Thermaltake has announced the TR300 Series Mid Tower Chassis, a new ATX lineup focused on space efficiency, airflow, and modern customisation. The range includes two models, the TR300 TG and TR300 WS, both available in black or white colour options.

The key difference between the TR300 TG and the TR300 WS is the front panel. The latter uses real wood slats at the front, while the TG uses a more standard mesh front panel. Both should offer good airflow for your intake fans, so choosing between them should primarily come down to whether or not you like the modern wood-PC fusion.

The chassis uses a front‑mounted PSU layout with an adjustable rack offering four mounting positions, improving internal space, airflow, GPU clearance, and radiator support. It accommodates up to ATX motherboards, with optimised PCIe slot placement to maintain proper GPU alignment. Cooling support includes up to eight 120mm fans and room for a 360mm radiator at the top.

Both models support Thermaltake’s optional 6‑inch LCD Screen Kit (1480 × 720), enabling system monitoring, JPG/GIF playback, AI Forge visuals, and mobile control via the TT PlayLink app. Additional features include removable dust filters, support for two 3.5‑inch HDDs and three 2.5‑inch SSDs, and front I/O with dual USB 3.0 Type‑A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type‑C, HD Audio, and dedicated power/reset buttons.

KitGuru Says: Will you be considering the TR300 for a future build? 

The post Thermaltake launches new TR300 series chassis in mesh and wood slat variants first appeared on KitGuru.

At CES earlier this month, Corsair officially revealed the Galleon 100 SD, a new full-size keyboard that replaces the numpad with Elgato Stream Deck functionality. Now following on from multiple ‘Best of CES' awards, the new keyboard is ready to hit the market.

The new Corsair Galleon 100 SD is a new full-size keyboard from Corsair, but rather than having a numpad, the keyboard has been equipped with a 12-key Elgato Stream Deck. Corsair says the device combines engineering from both Corsair and Elgato to meet long‑standing community requests for a single input solution that handles gameplay, apps, and device control.

The keyboard includes 12 LCD keys, two multifunction dials, and a 5‑inch colour display for real‑time system and game information. All controls are configured through the Stream Deck app, with support for folders, profile switching, and the full plugin ecosystem.

Beyond the Stream Deck features, the Galleon 100 SD uses Corsair’s AXON engine with polling rates up to 8000Hz, plus FlashTap SOCD handling for directional‑input control. The board ships with pre‑lubed MLX Pulse switches, gasket mounting, six layers of dampening, and an aluminium frame.

The Corsair Galleon 100 SD is now shipping worldwide as of today. Over in the US, it will cost $349.99. Here in the UK, it is retailing for £309.99 directly via Corsair's webstore.

KitGuru Says: This keyboard looks to pack the best of two product lines, but it is also very expensive. Are you thinking about getting one of these? 

The post Corsair’s new Galleon 100 SD keyboard is now available first appeared on KitGuru.

The next round of games for GeForce Now has been announced. There are ten new titles joining the cloud gaming library this week, including new releases like Half Sword, as well as classics like Prototype. 

Aside from the new games joining the library, there is another major GeForce Now update happening this week. For the first time, a native Linux client is now available, expanding GeForce Now's reach across native Linux PCs, Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, smart TVs and mobile devices.

Here is the full list of new games joining GeForce Now today:

• The Midnight Walkers (New release on Steam, Jan. 28, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)
• Cairn (New release on Steam, Jan. 29, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)
• Prototype (New release on Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29)
• Prototype 2 (New release on Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29)
• Warhammer 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2 (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass, Jan. 29, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)
• Half Sword (New release on Steam, Jan.30, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)
• Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (New release on Steam, Jan. 30, GeForce RTX 5080-ready)
• The Bard’s Tale Trilogy (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass)
• The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass)
• Total War: Three Kingdoms (Epic Games Store)

There are four titles joining the RTX 5080 servers for GeForce Now Ultimate members too, including Cairn, The Midnight Walkers, Half Sword and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

KitGuru Says: Will you be playing any of this week's new GeForce Now titles? 

The post Prototype, Bards Tale and more join GeForce Now this week first appeared on KitGuru.

Last year, Amazon made the decision to stop development on its MMO, New World, and wind back its game development practices through major cuts at its studios. Now, Amazon Games VP, Christoph Hartmann, is leaving the company behind. 

Following a wave of layoffs at Amazon Game Studios last year, Jason Schreier reports that the long-running Vice President has stepped down. Christoph Hartmann had previously been the head of 2K Games under Take-Two, before leaving to help Amazon ramp up its own game development and publishing business more than eight years ago.

While Amazon Games has operated for more than a decade, it has only managed to successfully ship one in-house developed game. New World had a strong start but failed to retain its momentum post-launch. Amazon has had a bit more success in publishing, having served as the publisher for Lost Ark in the west. Currently, Amazon is also expected to publish the next Tomb Raider game from Crystal Dynamics.

