A Ryzen 9 9950X3D has reportedly died just an hour after being moved into an ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard. According to Reddit user SpecialistConcept423, posting in r/GamersNexus, the chip had been running fine for about a year and a half in an ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara before the swap. After switching to the new board, no manual overclocking or voltage tweaks were applied; only one of the board's built-in memory presets was enabled for a set of SK hynix 6200 MHz modules. After saving that setting and rebooting, the board threw a "00" Q-Code and refused to post. Pulling the CPU and inspecting it revealed two brown marks on its contacts, which all but confirmed the catastrophic failure.

Things got stranger when the user resorted to an older Ryzen 5 8500G that had previously worked fine on the same board. That chip apparently now throws a "4D" code too, pointing at the motherboard itself as the culprit, not just the CPU. There's no confirmation yet on whether a faulty BIOS, a bad batch of boards, or something else is to blame, and ASUS hasn't commented on this specific case. It is worth noting that the ASUS board was not new, and it had undergone USB-related repairs and a BIOS rewrite. The user has since contacted AMD in Brazil for an RMA, but has shared no updates yet.

Another Ryzen 7 7800X3D has reportedly swollen and burned, while also damaging the ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard in the process. UNIKO's Hardware flagged the case, citing a video posted to Bilibili as the original source. The video shows a Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU with clear swelling on the underside where it made contact with the CPU socket. There is discoloration on both the CPU and the socket itself. Moreover, the socket pins are warped and damaged in the middle, presumably due to the pressure of the swelling. One peculiar finding is that one of the notches on the CPU socket looks slightly off. Perhaps more importantly, the board's BIOS version wasn't confirmed, which is directly relevant due to AMD's proposed fix.

This kind of failure first showed up in April 2023, when several 7800X3D and 7950X3D chips bulged and took their sockets with them on X670E boards. AMD pinned it on SoC voltage running too high and rolled out AGESA firmware that capped it at 1.30V across AM5 motherboards. This new case might be straightforward if the BIOS hadn't been updated at all. However, even after the BIOS fix, the reports never fully stopped. Just weeks ago, a 7800X3D reportedly burned out on an MSI PRO X870-P WIFI board running the latest BIOS, with EXPO enabled and nothing else touched. We have even seen reports of Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPUs burning in the exact same manner. If you're running a 7800X3D, it's probably worth checking that you're on the latest BIOS and keeping an eye on SoC voltage.

MSI today announced the global availability of the Crosshair A16 HX MLG Edition, a distinctive white gaming laptop created for players who want powerful performance, immersive visuals, and a bold design identity. The new edition introduces global gamers to LOONG:NIA, also known as MLG, a dragon-inspired original character whose story is built around courage, creativity, and the determination to overcome limits. Raised by the noble lineage of the Ancient Dragons, LOONG dreamed of becoming a Wingborne Watcher, a guardian who protects and guides dragonkind. Though born without wings, she used her talent in mechanical design to build her own, becoming a night-sky guardian who symbolizes self-made power and fearless ambition. Bringing this character narrative into the product experience, the Crosshair A16 HX MLG Edition combines MSI's gaming DNA with a pearl-like Stellar White finish, custom MLG design elements, and exclusive bundled accessories.

Top-tier Performance with 16-core CPU & Full-powered GPU
Built for high-performance gaming and next-generation AI experiences, the Crosshair A16 HX MLG Edition is powered by up to an AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU with 12 GB GDDR7 memory. MSI OverBoost Technology enables up to 190 W total CPU and GPU power output, while the Cooler Boost cooling system, with dual fans, five heat pipes, and a quad-exhaust heatsink design, helps maintain stable performance under heavy workloads.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Crosshair 2006, a cousin of the Crosshair X870E Dark Hero that is an aesthetic throwback to the first motherboard ROG created 20 years ago.

Its potent gaming power is draped in time-traveling retro style. Decked with eye-catching colors and materials that harken back to one of PC gaming's most important formative eras, the ROG Crosshair 2006 is the new motherboard of choice for gamers who demand the best of past and present. This special edition is armed to the teeth with 2026's most innovative gaming tech, with the latest refinements equipping users for a supremely easy PC building experience. Its marquee feature is a 2-inch OLED screen on the primary M.2 slot, which can display useful system information such as CPU clock speed, device temperatures, or fan speeds. Users can also personalize the OLED display with their own custom images or animations.

