Hardware Giveaway
Saturday, July 12th 2025

Borderlands 4 Preview Shows Off Siren's Deadly Abilities and Summons

As the launch date for Borderlands 4 draws ever closer, Gearbox has started to reveal more information about the gameplay that we will see in the new looter shooter. The latest reveal comes by way of a short YouTube video showcasing the abilities and gameplay of the new siren, Vex. All of the abilities the new siren demonstrates are somehow related to the concept of death, and they add to the whole necromancer motif Gearbox has dreamt up for her. Overall, Vex's abilities seem to strike a balance between crowd control and 1v1 combat, and they seem to offer a decent amount of build versatility. Aside from showing off Vex's skills, the preview also gives us a glimpse at some of the enemy diversity that we can expect from Borderlands 4, and it certainly looks like there will be no shortage of different enemy types, from the typical ground-based foot soldiers to bullet-hell inspired bosses and flying minions that will harass you while you battle bigger enemies.

Incarnate gives Vex a pair of wings, increasing her movement speed and granting her the ability to cast energy projectiles at enemies, steal health, and buff her stats for improved survivability. Critically, the energy projectiles come from her off hand, meaning she can still use her weapon while the ability is active. Dead Ringer, summons a host of ephemeral clones of Vex, which automatically target and damage nearby enemies—this will likely come in handy when surrounded or facing off against a boss that needs your full attention. This ability has two versions—one that summons a single scythe-wielding clone that hunts enemies down with powerful melee attacks and can taunt thm as well, and one that summons multiple stationary clones that attack with ranged weapons. Phase Phamiliar allows players to summon a cat-like companion named Trouble that will seek out and attack enemies similar to FL4K's companion-based action skills from Borderlands 3. Trouble can blink to enemies and has increased critical hit chance. Vex can apparently also trigger the companion to explode on command for AOE damage. Some of these augmentations and ability variations will no doubt be locked behind skill points or even character-specific class mods.
Friday, July 11th 2025

Today's Reviews

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Cooling
CPU Coolers
Desktop PC
Graphics Cards
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SSD
Our Visit to the Hunter Super Computer

Our Visit to the Hunter Super Computer

At HLRS in Stuttgart, Germany, we got an inside look at the "Hunter" supercomputer—an advanced system built on AMD EPYC processors and Instinct MI300A APUs. Join us as we share the insights gained during our visit.
Lexar NM1090 Pro 4 TB Review

Lexar NM1090 Pro 4 TB Review

The Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD delivers fast Gen 5 performance and tons of capacity. In our testing, it achieved record-breaking sustained write speeds of over 4.2 GB/s—outpacing the competition. Overall performance is strong, though there are still faster options available.

Colorful Debuts iGame Duo SSD: GPU with Two M.2 Drives

At Bilibili World 2025, Colorful quietly introduced a unique all-white version of its iGame Ultra Duo SSD graphics card that combines high-end GPU performance with built-in storage. The card features a two‑fan cooler coated in matte white, which immediately sets it apart from the usual dark designs you see on the market. Although Colorful has not confirmed whether it is based on NVIDIA's new GB206 or GB207 architecture, either RTX 5050 or 5060, the real point of this product is the dual M.2 SSD slots on the back of the compact PCB. Users can simply slide in drives without any extra cables, and the heatsink mounting points are cleverly positioned between the storage bays and the rear I/O bracket.

Thanks to PCIe bifurcation, the card splits a standard x16 slot into eight lanes for the GPU and four lanes for each SSD, so neither graphics nor storage performance is compromised. Given that the PCIe bandwidth is more than enough for this GPU SKU, even an x8 lane is enough for performance to stay intact. By placing SSDs near active cooling, Colorful ensures they stay cool even under heavy workloads. Official specs and pricing are not yet available, but this hybrid design is sure to catch the eye of gamers and content creators looking for a sleek, high-capacity storage build.

Intel "Nova Lake-S" Tapes Out on TSMC N2 Node

Intel's next-generation client CPU staple product, "Nova Lake-S", has reportedly taped out of TSMC's fabs in Taiwan. Our previous speculation from the rumor mill suggested that Intel would utilize its own internal 18A node, with help from TSMC's 2 nm high-volume manufacturing. According to SemiAccurate, Intel has taped out a compute tile on TSMC's N2 node, meaning that Nova Lake-S will likely utilize a mix of 18A and TSMC N2 for its compute tiles. A possible reason for this decision is that Intel is building a chain of fall-backs to rely on in case its 18A node doesn't deliver, or it anticipates demand so high that its internal manufacturing capacity can't provide. Either way, clients can expect the product to be delivered on time in H2 of 2026, but under the hood, some interesting solutions may be present.

As far as the exact date, the time from a tapeout to final product is months away. Right now, the taped-out silicon tile is being powered on in Intel's labs and tested, running various test cases that stress out the silicon for multiple use cases and check for correctness of operation. Typically, power on takes a few weeks to a month to achieve, and final high-volume manufacturing will commence only a few months later. From that point, another two to three months are needed for manufacturing and shipping the product, meaning that Q3 of 2026 is the most likely target for Nova Lake-S. As a reminder, the CPU will combine 52 cores (16 P-cores, 32 E-cores, and four LPE-cores) paired with 8,800 MT/s memory controller and Xe3 "Celestial" for graphics rendering and Xe4 "Druid" for media and display duties, making it definitely an interesting product, as well as a difficult manufacturing target due to the heterogenous complexity.

QNAP Launches the 16-channel PoE+ Network Smart NVR TVR-AI200

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading computing, networking, and storage solutions innovator, has released the new 16-channel PoE+ Network Smart NVR TVR-AI200. It supports real-time video/audio surveillance, high-quality recording, and can be installed on a desktop or in a rack. With PoE+ networking and plug-and-play features, the TVR-AI200 not only simplifies camera cabling and installation, but also allows users to complete offline setup and start recording within 10 minutes. The TVR-AI200 combines the security of an isolated network with flexible management capabilities for optional WAN connectivity. Coupled with AI video analytics and centralized management capabilities, it provides a highly efficient, reliable, and cost-effective surveillance solution for smart retail and commercial environments.

Key Features of the TVR-AI200
  • Plug-and-Play Camera Setup:
  • Compliant with the 802.3at PoE+ standard, and supplies sixteen ports of 25.5-watt PoE power to IP cameras, simplifying deployment.
  • Isolated Network Design:
  • Creates an isolated network for offline operation to enhance surveillance security and privacy, and reduce cybersecurity risks.

D-Link Unveils New DMS-1250 Series Smart Switches

D-Link Corporation, a global leader in networking solutions, is delighted to announce the launch of its latest DMS-1250 Series, 2.5G layer 2 standard smart switches that include 4 copper switches (DMS-1250-10S/ DMS-1250-12/ DMS-1250-18/ DMS-1250-28) and 4 PoE switches (DMS-1250-10SP/ DMS-1250-12TP/ DMS-1250-18P/ DMS-1250-28P). It is designed to meet the increasing demands of modern networks, offering 2.5G downlink ports for high-speed device connectivity and 10G/10G SFP+ uplink ports to ensure fast, reliable backbone performance. Built-in IEEE 802.3af/at/bt PoE support, the switches deliver up to 60 W per port, providing reliable power for high-demand devices such as Wi-Fi access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. All 2.5G ports feature 6kV surge protection, ensuring robust durability and safeguarding connected devices against power surges.

Flexible Port Options and Versatile Connectivity for Any Network
The DMS-1250 Series offers versatile port configurations from compact 10-port models to high-capacity 28-port options providing flexibility to scale networks to meet diverse infrastructure requirements. Supporting copper, fiber, and advanced Power over Ethernet (PoE) standards, including IEEE 802.3af/at/bt, these switches can power a wide range of PoE-enabled devices over standard Ethernet cables, eliminating the need for separate electrical wiring. Whether deployed in small offices, enterprise edge networks, or high-density smart campuses, the DMS-1250 Series ensures reliable, scalable, and high-performance connectivity. With flexible hardware, comprehensive Layer 2 features, and centralized management via Nuclias Connect, it is a future-ready solution designed to meet evolving network demands.

Deal Alert: Get Windows 11 Pro for Just $9.97 Before Windows 10 Support Ends

Windows 10 is on its way out, and the price of upgrading just hit an all-time low. Right now, a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is only $9.97 (MSRP $199.99). That's a 95% drop, but the deal ends July 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Whether you're upgrading an old laptop or building your next rig, now's the time to make the leap, especially since Windows 10 support officially ends in October 2025. That means no more security updates, patches, or features. Windows 11 Pro isn't just an upgrade—it's your route to staying secure, productive, and game ready.

