We may finally see the cheapest RDNA 4 GPU in the market soon, and it will be available in two memory configurations. ASRock Quietly Adds RX 9050 Challenger 4 GB and 8 GB GPUs to its Arsenal; 1024 Shaders, and Up To 2600 MHz The Radeon RX 9050 made its first appearance last year on a Mexican retailer, and that was one of its first impressions on the internet. While AMD's board partners have revealed the new GPU, AMD took some time to bring the official webpage for the GPU. However, we did see some reliable info on the GPU [β¦]
be quiet! has announced the new Light Loop IO LCD all in one liquid CPU cooler. The new cooler is built for users who want strong cooling performance, quiet operation, and a stylish look inside their PC. It will be available in both 240 mm and 360 mm sizes, with black and white color options.
The biggest highlight is the 2.1 inch IPS display on the pump block. The screen has a 480 x 480 resolution with 500 nits brightness, allowing users to display system information, custom images, or even short videos while the PC is running.
The cooler is designed for high-end processors and overclocked systems. It uses a specially designed jet plate to improve coolant flow and a dense fin stack to remove heat more efficiently. The updated pump is also made to reduce noise, helping the system stay quiet even under heavy workloads.
Cooling is handled by Light Wings LX PWM high speed fans, which feature bright ARGB lighting and airflow focused fan blades. The fans use a daisy chain design to reduce cable clutter, while hidden fan cables along the tubes help keep the build looking clean.
An included IO Controller makes installation easier by carrying both power and data through a single cable. The controller can be attached inside the case with magnets, and the cooler also includes flexible sleeved tubes and an easy refill port with coolant for longer service life.
The updated IO Center software gives users more control over lighting, fan speeds, and the LCD display. It supports custom backgrounds, real time hardware monitoring, and onboard memory, so saved settings remain active even when the software is not running.
be quiet! also offers IO Center Web, which works through most Chromium based browsers on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This allows users to adjust many settings without installing additional software or requiring administrator access.
be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD series pricing and availability
The be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD series will be available starting August 11. The 360 mm models start at $249.90, while the 240 mm models start at $224.90. Every model is backed by a 3 year manufacturer warranty.
The GPU prices have started climbing upwards as NVIDIA announces higher price for memory kits. GIGABYTE RTX 5060 Sees a Sudden $75 Price Hike in China, and More GPUs Will Likely Get Affected Similarly Very recently, it was reported that NVIDIA has notified its board partners about a price hike for its memory kits. It appears that the change has already started to affect GPU prices. The RTX 50 series currently sits at a 20-30% higher price than the pre-RAMpocalypse period, with higher-end GPUs selling for much higher than their usual prices. Prices for budget RTX 50 series cards still [β¦]
AMD's Instinct MI455X GPUs extend the company's AI roadmap, bringing leading HBM4 capacities and over 40 PFLOPs of compute for Agentic AI, rivaling NVIDIA's Rubin chip. AMD Has An Answer To NVIDIA's Rubin, It's Called Instinct MI455X & It's An Engineering Marvel For Agentic AI With More HBM4 Than Any Other AI Chip On The Planet The AMD Instinct MI455X is the GPU that will power the Helios AI rack. This GPU is based on the latest CDNA 5 architecture and is made using TSMC's 2nm and 3nm process technologies. The chip packs 320 billion transistors, just 16 billion transistors [β¦]
Phanteks has officially expanded its Phanteks XT Series lineup with three new ATX gaming chassis: the XT M5, XT V5, and XT V5-LCD. First showcased during Computex 2026, the new cases are designed to deliver high-end hardware support in a compact footprint, making them ideal for gamers who want a clean-looking desktop build without sacrificing cooling performance.
All three models feature a redesigned internal layout that supports a standard 360 mm radiator alongside a full-size ATX power supply despite their compact size. They also include an integrated GPU support bracket for added graphics card stability and come equipped with pre-installed ARGB cooling out of the box.
