Transparent display technology is not new, having been featured in various concept laptops and signage for years. However, a new company called Visual Instruments is attempting to bring the technology to the mainstream desktop with its new Phantom monitor, a display it claims is the first practical “transparent computer monitor”.
Unlike standard transparent OLEDs, the Phantom (via Tom's Hardware) uses technology akin to a vehicle's heads-up display. The image is not generated on the glass itself but is projected onto it using mirrors, as Visual Instruments claims this method is currently the most sophisticated way to achieve a see-through effect.
The monitor also features what Visual Instruments calls “dynamic opacity”, allowing users to adjust the transparency level. This feature is said to offer three distinct settings that range from completely see-through to fully opaque, mimicking a traditional monitor when standard viewing is required.
According to the company, the Phantom is a 24-inch, 16:9 display with a native 4K resolution. Most surprisingly, the marketing materials boast an “Ultra HDR” feature capable of hitting a peak brightness of 5000 nits. It also claims 100% sRGB gamut coverage and includes standard connectivity via USB-C and HDMI.
Currently, the monitor appears to be in an extremely limited “early access” phase. Only ten units are being produced initially, with three already reserved. Each one is also being made-to-order, meaning certain specs will vary, along with pricing.
KitGuru says: Do you think transparent monitors will ever become mainstream?
ID-Cooling is refreshing its cooling portfolio with new product lines, heavily embracing the trend of integrated displays in its cooling solutions. These releases include standard tower air cooling, low-profile ITX solutions, and a new series of 360mm AIOs.
Starting with the Frozn A410 TD is a new compact single-tower air cooler designed for mainstream users who want at-a-glance system monitoring. It features a top-mounted digital display that provides real-time CPU temperature readings. The cooler uses a 50mm thick black-coated fin stack connected via four direct-touch heat pipes. Despite its small stature, ID-Cooling rates it for a 220W TDP. It ships with the updated X25 mounting kit and pre-applied Frost X45 thermal paste, carrying a price tag of $34.99.
For SFF builds, the company has introduced the IS-53-XT. This is an ultra-low-profile top-flow cooler standing just 53mm tall and 94mm wide, specifically designed to avoid interference with tall RAM or GPU backplates in tight Mini-ITX motherboards. Unlike the Frozn model, this uses a CNC-machined pure copper base soldered directly to the heat pipes for improved thermal transfer. It is equipped with a slim 92mm PWM fan that can spin up to 3000 RPM, rated to handle thermal loads up to 120W. It is also priced at $34.99.
Rounding out the launch is the new FX360 series of all-in-one liquid coolers, which introduces three new 360mm models powered by the company's Gen 7 Pro pump. The CPU block design and fan choices differentiate the lineup.
The FX360 LCD (also available with a 240mm radiator) features a 1.48-inch screen on the pump block, which is fully customisable to display system statistics or custom images. The “Performance Edition” named FX360 LCD PE upgrades the standard AS-120 V2 ARGB fans to higher-performance AP-120-K fans. For those who prefer utility over customisation, the FX360 TD variant replaces the LCD with a simpler, dedicated digital temperature display that requires only an open USB 2.0 header to function.
KitGuru says: Are you planning to upgrade your current CPU cooling solution? Did any of ID-Cooling's new products pique your interest?
Last month, Sony held a State of Play stream, bringing us new PS5 game announcements, along with the latest trailer for Insomniac's long-awaited Wolverine game. This month, another State of Play will take place, this time focusing on games made in Japan and other regions of Asia.
State of Play returns tomorrow at 10PM GMT, or 7AM for Japanese viewers, an odd time considering that this is a Japanese-focused State of Play. The stream will be roughly 40 minutes long, making it similar in length to last month's showcase.
There is not much to know about the stream so far, outside of the fact that it will focus on games made in Asia. That likely means we'll see appearances from the likes of Capcom, Konami and Square Enix, alongside smaller studios.
KitGuru Says: What are you hoping to see from this State of Play?
Arc Raiders got off to a great start earlier this month, achieving around 300K concurrent players over its launch weekend. Since then, the numbers have only grown, with the game now surpassing Helldivers 2's all-time concurrent player record.