Buy Windows 11 Pro at $9.97 from Stackcommerce

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE Tested, Fills Gap Between RX 9060 XT and RX 9070

AMD released the China-exclusive Radeon RX 9070 GRE in May, and ComputerBase.de caught hold of a Sapphire Pulse branded RX 9070 GRE card to test. While the RX 9060 XT specs sheet reads as being exactly half of the RX 9070 XT, the RX 9070 GRE is configured to be three quarters of it. It's based on the same 4 nm "Navi 48" silicon as the rest of the RX 9070 series, but is configured with 48 compute units out of the 64 present, and comes with 12 GB of memory across a 192-bit wide GDDR6 memory bus, in place of the 256-bit wide one that the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT come with. With 48 CU, the RX 9070 GRE has 3,072 stream processors, 96 AI accelerators, 48 RT accelerators, 192 TMUs, and 96 ROPs. The Infinity Cache size is reduced to 48 MB. The card comes with the same 220 W TBP as the RX 9070.

Testing by ComputerBase.de finds that despite its reduction in compute units and memory, the RX 9070 GRE is still a 1440p-class GPU, and a significant upgrade over the RX 9060 XT 16 GB and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB. Averaged across 13 game tests, at 1440p, the RX 9070 GRE tests 28.4% faster than RX 9060 XT 16 GB, 22% faster than RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB, and 11% faster than the previous-gen RX 7800 XT, and 5% faster than RTX 4070. The current-gen RTX 5070 is 9% faster, RX 9070 is 14% faster, and the current flagship RX 9070 XT is 29% faster. This makes the RX 9070 GRE an interesting SKU that's at the intersection of various price-performance combinations within the 1440p class. In the Chinese domestic market, the RX 9070 GRE is priced slightly higher than the RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB, but lower than the RTX 5070, making it a good value proposition. Find more test results and insights in the source link below.

SUDOKOO Launches Exclusive Prime Week Deals on Award-Winning PC Coolers

SUDOKOO, the premium PC cooling brand acclaimed for engineering precision and innovative design, is excited to unveil limited-time discounts on its flagship CPU coolers in celebration of Amazon Prime Day and Newegg FantasTech Week, running July 8-13, 2025. These exclusive promotions offer gamers, PC builders, and performance enthusiasts a chance to upgrade their cooling systems with cutting-edge hardware—at unbeatable value.

Featured Deals Include:
  • SK700 / SK700V Series—15% OFF
    • High-performance AM5-ready air coolers supporting up to 220 W TDP
    • SK700V features 7 heatpipes, an offset single-tower for full RAM clearance, and tool-free L-Rail fan mounting
  • PROTEUS360—15% OFF
    • 360 mm AIO liquid cooler supporting up to 320 W TDP
    • Magnetic metal pump cap, 360° tube swivel, and a 3.4" customizable LCD screen
  • NEXAURA Series—20% OFF
    • 360 mm ARGB AIO cooler with diamond-cut pump cap
    • Supports high-core CPUs up to 300 W TDP with ultra-quiet operation and stunning visual effects
    • Mach Fans
    • Proteus 360 AIO CPU Cooler

Team Group Unveils P250Q Self-Destruct Internal NVMe SSD

Global memory leader Team Group Inc. today officially unveiled its latest breakthrough in industrial storage: the Team Group Industrial P250Q Self-Destruct SSD. This innovative solution integrates both software and hardware-based data erasure mechanisms, paired with an independent destruction circuit. Engineered to meet the stringent security and stability requirements of military, industrial automation, and AI applications, the P250Q sets a new benchmark for data protection and was recently honored with the 2025 COMPUTEX Best Choice Award for Cybersecurity Category.

The P250Q is equipped with a patented independent destruction circuit that enables precise data erasure at the hardware level by directly targeting the Flash IC. It is further supported by an intelligent software system with an auto-resume function that ensures data destruction continues seamlessly after an unexpected power outage, guaranteeing the complete elimination of sensitive information. Designed with real-world deployment in mind, the P250Q combines dual-mode software-hardware destruction, a one-click activation button, and multi-stage LED indicators that display real-time progress, offering intuitive yet robust data protection for high-security environments.
Thursday, July 10th 2025
Chieftec Iceberg 360 Review

Chieftec Iceberg 360 Review

Chieftec makes a debut in the all-in-one liquid cooler arena with the introduction of the Iceberg 360. Sporting a sleek design, decent performance and innovative features like its snap-on fans that simplify cable management, it brings a lot to the table. But does the Iceberg 360 have what it takes to outshine rivals?

AMD Sampling Next-Gen Ryzen Desktop "Medusa Ridge," Sees Incremental IPC Upgrade, New cIOD

AMD is reportedly sampling its next-generation Ryzen desktop processor powered by the "Zen 6" microarchitecture, codenamed "Medusa Ridge," to close industry partners, such as platform designers and OEMs, says Yuri Bubliy, aka 1usmus, author of the Hydra tuning software, and the now-retired DRAM Calculator for Ryzen. The processor sees AMD update both the CCDs and client I/O die, he says. AMD confirmed that it is building the "Zen 6" CCD on the TSMC N2 (2 nm) node, which entered risk production earlier this year. The node is expected to be ready for mass-production of 2 nm chips later this year. The 2 nm node presents a significant jump in transistor densities from the current TSMC N4P node on which AMD builds its 8-core "Zen 5" CCD, which 1usmus and other sources say, that AMD will use to increase CPU core counts per CCD.

Sources point to the possibility of AMD increasing core counts per CCD to 12, and giving the CCD 48 MB of L3 cache. At this point we don't know if all 12 cores will be arranged in a single CCX with a monolithic slab of 48 MB L3 cache, or if there's a dual-CCX layout with 6 cores per CCX sharing 24 MB of L3 cache, each. The other big upgrade with "Medusa Ridge" is its client I/O die (cIOD). AMD is expected to build its new generation cIOD on a newer EUV node such as 5 nm N5 or 4 nm N4P, a significant upgrade from the current 6 nm N6. 1usmus says that the biggest reason for AMD to update its cIOD is the memory controller architecture. AMD is expected to give "Medusa Point" a new dual memory controller architecture. There are still two DDR5 channels per socket, but this is redesigned for increased memory speeds, letting AMD catch up with Intel in this area. As for the CPU frequency boosting technologies, such as PBO and Curve Optimizer, there are no updates expected, and 1usmus concludes that it Hydra support should be straightforward.

Unknown Worlds Confirms Subnautica 2 Delay to 2026, Releases New Gameplay Trailer

As you know, we believe deeply in the open development process at Unknown Worlds. All of our games, from Natural Selection to Subnautica, have been fully committed to that process. The first phase of open development on Subnautica 2 was a series of playtests that recently happened behind the scenes with our community. We got some great feedback about Subnautica 2 during those playtests. The community was responding well to the environment, creatures, and story, and felt positive about the general direction of the game. It gave us a great indication that we're swimming in the right direction.

It also provided some insight that there are a few areas where we needed to improve before launching the first version of Subnautica 2 to the world. Our community is at the heart of how we develop, so we want to give ourselves a little extra time to respond to more of that feedback before releasing the game into Early Access. With that in mind, we've made the decision to delay Subnautica 2's Early Access release to 2026.

Razer Unveils the Ultra-Lightweight DeathAdder V4 Pro Gaming Mouse

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the launch of the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, the latest evolution of its most iconic gaming mouse. With over 20 million units sold worldwide, the DeathAdder line is renowned for its ergonomic excellence and elite esports performance. The DeathAdder V4 Pro builds on this legacy with next-generation upgrades, developed in close collaboration with top-tier esports professionals and engineered to for the highest levels of competitive play.

Engineered for Elite Performance
The DeathAdder V4 Pro is the first gaming mouse to feature Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2—delivering an ultra-stable connection, over 63% greater power efficiency, and 37% lower latency than its predecessor. Thanks to this breakthrough in wireless technology and a redesigned dongle optimized for peak performance, it ensures lightning-fast responsiveness at up to 8000 Hz in both wired and wireless modes. All this cutting-edge performance is backed by up to 150 hours of high-performance gameplay at 1000 Hz, giving gamers the endurance they need to stay ahead.

Naya Announces Availability of Naya Create Modular Split Keyboard

Building on its acclaimed debut at CES, where it earned 2x CES Innovation Awards and secured over $1 million in Kickstarter funding, Naya today announced the general availability of Naya Create, its groundbreaking modular split keyboard. Naya Create sets a new standard for how software developers, business professionals, creatives in audiovisual and 3D, and enthusiasts alike interact with their digital tools, offering a personalized, evolving solution that prioritizes individual comfort, precise control, and adaptable workflows, unlike conventional keyboards that demand users conform to a fixed layout.

Naya Create delivers tangible benefits for users seeking to optimize their workflow and comfort. Post-purchase surveys from Naya's backers indicate that improved ergonomics was a key factor in the purchase decision for 75% of users, and boosted workflow efficiency for 70% of users. Its unique hinged split design allows each half to independently adjust up to 27 degrees of tenting, supporting a natural wrist posture and reducing arm pronation. The columnar-staggered key layout positions each key in line with natural finger movements, providing a more fluid and less fatiguing typing experience.

