Cooler Master is using CES 2026 to show the new entries to its enthusiast stack, bringing back some of its most iconic sub‑brands. The manufacturer's showcase in Las Vegas this week focuses on the “FreeForm 2.0” design philosophy, a modular approach that spans everything from the massive new Cosmos Alpha flagship to PSUs equipped with proactive GPU protection.

The centrepiece of the case lineup is the Cosmos Alpha, a full‑tower that serves as the spiritual successor to the C700 series. This new revision emphasises internal modularity through a sliding motherboard tray, allowing builders to shift the system’s position to prioritise either radiator clearance or increase the size of the cable‑management chamber. The chassis arrives with two extra‑thick 200x38mm fans pre‑installed and supports up to 420mm radiators. Alongside the flagship, the MasterFrame 360 series offers an open‑frame showcase designed for collectors. Available in Panorama, Stage Mirror, and Stage LCD variants, the latter includes a 15.6‑inch 1080p display at the front for personalised animations or telemetry.

For cooling, we have the return of the V8 series with the V8 ACE. This high‑end air cooler uses Cooler Master’s 3DHP technology, which integrates a 3D vapour chamber directly with the heat‑pipe structure to eliminate traditional thermal bottlenecks at the CPU contact point. On the liquid‑cooling side, the Core Nex Digital 240 and Core Nex LCD 360 make their debut, featuring a refined dual‑chamber pump design. Alongside these AIOs, Cooler Master is introducing the MasterFan A series, which features an aluminium construction, and the MasterFan M ARGB series, offering a more balanced approach to durability, acoustics, and visuals.

Perhaps the most practical advancement for modern builders is found in the MWE Gold V4 PSU series. These units introduce GPU Shield, a hardware‑level protection system integrated into the 12V‑2×6 power delivery standard. Unlike traditional passive cables, GPU Shield actively monitors the connection for abnormal thermal or electrical conditions, providing real‑time alerts and intervening before a “melting” scenario can occur.

To round out the ecosystem, Cooler Master also unveiled the Master Meter, a standalone digital tachometer, and the Master Vision 12.3‑inch external display for dedicated system monitoring.

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KitGuru says: Interested in any of Cooler Master's new PC parts?

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Gigabyte has used CES 2026 to showcase a specialised lineup of motherboards designed to squeeze every last frame out of AMD's Ryzen 9000 Series X3D processors. Leading the charge is the X870E Aorus Xtreme X3D AI Top, a flagship board focused on high‑frequency memory stability and aggressive thermal management for the latest 3D V‑Cache silicon.

The new X870E Aorus Xtreme X3D AI Top is Gigabyte's first AMD 800‑series motherboard to officially support DDR5‑9000+ memory speeds. Achieving these frequencies on the AM5 platform requires specific conditions, so Gigabyte has implemented “AI‑Trace” technology to optimise PCB routing and a 24+2+2‑phase VRM to ensure power delivery remains ripple‑free under load. To prevent thermal throttling during high‑speed memory operation, the board includes the DDR Wind Blade Xtreme solution, which allegedly reduces module temperatures by up to 9°C.

Complementing the memory cooling is a suite of thermal “Xtreme” features. The CPU Thermal Matrix is designed to more efficiently pull heat away from the socket area, dropping VRM and DDR temperatures by a claimed 8.5°C. For storage enthusiasts, the M.2 Thermal Guard Xtreme provides a large surface area for primary Gen5 SSDs, which the company states can lower drive temperatures by up to 22°C.

On the software side, Gigabyte is debuting X3D Turbo Mode 2.0. While the initial version of Turbo Mode was a simple BIOS toggle to park a CCD or disable Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), the 2.0 revision uses an AI‑trained model to adapt these parameters in real time. By disabling SMT and focusing resources on the primary CCD during gaming, Gigabyte claims up to 25% performance gains in specific CPU‑bound scenarios. Unlike a static overclock, this mode is designed to be a “one‑click” optimisation that balances hardware power without requiring manual voltage tuning.

Beyond raw performance, Gigabyte is also catering to aesthetic and “clean build” trends. The X870E Aero X3D Wood breaks from the traditional gamer aesthetic by incorporating genuine wood‑grain textures and leather accents on the heatsinks. Meanwhile, the Project Stealth initiative is expanding with the X870 and B850 Aorus Stealth models. These boards utilise a reverse‑connector layout, moving all power and data headers to the back of the PCB to allow for a virtually cable‑free interior when paired with a compatible chassis.

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KitGuru says: While DDR5-9000 is an impressive claim for the AM5 platform, it's the combination of the AI-driven Turbo Mode 2.0 and the proactive “Wind Blade” cooling that makes the new Aorus Xtreme motherboard a true high-end product.

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Thermaltake is bringing the 90s back with a new range of ‘Retro’ series hardware at CES 2026. There are two new retro‑inspired PC cases, but with all the conveniences of modern designs, including the option to add a digital display exactly where you’d expect a disc drive to sit. To complement the cases, Thermaltake also has retro‑style peripherals and liquid coolers in the lineup.

Thermaltake introduced two cases designed to accommodate different build scales while maintaining that classic workstation vibe. The Retro 260 TG channels the look of a classic desktop into a modern mATX form factor. Despite its nostalgic exterior, the internals are entirely up to date, including support for hidden‑connector motherboards that route cable management behind the tray. Cooling is surprisingly robust for a compact unit, with space for up to nine 120mm fans and a 280mm top‑mounted radiator. It also fully supports Thermaltake’s 6‑inch LCD screen kit.

For those requiring more internal volume, the Retro 360 TG mid‑tower scales up the design, drawing inspiration from early‑90s workstations. This larger chassis supports ATX hidden‑connector motherboards and offers significant airflow potential, accommodating up to twelve 120mm fans. Water‑cooling support is also strong, with room for 360mm radiators on both the top and the side. Like its smaller sibling, the 360 TG includes high‑speed I/O, featuring USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type‑C and dual USB 3.0 ports.

Also part of the series is the Retro Ultra ARGB Sync AIO liquid cooler, available in 240mm and 360mm variants. It bridges the gap between old and new with a unique pump‑head design: a 3.6‑inch TFT LCD styled to resemble a miniature vintage CRT monitor. Using the TT RGB PLUS 3.0 software, users can display animations, screensavers, or real‑time temperature readings. Technically, the cooler is more than just a visual gimmick, as it uses Thermaltake’s new single‑frame fan design, which simplifies cable management and provides consistent static pressure across the radiator. Maintenance is also improved via a new four‑screw fan‑removal system, making dust cleaning or fan swaps much faster than with traditional mounting methods.

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KitGuru says: Do you like the new trend of reviving the retro look of 80s and 90s PCs? Are you planning on getting some of these for a future build or upgrade?

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