As a part of its Q1 earnings call discussion, one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers, TSMC, has unveiled a strategic move to charge a premium for chips manufactured at its newly established overseas fabrication plants. During an earnings call, TSMC's CEO, C.C. Wei, announced that the company will impose higher pricing for chips produced outside Taiwan to offset the higher operational costs associated with these international locations. This move aims to maintain TSMC's target gross margin of 53% amidst rising expenses such as inflation and elevated electricity costs. This decision comes as TSMC expands its global footprint with new facilities in the United States, Germany, and Japan (JAMS) to meet the increasing demand for semiconductor chips worldwide. The company's new US-based Arizona facility, known as Fab 21, has faced delays due to equipment installation issues and labor negotiations.

Chips produced at this site, utilizing TSMC's advanced N5 and N4 nodes, could cost between 20% to 30% more than those manufactured in Taiwan. TSMC's strategy to manage the cost disparities across different geographic locations involves strategic pricing, securing government support, and leveraging its manufacturing technology leadership. This approach reflects the company's commitment to maintaining its competitive edge while navigating the complexities of global semiconductor manufacturing in today's fragmented market. Introducing a location premium is expected to impact American semiconductor designers, who may need to pass these costs on to specific market segments, particularly those with lower price sensitivity, such as government-related projects. Despite these challenges, TSMC's overseas expansion underscores its adaptive strategies in the face of global economic pressures and industry demands, ensuring its continued position as a leading player in the semiconductor industry.

EK, the renowned premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to unveil its latest accessory that promises to streamline the assembly process for enthusiasts and professionals alike: the EK-Loop Stainless Steel Gauge Card. Crafted from durable stainless steel and designed for simplicity, this handy tool is an essential accessory for anyone involved in water cooling. Its primary function serves to drastically simplify the search for the correct assembly parts, ensuring that users can effortlessly find compatible components. Multifunctional by design yet primarily aimed at enhancing the water cooling experience, the EK-Loop Gauge Card is the accessory you didn't know you needed—until now.

Preventing Assembly Errors Before They Happen
With the Gauge Card, measuring and matching bolt and nut sizes becomes effortless. It accurately determines the bolt size and length for any component, including nut size measurements for M2.5, M3, and M4 nuts. This guarantees compatibility and ease of assembly across a wide range of components. The card also allows for the identification of different screw diameters (M4, M3.5, M3, M2.5, M2) and screw dimensions effortlessly, making it more straightforward to select the right parts for your build. Screw length identification up to 30 mm further ensures precise fitting and optimal security of components, while the tool aids in avoiding the insertion of the wrong bolts in the wrong places - thus preventing potential damage to sensitive PCBs. Moreover, the EK-Loop Gauge Card aids in the determination of Allen key sizes (2, 2.5, 6, 8, 9), simplifying the search for the right tool for the job.

CORSAIR today launched a white color variant of the revolutionary RMx SHIFT Series of ATX 3.0 power supplies. RMx SHIFT, the world's first PSU with the DC connector panel on the side of the unit, quickly became a sensation among DIY PC enthusiasts after its launch last year thanks to cleaner and easier cabling than traditional power supplies. Available in 750, 850, 1000, and 1200 wattages, the RMx SHIFT Series exemplifies CORSAIR's commitment to addressing the evolving needs of its customers. With its repositioned side panel, builders have unobstructed access to all of its Type 5 Gen 1 micro-fit connections, making installation and maintenance painless. It also means less bending and twisting of the cables, removing unnecessary strain on the cables and connectors.

White models of RMx SHIFT address the overwhelming demand from the PC building community for more customization options to match a wider range of builds. The new white units retain all the features that have made the RMx SHIFT a market standout, including fully modular cabling, 80 Plus Gold-rated efficiency, premium 105°C-rated Japanese capacitors, and a 140 mm fluid dynamic bearing fan, while matching the clean aesthetic of white system builds.

