Category: Gaming

  • GuliKit TMR Joysticks for Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 Drift Fix

    GuliKit TMR Joysticks for Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 Drift Fix

    Key Takeaway

    – The GuliKit TMR joystick uses electromagnetic sensing and a contactless design to provide smoother control and eliminate stick drift compared to traditional potentiometer joysticks on Joy-Con 2.
    – It’s designed for easy, no-soldering installation in Joy-Con 2.
    – Price and availability: $19.99/€19.99/£16.99 per pair; sold on Amazon US/UK/DE (regional availability may vary).
    – iFixit offers a replacement guide/video and sells the joystick for $24.99, plus a $29.99 tool bundle.

    While the Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers boast new features, they still use traditional analog potentiometer joysticks. And unlike Hall Effect or TMR joysticks, they are likely to suffer from stick drift after wearing. While you can simply purchase a third-party controller, you can also simply swap the joysticks for a better one, such as a GuliKit TMR joystick.

    Enhancements meet legacy tech

    The GuliKit TMR joystick uses electromagnetic sensing for smoother and precise control. It also has a contactless design, so there’s no physical wear, and thus no possibility of stick drift. It is also designed to be easily installed into your Joy-Con 2 controller as there’s no need for soldering.

    Specs and install ease

    Priced at $19.99/€19.99/£16.99 for a pair (left and right thumbsticks), the GuliKit TMR Joystick for Joy-Con 2 is available to buy now. It is offered by several retailers in the US, UK, and Germany. There are also listings on local retailer sites for France, Italy, and Spain, but they are currently listed as unavailable. People in the Netherlands can also pick it up from their local retailer.

    Availability and extras

    The folks at iFixit have released a video detailing how to replace the old thumbsticks on the Joy-Con 2 with GuliKit’s. There’s a written guide for those who prefer text over video. iFixit also sells the GuliKit TMR Joystick for Joy-Con 2, although it’s more expensive at $24.99. They also have a $29.99 bundle that includes the pair of joysticks and the tools you need for the replacement.

  • Alienware 16X Aurora RTX 5070 Ti Shipping: Configs Frustrating

    Alienware 16X Aurora RTX 5070 Ti Shipping: Configs Frustrating

    Key Takeaway

    – The 2026 Aurora 16X adds new high-end options (Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5070 Ti, OLED) that surpass the 2025 model’s IPS/RTX 5070 configuration.
    – The RTX 5070 Ti delivers a solid performance upgrade over the RTX 5070.
    – Configuration rigidity limits value: the 5070 Ti can only pair with the 290HX Plus, with no option to use the 275HX.
    – OLED offers a meaningful upgrade over IPS, but more flexible configurations would help reach more buyers in a high-price market.

    The 2026 Dell Alienware 16X Aurora is shipping with more configurable options than the 2025 version. It can be configured with the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus CPU, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, and OLED display, while last year’s model topped out at the Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5070, and IPS display. The GPU upgrade alone is a meaningful performance boost over the RTX 5070.

    Config options vs last year

    Unfortunately, trying to buy the 2026 16X Aurora is a completely different story. The problem is that the RTX 5070 Ti can only be paired with the new Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, even though our review showed the new CPU is barely an improvement over the already excellent Core Ultra 9 275HX. The option to pair the RTX 5070 Ti with the Core Ultra 9 275HX instead could have saved buyers a few hundred dollars without sacrificing gaming performance.

    OLED vs IPS and price considerations

    The issue extends to the new OLED display as well since the RTX 5070 Ti cannot be configured with IPS. Yet OLED is a much more noticeable upgrade over IPS when compared to the modest performance jump from the Core Ultra 9 275HX to the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, so the extra cost is more easily justified. Nonetheless, Dell should should allow for more freedom in configurations to reach more potential customers especially at a time when laptop prices are higher than ever.

