SteamOS recently made its way to third-party gaming handhelds, with a surprising level of hardware support, and, since then, Valve has seemingly been working non-stop to add features to those third-party gaming handhelds with new SteamOS updates. On June 30, Valve announced the latest stable SteamOS and Steam Deck client update would bring new features for the Lenovo Legion Go S and a wealth of other third-party devices.

The latest SteamOS and Steam Deck update adds support for a SteamOS compatibility indicator in the Steam Library on the Lenovo Legion Go S, making it easier for gamers to know what games are known to run on the Legion Go S. Third-party SteamOS devices, like the Lenovo Legion Go S, will now also display controller compatibility icons alongside the SteamOS compatibility indicator. There are also a number of bug fixes directed at the Legion Go S's controller remapping UI for Ratchet and Clank, The Last Of Us: Part 2, and Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered. New handheld accessibility options for the Steam Deck and other SteamOS devices include UI scaling, high contrast mode, and reduced motion options, and there are new screen reader and color filter settings for SteamOS devices.

Mere weeks after Nintendo launched the Switch 2 to international audiences, the Japanese gaming giant has announced that the original Nintendo Switch will be subject to price increases in Canada. In a press release announcing the price increase, Nintendo of Canada confirms that all original Nintendo Switch consoles, including th OLED and Lite models, physical and digital games, and Switch accessories—as well as the Amiibo and Nintendo Switch Online memberships—will be affected by the price change.

In the announcement, Nintendo blames "market conditions" for the price change and specifies that the Nintendo Switch 2 will not be affected by the price change. According to Eurogamer, the price adjustment may be related to the strained international trade relations between Canada and the United States, and the price change comes after Nintendo briefly delayed the Switch 2's launch in both the US and Canada in response to tariffs imposed by the United States. Nintendo has not announced what the price increase will look like, but it has confirmed that the price increases will take effect on August 1, whereupon Nintendo of Canada will announce the new pricing.

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Intel today released the latest version of the Arc GPU Graphics Drivers. Version 101.6913 WHQL comes with optimization for "Mecha BREAK." The release also fixes a handful of issues. For Intel Arc B-series "Battlemage" discrete GPUs, a couple of issues are fixed. A bug that causes "Returnal" to experience an application crash during gameplay with ray tracing enabled, has been fixed. An intermittent application freeze with SPECapc for Maya 2024 during benchmark, has been fixed. The release also fixes a bug specific to the Arc "Battlemage" iGPUs of Core Ultra 200-series "Lunar Lake" processors, specifically, "Valorant" being unable to enumerate supported resolutions in game settings. Grab the drivers from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.6913 WHQL

Safroadu Yeboah-Amankwah, Intel's Chief Strategy Officer will be leaving the company as of today, in another management overhaul. The news broke on Friday via Reuters and it's currently unclear if it was mutually agreed upon or if Saf—as he was known as in the company—was forced out. The Reuters piece mentions that he has "overseen growth initiatives, strategic partnerships and equity investments for Intel" as part of his role at the company. He was originally hired as Senior VP and Chief Strategy Officer and much of his work at Intel seems to have been related to Intel Capital, Intel's investment arm, which was spun off earlier this year.

Yeboah-Amankwah has held his position as CSO at Intel since September 2020 and he might just be one of the approximate 21,000 head cuts that company is planning this year. Reuters further reports that Sachin Katti, Intel's Chief Technology & AI Officer will be taking on some of his responsibilities. Time will tell if Lip-Bu Tan's new strategy of trying to build a leaner Intel will work in the long term, as although he's pledged to get rid of middle management, this appears to be something else, at least to an outside observer. The company hasn't issued an official statement, but Reuters got a statement confirming the departure that said "We are grateful for Saf's contributions to Intel and wish him the best."

The latest game to fall into the trap of annoying or even estranging fans by using generative AI without disclosing it is The Alters. Accusations from the community over the use of generative AI in The Alters have been coming from all corners but most prominently from Steam reviews and the game's subreddit. The accusations included everything from AI-generated text in parts of the environment to AI-translated dialogue that included part of the AI prompt in the final game. These accusations became so commonplace that gamers even started to suspect that some of the visual assets had been created with generative AI. Adding insult to injury, there was no disclosure on the game's Steam page that confirmed the use of AI, so it seemed as though 11 Bit Studios was trying to hide the use of AI-generated content in The Alters.

After the allegations started to make the news, though, 11 Bit Studios responded to the accusations, explaining that generative AI was used during the development of The Alters, specifying that "AI-generated text for a graphic asset, which was meant as a piece of background texture, was used by one of our graphical designers as a placeholder." The studio goes on to explain that the asset was never meant to make it into the final version of the game, and that it has conducted a thorough investigation and determined that this is the only instance of AI-generated placeholders making it into the game. 11 Bit Studios also says that there are instances of "last-minute translations" made to some of the licensed movies that characters can watch in the game—these are seemingly the examples pointed out by a game localization expert on LinkedIn. According to the statement put out by the game studio, the studio's usual translation partners were not included in the localization hotfix, which largely adds to the concerns of those who oppose the use of generative AI in media and gaming, since that work would likely have been done by a human instead of an LLM. Ultimately, the studio made the decision to use AI instead of its translation partner because of time constraints, and it acknowledges that it should have disclosed the use of AI from the outset.

Monster Hunter Wilds players on PC have recently had a bit of a rough time of things when it comes to performance, with the game's recent Steam reviews seeing a number of players complaining about random stutters, FPS drops, and a general lack of optimization. Even gamers playing on relatively high-end recent GPUs, like the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT report that their experience has been tainted by poor performance, even if the actual game content is good. With the latest Monster Hunter Wilds patch, though, Capcom is attempting to address those performance issues—and the resulting slew of negative reviews—as announced today in a post on X.

