PCI-SIG has announced the release of the PCIe 8.0 draft specification version 0.5. The update confirms the technical target of 256.0GT/s raw bit rate, providing up to 1TB/s of bidirectional bandwidth in an x16 lane configuration. A significant focus of this draft is evaluating new connector technology to support increased bandwidth requirements.

The organisation notes that the current physical layer and traditional copper-based electrical connections are approaching saturation limits. While previous generations maintained the familiar slot design, PCIe 8.0 may require a replacement for the standard connector to achieve its performance targets. Despite the potential for a new physical interface, PCI-SIG intends to maintain backward compatibility with previous PCIe generations.

The PCIe 8.0 specification is scheduled for finalisation by 2028. Deployment is expected to begin with server-class hardware from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia before transitioning to the consumer ecosystem in the following decade. The performance targets represent an eightfold increase in bandwidth over the current PCIe 5.0 standard used by modern GPUs.

Design goals for the final v1.0 specification include meeting strict latency, FEC, and reliability targets. Additionally, the standard aims to improve bandwidth through protocol enhancements and implement new techniques to reduce overall power consumption.

KitGuru says: When do you expect to see the first PCIe 8.0 devices launch into the market?

Motherboard manufacturers are reportedly facing significant shipment corrections as weak demand and silicon shortages impact the consumer PC market. According to a recent report, some motherboard makers have lowered their 2026 targets, with internal projections falling by more than 25%. The decline is attributed to rising component costs and shifted production priorities toward AI data centers.

The DigiTimes report suggests that severe shortages of DRAM and CPUs have driven prices so high that DIY PC building is being suppressed. Memory kits now account for over 30% of total PC build costs, up from approximately 15% in previous years. Consumer reluctance to upgrade is further exacerbated by the high cost, limited availability, and price increases.

The report claims that the likes of Asus, MSI, Gigabyte and ASRock will all see fewer shipments this year compared to 2025.

Even AMD's CEO, Dr. Lisa Su, has stated that gaming demand is expected to decline in the second half of 2026 due to out-of-control component costs. However, companies will be able to offset these losses by pivoting towards more lucrative AI datacentre sales.

KitGuru says: We can only hope that supply chains are able to expand to serve both markets, but that takes a lot of time and money. 

Capcom has announced that Pragmata, its new sci-fi action-adventure IP, has surpassed two million units sold worldwide. The milestone was achieved within 16 days of its release.

The title, which is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, reached its first million copies within 48 hours of availability. However, this figure could have been even better if the game had been released worldwide on all platforms simultaneously. While most versions launched globally on April 17th, the Nintendo Switch 2 version in Japan and Asia only become available on April 24th.

According to the press release, Capcom attributes the performance to marketing initiatives including an early “Sketchbook” playable demo and the game's focus on the narrative bond between protagonists Hugh and Diana. Also worth noting is that Pragmata is Capcom's first original internal IP in eight years.

Currently sitting at 86 on OpenCritic and 97% on Steam, it's clear that critics and players enjoy the game. Complemented by the sales figures, it's safe to say the new IP is already a success.

KitGuru says: Have you tried Pragmata already? What do you think of it? Do you think it deserves the praise it's getting?

Valve has released official 3D CAD files for the Steam Controller and Puck to support the hardware modding community. The release of these files follows a launch in which the new controller sold out shortly after it became available.

The technical package is available under a Creative Commons license and includes STP and STL models for the external shell topology of both the controller and the Puck. Valve also provided engineering drawings detailing critical features and “keep out” zones to assist designers in maintaining signal strength and functional clearances for third-party accessories.

The CAD files are intended to facilitate the creation of custom grips, 3D-printed stands, and other physical modifications. While the files cover the hardware's surface topology, they do not include internal component designs. Modders can access the repository via GitLab to begin developing accessories for the new platform.

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KitGuru says: Were you lucky enough to grab a Steam Controller before it sold out? What kind of mods are you expecting from the community?

