Alienware unveiled some new gaming displays today, with the large flagship new UltraWide monitor in the Alienware 38 Gaming Monitor. Check it out:

We have a huge 37.5-inch Fast IPS Nano Color panel with a native resolution of 3840 x 1600 and super-smooth refresh rate of 144Hz. Alienware ticks enough boxes for NVIDIA to give it the NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate stamp of approval, with this monitor being perfect to get coupled with the new GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card.

Alienware uses its unique "Legend" design aesthetic here with the Alienware 38 Gaming Monitor, with customizable lighting that can be tweaked by the user -- or it can be tweaked to react to in-game events. There's also an ambient light sensor that will adjust screen brightness automatically depending on the lighting in your room.

AMD just launched its Zen 3-powered Ryzen 5000 series CPUs and teased its next-gen RDNA 2-based Radeon RX 6000 series graphics cards -- and now, rumor has it AMD is about to acquire Xilinx.

The news is coming from The Wall Street Journal, which says that its sources saying that AMD is in "advanced talks" to acquire Xilinx. This would be a gigantic deal, and the WSJ says that the deal could be closed as soon as next week. The news comes weeks after GPU competitor to AMD, NVIDIA, acquired ARM for $40 billion.

AMD has made its next-gen Zen 3 architecture official, unveiling its new Ryzen 5000 series CPUs (skipping over the desktop Ryzen 4000 nomenclature).

The new second-best Ryzen 5000 series CPU is the Ryzen 9 5900X processor, a new 12-core/24-thread chip with a base CPU clock of 3.7GHz and boost of up to 4.8GHz. AMD is pricing the new Ryzen 9 5900X at $549, $50 more than the Ryzen 9 3900XT but crushing it in performance.

But where the majority of the performance is coming from is in the huge IPC uplift with the tweaked Zen 3 architecture, which delivers some truly magic 1080p gaming performance. It delivers a solid uplift of performance over Intel's flagship Core i9-10900K, so if you were waiting for Zen 3 to drop and didn't get Intel's new 10th Gen Core CPU then the Ryzen 9 5900X is a beast for $549.

NZXT introduced a new Z490 motherboard, which includes a shield covering the entire PCB and gives it a minimalist look. It's the perfect compliment to NZXT's minimalist case designs.

The N7 Z490 is a relatively simple Z490 motherboard. NZXT said it built the board "for builders." It emphasized that it optimized the location of ports and connectors to simplify assembly. The N7 Z490 doesn't come packed with the bells and whistles we often see on modern boards. It offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth V5.1, and RBG lighting headers that you can control with NXZT CAM software.

The most notable feature about the NZXT N7 Z490 is the full-cover shroud that comes with the board. These covers give the board a super clean look that matches the interior design of NZXT's computer case. NZXT offers black and white options to suit your preference.

Corsair today announced a new line of super fast high-capacity solid state drives. The new MP400 Gen 3 m.2 PCIe SSD series is available in capacities up to 8TB. That's a lot of room for games!

Corsair's MP400 drives boast up to 3,4000MB/sec sequential read and 3,000MB/sec sequential write speeds. These drives aren't as quick as some of the new Gen 4 SSDs that you can get these days, but they lack in blistering speed and make up in capacity. The MP400 drives come in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB sizes. Corsair used high-density 3D QLC NAND memory to enable such high storage capacity.

Each Corsair MP400 SSD includes a license for Corsair SSD Toolbox, which enables you to update the drive's firmware from your desktop. The software also offers a secure erase feature, which would be handy if you ever sell your drive. The drives also include a five year replacement warranty.

Sony will sunset the digital purchase of PS3, PSP, and PS Vita games on mobile and PC desktop storefronts, sources tell Planet Vita.

According to a new unverified press release, Sony may stop selling legacy PS3, PS Vita, and PSP games on its digital PlayStation Store on its mobile and desktop web stores. Sony will also stop selling avatars, themes, and apps on mobile and web storefronts.

The change is coming as early as October 19, and the release says the only way to purchase this content is from within each respective device. PS3 games must be purchased from PS3 consoles, PSP games from a PSP, and PS Vita games from a Vita. PS4 users can still purchase avatars, themes, and apps via the console-based PlayStation Store on the PS4 system.

Square Enix is pushing into the most lucrative and consumer-friendly business practices as it readies next-gen titles.

Today Square Enix confirmed Outriders, the explosive new multiplayer sci-fi shooter from Bulletstorm developer People Can Fly, has been delayed to February 2021. The news comes with a welcome surprise though: The game will have full cross-play between all platforms, including PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, PS5 and Xbox Series X. The game is also getting free next-gen upgrades, and anyone who buys Outriders on PS4 and Xbox One will get enhancements on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S at no cost.

