Perhaps the biggest surprise at AMD's January 6 CES keynote address was the omission of the Radeon RX 9070 series desktop graphics cards, and the RDNA 4 graphics architecture. This was particularly because the CES Pre-brief slide-deck that AMD provided to press included materials about Radeon, but the actual presentation on stage lacked that content. Immediately after the event, AMD leadership, including David McAfee and Frank Azor agreed to sit down with a small group of tech journalists for a roundtable talk, and we had a seat. In this article, we will try to share what we can. The talk began with addressing the elephant in the room, about why AMD omitted Radeon-related announcements in Jack Huynh's keynote address and the company also confirmed that providing press with pre-brief Radeon info was intentional, and they knew that info wouldn't be included on the main stage.

AMD says that the 45-minute keynote address didn't provide sufficient time to properly announce the Radeon RX 9070 series and RDNA 4. The company pointed to other announcements it omitted in the keynote, such as the Ryzen Z2 line of gaming handheld chips. The company says that Radeon-related announcements, would have needed a much greater time-share in the keynote, to detail the change in the product naming (more on this later), where the RX 9070 series fit into the market, the advancements made by RDNA 4, and new technology such as FSR 4.

ASRock has showcased its AMD Navi 48 GPUs on the showroom floor at this year's CES trade event—only hours ago, a TechPowerUp team member familiarized themselves with Taichi, Steel Legend and Challenger options. The new models are offered up in Radeon RX 9070 XT and 9070 variants—these next generation cards are due to arrive later this quarter alongside RDNA 4 and FSR 4 technologies. Out of the gate ASRock representatives were keen to show off their new flagship cog/gear-themed model.

The ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi is a very long and chunky proposition—TPU's photos depict a triple-slot design, continuing the legacy of preceding Taichi designs. ASRock has refreshed its custom shrouds and backplates for the RDNA 4 generation—the incoming RX 9070 XT Taichi is quite boxy when compared to its older sibling. Cog wheel graphics on the backplate seem to jump out more due to updated coloration/contrast. The usual Taichi triple-fan config is present here, with a smattering of RGB lighting strips spread across its shroud. Performance and quiet operating modes can be accessed via a rear switch. Another switch—placed next to the card's single 12-pin power connector—gives you the option to turn onboard LED lighting on or off.

InWin has showcased several new server chassis models at CES—these new introductions form part of the company's efforts to expand regional IPC, server, and systems assembly operations going into 2025. New manufacturing facilities in the USA and Malaysia were brought online last year, and new products have sprung forth. TechPowerUp staffers were impressed by InWin's RG650B model—this cavernous rackmount GPU server has been designed with AI and HPC applications in mind. Its 6.5U dual-chamber design is divided into two sections with optimized and independent heat dissipation systems—GPU accelerators are destined for the 4.5U space, while the motherboard and CPUs go into the 2U chamber.

The RG650B's front section is dominated by the nine pre-installed hot swappable 80 x 30 mm (12,000 RPM max. rated) PWM fans. This array should provide plenty of cooling for any contained hardware; these components will be powered by an 80 Plus Titanium CRPS 3200 W PSU (with four 12V-2x6 pin connectors). InWin's spec sheet states that their RG650B supports 18 FHFL PCI-Express slots with four PCI-Express riser cables—granting plenty of potential for the installation of add-in boards.

InWin has unveiled two brand-new products at CES 2025—the TechPowerUp team made sure to head over to the manufacturer's Las Vegas suite in order to check out their PRISM chassis and SHIFT hybrid test bed/display case. The former proved to be fairly difficult to photograph due to its two-way mirror glass side panels—internal hardware can be viewed from the outside, but the reflective panel material makes this a challenge to capture on camera. InWin believes that the PRISM's geometric glass design will provide a standout and unique panoramic 180-degree view of its surroundings.