TSMC Plans CoPoS and SoIC Advanced Packaging for Arizona Fab

TSMC plans to expand its Arizona facility with advanced packaging by constructing two dedicated buildings near to its Fab 21 complex. The first, Advanced Packaging Facility 1 (AP1), is slated to break ground in 2028 alongside Phase 3 of Fab 21, which will eventually produce chips on the N2 (2 nm) node and potentially the A16 process. A second structure, AP2, will follow in tandem with later expansions (Phases 4 and 5), though exact dates remain unconfirmed. Both sites will focus on System‑on‑Integrated‑Chips (SoIC) and the emerging Chip‑on‑Panel‑on‑Substrate (CoPoS) technology. SoIC uses through‑silicon vias to stack cache or memory dies directly beneath compute cores, a technique already proven in AMD's Ryzen X3D processors. CoPoS, by contrast, replaces traditional circular wafers with rectangular panels measuring approximately 310x310 mm.

This shift multiplies the usable substrate area by more than five times, enabling the denser integration of high-bandwidth memory stacks, I/O chiplets, and multiple compute tiles while driving down per-unit costs. Behind the scenes, TSMC will kick off a CoPoS pilot line as early as 2026, aiming to complete partner validation by late 2027. This pilot run is designed to address manufacturing challenges and secure design wins with major customers, including NVIDIA, AMD, and Apple, ensuring that US‑assembled packages meet the same performance and reliability standards as those in Taiwan. Mass production at AP1 is not expected to ramp up until late 2029 or early 2030, aligning with TSMC's two-year lead-time practice: new node and packaging innovations debut on the home island before being transplanted abroad.

NVIDIA GeForce NOW Gets New Games, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Coming Soon

Grab a friend and climb toward the clouds - PEAK is now available on GeForce NOW, enabling members to try the hugely popular indie hit on virtually any device. It's one of four new games joining the cloud this week. Plus, members can look forward to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 coming soon.

Time to Climb
PEAK is a co-op climbing game that puts players in the shoes of lost nature scouts, ascending a mountain at the center of a mysterious island. Scavenge for food (even if it's of questionable quality), manage injuries on the climb and help the squad summit safely. Members can play solo or survive together with up to four players. There's a new island to survive on every day. And, with more than 100,000 concurrent players daily on Steam, there's always a climbing buddy to join. GeForce NOW members are equipped for the challenge with an Ultimate membership, which powers the climb at up to 4K resolution and 120 frames per second. Ultimate members can play PEAK and more than 2,000 other games they already own with extended session lengths and ultralow latency on a GeForce RTX 4080 rig. Upgrade today for elevated gameplay.

TSMC Announces Record Q2-2025 Revenue Amidst Currency and Tariff Slump

Taiwan's premier semiconductor foundry, TSMC, reported a consolidated revenue of NTD $263.709 billion (approximately US$8.11 billion) for June 2025, reflecting a 17.7% decline from May due to the sharp appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar. Despite this, the figure marked a 26.9% YoY increase, setting a new June record. For the second quarter of 2025, TSMC achieved revenue of NTD $933.792 billion, up 11.26% QoQ and 38.65% YoY, hitting the upper end of its April 2025 guidance and establishing a quarterly record. 1H-2025 revenue reached NTD $1.77 trillion, a 40% surge from the previous year, which is also a historical peak. In its April earnings call, TSMC forecasted second-quarter revenue between USD $28.4 billion and USD $29.2 billion (NTD $923 billion to NTD $949 billion), alongside a gross margin of 57-59% and an operating margin of 47-49%.

The rapid strengthening of the Taiwan Dollar, which appreciated over 15% from NTD $33.196 to briefly below NTD $29 per USD since April 2025, significantly impacted TSMC's margins and Taiwan's export-driven industry, mainly electronics and manufacturing. TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei noted at the June shareholder meeting that a 1% NT dollar appreciation reduces operating and gross margins by about 0.4%, with the recent 8% rise cutting margins by over 3%. Despite this, TSMC's Q2 revenue of NTD $933.79 billion was driven by robust AI GPU demand and increased orders for large die-size chips (more wafers since fewer chips per wafer), mitigating currency pressures. While tariffs indirectly affect TSMC as importers bear the cost, Wei cautioned that rising tariffs could spur inflation and reduce consumption, potentially impacting shipments. Despite all these, TSMC remains optimistic, fueled by strong AI GPU demand. The company projects record-high revenue and profit for 2025.

Apple Plans Vision Pro 2 Upgrade with M4 SoC Inside

Apple is preparing to release a major update for its Vision Pro headset before the end of the year. Inside, the current M2 chip will be replaced by the newer M4 SoC, built on a 3 nm process from TSMC. That extra shrink brings noticeably better CPU and GPU performance and a more capable neural engine, so you'll see smoother AI-powered features right on the headset. Apple hasn't stopped there, listening to early adopters and revamping the headband with softer padding and better balance to shift weight away from your face. At roughly 600 to 650 grams, the Vision Pro can feel heavy after only a few minutes, and this change should make longer sessions feel much more comfortable.

Behind the scenes, Apple is also working on a wired model called N107 for users who need rock-solid, low-latency connections to a Mac. Consider surgical training or complex CAD design, where even the slightest delay is unacceptable. If you're looking for something lighter and more affordable, Apple has that covered as well. A completely new Vision Pro, under the code name N100, is slated for 2027. By using slimmer lenses and lighter materials, it should shed several hundred grams without skimping on screen clarity or battery life. We expect to hear more about it as the Vision Pro 2 launch gets closer.

DrunkDeer Releases New A75 Ultra HE Keyboard Series

The DrunkDeer A75 Ultra HE keyboard isn't just a keyboard—it's a statement. Engineered for esports warriors and gaming enthusiasts, this 75% keyboard redefines responsiveness, design, and innovation. As the world's fastest keyboard, the A75 Ultra is built on cutting-edge hall effect switches that deliver zero delay and maximum precision with every press.

Precision Powered by GEN-2 Hall Effect Chip
At its core, the A75 Ultra features the second-generation Hall Effect chip with 0.5 Gauss resolution, capable of detecting even the smallest magnetic changes. This ensures pinpoint actuation accuracy while maintaining ultra-low power consumption (just 0.0001mA in sleep mode). It adapts flawlessly to varying magnetic fields from 200 to 5000 Gauss and remains stable through temperature shifts, aging, or assembly differences.

Philips Unveils New Evnia 27M2N3800A Gaming Monitor With Dual Mode

Philips Monitors launches the Philips Evnia 27M2N3800A, a next-gen premium gaming monitor equipped with Dual Mode, a cutting-edge technology that allows users to switch between 4K UHD at 160 Hz and FHD at 320 Hz, making it the perfect choice for gamers seeking both flawless high-speed performance and highly detailed, immersive graphics.

Speed or Sharpness… Why not both?
Thanks to its cutting-edge Dual Mode, the Philips Evnia 27M2N3800A brings a whole new dimension to the gaming experience. Gamers can toggle effortlessly between the crisp clarity of UltraClear 4K 3840 x 2160 @ 160 Hz and the buttery smooth gameplay of 1920 x 1080 @ 320 Hz, unlocking maximum performance in all types of games. Whether they're seeking blistering speed or superior visual depth, gamers can now enjoy the best of both worlds.

MSI Bundles Wuchang: Fallen Feathers with Select Velox and MEG PSU Models

MSI is thrilled to team up with 505 GAMES and LEENZEE GAMES for a special limited-time offer! From July 10 to August 10, 2025, grab an eligible MSI PC Case or Power Supply and receive a complimentary PC game key for WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers. Gear Up and Step Into a Dark Fantasy of Myth and Mystery with MSI! MSI's latest top-tier PC Cases and Power Supplies come with EZ DIY features, making it fun and easy for anyone to build their own system. This lineup not only delivers powerful performance with innovative technology and premium materials, but also offers the reliability and ease needed to handle both gaming and AI workloads.

MPG VELOX 300R AIRFLOW PZ / WHITE supports up to three installation locations for 360 mm radiators, with the capability to accommodate two 360 mm radiators simultaneously, up to thirteen fans and various motherboard sizes including Back-connect ATX. It comes with Dual Layer Blades Fans and an adjustable EZ bracket for flexible cooling. Plus, the quick snap-and-lock PSU cover makes assembly easy and keeps cable management neat without any effort.

China Plans to Deploy 115,000 NVIDIA AI GPUs Across 36 Data Centers

China's leading AI companies have unveiled plans to construct a massive network of 36 data centers across China's Western deserts, which will house over 115,000 NVIDIA AI processors. According to a Bloomberg analysis, which gained insight into investment approvals and tender documents, the critical location for this effort is a complex facility situated near Yiwu in Xinjiang Province, selected for its suitable wind and solar resources, coal reserves, and cooler high-altitude climate. Chinese AI labs aim to deploy NVIDIA's flagship H100 and H200 GPUs, which are primarily sourced from third-party suppliers. One Chinese firm proposes an initial phase of 625 H100 servers, equivalent to roughly 2,000 chips, with additional phases to follow.

A key obstacle to this great vision is US export controls that prohibit the sale of NVIDIA's most advanced processors to China without special licenses, which have not been granted. None of the firms or government spokespersons Bloomberg contacted have explained how they will acquire these embargoed GPUs, and experts familiar with trade enforcement and underground AI chip markets express skepticism that such a large volume of cutting-edge chips could be smuggled undetected. If direct access to NVIDIA hardware remains limited, Chinese chipmakers such as Huawei may fill part of the demand. Construction in Yiwu presses on regardless, where a slogan painted on a nearby hillside proclaims "data‑electricity fusion shows great promise," reflecting China's determined push to take a leading role in the next generation of AI innovation, despite the hardware slowdown.

