The Liquorix Kernel 6.18-13 offers improved performance and reduced latency for desktop users and gamers through tweaks such as swapping the default scheduler and adjusting CPU settings. To install this kernel on Debian, Ubuntu, and Arch Linux systems, download the official script using curl and follow its instructions to pull the necessary .deb files from Liquorix's repository. The new kernel replaces the mq-deadline scheduler with Kyber for multiqueue devices and BFQ for single-queue drives, resulting in faster performance during tasks like video encoding and gaming. After installation and a reboot, users can verify that the new kernel is active by checking the system's output from commands like uname -r and /sys/block/sda/queue/scheduler.

The new PikaOS release offers several editions, each with its own unique features and desktop environments. The GNOME Edition is ideal for those who prefer a stable Wayland experience and want a polished settings panel with visual theme options. In contrast, the KDE Edition delivers eye candy while maintaining good game performance, making it perfect for users who like a flashy desktop that still plays well with their GPU. Meanwhile, the Hyprland Edition excels at dynamic window tiling and is suitable for users who enjoy customizing every corner of their workspace.

The latest version of Bazzite Linux, build 43.20260217, brings various updates and tweaks that aim to improve gaming performance on different devices, including desktop towers and handhelds. The new version includes kernel 6.17.7-ba25, Mesa 26.0.0-1, and updated NVIDIA drivers, which should result in smoother gameplay and better HDR support, particularly for users with high-frequency cores or recent GPUs. However, some package bumps are considered unnecessary, such as the upgrade of perl modules, while others like the new "evtest" package may be seen as bloat. Users who want to jump on this version can use the rollback-helper script to rebase their existing installation without requiring a full reinstall.

A new NVIDIA Linux x64 Display Driver, version 580.126.18, was released on February 17, 2026, to fix a critical issue that caused module load failures after upgrading to Linux 6.19. The problem occurred because subtle changes in the kernel module-loading infrastructure broke the build script, resulting in "undefined symbol" messages and preventing the driver from starting on newer kernels. Users who upgraded from an earlier version without reinstalling the NVIDIA package are likely affected, particularly those running rolling-release distributions like Arch or Fedora Rawhide. To fix this issue, users can download and install the new driver by unpacking it with root privileges and rebuilding the kernel module.

Several reviews have been published today, covering various PC components and systems. The NZXT H2 Flow Mini Tower case has received positive reviews from IgorsLAB and eTeknix, with praise for its improved airflow and design. In other news, Tom's Hardware has reviewed the Dell XPS 14 (2026), calling it a step forward in terms of functionality, while The Guru of 3D has looked at the GEEKOM A7 MAX Mini PC, which packs impressive performance into a small package. Reviews have also been published for gaming titles like Styx: Blades of Greed and peripheral devices such as the G-Wolves VUK mouse.

Casing: NZXT H2 Flow Mini Tower Review - Small, but more airy than expected!, NZXT H2 Flow 2026 Edition Mini-ITX PC Case Review, NZXT H2 Flow Review
Computers: Dell XPS 14 (2026) review: Two steps forward, Geekom A7 MAX Mini PC with Ryzen 9 7940HS
Gaming: Styx: Blades of Greed Review - A Sandbox Goblin Adventure
Input: G-Wolves VUK Review
Power: NZXT C850 SFX Gold ATX 3.1 Power Supply Review
Storage: ADATA XPG Mars 980 Blade Gen5 Solid State Drive Review

Today saw a variety of tech reviews across various categories, including casing and peripherals. The NZXT H2 Flow Mini Tower received praise for its airy design despite being compact, while Corsair's AI Workstation 300 was noted for its classy but pricey package. In display news, Tom's Hardware reviewed the BenQ Mobiuz EX271UZ gaming monitor with impressive specs like 4K OLED and 240 Hz refresh rate. Other notable reviews include high-capacity memory from Patriot, a portable SSD from Orico, and a large-scale dual laser cutter from LaserPecker.

Casing: NZXT H2 Flow Mini Tower Review - Small, but more airy than expected!
Computers: Corsair AI Workstation 300 review: Strix Halo sets sail in a compact and classy (but pricey) package
Displays: BenQ Mobiuz EX271UZ 27-inch 240 Hz 4K OLED gaming monitor review: BenQ shines with its first gaming OLED monitor
Input: Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL 8K Gaming Keyboard Review - One for the Serious Gamers
Memory: Patriot Viper Elite 5 Ultra RGB DDR5-6000 96 GB CL28 Review
Motherboards: MSI MAG B850 GAMING PLUS MAX WiFi Motherboard Review, MSI B850 Tomahawk MAX WIFI II Motherboard Review - Upgraded Features, Similar Sub-$250 Price
Storage: ORICO K20 Mini Portable SSD Review: Tiny, Tough & MagSafe Ready
Other: LaserPecker LX2 review: Large scale dual laser cutter