Philips has introduced the Evnia 27M2G5800, a 27-inch gaming monitor built around a dual-mode Fast IPS panel that can switch between 5K resolution and high-refresh QHD operation. The panel runs at a native 5120 x 2880 (5K UHD) with a pixel density of 217 PPI, right where you'd normally find it on a 27-inch gaming display. In 5K mode, the refresh rate tops out at 165 Hz, or 180 Hz with overclocking enabled. Switching to 2560 x 1440 (Quad HD) unlocks up to 330 Hz, no overclocking option here. Brightness is rated at 500 nits with a 1000:1 contrast ratio while the panel has DisplayHDR 400 certification. On the responsiveness side, Philips rates the panel at 1 ms GtG, with a 0.5 ms MPRT mode for motion-heavy content. Adaptive sync is supported, including G-SYNC compatibility, and the monitor comes with a handful of gaming-oriented extras: Shadow Boost for better visibility in dark areas, Smart Crosshair, and motion blur reduction.

For connectivity, it features two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 2.1 (supporting the 5K at 180 Hz), a headphone jack and a USB hub with two downstream USB-A ports and a USB-B upstream. According to IT Files, the Evnia 27M2G5800 is priced at 4999 yuan, which is about $730 USD however, pricing and availability for markets outside Hong Kong haven't been announced. The 5K model expands the Philips Evnia 27M2 lineup, which already includes more unconventional high-refresh options. Notable examples include the Evnia 27M2N5500XD, capable of up to 500 Hz at 1440p and 1000 Hz at 720p, as well as the more affordable Evnia 27M2N3800A, offering 4K at 160 Hz or Full HD at 320 Hz.

When it first launched the Q-Release Slim PCIe mechanisms on its high-end gaming X870 Gaming motherboards, the new connector ended up causing scratches on the PCIe contacts of GPUs after repeated insertion and removal cycles. The connector was later quietly revised in March 2025 to remove the metal bracket that was blamed for the scratched contacts. Now, ASUS has once again revised the Q-Release Slim PCIe mechanism design for the latest Neo series motherboards, once again requiring a button to release PCIe cards from the motherboard.

In a video previewing the updated 2026 motherboard line-up, ASUS North America explains that the Q-Release mechanism was revised because "some users were confused" by the connector, which didn't require any intervention beyond pulling the GPU out of the slot to remove it, while others simply wanted a button to be present—likely those who had heard about the aforementioned scratched PCIe connectors and didn't want the added risk. The new motherboard PCIe retention mechanism will be present on all of the new NEO motherboards ASUS announced for 2026, which includes more affordable gaming motherboards, like the ASUS TUF Gaming B850-Pro WiFi7 Neo and the creator-focused ProArt B850-Creator WiFi Neo and goes all the way up to the premium ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial motherboard.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today at CES 2026 announced a stunning array of gaming displays that are set to redefine visual immersion. ASUS and ROG continue to lead globally, holding the No.1 positions in OLED monitors and remaining the top choice for gamers. At CES, ROG unveiled its next-generation QD-OLED and Tandem OLED gaming monitors featuring revolutionary RGB Stripe Pixel OLED technology that reduces color fringing to ensure crystal-clear text and visuals. The new QD-OLED gaming displays also include new ROG BlackShield film that increases perceived black levels and upgrades the panel for improved toughness and scratch resistance.

ROG RGB Stripe Pixel OLED solutions
The latest ROG QD-OLED and Tandem OLED monitors feature revolutionary RGB Stripe Pixel technology that ensures ultrasharp imagery and crisp text for exceptional viewing experiences. The next-generation ROG monitors to feature this technology include the ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN and Strix OLED XG34WCDMS (RGB QD-OLED panels), along with the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCWM (Tandem RGB OLED panel) monitor.

ASUS at the 2026 CES will showcase its first ROG Crosshair series flagship AMD platform motherboard to feature a white PCB and color scheme, called the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme Glacial. Functionally identical to the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme that the company launched in 2025, this new board features a white PCB, a silvery-white shroud, and matte-white anodized aluminium heatsinks, along with some chrome accents and glossy textures along the combi heatsink spanning the chipset and M.2 slots.

We are as puzzled as you are with the lack of a visible PCI-Express 5.0 x16 slot in this render, but this may not be a mistake, the slot could be concealed and located at a 90-degree angle pointing downward, so you can use it with a Gen 5-capable riser. The board may even include it. This board apparently won a CES innovation award, so the innovative feature likely is this angled slot. Then again, there's that add-on card ejection mechanism. We can't wait to go hands-on with this board in Vegas to solve this mystery.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced that it is set to unveil the next chapter in gaming at its virtual launch event, CES 2026 ROG—Dare to Innovate. The showcase will stream globally via YouTube on January 5, 2026, 6 p.m. EST, 3:00 p.m. PST. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of ROG, this milestone event embodies two decades of relentless ingenuity, community-driven progress, and a passion for challenging conventions. From pioneering motherboards and high-performance gaming laptops to innovative gaming gear, ROG continues to embody an experimental spirit—turning bold ideas into real breakthroughs.