SteelSeries has announced the Arctis Nova Pro Omni, a new wireless headset featuring a multi-source mixing dock, support for the LC3+ codec over Bluetooth, and a refined base station that can mix up to 4 audio sources simultaneously.

The dock included with the Nova Pro Omni features three USB Type-C ports and two 3.5mm jack inputs/outputs, allowing users to blend audio from multiple devices, such as consoles, PCs, and mobile phones. The headset carries dual Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certifications, supporting both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections for compatibility across PC, consoles, VR, and mobile platforms.

Power is managed via a removable battery system, providing what SteelSeries describes as unlimited use through a hot-swappable secondary battery that recharges within the dock. A 15-minute charge provides 4 hours of playback, while a full charge offers 30 hours of battery life on the 2.4GHz connection with ANC disabled.

The headset weighs 339g and utilises 40mm drivers with a frequency response of 10~40000Hz and 38Ω impedance. It features a retractable omnidirectional microphone and memory foam earcups. Integrated controls include a microphone mute switch, a volume/ChatMix dial, Bluetooth multimedia buttons, and a dedicated dial for adjusting dock settings directly from the earcups. The SteelSeries Nova Pro Omni is now available for £349.99/€399.99/$399.99.

KitGuru says: Set between the standard Nova Pro and the flagship Nova Elite, the Nova Pro Omni brings some of the features introduced in the latter to a lower price point. 

TeamGroup has announced new high-frequency specifications for its Elite Plus DDR5 and Elite DDR5 desktop memory modules. Both series now offer speeds up to 8000MT/s. 

The Elite Plus DDR5 and Elite DDR5 8000MT/s modules utilise an optimised IC architecture and DDR5 Same-Bank Refresh technology to maintain system efficiency under heavy computational loads. The 1.1V operating voltage is intended to lower overall power draw compared to higher-voltage overclocked kits.

Initial availability will consist of 16GB x 2 kits. Timings are relatively loose, set at CL56-56-56-128. The products are expected to be available starting next month.

KitGuru says: The low voltage and high speeds are rather good, but the loose timings might not be the best match for some processors. 

Sharkoon has announced the Skiller SGM70W, an ultra-lightweight gaming mouse weighing 49g. The mouse features the PixArt PAW3395 optical sensor and supports both wired and wireless connectivity. Designed for competitive gaming, the mouse includes an 8000Hz polling rate in wireless mode.

The Skiller SGM70W sensor delivers a maximum resolution of 26,000DPI. Sharkoon has integrated physical controls on the underside of the mouse to allow DPI and polling rate adjustments without requiring additional software. The symmetrical body is specifically shaped for right-handed users and supports palm, claw, and fingertip grip styles.

The mouse features two smooth glass feet for frictionless gliding. The 49g chassis is intended to reduce fatigue during extended usage while facilitating fast flick movements. For the sensor, we have the reliable PixArt PAW3395 for tracking accuracy, with wireless connection support for an 8K polling rate. As for the switches used in the two main buttons, we have two Huano ones rated for 100 million clicks.

The battery life is decent, with the 500mAh battery capable of lasting up to 70 hours (at a 1000Hz polling rate). The Skiller SGM70W comes with a USB-C cable and is now available at a recommended retail price of €39.90.

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KitGuru says: Given its feature set, the new Sharkoon Skiller SGM70W mouse is incredibly well priced. Assuming it delivers on its promises, this looks like a no-brainer for anyone looking for a cheap yet capable gaming mouse, provided you like its shape.

XPG has announced the launch of its Novakey RGB DDR5 memory series, featuring a patented “Infinity Mirror” heat sink design. The new flagship modules offer speeds up to 6400MT/s and capacities up to 32GB per module.

Aimed at mainstream gamers and creative professionals, the Novakey RGB DDR5 modules use optical reflection principles on the heat sink to create a 3D visual depth effect. The exterior construction features matte-black metal accents and a brushed-aluminium finish. The RGB is configurable and compatible with most major motherboard lighting systems, including those of Asus, ASRock, Gigabyte, and MSI.

