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Atomfall Surpasses All Game Pass Titles With 268% More Players Last Month

Story Highlight
  • Atomfall was released on day one on Game Pass.
  • The title appears to have a great time on the Xbox subscription service.
  • A recent report suggests the title had 268% more players than games released on Game Pass last month.

Atomfall has been one of the biggest releases of the year. The title has already reached over 2 million players in just two weeks of its launch.

While the developers have yet to disclose the title’s sales, it appears that Atomfall has a massive start. A recent report suggests that the title had 268% more players on Game Pass than any other title released on the subscription service last month.

Why it matters: Although many believe releasing the title on day one on Game Pass hurt the game’s sales, Atomfall appears to be enjoying the platform. 

Atomfall Beautiful Atmosphere
Atomfall Offers Beautiful Atmosphere.

The recent report from TrueAchievements includes both wave one and wave two titles, released on the Game Pass last month. The report counted the numbers from the titles’ debut week to ensure all the titles had been given the same time to perform.

According to the results, Atomfall had 268% more players than any game released on Game Pass and around 238% more players than Mullet Madjack, the second most popular game on the subscription service last month.

The title is currently the second most popular title released on the Game Pass in 2025, only behind Avowed, which had an even bigger launch on the service when it was launched in February.

Atomfall
Atomfall Features Experimental Mechanics That Are Bonkers.

Atomfall was also the fifth most played Xbox title during its debut week, beating massive titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows to secure the position. Therefore, it’s obvious that the title saw a huge launch on the Xbox platform.

However, it remains to be seen whether releasing the title on day one on Game Pass has hurt the title’s sales, as most of the players have been playing the game through the subscription service, so sales of the title are still uncertain.

Latest Updates

Nonetheless, have you played Atomfall already? If not, do you plan to purchase the title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, or join the Tech4Gamers forum.

 

Bungie’s Marathon Offers A “New And Interesting Experience” In The Crowded Extraction Shooter Genre

Story Highlight
  • Marathon is expected to be easier than most extraction shooters.
  • The game plans to be approachable to players who can’t seem to get into the genre.
  • Bungie also plans to target seasoned extraction shooter fans at the same time.

Bungie’s long-awaited reboot of Marathon was just recently revealed. However, it disappointed many due to the title being another extraction shooter.

In response, the game’s director explained that Marathon would differ greatly from conventional extraction shooters. Marathon will offer much more accessible gameplay suitable for seasoned and non-seasoned extraction shooter fans.

Why it matters: The extraction shooter genre is very crowded these days. Marathon’s twist on the stale genre is a much-needed change.

Bungie Marathon
Marathon Doesn’t Intend To Replace Destiny.

Talking to GamesRadar, Marathon’s director Joe Ziegler had this to say about those who dabbled in the extraction shooter genre but couldn’t quite find their place in it due to its demanding nature:

We are hoping to make it more approachable to that group, where they can get past that cruft and into the survival storytelling a little bit faster and a little bit better.

-Game Director

Titles like Escape From Tarkov, Hunt Showdown, Delta Force, and more dominate the genre. These games are hardcore and may not be everyone’s cup of tea since they require much invested time from players.

Marathon
Marathon Won’t Require A PSN Account To Play On Xbox.

The goal was to make the game accessible to newer players so that anyone could easily get into it without any explanation or having to learn the entire game.

(Marathon will provide) A new and interesting experience that really helps you get to the heart of why you enjoy the other extraction shooters that you’re playing

Despite focusing on lowering the entry barrier, Marathon will also target seasoned players of the extraction shooter genre.

Latest Updates

Will you buy Marathon when it releases later this year? Let us know in the comments below, or join the ongoing discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

G.SKILL and ASUS Set New DDR5 Overclocking World Record at DDR5-12772

[Press Release] G.SKILL and ASUS have officially achieved a new milestone in memory performance, setting the overclocking world record for DDR5 memory frequency at DDR5-12772.

The record was set using G.SKILL’s Trident Z5 DDR5 memory, built with high-performance SK hynix DDR5 ICs, in combination with the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard and Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285K desktop processor.

To maintain system stability at such an extreme frequency, the overclocking was performed using liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling.

