Sony is preparing to launch its next-generation PlayStation 5 Pro console in the Fall of 2024, right around the holidays. We previously covered a few graphics details about the console. However, today, we get more details about the CPU and the overall system, thanks to the exclusive information from Insider Gaming. Starting off, the sources indicate that PS5 Pro system memory will get a 28% bump in bandwidth, where the standard PS5 console had 448 GB/s, and the upgraded PS5 Pro will get 576 GB/s. Apparently, the memory system is more efficient, likely coming from an upgrade in memory from the GDDR6 SDRAM of the regular PS5. The next upgrade is the CPU, which has special modes for the main processor. The CPU uArch is likely the same, with clocks pushed to 3.85 GHz, resulting in a 10% frequency increase.

However, this is only achieved in the "High CPU Frequency Mode," which steals the SoC's power from the GPU and downclocks it slightly to allocate more power to the CPU in highly CPU-intense settings. The GPU we discussed here is an RDNA 3 IP with up to 45% faster graphics rendering. The ray tracing performance can be up to four times higher than the regular PS5, while the entire GPU delivers 33.5 TeraFLOPS of FP32 single-precision computing. This comes from 30 WGP running BVH8 shaders vs the 18 WGPs running BVH4 shaders on the regular PS5. There are PSSR upscalers present, and the GPU can output 8K resolution, which will come with future software updates. Last but not least, the AI front also has a custom AI accelerator capable of 300 8-bit INT8 TOPS and 67 16-bit FP16 TeraFLOPS. Audio codecs are getting some love, as well, with ACV running up to 35% faster.

Week 12 is really delivering a baker's dozen when it comes to big game releases, as we have both new and old big releases this week, with this week's AAA release being an open world action RPG game. However, if that's not your cup of tea, then we still have a week packed to the brim with big releases, although it starts off with a bug-sized indie game, but its theme carries over to the next release and this game somehow involves robots. This is followed by a game where you might want to have someone's hand to hold, as it can get a bit scary, even if it's a remake. Towards the end of this week we have another major release, which also involves robots and was a big hit on the PlayStation consoles. We end the week on a somewhat similar theme as the first two game releases of the week, even though it's on a much grander scale.

Dragon's Dogma 2 / This week's AAA release / Friday 22 March
Dragon's Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience - from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon's Dogma 2 awaits. On your journey, you'll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure. All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon's Dogma 2. Steam Link

CHERRY XTRFY, the specialist for high-quality gaming peripherals, announces the availability of the new K5V2 keyboard - the first gaming keyboard with CHERRY's new mechanical MX2A switches.

CHERRY XTRFY redefines the 65% keyboard class with the K5V2 Compact. The renowned company combines well-known CHERRY quality with a modern design and durable mechanical MX2A Red switches. The keyboard's advanced per-key customizable RGB illumination creates impressive effects with innovative strip LED technology, which can be further enhanced with the USB 3 mode.

The report titled "Gaming Hardware Market by Product (Dedicated Gaming Console, Dedicated Personal Computers/Laptops/Tablets, Gaming Router), Form Factor (All-In-One, Desktop, Small Form Factor), User Type, End-User - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $152.00 billion in 2023 to reach $277.08 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.95% over the forecast period.

The gaming hardware industry is experiencing unprecedented growth globally, driven by the active use of consoles, specialized gaming PCs, and a wide array of peripherals, including keyboards, mice, headsets, and cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality devices. This growth is fueled by the escalating popularity of esports, increased disposable incomes with a higher inclination toward entertainment spending, and a demand for more immersive gaming experiences. Challenges include the high costs associated with advanced gaming hardware development and a growing interest in cloud gaming.

Lenovo has announced today that the Lenovo Legion Tab, an 8.8-inch Android tablet for the modern mobile gamer, is soon going to be expanding availability from China to select markets in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and Asia. The Lenovo Legion Tab bridges the gap between PC and mobile gaming, offering a solution for gamers seeking a high-performance gaming experience that is both accessible and convenient.

The Lenovo Legion Tab transcends the typical expectations of a tablet, delivering outstanding gaming performance thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4 nm processor and 12 GB of LPDDR5X memory all in a 76 mm thin Storm Grey tablet weighing in at just 350 grams. The Lenovo Legion Tab allows for even more gaming on the go owing to its 256 GB onboard storage—expandable with the microSD slot that supports up to 1 TB cards. The 144 Hz 8.8-inch QHD+ Lenovo PureSight gaming display brings visuals to vibrant life, allowing any Android compatible game to shine crisp and colorful. The tablet's integrated haptic system gives gamers a further level of immersion and feedback so they can truly get in the game.