Outriders is now the second Square Enix game to support cross-play and free next-gen upgrades (the first was Marvel's Avengers). The difference here is that Outriders isn't a live service game. It has online drop-in, drop-out co-op but it's not monetized with microtransactions--unlike Avengers, which has tons of cosmetic mTX.

Ubisoft's online medieval fantasy brawler For Honor is the latest game to get free upgrades on next-gen consoles.

Today Ubisoft continued its promise of free next-gen upgrades for current-gen players. The publisher's long-running For Honor will get substantial enhancements on PS5 and Xbox Series X including 4K resolution (1080p 60FPS on Xbox Series S), 60FPS gameplay, and a bevy of visual upgrades. Anyone who owns the PS4 or Xbox One version of For Honor will get these enhancements via online updates free of charge. Oddly enough, fast-loading wasn't highlighted in the announcement.

Any content that's unlocked on current-gen systems will also carry forward as Ubisoft confirms cross-save/cross-gen progression. Ubisoft has yet to confirm cross-gen support, but expect this to happen at some point. We're also betting cross-play will be available soon too in order to maximize player engagement.

Today Antec announced the DP502 FLUX PC case, a mid-tower chassis that brings substantial cooling and space for just $69.99.

Antec's new DP502 FLUX PC case is the latest in the company's F-LUX line, which emphasizes temperature control. The DP502 makes good on Antec's promise with 5x 120mm built-in fans, including 3x ARGB fans in the front, 1x fan in the rear for exhaust, and one reverse fan above the PSU shroud to help cool the installed GPU. The case can also fit up to 9x 120mm fans.

The DP502 can fit full-sized GPUs including tri-fan cards, and has GPU clearance of up to 402mm in length, and up to 360mm radiators in the front ant top, with enough space for a 120mm radiator in the rear. The tempered glass panel ensures your build can shine from afar, and a built-in LED controller makes RGB fan installation a breeze. There's room for up to 7 drives; 3x 3.5-inch drives, 2x 2.5-inch drives, and room for a 5.25-inch optical disc drive.

aNetherealm confirms anyone who owns Mortal Kombat 11 on PS4 and Xbox One will get free next-gen upgrades on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Mortal Kombat 11 is getting re-released for the third time with a $59.99 ultimate collection that bundles Kombat Pack 1 (Shang Tsung, Nightwolf, Sindel, The Joker, T-800, Spawn) and the newly announced Kombat Pack 2 (Mileena, Rambo, Rain) alongside the Aftermath expansion. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is coming to PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, and as a next-gen SKU on PS5, Xbox Series X consoles on November 17.

The next-gen upgrades won't be locked to Ultimate purchases, and you don't have to re-buy the game in order to get the upgrades. Netherrealm confirms Mortal Kombat 11 will be optimized to support upscaled 4K res on next-gen systems, as well as utilize blistering-fast load times compared to the sluggish HDD transitions/startups. Cross-gen support is also added in "select modes" but we're betting classic online VS battles are supported.

As $70 becomes the new normal for next-gen games, Microsoft's Game Pass becomes an attractive alternative to full game purchases. Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg really underlines the value of the service with a simple, yet telling, response to the price hike.

Games are about to jump from $59.99 to $69.99, and they'll likely stay there for the new gen. Will Microsoft jump its games to $70? Arguably the company doesn't need to. Game Pass is sparking full game sales along with consistent monetization and long-term subscription revenues. If anyone could avoid raising prices, it's Microsoft.

At the same time, Microsoft has a vested interest in raising prices. Not only do they get more money per sale, but they also add more value to Game Pass by proxy. Higher game MSRP will push more users to Game Pass where they can instead lease and sample a collection of games for less cost. It seems like a win-win for Microsoft.

AMD has just unveiled their next-gen Zen 3 architecture that will power next-gen Ryzen CPUs, but AMD did have just "one more thing" for gamers... a big tease of its next-gen Radeon.

During the Zen 3 reveal event, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su confirmed that the new RDNA 2-powered cards will be the Radeon RX 6000 series. There are no model numbers just yet -- so we could have the Radeon RX 6700 XT, or the rumored Radeon RX 6900 XT -- or something totally different.

AMD simply confirmed 'Radeon RX 6000 series'.

NVIDIA has just released its new GeForce Game Ready 456.71 WHQL drivers, which are optimized for the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PC Beta coming on October 15.

The new drivers also enable NVIDIA Reflex in the beta, something that NVIDIA will be driving home with GeForce gamers in the coming months and into 2021. NVIDIA Reflex reduces system latency, which is a key part of having the absolute fastest response time between you (the gamer), your input (the mouse) and your display and the game.

Grab the new NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready 456.71 WHQL drivers here.