The following hardware was used to achieve the record:

  • Memory: G.SKILL Trident Z5 DDR5 (F5-8000J3848F24GX2-TZ5K)
  • Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285K
  • Cooling: LN2

This overclocking record has been officially verified and listed by:

These platforms confirm that the DDR5-12772 frequency was not only reached but sustained long enough to meet the submission criteria.

This sets a new bar for DDR5 performance. It shows what’s possible with top-end parts and helps push DDR5 further in gaming, content creation, and more.

New Japanese Soulslike Rise of Rebellion Is Coming In April – Free Demo Available

Story Highlight
  • Rise of Rebellion is a new Souls-like game developed by the former FromSoftware developer Team Hayataka.
  • The title focuses on breaking enemy guard through melee and player-controlled combat with various attacks.
  • A demo for the game is already available, and the whole experience will launch on April 21 this year.

While the Souls-like genre has become convoluted with many similar games over the years, some hardcore fans still can’t seem to get enough of them. Rise of Rebellion is the next Souls-like action entry aiming for that specific player base.

The project is being developed by Hytacka, a former Dark Souls 3 DLC developer who left FromSoftware to pursue personal goals. Rise of Rebellion features melee-based combat with a lot of strategic depth and pits players against formidable enemies and bosses.

Why it matters: Rise of Rebellion is a new action Souls-like entry in development by the former FromSoftware developer Hytacka. The game focuses on combat with swords and parrying enemy attacks to deal damage.

Rise of Rebellion features a detailed melee-based combat system, like in true Souls-like fashion.

Rise of Rebellion brings classical Souls-like elements, such as healing from flasks and bonfire checkpoints. The combat is pacier and floatier than most titles in the genre. Although it requires you to get used to parrying enemy attacks often to stand a chance.

The combat centers around breaking enemies’ guards and performing combo chain attacks to damage them with your sword. A demo for Rise of Rebellion is already out on Steam, which lets you experience the game’s basic mechanics firsthand.

However, the Steam Next Fest demo players criticized the game’s story for making no sense, and the visuals were also criticised as subpar at best. 

Rise of Rebellion lacks in visuals and features a simple gameplay loop.

Regardless, Rise of Rebellion will launch for PC on April 21, 2025. A launch for consoles doesn’t appear to be on the cards at the moment.

Latest Updates

Do you think Rise of Rebellion has a shot at being one of the better Souls-like projects, or will it be forgotten in the sea of other similar titles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Marathon Won’t Replace Destiny 2 and Won’t Be Suitable for PvE Players – Game Director

Story Highlight
  • Marathon’s reveal didn’t go smoothly, with fans drawing comparisons to Destiny games.
  • The game’s director has dismissed any similarities, saying the game isn’t for PvE players.
  • They don’t intend for Marathon to replace Destiny 2, as the game has a future of its own.

Bungie has finally unveiled its first-ever project under PlayStation’s leadership. The revival of the decades-old FPS didn’t move fans, who have been expressing their disappointment over Marathon, even calling it a “typical corporate shooter.”

Moreover, many have also pointed out similarities with the Destiny games. However, the game’s director has dismissed likeness, saying Marathon isn’t for players who prefer PvE action.

Why it matters: In an era when most online FPSs are homogenized, it’s a relief to hear that the veteran developer has taken a different approach.

Marathon
Marathon Is A Premium Title But Won’t Be A “Full Priced Title”

In an interview with GamesRadar, game director Joe Ziegler said:

If you are a Destiny player who’s really not interested in any PvP at all, it’s probably not the game for you because there’s gonna be PvP interactions that occur.

While Destiny 2 also offers PvP action, the developers have referred to it as a PvE-only experience. On the other hand, Marathon solely focuses on PvP sandbox experiences as per the director, which may not be to the liking of Destiny fans.

Ziegler also said they don’t want Marathon to replace Destiny 2 or become a threequel. They’re still working on Destiny 2 and planning more content for the future.

I think part of it is we don’t expect Marathon to become Destiny 3. Our goal is not to basically make a new product that replaces Destiny 2.

Still, the director himself has admitted that certain similarities can be ignored. Marathon’s weapon system resembles Destiny games, and that’s one aspect where Destiny players will have an advantage. 

