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Polartherm X8 & X10 Review: Incredible Performance For The Money!

If you aren’t familiar with the brand, Polartherm is the new TIM (Thermal Interface Material) Market player, targeting the mainstream market with their affordable thermal pastes. Polertherm is the sister brand of Thermal Grizzly. Thermal Grizzly is aimed at enthusiasts and overclockers, while Polertherm focuses mainly on PC users who need high-quality thermal paste at low prices.

Polartherm has only two thermal pastes in its portfolio, X8 and X10. The X8 is more affordable for beginners, while the X10 features an advanced formula and is more suitable for enthusiasts.

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  • 80+ CPU coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
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At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Here are the specs:

Property Polartherm X8 Polartherm X10
Operating temperature -50 to +150°C -50 to +150°C
Density 2.6 g/cm³ 2.6 g/cm³
Color Grey Grey
Silicone based Yes Yes
Electrically conductive No No
Volume (Grams) & Pricing 2g ($6), 5g ($ 10g ($10) , 40g ( 2g ($6), 5g ($ 10g ($13) , 40g (
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On their product page, they share almost similar specifications, but they have not mentioned the thermal conductivity and resistance numbers, which most premium brands do not mention for valid reasons. The thermal conductivity and thermal resistance numbers can be highly misleading. You can read our detailed guide here.

Packaging & Accessories

Polartherm X10 and X8 share identical packaging. It does not come in a plastic bag as most pastes do. The boxes feature a modern, rectangular, sleek design with a combination of white and dark blue colours. The packaging is overall very professional. However, both thermal pastes offer a slight colour change in the accessories. Polartherm X8 has a white applicator and white spatula. Even the syringe is protected by the white nozzle. On the other hand, we have X10, which features the blue colour on the applicator, spatula, and nozzle.

✅ PT Spatula & Applicator are Included in both.

Application & Quality

The viscosity of X8 appears to be in the moderate range. In the after images, the paste was spread out with drips, but maintaining the structure overall. The post application also shows less cracking compared to X10 due to the particle thickness resisting drying out as much.

This paste was also spread across the IHS in the post application; however, due to its higher viscosity, the cracks were observed in the application because of the thickness of the material. If the application is this thick, always make sure to give the proper burn-in or cure time. If you intend to spread the paste, you would require some skill to do so.

Testing Methodology

Polar Therm - Comparison

How We Test Thermal Pastes

After applying the thermal paste, we ran two 15-minute Cinebench R23 tests with a 5-minute break in between to let things cool down. Then, we ran a third 15-minute test and noted the average temperatures, measured as the difference above room temperature. Thermal pastes nowadays require almost no burn-in time; however, if the paste is too viscous, that would be another case, and extra warm-up tests are needed to prepare it.

Controlled Environment

We have ensured that the room temperature remains consistent all the time. To maintain accurate readings, we use a high-quality thermo-hygrometer available on the market. It is important to note that we have eliminated the influence of ambient temperatures in our data, and all results are presented as deltas over the ambient conditions.

Preparing System

We are using HYTE Y70, but all the panels have been removed. All the fans are spinning at 50% while the liquid-cooler pump and fans are always at 100%.

Software

We used HWINFO Pro to record average temperatures on the CPU tDIE on AMD.

Test Setup

Performance Results

Thermalpastes Showdown

We have compared it against the best thermal pastes available on the market in terms of performance. Polartherm X8 and X10 showcase an incredible fight against their opponents, coming close to beating them with a very tiny margin. The X10 is unmatched at 58.2 °C, topping our previous chart leader, ID-Cooling X45, by 0.2 °C.

The difference is not something serious. This could be the margin of error, as these pastes are performing roughly the same. On the other hand, X8 is very comparable in performance to the Arctic MX6. What surprised me is that X10 is beating the Duronaut by almost a degree in our testing.

Should You Buy It?

Buy Polartherm X10 If:

✅ You have a mid/high-range processor:X10 demonstrates better results under load than X8. We suggest using this paste for mid-end to high-end gaming processors with a TDP of more than 65W.

✅ You want durability: Due to X10’s viscous properties, X10 can outlast the X8 paste. It’s also better than other generic oil-based thermal pastes on the market

Don’t Buy It If:

❌ For Graphics-Cards: If you’re applying the thermal paste on the graphics card, we recommend going for the PTM pads to ensure longevity.

Buy Polartherm X8 If:

✅ You prefer more value: Polartherm’s X8 exhibits decent performance under the load, although it is 1°C hotter than its other sibling.

