News Archive

Tuesday, January 21st 2025

Today's Reviews

Cases
CPU Coolers
Headphones
Memory
Mouse
PSUs
SSD
Pwnage StormBreaker Max CF Review

Pwnage StormBreaker Max CF Review

Aside from being larger yet significantly lighter at 47 g, the right-handed ergonomic StormBreaker Max CF ("Carbon Fiber") also brings additional improvements over the original StormBreaker: optical main button switches from Omron, PixArt's PAW3950 sensor, true 8000 Hz polling in wired and wireless operation, and up to 90 hours of battery life.
PowerColor Alphyn AH10 Review

PowerColor Alphyn AH10 Review

PowerColor ventures into the gaming headset market with the Alphyn AH10, a $100 wireless entry with a 30-hour battery life, DTS Headphone:X virtual surround sound, and wide multi-platform support.

Xbox Introduces Pulse Cipher Special Edition Controller

Introducing the newest iteration of the Cipher series, Xbox Wireless Controller—Pulse Cipher Special Edition! Like its predecessors, Sky Cipher and Ghost Cipher, Pulse Cipher provides players with a nostalgic transparent look infused with a futuristic twist. Despite being third in the series, this controller is special in its own right. Players can catch a glimpse of the silver midframe through the red transparent top case to reveal the mysteries found within. This vibrant design and colorway make a bold statement where modern gaming meets enduring nostalgia.

Energize your play with the Pulse Cipher controller and all its features, including red, diamond-shaped rubberized grips, dark red accents across the bumpers, buttons, and two-toned thumbsticks, a metallic hybrid D-pad, and matching metallic triggers. You can easily swap button input profiles through the Xbox Accessory Hub, where you can also preview any of the screenshots or videos you take using the dedicated Share button found in the middle of the controller.

Unannounced Horizon MMO Reportedly Cancelled by NCSOFT

An industry mole—familiar with internal NCSOFT activities—believes that three game development projects have been cancelled: Pantera, H, and J. Past speculation has pointed to "Project H" being an announced Horizon MMO title—based on evidence that emerged shortly after the announced formation of a "strategic global business partnership" between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSOFT (back in 2023). Reportedly, Jim Ryan—the now former CEO and chairman of SIE—spearheaded PlayStation's concerted push into multi-faceted "live service" development cycles. Industry oracle, Jason Schreier, questioned the prioritization of "games as a service"—his late 2023 predictions seem very prescient, when looking at the present day landscape.

Last week, reports suggested two unannounced Sony-owned live-service games being placed on the proverbial chopping board. Bluepoint's much rumored "God of War" project was quietly canned according to Schreier's Bloomberg column, as well as a mysterious Bend Studios-produced title. NCSOFT's Project H—also known as "Skyline"—appears to be the victim of an internal "feasibility review." Target platforms were reported to be PC and mobile—therefore placing Project H/Skyline in a separate tranche; distinct from another online-oriented Horizon game. Franchise originator—Guerrilla Games—is reportedly still toiling away (with Bungie's guidance) on an upcoming multiplayer-focused release for PlayStation 5 home consoles.

SilverStone Intros ECM40 4-Bay M.2 NVMe SSD Adapter Card With Active Cooling

SilverStone unveiled a new addition to its expansion card with the ECM40 PCIe 4.0 x16 to 4x M.2 NVMe SSD adapter card. This device supports 4x M.2 SSDs (M Key) in 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 form factors. The expansion card comes in a single slot format measuring 147.74 x 181 x 21.59 mm and is equipped with a 40 mm dual ball-bearing fan spinning at 7000 RPM to ensure better cooling of the SSDs. The fan can be turned on and off using the included power switch. A two-mode LED indicator provides additional operating status based on signals from the motherboard and SSD. The top cover is made from aluminium and acts as a radiator to dissipate heat. Moreover, thermal pads are included.

In terms of performance, the SilverStone product page informs us that the ECM40 is capable of achieving speeds up to 7,351 MB/s for continuous reads and up to 6,845 MB/s for write speed. These results were achieved using Kingston Fury 2T SSDs on a system built around an ASRock X570 Pro4 motherboard, with an AMD R9 5900X CPU and Micron Crucial DDR4 2133/8G (4Gx2) memory modules. The motherboard or add-on card must support PCIe bifurcation, allowing the PCIe x16/x8 slot to be split into 4x4 or 4x2 configurations. Currently, there is no information about pricing.

Sparkle Debuts White Design Arc B580 TITAN Luna OC Card

Sparkle's Arc B580 TITAN Luna OC graphics card model—featuring an all-white design—was discovered via leaked renders around mid-December. By that point in time, the Taiwanese company had already sent Intel Arc B580 "Battlemage" GPU-based products to market—most notably in the form of its Arc B580 TITAN OC SKU, bearing a signature blue design. W1zzard—TechPowerUp's resident evaluator of GPUs—honored this particular model with two awards: "Highly Recommended" and "Great Value." We expect the newly announced "Luna" (almost all-white) counterpart to perform nigh identically—Sparkle has simply rolled out a different color option for customers who favor pale-tinted PC builds.

The inclusion of a differently shaded I/O ruins the overall effect, but snow-white enthusiasts will be happy to discover that Sparkle has produced a white PCB design for its TITAN Luna lineup. Similarly, certain Chinese brands have consistently delivered many white-hued boards. Western PC gaming hardware enthusiasts have often admired the (more recognized) PowerColor Hellhound "Spectral White" aesthetic. A limited edition GPU holder will be bundled in the Arc B580 TITAN Luna OC's retail package—unfortunately, Sparkle has seemingly settled on including this all-blue accessory.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Post-Launch Roadmap Revealed

Polish your armor and sharpen your sword: Warhorse Studios and PLAION have released details of the post-launch roadmap for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The game's upcoming February 4 launch signifies the start of an epic journey through medieval Bohemia, with a range of additional free and paid content set to arrive throughout 2025. From Horse Racing and Hardcore Mode to mastering blacksmithing and exploring compelling new quests, there is plenty for players to look forward to as they continue their adventure with Henry.

Alongside these expansions will be a number of free quality of life updates to further enhance the game experience. Unlock the full experience with the Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Gold Edition, which includes the base game, the Gallant Huntsman Kit and the Expansion Pass, which includes Shields of Season Passing and all three paid story expansions. The Gold Edition is truly the ultimate way to enjoy everything the game has to offer.

New iPads On The Horizon: Updated iPad Air, iPad Pro, And Entry-Level iPad

There are a substantial number of people who prefer to use an iPad for certain light-weight tasks over traditional laptops. For such folks, Apple's iPad lineup has always promised great performance and efficiency at reasonable prices, considering that they are willing to deal with the limitations of iPadOS. A plethora of recent reports have shed light on the expected release schedule for this year's iPads, including the entry-level budget iPad, the iPad Air, and the highest-end iPad Pro.

Of course, the iPad Pro is easily the most exciting among the bunch, although that does not seem to be the case this year. Multiple reports have pointed at a spec-bump for the iPad Pros, which will likely boast the Apple M5 SoC when it sees the light of day. Considering that the iPad got a major design overhaul just last year, no other major upgrades are anticipated for 2025. The entry-level iPad and iPad Air will witness a similar treatment, both getting an SoC upgrade to the A17 Pro and M3 respectively. This is particularly big deal for the entry-level iPad, which will now get to reap the benefits of 8 GB of memory, double that of the current generation, making the already budget-friendly iPad an even better value.

Kingpin Skipping GeForce RTX 50 Generation, Cites "Impossible" Logistics

Vince "Kingpin" Lucido's latest "Let's Talk" video blog has revealed difficult circumstances—affecting the development of a new-generation "KP Card." The extreme overclocker has announced a planned move back to North America (prioritizing his family) around mid-2025—he has lived in Taiwan for fifteen years—along with a sad project cancellation. Kingpin stated that: "there's no 'my card' this generation. It can't come for Gen 5. It's impossible. There are just too many issues over here, and it would create a lot of problems if I jumped on board so quickly." Mid-last year, Kingpin partnered with PNY—this collaboration reached a "wishlist" phase following tests performed in 3D Mark, according to today's VLOG.

Timing is cited as a major factor in his decision-making—he did not want to sign a Taiwanese vendor's contract and commit significant man-hours during a trying life period. He reckons that he has options further down the line—potentially with US-based companies. His next Kingpin card design (skipping a generation) could be something "unbelievable" and he hinted about it being a surprise. On this subject he stated: "I can't really say much about that. Well, because it has to do with my previous contractual stuff. I love graphics cards. I love making graphics cards, and for sure, I don't think that's going to die. But I think we'll have to wait-still have to wait for another generation. And who knows? Maybe it won't be Team Green; maybe it'll be another color."

Phanteks Launches Evolv X2 PC Case Series

Phanteks is thrilled to officially release the Evolv X2 after unveiling it at Computex 2024. This innovative chassis redefines how a PC sits on a desk, blending cutting-edge functionality with premium aesthetics. Designed for PC enthusiasts and gamers, the Evolv X2 combines sleek design, superior cooling, and seamless hardware integration.

Revolutionary Design with a See-Through Appeal
The Evolv X2 features a tri-panel glass chassis for a clear view of your system's components. With an aluminium interior and vertical cooling solution the X2, efficiently draws in air from the bottom of the chassis and exhausts heat through the top. The chassis is designed to not only look stunning but also ensure optimal airflow for your components.

Numem to Showcase Next-Gen Memory Solutions at the Upcoming Chiplet Summit

Numem, an innovator focused on accelerating memory for AI workloads, will be at the upcoming Chiplet Summit to showcase its high-performance solutions. By accelerating the delivery of data via new memory subsystem designs, Numem solutions are re-architecting the hierarchy of AI memory tiers to eliminate the bottlenecks that negatively impact power and performance.

The rapid growth of AI workloads and AI Processor/GPUs are exacerbating the memory bottleneck caused by the slowing performance improvements and scalability of SRAM and DRAM - presenting a major obstacle to maximizing system performance. To overcome this, there is a pressing need for intelligent memory solutions that offer higher power efficiency and greater bandwidth, coupled with a reevaluation of traditional memory architectures.

Lenovo to Acquire Infinidat - Expects Growth in Enterprise Storage Portfolio

Global technology powerhouse Lenovo Group Limited (together with its subsidiary, "Lenovo" or the "Group") has announced that its subsidiary has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Infinidat Ltd. ("Infinidat"), a global provider of high-end enterprise storage solutions. The acquisition is part of Lenovo's growth strategy to bring differentiated technology solutions to market. This move will further strengthen Lenovo's enterprise storage offerings globally and underscores a commitment to delivering innovative storage solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern data centers.

With the strong storage solutions and research & development capabilities of Infinidat, the transaction will create strategic synergies with the Group's infrastructure solutions business and enterprise storage capabilities.

Silicon Motion Working on MonTitan SM8466, a Next-gen PCIe 6.0 SSD Controller

Silicon Motion will expand its MonTitan lineup of SSD controllers—for datacenters and enterprise platforms—with the upcoming addition of a truly next-generation model. Wallace C. Kou (the company's founder and CEO) contributes to ChinaFlashMarket.com with a regular written column—his latest feature (posted on January 17) includes a short sentence dedicated to announcing his firm's new SM8466 design. This appears to be their first foray into PCIe 6.0-based interface territories—details are minimal (at this point in time), but the CEO divulged the very basics. Silicon Motion's engineering team is currently in the "development stage" with the SM8466 project—a: "4 nm PCIe Gen 6 SSD master chip."

It is not clear whether this next-gen PCIe 6.0 SSD controller will be heading to market anytime soon, but Kou's column mostly focused on current plans—likely signalling where priorities lie. Silicon Motion's "built-in PCIe Gen 5 SSD enterprise-level master chip" (SM8366) is in mass production—industry experts believe that the company's MonTitan PCIe 5.0 family has had a tough time keeping up with equivalent Phison products—in particular, the market leading PS5026-E26 (PCIe 5.0 x4) controller. The SM8366 could be potent enough to take the crown in higher-end enterprise segments, but the existence of a PCIe 6.0-based successor is bound to attract extra attention.

Blue Cheetah Tapes Out Its High-Performance Chiplet Interconnect IP on Samsung Foundry SF4X

Blue Cheetah Analog Design today announced the successful tape-outs of its next generation BlueLynx die-to-die (D2D) PHY on Samsung Foundry's SF4X 4 nm advanced manufacturing process. The latest PHY supports both advanced and standard chiplet packaging with an aggregate throughput exceeding 100 Tbps while achieving industry-leading silicon area footprint and power consumption. BlueLynx D2D subsystem IP enables chip architects to meet the bandwidth density and environmental robustness necessary to ensure production deployment success while preserving use case flexibility.

Using Samsung Foundry's SF4X 4 nm advanced process, the latest BlueLynx PHY supports both standard 2D and advanced 2.5D packages and enables system designers to seamlessly change packaging technologies in current and future implementations. Customer deliveries started in 2024 with silicon characterization in both advanced and standard packaging applications expected in early Q2 2025.

Xbox Game Pass's January Additions: Sniper Elite: Resistance, Eternal Strands & More...

We're back with the next wave of Game Pass reveals for January—and I hope you've cleared your schedule! If you're looking for day one releases, some fan favorites, or ready to discover your next favorite game, I come prepared. And while we're making room on schedules, I hope to see you all on January 23 for our Developer Direct for an inside look at a few upcoming games (not to mention those coming day one with Game Pass!). Now let's get to the news!

Available Today:
Lonely Mountain: Snow Riders (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)—Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one! Crash over and over until you master the mountain in the snowy follow up to Lonely Mountains: Downhill. Now supporting up to 8 players via cross platform multiplayer - work your way down the slopes as a group sharing a small number of checkpoints, or risk it all in a breakneck race to the base!

Intel "Nova Lake" Test CPU Appears, Targeting 2026 Launch

Shipping manifests at NBD.ltd have revealed the presence of Intel's "Nova Lake" test chips, providing insight into the development timeline of the company's 2026 processor platform. The discovery comes as Intel prepares for the launch of its "Panther Lake" CPUs on the 18A process node in late 2025. Nova Lake is positioned to replace both Panther Lake for mobile devices and "Arrow Lake" for desktop systems. The manufacturing process remains unconfirmed, with Intel potentially using either its in-house 14A node or TSMC's 2 nm technology. Following recent practices, Intel may split production between its own facilities and TSMC for different components. Rumored specifications show that Nova Lake will use Coyote Cove performance cores and Arctic Wolf efficiency cores.

Unlike Lunar Lake, it will not incorporate on-package memory, maintaining a more conventional design approach. The test chip's appearance suggests Intel is adhering to its development schedule. This timing aligns with the company's plans for Panther Lake's mass production in the second half of 2025, a structured transition between generations. Documents point to "Razor Lake" as Nova Lake's eventual successor, though detailed specifications are not yet available. Panther Lake, the immediate predecessor to Nova Lake, will focus primarily on mobile computing, with desktop variants limited to Mini PC implementations. This approach mirrors the Meteor Lake generation, which saw limited desktop release through the "PS" series for Edge platforms. The Nova Lake platform is expected to support DDR5 memory and may introduce PCIe Gen 6.0 compatibility, with final specifications unconfirmed.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Out Now on PC & Xbox

Hello Riders, welcome back to the Lonely Mountains! After four years of hard work Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is finally out today for Steam and Xbox! Thank you to everyone who showed us your support on this journey! The base price for the game is €24.99/$24.99, and it comes with a one-week 10% Launch Discount for you. If you like the game, please leave us a review. It would mean the world to us and it really makes a difference for the Steam recommendation algorithm. If you experience any bugs, have feedback or any other questions please let us know on the Steam Forums or even better in our Discord.

One important note: a lot of people wished for a better way to speedrun the game and while we have been working on a "Hot Start" feature, unfortunately, it didn't make it in time for release. We hope we are able to release it soon but of course, we will first take care of all high-priority bugs that come in. We—at Megagon Industries—really hope you all enjoy our snowy Lonely Mountains and see you on the slopes!

ENDORFY Introduces Crystal Series Mousepads

ENDORFY is unveiling the Crystal Series Mousepads as a new lineup of high-quality, visually stunning mousepads designed to elevate the gaming and workspace setups. These new mousepads not only mark ENDORFY's venture beyond the flagship Cordura series but also bring fresh designs and impeccable quality to the table, setting a new benchmark for affordable style and performance.

Eye-catching designs for every taste
The Crystal Series features an array of vibrant, printed graphic patterns, including the sleek Crystal Black, the elegant Crystal Onyx White, the vibrant Crystal Spectrum, and the soothing Crystal Blue, available in two versatile sizes (L and XL). Whether the user is into minimalist aesthetics or bold visuals, the Crystal Series adds a splash of personality to the desk while ensuring functionality remains paramount.

German Retailer Puts ASRock Arc B570 Challenger OC on Special Offer

Earlier today, reports pointed to an intriguingly discounted Intel "Battlemage" GPU-based graphics card on the Mindfactory.de webstore—ASRock's Arc B570 Challenger OC 10 GB model was priced at €249. European retailers would normally charge €279 for this specific SKU, but the Germany-headquartered PC hardware retail outlet offered a discount of €30, albeit briefly. VideoCardz noted that the fairly new Arc B570 Challenger OC model has been listed on Mindfactory's site since late last year—following Team Blue's early December unveiling of second wave Battlemage GPUs.

The timing of this special offer is a tad surprising, given that Arc B570-based graphics cards only reached global markets late last week. A compelling discount could have been implemented to entice buyers away from more expensive (€299 MSRP) Arc B580-equipped products, but Team Blue and its board partners have struggled—as-of-late—to keep these items in stock. Budget-minded gamers have seemingly embraced the slightly less potent B570 GPU family, and German customers surely had a great opportunity to save some Euros (over the past day or two). Mindfactory's time-limited sale produced a €50 gulf between the ASRock custom design and Intel's Limited Edition B580 model.

GTA 6 Could Bring New Era of $90+ Video Game Prices

The video game industry may be preparing for significant pricing transformation, with the prediction that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) could set a new precedent for game pricing when it launches in the fall of 2025. According to a recent industry analysis by Epyllion Group CEO Matthew Ball, the current standard price point of $70 for premium games is becoming unsustainable given the escalating development costs of major AAA titles. Ball suggests that GTA 6, one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history, may need to retail for at least $91 to reflect its production value. The potential price increase could have ripple effects throughout the industry, with other developers and publishers likely to follow suit. Anticipated are price points between $80 and $100 for premium titles, with cascading effects on lower-priced games that could see increases of around $10 across different price tiers.

Michael Douse, Publishing Director at Larian Studios, has voiced support for price adjustments, noting that game prices have remained relatively stagnant despite inflation. "A good company raises salaries in line with inflation so that their staff don't die or something, but games prices haven't risen with inflation. This isn't the reason the industry is in the shit for now, but it is an uncomfortable truth. On the other hand, the responsibility for a game developer is to make sure that the game they show lives up to that promise, and that investment from the player," Douse stated on X. While development costs and employee salaries have risen with inflation, game prices have seen only minimal increases. Even multimillion-dollar productions maintain the $70 price point, a model the industry now views as unsustainable.

Tempest Rising Demo Available Now, Coinciding with Steam RTS Fest

All hands, battle stations! 🚨 Tempest Rising pre-orders are now live! We are also very excited to announce that we are participating in the Steam Real-Time Strategy Fest with a new demo. Play the multiplayer demo NOW until February 3! Prepare for war games, Commander! Get ready to dive into the global battlefield during the Tempest Rising multiplayer demo—as a part of the Steam Real-Time Strategy Fest!

Classic RTS action meets modern production and performance in Tempest Rising. Inspired by RTS greats of the 90s and 2000s, Tempest Rising is a classic, base-building real time strategy game set in a modern day alternative history war scenario. It features 3 unique factions, each with its own approach to combat and economy and offering a variety of strategies for players of all stripes, deep and rewarding gameplay that keeps a focus on strategy while rewarding skill, and built-in customization options that allow players to approach the game their way in both single player and multiplayer game modes.

Curious NVIDIA GB202-200-A1 ASIC Spy Shot Hints at RTX TITAN Blackwell

Is NVIDIA reviving the RTX TITAN brand of halo-segment graphics cards with "Blackwell"? A curious-looking GB202-200-A1 spy-shot making rounds on ChilHell hints at the possibility. The upcoming GeForce RTX 5090 is the company's flagship product from the RTX 50-series "Blackwell" generation, although it does not max out the 4 nm "GB202" silicon on which it is based. The RTX 5090 enables 170 out of the 192 SM (streaming multiprocessors) physically present on the "GB202." This leaves NVIDIA with a lot of room to carve out either a halo-segment SKU such as the RTX TITAN Blackwell, or a Pro-Vis (professional visualization) product that also targets the AI research community.

NVIDIA's top Pro-Vis product tended to have more SMs enabled than the top GeForce RTX product, while having lower clock speeds, so its target users have access to more FP64-capable CUDA cores, more Tensor cores, etc. However, over the past two generations, NVIDIA discontinued the practice of giving its RTX GPUs large numbers of FP64 cores that are disabled on GeForce RTX products, to make die-space for the Tensor cores. This hence makes it more likely that a maxed-out "GB202" is the RTX TITAN Blackwell, and not a Pro-Vis product.

AMD Sets March Launch Window for Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 Graphics Cards

AMD has finally made an official announcement regarding the much anticipated launch of RDNA 4 graphics cards. The first wave of next-generation models—Radeon RX 9070 XT and 9070 (non-XT)—are lined up for a loose "around March" release, thus conforming to recent company statements that pointed to a first quarter (of 2025) rollout. The rumor mill had Team Red strategizing a launch for later this month—potentially beating NVIDIA to the next-gen GPU punch, but "price hurdles" and other factors have allegedly contributed to a revision of tactics.

Yesterday, David McAfee—Vice President and General Manager of Ryzen and Radeon products—ended speculation with a social media post: "Radeon 9000 series hardware and software are looking great, and we are planning to have a wide assortment of cards available globally. Can't wait for gamers to get their hands on the cards when they go on sale in March!" Hardcore PC hardware enthusiasts will likely be left confused by this fresh proclamation—a steady flow of January leaks have provided evidence of Navi 48 GPU-based products sitting in retail storage facilities, unboxing of certain partner models, and insiders playtesting early samples. Industry watchdogs posit that AMD's "aggressive pricing approach" has rubbed retailers the wrong way—the extra wiggle room could be spent on negotiating wholesale costs.

Earthquake Temporarily Halts TSMC Production in Taiwan, Operations Resume Normally

In the early hours of Tuesday, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near a remote mountainous region roughly 24 miles southeast of Chiayi in Taiwan, causing temporary operational halts at multiple TSMC facilities. The tremor occurred at 12:17 AM local time and was felt in Tainan, home to four of TSMC's manufacturing sites. Workers in both Central and Southern Taiwan were evacuated as a precaution, following standard company protocols designed to ensure employee safety. TSMC initiated thorough structural inspections immediately after the quake. According to company representatives, all crucial infrastructure, such as water supply and power systems, remained fully functional. With no significant damage detected during safety assessments, TSMC has gradually restarted its production lines, minimizing any long-term impact on its global client base.

Despite the relatively brief disruption, the incident exposes the fragility of the semiconductor manufacturing process. Taiwan's frequent seismic activity has the potential to affect the complex manufacturing processes crucial for producing silicon. Given the company's massive consumption of chemicals and silicon ingots, any significant production setbacks at TSMC can resonate through global supply chains. To reduce these geographical and nature-inspired risks, TSMC is investing heavily in new manufacturing facilities elsewhere, notably in Arizona. Although these sites are expected to enhance the company's resilience, they will only account for around 10% of TSMC's total production capacity. Additionally, as TSMC doesn't plan to bring state-of-the-art production to other sites, the company must implement safety features against earthquake protection in its Taiwan facilities to continue production. A minor manufacturing hiccup can equate to billions of losses across the supply chain.

Ultra-compact Morefine M6S Plus Mini PC Set to Launch with Intel Twin Lake Processor

The world of mini PCs keeps on growing, thanks to a boost in popularity made possible by the impressive efficiency and performance improvements brought to the table by the silicon giants, allowing compact systems to function just as well as full-fledged towers. The Morefine M6S Plus is yet another addition to the list of mini PCs, and it appears that the system prioritizes portability and compactness over raw performance. For a sizeable chunk of casual desktop users, even entry-level processors pack enough computing grunt to ease through their workloads, and that demographic is exactly what the M6S Plus targets.

With dimensions of 7.2 x 7.2 x 4.2 cm, the Morefine M6S Plus is commendably compact indeed. As mentioned, the computing horsepower offered is very limited, thanks to the quad-core Intel N150 processor that lacks Hyper-Threading. The memory is, unfortunately, not user upgradeable, so customers are will have to stick the 12 GB of LPDDR5-4800 memory on offer. The storage however, is upgradeable, thanks to the M.2 2242 slot which can accommodate up to 4 TB of storage. In terms of connectivity, the options are acceptable, including dual Type-C ports with DP, gigabit ethernet, triple USB 3.2 Gen 1Type-A ports (two on the front), HDMI 2.1, as well as a headphone jack.

EA Shutting Down Origin on April 17, Recommends Upgrade to EA App

On April 17, 2025, Origin will shut down, as Microsoft has stopped supporting 32-bit software. If you use Origin, you need to upgrade to the EA app, which requires a 64-bit version of Windows. Find out how to update your Windows operating system to get the most out of the EA app.

What is the EA app?
The EA app is our enhanced platform for PC games. Optimized for the best user experience, it lets you easily find what you need and get into the game quicker than ever. Don't have it yet? Download the EA app here. The EA app doesn't support 32-bit versions of Windows. You'll need to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system on your device to play your games. See if the version of Windows you're running is 32 or 64-bit.

Heavily Throttled NVIDIA RTX 5090 Laptop GPU Gets Benchmarked in Geekbench OpenCL

Another day, another Blackwell performance leak. As we inch closer to their official release, more and more benchmark results keep popping up on the internet. Now, a fresh Geekbench OpenCL listing seemingly sheds light on the performance brought to the table by the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, housed in a Razer Blade 16 alongside a Strix Point APU. However, be warned - the following results depict the RTX 5090 laptop running at only 1515 MHz, which makes it significantly slower than what it is capable of when allowed to run at full tilt, likely to be somewhere around 2100 MHz.

As such, the RTX 5090 Laptop managed a score of only around 91,000 points - almost half that of its predecessor's typical score of 179,000 points according to Geekbench. This likely indicates that the laptop was running on battery power, which would make sense considering the abysmal result. At least, thanks to this listing, we do get to confirm the specifications of the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU - 82 SMs, which means a total of 10,496 CUDA cores, and 24 GB of GDDR7 VRAM. The RTX 4090 Laptop, on the other hand, packs 9728 CUDA cores, putting the RTX 5090 Laptop ahead by around 7.87%. The 150-watt RTX 5090 Laptop also clocks at 1455 MHz at an 80-watt TGP, and 2040 MHz at 150 watts. This does align with what we are witnessing from the aforementioned RTX 5090 Laptop listing, confirming that it is indeed in some kind of low-power mode.

Raijintek Intros MGA-68 All-Aluminium Magnetic-Switch Keyboard

Raijintek introduced the MGA-68 line of 65% wired mechanical keyboards. It features a 65% layout (69 keys), and uses magnetic key switches sourced from Hejin, with switch characteristics resembling MX Yellow, and a claimed endurance of 50 million keystrokes. These are capped by PBT+SUB keycaps. The keys are illuminated by an addressable-RGB LED setup. The star attraction with these keyboards is their CNC milled all-aluminium bodies, with some diamond cut edges. The keyboard comes in two color variants, black and silver. These are purely wired keyboards, with their USB interface providing a polling rate of 8000 Hz. The keyboard has a type-C receptacle, and a 2 m USB-C to USB-C cable, with a type-C to type-A adapter included. It measures 313 mm x 104 mm. The company didn't reveal pricing.

GAMDIAS Intros Atlas P2 CG Mid-Tower PC Case

GAMDIAS, a premier brand in high-performance gaming PC hardware, is excited to announce the launch of the ATLAS P2 CG curved glass panoramic case. As the first product launch of 2025, the case embodies GAMDIAS's annual slogan, "GAMING REIMAGINED," redefining gaming setups with a sophisticated design and unmatched functionality. "The ATLAS P2 CG reflects our vision for 2025, offering gamers a seamless blend of cutting-edge design and exceptional performance that will transform their gaming experience," said Stimson Wang, CEO of GAMDIAS. Part of the highly acclaimed ATLAS series, the case features a striking fish-tank-inspired design with a seamless one-piece curved glass panel and an integrated system display, engineered to deliver limitless potential alongside a refined visual experience.

Immersive Panoramic View
The ATLAS P2 CG case features a stunning 270-degree curved tempered glass panel, offering an immersive panoramic view of the interior. This innovative design eliminates corner obstructions, creating a seamless showcase of internal components. Additionally, the case also supports connector-hidden motherboard (BTF motherboard), enabling cables to plug in from the rear for a clean and flawless front appearance.

Transcend Launches U.2 Enterprise SSD (eSSD) for Data-Intensive Workloads

Transcend Information Inc. (Transcend), a leading global manufacturer of memory storage solutions, introduces the ETD410T, a new U.2 enterprise solid-state drive (eSSD) designed for high-performance computing environments. Tailored to meet the stringent demands of enterprise users for ultra-fast data transfer and reliability, the ETD410T adopts the PCIe Gen 4 x4 high-speed interface and U.2 15 mm form factor, featuring a DRAM cache for exceptional performance and robust data protection. It is an ideal solution for data centers and enterprise applications.

Durable and Stable for High-Frequency Workloads
The Transcend ETD410T is a professional solution optimized for read-intensive workloads. Compliant with JESD219 standards, it offers a durability of up to 7,000 Program/Erase (P/E) cycles to withstand frequent use over long periods. With Quality of Service (QoS) consistently maintained between 99.9% and 99.99%, it delivers stable and reliable operation even in demanding enterprise environments, ensuring consistent and dependable data access.

Seagate Extends HAMR-Based Mozaic 3+ Technology Platform With Up To 36 TB Capacites

Seagate Technology Holdings plc, an innovator of mass capacity data storage, today announced shipments of Exos M hard drive samples to select customers in industry-leading capacities up to 36 terabytes (TB). Based on Mozaic 3+, the company's breakthrough heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology platform, Exos M delivers unprecedented storage scale for large-scale data center deployments.

Key Takeaways
  • Adopted by Cloud Service Providers: Seagate is currently ramping Exos M to volume shipments on capacity points up to 32 TB with a leading cloud service provider. Separately, Seagate is also sampling drives on the Exos M platform of up to 36 TB.
  • Mozaic 3+ and HAMR Innovation: Based on Seagate's Mozaic 3+ technology platform, the industry's first implementation of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), Exos M offers data center operators significant scale, total cost of ownership (TCO), and sustainability advantages, including 300% more storage capacity within the same data center footprint, a 25% cost reduction per terabyte and 60% reduction in power consumption per terabyte.
  • Unrivalled Areal Density: Exos M, powered by HAMR-based Mozaic 3+ platform, now delivers capacity points up to 36 TB through a highly efficient 10-platter product design. Seagate is the only data storage company that can achieve areal densities of 3.6 TB per hard drive platter today, with a pathway to increasing per-platter capacity to 10 TB.

Patriot Memory Unveils iLuxe Stick

Global leader in storage solutions, Patriot Memory, proudly announces the launch of the iLuxe Stick, the latest addition to the iLuxe series of digital lifestyle products following the iLuxe Cube. Combining sleek design with high performance, the Patriot iLuxe Stick is a portable storage device that ensures you'll never miss capturing a precious moment due to insufficient storage. With the iLuxe app, photos and videos are seamlessly transferred to the iLuxe Stick in real time, providing effortless storage expansion for iPhones and iPads. The device also simplifies cross-platform file transfers.

The iLuxe Stick features a dual-connector design with both Type-C and Lightning interfaces, ensuring compatibility with Apple iPhones from the iPhone 6 to the latest iPhone 16. Its innovative Trust Circle encryption system supports up to 16 encrypted members, allowing users to select sharing permissions while maintaining privacy and security.

EasySMX Launches New D05 Gaming Controller

EasySMX, the Gamer's Choice for advanced gaming peripherals, is thrilled to introduce the D05 Gaming Controller. Engineered for peak performance and versatility, the D05 brings enhanced precision, seamless charging, and more customizable vibrant RGB style to gamers on PC, Switch, Android, and iOS.

"The D05 was designed to meet gamers' demands for precision, durability, and ease of use," said Gavin, Product Director at EasySMX. "We've created a controller that enhances gameplay across platforms while addressing the most common frustrations like stick drift and inconvenient charging."
Monday, January 20th 2025

Today's Reviews

Cases
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Headphones
Keyboards
Motherboards
Notebooks
PSUs
SSD
NZXT C1500 Review

NZXT C1500 Review

NZXT's newest premium PSU is the C1500. It comes with a massive 1500 W output capacity and supports the latest ATX 3.0 standard and is certified for 80 Plus Platinum efficiency. Our testing confirms that it will run passively until you're pulling 600+ W and stays pretty quiet beyond that, too.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Unboxing

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Unboxing

Unboxing the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 "Blackwell" is an experience like no other. This new flagship GPU arrives with sleek packaging that's eco-friendly: no plastic, no high-gloss paint. The card itself comes with a design that exudes power and makes you want to try out the next-gen features.

MAXSUN Dips Back into NVIDIA GT 730 GPU Pool

Recent MAXSUN activities have been very Intel Arc "Battlemage" B-series GPU-focused—most notably, a leaked design that leverages dual M.2 slots. Earlier today, ITHome reported on the fresh retail release of two sort-of-new MAXSUN graphics cards in China (on JD.com)—MS-GT730 PH 4 GB (¥359/~US$49) and MS-GT730 PH 2 GB (¥329/~US$45). These super low budget offerings signal a dip back into technologies of old: NVIDIA's GK208 "Kepler 2.0" GPU—of 2014 vintage. This is a curious choice, given that Team Green's "Kepler" GPU generation has not received new drivers since the release of R470 (back in 2021), and the last security update arrived with NVIDIA's 473.47 WHQL driver.

ITHome reckons that MAXSUN has simply recycled its existing MS-GT730 Heavy Hammer 4G and MS-GT730 Heavy Hammer 2G card designs for an early 2025 market launch—TechPowerUp's GPU database produces another very similar looking model: the GT 730 Transformers III 2G. The online publication reached out to MAXSUN's JD storefront customer service for comment on the apparent refresh of old products. ITHome discovered that the renamed reissues are a result of demands generated by "internal supply chain management." MAXSUN stated that its production batch have changed, and it: "emphasizes that the performance (of their new models) is consistent with the old version(s)."

Manli Announces Gallardo, Stellar, Polar Fox and Nebula GeForce RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards

Manli announced in a recent press release, which somehow went unnoticed most likely due to the CES 2025 event, that new Gallardo, Stellar, Polar Fox, and Nebula series graphics cards based on the NVIDIA Blackwell series are ready to join the GeForce RTX 50 lineup. While Manli didn't yet provide exact specifications, they showcased a bit more details regarding the design and the Drag Reduction System (DRS) feature that equips its Gallardo RTX 50 series.

The company seems to be a bit secretive at this moment, however, they say that the Drag Reduction System (DRS) has its inspiration in motorsports. Most likely this implies a dedicated design that use the heatsinks and spoilers to direct airflow towards specific areas. Manli Stellar, Polar Fox, and Nebula RTX 50 series are all based on a dual-slot format with triple fans on top. Although the press release mentioned that the new Manli 50 series graphics cards are available, there's no information about the exact lineup or pricing, and currently, the cards are not listed on the company website.

MicroProse to Publish "Liquidation" - Playtest Coming Soon

MicroProse, the legendary developer and publisher known for its mastery of simulation and strategy games, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Divio to publish Liquidation. This explosive real-time strategy (RTS) game thrusts players into the war-torn world of Veá, where advanced technology clashes with arcane power, creating a rich and dynamic battlefield for RTS fans to conquer.

Starting today—January 20—players can sign up for the upcoming open playtest via Liquidation's Steam page. This first-time event will offer players who sign up the opportunity to be among the first to command their forces and explore the game's unique blend of genres, offering invaluable feedback that will help shape the final release.

MSI Readying Yellow-tipped 16-pin Power Adaptors for GeForce RTX 50 Series

MSI is preparing a new selection of yellow-tipped 16-pin power adapters—as reported by VideoCardz earlier today—for inclusion with certain GeForce RX 50 series "Blackwell" GPU-based graphics card models. An official announcement has not been released—regarding the latest color coding for power connectors—but new product photos have appeared on the MSI website. The yellow sections provide a clear "visual guide" when hooking the relevant adapter up to a graphics card—full insertion is achieved when the yellow tip is fully obscured by its surroundings. MSI's latest image uploads indicate that dual 8-pin to single 16-pin adapters will likely be bundled with MSI's GeForce RTX 5070 models. The RTX 5070 Ti and 5080 product tiers will be getting three 8-pin ended adapters. A very busy-looking 4-way splitter is seemingly reserved for flagship GeForce RTX 5090 cards.

The MAG GL PSU series debuted back in 2023, featuring a similarly-tinted "dual color" safety measure—based on customer and community feedback. At the time, MSI stated that it had reacted to: "reported cases of power supply connectors being burnt when paired with high-end graphics cards. We've identified the main reason: the connectors not being plugged in properly and the connector pins suffering from fall outs. With this new cable, we successfully tackle both issues head-on." Manufacturers have continued to release new products that utilize the "problematic" 12VHPWR standard, even years after the introduction of a successor: 12V-2x6. NVIDIA and several of its board partners are reported to be sticking with the first iteration PCIe Gen 5 16-pin connector for upcoming GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards. The TechPowerUp team inspected ZOTAC's new 12WHPWR "Safety Light" feature at the recently concluded CES trade event—a visual warning will be displayed in the event of a connection problem being detected.

Energizer EnergyBook: Prominent Battery Maker Forays Into Affordable Laptop Market

Energizer is a brand that is best known for its batteries, as the name would suggest. However, it now appears that the brand wants a piece of the consumer technology pie as well, but not exactly. The thing is, well-known brands often license out their brand name to other manufactures who make completely unrelated products, which are then sold with their branding. Energizer has done something similar, and licensed out its brand name to Avenir Telecom, who now plans on making and selling laptops with the "Energizer" brand. There are no concrete details on specifications yet, although we do know that the laptop lineup will be named "EnergyBook", and will ship in 15- and 17-inch sizes with either 128 or 256 GB of storage.

Clearly, the laptops are by no means aimed at users with heavy workloads, but rather casual users with extremely modest performance expectations from their machines. Unsurprisingly, the pricing reflects this strategy rather well, with the EnergyBook lineup being expected to start from just $199. We have no exact date in sight, although Avenir Telecom has revealed the laptops should be available in the first quarter of this year. That said, it should be noted that with laptops from prominent brands getting cheaper every year, ultra-low-end laptops from lesser-known manufacturers are often not very good deals, at least in terms of longevity or quality. Of course, the EnergyBook lineup might end up being a glaring exception to that rule, although that remains to be seen.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 And RTX 5080 Likely to Be Extremely Hard to Get at Launch

Recently, we covered a rumor arising from PCGH which stated that the RTX 5090, and perhaps even the RTX 5080, are gearing up to face an extremely stock-limited launch in Germany. Now, it appears that customers in North America will likely face very similar circumstances, if the claims made by tipster Moore's Law is Dead's sources are taken to be true. MLID spoke with several sources, including distributors and AIBs, all of whom had the same thing to say - it is going be quite hard to snag an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 at launch.

One of the distributors that MLID apparently spoke with, went as far as to comment that they simply won't be having any RTX 5090s at all in the first month of launch. Further, while they received almost 200 RTX 4080s during the previous launch season, they only expect to get 20 units of the RTX 5080 this time around. As for the RTX 5090, they do not foresee inventory before late Q1, or even Q2 of this year. A second source, who claimed to be from an AIB partner, stated that while they will have RTX 5080s ready at launch, they are "only a fraction" of the RTX 4080s they had last time. Moreover, the number of RTX 5090s they claim to have matches that of the RTX 3090s they had, which, for those who don't remember, suffered from severe supply shortages at launch.

Bonfire Studios Teases Debut Title: Arkheron - Public Playtest Coming Soon

Bonfire Studios, an independent video game developer, is finally coming out of stealth mode, unveiling the name and first details of its debut project, Arkheron. Founded by industry veterans responsible for iconic franchises including Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft and World of Warcraft, the Bonfire team draws on the expertise and design principles honed on those titles to craft an innovative new PvP game. Private playtesting for Arkheron is already underway and will be expanding in the coming months with rolling invites. Players who love fast-paced PvP combat are encouraged to sign up now for a chance to be among the first to play Arkheron and help shape its later stages of development.

Bonfire has been playing and iterating on Arkheron behind-the-scenes for years and began private playtesting sessions with a small community in 2024. While players will find familiar ideas and concepts in Arkheron, it isn't about combining genres—it's about creating something entirely new; a dynamic, fast-paced PvP gameplay experience set in a dark and foreboding world. The team at Bonfire playtests the game every day, and attributes this aspect of their development process to helping them create a fun and unique game they believe will resonate with players.

ASUS TUF GAMING Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Unboxed in Ukraine

A pre-launch unboxing the ASUS TUF GAMING Radeon RX 9070 XT OC graphics card model has been shared and documented online—courtesy of a video uploaded to social media over the past weekend. Artline, a computer hardware retailer based in Ukraine, seems to have at least one model in their possession—similarly, stock (from other brands) has been distributed across supply networks to locations around Europe.

AMD and its retail partners are reportedly at loggerheads over proposed launch pricing strategies—the first wave of RDNA 4-equipped products appear to be ready for launch, but debates over "excessive wholesale costs" could delay matters. VideoCardz has reached out to its contacts across distribution and insider networks—they believe that an official AMD announcement could be delivered at some point this week. Team Red representatives recently teased a forthcoming special launch event, but chose to not divulge a specific start date.

11 bit studios Announces Death Howl, Demo Available Now on Steam

Hello everyone, check out the latest game from The Outer Zone and 11 bit studios. Journey the sorrowful spirit world in souls-like deck builder, Death Howl. Craft cards and claim powerful totems to defeat the woeful spirits lurking in the mystical lands. Unravel the tale of a grieving mother in her desperate attempt to defy death and bring back her son.

In forgotten lands shrouded by myth, Ro—a hunter from a small tribe—is overcome by grief following the death of her beloved son. Guided by voices from another world, she transcends into the realm of spirits, in hopes of bringing him back. Death Howl weaves an atmospheric tale of grief, healing, and resilience. As Ro, you'll face relentless spirits in turn-based battles that challenge your tactical sense and adaptability. To succeed, you must craft and master decks of powerful cards and use shamanic totems while unearthing forgotten tales and secrets that shape Ro's path.

PlayStation 6 Chipset Design Finalized Says Tipster, Predicts Console Launch in 2027

Noted technology tipster, Kepler L2, believes that the Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) engineering team has finalized the design of a PlayStation 6 (PS6) system-on-chip (SoC)—insider information was shared on the NeoGAF forum (a popular computer game discussion board) late last week. It would be natural to assume that Sony's gaming division is deep into the process of developing a follow-up to its PlayStation 5 home console, but Kepler L2's fresh revelation points to surprisingly advanced progress. Insider sources point to the PS6's chip design being: "complete and in pre-silicon validation already, with A0 tapeout scheduled for late this year."

Industry experts have analyzed PlayStation development cycles of days past—history has demonstrated a pattern of the A0 tapeout phase reaching completion around two years before the rollout of finalized products at retail. Kepler L2 reckons that this pattern will be repeated—indicating a possible launch of PlayStation by 2027. The rumored PS6 chipset has been linked to AMD's "gfx13" target—everyone's favorite Team Red tipster posits that Sony engineers are working with a "fork" of this next-gen "UDNA" graphics technology. The rumor mill has generated additional PS6 SoC-related internet chatter—last Friday, Chiphell alleged a possible adoption of Team Red's X3 V-cache technology.

Seagate Anticipates Cloud Storage Growth due to AI-Driven Data Creation

According to a recent, global Recon Analytics survey commissioned by Seagate Technology, business leaders from across 15 industry sectors and 10 countries expect that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) applications will generate unprecedented volumes of data, driving a boom in demand for data storage, in particular cloud-based storage. With hard drives delivering scalability relative to terabyte-per-dollar cost efficiencies, cloud service providers rely on hard drives to store mass quantities of data.

Recently, analyst firm IDC estimated that 89% of data stored by leading cloud service providers is stored on hard drives. Now, according to this Recon Analytics study, nearly two-thirds of respondents (61%) from companies that use cloud as their leading storage medium expect their cloud-based storage to grow by more than 100% over the next 3 years. "The survey results generally point to a coming surge in demand for data storage, with hard drives emerging as the clear winner," remarked Roger Entner, founder and lead analyst of Recon Analytics. "When you consider that the business leaders we surveyed intend to store more and more of this AI-driven data in the cloud, it appears that cloud services are well-positioned to ride a second growth wave."

TSMC CEO Believes American Foundries Will Trail Behind Primary Taiwanese Sites

C.C. Wei, TSMC CEO and Chairman, has shared his latest views regarding his company's North American manufacturing center—Reuters cornered him for comment during a mid-week appearance at a National Taiwan University-held event. The Taiwanese government has recently lowered its "silicon shield"—following much (reported) deliberation over "legal restrictions on transferring leading-edge process technology overseas." This relaxation of rules has TSMC considering a new set of investments for operations outside of Taiwan—with an expansion into advanced node process manufacturing. Currently, 2 nm (N2) is a home turf-speciality—industry experts estimate an expenditure of $28-30 (USD) billion to bring this production technology over to the States. TSMC's CEO has described additional challenges—on top of (and impacting) finances—local bureaucracy is a big one.

Wei stated: "every step requires a permit, and after the permit is approved, it takes at least twice as long as in Taiwan." According Reuters, he reckons that it would be difficult for their North American sites to access the latest technologies ahead of teams in Taiwan. He detailed his company's recruitment of several experts—tasked with talking to local government; about regulatory issues. This was not a cheap undertaking: "we ended up establishing 18,000 rules, which cost us $35 million." TSMC's Arizona production hub will (eventually) consist of three large factories—despite long-term teething problems, Fab 21 is reported to be churning out the first wave of "Made in America" product for a very important client: Apple. Wei expressed positives views when asked about the USA site's prospects—during an earnings conference (Jan 16)—he believes that it will eventually produce the "same quality of chips as in Taiwan," through a "smooth ramp-up process."

NVIDIA Fixes High-Risk GPU Driver Vulnerabilities That Allow Code Execution and Data Theft

NVIDIA has released urgent security patches addressing eight vulnerabilities in its GPU drivers and virtual GPU software that affect both Windows and Linux systems. The January 16 update targets multiple security flaws that could enable attackers with local access to execute malicious code, steal data, or crash affected systems. Two high-severity vulnerabilities stand out among the patches. The first (CVE-2024-0150) involves a buffer overflow in the GPU display driver that could lead to system compromise through data tampering and information disclosure. The second critical issue (CVE-2024-0146) affects the virtual GPU Manager, where a compromised guest system could trigger memory corruption, potentially leading to code execution and system takeover. For Windows systems, users must update to version 553.62 (R550 branch) or 539.19 (R535 branch). Linux users need to install version 550.144.03 or 535.230.02, depending on their driver branch.

The updates cover NVIDIA's RTX, Quadro, NVS, and Tesla product lines. Enterprise environments using NVIDIA's virtualization technology face additional risks. One vulnerability (CVE-2024-53881) allows guest systems to launch interrupt storms against host machines, potentially causing system-wide outages. To patch these security holes, virtual GPU software users must update to version 17.5 (550.144.02) or 16.9 (535.230.02). The vulnerabilities specifically target systems where attackers have local access, which means remote exploitation is unlikely. However, in virtualized environments where multiple users share GPU resources, these flaws pose a significant security risk. System administrators can download the security updates from NVIDIA's Driver Downloads page, while enterprise vGPU customers should obtain patches through the NVIDIA Licensing Portal. NVIDIA recommends immediate installation of these updates across all affected systems.

TALES OF GRACES f REMASTERED Out Now on PC & Consoles

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. today announced the launch of TALES OF GRACES f REMASTERED, bringing the remastered version of the timeless action RPG to current generation consoles and PC. The title enhances a memorable entry in the Tales of series, letting players experience this classic with stunning visuals and new features. TALES OF GRACES f REMASTERED also adds more than 80 DLC packs and items released for the original, now included in the base game. The title is available now in Standard and Deluxe Editions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

TALES OF GRACES f REMASTERED is a remastered version of TALES OF GRACES f that released in 2010. Players will follow the adventures of Asbel and his friends as they embark on a world-spanning quest filled with unforgettable characters, shocking revelations, and unique companions brought together through promises made across time. Set in the lush and vibrant planet of Ephinea, players embark on a journey of intrigue across a world ruled by three great nations, each with the power of Eleth.

ONIX Arc B580 Odyssey OC & Lumi OC Models Appear on Newegg

ONIX has quietly added Intel Arc B580 GPU-based models to its Newegg brand store—signalling the brand's arrival on North American's e-tail landscape. TechPowerUp first picked up on this new manufacturer's existence during Team Blue's introduction of Arc B-series "Battlemage" graphics cards—soon followed up with an updated version of TechPowerUp GPU-Z; adding "PCI vendor detection for ONIX." The emerging Chinese manufacturer's Odyssey OC and Lumi OC models are currently "out of stock" on the Newegg store, but compelling pricing ($10 above Intel's baseline MSRP) has attracted press coverage.

It is not clear whether initial supplies of the two ONIX cards were snapped up quickly, but Newegg states on both listings: "this product is temporarily out of stock because of high demand, we will replenish it as soon as possible." Currently, the Arc B580 Odyssey OC 12 GB (black) model is priced at $259.99, while its Lumi OC (white) sibling goes for $269.99—note: Newegg demands a $9.99 fee for shipping. VideoCardz reckons that ONIX is competing closely with Sparkle—a veteran Intel GPU board partner—and charging less than GUNNIR for equivalent specs/fittings. ONIX's official website features a product page for an Odyssey B570 10 GB model—not listed by Newegg, but we expect it to turn up soon. Intel and its AIBs declared B570's retail availability last week.

TechPowerUp x Chieftec Winter 2024 Mega Giveaway: Here are the Winners!

TechPowerUp and Chieftec brought our readers in the EU the Winter 2024 Mega Giveaway. Up for grabs were a Chieftec Iceberg 360 RGB AIO liquid CPU cooler; a Chieftec Iceberg 360 Black AIO liquid CPU cooler; a Chieftec APEX E-ATX mid-tower case, a Chieftec M2 Micro-ATX tower case; a Chieftec PowerPlay 1200 W power supply; and a Chieftec Atmos 850 W power supply—a comprehensive list of prizes spanning the company's cases, power supplies, and cooling products. The Giveaway closed recently, and we have our winners!
  • Parham from France—wins a Chieftec Iceberg 360 AIO CLC-360-RGB cooler
  • Arne from Germany—wins a Chieftec Iceberg 360 AIO CLC-360-BLK cooler
  • Kristijan from Croatia—wins a Chieftec Apex Case GA-01B-TG-OP case
  • Andreas from Denmark—wins a Chieftec M2 Case GM-02B-OP Micro-ATX case
  • Pepe from Spain—wins a Chieftec PowerPlay PSU GPU-1200FC power supply, and
  • MonteCristo from Greece—wins a Chieftec Atmos PSU CPX-850FC power supply
A huge Congratulations to the winners! Chieftec and TechPowerUp will return with more such interesting Giveaways.

Colorful Presents the B860 Series Motherboards

Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading brand in gaming PC components, gaming laptops, and Hi-fi audio products, proudly presents our lineup of Intel B860 Series motherboards in the ULTRA, CVN GAMING FROZEN, and BATTLE-AX models.

The Intel B860 chipset is aimed at the mid-range level price segment for the Intel Core Ultra 200 series desktop processors. The COLORFUL B860 motherboards features DDR5 memory support, support for up to PCIe Gen 5 SSDs, high-speed 40 Gbps USB4 ports, fast Wi-Fi 7 wireless networking, and more.

MSI Gives Away $100 Steam Codes with its Products

Level up your 2025 setup with MSI's latest and most powerful products! Purchase selected MSI products and unlock free Steam codes to elevate your gaming experience. Don't miss MSI's Power Up to New Era promotion to kick off an epic gaming year! MSI introduces a new range of DIY-friendly products — motherboards, liquid cooling systems, PC cases, and power supplies—making PC building easier than ever for both beginners and experienced builders!

The B860 & B850 motherboards offer greater convenience, featuring the EZ M.2 Clip II for effortless, tool-free M.2 SSD installation. Paired with the EZ PCIe Release, users can securely remove their graphics cards with just a single press, eliminating the usual hassle.

Aspyr & Saber Discuss Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness Remastered

Accused of murdering her former mentor, Werner Von Croy, Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness follows Lara Croft as a fugitive, unraveling an intricate web of secret societies locked in a centuries-long shadow war. Though initially divisive, The Angel of Darkness has developed a cult following over the years, with fans becoming digital archaeologists, delving into its cut content and unrealized potential.

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered aims to realize the full potential of The Angel of Darkness by restoring much of the content originally envisioned for the game. The developers from Saber and Aspyr have focused on reintroducing elements that fans have long celebrated, enhancing the experience of this cult classic.

Buyers Beware: Counterfeit AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPUs Appear in China

A fake AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor was recently discovered through AMD's after-sales service inspection in China after a customer reported their CPU wouldn't boot. The counterfeit unit revealed several technical discrepancies that distinguish it from genuine processors, though these differences are difficult to spot without detailed examination. While authentic Ryzen 7 9800X3D processors use PCB number 33050, the counterfeit unit featured PCB number 32546—a designation typically associated with Ryzen 7000 series R7 or R9 processors. This suggests the counterfeiters may be repurposing older generation chips or PCBs to create fake 9000 series processors. The physical appearance of the counterfeit unit showed additional inconsistencies.

Genuine Ryzen 9000 series processors feature a distinctive blue PCB, while the fake unit displayed a dark green coloration characteristic of older models. Component patches adjacent to the PCB also failed to match the standard configuration of the Ryzen 9000 series. In a notable error, some counterfeit units were mislabeled as "Ryzen 9 9800X3D"—a model number that doesn't exist in AMD's product lineup. For comparison, legitimate Ryzen 7 9800X3D units can be identified by their blue-tinted PCB, while older models like the R9 7900X and R7 7700X feature dark green PCBs. The information was initially shared on Chiphell by sources within the PCB manufacturing industry, who provided side-by-side comparisons of authentic and counterfeit units. AMD's after-sales service has confirmed that processors purchased outside official distribution channels will not receive warranty support or service protection. Buyers should buy CPUs only thought official sale distributors to avoid such cases.

NVIDIA's Frame Generation Technology Could Come to GeForce RTX 30 Series

NVIDIA's deep learning super sampling (DLSS) has undergone many iterations to the current version 4 with the transformer model, delivering new technologies such as DLSS Multi Frame Generation, predicting multiple frames in advance to generate the upcoming frame, and increasing the frame output per second. However, not every NVIDIA GPU generation supports these more modern DLSS technologies. In an interview with Digital Foundry, Bryan Catanzaro, VP of Applied Deep Learning Research at NVIDIA, commented on trickling down some DLSS technologies to older GPU generations. For example, DLSS Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, and Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA) work on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20/30/40/50 series GPUs. However, the RTX 40 series carries an exclusive DLSS Frame Generation, and the newest RTX 50 series carries the DLSS Multi Frame Generation as an exclusive feature.

However, there is hope for older hardware. "I think this is primarily a question of optimization and also engineering and then the ultimate user experience. We're launching this Frame Generation, the best Multi Frame Generation technology, with the 50 Series, and we'll see what we're able to squeeze out of older hardware in the future." So, frame generation will most likely arrive on the older RTX 30 series, with even a slight possibility of the RTX 20 series getting the DLSS frame generation. Due to compute budget constraints, the multi-frame generation will most likely stay an RTX 50 series exclusive as it has more raw computing power to handle this technology.

AMD's Radeon RX 9070 Launch Faces Pricing Hurdles

AMD's upcoming Radeon RX 9070 series graphics cards have hit an unexpected roadblock, according to recent reports from PC Games Hardware. Despite physical units already reaching select retailers, the launch appears to be delayed due to ongoing pricing negotiations. Industry insider and forum moderator "pokerclock," known for accurate predictions about NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 series, reveals that AMD's initial pricing strategy has created tension with retail partners. While boxes bearing the RX 9070 branding have been spotted in retail channels, disagreements over costs have prevented an official release. The core issue stems from AMD's aggressive pricing approach for both the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT models. Retailers have pushed back against what they consider excessive wholesale costs, forcing AMD to reconsider its strategy.

The company now faces the complex task of potentially reducing prices while compensating retailers who have already purchased inventory at higher rates. Sources suggest AMD may offer marketing funds or cashback incentives to bridge the price gap, though negotiations have reportedly stalled. For example, we recently reported on the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT AIB model costing around $549. However, NVIDIA has announced its GeForce RTX 5070 at the same $549 price point, with potentially equal or higher raster, ray tracing, and AI capabilities across the board. For AMD to make the value case, the company would need to undercut NVIDIA's pricing. Until that is resolved, retailers aren't allowed to place RDNA 4 GPUs in general sale yet.

G.Skill Achieves Historic DDR5-12052 & DDR5-12054 Memory OC Records with Air Cooling

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory, is excited to announce two historical overclock achievements of reaching DDR5-12052 and DDR5-12054 memory overclock speed records under air cooling with the G.SKILL Trident Z5 series DDR5 memory. Previously, reaching the DDR5-12000 milestone required a more extreme cooling method, such as liquid nitrogen or dry ice. These incredible achievements with air cooling demonstrate the amazing overclock potential of modern hardware. The DDR5-12052 memory overclock speed is achieved by "saltycroissant", an extreme overclocker from Canada, using the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K desktop processor and ASRock Z890 Taichi OCF motherboard. Meanwhile, the DDR5-12054 memory overclock speed is achieved by "speed.fastest", an extreme overclocker from Indonesia, using the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K desktop processor and ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard.

In earlier overclock records on the Intel Z890 platform, only extreme sub-zero cooling with liquid nitrogen or dry ice was used to achieve overclock speeds of over DDR5-12000. These memory overclock records, achieved with CPU on water cooling and memory on air cooling, is an incredible milestone for the overclock community. Both overclocking records on air cooling were achieved with one module from a G.SKILL Trident Z5 series DDR5-8000 CL38 2x48GB (F5-8000J3848F24GX2-TZ5K) memory kit.

AAEON Releases NVIDIA Jetson Orin-powered BOXER-8654AI-KIT

AAEON (stock code: 6579), a leading provider of edge AI platforms, has announced the release of the BOXER-8654AI-KIT, a development kit equipped with either an 8 GB or 16 GB NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX module. While AAEON's BOXER series has become synonymous with NVIDIA-powered embedded AI systems, the BOXER-8654AI-KIT provides its customers with an avenue to develop embedded solutions from the ground up.

The BOXER-8654AI-KIT's module is accompanied by an advanced carrier board featuring a full-function I/O boasting six USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an Out-of-Band (OOB) management box header, and four LAN ports with optional power boards for PoE functionality. For display, the kit's carrier board offers one physical HDMI Type-A port, as well as two MIPI CSI connectors, each equipped with four lanes to allow for two MIPI cameras to be installed per interface. Other physical I/O features that stand out are its two DB-9 ports, one of which offers an RS-232 (RX/TX/GND)/422/485 signal, with the other providing a CANBus interface. Additionally, an NVIDIA Jetson-compatible 40-pin header offers I2C, SPI, UART, and other serial interfaces.
Sunday, January 19th 2025

HAVN x TechPowerUp Giveaway: The Winners!

HAVN brings a breath of fresh air in the PC case market with its new HS 420 line of cases aimed to maximize the view of your gaming PC build. The lineup is led by the HAVN HS 420 VGPU series, and the regular HS 420 series. We had both cases and their color variants up for grabs in our recent Giveaway, for a total of four amazing prizes for our readers in the US and most of Europe. After a great response of over 3,000 entries, we have four lucky winners, and here they are!
  • Paolo from Italy
  • Lucian from Romania
  • Boyan from Bulgaria
  • Marcin from USA
Huge congratulations to the four of you! TechPowerUp and HAVN will return with more such interesting giveaways.

Samsung Partners With Nexon To Deliver Unparalleled 3D Gaming Experience With 'The First Berserker: Khazan'

Samsung Electronics today announced a partnership with game developers Nexon Korea and Neople to deliver unparalleled 3D experiences in the upcoming game 'The First Berserker: Khazan.' The game's 3D elements are being specially customized and designed during development, utilizing Samsung technology and the advanced capabilities of the Odyssey 3D monitor to create an immersive 3D gaming experience.

Through this partnership, Nexon, Neople and Samsung have been working closely to tailor the 3D visuals, carefully adjusting them based on the composition of characters, backgrounds and cinematics throughout the game. This process gives the developers an unprecedented level of control over the 3D effects, enabling them to bring their creative visions to life with precision.

AOKZOE A1 X Gaming Handheld Unveiled With AMD Strix Point Firepower

The market for gaming handhelds has been expanding at an unprecedented rate, largely thanks to the impressive performance and efficiency improvements brought to the table by modern APUs. AMD's Strix Point APUs are no exception, and are expected to power a multitude of high-end handhelds. Thanks to its 12 (4 Zen 5 + 8 Zen 5c) cores and RDNA 3.5-based Radeon 890M iGPU, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is an impressive performer for sure. The chip can already be found in a plethora of gaming-oriented handhelds and laptops, and now a fresh offering from AOKZOE is poised to join the list.

Of course, AOKZOE is not nearly as well known as some of its competitors, such as GPD and Minisforum. AOKZOE has revealed only a single image for the product so far, and the differences between the A1, A1 Pro, and A1 X are expected to be minimal, at least on the outside. The company has revealed that the handheld will sport the aforementioned Strix Point flagship APU, along with an 8-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a 72.7 Wh battery. These specifications are nothing extraordinary nowadays, and further details regarding the product, such as thermal performance, display quality, battery life, and the like can only be established with proper hands-on reviews. There are is no information on pricing or availability as of now, and more such details should become available as we inch closer to the A1 X's release.

Throw Out Your Scanner—This App Works Better (Now Cheaper Than Ever)

It's 2025, and we're looking to digitize everything. Yes, even physical gadgets. Like that clunky scanner taking up valuable desk space… why do we have those again? Right, so they can work about half the time and do a subpar job of scanning our documents. We're ditching ours for the iScanner document-scanning app.

This iOS app can digitize anything—contracts, receipts, handwritten notes, and ID cards—and save them as PDFs, JPGs, and other file types. The app uses AI-powered tools to automatically crop the borders and straighten the scan for perfect images every time. It also includes a mobile PDF editor if you need to add a signature, mark up a document, or manage files.

Use code SCAN at checkout to get an iScanner lifetime subscription for $24.99 (reg. $199.90). That's the app's lowest price ever.

OLED MacBook Air Delayed to 2029 According to a Recent Report

MacBook Air aficionados, at least most of them, have been longing for an OLED-equipped variant for quite a while now. OLED displays, especially the tandem-style units that Apple ships with its iPad Pros, have undeniable advantages over tradition LCDs, such as a near-infinite contrast ratio, near-instant response times, and excellent color reproduction. The fear of panel burn-in does exist, although as OLED technology progresses, such fears continue to subside. That said, for those who are holding out for it, the grapevine indicates they will have to hold their horses for a while longer.

A recent report by The Elec has stated that the MacBook Air, which was previously expected to get the OLED treatment sometime in 2027, has now been delayed by another two years. As such, the MacBook Air is now not expected to boast an OLED display before 2029 at the earliest. The Elec claims that the primary cause behind the delay is the lackluster sales boost brought by the OLED upgrade to the iPad Pro lineup, which fell short of what Apple anticipated. That said, the MacBook Air will utilize "Oxide TFT" technology for its LCDs starting 2027, allowing for improved color accuracy, energy efficiency, and contrast. MacBook Pros have already utilized the technology since 2022, and are still expected to boast OLED panels by 2026.

