SSD

• Anacomda I45 ANA 1TB NikkTech
• Kioxia Exceria Pro G2 2TB FunkyKit

The Pulsar ZywOo The Chosen Mouse Gen.2 delivers impressive specifications with true 8000 Hz polling, ultra-low click latency, and a high-quality optical switch setup. With a sleek design and excellent glide, it's tailored for competitive gamers. However, its incremental updates may leave some enthusiasts questioning the price tag.

Mortal Shell II has already launched into Advanced Access on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles ahead of the official August 20 worldwide launch, and it appears to be quite successful already, with nearly 20,000 players logging into the new open-world action RPG at the same time on Steam alone.

According to SteamDB, within five hours of launch, Mortal Shell II played host to as many as 19,242 peak concurrent players—more than 10 times its predecessor's peak concurrent player count on Steam, as recorded by SteamDB. The game's Advanced Access launch has also given avid gamers a chance to post early reviews of the game, most of which sing its praises, earning it an 88% "Very Positive" review rating on Steam. Accounting for consoles, the day-one advanced access peak concurrent player counts number well over 20,000.

Lexar introduced the Thor Ultra series of PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs with 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB capacities. The M.2 2280 drives use a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface and according to Lexar, they can achieve speeds of up to 11 GB/s sequential read and 10 GB/s sequential write on the 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB models. The 512 GB version is "a bit slower," being rated at up to 9,9/5 GB/s. Random performance goes up to 2.2 million IOPS for reads and 1.9 million IOPS for writes, again, depending on capacity. Endurance is rated at 350 TBW for the 512 GB model, 750 TBW for 1 TB, 1,500 TBW for 2 TB, and 3,000 TBW for 4 TB.

The drives feature Dynamic SLC Cache and HBM, along with a 6 nm DRAM-less controller and power management system designed to reduce heat generation and thermal throttling. Lexar Thor Ultra NVMe SSDs are backed by a 1.5 million hours MTBF or a five-year limited warranty, whichever comes first. With the drives, Lexar adds its DiskMaster Manage, a dedicated software to be used for firmware upgrades, checking health status, optimizing performance, and data protection. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.

Microsoft 365 costs $99.99 per year at the minimum. If you don't want to pay a recurring cost for basic productivity apps, switch to Microsoft Office. Right now, a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2024 for PC is only $54.99 (reg. $249.99).

What's included with Microsoft Office?
This version of Office comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access. There are no recurring fees or renewal costs. You install once and keep working.

Buying Office this way means the apps don't change on you. Microsoft 365 pushes updates whenever it wants, but a perpetual license stays the same for as long as you use it.

Every app runs right on your machine. You don't need a cloud connection to open a spreadsheet in Excel or manage a database in Access. Dark mode is there if you want it, and you can use this version on older hardware.

Get Microsoft Office for life for $54.99.

The NVIDIA 12v-2×6 GPU power cable meltdown debacle seems to be something of a cat-and-mouse game, in which GPU board partners and PSU manufacturers keep trying to find workarounds and new safeguards against the GPU cables that have now claimed many a gaming GPU. ASUS's latest GPU Tweak III V2.1.8.0 update adds yet another feature to help save GPUs from potential temperature-induced premature failure.

The GPU Tweak III update adds support for auto-shutdown on GPU models with Power Detector+, which will shut down a system when "persistently high current is detected." ASUS has not shared what the exact parameters are for high current or how long the high current must be sustained before it triggers. Being limited to Power Detector+ GPUs means that auto-shutdown is limited to the ASUS ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090, ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090, ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080, and ROG Matrix GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs.

Intel today released the latest version of its Arc GPU Graphics Drivers. Version 101.8974 WHQL comes with optimization for three game titles. For Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors with Arc-branded integrated graphics. For "Assassin's Creed Valhalla," the drivers offer a 7% performance uplift at 1080p with medium settings; and an 11% uplift at 1080p with high settings. Similarly, for "Farming Simulator 2022," the drivers offer a 13% uplift at 1080p with medium settings, and 9% at high settings. For Arc B-series discrete GPUs, the drivers offer a 5% performance uplift for "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II" at 1080p with ultra settings.

The drivers also address several game-specific and GPU-specific issues. GTA V exhibiting blurry items with post-processing set to "very high" or "ultra" has been fixed for Core Ultra Series 3 iGPUs, Arc B-series discrete GPUs, Arc A-series discrete GPUs, Core Ultra Series 1 processors, and Core Ultra Series 2 processors with Arc-branded iGPUs. "Forza Horizon 6" exhibiting bad visual quality with reflections has been fixed for the above selection of GPUs. Jurassic World Evolution 3 exhibiting water effects flickering has been fixed for these GPUs. A game crash with Minecraft Java when using CapFrameX or Riva Tuner Statistics Server have been fixed for Core Ultra Series 3 iGPUs, Core Ultra Series 2 and Series 1 processors with Arc iGPU models; Arc B-series, and Arc A-series. Issues related to Indiana Jones and The Great Circle and Endless Space 2 have been fixed for Core Ultra Series 3 and Arc B-series.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.8974 WHQL

Rumors about the upcoming Sony PlayStation 6 have been flying around for months now, purporting to reveal everything from pricing and specs to an approximate release window. Now, the gaming giant's CEO, Hiroki Totoki, has addressed the PS6 launch date in a new interview with The Wall Street Journal.

In the interview, Totoki explains that the volatility of the current PC and console hardware market makes it difficult to pin down pricing or a release date. He notes that memory prices are still expected to be high in the 2027 financial year, thanks to an ongoing supply shortage, and, given those market conditions, Sony has to "think carefully" about its launch strategy for the new console.

