While the Steam Early Access program has been a huge success for many titles, from small indie hits to large AAA games like Baldur's Gate 3, there are plenty of bad actors who have also taken advantage of the program. Steam Early Access has had a problem with abandoned projects since it first launched. Now, Valve is finally looking to tackle this issue head-on. 

Moving forward, Early Access titles on the Steam Store will display a warning, letting buyers know when a game has potentially been abandoned by clearly showing how many months have passed since a game's last update.

As an example, the publisher behind ARK: Survival Evolved, Snail Games, signed on to be the publisher for another massively popular early access MMO, Atlas. The game launched back in 2018 and sold quite well at the time. However, the game has not been updated in over 20 months. As a result, the Atlas page on Steam now states that “the last update made by the developers was over 20 months ago. The information and timeline described by the developers may no longer be up to date”.

Grav, another Early Access title released in 2015 that aimed to cash in on the No Man's Sky hype around that same time period, now has a warning stating that the game has not been updated in a whopping seven years, despite still being sold on the store.

This will hopefully discourage bad actors from abandoning projects, or at the very least, encourage them to remove games from sale on the Steam Store once abandoned, as new customers heading to the page will be immediately warned of a game's abandoned status.

KitGuru Says: It is about time Valve started to do something about the number of abandoned projects in Early Access. My next question is, should Valve allow abandoned early access games to carry a price tag? I feel there is a way to support small solo projects, without allowing blatant cash grabs to remain to gather profit. Perhaps after a two year cut-off without a news update, those games should simply be delisted? 

The post Steam now warns customers when an Early Access game has been abandoned first appeared on KitGuru.

Rainbow Six Siege has had a good run over the past decade, but it seems Ubisoft is now keen on a reset. According to a new report, Ubisoft is planning to reveal Rainbow Six Siege 2 later this month. 

As reported by TGP, Rainbow Six Siege 2 is apparently set to be announced at the Six Invitational 2025 tournament, scheduled to take place between February 14th and 16th.

The game is said to be in development under the codename ‘Siege X' and could release as early as this Summer. The game will not repeat old events from the first game, instead focusing on new ones, although we'll no doubt see some fan-favourite events return eventually, assuming the sequel is a success.

It is a risky time to be launching sequels to live-service shooters. The transition from Overwatch 1 to Overwatch 2 was fraught with backlash from fans, and even Valve saw some pushback for its shutdown of CS:GO in the transition to Counter-Strike 2. With that said, Rainbow Six Siege has been around since 2015 and at this point, the roster of agents is so large that it can be a hinderance for getting new players on board. A fresh reset in the form of a sequel is a good way to get around that.

KitGuru Says: Would you like to see Rainbow Six Siege 2? Or do you think Ubisoft should stick with the original game in its current form? 

The post Rainbow Six Siege 2 might be just around the corner first appeared on KitGuru.

Ever since Final Fantasy 7 Remake was announced as a PS4 exclusive, there have been doubts around the future of mainline Final Fantasy games on Xbox. Final Fantasy 16 also skipped Xbox consoles at launch last year. We've heard rumours about both titles finally heading to Xbox over the past year, and it looks like an announcement is just around the corner. 

According to NateTheHate, someone who regularly shares leaks and rumours on social media, Final Fantasy 16 is going to release on Xbox in the first half of 2025. More specifically, it is scheduled for ‘Spring', which would place the launch anywhere between late March and late June.

As for Final Fantasy 7 Remake, that game is expected to land on Xbox in the second half of 2025, followed by Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in 2026.

Both Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth were deemed as underwhelming sales-wise, in part thanks to the titles being exclusive to the PS5 at launch. Due to these lower-than-expected sales numbers, Square Enix has promised to reinvigorate its relationship with Microsoft and the Xbox team, and is focused on more multiplatform releases moving forward.

KitGuru Says: We can only hope that the third instalment in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is in the works for multiple platforms on day-one, particularly for PC. 

The post Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake reportedly heading to Xbox in 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

It has been a while since Konami first announced Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The remade classic is due to land on PlayStation, Xbox and PC later this year. Now, thanks to an early update to the PS Store, we know exactly when we'll be able to play it. 

The PlayStation Store has been updated with an August 28th release date for the game. The listing also came with a release date trailer, which is now being shared online:

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater launches August 28th and features the Snake vs Monkey mode from the original.

Watch the release date trailer here: pic.twitter.com/VJht2VLtzl

— Callum Hurley (@MultiCallum) February 6, 2025

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is Konami's remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, offering the same gripping story as the original, but with modern graphics and audio technologies to improve the stealth-action experience.

Aside from the main campaign, players will have a fun additional mode to try – Snake vs Monkey, a mode in which players will take control of Snake as he runs around levels capturing escaped apes. It might not be anything major, but could be a fun little addition for fans.

KitGuru Says: Will you be picking up the MGS 3 remake later this year? 

The post Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater launches in August with new game mode first appeared on KitGuru.

The launch of AMD's RDNA 4 graphics cards appears imminent. A month after sparking interest with a weird announcement at CES and following confirmation of a March release window, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su narrowed that down to “early March” during the recent Q4 2024 earnings call. Su stated that these cards will be available for purchase, not just pre-order, suggesting a full product launch by then. 

This news somewhat corroborates the recent rumours of a dedicated AMD press briefing for the Radeon RX 9070 series in late February, a plan that now seems to be confirmed by Su's statement. Adding further credence to the timeline, Uniko's Hardware (via VideoCardz), citing a source, claims to have pinpointed the launch date to March 6th, echoing Su's “early March” timeframe.

It's worth recalling that the launch was initially slated for January 23rd but was pushed back. While AMD remains officially silent on the matter, the fact that many reviewers have already received RX 9070 cards for testing and reports of retail availability suggests that preparations are well underway. This additional six-week lead time could translate to healthier stock levels for the Radeon RX 9070 series GPUs, addressing a common concern with previous Radeon launches. Finally, it's important to note Su's specific mention of the 9070 series, suggesting that the initial launch won't likely include any other GPUs.

Meanwhile, Nvidia remains tight-lipped about its RTX 5070 series, the Radeon RX 9070's competitor. While previous reports point to a February 20th release for the RTX 5070 Ti, with the 5070 following later, no firm date for the latter has been officially announced. Unlike AMD, however, Nvidia has already revealed pricing for its upcoming cards, with the 5070 Ti expected to cost $749 and the 5070 to go for $549.

KitGuru says: Are you planning on upgrading your GPU soon? Will you wait for the AMD Radeon RX 9070 to be released before deciding which GPU to get?

The post AMD CEO confirms Radeon RX 9070 will go on sale in “early March” first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia has updated its DLSS/RTX guidelines for game developers to help them integrate the recently launched DLSS 4 and Reflex 2 technologies into their titles. These revised standards mandate that developers ensure full support for all user-activated features within their game interfaces. Still, the most interesting part is that the guidelines state that Reflex Low Latency technology doesn't support other frame generation technologies except DLSS.

Reflex 2 uses Reflex Low Latency and the new Frame Warp, with the latter being exclusive to the RTX 50 series and thus only supported in the more recent drivers. On the other hand, Reflex Low Latency enjoys broad compatibility, extending back to Nvidia's Maxwell architecture and starting with the GeForce 455+ drivers.