Phanteks XT Series Built for powerful cooling and modern hardware
The new XT Series cases are designed to handle todayβs demanding gaming components while maintaining a smaller desktop footprint. Every model includes one 120 mm rear S25 ARGB fan and a 360 mm single-frame S25 ARGB fan assembly, providing strong airflow immediately after installation.
The chassis also support high-speed front I/O with USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C and USB 3.0 ports, generous cable management space, motherboard and Nexlinq ARGB lighting compatibility, and dedicated support for a 360 mm radiator mounted at the top.
XT M5 focuses on airflow
The Phanteks XT M5 is built for users who prioritize cooling performance. It features a full mesh front panel that maximizes airflow while three pre-installed 120 mm S25 ARGB fans mounted in a unified frame provide efficient intake cooling.
The case supports up to ten 120 mm fans in total, making it an excellent choice for high-performance gaming systems and overclocked hardware.
XT V5 offers a showcase design
The XT V5 replaces the mesh front with tempered glass panels on both the front and side, giving users a clear view of their internal components and RGB lighting.
Its three pre-installed 120 mm S25 ARGB fans are positioned at the bottom to deliver direct airflow to the graphics card, balancing cooling performance with an eye-catching presentation.
XT V5-LCD adds a built-in display
The XT V5-LCD includes all the features of the standard XT V5 while adding a built-in 7-inch LCD display. The screen can be customized through the Phanteks Nexlinq application for Windows, allowing users to display system information, animations, or personalized graphics directly on the case.
Key features
Compact ATX gaming chassis with a space-saving desktop footprint
Support for up to 10 (XT M5) or 7 (XT V5/XT V5-LCD) 120 mm fans
Pre-installed S25 ARGB fans with one 120 mm rear fan and one 360 mm unified-frame fan assembly
Dedicated top-mounted 360 mm radiator support
Integrated GPU support bracket
USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C and USB 3.0 front I/O
Spacious cable management design
Motherboard and Nexlinq ARGB lighting compatibility
Phanteks XT Series Pricing and availability
The Phanteks XT Series is rolling out globally, with availability varying by region.
Model
US Price
Europe
UK
XT M5
$79.99
β¬69.90
Β£59.90
XT V5
$79.99
β¬69.90
Β£59.90
XT V5-LCD
$109.99
β¬109.90
Β£99.90
The XT V5 is available now in multiple regions, while availability for the XT M5 and XT V5-LCD will vary depending on the market.
Akko has announced the U1 series, a new lineup of mechanical keyboard switches developed to celebrate the brand's 10th anniversary. These next-generation switches focus on providing enhanced smoothness and refined typing acoustics out of the box.
According to Akko, the entire U1 series uses a newly formulated POM blend that retains POM's self-lubricating properties while enhancing overall consistency. The switches incorporate a redesigned cylindrical stem and an optimized rail structure to deliver a lower-pitched, thocky sound profile. To further reduce spring ping and unwanted resonance, Akko pairs this assembly with an upgraded POM top housing.
The brand's highlighted switch in this ecosystem is the Creamy Yellow U1. This linear variant bridges the tactile feedback gap between the company's older V3 and V5 iterations, delivering stable performance across different keyboard form factors. For aesthetic appeal, it features an integrated light-guiding column that evenly diffuses PCB lighting. To simplify bulk keyboard assembly, Akko now packages the Creamy Yellow U1 in larger 100-switch boxes.
Other entries in the new lineup include the tactile Creamy Purple U1, which enhances stem stability and noise suppression. Linear users can also choose the Piano U1, an upgraded take on the V3 Pro Piano switch, or the speed-focused Crystal Silver U1. According to the product team, Akko intends to expand the U1 ecosystem with silent-oriented variations and pre-install them in upcoming keyboards, such as the 5075 V5.
The U1 series is now available, starting at Β£9.00/β¬11.89 for a 45-pack of Cream Purple U1 switches. The Piano U1 and Crystal Silver U1, both also in a 45-switch pack, are available for Β£13.00/β¬16.65. As for the 100-switch pack of Cream Yellow U1, these cost Β£18.00/β¬19.99.