Microsoft Project Professional 2024 is a desktop project management application for planning tasks, assigning resources, tracking progress, and reporting results. A lifetime license for one Windows PC is $44.97 instead of $1,129.99 through Aug. 16.

Pre-built templates provide starting structures for new projects. Users can define tasks and dependencies, and the software automatically calculates start and finish dates based on those relationships. Multiple built-in timelines provide visual summaries of complex schedules.

Gantt chart task-path highlighting shows how individual tasks relate to one another. What-if scenarios allow project managers to test different assignments before committing resources. Baselines preserve the original plan, so actual progress can be measured against initial schedules.

ASUS Republic of Gamers today announced the ROG Raikiri II Pro PC - the ultimate gaming controller with competition-grade 8K polling rate, extensive customization options including hot-swappable joysticks for a tailored feel, and industry-leading battery life. The ROG Raikiri II Pro PC provides gamers with unparalleled precision control to dominate gaming arenas.

Ultimate precision and ultra-low latency
The ROG Raikiri II Pro PC controller boasts an 8000 Hz polling rate and 2.4 GHz wireless performance enhanced by ROG SpeedNova technology for incredibly responsive control and ultra-low latency. All buttons - i.e., D-Pad, ABXY, and rear buttons - and bumpers feature micro switches for instant actuation and crisp, tactile feedback. In addition, the Dual Mode Triggers feature lets gamers seamlessly switch between short-travel, micro-switch and TMR sensor triggers with full travel, allowing for a tailored feel based on game genre.

A number of Mattel's IPs have been transformed into digital games, including Uno and Hot Wheels, but it seems as though the toy company is getting more serious about gaming as a potential revenue stream. In a new announcement, Mattel has confirmed that it is establishing Mattel Game Studios in order to "develop, publish, and operate original interactive experiences inspired by Mattel's portfolio of iconic brands."

Mattel Game Studios will operate across Los Angeles, USA, and Hangzhou, China, and kicks off with 300 employees. Mattel already self-published Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite, a mobile game, in June, and much of its future seems vested in mobile games, but the announcement also makes mention of new content and "original experiences" on Roblox and Fortnite.

Akasa, a leading provider of computer hardware and PC accessories, has launched the M.2 NVMe SSD to PCIe adapter card with removable tray (AK-PCCM2P-06), enabling IT administrators, system integrators and PC builders to install an M.2 NVMe SSD into a free PCIe slot on a desktop, workstation or server. The adapter card delivers data transfer rates of up to 64 Gbps on a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, and houses the drive in a lockable, removable tray built for environments where drives are added, swapped or secured on a regular basis.

Delivering data transfer rates of up to 64 Gbps over a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 x4 at up to 32 Gbps. Its removable drive tray allows the M.2 SSD to be installed or replaced without removing the adapter card from the PCIe slot, minimizing downtime during maintenance or drive swaps. The adapter card fits PCIe x4, x8 and x16 slots, ensuring broad compatibility across desktop, workstation and server motherboards.

According to SemiAnalysis Chipbook data on exports from South Korea, a significant portion of high-bandwidth memory exports is now heading to Malaysia, reducing shipments to Taiwan. This indicates that the HBM memory used by TSMC for its CoWoS family of advanced packaging technologies—CoWoS-S, CoWoS-L, and CoWoS-R—are increasingly being replaced an unknown packaging facility in Malaysia. Presumably, the only fab capable of integrating so much HBM into product is Intel, known for its advanced packaging technology like EMIB and Foveros. Since TSMC operates no advanced packaging facility in Malaysia, and other players in that country being very small for now, the only logical option is Intel.

Late last year, Intel entered the final phase of its "Project Pelican," an advanced packaging complex in Malaysia, completing the $7 billion buildout. This facility is equipped for die sort and die prep operations and will support both EMIB and Foveros packaging flows, allowing Intel to respond more quickly to customer needs. With Intel's EMIB and Foveros being among the world's most advanced packaging technologies, the large influx of HBM into Malaysia suggests that Intel's foundry customers for advanced packaging services are increasing, diverting demand from TSMC. The data shows that about $1.3 billion worth of HBM is now going to Malaysia, while less than $3 billion is going to Taiwan. This is a significant decrease from over $5 billion going to Taiwan just a few months ago.

It was previously reported that Geekom was shipping malware in the drivers for its A7, A8, AE7, AX7 Pro, and AX8 Pro mini PCs. The drivers were initially flagged by Windows Security as a trojan that could "execute commands from an attacker," and reports on Reddit were verified by services like VirusTotal, FileScan, and MetaDefender.

Since those initial reports, however, Geekom has responded to the driver malware infection, explaining in an official statement to VideoCardz that the affected legacy LAN driver page, which was not linked in the main product page but was still publicly accessible and indexed on search engines, has since been removed entirely. The brand said in the statement that "the issue traces back to an outdated resource that we failed to remove from our older pages in time, and we are sorry for the concern and inconvenience it has caused our users and the wider community," adding that it has confirmed that the driver is confined to the now-removed legacy drivers.

XPPen, a global leader in digital art innovation, today unveiled the Artist Ultra 14, an Ultra Clear True Color Portable Drawing Display featuring a 2.8K OLED display, studio-grade color performance, the advanced X-Touch solution, and an ultraslim design. Marking XPPen's 21st anniversary, the Artist Ultra 14 combines flagship-level performance with exceptional portability, empowering creators to bring professional creativity wherever inspiration strikes.