Nvidia promotes Reflex technology alongside DLSS Frame Generation and DLSS Upscaling to minimise system latency by synchronising game rendering tasks. However, the latest developer guidelines (via Reddit) state that Reflex Low Latency is incompatible with other frame generation techniques, such as AMD's FSR.

While developers haven't typically provided an in-game toggle to enable Reflex when using alternative frame generation methods, workarounds exist through third-party tools like RivaTuner. However, based on what Nvidia says, forcing Nvidia Reflex via this third-party software while playing games using frame generation technologies other than DLSS may not give you any advantage.

KitGuru says: Do you force-enable Reflex using third-party tools? Have you ever noticed a difference when gaming with Reflex turned on via third-party software?

The post Nvidia claims Reflex Low Latency doesn’t work with other frame generation technologies like FSR first appeared on KitGuru.

Boulies has recently launched its latest chair: the Master Rex. Building upon the success of the Master Chair, the Master Rex aims to deliver ergonomic support and comfort for work, rest, and play. Key improvements include an integrated leg rest and a more robust “Enhanced Stable Tilt Mechanism” for superior stability and longevity.

Whether you're grinding through a workday, immersed in a gaming session, or simply unwinding, the Master Rex offers a comfortable sitting experience. Its customisable features and clean, modern aesthetics allow it to integrate seamlessly into any home or office environment. The integrated leg rest provides pressure-free reclining, while the adjustable lumbar support promotes proper posture.

The Master Rex offers user users a smooth recline and rocking motion. The backrest adjusts from 95° to 165°, allowing users to find the ideal angle for any activity. The durable tilt mechanism facilitates a 15° rocking range, which can be locked into position for added stability.

The Master Rex features a rounded-edge cushion for optimal ergonomics. These rounded corners conform to the body's natural curves, promoting good posture and reducing pressure on the hips and thighs. The larger seating surface provides ample space to find the perfect sitting position. The 4D armrests, constructed from aluminium, have been redesigned to be firmer, smoother, and more durable. Their softer surfaces offer excellent elbow comfort and support, while height, depth, width, and angle adjustability allow complete customisation.

The Master Rex is available in Ultraflex PU leather (black and brown) and water-repellent fabric (dark grey, light grey, and green). Boulies' refined Ultraflex PU leather combines durability and comfort with a soft feel thanks to its microfibre suede backing. The W/R fabric option has also been upgraded for increased durability and softness. This carefully chosen material is comfortable and breathable, and a specialised coating repels spills and prevents absorption.

Finally, the Master Rex features XL PU casters for hardwood floors and an upgraded aluminium base for enhanced stability. A class-4 gas lift ensures safe and reliable height adjustment. The chair is available from the Boulies website for £329.99 (including a £80 savings campaign).

KitGuru says: Of all Master Rex chair variants, which one do you prefer?

The post Boulies expands its chair lineup with the new Master Rex first appeared on KitGuru.

A couple weeks ago, Capcom announced that they would be releasing a standalone PC benchmark tool for the much-anticipated and upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds. As part of the latest Capcom Spotlight showcase, the publisher has now released the tool on Steam.

Available now through the Monster Hunter Wilds store page on Steam, all those planning to get the game when it releases at the end of the month can test out their rigs to see how the upcoming title performs, prior to spending any money unnecessarily.

Even if you took part in the first open beta test, you might want to give this new benchmark tool a go as it should more accurately reflect how Wilds will perform at launch due to being based on a newer build.

With the first open beta for Monster Hunter Wilds seeing almost half a million concurrent players on Steam alone, it’s safe to say that millions of fans are eagerly anticipating the game, and so knowing ahead of time whether it will run smoothly or not is welcome to see.

KitGuru says: Did you take part in the first beta? How was the game performing for you? Let us know down below.

The post Monster Hunter Wilds standalone PC benchmark tool now available first appeared on KitGuru.

Over the past year, Valve has introduced a ton of new quality of life improvements to its Steam platform, including but not limited to the revamped Family library sharing; game recording; increased transparency and more. In trying to further these efforts, the platform has now introduced a new system warning those wanting to buy Early Access games if the title has been left dormant.

As noted by SteamDB via Bluesky, Early Access games on Steam now feature a new system which highlights on the store page if the title has not been updated in a significant amount of time, with it writing:

“The last update made by the developers was over [X] months ago. The information and timeline described by the developers here may no longer be up to date.”

Alongside this, Valve includes any statements made by the developer regarding the lack of updates – assuming they’ve commented on the matter.

With Steam being one of the primary platforms which helped push the notion of Early Access into the mainstream, it is good to see Valve actively working to ensure such systems include as many protections for consumers as possible.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this new system? Is it welcome to see? Should such a warning have been in place already? Let us know down below.

The post Steam will now warn you if an Early Access game has been abandoned first appeared on KitGuru.

7 years after the release of the first game, Warhorse Studios have officially returned with the launch of its much-anticipated sequel Kingdom Come Deliverance II. With nearly 200k concurrent players on Steam, the game is clearly a success. That said, we now have more concrete proof, with the team announcing that KCDII sold over 1 million copies in just 24 hours.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official Warhorse Studios unveiled this milestone, writing “Over a million of you have stepped into our world. We're beyond grateful for your support – thank you for making #KCD2 a triumph!”

As mentioned, the first game launched all the way back in 2018 and while it did reach cult-hit status, its popularity only continued to further increase over the years – with the initial announcement of its sequel helping to push the game past 8 million copies.

Given the long-term success of the first game – and the current rapid success of its sequel – it’s safe to say that Kingdom Come Deliverance II has been worth the wait.

With two wins under their belt now, it will be interesting to see what Warhorse Studios does next.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 1 million players? How does it compare to the first game so far? How long will Kingdom Come Deliverance II take to hit 5 million sales? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Kingdom Come Deliverance II sold over 1 million copies in its first 24 hours first appeared on KitGuru.

Last month, following years of leaks, rumours and speculation, Nintendo finally officially announced and unveiled the Switch 2. That said, the presentation was brief and focused solely on the physical attributes of the new hardware – with the company promising a more in-depth look later down the line. Finally, the company has confirmed that we will be getting out first proper deep-dive Direct on the Switch 2 in early April.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official Nintendo UK page wrote the following “Join us on April 2nd at 14:00 (UK time) for #NintendoDirect: Nintendo Switch 2 – 02.04.2025, where we will share a closer look at #NintendoSwitch2.”

While we did not receive any further details, given the nature of the first showcase this upcoming Direct is likely to focus more on practical uses of the new hardware features, as well as the upcoming software launch line-up for the system.

During the first trailer, we did get a brief look at the next Mario Kart title alongside confirmation that it will support up to 24 players per race.

Beyond this however, we do not know what to expect – and given the history of Nintendo’s console reveals, who knows what they plan to show. We won’t have to wait too long to find out.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the Nintendo Direct? What games do you think they’ll show off? What will be the ‘one more thing’ for the showcase? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Switch 2 Nintendo Direct showcase officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we take a look at one of the freshest power supplies to ship from FSP, their new Mega TI 1650W. This fully modular power supply has achieved Titanium certification, adopts high quality Japanese capacitors and ships with a full 10 year warranty. Is the new platform any good? Today we aim to find out.

