DICE is reactivating its Battlefield Labs initiative, a community testing program designed to gather feedback. Initially, the tool was created before Battlefield VI and Redsec was released, but now it will be adapted to test updates before they go live. While participation is strictly by invitation, players can register their interest directly through the Electronic Arts website.

Following a brief hiatus, Dice confirmed that Labs sessions will resume starting today. The testing window is notably short, running from 10 PM to 12 PM BST for PC players on Steam and the EA App. As with previous tests, participants will be bound by an NDA to prevent the sharing of footage or details.

The focus of this specific session is to trial changes arriving in the December 9th patch. DICE is targeting core gameplay pillars that the community has been asking to be improved, including visual clarity, audio, and networking. In this session, these tweaks will be tested across the Eastwood and Operation Firestorm maps in the All-Out Warfare playlist.

Specific technical improvements being trialled include a revision of the footstep audio engine. The goal is to provide more accurate distance cues and clearer surface identification to help players locate enemies more easily. Hit registration has also been tuned to offer a smoother experience during close-quarters combat.

Looking beyond this update, DICE plans to utilise Battlefield Labs more frequently. The studio intends to use the platform to try out map redesigns, new mechanics and modes, environmental changes, and experimental rulesets such as reduced squad sizes.

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KitGuru says: Are you registered on Battlefield Labs? Will you jump into the next test session or wait for the patch release to try out the changes?

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Epomaker has officially released the QK108, a new mechanical keyboard that ignores the trend of shrinking form factors by offering a complete 100% layout, designed for users who require a numpad.

The QK108 offers plenty of customisation through the open-source VIA firmware. Unlike many pre-built keyboards that rely on proprietary software, the QK108 allows users to remap keys and record macros directly to the board's onboard memory using the web-based VIA interface. This ensures cross-platform compatibility, meaning settings are saved to the device rather than the specific computer it is connected to.

The chassis features a gasket-mount structure and five distinct layers of sound-dampening materials, including latex foam, PET sheets, and a bottom silicone layer. These layers promise to reduce hollow case ping and improve typing acoustics. Out of the box, it comes equipped with factory-lubed Wisteria Linear V2 or Sea Salt Silent switches and OEM-profile PBT keycaps. The PCB is hot-swappable, allowing users to replace switches without soldering.

Above the number pad, Epomaker has integrated a smart screen and a programmable rotary knob. The screen can display system status, date/time, custom GIFs, or a new “Typing Mode” that visualises keystrokes in real time. The knob can be configured for various functions, including volume control, brightness adjustment, or playlist navigation. Connectivity is handled via a tri-mode system supporting wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, and 2.4 GHz wireless. The unit is powered by an 8000 mAh battery, which Epomaker claims provides up to 229 hours of usage with the RGB lighting and screen disabled. The Epomaker QK108 is now available for $84.99/€76.95 at Epomaker's official website.

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KitGuru says: With most keyboard brands releasing TKL, 75%, and 65% keyboards, it's nice to see something a bit more traditional but updated with modern features.

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AMD has inadvertently confirmed the existence of a new high-end gaming processor, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, after the unannounced chip appeared on the company's own support website. The listing, which was spotted before being pulled, suggests that an official reveal could be imminent.

The mention on AMD's website spotted by @Olrak29_ (via VideoCardz) corroborates reports that AMD is preparing a higher-binned version of its popular 8-core, 16-thread X3D CPU. According to the latest rumours, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D will feature a 120W TDP and a maximum boost clock of 5.6GHz, a 400MHz increase over the existing Ryzen 7 9800X3D that tops out at 5.2GHz. If that's the case, AMD has probably managed to squeeze out higher frequencies through better silicon binning rather than simply increasing power limits.

Like its sibling, the 9850X3D is built on the Zen 5 architecture and uses AMD's 2nd Gen 3D V-Cache technology. This places the 64MB cache slice underneath the processor cores rather than on top. As such, the new chip is expected to retain the same 96MB of L3 cache as the 9800X3D.

For gamers, this processor would position itself as a premium alternative in the AM5 lineup, offering higher out-of-the-box frequencies for titles that benefit from raw clock speed alongside the massive cache buffer. With the 9800X3D already dominating gaming benchmarks, the 9850X3D aims to further cement AMD's lead over Intel's current offerings.

AMD hasn't formally announced this CPU yet, but with CES 2026 right around the corner, there's a good chance we'll see it being unveiled soon.

KitGuru says: How much would you be willing to pay for a higher-clocked Ryzen 7 9800X3D?

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AMD has quietly expanded its professional graphics portfolio with the listing of a new workstation card and the appearance of two additional AI-focused SKUs in its driver stack. The company has officially listed the Radeon Pro W7900D on its website, while references to the AI Pro R9600D and AI Pro R9700S have surfaced in the latest Linux driver compatibility lists.