XPG states the series is optimised for the 6400MT/s “sweet spot” but will also be available in 5600MT/s and 6000MT/s. Available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, the memory series can be purchased in both single- and dual-kit configurations. Technical specifications include latencies as low as CL30. The modules are built on a 10-layer PCB and include an integrated Power Management IC (PMIC) alongside on-die ECC for data integrity. XPG confirms support for both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD Expo to facilitate one-click performance optimisation.

The Novakey series incorporates sustainable materials, with the heat sinks manufactured using 50% recycled aluminium and 85% post-consumer recycled plastic. XPG backs the series with a limited lifetime warranty.

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KitGuru says: Do you like the infinity mirror aesthetics, or do you prefer something more subtle?

Mionix has announced the Avior Air Carbon Fiber, a new limited-edition gaming mouse featuring a handmade carbon fibre shell and an eye-watering price.

The Avior Air Carbon Fiber introduces a redesigned Avior body, shifting from a balanced hump to a rear-placed, back-loaded profile optimised for claw, fingertip, and hybrid grips. Each shell is constructed from heat-formed, CNC-trimmed woven carbon fibre. The design features separate left- and right-hand primary button panels to improve tactile consistency and removes all lighting to prioritise weight and battery life. Weighing 42 ± 2 g, the mouse uses Nordic Semiconductor's nRF54H20 chipset to support native 8K wireless polling.

Internal specifications include the PixArt PAW3950 optical sensor, which provides up to 30,000 DPI, 750 IPS tracking, and 50G acceleration. The mouse uses Raesha's optical-mechanical hybrid microswitches, rated for 100 million clicks, and a matching hybrid encoder. Its wireless platform enables polling rates up to 8000Hz, delivering a 0.125ms response time.

The mouse includes a “Dual Glide System”, shipping with both PTFE dot feet and full-size tempered glass skates. Software customisation is handled via the Mionix Galaxy Web Software, which includes the S.Q.A.T. surface analysis tool and onboard memory management. Pre-orders are now open, but with an MSRP of €299.99/$299.99, it's definitely not a mouse for everyone. However, Mionix is offering a 20% pre-order rebate through the end of May, reducing the price to €239.99/$239.99. Deliveries are scheduled for early August.

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KitGuru says: There are a lot of 8000Hz gaming mice hitting the market at this point. Have you tried one already? Or are you considering it for your next upgrade? 

Playground Games has announced that Forza Horizon 6 has officially gone gold, confirming the final version is ready ahead of its May 19th launch. The developer also detailed platform-specific performance targets, storage requirements, and an expanded soundtrack featuring nine radio stations for the game's Japan setting.

Xbox Series X and Series S users can now begin preloading the title, with PC preloads available via the Xbox app and Steam support expected shortly. On Xbox Series X, the game requires 135GB of storage, while the Series S version occupies 130GB. PC players will need 160GB of available space on an SSD.

Forza Horizon 6 includes two rendering options on consoles. On Xbox Series X, Quality mode delivers native 4K at 30FPS, while Performance mode targets 4K at 60FPS using dynamic resolution scaling. Xbox Series S users can choose between 1440p at 30FPS in Quality mode or 1080p at 60FPS in Performance mode, both using dynamic scaling.

The game features nine radio stations covering genres including J-pop, metal, drum & bass, and synthwave. Accessibility additions include a new high-contrast mode, auto-drive, and proximity radar. Playground Games also confirmed loyalty rewards for returning Forza players, who will receive vehicles such as the 2021 Mercedes-AMG One and 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray after completing the introductory Tokyo City race. The complete can be found below:

• Forza Motorsport – 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
• Forza Horizon 5 – 2021 Mercedes-AMG ONE
• Forza Horizon 4 – 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan
• Forza Horizon 3 – 2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4
• Forza Horizon 2 – 2014 Lamborghini Huracán LP-610-4
• Forza Horizon – 2013 Dodge SRT Viper GTS

Early access for Premium Edition owners begins on May 15th.

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KitGuru says: Are you jumping on Forza Horizon 6 as soon as it releases?

Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have reportedly initiated the pre-development phase for DDR6 memory substrates. The major memory manufacturers have requested that substrate partners begin designing components based on partial design data, including early specifications for memory thickness, stack-up structures, and wiring, to prepare prototypes for validation.

The report, from The Elec (via TechPowerUP), states that this collaboration began recently. The joint development between memory and substrate companies typically starts more than two years before a product's launch.

While the JEDEC standard for DDR6 has not yet been finalised (work on it started in 2024), the race to establish the standard is accelerating due to increasing bandwidth demands from the AI sector. DDR6 is expected to deliver a significant performance uplift over DDR5, with target data transfer speeds ranging from 8.8Gbps to 17.6Gbps. This increase is supported by a shift to a 4×24-bit sub-channel architecture, a change from the 2×32-bit structure utilised by DDR5. To address signalling challenges at these higher frequencies, the industry is exploring the use of CAMM2 technology to overcome the physical limitations of traditional DIMM form factors.

Current industry estimates project the commercialisation of DDR6 in 2028 or later, with server platforms expected to lead the transition.

KitGuru says: Do you think the memory market will be better by the time DDR6 launches?

Enad Global 7 has announced that Far Far West, the recently released stylized western co-op action title developed by Evil Raptor and published by Fireshine Games, has surpassed 500,000 units sold. The milestone was reached during its first weekend following the Steam Early Access launch on April 28th.

According to the press release, the title secured over 100,000 sales within the first 24 hours of availability. The game has remained among the top 5 best-selling titles on Steam since its debut. Enad Global 7 reports that more than 700,000 accumulated wishlists were in place before the launch.

Far Far West is a 1-4 player cooperative shooter where players control bounty hunters fighting supernatural enemies. The game features randomised encounters and progression systems, with a loop akin to that of Helldivers 2. Developer Evil Raptor intends to continue development through the Early Access period with content updates and feature expansions based on community feedback.

User reception on Steam currently sits at 97% positive ratings from over 17,000 reviews, putting it at “Overwhelmingly Positive”. Player engagement reached more than 47,000 concurrent users (via SteamDB) during the launch weekend.

KitGuru says: Have you tried Far Far West already? Are you enjoying the game? Do you think it deserves the praise it's getting?

Noctua has published a technical blog detailing why chromax.black versions of its fans often launch months or years after the standard brown and beige models. The company attributes these delays to the complex engineering required when introducing new pigments into the injection moulding process, which can alter material properties and disrupt the tolerances of its designs.

According to Noctua, its fans are designed with extremely tight tip clearances between the impeller and the frame, measuring approximately 0.5mm for 120mm fans and 0.7mm for 140mm fans. The company states that introducing third-party pigments can disrupt the structure of its Sterrox liquid-crystal polymer (LCP). Noctua claims that pigment particles possess unique characteristics that affect the behavior of the molten plastic during injection moulding, potentially leading to microscopic structural changes.

The manufacturer compares the process to the precision required in Formula 1 engineering rather than a simple aesthetic change. These material variations reportedly impact the results of Noctua's lab performance testing, necessitating extensive re-evaluation to ensure the black versions match the performance of the original designs.

Noctua confirmed it is currently preparing the chromax.black version of the NF-A12x25 G2, scheduled for release approximately 10 months after the launch of the original model. By comparison, the first-generation NF-A12x25 chromax.black took three years to reach the market, a delay the company attributed to a combination of engineering hurdles and pandemic-related logistical issues.

KitGuru says: Have you ever wondered why the Noctua chromax.black fans take so much longer to release? 

AOC has launched the Q27G4KDP OLED gaming monitor in China, featuring a dual-mode design that lets users switch between QHD at 540Hz and HD at 720Hz.

