Thermal Grizzly has introduced a new specialised tool for PC builders – the TG Caliper, designed to make measurement tasks easier when planning out a custom liquid cooling loop. 

The TG Caliper is constructed from high-hardness, rust-resistant ABS plastic, making it lightweight and dust- and splash-resistant (IP54). It features an ergonomic thumbwheel and an LCD readout that displays values in both metric (0.1 mm resolution) and imperial (0.01 inch resolution) units. The measuring range is up to 150 mm (6 inches), and a zero function makes comparative measurements easy.

This device is particularly useful for a few applications. For water cooling, it allows builders to accurately verify the inner and outer diameters, as well as the wall thickness, of soft and hard tubes. This is critical for custom loops where imperial-to-metric conversions often lead to frustrating rounding errors.

It's also useful for thermal Pads, as it allows measuring used thermal pads for replacement. The device must be used carefully to avoid compression. Thermal Grizzly advises users to use the flat backs of the jaws over a wide area and apply only light pressure, averaging the results from multiple points to ensure accuracy. Another example is for screws and components, where the caliper can be used to measure lengths, distinguishing between countersunk screws (measured total length with the outside jaws) and cylindrical-head screws (measured depth with the depth gauge).

The Thermal Grizzly TG Caliper is now available for $11.58/€9.90.

KitGuru says: Would you eventually like to see a complete Thermal Grizzly toolkit? 

The post Thermal Grizzly launches TG Calliper for DIY PC builders first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft has released the first public preview build of the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), expanding its availability beyond handheld devices. The feature, previously limited to sub-10-inch displays like the ROG Xbox Ally X, is now officially accessible for testing on traditional desktops, laptops, and tablets via the Xbox Insider program.

The Full Screen Experience is designed with console-style navigation in mind, transforming the standard Windows 11 desktop into a streamlined, controller-first environment. Microsoft states that this mode also pauses background maintenance activities and mutes notifications to ensure consistent frame delivery. Furthermore, running FSE instead of the standard Windows Explorer shell can reportedly save approximately up to 2GB of system memory.

Once the FSE is enabled in Windows Settings, the interface can be accessed via Task View, Game Bar settings, or by pressing Windows key + F11. To access the official preview, users must be enrolled in both the Xbox Insider Program and the Windows Insider Program (Dev and Beta Channels). To join the Windows Insider and Xbox Insider programs, you first need to sign up for the Xbox Insider Program and install and open the Xbox Insider Hub application. In the app, go to Previews > Preview of PC Games, then select Join. Moreover, you'll also have to sign up for the Windows Insider Program and join the beta or dev channels.

The functionality is rolling out gradually with the latest Windows 11 preview release, 26220.7271. Microsoft expects that the Xbox Full Screen Experience will be rolled out to all Windows 11 users sometime next year.

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KitGuru says: Are you interested in the new Xbox Full Screen Experience? Will you try it out while it's still in beta, or wait for the full release?

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Google and Nvidia have teamed up to introduce the GeForce Now Fast Pass, a new cloud gaming subscription tier built exclusively for Chromebook owners. The service offers access to over 2,000 “Ready-to-Play” titles from users' existing game libraries (Steam, Epic, Xbox, etc.), and every new Chromebook purchase now includes a one-year subscription for you to try it out.

The Fast Pass is positioned as a significant upgrade over the existing free service. It eliminates pre-roll advertisements and grants priority server access, allowing Chromebook users to skip the potentially long waiting queues often associated with the free plan. The service connects users to Nvidia's GeForce RTX servers, although not the latest RTX 5080 servers. The service also tops out at 1080p/60FPS at this tier, while Ultimate members get access to more resolution and frame rate options.

However, the new tier does come with a strict usage cap. Fast Pass members are limited to 10 hours of cloud gaming per month. While up to five unused hours can be carried over to the following month, this limitation positions the tier as a casual gaming supplement rather than a replacement for paid plans. For comparison, Nvidia's higher-tier subscriptions, which start at $9.99 per month, offer up to 100 hours of monthly playtime.

Neither company has confirmed the pricing of the Fast Pass outside of the one-year Chromebook bundle.

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KitGuru says: Do you think this new tier will convince more gamers to get a Chromebook?

