The latest PikaOS 26.02.11 release includes a fresh package set that promises smoother gameplay and improved performance, particularly for users who have struggled with driver issues on other operating systems. The PikaOS comes in several editions, including GNOME, KDE, Hyprland, COSMIC, Niri, and a Handheld ISO (coming soon), each offering unique features and desktop experiences. Users can choose between regular and NVIDIA variants of each edition, depending on their graphics card - the NVIDIA ISO is required for RTX-series cards or GTX 1650 and newer models. The standard ISO with Nouveau drivers will work fine for those with older GTX 1080 Ti or lower graphics cards.

Ubuntu Linux 24.04.4 LTS brings several key updates, including a new Linux kernel 6.17 and Mesa 25.2.8, which add support for fresh hardware and improve gaming performance. The update also includes newer versions of Firefox, Snapd, and LibreOffice, making most users' experiences smoother and more stable. Gamers on laptops with integrated graphics will particularly benefit from the Mesa refresh, which can lead to a 5-10% bump in frame rates. Overall, this point release addresses real pain points for Ubuntu users, including new hardware support and modest gaming improvements, making it worth upgrading.

Several computer components have been reviewed, including the Alliwava G15 laptop, which offers good value for its price with features like an IPS panel and decent battery life. In the cooling department, the Ocypus Sigma L36 WH ARGB liquid CPU cooler stands out for its affordable price and impressive performance, while the ASRock Phantom Gaming 360 LCD AIO cooler also received praise for its efficient cooling and stunning design. The XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 8GB video card was reviewed as a good entry-point to RDNA 4 features, and Biwin's DW100 high-speed DDR5 memory kit offered excellent performance out of the box. Additionally, several motherboards were reviewed, including the MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi and the unique Gigabyte X870E Aero Wood motherboard with its wooden and leather design.

Computers: Alliwava G15 Review - Good Budget Offer
Cooling: Ocypus Sigma L36 WH ARGB Liquid CPU Cooler Review, ASRock Phantom Gaming 360 LCD 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler Review: Great Cooling With VRM Fan & Halo-ARGB Fan Frame
Graphics Cards: XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 8GB Video Card Review
Input: be quiet! Dark Perk ERGO/SYM Mice Review
Memory: Biwin Black Opal DW100 DDR5 Review: High-Speed RAM For AMD And Intel PCs
Motherboards: MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi Review, Gigabyte X870E Aero X3D Wood Motherboard Review: Wood and leather make it better

Bazzite Linux 43.20260212 is now available, bringing new features like a newer kernel, Mesa 26, and updated Nvidia drivers that promise smoother frame rates on various devices. To upgrade an existing Bazzite install without losing settings, users can follow a guide that shows how to rebase their system without interrupting game library access. The new release offers better power management, improved Vulkan support for newer titles, and restored compatibility with the latest RTX-optimised shaders. If something goes wrong during the upgrade process, users can use the rollback helper to revert back to the previous image.

The XanMod kernel offers improved performance with its block-layer runqueue tweaks and revamped scheduler, resulting in smoother multitasking. It also includes aggressive x86_64 optimizations from LLVM's ThinLTO for better I/O boosts. For low-latency workloads like audio production, robotics, or gaming, the linux-xanmod-rt package is available, which ships a PREEMPT_RT-enabled kernel based on 6.18 with deterministic scheduling. The XanMod kernel is compatible with various drivers, including NVIDIA and VirtualBox, although some may require reinstalling under new headers to work properly.

The Linux Kernels 6.18.10, 6.12.70, 6.6.124, 6.1.163, 5.15.200, and 5.10.250 have been released with various fixes and improvements. The latest kernel series addresses issues with sound cards, Wi-Fi radios, NVMe storage, and power management on laptops, among other things. Specific problems that are now resolved include audio glitches with the Behringer UMC2020HD, erratic behavior of Intel and AMD GPU drivers, and bogus disconnect warnings when switching between wireless networks. Additionally, several patches have improved PCIe performance, fixed memory leaks in SMB servers, and enhanced security by providing accurate error codes and preventing soft-lockups during debugging sessions.

Today's reviews roundup brings together a diverse range of products, from cases and cooling solutions to graphics cards, keyboards, memory, motherboards, and power supplies. The SilverStone FLP02 is a retro-style case that excels at nostalgia, making it perfect for those who want to build a throwback system. In the cooling department, Antec's Vortex View 360 AIO CPU Cooler stands out as one of the best coolers on the market with its premium features and design. For gaming enthusiasts, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is an exciting new title that offers an unforgettable experience for fans of Suda51 and Grasshopper's style. The be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W power supply unit impresses with its consistent rails, tidy internals, and dependable output, making it a compelling option for serious PC builds.

Casing: SilverStone FLP02 Review - The Retro Case
Cooling: Sama L70 360mm AIO review: Budget cooling that can do more than you think, Antec Vortex View 360 AIO CPU Cooler Review
Gaming: ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN Review - Great Scott, What a Ride
Graphics Cards: ASUS GeForce RTX 5080 Noctua Edition 16 GB GPU Review: Silent Cooling at Its Best
Input: MSI FORGE GK600 TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard Review - MSI's Best Pure Gaming Keyboard, Corsair Makr Pro 75 Keyboard Review (Hall Effect + Aluminium Case)
Memory: Essencore KLEVV CRAS V RGB 48GB DDR5-9200 CUDIMM Memory Kit Review
Motherboards: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial Motherboard Review: Carving out a new top-notch flagship for Asus
Power: be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W ATX 3.1 Power Supply Unit Review, be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W Review (2026), be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200 power supply review