FSP are one of the few brands, like Seasonic, who create their own designs and they are in effect an OEM for many companies, including the likes of ASRock. FSP designs in recent years have improved over some of their earlier units we tested and I have high hopes today that this Mega Ti will perform well. With a name like ‘MEGA' we would certainly hope so anyway …

For those interested, FSP has also released a 1350 W version of this flagship unit.

Features:

• Efficiency ≧ 94% @ typical load
• 80 PLUS® titanium certified
• Supports 2 x native PCIe 12V-2×6 connectors and cables
• 105°C Japanese bulk capacitor
• Eco semi-fanless fan control switch
• Off-Wet, Off-Dust and Off-Stain conformal coating
• Top-notch topology of full-bridge & LLC converter and synchronous rectifier & DC-DC converters
• Fully modular cabling design
• Complete protections: OCP, OVP, SCP, OPP, UVP, OTP

The post FSP Mega TI 1650W Titanium Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.

KitGuru recently gave an update about the fixes Intel has put in place for its troubled family of Core Ultra 200S CPUs. After a fair amount of testing we delivered a video that clearly struck a chord with our audience so we went away and did even more testing. And now, finally, months after the original launch, we are ready to review the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K.

You can read our original report on the launch of Core Ultra 200S HERE

and our report after three months of updates is HERE

Time stamps
00:00 Intro
01:10 Architectural recap/pricing
07:01 Retesting and hardware
10:33 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core
11:41 Cinebench 2024 Single Core
12:33 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
13:02 Geekbench 6 Single Core
13:34 CPU power consumption
14:22 7-ZIP V24 Benchmark
15:12 AIDA64 Memory Bandwidth
16:01 Memory latency
16:46 3DMark TimeSpy
17:28 Far Cry 6
18:13 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
18:55 Assassins Creed Mirage
19:20 Total War Pharaoh
20:08 Cyberpunk 2077
20:53 Leo’s considers the platform

The post Intel Core Ultra 200S: 104 Days Later – Final Review first appeared on KitGuru.

The Lian Li Digital Expo returns for 2025. If you are in the market for a new case, and you are looking to go with one of Lian Li's many aesthetically pleasing options, then the digital expo is a great way to preview some new and upcoming hardware.

Some of the highlights from the digital expo include new looks at the Lancool 217 and 207 Digital cases, the Lancool 4, the O11D Mini V2 and new AIO coolers and rotatable power supplies.

​The LANCOOL 217 stands out thanks to its wood accents and comes with five pre-installed fans. This includes two 170mm front fans, two 120mm GPU cooling fans with reversed blades positioned over the PSU shroud, and a 140mm fan located at the back. Its dual PSU mounting options provide added flexibility for cable management. On the other side of the coin we have the Lancool 207 Digital, which is the same case we saw back in October, but ships with an additional 6-inch LCD screen for an extra touch of customisation in your build.

The Lancool 4 is the latest chassis to join the line-up, offering a modular design with interchangeable panels that you can swap out based on the needs of your build. The motherboard is adjustable, the PSU chamber is movable and the case supports a whopping 12 fans for cooling, allowing you to accommodate both air-cooling and liquid-cooling setups.

​The O11D MINI V2 has a redesigned, space-efficient dual chamber that supports ATX motherboards, making it a great option for a compact but high-end PC build. Aside from ATX motherboard support, this case also supports Back Connect motherboards, where the power connectors have been moved to the backside of the board to keep cables out of sight without sacrificing any functionality. The GPU cooling has been improved with a bottom fan bracket angled at 10 degrees. Moreover, the O11D MINI V2 can now fit ATX-size PSUs due to a protruding mesh filter window on the right panel.

Moving on from cases, Lian Li also has some interesting power supplies on the market today. That includes the new RS Series PSU, which features a power port that can rotate towards the side of the PSU. This allows you to install the power supply in a rotated position for enhanced cable management and access without the need for extension cables.

On the cooling side, Lian Li is showcasing the new Hydroshift II LCD AIO cooler. Equipped with a slimmer 360mm radiator, a 60Hz LCD screen on the pump block and ARGB lighting, the AIO certainly looks the part for a high-end build.

To kit out your rig further, you may want to invest in some UNI Fans. The new UNI FAN SL-Infinity Wireless has a redesigned 4-wire receiver that ensures seamless motherboard fan speed control, enabling compatibility with PWM functionality and L-Connect’s MB RPM SYNC mode. The SL-INF Wireless receiver is also backward compatible with SL and TL Wireless models.

The Lian Li 2025 Digital Expo will be live from the 7th of February on the Lian Li YouTube channel, so if you are currently shopping around for new parts for a build or upgrade, be sure to tune in for a closer look at Lian Li's best products.

KitGuru Says: Lian Li makes some of the most aesthetically pleasing cases around. Are any of you thinking about picking up a Lian Li case, cooler or power supply this year?

The post The Lian Li Digital Expo returns for 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

Since its initial reveal in January, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 series has been shrouded in uncertainty. While board partners showcased their custom designs at CES 2025, AMD remained tight-lipped about the release date, leaving attendees and enthusiasts scratching their heads. Subsequent, somewhat cryptic social media posts from an AMD official hinted at a March launch, promising a dedicated event to unveil the new cards properly. However, nothing has been made official yet.

Now, whispers from the industry suggest that the RX 9070 series could be upon us sooner than expected. According to Benchlife (via @harukaze5719), AMD is aiming for an announcement before the end of this month. Interestingly, the Chinese website points to a press conference rather than a full-blown launch event. While AMD hasn't held a formal announcement event, the details of the new cards, including their names, did appear in their CES press kit, blurring the lines somewhat.

Although the report mentions the date for the event, it doesn't say anything regarding the actual release. However, the latest reports point to late March, so it could take about a month after the announcement to see the first Radeon RX 9070 series GPUs hitting the shelves.

While the usual suspects like stock levels and software optimisation might have been part of the reason for the delay of these cards, Nvidia has also undoubtedly played a significant role here. With the GeForce RTX 5070 series also expected to launch in the latter half of February, AMD is likely playing a waiting game, carefully assessing the market response to Nvidia's offerings before finalising its pricing strategy.

KitGuru says: Do you have high hopes for the AMD Radeon RX 9070 series graphics cards?

The post AMD RX 9070 launch reportedly coming late February first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent years, high refresh rate gaming monitors have dropped in price quite dramatically. While we used to have to spend north of £300 for a 144Hz monitor, nowadays, new-generation Fast IPS panels can be found for under £200. This week, AOC is launching its most wallet-friendly gaming monitors yet in the G42 series. 

The new G42 series is perfect for those getting into PC gaming for the first time. Each of the new models offer Fast IPS panel technology, delivering up to 180Hz refresh rates – three times higher than the standard of 60Hz. This results in better motion clarity, as well as a smoother image while gaming.

There are three monitors to choose from here – the 23.8-inch 24G42E, the 24.5-inch 25G42E, and the 27-inch 27G42E. All three offer 1080p resolution and super-fast 1ms GtG response times, or 0.5ms MPRT with Motion Blur Reduction switched on. The panels cover 90 percent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and 120% of the sRGB colour gamut. Thanks to the IPS panel technology, you'll get all of this on top of wide viewing angles with minimal colour shift when looking at the display from an off angle.

