Valkyrie is pushing the boundaries of AIO design with the new N360 VK AIO cooler. While most high-end coolers now include displays, the N360 VK distinguishes itself with a massive 6.67-inch curved AMOLED panel integrated directly into the pump block, a screen size more typical of a modern smartphone than a PC component.

According to EXP Review (via Guru3D), the screen features a 2400 x 1080 resolution display with full lamination for superior clarity. To ensure the screen doesn't impact system performance, Valkyrie has equipped the block with an independent processor, eMMC storage, and its own onboard operating system. This allows the cooler to play back videos, display complex telemetry, and manage local file storage without using your system resources. The screen is attached via a magnetic mounting mechanism, simplifying installation and ensuring the display remains perfectly aligned with the block.

Image credit: EXP Review and ITHome

Beneath the massive screen, Valkyrie has implemented several cooling performance features to justify its 300W performance target. Starting with the pump, the N360 VK AIO is a self-developed model featuring a three-phase, six-pole motor and permanent-magnet impeller, utilising ceramic bearings for a longer MTBF. The cold plate employs 0.08 mm micro-channels to maximise the surface area for heat exchange. Moreover, the cooler includes an offset mounting bracket system specifically designed for multi-core processors. By shifting the centre of the cold plate to align with the CPU's actual thermal hotspots, the N360 VK can achieve more efficient heat transfer. Lastly, the 120 mm E2-Pro ring-blade fans featuring dual ball bearings paired with the cooler can operate between 500 and 2400 RPM, delivering up to 82.33 CFM of airflow and 3.14 mmH₂O of static pressure while remaining under 31.2 dBA at full power.

The N360 VK supports a comprehensive range of sockets, including Intel LGA 115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5. Available in both black and white finishes, the cooler supports full RGB synchronisation with all major motherboard ecosystems. The cooler is now available for pre-order in China for around £105.

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KitGuru says: Given its massive AMOLED screen, built-in processor and 360 radiator, the cooler seems relatively cheap for what it offers. Do you think the N360 VK AIO has what it takes to stand out in the AIO market?

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Rockstar Games has reportedly taken steps to grant a terminally ill fan's final wish of playing Grand Theft Auto 6 before its scheduled release on November 19th, 2026. The news emerged after Anthony Armstrong, a UI integrator at Ubisoft Toronto, shared a heartfelt appeal on LinkedIn on behalf of a family member battling cancer.

According to the original post (via GTA VI Countdown), the individual had been given a prognosis of only six to twelve months to live, creating a tragic timeline where they might not survive to see the game's official launch. Armstrong noted that the family member in question lives near the Rockstar Toronto studio in Oakville and expressed hope that an exclusive, confidential playtest could be arranged so they could experience the game.

Image credit: GTA 6 Countdown

The story gained significant traction across social media, eventually catching the attention of leadership at Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive. In a subsequent update before the post was deleted, Armstrong revealed that Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick had personally reached out to the family to facilitate a connection with the development team. A final update shared that the family had received ‘great news' after speaking with Rockstar, leading to widespread speculation that an early access session or private demonstration had been approved. The deletion of the LinkedIn thread shortly thereafter is widely believed to be the result of the non-disclosure agreements typical of such sensitive, confidential industry interactions.

This gesture continues a compassionate, albeit rare, tradition within the video game industry. Rockstar Games previously made headlines in 2018 for allowing a terminally ill fan to play Red Dead Redemption 2 several weeks before its debut. Other studios have also allowed gamers in similar circumstances to try out a game ahead of its launch, such as Gearbox Software with Borderlands 4 in early 2025. While Rockstar remains one of the most secretive developers in the world, these exceptions highlight a willingness to prioritise the community's most vulnerable members during critical development phases.

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KitGuru says: Rockstar's reputation for secrecy is legendary, but their history of making exceptions for terminally ill fans shows a different side of the studio. While the public will have to wait until November 2026 to try the game themselves, it is heartening to see the industry's biggest players use their resources to provide a meaningful experience for someone in such a situation.