ZOTAC debuted a massive flagship GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB custom design graphics card last summer—the Prime Gamer Force (PGF) OC edition model was released as a China exclusive product. ZOTAC's PGF shroud design remains the largest on the market—381 mm (L) x 154 mm (W) x 74 mm (D)—even with downgraded silicon beneath the surface. NVIDIA's China-specific GeForce RTX 4090D GPU was introduced last December, as a sanction conformant substitute for the full-fat version—naturally, ZOTAC has prepared a revised PGF model. This week, Expreview has published an in-depth review of the GeForce RTX 4090 D PGF OC edition graphics card. They found that ZOTAC's cooling system—three 11 cm fans and a vapor chamber—offered: "high-frequency stability...comparable to that of water-cooled (solutions)."

The Chinese publication reviewed the GALAX RTX 4090 D Metal Master model in January—at the time, software restrictions prevented the implementation of significant overclocks. It was theorized that future updates or community workarounds could bypass limitations, but the latest review—of ZOTAC's "super luxurious" PGF edition—indicates that this GeForce RTX 4090 D GPU's OC potential is still constricted. VideoCardz has pulled out essential details from the Expreview article: "(The PGF) has high maximum TGP (530 W) and a powerful 28-phase power PCB design. Despite the technological headroom, the card struggles to offer much of the overclocking potential. The team from Expreview only managed to squeeze 3.7% more performance from this card. That's despite 24.7% more power theoretically available." An underwhelming overclocking aspect is counterbalanced by the premium-tier card's impressive performance stability—the review also praised ZOTAC's quiet cooling solution and usage of high-end "heat dissipation materials."

Introducing the DataTraveler SE9 Gen 3 USB drive. Featuring a premium metal casing for durability and style paired with large capacity options, you can have form AND function. 🥇Experience the combination of elegance and functionality with the DataTraveler SE9 G3 USB 3.2 Gen 3 flash drive, ideal for storing and sharing your data. Rediscover its timeless, award-winning design, now enhanced with high-performance speeds of up to 220 MB/s read and 100 MB/s write, ensuring swift and seamless data transfers on Type-A host devices.

Explore the expanded storage options with robust capacities now reaching up to 512 GB, providing ample space for your movies, music and diverse file storage needs. Premium metal casing for durability and style—an all-metal gold casing that's portable enough to fit in your pocket, backpack or on your keyring loop.

EK, the global leader in premium PC water cooling, is proud to introduce extraordinary EK-Quantum Velocity² Edge Special Edition CPU water blocks for the AM5 socket. After the successful launch of their LGA 1700-based counterpart earlier this year, these Special Edition Edge water blocks confirm EK's commitment to aesthetic excellence. The top cover is at the forefront of this design revolution, featuring a striking assembly of irregular tetrahedrons that transform each water block into a modern artwork. These tetrahedrons create a captivating interplay of light and shadow, adding a dynamic and sophisticated visual appeal to the water block.

Explicitly designed for platforms based on the AMD Socket AM5, they fit Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. The cold plate, precisely machined of the highest-grade 99.99% pure electrolytic copper, ensures unparalleled heat transfer. The top cover of the EK-Quantum Velocity² Edge D-RGB - AM5 Special Edition is available in Black and Silver. These color options allow enthusiasts to choose a style that best complements their PC build, transforming these water blocks from mere components for efficient cooling into central elements of a PC's aesthetic identity. The top cover is CNC-milled out of a 30 mm thick aluminium sheet, separated from the coolant with a layer of acrylic to ensure no mixing of metals.

ASUS has quietly updated its product web presences with another Noctua collaboration OC Edition graphics card—the heavily customized GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 16 GB GDDR6X model looks very familiar (in shades of brown); we suspect that the existing cooling solution, shroud and backplate designs have been transplanted from the existing RTX 4080 (non-SUPER) Noctua OC model. W1zzard was impressed by the 2022 version's affixing of twin Noctua NF-A12x25 fans, although a number of factors caused the ultra premium air-cooled ASUS card to miss out on an Editor's Choice award—mainly the $1650 launch price—perhaps deserving of an updated/retrospective "But Expensive" badge of honor.