AOC's goal is clear here – to set 180Hz as the new entry level standard for PC gaming. With prices starting at just £114.99 for the 23-inch monitor, going up to just £129.99 for the 27-inch model, these monitors are an easy recommendation for those looking to jump into PC gaming for the first time, or those who simply need a new display that doesn't break the bank.

All three AOC Gaming G42 series monitors will be available starting this month.

KitGuru Says: AOC has been offering some extremely good deals in the gaming monitor market in recent years. The new G42 series should set a new standard for all monitors hitting the market at under £150. 

The post AOC unleashes its best budget gaming monitors yet – 180Hz for under £130 first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD's CES 2025 keynote unveiled the Ryzen 9000HX series codenamed “Fire Range”, the successor to the 7000HX “Dragon Range”. Effectively, a BGA-packaged version of a “Granite Ridge” chip, Fire Range CPUs combine one or two “Zen 5” CCDs with a client I/O die. While it lacks an integrated NPU and sports a basic iGPU, its focus is clear: enthusiast gaming laptops and mobile workstations. 

The 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes provide ample bandwidth for the discrete GPUs it's designed to complement. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the headlining model in the series, the sole model featuring 3D V-Cache. This chip has the potential to claim the crown of the fastest mobile CPU for gaming, potentially even outpacing Intel's Arrow Lake-HX, especially if the desktop 9800X3D's performance relative to the Core Ultra 9 285K is anything to go by.

Dream Machines (via VideoCardz) has already announced its intention to bring laptops powered by the 9955HX3D to market, with an estimated arrival window of late March or early April 2025. Reports suggest AMD has secured various contracts with several major laptop OEMs, pointing towards a potentially successful market run for these new Fire Range chips, unlike its predecessors.

However, this top-tier performance will come at a cost. Dream Machines listings of these upcoming laptops start at €2,530 (~£2100) for configurations pairing the 9955HX3D with an RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU, while the flagship RTX 5090 Laptop GPU variant is predicted to command a price tag closer to €3,860 (~£3200). These laptops will have 16-inch 300 Hz displays, 16 GB of DDR5-5200/5600 memory, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD.

KitGuru says: Would you consider getting a high-end gaming laptop? If so, would you go for one with an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D CPU or something less capable (and potentially cheaper) would be enough?

The post AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D laptops should release in late March first appeared on KitGuru.

Corsair's Elgato brand is launching the Wave Link 2.0 this week. The latest evolution of Elgato's audio management software brings new features to the table, and a host of quality-of-life improvements to make usage easier for customers.

One of the new features in Wave Link 2.0 is Voice Focus, a tool developed in collaboration with the team at ai|coustics. By leveraging machine learning technology, this tool can remove unwanted background noises, room reverb and echo, isolating the user's voice further for more professional audio presentation. You'll be able to get close to vocal-booth levels of quality without having to decorate your room with acoustic foam panels and corner traps.

To make managing audio sources, inputs and outputs easier, Wave Link 2.0 now has a revamped app routing system, allowing you to assign apps to different audio channels with just a single click. You can also group up a number of apps for routing together, helping you consolidate the process.

To jazz up your streams or videos, Wave Link also offers a range of audio effects. The De-Esser tool will be useful for those looking to use their microphone without an additional pop filter. You can also add compression, adjust EQ or add Reverb. Wave Link also supports third-party plugins to unlock even more effects.

If you are looking to find new digital assets and software tools for your Elgato set-up, the Elgato marketplace is your one-stop shop for everything, from plugins and FX tools to custom digital icons for your Elgato Stream Deck.

KitGuru Says: Are you already using an Elgato audio set-up? What do you think of the Wave Link 2.0 upgrade?

The post Elgato Wave Link 2.0 brings massive improvements first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer has just unveiled a fresh look for its premium Xbox controllers. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition are now available in a new white colourway. This crisp aesthetic contrasts the original design, appealing to competitive console and PC gamers who appreciate clean and minimalist aesthetics.

The white Wolverine V3 range delivers the same lightning-fast responsiveness, esports-optimised ergonomics, and tournament-grade performance as the standard models. The four mouse click-back buttons and the two claw gripper bumpers are all remappable, giving the player an extra layer of control. The controllers also feature Razer Pro Hyper Triggers, which can be configured for short or long trigger pulls, mecha-tactile action buttons, an 8-way floating D-pad, and Hall-effect thumbsticks.

 

The Wolverine V3 Pro, Razer's flagship wireless esports controller, is officially licensed by Xbox and designed to give players the edge in competitive scenarios. For those who prefer a wired connection, the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition is an equally good option (and also cheaper). Also officially licensed by Xbox, this wired controller offers a 1000 Hz polling rate, giving competitive gamers the confidence they need to perform at their best on Xbox and PC.

The Wolverine V3 Pro white comes with a carrying case and costs £199.99/$199.99/€219.99. The Tournament Edition white controller costs £99.99/$99.99/€109.99.

KitGuru says: Although 100 pounds for a wired controller looks steep, the rest of Wolverine V3 ProTournament Edition's feature set sure looks impressive. Whether that justifies its price is up to the buyer.

The post Razer launches white variants of the Wolverine V3 wireless controllers first appeared on KitGuru.

The Nintendo Switch is currently in its home stretch, with the console’s successor finally having been announced last month. Still, when all is said and done, the OG Switch will go down in history as one of the most successful consoles of all time – having now surpassed 150 million units sold.

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings report, Nintendo published an updated list of their hardware and software sales, revealing that (as of the 31st of December 2024) 2017’s Nintendo Switch has officially reached a sales milestone only witnessed by two other systems: selling more than 150 million units (150.86 million to be specific).

This puts the Switch just shy of the DS’ total sales (154.02m) and around 10 million less than the best-selling system of all time – the PS2 with over 160 million units sold.

Whether the Switch will be able to surpass these systems is yet to be seen, however the company did recently proclaim that they are willing to support the OG Switch past the launch of its successor “if there is demand”, so it may have a couple more years left in it still.
Beyond this, the team have also confirmed that Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe has sold north of 75 million copies, making it now the 4th best-selling game of all time, surpassing PUBG and sitting behind Wii Sports.

Other notable milestones include Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Switch Sports both selling more than 15 million copies each.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Will the Switch become the best selling console of all time, or will it fall just short of the PS2? How long before it surpasses the DS at least? Will Switch sales fall through the roof once its successor launches? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post The Nintendo Switch has sold over 150 million units first appeared on KitGuru.

Designed for high-performance computing, enthusiasts and gamers, TeamGroup's T-Force Xtreem DDR5 memory comes in a wide range of speeds and kit sizes. We review the Snow White model, rated at 7600 MT/s, that's priced at £175 here in the UK.

The XTREEM line-up consists of seven speeds (at the time of writing) and four kit sizes. 96GB (6800MT/s CL36 1.4V), 64GB (6000MT/s CL34, 6400MT/s CL38 both 1.35V), 48GB (8200MT/s, 8000MT/s both CL38 @ 1.40V, 7600MT/s CL36 @ 1.40V, 7200MT/s CL34 @1.4V and 6800MT/s CL34 @ 1.40V) and finally seven 32GB kits (8000MT/s CL38 @ 1.45V, 7600MT/s CL36 @.1.4V, 7200MT/s and 6800MT/s both at CL34 @ 1.40V and 6400MT/s CL32 @ 1.35V). There are two 6000MT/s options, one CL38 @ 1.25V and the other CL30 @.1.35V.

