world’s first dual EXPO profile DDR5 memory first appeared on KitGuru.

NetEase responds to Marvel Rivals layoffs

27 février 2025 à 12:30

In the past week, Marvel Rivals saw its first major controversy when it was revealed that one of the support studios for the highly-successful live-service title was pulled from the project, with its developers being laid off as a result. In the wake of this, publisher NetEase has shared its latest fiscal earnings reports, with revenue surpassing $11 Billion.

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings report, NetEase revealed that during FY2024 the publisher made over $11.5 billion in revenue. Of course, this didn’t all come from the success of Marvel Rivals, but the live-service hero shooter was certainly a major component – with them confirming the title has been downloaded over 40 million times so far.

In discussing Marvel Rivals specifically, during the company’s conference call CEO Ding Lei stated: “If we launch a game product that isn't suited for market demand, we will aggressively and decisively discontinue it; we will also boost our investment in projects that meet quality and efficiency standards.”

NetEase Marvel Rivals

Lei continued, “Game production is time-consuming and it may take three or more years to ship a game. So, during the entire process, from the start of the project to its completion, it is critical to constantly adapt to the market. Depending on the circumstances, support for a project may be increased or withdrawn entirely.”

The lack of a more concrete and candid response is a shame to see, but not surprising. Hopefully this won’t be the last time that NetEase addresses this disturbing situation.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the whole Marvel Rivals situation? Has it soured your opinion of the game? Let us know down below.

The post NetEase responds to Marvel Rivals layoffs first appeared on KitGuru.

Nacon Connect 2025 officially announced

27 février 2025 à 11:45

In the past few years, publisher Nacon has developed a following thanks to their string of unique and fun games which typically manage to do a lot on a AA budget. As part of their annual tradition, the publisher/accessories manufacturer has confirmed their next Nacon Connect is set to go live in a week’s time.

Releasing a teaser trailer onto YouTube, the team at Nacon officially announced the 2025 edition of their Nacon Connect livestream.

Set to go live on the 6th of March at 6PM UK time, the stream will include many upcoming games, including but not limited to:

  • Hell is Us
  • Edge of Memories
  • Dragonkin: The Banished

Being a hardware manufacturer, fans can also expect a couple new accessory announcements – in particular on the controller front.

As mentioned, Nacon has amassed a reputation in recent years for their high quality AA releases. That said, the publisher has had a few stinkers in the past, most recently the critically panned Lord of the Rings: Gollum.

On the other hand, the company has also been responsible for the likes of The Sinking City; the WRC series; Steelrising and RoboCop: Rogue City – so all-in-all a mixed bag, but an interesting one nonetheless.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the showcase? What are your expectations for Hell is Us? What’s your favourite 3rd party accessory manufacturer? Let us know down below.

The post Nacon Connect 2025 officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Apex Legends reportedly trying to replace its voice actors with AI

27 février 2025 à 11:00

Call of Duty recently saw itself in some hot water when it was discovered that a number of the game’s voice actors were replaced in response to their requests for protections against AI. Unfortunately, it seems as though wanting to replace VAs with AI is the latest trend, as EA’s Apex Legends has now found itself in a similar controversy.

As posted by the French voice actor for Apex Legends character Wraith (Pascale Chemin), the artist claimed that a new agreement was shared which would require the actors to allow for their performances to be used for generative AI purposes, writing on Instagram (as translated by ResetEra user Rouk’):

“Before being even called in for a recording session of a video game, the studio sent me (and the 31 other VA in the casting) a mail containing an annex of confidentiality and handover directly from the publisher. I needed to accept these terms before being able to go work. I thought so when I read through them and a legal expert specialised in audiovisual confirmed it: these terms weren't acceptable. I was now forced to give up the role I had been working on for almost 6 years. In no way could I force the rest of the casting members to do the same, but one thing was certain: if we all refused, it could maybe have an impact. Otherwise, it would have been in vain.”

Apex Legends voice

Chemin continued, “Without any hesitation, the 31 other VAs all refused to sign this annex. We wrote a collective letter of refusal that we sent to the publisher and are waiting for an answer. If we aren't united now so that a clause that protects our voices can be officially added in our contracts – and not just for us here, but for every video game dubbing studios – we'll never get one and we'll be heading for a disaster.”

The message concluded with: “Of course, to refuse to work in the present day is nonsensical. There is barely any work available for some (many) of us, if any, and we are increasingly struggling with money. Yes, a salary would be welcome. But we aren't simply asked to work. We are asked to give up our expertise to train the generative AI that will replace us tomorrow. We are asked to agree to what we specifically fight against. We are asked to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are asked to support AI.”

While the VA didn’t explicitly name the game being referred to, the claim that the title released 6 years ago (and the list of other French VA’s named) all but confirms that they are referring to Apex Legends.

As mentioned, it seems as though all major game publishers are now pushing for any and all uses of AI in their games for the sake of money. Hopefully those affected continue to speak out against it.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the recent influx of generative AI? Will this cause the bursting of this current gaming bubble? Let us know down below.

The post Apex Legends reportedly trying to replace its voice actors with AI first appeared on KitGuru.

Biwin Black Opal X570 PRO 4TB Gen5 SSD Review

27 février 2025 à 10:16

Biwin has entered the Gen5 SSD arena with the X570 PRO, a drive which sits in the company's Black Opal premium gaming product line. Rated at up to 14,000MB/s for Sequential reads, it is the current flagship of the company's SSD range.

Powered by a Silicon Motion SM2508 8-channel controller, the X570 PRO uses 232-layer 3D TLC NAND together with an LPDDR4 DRAM cache chip (the size of which is based on drive capacity at the ratio of 1GB per 1TB). At launch, the X570 PRO range consists of three capacities; 1TB, 2TB and a flagship 4TB (the drive we are reviewing here) model.

Biwin rates the Sequential read performance of all three capacities as up to 14,000MB/s. As for Sequential writes, the 1TB and 2TB drives are rated up to 13,000MB/s and the 1TB drive, 10,500MB/s.

Random reads are quoted as up to 2000K IOPS for the 4TB and 2TB drives with the 1TB drive getting a rating of up to 1600K IOPS. Random writes are quoted as up to 1600K IOPS for all three drives.

The endurance figures quoted for the range are impressive with the 4TB drive getting a 3,000 TBW rating, 1,500 TBW for the 1TB drive and 750 TBW for the 1TB model. The drives are backed by a 5-year warranty.

Physical Specifications:

  • Usable Capacities:  4TB.
  • NAND Components: 232-layer TLC NAND.
  • NAND Controller: Silicon Motion SM2508.
  • Cache: 4GB LPDDR4.
  • Interface: PCIe Gen 5 x4, NVMe 2.0.
  • Form Factor:  M.2 2280.
  • Dimensions: 80 x 22 x 2.5 mm.
  • Drive Weight: 9g.

Firmware Version: FWX1221A

The post Biwin Black Opal X570 PRO 4TB Gen5 SSD Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Angry Bird studio’s Sonic Rumble has been delayed to Spring

27 février 2025 à 10:15

Sonic Rumble is SEGA’s take on the party game genre, with the upcoming free-to-play title adapting the Fall Guys style of gameplay – but with a heavy dosage of Sonic. Initially planned to release sometime during this past Winter season, the team has now confirmed that Sonic Rumble is instead launching in Spring.

Making the announcement on the game’s official site, SEGA confirmed that “Sonic Rumble is coming this spring! Before it crosses the global release finish line, we're packing it with some exciting new content and features to deliver the best experience for our players.”

They continued, “We would like to extend a huge thank you to our players and Sonic fans for their patience in waiting for the global launch of Sonic Rumble. The team is committed to delivering a memorable experience for Sonic fans with even more new game mechanics, new features, and more exciting content to look forward to.”

Sonic Rumble Spring

Alongside the delay, the team shared an updated roadmap, showcasing some of the features planned ahead of and during the global launch, including but not limited to:

  • Quick Rumble (single round quick play)
  • Rival Rank (ranked mode)
  • New Crews feature (aka clans)

Given that this is the first game from the Angry Birds team (Rovio) since they were acquired by SEGA, it will be interesting to see how Sonic Rumble performs when it launches on mobile and PC some time this Spring.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Sonic Rumble? Could it be a success? What’s your favourite Sonic mobile game? Let us know down below.

The post Angry Bird studio’s Sonic Rumble has been delayed to Spring first appeared on KitGuru.

be quiet! launches Pure Rock 3 CPU cooler

27 février 2025 à 09:27

be quiet! is breathing new life into its popular Pure Rock CPU cooler series with the launch of five new models: Pure Rock 3 Black, Pure Rock 3 LX, Pure Rock Pro 3 Silver, Pure Rock Pro 3 Black, and Pure Rock Pro 3 LX. This refresh introduces exciting new features, including the company's first foray into dual-tower air coolers for mainstream systems, new fan configurations, and enhanced compatibility with the latest CPUs.

Leading the charge are the Pure Rock Pro 3 models, marking be quiet!'s first dual-tower air coolers designed for mainstream users. Despite their compact size, these coolers boast a 250W TDP, thanks to a combination of six high-performance heat pipes, a nickel-plated base, and optimised fan configurations. The standard Pro 3 has a silver and black aesthetic, while the Pro 3 Black offers an all-black stealthy look. Both models feature two Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fans with funnel-shaped air inlets for enhanced airflow and quiet operation. The Pro 3 LX, also sporting an all-black design, comes equipped with two Light Wings LX 120mm PWM fans, featuring ARGB lighting while packing similar cooling performance. Even at full speed, all Pure Rock Pro 3 models maintain a maximum noise level of 34.8 dB(A).

Thanks to a user-friendly mounting kit, installation is a breeze. The asymmetrical design and adjustable front fan height ensure excellent compatibility with RAM and VRM heatsinks. AMD AM5 users can use the offset mounting option, which centers the cooler's base plate over the CPU's hotspots for optimal thermal performance. Moreover, the Pure Rock Pro 3 coolers can be used with liquid metal thermal paste for those looking to improve their cooling setup further.

For those seeking a more traditional single-tower design, be quiet! offers the Pure Rock 3 Black and Pure Rock 3 LX. Both models feature an all-black aesthetic and four high-performance 6mm heat pipes with HDT technology, delivering a 190W TDP cooling capacity suitable for many modern CPUs. The Pure Rock 3 Black includes a pre-installed Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fan, while the Pure Rock 3 LX has a Light Wings LX 120mm fan with customisable ARGB lighting, complementing the all-black heatsink and heat pipes. Given they only come with one fan, the noise level is lower, as both models generate no more than 31.2 dB(A) at maximum fan speed.

Installation is straightforward, thanks to a pre-installed mounting bridge and convenient screw placement. Offset mounting is also supported to enhance compatibility with the latest AMD Ryzen CPUs. The Pure Rock 3's compact footprint maximises compatibility with RAM and VRM heatsinks, making it an ideal choice for space-constrained builds. The entire Pure Rock 3 lineup will be available for purchase starting March 11th starting at £27.99/$34.90/€34.90.

KitGuru says: Of all new Puro Rock 3 CPU coolers, would you consider any as an upgrade for your setup?

The post be quiet! launches Pure Rock 3 CPU cooler first appeared on KitGuru.

Klevv CRAS C910 2TB SSD Review

27 février 2025 à 09:30

Klevv's CRAS C910 is a Gen 4 SSD aimed at the mainstream market. It combines decent performance at a competitive price point, landing at under $100 for the 2TB model we are reviewing today. UK availability is more scarce, but is this drive one to consider?

The CRAS C910 model range consists of four capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB (the drive we are reviewing here), and a flagship 4TB model. The drive uses Essencore-branded 3D TLC NAND, which is looked after by a Realtek RTS5772DL, a PCIe 4 x4 eight-channel controller with a rated interface speed of up to 1600MT/s.

Klevv rates the C910 Sequential read performance as up to 5,000MB/s for the 500GB and 1TB drives and up to 5,200MB/s for the 2TB and 4TB models. Sequential writes are quoted as up to 3,700MB/s for the 500GB drive and up to 4,800MB/s for the other three models.

Random 4K read performance is rated as up to 545,000 IOPS for the 500GB drive, 620,000 IOPS (the fastest of the range) for the 1TB drive, up to 560,000 IOPS for the 2TB drive and 540,000 IOPS for the 4TB drive. When it comes to random writes, the 1TB and 2TB drives are the fastest at up to 615,000 IOPS, next up is the 4TB drive at up to 600,000 IOPS and the 500GB drive gets 510,000 IOPS.

The endurance for the 2TB drive is rated as 1,400 TBW.

Physical Specifications:

  • Usable Capacities: 2TB.
  • NAND Components: Essencore 3D TLC NAND.
  • NAND Controller: Realtek RTS5772DL.
  • Cache: none, HMB technology.
  • Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4, NVMe 1.4.
  • Form Factor: M.2, 2280.
  • Dimensions: 80 x 22 x 3.4mm (with heatshield).
  • Drive Weight: 10g (with heatshield).

Firmware Version: VF001C4E.

The post Klevv CRAS C910 2TB SSD Review first appeared on KitGuru.
Hier — 26 février 2025KitGuru

FSP debuts its most efficient power supply yet – the Mega Ti

26 février 2025 à 19:00

FSP has impressed us greatly with its latest generation PCIe 5.0 power supplies. The company is launching its most efficient yet with the new MEGA TI PSU series, offering up to 1650W capacity, ATX 3.1 compliancy and dual PCIe 12V-2×6 connectors for the latest generation graphics cards.

The MEGA TI series is built for uncompromising performance, featuring Interleaved PFC topology and high-performance MOSFETs and SiC diodes from Infineon for exceptional power regulation. With FSP’s proprietary Micro Tolerance Load Control technology, voltage regulation is maintained at an ultra-precise ±0.5%, surpassing Intel’s ATX 3.1 standards. Certified with 80 PLUS Titanium and Cybenetics Titanium ratings, these PSUs ensure minimal power loss, lower heat output, and near-silent operation, making them an optimal choice for high-performance systems.

To ensure support for the latest generation graphics cards, the Mega TI PSU series features two PCIe 12V-2×6 connectors, alongside additional 8-pin options. The PSU features a fully modular design, so you only need to plug in the cables you need, reducing clutter in your case. As far as noise goes, the FSP MEGA Ti PSU is one of the first to achieve the Cybenetics LAMBDA 230V A++ certification for offering best-in-class acoustic performance.

As you would expect from a high-end PSU, these units are built with high-quality Japanese capacitors, and feature a host of protection measures, including OCP, OVP, SCP, OPP, UVP and OTP.

The FSP Mega Ti 1350W PSU will be available priced at $399 and the 1650W version will go for $459, not including taxes.

KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a high-capacity power supply for a new build? Are you considering FSP for it? 

The post FSP debuts its most efficient power supply yet – the Mega Ti first appeared on KitGuru.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater PC system requirements revealed

26 février 2025 à 18:30

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the eagerly anticipated remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, is due to launch in late August, so it is a bit soon to be talking about PC system requirements. Still, that hasn't stopped Konami from releasing PC specs well ahead of time, and confirming that the game will require a ray-tracing capable graphics card. 

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will have ray-traced lighting by default, meaning you'll need at least an RTX 20 series GPU, or an AMD RX 6000 series GPU in order to play. This isn't uncommon in the current gaming landscape, as other major titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Star Wars Outlaws have also launched with ray-traced lighting effects as the default option. As a result, the need for an RTX series or AMD equivalent GPU is growing by the day, leaving those still running on a GTX series GPU, or an older AMD Radeon GPU in a difficult position.

In the table below you can find the full minimum and recommended PC system requirements for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. At this point in time, Konami does not have an AMD graphics card listed but we expect that to change closer to the August launch date for the game.

Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10, Windows 11 (64-bit OS required) Windows 10, Windows 11 (64-bit OS required)
Processor Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Memory 16GB RAM 16GB RAM
Graphics RTX 2060 Super (or newer) RTX 3080 (or newer)
DirectX Version 12 Version 12
Storage 100GB 100GB
Additional notes SDD recommended SDD recommended

Like most other modern games too, the install size is large, coming in at 100GB and an SSD is recommended. While many modern games can still be played on a hard drive, issues like crashes, stutter, mismanaged textures and others are much more noticeable when running today's storage and memory-hungry games on an HDD.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will release for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on the 28th of August.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up the MGS 3 remake? What do you think of the PC system requirements?

