The UEFI Forum today announced the release of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) 2.11 specification and the Platform Initialization (PI) 1.9 specification. The goal of these specification updates is to streamline user implementation by providing increased compatibility across hardware architectures, including security updates, algorithm support and improving alignment implementation guidance.

"We have created a vibrant firmware community, and these specification updates provide maintenance and enhancement of fundamental capabilities in order to help increase the momentum of the UEFI specifications and add value to the ecosystem," said Mark Doran, UEFI Forum President. "The latest specifications continue the UEFI Forum's commitment to developing standards for all significant CPU architectures as underscored by additions such as the new LoongArch support in the PI 1.9 specification."

The CXL Consortium, an industry standard body advancing coherent connectivity, announces the release of its Compute Express Link (CXL) 3.2 Specification. The 3.2 Specification optimizes CXL Memory Device monitoring and management, enhances functionality of CXL Memory Devices for OS and Applications, and extends security with the Trusted Security Protocol (TSP).

"We are excited to announce the release of the CXL 3.2 Specification to advance the CXL ecosystem by providing enhancements to security, compliance, and functionality of CXL Memory Devices," said Larrie Carr, CXL Consortium President. "The Consortium continues to develop an open, coherent interconnect and enable an interoperable ecosystem for heterogeneous memory and computing solutions."

Corsair announces broad compatibility across its extensive component ranges designed to realize the potential of the Intel Core Ultra series processors. Intel Core Ultra processors feature a new socket, LGA 1851, and Corsair is ready with a full lineup of compatible CPU coolers. All our CPU coolers compatible with the previous LGA1700 socket are compatible with the new LGA 1851 socket, from our A115 air cooler to our best-performance TITAN RX RGB series of AIO coolers. From our 120 mm single fan radiators to our class-leading 360 mm and 420 mm radiators, we have a solution for you no matter which Core Ultra processor you choose or what case you're using.

To unleash the performance of the new Core Ultra series processors, we have a wide range of DOMINATOR and VENGEANCE series DDR5 memory kits available. These cutting-edge kits are designed to deliver award-winning performance, with XMP certification providing easy overclocking and improved memory bandwidth. Whether you're a gamer, content creator, or professional, Corsair DDR5 memory is the premiere option for reliable high-speed DRAM. With speeds up to 8,200 MT/s and densities up to 128 GB per kit, you can choose from attractive and compact VENGEANCE modules to the aesthetically elite DOMINATOR TITANIUM with RGB lighting that can be controlled through our iCUE software.

Noctua today confirmed that all its CPU coolers and mounting-kits that support Intel LGA1700 also support the new LGA1851 socket of the upcoming Core Ultra desktop processors (Series 2), also known under the code name Arrow Lake-S. Mounting upgrade kits for older heatsink models that do not yet support LGA1700 and LGA1851 will be provided to customers free of charge.

"We have offered free-of-charge mounting upgrade kits to our customers ever since AMD introduced AM2 in 2006, and we're proudly continuing this tradition with the upcoming Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors and their new LGA1851 socket", says Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "While all our current multi-socket coolers already support LGA1851 out of the box and don't require any updates, customers will be able to upgrade most older coolers at no additional cost, so even the very first Noctua coolers from 2005 can be used on the latest Intel processors!"

Intel will soon be releasing the new Arrow Lake processors on the LGA1851 socket. ARCTIC customers do not need to worry about incompatibility. All LGA1700 compatible ARCTIC coolers can be used without restriction for Intel's new LGA1851 socket. According to current information, the mechanical dimensions remain unchanged. Regardless, ARCTIC has assured customers since last year that all coolers purchased from October 23 onwards will support the new socket. ARCTIC customers can therefore switch to the new system without any worries and can always rely on the highest performance and maximum service.

ESR, the leading brand for mobile accessories and the #1 brand for MagSafe accessories, proudly announces the launch of its latest innovation: the Cyber FlickLock Case for AirPods. This new product sets a benchmark in AirPod protection, combining ESR's exclusive FlickLock safety lock design with advanced features that enhance both security and usability.

Unmatched Security with FlickLock Lock System
The Cyber FlickLock case showcases ESR's new proprietary FlickLock safety lock, ensuring your AirPods always remain secure. The case lid is designed with a total of 7 strong magnets on the upper and lower sides, providing a powerful magnetic strength of 1480 g. The entire body is crafted from resilient TPU + PC materials, fortified with Air Guard corners that offer dual-layer shock absorption. This design provides robust drop-proof protection, safeguarding your AirPods from everyday impacts.