According to the XTREEM product page, 8200MT/s modules and above have XMP 3.0 profiles, while 8000MT/s and below have both XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO profiles.

For this review, TeamGroup sent us a 32GB kit of DDR5-7600MT/s (FFWD532G7600HC36FDC01) containing a pair of single-rank 16GB DIMMs using SK Hynix A-die ICs XMP/EXPO rated at 7600MHz at 36-45-45-84 at 1.40V.

TeamGroup back the memory with a Lifetime warranty.

Specification

• Model Number: FFWD532G7600HC36FDC01.
• Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16).
• Rated Frequency: DDR5-7600MT/s.
• Rated Timings: CL36-45-45-84.
• Voltage: 1.40V.
• Module Height: 48.8mm.
• XMP/EXPO: XMP 3.0 / EXPO.

The post TeamGroup T-Force XTREEM DDR5-7600MT/s 32GB Review first appeared on KitGuru.

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 35+ years. By far the biggest new entry in this space is Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the latest title in the much-loved Budokai series. Unsurprisingly, the game has already reached a massive sales milestone, surpassing 5 million copies sold in under four months.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official ‘DragonBallGames’ page celebrated this latest milestone, writing:

“We're thrilled to announce that DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO has officially sold 5 million copies worldwide!…A huge THANKS to our amazing fans for the epic journey. We truly appreciate your passion and dedication.”

While 5 million is nothing to sniff at, especially since it only released last October, Sparking Zero was announced to have sold 3 million copies in its first 24 hours, meaning it just managed to push a further 2 million in the 4 months since.

Still, given the fact that Sparking Zero was the fastest-selling entry in the series’ history (and considering other notable Dragon Ball games have gone on to sell more than 10 million copies), it’s safe to say that Sparking Zero will continue to sell well for months and years to come.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What’s your opinion on Sparking Zero? Does it live up to the Budokai games? What’s your favourite Dragon Ball game of all time? Let us know down below.

The post Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero reaches major sales milestone in under 4 months first appeared on KitGuru.

Late last year, FromSoftware surprised everyone with the announcement of Elden Ring: Nightreign – a co-op focused spin-off featuring rogue-like elements and unique class abilities. Ahead of the upcoming network tests slated for later this month, FromSoftware are reportedly planning to announce a ton of new details for the standalone game sometime next week.

As reported by Insider Gaming, Elden Ring: Nightreign is planned to get an infodump sometime next week, including confirmation of the game’s release date (which is currently just stated to be coming some time in 2025).

More specifically, said infodump is reportedly planned for the 12th of February, just two days prior to the launch of the Nightreign’s network test, and will coincide with an embargo lift for media previews – meaning we should see our first proper hands-on impressions at the same time.

While Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion was mostly more of the same, Nightreign looks to be switching up the formula quite a bit, and so it will be interesting to see what the media thinks of the game when previews go live – and perhaps more importantly what players think when the network test goes live shortly after.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Elden Ring: Nightreign? Did you get into the network test? How different do you think this will be to the OG Elden Ring? Let us know down below.

The post Elden Ring: Nightreign to get new details including release date next week first appeared on KitGuru.

Wreckfest is a fun and frantic destruction-derby themed racing game from Bugbear Entertainment and published by THQ Nordic. Released back in 2018, THQ announced last year that a sequel was officially in the works. Now, we’ve gotten more details on Wreckfest 2 – including an Early Access release date.

Making the announcement via a press release, Bugbear Entertainment and THQ Nordic officially confirmed that Wreckfest 2 is launching on the 20th of March…in Early Access.

While no specifics were given so far on what exactly the Early Access period entails, the team did state that “From day one, Wreckfest 2 will be shaped by your feedback. We're eager to create the greatest demolition derby-style game of all time,” so hopefully it will be a rather productive Early Access.

When it was first announced back in August last year, Wreckfest 2 was stated to be going all-in on the destruction aspect of the game, featuring “a completely overhauled physics engine for even more realistic destruction, fully customizable cars that you can share with other players and revamped game modes including a brand-new split screen mode.”

While we still don’t know too much beyond this right now, hopefully we’ll hear more from the game as we get closer to its upcoming (early access) release date.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Wreckfest 2? Is them going the Early Access route a good or bad thing in your mind? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Wreckfest 2 launches in Early Access next month first appeared on KitGuru.

Following the disappointment of Battlefield 2042, EA and DICE seem to be going all-in for the series’ next entry, featuring more internal tests than ever before, and recently going live with its Battlefield Labs program. While details on the game overall continue to remain light, we do know that the upcoming title will launch before April 2026.

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings meeting (reported by VGC), EA confirmed that the next Battlefield game will launch before the end of the 2026 fiscal year – meaning by the 31st of March 2026.

Given the fact that the past three Battlefields have launched in the October-November window, it could be safe to assume that Battlefield 6 (or whatever it will be called) will target a similar timeframe.

That said, the company is seemingly trying to switch things up with the next game following the disappointment of 2042 – and so it’s entirely possible that their release strategy has been changed up as well.

We will have to wait and see, but hopefully the teams are given as much time as needed.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this tentative release window? Does the series have a chance to become relevant again? Could it ever be as big as Call of Duty? Let us know down below.

The post EA’s next Battlefield game will launch before April 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

Nintendo is about to release a new console, which means it is time for Nintendo executives to start lying to us all about continued support for older hardware. Much like when the Switch launched in 2017 and Nintendo promised to continue supporting the 3DS, Nintendo is now claiming it will continue to support the original Switch console alongside the Switch 2.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said the company will continue to support the original Nintendo Switch after the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, as long as there is demand from consumers. However, the company's most recent earnings report shows that demand is rapidly waning. Currently, Switch sales have declined by 30 percent year-on-year, and that decline will only increase once Nintendo starts marketing the Switch 2 and the new games heading to the console.

With that said, the Switch 2 being backwards compatible could mean that more developers will support both systems for a couple of years. Currently, Nintendo has a few games lined up for the original Switch, including Xenoblade Chronicles X and Pokémon Legends Z-A. We will be learning more about Nintendo's game release line-up for 2025 later this week during a Nintendo Direct stream. We also expect that this stream will bring us some more Switch 2 news.

Nintendo has not yet announced a launch date for the Switch 2, nor has it revealed any exclusive Switch 2 games outside of a quick tease for a new Mario Kart. On top of all of that, we still know very little about the hardware inside.

KitGuru Says: We will no doubt see a few cross-gen games over the next couple of years, but I highly doubt Nintendo is still going to be releasing tentpole games for the original Switch in 2026.

The post Nintendo says it will support Switch 1 ‘if there is demand’ amid massive sales drop first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft is bringing even more of its games to PS5. Shortly after the announcement of the next wave of cross-platform titles, Microsoft has now announced plans to bring its two biggest strategy titles. 