Helldivers 2 and Arc Raiders are both extraction shooters, but each handles the genre differently. Helldivers 2 is more PvE focused, while Arc Raiders has a huge PvP element to its matches. Helldivers 2 topped out at just under 459,000 peak concurrent players on Steam, but Arc Raiders has managed to surpass this with a peak concurrent player count of 462,000 players, as measured over the weekend.
Arc Raiders has continued to do very well in the weeks since launch. However, Embark Studios will have to keep it going in the months ahead. The Finals, the previous game from Embark, also had a great launch, but things tapered off afterwards. Fortunately, it does look like there is a solid plan in place for Arc Raiders in the coming months, with a full roadmap already available to players.
Unlike The Finals, Arc Raiders is not a free-to-play game, instead opting for a $40 price point. Other extraction shooters over the years have been priced similarly. It is expected that Bungie's take on the genre, Marathon, will also launch with a $40 price tag.
KitGuru Says: Have you played Arc Raiders already? Have you been enjoying the game so far?
Samsung is gearing up for a major showing at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, with plans to unveil advancements in memory technology tailored for the AI era. The company has confirmed it will showcase its next-generation LPDDR6 RAM and a compact, AI-optimised PCIe Gen5 SSD, the PM9E1.
The new LPDDR6 memory, based on Samsung's 12nm process, is rated for speeds of up to 10.7Gbps. This represents an 11% speed increase over current LPDDR5X chips. More importantly for mobile and edge devices, it also boasts a 21% improvement in power efficiency thanks to a new dynamic power management system.
Alongside the new RAM, Samsung will introduce the PM9E1, a compact M.2 2242 NVMe SSD. The new 2242 SSD is claimed to be the “world's first AI-optimised PCIe Gen5 SSD”, offering read speeds as high as 14.8GB/s and write speeds of up to 13.4GB/s. The drive uses Samsung's own Presto controller and V8 TLC V-NAND, offering capacities of up to 4TB and a reported 50% improvement in power efficiency over its predecessor.
Both products have already been recognised as CES 2026 Innovation Award honorees. Samsung is expected to provide full details on pricing and availability during the event in early January.
KitGuru says: Samsung's move to LPDDR6 appears to be in line with SK Hynix's roadmap, which also includes LPDDR6 starting in 2026. Of the two, which one do you think will be the first to reach consumer devices?
While BioWare didn't reveal much about the next Mass Effect game during N7 Day, the company did leave a series of hints in its blogpost for fans to decode. Now, those fans have succeeded, uncovering a link to a new piece of Mass Effect 5 concept art.
The art, titled “Civil War” shows a group of Krogan in the middle of a shootout, with the main focus being on this obviously older looking Krogan member in the centre:
There isn't a ton to derive from this artwork but the older looking Krogan, combined with our earlier look at an older version of Liara, suggests that the next Mass Effect game will take place many, many years after the events of the original trilogy. In the Mass Effect universe, both Krogan and Asari beings have incredibly long lifespans, so while the next game could take place centuries after the original trilogy, some characters, like Liara, could return.
As part of its N7 Day blog post, BioWare confirmed that it is still committed to Mass Effect 5, alongside publisher EA. Unfortunately, there is still no word on when we might see the game properly announced, let alone released.
KitGuru Says: The next Mass Effect is still likely years away. Perhaps we'll get some more details at next year's N7 day.
When Halo Infinite was first planned, 343 Industries had ambitions of keeping the game going for a decade. When the game ultimately failed to win over a significant number of fans at launch, those plans changed. Now, 343 Industries has been broken down and rebuilt as Halo Studios, and the team is looking to move on to other projects. As a result, support for Halo Infinite is coming to an end.
Announced during the November Community Livestream, Operation Infinite is scheduled to launch on November 18th. It will arrive with a 100-tier Operation Pass and a separate 100-tier Premium Pass, offering a range of new weapon models and armor sets. To help players finish their remaining progression, the update will also permanently increase the earn rates for both Career Rank and Spartan Points.
While internal content creation is winding down, the update will introduce new community-created maps. These include Yuletide, a holiday-themed map joining the Husky Raid queues, and Vacancy, an urban map for ranked play.
Following this update, Halo Infinite will effectively enter maintenance mode. Halo Studios has pledged to keep the servers running and will continue to rotate daily and weekly challenges, as well as the ranked playlists, throughout 2026 and beyond. However, players should no longer expect new seasons or substantial content drops.