Amazon underwent restructuring and cost-cutting efforts in October 2025, leading to more than 14,000 layoffs.

KitGuru Says: Amazon Games has gone through a lot of change in recent months. At this point, it is unclear if they will make another game internally, or if they'll stick to publishing going forward. 

The post Amazon Games loses VP following mass layoffs first appeared on KitGuru.

PlayStation fans have been hoping for Sony's return to the handheld console market for many years now, but so far, there has been no sign of a new, official PSP. One hardware modder took it upon themselves to make one though, showcasing a full PS4 console, fitted into a custom handheld casing. 

Sharing their work on Reddit, Wewillmakeitnow showcased a video along with several images of their handheld PS4. It utilises the motherboard of a PS4 Slim, cleverly cut down and fitted into a handheld style case, complete with a 7-inch OLED display and integrated controller buttons and thumbsticks at either side.

There are some drawbacks, for instance, the handheld is much thicker than most comparable devices, and the cooling required is much larger than we are used to seeing in consumer-grade devices, but that should be expected. After all, this modder only had last-generation tech to work with.

The device manages to last for around 90 minutes running some of the PS4's most demanding titles, but can run for up to three hours while playing less graphically intensive games.

If Sony were to make its own PS4-level handheld, it would be able to make some very clear improvements. For starters, Sony would be able to replace the chip with a more modern AMD SoC with better efficiency and performance at lower wattages. They would also be able to custom-design the motherboard and engineer a slimmer cooler to reduce the overall profile.

Right now, there are no official plans for a new PlayStation Portable. This generation, Sony instead opted to release the Portal, a handheld streaming device for PS5 Remote Play, as well as cloud streaming. Rumour has it that there may be bigger portable plans in place for the PS6, but right now, there are conflicting reports on when that next-gen console will arrive.

KitGuru Says: Would you like to see Sony return to the handheld market with a true successor to the PSP? 

The post Modder shows off homemade handheld PS4 first appeared on KitGuru.

Google's dream of Android for desktop is not dead yet. Recently, Aluminium OS (ALOS) leaked through a bug report on Google's Issue Tracker. This new feature appears to be a built-in Samsung DeX-style visualisation for Android 16.

The leak, which surfaced through screen recordings from an HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook (via 9to5Google), shows a hybrid UI that blends the simplicity of Android with the heavy-duty multitasking capabilities of a desktop OS. The “Aluminium OS” interface features a recognisable Android taskbar at the bottom and a status bar at the top, complete with mobile-like WiFi and battery indicators. However, the functionality is purely desktop, supporting windowed applications, split-screen multitasking, and a Chrome browser with desktop extensions. You can see ALOS in action in the video uploaded by Android Authority.

This development suggests that Google may be looking to bridge the gap between Android and ChromeOS, potentially allowing future Android tablets and high-end phones to function as full-scale workstations when docked.

KitGuru says: Would you like to see Google offering Aluminium OS as standard for all Android-based devices? Would such a feature make you more inclined to choose Android over iOS?

The post Google bug report leaks “Aluminium OS” for desktops first appeared on KitGuru.

Following a leadership shift involving one of its original co-founders, GOG is now apparently expanding its technical reach by developing a native Linux version of GOG Galaxy.

The move was revealed through a job posting (via The Bryant Review) for a Senior C++ Software Engineer, specifically tasked with building the application's architecture with Linux compatibility as a core priority “from day one”. This marks a major pivot for the platform, which has historically relied on community-driven or third-party tools, such as the Heroic Games Launcher, to serve Linux users.

The initiative aims to bring native high-value features such as cloud saves, automatic updates, and cross-platform library management (including Epic, Xbox, and Steam) to the Linux ecosystem.

While GOG has always been praised for its DRM-free standalone installers, the lack of a dedicated Linux client has been a significant point of friction for Steam Deck and Linux desktop users who want a unified experience. By designing for a “wide array of hardware” and prioritising long-term platform development, GOG signals that its Linux support will be a pillar of its commitment to preserving retro games.

KitGuru says: Do you own a Linux system where you would like to install the GOG Galaxy app?

The post Job listing suggests GOG Galaxy may soon introduce first-party support for Linux first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent years, Sharkoon has been rolling out a series of office chairs. This month, the company is launching its best yet, the OfficePal C50 and C50M, both offering a classic mesh style suitable for offices, along with plenty of adjustments so you can dial it in for optimal posture support.

The OfficePal C50 features a breathable mesh backrest paired with a traditionally upholstered seat base. It also has 5D armrests that can be adjusted in five directions, giving users the freedom to fine‑tune arm support for typing, reading, or general desk work.