According to DisplaySpecifications, the AOC Q27G4KDP uses LG's 4th-generation OLED panel with a 4-stack Primary RGB Tandem structure and AGLR (anti-glare low reflection) technology. The 27-inch WOLED panel provides native 10-bit colour, 99.5% DCI-P3 gamut coverage, and a factory-calibrated average ΔE < 2. According to AOC, the monitor achieves a peak brightness of 1500 nits in HDR highlights and carries the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification. For eye comfort, the unit incorporates hardware low-blue-light technology and is TÜV-certified as flicker-free.

AOC specifies a grey-to-grey response time of 0.02ms. The Q27G4KDP is officially NVIDIA G-Sync compatible and features VESA ClearMR 21000 certification. Integrated gaming tools include Dark Field Control, Game Color, crosshair overlays, dynamic reticle options, and a real-time frame-rate counter.

Connectivity includes DisplayPort 2.1 and two HDMI 2.1 ports, along with USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and an audio output. The included stand provides height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. Software features include Picture-in-Picture, Picture-by-Picture, and customisation via AOC G-Menu.

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KitGuru says: The Q27G4KDP seems to be a more affordable alternative to the AGON Pro AGP277QKD, offering pretty much the same feature set in a more basic-looking package.

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era has recouped its entire development budget within 24 hours of its Steam Early Access launch. Developer Unfrozen and publisher Hooded Horse confirmed the milestone following the game's release on April 30th, which saw the title surpass 250,000 copies sold during its first day on sale.

The game launched to a “Very Positive” reception on Steam, maintaining a 89% positive rating across almost 5,000 user reviews (at the time of writing). According to developer data, the title reached a concurrent player peak of over 50,000 users shortly after its debut. Before launch, Olden Era had secured a position in the top 10 most-wishlisted games on Steam, accumulating over 1.5 million wishlists.

Unfrozen stated in a Steam announcement that the launch success exceeded internal expectations. The studio noted that the initial release includes the first act of the narrative campaign, six playable factions (Temple, Necropolis, Sylvan, Dungeon, Hive, and an unrevealed sixth faction), and multiple multiplayer modes.

The project features creative advisory from series creator Jon Van Caneghem and music by original composer Paul Romero. While the game has met its development financial targets, Unfrozen intends to use Early Access feedback to address initial player reports on AI balancing and to complete the remaining campaign acts.

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KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Heroes of Might and Magic? Have you already tried the latest title? Is it a return to its former glory?

LG has introduced two new OLED gaming monitors, the 31.5-inch 32GX870B-B and the 44.5-inch 45GX950B-B, both scheduled for release in June 2026. These displays feature high refresh rates, integrated AI-based enhancements, and advanced panel technologies, with the 32-inch model using Tandem OLED technology to achieve higher brightness levels.

The 32GX870B-B (via Guru3D) features a 4K OLED panel that supports refresh rates up to 240Hz at native resolution. LG states the monitor includes an alternative Full HD mode capable of reaching 480Hz. According to the specifications, the display delivers a peak brightness of 1,500 nits and 99.5% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. The panel provides a response time of 0.03ms.

The 45GX950B-B utilises a 44.5-inch curved panel with an 800R curvature and a resolution of 5120×2160. LG confirms the monitor supports refresh rates up to 165Hz at native resolution and up to 330Hz at lower resolutions. The unit is rated at 1,300 nits peak brightness and covers 98.5% of the DCI-P3 colour space.

Both models support Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and include AI-based features such as AI upscaling for lower-resolution content, AI Sound Optimization, and scene recognition for dynamic adjustments. Connectivity options for these units include DisplayPort (2.1), HDMI, USB-C, and integrated USB hubs. Also, these monitors are both DisplayHDR True Black 400-certified and feature ergonomic tilt/height/swivel stands, with the one on the 32GX870B also allowing pivoting. LG has set the pricing at approximately $1,380 for the 32GX870B-B and $1,980 for the 45GX950B-B.

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KitGuru says: Of these two new LG monitors, which would you choose?

AMD has submitted a series of Linux kernel patches to the AMDGPU driver that introduce support for the HDMI 2.1 Fixed Rate Link (FRL) feature. The move follows years of rejection from the HDMI Forum regarding open-source implementations of the standard. This initial support enables higher bandwidth for Radeon GPUs on Linux, supporting resolutions such as 4K at 120Hz and 5K at 240Hz.