In March, PS5 players will be able to pick up the recently released remaster, Age of Mythology: Retold, an excellent reworking of a classic strategy game centred around mythological gods.

For those who prefer something a bit more grounded, my favourite RTS game of all time, Age of Empires 2, is also heading to PS5 this Spring. It is unclear if Microsoft will also bring over the other Definitive Edition Age of Empires titles, or the most recent game in the franchise, Age of Empires IV. Better yet, these games will have full cross-play, so Xbox, PC and PS5 players will be able to battle it out online.

Another major Xbox game, Forza Horizon 5, is also due to release on PS5 later this year. Rumour has it that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will also make the jump in the coming months.

KitGuru Says: While at one time it seemed impossible to bring an RTS game to consoles, titles like Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2 really paved the way for more traditional RTS games to branch out beyond PC. We've had Age of Empires on Xbox for years at this point, with very good control schemes to replace the keyboard and mouse.

The post Xbox is bringing Age of Empires and Age of Mythology to PS5 first appeared on KitGuru.

A decade ago, Valve attempted to bring PC gaming to the living room with its own ‘console' style mini-ITX PCs known as Steam Machines. Unlike the Steam Deck, Valve opted to pass off Steam Machine development to third-party partners and focused on the software side of things. This ultimately led to Steam Machines being branded as a failure. Now ten years on and armed with more experience in hardware products, Valve looks to be bringing back the Steam Machine. 

According to eXtas1s, who has a reliable track record with leaks, Valve is readying a new Steam console to compete against Xbox and PlayStation. Apparently, this system will continue to use custom AMD hardware, this time based on the RDNA 4 architecture.

While the Steam Machines failed back in 2015, Valve has drastically improved its hardware capabilities since then. At this point, the company has sold millions of Steam Deck handheld systems, and the new version of SteamOS is far beyond what Valve started off with. On top of that, Valve has also been working on new Steam Controller designs, seemingly for a Steam Controller 2 launch. Chances are, a Steam console would ship with one of these new gamepads.

Whether or not a Steam home console could really take market share away from Xbox or PlayStation remains to be seen.

KitGuru Says: Would you like to see the Steam Machine make a return with new and improved hardware, combined with the latest version of SteamOS? Perhaps this is the kick some developers need to support SteamOS. After all, we still have major games like Destiny that don't support the Deck, despite the fact that the game's anti-cheat system can and does work with Proton, the compatibility took Valve uses to make Windows-only games run on SteamOS. 

The post Valve is reportedly planning to bring back the Steam Machine console first appeared on KitGuru.

G.Skill has just announced its latest memory kit. At CES, we saw new low-latency kits for AMD Ryzen based systems. This time, we are focused on Intel Core Ultra, with new large-capacity CL32 kits set to hit the market. 

The new G.Skill CL32 96GB (2x 48GB) and the CL28 32GB kit are hitting the market soon under the Trident Z5, Royal, and Ripjaws series. The key differentiator between these is the heatspreader, with the Trident Z5 offering a sleek RGB lightbar at the top, while the royal version adds a crystalised pattern on the top. The Ripjaws series is G.Skill's standard kit, with a low-profile heatspreader.

CL32-42-42 at up to 96GB (2x48GB). This new specification have been validated on both Intel Z790 and Z890 platforms. Above, you can find the Memtest validation on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero motherboard with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K desktop processor, and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero motherboard with the Intel Core i9-14900K desktop processor.

These kits will be hitting the market starting in March.

KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a new system upgrade? Will you be going with G.Skill RAM? If so, be sure to check out our reviews.

The post G.Skill debuts 96GB DDR5 CL32 and 32GB CL28 memory kits for Intel PCs first appeared on KitGuru.

February is set to be a big month for Game Pass. We already know that Obsidian's new fantasy RPG, Avowed, will be a day-one title for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Now, we know the full list of games joining the service over the next two weeks. 

As Avowed is a new first-party game, it won't be available to Game Pass standard subscribers. However, like Starfield, it should join the Game Pass Standard library eventually. If you want to play it on February 18th via Game Pass, you'll need a Game Pass Ultimate or a Game Pass PC subscription. As Microsoft is still actively trying to grow Game Pass for PC, that version of the service still gets day-one first party games.

For a look at the timeline Game Pass Standard subscribers can expect, we can see that Starfield, which first launched in September 2023, is now available through Game Pass Standard, meaning it joined the library almost a year and a half after launch. With that in mind, we can expect Avowed to join the Game Pass Standard library sometime in 2026.

Below is the full list of Game Pass titles announced for February 2025, including platforms and release dates:

• Far Cry New Dawn (Cloud, Console and PC) – February 4th.
• Another Crab's Treasure (Console) – February 5th.
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Console) – February 5th.
• Starfield (Xbox Series X/S) – February 5th.
• Madden NFL 25 (Cloud, Console and PC) – February 6th.
• Kingdom Two Crowns (Cloud and Console) – February 13th.
• Avowed (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – February 18th.

As for games leaving the library, on February 15th, Game Pass subscribers will lose access to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, EA Sports UFC 3, Indivisible, Merge and Blade, Return to Grace, A Little to the Left and Tales of Arise.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of this month's Game Pass line-up? Will you be jumping into Avowed when it drops? 

The post Avowed and six more titles join Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 7 255H mobile processor shows impressive single-threaded performance in a leaked PassMark benchmark, but its multi-core capabilities raise concerns.

The Passmark results (via Notebookcheck) reveal a significant generational leap in single-threaded performance. The Core Ultra 7 255H scored 4631 points, a 32% increase over the Core Ultra 7 155H CPU. This impressive gain can be attributed to the new “Lion Cove” P-cores and TSMC's N3B process technology. Interestingly, the 255H even outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 “Strix Point” APU by around 17% in single-threaded performance.

However, the tables turn regarding its multi-core performance, where the 255H falls behind the Strix Point chip by over 20%. This discrepancy highlights the impact of Intel's decision to remove hyperthreading support from its non-K Core Ultra 200 series CPUs. While this move benefits single-threaded performance, it limits the multi-core capabilities of these processors. Despite the disappointing multi-core results, the Core Ultra 7 255H still shows a respectable 12% multi-threaded performance improvement over its predecessor.

It's worth noting that Arrow Lake-H CPUs will feature integrated GPUs with up to eight Xe LPG+ cores. While these iGPUs are expected to be slower than the Xe2-based graphics in Lunar Lake processors, they should still offer decent performance for casual gaming and everyday tasks. These processors should be available this quarter with new laptops from different manufacturers.

KitGuru says: Based on these results, the Arrow Lake-H processors will likely perform better than AMD's latest Ryzen AI 300 series in gaming when paired with a discrete GPU. However, we expect AMD Strix Point processors to be the better option for productivity.

The post Intel Core Ultra 7 255H beats AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in Passmark single-thread benchmark first appeared on KitGuru.

As expected, Nvidia's RTX 50 series launch didn't have enough stock for the demand. It was predictable that stock would run relatively fast, especially considering the reported low product count arriving at retailers. As if that wasn't enough, it seems the next batch of cards will take a while to arrive, with some retailers expecting that it could be months before we see a new RTX 5090 card for sale.