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AMD is reportedly recalibrating its RDNA 4 production strategy amid the ongoing global memory shortage, which continues to squeeze hardware margins. Although the Radeon RX 9070 series is a success, recent reports suggest that AMD is now winding down production of the standard Radeon RX 9070 to prioritise the more expensive RX 9070 XT. This shift is a direct response to skyrocketing VRAM prices, which have made lower-margin graphics cards increasingly impractical to manufacture.

According to ProHardver (via VideoCardz), because both the RX 9070 and its XT variant use 16GB of GDDR6 memory, the cost of the raw materials for both cards is virtually identical. However, the RX 9070 XT carries a higher retail price, allowing it to better absorb the rising cost of memory chips without requiring drastic price adjustments.

At launch, the RX 9070 was intended to provide a more affordable entry point into high-performance 1440p gaming, priced just £55/$50 below the XT variant. In the current economic climate, where memory producers are prioritising AI data centres over consumer electronics, that narrow price gap has been swallowed up by rising bill-of-materials costs. While AMD does not plan to halt production of the non-XT version completely, the share of this model in total shipments is expected to decrease significantly throughout the first half of the year. This strategy mirrors recent reports from Nvidia, which has also been rumoured to cut shipments to board partners by up to 20% as it navigates the same issues.

For PC builders, this reallocation of resources means that the Radeon RX 9070 XT will remain the primary focus for AMD's board partners for the foreseeable future. Industry analysts suggest that this tricky math for manufacturers will persist until at least 2027, making high-VRAM, mid-range cards like the RX 9070 a rare sight on retail shelves as companies prioritise SKUs that offer the best return on every gigabyte of memory.

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KitGuru says: By focusing on the RX 9070 XT, AMD can at least ensure that some high-performance RDNA 4 stock remains available, even if it means the more affordable non-XT version becomes a “ghost” GPU.

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Keychron is continuing its trend of experimenting with unconventional materials. Following the ceramic Q16 HE, the latest addition to the company's lineup is the K3 Max All-Wood Edition, which reinvents the popular 75% low-profile mechanical keyboard with a solid walnut wood chassis.

Unlike the previous K2 HE All-Wood Edition, the K3 Max All-Wood Edition has a slim design, measuring only 10.7 mm at the front, or 20.2 mm including the keycaps. This keyboard is only available with Milk POM low-profile switches, which use a full POM housing and stem for improved durability and a smoother keystroke. Buyers can choose between linear red and tactile brown versions, both factory pre-lubed to reduce spring noise and friction. While the board is designed with these specific switches in mind, it remains compatible with other Gateron KS-33 mechanical switches via its hot-swappable sockets.

While the exterior is made of walnut, Keychron has retained the original K3 Max's internal aluminium plate to ensure structural rigidity and a consistent typing feel. Connectivity remains versatile, supporting both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless, as well as a wired USB-C mode. The 1550 mAh battery is rated for up to 86 hours of use with the backlighting turned off.

To complete the natural aesthetic, the double-shot PBT keycaps in the LSA profile have been colour-matched to complement the walnut wood tones. Moreover, it also supports QMK, allowing users to create macros and change inputs as they see fit with relative ease. The keyboard is currently listed at $119.99 on Keychron's official website.

KitGuru says: Keychron's foray into wooden enclosures is becoming more refined with each release. The K3 Max All-Wood Edition offers a distinct, organic aesthetic without the ergonomics-breaking thickness usually associated with wooden cases.

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DeepCool has officially unveiled a pair of new flagship thermal solutions for the market, led by the Spartacus 360 all-in-one liquid cooler and the innovative CL6600 HyperSplit chassis.

