Intel has quietly dropped the most concrete evidence yet that its high-end “Battlemage” discrete graphics card is nearing a formal reveal. In a recent update to its VTune Profiler software, the company discreetly added support for the “BMG-G31” SKU, a designation long associated with the upcoming flagship Battlemage GPU. 

Wccftech shared the updated notes that also mention the upcoming Panther Lake processors. This inclusion suggests that the hardware is finalised (or close to) and is likely undergoing validation. The BMG-G31 silicon is widely expected to power the Arc Battlemage B770, a successor to the current Arc A770. According to the most recent reports, this new flagship will feature approximately 32 Xe2 cores paired with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory across a 256-bit interface. The architecture is also set to support a full PCIe 5.0 x16 connection.

Moreover, new shipping manifests shared by @x86deadandback (via VideoCardz) also corroborate the hardware's existence and provide details on its power requirements. These records indicate a thermal design power of 300 W for this GPU, a considerable increase over the 225 W range seen on the previous Alchemist generation. The increased power suggests Intel is pushing the silicon much harder to extract performance.

With the VTune entry co-listing the GPU alongside next-generation Panther Lake CPUs (powered by Xe3), Intel risks launching its Xe2 discrete cards just as its own mobile silicon moves to a newer architecture. However, with the company recently cracking the 1% discrete GPU market share barrier for the first time since Alchemist's debut, maintaining the momentum could be the key to expanding its share. Given the timing, a reveal at CES 2026 seems plausible.

KitGuru says: What kind of performance do you expect from a GPU with the reported specs of the “BMG-G31”?

The post Intel ‘BMG-G31’ Battlemage GPU spotted in software update first appeared on KitGuru.

Fresh leaks surfacing ahead of CES 2026 suggest that Lenovo is preparing to shake up the form factor of high-end gaming laptops once again. According to a recent report, the company is actively developing the Legion Pro Rollable, a machine that ditches the traditional fixed chassis in favour of a motorised, expanding OLED screen.

The promotional materials shared by Windows Latest show that the device functions as a standard 16:9 clamshell laptop in its default state. However, it can mechanically extend outward to a 21:9 ratio. Unlike the vertically expanding ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable that Lenovo shipped previously, this new gaming-focused laptop rolls out horizontally. Small motors drive rails that push the screen outwards to the left and right, transforming the panel, offering the field of view of an ultrawide monitor.

Image credit: Windows Latest

While full technical specifications remain under wraps, the leak points to the inclusion of Intel Core Ultra silicon, probably the upcoming Panther Lake architecture, given the early 2026 timeline. On the graphics side, the Legion branding all but guarantees a discrete Nvidia RTX GPU, almost certainly from the RTX 50-series. The display itself is tipped to be an OLED panel capable of at least 120Hz.

The existence of such a device is less far-fetched than it might appear. Lenovo has already proven it can mass-produce this technology with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6, which successfully transitioned from a trade show concept to a retail product. Expanding that know-how to a horizontal, gaming-centric layout seems quite feasible for the brand.

KitGuru says: We expect the Legion Pro Rollable to command a significant price premium over other laptops. How much more would you be willing to spend for a rollable display?

The post Lenovo is reportedly preparing a Legion Pro laptop with a 21:9 rollable display first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel's mid-cycle refresh for its desktop Arrow Lake lineup seems to be right around the corner, with the first concrete performance numbers for the unannounced Core Ultra 7 270K Plus appearing on the Geekbench database. This new SKU seems to be a direct replacement for the existing Core Ultra 7 265K, bringing a notable bump in core count and frequency adjustments that aim to refine the platform ahead of the next major architectural shift.

The most significant change revealed by the leaked entry (via Benchleaks) is the processor's core configuration. While the current 265K uses a 20-core layout, the incoming 270K Plus has been upgraded to a 24-core design, comprised of 8 P-cores and 16 E-cores. Adding four extra E-cores aligns the chip more closely with the top-tier Core Ultra 9 in terms of thread count. Beyond the silicon changes, Intel seems to be improving some specifications, with reports suggesting an increase in official memory support from DDR5-6400 to DDR5-7200, alongside a 100 MHz bump to E-core base and turbo frequencies.