The post Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater PC system requirements revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

Xbox Studios head confirms multiplatform strategy amid rumours of Fable for PS5

26 février 2025 à 18:00

The latest episode of the Official Xbox Podcast has dropped, and it has brought around one particularly big headline – Fable has been delayed from 2025 to 2026. As it turns out, this could have something to do with Microsoft's evolving multiplatform strategy, as rumour has it that Fable will now launch on PC, Xbox and PS5 simultaneously. 

During Microsoft's battle with the FTC to secure permission to acquire Activision Blizzard and the Call of Duty IP, Microsoft made it clear that it had no plans to make Call of Duty exclusive and spent much time painting the picture that exclusives are actually bad for business. In 2024, Microsoft took things a step further, bringing titles like Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment and Grounded to rival console platforms. since then, titles like Forza Horizon 5, Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones have also been confirmed for release on PS5.

Speaking on Microsoft's expanding multiplatform games strategy, Xbox Game Studios head, Craig Duncan, said on the latest Xbox Podcast that this approach is “good for gamers” and that it is “good for our studios”. Microsoft's approach now is to give its first-party games “the chance to reach the broadest audience possible”, which means taking a step back from its singular device approach to include the likes of PS5 and Nintendo Switch, as well as PCs.

Interestingly, it has been claimed by a few sources that Fable, which was just pushed back from 2025 to 2026, was already planned to come to PS5 next year. As a result, it is now expected that Fable will be one of the first Xbox titles to launch on PC, Xbox and PS5 simultaneously, doing away with the ‘timed exclusive' approach we've seen from Microsoft so far with titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The iffy part? Microsoft still wants to sell Xbox consoles and is planning a new generation, which seems somewhat pointless given the company's SEGA-style approach moving forward.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Would you still buy an Xbox console if Microsoft were to start bringing its first-party games to rival consoles day-and-date with PC and Xbox? 

The post Xbox Studios head confirms multiplatform strategy amid rumours of Fable for PS5 first appeared on KitGuru.

Monster Hunter Wilds preloading now live, global unlock times announced

26 février 2025 à 17:45

We are just days away from the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom's massive next-gen follow-up to Monster Hunter Worlds, which launched back in 2018 and went on to become the franchise's biggest game in the west so far. There are high hopes for Wilds to capture that same level of interest and now with pre-loading available, the unlock times for the game have been revealed. 

If you want to play Monster Hunter Wilds as soon as possible, then you will need an Xbox Series X/S or PS5 console. Due to concerns around datamining, the game on PC will have a global unlock time, while on console, the game simply unlocks at midnight on the 28th of February in whatever region you are in.

For those of us on PC, the game will unlock at 5AM UTC. Here in the UK, that means the game will become playable at 5AM on the 28th of February. In the US, that works out to 12AM EST on the 28th of February or 9PM PST on the 27th of February if you are on the west coast.

If you have the game pre-ordered and are looking to dive in as soon as possible, then you will be happy to know that you can download it ahead of time. Pre-loading for the game is now live on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, so you'll only have to sit through a quick patch download at launch, rather than waiting for the entire game to install.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you picking up Monster Hunter Wilds this week? Have you already got the game preloaded and ready to go? 

The post Monster Hunter Wilds preloading now live, global unlock times announced first appeared on KitGuru.

WB Games shuts down Monolith Productions, cancels Wonder Woman game

26 février 2025 à 17:30

Given the massive $300 million hole left in WB Games' balance sheet in 2024 due to the unsuccessful launches of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Quidditch Champions and Multiversus, we had a feeling that some form of restructuring would be taking place. Now, WB Games has confirmed plans to close down three of its game development studios, including Monolith Productions.

Monolith Productions, Player First Games and WB Games San Diego are all closing down. Whatever projects they were working on, like Monolith's Wonder Woman game, have been cancelled but the likes of NetherRealm, TT Games and Rocksteady have survived the fallout. The biggest shock here to fans is the closure of Monolith, who developed excellent games like Shadow of Mordor and its innovative Nemesis system, as well as classics like F.E.A.R. and Condemned.

Speaking on the studio closures, a Warner Bros spokesperson gave the following statement to Kotaku:

“We have had to make some very difficult decisions to structure our development studios and investments around building the best games possible with our key franchises – Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones. After careful consideration, we are closing three of our development studios – Monolith Productions, Player First Games and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. This is a strategic change in direction and not a reflection of these teams or the talent that consists within them.”

“The development of Monolith’s Wonder Woman videogame will not move forward. Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities. This is another tough decision, as we recognize Monolith’s storied history of delivering epic fan experiences through amazing games. We greatly admire the passion of the three teams and thank every employee for their contributions. As difficult as today is, we remain focused on and excited about getting back to producing high-quality games for our passionate fans and developed by our world class studios and getting our Games business back to profitability and growth in 2025 and beyond.”

Unfortunately, this likely means that the Nemesis system, which Warner Bros locked down with a patent, will not be used again for at least another decade. The patent is due to expire in the 2030s and Warner Bros just fired the very people responsible for building it, so they are unlikely to get much use out of it themselves.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I'm not shocked to see some WB Games studios closing down, but I am shocked that Monolith Productions got caught in the crossfire. With that said, it sounds like development of the Wonder Woman game wasn't going to plan behind the scenes, as it had just been rebooted in 2024.

The post WB Games shuts down Monolith Productions, cancels Wonder Woman game first appeared on KitGuru.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition shown off in extensive gameplay trailer

26 février 2025 à 16:45

At this point, all of the Xenoblade Chronicles games are available to play on Nintendo Switch, with one notable exception – Xenoblade Chronicles X. Nintendo quietly announced a Switch port for the game back in November and now, just ahead of its re-launch next month, we have an extensive overview trailer for the game. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is heading to Nintendo Switch on the 20th of March, completing the collection of Xenoblade Chronicles titles on the system. This game originally launched exclusively for the Wii U back in 2015, and due to that console's lacklustre sales record, not many fans had the chance to experience this one.

 

Fans have been asking for Xenoblade Chronicles X on Nintendo Switch ever since the console's first year on the market, which saw the release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. This release will mark the first time that the complete Xenoblade Chronicles collection will be available on one platform. As the Nintendo Switch 2 is confirmed to be backwards compatible with Switch 1 titles, that means all of these games will remain playable well into the future.

In Xenoblade Chronicles X, you play as one of the last surviving members of the human race following Earth's destruction. Players will find themselves on the planet Mira, learning to pilot Mechs to survive and join the ranks of the BLADE organisation. It acts as a prequel to the later Xenoblade Chronicles games and was well received by fans for its gameplay and large open-world.

KitGuru Says: The Xenoblade Chronicles games are some of my favourite JRPGs but due to Xenoblade Chronicles X only being on Wii U, I never had the chance to play it. I'm glad to see that finally change next month and hopefully, all of the Xenoblade games get a performance update for the Switch 2, as they look particularly rough on the original system in handheld mode. 

The post Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition shown off in extensive gameplay trailer first appeared on KitGuru.

Warner Bros ‘Nemesis System’ patent won’t expire until 2036

26 février 2025 à 15:10

Back in 2014, Monolith Productions impressed us all with Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and its central game mechanic – the Nemesis System. The technology allowed for dynamic NPCs that would hunt the player character down and level up if it managed to beat you, adding an interesting twist to gameplay that could be used to improve hundreds of other games. Unfortunately, WB Games patented the technology and as a result, developers aren't able to produce a similar system for at least another decade. 

Warner Bros filed the patent for the Nemesis System back in 2016, one year ahead of the release of Middle-Earth: Shadow of War. As the patent was approved, that means Warner Bros has exclusive rights to use this technology for 20 years after the filing date. The patent will not expire until August 11th 2036.

The situation goes a little beyond that though. This week, Warner Bros made the decision to shut down Monolith Productions and cancel the studio's upcoming Wonder Woman game, the only other title in production to make use of this technology. With the studio shutting down and the developers behind the system being forced to find work elsewhere, it is unlikely that even WB will make use of this patent again anytime soon.

Warner Bros could potentially license out the patent, but most publishers don't exactly like giving out a piece of their pie to a third-party. A good example of this is NetEase with Marvel Rivals, as we recently learned that the game was almost scrapped due to the company's CEO not wanting to give Disney their licensing fee.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This is a good example of the patent system being used for the wrong reasons. Rather than locking down an innovative technology and making good use of it, WB has squandered its opportunity and taken something cool away from the gaming community, much like Namco did back in the 90s with its patent on ‘playable mini games during loading screens'. 

The post Warner Bros ‘Nemesis System’ patent won’t expire until 2036 first appeared on KitGuru.

NetEase-owned US studios reportedly facing closure

25 février 2025 à 19:15

China-based games publisher NetEase has been on a bit of an acquisition spree in recent years, picking up a bunch of international studios across the US, Europe and other regions. Unfortunately, NetEase is now rethinking its investments, putting a number of studios at risk of closure. 

According to Venturebeat and GameFile, NetEase is apparently ‘offloading' a number of its overseas holdings, as it looks to reduce the amount of money spent developing titles overseas. This is in part due to the high cost of running a US-based game studio.

One source told GameFile that if some of these studios are unable to get outside funding, they will face closure as NetEase looks to reduce costs. These concerns arose following the firing of NetEase's Seattle-based team that worked on Marvel Rivals. The studio was closed despite the game's incredibly successful launch, which has brought in over 40 million players so far.

Studios like Quantic Dream (Star Wars Eclipse) and Rebel Wolves (Blood of Dawnwalker) are thought to be safe at this time.

KitGuru Says: We'll have to wait and see how things shake out but since this story initially broke, it is worth noting that a few studios have released statements to say that they are still operational and have not yet heard anything. 

The post NetEase-owned US studios reportedly facing closure first appeared on KitGuru.

Elgato partners with OBS for plugin integration and future feature development

25 février 2025 à 15:01

Corsair's streaming-focused brand, Elgato, is now a Diamond-level sponsor of the OBS project. OBS, otherwise known as Open Broadcaster Software is a tool used by thousands of creators to record and livestream content to sites like Twitch, YouTube, Kick, Rumble and others. The free open-source platform relies on partnerships to fund further development and Elgato is stepping up to provide exactly that, alongside more integration for OBS with Elgato products to make getting started as a content creator easier than ever. 

Speaking on the new partnership, Elgato ecosystem director, Taylor Ward, said: “This partnership builds on a long history of collaboration. Elgato tools and OBS Studio have always gone hand in hand—now we’re taking that connection to the next level. Together, we’re excited to bring creators new ways to enhance and streamline their workflows.”

The funding will help OBS out in a few areas, allowing for the hiring of additional developers to fix bugs, create new features and expand the plugin infrastructure. Some of those new tools are already available through the new Elgato OBS Studio plugin, Marketplace Connect, which links OBS with your Elgato products to make workflows faster and easier. The Elgato storefront also now includes a dedicated OBS section, where creators can browse full scene collections and install them directly to OBS Studio, taking the setup process down from a multi-hour affair to just a few clicks.

Creators can also share their own OBS setups too thanks to an export tool that automatically gathers files and settings to bundle together. Creators can test out a number of these through the Elgato Marketplace.

KitGuru Says: OBS is an incredibly useful piece of software and thanks to support from companies like Elgato, YouTube and Nvidia, it has been able to remain free for all users. Now with Elgato's new integrations, setting up a stream should be easier than ever for anyone wanting to dip their toes into content creation. 

The post Elgato partners with OBS for plugin integration and future feature development first appeared on KitGuru.

70% of US console gamers are playing live service titles

26 février 2025 à 17:00

I often get emails in my inbox showcasing interesting stats about the games market, the titles dominating playtime and the threat they pose to other entertainment mediums, like video streaming services (Netflix, Disney+ etc). There is just one problem, these are often coming from online casino websites looking to boost their SEO. Today, I have interesting numbers we can actually trust, thanks to the analysts at Circana. 

As reported by games industry analyst, Mat Piscatella, the latest Circana Player Engagement Study has revealed that over 70 percent of PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players in the USA are actively playing one of the top ten live-service games. Of that subset of players, over 40 percent spend all their gaming hours in one of those top live-service games, never venturing out to try other titles.

The top ten live service games on console in the US include the likes of Call of Duty, Fortnite, Roblox, GTA Online, NBA 2K25, Marvel Rivals, Minecraft and Madden NFL, with other titles like Destiny 2, Apex Legends and Rocket League dropping in and out of the top ten depending on the month.

If you've ever wondered why so many publishers are obsessed with trying to capture a piece of the live service game market – this is why.

KitGuru Says: Live service games often get ragged on, but unfortunately, the numbers show that these games are popular. However, the statistics also show that it is incredibly difficult for a new game to dethrone any established title already in the top ten. Will that stop executives from funding these projects? Probably not, but hopefully after disasters like Concord and Suicide Squad, we'll start to see a fairer balance. 

The post 70% of US console gamers are playing live service titles first appeared on KitGuru.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard already being given away as part of PlayStation Plus

26 février 2025 à 16:30

March is shaping up to be a surprisingly big month for PlayStation Plus. Despite releasing less than six months ago, BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, is already hitting subscription services. 

Dragon Age: The Veilguard (PS5) is the headliner for next month's set of PlayStation Plus monthly games. Anyone with a PS+ Essential tier (or higher) subscription will be able to add the game to their digital library to play in full whenever the mood strikes. While Dragon Age: The Veilguard made some rather stark changes compared to previous games in the series, it was still a fun game and is certainly worth claiming if you have a PS+ subscription.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate is the second game available to claim in March 2025. In this game, Sonic must head to Eggman's new interstellar amusement park in order to free the Wisps, an alien race captured by Eggman and forced to power his big space theme-park. This is the PS4 remaster of the original game, offering upscaled visuals, a new game mode and other enhancements.

The final game on our list is a personal favourite of mine. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection packages together 13 classic TMNT games, some of which are from the early arcade days. Each title has been updated with a range of QoL features, online support has been added, and you can also play local co-op.

All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on March 4 until March 31. That means you have until the end of March 3rd to claim February's PS+ monthly games, which include High on Life, Payday 3 and Pac-Man World Re-Pac.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Will you be installing any of this month's PS+ titles? 

The post Dragon Age: The Veilguard already being given away as part of PlayStation Plus first appeared on KitGuru.

Valve reportedly planning new VR headset for 2025

26 février 2025 à 16:00

We've known for quite some time that Valve has been quietly working on a new VR headset. At one point, it was thought to be a Meta Quest competitor, bringing costs down and offering cable-free VR. However, the plan appears to have changed, with the new headset, codenamed ‘Deckard', poised to go for as much as $1200. 

According to reliable Valve leaker, GabeFollower, who also accurately leaked details about Deadlock and Counter-Strike 2 ahead of announcement, Valve's new VR headset should launch by the end of 2025. Like previous rumours suggested, this new headset is believed to be a wireless headset, but the price tag will not make it competitive with the likes of the Quest 2 or Quest 3.

It is thought that the new Valve VR headset will release in a $1200 bundle that will also include some ‘in-house' games. At its core, the headset will utilise a new version of SteamOS adapted for VR headsets, which could open the door for expanded game compatibility, perhaps through an easily accessible ‘Big Screen' mode where non-VR games can be played in-headset on a giant virtual cinema screen.

Valve has not yet announced any plans for a new VR headset. Currently, Valve still sells its original Index headset at £999 for the bundle including controllers and tracking stations.

KitGuru Says: I feel like interest in VR headsets is at a low point currently, in part due to a lack of ambitious games. We are five years on from Half-Life Alyx and yet, it remains unchallenged as the best single-player VR game on the market. With that in mind, I do question how much interest there will be in a new headset. That could of course change if Valve has a new Half-Life game up its sleeve for 2025. 

The post Valve reportedly planning new VR headset for 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer’s latest Blade gaming laptops now available starting at £2699

26 février 2025 à 15:30

At CES, Razer unveiled its latest Razer Blade 18 and 16 laptops, powered by RTX 50 graphics. Now, both are up for pre-order. The new Razer Blade 18 utilises the world's first dual-mode laptop display with 4K/240Hz and 1080p/440Hz modes, while the new Razer Blade 16 is Razer's thinnest laptop ever. 

