PC Gaming

After being initially announced in 2019, and then delayed indefinitely on April 5 of last year, we finally have an official release date for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The game will make its way to all Xbox One and newer platforms, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, and PC on April 5 of 2022. What all can we expect from the latest LEGO Star Wars release? Let’s take a closer look below.

It’s 2022 and both AMD and NVIDIA are still releasing graphics cards, even though it’s nearly impossible to score a GPU at MSRP from any retailer. AMD’s latest release, the Radeon RX 6500 XT, has a few…tricks up its sleeve. To start, the 6500 XT has a measly 4GB of RAM. But, even with its limitations, AMD claims that its latest graphics card can game at over 60FPS in Call of Duty: Vanguard, nearly 80FPS in Halo Infinite, and over 100FPS in Fortnite. Should this graphics card even exist at this point? Let’s take a closer look below.

Like many other console gamers through the past few years, the allure of switching over to a PC finally got the best of me. There’s just the problem of actually making the jump, considering just how hard things are with the ongoing stock shortages. Detailing the entire experience of building a PC for the first time, down below you can follow along as I go through all the components in my first rig and my thoughts on why I should have just gone for a pre-built in the first place.

For the first time in 20 years, we’re getting a new Dune RTS game. Based around Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, Dune Spice Wars will be a real-time strategy game that has 4X elements. While we don’t know the exact pricing yet, nor the release date, the developers released an FAQ over the weekend to answer some questions that the community posed after the title was announced last month. So, what will Dune Spice Wars be? Let’s take a closer look.

The HITMAN Trilogy is finally complete, and the team now wants everyone to have many different ways to explore the World of Assassination. The collection includes all three games in a single package, which makes it easier than ever before to become Agent 47. While the game is launching on PlayStation, the real ticket here is the fact that HITMAN Trilogy is coming to Xbox and PC through Game Pass, which means existing subscribers will be able to play without any additional purchases. What all does the HITMAN Trilogy include? Let’s take a closer look.

Forever Skies is an all-new first-person sci-fi action survival game from a team of ex AAA developers with “survival not guaranteed.” The team consists of 20 or more developers and the title has been secretly worked on for the past two years. In Forever Skies, you play as a scientist who returns to Earth after it was destroyed by a global ecological disaster, flying in a high-tech airship as you seek to expand, rebuild, and repair it. What else will you be doing in Forever Skies? Let’s take a closer look below.

Today, NVIDIA announced another new graphics card, the RTX 3080. Wait, that doesn’t sound right. But, you read that statement correctly. NVIDIA’s latest RTX 3080 sports 12GB of VRAM and features an updated spec sheet all around. Why did NVIDIA refresh the RTX 3080, and can you even get your hands on one? Let’s take a closer look below.

Earlier this week, Microsoft and Ubisoft teamed up to announce the game studio’s first major release of 2022, Rainbow Six Extraction, would be launching day one for Xbox Game Pass subscribers on console, PC, and the cloud. On top of this unprecedented launch, Ubisoft is also releasing its Ubisoft+ subscription on Xbox as a separate service which offers many of the company’s famed titles. What all does this launch include, and could it be hinting at a bigger partnership in the future? Let’s take a closer look

When we first saw the Steam Deck in July of 2021, it was mind-boggling that we could achieve console-level performance with PC games in a handheld system. Well, AyaNeo is aiming to take on the Steam Deck with its own NEXT Advance gaming handheld, launched at CES 2022 this year. The AyaNeo NEXT Advance isn’t waiting around for AMD’s 6000-series APUs to drop later this year, but instead leveraging the current-generation Ryzen 7 5800U processor with up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of internal storage. Those are impressive specs for this little device, given that the Steam Deck is still slated to use a Zen 2 processor, and not Zen 3. What else does the AyaNeo deliver? Let’s take a closer look below.

As part of its CES announcements this week, GIGABYTE announced two new updated lineups of laptops with the AORUS models gearing toward gaming and AERO for creative professionals. Sporting Intel’s just-released 12th Generation mobile processors as well as NVIDIA’s latest RTX 30-series mobile graphics cards, these laptops also offer other high-end features like DDR5, 1080p360, 1440p165, or 4K120 displays, miniLED and AMOLED screen options, and more. What else do GIGABYTE’s latest laptops deliver? Let’s take a closer look.

Update 4/29 @ 7:59 AM: Razer’s latest 2022 Blade 14 with RTX 3080 Ti is now available to order for $3,499.99 at Amazon.

Now that CES 2022 is fully underway, Razer has made its first major announcement at the annual show. Launching its latest lineup of 2022 Razer Blade gaming laptops, all three sizes are being updated with more powerful graphics cards, DDR5 memory, and faster next-generation processors. This includes offering up to RTX 3080 Ti GPUs from NVIDIA with ray tracing 16GB of GDDR6 memory as well as RAM with speeds of up to 4800MHz, these laptops are ready to handle anything you throw their way.