"Creative workflows are becoming increasingly flexible, and creators today need tools that can adapt to the way they work," said Brian Huang, Marketing Director at XPPen. "The Artist Ultra 14 is designed for professional creators seeking greater mobility without compromising visual quality or creative performance. It gives artists the freedom to create across different environments, expanding the possibilities of professional digital art."

Samsung Electronics today announced an exclusive partnership with Activision as the official TV, monitor, soundbar, and Wi-Fi speaker of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, the latest title in one of the world's largest first-person shooter (FPS) franchises. The collaboration brings Call of Duty together with Samsung's premium display and connected gaming technologies to give players more ways to experience the title before its official launch.

Call of Duty is a critically acclaimed and award-winning franchise that has become one of gaming's most recognized intellectual properties. The collaboration marks another step in Samsung's efforts to expand next-generation gaming experiences across TVs, monitors, soundbars, Wi-Fi speakers, and connected gaming services.

LG Electronics (LG) today announced the LG xboom Power Series, a new flagship party speaker lineup designed to bring powerful sound and interactive entertainment to gatherings of all sizes. Combining powerful sound, intelligent technologies and AI Karaoke Master, the lineup goes beyond music playback to help transform gatherings into parties where people sing, connect and celebrate together. Each speaker features xboom Signature Sound, refined and tuned by multiple Grammy Award-winning will.i.am to deliver impactful bass and party-ready energy while maintaining clear, balanced sound. As the most powerful lineup within LG's family of xboom party speakers, the series includes the LG xboom Power 9000, Power 7000 and Power 5000, offering three options tailored to different gathering sizes and settings.

A Flagship Party Speaker Lineup Designed for Every Gathering
From casual get-togethers to large outdoor celebrations, each model offers a distinct combination of output and interactive party features.

• LG xboom Power 9000: The series' flagship model, designed for large-scale parties and outdoor events, delivering 440 watts of continuous output power for expansive sound coverage.
• LG xboom Power 7000: Designed for large gatherings, patios and outdoor entertainment. With a continuous output of 340 watts, it offers a strong balance of performance, usability and versatility.
• LG xboom Power 5000: A versatile option for family gatherings, casual celebrations and smaller social occasions. With 260 watts of continuous output power, it combines engaging karaoke features, dynamic party lighting and high-quality sound in a more compact design.

Chinese memory giant CXMT has finally surpassed 9,000 MT/s on the AMD platform, rivaling DRAM kits from Micron, SK hynix, and Samsung. On the Colorful iGame X870E VULCAN W OC motherboard, an iGame Shadow II 24G×2 kit with 48 GB of memory achieved speeds of 9,000 MT/s. In the provided screenshot, the kit runs at 4,507 MHz, which translates to over 9,014 MT/s, thanks to double data rate technology. Late last year, CXMT announced that its DDR5 could reach 8,000 MT/s, but now we see that overclocked memory can exceed these speeds on the AMD platform.

Additionally, CXMT is working on improving latency. Some Colorful iGame Shadow II 24Gx2 48 GB kits are being tested on ASUS motherboards to achieve ultra-low latency, matching the performance of the top three memory manufacturers. On the latest AMD and Intel platforms, Colorful has tested DDR5 kits running at 6,000 MT with CL30 latency and even some preliminary tests with CL28 latency. This is a promising sign that CXMT memory is finally meeting the standards of competing DRAM from the leading memory makers in both transfer rate and latency.

GEEKOM, a leading innovator in high-performance Mini PCs, has deployed DeepSeek V4 Flash across four GEEKOM A9 Mega systems. The achievement shows how GEEKOM is extending its compact-computing expertise into practical enterprise AI. Rather than relying on a data-center server, the cluster connects four A9 Mega mini PCs through USB4 as one distributed platform. Each A9 Mega is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, combining 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, Radeon 8060S graphics, and unified memory in a compact chassis.

Ubuntu, ROCm, and DwarfStar distribute an optimized DeepSeek V4 Flash model across the machines. An OpenAI-compatible API connects applications and AI agents, while USB4 eliminates the need for a proprietary high-speed switch or server rack.

Intel's upcoming "Nova Lake-S" series of desktop processors is set to bring some exciting changes. As previous rumors suggested, the company is incorporating the AVX-512 and APX instruction sets into this new processor lineup. Late last year, Intel published its 60th Architecture Instruction Set Extensions and Future Features manual, indicating that ultra-fast vector processing with 512-bit width is returning to desktops after years of absence from this sector. Thanks to @InstLatX64 on X, we have learned that the company is testing two SKUs—a 24-core model running at 3.4 GHz and a 28-core model running at 3.2 GHz—both featuring AVX-512 and APX instruction support. This further supports the claim that Intel's desktop processors are returning to their full potential.

Powered by "Coyote Cove" P-Cores and "Arctic Wolf" E-Cores, both models will support AVX-512 and APX, aligning software optimization and support with the HEDT and Xeon server segments that already use these vector and advanced accelerators. Initially, Intel chose to disable AVX-512 for the "Alder Lake" and "Raptor Lake" client-oriented CPU lineups, meaning only server-grade Xeon CPUs benefited from the accelerated 512-bit data paths. This decision was due to differences in P-Core and E-Core designs, which complicated software optimization on the consumer side. However, with "Nova Lake," these features are finally making a comeback.

