This week the biggest story in the review landscape is not a new GPU or a new CPU — it is a game. Halo: Campaign Evolved launched on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation this week in Unreal Engine 5, and TechPowerUp’s 35-GPU benchmark is essential reading for anyone who wants to know whether their card can actually handle Lumen, Nanite, and MegaLights at a comfortable frame rate. Beyond that, a new Intel Z890 Plus motherboard, a very opinionated $400 AIO, a glass case with an airflow problem, a surprisingly capable budget PSU, two Gen5 SSDs, and a pair of gaming monitors representing opposite ends of the refresh-rate-versus-resolution argument.
Halo: Campaign Evolved — GPU and Handheld Performance
Written reviews:
- TechPowerUp (35 GPUs): https://www.techpowerup.com/review/halo-campaign-evolved-performance-benchmark/
- TechPowerUp (Handheld): https://www.techpowerup.com/review/halo-campaign-evolved-steam-deck-xbox-ally-x-claw-8-ex-performance-benchmark/
Video reviews:
- TechPowerUp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOr9M4EcVP0
Consensus summary: Halo Studios rebuilt the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign from scratch in Unreal Engine 5 — Lumen global illumination on by default with no toggle, Nanite geometry throughout, and MegaLights contributing to the lighting load. TechPowerUp tested 35 graphics cards across quality presets, compared upscaling paths from all three vendors, and ran a dedicated VRAM consumption analysis at multiple settings. The handheld companion piece extends that data to the Steam Deck, ROG Xbox Ally X, and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. All three major upscalers are present — DLSS, FSR, and XeSS — each with a corresponding frame generation path, giving every current-generation GPU owner an upscaling option; caveat is that Intel XeSS is exclusive to the Steam version and unavailable in the Microsoft Store build.
FPS Review take: The VRAM findings from TechPowerUp’s testing speak directly to anyone who bought an 8GB card in the current cycle, and our RTX 5060 Ti 16GB vs 8GB testing provides an additional reference point.
Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Duo X
Written reviews:
FPS Review take: The Z890 Plus tier is where Intel’s CQDIMM story actually lands for the enthusiast market, and TechPowerUp being first in with a full review makes this the reference point for now. For the more accessible end of the Z890 lineup, our MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II and Z890 GAMING PLUS WiFi6E reviews remain the go-to benchmarks for value-tier Z890 builders.
Consensus summary: The board’s primary differentiator is CQDIMM support delivered via Gigabyte’s D5 DUO X Technology, which allows full 256GB capacity from two 128GB CQDIMM modules at speeds above 9,000 MT/s while managing signal integrity across the reduced-loading dual-slot configuration. Ultra Turbo Mode is the BIOS-level addition that simplifies performance tuning across several presets, from a default Intel 200S Boost level to an Extreme Mode for competitive overclocking.
MSI MEG CORELIQUID E15 360
Written reviews:
Consensus summary: TechPowerUp’s review of the $399.99 MSI MEG CORELIQUID E15 360 produces a verdict that will frustrate buyers who were hoping the premium price bought premium results across the board. Performance on Intel is strong. Noise-normalized testing on AMD, however, shows the cooler trailing cheaper alternatives in that specific scenario. The 6.67-inch 2240×1080 AMOLED display is described as crisp and genuinely attractive in person, and the black-and-gold MEG design language earns its place in ecosystem builds alongside matching MSI MEG components, but TechPowerUp calls the performance-per-dollar figure “abysmal regardless of platform,” with the six-year warranty on the AIO itself being one of the few clear differentiators at this price. The AMOLED display carries only a two-year warranty.
FPS Review take: The MEG CORELIQUID E15 360 is making a design and ecosystem argument, not a thermal one, and TechPowerUp’s data confirms that gap. If you are not building inside a MEG Maestro chassis with matching components, the $400 is better spent elsewhere in the cooler market.
