Intel's “Game Days” promotion, which wrapped up in late October, has already been replaced, though you could be forgiven for not noticing. Intel hasn't made any formal announcements, but new game packages spotted on retailers like Newegg indicate that the blue team is already underway with a new promotion.

While the previous promotion was relatively straightforward, focusing solely on Battlefield 6, this new bundle, spotted by VideoCardz, is split into two distinct tiers: Standard and Platinum. The list of included titles has grown significantly, and Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition is also now part of the offer in the Platinum tier.

Image credit: VideoCardz

The Standard tier appears to have shifted focus. It no longer applies to Raptor Lake CPUs, instead being restricted to Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors and Intel Arc Alchemist or Battlemage desktop and laptop GPUs. Buyers who qualify for this tier get to select one game from a pool of four major titles. The choices include Battlefield 6, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Sid Meier's Civilization VII, or Dying Light: The Beast. In addition to the single game, the Standard bundle also includes a suite of software. This package, which appears to be shared with the Platinum tier, offers in-game content for Marvel Rivals alongside productivity applications, including Vegas Pro 23, XSplit Premium Suite, Canvid, and Cephable Plus.

Things get more interesting with the Platinum deal. This one is aimed at high-end laptops, requiring a Core Ultra 200 series CPU from the H or HX families. As for the bundle's content, instead of choosing one game, Platinum buyers reportedly receive three games. The bundle is said to include the Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition and the Assassin's Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe Edition outright. On top of those two, buyers will be able to choose between Sid Meier's Civilization VII and Dying Light: The Beast, making for a much more substantial package.

The table lists the OEMs and retailers offering the Platinum bundle in each country (Currys in the UK). This new promotion is apparently already active and is set to run until January 31st, 2026. Anyone who snags a code will have until March 15th, 2026, to redeem their games.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you planning to take advantage of this new campaign to get some extra value for your purchase?

The post Intel quietly rolls out new Holiday bundle for Arc GPUs and Core Ultra CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

The October 2025 Steam hardware and software survey shows that Linux gamers have surpassed the 3% threshold for the first time, while Windows' share dropped by almost 1%.

According to the new data, Linux user share rose by 0.41% to hit 3.05%. This growth comes at the expense of Windows, which dropped 0.75 percentage points to 94.84%. macOS also saw a bump, rising 0.34% to 2.11%. This trend has been visible for some time, likely accelerated by the end-of-support for Windows 10, pushing more users to experiment with alternatives.

Based on GamingOnLinux Steam Tracker, the primary driver for this growth in Linux users is the Steam Deck. The handheld, which runs on SteamOS Holo, remains a top 10 global seller on Steam and accounts for the most significant chunk of Linux users at 27.18%.

The rest of the Linux landscape shows significant fragmentation. Arch Linux holds second place with a 10.32% share. The survey also reveals considerable movement, with notable new entries for Linux Mint 22.2 (6.65%) and CachyOS (6.01%). Interestingly, Flatpak runtimes, such as the Freedesktop SDK, are now appearing in the breakdown, alongside other gaming-focused OSs like Bazzite.

Valve has not provided an updated monthly active user (MAU) count since 2022, but even based on that old figure, the Linux user base would be well over 4 million. Given the millions of Steam Deck sales since then, the actual number is likely higher.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you already joined the Linux gang, or will you remain with Windows for the time being?

The post Linux sees growth on Steam thanks to continued adoption of SteamOS first appeared on KitGuru.

It appears Embark Studios is facing a classic case of success-induced server strain. This weekend, Arc Raiders saw its concurrent player count on Steam explode, rocketing past an all-time high of over 350,000 players. While this is a massive milestone for the extraction shooter, the victory wasn't achieved without its issues, as many who tried to log in on November 2nd.

While the peak concurrent user number is incredible (peaking at 354,836, according to SteamDB), it could have been much larger if not for the login issues the game experienced during the past weekend. Players hoping to jump in were instead met with significant queues and extended matchmaking times. Reports flooded in of queue waits ranging from five to ten minutes, only for some to be met with matchmaking errors that sent them back to the start.

The sudden influx of users clearly put more stress on the servers than anticipated. SteamDB charts showed a noticeable drop in player numbers shortly after the new peak was established, suggesting the server issues were actively preventing players from accessing the game.

Developer Embark Studios has acknowledged the problems. In a statement on the official Arc Raiders Discord, the studio confirmed it was aware of the widespread server, party system, and voice chat instability. About an hour later, Embark deployed a temporary login queue to handle the situation.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Arc Raiders? Did you face any problems while logging in?

