Friday, May 16th 2025

Today's Reviews

Cases
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Headphones
Motherboards
Processors
SSD
Valkyrie V240 LITE Review

Valkyrie V240 LITE Review

The Valkyrie V240 LITE punches well above its weight, bringing solid performance, useful features, and a design that stands out without trying too hard. It trades blows with some 360 mm AIOs and doesn’t even flinch. Factor in the aggressive pricing and rock-solid warranty, and you’ve got a cooler that’s more than worth your attention.

GIGAIPC Unveils Jetson Orin Series at Computex 2025

As COMPUTEX 2025, one of the most anticipated global tech events, prepares to open its doors in Taipei, AI applications are set to reach new heights. GIGAIPC, the industrial computing and edge AI subsidiary of GIGABYTE Technology, will unveil three innovative AI edge computing solutions at COMPUTEX 2025, showcasing its expertise in industrial-grade system design. Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin modules, the flagship QN-ORAX32-A1, QN-ORNX16GH-A1, and QN-ORNX16 deliver exceptional AI performance for smart manufacturing, intelligent surveillance, smart healthcare, smart retail, and AIoT applications, setting new benchmarks for edge computing.

The QN-ORAX32-A1, built on the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin 32 GB module, features an 8-core Arm v8.2 64-bit CPU and an NVIDIA Ampere GPU with 1792 CUDA cores and 56 Tensor cores, delivering up to 200 TOPS of AI performance—six times faster than its predecessor. This enhanced computing power makes it well-suited for high-load data processing and complex AI models. Beyond its computing performance, the QN-ORAX32-A1 is also built for real-world deployment. To ensure long-term durability in harsh industrial environments, the system incorporates a fanless thermal design and wide-range DC power input.

Splitgate 2 Exec Developer Discusses Importance of Playtesting - Open Beta Starts May 22

Six years ago, developer 1047 Games released the free-to-play Splitgate, an arena-based first-person shooter that allowed players to place portals around maps, adding a fresh strategic layer. Now Splitgate 2 is set to double down on this unique idea with bigger maps, a new class-based system, and the introduction of The Lab, a player-facing version of the team's map creator. Ahead of the open beta opening up on May 22, we sat down with Ian Proulx, CEO and co-founder of 1047 Games, to talk about Splitgate 2's new mechanics and how community feedback and rigorous playtests are helping deliver a sequel that hits the right notes.

Making a sequel to a free-to-play shooter in 2025
When asked how the team is doing in the weeks leading up to the open beta, Proulx's response was succinct and to the point: "It's definitely a bit of a crazy time for us." Splitgate had a team of around 15 people. In contrast, there are about 200 developers working fulltime on Splitgate 2, plus 50 or so outsourced contributors. "We've definitely put a lot of thought and effort into making sure that we have a process that works versus the first game, where everybody was doing a little bit of everything all the time," Proulx added.

This $56 Full Coding Package Won't Be Around Forever

If you want to learn to code, then take a look at this bundle that pairs Microsoft Visual Studio Pro 2022 with the Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle. It's a comprehensive introduction to programming paired with an industry-standard tool for mobile and desktop app development. It's on sale for $55.97. Visual Studio Pro is a 64-bit IDE from Microsoft that handles larger workloads and supports multiple languages and platforms. It's ideal for cross-platform app development with.NET MAUI and web UI creation using Blazor. It also supports development, debugging, and testing for.NET and C++ apps on Linux.

Advanced coding support tools like IntelliCode help you write code faster by predicting variable names and functions. CodeLens gives you insights into your codebase, including recent changes and test results. Real-time collaboration is easier with Live Share, so you can work together with other developers seamlessly. The other half of this bundle contains over 100 hours of instruction for beginner developers. It is comprehensive and non-linear, so you can start with the language that you want to learn. There are courses for Python 3, C++, MySQL, JavaScript, and more.

A lifetime license for Microsoft Visual Studio Pro 2022 and Lifetime Access to the Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle is now available for $55.97 (reg. $1,999).

NVIDIA Discusses the Revenue-Generating Potential of AI Factories

AI is creating value for everyone—from researchers in drug discovery to quantitative analysts navigating financial market changes. The faster an AI system can produce tokens, a unit of data used to string together outputs, the greater its impact. That's why AI factories are key, providing the most efficient path from "time to first token" to "time to first value." AI factories are redefining the economics of modern infrastructure. They produce intelligence by transforming data into valuable outputs—whether tokens, predictions, images, proteins or other forms—at massive scale.

They help enhance three key aspects of the AI journey—data ingestion, model training and high-volume inference. AI factories are being built to generate tokens faster and more accurately, using three critical technology stacks: AI models, accelerated computing infrastructure and enterprise-grade software. Read on to learn how AI factories are helping enterprises and organizations around the world convert the most valuable digital commodity—data—into revenue potential.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Product Line Reportedly in Jeopardy

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 could be the last of its kind; according to Tom Warren's latest theories. Yesterday, The Verge's senior editor envisioned a streamlined future lineup of Microsoft's portable PC devices. According to inside track information, the tech giant is expected to announce the end-of-life (EOL) status for this relatively young branch of Surface products (debuted back in 2021). The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is advertised as being "a laptop like no other"—courtesy of a unique/versatile setup that features a "dynamic woven hinge." Three hybrid configurations are officially outlined as: "laptop mode for productivity, stage mode for streaming, and studio mode for creativity." Current generation models are powered by Intel's 13th Gen Core i7-13700H processor (aka the "Evo" platform), and can be configured with discrete NVIDIA mobile graphics solutions (GeForce RTX 4060, RTX 4050, or RTX 2000 Ada Generation). Under normal circumstances, a baseline build—reliant on an iGPU—starts at about $2400.

At the time of writing, Microsoft has not acknowledged The Verge's insider report. So far, resellers have shared top secret info—indicating an upcoming official announcement; possibly due by next month. Another group of unnamed sources claim that Surface Laptop Studio 2 manufacturing activities have already ended, as of early May (2025). The megacorporation has culled other Surface products in the past; sometimes coinciding with the departure of key executive team members and mass layoffs. A few days ago, mainstream news outlets covered Microsoft's latest batch of staff reductions—affecting roughly 6000 workers. Warren's article dashes all hopes of a potential third-gen design: "there doesn't appear to be a Surface Laptop Studio 3 on the horizon."

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Out Now on PC & Consoles

The fight continues in Capcom Fighting Collection 2, packed with 8 iconic fighting games from across Capcom's history! Get ready to battle now! From beloved crossovers to 3D fighters, 8 classics return to pack a real punch! Fight as one of many colorful characters from the Capcom vs SNK series, cross fists with the extensive roster of the final installment of Street Fighter Alpha, make the world your weapon in the Power Stone series, and experience the thrilling story and intense action of Project Justice and Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein.

All games will feature online play and rollback netcode! Get a great deal with Capcom Fighting Collection 1 & 2 Bundle available now (on Steam)! Featuring 18 iconic games including games from the Street Fighter and the Darkstalkers series, the fighting action is endless! To celebrate the launch of Capcom Fighting Collection 2 we're giving away free player profile cards as a gift! Use one of 18 designs and post it on Twitter/X with the hashtag #MyCFC2Card to find new friends to play with!

Xiaomi CEO Teases Proprietary "XRING 01" Mobile SoC - Remembers Previous In-house Efforts

Yesterday, Lei Jun—the CEO of Xiaomi—finally introduced his firm's proprietary XRING 01 mobile chipset, via a couple of Weibo posts. In an initial afternoon short blog entry, the executive informed his followers with a happy unveiling: "I would like to share with you a piece of news: Xiaomi's self-developed and designed mobile phone SoC chip, named XRING 01, will be released in late May. Thank you for your support!" About a month ago, the company's oft-rumored return to in-house chip efforts was linked to a major corporate offshoot. The speculated "chip platform department" was likely established a while ago, given early May reports of the division's staff headcount exceeding 1000+. At the time, an "Xring" codename was mentioned by industry tipsters (in China).

In a follow-up "Weibo Text" bulletin, Xiaomi's head honcho recalled older project timelines and technological attempts: "even drinking ice for ten years can't cool your blood! Xiaomi's journey to making chips began in September 2014. Time flies, and more than ten years have passed in the blink of an eye...Figures 2 and 3 are photos of Xiaomi's first chip launch conference in February 2017." Jun's did not provide any hints about the XRING 01 chip's underpinnings. Late 2024 leaks alluded to a reportedly troubled prototype—insiders connected this design to fairly new Arm Cortex architecture, and a TSMC 4 nm "N4P" node process. The vast majority of Xiaomi's modern flagship smartphone devices utilize top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. For example, the brand's latest Xiaomi Ultra 15 model is powered by the ubiquitous Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) platform.

Blacksmith Master Has Launched into Early Access

Yesterday, Blacksmith Master was released into Early Access with a 25% launch discount—and a brand-new trailer to go with it (see below). Build your workshop from the ground up and manage every step of the smithing trade, from raw resource acquisition to finished goods in the hands of your customers. Design your own products, oversee distant mines and camps, hire and train the right staff, and grow a small-town forge into a kingdom-spanning operation. Whether you're forging footman swords or frying pans, everything has its place in the chain.

Steam Reviews: Your Feedback Matters
The forge is running, the shop doors are open, and players are already setting up production lines. If you've had a chance to play, consider leaving a Steam review. Whether it's a short note or a more detailed take, we're reading everything, and your feedback is essential to helping shape future updates!

US Government Reportedly Eyeing Expansion of Chinese Chipmaker "Export Blacklist" - Insiders Mention CXMT

According to a Financial Times (FT) news article, the US Government's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is considering an implementation of additional "export blacklist" entries. Roughly two months ago, a significant update affected the export trade of around eighty Chinese business "entities." Despite a recent "cooling off" of elevated tariff-related activities, significant political tensions still exist between the two powerhouse nations. According to five of FT's unnamed insiders, ChangXin Memory Technologies XMT—a rising star within China's growing memory manufacturing industry—is a potential candidate for "banishment." Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. are (allegedly) already categorized as blacklisted organizations.

Apparently, the nation's most prominent chipmaker and memory module producer (respectively) have managed to sidestep certain restrictions, via offshoot avenues. FT believes that the US administration is actively investigating several of these subsidiaries. CXMT seems to be an independent body, with no military connections—specializing in commercial DDR5 and DDR4 products—but its rising profile has attracted international attention. Around March 2024, Bloomberg heard rumors about the US BIS department's "weighing up" of sanctions, with CXMT in mind. The relatively young DRAM manufacturer (established back in 2016) still trails behind South Korean and Western competitors, in terms of technological advancements—but its initial DDR5 efforts have (supposedly) impressed local evaluators and early adopters.

8BitDo Introduces the All-New Arcade Controller Range

Game Outlet Europe, an independent distributor of video games and gaming accessories and part of Embracer Freemode, today announced the all-new 8BitDo Arcade Controller range, the ultimate controller for the FGC (fighting game community) and arcade fans worldwide! Expected to ship across Europe in July 2025 and with pre-orders opening today, the 8BitDo Arcade Controller will be available in two variations, an officially licensed Xbox version (compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC), and a standard version (compatible with Nintendo Switch and Windows PC).

Perhaps the most advanced Arcade Controller ever made, the new line is built for professionals, competitive gamers and fans of arcade style controllers. Impossibly slim and ideal for tournament travel, the new Arcade Controller is nearly the same size as a sheet of A4 paper measuring as thin as 1.6 cm thick and almost one-third the size of the standard 8BitDo Arcade Stick.

Xbox Honors Global Accessibility Awareness Day - Highlights DOOM: The Dark Ages Feature Set

Global Accessibility Awareness Day, celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May, is dedicated to recognizing and raising awareness about the importance of accessibility. With billions of people playing video games in the world, including nearly 450 million players with some form of disability, our mission at Xbox is to create welcoming and accessible experiences so as many people as possible can enjoy the community and fun of gaming.

We recognize that every player can have different accessibility needs or preferences to support their play. This is why it's critical we partner with members of the disability community to help inform the hardware, platform experiences, and games we create.

Kiwi Ears Launches the Étude IEMs for Bassheads

Kiwi Ears Étude features the all-new Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), a unique driver system that provides physical low-mid tactile vibrations, setting it apart from traditional bone conduction designs. Paired with a powerful 10 mm Beryllium-plated dynamic driver and three custom-tuned balanced armatures, the Étude achieves a stunningly immersive and detailed sound. With its precise 8dB sub-bass response, flat midrange, and extended treble, the Étude balances richness and clarity, offering a dynamic and lifelike listening experience.

KVT: Kiwi Vibration Transducer
The Kiwi Ears Étude is developed to showcase the KVT (Kiwi Vibration Transducer). Unlike traditional bone conduction drivers used in earphones, the KVT is more akin to scaled-down miniature vibration drivers found in Bluetooth vibration speakers. Featuring strong N52 neodymium magnets suspended by a heavy-tension spring system, the KVT physically vibrates a conduction plate when actuated by electrical currents. This technology provides tactile vibrations that enhance low-mid acoustics, offering a unique auditory experience.

MAXSUN Website Updated with Intel "Arc Pro B60" Product Category

Late last week, Intel's social media account dropped a major hint about a new family of Arc Pro GPUs turning up at Computex 2025. At the time, insiders shared very basic details about a rumored "B60" workstation graphics card—likely derived from familiar Xe2 "Battlemage" silicon. Team Blue staffers have recently teased a mysterious "B770" gaming solution, but this "higher -end" desktop option could emerge well after next week's important trade show (in Taipei, Taiwan). Intel and its board partners seem to be readying productivity-focused cards; theoretically spun-off from the existing B580 12 GB model.

April/May leaks have indicated pairings of Team Blue's "BMG-G21" GPU die and 24 GB of GDDR6 VRAM. On Monday, industry observers noted the very fresh registration of Maxsun Arc B580 "iCraft 24G" and "iCraft 24G OC" SKUs. Days later, VideoCardz has stumbled upon evidence of an "Arc Pro B60" product category. At the time of writing, this entry remains empty—within the manufacturer's "Intel" card inventory. Active "Arc B580" and "Arc B570" categories direct you to already launched (12 GB) iCraft and Milestone models. According to slightly older reports, Maxsun is expected to introduce/launch "gaming" Arc B580 24 GB variants at some point after Computex 2025. The immediate focus—for Intel and participating AIBs—seems to be an imminent unveiling of "Arc Pro B-series" cards.

Acer Introduces Pair of Iconia V Series Tablets, Connect Series 5G CPE, Mobile Hotspot and Dongle

Acer today announced a range of new products for users on the go, including two new tablets -- the Acer Iconia V12 and the Acer Iconia V11 -- and three new 5G network connectivity devices, including the Acer Connect X6E Plus 5G CPE, the Acer Connect M5 Mobile Wi-Fi, and the Acer Connect D5 Pro 5G dongle.

Acer Iconia V Series Tablets: Portable and Reliable for Entertainment and Multitasking
The Acer Iconia V12 and Iconia V11 are versatile tablets catering to a wide range of users, from students and family members to budget-conscious consumers, seeking a reliable mobile companion for everyday use. Their stunning displays offer a large viewing area with a wide 16:10 aspect ratio, up to 2K resolution, and 90 Hz refresh rate. The narrow bezel design maximizes screen real estate to see and do more, while their thin in-cell touch panels enhance touch sensitivity performance to deliver a more responsive and immersive experience.

Acer Launches ProCreator Series Monitors; Calman-Verified with Acer Creator Hub Software

Acer today unveiled its new ProCreator Series monitors, designed to enhance creative workflows with Calman-verified, high-resolution displays. These monitors feature wide color gamut coverage, up to Delta E<1 color accuracy levels, and the Acer Creator Hub software. Select models come with OLED and touchscreen panels, built-in webcams for conferencing and collaboration, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible technologies.
In addition, Acer introduced a range of portable and dual-screen foldable monitors, as well as compact LED projectors, catering to diverse needs and use cases.

Acer ProCreator Monitors
Acer's new ProCreator Series monitors are tailored for professional creators such as animators, photographers, editors, and designers who demand precise color accuracy and stunning visual clarity for creative projects. All models are Calman-verified, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for reliable color performance and consistency across various workflows.

"The Precinct" Dev Team Teases Future Content Update - Prioritizes Bug & Balance Fixes

"This just in, over one thousand officers have pledged to assist the ACPD in the BIGGEST city clean-up Averno has ever seen"—Bree Bookman, ACTV. We wanted to take a moment to say a huge thank you to all of the players who have helped support us during what has been, dare we say it, a criminally good launch for us! We've been blown away by all of the positive comments we've received, and all of the useful bug reports and feedback that you have sent our way. We want to assure you that, even though we may not respond to every single review or report, we are looking at all of them and incorporating them into our future strategy. What strategy is that? Read on to find out more about what the future holds for The Precinct.

Together with Kwalee, we've been tracking your most urgent and requested fixes. Our programming team is already hard at work tackling the biggest issues. This is what we're focusing on in the short-term, but in the mid-to-long-term we're also compiling suggestions from your feedback to decide what extra features and content we can add to The Precinct in the future. We are committed to adding more content to the game, but we haven't decided yet exactly what that will be.

Manli Rep. Confirms Downgrading of GeForce RTX 5090D Graphics Cards - Only 24 GB of GDDR7 VRAM

Around late April, Chinese industry insiders started whispering about a possible halting of NVIDIA GB202 "Blackwell" GPU shipments into the region. Team Green's local board partners released custom "market exclusive" GeForce RTX 5090D 32 GB cards; featuring slightly downgraded flagship silicon. Since launch, Chinese hardcore gaming enthusiasts and DIY AI firms have observed impressive performance credentials, despite the presence of factory limited specifications. On May 6, reports suggested a complete halt of GeForce RTX 5090D sales in China. Fresher rumors indicate NVIDIA's engineering team return to the drawing board; with their alleged preparation of an even weaker GeForce RTX 5090D design.

A group of Baidu tipsters have discussed a key area of (further) compromise: VRAM capacity. The original GeForce RTX 5090D configuration was armed with 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM; mid-May speculation envisioned a 24 GB variant. Earlier today, harukaze5719 highlighted an intriguing Weibo post. A Manli webshop representative has "confirmed" that revised GeForce RTX 5090D cards will become available around July. Up until recent events, this Chinese brand was selling flagship GPU-based Gallardo (black) and Stellar (white) models. A web chat session was captured and shared on Weibo—in addition, the sales agent disclosed their belief that (NVIDIA's) supply of GeForce RTX 5090D GPUs has been "insufficient since launch" time. On a semi-positive note, customers will not be greeted by price hikes. Manli anticipates "unchanged" price tags; albeit associated with lesser specifications.

