I don't think it necessarily does look very dire, at least not on overall - this situation is indeed detrimental to every segment, but probably the most to traditional desktop PCs, one with standard CPU+GPU+Memory approach. But if you put APU/SoC with unified LDDPR5X/6 on wide bus (so that you use one memory pool, that can serve both CPU and GPU, without latency or bandwidth issues, akin to what Apple is doing), sure you're loosing upgradability of classic DIY PC, but it's still desktop PC box running Windows/Steam (and we're seeing more of this from both AMD and Intel, and now nVidia as well). I think this is market that will expand, though probably at the expense of traditional desktop PC market.

Well at least I know why I couldn't find any Steam cards at Microcenter last Saturday...

Never-released GeForce RTX 2080 “Ti SUPER” GPU found, features 4608 CUDA cores and 12GB memory

https://videocardz.com/newz/never-released-geforce-rtx-2080-ti-super-gpu-found-features-4608-cuda-cores-and-12gb-memory

GeForce NOW annual plans drop to $64.99 and $129.99 in summer sale

https://videocardz.com/newz/geforce-now-annual-plans-drop-to-64-99-and-129-99-in-summer-sale

ZOTAC reportedly raises RTX 50 distributor prices in China, RTX 5090D V2 up by $295

https://videocardz.com/newz/zotac-reportedly-raises-rtx-50-distributor-prices-in-china-rtx-5090d-v2-up-by-295

AMD-backed Lemonade local AI server adds NVIDIA CUDA support

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-backed-lemonade-local-ai-server-adds-nvidia-cuda-support

MSI Chairman Warns Memory & GPU Shortages Will Drag Into 2026, But Says CPU Supply Will Get Better By Q3

https://wccftech.com/msi-warns-memory-gpu-shortages-will-drag-into-2026-but-cpu-supply-will-get-better-by-q3/

Japan’s Semiconductor Gas Production Collapses To Zero After China Cuts Off Tungsten, Leaving TSMC, SK Hynix And Samsung Exposed

https://wccftech.com/japan-semiconductor-gas-production-collapses-to-zero-after-china-cuts-off-tungsten-tsmc-sk-hynix-samsung/

Louis Rossmann Threatens Samsung With Lawsuit After Company Offers $330 Refund For A 4TB SSD Now Selling At $949

https://wccftech.com/louis-rossmann-threatens-samsung-with-lawsuit-after-company-offers-330-refund-for-a-4tb-ssd-now-selling-at-949/

ASUS ROG Equalizer $50 GPU cable designed to prevent burned connectors has reportedly burned

https://videocardz.com/newz/asus-rog-equalizer-50-gpu-cable-designed-to-prevent-burned-connectors-has-reportedly-burned

The Friday gaming news:

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

Judging by how well Gothic Remake has sold, we still love eurojank
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/judging-by-how-well-gothic-remake-has-sold-we-still-love-eurojank/
We are still gluttons for punishment, it seems. A mere week after the launch of Gothic Remake, the RPG has already hit the 500k sales milestone, and Steam user reviews make it clear that we still love some eurojank.
Gothic is currently sitting at a Very Positive rating from 3,369 user reviews. Which is surprising! Not because Gothic isn't good—I'm quite a bit more fond of it than Jody, who gave it 60% in our Gothic Remake review—but I did expect it to be a little more divisive.

The Humble Store has three new sales:

• Decision Anxiety Sale has games up to 90% off and will last 6 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/decision-anxiety/
• GTA V & RDR 2 Spotlight Sale has the games on sale with between 50 and 80% discounts and will last 13 days. All the keys are for the Rockstar platform: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/gta-v-rdr-2-spotlight/
• And for the Wold Cup that started yesterday, Football Manager 2026 will be 50% off during 27 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/football-manager-2026-promo/

Fanatical has the new Best of Platinum Collection - Build your own Bundle (Summer 2026) features 24 games for your 3+, 5+ or 7+ bundles and will last 34 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/best-of-platinum-collection-build-your-own-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

INTEL Arc Graphics 32.0.101.8826
https://videocardz.com/driver/intel-arc-graphics-32-0-101-8826
This is the same driver hat launched as a Beta, fixing Frame Gen issues, and that later got updated to WHQL status with support for F1 25 and the Gothic Remake.

The novelty is that it has been updated again with support for Fortnite Chapter 7: Season 3

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

-Nothing today-

GAMING NEWS

Death Stranding 2 Patch 1.9 Released & Detailed
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/death-stranding-2-patch-1-9-released-detailed/
Kojima Productions and Nixxes have released Title Update 1.9 for Death Stranding 2 and shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this new update brings to the table.

First Update for Gothic 1 Remake Released – Full Patch Notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/first-update-for-gothic-1-remake-released-full-patch-notes/
Alkimia Interactive has released the first Title Update for Gothic 1 Remake and shared its full patch notes. Moreover, THQ Nordic revealed that the game has sold 500K units in its first week. So, let’s now see what this first patch brings to the table.

Crimson Desert Update 1.11.00 Released – Full Patch Notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/crimson-desert-update-1-11-00-released-full-patch-notes/
Pearl Abyss has just released Title Update 1.11.00 for Crimson Desert and shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this new update brings to the table.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Gets 4-Minute Gameplay Video
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/tomb-raider-legacy-of-atlantis-gets-4-minute-gameplay-video/
A couple of days ago, IGN shared a video preview for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. The preview had brand new gameplay footage from the game. VGC then took all the gameplay clips that were featured in it and shared them in a new video. As such, you can now watch 4 minutes of pure gameplay footage from it.