This Week in Gaming (Week 4)

As we enter the second to last week of January, we have another week packed to the brim full of new releases. The major release of this week allows you to walk around in 2016 km² of a mediaeval fantasy world with five different regions for some MMORPG action. This is followed by some 4X Roman strategy, a trip to Norse mythology hell or pretending to be one of King Arthur's knights. This is followed by a remake of another JPRG from a famous franchise and we end the week with an anime inspired PvP shooter.

The Quinfall / This week's major release / Friday 24 January / Early Access
Embark on an adventurous journey to explore the Quinfall universe. Be a part of unique battles and an immersive story with dozens of different professions in the depths of medieval times in an all-new MMORPG experience. Explore the world's largest MMORPG map with an area of 2016 km². Shape your adventure in five regions with their own unique, distinct climates. Steam link
Saturday, January 18th 2025
Montech Heritage Pro Review - The Leather Case

Montech Heritage Pro Review - The Leather Case

The Montech Heritage Pro takes an uncommon interior layout, adds BTF, while allowing for big radiators and powerful air cooling, then wraps it all in a beautiful leather exterior. If that is your thing, then the case offers a very good base to build a system that just exudes swagger.

AMD Ryzen 5 7400F CPU Priced at $116 in China, The Most Affordable AM5 CPU

AMD's most affordable AM5 processor, the Ryzen 5 7400F, has emerged in Chinese retail channels priced at 849 RMB (approximately $116 with taxes). The pricing suggests the processor could retail for around $100 in other markets before local taxes. The newest silently announced CPU features 6 cores and 12 threads, joining AMD's existing Zen 4 processor lineup. Operating at a base clock of 3.7 GHz with boost capabilities up to 4.7 GHz, the chip maintains the same 32 MB L3 cache as its predecessors while running at a 65 W TDP. Unlike the previous Ryzen 5 7500F, which was limited to system builders and OEMs, the 7400F will be sold directly to consumers through regular retail channels. The processor includes a basic AMD Wraith Stealth cooler in its retail package.

The chip supports standard features found across the AM5 platform, including memory overclocking through AMD EXPO and CPU performance tuning via Precision Boost Overdrive. Like other Ryzen processors, it maintains unlocked multipliers for manual overclocking. The 7400F's appearance follows AMD's recent pattern of quiet releases, similar to the Ryzen 5 9600 that appeared during CES 2025. No official announcement preceded the processor's retail availability. Early listings show the processor available through several Chinese retailers, though availability in other regions remains unclear. The competitive price point could make AMD's AM5 platform more accessible to users building on tighter budgets, though potential buyers will still need to factor in the cost of DDR5 memory and AM5 motherboards required by the platform.

GlobalFoundries Announces New York Advanced Packaging and Photonics Center

GlobalFoundries (Nasdaq: GFS) (GF) today announced plans to create a new center for advanced packaging and testing of U.S.-made essential chips within its New York manufacturing facility. Supported by investments from the State of New York and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the first-of-its-kind center aims to enable semiconductors to be securely manufactured, processed, packaged and tested entirely onshore in the United States to meet the growing demand for GF's silicon photonics and other essential chips needed for critical end markets including AI, automotive, aerospace and defense, and communications.

Growth in AI is driving the adoption of silicon photonics and 3D and heterogeneously integrated (HI) chips to meet power, bandwidth and density requirements in datacenters and edge devices. Silicon photonics chips are also positioned to address power and performance needs in automotive, communications, radar, and other critical infrastructure applications.
Friday, January 17th 2025

Today's Reviews

Audio
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Keyboards
Memory
Monitors
Motherboards
PSUs
SSD
be quiet! Light Loop 360 mm AIO Review

be quiet! Light Loop 360 mm AIO Review

Looking for a cooler that’s quiet and packs a punch? The be quiet! Light Loop 360 delivers top-notch performance, sleek ARGB lighting, and solid build quality. Meanwhile, its serviceability and low noise levels during most workloads make it a standout option in the hyper-competitive all-in-one liquid cooler market.
Fosi Audio K7 Gaming Desktop DAC/Headphone Amplifier Review

Fosi Audio K7 Gaming Desktop DAC/Headphone Amplifier Review

The Fosi Audio K7 is a gaming desktop DAC and headphones amplifier that adds a microphone input with independent volume control in both directions, making it attractive for gamers in addition to audiophiles. Featuring extensive power and onboard customization, including bass and treble EQ, this is a product that offers a lot of useful features without breaking the bank.

Microsoft Refutes Reports of Xbox Division Facing Closure Back in 2021

Microsoft's gaming division faced an uncertain future back in 2021, according to an article published by The Information mid-week. The long-form piece mainly focuses on Xbox's current predicaments, but the wider gaming press picked up on surprising allegations from days past. The story goes that Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO's, presided over two paths: either keep Xbox Game Studios going, or mothball the whole operation. History shows us that he kept his company's gaming department alive—a series of acquisitions (during and since 2021) have expanded development and publishing operations—but Xbox's journey has been rocky in the ensuing years. Investors and industry analysts believe that Microsoft's $68.7 billion takeover of Activision/Blizzard/King—back in 2023—has not boosted overall revenues to expected levels.

Insider Gaming has managed to make contact with a Microsoft spokesperson—extracted comments have been published in an "exclusive" report. The brand ambassador insisted that Nadella remains resolute about his company being "all in on gaming"—the CEO never entertained the notion of Microsoft winding down "its games business entirely." Industry experts have also criticized Xbox's Game Pass business model—many believe that the service's reach has faltered. The spokesperson commented on these opinions—proposing that engagement on Xbox platforms is "at an all-time high," helped in part by the recent launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Additionally, Microsoft believes that its audience count is in a healthy spot, with: "well over 500 million monthly players and over the last year, we've seen consistent growth in monthly users on cloud".

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Devs Discuss Title's Musical Score

In 2018, Kingdom Come: Deliverance's celebrated score played a crucial role in supporting Warhorse's unique vision for immersive RPG gaming. Composer Jan Valta returns for the sequel with an expanded, handcrafted score that delicately blends authenticity with the tastes of a modern world. This gentle approach matters. The medieval music of Henry's world was dominated by the spoken word, with the instruments assuming more of a background role. Time signatures ebbed and flowed with far more fluidity than modern mainstream ears are accustomed to - a story-focused form of jazz, if you like. "It didn't always go in four beats or four bars, and then another four bars," Jan explains. "In medieval times the music was led by the lyrics. It was led by the text which was usually sacred. It came from God, or from the Apostles, or from Jesus. The music was tamed by the lyrics."

Music to Your Ears
Jan instead prefers to view his final touches of authenticity as "seasoning", designed to elevate a more traditionally structured soundtrack. The score exists first and foremost to serve the narrative beats that drive Henry's adventure forwards, in other words, rather than authenticity for authenticity's sake. "Daniel Vávra (creative director) and I quickly came to a common ground, which was a symphonic soundtrack: film-like music, which is then spiced or seasoned with medieval times," he says.

Report Suggests "Extreme" Stock Limits for GeForce RTX 5090 & 5080 GPUs in Germany

A moderator on the PC Games Hardware (PCGH.de) discussion board had disclosed worrying details regarding stock limitations—presumably affecting the upcoming GeForce RTX 50 series launch in Germany. In turn, this disclosure was picked up by PCGH's new department. The predicted circumstances will—reportedly—make matters most difficult for customers looking to acquire higher-end "Blackwell" GPUs. The forum moderator gathered damning evidence from his network of contacts: "I was able to learn from well-informed dealer circles, the available contingent of graphics cards will be extremely limited! This applies in particular to the GeForce RTX 5090. Accordingly, NVIDIA determines where and who exactly will offer graphics cards at market launch. B2B dealers and the entire local wholesale trade, which primarily also works with business customers, will most likely come away empty-handed."

A bit of humor was sprinkled in with this informative post—the moderator joked about customers resorting to "cheerful" repetitive pressings of their F5 keys. They posit that the online buying experience for flagship Blackwell GPUs will be tiring and frustrating: "...so anyone who wants to get a GeForce RTX 5090 or GeForce RTX 5080 at market launch will have to queue digitally at the end customer dealers together with waiting (private) customers. Scalpers and bots will probably also get involved here. The quantities that can be purchased are likely to be limited to a maximum of one unit." Several stores are listed as being prime sources of stock (see below)—they reckon that the likes of Amazon will be not be receiving initial batches. "Second, third, or even fourth" waves of stock are anticipated, with some retailers set to act as resellers—inevitably opening the door to predicted price gouging. It is not clear whether these alleged restrictions will come into effect in markets beyond German borders—additionally, the VideoCardz insider network has not discovered any behind-the-scenes information regarding Team Green's launch period supply strategy.

Jonsbo Launches the N10 and NV10 4.54L Mini-ITX Compact Cases Series

Jonsbo rolls out two new Mini-ITX cases that squeeze a lot of features into just 4.54 liters. The N10 and NV10 models make the most of tight spaces, with each box measuring 205×205×108 mm. These small cases made of aluminium, take different paths to use space. The N10 caters to people who need lots of storage, with enough space for four 2.5-inch drives, kept cool by two 40x20 mm fans at the back running at 5000 RPM. Its counterpart, the NV10, swaps drive and back-fan room for graphics muscle fitting half-height dual-slot GPUs up to 190 mm long and offering PCIe 4.0 extension cable support.

The twins boast top-notch build quality combining 3.3 mm aluminium alloy with 1.0 mm steel plating. This results in a strong yet light frame, N10 weights 1.6 kg, while NV10 just 1.5 kg. Both cases can fit 1U Flex power supplies under 150 mm and CPU coolers up to 38 mm in height. Flexibility is a key selling point, as users can place both models upright or on their side to match different desk layouts. Even with their tiny sizes, these cases manage airflow well enough to handle their intended tasks, whether as small workstations or specialized setups.

LUNAR Remastered Collection Lined Up for April 18 Launch

LUNAR fans, mark your calendars! The epic adventure to save the world from the forces of evil with old friends Alex, Hiro, and more, begins April 18, 2025. Wishlist it on Steam right now! Dive into the enchanting worlds of LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete, two beloved JRPGs that have captured the hearts of gamers for generations. LUNAR: Silver Star Story introduces Alex, an aspiring Dragonmaster who bands together with his friends to combat the perilous emergence of the Magic Emperor and stop him from taking over the world.

LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue picks up a thousand years later, and follows Hiro and his friends as they set out in search of the Goddess Althena alongside an enigmatic girl named Lucia. On this grand quest, fend off enemies like Borgan and White Knight Leo, who hunt down the group to eradicate what they deem to be the "Destroyer of Lunar." This definitive remastered edition features enhanced graphics, audio, and quality-of-life improvements that will satiate that hunger for 90s nostalgia--better than you remember! Embark on these two adventures with updated language support, now available in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, and German.

Digital Foundry Believes that Nintendo Switch 2's Tegra T239 SoC is 8 nm Part

Yesterday, Nintendo officially unveiled its Switch 2 handheld via a first look video presentation. Featured content did not come as a surprise to many gaming enthusiasts—a steady flow of leaks have already revealed outer and inner workings. Earlier today, the Digital Foundry team has offered their collective opinion on Nintendo's formal announcement. Their roundtable discussion first focused on the Switch 2's physical appearance—mainly a showcased physical increase in size, when lined up against the preceding (standard) model. Conversation quickly moved onto technical matters—a topic that Nintendo normally avoids discussing. The video presentation included in-game footage of a next-gen Mario Kart title—Oliver Mackenzie (a contributing DF video producer/writer) was not impressed by this short demo's visual fidelity. He noted an absence of DLSS image enhancement—surprising, given that the rumored NVIDIA Tegra T239 SoC is capable of deploying this graphics technology.

John, Rich and Oliver then moved onto discussing recently leaked clock speeds and performance figures (in handheld and docked modes)—overall, they reckon that these numbers seem fitting for a hybrid system. They noticed that the handheld GPU clock was lower than expected—based on their judgement of the Switch 2's fairly capable integrated cooling solution. In the past, Digital Foundry theorized that the NVIDIA-designed Tegra T239 will be an 8 nanometer part—rumored to be built on Samsung 8 nm DUV foundry node. Newer gaming community-generated proposals have suggested a shift to Samsung's 5 nm EUV node—mostly based on the chipset's physical footprint. In sharp contrast, the Digital Foundry guys are sticking with their 8 nm theory. Richard Leadbetter (DF's founder) has previously attempted to simulate Switch 2-esque performance on readily available Ampere-based hardware—he could revisit and perform tests on a laptop that sports Team Green's GeForce RTX 2050 mobile GPU. He believes that the leaked CPU and GPU clocks (across both modes) present plausible evidence of 8 nm-level performance, cross-referenced with his team's past analysis of the system's PCB. Debates will inevitably rage on, but Rich insists that the end result will be an example of "Occam's razor." The Tegra T239's four (long alleged) Cortex A78 cores appeared to be running at a higher frequency in portable mode than in docked—suggesting some unknown factors; perhaps a switching on or off of cores (situation dependent). Leadbetter and Co. will be looking forward to getting a proper hands-on experience at Nintendo's April to June launch events.

Report: Intel Could Face Acquisition, Units to Remain Together

Multiple sources say an unidentified corporation is exploring the complete acquisition of Intel Corporation, according to tech publication SemiAccurate. The report points to an internal memo shared among a small group of top executives at the unnamed firm. A high-level insider confirmed the memo's legitimacy last week, reinforcing speculation that a purchase of Intel may be under serious consideration. SemiAccurate's report indicates that the prospective buyer has enough financial resources to acquire Intel outright, considering the company's current market valuation. Notably, this potential buyer has not been publicly identified in previous discussions about Intel's future, suggesting that planning has occurred behind closed doors. The memo's limited circulation hints that executives treat the proposal cautiously rather than engaging in casual exploratory talks.

Any attempt to purchase Intel would require extensive regulatory review, given the company's role in producing semiconductors for both commercial and government applications. Regulators would likely evaluate issues related to national security, supply chain stability, and competitive impact in the global chip market. While neither Intel nor the unidentified acquirer has issued an official statement on the rumor, we are watching for any signals of formal negotiations. Intel has long been a strategic source of the US semiconductor sector, and its potential ownership change would have to be domestic. If a deal does materialize, it would stand among the largest transactions in the technology field.

Intel Foundry Adds New Customers to RAMP-C Project for US Defense

Intel Foundry has announced the onboarding of new defense industrial base (DIB) customers, Trusted Semiconductor Solutions and Reliable MicroSystems, as part of the third phase of the Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes - Commercial (RAMP-C) efforts under the Trusted & Assured Microelectronics (T&AM) Program in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)). The RAMP-C project, awarded through the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) Other Transaction Authority (OTA), allows DIB customers to take advantage of Intel Foundry's leading-edge Intel 18A process technology and advanced packaging for prototypes and high-volume manufacturing of commercial and DIB products for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

"We are very excited to welcome Trusted Semiconductor Solutions and Reliable MicroSystems to the RAMP-C project we are engaged in with the DoD. The collaboration will drive cutting-edge, secure semiconductor solutions essential for our nation's security, economic growth and technological leadership. We are proud of the pivotal role Intel Foundry plays in supporting U.S. national defense and look forward to working closely with our newest DIB customers to enable their innovations with our leading-edge Intel 18A technology," said Kapil Wadhera, vice president of Intel Foundry and general manager of Aerospace, Defense and Government Business Group.

Marvelous Announces "Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma" Release Date: May 30

Marvelous Games has announced Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma. This new entry in the series will launch globally on the Nintendo Switch system and Windows PC via Steam on May 30, 2025. A new gameplay video showcasing Guardians of Azuma's action combat, relationship system, and seasonal village life is also now available to watch below. The latest entry in the popular action-RPG and life-simulation series introduces the Eastern territory of Azuma, a land of Japanese-inspired visuals and unique twists on familiar gameplay elements from the Rune Factory franchise.

Pre-orders for the Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Limited Edition are now available at participating retailers here for an RRP of €99.99. This stunning collection comes in a custom outer box and includes a physical copy of the game, an original soundtrack CD, an art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, the "Seasons of Love" DLC bundle, additional DLC costumes for your protagonists and their divine sidekick Woolby, and a plush Woolby keychain. The standard edition of the game is also available to pre-order for an RRP of €59.99. Details on digital editions will be announced later.

PowerColor Radeon RX 9070 Reaper Graphics Card Stock Appears in UK

PowerColor started its online marketing campaign for new Reaper graphics card family earlier this week—a rendered scythe graphic was posted on social media along with this cryptic message: "The Reaper has arrived. Everything is under your control. Will you be the Reaper or the one reaped?" The Taiwanese graphics cards company has already unveiled its opening salvo of new RDNA 4-based card designs—on the internet and in real life. For example, PowerColor's Radeon RX 9070 XT Reaper model was on display at CES 2025—where TechPowerUp spent a couple of minutes with an SFF-form-factor-friendly demonstration sample. Since then, more photo evidence has been posted on the AMD subreddit—a UK retailer appears to have units in-stock at their warehouse.

Team Red is seemingly operating in silent mode—they have not revealed concrete details about the upcoming launch of Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 (non-XT) GPUs. Preliminary specification leaks and photos of boxed retail units have turned up this week—with yesterday's Reddit post indicating that Scan UK has received a big cardboard box containing PowerColor Radeon RX 9070 Reaper cards. Industry watchdogs reckon that AMD is still forming a release strategy—with board partners and retail/e-tail outlets waiting on and seemingly ready to receive new or finalized instructions.

Opera GX Introduces Cyberpunk 2077-themed Hub

Norwegian browser company Opera [NASDAQ: OPRA] is unveiling the Opera GX hub, a new feature designed to blend the universes of its users' favorite games directly into the browser. Starting with the Cyberpunk 2077 hub, this new addition to Opera GX brings players closer to their favorite titles than ever before, making it possible for them to use the web while never leaving Night City. They can now browse with the full Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack playing in the background, have webpages displayed in the dystopian Cyberpunk 2077 style, and get direct access to streams, modding guides, news from the game and much more - all within the browser.

The Cyberpunk 2077 hub in Opera GX is the first of its kind. It's a new integrated feature that connects the universe of a game with the user's browsing experience. It also gives fans access to essential game-related content and tools, making it easier for them to stay up-to-date with the game while browsing the web within a single space. This collaboration with CD PROJEKT RED is just the beginning: Opera GX will be working on more immersive game integrations in the future.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9000 "Shimada Peak" 64-Core & 32-Core SKUs Leak Out

Unannounced AMD Threadripper 9000 "Shimada Peak" processor SKUs have once again appeared on leaked shipping manifests—a 96-core variant was uncovered under similar circumstances last summer. The latest discovery—courtesy of reliable investigator Everest/Olrak_29 combing through info published on NBD—reveals a Zen 5-based product stack that lists 16, 32, 64 and 96-core models. Until now, industry watchdogs have not spotted evidence of 32-core and 64-core SKUs—alongside prior leaks that only mentioned 16-core and 96-core parts.

Team Red has not officially announced that it is working on a follow-up to its current generation Zen 4-equipped Threadripper 7000 "Storm Peak" CPU series, but tipsters believe that fundamental similarities—based on leaked core counts and specifications—position "Shimada Peak" as the logical/inevitable successor. Speculation points to all the leaked Threadripper 9000 HEDT processors having a TDP rating of 350 W. Industry insiders propose that the highest-end variant—sporting 96 cores and 192 threads—will contain 12 CCDs (eight cores per CCD), 32 MB L3 cache (per CCD), and a lone I/O die. Wccftech theorizes that the 32-core model will be specced with four CCDs, while "the 64-core variant will come with eight CCDs." Insiders have whispered about a possible "later in 2025" launch window for "Shimada Peak."

GMK G9 Mini PC Unveiled With 4x M.2 2280 Slots and Dual 2.5G LAN

The newly unveiled GMK G9 is not here to set any records in terms of raw performance. However, it does pack a different trick up its sleeve - impressive storage capabilities, allowing for its use as an affordable NAS. GMK has not revealed any price or availability details as of now, although Liliputing did manage to dig up a retailer listing which reveals that the G1 mini PC will start at an affordable $289 for the base variant with 12 GB of memory and no SSD storage, whereas the same unit with 512 GB of storage will command an extra $30.

The GMK G9 is powered by Intel's N150 processor - a slightly higher-clocked version of the N100, which packs a total of four cores and four threads, a boost clock of 3.6 GHz, and a modest 6-watt TDP. As mentioned previously, the G1 is by no means a performance system, and packs just enough computing grunt to function as a lightweight daily driver or a NAS. The system can be equipped with up to 12 GB of LPDDR5-4800 memory and 64 GB of eMMC storage. To justify its NAS credentials, the G1 packs a whopping four M.2 2280 slots, allowing for a maximum of 32 TB of SSD storage. The port selection is plenty decent as well, including a USB-C port, triple USB-A ports, dual HDMI ports, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and of course, dual 2.5G RJ-45 LAN ports. For the price and the features offered, the G1 sure does like a commendable choice for a nifty little home server.

LG Display Unveils 4th-Generation OLED Panel Optimized for AI Era

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, continues to lead the way in large-sized OLED technology by unveiling its fourth-generation OLED TV panel. 33% brighter than the previous generation and optimized for the AI TV era, it is the industry's first ever OLED display to achieve a maximum brightness as high as 4,000 nits (1 nit is the brightness produced by a candle).

Panels with both high brightness and energy efficiency are essential for AI TVs, as they use upscaling that analyzes content in real time to deliver ultra-high picture quality of up to 8K. The industry also considers higher brightness to be a key picture quality factor because it enables more vivid images that are akin to natural human vision.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Officially Steam Deck Verified

Cue the iconic FINAL FANTASY fanfare because we can confirm that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is officially Steam Deck Verified! Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun da duuuuun! That means upon launch on January 23, you'll be able to play the critically acclaimed RPG on a train, on a plane, swaddled up in bed, in the bathroom… wherever you want. It's fine - we won't judge.

Of course, you can also play on your desktop, where depending on your rig you'll be able to benefit from frame rates of up to 120 FPS and a range of visual enhancements, including refined lighting, improved environment detail, more detailed textures. You'll also potentially be able to experience enhanced framerates and image quality with NVIDIA DLSS. VRR is also supported. You can get a sense of the PC enhancements in the new trailer (below), and check out our previous article for more details.

AMD Retiring Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10 GB SKU According to Chinese Tipsters

AMD's Radeon RX 6750 GRE GPU is an (RDNA 2) Chinese market exclusive—Board Channels members reckon that this model is facing imminent discontinuation. The "GRE" affix denotes "Golden Rabbit Edition." Western graphics card enthusiasts will be familiar with this slightly odd moniker due to Radeon RX 7900 GRE-based (RDNA 3) cards heading to European and North American territories around early 2024. Sadly, this mid-to-high tier GPU is rumored to be reaching an end-of-life (EOL) phase—the latest speculation now points to Team Red's Radeon RX 6750 GRE being quietly withdrawn from China's PC hardware market.

Two Radeon RX 6750 GRE Navi 22-based SKUs—with 10 GB or 12 GB video memory configurations—were created specifically to fill a gap not occupied by AMD's Radeon RX 7600 XT model. The affordable-tier Golden Rabbit Editions are said to be highly popular with Chinese system integrators and budget-minded gamers, but Team Red and its board partners have (apparently) declared that the 10 GB variant is now discontinued. A Board Channel member posited that an "inventory digestion phase" is already underway, with an end date set in March. AIBs are reportedly waiting on "replacement plans from February to March." The Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB variant is reported to be sticking around for the moment, but a new candidate could be appearing in the near future. VideoCardz believes that AMD is considering a rollout of the—not yet announced and oft-delayed—Radeon RX 7650 GRE as a potential modernized substitute.

NVIDIA RTX 5090 Geekbench Leak: OpenCL and Vulkan Tests Reveal True Performance Uplifts

The RTX 50-series fever continues to rage on, with independent reviews for the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 dropping towards the end of this month. That does not stop benchmarks from leaking out, unsurprisingly, and a recent lineup of Geekbench listings have revealed the raw performance uplifts that can be expected from NVIDIA's next generation GeForce flagship. A sizeable chunk of the tech community was certainly rather disappointed with NVIDIA's reliance on AI-powered frame generation for much of the claimed improvements in gaming. Now, it appears we can finally figure out how much raw improvement NVIDIA was able to squeeze out with consumer Blackwell, and the numbers, for the most part, appear decent enough.

Starting off with the OpenCL tests, the highest score that we have seen so far from the RTX 5090 puts it around 367,000 points, which marks an acceptable jump from the RTX 4090, which manages around 317,000 points according to Geekbench's official average data. Of course, there are a plethora of cards that may easily exceed the average scores, which must be kept in mind. That said, we are not aware of the details of the RTX 5090 that was tested, so pitting it against average scores does seem fair. Moving to Vulkan, the performance uplift is much more satisfying, with the RTX 5090 managing a minimum of 331,000 points and a maximum of around 360,000 points, compared to the RTX 4090's 262,000 - a sizeable 37% improvement at the highest end. Once again, we are comparing the best results posted so far against last year's averages, so expect slightly more modest gains in the real world. Once more reviews start appearing after the embargo lifts, the improvement figures should become much more reliable.

Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access Goes Live on Steam

The journey begins now: Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access is live on Steam! Imagine sitting behind the wheel of your dream car, the engine roaring, with the track stretching out before you. Feel the changing light as you accelerate, the road alive beneath your tires. This isn't just a game—it's the start of your driving journey.

For the next two weeks, until January 30th, join Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access at 20% off. By joining now, you'll receive all the content featured in version 1.0 for free. This is your chance to be part of the game's evolution at the lowest price of the entire EA program—immerse yourself in every thrilling lap and turn while shaping the future of the game.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Performance in Cyberpunk 2077 With and Without DLSS 4 Detailed

It is no secret that NVIDIA's RTX 50-series launch was welcomed with a mixed reception. On one hand, DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation has allowed for obscene jumps in performance, much to the dismay of purists who would rather do away with AI-powered wizardry. A recent YouTube video has detailed what the RTX 5090 is capable of in Cyberpunk 2077 with Path Tracing at 4K, both with and without the controversial AI features. With DLSS set to performance mode and 4x frame generation (three generated frames), the RTX 5090 managed around 280 FPS. Pretty good, especially when considering the perfectly acceptable latency of around 52 ms, albeit with occasional spikes.

Turning DLSS to quality, the frame rate drops to around 230 FPS, with latency continuing to hover around 50 ms. Interestingly, with frame generation set to 3x or even 2x, the difference in latency was borderline negligible between the two, right around 44 ms or so. However, the FPS takes a massive nosedive when frame generation is turned off entirely. With DLSS set to quality mode and FG turned off, the RTX 5090 barely managed around 70 FPS in the game. Taking things a step further, the presenter turned off DLSS as well, resulting in the RTX 5090 struggling to hit 30 FPS in the game, with latency spiking to 70 ms. Clearly, DLSS 4 and MFG allows for an incredible uplift in performance with minimal artefacting, at least in Cyberpunk 2077 unless one really looks for it.

PCI-SIG Releases PCI-Express Gen 7 Draft Specification 0.7—128 Gbps per Lane

PCI-SIG, the consortium that governs the PCI Express I/O interconnect, released draft specification version 0.7 for the upcoming PCI-Express 7.0 standard (or PCIe Gen 7). An early-2025 release of this draft could indicate that PCIe Gen 7 gets finalized into specification version 1.0 by the end of 2025, from where implementers can pick it up to design their devices around. We are now at 32 Gbps per lane per direction with PCIe Gen 5, and PCIe Gen 6 doubles it to 64 Gbps, which would mean PCIe Gen 7 will double that further to 128 Gbps per lane per direction. PCI-Express 7.0 x1 would offer the same bandwidth as PCI-Express 3.0 x16. We could realistically expect the first computing platforms implementing PCIe Gen 7 to come out around 2027 or even 2028. PCIe forms the physical layer for a number of derivative standards, such as CXL, Thunderbolt, USB (USB 3.0 onwards), NVMe, SDexpress, CFexpress, and DMI.
Many Thanks to Tumble George for the tip

Thermal Grizzly Releases Duronaut High-Performance Thermal Paste with Exceptional Long-Term Stability

Thermal Grizzly's Duronaut thermal paste stands out due to its combination of exceptional long-term stability and excellent thermal conductivity. Its outstanding performance in heat transfer is further enhanced by the ability to apply Duronaut in an extremely thin layer. This is made possible by its unique composition of aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles, optimized for particle shapes and sizes. These features ensure excellent adhesion of the paste to the surface. The powders are mixed into a specially developed silicone oil, resulting in extraordinary long-term stability.

For optimal application, the high-end thermal paste comes with the new TG Spatula Pro. The redesigned spatula allows for more pressure to be applied to the surface during application, enabling the paste to be spread more efficiently in a thinner layer. Duronaut is available in 2-gram and 6-gram packaging options.

ASUS Announces Refreshed Marshmallow Keyboard KW100

ASUS today announced the refreshed Marshmallow Keyboard KW100—now featuring a new Copilot key for one-press access to the Microsoft Copilot app for enhanced Windows experiences, along with Iridescent White and Rose Clay color options. This compact and versatile wireless keyboard is ideal for everyday computing, boasting durable 10-million-keystroke switches, scissor keys, and two-level adjustable kickstands. A pair of system-switch keys enable effortless switching between Windows and ChromeOS, and between macOS, iOS, and iPadOS modes.

Distinct colors
ASUS Marshmallow Keyboard KW100 is now available in eye-catching Iridescent White and Rose Clay finishes, as well as the original Oat Milk and Green Tea Latte options. The four color schemes provide an eye-catching look that stands out against the black, beige, or gray keyboards typically seen in the market. In addition, essential keys such as Enter, Esc and the space bar are in a contrasting shade for better visibility. These unique colors give ASUS Marshmallow Keyboard KW100 a smart, youthful look that perfectly complements ASUS Fragrance Mouse MD101, as well as modern laptops, PCs, and tablets.

Apple Silicon Macs Gain x86 Emulation Capability, Run x86 Windows Apps on macOS

Parallels has announced the introduction of x86 emulation support in Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 for Apple Silicon Macs. This new feature enables users to run x86-based virtual machines on their M-series Mac computers, addressing a longstanding limitation since Apple's transition to its custom Arm-based processors. The early technology preview allows users to run Windows 10, Windows 11 (with some restrictions), Windows Server 2019/2022, and various Linux distributions through a proprietary emulation engine. This development particularly benefits developers and users who need to run 32-bit Windows applications or prefer x86-64 Linux virtual machines as an alternative to Apple Rosetta-based solutions.

However, Parallels is transparent about the current limitations of this preview release. Performance is notably slow, with Windows boot times ranging from 2 to 7 minutes, and overall system responsiveness remains low. The emulation only supports 64-bit operating systems, though it can run 32-bit applications. Additionally, USB device support is not available, and users must rely on Apple's hypervisor as the Parallels hypervisor isn't compatible. Despite these constraints, the release is a crucial step forward in bridging the compatibility gap for Apple Silicon Mac users so legacy software can still be used. The feature has been implemented with the option to start virtual machines hidden in the user interface to manage expectations, as it is still imperfect.

NVIDIA Reveals Secret Weapon Behind DLSS Evolution: Dedicated Supercomputer Running for Six Years

At the RTX "Blackwell" Editor's Day during CES 2025, NVIDIA pulled back the curtain on one of its most powerful tools: a dedicated supercomputer that has been continuously improving DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) for the past six years. Brian Catanzaro, NVIDIA's VP of applied deep learning research, disclosed that thousands of the company's latest GPUs have been working round-the-clock, analyzing and perfecting the technology that has revolutionized gaming graphics. "We have a big supercomputer at NVIDIA that is running 24/7, 365 days a year improving DLSS," Catanzaro explained during his presentation on DLSS 4. The supercomputer's primary task involves analyzing failures in DLSS performance, such as ghosting, flickering, or blurriness across hundreds of games. When issues are identified, the system augments its training data sets with new examples of optimal graphics and challenging scenarios that DLSS needs to address.

DLSS 4 is the first move from convolutional neural networks to a transformer model that runs locally on client PCs. The continuous learning process has been crucial in refining the technology, with the dedicated supercomputer serving as the backbone of this evolution. The scale of resources allocated to DLSS development is massive, as the entire pipeline for a self-improving DLSS model must consist of not only thousands but tens of thousands of GPUs. Of course, a company making 100,000 GPU data centers (xAI's Colossus) must save some for itself and is proactively using it to improve its software stack. NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang famously said that DLSS can predict the future. Of course, these statements are to be tested when the Blackwell series launches. However, the approach of using massive data centers to improve DLSS is quite interesting, and with each new GPU generation NVIDIA release, the process is getting significantly sped up.

Thermaltake Releases the Toughpower TF3 1300W With Support for RTX 50 Series GPUs

Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, is proud to launch the Toughpower TF3 1300 W - TT Premium Edition, the 80 Plus Titanium certified and full modular PSU that is designed to power up high-performance and overclocking systems. The Toughpower TF3 1300 W is built to comply with the ATX 3.1 specification and comes with PCIe Gen 5.1 connectors, it ensures superior reliability and future-ready compatibility for high-end hardware including the latest RTX50 series graphics cards.

The Toughpower TF3 1300 W meets ATX 3.1 standards, supporting up to 200% total power excursion, 300% GPU power excursion, and reaches 60% efficiency at low load. Its two native PCIe 12 V-2X6 modular interfaces are compatible with advanced PCIe 12+4pin connectors, providing up to 600 W for the next-gen PCIe 5.1 graphics cards. To reduce installation errors, the 12+4pin cable comes with a dual-color design in matcha green and black, allowing users can easily verify proper connections.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series "Blackwell" Features Similar L1/L2 Cache Architecture to RTX 40 Series

NVIDIA's upcoming RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards are maintaining similar L1 cache architectures as their predecessors while introducing marginal improvements to L2 cache capacity, according to recent specifications reported by HardwareLuxx. The flagship RTX 5090 maintains the same 128 KB L1 cache per SM as the RTX 4090 but achieves a higher total L1 cache of 21.7 MB thanks to its increased SM count of 170. This represents a notable improvement over the RTX 4090's 16.3 MB total L1 cache, which features 128 SMs. In terms of L2 cache, the RTX 5090 sees a 33.3% increase over its predecessor, boasting 96 MB compared to the RTX 4090's 72 MB, with SM count going up by 32.8%, so there is a slight difference.

However, this improvement is relatively modest compared to the previous generation's leap, where the RTX 4090 featured twelve times more L2 cache than the RTX 3090. The RTX 5080 shows more conservative improvements, with its L1 cache capacity only marginally exceeding its predecessor by 1 MB (10.7 MB vs 9.7 MB). Its L2 cache maintains parity at 64 MB, matching the RTX 4080 and 4080 Super. To compensate for these incremental cache improvements, NVIDIA is implementing faster GDDR7 memory across the RTX 50 series. Most models will feature 28 Gbps modules, with the RTX 5080 receiving special treatment with 30 Gbps memory. Additionally, some models are getting wider memory buses, with the RTX 5090 featuring a 512-bit bus and the RTX 5070 Ti upgrading to a 256-bit interface.

U.S. Department of Commerce Announces $1.4 Billion to Support U.S. Semiconductor Advanced Packaging

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that CHIPS National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) has finalized $1.4 billion in award funding to bolster U.S. leadership in advanced packaging and enable new technologies to be validated and transitioned at scale to U.S. manufacturing. These awards will help establish a self-sustaining, high-volume, domestic, advanced packaging industry where advanced node chips are both manufactured and packaged in the United States.

These awards include:
  • A total of $300 million under the CHIPS NAPMP's first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for advanced substrates and material research to Absolics Inc., Applied Materials Inc., and Arizona State University. This follows the previously announced intent to enter negotiations on November 21, 2024
  • $1.1 billion to Natcast to operate the advanced packaging capabilities of the CHIPS for America NSTC Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility (PPF). This follows the previously announced CHIPS R&D Facilities Model on July 12, 2024, and planned site selection for the PPF on January 6, 2025

AMD to Build Zen 6 CCD on TSMC 3nm Process, Next-Gen cIOD and sIOD on 4nm

AMD is rumored to be building its next-generation CCD (core complex die) that implements the "Zen 6" microarchitecture, on the 3 nm TSMC N3E foundry node. This is part of a set of rumors from ChipHell forum, which got past rumors on AMD right. Apparently, AMD will also refresh the I/O dies for its next generation process, building them on the 4 nm foundry node, likely the TSMC N4C. The TSMC N3E node offers a 20% speed improvement, over 30% power savings, and approximately 60% logic density increase over TSMC N5, whereas the TSMC N4P node that the company uses for its current "Zen 5" chiplets only clock minor increases in logic density and power over N5. The N3E node relies on EUV double-patterning to achieve its logic density increases.

Perhaps the most interesting piece of news is the new-generation I/O dies. AMD is building these on the 4 nm node, which is a significant step up from the 6 nm node its current I/O dies are built on. On the client side of things, 4 nm will enable AMD to give the new cIOD an updated iGPU, probably based on a newer graphics architecture, such as RDNA 3.5. It will also give AMD the opportunity to integrate an NPU. The company might also update its key I/O components, such as the DDR5 memory controllers, to support higher memory speeds unlocked by CUDIMMs. We don't predict any updates on the PCIe front, since AMD is expected to carry on with Socket AM5, which determines that the cIOD puts out 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. At best, the USB interface put out from the processor could be updated to USB4 through an on-die host controller. Over on the server side, the new-generation sIOD will bring much needed increases to the DDR5 memory speeds enabled by clock drivers.
Thursday, January 16th 2025

Today's Reviews

Cases
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Keyboards
Memory
Motherboards
Networking
PSUs
Sound Cards
SSD
ASRock Arc B570 Challenger OC Review

ASRock Arc B570 Challenger OC Review

The new Intel Arc B570 "Battlemage" is one of the most affordable graphics cards on the market that can still handle 1080p at maximum details. ASRock's B570 Challenger OC is a factory-overclocked custom-design variant that comes with a dual slot cooler that still runs whisper-quiet.
Sparkle B570 Guardian OC Review

Sparkle B570 Guardian OC Review

Intel's Arc B570 "Battlemage" is out, and at $230 it's a highly attractive option for 1080p gamers on a budget. Sparkle's Guardian OC comes with a factory overclock and a great-looking dual-fan cooling solution that runs quietly.

Kiwi Ears Showcases Multiple Closed-Back Over-Ear Headphones at CES 2025

Kiwi Ears, a brand known primarily for its IEMs, decided CES 2025 is the perfect time to show off its upcoming series of closed-back headphones. We already saw a couple of more budget-friendly DJ/monitoring-style headphones from the brand late last year, and Kiwi Ears followed up on this with two different ANC wireless headphones to appeal to the more mainstream crowd. The Aventus and Ardor both use two dynamic drivers—a 10 mm DD on top of a 40 mm DD in a coaxial configuration—for a novel driver configuration in headphones. Both of course have RGB lighting in the ear cups to further appeal to the mainstream market, and will be launching later this month. The dual driver headphones theme continued with the Kiwi Ears Atheia, which foregoes the plastic RGB ear cups in favor of machined walnut wood and now goes for a 50 mm DD + 14.5 mm planar magnetic driver hybrid configuration. This seems similar to the Noble Audio Apollo from last year, which uses a similar driver setup and adds wireless ANC connectivity on top. The Atheia is also expected to launch later this month, so Kiwi Ears is set to have a busy few days ahead.

Also at the show was yet another wooden ear cup set, although this currently uses the same body as the Atheia. This unnamed model—feel free to suggest a name for Kiwi Ears in the comments—is also closed-back in nature, and is using a single large planar magnetic driver. This is arguably the toughest type of headphones to get sounding correct, at least in the ~$400 price range that Kiwi Ears is aiming for. There's still work to be done with the tuning, and I provided feedback which is hopefully going to help the brand out. I used all of these headphones with my phone thanks to an upcoming Kiwi Ears dongle-style DAC/amp, the Allegro Pro, which connects directly to the Type-C port on your phone. It uses a customized DAC and a dedicated amplifier section, offers both 3.5 mm SE and 4.4 mm BAL outputs, and even has three onboard EQ profiles you can toggle through a button on the underside. The Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini should be launching within the next month or two, helping wrap up a great showing for Kiwi Ears at CES.

TSMC Reportedly Rejects Samsung's Proposed Exynos Mass Production Request

Samsung's native foundry operations have wrestled with the 3 nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process—these problems have persisted since the first reports of "missed production targets" emerged late last year—online speculators floated a very disappointing yield figure: only 20%. Last December, industry moles proposed that the South Korean technology giant had devised plans to form an Exynos-centric "multi-channel partnership" with rival chipmakers. Speculation pointed to TSMC being the only valid ally. Semiconductor industry tipster—Jukanlosreve—believes that negotiations have taken place, and the answer was a firm "no." TSMC's most advanced node process order books are likely filled up with more important customers—industry watchdogs reckon that Apple usually gets first dibs.

Taiwan's top semiconductor manufacturer leads the market with its cutting-edge lithography techniques. Insiders believe that Samsung was impressed by TSMC's 2 nm trial production runs achieving (rumored) 60% yields. The higher-end Exynos chipsets are normally produced with the best node process available, but missed manufacturing goals have caused Samsung to drop in-house tech. In the recent past, Qualcomm's most powerful Snapdragon mobile chipsets have been deployed on flagship Galaxy S smartphones. Jukanlosreve believes that TSMC rejected Samsung's proposed Exynos deal due to a fear of revealing too many "trade secrets." Potentially, the South Koreans could have learned a thing or two about improving yields—courtesy of TSMC's expert knowledge.

Age of Darkness: Final Stand Reaches V1.0 Milestone - Out Now on Steam

Protectors of the Light, it is time! Age of Darkness: Final Stand has officially launched, marking the end of over three years in Early Access and the introduction of one of your most requested features: Co-operative Multiplayer. We cannot wait for you to jump in and try it out. Importantly, we are celebrating the full release of Age of Darkness: Final Stand with our biggest discount yet—available now at 65% off for a limited time only! There really is no better time for you or your friends to jump into the game (and you have our permission to bug them until they do).

If you are new to the AOD community—welcome! In addition to the new Multiplayer Mode, you also have Survival Mode and the gripping Campaign to experience, and they are a great place to start when learning the ropes. Take advantage of the game's range of difficulty settings if need be - there is no shame in playing on Easy! But if you are a Veteran RTS player and want to grab a friend to defend humanity against the forces of the Veil, do not be afraid to jump into Multiplayer and challenge yourselves with its increased intensity and faster pacing. The game truly has something for everybody!

GMK Unveils AD-GP1 eGPU Powered By AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT

To be honest, it is rather tiresome to look for mini PCs with adequately powerful graphics. Of course, AMD's Strix Halo is all set to change that narrative with the help of its powerful integrated graphics that rivals discrete cards, but those stuck with last-gen systems have no option but to opt for an eGPU. Thankfully, the options are plenty on the market, and prominent mini PC brand GMK has now arrived with its own solution as well.

Dubbed the GMK AD-GP1, the eGPU sports the decently powerful AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT graphics card with a measly 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. While that would have been enough 4 or 5 years ago, 8 GB of VRAM is hardly sufficient for modern titles, especially at higher resolutions. Making matters worse, the GMK AD-GP1 does not feature a replaceable GPU, which means that its buyers will be stuck with the RX 7600M XT that its ships with. That said, the system is undeniably rather compact at 16.3 x 11.0 x 3.9 cm, and sports a visually appealing design.

PowerColor Uploads Lots of Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil Promo Images

PowerColor has updated its website with a Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil product page—this is the first example of an RX 9000 series model being officially listed alongside their existing selection of (exclusively) AMD GPU-based graphics cards. The Taiwanese brand has not published any technical specifications—Team Red RDNA 4 NDAs are likely still in effect—but a pleasing number of Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil promotional images have been uploaded. A limited edition package (with alleged bundled extras) seems to be in the pipeline—VideoCardz has provided visual evidence of a fancy container (see below).

Teaser images appeared online at the start of this year—close-ups of glowing signature red parts were accompanied by an ominous message: "every edge shines like a gem. Every second burns like fire. If power was in your hands, how would you use it?" Days later, TechPowerUp inspected a fully unveiled Red Devil demonstration sample at CES 2025—new Hellhound and Reaper designs were also within reach. PowerColor's freshly uploaded images reveal one major difference—VideoCardz adeptly points out the presence of two 8-pin power connectors on the promos, while the CES example possessed three physical inputs. They theorize that renders of PowerColor's Radeon RX 9070 (non-XT) Red Devil model have appeared on the XT's product page. Beyond discrepancies in connector counts, the overall design matches that of the Las Vegas showcase model.

Bandai Namco Explores "SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada" Story Missions, Early Access Available Now

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada, the mecha-based PvPvE extraction shooter from Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., is available beginning today for consoles and PC. In the game, players take on the role of Drifters, pilots of nimble mecha called CRADLECOFFINS exploring and battling through the ruins of Amasia, a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by poisonous rain. They must rely on their AI companions, called Magus, to help them wage combat in an environment plagued by twisted mutant creatures and other players with unpredictable loyalties to retrieve valuable resources for their own survival.

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is now available via Early Access to those players who pre-ordered the Deluxe or Ultimate editions of the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with PC via Steam. The game will launch in all editions on January 23. Find out more about the game and Early Access on the official website.

AMD Ryzen Z2 Go APU Compared to Z1 Extreme: 10% Slower Overall

Fps Vn—a gaming hardware YouTube channel—has managed to get their hands on an early sample of Lenovo's Legion Go S handheld system. This lower cost model was officially introduced at last week's CES trade event—with a notable specification shared across SteamOS and Windows 11 variants: AMD's Ryzen Z2 Go APU. This processor sits at the bottom of Team Red's latest line of "Strix Point" and "Phoenix Point" gaming-oriented SoCs. The Ryzen Z2 Go chipset—featuring Zen 3 processor and RDNA 2 graphics technologies—is based on Team Red's older "Phoenix 2" silicon. Fps Vn decided to compare this lower-end 4-core/8-thread APU with a widely available sibling: the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (a Zen 4 and RDNA 3-based processor).

Their Lenovo Legion Go S sample model (Ryzen Z2 Go) was lined up against the ASUS ROG Ally X (Ryzen Z1 Extreme)—tests were performed in Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut. Gaming benchmarks indicate an overall 9 to 10% performance deficit for the budget-friendly APU. The results are quite impressive; given that the Ryzen Z2 Go SoC utilizes an older processor technology (Zen 3 vs Zen 4), sports a lower core count (four vs. eight), and is only capable of boosting up to 4.3 GHz (Z1 Extreme hits a maximum clock of 5.1 GHz). Reflecting on these early performance results, potential customers are invited to inspect the gulf in pricing. Leaks indicate that the Legion Go S SteamOS model being priced at $499, while an alleged $100 upcharge grants access to a Windows 11 variant ($599). The price-to-performance ratio favors Lenovo's upcoming entry-level models, but ASUS could reduce the ROG Ally X's entry fee in the coming months—this flagship device originally launched with an MSRP of $799.

NACON Unveils New Products Dedicated to Nintendo Switch 2

In celebration of the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2, NACON, premium gaming accessories designer, is pleased to introduce its new range of products dedicated to the console, all of which will be available at launch.

Protection solutions for the whole console
To safeguard your console against accidental damage, NACON has designed a range of solutions to protect it from knocks and drops, including cases, protective shells, pouches and travel bag, all equally useful when playing or on the move.

NVIDIA NeMo AI Guardrails Upgraded with Latest NIM Microservices

AI agents are poised to transform productivity for the world's billion knowledge workers with "knowledge robots" that can accomplish a variety of tasks. To develop AI agents, enterprises need to address critical concerns like trust, safety, security and compliance. New NVIDIA NIM microservices for AI guardrails—part of the NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails collection of software tools—are portable, optimized inference microservices that help companies improve the safety, precision and scalability of their generative AI applications.

Central to the orchestration of the microservices is NeMo Guardrails, part of the NVIDIA NeMo platform for curating, customizing and guardrailing AI. NeMo Guardrails helps developers integrate and manage AI guardrails in large language model (LLM) applications. Industry leaders Amdocs, Cerence AI and Lowe's are among those using NeMo Guardrails to safeguard AI applications. Developers can use the NIM microservices to build more secure, trustworthy AI agents that provide safe, appropriate responses within context-specific guidelines and are bolstered against jailbreak attempts. Deployed in customer service across industries like automotive, finance, healthcare, manufacturing and retail, the agents can boost customer satisfaction and trust.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 End of January Stock Depletion Predicted

Supply chain insiders reckon that stock of NVIDIA's "Ada Lovelace" generation GeForce RTX 4070 GPU will be depleted by the end of this month. This revelation emerges on the cusp of Team Green's GeForce RTX 5000 series of "Blackwell" GPUs heading to market (on January 30). The popular Chinese hardware forum—Board Channels—is a reliable source of product "supply and demand" information. Industry insiders believe that Team Green's mid-tier SKU will be completely sold—by the closing of this month—across several unnamed regional markets. NVIDIA's incoming GeForce RTX 5070 SKU (baseline $549 MSRP) appears to be the natural alternative, given that GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER offerings are priced within the range of $550 to $600—according to market research performed by VideoCardz.

A board member disclosed details and prophesized changes up and down NVIDIA's current-gen product stack: "The inventory for NVIDIA RTX 4070 and higher models is expected to be completely cleared by January. Starting from February, major AIC brands are anticipated to have stock remaining only for the RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 4060 series, which still need to be digested. However, since NVIDIA's Q1 begins in February, these two models will essentially enter the final stock phase." VideoCardz anticipates a March launch window for the GeForce RTX 5060 series—this could be well-timed given circumstances surrounding Team Green's (alleged) limiting of GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU supplies and the insider's predicted cessation of RTX 4060 (non-Ti) production.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 Devs Discuss Nomad Character Class

Happy New Year, and welcome to a fresh and tasty Dev Diary from the team at The Chinese Room. We are starting the year by talking about the player character, Phyre, and how you can shape their legend and add to it as you play. As you'll see below your story will start wearing rags, but will it end in riches? Seattle's fate is in your hands.—Project Creative Director Alex Skidmore

An Elder of your choosing
As our game starts, an Elder that some call the Nomad wakes up in an abandoned building in Seattle. They don't know where they are or how they got there, but they are quick to adapt - the Nomad is old, and they have survived for a long time. It is clear that they have experienced the deathlike sleep of torpor. The last they remember was a smile and a piercing pain in the chest, delivered in their Haven in Tunis at the start of the 20th century. Now they are awake. What happened to them in their long slumber, and who woke them? Why does their Blood lack the strength and power they are used to? And why is their body carved with arcane sigils?

AMD Teases Radeon RX 9000 Series Launch Event, Date Not Specified

AMD's keynote presentation—at last week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES)—did not include a segment that covered their next-gen Radeon RX 9000 GPUs. This omission caused quite an uproar across PC hardware communities—Team Red soon responded with its reasonings. Board partner Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 (non-XT) custom models were available for "hands-on" inspections in Las Vegas, but technical specifications and performance figures remained under lock and key. Unofficial leaks and accidental product listings have painted an incomplete picture of the first wave of RDNA 4 products, but AMD seems to be preparing a dedicated launch event.

A recent "Meet the Experts" webinar attracted many queries from curious GPU enthusiasts (including a VideoCardz staffer) regarding Team Red's plans for the initial pair of Navi 48-based graphics cards. Donny Woligroski, AMD's senior processor technical marketing manager, did not provide a concrete answer on an exact launch date—certain leaks have pointed to January 24 as a possible candidate. A special presentation is seemingly on the cards—Woligroski stated: "All I can say about Radeon (9000) is that what we have said is what we can say. We think it deserves its own time in the spotlight, and at CES, things can get kind of washed under a massive amount of information. So stay tuned; it won't be a long time before you'll be hearing more about it in the near future." Industry watchdogs believe that Team Red is strategizing RDNA 4's rollout with eyes trained firmly on Team Green's upcoming new-gen offerings.

Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.6458 WHQL Released

Intel today released the latest version of the Arc GPU Graphics Drivers. Version 101.6458 WHQL comes with support for the new Arc B570 graphics card the company launched today. The drivers also add support for the Xe-LPG iGPU of Core Ultra 200H series "Arrow Lake-H" mobile processors. For Core Ultra 200-series iGPUs, the drivers add an up to 6.8% performance uplift in "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6." The drivers address an issue with "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" where the game exhibits inconsistent performance and memory usage. "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" saw an intermittent application crash and display corruption in the game menu with XeSS enabled, which has been fixed. Grab the drivers from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.6458 WHQL

Nintendo Announces Switch 2 April Launch Event and Delivers First Look Video

Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to the Nintendo Switch system, will be released in 2025. Today Nintendo offered a first look at Nintendo Switch 2 in a video introducing the hardware. Nintendo Switch 2 plays Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games, as well as both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. Details will be shared on the Nintendo website at a later date.

For more details on Nintendo Switch 2, please tune in for the "Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 - 4.2.2025" which will air on Wednesday, April 2. Nintendo will also hold Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events, where consumers can go hands-on with Nintendo Switch 2, in cities around the world.

GeForce NOW Update Grants Mixed Reality Headset Support

Time to suit up, members. The multiverse is about to get a whole lot cloudier as GeForce NOW opens a portal to the first season of hit game Marvel Rivals from NetEase Games. Members can now game in a new dimension with expanded support for virtual- and mixed-reality devices. This week's GeForce NOW app update 2.0.70 begins rolling out compatibility for Apple Vision Pro spatial computers, Meta Quest 3and 3S, and Pico 4 and 4 Ultra devices. Plus, no GFN Thursday is complete without new games. Get ready for seven new titles joining the cloud this week, including multiplayer online battle arena game SMITE 2.

Invisible No More
Eternal night falls for Marvel Rivals, the superhero, team-based player vs. player shooter that lets players assemble an ever-evolving all-star squad of Super Heroes and Super Villains battling with unique powers across a dynamic lineup of destructible maps from the Marvel Multiverse. The Fantastic Four will be playable in season one of the game. For Eternal Night Falls, Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic will be released in the first half of the season, followed by Human Torch and The Thing in the second. Season one will also feature three new maps, special events and an all-new Doom Match game mode.

ASML Clients Required to Apply for Export Licenses from Dutch Govt Following Policy Shift

Yesterday, the Dutch government announced that it had amended its export rules regarding sanctioned semiconductor equipment—this is another adjustment that seems to align policy closer to North American terms. Equipment manufactured by ASML—the nation's crown jewel photolithography system specialist—is included on a list of sanctioned items. According to a Bloomberg New report, the export of the manufacturer's latest advanced measurement and inspection hardware will be affected by new policy. The Dutch trade ministry stated that only a "very limited" number of technologies will be safeguarded—ASML's customers will be required to apply directly for export licenses with the Dutch government (rather than the USA).

The Hague's announcement did not explicitly state that the latest adjustments were made in conjunction with US government policies, but insider sources reckon that some cross-pollination has occurred. Last December, the White House declared a new wave of restrictions—further constricting semiconductor exports to China. According to an article published by a Netherlands-based legal newspaper, the updated licensing requirements will limit the export of advanced equipment that is utilized to discover small defects in wafers, plus systems that enhance measurements after the deposition and etching phases have been completed.

Endorfy Announces New Series of Black Air Coolers

Following the spectacular success of Endorfy Fera 5 and Endorfy Fortis 5 series, Endorfy is expanding its portfolio by announcing black versions of the air coolers. As a result of immense popularity of Endorfy Fera 5 Black (launched earlier 2024), the brand introduces three new products - Endorfy Fera 5 Black ARGB, Endorfy Fortis 5 Black and Endorfy Fortis 5 Black ARGB. The all-black design perfectly fits various computer builds and workstations.

The coolers vary according to the parameters of heatsink, fan and heatpipes - additionally, two models offer optional ARGB backlighting, making them easy to customize. Each of the launched products are also compatible with the latest AMD and Intel sockets, allowing users to enjoy the silent operation as well as low CPU temperature even when the PC is working at full power.

Intel Arc B570 Graphics Card Available from Today

Intel today formally launched its second graphics card from the Arc "Battlemage" family, the Arc B570. This card is being launched at $220, or $30 cheaper than the Arc B580 from last month. With it, the company is looking to disrupt several products around the $200-mark, and probably even wage price wars below that mark. The card is designed to offer a 1080p AAA gaming experience enhanced with ray tracing, and the XeSS 2 feature set (super resolution, frame generation, and low-latency). Given that there is no RTX 3050 successor from NVIDIA, or anything from AMD around this price point, except older generation RX 6600-series products, the B570 could be poised to grab a chunk of the value-ended gaming PC market share.

The Arc B570 is based on the same 5 nm "BMG-G21" silicon that also powers the B580. It has 18 Xe cores enabled across five Render Slices, giving it 112 EU (execution units), or 2,240 unified shaders. Other key specs include 144 XMX cores for AI acceleration, 18 ray tracing units, 144 TMUs, and 60 ROPs. Perhaps the biggest differentiator between the B570 and B580 is memory, the B570 gets 10 GB of it, over a 160-bit wide GDDR6 memory bus, on which it runs 19 Gbps memory to yield 380 GB/s of memory bandwidth. With a total board power of 150 W compared to the 190 W of the B580, the B570 makes do with a single 8-pin PCIe power connector on even the factory overclocked parts. Intel has set a $220 baseline price, however, there is no reference design card, and the cheapest custom design cards start at $230, with an included factory overclock. We reviewed two such cards today, you can find them in the links below.

Read the TechPowerUp Reviews of the ASRock Arc B570 Challenger OC and the Sparkle Arc B570 Guardian OC.

SK hynix Ships HBM4 Samples to NVIDIA in June, Mass Production Slated for Q3 2025

SK hynix has sped up its HBM4 development plans, according to a report from ZDNet. The company wants to start shipping HBM4 samples to NVIDIA this June, which is earlier than the original timeline. SK hynix hopes to start supplying products by the end of Q3 2025, this push likely aims to get a head start in the next-gen HBM market. To meet this sped-up schedule, SK hynix has set up a special HBM4 development team to supply NVIDIA. Industry sources indicated on January 15th that SK Hynix plans to deliver its first customer samples of HBM4 in early June this year. The company hit a big milestone when it wrapped up the HBM4 tapeout in Q4 2024, the last design step.

HBM4 marks the sixth iteration of high-bandwidth memory tech using stacked DRAM architecture. It comes after HBM3E, the current fifth-gen version, with large-scale production likely to kick off in late 2025 at the earliest. HBM4 boasts a big leap forward doubling data transfer ability with 2,048 I/O channels up from its forerunner. NVIDIA planned to use 12-layer stacked HBM4 in its 2026 "Rubin" line of powerful GPUs. However, NVIDIA has moved up its timeline for "Rubin" aiming to launch in late 2025.

Xbox Expands its Repairability Program

At Xbox, we're continuing to improve how we design, build, distribute, and use our products to reduce our environmental impact and help us reach Microsoft's goal of being a zero waste, carbon negative, and water positive company by 2030. Finding ways to reduce the environmental footprint of gaming not only helps the environment but also creates benefits for our collective community of players.

We've heard from players that they want more options for support when their Xbox consoles need repair. Today, we're expanding our repairability program, giving players even more options to get their Xbox Series X|S console options—the Xbox Series S—1 TB in Robot White, Xbox Series X—1 TB Digital Edition in Robot White, and Xbox Series X—2 TB Galaxy Black Special Edition—fixed should they ever need to, while also reducing and preventing waste.

Axiomtek Reveals Edge AI Systems With NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and Orin NX Super Mode

Axiomtek - a world-renowned leader relentlessly devoted to the research, development, and manufacture of innovative, highly efficient, and reliable industrial computer products - is thrilled to unveil an electrifying upgrade that its AIE100, AIE110, and AIE900 series edge AI systems are going to gear up to support NVIDIA's game-changing Super Mode for NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and Orin NX series modules, launching this year with the NVIDIA JetPack 6.2 software development kit release.

This enhancement catapults performance to new heights, supercharging groundbreaking applications like local AI chatbots, real-time computer vision, and advanced robotics. Axiomtek's commitment to pioneering edge AI solutions just got even stronger, marking another milestone in its strategic collaboration with NVIDIA, as a Preferred member of the NVIDIA Partner Network with an Embedded Compute competency.

Brook Gaming Introduces Wingman FGC 2 PS5 Converter

With the PlayStation 5 Pro taking the gaming world by storm, Taiwan's leading gaming peripheral brand, Brook Gaming, is back with a groundbreaking new product—Wingman FGC 2 Converter. Designed exclusively for PS5 and compatible with the entire library of PS5 games, this adapter redefines gaming freedom with seamless cross-platform and cross-generation controller support for over 150 wired controllers.

At Brook Gaming, we believe every gamer deserves the freedom to play their way. The Wingman FGC 2 gives players total control over their favorite controllers and fight sticks, eliminating hardware limitations so you can take full command of your gaming experience.

MONTECH Unveils New Heritage PC Case Series, Combining Leather and Metal

As a leading brand in PC case innovation, MONTECH proudly presents the Heritage, an exquisite blend of luxurious leather and durable metal. With a distinctive suitcase-style handle, this compact yet spacious PC case redefines portability and capacity, delivering unmatched elegance and practicality.

Where Luxury Meets Practicality
The Heritage PC case redefines sophistication by seamlessly blending premium leather with durable metal for a timeless, luxurious design. Signature triangular accents reflect the brand's distinct identity, while a suitcase-style leather handle adds both elegance and portability. Designed for users who value both style and functionality, the Heritage delivers a striking aesthetic and unmatched convenience.

Alphacool Unveils New Apex 1 CPU Cooler for AMD AM5 and Intel LGA 1700/1851 Sockets

Alphacool presents the Apex 1, the first CPU water cooler in the Apex series. It combines maximum cooling performance, exceptional design, and a high-quality selection of materials. The Apex 1 integrates the proven cross-slot technology with the new 3D-Jetplate 2.0, ensuring optimal cooling performance for both AMD and Intel processors of the latest generation. A pre-chamber in front of the 3D-Jetplate 2.0 smooths the incoming water flow and evenly distributes it across the Jetplate and the copper base's cooling fins. Both the copper base and the brass connector part are precisely CNC-machined to guarantee top-notch manufacturing quality.

Alphacool offers two versions of the cooler. The AMD AM5 version features an offset cooler base, which does not sit centrally on the CPU. Instead, it is positioned to direct the water injection right above the CPU hotspot. The Intel version has a centrally positioned cooler base that covers the entire CPU. Both versions ensure outstanding cooling performance. The cooler's design is made to fully cover the CPU socket and mounting holes. This does not affect the installation, which remains incredibly simple. Additionally, the coolers come equipped with aRGB lighting, positioned both on the top and on the side towards the RAM, perfectly complementing the design.

ASUS Announces ExpertBook B3 Series Laptops

ASUS today announced the ExpertBook B3 series, an all-new lineup of AI-powered laptops that offers extensive customization to empower daily business needs. Equipped with up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2) with Intel vPro, Intel AI Boost NPU and Intel Arc graphics, ExpertBook B3 delivers solid performance to tackle a wide range of tasks seamlessly. These new laptops also feature powerful AI tools such as ASUS AI ExpertMeet], Microsoft Copilot and AI noise-canceling technology, delivering unmatched productivity experiences.

With a build that's as lightweight as 1.4 kg, a 180° lay-flat hinge, military-grade durability, comprehensive connectivity, and advanced security features, the latest ExpertBook B3-series AI PCs ensure flexibility and efficiency on the go. In addition, with long battery life, exceptional visuals and audio, and an eco-friendly design, ExpertBook B3 series supports streamlined workflows - keeping employees productive, wherever they work.

AVerMedia Launches ELITE GO GC313Pro and CORE GO GC313 Capture Charging Docks

AVerMedia Technologies, a global leader in digital audiovisual solutions, is thrilled to announce the worldwide launch of two groundbreaking additions to its GO Series product line: the ELITE GO GC313Pro Charging Capture and the CORE GO GC313 Charging Dock. Designed with mobility, versatility, and performance in mind, these devices empower users to work, play, and create wherever they go, embodying the series' tagline: "Your Essential Go Anywhere."

"The GO Series reflects AVerMedia's mission to deliver tools that combine portability and performance seamlessly," said Michael Kuo, President and CEO of AVerMedia Technologies. "The ELITE GO GC313Pro and CORE GO GC313 exemplify this vision. We are confident these products will enhance how users connect, create, and consume content, whether for gaming, professional tasks, or media streaming."

ASUS Unveils IoT Edge AI Computers Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin

ASUS IoT, a global leader in AIoT solutions, today announced that ASUS IoT edge AI computers powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Orin platform have been upgraded to enable the new Super mode. This upgrade increases AI TOPS by up to 1.7X, memory bandwidth by up to 1.5X, and Gen AI model performance by up to 2X.