KitGuru says: Have you used Akko's mechanical keyboard switches before? Do you prefer them to Kailh or CherryMX?Β
The Amazon Prime Video God of War TV series has hit a major snag as Kratos actor Ryan Hurst suffered an injury during production. More specifically, he reportedly tore a bicep in late June during a stunt (allegedly while carrying a tree); he has since undergone surgery, but the recovery period will take up to six months, making it unfeasible for the production to keep the actor. As such, the hard decision has been reversed to recast Kratos, partly because waiting for him would inevitably mean that young actorΒ Callum Vinson,Β who's playing Kratos's sonΒ Atreus, would outgrow the childlike appearance the producers [β¦]
A new Beta BIOS has dropped for several 600 and 800 series AMD ASUS motherboards, offering enhanced compatibility with DDR5 modules based on CXMT chips. ASUS Enhances CXMT Memory Compatibility With AMD 600 and 800 Series Motherboards Through Latest Beta BIOS There have been rapid developments around CXMT memory chips, as we see various motherboard and memory vendors optimizing their platforms for reaching higher clocks. Previously, we used to see CXMT-based DDR5 memory being capped at 6000 MT/s, but now they can easily go beyond 8000 MT/s, as has been demonstrated by various motherboard vendors. ASUS is one of those [β¦]
NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang, has arrived in Japan and will be holding key meetings with robotics partners to advance the Physical AI era ahead. Jensen Huang Arrives In The Birthplace of Humanoid Robots To Kickstart The Physical AI Era AI is a multi-domain market, and while Agentic AI is all the buzz these days, there's one other key market that is growing at a rapid pace with the evolution of AI: Physical AI. Robots are to Physical AI what humans are to Agentic AI. And NVIDIA has a vast robotics platform ready for the future. It is mainly powered by [β¦]
The company just dropped another connector-less motherboard, but with the micro-ATX form-factor for compact builds. GIGABYTE Releases B850M AORUS Stealth Motherboard, Featuring 12 Power Phase VRM, 4x DIMMs, Dual PCIe x16 Slots, While Keeping the Rest of the Connectors at the Back Popular hardware maker GIGABYTE is silently expanding its Stealth lineup with more motherboard models. GIGABYTE's Project Stealth was introduced back in 2022, and since then, it has added several motherboard models in the series, including 600 and 800 series motherboards with different chipsets. The company has now introduced a new Stealth motherboard called B850M AORUS Stealth, which introduces [β¦]
PC gaming handhelds have become a vibrant segment that is seeing continued innovations thanks to modern-day CPUs' ability to deliver outstanding performance and efficiency. All major hardware manufacturers are into the handheld craze. Compared to the first iteration of handhelds, these newest devices offer a lot of gaming performance backed up by unique designs and shapes/sizes that cater to all kinds of gamers. Now, Intel is goingΒ all-in on the gaming handheld segment, not just rebranding a chip made for power-efficient laptops, but introducing a purpose-built handheld SoC called the Arc G series. The first of these SoCs is called the [β¦]
AMD has been winning in Germany for a long time, but NVIDIA is back with the most sales as of June 2026. NVIDIA Ships 8% More GPUs Through Mindfactory, Taking Back the Lead, But AMD RX 9070 XT and RX 9060 XT are Still the Most Popular GPUs NVIDIA is back at the top this month, and it's because of the RTX 50 series. While the RTX 50 and RX 9000 series debuted in the same time frame, the majority of buyers preferred RDNA 4 GPUs in Germany, especially if we talk about the popular retailer, Mindfactory. The trend can [β¦]
The Chinese mini PC maker has debuted one more powerful mini PC, featuring a powerful Ryzen AI 400 series processor. GMKtec Debuts EVO-X1 Pro Mini PC, Equipped With Up To 64 GB Memory and 1 TB Configuration at $1471 Popular Chinese hardware and mini PC maker, GMKtec, is back again with another powerful mini PC. This time, the company introduced one of the latest Gorgon Point chips, offering powerful computing and local AI capabilities for enthusiasts. A few days ago, the company released EVO-X3, which was based on the flagship Strix Halo chip, i.e., Ryzen AI Max+ 395. Unlike the [β¦]
Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and thermal management solutions, has announced the launch of its new MasterFan A Series and MasterFan M Series cooling fans. Both fan series have received strong evaluations from Cybenetics Labs, earning recognition for their excellent airflow and static pressure performance.