While there are new monsters, weapons, cosmetics, equipment, and other in-game content, the majority of the focus of the 1.020.00.00 update (full notes here) is on those performance updates. Capcom has changed the way shader compilation works, now making the CPU-intensive task take place the first time you run the game after an update as well updated a slew of upscaler and frame generation changes, primarily adding DLSS 4 and FSR 4 support for GPUs newer than the GeForce RTX 2000 series and AMD Radeon RX 9000 series. The new fix also allows players to mix upscaling and frame generation methods, which should allow players to better tune the game's visuals and performance. Additional fixes to the game include reduced VRAM usage from texture streaming and a more accurate calculation of estimated VRAM consumption. Steam users also now get a notification upon launching Monster Hunter Wilds if they are running an unsupported operating system or out-of-date GPU drivers, or if they are running the game in compatibility mode.

Microsoft has quietly set aside plans for a standalone "Windows 12" release and will instead introduce its next major feature update as Windows 11 version 25H2 later this year. On Friday, the company confirmed that the latest Insider Preview build is now available for testers, with a broader rollout scheduled in the second half of 2025. From a technical perspective, version 25H2 builds on the same platform and servicing stack as the current 24H2 release. This shared‑branch strategy allows devices already running 24H2 to receive a small enablement package and then restart. The entire process is designed to feel no different from installing a routine monthly update, avoiding a lengthy reinstall. At this stage, the 25H2 preview offers the same feature set that appeared in the 24H2 Beta Channel.

Microsoft has explained that upcoming enhancements are already staged within the 24H2 branch in a disabled state. As each feature reaches maturity, its code will be bundled into the monthly cumulative updates for 24H2 and then activated via the enablement package, following the model first introduced with Windows 10 version 1909. As official support for Windows 10 ends in October 2025, launching version 25H2 in the September-October window could encourage any remaining Windows 10 users to upgrade. Enterprises and educational institutions will benefit from a renewed 36-month support cycle, while consumer editions will gain 24 months of servicing. Microsoft has not yet provided an exact date for general availability, but Windows Insiders can begin exploring the 25H2 preview today and submit feedback. When the update becomes widely available, users can perform a simple restart to activate Windows 11 version 25H2.

Intel and Nokia are expanding their long-standing and strategic collaboration to advance core network infrastructures with the deployment of Intel Xeon 6 processors with Efficient-cores (E-cores) in the Nokia NFVI v5.0 and Nokia Core Networks Applications. With breakthrough energy efficiency, capacity and scalability for 5G core workloads, this joint infrastructure initiative will provide Nokia customers with up to a 60% reduction in power consumption, a 60% smaller server footprint and a 150% performance boost compared to widely deployed previous-generation servers.

"The combination of Intel Xeon 6 E-core processors - engineered for power-efficient, high-density compute - and Intel Infrastructure Power Manager, which delivers stable run-time power savings, provides a robust foundation for the most energy-efficient 5G core networks. We're proud to see Nokia Core Networks continue to lead with Intel Xeon processors, helping communications service providers reduce both power use and infrastructure footprint at scale," said Alexander Quach, Intel vice president and general manager of the Wireline and Core Network Division.

China is on course to become the world's leading semiconductor manufacturing hub by the end of the decade. Market research firm Yole Group predicts that by 2030, China will account for 30% of global foundry capacity, a sharp increase from its 21% share in 2024. This growth will position China ahead of Taiwan, which currently holds a 23% market share. In recent years, Beijing has committed vast public and private resources to domestic chip production. Last year, Chinese fabs processed 8.85 million wafers per month, marking an annual increase of approximately 15%. That output will rise to 10.1 million wafers per month in 2025. Much of this expansion comes from the commissioning of 18 new fabs. For example, Huahong Semiconductor opened its 12‑inch facility in Wuxi and began volume production in the first quarter of 2025.

Despite strong capacity growth, China still faces significant issues. The United States is the world's largest wafer consumer, with 57% of global demand, yet it produces only about 10% of the total supply. As a result, American firms must import most of their chips from Asian foundries. Japan and Europe enjoy a more balanced situation by relying on domestic production to meet local needs. China's manufacturers also confront technological barriers. Export controls imposed by the United States limit their access to the most advanced lithography equipment and EDA software. To address this gap, Beijing has launched substantial initiatives to develop homegrown tools and software solutions. These efforts are crucial to closing the divide at cutting‑edge process nodes even as output volumes continue to grow. For now, China is emerging as the leader in mature node output, an area that the automotive sector is particularly interested in.

NVIDIA's AI hardware dominance is challenged as the world's leading AI lab, OpenAI, taps into Google TPU hardware, showing significant efforts to move away from single-vendor solutions. In June 2025, OpenAI began leasing Google Cloud's Tensor Processing Units to handle ChatGPT's increasing inference workload. This is the first time OpenAI has relied on non-NVIDIA chips in large-scale production. Until recently, NVIDIA GPUs powered both model training and inference for OpenAI's products. Training large language models on those cards remains costly, but it was a periodic process. Inference, by contrast, runs continuously and carries its own substantial expense. ChatGPT now serves more than 100 million daily active users, including 25 million paid subscribers. Inference operations account for nearly half of OpenAI's estimated $40 billion annual compute budget. Google's TPUs, like v6e "Trillium" provide a more cost-effective solution for steady-state inference, as they are designed specifically for high throughput and low latency.

Beyond cost savings, this decision reflects OpenAI's desire to reduce reliance on any single vendor. Microsoft Azure has been its primary cloud provider since early investments and collaborations. However, GPU supply shortages and price fluctuations exposed a weakness in relying too heavily on a single source. By adding Google Cloud to its infrastructure mix, OpenAI gains greater flexibility, avoids vendor lock-in, and can scale more smoothly during usage peaks. For Google, winning OpenAI as a TPU customer offers strong validation for its in-house chip development. TPUs were once reserved almost exclusively for internal projects such as powering the Gemini model. Now, they are attracting leading organizations like Apple and Anthropic. Note that, beyond v6e inference, Google also designs TPUs for training (yet-to-be-announced v6p), which means companies can scale their entire training runs on Google's infrastructure on demand.

Other World Computing (OWC), a trusted leader in high-performance storage, memory, connectivity, software, and accessories that empower creative and business professionals to maximize performance, enhance reliability, and streamline workflows, today announced the launch of the OWC Guardian, a powerful new portable SSD designed for anyone who needs to easily safeguard sensitive data on the go without sacrificing speed or simplicity.

OWC Guardian is designed to offer both data security and ease of use. It is compatible with USB-C Macs, iPad Pros, and PCs. Users connect the device, enter a password using the built-in color touchscreen, and can then transfer files via drag and drop. There is no software installation required, and performance remains smooth without compatibility issues. OWC Guardian uses 256-bit AES OPAL hardware encryption to automatically encrypt data during writing and decrypt it upon authorized access. The touchscreen allows PIN or passphrase entry, and additional features include multi-user access, read-only mode, secure erase, and randomized keypad layouts. OWC Guardian is suitable for users handling sensitive or personal data and supports compliance needs without adding workflow complexity. With up to 1000 MB/s in real-world transfer speeds and capacities up to 4.0 TB, OWC Guardian can support large file backups, media transfers, and 4K video editing.

QCY, a global leader in the wireless audio industry, launches the Crossky C50 Clip-on Open Ear Wireless Earbuds, the brand's latest innovation in open-ear audio. Designed to adapt, connect, and inspire, the Crossky C50 blends intelligent sound optimization, refined design, and seamless user control, delivering an effortless audio experience for daily use.

Intelligent Sound That Adapts
Equipped with a dual-layered circular NdFeB driver system and a carbon fiber composite diaphragm, the C50 offers powerful low-frequency extension down to 20 Hz and a 40% increase in driving force. Total harmonic distortion stays below 3%, delivering balanced audio across genres.

The journey to create a new benchmark in AI-powered PCs began with a bold question: "How can we redefine the premium laptop experience that meets or exceeds existing performance, battery life and user experiences?" To answer, Intel and Lenovo - longtime partners with a shared history of innovation - embarked on a multiyear collaboration to co-define, co-design and co-engineer a next-generation computing platform built on extensive user research, exquisite design and exemplary engineering. The result is the Lenovo Aura Edition line of premium AI PCs. Launched in September 2024, 11 devices are available across the consumer, commercial, and small and medium-size business (SMB) markets.

TCL, a pioneer in display across feature-rich smartphones, tablets, and connected devices, today announced the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet, which brings the latest generation of the groundbreaking display technology to life. NXTPAPER 4.0 is further optimized for the human eye, making the content creation and viewing experience more natural than conventional digital displays. The latest version of the innovative technology redefines clarity, personalization, and versatility while reducing impacts on vision.

Clear, Convenient, Connected
The TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet is the first to adopt the core features of TCL NXTPAPER 4.0 with Smart Eye Comfort Mode and Personalized Eye Comfort Mode, which learns your preferences and usage habits, and recommends tweaks to deliver extraordinary eye comfort and efficiency using new intelligent features, customizable options, and powerful functionality.

Cellid Inc., a developer of displays and spatial recognition engines for next-generation AR glasses today announced the successful development of a micro projector for AR glasses capable of projecting AR images with a wide field of view (FOV) of 60°. This was previously considered difficult to achieve with conventional off-the-shelf products.

Currently, the AR glasses market is in its early stages, with adoption driven by practical information display applications such as notifications, weather updates, translations, and integration with generative AI. In these use cases, small and lightweight devices are expected to support initial market growth, as they can provide sufficient user value even with relatively narrow viewing angles.

An Apple-first attempt at making an affordable computer is underway. The company is working on a new 13-inch laptop that promises to bring the power of its latest iPhone chip to a more budget-friendly computer. Rather than using one of its custom M‑series processors, this model will run on the A18 Pro, which currently powers the top iPhone lineup. By tapping into existing smartphone-grade CPUs, Apple aims to reduce manufacturing costs without compromising everyday performance for students and casual users. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, mass production could start as early as the late fourth quarter of 2025 or the early first quarter of 2026. The design will resemble a slim MacBook Air, with a screen measuring approximately 13 inches across, a unibody case, revised vents (possibly none), and ports, in smartphones the A18 Pro is passively cooled.

To add some flair, Apple plans to offer the laptop in several colors, like silver, blue, pink, and yellow, similar to its earlier iMac palette. This affordable MacBook is a key component of Apple's strategy to boost desktop and laptop shipments back to their pre-pandemic peak of roughly 25 million units, now projected for 2026. Following a slowdown this year, the company anticipates shipping approximately 20 million MacBooks in 2025. The new 13‑inch model alone is forecast to account for five to seven million of those sales, making it one of Apple's most important products next year. How well the A18 Pro SoC handles the desktop load remains to be seen, but for basic office and everyday tasks, it could be a very usable device. The single-core A18 Pro performance is comparable to the latest M4, but the multi-core performance lags behind, so incorporating a mobile-grade chip will be an interesting addition to Apple's Mac product stack.