This mid-tower case accepts ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX mainboards and a maximum of eleven air cooling fans (four included as standard). Liquid cooling radiators—going up to 360 mm in size—can be arranged internally in multiple positions. Large mesh filters are visible from the front and top—said to enhance the case's airflow and cooling properties. InWin reps were keen to showcase the PRISM's rear-mounted handle—this wing-shaped attachment allows for a decent level of portability.

Thermaltake has decided to kick off the year at CES 2025 in a fashionable way by expanding the color options for its best-selling PC case series: the Tower 600 Mid Tower and the Tower 250 Mini Tower. Launched last year at Computex, the Tower 600 is an ATX case featuring a distinctive octagonal prism shape. It accommodates up to a 420 mm AIO radiator on the right side, a 360 mm AIO radiator on the left side, and supports GPUs up to 400 mm in length. This year, Thermaltake introduced six new color options: Racing Green, Gravel Sand, Bubble Pink, Bumblebee, Light-Year Green, and Future Dusk, in addition to the existing Black, Snow, Hydrangea Blue, and Matcha Green variants.

The Tower 250 Mini-ITX case, released in November 2024, originally came in Black, Snow, Hydrangea Blue, and Matcha Green for users seeking a compact yet versatile PC chassis. For 2025, Thermaltake has added two new color variants: Mint Strawberry and Butter Caramel. The case supports up to a 360 mm radiator on the right side and up to 8 x 120 mm fans or 5 x 140 mm fans, with two pre-installed CT120 cooling fans included. It fits GPUs up to 360 mm in length and accommodates both ATX and SFX power supplies up to 200 mm in length.

Brelyon, an MIT spin-off innovating in the computational display space, today announced Ultra Reality Extend, an immersive display line that renders virtual images in multiple depths. As the first commercial multi-focal monitor, the Extend model offers multi-depth programmability for information overlay, allowing users to see images from 0.7 meters to as far as 2.5 meters of depth virtually rendered behind the monitor; organizing various data streams at different depth layers, or triggering focal cues to induce an ultra immersive experience akin to looking out through a window.

"Building on the success of our Ultra Reality product, we're taking advantage of new GPU capabilities to process light and video signals inside our display platforms," said Barmak Heshmat, CEO of Brelyon. "We are thinking beyond headsets and glasses, where we can leverage GPU capabilities to do real-time driving of higher-bandwidth display interfaces. Maturing the industry from the age of photorealism to the age of photon realism, and designed for high-performance applications such as simulation and training, control centers, and teleoperations, Ultra Reality Extend is a new platform for AI and light to impact enterprise visualization, navigation, and computer interaction."

MSI has gone all in with NVIDIA's freshly debuted GeForce RTX 50 "Blackwell" GPU series at CES 2025—an impressive number of custom models have been unveiled on the showroom floor. The TechPowerUp team has sifted through many of MSI's latest and greatest, but also noticed an intriguing set of placards positioned next to the tech firm's vast selection of physical products. The "exclusive" information at hand points to two in-progress GeForce RTX 5090 models—informally named as "Lightning" Special Editions. Company representatives have revealed that the engineering team is concocting a purpose-made PCB design for the two upcoming cards. This board supposedly sports enough differences to distinguish itself from NVIDIA's reference layout (as seen on their Founder's Edition)—industry experts reckon that the majority of AIBs will be utilizing Team Green's standard GeForce RTX 5090 PCB.

The printed graphic indicates that MSI's mysterious liquid cooled Special Edition GeForce RTX 32G will arrive with the "ultimate all-in-one (AIO) water cooling solution"—referred to as their "HydroCool System." A twin STORMFORCE fan configuration is teased alongside advanced airflow channels and a next-gen dual 120 mm AIO liquid cooling system. Custom-engineered water channels are advertised as being capable of flowing "directly through" the card's onboard memory. Dual front intakes and exhausts are said to assist greatly in cooling this Special Edition model, as well as neighboring PC components. Users can implement independent custom fan speed tunings; presumably via MSI software. It will be interesting to see how this in-the-works AIO-based model stacks up against the premium-tier "two-piece" MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC.