The Spartacus 360 is designed to be a premium cooling solution, using 3x 120 mm fans and a pump powered by a three-phase, four-pole motor that operates between 2,500 and 3,400 RPM. This pump is paired with a 3.4-inch IPS LCD with 750 nits of brightness and a 480×480 resolution. Through the DeepCreative software, users can display system telemetry, custom videos, or performance trends in modular block layouts. The software also introduces AI-driven environmental modes, such as Sleep, Gaming, and Overclocking, that automatically balance acoustics.

Rated for up to 320W TDP, the Spartacus 360 features a newly designed offset mounting bracket specifically for Intel LGA1851 processors. By shifting the cold plate to better align with the hotspots on 20- and 24-core CPUs, DeepCool claims a core temperature reduction of up to 3°C. Installation is made easier and more secure by a rear-mounted locking system that allows front-side assembly without exposed screws. At the same time, a single 10-pin cable handles both power and data for the pump and display, minimising clutter. Reliability is improved by the inclusion of patented Anti-Leak technology, which regulates internal pressure to extend the cooler's lifespan and protect high-value components.

Alongside the new cooler, DeepCool is also launching the CL6600 HyperSplit case, which features a dual-chamber layout that physically separates the CPU's radiator from the rest of the system. By placing the included 360mm radiator in its own independent upper chamber, the CL6600 theoretically eliminates thermal crossover between the CPU and the GPU, which should allow both to operate at their full potential without competing for air. The case features a front-mounted PSU layout (up to 160 mm long) and supports the latest back-connect motherboards, such as Asus BTF or MSI Project Zero, providing a clean interior view through its tempered glass side panel. The aesthetic is rounded out with a full-height grille front panel featuring a real-wood accent and a pop-out headset hook.

Included with the CL6600 are two pre-installed reverse-blade FL12 SE fans on the bottom. The chassis accommodates graphics cards up to 413 mm in length, air coolers up to 175 mm in height, and up to 8x fans, including three on the AIO cooler division to create a push-pull configuration. Maintenance is simplified through tool-free panel removal and pull-out dust filters. The Spartacus 360 is currently priced at an MSRP of €184.99, while the CL6600 is available in black for €199.99 and white for €209.99.

We will have reviews of both units in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for those!

KitGuru says: Do you think other brands should follow DeepCool's idea and do more cases like the CL6600?

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Julian Gerighty, the creative director and executive producer of Tom Clancy's The Division franchise, has officially resigned from Ubisoft to join Electronic Arts' Battlefield Studios. Massive Entertainment confirmed the news this week, marking the end of Gerighty's extensive tenure at the studio, where he was a key figure shaping the first two Division games and leading the creative direction for Star Wars Outlaws.

While Gerighty recently teased that The Division 3 was “shaping up to be a monster”, his departure means he will no longer be at the helm to see the project through to its completion. Instead, he will transition to a leadership role within EA's Battlefield team, though his specific title has not yet been confirmed. Ubisoft's leadership has moved quickly to reassure fans and investors that the series remains in capable hands. The publisher emphasised that the vision for the franchise remains unchanged despite the loss of its primary creative face. Massive Entertainment's statement on the topic can be found below:

Gerighty himself also shared a message to the community on X, expressing confidence in the franchise's future and noting that it was simply time for “another grand adventure” after over 27 years at the company.

This move comes at a juncture for both gaming giants. Ubisoft has been grappling with a prolonged slump that led to its stock being temporarily halted on Euronext in late 2025. While Assassin's Creed Shadows provided a much-needed commercial boost last year, the group has faced significant layoffs and studio closures as part of a major internal restructuring. On the other side of the industry, EA's Battlefield Studios is still navigating the tragic loss of Vince Zampella, who passed away following a car accident in December 2025. Bringing in a veteran with Gerighty's expertise could be just what EA needs as it looks to expand the Battlefield franchise and fill the leadership gap left by one of the industry's most influential figures.

KitGuru says: Losing Julian Gerighty is a heavy blow for Ubisoft. However, for EA and the Battlefield franchise, this could be a massive win. Gerighty's experience with shooters and large-scale IP management is precisely what EA needs to maintain the momentum of the successful Battlefield 6.