The entry shows the chip running on a Gigabyte Z890 Eagle WiFi7 motherboard, with the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus achieving a single-core score of 3,235 and a multi-core score of 21,368. Despite being handicapped by relatively slow DDR5-4800 memory during the test, these numbers represent an uplift of roughly 5.6% in single-threaded tasks and 4.2% in multi-threaded workloads compared to the average scores of the Core Ultra 7 265K. According to the benchmark run, the CPU reached a clock speed of 5.5 GHz.

This refreshed lineup is expected to launch next year on the existing LGA 1851 socket, serving as a drop-in upgrade for current users. By sticking with the “Core Ultra 200” series branding, Intel is signalling that this is an iterative update rather than a new generation.

KitGuru says: Do you think the new Core Ultra 200 Plus series will help Intel regain some of the market share it has been losing in the desktop consumer segment?

The post Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus CPU surfaces in benchmark leak first appeared on KitGuru.

TP Vision's two gaming sub-brands, AOC and Philips, have officially introduced the first monitors capable of reaching 1000Hz. Unveiled at an event in China, the AOC AGON Pro AGP277QK and the Philips Evnia 27M2N5500XD share the same underlying display panel technology to achieve this milestone.

According to DisplaySpecifications, the 27-inch panel in both units offers dual-mode functionality similar to what we have seen in recent LG and ASUS offerings, but with significantly higher frequencies. Natively, the screen operates at a QHD resolution with a 500Hz refresh rate. However, for users prioritising pure motion clarity over pixel count, the display can switch to a Full HD resolution to unlock the 1000Hz mode. The panel specifications include VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification and a static contrast ratio of 2000:1. The panel type wasn't specified, but given the specs, it should be an IPS panel.

Image credit: DisplaySpecifications

Beyond raw speed, the Philips model integrates the brand's ComfortView 4.0 and AI-driven light-synchronisation technology. Both monitors are expected to feature fully ergonomic stands, with the Philips model utilising its Smart ErgoBase and the AOC variant likely sporting its signature 4-way adjustable design. Standard gaming features, such as 1ms GTG response times and low-input-lag modes, are available on both units.

While the monitors have made their formal debut in the Chinese market, TPVision has yet to confirm specific release dates or pricing for Western territories.

KitGuru says: There aren't that many PCs out there capable of taking advantage of these monitors. However, if you do have one of these, it seems you won't have to wait long to see what that experience looks like.

The post AOC and Philips unveil world’s first 1000Hz dual-mode gaming monitors first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia has officially confirmed the schedule for its next major GPU Technology Conference, with GTC 2026 returning to San Jose on March 15th, 2026. The company has wasted little time in sharing the details on its official website, outlining a four-day event that will once again place its aggressive AI roadmap front and centre.

While the conference kicks off with workshops on the 15th, the headline event will undoubtedly be CEO Jensen Huang's keynote address on March 16th. Given the company's staggering $4.4 trillion market valuation, all eyes are on how the Green Team plans to maintain its momentum.

Unveiled at last year's event alongside Blackwell Ultra and DGX Spark, Vera Rubin is expected to be the primary talking point as Nvidia prepares to ramp up mass production of AI clusters based on the new architecture. Vera Rubin should deliver substantial improvements over Blackwell, featuring TSMC's 3nm process node, HBM4 memory integration, and significant upgrades to the networking stack. Moreover, Jensen Huang is also expected to provide an update on the next-generation Feynman GPU architecture.

Gamers expecting consumer-focused announcements should likely temper their expectations. GTC has increasingly solidified its reputation as an “all-AI” commercial showcase, with GeForce products typically reserved for venues like CES. Instead, attendees can expect a deep dive into the industrial metaverse, updates to the CUDA library, and the latest breakthroughs in robotics.

KitGuru says: What are your expectations for GTC 2026?