HYTE has launched a wide range of new products at CES this year, with the company getting into the thermal grease business, or thermal goop as the company refers to its first product. Sadly the company didn't provide much in terms of specs for the Thermal Goop, beyond the fact that it'll help keep your CPU cool and that's it's easy to spread, so we'll have to wait for someone to test it before we know what it's capable of, but at least it's priced reasonably at US$6.99. To go with your CPU, HYTE has also launched its Solid Processor Frame, a CNC milled aluminium frame that the company claims will help improve to cooling of your CPU, while also protecting it against damage, by prevent uneven pressure on the CPU by the cooler. The Solid Processor Frame will come in half a dozen different colour options, for both Intel and AMD CPU's for US$19.90.

Next up is the Noodle ARGB strip, which is made to fit HYTE's Y70, Y60 and Y40 cases. It's compatible with HYTE's Nexus Link and offers 215 degrees of diffused light. Depending on which case you have, the Noodle ARGB strip will cost between US$29.99 and US$34.99. HYTE also showed off an updated version of its Y70 Touch Infinite chassis that now comes with a new slim-bezel 14.9-inch touch screen. The screen sports a resolution of 682 x 2560 at 60 Hz and has 10-point multi-touch support. The new version of the chassis is priced at US$379.99. The display can be had on its own for US$179.99. Finally HYTE launched a new powered, internal USB 2.0 hub, for all those internal USB 2.0 devices that you might have and that requires a bit more than your 500 mA. The USB hub attaches magnetically to your case and will set you back US$27.99.

Update Jan 8th: The Thermal Goop has a thermal conductivity of 6.3 W/mK and it's not electrically conductive.

HYTE, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge PC components and peripherals, announced today at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that the THICC Q80 Trio, a 360 mm version of its renowned THICC Q60 all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler, is now available for pre-order at the MSRP of $319.99. Set to launch in Q1 2025, this new cooler builds on HYTE's design and cooling innovations with increased performance capabilities thanks to its thicker size while offering more personalization options thanks to HYTE's flagship Nexus 2.0 software solution. To pre-order the THICC Q80 Trio, please visit: https://hyte.com/q80

"THICC"-ER PERFORMANCE GAINS
Designed to fit the HYTE Y70 and Y70 Touch Infinite cases down to the last millimeter while remaining compatible with a plethora of additional chassis, the THICC Q80 Trio is capable of even more performance thanks to its ginormous heat exchanger, which measures 360 mm long and 52 mm thick for maximum cooling capacity and efficiency. The THICC Q80 Trio also boasts a larger, second-generation copper cold plate with a revised liquid flow path that further enhances temperatures while improving socket compatibility.

UnifyDrive's participation at CES 2025 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of portable data storage, as the company unveiled the UP6, the world's first AI-equipped portable tablet NAS. Met with overwhelming acclaim, attendees praised the UP6 as a leap forward in portable data storage, combining intuitive file organization, performance, and Artificial Intelligence to meet the demands of creators, businesses, and modern consumers.

Powered by Intel Core Ultra Processor and integrated with a Large Language Model (LLM), the UP6 has reshaped how users interact with their data. The device's ability to enable natural language searches, retrieve local data, and restore and enhance images resonated strongly with attendees. Many praised its potential to revolutionize productivity workflows, with one industry analyst describing it as "a fundamental change in smart storage solutions."

Today marks the launch of the new ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 (N6506CU), the latest version of this high-performance 15.6-inch laptop designed for pro creators and pro gamers.

ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 offers seamless creativity and gaming with cutting-edge components: up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) with a built-in 13 TOPS NPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU with a low-latency MUX switch, 24 GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2 TB PCIe SSD. It boasts advanced ASUS IceCool Pro cooling technology that enables up to a 125-watt combined thermal design power (TDP).