As spotted by VideoCardz, the Radeon Pro W7900D appears to be a region-specific variant of the existing flagship W7900, designed specifically to comply with US export restrictions on high-performance AI hardware to China. Like the original model, it is built on the RDNA 3 architecture using the Navi 31 GPU. It retains the same core configuration, featuring 6,144 stream processors across 96 compute units, and is paired with a massive 48GB of GDDR6 memory on a 384-bit bus, delivering 864GB/s of bandwidth.

The biggest difference between this and the W7900 lies in the operating frequencies and total compute performance. To meet the export compliance threshold, AMD has reduced the boost clock to 2,156MHz, down from the 2,500MHz seen on the standard W7900. This adjustment brings the peak FP32 compute performance down to 54 TFLOPS, compared to the original's 61.4 TFLOPS.

Moreover, AMD's Linux drivers have unveiled two new entries in the “AI Pro” series. The Radeon AI Pro R9700S is named as you would expect from a mobile GPU (“S” at the end), but it's unclear if that's the case. Still, given its naming, it's expected to share the same RDNA 4 mobile architecture as the AI Pro R9700, featuring a Navi 48 GPU and 32GB of VRAM.

The Radeon AI Pro R9600D is equally mysterious, as no standard “R9600” currently exists in the global lineup. The naming suggests something like a Navi 44 GPU. While official specifications remain under wraps, the “D” suffix again points toward a specific regional or efficiency-focused variant.

KitGuru says: AMD's expanding Radeon AI Pro lineup suggests the company is investing hard in the segment, which makes sense, as the company now has a big deal in place with OpenAI. 

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Pulsar has announced a collaboration with Embark Studios to produce a new line of peripherals themed around the competitive shooter The Finals. The launch is timed to coincide with the game's Grand Major tournament at DreamHack Stockholm.

The collection is headlined by two variants of the company's flagship lightweight mouse. The Pulsar X2 CrazyLight – The Finals Edition features the game's distinct branding and comes bundled with a digital redemption code for the ‘Arena Crimson AKM' in-game skin. A second variant, the Pulsar X2 CrazyLight – Grand Major Edition, will also be available, granting owners the ‘Arena Royale AKM' skin. Note that both models are medium-sized.

Alongside the mice, Pulsar is releasing themed mousepads. The Pulsar Superglide3 Glass mousepad – The Finals Edition offers a fast, hard surface and includes a code for the ‘Arena Crimson Sword' skin. For those who prefer cloth pads, the Pulsar Gaming XL Mousepad – The Finals Edition is available and comes with the ‘Arena Crimson Frag Grenade' skin.

All of Pulsar's new gear is available on the company's official website and on the Embark official merchandise shop. The mice cost $139.95/€159.90, the glass mousepad costs $99.95/€109.90, and the standard gaming mousepad costs $24.95/€29.90.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of The Finals? Interested in any of Pulsar's new themed gear?

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Australian developer Team Cherry has finally shed light on its post-launch roadmap for Hollow Knight: Silksong, confirming that cut content from the original game's development will eventually make its way into the sequel. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, co-creators Ari Gibson and William Pellen discussed how the studio intends to support the title with additional content, drawing direct parallels to the expansive updates released for the original Hollow Knight.

In an interview with Bloomberg (via IGN), the developers mentioned their plans include the Steel Assassin Sharpe, a character first teased a few years ago. Gibson described Sharpe and his companions as having been waiting for the right moment to appear. While the character was initially cut due to the sheer density of enemies in the base game, the team is now keen to reintroduce him. Gibson noted that Sharpe and his companions still require polishing, but the studio is committed to finally bringing the assassin and his team into the fold to hunt down Hornet.

When discussing the broader philosophy for Silksong's DLC, Gibson emphasised a balance between fulfilling old promises and exploring new creative avenues. He assured fans that the team intends to deliver on their obligations, citing the “Village of Lions” as a specific example, but also noted that they have their own internal ideas for expanding the universe. The scale of these updates will vary, with Gibson hinting at the possibility of larger expansions similar to Godmaster, which added a dedicated boss rush mode to the original game. The developers also highlighted how the shift to Hornet as a protagonist fundamentally changes how they approach new content. Unlike the silent Knight, Hornet has a distinct voice and personality, which dictates the narrative flow of any expansion.

On the topic of communication, which has historically been a point of contention for the fanbase, Pellen suggested that the studio would be more vocal moving forward. He stated that the silence was simply a result of having nothing concrete to announce, but with multiple projects now in the works, the cadence of updates is expected to improve. However, regarding specific feature requests, Gibson confirmed that a “New Game Plus” mode has not been discussed internally, so don't expect it anytime soon.