    Sources
    • Devil May Cry 4 Modding Guide

      Devil May Cry 4 Modding Guide

      Key Takeaway

      – DMC4 has two releases (2008 vanilla and 2015 Special Edition), each with its own mod scene; vanilla is generally best for Dante/Nero, while SE adds Vergil/Lady/Trish but limits some vanilla-move mods.
      – Core tools are DMC4Hook (vanilla) and DDMK (SE); both add overlays, with DMC4Hook offering broader gameplay tweaks and DDMK requiring xdelta3 patching.
      – For cosmetics and management, use Fluffy Mod Manager with a dedicated Mods folder; add 4Hook Mod Pack and Better Frost Ice Effects to fix visuals (ice effects) and expand options on vanilla.
      – Vanilla DMC4 is delisted on Steam, complicating access to DMC4Hook backports; Special Edition remains more easily modded unless you have a pre-delisted copy.
      – SE quirks: Lucifer Glitch is removed, new characters are overpowered, and some vanilla-move-mods don’t transfer; if you want the full vanilla modding depth, start with the original release.

      Ah, Devil May Cry 4—the secret to my success, if you will. Devil May Cry 4 is one of the most APM-intensive stylish action games of all time, at least if you’re a style player aiming for 100% completion…but whether or not that describes you, it’s hard to oversell just how much better the game becomes with the help of mods. Technically two games exist: the original Devil May Cry 4 release came out in 2008 featuring a campaign with series veteran Dante and the new kid Nero, while the follow-up Special Edition adding three new playable characters came out in 2015, four years ahead of Devil May Cry 5. Since Season 2 of the loose Netflix adaptation just dropped in parallel with me starting up my You Should Be Modding series, I’ve decided the first Throwback Thursday of this tri weekly column should be dedicated to Devil May Cry 4.

      Two releases and their quirks

      The tale matters because we are really talking about two separate releases with interlinked but technically separate modding scenes. Special Edition adds Vergil, Lady, and Trish as playable characters, as well as some extra graphical effects, but is otherwise the same game, warts and all. Critically-speaking, Special Edition is fairly strange for its choice to add three whole new playable characters instead of addressing the fact that the second half of the campaign involves running through a harder version of the first half, in reverse, as a different character…but the new characters are all pretty fun to play with, if disgustingly overpowered.

      Direct play comparisons

      The best way to enjoy Dante and Nero is still the launch, DirectX 9-based, vanilla version of Devil May Cry 4. Special Edition doesn’t offer the same moveset-transforming mods for those characters as the original does, but modding it for local multiplayer shenanigans or for tighter control of the PC version of the game is still desirable if you have any interest in playing the new characters. Special Edition also removes the Lucifer Glitch, which sounds like a good thing but can ruin some ultra-specific combo setups for Dante that are only possible in vanilla DMC4.

      Steam, delisting, and backports

      To add insult to injury, vanilla Devil May Cry 4 isn’t even sold on Steam anymore, meaning that players who want to utilize all the cool new features offered by DMC4Hook, including a backport of one of Nero’s key DMC5 sword moves and the more generous Enemy Step hitboxes, are out of luck without resorting to shady methods or having been lucky enough to buy the original version of the game before it was delisted. A similar situation happened with Sonic Generations upon the release of Sonic X Shadow Generations, but thankfully Sega does still allow people to buy the legacy PC version of the game (and access the mods that come with it) through bundles. Hopefully Capcom eventually follows suit.

      Spec details you should not miss

      Anyway, what are the best Devil May Cry 4 mods, for both versions of the game? The essential stuff for vanilla DMC4 is as simple as dropping a few .DLL files (application extensions) into your existing install folder. That’s SSSiyan and muhopensores’ DMC4Hook for the stock version of Devil May Cry 4. Both DMC4Hook and DDMK for Special Edition will add in-game overlays which you can use to tweak the experience to your heart’s content, but DMC4Hook is much more expansive in both its system options and ability to alter the existing gameplay.

      Modding setups and patching

      Serpentiem’s DDMK for Special Edition is a little more complicated, since it requires patching the game’s executable with xdelta3. Full instructions are on the DDMK page on GitHub, which also encompass DDMK for the three original titles included in the Devil May Cry HD Collection.

      Cosmetics and mod managers

      For cosmetic mods (attainable on Nexus Mods for Devil May Cry 4 and Special Edition) and the full potential of DMC4Hook, you’ll also want to set aside a dedicated Mods folder on your PC for Fluffy Mod Manager. Fluffy Mod Manager is mainly used for RE Engine titles, but also has great support for legacy Capcom games running MT Framework, like both versions of Devil May Cry 4. Once you have Fluffy set up, cosmetic mods possible in both editions of the game include new costumes and arenas/skyboxes for the game’s Bloody Palace survival mode.