As CES 2022 is now fully under way, Dell announced several PC gaming-focused products and concepts to give your setup solid upgrades all around. You’ll find information about Dell’s new Concept Nyx, gaming headset, Quantum Dot OLED UltraWide monitor, and computers here. There’s plenty to explore, so without further ado, let’s take a look at Dell’s CES 2022 announcements.

It’s time for some CES SSD action. SK hynix – the “world’s second largest memory maker” – is taking its brand-new PCIe NVMe Gen 4.0 SSD to the Consumer Electronics Show this year. Hot off the presses, the new SK hynix Platinum P41 is the latest addition to its already popular and comparatively affordable lineup of Gold P31 and Gold S31 solid state solutions, both of which will remain part of the available lineup. With an “industry-leading” endurance rating alongside some additional spec benchmarks for the brand, the 2022 CES SSD unveils just got a little bit more interesting with the new SK hynix Platinum P41. Head below for a closer look. 

Warframe is getting its latest cinematic expansion, The New War. The entirety of the Origin System will “be forever scarred by the coming conflict.” You’ll find the Sentients, a “sinister race of relentlessly-evolving machines”, are at the center of this all-out war of extinction. So, what all does the battle consist of and how will it change the Origin System? Let’s take a closer look.

Having a second display can be a real timesaver when referencing data or for keeping a few apps visible and easily accessible at all times. Since lugging around a traditional monitor is less than ideal, the new ASUS ZenScreen is here to bolster mobile productivity. It provides a 15.6-inch anti-glare display that is powered using a single USB-C cable. It even supports automatic rotation when plugged into a Windows PC. Other notable features include being flicker-free and having reduced levels of blue light. Continue reading to learn more.

The game development company Ubisoft is well-known for its Splinter Cell franchise that launched 19 years ago. It was one of the company’s first forays into the world of stealth-action shooters, and it all but defined a generation of gaming. Personally, I vastly prefer the stealth genre that Splinter Cell ushered in over the fast-paced run, die, respawn of some modern titles. Well, Ubisoft Toronto just began rebuilding the game from the ground up. That’s right, Splinter Cell is being remade, though it’ll be a bit different from the remaster. So, what all can we expect, and more importantly when can we expect it? Let’s take a closer look at the Splinter Cell remake.

Today, Razer introduced an all-new limited-edition Boba Fett wireless Xbox controller and charging stand. This remote offers a unique design themed around the galaxy’s most notorious bounty hunter, Boba Fett. The design is inspired by Boba Fett’s helmet and is officially certified by Microsoft for use with Xbox and Windows. What more does it include? Let’s take a closer look.

Now that Christmas is just under two weeks away, each day that goes by will make it increasingly difficult to secure the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Last-minute shopping becomes even more problematic when factoring in any potential shipping delays. Technology is arguably one of the hardest-hit sectors, making it even more difficult to shop for this type of gear. Fear not, however, because this tech gift guide provides six suggestions that will be a pleasant surprise for just about any gadget lover out there. Continue reading to find a list of gear priced as low as $12.

PUBG: Battlegrounds really kickstarted the popularity of the battle royale genre back in 2017 when it launched. Bringing realistic gunplay and “non-stop action” to the community was what made PUBG famous in those early months. With a large player base, the game ultimately remained paid and other titles, like Fortnite and Apex Legends, began to rise. Well, starting January 12, 2022, PUBG: Battlegrounds joins the free-to-play ranks and will reach the “broadest possible audience” finally. What does this mean for those who have already purchased the game? Let’s take a closer look.

SCUF recently announced the “first high-performance controller” created for the PlayStation 5. Designed to provide a suitable replacement for the stock DualSense, the SCUF Reflex offers some high-end features for FPS gamers who “prefer a competitive playstyle,” according to the company. The Reflex brings all of SCUF’s traditional features to Sony’s latest console while also offering some industry-firsts. So, what all does the SCUF Reflex for PlayStation 5 bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look.

While we got our first glimpse at the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection in September, we now finally have an official PlayStation 5 release date: January 28, 2022. Not only that, but the Collection is also coming to PC after the PlayStation 5 release. Delivering a single-player experience from the award-winning Uncharted 4 game, there’s plenty to love here. What does the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection include? Let’s take a closer look.

With modern mobile graphics cards providing more than enough power to game on the go, it’s only fitting that monitor companies are starting to release mobile-focused displays that have features we used to only find in desktop setups. ViewSonic’s latest VX1755 portable 144Hz gaming monitor is made specifically for gaming on-the-go with a dual USB-C connection, 1080p resolution, and 144Hz refresh rate – all of this comes in a large 17.2-inch form-factor, which is sure to upgrade any mobile gaming setup. What is this monitor capable of, how much does it cost, and how can it make you a better on-the-go gamer? Let’s take a closer look below.

