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Nobody At Halo Studios Is Happy With Current State of Upcoming Projects

Story Highlight
  • A laid-off employee reveals Halo Studios isn’t satisfied with its upcoming projects.
  • The environment at the studio is tense after at least five employees were fired.
  • This raises concerns for the games currently in development at Halo Studios.

Following Microsoft’s latest wave of layoffs, the morale at Xbox appears to be low. It has cancelled multiple titles, including Perfect Dark and more, and even closed the studio. Even Halo Studios seems to be affected by this catastrophe.

According to a new report, even before the layoffs took place, tensions were already present at the studio, and nobody seemed to be satisfied with the company’s upcoming projects, which include the next mainline Halo game.

Why it matters: Halo is undoubtedly one of Xbox’s biggest gaming franchises, and considering how fans have been waiting for the title for years, this new report doesn’t bode well for a promising release.

Halo 5
Halo Studios employees aren’t happy with their upcoming projects.

Speaking to Engadget, a developer with knowledge of the topic stated that at least five developers have been laid off at Halo Studios, but the studio still employs around 200-300 people. However, they don’t seem too thrilled.

I don’t think anybody is really happy about the quality of the product right now. There’s been a lot of tension and pep talks trying to rally folks to ship.

Criticising Phil Spencer, the employee said that he’s upset because the company recently told them it was Xbox’s most profitable year, and then they made so many job cuts. He also talked about the progression of upcoming games.

Halo-Unreal-Engine-5
At least 5 of the company’s employees have been laid off.

He said nobody at the studio is happy about the quality of their upcoming games, and the environment is tense. This comes after it was revealed that Xbox will reveal new details about Halo projects in October this year.

For years now, the studio has been criticised for the intervention of contractors. The team has always been a mix of full-time developers and contractors, which has led to the deteriorating quality of games.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Halo Studios not being happy with their upcoming projects? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Nintendo Switch 2 Controversy Continues As Reports Reveal Overheating Problem

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  • New reports reveal the Nintendo Switch 2 can overheat when used in docked mode.
  • Multiple users state that the console can shut down or become too hot to touch when this happens.
  • Handheld gameplay appears to be unimpacted by the problem, but users are concerned about the situation.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is quite impressive on paper, but elements like the display and Nintendo’s decision to brick consoles have received considerable criticism.

Adding to the damage, new reports reveal a potential overheating problem with the console. According to various statements, the Nintendo Switch 2 can get extremely hot and even shut down during regular gameplay.

Why it matters: Nintendo’s latest console is already in the hands of over 5 million people worldwide, making this a potentially alarming situation.

Nintendo Switch 2
Problems Related To The Switch 2 Continue To Show Up 

As posted on Reddit, a user has had the Nintendo Switch 2 shut down while playing Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This happened more than once, and the system immediately entered sleep mode after shutting down.

The thread prompted replies from other users who noted that their console had also become extremely hot to touch on multiple occasions. According to the replies, this only happened when playing in docked mode.

The system was overheating and entering sleep mode twice.

-NitroWalrus732

The replies suggest a direct link between the overheating consoles and Nintendo’s dock. In fact, the console can even overheat when simply left plugged into the dock.

One user noted that the Nintendo Switch 2 appears to overheat when connected to both the dock and an internet connection simultaneously. Turning off the internet when putting the console in sleep mode helped fix the problem for this particular user.

Nintendo Switch 2
Handheld Gameplay Appears To Be Fine Despite The Reports

Anyhow, the problem suggests the gaming giant did an underwhelming job with the cooling on the Nintendo Switch 2’s dock. Because the console supports much higher resolutions and frame rates than its predecessor, the cooling setup appears inadequate compared to the original Nintendo Switch.

Future revisions could enhance the dock for improved cooling, but current owners are currently limited in their choices. Third-party accessories to cool the dock appear to be the only current option for the millions of Nintendo Switch 2 owners worldwide.

