The high-end graphics card market is bracing for a literal storm as MSI prepares to resurrect its legendary Lightning brand at CES 2026. While the company hasn't confirmed it officially just yet, a series of calculated “weather forecast” teasers on social media predict thunder and lightning for the first day of CES. On top of that, a number of record-breaking benchmark submissions have also been unearthed, pointing to an RTX 5090 Lightning announcement. 

Various overclockers have shared the results of their work on HWBot (via Wccftech), where the MSI RTX 5090 Lightning was explicitly named in submissions from TSAIK, Lucky_n00b, and littleboy. TSAIK seems to have been the most successful, setting new world records for GPUPI v3.3 1B (1-core), 3DMark Port Royal, 3DMark Time Spy GPU, 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, 3DMark Speed Way, and Geekbench 6 Compute. During these runs, the overclocker also set the world record for RTX 5090 GPU frequency at 3,742 MHz. Lucky_n00b and littleboy were also reasonably competent, with the former getting the world record for Geekbench 5 Compute and the latter for 3DMark Solar Bay and Solar Bay Extreme.

Image credit: HWBot (littleboy)

The GPU itself appears to be an absolute behemoth designed for extreme scenarios. Leaked images and early technical data point to a massive 40-phase VRAM power delivery system. Perhaps most telling of its power requirements is the presence of dual 12V-2×6 power connectors, a configuration that doubles the potential power input compared to standard enthusiast cards.

Furthermore, Lucky_n00b has shared what appears to be the maximum power limit in the BIOS for the MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning graphics card, which can reach 2500W. The overclocker also stated that the sample he received didn't include a proper cooling solution. Instead, he got the “OCER” version, which consists of a bare PCB and a test heatsink.

MSI has not used the Lightning moniker for a flagship Nvidia card since the RTX 2080 Ti Lightning Z in 2019. By bringing it back to the Blackwell architecture, MSI is signalling a return to the over-the-top engineering that defined the GTX 1080 Ti and Radeon R9 290X Lightning eras. For the average consumer, these records serve as a demonstration of silicon potential rather than out-of-the-box performance. However, for those with the budget to reach the absolute ceiling of the RTX 5090, the Lightning is positioning itself as the new benchmark to beat.

KitGuru says: The return of the Lightning brand marks MSI's first real “halo” card since the 20-series. With a 40-phase VRM and dual 12V-2×6 connectors, the new Lightning card is clearly not intended for the average gamer but rather for extreme overclocking in a lab.

The death of the mechanical laptop fan may be closer than expected. YPlasma, a deep-tech startup based in Newark and Spain, has announced it will unveil a revolutionary solid-state cooling solution at CES 2026. Replacing traditional rotary fans with “Dielectric Barrier Discharge” (DBD) plasma actuators, the company claims to have achieved high-performance cooling with zero moving parts, zero noise, and a form factor thinner than that of a typical cooling solution.

To achieve this feat, YPlasma (via Techpowerup) is using a 200-micron cooling film, an ultra-thin layer that uses electrically charged plasma to generate a high-velocity “ionic wind”. While ionic cooling has been explored before, it typically relied on “corona discharge”, which suffered from needle erosion and the production of harmful ozone. YPlasma's DBD approach uses a physical dielectric barrier to stabilise the discharge, making it ozone-free and durable enough to last the entire lifespan of a consumer device. Because there are no bearings or blades, the system operates at a virtually silent 17 dBA.

The 200-micron thickness also allows thermal engineers to integrate cooling directly into the chassis walls or heat sinks, potentially enabling a new generation of “hyper-thin” laptops that don't have to throttle performance due to a lack of airflow. Interestingly, the actuators are also the first in the world capable of dual-mode operation, providing both cooling and heating within the same film.

YPlasma will be hosting a live demonstration of a plasma-cooled laptop prototype at CES 2026 on Wednesday, January 7th.

KitGuru says: If YPlasma can deliver on its promise, this could be the most significant shift in PC cooling since the transition from passive heatsinks to active fans.