Up to 1.7X AI TOPS and extensive compatibility with Super mode
Since it enhances AI TOPS by up to 1.7X, Super mode enables a wide range of Gen AI models, including large language models (LLMs), visual language models (VLMs), and vision transformers (ViTs). Jetson Orin modules support popular machine learning frameworks such as Hugging Face Transformers, Ollama, llama.cpp, vLLM, MLC, NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM, and more. This makes them excellent options for edge applications, robotics, and multimodal systems.

New Logitech Rally Camera Streamline Kit Keeps All Eyes on Relevant Content

Logitech today introduced Rally Camera Streamline Kit, a comprehensive USB Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) video solution designed for hyflex learning environments and modern workspaces. As higher education institutions strive to meet the evolving needs of their audiences, the demand for lecture capture content has never been greater. Whether engaging with content in-person, online or asynchronously, audiences require seamless experiences tailored for their preferences. Built around Logitech's flagship Rally Camera, the kit enables easy switching between preset camera views, installation and troubleshooting.

"PTZ cameras with speaker tracking for lecture capture are often overly complex and expensive, adding unnecessary hardware to standard USB AV setups while creating unpredictable and distracting user experiences," said Michele Hermann, vice president and general manager of Logitech for Education. "The Rally Camera Streamline Kit is an accessible and easy-to-install solution that minimizes setup complexity while enhancing both user experience and content delivery."

ADATA Industrial Releases DDR5-6400 CUDIMM and CSODIMM

ADATA Technology, the world's leading brand for industrial-grade embedded storage, has officially launched its latest industrial-grade DDR5 6400 CUDIMM and CSODIMM memory. Both products have built-in advanced clock driver (CKD) chips, provide multiple storage capacity options of 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB, and are fully compatible with Intel Arrow Lake series and other mainstream brand processors. They are an exemplar of ADATA's technological innovation, development strength, and product compatibility.

ADATA Industrial DDR5 CUDIMM and CSODIMM use high-quality ICs and have undergone rigorous reliability tests to ensure their ultra-high-speed data transfer capability of 6400 MT/s. This equates to a 15% performance increase compared with traditional DDR5 memory. This breakthrough not only brings new performance options to high-performance computing platforms and high-end workstations, but also lays a solid foundation for the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

TSMC Reports Record Q4 2024 Earnings with 37% YoY Growth

TSMC (TWSE: 2330, NYSE: TSM) today announced consolidated revenue of NT$868.46 billion, net income of NT$374.68 billion, and diluted earnings per share of NT$14.45 (US$2.24 per ADR unit) for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024. Year-over-year, fourth quarter revenue increased 38.8% while net income and diluted EPS both increased 57.0%. Compared to third quarter 2024, fourth quarter results represented a 14.3% increase in revenue and a 15.2% increase in net income. All figures were prepared in accordance with TIFRS on a consolidated basis.

In US dollars, fourth quarter revenue was $26.88 billion, which increased 37.0% year-over-year and increased 14.4% from the previous quarter. Gross margin for the quarter was 59.0%, operating margin was 49.0%, and net profit margin was 43.1%. In the fourth quarter, shipments of 3-nanometer accounted for 26% of total wafer revenue; 5-nanometer accounted for 34%; 7-nanometer accounted for 14%. Advanced technologies, defined as 7-nanometer and more advanced technologies, accounted for 74% of total wafer revenue.

JPR: 251 Million GPUs Shipped Globally in 2024, More Units than CPUs

Jon Peddie Research (JPR) reports that shipments of integrated and standalone GPUs exceeded 251 million units in 2024, marking a 6% year-over-year rise. This growth continues to outpace the shipment figures for client CPUs, given that most desktop and laptop processors include built-in graphics, and that leading suppliers such as AMD and NVIDIA also provide tens of millions of discrete GPUs annually. Thanks to some earlier per-quarter data, we find that in the desktop segment, JPR shows that manufacturers shipped about 18.2 million discrete graphics cards in the first half of 2024—a 46% increase compared to the same period in 2023. However, shipments slowed in the third quarter, falling to 8.1 million units, down from 8.9 million units in Q3 2023.

Analysts partly attribute this dip to inventory adjustments at AMD, along with the end of product cycles for Ada Lovelace and RDNA 3 GPUs. Typically, the fourth quarter sees a boost in discrete GPU purchases as gamers gear up for new software releases. Yet it is not entirely clear whether that trend held through late 2024. Early indications suggest that total graphics card shipments for the year lightly exceed the totals from 2023, thanks primarily to strong demand in the first half. We still need data from Q4 of 2024 to see the trend in its final months of the year, despite knowing that the year-over-year growth is 6%. Nonetheless, current levels appear unlikely to approach the elevated peaks observed in 2021 or 2022.

G.Skill Announces DDR5-6400 CL30 96GB (2x 48GB) Low-Latency Memory Kits

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, is announcing the release of low latency DDR5-6400 CL30-39-39-102 memory specification in high-capacity kit configurations, up to 96 GB (2x 48 GB) kit capacity. This high performance memory kit specification will be available under the Trident Z5 RGB and Trident Z5 Royal series, with Intel XMP 3.0 memory overclock profile support.

The G.SKILL DDR5-6400 CL30 memory kit at 96 GB (2x 48 GB) combines high-capacity and low-latency to enable higher performance for memory intensive platforms and uses. The screenshot below shows this 96 GB (2x 48 GB) memory kit operating at DDR5-6400 CL30-39-39-102 with the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero motherboard and Intel Core Ultra 7 265K desktop processor.

MSI Shows Behind the Scenes Look at Motherboard Manufacturing Process

MSI has provided a detailed look into its motherboard production facilities through a new interactive webpage. The company has outlined the 15-step manufacturing process that transforms bare circuit boards into complete motherboards. The process begins with solder paste printing, where a precise layer of conductive paste is applied to the bare PCB. This is followed by automated inspection using imaging systems to verify proper paste placement. High-speed machines then position electronic components onto the board before they move through reflow ovens that permanently bond the components. Multiple inspection stages are integrated throughout the assembly line, including automated optical systems that check both sides of the board. Specialized machines handle routing, component insertion, wave soldering, and alloy welding.

Each board undergoes circuit testing and receives mechanical components through automated screw-locking systems before final functional testing and molding. The complexity of modern motherboard manufacturing requires rigorous quality checks and final power tests before the motherboard leaves manufacturing facilities. For interested enthusiasts, MSI's new landing page is here. The manufacturing reveal accompanies MSI's launch of two new motherboard series—Z790 and B860. To celebrate this launch, MSI has announced promotional events running from January 20 to March 31, 2025, including Steam game codes with select product purchases. A new reward program offers points for product reviews and referrals.

Wednesday, January 15th 2025
G-Wolves Hati-S2 8K Review

G-Wolves Hati-S2 8K Review

At 34 g, the ambidextrous Hati-S2 is the lightest member of the Hati-S family, and also the smallest. Equipped with PixArt's PAW3395 sensor and Huano main button switches, the Hati-S2 is capable of true 8000 Hz polling, up to 80 hours of battery life are advertised, and configuration is done through a web driver.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Technical Deep Dive

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Technical Deep Dive

In this article we cover everything NVIDIA revealed about the GeForce RTX 50 Series: the new graphics card models and their pricing, Blackwell architecture, DLSS 4 updates, Neural Rendering, Reflex 2 for faster headshots, improved AI performance and creator-focused tools.

Heroes of Hammerwatch II Out Now on PC & Consoles

The wait is over! Heroes of Hammerwatch II is now officially available for purchase! A massive thank you to everyone who played the demo, shared feedback, and reported issues—your incredible support and enthusiasm have been invaluable. Don't forget to drop a review and join us on Discord to keep up to date with the latest information. Now it's time to jump into the adventure!

Embark on a new adventure in Heroes of Hammerwatch II
A rogue-lite action RPG brimming with randomly generated levels, deep customization, and rich persistent progression. Battle your way through the perilous Dark Citadel, collecting powerful equipment and trinkets that unlock game-changing upgrades and abilities. This unique mix of permanent equipment in the style of action RPGs along with run-defining rewards from its rogue-lite roots results in a compelling experience where you are sure to get something new out of every run, always progressing in some way, with no two runs the same.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & RX 9070 Custom Models In Stock at European Stores

AMD's board partners flaunted their new Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 custom models at last week's CES trade event, but no one expected to see retail units pop up anytime soon after the concluded Las Vegas showcase. Earlier today, a brave soul uploaded compelling new evidence on Team Red's subreddit—they claim that they were surprised to see the "early" delivery of Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 graphics card stock. Uploaded photos seem to show several boxed Sapphire Pulse models sitting in an Israeli computer store's stockroom. This leak has semi-ruined Sapphire's staggered Pulse-oriented marketing campaign—yesterday, a teaser image emerged via an official social media post.

Industry watcher, momomo_us, has gathered proof of GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT GAMING OC 16G and Radeon RX 9070 GAMING OC 16G model stock reaching Danish shores. According to VideoCardz, Føniks Computer's online store had at least four units available for purchase and immediate shipping (same business day). Entries for the two models have also appeared on Geizhals—this German price comparison engine lists January 24 as a market launch date. This information could be subject to change—AMD is likely still working on finalizing release window parameters. After all, recent pre-launch leaks have contained incomplete data and errors. It should be noted that NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 series is set to hit international markets on January 30—is Team Red planning to pre-empt this rollout?

SMITE 2 Free-to-Play Open Beta Available Now

Join the Battleground of the Gods: SMITE 2 is Now Free-to-Play! Step into the all-new SMITE 2 Open Beta and experience the next evolution of third-person action MOBA combat—now powered by Unreal Engine 5. If you crave challenging competition, intense gameplay, ability-driven team fights, and godly mythological themes, it's time to see why over 40 million players are hooked on SMITE. Become a God today!

THE Third-Person Action MOBA
No other game offers combat that feels like your favorite hero shooter, crossed with the deep strategy you can only find in a 5 vs. 5 MOBA. Feel the impact of every shot, sneak up on enemies, and combo abilities with teammates to take down the enemy Titan in Conquest mode, or defeat waves of minions and enemy Gods to secure victory in Arena mode.

Apple's Custom "Hidra" SoC Reportedly Exclusive to Next-gen Mac Pro

Apple's top-end M4 Ultra desktop-class chipset is allegedly going to feature on upcoming Mac Pro and Mac Studio refreshes—new product unveilings could be on the company's schedule (WWDC 2025). Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has divulged intriguing M4-series information within his latest newsletter. The M4 Ultra SoC—codenamed "Hidra"—was previously believed to be the most powerful processor option available on both next-gen Mac Pro and Mac Studio platforms. Now, Gurman believes that Apple engineers have created a distinct custom chipset design—exclusively designed for the Mac Pro workstation product stack—that sits above their M4 Ultra SoC.

Somewhat confusingly he suggests that "Hidra" is the codename for this top-of-the-line processor. Rumors swirled last month about the cancellation of an alleged "Extreme" model, so there is a degree of uncertainty surrounding unannounced M4 SKUs. Potential customers could choose Apple's (potentially) more powerful "Hidra-equipped" Mac Pro workstation over the highest-end M4 Ultra-based Mac Studio model. Industry experts propose that "Hidra" will arrive with an increased number of CPU and GPU cores—exceeding the M4 Ultra's speculated makeup of a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU.

Nintendo Switch 2 Docked and Handheld Performance Revealed By Tipster

It is a known fact that the Switch 2 is by no means planning on being a performance beast. Nintendo's focus has always been on their ecosystem, and not on raw performance, which will continue being the case. As such, the Switch 2 is widely expected to sport an NVIDIA Tegra SoC paired with 12 GB of LPDDR5 system memory and an Ampere-based GPU. Now, a fresh leak has detailed the docked and handheld mode performance that can be expected from the widely anticipated Switch successor, and the numbers seem to fall right around what was initially expected.

The leak, sourced from a Nintendo forum, reveals that in docked mode, the Nintendo Switch 2's GPU will be clocked at 1000 MHz, up from 768 MHz for the soon-to-be previous generation Switch, allowing for 3.1 TFLOPS of performance. In handheld mode, unsurprisingly, the GPU clock will be limited to 561 MHz, allowing for 1.71 TFLOPS of raw performance. These numbers are far from impressive for 2025, although Nintendo will likely make up for the lack of raw horsepower using upscaling technologies similar to DLSS, allowing for a vastly improved experience than what its otherwise unimpressive hardware could have afforded.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone Devs Celebrate Reaching 50% Crowdfunding Goal

It's a fantastic start to our campaign, thanks for your support! It took only 15 hours to reach 50% of our goal, much more than we expected. We're on a good path to succeeding and delivering you the most anticipated game feature, according to your feedback. The first-person combat will be a massive expansion of the existing gameplay mechanics and allow you to switch between two totally different camera systems, depending on your preferences.

Anytime in the game, you'll be able to change the perspective from a natural, first-person, very immersive point-of-view to a third-person camera, where you can control the environment with more focus on any of its aspects. In this way, we'll be much closer to the other best post-apocalypse action RPGs, where you can experience the same situations from different points of view and customize your playing style.

UK Retailer Inadvertently Posts Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 GPU Specs

The majority of AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU-related leaks have emerged thanks to insiders playing around with pre-launch PowerColor RDNA 4 sample models. During and since CES, Team Red and its board partners have kept mum about specifications and performance figures—but happy accidents have allowed tech enthusiasts to pore over NDA-busting information. As reported by VideoCardz yesterday, Overclockers UK (OCUK) published a landing page that provided a brief look at basic Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 (non-XT) specs—the British retailer has since scrubbed this entry from its site.

Leaks have revealed alleged core counts—4096 for XT, and 3584 for non-XT—but Overclockers UK's charts listed a count of 4096 for both Navi 48 GPUs. They both sport 16 GB GDDR6 VRAM and 256-bit memory buses, and the leak reveals another shared trait: a 260 W TDP rating. VideoCardz reckons that this is an error—based on previous clock speed insider info, the Radeon RX 9070 non-XT's power consumption figure should be rated lower. The accidentally published clock speeds appear to be sourced from overclocked examples—AMD is reportedly not going to release full/finalized information until closer to launch, so OCUK could have relied on preliminary product guides. The FAQ section states that Team Red's RDNA 4 generation is sticking with a PCI-Express 4.0 x16 host interface—PCIe 5.0 systems are "thankfully" backwards compatible. NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 series will be leading the way into PCIe 5.0 spec territories.

GEEKOM Announces Cost-Effective Mini PC GEEKOM A6 With AMD Ryzen 7 6800H

GEEKOM, the Green Mini PC Global Leader, is going to release a new model named the A6 on January 17th, 2025. This mini PC is already available for pre-order on GEEKOM's official website. Priced at $449, it may just be the new best mini PC under $500.

According to the official information, the GEEKOM A6 mini PC employs a well-ventilated aluminium chassis which measures only 0.47 liter, but it packs enormous power under the hood, thanks to the perfect combination of a beefy processor, high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM, and a fast PCIe Gen 4 SSD.

Guerrilla's Decima Engine Reportedly in Use at Other PlayStation Dev Teams

The Decima Engine has not been widely utilized outside of Guerrilla Games-developed titles—their Horizon series has mostly showcased this (Sony Interactive Entertainment-owned) proprietary technology. Kojima Productions (Death Stranding 1 & 2) and Supermassive Games (Until Dawn) are notable development houses that have licensed Guerrilla's very capable engine—naturally, both outfits are very invested in the PlayStation eco-sphere. Twisted Voxel has combed through Guerrilla staff profiles on LinkedIn and a certain job description caught their investigative eye. The online publication's reportage focused on a senior producer's role of: "managing communication and relations with other PlayStation Studios interested in or using the Decima engine."

Industry insiders believe that Guerrilla Games is deeply involved in overseeing development at other first-party PlayStation development studios—the Netherlands-based outfit is well-versed in creating epic open world adventures, and this expertise is a hot commodity given current market trends. It is not very surprising to hear about the possible sharing of proprietary engine tech between internal PlayStation teams—Decima would be an ideal candidate for other open world PlayStation projects. Twisted Voxel mentioned Bend Studio—this developer is located in Oregon, USA—best known for producing Days Gone (2019). A former senior game designer's LinkedIn profile lists experience of using the Decima toolset. Bend Studio's unannounced "open world" title is apparently due for launch this year.

Delta Force's Devs Delay Launch of Black Hawk Down Co-op Campaign

Dear Operators. With Season Starfall on the horizon, we want to update you on the Black Hawk Down campaign. We deeply appreciate your enthusiasm and understand how much you're looking forward to it. Your expectations drive us forward to deliver the best possible experience. To ensure the campaign meets our shared standards, we'll need a bit more time for final polishing and optimization. As such, Black Hawk Down will now launch during Season Starfall. We'll share the new release date soon. Thank you for your patience and support—it means everything to us!

Prepare to take part in the ultimate Delta Force mission. Our Black Hawk Down campaign faithfully reimagines both the revered 2001 Ridley Scott movie and the classic Delta Force series campaign—resulting in the definitive retelling of the infamous Mogadishu operation. Playable solo or co-op, and built using the latest Unreal Engine 5 technology, our Black Hawk Down campaign has been designed from the ground up to deliver next-level immersion while remaining optimized.

ZOTAC Publishes GeForce RTX 5090 Tech Specs on Product Pages

ZOTAC's website has been updated with technical specifications for its GeForce RTX 5090 GPU-based custom models—the Hong Kong-based hardware company is perhaps the first NVIDIA board partner to publicly disclose these details. According to VideoCardz, this discovery was made by a loyal reader—product pages for SOLID, SOLID OC and AMP Extreme INFINITY seemed to have appeared online within the past couple of days. A resultant report suggests that Team Green has only recently communicated (potentially) finalized specs with its AIBs.

The aforementioned discoverer of ZOTAC's GeForce RTX 5090 spec sheets noticed an unusual memory clock figure on the SOLID OC model's listing—30 Gbps instead of 28 Gbps. This was an error—ZOTAC has since amended that particular data point (see VideoCardz's screenshots below)—their presumably more expensive AMP Extreme INFINITY card's memory clock spec is set at 28 Gbps. Interestingly, ZOTAC's upcoming flagship is the first example of an NVIDIA GPU configured with a power consumption rating of 600 W. It is not immediately apparent whether this TDP figure is an out-of-the-box default—VideoCardz reckons that the GeForce RTX 5090 AMP Extreme INFINITY will arrive with dual-BIOS functionality. A high-performance mode could be user selected. Will rival flagship GeForce RTX 5090 custom cards roll out with similar TDPs? TechPowerUp anticipates the emergence of pre-launch technical details—from other brands/manufacturers—over the next two weeks.

NVIDIA Schedules "Quantum Day" Event - March 20 at GTC 2025

Quantum computing is one of the most exciting areas in computer science, promising progress in accelerated computing beyond what's considered possible today. It's expected that the technology will tackle myriad problems that were once deemed impractical or even impossible to solve. Quantum computing promises huge leaps forward for fields spanning drug discovery and materials development to financial forecasting.

But just as exciting as quantum computing's future are the breakthroughs already being made today in quantum hardware, error correction and algorithms. NVIDIA is celebrating and exploring this remarkable progress in quantum computing by announcing its first Quantum Day at GTC 2025 on Thursday, March 20. This new focus area brings together leading experts for a comprehensive and balanced perspective on what businesses should expect from quantum computing in the coming decades—mapping the path toward useful quantum applications.

Apple Reportedly Due to Receive First Batch of "Made in USA" TSMC Chips

The latest news reports suggest that Apple is currently verifying the quality of TSMC Arizona-made chips—the process has reached a "final test stage" with samples from an initial batch being compared to "Made in Taiwan" product. TSMC's native foundries—utilizing the latest cutting-edge technologies—are accustomed to pumping out plenty of high-quality and advanced chips. Nikkei Asia believes that an approval—if USA-made silicon passes muster—will result in commercial mass-produced chips being delivered as soon as Q1 2025. This would be a significant victory for TSMC's relatively new Arizona fab—reported teething problems have caused delays and budgets to balloon. Apple could be the first of TSMC's customers to send products to market that have Arizona-manufactured silicon onboard.

Taiwan's chip-making industry is facing an uncertain future due to regional political tensions—in reaction, the nation's government has started shifting its stance on guarding TSMC's most advanced production processes. Leading-edge process technologies could be heading overseas, with new investments being considered at the Arizona campus. TSMC and Amkor are working on setting up advanced packaging and test facilities at the Peoria location, so current logistics are not ideal—US-made product has to be sent to an Amkor packaging facility in Taiwan. TSMC USA's future looks quite promising—AMD and NVIDIA are reportedly the next in line to receive locally produced samples for verification. Industry moles reckon that Team Green's advanced "Blackwell" AI GPUs could be produced in Peoria—based on alleged partnership negotiations from late last year.

Supermicro Empowers AI-driven Capabilities for Enterprise, Retail, and Edge Server Solutions

Supermicro, Inc. (SMCI), a Total IT Solution Provider for AI/ML, HPC, Cloud, Storage, and 5G/Edge, is showcasing the latest solutions for the retail industry in collaboration with NVIDIA at the National Retail Federation (NRF) annual show. As generative AI (GenAI) grows in capability and becomes more easily accessible, retailers are leveraging NVIDIA NIM microservices, part of the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform, for a broad spectrum of applications.

"Supermicro's innovative server, storage, and edge computing solutions improve retail operations, store security, and operational efficiency," said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. "At NRF, Supermicro is excited to introduce retailers to AI's transformative potential and to revolutionize the customer's experience. Our systems here will help resolve day-to-day concerns and elevate the overall buying experience."

Lenovo Launches World's First Camera-under-display Laptop with TCL CSOT's 4K PureSight Pro OLED Display

Lenovo has unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration at CES 2025 with the launch of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i (14" Intel) Laptop, featuring TCL CSOT's 4K PureSight Pro OLED display. This innovative device features the world's first Camera-Under-Display Screen in mid-sized display product, powered by TCL CSOT's cutting-edge flexible OLED screen technology.

The new laptop showcases TCL CSOT's advanced Camera-under-panel (CUP) technology, achieving an astonishing 98% screen-to-body ratio on its 14-inch display. This technological breakthrough not only delivers a truly immersive viewing experience by seamlessly integrating the camera beneath the screen surface but also empowers content creators with an unprecedented canvas for their work. The borderless design removes traditional constraints, offering content creators and designers a more expansive and inspiring workspace.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Due Out on January 21

Hey Riders! It's finally time to buckle your boots. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, our "ski-quel" to Lonely Mountains: Downhill, is coming to Steam and Xbox on January 21st! The game will feature 2 to 8 person cross-platform multiplayer with a competitive racing mode, as well as a cooperative team mode that's perfect for hanging around with your friends on cold winter nights. Of course, it's also fully playable in single player—with lots of challenges and extensive leaderboards.

If you're just looking for some relaxed carving, the game also has a new "zen" mode that lets you free-roam the mountains and place your own checkpoints. If you want to do some ski gymnastics and hone your skills before release, the single player demo is still online. And of course we would be super grateful if you could wishlist the game so we can climb the upcoming list on Steam!

NVIDIA Revises "Blackwell" Architecture Production Roadmap for More Complex Packaging

According to a well-known industry analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, NVIDIA has restructured its "Blackwell" architecture roadmap, emphasizing dual-die designs using CoWoS-L packaging technology. The new roadmap eliminates several single-die products that would have used CoWoS-S packaging, changing NVIDIA's manufacturing strategy. The 200 Series will exclusively use dual-die designs with CoWoS-L packaging, featuring the GB200 NVL72 and HGX B200 systems. Notably absent is the previously expected B200A single-die variant. The 300 Series will include both dual-die and single-die options, though NVIDIA and cloud providers are prioritizing the GB200 NVL72 dual-die system. Starting Q1 2025, NVIDIA will reduce H series production, which uses CoWoS-S packaging, while ramping up 200 Series production. This transition indicates significantly decreased demand for CoWoS-S capacity through 2025.

While B300 systems using single-die CoWoS-S are planned for 2026 mass production, the current focus remains on dual-die CoWoS-L products. From TSMC's perspective, the transition between Blackwell generations requires minimal process adjustments, as both use similar front-end-of-line processes with only back-end-of-line modifications needed. Supply chain partners heavily dependent on CoWoS-S production face significant impact, reflected in recent stock price corrections. However, NVIDIA maintains this change reflects product strategy evolution rather than market demand weakness. TSMC continues expanding CoWoS-R capacity while slowing CoWoS-S expansion, viewing AI and high-performance computing as sustained growth drivers despite these packaging technology transitions.

AMD Silently Introduces Ryzen 7400F Raphael 6-core/12-thread 65 W CPU

While the Ryzen 5 7500F was the least expensive Raphael AM5 Zen 4 CPU that you could find, AMD has now silently launched the Ryzen 5 7400F, a new 6-core/12-thread SKU. Similar to the Ryzen 5 9600 (non-X) that was silently introduced during CES 2025, the Ryzen 5 7400F was not officially announced, but rather just showed up on AMD's product pages. Unlike the Ryzen 5 7500F, which was available only to OEMs and system integrators (SIs), the Ryzen 5 7400F will apparently be available in retail/e-tail as well.

As said, the Ryzen 5 7400F is a Raphael architecture CPU with Zen 4 CPU cores and fits into an AM5 socket. It is a 6-core CPU with support for AMD Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), so it packs 12-threads and has the same 32 MB of L3 cache. The base clock is set at 3.7 GHz, with a maximum boost clock of 4.7 GHz. The TDP is still at 65 W. As with the rest of the lineup, it is an unlocked CPU, so overclocking is possible, and it supports AMD EXPO Memory Overclocking technology, as well as Precision Boost Overdrive. In the boxed version, it comes with an AMD Wraith Stealth cooler.

Simply NUC Launches NUC 14 Essential Mill Canyon

Simply NUC, a global leader in customized computing solutions, proudly announces the launch of the NUC 14 Essential - Mill Canyon, designed to deliver powerful yet affordable performance for everyday computing needs. Whether used in retail kiosks, collaborative workspaces, streaming environments, or digital signage, the Mill Canyon NUC offers the flexibility and reliability required for modern applications.

The NUC 14 Essential is powered by the latest Intel N-series processors with Twin Lake technology, offering a range of options ensuring top-tier performance across various workloads. Mill Canyon delivers the performance needed for day-to-day operations without breaking the budget, featuring up to 8-core Intel Core 3 processors, 16 GB DDR5 memory, and support for up to 8 TB of NVMe and 2 TB SATA storage.

Intel to Separate Intel Capital Into Standalone Investment Fund

Intel Corporation ("Intel") today announced its intention to separate Intel Capital, its global venture capital arm, into a standalone fund. The new fund will bring Intel Capital's corporate structure into alignment with other leading venture firms, enabling greater autonomy and the flexibility to attract external capital. Intel will remain an anchor investor in the new company.

"The separation of Intel Capital is a win-win scenario as it provides the fund with access to new sources of capital to expand its franchise while allowing both companies to continue benefiting from a productive long-term strategic partnership," said David Zinsner, interim co-chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Intel. "This step supports our broader strategy to maximize the value of our assets while driving greater focus and efficiency across the business."

Biostar Introduces New B850MT-E PRO Motherboard

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, PC peripherals, and IPC solutions, introduces the B850MT-E PRO motherboard, designed to deliver exceptional performance for office professionals and casual use. The BIOSTAR B850MT-E PRO motherboard is designed to meet the diverse needs of various users, offering a perfect blend of performance and reliability. Built on AMD 's B850 chipset, this motherboard combines superior features at an affordable price. It supports the latest AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 series processors, enabling seamless multitasking and efficient power management.

The B850MT-E PRO is expertly engineered for versatility, making it the definitive solution for office professionals, small businesses, and system integrators. It guarantees stable and efficient performance for everyday tasks and document management. With BIOSTAR's renowned 55 A Dr. MOS and Digital PWM technology, you can expect steady power delivery that ensures consistent performance and enhanced durability, even during extended work sessions.

Infortrend Unveils New High-Density Storage Solution

Infortrend Technology, Inc., the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, introduces the latest additions to its high-density 4U 90-bay HDD solutions: unified storage EonStor GS 5090 and expansion enclosure JB 4090. The large capacity and high throughput performance of the solutions make them ideal for applications like High-Performance Computing and Media & Entertainment.

EonStor GS 5090 is a high-availability unified storage solution with a dual redundant controller design, ensuring uninterrupted operation. With its new hardware powered by the Intel Xeon Scalable Processor, the GS 5090 delivers ultra-high performance, achieving 45 GB/s read and 20 GB/s write—around three times the performance of the previous top-performing model, the GS 4090. The GS 5090 introduces ultra-fast 200GbE connectivity, setting a new benchmark for data transfer speed while simplifying deployment and management to meet the demands of today's high-performance enterprise workloads. It also supports SAS 24G expansion, doubling throughput compared to SAS 12G. Additionally, the GS 5090 features four dedicated U.2 NVMe SSD slots for cache, providing fast data access while fully leveraging the ample capacity of its 90-bay storage.

ADLINK Launches the DLAP Supreme Series

ADLINK Technology Inc., a global leader in edge computing, unveiled its new "DLAP Supreme Series", an edge generative AI platform. By integrating Phison's innovative aiDAPTIV+ AI solution, this series overcomes memory limitations in edge generative AI applications, significantly enhancing AI computing capabilities on edge devices. Without increasing high hardware costs, the DLAP Supreme series achieves notable AI performance improvements, helping enterprises reduce the cost barriers of AI deployment and accelerating the adoption of generative AI across various industries, especially in edge computing.

Lower AI Computing Costs and Significantly Improved Performance
As generative AI continues to penetrate various industries, many edge devices encounter performance bottlenecks due to insufficient DRAM capacity when executing large language models, affecting model operations and even causing issues such as inadequate token length. The DLAP Supreme series, leveraging aiDAPTIV+ technology, effectively overcomes these limitations and significantly enhances computing performance. Additionally, it supports edge devices in conducting generative language model training, enabling them with AI model training capabilities and improving their autonomous learning and adaptability.
Tuesday, January 14th 2025
Quick Look: Huion Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) Graphics Tablet

Quick Look: Huion Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) Graphics Tablet

Huion updates its popular Kamvas 16 graphics tablet line with a sharper screen, newer pen, and more compact body, thus making the brand-new Kamvas 16 (Gen 3) highly attractive to content creators who illustrate for a living. It's also priced decently enough to interest prosumers who might be interested in drawing as a hobby.

Hyper Light Breaker Launches To Early Access on Steam With Surprising Player Counts and Mixed Reviews

Hyper Light Breaker, a new 3D indie platformer we reported on previously has finally launched to early access on Steam, and despite the surprising success of its predecessors, Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, Hyper Light Breaker isn't looking like the break-out indie hit of the month. While the game has garnered a solid 5,230 peak concurrent players just five hours after launch, the Steam reviews are hardly anything to write home about so far.

According to SteamDB, Hyper Light Breaker has a review rating of just 35.5%, with 31.4% of the reviews giving the game a positive rating, while 68.6% of Steam reviewers gave it a negative score. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, it looks like most of the issues with Hyper Light Breaker stem from the game's early access status. Early reviews on Steam report that the game's core mechanics and gameplay loop are satisfying, but that the game, overall, seems like it needs more time in the oven. Some of the more serious complaints when it comes to Hyper Light Breaker relate to the game's combat being somewhat difficult to grasp, progression feeling unsubstantial, initial difficulty being too high, and a steep learning curve. Others pointed out that there appears to be a lot of missing content. That said, as some reviewers have pointed out, the game is in early access. If we look at the likes of Windblown—or No Man's Sky for an example on a longer timeframe—it's easy to see the value in an early access period and community feedback. If Heart Machine, the developer behind Hyper Light Breaker, uses its community feedback properly and implements fixes to issues as they arise, it seems like it could be a game enjoyed by many indie gamers.

GOG Amps Up Game Preservation Efforts with New EFGAMP Game Archive Project Partnership

We recently reported on the Good Old Games's Game Preservation Program's success, with the storefront preserving two 30-year-old Warcraft games. Now, however, GOG is partnering with the European Federation of Game Archives, Museums, and Preservation Projects (EFGAMP) for future preservation efforts. EFGAMP is "the largest organization in Europe dedicated to preserving video games as cultural heritage," giving GOG's commitment to game preservation a lot more weight than previously. The partnership could also help GOG work within and with European governmental and non-governmental institutions, like museums and other organizations, in order to further the game preservation cause.

Perhaps more interestingly, as a game distribution platform with some development talent behind it, GOG actually brings something to the table that was previously missing from EFGAMP as a foundation. In the announcement, the foundation and GOG claim that 2024 was something of a tipping point for consumers when it comes to both the erosion of game ownership and game preservation as a whole. The subject of game ownership was a recurring theme in 2024, with games like The Crew joining the aforementioned Warcraft games in being delisted from stores—at least with the GOG delisting, the games are still maintained for existing owners. The goal of both GOG and EFGAMP is to preserve the history of gaming culture, allowing future generations to experience and learn about important moments in gaming history.

NVIDIA DLSS Comes to Assetto Corsa EVO, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, SMITE 2 and Honkai: Star Rail

More than 700 games and applications feature RTX technologies, and each week new games integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players. On January 30th, DLSS gets even better with the launch of DLSS 4. Featuring improvements to all existing DLSS technologies, and our new DLSS Multi Frame Generation performance multiplier, DLSS 4 delivers supreme speed and superior visuals, powered by AI. Ahead of DLSS 4's release, there are another 5 DLSS games available to play this week: Assetto Corsa EVO, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, Honkai: Star Rail, SMITE 2, and Tankhead.

NVIDIA DLSS 4 With Multi Frame Generation Available January 30th
NVIDIA DLSS is a suite of neural rendering technologies powered by GeForce RTX Tensor Cores that boosts frame rates while delivering crisp, high-quality images that rival native resolution rendering. On January 30th, we're upgrading DLSS once again with the release of DLSS 4, featuring DLSS Multi Frame Generation for GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards and laptops, and upgrades to all other DLSS technologies.

Moondrop Showcases Meteor Wired and Robin Wireless IEMs at CES 2025

Leiyin Audio, the same brand that had kindly invited us to attend the 18th Shenzhen International Audio Show last year, had a large booth at CES where Moondrop also had a presence thanks to its new Moondrop Global company that is now responsible for all operations outside China. There was a large showing from Moondrop thus, with most recently launched products from the past year to be found here. Our eyes were caught on the recently released Meteor, a 1 DD +2 BA +4 planar magnetic tribrid driver set that uses a relatively large 13 mm dynamic driver fit into a large faceplate protrusion that is capped by, as the name suggests, a piece of genuine meteorite fragment. It uses Moondrop's new XTM crossover technology and promises good quality bass as part of a balanced tuning for an asking price of $500. Expect a full review on TechPowerUp, as the CES sample was already impressive despite the noisy show floor conditions.

Also at the booth was Moondrop's immensely popular Robin, a true wireless stereo (TWS) set developed in collaboration with Honkai: Star Rail, an even more popular video game. Robin is a playable character in the game, and you will see it adorned on the TWS set too. To no surprise, this is right up Moondrop's marketing alley given how much it likes to use female artwork to attract customers, although at least here we do get a legitimately well-tuned set of TWS IEMs—quite rare even in 2025—with app support for customizable tonalities and touch controls too. The carry case further builds upon the theme and, at $99, the Moondrop Robin has already proven to be a huge commercial success less than a month into its global launch.

Yeston Reveals GeForce RTX 50 Series Sakura & Game Ace Custom Models

Yeston's social media accounts have revealed upcoming NVIDIA "Blackwell" GPU-based Sakura Atlantis, Sakura and Game Ace models—a single teaser image shows off three different cards that will eventually contain GeForce RTX 50 series graphics hardware. Yeston has deployed common aesthetic traits across the three ranges—notably white PCBs and I/O brackets. Yeston previously revealed their new Sakura Atlantis shroud design with its recent announcement of an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT model. Today's product unveiling does not include any information about specific Team Green GPU SKUs, but it would be safe to assume that the upper-echelon models will sport Sakura Atlantis livery.

The older Yeston Sakura and Game Ace designs have been rolled out across a number of current-gen "Ada Lovelace" GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs. A quick analysis of Yeston graphics card product hierarchies shows lower-end GPUs (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti and 4060) sporting the Game Ace shroud. The Sakura design is available across a selection of mid-tier GeForce RTX 4070 Ti and 4070 models. VideoCardz proposes that the Sakura Atlantis cooling solution could be robust enough—based on the Radeon RX 9070 XT's rumored 300 W TBP—to take on GeForce RTX 5080 (360 W) and 5070 Ti (300 W) GPUs. TechPowerUp expects Yeston to make further announcements closer to NVIDIA Blackwell's market debut at the end of this month.

NCSOFT Announces Blade & Soul NEO's Upcoming USA & EU Launch

NC America announced today Blade & Soul NEO, the modern reinterpretation of Blade & Soul's signature fantasy universe, is coming soon to PC in North America and Europe. Featuring a beautiful visually enhanced experience, the original, well-crafted storyline, Infinite Windwalk (the "glide" ability), and a handful of enticing gameplay features, Blade & Soul NEO fulfills players' desire to re-live that pure MMO action fantasy experience they once knew.

Offering an exclusive pre-registration package, available today -- including a cosmetically enhanced character outfit, in-game currency, and more -- NC America will actively roll out new information, community activities and more on its revamped website between today and launch. Pre-register here now.

Intel 12th Gen "Alder Lake" Mobile CPUs Face Retirement, HX-series Spared

Intel product change notification documents—published on January 6—have revealed the planned "End of Life" (EOL) phasing out of 12th Generation "Alder Lake" mobile processor models. Tom's Hardware has pored over the listed products/SKUs and concluded that the vast majority of Team Blue's mobile-oriented Alder Lake selection are destined for retirement. Team Blue's HX series is being kept alive for a little while longer. Two documents show differing "discontinuance timelines" for their respective inventories—including lower-end Celeron and Pentium Gold SKUs, as well as familiar higher-up Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 families. U, P, H and HK-affixed models are lined up for the chopping block.

Intel's 13th Generation "Raptor Lake" mobile processor selection—comprised of Core 100 (series 1) and Core 200 (series 2)—offers similar silicon makeup. Many equivalent alternatives to older generation "Alder Lake" chips reside here—Tom's Hardware presented a key example: "i5-1235U, which is designated for thin and lightweight laptops. OEMs can instead opt for the i5-1335U, the Core 5 120U, or the Core 5 220U, as they're just better bins of the 1235U on the same FCBGA1744 socket." A significant number of Alder Lake mobile SKUs will be available to OEMs for ordering up until 26 April, with final shipments heading out on 25 October. The rest have been assigned a July 25 order cut-off date, with final shipments scheduled on 26 January 2026.

Ultra Accelerator Link Consortium (UALink) Welcomes Alibaba, Apple and Synopsys to Board of Directors

Ultra Accelerator Link Consortium (UALink) has announced the expansion of its Board of Directors with the election of Alibaba Cloud Computing Ltd., Apple Inc., and Synopsys Inc. The new Board members will leverage their industry knowledge to advance development and industry adoption of UALink - a high-speed, scale-up interconnect for next-generation AI cluster performance.

"Alibaba Cloud believes that driving AI computing accelerator scale-up interconnection technology by defining core needs and solutions from the perspective of cloud computing and applications has significant value in building the competitiveness of intelligent computing supernodes," said Qiang Liu, VP of Alibaba Cloud, GM of Alibaba Cloud Server Infrastructure. "The UALink consortium, as a leader in the interconnect field of AI accelerators, has brought together key members from the AI infrastructure industry to work together to define interconnect protocol which is natively designed for AI accelerators, driving innovation in AI infrastructure. This will strongly promote the innovation of AI infrastructure and improve the execution efficiency of AI workloads, contributing to the establishment of an open and innovative industry ecosystem."

YouTuber Stumbles Upon NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 "TITAN" Part at CES 2025

NVIDIA is focused on forward momentum—Jensen & Co. pounded the showroom floor at last week's CES trade with their next-gen "Blackwell" GPUs in hand. Team Green's GeForce RTX 50-series was one of the headline acts, but the preceding RTX 40 "Ada Lovelace" family made occasional appearances. Hardware enthusiasts were not expecting the re-emergence of an older unreleased model at CES 2025, but a YouTuber discovered the supposed RTX 4090 "TITAN" prototype's cooling solution frame. TechPowerUp's reported on this rare beast last month, and Gamers Nexus obtained an example for analysis (view their video feature below).

Industry experts believe that an unnamed contract manufacturer was tasked with producing the TITAN's quad-slot cooling solution—informed sources say that it was designed to temper the full-force of Team Green's unlocked AD102 GPU. This contract company reportedly displayed various NVIDIA-related component parts in Las Vegas last week. RTX 40-era Founders Edition font was evident on the TITAN's frame—a VideoCardz news piece highlights the component's silver/magnesium color scheme. This presents further proof of inclusion within that Founders Edition generation.

Gigabyte Brix Extreme Mini PC Launched With Ryzen 7 8840U "Hawk Point" APU

The list of mini PCs available on the market has grown quite a bit in the past few weeks, with a bunch of such systems getting unveiled at CES 2025. Now, Gigabyte clearly does not wish to be left out of the party either, and has unveiled its Brix Extreme mini PC powered by a last-gen, but decently powerful AMD "Hawk Point" APU and a plethora of connectivity options in a compact package.

The system, as mentioned, boasts the 28-watt Ryzen 7 8840U PRO APU, which sports 8 Zen 4 cores and 16 threads. Performance should be identical to its non-PRO counterpart, which should put it roughly in the same class as the Intel Core Ultra 256V "Lunar Lake" CPU. The APU is paired with up to 64 GB of DDR5-5600 memory. Dual M.2 2280 slots take care of storage requirements, both of which are user-accessible.

First Taste of Intel Arc B570: OpenCL Benchmark Reports Good Price-to-Performance

In the past few weeks, all eyes have on NVIDIA's and AMD's next-gen GPU offerings, and rightly so. Now, it's about time to turn our attention to what appears to be the third major player in the GPU industry - Intel. This is, of course, all thanks to the Blue Camp's wildly successful Arc B580 launch, which propelled the beleaguered chip giant to the favorable side of the GPU price-to-performance line.

Now, it appears that a fresh leak has revealed how its soon-to-be sibling, the Arc B570, is about to perform. The leaked performance data, courtesy of Geekbench OpenCL, reveals that the Arc B570 is right around 11% slower than the Arc B580 in the synthetic OpenCL benchmark, which makes complete sense, because the card is also expected to be around 12% cheaper than its more powerful sibling, as noted by Wccftech. With a score of 86,716, the Arc B570 is well ahead of the RX 7600 XT, which manages around 84000 points, and well behind the RTX 4060, which rakes in just above 100000.

Samsung Display to Begin Mass Production of World's First Rollable OLED for Laptops

Samsung Display will begin mass production of the world's first rollable OLED screen for laptops starting in April 2025. Samsung Display announced its rollable screen for the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus G6 Rollable laptop at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., Lenovo also showcased the laptop and announced its plans to globally launch in June.

The ThinkBook Plus G6 Rollable laptop features a screen underneath the keypad, where the screen expands vertically by almost 50%, offering a unique mobile computing experience. When rolled in, the screen supports a 5:4 aspect ratio on a 14-inch display. When rolled out, the aspect ratio shifts to 8:9 on a 16.7-inch display, providing an enhanced view for efficient multitasking.

Strix Point-Powered GPD Win Mini Gaming Handheld Goes on Sale

The market for compact gaming handheld is expanding at an unprecedented rate, thanks to the popularity boom that handhelds have received in recent months. The GPD Win Min (2025) is one such offering, sitting alongside the rest of interesting gaming products that GPD is known for. The Win Mini is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo, with a starting price of $769 (backers only), and a retail price of $839. Of course, interested buyers are encouraged to be mindful of the risks associated with crowdfunding campaigns, although GPD has mostly had a complaint-free track record.

Unfortunately, and rather unsurprisingly, the entry-level variant does not ship with the latest AMD Strix Point chips, but rather the older Hawk Point offerings, specifically the Ryzen 7 8840U with the Radeon 780M iGPU with 12 CUs. The higher-tier variants ship with Strix Point APUs, starting at the Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 APU, going all the way up to the 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with the powerful Radeon 890M iGPU. To accommodate the new APUs, GPD has reworked the thermals, and has added room for full-sized M.2 2280 SSD drives as well. The product packs hall-effect joysticks, plug-and-play grips, and a bunch of useful ports including USB4, USB 3.2 Type-C, an SD Card slot, an audio jack, as well as a good old USB-A port. The 7-inch 1080p display ramps up to 120 Hz, and the system can be equipped with up to 64 GB of memory and 2 TB of PCIe 4.0 storage, and a 44.24 Wh battery is also present.

Team Jade Discusses Delta Force Franchise's Modern Reboot

Before Call of Duty, before Battlefield, before even Medal of Honor, there was Delta Force. Released in October 1998, NovaLogic's FPS was one of the original tactical shooters. Arriving just two months after Red Storm Entertainment's Rainbow Six, Delta Force put players in the role of a Tier 1 Operative, challenging them to complete 40 missions in various modern military settings. Though it shared some similarities with Rainbow Six, Delta Force was defined by its radical Voxel Space technology, enabling it to simulate warfare on battlefields far larger than any FPS that came before.

Delta Force was sufficiently successful to spawn a sequel, and ultimately became a series—including its most famous entry, the 2003 game Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. Yet as Call of Duty and Battlefield took the popularity of real-world shooters to stratospheric heights, Delta Force struggled to keep up. The final game in the series, Delta Force: Xtreme 2, reviewed poorly, and as the world went wild for Modern Warfare, NovaLogic quietly exfiltrated the modern military shooter scene. Now Delta Force is back, though. Developed by Chinese studio Team Jade, the reboot is bigger, broader, and more comprehensive than any prior entry in the series. Featuring classic team-based multiplayer battles, a more modern extraction mode where players compete to scavenge loot in open-ended combat zones, and a co-op/single player campaign inspired by the series' legacy, Delta Force has its sights set squarely on the two FPS franchises that have dominated multiplayer shooters for over a decade.

TSMC Granted Government Permission to Produce 2 nm Beyond Taiwan's Borders

Last November, Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council indicated that it was considering a relaxation of "legal restrictions on transferring leading-edge process technology overseas." TSMC is the nation's most prized chip foundry, but new manufacturing operations are spreading across the globe. The very best node processes—currently TSMC's advanced 2 nm (N2)—have been restricted to home turf, yet global tensions have prompted the Taiwanese government to reconsider its guarded approach. A freshly published Taipei Times report has focused on an important announcement made at a recent government press conference. Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs of Taiwan, J.W. Kuo, stated that TSMC is now allowed to manufacture 2 nm chips on foreign soil—according to him, the foundry behemoth is "cautiously" evaluating an investment of roughly $28 to 30 (USD) billion into 2-nanometer production facilities Stateside.

His colleagues have worked hard—in the past—on preserving the country's "Silicon Shield," but fresh adjustments are sweeping in. Kuo commented: "those were old-time rules. Times have changed." TSMC's—allegedly costly—North American hub is reportedly marked down for a "by 2030" push into 2 nm process territories. Taiwan's Economic Affairs minister continued with his reasonings: "Private businesses should make their own business decisions based on their own technological progress...The basic principle is that businesses can make profits from their overseas investments. TSMC is building factories in the US with the aim of serving its US customers, as 60 percent of the world's chip-designing companies are based in the US." He also downplayed concerns regarding possible upcoming shifts in US trade policy making—Taiwan's "strong technological capabilities" are expected to weather the storm. Newly implemented US trade tariffs are expected to have only a "minor impact."

NVIDIA's GB200 "Blackwell" Racks Face Overheating Issues

NVIDIA's new GB200 "Blackwell" racks are running into trouble (again). Big cloud companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta Platforms are cutting back their orders because of heat problems, Reuters reports, quoting The Information. The first shipments of racks with Blackwell chips are getting too hot and have connection issues between chips, the report says. These tech hiccups have made some customers who ordered $10 billion or more worth of racks think twice about buying.

Some are putting off their orders until NVIDIA has better versions of the racks. Others are looking at buying older NVIDIA AI chips instead. For example, Microsoft planned to set up GB200 racks with no less than 50,000 Blackwell chips at one of its Phoenix sites. However, The Information reports that OpenAI has asked Microsoft to provide NVIDIA's older "Hopper" chips instead pointing to delays linked to the Blackwell racks. NVIDIA's problems with its Blackwell GPUs housed in high-density racks are not something new; in November 2024, Reuters, also referencing The Information, uncovered overheating issues in servers that housed 72 processors. NVIDIA has made several changes to its server rack designs to tackle these problems, however, it seems that the problem was not entirely solved.

Qualcomm Pushes for Data Center CPUs, Hires Ex-Intel Chief Xeon Architect

Qualcomm is becoming serious about its server CPU ambitions. Today, we have learned that Sailesh Kottapalli, Intel's former chief architect for Xeon server processors, has joined Qualcomm as Senior Vice President after 28 years at Intel. Kottapalli, who announced his departure on LinkedIn Monday, previously led the development of multiple Xeon and Itanium processors at Intel. Qualcomm's data center team is currently working on reference platforms based on their Snapdragon technology. The company already sells AI accelerator chips under the Qualcomm Cloud AI brand, supported by major providers including AWS, HPE, and Lenovo.

This marks Qualcomm's second attempt at entering the server CPU market, following an unsuccessful Centriq effort that ended in 2018. The company is now leveraging technology from its $1.4 billion Nuvia acquisition in 2021, though this has led to ongoing legal disputes with Arm over licensing terms. While Qualcomm hasn't officially detailed Kottapalli's role, the company confirmed in legal filings its intentions to continue developing data center CPUs, as originally planned by Nuvia.

NVIDIA AI Expected to Transform $10 Trillion Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry

At yesterday's J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference NVIDIA announced new partnerships to transform the $10 trillion healthcare and life sciences industry by accelerating drug discovery, enhancing genomic research and pioneering advanced healthcare services with agentic and generative AI. The convergence of AI, accelerated computing and biological data is turning healthcare into the largest technology industry. Healthcare leaders IQVIA, Illumina and Mayo Clinic, as well as Arc Institute, are using the latest NVIDIA technologies to develop solutions that will help advance human health.

These solutions include AI agents that can speed clinical trials by reducing administrative burden, AI models that learn from biology instruments to advance drug discovery and digital pathology, and physical AI robots for surgery, patient monitoring and operations. AI agents, AI instruments and AI robots will help address the $3 trillion of operations dedicated to supporting industry growth and create an AI factory opportunity in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5080 Custom Card Prices Revealed by Proshop Listings

Finland's Proshop has listed eight GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5080 custom design graphics card models, complete with prices in Euros—please note that value added tax (VAT) is included. Team Green's CES 2025 "Blackwell" announcement revealed an MSRP of €1229 (without VAT: €979) for the GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition (for Finland, and other European countries). Board partners usually tack on extra charges for their custom interpretations—fancier variants commonly demand a premium upcharge. The VideoCardz sleuthing network has discovered that GIGABYTE's launch selection errs more towards the upper-end—Proshop's premature listing reveals only a single model coming in at Team Green's baseline MSRP. As always, these figures are subject to change—we are still in a pre-launch holding pattern.

The GIGABYTE RTX 5080 WINDFORCE OC card is the only listed model that adheres to NVIDIA's standard MSRP—VideoCardz has kindly crunched the numbers (refer to their diagram below) and reckons that the seven other options demand premiums across a range of 15% to 35%. Recent GIGABYTE press material places every model in a premium tier, even the entry-point SFF-Ready WINDFORCE OC model. An upcharge of 440 Euros is applicable with GIGABYTE's range-topping AORUS Xtreme WaterForce option. One step above Team Green MSRP baseline bags you the GeForce RTX 5080 GAMING OC model—an extra investment of 190 Euros goes into a larger cooling solution and shroud design (featuring RGB lighting). TechPowerUp anticipates further price leaks to emerge—from other manufacturers—as we close in on launch day: January 30.

AMD Implements New CCD Connection in "Strix Halo" Ryzen AI Max Processors

Thanks to the informative breakdown by Chips and Cheese, we are learning that AMD's latest Ryzen AI processors for laptops, codenamed "Strix Halo," utilize a parallel "sea of wires" interconnect system between their chiplets, replacing the SERDES (serializer/deserializer) approach found in desktop Ryzen models. The processor's physical implementation consists of two Core Complex Dies (CCDs), each manufactured on TSMC's N4 (4 nm) process and containing up to eight Zen 5 cores with full 512-bit floating point units. Notably, the I/O die (IOD) is also produced using the N4 process, marking an advancement from the N6 (6 nm) process used in standard Ryzen IODs on desktops. The key change lies in the inter-chiplet communication system. While the Ryzen 9000 series (Granite Ridge) employs SERDES to convert parallel data to serial for transmission between chiplets, Strix Halo implements direct parallel data transmission through multiple physical connections.

This design achieves 32 bytes per clock cycle throughput and eliminates the latency overhead associated with serialization/deserialization processes. The parallel interconnect architecture also removes the need for connection retraining during power state transitions, a limitation present in SERDES implementations. However, this design choice necessitates additional substrate complexity due to increased connection density and requires more pins for external connections, suggesting possible modifications to the CCD design compared to desktop variants. AMD's implementation required more complex substrate manufacturing processes to accommodate the dense parallel connections between chiplets. The decision to prioritize this more challenging design approach was driven by requirements for lower latency and power consumption in data-intensive workloads, where consistent high-bandwidth communication between chiplets is crucial.

TSMC Reportedly Ahead of Schedule with 2 nm Trial Production at Kaohsiung Fab

TSMC is reportedly making decent progress with its advanced 2 nm (N2) node—industry news pieces from earlier this month pointed to the initiation of production lines across three fabrication sites. Taiwan's Economic Daily News has kept close tabs on these trial runs—insiders have indicated that TSMC's Kaohsiung plant is capable of matching the Baoshan location's targeted manufacturing output (5000 wafers per month, 60 percent yield). Reports suggest that the Kaohsiung 2 nm trial production will start up later this month—much earlier than anticipated.

The Taiwanese chip foundry giant is taking on the challenge of meeting "greater than expected" demand for its new generation 2 nm product—TSMC chairman C.C. Wei has previously stated that its latest and greatest is more popular (pre-launch) with customers than older 3 nm lines. Apple is rumored to be first in line—not a big surprise since TSMC has (supposedly) rolled out the VVIP red carpet for them in recent times. The Economic Daily News article also mentions Qualcomm and MediaTek being next in the queue for N2. TSMC's best foundries are expected to initiate mass production by the end of 2025.

ASUS Second Generation BTF Power Connector Unveiled

Details of ASUS' next generation BTF 2.0 (BTF stands for Back to the Future) platform have appeared online, courtesy of Andreas Schilling from HardwareLuxx. The editor posted pictures from an ASUS presentation over at Bluesky that details one major change to the power connector design, which will make the BTF 2.0 graphics cards compatible with non BTF systems. This suggests that ASUS might consider offering more graphics cards with BTF 2.0 support, since they can be used in any system with the proposed changes.

As you may or may not know, the first generation BTF graphics cards ended up with a power connector at the rear, bottom edge of the graphics cards, placed somewhat behind the PCIe gold fingers. The cards also lacked any other power connectors, which made them exclusive for BTF builds. To solve this conundrum, ASUS moved its GC-HPWR PCB power connector up on the PCB, making sure it clears any motherboard components. However, instead of increasing the height of the motherboard BTF 2.0 connector, the company provides a small adapter that plugs in between the motherboard and graphics card, to make its new BTF 2.0 cards compatible with any system.

Sapphire Semi-reveals Dual-Fan Pulse Radeon RX 9000 Design

Sapphire has half revealed its new PULSE graphics card design—yesterday's social media post provided an early look at the signature black/gray shroud adorned with red lines. This seems to be Sapphire's first push into marketing their upcoming AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and 9070 (non-XT) custom designs. TechPowerUp handled and inspected a new Sapphire PURE model at last week's CES trade event—this particular sample was included in a round-up of Team Red's partner custom designs—but the newly revealed PULSE card was not showcased.

According to a VideoCardz report, Sapphire's new Radeon RX 9000-series NITRO+ model has been teased in AMD's CES-oriented marketing material. The Hong Kong-based tech graphics card specialist chose to not send their Navi 48-based flagship over to Las Vegas—industry experts believe that AIBs are eagerly waiting on Team Red to settle on and announce an official release date. Marketing campaigns are expected to fully kick in closer to RDNA 4's launch window.

Lam Research Establishes 28nm Pitch in High-Resolution Patterning Through Dry Photoresist Technology

Lam Research Corporation today announced that its innovative dry photoresist (dry resist) technology has been qualified for direct-print 28 nm pitch back end of line (BEOL) logic at 2 nm and below by imec, a leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. An advanced patterning technique introduced by Lam, dry resist enhances the resolution, productivity and yield of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, a pivotal technology used in the production of next-generation semiconductor devices.

"Lam's dry photoresist technology provides unparalleled low-defectivity, high-resolution patterning," said Vahid Vahedi, chief technology and sustainability officer at Lam Research. "We are excited to offer this technology to imec and its partners as a critical process in the design and manufacturing of leading-edge semiconductor devices."

ASUS Updates AEMP III - 64 GB Memory Module Support Unlocked on Intel 800 Boards

Exciting things are happening in the world of memory right now. Many of the headlines are being claimed by a new variety of DIMM, called Clock Unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM). Featuring an integrated clock driver on the memory stick itself for improved reliability and stability, CUDIMM kits are already shattering speed records. But perhaps you're more concerned with memory capacity than with raw speed. We have some good news for you. The trusted memory professionals at Kingston have cooked up a 64 GB memory module that you'll be able to purchase soon: the Kingston Value RAM DDR5 6400 MT/s 64 GB CUDIMM.

64 GB of DDR5 RAM on a single stick opens intriguing new possibilities. A 128 GB one-DIMM-per-channel (1DPC) configuration is rather tempting. We suspect that many enthusiasts will be tempted by the prospect of installing four of these modules, a move that puts a stunningly large 256 GB (4 x 64 GB) pool of memory at their disposal—without having to venture into quad-channel workstation hardware.

WEROCK Presents New Generation of Rugged Notebooks

WEROCK Technologies GmbH, innovative manufacturer of industrial computer technology, announces the launch of two new rugged high-performance notebooks. According to the manufacturer, the laptops have been designed for professional, industrial use with complex tasks in a wide variety of locations where strong performance is required. They are delivered with Intel Core Ultra processors of the Meteor Lake generation, Intel AI Boost, Arc Graphics, with up to 16 cores, a 4.8
GHz turbo clock frequency and up to 64 GB RAM. Pioneering AI and machine learning functions including AI assistants set the course for modern computing and fast performance.

The new Rockbook X540 G3 and Rockbook X550 G3 laptops have been developed for field service professionals in numerous industries. They have numerous modern communication functions - including options for 4G LTE or 5G, have a dedicated uBlox GPS/GNSS sensor, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and also offer numerous other interfaces such as Thunderbolt 4, USB ports, HDMI and a serial port.

PowerWash Simulator Developer Ends VR Support

DEAR VR WASHERS. I am so sorry to let you know that we won't be continuing support of PowerWash Simulator VR. We absolutely love and believe in VR, so this doesn't mean that we won't support it in the future—but we aren't able to continue with support right now.

We have been faced with a cross roads situation: we have a truly excellent and kind VR team who were working on a platform which costs us more than it makes, while also having a list of job openings that we are looking to be filled on other projects. FuturLab took the decision to redeploy our VR team into those other projects/roles. Whilst I would love to live in a world where we could support PowerWash Simulator on every platform going, I will always choose job security for my team. Every time.

ASUS Announces NUC 14 Essential

ASUS today announced ASUS NUC 14 Essential, an ultracompact, entry-level mini PC powered by the latest Intel Core N-series processor. Designed for exceptional performance and enhanced power efficiency, the capabilities of NUC 14 Essential are further boosted by a versatile array of ports including Bluetooth 5.3 and Intel Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+). Support for up to three 4K displays provides users with smooth multitasking experiences, allowing them to stream videos, create content, and analyze data with ease.

Energy-efficient performance in a compact package
The latest Intel Core N-series processor enables ASUS NUC 14 Essential to make light work of daily office tasks. Featuring up to eight E-core architectures, the processor offers a perfect balance of energy efficiency and performance, offering a 42% improvement over previous-generation processors. NUC 14 Essential lets users browse the web, attend videoconferences, stream videos, or create content with ease, making it ideal for office workers and students.

Rebel Wolves Studio Releases New The Blood of Dawnwalker Trailer

Under the full Wolf Moon, Rebel Wolves revealed the first look into the world of THE BLOOD OF DAWNWALKER, its action RPG. The studio, co-founded by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, set the game in an alternative 14th century, where feudal lords have been overthrown by a clique of powerful vampires. In this narrative sandbox players will forge their own story about saving their family… or taking whatever path their choices lead them down. THE BLOOD OF DAWNWALKER is developed by Rebel Wolves in Unreal Engine 5 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. Players can follow the game's latest developments on the official website.

14th century Europe. Bloody conflicts sweep the lands, and the Black Death comes for the survivors. In the wake of the disasters claiming thousands of lives, the decimated human population struggles for survival. It's a moment of weakness. In Vale Sangora, somewhere in a forgotten corner of the Carpathian Mountains, vampires seize their opportunity to walk out of the shadows, overthrow the feudal lords and claim what they've been denied for centuries: freedom, and ultimate power that comes with it. Legends turn into reality, and history as we know it will never be the same.
Monday, January 13th 2025

Today's Reviews

Cases
Cooling
CPU Coolers
Headphones
Keyboards
Memory
Motherboards
Mouse
PSUs
SSD
ThieAudio Origin In-Ear Monitors Review - Basshead Love

ThieAudio Origin In-Ear Monitors Review - Basshead Love

ThieAudio introduces bone conduction drivers to its IEM line with the new Origin, a quadbrid set using a combination of DD/BCD/BA/EST drivers to put out a fun and colored sound that goes bass-first, yet has something of note in the mids and treble too. The Origin is also available with several faceplate options for added customization.
ASUS ROG Strix B860-A Gaming Wi-Fi Review

ASUS ROG Strix B860-A Gaming Wi-Fi Review

Intel's B860 chipset is here and offers Wi-Fi 7, CUDIMM memory support, PCIe Gen 5 and USB4, at lower pricing than Z890. But does this white motherboard have enough to tempt upgraders, especially considering Intel's Core Ultra processors' poor reception.

ENERMAX Launches LIQTECH XTR, Workstation-Level CPU AIO Cooler

ENERMAX is proud to be launching its new workstation-level CPU AIO cooler: LIQTECH XTR. Specifically designed for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper and Intel Xeon W series processors with a cooling capacity of over 550 W. LIQTECH XTR AIO cooler debuted at Computex 2024 with a live demo, achieving a cooling capacity of over 550 W. The LIQTECH XTR 360 mm CPU cooler features an enlarged cold plate design on its water block, fully covering the IHS area of both AMD Threadripper and Intel Xeon W series processors. Thanks to ENERMAX's high-efficient EP1 pump with a 450L/h flow rate and 3000 RPM radiator fans, LIQTECH XTR can provide more than 550 W cooling capacity on both AMD and Intel platforms.

LIQTECH XTR AIO cooler is also the first ENERMAX CPU cooler to implement the magnetic, fully rotatable, real-time status digital display. Users can manually adjust the LED screen on the water block to set their preferred digital direction. The additional software, ENERMAX's tuner, can further provide a real-time data showing on the water block. ENERMAX's LIQTECH XTR AIO cooler is the perfect cooling solution for workstations that need to perform heavy duty tasks such as 3D rendering, product visualization & simulation, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning acceleration. It fully supports AMD socket sTR5/SP6/sWRX8/sTRX4/TR4/SP3 and Intel socket LGA 4677.

Shokz Debuts OpenFit 2 Earbuds at CES 2025

Shokz revealed its brand new OpenFit 2 model at last week's CES trade event—naturally, this second generation open earbud plays successor to the original OpenFit model and will exist alongside the already released OpenFit Air (a cheaper alternative). Shokz's OpenFit series utilizes air conduction rather than bone conduction technology (as used by the OpenRun models) to deliver audio into a wearer's ear canals.

