Around RDNA 4's launch period, ASRock's web presences listed an intriguing Radeon RX 9070 XT Steel Legend Dark 16 GB model—seemingly not mentioned in official introductory press material. As covered on TechPowerUp earlier this month, this unusual darkened spin-off of the "traditional white" Steel Legend design received little fanfare—the obvious reason being that gray/black stock was not readied for AMD's March 6 rollout to market. Over the past weekend, VideoCardz put an investigative spotlight on a Hermitage AkiHabara/GDM Japan press release. It turns out that ASRock's Radeon RX 9070 XT Steel Legend Dark SKU will become available early next month, starting with the Japanese "domestic market."

The manufacturer's global website was not updated with a similar PR item, so an international/widespread launch is likely planned for a later date. The "expected market price" upon release is 133,800 yen (including tax), which converts to roughly US$891. Industry watchdogs believe that the Dark variant will roll out "globally" with the exact same price tag as the already launched pale sibling. The Taiwanese brand did not introduce a Radeon RX 9070 (non-XT) Steel Legend Dark overclocked model, to exist alongside their white-hued RX 9070 Steel Legend OC offering. The wallet-friendlier triple-fan ASRock RX 9070 Challenger SKU—in black, with a splash of ARGB—is their only other Navi 48 XT GPU-based option.

During GTC 2025, NVIDIA unveiled the professional (PRO) side of its "Blackwell" GPU line—headlined by a monstrous GDDR7 96 GB option, that unleashes the full potential of their GB202 die. Industry watchdogs anticipated sky-high pricing, as befits such a potent specification sheet/feature set. As reported by VideoCardz over the past weekend, a North American enterprise PC hardware store—Connection—has populated its webshop with several of Team Green's brand-new RTX PRO Blackwell Series SKUs. The publication received tip-offs from a portion of its readership; including some well-heeled individuals who have already claimed pre-orders. Starting off, the investigation highlighted upper crust offerings: "the flagship model, called the RTX PRO 6000 with 96 GB of VRAM, will launch at $8435 (bulk) to $8565 (box), and this price seemingly applies to both models: the Workstation Edition and a sub-variant called Max-Q. Both are equipped with the same specs, but the latter is capped at 300 W TDP while retaining 88% of the Al performance, claimed NVIDIA."

Connection has removed its RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell and RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Max-Q product pages, but the rest of Team Green's professional stack is still visible (see relevant screenshot below). The RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell 48 GB card is priced at $4569.24 (or $4439.50 for bulk). The cheapest offering is a $696.54 RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell 8 GB model. Officially, NVIDIA and its main professional series board partner—PNY—only revealed 4500, 5000 and 6000 product tiers. VideoCardz put a spotlight on some of these unannounced options, including: "the RTX 4000 non-SFF version, while this retailer has six listings for such SKUs (two SFF and two non-SFF, both in bulk and box variants). Presumably, this would suggest that NVIDIA may launch a non-SFF version later. However, the company didn't put 'SFF' in the official card's name, so perhaps this information is no longer valid, and there's only one model." According to a GDM/Hermitage AkiHabara Japan press release, a local reseller—Elsa—is preparing NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition and RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Max-Q Workstation Edition stock for scheduled release "in May 2025, while the other models are scheduled for release around summer." Additionally, another retailer (ASK Co., Ltd.): "has stated that the price and release date are subject to inquiry."

Shortly after participating in AMD's special RDNA 4 launch event, XFX presented its custom Radeon RX 9070 Series graphics card models to Chinese media outlets. The board partner's "QUICKSILVER class" customizable shroud design was highlighted by global PC hardware news sites—a demonstration unit was showcased with attached "racing car red and white" sections. At the time, XFX's web presences teased this intriguing modular system: "the RX 9000 Series QUICKSILVER Class GPUs features customizable magnetic wings which can be easily removed and replaced to match your style and needs." Select models also sport the manufacturer's impressive "Magnetic Air" triple-fan system—as explored in W1zzard's review of a related (higher-end) MERCURY model; worth a read!

Very recently, XFX's RDNA 4 QUICKSILVER splash page was updated with additional information: "3D Printer Required—3D files available in the downloads section on the product pages." A fresh VideoCardz report covered the availability of 3D print files for compatible card models, via official download pages. Owners can print out their own interpretations, but "magnets are required for assembly." XFX has not yet indicated whether it will sell aftermarket magnetic wing parts. The company's general mentioning of "RX 9000 Series" could imply that forthcoming QUICKSILVER models—e.g. Radeon RX 9060 XT—will be similarly provisioned with modular shroud designs.