The RDNA 4 architecture has finally broken its silence on the Steam Hardware Survey, nearly a year after the Radeon RX 9000 series was released. While Nvidia's Blackwell architecture began appearing in the charts shortly after its early 2025 debut, AMD's latest generation had been curiously absent, leading to significant speculation about RDNA 4's market performance and the accuracy of Valve's reporting.

As of the December 2025 survey, the Radeon RX 9070 has officially debuted with a 0.21% share. This makes it the sole representative of the RX 9000 series on the list, as the flagship RX 9070 XT and the more budget-friendly RX 9060 models have not yet met the threshold for a named entry. This initial appearance places the RX 9070 alongside legacy GPUs like the RX 5500 XT and Intel's HD Graphics 4600.

In comparison, Nvidia's Blackwell generation has seen a much more aggressive ramp-up. The best representative of Nvidia's lineup is the RTX 5070, which leads the current-gen charge at 3.05%, followed by the RTX 5060 with 2.21%. The worst is the RTX 5090, but even so, with its 0.60%, it's almost three times higher than that of the Radeon RX 9070. At the top is the RTX 3060 with a whopping 6.53%, followed by the RTX 4060 Laptop with 5.85% and the RTX 4060 desktop with 5.84%.

Moving on to CPUs, another interesting bit is AMD's race to 50% share. Currently sitting at 44.42%, the red team has never been closer to surpassing Intel than it is now.

KitGuru says: The “missing” RDNA 4 cards were likely due to identification bugs rather than poor sales. With the RX 9070 finally on the board, we expect the 9070 XT to make a sudden jump in the early 2026 surveys as Valve refines its hardware detection.

Lionsgate is finally pulling the trigger on full-scale interactive expansions for its two most valuable franchises. During the studio's Q2 2026 earnings call, Adam Fogelson, Chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, confirmed that high-budget AAA video game adaptations of John Wick and Saw are in active development, with formal reveals expected shortly.

For years, the studio favoured low-risk licensing deals such as the tactical John Wick Hex or crossover skins in Fortnite and Dead by Daylight. However, it seems Lionsgate wants to move things up a notch into AAA gaming. As per Adam Fogelson's words (via Tech4Gamers), “our AAA game opportunities and other gaming opportunities around John Wick and Saw and some others that we'll be announcing soon”.

By moving away from “no-risk licensing” toward AAA productions, Lionsgate can capture the visceral “gun-fu” action of Wick and the complex psychological horror of Saw in ways that previous mobile and mid-tier titles could not. Whether the game is a direct retelling of the films or a spin-off like the Ballerina movie, it would be nice to see Keanu Reeves return, especially after seeing his work as Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077.

On the other hand, Saw already had some games like Saw (2009) and Saw II: Flesh & Blood (2010), but the new one will hopefully be better received. While Fogelson was tight-lipped on specifics, it's not that hard to imagine how a Saw game can look. The most obvious would be a survival horror title, but a multiplayer game akin to Dead by Daylight is also a possibility.

KitGuru says: If Lionsgate partners with a high-tier combat studio like Sloclap (Sifu), we could finally get the John Wick game fans have been building in their heads for years. On another note, what “some other” franchises do you think Fogelson was referring to?

Nvidia is entering 2026 by expanding the GeForce Now library and pushing its cloud infrastructure further into the current generation of hardware. This month’s update brings a diverse range of titles to the service, while also marking the point at which previously announced usage restrictions begin to affect the broader subscriber base.

Nvidia GeForce Now's library expansion kicks off immediately with several high-profile additions. Steam’s recent release of My Winter Car leads the pack, joined by Eternights and the Epic Games Store version of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. For those using the platform’s integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden and The Casting of Frank Stone are now accessible via Xbox Game Pass licences.

More games are expected to join throughout January, with StarRupture and Pathologic 3 scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks, followed by titles like Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, MIO: Memories in Orbit, and Nova Roma. Other games coming to the cloud gaming service include Guild Wars: Reforged (Steam), Mon Bazou (Steam), Supermarket Simulator (Xbox, available on Game Pass), and Tavern Keeper (Steam).