This year's lineup introduces a fresh generation of innovations throughout the ROG portfolio, including next-level gaming systems, revolutionary cooling solutions, and displays that offer breathtaking clarity and immersive experiences. Attendees can look forward to world-first technologies and imaginative engineering in motherboards, laptops, desktops, and gaming gear—including the latest ROG Strix and Crosshair gaming motherboards, Zephyrus laptop series, and ROG gaming displays, designed for performance, precision, and style. All featured ROG products and innovations will also be available for hands-on demonstrations at the ASUS & ROG CES 2026 Media Showroom at The Venetian Expo, Level 3, San Polo 3403. The showroom will be open on January 5 (10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST) and January 6-8 (9:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST).

Philips Monitors launches the new Philips Evnia 27M2N5901A, an advanced gaming monitor designed to bring exceptional flexibility, immersive visuals, and seamless multitasking to gamers, content creators, and tech-savvy professionals alike. The monitor features cutting-edge Dual Mode technology, offering UHD at 160 Hz for visually rich games and productivity, as well as FHD at 320 Hz, with up to 1 ms GtG response time and 0.5 ms Smart MBR, for ultra-smooth competitive gaming. Coupled with AI-enhanced Ambiglow, it immerses users in every activity, whether gaming, streaming, or designing. In addition, its built-in USB hub and KVM switch ensure effortless connectivity and control of multiple devices for a complete setup.

One monitor, two resolutions, countless possibilities
Thanks to its Dual Mode, the Philips Evnia 27M2N5901A gives gamers unprecedented control over their experience, adapting instantaneously to their needs. Users can switch between UHD at 160 Hz for breathtaking, high-resolution immersive visuals and increased productivity with a high pixel density, or FHD at 320 Hz for butter-smooth, lightning-fast gaming performance. Whether engaging in competitive esports matches, streaming content, or doing any kind of creative work, switching between modes is simple and easy, allowing users to tailor their setup in real time. This superior flexibility ensures that the monitor delivers stunning detail as well as high-speed responsiveness, putting both performance and preference firmly in the user's hands.

ASUS introduced the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BTF motherboard. This Socket AM5 motherboard is a variant of the original ROG Crosshair X870E Hero that ASUS debuted with its AMD X870-series chipset motherboard lineup launched alongside Ryzen 9000 series processors; and comes with ASUS's BTF standard of backside connectivity. The board has all its onboard headers, ports, and connectors pointing backside (reverse side of the PCB), to nearly eliminate visible cable clutter. A key aspect of this board is its preparation of BTF power delivery for graphics cards. The board has a 600 W-capable 12V-2x6 power input on the reverse side, which is wired to the BTF power delivery slot meant for compatible ASUS TUF Gaming, ROG Strix, and ROG Astral series BTF graphics cards.

Besides these, the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BTF is laid out similar to the original board, and comes with an otherwise identical feature-set, which includes a power CPU VRM, a PCI-Express 5.0 x16 slot, as many as five M.2 NVMe slots, two wired Ethernet interfaces (2.5 GbE and 5 GbE), and Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4, driven by a premium MediaTek MT7927 (320 MHz) WLAN controller. USB connectivity includes two 40 Gbps USB4, eight 10 Gbps USB 3.2 ports (6x type-A and 2x type-C), two 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (type-C header), and two additional 5 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers. The onboard audio solution combines a Realtek ALC4082 CODEC with ESS ES9219 quad DAC and Savitech AMPs. The company didn't reveal pricing, but we expect this board to cost 5-10% more than the regular ROG Crosshair X870E Hero.

ASUS Republic of Gamers today announced the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme and ROG Crosshair X870E Apex, which join the previously-released ROG Crosshair X870E Hero to triple the number of premium ASUS motherboard options for high-end AMD Ryzen systems. Equipped with premium components, heavy-duty power solutions, and offering next-level connectivity options, these motherboards cater to those who dare to build a PC that shatters boundaries. ASUS AI Advisor, available within the ASUS DriverHub app, can help users learn all about this new hardware and get performance tips.

ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme
The ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme carries forward the AMD Ryzen 9000 Series of ROG motherboards with a no-holds-barred feature set and an all-new design that exudes luxury. Its massive power solution unleashes the full potential of new CPUs. 20+2+2 power stages effortlessly slake the thirst of the top-end AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, even when firing on all cylinders. Thick-and-tall VRM heatsinks keep the power circuitry operating comfortably, while 8+8 ProCool II power connectors with solid pins give the CPU a direct line to the power supply.