Valve’s new Steam Machine launched this month with a $1050 price tag, a figure that initially drew criticism but may not seem so insane by the time next-gen consoles roll out. Analysts now suggest that this pricing may be an early indication of where the next Xbox and PlayStation consoles are heading, as rising component costs continue to impact the hardware market.

As highlighted in VGC’s report, analysts from across the industry, including commentary originally published by GI.biz, warn that rising DRAM and NAND flash costs could push next‑generation consoles over the $1000 mark. Kantan Games CEO Dr. Serkan Toto described $1000 as the new “floor” for high‑end hardware built around modern memory and storage requirements.

Steam Machine’s pricing is being used as a reference point. As previously reported here at KitGuru, Valve struggled to secure “any components at any price” during development, contributing to the system’s unexpectedly high cost. With memory and SSD prices still climbing, analysts believe console makers will encounter similar pressures when designing their next‑gen systems.

Historically, consoles have been sold at a small loss, with platform holders recouping that money through first-party software sales and up to a 30% cut of third-party software sales. However, the market has shifted toward free‑to‑play and live‑service titles, reducing the certainty that hardware losses can be recovered through traditional game purchases. This makes aggressive hardware subsidisation less likely than in previous generations.

Right now, Microsoft has confirmed that it is working on Project Helix, the codename for the next Xbox. Sony is also currently working on the PlayStation 6, but we have no idea yet when either console will release. Prior reports suggested the PS6 could be delayed beyond 2028 due to component costs, but with Microsoft seems eager to move on from the Series X/S generation and is reportedly planning to launch sooner, perhaps as early as 2027.

KitGuru Says: If current component trends continue, next‑gen consoles may be far more expensive than players expect.

Qualcomm has introduced its first-ever CPU designed for Data Centers, the Dragonfly C1000, which leverages the Oryon architecture. Qualcomm Enters The Agentic AI CPU Race With Dragonfly C1000 Chip, Oryon-Based With Over 5 GHz Clocks, Over 250 Cores, & Aims To Achieve Single-Core Leadership One of the biggest announcements by Qualcomm today was its first release of a CPU for the data center segment, called the Dragonfly C1000. This is a chip purpose-built for Agentic AI & General-Purpose workloads, delivering best-in-class power efficiency and TCO. As per Qualcomm, the Dragonfly C1000 is based on a custom-designed Oryon core architecture that […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/qualcomm-single-core-leadership-first-server-cpu-dragonfly-c1000-250-cores-5-ghz-2028/

Scythe is preparing to launch a new affordable CPU cooler – the SCMR-1000, better known as the Magoroku. First teased at the end of last year, this dual-tower heatsink is finally nearing its retail debut with a price tag that takes direct aim at the current budget kings.

As noted by Cowcotland, despite the entry-level pricing, Scythe hasn't skimped on the aesthetic or extras. The Magoroku features a clean design topped with black fin plates on each tower for a more premium finish. The bundle is surprisingly generous, including not only the standard mounting hardware but also an additional set of fan clips, allowing users to “think big” and add a third 120mm fan for a triple-push-pull configuration.

Standing at 155mm tall in its standard form, the Magoroku is relatively compact for a dual-tower design, making it compatible with a wide range of mid-tower chassis. While the default height suggests a 35mm limit for RAM modules, the front fan can be offset to accommodate larger kits, though this will increase the total cooler height up to roughly 177mm. The heatsink uses six 6mm nickel-plated heat pipes and a nickel-plated copper base.

For active cooling, Scythe is leaning on its latest Wonder Tornado 120mm PWM fans. These 26mm-thick units use an FDB (fluid dynamic bearing) and spin up to 2000 RPM, delivering a rated airflow of 60.29 CFM.

Socket compatibility is quite vast, covering AMD's AM4/AM5 and Intel's LGA 115x, 1200, 1700, and 1851. Moreover, Scythe includes a 1g syringe of 4.0 W/mK thermal paste rather than a single-use package.

KitGuru says: Have you used a Scythe cooler before? Were you happy with it for its price?