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Keychron has expanded its gaming sub-brand, Lemokey, with the launch of the P3 HE, a tenkeyless (TKL) gaming keyboard that pairs magnetic switch technology with a toolless casing. Unlike the Keychron Q-series flagships, which often command a premium, the P3 HE is launching at a slightly lower price. That said, it's still relatively expensive compared to its Chinese counterparts.

Despite the lower cost of $169.99 (versus Keychron's Q-series that can fetch well over $200), the P3 HE (via TechPowerUP) maintains a premium build, featuring a full aluminium case finished with an electrophoretic coating and a toolless disassembly system. This screwless design uses magnetic latches to allow the top case to be removed in seconds for cleaning or internal modifications, a feature currently absent from the more expensive Keychron models.

Available in black and white, the P3 HE is built with a focus on both performance and acoustics, using a silicone-bean gasket mount system that isolates the aluminium plate from the case, effectively cutting out metallic reverberation and “ping”. The interior is further dampened with multiple layers of IXPE and sound-absorbing foam, resulting in a deeper, more refined sound profile. Under the hood, the keyboard relies on Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, which use the Gateron KS-37 mounting standard, though be aware this limits switch compatibility with other KS-37 magnetic switches.

On the software side, the P3 HE is fully supported by the Lemokey Launcher web app, providing access to a suite of competitive features enabled by its Hall Effect sensors. Users can customise actuation points from 0.2 mm to 3.8 mm with 0.1 mm precision, and enable features such as Rapid Trigger and SOCD (Last Keystroke Prioritisation). The keyboard also supports Dynamic Keystroke (DKS), allowing up to four actions per key based on press depth, and an Analog Mode that mimics a controller's variable input for racing or flight simulations. Connectivity is handled via a tri-mode system, offering 1,000 Hz polling over wired and 2.4 GHz wireless connections, alongside Bluetooth 5.2 for multi-device pairing. Moreover, the P3 HE features north-facing RGB LEDs and comes standard with Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, available in both shine-through and non-shine-through variants.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in the Lemokey's P3 HE feature set?

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CD Projekt Red's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski has provided an update on the performance of the Witcher franchise, confirming that every mainline entry in the series has now surpassed 10 million copies sold. This announcement offers insight into the long-term commercial success of the earlier titles, which have often been overshadowed by the monumental success of the third instalment.

The sales figures were shared during a session on X, where Nowakowski (via Polonizacje) responded to a list of the most successful Polish video games curated by Michał Król. This list included The Witcher 3 in first place with 60 million units sold, followed by Cyberpunk 2077 on 35 million and Dying Light with 20 million.

According to the latest figures, the original Witcher game has sold 10 million units, while its sequel, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, has sold 15 million. When added to the staggering 60 million copies achieved by The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the core trilogy now accounts for over 85 million sales worldwide.

By providing these numbers, it's clear that the franchise's popularity isn't concentrated solely in the final chapter. While the company did not specify an exact total for each spin-off in the series, such as Gwent or Thronebreaker, the combined performance of the mainline games puts the entire Witcher franchise within striking distance of the 100 million-unit mark. This renewed momentum comes as the studio continues development on the next Witcher trilogy and a remake of the first game, alongside a rumoured fourth DLC for The Witcher 3…

KitGuru says: The commercial endurance of the first two Witcher games is particularly impressive given their age and platform limitations at launch. Seeing the first game hit 10 million and the second hit 15 million proves that there is a massive audience still discovering the roots of the series.

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Moon Studios has officially announced that No Rest for the Wicked has reached the milestone of one million copies sold in its PC Early Access version. This achievement was reached on Steam just days before the launch of the “Together” update, scheduled for January 22nd.

In an official statement, the developer thanked the community for believing in the project from the start, emphasising that player support was instrumental in shaping the action RPG into its current form. The studio, famously known for the Ori franchise, reinforced that the world of Wicked will become significantly larger and more shared with the arrival of new social features next week.