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KitGuru says: Have you liked Hollow Knight: Silksong? What kind of post-launch content would you want for the game?

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Pulsar has announced a renewed collaboration with Bruce Lee Enterprises to commemorate the martial arts icon's 85th birthday. This new limited-edition product line follows the company's previous partnership three years ago, which saw the release of a yellow-and-black X2 mouse.

While the previous collaboration leaned into the classic Game of Death tracksuit aesthetic, this 85th Anniversary collection draws inspiration from a different chapter of Lee's filmography. The visual identity features a navy and white colour scheme, modelled after the sparring gear worn by Lee during the famous “boards don't hit back” scene in Enter the Dragon.

The centrepiece of the collection is the Pulsar X2 CrazyLight mouse, which will be available in both Mini and Medium sizes to suit different grip styles. For keyboard enthusiasts, the collection includes the Pulsar PCMK3 HE, a magnetic switch keyboard that supports the rapid trigger features increasingly common in competitive play. This keyboard will be available in ANSI, ISO ND, ISO DE, and JIS layouts.

Rounding out the setup are several surface options. The release includes a standard Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary Gaming Mousepad in an XL size, alongside two Superglide3 glass pad options. The Superglide 3 Pad XL will be offered in a matching Navy colourway as well as a “Picture” edition featuring the martial artist's likeness.

The Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary Edition collection is now available, coinciding with Lee's birthday. The X2 CrazyLight mice cost $139.95/€159.90 and the Pulsar PCMK3 HE keyboards cost $179.95/€199.90. As for the mousepads, the Superglide3 ones cost $99.95/€119.90, and the standard gaming mousepad costs $24.95/€29.90.

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KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Bruce Lee's work? Are you planning to get any of the Bruce Lee 85th Edition's peripherals?

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After more than two decades of serving as a staple in the cross-platform benchmarking scene, Kishonti has announced the immediate discontinuation of its active services for GFXBench and CompuBench. The announcement marks the end of a 21-year journey that began in 2004 with JBenchmark, a tool that evolved from testing early mobile feature phones into one of the industry's most widely cited suites for evaluating GPU performance across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

According to VideoCardz, the creator, Laszlo Kishonti, confirmed that the source code for both suites is being made available under a BSD license on various GitHub repositories. This transition effectively hands the tools over to the community a decade after the majority of the original engineering team spun off to form the self-driving software startup aiMotive. While the software itself remains accessible for those willing to compile it, the centralised service infrastructure is being dismantled.

As part of this shutdown, the ability to upload new results has been disabled, and the extensive public database on the gfxbench website is being replaced with a static placeholder. The mobile applications for GFXBench and CompuBench are also scheduled to be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play over the next month.

To preserve the historical data of previous entries, Kishonti has released a snapshot of the benchmark results (not a full dump), along with the code. The data is organised by OS, hardware type, and API, providing aggregated maximum, median, and average values for the most popular resolutions.

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KitGuru says: While the days of CompuBench and GFXBench live rankings are over, the open-source release ensures the tools themselves remain available for local testing and historical comparison.

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After a delay that pushed its launch out of 2025, SEGA has finally confirmed a release date for its upcoming cross-platform management title. SEGA Football Club Champions 2026 is officially scheduled to launch on January 22nd, 2026. The game will be available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Android, and iOS.

Previously titled SEGA Football Club Champions 2025, the game underwent a necessary name change following the delay announcement back in October. This title represents a new direction for SEGA's football portfolio, positioning itself as a free-to-play game distinct from other “Manager” titles. SEGA frames this as a more accessible entry point into the genre, sitting somewhere between EA's FC games (manager mode) and Football Manager

SEGA has confirmed the game utilises the Football Manager engine, but the gameplay loop differs significantly from it. Early details suggest a streamlined experience closer to mobile management sims, prioritising accessibility and strategy over granular control. The game features officially licensed data via FIFPRO, alongside specific leagues such as the J League and K League, offering training schedules, transfer scouting, and tactical setups.

However, the free-to-play model brings expected changes to the structure. The game includes stadium construction, global PvP leaderboards, and gacha-style player recruitment, suggesting a heavy reliance on microtransactions. The game will also feature cross-platform support, meaning club progression will carry over between console, PC, and mobile devices, allowing users to manage their team on the go. This connectivity confirms the game's live-service nature, with seasonal content updates expected to drive long-term engagement.

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KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Football Manager? Would you like to have a more accessible version of FM? Maybe Football Club Champions 2026 can offer that.

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Chieftec has announced the immediate availability of its new Stealth Series power supplies, a high-end lineup designed for enthusiast systems that demand substantial power delivery. The new series launches with 1000W and 1200W models, both boasting 80 Plus Platinum certification and full compliance with the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe Gen 5 standards.