✅ You have an entry/low-range processor: This thermal paste is suitable for entry-level to low-range gaming processors due to its price and performance.

Don’t Buy It If:

❌ For Overclocking: Where every degree matters, pick X10 instead.

Final Thoughts

Polartherm is focusing on budget users, aiming to provide a thermal solution that delivers the value and performance the user demands. They have just two products in their portfolio that we have tested, Polartherm X8 and Polartherm X10. The first impression we had after looking at the paste was excellent due to its packaging. Polartherm is the sister brand of Thermal Grizzly, which focuses on enthusiast-level thermal products, so this already sets the bar high.

Polartherm performed as intended, topping our charts in the thermal pastes even better than the Duronaut. We did not expect it even to outshine the Thermal-Grizzly’s best product currently. But hold on! The charts might not explain everything. The performance is excellent, and both are silicone-oil based with a mixture of aluminium oxide and Zinc Oxide thermal compounds.

However, Duronaut is engineered for long-term stability with minimal pump-out effect due to its optimised particle mix and high adhesion. As such, I would recommend users opt for the Duronaut instead if they intend to use it for the long term and do not plan to service their computer for years. Of course, X10 performed well while keeping the price in mind, which is $6.29 for the 2grams.

Polartherm X8 also showed promising results, but only 1 degree worse than the X10. It performed surprisingly well against the premium thermal pastes available on the market, such as Arctic MX-6. In our opinion, X10 provides better value than X8 as it’s only a few cents more. The X8 2-gram packaging costs $5.90. If we were to recommend to users which one to buy, we would suggest the X10, as it demonstrates much stronger results and offers more durability. 

 

Ninja Theory’s Surge In Profits Suggest Hellblade 2 Was A Success

Story Highlight
  • According to Ninja Theory’s new financial report, it is pleased with Hellblade 2.
  • The company recorded an increase in overall profits and workforce.
  • The studio is already working on its next game, titled Project Mara, which Microsoft greenlit.

Hellblade 2 was released last year to decent reviews from the audience. While most people appreciated the cinematic feel of it, the game didn’t introduce anything new in terms of combat or gameplay. It even hit a player count of just 5K on Steam.

However, despite the smaller number of players and reports suggesting poor sales, Ninja Theory’s latest financial report reveals that the company’s profits increased in the latest fiscal year, implying that Hellblade 2 was a success.

Why it matters: Expectations from Hellblade 2 were through the roof, considering the first one came out of nowhere and became an instant hit. While the sequel was decent enough, it didn’t do anything to stand out.

Ninja Theory recorded an increase in profits following the Hellblade 2 release in 2024.

According to Ninja Theory’s latest financial report, the company is pleased with Hellblade 2, as it was praised by both critics and the audience, and won multiple awards. The company’s gross profit and operating profit also saw an increase.

Ninja Theory also increased its workforce slightly from 106 to 108 people, and is also one of the few studios that has yet to see any layoffs. Its next game, titled ‘Project Mara’, has already been greenlit by Microsoft.

The studio is pleased with Hellblade 2’s critical success.

Unfortunately, the report doesn’t have anything on it. However, Hellblade 2 is expected to bring in more revenue soon, considering there are reports that Microsoft is planning to launch the game on PS5 soon.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Ninja Theory’s profits rising due to the success of Hellblade 2? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the Tech4Gamers forum.

FromSoftware Is Developing An Unannounced Multiplatform Title That Could Release As Early As 2026

Story Highlight
  • An unannounced multi-platform title is in development at FromSoftware and is expected to launch as early as 2026.
  • This game, codenamed “FMC,” could be a new entry in the Dark Souls or Armored Core series.
  • This project is entirely different from the Duskbloods.

FromSoftware surprised everyone this year when the Japanese developer announced a multiplayer exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2, a completely new direction for the company. Fans were taken aback by this new approach, despite the developer’s promise to continue working on more single-player games.

Now, as it turns out, FromSoftware has a new project deep in development that is set to launch as early as next year, in addition to The Duskbloods.

Why it matters: The release of two games by one of the most influential developers in 2026 is a positive sign for the industry’s efficiency.

The Duskbloods
This unannounced project is different from The Duskbloods.

According to a report from MP1st, an unannounced project from the Japanese developer is in the advanced stages of production and will launch on multiple platforms. The article also reveals that barring any delay, this mystery game could release as early as 2026, meaning FromSoftware will release 2 new titles next year.