Alphacool Releases Core GeForce RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti Solid Core FC Block with Backplate

Alphacool International GmbH, based in Braunschweig, has been a pioneer in PC water cooling technology for over 20 years. With one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry and long-standing industry expertise, Alphacool is now expanding its portfolio with a Core water cooler for the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 5080/5070 Ti Solid Core graphics cards.

The GPU water coolers have been completely redesigned. Precise adjustments to the spacing between the cooler and the PCB, water flow simulations, and extensive practical testing have led to significant improvements to both the cooler base and the jetplate. These optimizations ensure maximum cooling performance for the latest generation of NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards. The GPU water coolers feature a precisely machined copper base with high-quality chrome plating for exceptional durability and a smooth surface. The design is further complemented by robust brass fittings with a nylon cover, ensuring maximum safety and reliability.

European HPC Processor "Rhea1" Tapes Out, Launch Delayed to 2026

European Processor Initiative (EPI) is nearing completion of its first goal. SiPearl, the leading developer behind the Rhea1 processor, has finally reached the tapeout stage after a string of delays, but it will not be ready for delivery until 2026 at the earliest. When the project launched in 2020, SiPearl planned to begin production in 2023; however, the 61 billion-transistor chip only entered tapeout this summer. The design, built on TSMC's N6 process, features 80 Arm Neoverse V1 cores alongside 64 GB of HBM2E memory and a DDR5 interface. While these specifications once looked cutting‑edge, the industry has already moved on, and Rhea1's raw performance may seem dated by the time samples are available. SiPearl initially explored a RISC‑V architecture back in 2019 but abandoned it after early feedback and comments highlighted the instruction set's immaturity for exascale computing.

Development was further interrupted by shifting core‑count debates, with teams alternately considering 72 cores, then 64, before finally settling on 80 cores by 2022. Those back‑and‑forth decisions, combined with evolving performance expectations, helped push the timeline back by years. Despite missing its original schedule, Rhea1 remains vital to European ambitions for high‑performance computing sovereignty and serves as the intended CPU for the Jupiter supercomputer. Thanks to Jupiter's modular design, the system was not left idle; its GPU booster module, running NVIDIA Grace Hopper accelerators, is already operational and approximately 80 percent complete. With the CPU clusters slated for mid-2026 deployment, full system readiness is expected by the end of 2026. To support this effort, SiPearl has recently secured €130 million in new financing from the French government, industry partners, and Taiwan's Cathay Venture. As Rhea1 finishes its goal, work on Rhea2 is already underway, and we can expect more updates about Rhea2 in a year or two.
Rhea1

Gaming Actors Score Massive Win as SAG-AFTRA Close Out 11-Month Strike With New Contract With Major Game Studios

SAG-AFTRA workers have officially ended an 11-month-long video game strike and three years of bargaining with major game studios with a new contract that increases compensation for video game workers and establishes new protections from AI. According to the new SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement, which passed with 95.04% approval, video game performers will receive a 15.17% increase in compensation upon ratification, followed by annual 3% increases for three years starting on November 1, 2025. The agreement also aims to reel in late payment issues, limiting the payment window to 12 business days after services have been rendered.

One of the more contentious issues that was being protested was the increasing use of AI in video games, and to address this, the new agreement requires game studios to get performer consent to use AI to recreate their likeness—for both audio and visual purposes—and it mandates that performers get paid their standard rate when their likeness is recreated by AI for use in a game. There are also workplace safety and comfort provisions, including mandatory rest periods, stipulations for overnight working conditions, a 2× overtime payment rate, and increases to the mandatory contributions to the AFTRA Retirement fund. Overall, much of the agreement aims to make work more sustainable for video game performers. Similar demands are currently being made by the United Video Game Workers Union, which casts a wider net to include programmers and other workers in the video games industry—not just performers.
Wednesday, July 9th 2025
Fractal Design Epoch RGB TG Review

Fractal Design Epoch RGB TG Review

The Fractal Design Epoch builds upon the foundation of the North, pairing its refined structure with a minimalist exterior crafted from premium materials. A sleek mesh front, soft curves, and optional glass side panels give it an elegant and modern appeal. Notably, three high-performance Momentum 12 RGB fans are included — impressive for such a compact case.

ZX Spectrum Creator's Nephew Unveils Ultra-Thin GamerCard Console

The GamerCard is an ultra-thin (128 mm × 88 mm × 6.5 mm, 100 grams) handheld gaming console developed by Grant Sinclair, nephew of ZX Spectrum creator Sir Clive Sinclair. The console is built around a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W processor featuring a custom RP3A0 system-in-package with a 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 running at 1 GHz. The system has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, 128 GB of internal storage, and 512 MB of SDRAM. The display is a 4-inch IPS panel with a protective layer of flush-fit sapphire glass, 254 ppi resolution, and 60 frames per second. Two sub-miniature loudspeakers with monoblock amplifiers and an audio codec integrated circuit for stereo sound are used to provide the audio.

The GamerCard uses a patented sealed PCB sandwich construction with an integrated Zytel layer. This design eliminates the need for traditional plastic casing while incorporating an ultra-thin passive heat sink radiator positioned above the processor to manage thermal performance. Control inputs include eight front-facing silicone control pads featuring tactile snap-dome micro push buttons, as well as left and right shoulder-style buttons located on the rear. The device has an integrated 1600 mAh Li-Po battery that can be charged through a USB-C connector. Battery status is indicated by three mini LEDs: amber for low battery, green for fully charged, and red for charging. For expandability, it features an HDMI output, a Qwiic port for system upgrades, and a USB-C port. Games are pre-installed on the GamerCard, which also supports emulation tools like RetroPie and Recalbox. The current delivery time is up to 10 weeks, and the price is £125.

SilverStone's Old-School Workstation Case Packs 15 Drive Bays for Unlimited Storage Expansion

SilverStone has just launched the Seta H2, a full‑tower workstation case that prioritizes raw storage over flashy lighting or tempered glass, delivering a nostalgic nod to late‑1990s designs. In its 70‑liter interior, you can fit up to 15 HDD thanks to seven removable brackets behind the front panel that accept both 2.5 and 3.5‑inch drives, two extra mounts on the interior panel, a conventional two‑bay cage in front of the power supply, two 2.5‑inch slots behind the motherboard tray, and a final bracket that holds either one 3.5‑inch or two 2.5‑inch drives. Despite this staggering drive capacity, the Seta H2 still accommodates E-ATX and SSI-EEB motherboards, virtually unlimited CPU cooler heights, and graphics cards up to 428 mm long, with only a 330 mm clearance requirement if a side-panel radiator or a drive bracket is installed at the GPU level.

An eight‑slot expansion area and support for power supplies up to 289 mm round out its component flexibility. Cooling is handled traditionally with space for three 120 or 140 mm fans up front, one in the rear, two 160 mm or 140 mm fans on top, and two 120 mm fans on the side, plus removable brackets that let you mount a 360 or 420 mm radiator at the front or top (up to 65 mm thick). The all-steel and plastic chassis, weighing 15.2 kg, also features front I/O with USB-C, two USB 3.0 ports, and HD audio. Pricing starts at around €200 in Europe, and around $216 in the US.

NVIDIA Becomes First Company Ever to Hit $4 Trillion Market-Cap

NVIDIA today became the first company ever to hit a market capitalization of $4 trillion. The top-5 companies by market-cap are now all tech companies with trillion-dollar valuations. These are, NVIDIA at $4.00 trillion, followed closely by Microsoft at $3.73 trillion, Apple at $3.13 trillion, Amazon at $2.36 trillion, Alphabet at $2.13 trillion, and Meta at $1.83 trillion. Shares of NVIDIA peaked at $164 (up 2.4%) today, pushing its market-cap above the $4 trillion mark. NVIDIA's rise has been a phenomenon in Finance given that it crossed the $1 trillion mark as recently as June 2023. Its rise is tied closely with the meteoric ascent of AI in information technology and consumer electronics; with NVIDIA holding an over 90% market share in the server-side hardware that accelerates it at an industrial scale.

Epomaker Launches the HE80 Keyboard with Hall Effect Switches and PBT Keycaps

Today, Epomaker introduces its latest innovation - the 75% Compact Layout with 82 keys Hall Effect gaming keyboard, offering an unprecedented immersive experience for gamers and professionals.

Unique Design, Personalized Appearance
This keyboard features a 75% compact layout, which not only saves desk space but also enhances operational efficiency. The combination of PBT keycaps and extra PC transparent keycaps adds a distinctive flair to the design. The transparent PC keycaps give the keyboard a futuristic look while also making the RGB backlighting even more striking, greatly enhancing its visual appeal.

GlobalFoundries to Acquire MIPS to Accelerate AI and Compute Capabilities

GlobalFoundries (Nasdaq: GFS) (GF) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire MIPS, a leading supplier of AI and processor IP. This strategic acquisition will expand GF's portfolio of customizable IP offerings, allowing it to further differentiate its process technologies with IP and software capabilities.