Here are some of the key features for the new Razer Blade 18 (2025):

  • Big Screen Experience Made Faster: The world's first 18″ dual mode display letting you switch seamlessly between UHD+ 240HZ for detail and FHD+ 440Hz for maximum speed.
  • The Most Powerful Laptop Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU – Unlocking the maximum Total Graphics Power (TGP) available for the most demanding tasks and games.
  • Latest Desktop-Grade Processing: Intel® Core™ Ultra 200HX series processors give gamers, creators, and professionals enthusiasts level performance for consuming and creating on the go.
  • 280W of TPP (Total Package Power): Pushing mobile compute to the max with our most advanced thermal engineering solution ever.
  • Desktop Features Made Portable: Bringing advanced connectivity, enhanced audio-visual experience, and gaming keyboard features to portable computing.

Here are some of the key features of the smaller Razer Blade 16:        

  • Reimagined Design
    • The thinnest gaming laptop ever designed by Razer achieving a slim 0.59-inch profile at its thinnest point.
    • New thermal hood design that effectively manages thermals with a new vapor chamber cooling solution that covers 57% of the motherboard and features 0.05 mm thin exhaust fins for greater heat dissipation.
  • Peak AI-Powered Performance
    • Features up to a NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU, with 24 GB of GDDR7 VRAM and pushes up to 160W of maximum graphics power.
    • First Blade First Blade 16 to be powered by an AMD Ryzen™ processor, up to an AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370, with an NPU that features up to 50 TOPS for access to Copilot+ experiences, including powerful image creation tools with Cocreator, live translations when watching international content with Live Captions, and improved Windows Studio Effects to boost their presentations.
    • Packs a crystal clear QHD+ 240Hz OLED display offering Calman Verified color profiles and a blazing fast .2ms response time.
  • Best-in-Class Experience
    • Redesigned keyboard with a deeper 1.5mm travel distance, for 50% more travel vs the last generation Blade 16, and ~63g of actuation force for a more responsive typing experience.
    • Upgraded 6-speaker audio system for a richer listening experience featuring THX™ Spatial Audio.

Both the Razer Blade 18 and Razer Blade 16 models are now available for pre-order, but you'll need deep pockets to afford one. The Razer Blade 16 is starting at £2699.99, while the Razer Blade 18 is starting at £3099.99.

KitGuru Says: Are you considering an RTX 50-powered laptop for 2025? How much would you be willing to spend on a gaming laptop?

The post Razer’s latest Blade gaming laptops now available starting at £2699 first appeared on KitGuru.

Thermal Grizzly now sells delidded CPUs backed by warranty

26 février 2025 à 15:00

Delidding your CPU is often the best way to get the absolute best temperatures and overclocking potential, but the process of doing it is a daunting one and can potentially void warranty. Thermal Grizzly is looking to make it as easy as possible moving forward, with its own series of TG Delidded CPUs and better yet, Thermal Grizzly will assume the manufacturer's warranty, so you'll be just as protected as if you were to buy directly from Intel or AMD.

Offering everyone from beginners to veterans a gateway into the world of maximum cooling performance, the new TG Delidded CPU series is now available, delivering the ability to use direct-die cooling solutions without having to go through the risk of delidding the processor yourself. By delidding a CPU, you remove the heatspreader, allowing for a CPU cooler to be mounted directly to the chiplets of the CPU for the best possible cooling.

However, not just any cooler will do. CPU dies are susceptible to damage, which is why processors are typically sold with a heatspreader protecting the die underneath. With that in mind, you'll want to ensure you pair your delidded CPU with an appropriate direct-die cooler, such as the Mycro Direct Die liquid cooler. You could also opt for a third-party high-performance heatspreader and a more traditional AIO cooling solution.

Since delidding a CPU voids the manufacturer’s warranty, Thermal Grizzly assumes the warranty and tests the processors after delidding. A screenshot of this functionality test, along with a microscope photograph of the chip, is saved on a USB stick and included with the purchase.

The TG Delidded CPU series launches with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and will later be expanded to include additional processors such as the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. It is unclear if delidded Intel CPUs will also soon become part of the lineup.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Would you prefer to buy a pre-delidded CPU over going through the process yourself? It would certainly make a good start to a high-end liquid-cooled build.

The post Thermal Grizzly now sells delidded CPUs backed by warranty first appeared on KitGuru.

Samsung’s new 9100 Pro PCIe 5.0 SSD boasts a whopping 8TB of storage

26 février 2025 à 14:00

Samsung has recently announced its new consumer flagship 9100 Pro series SSDs, designed to deliver next-generation performance for demanding users. These PCIe 5.0 drives boast blistering speeds and improved power efficiency, making them ideal for everything from gaming and content creation to AI applications.

The 9100 Pro series leverages its PCIe 5.0 x4 interface to achieve sequential read/write speeds of up to 14,800 / 13,400MB/s, a significant leap over its predecessor. Random read/write speeds also significantly boost, reaching up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS, ensuring rapid access to large files and applications.

Power efficiency is another key focus. Thanks to its 5nm controller, the 9100 Pro series consumes less power than previous models. The 9100 Pro with Heatsink promises to take this a step further, adding an extra layer of thermal management for even lower power consumption and improved drive longevity while maintaining a slim profile of just 0.9 cm. Capacity is also a highlight, with the 9100 Pro being Samsung's first NVMe SSD to offer up to 8TB of storage, providing ample space for even the most demanding workloads.

Samsung's Magician Software further enhances the user experience, providing tools for drive optimisation, data protection, and firmware updates, ensuring your drive remains in peak condition. The 9100 Pro series will be available in March with 1TB ($199.99), 2TB ($299.99), and 4TB ($549.99) capacities. The 9100 Pro with Heatsink will be offered in 1TB ($219.99), 2TB ($319.99), and 4TB ($569.99) options. The 8TB variants are expected to arrive later in 2025.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you think Samsung's new 9100 Pro will top performance charts like some of its predecessors?

The post Samsung’s new 9100 Pro PCIe 5.0 SSD boasts a whopping 8TB of storage first appeared on KitGuru.

Montech MKey Pro Keyboard Review

26 février 2025 à 13:44

Roughly a year ago, Montech launched their first keyboard, the MKey, and we liked it here at KitGuru. Well, now the MKey has been given the ‘Pro' treatment – bringing 3 way connectivity, MacOS support and QMK/VIA functionality to the company's peripheral lineup. The MKey Pro improves on almost every aspect of the original, with new Gateron G Pro 3.0 switches and double shot PBT keycaps – is this the new sub $100 keyboard king?

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:45 The changes
01:53 Design / controls
03:50 RGB implementation
04:50 Switches / stabilisers / keycaps
06:50 Taking the keyboard apart
07:20 Sound test and thoughts
07:47 Typing experience / polling / battery
08:30 Build Quality
08:52 Software
09:40 Pricing and closing thoughts

Specifications:

  • Colour – Darkness / Freedom
  • Type – Mechanical
  • Matrix – 81
  • Switches – Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow Switch / Brown Switch
  • Keycap Material – PBT
  • Printing Method – Double-Shot
  • Keycap Profile – OEM
  • Adjustable Height – 3 Levels
  • Keyboard Rollover – 100% Anti-Ghosting
  • Connectivity – Tri-Mode (Bluetooth 5.2 / Wireless 2.4GHz / USB-C Wired)
  • Form Factor – Tenkeyless
  • Keyboard Dimension – 323*137*43mm
  • Package Dimension – 406*216*62mm
  • Keyboard Weight – 900g
  • Package Weight – 1492g
  • RGB Lighting – 22 Modes
  • Cable – 190cm / Braided / Removable
  • Warranty – 1 Year
  • Software – VIA / QMK
  • Battery Life
    • Up to 308 Hours of Battery Life (Usage without ARGB Lighting)
    • Up to 40 Hours of Battery Life (Usage with White Light at Max. Current)

You can buy the MKey Pro for $89.90 from Amazon US HERE – we will update the page with more information regarding UK/EU stock if and when we find out more.

Pros:

  • Excellent sound.
  • Three-way connectivity.
  • Great factory lubed stabilisers.
  • QMK/VIA support.
  • Solid battery life.
  • Appealing price.
  • Great improvement over the original Montech MKey keyboard – including now offering a UK ISO layout.

Cons:

  • Dial wobble.
  • No included MacOS modifier keycaps.
  • UK availability is patchy.

KitGuru says: The MKey Pro improves on many aspects that fell short on the original MKey keyboard. It sounds and feels great to use but is ever so slightly let down by a poor quality dial and a lack of MacOS suitable keycaps. 

The post Montech MKey Pro Keyboard Review first appeared on KitGuru.

be quiet! expands Pure Base 501 case lineup with LX and DX variants

26 février 2025 à 13:15

be quiet! is expanding its popular Pure Base 501 case lineup with two new models: the Pure Base 501 LX and Pure Base 501 DX. These additions cater to users seeking stylish aesthetics and enhanced cooling capabilities while retaining the core features that made the original Pure Base 501 a favourite among PC builders.

The Pure Base 501 LX builds upon the existing Pure Base 501 Airflow Window model, adding a touch of brilliance with ARGB lighting. While it might appear similar to its predecessor, the LX variant shines once powered on. Instead of the standard two Pure Wings 3 fans, the Pure Base 501 LX has four Light Wings LX fans: three 120mm PWM fans in the front for intake and a larger 140mm PWM fan at the rear for exhaust. An included ARGB/fan hub further expands customisation options, supporting up to six ARGB devices and PWM fans.

The Pure Base 501 DX offers a redesigned front panel with integrated lighting for those who prefer ARGB strips over fans. The high-airflow intake front panel blends functionality and aesthetics, while three Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM fans (one more than the standard model) ensure the needed cooling performance. The front panel's RGB lighting extends inwards, creating a subtle yet captivating glow within the case.

The LX and DX variants retain the core features defining the Pure Base 501 series. They offer full support for ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, ample space for high-end graphics cards (including vertical mounting options), and support for versatile cooling configurations. A decoupled dual HDD cage provides flexible storage options, and the innovative cable routing system ensures a clean and tidy interior. Modern connectivity is provided with a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.

Like the Pure Base 501 Window models, the LX and DX versions feature a side panel window to showcase your components. However, these new models add a front-panel button to control the ARGB lighting effects. Available in both black and white starting March 11th, the Pure Base 501 LX and DX are backed by a three-year manufacturer warranty. The DX models will cost £89.99/$124.90/€124.90, and the LX will cost £99.99/$144.90/€144.90.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you prefer the standard-looking LX variant or the more unique ARGB strips of the DX model?

The post be quiet! expands Pure Base 501 case lineup with LX and DX variants first appeared on KitGuru.

Even more Resident Evil games have been rated by the ESRB

26 février 2025 à 12:30

At the start of the year, we first saw evidence that Capcom could be working on a bunch of ports for its Resident Evil titles, bringing them up to modern standards with current-gen remasters. Since then, further proof has surfaced, with a new ESRB rating now suggesting that Resident Evil Revelations could get an Xbox Series re-release.

As discovered by ResetEra user Bishop89, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board has published a new listing for an Xbox Series version of Resident Evil Revelations.

This follows on from two previous listings by the board, which suggested that RE6; the RE: Origins Collection; RE4; RE7 and RE5 could all be coming to modern consoles.

Resident Evil
RESIDENT EVIL REVELATIONS_20170902170806

All of these games are of course playable on both the Xbox Series X|S and PS5, however – aside from RE7 – the games are all backwards compatible versions of their 8th-gen releases; and so it would perhaps be nice to have full 4K60fps upgrades for these titles.

All that said, it is interesting to see over half a dozen Resident Evil titles being rated one after the other – all without any official announcements.

It seems as though when we do finally get official confirmation, it could come as part of a massive Resident Evil blowout event. We will have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: What do you think of all these recent ratings? Which RE title do you think would benefit most from a remaster? Does this mean we are unlikely to get full remakes for any of these games? Let us know down below.

The post Even more Resident Evil games have been rated by the ESRB first appeared on KitGuru.

Tekken 8 continues to outpace its predecessors with 3 million copies sold

26 février 2025 à 11:45

Just over a year ago, the much anticipated and long-awaited Tekken 8 finally released to the world, quickly going on to sell over 2 million copies. While the game’s growth has of course slowed down significantly since, Bandai’s latest and greatest fighter is still doing numbers, with the team now confirming that it has sold over 3 million copies.

During the most recent Tekken Talks livestream for the game’s second season, the team at Bandai Namco revealed that Tekken 8 has officially sold 3 million copies. While an impressive figure, this represents an increase of just 1 million copies over the past year, with the title initially selling 2 million copies in its first month.

That said, with 3 million in its first year, Tekken 8 is still ahead of its predecessors in terms of sales, meaning given enough time it could very well beat the current best-selling entry (Tekken 7 with 12 million copies sold).

Tekken 8 3 million

Due to their continuous support, many fighting games wind up having very long shelf lives, aiding in their total sales figures over the course of many years.

Tekken 8 is a fun and polished fighter which in many ways feels like the best version of Tekken released yet, and so it would not be surprising to see the game continue to sell millions of copies for years to come.

Whether it will eventually surpass its predecessor is yet to be seen, but this does represent a strong start for Tekken 8.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 3 million players? What do you think of Tekken 8’s first year on the market? Will it eventually surpass T7? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Tekken 8 continues to outpace its predecessors with 3 million copies sold first appeared on KitGuru.

Pathologic 3: Quarantine launches next month

26 février 2025 à 11:00

The Pathologic series is a highly unique cult-hit franchise which, since the release of the first game back in 2005, has gained fame for its atypical story-telling and role-playing methods. In a surprise announcement last year, the team unveiled Pathologic 3: Quarantine, replacing the planned DLC for the second game. Said to be coming in 2025, we now have a concrete release date.

Releasing a trailer onto YouTube, the team at Ice-Pick Lodge officially confirmed that Pathologic 3: Quarantine will release in just under a month’s time on the 17th of March.

]for the uninitiated, despite being named Pathologic 3: Quarantine, the upcoming title will offer the long-promised Bachelor story path which was initially intended to be added to the second game – before complications with the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to significant delays.

That said, those who backed the Kickstarter for Pathologic 2 all the way back in 2014 will be given Pathologic 3 for free when it releases in a month’s time – however those who bought the game after the fact are seemingly out of luck (though a free prologue will be available to all).

The Pathologic series is an odd one, and so it is encouraging to see that the team at Ice-Pick Lodge are committed to its continuation. Hopefully the wait will have been worth it.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Pathologic 3? Did you back the original Kickstarter? Will the series be able to maintain its particular and unique sense of atmosphere? Let us know down below.

The post Pathologic 3: Quarantine launches next month first appeared on KitGuru.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has been rated in Singapore

26 février 2025 à 10:15

Over the past week, we’ve seen a ton of movement in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater space. Following reports by one professional skater who claimed that a new entry in the series would be coming soon, we got an official teaser within the new Black Ops 6 map ‘Grind’. Ahead of its official announcement, a new listing for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has been published by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore.

As reported by the publication Gematsu, The Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (the region’s ratings board) has published a new listing for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 coming to PlayStation 5; Xbox Series; PS4; Xbox One; Switch and PC.

While it was all-but-confirmed that a new Tony Hawk’s game would be announced soon, this marks the first piece of concrete evidence that the title in question is the previously-cancelled THPS 3+4 Remake.

Pro Skater 3+4

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.

Whether Vicarious Visions (now known as Blizzard Albany) are working on this remake or not is yet to be seen, but the fact that THPS 3+4 is happening at all is welcome to see. Hopefully we’ll get a ton of details when the game is officially announced – likely on the 4th of March.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the new game? Do you think Vicarious Visions were placed back on the project? What’s your favourite Tony Hawk game? Let us know down below.

The post Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has been rated in Singapore first appeared on KitGuru.

Asustor Flashstor 6 Gen 2 (FS6806X) NAS Review

26 février 2025 à 09:22

Asustor's second-generation Flashstor 6 NAS is a much more capable beast than the original. It brings much more capable hardware, with upgrades to the CPU, LAN, memory, and SSD architecture capabilities. It also sees improvements made to USB support. Today we find out if it is worth the £979 asking price.

The original Flashstor 6 is powered by an Intel Celeron N5105, a quad-cored CPU clocked at 2GHz (2.9GHz boost). For the new Gen 2 version, Asustor has moved over to AMD as the NAS is powered by a Ryzen Embedded V3C14 processor. The V3C14 is built on a 6nm process and has 4 cores, 8 threads and supports up to 20 lanes of PCIe Gen4. Two 10GbE ports and a pair of USB 4.0 ports are also supported. The V3C14 is rated at up to 2.3GHz (3.8GHz boost).