KitGuru says: Four years after its rocky launch, Halo Infinite is winding down, and resources are now being redirected to other projects.
The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro laptop is aiming to come in cheaper than any other laptop on the market with a GeForce RTX 5080. Coming in at around $2200, it’s certainly priced very competitively. Accompanying that RTX 5080 is an Intel Core 7 240H, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory running at 5600MT/s and a 16” IPS 2560×1600 165Hz display. Can the A16 Pro deliver a solid experience while aiming to keep its price tag as low as possible?
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
00:52 Pricing
01:44 Hardware Specs
03:01 Memory Speeds
03:22 Drive setup
04:04 Drive speeds / slots
05:02 The Display
05:53 The Keyboard
06:34 The Trackpad
06:52 Ports and I/O / Connectivity
08:14 The Battery / Longevity
09:18 Webcam
09:30 Audio / Speakers
09:59 The Design / Appearance
10:50 Build Quality
11:17 Cooling System
11:38 Testing Methodology
12:02 GI Mate Software
13:25 Power Mode setup for Gaming
14:03 Cyberpunk 2077
14:33 Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
15:07 A Plague Tale Requiem
15:32 Counter Strike 2
15:51 Forza Horizon 5
16:32 Hogwarts Legacy
17:06 Marvel Rivals
18:01 CPU Real World Operation
20:38 Thermal Camera Footage / Noise output
21:15 Closing Thoughts
Specifications:
CPU – Intel® Core 7 processor 240H
GPU – NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU
Display – 16″ 16:10 – IPS WQXGA (2560×1600) 165Hz
RAM – 32GB LPDDR5x 5600MHz
SSD – 2 x Kingston 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD
Keyboard – 1-zone RGB Backlit Keyboard, Up to 1.7mm Key-travel
I/O
Left Side:
1 x DC-in
1 x RJ-45
1 x HDMI 2.1
1 x Type-A support USB3.2 Gen1
1 x Type-C USB3.2 Gen1 support DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery 3.0
Right Side:
1 x Type-A support USB3.2 Gen1
1 x Type-A support USB2.0
1 x 3.5mm Audio Jack support mic / headphone combo
Audio – 2x 2W speakers
Wireless Networking – WIFI 6E (802.11ax 2×2)
Wired Networking – LAN: 1G
Bluetooth v5.2
FHD (1080p) IR Webcam
Li Polymer 76Wh
240W AC Adapter
358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45~22.99 mm
Weight – ~2.3kg
Colour – Titanium Black
The core specs are confirmed in the following CPU-Z and GPU-Z screenshots:
We put the A16 Pro through a series of varying gaming tests, some of which are detailed in the screenshots below. All titles were tested at the laptop's native resolution of 2560×1600 using maximum graphics settings. Overall, the machine showed capable gaming performance in most titles, managing to maintain 60+ FPS most of the time, with occasional dips in the mid 50s. We also tested the gains on offer when enabling both DLSS at the performance preset and frame generation where possible. For full details and a more in-depth look at the gaming performance of the A16 Pro Laptop head over to YouTube and watch the video review in full.
Hogwarts Legacy (2560×1600 – Max Settings)
Hogwarts Legacy (2560×1600 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance, 4X Multi Frame Generation)
Forza Horizon 5 (2560×1600 – Max Settings)
Forza Horizon 5 (2560×1600 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance, Frame Generation On)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (2560×1600 – Max Settings)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (2560×1600 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance)
Closing Thoughts
The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro is overall a decent laptop. The combination of Intel’s Core 7 240H and an RTX 5080 produce mostly good gaming results and the 32GB of LPDDR5x memory keeps everything running smoothly, though is sadly not upgradeable due to being soldered. The dual 1TB SSDs offer plenty of space, but one of the M.2 slots runs at slower speeds, which feels like a missed opportunity in an otherwise solid setup.
The 16-inch, 2560×1600 IPS panel display is decent. It offers good sharpness and smooth motion, though it lacks the contrast of pricier OLED alternatives. The keyboard and trackpad are serviceable: comfortable enough for daily use but nothing exceptional, with cramped arrow keys and a slightly hollow trackpad click. Connectivity is practical, though the left-side charging port can get in the way and an SD card reader would’ve been a welcome inclusion.