As noted by AMD Linux engineer Harry Wentland (via Phoronix), AMD had developed the code in 2024. Still, the HDMI Forum previously blocked its release, citing concerns about exposing proprietary intellectual property in open-source stacks. 

The current patch set submitted by Wentland implements FRL signalling, replacing the legacy TMDS mechanism used in HDMI 2.0. While FRL support has passed representative compliance testing, other HDMI 2.1 features such as Display Stream Compression (DSC) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) are currently in testing and will be submitted in future updates.

The patches are now under review on the Linux kernel mailing list. If approved, the code is expected to be integrated into the Linux v7.2 kernel release. This implementation would allow Linux users to access the full 48Gbps bandwidth of the HDMI 2.1 standard without relying on closed-source firmware or third-party workarounds.

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KitGuru says: With the Steam Machine supposedly right around the corner, this update comes right on time, allowing the console to be on par with equivalent Windows systems.

The Steam Hardware and Software Survey for April 2026 confirms that Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs now account for 10.8% of surveyed desktop systems. When including laptop variants, the Blackwell architecture's total market share reaches 13.41%. The data also marks the first appearance of the GeForce RTX 5050 and AMD’s RDNA 4-based Radeon RX 9070 in the primary GPU table.

According to Valve’s latest figures, the RTX 5070 is the most popular desktop entry in the series at 2.86%, followed by the RTX 5060 at 2.57%. Other desktop listings include the RTX 5060 Ti (1.81%), RTX 5070 Ti (1.62%), RTX 5080 (1.37%), and the flagship RTX 5090 (0.41%). The newly listed RTX 5050 holds a 0.16% share. On the AMD side, the Radeon RX 9070 debuted at 0.17%, while the RX 7800 XT remains the highest-ranked modern Radeon desktop card at 1.22%.

The survey also recorded the Apple M2 as a new entry in the video card category with a 1.77% share. Valve has not provided specific details regarding this addition, though it may reflect updates to Steam’s hardware detection or shifts in Mac user sampling.

VRAM distribution trends show a shift toward higher capacities. The 16GB category saw a 1.98-point increase, bringing its total to 23.51%. While the 8GB category remains the most common configuration at 26.76%, it declined by 0.76 points from the previous month.

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KitGuru says: Do these figures match your expectations regarding the consumer PC hardware market share?

A benchmark entry for AMD's Ryzen AI 5 435G has appeared in the Geekbench database, marking the first public performance data for the upcoming Ryzen AI 400 desktop series.

The Ryzen AI 5 435G is a 6-core, 12-thread APU designed for the AM5 socket. AMD specifications list the chip with a 2.0GHz base clock, a boost frequency up to 4.5GHz, and a 65W TDP. The unit features Radeon 840M integrated graphics based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture with 4 compute units, alongside an XDNA 2 NPU rated for up to 50 TOPS.

According to the Geekbench entry shared by @Olrak29_ (via VideoCardz), the processor achieved a single-core score of 2620 and a multi-core score of 10594. The log indicates the CPU reached a maximum frequency of 4094MHz during the test, which sits below the official 4.5GHz boost specification. The entry also confirms a hybrid-style core configuration featuring two CPU clusters: one with 2 cores and another with 4 cores. The processor was tested on a JGINYUE B850M Snow Dream WIFI motherboard equipped with 32GB of memory and running Windows 11.

Compared to public performance averages, the Ryzen AI 5 435G single-core score of 2620 slightly exceeds the Ryzen 5 8600G average of 2493. Multi-core performance is comparable to the 8600 G's 10857 points, though it trails the 8-core Ryzen 7 8700G, which averages 13478 points. AMD previously confirmed that Ryzen AI 400 series desktop systems are expected to be available from OEMs starting in Q2 2026.

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KitGuru says: Considering the maximum frequency was slightly below its specifications, we assume the chip will probably score higher once it hits retail.