The new Open Fit 2 features a Shokz-designed DualBoost driver system—an "extra-large" 17.3 mm composite material dynamic driver produces lower/bass frequencies, while an independent high-frequency unit takes care of its namesake and mid-frequencies. TechPowerUp inspected and handled Shokz's new flagship and enjoyed the feel of its signature "Ultra Soft-Silicone 2.0" outer layer. Shokz has revised the Open Fit 2 earhook design—they believe that its updated shape should provide a better fit for the majority of owners.

Yeston Unveils Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB "Sakura Atlantis" Card Design

AMD's official announcement of new RDNA 4 generation of GPUs—comprised of Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070—listed several manufacturing partners. YESTON did not join the likes of ASRock, PowerColor, Sapphire and XFX in showcasing custom designs "in-person" at CES, but their official social media accounts have unveiled a new Team Red GPU-based Sakura Atlantis edition card. YESTON has once again deployed its signature baby blue and pink color scheme—quite refreshing when compared to the slew of black/gray custom designs presented at last week's trade show.

Yeston was the first AMD AIB to publicly reveal Radeon RX 9070 XT's video memory allocation online—their social media post confirms the presence of 16 GB VRAM. Team Red partners in attendance at CES 2025 were not allowed to divulge this information, but a number of press outlets read model/name text on certain sticker attachments—corroborating previous leaks that listed 16 GB. Yeston's post outlines a white-lit breathing effects, as well as support for ARGB lighting. The new Sakura Atlantis shroud design is quite unconventional—breaking away from boxy aesthetics. Flowing lines and curved surfaces attract the eye, along with a pleasant pearlescent finish. Shell and starfish motif stickers adorn the card's three cooling fans. VideoCardz reports that Yeston has provided additional details—their Radeon RX 9070 XT-16G Sakura Atlantis model will feature an all-white PCB design and a white-colored I/O bracket. No surprises here, given the company's past choices.

KeysFan New Year New Beginnings Sale: Get Last Year's Prices on Genuine Software

KeysFan brings you genuine, globally valid software at the beginning of the year, so you can plan your next-generation PC build in time for Spring-Summer. Spend more on your hardware by saving big on genuine software. Get Windows 11 Pro at just $14.80. Pair it with the powerful productivity suite Office 2021 Professional Plus at $38.98 on its own, or $52.79 in a combo. Save big when you buy multi-PC packs, or older editions of Windows or Office.

Buy Office 2021 Professional Plus at $38.98 | Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus at $28.04 | Buy Office 2016 Professional Plus at $17.04 | Buy Windows 11 Pro at $14.80 | Buy Windows 11 Home at $14.46 | Buy Windows 10 Pro at $9.08 | Buy Windows 10 Home at $8.96 | Buy Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC at $13.48 | Buy Office 2021 Home and Business for Mac at $108.56 | Buy Office 2019 Home and Business at $43.99 | Buy Office 2024 Home for PC and Mac at $131.99 | Buy Office 2024 Home and Business for Mac at $186.99

Buy Office 2021 Professional Plus 2-PC at $75.53 | Buy Office 2021 Professional Plus 3-PC at $109.99 | Buy Office 2021 Professional Plus 5-PC at $177.70 | Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus 2-PC at $54.44 | Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus 3-PC at $76.44 | Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus 5-PC at $120.44 | Buy Office 2021 Home and Business for Mac 2-Macs at $214.04 | Buy Windows 11 Pro 2-PC at $27.78 | Buy Windows 11 Pro 3-PC at $38.78 | Buy Windows 11 Pro 5-PC at $60.22 | Buy Windows 11 Home 2-PC at $28.10 | Buy Windows 10 Pro 2-PC at $15.79 | Buy Windows 10 Pro 3-PC at $23.60 | Buy Windows 10 Pro 5-PC at $37.68 | Buy Windows 10 Home 2-PC at $16.34
Check out more great deals after the break.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Previewed Ahead of January 17 Launch

January 17 will bring Dynasty Warriors: Origins, a thrilling new addition to the Dynasty Warriors series to PC, PlayStation 5 & Xbox, and we recently had the opportunity to play the tactical hack-and-slash action ahead of its release.

The gripping tale of a "nameless hero"
Dynasty Warriors: Origins follows the drama surrounding China's Three Kingdoms period, from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Battle of Red Cliffs. At the beginning of the game, the protagonist gets caught up in a battle with Guan Yu against the troops of corrupt officials. The Yellow Turban Rebellion was never portrayed in detail in previous installments of the series. Still, this game goes into depth around the origins and woes of the Yellow Turbans, as well as the perspectives of each general belonging to the defeated troops.

NVIDIA N1x SoC Uncovered by Data Miners - Rumored High-end Laptop Chip

Whispers of a brand new high-end Arm-based mobile processor—rumored to be in the works at NVIDIA HQ—emerged late last year. Data miners have since actively searched for any emerging details—initial bits of evidence have seemingly arrived earlier today, courtesy of Hoang Anh Phu (@AnhPhuH) and WalkingCat (@_h0x0d_). An intriguing Lenovo job listing was uncovered—this entry mentions that the candidate will be tasked with "new SoC NV N1x in-house HW design and development." WalkingCat believes that an upcoming Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 16-inch (2025) model could emerge with an NVIDIA chipset onboard—they deciphered this through Lenovo's "platform code" naming system (see screenshot below).

Further speculation points to a possible N-series reveal around Computex 2025—Qualcomm rolled out similar announcement timing last summer with its Snapdragon X processor series. NVIDIA is reportedly collaborating with MediaTek on this new endeavor—high-end N1x and mid-tier N1 (non-X) chipsets are reported to be built on Team Green's recently unveiled Blackwell architecture. Tech watchdogs believe that a TSMC 3 nm node process is on the cards. Anh Phu proposes that the new SoCs are performant enough to hit a performance range of 180-200 AI TOPS. Additional industry rumors point to a potential launch window around the fourth quarter of this year, with roughly three million units ready at the starting line.

Airborne Empire Takes Flight through Steam Early Access

Today Airborne Empire finally takes flight and is live on Steam! We—at the Wandering Band—are super excited for players to get their hands on the game, to celebrate there will be a 10% discount on the game for a limited time. While we celebrate this milestone today we know there is much more to come. We plan on working on the game for at least a year (most likely a little longer) and we've posted a very early + rough roadmap below.

Right now it's just a list of things we plan on doing. The idea is to expand on this roadmap with your input. We have a big game with a lot of cool features, we're happy with what we have, but our goal is to make something great. We need your help; we need to know what you like, what you don't like and what types of additional content you want to see. If you would like to provide feedback, or discuss the game with the team directly, please join us on our Discord. If you find a bug while playing the game please report it with the in-game bug reporting tool (in the pause screen).

Nanya Technology Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter 2024

Nanya Technology Corporation, today announced its results of operations for the fourth quarter, ended December 31, 2024. Nanya's quarterly sales revenue was NT$ 6,575 million, a 19.2 percent decrease compared to that in the third quarter of 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, average selling prices (ASP) decreased by low-teens percent and bit shipment decreased by high-single digit percent quarter over quarter.

Gross loss of the quarter was NT$ 695 million; gross margin was -10.6 percent, a 13.8 percentage points decrease from that in the previous quarter. Operating loss of the quarter was NT$ 2,812 million; operating margin was -42.8 percent; a 12.0 percentage points decrease from that in the last quarter. Non-operating income of the quarter was NT$ 900 million. The Company had net loss of NT$ 1,574 million, with net margin of -23.9 percent. Earnings per share (EPS) was NT$ -0.51 in the fourth quarter (based on weighted average outstanding shares of 3,099 million).

PowerColor Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil & HellHound Reportedly Boost Beyond 3.0 GHz

AMD enforced strict conditions upon its manufacturing partners at the recently concluded CES trade event—various custom Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 (non-XT) models were showcased, but technical details were not revealed. The TechPowerUp team had a hands-on look at PowerColor's selection of Red Devil, Hellhound cards and newly debuted Reaper design—certain information could be pertained from labels and stickers (cough: 16 GB VRAM) yet brand reps remained tight-lipped about technical nitty gritty under-the-hood. News outlets have relied upon less-than-official sources—such as the Chiphell forum—to obtain performance figures. VideoCardz's working weekend session has produced alleged details about PowerColor's planned boost clock speeds—the headline being that a 3.0 GHz barrier has been broken.

The site's insider network proposes that PowerColor's top-flight Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil model is ready for launch with an OC BIOS set to boost matters up to 3060 MHz, while the silent performance mode shaves off fifty—bringing things down to a (still impressive) 3010 MHz. The more middle-of-the-pack Hellhound design is reported to achieve a 3010 MHz boost via its OC BIOS mode, and its silent operation is reported to be 2970 MHz. Additionally, a VideoCardz source reckons that game clocks are somewhere in the region of 2460 to 2520 MHz for both models. The "more affordable" PowerColor Radeon RX 9070 XT Reaper variant seems to lack BIOS switching, so its single operational mode is allegedly capable of boosting up to 2970 MHz.

Pwnage Unveils the Trinity CF Gaming Mouse

Pwnage, a leader in premium gaming peripherals, proudly announces the launch of the Trinity CF gaming mouse. This groundbreaking device sets new standards in performance, durability, and versatility, catering to gamers seeking the best lightweight gaming mouse on the market. The Trinity CF is now available for purchase at Pwnage.

Engineered for Precision and Comfort
The Trinity CF features a symmetrical shape that accommodates all grip styles and hand sizes, ensuring ergonomic comfort and precision for every gamer. Weighing just 37-39 grams, it stands as one of the lightest gaming mice available, providing swift and effortless movement during intense gaming sessions.

Delta Force Reveals Big Plans for 2025 Updates

Today, Delta Force developer Team Jade revealed their plans for continuing content updates coming to the game in 2025, as well as gave an update on the release of the mobile version of Delta Force. Delta Force has a bold plan for bringing its players fresh new content in 2025, including five new operators, seven new maps, new gadgets, new vehicles and more. For a full breakdown, please check out the Delta Force 2025 roadmap.

Team Jade will be sharing more when these seasons are dropping in the game soon, in the meantime, please visit the game's official website for more information about Delta Force. Team Jade also provided an update on the release window for the much anticipated mobile version of the game. In a message to Delta Force Players by Game Director Shadow Guo, the team is committed to delivering the top tier experience that players deserve, and to do that means moving the release of the mobile version to the Summer of 2025.

NVIDIA & IQVIA Build Specialized Agentic AI for Life Science & Healthcare Applications

IQVIA, the world's leading provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence, is working with NVIDIA to build custom foundation models and agentic AI workflows that can accelerate research, clinical development and access to new treatments. AI applications trained on the organization's vast healthcare-specific information and guided by its deep domain expertise will help the industry boost the efficiency of clinical trials and optimize planning for the launch of therapies and medical devices—ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Operating in over 100 countries, IQVIA has built the largest global healthcare network and is uniquely connected to the ecosystem with the most comprehensive and granular set of information, analytics and technologies in the industry. Announced today at the J.P. Morgan Conference in San Francisco, IQVIA's collection of models, AI agents and reference workflows will be developed with the NVIDIA AI Foundry platform for building custom models, allowing IQVIA's thousands of pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device customers to benefit from NVIDIA's agentic AI capabilities and IQVIA's technologies, life sciences information and expertise.

ASRock Arc B570 Challenger 10 GB OC Cards Sell Ahead of Jan 16 Embargo

Over the past weekend, an Intel Arc GPU enthusiast has picked up a pair of embargo-busting ASRock Arc B570 Challenger 10 GB OC graphics cards. Intel has mandated an official launch at retail on January 16, yet Redditor genxontech presented photo proof of his two Arc Battlemage purchases and claimed that their local Micro Center store had stock available on shelves. The lucky customer stated that he was not willing to experience post-Thursday shortages or dreaded price gouging over limited supply: "I'm upgrading my son's PC from a GTX 1080 and the other one is for me. I work, I don't need to scalp it."

Team Blue's Arc B580 GPU series (starting price: $249) launched mid-December and retail units were snapped up swiftly—budget-conscious hardware enthusiasts have oft complained about a lack of choice/value within their market segment of choice. The incoming Intel Arc B570 GPU family is priced $30 below the slightly more capable B580, so it will be interesting to see how the two tiers perform against each other in 2025. Meanwhile, genxontech has toyed around with the latest Arc Drivers—official software is not available until this Thursday, so mixed results have been documented: "My workstation/server/gaming rig now sees the Arc B570 as a B80. Crazy, right?"

Marvel Rivals Rolls Out on NVIDIA GeForce NOW

Dear Rivals, exciting news for Season 1! Marvel Rivals is now supported on NVIDIA GeForce NOW, NVIDIA's cloud gaming service. Transform nearly any device into a high-performance, GeForce-powered gaming rig. Two new maps have been added for first half of season 1 for the Empire of Eternal Night in New York City: Sanctum Sanctorum and Midtown.

Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum stands as the last beacon of hope in a city consumed by darkness. Protected by ancient wards and powerful magic, it serves as a refuge for those battling the chaos unleashed by Dracula and his legion. Explore its eerie corridors and powerful secrets as you prepare to face the chaos unleashed by Dracula's dark forces.

Halo 5: Guardians Steam Entry Spotted on Lenovo Legion Go S Promo

Halo 5: Guardians has remained exclusive to Microsoft Xbox gaming systems since launching back in October 2015, during the Xbox One era—an approaching ten-year anniversary has fans wishing for a possible port over to PC platforms. Hopes were elevated late last week due to an intriguing image popping up on Lenovo's Legion Go S product page. A certain promo image depicts screen content featuring a Steam menu session with an entry for Halo 5. This discovery (courtesy of Rebs Gaming) prompted much online chatter about the possible PC port being unveiled at the next Xbox Developer_Direct—scheduled for broadcast on January 23.

343 Industries (now Halo Studios) has ported five titles over to PC—neatly compiled in the form of Halo: Master Chief Collection—but the absence of Guardians has been a lingering sore spot. Over the past weekend, Lenovo senior community manager—Ben Green—dampened expectations. In a curt response to a query (on social media) regarding the alleged leak, he shot down the notion that Lenovo had inadvertently leaked the existence of a Halo 5: Guardians PC port. It is possible that Lenovo's marketing department had mocked-up the image in error. Microsoft's gaming division has committed to spreading its most visible IPs to "rival" platforms, so the upcoming Xbox Developer_Direct could harbor a surprise or two.

Sparkle eGPU Studio-G Enclosure Series Updated with Thunderbolt 5

Sparkle debuted its new eGPU Studio-G 850 enclosure at last week's CES trade event—sporting a clear upgrade, obvious when inspecting the nearby product placard: a bump up to Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. The Hardwareluxx team managed to get the scoop on this one during their visit to Sparkle's Las Vegas suite—the latter's latest development joins the already released Thunderbolt eGPU Studio-G 750 (black finish) model, that makes do with Thunderbolt 3. The newer standard (offering up to 120 GB/s upstream/downstream) is emerging across a number of new products (mostly premium-tier laptops), but industry experts believe that adoption rates are relatively slow—Intel revealed the TB5 "Barlow Ridge" specification back in September 2023.

Sparkle's newly unveiled white-shelled eGPU Studio-G 850 is generously proportioned (403 x 200 x 237 mm) enough to house 3.5-slot discrete desktop graphics cards—taking a different approach to the likes of ASUS ROG and their XG Mobile model. An integrated handle grants a modicum of portability. Reports from CES suggest that Sparkle did not divulge any details about pricing or upcoming launch windows, but the demonstration sample seemed to be in finalized form. As the model's moniker denotes, the pre-installed internal power supply is an 850 W unit featuring 16-pin connectivity.

NVIDIA Scolds Outgoing US Administration Over AI Diffusion Ruling

For decades, leadership in computing and software ecosystems has been a cornerstone of American strength and influence worldwide. The federal government has wisely refrained from dictating the design, marketing and sale of mainstream computers and software—key drivers of innovation and economic growth. The first Trump Administration laid the foundation for America's current strength and success in AI, fostering an environment where U.S. industry could compete and win on merit without compromising national security. As a result, mainstream AI has become an integral part of every new application, driving economic growth, promoting U.S. interests and ensuring American leadership in cutting-edge technology.

Today, companies, startups and universities around the world are tapping mainstream AI to advance healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, education and countless other fields, driving economic growth and unlocking the potential of nations. Built on American technology, the adoption of AI around the world fuels growth and opportunity for industries at home and abroad. That global progress is now in jeopardy. The Biden Administration now seeks to restrict access to mainstream computing applications with its unprecedented and misguided "AI Diffusion" rule, which threatens to derail innovation and economic growth worldwide.

ASUS Announces New ROG NUC 2025 With RTX 5080 Laptop GPU at CES 2025

Although it wasn't present at the CES 2025 when we were around, ASUS has officially announced the new ASUS ROG NUC, pairing it up with Core Ultra 200HX CPUs and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU. According to ASUS, the new ROG NUC will also get an upgraded cooling system, a better "easy-to-upgrade" toolless chassis system, and a slightly different design, all packed in a 282.4x187.7x56.5 mm (bottom: 146 mm) 3L chassis.

As far as the CPU goes, the ROG NUC will get a Core Ultra 9 Series 2 ARL-HX CPU, although it is possible that we will see an SKU with Core Ultra 7 200HX CPU as well. The GPU is NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, and it supports up to 96 GB of DDR5-6400 memory in two SO-DIMM slots. It supports up to 2 TB of SSD storage in M.2 slot, and comes with one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, a couple of USB 3.2 10 Gbps Type-A and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, two DisplayPort 2.1 and two HDMI 2.1 outputs.

Intel "Bartlett Lake" Appears as a P/E-Core Hybrid, P-Core Only CPUs Could Soon Follow

Intel has launched its first wave of Bartlett Lake processors, introducing hybrid-core models specifically designed for embedded systems, with pure performance-core (P-core) variants scheduled to follow later. The initial release, unveiled at CES, showcases the processors through congatec's new COM-HPC modules. The flagship Core 7 251E leads the embedded lineup with 24 cores (8P + 16E) and impressive clock speeds reaching 5.6 GHz boost. Intel claims this processor outperforms the i7-14700 by 6% in single-core and 8% in multi-core benchmarks, despite maintaining a modest 65 W TDP. The series also includes the Core 5 211E with 10 cores (6P + 4E) and the Core 3 201E featuring 4 P-cores. However, the more intriguing development lies ahead.

Earlier sources indicate that Intel plans to release pure P-core variants of Bartlett Lake in Q3 2025, targeting desktop users. These processors will introduce a more traditional approach by replacing E-core clusters with additional P-cores, resulting in configurations of up to 12 P-cores in the upcoming Core 9 series. The pure P-core models will maintain compatibility with existing LGA1700 motherboards, potentially offering an attractive upgrade path for current Intel platform users. The lineup is expected to include 8-core, 10-core, and 12-core variants under the Core 5, 7, and 9 brands respectively, with TDP options ranging from 45 W to 125 W. While the current embedded models focus on specialized applications like medical imaging and edge computing, the future P-core variants seem positioned to appeal to gamers. The processors are expected to utilize Raptor Cove cores, though rumors suggest Intel might consider backporting Lion Cove architecture to the platform.

Intel Core i9-14900KF Sets New Overclocking World Record at 9121.61 MHz

While Intel is busy with its new Core Ultra 200S series of "Arrow Lake-S" processors for desktops, the start of 2025 is brining some interesting news for the last-generation Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU. The "Raptor Lake" CPU, without a working iGPU has officially broken overclocking world record and reached further into the 10 GHz dream. Achieved by an overclocker named "Wytiwx", the new world record is now sitting in at 9121.61 MHz, beating the previous 9117.75 MHz record held by "Elmor" by 3.8 MHz. This officially breaks Elmor's rule which started in 2022 and currently holds second, third, fourth, and fifth place in the leaderboard. We are curious if the new overclocker will maintain his lead, or if someone new will try to come out on top. Interestingly, for the new world record, Wytiwx used ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX motherboard with CPU cooled by LN2. The run was validated on Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, which is an interesting choice for overclockers as previous records have also been set using Windows 7.

YUNZII at CES 2025: Portfolio Updated with a AL65 QMK/VIA Aluminium Keyboard

YUNZII has introduced its latest mechanical keyboard, the AL65 QMK/VIA aluminium keyboard, at CES 2025. The AL65 features a CNC-anodized aluminium frame and a distinctive hollow side-cut design that enhances both its aesthetics and RGB lighting effects. The keyboard is equipped with south-facing LEDs capable of displaying 16.8 million colors, with transparent PC keycaps to amplify the lighting. It supports QMK/VIA, allowing users to remap keys, create macros, and adjust lighting on both Windows and macOS systems. The AL65 offers tri-mode connectivity with wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz wireless options, powered by an 8000mAh battery for extended use. Its gasket-mounted structure reduces typing noise and provides a softer feel while sound-dampening foam layers minimize vibrations. A hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, enabling users to customize the keyboard with different mechanical switches easily. With its robust build, versatile connectivity, and customizable features, the AL65 is designed to cater to a wide range of users, from typists to gamers.

THIEAUDIO Showcases Flagship Valhalla IEMs with 38-Driver System

During CES 2025, THIEAUDIO showed off its most ambitious creation yet: the Valhalla in-ear monitors. This flagship model, priced at $1999, represents an engineering marvel in personal audio technology, combining significant driver configuration with meticulous handcrafting. The Valhalla's most striking feature is its remarkable 38-driver architecture, with 19 balanced armature drivers positioned in each earpiece. It incorporates premium components from renowned manufacturers Knowles and Sonion, enabling the IEMs to reproduce sound with exceptional precision across the entire frequency spectrum. At the heart of Valhalla's innovative design lies the proprietary Precision Bass System (PBS), which helps with low-frequency reproduction in IEMs. By housing multiple bass drivers within a specially engineered resonance chamber, the PBS delivers subwoofer-quality bass response reaching down to 5 Hz while minimizing listener fatigue.

The production process of each Valhalla unit is equally complex. A single engineer dedicates an entire day to handcrafting each set, carefully measuring and matching drivers before assembly. The implementation of a sophisticated 4-way passive crossover network, combined with advanced acoustic tubing, helps seamless frequency transitions and optimal tonal balance throughout the audio spectrum. Complementing the Valhalla's acoustic prowess is the EliteNoir cable, which features silver-plated LCOFC wires that maximize signal integrity and durability. This premium cable enhances the IEMs' already impressive soundstage and imaging capabilities. Preorders are now open, and production times are estimated at 2-3 weeks. The design is equally interesting, and you can see it in the pictures below.
Sunday, January 12th 2025

AMD Ryzen AI Max 395+ Mini PC: GMK Announces Strix Halo-Powered Compact System

At CES, AMD unleashed the much awaited Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo" APUs with mammoth iGPUs, up to a whopping 40 CUs for the Radeon 8060S. These chips are powerful enough to not require discrete graphics at all, making them ideal for mini PCs, which lack the physical room for dedicated graphics. GMK appears to be among the first to announce a mini PC with the top-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU, although any further details are under wraps as of now.

Unlike the Strix Point parts, Strix Halo abandons the smaller and more efficient Zen 5c cores for a Zen 5-only setup, with up to 16 Zen 5 cores for the highest-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 SKU. This allows for some serious performance potential, with AMD promising substantially better performance than both Intel's Lunar Lake and Apple's M4 Pro, although it would be much fairer to compare Strix Halo to Apple's M4 Max, and Intel's Arrow Lake-H/X instead. Regardless, there is no denying Strix Halo APUs open up new doors in terms of performance for compact systems, the rest remains to be seen as and when the products reach reviewers.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Tested in Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong

The recently unveiled AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT has been the epicenter of a plethora of leaks in the past few weeks. We now have not only a rough idea of what kind of synthetic performance the highest-end RDNA 4 GPU is about to bring to the table, but also how much the card is expected to cost. Now, yet another leak seemingly sheds light on perhaps the most crucial aspect of any gaming GPU - it's in the name, gaming.

Hilariously enough, this leak, once again, has been sourced from a now-nerfed forum post on Chiphell. This time around, site admin nApoleon was able to run a few games on the brand-new RDNA 4 card, including Black Myth: Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077. The results have been added as screenshots below, but here is a summary - the RX 9070 XT performs decently well, trading blows with the RTX 4070 Ti Super. In NVIDIA's favorite Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with ray tracing, the RX 9070 XT managed 26 FPS, neck and neck with the RTX 4070 Ti, whereas the RTX 4080 Super was well ahead with 32 FPS.

This Week in Gaming (Week 3)

Welcome to the middle of January and a busy week of new game releases. We kick off this week with some driving, on tracks though, as these cars might not be entirely road legal. If cars aren't your thing, then how about a city builder, but in the sky? If that doesn't tickle your fancy, how about a unique looking ARPG? This is followed by something of a PC clone of recent Zelda games, just without any defined goals. This brings us a futuristic side scroller where you fight demons. We round off the week with some Chinese hack and slash action back in the feudal era.

Assetto Corsa EVO / This week's major release / Thursday 16 January
As with its predecessor, Assetto Corsa EVO will include cars from different classes spanning across years of motoring history. From road cars, classics, hypercars, and race cars. The most iconic representation of the automotive and motorsport world. Each vehicle is reproduced through an advanced system that simulates mechanical, electronic, and aerodynamic performance, combined with the fidelity of the circuits created using Laserscan technology. Steam link
Saturday, January 11th 2025

GameSir Presents New "G7 Pro" Xbox Controller at CES 2025

GameSir has showcased its brand new G7 Pro wireless gaming controller at this week's CES trade event, where they teased a very compelling sub-$100 price point. It seems that a lucky few have already playtested early sample units—leaks from late last year revealed the existence of Xbox and Steam variants. During a showroom visit, the TechPowerUp team discovered that GameSir had left the oft-rumored Valve-licensed "prototype" back at HQ. Fortunately, their Xbox G7 Pro model was available for close up inspection in Las Vegas—reports suggest that a launch is lined up around Spring time.

Highlights from the G7 Pro's feature list include: TMR analogue sticks (first introduced via their Tarantula series), 1000 Hz polling rate (wired on Xbox, wireless on PC), optical microswitch face buttons, two rear programmable back buttons + two programmable shoulder triggers, swappable faceplate system, and a new tactile D-pad. TechPowerUp also spent time with some other new controller models—GameSir has another affordable-tier Nova controller (white example is pictured below) incoming, as well as a retro-gray Tarantula model.

EcoFlow at CES 2025: Delta 3 Power Stations, Solar Hat, and Dual-Fuel Power Generators Lead Product Showcase

EcoFlow revealed its latest power generation solutions at CES 2025, with the Delta 3 series power stations leading the pack. The flagship Delta 3 Plus features lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells rated for 4,000+ charge cycles, with a total capacity of 3,024Wh and maximum output of 3,000 W. The unit's X-Stream charging technology enables 0-80% charging in 40 minutes when connected to AC power, while supporting 1,200 W maximum solar input. The base Delta 3 model offers similar specifications but with a 2,048Wh capacity.

For small-scale applications, the River 3 Plus delivers 1,200 W continuous output from its 512Wh battery pack. Operating at 30 decibels under normal load, the unit includes two 120 V AC outlets, three USB-A ports, and one USB-C port capable of 100 W output.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Leaked Listing Reveals Pricing Details

If the recent RDNA 4 performance leaks are anything to go by, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 and the RX 9070 XT GPUs are sizing up to be excellent mid-range contenders. That is, of course, if the pricing is sane enough. A subsequent leak revealed that the RX 9070 XT AIB models will command a price tag of roughly around $549, which would easily allow it to undercut the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070.

Now, a further leak has revealed a product listing of an RX 9070 XT by a retailer based in the Philippines. The variant in question is Gigabyte's Gaming OC model, with base and boost clocks of 2,400 and 2,970 MHz respectively. Moreover, 16 GB of GDDR6 memory is also offered, on a 256-bit memory bus. 4,096 shading units and 64 RT cores are present as well - nothing out of the ordinary.

Morse Micro Intros New World-Beating Wi-Fi SoC - Smallest, Fastest & Farthest-Reaching

Morse Micro, the world's leading provider of Wi-Fi HaLow chips based on the IEEE 802.11ah specification, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated second-generation MM8108 System-on-Chip (SoC). Building on the success of the first-generation MM6108 SoC, the MM8108 offers even better performance in all key areas of range, throughput, and power efficiency while also reducing the cost, effort, and time to bring the next generation of Wi-Fi HaLow enabled products to market.

The MM8108 delivers class-leading data rates of up to 43.33 Mbps using world-first sub-GHz 256-QAM modulation at an 8 MHz bandwidth, making it ideal for a range of applications in agricultural, mining, industrial, home, and city environments. Its integrated 26dBm power amplifier (PA) with exceptional power efficiency, and low-noise amplifier (LNA) ensure exceptional performance and enable global regulatory certification without the need for external Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters. The exceptional power efficiency significantly extends battery life and enables the uptake of solar-powered Wi-Fi HaLow connected cameras and IoT devices.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2M's Internals Revealed at CES 2025

MSI worked hard to make its Cubi NUC AI series stand out at CES 2025. Showing off small—almost nondescript—black boxes is normally a big ask, but the TechPowerUp team's collective eye was caught by a presentation piece that exhibited an exploded view of MSI's Cubi NUC AI+ 2M model's outer and inner workings (see photo below). Competing devices did not get the same treatment elsewhere in Las Vegas—printed diagrams and spec sheets only go so far in showcasing PC products.

MSI's dissected Cubi NUC AI+ 2M was mounted on a plinth that featured plenty of useful markings and labels surrounding the mainboard. Naturally a fully assembled plus operational demo unit was close by—as evidenced by being hooked up to (and powered by) an MSI PRO MP251 E2 monitor. Cubi NUC AI+ 2M is advertised as the "Ultimate" Windows 11 Copilot+ mini PC—TechPowerUp spotted a dedicated Copilot button on the box's front fascia. An Intel Core Ultra "Lunar Lake" processor (with AI NPU boost) is soldered onto the NUC AI+ 2M board—a product placard states that the top variant can run Team Blue's Core Ultra 7 258V mobile CPU.

Epomaker at the 2025 International CES: Trio of Compact Wireless Keyboards and Mice

Epomaker brought four of its latest gaming peripherals to the 2025 International CES. We begin our tour with the Epomaker Carbon 60, which as its name suggests, is a 60% format keyboard, with a carbon fiber pattern along its top and body. The keyboard offers three kinds of connectivity—USB, 2.4 GHz RF (1000 Hz polling rate), and Bluetooth 5.0. They included keycaps are PBT. The switches are hot-swappable, and you choose between Epomaker's in-house Mulan or Wisteria Linear switches. Completing its industrial look is yellow pull-tag.

Next up, is the Epomaker Luma84, a slick business-class keyboard which looks like it could go well with a Mac mini or similar-looking NUC. The keyboard features an 84% layout, and comes with low-profile white PBT keycaps. The keyboard comes with an aluminium top and backplate, with a similar curved-edge to a MacBook Pro. Much like the Carbon 60, the Luma84 comes with three kinds of connectivity.

Bandai Namco's "Freedom Wars Remastered" Out Now on PC & Consoles

Congratulations, Sinner. As a non-productive citizen of the Panopticon, the only way to reduce the million-year prison sentence assigned at birth is through the redeeming fire of combat. FREEDOM WARS REMASTERED, the cult classic action game originally released on PlayStation Vita, is now available worldwide for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam.

The cult hit was remastered by the game's original developer, and brings enhancements including 4K resolution, upgraded textures, improved online multiplayer, a new "Deadly Sinner" higher difficulty mode, and 60 frames per second for current gen platforms. The story remains unchanged, but upgraded player systems help streamline looting, crafting, and other player interactions from the original release. For more information, visit the official website. Choose to provide value to society through combat and helping support the Panopticon and productive citizens or die a Sinner.

Cougar Intros GEX Pro and GLE Series ATX 3.1 PSUs at 2025 CES

Cougar at the 2025 International CES brought two new power supply lines in the performance segment, the GEX Pro series, and the GLE series. The latter is the more premium of the two, and comes in wattage variants ranging between 650 W and 1200 W. These offer a compact build that's 15 cm in depth, full modular cabling, and modern connectivity. The GLE series meets ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 specs. These use a single 135 mm hydro dynamic bearing fan to keep cool. The GLE series offers Cybenetics Platinum switching efficiency, and Cybenetics A- acoustic rating. All models 750 W and above come with a 600 W-capable 12V2x6 connector, the 650 W model does 450 W on this connector.

The GEX Pro is more of an upper mid-range product. It comes in 650 W, 750 W, and 850 W models, and is a little more compact than the GLE series, with a depth of just 14 cm, relying on a 120 mm HDB fan to keep cool. The PSU meets ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 specs, and offers Cybenetics Gold switching efficiency, along with Cybenetics A+ acoustics rating. You get fully modular cabling, and a 12V2x6 connector that's capable of 600 W continuous output in the 750 W and 850 W models, but 450 W continuous on the 650 W model. Under the hood, both PSU lines rely on a single +12 V rail design, with most common electrical protections, against over/under voltage, overload, overheat, and short-circuit.

Microsoft Lays DirectX API-level Groundwork for Neural Rendering

Microsoft announced updates to the DirectX API that would pave the way for neural rendering. Neural rendering is a concept where portions of a frame in real-time 3D graphics are drawn using a generative AI model that works in tandem with classic raster 3D graphics pipeline, along with other advancements, such as real-time ray tracing. This is different from AI-based super resolution technologies. The generative AI here is involved in rendering the input frames for a super resolution technology. One of the nuts and bolts of neural rendering is cooperative vectors, enable an information pathway between the conventional graphics pipeline and the generative AI, telling it what it's doing, what needs to be done by the AI model, and what the ground truth for the model is.

Microsoft says that its HLSL team is working with AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm to bring cross-vendor support for cooperative vectors in the DirectX ecosystem. The very first dividends of this effort will be seen in the upcoming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-series "Blackwell" GPUs, which will use cooperative vectors to drive neural shading. "Neural shaders can be used to visualize game assets with AI, better organize geometry for improved path tracing performance and tools to create game characters with photo-realistic visuals," Microsoft says.

Samsung Shows Galaxy Book5 Pro and Galaxy Book5 360 at CES 2025

Samsung has revealed two new laptop models at CES 2025: the Galaxy Book5 Pro and Galaxy Book5 360, both featuring Intel's latest processors and artificial intelligence capabilities. The Galaxy Book5 Pro comes in two sizes. The 16-inch version weighs 1.56 kg and includes a 76.1Wh battery, while the 14-inch model weighs 1.23 kg with a 63.1 Wh battery. Both laptops use AMOLED displays with 2880×1800 resolution and variable refresh rates from 48 to 120 Hz. Storage options reach 1 TB, with either 16 GB or 32 GB of memory available.

The Galaxy Book5 360 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen that can fold back 360 degrees, effectively turning the laptop into a tablet. It has a 1920×1080 resolution display and weighs 1.46 kg, with a 68.1 Wh battery. Both models use Intel's Core Ultra processors with built-in NPUs that Samsung uses for features like AI Select for searching and Photo Remaster for image enhancement. The laptops also integrate with other Samsung devices through features like Multi Control for unified device navigation and Quick Share for file transfers. The new laptops include standard connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Samsung claims the Pro models can achieve up to 25 hours of battery life, though real-world usage typically yields shorter durations.

LG Showcases UltraGear GX9 OLED Bendable 5K2K Gaming Monitors at CES 2025

LG unveiled its UltraGear GX9 gaming monitor series at CES 2025, with three primary models featuring WOLED display technology and curved panels. The 45GX990A features a 45-inch bendable WOLED panel that transitions between flat and 900R curvature. The display offers 5K2K resolution (5,120 x 2,160), a 21:9 aspect ratio, and a 0.03 ms gray-to-gray response time. The 45GX950A utilizes the exact panel specifications but with a fixed 800R curve. Both models include DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, and USB-C connectivity with 90 W power delivery. The displays support variable refresh rates through NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification. The second-generation Dual-Mode system is a distinct feature that enables switching between different aspect ratios (21:9 and 16:9) and screen sizes (39-, 34-, or 27 inches). The system provides eight preset configurations for resolution and refresh rate combinations.

The 39GX90SA rounds out the lineup with a 39-inch OLED panel featuring an 800R curve. This model integrates webOS for direct streaming functionality and includes USB Type-C ports for device connectivity. All monitors in the series utilize WOLED technology for color reproduction and incorporate Anti-Glare & Low Reflection coating to reduce screen reflections. The panels are certified for reduced blue light emissions. The 45-inch models achieve 125 pixels per inch through an RGWB subpixel layout. These displays maintain compatibility with current graphics cards while supporting the latest variable refresh rate technologies. The monitors feature a 4-side borderless design and, in the case of the 39GX90SA, include an L-shaped stand for space efficiency.

LG Updates Gram Laptop Lineup at CES 2025 with AI Capabilities

LG Electronics has announced its 2025 Gram laptop lineup at CES 2025, featuring Intel's latest processors and a new AI system that combines on-device EXAONE language processing with cloud-based GPT-4o capabilities. The flagship Gram Pro (17Z90TR) features a 17-inch WQXGA LCD display with 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and a 31-144 Hz variable refresh rate. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 or Ultra 7 processors and an NVIDIA RTX 4050 with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, it supports up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM at 8,533 MHz. The device includes dual SSD slots supporting up to 2 TB Gen 4 NVMe storage and a 90Wh battery, all within a 3.26-pound chassis.

The Gram Pro 2-in-1 (16T90TP) employs a 16-inch WQXGA+ OLED panel with 2,880 x 1,800 resolution and a 48-120 Hz refresh rate. Running on Intel Core Ultra 7 or Ultra 5 processors with Intel Arc graphics, it features up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory at 8,400 MHz. The convertible weighs 3.08 pounds and includes a 77Wh battery and a mega dual cooling system. At 2.73 pounds, the Gram Pro 16Z90TS combines Intel Core Ultra 7 processors with Intel Arc graphics, featuring a 16-inch WQXGA LCD display and 77Wh battery. All Pro models include dual USB4 Gen3x2 Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support and HDMI 2.1 outputs capable of 4K@60 Hz.

XFX Radeon RX 9070 Series Graphics Cards at 2025 International CES

XFX at the 2025 International CES showed off a pair of Radeon RX 9070 series custom-design graphics cards. The company will keep these designs common to both the flagship RX 9070 XT, and the RX 9070. Both board designs were shown off at AMD's RX 9070 series booth. The premium custom design is being referred to as "Black." There are actually two sub-variants of this card, one called Black, which lacks any RGB LED lighting, but a second more premium one where the top of the card has an RGB LED diffuser spanning the entire top-front edge, including the triangular ends with the XFX and Radeon logos. This card wasn't shown to use, but is part of AMD's CES pre-brief.

The premium Black card features a large aluminium fin-stack heatsink, along with a trio of what look like 100 mm and 90 mm axial airflow fans. The metal backplate has a ridged pattern. The PCB underneath appears to be about three quarters the length of the card, with a large cutout in the backplate letting much of the airflow from the third fan go through the heatsink and out the back. This card draws power from three 8-pin PCIe power connectors, for a total power input configuration of 525 W, which is obviously high for what is expected to be a 300 W-class GPU, but this isn't the only card with an over-the-top power input configuration. The ASUS TUF Gaming has three 8-pin PCIe power, while the ASRock Taichi uses a 16-pin 12V2x6. Most RX 9070 series cards we've seen have just two 8-pin power connectors.

Huion Showcases Kamvas 16 Gen 3 Professional Pen-Display

Huion specializes in graphics tablets and pen displays. Its products go up against those from Wacom. We've seen a host of announcements at the 2024 Computex, but the company was saving its next-gen for the 2025 CES. The company showed us their latest Kamvas 16 Gen 3, a 16-inch high-precision pen display for hand-drawn graphics applications. The display comes with a QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels), which lends a respectable 184 ppi of pixel density. The display also features a 120% sRGB wide color gamut. The display features Huion's PenTech 4.0 technology, a high-resolution graphics pen input interface that the company introduced in 2024. This gives the input surface 16,384 pressure sensitivity levels. The display is compatible with Huion's PW600, and PW600S digital pens.
Friday, January 10th 2025

HAVN x King Mod Systems Gaming PC Showcased at CES 2025

HAVN and King Mod Systems have partnered up on putting together a high-end gaming PC—a sample build was assembled in good time and sent out to Las Vegas. TechPowerUp inspected the fruit of their labors earlier this week at CES 2025. Unsurprisingly, the two collaborators have opted to use a white finish HAVN HS 420 VGPU Edition case—feel free to check out Darksaber's glowing review of this exact model. A black variant was positioned close by, so it was convenient to compare and contrast between the sibling enclosures. Coincidentally, TechPowerUp and HAVN teamed up on a giveaway competition of four HAVN HS 420 models last month.

The HAVN x King Mod Systems Gaming PC utilizes some fine internals, but its AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D processor will become less cutting-edge in the near future. Team Red is lining up the Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU for launch around March 2025. HAVN and King Mod Systems have selected Gigabyte's B650E AORUS Elite X AX ICE mainboard for their showroom build, along with a white TRYX PANORAMA 360 mm AIO ARGB liquid cooler, an MSI RTX 4080 SUPER GAMING X SLIM WHITE graphics card, and a 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 5600 CL36 memory kit.

Cervoz Launches T445 Single-sided M.2 NVMe SSD

Struggling to balance space, performance, and thermal management in compact industrial platforms? The new Cervoz T445 M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen 4x4 SSD delivers with its space-saving single-sided design, high-speed capabilities, and wide temperature resilience. Ideal for IoT gateways, industrial tablets, and automation systems. Ready to elevate your storage solution? Discover how the T445 drives efficiency in demanding industrial environments.

Single-Sided Design for Space-Limited Environments
One of the standout features of the T445 is its single-sided design, making it especially suited for space-constrained systems. By consolidating critical components like the NAND flash, controller, and power management IC on one side, it optimizes space efficiency and improves thermal management for better airflow and heat dissipation. This design is particularly important for fanless systems and compact environments, ensuring reliable performance even in extreme conditions. With a slim profile—single-sided design that reduces height by 1.35 mm compared to dual-sided models—the T445 is engineered for easy installation in tight industrial setups, providing high efficiency without compromising durability or speed.

MAINGEAR Presents Shroud Signature Edition Gaming PC at CES 2025

MAINGEAR has collaborated on developing and building a Signature Edition Gaming PC with popular Twitch streamer "Shroud" (aka Michael Grzesiek). This high-performance system made its debut at CES 2025—the TechPowerUp team took a closer look during a demo session with MAINGEAR. Shroud and his partners at the New Jersey-based gaming and workstation specialist have settled on building inside HAVN's HS 420 VGPU Dual-Chamber ATX mid-tower case (available in black or white finishes). This premium chassis is a great match for the crème de la crème of high-performance gaming-centric components—naturally, AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the de-facto choice of CPU here.

Shroud's Signature Edition Gaming PC will be specced with the latest NVIDIA flagship graphics card—TechPowerUp noticed that the demonstration build featured a Founders Edition GeForce RTX 4090. It is possible that MAINGEAR is working on updating this system with a GeForce RTX 5090 card, once the "Blackwell" GPU family heads to market. The specification sheet also lists MAINGEAR's Epic 420 mm AIO liquid cooler, an AsRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi motherboard, 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) T-Force Xtreem ARGB 8000 MHz CL34 memory, a 2 TB T-Force Cardea A440 Gen 4 M.2 SSD, and an FSP PTM Pro Gen 5 80+ 1200 W PSU.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Devs Discuss Upcoming Sim Update 1

After a break for the holiday season to recharge, refresh, and spend time with our families, we're back this week and hard at work updating Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024! As we begin the new year, our teams are focused on delivering the first major updates, including Sim Update 1, while also finalizing preparations for the Marketplace launch in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

We have analyzed all the feedback provided over the past weeks and months and are prioritizing bug fixes and improvements based on community input. Because of this, we are spending this week working on the Feedback Snapshot and will have an updated version for you in next week's blog. We are also excited to announce that World Update: Brazil is on the horizon! These updates are coming soon, and we will provide more information on the timeline as it becomes available. We appreciate your support as we continue to enhance the simming experience for our community.

MSI Shows Off "Project Zero X" PC Build at CES 2025

MSI's Back-Connect motherboard design provides the foundation of Project Zero X—specific components were not listed when TechPowerUp examined this sleek PC build. A panoramic glass case design houses an all-MSI ecosystem that is "clean and cable-free" thanks to the aforementioned back-mounted layout. Clutter is kept out of view in a rear compartment and the I/O panel is positioned at the back of Project Zero X's enclosure (see photo below). TechPowerUp enjoyed looking at this refreshingly simple arrangement through the case's four-sided glass panel. The build's vertically-mounted MSI-brand GeForce RTX graphics card is positioned next to a signature Project Zero X-branded motherboard.

A product placard mentions that Project Zero X features an integrated "Full-Coverage Heatsink"—providing "comprehensive" cooling coverage across the system. MSI also claims that there are no air circulation dead spots—thanks to a unified airflow design. The cooling system seems to be mostly hidden away inside the enclosure's rear and bottom compartments.

Aetina & Qualcomm Collaborate on Flagship MegaEdge AIP-FR68 Edge AI Solution

Aetina, a leading provider of edge AI solutions and a subsidiary of Innodisk Group, today announced a collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., who unveiled a revolutionary Qualcomm AI On-Prem Appliance Solution and Qualcomm AI Inference Suite for On-Prem. This collaboration combines Qualcomm Technologies' cutting-edge inference accelerators and advanced software with Aetina's edge computing hardware to deliver unprecedented computing power and ready-to-use AI applications for enterprises and industrial organizations.

The flagship offering, the Aetina MegaEdge AIP-FR68, sets a new industry benchmark by integrating Qualcomm Cloud AI family of accelerator cards. Each Cloud AI 100 Ultra card delivers an impressive 870 TOPS of AI computing power at 8-bit integer (INT8) while maintaining remarkable energy efficiency at just 150 W power consumption. The system supports dual Cloud AI 100 Ultra cards in a single desktop workstation. This groundbreaking combination of power and efficiency in a compact form factor revolutionizes on-premises AI processing, making enterprise-grade computing more accessible than ever.

MSI Presents MEG MAESTRO 900L PZ Concept Case Series at CES 2025

The MSI MEG MAESTRO 900L PZ Concept Case Series was revealed a few days ago, coinciding with CES's kick-off. Later on in the week, TechPowerUp took the opportunity to absorb these voluminous prototypes—other press outlets have expressed great enthusiasm about MSI's extremely bold approach. It is not clear whether these new models will reach retail—the MEG MAESTRO-700L-PZ case managed this feat last year.

The first demonstration sample spotted by TechPowerUp formed the basis of MSI's "MEG PC Build"—filled up with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, MSI MEG X870E motherboard and two GeForce RTX 4080 SUPRIM X graphics cards. Lots of RGB-lit cooling solutions surrounded this hardware cluster—including the MEG CORELIQUID S360 and fifteen(!) MPG EZ120 ARGB fans. MSI's MEG Ai1600T PCIe 5 PSU is tasked with keeping this setup alive—it was up and running, as evidenced by being connected to a nearby monitor. TechPowerUp then checked out the other working prototype—a very snazzy case modding project that houses two PC systems.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Pricing Leak: More Affordable Than RTX 5070?

As we reported yesterday, the Radeon RX 9070 XT appears to be all set to disrupt the mid-range gaming GPU segment, offering performance that looks truly enticing, at least if the leaked synthetic benchmarks are anything to go by. The highest-end RDNA 4 GPU is expected to handily outperform the RTX 4080 Super despite costing half as much, with comparison to its primary competitor, the RTX 5070, yet to be made.

Now, a fresh leak has seemingly hinted at how heavy the RDNA 4 GPU is going to be on its buyers' pockets. Also sourced from Chiphell, the Radeon RX 9070 XT is expected to command a price tag between $479 for AMD's reference card and roughly $549 for an AIB unit, varying based on which exact product one opts for. At that price, the Radeon RX 9070 XT easily undercuts the RTX 5070, which will start from $549, while offering 16 GB of VRAM, albeit of the older GDDR6 spec. There is hardly any doubt that the RTX GPU will come out ahead in ray tracing performance, as we already witnessed yesterday, although traditional rasterization performance will be more interesting to compare.

Khadas Unveils Modular Mini PC Powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 2 at CES 2025

At CES 2025, Khadas captivated global audiences with groundbreaking product designs and innovative technologies, showcasing the immense potential of next-generation computing devices. As a technology brand dedicated to addressing diverse user needs, Khadas delivered an impressive display of cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly blend innovation with practicality.

Mind 2s: The Modular Mini PC Powered by Arrow Lake
Since the launch of its first Mind series, Khadas has earned widespread recognition for its exceptional craftsmanship and superior performance. To meet the demand for the latest technology, Khadas unveiled Mind 2s, modular mini PC powered by the Intel Arrow Lake platform. Featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor, built on the all-new Arrow Lake-H architecture, the Mind 2s offers not only significant performance enhancements but also outstanding energy efficiency, improved integrated graphics, and superior AI processing capabilities.

Corsair Teases Liquid-cooled Power Supply Prototype

Corsair at the 2025 International CES launched a couple of updates to its PSU lineup, the 2025 HXi series, and the 2025 RMe series, and you can read all about them here. Something else caught our eye at the Corsair booth, an unnamed, unlabeled PSU with a coolant tube from a DIY liquid cooling loop going in. It turns out that Corsair is dabbling with liquid-cooled high-wattage PSUs that can stay completely fanless, even under load. The PSU passes the coolant through an array of heatsinks that make contact with the hottest components, such as the switching MOSFETs, Schottky diodes, APFC, IGBTs, etc. Corsair is still deciding on whether to release this as an actual product. Tell them what you think in the comments.

AeroCool P500C & P300C Compact Cases Presented at CES 2025

AeroCool's P500C and P300C compact cases were on show at this year's CES trade event. The TechPowerUp team has documented plenty of empty enclosures across many booths and suites, so it was refreshing to see AeroCool present a fully operational system built inside a black P500C model. This is a mid-tower ATX PC case that sports an uninterrupted/frameless tempered glass design, spread across its front and side panel. The curved edges are a nice touch. TPU took in a "panoramic view" of the case's numerous "mirage infinity mirror effect" cooling fans—three 120 mm reverse-blade ARGB units are factory pre-installed on the side panel. A standard ARGB 120 mm fan is also included on the rear section—all controllable via the AeroCool P500C's integrated 4-port PWM ARGB fan hub.

Alphacool Showcases Eiswolf AIO Watercoolers for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080

During our CES 2025 Alphacool booth visit, Alphacool has showcased its newest update in the Eiswolf AIO watercooling lineup, tailored specifically for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 series "Blackwell" GPUs. The updated design features a GPU waterblock with an integrated pump and a radiator connected via quick-disconnect links, simplifying installation and maintenance. Alphacool continues its use of TPV hoses from the Enterprise Solution series, known for their durability and heat resistance, thanks to their EPDM/PP construction. These hoses, commonly used in servers and workstations, are free of plasticizers and paired with connectors from the same series to ensure robust performance. The GPU waterblock also includes an LED matrix display, demonstrated at the booth showing "RTX 5090," which reflects the GPU it cools. Designed with aesthetics in mind, the block incorporates an acrylic body with a top coat, illuminated by RGB lighting to suit various setups.

USound Showcases MEMS-based Distance Measuring and DC Bias-Free Speakers at CES 2025

USound demonstrated its fully developed ultrasonic sensing module, showcasing the potential of MEMS technology beyond audio applications. Displayed during the CES 2025 show, the module integrates USound's Conamara MEMS tweeter, Tarvos amplifier, and a third-party MEMS microphone. It uses ultrasonic waves for precise distance and proximity measurements, with calculations processed by proprietary firmware. Designed for commercial use, the module is compact at just 5 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm thick, making it suitable for space-constrained devices. Its energy-efficient operation and use of standardized components ensure scalability for applications in consumer electronics, robotics, IoT devices, and industrial systems. By delivering high accuracy through a flat frequency response across the ultrasonic spectrum, the module is an interesting solution for embedded sensing tasks.

USound also presented its Zero VDC technology, an innovation that allows its MEMS speakers to operate without a DC bias. This advancement increases sound pressure levels (SPL) while simplifying circuit design by reducing the required components, enabling cost reductions and simplified implementations. CES attendees observed live demonstrations of the ultrasonic sensing module and Zero VDC functionality, emphasizing their readiness for commercial deployment. We are awaiting USound's MEMS-based technology in commercial products to see how companies adapt its technology.

Intel's New Boxed Desktop CPU Cooler Revealed

Courtesy of serial leaker @momomo_us, who dug up the product pages for Intel's two new retail boxed CPU coolers, we now know what they'll look like ahead of them shipping. The two coolers are known as the Laminar RH2 and Laminar RM2, with the RH2 being the higher-end model of the two. The RH2 has a copper heat column that attaches to aluminium fins and it's decorated with an aRGB LED ring, as well as a white Intel LED logo. It stands 71 mm tall from the base of the heatsink to the top of the fan and is overall 103 x 103 mm and it weighs in at 450 grams. It's rated for CPUs up to 65 W TDP and the fan operates between 1000 and 3000 rpm and supports variable speed via PWM control. It will output 23 dBA at 1600 RPM with the CPU at 40 degrees C, according to the specs. It appears to come with some kind of back plate and it's screwed in place. It will only ship with the Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285 for now.

The much more basic RM2 cooler is designed for 65 W TDP CPUs and it measures 100 x 100 mm, but it only stands 47 mm tall. Here only the base of the cooler is made out of copper, the fins are once again made from aluminium and this results in a lower weight of 340 grams. The fan speed range is 600 to 3250 rpm and we're looking at a PWM controlled fan here too. The downside is that the fan has to run at 2400 rpm to produce the same 40 degrees at the inlet with a 65 W CPU underneath it, which results in a noise level of 30 dBA, which is a lot louder than the RH2. Unlike the RH2, the RM2 uses standard Intel socket push-pins for mounting. The RM2 will ship with the Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 225, 225F, 235, 265 and 265F CPUs, but according to the product page, it will also ship with some Core Ultra 7 desktop chips. Both coolers come with a three-year warranty. Design wise, both of the new coolers are a lot less flashy compared to the previous generation of Intel CPU coolers.

In Win Power and Cooling Products at 2025 CES: 2500W PSU with Four 12V2x6

Fancy a rendering farm with four NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards sitting on top of an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000WX platform with its 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and 8-channel DDR5 memory? You'll need juice for that, and the In Win P250II is where you'll get it. From the company's PII line of ultra high-end PSUs, this jug puts out 2500 W under 200-240 VAC, or 1650 W under 115-240 VAC. It meets ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 CEM specifications, and offers 80 Plus Platinum (EU 230 V) switching efficiency. The star attraction here is that the PSU puts out four 16-pin 12V2x6 connectors—this isn't using trickery such as converting PCIe connectors to 12V2x6, but native connectors on the PSU's backplane. Each of the four is capable of 600 W of continuous output, and excursions meeting the PCIe 5.1 CEM spec.

In Win didn't put out the power distribution table of this PSU, but we're not sure if it uses a single +12 V rail. Besides the four 12V2x6 connectors, it puts out five 6+2 pin PCIe power, two 4+4 pin EPS, a 24-pin ATX, and a dozen SATA power connectors. Next up, In Win introduced two new lines of fans, the LYNX LN120 series and the LYNX LN140 series. Both are stackable fans, and feature mechanical interlocks that allow you to join up to four of these at the hip, to minimize cable clutter. The interlock is based on the USB-C physical connector, which relays both 4-pin PWM and 3-pin ARGB pins. The LYNX LN140 turns at speeds between 900 and 1,800 RPM, pushing 44.57 to 89.14 CFM of airflow, at 0.77 to 3.07 mm H₂O static pressure, and 14 to 39 dBA noise output. Its sleeve bearing is rated for 30,000 hours. The LYNX LN120 turns along a wider speed range, of 900 to 2,200 RPM, pushing 25 to 65 CFM of airflow.

APNX Unveils LC1-D 360 Liquid Cooler at CES 2025

APNX has debuted its new LC1-D 360 high-performance liquid cooler at CES 2025—its standout feature is a generously proportioned 4-inch IPS display. The pump head is angle-adjustable, so users are able to reorient the screen to best effect. APNX's Control Center application takes care of on-screen changes—CPU temperature, CPU load, memory load, backgrounds (JPEG & GIFs) and other bits of information can be loaded up. TechPowerUp noticed that the LC1-D 360's feature set is not too far removed from AeroCool's Spectro Vision L360 AIO model.

APNX is a sister brand, so it is not surprising to see some cross-pollination across product lines. The LC1-D 360's water block has a pure copper construction, granting superior heat conductivity. The APNX engineering team has implemented a micro channel design—thus optimizing heat dissipation. Familiar products were also showcased next to APNX's liquid cooling option. The AP1-V is a slick-looking CPU air cooler—the stylish white demo sample was inspected by a TechPowerUp staffer. APNX's 30 mm deep FP2-120 high performance cooling fans were also within reach—their frames are reassuringly chunky.

Kioxia at 2025 CES: 218-layer 3D NAND Flash and UFS 4.0 for Automotive Applications

Kioxia had a small dugout at the 2025 International CES. The NAND flash major tends to have a much bigger booth at FMS than CES. The one in Vegas had its latest enterprise SSDs, all of which were launched through 2024, and a couple of new things. We first got a practical demo of how Kioxia achieves 218 layers of NAND flash in its latest generation of BiCS Flash using an architectural innovation called CBA—CMOS directly bonded to array. In CBA, the cell array acts like a pizza topping to the crust that is the CMOS layer, rather than being arranged side-by-side. This allows for greater density of flash cells. This also has certain performance and power advantages.

Next up, the company showed us their automotive-grade UFS 4.0 non-volatile storage device, which uses the latest 218-layer 3D NAND flash memory. This device was announced toward the end of 2024, and gathered a salad of certifications that make it fit for the latest generation of automobiles with advanced technology such as FSD, or an infotainment system that's practically as powerful as a PC. We also got a fascinating look at the testbed Kioxia uses to validate its automotive UFS 4.0 devices.

Alphacool Showcases GPU Waterblocks for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090/5080 and AMD X870 Motherboard Monoblocks

Alphacool has unveiled new waterblocks for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards at CES 2025. The company has redesigned its Core GPU waterblock series with updated component spacing and flow characteristics, developed through fluid dynamics simulations and practical testing. A change from previous water blocks for RTX 40 series includes the switch to chrome-plated copper cooling surfaces instead of nickel plating, which offers improved durability and surface finish. The waterblocks retain brass fittings and feature a Core emblem above the jetplate. The waterblocks will support cards from major manufacturers including ASUS, MSI, Palit, Gainward, and Inno3D. Specifically, compatibility extends to ASUS ROG Strix and TUF Gaming models, as well as MSI Suprim and Gaming variants. Both RTX 5090 and 5080 Core waterblocks are priced at €199.98.

Thermaltake Launches TOUGHRAM XG RGB D5 7200MT/s 32GB DDR5 Memory With CKD at CES 2025

Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, proudly launches today at CES 2025 the TOUGHRAM XG RGB D5 7200 MT/s 32 GB (16 GB x2), now equipped with the latest CKD (Client Clock Driver) technology. This new addition to Thermaltake's high-performance DDR5 memory lineup integrates advanced technology with a sleek design, offering an exceptional solution for PC enthusiasts and professionals. With CKD technology, the TOUGHRAM XG RGB D5 Memory ensures superior signal integrity, improved power efficiency, and enhanced overclocking stability, delivering consistent performance under the most demanding workloads. Ideal for gaming, creative projects, and AI-driven applications, this memory module is engineered to exceed the expectations of modern high-performance computing.

"Thermaltake is committed to redefining the limits of DRAM memory technology to meet the evolving needs of gamers and professionals," said Kenny Lin, CEO of Thermaltake. "The TOUGHRAM XG RGB D5 with CKD technology exemplifies our dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions that offer superior speed, stability, and customization; whether for serious gamers, creators, or even AI development, this memory sets a new benchmark in high-performance computing."

Endorfy Showcases PSU Series, PC Chassis, CPU Coolers and Peripherals at CES 2025

Besides the new Endorfy Onyx White gaming mouse and Crystal mousepads that TechPowerUp introduced here, Endorfy's first appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas featured more than just two products. The company announced and showcased several new items, including the Supremo FM6 power supply series and the Arx 700 White ARGB PC chassis. To complement their offerings, Endorfy also displayed their full lineup of CPU coolers, featuring the newest Fortis 5 Black/ARGB and Fera 5 Black ARGB models. The Navis AIO liquid cooling systems and several other peripherals completed Endorfy's showcase.

The Supremo FM6 power supply series continues the legacy of the Supremo FM5 line, now featuring compliance with the ATX 3.1 standard. Internally, the PSU employs a DC-to-DC topology with 100% Japanese capacitors and utilizes Endorfy's proprietary Fluctus fans for cooling. The Supremo FM6 series will initially launch with two models; 850 W and 1000 W, both backed by a 10-year warranty. The Arx 700 White ARGB PC chassis represents an evolution of Endorfy's Arx 700 case series, featuring a full white design and ARGB lighting that caters to users seeking to build lighter-toned PC systems. The chassis is expected to be available in Q2 2025 with a price point of approximately 130 Euros. To show the capabilities of their Arx 700 case series, Endorfy had a custom system built by ModMyMods, a bit sad that they didn't use the white chassis.

Alphacool at CES 2025: More Distro Plates, Core Stealth Aurora ARGB Fan, and QDCs for Enterprise

At CES 2025, we stopped at the booth of cooling specialist Alphacool, which showcases several products aimed at both PC enthusiasts and data center operators. The company's portfolio included fans, reservoirs, distribution plates, and enterprise cooling solutions. The Core Stealth Aurora Fan features a metal frame construction and operates between 400 and 2,600 RPM. While the fan includes ARGB lighting effects, its primary focus is on airflow performance for high-powered systems.

For liquid cooling systems, Alphacool introduced the Core Reservoir, which uses an acrylic body with G1/4" brass connectors. The reservoir comes with an integrated VPP Apex or D5 pump and is designed for space-efficient installations. ARGB lighting is built into the unit, allowing for system illumination.

ThunderX3 Showcases FLEX Pro Gaming Chair & LAB-X Standing Desk at CES 2025

ThunderX3 and the TechPowerUp team were reacquainted with each other at this week's trade event in Las Vegas—the previous hands-on session occurred back in 2023! A new gaming chair and desk were up for analysis this time—a brand rep proceeded to show off their black mesh throne: dubbed "FLEX Pro." It is encouraging to see a design that takes more inspiration from premium ergonomic office chairs, rather than doubling down on the usual gamer-oriented features. An aluminium base is always nice to have—within this market segment.

A specification placard mentions a SYNC6 mechanism, this is ThunderX3's new six-way adjustability system—the already released XTC Mesh model makes do with SYNC5 (five-way). The rep demoed FLEX Pro's various adjustable parts—4D headrest, backrest, 3D lumbar support and 5D x 360° armrests. The latter can be seen at all sorts of angles in our second row of photos (see below).

XPPen Unveils Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) with 2.5 K High-Performance 22-inch Drawing Display

Today, XPPen has officially launched a remarkable addition to its professional digital drawing display lineup: the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2), a 22-inch unparalleled drawing display that ignites all-round performance, making it an ideal choice for artists and creative professionals at a competitive price.

"With the introduction of the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2), we are excited to offer professional creatives a dynamic platform that truly empowers their artistic vision. This 22-inch high-performance drawing display not only maintains the exceptional color performance and digital pen responsiveness of the Pro series but also features an upgraded 2.5K etched glass screen, designed to meet the demands of professional users. This enhancement significantly boosts overall performance while still offering an impressive competitive price. It's the perfect companion for anyone committed to achieving high-quality work," said Amy Yuan, Marketing Director of XPPen.

Cooler Master Launches the CH351: 3D Surround Sound Wireless Gaming Headset for Total Immersion

Cooler Master, a leading provider of PC components, gaming peripherals, and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the CH351—a wireless gaming headset that redefines immersive audio. With built-in 3D surround sound, the CH351 is designed to deliver dynamic audio. Whether you're gaming, working, watching movies or listening to music, the CH351 offers seamless connectivity and rich sound, elevating your experience to a new level.