As for memory support, the FlashStor 6 Gen 2 comes with 8GB of DDR5-4800 which is an impressive upgrade on the original FlashStor 6's 4GB of DDR4-2933. The Gen 2 supports up to 64GB of memory via two SO-DIMM slots. Asustor has also improved SSD support with the Gen 2 as it now supports Gen4 SSDss rather than the Gen3 of the original units.

Physical Specifications

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen V3C14 (2.3GHz burst up 3.80 GHz).
  • Memory: 8GB DDR5-4800.
  • Gigabit Ethernet Ports: 1 x 10GbE.
  • Rear panel connectors: 1 x 10GbE RJ45, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB 4.0.
  • Front panel connectors: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2.
  • RAID support: JBOD, RAID 0,1,5,6 and 10.
  • Cooling: Active, 1 x 80mm system fan, 1 x CPU fan.
  • Drive Bays Supported: 6 (Gen4 SSD).
  • Internal File System support: EXT4, Btrfs.
  • Dimensions (D x W x H): 193 x 308.26 x 48.3 mm.
  • Weight: 1.4kg.
The post Asustor Flashstor 6 Gen 2 (FS6806X) NAS Review first appeared on KitGuru.
À partir d’avant-hierKitGuru

Lost Soul Aside PC system requirements announced

25 février 2025 à 18:00

Sony and Ultizero Games have lifted the curtain on the PC requirements for their upcoming action RPG, Lost Soul Aside, revealing both standard and ray-tracing specifications. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, the game promises stunning visuals and high-octane action, but you'll need a capable machine to experience it at its best.

For those looking to meet the minimum requirements, an Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 paired with an Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 5500 XT will be enough. Regardless of the preset, you'll also need 16 GB of RAM and 80 GB of free storage space.

The recommended specifications bump things to an Intel i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and an Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD RX 5700 XT. For those aiming for “High” settings, the developers suggest an Intel i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and an Nvidia RTX 3070 or AMD RX 6800 XT. While the developers haven't specified the target resolution for these settings, it's likely aimed at 60 FPS.

As previously confirmed, Lost Soul Aside will feature ray-tracing support. To enable it at “High” settings, you'll need an Intel i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and an Nvidia RTX 4080 or AMD RX 7900 XT. For “Ultra” settings with ray-tracing, the game will demand an Intel i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X (typo?) and an Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti.

You can check the detailed system requirements in the table below:

Preset Minimum Recommended High High – Ray-Tracing On Ultra – Ray Tracing On
GPU Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 5500 XT Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD RX 5700 XT Nvidia RTX 3070 or AMD RX 6800 XT Nvidia RTX 4080s or AMD RX 7900 XT Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti
CPU Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Intel i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Intel i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X Intel i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X Intel i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X
RAM 16 GB 16 GB 16 GB 16 GB 16 GB
OS 64-bit Windows 10/11 64-bit Windows 10/11 64-bit Windows 10/11 64-bit Windows 10/11 64-bit Windows 10/11
Storage 80 GB SSD 80 GB SSD 80 GB SSD 80 GB SSD 80 GB SSD

Sony has also detailed the PC-specific features for Lost Soul Aside, including customisable graphics settings, unlocked framerates, and support for performance-enhancing technologies. The latter means it will support both upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR. Besides ray-tracing, PC gamers can expect HDR display support and compatibility with DualSense controllers. Lost Soul Aside is set to launch on PC on May 30th.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in Lost Soul Aside? Based on the system requirements shared by the developer, how well will your system run it?

The post Lost Soul Aside PC system requirements announced first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2.1 is reportedly in development

25 février 2025 à 17:27

AMD's Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF) technology is evolving. According to a new report, AMD is working on AFMF 2.1, and its release could be right around the corner.

AFMF is a driver-level frame generation solution that boosts gaming performance by inserting interpolated frames between rendered frames. Unlike DLSS and FSR Frame Generation technologies, AFMF doesn't need any game integration, making it compatible with all games. However, this also means that AFMF upscales and interlaces entire frames, including menus and UI elements, which can sometimes impact visual quality.

Despite this trade-off, AFMF has gained significant traction, particularly for older games that lack built-in FPS-boosting technologies. The release of AFMF 2.0 in October further expanded its capabilities, adding support for OpenGL, Vulkan, DX11, and DX12 games, along with new performance and latency settings, improved compatibility with borderless windowed mode, and various optimisations for fast motion.

According to VideoCardz, AMD is gearing up for the next evolution of its frame generation technology with AFMF 2.1, slated for release alongside the Radeon RX 9070 series as part of a broader HYPR-RX update. The report claims that AFMF 2.1 will enhance the quality of generated frames, promising even smoother and more visually appealing results. AFMF 2.1, like its predecessor, shouldn't require dedicated tensor or AI cores, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of hardware, including the Ryzen AI 300 series' iGPUs.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Don't expect AFMF 2.1 to be on par with DLSS or FSR Frame Generation. Still, it's useful as a backup plan to boost your framerate regardless of the game.

The post AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2.1 is reportedly in development first appeared on KitGuru.

Xbox officially delays Fable, reboot now coming in 2026

25 février 2025 à 16:45

We've known about Microsoft's long-awaited Fable reboot since 2017. Fans were pleased to see the game listed on the release schedule for 2025 but now, just two months into the year, Xbox has revised its plans, pushing the game back to 2026. 

We won't be playing the new Fable this year after all. Today, Xbox Game Studios head, Craig Duncan, revealed on the Official Xbox podcast that the game has been delayed to 2026.

“So, I just want to start with, really excited, really excited about progress, really excited about where Playground are. We previously announced the date for Fable as 2025, we are actually going to give Fable more time and it’s going to ship in 2026 now.”

Duncan acknowledges that this isn't “the news people want to hear” but adds that “it's definitely worth the wait”. So far, Microsoft has revealed little gameplay for Fable, but we hope to see more of the game revealed later this year. We expect to see more of Fable during this year's Xbox Summer Showcase. In the meantime though, there is a small snippet of alpha gameplay available to view in the video above.

Duncan adds that he has “unequivocal confidence” in the Playground Games team, which is primarily known for the Forza Horizon series, rather than single-player RPGs.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to Fable? Do you think we'll see it in the first or second half of 2026? 

The post Xbox officially delays Fable, reboot now coming in 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

First Nvidia RTX 5070 benchmark puts it on par with RTX 4070 Super

25 février 2025 à 09:00

While Geekbench results aren't always the most reliable indicator of real-world gaming performance, they can still be interesting to check out. The latest ones to be found were of Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5070, showing it performing on par with the RTX 4070 Super in the Vulkan and OpenCL tests.

The leaked benchmarks, conducted on a system with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, 32 GB of memory, and an X870E motherboard, show the RTX 5070 tested with Vulkan and OpenCL APIs (via Benchleaks). Interestingly, the reported memory speed for the system memory was 4000 MT/s, which is likely an error or a misconfiguration.

In the Vulkan test, the RTX 5070 scored 188,712 points, while the OpenCL test yielded 187,414 points. Comparing these results to the RTX 4070 Super, which scores around 180,000 in Vulkan and 190,000 in OpenCL, suggests that the RTX 5070 might offer performance roughly on par with its predecessor. Comparing the RTX 5070 to its more powerful sibling, the RTX 5070 Ti, reveals a more significant performance gap. The 5070 Ti scores approximately 236,850 in Vulkan and 240,750 in OpenCL, indicating that the non-Ti variant is roughly 20% slower.

Nvidia is expected to launch the RTX 5070 on March 4th, so we won't have to wait longer to see how these Geekbench scores compare to real-world benchmarks.

KitGuru says: Based on the Geekbench scores alone, is the RTX 5070's performance in line with your expectations?

The post First Nvidia RTX 5070 benchmark puts it on par with RTX 4070 Super first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia says less than 0.5% of RTX 50 GPUs affected by missing ROPs

25 février 2025 à 16:00

In recent weeks, early buyers of RTX 50 series graphics cards have discovered that their GPU does not meet the advertised specification. At first, it was thought that this issue was only impacting a limited number of RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti models, but this week, the first affected RTX 5080 was discovered. Now, Nvidia has responded with an updated statement.

In an updated statement given to The Verge, Nvidia said: “Upon further investigation, we’ve identified that an early production build of GeForce RTX 5080 GPUs were also affected by the same issue. Affected consumers can contact the board manufacturer for a replacement”.

A fully amended statement from Nvidia was also issued, saying: “We have identified a rare issue affecting less than 0.5% (half a percent) of GeForce RTX 5090 / 5090D, RTX 5080, and 5070 Ti GPUs which have one fewer ROP than specified. The average graphical performance impact is 4%, with no impact on AI and Compute workloads. Affected consumers can contact the board manufacturer for a replacement. The production anomaly has been corrected.”

Nvidia estimates that less than 0.5% of RTX 5090, RTX 5090D, RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 Ti GPUs are impacted by the defect. Rather than going through a recall process, Nvidia is asking customers to go to the board manufacturer of their card for a replacement. However, stock isn't exactly in abundance right now, so securing a replacement could be a time-consuming process.

Nvidia also estimates that the average performance impact of the missing ROPs is 4 percent, adding that there should be no impact on compute or AI workloads. However, given the prices gamers are paying nowadays, any performance degradation over the advertised specification should be unacceptable.

We don't know how many of these cards were produced and sold for launch, so it is hard to gauge how many GPUs could have been affected. However, future stock should be unaffected, as the production defect that led to all of this has been identified and addressed at the supply chain level.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This is an annoyance for sure, but hopefully those who were impacted can get their replacement expedited. 

The post Nvidia says less than 0.5% of RTX 50 GPUs affected by missing ROPs first appeared on KitGuru.

Market research shows Valve’s Steam Deck has dominated handheld market

25 février 2025 à 15:45

It has been three years since Valve first launched the Steam Deck, its own handheld gaming PC utilising custom AMD silicon and its own Linux-based operating system, SteamOS. Since then, a number of competitors have popped up on the market, some with even better specs than the Steam Deck, but according to market research, Valve's handheld has managed to maintain its number one spot on the market. 

As spotted by The Verge, market research firm, IDC, has analysed supply chain orders to estimate just how many gaming handhelds have shipped around the world. In 2022, it is estimated that 1.62 million gaming handhelds were shipped, a number that grew to 2.87 million in 2023, before dropping to 1.485 million in 2024. These figures combine the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go and MSI Claw handhelds.

All added together, around six million PC gaming handhelds have been sold by the big brands over the last few years. It is estimated that gaming handheld shipments will fall to under two million in 2025.

Despite other options having better technical specifications, the Steam brand name has carried its weight here. Of the six million handhelds sold between 2022 and 2025, it is estimated that almost four million of those were Steam Decks, putting Valve's system well ahead of the competition. With all of that in mind, despite the Steam Deck's chip being weaker than what can be found in more expensive options from the likes of Asus, MSI and Lenovo, Valve's combination of low-power gaming hardware and the SteamOS UI has won over the consumer in far greater numbers than a ‘Windows' based handheld.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do any of you own a gaming handheld? Did you go with a Steam Deck or one of the more expensive competitors? 

The post Market research shows Valve’s Steam Deck has dominated handheld market first appeared on KitGuru.

Ubisoft responds to Assassin’s Creed Shadows leak

25 février 2025 à 15:00

Earlier this week, we learned that early copies of Assassin's Creed Shadows have been sold online, almost a month ahead of the planned launch date. Now, Ubisoft has responded to the situation, acknowledging the leak publicly for the first time.

Ubisoft is aware that a number of physical copies of Assassin's Creed Shadows have leaked. The company did not confirm if the copies sold were stolen from the distribution or retail channels, or whether a particular retailer elected to break street date and begin selling the game early. Still, Ubisoft says the leak is “unfortunate” and warns potential early buyers that the leaked version of the game won't be representative of the day-one experience.

“We are aware players have accessed Assassin’s Creed Shadows ahead of its official release. The development team is still working on patches to prepare the experience for launch and any footage shared online does not represent the final quality of the game. Leaks are unfortunate and can diminish the excitement for players. We kindly ask you not to spoil the experience for others. Thank you to our community for already taking steps to protect everyone from spoilers.”

Assassin's Creed Shadows is officially due to release for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on the 20th of March.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are any of you planning on picking up the latest Assassin's Creed when it drops next month? Have you seen any of the leaked footage so far?

The post Ubisoft responds to Assassin’s Creed Shadows leak first appeared on KitGuru.

James Gunn is actively working on new DC games with Rocksteady and NetherRealm

25 février 2025 à 14:15

WB Games is in an odd position at the moment. Its two biggest studios, Rocksteady and Netherrealm, both failed to achieve sales targets with their latest games. At the same time, Warner Bros is trying to spin up the new ‘DC Universe', spanning films, games and other media. It would seem that the hopes of an expansive DC universe may keep both of these studios alive for the foreseeable future, as leaders from both are actively meeting with James Gunn to discuss future plans.

James Gunn was hired by Warner Bros to spearhead a new effort to put together a new cross-media DC universe, starting with a new Superman film, due to release later this year. As it turns out, Gunn has his hands in more than movies. According to ComicBook, who attended a recent DC Studios event, James Gunn has been meeting with Rocksteady and Netherrealm heads to discuss future plans for in-universe video games.

DC Studios co-head, Peter Safran, gave the following quote during the event: “It’s really the first time it’s ever been this way at Warner Bros. James and I sit with the guys that run the studios under JB Perette whether it’s NetherRealm or Rocksteady. We sit with them and we talk about characters and stories that we’re interested in and that they’re interested in.”

Gunn added that they see “designs for the projects in their very earliest stages” and then make suggestions on story direction based on what they have planned for the DC Universe at large.

However, it is said that the first true DCU game won't release for at least “a couple of years”. Given how long AAA development timelines are nowadays, I would say that a couple of years is an underestimate.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: We recently heard that Rocksteady is now trying to pitch a new single-player Batman game following the failure and shutdown of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The issue is, Rocksteady made some of the best Batman stories ever told, all on their own. Now, the studio has to also appease the directors behind the movies, which could ultimately hinder creativity. My worry is that certain characters will now be ‘off limits', with the goal of maintaining a singular canon and naturally, a film director will want the biggest moments reserved for the films, which would also hamper the impact of the stories these studios are able to tell in the video game format. I don't think it is going to work out the way they envision, but time will well.

The post James Gunn is actively working on new DC games with Rocksteady and NetherRealm first appeared on KitGuru.

Gamers call on Valve to add ‘AI games’ filter to Steam

25 février 2025 à 13:30

Recently, Valve updated its Steam policy, forcing developers to disclose when Generative AI tools are used to create games. This led Activision admitting that GenAI is already in use to create assets in Call of Duty, for instance. Now, gamers have gone to the Steam feature suggestion forum to request a way to filter games that use AI from the store. 

A Steam forum suggestion thread asking Valve to give gamers the ability to hide games that use GenAI from the store has garnered a lot of attention. Hundreds of comments have registered support for the idea and users have been making good use of their Steam points to also give the suggestion a number of awards, keeping the suggestion at the top of the forum.

Valve has already added some filters for the Steam Store, such as allowing users to automatically hide adult or NSFW games, and users can hide games on an individual basis too. However, a blanket filter would work best. Many of the commenters take issue with the fact that popular AI models have been trained on pirated content, effectively stealing the work of human creators in an effort to replace them.

Valve has not yet commented on the situation, but it did recently implement a policy change to ensure developers disclose the use of Generative AI tools. This disclosure has already appeared on the Call of Duty store page, and we will no doubt see more major games from publishers like Microsoft, Sony, EA, Ubisoft, Take-Two, 2K Games, Embracer and others carrying this disclosure in the year ahead.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: As we saw with the initial pushback against DLC in the early days of the Xbox 360, and the pushback against microtransactions in premium games last generation, I feel like most publishers are simply going to ignore the backlash and push forward with their plans for AI tools. Ultimately, the use of AI tools can help a lot of studios reset to do away with ballooning studio sizes in favour of smaller teams that can work faster with AI assistance. There are ethical concerns for sure due to the fact that stolen work was used to train the biggest AI models, but if there is money to be made and a legal loophole to exploit, then I don't think the C-suite cares. 

The post Gamers call on Valve to add ‘AI games’ filter to Steam first appeared on KitGuru.