Latest Updates

Have you experienced any issues with the Nintendo Switch 2’s cooling? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Insider Suggests More Xbox Layoffs Ahead, Says Division Was Only Briefly Profitable During 360 Era

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  • Insider suggests gearing up for more Xbox layoffs to come.
  • He also revealed that the division has barely been profitable, aside from a few quarters during the Xbox 360 era.
  • As we advance, the gaming giant will likely have only a handful of teams, while others will slowly decline after layoffs and cost-cutting measures.

June 2 was one of the worst days in Microsoft’s history, with the company laying off 9,000 employees at once. Xbox was deeply impacted by this workforce reduction, with several projects being canceled and one studio shut down completely.

However, this won’t be the last of the downsizing we’ll see, at least from Xbox’s end. An insider has suggested that this isn’t the last round of layoffs for Xbox by a long shot. 

Why it matters: Layoffs are never a good sign in the industry, and with Xbox owning most of the gaming studios, it’s even a bigger problem. Many of the industry’s talent lies under their wing, and it is looking to go to waste.

Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark Gameplay Showcase Was Allegedly Fake

On ResetEra, insider SneakerSO shared more information and insight on these recent Xbox layoffs. According to him, budgets for projects are severely cut, while the same quality as pre-layoffs is expected.

Most of the employees are now trained to use CoPilot/ChatGPT and utilize new AI models for asset generation. Microsoft has also made AI usage among its employees reportedly mandatory. New workflows are also being introduced among projects.

The most surprising revelation from the insider was that Xbox has barely been profitable in its 25-year existence. According to his information, aside from a few quarters in the 2nd half of the Xbox 360 era, the company hasn’t been generating profits much.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer
Xbox Hardware Has And Platform Is Brighter Than Ever Despite The Internal Turmoil, Says Phil Spencer

However, the reports of Activision Blizzard merged into Microsoft after the acquisition did improve their profitability, but that seemingly isn’t enough.

Going forward, Xbox is expected to have only a handful of teams, including those involving Blizzard, Call of Duty, and Minecraft. All other teams will slowly die due to layoffs and budget cuts, rendering all the recent acquisitions pointless.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the current Microsoft and Xbox situation? Let us know in the comments below, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Battlefield 6 Cost Has Reportedly Gone Way Over $400 Million

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  • A latest report has revealed that the upcoming Battlefield’s cost has crossed $400 million.
  • The game is highly ambitious as it is also said to feature the best destruction in the series’ history. 
  • The developer is also aiming for this game to get 100 million players.

The upcoming Battlefield has high hopes from both the developer and players. The latest game in the series wasn’t particularly well-received, as it drew criticism from many fans. Destruction was one of the main aspects of a Battlefield game, and that was taken from the latest game in the series. 

However, the upcoming Battlefield 6 will feature extensive destruction, as the latest gameplay reveal has already given us a glimpse of what to expect. While the destruction is pretty impressive, it seems to have come with a cost. It has been reported that the game has gone over the $400 million target, and the developers are experiencing burnout. 

Why it matters: There aren’t a lot of games that cost $400 million, as this is a pretty hefty sum. So, the expectations for the upcoming Battlefield have increased even more now. 

Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042 Was A Disappointment In Many Fans’ Eyes

According to Ars Technica, the budget for Battlefield 6 exceeded $400 million in 2023, so the cost would likely be significantly more than that. The outlet also revealed that the developers were experiencing burnout from working on this game for so long that they have taken vacations for up to nine months. 

The project targeted a budget of more than $400 million back in early 2023, which was already more than was originally planned at the start. Multiple team members with knowledge of the project’s finances told me that the current projections are now well north of that $400 million amount.

It is worth noting that, according to this report, the initial plan wasn’t for the game to cost this much. A game costing this amount is quite concerning, as it would ultimately make developing a sequel significantly harder. 

For reference, Red Dead Redemption 2’s cost was around the same, so just imagine what the fans would expect from the next title in the franchise. That said, the Battlefield franchise was going downhill, so the developer may be able to do a complete redemption with the upcoming game. 