OneOdio, a global leader in audio innovation, proudly announces the launch of the Focus A6, its most premium and design-forward headphones to date. With powerful hybrid active noise cancellation, AI-enhanced call clarity, and a striking metal faceplate crafted from aviation-grade aluminium, the Focus A6 delivers both high-end performance and unmistakable presence. Available in Midnight Black and Ivory Blush, the Focus A6 enters early bird pre-sale on June 30, offering up to 25% off before its official global release on July 7 at 8:00 AM EDT.

Engineered Silence, Designed to Be Seen
The Focus A6 sets a new design standard for the everyday ANC headphone. Its CNC-machined CD pattern, nano-sandblasted and anodized aluminium finish, and sculpted lines combine form and function -- projecting professional elegance while remaining lightweight and travel-ready at just 240 g. Acoustically, it features 48dB hybrid ANC powered by feedforward + feedback microphones to block ambient sound intelligently, along with ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) and an AI-based call algorithm that ensures your voice stays crystal-clear, even in crowded urban environments.

MONTECH proudly announces the global launch of its latest twin PC case series: the X5 and X5M. Engineered for gamers, performance PC builders, and hardware enthusiasts, the new lineup delivers an all-rounded upgrade with modern design, next-gen components support, and racing-inspired aesthetics. The X5 is a full-featured upgrade from the previous X3 generation. Its expanded interior accommodates up to E-ATX motherboards, providing extra space for complex builds and high-power platforms. With increased internal clearance and generous cable routing space, the X5 is engineered for ambitious system configurations.

For GPU support, the X5 raises the bar with compatibility for graphics cards up to 420 mm in length. A default GPU holder is built into the case, eliminating the need for additional accessories and ensuring secure installation for even the largest next-gen GPUs. Cooling performance is a central pillar of the X5 upgrade. The case comes equipped with three 140 mm fans at the front and one 120 mm fan at the rear, creating a strong airflow from intake to exhaust. It also supports up to 360 mm radiators at either the front and top, offering high thermal headroom for liquid cooling users.

Hot on the heels of rumored specs of the GeForce RTX 5070 SUPER and RTX 5070 Ti SUPER, rumored specs of the RTX 5080 SUPER emerged on VideoCardz. Apparently, NVIDIA will not tap into the larger "GB202" silicon to build the RTX 5080 SUPER despite maxing out the "GB203" silicon to build the current RTX 5080. It will take a slightly different approach, by giving the card additional memory and power limits. 24 Gbit GDDR7 memory chips are a distinct feature of RTX 50-series SUPER graphics cards, and much like the RTX 5070 Ti SUPER, the RTX 5080 SUPER will feature 24 GB of GDDR7 memory across a 256-bit wide memory bus.

NVIDIA could possibly use 30 Gbps memory speeds for this SKU to end up with at least the same kind of bandwidth as the regular RTX 5080, which is 960 GB/s. The other interesting aspect of the RTX 5080 SUPER is expected to be its increased TGP (total graphics power) value of 415 W, a 15% increase over the 360 W TGP of the RTX 5080. This increase in TGP will not just support the higher density memory chips, but also allow NVIDIA to increase GPU clock speeds. This will likely be necessary, given that NVIDIA has no headroom to increase shader counts on "GB203," and will need something to increase performance for games without heavy memory demands.

Rosewill, a trusted name in PC components and enclosures, today announced the availability of its new THOR NAS and THOR NAS Pro chassis. Engineered specifically for building powerful, scalable, and reliable Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems, these solutions stand apart by offering massive storage capacity in a full tower, upright desktop form factor—a significant advantage over traditional rackmount chassis for home, office, and studio environments.

Designed to meet the growing demands of users requiring expansive storage without dedicated rack space, these full tower cases prioritize massive capacity, robust cooling, and user-friendly accessibility:
1. Full Tower Upright Design:

• Desktop Placement: Unlike rackmount chassis requiring specialized cabinets, the THOR NAS series offers a conventional full tower footprint, designed to sit conveniently on or under a desk.
• Simplified Access & Maintenance: The upright tower design provides easy front and side access for drive installation, upgrades, and maintenance without complex rail systems.
• Aesthetic Integration: Blends seamlessly into home office or studio settings, avoiding the industrial look of server racks.

NVIDIA has officially released its DLSS Transformer model as part of the 310.3.0 SDK, combining advanced upscaling with a substantial reduction in video memory requirements. This update directly addresses the needs of gamers running on 8 GB or lower graphics cards by trimming VRAM usage by 20%. Unlike previous DLSS versions that relied on convolutional neural networks to infer missing pixels, the Transformer approach evaluates the relationships among all pixels in a frame and applies that understanding across multiple frames. Despite the increased sophistication of this method, NVIDIA's engineers have refined their memory management routines to maintain lean resource demands and deliver sharper, more consistent visuals.

Tested at regular resolutions, the improvements are striking: running DLSS at 1080p now consumes just 87.8 MB of VRAM, down from 106.9 MB in the prior SDK release, while similar reductions of around 20% apply at 1440p, 4K and even 8K. For those using GPUs with limited memory, these savings translate into smoother performance and the ability to enable richer graphics features without compromising image quality. Game developers and engine partners can expect to integrate the DLSS Transformer model into their titles and tools over the coming months, with early tests already highlighting crisper edges, more stable frame rates and consistently high upscaling performance.

We have already covered that NVIDIA is planning a SUPER refresh of its GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs, with the most recent leak revealing the GeForce RTX 5070 SUPER, which is expected to feature a slight increase in CUDA core count and 18 GB of memory. However, NVIDIA is also overhauling its RTX 5070 Ti with the SUPER treatment, now enabling the RTX 5070 Ti SUPER to feature as much as 24 GB of GDDR7 memory with no change in CUDA core count. According to kopite7kimi, the RTX 5070 Ti SUPER will feature the same 8,960 CUDA core configuration as the GB203-350-A1 SKU, based on the PG147-SKU55 PCB. The only difference here is the VRAM surplus resulting from an additional 8 GB of GDDR7, which totals 24 GB capacity, compared to the 16 GB now on the regular RTX 5070 Ti SKU.

This also changes the TBP of the card, where the RTX 5070 Ti SUPER GPU is now rumored to feature a 350 W TBP, an upgrade from the non-SUPER's RTX 5070 Ti, which has a 300 W power rating. Perhaps the extra power is dedicated now not only to more VRAM (which is also a power consumer) but to higher clock speeds, too. It wouldn't be sufficient to call it a SUPER variant without some raw compute increase, so NVIDIA might be selecting better die bins for the SUPER SKU to enable higher default clock speeds at only a 50 W TBP increase. Nonetheless, we expect to hear more details in the coming weeks, especially since the wave of rumors has started to flood social media and leaks are becoming more frequent.

Welcome to the first week of July, which is yet another slow week of new releases, which might have something to do with this Friday being a major holiday in the US. This week's major release is a free to play mecha PvP game. This is followed by a relaxing trading game, some psychological horror, a fantasy MMORPG, a cat adventure and finally you get to relax in a tavern.

Mecha Break / This week's major release / Wednesday 2 July
After the Catastrophe, humanity harnessed the power of Corite—a mysterious carbon-silicon mineral driving rapid technological recovery. But its pathogenic nature and relentless spread threaten to consume Earth's last habitable spaces. In just decades, Corite is projected to engulf the globe. Humanity must find a way to preserve civilization before the countdown reaches zero. Resist. Adapt. Escape. Or follow Corite's call and forge a new path. Steam link

NVIDIA will tap into 24 Gbit (3 GB) GDDR7 memory chips and increase memory sizes across the board for its RTX 50-series SUPER line of GPUs slated for later this year, if leaked specs of the upcoming GeForce RTX 5070 SUPER are anything to go by. Kopite7kimi, a reliable source with NVIDIA leaks, says that the RTX 5070 SUPER will feature 18 GB of memory—that's six 24 Gbit memory chips across a 192-bit wide GDDR7 memory bus. The card has a SKU designation of "PG147-SKU65" and ASIC code of "GB205-400-A1."

Besides 18 GB of memory, the RTX 5070 SUPER reportedly maxes out the "GB205" silicon it's based on, enabling all 50 SM present. The current RTX 5070 has 48 out of 50 SM enabled for 6,144 CUDA cores, whereas the RTX 5070 SUPER, with its 50 SM, should have 6,400 CUDA cores. The marginal increase in shader count will be bolstered by the 50% increase in memory size, and possible increases in GPU boost speeds. The memory bandwidth, however, remains unchanged. It ticks at the same 28 Gbps as on the RTX 5070, which yields 672 GB/s. The TGP will be increased to 275 W, from 250 W.

Thockfactory was a service that let users design and order custom keycap sets for mechanical keyboards, originally starting out as an enthusiast project in 2023. Despite officially launching in 2024, the service was shut down shortly after launch due to keycap quality issues and UI frustrations. Now, after examining user feedback, taking time to locate a new keycap supplier, and redesigning the online keycap configurator, Thockfactory 2.0 has been launched with a slew of upgrades and a laundry list of plans for the future of the business, according to the founder's Reddit post detailing the relaunch.

Thockfactory keycaps are all dye-sublimated PBT, meaning they won't offer shine-through capability, but they should last a good long while, thanks to the material's oil resistance. At the time of writing, Thockfactory only offers keycaps in Cherry profile, although uniform height and low-profile keycaps are planned for the future, with DSA and XDA profiles specifically mentioned as likely incoming additions. The configurator also offers pretty wide compatibility with a number of standard and not-so-standard layouts, including 100%, TKL, Alice, and 65%, which is always a hit with FPS gamers. In addition to the usual suspects, Thockfactory also offers support for stranger layouts, like unorthodox 40% keyboards, a number of ortholinear layouts, and FRL (F-row-less) options. The configurator also allows you to switch between ISO and ANSI, and there are a number of regional and language variants on offer. According to a Reddit comment by the company's founder, the keycaps are being manufactured by a trustworthy OEM that has a solid track record in the custom keycap space. According to the founder, the main draw of Thockfactory is that it offers more color options and greater flexibility than competitors.

NuPhy's latest low-profile mechanical keyboard, the Air75 V3 was announced only a few short weeks ago, promising a slew of upgrades over its predecessors, including redesigned switches, a noise-isolating gasket mount, and a new removable, customizable knob. In general, the promised design updates seem to have been received positively by the community, but NuPhy's decision to sell the Air75 V3 with only the tall version of the knob—which sticks up over the low-profile keycaps—and sell the low-profile knob separately in a bundle with the NuFolio case. According to an announcement on NuPhy's official X account, all pre-orders of the NuPhy Air75 V3 will include both the low-profile and full-height knobs.

NuPhy also clarified that the knob color will match the keyboard color. The main knob stems remain red, but the knob module's background color and the color of the translucent ring around the low-profile knobs will change depending on the keyboard color—the Nova White Air75 V3 has a clear plastic ring around the red stalk, while the Nebula Dark colorway comes with a smokey translucent plastic ring. Critically, it's unclear whether this only applies to the Air75 V3 pre-orders or if NuPhy will include both versions of the knob in the final in-stock version of the keyboard. A recent post on the r/NuPhy subreddit claimed to present an email from NuPhy's customer service that also said the low-profile knob would be included with the Air75 V3 from the start, but there was no distinction made between the pre-order and the in-stock keyboard here, so it may be the case that the low-profile knob will be included after all.

Gearbox Entertainment CEO, Randy Pitchford, seems unable to keep his foot out of his mouth when it comes to the launch and pricing of Borderlands 4. A recent comment regarding the possibility of an $80 launch price already landed him in hot water with the gaming community, although that was resolved shortly after that when the launch price for the new looter shooter was revealed. Now, however, Pitchford has taken to X once more to comment about the pricing of Borderlands 4, this time potentially raining on the parade of patient gamers who are generally happy to wait out the launch hype in search of a better deal. However, despite Pitchford's proclamation, Borderlands 3 was available for significantly less than the launch price as little as a year after release.

In his post on X, Pitchford called out a current Steam Summer Sale deal on Borderlands 3, saying that it took "over 5 years" to get similar discounts and for the game to reach subscription services, and that it will take even longer for Borderlands 4. "And to set expectations, it will be even longer before this kind of thing happens in the next cycle with Borderlands 4," obviously, it's unclear how the community will react to Borderlands 4, but Borderlands 3 launched in 2019 and was already 50% off by May 2020, according to SteamDB. The price dropped by another 25%, for a total discount of 75%, in November 2021, and it was given away as a free game on the Epic Games Store in May 2022.

Looking to challenge AMD's gaming CPU supremacy, Intel is reportedly developing Nova Lake processors with enhanced cache technology that could rival the popular 3D V-Cache found in X3D chips. According to leaker @Haze2K1, Intel plans to add "bLLC" (big Last Line Cache) to at least two Nova Lake models. This improved L3 cache is similar to AMD's 3D V-Cache, which has made X3D chips the top pick for enthusiast gamers since 2022. The new processors with bLLC will have 8 P-cores and 4 LP-E-Cores. One version will include 20 E-cores, while another will have 12 E-cores. Both are expected to keep a 125 W TDP rating.

Intel's bLLC technology already exists in Clearwater Forest server processors where local cache integrates into the base tile positioned beneath active tiles. This structural approach mirrors AMD's current 9000-series X3D design, where V-Cache attaches to the bottom of CPU dies—a significant improvement over earlier generations that placed cache on top, causing thermal issues and clock speed limitations. Yet, Intel said no to consumer plans for a technology similar to AMD's 3D V-Cache. In November 2024, Intel's Tech Communications Manager Florian Maislinger told YouTubers der8auer and Bens Hardware that they didn't plan such a desktop version. The Nova Lake-S family is set to hit the market in late 2026 or early 2027, with at least six desktop models using new LGA 1954 packaging. The lineup will start from the top-end Core Ultra 9 485K with 52 cores and 150 W TDP and go down to the basic Core Ultra 3 415K offering 12 cores at 125 W TDP.

Later this year, the iconic blue error screen that has tripped up Windows users for nearly 40 years will take on a new, darker appearance. Microsoft has confirmed its plan to replace the traditional Blue Screen of Death with a black background that omits the large frowning face and QR code. In its place, a single, clear stop code will sit at the bottom of the display, pinpointing the exact driver or component at fault. This leaner design first surfaced in Windows Insider builds and mirrors the progress screens seen during system updates. By stripping away extra visual elements, Microsoft aims to help both casual users and IT teams pinpoint and resolve issues more efficiently, with no crash-dump exports or deep-dive debugging tools required.

The revamped error screen will be available to all Windows 11 users in the late summer of 2025, accompanied by a new Quick Machine Recovery feature that aims to bring unbootable systems back online faster. David Weston, Microsoft's vice president of enterprise and OS security, says the redesign stems from lessons learned after last year's faulty CrowdStrike update sent countless machines into crash loops. Weston notes that the goal is to deliver straightforward, actionable details about what went wrong and whether the problem lies within Windows itself or an external component. Although Microsoft briefly experimented with a black error screen in earlier Insider releases, feedback drove a return to blue until now. With a sharper focus on clarity and faster recovery tools, Microsoft is set to retire the Blue Screen of Death and welcome the Black Screen of Death.

In just a few years, AMD has gone from the underdog to Intel's most serious challenger in the server world. Thanks to its EPYC processors, AMD now captures about a third of every dollar spent on server CPUs, up from essentially zero in 2017. Over that same period, Intel's share has slipped from nearly 100% to roughly 63%, signaling a significant shift in what companies choose to power their data centers. The real inflection point came with AMD's Zen architecture: by mid-2020, EPYC had already claimed more than 10% of server-CPU revenues. Meanwhile, Intel's rollout of Sapphire Rapids Xeons encountered delays and manufacturing issues, leaving customers to look elsewhere. By late 2022, AMD was over the 20% mark, and Intel found itself under 75% for the first time in years.

Looking ahead, analysts at IDC and Mercury Research, with data compiled by Bank of America, expect AMD's slice of the revenue pie to grow to about 36% by 2025, while Intel drops to around 55%. Arm-based server chips are also starting to make real inroads, forecast to account for roughly 9% of CPU revenue next year as major cloud providers seek more energy- and cost-efficient options. By 2027, AMD could approach a 40% revenue share, Intel may fall below half the market, and Arm designs could capture 10-12%. Remember that these figures track revenue rather than unit sales: AMD's gains come primarily from high-end, high-core-count processors, whereas Intel still shifts plenty of lower-priced models. With AMD poised to launch its Genoa and Bergamo EPYCs and Intel banking on the upcoming E-core Xeon 6 series to regain its footing, the fight for server-CPU supremacy is far from over. Still, Intel's once-unbeatable lead is clearly under threat.

Following a successful first collaboration in August 2024, innovative peripheral brand MCHOSE and global tech review powerhouse Unbox Therapy (UT) are proud to announce the launch of their first co-branded keyboard, the UT98 Mechanical Keyboard, debuting on Kickstarter on July 17, 2025. The partnership began when Lewis received a sample of the MCHOSE GX87 keyboard last August. Impressed by its soft, bouncy typing experience, he featured it in a review video. The response was overwhelming—over 5 million views across platforms and widespread user praise.

Among the praise, some viewers also highlighted a key improvement area: the audible keystroke sound of the GX87 could be distracting in quieter environments like offices, libraries, or shared workspaces. In response, MCHOSE and UT set out to create a new keyboard that would retain the GX87's tactile excellence—but make it quieter.

Cooler Master has introduced the new NR200P case now in its V3 iteration. The NR200P V3 is a Mini-ITX case designed for compact builds requiring high-performance cooling solutions. The case measures 378.2 x 185 x 292 mm with protrusions (18.62-liter volume) while supporting full-size components. The exterior combines aluminium, SGCC steel, mesh panels, and ABS plastic components. The CNC-machined aluminium side panels feature magnetic latching mechanisms for tool-free access. Large mesh side panels facilitate airflow while maintaining component visibility. The NR200P V3 accommodates 240 mm and 280 mm AIO liquid coolers through top-mounted radiator support. Additional cooling options include dual 120 mm or 140 mm fans at the top. Bottom ventilation supports up to two 120 mm slim fans (maximum 15 mm thickness) when no 3.5-inch drive is installed, or one 120 mm slim fan with a drive present.

It can accommodate CPU coolers up to 70 mm in height and supports graphics cards up to 361.5 mm in length, 160 mm in height, and 78.5 mm in width (3.8 slots). A PCIe 5.0 x16 riser cable enables vertical GPU mounting, with an included GPU support bracket for stability. Power supply compatibility covers SFX and SFX-L form factors. Storage capacity includes one 3.5-inch HDD bay (expandable to two) and one 2.5-inch SSD bay (expandable to two). Front I/O provides two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, and a 3.5 mm headset jack. The Cooler Master NR200P V3 ships in black finish with a two-year warranty (retail pricing was not yet disclosed) targeting users requiring maximum performance in minimal desktop space.

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it has successfully begun mass production of the world's top OLED monitor panel, incorporating its latest proprietary technology as the company accelerates its push into the premium monitor panel market. The 27-inch OLED monitor panel achieves a peak brightness of 1,500 nits thanks to the application of the company's core fourth-generation OLED technology, Primary RGB Tandem.

In addition, LG Display has successfully developed a 540 Hz OLED monitor panel - surpassing the highest refresh rate currently available - and plans to unveil it soon. As a result, LG Display is leading the world's OLED technology across the "triple crown" of key elements that determine gaming monitor picture quality - brightness, refresh rate, and response time.

GIGABYTE Technology, a global leader in high-performance motherboards, graphics cards, and hardware solutions, today announces the groundbreaking Ultra Turbo Mode feature for its Intel Z890 series motherboards. This innovative BIOS level enhancement unlocks significant gaming performance boosts of up to 35% without requiring any additional hardware investment. With a simple BIOS update, users can access dramatically enhanced system performance, further solidifying GIGABYTE's commitment to delivering innovative, reliable, and performance-driven solutions.

Maximize Performance without Extra Expense
The Ultra Turbo Mode extracts maximum performance from systems without the need for expensive hardware upgrades. By intelligently optimizing BIOS settings, this revolutionary feature unlocks hidden potential in the latest Intel Core Ultra 2 9/7/5 K-SKU processors. The results are impressive: memory performance achieves a remarkable boost of up to 68% in AIDA64 testing across various high-performance memory configurations. Gaming performance also sees significant gains, with up to 35% higher frame rates in demanding AAA titles like Hitman 3: Dartmoor.

ASUS has expanded its BTF GPU ecosystem with the launch of the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 32 GB GDDR7 BTF OC Edition, marking the first Astral model to adopt the detachable Graphics Card High-Power (GC-HPWR) connector. Building on improvements showcased in version 2.5, this new variant is engineered to supply over 1,000 watts through the high-power slot alongside the traditional 12V-2x6 connection located behind the PCIe connector. The ROG Astral RTX 5090 BTF Edition inherits the core specifications of its non-BTF sibling, which we reviewed here, but distinguishes itself with enhanced power delivery and compatibility. ASUS's removable GC-HPWR adapter allows integration with both standard motherboards and upcoming BTF-ready boards, promising greater flexibility for system builders and the aesthetic experience of no cables connected to the GPU.

This model employs the same four-fan configuration, vapor chamber, and optimized fin spacing, while a phase-change GPU thermal pad ensures maximum contact with the GPU die. According to ASUS, the quad-fan layout can boost airflow and pressure by up to 20%. Additional features include real-time monitoring of temperatures and power draw on the 12V-2x6 connector, accessible via GPU Tweak III, which also provides fine-tuning controls such as voltage and frequency adjustments, as well as thermal mapping. Although pricing has yet to be confirmed, ASUS will reflect the card's feature set with a price increase. Availability is expected in the third quarter, alongside other BTF products, such as the white-edged TUF Gaming Radeon RX 9070 XT and various ROG motherboards.