Timekettle, a global leader in AI-powered communication technology, is thrilled to introduce the enhanced W4 Pro Earbuds with bidirectional call functionality. Powered by its first proprietary software system, also announced at CES, Babel OS, the new W4 Pro sets a new benchmark for cross-language communication, offering seamless two-way real-time translation during phone and video calls on any communication platform.

The newly launched feature allows two-way translations to facilitate effortless cross-lingual conversations through any telecommunication application or traditional phone system. It provides bidirectional synchronous translations without disrupting the original voice quality.

UGREEN, a leading innovator in consumer electronics, is due to showcase its latest innovations at CES 2025 under the theme of "Activate the Possibility of AI." The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the highly anticipated NASync iDX6011 and NASync iDX6011 Pro devices, which are from the cutting-edge AI NAS lineup of the NASync series. Alongside these groundbreaking products, the Nexode 500 W 6-Port GaN Desktop Fast Charger and the Revodok Max 2131 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station will also take center stage.

The NASync series AI NAS models are set to redefine expectations with integrated large language models (LLMs) for advanced natural language processing and AI-driven interactive capabilities. Powered by cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra Processors, the iDX6011 and iDX6011 Pro deliver unmatched performance, enabling seamless functionality and exceptional AI applications. These models build on the success of earlier NASync series products, such as the NASync DXP models, which garnered widespread attention and raised over $6.6 million during a Kickstarter campaign in March 2024.

ASUS today announced ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower (P500MV), a high-performance desktop PC for that's designed to redefine value and performance for small businesses. With the new ASUS Tower Air Cooler thermal design and powered by the latest up to Intel Core i7 processor, P5 Mini Tower unleashes up to 95 W TDP—delivering 30% better peak performance than competitors in its class. With exceptional energy efficiency, this powerful new desktop also saves up to 38% energy.i

Security is paramount with ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower, so it's backed by the reassurance of multiple ASUS ExpertGuardian protections. This powerhouse meets commercial-grade standards with a NIST SP 800-155-compliant BIOS, while ASUS assures at least five years of BIOS and driver updates to protect critical data.

GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, unveiled its next-gen AI PCs at CES 2025. GiMATE, a groundbreaking AI agent for seamless hardware and software control, takes center stage in the all-new lineup, redefining gaming, creation, and productivity in the AI era. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs and NVIDIA NIM microservices for advanced AI NIM and RTX AI, AMD Ryzen AI, Intel NPU AI, and enhanced by Microsoft Copilot, the AORUS MASTER, GIGABYTE AERO, and the GIGABYTE GAMING series deliver cutting-edge performance with upgraded WINDFORCE cooling in sleek, portable designs.

GiMATE, GIGABYTE's exclusive AI agent, integrates with an advanced Large Language Model (LLM) and the "Press and Speak" feature, making laptop control more natural and intuitive. From AI Power Gear II for optimal energy efficiency to AI Boost II's precision overclocking, GiMATE ensures optimal settings for every scenario. AI Cooling delivers 0dB ambiance, perfect for work environments, while AI Audio and AI Voice optimize sound for any setting. Safeguard your screen with AI Privacy, which detects prying eyes and activates protection instantly. GiMATE aims to be users' smart AI Mate, that redefines laptops in users' daily lives.

Corsair is pleased to announce that the award-winning VENGEANCE Gaming PCs, powered by high-performance Corsair components, now feature the game-changing performance, efficiency, and AI-powered graphics of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards. With world-class components in every category, each VENGEANCE PC delivers ultra-high-performance gaming, exceptional productivity, and expansive creative potential.

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices - state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

ASUS today announced a significant expansion of its innovative Copilot+ PC lineup, the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs, bringing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to users in every segment—empowering more people than ever to embrace the exciting and burgeoning era of AI.

As AI reshapes both how people interact with technology and their expectations of what a computer should be, our all-new Copilot+ PC lineup is designed to meet the growing demand for more affordable, more efficient, more secure and faster laptops that elevate both personal and professional workflows. Powered by the latest AI-enabled processors from Qualcomm, AMD and Intel, and available in a diverse range of styles and form factors, ASUS is leading the charge in making AI technology universally accessible.