Endorfy Fishtank 6000 Corona
Written reviews:
- Club386: https://www.club386.com/endorfy-fishtank-6000-corona-review/
- KitGuru: https://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/leo-waldock/endorfy-fishtank-6000-corona-case-review/
Video reviews:
Consensus summary: Club386 and KitGuru reach the same conclusion from different directions: the Fishtank 6000 Corona is a genuinely attractive panoramic case that ships with a fan and ARGB controller, supports E-ATX through Mini-ITX, and looks exactly as good as the “Fishtank” name promises. The thermal story is where both outlets dig in. Club386’s Core Ultra 7 270K Plus build approached throttle at moderate fan speeds and required full-tilt operation to keep temperatures under control — with audible consequences at 47-48 dBA. KitGuru lands at 7.0/10 and draws the same line: the case looks better than it cools, at a price point around €119/£138 where the airflow competition is stiff. KitGuru notes, with credit, that the Fishtank name itself was their suggestion at a Computex prototype showing.
FPS Review take: The aesthetics here are real and the build quality matches the look, so this is not a case to dismiss out of hand — but if your build runs hot or you value quiet operation, the panoramic glass is working against you. Builders who can keep thermals in check through system-level management will enjoy it more than those relying on the case to do the heavy lifting. Our LIAN LI LANCOOL 217 Black Genuine Walnut Wood Case review is the recent reference for premium-aesthetic case coverage if you want a comparison point.
COUGAR GR 1000 PSU
Written reviews:
Consensus summary: Vortez reviewed the COUGAR GR 1000 this week, a 1000W 80 PLUS Gold unit positioned squarely at the value tier of the ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 market at $129. The spec sheet hits the current checklist: fully modular design, native 12V-2×6 connector for direct RTX 50-series compatibility without an adapter, 100% Japanese capacitors rated at 105C, a 140mm fluid dynamic bearing fan, and a 10-year warranty.
FPS Review take: $129 for a 1000W Gold, ATX 3.1, PCIe 5.1-compliant unit with a native 12VHPWR connector and a 10-year warranty is a decent bargain, particularly for builders pairing an RTX 5070 or RTX 5080 with a new Arrow Lake Plus or Ryzen AM5 system who have been waiting for a budget PSU slot to open up at this tier.
Gen5 SSD: TEAMGROUP NV10000 1TB + BIWIN M560 2TB
Written reviews:
- FunkyKit (TEAMGROUP NV10000 1TB): https://www.funkykit.com/reviews/storage/teamgroup-nv10000-1tb-m-2-pcie-5-0-ssd-review/
- TweakTown (BIWIN M560 2TB): https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/11560/biwin-m560-2tb-ssd-best-overall-retail-ready-dramless-ssd/index.html
- NikkTech (BIWIN M560 2TB): https://www.nikktech.com/main/articles/pc-hardware/storage/solid-state-drives/16597-biwin-m560-2tb-gen5-ssd-review
Consensus summary: Two Gen5 SSD reviews landed the same week from different points on the performance-value curve. The TEAMGROUP NV10000 1TB earned a 7.8 from FunkyKit, representing a competent mainstream Gen5 option. The BIWIN M560 2TB is the more notable: TweakTown awarded it the headline “Best Overall Retail-Ready DRAMless SSD,” crediting sequential read speeds around 11,000 MB/s from a DRAMless controller design. Both TweakTown and NikkTech covered the M560 independently, and the consistent read performance number across both outlets adds confidence to TweakTown’s lead finding. The DRAMless caveat still applies in sustained write scenarios, but for typical gaming and mixed workloads the M560 is staking a serious claim at its capacity tier.
FPS Review take: The BIWIN M560’s numbers from a DRAMless design are impressive for the category. If you are filling out a Gen5 M.2 slot on a Z890 or X870E board and prioritize value per gigabyte, this is worth a close look at current pricing.