Friday gaming news, part two and also last:

Phantom Blade: Zero devs couldn't care less about releasing near GTA 6: 'We don't even think of the competition, what matters is how polished the game is'
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/phantom-blade-zero-devs-couldnt-care-less-about-releasing-near-gta-6-we-dont-even-think-of-the-competition-what-matters-is-how-polished-the-game-is/
September 2026 is looking to be one of the most crowded months for games in history, as everyone with eyes on a fall release crowds into the few weeks before Grand Theft Auto 6 dominates everyone's attention. We're no doubt going to start seeing delays soon that push games clear of that blast zone—but during last week's Sony State of Play, one game moved closer to the epicenter.
That was Phantom Blade: Zero, the action RPG I flew to China to play last year. And according to game director Qiwei "Soulframe" Liang, GTA 6 didn't factor into the decision even a tiny bit.

Quake Champions gets a huge update and free battle pass to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Quake
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/quake-champions-gets-a-huge-update-and-free-battle-pass-to-celebrate-the-30th-anniversary-of-quake/
I had forgotten about Quake Champions, the free-to-play take on Quake 3 Arena that first arrived on Steam in 2017. But it's still around, it's still got, well, a handful of players, and today it got a surprisingly beefy update to mark the 30th anniversary of Quake, including a free battle pass for everyone.

Xbox's new chief strategy officer is still a big believer in in-game ads
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/xboxs-new-chief-strategy-officer-is-still-a-big-believer-in-in-game-ads/
>> Yay! /s

A single crab has the third highest player kill count in Path of Exile 2
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/a-single-crab-has-the-third-highest-player-kill-count-in-path-of-exile-2/

Time to get a little sadder about Destiny 2: TWIDs are coming to an end
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/time-to-get-a-little-sadder-about-destiny-2-twids-are-coming-to-an-end/
>> Not right now, but soon.

And since GOG has no new deals, here are the Steam deals for the weekend:

+Steam

• Mechabellum is going free to try during the weekend and 40% off until the 25th of June (the day the Summer Sale will start): https://store.steampowered.com/app/669330/Mechabellum/
• Captain Wayne - Vacation Desperation will have a 50% discount until the 25th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2319790/Captain_Wayne__Vacation_Desperation/
• The Oregon Trail , the remake, will be 67% off until June 25: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2013360/The_Oregon_Trail/
• Carmen Sandiego gets the same 67% discount until the same 25th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2475300/Carmen_Sandiego/
• Hearts of Iron IV will also be freee to try during the weekend and is going to be 80% off until, again, the 25th : https://store.steampowered.com/app/394360/Hearts_of_Iron_IV/
• And now, the sales/events, in order of appearance:
  • Untold Tals Publisher Sale has games with up to 85% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/UntoldTalesPubSale2026
  • Team17 Publisher Sale has upcoming titles and games up to 94% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/Team17PublisherSale26
  • Klei celebrates its 20th Anniversary shows some upcoming releases and puts its games up to 90% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/kleifest2026
    • They also have a FREE GAME: Eets will be until Monday’s refresh: https://store.steampowered.com/app/6100/Eets/
  • tinyBuild’s Evergreen Sale features upcoming titles and up to 80% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/6858705/sale/evergreen
  • Football Fiesta has football games (football, not handegg). You’ll find upcoming games, demos and titles up to 90% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/footballfiesta2026
  • Devolver Digital also shows the game that they’re working on, features demos and has games on sale with up to 90% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/DevolverDigitalPublisherSale2026
  • Kepler Interactive also showcases its upcoming games and has games up to 80% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/KeplerPublisherSale2026
    • They also have a FREE GAME: The Red Lantern will be free until the 18th of June: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1053710/The_Red_Lantern/
  • Bus Simulator Franchise Sale has the games on sale with up to 80% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32942452/sale/BusFranchise
  • Final Fantasy Franchise Sale shows a couple of its upcoming releases and has games up to 70% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/finalfantasyfranchise2026
  • And the Qubic Games Publisher Sale is like the others, with upcoming titles and games on sale, this time with up to 80% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44970679/sale/qubicgamessale2026

That's all for this week. Until the next time I wish you a happy and gaming weekend.

Those systems are fine... for office PCs and low-budget machines that barely get used for anythign else other than checking your mail. For gaming machines, those are awful if you get a cheap one or as expensive if not more than a regular PC.

Therefore, I hate it.

I'm surprised. Valve said that supply should last unti lthe end of the year. Maybe it's a lack of suply of the store you checked?

Ah! The 12VHPWR/12V-2×6, the joy that keeps giving.

Damned be Intel for coming up with the standart and damned by Nvidia for making it mandatory for all its GPUs depite how dangerous they've proven to be.

The store said they'd been out awhile and were awaiting stock to come in. Given what's reported, I don't expect that restock to come. 

Currently? Yes, all the good one's are expensive. In the near future? Well, Helix will use pretty much off the shelf AMD APU made just for such purposes, and both them and (I'd say especially) Intel want that market. Due to prices of RAM, classic PC will be several hundreds more than equivalent all in one systems.

I haven't bought one is a while, and haven't checked if they're available or not around here. I'l have to cheack around.

Helix? As in Microsoft Helix? The premium console that was rumored to cost like a high-end PC back when RAM and storage prices hadn't gone insane yet? I don't think that's a good example of a viable alternative, unless MSoft decided to lose a ton of money on it.

Yeah, that Helix. It's cost was (is) projected to be far from premium high-end PC, which are currently in ~$1900+ range. Due to unified memory pool such APU/SoC based PC should cost $300 less than equivalent standard PC. You loose upgradeability, but you save some money.