Intel's approach to releasing the latest CPU technology differs significantly from AMD's. Robert Hallock, the company's VP and general manager of the enthusiast business, confirms that desktop PC DIY enthusiasts are the first to experience the latest CPU cores. In an interview with Tom's Hardware, Hallock emphasized that Intel prioritizes bringing its newest CPU cores to desktops first, subtly hinting at the upcoming "Nova Lake-S" processor generation. Unlike AMD, which introduces its latest core designs in the server segment first, Intel debuts them on the desktop. While these cores will eventually be used in Xeon server processors, they initially appear on the desktop platform. This means that the "Coyote Cove" P-Cores and "Arctic Wolf" E-Cores will first be available for desktops, in contrast to AMD's Zen 6 CPU technology, which debuts with the EPYC "Venice" and only later appears in desktop CPUs.

Intel's Robert HallockWhat I would say is, as we think about our own roadmap, I have a new core. It's coming to desktop first. I mean, I hope enthusiasts do the math about that one, and that's all I'm going to say.

Welcome to another week of new games releases and we start off the week with a sequel to a fairly popular ARPG game from 2020 that is currently in open beta for those that want to give it whirl before it's released. This week's general releases starts off with an ARPG set on a remote island, followed by a survival horror game set in the roaring 20's and this is followed by a medieval city builder. Up next, we have a WW1 FPS and we end the week with a melancholic first-person parkour adventure. We have a few other games that might be of interest as well.

Mortal Shell II / This week's major release / Thursday 20 August
Mortal Shell II is a standalone sequel to Mortal Shell that significantly expands on the original with unrestricted, adrenaline-charged combat, deeper weapon design with extensive upgrade options, and an emphasis on free exploration. This action-RPG offers an immersive, interconnected open world, expansive yet deliberately compact, designed to unfold its twisted landscapes and hidden structures while respecting the player's time. Steam link

It turns out the Injustice game series is a lesson in how concurrent player counts don't necessarily predict a game's commercial success. Despite only drawing a peak concurrent Steam player count of 2,131 players, the 2017 superhero game has sold 9 million units since launch. This was confirmed by the game's co-creator, Ed Boon in a post on Bluesky, where he was responding to a fan trying to settle an argument about whether the Injustice series has been a "flop."

This is significantly higher than the current ~1.1-2 million unit sales estimates for Injustice: Gods Among Us, which topped US sales charts for several months in a row following its launch. Injustice 3 was also leaked to be in active development by a leak in early 2026, indicating that the series has been a financial success. For what it's worth, game sales targets have changed drastically since Gods Among Us launched, with AAA launches now expected to see millions of sales within the first few months of launch in order to be considered a success, and even then, that's not necessarily enough to avoid developer layoffs following high-profile launches.

Mouse

• Epomaker Nex Lite FunkyKit
• Razer Naga V3 Pro Cowcotland (fr)
• Valkyrie M1 Pro TechGaming (nl)

Every major AI lab claims their model is the best one. ChatPlayground AI skips the debate by running one prompt across more than 20 models at once, including GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet 4, Gemini 1.5 Flash, DeepSeek V3, and Llama, so the outputs sit side by side instead of getting tested one tab at a time. A lifetime Unlimited Plan license is $59.25 with code Aug25, down from $619.

Get ChatPlayground AI's Unlimited Plan for $59.25 with code Aug25 before it ends August 9 at 11:59 p.m.

Sony's move away from physical games has been the source of much criticism, but the gaming giant has remained insistent that the move is the correct one, arguing that the majority of game sales are digital. However, some of the pushback against this idea hinged on the fact that the smaller markets often depended on access to physical games media due to restricted internet access. Recently, Christopher Dring, Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of The Game Business published some statistics from Ampere relating to sales of Capcom's latest hit, Resident Evil: Requiem.

While physical sales were expectedly low in the US, at just 22% of total sales, where internet penetration is relatively high, in France, physical sales accounted for as much as 55% of the sales of Resident Evil: Requiem. Similarly, in Japan and Australia, physical sales topped 51% and 43% respectively. Meanwhile, in the UK, physical sales of Requiem were as high as 40%. It's notable that Requiem, a AAA game from a long-standing franchise, raked in so many physical sales, since its total sales volume has long since exceeded 6 million units.

GSC Game World is thrilled to announce that Update 2.0 for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is launching on August 20, featuring a new version of the engine, a graphic overhaul, three types of binoculars, and much more.

Here's what all owners of the game are getting for free:
Visual Evolution
Update 2.0 overhauls the Zone's lighting and visuals:

• Improved lighting. Players can expect a more natural and immersive look with more realistic shadows and reflections across the environment, both inside buildings and in underground locations.
• Reworked landscapes and foliage to make the Zone feel more organic.

It's not news that Arc Raiders has been a successful game for both Embark and its parent company, Nexon, but a new 2026 Q2 earnings report has put a number on the game's success as it approaches its one-year anniversary. According to Nexon's reporting, Arc Raiders has sold 16.3 million units globally—that's an additional 800,000 sales since March 2026. The financial report also revealed that Arc Raiders has earned over ¥88 billion ($552.3 million) since the October 2025 launch.

And we are particularly pleased with the enduring strength of ARC Raiders, which recognized more than ¥18.3 billion of revenue in the quarter. Recently surpassing 16.3 million units sold globally, ARC Raiders has generated revenue of more than ¥88 billion since the launch in October last year.

A full Windows 11 Pro license normally runs $199. Right now it's $11.23 with code Aug25, a one-time purchase that will add more value to your PC time.