PEGI board finally removes 18+ rating for Balatro

25 février 2025 à 13:00

The Pan-European Game Information board (PEGI) has existed for years as a way to easily and quickly identify the relative age appropriateness of a game, with the system ranging from a PEGI 3 to PEGI 18. In a weird move by the board, the uncontroversial Poker-themed roguelike Balatro was rated as an 18+ experience despite its lack of any actual gambling. Following complaints, the board has now corrected this to the much more reflective PEGI 12.

Releasing a statement onto their website, the PEGI complaints board officially offered a ruling on the indie titles Balatro and Luck Be A Landlord.

For the uninitiated, despite both games having gambling-adjacent aesthetics, neither title features anything of the sorts – being single-purchase games with no further monetisation. That said, upon their release, both games were given 18 ratings by PEGI.

Following appeals placed by the publishers, both titles have now been re-evaluated, with PEGI stating, “The PEGI 18 rating for the game ‘Balatro’ has been changed to a PEGI 12 following a successful appeal submitted by publisher Sold Out Sales & Marketing. The Complaints Board concluded that, although the game explains the various hands of poker, the roguelike deck-building game contained mitigating fantastical elements that warranted a PEGI 12 rating.”

Balatro Board

The board had this to say regarding Luck Be A Landlord: “The PEGI 18 rating for the game Luck Be A Landlord was also changed to a PEGI 12 following a successful appeal submitted by publisher Fangamer. The Complaints Board reasoned that the same arguments as above applied: although the game features a slot machine mechanic, there were no specific transferable gambling skills and the game can therefore be rated PEGI 12.”

While these inaccurate ratings alone were enough of an issue, the fact that the likes of EA’s FIFA / Sports FC games include actual gambling while still being rated a 3 showed a large disconnect between the games themselves and PEGI.

Hopefully this recent revision to Balatro and Luck Be A Landlord is just the start of PEGI’s inward reflection into how they rate all current and future video game releases.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Balatro’s original rating? Are you glad to see it changed? Will FIFA ever have its rating altered? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post PEGI board finally removes 18+ rating for Balatro first appeared on KitGuru.

Sayonara Wild Hearts gets surprise free PS5 upgrade

25 février 2025 à 12:15

Sayonara Wild Hearts was one of the most surprising indies released in the last generation, with the title serving more as a playable music album with rhythm-based mechanics. Already a great experience, Sayonara Wild Hearts has now gotten a surprise PS5 update, bringing new modes, improved frame rates and more.

Announced during the recent Annapurna Interactive showcase, Sayonara Wild Hearts has gotten a surprise PS5 update. Available right now as a free upgrade for previous owners, the current-gen release offers a buttery smooth 120fps experience at 4K for the greatest sense of speed and momentum.

Beyond this, the game has also gotten a brand new mode. Called the ‘Remix Arcade’ this new mode allows you to “speed through infinitely replayable levels and chase high scores in random sound bites, all with no loading” – giving it a great deal more content than the original release.

Being a music-focused rhythm game, perhaps the most exciting improvement is the addition of PS5 DualSense support, giving each pulse and beat its own distinct sense of impact.

Sayonara Wild Hearts features poppy visuals, excellent music and a surprisingly heartfelt narrative, and so anyone who missed the title when it first released should give this remaster a go.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Sayonara Wild Hearts? Where does it place on your rhythm game tier list? What was your favourite song from the OST? Let us know down below.

The post Sayonara Wild Hearts gets surprise free PS5 upgrade first appeared on KitGuru.

33 Immortals set for March release on Steam and Xbox

25 février 2025 à 12:00

Last year, I put together a list of seven great indie games to look out for in 2024. 33 Immortals appeared prominently on that list but unfortunately, the game was pushed back to 2025. Now, we finally have a release date, and it is just around the corner. 

33 Immortals, a new take on large-scale MMO-style raids, is now set to launch on the 18th of March as an Early Access title on Steam and Xbox Series X/S.

33 Immortals is developed by Thunder Lotus Games and has already received positive feedback based on the beta test last Summer. The game is created to simulate the feeling of being in a raid, putting 33 players together in a map to take down hordes of dangerous enemies, followed by a massive boss.

Players will need to work together to synergise tactics to stand a chance against the major bosses. You won't have to worry about getting 33 friends together either – there is matchmaking. Better yet, it is near instant, so you won't have to wait long to find some teammates to play with.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I've had my eye on this one for a while – hopefully it will run well on the Steam Deck. 

The post 33 Immortals set for March release on Steam and Xbox first appeared on KitGuru.

Activision admits GenAI tools already in use for Call of Duty development

25 février 2025 à 11:44

Gamers have made it well known that they don't want to see gaming flooded with titles that make heavy use of generative AI. As it turns out, one of the biggest games in the world, Call of Duty, is already there. Activision has admitted that it has begun using AI to produce a range of in-game assets for Black Ops 6. 

How did this admission come about? Well, Valve recently updated its Steam policy, demanding that developers disclose any use of Generative AI in a sub-section of their game's Steam listing. As a result, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Steam page has been updated with the following disclosure: “Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets.”

Ultimately, Black Ops 6 is still a project with thousands of developers assigned to it. However, in-game assets like calling cards, stickers and even some skins have been created using AI.

According to Insider Gaming, last year's holiday-themed ‘zombified Santa' skin was created by AI, something that was spotted due to an error that led to too many fingers on the model, a tell-tale sign of GenAI being used without careful human oversight.

Recently, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, also spoke about the company's plans to train its own Generative AI model using a catalogue of first-party games, something that could shrink development timelines.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It seems a lot of the bigger publishers are hoping that Generative AI will allow them to reset the table, allowing for games to be made faster, with smaller teams. However, the public at large has been against the use of AI replacing creative humans. That hasn't stopped the industry in the past though. There was plenty of backlash against cosmetic DLCs back in the day, but the industry pushed forward with it anyway and now, it is rare to find a game that doesn't offer some form of paid DLC. The same will happen for AI, there will be some pushback along the way, but eventually, AI will be industry standard, and it will be impossible to find a game that wasn't developed with some kind of AI assistance outside of indies. 

The post Activision admits GenAI tools already in use for Call of Duty development first appeared on KitGuru.

Balatro update crosses over with 8 more franchises

25 février 2025 à 11:30

Balatro was one of the biggest breakout hits of 2024, with the Poker-themed roguelike selling millions of copies and even being nominated for Game of the Year. for its first major update of 2025, Balatro is crossing over with 8 different franchises, ranging from Fallout, to Assassin’s Creed and even Bugsnax.

Announced during the most recent ID@Xbox games showcase, the latest ‘Friends of Jimbo’ update for Balatro introduces a bunch of new cosmetic crossover cards.

Following previous additions such as The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 and Vampire Survivors, 8 new franchises are now represented in the game, those being:

  • Dead by Daylight
  • Civilization VII
  • Critical Role
  • Assassin's Creed
  • Fallout
  • Bugsnax
  • Slay the Princess
  • Rust

As mentioned, these crossovers are merely cosmetic, changing the artwork on your deck of cards. Even so, having so many different franchises represented in one game in this way is interesting to see.

In case you have yet to try out Balatro, alongside the update, the game is now available on Xbox Game Pass, giving its subscribers the chance to play the game – though the best way to experience this title is still on mobile.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the ID@Xbox Showcase? What was your favourite announcement? Do you prefer cosmetic or gameplay-altering crossovers? Let us know down below.

The post Balatro update crosses over with 8 more franchises first appeared on KitGuru.

Nintendo Switch 2 predicted for June launch

25 février 2025 à 11:16

While Nintendo is currently keeping quiet about its Switch 2 launch date, a former Nintendo of America sales and retail employee has publicly revealed their prediction for a June launch.

Going by the name ‘Sean', this ex-Nintendo sales worker spoke on the Kit and Krista podcast (via VGC) to spill some of the beans about Nintendo's sales strategy. According to them, Nintendo will be eyeing up a Summer launch for the Switch 2, meaning the console could be in the hands of gamers within months of the company's planned Nintendo Direct showcase in April.

More specifically, Nintendo could be eyeing up a June launch date, getting the console out well ahead of the holiday season rush and laying the groundwork for some big end-of-year exclusives.

With all of that said, retailers do not have ‘advance knowledge' of the Switch 2 launch date, but Nintendo will likely inform them weeks ahead of launch. As for price tag, while others have speculated a more palatable $299 or $399 launch price, this former Nintendo employee anticipates a price tag as high as $450.

We recently published an extensive piece on one of the Switch 2's anticipated features – Mouse Mode, allowing the Joy-Cons to be used like a PC mouse for more accurate tracking.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to the Switch 2 at all? Will you be looking to get one at launch?

The post Nintendo Switch 2 predicted for June launch first appeared on KitGuru.

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down campaign launches to ‘mostly negative’ reviews

25 février 2025 à 11:01

Delta Force has been off to a good start since the launch of its multiplayer mode late last year. This month, the developers released their first single-player campaign DLC – a retelling of Black Hawk Down. Unfortunately, the campaign has been met with negative reception, in large part due to difficulty. 

Many players are finding that the Delta Force: Black Hawk Down campaign is ‘unnecessarily difficult' with no form of scaling present based on whether you are playing solo or as part of a team. Players have also encountered issues with enemy spawns and other odd design choices.

At this point in time, the Delta Force: Black Hawk Down DLC has a ‘Mostly Negative' rating on Steam. While it is technically playable in single-player, the campaign doesn't offer players much in the way of ammo or health drops without having a teammate actively playing the support class, defeating the point for those looking to play solo. You also can't pick up an enemy's weapon after running out of bullets or resort to melee attacks to try and push through.

While the overwhelming sentiment is negative, there are a few high-rated positive reviews for the campaign on Steam. Those players happen to love the difficulty level, including the lack of lives and limited supplies, forcing a more tactical approach to clearing areas from players.

From the sounds of it, the developers could improve the DLC a lot with a few quality of life changes, like fixing enemy spawns to happen a certain distance from the player, adding the ability to scavenge ammo from discarded weapons and maybe dropping a few bandages to find throughout the levels to help players get through to the end.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried the Delta Force: Black Hawk Down campaign yet? What did you make of it so far? 

The post Delta Force: Black Hawk Down campaign launches to ‘mostly negative’ reviews first appeared on KitGuru.

Revenge of the Savage Planet arrives this May

25 février 2025 à 10:45

Journey to the Savage Planet is a fun and unique first person shooter which sees you explore a number of wonderful and weird worlds while offering solid gameplay to boot. Released back in 2020, a sequel was announced in the form of Revenge of the Savage Planet last year. Launching just 6 months after its reveal, the sequel is set to arrive this May.

As part of the recent ID@Xbox Showcase, the team behind the original game (though under the new name Racoon Logic) have officially confirmed that Revenge of the Savage Planet will be launching in just a couple months on the 8th of May.

For the uninitiated, Revenge of the Savage Planet is described as “an upbeat, satirical action adventure Sci-Fi. Jump, shoot and collect your way across vibrant alien worlds, uncovering new gear and upgrades, while discovering various hidden secrets.”

While the satirical nature of the game was somewhat hit-or-miss, the first entry in the series featured a fun and compelling gameplay loop which dished out new weapons and abilities at a solid rate – making for a fun and continuously interesting open-zone action-platformer.

Hopefully Revenge of the Savage Planet proves to be just as good as the first game.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the game? Did you play the original Journey to the Savage Planet? What changes/improvements do you hope they’ve made for the sequel? Let us know down below.

The post Revenge of the Savage Planet arrives this May first appeared on KitGuru.

Monster Hunter-like Dauntless is shutting down following poor Steam launch

25 février 2025 à 10:00

Announced all the way back in 2016 – and released in 2019 – Dauntless was an Epic Games Store Exclusive Monster-Hunter-like title. While it could not compare to Capcom’s series, the game was enjoyed well enough. Unfortunately, its refreshed arrival onto Steam last year was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews – with the game now officially set to be shut down.

Making the sudden announcement on Twitter, the official game's page shared the news of its impending closure, writing “Important update: Dauntless is shutting down on May 29, 2025. Dauntless will receive no additional content or updates. Dauntless will no longer be available to play on and after May 29, 2025 at 11:45PM PST. Thanks to all for being a part of the Dauntless journey.”

While a pretty sudden announcement, this seemed to be an inevitability following its failed Steam launch late last year, where the game was slammed for its introduction of loot boxes among other unsavoury practices.

Dauntless Monster

The timing of this announcement is also curious as it comes just ahead of the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. That said, given just how big of a game Wilds is likely to be, Dauntless would have struggled to maintain relevancy in the wake of its release regardless, and so it is perhaps for the best that they were able to announce this on their own terms.

Hopefully we get a more candid explanation for its closure over the coming weeks.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised by the announcement? What did you think of their Steam launch? Could the game have stayed afloat if they’d done some things differently? Let us know down below.

The post Monster Hunter-like Dauntless is shutting down following poor Steam launch first appeared on KitGuru.

NetEase almost scrapped Marvel Rivals to avoid paying Disney license fees

24 février 2025 à 18:30

We were all shocked to see the director behind Marvel Rivals let go by NetEase weeks after the game's incredibly successful launch. Now, it turns out that the game was almost cancelled, as NetEase bosses were unhappy with the idea of paying licensing fees to use the Marvel characters. 

According to sources speaking with Bloomberg, NetEase CEO, William Ding, was against the idea of paying Disney a cut of the game's revenue. In an effort to avoid doing so, he had a team or artists swap in original hero designs to the game, with the idea of pivoting Marvel Rivals into a wholly original IP. That effort ended up costing the company millions of dollars and ultimately led to nothing.

Naturally, this kind of news could sour the relationship between Disney/Marvel and NetEase, so it should come as no surprise that a spokesperson for the company told Bloomberg that it has “enjoyed a close partnership with Marvel since 2017” and denied that the game was being considered for cancellation.

Ultimately, Marvel Rivals did release and by all accounts, has been a huge success, accruing around 40 million players since launch in December. Currently, it is one of the most popular multiplayer games on Steam, regularly appearing in the top ten most-played titles.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Given the post-launch success of Marvel Rivals, hearing that the game was almost canned is almost unbelievable to me. There is no doubt in my mind that the game would have turned out like Concord had it pivoted to ‘original hero' characters, rather than utilising the brand power of the Marvel IP. 

The post NetEase almost scrapped Marvel Rivals to avoid paying Disney license fees first appeared on KitGuru.

Avowed was originally going to be ‘multiplayer Skyrim’, Obsidian director confirms

24 février 2025 à 18:00

Obsidian's latest game, Avowed, has finally launched to positive reception, but the game we ended up with is far from what the studio had originally envisioned. In the early days of Avowed, it was supposed to feature a much larger Skyrim-style world, with multiplayer being the hook.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Avowed director, Carrie Patel, revealed plenty of details about the development of the game. Prior to Patel taking over, Avowed had already been in the works for a couple of years and was even used by Obsidian to pitch itself to potential buyers, like Microsoft. Back then, Avowed was set to be a much larger scale game and was internally referred to as ‘multiplayer Skyrim'.

Avowed Series X

Obsidian eventually realised that creating Avowed in its originally envisioned form would require far more manpower than they felt comfortable assigning to one project, hampering the studio's small-team, multi-project approach to development that has allowed them to release titles like The Outer Worlds, Grounded, Avowed and soon, The Outer Worlds 2, all in quick succession.

When the game went back to the drawing board in 2021, Patel faced a few challenges stepping into the director role. For a start, she needed new creative leadership and beyond that, she had to create a new vertical slice for the game with a much larger team of 80 developers. Typically, when developing a vertical slice, you would have a much smaller pre-production team, but Patel had to get the ball rolling on the new version of Avowed fast. From there, the open-world and multiplayer elements were scrapped in favour of smaller open-zones, akin to what we saw in The Outer Worlds:

“Normally if you’re stepping back and reevaluating your creative direction, putting together a new vertical slice and revised production plans, you would do that with a very small team”, Patel told Bloomberg. “A lot of lessons we learned as we were building this game, ideally we would’ve learned on a small scale with a true preproduction.”

Now that Avowed is out in the world and new players are experiencing The Living Lands for the first time, Patel is moving on to the idea of expansions and sequels, carrying forward the Pillars of Eternity legacy for a new audience.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Have you had the chance to play Avowed yet? What do you make of the game? Would you like to have seen ‘multiplayer Skyrim' realised by Obsidian, or do you like the studio's current approach to smaller, more manageable single-player RPGs?