Build quality is solid but unremarkable, and battery life is respectable when used sensibly, though heavy gaming quickly drains the 76Wh battery. The cooling system does its best to keep thermals in check, but like many other high-power laptops, CPU temperatures can get to concerning levels when putting the processor under heavy load.
Overall, the A16 Pro offers genuine RTX 5080 mobile performance at a lower price than most competitors. It's not without its quirks, but is a strong contender for those who want flagship power without a flagship price.
We don't currently have information regarding UK stock for the A16 Pro Laptop, we will update the page when we know more. The US RRP is $2199.99.
Pros:
One of the most affordable gaming laptops equipped with an RTX 5080 GPU.
2TB SSD storage in the reviewed specification.
Good battery life for general use (non-gaming).
Decent native gaming performance.
Doesn’t overdo the ‘gamer’ aesthetic.
Cons:
One M.2 slot runs at roughly half speed with no way to adjust settings.
Soldered memory means no upgrade path.
High CPU temperatures when under intense workloads.
Cramped keyboard design.
Side DC in port can get in the way when not using the laptop on a desk.
KitGuru says: The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro delivers genuine RTX 5080 mobile performance at a lower price than some of its rivals. However, it does trade a few quality-of-life features and premium touches to keep that price down.
While the delay for Grand Theft Auto VI has undoubtedly disappointed many, this presents another opportunity for fans to play the now 12-year old GTA V for the umpteenth time. Fortunately, for those in such a situation, Sony is set to add GTA V to its PlayStation Plus Extra library for the 3rd time in two years.
Given this, it is highly likely that you’ll have around 6 months to enjoy the current-gen version of GTA V and Online before it is taken away once again.
While there is an understanding that game subscription services add and remove titles on a regular basis, it is far less common to see a game removed, brought back; taken away and then added again. That said, it is GTA V and so Rockstar will likely always make its inclusion a limited-time affair.
KitGuru says: Will you be hopping back into GTA V now that the sequel has been delayed? How many times have you completed the main story at this point? Let us know down below.
Dragon Ball is undeniably one of the most popular anime/manga franchises of all time, with the series having a long and successful library of video games released over the past many decades. One of the franchise’s most anticipated games in recent years was Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero – a successor to the much-loved Budokai series. Following strong initial sales, the game has continued to perform well for Bandai Namco.
As part of Bandai Namco’s most recent financial report, the publisher revealed that Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero had sold 5.4 million copies as of the 31st of March 2025 – roughly 5 and a half months following its launch in early October 2024.
As such, while it is unlikely that Sparking! Zero has hit any major sales milestones since the 31st of March, it will be interesting to see how the game performs in the wake of its Nintendo Switch launch in just a few days’ time.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Sparking! Zero one year on? Is it the Budokai successor you were hoping for? Could the game reach 10 million sales given enough time, as many other Dragon Ball games have managed? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Black Friday has come early at a lot of of places here in the UK. Today, PCSpecialist unveiled its round of deals for the rest of the month, discounting three pre-built gaming PCs and a custom gaming laptop, with options for Intel or AMD based systems, as well as GeForce RTX or Radeon graphics cards.
The Vortex is built around AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and paired with an ASUS PRIME B850 motherboard. It comes with 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 running at 6000MHz, an NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, and a 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD. Originally priced at £2,098 (depending on current stock pricing on PCSpecialist's configurator), it’s discounted to £1,799.
The Fusion also uses an ASUS PRIME B850 board but swaps in the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU. It has the same 32GB of Corsair DDR5 memory, but graphics are handled by AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT. Storage is again a 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD. Its price drops from £1,882 to £1,599.
The Ignite is an Intel-based option, powered by the Core i7-12700F and an ASUS PRIME B760 motherboard. It includes 32GB of PCS PRO DDR5 memory, an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU, and a 1TB Crucial P310 Gen 4 SSD. The system is reduced from £1,123 to £999.
Finally, the Ionico Ultra is a laptop with a 16-inch matte QHD+ 180Hz display. It runs on Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX, with 32GB of Crucial DDR5 memory, an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU, and a 1TB Crucial P310 SSD. Its price is cut from £1,503 to £1,399.
Each PCSpecialist system also comes with a 1-month subscription to PC Game Pass, granting access to a library of hundreds of games through the Xbox PC app. This also includes day-one titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, so you'll be able to get right into a number of games as soon as your system arrives.