Furthermore, the report speculates about the nature of this project based on its codename “FMC.” Historically, only Dark Souls and Armored Core titles are codenamed with the letter “F.” Therefore, some are speculating that this new multi-platform game could belong to one of these two franchises.

Considering how Armored Core 6 just came out in 2023, fans are betting this unannounced multi-platform offering might be a new Dark Souls title. However, FromSoftware has previously released side projects and spinoffs in the Armored Core franchise shortly after launching a mainline entry, so it’s anyone’s guess.

Armored Core 6
Many are speculating that this mystery title is a Dark Souls or Armored Core game.

Another thing to note is that the codename of The Duskbloods is not known, but the source confirms that these two projects are entirely different, as one is a multi-platform offering while the other is going to be exclusive. 

In addition, it’s not apparent if this will be a single-player or multiplayer title, but fans are hoping FromSoftware reverts to tradition.

Latest Updates

Do you think this unannounced title is a Dark Souls sequel? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Intel Is Laying Off 5,000 US Employees As It Falls Behind The Competition

Story Highlight
  • Intel recently admitted that it can’t catch up to its competitors now due to AI.
  • The company is now laying off 5,000 employees this month in the US. 
  • These layoffs have exceeded the originally announced number as the chipmaker aims to invest more in AI.

Intel was once a pretty solid manufacturer of CPUs, as it almost dominated the market. However, looking at it now, it is just the shadow of its former self, and there is nothing it can do to go back to the way it was. 

The company is perhaps no longer a competitor to its rival AMD, as it has fallen significantly behind. After admitting that the company can’t catch up to its competition, it is laying off a whopping 5,000 employees. 

Why it matters: Laying off employees has become a new trend where each company is partaking in to decide which stays on top. 

Intel nova lake
Intel Can No Longer Compete With AMD Due To AI

Microsoft also recently laid off 9,000 employees, which attracted considerable criticism, as fans even cancelled their Game Pass subscriptions to boycott Xbox. That is how much the fandom was angry at the company. 

Now, Intel, after admitting to having fallen short in comparison to its competition, is laying off thousands of US employees. According to the updated Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filings, Intel is laying off more than 5,000 employees across four states. Most layoffs are occurring in Oregon and California. 

Previously, it was announced that the company would lay off 1,666 employees in four states in July as part of a restructuring effort to focus and invest more in AI. However, the chipmaker has increased its job cuts, which have now surpassed the 5,000 threshold, raising concerns. 

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
AMD Now Dominates The CPU Market Completely

The company previously clearly agreed to the fact that it can’t catch up to its competitor, as it is way behind in terms of Artificial Intelligence. Despite admitting it has cut a massive number of jobs to invest in this technology. 

The company has far exceeded the number of layoffs it announced; the number may increase even more in the coming days. Hopefully, the chipmaker doesn’t cut more jobs, as it is already under a lot of hate from the fandom. 

Latest Updates

What do you think about the chipmaker being this aggressive with the layoffs? Do you think the company can bounce back even with laying off over 5,000 employees? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.

Tech Experts Say PS6 Will Feature 24 GB RAM To Account For Ray Tracing And AI Without Raising Costs

Story Highlight
  • PS6 to offer 24GB RAM as per Tech Experts, who think it will be sufficient while keeping costs minimal.
  • DRAM prices haven’t been seeing changes, as such, 32GB of RAM is out of the question.
  • Details on Xbox are unknown since Microsoft isn’t adopting a traditional console strategy.

With more than half of PS5’s lifecycle behind us, leaks and speculations about its successor have already begun. With hardware progress stagnating over the past few years, a considerable jump isn’t expected; however, machine learning could play a significant role in delivering the next-generation experience.

Now, Tech experts have predicted that the PS6 would feature 24GB RAM, if they want to stay in the cost bracket without making the console too expensive. 

Why it matters: The next-gen console will feature the smallest jump in hardware ever. The leap from PS4 to PS5 was twice in terms of RAM, but only a 1.5 times increase is expected going forward. 

Folks at Digital Foundry were asked if the next-gen consoles would come with “oodles of RAM.” One expert suggested that 24GB of RAM is expected for the PS6 without significantly increasing production costs.

The price of DRAMs has remained unchanged for the past few years, and it’s expected to remain costly in the future. Hence, the question of 32GB RAM is not feasible. 32GB of memory could be possible with a mid-gen refresh though.