Late last week, ASRock introduced its opening wave of Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 graphics card models; in Taichi, Steel Legend and Challenger guises. Official press material only alluded to an intriguing "gray" spin-off of the Taiwanese manufacturer's (traditionally) white-hued mid-tier product family. ASRock's brand-new Radeon RX 9070 XT Steel Legend Dark 16 GB model is listed on their website, but it has received little fanfare since February 28. Appropriately, this "Dark" variant rolls out with the familiar Steel Legend shroud and backplate designs—albeit, with a two-tone (black/gray) aesthetic.

As expected, the ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT Steel Legend Dark card shares identical specifications with its standard white sibling—in both cases, we are looking at non-overclocked SKUs. The AMD board partner has not prepared a non-XT Steel Legend Dark card for launch (on March 6), but an expanded lineup could emerge in the near future. ASRock graphics card enthusiasts have noted a mildly disappointing absence of RDNA 4-based Phantom Gaming options—past Radeon product generations have hit global markets with this sub-brand. Looking at a typical past example—ASRock's Radeon RX 7800 XT Phantom Gaming OC card—we see a gray/black design with a smattering of RGB lighting zones. We could surmise that ASRock has created a similar-ish modernized equivalent—in the shape of Steel Legend Dark (non-OC)—to fill a (temporary?) Phantom Gaming-sized gap.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Slash Sling Bag 4.0, ROG Slash Sleeve 4.0, and ROG Backpack 4.0—all of which are new additions to the ROG urban gear range. Boasting bold aesthetics and functional designs, these bags are the ideal lifestyle travel gear for the urban jungle.

Compact commuter
The ROG Slash Sling Bag 4.0 offers a sleek and elegant carrying case for the ROG Ally or other gaming handhelds, complete with soft inner lining and custom cutouts to safely secure the device. Built from tear- and water-resistant materials, the Sling Bag 4.0 is designed to protect gear from inclement weather as well as the bumps and knocks of daily life. A magnetic Fidlock quick-release buckle enables easy access to the main compartment, while 360° snap hooks and adjustable shoulder straps ensure the bag is always perfectly suited to the user's body and preferred carrying position. Custom ROG monograms inside the bag and ROG logo on the exterior fabric accentuate the bag's bold style.

be quiet!, the German manufacturer for premium PC components, is introducing a brand-new mainstream case series, Pure Base 501, and a new mainstream power supply series, Pure Power 12. Following in the footsteps of the extremely successful and award-winning Pure Base 500 series, Pure Base 501 proves that simplicity can be exciting: useful features and a compact size make this case series perfect for any gaming or office PC. The line-up includes models aimed at silence or airflow, with or without window, and in two different colors (black and white). It supports advanced features for flexible installation and reliable cooling. Meanwhile, Pure Power 12 extends be quiet!'s power supply portfolio with mainstream models that offer 80 Plus Gold rating and fixed cables.

Pure Base 501: Compact yet mighty
Pure Base 501 is aimed at users looking for a very flexible case with compact dimensions and who appreciate a timeless, traditional design without ARGB features. The case series consists of one black model aimed at silence (with a closed front panel) and black and white models aimed at airflow (with a mesh front panel) featuring either a solid side panel or a side panel window for a perfect view of the components inside the case.

LIAN LI Industrial Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of chassis and PC accessories, has introduced the latest model to its O11 series of PC cases with the O11 Vision Compact. Developed in collaboration with PC Master Race (PCMR), the O11 Vision Compact is a refinement of the previous O11 Vision. It maintains the 3-sided tempered glass showcase style while adding a top mesh panel and bracket for top cooling options. With a fixed motherboard tray and a more compact design, the O11 Vision Compact can support back-connect ATX motherboards. It features a large grommet passthrough for AIO radiators to connect to a side-mounted radiator in the second chamber. The O11 Vision Compact even integrates a rear passthrough for an internal IPS display, which can be easily mounted above the motherboard. The O11 Vision Compact is available in black and white at an MSRP of $119.99.

Two Configurations
The O11 Vision Compact now includes a top mesh option for excellent airflow in addition to the top glass configuration. The top glass mode provides a completely unobstructed view of the system with top, front, and left-side tempered glass panels. The magnetic mounting key in the top left corner performs double duty, securing the mesh configuration top bracket to the front glass, and with top glass, holding the three glass panels together with 35 kg of supporting force.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the Lian Li O11 Vision Compact is now live]

Antec Inc., leading provider of high-performance computer components and accessories for Casual and High-end gaming, is thrilled to announce the latest additions to its renowned line-up of cooling fans:

Tranquil PWM Fans: Offering an affordable cooling solution which compromises powerful airflow with low noise. Available as single fans or packs of 3 with 120 mm and 140 mm options, all with or without ARGB lighting. MSRP starting at €11.99 / £9.99 single fan and €29.99 / £24.99 for the 3 Pack.

