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A PC enthusiast has built a local AI cluster from discarded laptop hardware, showing that large language models do not always require expensive modern GPUs. The system uses several Lenovo ThinkPad L380 motherboards from 2018, each fitted with an Intel Core i5 8250U processor, 32 GB of DDR4 memory and an NVMe SSD. Despite the modest hardware, the cluster can run an 80 billion

A refurbished Nintendo Switch 2 is available for $399.99, giving buyers a way to purchase the console below its current retail price before Nintendo raises the official MSRP in September. The Grade A refurbished system is priced $50 below the current $449.99 launch price and $100 below the $499.99 MSRP that is scheduled to take effect on September 1. The offer could be useful

ASUS has launched a new ROG NUC 16 configuration that combines an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti laptop graphics inside a compact 3 liter chassis. The small form factor gaming PC is priced at $3,117 and includes 32 GB of DDR5 6400 memory along with a 1 TB NVMe SSD. Its high price places it firmly in

Quake is marking its 30th anniversary with a major free expansion called Dawn of the Machine, giving owners of the current version of the game a new 19 map campaign, an original soundtrack and an additional Deathmatch map. The expansion was developed by MachineGames and is available as a free update for the modern Quake release first issued in 2021. It is also coming

Google’s AI powered search system recently produced an incorrect answer claiming that Flock Safety license plate cameras contain valuable amounts of gold and copper, apparently after treating internet jokes as factual information. The response reportedly said that a single camera could contain up to five grams of gold and between two and 23 pounds of copper. Those figures were clearly unrealistic. The camera itself

A new open source project called Xodus is working to make Xbox PC games and Xbox Game Pass titles playable locally on Linux devices, including the Steam Deck. The project is being developed by one of the people behind the Heroic Games Launcher and aims to reverse engineer Microsoft’s newer PC game framework so Linux systems can authenticate Xbox accounts, verify game licenses and

A Steam Deck modder has rebuilt Valve’s handheld into a compact Game Boy style device called the SteamBoy, using many original components from the LCD Steam Deck inside a new vertical shell. The project reuses the Steam Deck motherboard, battery, speakers and buttons while replacing some parts to fit the smaller form factor. The SteamBoy is still a work in progress and is not

Valve has released a new Proton Experimental update with fixes for several Windows games running on Linux and Steam Deck, including Command and Conquer titles, Forza Horizon 4, Far Cry 5 and Lords of the Fallen. The August 7 update also addresses Steam authentication problems in Nightingale and rendering issues in SYDE Rugby League Simulator. For Steam Deck owners already using Proton Experimental, the

Valve has released SteamOS 3.8.25 Beta with early support for the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter, new Steam Machine firmware, broader handheld compatibility and several fixes for HDMI, Wi Fi, charging indicators and controller support. The update also moves SteamOS to Linux kernel 6.18.42 and improves compatibility with third party devices including the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, KONKR FIT, AYANEO Pocket S2 and OneXPlayer

A community designed Steam Machine faceplate is turning a cosmetic part into something more practical by doubling as a charging dock for the Steam Controller. The custom design uses the front of the Steam Machine as a resting point for the controller, with shaped recesses for its grips and a charging puck positioned in the center. Magnets in the puck are strong enough to

Sins of a Solar Empire II is getting a fourth playable faction with the Harbinger expansion, which launches on September 3, 2026. The expansion introduces the Eidolon, a faction tied to the long running threat that has pursued the Vasari for thousands of years. Rather than focusing on conventional goals such as territory, trade, or wealth, the Eidolon are built around spreading corruption across

Quake has received a substantial free expansion called Dawn of the Machine as part of the game’s 30th anniversary celebrations. The new episode was created by MachineGames and id Software for the 2021 remaster of Quake. It adds 19 new missions, additional weapon variants, three achievements, a single player cheats menu, a behind the scenes gallery, and a collection of bug fixes. Dawn of

Ubisoft is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon with new content for Ghost Recon Wildlands, a free PC giveaway, and the first public step toward the next game in the series. Ghost Recon Wildlands has received a free mission called Last Rites across PC and consoles. The update also improves the game on current generation consoles with a new 4K 60

Xbox has started a new Free Play Days promotion with five games available to play for a limited time, including NBA 2K26, Ghost Recon Wildlands, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Wax Heads, and Sports Renovations. Most of the games can be played without an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Only Sports Renovations requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential. The main Free Play Days lineup runs

Epic Games Store has started its latest weekly PC game giveaway, offering Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together for free until August 13, 2026. Both games can be added permanently to your Epic Games Store library during the promotion. Once claimed, they remain tied to your account after the giveaway ends. The new pair replaces last week’s free games, OTXO and Sol Cesto.

Nintendo Switch 2 sales have slowed significantly after the console’s strong launch period, but Nintendo still reported better than expected quarterly revenue thanks to software sales, entertainment income, and tariff refunds. The company sold 3.82 million Switch 2 units during the latest quarter, representing a 34.4 percent decline compared with its earlier launch pace. Even with that slowdown, lifetime Switch 2 sales have reached

Rockstar Games has announced a new extended Grand Theft Auto VI showcase for August 27, 2026, giving players a longer look at the upcoming game ahead of its November release. The presentation will premiere first on Netflix at 3 PM ET for subscribers. Rockstar will then publish the same showcase on its YouTube channel and the official Grand Theft Auto VI website at 9

Nvidia has revealed 26 games joining GeForce NOW during August 2026, with the lineup covering new releases, Game Pass titles, and several existing PC games. The cloud gaming service is adding titles such as Big Walk, The Sinking City 2, Mortal Shell II, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, and High on Life 2 during the month. Nvidia is also bringing

Microsoft has not yet confirmed which games will leave Xbox Game Pass in September 2026, but several titles could be at risk based on when they originally joined the service. The predictions are based mainly on a common Game Pass pattern where third party titles remain available for around one year. Some games stay for longer, while others leave sooner, so none of the

Ghost Recon Wildlands has received a major upgrade for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, improving resolution, frame rate, and overall image quality nearly a decade after the game first launched. The Xbox Series X version now targets 4K resolution and 60 FPS, while Xbox Series S players can choose between a 1440p Quality Mode and a 1080p Performance Mode. Early testing shows