Founded in 2022, Mighty Koi Studio aims to prove that "The Witcher" is not the only Polish fantasy story that can conquer the world. The studio holds the rights to two electrifying titles, offering creators vast creative possibilities. "Thorgal" and "The Night Wanderer" will launch on PS5, Xbox Series and PC. The release date is yet TBA. The team bases its productions on the Unreal Engine 5 with proprietary extensions and utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as photogrammetry and AI.

The approach to plans comes with great ambition, announcing two AA+ / AAA projects and engaging experienced experts from the world of gaming and animation - currently, the team consists of over 100 people, and the number is expected to double by the end of the year, with external studios also being involved. Mighty Koi hopes that the upcoming productions will conquer not only the Polish but also the foreign gaming market and, like "The Witcher," make Polish fantasy literature a world-class product.

As we enter the second week of March, we have a packed week of new releases for you and the big release this coming week is an open world third-person action adventure shooter. This is followed by a game in Vegas, a classic style run-'n'-gun side scroller, a trippy llama related game, a classic collection Sci-Fi game and the 25th release of a sports title. Sorry, no strategy game this week either.

Outcast - A New Beginning / This week's major release / Friday 15 March
20 years after the award-winning action adventure hit, Outcast, pioneered the genre of non-linear open-world games, the long-awaited sequel sees Cutter Slade return to the spectacular alien world of Adelpha. Resurrected by the almighty Yods, he has returned to find the Talans enslaved, the world stripped of its natural resources, and his own past intertwining with the invading robot forces. It's up to him to go on a mission and save the planet again. Steam Link

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solutions, introduces the LX700-4K Laser Projector for Xbox. Designed exclusively for Xbox, the LX7004K features native 4K Ultra HD resolution, 3,500 lumens of brightness, and built-in Harman Kardon speakers for immersive big-screen audio and video experiences with images up to 300-inches.

ViewSonic again partnered with Microsoft to deliver the best gaming experience to Xbox series X/S consoles to develop the LX700-4K laser projector. It is compatible with the Xbox CEC (consumer electronics control), and features Xbox-exclusive resolution and refresh rate combinations. When used with other video sources, the LX700-4K runs with a 4.2 ms response time and 240 Hz refresh rate for super smooth gaming or video playback.

ASUS today announced the TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB chassis, a case that makes it easy to build a high-performance PC with great cooling. Prepped and ready for great out-of-the-box cooling, equipped for wide compatibility with high-performance parts, and thoughtfully constructed inside and out for an easy PC DIY experience, the GT302 ARGB resets expectations for a mainstream case.

Great cooling - right out of the box
Most PC builders go big on cooling to ensure an excellent balance of performance and quiet operation. From the moment it is pulled out of the packaging, the TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB gives users a superb foundation for high-end cooling. This starts with a front panel designed first and foremost to maximize airflow efficiency. It is constructed of a wide-open, high-porosity square-type mesh that leaves ample room for fresh air to enter a PC. Four pre-installed 140 mm ARGB case fans move cool air through the chassis. These fans are exceptionally thick, measuring 28 mm in depth. These fans deliver up to 3 mmH2O static pressure and 115 CFM airflow for excellent cooling with quiet operation.

Samsung Electronics continues to redefine the boundaries of immersive gaming with the Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC), which has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous awards for its unparalleled performance and innovation. The Odyssey Neo G9 set a new standard with its 57-inch Dual UHD display, combining unmatched visual clarity with cutting-edge technology to deliver an immersive gaming experience as well as boosts in productivity. This state-of-the-art monitor is the equivalent of having two 32-inch monitors in one unit, with a 1000R curved screen for maximum immersion.

With Quantum Matrix Technology, coupled with a lightning-fast 240 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time, the Odyssey Neo G9 also offers vibrant visuals, precise control and seamless action in every frame. The Odyssey Neo G9 has received high marks from media, such as Newsweek and Techaeris, with the latter recognizing it as the "world's first dual UHD monitor that delivers in spades." In fact, the Odyssey Neo G9 earned a spot in Techaeris' 'Best of 2023' category, underscoring the Odyssey Neo G9's impressive performance and features that make the monitor a standout choice for gamers.