Among all 120mm fans tested by Cybenetics to date, the MasterFan A120 and MasterFan M120 ranked among the best performers, particularly in static pressure generation. Both models achieved the prestigious Diamond rating, highlighting their impressive cooling capabilities.
The new fan series is available now in 120mm variants, while 140mm models are expected to launch at a later date.
MasterFan A Series
The MasterFan A Series was designed around Cooler Masterβs focus on delivering advanced thermal performance through material science, engineering precision, and system-level cooling efficiency.
Unlike traditional plastic fans, the MasterFan A Series features die-cast aluminum blades and a full aluminum frame. This construction allows the fan to maintain a precise 0.6mm blade-to-frame clearance, reducing air leakage and improving airflow efficiency when cooling radiators, heatsinks, and restricted case intakes.
The series is aimed at users who demand reliable cooling under heavy workloads, including content creators, AI developers, competitive gamers, and custom AIO enthusiasts.
A specially optimized 7-blade design uses wider and more aggressively angled blades to generate strong static pressure and focused airflow through demanding cooling environments.
To ensure long-term durability and smooth operation, Cooler Master has incorporated a proprietary three-piece blade structure, industrial-grade two-stage dynamic balancing, dual-ball bearings, and a three-phase, six-pole motor. These features help maintain stability despite the additional weight of aluminum blades.
Cooler Master MasterFan M Series
The MasterFan M Series offers a balance of performance, aesthetics, and compatibility for mainstream PC builders.
While it also features a rigid aluminum frame, the M Series uses lightweight LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) blades combined with Magnetic Dynamic Bearing (MDB) technology. This design helps reduce noise levels while delivering reliable long-term performance.
The series also includes ARGB Gen 2 lighting integrated into the center hub, allowing users to customize their systemβs appearance without sacrificing cooling performance.
Key Features
Full aluminum frame on both A Series and M Series models for improved rigidity and reduced flex.
Aluminum blades on the MasterFan A Series for maximum stability and consistent airflow under load.
LCP blades and Magnetic Dynamic Bearing technology on the MasterFan M Series for quieter operation and durability.
ARGB Gen 2 lighting on the MasterFan M Series for customizable visual effects.
Diamond-rated airflow and static pressure performance verified by Cybenetics Labs.
With the launch of the MasterFan A Series and MasterFan M Series, Cooler Master is offering PC builders two distinct cooling solutions: a premium, performance-focused option with the A Series and a feature-rich, visually appealing option with the M Series.
Cooler Master MasterFan A Series and MasterFan M Series Specifications
Zowie has introduced its new XQ esports monitor series, including the XQ2566X and XQ2766X. The lineup uses newly developed QHD Fast TN panels paired with a 360Hz refresh rate and the companyβs latest DyAc 3 motionβclarity technology.
Zowie says the new displays are designed for competitive players who prioritise motion resolution and latency. The XQ series also introduces a new Color Filter option, which adjusts colour balance to improve visibility in games with heavy visual overlays.
To streamline tournament setup, the monitors support Zowie Sync software and NFC TapβtoβShare, allowing players to transfer display profiles instantly. The stand uses an industrialβgrade bearing mechanism with an integrated Gβsensor for precise tilt and level detection, and each model ships with a magnetic hood for quick installation.