Monitors: AOC U32G4 32-Inch 4K + Philips 27M2N3501PA 260Hz Fast-IPS
Written reviews:
Tom’s Hardware (AOC U32G4): https://www.tomshardware.com/monitors/gaming-monitors/aoc-u32g4-32-inch-4k-dual-refresh-gaming-monitor-review
eTeknix (Philips 27M2N3501PA): https://www.eteknix.com/philips-27m2n3501-260hz-fast-ips-gaming-monitor-review/
Consensus summary: Two very different display philosophies hit the review circuit this week. Tom’s Hardware called the AOC U32G4 a 32-inch 4K Dual-Refresh gaming panel with “solid performance and value,” placing it in the tier that makes sense alongside a mid-to-high-end GPU that can push 4K at playable frame rates without the OLED premium. The eTeknix-reviewed Philips 27M2N3501PA takes the opposite position: 27 inches at 1440p or 1080p with a 260Hz Fast-IPS panel, targeting competitive and esports-oriented play where frames-per-second outweigh resolution.
FPS Review take: These two monitors sit at opposite ends of the trade-off every PC builder faces eventually: the AOC pairs with the RTX 5070 and RX 9070 XT tier our audience has been gravitating toward for 4K gaming, while the Philips makes sense for the competitive shooter crowd who are running at lower resolutions and need the highest sustainable refresh rate IPS can deliver. Neither is a niche product, and both warrant a check against current pricing.
Discussion (6 replies)
Join Discussion →Re Halo. From TPU:f
"For 1080p at 60 FPS you'll want at least a Radeon RX 9060 XT, GeForce RTX 5060 Ti or RTX 4070—and that's without any upscaling or frame generation. "
Ouch. Master Chief collection makes this game pointless for most I think.
See ive been thinking about getting the reiagined halo games.. is it not worth it if I have the master chief collection?
Probably not worth it at full price. On sale why not. But it'd have to be a pretty good sale, since MCC has been down to $10 pretty often in the last 6-7 years. I'm certainly not grabbing it until it gets super-cheap. I've played all the Halo games to death since 2001, the remake is still essentially just Halo 1 all over again, with some new elements and a few new missions. That's not worth $50 to me. And this would be the 2nd time they've done a graphical "upgrade" to the game (first time with the Anniversary remaster, which is also in MCC), so that in itself isn't something new either. I'd be playing the game just to see how UE5 and the lighting, art, and engine differences change the mood, atmosphere, and gameplay experience of a game I already know well. I'm sure I will appreciate changes like the ones made to the infamous level The Library. And I'm interested to see if 343i/Halo Studios/whatever-the-f*ck-they-are-called-now can capture the Bungie magic of stuff like the weapon feel and gunplay on a completely different engine.
There's also been some complaints about various things with the remake here and there, like this recently: https://www.eurogamer.net/halo-campaign-evolveds-death-barriers-and-ungenerous-out-of-bounds-restrictions-are-making-the-42-skull-grind-a-real-bore
Or how the NPC AI is worse (which is understandable considering programming legends like Chris Butcher were not involved in this remake).
As for first-timers who have never played Halo 1 or any Halo game, again it's hard to argue against the value of MCC. I would tell them to just go grab MCC on sale instead.
I've read that visually its a huge upgrade to the original, but the difference between quality settings isn't always as drastic as perhaps it should be. It's also been said that while the IQ is much better, it still doesn't stand out as great for a 2026 title. Otherwise I've also read that folks who played the original are not happy with numerous gameplay changes but I don't have any specific examples to provide. I never made it through any of them but plan to get this when it goes on sale down the road.
Yeah, I heard how they kind of biffed it with the different quality settings and basically once you go above low it gets demanding quick and the returns are minimal. Ultra is basically 5090 only ground and some have said that the IQ difference is almost unnoticeable from med or high onward.
That's coz the 5K, 6K and 8K monitor users aren't normally playing games. If they did, they would notice and rub it in our faces.