Following its high-end 4K UltraGear pricing reveal, LG has released the full specs and pricing on a further three SKUs that were also announced back in December of last year. The models in question are the 34GS95QE, 39GS95QE and 45GS95QE, all of which sport a 3440 x 1440 resolution. As the model names suggest, we're looking at 34, 39 and a massive 45-inch display panel in these monitors. Other common denominators are that all three models are curved at 800R and a 240 Hz refresh rate, as well as a 21:9 aspect ratio. All three models also feature FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync support, a 275 cd/m² typical brightness and a 0.03 ms GtG response time.

Inputs also appear to be shared across the range with all models offering two HDMI 2.1 inputs and one DP 1.4, plus one USB 3.2 Type-B input and at least a pair of Type-A outputs and a headset jack. The stands are limited to height, tilt and swivel adjustments due to the curved nature of the displays. Price wise, these new OLED models are unlikely to sell as hotcakes, as the 34GS95QE starts at US$1,299.99, followed by the 39GS95QE at US$1,499.99 and finally the 45GS95QE at US$1,699.99. Considering that there are similar displays with lower refresh rates from several competitors at far lower price points, LG is likely going to have to offer some hefty discounts for these new models before they start selling in any kind of quantity.

Welcome to the month of March, which we kick off with some American play fighting and although this is the biggest release this week, it's not what we'd call a AAA release. We obviously have a range of other games for you as well, ranging from a morally ambiguous RPG to a muddy driving game followed by a physiological horror title, a very Finnish adventure and nine days of preparation.

WWE 2K24 / This week's major release / Friday 8 March
WWE 2K24 boasts a star-studded roster featuring WWE Legends like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Undertaker, and Andre the Giant, alongside current WWE Superstars like "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns, whose larger-than-life entrances and signature moves are heightened by ultra-realistic graphics. WrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, where Superstars become WWE Legends. Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania's greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you can relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches. Steam Link

Corsair proudly announced the launch of two attention-grabbing additions to the M75 gaming mouse lineup: M75 and M75 WIRELESS. Blazing onto the scene with the same award-winning shape and match-winning performance established by the M75 AIR, these new mice deliver utmost comfort and control, while also infusing a streak of RGB into their lightweight designs. For the most competitive matches, M75 and M75 WIRELESS put you in fantastic shape to win, and look great doing it.

The meticulously sculpted M75 mouse design glides into the spotlight once again, with an unwavering focus on precision and ergonomics. M75 series mice are uniquely shaped from the ground up to comprise some of the most thoughtfully crafted gaming mice available. At 74 g and 89 g respectively, M75 and M75 WIRELESS are lightweight and agile enough to make deft flicks and microadjustments.

XPG, a fast-growing provider of systems, components, and peripherals for Gamers, Esports Pros, and Tech Enthusiasts, today launched the latest generation of the XPG XENIA 15G gaming laptop to markets around the globe. Designed to be an all-around price to performance laptop for gamers, developers, and content creators, XPG has worked tirelessly to deliver a product that will meet all your needs without breaking the bank. With XENIA 15G (2024), no obstacle is too great.

Do Anything and Everything
XENIA 15G is the culmination of many years of gaming laptop development. In that time, countless hours of research and testing have gone in to produce a cost-effective laptop for the modern user. With a 14th Gen Intel Core i7-14700HX processor, up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 series GPU, high-speed ADATA DDR5 DRAM, and a 15.6" FHD IPS 144 Hz display, you can play anything and do everything without sacrificing performance.

Hitachi LG Data Storage, SK hynix's global distributor has recently unveiled the 'Tube T31,' a novel USB stick-type SSD, in Japan and Korea. This innovative product aims to alleviate the storage constraints of gaming devices like PlayStation 5 and Xbox. The Tube T31 features a sleek and lightweight design, making it suitable for a variety of devices including gaming consoles, PCs, laptops, and smart TVs. With an impressive transfer rate of 10 Gbps and sequential read and write speeds of up to 1,000 MB/s, it meets the demands of avid gamers.

Following its favorable reception in Japan and Korea, Hitachi LG Data Storage is preparing for a global launch of the Tube T31, with a special spring promotion targeted at console gaming enthusiasts worldwide. The promotion is tailored specifically for customers in 10 countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Singapore.

As we enter the end of the month of February and transition into March, we have a somewhat slower week, with a pair of remakes of a couple of classics being the headline titles and both are released on the same day. The rest of the games this coming week consists of a rather bizarre mix between a beat 'em up and tower defence game, a bunch of Greek things, a slightly different take on the zombie game genre and finally a rather good side scroller on an alien planet. In other words, no big releases, but hopefully something interesting nonetheless.