Sharkoon Technologies is an international supplier of high-performance, high-quality PC components and peripherals and now presents the SKILLER SGK40. This is a three-block keyboard with an aluminium housing that should be ideal for gaming thanks to its "Edge Light" illumination as well as its comprehensive gaming software.

All-Round RGB Illumination
The Edge Light is an LED strip located on the back of the diamond-cut aluminium housing of the SKILLER SGK40 and provides another RGB highlight in addition to the usual illumination of the keys. Through the downloadable software, the illumination of both the keys and the Edge Light can be extensively customized or, if desired, completely switched off.

ENERMAX, an industry-leading force dedicated to designing high-performance computer hardware and cooling solutions, launches its latest power supply series, the REVOLUTION D.F. 12, the world's smallest ATX 3.1 power supply with only 122 mm in-depth. This design maximizes space for airflow within PC cases while delivering robust power in line with the ATX 3.1 specifications, including up to a 235% power excursion. Equipped with a 600 W 12V-2x6 cable, the REVOLUTION D.F. 12 ensures uncompromised performance for high-end graphics cards and cutting-edge AI computing. The REVOLUTION D.F. 12 also fits seamlessly into micro ATX cases, providing ample room for efficient cable management.

Committed to sustainable computing, REVOLUTION D.F. 12 offers a highly technical power solution aimed at enhancing power conversion efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. This commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated in the product's shipping and packaging innovations. The REVOLUTION D.F. 12 features an innovative 115 mm dual-ball bearing fan with ENERMAX's patented Dust-free Rotation (D.F.R.) technology, providing a self-cleaning function and an activated switch button to enhance system longevity by minimizing dust accumulation inside the power supply. The power supply operates in fanless mode when under 50% load, ensuring complete silence at low and medium workloads. Additionally, users will be able to manually activate the D.F.R. function using the D.F.R. switch button, which can also serve as a power-on indicator.

In Win Development Inc. (InWin), a leading innovator in PC enthusiast and gaming hardware, has launched its F5 full tower EATX PC chassis for enthusiast PC builders looking for design customization, extensive cooling options, and support for vertical GPUs and hidden cable motherboards. Customizable Front Panel—First showcased at Computex 2023, the InWin F5 features customizable front panel bezels that can easily be popped-off and swapped between glossy or wooden aesthetics, depending on the users preferred style. The F5 is available in both black and white color options with a 3 mm tempered glass side panel that gives great views of the inside hardware, while both side panels offer convenient, tool-less removal. Mesh grills on the front, top, bottom, and opposing side panel provide ample opportunities for ventilation. Helpful design additions include the quick-remove dust filter for the bottom fans, and a bundled magnetic GPU holder to prevent sag of heavier graphics cards.

Extensive Cooling Options
The spacious interior and versatile cooling options are engineered to accommodate high-end hardware including flagship graphics cards up to 435 mm in length, larger CPU heatsinks up to 180 mm in height, and high-performance ATX power supplies up to 230 mm long. Both vertical and horizontal GPU orientations are supported, with a vertical adapter bracket bundled in the package.

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Power, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast Memory solutions, is delighted to release the TOUGHAIR 710 Black CPU Cooler, a CPU air cooler designed for the toned-down black aesthetics. The TOUGHAIR 710 Black is a new edition to the TOUGHAIR series and features a Dual-Tower Dual Fan Design, providing superior cooling performance for the latest Intel and AMD CPUs. Now this new-colored TOUGHAIR 710 Black is worldwide available for purchase!

If you are a non-RGB lover and want to build a low-profile but eye-catching PC, look closer to the TOUGHAIR 710 Black. The TOUGHAIR 710 Black is inspired by the shadows and is composed entirely of black components, increasing a sense of mystery and nobleness. Designed for high-performance CPUs, the TOUGHAIR 710 Black comes with the Dual-Tower Dual Fan Design, doubling everything to achieve exceptional cooling performance. To fit all main-stream CPUs, the TOUGHAIR 710 Black is compatible with various Intel and AMD sockets, including the latest Intel 1700 and AM5.

