PC Gaming

This week, Microsoft announced an all-new Windows PC lineup with the Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop 5, and Surface Studio 2+. All are available for pre-order for an October 24 release date, though the Surface Laptop 5 and Pro 9 can also be purchased at Amazon as well as Microsoft and other retailers. What do Microsoft’s latest releases bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look down below.

If you’ve wanted to get your hands on a Steam Deck but didn’t want to wait months, now is the time to place your order. Valve has announced that you can place an order without needing a reservation alongside two other big pieces of news. These include the official docking station now becoming available for order and lots of new software features to better round out the Deck experience. Head below the fold to learn more about these recent developments.

Today SteelSeries is now launching its 2023 model Apex Pro TKL Gaming Keyboard with its all-new OmniPoint 2.0 switches that allow you to set custom actuation distances to provide the ultimate customizability. You will have a choice between wired and wireless models, so you can choose the right option for your gaming setup with the only difference being the built-in battery and transmitter. The TKL design removes keys that most gamers will never need to save desktop space as well. Keep reading below the fold to learn more about these new entries from SteelSeries.

Amazon is offering the ZOTAC Gaming MEK Hero i5/8GB/500GB/GTX 1650 Gaming Desktop for $752.09 shipped. Down from $1,000, this near-25% discount marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked at Amazon. This desktop might not have the highest-end specs around, but it’s the perfect way to get started with PC gaming on a tighter budget. The 11th Generation i5 processor and the GTX 1650 make the perfect pair for 1080p medium gaming and give you a great starting point for your PC gaming journey. As you go along, should you find that any part of this setup isn’t powerful enough it’s simple to change out. Keep reading for more.

As we close out the week, Amazon is announcing the upcoming October 2022 Free Games with Prime titles. As a part of your existing Amazon Prime membership, every month the online retailer delivers a handful of games to you for absolutely no additional cost. Generally, most of these titles are lesser-known, though occasionally some bigger names slip in. This month? We’re seeing Fallout 76, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, and much more being offered in Amazon’s Free Games with Prime for October 2022. Keep reading for more details.

Today, Elgato is launching an all-new XLR microphone dubbed the Wave DX. This new microphone uses a premium dynamic capsule that’s been designed in close cooperation with Lewitt Audio. Elgato designed this microphone to “reproduce precise vocals without coloration” for a more accurate representation of your voice, something that many microphones can fail to do. Sound intriguing? The price is also pretty great, so keep reading to find out more about the Elgato Wave DX microphone.

This week, we have already seen AMD release its Ryzen 7000 series processors and have gone hands-on with them. However, not to be outdone, Intel is announcing its 13th Gen Core processor lineup with pretty impressive specs across the board. Though we’ve not used Intel’s 13th Gen chips yet, they do look pretty promising overall. With up to 24 cores, 32 threads, and 5.8GHz clock speeds, Intel’s 13th Gen chips are shaping up to be a pretty stout competitor to what AMD has to offer.

Today Skullcandy is launching its latest entry into the gaming headset space with options for both wired and wireless functionality depending on your budget. Starting down at the entry-level space is the SLYR Multi-Platform Wired Gaming Headset designed to work just about anywhere. The next step up is the SLYR Pro Multi-Platform Wired Gaming Headset, which aims to be a more premium wired experience. Finally, the flagship for this new lineup is the PLYR Multi-Platform Wireless Gaming Headset with Bluetooth 5.2 technology, 24-hour battery life, and Skull-HQ software support both on PC and mobile. Keep reading below the fold to learn more about these new Skullcandy headsets and their unique features you won’t find in many other places.

Today, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series processors are officially available. Coming in with new Ryzen 75, 7, and 9 model CPUs, there’s a lot to like here. With Ryzen 7000, AMD is ditching its age-old pin-based processors and going for the more modern pad-based design, which allows them to eek out additional performance all around. We’ve been using the processors for the past week and through AMD’s improved 5nm architecture, use of DDR5 memory, and complete processor design overhaul, those hiccups are…gone. I expected Ryzen 7000 to be faster than previous generations, sure, but the performance leap here is one far beyond what I’ve expected. These all-new CPUs really do shake things up when it comes to performance, and after a week of testing, we’re excited to finally be able to share our results on how AMD’s all-new Ryzen 7000 processors perform in our hands-on review.

After launching its first flight simulator-focused gaming peripheral (the VelovityOne Flight Universal Control System) last year, Turtle Beach is now announcing its all-new VelocityOne Rudder Pedals and VelocityOne Stand to create one cohesive flight setup. Whether you’re flying a small Cessna 172 or an Airbus airliner, you can configure the setup of the new pedals with the new stand allowing everything to be mounted perfectly while also working with other flight simulation and racing peripherals outside the Turtle Beach ecosystem. Both are now available for pre-order. Keep reading below the fold to learn more.