You can find all of the PCSpecialist Black Friday deals, HERE.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up anything new during the Black Friday deals this month?
Ever since the arrival of Demon’s Souls, FromSoftware have gone from strength-to-strength, with each new release seemingly not only being better than the last (with few exceptions) but seeing an ever-increasing rise in popularity – culminating with the juggernaut that was Elden Ring. Even so, the original Dark Souls Trilogy has continued to find new fans, with the series having now surpassed 40 million copies sold.
As part of Bandai Namco’s latest fiscal report, the publisher revealed updated sales stats for many of its most popular franchises. Alongside confirmation that their Tekken franchise had passed 60 million total sales, Bandai confirmed (as reported by Tech4Gamers) that the Dark Souls Trilogy has reached a total of 39.71 million copies sold as of the end of March 2025.
Given that the Souls series has been self-published by FromSoftware in Japan (with Bandai handling the rest of the world), the trilogy has in total easily surpassed the 40 million mark.
Of course, Elden Ring would not have been nearly as successful had it not been for the ever-growing rise of the Dark Souls series (as well as Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne) putting FromSoftware on the map. It will be interesting to see if FromSoft ever returns to the Dark Souls series in particular – or whether 2016’s DS3 marked the definitive conclusion to this beloved franchise.
KitGuru says: When did you get into FromSoftware games? What’s your favourite Dark Souls entry in the trilogy? What about your least favourite? Let us know down below.
Black Friday deals continue to roll in well ahead of the actual day. This week, CyberPowerPC has rolled out its own deals, available over the next few weeks, offering up gaming PCs based around RTX 5060, RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti graphics cards, as well as discounts on several popular laptop models.
The CyberPowerPC Ultra 85 Black Friday Gaming PC comes in at £799, offering up an RTX 5060 graphics card, paired with an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD. A step above that is the Ultra 75 Black Friday Gaming PC, which uses a Ryzen 5 7500F instead, but bumps the graphics card up to an RTX 5070, perfect for those looking to achieve higher frame rates and move beyond 1080p.
The final desktop system on sale this month is the Ultra 87 Black Friday Gaming PC, which comes in at £1499, packing a Ryzen 7 8700F processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory, a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD and an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, making it ideal for high refresh QHD gaming, or running AAA titles at 4K.
If you need a monitor to go with your brand-new desktop, then CyberPowerPC also has discounted prices on two excellent monitors. The MSI MPG 272URX and MPG 321URXW both sport QD-OLED panels with lightning fast response times and a high 240Hz refresh rate. The key difference between them is that one is 4K at 27-inches, giving more pixel density, while the other is 4K in a larger 32-inch size. The former is now discounted to £549 while the latter is available for £698.
On the laptop side, the MSI Cyborg 15 B2RWEKG-021UK is available for £949, down from £1,099. It offers a 15.6-inch FHD 144Hz display, Intel Core 7 240H processor, RTX 5050 graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, perfect for entry-level gaming on the go. For £999, you can get the Cyborg 15 B2RWFKG-020UK, which upgrades the GPU to an RTX 5060, allowing you to achieve higher graphics settings and frame rates.
The final laptop being discounted today is the MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK-053UK, which is now £1,329, down from £1,499. It features a 15.6-inch QHD 165Hz panel, Intel Core i7-14650HX processor, RTX 5070 graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The upgrade to an RTX 5070 will allow you to make full use of the QHD display. With DLSS 4, you should be able to max out the display's refresh rate in supported titles too.
CyberPowerPC is also running a ‘win your money back' promotion, so one lucky buyer will get their PC for free. The company also has a set of peripheral bundles available too, so you can get yourself a mouse, keyboard and headset all in one package to ensure you are good to go as soon as the PC arrives.
You can find all of CyberPowerPC UK's Black Friday deals, HERE.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up anything during the Black Friday sales this month?
If you've ever wanted to review tech, then this is a perfect opportunity as we are now hiring for a new reviewer to join our team! Prior experience is not strictly necessary, but we would like to see some example works from applicants.
We are looking for someone who will be able to produce reviews of a range of tech gear in video format and in the KitGuru style. Any experience in this sector is beneficial, however we are open to all applicants provided you can give us a sample of your written and video work so we can assess your abilities.
