CES 2026 Kicks Off With PC Gaming In The Spotlight
CES 2026 is underway in Las Vegas and while the show is packed with AI buzzwords, there is plenty of genuinely interesting news for PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts. From cutting edge OLED gaming displays to a delightfully retro PC case and big expectations from AMD, this year is already shaping up to be important for anyone building or upgrading a gaming rig.
AMD is opening the show with a keynote from CEO Dr Lisa Su, and major display makers like Samsung and LG are pushing new panel technologies aimed squarely at gamers. There are also fresh takes on gaming form factors, like ultra fast Micro OLED gaming glasses that act as a huge virtual monitor.
Here is a breakdown of the most notable PC focused announcements so far and what they could mean for your next upgrade.
AMD’s CES 2026 Keynote And The Zen 6 Horizon
AMD is kicking off CES 2026 with a keynote titled together we advance AI. The official theme is clearly about artificial intelligence across cloud, data center, edge, and consumer devices. However, for PC gamers the most interesting part is what this could imply for upcoming CPUs and gaming hardware.
AMD has already confirmed that its next generation Zen 6 processors are planned for 2026 on TSMC’s advanced 2 nanometer process node. While these chips are likely to arrive later in the year, CES is the perfect stage for AMD to share more of its roadmap and vision for how Zen 6 will boost performance and efficiency.
What to watch for during and after the keynote:
- Hints about Zen 6 architecture changes that could improve gaming performance and frame times.
- Updates on Medusa APUs which aim to bring stronger integrated graphics to smaller, cheaper systems.
- How AMD plans to use AI in consumer products, possibly accelerating game related tasks like upscaling or background processing.
Even if a full Zen 6 reveal does not happen at CES, the keynote sets the tone for AMD’s 2026 strategy. If you are planning a new gaming build this year or next, AMD’s announcements could influence whether you wait for the next generation or buy into the current Zen 5 lineup.
Next Generation OLED Gaming Displays And Panels
One of the strongest themes at CES 2026 is better display tech for gamers. Samsung and LG are both rolling out new OLED panels that aim to fix one of the biggest issues with OLED gaming monitors: text fringing caused by unusual subpixel layouts.
Traditional OLED gaming panels often use layouts like QD OLED’s triangular arrangement, which can cause colored fringes around small text and UI elements. That is annoying if you use your gaming monitor for work or reading in addition to games.
The new panels from Samsung and LG use a more conventional vertical stripe subpixel arrangement, often called RGB stripe or V Stripe. This is closer to what you see in standard LCD panels and it helps text look sharper and cleaner.
Here are the key panels announced so far.
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Samsung 34 inch QD OLED at 360 Hz
Samsung has a 34 inch ultrawide QD OLED gaming panel running at an impressive 360 Hz refresh rate. It uses the new V Stripe layout so text clarity should be much better than earlier QD OLED models.
MSI, Asus, and Gigabyte are expected to be among the first manufacturers to ship gaming monitors based on this panel. That means we can expect a wave of 34 inch ultrawide OLED screens this year that finally combine top tier motion clarity, deep OLED blacks, and decent desktop readability. -
LG 27 inch 4K OLED with dual mode refresh
LG is bringing a 27 inch OLED panel that can run in two performance modes:- 4K at 240 Hz for sharp, smooth high end gaming.
- 1080p at 480 Hz for ultra high refresh competitive play.
Both Samsung and LG’s panels signal that OLED is maturing as the go to tech for premium gaming displays. You get classic OLED strengths like infinite contrast and fast pixel response, plus better text quality that makes these monitors more practical as all day desktop screens.
Quirky New Hardware: CyberPowerPC’s Knob Filled Case
Not everything at CES is about pure specs. Sometimes a product stands out simply because it looks cool and fun to use. CyberPowerPC’s new MA 01 ATX case is one of those designs that instantly grabs attention.
This mid tower case leans into a retro inspired style with front panel knobs that give it an almost hi fi stereo vibe. Instead of another bland RGB rectangle, you get something that looks at home in a vintage themed setup but still supports modern gaming hardware.
Key details of the CyberPowerPC MA 01:
- Mid tower layout that should comfortably handle standard gaming GPUs and cooling setups.
- Three 120 mm fan mounts in multiple positions for flexible airflow.
- Available colors include Satin Dark Silver, Satin Matte Off White, and Satin Matte Steel Gray.
- Pricing is expected around 150 to 250 dollars depending on the chosen material and finish.
- Planned release is early in Q2 2026.
While this case will not boost your frames per second on its own, it is a good reminder that the PC space still has room for personality and physical controls. For builders who want their rig to double as desk decor, the MA 01 could be a tempting chassis for a 2026 build.
What CES 2026 Means For Your Next PC Build
CES 2026 is already delivering interesting news for PC gamers and hardware fans. AMD’s keynote sets high expectations for future CPUs and AI enhanced features, while Samsung and LG’s new OLED panels promise better image quality and text clarity in upcoming gaming monitors. Add in the fresh designs like CyberPowerPC’s knob packed case, and there is something here for both performance chasers and style focused builders.
If you are planning a new PC or a major upgrade, keep an eye on:
- Announcements following AMD’s keynote for clearer Zen 6 and APU timelines.
- Monitor launches from MSI, Asus, Gigabyte, and others using the new RGB stripe OLED panels.
- Case and accessory reveals that blend functionality with unique aesthetics.
As the show continues, expect even more GPUs, CPUs, and gaming focused devices to appear. For now, CES 2026 is proving that despite all the AI hype, PC gaming hardware is still very much front and center.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/live/news/ces-2026-announcements/