MSI introduced its groundbreaking NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics card range earlier today—hot on the heels of NVIDIA's formal unveiling of its brand-new Blackwell architecture. TechPowerUp staffers on the ground at this year's CES managed to wade through MSI's enviable collection of custom cards showcased on the showroom floor—taking up-close photos and discussing the latest designs with company representatives. An entry-level family has debuted—in the form of INSPIRE—alongside a new high-end series dubbed "VANGUARD." In addition, TPU was treated to the usual suspects including top-of-the-range SUPRIM cards. MSI has also tinkered with its design aesthetic for the VENTUS GAMING product line.

We will start with the upper echelon—MSI's new GeForce RTX 5090 32G SUPRIM LIQUID SOC model. Well-heeled gaming enthusiasts will likely be handing over a hefty premium for this well appointed dual-slot card. Its stealthy "diamond-cut inspired" premium shroud houses a micro-fin copper base and MSI's patented water block array—ensuring that the GPU and VRAM are kept cool during the most demanding of gaming or professional sessions. The 360 mm aluminium radiator is coupled with the latest STORMFORCE fans in a triple unit configuration. It should be noted that the Ada Lovelace generation MSI RTX 4090 SUPRIM LIQUID model sported a dual-fan radiator setup. MSI reps did not divulge any details regarding extreme overclocking and boost figures for this top-tier Blackwell model, but we suspect that the extra fan will be doings its best to temper Team Green's "massive" GB202 die.

ASUS today announced the groundbreaking Zenbook A14 (UX3407) - the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market, and also the first all-Ceraluminum ASUS laptop. Zenbook A14 is also the first Zenbook model powered by the latest Snapdragon X Series AI-enabled processors. Zenbook A14 redefines lightweight laptops, addressing traditional challenges like durability, performance, cooling, battery life, limited ports, and cost. Its all-Ceraluminum chassis is ultra-light at under 980 g, durable, and low-maintenance, designed for everyday use. Snapdragon X Series processors deliver outstanding power efficiency and performance with multi-working-day battery life, and the dual-fan thermal system ensures optimal cooling and boosts CPU TDP up to 45 W with minimal noise. As a Copilot+ PC, it enhances productivity and creativity with advanced AI capabilities.

The intuitive design includes an enlarged touchpad supporting Smart Gestures and a versatile range of I/O ports. Seamless integration with Windows Phone Link and Snapdragon Seamless lets users answer calls, manage notifications, and transfer files directly from the laptop. Users can even turn their phone into a webcam. Entertainment shines with the FHD ASUS Lumina OLED display and a powerful super-linear speaker system, offering a cinematic experience. Security is robust with the Microsoft Pluton processor and Windows passkeys for secure authentication storage. AI-driven features like the AI IR Camera system provide facial recognition for automatic login and logout, Adaptive Lock, and Adaptive Dimming, ensuring enhanced privacy and usability. With its lightweight design, robust performance, and advanced features, Zenbook A14 is a true game-changer in portable computing.

ASUS today announced Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock DC510, a sleek 13-in-1 dock that offers seamless connectivity and enhanced productivity with three Thunderbolt 5 and comprehensive I/O. Designed for creators, this sleek dock offers an array of ports to connect and power multiple devices simultaneously, enabling users to create a neat and streamlined workspace. The Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock is able to support single 8K or dual 8K is at 60 Hz, or up to three 4K displays at 144 Hz for immersive visuals. Thunderbolt 5 connectivity delivers up to 80 Gbps transfer speeds and 140-watt fast charging. Plus, the dock includes four USB ports, RJ45 2.5G Ethernet, an audio combo jack, and dual card readers. The sleek chassis of Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock offers toolless access for easy installation of M.2 NVMe SSD and includes white atmospheric lighting to give the dock a look that suits any modern workspace.