KitGuru is a great company to work with, we are all tech enthusiasts who enjoy gaming, so we all have very similar interests. Behind the scenes it is very close-knit environment and many of our team have been with us for several years.
To be considered for this position you need:
Skillset to present well on camera – and in English.
The ability to meet tight deadlines.
Strong communication skills.
Some knowledge of video editing would be useful, but we have that capability in-house if we find the right candidate.
Strong writing ability.
This is a freelance position.
The successful applicant must be based in the United Kingdom, and we pay very well for this kind of work. If you are interested and feel you can meet the criteria above and want to work in this fast-moving sector then please send your CV along with any samples of your work to our Editor in Chief, Allan Campbell – allan(at)kitguru.net.
KitGuru says: We look forward to receiving your application!
Each month, Amazon offers a number of games for free to all those with a Prime Gaming (now Amazon Luna) subscription. For the month of November, members can claim a baker’s dozen worth of games, including Fallout 76; New Tales from the Borderlands; Gas Station Simulator and more.
Big Adventure: Trip to Europe 6 Collector's Edition [Legacy]
While far from the strongest of months, those wanting to beef up their GOG libraries will have plenty to look forward to. In addition, Fallout 76 is arriving just in time for the live-service game’s big ‘Burning Springs’ expansion/update arriving in early December.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this month’s offerings? Have you been trying to use GOG more? Let us know down below.
Over the past few generations, Nvidia has opted to extend the life cycle of its graphics cards with a ‘Super' branded refresh. Many have expected to see an RTX 50 Super refresh eventually but so far, rumours have been conflicting. Days after a claim was made that the mid-gen refresh would be cancelled this time around, another source has claimed that it is ‘still on the roadmap'.
After Uniko's Hardware shared a rumour that the RTX 50 Super series might have been cancelled, MEGAsizeGPU (via VideoCardz) began claiming the exact opposite, stating that these cards are still on the way, but may not arrive until the second half of next year. If true, that would rule out any potential reveal at CES in early 2026. Previous rumours had claimed that we would see this new hardware around CES.
It is claimed that the date change may stem from availability of memory components, but we have no way of knowing for sure. MEGAsizeGPU also claimed that memory supply and demand could soon impact the 16GB version of the RTX 5060 Ti. If that is accurate, then we should see some evidence of that on the market in the coming weeks or months. So far though, the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB continues to be widely available here in the UK at its usual price point.
KitGuru says: As always, take rumours with a pinch of salt. Nvidia will make its plans clear once it is ready to do so. Anything outside of that is essentially guesswork.
MSI has secured five honoree awards ahead of CES 2026, including a “Best of Innovation” award for its GeForce RTX 5080 16G Expert graphics card.
The annual competition run by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has awarded the RTX 5080 16G Expert graphics card with the maximum honor in its category. Featuring a die-cast aluminum alloy shroud with an industrial aesthetic, this card uses MSI's updated “Flow Frozr 2” thermal system, specifically designed to maintain performance stability over long sessions.
Alongside the new GPU, MSI picked up Honoree awards for two complete systems. The Vision Elite RS AI 2nd is the company's new flagship pre-built desktop, pairing the latest Intel Core Ultra CPUs with high-end Nvidia RTX graphics inside a chassis dominated by tempered glass and managed by AI-driven cooling controls.
On the professional side, the MSI EdgeXpert also received a nod. This system is an edge AI computing device designed for local model training and inference, powered by the Nvidia GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip. MSI has announced that the remaining award-winning products will be unveiled on January 4th, just ahead of the start of CES.
Lian Li has unveiled its latest series of AIO liquid coolers, the HydroShift II LCD-S. Building on previous designs that attempt to conceal tubing runs for a cleaner aesthetic, this new iteration introduces a detachable 3.4-inch IPS display that connects via magnetic pogo pins. This design enables builders to install the pump block first and attach the screen at the very end of the construction process, thereby reducing the risk of accidental damage.
The HydroShift II LCD-S's display itself offers a 480×480 resolution with 500 nits of brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate. It can be operated in three distinct modes depending on user preference and setup constraints. The “offline” mode offers a simple, plug-and-play experience, displaying only water temperature and pump speed without requiring any additional software. For more control, the “wireless” mode connects to Lian Li's L-Connect 3 software via a 2.4GHz controller, freeing up motherboard USB headers while still allowing access to system sensor data for the display. Finally, a “USB-Connected” mode unlocks full customisation, including video playback and the ability to function as a secondary system monitor.