Why You Need to Upgrade

• BitLocker for full-disk encryption
• Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for running virtual machines and testing apps in isolation
• Azure AD support for connecting to business identity systems
• Snap layouts for multitasking
• DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming
• Biometric sign-in backed by TPM 2.0
• Copilot built into the taskbar for quick answers, summaries, and content generation

That toolset makes Pro the relevant version for developers, IT admins, or anyone running a business machine, not just a home PC.

Iqunix showed off the EC75 earlier this year at Computex, but the peripheral maker has now officially released the EC75 HE for sale, simultaneously revealing the pricing and finer details of the keyboard. At the time of writing, there is a store page for the EC75 HE, but it is not live just yet. The only place to buy an EC75 HE is on Amazon, where it costs $179.99.

As the name suggests, the EC75 HE has a 75% layout, which many see as a good balance between everyday productivity use-cases and gaming, since it provides the same space-saving benefits as a 65% keyboard but retains the function row. The EC75 has a CNC aluminium mid-case with an injection-molded bottom case, Hall effect sensing, and an 8 kHz polling rate. Iqunix has foregone wireless connectivity, relying instead on USB Type-C exclusively.

Epomaker has officially announced the latest keyboard in its retro-inspired RT series, the RT75. As the name suggests, the RT75 is a 75% keyboard with retro design intentions. The new pre-built keyboard targets the upper entry-level price range, coming in at $91.79 with Epomaker's Creamy Jade linear switches and $93.49 with Epomaker's Crystal Tactile Silent switches from Epomaker's online store.

The RT75 features an unorthodox layout to accommodate the 1.54-inch TFT display, which can be used to display custom GIFs, a clock, or system information. The display is also hot-swappable, making space for four additional switches and technically turning the keyboard into something closer to an 80% or TKL layout than 75%. At the time of writing, the RT75 is only available in Retro White, although Epomaker also lists Matte Grey and Fern Green as other color options that may be added to the online store at a later date.

Gigabyte has launched two new B450 microATX motherboards for the veteran AMD AM4 socket and yes, no mistake here, the boards use the B450 chipset that was launched way back in 2018. The B450M D3HP and B450M D3HP WIFI6E are aimed at budget builds and AM4 platform upgrades, offering support for AMD Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000 processors, four DDR4 slots and up to 128 GB of memory. For a motherboard built on eight-year-old silicon, the features are reasonable. There are two M.2 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x4 connected directly to the CPU and one PCIe 2.0 x2 via the chipset. Alongside, we have four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, one DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0b ports, a 5 Gbps USB-C front panel header and three addressable RGB headers. A Q-Flash Plus button on the rear I/O allows BIOS updates without a compatible CPU installed, which is useful for anyone looking to buy a new Ryzen processor. Both boards use a 4+2 phase power delivery and Gigabit Ethernet. The WIFI6E variant adds Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

However, the limitations are real, there is no PCIe 4.0, no DDR5 (obviously), and the second M.2 slot only runs at PCIe 2.0 x2. But for someone already having a Ryzen 5000 chip and DDR4 memory, or anyone putting together the cheapest possible functional PC, those trade-offs might not matter much. Surprisingly, though, AM4 refuses to die, and apparently Gigabyte is still willing to make use of it considering that a few weeks ago they released new AM4 motherboards using the B550 chipset launched six years ago. No pricing or exact availability was announced for either board.

Geometric Future, an innovative PC components and peripherals brand, expands its performance lineup with the launch of the Model 3 case, an updated Eskimo Plus 36 AIO, and Squama 3003-12 fans. Designed for users who want optimal cooling in a compact and visually refined build, the 27L microATX Model 3 combines an isolated front-mounted PSU layout with support for GPUs up to 435 mm, up to eight 120 mm fans, a 360 mm radiator, and five pre-installed Squama 3003-12 ARGB PWM fans. The Eskimo Plus 36 refreshes the Eskimo Pro 36 platform with pre-installed Eskimo 3003 ARGB fans, a 1.5 L/min pump, a diffused ARGB CPU block, and a large 55.8 x 55.8 mm copper coldplate. Also launching, the Squama 3003-12 brings a thicker 30 mm frame, high-pressure 9-blade design, dual-sided ARGB lighting, and standard or reverse-blade orientations for more flexible airflow setups.

The Model 3 is a compact 27L microATX case designed to deliver strong hardware support and cooling performance in a clean, compact layout. Its isolated front-mounted PSU design helps maximize internal efficiency, while dual tempered glass panels provide an unobstructed view of the build. Despite its compact size, the Model 3 supports microATX motherboards, graphics cards up to 435 mm in length with an integrated anti-sag bracket, and cooling configurations of up to eight 120 mm fans, with a 360 mm radiator at the top. The Model 3 also features a removable platform that can be used for decorative accessories while helping guide airflow within the chassis. The case is available in four color options (black/yellow, black/gray, black/green, and all white) and can be purchased with five pre-installed Squama 3003-12 ARGB PWM fans or without.

Apos today announced the launch of the Preonic Rev 4, the newest generation of Jack Humbert's influential ortholinear keyboard and the most significant modernization of the platform in years.

The Preonic traces its lineage to Jack Humbert, founder of OLKB and the engineer of the Planck keyboard, whose work helped shape the modern custom mechanical-keyboard movement. Humbert was an early advocate for smaller, programmable keyboards built around layers rather than an ever-growing number of physical keys. His work on the Planck also helped give rise to QMK, the open-source firmware platform that became fundamental to custom keyboard design.