The post Nvidia GTC 2026 dated for March with Vera Rubin and Feynman AI architectures in focus first appeared on KitGuru.

Acer has quietly expanded its high-end gaming monitor portfolio with the introduction of the Predator X27UZ1, a new 26.5-inch display built around QD-OLED technology. The screen targets competitive gamers, offering a WQHD resolution (2560×1440) and an impressive overclockable refresh rate of up to 280Hz.

According to Prad, the panel specifications align with the high standards expected of modern OLEDs. It features a 0.03ms G2G response time and covers 99% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut with a Delta E of less than 2, ensuring accurate colour reproduction right out of the box. Contrast is rated at 1,500,000:1, while brightness levels are rated at 250 nits for full-screen SDR content and up to 1,000 nits for HDR highlights at a 3% APL. These specs have earned the unit DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.4, and a dedicated headphone output. The included stand offers comprehensive ergonomic adjustments, including 120mm of height travel and tilt, swivel, and pivot functionality. For those preferring aftermarket arms, the chassis supports a 75x75mm VESA mount. Integrated 5-watt stereo speakers are also present for basic audio duties.

The value proposition is slightly complicated due to the warranty terms. While the street price is quite accessible at €450, the monitor ships with a standard two-year guarantee. This is shorter than the three-year burn-in coverage that has become the industry standard for OLED gaming monitors from major competitors, which may give some potential adopters pause regarding long-term panel longevity.

KitGuru says: Given its shorter warranty period, would you still consider Predator X27UZ1 if you were looking for an OLED gaming monitor?

The post Acer unveils Predator X27UZ1 QD-OLED monitor with 280Hz refresh rate first appeared on KitGuru.

Following the release of the 590 driver branch, which formally ended “Game Ready” support for the GTX 900 and 10 series GPUs, Nvidia has been forced to issue a correction regarding its supported hardware list. Initially, the release notes revealed that the Titan GTX and several Pascal-based mobile GPUs were still listed as supported, but that is no longer the case.

Nvidia has since removed all mentions of the MX and Titan GTX GPUs in the list of supported hardware, as noted by VideoCardz. The company has updated its documentation to confirm that all Pascal-based GPUs are indeed moving to legacy status. This correction hits the entry-level laptop segment particularly hard, wiping out almost the entire MX lineup. The only survivor is the MX450, which remains supported solely because it is built on the newer Turing architecture (TU117S), unlike its Pascal-based predecessors.

The transition to the 590 branch also marks the end of an era for the Titan family. With the deprecation of Maxwell, Pascal, and Volta, the support list has been decimated. The Titan X, Titan XP, and Titan V are no longer supported. This leaves the Turing-based Titan RTX as the sole remaining member of the family with active driver support.

Note that, as these GPUs will be moved to legacy, they'll still receive critical security updates via a dedicated branch.

KitGuru says: Do you own a Titan GTX or a mobile MX GPU? Are you planning to upgrade those systems, given they're about to be considered legacy?

The post Nvidia continues to phase out Pascal GPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Lian Li has introduced the RS Series, a new line of power supplies designed to address the physical constraints often found in compact or dual-chamber PC cases. Available in 1000W and 1200W capacities, the series introduces a unique mechanical feature: a rotating AC inlet.

The rotating inlet found on the RS series allows builders to adjust the orientation of the power cord connection, making it easier to fit the unit into a chassis with limited clearance or unusual mounting brackets. The design's flexibility extends to the modular interface as well, with the RS Series featuring 24-pin motherboard output ports on both the left and right sides of the unit. This dual-port layout ensures the main ATX cable takes the most direct path to the motherboard, regardless of the PSU's orientation, helping declutter the cable management chamber.

Some RS PSUs come with an RS Hub designed to solve the common shortage of internal USB headers in RGB-heavy builds. It provides four USB 2.0 headers capable of supporting up to eight devices. The hub is magnetic and can be placed anywhere in the case or mounted directly onto the PSU. This accessory is included with the 1200W models, but it's also an optional add-on for the 1000W variants.