Destiny 2
Destiny 2’s Average Player Count Down by 74%

Still, players can expect some curves to the game that Destiny players must learn while playing Marathon.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the Marathon and Destiny comparison? Let us know in the comments below, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Switch 2 Made In China Still Subject To 145% US Tariffs, Claims New Report

Story Highlight
  • A new report claims that Nintendo Switch 2 consoles made in China are still subject to 145% US tariffs.
  • All the game consoles made in the country will suffer a similar fate and be severely impacted by the tariffs.
  • While exemptions were recently announced for electronics by the US government, they do not cover video game consoles.

The tariffs announced by the US shook the entire gaming scene. Still, the 90-day reprieve and exemptions announced for electronics, computers, chips, and the like suggested that gaming consoles might be protected. However, that does not appear to be the case.

A new report claims that Nintendo Switch 2 consoles made in China are still subject to 145% US tariffs. These surcharges apply to any goods made in the country, so other gaming consoles are also said to be included in the dooming list.

Why it matters: The exemptions not covering game consoles suggest that goods produced in China could suffer a severe price hike. Nintendo might retaliate by shifting Switch 2’s production to other countries. 

Nintendo Switch 2
The US tariffs could severely impact the price of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nikkei Asia elaborates that an internal assessment by a major Nintendo and Apple supplier says that game consoles made in the US are not safe from US tariffs. This is concerning news because most of Nintendo’s Switch 2 production happens in the country.

Similarly, many of Sony’s PlayStation 5 consoles are also made in China. Even though Sony was exploring ways to avoid increasing the price, the reciprocal tariffs will likely cause consumers to suffer a major hike in pricing for both Switch 2 and PS5s. 

An analyst previously suggested that Switch 2 handhelds could cost as much as $550. However, since the US tariff rate has further increased for the Chinese region, the pricing might be more unstable than expected.

Physical Games
Physical games could completely disappear because of the looming US tariffs.

Nintendo is already making a smaller quantity of Switch consoles in Vietnam, and it will likely continue to shift more of its production away from China to avoid being hit with higher local tariff rates. 

Latest Updates

Do you think Switch 2 and other video game consoles will be affected by US tariffs, or will the policies adapt to ensure the gaming industry does not suffer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Borderlands Director Says The Movie Failed Due To Covid And Zoom Calls

Story Highlight
  • The Borderlands movie director has clarified in a new interview that it failed due to COVID-19 and Zoom calls.
  • He argues that the movie’s production was affected by staff distance, which caused it to bomb at the box office.
  • Despite the film’s failure, the community is hopeful for the IP because of the upcoming Borderlands 4 title.

Over the years, Borderlands has become one of gaming’s most influential IPs, so it was only a matter of time before the series got a Hollywood movie. However, the screening recently became one of the biggest box-office disasters.

Director Eli Roth has now come forward to clarify why the Borderlands movie eventually disappointed millions of hyped viewers. He says the film’s production failed to reach the desired quality because of COVID-19 and Zoom calls. 

Why it matters: The words of the movie director have divided the community. Some argue that the film’s writing and casting were flawed, despite COVID-19 further complicating things so that it would have flopped regardless of circumstances.

Borderlands 4
Fans are also concerned about Borderlands 4 because it is using Unreal Engine 5.

While speaking on The Town podcast, Eli Roth looks back on everything that hindered the production of the Borderlands movie. He argues that shooting scenes was difficult because actors were on different sets, which were getting shut down because of COVID-19.

none of us anticipated how complicated things were gonna be with COVID. […] everyone’s spread all over the place.

With all the staff so far apart, many of the action scenes and the overall production quality of the Borderlands movie suffered. Important work had to be done through Zoom calls, which eventually proved fatal for the movie at the box office after its launch.

 You can’t prep a movie on that scale over Zoom and I think we all thought we could pull it off and we got our asses handed to us a bit.

borderlands 4 release date
Despite the movie’s failure, the community is heavily anticipating Borderlands 4’s release.

After the movie failed to perform, Borderlands 4 was officially confirmed to be in development in hopes of turning things around for the franchise. It is set to launch on September 23, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. 

Latest Updates

Do you think the production of the Borderlands movie would have turned out better if it were not for COVID-19 and Zoom calls, or was the movie just not appealing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Transformer Model DLSS Addresses Long-Standing Visual Issues In Games Previously Using CNN Model

Story Highlight
  • The new transformer DLSS model offers major visual upgrades over the older CNN version.
  • It fixes image softening and issues like trailing and hair dithering in games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War.
  • Though imperfect, it’s a big step forward for Nvidia’s upscaling tech.