      What to install for vanilla DMC4

      I’ll leave the cosmetics-related mods up to your taste, but for vanilla DMC4, you’ll want to at least install the 4Hook Mod Pack included in DMC4Hook and the Better Frost Ice Effects mod through Fluffy Mod Manager. The latter mod actually fixes the ice effects on the Frost enemies, which are broken for non-Intel GPUs in vanilla and fixed in Special Edition.

      Sources
      • Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller Leaks, May Lack TMR for Drift

        Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller Leaks, May Lack TMR for Drift

        Key Takeaway

        – Leaked images show Elite Series 3 with a familiar shape, a redesigned d-pad, and two scroll-wheel–like bottom buttons, possibly for Flight Simulator.
        – It introduces a removable rechargeable battery (1,528 mAh) to swap packs during gameplay.
        – It reportedly adds cloud gaming connectivity with a local/remote mode switch, aiming for lower latency via direct server communication.
        – There are unresolved questions about durability tech (potential absence of Hall-effect/TMR) and other unconfirmed concepts like advanced haptics or Project Sebile.

        Shortly after an accessory aimed at cloud gaming surfaced, pics of the rumored Xbox Elite Series 3 controller have appeared. The pro-grade peripheral boasts new inputs but may not address some shortcomings of its predecessor. Tom Warren of The Verge reported on images leaked by the Brazilian tech site Tecnoblog.

        Shape and controls

        Unlike the squashed cloud controller, the Elite Series 3 carries a more familiar silhouette. The d‑pad has been reworked, yet the two buttons at the bottom of the device are more surprising. Resembling scroll wheels, Warren suspects that they are geared toward Microsoft Flight Simulator.

        Predicted buttons

        Even before the Project Helix hybrid became public, Microsoft had introduced more PC-oriented titles to consoles. Like the dual trackpads on the Valve Steam Controller, the scroll wheels on the new Xbox controller may reduce clutter in living rooms.

        Battery and switching

        Another significant change from the Elite Series 2 is a removable rechargeable battery. While sporting a lower capacity of 1,528 mAh, players could swap battery packs during gameplay.

        Power options

        One feature the two new leaked Xbox controllers would share is cloud gaming connectivity. The images reveal a switch that would toggle between local and remote modes. As Xbox Cloud Gaming expands, it could produce lower latency through direct communication with servers.

        Connectivity and latency

        Gamers are already grumbling about some anticipated tweaks Tecnoblog hasn’t confirmed. One of the most common critiques is with the durability of the Elite Series 2. Over time, the mechanical parts of the analog sticks wear down, leading to unreliable inputs. TMR or Hall effect technology significantly mitigates this issue, but it may be absent in the new accessory.

        Community response

        It’s sensible not to make assumptions, since the images likely don’t highlight all of the revisions. The Elite Series 3 may see other concepts from the rumored Project Sebile. Advanced haptic feedback inspired by the PS5 DualSense is among the ideas discussed in previous reports.

         

      • Alienware Launches 15-Inch Gaming Laptops with 165 Hz Displays

        Alienware Launches 15-Inch Gaming Laptops with 165 Hz Displays

        Key Takeaway

        – Both the DA15260 (Intel) and DA15265 (AMD) use a single 15.3″ IPS display: 1920×1200, 16:10, 165 Hz, FreeSync, but only 300 nits and 62.5% sRGB.
        – DDR5-5600 RAM, PCIe 4.0 storage, and 70 Wh battery (DA15265 also offers a 54 Wh option).
        – GPU options differ: DA15265 supports RTX 3050 or 4050; DA15260 supports RTX 5050 or 5060.
        – Pricing by region: DA15265 starts ~€998 / £879 / $1,299; DA15260 starts ~€1,429 / £1,249 / $1,499.
        – Base configurations and availability vary by region (e.g., RTX 3050 option and RAM/storage differences for the US vs Europe/UK).

        We have just reviewed the Alienware 16 Area-51 and 16X Aurora (curr. $2,189). While those are more expensive options, Alienware has responded with new 15-inch gaming laptops. Specifically, the company has introduced the Alienware 15 DA15260 and DA15265 based on AMD Hawk Point and Intel Raptor Lake-H processors, respectively.