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The slow performance of the Windows 11 File Explorer has been a complaint since the operating system's debut. Microsoft has finally addressed this fundamental shortcoming, though the solution is less an architectural fix and more a clever workaround.

Microsoft (via Windows Central) has officially acknowledged the performance problems and is testing a solution in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, specifically 26220.7271. The key change is that File Explorer will now be preloaded into memory by default when the system boots or is idle. This keeps the necessary components resident in RAM, drastically reducing the “cold start” latency experienced when the user clicks the taskbar icon.

The company's motivation for this brute-force fix is clear: users often compare the sluggish start to the near-instantaneous file managers found in competing operating systems, with many pointing out that the problem did not exist in Windows 10. The performance degradation is widely attributed to the blending of modern XAML and WinUI components with the older Win32 shell, which supposedly creates unnecessary initialisation overhead.

While the fix should provide a snappy, near-instant launch, it has been met with skepticism, as some argue it masks the root cause of the inefficiency in how File Explorer was programmed. For users concerned about the permanent memory footprint, Microsoft has included a user-facing option in File Explorer's Folder Options to disable background preloading. The feature is expected to roll out to all Windows 11 users in a future update next year.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you ever felt File Explorer was slow? Will you enable this option when your system supports it, or would you prefer to have more free memory?

The post Microsoft acknowledges Windows 11 File Explorer lag first appeared on KitGuru.

Chieftec has introduced a new Micro-ATX chassis, The Cube, that draws design inspiration from large audio speakers. As the name suggests, the case sports a minimalist, boxy design, with its signature look provided by a large circular front vent covered in breathable fabric, reminiscent of a subwoofer. 

The Chieftec The Cube is a compact 34.1-liter enclosure that measures 385 x 265 x 355mm (DxWxH). Despite its size, the case offers solid component compatibility, including support for mATX and Mini-ITX motherboards. There's also space for graphics cards up to 335mm long and CPU coolers up to 160mm tall. The chassis also supports standard ATX power supplies up to 160mm long (depending on whether internal drive bays are used). For storage, the system can house two 3.5-inch HDDs and two 2.5-inch SSDs simultaneously.

The unique front design houses a single 200mm PWM fan that comes pre-installed, ensuring high-volume, quiet airflow. The top of the chassis supports additional cooling, including up to two 120mm fans (or a single 200mm fan) or a 240mm liquid cooling radiator. There's also space for a 120mm fan at the rear.

The connectivity panel is located above the front grille and features dual USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and audio jacks. The case is currently available only in black. The product is already available in the EU, priced at approximately €70.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: The case looks interesting and could certainly pass for a subwoofer, although we do wonder if the fabric covering the vent may restrict airflow. 

The post Chieftec’s latest mATX case looks like a subwoofer first appeared on KitGuru.

Krafton and PUBG Studios have officially revealed PUBG: Black Budget, a new tactical extraction shooter that is moving the franchise beyond the classic battle royale format. The game will be a PvPvE extraction shooter built around tension, survival, and a unique supernatural premise.

Players will take on the role of a contractor sent to a remote 2.5×2.5 km island to recover top-secret technology. The twist is that the island is trapped in a time loop and is being consumed by a supernatural phenomenon known as the Anomaly. The longer a player stays in a session, the more unpredictable and difficult extraction becomes.

PUBG: Black Budget supports up to 45 players per session in three-player squads, featuring dynamic PvPvE encounters against both other Contractors and hostile entities. Unlike traditional battle royales, the focus is on extracting valuable artifacts and uncovering the truth behind the black-budget initiative named Sapiens, with progression tied to expanding a personal base, crafting new equipment, and improving character skills.

The system requirements have also been published. The minimum requirements are reasonably accessible, comprising an Intel Core i5-8400 CPU (or AMD Ryzen 5 2600), 16 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 graphics card. As for the recommended specs, it includes an Intel Core i5-12400 CPU (or AMD Ryzen 5 5600) and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800, along with 16 GB of RAM. The game will require 30 GB of storage space. You can find the detailed specifications below:

MINIMUM:

• OS: Windows 11
• Processor: Intel Core i5-8400, AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia RTX 2060 8GB, AMD Radeon RX 6600
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 30GB available space
• Sound Card: No Recommendation

RECOMMENDED:

• OS: Windows 11
• Processor: Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600
• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3070, AMD Radeon RX 6800
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 30GB available space
• Sound Card: No Recommendation

Krafton will launch a Closed Alpha Test next month, running over two weekends: December 12th–14th and December 19th–21st. PC players interested in participating can request access via the game's Steam page.