DLSS 4 brought features like transformer-based super resolution and multi-frame gen. While the latter technology is exclusive to the Blackwell lineup, all RTX owners can enable the new transformer DLSS model.

The latest DLSS iteration delivers a major visual upgrade, with a new comparison video showing how it resolves key issues in older titles that previously relied on CNN-based upscaling.

Why it matters: Modern video games heavily rely on upscaling, which brings its fair share of visual problems. However, the new transformer-based DLSS technology minimizes these problems the best.

A new video by Digital Foundry highlights significant visual improvements brought by the Transformer DLSS model in games that previously used the CNN-based version.

In titles like God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2, the Transformer DLSS significantly reduces artifacts and motion trails on specific objects, marking a clear improvement over CNN-based upscaling.

Testing in Red Dead Redemption 2 also confirms that hair dithering is now completely fixed. While the CNN model often produced noisy, messy hair visuals, the Transformer DLSS cleans it up remarkably well—benefiting almost every game where hair rendering was an issue.

DLSS swapper
DLSS Swapper Updates Any Game Supporting The Technology To Its Latest Version

In Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, the new model enhances overall visual clarity with more detail and less softness. However, it struggles with more minor particle effects like rain hitting the character, sometimes removing them entirely.

Forza Horizon 5 also sees a boost in overall image quality, but the wire artifact issue remains unresolved, still looking rough and distracting.

More titles were tested, and despite its slight performance hit, the new Transformer DLSS model consistently delivered visual improvements.

Still, the transformer DLSS model fell short in some aspects, mostly due to the inherent problems that come with upscaling. Regardless, the newest DLSS architecture holds a lot of potential, so expect more advancements in the future.

Latest Updates

Have you tried the new transformer model DLSS on older titles? Let us know in the comments below or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Marathon Reveal Gets Slammed With Dislikes As Extraction Shooter Gameplay Fails To Impress Gamers

Story Highlight
  • Bungie has revealed the first gameplay footage for Marathon, its upcoming extraction shooter reboot based on the popular IP.
  • The game has received a mixed reception from gamers, as the gameplay reveal and overview videos got bombarded with dislikes. 
  • Many commenters have argued that the gameplay looks stale and boring, with the game’s art style being the only unique thing.

Reports last year suggested that Bungie’s Marathon was struggling with development, with developers being moved to other Sony projects. The game’s playtests were allegedly progressing smoothly since then, but the new gameplay reveal has left many gamers disappointed.

Marathon’s gameplay reveal and overview videos on YouTube have been bombarded with dislikes by angry viewers. The commenters have heavily criticized Bungie for the game’s generic gunplay and extraction shooter mechanics.

Why it matters: Marathon’s overall reception suggests it might struggle to attain a long-term community like Destiny and Halo, as many have been left disappointed with the extraction shooter gameplay loop. 

Both videos are filled to the brim with negative comments, with longtime veterans and new fans complaining about the new direction of the IP. The comments argue that Marathon’s only unique prospect is its art style, which has also failed to appeal to everyone.

The negative reception for Marathon has also spread to other social media posts and online forums. Users argue that many shooters released in the past decade have followed a similar gameplay loop, and they have grown tired of it.

So, the fast-paced nature of the title has also disappointed users who wanted a more traditional Marathon reboot. Another point of contention discussed by players is how similar the assets feel across Bungie’s other projects. 

Marathon sony
Bungie also lost Marathon’s original director earlier last year, causing a blow to development.

Overall, the current landscape suggests that Marathon might struggle to retain players after launch and potentially flop if the player perception remains the same.

Latest Updates

Do you think Bungie’s Marathon stands a chance amid the sea of other extraction shooters, or is the gameplay too generic and stale to hold up for a long time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

ID-Cooling DX360 Max Review: A Good Value Liquid Cooler

I am taking a look at the performance-oriented liquid cooler from ID-Cooling which is DX360 Max. The salient feature is its 33mm thick radiator, unlike the 27mm regular-size radiators on these coolers. ID-Cooling has mentioned 38mm thickness however, this 38mm thickness is on the near and far chambers only.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Nauman Siddique is our hardware expert who has been testing graphics cards, motherboards, processors, and AIOs for more than a decade.
  • 80+ coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 900+ hours spent testing different CPU coolers for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test CPU Coolers).

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.