In addition to the SWAFAN EX ARGB series, Thermaltake today announced the ToughAir 710 Black CPU cooler. Capable of handling thermal loads of 250 W, this dual fin-stack cooler is a variant of the ToughAir 710 that Thermaltake announced in March 2023, but while the original uses regular aluminium fins, the ToughAir 710 Black uses anodized aluminium fins. The black color scheme covers not just the anodized aluminium fins, but also each of the seven 6 mm-thick nickel-plated copper heatpipes, the top-plates on each of the two fin-stacks, much of the retention module, and the base, with the exception of the cold-plate itself. The two included ToughFan 14 fans appear to be unchanged, since black frames and gray impellers were part of their design even on the original ToughAir 710. Measuring 148.6 mm x 146.6 mm x 165 mm (LxWxH), the cooler is expected to weigh around the 1 kg-mark.

EK, the leading computer cooling solutions provider, unveils its latest product, the EK-Quantum Torque Rotary STC-10/16 - Black. Meticulously crafted with precision, these premium soft-tube compression fittings are specifically engineered to accommodate a wide range of flexible tubing types, including PVC, EPDM, Norprene, silicone, and other compatible options. What separates these new fittings is that they feature a rotary joint on the threaded side, enabling you to attach the fitting to the tube, securely fasten the compression ring, and then install the entire assembly into a G1/4" port inside your PC. This exceptional feature makes the installation process easier and more user-friendly. The new EK-Quantum Torque Rotary STC fitting supports the 10/16 mm (ID/OD) soft tubing.

Secure Connection
The fitting's locking ring compresses the tubing wall beneath it, ensuring that the flexible tube remains securely attached to the fitting's barb without the risk of being pulled off. The grooves on the exterior of the fitting facilitate easier hand tightening. The compression ring features EK Quantum's signature cutouts, allowing the colored aesthetic ring to be prominently displayed. For further customization, interchangeable aesthetic color rings can be added, making these fittings a perfect match for EK-Quantum series products.

HELLO DARKNESS MY OLD FRIEND - Some people are afraid of the dark. Here on Drop, more than a few are friends with it. If you lean away from the light in your own personal aesthetic, you've come to the right keycap set. Meet MT3 Darkness: a truly shadow-infused typing statement, with an ultra-satisfying profile you won't find anywhere else. A study of the dark in all its shapes, shades, and forms, this set features charcoal, almost-black keycaps with slightly lighter, dark-gray legends.

It's a look that gives depth to Darkness - supported by a profile that gives it height, too. That's thanks to our tall, vintage-inspired MT3 profile, which features scooped keycap tops and a sculpted shape between rows to create a retro typing feel with a modern flourish. This exclusive feel is actualized with durable, doubleshot ABS construction for exceptional texture and legends that last. This is Darkness that doesn't quit.

Gamesense has announced that its new glass mouse pad is available to purchase: "The Sonar is in-stock and ready to ship! Comes in all black or the limited edition Minhwa of Pearl. We expect the Minhwa of Pearl to be sold out very quickly." The standard black edition is currently on offer at $75 (normally $90), and the "Minhwa of Pearl" Limited Launch Edition is priced at $100, but only a small number of these special units remain in stock.

The Sonar pad is generously sized with measurements of 500 x 400 mm - its glass construction has a 4.7 mm material thickness. Competitive multiplayer gamers will enjoy the Sonar's surface properties - its incredible smoothness offers an unrivalled level of movement speed as well as precision. The rounded beveled edges provide maximum comfort and prevent any catching of clothing or skin. The Sonar pad is designed to stay firmly in place thanks to an array of anti-slip rubber feet attached to its base.

DeepCool debuted its Assassin IV Dual Tower CPU cooler earlier this year at the CES 2023 trade show - as covered by TPU at the time - its very eye-catching design was described as looking: "like (a) big dark cube inside your case, with a shroud covering all its sheet-metal." The flagship high-performance CPU cooler seems to ready for an imminent launch, with press material and product images being released today for the Chinese market. Early impressions indicate that hardware enthusiasts are appreciative of the almost all-black monolithic aesthetic, with some folks predicting that DeepCool is going to win computer hardware product design awards.

DeepCool press material states (via translation) that its Assassin IV CPU cooler provides super silent operation while dealing with up to 280 W of heat - Intel's latest high-end Core i9 CPUs could be tamed with relative ease. The heatsink is comprised of 7 heat pipes with a dual fan attachment that includes 120 and 140 mm FDB fans - said to operate silently at high RPMs. The fans are rated at 500 - 1700 RPM, with an airflow delivery of 79.1 / 58.06 CFM in performance mode, and 63.76 / 46.75 CFM airflow for the gentler quiet mode. Deepcool's specifications indicate that these cooling fans produce less than or equal to 29.3 dB(A) noise at peak performance, and less than or equal to 22.6 dB(A) noise in quiet mode. The entire cooling solution consumes 2.88 W in performance mode.