STAR WARS: Dark Forces Remaster / This week's first remake / Wednesday 28 February
The evil Empire is currently creating a doomsday army behind a veil of secrecy. However, they are no match for the Rebel Alliance's covert operations division. Your mission is to infiltrate the Empire and put an end to their plans for terror and domination.

Sharkoon Technologies is an international supplier of high-quality, high-performance PC components and peripherals. For light-colored gaming setups, Sharkoon is now launching a white version of the Hi-Res-certified SKILLER SGH50 gaming headset. Moreover, in addition to the usual synthetic-leather ear pads, the new white version and the already available black version will each include a pair of hybrid ear pads covered with a combination of synthetic leather and fabric.

Comfortable Hybrid Ear Pads
The white version of the SKILLER SGH50 comes already fitted with the new hybrid ear pads covered in synthetic leather and fabric, while, for the usual audio sounds, the black version comes fitted with ear pads that are furnished purely with synthetic leather. Together with the headband, which automatically adapts to the shape of the head, the manufacturer aims to put even more focus on comfort with the use of the new hybrid ear pads. Of course, the hybrid ear pads are also supplied with the black version.

AMD Ryzen 8040 "Hawk Point" mobile processors continue to roll out in all sorts of review sample guises—mostly within laptops/notebooks and handheld gaming PC segments. An example of the latter would be GPD's Hawk Point-refreshed Win Max 2 model—Cary Golomb, a tech reviewer and self-described evangelist of "PC Gaming Handhelds Since 2016" has acquired this device for benchmark comparison purposes. A Ryzen 7 8840U-powered GPD Win Max 2 model was pitched against similar devices that house older Team Red APU technologies. Golomb's collection included Valve's Steam Deck LCD model, and three "Phoenix" Ryzen 7840U-based GPD models. He did not have any top-of-the-line ASUS or Lenovo handhelds within reach, but the onboard Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU is a close relative of 7840U.

Golomb's social media post included a screenshot of a Batman: Arkham Knight "average frames per second" comparison chart—all devices were running on a low 10 W TDP setting. The overall verdict favors AMD's new Hawk Point part: "Steam Deck low TDP performance finally dethroned...GPD continues to make the best AMD devices. 8840U shouldn't be better, but everywhere I'm testing, it is consistently better across every TDP. TSP measuring similar." Hawk Point appears to be a slight upgrade over Phoenix—most of the generational improvements reside within a more capable XDNA NPU, so it is interesting to see that the 8840U outperforms its predecessor. They both sport AMD's Radeon 780M integrated graphics solution (RDNA 3), while the standard/first iteration Steam Deck makes do with an RDNA 2-era "Van Gogh" iGPU. Golomb found that the: "three other GPD 7840U devices behaved somewhat consistently."

Japanese high-end audio pioneers, Final, introduces the VR500 wired Gaming Earphones, delivering an extraordinary gaming audio experience without breaking the bank. The VR500 sets a new standard for affordable immersive audio, offering gamers a high-end experience at a remarkably low price. The VR500 specializes in "sound image localization" in order to accurately reproduce the direction of sound, providing gamers with a three-dimensional soundstage for a heightened sense of realism and immersion. Whether you're in the midst of a battle or exploring a virtual world, Final's expertise in high-end audio is evident in the VR500—elevating your gaming experience to new heights.

The VR500 features Final's newly developed precision-tuned dynamic drivers that deliver exceptional audio clarity at a fraction of the cost of other gaming earphones and headphones. From subtle in-game cues to explosive sound effects, the VR500 ensures an immersive gaming experience without the premium price tag.
In games, sound effects and dialogue are localized to the creator's intended position and can be heard clearly, making it easy to identify each sound even in situations where sound effects overlap - allowing deeper immersion into a wide array of digital dimensions. Designed for extended gaming sessions, the VR500 prioritizes comfort without compromising affordability, and comes with a wide selection of Final's own superior quality silicone eartips, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit. The compact, ergonomic design and lightweight build allow gamers to enjoy extended playtime without discomfort.

As we enter the third week of the year's shortest month, we have a ton of new games to look forward to, with the major release this week being a gaslamp fantasy game with an open world and some multiplayer co-op action. As for the remaining games this week, we have an indie sci-fi shooter, a racing sim, a terminator franchise title, a couple of survival games set in different locations, with the latter one being a multiplayer game as well.