Lian Li has also updated the pump for the new HydroShift AIO coolers, which now tops out at 3200RPM and promises quieter operation than its predecessors. This is paired with a slightly thinner 24 mm radiator, designed to enhance compatibility in tighter chassis. The series retains the signature side-mounted tubing design, using sliding brackets and concealed routing along the radiator edge to create what Lian Li markets as a “tubeless” look.
The new AIO coolers are available in black and white and are split into three models. The top-tier HydroShift II LCD-S 360TL includes the wireless sync controller and costs £199.99/$239.99/€239.90. The 360CL version drops the controller and the price to £149.99/$179.99/€179.90, while a fanless 360N option is available for £134.99/$159.99/€159.90. All models come with a 6-year warranty and are now available for pre-order.
KitGuru says: While most brands are making thicker radiators for better performance, it's nice to see a change of pace with the HydroShift II, which makes them thinner for enhanced compatibility.
Asus has launched the Prime AP303, a new 44-liter mid-tower chassis designed to house mainstream and high-end builds. The case is available in black or white and offers builders a choice between tempered glass or mesh side panels.
The case uses a front-mounted PSU layout, supporting ATX units up to 180mm in length via an included UL-certified 15A extension cable. This layout accommodates ITX, mATX, and ATX motherboards, as well as larger graphics cards, supporting GPUs up to 360mm in length and 60mm in thickness.A built-in support bracket is included to handle the sag of these larger GPUs.
Cooling capabilities include support for a 360mm radiator up to 60mm thick in the top, which Asus claims still leaves enough clearance for easy access to CPU power connectors. In total, there are mounting positions for up to seven fans, with intake provided by a square mesh front panel across all versions.
For builders, there is a generous 34mm of clearance behind the motherboard tray for cable management. The front I/O panel is well-equipped, featuring a 20Gbps USB Type-C port alongside two standard USB Type-A ports and audio jacks. Both the black and white variants of the tempered glass variant are now available for around €100. As for the mesh variants, the white version is also priced at around €100, but the black version is slightly cheaper at €95.
MSI has introduced a new tool for managing RGB lighting, dubbed Portal X. This web-based platform eliminates the need for a locally installed software suite, such as MSI Center. The company is positioning this as a fast and straightforward solution for users who want to configure their lighting without having to install additional software.
Unlike the Mystic Light utility, Portal X runs in a browser (Chrome or Edge) and requires a one-time installation of the launcher from the Microsoft Store. After that, the interface is accessed online, meaning it never requires manual updates. The trade-off for this low overhead is a more focused feature set. At launch, Portal X supports lighting control for MSI's new Intel and AMD 800 Series motherboards, as well as Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards. Interestingly, it also claims compatibility with “most memory modules” on the market.
Users can control effects, brightness, and speed, and an “All Sync” function is included for simplicity. If a user also has MSI Center and Mystic Light installed, Portal X will reportedly request to take over lighting control to prevent any software conflicts. This clearly positions Portal X as an alternative, not a replacement, for Mystic Light, which is still required for fine-tuning, third-party device support, and software sync with apps like Ambient Link and Voicemod.
It's also worth noting the current limitations. The platform requires an active internet connection to function. While fans and AIO coolers connected to the motherboard's ARGB headers will sync with the motherboard's lighting, Portal X does not offer any control for fan speeds or AIO display screens. MSI has stated there are no current plans to add this, though it may be considered if user demand is high enough.
KitGuru says: Do you use MSI Mystic Light for managing the RGB lighting of your system? Will you keep using or change to Portal X?
Sharkoon has revealed its latest chassis, the Elite Shark CM100, a micro-ATX case designed to showcase high-end hardware. The case's main feature is its display-oriented design, which utilizes continuous glass panels on both the front and sides, providing a 270-degree view of the interior components.
Despite the large glass surfaces, Sharkoon is focusing on cooling performance. The Elite Shark CM100 features a side-panel air intake and comes with four 120mm ARGB fans pre-installed: two in the front, one at the rear, and another at the bottom. However, there's space for an additional three 120mm or two 140mm fans on top and another 120mm fan at the bottom. For more complex builds, the chassis has enough room to support up to two radiators simultaneously. The case also includes an integrated five-port ARGB controller and a five-port PWM fan hub.