Latest Updates

The developer is also expecting the game to reach 100 million players, which is quite an ambitious goal. What do you think about the game costing this much money? Do you think games should cost over $400 million? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion. 

Crystal Dynamics Has Been Allegedly Struggling With The Development Of Tomb Raider

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  • Insider claims that Crystal Dynamics has been struggling with the development of Tomb Raider.
  • The studio also worked on Perfect Dark, whose gameplay is also deemed to be fake.
  • Tomb Raider is expected to release near GTA 6’s launch window, and Crystal Dynamics has little time to polish the game.

Seven years have passed since Lara Croft’s journey ended with Shadow of the Tomb, finishing off the trilogy. Currently, Crystal Dynamics is working on delivering a new iteration of Tomb Raider, which is being developed in collaboration with Amazon Games.

The development of the game seems to be going quite rough. According to an insider, Crystal Dynamics has been struggling with the development of the Tomb Raider game.

Why it matters: A studio having problems with the development of a title this late is never a good sign. Fans have high expectations from Crystal Dynamics, and they’re in a tight space.

The Perfect Dark sizzle reel at last year's Xbox showcase looked awesome. Someone at the time also told me it was basically fake. This was a joint project with Crystal Dynamics, a studio that's also struggling with Tomb Raider.

— AmericanTruckSongs10 (@ethangach.bsky.social) 2025-07-02T17:21:09.279Z

This claim comes from a Kotaku editor who also claimed that the short reveal for Perfect Dark at last year’s showcase was fake. Perfect Dark was cancelled due to developmental issues, and despite having Crystal Dynamics as the co-developers, it didn’t seem to help much.

Following the shutdown of The Initiative, Xbox is no longer working with Crystal Dynamics. 

tomb raider 12 game
Crystal Dynamics Was Just Recently Hit With A Small Number Of Layoffs

Crystal Dynamics has also started deploying Strike Teams for Tomb Raider, as the game nears completion. The developers have only a limited amount of time to finish development, as reports suggest that Tomb Raider is intended to release alongside GTA 6. With such a big release looming, the game needs to be near-perfect. 

Latest Updates

What are your expectations from the upcoming Tomb Raider game? Do you think Crystal Dynamics will be able to deliver? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Phil Spencer Reportedly Prepares Exit From Xbox Amid Ongoing Turmoil

Story Highlight
  • A report reveals Phil Spencer will retire once the next-generation Xbox is released.
  • He is set to hand over the role of Xbox CEO to Sarah Bond.
  • Both executives are already collaborating to ensure a seamless transition when the time comes.

Xbox is going through a challenging period yet again. Following major layoffs, the gaming giant has faced numerous cancellations, studio shakeups, and other challenges.

New reports suggest one more major change is being planned at Xbox. It seems the longtime boss of Microsoft’s gaming division is now planning his exit from the company.

Why it matters: Phil Spencer has been the leading force behind Xbox for well over a decade now, so his departure would be a major deal.

Phil Spencer Xbox
Xbox Has Been Very Inconsistent Recently

This report comes from Ghost of Hope, a reliable Call of Duty leaker. He suggests that Phil Spencer is set to retire from Xbox following the release of the next-generation hardware.

Although the leaker did not provide a specific timeframe for Phil Spencer’s retirement, reports suggest the next generation Xbox hardware could arrive as early as 2027 or 2026.

Ghost of Hope further states that Sarah Bond is set to take over as the Xbox CEO following this change. Both executives are currently working together to ensure this transition happens as smoothly as possible.

It should also be noted that Xbox does not appear to have a replacement for Sarah Bond in mind for now. Her transition would require a new Xbox President, but Microsoft should be able to make that decision in the years to come.