Key features and benefits of the CH351 include:
  • Versatile connectivity: Switch between Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and 3.5 mm wired connections for the ultimate flexibility.
  • Smart, seamless Bluetooth: Seamless pairing with up to three devices, effortlessly switchable with the push of a button.
  • Clear voice chat: Unidirectional microphone minimizes background noise, sidetone confirms your voice is clear.
  • Ergonomic design: A Y-frame design minimizes sound leakage while providing all-day comfort.
  • Range and power: With up to 30 hours of battery life and a 20-meter range in 2.4 GHz mode, the CH351 ensures uninterrupted use whether you're at your desk or on the move.
With two colorways, black and macaron, the CH351 is the ultimate choice for anyone who wants a clear sound experience in a sleek and stylish package.

Corsair Memory and Storage Products at 2025 CES

Corsair at the 2025 International CES brought a couple of new products from its memory and storage lines. This company used to be called "Corsair Memory" before it became Corsair Gaming, so they know a thing or two about enthusiast-segment memory and storage products, going back decades. We begin our tour with the new EX400U, a portable SSD with a 40 Gbps USB4 interface. The drive comes in 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB capacities, and offers sequential transfer speeds of up to 4000 MB/s reads, with up to 3600 MB/s writes. The company hasn't made any claims on minimum write performance, so we don't know if the drive can be used for 4K or 8K RAW cinematography. More than PC, Corsair wants you to be enthused about its mobile chops. It can connect to an iPhone 15 or later as a mass-storage device, and supports MagSafe. Corsair plans to formally launch this on January 23.

Corsair has been agile in the PC overclocking memory space, responding to new trends with product launches, without having to wait for platforms such as trade shows, so there are no new products as such (You can feast your eyes on a DDR5-10000 Vengeance kit which uses CKD), but the company made two new accessory announcements for its Vengeance and Dominator product lines. For Vengeance, Corsair's mainstream and performance-segment memory line, the company announced Corsair Custom Lab, a service that allows you to customize die-cast designs onto the module's heat spreaders. We've seen a few examples at CES, but we're sure there will be more. The Custom Lab Vengeance RGB modules should be available in Q1 2025.

Cooler Master Unveils the Ncore 100 Air SFF Chassis at CES 2025

Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the Ncore 100 Air, a small form factor (SFF) PC case crafted for gamers, content creators, and SFF enthusiasts. Designed to streamline PC building and upgrading, the Ncore 100 Air features an open, tool-less design, an innovative expandable design and compatibility with the latest hardware, ensuring users can easily keep up with their performance needs while enjoying a sleek, minimalistic look.

The Ncore 100 Air builds on Cooler Master's commitment to empowering users to create high-performance PCs in small spaces. Designed with modern users in mind, this case delivers the perfect blend of power, versatility, and minimalism, supporting the latest GPUs, ITX motherboards, and SFX power supply units while maintaining an efficient thermal layout.

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces ROG Slash 4.0 Travel Bag Series

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Slash Sling Bag 4.0, ROG Slash Sleeve 4.0, and ROG Backpack 4.0—all of which are new additions to the ROG urban gear range. Boasting bold aesthetics and functional designs, these bags are the ideal lifestyle travel gear for the urban jungle.

Compact commuter
The ROG Slash Sling Bag 4.0 offers a sleek and elegant carrying case for the ROG Ally or other gaming handhelds, complete with soft inner lining and custom cutouts to safely secure the device. Built from tear- and water-resistant materials, the Sling Bag 4.0 is designed to protect gear from inclement weather as well as the bumps and knocks of daily life. A magnetic Fidlock quick-release buckle enables easy access to the main compartment, while 360° snap hooks and adjustable shoulder straps ensure the bag is always perfectly suited to the user's body and preferred carrying position. Custom ROG monograms inside the bag and ROG logo on the exterior fabric accentuate the bag's bold style.

G.Skill Demos DDR5-8133 2x24GB CSO-DIMM on ASRock DeskMini B860 System

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd, the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, demonstrates high-speed DDR5 CSO-DIMM memory operating at DDR5-8133 with 48 GB (2x24GB) kit capacity on the newly announced ASRock DeskMini B860 system. CSO-DIMM is a relatively new form factor that adds a clock driver (CKD) onto the compact SO-DIMM design, and is supported by the latest platform generation with Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors.

DDR5-8133 48 GB (2x24GB) Extreme Speed with CSO-DIMM Modules
Thanks to the ASRock DeskMini B860 system that implements DDR5 CSO-DIMM support and provides outstanding memory overclock performance, G.SKILL is able to unleash the ultimate overclock potential of the new high-speed CSO-DIMM memory kits. The screenshot below shows the G.SKILL CSO-DIMM memory kit with 48 GB (2x24GB) running at DDR5-8133 CL46-52-52-130 with the ASRock B860M-STX motherboard and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 desktop processor.

Advantech Enhances AI and Hybrid Computing With Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) S-Series

Advantech, a leader in embedded IoT computing solutions, is excited to introduce their AI-integrated desktop platform series: the Mini-ITX AIMB-2710 and Micro-ATX AIMB-589. These platforms are powered by Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) S-Series, featuring the first desktop processor with an integrated NPU, delivering up to 36 TOPS for superior AI acceleration. Designed for data visualization and image analysis, both models offer PCIe Gen 5 support for high-performance GPU cards and feature 6400 MHz DDR5 memory, USB4 Type-C, multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 and 2.5GbE LAN ports for fast and accurate data transmission in real time.

The AIMB-2710 and AIMB-589 excel in high-speed computing and AI-driven performance, making them ideal for applications such as medical imaging, automated optical inspection, and semiconductor testing. Backed by comprehensive software support, these platforms are engineered for the next wave of AI innovation.

ENERMAX Launches New ATX 3.1 80 Plus Gold Power Supplies, REVOLUTION III and CyberG II Series

ENERMAX, an industry-leading force dedicated to design high-performance computer hardware and cooling solutions, announces its new 80 Plus Gold power supplies: REVOLUTION III and CyberG II series. Integrated with Intel ATX 3.1 and offering a max. 600 W 12V-2x6 cable, the new PSUs deliver competitive price-to-performance ratio to mainstream gamers. The REVOLUTION III series offers a fully modular design with premium individually mesh-sleeved cables and cable combs for effortless cable management. The 120 mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) fan ensures quiet operation, while the 100% Japanese capacitors guarantee long-lasting durability. The series is available with 650/750/850 W models.

The CyberG II series provides a non-modular solution with a sleek all-black flat cable design for easy installation. It is equipped with 100% Japanese capacitors and a 600 W 12V-2x6 cable for 750/850 W models while maintaining the trusted ENERMAX quality.

Ventiva Showcases Fan-less Cooling Solution in Intel-powered PC Concept

Ventiva, the leader in thermal solutions, today announced that its Ventiva ICE9 thermal management suite is being featured in a fan-less proof-of-concept laptop design, powered by Intel Lunar Lake processors at CES. By collaborating with Dell Technologies and Intel on the PC design, this concept introduces a new level of silent productivity for sub-12 mm laptops.

"Ventiva ICE technology offers a revolutionary approach to help achieve thin, light, and silent laptop designs that offer great performance," said Josh Newman, Vice President, Client Computing Group, and General Manager, Product Marketing & Management, Intel. "Intel is excited about the result of the close co-engineering collaboration with Ventiva and Dell Technologies to help ready their technology for future Intel Core Ultra devices."

ASRock Announces Challenger Series Gaming Monitors CL25FFA and CL27FFA

ASRock, the global leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, mini PCs, gaming monitors and power supply units, today launches two light gaming monitors, the CL25FFA and CL27FFA. In competitive gaming, image quality and responsiveness are critical. Standard commercial monitors often fall short of meeting gamers' needs, which is why the CL25FFA and CL27FFA were developed. With a 120 Hz refresh rate, these monitors deliver an impressive balance of performance and affordability, offering gamers a superior alternative to commercial monitors.

120 Hz Refresh Rate for Smooth Visuals
The CL25FFA and CL27FFA are equipped with a 120 Hz refresh rate, significantly outperforming the standard 60 Hz refresh rate of most commercial monitors. This means double the frames per second, ensuring smoother gameplay. Whether it's high-speed FPS games or precision-dependent MOBA battles, these monitors provide a competitive edge, enabling gamers to stay ahead.

Bitspower at the 2025 International CES: Atlas Series AIO CLCs

Bitspower is known more for its DIY liquid cooling gear for the PC enthusiast, and workstation market segments, but is looking to broaden its reach. At the 2025 International CES, the company showed off its first all-in-one liquid CPU coolers—or at least their boxes. The Bitspower Atlas series of AIO CLCs come in 240 mm and 360 mm size variants, with black and white color variants. The pump-block has a cubical shape with coolant fittings coming from the side, and an infinity reflection ornament on top. The coolers include two or three of Bitspower's Griffin series 120 mm ARGB fans. The cooler uses a copper cold-plate and an aluminium radiator to stay in the market segment.

Each of the Griffin 120 mm ARGB fans included with the Atlas series AIOs turns at speeds of up to 2,200 RPM, pushing up to 83.83 CFM of airflow, at 2.77 mm H₂O static pressure, and around 38 dBA of noise. The company didn't mention bearing type. These fans can also be had in packs of 3. Bitspower also showed off its liquid cooling loop for 2P workstations or servers, as well as its premium AIOs built around its 2U radiators and 60 mm industrial fans. Lastly, there was an assortment of Concept X and Summit series CPU water blocks. We've seen many of these blocks at last year's CES and Computex, so nothing new to report here.

Xbox Developer_Direct Returns on January 23

It's time to get a look at what's next - Developer_Direct is back. On Thursday, January 23 at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK, fans will get an inside look at a selection of highly anticipated games coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass players this year.

Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct offers an in-depth look at upcoming titles, how they're being created, and who's creating them. We'll visit Compulsion Games in Montreal, Canada to learn more about South of Midnight, head to Montpellier, France to see Sandfall Interactive for a look at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stop by the legendary id Studios in Richardson, Texas to check in on DOOM: The Dark Ages, and visit a surprise location to see another studio's brand new game.

Corsair Shows Modular Frame 4000D PC Case at CES 2025

In addition to the Xeneon Edge LCD touchscreen which was the star of the show, a bunch of PSUs, memory modules, and storage devices, Corsair's new Frame 4000D PC case with the FRAME Modular System also caught our attention. The 4000 series was quite popular and it does not come as a surprise that Corsair is pushing for further innovations. By matching the popular system with the FRAME Modular Case System, which, according to Corsair, "sets a new standard for customization," giving users an option to modify, upgrade, and personalize the case with a variety of options.

The FRAME 4000D PC Case is a standard mid-tower ATX PC case built with steel and tempered glass materials, and 3D Y-pattern perforated front panel. The aforementioned FRAME Modular Case System, according to Corsair, gives users a PC case that can change and grow with their needs, with nearly limitless options. According to Corsair, it should offer 12.7 percent better airflow compared to the previous models. It also features Corsair's InfiniRail Fan Mounting System, which brings support for up to 200 mm fans at the front and 140 mm at the top. This means that it can house even larger fans like iCUE LINK RX140. It has three radiator mounting locations, front, top, and side, with support for dual 360 mm radiators.

GameMax Introduces Dragon Knight 2 Full Tower Chassis

GameMax, an emerging brand of PC gaming components including gaming cases and power supply units, is thrilled to announce the Dragon Knight 2 full-tower gaming PC chassis. Designed for high-end gaming PC and workstation configurations, the GameMax Dragon Knight 2 features a massive interior with extensive hardware support.

The Dragon Knight 2 full-tower chassis supports up to an E-ATX motherboard, up to 8x HDDs, and has 8 PCIE slots for add-in-cards and expansions other than graphics cards. It has a built-in HDD hotswap bay on the top panel that's easily accessible. The Dragon Knight 2 comes with 5 pre-installed ARGB fans out of the box providing excellent cooling and good value for builders. The ARGB fans are fully customizable and can be synchronized with the rest of the system via the motherboard. With its cutting-edge features and sophisticated aesthetics, the Dragon Knight 2 is poised to captivate gamers and PC enthusiasts worldwide.

AAEON Breaks into the Graphics Card Market with the Intel Arc GPU-Powered GAR-A750E

AAEON, has today announced the release of the GAR-A750E, the company's first advanced graphics card. Built on Intel Arc A750E GPU architecture, the GAR-A750E features 28 Xe-Cores and supports a variety of advanced AI development frameworks in a discreet 236 mm x 109 mm x 42 mm form factor. Designed to handle intensive AI workloads, the GAR-A750E offers substantial raw computing power, with a graphics turbo frequency of 2400 MHz alongside the AI task acceleration capabilities of 448 Intel XMX Engines. Along with its high performance benchmark, the card's Intel Deep Link Technology support—which includes Hyper Compute, Hyper Encode, and Stream Assist - allows it to optimize the Intel Arc A750E GPU's capabilities while maximizing efficiency for efficient multi-tasking and accelerated workflows.

The GAR-A750E is easily integrated into a number of systems and motherboards via PCIe Gen 4 (x16) interface, with AAEON already having confirmed its suitability for use with a number of its own industrial motherboard platforms, including the ATX-Q670A, MAX-Q670A, and MIX-Q670A1, all supporting 13th Generation Intel Core CPUs and built on the Intel Q670E Chipset.

VESA Demoes ClearMR 21000 Displays and DP80LL Cable at CES 2025

One of two big standard announcements at CES this year was the new addition of DP80LL active cables, that extends the range of UHBR20 cables from one meter to at least three meters. In fact, the cable that VESA was showing at CES was 3.5 meters long. To be fair, it has already been possible to make longer 80 Gbps DisplayPort cables, but there hasn't been a certification that guarantees that the cables will work. As we know, it's easy for a company to make claims about their cables that often mean very little in practical terms and with a very limited range of DP 2.1 graphics cards and monitors on the market, it has been impossible as a consumer to verify some of the claims. Starting this year however, it seems like DP 2.1 will take off and as such, it's great to see that VESA finally has a certification in place, so consumers can buy the right cables with confidence.

In addition to the new DP80LL cables, VESA was demoing several ClearMR 21000 displays and for those that have forgotten what ClearMR is, it's VESA's certification standard for measuring motion blur. ClearMR 21000 is the highest tier of ClearMR and it's pretty much exclusive to high refresh-rate OLED type displays. The ClearMR 21000 tier was announced at the end of last year, so the monitors on display are some of the very first to receive this certification level. In addition to this, the world's first display to gain VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification—which was a laptop display—was also shown. It's made by Samsung Display, but beyond that we don't have much in terms of technical details, but it delivers 1000 nits peak brightness and it can deliver 120 percent of the DCI-P3 colour space, which puts it squarely in the professional display category.

Corsair Shows off 2025 RMe Series and 2025 HXi Series PSUs at CES

Corsair at the 2025 CES showed off its latest power supply units. At CES, the company is debuting its 2025 RMe line of performance-segment PSUs. These meet the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 CEM standards, and offer Cybenetics Gold rated switching efficiency, along with Cybenetics A acoustic rating. The PSU uses a 120 mm fan, along with a zero RPM mode for most low-load situations. The 2025 RMe series comes in four variants based on wattage, the RM650e, RM750e, RM850e, and RM1000e. The 750 W, 850 W, and 1000 W models put out a 12V2x6 that's capable of 600 W continuous power delivery, while the 650 W model puts out a 450 W capable 12V2x6.

Next up, are updates to Corsair's enthusiast-segment HXi series. The new 2025 HXi series comes in two high-wattage models, the HX1200i, and the HX1500i. The HXi series in its 2025 refresh is updated with ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 CEM compliance. These offer Cybenetics Platinum switching efficiency, and Cybenetics A acoustic rating. The 140 mm fan cooling these are programmed with a zero RPM mode. You can take control of its fan curve by connecting the PSU to a USB 2.0 header and using the Corsair iCUE software. Both the 1200 W and 1500 W models offer two 12V2x6 connectors, both of which are 600 W capable. The 2025 RMe series is available now, but the 2025 HXi series should be available some time in Q2 2025.

NVIDIA Brings PC RTX Gaming Everywhere With GeForce NOW at CES

This GFN Thursday recaps the latest cloud announcements from the CES trade show, including GeForce RTX gaming expansion across popular devices such as Steam Deck, Apple Vision Pro spatial computers, Meta Quest 3 and 3S, and Pico mixed-reality devices. Gamers in India will also be able to access their PC gaming library at GeForce RTX 4080 quality with an Ultimate membership for the first time in the region. This follows expansion in Chile and Columbia with GeForce NOW Alliance partner Digevo. More AAA gaming is on the way, with highly anticipated titles DOOM: The Dark Ages and Avowed joining GeForce NOW's extensive library of over 2,100 supported titles when they launch on PC later this year. Plus, no GFN Thursday is complete without new games. Get ready for six new titles joining the cloud this week.

Head in the Clouds
CES 2025 is coming to a close, but GeForce NOW members still have lots to look forward to. Members will be able to play over 2,100 titles from the GeForce NOW cloud library at GeForce RTX quality on Valve's popular Steam Deck device with the launch of a native GeForce NOW app, coming later this year. Steam Deck gamers can gain access to all the same benefits as GeForce RTX 4080 GPU owners with a GeForce NOW Ultimate membership, including NVIDIA DLSS 3 technology for the highest frame rates and NVIDIA Reflex for ultra-low latency.

Corsair Xeneon Edge Touchscreen is Your Monitor's Copilot

The new Xeneon Edge is a 14.5-inch LCD touchscreen that's meant to be installed in the gap between your main monitor and the base of its stand or table as shown below. The concept borrows heavily from automobiles. Imagine the monitor is your windshield, and the Xeneon Edge is your instrument cluster. It plugs into HDMI (for display input) and USB (for the touchscreen HID), or can even plug into a USB-C that passes DisplayPort through. The display has a fairly high resolution of 2560 x 720 pixels, and can be used to display and input a variety of widgets as shown in the example below. For gamers, this could mean pushing your HUD or simulator dials down to this, freeing up FOV on your main display. The touchscreen takes up to 5 points of multitouch. The display has a magnetized rear, and can be made to latch onto one of the metal panels of your case à la HYTE Y70 Touch, as shown below. Corsair plans to make the Xeneon Edge available in Q2 2025.

IceGiant Shows Off AIO CLCs Powered by ProSiphon Technology—No Pumps

IceGiant at the 2025 International CES showed us their ProSiphon TITAN series CPU coolers for workstations and gaming desktops. These are closed loop liquid CPU coolers based on the ProSiphon technology IceGiant innovated. It works on the fluid siphon technology, where a thermal gradient in the loop drives coolant instead of a pump. Heat dissipates more efficiently to the coolant, and there's no crackling noise from the pump. The only downside to this are that the siphon tubes are rigid and you have to plan your build well.

There were two models on display. The TITAN-TR 360 is designed for AMD Socket SP5 or sTR5, which seats Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series workstation processors, which is a testament to the technology. Some of the processor models in the Threadripper WX7000 series come with TDP as high as 350 W. The other cooler shown is the ProSiphon TITAN 360, which is designed for mainstream desktop CPU socket types, such as AM5 and LGA1851. The cooler can tame high-power flagship chips from Intel and AMD, such as the top-spec Ryzen 9 9000X3D series with their 170 W TDP and 230 W PPT, or the Core Ultra 9 285K with its 125 W base- and 250 W maximum turbo power. IceGiant is backing the coolers with lifetime warranty, although the included fans come with 6-year warranties. The company says that the cooler will outlast the fan, unlike in the case of pump-based CLCs that give in to pump wear and structural degradation over time.
Thursday, January 9th 2025
LAMZU Maya X Review

LAMZU Maya X Review

Aside from being larger than the regular Maya, the ambidextrous Maya X also comes with LAMZU's latest tech: PixArt's PAW3950 sensor, Omron optical main button switches, LAMZU scroll wheel encoder, a 48 g lightweight build, and the 8K dongle included by default.

G.Skill and Enermax Partner with Splave for Memory and PSUs Built to His Specs

You've seen Splave on top of overclocking leaderboards, get ready to see him on PC hardware store shelves. The professional overclocker now has a line of high-end PC memory kits and power supplies in partnership with G.Skill and Enermax. The new Enermax Revolution DFX Pro 1350 W Splave Edition (the show demo was a different model as proof of concept) has a few features custom designed by him. The first one is a button that flushes all capacitors to make sure there's no residual power left in it when the AC input is switched off. Overclockers tend to need this between resets, and even waste a few seconds waiting on their PSUs to drain, or getting their motherboards to do that job (not recommended). The PSU has individually sleeved cables that are designed to not get in the way, and make them easier to manage; and the fan is configured to turn backwards for 20 seconds, blowing air out, each time the PSU is sent an ACPI shutdown command.

Cougar Debuts New Omnyx & Airface Cases at CES 2025

The TechPowerUp team was invited up to Cougar's Las Vegas suite where two new PC cases sat alongside a familiar product. A brand rep started proceedings by introducing the white Omnyx RGB case—featuring a symmetric design with two tempered glass panels (one on top and another across the front face). Cougar's engineering team has implemented a novel modular I/O system—users can reposition this panel around the enclosure's base. The Omnyx's lower chamber provides a convenient hideaway space for a power supply, while the spacious upper section is dedicated to displaying visually striking components.

Cougar's Omnyx RGB case is supplied with four pre-installed 160 mm RGB cooling fans—an additional three can be added aftermarket. The enclosure's cable management compartment resides behind the motherboard tray, thus keeping clutter away from the main interior chamber. The Omnyx is ready to support motherboards with back connectors—convenient timing, since hardware manufacturers are sending more of these products to market.

Pimax Debuts First Retina-Level VR Headset Crystal Super at CES2025

Pimax, a global leader in high-performance VR technology, debuted its Crystal Super headset on the world stage at CES2025, letting global media get their first taste with the 29 million pixel VR headset.

The world meets the Crystal Super
The Crystal Super is Pimax's latest flagship headset, featuring a resolution of 3840x3840 per eye, meaning it's the first VR headset reaching retina levels of clarity. Glass aspheric lenses provide 57 PPD at over 120° horizontal field of view, with an incredible brightness of 280 nits.

Inno3D Shows GeForce RTX 50 Series at CES 2025, Including iChill Frostbite Edition

Inno3D, a devoted NVIDIA partner showcased at CES 2025 its own implementations of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture. Inno3D custom cooling solutions include the impressive iChill Frostbite liquid cooling and the huge iChill air cooling alternative complemented by the X3 and Twin X2 solutions. Before moving on we like to mention that all the graphics cards, even the RTX 5090 are powered by a single 12-pin connector.

Immediately our eyes observed the iChill Frostbite GeForce RTX 5090 dual-slot graphic cards with an impressive liquid cooling system, something enthusiasts looking for a compact yet high-performance system will surely desire. Next to it, even a blind man could not miss the huge iChill X3 RTX 5080, a 3.5-slot monster. The gargantuan proportions are due to the oversized cooling solution that relies on a combination of three fans (with the outer fans rotating in an anticlockwise direction to reduce turbulence and improve airflow), a huge vapor chamber complemented by a heatsink and a custom backplate that aid hot air extraction to protect the PCB from overheating.

MSI Showcases Force GK600 TKL Keyboards & Versa Wireless Mice at CES 2025

The MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wireless gaming keyboard is making quite the impression at CES 2025—a reported $80 price point is remarkable when cross-examined with the product's specification and feature set. The TechPowerUp team believes that rival brands with equivalently appointed keyboard models would charge a lot more. MSI had three color options on display: Sky, Violet and Pink. The latter was powered up for demonstration purposes—TPU observed RGB lighting and the operational (top-right positioned) status screen. KTT HIFI Linear mechanical switches are factory installed, but users can replace these with their preferred brand/model—the keyboard's hot-swappable PCB design comes into play here.

MSI did not skimp on the keycap front—"robust" PBT material should resist wear and not become shiny over time. The keycap legends are dye-sublimated according to product placards. The Forge GK600 TKL Wireless also comes with gasket mounting and sound-dampening layers—ideal for a satisfyingly rattle-free typing experience. Tri-mode connectivity is mentioned on the spec sheet—comprised of 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth and wired modes. A generous high-capacity 4000 mAh battery keeps things ticking along—ideal for extended gaming or productivity sessions.

Firaxis Announces Civilization VII's Steam Deck Verification

The Firaxis team is happy to announce that Sid Meier's Civilization VII is officially Steam Deck Verified! Whether you're at home or on the go, get ready to take one more turn when Civilization VII launches on February 11, 2025! The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meier's Civilization VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!

In Civilization VII, your strategic decisions shape the unique cultural lineage of your evolving empire. Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history and steer the course of your story by choosing a new civilization to represent your empire in each Age of human advancement. Construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations as you explore the far reaches of the unknown world. Pursue prosperity in an immersive solo experience or play with others in online multiplayer.

MSI Shows Off MEG Vision, Aegis & Codex AI Gaming PCs at CES 2025

MSI presented multiple pre-built AI gaming desktop PCs at CES—their showroom tables were laden with offerings from the MEG, Aegis, Vision and Codex families. A lot of high-end components were mentioned on neighboring spec sheet placards—MSI has picked up the latest processor technology from Intel and AMD. Most of the showcased systems are not cutting-edge enough to feature NVIDIA's RTX 50 "Blackwell" series. A big exception is their second generation MEG VISION X AI gaming desktop—a specific GPU model was not mentioned, but it would be safe to assume that a custom MSI GeForce RTX 5090 card would be worthy enough for such a fancy system. Certain press outlets have reported that MSI organized a preview event last October—a lucky few inspected the MEG VISION X AI 2nd during a factory tour.

Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K "Arrow Lake-S" processor is reportedly a constant across all MEG VISION X AI 2nd build configurations. MSI has not revealed pricing, but industry experts reckon that the most expensive variant could be configured with the market's top-tier GPU, memory and storage options. Customers are encouraged to update hardware in the future—a product placard states that internals are easily accessed and simple to upgrade. A TechPowerUp staffer felt the need to examine the MEG VISION X AI 2nd's "AI HMI" touch screen interface. This unique selling point—with AI functionality—absolutely dominates the case's front panel.

HP Shaping the Future of Play at CES 2025

Today's gamers are not just players; we are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow's workforce. As someone who recognizes the incredible potential within our gaming community, I'm committed to supporting your journey both in and out of the game. In our latest announcements focusing on the future of play and work, we've shared exciting updates across various fronts, including some major innovations in gaming. I'm thrilled to introduce even more gear designed to enhance your gaming experience. From the powerful OMEN 16 Laptop and the compact OMEN 16L Desktop to our stunning new OMEN displays and precise HyperX mice, I can't wait to dive into the details and show you how these products will elevate your play and keep you ahead of the curve. We're not just creating innovations; we're shaping the future of play.

Power and Performance for All: The OMEN 16 Laptop and OMEN 16L Desktop
At HP, your feedback is our guiding star. You told us you want smooth, immersive gameplay on machines that stay cool and quiet; we created the third-generation OMEN 16 to be our coolest and quietest version yet. The OMEN 16 elevates your gaming experience with cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design, keeping performance at its peak. Let's dive into the technical specifics.

LG Revealed a 6K Nano IPS Black Monitor with Thunderbolt 5 at CES 2025

Although the TPU team at CES haven't snagged any hands on pics of LG's latest monitor at the show as yet, it looks like the Korean electronics giant has decided to give Apple's Pro Display XDR a run for its money. The new UltraFine 32U990A is a 32-inch display with a 6K resolution, although the company hasn't detailed the specifics, but it's highly likely to be the same 6144 x 3456 resolution as Dell's UltraSharp U3224KB monitor, which also uses a Nano IPS Black panel. However, design wise, LG has taken a leaf out of Apple's book and gone for a metal look with a very Apple-esque stand design, for better or worse.

The 32U990A should be the world's first monitor with Thunderbolt 5 support, which can deliver up to 80 Gbps of data, or technically 120 Gbps when connected to a monitor, far more than would be needed to drive the display in this case. This also means that it's compatible with DisplayPort 2.1, although this might be exclusive via a USB Type-C port. The only other specs that LG has shared is that the panel offers a wide colour gamut, covering 99.5 percent of the Adobe RGB and 98 percent of the DCI-P3 colour space. The monitor also has calibration support, something that matters for those that work in product where colour accuracy matters. Expect this one to be pricey, as even Dell's rather munduane looking U3224KB is going for close to US$2,500.

Samsung Display Unveils Pioneering 27-Inch UHD 240 Hz and 500 Hz QD-OLED Panels at CES 2025

Samsung Display unveiled two new, game-changing QD-OLED panels today at the CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, that are expected to reinforce the company's plans to dominate the premium, self-luminous monitor market.

The new products includes the world's first 27-inch UHD (3840x2160) OLED panel with 240 Hz refresh rate and 27-inch 500 Hz OLED panel with QHD (2560x1440) resolution, boasting the highest refresh rate when compared to OLED displays currently on the market with the same resolution. Recently, global electronics manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics, ASUS, MSI, and others, announced the launch of their 2025 monitor lineups featuring these panels. Samsung Display intends to commence mass production of both panels in the first half of the year.

Linux Foundation Announces the Launch of Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers

The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, today announced the launch of Supporters of Chromium-Based Bowsers. This initiative aims to fund open development and enhance projects within the Chromium ecosystem, ensuring broad support and sustainability for open source contributions that will drive technological advancement.

"With the launch of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, we are taking another step forward in empowering the open source community," said Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. "This project will provide much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects within the Chromium ecosystem."

Xbox Game Pass Kicks Off 2025 with Diablo 1, EA Sports UFC 5 and more...

Welcome to our first "Coming Soon" announcement for 2025! And special welcome to all you new friends that picked up gaming hardware the last few weeks. Let's get you prepped for what to install or play next. To the games!

Road 96 (Cloud, Console, and PC) - available now!
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard. Returning to the Game Pass library, Road 96 is a crazy, beautiful road-trip. On this risky road trip to the border, you'll meet incredible characters and discover their intertwined stories and secrets in an ever-evolving adventure. But every mile opens a choice to make. Your decisions will change your adventure, change the people you meet, and maybe even change the world.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Benchmarked in 3D Mark Time Spy Extreme and Speed Way

Although it has only been a few days since the RDNA 4-based GPUs from Team Red hit the scene, it appears that we have already been granted a first look at the 3D Mark performance of the highest-end Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, and to be perfectly honest, the scores seemingly live up to our expectations - although with disappointing ray tracing performance. Unsurprisingly, the thread has been erased over at Chiphell, but folks have managed to take screenshots in the nick of time.

The specifics reveal that the Radeon RX 9070 XT will arrive with a massive TBP in the range of 330 watts, as revealed by a FurMark snap, which is substantially higher than the previous estimated numbers. With 16 GB of GDDR6 memory, along with base and boost clocks of 2520 and 3060 MHz, the Radeon RX 9070 XT managed to rake in an impressive 14,591 points in Time Spy Extreme, an around 6,345 points in Speed Way. Needless to say, the drivers are likely far from mature, so it is not outlandish to expect a few more points to get squeezed out of the RDNA 4 GPU.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ Handheld Gaming PC Showcased at CES 2025

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ gaming handhelds were previewed late last year—powered by Intel's Lunar Lake Core Ultra APUs and "enhanced with XeSS" graphics technology. MSI's first generation Claw models (based on Intel Meteor Lake Core Ultra processors) launched around early 2024 and struggled to keep up with the competition—many rivals utilized the highly performant AMD Ryzen Z1 APU series. The MSI gaming division has knuckled down on implementing many improvements with its second-gen handhelds—namely a bump up to Team Blue's Core Ultra 7 258V processor. TechPowerUp made a return trip to the Taiwanese multinational's CES floor space in order to find out more. The Claw 8 AI+'s two-tone design was very striking—drawing many eyes away from the muted black shell present on its smaller sibling (Claw 7 AI+).

Company representatives were happy to inform TPU about the aforementioned improvements—comfort levels have been boosted thanks to re-shaped contouring and all control inputs have been re-tuned for precision and easier operation. Users will find it easier to navigate the system's multi-platform interface, thanks to an extensively updated MSI Center M application. The demonstration units were running Steam during TechPowerUp's photo session. MSI has selected IPS display technology for its eight and seven-inch screens—picky customers prefer OLED on their handhelds. We will be witnessing another major battle between Intel and AMD APUs across the 2025 portable gaming market—Lunar Lake versus Strix Point. MSI has already sent Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ evaluation units to several outlets—early impressions are promising.

XYZ Debuts With PC Chassis, Power Supplies and Cooling Solutions at CES 2025

CES 2025 marked the worldwide debut of XYZ brand, a company that is not really a newcomer to the field. Actually, it was founded in 2007 by engineers and hardware experts, and in 2021 they conceived the XYZ brand with a focus on "enhancing the PC user experience to exceptional levels." The TechPowerUp team made their way towards XYZ's booth at CES where a plethora of products were on display. From PC chassis series like Atom, Quantum, Tesseract, Airwave, Trifecta, Aurorax, Airone, and Qubex, to the Thermax air coolers family, AIOs like Aquapulse, Hydrotemp and Hydraview, Vortex and Pulsar fans, to power supply units like the Phantom and Hypervolt series.

We will go over each of them in a few moments (words), but what we would like to mention straightforward is that XYZ brand arrived with a very distinct and clear lineup of products, featuring a minimalist approach that relies on white and black tones with some dashes of color from RGB lighting, doubled by straight lines and sharp edges and corners. XYZ's lineup looks unified, which makes us believe that the company has a clear vision about how they want to present themselves.

Supermicro Begins Volume Shipments of Max-Performance Servers Optimized for AI, HPC, Virtualization, and Edge Workloads

Supermicro, Inc. a Total IT Solution Provider for AI/ML, HPC, Cloud, Storage, and 5G/Edge is commencing shipments of max-performance servers featuring Intel Xeon 6900 series processors with P-cores. The new systems feature a range of new and upgraded technologies with new architectures optimized for the most demanding high-performance workloads including large-scale AI, cluster-scale HPC, and environments where a maximum number of GPUs are needed, such as collaborative design and media distribution.

"The systems now shipping in volume promise to unlock new capabilities and levels of performance for our customers around the world, featuring low latency, maximum I/O expansion providing high throughput with 256 performance cores per system, 12 memory channels per CPU with MRDIMM support, and high performance EDSFF storage options," said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. "We are able to ship our complete range of servers with these new application-optimized technologies thanks to our Server Building Block Solutions design methodology. With our global capacity to ship solutions at any scale, and in-house developed liquid cooling solutions providing unrivaled cooling efficiency, Supermicro is leading the industry into a new era of maximum performance computing."

xMEMS Shows New Cooling Solutions a Range of New MEMS based Speaker Drivers at CES 2025

xMEMS is a company that so far is best known for its MEMS—or microelectromechanical systems—based speaker drivers, but since around the middle of last year, the company has also developed a range of MEMS based cooling solutions. The xMEMS µCooling is competing with a range of new cooling solutions from several new companies and, although their current solution is unlikely to find its way into laptops today, the company has tested to cool hotter running chips using multiple MEMS µCooling modules to great success. The XMC-2400—also known as Sequoia—is the first product and it has an airflow of up to 35 cubic centimeters per second, which isn't a huge amount, but the cooler is said to be inaudible during operation and it also has the added benefit of being waterproof and the entire MEMS cooling module can be soldered in place. At an estimated power consumption of a mere 30 mW, it's also a very power efficient cooling solution. xMEMS had some demos at its booth, of which the one pictured below shows the XMC-2400 blowing or sucking air, with a small fan-wheel spinning to show the movement of the air. Another showcased the static pressure, pushing air through tubing and into a beaker filled with water. Potential applications include removing hot air from phones, although we may see some smaller SoCs getting cooled too.

Endgame Gear Showcases 8K Gaming Mice & Hall Effect Keyboard at CES 2025

Endgame Gear has displayed plenty of their OP and XM gaming mice at this week's CES trade event—TechPowerUp discovered that wired options outnumbered the brand's popular wireless models. The addition of limited edition colorway has certainly boosted the count of wired 8K mice—Endgame Gear's "Purple Frost" finish OP1 8K model attracted immediate attention when TPU headed over to the gaming peripheral's counter. The standard black variant was reviewed by pzogel last summer—earning "Editor's Choice" and "Innovation" rewards.

EINAREX Debuts PC Case Range at CES 2025

EINAREX seems to be a fledgling brand, but the TechPowerUp team was impressed with the company's wide selection of products on show at the January CES event. EINAREX's CPU coolers and power supplies have already received coverage, but it is high time to take a look at their case range. This group is split into three distinct series: Pulse, Zenith and Prisma. Wood panels have become an increasingly common sight on PC enclosures—EINAREX's compact M-ATX Pulse PM400 model is a new candidate in this field. A stylish exterior is combined with an interior that is optimized for airflow—builders can mount up to nine cooling fans and the top section can accommodate a 240 mm liquid cooler. TPU sleuthing revealed that there is no USB-C port on the top I/O panel—up here you get two USB 3.0 ports and a combined audio/mic 3.5 mm jack.

EINAREX is targeting the enthusiasts and elite content creator market with its Zenith ZM800 model—this M-ATX flagship case sports glass panels on the front and side—thus providing a full panoramic view of its interior space. The CES demonstration sample is a white enclosure (also available in black) equipped with four RGB fans. Non-RGB "Core" white and black variants are listed on the ZM800 product page. Builders can fit a maximum of seven 120 mm cooling fans, and there is plenty of room and multiple mounting points to take on a 360 mm liquid cooler.

PNY Reveals New Performance DDR5 Notebook Memory Upgrade Kits

PNY today announced the specifications and availability of its high-performance DDR5 notebook memory, offered in 64 GB (2x32GB) and 32 GB (2x16GB) kits. Designed for tech enthusiasts, creators, and gamers who demand unrivaled performance, premium quality, and blazing-fast speeds, this new memory module harnesses the power of DDR5, runs at 5600 MHz, and features a CAS latency of 46.

Next Generation Technology
PNY Performance DDR5 is built to support the growing lineup of motherboards compatible with the new DDR5 memory standard. This cutting-edge technology introduces a host of new features previously unavailable or limited in earlier generations of notebook memory. DDR5 enables higher-density modules, with capacities up to four times greater per module than DDR4 and supports faster standard frequencies. PNY's Performance DDR5 memory offers speeds of 5600 MHz for outstanding performance and is available in 64 GB (2x32GB) and 32 GB (2x16GB) kits.

Minisforum to Unveil AI X1 Mini PC and N5 Pro NAS at CES 2025

Minisforum, a leader in innovative compact computing solutions, is thrilled to announce its participation in CES 2025, the world's premier technology showcase. Minisforum will unveil two game-changing products: the AI X1 Mini PC and the N5 Pro NAS as part of its commitment to pushing technological boundaries.

Minisforum AI X1 Mini PC: Where AI Meets Compact Computing
The Minisforum AI X1 Mini PC sets a new benchmark in miniaturized computing, leveraging the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, the NO.1 Low Power Efficiency Chip. Designed for seamless AI integration, it utilizes cutting-edge features such as:
  • Copilot AI Compatibility: Elevating productivity and optimizing workflows with intelligent AI integration.
  • 60+ FPS 3 A Gaming: Powered by the AMD Radeon 890M, delivering smooth, high-quality visuals.
  • Versatile Extension Support: Featuring Dual USB4 and Oculink for enhanced connectivity and expansion.

Thermaltake Launches TT RGB PLUS 3.0 Software for Next-Level RGB Control and System Management

Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, is proud to announce the release of the TT RGB PLUS 3.0, an upgraded all-in-one software platform designed to enhance the TT RGB PLUS ecosystem. Building on the foundation of its predecessor, the 3.0 version introduces an optimized interface, expanded compatibility, and advanced features to provide seamless system integration and customization for PC enthusiasts. The new software update, scheduled for release in Q1 2025, supports a broader range of products, including the TS120/140 EX RGB Fans (3-Fan Pack), the Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1650 W / 1250 W Titanium, and the MAGFloe and MAGCurve AIO Liquid Coolers.

"Thermaltake's TT RGB PLUS 3.0 software takes system customization to the next level by integrating advanced functionality features and expanding product compatibility," said Kenny Lin, CEO of Thermaltake,"This upgrade reflects our commitment to empowering users with innovative tools for personalized RGB illumination, performance monitoring, and seamless system management. Whether to enhance aesthetics or optimize functionality, TT RGB PLUS 3.0 is designed to meet the diverse needs of PC enthusiasts and gamers."

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Hands On, Taken Apart

At the 2025 International CES, we went hands on with the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition "Blackwell" graphics card. This thing is huge—longer and taller than the RTX 4090 FE, and yet just 2 slots thick. This is because NVIDIA's designers have figured out that the heat dissipation area of the heatsink lost to thinning the card can be recovered by stretching it in other directions. The card retains the essential aesthetic of Founders Edition cards from the past two generations going back to the RTX 30-series, but changes the concept of the dual-axial flow-through.

While past generations used an intake fan on one side, blowing onto the PCB, and another fan at the tail end of the backplate pull air through the heatsink and out the back, the RTX 5090 FE has two large fans, both of which blow cold air through the heatsink, and out the back of the card. The PCB is located in the center of the card, and relies on a set of breakout PCBs for host interface and display outputs.

YEYIAN at CES 2025: Gaming PCs, 40-inch Monitor, and Height Adjustable PC Desk Case

YEYIAN Gaming has unveiled an ambitious lineup of gaming hardware at CES 2025, featuring advanced PCs, monitors, and peripherals designed for professional gamers and content creators. During TechPowerUp's hands-on session in Las Vegas, where the showcase runs, we got an in-depth look at their latest products. Star of YEYIAN's exhibition is the GEMINI PRO PC, a high-performance gaming system housed in a dual-chamber fish tank case with digital display capabilities. The system integrates AMD's latest Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super graphics card, complemented by 64 GB of DDR5 memory and advanced cooling solutions. The system can maintain optimal temperatures under load with the 360 mm LCD AIO and seven ARGB fans.

New Raspberry Pi 5 With 16 GB Goes On Sale At $120

We first announced Raspberry Pi 5 back in the autumn of 2023, with just two choices of memory density: 4 GB and 8 GB. Last summer, we released the 2 GB variant, aimed at cost-sensitive applications. And today we're launching its bigger sibling, the 16 GB variant, priced at $120.

Why 16 GB, and why now?
We're continually surprised by the uses that people find for our hardware. Many of these fit into 8 GB (or even 2 GB) of SDRAM, but the threefold step up in performance between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 opens up use cases like large language models and computational fluid dynamics, which benefit from having more storage per core. And while Raspberry Pi OS has been tuned to have low base memory requirements, heavyweight distributions like Ubuntu benefit from additional memory capacity for desktop use cases. The optimized D0 stepping of the Broadcom BCM2712 application processor includes support for memories larger than 8 GB. And our friends at Micron were able to offer us a single package containing eight of their 16Gbit LPDDR4X die, making a 16 GB product feasible for the first time.

TOZO Shows Golden X2 Pro HiFi Wireless Earbuds at CES 2025

Audio manufacturer TOZO revealed its new Golden X2 Pro wireless earbuds at CES today, featuring dual digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and expanded smart features. These new earbuds are TOZO's push into the premium audio segment. The X2 Pro uses a hybrid driver system, pairing a 12 mm dynamic driver with a Knowles balanced armature. New earbuds support LDAC codec and Hi-Res Wireless Audio certification, with a frequency response ranging from 12 Hz to 44.1 kHz. The active noise cancellation system employs six microphones to reduce environmental noise by up to 50 decibels, while automatically adjusting to surrounding conditions. For spatial audio, the earbuds incorporate gyroscopic sensors to enable head tracking.

A notable hardware addition is the 1.47-inch color display built into the charging case, which shows battery status and allows users to adjust settings without using their phone. The earbuds also include a feature called Vocal Vibration Detection that automatically adjusts audio when the user starts speaking. On the software side, TOZO has added several AI-powered features through its companion app, including language translation, voice transcription, and meeting note generation. The implementation of these features and their effectiveness in real-world use remains to be tested.

Palit Announces Pandora, a Compact AI Computer Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX Super

Palit Microsystems, a global leader in graphics technology, introduces Pandora, its first AI computer powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX Super. Available in 8 GB and 16 GB configurations, it delivers 117 and 157 AI TOPS respectively, helping address the demand for high-performance edge AI computing. Compact at 123x145x66 mm and weighing only 470 g, Pandora is designed for space-constrained environments where performance and efficiency are critical. Its active cooling system ensures optimal thermal performance, enabling reliable operation during demanding tasks. Built to handle complex edge AI workloads, Pandora excels in applications such as smart retail, education, robotics, and generative AI, making it a versatile solution for diverse industries.

Features of Pandora
Pandora offers comprehensive connectivity with a wide range of I/O options, including dual 1G Ethernet ports, four USB ports with OTG functionality, an HDMI 2.0 interface, and audio input/output capabilities, ensuring seamless integration with peripherals for diverse AI applications. Equipped with a pre-installed 128 GB SSD, its advanced expandability includes four M.2 slots for simultaneous support of SSDs, Wi-Fi, and 5G/LTE modules. Features like MIPI inputs, an additional 14-pin UART, and CAN bus interfaces enhance compatibility with robotics, autonomous vehicles, and industrial systems, providing exceptional flexibility.

Biostar and DEEPX Showcase Advanced Edge AI Solutions at CES 2025

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of Edge AI embedded computers, IPC solutions motherboards, graphics cards, and PC peripherals, is excited to announce x86 Edge AI platform showcase at CES 2025. Scheduled to take place from January 7 to 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, BIOSTAR, in partnership with DEEPX, an AI semiconductor company from South Korea, will showcase cutting-edge x86 Edge AI solutions at DEEPX's booth (#9045) in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

DEEPX is a pioneering company in on-device AI. It develops advanced AI semiconductors that optimize performance, reduce power consumption, and enhance cost efficiency across various industries, including smart camera modules, smart mobility, smart factories, consumer electronics, smart cities, surveillance systems, and AI servers. Building upon their successful collaborations, BIOSTAR and DEEPX set to unveil their latest joint innovations at CES 2025, further enhancing their prominence in the industrial computing ecosystem.

GL.iNet Shows Off Upcoming Wi-Fi 7 Routers at CES 2025

Most of you might be familiar with GL.iNet as a manufacturer of cheap travel routers intended to share a hotel Wi-Fi connection with, but the company has expanded to more capable devices over the past couple of years and it's Flint 2 Wi-Fi 6 router has been a popular option, especially as it runs a fork of OpenWRT, but native support for OpenWRT is in the late stages of development. At CES the company was showing its upcoming Flint 3 router—also known as the GL-BE9300—although unfortunately we weren't given any more specs than the company has already shared in terms of what hardware is under the hood, this is as far as we're aware, the first time the Flint 3 has been publicly shown. That said, the model number suggests this should be a tri-band router that will most likely deliver up to 5760 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, 2880 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and finally 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. This somewhat disappointingly suggests that the router could be limited to a 2x2 antenna configuration on all three bands, if 320 MHz channel width is supported on the 6 GHz band. In terms of announced features, the Flint 3 is said to come with multi-WAN support that can do failover or load balancing, VPN client and server support and at least a pair of 2.5 Gbps LAN/WAN ports carried over from the Flint 2.

Also on display was the Slate 7 or GL-BE3600 which is GL.iNet's first Wi-Fi 7 travel router. This is most likely a 2x2 dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz router with speeds of up to 2882 Mbps for the 5 GHz band and 688 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz band. It too will offer VPN support and this is GL.iNet's first small form factor router with dual 2.5 Gbps ports. It is powered via a 12 Volt USB-C port and it has a USB 3.0 that can most likely be used for data sharing or a USB data dongle. The Slate 7 also appears to have a small LCD around the front that can generate QR codes to make it easier to connect to it. Finally GL.iNet showed off a new product range with the Comet—or GL-RM1 if you prefer—which the company refers to as an "open-source remote KVM". This connects to your PC or laptop via HDMI and USB to enable the KVM part and then the Ethernet port of the device is connected to your network to allow you to remotely access the computer. This is being touted as failsafe means of being able to access a system remotely, be it a PC, server or any other device with and HDMI port, although some precautions would have to be taken against the system losing power. It's a neat solution that isn't easy to DIY and hopefully it'll be priced reasonably, like most of GL.iNets products. All three products are expected to launch later this year.

RISC-V Breakthrough: SpacemiT Develops Server CPU Chip V100 for Next-Gen AI Applications

Recently, SpacemiT, a RISC-V AI CPU company from China, announced breakthrough progress in the development of its server CPU chip SpacemiT Vital Stone V100. It now provides a complete RISC-V CPU chip hardware and software platform that fully supports server specifications.

RISC-V CPU core X100, AIA and APLIC supporting interrupt virtualization, IOMMU supporting memory virtualization, IOPMP supporting security functions, LPC and eSPI supporting communication with mainstream BMCs, etc.
  • The 64-bit server-grade RISC-V CPU core X100 delivers a single-core performance of >9 points/GHz on SPECINT2006 at 2.5 GHz 12 nm. X100 supports the RVA23 Profile, full virtualization (Hypervisor 1.0, AIA 1.0, IOMMU), RAS features, Vector 1.0 extension, vector encryption and decryption, security, 64-core interconnect, and more.
  • The IOMMU IP adheres to the RISC-V IOMMU architecture specification and the AXI4-Stream DTI interface, supporting configurable DID, PID, virtual address, physical address width, and various levels of translation cache sizes. It can be flexibly integrated into different locations within the SoC bus system to enable distributed peripheral virtualization and accelerator acceleration.

EINAREX Fans, AIO CLCs, and CPU Air Coolers at 2025 International CES

EINAREX brought a slick little lineup of fans, AIO CLCs, and air-based CPU coolers, to the 2025 International CES. The EINAREX EX12CI is a premium and durable fan designed for moderate air pressure, but low noise due to the profile of its impeller blades. It features the company's unique lighting design consisting of four silicone diffusers near the edges of the fan frame, each with a couple of addressable RGB LEDs. The fan features a fluid-dynamic bearing. It comes in white and black. The EX12A trades some of that silence for higher airflow, with a different impeller profile. It retains the fluid-dynamic bearing, and lighting design.

The EINAREX Echo line of AIO CLCs come with two or three EX12A fans depending on the model and radiator size, which ventilate a 240 mm or 360 mm radiator. The star attraction with these is a cubical pump-block with what looks like a 2.7-inch true-color LCD. Besides radiator sizes, the Echo series come in white or black color trims. The EINAREX Vertex is essentially the same cooler as the Echo, but with a 3-D glass structure on top of the pump-block which displays the company logo as a hologram. There are addressable LEDs studded, so you can change the color of this holographic logo.

EINAREX Power Supply Showcase at 2025 International CES

EINAREX is a new entrant at this year's CES, and brought a large lineup of cases, coolers, fans, and power supplies. We begin our coverage with the PSUs. The Nexus series forms the company's upper-mid segment. These are contemporary with support for ATX 3.2 and PCIe 5.1 CEM readiness. The PSU boasts of Cybenetics Gold switching efficiency. The Nexus line comes in upper-mid Wattage, ranging from 750 W to 1200 W, offering full modular cabling, which includes a 600 W 12V2x6 connector. The Apex L1 series forms the company's mainstream segment offering, with partially modular cabling, along with Cybenetics Bronze switching efficiency.

The Apex LS series is a slight step up, with full modular cabling, ATX 3.0 + PCIe 5.0 readiness, and Cybenetics Silver efficiency. The Apex SFX series is designed to offer fairly high Wattage in the compact SFX form-factor. These come with full modular cabling, Cybenetics Bronze efficiency, and a 12V2x6 connector. This isn't the company's only SFX product, there's also the upmarket Nexus SFX, offering Cybenetics Gold efficiency, and more advanced ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 CEM.
Wednesday, January 8th 2025
Royal Kludge S85 TKL Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review

Royal Kludge S85 TKL Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review

The Royal Kludge RK S85 is an interesting take on the tenkeyless (TKL) form factor, providing you with 85 keys in addition to a large rotary wheel and a full-color LCD screen. It offers extensive customization over RGB back/side-lighting and hybrid wireless connectivity, with software support to further enhance the user experience, all for under $100.
HEDDphone TWO GT Air Motion Transformer Headphones Review

HEDDphone TWO GT Air Motion Transformer Headphones Review

HEDD Audio provides an alternative take to the more analytical sound from the innovative HEDDphone TWO with the brand new HEDDphone TWO GT, which uses rarely seen AMT drivers in a warmer, more musical tuning while retaining excellent detail retrieval in the same innovative and premium chassis from before.

TCOMAS Air and Liquid CPU Coolers at the 2025 CES

TCOMAS brought a slick lineup of air and liquid CPU coolers to the 2025 International CES. We begin our tour with the AF640, a premium aluminium dual fin-stack CPU cooler. Its most striking feature is its top-plate, which has an LED segment display that talks to software over a USB 2.0 header, and puts out system monitoring info from the ACPI—CPU temperature, fan speed, CPU power draw, clock speed, etc. The cooler includes a pair of pre-installed fans with custom frames. The external "push" fan is 92 mm, with a frame size of 108 mm x 125 mm x 30 mm; while the inner "pull" fan located between the two fin-stacks is a 120 mm, with a 125 mm x 125 mm x 30 mm frame. The two fans slide out from the sides. The cooler comes in black and white trims.

Next up, are the company's stackable fans. The F700 comes in packs of 3, and features a mechanical interlock that lets you stack these up on a radiator with cabling for just one fan. There are physical control buttons on each fan to control their spin direction. Illumination is care of a Gen 2 ARGB LED setup. Each fan features a double ball-bearing. It turns at speeds between 600 and 2,000 RPM. In its conventional direction, the fan pushes up to 67.5 CFM of airflow, at 3.42 mm H₂O static pressure, and up to 38 dBA of noise output. In the reverse setting, it does up to 70.33 CFM of airflow, at 3.53 mm H₂O static pressure, and 40.3 dBA of noise output.

Micron at the 2025 CES: Scripting a Strong Comeback to the Client and PC-DIY Segments

Micron at the 2025 International CES showed us product that hint at the company planning a strong comeback to the client and PC-DIY market segments. The company's Crucial brand is already a high-volume player in the client segment, but the company never really approached the enthusiast segment. Products like the company's new T705 Pro and P510 NVMe SSDs, and DDR5 Pro Overclocking memory, seek to change this. We begin our tour with PC memory, and the DDR5 Pro OC CUDIMMs. Crucial has jumped onto the CKD bandwagon, introducing memory modules and kits that come with DDR5-6400 out of the box, but which are geared for manual overclocking to take advantage of the 1β DRAM chips underneath (hence the name).

The company also showed us their first DDR5 CSODIMM suitable for the next generation of notebooks with HX-segment processors. This module comes with a CKD and a DDR5-6400 JEDEC-standard SPD profile out of the box. Lastly, there's the Micron-branded LPCAMM2, which comes in speeds of up to LPDDR5X-8533, and is suitable for the next generation of ultraportables.

PCCooler Air CPU Coolers at the 2025 CES: A Virtual Tour

PCCooler brought a vast lineup of high performance air CPU coolers to the 2025 CES. For now, the company hasn't assigned names to these models, referring to them with their generic cooler types. We begin our tour with the "5U dual-tower," a D-type dual fin-stack cooler with two fans in push-pull configuration, and a powerful pair of 140 mm high-RPM fans. There's also the 5U Single Tower, with a single included fan. Then there's the 4U cooler with an 80 mm fan, and a 3U passive heatsink that relies on your rack's airflow. The four coolers on this tray are meant for workstations and server's it's likely that they feature base for server/workstation sockets.

For the client segment, PCCooler brought a pair of top-flow fan-heatsinks, the RC400-53, a 53 mm-tall top-flow cooler with an 80 mm fan; and the larger RC600-67, a 67 mm-tall cooler that relies on a 15 mm-thick 120 mm fan for ventilation. The RT400 is the company's most affordable single tower cooler, it relies on four heat pipes, a fairly slim fin-stack, and a basic FDB-based 120 mm fan. The RZ400 V2 is a step-up, with a slightly thicker heatsink, a more premium FDB fan, a neat-looking top-plate, and cladding on the sides of the fan. For some reason, the design language of PCCooler reminds us a lot about DeepCool.

PCCooler AIO CLCs and Fans at 2025 CES

PCCooler brought a selection of new cooling produces to the 2025 International CES, and we begin our coverage with AIO liquid CPU coolers and fans. Right off the bat, we have the flagship DT360 ARGB Display, which gets its name from its 360 mm radiator, and of course, the 5-inch true-color display on top of the pump-block, which plugs into HDMI, and can be made to show just about anything. PCCooler includes its F7X120 ARGB fans with these coolers, which feature ARGB LED diffusers both in the impeller hubs, and along the bores of the frames. The coolers come with fluid-dynamic bearings.

Next up, is the DA360 LCD. A slightly premium variant of the DA### ARGB series, these come with LCD segment displays on their pump-blocks that put out coolant temperature readings. Lastly, we spied a DA240 ARGB, the company's mainstream AIO CLC with an infinity reflection ornament on the pump-block. Moving on to the company's case fan series, and the company put out the F5R120, and flagship F9R120 high-endurance fan. Both come with FDB bearings, the F9R120 is designed for high RPM and static-pressure, mainly for radiator applications.

Akko Shows Off Resin Keyboard & Colorful Cat Keycaps at CES 2025

Akko can be relied upon to bring splashes of color and zany printed graphics to trade events. A TechPowerUp staffer was refreshed—after poring over countless boxy products all day—by an assortment of the peripheral specialist's quirky keyboards, keycaps and oddball mice. Akko's YU01 "Jade" keyboard—comprised of a resin-crafted case and transparent PC plastic keycaps—drew plenty of interest from CES attendees. The opaque properties of this resin material produced some interesting results when combined with the YU01's internal RGB lighting—almost hypnotic when in motion. The chosen keycap font may offend purists, but Akko's design team has clearly gone for that unique factor.

The Akko Colorful Cats keycap set is destined to boost cuteness on any compatible keyboard—a 100% layout was showcased in Las Vegas. The (fittingly named) MAO profile sports a cat-ear shaped design. Akko's Bun Wonderland keycap set was visible on two keyboards—full-size/100% and 75% layouts. There are a variety of baked good graphics emblazoned across these "MOG Mushroom-style" profile keycaps—TPU observed all sorts of baguettes, biscuits, bits of toast, pretzels and bakeshop paraphernalia printed on PBT material.

Creative Project Alphard 1 DAC and Pebble Nova Speakers Pictured

At CES 2025, Creative showed off its next generation external streaming audio hub and DAC, the SXFI "Project Alphard 1." The unit is roughly the size of a mini PC. It takes input from a PC or Mac over USB-C, HDMI ARC from your TV or projector, Wi-Fi, and SPDIF (TOSLINK), with outputs to ARC, TOSLINK, and analog. The company also showed off its Pebble Nova desktop speakers. Compatible with USB, analog, and Bluetooth, the Pebble Nova may look like space-saving 2.0 speakers, but produce powerful stereo output with deep base. They are built on the same principles as premium Bluetooth portable speakers.

MAINGEAR Launches Desktops and Laptops with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs Based on Blackwell Architecture

MAINGEAR, the leader in premium-quality, high-performance gaming PCs, today announced its lineup of desktops and laptops equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring groundbreaking capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the GeForce RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Users can multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with the NVIDIA Studio platform.

Plus, NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows - are available with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

MAINGEAR Unveils Two New Premium APEX Liquid Cooled Desktop Gaming PCs

MAINGEAR, the leader in premium-quality, high-performance gaming PCs, just dropped the curtain on two groundbreaking additions to its APEX line: the all-new APEX FORCE and the upgraded APEX RUSH. These state-of-the-art gaming PCs redefine performance, cooling, and customization for the most discerning gamers.

APEX FORCE: There's No Replacement for Displacement
The APEX FORCE features a full-tower chassis design based on the popular Phanteks NV9, concealed rear external cable management, and panoramic tempered glass panels trimmed with a diffused illuminated edge, that maximizes the premium aesthetics of the FORCE. Inside, it's immediately noticeable that MAINGEAR spent countless hours precisely engineering the APEX hardline cooling system with 10-degree offset tubing to perfectly mate with the chassis' unique design language, making the FORCE a masterpiece of functional design and engineering. Upgradable RGB lighting accentuates the cooling components and premium hardware perfectly.

ZOTAC Shows New ZONE GAMING Handheld Prototype with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at CES 2025

We had a chance to get close and personal with the new ZOTAC ZONE GAMING prototype at the CES 2025 show. While it is not a final product, we had a chance to see it in action as it is a working prototype and thanks to updated hardware, it should provide much higher performance compared to the ZOTAC Zone that we had a chance to review last year.

The biggest update is the 4 nm Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. The Strix Point architecture brings 12-core/24-thread CPU (four performance and eight efficiency) based on Zen 5 architecture, 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 1 MB of L2 cache per core. It also comes with Radeon 890M, a RDNA 3.5 architecture GPU with 16 Compute Units. ZOTAC also increased the amount of LPDDR5X RAM to 32 GB and raised M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD storage space to 1 TB. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 has a standard TDP of 28 W, and a configurable TDP between 15 W and 54 W, so it gives ZOTAC a lot of room to work with. It also features 50 TOPS XDNA NPU.

Biwin Showcases Its Memory and Storage Solutions at CES 2025

Biwin, a PC memory, SSD, and flash storage product licensee for top-tier PC brands, launched its consumer brand in December 2024. Here at CES 2025, the TechPowerUp team headed over to Biwin's booth to check out up close the entire lineup of products ranging from SSDs in all shapes and sizes, and DRAM modules to memory cards, and card readers. The products on display were available on Amazon Japan in December 2024, followed by Amazon UK this January, and at the start of 2025, they will be available in Taiwan, APAC, Mexico, Latin America, and the Indian market.

Biwin showcased Black Opal premium SSDs and DRAM modules such as the Biwin Black Opal X570 PRO PCIe Gen 5x 4 NVMe 2.0 SSD capable of reaching read speeds of up to 14,000 MB/s. The Black Opal DW100 RGB DDR5 CUDIMM series stands out with 9200 MT/s and a CAS latency of CL42, a product tailored for professionals and enthusiasts. For mainstream users, Biwin presented SSDs, DRR5 memory modules, memory cards, card readers, and USB flash drives.

NVIDIA Redefines Game AI With ACE Autonomous Game Characters

The term 'AI' has been used in games for decades. These non-playable characters (NPCs) traditionally follow strict rules designed to mimic intelligence, adhere to a guided story, and provide a scripted interaction with the player. However, with the rise of intelligent language models, game AI is primed for a truly intelligent overhaul. At CES 2025, NVIDIA is redefining game AI with the introduction of NVIDIA ACE autonomous game characters. First introduced in 2023, NVIDIA ACE is a suite of RTX-accelerated digital human technologies that bring game characters to life with generative AI. NVIDIA is now expanding ACE from conversational NPCs to autonomous game characters that use AI to perceive, plan, and act like human players. Powered by generative AI, ACE will enable living, dynamic game worlds with companions that comprehend and support player goals, and enemies that adapt dynamically to player tactics.

Enabling these autonomous characters are new ACE small language models (SLMs), capable of planning at human-like frequencies required for realistic decision making, and multi-modal SLMs for vision and audio that allow AI characters to hear audio cues and perceive their environment. NVIDIA is partnering with leading game developers to incorporate ACE autonomous game characters into their titles. Interact with human-like AI players and companions in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, inZOI, and NARAKA: BLADEPOINT MOBILE PC VERSION. Fight against ever-learning AI-powered bosses that adapt to your playstyle in MIR5. And experience new gameplay mechanics made possible with AI-powered NPCs in AI People, Dead Meat, and ZooPunk.

NVIDIA Project G-Assist Comes To NVIDIA App In February, An AI Assistant For GeForce RTX AI PCs

Six months ago at Computex, NVIDIA showcased Project G-Assist - a tech demo that offered a glimpse of how AI assistants could elevate the PC experience for gamers, creators, and more. Today, we're excited to announce the initial release of the G-Assist System Assistant feature is coming to GeForce RTX users via the NVIDIA app in February. As modern PCs become more powerful, they also grow more complex to operate. Users today face over a trillion possible combinations of hardware and software settings when configuring a PC for peak performance - spanning GPU, CPU, monitors, motherboard, peripherals, and more.

NVIDIA built Project G-Assist, an experimental AI assistant that runs locally on GeForce RTX AI PCs, to simplify this experience. G-Assist helps users control a broad range of PC settings, from optimizing game and system settings, charting frame rates and other key performance statistics, to controlling select peripherals settings such as lighting - all via basic voice or text commands.

Drop Unveils "The Lord of the Rings" Themed CSTM Keyboards

"Muster the Rohirrim. Assemble the army at Dunharrow. As many men as can be found. You have two days." CTSM the Rohirrim...and we have two new keyboards. At the core of these Rohan forces are Rohan CSTM Decorative Cases, made from regal green polycarbonate and adorned with iconography from Calenardhon. Hoisting the banners of Rohan all the way to the top is our officially licensed DCD Rohan Keycap Set-rallied in here in the green Aldburg variant to match our new cases.