The “Together” update promises to redefine the gameplay experience by introducing a cooperative system for up to four players in persistent Realms. Unlike other titles in the genre, players can share a world without a host being online, enabling independent progression. Combat has also received significant adjustments, featuring improved AI that allows enemies to react naturally and desperately when cornered or outnumbered and friendly fire in online mode.

Beyond battles, users can collaborate on housing construction, craft items through the Scribe Table and explore the new Compendium. Originally released in April 2024, the game continues to expand steadily, with full versions planned for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

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KitGuru says: With the long-awaited co-op mode arriving next week, the game is finally getting the social features many fans have been asking for since its debut.

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Intel's desktop and high-performance laptop CPU update may be closer than expected, with fresh chatter around the Arrow Lake Refresh suggesting a launch window of March or April 2026. This positioning places the update only just after Intel's major January push for Core Ultra Series 3 Panther Lake series.

The claims come from Golden Pig Upgrade (via Tom's Hardware), who wrote and posted alongside a screenshot of the Geekbench entries we've covered. These entries show the top-tier refresh models, specifically the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus for desktops and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus for flagship-class notebooks.

This March/April launch window suggests a carefully staged rollout for Intel's 2026 lineup. With Panther Lake-H systems hitting global availability later this month, a spring refresh for Arrow Lake could allow Intel to maintain momentum in its current product stack without overshadowing the debut of its 18A-based mobile architecture. This strategy creates a bridge to Nova Lake, the next major architectural shift currently slated for late 2026. Nova Lake is expected to introduce a new LGA 1954 socket and up to 52 cores, making the 200 Plus series the final push for the LGA-1851 ecosystem.

The Arrow Lake Refresh appears to be an exercise in refinement rather than revolution. The update focuses on incremental tuning, such as modest clock adjustments, improved binning, and enhanced support for higher memory frequencies, such as DDR5-7200 and beyond. With these refinements, these CPUs can offer a performance bump with minor changes, reserving the major architectural breakthroughs for Nova Lake when it launches. Whether these improvements are enough to sway buyers will likely depend on the final retail pricing and how the refreshed parts compete against AMD's recently launched Ryzen 9000 series, especially the X3D models.

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KitGuru says: Even if it won't revolutionise the CPU consumer market, this refresh will make Intel maintain some relevance in its segments until Nova Lake arrives.

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Gamemax has officially introduced the Nex C53 panoramic case, a compact yet capable case designed to provide a seamless visual showcase for your hardware. The primary draw is its panoramic view layout, with borderless tempered glass that offers an unobstructed view of the internal components. It also supports hidden-connector (BTF) motherboards, which should allow for cable-free interior that maximises airflow and aesthetics.

The internal structure of the Nex C53 (via TechPowerUP) has been designed to accommodate almost anything, including graphics cards up to 410 mm in length and CPU air coolers up to 175 mm tall. Space efficiency is achieved through a front-mounted PSU layout that optimises space while providing enough room for a 360 mm top-mounted radiator. Cooling is handled by up to seven 120 mm or five 140 mm fans, with four ARGB fans pre-installed. This includes three 120 mm reverse-blade fans at the bottom to draw in fresh air and one rear-mounted exhaust fan.

The chassis also features a dual-layer top panel that replaces exposed dust filters and an adjustable multi-angle fan bracket that allows builders to direct airflow where it is needed most. To ensure long-term stability, an integrated GPU support bracket is included to prevent card sag and protect the motherboard’s PCIe slots. Connectivity options in the front I/O panel include a USB Type-C Gen 2×2 port and two USB 3.0 ports. The Gamemax Nex C53 is launching in black and white variants, with the black version priced at $64.99 and the white version at $69.99.

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KitGuru says: Gamemax is making a strong play for the entry-level market by offering full BTF motherboard compatibility and a front-mounted PSU design at a very aggressive price point. Would you consider the Nex C53 for a budget build?