"MIPS brings a strong heritage of delivering efficient, scalable compute IP tailored for performance-critical applications, which strategically aligns with the evolving demands of AI platforms across diverse markets," said Niels Anderskouv, president and chief operating officer at GlobalFoundries. "Through this acquisition, we will expand our capabilities to offer customers more flexible solutions, paired with our differentiated process technologies and world-class manufacturing to help them build best-in-class products. This acquisition will be a powerful step forward to push the boundaries of efficiency and performance across a broad range of applications in automotive, industrial and datacenter infrastructure."

Cadence Introduces Industry-First LPDDR6/5X 14.4 Gbps Memory IP to Power Next-Generation AI Infrastructure

Cadence today announced the tapeout of the industry's first LPDDR6/5X memory IP system solution optimized to operate at 14.4 Gbps, up to 50% faster than the previous generation of LPDDR DRAM. The new Cadence LPDDR6/5X memory IP system solution is a key enabler for scaling up the AI infrastructure to accommodate the memory bandwidth and capacity demands of next-generation AI LLMs, agentic AI and other compute-heavy workloads for various verticals. Multiple engagements are currently underway with leading AI, high-performance computing (HPC) and data center customers.

The Cadence IP for the JEDEC LPDDR6/5X standard consists of an advanced PHY architecture and a high-performance controller designed to maximize power, performance and area (PPA) while supporting both LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X DRAM protocols for optimal flexibility. The solution supports native integration into traditional monolithic SoCs as well as multi-die system architectures by leveraging the Cadence chiplet framework, enabling heterogeneous chiplet integration. The chiplet framework, including the previous LPDDR generation, was successfully taped out in 2024.

JEDEC Releases New LPDDR6 Standard to Enhance Memory Performance

JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, the global leader in standards development for the microelectronics industry, today announced the publication of JESD209-6, the latest Low Power Double Data Rate 6 (LPDDR6) standard. JESD209-6 is designed to significantly boost memory speed and efficiency for a variety of uses including mobile devices and AI. The new JESD209-6 LPDDR6 standard represents a significant advancement in memory technology, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and security.

High Performance
To enable AI applications and other high-performance workloads, LPDDR6 employs a dual sub-channel architecture that allows for flexible operation while maintaining a small access granularity of 32 bytes. In addition, LPDDR6 key features offer:
  • 2 sub-channels per die, 12 data signal lines (DQs) per sub-channel to optimize channel performance capabilities
  • Each sub-channel includes 4 command/address (CA) signals, optimized to reduce ball count and improve data access speed
  • Static efficiency mode designed to support high-capacity memory configurations and maximize bank resource utilization
  • Flexible data access, on-the-fly burst length control to support 32B & 64B access
  • Dynamic write NT-ODT (non-target on-die termination) enables the memory to adjust ODT based on workload demands, improving signal integrity

Fractal Design Announces Epoch Gaming PC Case

Fractal Design presents Epoch—a new PC case that merges clean, contemporary design with airflow engineering. Epoch features ventilated mesh front and top panels for natural airflow and includes three high-performance Momentum 12 fans featuring LCP blades and true FDP bearings for powerful cooling. Together with space for top-tier components, such as a graphics card up to 372 mm in length, Epoch is designed to support a smooth, enjoyable gaming experience.

On the outside, Epoch provides a clean and stylish aesthetic. Its minimalist design, mesh patterning, and subtle visual accents, including a fabric pull tab and laser-etched aluminium badge, make it an elegant addition to the modern gaming station.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the Epoch RGB TG is now live]

Sparkle Intros Arc B580 Titan OC Nox Graphics Card

Sparkle unveiled the Arc B580 Titan OC Nox graphics card. This is essentially a color variant of the blue-colored Sparkle B580 Titan OC, and the white Sparkle B580 Titan Luna OC. The Titan OC Nox comes in an all-black color scheme with a few red accents. The card is 2 slots thick, but is 31.5 cm long, with a metal backplate. The cooler uses three 70 mm axial airflow fans to ventilate an aluminium fin-stack heatsink. Design aside, the Nox comes with identical specs to the Luna OC and the original Titan OC, with GPU boost frequency of 2740 MHz against 2670 MHz Intel reference speeds. The total board power (TBP) limit is set to 200 W, and the card relies on a single 8-pin PCIe power connector, besides the PCI-Express slot for power.

Silicon Power Launches Hypera microSDXC Express Card

Silicon Power (SP) is unleashing the Hypera microSD Express memory card, its latest leap in next-generation portable storage technology, where the power of technology delivers "hyper" performance. Designed for gamers, creators, and power users alike, the Hypera boasts ultra-fast PCIe Gen 3x1 performance with blazing speeds up to 880 MB/s read and 700 MB/s write, and is available in huge capacities up to 1 TB.

PCIe Performance in a microSD Form Factor
At the core of the Hypera is PCIe Gen 3x1 and NVMe technology, enabling unmatched microSD performance in a compact footprint. With lightning-fast data transfer speeds up to 880 MB/s, users can experience up to 2.7x faster performance than UHS-II cards and up to 8x faster than standard UHS-I cards. This groundbreaking speed enables accelerated downloads, seamless in-game loading, and smooth gameplay even with maximum resolution, dramatically enhancing the gaming experience.

Thermaltake Adds Three New Colors to the Tower 600 Mid Tower Chassis

Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, is excited to introduce a delightful new twist to The Tower 600 Mid Tower Chassis with the addition of three new stunning colors: Mint Strawberry, Butter Caramel, and Mocha Mousse. Blending warm tones with candy-colored charm, these pastel-inspired colorways bring a fresh, expressive energy to your PC setup, and perfect for gamers and creators who want their build to stand out from the crowd.
  • Mint Strawberry: A crisp mint teal exterior paired with soft strawberry pink inside—bright, playful, and bursting with energy. Like a fresh pop of flavor for your setup.
  • Butter Caramel: Bright yellow outside, rich caramel brown within—warm, vibrant, and full of character. A bold, lively combo that feels as delicious as it looks.
  • Mocha Mousse: Smooth mocha on the outside, creamy white within—cozy, calming, and softly refined. Like your favorite warm drink, wrapped in minimalist charm.

Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 Modular Full Tower Now Available in Europe

Cooler Master, a global leader in PC hardware and innovative thermal solutions, today announced the European sales kick-off of the MasterFrame 600, a high-end, modular open-frame full tower designed for power users, creators, and PC modders seeking total creative freedom and high-performance potential. The MasterFrame 600 is available across Europe at a suggested retail price of €199, exclusively through select partners and resellers.

Engineered on Cooler Master's FreeForm 2.0 platform, the MasterFrame 600 redefines what's possible in a premium PC chassis. This open-frame full tower delivers exceptional airflow, broad hardware compatibility, and nearly limitless options for customization, supporting everything from Mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards and high-end components. Whether you're a performance enthusiast, a professional content creator, or a passionate modder, this case offers the ideal canvas for your next ambitious build.

Aztecs: The Last Sun Releases on August 28, 2025

Polish development team Play2Chill and German publisher Toplitz Productions jointly announce the release date for the survival city builder Aztecs: The Last Sun. The Early Access start of the highly anticipated survival infused strategy title has been set for August 28, 2025. Aztecs: The Last Sun will give you a memorable gameplay experience. Because when you take over the role of an Aztec leader trying to build the city state of Tenochtitlan, you will soon find out that the game transcends classic historical city builder elements.

You'll be confronted with gut-wrenching decisions that can have a critical impact on your reputation as a leader or your peoples' wellbeing in the long run. Keep that in mind, once your perception of benevolence or cruelty will be put to the test.

Patriot Memory Launches Three New DDR5 Memory Modules

Patriot Memory, a global leader in high-performance memory, storage, and gaming-grade hardware, officially announces the launch of three new DDR5 memory modules: the Signature Line Premium DDR5, the Signature Line Premium DDR5 CKD, and the Signature Line Core DDR5 SODIMM, further expanding its DDR5 product lineup to meet diverse upgrade needs across platforms and usage scenarios.

The newly introduced Signature Line Premium DDR5 continues the series' core commitment to reliability and durability, while embracing a refreshed aesthetic direction. Incorporating a clean black-and-white color scheme and minimalist design language, the module delivers sleek industrial appeal for desktop users seeking refined visual identity in their builds. Offering speeds up to 5600 MT/s and operating at a low 1.1 V, this module ensures reduced power consumption and heat generation. Each unit is 100% hand-tested and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, delivering a dependable and trustworthy upgrade solution.

3Q25 NAND Flash Contract Prices Projected to Rise 5-10%; Weak Smartphone Demand Limits eMMC and UFS Growth

TrendForce's latest investigations find that the NAND Flash market has seen significant improvement in supply-demand balance following production cuts and inventory reduction in the first half of 2025. As suppliers shift production capacity toward higher-margin products, the overall supply in circulation has tightened.

