The Chinese tech press is abuzz with slides allegedly from Intel's pre-launch press-deck for the Core Ultra 2-series "Arrow Lake-S." The most sensational of these are Intel's first-party performance claims for the top Core Ultra 9 285K model. There's good news and bad news. Good news first—Intel claims to have made a big leap in energy efficiency with "Arrow Lake," and the 285K should offer gaming performance comparable to the current Core i9-14900K at around 80 W lower power draw for the processor. But then there in lies the bad news—despite claimed IPC gains for the "Lion Cove" P-core, and rumored clock speeds being on par with the "Raptor Cove" P-cores on the i9-14900K, the 285K is barely any faster than its predecessor in absolute terms.

In its first party testing, when averaged across 12 game tests, which we used Google optical translation to make out the titles of, Intel used performance numbers of the i9-14900K as the mean. The 285K beats the i9-14900K in only four games—Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, Age of Mythology Retold, Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, and F1 23. It's on-par with the i9-14900K in Red Dead Redemption 2, Total War: Pharaoh, Metro Exodus, Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong, Rainbow Six Siege. It's slower than the i9-14900K in Far Cry 6, FF XIV, F1 24, Red Dead Redemption 2. Averaged across this bench, the Core Ultra 9 285K ends up roughly on par with the Core i9-14900K in gaming. Intel also compared the 285K to AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X, and interestingly, even the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

Welcome to another week of September and more new game releases. This week, we have a massive AAA release, well, at least for those that are into hammers of war and marines in space. For those that are not, we still have a busy week of new releases that starts with a very different take on what a car is, a new version of an Atari classic, an RPG farming sim, a normal take on what a car is and finally some eldritch horrors, because it's Friday the 13th.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 / This week's AAA release / Monday 9 September
Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of a Space Marine. Unleash deadly abilities and devastating weaponry to obliterate the relentless Tyranid swarms. Defend the Imperium in spectacular third-person action in solo or multiplayer modes. Steam Link

AMD on Friday released an off-branch Preview driver that should interest those playing Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 this weekend. The Adrenalin 24.10.37.10 Preview Driver fixes intermittent driver timeout bugs facing the game during gameplay. The drivers also fix overly dark shadows or desaturated colors in "Black Myth: Wukong" when the Global Illumination setting is medium or higher. But these aren't the main payload of this driver release, it has to do with extending AMD Anti Lag 2 Vulkan API support for Counter-Strike 2. The technology works to reduce whole-system latency during gameplay, which should improve your responsiveness in online multiplayer gameplay.

DOWNLOAD: AMD Software Adrenalin 24.10.37.10 Preview Drivers

ASUS today announced the launch of the exclusive Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Collector's Edition graphics card, developed in collaboration with AMD and Focus Entertainment and officially unveiled at the ROG press event during Gamescom on August 20. At the Gamescom press event, ASUS revealed that this card is based on the TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX and is custom-built for a global giveaway for gamers and fans of Space Marine 2 and the Warhammer 40K universe.

To celebrate the game's launch, ASUS and AMD collaborated on a live stage event at the Gamescom Hall on August 23, where three randomly-chosen audience members competed to win one of the exclusive Space Marine 2 graphics cards. After several rounds of quickfire questions centered around Warhammer 40,000 lore and Space Marine 2, one of the participants received the first Space Marine 2 graphics card prize.

Welcome to the first week of August and for those of you living in the Nordics, welcome back to work after a month of holiday. This week's major release is based on a manga that became an anime hit on Netflix that involves bouncy things. This is followed by retro fields, a Scottish game that has neither kilts nor bagpipes, a rather different take on Warhammer 40K, a creature centric game, a steamy heist sequel, pirate cats and a kingdom of rats. No huge releases this week either, but still a pretty solid line-up of new games.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles / This week's major release / Thursday 8 August
Spin a new tale of the Jura Tempest Federation together with all your favorite characters from the animated series! Players can enjoy thrilling action battles that combine flashy special moves and powerful combos. Through leveling up bonds with friends, Rimuru will learn Special Attacks, and even have allies join in to back up Rimuru's attack. Finish off formidable enemies that are coming to destroy Tempest with Secret Skills animated in retro 8-bit style! Steam link

Get ready to dive into the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40,000 like never before in this PowerWash Simulator Special Pack, coming February 27th 2024. You can find PowerWash Sim and the Warhammer 40,000 Special Pack on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, Windows, and Steam. Are you ready to powerwash the galaxy clean?💦 The world of Warhammer 40,000 meets PowerWash Simulator, where you will be tasked with cleaning the vehicles of the grim dark future. This exciting announcement was made at IGN Fest, an event where fans from across the globe come together to celebrate the most anticipated upcoming titles.