The post Arc Raiders peak at over 350K concurrent players while facing login issues first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD is partially reversing course after a recent announcement that it would move RDNA 1- and RDNA 2-based GPUs into “maintenance mode”, halting the development of game-ready drivers for these cards. Following significant backlash from the PC gaming community, the company has clarified that game optimisations for these cards will not be abandoned entirely.

The controversy began when AMD stated its Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2 driver would place the Radeon RX 5000 and RX 6000 series in maintenance mode. This was intended to concentrate on optimising and delivering new features for its latest GPUs. The original statement implied that older cards would only receive critical security and bug fixes, cutting off game-ready support.

This decision was met with immediate criticism, as it affects a massive install base. RDNA 2 is the architecture powering the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Steam Deck. It's also used in the original Asus ROG Ally handheld and as integrated graphics in numerous Ryzen 6000 and 7000 series laptops. Furthermore, popular cards like the Radeon RX 6700XT remain prominent despite the oldest RX 6000 cards being around five years old.

In a new statement to Tom's Hardware, an AMD representative attempted to clarify the situation: “New features, bug fixes, and game optimisations will continue to be delivered as required by market needs in the maintenance mode branch”. While AMD confirmed that day-zero support for games will continue, the term “as required by market needs” is vague. The clarification seems to suggest that major feature development will still be focused on RDNA 3 and 4, but popular new game releases may still get optimisations.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you glad AMD isn't stopping to develop game-ready drivers for its older graphics GPUs?

The post AMD will continue to bring launch-period game optimisations to RDNA and RDNA 2 after all first appeared on KitGuru.

Epomaker is expanding its line of ergonomic keyboards, targeting users looking to reduce the physical strain associated with traditional single-piece boards. The company has launched the new Epomaker Split70. Like the existing 65% Split65, the new model is built around a true split design, allowing users to position the two halves independently to suit their shoulder width.

The Split70 offers the ability to split the keyboard in two, intended to improve arm and wrist alignment during extended typing sessions. The halves can be used together, or the left-hand section can reportedly connect independently for a compact gaming or control setup. Internally, the keyboard uses a gasket-mount structure and is packed with five layers of sound-absorbing materials, including latex and PET sheets, to dampen acoustics. Epomaker claims this provides a “creamy” sound profile and is an upgrade over the four-layer system found in the Split65.

For customisation, the board is hot-swappable and features south-facing LEDs to avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps. It comes populated with factory-lubed Wisteria Linear V2 switches, an update from the V1 switches used in the earlier model. Productivity features include four pre-programmed macro keys (set to Undo, Cut, Copy, and Paste) and a tactile rotary knob on the right side for volume control or scrolling, which also functions as a mute button when pressed. Full VIA compatibility allows for remapping of all keys.

Connectivity is handled via tri-mode wireless (Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz) and a wired USB-C connection, with support for switching between up to five paired devices. Mac users are also catered to, with modifier keycaps included in the box. The Epomaker Split70 is now available in a minimalist black version and a white and blue colourway on the company's official website, priced at € 89.95/$115.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you ever tried a split keyboard? If not, would you consider something like the Split70 to try it out?

The post Epomaker launches the Split70 ergonomic keyboard first appeared on KitGuru.

Krafton, the developer behind PUBG: Battlegrounds, has unveiled its new AI-driven companion, ‘PUBG Ally', at Nvidia's “GeForce Gamer Festival” in Seoul. Krafton is labelling it a ‘Co-Playable Character' (CPC), designed to interact and collaborate with live players, going well beyond what you would expect from your typical NPC.

The system is built using Nvidia Ace technology and runs on an on-device Small Language Model (SLM). Kangwook Lee, Head of Krafton AI, detailed the partner's capabilities, stating that ‘PUBG Ally' is designed for both cooperative and independent gameplay, unlike standard bots. Lee said it can “discuss strategies with players and adjust its playstyle accordingly”, which means that, in-game, the AI can make autonomous decisions during combat, fetch specific items for the player, or assist with revives, all while modifying its approach as conditions change.

Lee also emphasised that ‘PUBG Ally' enables voice-based communication. The system supports English, Korean, and Chinese. The AI is trained explicitly on PUBG terminology, including map locations and item attributes, to allow for natural player communication. As we reported earlier this week, players will get to test PUBG Ally in early 2026 as part of PUBG: Battlegrounds Arcade.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you think we'll start to see more Nvidia ACE AI NPCs in games in the coming years? 

The post PUBG Ally public testing begins in early 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer has announced a partnership with Valve for a new line-up of Counter-Strike 2-branded peripherals. The collection features the iconic and highly sought-after Dragon Lore AWP skin, which is applied to five of Razer's esports-focused products.