Nightingale / This week's major release / Tuesday 20 February
Nightingale is a PVE open-world survival crafting game played solo or cooperatively with friends. Build, craft, fight and explore as you venture through mystical portals into a variety of amazing and fantastical realms. You are stranded beyond our world, cut off by the collapse of the arcane portal network. This catastrophe has left you fighting to survive in a labyrinth of beautiful and dangerous Fae realms. Your goal: become a skilled Realmwalker, and navigate the web of transdimensional portals. Only then can you discover your way to the magical city of Nightingale, the last known bastion of humanity.

As we enter the year of the dragon according to the Chinese zodiac, we have a week full of new game releases to look forward to, although none of them are unfortunately dragon themed. This week's AAA release has a more caribbean theme and has been a long time coming. As for the remaining releases, we're looking at a dash of phobia, banishment, some insight, dwarves, colonisation and a dark town.

Skull & Bones / This week's AAA release / Friday 16 February
Enter the perilous world of Skull and Bones, a co-op pirate open world action RPG experience, to become the most infamous pirate kingpin. Engage in thrilling naval battles, craft a variety of unique ships, forge unlikely alliances as you overcome the odds, and bring mayhem on the seas. Be part of an immersive world that introduces new challenges and features every season

Creating quality content requires quality gear - whether you're editing your latest video review or streaming your favorite games on Twitch. The ROG Carnyx is a professional-grade condenser gaming microphone that delivers detailed, high-fidelity audio with minimal setup, making it a good microphone for gaming and streaming that lets you can do what you do best: playing games, streaming, and creating content.

Crystal clear sound through the Carnyx gaming microphone
The Carnyx features a 25 mm condenser capsule and 192 kHz / 24-bit sampling rate, meaning every detail of your voice will come through in a clean, uninterrupted recording. Our high-pass filter enhances vocal clarity, the microphone's built-in pop filter to minimize vocal plosives, and the entire unit suspended onto a premium metal shock mount with a high quality elastic cord to reduce external vibrations and produce crystal-clear sound.

Welcome to February proper, a week that brings one fairly big AAA release, followed by a few lesser titles. We have sparky tales, a remake by MicroProse, dungeons, inquisitors and a space based RPG game for you, none of which can be considered major releases, but might still be fun to play.

Helldivers 2 / This week's AAA release / Thursday 8 February
Helldivers 2 is a 3rd person squad-based shooter that sees the elite forces of the Helldivers battling to win an intergalactic struggle to rid the galaxy of the rising alien threats. From a 3rd person perspective, players use a variety of weapons (pistols, machine guns, flamethrowers) and stratagems (turrets, airstrikes, etc.) to shoot and kill the alien threats. Players can also aim down the sights for a more accurate 1st person camera view. Combat is accompanied by frequent sprays of blood and dismemberment as players exterminate the alien forces or players and squad mates are hit by environmental explosions or friendly fire. Enemy encampments and battlefield environments depict bloodstains and dismembered corpses.

As we're about to enter February, there are a bunch of new releases to look forward to this coming week, oddly enough many of them Japanese, just like this past week. This week's major release is based on a DC comics movie, which may or may not be appealing. As for the rest of this coming week's releases, we got a turn-based roguelike, some corsairs, punching, but only once, a fantasy action RPG, an anime 3D fighter and a JRPG. Hopefully there's something here for almost everyone.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League / This week's major release / Friday 2 February
From Rocksteady Studios, the creators of the Batman: Arkham series, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a genre-defying third-person action shooter where the ultimate band of misfits must do the impossible to save the world: Kill the Justice League. Join the newly "recruited" members of Amanda Waller's infamous Task Force X (aka the Suicide Squad), Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark, as they set out on an impossible mission to Kill the Justice League. Drop into an expansive and dynamic open-world Metropolis ravaged by Brainiac's invasion and terrorized by the heroes who once protected it.

Roland announces BRIDGE CAST X, the latest addition to the growing family of BRIDGE CAST products for online gaming and livestreaming. BRIDGE CAST X is a powerful desktop interface and connection hub that allows streamers to simplify their setups and improve their content with Roland's renowned pro AV features. Multiple USB-C, HDMI, and audio ports provide simultaneous connectivity for computers, gaming consoles, and other devices, eliminating the need to repatch for different streaming scenarios. BRIDGE CAST X also includes an XLR mic input, assignable control pads, and support for thousands of royalty-free backing music titles via the BGM CAST service on Roland Cloud.

From online gaming to podcasting, vlogging, and other video content, BRIDGE CAST X keeps users focused on creating rather than fussing with cables and different pieces of specialized gear. The integrated design simplifies connections and reduces clutter, while the friendly panel is filled with controls for executing actions in real time while streaming.