VideoCardz believes that the SUPER iteration could launch with $200 subtracted (at a minimum) from the non-SUPER's original MSRP—the ASUS listing, naturally, does not provide any details regarding recommended retail pricing or a release date. It seems that reviewers have not received SUPER 16 GB Noctua OC Edition samples this month, so we suspect that the chunky brown Ada Lovelace monster will reach retail at some point later on in the first quarter of 2024.

Celebrating its centennial, beyerdynamic—the preferred audio brand for musicians and studio professionals around the world—is embarking on a new chapter with the announcement of a limited-edition version of the classic DT 770 PRO. Handmade in Germany, the all-new DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition blends the reference-setting features of the DT 770 PRO with the dynamic STELLAR.45 driver system's flexibility and a detachable cable. Redefining studio gear for a new era, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition is now available for pre-order at Guitar Center and Sweetwater for $199, with wider availability to come later in the year.

FLEX MARKS THE SPOT.
In today's fluid landscape of music creation, having the flexibility to work with a variety of applications is paramount. The DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition features the convenience of a detachable Mini-XLR cable so you can move freely while you create. A recess in the headband padding also protects against the pressure-sensitive fontanelle, allowing you to wear the headphones for hours on end. With premium sound quality, replaceable parts, low impedance and high-wearing comfort, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition is tailor-made for studio professionals, artists, filmmakers, producers and more.

Today, alongside the Early Access launch of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Ubisoft+, Ubisoft is renaming its subscription plans. Ubisoft+ Multi-Access and PC Access will now become Ubisoft+ Premium, offering day-one new releases and early access where applicable, alongside premium editions, monthly rewards, and more. Ubisoft is also introducing a new offer: Ubisoft+ Classics on PC, a curated selection of popular back-catalog and live games. We sat down with Director of Subscription, Philippe Tremblay, to discuss the changes and reflect on the past four years of of Ubisoft+.

What are the core differences between Ubisoft+ Premium and Ubisoft+ Classics?
Philippe Tremblay: Premium means day one access to new releases and in some cases, like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, early access to upcoming new releases. This is on top of our extensive back catalog, where you'll have access to premium editions, DLC, and monthly rewards. All of this is offered on Xbox, PC, and Amazon Luna, and you'll only need to subscribe once to have access to these games across all these platforms. Players can subscribe to Ubisoft+ Premium for a monthly fee of $17.99.

EK, the leading provider of premium liquid cooling solutions, is excited to announce the expanded compatibility of its esteemed EK-Quantum Magnitude sTRX4 water blocks. These flagship cooling solutions, known for their high performance and quality, are now fully compatible with the latest AMD sTR5 and AMD SP6 CPU sockets. This advancement ensures that users of the new sTR5 and SP6 platforms can experience the same superior cooling and craftsmanship that EK-Quantum Magnitude sTRX4 users have long come to trust.

The EK-Quantum Magnitude sTRX4 series, including the Full Nickel, Nickel Acetal, and Nickel Plexi models, maintains its renowned design and efficiency while embracing the evolving landscape of CPU technology. Customers can continue to rely on these solutions for their cooling needs without any changes in product naming or design. Refer to the EK Compatibility Configurator and EK Custom Loop Configurator database for a detailed compatibility list.

We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated launch of the BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro, the upgraded version of its predecessor and one of the newest ePaper Tablet PCs in 2023. In this article, we will explore the powerful features that make the Tab Ultra C Pro a versatile workstation, delivering ultra-smooth performance and unmatched productivity.

Sleeker Design, Enhanced Portability
The Tab Ultra C Pro features a sleek and sophisticated uni-body design, crafted from premium aluminium alloy. Its polished finish adds a contemporary charm, making it a true statement piece. We've made it even more portable with a thinner design of just 6.6 mm and a lighter body weighing only 450 g. To make sound adjustments easier, we've added two volume keys on the side. Plus, the 16MP camera with LED flash provides extra convenience for precise capture. The camera's metal finish perfectly complements the aluminium gloss of the back casing, creating a cohesive design. With its chic color, the Tab Ultra C Pro effortlessly blends into your personal and professional life, making a stylish statement wherever you go.