ASUSTOR Inc. has updated the hard drive compatibility list by adding Seagate's IronWolf Pro 24 TB high-capacity NAS hard drive. The listed model is ST24000NT002. IronWolf Pro is designed for businesses and those that want the very most in data capacity. Using Seagate's 24 TB hard drives in conjunction with the largest ASUSTOR NAS devices means that some ASUSTOR NAS devices can support up to just under 400 TB.

24 TB drives also help ASUSTOR's MyArchive feature. The use of 24 TB hard drives helps make the backup process with MyArchive easier by using fewer drives. This helps facilitate safe 3-2-1 backups as well as providing as much archival storage as needed. Need even more space? Use the Xpanstor 4, one of the only expansion units featuring a 10 Gbps USB interface. It also supports MyArchive cold backup technology even on NAS devices that don't support hard drives. In addition to the additional 96 TB storage space provided by the four hard drive bays, the USB 3.2 Gen 2 port greatly increases the performance.

Discover the MOZA TSW Truck Wheel, engineered for an unparalleled truck simulation experience. With its classic four-spoke design and standard 400 mm diameter, this wheel brings the authenticity of a truck's control into your hands. The rim, wrapped in hand-stitched microfiber leather, offers a blend of comfort and grip, while the aerospace-grade aluminium frame guarantees long-term durability. Equipped with customizable RGB buttons and LED lights, it allows for extensive personalization.

Compatibility with all MOZA bases, as well as third-party systems through a universal adapter, ensures a seamless fit into any setup. Enhanced by its high-strength steel construction and versatile adjustment options, the MOZA TSW Truck Wheel is the definitive choice for simulation enthusiasts seeking depth, functionality, and an immersive driving experience. Expected to start shipping on March 9th.

Sony's second generation virtual reality headset—PlayStation VR2—is a very neat bit of kit, but many VR gaming enthusiasts believe that its potential is being wasted to some degree. Presently, VR2 is locked into the Sony PlayStation 5 console ecosystem, yet efforts to break this exclusive cycle started many months ago—modders have been working on PC platform support. The "iVRy VR" project is a notable endeavor—its leader outlined a bumpy development road on Reddit late last year: "PS VR2 can now be used for SteamVR on Windows. I wrote the driver some months ago, but the project has been delayed due to hardware or GPU driver hacks necessary to get the headset driven correctly by the GPU." Things are back on track according to iVRy's latest social media posts: "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order running on Sony PS VR2, using UEVR and iVRy Driver for SteamVR (Windows). Use your device as a SteamVR VR Headset for your PC." The latest rumblings from Sony indicate that iVRy's crowdfunded efforts could be usurped in 2024.

First-party support on PC platforms has been teased by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)—a freshly published PlayStation Blog article reveals that a conversion team is tinkering away in the background: "PlayStation VR2 launched one year ago, backed by a 40+ game launch window lineup which included all-new experiences like Horizon Call of the Mountain and Pavlov, as well as PS VR2-compatible titles such as Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village... We're pleased to share that we are currently testing the ability for PS VR2 players to access additional games on PC to offer even more game variety in addition to the PS VR2 titles available through PS5. We hope to make this support available in 2024, so stay tuned for more updates." Company representatives have insisted, in the past, that their second generation VR headset is exclusive to PlayStation 5—The Verge has "reached out to Sony to clarify exactly what "access additional games on PC" means and whether the support will be limited to certain games. We'll update you accordingly."

At Xbox, we strive to create games that inspire, entertain, and connect players from around the world. As a publisher and platform we are committed to meeting players where they are, by bringing more games, to more people, and on more devices. And at the heart of all we do are our players, and the vibrant communities that they build around the games they love.

Today we are announcing that four fan-favorite Xbox games will be coming to Nintendo Switch and Sony platforms this spring. The studios that built these celebrated games have drawn on their multi-platform experience to open the worlds they created to even more players and communities.

When Streacom launched the SG10 Copper Edition pre-orders, we knew the choice of compatible GPUs was limited, which is why it was critical for us to collect customer choices and have an extended lead time to evaluate how best to cover the widest selection of graphics cards. Today, we would like to elaborate on this and answer some of the questions that are most commonly asked about the SG10 Copper Edition.