Portable gaming systems have been all the rage it seems lately, and ONEXPLAYER didn’t want to be left out. The brand is now launching its latest Mini Pro model, which is a handheld PC console that comes equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U CPU and the Radeon 680M graphics car, which allows it to bring a host of new features to the table. The system is available for pre-order with a $50 deposit (that also includes a 23% discount from its MSRP) – you can learn all about the latest ONEXPLAYER Mini Pro below.

Today, NVIDIA is announcing three brand-new graphics cards launching this November with prices starting at $899. There are two RTX 4080 variants, one 12GB and one 16GB, while the RTX 4090 comes in with 24GB of memory. As NVIDIA’s latest graphics cards, there’s a lot to look at to see whether it’s worth picking up the new generation or sticking with sales on the 30-series. So, without further ado, let’s dive into NVIDIA’s RTX 40-series launch.

In a turn of events over the weekend, ASRock became the latest gaming accessory/component manufacturer to enter the monitor game. We more recently saw NZXT make the jump from accessories to displays, but now ASRock is joining in on the game. With two screens to choose from, a 27-inch 1080p 165Hz model and a 34-inch UltraWide 1440p 165Hz screen, there’s a lot to like here. Interestingly enough, the 34-inch UltraWide even packs an integrated Wi-Fi antenna for… some reason. What else do these monitors feature? A fairly budget-friendly price, for one. Let’s learn more about ASRock’s first displays below.

It seems that Sony has been on a spree of releasing its iconic exclusive games on PC lately. While we’re not sure what’s gotten into Sony as of late, it’s something that we absolutely love to see. The latest announcement is Sony confirming that Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection officially launching on PC October 19. That means in just over a month, you’ll be able to play one of Sony’s most iconic series on your desktop. Keep reading to learn more.

Today we are taking a closer look at the new WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive. This one was unveiled back in May of this year alongside the brand’s new WD_BLACK SN850X internal NVMe SSD as the latest entries in Western Digital’s gaming focused storage lineup. This time around packing solid-state technology, WD’s P40 Game Drive sports some impressive speeds and quite a robust build alongside some additional features to make it stand out from the range of more general use portable SSDs out there. But it’s now time to dive in and see if the gaming focused solution is worth your hard-earned dollars in our Tested with 9to5Toys WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive review. 

Today, CORSAIR is introducing an all-new ultra-thin wireless mechanical keyboard dubbed the K100 AIR. This new high-performance keyboard is CORSAIR’s thinnest ever. It’s designed to deliver “versatile connectivity options” and meet the needs of both gamers and productivity consumers alike. At just 11mm thin at the slimmest point, the K100 AIR form CORSAIR delivers a minimal aesthetic perfect for modern setups. Sound interesting? Well, it launches in under a month on October 4. Keep reading for more.

If you’ve been looking for a quality PC gaming headset that won’t break the bank, then the latest HyperX release, the Cloud Stinger 2, is sure to impress. Coming in at $50, this headset features DTX Headphone:X Spatial Audio for “improved 3D audio spatialization and localization accuracy.” On top of that, it weighs under 300g and utilizes large 50mm drivers to deliver “cleaner audio.” Sound intriguing? Let’s take a closer look below.

Today, SteelSeries is introducing two new keyboards with compact designs and a unique feature we haven’t seen from the company before: hot swappable switches. Yep, SteelSeries is getting on the deep customization train with hot-swappable optical switches for both the new Apex 9 TKL and Apex 9 Mini. On top of that, the newly refreshed OptiPoint switches are 33% faster than the competition and allow SteelSeries to lay claim to being the “world’s fastest optical switches.” What else do the SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL and Apex 9 Mini bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look.

Today at IFA 2022 in Berlin, Samsung is announcing its all-new Odyssey OLED G8 gaming monitor. It seems to be the month for OLED gaming monitors, as CORSAIR just entered the UltraWide OLED market last week. However, Samsung is taking a different approach and delivering a more standard 34-inch 3440x1440p experience with a 175Hz refresh rate that doesn’t flex. Either way, this monitor is sure to take your setup to the next level and deliver a premium experience. Curious what it has to offer? Let’s take a closer look below.

Drop is well-known for its custom mechanical keyboards with premium builds, and it’s been awhile since we’ve seen an in-house keyboard design from Drop. Two years, in fact. The SENSE75 from Drop is a keyboard that the company “spent years carefully curating a typing and customization experience that the community would love.” What does the SENSE75 have to offer? Let’s take a closer look.

As we near September, Amazon is detailing its Free Games with Prime titles for PC players. While many of these are lesser-known titles, like The Dig, Castle on the Coast, and Defend the Rook, two are pretty big names. Those two titles are Assassin’s Creed Origins and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Game of the Year Edition. How can you claim the titles, and what is required to play? Let’s take a closer look below.