Gaming Beyond Limits, AI Beyond Imagination ASRock at Computex 2025

ASRock, a global leader in motherboards, graphics cards, mini PCs, power supplies, and gaming monitors, is excited to announce the participation in Computex Taipei 2025. Under the theme Gaming Beyond Limits, AI Beyond Imagination, ASRock will showcase the dual focus on next-level gaming and AI applications. From immersive gaming setups to AI solutions, the exhibit highlights ASRock's commitment to innovation across both fields. Visitors are invited to explore the latest products and technologies, and to experience the Phantom Gaming Zone at booth L0818.

ASRock Unveils Flagship Taichi OCF and Taichi Creator AM5 Motherboards
To expand its success on AMD AM5 motherboards, ASRock will be adding more exciting products into its product portfolio. New product such as X870E Taichi OCF, the very first OC formula motherboard based on AMD platform, Phantom Gaming X870 Nova WiFi, the new high end gaming motherboard based on X870 chipset, a functional yet elegantly designed X870 Taichi Creator and also a lot more products that are based on X870 / B850 / B840 / A620A chipset.

Acer Unveils Creator-Worthy Swift X Duo with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs

Acer today announced new models in its Swift X laptop series, the Swift X 14 AI and Swift X 14, designed to offer professionals and content creators reliable performance and a suite of AI tools to enhance their creative endeavors. Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors, the Swift X 14 AI enables seamless on-device rendering, modeling, and real-time visualization. This new Copilot+ PC is equipped to handle demanding AI workloads and offers exclusive AI experiences such as Recall (preview), Click to Do (preview), and improved Windows search, Cocreator, Live Captions, Image Creator, and Windows Studio Effects. The new Swift X 14 creator laptop ensures responsive performance for demanding creative workflows and all-day battery life powered by Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2).

Both laptops are powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPUs with NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and also feature Calman-verified 3K OLED touch displays that are calibrated to produce captivating and accurate colors right out of the box.

Acer Expands Aspire AI Series with Six New Copilot+ PCs Powered by Next-Gen Processors ​

Acer today announced the expansion of its Aspire AI series laptops with six new Copilot+ PCs, showcasing intuitive AI capabilities and versatile features. Available in sleek 14- and 16-inch models, these laptops offer varied configuration options, combining powerful computing with modern designs at pocket-friendly prices. The new Aspire AI laptops cater to a diverse range of users, including students, professionals and families seeking reliable performance and multi-day battery life for their daily computing needs. As Copilot+ PCs, these laptops serve to streamline workflow with exclusive AI experiences, including Recall (preview), Click to Do (preview), and Improved Windows Search, making it easier to resume tasks and quickly find what users need. Acer's proprietary AI applications - AcerSense, Acer LiveArt 2.0, Acer PurifiedView 2.0 and Acer PurifiedVoice 2.0 - make it easy to manage settings, sift through files, produce stunning content instantly, and improve videoconferencing quality.

Featuring a durable, thin-and-light aluminium chassis, the Aspire 16 AI and Aspire 14 AI are perfect for travel, going to school and mobile work. Their versatile 180° hinge designs allow them to lay flat or be positioned in various ways, adjusting viewing angles based on the task at hand. With plenty of battery life, these devices can power through more than an entire day without needing to plug in. The Aspire range comes with 14- or 16-inch up to 120 Hz displays featuring slim bezels, and 16:10 aspect ratios for expansive viewing. Touchscreen models are available for more interactive use cases. Each device is equipped with up to 32 GB LPDDR5X memory, 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 storage, and offers ultra-fast, stable connectivity with up to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Plus, they are equipped with a generous number of I/O ports, including a pair of USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and MicroSD card slots. Each model is also EPEAT Gold registered and is encased in 100% recyclable packaging.

Acer Announces New Predator Triton 14 AI, Helios Neo 14 AI, and Predator Orion 3000 Gaming Desktop

Acer today announced powerful new 14-inch Predator gaming laptops designed for gamers and creative professionals. With a set of high-performance components, including the latest Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs, both devices offer a strong mix of power, portability and innovative features coveted by gamers, content creators, as well as on-the-go creative professionals and students.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Users can effortlessly level up their gaming performance and creative capabilities on the Predator laptops with support from the latest Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors that power next-gen AI gameplay and scale up both performance and efficiency. Both laptops are a new class of Windows PCs that are designed for AI-intensive processes like real-time translations and image generation. Plus, access to NVIDIA NIM Microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready AI systems. The newly refreshed Predator Orion 3000 gaming desktop is also enhanced with the latest silicon from Intel and NVIDIA, providing avid gamers with the edge they need to max out the graphics on the latest AAA titles and content creators with the necessary performance for editing or streaming.

Supermicro Unveils DLC-2, the Next Generation Direct Liquid-Cooling Solutions for Data Centers

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), a Total IT Solution Provider for AI/ML, HPC, Cloud, Storage, and 5G/Edge, is announcing several improvements to its Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) solution that incorporate new technologies for cooling various server components, accommodate warmer liquid inflow temperatures, and introduce innovative mechanical designs that enhance AI per watt. The Supermicro DLC-2 solution reduces data center power consumption by up to 40% compared to air-cooled installations. These advanced technologies enable faster deployment and reduced time-to-online for cutting-edge liquid-cooled AI infrastructure. Additionally, the total cost of ownership decreases by up to 20%. The comprehensive cold plate coverage of components allows for lower fan speeds and fewer required fans, significantly reducing data center noise levels to approximately 50dB.

"With the expected demand for liquid-cooled data centers rising to 30% of all installations, we realized that current technologies were insufficient to cool these new AI-optimized systems," said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. "Supermicro continues to remain committed to innovation, green computing, and improving the future of AI, by significantly reducing data center power and water consumption, noise, and space. Our latest liquid-cooling innovation, DLC-2, saves data center electricity costs by up to 40%."

Acer Unveils New Predator Monitors With 500 Hz Refresh Rate and 4K QD-OLED Panels

Acer today launched an impressive array of monitors designed for gaming and entertainment. The lineup features two new 27-inch Predator QD-OLED gaming monitors, each hitting the mark in terms of clarity and color performance for high-framerate games. The "UltraSpeed" Predator X27U F5 tops out at an impressive 500 Hz refresh rate, while the Predator X27 X smooths details with a crisp 4K resolution and 240 Hz refresh rate. Both models are calibrated with True 10Bit color and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology for vivid and tear-free graphics.

Acer also expanded its line of multi-functional Nitro Google TV smart monitors with the Acer Nitro GA321QK P and the curved Acer Nitro GA341CUR W0. With Google TV, users can enjoy 400,000+ movies, shows, and more available across 10,000+ apps, all on one screen. Their high-resolution panels and fast refresh rates of up to 240 Hz set them apart from other smart monitors, making them great options for casual gaming as well. Additionally, the ultra-thin Acer Nitro PG271K portable monitor combines 4K resolution, a space-saving design, and an adjustable stand for versatile viewing.

Acer Debuts New Swift Edge AI and Swift Go AI Copilot+ PCs

Acer today unveiled updates to the family of Swift thin-and-light Copilot+ PCs - the Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Go AI Series - which are now powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 200V Series processors with integrated Neural Processing Units (NPU). Featuring premium, portable designs, the new laptops include the technology and features needed for creativity and productivity, along with up to OLED displays to present standout color accuracy and details.

The new Swift Copilot+ PCs boast NPUs that perform over 40 TOPS and are equipped to run the most demanding AI workloads and offer exclusive AI experiences such as Recall (preview), Click to Do (preview), and improved Windows search, Cocreator, Live Captions, and Windows Studio Effects. In addition, they also feature a dedicated Copilot key to launch Copilot in Windows 11 with a single touch.

CRKD Delays Shipments of Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controllers, Announces 4% Price Hike for US Market

We wanted to give you a quick update on the estimated shipping schedule for our upcoming CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller. Over the past few weeks, we've run into some inbound component delays with our manufacturing partner—largely due to ongoing uncertainty around international tariffs and broader supply chain challenges. As a result, we're making a slight adjustment to our estimated shipping windows to finalize production and better navigate the current logistics environment.

While we've taken steps to mitigate the impact of tariffs, a portion of these costs must be passed on. All U.S. pre-orders placed before June 1 will be honored at their original price. International pricing remains unchanged at this time. All pre-orders placed before June 1 on crkd.gg—U.S. and international—will also receive a complimentary CRKD Gradient Guitar Strap and Collector's Pin.

MSI Announces MSI PortalX, Upcoming RGB Control Website

MSI is committed to continuously enhancing the user experience, and we are proud to announce the upcoming launch of our new web-based RGB control platform - MSI PortalX. This platform eliminates the need for software installation - simply access it through your browser to easily manage your devices' RGB lighting effects, offering a more flexible lighting control experience.

When you connect to MSI PortalX and enter RGB Center (supported on Windows systems only), the platform automatically detects all MSI devices in your system. Just select a device, and you can freely customize the RGB lighting effects for each port, including brightness and speed, with three adjustable speed levels to choose from. To enhance usability, we've also provided an All Sync button, allowing you to synchronize the lighting effects of all devices with a single click, without the need for individual adjustments.

Wistron's New U.S. Facilities for NVIDIA Servers to be Operational Next Year

Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Wistron announced on Friday that its new U.S. manufacturing facilities for NVIDIA will be ready next year, confirming they're in discussions with other potential customers as well, Reuters reports. Wistron CEO Jeff Lin made his first public statement since NVIDIA's announcement, saying, "All our progress will follow the customer's lead," and confirmed their timeline aligns with NVIDIA's expectations. The facilities will partly support NVIDIA's ambitious plan to build AI servers worth up to $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. NVIDIA revealed in April its strategy to establish supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas, collaborating with Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas, with both locations expected to increase production within 12-15 months. Recently Wistron's board has approved a $500 million investment in its new U.S. subsidiary.

The facilities will focus on producing high-performance computing and AI-related products, though Lin declined to name the other companies they're in talks with. When asked about U.S. restrictions on advanced chip exports to China, Lin noted that demand outside China remains robust. "We expect to grow alongside our customers... As for developments in the Middle East, most of them are essentially our indirect customers," he added. This comes as the UAE and U.S. signed an agreement this week to build the largest AI campus outside America, potentially involving the purchase of 500,000 of NVIDIA's most advanced AI chips yearly starting in 2025. Wistron also mentioned it's considering moving notebook production in Mexico in an attempt to avoid tariffs under the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

AMD Prepares Instinct MI450X IF128 Rack‑Scale System with 128 GPUs

According to SemiAnalysis, AMD has planned its first-ever rack-scale GPU cluster for the second half of 2026, when it shows its first rack‑scale accelerator, the Instinct MI450X IF128. Built on what's expected to be a 3 nm‑class TSMC process and packaged with CoWoS‑L, each MI450X IF128 card will include at least 288 GB of HBM4 memory. That memory will sustain up to 18 TB/s of bandwidth, driving around 50 PetaFLOPS of FP4 compute while drawing between 1.6 and 2.0 kW of power. In our recent article, we outlined that AMD split the Instinct MI400 series into HPC-first MI430X and MI450X for AI. Now for AI-focused MI450X, the company created both an "IF64" backplane for simpler single‑rack installs and the full‑blown "IF128" for maximum density. The IF128 version links 128 GPUs over an Ethernet‑based Infinity Fabric network and uses UALink instead of PCIe to connect each GPU to three built‑in Pensando 800 GbE NICs. That design delivers about 1.8 TB/s of unidirectional bandwidth per GPU and a total of 2,304 TB/s across the rack.

With 128 GPUs each offering 50 PetaFLOPS of FP4 compute and 288 GB of HBM4 memory, the MI450X IF128 system delivers a combined 6,400 PetaFLOPS and 36.9 TB of high‑bandwidth memory, and MI450X IF64 provides about half of that. Since AI deployments require massive density of rack systems, AMD plans to possibly outnumber NVIDIA's upcoming system known as "Vera Rubin" VR200 NVL144 (144 compute dies, 72 GPUs), which tops out at 3,600 PetaFLOPS and 936 TB/s of memory bandwidth—about half of what AMD's IF128 approach promises. AMD will have a possibly more powerful system architecture than NVIDIA until the launch of VR300 "Ultra" NVL576, which has 144 GPUs, each carrying four compute dies, totaling 576 compute chiplets.

AMD Ryzen 9 "Medusa Point" APU Comes with 22 Zen 6 Cores and RDNA 3.5+ iGPU

AMD is preparing the next-generation mobile processor based on Zen 6 "Medusa Point" APUs. According to industry leaker HXL, the new lineup will feature a surprisingly high core count, especially on the top-end Ryzen 9 model, which is expected to pack 22 CPU cores. Under the hood, the Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 Medusa Point APUs will use a hybrid layout that combines four high-performance classic cores, four dense cores optimized for efficiency, and two ultra-low‑power cores. On the graphics side, these chips will offer eight RDNA 3.5+ compute units, an upgrade from previous designs but still modest compared to some rivals. What really stands out is the Ryzen 9 variant, which reportedly adds a second Core Complex Die from AMD's desktop lineup. That extra 12‑core CCD joins the main ten-core die, bringing the total to 22 cores. While this pushes the CPU core count, AMD keeps the integrated graphics configuration unchanged, with just eight compute units.

Initial performance data hints that this trimmed-down GPU might run about 20 to 25 percent slower than the 12‑CU Radeon 890M used in earlier models. The eight CU GPU is half the power of current generation "Strix Point" with 16 CUs, but Medusa Point packs some RDNA 3.5+ upgrades. Even then, the raw CPU power should appeal to users who rely on heavily threaded applications, particularly in ultraportable laptops and mobile workstations. Medusa Point is built on the FP10 package, allowing for a slightly larger die size that houses the new core arrangement without sacrificing efficiency. Including dedicated low-power cores also marks AMD's first embrace of a heterogeneous x86 approach, similar to Intel's recent Core Ultra series. While more serious graphics work will mandate a combination of discrete GPUs for demanding workloads, Medusa Point will set new expectations for integrated CPU performance in thin, light notebooks.

Sudokoo to Showcase Its Thermal Solutions at Computex 2025

Sudokoo offers world-class high performance PC hardware and thermal solutions from Singapore to the world. At Sudokoo, we're passionate about designing next-level thermal solutions that blend powerful performance with sleek aesthetics—and today, we're excited to introduce our PROTEUS Series AIO cooler, SK700/SK620 Series Air cooler and MACH120 Case Fans during COMPUTEX 2025!

SK700V: An AM5-designated digital air cooler with Full RAM Freedom
FLAGSHIP CPU AIR COOLERS- SK series offer 6/7 offset heat pipes air cooler, comes with digital display screen version and standard version. AM5-focused and delivering 220 W cooling power. Rail Lock Mount design for simple and elegant installation concept. Digital version available provides real-time monitoring of CPU temperature, usage, wattage, and frequency. Controlled via MasterCraft software.

Microchip Brings Hardware Quantum Resistance to Embedded Controllers

Driven by advancements in cryptographic research and the need for stronger security measures, the National Security Agency (NSA) introduced the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0 (CNSA 2.0) to establish a set of quantum-resistant cryptographic standards. The NSA is now urging data center and computing markets to become post-quantum ready within the next two years. To help system architects meet evolving security demands, Microchip Technology has developed its MEC175xB embedded controllers with embedded immutable post-quantum cryptography support.

As a standalone controller, the MEC175xB family employs a modular approach for developers to efficiently adopt post-quantum cryptography, helping ensure long-term data protection without compromising existing functionality. These low-power controllers are designed with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) approved post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, configurable secure boot solutions and an advanced Enhanced Serial Peripheral Interface (eSPI).

Galax Readies Black GeForce RTX 50-series Hall of Fame (HOF) Graphics Cards

Galax tops off its custom-design GeForce RTX graphics card lines with Hall of Fame (HOF) SKUs, which tend to have not just the highest factory overclocks, but also elaborate VRM and cooling designs meant for professional overclockers to chase down benchmark and OC world records. A striking feature of HOF series cards has been their white color scheme, not just for the cooling solution and backplate, but also the PCB solder-mask underneath. The company is about to take a detour on this, with the new black themed RTX 50-series HOF series. It just teased the first picture of such a card on its Twitter feed. At this point, it's not clear which GPU models Galax will create HOF Black SKUs out of, but it's likely these will be the RTX 5090, and possibly even the RTX 5080. The teaser showcases a 2-tone black cooler shroud, black fan impellers, possibly black anodized aluminium fins on the heatsink, and definitely a black PCB.

Silicon Power Launches its First CUDIMM Under the New XPOWER Cyclone DDR5 Gaming Series

Silicon Power (SP) is excited to announce the launch of two new high-performance DDR5 memory modules under its acclaimed XPOWER gaming series: the XPOWER Cyclone DDR5 RGB CUDIMM and XPOWER Cyclone DDR5 RGB UDIMM. Leading with top-tier speeds up to 9200 MT/s, the company's first CUDIMM (Clocked Unbuffered DIMM) is a major milestone in its commitment to next-gen memory innovation tailored for elite gamers, overclockers, and PC enthusiasts.

CUDIMM: Power Meets Precision
The XPOWER Cyclone DDR5 RGB CUDIMM combines ultra-fast speeds, robust stability, and compatibility with cutting-edge platforms. With extreme speeds ranging from 8200 MT/s to 9200 MT/s the CUDIMM is purpose-built for gamers and overclockers who demand peak performance. Engineered with a built-in Clock Driver (CKD), this module delivers enhanced signal integrity and tighter timing control—key factors for maintaining system stability during demanding workloads. Full support for the latest Intel Core Ultra desktop processors (Series 2) and Intel Z890 series platforms ensures a seamless experience for users building or upgrading to next-gen systems.

Silicon Motion Showcases Next-Gen PCIe Gen5 and USB4 SSD Controllers at Computex 2025

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation ("Silicon Motion"), a global leader in designing and marketing NAND flash controllers for solid-state storage devices, today announced that it will showcase its broad portfolio of products including two new SSD controllers at COMPUTEX 2025. The first is the SM2504XT, an ultra-low power PCIe Gen 5 DRAM-less controller offering industry-leading performance per watt. The second is the SM2324, the world's first true single-chip portable SSD controller supporting USB4 with built-in Power Delivery. Together, these innovations highlight Silicon Motion's leadership in enabling energy-efficient, high-performance SSD solutions for AI PCs, gaming systems, and portable devices.

SM2504XT Delivers High Performance and Low Power for AI-Driven Client SSDs
Built on TSMC's 6 nm process, the SM2504XT delivers up to 11.5 GB/s sequential read and 11.0 GB/s write speeds, with random IOPS reaching up to 1.7M read and 2.0M write—all while consuming under 5 W. Compared to the previous generation, it achieves an 11% gain on performance per watt and sets a new standard for power efficiency among PCIe Gen 5 client SSD controllers.