CSTM Construction for any Formation
Alongside our exclusive Rohan accessories is a whole cavalry's worth of enthusiast components—including Gateron switches, customizable gasket mounting, case foam, case weights, and more.

NVIDIA Reflex 2 With New Frame Warp Technology Reduces Latency In Games By Up To 75%, Coming to THE FINALS and VALORANT

In competitive games, a few milliseconds of input lag can mean the difference between victory and defeat. In 2020, we released NVIDIA Reflex, an innovative technology that reduces PC latency in top competitive games by an average of 50%. NVIDIA Reflex accomplishes this by synchronizing CPU and GPU work, so player actions are reflected in-game quicker, giving gamers a competitive edge in multiplayer games, and making single-player titles more responsive.

In the last four years, NVIDIA Reflex has been integrated in over 100 games and reduced latency for tens of millions of GeForce gamers. Over 90% of gamers turn Reflex on, allowing them to experience better responsiveness, aim more accurately, and win more games. At CES 2025, we're unveiling NVIDIA Reflex 2, which can reduce PC latency by up to 75%. Reflex 2 combines Reflex Low Latency mode with a new Frame Warp technology, further reducing latency by updating the rendered game frame based on the latest mouse input right before it is sent to the display.

NVIDIA DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation and New RTX Technologies Coming To 75 Games and Apps At Launch

Each week, games and apps integrate NVIDIA DLSS, ray-traced effects, and AI, ensuring GeForce RTX owners receive the definitive experience. Such is the pace of RTX adoption, there are now over 700 #RTXON games and apps. To begin 2025 with a bang, we're announcing that 75 games and apps will support DLSS 4's new DLSS Multi Frame Generation technology at launch of our GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. Included on the list are today's most played and highest rated games, including Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Diablo IV, Dragon Age : The Veilguard, God of War Ragnarök, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, SILENT HILL 2, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and Star Wars Outlaws.

Black State, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Dune: Awakening will also include DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation when they're released, ensuring the definitive day-one experience for GeForce RTX gamers. And The Witcher IV will feature the latest RTX-powered technologies. Additionally, DOOM: The Dark Ages will include immersive path-traced effects. Alan Wake 2 is upgrading its already-incredible engine with our new NVIDIA RTX Mega Geometry technology, in addition to DLSS 4. And Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is adding support for DLSS Multi Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction, with support for our new RTX Hair technology coming in a future update. For games that haven't updated yet to the latest DLSS models and features, NVIDIA app will enable support through a new DLSS Override feature.

NVIDIA NIM Microservices and AI Blueprints Usher in New Era of Local AI

Over the past year, generative AI has transformed the way people live, work and play, enhancing everything from writing and content creation to gaming, learning and productivity. PC enthusiasts and developers are leading the charge in pushing the boundaries of this groundbreaking technology. Countless times, industry-defining technological breakthroughs have been invented in one place—a garage. This week marks the start of the RTX AI Garage series, which will offer routine content for developers and enthusiasts looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, and how to build AI agents, creative workflow, digital human, productivity apps and more on AI PCs. Welcome to the RTX AI Garage.

This first installment spotlights announcements made earlier this week at CES, including new AI foundation models available on NVIDIA RTX AI PCs that take digital humans, content creation, productivity and development to the next level. These models—offered as NVIDIA NIM microservices—are powered by new GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. Built on the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, RTX 50 Series GPUs deliver up to 3,352 trillion AI operations per second of performance, 32 GB of VRAM and feature FP4 compute, doubling AI inference performance and enabling generative AI to run locally with a smaller memory footprint.

ZOTAC Targets Healthcare Market with New ZBOX H39R5000W

While we expected more ZOTAC ZBOX mini-PCs at the CES 2025 show, it appears that it was just too early for some of the new models to be announced. In the meantime, ZOTAC was keen to show off a single ZBOX mini-PC that was quite a feat to design considering it is aimed at healthcare solutions with EN60601-1 compliancy.

This one uses a slim 2.66-inch metal chassis with rounded edges, and is based on Intel Core i9-13900HX 24-core/32-thread processor paired up with NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Laptop GPU with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory. It offers up to 682 AI TOPS. The rest of the specifications include support for up to 64 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM in two SO-DIMM slots, two M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 storage slots, dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, as well as two HDMI 2.1 and two DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, one Thunderbolt 4 and five USB 3.2 ports. It supports VESA mounting as well as L-shaped mounting.

ZOTAC Shows Full GeForce RTX 50 Series Lineup at CES 2025, Updating the Design and Bringing New Features

ZOTAC unveiled its full lineup of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards at CES 2025, including the full the new AMP Extreme INFINITY models and the whole new SOLID series of graphics cards. According to ZOTAC, the SOLID series uses cooling technologies derived from the flagship model and represents a high-performance graphics card in a minimalist package. As far as we understood, the SOLID series is meant to be the working horse of Zotac graphics card lineup, offering both performance and durability, while the AMP Extreme INFINITY will be the flagship series with all the bells and whistles. Currently, ZOTAC will offer GeForce RTX 5090, 5080, and 5070 Ti will be offered in the AMP Extreme INFINITY series and SOLID models, while the 5070 products will be offered only in SOLID series.

ZOTAC also turned a new page when it comes to design, breaking away from the traditional design of the graphics card by going for elegance and simplicity, making them more suitable for current trend of "sleek, designer-like premium PCs". With the AMP Extreme INFINITY series, ZOTAC is implementing a die-cast metal backplate with flow-through air channels, Infinity Mirror, and SPECTRA 2.0 ARGB lighting. Both the AMP Extreme INFINITY and the SOLID series will now have rounded corners, as these both look better and take up less space, which could be important to system integrators.

Creative Showcases Aurvana Ace Mimi & Ace SXFI TWS Earbuds at CES 2025

Creative has expanded its Aurvana Ace family of xMEMS driver-equipped true wireless earbuds—two new models are on show at this year's CES trade event. The Aurvana Ace SXFI and Aurvana Ace Mimi were revealed prior to CES 2025's commencement, with reviewers in Singapore (where Creative is headquartered) already picking up samples for evaluation. The latest additions also house solid-state xMEMS drivers that works in conjunction with 10 mm dynamic diaphragm units. The TechPowerUp team took a look at the demonstration units on hand at Creative's station—a sense of familiarity was apparent with one of these models.

The collaboration between Creative and Mimi Hearing Technologies has produced the aptly named "Aurvana Ace Mimi"—from the outside this looks like a slight recoloring of the 2023 Ace and Ace 2 models. The Mimi's pricing is apparently somewhere in between the older iterations. A major change addition lies under the hood, due to the implementation of Mimi's Sound Personalization technology. A user can perform a hearing test via the Creative App. It is claimed that this analysis will produce a custom sound profile/EQ—tuned specifically for "every individual."

Keychron Shows K2 HE 75% Layout Fully Customizable Keyboard With Magnetic Switches at CES 2025

Keychron brought its full lineup of keyboards to the CES 2025 show, but the star of the show is definitely the new Keychron K2 HE which uses Gateron magnetic switches. The Keychron K2 HE is a fully customizable 75% layout wireless keyboard combining metal and wood frame and double-shot PBT keycaps. The keyboard also comes with a custom wood siding, which is available in light and dark finishes and can be personalized with laser-engraved design or text of your choice directly from Keychron's website.

The Keychron K2 HE is not all about the looks though, as the key feature of this keyboard are pre-lubed Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. These linear switches not only offer fast response time and precise control, but also allow adjustable actuation point with 0.2 mm to 3.8 mm actuation range. As they use pressure-sensitive hall effect sensors to detect a keypresses it is possible to set the depth of the actuation with 0.1 mm precision.

Shuttle Releases New XPC Barebone DH770

Shuttle is expanding its range of Mini-PCs with the XPC Barebone DH770 from the "XPC slim" family. The 1.3-liter PC offers powerful hardware, extensive connection options and flexible customization options for a wide range of professional applications. With support for 12th, 13th and 14th generation Intel Core processors (LGA1700) and modern DDR5 technology, the DH770 is the ideal solution for applications that require high computing power and reliability.

Outstanding performance and flexibility
The Shuttle XPC Barebone DH770 is based on the Intel H770 chipset and is compatible with the latest Intel Core processors up to the Raptor Lake-S Refresh series. With support for up to 96 GB DDR5 RAM and storage options via M.2 PCIe Gen 4 and SATA, the mini PC offers impressive performance in a compact format. Thanks to the option of operating up to four independent 4K displays simultaneously, the DH770 is ideal for demanding graphical applications, digital signage and control systems.

CyberLink Brings On-Device Generative AI and Creative Editing to Next-Gen AI PCs at CES 2025

CyberLink Corp., a leading provider of digital creative editing software and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, is showcasing the cutting-edge AI capabilities and NPU (Neural Processing Unit) optimizations of their Generative AI digital marketing design software, Promeo, and award-winning video and photo editing software, PowerDirector and PhotoDirector, this week during CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

Cognizant of the expanding adoption from PC makers of the latest Intel LunarLake platform and capabilities for AI, CyberLink's close partnership with Intel is ensuring PC makers releasing LunarLake enabled hardware, from laptops to mini-PCs, will be able to take advantage of CyberLink's creative editing software's AI functionalities.

ASRock Presents Arc B580 Challenger & Steel Legend GPUs at CES 2025

ASRock has showcased its custom design Intel Arc B580 12 GB "Battlemage" GPU-based graphics cards at CES 2025—these offerings sat somewhat unnoticed next to a whole heap of newly revealed AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and 9070 models. A TechPowerUp staffer took the opportunity to analyze ASRock's B580 Challenger OC and Steel Legend OC demonstration samples. Team Blue's wallet friendly pricing at launch (around mid-December) resulted in stock being swiftly snapped up—many budget hardware enthusiasts have missed out on handling the initial batches of Battlemage. ASRock's dual-fan Arc B580 Challenger OC sports a new design scheme—also featured on a nearby triple-fan Radeon RX 9070 model. An understated gray-black shroud sports a single RGB lighting strip on its top side.

The longer triple-fan configured ASRock Arc B580 Steel Legend OC model is already a familiar sight for many regular readers of TechPowerUp's review section. W1zzard's mid-December evaluation deemed this card worthy of receiving two awards: "Highly Recommended" and "Great Value." Steel Legend sits above Challenger in ASRock's product hierarchy, so the extra cost gets you an almost all-white design, a larger cooling solution and more RGB lighting zones. The CES 2025 demonstration unit appears to be a normal retail example—no big surprises or revelations to report. We hope that Team Blue and its manufacturing partners are doing their best to replenish B580 GPU stock.

UGREEN Shows Off High-End, AI Capable NAS Devices at CES 2025

At CES this year, UGREEN was showing off two new NAS models, the NASync iDX6011 and the iDX6011 Pro, with the i in the model name seemingly denoting that both models are using Intel Core Ultra processors. The basic design builds on last years NASync models and the UGOS Pro operating system, but with several added features that may or may not appeal to the target audience. The common feature set between the two models is six 3.5-inch drive bays and a pair of M.2 slots that can be used for either storage or as a cache for the mechanical drives. Both models are expected to ship with 32 GB of RAM as standard and can be expanded to 64 GB and both of them also supports a PCIe 4.0 x8 expansion card slot, although at this point it's not clear what that slot can be used for. As with the already launched NASync models, the two new SKUs will come with the OS installed on a 128 GB SSD.

Where things get interesting is on the connectivity side of things, as both models sports dual 10 Gbps Ethernet ports, what is said to be an 8K capable HDMI port, a pair of USB 3.2 (10 Gbps) ports, two USB 2.0 ports and an SD 4.0 card slot. However, the NASync iDX6011 comes with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports around the front, although it's not clear if it can be used as a DAS using these ports, or if they simply act as virtual network ports. The iDX6011 Pro on the other hand, sports two USB Type-C ports around the front—as well as a small status LCD display—in favour of an OCuLink port around the back. The OCuLink port is capable of up to 64 Gbps of bandwidth, compared to 40 Gbps for the Thunderbolt 4 ports. It's currently not know what the OCuLink port can be used for, but it's more or less an external PCIe interface. It's also unknown what type of AI or LLM features the two new NASync devices will support, but it's clear they'll rely on the capabilities of the Intel processors they're built around. No pricing was announced at CES and the NASync iDX6011 is expected to launch sometime in the second quarter this year, with the NASync iDX6011 Pro launching in the third quarter. We should also note that the NASync iDX6011 Pro wasn't on display at CES, hence the renders below.

Synology Launches ActiveProtect To Simplify Business Data Protection

Synology today announced the general availability of ActiveProtect, a new line of data protection appliances that integrate enterprise backup software, server, and backup repository into a unified solution. Designed to simplify complex data protection, ActiveProtect offers comprehensive platform support, advanced security, and scalability, all with a transparent pricing model.

"Data protection should empower businesses, not burden businesses," said Jia-Yu Liu, Executive Vice President at Synology. "ActiveProtect embodies Synology's expertise in hardware and software engineering and insights from close collaboration with customers. We are confident that ActiveProtect will exceed enterprises' expectations for data protection."

PlayStation Introduces Midnight Black PS5 Accessories Collection

The latest PS5 accessories get a new look with the Midnight Black Collection - bringing the galaxy-inspired Midnight Black colorway to the PlayStation Portal remote player, DualSense Edge wireless controller, Pulse Elite wireless headset, and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds. These accessories perfectly complement the Midnight Black PS5 accessories already available, including the DualSense wireless controller and PS5 console covers.

Each Midnight Black accessory features a unique, rich shade of black, with sleek detailing on various buttons and accents such as the PlayStation logo. The Midnight Black design extends to the included charging case for Pulse Explore earbuds, charging hanger for Pulse Elite headset, and carrying case for DualSense Edge controller. The Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds will also include a felt gray carrying case.

Lexar Debuts Metal Encased "ARMOR" SD Cards at CES 2025

The TechPowerUp team spent a short time perusing Lexar's CES 2025 booth earlier this week. Today's return trip has resulted in a closer look at the flash memory specialist's ARMOR GOLD and SILVER SDXC UHS-II cards. Write speeds differ between these models—160 MB/s (SILVER) versus 205 MB/s (GOLD). Our guy on the ground has expressed frustration regarding the fragility of bog-standard plastic casing on the vast majority of memory cards. Lexar representatives expressed plenty of confidence in the ARMOR's durability, thanks to stainless-steel construction. This change in protective material has the company claiming that ARMOR is 37 times stronger than normal plastic exteriors.

TPU was encouraged to try and bend or break a demo sample's metal shell. Many attempts at destruction have failed—perhaps fitting for products designed to survive and remain fully functional when handled constantly or utilized in the field. Both GOLD and SILVER models are IP68 rated—resistant to water, dust and fumbled drops. On closer inspection, it looks as if Lexar's design department has chosen to omit the traditional locking switch. User feedback has often focused on this common area of failure, so it is encouraging to see that the ARMOR package is not compromised by a flimsy moving piece. Advertised storage capacities include the following options: 1 TB, 512 GB, 256 GB, 128 GB and 64 GB.

HAVIT Showcases Headsets, Keyboards and Gaming Mice at CES 2025

HAVIT's booth at CES 2025 gained attention not only for its minimalist yet futuristic design but also for its product lineup, which ranged from headset series equipped with spatial audio technology and wireless gaming headsets to a variety of mechanical keyboards and gaming mice. The FUXI-H8 Gaming Headset features an open-ear design with dynamic RGB lighting, six-mode connectivity, and spatial audio with head tracking. Next to it, we found the FUXI-H7 over-ear headset offering spatial audio, five-mode connectivity, and a noise-canceling microphone.

The HAVIT KB896L is a 70% (362 mm x 132 mm x 32 mm) compact wired keyboard with a gasket structure and CNC aluminium body. It features RGB backlighting, hot-swappable design, and full N-Key rollover support. HAVIT also displayed the KB904L (348 mm x 140 mm x 45 mm, 85 keys) magnetic switch mechanical keyboard, featuring an 8 kHz polling rate, rapid 0.08 mm trigger, and RGB lighting. The HAVIT MS979WB is a lightweight 59 g tri-mode optical gaming mouse with an RGB charging dock and up to 26,000 DPI.

EK Unveils New Fluid Works CASCADE 4U8G Barebone in Collaboration With SilverStone

EK, the leader in liquid cooling solutions, is proud to announce the EK Fluid Works CASCADE 4U8G Barebone, a revolutionary liquid-cooling rack-mount workstation solution developed in collaboration with SilverStone Technology Co., Ltd.. This marks a pivotal expansion of EK's Enterprise product line, designed to meet the growing demand for compact, scalable, and high-performance computing setups for professional and enthusiast applications alike.

Revolutionizing High-Performance Computing
The EK Fluid Works CASCADE 4U8G Barebone is a compact 4U rack-mount workstation engineered to support up to 8 liquid-cooled GPUs, including the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, doubling the capacity of traditional air-cooled solutions. Leveraging advanced liquid cooling designed by EK, the system ensures superior thermal performance, enabling sustained peak performance and efficiency across demanding workloads such as AI, machine learning, 3D rendering, and scientific simulations.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU Challenges RTX 4090 Laptop in Leaked Benchmark

Once every two years or so, technology enthusiasts like ourselves have our sights pinned on what the GPU giants have in store for us. That moment is here, with both NVIDIA and AMD unveiling their Blackwell and RDNA 4 products respectively. NVIDIA has also announced its laptop offerings, with the RTX 5080 Laptop attempting to rule the mainstream high-performance segment. Now, barely a day or two after launch, we already have a rough idea of how mobile Blackwell is going to perform.

The leaked Geekbench OpenCL results, which comes courtesy of the Alienware Area-51 laptop, reveals how well the RTX 5080 Laptop GPU performs in a 175-watt configuration. According to the numbers, the RTX 5080 Laptop managed to barely exceed the 190,000-points barrier, putting it miles ahead of its predecessor which managed around 160,000. Interestingly, as the headline notes, the RTX 4090 Laptop was also left behind, which scores around 180,000 points on average, although systems with beefier cooling setups can post higher numbers.

Gigabyte Redefines Intel and AMD B800 Series Motherboards Performance with AI Technology at CES 2025

GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, unveils the new generation of Intel B860 and AMD B850 series motherboards at CES 2025. These new series are designed to unleash the performance of the latest Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen processors by leveraging AI-enhanced technology and user-friendly design for a seamless gaming and PC-building experience. Equipped with all digital power and enhanced thermal design, GIGABYTE B800 series motherboards are the gateway to mainstream PC gamers.

GIGABYTE achieved the remarkable milestone of claiming the highest market share on X870 series motherboards due to fully supporting AMD Ryzen 5 7000 and 9000 series X3D processors. The new B800 series motherboards are also adopted with ultra-durable and high-end components and the revolutionary AI suite, D5 Bionics Corsa, integrates software, hardware, and firmware to boost DD5 memory performance up to 8600 MT/s on AMD B850 models and 9466 MT/s on Intel B860 motherboards. The AI SNATCH is an exclusive AI-based software for enhancing DDR5 performance with just a few clicks. Meanwhile, the AI-Driven PCB Design ensures low signal reflection for peak performance across multiple layers through AI simulation. Plus, HyperTune BIOS integrates AI-driven optimizations to fine-tune the Memory Reference Code on Intel B860 series motherboards for high-demand gaming and multitasking. Specially built for AMD Ryzen 9000 series X3D processors, GIGABYTE applies X3D Turbo mode on AMD B850 series motherboards by adjusting core count to boost gaming performance.

ASRock Shows Off Steel Legend BMD, Riptide & Lightning Motherboards at CES 2025

Earlier in the week, ASRock debuted its Intel B860/H810 and full range of AMD B850 motherboards—the TechPowerUp team headed across CES 2025's showroom floor to check whether the Taiwanese manufacturer had some of these newly announced products on display. Various white Steel Legend models were present, including an intriguing B850 mainboard sample sporting ASRock's back mount design (BMD). The B860M Pro BMD board was not in sight (or not captured on camera)—according to a press release from earlier in the week, BMD had its premiere on this Intel-based solution.

AsRock reps happily showed off two Intel B860-chipset Steel Legend boards with traditional all-front facing connectors—an ATX option as well as an M-ATX (B860M) model were examined from close-up. A Phantom Gaming B860 Lightning Wi-Fi model was presented to TechPowerUp—its darker aesthetic contrasts sharply when lined up against its pale Steel Legend neighbors.

OneOdio Releases Studio Max 1 Flagship Headphones at CES 2025

OneOdio has unveiled its latest professional-grade headphones, the Studio Max 1, at CES 2025. Known for creating affordable high-quality audio gear, OneOdio collaborated with Italian DJ Arianna to design the new flagship model, targeting DJs and audio professionals. The Studio Max 1 introduces WiLL+ Connection Technology, enabling ultra-low latency of just 20 ms, ideal for real-time audio monitoring and performance. Combined with LDAC and Dual Hi-Res certification, the headphones deliver studio-quality sound reproduction, meeting the demands of professionals in studio and live environments. A standout feature is the flexibility of four operational modes: Wireless DJ, Bluetooth, Wired Monitoring, and Wired DJ.

This versatility allows users to seamlessly adapt the headphones to different performance and work scenarios. DJ Arianna, who showcased the headphones at major European events, highlighted their adaptability and praised their performance in dynamic environments. The headphones also boast a 120-hour battery life, ensuring extended use during long sessions. For noisy settings, Dual-Mic ENC Noise Reduction technology enhances clarity, making the Studio Max 1 an interesting choice for DJs and sound engineers.

JEDEC Announces Updates to Universal Flash Storage (UFS) and Memory Interface Standards

JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, the global leader in the development of standards for the microelectronics industry, today announced the publication of JESD220G: Universal Flash Storage 4.1. In addition, an update to the complementary JESD223F UFS Host Controller Interface (UFSHCI) version 4.1 standard has also been published. Developed for mobile applications and computing systems requiring high performance with low power consumption, UFS 4.1 offers faster data access and improved performance over the earlier version of the standard while maintaining hardware compatibility to UFS 4.0. Both standards are available for download from the JEDEC website.

"JEDEC members are continually innovating to shape the standards that will drive the next generation of mobile devices and advanced applications, and the committee's dedication to ongoing improvements to the UFS series is paving the way for future innovation," said Mian Quddus, Chairman of the JEDEC Board of Directors and the JC-64 Committee for Embedded Memory Storage and Removable Memory Cards.

DarkFlash Cooling at 2025 CES: Compound Fan with Segment Displays, and Stackable Fans

A rather recent cooling concept with the growing popularity of liquid cooling and radiators, is compound fans. These are monolithic frames with multiple fanlets. The design eliminates visible cabling among the fans, as well as the number of screws needed to mount one onto a radiator. DarkFlash put the space gained from this design (such as the gaps between the fanlets) to use with segment LED displays that put out useful information such as air temperature, and fan speed. The fan connects to your machine over a single PWM cable, and a single RGB cable. That's not all, it even communicates to a control module with a larger segment display that lets you control its speed, lighting, and monitor parameters. Next up, are the company's Gauss G-series fan sets. These are individual 120 mm fans that feature interlocks, letting you mount up to six of them onto radiators. The interlocking eliminates cable clutter.

Rooftop Shark Shows Fitness Smartwatch with Built-in TWS Earbuds at CES 2025

Rooftop Shark, an AI audio startup founded in 2023, introduced its AI-10 Smart Watch at CES 2025, featuring integrated True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds within the watch body. The wearable device eliminates the need for a separate earbuds case by housing a single earbud on each watch side that pops out from the watch frame. Both earbuds seem like a custom Rooftop Shark design. The AI-10 combines fitness tracking capabilities with audio functionality in a single device. The watch features a circular display with a polished silver bezel and gray strap. Its interface shows multiple activity tracking options, including outdoor running, indoor running, and outdoor walking, each marked with distinct colored icons for easy navigation.

The fitness tracking interface uses a color-coded system, with outdoor activities marked in blue and yellow, while indoor modes appear in green and orange. The watch face maintains a minimalist design despite packing the additional earbud hardware. The device comes packaged in a black box with gold accents featuring the company's shark logo. While the company has not yet revealed pricing information, the AI-10 is expected to launch in the premium smartwatch category later this year.

AUKEY Shows 300 W GaN Charger and Various Charging Accessories at CES 2025

During the International CES 2025, AUKEY unveiled six new charging products, led by the Comet Mix 7, a 300 W GaN charger. The compact device can power six devices simultaneously and features a real-time power output display, with its gallium nitride technology enabling faster charging and reduced heat generation. The company introduced two MagFusion wireless chargers for Apple device users. The MagFusion Titan, a 6-in-1 magnetic charging station, features a 180-degree adjustable stand and 15 W fast wireless charging for iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. Its counterpart, the MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro, offers a simplified design with active cooling for optimal charging performance.

be quiet! Shows Off Power Supplies & CPU Coolers at CES 2025

be quiet! had plenty to show at their CES 2025 suite—TechPowerUp staffers took a look at a wide range of already announced power supplies and CPU coolers. The German hardware brand is making sure that its power supply product ranges are prepared—compatibility-wise—for the incoming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5000 and AMD Radeon RX 9000 graphics card lineups. The Dark Power 13 PSU family was represented by the hefty 1600 W Pro model and relatively svelte non-Pro 1000 W option. be quiet! representatives re-confirmed that the whole Dark Power range (750 W - 1600 W) is ready for the new generation of GPUs.

TechPowerUp also spotted two Straight Power 12 models—the larger one being a range-topping 1500 W unit. The smaller demo model seemed to be the 1000 W variant—both are comfortably in the next-gen compatibility safe zone, but this also applies all the way down to be quiet!'s Straight Power 12 750 W model. A lone Pure Power 12 M 1000 W demonstration sample sat in between its Dark and Straight compadres. be quiet! stated that the Pure Power 12 M range is next-gen ready, going from the lowly 550 W all the way up to 1200 W.

THUNDEROBOT Debuts at CES 2025 with Esports Gear Lineup

CES 2025, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, kicked off in Las Vegas of America on January 7th, 2025, with more than 130,000 attendees and over 4,800 companies. As a high-performance esports equipment brand incubated by Haier Group, THUNDEROBOT showcased its comprehensive innovation capabilities in high-performance esports equipment under the theme "Powerful Esports Momentum".

At this event, THUNDEROBOT unveiled a range of flagship products encompassing esports laptops, smart glasses, monitors, desktops, and peripherals. Among these, the world's first THUNDEROBOT ZERO series of high-performance gaming laptops took the spotlight. This series is powered by the latest Intel's Core Ultra 200HX (codenamed Arrow Lake-HX) processor and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU. Notably, the flagship ZERO 18 model incorporates a triple-fan "Xiu Technology 2.0" cooling system with seven copper heat pipes and phase-change thermal grease to ensure optimal thermal management even under intense use. Additionally, the introduction of an 18-inch Hummingbird eye-care display with high refresh rates has significantly enhanced the immersive user experience. Each machine will undergo default color calibration to provide accurate color settings.

A Quick Look at DarkFlash Cases at the 2025 International CES

DarkFlash introduced several new cases across premium market segments at the 2025 International CES. We begin our tour with the new DY450, a spacious full-tower measuring 451 mm x 258 mm x 491 mm (DxWxH), with a 3-sided glasshouse (front, left side, and topside). These are interlocking glass panels, and not a seamless solution, however, the case has a pillarless edge. The motherboard tray serves up generous room for graphics cards up to 42 cm in length, and CPU coolers as tall as 18 cm. You can mount radiators along the side and the partition that separates the upper and lower compartments. The lower half has a front-facing fan controller with physical rotary knobs, and side-facing USB front-panel connectivity. The case comes in black and white trims.

Next up, is the DS900, a premium mid-tower that has a front-thru-left pillarless glasshouse. The case is smaller than the DY450, measuring 434 mm x 218 mm x 454 mm, with its motherboard tray giving you room for graphics cards up to 42.5 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 17 cm in height. The bottom compartment only has a PSU bay, and the frontal region of it is part of the main compartment, which gives the case room for a side-facing radiator with fans, and bottom-mounted drive bays if needed. The top panel lends itself as another 360 mm radiator mount.

Thermal Grizzly Launches the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate Heater V1

Thermal Grizzly, a high-performance cooling solutions provider, introduces the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate Heater V1, a tool designed to assist in removing the heat spreader from Intel Core Ultra 200 CPUs using the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate V1. The heater raises the temperature of the CPU and the delidder to the required 165°C for delidding.

Delidding processors based on the Intel Arrow Lake architecture (Core Ultra, Pentium) carries a higher risk compared to older Intel CPUs. This is likely due to structural factors such as the size of the CPU die and the fact that the CPU die consists of multiple smaller dies, known as "tiles." To minimize the risk during delidding, the CPU should be heated to approximately 165°C / 330°F to soften the indium solder.

Intel Accelerates Software-Defined Innovation with Whole-Vehicle Approach

At CES, Intel unveiled an expanded product portfolio and new partnerships designed to accelerate automakers' transitions to electric and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Intel now offers a whole-vehicle platform, including high-performance compute, discrete graphics, artificial intelligence (AI), power management and zonal controller solutions alongside the Intel Automotive Virtual Design Environment (VDE) co-developed with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Intel's approach addresses automakers' cost and performance scalability challenges, enabling faster, more efficient and more profitable SDV development and deployment.

"Intel automotive is bringing innovative solutions that reduce cost in the SDV revolution. Our whole-vehicle approach, combined with cloud integration, delivers a complete solution that drives down total cost of development and deployment while empowering automakers to build the future of mobility faster, more efficiently and more profitably." said Jack Weast, Intel Fellow, vice president and general manager of Intel Automotive.

Fanatec Revolutionizes the Sim Racing Experience with the ClubSport GT Cockpit

Fanatec, a subsidiary of Corsair, is thrilled to unveil the ClubSport GT Cockpit, an innovative and robust racing chassis that delivers a highly immersive sim racing experience. Built for both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic newcomers, the ClubSport GT Cockpit offers incredible adjustability, stability, and comfort, helping sim racers to perform at their very best.

The Fanatec ClubSport GT Cockpit features a highly adjustable seating setup, easily transitioning from an upright road-car to a semi-reclined Formula-style seating position, accommodating a wide range of racing styles. It is also compatible with most racing seats on the market, featuring 290 mm mounting points for a versatile and convenient experience.

TCL CSOT Showcases APEX Technology Brand and IJP OLED Solutions at CES 2025

TCL CSOT, a global leader in display technology, brings its breakthrough APEX technology brand and mass-produced Inkjet Printing OLED (IJP OLED) solutions to CES 2025. Taking place January 7-10 in Las Vegas, this world's premier technology event witnesses TCL CSOT's latest innovations in display technology, ranging from advanced IJP OLED applications to comprehensive display solutions across TVs, automotive displays, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, VR devices, commercial displays, and other fields.

At CES 2025, TCL CSOT showcases its breakthrough IJP OLED technology, which has successfully entered mass production. As the only OLED technology achieving regular RGB pixel arrangement, IJP OLED delivers superior performance with an average 50-60% light-emitting area rate and exceptional color consistency across all brightness levels. The technology demonstrates remarkable cost efficiency and environmental benefits, achieving over 90% material utilization rate and reducing carbon emissions by 20% compared to traditional OLED technologies.

EarFun Unveils AI-enhanced EarFun Air Pro 4+ TWS Earbuds at CES 2025

EarFun, a global leader in wireless audio technology, has already made waves at CES 2025 with the debut of an impressive lineup of innovative products. From reimagined open-ear listening solutions to innovative AI-powered translation earbuds, EarFun continues to lead the audio technology industry with groundbreaking advancements.

EarFun Unveils Advanced AI Translation and Dual-Unit Wireless Audio Technology
At CES 2025, EarFun will showcase OpenJump, the all-new open-ear wireless earbuds, along with the EarFun Clip, the premium Wave Life Hybrid ANC over-ear headphones at attractive pricing, the enhanced Air Pro 4+ with AI translation, and the world's 1st Lossless Auracast USB Dongle

be quiet! Showcases Pure Base 501 with Solid Side Panel at CES 2025

The be quiet! Pure Base 501 mainstream case series was revealed around late October last year, but it is possible that a fairly new product has not reached all international markets. Company representatives were keen to show off the compact Pure Base 501 Air Flow White model at this year's CES trade event. TechPowerUp spent some time looking at the version sporting a solid/closed steel side panel—ideal for builders who are not fussed about displaying their system's innards.

The flashier Pure Base 501 Air Flow White with a glass side panel was also within reach at be quiet!'s Las Vegas suite. TPU checked out the case's very clean interior layout and spotted the two (pre-fitted as standard) Pure Wings 3 140 mm PWM fans. be quiet! has placed emphasis on the Pure Base 501's traditional aesthetic—devoid of loud RGB lighting zones. The case has been designed with versatility in mind, and its smart cable routing system was on display at CES 2025. TechPowerUp will be looking forward to the potential arrival of a review unit!

ADATA Cases, Power Supplies, and Cooling Products at 2025 International CES

ADATA tends to save the year's biggest product launches for Computex, but brought a fairly big selection of its latest case, power, and cooling products to the 2025 International CES. Let's begin with power, and the company showed us its new super-compact XPG Pymcore Platinum PSUs. These may look like SFX-L PSUs, but are actually ATX, with a very low depth, and yet full modular cabling. The 120 mm fan cooling the thing is pushed to the very edges of the fan intake. These PSUs meet ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 CEM standards, in fact exceeding them with 235% excursions for 100 µs. As the name suggests, this PSU offers 80 Plus Platinum switching efficiency.

The XPG Starfighter case is one of ADATA's first cases built on the Exoskeleton design language, where the outer body of the case is what provides structural support for the case, rather than an inner chassis. The cuboidal case features a chimney design, where air is drawn at the base, and vented from the top, with all the hot components along the way, and the graphics card installed along its height. At the top is a large 160 mm fan that pulls air. The case supports a Mini-ITX motherboard, and an SFX power supply. ADATA says that the case should support the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090. The demo build at ADATA's booth featured a Palit RTX 4080 SUPER GamingPro, which is a fairly large card.

Eighteen New Semiconductor Fabs to Start Construction in 2025

The semiconductor industry is expected to start 18 new fab construction projects in 2025, according to SEMI's latest quarterly World Fab Forecast report. The new projects include three 200 mm and fifteen 300 mm facilities, the majority of which are expected to begin operations from 2026 to 2027.

In 2025, the Americas and Japan are the leading regions with four projects each. The China and Europe & Middle East regions are each tied for third place with three planned construction projects. Taiwan has two planned projects, while Korea and Southeast Asia have one project each for 2025.

Thermaltake Debuts MAGFloe and MAGCurve AIO Liquid Coolers at CES 2025

Thermaltake seizes the opportunity at CES 2025 to introduce its MAGFloe 360/420 Ultra ARGB Sync and MAGCurve 360 Ultra ARGB Sync AIO liquid coolers. Both series feature MagForce 2.0 Quick Magnetic Connection Design for seamless fan assembly and customizable visuals using LCD and AMOLED screens. Thermaltake's newest MAGFloe and MAGCurve AIO lineup is dedicated to PC modders, gaming enthusiasts, and professional system builders.

The MAGFloe Ultra ARGB Sync AIO Liquid Cooler series is available in 360 mm and 420 mm sizes in Black and Snow Edition. They have three SWAFAN EX ARGB Fans featuring MagForce 2.0 connectors and a swappable fan blade design for quick switching between intake or exhaust airflow directions. For customization and visuals, Thermaltake added a 3.95" Square LCD Screen with a 480 x 480 resolution and can showcase time, weather, real-time component information, personalized images, GIFs, and videos via TT RGB Plus software or the TT PlayLink mobile app.

Longsys Debuts First NFC PSSD at CES 2025, Drawing Industry Attention

The 2025 CES Global Consumer Electronics Show opened in Las Vegas, USA. With the theme "Dive In", this year's CES focuses on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, mobile technology, and human safety. Longsys, a leading innovator in memory technology, showcased a series of innovative memory products under its two major brands, highlighting the diversity and infinite possibilities of storage technology.

Among the cutting-edge products showcased, Longsys' first NFC portable solid-state drive (PSSD) garnered significant attention. Designed for enhanced data privacy and convenience, this PSSD supports unlocking invisible storage space via NFC, integrating regular functionality with data privacy protection. By simply tapping an NFC-enabled device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or NFC card - users can unlock private data effortlessly, making it an ideal solution for both personal and professional use.

Israeli Start-Up Visionary.ai Powers Under-Display Camera on Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

Under-display cameras—fully hidden beneath laptop screens—have been an unrealized dream until now. This revolutionary technology enables Lenovo to deliver a sleek, bezel-free design while maintaining exceptional video quality, thanks to Visionary.ai's breakthrough in imaging technology.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is the world's first CUD (camera-under-display) laptop, enhanced with Visionary.ai's image processing technology. This innovation enables a razor-thin bezel housing a 14" 4K 120 Hz PureSight Pro OLED display.

ASRock Showcases ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 Power Supply Units at CES 2025

ASRock is presenting its complete range of power supply units at CES 2025, featuring the Taichi, Phantom Gaming, Steel Legend, and Challenger PSU series. Fully compliant with Intel ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards, these PSUs can handle peak power loads ranging from 200% to 235%. They are equipped with 12 V 2x6 cables, capable of delivering up to 600 W through a single cable. Additional highlights include a 5 V BOOST function for improved stability, 100% Japanese capacitors, Infineon CoolMOS, and SiC SBD technology.

The ASRock Taichi series power supply unit is certified for 80 Plus and Cybenetics Titanium efficiency and also received Cybenetics LAMBDA A+ ultra-quiet certification. These PSUs are available in 1650 W and 1300 W models, feature fully modular cables, two native PCIe 12 V 2x6 cables, all-Japanese capacitors, Infineon CoolMOS, SiC SBD, NTC sensor to monitors connector temperatures in real-time and are backed by a 10-year warranty.

ADATA Storage at CES 2025: An M.2 SSD with Liquid Cooling, Portable SSD with Power Bank

ADATA brought some innovative storage products to the 2025 International CES. The XPG MARS 970 Storm is an M.2 NVMe Gen 5 SSD with a self-contained liquid cooling loop. Its construction involves a baseplate from which heat is conventionally transferred to a cylindrical heat dissipation surface—a sort of radiator, where a pair of tiny 20 mm fans push and pull air through, to keep the controller cool. Speaking of which, the drive is based on the Silicon Motion SM2508 flagship controller that's built on the TSMC 6 nm process. It comes in capacities of up to 8 TB. ADATA claims sequential transfer speeds of up to 14 GB/s reads, with up to 12 GB/s writes.

You can have this drive without this cooling solution (eg: if you have a nice one of your own from your motherboard). It's called the MARS 970 Blade. It can be used without a cooler, but performance will be lesser. ADATA hence advertises sequential speeds of up to 12 GB/s reads, with up to 10 GB/s writes. The MARS 970 Blade strangely only comes in capacities of up to 4 TB—there's no 8 TB variant.

ADATA Memory at CES 2025: CUDIMMs, CSODIMMs, and RDIMMs with RCD

ADATA at the 2025 International CES brought several of its latest memory products. The technology dominating memory products this year is CKD, or client clock driver. But there's more, ADATA also introduced memory modules with RCD, or registered clock driver, or a clock driver for RDIMMs. We begin our tour with the XPG Lancer CUDIMM RGB series, the company's flagship PC overclocking memory product. The top-spec module shown here comes with speeds as high as DDR5-9733, a step above even the DDR5-9600 that most other brands brought. The module comes in densities of 16 GB and 24 GB; and speeds of DDR5-8400, DDR5-8800, DDR5-9200, DDR5-9600, besides the top DDR5-9733. When paired with a Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-S" processor in Gear 4 mode, these kits should easily cross 10,000 MT/s using manual overclocking.

Next up, the company showed us its AICore line of DDR5 RDIMMs for workstations and servers. The module packs an RCD, a registered clock driver, which is essentially a CKD for RDIMMs. It is a component that clears out and amplifies the DDR5 physical layer signal, letting the machine operate at higher memory frequencies. The AICore series comes in speeds of up to DDR5-8000, and densities of up to 16 GB per module. Other speed variants in the series include DDR5-6400 and DDR5-7200. The recommended platforms for these modules include Intel's Xeon W-3500/W-2500 series "Sapphire Rapids," and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series "Storm Peak."

Netgear Expands WiFi 7 Mesh Networking with Mid-Range Orbi 870

At CES 2025, NETGEAR announced its new Orbi 870 mesh networking system, positioned between the company's existing 770 and 970 WiFi 7 models. The mid-range system features tri-band connectivity with combined speeds rated at 21 Gbps and coverage up to 9,000 square feet when using three units. In testing environments, the system supports up to 150 simultaneous device connections. Specifications include a 10 Gigabit internet port on the main router and four 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports on both the router and satellite units. The system utilizes WiFi 7's multi-link operation capability, which can combine two frequency bands to potentially reduce latency and improve reliability.

The hardware incorporates NETGEAR's router protection system that can deploy security patches independently of full firmware updates. Standard features include WPA3 encryption, customizable access controls, and separate network options for guest and IoT devices. The Orbi 870 will be sold in multiple configurations: a three-unit package for $1,299.99, a two-unit system for $999.99, and individual satellite units for $549.99. Both black and white color options will be available through NETGEAR's website and major retailers.

iBUYPOWER Unveils Gaming Rigs with RTX GPUs, Liquid Cooling, and RGB Peripherals at CES 2025

At CES 2025, iBUYPOWER took the stage to showcase their latest gaming systems and peripherals. Among the standout presentations were the Arcane Y70, RDY Y70 Silver Wolf, and the MK9 Pro RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. The Arcane Y70, designed in collaboration with Bitspower, is a masterpiece of both performance and aesthetic appeal. Packed with an ASUS TUF RTX 4080 Super GPU, Ryzen 5 7600X CPU, and a hefty 32 GB of 7200 MHz DDR5 RAM, this rig is built to handle any AAA title with ease. The system is housed in a sleek HYTE Y70 Black case and features advanced water cooling courtesy of Bitspower, ensuring peak performance even under demanding conditions. Notable water-cooling components include a Bitspower X HYTE distroplate and GPU blocks tailored for ASUS graphics cards.

UGREEN Shows 500 W GaN Charger for up to 5 Laptops at Once, Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station Also Present

UGREEN introduced new products at CES 2024 including a high-wattage charger, and a Thunderbolt 5 dock. The company revealed its Nexode 500 W desktop charger, which can power six devices (about five average laptops) simultaneously. Its highest-capacity port delivers 240 W through USB Power Delivery 3.1, enough to charge demanding devices including e-bikes. The charger uses GaN technology to achieve its power output while maintaining a desktop-friendly size.

Team Group Launches New 8 TB T-FORCE GE PRO PCIE 5.0 SSD

T-FORCE, the gaming brand of global memory leader Team Group Inc., has announced the launch of the 8 TB capacity specification for T-FORCE GE PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD. Designed for users who seek exceptional performance and reliability, this SSD delivers blazing-fast read and write speeds of up to 13,500 MB/s and 11,000 MB/s, respectively. Featuring DRAM Cache technology, it excels in-game system loading and data caching, significantly enhancing overall SSD performance. The 8 TB specification is paired with the T-FORCE AirFlow SSD Cooler with advanced active cooling technology to achieve sustained high-performance operation. It meets the needs of large storage capacity and ultra-fast data transfer to provide gamers with an unrivaled gaming experience.

The T-FORCE GE PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD integrates smart performance adjustment to prevent overheating and maintain system stability. Team Group's patented graphene heatsink further enhances heat dissipation to elevate product reliability. The SSD also incorporates advanced Security Isolation technology to protect against malicious external threats, while enhanced 4K LDPC technology improves data transfer accuracy and extends product lifespan. The inclusion of Team Group's proprietary S.M.A.R.T. monitoring software allows users to monitor the health and performance of their SSD with ease, setting a new standard for storage solutions.

G.Skill Memory Showcases DDR5-10600 2x24GB on ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Apex Motherboard

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd, the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, in cooperation with the ASUS ROG team, is showcasing multiple overclock achievements on the newly announced ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Apex motherboard, including a high memory speed of DDR5-10600 and another operating at DDR5-6800 CL28 in 1:1 mode, both under Memtest stress-test. Additionally, G.SKILL DDR5 memory is used by ASUS in-house overclocker, Safedisk, to break several overclock records with the latest AMD Ryzen 9 9950X desktop processor.

Exploring OC Limits at DDR5-10600 2x24 GB
Aiming to explore the limits of memory overclock potential of the new motherboard, Safedisk challenged the fastest possible dual-channel memory speed with Memtest stress-test running. The screenshot below shows a 48 GB (2x24GB) memory kit operating at DDR5-10600 with the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Apex motherboard and AMD Ryzen 5 8500G desktop processor, completing the Memtest stress-test with CPU and memory under water chiller cooling.

Thermaltake Brings New ATX 3.1 and PCIe Gen 5.0 Ready PSUs to CES 2025

Thermaltake unveiled a couple of new PSUs at the CES 2025 show, but the stars of the show were the new TOUGHPOWER TF3 Titanium and the TOUGHPOWER SFX Titanium. In addition, there is a TOUGHPOWER IRGB PLUS Titanium and the TOUGHPOWER D2000. As expected, the entire new lineup is ATX 3.1 compliant and PCIe Gen 5 ready, and uses 100 percent JP electrolytic capacitors.

The TOUGHPOWER TF3 will be available in 1300 W and 1600 W options, while the TOUGHPOWER IRGB PLUS comes in 1250 W and 1650 W options. Both are fully compatible with the new ATX 3.1 specifications, and come with native support for two PCIe Gen 5.1 16-pin power connector. Thermaltake is introducing the new hybrid multi-rail OCP design, which allows the PSU to switch between single and multi-rail, with OCP activating between 130 and 150 percent on each rail. The PSU also has an OCM button that allows users to enable single rail for enhanced overclocking performance. The TOUGHPOWER SFX TITANIUM certainly caught our attention, as Thermaltake managed to make a 1200 W PSU with 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating in a standard 125 x 63.5 x 103.8 mm SFX dimensions.

Micron Breaks Ground on New HBM Advanced Packaging Facility in Singapore

Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) broke ground today on a new High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) advanced packaging facility adjacent to the company's current facilities in Singapore. Micron marked the occasion with a ceremony attended by Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Png Cheong Boon, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board, Pee Beng Kong, Executive Vice President of the Singapore Economic Development Board, and Tan Boon Khai, CEO of JTC Corporation.

The new HBM advanced packaging facility will be the first facility of its kind in Singapore. Operations for the new facility are scheduled to begin in 2026, with meaningful expansion of Micron's total advanced packaging capacity beginning in calendar 2027 to meet the demands of AI growth. The launch of this facility will further strengthen Singapore's local semiconductor ecosystem and innovation.

Thermaltake Shows New PC Cases at CES 2025

Thermaltake took CES 2025 show by force, showing a lot of new and updated products, including a couple of new PC cases. In addition to new color options for the already available The Tower 600 and The Tower 250 PC cases, it also showcased a couple of new and rather interesting cases, including the TR100 Travel PC Case, which will be available with an optional travel suite case accessory, making it ideal for LAN parties, professional gaming tournaments, or remote work setups. Thermaltake also showcased the new View 390 and View 600 PC cases, as well as a couple of workstation cases, the AX500 and the AX700.

The TR100 Travel PC case is an 18.9-liter dual-chamber chassis, which packs quite a few features, considering it is meant to be portable. Thermaltake was keen to note that it designed the case to be as portable as possible without compromising support for high-end hardware, making it ideal for digital nomads, esports enthusiasts or professionals that demand both performance and portability. It supports up to 360 mm long and 70 mm tall graphics cards, up to 280 mm AIO radiator or two 120/140 mm fans, comes with perforated panels and dust filters for dust and debris protection, and supports up to two 2.5-inch SSDs. Of course, it only supports SFX or SFX-L power supplies, but this should not be a problem as Thermaltake already showcased a 1,200 W SFX PSU at the CES 2025 show. The TR100 also comes with a rather neat optional travel suite case accessory, which has room for both the PC case, portable monitor, keyboard, mouse, and even a Meta Quest headset.

Patriot Unveils Viper Xtreme 5 CKD, and First DRAMless Gen 5 SSD to Hit 14GB/s

Patriot Memory brought an updated line of M.2 Gen 5 NVMe SSDs, and PC overclocking memory products that leverage CKD (client clock driver) technology to achieve high data rates. We begin our tour with the company's flagship OC memory, the Viper Xtreme 5 CKD. Patriot set up a demo build showing off a 48 GB (2x 24 GB) kit doing DDR5-9600 at 46-58-58-154; with the Core Ultra 9 285K running in Gear 4 mode. The memory OC is y-Cruncher stable, both for versions 0.8.5 and Pi-1b. It may come as a surprise, but Patriot Memory has been around for a while in the market. In 2025, the company is celebrating its 40th year in business. All memory products and packaging have a special "40 Years" logo. The Viper Xtreme 5 CKD comes in RGB and non-RGB variants.

Besides Viper Xtreme 5 series, the company unveiled other, more cost-effective CKDIMMs, such as the Signature series CKD. These are bare modules that lack heatspreaders. The CKD helps these modules offer speeds of up to DDR5-6400. Switching gears to non-volatile memory, and we have what is probably the most interesting SSD we've come across this CES—the Patriot Viper PV563. This drive lacks any heatsink or heat spreader, and looks like it belongs in the entry-mainstream market segment, but don't be fooled by its looks. It is the first M.2 NVMe Gen 5 SSD with a DRAMless controller to claim sequential speeds of up to 14 GB/s. Gen 5 drives with DRAMless controllers such as the Phison E31T tend to offer speeds of up to 12 GB/s, but the PV563 uses a Maxiotek MAP1806 the fastest market rival to the E31T.

World's First Android-Based Spatial Computer Play For Dream MR Debuts at CES 2025

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off in Las Vegas, bringing together a myriad of innovative technologies from around the globe. Among the highlights of this year's event was the debut of Play For Dream MR, an Android-based spatial computer, which garnered praise from media, exhibitors, and attendees alike.

Since its global launch in Singapore, Play For Dream MR technology has made a significant impression with its state-of-the-art hardware, proprietary algorithm architecture, and sleek integrated design. With the capability to seamlessly blend virtual and real-world experiences, the Play For Dream MR is poised to redefine spatial entertainment.

Gigabyte Debuts Enhanced Cooling and More Compact NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards at CES 2025

GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, announced the launch of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards powered by NVIDIA Blackwell and AI, including the GeForce RTX 5090, RTX 5090 D, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070, at CES. The latest GIGABYTE graphics card models leverage cutting-edge cooling solutions designed for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs to enhance performance in demanding games. Accomplished with the product design concept "Evolution of Ten", GIGABYTE's GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards improve thermal performance by up to 10% and reduce overall card volume by up to 10% for a more compatible PC-building experience.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

SteamOS expands beyond Steam Deck

With Lenovo's announcement at CES 2025 of the Lenovo Legion Go S, we are pleased to share that their "Powered by SteamOS" model is the first handheld officially licensed to ship with Valve's SteamOS. We built this operating system to provide a seamless user experience optimized for gaming, while retaining access to the power and flexibility of a PC. SteamOS is the same operating system we run on Steam Deck, and the team is making updates to ensure it fully supports the Lenovo Legion Go S and provides the same seamless experience customers expect.

In addition, the same work that we are doing to support the Lenovo Legion Go S will improve compatibility with other handhelds. Ahead of Legion Go S shipping, we will be shipping a beta of SteamOS which should improve the experience on other handhelds, and users can download and test this themselves. And of course we'll continue adding support and improving the experience with future releases.

NuPhy Kick75 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard with 75% Layout Pictured

At the 2025 International CES, NuPhy showed us the latest addition to their Kick Series of wireless mechanical keyboards, the Kick75. As its name suggests, it comes with a 75% layout, with a choice between standard height and low-profile PBT double-shot keycaps. The keyboard comes with a frosted acrylic top enclosing a metal inner body. The grey+white color scheme is brought to life with blue, green, yellow, and red on certain keys, and the keyboard's programmable rotary knob. The keycaps are backed by hot-swappable, pre-lubed key switches of your choice. Layouts include ISO, ANSI, and JIS. The RF wireless interface comes with a 1000 Hz polling rate. Accessories include a cushioned palm rest.

Iquinix Shows us a Constellation of Compact Wireless Mechanical Keyboards

Iquinix, at the 2025 International CES showed off a comprehensive lineup of compact wireless mechanical keyboards. These mostly come in compact layouts (65% or less), are backed by high-grade mechanical key-switches, and artisanal keycaps. A common feature with all keyboards is their high apparent build quality, and metal alloy bodies. The OG80 Wormhole is a 55% keyboard with a typewriter-like curvature along which the keys are arranged. Most of these have late-1980s era gray+ivory color schemes, with some mint-green action keys. Notice the fingerprint reader for Windows Hello logins.

ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 9070 XT Comes with Three 8-pin Power Connectors

At the 2025 International CES, ASUS showed off its Radeon RX 9070 XT TUF Gaming graphics card. This card was part of a multi-brand showcase AMD set up in its booth. The card features the latest generation of TUF Gaming board design that the company is debuting with the GeForce RTX 50-series and Radeon RX 90-series. The card features a triple slot cooling solution, with its Axial-Tech fans taking up an entire slot (thicker fans mean lower RPM). The PCB is 2/3 the length of the card, so all airflow from the third fan is vented through the heatsink and out a large cutout on the backplate.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the ASUS TUF Gaming RX 9070 XT is its power connectors. The card calls for three 8-pin PCIe power connectors. We've only seen one other custom RX 9070 XT come with three connectors, and that is the XFX RX 9070 XT Merc 319 Black. The question then arises, what is a small performance-segment GPU going to do with 525 W of power on tap? Most other cards, including the PowerColor Red Devil, come with just two 8-pin connectors (375 W), so does the presence of three connectors mean that the board power of overclocked RX 7090 XT exceed 300 W, and board partners are trying to reduce the load on the 75 W put out by the PCIe slot, by sneaking in a third 8-pin input? This isn't the only oddball power connector configuration we've seen at CES for the RX 9070 series. The ASRock RX 9070 XT Taichi comes with a 16-pin 12V2x6 power connector, although there's no way of telling yet if this is configured for 600 W—it could even be keyed for 300 W.
Tuesday, January 7th 2025
Gamdias AURA GL360 V2 Review

Gamdias AURA GL360 V2 Review

The AURA GL360 V2 from Gamdias shows that sometimes, keeping it simple really pays off. With solid performance, handy features and a sleek design, it checks a lot of boxes without breaking the bank. But in a market this competitive, is that enough to stand out?

Hands On with the PowerColor Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil and HellHound

At CES 2025, we went hands on with PowerColor's new Radeon RX 9070 series graphics cards. These include the RX 9070 XT and the RX 9070. PowerColor will keep custom board designs common for both SKUs as they're both based on the 4 nm "Navi 48" silicon. We get the general feeling that these cards aren't designed as over-the-top as the RX 7900 series custom designs; since the GPUs are positioned in the performance segment, and AMD's board partners would ideally like to give themselves room to price-wars against NVIDIA's products from the RTX 5070 series.

The PowerColor RX 9070 XT Red Devil features a triple-slot cooling solution. It is a fairly long card, with an aluminium fin-stack heatsink that's ventilated by a trio of fans. The large, rhomboid vent on its backplate gives you the impression that the PCB inside is just two-thirds the length of the card—it's not, it's closer to 80% its length. There is an elaborate LED-illuminated decal at the tail end of the card. The Red Devil gets a few premium features, such as dual-BIOS, and the company's highest factory overclock. The lighting on this card is RGB and controllable via software. The card draws power from a pair of 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The 375 W of power on tap should be sufficient for a performance-segment GPU.

Gateron at CES 2025: Low-profile Keycaps and GT60 Wireless Keyboard PCB

Mechanical keyboard components major Gateron showed off its latest creations at the 2025 International CES. We began our tour with the company's Nature Series line of low-profile keycaps. These high-quality PBT keycaps were shown in two color schemes—Oasis (palm green and white 2-tone); and Dune (sandy brown and white). The keycaps were accompanied by Gateron's upcoming GT60 PCB, which is so new that all we could find is it has some features which will be relevant for gaming. An example customer brand keyboard using the GT60 is the Mars 03 compact wireless mechanical keyboard with a 60% layout. The company also had a KeysMe branded example of the keyboard with a desert camo pattern, and Gateron weightless switch. The Mars 03 comes with an aluminium + zinc alloy body. Its electronics support USB (wired), 2.4 GHz RF (1000 Hz), and Bluetooth connectivity options. We also saw one taken apart, including its alloy baseplate, and PCB.

ENDORFY Intros Crystal Series Mousepads & Onyx White Gaming Mice at CES 2025

ENDORFY has debuted its brand new Crystal series of mousepads at CES 2025—TechPowerUp spent time with these innovative gaming surfaces and a couple of updated mouse options. The Crystal mousepad range comprises three sizes—medium (M), large (L) and extra large (XL)—and two colorways (blue or gray). All options feature ENDORFY's "unique dark crystal-like graphic pattern" and a very special moisture-resistant fabric. A non-slip rubber base prevents unwanted movement during long gaming sessions. The pad's dense hem adds to comfort levels and prevents material fraying at the edges.

The LIV Plus Wireless gaming mouse was showcased at last year's Computex summer trade event—ENDORFY has updated this ultra-lightweight model with an "Onyx White" finish. The included docking station will also be finished in white (refer to photo below). This new color variant shares the same spec sheet with ENDORFY's existing black model—notably its Pixart PAW 3395 sensor, customizable ARGB lighting and Kailh GM 8.0 mechanical switches. The solid shell Gem Plus Wireless mouse is also available in Onyx White.

AMD Explains Missing RDNA 4 Announcements At CES

Perhaps the biggest surprise at AMD's January 6 CES keynote address was the omission of the Radeon RX 9070 series desktop graphics cards, and the RDNA 4 graphics architecture. This was particularly because the CES Pre-brief slide-deck that AMD provided to press included materials about Radeon, but the actual presentation on stage lacked that content. Immediately after the event, AMD leadership, including David McAfee and Frank Azor agreed to sit down with a small group of tech journalists for a roundtable talk, and we had a seat. In this article, we will try to share what we can. The talk began with addressing the elephant in the room, about why AMD omitted Radeon-related announcements in Jack Huynh's keynote address and the company also confirmed that providing press with pre-brief Radeon info was intentional, and they knew that info wouldn't be included on the main stage.

AMD says that the 45-minute keynote address didn't provide sufficient time to properly announce the Radeon RX 9070 series and RDNA 4. The company pointed to other announcements it omitted in the keynote, such as the Ryzen Z2 line of gaming handheld chips. The company says that Radeon-related announcements, would have needed a much greater time-share in the keynote, to detail the change in the product naming (more on this later), where the RX 9070 series fit into the market, the advancements made by RDNA 4, and new technology such as FSR 4.

ASRock Unleashes Custom Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 GPUs at CES 2025

ASRock has showcased its AMD Navi 48 GPUs on the showroom floor at this year's CES trade event—only hours ago, a TechPowerUp team member familiarized themselves with Taichi, Steel Legend and Challenger options. The new models are offered up in Radeon RX 9070 XT and 9070 variants—these next generation cards are due to arrive later this quarter alongside RDNA 4 and FSR 4 technologies. Out of the gate ASRock representatives were keen to show off their new flagship cog/gear-themed model.

The ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi is a very long and chunky proposition—TPU's photos depict a triple-slot design, continuing the legacy of preceding Taichi designs. ASRock has refreshed its custom shrouds and backplates for the RDNA 4 generation—the incoming RX 9070 XT Taichi is quite boxy when compared to its older sibling. Cog wheel graphics on the backplate seem to jump out more due to updated coloration/contrast. The usual Taichi triple-fan config is present here, with a smattering of RGB lighting strips spread across its shroud. Performance and quiet operating modes can be accessed via a rear switch. Another switch—placed next to the card's single 12-pin power connector—gives you the option to turn onboard LED lighting on or off.

InWin Introduces New Server & IPC Equipment at CES 2025

InWin has showcased several new server chassis models at CES—these new introductions form part of the company's efforts to expand regional IPC, server, and systems assembly operations going into 2025. New manufacturing facilities in the USA and Malaysia were brought online last year, and new products have sprung forth. TechPowerUp staffers were impressed by InWin's RG650B model—this cavernous rackmount GPU server has been designed with AI and HPC applications in mind. Its 6.5U dual-chamber design is divided into two sections with optimized and independent heat dissipation systems—GPU accelerators are destined for the 4.5U space, while the motherboard and CPUs go into the 2U chamber.

The RG650B's front section is dominated by the nine pre-installed hot swappable 80 x 30 mm (12,000 RPM max. rated) PWM fans. This array should provide plenty of cooling for any contained hardware; these components will be powered by an 80 Plus Titanium CRPS 3200 W PSU (with four 12V-2x6 pin connectors). InWin's spec sheet states that their RG650B supports 18 FHFL PCI-Express slots with four PCI-Express riser cables—granting plenty of potential for the installation of add-in boards.

InWin Debuts PRISM Glass Chassis & SHIFT Test Bench at CES 2025

InWin has unveiled two brand-new products at CES 2025—the TechPowerUp team made sure to head over to the manufacturer's Las Vegas suite in order to check out their PRISM chassis and SHIFT hybrid test bed/display case. The former proved to be fairly difficult to photograph due to its two-way mirror glass side panels—internal hardware can be viewed from the outside, but the reflective panel material makes this a challenge to capture on camera. InWin believes that the PRISM's geometric glass design will provide a standout and unique panoramic 180-degree view of its surroundings.

This mid-tower case accepts ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX mainboards and a maximum of eleven air cooling fans (four included as standard). Liquid cooling radiators—going up to 360 mm in size—can be arranged internally in multiple positions. Large mesh filters are visible from the front and top—said to enhance the case's airflow and cooling properties. InWin reps were keen to showcase the PRISM's rear-mounted handle—this wing-shaped attachment allows for a decent level of portability.

Thermaltake Tower 600 Mid and 250 Mini Tower Unveiled in New Colors at CES 2025

Thermaltake has decided to kick off the year at CES 2025 in a fashionable way by expanding the color options for its best-selling PC case series: the Tower 600 Mid Tower and the Tower 250 Mini Tower. Launched last year at Computex, the Tower 600 is an ATX case featuring a distinctive octagonal prism shape. It accommodates up to a 420 mm AIO radiator on the right side, a 360 mm AIO radiator on the left side, and supports GPUs up to 400 mm in length. This year, Thermaltake introduced six new color options: Racing Green, Gravel Sand, Bubble Pink, Bumblebee, Light-Year Green, and Future Dusk, in addition to the existing Black, Snow, Hydrangea Blue, and Matcha Green variants.

The Tower 250 Mini-ITX case, released in November 2024, originally came in Black, Snow, Hydrangea Blue, and Matcha Green for users seeking a compact yet versatile PC chassis. For 2025, Thermaltake has added two new color variants: Mint Strawberry and Butter Caramel. The case supports up to a 360 mm radiator on the right side and up to 8 x 120 mm fans or 5 x 140 mm fans, with two pre-installed CT120 cooling fans included. It fits GPUs up to 360 mm in length and accommodates both ATX and SFX power supplies up to 200 mm in length.

Brelyon Unveils the World's First Monitor with Programmable Depth at CES 2025

Brelyon, an MIT spin-off innovating in the computational display space, today announced Ultra Reality Extend, an immersive display line that renders virtual images in multiple depths. As the first commercial multi-focal monitor, the Extend model offers multi-depth programmability for information overlay, allowing users to see images from 0.7 meters to as far as 2.5 meters of depth virtually rendered behind the monitor; organizing various data streams at different depth layers, or triggering focal cues to induce an ultra immersive experience akin to looking out through a window.

"Building on the success of our Ultra Reality product, we're taking advantage of new GPU capabilities to process light and video signals inside our display platforms," said Barmak Heshmat, CEO of Brelyon. "We are thinking beyond headsets and glasses, where we can leverage GPU capabilities to do real-time driving of higher-bandwidth display interfaces. Maturing the industry from the age of photorealism to the age of photon realism, and designed for high-performance applications such as simulation and training, control centers, and teleoperations, Ultra Reality Extend is a new platform for AI and light to impact enterprise visualization, navigation, and computer interaction."

