Today's Hardware Roundup: DLSS 5, Holographic Coolers, and AM4's Second Wind
It's the week of small form factors and weird coolers. MSI dropped a budget refresh for AM4 that's still actually useful. TRYX built a liquid cooler that projects holograms. NVIDIA says DLSS 5 is here to fix your game's visuals, not just your framerate. And Corsair made a membrane keyboard that thinks it's tough.
NVIDIA is shifting gears with DLSS 5. The focus is no longer just frames. It's visual fidelity. The new 3D-Guided Neural Rendering model processes the frame created by the game engine. It enhances skin, hair, clothing, and lighting. It preserves original geometry. First supported in NBA 2K27. You can toggle it with F9. The Guru of 3D says DLSS 5 pivots toward visual fidelity. Frame generation turns off during replay interfaces for consistent screenshots. As of right now, DLSS 5 is a tech preview for NBA 2K27, with broader availability yet to come.
The Guru of 3D: NVIDIA DLSS 5 Review with NBA 2K27
NVIDIA DLSS has traditionally been associated with performance. Super Resolution reconstructs a higher-resolution image from fewer rendered pixels, Frame Generation inserts additional frames between conventionally rendered ones, and Ray Reconstruction replaces multiple hand-tuned denoisers with an AI model.
TRYX is pushing boundaries. Where most AIOs settle for a flat LCD on the pump, the HOLO ARGB 360 projects a floating hologram above the CPU block. It uses a beam-splitting lens for actual depth. The display runs at 640x480 resolution and tilts up to 60 degrees. It's powered by an Asetek pump rated for 280W TDP. Three 120mm ARGB fans round out the kit. The Cybenetics Diamond rating suggests it backs up the flash with performance. Keep in mind that the price on Amazon sits around $180. We've watched holographic coolers come and go as novelties. TRYX is the first to claim a Cybenetics Diamond rating alongside the trick, which at least implies the cooling isn't a joke.
ThinkComputers.org: TRYX HOLO ARGB 360 Liquid CPU Cooler Review
Described by TRYX as the world’s first holographic AIO liquid cooler, the HOLO uses a professional-grade beam-splitting lens to create a floating image with actual visual depth above the CPU block. This 360 mm AIO is powered by a new Asetek pump solution rated to handle up to 280 watts of heat, and it comes with three 120 mm ARGB fans integrated into a single-frame assembly to reduce cable clutter.
TRYX HOLO ARGB 360 Liquid CPU Cooler Review | ThinkComputers.org
Hardware Gets Weird and Practical
Simagic continues to shake up sim racing with the Zeus Sport. At $469, it's the affordable option in the new lineup. The package includes a MagicDash 4 touchscreen display and Simagic Air Link. You get 8 RGB buttons, two seven-way rotary switches, and up to 50 assignable inputs. The rim features perforated leather and suede trim. TweakTown gave it 96%. Their verdict calls it the most versatile wheel in the series.
TweakTown: Simagic Zeus Sport Steering Wheel Review
Simagic continues to impress with the Zeus Series of steering wheels, offering premium quality, modularity, and great value with the all-new Zeus Sport.
Corsair took a retro approach with the SKIFF 100 PLUS. It's a full-size rubber-dome membrane board. The IP53 rating means it handles dust and light water splashes. Latency averages 14.6 ms end-to-end. That's sufficient for gaming. The latency range spans 9.3 to 20.1 ms. If you're keeping score, the Corsair SKIFF is the only membrane board on this list with splash resistance. You get six programmable G-keys and a rotary dial for volume. The best part? Corsair Web Hub works without the bloatware-heavy iCUE software. It's a quiet typing experience at €69.99, which might appeal to shared offices.
IgorsLAB: Corsair SKIFF 100 PLUS Review: Quiet Membrane Keyboard
The Corsair SKIFF 100 PLUS offers quiet input, numerous features and a price of 69.99 euros, but its 14.6 ms latency is only average.
The Cooler Master MasterFan A120 FC rejects compromise. It's 30mm deep, not the standard 25mm. Aluminum frame and blades on two ball bearings rated beyond 200,000 hours. Speeds hit 4000 RPM. Airflow reaches 121.73 CFM. Static pressure tops 13.15 mmH2O. The bundled controller offers a TurboCharge mode that opens the ceiling to 4000 RPM. At those speeds, it's essentially an industrial fan with consumer connectors. Cybenetics awarded Diamond for pressure and Titanium for airflow.
Hardware Busters: Cooler Master MasterFan A120 FC 120mm Fan Review
The Cooler Master MasterFan A120 FC is a 30mm aluminum 120mm fan with a 2500/4000 RPM switch, Cybenetics Diamond static pressure and Titanium airflow.