The Stealth series is built around a new platform featuring an LLC Half-Bridge converter with DC-to-DC technology and high-quality Japanese capacitors. This internal design allows the units to achieve Platinum-level efficiency, minimising heat and energy waste under load. To keep thermals in check, Chieftec has equipped the units with a 135mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) fan, which is managed by Automatic Fan Speed Control (AFC) to balance airflow and noise.

Chieftec's Stealth series PSUs were designed to make it easier for builders to manage the cabling. The series is fully modular and uses ultra-soft embossed cables, which are designed to be more flexible than standard ribbon or braided cables, simplifying the routing process in tight chassis spaces.

Connectivity is robust across both models. Users get a native 16-pin 12V-2×6 connector for the latest Nvidia graphics cards, alongside three traditional 8-pin PCIe connectors. The CPU power delivery is handled by one 8-pin EPS and one 4+4-pin EPS connector. For storage and other devices, the units provide eight SATA connectors and four Molex connectors.

The Chieftec Stealth Series is now available, starting at €170 for the 1000W model at some retailers. The 1200W variant is priced slightly higher at €190. Both units are backed by a 5-year warranty.

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KitGuru says: Considering their price and feature set, would you consider a Chieftec Stealth PSU to power your PC build?

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The era of the “Made in Germany” Cherry MX switch has officially come to a close. Facing severe financial pressure, Cherry has confirmed it is ceasing all production at its headquarters in Auerbach, Germany, while simultaneously looking to sell off one of its core business divisions.

According to a report from German outlet Heise, the decision follows a net loss of over €20 million (about £17.5 million) in the first nine months of 2025 alone. To stem the bleeding, switch manufacturing will now be handled entirely by partners in China and Slovakia. The Auerbach facility will remain open, but its role will be reduced to development, logistics, and administration rather than manufacturing.

The restructuring efforts go beyond just factory locations. The board has initiated a process to sell one of its two remaining business units: either the Peripherals division (covering gaming and office devices) or the Digital Health & Solutions sector. The company intends to use the proceeds from this sale to provide the liquidity needed to focus on and stabilise the remaining division.

Considering Cherry was the company that effectively birthed the modern mechanical keyboard market, this news is quite surprising. However, since its original MX patent expired in 2014, Cherry has faced relentless competition from Asian manufacturers like Gateron and Kailh.

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KitGuru says: It would be a shame to see Cherry-made peripherals go away, though its real strength always seemed to be as an OEM. 

The post Cherry to move keyboard and MX switch manufacturing out of Germany first appeared on KitGuru.

One of the recurring frustrations for PC builders is the frequency of socket changes, which often renders expensive cooling hardware obsolete or requires the sourcing of new mounting brackets. However, Noctua has quietly confirmed that owners of its current air coolers can breathe a sigh of relief regarding Intel's future platforms.

Spotted by @momomo_us (via VideoCardz), an update to the official Noctua support FAQ explicitly states that all of its CPU coolers currently compatible with LGA1700 and LGA1851 will also be compatible with Intel's upcoming LGA1954 socket. The Austrian cooling company clarified that no additional mounting components are required, as the installation process will remain identical to the existing mechanism used for the last few generations.

Remember that the LGA1954 socket is claimed to be used by Intel's “Nova Lake-S” desktop processors, which are currently expected to be released in late 2026 at the earliest.

This is welcome news, particularly given the reportedly short lifespan of the current LGA1851 socket. While that platform only recently launched with Arrow Lake, and is expected to see a refresh announced at CES in January, Intel is already working on its successor. For those who have invested in premium Noctua hardware, this confirmation ensures their coolers will remain viable well into the Nova Lake era. Hopefully, other brands will follow suit.

KitGuru says: Are you running a Noctua cooler? Do you plan to upgrade and retain the cooler you're currently using?

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Grasshopper Manufacture has confirmed it will broadcast its third ‘Grasshopper Direct' next week, with the presentation set to focus primarily on its upcoming action title, Romeo Is a Dead Man.

The broadcast is scheduled to air on the studio’s official YouTube channel on Friday, December 5th, at 10 AM JST (1 AM BST). According to the press release, the showcase will provide a behind-the-scenes look at development and reveal new gameplay.

The title, which was first teased during a State of Play earlier this year, is described as a hyperviolent sci-fi action game. Grasshopper Manufacture is marketing it as their “bloodiest action game yet”, featuring a combat system that blends firearms and swordplay.

The narrative premise follows the protagonist, Romeo, who is recruited as an interdimensional special agent after a near-death experience coincides with a rupture in the space-time continuum. As an agent, players will be tasked with hunting down wanted criminals across these fractured dimensions. Romeo Is a Dead Man is currently targeting a 2026 release window and is confirmed for launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

KitGuru says: Are you curious about Romeo is a Dead Man? Will you be watching the showcase?

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