Moreover, 16GB is sufficient for the arts and textures, with the remaining capacity reserved for advanced Ray Tracing and Machine Learning techniques that the PS6 will utilise.

playstation ceo
PS6 Will Offer Double The Performance Of PS5, Says Leaker

The handheld PS console, on the other hand, will feature 16GB of RAM, and earlier rumours have suggested that the device will be able to run PS5 games.

For Xbox, however, a prediction cannot be made yet, as Microsoft’s new console may be akin to a PC. The gaming giant is said to compete with Pre-built PCs rather than PlayStation.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on this prediction? Do you think 24GB of memory would be sufficient for the PS6? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Call of Duty Introducing A New Subfranchise In 2027 Featuring Martial Arts Gameplay

Story Highlight
  • Call of Duty will introduce a new subfranchise after more than a decade with the 2027 release.
  • The title, led by Sledgehammer Games, is said to feature martial arts alongside an emphasis on movement.
  • Zombies mode will be absent, and the Get High map from Modern Warfare 3 (2023) will return. 

Fans have grown tired of seeing new iterations in the Modern Warfare and Black Ops series for the past few years. While most of them want to see a new Ghosts or Advanced Warfare game, Activision may have a bigger surprise for them.

According to an insider, Call of Duty will debut an entirely new subfranchise in 2027, marking the first new subfranchise in over a decade. The title, developed by Sledgehammer Games, is also said to feature martial arts.

Why it matters: A new subfranchise is a good direction for the Call of Duty games, but implementing martial arts does raise a few questions. Fans have been complaining that the franchise is straying from its roots, a trend that is becoming increasingly evident day by day.

call of duty 2027 details
Leaks For 2027’s Call Of Duty || Social Media

According to TheGhostofHope, a credible Call of Duty leaker, 2027’s Call of Duty will be set in the modern era. The martial arts in the game will feature moves such as karate kicks or karate chops. It’ll be interesting to see how that turns out.

The game will emphasize movement a lot with the Get High map from Modern Warfare 3 set to return. The map was a parkour showcase, so expect similar mechanics from 2027’s release.

call of duty black ops 7
Call Of Duty Black Ops 7 Allegedly Releasing On November 14th

Additionally, Zombies mode is said to be excluded from the release entirely.

While these decisions may look bizarre to a veteran Call of Duty player, new changes are welcome, but it depends on how they’re implemented. Sledgehammer Games was behind the success of titles like Call of Duty: WW2 and the original Modern Warfare 3 (2011), so expect great things from the studio.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on these details from 2027’s Call of Duty? Do you think that they will turn out great for the game or bad? Let us know in the comments section, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Sucker Punch Director Wants To Return To The Infamous Franchise Eventually

Story Highlight
  • Nate Fox, the creative director at Sucker Punch, stated that he would like to work on the Infamous series again.
  • The studio is currently focused on Ghost of Yotei, and can only work on one project at a time.
  • The Infamous trilogy remake could be valuable exclusives for the PlayStation 5.

In a recent interview with Game Informer, Sucker Punch’s Creative Director, Nate Fox, shared his excitement about the idea of bringing back the Infamous series. While the team is currently focused on their next big title, Ghost of Yotei, coming to PlayStation 5 in October this year, Fox’s comments have fans dreaming again.

Could we see the return of Infamous in a new game or a remake of the trilogy? Exciting times ahead.

Why it matters: The future of the Infamous franchise remains to be seen, but the desire for more, both from fans and the director, is clear.

Infamous Second Son PC Port
Infamous Second Son PC port would sell like hotcakes.

The Infamous series began in 2009 on the PlayStation 3, following Cole MacGrath, a bike messenger who gains superpowers and fights his way through an open-world city. With its comic book style, action-packed gameplay, and choices that shaped the story, the series quickly became a fan favorite.

Infamous and Infamous 2 were praised as some of the PS3’s best games. In 2014, Infamous: Second Son debuted on the PS4 with a new protagonist, Delsin Rowe, showcasing the console’s impressive graphics.

But since the First Light spin-off that same year, the series has gone quiet. When asked about bringing back Infamous, maybe even as a trilogy rerelease, Fox showed evident excitement.

I would love to work on more Infamous. I would love to see a trilogy rerelease, but Sucker Punch is a one‑game‑at‑a‑time shop, and right now we are very focused on finishing Ghost of Yotei.

-Nate Fox, Sucker Punch.