Cooler Master MasterFan A120 FC 120mm Fan Review - Hardware Busters
Budget Refreshes
AM4 isn't dead yet. MSI dropped the PRO B550M-P WiFi6E for 2026. It costs $99 to $119. The board brings PCIe Gen4 support to the aging platform. You get a Gen4 x16 slot and a Gen4 M.2 drive. Wi-Fi 6E is built in. The rear panel includes DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, and even PS/2. Micro ATX form factor keeps it small. The 10+2+1 power delivery uses 50A DrMos. The FPS Review scored it 8.7/10. The inclusion of retro ports may seem outdated, but business builds still rely on PS/2 mice and serial-era peripherals.
The FPS Review: MSI PRO B550M-P WiFi6E (2026) Motherboard Review
The MSI PRO B550M-P WiFi6E upgrades the MSI PRO B550M-P with more modern features, PCIe support, and power delivery, check out what's new for 2026.
The MSI Crosshair 16 HX E14W sits at the entry point of the Crosshair line. MSI calls it "Get Started with Gaming." The spec sheet has other ideas. Intel Core i7-14650HX with 16 cores. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR7. 16 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. The top feature is rear-facing HDMI and Ethernet. Cables disappear behind the laptop. The 16-inch QHD+ panel hits 240 Hz and covers 100% DCI-P3. ThinkComputers reviewed the machine.
ThinkComputers.org: MSI Crosshair 16 HX E14W Gaming Laptop Review
The MSI MSI Crosshair 16 HX E14W is a 16-inch laptop powered by an Intel Core i7-14650HX processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card, 16GB of DDR5 memory, 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz display, and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, made for PC gamers who are looking to play games at high settings at 1080p or even 1440p by taking advantage of NVIDIA DLSS, creators as well as students who need a high core count CPU that can handle demanding tasks like editing, rending, coding, and multi-tasking, AI hobbyists who plan to run quantized models or GPU-accelerated tools locally, or just anyone looking for a high performance laptop that features rear HDMI and Ethernet ports for a clean desk setup.
MSI Crosshair 16 HX E14W Gaming Laptop Review | ThinkComputers.org
FiiO is known for pricey audiophile gear. The FG3 flips the script at $69.99. It includes a dual dynamic driver configuration with a 50mm and 15mm driver. A dedicated in-line DAC/Amp module runs on a dual-core DSP chip. Hardware-based 7.1 virtual surround is baked in. FiiO Control Web lets you tune audio in a browser. Vortez reviewed the headset. A DAC module at this price is unusual. The dual-driver setup should beat single-driver budget cans for richness.
Vortez: FiiO FG3 Gaming Headset Review
FiiO enters the gaming audio market with the FiiO FG3, a budget-friendly headset priced at just $69.99. Featuring a dual-driver configuration and a bundled USB DAC/Amp module, it aims to challenge established gaming brands. Can FiiO successfully bring its audiophile expertise to an entry-level gaming headset?
Compact Power and Storage
Small form factor builders know the pain. Quality PSUs in Flex ATX are scarce. FSP's FlexGURU PRO 650W changes that. It's the first Platinum-efficiency Flex ATX with ATX 3.1 compliance. The form factor measures 150x81.5x40 mm. You get 650W of power with up to 92% efficiency. Japanese electrolytic capacitors and six protections round out the design. The 40mm fan can get noisy under load, according to Funky Kit. Not cheap. However, at the same time, Flex ATX options historically carry a premium.
Funky Kit: FSP FlexGURU PRO 650W 80+ Platinum ATX 3.1 PSU Review
The FSP650-50FUB is the first product on the market to achieve both ATX 3.1 specification and 80 PLUS Platinum efficiency in the standard Flex ATX size (150 x 81.5 x 40 mm). ATX 3.1 is Intel's latest power design guideline, which provides more stable and faster power response for next-generation hardware platforms such as PCIe Gen5, and requires stricter overvoltage, short circuit, and power surge tolerance design. The FSP650-50FUB is 80 PLUS Platinum certified and offers high conversion efficiency at 20%, 50% and 100% loads at 90% and up to 92%.
FSP FlexGURU PRO 650W 80+ Platinum ATX 3.1 PSU Review - Funky Kit
The ADATA SD820 weighs 26.5 grams. That's under an ounce. It's a portable SSD built to survive rough conditions. IP6X dustproof and IPX8 waterproof up to 1 meter for 60 minutes. It handles 4-foot drops. Sequential speeds hit 2 GB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. The 1 TB model costs $195. The controller is USB-native, which saves weight. Micron 232-layer QLC NAND fills the drive. TechPowerUp reviewed the unit. It works with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The USB-native design is a clever move for durability and weight savings. Keep in mind that the 2 TB variant is expected around $390. The 2 TB model lands around $390. That's steep.
TechPowerUp: ADATA SD820 Portable SSD 1 TB Review - Sturdy and Lightweight
ADATA SD820 Portable SSD 1 TB pairs rugged IP6X dustproofing and IPX8 waterproofing with fast 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds. It is a strong pick for creators and travelers who want a compact drive that can handle rough conditions without slowing down.
ADATA SD820 Portable SSD 1 TB Review - Sturdy and Lightweight