Moreover, Nvidia is leveraging its latest architecture by enabling RTX 5080-powered servers for two new games: Factorio and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

KitGuru says: Interested in any of the new games joining the GeForce Now platform?

Samsung Display has officially announced the mass production of its next-generation 34-inch QD-OLED panel. Aimed directly at the long-standing complaints regarding text fringing, the new panel introduces a “V-Stripe” pixel structure that abandons the traditional triangular sub-pixel arrangement of previous generations.

By aligning the red, green, and blue sub-pixels vertically, Samsung is promising a true RGB-stripe experience that finally brings OLED text rendering into parity with standard LCD monitors. This move follows closely behind LG Display's own announcement of a 27-inch RGB-stripe WOLED panel, signalling a broader industry-wide push to make OLED technology viable for serious productivity work like coding and document editing.

Image credit: Samsung

The technical specifications of this new panel are a significant leap forward for the ultrawide category. Operating at a native 360 Hz refresh rate, the display offers a substantial upgrade in motion clarity over previous 240 Hz models, while maintaining the cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and a subtle 1800R curve. Samsung has also pushed the luminance envelope, citing a peak HDR brightness of 1,300 nits and VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification. To achieve these figures on a high-refresh ultrawide, Samsung used a new top-emission structure and improved organic materials under its EL 3.0 implementation to maximise efficiency and longevity.

While the announcement comes from the panel manufacturer, the hardware is already in the hands of major partners. Samsung Display confirmed that it has been supplying these V-Stripe panels to seven global brands, including Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte. With CES 2026 set to kick off in Las Vegas on January 6th, both Asus and MSI are expected to unveil the first retail monitors using this technology.

KitGuru says: With both LG and Samsung now preparing RGB-stripe panels, OLED/QD-OLED panels could become the go-to solution for gaming and working on a single display.

Thermalright is expanding its already vast cooling catalogue with a rare entry into the slim 140mm fan market. The newly unveiled TL-B14015 series targets the growing niche of Small Form Factor (SFF) enthusiasts who require the surface area of a 140 mm fan but lack the clearance for standard 25-mm-thick fans. Measuring just 15 mm thick, these fans are designed to slide into tight gaps behind front panels or beneath bottom-mounted radiators where traditional blowers won't fit.

Currently available in a stealthy black finish, the standard TL-B14015 (via CowCotland) operates at a modest 1600 RPM, delivering 62.8 CFM of airflow and 1.0 mmH2O of static pressure while keeping noise levels very respectable at 24.6 dBA.

For those who prioritise raw performance over acoustic stealth, Thermalright has also introduced the TL-B14015 Extrem. This “Extrem” variant is distinguished by a structural gold ring connecting the blade tips. Moving away from standard plastics, the Extrem model utilises Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) blades. The performance jump is significant, with the Extrem pushing up to 2600 RPM, doubling the static pressure of the base model to 2.01 mmH2O and increasing airflow to 92.3 CFM. However, as one might expect from a slim fan spinning at such high velocities, the noise level climbs to 34.2 dBA.

Both versions of the TL-B14015 use a dual-row ball bearing system, which generally offers a longer lifespan than sleeve or fluid-dynamic bearings. Thermalright also includes a fairly robust accessory bundle for a standalone fan, including a protective metal grille with a colour-matched centre, mounting screws, and a PWM splitter for dual-fan configurations. This launch effectively positions Thermalright as a direct competitor to the few premium slim 140mm options on the market, likely at a price point that makes it the default choice for budget-conscious SFF builders.

KitGuru says: Thermalright continues to be a menace to the high-priced cooling establishment. Bringing LCP blades and a 2600 RPM ceiling to a 15mm-thick 140mm fan is an impressive technical feat, provided you don't mind the turbine-like acoustics at full power.

LG is raising the bar for ultra-light computing ahead of CES 2026, unveiling a refreshed laptop lineup that aims to solve the age-old compromise between weight and structural integrity. The 2026 collection is defined by the debut of “Aerominum”, a proprietary magnesium-aluminium alloy inspired by aerospace engineering.