The post Avowed was originally going to be ‘multiplayer Skyrim’, Obsidian director confirms first appeared on KitGuru.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows being sold online weeks before launch

24 février 2025 à 17:30

We are still a month away from Assassin's Creed Shadows' intended launch date, but it seems that copies are landing in the hands of gamers well ahead of time. A number of physical copies of the game have seemingly been stolen and sold online, leading to a number of leaks. 

On social media, user @DannyStevens_ posted photos of the game's case, install screen and images of the game running, which have since been taken down. The account has also gone private since making the post. The early copy of the game was found on Facebook Marketplace in the US and it wasn't the only early copy being put up for sale a month ahead of launch.

Assassin's Creed Shadows

On Reddit, another person with early access to the game shared a number of details. For starters, the version of the game currently on the disc is a very old build, and since we are still a few weeks away from launch, there is no day-one patch available. With that in mind, any early gameplay footage that does the rounds will likely include bugs that won't be seen in the day-one version of the game.

Based on this early version of the game, players will begin as Yasuke, a character that has been at the centre of controversy. After nearly 10 hours of gameplay, it is claimed that the person with this early copy of the game had yet to meet the game's second playable character. Whether or not Ubisoft has changed this to allow players to pick their preferred character from the start of the game still remains to be seen.

Ubisoft is aware that early copies of the game are circulating and is already issuing DMCAs to get marketplace listings and gameplay footage taken down. Assassin's Creed Shadows will officially release on the 20th of March for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Situations like this do occur from time to time. Anyone who was following Kingdom Hearts 3 in the lead-up to launch will remember that copies of the game were similarly stolen and sold online weeks before launch. This time around though, it looks like Ubisoft became aware of the problem before gameplay footage and streams began circulating. 

The post Assassin’s Creed Shadows being sold online weeks before launch first appeared on KitGuru.

Montech launches its quietest AIO cooler yet – the HyperFlow Silent

24 février 2025 à 16:45

Montech is debuting its quietest AIO cooler yet – the new HyperFlow Silent. This new AIO cooler is designed to deliver peak performance without compromise, all wrapped up in a minimalist aesthetic that does away with ARGB lighting to focus on a clean and professional look.

The HyperFlow Silent aimed to redefine quiet computing by minimising noise to unheard of levels. The pump in this AIO operates at a low 28 dBA, even at high speeds of 3100RPM. Minimising pump noise wasn't the only focus though, Montech has also gone ahead and combined the cooler with new Metal PRO 12 Silent fans, which reduce noise by 23 percent compared to the previous version, all while keeping the durable structure in-tact.

The HyperFlow Silent is designed to handle high-performance CPUs with ease thanks to its advanced 27mm fin stack and high-density thermal channels. The durable structure and dedicated ring tech ensure consistent temperatures during intense gaming or creative tasks. As you have likely noticed from the images above, this cooler also does away with ARGB lighting, instead opting for a swirl pattern on the metal pump interior and a timeless black or white colour variant for a more professional aesthetic. If you ever have an issue with the cooler, it is backed by a six-year warranty, so you can buy with peace of mind that any issues will be covered.

The Montech HyperFlow Silent will be available starting today, priced at $69.99 for the 240mm version and $79.99 for the 360mm version.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a new AIO cooler? Will you be considering the Montech HyperFlow Silent?

The post Montech launches its quietest AIO cooler yet – the HyperFlow Silent first appeared on KitGuru.

DeepCool launches FL12 Daisy Chain fans packed with 36 ARGB LEDs

24 février 2025 à 16:00

Following on from our preview at CES, DeepCool is now launching its new daisy-chainable FL12 series case fans. The new fans combine aesthetically pleasing ARGB lighting effects with high performance airflow at low noise output.

Using an 8-pin cable, the F12 fans can be easily daisy-chained to reduce wire clutter and provide simpler installation for a cleaner and more organised build. The ‘cross' on the backside of most case fans has been removed for the F12R, so you can get uninterrupted ARGB effects whether you are using the fans for intake or exhaust. Each fan is also packed with 36 ARGB LEDs, leading to very smooth transitions and very bright colours.

Below you can find the specifications for each of the FL12 series fans:

FL12 120mm Specifications:

  • Fan Speed: 500~2150 RPM±10%
  • Fan Airflow: 55 CFM
  • Fan Air Pressure: 2.82 mmAq
  • Fan Noise: ≤32 dB(A)
  • Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
  • Bearing Type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing

FL12 WH 120mm Specifications:

  • Fan Speed: 500~2150 RPM±10%
  • Fan Airflow: 55 CFM
  • Fan Air Pressure: 2.82 mmAq
  • Fan Noise: ≤32 dB(A)
  • Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
  • Bearing Type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing

FL12R 120mm Specifications:

  • Fan Speed: 500~2150 RPM±10%
  • Fan Airflow: 55 CFM
  • Fan Air Pressure: 2.59 mmAq
  • Fan Noise: ≤33.9 dB(A)
  • Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
  • Bearing Type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing

FL12R WH 120mm Specifications:

  • Fan Speed: 500~2150 RPM±10%
  • Fan Airflow: 55 CFM
  • Fan Air Pressure: 2.59 mmAq
  • Fan Noise: ≤33.9 dB(A)
  • Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
  • Bearing Type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing

Prices for these fans start at €21.99 or the FL12 & FL12 WH, going up to €29.99 for the Reverse fan models (FL12R and FL12R WH). The fans are also available in packs of three, priced at €62.99 for the standard FL12, going up to €79.99 for the Reverse fan 3-pack.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking to pick up some new case fans to improve aesthetics and performance? The new FL12 series are worth looking out for.

The post DeepCool launches FL12 Daisy Chain fans packed with 36 ARGB LEDs first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel 18A process node detailed

24 février 2025 à 15:15

Intel has launched a dedicated webpage showcasing its Intel 18A (1.8nm-class) fabrication process. While launching a website solely for a manufacturing process might seem unusual, especially since it primarily reiterates previously announced milestones, it's a strategic move for a company facing intense scrutiny from many sources, including investors, industry observers, customers, competitors, and even governments.

Intel's 18A process is a milestone for the company. It's their first commercial process to utilise gate-all-around RibbonFET transistors and a backside power delivery network called PowerVia. These features might help it stand out from its closest competitor, TSMC's N2 node. Moreover, 18A marks Intel's first leading-edge process to embrace industry-standard EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools and third-party IPs, making it accessible to external customers through Intel Foundry Services. The company has high hopes for this process, viewing it as a testament to its ability to deliver cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

The Intel 18A website emphasises the collaborative nature of the process, highlighting its compatibility with industry-standardised tools, IP developers, chip designers and cloud-based design providers. Intel also underscores the process's strategic importance by highlighting its selection by the US military and government for various applications. However, with Intel's first 18A product (Panther Lake processors) not expected until mid-2025 and the first tape-ins of third-party 18A designs slated for even later, it's still too soon to know specifics on third-party adoption.

This proactive approach to communication marks a shift from Intel's past practices. In the days when Intel's manufacturing prowess was unchallenged, information about next-generation processes was typically revealed alongside actual product releases. While those announcements, which included deep dives into new materials and transistor architectures, were exciting for tech enthusiasts, the current landscape demands a different strategy. Whether it will work out or not, we should find out later this year.

KitGuru says: With many doubting Intel's ability to reclaim its process technology lead from TSMC, the company aims to dispel scepticism and rebuild confidence. The 18A website is a platform to showcase their technological advancements and attract potential foundry customers, showing them they're back at the forefront of semiconductor manufacturing.

The post Intel 18A process node detailed first appeared on KitGuru.

Neverwinter Nights gets a new expansion 23 years after release

24 février 2025 à 14:30

Over two decades after its initial release, Neverwinter Nights has received a new expansion named Doom of Icewind Dale. This unexpected addition breathes new life into the classic BioWare title, offering fans a chance to revisit the world of Neverwinter.

Initially launched in 2002, Neverwinter Nights garnered critical acclaim and spawned two expansions and a sequel, Neverwinter Nights 2, which Obsidian Entertainment developed. Both games are considered landmark titles in the realm of Dungeons & Dragons video game adaptations, with the original often cited as one of BioWare's finest creations.

Doom of Icewind Dale picks up where the original campaign left off, offering players a 10-15+ hour journey through the frigid landscapes of Icewind Dale. The expansion introduces 14 new areas to explore, five new companions to recruit, 14 new monsters to battle, and a host of new music to enhance the atmosphere. It's a welcome return to a beloved world, offering nostalgia and fresh content for veteran players and newcomers alike.

Developed by Neverwinter Nights community founder Luke “Alazander” Scull, Doom of Icewind Dale is a passion project that captures the essence of the original Dungeons & Dragons experience. Priced at $9.99 (with a 10% launch discount on Steam until February 28th), it's a worthy investment for fans of the original game. Scull has even hinted at future instalments, with Doom of Icewind Dale serving as the first chapter in a new campaign called The Blades of Netheril. The following DLCs, however, don't have a release date yet.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: The release of Baldur's Gate 3 has reignited interest in D&D video game adaptations, and rumours of an Enhanced Edition of 2006's Neverwinter Nights 2 have further fuelled anticipation. Whether those rumours materialise remains to be seen. Still, one thing is certain: the world of D&D is experiencing a renaissance in the digital realm, offering a wealth of adventures for new and veteran players.

The post Neverwinter Nights gets a new expansion 23 years after release first appeared on KitGuru.

PCSpecialist Cortex Pro Prebuilt Desktop Review

24 février 2025 à 14:28

With the release of the 5000 series graphics cards from Nvidia, comes the release of new prebuilt gaming desktops, and today we assess the Cortex Pro from PCSpecialist. It features an RTX 5080 graphics card alongside a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, 32GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 memory running at 6000MT/s, and a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro M.2 SSD – a spec list that puts it on the cutting edge of gaming technology. With a price tag of £2699 though, it raises the question, is it worth it? That’s the question we're aiming to answer today.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:59 Overview
01:28 Mat's current PC (compare system)
01:54 PCS system Specs / Price
02:26 ASUS RTX5080 Tuf OC Edition
03:25 Memory / Storage / Mobo
05:15 PSU / Cooler / Fans / Case
07:01 Build quality / cable management
07:44 The 2 system test comparisons
07:58 Counter Strike 2 (1440p)
08:26 Hogwarts Legacy (1440p)
08:57 Sniper Elite Resistance (1440p)
09:34 Forza Horizon 5 (4k)
10:20 A Plague Tale Requiem (4k)
11:10 Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (4k)
11:55 Cyberpunk 2077 (DLSS / FSR / Frame Gen / RT)
13:12 Hellblade 2 (4k)
13:51 Gaming Performance thoughts
14:32 Synthetic benchmarks
14:58 Cinebench R23 Multi Core
15:13 Cinebench R23 Single Core
15:28 3DMark Timespy
15:45 Total System Power
16:14 System Noise
16:43 Thermal Imaging
18:35 Closing Thoughts

Specifications:

  • Case – PCS LUMIN ARGB MID TOWER CASE (PWM)
  • Processor (CPU) – AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Eight Core CPU (Up to 5.2GHz/104MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5)
  • Motherboard – ASUS® TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, M.2 PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7)
  • Memory (RAM) – 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 6000MHz (2 x 16GB)
  • Graphics Card – 16GB ASUS TUF GEFORCE RTX 5080 OC – 2 x HDMI, 3 x DP
  • Storage – 2TB SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2, PCIe 4.0 NVMe (up to 7450MB/R, 6900MB/W)
  • Power Supply – CORSAIR 1000W RMx SERIES™ – MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
  • Processor Cooling – PCS FrostFlow 360 Series ARGB High Performance Liquid Cooler

The core specs are confirmed in the following CPUZ and GPUZ screenshots

Gaming performance is impressive on the Cortex Pro desktop. The combination of RTX 5080 GPU and 9800X3D CPU enable smooth and fast gameplay in all titles tested. For full details and comparison to a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and AMD Radeon 7900XTX based system, head over to our YouTube channel to watch the full review.

Screenshots from Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, A Plague Tale: Requiem, Cyberpunk 2077, Senua's Saga: Hellblade and Hogwarts Legacy are below.

Synthetic testing resulted in the Cortex Pro comfortably beating that comparison Ryzen 7 7800X3D and AMD Radeon 7900XTX based system, as we would expect to see. Total system power draw was a particular highlight and showcases the efficiency of the newer technology found in the Cortex Pro.

Click to enlarge

You can buy the Cortex Pro Desktop from PCSpecialist for £2699 HERE.

Pros:

  • RTX 5080 excels in ray tracing compared to the 7900 XTX.
  • Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the gaming CPU on the market.
  • Great build aesthetics and component design choice.
  • Fast and large SSD.
  • Good cable management.
  • Prebuilt machines could be a good way to get access to the latest generation Nvidia graphics cards if stock is an issue elsewhere.

Cons:

  • Expensive.
  • RAM latency (at CL36) could be better.

KitGuru says: The Cortex Pro is undoubtedly a very powerful gaming machine featuring one of the latest graphics cards from Nvidia. The high price tag will certainly put it out of reach for many, but if you can afford it, it's a well built gaming powerhouse.

 

The post PCSpecialist Cortex Pro Prebuilt Desktop Review first appeared on KitGuru.

First Nvidia RTX 5080 card with missing ROPs found

24 février 2025 à 13:45

The plot thickens regarding the GeForce RTX 50 series ROP issue. While Nvidia initially confirmed that a limited number of RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti GPUs were affected by a production defect resulting in fewer active ROPs (Render Output Units), new evidence suggests the problem might be more widespread.

A Reddit user named gingeraffe90 has reported that their RTX 5080 Founders Edition card also exhibits this issue, showing only 104 ROPs instead of the expected 112, according to GPU-Z, the same diagnostic tool that initially brought the problem to light. This raises concerns about the extent of the defect and the number of cards potentially affected.

To confirm the validity of the Reddit user's findings, VideoCardz contacted the poster for GPU-Z validation. The validation confirms that the reported ROP count is accurate, even after the user has reinstalled drivers. This leaves little doubt that the RTX 5080 is indeed affected by the same ROP defect. The issue now appears to extend beyond the initially reported RTX 5090 and 5070 Ti models, raising questions about the scope of the problem.

In related news, another Reddit user (Der_Zeitgeist) posted a GPU-Z screenshot of its newly acquired MSI RTX 5070Ti Gaming Trio OC card. Instead of the advertised 96 ROPs, this particular card had only 88. The user ran several benchmarks to assess the performance impact, comparing their results to reference values. According to the data shared on the ComputerBase forum, the affected 5070 Ti showed a performance deficit of 12% in 3DMark Time Spy, 3% in Steel Nomad, and 9% in Speed Way compared to a card with the correct number of ROPs. While these are synthetic benchmarks, and real-world gaming performance may vary, they demonstrate the impact of the missing ROPs.

So far, Nvidia's response has been less than ideal for those impacted. Nvidia has asked affected customers to seek replacements from the board partner that produced their graphics card. However, supply of these graphics cards aren't exactly in abundance, which can lead to difficulties in getting a replacement in a timely manner. With that in mind, a more proactive approach from Nvidia, like a recall of the impacted GPUs, might be more appropriate.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Your chance of finding one of these GPUs in stock is already low, but now a portion of the few that managed to get one are finding that their GPUs are defective, leading to a messy situation we rarely see around GPU launches nowadays. 

The post First Nvidia RTX 5080 card with missing ROPs found first appeared on KitGuru.

KitGuru Games: Switch 2’s Mouse Mode could Revolutionise Game Control

24 février 2025 à 13:00

Prior to the official unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 last month, I postulated on the strategies and movements which I believed the company should utilise in order to ensure their upcoming sequel console is just as if not even more successful than the 150+ million seller OG Switch from back in 2017. One of the most pivotal points in my opinion was the necessity for the Switch 2 to feature some sort of weird gimmick. Sure enough, cut to Nintendo’s – admittedly short – reveal trailer and we got our first taste for what the company is cooking.

While not outwardly stated, the teaser showed off what many believed to be a sort of hybrid mouse mode, taking the previous Switch’s split Joy-Con mode and reinventing it further into what I believe could be one of the most transformative ‘gimmicks’ the company has come up with over the decades. Whether it will resonate with tens of millions is yet to be seen, but in my opinion, this new mouse mode might just be exactly what I’ve dreamed of for many years now.