To support optimal ergonomics, the C50 offers adjustable seat depth, seat height, and a flexible backrest that can be adapted to individual requirements. An integrated lumbar support system and height‑adjustable headrest provide targeted support for the lower back and neck, helping maintain a healthy posture throughout the day.

The chair also includes a tilt function, enabling gentle movement while seated to promote circulation during long periods of sitting. A sturdy metal five‑star base and large 60mm casters ensure stability and smooth mobility across a variety of floor surfaces.

The OfficePal C50 and OfficePal C50M are now available at a recommended retail price of €299.90 each. While the standard C50 has an upholstered seat base, the C50M swaps this out for a mesh seat instead.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of the latest chairs from Sharkoon?

The post Sharkoon launches adjustable OfficePal C50 and C50M chairs first appeared on KitGuru.

Cooler Master has showcased a new AIO liquid cooling concept at a recent event in Huizhou, China, breaking away from the traditional linear fan arrangement. Instead of the standard three-fan row, this massive workstation-oriented cooler features four 180mm fans arranged in a 2×2 square grid. This creates a radiator footprint of approximately 360 x 360mm, making it compatible with the manufacturer's recently announced Cosmos case.

According to ITHome (via VideoCardz), this AIO uses a dual-rotor pump and specialised “180×30” fans that reportedly reduce high-frequency noise by 20%. Most impressively, Cooler Master claims the whole cooling system can dissipate over 2000W of heat, positioning it as a specialised tool for extreme workstation builds rather than standard consumer PCs. The square shape presents unique mounting challenges, meaning this likely won't fit in your average mid-tower without some serious modifications.

While this remains a concept for now, the company confirmed that other AIO models shown at the event will hit the market in March, followed by the B360 TV, a CPU cooler featuring a 7-inch 16:9 display, in April 2026.

KitGuru says: As expected from a 360 x 360 AIO cooler, it offers a massive amount of surface area to cool high-TDP CPUs. As far as we know, there isn't any commercially available CPU with a rated 2000W TDP that the cooler is ready for. Still, if it ever comes, Cooler Master is already prepared.

The post Cooler Master unveils massive 2×2 grid AIO concept for high-end workstations first appeared on KitGuru.

This week, Microsoft held its quarterly earnings call, revealing that while revenues are up overall thanks to things like Azure Cloud and AI investments, things at Xbox have taken a fall. In particular, Xbox hardware sales are down by 32% compared to the same Q2 period last year. 

Typically, we expect to see console sales making a jump between October and December due to things like Black Friday and Christmas. However, Microsoft opted to not offer any Black Friday discounts in 2025 and to make matters worse, the company had raised the prices of its consoles to the highest point since launch. As a result, Xbox console and accessories revenue dropped by 32% year-over-year.

The content and services portion of Xbox didn't fall quite as drastically but it did still see a dip, falling by 5% year-on-year, despite major launches like The Outer Worlds 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 during this time period. This would suggest that COD sales this year were weaker than the previous year, which would explain why Activision announced shortly after launch that it would no longer be doing back-to-back years for Modern Warfare or Black Ops moving forward.

Overall, Xbox revenue was down by 9%, but Microsoft as a whole had actually seen revenues increase by 17%, with the heavy lifting coming from Azure and AI initiatives.

Xbox content may see stronger performance later this year. Titles like Gears E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and a potential PS5 release for Starfield are all expected to land in 2026.

KitGuru Says: It has been clear for a while that Microsoft has lost the current console generation. The company is likely to consider more of a push towards multi-platform game releases to improve the situation, even if it comes at the expense of future hardware sales. 

The post Microsoft reports drop in Xbox content revenue and hardware sales first appeared on KitGuru.

Right at the start of 2026, known horror aficionados Bloober Team began to tease a mysterious project via a brand new website which at the time featured the seemingly nonsense string of letters ‘RemosdNeulSerorehsoOvamCeyerd’ alongside a countdown to the 14th of February. With the date in question encroaching upon us, the website has since been updated with even more cryptic clues.

In going to the website RemosdNeulSerorehsoOvamCeyerd.com, users are met with the ominous quote “Some things never leave the walls. They only learn to wait,” alongside an enlarged version of the countdown timer – which is set to end on the 14th of February.

Seemingly connected to Valentine's Day in some form, the website also features a rose which is either dripping red paint or blood; with lines from the poem ‘The Sick Rose’ by William Blake playing in audio form.

Published back in 1794, the full short poem reads as follows:

“O Rose thou art sick. / The invisible worm, / That flies in the night / In the howling storm: / Has found out thy bed / Of crimson joy: / And his dark secret love / Does thy life destroy.”