We have spotted some interesting and official new Discord mechanical keyboards with 100% of proceeds going directly to charity. The folks over at Discord are teaming up with Kono for the latest release in its merchandise line, the Snowsgiving 2021 Discord TKL Mechanical Keyboard. Now available for pre-order in a dark or light theme, with your choice of mechanical switches, some interesting add-on novelty keycaps, and more, head below for a closer look and more details. 

While we’ve already taken a look at the best upcoming Black Friday deals for LEGO, Apple, Amazon, and console gaming, it’s time to shift our focus to your desktop. Ranging from graphics cards to games themselves, peripherals, processors, and more, we’re breaking down the best PC gaming Black Friday deals for 2021 down below.

Black Friday is next week and we’re ready for the year’s largest shopping holiday to finally arrive. Well, almost ready. There are still a few ads that we’re waiting to get our hands on, and Newegg’s is finally here. With 50 pages of deals to browse alongside solid start and end times, Newegg’s Black Friday ad for 2021 is chock full of great deals in a wide variety of categories. So, if you’re interesting in savings on tech, home goods, TVs, and more this holiday season, keep reading to find out all that Newegg has in store for Black Friday 2021.

JVC has unveiled a new gaming headset with a lightweight design that undercuts much of the competition. The new JVC Ultralight Gaming Headset has both wired and wireless variants, each of which weigh in at 199 and 209 grams, respectively. For comparison, the Razer Kraken X is generally considered to be a lightweight headset and still clocks in at 250 grams. In addition to a lightweight design, JVC’s new headsets also wield 40mm drivers and a microphone that the company refers to as offering “clear performance.” Continue reading to learn more.

While the official launch of Battlefield 2042 is next week, EA Play and Play pro members as well as those who pre-ordered the Gold or Ultimate editions of the game can dive in as early as today. We recently got a firsthand look at the gameplay during a press review event and found it to be a very compelling and fun experience, despite a few bugs that still need to be patched. Early access isn’t all those who pre-order or have EA Play will get, so we break down all the features and benefits that jumping into Battlefield 2042 early will bring.

Sceptre has unleashed a new UltraWide monitor just ahead of the holiday season. It’s the latest to join the Sceptre Nebula series and is headlined by a 34-inch display, 1000R curvature, USB-C connectivity, and more. Buyers can also expect a brightness level of 600 nits, an integrated ambient light sensor, in addition to a colorful LED light across the back. Its 3440 x 1440 resolution is paired with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1 millisecond response time. Continue reading for more details.

Today we discovered that Acer has added another monitor to vast portfolio of displays. This time around the company has opted to release an 29.5-inch UltraWide with an up to 200Hz refresh rate. The release belongs to the Acer Nitro XZ6 series, a refreshingly simplistic title given how complicated naming conventions tend to be in this product category. Standout features include a white frame, 21:9 aspect ratio, 1500R curvature, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium. Continue reading to learn more.

Now that the Battlefield 2042 release date is drawing closer, it’s time to take a look at the most anticipated game mode yet: Portal. We first got a look at Portal back at EA Play in July, today we’re taking a deeper dive into the unique game mode that’s going to portray the largest undertaking in FPS gaming yet. Portal, if you’re unaware, allows you to combine classic content from Battlefield 3, Bad Company 2, and 1942 with the latest and greatest from 2042 into one chaotic game mode.

Earlier today, Razer unveiled its next-generation Productivity Suite. This follows the launch of its office-friendly Razer Book 13 and several other pieces of gaming-inspired gear that are specifically made with work in mind. The new Razer Productivity Suite consists of Pro Click Mini, Pro Type Ultra, and Pro Glide XXL. Marketing lingo aside, the latest from Razer includes a mouse, keyboard, and desk mat. Each offering bears white and gray coloring, and both peripherals are said to operate in silence, thanks to quiet mechanical switches. Continue reading to learn more.

Now that we’re into November, it’s inevitable that Black Friday ads will begin to roll out. Earlier today, we took a look at Macy’s ad, which detailed store hours, some deals, and more. Now, we’re diving into what we can expect from Dell this Black Friday from its upcoming ad scan, including sale dates, an early peek at computer deals, and more.

Today, Newegg announced its Black November plans with rotating sales throughout the month as well as extended holiday return windows. Due to the supply constraints in various industries, the online retailer wants to give its customers the best possible chance to save this year and is offering numerous features to shoppers, including multiple sales to take part in as well as a Black Friday Price Protection program, which we detailed last week. So, what does Newegg have in store for Black Friday this year? Let’s take a closer look.