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KitGuru says: Did you play the original PUBG? Will you register for PUBG: Black Budget's closed alpha?

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The integrated GPU architecture for Intel's upcoming Nova Lake processors has been subject to conflicting leaks. While initial Linux kernel patches suggested the CPUs would feature Xe3P graphics, an architecture also used by the Crescent Island datacenter GPU, a new report claims otherwise.

Coelcanth's Dream has shared a list of changes for most Nova Lake device IDs, including the low-power U-series, desktop-class S-series, and the standard H-series. These IDs were mapped to GMD 30.4.4 and 30.5.4, which referred to the Xe3-LPG architecture, the same one confirmed for Panther Lake. No mention of Xe3P (GMD 35.11.0) was present in this patch, suggesting Nova Lake iGPUs would be based on Xe3 instead. Still, Coelcanth's Dream believes Nova Lake's iGPU will have more advanced display and media engines than those of Panther Lake and Wildcat Lake, as the initial Linux kernel patches imply.

However, VideoCardz cited its own sources stating that Nova Lake will use a mixed GPU architecture across its product stack. Apparently, a small number of top-tier mobile parts, specifically the high-end Nova Lake-H chips, will feature the true Xe3P graphics tile. This top configuration will reportedly use 12 Xe3P cores and is slated to succeed the highest-end 12 Xe3 setup found in Panther Lake.

This dual-architecture strategy means that the Nova Lake lineup will likely see a split in branding. Given that the current Xe3 iGPUs are launching under the Arc B-series moniker, and Xe3P is confirmed to use the high-performance Arc C-series branding, the overall family could feature a mix of both Arc B and Arc C integrated graphics solutions, depending on the specific SKU.

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KitGuru says: Even if some Nova Lake SKUs use Xe3P GPU cores, do you think the difference over standard Xe3 GPU cores will be significant or just a slight improvement?

The post Intel Nova Lake may use mix of Xe3 and Xe3P GPU cores first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel has somewhat confirmed the unveiling of its highly anticipated Panther Lake CPU family, scheduled for the first week of January to coincide with CES 2026. The launch event is officially slated for January 5th, signaling a broad, mainstream introduction for the new processors.

Spotted by @momomo_us (via Wccftech), Intel is planning to reveal the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 Processors on January 5th. Seeing there's a literal panther in the imagery for the event, it seems pretty clear that we're talking about Panther Lake.

This architecture is set to be one of the most important consumer launches of next year, as it will be the first CPU family to adopt Intel's cutting-edge 18A manufacturing process, which incorporates innovations such as RibbonFET and PowerVia. The new lineup is expected to deliver significant architectural advancements, including new P/E-core designs, the ‘Celestial' Xe3 iGPU architecture with up to 12 cores, and a 5th-generation NPU designed to push edge AI capabilities.

Intel will be using a slightly modified naming strategy this time, introducing the ‘Core Ultra X' branding. This designation is reportedly reserved for SKUs that feature the full 12-core Xe3 iGPU. These models will range from Core Ultra 9 down to Core Ultra 5 SKUs.

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KitGuru says: What are your expectations for Panther Lake? Do you think it will help Intel turn the tide back in its favour?

The post Intel teases Core Ultra 3 debut for CES 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

JEDEC has updated its classification system for DDR5 memory modules as higher-capacity unbuffered variants begin entering production. The organization is replacing the previous general CUDIMM label for 4-rank designs, introducing the new, specific term: CQDIMM (Client Quad-Rank Unbuffered DIMM).

Brought to our attention by Guru3D, this new terminology is being made to distinguish 1- or 2-rank modules from the much higher-density 4-rank designs, which include the upcoming 128 GB and eventual 192 GB variants. Previously, all unbuffered DDR5 DIMMs fell under the CUDIMM umbrella. However, 4-rank modules pose distinct challenges for memory training and compatibility due to the higher load they place on the memory controller and bus.