That means Sony could still release remasters or remake versions without the studio’s help. With the PS5 still needing big exclusive titles, a revamped Infamous trilogy could attract both longtime fans and new players.

Infamous Second Son
One game at a time, but Infamous may come back.

With Sucker Punch focused on Ghost of Yotei, the idea of an Infamous trilogy rerelease could give other studios a chance to step in and take it on. Sony might hand off a remaster to a studio like Bluepoint or Nixxes to keep things going while Sucker Punch keeps working on the Ghost franchise.

Latest Updates

Do you think Sony will finally go back to the Infamous franchise and give fans what they’ve been asking for? Drop your thoughts in the comments, or join the conversation on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Ghost of Yotei To Follow Proper Story Structure Unlike AC Shadows

Story Highlight
  • Ghost of Yotei will feature the Yotei Six as key targets for Atsu to hunt down.
  • Sucker Punch states that it will not allow players to kill the targets while disregarding the narrative structure.
  • This approach differs significantly from Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ story, which lets players kill important targets in any order.

Ghost of Yotei received a slew of new details following PlayStation’s latest gameplay presentation. Story-related details were also shared by Sucker Punch, reiterating the revenge-focused narrative of Atsu.

Although the game is focused on six specific targets dubbed the Yotei Six, a target-based approach similar to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Sucker Punch says that the game will follow a set narrative structure as Atsu hunts the Yotei Six.

Why it matters: The story ended up being one of the weaker parts of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and one key reason was Ubisoft’s decision to rely on open-ended design throughout the game.

ghost of yotei female lead
Ghost of Yotei Launches Very Soon

Discussing the story of Ghost of Yotei, director Jason Connell spoke to VGC regarding the role of the Yotei Six. He pointed out that Sucker Punch does not intend to let players kill the six targets based on their preferences.

Instead, the game will follow a story that has a clear beginning, middle, and end, revolving around these enemies. According to the team, the story is vital to the overall experience.

By no means are we going to let you kill all six with no story structure.

-Jason Connell

This is quite interesting since Assassin’s Creed Shadows took the opposite approach, giving each target short stories that vaguely connected to the larger narrative.

However, this approach led to Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ story feeling disjointed and less fleshed out than past entries. Sucker Punch seems to have steered clear of this pitfall when designing the Yotei Six.

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows And Ghost of Yotei Comparisons Were Inevitable

This is good news since fans shared concerns about Ghost of Yotei’s plot and overarching story once they learned about the Yotei Six. These concerns primarily stemmed from Ubisoft’s approach a few months prior, as Ghost of Tsushima also drew cues from the French publisher’s open-world structure. 

Latest Updates

What do you think about the story of Ghost of Yotei so far? Are you intrigued by Atsu’s quest for revenge after the recent marketing? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Microsoft Quickly Approaching $4 Trillion Valuation Following Layoffs

Story Highlight
  • Nvidia became the world’s first $4 trillion company recently.
  • Microsoft is the only company to rival Nvidia, with stock prices rising 15% this year.
  • The company is currently valued at nearly $3.8 trillion and may soon join the $4 trillion club.

Microsoft made headlines for its latest round of layoffs, which impacted a large part of Xbox’s first-party division. This round of layoffs resulted in cancellations like Perfect Dark and Everwild, but Microsoft, as a whole, appears to be doing better than ever.

In fact, a new report points out that the company could soon reach $4 trillion market cap.

Why it matters: Nvidia recently became the world’s first company to hit $4 trillion in market value. However, this came as no surprise after the gaming giant’s dominance in the AI sector.

Microsoft Market Cap
Market Cap of the Top Global Companies | Image via CompaniesMarketCap

As spotted by Windows Central’s Jez Corden, Microsoft’s stock price is up 15% this year. The company is currently second only to Nvidia, and its investment in AI appears to be the primary reason for this success.

According to estimates, Microsoft is currently valued at a whopping $3.782 trillion, with Apple following behind in third place. However, the latter’s market value is estimated to be $3.14 trillion at the moment, leaving Xbox’s parent company as the clear winner.

Between services like Microsoft 365, Azure, Xbox, and more, the business is doing better than ever. Although CEO Satya Nadella’s ruthless job cuts and layoffs have proven to be unpopular, his strategies have certainly earned the approval of more than a few shareholders.

Satya Nadella
Satya Nadella Is Leading Microsoft Into A New Era of Success

Of course, it will be interesting to see whether these recent layoffs at Microsoft do long-term harm to the company.