TechPowerUp partners with the iconic gaming peripherals brand, Mad Catz, and personal refrigeration experts Koolatron, to bring you the MEGA Back2Kool Giveaway. Open to our readers from the US and Canada, from today until the 30th of August; we celebrate the unique gaming lifestyle combination of expertly-designed gaming peripherals from Mad Catz, and drinks refigerators from Koolatron. Up for grabs is a Koolatron Classic Coca-Cola mini fridge; a Koolatron Coca-Cola vending machine mini fridge that gives your gaming or game-streaming setup a cozy look. You can feed it not just soft-drinks, but also energy drinks and beer cans.

Over to Mad Catz, and there are prizes galore, including a S.T.R.I.K.E. 6, a S.T.R.I.K.E. 11, a G.L.I.D.E. Speed (large), a G.L.I.D.E. Speed (X-large), an M.2.X racing wheel; and a C.A.T 17. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 6 is Mad Catz's popular 60% format gaming keyboard designed for snappy input in a highly portable form-factor. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 11 is a compacted 100-key keyboard that comes with roughly the size of TKL keyboard, but with a NUM pad. The G.L.I.D.E. series mousepads provide the perfect balance of speed and precision. The M.2.X is a precise, force-feedback racing wheel for competitive motorsport games. Winding things up, is the C.A.T. 17, a supremely customizable game controller for Xbox, Windows PCs, and PlayStations.

Like what you see? Head over to this page for more details, and to participate. You can increase your chances of winning by sharing the Giveaway on your socials.

Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of premium gaming hardware, continues to explore new possibilities at the intersection of gaming hardware and player culture. This time, GIGABYTE blends powerful graphics performance with distinctive anime aesthetics in the new AORUS GeForce RTX 5060 ARI 8G graphics card. Inspired by GIGABYTE's original character, ARI, the graphics card combines a sophisticated technological design with a unique anime aesthetic, allowing ARI fans to bring their favorite character into their everyday desktop setup. It also offers gamers who embrace anime culture and seek to express their individuality a fresh alternative to conventional gaming hardware.

Powered by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 GPU, AORUS ARI delivers the performance needed for gaming, content creation, and everyday use. Beyond performance, the distinctive ARI-inspired backplate design and RGB lighting on the side turn the graphics card from a high-performance hardware component into an integral part of the user's desktop aesthetic. From immersive gaming worlds to creative spaces, cutting-edge technology and anime-inspired design come together in AORUS ARI, delivering not only visual performance but also a unique design that invites users to explore their own world beyond the screen.

TrendForce's latest market research shows that the global OLED monitor market maintained strong growth momentum in 2Q26. Shipment growth was driven by the launch of new models, strong demand generated by China's 618 shopping festival, and the continued adoption and promotion of 27-inch QHD monitors, the market's dominant product segment.

Supported by these factors, global OLED monitor shipments increased 26.1% QoQ in 2Q26 and surged 98% YoY, nearly doubling from the same period last year. The results underscore the rapid penetration of OLED technology in the gaming and premium display markets.

According to supply chain sources and those close to TSMC, NVIDIA is already working on prototyping the replacement for its "Rubin" and "Rubin Ultra" GPU designs with the next-generation "Feynman" GPU microarchitecture. As noted in the latest report from DigiTimes, NVIDIA is opting for TSMC's A16 node, bypassing the N2 family of nodes entirely in favor of the more advanced 1.6 nm A16 design. Mass production is scheduled for the second half of 2028. The "Feynman" designs will rely on the backside power delivery in the A16 node, as well as on packaging technologies like 3D chiplets using SoIC, CoWoS-L 2.5D integration, and next-generation panel-level packaging.

Initially, NVIDIA will use SoIC 3D stacking technology to stack multiple chiplets into a single package, which will shorten the travel time between chips and reduce latency. These 3D chips will then be packaged side-by-side in a CoWoS-L or CoPoS packaging, creating a multi-kilowatt design capable of processing dozens of PetaFLOPS. For memory, NVIDIA will work with its partners to develop customized HBM, likely HBM4E, by the time "Feynman" reaches mass production. This customized memory includes a specialized base die that can contain logic elements like a memory controller or packet processing unit. Think of it as a way to pre-process data before it enters memory, or as a simple speedup, depending on what NVIDIA aims to achieve.

Valve has released two out of its three planned hardware products, with only the Steam Frame remaining. After previously launching the Steam Machine and Steam Controller, the eagerly anticipated Steam Frame VR headset is the last to debut. According to a game developer behind Gunman Contracts, a shooter game, the launch of the Steam Frame VR headset is imminent. The developer mentioned that he and his publisher, 2080 Games, are waiting for Valve to release the headset before they launch their action-based shooter. With the launch expected soon, it could happen within a few weeks to a month.

Q: Is there now a Launch Date?
A: Kinda. Me and 2080 Games have decided to launch together with Steam Frame. And we do feel confident that a launch date for Frame is just around the corner. But as long as valve has not announced any public information on it, so can't I. So for now, the launchdate is: Alongside Steam Frame.

Following the launch of the Valve Steam Deck, there has been a growing tide of game and software developers looking to bring their products and projects to the growing body of Linux gamers. Epic Games is no different, with the company previously revealing in a job listing that it was looking to expand Easy Anti-Cheat support on Linux. Following an announcement that Epic Games was rebuilding its game launcher with a new framework that promises 5× faster launch speeds, there has also been speculation that the Fortnite company could be launching a native Linux version of the Epic Games Launcher.