QNAP Introduces New Dual-port 10GbE SFP+ Network Cards Supporting SR-IOV and RDMA

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading computing, networking and storage solution innovator, today launched the new QXG-10G2SF-NXE 10GbE SFP+ network expansion card. Equipped with the advanced Broadcom 57412 Ethernet Controller, this PCIe Gen 3 card can be installed into a QNAP NAS (including the TS-x64 and TS-x64U series) or Windows /Linux PC and servers, instantly augmenting connectivity with two high-speed 10GbE ports.

The QXG-10G2SF-NXE comes with two 10GbE SFP+ (10G/1G) network ports. Users can utilize SMB Multichannel or Port Trunking to combine bandwidth, providing up to 20 Gbps of data transfer potential, thereby accelerating large file sharing and intensive data transmission. The QXG-10G2SF-NXE supports RDMA to enhance data transfer efficiency and reduce latency, while also supporting SR-IOV that enhances network resource allocation for VMware virtualization applications, reducing network bandwidth consumption and significantly lowering CPU usage for virtual machine servers (hypervisors).

Tianma Introducing New Innovations in LCD Display Technology at Display Week 2025

Tianma, a leading global manufacturer of flat panel displays, is exhibiting its family of LCD technologies and solutions at Display Week 2025, Booth #416, San Jose, California, May 13-15.

Tianma's LCD innovations at Display Week 2025 include:
16" WQXGA 480 Hz Oxide - Tianma is launching the world's first 16" 480 Hz Oxide gaming panel, establishing a new industry benchmark for high refresh rate. This panel, featuring advanced Oxide technology, demonstrates a significant improvement in refresh rate when compared to most mainstream "e-sports" gaming displays on the market. With a 3 ms GTG response time, motion blur is effectively eliminated, ensuring instantaneous reactions. In addition, the panel offers a stunning 2560×1600 WQXGA resolution, 500nit brightness, a 1200:1 contrast ratio, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, making it the ultimate choice for high-performance gaming notebooks.
Thursday, May 15th 2025

Today's Reviews

Cases
Graphics Cards
Motherboards
Mouse
NAS
PSUs
SSD
Zaopin ZPW Max Review

Zaopin ZPW Max Review

With the right-handed ergonomic ZPW Max, Zaopin brings the shape of the SteelSeries Prime up to current standards: PixArt's latest PAW3950 sensor, Omron optical main button switches, 8000 Hz wireless polling, and Bluetooth are all on board, wrapped into a 49 g lightweight package.
Fractal Design Meshify 3 Ambience Pro RGB Review

Fractal Design Meshify 3 Ambience Pro RGB Review

Fractal's Meshify series is long due for an upgrade, so it is no surprise that Fractal Design is launching the Meshify 3 in seven different SKUs, with an updated design, some cool new features and unique tooling. Paired with three brand new Momentum 14 RGB fans, the Ambience Pro RGB variant of the case is fully loaded with a new Hub and 100 embedded LEDs.

Sony Introduces the Next Evolution of Noise Cancelling With the WH-1000XM6

Sony today announced the WH-1000XM6 wireless noise cancelling headphones - latest edition of its award winning 1000X series that set a new standard for premium audio and personal listening experiences. Building on the legacy of the 1000X series, this latest model combines premium sound with the best noise cancelling in a seamless design to create an unparalleled audio solution for music lovers, fashionistas, travelers and professionals alike.

The next evolution in noise cancellation
Powered by advanced processor and an adaptive microphone system, noise cancelling is optimised in real time on the WH-1000XM6 so your world stays undisturbed and your sound stays pure. With processor speeds seven times faster than its predecessor, the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 fine-tunes 12 microphones, which is 1.5 times more than its precursor the WH-1000XM5, in real time, delivering a dramatic leap in noise cancelling and sound quality. The precise detection of the twelve optimally places microphones allow the noise cancellation to adapt more precisely to fit you and your environment. Whether you are looking to block out noise on a busy commute or stay focused in the office, your sound experience will be seamless and powerful.

MSI Unveils the MPG 274URDFW E16M - Mini-LED, Dual Mode and AI-Driven Gaming Monitor

MSI proudly introduces the MPG 274URDFW E16M, a 27-inch Mini-LED Dual Mode gaming monitor. It features a Rapid IPS panel, Dual Mode for 160 Hz at UHD and 320 Hz at FHD, 0.5 ms (GtG, Min.) response time, and AI-driven features. This monitor delivers stunning visual clarity, rich colors, and optimized performance.

Stunning Visuals with Mini-LED and Quantum Dot Technology
Powered by Mini-LED and Quantum Dot technology, the MPG 274URDFW E16M offers exceptional brightness, deep contrast, and rich colors. It features 1,152 full-array local dimming zones for precise backlight control, achieving deep blacks and sharp highlights. With VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification, 98% DCI-P3, 100% Adobe RGB, 140% sRGB coverage, and Delta E≤2 color accuracy, this monitor delivers lifelike visuals for gaming, content creation, and entertainment.

FSP to Showcase New PSUs, Cooling Solutions and SFF ITX Case at Computex 2025

In less than a week from now, FSP will present at Computex its complete lineup of ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 power supplies, a new SFF-READY ITX case, and the MP9 Series dual-tower flagship CPU cooler. Despite us not having (yet) any pictures of their upcoming or updated products, we're going to first let you know what FSP will showcase at this year's Computex show. Based on the success of their flagship MEGA TI power supply series, FSP is expanding its range with the new MEGA PM (Platinum efficiency) and MEGA GM (Gold efficiency) series. These additions provide performance-focused users with more options in terms of wattage and efficiency. The VITA PSU series has also received an upgrade with the introduction of VITA PM, now certified for 80 Plus Platinum. Then, for the first time at Computex, FSP will showcase their 1200 W Platinum-certified SFX-L PSU alongside the 1000 W SFX Platinum model.

We're looking forward to seeing FSP's new S550 ITX small form factor case series, which they say is certified as NVIDIA's SFF-READY and fully supports the RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card. FSP added that the S550 case is designed for users who want top-tier performance in a compact form factor, combining attractive aesthetics, optimal airflow, and support for high-end GPUs. FSP will also reveal its newest flagship CPU cooler, the MP9 Series, which sports an elegant all-black design. Based on the MP7 CPU cooler series, this dual-tower cooler comes equipped with two 140 mm high-performance silent fans and six 6 mm copper heat pipes with a copper base for effective heat transfer and superior CPU cooling. The MP9 has long-lasting FDB bearing fans and a tool-free magnetic top cover design for quick and easy installation without needing to remove the fans.

Tencent President Discusses Significant Stockpiling of AI GPUs - Open to Future Adoption of Native Designs

Martin Lau, President of Tencent, has divulged that his company has accumulated a "pretty strong stockpile" of NVIDIA AI chips. In a mid-week earnings call, the Chinese executive reckoned that this surplus will come in handy—upon the company unleashing its full-on upcoming "AI strategy." Lau was responding to a question regarding ripples caused by a recent introduction of revised licensing requirements for "high-end GPUs." His lengthy reply seems to align with "leaked April time" information; when industry analysts theorized a massive $16 billion spend—reportedly, big Chinese tech firms had splurged out with swift acquisitions of NVIDIA H20 GPUs. Lau commented on present day conditions: "it's actually a very dynamic situation right now. Since the last earnings call, we have seen an H20 ban, and then after that there was the BIS new guidelines that just came in overnight...If you look at the allocation of the usage of these chips, obviously they'll be used for the applications that will generate immediate returns for us. For example, in the advertising business as well as content recommendation product, where we actually would be using a lot of these GPUs to generate results and generate returns for us. Secondly, in terms of the training of our large language models, they will be of the next priority and the training actually requires higher-end chips."

Team Green's engineering team has likely been strong-armed into designing further compromised hardware; as "exclusive" sanction-conforming options for important enterprise customers in China. Tencent seems to have enough pre-ban specimens to tide things over, for a while. The firm's president envisioned a comfortable position, for the foreseeable future: "over the past few months, we (started) to move off the concept or the belief of American tech companies—which they call 'the scaling law'—which required continuous expansion of the training cluster. And now we can see even with a smaller cluster you can actually achieve very good training results. And there's a lot of potential that we can get on the post-training side which do not necessarily meet very large clusters. We should have enough high-end chips to continue our training of models for a few more generations going forward." Huawei's controversial Ascend 910C AI accelerator seems to be the top alternative contender; tech watchdogs believe that this design's fortunes will be closely tied to the rising dominance of DeepSeek. Fairly recent leaks have indicated impressive progress being made within China's domestic AI accelerator infrastructure.

Stellar Blade Coming to PC Platform on June 11 - Shift Up CTO Discusses Graphical Features

On June 11, the PC version of Stellar Blade will be released. The PC version of Stellar Blade will support several new features and introduce exciting additional content. This additional content will also be available on the PS5 console version, This additional content will also be available on the PS5 console version. PS5 users will receive the free update content through a patch download. It will deliver the best experience to everyone - both users who couldn't join Eve's mission due to platform limitations, and fans who have already witnessed the end of Eve's protocol. With this in mind, we are pleased to share detailed information about the Stellar Blade PC version.

NVIDIA DLSS 4 & AMD FSR 3 upscaling and unlocked frame rate
Blade, blood, and beauty. Eve is a ruthless executioner and an elegant liberator. The PC version of Stellar Blade supports NVIDIA DLSS 4 resolution scaling and frame generation, NVIDIA DLAA image enhancement, and NVIDIA Reflex latency reduction features. AMD FSR 3 is also supported. Additionally, it supports unlocking the frame rate, allowing you to maximize your PC's potential. With these enhancements, Eve's action will transcend its limits, becoming even more merciless and all the more mesmerizing.

NVIDIA Reportedly Postpones SOCAMM Rollout; Could Debut with Next-gen "Rubin" AI GPUs

Around mid-February, South Korean sources alleged that NVIDIA was in the process of developing an innovative new memory form factor. The System on Chip Advanced Memory Module (SOCAMM) design is reportedly a collaborative effort. Team Green's usual set of memory partners—SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron—were mentioned in early 2025 news articles. Just over a month later, official press material revealed a key forthcoming deployment—Micron stated: "(our) SOCAMM (product), a modular LPDDR5X memory solution, was developed in collaboration with NVIDIA to support the NVIDIA GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Superchip. In a (rumored) blow to all involved parties, ZDNet Korea posits that Team Green has postponed the commercialization of their "next-generation low-power DRAM module" IP. According to industry moles, the SOCAMM standard will not debut with this generation of enterprise-focused "Grace-Blackwell" chips. Instead, fresher theories indicate a postponement into next-gen territories—possibly rescheduled to arrive alongside the firm's "Rubin" GPU architecture.

NVIDIA has reportedly sent out notices to major memory partners—(alleged) May 14 updates were received by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix (in South Korea) and Micron (USA). As a result, SOCAMM supply timelines are (apparently) adjusted. A newer "Cordelia" board design—acting as a substrate for GB300 chips, and compatible with SOCAMM—was in the picture. The latest whispers suggest a return to an existing "Bianca" board configuration, that supports current-gen LPDDR memory modules. ZDNet believes that company engineers have run into several obstacles: "Blackwell chips have been continuously experiencing difficulties in securing design and packaging yields. In fact, the 'Cordelia' board is known to have reliability issues, such as data loss, and SOCAMM has reliability issues, such as heat dissipation characteristics." NVIDIA briefly previewed its futuristic "Rubin Ultra" AI GPU design during GTC 2025—on-stage, a "second half of 2027" release window was teased.

Qualcomm Unveils the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Mobile Platform

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. today unveiled the latest addition to its 7-series lineup - the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Mobile Platform. This brand-new platform is designed to enhance users' favorite multimedia experiences and deliver robust performance across the board. Whether capturing priceless moments with advanced image processing or enjoying action-packed gaming with select Snapdragon Elite Gaming features, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 captivates users, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in their passions. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 also delivers innovative AI capabilities, including support for Gen AI assistants and popular large language models (LLMs) running directly on the device, with new-in-series stable diffusion image generation.

"With the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Mobile Platform, we are delivering new levels of possibilities in the 7-series with AI-driven experiences built directly into the hardware, making it easier than ever for users to capture, create, and share," said Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "Backed by Snapdragon Sound technology and packed with premium audio technologies, including the first-ever support for Qualcomm Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology outside the 8-series, this platform brings cutting-edge multimedia experiences to a broader audience."

Autonomous Inc. Introduces Brainy: The Petaflop AI Workstation

Autonomous Inc., a company dedicated to design and engineer the future of work into the hands of innovators, today announced Brainy, a revolutionary workstation designed to accelerate deep learning and machine learning workflows. Brainy delivers unprecedented AI performance directly to the desktop, empowering researchers, developers, and AI startups to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence.

"Brainy is more than just a machine; it's a partner in innovation," stated Brody Slade, Autonomous' Product Manager. "We're putting petaflop-level AI power within reach, eliminating the bottlenecks and costs associated with cloud-based solutions and truly changing the way AI development is done. It empowers you to not just think—but to think with your machine."

Arm Introduces New Product Naming for PC, Infrastructure, Mobile, and More

Arm today announced a simpler, more intuitive naming scheme for its compute platforms to help developers and manufacturers better understand which solutions suit their needs. Under the new naming structure, infrastructure-grade server CPU products will be known as Arm Neoverse, the name previously reserved for Arm's core IP for server CPUs. The PC lineup will adopt the name Arm Niva, while Arm Lumex will convey its focus on mobile performance to smartphones and tablets. Automotive applications, which require both safety certification and high compute capacity, will fall under Arm Zena. Finally, Arm Orbis will cover IoT and embedded devices, offering a tailored edge AI platform for everything from sensors to earbuds.

In addition to the market-specific names, Arm is overhauling its IP numbering system to align with generational releases. Future cores will carry labels such as Ultra, Premium, Pro, Nano, and Pico to indicate relative performance and power characteristics. Combining a clear platform identity with a descriptive performance tier, this two-tier approach should make it easier for partners to plan long-term roadmaps and pick the right building blocks for their designs. Arm's GPU technology will continue under the well-known Mali brand, but Mali will now be presented explicitly as a component within each platform rather than a separate product. By integrating Mali GPUs into Neoverse, Niva, Lumex, Zena, and Orbis, Arm aims to deliver fully validated subsystems instead of standalone IP pieces.

Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate's Fortune Story Pack Available Now

In Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate's Fortune, the second story pack for Star Wars Outlaws, Kay Vess and her companion Nix team up with legendary pirate Hondo Ohnaka for a new adventure filled with pirates and lost treasures. A Pirate's Fortune is now available on Ubisoft+ Premium, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Amazon Luna, and PC via Ubisoft Connect, Epic Games Store, and Steam. For those who haven't played the open-world Star Wars game yet, a free demo is available on most platforms where Star Wars Outlaws is already available, giving players a chance to hop on their speeder, seek out a heavy to join their crew, and team up with Nix within a part of the base game for up to three hours. Star Wars Outlaws is also coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 4.

In A Pirate's Fortune, Kay and Nix set off to explore the Khepi system, a new space region containing a heavily ionized nebula, in search of hidden treasures. To uncover the secrets of the Khepi Tomb, they'll team up with Hondo Ohnaka to face off against Stinger Tash and her pirate gang, the Rokana Raiders. Along the way, they'll explore tempting opportunities with the Miyuki Trade League who offer new rewards for the Trailblazer in exchange for smuggling dangerous goods across the galaxy. Players must complete the main storyline in the base game before the story pack can be played. A Pirate's Fortune will be automatically accessible and free for Star Wars Outlaws Season Pass owners, or available as a separate purchase. Star Wars Outlaws Ultimate and Deluxe Edition owners will also receive the Naboo Nobility and Desert Nomad cosmetic packs with the release of the new story pack.

NVIDIA Raffling Off GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition - Customized with DOOM: The Dark Ages Wrap

In advance of and coinciding with today's launch of ID Software's DOOM: The Dark Ages, an impressive number of partner companies have revealed licensed hardware and accessories. Surprisingly, NVIDIA has joined in on the fun—with a fan favorite franchise-themed flagship Founders Edition (FE) card. This lone contribution is only available through an online competition; as outlined by the firm's GeForce social media account. This afternoon's announcement stated: "Stand and Fight for a chance to win. We're giving away a DOOM: The Dark Ages custom wrapped NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (FE) to celebrate its official release with native ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS 4 + Reflex." Hopeful entrants are tasked with contributing "thumbs ups," and writing in with comments.

Team Green's ($1999 MSRP) extremely special DOOM-themed card is decorated with highly expensive custom livery. According to official estimates, this level of custom wrapping adds about $600 to the flagship "Blackwell" card's base price. Despite this giveaway being open to worldwide participants, (small print) terms and conditions seem to excluded. As reported by Wccftech, these territories include: "Australia, the Province of Quebec, and a few more. The Middle East region and some Asian countries are also" shut out. Paying customers can consider alternative "step down" options from ASUS and (maybe Asia-only) COLORFUL. The Republic of Gamers (ROG) Astral RTX 5080 DOOM OC Edition is limited to a devilishly low number of units: 666. The Bethesda webshop is running short with available stock, but they offer all manner of extra bundled-in digital and physical tchotchkes (on top of a $1999.99 baseline).

Lenovo Unveils ThinkStation PGX - Offering Big AI Innovation in an SFF Package

Lenovo has announced the ThinkStation PGX, a compact, personal AI developer workstation. The ThinkStation PGX is ideal for AI researchers and developers, data scientists, practitioners, students, and application engineers who need a purpose-built, compact, and powerful AI desktop solution that works immediately out of the box. Built on the NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip providing up to 1 PetaFlop (1000 TOPS) of AI performance, the ThinkStation PGX can tackle large generative AI models of up to 200 billion parameters. With 128 GB of coherent unified system memory, developers can experiment, fine-tune, or inference the latest generation of reasoning AI models. To double down on computing power, developers can connect two ThinkStation PGX systems together to work with even larger AI models up to 405 billion parameters.

The ThinkStation PGX comes preconfigured with the NVIDIA DGX OS, and the NVIDIA AI software stack, along with familiar tools and frameworks like PyTorch and Jupyter. Developers can instantly prototype, fine-tune, and inference large AI models from the desktop and seamlessly deploy to the data center or cloud. "By collaborating with NVIDIA to deliver a high-performance, yet compact device, Lenovo is empowering AI developers, researchers, data scientists, and students to accelerate their workloads and adoption of breakthrough innovation in generative AI."—Rob Herman, Vice President, Worldwide Workstation and Client AI Business at Lenovo.