The Steam Deck changed the way many people enjoy PC games. It finally made PC gaming truly portable, and Valve has done an excellent job with (most) of the rollout and launch. However, one area that most complain about with the Steam Deck is its power, as it’s not quite as beefy as other handheld systems out there. But with the release of a new booklet about the Steam Deck, Valve, and Steam, the company shines a light on the fact that this is just the first version and we’re looking at a “multi-generational product” here. What does this mean? Let’s take a closer look below.

Today at Gamescom we’re getting our first look at the latest CORSAIR display, dubbed the XENEON FLEX. With a screen size of 45-inch and a resolution of 1440p with a 240Hz refresh rate and OLED panel, this flexible gaming monitor was made in partnership with LG. You read that right. Flexible. There are a few drawbacks to this high-end ultra-premium display, but they’re few and far between. So, what all does the flexibility bring to the table, and what can you expect from CORSAIR’s latest display? Let’s take a closer look below.

With Gamescom now finally underway, it’s time we got our look at the upcoming Unknown Worlds new sci-fi IP that was teased back at the beginning of the month. Moonbreaker is the studio’s turn-based tabletop-style real-time strategy game that we’ve been waiting to see. There’s a lot of unique aspects of it, and the game enters early access on Steam September 29, so long as all goes according to plan. Curious what all Moonbreaker brings to the table? Let’s take a closer look.

Samsung is unleashing its next-generation internal storage today with the new 990 PRO SSD lineup. Described as the company’s latest high-performance NVMe SSD, it is based on the PCIe 4.0 architecture with “lightning-fast speeds and superior power efficiency” as a follow-up to the 980 PRO heat sink edition – be sure to check out our tutorial review for installing one in your PlayStation 5. Clocking in with even faster transfer rate speeds than its predecessor alongside options with and without the heat sink, you can get a closer look at the new Samsung 990 PRO SSD lineup below. 

Today, SteelSeries is unveiling a completely new audio lineup with nine total products: three speakers, five headsets, and a microphone. Starting off with the updated Arctis Nova line of headsets, we now have the Nova 7, 3, and 1, which deliver “best-in-their-class” performance and audio quality. Then we have the Arena 3, 7, and 9 speakers, which pack “powerful gaming audio for total immersion.” So without further ado, let’s take a look at the latest SteelSeries Nova and Arena lineups.

Announced over the weekend, Death Stranding is finally making its way to PC Game Pass tomorrow. As one of the most loved games for the past while, Death Stranding is now about to be able to play without having to purchase the title. The game just came to PC back in March of this year, but the fact that it’s entering Game Pass is pretty notable. So, what’s Death Stranding and what exactly comes with this Game Pass release? Let’s take a closer look.

Toshiba is a name we all know from years past as a computer maker that’s quietly exited the scene … or have they? Enter Dynabook, who is, per their logo, “Formerly TOSHIBA PC Company.” That’s right, Toshiba has rebranded itself as Dynabook to deliver both entry-level and premium laptops for a wide range of use cases. We’ve spent the past few weeks using the Dynabook Portégé X40L, featuring a 14-inch 16:10 display, Windows 11 Pro, and an i7-1270P vPro processor.

The Dynabook Portégé X40L has some pretty powerful specs and a nice design, though there are a few pitfalls that might make you reconsider the over-$2,000 price tag. So, how is it? Let’s take a closer look below.

With all the computing power out there on the market right now, it was only a matter of time until someone came along to combine it all into one package. The all-new CORSAIR VOYAGER a1600 AMD Advantage Edition gaming and streaming laptop is now available and comes chock full of power with the latest Ryzen processors and Radeon graphics on board. You can order a pre-customized configuration from CORSAIR, or can build out your own a1600 with Origin PC and even get custom UV printing or laser etching.

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription just keeps getting better and better. We now have the list of games coming out through the rest of August, and it’s pretty stout. For starters, Midnight Fight Express launches on August 23 as a day one title for Game Pass. Plus, since EA Play is included with all Game Pass tiers, you can also now enjoy Madden NFL ’23 ahead of its official launch, should you subscribe. What else is coming to Game Pass this month? Let’s take a closer look below.

When Microsoft announced it planned to purchase Activision, the immediate response from many was “Is Call of Duty going to become an Xbox/PC exclusive?” At first, Sony didn’t expect it to happen, and then a little while later Microsoft said that Call of Duty would remain on PlayStation “into the future,” but there wasn’t much else besides that. However, in a new filing to the Administrative Council for Economic Defense in Brasil, Microsoft comes out and straight up says that removing Call of Duty on PlayStation wouldn’t be profitable for them. Keep reading to find out more about Microsoft’s statements on keeping Call of Duty cross-platform.