Deep in the Indomitus Crusade, relentless campaigns across the galaxy have imbued a variety of Imperial machines with a litany of dirt. As a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus, it is your singular honour to perform the ultimate purification protocol. You are blessed with an all new Adeptus Mechanicus character model and well-equipped for the ritual cleansing with a custom MKII Aqua-Santica Arquebus power washer; the perfect fusion of human and machine.

Chaos threatens humanity once again. Reports of a mysterious plague named 'the Bloom' emerge from the Tyrtaeus sector, and the arrival of an Imperial Inquisitor sets in motion a chain of events which will test your tactical prowess to its limits. In Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters, you'll take command of the Grey Knights, an elite chapter and secretive order of Space Marines, tasked with aiding the Inquisitor in the eradication of this foul corruption. Force Commander, given the grave nature of this new threat, I have been authorized to distribute the following confidential military doctrine to assist your encounters with this plague. I hope that these Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters tips serve you well. For the Emperor!

Turn-based tactics, Space Marines style
A single Grey Knight is an army unto itself, whether executing enemies at distance or purging them in melee combat. Your elite soldiers don't miss their shots, offering you total precision when they open fire on the forces of Chaos. Repeatedly attacking foes will stun them, creating an opportunity to target specific body parts and reduce your foe's effectiveness or even unleash a stunning execution to boost your entire squad with an extra action.

Ave Imperator, Force Commander! We are thrilled to announce that Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters is coming to Xbox and PlayStation on 20 February! A deadly new threat courses through the galaxy. Nurgle's champions are spreading disease and plague in the form of a new contagion, The Bloom. This infectious influence corrupts whole planets and their lifeforms into twisted reflections of the Plague God's designs. Lead the Grey Knights to exterminate the forces of Chaos in fast-paced, brutal, turn-based tactical combat. Personalize and equip your elite squad of Daemonhunters to purge the deadly corruption of The Bloom as it spreads in a galaxy-spanning campaign. This will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles on 20 February. The original Windows PC version is already out on Steam and Epic.

Take the helm of the Baleful Edict to command Strike Team Xiphos, a force of humanity's greatest weapon, the Grey Knights, to eliminate The Bloom. Upgrade to the Purifier Edition and the mighty Castellan Garran Crowe will deign to join your ranks following a timeline event during the Campaign. This legendary Grey Knight wields unique skills and equipment including the Black Blade of Antwyr, a powerful relic which incessantly whispers temptations to its wielder.

Today, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive, in partnership with Games Workshop, are thrilled to showcase the co-op mode for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the explosive third-person action game that brings another level of spectacle and bombast to Games Workshop's franchise. The teams debuted a new trailer showcasing spectacular action gameplay and breathtaking cinematic footage at this year's Summer Game Fest Live Showcase. Focus and Saber can also confirm highly-anticipated sequel will launch this winter on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Physical versions are open for pre-orders, alongside a prestigious Collector's Edition.

A bombastic action-packed campaign to experience solo or in co-op
As showcased in the Co-Op Campaign Reveal Trailer (below), Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 features a gripping narrative that follows fan-favorite Lieutenant Titus—powerfully portrayed by actor Clive Standen. Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of the Emperor's greatest warriors by unleashing deadly abilities and an arsenal of devastating weaponry, and obliterate the relentless Tyranid hordes, solo or cooperatively with friends or AI in the 3-player co-op mode.

Following Games Workshop's Skulls Showcase earlier today, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive are thrilled to showcase brand new glimpses of gameplay for their upcoming action-packed blockbuster Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, coming soon to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Hosted by Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun's lead actor and Warhammer superfan Rahul Kohli, the event has given players their very first look at the Tyranid onslaught they will be facing at release. Watch today's video (below) and discover it for yourself!

Play as the greatest warriors of the Imperium
Embody a Space Marine of the Ultramarines Chapter, a superhuman warrior who protects humanity from untold horrors, in brutally efficient third-person action powered by the distinctively fast and fluid gameplay experience from best-in-class studio Saber Interactive, the team and engine behind World War Z.

The 40th anniversary of Warhammer has been filling us with nostalgia, and the new trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is only making things better. This is a gloriously retro pulse-pounding first-person shooter, where you play a Space Marine one-man army gunning through pixelated heretic hordes. This awesome game lets you experience the ultimate homage to retro shooters, blending 80s-style visuals with fluid, modern FPS gameplay. And you won't have to wait long to play it - it's out on May 23rd!

Load up your Boltgun and plunge into battle headfirst! Experience a perfect blend of Warhammer 40,000, classic, frenetic FPS gameplay and the stylish visuals of your favourite 90's retro shooters. Play a battle-hardened Space Marine on a perilous mission across the galaxy, as they battle against the Chaos Space Marines and daemons of Chaos. In glorious boomer shooter style, unleash your devastating Space Marine arsenal as you blast through an explosion of sprites, pixels and blood. Run, jump and charge across huge levels to shoot, shred and slice the worst heretics across the galaxy!