While the initial launch of the RTX 5090 and 5080 Founders Edition cards went smoothly, with positive reviews and impressive benchmarks, gamers eager to get their hands on the new cards face a frustrating reality: limited availability. OverclockersUK has reported that its initial RTX 50 series cards stock has completely sold out, and pre-orders are currently unavailable. According to the retailer, more RTX 5080 cards are expected to arrive in 2 to 6 weeks. As for the RTX 5090 cards, they can take 3 to 16 weeks.

Similar reports are emerging from other regions. In the Netherlands (via Megekko forums), sources suggest that the Asus RTX 50 series cards are being shipped in batches, with varying availability depending on the specific model. Furthermore, there are claims that Nvidia won't be shipping any more Founders Edition cards until March, potentially leaving gamers with limited options for purchasing the reference designs.

Later this month, we're expected to see the launch of the RTX 5070 series cards. Hopefully, these won't have the same stock issues.

KitGuru says: Were you planning to get an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090? Were you lucky enough to get one of these at launch?

The post UK retailer sets out 16-week timeline for new RTX 5090 stock first appeared on KitGuru.

Fans of Need for Speed might have to temper their expectations for a new entry in the franchise. Criterion Games, the studio behind the franchise, has confirmed that the next Need for Speed game won't come anytime soon as the team shifts its focus to developing the next Battlefield title.

This isn't the first time Criterion has lent its expertise to the Battlefield franchise. The studio played a significant role in developing Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. However, this time, it seems their involvement in the upcoming Battlefield title is taking priority, putting the next Need for Speed game into second plan.

Given the current development timeline for the next Battlefield game, which, according to recent footage, is in pre-alpha, it's unlikely a new fully-fledged NFS game will be released for several years. Considering the typical development cycle for AAA games and Criterion's statement (via Eurogamer), active production on the next Need for Speed won't begin until the new Battlefield is complete. If that's the case, fans might have to wait until the early 2030s for a new entry in the racing franchise.

While EA could assign another studio to develop a new Need for Speed game, this seems unlikely. Criterion Games has a wealth of experience in the racing genre, and finding another studio with the same expertise in this genre would be a challenge. We could argue that Codemasters might be able to do something out of the Need For Speed franchise, but it would probably go into a more realistic racing experience than your usual NFS game.

KitGuru says: This extended hiatus marks a significant shift for the Need for Speed series, which enjoyed annual releases between 1997 and 2013. If the current release cadence holds, December 2025 will mark the longest gap between two Need for Speed titles since the franchise's inception in 1994.

The post Need For Speed is ‘on hold’ for now first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we are back with our first RTX 50 series partner card review! We're looking at the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC – a beast of a graphics card in every sense of the word. Not only does it boast a quad-slot cooler that's about 36cm long, but it's been aggressively factory overclocked, while also featuring dual-BIOS, three 100mm fans and plentiful RGB lighting. Let's see just how well it compares to Nvidia's Founders Edition.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:44 The pricing situation
01:41 Design impressions
02:15 It’s HUGE – comparisons vs 5090 FE
02:57 Dual-BIOS, RGB lighting
04:09 Revealing the PCB and heatsink
05:33 Test setup
06:19 Thermals, noise
07:34 Game benchmarks
08:08 Clock speed + power
09:08 Overclocking
10:07 Closing thoughts – is it worth 2.6K?

Of course, the other factor to consider is pricing, and while MSI didn't actually disclose an official MSRP to us, we've found it on Currys for £2600, while it's higher still at OCUK. Needless to say, that is some extreme pricing, with a £660 price premium over the £1939 MSRP. It's hard to say if those are just inflated figures given there's zero stock of the RTX 5090 right now, and I'd have to hope that pricing falls as supply levels increase. Right now that's all we have to go on though, so that will have to factor into our final buying advice.

	RTX 5090	RTX 5080	RTX 4090	RTX 4080 Super	RTX 4080
Process	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4
SMs	170	84	128	80	76
CUDA Cores	21760	10752	16384	10240	9728
Tensor Cores	680	336	512	320	304
RT Cores	170	84	128	80	76
Texture Units	680	336	512	320	304
ROPs	176	112	176	112	112
GPU Boost Clock	2407 MHz	2617 MHz	2520 MHz	2550 MHz	2505 MHz
Memory Data Rate	28 Gbps	30 Gbps	21 Gbps	23 Gbps	22.4 Gbps
L2 Cache	98304 KB	65536 KB	73729 KB	65536 KB	65536 KB
Total Video Memory	32GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR7	24GB GDDR6X	16GB GDDR6X	16GB GDDR6X
Memory Interface	512-bit	256-bit	384-bit	256-bit	256-bit
Memory Bandwidth	1792 GB/Sec	960 GB/Sec	1008 GB/Sec	736 GB/Sec	716.8 GB/Sec
TGP	575W	360W	450W	320W	320W

First, a quick spec recap. The RTX 5090 is built on the new GB202 die, measuring 750mm², though it's not quite a full implementation of the silicon. Instead we find a total of 11 Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), each holding up to eight Texture Processing Clusters (TPCs), for a total of 85. Each TPC is home to two Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), giving us 170, and each SM still holds 256 CUDA Cores, meaning the RTX 5090 has an eye-watering total of 21760 shaders. We also find 170 RT cores, 680 Tensor cores, 680 Texture Units, and 176 ROPs.

This time around, however, there's no node-shrink, and GB202 remains fabricated on TSMC's N4 node, as per the RTX 40-series. As such, rated clock speed is not increased this generation and is actually touted slightly below that of the RTX 4090, with the  reference RTX 5090 delivering a rated 2407MHz boost clock. MSI has increased this to 2565MHz for the Gaming BIOS, and 2512MHz for the Silent BIOS.

The memory configuration has seen significant upgrades this generation. The RTX 5090 now comes equipped with a super-wide 512-bit memory interface, paired with 32GB GDDR7 memory running at 28Gbps, and that puts total memory bandwidth at a staggering 1792 GB/s. L2 cache is also increased to 98MB, up from the 74MB of the RTX 4090.

Considering the large increases to die size and core count, but with no node shrink, it's perhaps unsurprising to see power draw has increased, this time boasting a 575W TGP at reference. MSI has maxed this out at 600W for the Gaming BIOS, too, the limit of the 12V-2X6 connector.

The post MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Following Microsoft’s recent developer direct, the console maker has announced another – albeit smaller – presentation with the ID@Xbox Showcase. Going live on the 24th of February, the stream will feature a ton of indie studios as well as a new collaboration with Balatro.

Announced in partnership with IGN, the next ID@Xbox showcase will go live on the 24th of February at 6PM BST, kicking off the publication’s annual IGN Fan Fest.

Though no specific games (except one) were highlighted for the event, over a dozen studios are confirmed to be present during the showcase, with the full list being as follows:

• 11 Bit
• BigFan
• Critical Reflex
• Daedalic
• Game Source Entertainment
• No More Robots
• Panic
• Playstack
• Raw Fury
• Thunderlotus
• Cult Games
• Team17
• Curve
• Akapura
• Don’t Nod

While some of these names might be more recognisable than others, the best part about indie events is the fact that you never know what you’ll get – often for the better.