Gamescom is just around the corner, with the opening night scheduled for August 23. During the showcase, we’re now expecting Unknown Worlds, the developers of the Subnautica series of games, to launch a sci-fi IP that’s outside of its existing world. While the new game is a completely different IP than Subnautica, it’s still exciting, nonetheless, that we’re getting a title from Unknown Worlds at Gamescom this year. What else do we know, and what can we expect? Let’s take a closer look below.

Originally announced back in April, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is making its way to PC next week on August 12. Well, this week, Insomniac Games announced that the title is now Steam Deck verified, meaning you can play it anywhere the portable console travels with you. What else does this mean? Let’s take a closer look below.

Yamaha is entering the game streaming space with its first-ever game streaming audio mixer. While there are loads of notable options out there when it comes to streaming and running audio for your game-centric rig, the new ZG01 Gaming Mixer from Yamaha has a number of interesting tricks up its sleeve. For everyone from casual players to eSports pros and Twitch broadcasters, the new streaming audio mixer delivers USB audio interface action alongside mic/vocal effects, 3D surround sound, and “competitive-gaming focus modes,” among other things. Head below for more details. 

Turtle Beach’s sister brand, ROCCAT, is now releasing an all-new Kone XP Air wireless RGB gaming mouse with quite a few notable features. Bringing the brand’s iconic Kone XP mouse an all-new lease on life with the introduction of a Stellar Wireless connection, you’ll also find a fast charging dock and great RGB here all around. Want to learn more? Head below for additional information.

Today, Razer is introducing an all-new keyboard dubbed the DeathStalker V2 lineup. With both a Pro and normal version available in full-size as well as a Pro TKL, there are quite a few options to check out here. Delivering “high-profile performance in a low-profile package,” these keyboards use Razer’s fastest low-profile switches and are “optimized with top-tier performance” in mind. Plus, there’s even a wireless option on the full-size V2 Pro, making this a well-rounded launch. Sound interesting? Let’s take a closer look below.

Call of Duty League’s Major IV tournament was this past weekend, and after the dust settled the Los Angeles Thieves have walked away with the title. But through all of the head-clicking highlights and crowd-wooing plays, the event was a perfect showcase of just how much the latest title, Vanguard, has improved since release.

Today, ViewSonic is introducing a new budget-focused OMNI premium gaming monitor which ships with a 24-inch screen size, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1080p resolution. There’s quite a lot to like about this monitor, especially the price since it comes in at just $160. What else does this display bring? Let’s take a closer look.

Today, GIGABYTE is updating its gaming monitor lineup with an all-new 55-inch 4K 120Hz Quantum Dot 120Hz display. Ready to deliver “incredible picture sharpness and clarity,” GIGABYTE’s latest monitor is made for high-end setups featuring both PC and next-gen console support. Sound like the perfect upgrade to your setup? Take a closer look at all it has to offer below.

Today, the EA Sports team is introducing F1 2022 on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and even PC through both Origin and Steam. This updated game brings new cars, rules, and a new circuit. It’s a new era according to the franchise. Available to start playing today, let’s take a closer look at everything we can expect from F1 2022.

Originally announced last year and then showcased at Microsoft and Bethesda’s show in E3 2021, the long-awaited game from Asobo Studio and Focus Entertainment A Plague Tale: Requiem finally has a launch date. Not only do we now know that the game launches on Xbox and PC on October 18, but we also got an extended gameplay trailer to enjoy too. So, without further ado, here’s everything we know about A Plague Tale: Requiem.

LG’s awaited 48-inch 120Hz 4K OLED gaming monitor is finally available to purchase at Amazon, and it brings with it a swath of premium features and functions. You’ll find that it offers a 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate (though that can be overclocked to 138Hz), HDMI 2.1 support, both G-Sync and FreeSync, as well as much more. Sound interesting? Keep reading to find out everything about LG’s latest gaming display.

High-performance gaming keyboards are essential for any competitive game environment, and SteelSeries is aiming to lead the pack with its latest addition to the Apex keyboard lineup. The Apex Pro Mini mechanical keyboard uses OmniPoint 2.0 switches that allow ultimate customization with fully adjustable actuation points. It can be purchased in either a wired or wireless model.

Announced earlier this month, LG’s latest 2022 gram laptop lineup is finally available to purchase. Continuing with the same design trend that we’ve come to know with the LG gram line, these laptops deliver premium builds, a wide range of sizes, and the latest hardware all around. There are six various models to choose from with sizes ranging from 14- to 17-inches, ensuring everyone has an option to pick. Keep reading to find out if this is the laptop for your summer travels.

If you game on PC, then you’ve likely used the Xbox App at some point. Well, today, the Xbox App on Windows was upgraded with several new features. The headlining feature, which will be pretty important to most Game Pass users (we think), is that it now has a “Game Performance Fit Indicator.” Keep reading to find out more on the new Xbox App for PC updates, including how you can better organize your library.