Included in the Forza Motorsport Premium Edition and Premium Add-Ons Bundle, you can play the full game and begin your racing career up to 5 days early on Xbox Series X|S, Windows and Steam. On Xbox and Windows, Forza Motorsport Early Access rollout is region dependent. At 12:01am local time in your country, the game will be available to play. On Steam, this unlock happens globally at 12:01am EDT on October 5.

Upgrade to the Premium Add-Ons Bundle with Xbox Game Pass and enjoy a 10% discount with up to 5 days early access to Forza Motorsport and all the additional content included with the Premium Edition. Forza Motorsport Early Access has started to unlock around the world! Here is the time you can play the game in your country:

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Power, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast Memory solutions, is delighted to launch the Ceres 300 TG ARGB Matcha Green Mid Tower Chassis and the ARGENT E700 Real Leather Gaming Chair Matcha Green. After first releasing The Tower 200 Matcha Green Mini Chassis and gaining positive reviews, Thermaltake plans to announce more products in Matcha Green, allowing users to immerse this vital and elegant color with a complete lineup. Now including the worldwide availability of the Ceres 300 Matcha Green and the ARGENT E700 Matcha Green. More good news, the TH280 V2 ARGB Sync All-In-One Liquid Cooler - Matcha Green Edition is coming soon. Let's light up entertainment and work spaces with these stylish Matcha Green collections!

Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the WF-1000XM5 earbuds - the latest truly wireless model of the award-winning 1000X series. This new model offers the Best Noise Canceling by reducing external noise over a wide bandwidth, from low to high frequencies so you can focus on your music. Following its predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, the WF-1000XM5 raises industry standards with astonishing sound and Sony's best ever call quality, despite a smaller and lighter design.

The WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver cutting-edge technology and premium sound quality with the best noise-canceling performance. Real-time audio processors and high-performance mics power the specially designed driver unit, Dynamic Driver X, for wide frequency reproduction, deep bass, and more detailed vocals.

EK, the renowned manufacturer of premium liquid cooling solutions, is introducing a new version of the EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB fan, now available in a stylish white color. The latest EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB - White fan boasts a sleek white design, radiating clean and sophisticated aesthetics. It complements the existing Black version and offers new possibilities to liquid cooling enthusiasts, expanding their choices for visually pleasing PC setups.

The Quantum Impulse fans are a premium product equipped with EK's most extensive RGB implementation to date. The frame of the fan has two zones illuminated by LEDs, with each zone containing 12 LEDs. Additionally, 6 LEDs in the motor hub illuminate the rotor. These fans deliver a well-balanced and optimized performance-to-noise ratio with an operating range of 400-1800 RPM.

EK, the renowned premium liquid cooling solutions manufacturer, introduces a brand-new high-performance CPU water block explicitly made for Intel LGA 1700 socket-based CPUs. This CPU block features a high-flow cooling engine and a dense microfin design that allows ample cooling even for the overclocked Intel Core i9-13900K processor.

EK-Pro CPU WB 1700 - Nickel + Inox
This is a dedicated enterprise-grade water block developed for Intel Core consumer processors based on the LGA 1700 socket. It features two standard G1/4" threaded ports on the top and is built with performance, reliability, serviceability, and no compromises in mind. This liquid cooling solution is intended for desktop PCs, workstations, and taller server racks. The water block's top is CNC-machined from durable black POM Acetal, while the hold-down bracket is made of laser-cut stainless steel.

LG Electronics (LG) announces the global rollout of its new Smart Cam (model VC23GA). A Full HD (FHD) video camera with built-in dual microphones and multi-view function, the Smart Cam seamlessly integrates with LG's webOS-powered smart TVs to provide enhanced user interaction with a host of premium apps and services. The pairing offers convenient video calling and conferencing, an elevated home fitness experience and much more to cater to the diverse needs of customers as they enjoy various services offered by LG Smart TVs.