The one game which is confirmed for the showcase is Balatro, with “the next big collaboration” set to be announced during the stream. That said, it is unclear right now whether this collab will bring content into Balatro, or see Balatro added to another game (as was the case with Dave the Diver). Either way, more Balatro is always a good thing.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the next ID@Xbox? Which studio are you most interested in? What’s your favourite new indie game so far this year? Let us know down below.

The post ID@Xbox showcase announced, featuring over a dozen indie studios first appeared on KitGuru.

Following a lengthy hiatus, the Devil May Cry series returned in a big way with DMC 5 in 2019 – quickly becoming the best-selling entry in the series. While we have yet to get a new game since, interest in Dante and co. has not waned, with the latest Devil May Cry 5 having now officially sold 10 million copies.

Every quarter, Capcom publicly publishes its updated list of ‘Platinum Titles’ – games which have sold over 1 million units. Sharing the latest stats across their franchises, the publisher has now revealed that as of the 31st of December 2024, 2019’s Devil May Cry (in combination with its Special Edition remaster / expansion) has sold 10 million copies, making it by far the best-selling entry in the entire franchise.

For context, the second-best-selling title is 2013’s DmC Devil May Cry which pushed a total of 3.1 million copies – 1/3rd of DMC 5’s total sales.

Unfortunately, as mentioned, there’s been no new activity in the DMC space ever since Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition.

That said, with how much of a success the latest entry continues to be, hopefully the chefs over at Capcom are cooking up something great. We will have to continue to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised by the success of DMC 5? How much longer will we have to wait for a new Devil May Cry? What would you want from the next entry? Let us know down below.

The post Devil May Cry 5 hits new major sales milestone first appeared on KitGuru.

Despite being an undeniable icon in the video games space, Capcom’s Mega Man franchise has never been a massive seller. While this somewhat remains the case, it seems Rock Man is having a slight reassurance with the latest Mega Man 11 now becoming the best-selling entry in the series.

Every quarter, Capcom publicly publishes its updated list of ‘Platinum Titles’ – games which have sold over 1 million units. The publisher has now released its latest figures, revealing that the latest entry in the Mega Man series – 2018’s Mega Man 11 – has surpassed the ‘Mega Man Legacy Collection’ to become the best-selling entry in the series.

Even so, the numbers are relatively modest when compared to Capcom’s other contemporary franchises, with Mega Man 11 just selling north of 2 million copies – 400k more than the aforementioned Legacy Collection.

As stated, Mega Man 11 is the latest entry in the series, however in the years since its launch we have seen further collections released to great success, including the ‘Battle Network Legacy Collection‘ which managed to shift 1 million units in its first two weeks back in 2023.

Still, with what will likely be Capcom’s biggest game of all time (Monster Hunter Wilds) set to come out later this month, the publisher’s focus is unlikely to be on Mega Man at the moment. Hopefully some time over the next couple years maybe.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised by Mega Man’s relatively low sales? Will it ever be one of Capcom’s biggest franchises once again? Could we see a Mega Man 12 one day? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Mega Man 11 becomes the best-selling entry in the series first appeared on KitGuru.

While not quite the sales juggernaut that GTA is, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption series remains one of the biggest in the industry, with RDR2 alone selling more than 67 million units. Despite little post-launch support for the game (especially when it came to Red Dead Online), RDR2 has reached a new peak player count on Steam with just under 100,000 concurrents.

Upon its PC release back in early 2020, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 saw a solid influx of players, peaking at 55 thousand concurrent users on Steam. Naturally, since then the figures have ebbed and flowed, though only on a few occasions has it surpassed its launch peak.

However, seemingly as a result of RDR2 going on sale for 75% off – the lowest it's been – the game has galloped past its previous peak player count, recently landing just shy of 100k (99,993 concurrent players to be exact).

Unfortunately, this recent influx is unlikely to affect Rockstar’s future plans for Red Dead 2 (or lack thereof), and so the online portion probably won’t see a ton of new support all of a sudden.

That said, the team did release a surprise update last year, adding an improved form of AMD’s FSR alongside a few other enhancements, so not all hope is lost.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Did you hop into Red Dead Redemption 2 recently? Has Rockstar fully moved on from the game? Could Red Dead Online see a resurgence? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Red Dead Redemption 2 reaches new Steam record with 100,000 concurrent players first appeared on KitGuru.

Everyone likes a big screen for watching content but often, 100+-inch TVs are prohibitively expensive, and projectors can be too bulky to set up properly in a lot of spaces. Acer looks to solve this issue with the Acer PD1520Us, a compact LED projector that weighs less than 1kg. 

This is a short-throw projector, meaning it is designed to be placed close to the surface. With this design, you can get 100-inches of screen space while placing the projector just centimetres away from the wall or screen, making it an ideal solution for businesses and schools, where conditions can be a bit more crowded.

The bulb inside the projector has a 30,000 hour life span, so you'll get plenty of use out of it before you start to see any brightness drop-off and need to replace the bulb. The projector has its own built-in speakers for convenient audio, and support for 1080p and 4K sources. The projector has plenty of connectivity options too, with dual HDMI 2.0 ports, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and options for screen mirroring.

For those concerned about setup, the projector comes with auto focus so you won't need to manually turn the focus ring to get things looking sharp. Additionally, 2D Keystone Correction can fix up distorted images for maximum clarity out of the box. For those looking to take things on the go, a 5200mAh battery pack is also available, which will allow you to run the projector for up to two hours. As part of the Acer UST projector series, the PD1520U also has an integrated smart platform, allowing you to install apps to access streaming services.

The Acer PD1520Us projector will be available in EMEA starting in March, priced at €699. The additional battery pack is sold separately, priced at €99.

KitGuru Says: Would you replace your TV with a projector for a cheaper solution to a bigger screen? 

The post Acer’s latest compact projector can create a 100-inch screen with just centimetres of space first appeared on KitGuru.

EA has launched a number of community playtest programs over the years, seeking feedback for projects still in development. Typically, we see these for smaller games, like Skate, while games like Battlefield are kept under wraps until the public beta tests that take place just weeks before release. This blew up in EA's face with Battlefield 2042, as the game launched with a huge number of bugs and issues. To avoid this next time around, DICE is launching Battlefield Labs. 

Battlefield Labs is the new community testing program for the Battlefield franchise. EA and DICE claim it is “the most ambitious community testing program in franchise history”. Respawn and EA Studios GM, Vince Zampella, explained that Battlefield Labs will be used to “test the experiences our teams have been building for the upcoming launch”.

From the sounds of it, fans will be able to sign up and then test out early, experimental builds of different modes being planned for the final game. The first phase of Battlefield Labs testing will go live in the coming weeks and sign-ups are already live on the Battlefield Labs page. 

To start off with, playtests will be held in the US and European countries, before expanding to other territories. DICE says that this program will play “a significant role” in the development of future Battlefield games, not just the next mainline entry to the series.

KitGuru Says: DICE has struggled to really figure out how best to differentiate Battlefield from Call of Duty and how to please fans with each new entry. Even Battlefield 4, which many fans look back on fondly, launched with a myriad of bugs and issues that took months to fix. This cycle has consistently repeated with each game. Hopefully once Battlefield Labs gets off the ground, DICE can finally put those struggles behind them. 

The post Battlefield Labs is live with first playtest scheduled for February first appeared on KitGuru.