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The PlayStation 5 Pro arrived in November 2024 with the promise of being the definitive way to play console games, but its first year has been somewhat muted. While it is technically the most powerful console on the market, some still feel that its specialised hardware remains underutilised. A particular sticking point has been the initial iteration of PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), which, in many titles, has been prone to visual glitches and shimmering rather than providing a consistent “next-gen” leap in image clarity.

That narrative may be about to change. According to @Gust_FAN (via PC Guide), a reliable Japanese insider with a proven track record for accurately leaking the PS5 Slim and the Hyperpop collection, the PS5 Pro is scheduled to receive a major system overhaul this quarter. This update would include “PSSR 2.0”, which has been reportedly designed to fix existing image quality issues while also improving performance across the board.

Supposedly, PSSR 2.0 will have features similar to AMD's FSR 4, which makes a lot of sense considering the strategic partnership in place between AMD and Sony. This shift in upscaling logic aims to deliver a “double win” of higher image fidelity and improved frame rates. For some, the most exciting prospect is probably the push to 120 FPS, as titles that currently sit in the 70–80 FPS range on the Pro are expected to receive a boost to hit that mark.

The update also appears to focus heavily on legacy content. The leak suggests that PSSR 2.0 will provide a high-resolution boost for “traditional low-resolution games”, implying that backwards-compatible titles and classic games available through PlayStation Plus could see a visual upgrade at the system level. If successful, this feature could make the more expensive PlayStation Plus tiers slightly more attractive.

To ensure developers can make the most of this transition, Sony is reportedly preparing a suite of new debugging tools too. These resources are intended to help studios iron out issues and ensure that PSSR 2.0 doesn't have the artifacting problems of its predecessor.

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KitGuru says: The first year of the PS5 Pro has felt lacklustre for many. PSSR 1.0 was bold, but the visual “ghosting” did it no favours. If PSSR 2.0 can truly deliver FSR 4-level quality and a system-wide boost in resolution for classic games, the Pro might finally have the software backbone to justify its price tag.

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Cybenetics Labs has unveiled a prototype ‘anti-melt' cable designed to address the infamous reliability issues of the 12VHPWR/12V-2×6 standard. This integrates proactive monitoring directly into the cable itself, aiming to provide a fail-safe for enthusiasts who want to avoid any potential melting or burning risk associated with flagship cards like the RTX 5090.

According to ComputerBase, the prototype is a native 12V-2×6-to-12V-2×6 cable with a small, low-profile inline box. This box contains the monitoring electronics and a status LED, avoiding the added bulk of screens or fans that can cause compatibility issues with large air coolers or tight cases. Because it is a flexible cable, it fits almost all Founders Edition and custom AIB layouts without obstructing the shroud or requiring awkward mounting angles.

Image credit: ComputerBase

Technically, the cable operates as an active circuit breaker. It monitors current and temperatures at both the GPU and PSU ends. While it features a USB-C port, this is strictly for data logging and configuration. The safety features, including a high-pitched buzzer and an emergency power-cut function, are fully autonomous. Once thresholds are configured via the software, the USB can be disconnected, and the cable will maintain its protection profile independently.

The cable is designed to distinguish between harmless transient spikes and dangerous sustained thermal runaway. Moreover, it allows users to configure thresholds for settings such as “Over Current Trigger” (default 8-12 A) and “Over Temperature Trigger” (default 80-95°C). The cable also has a dual-stage warning that, when a limit is breached, activates the buzzer for 10 seconds (default but configurable). If the condition persists, the cable cuts power to the GPU. Lastly, when connected via USB, the software provides updates every 100 ms, allowing users to export thermal and current data to Excel for long-term stability testing.