Microsoft Xbox Activision Blizzard King
Microsoft Bought Activision Blizzard Two Years Ago

Phil Spencer’s journey with Xbox has been a long and challenging one. His role was pivotal to the brand’s current position, with the CEO overseeing the release of Game Pass, the Activision Blizzard deal, and several other important endeavors.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Phil Spencer, but his latest memo suggests he is quite optimistic about the next few years for Xbox.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Phil Spencer’s potential retirement? Do you think he had a great career? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Over 40 Games Still In Development At Xbox Despite Massive Layoffs And Cancellations

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  • Xbox Games Studio head says despite cancellations, over 40 games are still in the works.
  • This comes after Xbox cancelled the highly anticipated Perfect Dark and Everwild.
  • They’ve also closed The Initiative, and other studios have also been hit with layoffs.

Following Microsoft’s decision to cut over 9,000 jobs, affecting multiple Xbox departments and studios as well, things aren’t looking too bright. However, the company has reassured fans that most of its announced projects are still safe. 

Xbox Games Studio head says that the overall portfolio of strategy is still unchanged, and despite the layoffs and multiple cancellations, there are still over 40 games in development and are planned to release as it was intended. 

Why it matters: This marks the second big wave of layoffs at Microsoft since the Activision Blizzard merger, but this time, while many jobs have been lost, it seems that most major projects are still on the line. 

Perfect Dark
Despite many cancellations, over 40 Xbox games are still in development

According to an internal email sent by Matt Booty, Xbox has decided to cancel Perfect Dark and Everwild and some other unannounced projects. In addition, The Initiative has also been shuttered, the studio behind Perfect Dark. 

We have more than 40 projects in active development, continued momentum on titles shipping this fall, and a strong slate headed into 2026.

– Matt Booty

Booty says that while these decisions were tough, they were necessary to reflect a broader effort to adjust priorities and focus resources to set up their teams for greater success within a changing industry landscape. 

Phil Spencer Xbox
This is the second big round of layoffs at Xbox since the Activision deal

However, over 40 games are still in development at Xbox even after the cancellations. Notably, almost every game present at this year’s Xbox Showcase event has survived the ordeal. Nonetheless, many fans were looking forward to Perfect Dark. 

Despite everything, this is tough to see the route the industry is headed towards. The email does say it will try to adjust the laid-off employees in other departments or help in any other way, but that won’t make the situation any easier. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Xbox still having over 40 games in development despite the cancellations? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

 

EA Executives Reportedly Want Battlefield 6 To Reach 100 Million Players

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  • EA executives want Battlefield 6 to gain 100 million players.
  • The entire franchise, despite being on the market for over 2 decades, just accomplished this feat.
  • The report also suggests Battlefield 6 to be the most expensive game in the series. 

Battlefield has been left behind in the FPS competition, and the same has been the case for many years now. That said, EA is preparing to bring the franchise back to its peak, as it once was in the 2010s.

While fans have higher anticipations for Battlefield 6, DICE should be more concerned about meeting EA’s expectations instead. According to a new report, EA’s higher-ups want Battlefield 6 to reach 100 million players.

Why it matters: 100 million players is a huge feat that even the biggest franchises have collectively been unable to achieve. Battlefield 6 must be something really special, or there must be some sort of dissonance between EA and Battlefield Studios. 

BioWare Battlefield
EA Planned To Make Dragon Age A Billion-Dollar IP

This report comes from Ars Technica, who state that EA employees noted that no entry had come close to achieving this feat. Even the highest-selling entry, Battlefield 1, managed to secure 30 million players.

Moreover, the Battlefield franchise as a whole managed to secure 100 million players just recently, after being in the market for more than two decades.

A paid model wouldn’t secure such a feat; hence, EA has plans for a free-to-play Battlefield 6 Battle Royale, akin to Warzone. Aside from that, the paid title would include a 6-hour campaign, as well as traditional and new multiplayer modes.

battlefield
The Battlefield Franchise Generated $1 Billion in Revenue Yearly Before 2042’s Release.