With low employee morale and uncertainty regarding job security, future services from the tech giant may suffer, making the journey to a $4 trillion valuation more challenging than anticipated.

Latest Updates

Do you think Microsoft will soon join Nvidia as the 2nd $4 trillion company? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Leak Point to November 14, 2025 Release

Story Highlight
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was recently announced.
  • A recent leak has suggested that the title could be released on November 14, 2025.
  • It’s still best to wait for an official confirmation regarding the release date.

Just recently, the next entry in the iconic COD franchise was announced. Call of Duty Black Ops 7, which is a direct follow-up to Black Ops 2, was revealed during the latest Xbox showcase. 

While not much is known about the title yet, more information is expected to be revealed during the shared Gamescom 2025, which will take place in August. A recent leak has suggested that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will be released on November 14, 2025.

Why it matters: Over the recent years, Call of Duty titles have been released in either October or November, and it appears to be a similar case this year. 

Call Of Duty Black Ops 7
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Release Date Leaked.

One of the most reliable Call of Duty leakers on X, TheGhostofHope, has shared a new tweet stating that Call of Duty Black Ops 7 will be released later in the second week of November.

He has also stated that over the years, more complete and finished games have been released in October, while incomplete games have been released in November, as developers take extra time in development, but still do not deliver the very best.

Still, it’s best to take this news with a grain of salt, as nothing has been officially confirmed by the developers yet. This is likely to be announced soon, if the potential leaked release date is accurate. 

Black Ops 7 could be the first Call of Duty game to carry a $80 price tag.

It has also been reported that a Call of Duty NEXT event for Black Ops 7 will take place later in September, followed by a beta of the game. Therefore, the upcoming months are going to be exciting for the franchise’s fans. 

The marketing of the game is likely to begin after the Gamescom event, which will take place in August, so we are only a month away from hearing more about Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

Latest Updates

Nonetheless, what do you think about it? Are you excited for this year’s Call of Duty title? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments or join the Tech4Gamers forum.

Assassin’s Creed Live‑Action Series Greenlit At Netflix, Halo Showrunner To Co‑Lead

Story Highlight
  • Assassin’s Creed show greenlit at Netflix with Halo and Sons of Anarchy series showrunners announced as co-leads.
  • This will be the franchise’s second venture into Hollywood, following a failed attempt in 2016.
  • The show will take place in various historical events and is an attempt by Ubisoft to introduce the franchise to new audiences.

As part of their desperate comeback, Ubisoft is set to expand its franchises beyond the gaming world. The Assassin’s Creed series is set to receive yet another chance at Hollywood after the first venture failed with 2016’s live-action film starring Michael Fassbender. 

After several years in development, Netflix has now officially greenlit the live-action show. Interestingly, the show will be co-led by Robert Patino and David Wiener, with the latter being known for leading the Halo live-action show at Prime.

Why it matters: The Halo live-action show wasn’t well-received and was considered a failure. Hence, the Assassin’s Creed show, being led by the same showrunner, does seem questionable.

Ubisoft Charlie
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In a new blog at Ubisoft, the showrunners expressed their interest in the franchise and the excitement they have for the future it brings.

We’ve been fans of Assassin’s Creed since its release in 2007. Every day we work on this show, we come away excited and humbled by the possibilities that Assassin’s Creed opens to us

While Weiner’s attempt at the Halo live-action series was quite subpar, his portfolio remains impressive, having produced Fear the Walking Dead. Roberto Patino, the other showrunner, is best known for Sons of Anarchy and is a capable enough creator for this big franchise.

Ubisoft Bankruptcy
Ubisoft EULA States Gamers Should Destroy Copies Once A Title Is Delisted

The Assassin’s Creed show takes place among various historical events, as stated by Ubisoft, to introduce the franchise to new audiences. 

With the show just being greenlit, it’ll take at least 2-3 years before we see the final product, accounting for production and post-production elements. Ubisoft and Netflix’s partnership will expand in the future with this live-action show being the first of many pieces of content to come.

Latest Updates

What are your expectations from Netflix for this upcoming Assassin’s Creed show? Please let us know in the comments below or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Fans Review: King Is Back

When it comes to the fans, Noctua requires no introduction. They have made their best-performing fans even better, enhancing their performance and durability with their G2 fans. We’re taking a closer look at their brand new fans, the NOCTUA NF-12-25 G2 PWM, which was revealed at Computex 2025.