Compatible with many of the services available on LG TV's webOS platform, LG Smart Cam opens up a range of diverse and compelling interactive experiences. For example, users can now conveniently connect with co-workers, clients, family or friends via RemoteMeeting, an innovative web-based video conferencing service that also works across PCs, laptops and smartphones. The FHD resolution (1,920 x 1,080) Smart Cam provides smooth, crisp video that looks remarkably clear and lifelike when displayed on LG's large screen TVs, which are known for their excellent picture quality. Setting up the RemoteMeeting app on LG TV is fast and simple and conveniently eliminates the need for a laptop or PC connection. Moreover, the Smart Cam's built-in mics mean no extra peripherals are required.

Nick Maguire, VP of Global Services, Global Sales and Business Operations at SIE states: "A year has flown by so quickly since we rolled out our new PlayStation Plus tiered plans, ushering in new benefits to the service such as our Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, along with Game Trials for blockbuster titles. Whether you subscribe to PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra or Premium/Deluxe, it's been great to see the positive feedback we've gotten from players around the world for the quality titles that we offer monthly. Today, we're celebrating this wonderful milestone with 10 days of activities for the PlayStation community. It's also our way of saying thanks to players everywhere for supporting us in this new era for PlayStation Plus.

First off, we have very exciting news for PlayStation Plus Premium members. We're currently testing cloud streaming for supported PS5 games - this includes PS5 titles from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Game Trials, as well as supported digital PS5 titles that players own. When this feature launches, cloud game streaming for supported PS5 titles will be available for use directly on your PS5 console. That means as a Premium member, it'll be easier to jump into your favorite games without downloading them first onto your PS5 console. Our goal is to add this as an additional benefit to PlayStation Plus Premium as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the value of PlayStation Plus."

Intel has informed customers that it is adjusting the retail packaging for two 13th Generation Raptor Lake processors—the Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KS are popular choices for extreme gamers who demand the best from their CPUs, but did the presence of a premium protective shell also attract certain buyers who enjoy displaying silicon-related mantelpieces? Team Blue will be introducing a more sober looking boxed solution for the aforementioned SKUs - effective in universal and Chinese markets. Intel reasons that it wants to save on the volumetric storage of processors during the shipment process—the smaller box designs will result in a unit increase per pallet. By their estimation this redesign could quadruple the number of boxes in each shipping package - from the previous 324 to a new goal of around 1620.

The Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KS were shipped (until recently) in "Tier 4" boxes, but Intel's new cost and space saving drive has the two processors destined to sit in their "Tier 2" retail package which appears to be a standard folding paperboard carton (as seen containing Core i7 and lower end SKUs). The announcement included a set of preview renders, but actual boxed dimensions were not shared in the Product Change Notification (PCN) document. The new packaging regime looks smaller when compared to the older combination of a "premium silver tinted plastic wafer package" plus box sleeve. Team Blue will ultimately shave off a few bucks for themselves in the process, but there is no indication that these savings will be passed onto the end user. Tom's Hardware reckons that a late adjustment to retail packaging could foreshadow the arrival of a successor CPU range—Raptor Lake Refresh is speculated to form the next desktop lineup, since the future of Meteor Lake-S is alleged to be in a precarious state.

EK, the premium water-cooling gear manufacturer, unveils an exciting addition to its esteemed Quantum Torque family of fittings: the EK-Quantum Torque Pass-Through G1/4 Fitting. The new fittings fill a gap in the Quantum Torque line, offering a rare type of fittings and adapters from the Quantum Torque product series that was previously absent. Designed to simplify loop interconnection when routing tubing through a panel or enclosure while maintaining a sealed and secure connection, this panel-mounted adapter fitting opens a world of possibilities for liquid cooling enthusiasts.

Durability Meets Elegance
Crafted with precision from CNC-machined brass, each product in the EK-Quantum Torque Pass-Through G1/4 Fitting lineup embodies outstanding durability while exuding an enchanting visual allure. Elevating its sleek design, these fittings come in a variety of captivating finishes, offering a multitude of customization possibilities to perfectly complement any build.

Gamesense has introduced its Radar 2023 Design Series of gaming mousepads - their early May announcement lets customers know that this range of high quality/premium-grade gaming surfaces is available to purchase for immediate shipping and delivery - Gamesense has chosen to place their pad products in flat packaging, so customers are spared having to deal with an overcomplicated unboxing experience. The latest Radar models are offered in a variety of colors: Blue, Purple, Red, and Black & White.