Switch Mouse

Growing up as a console player, I of course spent years completing all my games using a dedicated controller – be it a 3rd-person action-adventure title; a strategy puzzler or a first-person shooter. Using controllers just felt more natural to me. And so, when I switched over to PC gaming, my muscle memory from years of gamepad usage left me struggling with a majority of titles.

Can I play games using a mouse and keyboard? Of course, but it is far from my preferred method of control. While there is no denying that using a mouse and keyboard does have its own unique set of benefits, it also comes with a great deal of downsides. Unlike a traditional gamepad/controller, mouse and keyboard as a method of input is highly unoptimal.

First, on the keyboard front, having 100+ keys laid out in these equally-spaced and homogenised rows is far from utilitarian, with one needing to look no further than the WASD keys’ to identify the fact that keyboards were created and formatted for writing and navigation – with games then having to work around this in order to try and find a comfortable layout of usable keys.

Forget RSI from continuous use of a mouse, my entire left hand needs to be contorted and stretched in unnatural positions for possibly hours at a time in order to perform movements as simple as sprinting or sliding. Keyboards were not designed for this type of continuous multi-finger hyper-tapping. The invention of sticky keys and the doubling up of CTRL/Shift/Alt keys on both sides of the keyboard serve enough proof of this fact.

That’s not to say that over the decades PC games haven’t adapted to this system, with a majority of titles using similar layouts in order to make the overall experience more familiar from game-to-game – but to say that keyboards are a better designed product for playing video games is objectively false.

Of course, for some, a controller can feel like holding an alien remote, and I would never besmirch you for your personal proclivities when it comes to your preferred input method. However, for me, using a keyboard for gaming just doesn’t sit right with me.

The humble mouse on the other hand offers a much more compelling argument for its use when compared to controllers – leading me on a years long search for the perfect hybrid between the two types of peripherals.

This search sent me down a long and arduous path which ultimately ended in disappointment. One of the first methods I attempted was to hold a controller in my left hand and a mouse in my right. While this could be the best of both worlds in theory, the uneven weight of the full controller in my left hand did not make for a comfortable experience in the long-term.

Even if it did, only a handful of titles offer the ability to dynamically switch between the two peripherals – with even fewer allowing for simultaneous usage – and so I had to keep looking.

Next, I tried more gaming-focused keyboards such as the Razer Tartarus: a gamepad which purported to offer the control of a mouse and keyboard while removing all the dozens of unnecessary keys. While certainly an improvement, the keypad’s attempt at an analogue stick for movement left plenty to be desired, functioning more so as a multi-directional d-pad with a couple bonus inputs.

While I respect the peripheral and what it is attempting to do, for my purposes it fell just a bit short. Then came the Nintendo Switch.

Thanks to its hybrid nature and the invention of Joy-Cons, the OG switch in TV mode allowed for one of the first instances of split controller usage, letting you freely use one Joy-Con in each hand. While primarily a function of comfort, the potential for such a feature was notable, and while Nintendo themselves did little with it, I was hoping to see its implementation spread to other manufacturers.

Sure, we did get some controllers which could be split into two, but the concept wasn’t taken any further than this.

Cut to 2025 and the Switch 2 was officially announced. During the brief hardware tease, Nintendo showed off the refreshed Joy-Cons racing around a flat surface on their side.

Shortly thereafter, patents published by Nintendo were discovered, confirming the Switch 2’s new mouse mode – allowing you to control a character’s movement and more in the traditional way, while simultaneously turning the right Joy-Con into an optical mouse for added precision when aiming.

This alone would solve the issue I’ve been struggling with, however according to the patents, this new feature can go even further with the R1/R2 buttons serving as left and right mouse clicks while still giving you the option to use the right analogue whenever you wish; similar to using both a thumbstick and gyro aiming at the same time but with even greater precision.

Assuming this works as intended (and is as seamless as the last-gen split Joy-Con mode), Nintendo might very well have created the exact control method which I’ve been searching for. It’s just a shame that such a control scheme will be limited to the Switch 2 itself.

Until now I’ve failed to mention one of my biggest grievances with mouse and keyboard controls – that being the lack of any haptic feedback. While in no way necessary (and somewhat alleviated by a good set of headphones) the added tactility and response felt by tight haptic feedback when shooting, jumping or performing any other action – especially on the likes of the PS5’s DualSense controller – makes for an infinitely more satisfying experience in moment-to-moment gameplay.

Now I understand why you wouldn’t want to have your keyboard and mouse buzzing about with each button press (and peripherals which have tried to approximate this have struggled in the past), but with what will presumably be an upgraded form of their HD-Rumble included with these new Joy-Cons, I once again may be able to have the best of both worlds in this regard; offering tight yet prevalent haptics while still offering the many benefits of using a mouse.

You never know, the likely success of the Switch 2 could see PC accessory manufacturers revisit the concept, now that more game studios are likely to be conscious of implementing support for simultaneous multi-connectivity (and the fact that advanced haptics are more – well advanced – and cheaper to boot).

As mentioned, I previously wrote a KitGuru Games piece ahead of the official unveiling of the Switch 2, in which I discussed – among other things – what weird gimmick I would like to see Nintendo try out for the upcoming console. The two main off-the-dome ideas which I proposed was to see the return of glasses-free 3D screens / pressure sensitive screens.

I knew neither of these were going to happen (especially as they would only work with the Switch 2 in handheld mode), and while I would still totally love to see Nintendo give its 3DS gimmick another go at some point, I can’t deny that this mouse mode has me extremely intrigued and enticed.

Why did the console maker opt for this as their primary new gimmick? I honestly don’t know. It seems a bit too niche when compared to the company’s other grand swings which they’ve taken with previous systems. That being said, I could see a couple first-party Nintendo titles (such as Metroid 4) make use of this in a similar way to that of motion aiming – not for everyone, but a nice optional quality-of-life addition which will be welcomed by some.

So, while I don’t think this mouse mode will revolutionise the way games are designed, I do hope it sets a precedent for more developers to add dynamic controller support – and in tow see more hardware makers create hybrid controllers; ultimately creating a new loop of invention and reinvention which could very well eventually evolve the way we physically play games.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Nintendo Switch 2’s new mouse mode? Could it be revolutionary if widely adopted? What’s your favourite new Switch 2 feature? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post KitGuru Games: Switch 2’s Mouse Mode could Revolutionise Game Control first appeared on KitGuru.

Square Enix announces 15th anniversary NieR livestream

24 février 2025 à 12:15

2017’s NieR: Automata was a beautiful, evocative and highly fun game which introduced millions to the unique and bleak world of NieR. 8 years following its release (and 15 years since the first game), Square Enix has announced that they will be hosting an anniversary livestream this April.

Well in advance of its actual stream date, an upcoming livestream celebrating NieR’s 15th anniversary has been penned for the 19th of April, with the team writing (as translated by ResetEra user ‘Super’):

“This is a live broadcast of the ‘NieR’ series, which will celebrate its 15th anniversary in April 2025. We will deliver the latest information on events and merchandise planned to be held in commemoration of the 15th anniversary, along with talks from developers. We also plan to have a mini live performance during the program. We hope you enjoy it. The program is scheduled to last about 2 hours and 30 minutes.”

Despite first arriving 15 years ago, the series has so far only seen two mainline entries – those being the original NieR Replicant/Gestalt and the aforementioned Automata (as well as the mobile-only ‘Re[in]carnation'). That said, Automata in particular was huge for the series, alone having sold over 9 million copies.

Considering the fact that we’ve seen neither hide nor hair regarding a sequel, do not go into this livestream expecting an official announcement. More likely the stream will focus on interviews, panel discussions, answering questions and the like – with some new merch announcements or something on top.

That said, with Automata selling almost 10 million units pretty much as its own new IP (with very little carryover from the original NieR), it would make sense now more than ever for Square Enix and director Yoko Taro to finally announce a new title. We will have to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the livestream? What do you expect to be announced? Will we ever get a NieR 3? Let us know down below.

The post Square Enix announces 15th anniversary NieR livestream first appeared on KitGuru.

A ton of new DOOM: The Dark Ages details have been revealed

24 février 2025 à 11:30

DOOM: The Dark Ages is one of the biggest Microsoft-published games set to release in 2025, with the id Software developed FPS once again seemingly reinventing what it means to be a DOOM game. Ahead of its 15th of May debut, the team have shared a ton of new details on what separates The Dark Ages from its predecessors.

In an interview conducted by EDGE Magazine (and collated by ResetEra user Rychu), the team at id Software offered a bunch of new details on DOOM: The Dark Ages’ many mechanics.

Regarding the new shield, the team confirmed that it can be thrown “in the style of Captain America” as well as functioning as a block of course. Beyond this, in a nice bit of attention to detail, when thrown, the shield will react differently depending on the surface – or enemy – it hits. Lastly, taking inspiration from God of War’s Leviathan Axe, the Shield in DOOM will be used for puzzles and exploration.

In terms of melee options, players will have 3 different weapons to choose from: The Gauntlet; Flail and Mace – all of which function differently and have their own benefits/drawbacks.

DOOM The Dark Ages

When it comes to level design, id Software have gone big with The Dark Ages, claiming it to feature the largest spaces in the franchise, serving more as sandboxes as opposed to linear paths. Interestingly, we actually got a description for how long each level will be, with these sandbox levels taking around 1 hour to complete if taking the main path (which can of course be lengthened through further exploration).

That said, the levels aren’t just giant squares, with the team confirming that they will be split into acts – with some starting off more linear only to then open up later on.

Further details on many of DOOM: The Dark Ages’ mechanics and features can be found HERE. Given the overwhelming success of 2016’s DOOM, it is both interesting and somewhat refreshing to see the team at id Software continue to evolve and add on to the DOOM formula in new and interesting ways. Hopefully the game resonates with long-time fans.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to DOOM: The Dark Ages? Which of the most recent titles had the best gameplay loop? Has the DOOM series innovated too much when it comes to this recent trilogy? Let us know down below.

The post A ton of new DOOM: The Dark Ages details have been revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

Avowed creative director hopes to work on a sequel/expansion next

24 février 2025 à 10:45

2025 is a busy year for Obsidian Entertainment, with the Microsoft-owned studio having just released their fantasy RPG Avowed – and The Outer Worlds 2 coming up later this year. Despite having quite a lot on their plate, the creative director for Avowed is hoping to support the series for years to come with expansions or even a sequel.

In an interview conducted by Bloomberg (paywalled), creative director ‘Carrie Patel’ spoke on the future of this series, saying:

“Now that we've built this wonderful world, and also built this team strength and muscle memory around the content and gameplay in this world, I'd love to see us do more with it.”

Avowed Director

Avowed has seen a pretty positive reception from both critics and fans alike, with some of the main complaints being the world’s relative lack of reactivity in particular when it comes to the NPCs and some of its writing.

Both of these issues could easily be overcome with a sequel or even expansions, and so with Avowed having a solid core, it would make sense for Obsidian Entertainment to build upon it – assuming Microsoft are happy with the game’s sales/performance of course.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you been playing Avowed? What do you think so far? Would you want to see an expansion/sequel released at some point? Let us know down below.

The post Avowed creative director hopes to work on a sequel/expansion next first appeared on KitGuru.

SIFU film adaptation is no longer being written by the John Wick creator

24 février 2025 à 10:00

Back in late 2022, it was officially announced that a film adaptation based on the popular indie fighter/brawler SIFU was in development, being headed by the creator of the John Wick franchise. While we’ve heard little in the way of new information since, a new report has confirmed that SIFU will be distributed by Netflix – alongside additional details.

As reported by Deadline, Netflix has joined the film production of SIFU, serving as the funding machine/distributor for the adaptation. Interestingly, the set-up for its production has changed slightly since the initial announcement, with Derek Kolstad no longer helming the script – instead seeing T.S. Nowlin take charge of the writing.

For the uninitiated, Kolstad is the creator of the John Wick franchise and served as the writer for all 3 entries in the franchise. Nowlin on the other hand has a slightly less reputable past, having written the screenplays for the Maze Runner series as well as Pacific Rim Uprising.

SIFU adaptation

That said, much of the team behind John Wick remains involved in SIFU, with series director Chad Stahelski and his company 87Eleven joining Story Kitchen as producers.

SIFU is known for its impactful and flashy combat, and so to have someone familiar with the genre working on the adaptation is encouraging (even if it is no longer Kolstad himself). It will be interesting to see whether SIFU’s more mystical elements (such as the game’s aging mechanic) will make it into the film. If nothing else, at least the action will hopefully look cool.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the recent updates for SIFU’s film adaptation? Are you disappointed by the change in writer? What is the most important aspect of this adaptation in your eyes? Let us know down below.

The post SIFU film adaptation is no longer being written by the John Wick creator first appeared on KitGuru.

G.Skill will soon launch new R-DIMM memory with 16-layer PCB and voltage protection

23 février 2025 à 13:00

G.Skill is raising the bar for server and workstation performance with its latest release: an enhanced version of DDR5 R-DIMM memory sticks. Built to the recently announced JEDEC specifications, these new memory sticks will feature a 16-layer PCB for improved signal integrity and incorporate robust voltage protection for enhanced reliability and stability.

A key upgrade in these new DDR5 R-DIMM modules is the implementation of a 16-layer PCB, a significant advancement over previous 8- or 10-layer designs. This increased layer count enhances signal integrity, resulting in more reliable and stable data transfer, even under demanding high-performance or overclocked conditions. This makes G.Skill's new DDR5 R-DIMM an ideal solution for high-performance computing applications in server and workstation environments.

Moreover, each module incorporates two bidirectional transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes and a fuse to improve reliability, providing dual-layer protection against unexpected power fluctuations. This design safeguards the memory from voltage spikes, ensuring maximum stability and dependability for mission-critical workloads and next-generation high-performance computing systems.

These new DDR5 R-DIMM memory kits are expected to be available starting in mid-2025.

KitGuru says: If you plan on building a new server or workstation later this year, will you consider using G.Skill's upcoming enhanced R-DIMMs?

The post G.Skill will soon launch new R-DIMM memory with 16-layer PCB and voltage protection first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia admits that a small batch of RTX 5090(D) and RTX 5070 Ti were shipped with fewer ROPs

23 février 2025 à 12:00

In recent weeks, a few RTX 50 graphics card buyers have encountered some issues. This time, we aren't talking about burning connectors, but a different kind of fault. It turns out, a small number of RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti graphics cards were shipped with GPUs featuring fewer ROPs than advertised on the official spec sheet. 

According to Nvidia, the problem stems from a factory defect affecting a small number of GPUs, including the RTX 5090, RTX 5090D, and the recently released RTX 5070 Ti. These defective GPUs were shipped to board partners, meaning cards from various manufacturers could be affected. The defect, which results in a reduced number of ROPs (Render Output Units) being enabled, can lead to a performance decrease of up to 4%, as confirmed by TechPowerUp's investigation.

Nvidia's statement was the following:

“We have identified a rare issue affecting less than 0.5% (half a percent) of GeForce RTX 5090 / 5090D and 5070 Ti GPUs which have one fewer ROP than specified. The average graphical performance impact is 4%, with no impact on AI and Compute workloads. Affected consumers can contact the board manufacturer for a replacement. The production anomaly has been corrected.”

While Nvidia claims that only 0.5% of GPUs are affected, this still translates to many potentially defective cards already in consumers' hands. What's particularly concerning is that Nvidia seemingly knew about this issue for some time but failed to disclose it before the launch of the affected cards.

The company's statement offers little guidance for affected customers, simply advising them to seek a replacement from their board partner. However, securing a replacement could be tough given the ongoing supply challenges, particularly for the high-end 5090 series. A prompt recall of the affected cards would be a more appropriate course of action.

KitGuru says: This statement casts a further shadow over the RTX 50 series launch, which has been marred by underwhelming performance gains, inflated pricing, and now, production defects.

The post Nvidia admits that a small batch of RTX 5090(D) and RTX 5070 Ti were shipped with fewer ROPs first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 details leak ahead of full reveal

23 février 2025 à 11:00

We were expecting to learn all about AMD's upcoming RX 9070 GPUs at CES in January but a last minute change of plans has led to weeks of speculation. Now, just ahead of the planned late-February reveal, details about these GPUs, the reference designs and more have surfaces. 