On the demand side, increased enterprise investment in AI and mass shipments of NVIDIA's next-generation Blackwell chips have provided strong support. Looking ahead to the third quarter, average NAND Flash contract prices are projected to rise by 5% to 10%. However, due to an uncertain outlook for smartphone demand in the second half of the year, price increases for eMMC and UFS products are expected to be more modest.

Avalue Launches EPS-RPR Fanless Rugged Embedded System

Avalue Technology Inc., a global leader in industrial computing solutions, announces the release of its new EPS-RPR fanless rugged embedded system. As AI inference migrates from the cloud to edge devices, there is an increasing demand for fanless systems. Market research indicates that the global Edge AI Box PC market will grow from USD 1.141 billion in 2024 to USD 2.283 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. Designed in response to this trend, the EPS-RPR offers a high-performance, stable, and flexible embedded platform that is ideal for smart manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, and intelligent retail applications.

The EPS-RPR fanless industrial PC is powered by the 14th Gen Intel Core i9/i7/i5/i3 processors and supports DDR5-5600 memory, delivering robust computing power. Its fanless thermal solution and wide temperature tolerance (from -10°C to 55°C) ensure stable operation in harsh environments. In terms of I/O capabilities, the EPS-RPR model offers four 4K display outputs, dual Intel LAN ports (2.5GbE and 1GbE), six COM ports, and eight USB ports. This configuration is designed to meet the diverse needs of a wide range of industrial applications. The system also supports versatile expansion with 1× M.2 Key-B, 1× Key-E, 1× Key-M, and 1× mPCIe, enabling seamless integration with Wi-Fi, LTE/5G, and various I/O modules.

Chieftec Announces the Vista Mid-Tower Case

Chieftec is excited to announce the launch of the VISTA (model: GT-01B-OP), our latest mid-tower PC case engineered to meet the demands of modern system builders and enthusiasts who prioritize both visual appeal and thermal performance. The VISTA offers a compelling combination of premium aesthetics and intelligent design, providing an exceptional platform for showcasing high-performance components.

With its modern top-bottom layout, the VISTA offers a clean interior look and optimized airflow. Despite its compact footprint, it supports high-end GPUs up to 400 mm, top-mounted 360 mm radiators, or CPU coolers up to 160 mm tall. The two side fans are configured as intake fans with reverse-flow blades for optimized airflow. A VGA-holder is included that prevents GPU sag and keeps your graphics card securely in place. Ideal for heavy, high-performance setups.

SK hynix Showcases Server and Storage Tech Strategies at HPE Discover 2025

SK hynix shared its technology roadmap, solution strategies, and AI cloud vision for leading the AI era at HPE Discover Las Vegas 2025 held from June 23-26. HPE Discover is a global technology conference hosted by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). This year's Las Vegas event highlighted the arrival of the AI era and its future possibilities. The conference featured a wide range of technical presentations, a networking program with demos and exhibitions, and hands-on training sessions such as the Tech Pro University and AI Developer Workshop.

SK hynix showcased its technological leadership through presentations and exhibitions highlighting its next-generation AI memory, server, and storage solutions essential for developing AI infrastructure. The exhibition was divided into four key sections: HBM, Server DIMM, eSSDs and CMM (CXL Memory Module)-DDR5. Each section of the booth, which featured eye-catching designs including product mascots, presented key products and solutions.

Shuttle Launches New XPC nano NE10N Fanless Mini PC Platform

With the XPC nano NE10N, Shuttle introduces a fanless mini PC platform that impresses with its compact design and robust technology. Developed for reliable 24/7 continuous operation, the barebone is particularly suitable for digital display solutions, control systems, POS applications and for use in office and media environments.

Inside the NE10N is a 12th generation Intel N100 processor (Alder Lake-N), which offers solid computing power with completely passive cooling despite a TDP of only 6 watts. The absence of active fans ensures silent operation and reduces maintenance requirements - a clear advantage in sensitive or hard-to-reach installations. Despite a housing volume of only 0.6 liters, the system offers a wide range of expansion options: a DDR4 SO-DIMM slot for up to 16 GB RAM, an M.2 2280 slot for NVMe or SATA SSDs, and an optional M.2 2230 slot with pre-installed WLAN antennas for wireless network connection. The integrated Intel UHD graphics unit enables simultaneous operation of two Ultra HD displays via HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4.

IBASE Unveils New MBB1005 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core Ultra 200S for Industrial Edge Computing

IBASE Technology Inc. (TPEx: 8050), a leading provider of industrial panel PC and embedded computing solutions, introduced the MBB1005, a robust ATX motherboard crafted for industrial edge computing, AI acceleration, and automation platforms. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 200S processors on the LGA1851 socket, this board delivers outstanding compute performance, modular expansion, and rugged reliability, enabling OEMs to scale up fast in industrial and embedded markets.

The MBB1005 offers four DDR5 U-DIMM slots, supporting up to 192 GB memory. Its integrated graphics controller supports one HDMI 2.0b and three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, enabling multi-display configurations essential in industrial monitoring. Networking is handled by dual Intel 2.5GbE ports—the I226LM with iAMT 19.0 for remote maintenance and the I226V for standard communication. For storage and modular expansion, the board offers four SATA III ports and four M.2 slots: two M-Key (2280) for NVMe, one B-Key (3052) for cellular modules, and one E-Key (2230) for WiFi or Bluetooth.

ASUS Announces Giveaway Event to Celebrate 30 Years of Graphics Cards

ASUS today announced the Cheers to 30 Years giveaway event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of its first graphics card. For three decades, users around the world have enjoyed ASUS graphics card innovations and unparalleled PC gaming hardware. In celebration, and as a gesture of thanks to users everywhere, ASUS is offering a range of exciting prizes including Republic of Gamers (ROG) peripherals, apparel, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, from July 8 to October 7, 2025.

Participants are invited to enter the Cheers to 30 Years virtual amusement park, where they can ride virtual attractions and collect points—then use those points to enter raffles for ROG gear. Users can also earn points toward raffle entries by completing tasks such as sharing content on social media. On August 19, ASUS will unveil more virtual amusement park attractions, giving participants even more ways to play and more raffles to enter.

Kioxia Sampling UFS Ver. 4.1 Embedded Flash Memory Devices

Kioxia Corporation, a world leader in memory solutions, today announced that it has begun sampling new Universal Flash Storage (UFS) Ver. 4.1 embedded memory devices, reinforcing its leadership in high-performance storage. Engineered to meet the demands of next-generation mobile applications, including advanced smartphones with on-device AI, the new devices offer improved performance with greater power efficiency, in a small BGA package.

UFS Ver. 4.1 devices from Kioxia integrate the company's innovative BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory and a controller in a JEDEC-standard package. These new UFS devices are built with Kioxia's 8th generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory. This generation introduces CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) technology—an architectural innovation that marks a step-change in flash memory design. By directly bonding the CMOS circuitry to the memory array, CBA technology enables major gains in power efficiency, performance and density.

G.SKILL Announces Availability of High-Capacity Overclocked Memory Kits, Up To DDR5-6000 256GB (64GBx4)

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, is thrilled to announce the retail availability of its new high performance 64 GB DDR5 modules, with overclock specifications of up to DDR5-6000 CL32 256 GB (64 GB x4) and DDR5-6400 CL36 128 GB (64 GB x2) memory kits. Designed for high-performance computing, content creation, AI applications, and professional workstations, these new kit specifications combine ultra-low latency with massive memory capacity based on 64 GB modules to deliver powerful multitasking and data-intensive performance on the latest platforms.

G.SKILL readies a range of high-density kits based on high-performance 64 GB DDR5 memory modules, with overclock specifications of up to DDR5-6000 CL32-44-44-96 with 256 GB (64 GB x4) total kit capacity. Offering a combination of speed, latency, and capacity, these newly released memory kits are ideal for professional creators and users that demand the utmost from their systems. Featuring the AMD EXPO overclocking profile, these specifications are optimized for compatible AMD Ryzen DDR5 desktop platforms and will join the G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB and Flare X5 series.
Tuesday, July 8th 2025
Corsair FRAME 5000D RS Review

Corsair FRAME 5000D RS Review

The Corsair Frame 5000D series may at first seem to just be a bigger variant of the Frame 4000D. But it is also an evolution. The updated design fixes most issues we found with the Frame 4000D, while also iterating on some unique features. This has compelling results, even considering the much higher price tag.

Pulsar Acquires Lethal Gaming Gear to Expand Premium Mousepad Line & U.S. Operations

Pulsar Gaming Gears (AplusX Inc.), a leading global developer of high-performance esports peripherals, today announced the acquisition of Lethal Gaming Gear (LGG), a U.S.-based company renowned for its enthusiast-grade mousepads and outstanding customer support. Founded in 2020, Pulsar has built a reputation for its rapid product development cycle, broad portfolio of intellectual property and esports collaborations, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. Most recently, the company launched the X2F, a groundbreaking mouse designed without a back hump - engineered specifically for fingertip grip users. Released in both a standard and 5th Anniversary edition just last week, Pulsar's momentum and dedication to evolving gaming performance shows no signs of slowing down.