Under the hood, the units are built using a combination of Japanese capacitors and industrial-grade EPCOS capacitors, which Lian Li claims are smaller yet more durable than traditional components. The platform is rated for high efficiency, carrying 80 Plus Gold, PPLP Gold, and Cybenetics Platinum certifications. Cooling is provided by a 135 mm fluid-dynamic bearing (FDB) fan that supports a Zero RPM mode for silent operation under lighter loads.

The PSUs ship with soft, flat modular cables and magnetic cable ties to further assist with routing. The Lian Li RS Series is available starting December 5th, 2025, in both black and white. The RS1000G Black without a hub is priced at $154.99, while the RS1000G White without a hub is priced at $159.99. If you choose the RS1000G bundled with the RS Hub, the Black version costs $159.99, and the White version is $164.99. Finally, for the RS1200G models, which are available only with the RS Hub, the Black edition is $179.99, and the White edition is $184.99.

KitGuru says: Although a bit pricey, these PSUs' feature set is quite rare in the current market. The only similar alternative is the Corsair RMx Shift, which is priced similarly to these at the same power level.

The post Lian Li launches RS series PSUs with rotating AC outlet and dual-side connectors first appeared on KitGuru.

Dell is reportedly preparing to increase its system prices by 15-20% as early as mid-December, driven by a dramatic surge in DRAM costs. Lenovo may follow suit, as industry insiders point to the exploding cost of memory as the cause, specifically DDR5, which has seen year-over-year increases of 70%, with some specific components spiking by a massive 170%.

According to Trendforce, Lenovo is already advising customers that current price quotes will expire on January 1st, with significant increases expected in early 2026 due to AI-driven demand and shortages. Other major OEMs, including HP, Samsung, and LG, are also said to be reassessing their 2026 product roadmaps, particularly for AI tablets and PCs.

TrendForce has consequently downgraded its notebook shipment forecast for 2026 from 1.7% growth to 2.4% decline. With memory accounting for a significant chunk of a PC's cost, 2026 is shaping up to be a challenging year for consumers, likely characterised by higher prices, limited availability, and potentially lower-spec products as brands attempt to maintain price points.

KitGuru says: With all these new reports lately, it seems those planning to buy a laptop are better off getting it ASAP or risk paying a considerably higher price.

The post Dell and Lenovo reportedly set to raise PC prices due to rising memory costs first appeared on KitGuru.

After years of anticipation since its initial tease as ‘Project L', Riot Games has confirmed that its League of Legends-based tag fighter, 2XKO, will officially launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in January 2026.

The console debut will coincide with the launch of Season 1 across all platforms, marking a significant milestone for the title, which has been in PC Early Access since October 2025. This simultaneous rollout ensures that the player base remains unified, with Riot confirming cross-platform progression. Console players will not be left behind, as a catch-up mechanism will allow them to earn or unlock content from the PC-exclusive early access period, including champions, skins, and mastery rewards.

Season 1 is set to bring substantial new content, headlined by the arrival of a new champion to the roster. Additionally, Riot is doubling down on the esports ecosystem with the introduction of the “Frame Perfect” skin line. A portion of the proceeds from these skins will go directly to tournament organisers to support prize pools and production costs.

Riot has also unveiled the 2026 Competitive Series, a global circuit developed in partnership with independent event organisers. The series will feature twenty sanctioned events, including five major tournaments. The competitive calendar kicks off almost immediately after launch, with the first event scheduled for January 29th, 2026, at Frosty Faustings.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried 2XKO, or were you waiting for the console release?

The post Riot’s fighting game ‘2XKO’ comes to consoles early next year first appeared on KitGuru.

Ubisoft has officially begun integrating Activision Blizzard titles into Ubisoft+ Premium, marking the first tangible result of the cloud-streaming rights deal secured in August 2023. The publisher has confirmed that the first batch of games is available to stream starting today, initially launching via an integration with Nvidia GeForce Now.

