Latest News - Page 51

Xbox revs up the RPMs with its latest release, showing that consumers are willing to spend $120 to play specific games in early access.

Forza Horizon 6 looks to be a success on PC even before its official release. Microsoft's strategy of 5-day early access is apparently paying off in the new Forza game, at least on Steam.

According to SteamDB's tracked figures, Forza Horizon 6 has amassed over 172,000 players. Since those users have to pay a hefty $120 to even play FH6 right now, a quick bit of math shows that the game has made at least $20 million in gross sales revenue on Steam alone.

Thermal Grizzly has just added a delidded Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus to its TG Delidded CPUs lineup, which includes pre-delidded CPUs readily available for consumers to purchase. The Intel Arrow Lake Refresh CPU is priced at $525.33, including VAT, but for that price, Thermal Grizzly delids the CPU, cleans it, and even sands it a little bit for flush contact with the heatsink.

Intel's recommended selling price for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is $289-$299, so Thermal Grizzly is charging a significant premium for the added service. However, delidding a CPU is a difficult and risky process for most regular users, so if you want to avoid the risk and let the experts handle it for you, the extra $225 might be worth paying. What's important is that Thermal Grizzly provides its own warranty for the delidded CPU, since the process voids the manufacturer's warranty.

The pre-delidded CPU is meant for direct-die cooling, where the CPU cooler makes direct contact with the die rather than the heatspreader. This makes for even better heat transfer, since there are fewer obstacles between the die and the cooling solution (often a water block). The company claims that using liquid metal can reduce load temperatures by up to 22 °C, a significant improvement that can also lead to better overclocking numbers.

New reports suggest Microsoft is working on a new disc-to-digital conversion program for its next-gen Project Helix console PC hybrid.

It's believed that the next-gen Project Helix will be digital-only be default, meaning users won't actually be able to hook up a disc drive and play old Xbox games. This seems to go against the very core promise of the device itself--that it can play Xbox console games--however it also makes sense given Microsoft's aggressive digital-first business strategy.

If Project Helix is indeed digital-only, and it lacks the open-ended flexibility of Windows and doesn't allow users to hook up their own third-party disc drives, then it stands to reason Microsoft needs to find a way to preserve physical disc game libraries. That's where codename Positron comes in.

Sony's PlayStation division just reported record-breaking operating income...and the company now expects similar results for this fiscal year, even as it invests in its next-gen PS6.

PlayStation's latest FY25 results were a cause for celebration at Sony, with the games division pulling in a new all-time gross revenue record of $31 billion and a new operating profit high of $3 billion throughout the period. While that's a ~10% operating profit margin, Sony has increased its revenues and its operating income through FY25. Sony's Game & Network Services division had a double-digit 23.3% return on invested capital through FY25, up 4.8 pp from last year.

These records were in spite of the unpopular hardware price hikes and the lowest-ever console shipments in the PS5 generation set during the Q4'25 period, and would have been higher if PlayStation didn't make a $700 million+ impairment charge due to Bungie's shortfalls.

Following multiple years of heavy investment and lower returns, PlayStation is expected to deliver a strong 32.2% return on investment this year.

Sony's latest earnings results were triumphant for PlayStation, with record-breaking $31 billion revenue and $3.1 billion operating profit and a new all-time high of 125 million MAUs. Amidst the overperformance was a hefty $700 million+ impairment charge to Bungie's assets--two charges were made, one in Q2, likely due to Destiny 2's Edge of Fate missing expectations, and another in Q4, tied to Marathon's missed expectations.

It's not all doom and gloom for PlayStation, though. Far from it. Sony expects PlayStation to make even more operating profit in FY26, about $3.7 billion compared to last year's $3.1 billion. Another big overlooked metric is the division's return on invested capital (ROIC), which is exactly what it sounds like: Sony puts money in, the returns come out, and that's tracked as a %, denoting a certain level of business operating efficiency.