Hardware leaker Hoang Anh Phu (via VideoCardz) initially shared details confirming clock speeds and total board power (TBP) values, although the post was quickly deleted. According to the deleted post, the Radeon RX 9070 XT is set to boast a boost clock of 2,970MHz and a TBP of 304W, while the non-XT RX 9070 will feature a boost clock of 2,520MHz and a TBP of 220W. The leaks also confirm support for PCIe 5.0 x16, meaning the GeForce RTX 50 series will no longer be the only consumer GPUs supporting this PCIe standard.

Adding to the excitement, a leaked 3DMark benchmark (via @GawroskiT) has surfaced, showcasing the RX 9070 XT's potential performance. While there's some speculation about the benchmark's authenticity, with suggestions that pre-release drivers might be masked as a Radeon RX 7800 XT, the results are impressive nonetheless. The leaked benchmark shows the RX 9070 XT achieving a score of 7979, putting it on par with the RX 7900 XTX, surpassing both the 7900 XT and 7900 GRE, and exceeding the 7800 XT by over 50%.

In addition, AMD has confirmed (on X) that the dual-slot reference design it previously showcased in marketing materials will not be available for purchase. This departs from AMD's usual practice of offering reference cards alongside partner models. While some might be disappointed by the lack of a reference design, this could benefit consumers. In the past, AMD has prioritised the production of its reference cards, often limiting the availability of GPUs for AIB partners at launch. This time, AIBs will be solely responsible for the RX 9070 series launch, potentially leading to greater variety and availability of custom designs.

KitGuru says: What kind of performance do you expect from the Radeon RX 9070 series? 

The post AMD Radeon RX 9070 details leak ahead of full reveal first appeared on KitGuru.

Philips launches eco-friendly 34B2U3600C ultrawide monitor

21 février 2025 à 18:00

Philips is strongly committed to sustainability with the launch of its latest business monitor, the Philips 34B2U3600C. This 34-inch curved VA display is the company's first to be TCO Certified, generation 10, a globally recognised sustainability certification for IT products. This certification underscores Philips' focus on minimising environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle, from manufacturing to end-of-life disposal, addressing the growing demand for eco-conscious electronics.

Beyond its green credentials, the 34B2U3600C has impressive features designed to enhance productivity and user comfort. The curved display provides an immersive viewing experience, while the WQHD resolution 3440×1440 VA panel delivers vibrant visuals with 1.07 billion colours and a 3500:1 contrast ratio. Integrated 5W speakers offer convenient audio for video conferencing and multimedia consumption. The 120Hz refresh rate is also pretty decent for gaming and such.

Connectivity is served with a versatile USB-C port that supports 90W power delivery and an RJ45 port. Eye comfort is prioritised with TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe certification and SoftBlue Technology, which reduces harmful blue light emissions. The ergonomic stand allows for height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, ensuring the user is comfortable during extended use.

Productivity-enhancing features include SmartKVM, which enables seamless switching between multiple sources with a simple keyboard shortcut, and MultiView, which allows for simultaneous dual connection and viewing. Philips is backing the 34B2U3600C with an extended 5-year warranty, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and product longevity. The Philips 34B2U3600C is now available for €439.00.

KitGuru says: Even if it's clearly a productivity-oriented monitor, the 120Hz refresh rate suggests it should also do its job for gaming. So, if you're looking for a new ultrawide monitor that you can use for work and play, the new 34B2U3600C could be worth checking out.

The post Philips launches eco-friendly 34B2U3600C ultrawide monitor first appeared on KitGuru.

Among Us 3D announced with free PC demo for Steam Next Fest

21 février 2025 à 17:30

Among Us became widely popular in its original 2D form but the development team at InnerSloth is looking to change things up soon with the release of Among Us 3D. As the name suggests, this is the same social deduction game we all know and love, but in a 3D environment instead. 

Among Us 3D isn't an entirely new game. InnerSloth already had the game running in a 3D environment in Among Us VR. However, with the majority of gamers having no access to a VR headset, creating a new version of the game to run on ‘pancake displays' was imperative for improving reach and accessibility.

As Among Us 3D is based on Among Us VR, the two versions of the game do have crossplay. As you would expect though, the 3D version is not compatible with the original 2D version, so there will be no crossplay with those who own the original version of the game.

There is unfortunately no release date yet for Among Us 3D, and we do not know if this version of the game will release on consoles. For now, it is just a PC release, but we'd be surprised if it didn't pop up on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch next year. For now though, PC gamers can get an early look at the game when the demo drops during Steam Next Fest.

KitGuru Says: Will you be picking up Among Us 3D once it arrives? 

The post Among Us 3D announced with free PC demo for Steam Next Fest first appeared on KitGuru.

Cyberpunk 2 aims to have ‘the most realistic and reactive crowds’ ever seen in a video game

21 février 2025 à 16:30

After three years of additional development, CD Projekt Red managed to transform Cyberpunk 2077 from a widely disappointing release into one of the best action RPGs on the market. One of the big focuses for improving the game was enhancing NPC AI, particularly for crowds and police chases. Now as development for Cyberpunk 2 gets underway, CD Projekt Red is looking to enhance its simulation systems to untold heights. 

CD Projekt Red is hiring, seeking developers to help craft “the most realistic crowds ever seen in a video game”. This is an ambitious starting point for the sequel, and it gives us an idea of where CDPR's priorities are for the sequel.

The specific job listing in question here is for a lead encounter designer, who will “work in close collaboration with the systems design team to create the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date”. That is certainly an ambitious goal to set, particularly with Grand Theft Auto 6 set to release later this year, which will no doubt have some of the most intricate open-world systems seen to date.

After years of extra development, Cyberpunk 2077 became far more immersive. Based on what we're seeing from job listings for Cyberpunk 2, immersion is going to be a big point of focus for the sequel, hopefully to the point where we can class it as a true ‘immersive sim', like Deus Ex, Prey etc.

KitGuru Says: Immersive Sim RPGs are amongst my favourite and Cyberpunk 2077 definitely got pretty close to earning that moniker. Would you like to see CD Projekt Red lean further into this direction with Cyberpunk 2? 

The post Cyberpunk 2 aims to have ‘the most realistic and reactive crowds’ ever seen in a video game first appeared on KitGuru.

EA’s upcoming Black Panther game to feature multiple protagonists

21 février 2025 à 16:00

We've known for quite some time that EA's new studio, Cliffhanger, is hard at work on a Black Panther game. Since the initial announcement in 2023, there has been very little news but now, after an extended period of development, we are finally starting to get some details. 

According to GhostOfHope, a leaker primarily known in the Call of Duty scene, Cliffhanger's Black Panther game will allow players to choose their protagonist at the start of the game. If handled well, this could open up the game to multiple playthroughs, something that can greatly extend the playtime for a single-player title without having to bloat it out Ubisoft-style.

For those who aren't caught up on Marvel lore, Black Panther isn't just one character. The Black Panther is the leader and protector of Wakanda, a fictional country in the African continent. As a result, there have been a number of Black Panthers over the years, as the moniker is passed down through the generations, or claimed through combat.

Some of the variants planned for Cliffhanger's Black Panther game supposedly include T'Challa, M'Baku, Azari, Shuri and Killmonger, and there could be more beyond that. Each will have their own unique weapons, armour and gadgets, offering a different playstyle. Gameplay-wise, we are expecting a third-person view with an over-the-shoulder camera angle, a reactive story with multiple outcomes based on key decision moments, and combat inspired by authentic African Martial Arts.

KitGuru Says: We still don't know when Cliffhanger's Black Panther will come out but it seems that the developers have a direction in mind. Hopefully that means we'll see the game in action within the next couple of years. 

The post EA’s upcoming Black Panther game to feature multiple protagonists first appeared on KitGuru.

Cougar goes all-in on airflow with ‘Airface Eco’ RGB case

21 février 2025 à 15:30

Cougar is championing eco-conscious design with its latest PC case, the Airface Eco RGB. This mid-tower case prioritises sustainability without compromising cooling performance, offering a compelling solution for environmentally conscious builders.

At the heart of the Airface Eco RGB lies a ventilation system designed to maximise cooling efficiency while minimising energy consumption. Its unique coned vents feature a wider opening that tapers inwards and channels cool air more effectively towards internal components. This design reduces the reliance on active cooling, resulting in lower energy usage and a quieter operating environment. Two pre-installed 180 mm PWM fans enhance airflow, promising to provide enough cooling for demanding hardware. These fans come connected to the built-in RGB Hub Sync.

Fan support is quite good, allowing up to 2x 140 mm or 3x 120 mm fans on top, a 120/140 mm fan at the rear, and up to 3x 120 mm or 2x 140/180 mm fans at the front. As for radiators, there's space for up to 280/360 models at the front and top and a 120/140 model at the rear. Moreover, there's also space for up to E-ATX boards, 390-mm-long GPUs, 190-mm-long CPU coolers, and 200-mm-long PSUs. Lastly, users can add up to 2x 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch SSDs.

Dust management is also a key focus. Filters on the front, top, and bottom prevent dust buildup and protect internal components. Maintenance is simplified with a quick-slide front dust filter and a removable top panel. Moreover, a modular front I/O with a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, two USB-A 3.0 ports, a 4-pole headphone jack, and an RGB button allows versatile placement.

The Airface Eco RGB exemplifies Cougar's commitment to performance and sustainability. It offers a compelling option for gamers and PC builders who seek to minimise their environmental impact without compromising functionality or aesthetics. The Airface Eco RGB is now available in the US in black or white for $109.99, and it's coming soon to the UK for £109.99. The rest of Europe will have to wait for April to get this case for €124.99.

KitGuru says: Do you like the Arface Eco RGB aesthetics? Which model would you prefer?

The post Cougar goes all-in on airflow with ‘Airface Eco’ RGB case first appeared on KitGuru.

Scuf Gaming introduces new Valor Pro controller for PC and Xbox

21 février 2025 à 13:50

Scuf Gaming has launched the Valor Pro wired performance controller for Xbox and PC. This controller represents the culmination of nearly a decade of collaboration with esports professionals and content creators, packing a suite of features designed to increase the user's gaming performance.

The Valor Pro wired is engineered to deliver a high level of speed and control, giving Xbox and PC gamers a competitive edge. Every aspect of the controller reflects Scuf's dedication to excellence, from its remappable paddles and high-speed wired connection (boasting a 1000Hz polling rate on PC) to its compact, ergonomic design and signature features like anti-drift Hall Effect thumbsticks.

Available in a range of stylish colors, including grey, black, and white, to name a few, the Valor Pro wired is packed with features to enhance performance and comfort. Four seamlessly integrated back paddles are positioned for effortless access, eliminating the need to adjust your grip. These paddles offer hardware remapping across three profiles, and the inner paddles can be removed or left blank. For those who prefer a traditional controller layout, all paddles can be disabled.

The inclusion of anti-drift Hall Effect thumbsticks ensures responsiveness. These advanced thumbsticks utilize magnets to detect movement, significantly reducing the risk of drift. Scuf has carefully tuned them to provide a feel that closely mimics traditional analogue sticks. Scuf has leveraged its extensive ergonomic expertise to refine the classic Xbox form factor with a more compact and comfortable design. The shape has been optimised to accommodate the paddles naturally, and contoured bumpers allow for faster and more efficient switching between triggers and bumpers.

The wired connection guarantees a consistently fast and reliable connection, eliminating concerns about wireless interference or latency. An upcoming PC update will further enhance responsiveness with a 1000Hz polling rate. Individual audio scroll wheels provide quick access to headset volume, game/chat balance, and microphone muting. The Valor Pro wired is now available starting at £99.99/$99.99/€109.99.

KitGuru says: Although it may look expensive for a wired controller, it packs all the high-end features you expect from a flagship controller, except it's not wireless. 

The post Scuf Gaming introduces new Valor Pro controller for PC and Xbox first appeared on KitGuru.

Dune: Awakening release date officially announced

21 février 2025 à 12:45

Back in 2022, Funcom officially announced Dune: Awakening – an ambitious survival MMO set in the world created by Frank Herbert. Said to be coming some time in 2025, the team have now officially announced that Dune: Awakening is launching on PC on the 20th of May.

Making the announcement, the team at Funcom officially unveiled the release date for Dune: Awakening, saying “Your journey begins on May 20, 2025 on PC.”

Alongside this, players can also download a joint character creator / benchmarking tool right now to get their PCs ready for this Unreal Engine 5 developed open world – receiving a free Frameblade knife skin as a bonus.

While the game’s console release has yet to be determined, PC players will soon be able to pre-order Dune: Awakening for $49.99 (and will receive a pre-order bonus in the form of a free terrarium for your base).

Dune: Awakening looks like it has a great deal of potential, and so hopefully the game manages to be all that it is promised and more when it officially arrives on the 20th of March. We’ll have to wait and see whether the console release isn’t too far behind.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the game? What are your grand plans for Arrakis? Let us know down below.

The post Dune: Awakening release date officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Following layoffs, Marvel Rivals announces new record player count

21 février 2025 à 12:00

After months of continued success, NetEase made the odd decision to fire many of the developers working on Marvel Rivals, including the director for one of the game’s primary support studios. Following this, the publisher has now bragged that Marvel Rivals has reached a new milestone of over 40 million players.

As reported by industry analyst Daniel Ahmad, during the company’s most recent fiscal earnings report NetEase revealed that “Marvel Rivals has achieved 40 million players to date” – double that of the previously-announced user base.

While 40 million players would be something worth celebrating, this announcement comes at an unfortunate time with Marvel Rivals Director Thaddeus Sasser, level designer Jack Burrows and more confirming that they have been laid off.

Marvel Rivals

Unwarranted firings aside, while 40 million players is a massive achievement for such a short amount of time (2 and a half months), it is far from the fastest-growing free-to-play title, with EA’s Apex Legends amassing over 50 million players in its first month.

It’s a shame to see what was a promising new free-to-play live-service title have its reputation stained by actions from those at the top of the corporate podium.

That said, it isn’t too surprising. Hopefully NetEase won’t reward its developers with another round of layoffs.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 40 million players? Has the recent firings impacted your opinion on the game? Will NetEase address the layoffs? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Following layoffs, Marvel Rivals announces new record player count first appeared on KitGuru.

CyberPowerPC Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC Review

21 février 2025 à 11:46

CyberPower has packed the latest and greatest gaming hardware in their Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC. At the centre we have a mighty MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim SOC which is supported by an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on an MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi motherboard. Add in 64GB of fast DDR5 Kingston memory with 4TB of Gen 5 Corsair SSD and the result is bonkers gaming performance along with the expected hefty price tag that creeps past £5k.

Time stamps
00:00 Intro
00:55 RTX 5090 – power / thermals analysis
04:13 Specs / pricing
06:31 BIOS settings / power
08:41 Cinebench 2024 Single
09:00 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core
09:07 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
09:16 AIDA 64 Memory bandwidth
09:28 3DMark Time Spy
09:42 Far Cry 6
10:46 Avatar Frontiers of Pandora
11:00 Assassins Creed Mirage
11:13 Total War Pharaoh
11:34 Leo’s thoughts
12:45 CyberPower USA GN concerns
13:59 Closing Thoughts

Specification:

  • Graphics card: MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim SOC – 32GB GDDR7 – HDMI, DP – Nvidia DLSS 4 and Reflex 2
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D – 8-Core 4.70GHz, 5.20GHz Turbo – 96MB L3 Cache Processor, Pro OC Compatible w/ Radeon Graphics
  • CPU Cooler: Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 5 Air Cooler
  • Cooling Upgrade: Thermal Grizzly Premium Thermal Paste and Thermal Grizzly AM5 contact frame fitted as default.
  • Memory: 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5/6400MT/sec Kingston Fury Renegade RGB Black/Silver Memory
  • Motherboard: MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi: ATX w/ PCIe 5.0, WiFi 6E, USB 3.2, 4x M.2
  • M.2 SSD: 4TB Corsair MP700 Pro M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD – 12,400MB/s Read & 11,800MB/s Write [+344]
  • Case: Be Quiet! Shadow Base 800FX Gaming Case – Black – (features 4x ARGB 140mm fans)
  • Power Supply: MSI MAG A1250GL PCIe5 1250W 80+ Gold ATX 3.0 Fully Modular Gaming Power Supply (OEM is CWT)
  • Sound: On-board HD Audio
  • Software: Norton 360 VPN & Security for Gamers (Full 1 Year License)
  • OS: Windows 11 Home
  • Warranty: 5 Years Labour, 2 Years Parts, 12 Months Collect and Return plus Life-Time Technical Support
The post CyberPowerPC Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC Review first appeared on KitGuru.
❌
❌