Two sizes will be available: the 24.1-inch XQ2566X, which launches at in Europe soon, followed by the 27-inch XQ2766X in a few months' time.
KitGuru says: While most are looking towards IPS or OLED monitors these days for better colour performance, there is still a place in the market for TN. In most cases, TN panels are preferred by esports players.Β
InWin has officially launched the Aeon, marking the company's 12th Signature Series chassis. First showcased at CES 2026, the premium full-tower enclosure features mirrored stainless steel, a seamless glass exterior, and an expandable frame design to accommodate high-end hardware.
The Aeon uses mirrored stainless steel panels treated with an anti-fingerprint coating, creating dynamic reflections that can be further enhanced by the case's and internal components' lighting. For structural rigidity, the foundation relies on a one-piece aluminium base manufactured by sand casting. Taking inspiration from the manufacturer's TΓ²u series, the enclosure incorporates five 5mm tempered glass panels bonded through UV-curing technology.
Component support is extensive, accommodating E-ATX motherboards, dual-PSU configurations, up to 8 PCIe expansion slots, and large graphics cards. Liquid cooling hardware options support radiators up to 420mm. To streamline system assembly and component replacement, builders can take advantage of a pull-out motherboard tray and an expandable chassis structure that opens up to 90ΒΊ.
Interactive elements include an RFID-enabled security system requiring a dedicated card for operation. An integrated LED display module handles multimedia playback and outputs real-time system monitoring metrics. Ambient lighting options round out the package, allowing users to choose between warm white and standard RGB illumination profiles.
The new variant is said to have been cancelled as the RTX 3060 12 GB has already entered the market. GeForce RTX 5050 9 GB GPU May Never Launch As NVIDIA Has Reportedly Cancelled or Delayed it The budget segment doesn't have many options from the current-gen NVIDIA and AMD series, which is why NVIDIA wanted to expand the RTX 50 series lineup with another variant of the GeForce RTX 5050. If you have been following reports surrounding the RTX 5050 with 9 GB VRAM, you might be aware that the GPU was supposedly delayed, but was still planned for [β¦]
Thermalright has expanded its power supply lineup with the introduction of the GM Series, featuring fully modular, 80 PLUS Gold-certified units. Available in 650W, 750W, and 850W capacities, the new series targets modern gaming and enthusiast configurations by adopting compact ATX form factors alongside updated hardware compatibility standards.
According to the company, the GM series models (via Vortez) comply with Intel's ATX 3.1 specification, enabling them to handle up to 200% power excursions. The two higher-capacity units also include a native 12V-2Γ6 connector to support PCIe 5.1 graphics cards. In contrast, the GM-650 comes with conventional PCIe power connectors instead. Colour options vary by model: the GM-750 and GM-850 are available in black and white, while the GM-650 is available only in black.
Thermalright builds the entire GM Series using a 150mm form factor equipped with a 120mm cooling fan. Internal components include a 105Β°C-rated Japanese primary capacitor, an LLC resonant circuit, and a DC-to-DC circuit design. Universal 100-240V AC input support is standard across the family. Safety features include a comprehensive suite of protection circuits, specifically OPP, OVP, OTP, OCP, SCP, and UVP. Thermalright backs the new GM power supplies with a five-year warranty.
KitGuru says: Thermalright continues to expand its component ecosystem, offering an accessible entry point into the ATX 3.1 standard with its new GM series.
The motherboard maker is introducing its proprietary memory optimization features for superior performance. Colorful Debuts Memory Tuning Mode, Claiming 4% Higher Average FPS in eSports Titles and Up To 10% Improvement in AIDA64 Benchmarks Major motherboard vendors have released their new memory and CPU optimization features for their motherboards. Colorful isn't lagging either and introduced a new memory optimization feature called Memory Tuning Mode. This specifically targets memory optimizations to improve performance in gaming and non-gaming workloads. As per IT Home, Colorful's Memory Tuning Mode is reserved for the Intel 800 series motherboards that are used by the Arrow Lake [β¦]