This cooler is available in 240 and 360mm sizes. It comes equipped with ID-Cooling’s 7th generation pump and three powerful DF125 fans. Another key highlight is the minimalistic A-RGB lighting which is present only on the top lid of the block. The fans are non-RGB.

This cooler is compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. This cooler has an MSRP of USD 90.

Key Takeaways

  • The ID‑Cooling DX360 Max is a budget liquid cooler with a thick radiator, a small RGB pump light, and strong fans that cool really well.
  • You should get the ID‑Cooling DX360 Max if you want the most value out of your money and also like little to no cable clutter.
  • The only reason to skip the ID‑Cooling DX360 Max is if you’re on the LGA20XX socket, as the AIO does not support it.

These are the key specs:

Radiator Dimension 400x120x38mm
Radiator Material Aluminum
Pump Connector 3-Pin DC
Base Material Copper
A-RGB Lighting Connector Standard 5V, 3-Pin
TDP 350W
Fan Dimension 120x120x25mm
Fan Speed 0 to 2150 RPM ±10%
Fan Airflow 85 CFM
Fan Air Pressure 2.83 mmH₂O
Fan Noise Level 32.5 dB(A) Max at 12VDC
Fan Connector 4-Pin PWM
Fan Bearing Hydraulic Bearing
Warranty 5 Years
[toc]

What Makes The ID-Cooling DX360 Max Different?

The ID-Cooling DX360 Max offers a top-notch performance while costing way less than some high-end coolers. The 5-year warranty makes it an even better proposition. However, the only caveat is its loud sound output. Of course, you can’t expect more from a 90-dollar cooler with 350W TDP.

Packaging And Unboxing

  • 1x Cooler with preinstalled fans
  • 1x Intel Backplate
  • 2x Sets of AMD Mounting Brackets
  • 1x Set of Intel Mounting Brackets
  • 4x Thumb Screws
  • 4x Standoff Screws
  • 1x Locker Tool
  • 3x Clips for tubes
  • 1x Frost X45 Thermal Paste Tube
  • 1x 3-way Slitter Cable
  • 12x Radiator Screws
  • 1x User Manual

Design

It is time to take a look at the unit itself, starting from the radiator.

Radiator

Three DF125 fans come pre-installed over the radiator. This trend has a good attraction as the majority of modern liquid coolers come with pre-installed fans to save assembly time.

Each fan has a cut-to-size short-length cable with daisy-chain capability. These fans are not RGB/A-RGB. The PWM extension cable comes pre-installed as well.

The aluminum radiator has a dimension of 400x120x38mm. The overall thickness comes to 58mm approximately with 120x25mm fans. However, this thickness is not 63mm because the actual thickness of the fin assembly is 33mm. Only the near and far chambers are 38mm thick.

This extra thickness gives this radiator more surface area compared to standard 27mm thick radiators. The radiator has a 20 FPI count and 12 channels for the coolant flow inside the radiator. There is a gap of 105mm between two mounting holes on opposite ends.

Radiator Design
A side view of the AIO

There is no branding on the radiator frame. ID-Cooling uses premium rubber tubes with nylon braided sleeves. The tube length is 465mm. This angle better shows the thickened blocks on the radiator compared to the main fin stack area.

Pump Block

Let’s take a look at the design of the pump block/top.

The main frame of the block is made of ABS material. The outlook is not a regular ring design. The dimension of the block is 73x72x58mm. The top has a stylish stripe design using a line pattern which is A-RGB backlit. This is the only area of this cooler that has backlighting.

Two spring-loaded screws come pre-installed over the base for convenient installation. The outlook resembles the brushed aluminum finish despite the fact that the frame is not made of aluminum.

The front of the main frame has a black finish and stripes at the base. It has ID-Cooling branding in the center.

Looking at the backside of the housing, you can see the 90ᵒ fittings with tube connection. The tube connections can be rotated to adjust for any user requirement. Two flat cables come out from a side of the main housing.

The pump is powered via a 3-pin DC cable. The pump is rated for 2900 RPM ±10% with a power rating of 5.4W using 0.45A at 12VDC. The pump uses ceramic bearings and it uses a three-phase, six-pole motor. This is a seventh-generation pump from the manufacturer. The backlighting is handled via two 3-pin, 5V A-RGB connectors.