Two new Xbox controllers have leaked--a small, portable cloud controller and the next-gen premium Elite 3, which looks to be a descendant of Microsoft's Sebile prototype controller accidentally revealed during the FTC trial.

Microsoft is continuing its cloud gaming efforts at Xbox with two new accessories that will enable direct-to-cloud game streaming. Similar to Amazon's Luna and Google's Stadia controllers, Xbox's new peripheral duo have two modes: local mode and cloud mode. Both of these require pairing and cloud mode will essentially optimize the controller to ensure smoother latency.

According to Technoblog's findings, the smaller, cheaper device is more of a paddle and is more designed for on-the-go play. It's about 5-inches in length and looks like it fits into a pocket.

Subnautica 2 is off to an incredible start as the hotly anticipated game goes platinum in its first hour of availability.

Unknown Worlds is seeing massive success with the release of Subnautica 2, and the developer today announced the game has surpassed over 2 million copies in its first 12 hours on the market. That's double the sales of the game's previous milestone listed above, making Subnautica 2 among the fastest-selling games of 2026.

The sequel, which was at the center of a contentious legal battle, is seeing strong engagement on Steam where it is currently the #1 top selling game with over 467K concurrent peak players. The game's success also pushes total Subnautica franchise sales past the 20 million mark--before the announcement was made, the series was at 18.5 million copies. The game is currently being sold on Steam, the Epic Store, and Xbox, all via early access.

ASUS has officially thrown its hat into the desktop memory ring. After months of speculation, the company finally confirmed its entry into the enthusiast memory market with the launch of its very first Republic of Gamers-branded kit, the ROG DDR5 RGB Edition 20. The announcement landed during the ROG 20th Anniversary event in China, which makes sense given the module's gold, red, black, and silver anniversary color scheme.

The new ROG DDR5 RGB Edition 20 was co-developed with BIWIN, one of ASUS' ROG Certified memory partners. It comes in a single configuration for now: two 24GB modules for a total of 48GB, built on SK Hynix M-Die ICs. ASUS rates the kit at DDR5-6000 with CL26-36-36-76 timings at 1.45V, and it supports both Intel XMP and AMD EXPO profiles, so it should work out of the box across current Intel and AMD platforms.

The more interesting addition, however, is what ASUS calls "ROG Mode." This is a dual-profile system exclusive to ROG motherboards, including the Crosshair, Maximus, and Strix lineups. It lets users switch between a low-latency 6000 MT/s mode tuned for gaming and a high-bandwidth 8000 MT/s mode running at CL36-48-48-110 at 1.40V. The lower-latency option is the better pick for most gamers, while the 8000 MT/s mode trades tighter timings for raw memory bandwidth.

Leaker @harukaze5719 on X (spotted by Wccftech) exposed unusual listings of the RTX 5090 and RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell available for sale on the popular Chinese storefront JD. What makes these listings stand out is that both GPUs are officially banned from sale in China, where NVIDIA instead offers China-specific variants such as the RTX 5090D v2.

The listings, which have since been removed, included the RTX 5090 32GB Blower at 35,999 CNY, the RTX PRO 6000 96GB Server at 91,999 CNY, and the RTX PRO 6000 96GB Desktop at 76,999 CNY. The RTX 5090 32GB is among the most advanced consumer GPUs available in the market and is still officially subject to export restrictions.

All three appeared under a storefront called the "AI Hardware JD Self-Operated Zone." Since these listings were on a third-party storefront, this implies that NVIDIA isn't directly involved in their sales. According to MEGAsizeGPU (@Zed__Wang) on X, the JD AI flagship store is not an official JD-operated storefront but a third-party seller operating under the JD platform.

A security researcher going by the alias Nightmare-Eclipse has uncovered a zero-day exploit they describe as one of the most insane discoveries ever, saying it "almost feels like a backdoor." Dubbed YellowKey, the exploit allows anyone with physical access to a Windows 11 system to bypass default BitLocker protections and gain complete access to an encrypted device within seconds.