This strategic acquisition marks a key milestone in Pulsar's continued global expansion, and establishes Pulsar Americas Inc., a dedicated North American subsidiary. With this move, Pulsar aims to deliver faster regional support, improved logistics, and expanded future retail distribution across North and South America. Lethal Gaming Gear's acclaimed mousepads will now be developed and sold under the Pulsar brand, while maintaining the same performance and quality that LGG is known for. Existing mousepads under the Lethal Gaming Gear brand will continue to be sold until current inventory is depleted. These same products will then be restocked under the Pulsar brand moving forward, with plans to expand the mousepad lineup further through ongoing updates and performance enhancements.

NVIDIA DLSS 4 Coming To RuneScape: Dragonwilds, Mortal Online 2 and Brickadia

More than 800 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. By the week's end, another three DLSS Multi Frame Generation games will have joined the ever expanding list of titles with support! Mortal Online 2 and RuneScape: Dragonwilds are both adding the frame rate multiplying technology, and Brickadia enters Early Access July 11th with day-one support. In other news, you'll have chances to win GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and Steam Gift Cards each Friday night by watching our live streams.

Mortal Online 2 Adds DLSS 4 With Multi Frame Generation This July
Forge your destiny in the player-driven fantasy world of Mortal Online 2, populated by other players who bring with them their own unique experiences and content. Whether you wish to be an artisan providing masterfully crafted arms and armor, a member of a powerful faction that occupies a region of the world, a tamer training rare and exotic beasts, a highwayman robbing others, or a noble soul seeking to protect the weak from outlaws and beasts—The story of your journey will be written through your actions, and you choose the direction of each chapter.

Synology Launches the RackStation RS2825RP+ NAS for Business Workloads

Synology today announced the launch of the RackStation RS2825RP+, a powerful 3U 16-bay storage system engineered to meet the growing data management demands of small and medium-sized businesses. With redundant power supplies, flexible scalability, and built-in data protection, the RS2825RP+ is ideal for central file storage, endpoint and server backup, surveillance management, and other business-critical workloads.

"The RS2825RP+ is designed to deliver dependable performance, scalability, and resilience—without compromising affordability," said Peggy Weng, Product Manager at Synology. "It's a versatile solution that helps organizations stay agile, secure, and always online."

Razer Intros the BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless Hyperspeed Gaming Keyboard

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the launch of the Razer BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed, the latest addition to its custom gaming keyboard lineup. This new release brings enthusiast-level features to the gamer-favorite tenkeyless form factor, offering unrivaled wireless performance and personalization options.

Designed for Customization and Control
The BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed is built for gamers who value gaming prowess and customizability. It comes pre-loaded with Razer Orange Tactile Mechanical Switches Gen-3 and is hot-swappable to both 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, allowing gamers to easily personalize the sound and feel of their keyboard. Its internal construction includes dual-layer dampening foam to reduce reverberation, factory-lubricated stabilizers for smoother keystrokes, a top-mounted steel plate to minimize pings, and pre-applied PCB tape to soften high-frequency clacks—resulting in a cleaner acoustic profile and smoother typing experience.

Surfshark VPN Joins the MSI Rewards Program

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with MSI, a leader in gaming and high-performance computing solutions. This collaboration brings exciting opportunities for MSI users to enhance their online experience with Surfshark's security and privacy. Read on to discover how this partnership can benefit you! Micro-Star International (MSI) is a global leader in gaming, content creation, business productivity, and AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) solutions. With a presence in over 120 countries, MSI is renowned for its high-quality laptops, desktops, graphics cards, motherboards, monitors, and more. Driven by innovation and a passion for technology, MSI is committed to delivering the best user experiences through cutting-edge research and development, intuitive design, and exceptional product quality.

Corsair Introduces the FRAME 5000D, Offering Even More Space for Truly Standout Builds

Corsair is delighted to announce the eagerly awaited FRAME 5000D, the latest addition to the renowned FRAME Modular Case System. Building on the success of the FRAME 4000D, the FRAME 5000D offers even more space for greater flexibility, customization, and cooling options for PC builders. This new case is packed with popular features, including the InfiniRail Fan Mounting System, RapidRoute 2.0, and a GPU Anti-Sag Arm, along with builder-friendly details that make assembling a dream machine easier than ever.

"The FRAME 5000D has plenty of space for the latest high-end graphics cards, room for impressive custom cooling setups with multiple 360 mm radiators, or even a top-mounted 420 mm radiator," said George Makris, Director of Marketing, DIY. "It also supports the latest reverse connector motherboards, like ASUS BTF, MSI Project Zero, and Gigabyte Project Stealth."

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the Frame 5000D is now live]

Synology Launches DiskStation DS1825+ NAS

Synology today announced the launch of two new DiskStation models, the DS1825+ and DS725+, delivering high-performance, scalable storage solutions, tailored for the needs of businesses, creative professionals and home offices. "The DS1825+ offers a powerful foundation for data management and collaboration," said Jeffrey Huang, product manager at Synology. "With evolving needs for data management, it's designed to deliver business-grade performance, scalability, and reliability." "The DS725+ brings that same flexibility to smaller environments," added Anya Lin, product manager at Synology. "It's a compact but capable platform that makes a great fit for home offices, edge deployments, and growing teams."

The DS1825+ is an 8-bay storage solution equipped with dual 2.5GbE ports and two M.2 NVMe slots, supporting SSD caching or the creation of an all-flash storage pool. It also includes a PCIe 3.0 expansion slot for optional 10/25GbE network upgrades. The system delivers up to 2,239 MB/s read and 1,573 MB/s write performance with SSDs, making it ideal for high-throughput workloads. For future expansion, the DS1825+ supports up to two 5-bay DX525 expansion units, allowing raw storage capacity to scale up to 360 TB.

Lossless Scaling's Frame Generation Lands on Linux, Works on Steam Deck

The popular third-party upscaling tool, Lossless Scaling, previously exclusive to Windows, has been ported to Linux with the release of the open-source lsfg-vk project. Developed by PancakeTAS, lsfg-vk utilizes Vulkan and the DXVK translation layer to bring the frame generation feature of the paid Windows application to Linux desktops and handheld devices, such as the Steam Deck. Until now, Linux gamers relied on FidelityFX Super Resolution frame generation only in titles where it was natively available. The lsfg‑vk promises to extend artificial intermediate frames to nearly any game. Rather than depend on in‑game integration, lsfg‑vk intercepts DirectX 11 calls and reimplements the Lossless Scaling pipeline on top of Vulkan.

Rather than directly porting DX11 to Vulkan, the developer used DXVK to present a DX11 interface on Linux and hooked every shader load, allowing a bit-for-bit comparison between the original DXBC shaders and their SPIR-V counterparts. With shader fidelity verified, a combination of IDA‑based static analysis, custom C++ utilities to log DX11 commands, and careful file‑by‑file comparisons in WinMerge enabled reconstruction of the entire rendering pipeline on Linux. Finally, RenderDoc traces of Vulkan calls guided the implementation of a native Vulkan pipeline, complete with the required synchronization primitives. Additionally, automation scripts and a statically linked subset of DXVK allow users to install the project and enable frame generation simply by setting a single environment variable.

AV Access Unveils iDock B10: The Ultimate 8K Dual Monitor KVM Docking Station for Gaming

AV Access, a leading provider of Pro AV and AV over IP solutions, proudly announces the launch of the iDock B10 8K KVM switch docking station. As the newest addition to its acclaimed iDock series, the iDock B10 is purpose-built for gamers and performance-driven users who demand ultra-smooth visuals, fast switching between devices, and a clean, efficient setup. Whether for competitive gaming, content creation, or hybrid work, the iDock B10 delivers a seamless dual-computer experience on a single dual-monitor workstation.

The Best KVM Switch Docking Station for Gaming
The iDock B10 is ideal for gamers who want to switch between a gaming desktop and a laptop without the hassle of reconnecting cables or peripherals. With just one keyboard, mouse, and dual-monitor setup, users can control both systems instantly—keeping their battle station clean and ready for action.

Synology Intros DiskStation DS725+: Compact 2-Bay Storage Solution

Synology today announced the launch of the DS725+, a compact 2-bay storage solution. "The DS725+ offers users a compact and capable storage platform that can accommodate future growth in storage demands," said Anya Lin, Product Manager at Synology. "This makes it an ideal choice for home, home office, and edge environments."

The 2-bay DS725+ offers scalability for growing data needs with support for one DX525 expansion unit, providing up to 5 additional drive bays for up to 140 TB of raw data. For network connectivity, the DS725+ features a 2.5GbE port along with a 1GbE RJ-45 port. Additionally, it supports M.2 NVMe SSDs for either SSD caching or high-performance all-flash.

Microsoft Edge UI Now 40% Faster on Average, Key UI Elements Load Up to 4x Quicker

Microsoft has launched a major update for its Edge browser, reducing key feature load times to achieve a global First Contentful Paint (FCP) of under 300 ms. FCP refers to the time between when a user initiates navigation and when the browser displays the first part of the content from the Document Object Model (DOM). Studies show that delays exceeding the 300 to 400 ms range can lead to noticeable drops in user satisfaction, so reaching this new threshold should make the browser feel more fluid and engaging for everyday use. To meet the target, the Edge team leveraged its proprietary WebUI 2.0 architecture instead of React. By emphasizing native web components, such as HTML templates and CSS styling, rather than relying heavily on JavaScript at startup, they achieved a 40% average reduction in load times across thirteen core features.