The new Aerominum chassis is achieved by fusing the low density of magnesium with the rigidity of aluminium. LG claims to have reduced the weight of the latest models while increasing scratch resistance. The result is a premium metallic finish that is more durable without the “flimsy” feel sometimes associated with ultra-light devices.

On the performance side, LG is leading with the US-exclusive Gram Pro 17 (17Z90UR), which the company is touting as the world's lightest 17-inch RTX laptop. Designed for creators who need a lightweight workstation, it squeezes an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 (8 GB GDDR7) into a frame roughly the size of a traditional 16-inch laptop. This model features a 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS panel.

As the lightest 16-inch laptop in its class with both on-device and cloud-based AI, the LG Gram Pro 16 (16Z90U) establishes a new benchmark. For both professional and creative tasks, the 16-inch WQXGA+ (2,880 x 1,800) OLED display provides a high-end, immersive visual experience with high PPI. For graphics, it seems the laptop will depend on the iGPU of the Intel Core Ultra series CPUs powering it.

The 2026 lineup also marks the debut of LG's Advanced Dual AI strategy. By combining Microsoft Copilot+ capabilities with LG's Gram Chat On-Device AI, these laptops can perform complex tasks such as document summarisation, search, and translation without an internet connection. This is powered by the upgraded Exaone 3.5 small LLM, ensuring user data stays private on the local hardware. A new “Time Travel” feature even allows users to revisit and restore past workflows or deleted data through an intuitive AI-driven timeline. Connectivity-wise, the new laptops are getting Gram Link, which now supports seamless file sharing and screen mirroring across Android, iOS, and even webOS-based LG devices like TVs and smart monitors.

KitGuru says: LG Gram laptops have always been exceptionally light, but there still seems to be room to make them lighter. Is the weight of a laptop a critical factor to you?

Thermalright continues its relentless pace of launches with the unveiling of the Levita Vision AIO series, a liquid cooling lineup that seemingly wants to turn your CPU socket into a tablet.

Looking at the new Levita Vision AIO series, what stands out the most is undoubtedly the massive 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display mounted atop the water block, boasting a 2400 x 1080 resolution. While we have seen plenty of LCD-equipped coolers recently, Thermalright is pushing the boundary by offering a screen size and clarity that outclass most of the premium competition. This display is magnetically attached for ease of installation and can be fully customised with real-time monitoring data, custom images, or video playback via the company's dedicated software.

Builders should take note of the physical presence this unit requires, as the inclusion of such a display results in a water block height of 113.9 mm. This makes it one of the tallest blocks on the market, which will certainly present compatibility challenges for those trying to squeeze it into compact SFF chassis or cases with limited top-mount clearance. Under the hood, the cooling is driven by a high-efficiency pump rated at 3000 RPM. Available in black and white, the series is launching in two distinct variants: the Levita Vision UB and the Levita Vision Classic.

The primary difference between these models lies in the fan configuration. The UB variant uses the TL-UB36, a single-frame 360mm fan unit designed to minimise cable clutter and simplify the mounting process. These fans operate at up to 2150 RPM, delivering 69.0 CFM of airflow and 2.87 mmH2O of static pressure at a rated noise level of 27.0 dBA. For those who prefer traditional individual fans, the standard version uses the TL-M12Q, which spins at 2000 RPM, with a rated noise of 28.2 dBA and a static pressure of 2.21 mmH2O. Compatibility is extensive, covering everything from Intel LGA 115x and 20xx sockets to LGA 1851 and AMD's AM5 platforms.

KitGuru says: Thermalright is making a serious play for the high-end market while likely maintaining its reputation for aggressive pricing. The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen is quite impressive, though you will need a fairly spacious case to accommodate it.

Sony has begun rolling out a new hardware revision for the PlayStation 5 Pro, moving from the launch-day CFI-7000 series to the new CFI-7100B01 chassis. While the external aesthetics remain identical to the original Pro model, there are some internal changes to improve power efficiency, thermal management, and acoustic profile. This refresh follows Sony's long-standing tradition of iterating on hardware to reduce manufacturing costs and improve long-term reliability without altering the baseline performance metrics.