Bloober Team are currently working on a number of projects, with the studio having confirmed to be developing a Silent Hill 1 remake as well as a Nintendo Switch exclusive known as Project M. Whether this teaser is related to either of these titles is currently unknown, but with Valentines Day a little over two weeks away we won’t have to wait long to find out.

KitGuru says: What do you think this is teasing? How relevant do you think the poem will be to the game itself? What’s your favourite Bloober Team title (other than the Silent Hill 2 Remake)? Let us know down below.

The post Bloober Team’s mysterious website updated with additional teasers first appeared on KitGuru.

While Nintendo’s strategy when it comes to upgrading their titles for the Switch 2 has been somewhat inconsistent, one corner of the industry which has been quite consumer-friendly in this regard is the indie space. Joining the growing list of titles which offer free Switch 2 Edition upgrades is the popular Terraria x Stardew Valley styled sandbox ‘Core Keeper’ – available now.

In alignment with the game’s latest Void and Voltage update, Core Keeper has received a free Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for all those who own the game. Available now, the update isn’t necessarily too transformative given the relative simplicity of the game’s visuals, but is still welcome nonetheless, introducing:

• Expanded 8 player multiplayer (double the OG Switch’s)
• “Improved graphic fidelity”
• Enhancements to lighting, shadows, water and particle effects
• Up to 60 frames per second gameplay

The improvements to lighting in particular is interesting to see as while Core Keeper utilises a pixel art aesthetic, it features a rather pleasing dynamic lighting model which adds to the game’s vibes.

One Switch 2 feature which would have been welcome to see is the support for mouse mode. Unfortunately it appears as though so far many developers have shied away from making use of it.

Regardless, Core Keeper is a fun and addictive sandbox experience which is perfect for the pick-up-and-play nature of the Switch, and so it is exciting to see the game getting a free upgrade. If you have yet to purchase Core Keeper, the game is currently on sale for 40% off.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Core Keeper? How does it compare to other sandbox titles? Would you have liked to see mouse mode support included? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Core Keeper gets free Switch 2 Edition Upgrade alongside new content first appeared on KitGuru.

7 years after the release of the first game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II finally launched last year to heaps of praise, with many deeming it to be not only a worthy sequel, but one of the best RPGs in years. In case you missed out on the original game back when it released, it appears as though the first KC:D will be getting a native current-gen upgrade imminently.

As reported by Gematsu, the PlayStation Store seems to have accidentally leaked the existence of a PS5 version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, with the listing (which has since been removed) offering some details regarding what players can expect in terms of enhancements.

According to the page, the PS5 version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance “now features graphical updates including 4K resolution, improved framerate, high-resolution textures and many more.”

For comparison, the PS4 version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance operated at just 900p with an inconsistent 30fps framerate. This was boosted somewhat on the PS4 Pro, reaching 1080p while featuring improved ambient occlusion and draw distances.

Even with what little information which we know now regarding the native PS5 version, the enhancements should be very much noticeable. Hopefully the improved framerate mentioned refers to full 60fps support and not just a more stable 30.

We shouldn’t have to wait long to find out with the game’s 8th anniversary set to arrive in just over 2 weeks’ time.

KitGuru says: What did you think of KC:DII? Where did it rank in your games of 2025? Would you pay for the upgrades mentioned above or should it be free? Let us know down below.

The post PlayStation Store prematurely announces PS5 upgrade for Kingdom Come: Deliverance first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we analyse a new power supply from a Chinese brand better known for producing air and liquid coolers for the PC sector. This new range of power supplies from CPS PCCooler consists of three SKUs, with 850W, 1000W and 1200W models. They sent us the flagship 1200W unit to check out. This supply has been Platinum certified by Cybenetics and, according to PCCooler, is set to be priced at around £157 when it is released into European and UK markets. 

This power supply is fully modular and PCIe 5.1 and ATX 3.1 compliant. It adopts a high-grade 135mm fluid dynamic bearing fan, and is equipped with full Japanese capacitors. On paper the specification of this unit seems good – but as is often the case with PCCooler products, availability right now seems limited to the Asian market. (Buy HERE for 26480 JPY.)

YT1200 Product overview:

• Type: ATX 3.1
• Physical Dimensions: 150x150x86mm (LxWxH).
• Certification: Cybenetics Platinum
• Efficiency: >93.5% under Typical Load (50% loading)
• Topology: Active PFC + Full Bridge SRC LLC+DC to DC
• Protection: OVP/UVP/SCP/OPP/OCP/OTP/SPD
• Capacitors: Full Japanese Electrolytic Capacitors
• Fan Dimension: 135x135x25mm
• Fan Bearing Type: FDB Bearing
• Fan Operating Mode: Hybrid Mode
• PCI-E 5.1 Output Power: 600W
• Cybenetics Noise Rating: YT1200 (STANDARD ++)
• 10 year warranty.