BitLocker is Microsoft's full-volume encryption that protects storage disks and their contents from anyone without the decryption key. That key is stored in a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and BitLocker is a mandatory protection for many organizations, including government contractors.

The researcher refers to it as a backdoor because the bug appears only in WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) and not in Windows itself, which lacks the required functionality needed to trigger the bypass. Additionally, the bypass affects only Windows 11, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2025 systems with the default BitLocker configuration, while Windows 10 machines are unaffected.

Earlier today, AMD Computing and Graphics SVP Jack Huynh announced what longtime Radeon gamers have been waiting a year for: AMD's new AI-powered FSR 4.1 is coming to RDNA 3 and RDNA 2-generation graphics cards. RDNA 3, which covers the Radeon RX 7000 Series, is set to get official support in July, with RDNA 2 cards in the Radeon RX 6000 Series set to get official support sometime in 2027.

This is huge because FSR 4 delivers a massive boost to image quality compared to FSR 3.1, especially when gaming at resolutions like 1080p and 1440p. FSR 4 was previously exclusive to RDNA 4 and desktop GPUs like the Radeon RX 9070 XT because it uses the lineup's second-generation AI Accelerators, which support FP8. With FSR 4.1 coming to RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 GPUs, AMD is implementing an INT8 version to ensure that it works on first-gen Radeon AI hardware.

Right off the bat, this is a big win for gaming handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw A8, and the upcoming Steam Machine from Valve. However, there's another potential big win on the horizon, and that's for Xbox Series X gamers. Unlike the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X features the full RDNA 2 suite of hardware and technologies, and FSR 4.1 on Microsoft's current flagship gaming console could deliver a PlayStation 5 Pro-level upgrade.

Intel's upcoming Razor Lake-AX processor is set to be the company's flagship SoC for gaming, AI, and high-performance workloads, and something that will compete with AMD's Ryzen 'Halo' products like Strix Halo and the upcoming Gorgon Halo. Earlier this week, we reported on a new leak stating that Razor Lake-AX will bring back on-package memory, and today we've got word that its integrated Arc Graphics will be pretty impressive.

So much so that, in terms of performance, it will leave the new and impressive Intel Arc B390 GPU, part of the Panther Lake lineup, in its wake and potentially even eclipse the Battlemage desktop graphics card, the Intel Arc B580. And this is because the latest leaks from @Haze2K1 and @jaykihn0 on X (via VideoCardz) state that the large 162.84 mm squared die, the Razor Lake-AX processor will be available in two variants: one with 16 Xe3 Cores and one with a massive 32 Xe3 Cores.

That second figure is a potential head-turner, as it's triple the Xe3 Core count of the Intel Arc B390 and significantly more cores than the Intel Arc B580's 20 Xe2 Cores. To put that into perspective, this could mean up to double the gaming performance of AMD's Strix Halo flagship SoC.

MSI has launched a very limited-edition Star Wars-themed GeForce RTX 5080 to celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Limited to only 500 units in Europe, the MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G The Mandalorian and Grogu Edition OC Graphics Card takes the company's impressive Gaming Trio design and gives it a Mandalorian and Grogu overhaul, with a stylish brushed metal finish that recreates the titular bounty hunter Din Djarin's (Pedro Pascal) armor.

The Star Wars aesthetics extend to the inclusion of the Mandalorian's iconic helm on the metal backplate's vent (that is interchangeable with the New Republic and the Imperial Remnants emblem), and a little add-on that's both funny and cute. And that's a GPU holder or brace in the form of a Baby Yoda or Grogu figurine. MSI's announcement says that it combines "functionality and cuteness," and we're inclined to agree - it's pretty adorable.