Now, as reported by Steam Deck HQ, an Epic Games employee has revealed in a Discord Q&A that a Linux version of the launcher is in development and would be launching "soon," when asked about the possibility by a Discord member. This doesn't actually give anyone a timeline or state of a native Linux version, but it serves as confirmation that Epic Games is actively working on Linux support. It's also an indicator that Epic Games is starting to take Linux more seriously as a gaming platform, despite CEO Tim Sweeney's prior dismissive remarks about Linux.

The GEEKOM IT13 Max combines a Core Ultra 9 185H, Intel Arc graphics, broad connectivity, and solid esports and lighter gaming performance in a compact desktop. It handles everyday work well, although buyers should consider whether the tested configuration's soldered memory and 500 GB SSD will be enough over the long term.

The XPG Novakey RGB DDR5-6000 32 GB CL30 memory kit is a standout for both gamers and productivity users, offering solid performance with dual 6000 MT/s profiles for Intel and AMD systems. Its unique RGB infinity mirror design and eco-friendly materials add flair, making it an attractive choice that balances style and performance without breaking the bank.

Payday 2 launch in 2013, but the co-op shooter still regularly brings in over 30,000 concurrent daily players, despite its age. Now, 13 years on, the developer, Overkill, has announced the official launch of the V3 game engine for main Payday 2 branch.

The new Diesel Engine V3 improves the game in a number of ways, but the highlights include moving to a 64-bit architecture, adopting DirectX 11, improving CPU utilization for modern multithreaded CPUs, improving load times and the installed game size, and adding native VR support. Of course, this hasn't come without some trade-offs, one of the most impactful of which is the loss of the native Linux build of the game.

Duskfade, a new 3D action platformer from indie studio, Weird Beluga, has officially launched on Steam. The developer describes Duskfade as "a love letter to classic 3D action platformers." It follows the main character, Zirian, and his mechanical Cuckoo companion, as they embark on a journey to save his sister after the world was plunged into darkness by a mysterious clock tower.

Duskfade has simple, stylized visuals, and the game previews show off fluid, skills-based hack-and-slash combat. Much of the gameplay pays homage to classic PlayStation 2-era platformers, like Jak and Daxter, Croc, Spyro, and even Crash Bandicoot. Aside from the usual hopping from platform to platform, the game appears to provide a decent amount of verticality in its traversal, with wall climbs, double-jumps, gliding, rail grinding, and a grappling hook adding to the fun.

Lam Research Corp. (NASDAQ: LRCX) today announced that it intends to invest more than $3 billion over the next five years to expand its global research and development (R&D) lab network. The planned multi-site expansion is expected to add infrastructure and capabilities to increase experiment capacity by more than 50%. Lam's R&D approach combines specialized labs worldwide, each purpose-built to accelerate a distinct step of the innovation cycle, with deep customer collaboration that includes locations near customer facilities. Together, Lam's labs operate as an integrated 24/7 network, enabling innovation in parallel and at scale. With this investment, Lam intends to further compress product development cycles for customers, from pathfinding to fab deployment.

"In the AI era, the pace of innovation is relentless, requiring chips with new architectures, different materials, and complex features engineered with nanoscale precision. Our ability to increase velocity throughout the R&D process has become a decisive advantage," said Tim Archer, president and chief executive officer of Lam Research. "We are investing with the intention of staying ahead of what our customers need, further strengthening our global innovation engine to deliver the next generation of semiconductor breakthroughs."

Chosfox, the niche mechanical keyboard maker responsible for the Geonix48 ortholinear keyboard series, has officially announced the Init40 as its latest take on the 40% layout. Instead of the ortholinear layout of the Geonix boards, the Init40 features a much more familiar row stagger that should make it much easier to get used to for first-time users of tiny keyboards.

In the announcement post, Chosfox revealed that the Init40 is meant to be a keyboard that answers the question "How small can a keyboard become without giving up what makes it enjoyable to use?" As such, it's likely that the Init40's diminutive form factor won't be for everyone, but it is designed for niche keyboard enthusiasts who don't mind customizing their layout and getting used to a smaller keyboard.

Apple today opened its new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) in Houston. The center offers free training and educational sessions for small- and medium-sized businesses, giving them direct experience with state-of-the-art equipment, interactive labs, and tools they need to accelerate innovation. The AMC is located within the same Houston facility that builds and ships Apple's advanced AI servers and will begin manufacturing Mac mini this year.

At the center—the company's second U.S. manufacturing learning site—experts teach participants many of the same innovative processes used to make Apple products. As part of the center's kickoff event, Apple is proud to host U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, U.S. Representative Christian Menefee, and Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, along with other officials and community partners. They are joining Apple leaders and the AMC's first cohort of small- and medium-sized business leaders for a full day of hands-on training and programming.

Microsoft is finally scaling back on creating numerous Copilot variants for every use case and is instead consolidating many Copilot buttons, icons, and functions into the main Copilot app. According to the latest support document update, Microsoft is rolling out a unified Copilot experience to create a Copilot "super application," bringing all the functionality that was previously spread across the operating system under one roof. These features include Deep Research, Group Chat, and Podcasts. The Deep Research functionality is being retired for consumers, but existing content will remain available. The same applies to Podcasts and Group Chat, which will be fully retired starting August 18.

Microsoft notes that the updated Copilot application is introducing a fresh look, with the ability to access Word, Excel, Outlook, and many other Microsoft 365 services and apps directly from the Copilot super app. Users who were using Copilot functionality across the operating system that is being retired will now find everything under one roof, with chat history and the majority of content being moved to the new home. The migration will include chats, images, and any type of content that has been created with Copilot.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Artisan Keycap - Triple-Headed Snake Edition, the brand's first artisan keycap and the next step towards the ultimate expression of keyboard customization.