Doing so isn’t impossible at all, but quite difficult to do. Warzone managed to reach the 100 million player mark in a year, but that was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the fact that Battle Royale modes were still popular and not yet as redundant as they are today.

The same report has also claimed Battlefield 6 to be the most expensive entry in the franchise, so we’ll see what EA has in store for us.

Latest Updates

Do you foresee Battlefield 6 hitting the 100 million player mark? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Video Game Spending Decreased By 25% Among Young Americans, Likely Due To Rising Costs

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  • Young adults in the US have spent 25% less on video games, showcasing a sharp decline.
  • All demographics are spending less on games, and expenditure on the industry is declining much faster compared to other fields.
  • The rising costs of hardware and software are a major cause of this decline.

It feels like every year, video game prices are increasing by a few Dollars, and in no time, we will see games retail for $100. With PlayStation and Capcom already suggesting a $80 price tag for its premium offerings, this future does not seem that far off. 

However, this trend is likely to affect the purchasing power of consumers. As it turns out, it’s already making a dent in the industry’s most popular demographic: young adults. 

Why This Matters: The younger generation has always been the most vocal supporter of video games, and a decline in their purchasing power is detrimental to the medium.

gta 6
Many worry GTA 6 will be a $100 game.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, video game spending has decreased by a whopping 25% in the United States among people between the ages of 18 and 24. Other age groups have also seen a decline in spending, but the decline is significantly less steep compared to young adults. 

Furthermore, young adults in the US are also spending 13% less on brick-and-mortar stores related to the gaming industry, while the purchasing power of every other demographic is increasing in this specific facet. 

This sharp decline is attributed to several reasons, according to the report, and can be attributed to a struggling job market, substantial student loan debt, and considerable credit card debt.

To paint an even more concerning picture, this expenditure on gaming is declining faster in the 18-24 age bracket than in other areas, such as accessories, housewares, and technology. Hence, it seems like young adults are prioritising essentials amid rising costs of video games.

Circana game spending USA
Circana’s research on video game spending.

Circana also collected this data in April, a time when many companies were raising prices, with PlayStation increasing the cost of PS Plus and Nintendo raising the price of Switch 2 accessories. Therefore, as it turns out, increasing prices are turning players away.

Latest Updates

How do you think the gaming industry will be able to combat this decline in expenditure? Please share your thoughts in the comments below or visit the Tech4Gamers forum for further discussion.

Xbox’s Upcoming MMORPG And Perfect Dark Possibly Canceled Following Layoffs, Says Insider

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  • Xbox has recently laid off a whopping 9,000 jobs, following a previous round of cuts that eliminated around 4,000 jobs a few weeks ago. 
  • Due to the layoffs, it appears that some internal projects have been affected. 
  • A reliable source has revealed that games like Everwild, Perfect Dark, and Zenimax’s upcoming MMORPG have been canceled. 

Following Xbox’s sudden shift in strategy, the fandom has been confused about the company’s direction. Even one of the founding members of the Xbox team is confused about the gaming giant’s strategy. 

Recently, the company has laid off 9,000 employees, following a previous reduction of a few thousand jobs. Following that, an insider has reported that Xbox’s upcoming MMORPG and Perfect Dark seem to be canceled, which would be a massive blow to the fandom. 

Why it matters: Perfect Dark is a highly anticipated title from Xbox, so if it were to be canceled, it would anger a massive portion of the fan base. 

Perfect Dark
Xbox’s Highly Anticipated Title, Perfect Dark, Seems To Have Been Canceled

Windows Central, a reliable source for leaks, has shared that as part of the job cuts, the company has trashed the highly anticipated title, Everwild, from Rare. This game was announced back in 2019 as a new IP from Rare, so it is pretty unfortunate that it has now been canceled. 

Windows Central is investigating reports from our sources that Perfect Dark and ZeniMax Online Studios’ new online IP have been cancelled as well.