Sony Leadership Contemplating Price Hikes & Potential US Production Line for PS5

A month ago, Sony increased its PlayStation 5 home console prices for EMEA and ANZ regions—affecting customers in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. At the time, industry experts surmised that company leadership was considering a similar strategy for a primary market: North America. Instead of freshly implemented 25% upward hikes for certain products/packages, reports suggested a 30% climb—for the North American market. Weeks later, company leadership has discussed this hot topic. During yesterday's (projected) earnings call with investors, top brass confirmed their consideration of "passing along" additional costs to consumers—in response to a reported/anticipated 100 billion yen (~$680 million) impact from US tariffs. They outlined a stockpile of PS5 consoles; enough units have been accumulated for roughly three months of supply—unaffected by adjusted conditions, in the States.

Despite this provision, Hiroki Totoki—Sony's president/CEO—is open to exploring alternative production avenues, in the face of looming extra charges. When asked about this matter, he replied with: "hardware can of course be produced locally, I think that would be an efficient strategy. PS5 is being manufactured in many areas, whether it is going to be manufactured in the US or not—it needs to be considered going forward." In efforts to navigate a trying situation, Nintendo has juggled its geographic manufacturing footprint—recent-ish developments have shifted away from a complete reliance on Chinese facilities. Industry insiders reckon that the bulk of US-bound Switch 2 units will be Vietnamese-made. Like Sony, Nintendo's executive team has publicly disclosed thoughts about future price hikes—maybe following the launch of its much-anticipated "next-gen" hybrid console. Earlier this month, Microsoft upped modern Xbox portfolio price tags—affecting customers across the world.

Cubic Odyssey Out Now on PC & Modern Consoles

Epic journey in Cubic Odyssey starts now! Explore dozens of star systems and hundreds of unique planets as you fight the Red Darkness that threatens all life in the galaxy. Share the adventure with friends, or journey solo if that's your style. There's no right or wrong way to play Cubic Odyssey—just follow your heart. The only limit is your imagination.

Our team have spent countless days and nights shaping Cubic Odyssey into a game we would want to play ourselves—and one we're truly proud of. We hope you'll love it as much as we loved creating it. You can get Cubic Odyssey on PC and Xbox Series X/S for $24.99. For the first two weeks after launch, a 10% discount is available exclusively on Steam, bringing the price down to $22.49. The offer lasts until May 28.

COLORFUL Unveils Latest Innovations at Computex 2025

Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading brand in gaming PC components, gaming laptops, and Hi-fi audio products, proudly announces its joint booth showcase at this year's COMPUTEX in partnership with Segotep. Segotep is a leading brand specializing in PC cases, power supplies, peripherals, and cooling solutions. The booth will be divided into six major themed areas, offering visitors a comprehensive look into COLORFUL's latest innovations. Highlights include dedicated zones for motherboards and graphics cards, SSD storage, custom MOD builds, immersive gaming experiences, and laptops—all designed to deliver cutting-edge technology and interactive engagement for PC enthusiasts and gamers alike.

Upgraded iGame Neptune Series PC
The new iGame Neptune all-in-one chassis introduces a groundbreaking cooling design by stacking the radiators for the CPU and GPU. This layout not only enhances the visual appeal by creating a compact dual 360 mm radiator cooling system that promotes a more unified, streamlined build. The design aims to deliver an aesthetically clean and functionally efficient experience for high-performance PC enthusiasts.

ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Steel Legend & Challenger SKUs Registered in South Korea

On May 9, the South Korean Radio Agency (RRA) logged four unannounced ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT SKUs. Since early Spring, harukaze5719 has kept a watchful eye on intriguing pre-launch registrations. For example, they discovered Gigabyte's Gaming OC 16 GB and 8 GB models over a month ago. AMD's board partners seem to be prepping custom options; well in advance of next week's teased unveiling (at Computex 2025). ASRock seems to be cutting things quite fine, with their registering of (allegedly) Navi 44 XT GPU-based Steel Legend and Challenger models. Rumors of a canceled AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB (GDDR6) variant emerged a while back, but certain insiders have insisted that this cheaper option will arrive alongside a 16 GB sibling.

Recent RRA filings indicate an upcoming two-pronged approach, involving a good number of AIBs. Buoyed by harukaze5719's fresh findings, VideoCardz carried out additional detective work. They soon unearthed "in stock" ASRock Steel Legend and Challenger factory overclocked Radeon RX 9060 XT cards. Apparently, a Vietnamese store is already courting local client interest—prices are not visible on the unnamed shop's webstore, but staffers are reportedly "encouraging customers to inquire" about costs of ownership. Gaming GPU enthusiasts will recall the amusingly extra early arrival of custom Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 retail stock in Europe; in anticipation of a supposedly scuppered January launch window. Unlike its main rival, AMD seems to be running on schedule with its next wave of RDNA 4 gaming products.

NVIDIA Prepares Downgraded GeForce RTX 5090D and RTX 5080 SUPER/Ti SKUs

NVIDIA's rollout of "Blackwell" generation GPUs is not complete, as rumors of a mid‑cycle refresh are already gaining momentum. Latest rumors point to a GeForce RTX 5080 SUPER (or "Ti," depending on what NVIDIA calls it) could arrive before the year is out, aiming to fill the gap between the base RTX 5080 and the flagship RTX 5090. Right now, the standard RTX 5080 comes with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, while the RTX 5090 doubles that to 32 GB. According to a tipster on Baidu, the SUPER/Ti model would slot in at 24 GB, giving memory‑hungry games and applications a boost without stepping on the 5090's toes. Beyond that bump in RAM, though, we're still in the dark about core counts, clock speeds, and power targets.

On a related front, the China‑only RTX 5090D is reportedly being overhauled because of new US export restrictions. The revamped 5090D is said to lose almost a third of its shader hardware, dropping from 21,760 cores down to 14,080, similar to the professional‑grade RTX Pro 5000. Even if NVIDIA cranks up the clock speeds, that cut in cores would almost certainly drag performance back toward last‑generation RTX 4090 levels. Memory architecture might take a hit too: the revised 5090D could shift from a 512‑bit bus to 384 bits, reducing bandwidth by 25% even while keeping 32 GB of GDDR7. Some leaks even suggest NVIDIA might trim its VRAM to 24 GB, which would oddly line it up with the rumored spec for the upcoming 5080 SUPER.

Fractal Design Intros Meshify 3 PC Case, Momentum Fan Series, and Adjust Pro Hub

Announcing the Meshify 3 series of performance PC cases, the powerful Momentum series of fans, and the Adjust Pro Hub for connecting devices to our new online configurator.

Introducing Meshify 3—a performance PC case series combining top-tier cooling with fluid, aerodynamic design. An evolution of our classic series, Meshify 3 includes several performance-boosting engineering upgrades and a fresh new look. With ample ventilation, a rockface-inspired mesh front, and the inclusion of three powerful Momentum 140 mm fans—Meshify 3 series is built for cooler performance. The standard-size version can also house up to a 280 mm top radiator and 360 mm front radiator for further cooling, with space for a graphics card up to 349 mm in length.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of Fractal Design Meshify 3 Ambience Pro RGB is now live]

AMD "Zen 7" Rumors: Three Core Classes, 2 MB L2, 7 MB V‑Cache, and TSMC A14 Node

AMD is already looking ahead to its Zen 7 generation and is planning the final details for its next generation of Zen IP. The first hints come from YouTuber "Moore's Law Is Dead," which points to a few interesting decisions. AMD plans to extend its multi‑class core strategy that began with Zen 4c and continued into Zen 5. Zen 7 will reportedly include three types of cores: the familiar performance cores, dense cores built for maximum throughput, and a new low‑power variant aimed at energy‑efficient tasks, just like Intel and its LP/E-Cores. There is even an unspecified "PT" and "3D" core. By swapping out pipeline modules and tweaking their internal libraries, AMD can fine‑tune each core so it performs best in its intended role, from running virtual machines in the cloud to handling AI workloads at the network edge.

On the manufacturing front, Zen 7 compute chiplets (CCDs) are expected to be made on TSMC's A14 process, which will now include a backside power delivery network. This was initially slated for the N2 node but got shifted to the A16/A14 line. The 3D V‑Cache SRAM chiplets underneath the CCDs will remain on TSMC's N4 node. It is a conservative choice, since TSMC has talked up using N2‑based chiplets for stacked memory in advanced packaging, but AMD appears to be playing it safe. Cache sizes should grow, too. Each core will get 2 MB of L2 cache instead of the current 1 MB, and L3 cache per core could expand to 7 MB through stacked V‑Cache slices. Standard CCDs without V‑Cache will still have around 12 MB of shared L3, while dense‑core CCDs might pack 16 cores and 32 MB of L3. A bold rumour suggests an EPYC model could feature 33 cores per CCD, totaling 264 cores across eight CCDs. Zen 7 tape‑out is planned for late 2026 or early 2027, and we probably won't see products on shelves until 2028 or later. As always with early-stage plans, take these details with a healthy dose of scepticism. The final Zen 7 lineup could look quite different once AMD locks down its roadmap.

Microsoft Introduces "Designed for Xbox" Floral Accessory Collection

The new Designed for Xbox collection has arrived. Introducing the Floral Collection, designed for players who seek accessories that blend beauty with performance. Each piece in this collection is adorned with unique intricate floral patterns, bringing a touch of elegance to your game time.

Night Blossom: PowerA Advantage Plus Wired Controller
Take your game and style to new limits with the officially licensed PowerA Advantage Plus Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11, featuring the stunning Night Blossom design. With our patented Quick-Twist Thumbsticks, you can easily adjust the thumbsticks to three different height settings with a simple twist. Enjoy a smoother, pro-level feel thanks to Hall Effect Modules that utilize contact-free magnetic sensors in the thumbsticks to help with precision and longevity. Plus, two Mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons, Dual Rumble Motors, and more. Available today for $42.99 USD ERP.

Pioneer Has Ended Production of Computer Blu-ray Drives - Transfers PDDM Business to Shanxi Group

Pioneer has quietly confirmed that it has ended production of internal and external Blu-ray optical disc drives (ODDs), for computers. Rumors about the cessation of manufacturing activities emerged earlier this month; with a small number of Japanese news outlets publishing reports. Days later, an official company statement turned up in a low-key manner—via the brand's Japanese web portal. As of late April, shares of the Pioneer Digital Design and Manufacturing (PDDM) subsidiary were transferred to Shanxi Lightchain Technology Industrial Development Co., Ltd. Pioneer's optical disc-related businesses is now owned by the giant (Chinese) Shanxi Group. Commenting on shifting market conditions, a Pioneer Japan representative stated: "while we are moving forward with selection and concentration, centered on our car electronics business, we have come to the decision that it is preferable to advance the optical disc business with a new partner, rather than remaining within our group."

The Pioneer IT Japan webstore is due to close on May 30; as disclosed in a mid-April bulletin. In addition, NotebookCheck highlighted the complete lack of optical drive stock for North American webshop customers. At the time of writing, Pioneer's official Amazon.com presence still offers a small selection of portable slimline models. A chunkier external premium option—the BDR-X13U-S BDXL Blu-ray recorder—was launched only six months ago, so the firm's sudden change of heart is quite surprising. What Hi-Fi? noted that Pioneer's AV/home cinema division has not released any new 4K Blu-ray player products since 2019. Three months ago, Sony shuttered its last optical media factory, in Japan—signalling an end of an era. The vast majority of consumers have turned their backs on physical formats; instead favoring digital/streaming channels. In a refreshing (early 2025) PR piece, Verbatim and I-O DATA expressed their (joint) commitment to producing high-quality optical discs.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Unlocked for GeForce NOW Premium Members

Steel clashes and war drums thunder as a new age of battle dawns—one that will test even the mightiest Slayer. This GFN Thursday, DOOM: The Dark Ages—the bold medieval-inspired prequel to DOOM and DOOM Eternal—is available for GeForce NOW premium members, aka Ultimate and Performance members, to stream from the cloud at launch. Premium members can also slay in style with a free in-game reward. The stage is set and the crowd is buzzing—Capcom: Fighting Collection 2 is joining GeForce NOW at launch.

Plus, get ready to take to the skies with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 coming to the cloud this week. And catch the latest GeForce NOW updates rolling out to members starting this week. The updates include quality-of-life improvements, following performance enhancements like 120 frames-per-second streaming for SHIELD TV to keep the cloud gaming experience at its best. It's all part of another thrilling GFN Thursday, with five new games joining the cloud.

KIOXIA Announces First Enterprise NVMe SSD with 8th Gen BiCS FLASH Technology

KIOXIA America, Inc. today announced the development and prototype demonstration of its new KIOXIA CM9 Series PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs. These next-generation drives are the first enterprise SSDs built with KIOXIA's 8th generation BiCS FLASH TLC-based 3D flash memory, which incorporates CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) technology - an architectural innovation that delivers significant advances in power efficiency, performance and density, while doubling available capacity per flash device.

As the demands of modern computing intensify, applications such as AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing require a sophisticated solid state storage infrastructure - requiring not only enterprise-class performance but also higher power efficiency to ensure scalability and manageable operational costs. Addressing these requirements is central to the design of the KIOXIA CM9 Series, which is purpose-built to support next-generation data center workloads.

MSI Leading in QD-OLED Gaming Monitors at Computex 2025

At COMPUTEX 2025, MSI unveiled its latest series of AI-powered QD-OLED gaming monitors, transforming gaming performance with advanced artificial intelligence. These monitors feature the AI Navigator, which integrates a streamlined AI Menu to effortlessly adjust and optimize MSI's AI settings in one place, delivering peak performance and a seamless, responsive experience. Additionally, MSI's AI Care Sensor enhances gameplay by enabling real-time human detection, dynamically adjusting settings to protect the monitor and boost efficiency. This intelligent system automatically powers down the monitor or activates OLED Care when no user is detected, extending its lifespan while maintaining top-tier performance. Designed for gamers, this new lineup offers immersive gameplay, stunning visual clarity, and AI-driven adaptability, setting a new benchmark for the future of gaming.

Crafted for AI, Engineered for Excellence
MSI's MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 introduces groundbreaking AI-powered technology to enhance user experience and longevity. At its core is the AI Care Sensor, which integrates an NPU-based IC with an always-on CMOS sensor that captures images every 0.2 seconds for real-time human detection. This intelligent system not only detects users but also tracks human forms with remarkable accuracy, enabling dynamic adjustments to the monitor's settings. With AI-driven OLED Care, the monitor automatically adjusts protection settings to prevent burn-in by adapting the display based on user presence and behavior. If no user is detected, the system powers down the monitor, conserving energy and minimizing wear.

Valve Denies Steam Data Leak Was a System Breach, Calls It Old SMS Cache

Valve Corporation pushed back on reports of a massive Steam user data sale. The company says that what surfaced online was not evidence of a breach of Steam's systems but rather an archive of older SMS messages. Security outlet BleepingComputer reported that a hacker was offering roughly 89 million records for about $5,000. Those records allegedly included one-time passcodes sent to Steam users by text message along with their phone numbers. According to Valve, all of the codes were expired by the time they landed in the hacker's hands, and none of the files included any passwords, payment details, or direct ties between phone numbers and Steam accounts. Valve's statement reads, "This was not a breach of Steam systems. The data consisted of older text messages containing one-time codes valid for only 15 minutes and the phone numbers they were sent to. There is no account information, passwords, payment information or other personal data in that cache."

The company also reminded users that whenever an SMS code is used to change a Steam email address or password, they will receive confirmations by email and through Steam's secure messaging system. The incident prompted speculation that third-party messaging provider Twilio might have been hacked. A user on X, formerly Twitter, suggested that Twilio was to blame, but both Valve and a Twilio spokesperson denied the claim. Twilio said it found no evidence that its infrastructure was involved, and Valve confirmed it does not use Twilio for Steam authentication texts. Valve says users do not need to change their passwords or phone numbers, but it encourages everyone to enable the Steam Mobile Authenticator for stronger protection. The company's security team is still investigating how these historical messages were exposed.

AVerMedia & CAMO Partner for Next-Gen Mobile Type-C Streaming

AVerMedia Technologies, Inc., a pioneer in digital video and audio convergence, is thrilled to announce its latest collaboration with CAMO Studio, the powerful and intuitive streaming app developed by Reincubate. This partnership brings together AVerMedia's newly launched GO-Series—a lineup of ultraportable Type-C streaming gear—and CAMO's cutting-edge mobile streaming software to deliver the ultimate on-the-go content creation experience.

This collaboration highlights the synergy between AVerMedia's ELITE GO (GC313Pro) and the CAMO Studio App for iPad/Tablet—offering a truly laptop-free streaming solution for creators, gamers, and professionals who want to broadcast directly from handheld consoles, phones, or tablets.

Alphacool Unveils Core-series Radeon RX 9070 XT Water Block

Alphacool International GmbH, based in Braunschweig, has been a pioneer in PC water cooling technology for over 20 years. With one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry and over 20 years of experience, Alphacool is now expanding its portfolio with the new Core RX 9070 XT graphics card water coolers with Backplate.

The GPU water coolers have been completely redesigned. Precise adjustments to the spacing between the cooler and the PCB, along with optimized water flow simulations and extensive practical testing, have resulted in significant improvements to the cooler base and jetplate. These enhancements ensure maximum cooling performance for the newest AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT generation. The GPU water coolers feature a precisely machined copper base with high-quality chrome plating for exceptional durability and a smooth surface. The design is further complemented by robust brass fittings with a nylon cover, ensuring maximum safety and reliability.

Antec Announces Vortex View AIO CPU Coolers

Antec Inc., a global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories, proudly announces the launch of the Antec Vortex View, an advanced All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler engineered for enthusiasts who demand both performance and personalization. The Vortex View sets a new benchmark for cooling design and user interaction, featuring a 360° rotatable 5-inch IPS display, that delivers crisp system stats, real-time performance metrics, and custom visuals—viewable from any angle. Whether mounted vertically or horizontally, the display adjusts seamlessly to fit the setup.

The Vortex View is also tuned for platform-specific thermal performance, ensuring optimal cooling across both AMD and Intel configurations based on mounting direction. Behind the display is an integrated addressable backglow, designed to subtly illuminate surrounding components and fully controllable through the iUnity software platform.

Sharkoon Unveils OfficePal K30W Series Keyboards

The OfficePal K30W put the focus on quietness and efficiency. Thanks to its scissor switches and the slim notebook profile with extra keys, this is the ideal keyboard for any kind of office environment. At the same time, the wireless operation with a long battery life ensures freedom of use and trouble-free portability between the office and working from home. And it doesn't matter if you work with a Windows PC or a Mac—the OfficePal K30W can do both.

Thanks to its scissor switches, the OfficePal K30W is extra quiet and therefore ideal in open-plan office environments where everyone can work undisturbed. The slim notebook-style profile and the adjustable height using the fold-out feet help make even hours of use easy and relaxing for the wrists. To simplify working with lists and figures, the OfficePal K30W has a full layout with a number pad and four extra keys with additional functions.

Intel Forecasts Foundry Break‑Even in 2027 as 14A Node Debuts

Intel says its struggling Foundry division will finally break even in 2027, just as its advanced 14A process comes online. The announcement came during the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media & Communications Conference, where CFO David Zinsner outlined the plan to offset years of quarterly losses. Intel has been pouring billions of dollars into new fabs and equipment as it races to keep pace with TSMC and Samsung. Its first milestone is the 18A process, whose first product, codenamed Panther Lake, will arrive in client PCs late in 2025, with volume production following in 2026. Intel also plans to use 18A for its next Xeon "Clearwater Forest" server chips and offer it to a small set of external partners to prove the technology's readiness. "We have to start by using our own chips," Zinsner explained. "Once we show that Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest perform as expected, we'll see more interest from outside customers for 18A, 18A‑P, and then 14A."

He acknowledged that initial adoption is low, but expressed confidence that proven performance will drive committed volume. A key part of the strategy is the use of High‑NA EUV lithography at 14A. Zinsner admitted this will raise equipment costs at first, but he believes the improved transistor density and power efficiency will more than make up for the investment, boosting margins and factory utilization. Intel's path to break even also incorporates revenue from mature nodes such as Intel 16/12, advanced packaging services, and collaborations with UMC and Tower. Under its "smart capital" model, the company will balance internal wafer demand with third‑party work, maintaining flexibility and cost discipline. With a relatively modest external revenue target (for a cash-bleeding foundry), low to mid single‑digit billions per year, Intel Foundry aims to reach break‑even in 2027 and move into sustained profitability soon afterward. By 2027, Intel 14A node and ehnaced the 1.8 nm-class 18A-P(T) node will also complement these break-even efforts.

ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and Handheld Console Win 2025 Red Dot Design Awards

ZOTAC is excited to announce that our premiere products have been affirmed with the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, once again reaffirming our commitment to feature innovation and hardware design that subverts convention and push the limit. In this article, we will introduce our award-winning products, and invite our product design team to provide further insight on the design process.

For ZOTAC GAMING's 50 Series GPUs, our design team have gone above and beyond in making this iteration of GeForce RTX graphics cards stylish, elegant, and definitely robust. Our Product Design & Development Manager, Surf Wong, has this to say on the design of our newest series: "With the 50 Series GPUs, we had the idea to lean in on the aesthetics of modern PC cases," he commented. "Seeing that more and more brands are coming up with fish-tank cases and other sleek designs for the purpose of displaying the internals, we thought, "why not design something that will match and make it even the centerpiece of the PC?"
Wednesday, May 14th 2025

Today's Reviews

CPU Coolers
Gaming PC
Graphics Cards
Headphones
Memory
Monitors
Motherboards
Notebooks
SSD
PNY GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Epic-X RGB Plus OC Review

PNY GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Epic-X RGB Plus OC Review

The PNY GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Epic-X RGB Plus OC combines strong performance with whisper-quiet acoustics, even during demanding gameplay. It keeps temperatures impressively low and features a clean design with an excellent RGB implementation.

Boulies Launches EP300 Ergonomic Chair Series

UK based premium office and gaming chair specialist, Boulies, today proudly introduces its EP300 ergonomic chair that combines functionality, comfort and durability to provide optimal support and a great sitting experience for users. The perfect addition for any workspace, it can be tailored to individual needs thanks to its variety of adjustable features.

Engineered for a tailored seating experience, the Boulies EP300 features a Multi Tilt Mechanism to help users get a comfortable and ergonomic sitting posture with a 360° swivel. Built for durability and adjustments, the tilt mechanism provides long-lasting support whilst adapting to unique needs. The backrest can be easily adjusted to lean forwards or backwards (recline 90°-109°), offering the ideal balance between focus and relaxation and able to switch between work and play - covering a full day and evening. Furthermore, Boulies engineers the backrest to perfectly align with the spine's natural curve to help reduce strain on the back during long hours of sitting.

addlink Teases Its Upcoming PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSDs With Speeds Up to 14,000 MB/s

Ahead of next week's Computex 2025 show, Taiwanese hardware manufacturer addlink is teasing some of its upcoming products. We've learned that they plan to release new PCIe Gen 5 x4 NVMe 2.0 SSDs. The addlink G57 (without heatsink) and G57H (with heatsink) M.2 2280 models are presented as capable of delivering speeds of 14,000 MB/s for both read and write operations, thanks to a new 6 nm PCIe Gen 5 controller. The series consists of 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB models, and we can speculate that the advertised 14,000 MB/s speeds will likely be available only on the 4 TB variant (following the current trend with other manufacturers). These devices use 3D NAND Flash memory and LPDDR4 (for DRAM cache), featuring LDPC ECC, SLC Cache, SMART and TRIM support, and thermal control. The products will be backed by a 5-year limited warranty. Beyond these details, we'll have to wait a few more days for TechPowerUp team to visit addlink's booth at Computex for more technical information.

addlink will also showcase at Computex 2025, alongside the aforementioned products, a wide range of storage and memory devices including various SSDs, USB drives, and DDR5 memory modules with speeds up to 8,400 MB/s (CUDIMM) and 6,400 MB/s (UDIMM). Those who can't wait until Computex can explore these products on addlink's virtual showcase. We're seeing a welcome trend with the latest and upcoming PCIe Gen 5 NAND Flash storage devices for consumers in terms of performance levels, with the bar being raised to 14,000 MB/s or even higher. Just today, Sandisk launched its highly anticipated WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe internal SSD, capable of delivering speeds up to 14,900 MB/s and capacities up to 8 TB. Earlier this week, Kingston released the FURY Renegade G5 with speeds up to 14,800/14,000 MB/s read/write and over 2 million IOPS.

Leaked AMD "Sound Wave" Arm-based APU Linked to "Microsoft Surface (2026)" Lineup

Late last month, data miners unearthed a wide variety of unannounced AMD Ryzen processor IPs. A "Sound Wave" product category received less attention, but Team Red's curious codename has reemerged in the middle of May. Thanks to fresh Kepler L2 theorizations, this mysterious mobile APU family has a potential end destination. Leaks from 2024 suggested that company engineers were working on an unusual Arm-based processor branch. AMD is cozily well-versed in all things x86, but an alleged present day diversification—into Arm (x64) territories—has confounded a fair few industry watchdogs.

In a tangential conversation—forking off from speculative "Zen 6" and PlayStation 6 APU chatter—Kepler L2 reckons that Team Red "Sound Wave" chips will be deployed in 2026, possibly within a refreshed Microsoft Surface lineup. Current-gen Arm-based offerings—leveraging Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors—have generated mixed user impressions (press and public alike). Microsoft and Qualcomm's "Windows on Arm" (WoA) platform partnership was elevated earlier on in May (with cheaper options), but troublesome hardware-to-software compatibility issues have reportedly caused some rifts in this relationship. As of last week, evaluators seemed to be poking around with NVIDIA's rumored Arm-based "N1" chip series on Windows. In theory, AMD's futuristic "Sound Wave" designs could do battle with (claimed) Team Green and MediaTek collaborative efforts.

Icy Dock Intros New ToughArmor EX PCIe 4.0 Mobile Rack Enclosure

The ICY DOCK ToughArmor EX MB601V4KW-B features a Tough-Cover IPX6-rated water-resistant front panel, providing superior protection against dust, splashes, and harsh environmental elements. Designed for military, field, and edge applications, this rugged enclosure supports one 2.5" U.2/U.3 NVMe SSD (up to 15 mm height) and fits into a standard external 3.5" drive bay - ideal for deployments where durability, mobility, and reliability are essential.

Engineered with full-metal construction and fan-less design, the MB601V4KW-B delivers PCIe Gen 4.0 transfer speeds up to 64 Gbps via a direct U.2 (SFF-8639) interface, making it well-suited for high-speed workflows such as AI model training, data logging, and industrial system caching. Drive-level security and protection are reinforced through a 2-segment keylock and EMI grounding, ensuring safe and stable operation in sensitive environments.

ASUS Makes Every Day a Snow Day - Fully Introduces GeForce RTX 50 Series White Editions

Our diverse lineup of GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards is getting even larger with the arrival of new White Editions. With these high-performance, cutting-edge cards, you'll be able to keep your frost-hued battlestation color coordinated. Check out the snazzy new White Edition offerings from ROG, TUF Gaming, and Prime.

Max out your snow-white rig with peak power from ROG Astral
If you want the most power possible in a ravishing white graphics card, consider the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 White Edition 32 GB and ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080 White Edition 16 GB. These VRAM-loaded cards comprise the top of the power stack. They both feature a quad-fan design for more airflow than last-gen's flagship cards, our patented vapor chamber tech, and eight heatpipes for incredible heat dissipation. These cards also swap out thermal paste for a premium phase-change thermal pad, enhancing the longevity of the graphics card's thermal interface material.

GAMEMAX Unveils Latest Innovations at Computex 2025

GAMEMAX, an emerging brand of PC gaming components including gaming cases and power supply units, is thrilled to join COMPUTEX 2025 with a bold message - Ready to hunt. GAMEMAX's latest innovations and products aims to empower builders of all levels - from first-time builders to seasoned enthusiasts. At this year's COMPUTEX, GAMEMAX will unveil its latest innovations across three key categories: PC Cases, Power Supply Units, and Cooling. Designed to push boundaries in style, power, and performance, every product reflects the brand's mission to fuel the hunt for the ultimate build.

PC Cases: Bold Designs, Next-Level Functionality
GAMEMAX introduces a versatile range of PC cases designed to meet the needs of every type of builder. GAMEMAX will also exhibit its recent releases including the LEADER 2, BLADE CONCEPT, N90, and T20 cases.

Samsung Foundry Reportedly Making Significant Progress with 2 nm GAA Evaluation Phase

South Korean semiconductor insiders and analysts believe that Samsung's Foundry business is catching up with a main rival. Earlier this month, TSMC leadership openly discussed an unprecedented demand for 2 nm wafer products. Industry moles believe that the Taiwan's top chipmaker is still ahead of contenders in nearby nations. As a result of an alleged leading and comfortable position, TSMC is reportedly upgrading its state-of-the-art facilities with brand-new equipment—indicating a push into 1.4 nm fields. According to a fresh Chosun Biz news article, Samsung engineers are in the process of narrowing the gap between their 2 nm Gate-All-Around (GAA)—also known as SF2—manufacturing node process and TSMC's equivalent technology.

Last month, leaks suggested SF2 trial yields passing the ~40% mark—in comparison, a ~60% figure was uttered by TSMC insiders. Chosun Biz's sources claim that the South Korean foundry team is close to getting their "2 nm process performance evaluation" into a crucial final stage. Yesterday's report posits that NVIDIA and Qualcomm are in the equation; these VIP clients are purportedly considering SF2 as a "second channel" option. Chosun Biz reckons that Team Green is sizing up Samsung Foundry flagship tech for next-gen commercial and enterprise GPUs. Meanwhile, the San Diego-based smartphone processor specialist could be eyeing up SF2 (for a future AP). The latest inside track info points to 2 nm GAA trial production runs breaking beyond aforementioned (approximate) 40% yield rates. TSMC 2 nm wafer charges are reportedly greater than expected, so big industry players are allegedly investigating "cheaper" non-Taiwanese production avenues.

Qualcomm & HUMAIN to Develop State-of-the-Art AI Data Centers

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a technology leader enabling connected intelligent computing, and HUMAIN, a national artificial intelligence (AI) champion advancing Saudi Arabia's goals for AI, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the intent to enter a strategic collaboration for the development of next-generation AI data centers, infrastructure and cloud-to-edge services to meet the rapidly growing demand for AI across the globe, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MOU was signed during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, which was held during the official visit of President of the United States Donald Trump to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The data centers and supporting ecosystem are intended to provide both government and enterprise organizations with access to high-performance and power efficient CPU and AI cloud infrastructure and cloud-to-edge services. These offerings will enable the deployment of AI solutions that can make real-time predictions and decisions, in addition to significantly increasing the availability and value of advanced AI-enabled applications.

AMD Teases "Not Available For Purchase" Radeon RX 9060 XT Reference Card Design

In an almost uncanny case of recent history repeating itself, AMD has kicked off another RDNA 4 new product teaser campaign. Today's reminder—regarding Jack Huynh's upcoming Computex presentation—included a promotional render of a stubbier dual-fan Radeon RX 9000 Series card design. Casting our memories back to late January (2025), Team Red rolled out an ill-timed advertisement—not long after the official delay of Radeon RX 9070 XT and non-XT cards. Despite denying the existence of "Made-By-AMD" (MBA) reference designs, AMD staffers were likely enraged by Chinese black market channel offerings of alleged "real deal examples." Days after first wave RDNA 4's March 6 global launch, a triple-fan specimen was outed.

Throughout early Q2, insiders and members of the Chiphell forum have played around with Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 MBA cards. The latter unit (see photo below) seems to utilize a dual-fan configuration in a fairly long enclosure format. Team Red's latest promo post likely points to a forthcoming unveiling of Radeon RX 9060 XT partner models, but curious industry observers will be wondering whether the shorter reference design actually exists in real life. As per usual, a tiny disclaimer claims otherwise: "Artistic Render. Not Available For Purchase." So far, leaks have suggested the presence of Acer, ASUS, GIGABYTE, and XFX custom options during introductory proceedings. Today's refresher outlined upcoming new product categories and partner contributions: "join AMD on May 21 as we reveal what's next in gaming, AI PCs, and more. (Our) SVP and GM of Computing and Graphics Group, along with industry leaders and partners showcase what is built to power the next level."

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces Strix OLED XG32U Gaming Monitors Series

ASUS Republic of Gamers today announced the ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG and XG32UCWG, the world's first 4K WOLED gaming monitors featuring TrueBlack Glossy film, an anti-reflective panel coating designed to significantly cut down on ambient reflections. A one-tap FHD mode in each monitor configures it for esports, unlocking an astounding 480 Hz for the XG32UCWMG and 330 Hz for the XG32UCWG. Plus, the integrated OLED Care Pro suite and Neo Proximity sensor help safeguard the panels by minimizing the risk of burn-in. Both monitors have a new ultra-compact space-saving stand that frees up desk space.

Exceptional OLED performance in any environment
Developed exclusively for ROG, the TrueBlack Glossy film pairs a zero-haze optical layer with an advanced anti-reflective stack, resulting in a 38% drop in ambient reflections versus previous-generation glossy WOLED panels. This keeps black hues truly black, even under fluorescent lights or studio spotlights, and helps prevent eye strain even after prolonged viewing. Additionally, the ASUS Clear Pixel Edge algorithm removes red-green fringing on text and fine lines, so spreadsheets, lines of code, and creative timelines appear pin-sharp.

AMD & HUMAIN Reveal Formation of $10 Billion Strategic Collab, Aimed at Advancing Global AI

AMD and HUMAIN, Saudi Arabia's new AI enterprise, today announced a landmark agreement to build the world's most open, scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient AI infrastructure, that will power the future of global intelligence through a network of AMD-based AI computing centers stretching from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States. As part of the agreement, the parties will invest up to $10B to deploy 500 megawatts of AI compute capacity over the next five years. The AI superstructure built by AMD and HUMAIN will be open by design, accessible at scale, and optimized to power AI workloads across enterprise, start-up and sovereign markets. HUMAIN will oversee end-to-end delivery, including hyperscale data center, sustainable power systems, and global fiber interconnects, and AMD will provide the full spectrum of the AMD AI compute portfolio and the AMD ROCm open software ecosystem.

"At AMD, we have a bold vision to enable the future of AI everywhere—bringing open, high-performance computing to every developer, AI start-up and enterprise around the world," said Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO, AMD. "Our investment with HUMAIN is a significant milestone in advancing global AI infrastructure. Together, we are building a globally significant AI platform that delivers performance, openness and reach at unprecedented levels." With initial deployments already underway across key global regions, the collaboration is on track to activate multi-exaflop capacity by early 2026, supported by next-gen AI silicon, modular data center zones, and a developer-enablement focused software platform stack built around open standards and interoperability.

Vastarmor Updates its Radeon RX 9070 XT Super Alloy Design with Zany Rainbow "Ultra" Edition

Roughly a month ago, Vastarmor debuted its "Super-less" Radeon RX 9070 XT Alloy SKU. The Chinese manufacturer's barebones spin-off—derived from a triple-fan flagship design—was stripped of fancy ARGB trimmings. Additionally, this sober-looking alternative option was deemed unworthy of sporting 3.1 GHz boost clock credentials—instead, making do with a mere 3010 MHz setting. A brand-new "Super Alloy Ultra" model retains elite-tier membership; as demonstrated by a recently published specification sheet. The Vastarmor design team has opted into using a louder and wider color palette; clearly demonstrated by their fresh RX 9070 XT Super Alloy Ultra's zany pearlescent rainbow-spectrum shroud setup. Unfortunately, this bright aesthetic treatment did not extend to the new flagship's backplate. The AIB's Super Alloy White option was appropriately decorated; on the front and back. Vastarmor's latest offering is not expected to break retail barriers beyond Chinese markets. ASRock's premium Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi OC card is—perhaps—the closest to being a visually "eccentric" option for global audiences. Fittingly, its factory overclocked talents include a 3.1 GHz boost clock.

"The Slormancer" Exits Early Access Phase - Devs Celebrate Milestone Transition to v1.0

The Slormancer is now out of Early Access. Hello everyone! We're two indie devs who started this project over 8 years ago as a hobby. We've always been huge fans of hack'n'slash games so we decided to do one. We started from the bottom: watching YouTube tutorials on how to move sprites, draw pixel art, or generate dungeons procedurally. From there things escalated slowly. Four years later, The Slormancer launched in Early Access, and to our surprise, it found more success than we ever hoped for. That allowed us to go full-time and keep building the game we always wanted to play.

The Slormancer is now officially out of Early Access. Our game is the result of countless hours of work, but it was made possible thanks to the incredible support, feedback, and passion of our player community throughout its development. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this adventure! Fight hordes of enemies led by The Slormancer, an evil warlock from the past, in an absurd yet epic Action RPG! Experience fast-paced gameplay, loads of shiny loot, tons of collectibles, countless hours of content, and carefully crafted pixel art.

AMD Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo" APUs Reportedly On Sale as Individual Parts in China

Officially, AMD Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo" mobile processors are only available in complete systems—e.g. laptops, notebooks, and mini desktop PCs. Upon learning about this release status, DIY enthusiasts were left disappointed. After all, these impressively potent all-in-one solutions have picked up considerable praise pre- and post-launch. Team Red's "Strix Halo" flagship—the Ryzen AI Max+ 395—is the subject of much online debate, but cost of entry is steep. Under normal circumstances (i.e. no leveraging of promotional discounts), potential buyers are looking at $2000+ pre-built systems.

Separate BGA packages have turned up for sale in China—specifically on Goofish; Alibaba's second-hand trading platform. A past weekend VideoCardz investigative piece covered these curiosities. At this stage in time, viable custom motherboard designs are not yet widely distributed—effectively making individual "Strix Halo" units expensive paperweights. At the time of writing, seller "The Eraser in My Mind" offers the best Ryzen AI Max+ 395 deal: 3998 RMB (~$555 USD). This Suzhou-based trader also lists Ryzen AI Max PRO 390, and 380 SKUs. Product descriptions indicate that some of these processors are already powering mysterious handheld gaming devices (likely regional exclusives). Four Goofish accounts are displaying the same set of images; distinctive Team Red branding and "Made in Taiwan" tags are clearly visible across specimens—mostly mounted on plastic transport trays.

Final Nintendo Switch 2 Specifications Surface: CPU, GPU, Memory, and System Reservation

With the launch scheduled for June 5, Nintendo has quietly confirmed the final technical details for its next-generation hybrid console, the Switch 2, clarifying the specifications of the "custom NVIDIA processor" at its core and specifying exactly how much horsepower developers can access. The Switch 2's SoC is officially labeled the NVIDIA T239, a custom iteration of the Ampere architecture rather than a repurposed Tegra. It contains eight Arm Cortex‑A78C cores running a 64‑bit ARMv8 instruction set, with cryptography extensions enabled and no support for 32‑bit code. Each core features 64 KB of L1 instruction cache and 64 KB of L1 data cache. Six cores are available for game development, while two are reserved for system tasks. Clock speeds reach 998 MHz in handheld mode and 1,101 MHz when docked, and the CPU can theoretically burst to 1,700 MHz for demanding operations or future updates.

Graphics are powered by a full Ampere‑based GPU with 1,536 CUDA cores. Clock speeds top out at 1,007 MHz in docked mode and 561 MHz in handheld mode, delivering approximately 3.07 TeraFLOPS when docked and 1.71 TeraFLOPS in portable use. As with the CPU, a portion of GPU resources is allocated to operating system functions, slightly reducing the amount available for applications. Memory capacity has increased from 4 GB of LPDDR4 in the original Switch to 12 GB of LPDDR5X in the new model, split across two 6 GB modules. Peak bandwidth measures 102 GB/s docked and 68 GB/s handheld. Of the total, 3 GB are reserved for system functions and 9 GB are dedicated to games and applications. Nintendo has also introduced a dedicated File Decompression Engine for LZ4‑compressed data, offloading asset unpacking from the CPU to improve loading times without overheating the chipset. The console ships with 256 GB of UFS storage, expandable via microSD Express up to 2 TB, and features a 7.9‑inch, 1080p LCD that supports HDR10 and up to 120 Hz variable refresh rate in handheld mode. Although HDMI VRR is not yet available, the internal display fully supports it.

Lenovo Unveils New Generation of AI PC Desktops and Monitors

Lenovo unveiled its new generation of business devices for modern workplaces, featuring a comprehensive selection of AI-powered ThinkCentre M Series Gen 6 desktops and the ThinkVision T Series Gen 40 monitors. Designed to address the needs of businesses of all sizes, the ThinkCentre family of desktops combine performance and reliability in different form factors, including tower, compact and all-in-one (AIO), while the ThinkVision T Series monitors blend outstanding display, connectivity, and manageability.

"Nearly half of businesses believe that AI-powered devices boost employee productivity, and 90 percent of those are already piloting, planning or exploring AI-powered PC rollouts, according to a recent Lenovo and IDC global survey of IT decision-makers. AI has and will continue to reshape the future of work, and Lenovo is proud to lead the way with a new generation of AI desktop PCs and monitors that meet the changing needs of businesses in this new era," said Johnson Jia, senior vice president of Intelligent Devices Group's Global Innovation Center at Lenovo. "Our latest ThinkCentre M Series Gen 6 desktops and ThinkVision T Series Gen 40 monitors power businesses of all sizes with scalable performance to unlock next-gen AI productivity and creativity."

Flow Computing Parallel Processing Unit (PPU) Architecture Achieves End-to-End CPU Operations in Alpha Testing

Flow Computing, the pioneer in licensing on-die, ultra-high-performance parallel computing solutions to CPU vendors of all architectures - today announced it has successfully achieved a critical milestone in Flow's development roadmap towards commercializing its parallel processing ecosystem. Capable of increasing any CPU architecture by up to 100X, the company has been actively developing a compiler that enables source code to take advantage of its acclaimed Parallel Processing Unit (PPU) architecture - that compiler today entered Alpha testing.

Through the first target compilations, it has been determined that simple parallel workloads consist of a massive amount of loops in RISC-V CPU models without PPU assistance. Whereas in RISC-V CPU models incorporating the PPU, the amount of these loops is significantly reduced by recompiling the existing code, demonstrable proof that it is indeed possible to achieve a significant performance boost with a PPU-enhanced CPU design at up to 100X performance.

GameSir Reveals T7 Pro Floral Xbox/PC Controller - Available to Pre-order

Embrace style and performance with the GameSir T7 Pro Floral, featuring a stunning floral-patterned matte shell. Its semi-transparent design and dynamic RGB lighting create a mesmerizing visual experience. Designed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 and Steam, it delivers an ultra-smooth, low-latency gaming experience. Now available for pre-order on gamesir.com and Best Buy.

Built to Last. Engineered to Perform.
Using GameSir non-contact magnetic Hall Effect technology to ensure the sticks never wear down in their lifetime and provide an ultra lifespan of up to 5 million cycles, the T7 Pro Floral prevents stick drift and ensures reliable, durable stick performance. At the same time, GameSir's precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers offer unparalleled smoothness and responsiveness. With 2-stage trigger stops, gamers can toggle the triggers to a short pull position. Whether you need precise linear control or ultimate responsiveness, the T7 Pro Floral gives you the competitive edge you need.

ASUS France Previews ROG Astral White Edition Graphics Card Design

Earlier this month, the global ASUS website was updated with a slew of new graphics card product pages. The most striking examples—TUF Gaming and PRIME White Editions—appeared online with little PR fanfare. Fast-forward to the start of this week; with the ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) France social media account teasing already revealed models, alongside a surprise pale spin-off of a hot topic flagship. The manufacturer's air-cooled Astral GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 models were debuted during CES 2025. Since then, various special edition variants have attracted additional press and community attention—most notably, a spectacularly expensive Gold-plated MENA region-exclusive.

The French ASUS office's (May 12) message implied that company leadership had paid close attention to PC hardware community feedback. As a result of these requests, a new marketing campaign—bearing a "Stay Frosty, Play Flawlessly" slogan—is pushing alternate designs. As interpreted by the usual media outlets, the brand seems to be teasing an imminent launch: "you asked for it. We delivered. ASUS GeForce RTX 50 Series White Edition graphics cards are coming soon." Given the current lay of the land, next week's Computex trade event will serve as an ideal platform for White Edition showcasing—as hinted by an appropriate hashtag. ASUS is expected to unveil its (already leaked) portfolio of custom Radeon RX 9060 XT cards, but any in advance hype would break signed NDAs.

Official Intel Account Teases Higher-End Arc "Battlemage" B770 GPU

Intel's official X/Twitter account has started replying to fans asking for a more powerful GPU, teasing the long‑rumored Arc "Battlemage" B770. Over the past week, users who replied to Intel's Arc PRO announcement asking about the B770 have received brief but intriguing responses like "stay tuned," "we're just getting started," and "more to come." On the surface, these could be generic marketing lines. But with NVIDIA gearing up to launch the RTX 5060 and AMD expected to unveil the RX 9060 XT next week, the timing feels deliberate—and perhaps a sign that Intel plans its own midrange contender. Clues are already stacking up. Shipping manifests from Intel's Vietnam assembly plant—the same facility that produced limited‑run B570 and B580 cards—show a batch of BMG‑G31 GPUs en route. Tipster OneRaichu has said the Arc B770 may feature 24 to 32 Xe2 compute units, a 256‑bit memory bus, and up to 16 GB of GDDR6 memory.

Those specifications would position the B770 as a serious rival to NVIDIA's RTX 5060 and AMD's RX 9060 XT in both gaming and compute tasks. Beyond Battlemage, Intel's next‑generation Xe3 "Celestial" architecture is reportedly deep into pre‑silicon validation. Whether Intel opts to reveal the Arc B770 at Computex in late May or in a standalone livestream, the recent social media exchanges have already done their job by building excitement among enthusiasts. Community reaction has been enthusiastic. Many fans hope to see Intel hit the price target of, ideally, under $300. If Intel can deliver strong real‑world gaming performance at an attractive price and ensure wide availability, the Arc B770 could become the breakout midrange card that shifts the balance in this highly competitive segment.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & NVIDIA Announce Building of AI Factories in the Region

NVIDIA and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have announced partnerships to transform the country into a global powerhouse in AI, cloud and enterprise computing, digital twins and robotics. During a state visit today with U.S. President Donald Trump and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang said that the effort will harness sovereign AI infrastructure and expertise to propel Saudi Arabia to the ranks of global hyperscale AI leaders. "AI, like electricity and internet, is essential infrastructure for every nation," Huang said. "Together with HUMAIN, we are building AI infrastructure for the people and companies of Saudi Arabia to realize the bold vision of the Kingdom."

"Our partnership with NVIDIA is a bold step forward in realizing the Kingdom's ambitions to lead in AI and advanced digital infrastructure," said Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN. "Together, we are building the capacity, capability and a new globally enabled community to shape a future powered by intelligent technology and empowered people."

Sandisk Launches WD_BLACK SN8100 PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe SSD

Setting a new standard for client SSDs, Sandisk today unveiled the powerful WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen 5.0 technology, a cutting-edge internal SSD delivering speeds up to 14,900 MB/s and capacities up to 8 TB, for high-performance gaming, content creation and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.

With the evolution of gaming graphics, high-quality 4K and 8K content and AI applications, today's gamers and professionals need solutions to help maximize the performance of their PCs. The Sandisk WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD is built for hardcore PC gamers looking to add the most advanced combination of speed and reliability to their rig for peak performance and for professionals needing a top-of-the-line PC storage solution for intensive workflows and AI applications. In addition to blistering speeds, the new PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD is also 100% more power efficient than Sandisk's high-performance PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD.

MiTAC Computing Deploys Latest AMD EPYC 4005 Series Processors

MiTAC Computing Technology Corp., a subsidiary of MiTAC Holdings Corp. and a leading manufacturer in server platform design, introduced its latest offering featuring the AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors. These updated server solutions offer enhanced performance and energy efficiency to meet the growing demands of modern business workloads, including AI, cloud services, and data analytics.

"The new AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors deliver the performance and capabilities our customers need at a price point that makes ownership more attractive and attainable," said Derek Dicker, corporate vice president, Enterprise and HPC Business, AMD. "We're enabling businesses to own their computing infrastructure at an economical price, while providing the performance, security features and efficiency modern workloads demand."

MediaTek Launches Dimensity 9400e Mobile Platform

Today, MediaTek unveiled its latest chipset in the flagship space, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e. Featuring the company's advanced All Big Core architecture, the Dimensity 9400e is the latest addition to MediaTek's family of flagship-class processors, providing a wider variety of options and functionality for device makers, and delivering exceptional performance and energy efficiency for outstanding artificial intelligence, connectivity, imaging, and gaming for users.

"With the launch of the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e, we are expanding our family of leading mobile platforms to ensure both device makers and users can select from a larger range of flagship experiences than ever before," said Dr. Yenchi Lee, General Manager of MediaTek's Wireless Communications Business Unit. "We remain committed to exceeding expectations in top-tier performance, energy efficiency, and AI capabilities by combining powerful hardware with advanced MediaTek-driven technologies."

SteelSeries Intros Arctis GameBuds Ultra-Limited-Edition in New 'GLORANGE' Color

From the creator of the groundbreaking line of Arctis Nova headsets and Arctis GameBuds, SteelSeries, the original esports brand that fuses gaming and culture, today introduces an ultra-limited-edition 'Glorange' colorway of their award-winning Arctis GameBuds.

The role that gaming plays in moving culture forward is essential and SteelSeries set out to push boundaries and solve problems for those living a "gaming lifestyle" in today's rapidly changing world. The goal was simple, reinvent the world's number one premium gaming headset - within a pair of gaming earbuds. Whether the pain the points are related to the fact that gamers couldn't connect to a PS5 or Xbox via Bluetooth, or the status quo was poor gaming audio quality and bad microphone communications in traditional earbuds, or the inability to utilize a single pair of earbuds across multiple platforms, or fatigue and poor battery life from all-day use, the introduction of SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds solve multiple problems for gamers.

Zotac Readies Magnus EA Mini PC Powered by Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo"

Zotac is ready with the Magnus EA (2025) mini PC powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo" line of processors. It was inevitable for "Strix Halo" to make its way into gaming-capable mini PCs, given its small PCB and cooling footprint for the kind of hardware chops on offer—up to 16 "Zen 5" CPU cores, and a powerful iGPU with up to 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units that makes it capable of 1440p AAA gaming; besides full Microsoft Copilot+ capability with a 50 TOPS-class NPU. The Magnus EA comes in a similar 140 mm-class 1U chassis as the 2025 Magnus One that's expected to be built on Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" processors, which is noticeably thinner than the 2025 Magnus EN, which combines a Core Ultra 200H "Arrow Lake-H" processor with GeForce RTX 50-series "Blackwell" mobile discrete GPUs. Zotac is expected to unveil the Magnus EA, the 2025 Magnus EN, and the 2025 Magnus One at Computex, later this month.

Samsung Prepares Hybrid Bonding for HBM4 to Slash Thermals and Boost Bandwidth

At the recent AI Semiconductor Forum in Seoul, Samsung Electronics revealed that it will adopt hybrid bonding in its upcoming HBM4 memory stacks. This decision is intended to reduce thermal resistance and enable an ultra‑wide memory interface, qualities that become ever more critical as artificial intelligence and high‑performance computing applications demand greater bandwidth and efficiency. Unlike current stacking methods that join DRAM dies with tiny solder microbumps and underfill materials, hybrid bonding bonds copper‑to‑copper and oxide‑to‑oxide surfaces directly, resulting in thinner, more thermally efficient 3D assemblies. High‑bandwidth memory works by stacking multiple DRAM dies on top of a base logic die, with through‑silicon vias carrying signals vertically through each layer. Traditionally, microbumps routed horizontal connections between dies, but as data rates increase and stack heights grow, these bumps introduce significant electrical and thermal limitations.

Hybrid bonding addresses those issues by allowing interconnect pitches below 10 micrometers, which lowers both resistance and capacitance and improves overall signal integrity. SK hynix has taken a different path. The company is enhancing its molded reflow underfill (MR‑MUF) process to produce 16‑Hi HBM4 stacks that comply with JEDEC's maximum height requirement of 775 micrometers. The company believes that if its advanced MR‑MUF technique can achieve performance on par with hybrid bonding, they will avoid the substantial capital investment needed for the specialized equipment that true 3D copper bonding requires. The cost and space demands of hybrid bonding equipment are significant. Specialized lithography and alignment tools occupy more clean‑room real estate, increasing capital expenditures. Samsung may mitigate some of these costs through Semes, its in‑house equipment subsidiary, but it remains uncertain whether Semes can deliver production‑ready hybrid bonding systems in time for mass production. If Samsung successfully qualifies its HBM4 stacks using hybrid bonding, which it plans to begin manufacturing in 2026, the company could gain a competitive edge over Micron and SK hynix.

AMD Splits Instinct MI SKUs: MI450X Targets AI, MI430X Tackles HPC

AMD is gearing up to expand its Instinct MI family in the latter half of 2026 with two purpose‑built UDNA‑based accelerators. These new models, MI430X UL4 and MI450X, will cater respectively to high‑precision HPC tasks and large‑scale AI workloads. The MI430X UL4 is designed for applications that rely heavily on double‑precision FP64 floating‑point performance, such as scientific simulations, climate modeling, and others. It features a large array of FP64 tensor cores, ensuring consistent throughput for tightly coupled compute jobs. Because a dedicated UALink switch from partners like Astera Labs or Broadcom won't be available at launch, AMD has chosen a four‑GPU point‑to‑point mesh configuration for the MI430X UL4. This limited scale‑up approach keeps latency low and synchronization tight, making it ideal for small cluster deployments. On the AI side, the MI450X embraces Ethernet‑based Ultra Ethernet for scale‑out.

With UEC‑ready switches already on the market, this open‑standard networking solution lets users build expansive AI farms across dozens or even hundreds of nodes. By relying on established Ethernet technology instead of the new UALink ecosystem, AMD provides customers with immediate, hardware‑accelerated networking for both inference and training. While UALink promises an open, vendor‑neutral accelerator-to-accelerator fabric, its progress has been slow. Committee reviews and limited investment in switch silicon have delayed switch availability. Broadcom, viewed as the primary UALink switch supplier, has been cautious about its commitment, given expected lower volumes compared to Ethernet alternatives. AMD's acceleration segmentation addresses these realities. The MI430X UL4 delivers high‑precision compute in compact GPU meshes. The MI450X offers large‑scale AI connectivity via Ethernet. Should UALink switch development catch up in the future, AMD could revisit native GPU‑to‑GPU fabrics.

Rambus Delivers Industry-Leading Client Chipsets for Next-Generation AI PC Memory Modules

Rambus Inc., a premier chip and silicon IP provider making data faster and safer, today announced the availability of complete client chipsets for next-generation AI PC memory modules, featuring two new Power Management ICs (PMICs) for client computing. PMICs are critical to efficiently power memory modules providing breakthrough levels of performance for advanced computing applications. The two new Rambus industry-leading PMICs are the PMIC5200, for LPDDR5 CAMM2 (LPCAMM2) memory modules and the PMIC5120, which supports DDR5 CSODIMMs and CUDIMMs.

These PMICs, alongside the Client Clock Driver (CKD) and Serial Presence Detect Hub (SPD Hub), comprise a complete chipset offering to enable memory modules for AI PC notebooks, desktops and workstations. Further, with the addition of these new PMICs, Rambus now offers complete memory interface chipsets for all JEDEC standard DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory modules for both servers and clients.

Valve Launches SteamOS Compatibility Rating, Over 18,000 Games Verified

Valve is rolling out a new SteamOS Compatibility rating system to cover every device running SteamOS, not just the Steam Deck. This Steam Deck Verified program extension arrives as Lenovo's Legion Go S, running SteamOS, prepares to ship to customers. Valve hopes the added visibility will help players decide which games will work smoothly on their hardware. Under this system, a game and all its middleware, including launchers, anti‑cheat tools, and so forth, must be fully supported on SteamOS to earn the "SteamOS Compatible" label. Titles not meeting these requirements will be marked "SteamOS Unsupported." Valve emphasizes that this initial rollout focuses solely on basic compatibility. It does not yet include performance benchmarks or input testing, since hardware variations can lead to very different frame rates and control experiences.

Valve expects to award SteamOS Compatible ratings to over 18,000 games at launch. Developers who have already gone through the Steam Deck Verified process do not need to take any additional steps. An automated system will convert existing Steam Deck test results into SteamOS ratings. Games that have not been tested before will enter the same community‑driven evaluation queue, with both Steam Deck and SteamOS results published together once testing finishes. For players using SteamOS on devices other than the Steam Deck, the Steam Store and Steam Client will clearly display the new compatibility badges. If you are browsing on a Legion Go S or any other supported device, you will see the SteamOS Compatible or Unsupported icon alongside the existing Steam Deck Verified icon. On non‑SteamOS platforms, these labels will not appear, and the store will function as it does today. Valve plans to update the Steam client's interface and publish the initial batch of compatibility data in the next few weeks.

Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.6793 Beta Released

Intel today released the latest version of its Arc GPU Graphics Drivers. Version 101.6793 Beta comes with optimization for "DOOM: The Dark Ages" and "Japanese Drift Master." The drivers also fix a handful of issues. To begin with, a bug specific to the Arc B-series that causes color corruption in "The Last of Us Part I" has been fixed. Blue flickering artifacts noticed in "DOOM Eternal" with ray tracing enabled, has been fixed. Flickering black boxes seen in "The Last of Us Part II" has been fixed for Arc A-series discrete GPUs, and the iGPUs of Core Ultra Series 2 processors. Grab the drivers from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.6793 Beta
Tuesday, May 13th 2025

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Upcoming Hardware Launches 2025 (Updated May 2025)

Upcoming Hardware Launches 2025 (Updated May 2025)

This article serves as a continuously updated summary of currently known leaks and official announcements regarding upcoming hardware releases in 2025 and beyond. We cover and keep track of developments for Intel Panther Lake, Nova Lake, AMD Zen 6, NVIDIA's and AMD's upcoming GPUs, DDR6 and GDDR7 memory, chipsets and more.
G-Wolves Hati-R Pro 8K Review

G-Wolves Hati-R Pro 8K Review

Essentially, the 25 g Hati-R Pro 8K is a slightly smaller Hati-R 8K. Equipped with PixArt's PAW3395 sensor and Huano switches for the main buttons, the Hati-R Pro 8K is exclusively designed for fingertip grip, supports 8000 Hz wireless polling, and can be configured through a web driver.

The Precinct, a Neon-Noir Action Sandbox Game Launches on PC and Consoles

Kwalee and Fallen Tree Games are proud to announce the launch of The Precinct, a neon-noir action sandbox game now available on PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players can step into the sirens-soaked streets of Averno City today for $29.99/€29.99/£24.99 across all platforms. Set in a crime-ridden 1980s America, The Precinct casts players as rookie officer Nick Cordell Jr., tasked with restoring order in a city torn apart by gangs, corruption, and decay. Patrol the streets, respond to dynamic crimes, and deal with everything from petty infractions to high-stakes heists in an ever-evolving sandbox experience.

To mark the launch, a new launch trailer showcases the game's high-octane action, blending in-engine cinematic footage with explosive gameplay. From street chases and shootouts to bank heists, traffic stops, and arrests, it's time to serve justice in a city on the edge. Steam players can also snag The Precinct as part of several exclusive bundles, joining forces with games like Shadows of Doubt, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers, and Deliver At All Costs. Each bundle includes a 10 percent discount, offering great value for players eager to dive into these gripping, crime-filled worlds.

AMD Radeon "GFX13+" Target Found in Code Update; Linked to UDNA/RDNA 5 Architecture

Closer to the start of 2025, Kepler L2 shared "PlayStation 6" inside track info. The venerable leaker—of mostly AMD behind-the-scenes details—theorized that Sony's sixth-gen home console was based around an early fork that branched off from a mysterious "GFX13" GPU architecture. Earlier today, this target identifier has appeared again. Kepler L2's latest investigations have pulled the "GFX13+" target from kernel-level codebase updates. Data miners have often pulled compelling pre-release tidbits from official repositories; AMD's software engineering team open-source developments are quite visible. Over a year ago, similar detective work connected the "GFX12" IP to RDNA 4—nowadays, better known as the Radeon RX 9000 graphics card family. Despite Team Red's official insistence that RDNA 4 was a priority on desktop platforms, supposed discrete mobile variants were leaked last month. In addition, RDNA 3.5 seems to be a mainstay for at least another generation of integrated graphics solutions.

Looking beyond these current-gen graphics architectures, AMD leadership has already previewed a "unified" path forward. Last September's announcement revealed the convergence of RDNA (gaming) and CDNA (enterprise) GPU technologies: dubbed "UDNA." Present day leaks do mention a far out "RDNA 5" line (also "Navi 5x"), but in the same sentence as "UDNA." Kepler L2 commented on the (screen captured) presence of "ENABLE_WAVEFRONT" and "ENABLE_WAVEGROUP" kernel code properties: "I think it's related to SWC (Streaming Wave Coalescer/pseudo out-of-order execution). Each SIMD takes multiple wave32/wave64 (a wavegroup) as inputs and reorders the work items of each wave to reduce execution divergence." Fresh rumors suggest the distant RDNA 5/UDNA avenue being good enough to expand into higher-end gaming card territories. So far, RDNA 4 has hit a ceiling with Navi 48 GPU-powered Radeon 9070 XT offerings.

Labyrinth Of The Demon King Out Now on PC & Consoles

Hello everyone! It's finally time—the gates have opened to the Labyrinth Of The Demon King. The game is out now, and to celebrate we've debuted a brand-new launch trailer (see below). Labyrinth Of The Demon King has been an incredible labor of love by the developer—J. R. Hudepohl—and we've extremely excited to finally be able to share it with everyone. The game is out now on Steam, GOG, Switch, PS4 + PS5, and Xbox platforms—there's a 20% discount which will be active for the first 2 weeks.

We'd also like to thank PC Gamer for their glowing review of the game: 81/100! For a first time developer, this is a remarkable achievement. As a reminder, demo save data will not carry over to the main game. We've added a section on the main steam page as a reminder for this for new users as well. Thank you all for your tremendous support, and we hope you enjoy the game! If you do (and we certainly hope you do!) be sure to leave a review—it helps us and the developer a lot. You'll hear from us (Top Hat Studios) again soon—until then, enjoy all the Labyrinth Of The Demon King has to offer! Thank you all again for your support for during development; it feels unreal that the game is finally releasing.

UK Store Lists Lenovo Laptops Equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile GPUs

NVIDIA's unannounced GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile graphics card has emerged in almost finalized form. According to fresh reports, Laptops Direct UK listed Lenovo's "Legion 5 15IRX10" 15.1-inch (£1349.97) and "LOQ 15IRX10" 15.6-inch gaming (£1149.97) laptop models; the "83LY000AUK" and "83JE000CUK" SKUs (respectively) seem to be equipped with Team Green's truly entry-level "Blackwell" GPU. Both product descriptions hype up the GeForce RTX 5050 8 GB GPU as offering "high-level graphics performance" and being capable of taking "your visuals to new heights." Officially, this "cheapest" mobile model is supposed to be a secret—going back to late last year, leaks revealed the entire laptop-oriented GeForce RTX 50-series product stack.

Unfortunately, the latest NDA-busting disclosure coincides with similar news regarding desktop relatives. Both lines of GeForce RTX 5060 cards are due for launch next week; expertly timed with Computex 2025 events. Given NVIDIA's apparent stealthy approach, VideoCardz posits that GeForce RTX 5050 Desktop and Mobile products could be introduced in a low-key manner. So far, the firm's manufacturing partners have inadvertently let slip very basic information. The Laptops Direct leak did not include overly-detailed specifications, but momomo_us stumbled upon another unnamed example—suggesting the selection of GDDR7 VRAM. Mid-March whispers seemed to link the GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile model's destiny to this advanced memory standard.

ETH Zurich Researchers Discover New Security Vulnerability in Intel Processors

Computer scientists at ETH Zurich discover new class of vulnerabilities in Intel processors, allowing them to break down barriers between different users of a processor using carefully crafted instruction sequences. Entire processor memory can be read by employing quick, repeated attacks. Anyone who speculates on likely events ahead of time and prepares accordingly can react quicker to new developments. What practically every person does every day, consciously or unconsciously, is also used by modern computer processors to speed up the execution of programs. They have so-called speculative technologies which allow them to execute instructions on reserve that experience suggests are likely to come next. Anticipating individual computing steps accelerates the overall processing of information.

However, what boosts computer performance in normal operation can also open up a backdoor for hackers, as recent research by computer scientists from the Computer Security Group (COMSEC) at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zurich shows. The computer scientists have discovered a new class of vulnerabilities that can be exploited to misuse the prediction calculations of the CPU (central processing unit) in order to gain unauthorized access to information from other processor users.

Update:: Intel released a security advisory regarding CVE-2024-45332, accompanied by a public announcement, and provided TechPowerUp with the following statement:
"We appreciate the work done by ETH Zurich on this research and collaboration on coordinated public disclosure. Intel is strengthening its Spectre v2 hardware mitigations and recommends customers contact their system manufacturer for the appropriate update. To date, Intel is not aware of any real-world exploits of transient execution vulnerabilities.", Intel spokesperson

Zotac's Upcoming Next-Gen Gaming Zone Handheld Features Linux-Based OS

Zotac is set to unveil the next generation of its Gaming Zone handheld at Computex in Taiwan later this month, following its initial entry into the portable gaming PC market last summer. This upcoming device will feature the powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and, surprisingly, will run on a custom Manjaro Linux-based operating system specifically designed for handheld devices as reported by Liliputing. This represents a departure from using Windows or adopting Valve's SteamOS, which powers the popular Steam Deck.

The next-gen Zotac Gaming Zone will boast a 7-inch OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Inside, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Strix Point chip makes a big leap in performance compared to the first version (the first-gen Zotac Gaming Zone featured an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U Hawk Point processor with an 8-core Zen 4 CPU and 12-core RDNA 3 graphics). It has 12 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU compute units. It also comes with a better NPU to handle AI tasks. Other features include LPDDR5x memory, a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD slot (M.2 2280), Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, two USB4 ports and a 48.5Wh battery.

EA Reveals F1 25 Global Launch Times & PC Spec Requirements

F1 25: Everything You Need to Know: Launch times, PC specs, achievements, soundtrack & much more. It's almost time to hit the grid. Here's your one-stop-shop on all of the key information, content and advancements we've made to this year's game. Pre-Load Timings: first-off, let's get F1 25 onto your console/PC. If you've pre-ordered, you can download the game to your system from the dates below.

Launch Timings
The big day is fast approaching, Iconic Edition players can hit the track from as early as May 27. Check out the timings below for both Iconic and Standard Edition. Additionally, EA Play members can trial F1 25 for 5 hours from May 27, and EA Play Pro members will have full access to the Iconic Edition from the same date. Leave your mark on the world of racing in F1 25, the official video game of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, featuring a revamped My Team mode, the thrilling third chapter of Braking Point, and more!

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT "Updated" Spec Leak Indicates PCIe 5.0 x16 Interface

Late last week, Amazon's prematurely published product pages provided an early insight into XFX's alleged implementation of a 3320 MHz boost clock—90 MHz above AMD's speculated reference setting for not-yet-official Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB and 8 GB graphics cards. A couple of hours ago, momomo_us shared a fresher set of leaked specifications. The tenured PC tech industry observer outlined two separate tranches of unnamed hardware clocks—presumably linked to factory overclocked Radeon RX 9060 XT variants: "up to 3320 MHz, Game: 2780 MHz" and "up to 3290 MHz, Game: 2700 MHz." As interpreted by VideoCardz, these numbers align with older RDNA 4 rumors—previously, insiders claimed that Team Red's Navi 44 GPU was capable of clocking higher than the larger "Navi 48" sibling. According to their investigative article: "new information (indicates) that the RX 9060 XT's game clock is actually higher than the boost clock of the RX 9070 (non-XT)...The highest boost clock reported for the RX 9060 XT so far is 3320 MHz, which significantly exceeds the RX 9070 XT's 3100 MHz found on its fastest variants."

The latest momomo_us bulletin contains mostly repeated information, but graphics card analysts were confounded by the mentioning of a PCIe 5.0 x16 bus Interface. Prior disclosures have theorized the utilization of PCIe 5.0 x8; as listed within TechPowerUp's GPU database entry. VideoCardz weighed in with some credence: "small GPUs like Navi 44 typically don't require wider interfaces, as performance gains are minimal. However, with PCIe 5.0, using only 8 lanes would result in slightly reduced performance on PCIe 4.0 systems, something already seen with the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB variant. By choosing a wider interface, AMD may be attempting to avoid similar issues." Leading up to AMD's debuting of first wave RDNA 4 gaming cards, opposing speculators fought over the company's selection of PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0 standards. A public delivery of finalized Radeon RX 9060 XT specifications is likely due on May 21, during Computex 2025.

Mafia: The Old Country Director Details Gameplay Systems, Outlines Benefits of Unreal Engine 5 Toolset

Hey everyone, Mafia Game Director Alex Cox here. On behalf of the team at Hangar 13, we were thrilled to unveil our Gameplay Trailer for Mafia: The Old Country. With so many in-game details to pore over, I wanted to take this opportunity to offer some extra insights into all of the exciting action we just revealed. Here's a breakdown on some of the finer details we've packed into each scene of the trailer. As our protagonist, Enzo Favara, rides out after receiving orders from Don Torrisi, you may notice the striking contrasts between the various environments of 1900s Sicily on display. From dirt roads flanked by rural villages to dark catacombs, ornate mansions, and more, the game's distinctive setting includes a wide variety of richly detailed locales—all authentically overlapping in a way unique to this rapidly changing time period. We were spoiled for choice when deciding which visually stunning vistas would serve as the lifelike backdrop for our gritty crime drama.

Following Enzo as he descends into an ancient cistern, you'll get a closer look at Mafia: The Old Country's grounded, era-appropriate combat - including a brutal showcase of Enzo's stiletto blade in action. After quietly dispatching the guard outside, Enzo distracts the next patrolling enemy before burying a knife in his neck. Spotting another guard nearby, he hurls his blade, silently killing him from range - a moment too late as others are alerted. Even as the situation erupts into a tense firefight, this encounter highlights how gameplay blends stealth with guns-blazing combat. Each approach complements the other, creating a scrappier, more resource-strapped experience. Enzo may have missed two shots, but with the help of his knife and an explosive lantern, he clears the room using only four bullets. A core pillar of Mafia: The Old Country's combat design is the idea that "every bullet counts"—so think twice about relying solely on your firearms!

ASRock Rack Announces Support for AMD EPYC 4005 Series Processors

ASRock Rack Inc., the leading innovative server company, today announced support for the newly launched AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors across its extensive lineup of AM5 socket server systems and motherboards. This announcement reinforces ASRock Rack's commitment to delivering cutting-edge performance, broad platform compatibility, and long-term value to customers in data centers, growing businesses, and edge computing environments.

Built on the AMD 'Zen 5' architecture, the AMD EPYC 4005 Series features up to 16 SMT-enabled cores and supports DDR5 memory speeds up to 5600 MT/s, delivering class-leading performance per watt within constrained IT budgets. As AI becomes embedded in everyday business software, AMD EPYC 4005 Series CPUs provide the performance headroom needed for AI-enhanced workloads such as automated customer service and data analytics while maintaining the affordability essential for small businesses. The series expands the proven AMD EPYC portfolio with solutions purpose-built for growing infrastructure demands.

Intel Arc Xe4 "Druid" GPU Development Activity Spotted by Data Miner

The status of Intel's Arc Xe2 "Battlemage" generation is still an unknown quantity—recent leaks have alluded to a repeat rollout of existing GPU designs, albeit in the field of productivity. Team Blue has hinted about upcoming second-gen professional-grade cards, but tech enthusiasts are still fantasizing about more potent gaming options. Certain industry watchdogs reckon that Intel's graphics division has moved onto getting Arc Xe3 "Celestial" discrete solutions out of the door. Sections of a speculated C-series could act as natural gap fillers; taking the place of "absent" B750 and B770 options. These theories were buoyed earlier on in May; with insiders linking "Celestial" to a pre‑silicon validation platform.

Since late last year, it has been very quiet on the Arc Xe4 "Druid" development front; older "Visual Compute" roadmaps (now completely irrelevant) alluded to a 2025+ launch of fourth-gen designs. x86deadandback has stumbled on new-ish evidence of Xe4 "behind-the-scenes" movement—yesterday's social media post included a (data mined) screenshot of Dawn LUCI CQ activities (dated "Jan 16"). At the time, company engineers seemed to be actively working on "Gen 15/Xe4" (aka "Druid"). x86deadandback's update aligns with official (December 2024) statements—back then, Tom "TAP" Petersen confirmed that his hardware colleagues had polished off "Xe3 IP," and were already shifted onto "the next thing."

Vultr Cloud Platform Broadened with AMD EPYC 4005 Series Processors

Vultr, the world's largest privately-held cloud infrastructure company, today announced that it is one of the first cloud providers to offer the new AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors. The AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors will be available on the Vultr platform, enabling enterprise-class features and leading performance for businesses and hosted IT service providers. The AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors extend the broad AMD EPYC processor family, powering a new line of cost-effective systems designed for growing businesses and hosted IT services providers that demand performance, advanced technologies, energy efficiency, and affordability. Servers featuring the high-performance AMD EPYC 4005 Series CPUs with streamlined memory and I/O feature sets are designed to deliver compelling system price-to-performance metrics on key customer workloads. Meanwhile, the combination of up to 16 SMT-capable cores and DDR5 memory in the AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors enables smooth execution of business-critical workloads, while maintaining the thermal and power efficiency characteristics crucial for affordable compute environments.

"Vultr is committed to delivering the most advanced cloud infrastructure with unrivaled price-to-performance," said J.J. Kardwell, CEO of Vultr. "The AMD EPYC 4005 Series provides straightforward deployment, scalability, high clock speed, energy efficiency, and best-in-class performance. Whether you are a business striving to scale reliably or a developer crafting the next groundbreaking innovation, these solutions are designed to deliver exceptional value and meet demanding requirements now and in the future." Vultr's launch of systems featuring the AMD EPYC 4245P and AMD EPYC 4345P processors will expand the company's robust line of Bare Metal solutions. Vultr will also feature the AMD EPYC 4345P as part of its High Frequency Compute (HFC) offerings for organizations requiring the highest clock speeds and access to locally-attached NVMe storage.

MSI Reportedly Readying "Claw 7 A2HM" Handheld; Debates Rage Over Choice of APU

MSI's European spare parts website has listed a rear plate that can fit on its previous and current generation 7-inch handheld gaming PCs. Eagle-eyed investigators noted the presence of a third unannounced option within a compatible device list: "Claw 7 A2HM (MS-1T41)." In addition, observers noticed that the Japan Audio Society had granted certification back in February. These discoveries have fired up online debates once again; regarding a theorized AMD Ryzen Z2 APU-powered portable gaming device. An early 2025 leak suggested MSI's preparing of an unusual Claw model; apparently breaking away from their "traditional" selection of Intel SoCs. Last month, Haze2K1 reiterated their belief that the manufacturer would eventually release a new handheld with Ryzen Z2 Extreme silicon onboard. Given the complete lack of a "AI" tags/branding, MSI's speculated "Claw A2HM" SKU could arrive with a less potent NPU (or completely disabled). Current-gen marketing campaigns have hyped up the Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+'s Copilot+ credentials; driven by Team Blue's "Lunar Lake" Core Ultra 7 258V all-in-one processor.

Very recently, the Taiwanese tech firm introduced a "Polar Tempest Edition" 8-inch flagship spin-off—industry experts posit that MSI is attempting to elevate the Claw 8 AI+'s profile, following a reportedly stuttery early 2025 global rollout. Closer analysis of the "officially" leaked "A2HM" identifier points to a possible "Arrow Lake-H" visitation. As outlined by VideoCardz, this handheld could be based around some sort of Intel Core Ultra 200H chip. Elaborating on their thought process, the online publication commented: "this platform does not use Xe2 GPU cores but instead features Alchemist+ or Xe-LPG+, which is also said to deliver solid gaming performance thanks to XMX core support. Arrow Lake-H also lacks a powerful NPU, which means it doesn't meet the criteria for Copilot+ PC, so Core 200H makes sense." Three months ago, Team Blue's Robert Hallock revealed "big plans" involving futuristic "Arrow Lake-H" and "Panther Lake" portable gaming products. Given recent-ish certification to retail release timelines, handheld enthusiasts could be sizing up MSI's "Claw 7 A2HM" by late summer.

Samsung Display Unveils Advanced R&D Achievements at Display Week 2025

Samsung Display announced on May 13 that it will take part in Display Week 2025, held from May 13 to 15 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. The event, hosted by the Society for Information Display (SID), brings together display companies and experts from around the world to share cutting-edge technologies and R&D achievements.

Samsung Display is set to unveil a range of next-generation display technologies, including the industry's first non-cadmium 400-nit EL-QD and a 5,000 pixels-per-inch (PPI) RGB OLED on Silicon (OLEDoS) at Display Week 2025, reinforcing its leadership in cutting-edge panel technology. The company will also highlight its leadership in OLED innovation through a range of future-oriented technologies, including organic photodiodes (OPD), advanced sensors capable of measuring biometric data such as heart rate and blood pressure directly from light generated by a panel touched by a patient, and a high-resolution microdisplay that delivers 5,000 PPI in a compact 1.4-inch form factor.

Lost Twins 2 Co-Op Demo Available Now on Xbox & PC

Hi everyone! I'm Fawad Asghar, one of the developers at Playdew, a small indie studio based in Pakistan. I'm thrilled to share that the co-op demo for Lost Twins 2 is now live on Xbox Series X|S, Windows Store, and Steam. Whether you're a seasoned puzzle pro or someone who just wants to hang out and explore a cozy game with a friend, the co-op mode in Lost Twins 2 was designed with you in mind.

Play Together, Your Way
In Lost Twins 2, players guide separated siblings Abi and Ben through a whimsical, shifting world. But in co-op, it's not just about solving puzzles—it's about solving them together. While making the co-op mode, the focus was on the flexibility for all skill levels. One player can take the lead while the other supports, or both can play equally—it's up to you. There's no pressure, no fail states, and no "wrong" way to play. The design encourages collaboration without frustration, making it perfect for partners, siblings, or friends of any age.

US Senators Push to Geotrack High-End GPUs in New Chip Security Bill

US lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal requiring high-performance graphics cards and AI processors to carry built-in geotracking technology to keep sensitive chips out of hostile hands. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas introduced the Chip Security Act on May 12, 2025. Under this legislation, the Commerce Department would have the authority to mandate location-verification features in any device subject to US export controls, with manufacturers given six months after enactment to comply. The bill applies to a broad set of products classified under export control classification numbers 3A090, 4A090, 4A003.z, and 3A001.z. That includes everything from advanced AI accelerators and rack-scale servers to certain gaming graphics cards like NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090. Manufacturers would be required to embed hardware or firmware capable of reporting each device's physical location back to a centralized registry maintained by the Commerce Department.

Exporters must also notify the Bureau of Industry and Security immediately if a unit is diverted, tampered with, or appears at an unauthorized location. To keep pace with evolving security threats, the legislation calls for a joint one-year study by the Commerce Department and the Department of Defense on potential new tracking and safeguard mechanisms. Following that, the two departments would conduct annual reviews for three years. If they determine that additional measures are warranted, they would have two years to draft and finalize rules that outline new requirements and present a detailed implementation roadmap to Congress. NVIDIA has noted that its current architectures are not built for post-sale tracking, and adding such a capability could delay product launch schedules and increase development costs. AMD and Intel are likely to face similar obstacles, as integrating secure location-verification may require redesigning sensitive intellectual property and altering established supply-chain processes.

GIGABYTE Teases AORUS GeForce RTX 5090 Stealth Card Design; Featuring Hidden Power Connector

Late last week, Gigabyte introduced brand-new AORUS Stealth ICE X870 and B850 motherboards—utilizing reverse-connector layouts. The manufacturer's "Project STEALTH" seems to be gaining a larger presence; extending to a proprietary enclosure design. Industry observers noticed the inclusion of a semi-mysterious GeForce RTX 5090 custom card (briefly mentioned in official PR material); a promo render showcased an AORUS RTX 5090 MASTER ICE-esque unit. By reading in-between the lines and analyzing marketing imagery, VideoCardz reckons that this special card will sport a hidden power connector system—likely existing under the "Project STEALTH" banner.

Going back to 2023, a second iteration of the GeForce RTX 4090 WINDFORCE model was configured with a curious non-traditional power input placement (see example below). In recent times, Sapphire's Radeon RX 9070 XT and non-XT Nitro+ flagship cards have attracted plenty of praise—courtesy of a well-regarded hidden compartment. Gigabyte could be teasing an upcoming full reveal of its "AORUS RTX 5090 MASTER STEALTH ICE" graphics card; perhaps lined up for next week's Computex showcase. Hopefully, a forthcoming unveiling will demonstrate an innovative solution.

Supermicro Announces New MicroCloud Servers Powered by AMD EPYC 4005 Series Processors

Supermicro, Inc., a Total IT Solution Provider for AI, Cloud, Storage, and 5G/Edge, is announcing that a number of Supermicro servers are now shipping with the latest addition to the AMD based EPYC 4000 series CPUs, the AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors. These servers are optimized to deliver a powerful balance of performance density, scalability, and affordability. Supermicro will feature its new Supermicro MicroCloud multi-node solution, a 10-node CPU and a 5-node CPU + GPU version, in a 3U form factor, ideal for organizations seeking to optimize space, energy, and cost of their IT infrastructure. Supermicro's MicroCloud product family targets dedicated hosting markets where sharing the chassis, power, and cooling are desired while still maintaining physical separation.

"Supermicro continues to deliver first-to-market innovative rack-scale solutions for a wide range of use cases, with the addition of our new Supermicro MicroCloud multi-node solution that feature the latest AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors, designed to optimize the needs of on-premises or cloud service providers who need powerful but cost-effective solutions in a compact 3U form factor," said Mory Lin, Vice President, IoT/Embedded & Edge Computing at Supermicro. "These servers offer up to 2080 cores on a standard 42U rack, greatly reducing data center rack space and overall TCO for enterprise and small medium businesses."

NVIDIA DLSS 4 Comes to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, DOOM: The Dark Ages and Empyreal

More than 700 games and applications feature RTX technologies, and each week new games integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players. From today, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation is multiplying frame rates in DOOM: The Dark Ages, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Empyreal. And Deedlee Doo! Carkour! is available now with DLSS Frame Generation and DLSS Super Resolution.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Launches Today, Featuring DLSS 4 With Frame Generation & Ray Tracing
The long-awaited, much-anticipated DOOM: The Dark Ages has received universal acclaim from reviewers, and is now available in Early Access for those who purchased the Premium Edition or our GeForce RTX 50 Series bundle! Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war, now or on May 15th when DOOM: The Dark Ages launches globally, enhanced by RTX technology.

Giga Computing Supports AMD EPYC 4005 Series Processors on GIGABYTE Entry-level Enterprise Platforms

Giga Computing, an industry innovator and leader in enterprise hardware and advanced cooling solutions, today announced software support for GIGABYTE platforms using AMD EPYC 4005 Series processors. These entry-level systems hit a cost point needed for small business customers and hosted IT service providers.

Already in the marketplace, nine GIGABYTE servers and motherboards support both AMD EPYC 4005 and 4004 Series processors from the AMD AM5 platform. At Computex 2024, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su announced support for Socket AM5 through 2027, and GIGABYTE will provide the go-to-launch updates coinciding with AMD announcements for the AM5 platform. Customers looking for the update only need to visit the respective GIGABYTE product page and go to the support tab where a BIOS update is available to download.

NVIDIA Wins Multiple COMPUTEX Best Choice Awards

NVIDIA today received multiple accolades at COMPUTEX's Best Choice Awards, in recognition of innovation across the company. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU won the Gaming and Entertainment category award; the NVIDIA Quantum-X Photonics InfiniBand switch system won the Networking and Communication category award; NVIDIA DGX Spark won the Computer and System category award; and the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 system and NVIDIA Cosmos world foundation model development platform won Golden Awards. The awards recognize the outstanding functionality, innovation and market promise of technologies in each category. Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, will deliver a keynote at COMPUTEX on Monday, May 19, at 11 a.m. Taiwan time.

GB200 NVL72 and NVIDIA Cosmos Go Gold
NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 and NVIDIA Cosmos each won Golden Awards. The NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 system connects 36 NVIDIA Grace CPUs and 72 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs in a rack-scale design. It delivers 1.4 exaflops of AI performance and 30 terabytes of fast memory, as well as 30x faster real-time trillion-parameter large language model inference with 25x energy efficiency compared with the NVIDIA H100 GPU. By design, the GB200 NVL72 accelerates the most compute-intensive AI and high-performance computing workloads, including AI training and data processing for engineering design and simulation. NVIDIA Cosmos accelerates physical AI development by enabling developers to build and deploy world foundation models with unprecedented speed and scale.

MSI Introduces Server Platforms with AMD EPYC 4005 Processors for SMB Workloads

Today, MSI announced a lineup of entry-level servers and server motherboards powered by AMD EPYC 4005 Series Processors. Featuring up to 16 cores based on the Zen 5 architecture, these platforms deliver the performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness that small businesses, new business owners, and system integrators need to build reliable infrastructure, all within limited IT budgets and space footprints.

"We see this launch as a way to make enterprise-grade compute more accessible to smaller organizations," said Danny Hsu, General Manager of MSI's Enterprise Platform Solutions. "By pairing AMD EPYC 4005 Series Processors with MSI's proven hardware design, we're delivering practical, scalable server solutions built for real-world business scenarios—from private cloud and storage to web hosting and office IT systems."

Intel and Shell Advance Immersion Cooling in Xeon-Based Data Centers

As AI and high performance computing (HPC) increase the need for powerful data center infrastructure, IT operators are seeking more efficient, scalable and sustainable thermal cooling solutions. Liquid cooling is increasingly popular and expected to account for 36% of data center thermal management revenue by 2028, according to the Dell'Oro Group. However, the adoption and proliferation of liquid immersion cooling, known for its superior performance, has been hindered by a lack of certified immersion solutions that are proven and readily deployable.

In collaboration with Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc., Intel addresses this challenge by validating a full immersion solution for data centers supported by hardware from Supermicro and Submer. This first-of-its-kind solution—Intel Data Center Certified for Immersion Cooling—sets a new industry standard1 for cooling efficiency and long-term performance with the first immersion solution for 4th Gen and 5th Gen Intel Xeon processors.

AMD Announces EPYC 4005 "Grado" Zen 5 Server Processors for Socket AM5

AMD today announced the EPYC 4005 series server processors in the Socket AM5 package, codenamed "Grado." These chips come with core-counts of up to 16-core/32-thread, letting enterprise users optimally utilize their Windows Server 2005 Datacenter Edition 16-core license in dedicated server scenarios. These chips offer superior value to competing Intel Xeon E-2400 series and Intel 6300 series processors that only offer up to 8 P-cores, suboptimally utilizing the 16-core license of Windows Server 2005 Standard- and Datacenter editions.

At the silicon level, "Grado" is essentially identical to the "Granite Ridge" MCM powering the Ryzen 9000 series client desktop processors. The processor has two 4 nm "Zen 5" CCDs, and a 6 nm I/O die. The IOD has ECC memory support unlocked, and memory speeds have been increased to DDR5-5600, compared to DDR5-5200 on the IOD of the previous generation EPYC 4004 "Raphael." The processor supports up to 192 GB of ECC DDR5 memory across a 2-channel (4 sub-channel) memory interface. The "Zen 5" CPU cores are identical in features to "Granite Ridge" client and "Turin" server processors, and up with a full 512-bit data path for the AVX-512 implementation. Processor models range from 6-core/12-thread to 16-core/32-thread.

Frogwares The Sinking City Remastered Available Now

Explore the eldritch horrors, remastered in Unreal Engine 5 to offer the ultimate Lovecraftian experience. Free for existing owners. The Sinking City Remastered is out now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, fully rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 to deliver the ultimate Lovecraftian experience!

What's New in the Remastered Edition?
  • Full visual overhaul with Unreal Engine 5 lighting and effects
  • 4K textures and enhanced level of detail
  • Photo Mode to capture your descent into madness
  • Support for DLSS, FSR, and TSR upscaling
  • And more!

EIZO Releases ColorEdge CG3100X 30.5-inch DCI 4K Monitor with HDR Workflow

EIZO Corporation today introduced the 30.5-inch ColorEdge CG3100X color management monitor - the latest in EIZO's lineup of DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution monitors for post-production, joining the ColorEdge PROMINENCE CG1 and CG319X. The new CG3100X features HDR (High Dynamic Range) workflow support in editing and post-production environments, as well as USB Type-C for streamlined connectivity.

High brightness is crucial in modern editing and post-production workflows to support HDR and ensure consistent display of colors and highlights in video content. The CG3100X features a high brightness of 500 cd/m², up from 350 cd/m² in the CG319X, while delivering highly detailed images in DCI 4K. This ensures optimal display of highlights in 4K content, meeting the technical requirements of today's creators. Additionally, the monitor boasts a high contrast ratio of 1800:1 for producing true blacks and rendering shadows in high detail.

KeysOff Mother's Day Sale: Big Discounts on Genuine Software

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QNAP Launches QSW-1000 Series 8-Port Full 2.5GbE Multi-Gig Switch

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading computing, networking, and storage solutions innovator, today launched the QSW-1108-8T-R2, a 8-port Multi-Gig unmanaged switch that supports 2.5GbE high-speed connectivity. Delivering a smooth and stable wired network for Wi-Fi 6/6E, the QSW-1108-8T-R2 also enhances file backup, media streaming, and gaming experiences. With a compact, fanless design, it fits easily into any workplace, making it effortless to build an efficient desktop networking environment.

"The QSW-1108-8T-R2 is an affordable option for upgrading to 2.5GbE," said Ronald Hsu, Product Manager of QNAP, adding "Its small form factor, 30% smaller than previous models, makes it easy to connect multiple computers, NAS devices, and gaming consoles, while keeping your home or studio network clean and organized."

Intel Partner Prepares Dual Arc "Battlemage" B580 GPU with 48 GB of VRAM

If you recall NVIDIA's GTX TITAN Z GPU with two GPU dies and an impressive 6 GB of memory, it was a big deal at the time and quite an interesting engineering solution. Today, thanks to sources close to VideoCardz, we learn that Intel's Arc "Battlemage" B580 could get the next dual GPU, dual VRAM treatment. According to the source, an unnamed Intel add-in board partner is preparing to launch a GPU with two B580 dies and 48 GB of VRAM. This means that the 24 GB VRAM version of the Arc B580 we saw in EEC filings is basically confirmed, and that some models will be out for display very soon. While the BMG-G21 chip offers up to 20 Xe cores and 2,560 shader units, a dual BMG-G21 configuration will yield 40 Xe cores and 5,120 shader units working in tandem with 48 GB of VRAM.

Clearly, this model is mostly tailored to AI enthusiasts. No game (thankfully) requires 48 GB of VRAM for now, but it is still nonetheless an interesting solution to see. It has been a while since we got something like a TITAN Z, even in high-end form factors. There is a rumored Intel Arc PRO A60/B60 card carrying a B580 die with 24 GB of VRAM, tailored for local AI workloads and professional visualization. This GPU could be the base for the newly rumored dual B580, 48 GB SKU from an unnamed Intel AIB partner. We expect to hear more details at Computex, which is now just a week away!

Report: Customers Show Little Interest in AMD Instinct MI325X Accelerators

AMD's Instinct MI325X accelerator has struggled to gain traction with large customers, according to extensive data from SemiAnalysis. Launched in Q2 2025, the MI325X arrived roughly nine months after NVIDIA's H200 and concurrently with NVIDIA's "Blackwell" mass-production roll-out. That timing proved unfavourable, as many buyers opted instead for Blackwell's superior cost-per-performance ratio. Early interest from Microsoft in 2024 failed to translate into repeat orders. After the initial test purchases, Microsoft did not place any further commitments. In response, AMD reduced its margin expectations in an effort to attract other major clients. Oracle and a handful of additional hyperscalers have since expressed renewed interest, but these purchases remain modest compared with NVIDIA's volume.

A fundamental limitation of the MI325X is its eight-GPU scale-up capacity. By contrast, NVIDIA's rack-scale GB200 NVL72 supports up to 72 GPUs in a single cluster. For large-scale AI inference and frontier-level reasoning workloads, that difference is decisive. AMD positioned the MI325X against NVIDIA's air-cooled HGX B200 NVL8 and HGX B300 NVL16 modules. Even in that non-rack-scale segment, NVIDIA maintains an advantage in both raw performance and total-cost-of-ownership efficiency. Nonetheless, there remains potential for the MI325X in smaller-scale deployments that do not require extensive GPU clusters. Smaller model inference should be sufficient for eight GPU clusters, where lots of memory bandwidth and capacity are the primary needs. AMD continues to improve its software ecosystem and maintain competitive pricing, so AI labs developing mid-sized AI models may find the MI325X appealing.
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May 17th, 2025 01:44 CDT change timezone

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