The pads are generously sized with standard measurements of 500 x 500 mm, which places them in the "Large" category - a 3 mm material thickness ensures optimal padding and comfort on desks and tables. Gamesense has created a very unique surface material for its 2023 Radar series - gamers are offered a smooth pad that strikes a great balance between control and speed. The Radar's durable and long-lasting microfiber surface is not coated with any extra finishes, yet it provides excellent humidity and sweat resistance. The double-stitched edges protect the pad from fraying/wear, deformation, and de-gumming. The Radar pads will stay firmly in place thanks to their anti-slip rubber bases.

A brand new Age of Wonders is almost here! The newest installment in the iconic fantasy strategy game series from Triumph Studios, Age of Wonders 4, will launch on May 2, 2023 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Rule a Fantasy Realm of your Own Design! Powerful Wizard Kings have returned to the realms to reign as gods among mortals. Claim and master the Tomes of Magic to evolve your people, and prepare for an epic battle that will determine the ages to come. Explore new magical realms in Age of Wonders' signature blend of 4X strategy and turn-based tactical combat. Control a faction that grows and changes as you expand your empire with each turn. Experience an endlessly replayable experience, where each game adds a new chapter to your ever-growing saga.

Aric Rex Ruler & Athlan Imperial Armour Set
Rulers! We are happy to announce that Age of Wonders 4 is finally available for pre-order on all supported platforms. Don't miss the chance to rule a fantasy realm of your own design! Pre-order today to claim an additional ruler and armor set: Aric Rex, a Tigran High King, and his elegant Lion Plate armor, Imperial Cape and Athlan Crown. The game now is available in two editions: Standard and Premium, which includes an Expansion pass. Regardless of which edition you buy, a special pre-order bonus will be waiting for you in the game after the release.

Hello everyone, today we are thrilled to announce that Steam pre-orders have started! We are also happy to share more about The Lord of the Rings: Gollum : Precious Edition, which includes some premium perks for fans of Tolkien's Middle-earth. You can join Gollum's unshakeable quest for the One Ring on May 25th, 2023.

The Precious Edition was put together with Tolkien fans in mind. Daedalic Entertainment and NACON have gone above and beyond to curate a captivating package that includes over 100 stunning art pieces, a lore compendium to deepen your Middle-earth knowledge, additional Sindarin lines for the game's Elves, which will make you feel like you are properly east of the Misty Mountains, and more! With a focus on immersing players in the world of Middle-earth, this edition is sure to delight fans and gamers alike.

Samsung Electronics has announced that its sub-division, Samsung Display, is planning to invest $3.1 billion until 2026 in Asan, South Korea to manufacture advanced organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels. The country's ministry stated that Samsung's next generation of OLED display panels will be integrated into tablets and laptops. There are already rumors swirling that Apple has contracted with Samsung Display to produce parts for a refresh of the MacBook Pro range that is set to debut at some point before 2026.

Industry insiders are claiming that the substantial investment into the company's Asan, South Chungcheong factory will help fulfil orders placed by Apple for iPad and MacBook OLED displays - the North American company has not officially confirmed an adoption of that type of screen technology for these product ranges. Samsung is likely trying to secure a long term relationship with the Silicon Valley behemoth, and at the same time outmaneuver its competitors in South Korea as well as those in neighboring nations. It has been reported that domestic rival LG is currently unable to take on new orders, as its display factories are functioning at maximum production capacities.

EK, the premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, has issued a statement for its loyal customer base regarding the upcoming changes in the pricing of certain products: Dear and valued EK customers. In light of full transparency, we wanted to inform you of some changes that will be taking place in the coming weeks. Due to various factors like raw material sourcing difficulties, material prices, and labor costs, we will raise the prices of a selected range of our products.

These changes will occur on March 31, 2023, and the price increase will only affect certain products. Those prices will increase by 8% on average, applying to any selected product or product line our company currently offers.