This collaboration is primarily an aesthetic overhaul, wrapping the distinct yellow and orange design around existing Razer's high-end hardware. The collection includes the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless headset, which features Razer's HyperClear Super Wideband mic and comes with pre-tuned CS2 audio profiles. It is joined by the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, a keyboard equipped with Razer's Gen-2 analogue optical switches, which offer adjustable actuation from 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm, as well as a Rapid Trigger mode for faster repeated inputs.

For mouse users, the Razer Viper V3 Pro gets the new Dragon Lore treatment. This 54g symmetrical wireless mouse features the Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2 and Gen-3 optical mouse switches, and is capable of a true 8000 Hz wireless polling rate. Rounding out the collection are the Razer Gigantus V2 soft mouse mat (available exclusively via bundle with the Viper V3 Pro – Counter-Strike 2 Edition) in a large size, and the Razer Iskur V2 X ergonomic gaming chair.

The Counter-Strike 2 Editions of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL are now available for £269.99/€289.99/$269.99 each. The Viper V3 Pro – Counter Strike 2 Edition is available alone for £179.99/€189.99/$179.99, while the bundle, including the Gigantus V2 Counter Strike 2 Edition, costs £219.98/€239.98/$219.98. Lastly, the Razer Iskur V2 X – Counter-Strike 2 Edition is now available for pre-order at $399.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you like the aesthetics of the Counter-Strike 2 Dragon Lore collection?

The post Razer partners with Valve for Dragon Lore peripheral collection first appeared on KitGuru.

While the graphics performance of Intel's upcoming “Panther Lake” mobile CPUs has been the subject of much speculation, we now have our first look at the platform's CPU capabilities.

Laptopreview (via VideoCardz) has shared a set of Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmarks for two of the new Core Ultra 300 series chips. According to the new data, the top-tier Core Ultra X7 358H scored approximately 20,000 points in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, about 10% less than the Core Ultra 7 255H. A second chip, the Core Ultra 5 338H, reportedly scored around 16,000 points in the same benchmark. Both of these tests were allegedly conducted at a TDP of 60/65W.

The specs for these chips were also detailed, aligning with previous rumours. The Core Ultra X7 358H is reportedly a 16-core processor, comprising four P-cores, eight E-cores, and four LP-cores, and will feature a 12-core Xe3 integrated GPU. The Core Ultra 5 338H is a step-down 12-core model, which achieves its lower core count by reducing the number of E-cores to four.

While the CPU performance numbers are new, the leak also provided an updated graphics score. The Time Spy score for the Core Ultra X7 358H is now listed at 6,830 points, compared to the initial reports of around 6,200 points. If these latest numbers are accurate, that's over 70% faster than the Core Ultra 7 255H's integrated GPU.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: It's a bit disappointing to see a lower CPU performance in the multi-core test, but the massive uplift in the graphics capabilities of this chip makes up for it.

The post First Intel Panther Lake CPU benchmarks leak first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD's latest WHQL driver, Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2, is a major one, though not only for the reasons you might think. While the new driver delivers Game Ready optimisations for Battlefield 6 and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, its release notes contain a hard-hitting announcement: AMD is officially moving its RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 graphics cards into “maintenance mode”.

AMD confirmed the decision with PCGH in a statement, where the company stated that to focus on optimising and delivering new and improved technologies for the latest GPUs, all future driver releases with focused game optimisations will be targeted exclusively at RDNA 3 (RX 7000) and RDNA 4 (RX 9000) GPUs.

This means that owners of the still-very-popular RX 6000 and RX 5000 series cards will no longer receive new Game Ready performance updates, feature additions, or optimisations for upcoming titles. AMD has clarified that these cards will continue to receive driver updates addressing essential security and bug issues for the foreseeable future, but their performance-enhancing development cycle is now complete.

For owners of the latest hardware, the 25.10.2 driver brings a host of new features. It includes initial support for the new DirectX Work Graphs feature on the Radeon RX 9000 series, expanded Vulkan compatibility, and support for the new Ryzen AI 5 330 APU. Moreover, the notes also state that the driver disables USB-C power charging on Radeon RX 7900 series graphics cards. However, AMD has since confirmed to TechPowerUP that this isn't the case and the notes have been corrected.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you still running an RX 6000 and RX 5000 series GPU? Considering AMD's decision, are you now considering upgrading to a more recent model?

The post AMD ends “game-ready” driver support for RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 GPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

If you've ever stared at a wall of TVs trying to justify the massive price jump to 8K, a new study from the University of Cambridge and Meta Reality Labs suggests you can probably save your money. The research, just published in the journal Nature, digs into the practical limits of human vision, and the results are a splash of cold water on high-resolution marketing.