HTC revealed yet another version of its Vive Pro VR headset. The new Vive Pro Secure has been modified to operate in secure locations that require Authority to Operate (ATO), which means government agencies can now deploy VR installations in classified sites.

HTC partnered with PNY Technologies to modify the Vive Pro to comply with ATO requirements, including restricting the radios, cameras, and wireless communication hardware. Vive Pro Secure doesn't have eye-tracking sensors either.

HTC designed the Vive Pro Secure to work in offline environments with no internet access. It operates on an Offline SteamVR Library that does not send or receive data through the internet, even if the computer has an internet connection.

If I was someone with power at Sony, I would be pushing for some of these custom PlayStation 5 consoles to become real -- and more than just a beautiful 3D render.

Our friends at LetsGoDigital have got some beautiful photos from their in-house digital artist Giuseppe 'Snoreyn' Spinelli, who has got a beautiful PS5 Spider-Man Miles Morales Edition console. And man, does it look good.

The slick PS5 Spider-Man Miles Morales Edition console has been infused with the sleek design of the regular PS5, but has been splashed on both sides with the Spider-Man Miles Morales aesthetic -- with an entire spider web across the PlayStation 5 with a beautiful glossy finish.

Zappar today launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund its third-generation smartphone-based mixed reality headset. All-new ZapBox, as Zapper calls it, includes a headset and motion controllers for just $40.

Zappar has been around since 2011 and has previously shipped two smartphone-based AR products. In 2016, the company shipped the first ZapBox, a mixed reality product made of cardboard to keep it affordable. Zapper followed that up with a flat-pack version the years later. The third iteration of the ZapBox ditches the box altogether. As Zapper put it, they have "made the leap from 'cardware' to hardware."

All-new ZapBox is a relatively simple device. It consists of a rigid head strap with a mechanical adjustment system. Curiously, the headset doesn't include an enclosure. Instead, it offers a suspension system that holds your phone in front of your eyes. The unique design allows you to see your phone screen and the world around you without limiting your natural field of view. The package also includes a pair of 6-DoF motion controllers, each with a single trigger for input.

It was only yesterday that I reported about Intel's next-gen Rocket Lake family of processors being debuting in March 2021 -- but we woke up to Intel themselves confirming it.

John Bonini (who is the Vice President and General Manager of Client Computing Group Desktop, Workstation, and Gaming at Intel) has confirmed in a new blog post that Intel will be launching its 11th Gen Core series (codename Rocket Lake) in Q1 2021.

Intel's new 11th Gen Core range of CPUs will be the first to support PCIe 4.0, something that has been a point that AMD has had over Intel for over a year now. On top of that, Intel announced this news in the 24 hours before AMD's big reveal of Zen 3.

The Xbox Series X|S' current 1TB expandable storage cards are expensive at $219, but Microsoft confirms multiple cards will be available eventually.

The Series X/Series S's internal 1TB SSD isn't actually 1TB; after formatting, it shrinks to 931GB, and drops down to ~800GB after OS and reserved space. That's enough for a handful of Call of Duty Warzone installs. Right now $219 Seagate expansion cards only option to increase the Series X/S's storage and maintain next-gen performance...but Microsoft says this will change in the future.

In a recent Major Nelson podcast, Xbox's Jason Ronald confirms more next-gen storage options are coming from other OEMs. We'll see more manufacturers roll out varying sizes and prices that all maintain and mirror the 2.4GB/sec speeds of the console's internal NVMe M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD. Among these should be options above 1TB and push into 2TB territory...but these could end up costing as much as the console itself.

As we predicted a long time ago, the PlayStation 5's overall shape and design is dictated by cooling. The console's rather massive 15 inch x 10 inch size allows ample real estate for critical cooling components like the big 120mm centrifugal fan and a unique heat sink design.

Today's PlayStation 5 teardown finally revealed the console's most important technical feat: Cooling. Sony spared no expense on this front. The company spent five years designing the PS5, two of which were spent designing the liquid metal compound solution, which can conduct 86% more heat and thereby significantly drop operating temperatures while under demanding loads. Liquid metal compound isn't much without a proper heat sink though; improved conductivity is meaningless unless you have a proper system in place to properly dissipate the heat.

Thankfully the PS5 also has a massive heat sink designed for this purpose.

It's official: The PS5 uses a new high-end liquid metal compound solution to significantly reduce operational temperatures under load.

Today's PlayStation 5 teardown reveals tons of info about the console's cooling solution. Mark Cerny wasn't kidding when he said the PS5's heat mitigation would make us "very happy". The system uses a massive dual-sided, 120mm diameter and 45mm thick intake fan that pulls air from both sides of the console in conjunction with a unique liquid metal thermal compound to keep the PS5 cool while under stressful loads.

The PS5 uses three main components to manage heat: