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News Search:
Friday, December 13th 2024
Today's Reviews
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
- Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition ComputerBase (de)
- Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition Guru3D
- Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition HotHardware
- Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition KitGuru
- AsRock Arc B580 Steel Legend TechPowerUp
- Sparkle Arc B580 Titan OC TechPowerUp
- Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition Tom's Hardware
- Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition Tweaktown
Keyboards
ASRock Arc B580 Steel Legend Review
ASRock’s Arc B580 stands out with its impressive triple-slot, triple-fan cooling solution that achieves whisper-quiet noise levels. The stylish white design enhances its appearance, making it a perfect option for white builds using an affordable GPU.
Sparkle Arc B580 Titan OC Review
The Sparkle Arc B580 Titan OC is a custom-design version of Intel's newest card. It comes with a triple-fan cooling solution that still fits into two slots. Data in our review confirms that the cooler is considerably improved over Intel's reference card, reaching much lower temperatures.
Warframe 1999 Launch Introduces Swathe of New Content and New Cinematic Quest
On the morning of the launch of Warframe 1999, the ambitious 90s-themed update and story expansion for sci-fi-fantasy looter-shooter Warframe, Digital Extremes published the update notes for Warframe 1999, which launched in the morning of December 13. Warframe 1999 introduces a new tile-set, called Höllvania, alongside its companion cinematic quest, which will send players back in time to discover the Protoframes and help find the Protoframe creator, Albrecht Entrati. Players will form part of an underground resistance team alongside the Protoframes, although players will not play as the Protoframes or even their own Warframes in 1999. Instead, players will travel to Höllvania and complete the new Hex quest as Drifter. Höllvania has its own seasons, and players will enter the new area in winter.
The update also adds new quests and mission types in the new map, which see players hunt down and stop the Techrot and Scaldra in a number of classic Warframe game modes, including assassination, exterminate, and Warframe's first PvPvE mode. Along with the new game modes, there is also a new Warframe—appropriately called Cyte-09, sticking with the 90s theme—who looks to be something of an all-rounder, thanks to his abilities. Cyte-09 also drops with his own signature rifle, the Reconifex, which applies a heat effect and reload speed buff on timed reloads, and the Vesper77 secondary, which appears to be a critical-based sidearm that highlights weak points when aiming down the sights. There are also a number of changes coming to Warframe's core gameplay, including the introduction of the Atomicycle motorcycle, which will be available for all open maps, and the long-awaited Nyx and Trinity reworks. Find out more about the more minor changes in the full Warframe 1999 patch notes.
The update also adds new quests and mission types in the new map, which see players hunt down and stop the Techrot and Scaldra in a number of classic Warframe game modes, including assassination, exterminate, and Warframe's first PvPvE mode. Along with the new game modes, there is also a new Warframe—appropriately called Cyte-09, sticking with the 90s theme—who looks to be something of an all-rounder, thanks to his abilities. Cyte-09 also drops with his own signature rifle, the Reconifex, which applies a heat effect and reload speed buff on timed reloads, and the Vesper77 secondary, which appears to be a critical-based sidearm that highlights weak points when aiming down the sights. There are also a number of changes coming to Warframe's core gameplay, including the introduction of the Atomicycle motorcycle, which will be available for all open maps, and the long-awaited Nyx and Trinity reworks. Find out more about the more minor changes in the full Warframe 1999 patch notes.
Minisforum MS-A1 Mini PC Finally Gets The 16-Core Ryzen 9 9950X Treatment
Minisforum is an easily recognizable brand that is well-regarded for its lineup of mini PCs. The MS-A1 is one such mid-range offering that boasts an AM5 socket, and the product is now available to configure with the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X with a 100 W TDP, which happens to be an absolute monstrosity of a desktop CPU with hefty cooling requirements.
The system was already available with a Ryzen 7 8700G, which was most likely performant enough for most people. The MS-A1 does not feature dedicated graphics, which is why the Ryzen 7 8700G was a great choice thanks to its relatively potent iGPU. However, it is no surprise that there are many workloads that demand raw CPU power over anything else, and the MS-A1 with the Ryzen 9 9950X will be an excellent option for such demanding scenarios. That said, since the system does not feature discrete graphics, the Radeon 610M iGPU found in the 9950X will simply not be able to keep up with any GPU-intensive workloads.
The system was already available with a Ryzen 7 8700G, which was most likely performant enough for most people. The MS-A1 does not feature dedicated graphics, which is why the Ryzen 7 8700G was a great choice thanks to its relatively potent iGPU. However, it is no surprise that there are many workloads that demand raw CPU power over anything else, and the MS-A1 with the Ryzen 9 9950X will be an excellent option for such demanding scenarios. That said, since the system does not feature discrete graphics, the Radeon 610M iGPU found in the 9950X will simply not be able to keep up with any GPU-intensive workloads.
Samsung Introduces Lunar Lake-powered Galaxy Book 5 Pro with 25 Hour Battery Life
Laptops powered by Intel's Lunar Lake family of processors have been seeping out slowly but steadily into the market. Samsung has no intention of sitting idle either, and has lifted the curtains on its Galaxy Book 5 Pro with an impressive AMOLED display and a battery life claim of a stupendous 25 hours. The laptop will be launched in South Korea on January 2, and a global rollout should follow thereafter.
Basically, the Book 5 Pro is the more affordable sibling of the Book 5 Pro 360. As the sharp-eyed amongst you may have already guessed, the Book 5 Pro does not feature the 360° hinge, which allowed the Book 5 Pro 360 to function as a convertible. Now, of course, a lot of people simply do not care about having convertible functionality, and the newly announced notebook is likely targeted at them.
Basically, the Book 5 Pro is the more affordable sibling of the Book 5 Pro 360. As the sharp-eyed amongst you may have already guessed, the Book 5 Pro does not feature the 360° hinge, which allowed the Book 5 Pro 360 to function as a convertible. Now, of course, a lot of people simply do not care about having convertible functionality, and the newly announced notebook is likely targeted at them.
Fresh Lenovo Legion Go S Design Leak Reveals Colorways and Mystery Steam Button
We have already witnessed a multitude of rumors surrounding the Legion Go S gaming handheld. The product is expected to boast an AMD Ryzen Z2 chip, which, unfortunately, will be based on the older Zen 3+ architecture and features a Radeon 680M iGPU. The system will include 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory, and an 8-inch, 1200p IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. As for pricing, the Legion Go S is expected to cost around €600, and most likely cheaper outside of Europe, putting it in the ballpark of the Steam Deck OLED. Now, leaker Evan Blass has shared a few more images of the device, further revealing a few more details.
Firstly, the image reveals the colorways that the Legion Go S will be available in: black and white. Interestingly, the image also reveals what appears to be a button that is dedicated for Steam, which, so far, we have only seen in the Steam Deck. As VideoCardz notes, there is no concrete information at the moment regarding the purpose of the button. It is possible that the Legion Go S might run SteamOS, although the button might also exist to simply open up Steam. Unfortunately, the leak gives us no further information regarding the product. The Legion Go S is expected to see the light of day at CES 2025, which, luckily for us, happens to be just around the corner.
Borderlands 4 Trailer Quashes Returning Vault Hunter Speculation, Reveals Large-Scale Conflict and Pod Racers
As expected, a new trailer for Borderlands 4 officially launched at The Game Awards this week, and, although it has poured cold water on speculation of the return of Gaige, the DLC vault hunter from Borderlands 2, there are some intriguing details in the trailer. For starters, we got a look at what looks to be the next Borderlands villain—or maybe even villains—and it looks like the inter-faction conflicts will play a much larger role in Borderlands 4, with larger-scale conflicts at least being part of the lore, if not the actual gameplay.
The new Game Awards trailer picks up where the previous teaser trailer left off, as teased by Gearbox CEO, Randy Pitchford, but it turns out the robotic arm didn't belong to Gaige, the mechromancer, as previously suspected. Instead, the character picking up the mask at the start of the new trailer appears to be the cruel leader of some sort of robotic bandit militia preparing to do battle against an army of soldiers or drones, who bear some similarities to the Eridian from past Borderlands games and are being led by a single general, who also seems to be a main villain in the game—perhaps some invading force looking to exploit the planet. The resulting conflict between the two rival factions is on a larger scale than we've seen in previous Borderlands games, although there have always been inter-faction conflicts in Borderlands games. Of course, new enemies and factions aren't the only details included in the new Borderlands 4 trailer.
The new Game Awards trailer picks up where the previous teaser trailer left off, as teased by Gearbox CEO, Randy Pitchford, but it turns out the robotic arm didn't belong to Gaige, the mechromancer, as previously suspected. Instead, the character picking up the mask at the start of the new trailer appears to be the cruel leader of some sort of robotic bandit militia preparing to do battle against an army of soldiers or drones, who bear some similarities to the Eridian from past Borderlands games and are being led by a single general, who also seems to be a main villain in the game—perhaps some invading force looking to exploit the planet. The resulting conflict between the two rival factions is on a larger scale than we've seen in previous Borderlands games, although there have always been inter-faction conflicts in Borderlands games. Of course, new enemies and factions aren't the only details included in the new Borderlands 4 trailer.
Next-Gen HDMI Specifications to Be Announced in January Before CES 2025
The HDMI Forum confirmed the development of the next-generation HDMI standard with increased bandwidth. According to various media reports, including Videocardz and Dday, the press release from HDMI Forum indicates the possibility of new cables or refinement of existing specifications. Moreover, it could mean we will have new HDMI 2.2 specs. The current HDMI 2.1 specifications, established in 2017, provide bandwidth up to 48 Gbps and support native non-DSC configurations for 4K at 144 Hz and 8K at 30 Hz. When combined with Display Stream Compression (DSC) technology, the current standard can handle up to 10K at 120 Hz. A bandwidth increase could enable higher resolutions and refresh rates without DSC compression.
This development of new HDMI specifications is due to the emergence of other display interface standards such as DisplayPort 2.1, which offers up to 80 Gbps over UHBR20. AMD's Radeon RX 7000 series and Intel's recently launched Arc Battlemage GPUs support UHBR 13.5 while the Radeon PRO supports UHBR20. The HDMI Forum is scheduled to release these new specifications on January 6th, one day before the official CES 2025 opening event on January 7th. With the launch of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 and AMD's Radeon RX 8000 series at CES 2025, it would be interesting to see if the latest graphics cards will support the HDMI 2.2 specs.
This development of new HDMI specifications is due to the emergence of other display interface standards such as DisplayPort 2.1, which offers up to 80 Gbps over UHBR20. AMD's Radeon RX 7000 series and Intel's recently launched Arc Battlemage GPUs support UHBR 13.5 while the Radeon PRO supports UHBR20. The HDMI Forum is scheduled to release these new specifications on January 6th, one day before the official CES 2025 opening event on January 7th. With the launch of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 and AMD's Radeon RX 8000 series at CES 2025, it would be interesting to see if the latest graphics cards will support the HDMI 2.2 specs.
Ubisoft Adds Steam Achievements to Swathe of Assassin's Creed Games
Ubisoft recently, and after a long period of reluctance, decided to add Steam achievements to some of its Assassin's Creed games it had launched on Steam. This comes shortly after Ubisoft launched Assassin's Creed Mirage to Steam with achievements already baked-in. Now, Assassin's Creed Unity, Black Flag, Revelations, and Syndicate all join AC Mirage in the Steam Achievements family. Putting the cherry on top of the achievement pie, any achievements already earned while playing the Steam versions of these Assassin's Creed games will retroactively apply to your Steam account.
The recently added Steam achievements are all pretty standard fare, with each game getting in the neighborhood of 50-60 achievements, except for AC Revelations, which only has 48 achievements. Where Ubisoft previously almost spitefully neglected its Steam audience, with many Assassin's Creed and other AAA games only coming to Steam long after their initial launch—largely without support for achievements and other advanced features—the game developer has seemingly realized the value of Steam as a platform.
The recently added Steam achievements are all pretty standard fare, with each game getting in the neighborhood of 50-60 achievements, except for AC Revelations, which only has 48 achievements. Where Ubisoft previously almost spitefully neglected its Steam audience, with many Assassin's Creed and other AAA games only coming to Steam long after their initial launch—largely without support for achievements and other advanced features—the game developer has seemingly realized the value of Steam as a platform.
Saber Interactive Brings Back Legendary Franchise With Turok: Origins
At The Game Awards, Saber Interactive, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, revealed Turok: Origins, a new evolution of the classic dinosaur-hunting game franchise that began nearly 30 years ago. Developed and published by Saber, this fast-paced, third-person, sci-fi shooter, featuring both solo and cooperative action for up to three players, will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Watch the debut trailer now and get your very first look at the epic gameplay and spectacle of Turok: Origins.
Turok: Origins revives the legendary game franchise's action and spirit while bringing it forward into the modern era with a completely new look, story, and gameplay. Players will take on the role of fierce Turok warriors to face off against ferocious dinosaurs and a terrifying alien threat that seeks to destroy all human life in the galaxy. Fans can unleash devastating attacks on enemies with weapons and abilities, and harness fallen enemies' DNA to upgrade their arsenal. Players will embark on a high-stakes adventure - solo or with friends - to unravel mysteries that hold the key to saving humanity.
Turok: Origins revives the legendary game franchise's action and spirit while bringing it forward into the modern era with a completely new look, story, and gameplay. Players will take on the role of fierce Turok warriors to face off against ferocious dinosaurs and a terrifying alien threat that seeks to destroy all human life in the galaxy. Fans can unleash devastating attacks on enemies with weapons and abilities, and harness fallen enemies' DNA to upgrade their arsenal. Players will embark on a high-stakes adventure - solo or with friends - to unravel mysteries that hold the key to saving humanity.
The Outer Worlds 2 Gets New Trailer at The Game Awards, Coming in 2025
The call to go beyond the stars is here once again, and it's bigger, bolder, and more unpredictable than ever. We just revealed a first gameplay trailer for The Outer Worlds 2 during The Game Awards 2024, promising a fresh adventure in a brand-new colony next year. No really, we know we're not supposed to promise things in marketing, but the setting is completely new, so this is all factual. Just don't break the colony again. We're looking at each of you who sent the Hope into the sun in the last game.
In true Obsidian Entertainment fashion, you carve your path through Arcadia, a colony teeming with factions, intrigue, and chaos. It's also home of skip drive technology and where the fate of the entire colony - and the galaxy - rests. As a daring, undeniably good-looking, and questionably competent Earth Directorate agent, you're tasked with uncovering the source of devastating rifts threatening the entire galaxy. Talk about stakes (not to be confused with raptidon steaks, those are very different)! The choice of how to deal with the rifts is up to you. "Your worlds, your way," as we say at Obsidian.
In true Obsidian Entertainment fashion, you carve your path through Arcadia, a colony teeming with factions, intrigue, and chaos. It's also home of skip drive technology and where the fate of the entire colony - and the galaxy - rests. As a daring, undeniably good-looking, and questionably competent Earth Directorate agent, you're tasked with uncovering the source of devastating rifts threatening the entire galaxy. Talk about stakes (not to be confused with raptidon steaks, those are very different)! The choice of how to deal with the rifts is up to you. "Your worlds, your way," as we say at Obsidian.
Intel Co-CEO Dampens Expectations for First-Gen "Falcon Shores" GPU
Intel's ambitious plan to challenge AMD and NVIDIA in the AI accelerator market may still be a little questionable, according to recent comments from interim co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus at the Barclays 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference. The company's "Falcon Shores" project, which aims to merge Gaudi AI capabilities with Intel's data center GPU technology for HPC workloads, received surprising commentary from Holthaus. "We really need to think about how we go from Gaudi to our first generation of Falcon Shores, which is a GPU," she stated, before acknowledging potential limitations. "And I'll tell you right now, is it going to be wonderful? No, but it is a good first step."
Intel's pragmatic approach to AI hardware development was further highlighted when Holthaus addressed the company's product strategy. Rather than completely overhauling their development pipeline, she emphasized the value of iterative progress: "If you just stop everything and you go back to doing like all new product, products take a really long time to come to market. And so, you know, you're two years to three years out from having something." The co-CEO advocated for a more agile approach, stating, "I'd rather have something that I can do in smaller volume, learn, iterate, and get better so that we can get there." She acknowledged the enduring nature of AI market opportunities, particularly noting the current focus on training while highlighting the potential in other areas: "Obviously, AI is not going away. Obviously training is, you know, the focus today, but there's inference opportunities in other places where there will be different needs from a hardware perspective."
Intel's pragmatic approach to AI hardware development was further highlighted when Holthaus addressed the company's product strategy. Rather than completely overhauling their development pipeline, she emphasized the value of iterative progress: "If you just stop everything and you go back to doing like all new product, products take a really long time to come to market. And so, you know, you're two years to three years out from having something." The co-CEO advocated for a more agile approach, stating, "I'd rather have something that I can do in smaller volume, learn, iterate, and get better so that we can get there." She acknowledged the enduring nature of AI market opportunities, particularly noting the current focus on training while highlighting the potential in other areas: "Obviously, AI is not going away. Obviously training is, you know, the focus today, but there's inference opportunities in other places where there will be different needs from a hardware perspective."
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Coming to PC on January 23, 2025, Gets New Trailer and System Requirements
This evening at The Game Awards 2024 show, Square Enix announced that FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is set for a PC launch on January 23, 2025. Pre-orders are now live on Steam and Epic Games stores.
The PC version introduces new features and customizations to take full advantage of the platform:
The PC version introduces new features and customizations to take full advantage of the platform:
- LIGHTING - Lighting has been adjusted, and the game's overall rendering of light is significantly improved. The updated areas and cutscenes present with even greater beauty and clarity than before.
- FRAMERATE AND RESOLUTION - NVIDIA DLSS support means that frame rates can be enhanced and image quality upscaled. There is now also support for variable refresh rate (VRR).
- TEXTURES - The Level of Detail (LoD) for background models and MIP maps for background textures can both be freely configured in the options settings. With this background polygon density and texture density can be set higher than was previously possible, allowing for gameplay with higher-quality graphics.
The Witcher IV Gets New Trailer at The Game Awards, Pre-Rendered on Unannounced NVIDIA RTX GPU
CD Projekt RED pulled out a rabbit out of its hat, revealing the first trailer for the upcoming The Witcher IV title. The new trailer is pre-rendered in a custom build of Unreal Engine 5, which CD Projekt RED is now using instead of its own in-house engine, as announced earlier. More interestingly, it is pre-rendered on an "unannounced NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU." CD Projekt RED teamed up with Platige Image, who were responsible for intro cinematics in the previous Witcher games.
The trailer, which is almost six minutes long, follows Ciri, which confirms earlier rumors that the game might focus on Ciri as the main character. As detailed by CD Projekt RED, the trailer shows Ciri's new abilities and tools, as well as a small part of the story, a witcher contract set in a remote village. CD Projekt RED is promising that The Witcher IV will be "the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date."
The trailer, which is almost six minutes long, follows Ciri, which confirms earlier rumors that the game might focus on Ciri as the main character. As detailed by CD Projekt RED, the trailer shows Ciri's new abilities and tools, as well as a small part of the story, a witcher contract set in a remote village. CD Projekt RED is promising that The Witcher IV will be "the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date."
Capcom Reveals Onimusha: Way of the Sword at The Game Awards 2024, Set to Launch in 2026
Today at The Game Awards 2024, Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, revealed Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The action game is an all-new adventure in the classic Onimusha franchise. The series' first new installment in nearly two decades, Onimusha: Way of the Sword returns to a dark fantasy feudal Japan where samurai clash with the supernatural in cutting-edge combat. Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches worldwide in 2026 for PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.
Onimusha is rooted in the Sengoku period, Japan's legendary age of warring states. The games infuse history with Japanese folklore to tell tales of warriors who wield the mystical power of the Oni. These heroes are drawn into conflict with the Genma, relentless monsters hellbent on conquering the world. The franchise debuted in 2001 and instantly captivated players with its satisfying sword-based combat and exhilarating "Issen" counterattack mechanics. The series also gained recognition for its spellbinding stories portraying historical figures and real events in a dark fantasy setting. Now, having grown in popularity as one of Capcom's best-selling properties, Onimusha is entering a whole new era.
Onimusha is rooted in the Sengoku period, Japan's legendary age of warring states. The games infuse history with Japanese folklore to tell tales of warriors who wield the mystical power of the Oni. These heroes are drawn into conflict with the Genma, relentless monsters hellbent on conquering the world. The franchise debuted in 2001 and instantly captivated players with its satisfying sword-based combat and exhilarating "Issen" counterattack mechanics. The series also gained recognition for its spellbinding stories portraying historical figures and real events in a dark fantasy setting. Now, having grown in popularity as one of Capcom's best-selling properties, Onimusha is entering a whole new era.
Thermal Grizzly Launches New Thermal Putty Gap Fillers in Three Different Versions
Thermal Grizzly's Thermal Putty offers a premium alternative to traditional thermal pads. It is electrically non-conductive, easy to apply, and functions as a flexible gap filler that compensates for height differences. This makes it an ideal replacement for thermal pads in graphics cards. Graphics cards are typically equipped with thermal pads of varying heights from the factory. When replacing these pads or upgrading to a GPU water cooler, matching replacement pads are necessary.
TG Thermal Putty can compensate for height differences from 0.2 to 3.0 mm, making it a versatile solution. Thermal Putty can be applied in two ways. Firstly, it can be applied over large areas using the included spatulas. Alternatively, it can be applied manually (gloves are recommended). When applied by hand, small beads can be shaped to fit the specific contact surfaces (e.g., VRAM, SMD).
TG Thermal Putty can compensate for height differences from 0.2 to 3.0 mm, making it a versatile solution. Thermal Putty can be applied in two ways. Firstly, it can be applied over large areas using the included spatulas. Alternatively, it can be applied manually (gloves are recommended). When applied by hand, small beads can be shaped to fit the specific contact surfaces (e.g., VRAM, SMD).
SK hynix Platinum P51 Launches in South Korea
Although it was revealed back in March this year, SK hynix new Platinum P51 PCIe 5.0 has only just now launched in South Korea and the specs have been boosted since March. The official sequential read speed is now rated at 14.7 GB/s vs. 13.5 GB/s in March and likewise, the sequential write speed has increased to 13.4 GB/s from 11.5 GB/s. We're also looking at a random IOPS read speed of up to 2,300k and random write IOPS of up to 2,400k. This compares really favourably compared to Phison E26 based SSDs, especially the random IOPS are very impressive.
However, it's not all good news, as the endurance tops out at 1200 TBW on the 2 TB SKU, which is pretty much what every other modern SSD offers today and somewhat disappointing considering that we're looking at SK hynix 238 layer 3D TLC NAND here. The 2 TB SKU is also the largest size available for now and the Platinum P51 will also come in 1 TB and 500 GB flavours. The drive has already been quickly benchmarked by South Korean hardware site Quasar Zone and it delivers in terms of the claimed speeds from the manufacturer, at least according to the CrystalDiskMark numbers. No pricing has tipped up as yet, so we'll have to wait to see how competitive the drive will be in an already crowded market. However, it's worth keeping in mind that SK hynix tends to charge a premium for its SSDs over many of its competitors.
However, it's not all good news, as the endurance tops out at 1200 TBW on the 2 TB SKU, which is pretty much what every other modern SSD offers today and somewhat disappointing considering that we're looking at SK hynix 238 layer 3D TLC NAND here. The 2 TB SKU is also the largest size available for now and the Platinum P51 will also come in 1 TB and 500 GB flavours. The drive has already been quickly benchmarked by South Korean hardware site Quasar Zone and it delivers in terms of the claimed speeds from the manufacturer, at least according to the CrystalDiskMark numbers. No pricing has tipped up as yet, so we'll have to wait to see how competitive the drive will be in an already crowded market. However, it's worth keeping in mind that SK hynix tends to charge a premium for its SSDs over many of its competitors.
JPR: Q3'24 PC Graphics AiB Shipments Decreased 14.5% Compared to the Last Quarter
According to a new research report from the analyst firm Jon Peddie Research, the growth of the global PC-based graphics add-in board market reached 8.1 million units in Q3'24 and desktop PC CPU shipments increased to 20.1 million units. Overall, AIBs will have a compound annual growth rate of -6.0% from 2024 to 2028 and reach an installed base of 119 million units at the end of the forecast period. Over the next five years, the penetration of AIBs in desktop PCs will be 83%.
As indicated in the following chart, AMD's overall AIB market share decreased -2.0% from last quarter, and NVIDIA's market share increased by 2.0%. These slight flips of market share in a down quarter don't mean much except to the winner. The overall market dynamics haven't changed.
As indicated in the following chart, AMD's overall AIB market share decreased -2.0% from last quarter, and NVIDIA's market share increased by 2.0%. These slight flips of market share in a down quarter don't mean much except to the winner. The overall market dynamics haven't changed.
- The AIB overall attach rate in desktop PCs for the quarter decreased to 141%, down -26.9% from last quarter.
- The desktop PC CPU market decreased -3.4% year to year and increased 42.2% quarter to quarter, which influenced the attach rate of AIBs.
Cable Matters Unveils Next-Gen Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station
Cable Matters Inc., a leading connectivity solutions provider, has announced the launch of its Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station, setting an important benchmark for speed, simplicity, and reliability, and offering unmatched performance for modern professionals, gamers, and content creators.
Utilizing Thunderbolt 5 technology, the docking station offers up to 120 Gbps of bandwidth-three times more than Thunderbolt 4-enabling ultra-fast data transfers and superior display experiences. It features an upstream Thunderbolt 5 port compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 5, and USB4 based hosts, and three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports for versatile connections to monitors, SSDs, and other devices. The downstream ports support up to three 8K@60 Hz monitors or two 8K@120 Hz displays for enhanced visual clarity, gameplay, and multitasking.
Utilizing Thunderbolt 5 technology, the docking station offers up to 120 Gbps of bandwidth-three times more than Thunderbolt 4-enabling ultra-fast data transfers and superior display experiences. It features an upstream Thunderbolt 5 port compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 5, and USB4 based hosts, and three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports for versatile connections to monitors, SSDs, and other devices. The downstream ports support up to three 8K@60 Hz monitors or two 8K@120 Hz displays for enhanced visual clarity, gameplay, and multitasking.
Samsung The Premiere 8K Projector Launched
Samsung Electronics today announced that The Premiere 8K, the company's flagship premium projector, has received the industry's first 8K Association (8KA) certification for 8K projectors. This recognition underscores Samsung's leadership in projection technology while setting a new benchmark for the industry.
"The Premiere 8K receiving the industry's first 8KA certification is a major milestone as it officially demonstrates the new potential of projector technology." said Taeyoung Son, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "We are committed to expanding the 8K ecosystem by continuously and extensively integrating new technologies."
"The Premiere 8K receiving the industry's first 8KA certification is a major milestone as it officially demonstrates the new potential of projector technology." said Taeyoung Son, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "We are committed to expanding the 8K ecosystem by continuously and extensively integrating new technologies."
The Last of Us Part II Remastered Comes to PC April 3, 2025
We here at Naughty Dog are thrilled to finally announce that The Last of Us Part II Remastered will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on April 3, 2025. Originally released for the PlayStation 5 console earlier this year, Part II Remastered allows players to continue the acclaimed story of The Last of Us with a definitive version featuring the award-winning campaign, new modes, improved quality, and more. But before we dive into how that experience is making the jump to PC be sure to watch our announcement trailer below.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is designed to let players who have never experienced this story to do so in the best way possible, while also offering those replaying the story to deepen their appreciation for its creation, mechanics, and all the incredible work done by our team at Naughty Dog.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is designed to let players who have never experienced this story to do so in the best way possible, while also offering those replaying the story to deepen their appreciation for its creation, mechanics, and all the incredible work done by our team at Naughty Dog.
Mafia: The Old Country Delivers Thrilling First Look at The Game Awards, Release in Summer 2025
Today, 2K and Hangar 13 released a new trailer for Mafia: The Old Country, introducing the brutal criminal underworld of 1900s Sicily at The Game Awards. Marking the start of a new crime saga for the acclaimed Mafia franchise, Mafia: The Old Country is an all-new story set in the Mafia universe, harkening back to the roots of organized crime with a compelling new cast of characters.
As a linear, narrative-driven game, Mafia: The Old Country is a focused package perfect for fans looking to engross themselves in an unfamiliar world of danger and intrigue. The graphically stunning cinematic experience features a story grounded in the brutal world of organized crime that authentically immerses players with dangerous combat systems featuring high-stakes, grounded stealth and gunplay mechanics.
As a linear, narrative-driven game, Mafia: The Old Country is a focused package perfect for fans looking to engross themselves in an unfamiliar world of danger and intrigue. The graphically stunning cinematic experience features a story grounded in the brutal world of organized crime that authentically immerses players with dangerous combat systems featuring high-stakes, grounded stealth and gunplay mechanics.
Intel "Panther Lake" Confirmed on 18A Node, Powering-On With ES0 Silicon Revision
During Barclays 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference, Intel was a guest and two of the interim company co-CEOs Michelle Johnston Holthaus and David Zinsner gave a little update on the state of affairs at Intel. One of the most interesting aspects of the talk was Intel's upcoming "Panther Lake" processor—a direct successor to Intel Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake-H" mobile processors. The company confirmed that Panther Lake would utilize an Intel 18A node and that a few select customers have powered on Panther Lake on the E0 engineering sample chip. "Now we are using Intel Foundry for Panther Lake, which is our 2025 product, which will land on 18A. And this is the first time that we're customer zero in a long time on an Intel process," said interim co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus, adding, "But just to give some assurances, on Panther Lake, we have our ES0 samples out with customers. We have eight customers that have powered on, which gives you just kind of an idea that the health of the silicon is good and the health of the Foundry is good."
While we don't know what ES0 means for Intel internally, we can assume that it is one of the first engineering samples on the 18A. The "ES" moniker usually refers to engineering samples, and zero after it could be the first design iteration. For reference, Intel's "Panther Lake-H" will reportedly have up to 18 cores: 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores, and 4 LP cores. The design brings back low-power island E-cores in the SoC tile. The P-cores use "Cougar Cove," which should have a higher IPC than "Lion Cove," while keeping the existing "Skymont" E-cores. The SoC tile may move from Arrow Lake's 6 nm to a newer process to fit the LP cores and an updated NPU. The iGPU is said to use the Xe3 "Celestial" architecture. With Arrow Lake-H launching in early 2025, Panther Lake-H likely won't arrive until 2026.
While we don't know what ES0 means for Intel internally, we can assume that it is one of the first engineering samples on the 18A. The "ES" moniker usually refers to engineering samples, and zero after it could be the first design iteration. For reference, Intel's "Panther Lake-H" will reportedly have up to 18 cores: 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores, and 4 LP cores. The design brings back low-power island E-cores in the SoC tile. The P-cores use "Cougar Cove," which should have a higher IPC than "Lion Cove," while keeping the existing "Skymont" E-cores. The SoC tile may move from Arrow Lake's 6 nm to a newer process to fit the LP cores and an updated NPU. The iGPU is said to use the Xe3 "Celestial" architecture. With Arrow Lake-H launching in early 2025, Panther Lake-H likely won't arrive until 2026.
CoolIT Systems Continues to Expand Manufacturing Capabilities
CoolIT Systems (CoolIT), the world's leader in liquid cooling systems for advanced computing, is continuing to invest in its manufacturing capabilities to support the surging demand for liquid cooling of AI systems. Along with a 25x capacity expansion in a new Calgary, Canada manufacturing facility, CoolIT recently hired Scott Hudson as Vice President of Quality to lead the company's development of world-class quality operations and systems.
"As the leader in direct liquid cooling for over two decades, our customers expect leading performance and reliability from CoolIT products," said CoolIT's COO Patrick McGinn. " Adding Scott as CoolIT's VP of Quality reinforces CoolIT's commitment to developing best-in-class quality standards for liquid cooling products." Scott joins CoolIT from Celestica, where he led the company's global quality strategy for all business segments across over 30 sites. His career spans three decades of quality leadership roles in the worldwide computer hardware industry, overseeing multi-site operations in North America, Asia and Europe.
"As the leader in direct liquid cooling for over two decades, our customers expect leading performance and reliability from CoolIT products," said CoolIT's COO Patrick McGinn. " Adding Scott as CoolIT's VP of Quality reinforces CoolIT's commitment to developing best-in-class quality standards for liquid cooling products." Scott joins CoolIT from Celestica, where he led the company's global quality strategy for all business segments across over 30 sites. His career spans three decades of quality leadership roles in the worldwide computer hardware industry, overseeing multi-site operations in North America, Asia and Europe.
Thursday, December 12th 2024
Today's Reviews
Cases
CPU Coolers
Gaming PC
Graphics Cards
Keyboards
Motherboards
Intel Arc B580 Review - Excellent Value
The next-generation Intel Arc graphics cards are here! The B580, powered by the Battlemage architecture, is priced at a highly competitive $250. Testing in our review confirms that Intel's new card outperforms both NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4060 and AMD's RX 7600, and it now supports frame generation as well.
Ayar Labs, with Investments from AMD, Intel Capital, and NVIDIA, Secures $155 Million Series D Funding
Ayar Labs, the leader in optical interconnect solutions for large-scale AI workloads, today announced it has secured $155 million in financing led by Advent Global Opportunities and Light Street Capital to break down the AI bottleneck of data movement with its optical I/O technology. This brings the company's total funding to $370 million and raises the company's valuation to above $1 billion.
The strength of the round and caliber of investors, including participation from AMD Ventures, Intel Capital, and NVIDIA, marks another key milestone as Ayar Labs prepares its optical solution for high volume manufacturing strategically aligned to customer roadmaps. Other new strategic and financial investors participating in the round include 3M Ventures and Autopilot. They join existing investors such as Applied Ventures LLC, Axial Partners, Boardman Bay Capital Management, GlobalFoundries, IAG Capital Partners, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Playground Global, and VentureTech Alliance.
The strength of the round and caliber of investors, including participation from AMD Ventures, Intel Capital, and NVIDIA, marks another key milestone as Ayar Labs prepares its optical solution for high volume manufacturing strategically aligned to customer roadmaps. Other new strategic and financial investors participating in the round include 3M Ventures and Autopilot. They join existing investors such as Applied Ventures LLC, Axial Partners, Boardman Bay Capital Management, GlobalFoundries, IAG Capital Partners, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Playground Global, and VentureTech Alliance.
Google Announces Android XR
We started Android over a decade ago with a simple idea: transform computing for everyone. Android powers more than just phones—it's on tablets, watches, TVs, cars and more.
Now, we're taking the next step into the future. Advancements in AI are making interacting with computers more natural and conversational. This inflection point enables new extended reality (XR) devices, like headsets and glasses, to understand your intent and the world around you, helping you get things done in entirely new ways.
Now, we're taking the next step into the future. Advancements in AI are making interacting with computers more natural and conversational. This inflection point enables new extended reality (XR) devices, like headsets and glasses, to understand your intent and the world around you, helping you get things done in entirely new ways.
Unlock the Infinite Possibilities of XR With Samsung Galaxy AI
Imagine being able to step into any world in an instant—from the bustling streets of New York City to the snowy mountain tops of the Alps. These worlds are no longer merely places to observe from afar. They can now be explored and interacted with simply through a gaze, a gesture or your voice. What once seemed like science fiction has become a reality as eXtended reality (XR) transforms how we engage with the world around us.
XR is an umbrella term for technologies that use digital elements to extend or alter reality by merging the physical and digital worlds together. This includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) as well as other similar technologies yet to be developed. XR offers infinite possibilities, creating a dynamic spatial canvas where users' sight, sound and motion combine to interact with the outside world. A world that will unlock unprecedented experiences across core areas of life, from working and learning to entertainment, gaming and even health and wellness.
XR is an umbrella term for technologies that use digital elements to extend or alter reality by merging the physical and digital worlds together. This includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) as well as other similar technologies yet to be developed. XR offers infinite possibilities, creating a dynamic spatial canvas where users' sight, sound and motion combine to interact with the outside world. A world that will unlock unprecedented experiences across core areas of life, from working and learning to entertainment, gaming and even health and wellness.
NVIDIA GeForce NOW Gets Six New Games This Week
From heart-pounding action games to remastered classics, there's something for everyone this GFN Thursday. Six new titles join the cloud this week, starting with The Thing: Remastered. Face the horrors of the Antarctic as the game oozes onto GeForce NOW. Nightdive Studios' revival of the cult-classic 2002 survival-horror game came to the cloud as a surprise at the PC Gaming Show last week. Since then, GeForce NOW members have been able to experience all the bone-chilling action in the sequel to the title based on Universal Pictures' genre-defining 1982 film. And don't miss out on the limited-time GeForce NOW holiday sale, which offers 50% off the first month of a new Ultimate or Performance membership. The 25% off Day Pass sale ends today - take advantage of the offer to experience 24 hours of cloud gaming with all the benefits of Ultimate or Performance membership.
It's Alive!
The Thing: Remastered brings the 2002 third-person shooter into the modern era with stunning visual upgrades, including improved character models, textures and animations, all meticulously crafted to enhance the game's already-tense atmosphere. Playing as Captain J.F. Blake, leader of a U.S. governmental rescue team, navigate the blood-curdling aftermath of the events depicted in the original film. Trust is a precious commodity as members command their squad through 11 terrifying levels, never knowing who might harbor the alien within. The remaster introduces enhanced lighting and atmospheric effects that make the desolate research facility more immersive and frightening than ever.
It's Alive!
The Thing: Remastered brings the 2002 third-person shooter into the modern era with stunning visual upgrades, including improved character models, textures and animations, all meticulously crafted to enhance the game's already-tense atmosphere. Playing as Captain J.F. Blake, leader of a U.S. governmental rescue team, navigate the blood-curdling aftermath of the events depicted in the original film. Trust is a precious commodity as members command their squad through 11 terrifying levels, never knowing who might harbor the alien within. The remaster introduces enhanced lighting and atmospheric effects that make the desolate research facility more immersive and frightening than ever.
Imec Develops New CXL Buffer Memory That Could Surpass DRAM Bit Density
This week, at the 2024 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, proposes a novel 3D integrated charge-coupled device (CCD) that can operate as a block-addressable buffer memory, in support of data-intensive compute applications. Memory operation is demonstrated on a planar proof-of-concept CCD structure which can store 142 bits. Implementing an oxide semiconductor channel material (such as IGZO) ensures sufficiently long retention time and enables 3D integration in a cost-efficient, 3D NAND-like architecture. Imec expects the 3D CCD memory density to scale far beyond the DRAM limit.
The recent introduction of the compute express link (CXL) memory interface provides opportunities for new memories to complement DRAM in data-intensive compute applications like AI and ML. One example is the CXL type-3 buffer memory, envisioned as an off-chip pool of memories that 'feeds' the various processor cores with large data blocks via a high-bandwidth CXL switch. This class of memories meets different specifications than byte-addressable DRAM, which increasingly struggles to maintain the cost-per-bit-trend scaling line.
The recent introduction of the compute express link (CXL) memory interface provides opportunities for new memories to complement DRAM in data-intensive compute applications like AI and ML. One example is the CXL type-3 buffer memory, envisioned as an off-chip pool of memories that 'feeds' the various processor cores with large data blocks via a high-bandwidth CXL switch. This class of memories meets different specifications than byte-addressable DRAM, which increasingly struggles to maintain the cost-per-bit-trend scaling line.
Advantech Unveils Hailo-8 Powered AI Acceleration Modules for High-Efficiency Vision AI Applications
Advantech, a leading provider of AIoT platforms and services, proudly unveils its latest AI acceleration modules: the EAI-1200 and EAI-3300, powered by Hailo-8 AI processors. These modules deliver AI performance of up to 52 TOPS while achieving more than 12 times the power efficiency of comparable AI modules and GPU cards. Designed in standard M.2 and PCIe form factors, the EAI-1200 and EAI-3300 can be seamlessly integrated with diverse x86 and Arm-based platforms, enabling quick upgrades of existing systems and boards to incorporate AI capabilities. With these AI acceleration modules, developers can run inference efficiently on the Hailo-8 NPU while handling application processing primarily on the CPU, optimizing resource allocation. The modules are paired with user-friendly software toolkits, including the Edge AI SDK for seamless integration with HailoRT, the Dataflow Compiler for converting existing models, and TAPPAS, which offers pre-trained application examples. These features accelerate the development of edge-based vision AI applications.
EAI-1200 M.2 AI Module: Accelerating Development for Vision AI Security
The EAI-1200 is an M.2 AI module powered by a single Hailo-8 VPU, delivering up to 26 TOPS of computing performance while consuming approximately 5 watts of power. An optional heatsink supports operation in temperatures ranging from -40 to 65°C, ensuring easy integration. This cost-effective module is especially designed to bundle with Advantech's systems and boards, such as the ARK-1221L, AIR-150, and AFE-R770, enhancing AI applications including baggage screening, workforce safety, and autonomous mobile robots (AMR).
EAI-1200 M.2 AI Module: Accelerating Development for Vision AI Security
The EAI-1200 is an M.2 AI module powered by a single Hailo-8 VPU, delivering up to 26 TOPS of computing performance while consuming approximately 5 watts of power. An optional heatsink supports operation in temperatures ranging from -40 to 65°C, ensuring easy integration. This cost-effective module is especially designed to bundle with Advantech's systems and boards, such as the ARK-1221L, AIR-150, and AFE-R770, enhancing AI applications including baggage screening, workforce safety, and autonomous mobile robots (AMR).
AOC Launches the US$800 AGON PRO AG326UD 32" QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
The AGON Pro AG326UD Gaming Monitor sets a new standard with its cutting-edge 32-inch UHD QD-OLED display, offering a stunning 3840x2160 4K resolution, a blazing-fast 165 Hz refresh rate, and an ultra-responsive 0.03 ms GtG response time. Designed for both gamers and creative professionals, it features NVIDIA G-Sync technology for seamless visuals, while HDMI 2.1 support ensures unmatched responsiveness for next-gen console gaming. Certified with VESA HDR TrueBlack HDR400, it delivers breathtaking brightness and precise color reproduction, making it ideal for both immersive gameplay and demanding creative workflows. With ergonomic design, a versatile USB hub, and a burn-in warranty, the AG326UD is the ultimate display for achieving legendary performance in any endeavor.
QD-OLED Technology
The AG326UD's QD-OLED panel combines the best of OLED and Quantum Dot technology to deliver lifelike visuals. With true blacks, ultra-rich colors, and brilliant brightness, the display offers a viewing experience so immersive it feels like looking through a window. Even in brightly lit environments, its exceptional color quality ensures your content pops with realism.
QD-OLED Technology
The AG326UD's QD-OLED panel combines the best of OLED and Quantum Dot technology to deliver lifelike visuals. With true blacks, ultra-rich colors, and brilliant brightness, the display offers a viewing experience so immersive it feels like looking through a window. Even in brightly lit environments, its exceptional color quality ensures your content pops with realism.
ASUS Announces ProArt PA401 Wood Edition Chassis
ASUS today announced the ProArt PA401 Wood Edition chassis, a smaller variant of the ProArt PA602 Wood Edition that can fit high-performance PC components, keep them cool under load, and look stylish while doing so. For those who want a thermally optimized case with visual luster and all the home and lifestyle-focused essentials they could ask for in a more space-saving form factor, the PA401 delivers.
The ProArt PA401 Wood Edition is an aesthetic charmer that is perfect for lifestyle users in need of a distinct, tasteful PC case featuring strong thermal performance on top of some useful bells and whistles. Between its side panel options, impressive cooling capabilities and multitude of PC-building conveniences, it is the go-to case option for those looking to dabble in the desktop space for the very first time. Whether using it in a studio or a home office, it will blend in with its environment and leave ample space for other hardware and accessories.
The ProArt PA401 Wood Edition is an aesthetic charmer that is perfect for lifestyle users in need of a distinct, tasteful PC case featuring strong thermal performance on top of some useful bells and whistles. Between its side panel options, impressive cooling capabilities and multitude of PC-building conveniences, it is the go-to case option for those looking to dabble in the desktop space for the very first time. Whether using it in a studio or a home office, it will blend in with its environment and leave ample space for other hardware and accessories.
HighPoint M.2/E1.S NVMe RAID AICs Deliver Unparalleled Speed and Scalability for GPU Server Applications
HighPoint Technologies, a leader in advanced PCIe Switch and RAID AIC, Adapter and Storage Enclosure solutions, has announced an extensive line of M.2 and E1.S RAID AICs engineered to accommodate high-performance GPU-centric workloads. Designed for enterprise and datacenter class computing environments, HighPoint NVMe RAID AICs deliver class-leading performance and unmatched scalability, enabling modern x86/AMD and Arm platforms to support 4 to 16 NVMe SSDs via a single PCIe Gen 4 or Gen 5 x16 slot. State-of-the-art PCIe Switching Architecture and flexible RAID technology enable administrators to custom tailor M.2 and E1.S storage configurations for a broad range of data-intensive applications, and seamlessly scale or expand existing storage configurations to meet the needs of evolving workflows.
Unprecedented Storage Density
HighPoint NVMe AICs have established a new milestone for M.2 NVMe storage. HighPoint's revolutionary Dual-Width AIC architecture enables a single PCIe Gen 4 or Gen 5 x16 slot to directly host up to 16 M.2 NVMe SSDs, and 128 TB of storage capacity, at speeds up to 28 GB/s; a truly unprecedented advancement in compact, single-device storage expansion solutions. State-of-the art PCIe switching technology and advanced cooling systems maximize transfer throughput and ensure M.2 configurations operate at peak efficiency by halting the performance sapping threat of thermal throttling in its tracks.
Unprecedented Storage Density
HighPoint NVMe AICs have established a new milestone for M.2 NVMe storage. HighPoint's revolutionary Dual-Width AIC architecture enables a single PCIe Gen 4 or Gen 5 x16 slot to directly host up to 16 M.2 NVMe SSDs, and 128 TB of storage capacity, at speeds up to 28 GB/s; a truly unprecedented advancement in compact, single-device storage expansion solutions. State-of-the art PCIe switching technology and advanced cooling systems maximize transfer throughput and ensure M.2 configurations operate at peak efficiency by halting the performance sapping threat of thermal throttling in its tracks.
Here's Your Solution for Blocking Ads on up to 9 Devices, Now Less Than $16
If you're watching a Twitch livestream, YouTube how-to video, or simply scrolling through Wirecutter, you've likely encountered one very annoying thing: ads. Ads and other pop-ups are incredibly pesky, getting in the way of our content and putting a dent in our online experience. Tired of wasting time clicking out of ads? You can banish ads for good, all while protecting your devices and information, with the AdGuard Family Plan. Secure up to nine devices with AdGuard's comprehensive data privacy tools, now on sale for $15.97 (reg. $79) through December 15.
AdGuard is designed to block all types of advertisements, whether they're distracting banners, intrusive pop-ups, or irritating video ads. You can also create filters to customize your experience on different platforms and manually block any missed ads. As it provides you with a more streamlined browsing, streaming, and reading experience online, AdGuard simultaneously shields your digital activity from trackers and analyzers. While these typically tailor ads and recommendations to your liking, these trackers could have malicious intentions.
Never see an ad again when you get lifetime access to AdGuard's Family Plan for just $15.97 through December 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT Pacific.
AdGuard is designed to block all types of advertisements, whether they're distracting banners, intrusive pop-ups, or irritating video ads. You can also create filters to customize your experience on different platforms and manually block any missed ads. As it provides you with a more streamlined browsing, streaming, and reading experience online, AdGuard simultaneously shields your digital activity from trackers and analyzers. While these typically tailor ads and recommendations to your liking, these trackers could have malicious intentions.
Never see an ad again when you get lifetime access to AdGuard's Family Plan for just $15.97 through December 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT Pacific.
Biostar Launches the Storming V DDR4 Memory
BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, IPC solutions, and storage devices, introduces the Storming V 16 GB / 8 GB DDR4 memory ideal for budget-friendly, casual home entertainment systems.
The Storming V DDR4 memory is an excellent choice for modern home entertainment systems, combining outstanding performance with affordability. Designed for casual entertainment and gaming, it delivers exceptional speed and stability, handling popular mid-range titles effortlessly to provide smooth gameplay and rapid data transfer rates. With a strong emphasis on practicality and performance, the Storming V DDR4 is the smart choice to elevate your everyday computing and entertainment experience.
The Storming V DDR4 memory is an excellent choice for modern home entertainment systems, combining outstanding performance with affordability. Designed for casual entertainment and gaming, it delivers exceptional speed and stability, handling popular mid-range titles effortlessly to provide smooth gameplay and rapid data transfer rates. With a strong emphasis on practicality and performance, the Storming V DDR4 is the smart choice to elevate your everyday computing and entertainment experience.
Sharkoon Intros AK5 RGB Case Series and SHARK Lights RGB PWM Fans
With its futuristic look, including the tempered-glass side and front, the AK5G RGB is the ultimate home for high-end hardware which has to be seen. The inside of this ATX case has been spaciously designed and offers room for up to eleven fans or two radiators. In addition, modern input-output connections and support for the new BTF mainboards will all ensure that the case stays future-proof.
Futuristic Look
With its eye-catching front panel and tempered-glass side panel, the AK5G RGB is ideal as an impressive showcase for impressive hardware.
Futuristic Look
With its eye-catching front panel and tempered-glass side panel, the AK5G RGB is ideal as an impressive showcase for impressive hardware.
DNP Achieves Fine Pattern Resolution on EUV Lithography Photomasks for Beyond 2nm Generation
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) has successfully achieved the fine pattern resolution required for photomasks for logic semiconductors of the beyond 2 nm (nm: 10-9 meter) generation that support Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) lithography, a cutting-edge process in semiconductor manufacturing.
DNP has also completed the criteria evaluation for photomasks compatible with High-Numerical Aperture, the application being considered for next-generation semiconductors beyond the 2 nm generation, and has commenced the supply of evaluation photomasks. High-NA EUV lithography makes it possible to form fine patterns on silicon wafers with a higher resolution than previously possible, and is expected to lead to the realization of high-performance, low-power semiconductors.
DNP has also completed the criteria evaluation for photomasks compatible with High-Numerical Aperture, the application being considered for next-generation semiconductors beyond the 2 nm generation, and has commenced the supply of evaluation photomasks. High-NA EUV lithography makes it possible to form fine patterns on silicon wafers with a higher resolution than previously possible, and is expected to lead to the realization of high-performance, low-power semiconductors.
IBASE Shows IB996 Full-Size CPU Card with up to 14th Gen Intel Core i9 Processor
IBASE Technology Inc. (TPEx: 8050), a leading manufacturer of embedded computing solutions, introduces the IB996 Full-Size CPU Card, tailored to meet the demanding needs of industrial and embedded computing. Supporting 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core i9/i7/i5/i3 desktop processors, this innovative solution adheres to the PICMG 1.3 standard and features the Intel Q670E chipset for robust performance and flexibility. It offers outstanding expandability and connectivity for applications in industrial automation, transportation, and medical systems.
The IB996 boasts seamless performance and compatibility, supporting up to 64 GB of DDR5 memory with dual DIMM slots and superior networking capability with two Intel 2.5G LAN ports. Integrated Intel Xe graphics allow for versatile display options, including DVI-I, LVDS, and DVI-D, making it suitable for a variety of visual data processing tasks. Additionally, it comes equipped with 8x USB 3.2, 5x SATA III, four COM, and two M.2 sockets (M-Key and E-Key), with the M.2 M-Key supporting PCIe for NVMe storage solutions, ensuring high-speed data transfer and optimal performance across Intel-based systems.
The IB996 boasts seamless performance and compatibility, supporting up to 64 GB of DDR5 memory with dual DIMM slots and superior networking capability with two Intel 2.5G LAN ports. Integrated Intel Xe graphics allow for versatile display options, including DVI-I, LVDS, and DVI-D, making it suitable for a variety of visual data processing tasks. Additionally, it comes equipped with 8x USB 3.2, 5x SATA III, four COM, and two M.2 sockets (M-Key and E-Key), with the M.2 M-Key supporting PCIe for NVMe storage solutions, ensuring high-speed data transfer and optimal performance across Intel-based systems.
RPCS3 PlayStation 3 Emulator Gets Native arm64 Support on Linux, macOS, and Windows
The RPCS3 team has announced the successful implementation of arm64 architecture support for their PlayStation 3 emulator. This development enables the popular emulator to run on a broader range of devices, including Apple Silicon machines, Windows-on-Arm, and even some smaller Arm-based SBC systems like the Raspberry Pi 5. The journey to arm64 support began in late 2021, following the release of Apple's M1 processors, with initial efforts focused on Linux platforms. After overcoming numerous technical hurdles, the development team, led by core developer Nekotekina and graphics specialist kd-11, achieved a working implementation by mid-2024. One of the primary challenges involved adapting the emulator's just-in-time (JIT) compiler for arm64 systems.
The team developed a solution using LLVM's intermediate representation (IR) transformer, which allows the emulator to generate code once for x86-64 and then transform it for arm64 platforms. This approach eliminated the need to maintain separate codebases for different architectures. A particular technical challenge emerged from the difference in memory management between x86 and arm64 systems. While the PlayStation 3 and traditional x86 systems use 4 KB memory pages, modern arm64 platforms typically operate with 16 KB pages. Though this larger page size can improve memory performance in native applications, it presented unique challenges for emulating the PS3's graphics systems, particularly when handling smaller textures and buffers. While the emulator now runs on arm64 devices, performance varies significantly depending on the hardware. Simple applications and homebrew software show promising results, but more demanding commercial games may require substantial computational power beyond what current affordable Arm devices can provide.
The team developed a solution using LLVM's intermediate representation (IR) transformer, which allows the emulator to generate code once for x86-64 and then transform it for arm64 platforms. This approach eliminated the need to maintain separate codebases for different architectures. A particular technical challenge emerged from the difference in memory management between x86 and arm64 systems. While the PlayStation 3 and traditional x86 systems use 4 KB memory pages, modern arm64 platforms typically operate with 16 KB pages. Though this larger page size can improve memory performance in native applications, it presented unique challenges for emulating the PS3's graphics systems, particularly when handling smaller textures and buffers. While the emulator now runs on arm64 devices, performance varies significantly depending on the hardware. Simple applications and homebrew software show promising results, but more demanding commercial games may require substantial computational power beyond what current affordable Arm devices can provide.
Marvell Announces Custom HBM Compute Architecture for AI Accelerators
Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRVL), a leader in data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, today announced that it has pioneered a new custom HBM compute architecture that enables XPUs to achieve greater compute and memory density. The new technology is available to all of its custom silicon customers to improve the performance, efficiency and TCO of their custom XPUs. Marvell is collaborating with its cloud customers and leading HBM manufacturers, Micron, Samsung Electronics, and SK hynix to define and develop custom HBM solutions for next-generation XPUs.
HBM is a critical component integrated within the XPU using advanced 2.5D packaging technology and high-speed industry-standard interfaces. However, the scaling of XPUs is limited by the current standard interface-based architecture. The new Marvell custom HBM compute architecture introduces tailored interfaces to optimize performance, power, die size, and cost for specific XPU designs. This approach considers the compute silicon, HBM stacks, and packaging. By customizing the HBM memory subsystem, including the stack itself, Marvell is advancing customization in cloud data center infrastructure. Marvell is collaborating with major HBM makers to implement this new architecture and meet cloud data center operators' needs.
HBM is a critical component integrated within the XPU using advanced 2.5D packaging technology and high-speed industry-standard interfaces. However, the scaling of XPUs is limited by the current standard interface-based architecture. The new Marvell custom HBM compute architecture introduces tailored interfaces to optimize performance, power, die size, and cost for specific XPU designs. This approach considers the compute silicon, HBM stacks, and packaging. By customizing the HBM memory subsystem, including the stack itself, Marvell is advancing customization in cloud data center infrastructure. Marvell is collaborating with major HBM makers to implement this new architecture and meet cloud data center operators' needs.
Fujitsu Previews Monaka: 144-Core Arm CPU Made with Chiplets
Fujitsu has previewed its next-generation Monaka processor, a 144-core powerhouse for data center. Satoshi Matsuoka of the RIKEN Center for Computational Science showcased the mechanical sample on social media platform X. The Monaka processor is developed in collaboration with Broadcom and employs an innovative 3.5D eXtreme Dimension System-in-Package architecture featuring four 36-core chiplets manufactured using TSMC's N2 process. These chiplets are stacked face-to-face with SRAM tiles through hybrid copper bonding, utilizing TSMC's N5 process for the cache layer. A distinguishing feature of the Monaka design is its approach to memory architecture. Rather than incorporating HBM, Fujitsu has opted for pure cache dies below compute logic in combination with DDR5 DRAM compatibility, potentially leveraging advanced modules like MR-DIMM and MCR-DIMM.
The processor's I/O die supports cutting-edge interfaces, including DDR5 memory, PCIe 6.0, and CXL 3.0 for seamless integration with modern data center infrastructure. Security in the design is taken care of with the implementation of Armv9-A's Confidential Computing Architecture for enhanced workload isolation. Fujitsu has set ambitious goals for the Monaka processor. The company aims to achieve twice the energy efficiency of current x86 processors by 2027 while maintaining air cooling capabilities. The processor aims to do AI and HPC with the Arm SVE 2 support, which enables vector lengths up to 2048 bits. Scheduled for release during Fujitsu's fiscal year 2027 (April 2026 to March 2027), the Monaka processor is shaping up as a competitor to AMD's EPYC and Intel's Xeon processors.
The processor's I/O die supports cutting-edge interfaces, including DDR5 memory, PCIe 6.0, and CXL 3.0 for seamless integration with modern data center infrastructure. Security in the design is taken care of with the implementation of Armv9-A's Confidential Computing Architecture for enhanced workload isolation. Fujitsu has set ambitious goals for the Monaka processor. The company aims to achieve twice the energy efficiency of current x86 processors by 2027 while maintaining air cooling capabilities. The processor aims to do AI and HPC with the Arm SVE 2 support, which enables vector lengths up to 2048 bits. Scheduled for release during Fujitsu's fiscal year 2027 (April 2026 to March 2027), the Monaka processor is shaping up as a competitor to AMD's EPYC and Intel's Xeon processors.
PowerColor Introduces ALPHYN AH10 Wireless Gaming Headphones
PowerColor, renowned for graphics card innovation and performance, is excited to unveil its latest creation, the PowerColor Alphyn AH10 Wireless Gaming Headphones. Designed to enhance every gamer's experience, the Alphyn AH10 pairs cutting-edge audio technology with unparalleled comfort and style. PowerColor, known for high-performance gaming graphics cards, is expanding into gaming peripherals with the new Alphyn series. This launch marks our commitment to delivering the same innovation and quality to gaming accessories.
The series debuts with the Alphyn AH10 Wireless Gaming Headset, offering immersive audio performance, followed soon by AM10 gaming mice that seamlessly blend precision performance with ergonomic comfort. Alphyn sets a new standard for gamers, enhancing every experience.
The series debuts with the Alphyn AH10 Wireless Gaming Headset, offering immersive audio performance, followed soon by AM10 gaming mice that seamlessly blend precision performance with ergonomic comfort. Alphyn sets a new standard for gamers, enhancing every experience.
Co-Op Rogue-Lite Hyper Light Breaker To Launch on January 15 2025 With 3D Solar Ash Aesthetics
Hyper Light Breaker, the sequel to the massively popular indie hit, Hyper Light Drifter, is set to release on Steam on January 15, 2025. The only catch is that the game will release into early access, meaning it will likely change significantly during its first year on the market. At launch, Hyper Light Breaker will cost $29.99.
While Hyper Light Breaker shares a name with and hits a lot of the same aesthetic notes as Hyper Light Drifter, it isn't exactly a sequel in the classical sense. Hyper Light Breaker is set "decades before" the events of Hyper Light Drifter, and the aesthetic looks like an upgraded version of the hyper stylized 3D graphics we saw from Heart Machine in Solar Ash, as opposed to the top-down 2D pixel art of Hyper Light Drifter. Unlike Solar Ash, though, the core gameplay loop will rely on rogue-lite mechanics and hack and slash combat, making it a unique entry in the Hyper Light universe. Additionally, Hyper Light Breaker will be a co-op game, with support for up to three players in a squad.
While Hyper Light Breaker shares a name with and hits a lot of the same aesthetic notes as Hyper Light Drifter, it isn't exactly a sequel in the classical sense. Hyper Light Breaker is set "decades before" the events of Hyper Light Drifter, and the aesthetic looks like an upgraded version of the hyper stylized 3D graphics we saw from Heart Machine in Solar Ash, as opposed to the top-down 2D pixel art of Hyper Light Drifter. Unlike Solar Ash, though, the core gameplay loop will rely on rogue-lite mechanics and hack and slash combat, making it a unique entry in the Hyper Light universe. Additionally, Hyper Light Breaker will be a co-op game, with support for up to three players in a squad.
Former Dauntless Associate Producer Criticizes 'Awakening' Update for "Gutting" Core Mechanics
We recently reported on the overwhelmingly negative response from the Dauntless community after the game's latest Awakening update and Steam launch. Now, Jessie Leigh Gagnon, a former Phoenix Labs developer and the former associate producer for Dauntless, has also weighed in on the current state of the game and the changes introduced by the indie developer. According to Gagnon's post on LinkedIn, the creative team that birthed Dauntless and maintained it before Phoenix Labs's dark times "never would have made decisions that are so blatantly not player focused." She seemingly attributes the disastrous Steam launch and poor decision-making that led to the maligned update to the studio's new ownership.
According to Gagnon's description, when Dauntless was first launched, Phoenix Labs was an indie studio in the true sense. It was a group of passionate developers who simply wanted to create something fun. In this case a Monster Hunter-like game that wasn't locked to the Nintendo DS and didn't force its players to deal with "aching hands, cumbersome inventory management, and a lore that wasn't super approachable." Since then, though, Phoenix Labs has been through the wringer and lost much of its original creative talent and many of its former executives, supposedly all culminating in a game that seems to have put monetization before all else.
According to Gagnon's description, when Dauntless was first launched, Phoenix Labs was an indie studio in the true sense. It was a group of passionate developers who simply wanted to create something fun. In this case a Monster Hunter-like game that wasn't locked to the Nintendo DS and didn't force its players to deal with "aching hands, cumbersome inventory management, and a lore that wasn't super approachable." Since then, though, Phoenix Labs has been through the wringer and lost much of its original creative talent and many of its former executives, supposedly all culminating in a game that seems to have put monetization before all else.
Firefox Ditches 'Do Not Track' Feature in Version 135 in Favor of 'Global Privacy Control'
Mozilla says that "many sites do not respect" Do Not Track requests, as they rely on voluntary compliance, adding that the feature may actually harm user privacy—likely alluding to the fact that it makes it easier for sites to fingerprint and track you. As such, as of Firefox version 135, Mozilla will disable the Do Not Track feature. As a replacement for the feature, Mozilla recommends using the more advanced "Tell websites not to sell or share my data" toggle built into Global Privacy Control, which it says is more widely respected and backed by law in some regions.
This is also just the latest in a long line of changes to both Firefox and web privacy, at large. For one, Google recently completely removed third-party cookies from its Chrome browser—a move it claims is in support of user privacy but has been widely criticized for putting Google in something of a monopoly position when it comes to tracking the data of Chrome users. Overall, the community feedback on Reddit seems to be either positive or indifferent, although one criticism of the new reliance on Global Privacy Control is that GPC doesn't block Google Analytics tracking requests, although the reasoning behind leaving Google Analytics in-tact is that many sites don't function correctly when it is blocked or disabled.
This is also just the latest in a long line of changes to both Firefox and web privacy, at large. For one, Google recently completely removed third-party cookies from its Chrome browser—a move it claims is in support of user privacy but has been widely criticized for putting Google in something of a monopoly position when it comes to tracking the data of Chrome users. Overall, the community feedback on Reddit seems to be either positive or indifferent, although one criticism of the new reliance on Global Privacy Control is that GPC doesn't block Google Analytics tracking requests, although the reasoning behind leaving Google Analytics in-tact is that many sites don't function correctly when it is blocked or disabled.
Wednesday, December 11th 2024
Today's Reviews
Cooling
Desktop PC
Harddisks
Monitors
Notebooks
ARCTIC P12 PWM PST A-RGB 120 mm Fan Review
Today we examine ARCTIC's P12 PWM PST A-RGB 120 mm fans, which offer daisy-chaining support, 12 individually addressable RGB LEDs with universal connectors, a long and linear RPM range with zero-RPM mode, long warranty, and decent performance coupled with low noise to be good value cooling solutions.
MSI Unveils World's First Dual-Mode Curved 4K Gaming Monitor
As CES 2025 approaches, a surfeit of OEMs are introducing new gaming displays with innovative new features. MSI clearly does not wish to be left out either, hitting the scene with the MAG 321CUPDF. The 31.5-inch curved monitor also happens to the first of its kind to sport dual-mode functionality, which basically means the monitor can switch between high-refresh rate and high-resolution modes.
To be precise, the MSI MAG 321CUPDF supports 4K at 160 Hz, and 1080p at a maximum of 320 Hz. This allows the monitor to be an excellent fit for fast-paced gaming, as well as visually immersive titles which can take advantage of the added visual fidelity. If MSI's claims are anything to go by, the monitor will also sport decent color reproduction capabilities, thanks to its 97% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
To be precise, the MSI MAG 321CUPDF supports 4K at 160 Hz, and 1080p at a maximum of 320 Hz. This allows the monitor to be an excellent fit for fast-paced gaming, as well as visually immersive titles which can take advantage of the added visual fidelity. If MSI's claims are anything to go by, the monitor will also sport decent color reproduction capabilities, thanks to its 97% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
Synopsys Announces Industry's First Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP Solutions
Synopsys, Inc. today announced the industry's first Ultra Ethernet IP and UALink IP solutions, including controllers, PHYs, and verification IP, to meet the demand for standards-based, high-bandwidth, and low-latency HPC and AI accelerator interconnects. As hyperscale data center infrastructures evolve to support the processing of trillions of parameters in large language models, they must scale to hundreds of thousands of accelerators with highly efficient and fast connections. Synopsys Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP will provide a holistic, low-risk solution for high-speed and low-latency communication to scale-up and scale-out AI architectures.
"For more than 25 years, Synopsys has been at the forefront of providing best-in-class IP solutions that enable designers to accelerate the integration of standards-based functionality," said Neeraj Paliwal, senior vice president of IP product management at Synopsys. "With the industry's first Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP, companies can get a head start on developing a new generation of high-performance chips and systems with broad interoperability to scale future AI and HPC infrastructure."
"For more than 25 years, Synopsys has been at the forefront of providing best-in-class IP solutions that enable designers to accelerate the integration of standards-based functionality," said Neeraj Paliwal, senior vice president of IP product management at Synopsys. "With the industry's first Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP, companies can get a head start on developing a new generation of high-performance chips and systems with broad interoperability to scale future AI and HPC infrastructure."
Dell Pro Max 16/18 Plus Leak Hints at Arrow Lake-H Prowess With Up To 256 GB of Memory
Dell laptops are widely considered to be among the best, and the company shows no signs of getting complacent. According to a fresh new leak, Dell is gearing up to announce new 16- and 18-inch workstation laptops, dubbed the Dell Pro Max 16 Plus and the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus. Of course, the naming scheme likely couldn't get any worse, but the leaked specifications certainly do seem enticing.
First and foremost, the laptops will be powered by Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake-HX CPUs, paired with up to an impressive 256 GB of CAMM2 memory. The graphics will be handled by NVIDIA RTX 5000-class GPUs, and the entire system will boast a 170 W and 200 W TDP for the 16- and 18-inch variants respectively. The 18-inch Dell Pro Max will be able to accommodate up to a whopping 16 TB of SSD storage, whereas the 16-inch Dell Pro Max will boast up to 12 TB of SSD storage.
First and foremost, the laptops will be powered by Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake-HX CPUs, paired with up to an impressive 256 GB of CAMM2 memory. The graphics will be handled by NVIDIA RTX 5000-class GPUs, and the entire system will boast a 170 W and 200 W TDP for the 16- and 18-inch variants respectively. The 18-inch Dell Pro Max will be able to accommodate up to a whopping 16 TB of SSD storage, whereas the 16-inch Dell Pro Max will boast up to 12 TB of SSD storage.
Upcoming Mini PC From Aoostar With Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 "Strix Point" APU Teased
AMD's recently launched Strix Point lineup of high-end APUs boast truly impressive performance, even when configured with lower TDPs. As time goes on, more and more hardware brands are hitting the market with Strix Point-powered devices, and unsurprisingly, Aoostar does not wish to sit on the sidelines either.
The company has teased a yet-to-be announced mini PC, with Strix Point at its heart. Powered by the powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, the system will likely offer excellent performance, considering that Aoostar refuses to skimp on its cooling system. Thankfully, that does seem to be case, since Aoostar claims the upcoming mini PC will boast a vapor chamber cooling setup allowing the HX 370 to run at its maximum of 54 watts. For those out of the loop, here is a rundown of the HX 370's specifications: 12-core setup with 8 Zen 5c cores and 4 Zen 5 cores, Radeon 890M iGPU based on RDNA 3+, and a 50 TOPS XDNA 2 NPU to justify the "AI" branding.
The company has teased a yet-to-be announced mini PC, with Strix Point at its heart. Powered by the powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, the system will likely offer excellent performance, considering that Aoostar refuses to skimp on its cooling system. Thankfully, that does seem to be case, since Aoostar claims the upcoming mini PC will boast a vapor chamber cooling setup allowing the HX 370 to run at its maximum of 54 watts. For those out of the loop, here is a rundown of the HX 370's specifications: 12-core setup with 8 Zen 5c cores and 4 Zen 5 cores, Radeon 890M iGPU based on RDNA 3+, and a 50 TOPS XDNA 2 NPU to justify the "AI" branding.
Creative Releases Pebble Nova Desktop Speakers
Creative Technology proudly announces the launch of the Creative Pebble Nova, a premium desktop speaker that expands the well-loved Pebble series. With its unique angled design and exceptional audio performance, the Pebble series has earned a loyal following among audio enthusiasts. The latest Pebble Nova builds on this success, representing a significant step toward a more premium range, featuring an elegant design and stunning audio quality that outshines its price point.
Star-Quality Sound
Designed to impress, the latest Pebble Nova not only delivers pristine audio but also serves as a captivating centerpiece for any space. Boasting a coaxial driver design, the Pebble Nova aligns the tweeter and woofer for seamless, rich sound across the full audio spectrum. For an even better audio experience, pair it with the Sound Blaster X5 for high-fidelity audio streaming that captures every detail. The iconic 45° elevated drivers also work to direct sound right to the user's ears, creating a personal and immersive listening experience. Plus, with the included stand, users can elevate the speakers for better audio projection and a sleeker look.
Star-Quality Sound
Designed to impress, the latest Pebble Nova not only delivers pristine audio but also serves as a captivating centerpiece for any space. Boasting a coaxial driver design, the Pebble Nova aligns the tweeter and woofer for seamless, rich sound across the full audio spectrum. For an even better audio experience, pair it with the Sound Blaster X5 for high-fidelity audio streaming that captures every detail. The iconic 45° elevated drivers also work to direct sound right to the user's ears, creating a personal and immersive listening experience. Plus, with the included stand, users can elevate the speakers for better audio projection and a sleeker look.
Advantech Introduces Its GPU Server SKY-602E3 With NVIDIA H200 NVL
Advantech, a leading global provider of industrial edge AI solutions, is excited to introduce its GPU server SKY-602E3 equipped with the NVIDIA H200 NVL platform. This powerful combination is set to accelerate the offline LLM for manufacturing, providing unprecedented levels of performance and efficiency. The NVIDIA H200 NVL, requiring 600 W passive cooling, is fully supported by the compact and efficient SKY-602E3 GPU server, making it an ideal solution for demanding edge AI applications.
Core of Factory LLM Deployment: AI Vision
The SKY-602E3 GPU server excels in supporting large language models (LLMs) for AI inference and training. It features four PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, delivering high bandwidth for intensive tasks, and four PCIe 5.0 x8 slots, providing enhanced flexibility for GPU and frame grabber card expansion. The half-width design of the SKY-602E3 makes it an excellent choice for workstation environments. Additionally, the server can be equipped with the NVIDIA H200 NVL platform, which offers 1.7x more performance than the NVIDIA H100 NVL, freeing up additional PCIe slots for other expansion needs.
Core of Factory LLM Deployment: AI Vision
The SKY-602E3 GPU server excels in supporting large language models (LLMs) for AI inference and training. It features four PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, delivering high bandwidth for intensive tasks, and four PCIe 5.0 x8 slots, providing enhanced flexibility for GPU and frame grabber card expansion. The half-width design of the SKY-602E3 makes it an excellent choice for workstation environments. Additionally, the server can be equipped with the NVIDIA H200 NVL platform, which offers 1.7x more performance than the NVIDIA H100 NVL, freeing up additional PCIe slots for other expansion needs.
GALAX Intros GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 3X Graphics Card
GALAX introduced the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 3X, a custom-design RTX 4080 SUPER graphics card that appears to be its most affordable product based on the GPU. It's positioned a notch below the SG, ST, EX Gamer, and HOF series. The card features a sporty, multi-layered plastic cooler shroud, and a triple-fan setup. The cooling solution is no more than 3 slots thick, and features what looks like two aluminium fin stacks on either ends of a set of heat pipes.
The PCB only covers two-thirds the length of the card, and so all of the airflow from the third fan, and some of it from the second one, go through the heatsink, and out back from a cutout in the backplate. The fans lack any kind of lighting, the only lighting is an illuminated GeForce RTX logo on top. The card lacks any factory overclocking, but GALAX includes a software-based "1-click OC" mode. The RTX 4080 SUPER maxes out the "AD103" silicon, enabling at 10,240 CUDA cores, 80 RT cores, 320 Tensor cores, 112 ROPs, and 320 TMUs present on the silicon, besides the full 64 MB L2 cache available. The GPU is wired to 16 GB of 23 Gbps GDDR6X memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface, yielding 736 GB/s of memory bandwidth.
The PCB only covers two-thirds the length of the card, and so all of the airflow from the third fan, and some of it from the second one, go through the heatsink, and out back from a cutout in the backplate. The fans lack any kind of lighting, the only lighting is an illuminated GeForce RTX logo on top. The card lacks any factory overclocking, but GALAX includes a software-based "1-click OC" mode. The RTX 4080 SUPER maxes out the "AD103" silicon, enabling at 10,240 CUDA cores, 80 RT cores, 320 Tensor cores, 112 ROPs, and 320 TMUs present on the silicon, besides the full 64 MB L2 cache available. The GPU is wired to 16 GB of 23 Gbps GDDR6X memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface, yielding 736 GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Enterprise SSD Market Sees Strong 3Q24 Growth, Revenue Soars 28.6% on Surging Demand for High-Capacity Models
TrendForce's latest investigations found that the enterprise SSD market experienced significant growth in 3Q24, driven by robust demand from AI-related applications. Prices surged as suppliers struggled to keep pace with market needs, pushing overall industry revenue up by an impressive 28.6% QoQ. Demand for high-capacity models was especially strong, fueled by the arrival of NVIDIA's H-series products and sustained orders for AI training servers. As a result, the total procurement volume for enterprise SSDs rose 15% compared to the previous quarter.
Looking ahead to 4Q24, TrendForce forecasts a slowdown in enterprise SSD revenue as procurement demand begins to cool. Total procurement volume is expected to dip, with the peak buying period behind and server OEM orders being slightly revised downward. As shipment volume declines, overall industry revenue is also projected to decrease in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead to 4Q24, TrendForce forecasts a slowdown in enterprise SSD revenue as procurement demand begins to cool. Total procurement volume is expected to dip, with the peak buying period behind and server OEM orders being slightly revised downward. As shipment volume declines, overall industry revenue is also projected to decrease in the fourth quarter.
Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.2 is Now Available
Update 2.2 is the fruit of a close collaboration between CD PROJEKT RED and Virtuos, a studio known for its work on many well-known AAA games for consoles and PC. It is available to all owners of Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
As part of Update 2.2, players will access new character customization options - including new variants of cosmetic cyberware, tattoos, makeup options, and more. That's not the only thing players can now modify - all luxury or sports cars that have partnered with Rayfield now have access to exclusive CrystalCoat technology, meaning players can swap out the colors of select rides. Changes have also been made to Photo Mode, which now boasts additional features - including improved camera modes, the ability to spawn up to three additional characters in the scene, increased camera range, and new lighting options. Players will also be able to enjoy the presence of Johnny Silverhand in the passenger seat as they drive through the city of dreams. On top of it all, Update 2.2 also brings a number of technical improvements and more secrets to Night City.
As part of Update 2.2, players will access new character customization options - including new variants of cosmetic cyberware, tattoos, makeup options, and more. That's not the only thing players can now modify - all luxury or sports cars that have partnered with Rayfield now have access to exclusive CrystalCoat technology, meaning players can swap out the colors of select rides. Changes have also been made to Photo Mode, which now boasts additional features - including improved camera modes, the ability to spawn up to three additional characters in the scene, increased camera range, and new lighting options. Players will also be able to enjoy the presence of Johnny Silverhand in the passenger seat as they drive through the city of dreams. On top of it all, Update 2.2 also brings a number of technical improvements and more secrets to Night City.
Refurbished Steam Deck OLED Joins Original Valve Handheld With $130 Lower Price vs New
Refurbished Steam Decks have been a more affordable way to get into the handheld gaming PC space for a while now, but Valve just announced that it has now added the OLED version of the Steam Deck to its official refurbished device line-up. Now, you can get your hands on a Steam Deck OLED for as little as $439 for the 512 GB variant or $519 for the 1 TB version—a healthy $110 and $130 cheaper compared to new units, respectively.
Valve claims the refurbished Steam Deck units—generally customer returns—are functionally identical to new stock units, and it says that there is a strict inspection and testing process for all returned Steam Decks that go into the refurbished program. The only material difference between factory new and refurbished units are "cosmetic defects to be small blemishes or scratches (on the plastic casing, not the screen) generally caused from normal handling of the unit," and these will obviously vary from device to device. In case anything goes wrong, Valve offers the same warranty and support for the refurbished units as it does for its factory new Steam Decks. Unfortunately, the refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs are only available in Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US. Other regions are stuck with regular MSRP Steam Decks or third-party refurbished or used handheld consoles.
Valve claims the refurbished Steam Deck units—generally customer returns—are functionally identical to new stock units, and it says that there is a strict inspection and testing process for all returned Steam Decks that go into the refurbished program. The only material difference between factory new and refurbished units are "cosmetic defects to be small blemishes or scratches (on the plastic casing, not the screen) generally caused from normal handling of the unit," and these will obviously vary from device to device. In case anything goes wrong, Valve offers the same warranty and support for the refurbished units as it does for its factory new Steam Decks. Unfortunately, the refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs are only available in Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US. Other regions are stuck with regular MSRP Steam Decks or third-party refurbished or used handheld consoles.
GIGABYTE Sets the Benchmark for HPC at CES 2025
Renowned for its groundbreaking innovations in computing technology, GIGABYTE Technology continues to spearhead advancements that redefine the industry. From January 7 to 10, 2025, GIGABYTE will participate in CES, showcasing its latest breakthroughs in high-performance computing and personal computing solutions. Under the theme "ACCEVOLUTION," GIGABYTE's booth will present a diverse range of cutting-edge technologies. Highlights include:
- Rack-scale cluster computing solution for large-scale data centers
- AI servers supporting next-generation "superchips"
- Advanced cooling technologies that optimize energy efficiency and performance
- Workstations tailored for smaller-scale workloads
- Mini-PCs, embedded systems, and in-vehicle platforms designed for endpoint deployment and commercial applications
Marvell Announces Breakthrough Custom HBM Compute Architecture to Optimize Cloud AI Accelerators
Marvell Technology, Inc., a leader in data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, today announced that it has pioneered a new custom HBM compute architecture that enables XPUs to achieve greater compute and memory density. The new technology is available to all of its custom silicon customers to improve the performance, efficiency and TCO of their custom XPUs. Marvell is collaborating with its cloud customers and leading HBM manufacturers, Micron, Samsung Electronics, and SK hynix to define and develop custom HBM solutions for next-generation XPUs.
HBM is a critical component integrated within the XPU using advanced 2.5D packaging technology and high-speed industry-standard interfaces. However, the scaling of XPUs is limited by the current standard interface-based architecture. The new Marvell custom HBM compute architecture introduces tailored interfaces to optimize performance, power, die size, and cost for specific XPU designs. This approach considers the compute silicon, HBM stacks, and packaging. By customizing the HBM memory subsystem, including the stack itself, Marvell is advancing customization in cloud data center infrastructure. Marvell is collaborating with major HBM makers to implement this new architecture and meet cloud data center operators' needs.
HBM is a critical component integrated within the XPU using advanced 2.5D packaging technology and high-speed industry-standard interfaces. However, the scaling of XPUs is limited by the current standard interface-based architecture. The new Marvell custom HBM compute architecture introduces tailored interfaces to optimize performance, power, die size, and cost for specific XPU designs. This approach considers the compute silicon, HBM stacks, and packaging. By customizing the HBM memory subsystem, including the stack itself, Marvell is advancing customization in cloud data center infrastructure. Marvell is collaborating with major HBM makers to implement this new architecture and meet cloud data center operators' needs.
GameMax Introduces GS SFX Gold Series PSU with ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 Standards
GameMax, an emerging brand of PC gaming components including gaming cases and power supply units, proudly announces the GS SFX Gold Series power supply units featuring ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards. The GameMax GS SFX Gold Series features native 12V-2x6 connectors for the latest NVIDIA RTX graphics cards. The GS SFX Gold Series is available in 650 W, 750 W, and 850 W models—all of which are available in black and white colors to color-match your PC build!
The circuit design features advanced Active PFC, Half-Bridge LLC Resonance, Synchronous Rectification, and DC-DC topology to ensure high performance and efficiency particularly to the +12V rail for graphics cards. The GS SFX Gold Series PSU's FMD-F161E131B microcontroller intelligently manages the fan with a stop/start function, enabling the fan to stop below 20% load for silent 0 dBA operation.
The circuit design features advanced Active PFC, Half-Bridge LLC Resonance, Synchronous Rectification, and DC-DC topology to ensure high performance and efficiency particularly to the +12V rail for graphics cards. The GS SFX Gold Series PSU's FMD-F161E131B microcontroller intelligently manages the fan with a stop/start function, enabling the fan to stop below 20% load for silent 0 dBA operation.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Combat Deep Dive Shows Off Versatile Melee Mechanics and Plentiful Weapons
After the fiasco surrounding the cancelled press previews and delayed upcoming launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, it appears that Ubisoft is doing something of a redemption tour in order to garner hype for the latest installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise. Previously, news about AC Shadows's simultaneous console and Steam launch was quite positively received. Now, Ubisoft has given us a full overview of what's to come regarding the combat mechanics in Assassin's Creed Shadows. While the weapons and unit types in Shadows are certainly interesting, perhaps the most important take-away is that timing will be an important aspect to combat.
One of the most important mechanics behind Assassin's Creed Shadows's combat seems to be the character and weapon choices. The samurai, Yasuke, and the shinobi, Naoe, will supposedly come with their own versions of stealth, defensive, and offensive attacks, and each will have their own weapons, to bring some diversity to the gameplay of each character. It looks like each of the different weapon classes will be locked to either character and play style. At launch, Naoe will have three weapons to choose from, and Yasuke will have a broader selection of five weapons to choose from.
One of the most important mechanics behind Assassin's Creed Shadows's combat seems to be the character and weapon choices. The samurai, Yasuke, and the shinobi, Naoe, will supposedly come with their own versions of stealth, defensive, and offensive attacks, and each will have their own weapons, to bring some diversity to the gameplay of each character. It looks like each of the different weapon classes will be locked to either character and play style. At launch, Naoe will have three weapons to choose from, and Yasuke will have a broader selection of five weapons to choose from.
Tuesday, December 10th 2024
Today's Reviews
Headphones
Monitors
Mouse
Notebooks
be quiet! Light Base 600 LX Review
The be quiet! Light Base 600 LX is a smaller and more affordable variant when compared to the 900 LX. This should make it appealing to a more mainstream audience. There are lots of features to love, but are they enough to justify the $185 price tag? Let's find out!
Keychron Announces K8 QMK V2 TKL Keyboard With Improved Customization and New Switch Options
Keychron, known for its often reasonably priced, customizable mechanical keyboards, has announced the second iteration of the K8 QMK. The new TKL (80%) keyboard sports updated internal materials for added sound dampening. The new K8 QMK is available with the usual selection of mechanical switch types and two different frame designs, catering to different market segments. Compared to the original K8 Wireless, the K8 Wireless V2 has updated Bluetooth connectivity, QMK support, and new, custom Keychron switches.
The new Keychron K8 QMK V2 shares many similarities with its predecessor, including the same $99 starting price, although there are some differences that are likely to make V2 an attractive option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The biggest physical change is the move from shine-through OEM profile ABS keycaps to shine-through double-shot Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which are bound to be a mixed bag in enthusiast communities. On the one hand, many enthusiasts prefer the sound of ABS keycaps, but the Cherry profile is often highly regarded for comfort and ergonomics. While the external physical changes are mostly rather moderate, the internals have been significantly more impressive, with QMK firmware—and Keychron Launcher customization support—being the most important of the functional changes. That QMK support apparently comes at a cost, though, since the new Keychron K8 QMK V2 comes with the same battery capacity but significantly lower battery life when connected wirelessly, despite the move from Bluetooth 5.1 to Bluetooth 5.2. Keychron claims that the K8 QMK V2 can last up to 190 hours on Bluetooth without backlighting and up to 100 hours with the backlighting at its lowest brightness. Meanwhile, the original K8 is capable of up to 240 hours with the backlight off, with RGB backlighting coming in lower than the new K8 QMK V2, at up to 72 hours with the backlight enabled. The K8 QMK V2 also has new inner foam layers for sound dampening, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it helps provide more customization options.
The new Keychron K8 QMK V2 shares many similarities with its predecessor, including the same $99 starting price, although there are some differences that are likely to make V2 an attractive option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The biggest physical change is the move from shine-through OEM profile ABS keycaps to shine-through double-shot Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which are bound to be a mixed bag in enthusiast communities. On the one hand, many enthusiasts prefer the sound of ABS keycaps, but the Cherry profile is often highly regarded for comfort and ergonomics. While the external physical changes are mostly rather moderate, the internals have been significantly more impressive, with QMK firmware—and Keychron Launcher customization support—being the most important of the functional changes. That QMK support apparently comes at a cost, though, since the new Keychron K8 QMK V2 comes with the same battery capacity but significantly lower battery life when connected wirelessly, despite the move from Bluetooth 5.1 to Bluetooth 5.2. Keychron claims that the K8 QMK V2 can last up to 190 hours on Bluetooth without backlighting and up to 100 hours with the backlighting at its lowest brightness. Meanwhile, the original K8 is capable of up to 240 hours with the backlight off, with RGB backlighting coming in lower than the new K8 QMK V2, at up to 72 hours with the backlight enabled. The K8 QMK V2 also has new inner foam layers for sound dampening, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it helps provide more customization options.
PNY Unveils CS2150 M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 5 x4 SSD
PNY announced the addition of the CS2150 M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 5 x4 SSD to its lineup of solid-state drives. The CS2150 leads the way in advanced storage technology, utilizing the NVMe PCIe Gen 5 x4 interface to achieve exceptional data transfer speeds. With sequential read speeds reaching up to 10,300 MB/s and write speeds up to 8,600 MB/s, this groundbreaking solution elevates computing performance to new heights. Perfect for professionals, tech enthusiasts, content creators, and anyone demanding top-tier storage performance, the CS2150 sets a new standard for speed and efficiency.
Enhanced Gameplay with Microsoft DirectStorage
PNY's CS2150 SSD harnesses the power of Microsoft DirectStorage, a revolutionary Windows 11 feature that accelerates game load times and enhances image quality. Combined with the legendary PNY XLR8 Gaming DDR5 DRAM and a high-performance graphics card like the PNY GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 16 GB XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB Overclocked Triple Fan, you'll enjoy faster load times and smoother gameplay, giving you more time to spend immersed in the world of gaming.
Enhanced Gameplay with Microsoft DirectStorage
PNY's CS2150 SSD harnesses the power of Microsoft DirectStorage, a revolutionary Windows 11 feature that accelerates game load times and enhances image quality. Combined with the legendary PNY XLR8 Gaming DDR5 DRAM and a high-performance graphics card like the PNY GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 16 GB XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB Overclocked Triple Fan, you'll enjoy faster load times and smoother gameplay, giving you more time to spend immersed in the world of gaming.
MeLE QuieterDL is an Intel N100-powered Mini PC With Dual 2.5 GbE Ethernet
The MeLE QuieterDL is a freshly launched mini PC with a footprint that is barely larger than a smartphone. The system is available to purchase on Amazon, starting at $159.99. At that price, it is hardly fair to expect powerhouse performance, although the QuieterDL mini PC does live up to its name by sporting a fanless design.
At its core, the system is powered by an Intel N100 CPU. The processor is by no means a screamer, but its quad-core setup with a maximum clock speed of 3.4 GHz should be enough for most day-to-day tasks that are sufficiently lightweight such as managing emails, casual web browsing, and content consumption. The system can be specced with either 4 GB or 8 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, while storage configurations range from 128 GB to 512 GB of NVMe storage, which, thankfully, can be upgraded to a maximum of 4 TB down the line courtesy of its M.2 2280 slot.
At its core, the system is powered by an Intel N100 CPU. The processor is by no means a screamer, but its quad-core setup with a maximum clock speed of 3.4 GHz should be enough for most day-to-day tasks that are sufficiently lightweight such as managing emails, casual web browsing, and content consumption. The system can be specced with either 4 GB or 8 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, while storage configurations range from 128 GB to 512 GB of NVMe storage, which, thankfully, can be upgraded to a maximum of 4 TB down the line courtesy of its M.2 2280 slot.
Onlogic Unveils Ryzen 7 8840U-powered Mini PC With Passive Cooling
Fanless mini PCs are far from hard to find on the internet, although such systems seldom sport impressive hardware. That is to be expected, considering that powerful components require admirable cooling setups that are difficult to achieve in a passively cooled mini PC. However, Onlogic appears to be poised to tackle that trend by introducing the ML1000G-42 mini PC.
The system, boasting a rather compact 14.2 x 6.1 x 10.7 mm chassis, sports an 8-core Ryzen 7 8840U "Hawk Point" APU paired with up to 96 GB of DDR5-5600 memory. The product is mostly targeted at industrial use, which can be easily deduced from its external design. However, there is nothing specific about this system that outright prevents office users from using this as their daily driver. After all, there is hardly a scarcity of mini PC enthusiasts who prefer fanless systems.
The system, boasting a rather compact 14.2 x 6.1 x 10.7 mm chassis, sports an 8-core Ryzen 7 8840U "Hawk Point" APU paired with up to 96 GB of DDR5-5600 memory. The product is mostly targeted at industrial use, which can be easily deduced from its external design. However, there is nothing specific about this system that outright prevents office users from using this as their daily driver. After all, there is hardly a scarcity of mini PC enthusiasts who prefer fanless systems.
Lattice Advances Low Power FPGA Leadership with New Small and Mid-range FPGA Offerings
Today, at Lattice Developers Conference 2024, Lattice Semiconductor expanded its edge to cloud FPGA innovation leadership with the launch of exciting new hardware and software solutions. The new Lattice Nexus 2 next-gen small FPGA platform and the first device family based on the platform, Lattice Certus -N2 general purpose FPGAs, offer advanced connectivity, optimized power and performance, and class-leading security. Lattice also announced new mid-range FPGA device capacity options - Lattice Avant 30 and Avant 50 - and new versions of Lattice design software tools and application-specific solution stacks to help accelerate customer time-to-market.
"At Lattice, we are proud to lead technological advancements in low power, small form factor FPGAs, ensuring our customers have the optimal devices, tools, and solutions to design groundbreaking applications that are power efficient, fast, and secure," said Esam Elashmawi, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Lattice Semiconductor. "From the edge to the cloud across a variety of industries, FPGAs stand at the forefront of innovation, and we're committed to delivering versatile and robust small and mid-range FPGA solutions that enable our customers and partners to unlock their full potential."
"At Lattice, we are proud to lead technological advancements in low power, small form factor FPGAs, ensuring our customers have the optimal devices, tools, and solutions to design groundbreaking applications that are power efficient, fast, and secure," said Esam Elashmawi, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Lattice Semiconductor. "From the edge to the cloud across a variety of industries, FPGAs stand at the forefront of innovation, and we're committed to delivering versatile and robust small and mid-range FPGA solutions that enable our customers and partners to unlock their full potential."
Dauntless Steam Launch Causes Uproar After Massive Gameplay and Monetization Changes and Progress Reset
Nearly five years after Dauntless first launched on consoles and the Epic Games Store, the free-to-play co-op ARPG finally launched on Steam on December 5, although things haven't gone particularly smoothly since then. Less than a week after the Steam launch, the Steam reviews of Dauntless are already in "Overwhelmingly Negative" territory, with SteamDB citing just 19.21% positive reviews. The negative reviews seem to stem from the changes the game's developer, Phoenix Labs, made to the game when it was launched on Steam.
As part of the new Awakening update and launch on Steam, changes were made to a few key gameplay mechanics, and those changes have not been well received by the community. Additionally, progression has been reset for all players, new and old, forcing players to replay quests they've already completed and re-level weapons they had already mastered. The Awakening update also introduced Canisters, a sort of loot box monetization system that offers in-game cosmetics and can only be accessed in the season pass or by purchasing Platinum, the game's premium currency. Basically all of the posts on the Dauntless subreddit after the update are complaints about the changes to the game's mechanics or about players feeling slighted over the deletion of past progression. Players are also upset that the removal of a swathe of weapons has negatively affected build diversity and made players feel like they wasted their time thoroughly learning the game's mechanics and tuning builds. The developer seemingly tried to mitigate the removal of these weapons by adding new abilities, but that doesn't seem to have been enough to compensate for the decreased build diversity. Yet more complaints stem from apparent performance degradations on both PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Worse still, those same performance degradations appear to be quite random, with some players saying that their performance has remained the same throughout the update.
As part of the new Awakening update and launch on Steam, changes were made to a few key gameplay mechanics, and those changes have not been well received by the community. Additionally, progression has been reset for all players, new and old, forcing players to replay quests they've already completed and re-level weapons they had already mastered. The Awakening update also introduced Canisters, a sort of loot box monetization system that offers in-game cosmetics and can only be accessed in the season pass or by purchasing Platinum, the game's premium currency. Basically all of the posts on the Dauntless subreddit after the update are complaints about the changes to the game's mechanics or about players feeling slighted over the deletion of past progression. Players are also upset that the removal of a swathe of weapons has negatively affected build diversity and made players feel like they wasted their time thoroughly learning the game's mechanics and tuning builds. The developer seemingly tried to mitigate the removal of these weapons by adding new abilities, but that doesn't seem to have been enough to compensate for the decreased build diversity. Yet more complaints stem from apparent performance degradations on both PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Worse still, those same performance degradations appear to be quite random, with some players saying that their performance has remained the same throughout the update.
China Unveils Xiaohong-504: a 504-Qubit Quantum Computing Processor
China has announced the development of its latest quantum system, combining the Xiaohong-504, a 504-qubit superconducting quantum chip, with the Tianyan-504 quantum computer. The breakthrough comes from China Telecom Quantum Group (CTQG), which will use the new supercomputer to boost national telecommunications security. The Xiaohong-504 chip reportedly demonstrates impressive specifications in critical areas including qubit lifetime, gate fidelity, and circuit depth, comparable with established quantum platforms such as IBM. The first Xiaohong-504 processor is scheduled for delivery to QuantumCTek, a quantum technology company based in Anhui Province, where it will begin extensive testing of kilo-qubit measurement and control systems.
While the Tianyan-504 represents a major achievement, it currently ranks behind some international competitors in terms of qubit count. Atom Computing's 1,180-qubit prototype was revealed in late 2023, and IBM's 1,121-qubit Condor processor maintains the lead in raw qubit numbers. The development of the Tianyan-504 was a collaborative effort between CTQG, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and QuantumCTek. The system will be integrated into the Tianyan quantum cloud platform, which has already demonstrated significant international reach since its launch in November 2023, attracting more than 12 million visits from users across over 50 countries. Rather than focusing solely on achieving quantum supremacy, the Tianyan-504 project aim is developing infrastructure for large-scale quantum systems.
While the Tianyan-504 represents a major achievement, it currently ranks behind some international competitors in terms of qubit count. Atom Computing's 1,180-qubit prototype was revealed in late 2023, and IBM's 1,121-qubit Condor processor maintains the lead in raw qubit numbers. The development of the Tianyan-504 was a collaborative effort between CTQG, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and QuantumCTek. The system will be integrated into the Tianyan quantum cloud platform, which has already demonstrated significant international reach since its launch in November 2023, attracting more than 12 million visits from users across over 50 countries. Rather than focusing solely on achieving quantum supremacy, the Tianyan-504 project aim is developing infrastructure for large-scale quantum systems.
KIOXIA NVMe SSD Cryptographic Module Achieves FIPS 140-3 Level 2 Validation
KIOXIA America, Inc. today announced that the cryptographic module used in KIOXIA CM7 Series PCIe 5.0 NVMe Enterprise SSDs has been validated to meet Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3, Level 2 for cryptographic modules.
The FIPS 140-3 standard specifies a set of security requirements of the Cryptographic Module Validation Program administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), used as a security metric for federal agencies to procure validated IT equipment. Companies and federal agencies may prefer or may now be required to deploy newer, more stringent government standards - which SSDs validated to FIPS 140-3 requirements would meet. Compared to the previous FIPS 140-2 requirements, 140-3 provides higher standards for SSDs, including a stronger authentication method and updated implementation guidance.
The FIPS 140-3 standard specifies a set of security requirements of the Cryptographic Module Validation Program administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), used as a security metric for federal agencies to procure validated IT equipment. Companies and federal agencies may prefer or may now be required to deploy newer, more stringent government standards - which SSDs validated to FIPS 140-3 requirements would meet. Compared to the previous FIPS 140-2 requirements, 140-3 provides higher standards for SSDs, including a stronger authentication method and updated implementation guidance.
TSMC Reports November 2024 Revenue, Up 34% YoY
TSMC (TWSE: 2330, NYSE: TSM) today announced its net revenue for November 2024: On a consolidated basis, revenue for November 2024 was approximately NT$276.06 billion, a decrease of 12.2 percent from October 2024 and an increase of 34.0 percent from November 2023. Revenue for January through November 2024 totaled NT$2,616.15 billion, an increase of 31.8 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
Micron Receives $6.1B in CHIPS Act Funding to Boost US Memory Manufacturing
The Biden-Harris Administration has given Micron Technology up to $6.165 billion in direct funds through the CHIPS Incentives Program to back the company's manufacturing growth. The money will allow Micron to execute its plan announced in October 2022 by investing about $100 billion into Clay, New York fab, and $25 billion into Idaho over 20 years aiming to boost the United States' advanced memory manufacturing from under 2% to around 10% by 2035. This large investment aims to make the U.S. economy stronger by creating a home supply of cutting-edge DRAM chips, moreover it is expected to create approximately 20,000 job across the U.S. Micron plans to spend about $50 billion before 2030 focusing on making more advanced memory semiconductor technology.
Also, the Department of Commerce has put pen to paper on a first draft of terms with Micron. This could lead to funding of up to $275 million to upgrade its Manassas, Virginia plant. The $2 billion investment project aims to bring Micron's 1-alpha technology back to U.S. The 1-alpha process was launched in 2021 and is used for the latest LPDDR5 DRAM chips. This would boost monthly wafer production and create over 400 factory jobs. At its busiest, the project could generate up to 2,700 jobs in the local area.
Also, the Department of Commerce has put pen to paper on a first draft of terms with Micron. This could lead to funding of up to $275 million to upgrade its Manassas, Virginia plant. The $2 billion investment project aims to bring Micron's 1-alpha technology back to U.S. The 1-alpha process was launched in 2021 and is used for the latest LPDDR5 DRAM chips. This would boost monthly wafer production and create over 400 factory jobs. At its busiest, the project could generate up to 2,700 jobs in the local area.
AMD Introduces Versal RF Series Adaptive SoCs With Integrated Direct RF-Sampling Converters
AMD today announced the expansion of the AMD Versal adaptive system-on-chip (SoC) portfolio with the introduction of the Versal RF Series that includes the industry's highest compute performance in a single-chip device with integrated direct radio frequency (RF)-sampling data converters.
Versal RF Series offers precise, wideband-spectrum observability and up to 80 TOPS of digital signal processing (DSP) performance in a size, weight, and power (SWaP)-optimized design, targeting RF systems and test equipment applications in the aerospace and defense (A&D) and test and measurement (T&M) markets, respectively.
Versal RF Series offers precise, wideband-spectrum observability and up to 80 TOPS of digital signal processing (DSP) performance in a size, weight, and power (SWaP)-optimized design, targeting RF systems and test equipment applications in the aerospace and defense (A&D) and test and measurement (T&M) markets, respectively.
Phanteks Launches the NexLinq Ecosystem
Phanteks introduces the NEXLINQ ecosystem, a next-gen solution for enhanced cooling, fan and lighting control, and refined system aesthetics. Featuring the new Linq 6 connector, NEXLINQ simplifies cable management and elevates DIY PC builds. The ecosystem includes the NEXLINQ Hub, M25 Gen 2 Fans, and Glacier One 360M25 G2 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, delivering ultimate performance and customization. Fully compatible with the G400A chassis and future products, NEXLINQ offers a seamless, optimized setup for gamers and PC enthusiasts.
The Phanteks NEXLINQ Hub, with the Linq 6 connector and NEXLINQ App, simplifies fan and lighting control across your system. The hub streamlines connectivity, reducing cable clutter, while the app offers an intuitive interface for fine-tuning fan speeds and lighting effects. With support for CPU/GPU temperature-based fan RPM adjustments and customizable RGB effects, users can easily personalize and optimize their builds. The Phanteks M25 Gen 2 Fans boost cooling efficiency with a daisy-chained unified fan frame and Linq 6 connector, ensuring fast, clean connections and reducing cable clutter. Designed for optimal airflow, they excel at cooling radiators and heatsinks under heavy loads. With options for regular or reverse airflow, users can fine-tune thermal performance. The fans also feature integrated D-RGB lighting, delivering dynamic, infinity mirror style visual effects.
The Phanteks NEXLINQ Hub, with the Linq 6 connector and NEXLINQ App, simplifies fan and lighting control across your system. The hub streamlines connectivity, reducing cable clutter, while the app offers an intuitive interface for fine-tuning fan speeds and lighting effects. With support for CPU/GPU temperature-based fan RPM adjustments and customizable RGB effects, users can easily personalize and optimize their builds. The Phanteks M25 Gen 2 Fans boost cooling efficiency with a daisy-chained unified fan frame and Linq 6 connector, ensuring fast, clean connections and reducing cable clutter. Designed for optimal airflow, they excel at cooling radiators and heatsinks under heavy loads. With options for regular or reverse airflow, users can fine-tune thermal performance. The fans also feature integrated D-RGB lighting, delivering dynamic, infinity mirror style visual effects.
Phanteks Launches G400A Mid-Tower Chassis: Optimized for Performance, Style, and Cooling
Phanteks is excited to introduce the G400A, a next-generation mid-tower chassis that builds on the success of the P400A. Designed with gamers and PC builders in mind, the G400A delivers exceptional airflow, efficient cable management, and a clean, modern aesthetic. Its redesigned, spacious interior supports the largest graphics cards and enhances cooling potential, making it ideal for high-performance builds.
With up to 10 fan mounts, support for 140 mm fans, and space for a 360 mm top radiator, the G400A is engineered to handle demanding systems. A sleek, cable-free rear-side connector layout further ensures a neat, organized build while maximizing airflow. The G400A offers robust cooling, ample space, and modern aesthetics, making it the ideal choice for gamers and creators seeking a versatile,
high-performance PC case.
With up to 10 fan mounts, support for 140 mm fans, and space for a 360 mm top radiator, the G400A is engineered to handle demanding systems. A sleek, cable-free rear-side connector layout further ensures a neat, organized build while maximizing airflow. The G400A offers robust cooling, ample space, and modern aesthetics, making it the ideal choice for gamers and creators seeking a versatile,
high-performance PC case.
Club3D Introduces CAC-2501 Thunderbolt 5 Cable Supporting 8K@240 Hz and 240 W PD
Introducing the CAC-2501 Thunderbolt 5 Certified 8K240Hz Data 80/120 Gbps EPR 240 Watt Cable M/M 1 m / 3.28ft: Unparalleled Speed and Power in One Cable. Revolutionize your tech experience with the groundbreaking Thunderbolt 5 Certified Cable. This 1-meter powerhouse delivers 80 Gbps data transfer speeds, 8K240Hz video support, and up to 240 W of charging—all packed into a sleek, durable design.
Whether you're pushing the boundaries of creativity, gaming at ultra-high resolutions, or demanding robust power for your devices, Thunderbolt 5 is engineered to exceed expectations. With universal compatibility across Thunderbolt 3, 4, and USB-C devices, this cable is your gateway to the next generation of performance. Stay connected, stay ahead. Dive into the features and discover why Thunderbolt 5 is the cable you've been waiting for.
Whether you're pushing the boundaries of creativity, gaming at ultra-high resolutions, or demanding robust power for your devices, Thunderbolt 5 is engineered to exceed expectations. With universal compatibility across Thunderbolt 3, 4, and USB-C devices, this cable is your gateway to the next generation of performance. Stay connected, stay ahead. Dive into the features and discover why Thunderbolt 5 is the cable you've been waiting for.
AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ PRO 395 "Strix Halo" APU Spotted in Geekbench Leak
CES 2025 is less than a month away and leaks about AMD Strix Halo APUs are starting to emerge. Today we have confirmation via a leaked Geekbench Vulcan test that AMD will launch the Ryzen AI MAX+ PRO 395 w/ Radeon 8060S "Strix Halo" APU. Information reveals that this APU is equipped with 16 Zen 5 cores with 32 threads, a 3 GHz base frequency (4.4 GHz max), and a boost up to 5.1 GHz. It sports a 32 MB L3 cache per CCD for a total of 64 MB since it uses a dual CCD chip design. The TDP should be between 55-130 W. Moreover, the "PRO" in the product naming suggests that AMD could release non-PRO models at a later date.
The integrated Radeon 8060S iGPU adopts the RDNA 3.5 architecture with 40 computing units and was tested using an AMD reference board design codenamed AMD MAPLE-STXH and 64 GB of memory scoring 67,004 points in the Geekbench Vulkan test. This initial result is lower than AMD Radeon RX 7600 RDNA 3 discrete entry-level products (despite having more cores 40CU vs 32CU), and higher than NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. However, since the benchmark was run on an evaluation platform without optimized drivers and more likely using an early test sample product, we can expect the actual performance of the Radeon 8060S iGPU to be higher.
The integrated Radeon 8060S iGPU adopts the RDNA 3.5 architecture with 40 computing units and was tested using an AMD reference board design codenamed AMD MAPLE-STXH and 64 GB of memory scoring 67,004 points in the Geekbench Vulkan test. This initial result is lower than AMD Radeon RX 7600 RDNA 3 discrete entry-level products (despite having more cores 40CU vs 32CU), and higher than NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. However, since the benchmark was run on an evaluation platform without optimized drivers and more likely using an early test sample product, we can expect the actual performance of the Radeon 8060S iGPU to be higher.
Microsoft Loosens Windows 11 Install Requirements, TPM 2.0 Not Needed Anymore
Microsoft has finally opened the iron gate guarding the Windows 11 upgrade for systems running incompatible hardware, including systems lacking TPM 2.0. This is excellent news for users who are rocking older systems or have been without the TPM 2.0 module in their system but want to upgrade to the newer OS release. Microsoft opened an official support page, noting that "Installing Windows 11 on a device that doesn't meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements isn't recommended. If Windows 11 is installed on ineligible hardware, you should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues. A device might malfunction due to these compatibility or other issues. Devices that don't meet these system requirements aren't guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates."
However, an interesting disclaimer appears once a user tries to install Windows 11 on a PC that doesn't meet minimum requirements:
However, an interesting disclaimer appears once a user tries to install Windows 11 on a PC that doesn't meet minimum requirements:
MicrosoftThis PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 11 - these requirements help ensure a more reliable and higher quality experience. Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty. By selecting Accept, you are acknowledging that you read and understand this statement.
Quobly Announces Key Milestone for Fault-tolerant Quantum Computing
Quobly, a leading French quantum computing startup, has reported that FD-SOI technology can serve as a scalable platform for commercial quantum computing, leveraging traditional semiconductor manufacturing fabs and CEA-Leti's R&D pilot line.
The semiconductor industry has played a pivotal role in enabling classical computers to scale at cost; it has the same transformative potential for quantum computers, making them commercially scalable and cost competitive. Silicon spin qubits are excellent for achieving fault-tolerant, large-scale quantum computing, registering clock speeds in the µsec range, fidelity above 99% for one and two-qubit gate operations and incomparably small unit cell sizes (in the hundredths of 100 nm²).
The semiconductor industry has played a pivotal role in enabling classical computers to scale at cost; it has the same transformative potential for quantum computers, making them commercially scalable and cost competitive. Silicon spin qubits are excellent for achieving fault-tolerant, large-scale quantum computing, registering clock speeds in the µsec range, fidelity above 99% for one and two-qubit gate operations and incomparably small unit cell sizes (in the hundredths of 100 nm²).
Kioxia Develops OCTRAM (Oxide-Semiconductor Channel Transistor DRAM) Technology
Kioxia Corporation, a world leader in memory solutions, today announced the development of OCTRAM (Oxide-Semiconductor Channel Transistor DRAM), a new type of 4F2 DRAM, comprised of an oxide-semiconductor transistor that has a high ON current, and an ultra-low OFF current, simultaneously. This technology is expected to realize a low power DRAM by bringing out the ultra-low leakage property of the InGaZnO transistor. This was first announced at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) held in San Francisco, CA on December 9, 2024. This achievement was jointly developed by Nanya Technology and Kioxia Corporation. This technology has the potential to lower power consumption in a wide range of applications, including AI and post-5G communication systems, and IoT products.
The OCTRAM utilizes a cylinder-shaped InGaZnO vertical transistor (Fig.1) as a cell transistor. This design enables the adaptation of a 4F2 DRAM, which offers significant advantages in memory density compared to the conventional silicon-based 6F2 DRAM.
The OCTRAM utilizes a cylinder-shaped InGaZnO vertical transistor (Fig.1) as a cell transistor. This design enables the adaptation of a 4F2 DRAM, which offers significant advantages in memory density compared to the conventional silicon-based 6F2 DRAM.
MSI Unveils MPG 321URXW QD-OLED: The Ultimate Gaming Monitor in Elegant White
MSI is excited to unveil the MPG 321URXW QD-OLED, a premium gaming monitor with a stunning silver-white design. Designed for gamers who value both exceptional performance and aesthetic elegance, this 32-inch display effortlessly combines power and style. It's an ideal choice for high-end white custom PCs or the PS5, setting a new benchmark for premium gaming setups. This monitor is truly a masterpiece of design and performance, created for those who appreciate both cutting-edge technology and aesthetic excellence.
Cutting-Edge QD-OLED Technology
MSI continues to innovate with the integration of QD-OLED panel technology, offering an unparalleled visual experience. This advanced display technology provides richer, more vibrant colors, deeper contrasts, and superior brightness that enhance every detail. With its 4K resolution, a lightning-fast 0.03 ms response time, and a 240 Hz refresh rate, the MPG 321URXW ensures that every game runs smoothly and without interruption. Whether it's fast-paced action or immersive open-world exploration, the visuals are further elevated by HDR1000 and HDR True Black, which deliver exceptional brightness and deep, true-to-life blacks. This combination allows gamers to experience more dynamic lighting, sharp contrast, and vivid color accuracy, transforming gameplay into a cinematic experience.
Cutting-Edge QD-OLED Technology
MSI continues to innovate with the integration of QD-OLED panel technology, offering an unparalleled visual experience. This advanced display technology provides richer, more vibrant colors, deeper contrasts, and superior brightness that enhance every detail. With its 4K resolution, a lightning-fast 0.03 ms response time, and a 240 Hz refresh rate, the MPG 321URXW ensures that every game runs smoothly and without interruption. Whether it's fast-paced action or immersive open-world exploration, the visuals are further elevated by HDR1000 and HDR True Black, which deliver exceptional brightness and deep, true-to-life blacks. This combination allows gamers to experience more dynamic lighting, sharp contrast, and vivid color accuracy, transforming gameplay into a cinematic experience.
$30,000 Music Streaming Server is the Next Audiophile Dream Device
Taiko Audio, a Dutch high-end audio manufacturer, has unveiled what might be the most over-engineered music server ever created—the Extreme Server. With a starting price of €28,000 (US$29,600), this meticulously crafted device embodies either the pinnacle of audio engineering or the epitome of audiophile excess. The Extreme's most distinctive feature is its unique dual-processor architecture, using two Intel Xeon Scalable 10-core CPUs. This unusual configuration isn't just for show—Taiko claims it solves a specific audiophile dilemma: the impact of Roon's music management interface on sound quality. By dedicating two processors to Roon and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 interface, they've made Roon's processing "virtually inaudible", addressing a concern most music listeners probably never knew existed.
Perhaps the most striking technical achievement is the server's cooling system, or rather, its complete absence of conventional cooling. Taiko designed a custom 240 W passive cooling solution with absolutely no fans or moving parts. The company machined the CPU interface to a mind-boggling precision of 5 microns (0.005 mm) and opted for solid copper heat sinks instead of aluminium, claiming this will extend component life by 4 to 12 years. The attention to detail extends to the memory configuration, where Taiko takes an unconventional approach. The server uses twelve 4 GB custom-made industrial memory modules, each factory pre-selected with components matched to within 1% tolerance. According to Taiko, this reduces the refresh rate burst current by almost 50% and allows for lower operating temperatures. The PSU that powers the PC is a custom 400 W linear power supply, an in-house development designed specifically for the Extreme's unique needs. It combines premium Mundorf and Duelund capacitors for sonic neutrality, Lundahl chokes selected by ear, and extensive vibrational damping using Panzerholz (a compressed wood composite) for durability, low temperature operation, longevity, and exceptional sound quality.
Perhaps the most striking technical achievement is the server's cooling system, or rather, its complete absence of conventional cooling. Taiko designed a custom 240 W passive cooling solution with absolutely no fans or moving parts. The company machined the CPU interface to a mind-boggling precision of 5 microns (0.005 mm) and opted for solid copper heat sinks instead of aluminium, claiming this will extend component life by 4 to 12 years. The attention to detail extends to the memory configuration, where Taiko takes an unconventional approach. The server uses twelve 4 GB custom-made industrial memory modules, each factory pre-selected with components matched to within 1% tolerance. According to Taiko, this reduces the refresh rate burst current by almost 50% and allows for lower operating temperatures. The PSU that powers the PC is a custom 400 W linear power supply, an in-house development designed specifically for the Extreme's unique needs. It combines premium Mundorf and Duelund capacitors for sonic neutrality, Lundahl chokes selected by ear, and extensive vibrational damping using Panzerholz (a compressed wood composite) for durability, low temperature operation, longevity, and exceptional sound quality.
Google Puts Error Correction First with the Latest "Willow" 105-Qubit Quantum Processor
Google Quantum AI lab has announced a huge advancement in quantum computing with its new Willow processor. The chip demonstrated remarkable error correction capabilities and computational power beyond traditional supercomputers, including ExaFLOP machines such as Frontier and El Capitan. In research published in Nature, Google's team showed that Willow can exponentially reduce error rates as more qubits are added to the system—a feat known as operating "below threshold" that has been a major challenge in quantum computing since 1995. Using arrays of quantum bits in increasingly larger grids, the team successfully cut error rates in half with each expansion. The chip's performance is particularly recorded in random circuit sampling (RCS), where Willow completed calculations in under five minutes. Something like that would take today's fastest supercomputer approximately ten septillion years to solve—a timespan far greater than the universe's age.
Manufactured at Google's specialized facility in Santa Barbara, the 105-qubit Willow chip also achieved impressive coherence times, with qubits maintaining their quantum states for up to 100 microseconds—five times longer than previous generations. Dr. Hartmut Neven, who founded Google Quantum AI in 2012, emphasized that the breakthrough brings quantum computing closer to scaling into more complex systems for data processing. Potential applications include discovering new medicines, designing more efficient batteries for electric vehicles, and accelerating fusion energy research. The next challenge for Google's quantum team is demonstrating a "useful, beyond-classical" computation that addresses practical applications. While Willow has shown superior performance in benchmark tests, researchers are now focused on developing algorithms that can tackle commercially relevant problems that are impossible for traditional computers to solve.
Manufactured at Google's specialized facility in Santa Barbara, the 105-qubit Willow chip also achieved impressive coherence times, with qubits maintaining their quantum states for up to 100 microseconds—five times longer than previous generations. Dr. Hartmut Neven, who founded Google Quantum AI in 2012, emphasized that the breakthrough brings quantum computing closer to scaling into more complex systems for data processing. Potential applications include discovering new medicines, designing more efficient batteries for electric vehicles, and accelerating fusion energy research. The next challenge for Google's quantum team is demonstrating a "useful, beyond-classical" computation that addresses practical applications. While Willow has shown superior performance in benchmark tests, researchers are now focused on developing algorithms that can tackle commercially relevant problems that are impossible for traditional computers to solve.
Finalwire Releases AIDA64 v7.50
FinalWire Ltd. today announced the immediate availability of AIDA64 Extreme 7.50 software, a streamlined diagnostic and benchmarking tool for home users; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Engineer 7.50 software, a professional diagnostic and benchmarking solution for corporate IT technicians and engineers; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Business 7.50 software, an essential network management solution for small and medium scale enterprises; and the immediate availability of AIDA64 Network Audit 7.50 software, a dedicated network audit toolset to collect and manage corporate network inventories.
The new AIDA64 update introduces SensorPanel Core template, AVX2 accelerated benchmarks for Intel Arrow Lake processors, and supports the latest graphics and GPGPU computing technologies by AMD, Intel and NVIDIA.
The new AIDA64 update introduces SensorPanel Core template, AVX2 accelerated benchmarks for Intel Arrow Lake processors, and supports the latest graphics and GPGPU computing technologies by AMD, Intel and NVIDIA.
Indie Game Marketplace Itch.io Gets Taken Down in Unlikely IP Crossfire
Itch.io, the popular developer-friendly indie game marketplace, has revealed that the site has been taken down by a seemingly erroneous IP protection request by none other than Funko Pop, the pop culture collectible maker. According to Itch.io, the bizarre take-down happened as a result of Funko's automated IP protection provider, and it happened despite Itch.io taking action to prevent the take-down. The site has since been restored, with the offending page removed, but it took more than a little effort on the part of Itch.io's management. The whole situation seems to have been caused by poor communication on the part of Itch.io's domain registrar, Iwantmyname, since that's where the decision to remove the entire site, instead of just the offending page, seems to have originated.
According to posts on X by BrandShield, Funko's IP protection partner, the company's automated system flagged an apparent phishing attempt by an Itch.io subdomain, prompting BrandShield to request the removal of the offending subdomain, notifying both Itch.io and Iwantmyname. Itch.io says that it then removed the offending page and sent an e-mail confirming that it had taken the requisite action, but that e-mail apparently went unread, leaving Itch.io without a site for what appears to be around eight hours. Eventually, someone at Iwantmyname was able to address Itch.io's communications regarding the take-down, and the site was restored in the morning of Monday, December 9.
According to posts on X by BrandShield, Funko's IP protection partner, the company's automated system flagged an apparent phishing attempt by an Itch.io subdomain, prompting BrandShield to request the removal of the offending subdomain, notifying both Itch.io and Iwantmyname. Itch.io says that it then removed the offending page and sent an e-mail confirming that it had taken the requisite action, but that e-mail apparently went unread, leaving Itch.io without a site for what appears to be around eight hours. Eventually, someone at Iwantmyname was able to address Itch.io's communications regarding the take-down, and the site was restored in the morning of Monday, December 9.
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