Noctua has made some meaningful changes, further optimizing its fans in performance to noise efficiency with its remarkably refined blade geometry and a novel motor design. The Fan comes in three different packs: NF-A12x25 G2 PWM, NF-A12x25 G2 LS-PWM (Low Speed Variant), and NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP (Dual Fan Set). All these variants maintain identical fan designs.

However, they have the LS variant tailored for low-noise operations for the setups requiring a near-silent function. The SX2-PP includes two fans, which are tailored for radiators of 240/360mm with a speed offset design. According to NOCTUA, the key acceleration feature that makes the G2 better than its predecessor are the flow acceleration channels and the new centrifugal turbulator.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Usman Sheikh is one of our most senior and experienced hardware reviewers. He loves spending hours (sometimes days) in his lab, testing and comparing different GPUs, CPUs, coolers, and more.
  • 80+ CPU coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 900+ hours spent testing different coolers for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test CPU coolers).

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Here are the specs of the three fans:

  NF-A12x25 G2 PWM (Single) NF-A12x25 G2 LS-PWM (Low Speed SKU) NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP (2x Fan Set)
Size 120x120x25 mm 120x120x25 mm 120x120x25 mm
Mounting hole spacing 105×105 mm 105×105 mm 105×105 mm
Connector & pin-configuration 4-pin PWM 4-pin PWM 4-pin PWM
Cable length 20cm + 30cm NA-EC1 ext. 20cm + 30cm NA-EC1 ext. 20cm + 30cm NA-EC1 ext.
Bearing SSO2 SSO2 SSO2
Blade geometry Progressive-Bend Impeller Progressive-Bend Impeller Progressive-Bend Impeller
Frame technology AAO AAO AAO
Material Sterrox® LCP Sterrox® LCP Sterrox® LCP
Rotational speed (±10%) 1800 RPM 1100 RPM 1750/1800 RPM
Rotational speed (L.N.A.) 1500 RPM 850 RPM 1500 RPM
Airflow 107.3 m³/h 66.3 m³/h 107.3 m³/h
Airflow (L.N.A.) 87.2 m³/h 45.2 m³/h 87.2 m³/h
Acoustical noise 22.5 dB(A) 11.8 dB(A) 22.5 dB(A)
Acoustical noise (L.N.A.) 18.1 dB(A) 7.8 dB(A) 18.1 dB(A)
Static pressure 3.14 mm H₂O 1.08 mm H₂O 3.14 mm H₂O
Static pressure (L.N.A.) 1.71 mm H₂O 0.56 mm H₂O 1.71 mm H₂O
Input power (max.) 1.8 W 1.8 W 1.8 W
Max. input current 0.15 A 0.15 A 0.15 A
Operating voltage 12 V 12 V 12 V
MTTF > 150,000 h > 150,000 h > 150,000 h
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Packaging & Accessories

The second generation of NF-A12x25 is a noteworthy upgrade over its predecessor, featuring several key technological advancements.

It is the same fan as the NF-A12x25 G2. Tailored for the low-noise operations, the RPM has been set to lower 1100RPM max at 11.8dBA.

Optimized for radiators, It’s a two-fan set. These fans carry the offset design (+/- ~50rpm), which means if they are installed side by side on the radiator, they will run at slightly different speeds, preventing them from creating humming or buzzing sound effects because their vibrations sync up.

Product Accessories Included
NF-A12x25 G2 PWM (Single Pack) – NA-RC7 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.) – NA-YC1 4-pin PWM splitter cable – NA-EC1 30cm extension cable – 4x NA-AV2 anti-vibration mounts – NA-AVG1 anti-vibration gasket for water cooling radiators – Fan screws
NF-A12x25 G2 LS-PWM (Single Pack) – NA-RC8 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.) – NA-YC1 4-pin PWM splitter cable – NA-EC1 30cm extension cable – 4x NA-AV2 anti-vibration mounts – NA-AVG1 anti-vibration gasket for water cooling radiators – Fan screws
NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP – 1x NF-A12x25 G2 PWM PPA – 1x NF-A12x25 G2 PWM PPB – 2x NA-RC7 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.) – NA-YC1 4-pin PWM splitter cable – 2x NA-EC1 30cm extension cable – 8x NA-AV2 anti-vibration mounts – 2x NA-AVG1 anti-vibration gasket for water cooling radiators – Fan screws

Each fan comes with a variety of accessories, including a low-noise adaptor, PWM splitter cable, extension cable, anti-vibration mounts, gaskets, and screws.