Copper Base
Copper Base

The copper base has a protective cover that needs to be peeled off during the installation. I took the photo after testing this cooler hence it appears as not clean.

DF-125 Fans

This cooler comes with three DF-125 non-RGB fans. Each fan has 9x blades and features a stepped inlet design on the border frame to reduce the tonal intake noise, enhance airflow (from laminar to turbulent), and increase suction capacity. Mounting corners have anti-vibration pads.

The frame on these fans has a square shape. There are no arrow markers. Each fan has a small length cable with a 4-pin PWM connector on one end and a 3-pin socket on the other end.

Fan Rear View
Fan Rear View

The backside has a 4-arms assembly. The blade assembly is encapsulated by a ring frame. This creates a seal to avoid air leakage. The fans are made in China and they use Hydraulic bearings. They are rated for 0.18A at 12VDC each drawing 2.16W.

Installation

The cooler is tested on MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX motherboard using Intel Core i7 13700k. The installation steps include:

  • Place the backplate under the motherboard.
  • Use Intel LGA1700/1851 Standoff Screws to secure the backplate.
  • Place and install Intel mounting brackets.
  • Remove the protective cover from the base of the block.
  • Place the block over the CPU so that spring-loaded screws align with the standoff on the mounting brackets and start tightening.
  • Install the radiator.
  • Connect the cables.
  • Installation is completed.

Clearance

This cooler has a dimension of 400x120x58mm with fan assembly. Make sure your PC Case supports this dimension.

A-RGB Lighting

This cooler uses a standard 5V, 3-Pin A-RGB connector on the pump head making it compatible with RGB sync technology of motherboard manufacturers including:

  • ASUS Aura Sync
  • ASROCK-Polychrome Sync
  • GIGABYTE RGB Fusion 2.0
  • MSI Mystic Light Sync

The cooler was tested on the MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX WiFi motherboard and it was responding well to the changes in the Mystic Sync app.

Testing

I used this setup:

Here is the settings table for testing:

Clock (MHz) Auto
Voltage (V) Auto
Power Profile Intel Default – 253W
Thermal Paste Pre-Applied
Thermal Paste Application Even Spread
Test Run Time 30 minutes
Idling Time 10 minutes
All Fans Speed 100% PWM Duty Cycle
Pump Speed
Stress Software CINEBENCH R23.2
Monitoring Software HWINFO64

Here is the final test build:

Final Test Build
Final Test Build

Result

Let’s go over the thermal performance results.

Test Results
Test Results

The ID-Cooling DX360 Max has a good performance as can be seen in the graph. However, this performance comes at a price of elevated sound level which I measured to be 44.5 dB(A). I would suggest using Auto PWM or a custom fan curve for a better sound level depending on the load.

Should You Buy It

Buy It If

✅You’re looking for a high-performance cooler: ID-Cooling DX360 Max is rated for 350W TDP. This cooler provides good performance out of the box.

✅You want great value: This cooler coming in at USD 90 provides a highly competitive performance making it a good value.

✅You prefer reduced cable clutter: Only one cable connection is needed for the daisy-chained fans making it convenient handling.

Don’t Buy It If

❌You are on the LGA20XX socket: This cooler is not compatible with the Intel LGA20xx socket. Skip it if you are on this socket.

Conclusion

DX360 Max is a high-performance liquid cooler available in 240mm and 360mm sizes. It has a neutral/black theme with subtle A-RGB lighting on the pump top. This cooler is rated at 350W TDP and is compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets.

The aluminum radiator has a dimension of 400x120x38mm. The main surface area has a thickness of 33m. The nylon braided-sleeved rubber tubes have a length of 465mm. The pump is rated for 2900 RPM ±10% with a power rating of 5.4W using 0.45A at 12VDC.

The pump head has a stylish design with a gray line pattern without any branding. This makes it easier for this cooler to blend in well in any given build. The top is A-RGB backlighting enabled. No other element has backlighting. The copper base has a large area to cover the supported CPUs.

This cooler comes with three DF-125 fans which are rated for speed of up to 2150 RPM ±10%. The airflow rating is 85 CFM ±10% at 12VDC. The air pressure rating is 2.86mmH₂O at 12VDC. These fans use Hydraulic bearings and are PWM-regulated. Each fan has a short cable with 4-pin PWM and 3-pin socket connectors.