No detail too small. No process too demanding. Each keycap is a custom, hand-finished masterpiece created for Razer's most hardcore fans, the ones who have carried the triple-headed snake since the beginning - and a tribute to one of gaming's most iconic brands.

Honeycomb Aeronautical, a leading name in professional-grade flight simulation hardware, announced today that the Foxtrot Takeoff Kit will be released on August 31st at the official Honeycomb Aeronautical store, and Sporty's Pilot Shop. The Foxtrot Takeoff Kit is an all-in-one flight control system designed to deliver professional-grade precision from takeoff to touchdown, providing full aircraft control at an accessible price point.

Engineered with the flight simulation community in mind, the Foxtrot Takeoff Kit has been created for pilots who demand smooth, accurate handling in every phase of flight. Built with an advanced gimbal system the included 16-bit Hall Effect sensors deliver smooth and precise movement, and adjustable resistance for both left and right-handed pilots. The twist-axis rudder has an integrated yaw control for single-stick operation without the need for pedals.

NVIDIA's efforts to enhance gaming on Linux operating systems are increasing. The company announced today that the official, native port of the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service client app is out of beta and now available for gamers worldwide. With months of community feedback integrated into the official Linux release, NVIDIA has implemented many fixes to ensure performance is consistent with the Windows application. Officially, NVIDIA supports Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and later, but there is a Flatpak repository to help you get started, complete with official instructions on the download page. For those who prefer to use Linux machines for work and need an occasional gaming session streamed directly from NVIDIA's cloud rendering service, GeForce NOW is officially here.

Additionally, NVIDIA has optimized the Linux app so that DLSS 4.5 Frame Generation feels much more responsive without any hiccups or additional latency. Performance members of GeForce NOW will also experience much higher overall framerates, as NVIDIA has made server-side CPU performance adjustments, significantly enhancing the overall experience. These improvements are more noticeable at higher framerates like 120 FPS or high-resolution rendering like 4K. All of these improvements are made on NVIDIA's servers, so there is no need to update the application.

TSMC has reportedly achieved near-perfect packaging yields, establishing a baseline of about 98% for its current CoWoS advanced packaging. This technology accommodates a die area equivalent to 5.5 times the reticle limit, or about 858 mm². As a result, packaging 4,720 mm² worth of silicon on CoWoS-L is now possible, with only 1-2% of the packaged designs experiencing issues. This is a significant achievement for a packaging technology that went into mass production earlier this year. Although CoWoS-L has been shipping for some time, this year marks the first time a 5.5x reticle chip has been packaged on a mass production scale.

The Taiwanese manufacturing giant is also preparing for even larger designs, including up to 14x reticle size dies on a single, enormous package. This means a silicon area of 12,012 mm² will be packaged using TSMC's CoWoS, or specifically one of its variants. This technology is slated for 2029, when its A13 node is expected to be in mass production. TSMC's timelines are consistently being met with customer satisfaction, and the company continues to sell out its manufacturing and advanced packaging technologies. However, creating any design beyond the 3x reticle limit must be done carefully, as thermal warping can introduce mechanical issues. The company is constantly working with customers to overcome these challenges.

BlueUplink has begun shipping the TACCOM v2, a handheld, out-of-game VoIP radio whose frequencies exist only inside multiplayer games. The TACCOM v2 is built for flight sims, space sims, and milsim titles. Operators tune to a variety of pre-defined frequencies, and press a button to transmit; all transmissions regardless of how many players on a frequency are received in an orderly fashion. The first customer radios are shipping now. The radio comes in two editions, Wired at $99 and Wireless at $199.

Voice chat in large multiplayer groups is chaotic. Open lobbies dissolve into crosstalk, and larger, organized groups need a way to communicate with other allied groups. The TACCOM VoIP radio borrows the fix pilots have used for a century: frequencies. Every supported game gets a band of public channels that any player can simply tune into and immediately hear who is around, no invite required.

With the expansion of AI, every bit of available computing power is being utilized, and even NVIDIA's six-year-old A100 "Ampere" accelerator is being fully utilized at CoreWeave. According to CoreWeave, and confirmed by NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang, the company has signed an agreement with a customer to rent chips released more than half a decade ago for several more years, specifically through 2029. This demonstrates that NVIDIA's platforms remain in high demand, with chips released in 2020 expected to have a usable lifespan extending nearly to the end of the decade. CoreWeave customers have rented these chips through 2029 for AI training and inference. In late 2020, NVIDIA introduced a GA100 GPU SKU for the A100, featuring 6,912 CUDA cores and up to 80 GB of HBM2E memory. By today's standards, the core count may not match modern solutions, but in an era where memory shortages affect everyone, even older HBM2E is acceptable when there is 80 GB of it per card.

Despite the later-introduced "Hopper," "Blackwell," and modern "Rubin" generations offering significant, multifold improvements in efficiency, performance, and memory capacity, every available computing resource is currently being utilized. CoreWeave confirmed that a customer is renting this six-year-old GPU through 2029, indicating that it still holds value for someone. This GPU likely costs much less to access per hour than modern solutions, but it probably performs well enough that customers are still willing to pay for it. On his social media feed, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang posted the following message.

Each week, new games and apps integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players.

Today, the Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Beta opens to all players, and No More Room In Hell 2 exits Early Access. Tomorrow, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam launches on Thursday. And a new 11-minute trailer signals that Phantom Blade Zero can now be pre-ordered ahead of its October 29th launch.