This expansion is a direct consequence of the agreement made during Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, under which Ubisoft secured perpetual cloud-streaming rights to the studio's catalogue. Chris Early, Ubisoft's Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, noted that this move is intended to strengthen the service's content offering and allow the publisher to license these titles to other cloud providers and console makers. While GeForce Now is the first platform to support this integration, Ubisoft has stated that these games will become available via other cloud providers in the future.

The initial lineup of Activision games available to stream includes some of the publisher's biggest hits. Subscribers can now access the standard editions of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, as well as the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which includes Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back, and Warped. Similarly, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is now available, offering the remastered versions of Spyro the Dragon, Ripto's Rage!, and Year of the Dragon.

Ubisoft has confirmed that this is just the beginning, with more titles from both Activision and Blizzard expected to join the Ubisoft+ Premium catalogue in the coming months.

KitGuru says: Are you subscribed to Ubisoft+ Premium? What other Activision games would you like to see on the platform?

The post First wave of Activision titles land on Ubisoft+ streaming service first appeared on KitGuru.

Gigabyte has unveiled the X870E Aero X3D Wood, a new high-end motherboard that leans heavily into the recent trend of integrating natural materials into PC hardware. Moving away from the usual gamer aesthetic, this model features a wood-grain finish and a leather pull tab, designed to complement chassis like the Fractal North or other furniture-inspired builds.

Beneath the organic styling, according to TechPowerUP, the board is built on the AMD Socket AM5 platform, supporting Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series processors. Power delivery is handled by a 16+2+2 digital VRM solution, cooled by Gigabyte's VRM Thermal Armor Advanced. The PCB uses 8-layer back-drilling to enhance signal integrity, enabling DDR5 memory overclocking speeds of up to 9000MT/s, according to the company.

For connectivity, the board is targeted at creators and power users. It features dual USB4 Type-C ports, Wi-Fi 7 with a high-gain antenna, and dual 5GbE LAN ports for high-speed wired networking. Expansion options include two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots supporting dual graphics cards, alongside four M.2 slots offering a mix of PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 interfaces, all protected by thermal guards.

Gigabyte has also integrated its latest builder-friendly features, including the screwless M.2 EZ-Latch Click & Plus system and the WIFI EZ-Plug for quick antenna installation. On the software side, the board introduces X3D Turbo Mode 2.0, an AI-driven optimisation feature designed to maximise performance on AMD's X3D processors. The motherboard also includes DriverBIOS, which preinstalls Wi-Fi drivers to ensure network connectivity at first boot.

KitGuru says: After cases and keyboards, it looks like motherboards are the next in line for having wooden accents. What do you think will come next?

The post Gigabyte brings the new wood trend to motheboards with the new X870E Aero X3D Wood first appeared on KitGuru.

Sharkoon has expanded its range of compact cases with the J1000 ARGB, a new mATX chassis that aims to balance airflow and aesthetics at an aggressive price point. The case is designed for smaller systems where desk space is a priority, while still supporting standard gaming hardware components.

The front panel of the J1000 ARGB is what makes the case stand out, featuring a large mesh section for air intake. This is accented by a curved ARGB lighting strip that runs down the front panel, providing a lighting element that can be synchronised with compatible motherboards. A tempered glass side panel is fitted to the left side, offering a clear view of the internal components.

Cooling is handled out of the box by a single pre-installed 120 mm rear exhaust fan. While this is a modest stock configuration, the chassis supports up to five fans in total, allowing builders to add intake fans behind the perforated front panel or additional exhaust fans at the top. Despite the compact mATX form factor, storage options are relatively generous. The case can accommodate up to 2x 3.5-inch hard drives and up to 6x 2.5-inch drives.

Connectivity options on the top panel include two USB-A 3.0 ports, a single USB-A 2.0 port, and standard audio jacks for headsets. The Sharkoon J1000 ARGB is available now with a recommended retail price of €49.90.

KitGuru says: Affordable and compact, the J1000 ARGB looks like a solid option for an entry-level mATX build. Just pack it with a couple of fans at the front, and it should be good to go.

The post Sharkoon launches budget-friendly J1000 ARGB mATX case first appeared on KitGuru.