A total of 11 items are required to install a block over the CPU. Installation is simple and convenient. The A-RGB lighting was working fine with the MSI Mystic Sync App. Your case needs to support a cooler with dimensions of 400x120x58mm.

This cooler has an MSRP of USD 90.00. This is a good price tag. This cooler has a good thermal performance. However, it is loud with fans at full speed. I would suggest Auto PWM or custom fan curve settings for better output.

This cooler comes with a 5-year warranty.

 

Game Prices Should Increase $5 Every Generation, Suggests Former PlayStation Executive

Story Highlight
  • Former PlayStation boss says that game prices are lower now if we compare to 1999.
  • He says that the prices should increase by $5 every generation to tackle the growing inflation. 
  • When he was in charge, he wanted to implement this, but couldn’t.

Game prices have become a massive topic since Nintendo introduced the first $80 game, Mario Kart World. Players are worried that it might set a new precedent that could lead to higher prices across the board for future releases. 

A former PlayStation executive has also weighed in on the situation and suggested that the game prices should increase by $5 every generation to manage the increasing inflation. 

Why it matters: Fans showed massive outrage when Nintendo announced the $80 price, and many revealed that they won’t agree to pay this much for a video game in any case.

Talking to PlayerDriven, Shawn Layden discussed game prices in the industry and how inflation has affected them. He said if you account for inflation, the prices have actually gone down, so adding $5 every generation is more feasible. 

Where most games cost $60 or $70 in 2025, if we consider inflation, the price of a standard game comes out to be around $100 compared to 1999. So, the prices had stayed neutral for over 20 years until they first saw a hike. 

Probably every generation they should have, like, baked in a $5 software price hike and make that the typical, ‘well every generation it’s another five bucks’ and you would have been up to $90 already by now.”

– Shawn Layden

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World is the first title to be priced at $80 MSRP

He further said that he wanted to implement this when he was in charge. If the $5 increase had happened per generation, we would’ve been at $90 a game right now. So, Nintendo’s $80 Mario Kart World does make sense. 

If the prices did increase gradually, there are chances fans would be fine with it. However, we’ve seen multiple jumps from $50 to $60, and then now to $80, which isn’t sitting well with the fans, especially when GTA 6 is expected with the higher price too. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on game prices increasing $5 every generation? Would you be more accepting of it? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum. 

Prototype Sequel With Alex Mercer Returning Is In The Works, It’s Claimed

Story Highlight
  • A new leak suggests that Actvision is working on a Prototype sequel featuring Alex Mercer.
  • The sequel features a New York City setting, with gameplay featuring shapeshifting, etc.
  • Activsion abandoned the franchise due to Prototype 2’s disappointing sales, but it seems to have found a second coming under Xbox.

Activision’s Prototype was one of a kind, featuring an anti-hero as a protagonist in an AAA video game. There are countless reasons why the franchise is considered great, which has even helped it develop a cult following over the years.

Despite its enormous appeal and constant fan demand for a new entry, Activision hasn’t revisited the Prototype franchise in almost 13 years. However, a new leak claims that Activision is working on a sequel with protagonist Alex Mercer taking the lead again.

Why it matters: Due to their unique concept, games like Prototype are essential in the gaming industry today to freshen things up.

Upcoming Call of Duty Black Ops 7 leaks and Prototype sequel
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The leaker claims to have participated in a study group that revealed information on the new Prototype game.

The sequel reportedly features a New York City setting, with players able to shapeshift into other people. The first two games also featured the same New York City, but the second entry depicts a war-torn version of the city ravaged by the Mercer virus.

Prototype 2 also featured a new protagonist named James Heller, with Alex Mercer taking on the role of an antagonist this time. Alex Mercer was presumably dead at the end of Prototype 2, but this leak implies that the scientist somehow lived.

Prototype 3
Prototype 3 Would Shake Up The Whole Gaming Industry

Anyhow, there’s no guarantee that this leak is even credible, so we suggest readers take it with a grain of salt.

Prototype 2 didn’t sell as well, with Activision stating that it failed to meet a “broad commercial audience,” which is why the franchise didn’t continue from that point. Moreover, its developer studio Radical Entertainment also shut down following disappointing sales.

However, since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, there has been an internal shakeup. With the merger, fans once again demanded a new Prototype game—and it seems their call may have been heard if the leak proves to be true.

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What do you expect from the new Prototype game? Let us know in the comments below, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

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