The most important change in the CFI-7100B01 revision (via Guru3D) lies in a new stepping for the AMD-designed APU. By refining the silicon, Sony has shaved approximately 4% off the total system power draw during intensive gaming. While a 4% reduction might sound marginal, the lower power consumption directly translates into less heat. To complement this, the internal cooling solution has been redesigned with a more efficient heatsink and a revised fan curve. These modifications result in a measurable 2dB drop in fan noise.

Perhaps the most important improvement for the end-user comes packaged with the console rather than inside it. The revised DualSense V2 (CFI-ZCT2W) controller, now shipping with these new bundles, features a revamped internal circuit board and an optimised battery configuration. Early teardowns and user reports suggest a roughly 50% increase in battery life, pushing the controller's runtime closer to 12–15 hours. This improvement is achieved partly through hardware optimisation and the removal of the secondary noise-cancelling microphone, a trade-off that most gamers will likely find acceptable in exchange for significantly fewer trips to the charging cable.

Despite these internal advancements and the inclusion of the revised controller, Sony is maintaining the console's price tag. For those looking to identify the new version in the wild, the model number CFI-7100 on the packaging is the key indicator of the refreshed internal hardware.

KitGuru says: While existing PS5 Pro owners certainly don't need to rush out for an upgrade, the combination of a quieter fan and a DualSense that actually lasts through a long Sunday session makes the CFI-7100 the best version of the console for new adopters.

Thermaltake is updating its mainstream TH series with the new redesigned V3 family. The most immediate change is a departure from the circular “porthole” aesthetic of the previous generation in favour of a cleaner, more industrial square pump head. The series continues the trend of offering two distinct versions: one featuring an LCD segment for real-time monitoring and another utilising an infinity mirror.

The “Ultra” equivalent in this new lineup is the TH-S V3 ARGB Sync, which features a 3.95-inch LCD that displays data such as CPU temperature, clock speed, and power consumption. It is powered by the new TT Segment Code software, which allows for quick setup without the heavy resource overhead of more complex suites. For those who prefer a non-display aesthetic, the standard TH V3 utilises a multi-layered infinity mirror with a central TT logo.

A nice touch added to the new V3 family is the magnetic detachable top cover. This allows users to physically rotate the pump cap to ensure the display or logo is oriented correctly, regardless of which way the tubes are facing. Thermaltake is also leaning heavily into cable management with the TH V3, shipping both the 240 mm and 360 mm models with fans integrated into a single-frame unit. While it mimics the look of separate 120 mm fans, it is a single structural piece that significantly reduces the number of PWM and ARGB cables required.

These fans seem quite capable, reaching speeds of 2500 RPM and pushing a massive 85.29 CFM of airflow with 3.86 mmH2O of static pressure. At full power, the fans are rated at 37.8 dBA.

KitGuru says: Do you think it was a good idea to switch from individual fans to a single-frame set in the new V3 series?

In a move that marks the end of an era for the CD Projekt Group, the company has officially offloaded its digital distribution platform, GOG.com. The buyer is Michał Kiciński, a co-founder and major stakeholder in CD Projekt, who has purchased 100% of the storefront's shares for 90.7 million Polish Zloty (approximately £19 million).

Launched in 2008 as “Good Old Games”, GOG was initially envisioned as a DRM-free sanctuary for classic PC titles and as a direct alternative to Steam. Over the last few years, it has evolved into a major player in the preservation space, though its financial footprint has remained a fraction of its competitors'. In a blog post, the two parties explain that the decision to divest GOG follows a broader strategic shift at CD Projekt, as the Polish company seeks to funnel its resources almost entirely into game development.

Despite the change in ownership, the transition appears to be a “returning to its roots” moment rather than a corporate restructuring. Kiciński, who helped build the platform's original philosophy, has confirmed that GOG will remain a staunchly independent entity. The platform's core tenets, which include DRM-free installers, the optional GOG Galaxy client, and the recently expanded Game Preservation Program, are set to remain the central pillars of the business.

For the average gamer, very little is expected to change at the checkout. An ongoing distribution agreement ensures that titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077 will remain available on the platform without DRM. Furthermore, future releases from CD Projekt Red are still slated to land on the storefront, albeit under the same independent publishing terms offered to other developers. This move may actually benefit GOG's relations with third-party publishers, as it removes the perceived “conflict of interest” of being owned by a rival game studio.