Last month, a confidential presentation in China gave AMD's laptop partners their first glimpse of what's coming next. The slides hinted at modest clock-speed improvements and the addition of more entry-level models, all under the codename "Gorgon Point." Not long after, NBD's shipping manifests today show a series of new FP8, FP10, and FP12 product codes. These identifiers don't match any existing "Strix Point" or "Kracken Point" chips, so it's clear AMD is gearing up for a Ryzen AI 400-series refresh set to roll out around mid-2026. Despite the new name, Gorgon Point sticks with the same winning formula. It still uses Zen 5 and Zen 5c CPU cores alongside RDNA 3.5 graphics and XDNA 2 neural accelerators. Core counts haven't changed, so you'll see configurations ranging from 4 to 12 cores just like before, with up to 4x Zen 5 and 8x Zen 5c cores.

What's different, according to the leaked partner slides, is a slight bump in boost clocks. The top-end Ryzen AI 9 HX 475 and 470 chips are now rated for up to 5.2 GHz, a slight but welcome increase from the previous 5.1 GHz, while maintaining a 28 W default TDP. AMD is also broadening its reach into budget laptops. In addition to the Ryzen 9 HX upgrades, the company will introduce new Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 3 models. Early leaks mention parts numbered 440 and 430, as well as a mystery Ryzen 3 SKU. These entry-level chips will use the same Gorgon Point silicon but will be tuned for cost-sensitive devices. Branding will likely follow AMD's recent pattern. Given how AMD has renumbered previous families, slotting Gorgon Point into familiar retail channels should be straightforward. Until AMD makes an official announcement, these shipping manifests and partner leaks are the best clues we have about the performance and efficiency gains in the next wave of AI-accelerated laptops.

TechPowerUp and ID-Cooling bring our readers from all over the world a sizzling hot Giveaway for the Summer. Give your CPU the chill it deserves with ID-Cooling, one of the leading brands with PC cooling hardware. We have six prizes up for grabs, each a segment-leading product by ID-Cooling. One lucky winner gets an ID-Cooling SL360 AIO CLC and a pack of three AF-127-ARGB-K fans, for a prize value of $200. Two lucky winners each get an ID-Cooling FX360 INF AIO CLC with AS-120-ARGB-K fans, for a prize value of $100, each. Lastly, three lucky winners each get an ID-Cooling Frozn A620 PRO SE dual fin-stack CPU air cooler.

The SL360 is ID-Cooling's top AIO liquid CPU cooler, with a smart display on top of the pump-block that puts out real-time monitoring stats. It comes with a trio of premium AF-127-ARGB fans that have fluid dynamic bearings. The FX360 INF is a compelling mid-range 360 mm AIO liquid CPU cooler, with an infinity reflection ornament on the pump-block, and some ARGB lighting bling. The Frozn A620 PRO SE is a powerful dual fin-stack tower-type CPU cooler capable of taking on even high core-count desktop CPUs. Once again, the Giveaway is open worldwide, wherever legal, it's open from today (June 27) until July 4. We will announce winners on July 7. There are seven ways to drop your hat in, and you can increase your chances of winning by sharing the Giveaway across your social media, vising the ID-Cooling website to check out their products, or their social media handles.

For more information, and to participate, visit this page.

Persona5: The Phantom Xlaunched earlier this week as a free-to-play JRPG spin-off of Persona5 Royal, and within the first 48 hours of the game's launch it has already become the second most popular game in the Persona franchise, at least if the Steam numbers are anything to go by. According to SteamDB, which tracks concurrent player counts, Persona5: The Phantom X has already reached a peak concurrent player count of 41,622 players, which is over 6,000 higher than Persona 5 Royal, which launched in 2022. Persona5: The Phantom X also launched simultaneously on the Google Play Store, where it has already surpassed 500,000 downloads, and on the Apple App Store.

At the time of writing, the only Persona game that still maintains a higher all-time peak concurrent player count than Persona5: The Phantom X is Persona 3 Reload, which launched on Steam in January 2024 and almost immediately peaked at 45,002 concurrent players. Part of the reason for the success of The Phantom X is likely the free-to-play nature, and despite the solid player count, not everything about the launch is positive, with the current Steam review rating sitting at a rather mediocre 71% positive. Most of the negative reviews on the Steam Store page point to aggressive monetization and gacha mechanics, which are often perceived as predatory, although there are many reviews that still praise the game for not taking the gacha side too far and delivering a game that sticks to the JRPG roots of the Persona games. Persona5: The Phantom X features heavily stylized visuals typical of a Persona game, and turn-based spectacle combat, and the story follows a high school student who goes on nightly adventures to thwart villains and bring back order to the world.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is an upcoming squad-based RPG from Owlcat Games that promises to adapt the popular sci-fi story of The Expanse. The story-driven, party-based RPG will, however, skip out on The Expanse's iconic space battles. Instead, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn will focus more on interpersonal relationships and the effects of the story on the Belters and the inhabitants of the inner planets. Players will base their operations out of a ship, and the studio is leaning into the property's hard sci-fi origins, using physics and environmental cues to make space feel like "a very dangerous and unwelcoming place to be," but they won't be able to use that same ship to wage war in the vastness of space.

In a recent interview with CNET, the game's creative director, Alexander Mishulin, explains that, while Osiris Reborn won't revisit the story of Holden and the crew from The Expanse, the game will explore the repercussions of the events of season one and two of the TV series. Players will, however, run into characters from the Rocinante crew in their adventures, and they will seemingly experience the horrors of the Protomolecule first-hand. The game will allegedly take inspiration from a number of games, including Mass Effect, Dark Souls, and Baldur's Gate 3. Specifically, the game studio says that Osiris Reborn will offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to the type of character you want to build and how you want to develop them throughout the story. Additionally, NPCs and companions will each have their own personality and develop on their own time, even if they're not part of the player's party.