Although it looks useful, actual availability is currently uncertain. Cybenetics has not yet secured a mass-market distribution partner. It has been stated that there is a desire to sell the cable “close to cost” to improve the safety of the PC ecosystem rather than for profit. Currently, the cable also requires a native 12V-2×6 output on the PSU side, though a dual 8-pin version for older power supplies could be technically feasible if the project reaches production.

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KitGuru says: It is a sad indictment of modern hardware standards that we need a “smart cable” just to ensure our flagship graphics card doesn't catch fire. However, the Cybenetics solution is arguably the most elegant we've seen so far. We hope a production partner steps up soon.

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Thermalright has kicked off 2026 by introducing the new Frost Tower 140. The newly unveiled CPU cooler is a dual-stack giant designed to match the thermal dissipation of entry-level AIOs, featuring a unique asymmetrical fan configuration and a seven-heatpipe array to tame the latest high-TDP chips from Intel and AMD.

Standing 158 mm tall, the Frost Tower 140 (via Vortez) is one of the largest air coolers in Thermalright's current lineup. The cooler utilises 7x 6-mm-thick heatpipes branching out from a nickel-plated copper base. The cooling performance is driven by a specialised “push-pull” fan duo, with a TL-N12W-R9 (120 mm) fan at the front and a TL-N14DW-R7 (140 mm) fan at the centre. This smaller intake fan ensures better RAM clearance while spinning at up to 2,400 RPM and providing up to a claimed 85.35 CFM with a 2.95 mmH₂O static pressure. As for the 140 mm fan at the centre, it reportedly pushes up to 120 CFM at 1,850 RPM with a static pressure of 2.40 mmH₂O.

According to Thermalright, both fans are built for the long haul, featuring dual ball bearings and impellers made from Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP). Thermalright has also integrated silicone mounts and noise-dampening rings to keep the acoustics of such high-RPM fans in check.

The Frost Tower 140 is launching in three distinct aesthetics: standard, all-black, and all-white, with the latter two featuring colour-matched fins and heatpipes. Installation is handled by the SS2 all-metal mounting system, ensuring a secure fit across AM5, AM4, and LGA1851/1700 sockets.

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KitGuru says: Although pricing isn't known, Thermalright has historically underpriced the competition. With the Frost Tower 140, this trend will likely continue, even tho it uses LCP fans and a seven-heatpipe configuration.

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New data from Geekbench has surfaced for Intel's unannounced “Arrow Lake Refresh”, branding the upcoming performance bump as the “Plus” series. While these chips weren't mentioned during Intel's CES 2026 keynote, the new leaks suggest that both desktop (LGA-1851) and mobile (HX) refreshes are right around the corner.

The desktop flagship, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus (via Benchleaks), appeared on a Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Tachyon Ice motherboard paired with 48 GB of DDR5-8000 memory. The benchmark results indicate a meaningful performance uplift over the existing 285K, achieved through clock-speed increase rather than architectural changes or core-count increases. The chip maintains the 24-core (8P + 16E) layout but has a reported maximum boost frequency of 5.8 GHz. In the single-core test, it scored 3,456 points, which makes it about 8% faster than the 285K. As for the multi-core score, the upcoming CPU saw a 9% increase over its predecessor, scoring 24,610 points.

The refresh also extends to high-performance laptops and small-form-factor systems. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus (via Benchleaks) has been spotted in an Acer Predator Helios 18 AI (model PHN18-I71). However, unlike the 290K Plus entry, this processor wasn't running at full power, reaching a max clock speed of around 841 MHz. That's quite a bit lower than the 5.x GHz we expect from this CPU. As one would expect, the scores were abysmally low and not worth comparing with other CPUs.

Despite no official announcement at CES 2026 last week, we're expecting these chips to still be announced relatively soon. The first entries of an Arrow Lake refresh CPU date back to October 2025, and since then, we've already seen other mentions of these CPUs here and there. So it's looking increasingly like just a matter of time before they become official.

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KitGuru says: Even if these CPUs won't magically make Intel relevant again, they should still offer more performance than Intel currently has.

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