MSI Teases GeForce RTX 5090 "Lightning" Special Edition Models at CES 2025

MSI has gone all in with NVIDIA's freshly debuted GeForce RTX 50 "Blackwell" GPU series at CES 2025—an impressive number of custom models have been unveiled on the showroom floor. The TechPowerUp team has sifted through many of MSI's latest and greatest, but also noticed an intriguing set of placards positioned next to the tech firm's vast selection of physical products. The "exclusive" information at hand points to two in-progress GeForce RTX 5090 models—informally named as "Lightning" Special Editions. Company representatives have revealed that the engineering team is concocting a purpose-made PCB design for the two upcoming cards. This board supposedly sports enough differences to distinguish itself from NVIDIA's reference layout (as seen on their Founder's Edition)—industry experts reckon that the majority of AIBs will be utilizing Team Green's standard GeForce RTX 5090 PCB.

The printed graphic indicates that MSI's mysterious liquid cooled Special Edition GeForce RTX 32G will arrive with the "ultimate all-in-one (AIO) water cooling solution"—referred to as their "HydroCool System." A twin STORMFORCE fan configuration is teased alongside advanced airflow channels and a next-gen dual 120 mm AIO liquid cooling system. Custom-engineered water channels are advertised as being capable of flowing "directly through" the card's onboard memory. Dual front intakes and exhausts are said to assist greatly in cooling this Special Edition model, as well as neighboring PC components. Users can implement independent custom fan speed tunings; presumably via MSI software. It will be interesting to see how this in-the-works AIO-based model stacks up against the premium-tier "two-piece" MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC.

HYTE Launches Thermal Goop, CPU Frame, ARGB Light Strip and More at CES 2025

HYTE has launched a wide range of new products at CES this year, with the company getting into the thermal grease business, or thermal goop as the company refers to its first product. Sadly the company didn't provide much in terms of specs for the Thermal Goop, beyond the fact that it'll help keep your CPU cool and that's it's easy to spread, so we'll have to wait for someone to test it before we know what it's capable of, but at least it's priced reasonably at US$6.99. To go with your CPU, HYTE has also launched its Solid Processor Frame, a CNC milled aluminium frame that the company claims will help improve to cooling of your CPU, while also protecting it against damage, by prevent uneven pressure on the CPU by the cooler. The Solid Processor Frame will come in half a dozen different colour options, for both Intel and AMD CPU's for US$19.90.

Next up is the Noodle ARGB strip, which is made to fit HYTE's Y70, Y60 and Y40 cases. It's compatible with HYTE's Nexus Link and offers 215 degrees of diffused light. Depending on which case you have, the Noodle ARGB strip will cost between US$29.99 and US$34.99. HYTE also showed off an updated version of its Y70 Touch Infinite chassis that now comes with a new slim-bezel 14.9-inch touch screen. The screen sports a resolution of 682 x 2560 at 60 Hz and has 10-point multi-touch support. The new version of the chassis is priced at US$379.99. The display can be had on its own for US$179.99. Finally HYTE launched a new powered, internal USB 2.0 hub, for all those internal USB 2.0 devices that you might have and that requires a bit more than your 500 mA. The USB hub attaches magnetically to your case and will set you back US$27.99.

Update Jan 8th: The Thermal Goop has a thermal conductivity of 6.3 W/mK and it's not electrically conductive.

HYTE Thiccens up Its Liquid Cooling Performance as THICC Q80 Trio AIO 360MM Liquid Cooler Pre-orders Open Up

HYTE, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge PC components and peripherals, announced today at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that the THICC Q80 Trio, a 360 mm version of its renowned THICC Q60 all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler, is now available for pre-order at the MSRP of $319.99. Set to launch in Q1 2025, this new cooler builds on HYTE's design and cooling innovations with increased performance capabilities thanks to its thicker size while offering more personalization options thanks to HYTE's flagship Nexus 2.0 software solution. To pre-order the THICC Q80 Trio, please visit: https://hyte.com/q80

"THICC"-ER PERFORMANCE GAINS
Designed to fit the HYTE Y70 and Y70 Touch Infinite cases down to the last millimeter while remaining compatible with a plethora of additional chassis, the THICC Q80 Trio is capable of even more performance thanks to its ginormous heat exchanger, which measures 360 mm long and 52 mm thick for maximum cooling capacity and efficiency. The THICC Q80 Trio also boasts a larger, second-generation copper cold plate with a revised liquid flow path that further enhances temperatures while improving socket compatibility.

UnifyDrive is Redefining AI-Driven Data Storage at CES 2025

UnifyDrive's participation at CES 2025 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of portable data storage, as the company unveiled the UP6, the world's first AI-equipped portable tablet NAS. Met with overwhelming acclaim, attendees praised the UP6 as a leap forward in portable data storage, combining intuitive file organization, performance, and Artificial Intelligence to meet the demands of creators, businesses, and modern consumers.

Powered by Intel Core Ultra Processor and integrated with a Large Language Model (LLM), the UP6 has reshaped how users interact with their data. The device's ability to enable natural language searches, retrieve local data, and restore and enhance images resonated strongly with attendees. Many praised its potential to revolutionize productivity workflows, with one industry analyst describing it as "a fundamental change in smart storage solutions."

ASUS Unveils the New Vivobook Pro 15 Powered by Latest Intel Core Ultra Processors

Today marks the launch of the new ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 (N6506CU), the latest version of this high-performance 15.6-inch laptop designed for pro creators and pro gamers.

ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 offers seamless creativity and gaming with cutting-edge components: up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) with a built-in 13 TOPS NPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU with a low-latency MUX switch, 24 GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2 TB PCIe SSD. It boasts advanced ASUS IceCool Pro cooling technology that enables up to a 125-watt combined thermal design power (TDP).

Timekettle W4 Pro Earbuds Featuring Babel OS Launches Real-time 2-Way Call Translation, Enabling Natural Cross-lingual Conversations

Timekettle, a global leader in AI-powered communication technology, is thrilled to introduce the enhanced W4 Pro Earbuds with bidirectional call functionality. Powered by its first proprietary software system, also announced at CES, Babel OS, the new W4 Pro sets a new benchmark for cross-language communication, offering seamless two-way real-time translation during phone and video calls on any communication platform.

The newly launched feature allows two-way translations to facilitate effortless cross-lingual conversations through any telecommunication application or traditional phone system. It provides bidirectional synchronous translations without disrupting the original voice quality.

UGREEN Showcases Pioneering NASync AI NAS Lineup and More at CES 2025

UGREEN, a leading innovator in consumer electronics, is due to showcase its latest innovations at CES 2025 under the theme of "Activate the Possibility of AI." The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the highly anticipated NASync iDX6011 and NASync iDX6011 Pro devices, which are from the cutting-edge AI NAS lineup of the NASync series. Alongside these groundbreaking products, the Nexode 500 W 6-Port GaN Desktop Fast Charger and the Revodok Max 2131 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station will also take center stage.

The NASync series AI NAS models are set to redefine expectations with integrated large language models (LLMs) for advanced natural language processing and AI-driven interactive capabilities. Powered by cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra Processors, the iDX6011 and iDX6011 Pro deliver unmatched performance, enabling seamless functionality and exceptional AI applications. These models build on the success of earlier NASync series products, such as the NASync DXP models, which garnered widespread attention and raised over $6.6 million during a Kickstarter campaign in March 2024.

ASUS Announces ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower

ASUS today announced ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower (P500MV), a high-performance desktop PC for that's designed to redefine value and performance for small businesses. With the new ASUS Tower Air Cooler thermal design and powered by the latest up to Intel Core i7 processor, P5 Mini Tower unleashes up to 95 W TDP—delivering 30% better peak performance than competitors in its class. With exceptional energy efficiency, this powerful new desktop also saves up to 38% energy.i

Security is paramount with ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower, so it's backed by the reassurance of multiple ASUS ExpertGuardian protections. This powerhouse meets commercial-grade standards with a NIST SP 800-155-compliant BIOS, while ASUS assures at least five years of BIOS and driver updates to protect critical data.

Gigabyte Unveils a Diverse Lineup of AI PCs With Groundbreaking GiMATE AI Agent at CES 2025

GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, unveiled its next-gen AI PCs at CES 2025. GiMATE, a groundbreaking AI agent for seamless hardware and software control, takes center stage in the all-new lineup, redefining gaming, creation, and productivity in the AI era. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs and NVIDIA NIM microservices for advanced AI NIM and RTX AI, AMD Ryzen AI, Intel NPU AI, and enhanced by Microsoft Copilot, the AORUS MASTER, GIGABYTE AERO, and the GIGABYTE GAMING series deliver cutting-edge performance with upgraded WINDFORCE cooling in sleek, portable designs.

GiMATE, GIGABYTE's exclusive AI agent, integrates with an advanced Large Language Model (LLM) and the "Press and Speak" feature, making laptop control more natural and intuitive. From AI Power Gear II for optimal energy efficiency to AI Boost II's precision overclocking, GiMATE ensures optimal settings for every scenario. AI Cooling delivers 0dB ambiance, perfect for work environments, while AI Audio and AI Voice optimize sound for any setting. Safeguard your screen with AI Privacy, which detects prying eyes and activates protection instantly. GiMATE aims to be users' smart AI Mate, that redefines laptops in users' daily lives.

Corsair VENGEANCE Gaming PCs Ready for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs

Corsair is pleased to announce that the award-winning VENGEANCE Gaming PCs, powered by high-performance Corsair components, now feature the game-changing performance, efficiency, and AI-powered graphics of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards. With world-class components in every category, each VENGEANCE PC delivers ultra-high-performance gaming, exceptional productivity, and expansive creative potential.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

ASUS Significantly Expands its Lineup of Copilot+ PCs at CES 2025

ASUS today announced a significant expansion of its innovative Copilot+ PC lineup, the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs, bringing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to users in every segment—empowering more people than ever to embrace the exciting and burgeoning era of AI.

As AI reshapes both how people interact with technology and their expectations of what a computer should be, our all-new Copilot+ PC lineup is designed to meet the growing demand for more affordable, more efficient, more secure and faster laptops that elevate both personal and professional workflows. Powered by the latest AI-enabled processors from Qualcomm, AMD and Intel, and available in a diverse range of styles and form factors, ASUS is leading the charge in making AI technology universally accessible.

MSI Debuts Multiple GeForce RTX 50 Card Ranges at CES 2025

MSI introduced its groundbreaking NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics card range earlier today—hot on the heels of NVIDIA's formal unveiling of its brand-new Blackwell architecture. TechPowerUp staffers on the ground at this year's CES managed to wade through MSI's enviable collection of custom cards showcased on the showroom floor—taking up-close photos and discussing the latest designs with company representatives. An entry-level family has debuted—in the form of INSPIRE—alongside a new high-end series dubbed "VANGUARD." In addition, TPU was treated to the usual suspects including top-of-the-range SUPRIM cards. MSI has also tinkered with its design aesthetic for the VENTUS GAMING product line.

We will start with the upper echelon—MSI's new GeForce RTX 5090 32G SUPRIM LIQUID SOC model. Well-heeled gaming enthusiasts will likely be handing over a hefty premium for this well appointed dual-slot card. Its stealthy "diamond-cut inspired" premium shroud houses a micro-fin copper base and MSI's patented water block array—ensuring that the GPU and VRAM are kept cool during the most demanding of gaming or professional sessions. The 360 mm aluminium radiator is coupled with the latest STORMFORCE fans in a triple unit configuration. It should be noted that the Ada Lovelace generation MSI RTX 4090 SUPRIM LIQUID model sported a dual-fan radiator setup. MSI reps did not divulge any details regarding extreme overclocking and boost figures for this top-tier Blackwell model, but we suspect that the extra fan will be doings its best to temper Team Green's "massive" GB202 die.

ASUS Announces All-New Zenbook A14

ASUS today announced the groundbreaking Zenbook A14 (UX3407) - the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market, and also the first all-Ceraluminum ASUS laptop. Zenbook A14 is also the first Zenbook model powered by the latest Snapdragon X Series AI-enabled processors. Zenbook A14 redefines lightweight laptops, addressing traditional challenges like durability, performance, cooling, battery life, limited ports, and cost. Its all-Ceraluminum chassis is ultra-light at under 980 g, durable, and low-maintenance, designed for everyday use. Snapdragon X Series processors deliver outstanding power efficiency and performance with multi-working-day battery life, and the dual-fan thermal system ensures optimal cooling and boosts CPU TDP up to 45 W with minimal noise. As a Copilot+ PC, it enhances productivity and creativity with advanced AI capabilities.

The intuitive design includes an enlarged touchpad supporting Smart Gestures and a versatile range of I/O ports. Seamless integration with Windows Phone Link and Snapdragon Seamless lets users answer calls, manage notifications, and transfer files directly from the laptop. Users can even turn their phone into a webcam. Entertainment shines with the FHD ASUS Lumina OLED display and a powerful super-linear speaker system, offering a cinematic experience. Security is robust with the Microsoft Pluton processor and Windows passkeys for secure authentication storage. AI-driven features like the AI IR Camera system provide facial recognition for automatic login and logout, Adaptive Lock, and Adaptive Dimming, ensuring enhanced privacy and usability. With its lightweight design, robust performance, and advanced features, Zenbook A14 is a true game-changer in portable computing.

ASUS Announces Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock DC510

ASUS today announced Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock DC510, a sleek 13-in-1 dock that offers seamless connectivity and enhanced productivity with three Thunderbolt 5 and comprehensive I/O. Designed for creators, this sleek dock offers an array of ports to connect and power multiple devices simultaneously, enabling users to create a neat and streamlined workspace. The Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock is able to support single 8K or dual 8K is at 60 Hz, or up to three 4K displays at 144 Hz for immersive visuals. Thunderbolt 5 connectivity delivers up to 80 Gbps transfer speeds and 140-watt fast charging. Plus, the dock includes four USB ports, RJ45 2.5G Ethernet, an audio combo jack, and dual card readers. The sleek chassis of Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock offers toolless access for easy installation of M.2 NVMe SSD and includes white atmospheric lighting to give the dock a look that suits any modern workspace.

Triple 4K display support
ASUS Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock provides creative professionals with enhanced multitasking and productivity capabilities, enabling them to simultaneously work across three 4K displays at 144 Hz, two 8K displays at 60 Hz or one 8K display at 60 Hz.

ASUS Introduces Top AIO Coolers for 2025 from ROG, TUF Gaming, ProArt, and Prime

ASUS today announced its latest all-in-one (AIO) liquid CPU cooler, the ROG Ryuo IV SLC 360 ARGB, at CES 2025. This new addition expands the comprehensive ASUS AIO cooler lineup, catering to the diverse needs of gamers, creators, and PC enthusiasts. These advanced solutions offer exceptional thermal performance, streamlined installation, and customizable aesthetics, ensuring optimal cooling for all types of builds. Fully compatible with the latest AMD and Intel 800 series motherboards, ASUS AIO coolers deliver unmatched performance and style.

From the premium ROG Ryuo IV SLC 360 ARGB for pristine BTF setups to the professional-grade ProArt LC 420 for demanding workstations, ASUS offers unparalleled versatility. The ASUS AIO cooler, when paired with a compatible ASUS motherboard, unlocks the full potential of the system, enabling seamless synchronization of RGB lighting, precise fan speed adjustments, and real-time monitoring of CPU statistics through the Armory Crate software.

ASUS Introduces First TUF Gaming 18-inch Laptop

ASUS today announced the 2025 TUF Gaming laptop lineup, including the first 18-inch member of the family. Featuring the latest processors from AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA, the TUF Gaming A16, F16, and A18 aim to deliver incredible performance without breaking the bank.

The first TUF Gaming 18-inch laptop
The TUF Gaming Alliance is proud to introduce the A18, the first 18-inch laptop in the TUF Gaming lineup. Equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, the TUF Gaming A18 can easily handle the latest games. Also featuring up to 32 GB of DDR5 5600 MHz memory and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage, gamers can easily game, stream, and store their entire library. The A18 also boasts a gorgeous 2.5K resolution 240 Hz display, with an extra-tall 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits of peak brightness, and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colors space for incredibly immersive gameplay.

ENDORFY Brings PC Component Portfolio to US at CES 2025

European tech brand ENDORFY is making its first official appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Running through January 9, the company will showcase its latest PC components and peripherals to a global audience at the world's most influential tech event.

ENDORFY is expanding to the US market with a portfolio of high-quality PC components and accessories. This expansion supports the company's goal of reaching all modern technology enthusiasts with a range of products praised for combining advanced technology with reliability, efficiency, and great value for gamers, content creators, and tech enthusiasts.

Alphacool Presents RTX 5080 / 5090 GPU Cooler

Alphacool International GmbH, based in Germany and a leading manufacturer in the field of water cooling, proudly presents the new graphics card water coolers for the latest NVIDIA Geforce RTX 5080 and 5090 generation.

The Alphacool Core GPU water cooler has been completely redesigned, and its appearance has also been adjusted. To further optimize cooling, all distances between the cooler and the components of the PCB were redefined and tested. The entire water flow was simulated using the latest software and then practically verified.

Crucial Broadens Memory and Storage Portfolio at CES 2025

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced expansions across its Crucial consumer memory and storage portfolio, including unveiling the high-speed Crucial P510 SSD, and expanding density and form factor options across its existing DRAM portfolio to enable broader choice and flexibility for consumers. The P510 features read and write speeds of up to 11,000/9,550 megabytes per second (MB/s), bringing blazing fast Gen 5 performance to the masses.

"With the exciting memory and storage offerings we're debuting today, Crucial's portfolio is now broader and stronger than ever before," said Dinesh Bahal, corporate vice president and general manager of Micron's Commercial Products Group. "These updates - from making fast Gen 5 SSDs available to the mainstream to launching high-density memory options - illustrate our commitment to driving innovation, performance and value for every consumer from casual gamers to creatives and students to hardcore enthusiasts."

Audio-Technica Launches Next-Generation ATH-CKS50TW2 Earbuds With Up to 25 Hours Playback Time

Audio-Technica announces the launch of its ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds, bringing best-in-class battery life with all the powerful, full-spectrum sound of the originals now with even greater convenience. The earbuds give you up to 65 hours of playback - 25 hours from the fully charged headphones, plus an additional 40 hours available from the charging case. With noise cancelling on, enjoy 15 hours from the earbuds and 25 additional hours from the case. Additionally, if you're in a rush, a quick 5-minute charge provides up to 90 minutes of use.

The ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds feature Audio-Technica's new patented Magnetic Switch technology which allows the earbuds to turn off when joined by built-in magnets, helping to preserve power when you're out and about without the charging case. The earbuds feature exclusive 9 mm high-definition drivers, specially made by Audio-Technica to deliver clear, full-range audio with deep, powerful bass.

Corsair Unveils the Frame 4000D Case Featuring Frame Modular Case System

Corsair is excited to announce the launch of the FRAME 4000D, the first PC case to feature the FRAME Modular Case System. The original 4000 Series was an incredibly successful and well-loved case, selling over two million units. Building on that legacy, this innovative system sets a new standard for customization, offering unmatched flexibility for PC builders to craft their ideal setup. The FRAME 4000D enables seamless modifications and upgrades, allowing components to be swapped, panels to be upgraded, and setups to be personalized with a variety of options.

The FRAME 4000D Series also features the Corsair InfiniRail Fan Mounting System, offering unparalleled flexibility in configuring your cooling, including support for up to 200 mm fans in the front and 140 mm in the roof. This system optimizes cooling performance by accommodating larger fans, such as iCUE LINK RX140 RGB fans, without obstructing airflow with restrictive mounting points. The FRAME 4000D supports dual 360 mm radiators, delivering robust cooling for high-performance systems. With three radiator mounting locations—front, roof, and side—and a 3D Y-Pattern front airflow panel, the case ensures efficient cooling to keep components running smoothly during demanding sessions.

Corsair Showcases Innovative Hardware at CES 2025 With New Cases, PSUs, RAM, and More

Corsair today announced a bounty of new hardware for PC builders and content creators, ranging from new power supplies and cases to new storage and memory offerings. In addition to all-new hardware such as the XENEON EDGE 14.5" Touchscreen, EX400U USB4 External SSD, DOMINATOR TITANIUM Wave Accessory Kit, and Corsair Custom Lab memory, there are also updates to the distinguished RMe and HXi power supplies featuring boosted capabilities for next-gen GPUs. Finally, the revamped 5000T Series of mid-tower cases introduces support for reverse-connector motherboards, making them the perfect showcase for super-clean builds.

New hardware announcements:
  • XENEON EDGE 14.5" LCD Touchscreen
  • RMe Series (2025) Power Supplies
  • 5000T Series Mid-Tower Cases
  • HXi Series (2025) Power Supplies
  • EX400U USB4 External SSD
  • Corsair Custom Lab DRAM
  • DOMINATOR TITANIUM Wave Accessory Kit

Technics Launches the EAH-AZ100 Earbuds With a Magnetic Fluid Driver

Technics announces the EAH-AZ100, its latest true wireless earbuds, adding to the family of award-winning audio products backed by 60 years of sound engineering and product development. The EAH-AZ100 levels up users' sound experience with a newly developed, proprietary "Magnetic Fluid Driver" that creates clean, high-resolution, low-vibration and low-distortion sounds for the most authentic, balanced audio that's true to the original source.

For stress-free communication, the EAH-AZ100 introduces "Voice Focus AI"- an innovative feature that combines an AI noise reduction chip and three microphones in each earbud. This advanced technology delivers precise tuning, ensuring the ultimate call quality for both the speaker and the listener. "Voice Focus AI" goes beyond eliminating common call distractions, such as busy street traffic wind or other background noise. It actively analyses incoming sound, enhancing the sound of the caller.

Velocity Micro Unveils MX6 Mini Tower for Enthusiasts

Velocity Micro, the premier builder of custom high-performance desktops, laptops, and workstations, is proud to announce the launch of the MX6 chassis, a meticulously designed modular desktop mini tower built to deliver superior airflow and modern aesthetics in an ultra-compact form factor.

Crafted with Velocity Micro's signature attention to detail, the MX6 combines sleek design elements with functional engineering to set a new benchmark for custom PC enclosures. Its mesh forward construction, build friendly interior, and robust modularity make it the perfect foundation for Velocity Micro's high-performance builds tailored to gamers, creators, and professionals alike.

HYTE Levels Up Its NEXUS Software With NEXUS 2.0 Coming Soon to All PC Enthusiasts

HYTE, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge PC components and peripherals, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the reveal of Nexus 2.0, the ultimate software solution for monitoring and controlling the desktop experience. Thanks to feedback from its community of hardware enthusiasts, HYTE aims to significantly upgrade its flagship software to enhance functionality and personalization, add user-friendly features that offer full control over performance and aesthetics, and upgrade the user interface with a fresh, modern design.

OpenRGB SDK Integration & Universal Fan Control
As part of their mission to crafting a cohesive digital ecosystem, HYTE is teaming up with OpenRGB to integrate their SDK into Nexus 2.0, enabling control and synchronization of RGB lighting across over 1,800 third-party devices. The Universal Fan Control uses PWM headers on the motherboard to enable intelligent system-wide cooling across a single surface, transforming any PC into a harmonious part of any aesthetic gaming setup.

Lenovo Announces New Lineup of Yoga and IdeaPad Devices at CES 2025

Today, Lenovo announced a lineup of new Lenovo Yoga and IdeaPad devices and software at CES 2025 that are designed to transform the way smarter technology adapts to and streamlines creative and productivity tasks. Lenovo Yoga laptops feature inventive form factors, never-before-seen innovations, intuitive ecosystems, and functional AI implementations designed to channel users' creative passions and maximize their potential. Embodying this pursuit are:
  • The new Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i (14", 10) with its 98% screen-to-body ratio PureSight Pro OLED display courtesy of its world's first camera-under-display technology in a laptop.
  • The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (14", 10), featuring two larger PureSight OLED screens that act as the ultimate canvas for AI-driven creative pursuits.
  • The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14", 10), the newest addition to the Lenovo Yoga Aura Edition family imagined with Intel, a Copilot+ PC2 with a PureSight OLED display and up to Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.
  • The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Lenovo's first on-device AI tablet for amazing productivity with personalized AI experiences.

Lenovo Unveils New 27- and 32-inch ThinkVision Monitors at CES 2025

CES 2025 is in full swing, with almost every technology company on the face of the planet unveiling fresh new products. Lenovo's ThinkVision lineup has witnessed two new entrants - the P32UD-40, and the P27QD-40. The former is a 31.5-inch 4K IPS monitor with a peak refresh rate of 120 Hz, that can also drop to 24 Hz. The latter is a 27-inch IPS unit with QHD resolution, also with a variable refresh rate that can vary between 24 and 120 Hz. Both the monitors, as the branding suggests, are aimed squarely at the professional crowd, boasting 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, along with a peak dynamic contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1.

Unsurprisingly, the monitors are factory calibrated, ensuring great accuracy and commendably low Delta E values. The port selection is decent, with USB-C, HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, along with a USB hub sporting Type-A and Type-B ports as well as a 2.5G Ethernet port. There is a built-in KVM switch as well, which is surely a welcome addition for those who can utilize it. The P27QD-40 will start shipping towards the middle of 2025, at a price of $559, whereas the larger P32UD-40 will start at $1,199 along with a similar launch timeframe.

Lenovo at CES 2025: Redefining Business Technology with Bold Innovations and AI-Powered Solutions

At CES 2025, Lenovo unveiled a bold lineup of AI-powered business solutions designed to redefine the modern workplace. Highlights include the boldly redesigned Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Editions, the innovative and unique ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 with rollable display, and the latest commercial desktops, including the high performance ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6, and the groundbreaking ThinkCentre neo 50q QC powered by Snapdragon. Lenovo also introduces its next-generation ThinkVision P Series monitors and a comprehensive ecosystem of smart accessories, all engineered to elevate productivity and connectivity. Rounding out the announcements, Lenovo showcases cutting-edge proof-of-concept innovations that push the boundaries of technology, offering a glimpse into the future of intelligent, adaptable business solutions.

Lenovo Unveils ThinkPad X9 Series: Revolutionary Design Meets Pro-Level Performance
Lenovo introduces the ThinkPad X9 14 and X9 15 Aura Editions, its latest premium business laptops designed for innovative thinkers from prosumers to small and medium businesses to large corporations. These Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra processors are cutting-edge, AI-enhanced devices for creative professionals that combine powerful and efficient Intel and Windows 11 platforms, personalized AI-enabled experiences, in an all-new progressive design. ThinkPad X9 offers the ideal toolkit for today's hybrid users who demand high performance, proven reliability, and seamless productivity.

ASUS Shows Off Copilot+ Ready NUCs Powered by Lunar Lake and Strix Point, and NUC Pro+

ASUS at the 2025 International CES showed off some of the first NUC desktops that meet Microsoft Copilot+ AI PC logo requirements. The new ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI measures 130 mm x 130 mm x 34 mm. It runs an Intel Core Ultra 200V series "Lunar Lake" processor. Depending on the processor model, you get 16 GB or 32 GB of hardwired LPDDR5X memory. You also get the processor's Xe2 "Battlemage" iGPU. Its NPU provides up to 45 AI TOPS of performance, meeting Copilot+ requirements. Storage is care of an M.2-2280 slot with NVMe Gen 4 x4 wiring. I/O options include two 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports including DisplayPort passthrough, and networking that includes Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7.

ASUS won't (or probably can't use the "NUC" moniker with AMD processors), and so there's the ExpertCenter PN54 for those who want essentially the same device, but with an AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processor. This mini PC has the same exact dimensions as the NUC 14 Pro AI, and is powered by a Ryzen AI 300 "Strix Point" processor, with options going all the way up to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. This chip includes the XDNA 2 NPU with 50 AI TOPS on tap, which means it meets Microsoft Copilot+ AI PC logo requirements. It also features the Radeon 870M RDNA 3.5 graphics with 16 CU. The chip uses standard dual-channel DDR5-5600 using SODIMMs. Storage includes an M.2-2280 slot with Gen 4 x4 wiring. In place of Thunderbolt 4, you get a couple of USB4 ports with 40 Gbps bandwidth and DP passthrough. Comms include Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7, just like on its Intel-powered sibling.

ASUS Shows BTF Motherboards with Hidden Power Connectors at CES 2025

ASUS extended its line of motherboards at CES 2025, featuring a design that moves power connectors to the back of the board. The company calls this approach "BTF" (Back To Future), aiming to improve cable management in PC builds. The TUF GAMING B850-BTF WIFI and B860-PLUS WIFI models demonstrate this new design, which can deliver up to 600 watts through the motherboard to support modern graphics cards. The boards include Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, PCIe 5.0 support, and multiple M.2 slots for storage devices. In the high-end segment, ASUS presented the ROG Maximus Z890 HERO BTF, compatible with Intel's LGA1851 processors. This board features DDR5 memory support, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and tools like Q-Release for easier graphics card removal.

For professional users, ASUS released the ProArt Z890 CREATOR WIFI, equipped with Thunderbolt 4 ports and specialized cooling systems. The company also showed new gaming-focused models including the ROG Crosshair X870E APEX, for the fastest Ryzen 9000X3D series gaming processors. The motherboards share several technical features across different price points. All models support PCIe 5.0 for graphics cards and storage, while most include Wi-Fi 7 capabilities. ASUS has added tool-free installation mechanisms for M.2 drives across the lineup. ASUS has not yet announced pricing or specific release dates for the new motherboards. The BTF design represents a significant change in motherboard layout, though it will require compatible PC cases and power supplies to function as intended. This marks one of the first major changes to standard motherboard design since the ATX format became common in the 1990s.

GIGABYTE Shows Off Custom GeForce RTX 50 Series Designs for Desktop, and Blackwell-Powered Laptops

GIGABYTE revealed its GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards and new laptops at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The product line features NVIDIA's Blackwell architecture and includes several GPU models for different market segments. The company's main release, the AORUS GeForce RTX 5090 Master 32G, uses the WINDFORCE cooling system with a new Hawk fan design. The card incorporates server-grade thermal materials and includes an LCD display on its edge. Other models in the lineup include the RTX 5080 Master 16G and RTX 5070 Master 12G, both featuring dual BIOS options for switching between performance and quiet operation. For smaller PC builds, GIGABYTE introduced the RTX 5070 EAGLE OC ICE SFF 12G. The company also showed a water-cooled variant, the AORUS RTX 5090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB 32G, which includes leak detection features.

More pictures follow

Lenovo Legion Unleashes Next-Gen Gaming Power at CES 2025

Lenovo announced the latest additions to its Lenovo Legion ecosystem of gaming devices, accessories, and software today at CES 2025, delivering a deep bench of devices across a wide range of form-factors that give gamers of all levels powerful options to game their way in pursuit of 'reaching their impossible'. These new devices include:
  • The Lenovo Legion Go S (8", 1) and Lenovo Legion Go S (8", 1) - Powered by SteamOS, gaming handheld devices featuring an 8-inch screen with VRR support, a chassis sporting fused TrueStrike controllers with adjustable trigger switches and hall-effect joysticks, and the world's first officially licensed handheld powered by SteamOS.
  • The Lenovo Legion Go (8.8", 2), a gaming handheld prototype device planned to feature a native landscape OLED display, up to double the RAM compared to previous generation, and a bigger battery.
  • The redesigned Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (16", 10), Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (16", 10) and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 (16", 10) laptops, with new aggressive design language, more performance, and new Lenovo PureSight OLED display options.
  • A fully redesigned Legion Space gaming software solution that unifies all Lenovo Legion device settings, syncs with all Lenovo Legion ecosystem devices, provides access to all games in one library, and features a suite of new AI-powered features that help gamers up their game, their streams, and their enjoyment.
  • The Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 monitor, a PureSight OLED display with gaming-specific features to give competitive gamers an edge on the map.
  • Lenovo also announced other new additions to its Legion and LOQ laptops and desktops, the latest Legion Tab, and a selection of Legion accessories to complement the gaming devices.

GIGABYTE Shows QD-OLED Gaming Monitors at CES 2025, up to 500 Hz Refresh Rate

GIGABYTE has unveiled two cutting-edge QD-OLED gaming monitors at CES 2025, offering up to 500 Hz refresh rate. The new AORUS FO27Q5P is designed for competitive gaming with an industry-first 500 Hz refresh rate, the fastest in the QD-OLED market. It is a Samsung QD-OLED panel. Featuring 4K resolution and support for DP2.1 UHBR20 bandwidth, delivering a massive 80 Gbps, it ensures seamless compatibility with next-generation GPUs and 500 Hz gaming. This monitor also surpasses the VESA ClearMR 13000 threshold and aims to achieve the upcoming ClearMR 21000 standard for visual fidelity. With VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, the FO27Q5P delivers vivid contrast, precise shadow detail, and rich blacks.

Next in line is the MO27U2 27-inch monitor, offering 4K resolution, a 240 Hz refresh rate, and a 166 PPI resolution. With delta E≤2 color accuracy and Pantone Validated certification, this monitor is ideal for hybrid users who game, stream, and create. Both monitors feature OLED Care, an AI-based panel protection system designed to prevent burn-in and enhance longevity. Enhanced tactical features like Tactical Switch 2.0, Night Vision, and Black Equalizer 2.0 provide gamers with additional visual control and visibility, optimizing gameplay precision.

Netgear Expands Award-Winning WiFi 7 Home Networking Portfolio with Orbi 870 Series Mesh System

Netgear, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, security-driven solutions for people to connect and manage their digital lives, today announced the launch of the Orbi 870 Series Mesh System - the latest addition to its growing portfolio of mesh networking systems delivering the enhanced power of WiFi 7 to homes of all sizes.

Building on nearly 30 years of WiFi innovation expertise, NETGEAR designed the Orbi 870 series to deliver high-performance mesh networking powered by WiFi 7. Created to meet the needs of today's connected homes, the Orbi 870 ensures exceptional speeds, reduced latency and ample capacity for even the most demanding households. Whether streaming ultra-high-definition content, working remotely, or gaming online, families can rely on Orbi 870's advanced WiFi technology to support a smooth experience across up to 150 connected devices. Meanwhile, Advanced Router Protection, only available from NETGEAR, helps ensure router security out of the box with advanced safety features and automatic security updates designed to help protect routers against cyberattacks and other security threats.

Razer Redefines Gaming at CES 2025 With Groundbreaking Innovations and Futuristic Technologies

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today introduces a breathtaking lineup of high-performance gaming solutions and visionary technological concepts at CES 2025.

This year's highlights include the innovative Razer Blade 16 - the thinnest and most powerful in its lineage, alongside revolutionary projects like Project Arielle, the first gaming chair with integrated heating and cooling, and Project AVA, an AI esports coach that personalizes gaming strategies. Today's announcement also includes the immersive Razer Aether Standing Light Bars, the sleek Razer Monitor Stand Chroma, Razer Handheld Dock Chroma, a new Razer HyperBoost feature for the Razer Laptop Cooling Pad, and the intuitive new Razer PC Remote Play feature for the Razer Kishi Ultra. Further enhancing the lineup, the ergonomic Razer Iskur V2 X chair underscores Razer's commitment to comfort gaming.

From AI to IoT: KIOXIA Highlights Flash Memory Solutions for an Unlimited Array of End User Applications at CES 2025

This week at CES 2025, KIOXIA America, Inc. will highlight the transformative potential of flash memory. As pioneers of NAND flash technology, KIOXIA will demonstrate how its innovative solutions empower users to achieve more, tackle challenges, and unlock creativity—making everyday moments and groundbreaking innovations possible.

Visitors to the KIOXIA exhibit will discover how flash memory is redefining storage for a digital-first world. The company will showcase cutting-edge solutions for diverse industries, from memory and SSDs for artificial intelligence and automotive to flash products for consumer and industrial applications.

iBUYPOWER Debuts Ninth Generation of PC Cases for Its 2025 Component and Peripheral Expansion

iBUYPOWER, a leading system integrator focusing on the production of high-quality prebuilt and custom gaming computers, announced today the debut of its ninth generation of original and peripherals as part of its brand-new lineup for this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Attendees interested in learning more about the company's product lineup can book an appointment at the following link: https://www.ibuypower.com/community/events/ces

"We've always sought ways to smartly innovate our own peripherals and components to stand apart from competitors while also enhancing the end-user experience. Our new cases are set to further diversify our product selection with customers seeking specific feature sets and aesthetics," said Darren Su, Co-Founder and Vice President of iBUYPOWER. "We're also keen to see how our community reacts to the upcoming launch of our collaboration keyboards with REDRAGON, as we anticipate customers will enjoy an upgraded out-of-the-box experience with high-quality keyboards without additional expenditure."

be quiet! Confirms Compatibility with Current GPU and CPU Standards

be quiet!, the German manufacturer for premium PC components, is reaffirming its dedication to support next-generation products and technologies with its current product portfolio to highlight its commitment to innovation and market leadership. The recently announced NVIDIA RTX 5000 and AMD Radeon RX 9000 graphics cards will be fully compatible with the Dark Power (Pro) 13 (1600 W-750 W), Straight Power 12 (1500 W-750 W), and Pure Power 12 (M) (1200 W-550 W) power supply series, which were designed to support the rigorous demands of modern high-performance graphics cards.

Furthermore, be quiet! confirms that all current CPU cooling solutions are fully compatible with recently announced CPUs from Intel (LGA1851) and AMD (AM5). This includes coolers in the Dark Rock 5, Shadow Rock 3, Pure Rock 2, Silent Loop 2, Pure Loop 2 (FX), Light Loop series, and more. Recently, be quiet! set new benchmarks with pioneering innovations such as the Light Base case series. This groundbreaking concept, which combines state-of-the-art design with exceptional functionality, has been met with enthusiasm by both the media and customers, injecting fresh energy into the company's product lineup.

ViewSonic at 2025 International CES: 27-inch and 16-inch Wireless Monitors, and More

At CES 2025 we sneaked up on ViewSonic, as they were setting up a giant mosaic screen. The star attraction is the VG2748N, a 27-inch wireless monitor. The display uses Wi-Fi TX and a USB-C dongle to wirelessly get its display input from a supported source, such as a modern laptop. If you prefer wired connectivity, you get DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4. The display specs are nothing to write home about—1080p 60 Hz with 250 nits brightness; but the main pull is the wireless connectivity. The monitor isn't exactly portable, it looks conventional, but has a quick-setup stand. ViewSonic will launch this one later this quarter (before April).

For portability, the company has the VG1656N, a 16-inch portable monitor that you can cast wirelessly to. It features a 16:10 aspect ratio with 1920 x 1200 resolution, and 60 Hz refresh rate. The monitor has a built-in battery, and a pair of USB-C ports for two-way charging (to charge the monitor, as well as to charge your laptop from the monitor's battery). The monitor features a folio-type cover-stand. This monitor is available now for $300. We also spotted the XG275D-4K, a 27-inch wired monitor with 4K Ultra HD resolution. This display does 4K UHD at 160 Hz, or 1080p at 360 Hz. It packs NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, and AMD FreeSync Premium. Inputs include DisplayPort 2.0 and HDMI 2.1. ViewSonic plans to launch this some time in Q2-2025.

Snapdragon X Series Continues to Redefine the PC Category with a New Platform, Mini Desktop Form Factors, and NPU Powered AI Experiences

Expanding its AI PC leadership, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced the Snapdragon X Platform, the 4th platform to join the Snapdragon X Series compute portfolio, designed to deliver performance, multi-day battery life, and Copilot+ PC experiences for even more users globally.

Redefining the PC Category for Mainstream Devices at $600
Utilizing the power of an 8-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU, Snapdragon X is delivering essential performance to the next-generation of PCs. This platform delivers up to 163% faster performance at ISO-power than our competitors who also require 168% more power at ISO-performance, the Snapdragon X processor balances performance and built-in intelligence with a 45 TOPS NPU that runs Copilot+ PC experiences more efficiently. With an integrated power efficient GPU, Snapdragon X supports dynamic graphics ideal for creating presentations, web browsing, or streaming content. Snapdragon X is an ideal solution for students, freelance workers, and budget-conscious consumers who need a reliable and powerful laptop that can keep up with their busy lives. Devices powered by Snapdragon X are expected to be available from leading OEMs including Acer, ASUS, Dell Technologies, HP and Lenovo in early 2025 enabling Copilot+ PCs in the $600 range.

Graid Technology Unveils SupremeRAID(TM) AE: The AI Edition Designed for GPU-Driven AI Workloads

Graid Technology, the global leader in innovative storage performance solutions, is proud to announce the launch of SupremeRAID AE (AI Edition), the most resilient RAID data protection solution for enterprises leveraging GPU servers and AI workloads. Featuring GPUDirect Storage support and an intelligent data offload engine, SupremeRAID AE redefines how AI applications manage data, delivering unmatched performance, flexibility, and efficiency.

SupremeRAID AE's cutting-edge technology empowers organizations to accelerate AI workflows by reducing data access latency and increasing I/O efficiency, while protecting mission-critical datasets with enterprise-grade reliability. Its seamless scalability enables enterprises to meet future AI demands without overhauling existing infrastructure. Designed for a wide range of users, SupremeRAID AE benefits AI/ML teams by delivering faster training and inference for data-intensive models, enterprises with GPU servers by optimizing GPU performance for critical workloads, and data scientists and researchers by providing seamless access to vast datasets without bottlenecks. IT teams also gain resilient, scalable RAID storage that integrates effortlessly into existing systems without requiring additional hardware.

Phison Shows Off 6nm E28 NVMe Gen 5 Controller; E31T with Micron G9, and a Massive Enterprise SSD

At CES 2025, we found the SSD controller that will spur high-end NVMe Gen 5 SSD adoption. Until now, high-end Gen 5 SSDs were driven by Phison's E26 series controller that the company built on TSMC's 12 nm process. The company on Monday launched the new E28 series controller (full name PS5028-E28). This chip is built on the much more advanced TSMC 6 nm process. The new process lets Phison to significantly lower the electrical cost of its NAND flash interface serializer-deserializer, and step up performance closer to the interface limits of PCI-Express 5.0 x4. The controller offers sequential speeds of up to 14.5 GB/s, which is an increase from last year's E26 Max14um variant.

The company showed us the bare E28 controller chip, and a reference-design SSD based on it. Not much to report, except that the drive lacked any cooling solution. Production SSDs powered by the E28 will still need heatsinks to achieve optimal performance, although they won't run as hot as drives powered by the E26. The company didn't have any performance demo stations set up with this drive.

Schenker XMG Shows Off Laptops Featuring GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

At the 2025 International CES, we went hands on with some of the first Schenker XMG enthusiast notebooks that feature a next-generation NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. These include the Schenker Key 18 PRO, and the XMG Neo 16. The Key 18 Pro is a massive portable workstation featuring an 18-inch 16:10 display with either 2560 x 1600 or 3840 x 2400 pixels resolution, with either 500 nits or 400 nits brightness, respectively. The notebook is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor (8P+16E, 36 MB cache), with four DDR5 SODIMM slots that you can add up to 192 GB of memory to. The star attraction of course is its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, which is configured with 24 GB of video memory, and 175 W of power. A large 98 Wh battery powers the beast.

Meanwhile, the XMG Neo 16, as its name suggests, has a 16-inch display. This is 16:10, with 2560 x 1600 resolution, comes with 300 Hz refresh rate, and 1000 nits brightness. You get the same combination of a Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, with the GPU getting 175 W of power. There are two DDR5 CSODIMM slots (SODIMMs with CKD). The company also showed off two of its key innovations that power the two notebooks, its mainboard with a proprietary bridge connector between the motherboard and discrete GPU board; and its two new cooling solutions.

LaCie Introduces the Rugged SSD Pro5 with Thunderbolt 5 Technology

LaCie, the premium brand from Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ: STX), today introduced the industry's fastest scratch disk for creative professionals—the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5. Leveraging next-gen Thunderbolt 5 technology, the Rugged SSD Pro5 is ideal for filmmakers, photographers, and audio specialists who want the highest performance and reliability from their storage solutions.

The new Rugged SSD Pro5 delivers ultra-fast read/write speeds of up to 6,700/5,300 MB/s for streamlining workflows and maximizing productivity for creative projects. Available in capacities of up to 4 TB, it enables real-time editing of 8K and 6K RAW footage and ensures smooth performance with even the most intensive tasks.

Cherry Unveils New Gaming and Office Peripherals at CES 2025

At CES 2025, CHERRY XTRFY showcased a wide range of products, including the MX 8.3 TKL Wireless and MX 10.1 Wireless keyboards, the H3 Wireless headset, and the GP6 and GP7 mousepads. In the office segment, CHERRY unveiled its first hot-swappable mechanical keyboard, the KW 300 MX, along with the low-profile KC 500 MX LP series and the wireless KW 550 MX LP. The H3 Wireless headset launches in early 2025, with other products following in the second quarter.

CHERRY XTRFY, founded in 1953, is a company with a long and impressive history in the industry, known to many as synonymous with high-end mechanical keyboard switches and peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and headsets designed for passionate gamers, e-sports players, and office environments. Now, let's take a closer look at their latest products showcased at CES 2025.

PNY Unveils Its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Graphics Card Family

PNY announced today the arrival of the GeForce RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070 graphics cards to its lineup of NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs. Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

The new GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs are designed to provide an exceptional AI experience on PCs. Specialized AI Tensor Cores deliver a massive leap in AI TOPS, enabling transformative capabilities for AI in gaming, creative tasks, and daily productivity. Gamers demand the highest visual quality, and the AI-enhanced NVIDIA DLSS 4 technology combined with full ray tracing creates breathtaking in-game worlds.

COLORFUL and iGame Launches NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards

Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading brand in gaming PC components, gaming laptops, and Hi-fi audio products, today announced its lineup of new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards. The new iGame GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards feature the redesigned Vulcan, Neptune, Advanced, and Ultra W models - featuring improvements in aesthetics and cooling.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

ASRock Industrial Intros NUC(S) Ultra 200 BOX Series with Intel Core Ultra 200H Processors

ASRock Industrial is proud to announce the launch of its highly anticipated NUC(S) Ultra 200 BOX Series and NUC Ultra 200 Motherboard Series built to revolutionize AI-driven computing. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 200H processors (Arrow Lake-H), the series delivers up to 99 TOPS of AI inferencing power, offering cutting-edge performance in a compact form factor. Designed to meet the growing needs of industries such as AI-enhanced business operations, immersive content creation, and high-performance gaming, the NUC(S) Ultra 200 BOX Series is engineered to provide next-level computing power with Intel's latest performance hybrid architecture, Intel Arc GPU, and NPU.

These compact systems are built for users who demand powerful multitasking capabilities, from AI inferencing to media-rich applications and data processing. With its space-saving design and exceptional versatility, the NUC(S) Ultra 200 BOX Series ensures efficient, high-speed performance across a range of applications—redefining what's possible in modern computing.

ASRock Industrial Launches 4X4 Box AI300 Series With AMD Ryzen Processors

ASRock Industrial unveils the 4X4 BOX AI300 Series, a compact powerhouse designed to redefine AI computing with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors. Featuring the Ryzen AI 7 350 and Ryzen AI 5 340 processors, this series delivers up to 50 TOPS of NPU performance, supporting Copilot+ PC experiences and AI-enhanced multitasking. With up to 96 GB dual-channel DDR5 5600 MHz memory, quad display up to 8K, and versatile connectivity, including dual LAN ports, Wi-Fi 6E, five USB ports with two USB4, it combines exceptional AI performance with scalability and efficiency.

Equipped with Ryzen AI as its dedicated AI engine, the 4X4 BOX AI300 Series ensures responsive AI processing paving the way for next generation productivity. Living up to its slogan, "Tiny Box AI Rocks," the 4X4 BOX AI300 Series is engineered for AI PCs, gaming, content creation, tech enthusiasts, prosumers, and AIoT applications.

ASRock Industrial Unveils Intel Core Ultra 200S Processor Motherboards

ASRock Industrial proudly unveils its newest range of industrial motherboards, powered by Intel Core Ultra 200S Processors (Arrow Lake-S) with Intel 800 series chipsets. Featuring an advanced hybrid architecture with up to 24 cores and an upgraded NPU, these motherboards empower exceptional edge performance, energy-efficiency, and enhanced AI acceleration for complex AI driven workloads. The new range of motherboards support up to DDR5 6400 MHz memory, offering versatile I/O, expansion options, quad display capabilities. Featuring PCIe Gen 5, and USB4/ Thunderbolt 4 for ultra-fast connectivity, select models offer 10G LAN to meet the demands of high-speed networking. With flexible form factors including Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, and ATX, these motherboards cater to versatile edge AI applications across industrial automation, robotics, AI agents, kiosks, retail, gaming and beyond.

Mini-ITX Models (High Rise I/O): IMB-1246 and IMB-1247
Leveraging Intel Core Ultra 200S Processors, the IMB-1246 utilizes the H810 Chipset, while the IMB-1247 features the Q870 Chipset, offering enhanced scalability. Both models support up to 96 GB DDR5 memory via two CSO-DIMM (DDR5 6400 MHz) or SO-DIMM (DDR5 5600 MHz) slots. Offering various expansion capabilities and I/O tailored for diverse applications, including one PCIe x16 (Gen 5) and one USB4/ Thunderbolt 4. The IMB-1246 provides two USB 3.2 Gen 2, one USB 3.2 Gen 1, four USB 2.0, one M.2 Key E, one M.2 Key M, four COM ports, and two SATA 3 ports, while the IMB-1247 enhances connectivity with five USB 3.2 Gen 2, two USB 3.2 Gen 1, two USB 2.0, one M.2 Key B, one M.2 Key E, two M.2 Key M, four COM ports, and three SATA 3 ports. Networking feature offers one 2.5G LAN and one 1G LAN. Display support includes triple display output on the IMB-1246 with two HDMI 2.1 TMDS, one DP 2.1 (via Type-C), and one LVDS/eDP while the IMB-1247 supports quad display output, adding one DP 1.4a for greater flexibility.

SK hynix Showcases AI-Driven Innovations for a Sustainable Tomorrow at CES 2025

SK hynix has returned to Las Vegas for Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, showcasing its latest AI memory innovations reshaping the industry. Held from January 7-10, CES 2025 brings together the brightest minds and groundbreaking technologies from the world's leading tech companies. This year, the event's theme is "Dive In," inviting attendees to immerse themselves in the next wave of technological advancement. SK hynix is emphasizing how it is driving this wave through a display of leading AI memory technologies at the SK Group exhibit. Along with SK Telecom, SKC, and SK Enmove, the company is highlighting how the Group's AI infrastructure brings about true change under the theme "Innovative AI, Sustainable Tomorrow."

Groundbreaking Memory Tech Driving Change in the AI Era
Visitors enter SK Group's exhibit through the Innovation Gate, greeted by a video of dynamic wave-inspired visuals which symbolize the power of AI. The video shows the transformation of binary data into a wave which flows through the exhibition, highlighting how data and AI drives change across industries. Continuing deeper into the exhibit, attendees make their way into the AI Data Center area, the focal point of SK hynix's display. This area features the company's transformative memory products driving progress in the AI era. Among the cutting-edge AI memory technologies on display are SK hynix's HBM, server DRAM, eSSD, CXL, and PIM products.

Creative and TGIF Join Forces to Amp Up Gaming Chairs with Immersive Audio

Creative Technology and TGIF have teamed up to offer gamers the perfect balance of immersive audio and ergonomic comfort. By merging Creative's industry-leading audio technology with TGIF's expertise in designing high-performance ergonomic gaming chairs, this partnership kicks off with the launch of the T0 Aurena gaming chair speaker system - engineered to deliver superior audio and comfort for users during extended gaming and entertainment sessions.

Debuting at CES 2025, the innovative speaker system features Creative's SoundBlaster CMSS3D+ technology, delivering rich, multi-dimensional audio that brings games and movies to life. This pioneering technology can create a surround sound experience within a compact desktop setup, offering a wider, more immersive soundstage for a lifelike audio experience. Gamers can expect to feel every moment in vivid detail—from the precision of footsteps in first-person shooter games to the cinematic depth of movie soundtracks—all while relaxing in the comfort of TGIF's expertly designed ergonomic gaming chairs.

HP Unveils New OMEN and HyperX Products at CES 2025

Today at CES 2025, gamers can now elevate their gameplay like never before with the newest OMEN and HyperX PCs and solutions from HP Inc. PC gamers demand the best when it comes to powerful and personalized gaming technology. Three-quarters of them are purchasing new devices for better performance and features while more than half want customization options to represent their individuality. With the newest OMEN Max 16 Laptop paired with OMEN AI technology, gamers can play with confidence knowing that their device is designed to automatically and continually adjust performance and thermals for the best in uninterrupted gameplay.

OMEN AI: Revolutionizing the Gaming Experience
Introducing OMEN AI Beta, a groundbreaking software innovation redefining gaming performance optimization. Gamers often spend countless hours searching forums and using trial and error to achieve optimal frames per second (FPS). With 85% of gamers prioritizing high FPS, a simpler solution is essential. OMEN AI offers a personalized, one-click solution tailored to each game, recommending OS, hardware, and game settings based on each unique rig and game - eliminating endless troubleshooting. As the first AI-powered game learning application that continually adjusts for optimized performance, OMEN AI adapts and improves settings over time. Launching with support for Counter-Strike 2, the application will expand to more popular titles. OMEN AI simplifies and elevates gaming experiences by taking the guesswork out of optimization.

Cooler Master Debuts MasterLiquid Atmos II AIOs, Flex Kits, and MasterFan XT Pro Fans

Cooler Master at the 2025 International CES showed us the latest update to its AIO, closed-loop liquid CPU cooler series, the MasterLiquid Atmos II. This is a generational update to the original ML Atmos from 2023. It comes with a thinner pump-block that you can stack a variety of attachments on. As part of the Flex Kit for Atmos II, there are a number of attachments such as simply metal plates in chrome or gunmetal finishes, a Cooler Master illuminated hexagon with infinity mirror, a coarse LED segment display that can be programmed to put out system monitoring info, a true-color display, as well as a mini 30 mm fan inside a mesh. You can swap attachments out on the fly. The MasterLiquid Atmos II will come in 280 mm and 360 mm radiator sizes.

Next up, Cooler Master showed off its latest MasterFan products, which include the MasterFan XT ARGB, MasterFan XT, and MasterFan XT Pro. The XT Pro is a standout product, offering speeds as high as 3,000 RPM, with 10-15 mm H₂O static pressure, and 101 to 125 CFM of airflow, with noise outputs ranging between 40 and 44 dBA. These come with a dual-ball bearing that's rated for over 200,000 hours, and Cooler Master is backing these with a 6-year product warranty.

MSI Introduces Next-Gen NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards for the AI Era

MSI has unveiled its groundbreaking NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, featuring cutting-edge designs including Suprim Liquid, Suprim, Vanguard, Gaming Trio, Ventus, and Inspire. Engineered with enhanced thermal solutions, the cards are crafted to meet the high-performance demands of next-gen GPUs, delivering advanced cooling and peak performance.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

MSI Unveils MEG VISION X AI 2nd Gaming Desktop: Combining Intelligent Control with Powerful Performance

MSI officially unveiled the MEG VISION X AI 2nd gaming desktop, featuring the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards and Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), delivering cutting-edge computing performance. The system incorporates advanced Silent Storm Cooling AI technology and is equipped with the Glacier Armor cooling module, ensuring gamers enjoy exceptional performance during intense gaming sessions. Another standout feature is its 13-inch AI HMI touchscreen, which integrates the MSI AI app and voice interaction to provide an intuitive and seamless control experience. Recognized for its cutting-edge design and exceptional performance, the MEG VISION X AI 2nd gaming desktop proudly earned dual honors at the CES Innovation Awards 2025, cementing its place as one of the event's most exciting highlights.

AI HMI: A New Way to Control Your PC
MSI's newly introduced AI HMI redefines smart interaction by combining a 13-inch FHD touchscreen with a dedicated app, MSI AI applications, built-in speakers, and a microphone. The AI HMI intelligently recognizes user scenarios, automatically adjusting performance settings and offering practical AI-driven widgets. When used as a secondary screen, it significantly enhances productivity and creative efficiency. Additionally, it features an integrated system monitoring function, enabling users to stay informed about their system's status and directly manage MSI gaming monitor settings. This innovation delivers gamers an intelligent and intuitive control experience.

Cooler Master Unveils V-Series and V-Lite Series CPU Air Coolers Resembling Engine Blocks

Cooler Master at the 2025 International CES showed off the new V-Series and V-Lite Series air CPU coolers that are designed to visually resemble engine blocks of performance cars and trucks. These are mainly just fancy top-plates designed to look either like the block hood, or cylinder heads, complete with make-believe air and exhaust manifolds. A common essential design among all cooler models is that they're all single fin-stack tower-type coolers with two fans in push-pull ventilation configuration. The differentiators are the size of the fin-stack, size of the fans, and number of heat pipes.

The series is led by the V10 3DHP, which features a single wide fin-stack that pulls heat from the CPU using no less than ten 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes. There's supposed to be a V8 3DHP that's slightly slimmer, and with eight heat pipes, but we couldn't find it. We instead spotted the V6 3DHP, which is further slim, with six heat pipes, and the smallest cooler of the lot, the V4 3DHP, with four 8 mm-thick heat pipes. Then there's the V-Lite Series. The top plates of these coolers resemble full-hood engine covers in production cars, there's no make-believe manifolds. The V-Lite V6 comes with six heat pipes, and the V4 with four. Both these lack any fancy lighting on the fans, but the top plates have a touch of RGB.

Cooler Master Intros 4th Gen MWE Gold Power Supply at 2025 CES

The MasterWatts Eath (MWE) line of PSUs form Cooler Master is one of the most popular upper-mainstream PSUs in the fully-modular 80 Plus Gold segment of the market. At CES 2025, the company showed off its 4th generation, the MWE Gold IV series. There will be many models in the series ranging from 650 W to 1350 W, but the one shown here is the MWE Gold 850 IV. The PSU offers 80 Plus Gold switching efficiency, and fully-modular cabling. What sets this generation of MWE apart are its standards—it meets ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 CEM specs. Its main graphics power connector is a modern 12V-2x6 capable of 600 W continuous output.

There are four additional 8-pin 12 V outputs, two of which make a pair of 4+4 pin EPS, and the others four 6+2 pin PCIe power. The PSU appears to have an illuminated Cooler Master hexagon decal on the sides. The rather compact-looking PSU uses a 120 mm fan with zero-RPM and thermal control. Besides 80 Plus Gold, the MWE Gold IV meets Cybenetics Platinum switching and Lambda-A cooling certifications. Cooler Master is backing these with a generous 10-year warranty.

Cooler Master Unveils Cooling X Pro Case with a Unique Liquid Cooling Design

The Cooling X Pro from Cooler Master is a case designed for the "cooling defined build," a high-end PC build where the primary focus is on high-performance liquid cooling of the CPU, GPU, and NVMe SSD. The case reimagines the layout of key components in the build, such as positioning the PSU toward the front, putting the CPU and VGA under a proprietary liquid cooling solution, and using a large, common square 360 mm x 360 mm radiator to dissipate heat from both. This is ventilated by four 180 mm fans.

Besides this unique cooling solution, the Cooling X Pro appears to feature an aluminium inner chassis similar to the MasterFrame Aluminium series that the company also showcased this year. The various panels aren't as modular, the one facing the left side is a curved tempered glass. The right probably features a coarse mesh panel to let the 360 mm x 360 mm radiator breathe.

Cooler Master Showcases MasterFrame Aluminium 600 and Aluminium 400 Cases at CES

Cooler Master at the 2025 International CES showcased its new MasterFrame line of cases designed around interlocking aluminium panels. The idea behind these cases is to give end-users the ability to swap out any of the six panels of the case to vastly alter functionality (eg: to replace a mesh-type front-panel with a glass-type one). The MasterFrame Aluminium 400 is a wide Micro-ATX tower, while the MasterFrame Aluminium 600 is an ATX mid-tower. The cases feature a frosty aluminium look that's very reminiscent of the GeForce TITAN graphics cards from last decade. They also have a very premium build quality, with no panel gaps. Among the panels shown at CES were different kinds of patterned glass, a gunmetal panel, and what looks like a magnesium alloy panel.

Synology at 2025 CES: BeeStation Plus, Compact New NAS Servers, and Surveillance Solutions

Synology at the 2025 International CES showcased updates to its popular consumer network storage products, beginning with one for its popular BeeStorage line of flash-based personal cloud devices. The new BeeStation Plus comes with 8 TB of flash-based storage—double that of the original BeeStation from 2023—and updated system hardware that includes an Intel Celeron J4125 processor with 4 GB of DDR4 memory, USB 3.2 Gen 2 type-A and type-C ports; and an updated software frontend, including the BeeProtect software that makes snapshots and other forms of backups of your machine. The device continues to lack Wi-Fi, and relies on wired Ethernet to connect to the network.

Next up, the company showed off a couple of its entry-level desktop NAS solutions under the DiskStation brand, the DS224+ (2-bay), and the DS423+ (4-bay). Both feature SATA 6 Gbps drive bays, and you can expand storage using any USB mass-storage device that plugs into its 5 Gbps USB 3.2 port. The DS224+ comes with two 1 GbE interfaces. Under the hood are a Celeron J4125 processor backed by 6 GB of DDR4 memory. The DS423+ can hold up to 72 TB of storage, and besides the four SATA 6 Gbps bays, has two M.2-2280 slots with Gen 3 wiring. The NAS can access any of its drives at up to 226 MB/s reads, with up to 224 MB/s writes. Networking interfaces include a pair of 1 GbE. Lastly, the company showcased a series of "direct-to-cloud" WLAN and PoE surveillance cameras under the C2 Camera series.

Acer Announces Predator Helios AI Laptops and Predator XB323QX Gaming Monitor

Acer today announced significant performance and feature updates to its line of powerful Predator gaming laptops, including its flagship Predator Helios 16 AI and Predator Helios 18 AI. Acer has also expanded its Helios Neo portfolio of midrange gaming laptops with the launch of the all-new Predator Helios Neo 16S AI, bringing a slimmer chassis to the mix without sacrificing performance.

All the devices are powered by up to Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 275HX and next-gen NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs, built to deliver next-level gaming and AI performance. Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiple performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus access NVIDIA NIM Microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

GIGABYTE Shows off Z890/B860M and X870/B850 Motherboards at CES 2025

At CES 2025, GIGABYTE unveiled an impressive lineup of motherboards designed for Intel and AMD platforms for gaming, content creation, and professional use, with support for the latest processors, PCIe 5.0, and Wi-Fi 7. GIGABYTE introduced several Z890 chipset motherboards for Intel's "Arrow Lake" Core Ultra 200S series. The flagship Z890 AORUS Master offers features like DDR5 memory overclocking, tool-free PCIe and M.2 installation, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. The compact Z890I AORUS Ultra targets Mini-ITX builds with its efficient 8+1+2 VRM solution and AI-enhanced BIOS profiles. Despite its small form factor, it delivers robust performance and thermal management. For those looking for aesthetics and reliability, the Z890 AORUS Elite WiFi 7 ICE impresses with a sleek white design, digital VRM capabilities, and simplified Wi-Fi EZ-Plug installation for improved connectivity. For more budget-friendly options, GIGABYTE showed B860M AORUS Elite WiFi6E ICE motherboard, too.

GIGABYTE Shows Off Custom Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT GPUs at CES 2025

At CES 2025, GIGABYTE unveiled their latest Radeon RX 9070 series GPUs, showcasing the AORUS Radeon RX 9070 XT ELITE and the Radeon RX 9070 GAMING OC models. Powered by AMD's new RDNA 4 architecture, GIGABYTE has prepared a massive triple-fan cooling setup for both cards. The AORUS RX 9070 XT ELITE stands out with its WINDFORCE cooling system, featuring a newly designed Hawk fan and a vapor chamber with composite copper heat pipes for enhanced thermal management. The card also glows with an RGB Halo lighting system, a reinforced structure with an RGB-illuminated metal backplate, and dual BIOS modes for performance and silent operation. Meanwhile, the RX 9070 GAMING OC offers similar cutting-edge features in a sleek package, tailored for gamers who demand a balance of performance and style.

These new GIGABYTE models, with features such as dual BIOS for overclocking, help AMD's RX 9070 series deliver performance comparable to the RX 7900 XT or even higher in rasterization while introducing innovations like 2nd gen AI accelerators, 3rd gen ray tracing accelerators, and the FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) with frame generation and anti-lag technology. With these GPUs set to launch in Q1 2025, we will learn more about the pricing structure in the coming days.