The study (via The Guardian) moves away from simple resolution numbers (like 4K or 8K) and instead focuses on “Pixels Per Degree” (PPD), a metric that measures how much detail you can actually perceive at a given distance. Using a 4K monitor viewed at various distances, researchers tested how well participants could distinguish fine patterns in both black and white colours.

Image credit: University of Cambridge

The study concludes that our eyes are at their best when perceiving brightness and contrast (in greyscale), where we can distinguish details up to approximately 94 PPD. However, our ability to see fine colour detail is significantly worse. The test showed our limit for red and green patterns drops to around 89 PPD, and for yellow and purple, it plummets to just 63 PPD. In short, our eyes are built to be much more sensitive to contrast than to high-resolution colour information.

So, what does this mean for your living room? The researchers translated these findings into a real-world scenario. For a person sitting on a sofa roughly 2.5 metres away from a 44-inch television, a QHD (1440p) resolution is already “crisp”. This implies that upgrading to 4K, let alone 8K, on a screen that size would provide no perceivable visual improvement unless you either move your sofa significantly closer or buy a much larger display. The study suggests that an 80-inch 8K TV only reveals its extra detail when you are sitting just 2 metres away from it.

It's important to note that the study has some limitations. The trial involved only 18 participants, with an average age of 26. Therefore, these figures may not apply to everyone, especially older individuals or those with different visual acuity.

KitGuru says: How is your TV positioned within the table?

The post Mid-size 8K displays might be a waste of money, study claims first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft is rolling out a new feature in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build that aims to take some of the guesswork out of diagnosing system instability. The new Proactive Memory Diagnostics tool automatically detects potential memory-related issues after a crash and prompts the user to run a quick scan to find what went wrong.

As anyone who's dealt with random Blue Screens of Death knows, faulty RAM, unstable XMP/EXPO profiles, or wonky memory controllers can be notoriously tricky to pinpoint as the root cause of crashes. They often lead to subtle data corruption and unpredictable failures that are frustrating to work with.

According to the post on the Windows Insider blog (via Techpowerup), this new feature, currently live in Build 26220.6982 for Insiders in the Dev Channel, aims to simplify this process. Suppose your system experiences an unexpected bug check or restart. In that case, Windows will now display a notification upon reboot, suggesting you run a memory scan with the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

The scan runs automatically during the following boot sequence and takes about 5 minutes on average. It's a proactive approach that could save users a lot of troubleshooting time by quickly identifying or ruling out RAM as the culprit. Note, however, that the feature has a few limitations: it's not yet available on Arm64 systems and has restrictions for specific security configurations, such as BitLocker without Secure Boot.

KitGuru says: While it's still in testing, Proactive Memory Diagnostics looks like a genuinely useful addition.

The post Windows 11 will now proactively ask you to check for RAM issues after a crash first appeared on KitGuru.

Creative, the legendary name behind the original Sound Blaster that gave PCs their voice back in the 90s, is looking to revolutionise PC audio once again. The company has just announced Sound Blaster Re:Imagine, a next-generation modular audio platform launching via Kickstarter.

The Sound Blaster Re:Imagine is a high-fidelity audio interface that boasts a studio-quality 32-bit/384 kHz DAC and an amplifier capable of driving demanding headphones and speakers. However, its true innovation lies in its modularity and control capabilities. The base unit acts as a central hub, allowing users to connect multiple devices simultaneously and instantly route any input to any output with a simple tap.

The platform is designed to be physically customised using magnetically attached swappable modules. These include add-ons like smart screens, physical sliders, knobs, and shortcut buttons. Every control is fully programmable, allowing users to assign macros, control smart home devices via Matter, and even trigger software actions such as code compiles. Creative is embracing the spirit of its early Sound Blaster days by opening up the platform. Developers will have root access to the hardware, enabling the community to create and share their own custom applications for the Re:Imagine hub.

Out of the box, it will ship with some fun, AI-powered applications, including an AI DJ and reimagined versions of classic Sound Blaster software like Dr. Sbaitso and the Sound Blaster Parrot. The Kickstarter campaign is now live, and those who get the audio hub through it can get it starting at $329 ($299 units are already gone). This includes the Horizon cluster, which comprises the base unit, a smart screen module, a dual-slider module, a buttons module, and a knob module. For the stretch goal, there's the Vertex base unit, which can be purchased as an add-on.

KitGuru says: Did you own the original Sound Blaster sound card? Are you planning to get its successor?

The post Creative seeks backing for modular ‘Sound Blaster Re:Imagine’ audio hub on Kickstarter first appeared on KitGuru.