        Overview

        While Dell offers multiple CPU and GPU options, the DA1520 and DA15265 can only be configured with a single display option. According to Dell, the 15.3-inch IPS panel outputs at 1,920 x 1,200 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 165 Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology support. Unfortunately, the display peaks at a mere 300 nits with 62.5% sRGB colour space coverage.

        Display and options

        Moreover, the two laptops feature DDR5-5600 RAM, PCIe 4.0 storage and 70 Wh batteries. The DA15265 can be equipped with a 54 Wh battery as needed, though. Also, Dell only offers the DA15265 with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 and GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPUs, as well as the GeForce RTX 5050 and GeForce RTX 5060 found on the DA15260.

        Hardware and GPUs

        The DA15265 starts at €998 in the Eurozone and £879 in the UK with a Ryzen 5 220, GeForce RTX 3050, 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Meanwhile, the laptop starts at $1,299 in the US by virtue of featuring a GeForce RTX 4050 and 16 GB of RAM. Currently, Dell has not indicated if or when it will sell GeForce RTX 3050 options in North America.

        Pricing and regional availability

        In comparison, the DA15260 starts with the Core 7 240H, GeForce RTX 5050, 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. At the time of publication, Dell charges €1,429 in the Eurozone, £1,249 in the UK and $1,499 in the US with this configuration. Please see Dell’s website for more details.


      • Greek Mythology Open-World Adventure Game 80% Off on Steam

        Greek Mythology Open-World Adventure Game 80% Off on Steam

        Key Takeaway

        – On Steam sale: Immortals Fenyx Rising is $7.99 (regular $39.99) through May 20, 2026; its all-time low was $3.99 on June 27, 2024 (90% off).
        – Open-world Greek myth setting: Golden Isle with seven regions; explore by mount, Daedalus wings, and Phosphor.
        – Reception: 73% positive on Steam from 4,530 reviews; Metacritic metascore 79, user score 7.4; praised for world/story/graphics; criticisms include puzzles, repetitive combat, and platforming.
        – Buy considerations: strong exploration and visuals offer good value on sale, but puzzles and combat variety may frustrate some players.

        Since May 13, 2026, many Ubisoft games are on sale on Steam, and Immortals Fenyx Rising is one of them. Released on December 15, 2022, this action-adventure game with RPG mechanics puts you in the shoes of Fenyx, who must fight Typhon to save the gods of Olympus, and restore order.

        Sale details

        The story takes place on the Golden Isle, an open world divided into seven regions and inspired by Greek mythology. To explore this world, you’ll need to ride a mount or fly using Daedalus’s wings. You can also rely on Phosphor, a phoenix that can locate many objects on the map.

        World and travel

        However, while these lands may seem peaceful, they are inhabited by mythological creatures such as minotaurs and cyclopes. As a result, you’ll have to fight them in fierce battles and use different attacks to defeat them. Don’t forget to use your bow and various powers that you’ll unlock as you progress.

        Creatures and combat

        Immortals Fenyx Rising is appreciated by 73% of players on Steam, based on over 4,530 reviews. If we look at Metacritic, it has a Metascore of 79 despite a user score of 7.4. Players enjoy its world, story, and its graphics. But there are several flaws to consider. Indeed, the puzzles are criticized, and the combat is repetitive and lacks variety. In addition, there are many platform sequences, which have disappointed some players.

        Reception and pricing concerns

        However, Immortals Fenyx Rising is currently priced at $7.99 on Steam instead of $39.99 until May 20, 2026. But according to SteamDB, its lowest price was $3.99 on June 27, 2024, during a 90% discount.


        Sources

      • Forza Horizon 6 Reviews: Mostly Positive With Caveats

        Forza Horizon 6 Reviews: Mostly Positive With Caveats

        Key Takeaway

        – Stunning visuals, but the world feels “empty” with wide roads and sparse traffic, especially in Tokyo.
        – PC VRAM matters: 8 GB variants struggle to hit 60 FPS at 1080p with DLSS Quality + Extreme+RT; 16 GB variants are significantly faster, with ~12 GB VRAM usage at these settings.
        – Console performance is strong (Series X/S) with good visuals and smooth play, but pop-in exists and not all ray tracing features are present compared to PC.
        – Frame generation helps a lot: 4x FG can push FPS over 120, and the Extreme preset without RT + TAA gives around 64 FPS at 1080p—useful as a VRAM-friendly starting point.