EK, the premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, is expanding the EK-Quantum Surface radiator portfolio. This radiator series has already garnered high praise, won multiple awards at reputable review-based websites, and is now being expanded with Black Editions. The EK-Quantum Surface radiators are built upon years of development and market research to provide the best possible product with mechanically rigid and top-performing finishes. These radiators are EK-Matrix7 compatible, as EK focuses on bringing the Matrix7 standard into all aspects of water cooling and beyond, enabling users to create stunning and professional-looking builds in a much more user-friendly way.

EK-Quantum Surface Radiators Black Edition
The new Black Edition EK-Quantum Surface P radiators come in two sizes - 240 mm and 360 mm. With a thickness of 44 mm, the EK-Quantum P Series Surface radiators are the absolute all-rounders for low noise and high performance across the entire fan operational range.

Possible streaming multiprocessor (SM) counts of the various NVIDIA "Ada Lovelace" client-graphics GPUs surfaced, allegedly pieced together from code seen in the recent NVIDIA cyberattack data-leak. According to this, the top-dog "AD102" silicon has 144 SM, the next-best "AD103" has 84. The third-largest "AD104" silicon has 60. The performance-segment "AD106" has 36, and the mainstream "AD107" has 24. Assuming the number of CUDA cores per SM in the "Ada Lovelace" graphics architecture is unchanged from that of "Ampere," we're looking at 18,432 CUDA cores for the "AD102," an impressive 10,752 for the "AD103," 7,680 cores for the "AD104," 4,608 for the "AD106," and 3,072 for the "AD107."

ID-COOLING today announced SE-226-XT ARGB and SE-226-XT BLACK CPU air coolers. Both coolers include the same black heatsink with 6 heatpipes and copper base. 120 mm ARGB fan and Black fan are used on ARGB / BLACK version respectively. SE-226-XT Series is designed to cool those processors with a TDP up to 250 W. Both models are built with a solid heatsink which is specially design with 100% RAM compatibility. Black coating is applied for a stealthy looking.

For SE-226-XT ARGB, the included 120x120x25mm fan is built with 2Ball bearing and has 8pcs rubber dampeners on all corners of both sides, running at 800 to 2000rpm with PWM support while pushing 56.6CFM air at maximum speed, noise level measured 16.2 to 31.5dB (A). For SE-226-XT BLACK, the included standard 120x120x25mm fan has 8pcs rubber dampeners on all corners of both sides, running at 700 to 1800rpm with PWM support while pushing 76.16CFM air at maximum speed, noise level measured 15.2 to 35.2dB (A).

AMD has today updated its Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition version 21.5.1 drivers, bringing many features on board as well as fixing a lot of issues that have appeared in the past. Starting with support for the Resident Evil Village PC game, AMD promises to deliver up to 13% better frame rate at 4K maximum settings, while using the Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card. The comparison was conducted with a reference to the previous driver, 21.4.1, which didn't allow the card to reach as high FPS as it is now possible with the proper support for the game. Another game that is added to the support list is Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition. Some fixes have been implemented, as the incorrect performance metrics that may have incorrectly reported temperatures on Ryzen 5 1600 series processors. For a detailed list of bug fixes, please take a look at the list below.DOWNLOAD: AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 21.5.1

MonsterLabo, a team of four people best known for their work on "The First" PC case, are at it again with giant pieces of PC component tech. This time, they took tried and true designs and sizes of CPU and GPU coolers and threw them into an enlargement ray, coming up with what they are calling "The Heart". As it stands, and it stands higher and heavier than all other cooling solutions hitherto, "The Heart" is a cooling solution that extends from your CPU through to your GPU, cooling both with its design of densely stacked fins.

Dimensions is where "The Heart" is bold, with the cooler measuring 200 by 185 mm and 265 mm tall. Adding insult to injury, its weight comes in at 6.6 lbs (3 Kg for us metric system aficionados). MonsterLabo rates the cooler's dissipation capabilities at 100 W CPU load and a 120 W GPU. Adding a 500-RPM 140 mm fan would bump those numbers to 140 W and 160 W, respectively. Mind these numbers apply to cases where "The Heart" is installed into MonsterLabo's own The First case, but differences should be relatively minor in any other case, should you actually be able to install it there. Of course, the combined CPU and GPU design will be very hit or miss - your graphics card will have to be perfectly compatible with the cooler, with its GPU set just right on the PCB for it to be perfectly covered by it. If you want to risk that, you can always drop $200 or €180 for The Heart, in either black or white finishes. Inexpensive for a heart, yes, but extremely expensive as a cooler with expected limited compatibility.