Closer Examination & Build Quality

The fan is no surprise and looks identical to its predecessor, carrying the beige-colored frame with brown corner accents equipped with Noctua’s SSO2 (Self-Stabilising Oil-bearing). It’s a metal bearing of very high quality. The fan features nine blades with a slightly curved shape optimized for airflow. It has extremely tight tip clearance between the frame and the tip of the blade, which helps reduce leaks through the gap between the frame and the impeller.

The impeller, the rotating part of the fan, is responsible for moving air through the fan. It features groundbreaking improvements, including a new centrifugal turbulator hub, which enhances the fan’s ability to draw in air more efficiently. The fan blades, equipped with winglets at their tips, help reduce turbulence and noise. On the surface of the blades, there are subtle indentations or grooves on the fan blade. Noctua calls them FAC (Flow Acceleration Channels), which can enhance the efficiency and performance of the fans. You don’t see that much in the fans, but NOCTUA has nailed it with the small details that could improve the overall experience.

G2 vs Older Generation

There are only subtle changes in the design overall. Noctua has made changes to the central hub area, including a new centrifugal turbulator hub, which provides an overall smoother hub design compared to the first-generation fans. There are also more pronounced winglet details.

Testing Methodology

We will test the fan’s cooling performance to determine how effectively it cools the CPU and also measure sound noise levels at various fan speed configurations. For the cooling performance benchmarks, we have installed fans on the radiator. The cooler in question is the Deepcool Mystique 360, installed on our Hyte Y70 case at the top as the exhaust and stress-tested using Cinebench R23 for 10 minutes.

For the noise testing, we measure the noise produced by the fan at various speeds at the distance of 30cm outside the case.

Here is our standard case fan configuration for cooling performance:

Component Fan Model Size Quantity Position Direction
Cooler Deepcool Mystique 360 ARGB 120mm 3 Top Exhaust
Rear Lian-Li Uni Fan 120 120mm 1 Rear Exhaust
Side Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm 2 Side Intake
Bottom Deepcool FD-12 PWM 120mm 3 Bottom Intake

We are using a positive air pressure configuration in our case. All case fans are locked at 50% maintaining the adequate cooling in the case.

The following setup was used for testing:

Test Results

Let’s go over the results.

Noise Level dB(A)

Cooling Performance

CPU-Cooling
Cooling Performance

Should You Buy It?

Buy It If

✅ You want the best: These fans exhibit decent performance with the exceptional noise levels.

✅ You want high quality and durability: NF-AF12x25 G2 fans are built with premium materials, including (SSO2) Self-stabilizing oil pressure bearings and a metal reinforced hub with an impressive mean time to failure (MTTF) of 150,000 hours.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ You’re building a PC on a tight budget: Noctua fans are premium products. Investing in a better CPU cooler would be the right choice here.

❌ You want RGB: Noctua fans don’t have ARGB lighting.

Final Thoughts

NOCTUA has done it again with their G2 fans, which are built on the foundation of previous NF-A12x25 PWM. Noctua has sent us three packs of fans, which includes the NF-A12x25 G2 PWM, NF-A12x25 G2 LS-PWM, and NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP. They have made a couple of upgrades to the existing NF-A12x25, including an enhanced progressive-bend impeller with winglets. The winglets are inspired by aviation technology, which reduces static pressure and tip vortices. A new Centrifugal Turbulator Hub on the impeller hub guides incoming airstreams more effectively— NOCTUA has also done a great job in aerodynamic efficiency with a refined aerodynamic design. 

With all the great technology combined, Noctua has done a tremendous amount of engineering to make the fans quieter and provide good performance. In our charts, NF-A12x25 G2 is leading the chart with its exceptional sound levels. It’s even better than the first-generation fans. However, the difference is not very huge.

We have tested the NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP fans on the liquid cooler, accompanied by NF-A12x25 G2 PWM, as we have a 360mm liquid cooler. Even at the maximum speed of 1800 RPM, it’s on par with the other fans from the competitor, such as ID-Cooling, which spins faster and louder. G2 fans have attained a similar level of performance at lower noise and speed, which is phenomenal.

The single-fan Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 PWM fan is $34.90, The dual-fan NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP set has an MSRP of  $64.90, The ultra-quiet NF-A12x25 G2 LS-PWM variant is also priced at $34.90 which is very of-course premium but if you want the lower noise levels at the best cooling then definitely some people wouldn’t mind that.

 
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