The new classification will be useful to motherboard manufacturers and system integrators. It allows for greater precision when developing firmware and Qualified Vendor List (QVL) entries for next-generation platforms like AM5 and the upcoming LGA-1851, where rank structure directly impacts stability.

Manufacturers have already begun migrating their engineering sample documentation and roadmaps to the new CQDIMM label, confirming the industry's move toward standardised nomenclature for high-capacity builds.

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KitGuru says: Although CQDIMM will easily find its way into the professional segment, most mainstream consumers won't have to worry about the new nomenclature for a few years.

The post JEDEC introduces CQDIMM standard for 128GB 4-rank DDR5 modules first appeared on KitGuru.

Dispatch consistently garnered more and more hype as each episode dropped over the past few weeks. Now with all eight episodes out, the game has hit a new sales milestone, achieving over two million players. 

The milestone, shared on BlueSky, is particularly notable given the developer's pedigree. AdHoc Studio was founded by former talent from Telltale Games and Night School Studio, with expertise that is clearly resonating with fans of the narrative adventure genre.

The current season, which has consistently grown its audience throughout October and November, wrapped up with its final episode just a week ago. The finale left a few threads open for a potential sequel, although a season two has not yet been confirmed.

As of now, the game has over 84K reviews on Steam with a user score of 97%, making it one of the highest-rated games of the year on the platform. Critics received the game equally well, with a score of 88 (94% recommended) on OpenCritic.

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KitGuru says: Have you already tried Dispatch? Do you think it deserves the praise it's getting?

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Poncle, the developer behind the breakout hit Vampire Survivors, has unveiled a spin-off game called Vampire Crawlers. The announcement, teased with a satirical trailer promising high-fidelity graphics before revealing more 2D pixel art, shows the studio is applying its unique chaos engine to an entirely new genre.

Set for a global rollout next year on Xbox and Steam, Vampire Crawlers is described as a deckbuilding dungeon crawler played from a first-person perspective. Poncle founder Luca confirmed that the game will reimagine characters, enemies, and artifacts from Vampire Survivors as cards, but the pace is entirely up to the player. As per the developer, “it's about mowing down hordes of enemies with cards while exploring dungeons, playing as slowly or as quickly as you want”.

Luca notes that the design borrows from the largely forgotten ‘blobber' genre, which was popular on PC in the 80s with titles like Eye of the Beholder and Legend of Grimrock. In essence, the game presents a first-person, grid-based dungeon interface married to a fast-paced card combat system.

The concept has been in development for roughly 4 years, stemming from the founder's desire to create genre spin-offs shortly after Vampire Survivors' success. Luca clarified that exploration will not be “a too heavy component” of Vampire Crawlers. Instead, the dungeon layout is intended to add structure and provide “interesting choices about what to do in between fights”, offering more dynamic decisions than simple menu navigation.

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KitGuru says: Did you try the original Vampire Survivors? Will you be trying Vampire Crawlers when it gets out?

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Thermaltake has expanded its mid-tower lineup with the S380, a new ATX chassis designed around maximum mesh and high airflow. The case is built to support the latest system architectures, including next-generation back-connector motherboards.

The S380 ships with four pre-installed 120mm fans from Thermaltake's new SF series, of which three are part of a single SF360 ARGB PWM Reverse Fan (a triple-fan unit) mounted on the PSU cover, acting as intake to push focused airflow directly onto the graphics card. A standard SF120 fan is placed at the rear for exhaust. This airflow design supports a 360mm AIO cooler at both the top and front panels.

The interior supports both standard ATX and the new hidden-connector boards from Asus BTF, MSI Project Zero, and Gigabyte Project Stealth. The S380 offers generous component clearance, fitting graphics cards up to 400mm long, CPU coolers up to 180mm tall, and PSUs up to 200mm long.

The chassis is fully modular, allowing panels to be easily detached for access and featuring extensive cable routing channels. It also includes an integrated, adjustable graphics card bracket to eliminate GPU sag. For connectivity, the top-mounted I/O panel includes one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port and two USB 3.0 ports. The Thermaltake S380 is priced at €119.90.

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KitGuru says: For its price and features, the S380 could be an interesting option in its segment. Of the two colour options, which one would you choose?

The post Thermaltake launches S380 mid-tower with back-connector motherboard support first appeared on KitGuru.