        Early reviews for Forza Horizon 6 are out, and for the most part, the game looks quite promising. In our first impressions video, we compared the performance on an RTX 5060 gaming laptop and one with an RTX 5090. The game is well-optimized (check out our benchmarks), looks stunning, and is fun to play, but there are some aspects that could leave racers wanting for more.

        Initial impressions

        With the review embargo lifted, several channels have released their reviews after testing the game for a couple of weeks. In Digital Foundry’s review, John mentions that the game is “beautiful but empty,” pointing to the wider roads with minimal traffic. While Tokyo has been recreated really well in Forza Horizon 6, the streets feel empty. This was the larger community’s feedback as well after the first gameplay footage dropped.

        Community reaction

        On Xbox consoles, both the Series X and S, the game looks and runs great. Pop-in is an issue, but not as much as Forza Horizon 5, John notes. Also, consoles don’t get the full ray tracing feature set when compared to the PC version. The Japan festival seems to have the exact same presentation as Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico festival.

        Platform differences

        For a more technical preview, Hardware Unboxed tested the game on 8 GB and 16 GB VRAM versions of an RTX 5060 Ti. The results were not very surprising as the 8 GB variant struggled to reach 60 FPS at 1080p with DLSS quality and the Extreme + RT (ray tracing) preset. However, the 16 GB variant was 56% faster with average framerates in the low 70s. At these settings, Forza Horizon 6 demands around 12 GB VRAM. We found similar results with our RTX 5060-powered Lenovo Legion 7a, with the game running at around 37 FPS at these settings.

        Technical notes

        That being said, the Extreme preset (without RT) + TAA looks pretty good and delivers a solid 64 FPS average at 1080p, so those with limited VRAM can use that as a starting point to tweak settings. Furthermore, FG (frame generation) helps greatly with 4x FG, pushing framerates to over 120 FPS.

        Performance takeaways

        Overall, Forza Horizon 6 is looking like a great addition to the series. It is releasing on May 19 on Xbox consoles and PC, and our first impressions come from Digital Foundry on YouTube and Hardware Unboxed on YouTube.

      • Subnautica 2 hits 460K Steam players on early access release

        Subnautica 2 hits 460K Steam players on early access release

        Key Takeaway

        – Subnautica 2 achieved strong early traction with a peak of 400,000+ concurrent players within an hour of launch.
        – It ranks 3rd in Steam’s most played games and has already outpaced some 2026 AAA titles in momentum.
        – Pre-release demand was massive: over 5 million wishlists on Steam and a free gift to supporters.
        – Krafton controversy resolved with CEO reinstatement and an extended bonus window; Unknown Worlds hopes high Steam numbers help meet sales targets; game is on Xbox Game Pass and priced at $29.99.

        Data pointed to a successful debut for Unknown Worlds’ latest underwater survival game. However, on Subnautica 2 early access release date, the title may be beating all expectations. Within an hour of its launch time, it had eclipsed a peak concurrent Steam player count of 400,000.

        Early Momentum

        Subnautica 2 ranks 3rd among the most played Steam games on Valve’s site. However, it has already dethroned some of the leading AAA performers on the marketplace in 2026. With game of the year ambitions, Crimson Desert topped out at over 276,000 players about 10 days after its arrival. Meanwhile, Resident Evil Requiem reached a high-water mark of just above 344,000.

        Slay the Spire 2 is a greater challenge, with a benchmark of 574,638 players. Nevertheless, the project could yet dethrone the popular deckbuilder. More relevant to the sequel, the original Subnautica maxxed out at 51,156 players 8 years ago.

        Notable Benchmarks

        While the Subnautica 2 Steam player count impresses, there were indications of a triumphant launch. More than 5 million buyers had added the title to their Steam wishlists by its early access release date. As the most wanted game on the site, that achievement prompted the studio to hand out a free gift to supporters.