As for the limited-edition GeForce RTX 5080's specs, we have to assume it'll sport a similar Boost Clock speed of 2715 MHz to the Gaming Trio OC model, which should deliver a notable performance improvement over the reference or Founder Edition design. In addition to this, the Mandalorian and Grogu Edition of the Gaming Trio features the same TRI FROZR 4 Thermal Design with the company's latest STORMFORCE fans, nickel-plated copper baseplate for the GPU and Memory, and more.

CPUID has released CPU-Z version 2.20, adding several newly released and upcoming hardware entries to its popular monitoring software database. This includes unreleased AMD Ryzen AI Max 400 "Gorgon Halo" APUs, Intel Bartlett Lake embedded parts, and support for HUDIMM and HSODIMM memory modules.

As per the release notes, the Gorgon Halo, the Ryzen AI MAX Strix Halo refresh is now in the database. CPU-Z 2.20 lists the Ryzen AI Max+ 495, 492, and 488, Ryzen AI Max 490 and 485, and Ryzen AI Max PRO 495, 490, 485, and 480. The Ryzen AI Max 400 is expected to retain the Zen 5 CPU, RDNA 3.5 graphics, and XDNA 2 NPU layout with higher clocks on select models. A separate leak has also shown the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 with Radeon 8065S graphics and 192GB of memory, placing it above the current Ryzen AI Max+ 395 in memory capacity, though AMD has not officially announced these processors.

The recently launched Ryzen PRO 9000 series has also made the list, including the new X3D flagship workstation chips, the Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D, and additional PRO 9000 CPUs.

Intel has released a new optional Beta graphics driver for Arc GPUs, but it's a notable one for those jumping into some of the biggest game releases of the year. The latest Intel Arc Graphics driver 32.0.101.8801 adds support for a trio of big new PC game releases: Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and Subnautica 2. This covers all Arc graphics, from A-Series to B-Series, as well as integrated Arc GPUs on Core Ultra processors.

The other notable addition comes on the software and performance monitoring side, with Intel finally adding a 'Performance Metrics Overlay' to its Intel Graphics Software. The overlay appears detailed, too, with several customization options, styles, and features to play with. And like similar overlays, it can be accessed via a simple keyboard shortcut. And with Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2, both visually impressive titles, it's a welcome addition for Arc gamers looking to optimize performance with real-time feedback.

Another handy feature added to the Intel Graphics Software package is the ability for users to report issues and bugs directly via the app, which should make it easier for both Intel and the Arc community to stay on top of things. And on that note, the full Intel Arc Graphics driver 32.0.101.8801 still lists several Known Issues across all Arc graphics products.

AMD has released its latest driver for Radeon RX gamers, and it's a big one for new releases, as it adds New Game Support for Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light. AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 26.5.2 is available now for all RDNA 2, RDNA 3, and RDNA 4 gamers, and is highly recommended for those planning on jumping into the latest Forza Horizon this weekend. However, with the Release Notes stating that Radeon RX 9000 Series gamers might experience intermittent crashes when playing Subnautica 2, if you're ditching the streets of Japan to head underwater this weekend, you might want to stick with AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 26.3.1.

Forza Horizon 6, which is set in Japan, is one of the first major PC games to launch with native FSR 4.1 support. The latest version of AMD's AI-powered Super Resolution technology improves image fidelity compared to the original FSR 4.0 release, giving Radeon RX 9000 Series gamers a 'free' performance boost. Although it's currently exclusive to RDNA 4 GPUs, AMD has finally confirmed that FSR 4.1 is coming to more Radeon GPUs in the coming months - with RDNA 3 gamers expected to get support in July.

In addition to new game support for these two titles, the latest Radeon driver also fixes a couple of crashing and corruption issues with Satisfactory and RoadCraft on Radeon RX 9000 Series cards. Here's a look at the full Release Notes, which also includes all outstanding Known Issues, including a bit more information on the Subnautica 2 problems.