KitGuru says: This is likely the best possible outcome for GOG fans. By moving into the private hands of its original co-founder, the platform is shielded from the pressure of CD Projekt's public shareholders, who might have prioritised higher margins over the “DRM-free” mission. As long as Kiciński is willing to tolerate the thin profits for the sake of preservation, GOG remains the most ethical corner of the digital game market.

A new report outlining the projected timeline for CD Projekt's future releases has been published with some surprises. The most unexpected claim in the analysis is the upcoming launch of a third, paid expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which the analyst believes will launch in May 2026 to act as a narrative and commercial bridge to the next mainline entry.

This supposed DLC is expected to carry a $30/£25 price tag and could shift as many as 11 million copies in its first year. Mateusz Chrzanowski from Noble Securities (via Strefa Inwestorow) suggests that the revenue from this project would effectively bankroll the massive marketing campaign required for the launch of The Witcher 4, which he now forecasts for a Q4 2027 release.

The financial scale of these upcoming projects is enormous. The analyst estimates that the production budget for Polaris alone will reach approximately 1.4 billion PLN (about £290 million), with a similar amount for global marketing. Moreover, the analyst notes that CD Projekt management intends to release the new trilogy within a six-year window.

Beyond the fantasy realm of the Continent, the timeline for the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed Orion, has also been clarified in the report. Fans of Night City will reportedly need to remain patient, as Chrzanowski predicts the sequel will not arrive until Q4 2030, neatly aligning with the tenth anniversary of the original game's launch. The extended development cycle is attributed to the studio's desire to bake multiplayer functionality into the experience from day one. This added complexity has pushed the projected budget for Orion to 1.5 billion PLN (about £310 million).

Meanwhile, other projects have seen a series of reshuffles, with the remake of the original Witcher and the experimental Project Sirius both being pushed back to 2028, as resources are reportedly being diverted to ensure the flagship Polaris title hits its 2027 deadline.

KitGuru says: The idea of a paid expansion for an eleven-year-old game sounds like a stretch, but the logic of a “narrative bridge” to fund the Polaris marketing is hard to ignore from a business perspective.

Maxon has officially released Cinebench 2026, the latest version of its cross-platform benchmarking suite. Building on the foundation of Cinebench 2024, the new iteration transitions to the latest Redshift rendering engine, offering a more accurate reflection of modern 3D production workloads while adding day-one support for next-generation hardware from Nvidia, AMD, and Apple.

The most significant update in this release is the expansion of hardware compatibility. Cinebench 2026 is fully optimised for Nvidia's Blackwell (RTX 50-series) and AMD's Radeon 9000-series GPUs. It also supports data centre hardware, including Nvidia Hopper and Blackwell enterprise chips. On mobile and Mac, the benchmark now natively supports Apple's M4 and M5 silicon.

Cinebench 2026 also introduces a more granular approach to CPU evaluation. For the first time, Maxon has included a dedicated SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) performance test. This allows users to benchmark a single physical core with and without its virtual threads active, providing a direct “MP Ratio” for single-core efficiency. This feature will be handy for comparing architectures, such as Intel's E-cores, with traditional high-performance cores.

As with previous major version jumps, Maxon warns that Cinebench 2026 scores are not comparable to Cinebench 2024. The update utilises a newer version of the Redshift engine and updated compilers (Clang 19), which fundamentally change how the scene is rendered. To ensure stability during testing, the benchmark retains its 10-minute minimum runtime by default, though an “Advanced Benchmark” mode remains available for those who wish to perform longer thermal stress tests.

System requirements have also seen a slight bump. To run the GPU benchmark, Windows users will need a card with at least 8 GB of VRAM, while Mac users on Apple Silicon will require at least 16 GB of unified memory for GPU acceleration. The benchmark is available for free from the official Maxon website for Windows and macOS.

KitGuru says: The addition of an SMT test is a nice touch, especially as we see more “hybrid” CPU architectures hitting the market.