Our mission

Project Signalforge brings together hardware makers, builders and the gaming community to create a lasting reference system for Coloured Static Press. We will document the decisions, assembly, compatibility, performance, thermals, acoustics and real-world gaming experience, then keep testing as the project evolves. The result will be a practical resource for readers, not a one-off unboxing.

PC versus the next generation of consoles

There is a bigger question behind Project Signalforge: as premium consoles and future generations compete for the same household gaming budget as PCs, which platform delivers the best real-world experience for the money? We will benchmark a transparent, upgradeable 1440p PC against currently available consoles using fair, reproducible tests, then revisit the findings when new console hardware, verified specifications and official pricing become available.

We’ll compare frame rates, image quality, frame pacing, ray tracing, loading, energy consumption, game prices, subscriptions, repairability, upgrade paths and total ownership costs. We won’t assume prices or capabilities for unreleased hardware, and we’ll distinguish measurements from estimates. The goal is not to pick a winner in advance, but to give players evidence they can use.

Built for the community

Our existing reference system is a Stormforce Gaming PC with an Intel Core i5-14600K, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 12GB, 32GB DDR5 memory and two 2TB SSDs (4TB total). Our three-display workstation uses one 32-inch 1440p 170Hz main monitor and two 27-inch secondary monitors. This is the current Hardware Lab baseline, not the proposed Signalforge build specification. The RTX 4070’s operational stability will be verified before new comparative benchmarks. Our target is excellent 1440p gaming with high frame rates, sensible temperatures, reliable operation and transparent component choices. Readers will be able to follow the build, understand trade-offs and see how hardware performs in actual games and creator workflows. We will share progress through written features, hardware reviews, social coverage and relevant livestreams.

An open invitation to hardware partners

We invite manufacturers, distributors and UK system integrators to explore participating. Potential contributions include a CPU, graphics card, motherboard, memory, storage, cooling, chassis, power supply, peripherals or technical expertise. Review loans, samples and other clearly disclosed arrangements can all be discussed. We will agree scope and compatibility before accepting components.

Participating partners may receive appropriate factual acknowledgement in the build diary, component specification and relevant coverage. We can discuss product photography, test methodology and ongoing use in the reference rig. Participation does not guarantee a review, a particular score, favourable coverage or permanent inclusion.

What we will publish

• Build planning, component selection and compatibility decisions
• Independent product reviews where appropriate
• 1440p gameplay performance, thermals and noise testing
• A maintained reference-rig specification and change log
• Editorial features, social updates and relevant livestream demonstrations

Our editorial promise

Coloured Static Press retains complete editorial independence. Supplied or loaned products will be disclosed clearly. We will report strengths, limitations and problems without manufacturer approval or purchased scores. Affiliate links, where used, will be identified and will not determine our conclusions. Our standards apply equally to every partner.

Read our editorial standards · View our media kit · Explore our hardware reviews

Become part of Signalforge

If your team makes hardware that deserves rigorous real-world testing, we would love to hear from you. Tell us which product you have in mind, your technical contact and any sample or loan conditions. We will discuss fit, timing and deliverables openly before proceeding.

Project status: invitations to component manufacturers are underway. Our wider Hardware Lab is already in discussion with peripheral brands, including a proposed UK-layout gaming keyboard review sample. These conversations are separate from confirmed Signalforge build partners; no component participation or final specification is announced yet.