For those not in the know, Rare is famous for its highly successful title, Sea of Thieves. The media outlet has also heard that Perfect Dark and ZeniMax Online Studios’ upcoming MMORPG title were also affected, possibly canceled. 

It is worth noting that Windows Central has yet to receive a hard confirmation of the cancellation of Perfect Dark and ZeniMax’s MMORPG. While Perfect Dark already has many trailers, the MMORPG has yet to be revealed despite it being in development since 2018. 

At this point, fans are feeling betrayed as they were highly anticipating these titles, but now they are possibly canceled. However, fans shouldn’t jump the gun and wait for an official announcement from Microsoft. 

Latest Updates

What do you think about the cancellation of some of the highly anticipated titles from Xbox? Do you think the gaming giant can justify laying off thousands of employees and canceling titles with high demand? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.

Intergalactic To Use AI For NPC Dialogue, Reveals Naughty Dog Job Listing

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  • Naughty Dog is currently moving full speed ahead with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
  • We found a job listing that shows the team is hiring a Senior Dialogue Designer to implement NPC AI-driven dialogue in the game.
  • Studio head Neil Druckmann also teased plans to integrate AI into game development in the past.

Naughty Dog’s next big game was officially revealed last year. Dubbed Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, this title promises an ambitious experience unlike anything the team has produced so far.

Although official details regarding the game remain slim for now, a developer profile previously hinted at the existence of RPG progression systems in the title. We have also spotted a new job listing for a Senior Dialogue Designer, which suggests Naughty Dog intends to use AI for NPC dialogue in the game.

Why it matters: Artificial intelligence is currently a major topic of discussion in the industry and is expected to become a crucial tool for developers moving forward.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet AI Driven Dialogue
AI-Driven Dialogue Would Be A Huge Deal For Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

According to the “What You Will Do” section of the job listing, the Senior Dialogue Designer will work on dialogue for several parts of the game, including gameplay scenarios and in-game cinematics.

The same section also mentions that the designer will work on “NPC AI-driven dialogue systems,” which is rather interesting, considering Naughty Dog’s history of carefully crafted dialogue in the past.

Implementing NPC AI-Driven Dialogue Systems.

Because Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is expected to be more open than past titles from the studio, this job listing may be hinting at the existence of potential dialogue trees for the game.

This may be why the studio has opted to integrate AI into the dialogue design process. Interestingly, studio chief Neil Druckmann has previously praised AI, stating that it will revolutionise game development by reducing costs and technical hurdles.

Perhaps the job listing is part of larger efforts at Naughty Dog to embrace AI and integrate it effectively into the studio’s workflow.

intergalactic lead
Intergalactic Marks The Team’s First New IP In Many Years.

As for what this AI-driven system could look like, Nvidia’s AI NPCs showed how the technology could positively impact future games. Perhaps Naughty Dog is aiming for similar systems, allowing NPCs to offer appropriate responses based on different situations and contexts.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is currently one of the two major titles in development at Naughty Dog. If AI-driven dialogue is successfully implemented in this game, the studio might pursue similar systems for the second project.

Latest Updates

What do you think about this job listing and its requirements? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

G.SKILL CAMM2 DDR5 Memory Hits DDR5-10000 Overclock on ASUS Z890 Motherboard

[Press Release] G.SKILL, in collaboration with ASUS ROG, has achieved a major overclocking milestone by reaching DDR5-10000 with a 64GB CAMM2 memory module. The test was conducted on a modified ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero CAMM2 motherboard paired with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor.

The CAMM2 module ran Memtest-stable at DDR5-10000 with CL52 latency, completing 100% test coverage. This result highlights the performance potential of the CAMM2 form factor, which is now being explored for use on desktops.

Initially developed for laptops, CAMM2 offers higher capacity and improved electrical efficiency in a compact design. G.SKILL’s test proves its value for future high-end desktop platforms, pointing to faster memory speeds as demand for performance continues to grow.

This successful overclock marks an important step toward mainstream CAMM2 adoption in enthusiast and professional PC builds.

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