After announcing 11th Generation processors earlier this year, Intel is back again with its 12th Generation Core lineup featuring all-new technology. Packing up to 5.2GHz speeds, Intel is changing how it makes processors all around this time. You’ll find that each processor has both performance and efficiency cores, similar to Apple’s M1 processor. The flagship i9-12900K has 16 cores (eight performance and eight efficient) with 24 total threads. That’s not all, as PCIe 5.0 is being introduced alongside DDR5. Does Intel’s Alder Lake lineup sound interesting? Keep reading to find out more.

Today, Apex Legends announced its first new map since Season 7 in November of last year. Storm Point, the latest map coming in Season 11 Escape, introduces a number of new gameplay elements and other factors that will change how you play Apex Legends. It’s the biggest map to date, around 15% larger than World’s Edge, and is based on the planet Gaea, which houses a long-forgotten IMC research base. The map features a diverse set of locations, including tropical islands, giant mountain slides, and more. This has me the most excited I’ve been about Apex Legends in a while, so let’s dive in.

Pre-built gaming rigs have a bit of a bad rap from the community, but for a first-time gamer like myself, paying a premium to get a ready-to-go machine seemed like a compelling trade-off. But after going hands-on with the machine would I recommend the pre-built experience? That’s what our latest Tested with 9to5Toys seeks to answer.

Razer recently announced a slew of new products including its long-awaited Zephyr Smart Mask, the Enki gaming chair, Kraken V3 headsets, an all-new colorway for the Razer Book, and even some PC components. Whether you’re wanting to mask up and head out or relax in comfort at your desk, the latest Razer gear has you covered. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at Razer’s latest releases.

Recently, Razer introduced two updated microphones to its streaming gear lineup. The all-new Seiren V2 Pro and Seiren V2 X are here with prices starting at $100. Delivering either a dynamic and condenser microphone to your setup, both feature analog gain limiters and 24-bit quality to set your streams and recordings apart from the rest. What other features do these mics share? Keep reading to find out what makes them both similar and unique.

Earlier today, Turtle Beach launched Neat Skyline, but the company has also opened pre-orders for two additional microphones: Neat King Bee II and Bumblebee II. Many would agree that both offerings benefit from a premium design that will look great in just about any stream. It doesn’t stop there, however, with both units sporting USB-C connectivity, “outstanding versatility,” and “zero latency.” Continue reading to learn more.

“Can it play Crysis?” has new meaning now that the Remastered Trilogy is finally available for both previous- and next-generation consoles, as well as PC. Sold as a bundle, you’ll find that this kit includes Crysis, Crysis 2, and Crysis 3 – all remastered for modern platforms. So what can you expect from the Crysis Remastered Collection, and how can it be played? Keep reading to find out more.

Today, we got our first look at the upcoming Hazard Zone in Battlefield 2042, which will be a mode “unlike anything we’ve done before,” according to the developers behind the game. Essentially, you and your squad are scavenging for valuable resources while enemies and storms close in trying to prevent your escape. There’s quite a bit more to it than that, so if the basis sounds intriguing, keep reading to take a closer look at Battlefield 2042’s Hazard Zone.

Today, AMD expanded its RX 6000-series graphics card lineup with the RX 6600. Delivering 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM and 28 compute units, you’ll find this budget-focused card is made to handle both lightweight and fairly heavy 1080p gaming, though going beyond full HD might prove a tad bit difficult in some newer titles. Curious as to what the RX 6600 brings to the table and if this $329 MSRP GPU will be the one you pick up? Keep reading to find out all the brand-new AMD RX 6600 has to offer.

Recently, the team behind Call of Duty: Vanguard detailed the single-player experience. The upcoming game isn’t just about World War II, but instead takes a look at how the world that we know could have been destroyed after it. You’ll follow five ordinary soldiers who become heroes, exploring the origins of the original Task Force One, which is where our Special Forces got their roots. Sound intriguing? Keep reading to take a deeper dive.

Today, Acer announces its first sustainability-focused notebook, the Aspire Vero, launching tomorrow with Windows 11. This laptop uses post-consumer recycled plastic throughout the chassis and keyboard, and also features 100% recyclable packaging. Not only that, but Acer has also announced two new computers, the Swift 5 and Nitro 5, all of which ship with Microsoft’s latest operating system. For more information on Windows 11 with Acer computers, as well as the three new announcements, head below.

Today, Razer is taking its streaming lineup to the next level with the introduction of the Kiyo X webcam and Ripsaw X capture card, both of which are designed for up-and-coming streamers with budget-focused price points. Generally, picking up high-end gear for your streaming setup can cost a small fortune, but Razer aimed to keep things lower-cost while still offering a quality product here. The Kiyo X delivers 1080p30 or 720p60 for streaming, and the Ripsaw X actually captures up to 4K30. So what other features do we have, and how can this take your stream to the next level? Keep reading to find out.