The Elite Shark CM100 also supports modern BTF-style micro-ATX mainboards, allowing builders to use motherboards with rear-mounted connectors for better cable management. Even with its compact mATX form factor, the case offers substantial component clearance, supporting graphics cards up to 400mm in length, CPU coolers up to 173mm in height, and power supply units up to 183mm long. The Sharkoon Elite Shark CM100 is now available for €129.90.
Fractal Design has launched its new Ion 3 Gold power supplies. These new units are built to the ATX12V 3.1 standard, ensuring compliance with modern power excursion demands and native support for the latest graphics cards.
The new Ion 3 Gold series is fully modular and comes equipped with a 16-pin PCIe Gen 5 (12V-2×6) cable, featuring the updated shortened sensing pins for a more reliable connection. The cables themselves use Fractal's flexible UltraFlex design, which was created to simplify routing and cable management.
To cool the unit, Fractal is using its Momentum 14 fan, a 140 mm unit that features LCP (liquid-crystal polymer) blades and a fluid-dynamic bearing. This is paired with an optional Zero-RPM mode, which the user can enable to keep the fan from spinning under light loads.
Internally, the 80 Plus Gold-rated units are built with 105°C Japanese capacitors and are backed by a 10-year warranty. The Ion 3 Gold PSUs are now available in 750W, 850W, and 1000W models priced at £104.99, £114.99, and £144.99, respectively. The 750W and 850W units are available in black, while the 1000W model is offered in both black and white.
KitGuru says: Have you ever owned a Fractal Ion PSU? Were you satisfied with your choice? Would you consider an Ion 3 Gold PSU for a future build or an upgrade to your current one?
Borderlands 4 has been out for a while now, but we've yet to hear much about sales. That changed this week, with Take Two CEO, Strauss Zelnick, admitting that the game's sales had been ‘softer' than expected. Still, the publisher expects the game to do well in the long-term.
In an interview with TheGameBusiness following the announcement of GTA 6's delay, Zelnick briefly touched upon the performance of Borderlands 4, the latest game from Gearbox Studios, which joined Take Two last year after a brief stint as an Embracer Group Studio. In the interview, Zelnick confirms that the game's sales were ‘softer' than expected, adding that the game's performance struggles on PC at launch were a contributing factor:
“The critical acclaim was superb, and we’re really happy with the release. Equally, as you know, there were some challenges with the Steam release. Gearbox has been addressing those challenges and will continue to do so. So, in terms of units sold out of the gate, the numbers were a little softer than we would have liked.”
Zelnick added that “in the fullness of time” Take Two thinks Borderlands 4 will “do great”. Interestingly, the game's last-minute delay on Nintendo Switch 2 was not mentioned here. If the game had released on October 2nd as planned, it will have undoubtedly helped with early sales, particularly as the Switch 2 is still fairly starved of AAA game support at this point in time.
Borderlands 4 has been keeping players up to date with weekly loot refreshes and endgame challenges. In the coming months, the game should also start to get its first pieces of DLC.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, the new game from former Uncharted director, Amy Hennig, and Skydance Games, has been delayed again. The game was supposed to be releasing in early 2026. Now, it looks like the game won't be out until much later in the year.
In a statement shared online last night, Skydance Games said: “Our goal is to deliver unforgettable, premium games that honor the characters and worlds we're fortunate to work with. MARVEL 1943: Rise of Hydra is an ambitious project, and we’re excited to continue sharing more about the story that our team, players, and fans expect.”
The statement goes on to add that in order to “fully realise” this vision, the game will be delayed from its previously announced release window of early 2026.
The delay came at the same time as Rockstar Games announced that it was pushing the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 from May 2026 to November 2026.
At this point in time, it is unclear exactly what Skydance means by ‘beyond early 2026'. The game has no new release window, so it could end up slipping into 2027 if there is further reason for delay, but my personal hope is that the game will be ready sometime over the summer.
So far, we've seen very little of Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra officially. However, we do know that the game will focus on dual protagonists – Captain America and Black Panther, as the pair do their best to keep people safe during the peak of World War 2.
KitGuru Says: Hopefully we actually get to see some substantial gameplay from this title in the coming year. So far, it has been nothing but quiet delays, while giving fans little to actually get excited about.
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