The post CPS PCCooler YT1200 ATX 3.1 PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Each month, Sony updates its PlayStation Plus Essential line-up with 3-4 titles which subscribers can claim and keep forever as long as they have an active membership. Despite stating that they would be de-prioritising last-gen titles in 2026, 3 of the 4 additions for February offer PlayStation 4 versions, including Subnautica: Below Zero and Ace Combat 7.

Making the announcement via the PlayStation Blog, February’s PlayStation Plus Essential line-up is (ironically) lacking in any heavy hitters, with the following set to be available to claim from the 3rd of February:

• Undisputed [PS5]
• Subnautica: Below Zero [PS5 | PS4]
• Ultros [PS5 | PS4]
• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown [PS4]

As mentioned, Sony previously stated that they would begin to de-prioritise PS4 titles in their PlayStation Plus monthly titles starting in 2026. Despite this, the only current-gen exclusive for the month is Disputed – described as “the most authentic boxing game to date”. While a heavy hitting title in the literal sense, the game is very much targeted towards a particular audience and so it may or may not resonate with you.

Subnautica: Below Zero is a spin-off of the beloved underwater first-person survival series; which failed to capture the magic of the first entry in many people’s eyes, but is still a worthwhile game in its own right.

Ultros meanwhile is a visually explosive metroidvania which features art by El Huervo of Hotline Miami fame. With “brutal, intimate, close-quarter combat” and a “unique loop-based mechanic” Ultros is worth checking out if you have any interest in the genre.

All four of these titles will be available to add to your library from the 3rd of February, and will remain claimable until the 2nd of March. This means you have just a few more days to add January’s line-up to your library if you have yet to do so – the full details of which can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of February’s line-up? Are you surprised to see so many last / cross-gen titles included still? Are you a boxing fan? Let us know down below.

The post February’s PlayStation Plus additions include Subnautica, Ace Combat and more first appeared on KitGuru.

At CES earlier this month, MSI revealed its newly overhauled Prestige laptop line. Now just a few weeks later, the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ and its larger Prestige 16 variants are all available in the US.

The updated lineup adopts a slimmer profile, down to 0.47 inches at its thinnest. Despite the reduced thickness, the Prestige laptops remain just as durable. All models include modern security features such as a discrete TPM 2.0 module, fingerprint reader, IR webcam with shutter, and MSI’s Smart Guard protection.

Depending on the model, the new Prestige laptops can be configured all the way up to a brand-new Intel Core Ultra 9 388H processor. This gives plenty of performance for AI applications, alongside improved integrated Arc graphics. Efficiency gains also have an impact on battery life, with these laptops rated for over 30 hours of continuous HD video playback on a charge. Underneath the hood, cooling is handled by a vapor chamber and a dual-fan system, keeping noise levels low and thermals in check.

To match the Prestige name, these laptops ship with very high-spec displays. The Prestige 14 Flip AI+ features a 14‑inch FHD+ OLED touchscreen with 100% DCI‑P3 coverage and SGS low‑blue‑light certification. The 16‑inch models step up to 2.8K OLED panels with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification, and optional touch support. Ambient light and adaptive color sensors are included to maintain consistent image quality in different lighting conditions.

For users who prefer flexible workflows, the Prestige Flip variants offer 2‑in‑1 convertibility with stylus support. All models include a Copilot key, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, DTS‑enhanced audio with dual speakers and dual woofers, and a full suite of ports, including dual Thunderbolt 4, USB‑A, HDMI 2.1 and an audio combo jack.

The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, the Prestige 16 AI+ and the Prestige 16 Flip AI+ are all available in the US now, with prices starting at $1,299. EU availability is expected in the coming months.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on getting a new laptop for 2026?

The post MSI’s Core Ultra Series 3 powered Prestige laptops launch starting at $1,299 first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer has launched the beta version of Razer Synapse Web, a lightweight web application that lets users customise their Razer peripherals in Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera. This new platform eliminates the need for full software installation, making it a handy tool for esports tournaments, LAN environments, or shared systems where administrative locks prevent traditional software setup.

The web app focuses on speed and essential features. Users can adjust Chroma RGB Quick Effects, refine key settings, and manage onboard profiles directly within the browser interface. At launch, only the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro line will be supported, but we can expect more peripherals in the future.

While Synapse 4 remains the primary hub for deep integration and multi-device synchronisation, Synapse Web serves as a high-performance alternative for rapid adjustments in competitive scenarios. This “web-native” approach ensures that a gamer's specific performance tuning is always just a URL away, regardless of the PC they are using.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: For any user who jumps from system to system, being able to tweak their peripherals on the go is quite handy. However, most users will probably be glad that with Synapse Web, they won't need to install any software to customise their peripherals.