Triple 4K display support
ASUS Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock provides creative professionals with enhanced multitasking and productivity capabilities, enabling them to simultaneously work across three 4K displays at 144 Hz, two 8K displays at 60 Hz or one 8K display at 60 Hz.

ASUS today announced its latest all-in-one (AIO) liquid CPU cooler, the ROG Ryuo IV SLC 360 ARGB, at CES 2025. This new addition expands the comprehensive ASUS AIO cooler lineup, catering to the diverse needs of gamers, creators, and PC enthusiasts. These advanced solutions offer exceptional thermal performance, streamlined installation, and customizable aesthetics, ensuring optimal cooling for all types of builds. Fully compatible with the latest AMD and Intel 800 series motherboards, ASUS AIO coolers deliver unmatched performance and style.

From the premium ROG Ryuo IV SLC 360 ARGB for pristine BTF setups to the professional-grade ProArt LC 420 for demanding workstations, ASUS offers unparalleled versatility. The ASUS AIO cooler, when paired with a compatible ASUS motherboard, unlocks the full potential of the system, enabling seamless synchronization of RGB lighting, precise fan speed adjustments, and real-time monitoring of CPU statistics through the Armory Crate software.

ASUS today announced the 2025 TUF Gaming laptop lineup, including the first 18-inch member of the family. Featuring the latest processors from AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA, the TUF Gaming A16, F16, and A18 aim to deliver incredible performance without breaking the bank.

The first TUF Gaming 18-inch laptop
The TUF Gaming Alliance is proud to introduce the A18, the first 18-inch laptop in the TUF Gaming lineup. Equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, the TUF Gaming A18 can easily handle the latest games. Also featuring up to 32 GB of DDR5 5600 MHz memory and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage, gamers can easily game, stream, and store their entire library. The A18 also boasts a gorgeous 2.5K resolution 240 Hz display, with an extra-tall 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits of peak brightness, and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colors space for incredibly immersive gameplay.

European tech brand ENDORFY is making its first official appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Running through January 9, the company will showcase its latest PC components and peripherals to a global audience at the world's most influential tech event.

ENDORFY is expanding to the US market with a portfolio of high-quality PC components and accessories. This expansion supports the company's goal of reaching all modern technology enthusiasts with a range of products praised for combining advanced technology with reliability, efficiency, and great value for gamers, content creators, and tech enthusiasts.

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced expansions across its Crucial consumer memory and storage portfolio, including unveiling the high-speed Crucial P510 SSD, and expanding density and form factor options across its existing DRAM portfolio to enable broader choice and flexibility for consumers. The P510 features read and write speeds of up to 11,000/9,550 megabytes per second (MB/s), bringing blazing fast Gen 5 performance to the masses.

"With the exciting memory and storage offerings we're debuting today, Crucial's portfolio is now broader and stronger than ever before," said Dinesh Bahal, corporate vice president and general manager of Micron's Commercial Products Group. "These updates - from making fast Gen 5 SSDs available to the mainstream to launching high-density memory options - illustrate our commitment to driving innovation, performance and value for every consumer from casual gamers to creatives and students to hardcore enthusiasts."

Audio-Technica announces the launch of its ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds, bringing best-in-class battery life with all the powerful, full-spectrum sound of the originals now with even greater convenience. The earbuds give you up to 65 hours of playback - 25 hours from the fully charged headphones, plus an additional 40 hours available from the charging case. With noise cancelling on, enjoy 15 hours from the earbuds and 25 additional hours from the case. Additionally, if you're in a rush, a quick 5-minute charge provides up to 90 minutes of use.

The ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds feature Audio-Technica's new patented Magnetic Switch technology which allows the earbuds to turn off when joined by built-in magnets, helping to preserve power when you're out and about without the charging case. The earbuds feature exclusive 9 mm high-definition drivers, specially made by Audio-Technica to deliver clear, full-range audio with deep, powerful bass.