Palit Unveils GameRock and GamingPro Series NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards

As a leading innovator in graphics card technology, Palit Microsystems Ltd. today proudly announces the launch of the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, featuring the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070 GPUs.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces Purpose-Built ROG G700 Gaming Desktop

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the arrival of the 2025 ROG G700 gaming desktop. Featuring cutting-edge silicon from Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA, this desktop is designed completely in-house using only ASUS and ROG components, thoroughly tested and validated in-house to offer gamers incredible performance and reliability. Using standard components and a tool-less chassis, the G700 makes future upgrades and maintenance a dream. High-efficiency airflow and liquid-cooling options keep the high-performance parts operating at their peak, and bold ROG flourishes make the G700 a perfect fit with any battlestation.

As a flagship brand, gamers expect the best performance possible from ROG. The ROG G700 easily lives up to that legacy, featuring either up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K or up to an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, both capable of buttery-smooth framerates in the latest games. Backing up that CPU power, the G700 comes equipped with up to a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 32 GB GDDR7, offering access to the latest software technology like DLSS 3.5 and Frame Generation for higher framerates and visual fidelity than ever before.

ASUS Unveils Cutting-Edge AI Router, Networking Solutions at CES 2025

ASUS and Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced a suite of innovative networking products at CES 2025, pushing the boundaries of Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for gamers, network enthusiasts and home users. In addition, ASUS RT-BE58 Go, a compact mini travels router with versatile connectivity; and ASUS 5G-GO, a sleek 5G mobile router with roaming support in up to 232 countries, both received the prestigious CES 2025 Innovation Award. The latest lineup includes ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI, the world's first AI-powered gaming router with a built-in NPU; and the ZenWiFi outdoor series, a robust outdoor Wi-Fi 7 mesh solution. All of these solutions are designed to deliver unparalleled performance, security, and flexibility.

Razer Introduces Redesigned Blade 16 Gaming Laptop With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 series laptop GPUs and AMD Ryzen AI 9 processors

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the new Razer Blade 16, redesigned to be thinner and more mobile for on-the-go gamers but packed with the performance expected from a Razer Blade. Featuring the all-new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 series laptop GPUs and, for the first time ever, AMD Ryzen AI 9 processors, Blade 16 offers incredible levels of raw power and maximum AI performance. Equipped with a fast and vibrant QHD+ 240 Hz OLED display, a new keyboard and more speakers, the Blade 16 is more fun to play on that ever before.

Travis Furst, Head of the Notebook & Accessories Division at Razer, stated, "The new Razer Blade 16 is a game-changer, blending ultra-portable design with powerhouse performance. It's tailored for gamers who demand the best in mobility without compromising on power or features, truly embodying what the future of gaming laptops looks like."

ASUS Announces NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards

ASUS today announced its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, including the all-new ROG Astral line that ushers in a new generation of performance. The ROG Astral series combines top-tier frame rates and a sleek, stellar design, with both air-cooled and liquid-cooled variants ready to power a user's next PC.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators, Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Users can multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, they can access NVIDIA NIM microservices—state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces 2025 ROG Flow Z13 Gaming Tablet

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the arrival of the 2025 ROG Flow Z13, a powerful gaming tablet. This versatile 2-in-1 gaming machine now features the brand new ultra-powerful AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with Radeon 8060S Graphics and a unified memory structure, allowing for incredible performance and power efficiency. A new stainless steel and copper vapor chamber, larger intake vents and 2nd Gen Arc Flow Fans offer 70% more airflow for quiet and efficient cooling.

This 13-inch tablet boasts a stunning ROG Nebula Display, a 2.5K resolution 180 Hz touchscreen with 500 nits of peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The Flow Z13 now also features a larger 70Wh battery, a larger touchpad and keycaps, and a convenient Command Center button for quick access to vital system functions. With dual USB-C ports, both of which support USB4 and power delivery, as well as a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port, the Flow Z13 lets gamers leave their dongles at home.

ASUS ROG Unveils Latest Innovations Forged to Unlock Limitless Gaming Potential at CES 2025

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today unveiled a groundbreaking lineup of gaming technology at its Unlock the ROG Lab: For Those Who Dare virtual event for CES 2025. Embracing the spirit of ROG Lab, where innovation breaks new ground, this year's collection redefines what's possible in gaming. Featuring cutting-edge graphics cards, gaming laptops, mini PCs, desktops, monitors, routers, and external GPUs, each product is meticulously crafted to unlock every gamer's full potential, pushing the boundaries of power and performance like never before.

Leading the charge was the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 50 Series, a brand-new line of high-end graphics cards inspired by the limitless expanse of the cosmos. Designed for elite gaming, these cards took center stage by demonstrating new heights of graphics performance with their exceptional cooling, stability, and power. The newly launched products include the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080, the ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090, and the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and 5070 from the expanded ROG Strix portfolio.

Gigabyte Demonstrates Omni-AI Capabilities at CES 2025

GIGABYTE Technology, internationally renowned for its R&D capabilities and a leading innovator in server and data center solutions, continues to lead technological innovation during this critical period of AI and computing advancement. With its comprehensive AI product portfolio, GIGABYTE will showcase its complete range of AI computing solutions at CES 2025, from data center infrastructure to IoT applications and personal computing, demonstrating how its extensive product line enables digital transformation across all sectors in this AI-driven era.

Powering AI from the Cloud
With AI Large Language Models (LLMs) now routinely featuring parameters in the hundreds of billions to trillions, robust training environments (data centers) have become a critical requirement in the AI race. GIGABYTE offers three distinctive solutions for AI infrastructure.

MSI Unveils New Laptop Lineup Featuring NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series

MSI, a world-leading premium laptop brand, has taken it in stride through its professionalism over luxurious aesthetics, extreme performance and innovative technology. MSI today proudly unveils its latest laptop lineup, equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs paired with the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2, AMD Ryzen 9000 series and AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors at CES 2025. MSI announced its exclusive Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition Norse Myth, featuring a hand-drawn dragon design with Nordic runes that blend Norse mythology with extreme gaming performance. The newly refreshed Titan, Raider, and Vector series deliver top-tier specifications for those pursuing extreme performance. The Stealth series lineup with Copilot+ PCs featuring the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series AI CPU is suitable for users looking for AI-powered laptops. Additionally, MSI has announced its high-performance Crosshair and Pulse series with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series, providing users with versatile options to meet their diverse performance needs. With exclusive AI solutions and innovative cooling thermal designs, MSI continues to deliver the best user experience, combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional performance.

"We're excited to announce a diverse range of MSI groundbreaking new laptop lineup for our end users, ensuring their needs are met whether they're looking for exceptional performance or AI-driven features," said Eric Kuo, the Executive Vice President & NB BU GM of MSI. "With our latest lineup, MSI continues to redefined the innovations, ensuring there's always an MSI laptop ready to empower your journey.

PC Gaming in the Cloud Goes Everywhere With New Devices and AAA Games on GeForce NOW

GeForce NOW turns any device into a GeForce RTX gaming PC, and is bringing cloud gaming and AAA titles to more devices and regions. Announced today at the CES trade show, gamers will soon be able to play titles from their Steam library at GeForce RTX quality with the launch of a native GeForce NOW app for the Steam Deck. NVIDIA is working to bring cloud gaming to the popular PC gaming handheld device later this year.

In collaboration with Apple, Meta and ByteDance, NVIDIA is expanding GeForce NOW cloud gaming to Apple Vision Pro spatial computers, Meta Quest 3 and 3S and Pico virtual- and mixed-reality devices - with all the bells and whistles of NVIDIA technologies, including ray tracing and NVIDIA DLSS. In addition, NVIDIA is launching the first GeForce RTX-powered data center in India, making gaming more accessible around the world. Plus, GeForce NOW's extensive library of over 2,100 supported titles is expanding with highly anticipated AAA titles. DOOM: The Dark Ages and Avowed will join the cloud when they launch on PC this year.

MSI Launches MAG CORELIQUID A15 Series, MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 and MEG MAESTRO 900L

At CES 2025, MSI is set to showcase a stunning lineup of innovations, from liquid coolers to power supplies and groundbreaking concept cases, redefining the possibilities of DIY assembly. The new MAG CORELIQUID A15 Series combines exceptional cooling performance with EZ DIY designs for a seamless installation experience. The MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 and MPG A1250GS PCIE5 power supplies, featuring dual native 12V-2×6 connectors and triple certifications, provide unparalleled stability and efficiency. Meanwhile, the flagship concept case MEG MAESTRO 900L PZ takes inspiration from stage displays, offering dual-system support and modular flexibility that revolutionize case design. In 2025, MSI continues to set new benchmarks in the DIY market—stay tuned!

Introducing the New MSI MAG CORELIQUID A15 Series Liquid Cooler, Coming Q1 2025! Designed with innovation and user experience in mind, the MAG CORELIQUID A15 Series takes the DIY assembly experience to a whole new level. Rooted in the EZ DIY concept, MSI focuses on user-friendly installation, featuring groundbreaking designs like the UNI Bracket, EZ Connect, EZ Conn-Design, pre-installed fans, and concealed cable integration for a seamless setup.

MSI Unveils a Pair of MPG and MEG Series Power Supplies

MSI is announcing two breaking power supply units - the MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 and MPG A1250GS PCIE5 - redefining high-performance power delivery with cutting-edge technology and innovative design for gamers and creators, embodying the pinnacle of performance and innovation. Both are certified by 80 Plus, Cybenetics, and PPLP and fully compliant with ATX 3.1 and PCIe (CEM) 5.1 standards, ready the power of your performance. Featuring two native 12V-2x6 connectors and dual color cables enable seamless compatibility with dual PCIe 5.1 GPUs. This ensures these PSUs can effortlessly handle the high-power demands of next-gen GPUs, manage surges in instantaneous current, and support machine learning workloads requiring dual GPU setups.

The MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 is the world's first PSU to incorporate server-grade Infineon SiC MOSFETs, which offer superior suitability for power supplies, improving efficiency by lowering operating temperature and optimizing heat dissipation. This innovation achieves a perfect balance of stability and energy savings. The digitally controlled power design also ensures precise power output, maximizing performance per watt and achieving the highest 80 Plus Titanium efficiency certification.
Monday, January 6th 2025

Today's Reviews

Cases
CPU Coolers
Desktop PC
Headphones
Memory
Motherboards
Networking
Notebooks
PSUs
Speakers
SSD
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi Review

ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi Review

AMD's B850 chipset is here and the first board we're looking at costs $300, but still includes PCIe Gen 5 support for SSDs and graphics cards while maintaining great VRM cooling and plenty of features. However, how does it stack up against cheaper B650 or slightly pricier X870 options?

NVIDIA Introduces DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation for up to 8X Framerate Uplifts

With the GeForce RTX 50-series "Blackwell" generation, NVIDIA is introducing the new DLSS 4 technology. The most groundbreaking feature being introduced with DLSS 4 is multi-frame generation. The technology relies on generative AI to predict up to three frames ahead of a conventionally rendered frame, which in and of itself could be a result of super resolution. Since DLSS SR can effectively upscale 1 pixel into 4 (i.e. turn a 1080p render into 4K output), and DLSS 4 generates the following three frames, DLSS 4 effectively has a pixel generation factor of 1:15 (15 in every 16 pixels are generated outside the rendering pipeline). When it launches alongside the GeForce RTX 50-series later this month, over 75 game titles will be ready for DLSS 4. Multi-frame generation is a feature exclusive to "Blackwell."

Toyota, Aurora and Continental Join Growing List of NVIDIA Partners Rolling Out Next-Generation Highly Automated and Autonomous Vehicle Fleets

NVIDIA announced today that Toyota, Aurora and Continental have joined the list of global mobility leaders developing and building their consumer and commercial vehicle fleets on NVIDIA accelerated computing and AI. Toyota, the world's largest automaker, will build its next-generation vehicles on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin, running the safety-certified NVIDIA DriveOS operating system. These vehicles will offer functionally safe, advanced driving assistance capabilities.

The majority of today's auto manufacturers, truckmakers, robotaxi, and autonomous delivery vehicle companies, tier-one suppliers and mobility startups are developing on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX platform and technologies. With cutting-edge platforms spanning training in the cloud to simulation to compute in the car, NVIDIA's automotive vertical business is expected to grow to approximately $5 billion in fiscal year 2026.

NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion Platform Achieves Critical Automotive Safety and Cybersecurity Milestones for AV Development

NVIDIA today announced that its autonomous vehicle (AV) platform, NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Hyperion, has passed industry-safety assessments by TÜV SÜD and TÜV Rheinland—two of the industry's foremost authorities for automotive-grade safety and cybersecurity. This achievement raises the bar for AV safety, innovation and performance.

DRIVE Hyperion is the industry's first and only end-to-end autonomous driving platform. It includes the DRIVE AGX system-on-a-chip (SoC) and reference board design, the NVIDIA DriveOS automotive operating system, a sensor suite, and an active safety and level 2+ driving stack. Automotive safety pioneers such as Mercedes-Benz, JLR and Volvo Cars are adopting the platform, which is designed to be modular, so customers can easily use what they need. It is also scalable and built to be upgradeable and compatible across future DRIVE SoC generations.

NVIDIA Puts Grace Blackwell on Every Desk and at Every AI Developer's Fingertips

NVIDIA today unveiled NVIDIA Project DIGITS, a personal AI supercomputer that provides AI researchers, data scientists and students worldwide with access to the power of the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell platform. Project DIGITS features the new NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, offering a petaflop of AI computing performance for prototyping, fine-tuning and running large AI models.

With Project DIGITS, users can develop and run inference on models using their own desktop system, then seamlessly deploy the models on accelerated cloud or data center infrastructure. "AI will be mainstream in every application for every industry. With Project DIGITS, the Grace Blackwell Superchip comes to millions of developers," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. "Placing an AI supercomputer on the desks of every data scientist, AI researcher and student empowers them to engage and shape the age of AI."

NVIDIA Expands Omniverse With Generative Physical AI

NVIDIA today announced generative AI models and blueprints that expand NVIDIA Omniverse integration further into physical AI applications such as robotics, autonomous vehicles and vision AI. Global leaders in software development and professional services are using Omniverse to develop new products and services that will accelerate the next era of industrial AI.

Accenture, Altair, Ansys, Cadence, Foretellix, Microsoft and Neural Concept are among the first to integrate Omniverse into their next-generation software products and professional services. Siemens, a leader in industrial automation, announced today at the CES trade show the availability of Teamcenter Digital Reality Viewer—the first Siemens Xcelerator application powered by NVIDIA Omniverse libraries.

NVIDIA Launches Cosmos World Foundation Model Platform to Accelerate Physical AI Development

NVIDIA today announced NVIDIA Cosmos, a platform comprising state-of-the-art generative world foundation models, advanced tokenizers, guardrails and an accelerated video processing pipeline built to advance the development of physical AI systems such as autonomous vehicles (AVs) and robots.

Physical AI models are costly to develop, and require vast amounts of real-world data and testing. Cosmos world foundation models, or WFMs, offer developers an easy way to generate massive amounts of photoreal, physics-based synthetic data to train and evaluate their existing models. Developers can also build custom models by fine-tuning Cosmos WFMs. Cosmos models will be available under an open model license to accelerate the work of the robotics and AV community. Developers can preview the first models on the NVIDIA API catalog, or download the family of models and fine-tuning framework from the NVIDIA NGC catalog or Hugging Face.

NVIDIA Launches AI Foundation Models for RTX AI PCs

NVIDIA today announced foundation models running locally on NVIDIA RTX AI PCs that supercharge digital humans, content creation, productivity and development.
These models—offered as NVIDIA NIM microservices—are accelerated by new GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, which feature up to 3,352 trillion operations per second of AI performance and 32 GB of VRAM. Built on the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, RTX 50 Series are the first consumer GPUs to add support for FP4 compute, boosting AI inference performance by 2x and enabling generative AI models to run locally in a smaller memory footprint, compared with previous-generation hardware.


NIM microservices connected to these GUIs will make it effortless to access and deploy the latest generative AI models. NVIDIA AI Blueprints, built on NIM microservices, provide easy-to-use, preconfigured reference workflows for digital humans, content creation and more. To meet the growing demand from AI developers and enthusiasts, every top PC manufacturer and system builder is launching NIM-ready RTX AI PCs with GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. "AI is advancing at light speed, from perception AI to generative AI and now agentic AI," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. "NIM microservices and AI Blueprints give PC developers and enthusiasts the building blocks to explore the magic of AI."

NVIDIA Blackwell GeForce RTX 50 Series Opens New World of AI Computer Graphics

NVIDIA today unveiled the most advanced consumer GPUs for gamers, creators and developers—the GeForce RTX 50 Series Desktop and Laptop GPUs. Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, fifth-generation Tensor Cores and fourth-generation RT Cores, the GeForce RTX 50 Series delivers breakthroughs in AI-driven rendering, including neural shaders, digital human technologies, geometry and lighting.

"Blackwell, the engine of AI, has arrived for PC gamers, developers and creatives," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. "Fusing AI-driven neural rendering and ray tracing, Blackwell is the most significant computer graphics innovation since we introduced programmable shading 25 years ago." The GeForce RTX 5090 GPU—the fastest GeForce RTX GPU to date—features 92 billion transistors, providing over 3,352 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS) of computing power. Blackwell architecture innovations and DLSS 4 mean the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU outperforms the GeForce RTX 4090 GPU by up to 2x.

NVIDIA 2025 International CES Keynote: Liveblog

NVIDIA kicks off the 2025 International CES with a bang. The company is expected to debut its new GeForce "Blackwell" RTX 5000 generation of gaming graphics cards. It is also expected to launch new technology, such as neural rendering, and DLSS 4. The company is also expected to highlight a new piece of silicon for Windows on Arm laptops, showcase the next in its Drive PX FSD hardware, and probably even talk about its next-generation "Blackwell Ultra" AI GPU, and if we're lucky, even namedrop "Rubin." Join us, as we liveblog CEO Jensen Huang's keynote address.

02:22 UTC: The show is finally underway!

ASRock Introduces New Intel B860/H810 Motherboards

ASRock announces a full line-up of Intel B860/H810 motherboards. New product comes in Phantom Gaming Series, the ever popular Steel Legend that comes in white PCB design and the feature filled but budget friendly Pro RS and Pro-A series. ASRock will also debut its first BMD (back mount design) motherboard, the B860M Pro BMD, elegant and stylish cable management is no longer a privilege for the high end.

Designed for Fast and Efficient Computing!
The new ASRock B860 motherboards are designed with 14 power phase for vCore, 2oz PCB and exclusive low-ripple 1000μf 20K black capacitors that guarantee stable and superior performance for the CPU. And on top of that, the B860/B860M Lightning Wi-Fi even comes with the patented Memory OC Shield to give excellent memory overclocking. The boards also geared with ample amount of next gen expansion possibility such as the latest PCI-Express Gen-5 for Graphics card and M.2 SSD, Thunderbolt 4 ports on the rear IO to enable lightning-fast data transfer up to 40 Gbps.

MSI Showcases Intel B860 and H810 Motherboards

MSI introduces its newest lineup of motherboards built for the Intel B860 and H810 chipsets. Combining performance and innovation, these motherboards deliver exceptional reliability and user-friendly features. They are designed to empower mainstream users, gamers, and creators with advanced computing capabilities. The B860 chipset brings several advantages over the H810, making it a standout choice for high-performance computing. It supports PCIe 5.0 slot and M.2 storage, enabling faster speeds and enhanced efficiency for demanding workloads. Unlike the H810, the B860 chipset also allows for memory overclocking, giving users more flexibility and control over their system's performance. With the B860 chipset having 24 PCIe lanes compared to the H810's 16, the B860 delivers a significant boost in performance with its superior bandwidth and connectivity for peripherals and components.

Further enhancing its capabilities, both chipsets include Thunderbolt 4, ensuring high-speed connectivity for a seamless user experience. However, the B860 chipset supports up to 8 Direct Media Interface (DMI) Gen 4 lanes, doubling the data transfer capacity between the CPU and chipset compared to the H810's 4 lanes. MSI's motherboards built on the B860 chipset deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and versatility, instilling confidence in gamers, creators, and everyday users seeking cutting-edge technology.

Gigabyte Expands Its Accelerated Computing Portfolio with New Servers Using the NVIDIA HGX B200 Platform

Giga Computing, a subsidiary of GIGABYTE and an industry leader in generative AI servers and advanced cooling technologies, announced new GIGABYTE G893 series servers using the NVIDIA HGX B200 platform. The launch of these flagship 8U air-cooled servers, the G893-SD1-AAX5 and G893-ZD1-AAX5, signifies a new architecture and platform change for GIGABYTE in the demanding world of high-performance computing and AI, setting new standards for speed, scalability, and versatility.

These servers join GIGABYTE's accelerated computing portfolio alongside the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 platform, which is a rack-scale design that connects 36 NVIDIA Grace CPUs and 72 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs. At CES 2025 (January 7-10), the GIGABYTE booth will display the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72, and attendees can engage in discussions about the benefits of GIGABYTE platforms with the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.

TCL Unveils Next-Gen NXTPAPER 4.0 Display Technology at CES 2025

TCL, a pioneer in display across feature-rich smartphones, tablets, and connected devices, is elevating digital experiences to unprecedented levels at CES this year. Building on its comprehensive product ecosystem, TCL unveils the new NXTPAPER 4.0 display technology, the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet, and the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G smartphone, marking significant advancements in enhancing visual clarity and comfort. TCL continues to 'Inspire Greatness' in daily life with the launch of its latest smart connectivity products, along with a strategic partnership with Microsoft to leverage advanced AI in TCL devices, reinforcing the commitment to providing users with innovative and accessible digital solutions.

The Future of Display Technology with TCL NXTPAPER 4.0
Driven by a mission to make technology more human, TCL's pioneering NXTPAPER technology addresses everyday visual comfort challenges as screen usage continues to increase globally. With an unwavering dedication and a strong sense of purpose, TCL has been on a remarkable journey to transform the way we interact with technology.

Acer Expands Copilot+ PC Portfolio with New Swift Go AI Laptops, and Aspire Laptops and Desktops

Acer today announced the expansion of its Copilot+ PC offering across its laptop and desktop portfolio. These include the thin-and-light Swift Go 14 AI and Swift Go 16 AI laptops, value-oriented Aspire 14 AI laptops, sleek and stylish Aspire S AI and Aspire C AI all-in-one (AIO) desktops, and powerful Revo Box AI mini PC. All new products are equipped with the latest processors with integrated neural processing units (NPU) for performance to power AI-driven workloads.

The new Acer Copilot+ PCs harness the power of AI to boost productivity and creativity. The Swift Go 16 AI and Swift Go 14 AI laptops and the Aspire C AI AIOs are powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors to deliver ultimate AI capabilities that boost productivity and efficiency for mobile professionals. The Aspire S AI and Revo Box AI feature Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), helping people breeze through intensive workloads efficiently.

Dell Transforms AI PC Portfolio for Anywhere Productivity

Dell reveals a new AI PC portfolio built for personal and professional computing. From sleek laptops to powerful workstations and versatile desktops, Dell's new AI PC lineup lets you collaborate, create and drive productivity no matter the location. And now it's easier than ever to find the right device with our new AI PCs unified under the Dell brand.

Why It Matters
The AI PC market is quickly evolving. Silicon innovation is at its strongest and everyone from IT decision makers to professionals and everyday users are looking at on-device AI to help drive productivity and creativity. To make finding the right AI PC easy for customers, we've introduced three simple product categories to focus on core customer needs - Dell (designed for play, school and work), Dell Pro (designed for professional-grade productivity) and Dell Pro Max (designed for maximum performance).

Dell Unveils Pair of Alienware Area-51 Laptops

The mobile cavalry has landed with the introduction of Area-51 laptops. These 18-inch and 16-inch laptops have an acute focus on power, performance and innovative engineering in a new otherworldly design language. Like its desktop counterpart, Area-51 laptops are an expression of maximum performance that cater to gamers seeking the preeminent gaming experience.

Armed to the nines with next-gen high-performance technology and enveloped in our brand-new industrial design, Area-51 symbolizes the next act for Alienware.
  • Elite Performance: Area-51 unleashes 280 W of power on next-gen NVIDIA graphics and a next-gen Intel Ultra CPU - this is the upper limit of performance on any gaming laptop, period.
  • Robust Thermals: A new intricate thermal architecture enables Area-51 to move up to 35% more air through the system while being 15% quieter.
  • Sophisticated Design: Area-51 laptop design exudes a mysterious identity that invokes curiosity while elevating comfort and functionality.

Acer Unveils New Swift Go and Aspire Vero 16 Laptops With Intel Core Ultra 200H Series Processors

Acer today announced refreshes to the well-rounded Swift Go series and the eco-friendly Aspire Vero 16 laptops, combining enhanced computing performance, power efficiency, stunning displays, and sustainable designs in the evolving AI PC era. The Swift Go 14 and Swift Go 16 laptops offer seamless productivity and adaptability in any work environment, with streamlined AI task execution and multi-day battery life, wrapped in ultra-thin and light designs. Available with 3K OLED or 2K IPS touch display configurations, these laptops deliver striking visuals to complement their eye-catching exteriors.

The Aspire Vero 16, a carbon-neutral laptop and the world's first to incorporate bio-based oyster shell material, now features a chassis made from a combination of more than 70% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and bio-based material. The bold innovation from Acer offers a sustainable laptop option without compromising performance or durability. All the new laptop devices are equipped with Intel Core Ultra 200H series processors and built-in Intel Arc graphics built-in, engineered to scale accelerated AI performance and maximize efficiency for work and creation. Mobile workers will also appreciate the new Acer Connect 5G mobile Wi-Fi and Acer Wave D7 Wi-Fi dongle, providing high-speed internet connections anywhere, anytime.

Acer Expands Handheld Gaming Portfolio with New Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11

Acer today launched the new Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11 handheld gaming devices, designed to elevate mobile gaming experiences with cutting-edge performance and versatile features. Powered by AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processors, 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, and up to 2 TB of storage, the Nitro Blaze series boasts lightning-fast performance and responsiveness. Their WQXGA touch panels (8.8-inch or 10.95-inch) featuring Radeon Super Resolution and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution technology, ensure fluid image quality. The dedicated Acer Game Space application simplifies managing and accessing popular games and applications on handheld gaming PCs.

The new Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller enhances the mobile gaming experience by enabling users to game anywhere and anytime with its foldable design. It supports fast charging to allow uninterrupted gaming sessions while powering mobile devices quickly.

Dell Brings Back the Alienware Area-51 Desktop PC

Alienware is reintroducing the iconic Area-51 back into the family, reanimated in desktop and laptop forms. Deep lore underpins Area-51, dating back to 1998. While the design, technology and gameplay have evolved significantly from iteration to iteration, one fact has remained the same: Area-51 represents the best that Alienware offers. Reclaiming its position as the ultimate gaming experience, the new Area-51 Desktop debut an arsenal of cutting-edge features -- including next-gen NVIDIA graphics - to power the next generation of AAA gameplay.

ALIENWARE AREA-51 DESKTOP
Area-51 Desktop makes a bold entrance to retake the throne as Alienware's flagship gaming PC. With this edition, we are returning to our roots with a machine that caters to the desires of PC gaming enthusiasts and longtime Alienware fans who have a deep appreciation for technology and a can-do attitude for manually customizing their build to their needs. It is an icon that honors the wishes of all gamers seeking unyielding performance and the ability to make serious upgrades for years to come.

New Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor is Here to Elevate Your Game

Alienware continues to lead in gaming monitor technology with QD-OLED advancements. After captivating gamers first with our 34-inch ultrawide QD-OLED model, we pushed boundaries even further by introducing a 32-inch model with 4K resolution, and a 27-inch model with a 360hz refresh rate last year. Now, in 2025, Alienware is back with yet another groundbreaking innovation - our latest QD-OLED innovation features the world's highest pixels per inch in any
OLED or QD-OLED monitor, providing gamers with unparalleled visual clarity, speed and immersion.

With the new Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor, a CES 2025 Innovation Award Honoree, gamers and game developers alike have a multitude of reasons to be excited. Our latest innovation promises to redefine gaming experiences by combining cutting-edge technology that's ready for the advanced graphics of today and tomorrow.

Dell Announces New QD-OLED Monitor Alongside a Pair of Thunderbolt 4 Equipped Displays

Dell is once again raising the bar with innovative new PC monitors that debut world's first technology. Our latest flagship trio showcases industry-leading advancements in color accuracy, eye comfort and audio experience, offering an ideal canvas for creative professionals, engineers, tech enthusiasts or anyone in search of cutting-edge monitors.

With world's first enhanced IPS Black, QD-OLED panel technology, best eye comfort features, AI-enhanced 3D Spatial Sound and more, Dell continues to lead with innovation in the PC monitors space for more than a decade.

Acer Launches New Nitro V Series Laptops at CES 2025

Acer today unveiled its new Nitro V series in various screen sizes, showcasing a powerful lineup of entry-level gaming laptops designed to make AI-powered gaming more accessible. Ideal for students, creators, and essential gamers seeking all-around performance, the Nitro V laptops offer a blend of exceptional responsiveness, stutter-free visuals, and ample storage to support the demands of evolving AI features and applications.

Available in various configurations and screen sizes, the new Nitro devices cater to diverse user preferences and styles. Additionally, they come with three months of PC Game Pass. PC Game Pass is designed for PC players, including games on day one such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Ara: History Untold, and titles from EA Play.

Dell Technologies Presents Its Simplified PC Portfolio at CES 2025

Dell Technologies builds on decades of PC innovation with a new, simplified portfolio featuring on-device AI for greater end-user creativity and productivity. To accelerate AI PC adoption across enterprises, Dell also provides developers and IT administrators with the tools to seamlessly build and deploy AI applications to Dell AI PCs.

As the number one provider of commercial AI PCs, Dell expands its portfolio with new product designs, increased performance and battery life, the latest silicon innovation and AI accelerators, and industry-leading capabilities across software, management and sustainability. Dell has unified its brand across PCs, displays, services and accessories to make it even easier for customers to find the right technology solutions they need today and in the future.

HP Unveils AI-Powered Experiences to Supercharge Productivity and Shape the Future of Work

Today at CES 2025, future business leaders will be wowed by new and powerful AI PCs and solutions from HP Inc. that empower them to collaborate and lead like never before.

Working with Purpose to Drive Impact
As the work landscape evolves, so do expectations for technology. That's why HP meticulously designed its latest lineup of commercial next-gen AI PCs to give professionals the right tools for their unique work experiences. With HP's newest EliteBooks, fast presentation creation, personalized emails, and a built-in recording studio are possible with just a simple click of a button, alongside built-in security and intelligence thanks to Wolf Security.

AMD Expands Copilot+ Capable Ryzen AI 300 Series, Debuts Ryzen 200 Series Mainstream Mobile Processors

AMD today vastly fleshed out its mobile processor lineup with the introduction of two new processor lines besides the Ryzen AI Max 300 series. This includes the introduction of more processor models in the Ryzen AI 300 series that are powered by the "Strix Point" silicon, and the introduction of the Ryzen 200 series mobile processors, which are based on the older "Hawk Point" silicon. In 2024, AMD had debuted the Ryzen AI 300 series "Strix Point," but with just the top-end Ryzen AI 9 370 and 365, which came with maxed out 12-core/24-thread (4x Zen 5 + 8x Zen 5c) core configuration, and a maxed out iGPU with 16 CU. Today the company is introducing the Ryzen AI 7 350, the Ryzen AI 5 340, and their AMD PRO variants for commercial notebooks. Both the consumer and commercial parts have identical specs, except for the latter featuring the AMD PRO feature-set.

The Ryzen AI 7 350 comes with a CPU configuration of 8-core/16-thread (4x Zen 5 + 4x Zen 5c). All cores have a base frequency of 2.00 GHz, the Zen 5 cores boost up to 5.00 GHz. The iGPU on offer is the Radeon 860M, with 12 CU and an engine clock of up to 3.00 GHz. TDP is configurable between 15 W to 55 W. The Ryzen AI 5 340 comes with a 6-core/12-thread configuration (3x Zen 5 + 3x Zen 5c), and CPU clock speeds of 2.00 GHz base with 4.80 GHz boost achievable on the Zen 5 cores. The iGPU is heavily cut down, with just 4 CU available, and an iGPU engine clock of 2.90 GHz. Notebook designers can configure this chip with a wide power range from 15 W to 55 W. All four processor models mentioned above come with a Ryzen AI XDNA 2 NPU that's capable of 50 AI TOPS, which means they're all Microsoft Copilot+ AI PC logo eligible.

AMD Announces the Ryzen Z2 Line of SoCs for Gaming Handhelds

AMD at the 2025 International CES unveiled the Ryzen Z2 line of SoCs for gaming handhelds that combine an x86-64 based SoC with a customized version of Windows 11. This market segment is poised to heat up with the entry of the Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" processor, and so AMD is responding with its latest IP. The Ryzen Z2 series is based on the 4 nm "Strix Point" silicon, which combines "Zen 5" and "Zen 5c" CPU cores with a fairly large iGPU based on the new RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture that's optimized for LPDDR5X memory. AMD's engineering effort focused on modest CPU performance gains over the Ryzen Z1 "Phoenix Point," but significant graphics performance gains. The NPU is disabled on all models.

The "Strix Point" silicon physically features two CCX, one with four "Zen 5" cores sharing a 16 MB L3 cache, and the other with eight "Zen 5c" cores sharing an 8 MB L3 cache. The iGPU of "Strix Point" is based on RDNA 3.5, and comes with 16 CU (compute units), a step up from the 12 CU of "Phoenix Point." The series is led by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which features an 8-core/16-thread CPU configuration that probably consists of four "Zen 5" cores, four "Zen 5c" cores, and a maxed out iGPU with 16 CU. The chip has a cTDP range of 15 W to 35 W. The "Zen 5" cores boost up to 5.00 GHz.

AMD Debuts Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 Powered by RDNA 4, and FSR 4

AMD at the 2025 International CES announced the Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 desktop performance-segment graphics cards. These will be the face of AMD's next generation of gaming graphics products, and will be powered by the new RDNA 4 graphics architecture. AMD hopes to launch both cards within Q1 2025. AMD changed the nomenclature of its gaming GPUs mainly because it has made a tactical retreat from the enthusiast graphics segment, its fastest products will compete in the performance segment. From the way AMD arranged the Radeon RX 9070 series and 9060 series product stack against the backdrop of the Radeon RX 7000 series, the GeForce RTX 4000 series, and the anticipated GeForce RTX 5000 series, the RX 9070 XT will offer performance roughly similar to the Radeon RX 7900 XT in raster, with the RX 9070 being slightly faster than the RX 7800 XT. The RX 9060 XT will beat the RX 7700 XT, while the RX 9060 beats the RX 7600 XT.

With RDNA 4, AMD claims generational SIMD performance increase on the RDNA 4 compute units. The 2nd Gen AI accelerators will boast of generational performance increase, and AMD will debut a locally-accelerated generative AI application down the line, called the AMD Adrenalin AI, which can generate images, summarize documents, and perform some linguistic/grammar tasks (rewriting), and serve as a chatbot for answering AMD-related queries. This is basically AMD's answer to NVIDIA Chat RTX. AMD's 3rd Gen Ray accelerator is expected to reduce the performance cost of ray tracing, by putting more of the ray tracing workload through dedicated hardware, offloading the SIMD engine. Lastly, AMD is expected to significantly upgrade the media acceleration and display I/O of its GPUs.

AMD Debuts Ryzen AI Max Series "Strix Halo" SoC: up to 16 "Zen 5" cores, Massive iGPU

AMD at the 2025 International CES debuted the Ryzen AI Max 300 series of mobile processors. These chips are designed to go up against the Apple M4 Pro, or the chip that powers the Apple MacBook Pro. The idea behind it is to provide leadership CPU and graphics performance from a single package, minimizing the PCB footprint from having a discrete GPU. In stark contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake," is designed more to go against the Apple M4, or the chips that power the latest MacBook Air but not quite the MacBook Pro. What sets "Strix Halo" functionally apart from "Lunar Lake" or even the M4 Pro, is that the AMD chip doesn't have memory-on-package (MoP), it relies on discrete LPDDR5X memory chips.

The "Strix Halo" processor is "Fire Range" on steroids. There are one or two "Zen 5" CCDs, for up to a 16-core/32-thread core configuration. Each of these "Zen 5" cores are unlike the ones on "Strix Point," in that they feature a fully unlocked AVX512 hardware pipeline (512-bit FP). The CCD shares a lavish 32 MB of L3 cache among 8 "Zen 5" cores. This is hardly the star attraction. Unlike "Fire Range," which features the small 6 nm client I/O die from "Granite Ridge," The new "Strix Halo" features a massive SoC die built on the 5 nm EUV foundry node. This packs the star attraction of the processor, it's oversized iGPU that has a massive 40 compute units (2,560 stream processors).

AMD Unveils Ryzen 9 9000HX and 9000HX3D "Zen 5" Mobile Processors for Enthusiast Notebooks

AMD today announced the Ryzen 9 9000HX and 9000HX3D line of mobile processors targeting enthusiast-segment gaming notebooks and portable workstations. These chips compete in the same market-segment as the Intel Core Ultra 200HX series. Codenamed "Fire Range," and powered by the "Zen 5" microarchitecture, the chip succeeds the "Zen 4" based "Dragon Range." This is essentially a thin BGA package of the desktop "Granite Ridge" chiplet-based processor, just the way "Dragon Range" relates to "Raphael." The chip has two "Zen 5" CCDs with full-sized "Zen 5" cores that are geared for high clock speeds, and have the full hardware FP implementation for AVX512, unlike the "Zen 5" cores on the "Strix Point" mobile processor.

AMD has, curiously, skipped single-CCD variants of "Fire Range," there are no Ryzen 7 9000HX models being announced today. There are just three processor-models—the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, the Ryzen 9 9955HX, and the Ryzen 9 9850HX. The 9955HX3D is AMD's flagship mobile processor for gaming notebooks. It features a 16-core/32-thread configuration, and features 3D V-Cache memory on one of the two CCDs. The chip hence comes with 144 MB of "total cache" (L2 + L3). It ticks at 2.50 GHz base frequency, and can boost up to 5.40 GHz for the CCD with 3D V-Cache. It comes with a configurable TDP range of 55 W and 75 W. There is no NPU, but the client I/O die puts out a boatload of I/O that includes 28 PCIe Gen 5 lane, from which 24 are usable, so the discrete GPU has a PCI-Express 5.0 x16 connection, besides two M.2 NVMe Gen 5 connections directly from the processor.

AMD Launches Ryzen 9 9000X3D Series "Zen 5" Desktop Processors with 3D V-Cache

AMD today expanded its Ryzen 9000X3D line of Socket AM5 desktop processors that combine the "Zen 5" microarchitecture with 3D V-Cache technology, with the introduction of two high core-count models, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. The 9950X3D is a 16-core/32-thread chip, while the 9900X3D is 12-core/24-thread. These are dual-CCD processors, and much like the Ryzen 9 7000X3D, the 3D V-Cache is only present on one of the two CCDs, while the other is a regular CCD with just the 32 MB on-die L3 cache. There is one key difference, though. Since AMD has redesigned 3D V-Cache for "Zen 5" to be below the CCD and not above, the CCD with it has the same clock speed boosting characteristics as the CCD without 3D V-Cache; and AMD has worked to refine its software-based OS scheduler optimization such that productivity applications favor either of the CCDs, while games stick to the one with 3D V-Cache.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D comes with a base frequency of 4.30 GHz, and boosts up to 5.70 GHz, with a 170 W TDP. This is much higher than the 5.20 GHz maximum boost frequency of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which makes the 9950X3D the company's fastest gaming desktop processor. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is similarly interesting—you get a base frequency of 4.40 GHz, and 5.50 GHz maximum boost frequency, which is higher than that of the 9800X3D, although the CCD with the 3D V-Cache only has 6 cores. The 9950X3D should hence end up beating the 9800X3D in gaming workloads, while the 9900X3D should be either on par or slightly slower than the 9800X3D at gaming, although faster than any chip from the non-X3D Ryzen 9000 series.

Digital Enhancement Unveils First Commercial RPU (Radio Processing Unit), Marking a Leap in Wireless Performance for Consumer Electronics

Digital Enhancement (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd (hereafter referred to as "Digital Enhancement") is set to unveil the world's first commercial-grade Radio Processing Unit (RPU) designed for Wi-Fi wireless access at the CES International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA.

This groundbreaking RPU and solution leverage Digital Enhancement's innovative "Digital RF" technology, delivering a 10x performance boost in Wi-Fi high-speed coverage. The innovation promises to redefine the wireless connectivity experience for consumer electronics, paving the way for a new era of seamless and high-performance wireless connections.

AMD 2025 International CES Keynote Address Liveblog

AMD is at the 2025 International CES, and we join them for a brisk run of what they have in store for us through the year. We expect some important announcements, such as the next-gen Radeon RX gaming GPUs powered by RDNA 4, a new flagship desktop processor powered by 3D V-Cache technology, HX-segment Ryzen 9000 series processors for gaming notebooks and portable workstations, the fabled "Strix Halo" chip AMD plans to surprise Apple with; and a fleshing out of its mobile processor portfolio.

19:02 UTC: The show is underway.
19:02 UTC: Jack Huynh takes centerstage.

Biostar Introduces B860M-Silver and B860MT-E Pro Motherboards

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, PC peripherals, and IPC solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its Intel B860M-SILVER and B860MT-E PRO motherboards, designed with cutting-edge Intel B860 architecture.

Built to support Intel's advanced Core Ultra 9, 7, and 5 processors, the B860M-SILVER and B860MT-E PRO motherboards offer exceptional performance tailored for creators, gamers, and modern office setups. They are masterfully designed to harness the superior bandwidth and energy efficiency of DDR5 technology, and support up to 192 GB of memory with blazing overclocking speeds of up to 8000 MHz.

ASMedia at CES 2025: High-Speed Transmission and AI

ASMedia Technology Inc., a leading provider of high-speed transmission interface ICs, showcased its latest innovations at CES 2025, focusing on USB4, Thunderbolt 4, and PCIe Gen 4 Switch technologies. These new technologies can be used in many different applications such as consumer electronics, AI, HPC, and industrial computing.

Key highlights include:
  • PCIe Gen 4 Switch ASM58000 Series: This low-power, cost-effective solution offers high bandwidth (up to 16 Gbps per lane), ideal for servers, edge computing, NAS, surveillance storage, and industrial PCs. It excels in demanding applications like AI, ML, and HPC.
  • USB4 ASM2464PDX with AI Enhancements: The USB4 device controller ASM2464PDX empowers PCs with enhanced AI capabilities. By leveraging USB4 and PCIe, it enables seamless external GPU connectivity for AI tasks, gaming, and content creation.
  • Comprehensive USB4 Solutions: ASMedia demonstrated a complete range of USB4 solutions, including host, device, and peripheral controllers, ensuring optimal compatibility and backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 3/4 and legacy USB standards.

Phison Unveils 6nm E28 Gen 5 SSD Controller for 14.5GB/s Speeds, Micron G9 NAND Support

Phison Electronics (8299TT), a leading innovator in NAND Flash technologies, today announced a product showcase of its latest advancements in storage innovation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025. Leading the display is the new PS5028-E28 PCIe Gen 5 SSD controller, built on TSMC's advanced 6 nm process node to enable a market-first sequential speed combination of 14.5 GB/s read/write, alongside the highly efficient PS5031-E31T SSD controller, now qualified with Micron Technology's new G9 NAND.

Phison's cutting-edge solutions are engineered to address critical storage challenges such as durability, capacity, and sustainability while meeting modern demand for speed, reliability, and efficiency. The lineup on display demonstrates Phison's commitment to providing high-performance solutions tailored for diverse markets, from consumer electronics to enterprise storage.

A Quick Stop at Lexar's 2025 CES Booth

We stopped by at the 2025 International CES booth of Lexar, a brand known for high-quality memory and storage products for creative professionals and gamers alike. Our tour begins with the new Lexar NM1090 PRO, the company's flagship M.2 NVMe Gen 5 SSD, which is capable sequential speeds of up to 14 GB/s reads, with up to 13 GB/s writes. The drive comes in capacities of 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB. Next up, we spotted the Lexar ARES DDR5 CUDIMM. This particular model offers speeds of DDR5-9600 and a density of 16 GB, to make 32 GB kits. From what we hear, this should easily overclock beyond the 10,000 MT/s mark on "Arrow Lake-S" with Gear 4.

We also spotted Lexar's popular flash storage products, including CFexpress type-A and type-B memory cards under the Lexar Diamond Professional brand. The CFexpress type-A card offers sequential speeds of up to 3.7 GB/s reads, up to 3.4 GB/s writes, and a 400 MB/s write speed guarantee. The CFexpress type-B card offers up to 1.8 GB/s sequential reads, up to 1.4 GB/s sequential writes, and a 400 MB/s guaranteed write speed. Next up, is the Lexar Armor SD card meant for high-endurance applications, such as FPV drones, action cameras, and surveillance, with 280 MB/s max reads, 210 MB/s max writes, and 60 MB/s guaranteed write speeds. Lastly, the company showcased its Workflow Go line of portable 2-way backup solutions, which let you dock in your high-speed storage devices for rapid backup.

ASRock Unveils Full Array of AMD B850 Motherboards at CES 2025

ASRock announces a full line-up of motherboards using the AMD B850 chipset. New products include high-end Phantom Gaming series line up covering Mini-ITX to ATX form factor, mainstream Steel Legend which features white PCB design and also Pro RS series for budget friendly users.

Ready to Power Everything!
The new ASRock B850 motherboards are designed with 14+2+1 power phase, 8-layer PCBs enabling excellent memory overclocking and exclusive low-ripple 1000μf 20K black capacitors that guarantee stable and superior performance for the CPU. The boards also support the latest PCI-Express Gen-5 Graphics card and equipped with Blazing M.2 (Gen5x4) SSD ports.

Qualcomm Launches On-Prem AI Appliance Solution and Inference Suite at CES 2025

At CES 2025, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., today announced Qualcomm AI On-Prem Appliance Solution, an on-premises desktop or wall-mounted hardware solution, and Qualcomm AI Inference Suite, a set of software and services for AI inferencing spanning from near-edge to cloud. The combination of these new offerings allows for small and medium businesses, enterprises and industrial organizations to run custom and off-the-shelf AI applications on their premises, including generative workloads. Running AI inference on premises can deliver significant savings in operational costs and overall total cost of ownership (TCO), compared to the cost of renting third-party AI infrastructure.

Using the AI On-Prem Appliance Solution in concert with the AI Inference Suite, customers can now use generative AI leveraging their proprietary data, fine-tuned models, and technology infrastructure to automate human and machine processes and applications in virtually any end environment, such as retail stores, quick service restaurants, shopping outlets, dealerships, hospitals, factories and shop floors - where the workflow is well established, repeatable and ready for automation.

Intel Showcases Core Ultra 65W Desktop Processors, B860 and H810 Chipsets

Intel today launched "locked" 65 W variants of its Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-S" desktop processors in the Socket LGA1851 package. The company also announced more affordable motherboard chipset models, namely the Intel B860 mid-range chipset, and the Intel H810 value-ended chipset. The processor lineup is led by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (8P+16E, up to 5.60 GHz P-core boost), followed by the Core Ultra 7 265 (8P+12E, up to 5.30 GHz P-core boost); and the Core Ultra 5 245 (6P+8E, up to 5.10 GHz P-core boost). All three come with suitable boxed cooling solutions in the retail channel.

The Intel B860 chipset comes with a 4-lane DMI 4.0 chipset bus (half the bandwidth of the 8-lane chipset bus of the Intel Z890). The PCH puts out 14 PCI-Express 4.0 general purpose lanes, exactly half the number put out by the Z890. Storage connectivity, besides the configurability of the PCIe GPP lanes, include four SATA 6 Gbps ports. Networking includes a 1 GbE MAC, and Wi-Fi 6E integrated MAC, with Bluetooth 5.3. You can have up to 16 USB 3.2 lanes (each worth 5 Gbps), which can be configured as 5 Gbps, 10 Gbps, or 20 Gbps ports. The B860 lacks CPU overclocking support, but retains memory overclocking, including the ability to apply XMP 3.0 profiles.

MSI Cubi NUC AI Series Unveiled at CES 2025: Mini Powerhouses with AI Integration

MSI, a global leader in computing solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its latest innovation in mini PCs: the Cubi NUC AI Series. This new lineup features the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M and the Cubi NUC AI 1UM, both carefully designed to deliver exceptional performance in impressively compact formats.

Cubi NUC AI+ 2M: The Ultimate Copilot+ PC
Measuring just 0.826 liters, the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M sets a new standard for mini PCs. Despite its compact size, it is powered by an Intel Core Ultra Processor from the Lunar Lake platform and comes with AI tools designed to enhance productivity and improve the user experience. Equipped with a dedicated AI Boost NPU, it functions as a Copilot+ PC, seamlessly integrating with AI-driven applications like CoCreator, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, and Live Translation—making it ideal for both professional and personal use. One of its standout features is the one-touch fingerprint power button, which provides both security and convenience. Additionally, a dedicated Copilot button offers instant access to AI assistance, streamlining workflows and daily tasks. The built-in microphone and speaker further enrich the user experience, enabling smooth communication and voice-activated commands. Connectivity is another strong point, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one of which supports up to 100 W Power Delivery input. This means the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M can be powered directly through a monitor using a Type-C connection, minimizing cable clutter and simplifying your setup.

ASUS Announces AI Advisor

ASUS today announced that ASUS AI Advisor will now be available in select ASUS motherboard series. AI Advisor is a software tool that uses artificial intelligence to understand user needs and provide answers using natural language. Users can ask questions related to motherboard software, BIOS, and hardware, and receive clear and straightforward responses. This tool debuted with the ASUS Z890 motherboard series and is going mainstream with the value-oriented B860 motherboards. It's now also available to owners of the ASUS X870, B850, and B840 motherboards.

Enhancing customer interaction
ASUS AI Advisor is an AI tool designed to revolutionize how customers interact with ASUS products. It offers users an easy and intuitive way to learn about products, get technical support, and receive instant assistance.

LG Reveals 2025 "xboom by will.i.am" Audio Products Fortified With Signature Sound & AI Versatility

LG Electronics (LG) unveiled its new audio product line of Bluetooth speakers and earbuds at CES 2025, created in partnership with multi-platinum musician and tech entrepreneur, will.i.am. This marks the debut of the "xboom by will.i.am" line, following the partnership announcement in early December.

LG recently appointed will.i.am as the "Experiential Architect" of the LG xboom brand, aiming to establish it as a culture-forward brand that elevates the listening experience to new heights through completely new sound and design values. All "xboom by will.i.am" audio products are professionally tuned by will.i.am, delivering the xboom signature sound - characterized by a more balanced audio profile with warmer tones. The product design is playfully compact and embodies will.i.am's creative artistry that stems from his life-long experience in pop culture. Leveraging both his extensive experience in understanding what people love and developing technology for creatives, will.i.am fundamentally inspires xboom's product development, design and brand marketing.

Intel Posts its First-party Performance Claims for "Arrow Lake-H" and "Arrow Lake-HX"

Intel toward the end of its 2025 International CES keynote address presented its first party performance claims for its Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-H" processors for mainstream notebooks, and its Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-HX" processors for enthusiast/gaming notebooks. The 200HX series is practically the desktop Core Ultra 200 "Arrow Lake-S" brought to the mobile platform, where its energy efficiency ensures it loses much less performance in the 45 W to 55 W envelope, than the previous-gen "Raptor Lake-HX" does compared to the "Raptor Lake-S." The processor is shown dominating AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX300 series processors, as well as competing Qualcomm Snapdragon 84-100 chips in productivity/creator applications. It also leads in gaming performance.

Intel "Panther Lake" Confirmed for 2025 Launch, Based on Intel 18A Node

Intel at its 2025 International CES keynote unveiled its next-generation mobile processor, codenamed "Panther Lake." Intel confirmed that the chip will be built on its homebrew Intel 18A foundry node. The current "Lunar Lake" and "Arrow Lake" processors see the company leverage TSMC N3 node for the Compute tiles. "Panther Lake" would see the x86-64 core IP return to an Intel node. "Panther Lake" is rumored to combine next-generation "Cougar Cove" P-cores with existing "Skymont" E-cores both in the Compute complex, and in the SoC tile as low-power island E-cores. "Panther Lake" is expected to debut in the second half of 2025.

LG and Xbox Partner to Expand Cloud Gaming Experience on LG Smart TVs

LG Electronics (LG) has announced a partnership with Xbox, providing players access to hundreds of games with the Xbox app on LG Smart TVs. Owners of LG's latest Smart TVs will be able to effortlessly discover and play a wide selection of PC and console games from industry-leading partners, and soon Xbox, through the new Gaming Portal. This versatile, gaming centric hub is designed as an all-in-one solution for seamless navigation and personalized gaming, both for the latest AAA games and casual webOS app games.

For gaming enthusiasts, LG Smart TV users can soon explore the Gaming Portal for direct access to hundreds of games with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, including popular titles like Call of Duty: BlackOps 6, and highly anticipated releases like Avowed. With Game Pass Ultimate, players will also be able to stream a catalog of select Xbox games they own such as NBA 2K25 or Hogwarts Legacy.

Intel at CES 2025 Liveblog: Announcements Galore for Client, Commercial, and Edge

Intel today hosts the 2025 International CES Keynote address with a slew of announcements from across its consumer and commercial processor product lines. The company is expected to expand its "Arrow Lake" and "Lunar Lake" processor lines that it debuted in 2024, across many new product segments. In particular, "Arrow Lake" is expected to hit critical mass in the mobile and commercial PC spaces. "Lunar Lake" will see many more processor models, letting it power the year's most popular Copilot+ AI PCs. The desktop Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-S" will enter mainstream segments alongside mid-range motherboard chipsets. Join us, as we blog the very latest from Intel's CES keynote.

Update 16:32 UTC: The show is underway.

Update 16:37 UTC: Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Interim co-CEO, is expected to take centerstage.

Samsung Diversifies AI PC Lineup With New Galaxy Book5 Pro and Galaxy Book5 360

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the global launch of the Galaxy Book5 Pro and Galaxy Book5 360, expanding the Galaxy Book5 lineup to meet a wider range of AI needs for all users. Powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) featuring NPUs up to 47 TOPs, these latest PCs come directly integrated with Galaxy AI capabilities like the innovative AI Select as well as cutting-edge features that deliver personalized experiences across the Galaxy ecosystem. With the addition of AI Select, PC users can easily search anything, anytime with a simple click, just like on their phone except on a much larger, immersive display.

"We are thrilled to make Galaxy AI and cutting-edge innovation accessible to more people than ever before, addressing their unique productivity needs on PC and other Galaxy devices," said Changtae Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. "Alongside our trusted industry partners, we are delivering an AI experience on Galaxy Book that empowers users to work, create and connect in more intelligent ways through our growing ecosystem."

HDMI Forum Announces Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification with 96 Gbps of Bandwidth

HDMI Forum, Inc. today announced the upcoming release of Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification. The new HDMI Specification delivers enhanced options for the vast HDMI ecosystem, with more advanced solutions to create, distribute and experience the best end-user outcome.

New technology enables higher quality options now and in the future for content producers such as TV, movie and game studios, while enabling multiple distribution platforms. Higher 96 Gbps bandwidth and next-gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology provide optimal audio and video for a wide range of device applications. An end-user can be assured that their displays support a native video format in the best way possible and can deliver a seamless and reliable experience.

ASUS Shows Off ROG Crosshair X870E Apex Motherboard

The ASUS ROG Apex brand extension is reserved for motherboards with the best CPU and memory overclocking capabilities. Since Intel processors tended to overclock better than AMD, Apex remained confined to the Intel platform, until now. ASUS at CES showed off the ROG Crosshair X870E Apex, the first AMD platform motherboard to feature this brand extension. The board features a powerful CPU VRM solution meant for sub-zero overclocking of Ryzen 9000X3D processors that are fully capable of overclocking. It also comes with a 1 DIMM-per-channel memory topology, with just two DDR5 DIMM slots. 1DPC is the most optimal dual-channel topology for memory overclocking.

The topmost M.2 Gen 5 NVMe slot features an elaborate fan-heatsink solution. Right next to the two DDR5 DIMM slots, is a breakout DIMM.2 module that provides additional M.2 NVMe slots. There are a couple of more Gen 4 NVMe slots scattered across the board. The board features an I/O feature-set that's at least as good as the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero. The board draws power from two 8-pin EPS, a 24-pin ATX, and an additional 8-pin PCIe power input. The board is packed to the gills with features professional overclockers would look for, including onboard buttons, diagnostic readouts, a hydrophobic PCB surface treatment, dual-BIOS, and clearly labelled voltage domains.

Thermaltake Unveils G6 Direct Drive Racing Wheel Bundle and GM5 3DOF Motion System

Thermaltake, a global leader in PC gaming and simulation hardware solutions, proudly introduces two groundbreaking products at CES 2025: the G6 Direct Drive Racing Wheel Bundle and the GM5 3DOF Motion System. Designed to elevate racing and flight simulations, these innovative systems deliver unparalleled realism, precision, and immersion for gaming enthusiasts and professionals alike. With advanced motion control and precision-engineered components, these systems provide gamers with a realistic, competitive edge. The designs ensure smooth, responsive feedback for enhanced accuracy and a fully immersive experience.

"Thermaltake is committed to pushing the boundaries of simulation technology. The G6 Direct Drive Racing Wheel Bundle and GM5 Motion System embody our vision of delivering cutting-edge products that provide unmatched realism and performance for gamers and simulation enthusiasts worldwide," said Kenny Lin, CEO of Thermaltake

ASUS Unveils AMD X870E, B850 and B840 ROG, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming, and Prime Motherboards

ASUS today announced the B850 and B840 series of AM5 motherboards for AMD processors, which includes models from the ROG Strix, TUF Gaming and Prime families. These motherboards give builders higher speeds, more ports and more slots for USB devices and M.2 SSDs. Many ASUS B850 motherboards also break into the next generation of wireless networking with WiFi 7 support, and also provide robust support for fast DDR5 kits. In addition, each model makes the PC building process easier than ever with tool-free M.2 SSD installation, easy troubleshooting and hassle-free installation and removal of graphics cards.

Meanwhile, B840 motherboards are designed to serve the needs of builders who do not intend to overclock their CPUs or install a PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD or graphics card. For anyone looking to build a very affordable and efficient PC—perhaps one centered around a CPU with powerful integrated graphics capabilities—ASUS B840 motherboards are a cost-effective choice. The first ASUS B840 motherboards all hail from the tried-and-true Prime family.

VESA to Update DisplayPort 2.1 With New Active Cable Specification for Up to 3X Longer DP80 Cables

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA)today announced that it is working with members to introduce new DP80LL ("low loss") ultra-high-bit-rate (UHBR) cables that enable up to four-lane UHBR20 link rate support - a maximum throughput of 80 Gbps - over an active cable up to three meters in length. The spec for these new cables will be a key highlight of DisplayPort version 2.1b, which will be released in the spring of 2025. As a result, the DisplayPort 2.1b update will provide for up to 3X the cable length for UHBR20 GPU-to-display connections compared to existing VESA certified DP80 passive cables. VESA certified DP80LL cables are expected to roll out into the market within the next several months.

UHBR20 and DP80LL Product Demos at CES 2025
VESA will showcase samples of pre-certified DP80LL cables alongside product demonstrations of DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 - the highest-performance UHBR tier in the DisplayPort 2.1 spec - as well as other VESA standards at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), taking place this week in Las Vegas, January 7-10.

G.O.A.T with Gigabyte's Revolutionary AI-Driven B860 Motherboards

GIGABYTE Technology, one of the top global manufacturers of motherboards, graphics cards, and hardware solutions, proudly announces the launch of its cutting-edge B860 series motherboard, featuring the groundbreaking D5 Bionic Corsa technology and innovative AI-Driven capabilities that set new standards for memory performance and user-friendly experience.⁠

Infinite Memory Performance with AI-Driven Optimization
Building on the success of our Z890 series, the B860 AORUS motherboards achieve remarkable DDR5 speeds of up to 9466 MT/s on 4DIMM slot configurations. This exceptional performance is powered by our proven D5 Bionic Corsa technology, ensuring optimal memory efficiency across the entire lineup. D5 Bionic Corsa boasts four key technologies from software, hardware to firmware side. The AORUS AI SNATCH and AI SNATCH Engine present AI-overclocking for ultimate performance, while AI-Driven PCB Design and HyperTune BIOS deliver AI-design for signal enhancement on motherboards.

ASUS Announces Intel Z890, B860 ROG Strix, TUF Gaming and Prime Motherboards

ASUS today announced the B860 series of motherboards for Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), which includes models from the ROG Strix, TUF Gaming and Prime families. The value proposition of the ASUS B860 motherboard lineup is off the charts, thanks to its thoroughly modern platform. Users will find features that used to be exclusive to enthusiast-class ASUS motherboards. Every model supports the latest high-bandwidth CUDIMM DDR5 memory kits, ensuring that users can easily get a system up to speed with AEMP III profiles. And PCIe 5.0 connectivity abounds, giving users access to the fastest graphics cards of today and tomorrow.

Those looking to take advantage of the next generation of wireless networking can opt for an ROG Strix or TUF Gaming motherboard equipped with WiFi 7. Faster, smarter and ready for a low-interference connection to a compatible router over the wide-open 6 GHz band, WiFi 7 gives users a whole-home network upgrade. M.2 device support has also been bolstered. Previously released B760 motherboards typically offered two to three M.2 slots, and the fastest maxed out with PCIe 4.0 connectivity. The new ASUS B860 motherboard lineup now includes several options with four M.2 slots, and every model in the series features a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot ready for a blazing-fast storage drive. Whether users are building a large gaming library, accelerating their creative efforts with dedicated drives for project storage or simply taking advantage of their stack of M.2 drives from previous builds, they will appreciate the comprehensive storage options available with ASUS B860 motherboards.

Gigabyte's Game-Changing B850/B840 Motherboards⁠ Redefine Performance

GIGABYTE Technology, one of the top global manufacturers of motherboards, graphics cards, and hardware solutions, today unveils its groundbreaking B850 and B840 series motherboards, introducing a new era of performance optimization and EZ-friendly design for the latest AMD Ryzen processors with full-line PCIe Gen 5 x16 graphics cards support.⁠

D5 Bionic Corsa: Redefining Memory Overclocking
At the heart of GIGABYTE's new B850/ B840 motherboard series lies the innovative D5 Bionic Corsa technology, a game-changing approach to memory performance. This breakthrough technology has achieved remarkable up to 8600 MT/s DDR5 speeds, setting a new standard for memory overclocking. Through the intelligent AORUS AI SNATCH software, users can now effortlessly enhance their system's performance with unprecedented ease. The AI-powered EXPO AI BOOST feature eliminates the traditional time-consuming trial and error process, delivering optimized memory profiles that balance performance and stability with just a few clicks.

MSI Unveils AMD Ryzen B850 & B840 Motherboards

MSI is proud to unveil its latest lineup of motherboards designed for AMD Ryzen B850 and B840 chipsets. These motherboards deliver a perfect blend of performance and innovation, ensuring exceptional reliability and ease of use. With their high performance and reliable design, they are built to empower mainstream users, gamers, and creators with next-level computing capabilities.

In addition to the new B850 and B840 motherboards, MSI is also expanding its X870E lineup with two new models: the MPG X870E EDGE TI WIFI and MAG X870E TOMAHAWK WIFI. These additions offer even more options tailored to diverse user needs—top-tier performance and, most importantly, cutting-edge connectivity. With the MPG X870E EDGE TI WIFI and MAG X870E TOMAHAWK WIFI, MSI continues to deliver innovative solutions that empower gamers, creators, and PC enthusiasts alike.

Biostar Introduces B850M-Silver and B850MT-E Pro Motherboards

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, IPC solutions, and PC peripherals, proudly introduces two new additions to its AMD motherboard lineup, the B850M-SILVER and the B850MT-E PRO motherboards. Built around the latest AMD B850 chipset, these motherboards deliver next generation technology and reliable performance, perfectly fitting office professionals, home entertainment enthusiasts, system integrators, and gamers.

The B850M-SILVER and B850MT-E PRO motherboards are expertly engineered to support the cutting-edge AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 series processors, delivering unparalleled computing power for any application. They are optimized for peak memory performance, accommodating up to 192 GB of DDR5 RAM at impressive overclocking speeds of up to 8000 MHz, boasting significantly higher bandwidth and enhanced energy efficiency compared to DDR4.
Jan 21st, 2025 21:43 EST change timezone

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