The post Razer introduces Synapse Web beta to customise peripherals via browser first appeared on KitGuru.

While Sony has yet to make any official announcements regarding the PlayStation 6 console, there have been some hints along the way. For instance, PlayStation hardware lead, Mark Cerny, has discussed continuing to work with AMD on new technology for a future console. For the past couple of years, many have been anticipating a 2028 launch date for next-generation consoles, but one analyst is now predicting a longer timetable.

As spotted by VGC, an MST Financial analyst recently claimed in a forecast for Sony that the PlayStation 5 lifecycle is going to be extended, and that the successor won't be released by 2028 as previously anticipated.

There are a number of good reasons for a PlayStation 6 delay right now. For starters, Sony has yet to convert a good number of PS4 users over to the new system. On top of that, the recent AI boom has led to massive price increases for things like memory and SSDs, which could make building a new console a much more expensive endeavour than initially planned over the next couple of years. Many consumers are expected to hold on to current-generation or older hardware while prices are in flux.

There are still a number of big generation-defining games also still to be released. Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to lead to the sale of many PS5 consoles towards the end of this year. Premier first party studios like Naughty Dog have also yet to release a brand-new title during the PS5 generation and many other studios also have new games in the oven, specifically targeting the PS5.

If the forecast is accurate, then the PS6 may not arrive until 2029 or later. However, it is worth noting that this is just one analyst's opinion, and the tech space tends to move at a rapid pace. Sony itself has not yet made any statements around its next-gen hardware plans.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Rumour has it that the PlayStation 6 will see Sony tapping back into the portable market. As for when we'll see it, that is still up for debate.

The post Analyst predicts PlayStation 6 delay and ‘extended lifecycle’ for PS5 first appeared on KitGuru.

This week, Kingston announced that its IronKey Keypad 200 USB drives, including the KP200 and KP200C, have achieved NIST FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 validation. The certification places the KP200 line alongside the already‑approved IronKey D500S, strengthening Kingston’s position in supplying independently verified, tamper‑resistant data storage.

FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 is the latest U.S. government cryptographic hardware standard and is widely recognised across Europe as a benchmark for security. Level 3 requires physical tamper resistance, identity‑based authentication, protected key handling, separation of critical interfaces, and safeguards against abnormal voltage or temperature conditions. Certification is granted following testing by NIST‑accredited labs and a final review by NIST.

The KP200 series are keypad‑based drives compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and mobile devices via USB‑A or USB‑C. They are designed for environments where encrypted removable media is required to load or transfer software on medical, industrial, scientific, and other OT systems. NIST’s new SP 1334 guidance also highlights the need for stronger USB security in OT infrastructure.

The KP200 series includes dual Admin/User PINs, optional Global and Session Read‑Only modes to prevent unauthorised changes or malware exposure, and IP68 dust‑ and water‑resistance. The USB drives are available with up to 512GB of storage and come with a three-year warranty.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The number of cyber attacks carried out has grown each year, so data security is always important, especially when working in sensitive fields.

The post Kingston IronKey KP200 achieves FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 certificatio first appeared on KitGuru.

Obsidian has been slowly working away on Grounded 2 in early access since its reveal last year. This month, the game is getting its first major update, titled ‘The Toxic Tangle', adding a new biome to explore, alongside new enemies and even a new gun-toting mount.

First up is the new Garden biome, which transforms the greenhouse into a dense, vertical maze of vines, crawlspaces, and hidden stashes. Players will encounter everything from pumpkin patches to carrot thickets, alongside aggressive wildlife and plenty of resources to overcome new hazards.

Players will also be able to use a giant ladybug as a tank-style mount, complete with its own water cannon for clearing out pests. Speaking of pests, players will encounter new enemy types, including earwigs, potato beetles, wooly aphid and even a giant snake for a late-game challenge. The Masked Stranger also makes a return, hinting at new mysteries still to come.

Mutations have been reworked into active and passive types, with passives now tied to weapon loadouts for smoother combat flow. Builders gain expanded options with new sets such as the Pumpkin Kit, updated Mushroom Kit, Scale Roof Set, improved Acorn Stairs, and long‑requested floor hatches.

Looking ahead, Playgrounds Mode returns in February via the Public Test Beta, bringing back creation tools from the first Grounded.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Did many of you play the original Grounded? Have you jumped into Grounded 2 yet or are you waiting for it to get closer to V1.0?

The post Grounded 2 gets first major content update first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel has officially entered the next era of AI upscaling with the release of XeSS 3, featuring Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) technology. Integrated into the latest graphics driver (versions 32.0.101.8425 and 32.0.101.8362), XeSS 3 supports 2x, 3x, and 4x frame multiplication, similar to Nvidia's DLSS 4. One of the most significant advantages of this rollout is backward compatibility. Users can enable Frame Generation in any XeSS 2 supported game through the Intel Graphics control panel. 