Microsoft tested the settings UI with the new update, showing a 4x improvement in that specific case with WebUI 2.0, compared to the older React page. Users can now access the Settings page, invoke Read Aloud voice playback, switch between Split Screen views, and manage Workspaces with minimal delay, even on lower-end devices. This release builds upon the significant improvements delivered in May 2024 with Edge 122, which produced launch times 42-76% faster, depending on hardware, and a February 2025 optimization targeting fourteen interface subsystems. Internal tests confirm that the settings panel, which was once a slight performance bottleneck, now consistently renders in under 300 ms across a wide range of machines. Microsoft also plans to extend these enhancements to Print Preview, Extensions management, and other elements through the remainder of 2025. Below is the 4x improvement in the Settings page UI.

IBM Power11 Raises the Bar for Enterprise IT

Today, IBM revealed IBM Power11, the next generation of IBM Power servers. Redesigned with innovations across its processor, hardware architecture, and virtualization software stack, Power11 is designed to deliver the availability, resiliency, performance, and scalability enterprises demand, for seamless hybrid deployment on-premises or in IBM Cloud.

Organizations across industries have long run their most mission-critical, data-intensive workloads on IBM Power, most notably those within the banking, healthcare, retail, and government spaces. Now, enterprises face an onslaught of new technologies and solutions as they transition into the age of AI. IDC found that one billion new logical applications are expected by 2028, and the proliferation of these systems poses new complexities for companies. IBM built Power11 to deliver simplified, always-on operations with hybrid cloud flexibility for enterprises to maintain competitiveness in the AI era.

Beyerdynamic Intros the AVENTHO 100 Wireless On-Ear Headphones

German audio specialist beyerdynamic presents the latest model to join the AVENTHO family: The AVENTHO 100 combines iconic design with an uncompromising sound experience - and all at an attractive price. The wireless on-ear headphones are made from high-quality materials and, thanks to their foldable design and extra-long battery life, prove to be a reliable everyday companion. The newcomer from Heilbronn has been honored with the Red Dot Design Award for its unique combination of smart features and timeless aesthetics.

Tradition meets innovative features
The powerful drivers inside the AVENTHO 100 work together with the latest codecs to deliver a rich sound experience. To fully immerse themselves in the soundscape, users can switch to active noise cancellation (ANC). Meanwhile, the Qualcomm cVc technology makes every mobile meeting or phone call easier by ensuring high-quality voice quality - no matter where users are in this moment.

CPS PC Cooler x TechPowerUp Giveaway: Case and Coolers Up for Grabs!

CPS PC Cooler is a swanky new name in PC case and cooling products that's been around for a couple of years. They bring refreshing new designs and features to the segment. TechPowerUp partners with them to bring you our Midsummer 2025 Giveaway! The Giveaway is open worldwide from today, until July 18. To participate, all you need to do is fill up a short form to help us get back to you if you've won. Here's what's at stake: the first lucky winner gets a CPS PC Cooler DT360 ARGB Display all in one liquid CPU cooler. Two lucky winners get a CPS PC Cooler C3T500 pillarless glasshouse ATX mid-tower case, each. And lastly, three lucky winners get a CPS PC Cooler RT400 or RT400 Digital air CPU cooler, each.

The PC Cooler DT360 ARGB Digital is the epitome of liquid CPU cooling by the company, it features a large true-color display on the pump-block, and its 360 mm radiator is ventilated by premium 120 mm fans that feature fluid dynamic bearings, and two sets of ARGB LED illumination. The C3T500 is a spacious, almost cube-shaped mid-tower case that lets you show off your high-end PC build, including an enthusiast-segment graphics card and AIO liquid cooler. And lastly, there's the RT400, a tower-type CPU cooler with four heat pipes, a premium 120 mm fan, and enough cooling power for any flagship desktop CPU at stock speeds or minor overclocking. What are you waiting for?! Hop in!

For more information and to participate, visit this page.

RISC-V Ecosystem Gets More Standardization as Ubuntu Drops Non-Compliant CPUs

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, has announced that its next-generation release will require RISC‑V processors to meet the newly ratified RVA23 profile. This specification, approved back in April, includes full support for Vector Instructions 1.0 and a Hypervisor extension. As Laurine Kirk, security researcher at Google, notes, by setting this higher baseline, Ubuntu 26.04 will no longer run on roughly 90% of existing RISC-V single-board computers, including the popular Raspberry Pi-style boards, unless their hardware is upgraded. Canonical's move puts it in step with Google and Microsoft, both of which have already targeted RVA23 for their RISC‑V builds. This change will drive manufacturers to ship more secure, future-proof silicon, helping to guard against exploits like GhostWrite, a memory-access vulnerability discovered last year in T-Head's XuanTie C910 CPUs.

We discussed RISC-V ecosystem fragmentation with Andrea Gallo, then the CTO and now the CEO of the RISC-V Foundation, regarding the fragmentation within the RISC-V ecosystem. "If you want to claim that you are RISC-V compatible, then there's an architecture compatibility test suite that verifies that you are complying with the ISA. We run the same tests on a golden reference model and compare the signatures of the tests to ensure alignment with the specification." He added that "We just ratified the RVA23 Profile. The newly ratified RVA23 Profile is a major release for the RISC-V software ecosystem and will help accelerate widespread implementation among toolchains and operating systems." For anyone who wants to ship a working RISC-V processor, be it data center or mobile, the RVA23 profile is the one that guarantees no fragmentation and compatibility.

AMD openSIL Adds EPYC "Turin" Support as "Phoenix" Remains in Development

AMD's openSIL project, a solution for open CPU silicon initialization code aimed at replacing traditional AGESA, has reached another milestone. Back in February, we reported on AMD promising full support for "Turin" and "Phoenix" server and client SoCs. The company initially targeted the end of 2024 for the release of proof-of-concept code, but failed to meet this deadline. A new target was subsequently set for the first half of 2025. As we roll into the second half, AMD openSIL now supports only the EPYC 9005 series Turin server processors, with Phoenix client SoCs still in development. AMD firmware engineers explained: "Currently, the Phoenix openSIL PoC release is still being worked on internally at AMD. We have encountered some delays in obtaining the necessary approvals to open-source the code, which has impacted our timeline. We are actively working to resolve these issues and are making every effort to expedite the process."

The path towards a fully open-source silicon initialization code is difficult, as it can expose many microarchitectural details. These are usually closely protected, as IP from Zen cores is valuable. An AMD engineer also added, "We understand the importance of this project to the open-source community and are committed to delivering it as promised." Nonetheless, the primary goal remains achieving full production readiness with the upcoming Zen 6 architecture. The openSIL project promises to enhance Coreboot support and provide developers with full access to low-level system components.

FinalWire Releases AIDA64 v7.70

FinalWire Ltd. today announced the immediate availability of AIDA64 Extreme 7.70 software, a streamlined diagnostic and benchmarking tool for home users; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Engineer 7.70 software, a professional diagnostic and benchmarking solution for corporate IT technicians and engineers; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Business 7.70 software, an essential network management solution for small and medium scale enterprises; and the immediate availability of AIDA64 Network Audit 7.70 software, a dedicated network audit toolset to collect and manage corporate network inventories.

The latest AIDA64 update introduces SensorPanel and accessibility improvements, support for a wide range of Elgato, Matrix Orbital and SteelSeries external displays, and supports the latest graphics and GPGPU computing technologies by AMD, Intel and NVIDIA.
DOWNLOAD: FinalWire AIDA64 v7.70

Intel Begins Massive Layoffs in Foundry, Auto Unit, and Marketing

Intel has kicked off a widespread round of job cuts this week, informing staff members individually about their future with the company. CEO Lip-Bu Tan first advised employees in April to expect significant layoffs, following years of production challenges and declining sales. Although Intel has not provided a total headcount for the reductions, the process will unfold over several weeks, with some workers receiving immediate notice and others awaiting final decisions. Within Intel's manufacturing division, known as Intel Foundry, the company plans to eliminate approximately 15% to 20% of technician, engineer, and researcher positions in its Oregon facilities. At the same time, Intel will close its automotive technology unit, resulting in layoffs for most employees in that business, and outsource marketing activities to Accenture under a new arrangement designed to harness AI for greater efficiency.

Initial layoff notices have gone out in California, and further announcements are expected soon in Arizona and Oregon, Intel's largest US sites. These cuts follow last summer's reduction of 15,000 roles, which left Intel with roughly 109,000 employees worldwide. In 2024, the company reported a $19 billion loss as rivals such as TSMC, AMD, and NVIDIA outpaced Intel with more advanced and cost-effective chips. Plans to expand fab capacity in Ohio, Germany, and Israel have been put on hold due to diminished revenue and shifting market priorities. Intel is counting on its next-generation 18A process node, due for release later this year, to restore its competitive edge. For external customers, the interest is drawn from 18A-P and 14A.
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