In a surprise announcement, AMD Computing and Graphics SVP Jack Huynh said FSR 4.1 upscaling is coming to RDNA 3 and RDNA 2 GPUs. RDNA 3, which includes Radeon RX 7000-series graphics cards and integrated graphics on new handhelds like the MSI Claw A8, will receive support starting in July. RDNA 2 GPUs will follow at some point in 2027.

For context, when AMD announced FSR 4 early last year, it was tied exclusively to its newer Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs. Gamers have been vocal about bringing the technology to older hardware ever since, but it didn't seem likely to actually happen.

That was because FSR 4 launched exclusively on RDNA 4, due to hardware acceleration for the FP8 instruction set, which older AMD architectures lacked. After a year of behind-the-scenes work, AMD claims it has created an INT8 version of the technology without compromising quality or performance.

We are slowly but surely approaching the launch date of the most anticipated game of the decade. Grand Theft Auto 6 might still be a few months away (barring ANOTHER delay), but it looks like the pieces are starting to fall into place for the eventual launch. The latest piece of information is quite interesting and concerns pre-orders for GTA 6.

According to several creators online, particularly Frogboyx1Gaming on YouTube and @videogamedeals on X, GTA 6 pre-orders are set to start from Monday, May 18th, 2026. The information was disclosed to these creators through a Best Buy affiliate email, as part of the Best Buy U.S. Creator Campaign. The email references a "GTA 6 Pre-order (Physical Game)" promotional window running from May 18th to May 21st, 2026.

These creators are receiving these emails from Best Buy as part of a promotional offer that provides a 5% affiliate commission, so it is a marketing scheme rather than a direct pre-order announcement. It must be noted that the emails were sent by Best Buy, not by Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. The May 18th - May 21st window is the promotional window for the commission, but the actual GTA 6 pre-orders will likely run through to the launch date.

The global memory crisis is in full swing and showing no signs of letting up. DRAM prices are absolutely through the roof, and that is directly affecting consumer products such as RAM and graphics cards. Now, it looks like NVIDIA is planning to raise the price of the flagship RTX 5090 due to rising GDDR7 memory costs.

According to Chinese Board Channels, NVIDIA is reportedly preparing to increase prices for its GeForce RTX 5090 and China-exclusive RTX 5090D V2 GPUs. NVIDIA has informed its add-in board partners (AIBs) of a price increase for these two GPUs, citing rising GDDR7 VRAM costs. Per the report, NVIDIA has not specified a new retail price for these graphics cards, but this change will result in a $300 (nearly 2000 RMB) price increase for the AIBs.

NVIDIA provides a GPU kit to its board partners that includes the GPU die (GB202 in this case) and GDDR7 memory. The add-in board partners then build the rest of the board around this configuration, therefore avoiding supply chain delays. However, it now seems NVIDIA is planning to pass on its increased costs to board partners, which in turn will be passed on to consumers.

AMD disclosed some fantastic earnings figures earlier this month, and a large portion of its Q1 2026 success was driven by its data center segment. Of the $10.3 billion in revenue the company brought in this quarter, $5.8 billion was data center revenue. This accounts for a surprisingly high 55.9% of AMD's total revenue for Q1 2026, which is a staggering figure. AMD seems to be capitalizing well on the AI boom, and its EPYC server processors are the backbone of this recent success.

Alongside AMD's Instinct lineup of workstation GPUs, AMD EPYC CPUs have been the cornerstone of the company's AI and datacenter deployments. EPYC CPUs are having so much success, in fact, that they have captured almost half of the server CPU market spending in Q1 2026. According to the latest data from Mercury Research, AMD's EPYC CPUs make up 46.2% of the total server CPU spending in Q1 2026.

This is an all-time high for AMD's server CPUs, driven largely by rising AI and data center demand. We recently heard AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su back CPUs heavily in the Agentic AI debate, and predicted we might be moving towards a 1:1 ratio between CPUs and GPUs soon. While that may still be a ways away, AMD's recent success in the data center space can only multiply if CPU demand were to rise, as Dr. Su has predicted.