The driver update also marks the launch of Intel's new integrated graphics solutions, the Arc B390 and B370, which power the Core Ultra 3 (Panther Lake) mobile CPU family. XeSS 3 is designed to run on any Arc hardware equipped with XMX units, covering the original A-series, the new B-series discrete cards, and integrated solutions across the Meteor Lake, Lunar Lake, and Arrow Lake families. Early hands-on testing suggests that while image quality is high with minimal artefacts, users may experience higher input lag in fast-paced titles, a common hurdle for frame generation technologies that Intel is working to mitigate.

Beyond the new features, the driver also introduces critical stability fixes, including a resolution for crashes in the Pragmata demo and a fix for incorrect Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reporting in the display settings. Moreover, Intel has acknowledged several known issues under investigation, including application crashes in games such as Star Citizen, The Finals, and Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Users experiencing these issues are encouraged to report them through the Intel Arc Control feedback tool. The full patch notes can be found below:

Highlights:

• Launch driver for Intel Core Ultra Series 3 with built-in Intel Arc B390, B370 GPUs (Codename Panther Lake).
  • Intel XeSS 3 Support: Introducing Multi-Frame Generation
    • XeSS Multi-Frame Generation builds upon XeSS Frame Generation by inserting up to 3 generated frames between two rendered frames, going from a 1:1 ratio to 3:1 for an ultra-smooth gameplay experience.

Fixed Issues:

• Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products
  • PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK Demo (DX12) may experience an application crash while launching the game.
• Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK Demo (DX12) may experience an application crash while launching the game.
• Intel Graphics Software Fixed Issues
  • Variable Refresh Rate range in Display page may show incorrect values.

Known Issues:

• Intel Core Ultra Series 3 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Ghost of Tsushima (DX12) may exhibit color corruption on terrains during gameplay.
  • The Finals (DX12) may experience an intermittent application crash.
  • No Man's Sky (Vulkan) may exhibit corruptions on certain terrains during gameplay.
  • Star Citizen (Vulkan) may experience an application crash on game launch.
  • Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (DX11) may experience an application crash during game launch.
• Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain water surfaces during gameplay.
  • Star Citizen (Vulkan) may experience an application crash on game launch.
  • PugetBench for DaVinci Resolve Studio may experience an intermittent application crash while running the benchmark.
  • Recommendation: change the timeout slider to 1500 seconds or higher in PugetBench benchmark settings to wait for each test to complete.
• Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products
  • PugetBench for DaVinci Resolve Studio may experience an intermittent application crash while running the benchmark.
  • Recommendation: change the timeout slider to 1500 seconds or higher in PugetBench benchmark settings to wait for each test to complete.
• Intel Core Ultra Series 1 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Battlefield 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain maps during gameplay.
  • Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain water surfaces during gameplay.
  • Battlefield 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain maps during gameplay on some notebooks with Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs.
  • No Man's Sky (Vulkan) may exhibit corruptions on certain terrains during gameplay.
  • Topaz Video AI may experience visual artifacts when using certain AI models.
• Intel Graphics Software Known Issues
  • When using the Settings > Preferences > Reset all settings option in Windows 10, the application may experience an intermittent crash. Settings can be reset from individual pages without issue.
  • Intel Graphics Software may sometimes experience a single application crash on the first re-arrange of metrics within the Select metrics window. Subsequent usage will not be affected by this crash again.
  • Combined Display may intermittently not function as expected while combining displays or resetting settings.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Intel may have taken a while to launch its own MFG tech, but now that it's finally here, gamers playing games on Arc graphics can easily get an FPS boost in a bunch of games.

The post Intel rolls out XeSS 3 with Multi-Frame Generation in new drivers first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD has launched an update to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (aka The Best Gaming CPU) and named it the Ryzen 7 9850X3D because it is ever so slightly faster. Frankly it's a rubbish name but there are some points we need to discuss so buckle up and prepare yourself for many charts and loads of data.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:49 Specifications
01:35 Hardware
03:12 A quick look at behaviour
04:39 Multi Core Performance
05:23 Ryzen Master Software / Curve Optimiser
06:31 Efficiency / Per watt points
07:22 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
08:04 Geekbench 6 Single Core
08:33 Aida 64 Memory Bandwidth
08:59 Far Cry 6
10:07 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
10:44 Assassins Creed Mirage
11:19 Cyberpunk 2077
11:58 Total War Pharaoh
12:36 Leo’s verdict

Testing and Performance

Test systems

CPUs: AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, 9800X3D and 7800X3D
Motherboard: ASRock X870E Taichi
Memory: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo RGB DDR5-8000

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Motherboard: MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi
Memory: 48GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-8200

Graphics Card: MSI RTX 4090 Ventus 3X 24GB
CPU cooler: Phanteks Glacier One 360D30
SSD: 1TB Crucial T700
Power Supply: Seasonic Focus ATX3.1 GX-1000 Gold

Geekbench 6 Single Core

In Geekbench 6 Single Core we see the benefit of the improved boost speed with Ryzen 7 9850X3D leaping to the top of the chart.

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

You will have seen in our video that we showed a great many charts and this chart is a focussed view of the larger Geekbench 6 chart. We can see the 9850X3D has a significant lead over 9800X3D and that is enhanced when we bring Ryzen Master Curve Optimiser into the equation.

Far Cry 6 at 1080p

Far Cry 6 at 1080p demonstrates the impressive nature of AMD's 3D V-Cache technology in gaming, and the way it improves with each new generation of processors.

Closing Thoughts

When AMD announced the Ryzen 7 9850X3D we felt the increase to Maximum Boost Speed was a minor tweak for the amazing Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

Now we have dug into the CPU in some depth we feel there is slightly more to the story than we first expected. Clearly AMD has improved the silicon in 9850X3D compared to 9800X3D, but where we assumed this was merely a better CPU chiplet we now feel the IO die has also been improved.

Our takeaway with Ryzen 7 9850X3D is that this is an interesting update to the 9800X3D that lays the groundwork for the rumoured Ryzen 9 9950X3D2. That should be the ultimate Zen 5 CPU for the desktop and will be AMD's best chance to fight off Intel Nova Lake at the end of 2026. You might think that 2026 is looking to be a grim year but it will certainly have its points of interest.

AMD told us the official MSRP is £439.99, though we expect retail pricing to be closer to £469.99 inc VAT based on conversations with UK retailers.

Pros:

• Superb gaming performance.
• Compatible with AM5 motherboards and coolers.
• Low power draw, easy to cool.

Cons:

• Ryzen 7 9850X3D only offers an incremental improvement over 9800X3D.
• Our guess is that AMD will use 9850X3D to jack up prices.
• £70 premium over 9800X3D.

KitGuru says: The Ryzen 7 9850X3D boosts frame rates in your favourite games.

 

The post AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft has begun testing a refreshed web experience for Xbox Cloud Gaming, designed to streamline navigation and look closer to the Xbox console dashboard. Xbox Cloud Gaming users can already opt in to the new interface, although there could be lingering issues in the early build. 

Players can access the preview by visiting xbox.com/play in a compatible browser, signing in, and enabling the “Preview Features” toggle in the settings menu. Once enabled, users can either follow the on-screen prompts or navigate directly to the new site (it may take up to 10 minutes for the prompts and links to appear).

Microsoft notes that, as this is a foundation-building phase, some features may behave differently or be temporarily unavailable as they iterate based on feedback. Users are encouraged to report bugs via the profile menu or the Xbox Web Guide to help refine the platform during the testing period.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you use Xbox Cloud Gaming? Have you already tried the new interface? Do you prefer the new UI over the old one?

The post Xbox overhauls cloud gaming interface with refreshed design first appeared on KitGuru.

Just as has been the case with many previous Nintendo consoles, the Switch 2 is slowly but surely receiving a backcatalogue of titles from 3rd party publishers. While better late than never, one insider has claimed that 2025’s Game of the Year winner Expedition 33 will land on the Switch 2 at some point this year – with Final Fantasy XVI reportedly coming in 2027.

As reported by known industry insider Nate the Hate via their podcast of the same name, the Nintendo Switch 2 is seemingly set to slowly-but-surely continue getting a number of major 3rd-party releases from the past few years.

According to Nate, 2025’s GOTY winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 “will be coming to Switch 2 in 2026”. Given that the game utilises Epic’s rather demanding Unreal Engine 5, it will be interesting to see how the game looks/performs on the handheld-hybrid.

Going back to 2024 meanwhile, ATLUS’ JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio is said to also be coming to the Switch 2 some time this year. This comes as little surprise however, with ATLUS / SEGA having supported both the Switch (and now Switch 2) quite strongly over the years.

Last but not least, going another year back, 2023’s Final Fantasy XVI is said to be also coming to Switch 2. Unlike Metaphor and Clair Obscur however, the ex-PS5 exclusive is apparently not set to arrive until 2027 (though an official announcement is expected some time this year).

Given that all three of these titles are from years prior, it will be interesting to see how the games look; perform and most importantly cost when they are finally officially announced and released.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Will Nintendo ever reach parity with other systems? Are you bothered by the fact that 3rd party titles usually come out later? Let us know down below.

The post Insider claims Expedition 33 and Metaphor: ReFantazio will come to Switch 2 this year first appeared on KitGuru.