        It’s also worth noting that the oceanic survival adventure is available on Xbox Game Pass. While less expensive at $29.99 than most AAA competitors, that wasn’t the case with Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem.

        With developers and publisher Krafton at odds, fans had urged gamers to buy the title before its release date. In 2025, Krafton was accused of firing the leadership of Unknown Worlds to sabotage the project. It’s suspected that if the game didn’t meet sales targets, the company could avoid paying out a $250 million bonus.

        A court has since reinstated the studio’s CEO and extended the bonus payout window. Defenders of Unknown Worlds believe a high Subnautica 2 Steam player count will help meet that goal.


        Sources

      • Asus 16-Inch Gaming Laptop With 64GB RAM North America

        Asus 16-Inch Gaming Laptop With 64GB RAM North America

        Key Takeaway

        – US launch: ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 starts at $3,699 with Core Ultra 9 386H, RTX 5070 Ti, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB; upgrading to 64 GB RAM raises price to $4,799 with no other changes.
        – US high-end pricing for other GU606 configurations has not yet been disclosed.
        – Canada top-tier pricing: RTX 5080 with 64 GB RAM and 2 TB is CAD 6,999 (~$5,099); RTX 5090 with the same RAM is CAD 7,699 (~$5,610); RTX 5090-powered models aren’t being sold in Canada at publication.
        – Canada offers RTX 5060, 5070, 5070 Ti, and 5080 variants (pricing published in CAD).

        Asus has quietly started selling the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) in North America as a replacement for the 2025 models we have already reviewed (curr. $2,799 on Amazon). For context, the company unveiled its new 16 inch laptop in January during CES 2026. However, it waited until the end of March before confirming how much the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 would cost in the UK.

        US market timing

        Now, it has followed suit by revealing the prices of two SKUs that will be avialble in the US. Currently, Asus states that the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 will start at $3,699 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. Inexplicably, configuring the laptop with 64 GB of RAM increases its price to $4,799 while making no other changes.

        For the time being, Asus has not confirmed how much high-tier models will cost in the US. The company charges CAD 6,999 (~$5,099) for a GeForce RTX 5080 with 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage, though. Meanwhile, the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 runs to CAD 7,699 (~$5,610) with a GeForce RTX 5090 and the same amount of RAM.

        Canadian pricing snapshot

        Asus is not selling any GeForce RTX 5090-powered models in Canada at the time of publication. Conversely, GeForce RTX 5060, GeForce RTX 5070, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and GeForce RTX 5080 models are available. Asus has priced these variants as follows in Canada:

        Asus Canada & Asus US

        Sources
      • ROG Zephyrus G14: Asus 14in gaming laptop in NA without RTX 5080

        ROG Zephyrus G14: Asus 14in gaming laptop in NA without RTX 5080

        Key Takeaway

        – GU405 (Intel Panther Lake) is now available in North America; GA403 (AMD) hasn’t shown up yet; US price for GU405 is $3,599.
        – No GeForce RTX 5080 variants listed in North America; UK pricing shows RTX 5080 at about 19% more than the RTX 5070 Ti-based version.
        – ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) supports up to 2 TB of storage; exact pricing for higher-storage configurations is not disclosed.
        – Canada has its own SKU lineup and rollout notes, with GA403 still not observed in NA.

        Over a month has passed since Asus released the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) in Europe. Now available in places like the UK, this year’s ROG Zephyrus G14 can be purchased with AMD Gorgon Point or Intel Panther Lake processors. For reference, Asus distinguishes these with GA403 and GU405 model numbers, respectively.

        North American release

        Now, Asus has released the GU405 in North America. Currently, we cannot find any references to the GA403, which effectively replaces last year’s Ryzen 9 270 and GeForce RTX 5060-based model (curr. $1,859). For context, this model is Asus’ cheaper alternative to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370-based models we reviewed last year. As it stands, Asus is selling the following SKUs in Canada:

        Pricing snapshot

        Also, Asus has confirmed that the latter will reach the US for $3,599. The company clarifies that the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) should be available with up to 2 TB of storage too, although pricing remains unknown for now. Surprisingly, Asus has not yet listed any GeForce RTX 5080 variants in North America. For reference, the company charges 19% more for the GeForce RTX 5080 in the UK compared to a RTX 5070 Ti-backe version.


        Sources