Our initial list of compatible cards consisted of just six cards, chosen at the time of product development based on popularity (from sales figure data). Obviously, that has somewhat changed, but fortunately, they represented a good starting point for "comparable" board layouts, which allows our modular cooling solution to be quickly adapted to the minor variations between cards.

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

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

The colors of the illustrations look serene and dreamy on paper, leading us into a realm of fantasy. Such experience can hardly be replicated on LED screens. However, thanks to the advances in ePaper technology, it's now possible for us to relive such wistful reverie in a digital way. And what makes it happen is Kaleido 3.

What is Kaleido 3？
Kaleido 3 is E Ink's latest generation of print color display technology for ePaper products. Compared with conventional black-and-white E INK displays, Kaleido uses an RGB Color Filter Array (CFA) to present colors on the screen. With a color filter on top, red, green, and blue can be mixed or with black and white to create a total of 4,096 colors.

Azza has introduced its new Cube 240 and Cube 360 liquid AIO coolers, compatible with Intel's upcoming LGA1851 socket for Arrow Lake processors. The new LGA1851 socket offers more contact pins than the previous LGA1700 socket, but it maintains the same dimensions and mounting spacing, allowing many existing coolers to remain compatibility. As we see with the latest Reddit post of the Azza Cube 360 installation manual, the LGA1851 socket will retain cooler compatibility with the current LGA1700 socket. For users planning to upgrade to the upcoming Arrow Lake platform, the cooler installation will be the least of their worries if their mounting brackets are compatible.

However, one notable change with LGA1851 is the higher maximum dynamic pressure, signifying increased mounting pressure from CPU coolers. But that only sometimes leads to new mounting mechanisms for coolers. In addition to Azza, Noctua's coolers, like NH-U12, have also confirmed signs of Arrow Lake support, as you can see here.

Maxon, developers of professional software solutions for editors, filmmakers, motion designers, visual effects artists and creators of all types, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated release of Cinebench 2024. This latest iteration of the industry-standard benchmarking software, which has been a cornerstone in computer performance evaluation for two decades, sets a new standard for performance evaluation, embracing cutting-edge technology to provide artists, designers, and creators with a more accurate and relevant representation of their hardware capabilities.

Redshift Rendering Engine Integration
Cinebench 2024 ushers in a new era by embracing the power of Redshift, Cinema 4D's default rendering engine. Unlike its predecessors, which utilized Cinema 4D's standard renderer, Cinebench 2024 utilizes the same render algorithms across both CPU and GPU implementations. This leap to the Redshift engine ensures that performance testing aligns seamlessly with the demands of modern creative workflows, delivering accurate and consistent results.

The latest version (1.52) of the HWMonitor application is prepared in advance for a wide variety of incoming PC hardware products—most notably Intel's Raptor Lake Refresh desktop processors. The release notes mention specific SKUs including: Core i5-14600K/KF (14 cores), i7-14700K/KF (20 cores) and i9-14900K/KF (24 cores)—these CPUs have emerged across a number of recent leaks. We expect Team Blue to present these models, in an official capacity, to the world at their Innovation 2023 event (starting September 19).

Non-specific Core 3,5 & 7, plus Core Ultra 5, 7 & 9 series CPUs are also mentioned in the patch notes, pointing to a mixed bag of (i.e very confusing) 14th Generation products comprised of Raptor Lake Refresh (possibly mobile variants) as well as Meteor Lake ranges lined up for "preliminary" support within HWMonitor v1.52. AMD's already announced Radeon (Navi 32) RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT GPUs have also been added to the app's compatibility roster.

Happy launch week, folks! We hope you've printed out your lawyer-approved special dispensation form to explain your mysterious absence from work on August 3rd to your boss, because there are only two days to go before release. After six years in the making, Baldur's Gate 3's PC launch is right around the corner and we couldn't have gotten here without you. So let's have one last Community Update before then to wrap things up, answer some of your biggest questions, and reveal a few final surprises before you finally get stuck in.

Launch Day
So just how big is this game, anyhow? What time should you expect the game to release? And where did I put my keys? The answers to most of these questions can be found below.

VisionTek Products LLC (VisionTek), a recognized leader in the field of high-performance upgrades and accessories for PCs and Macs, today announced the introduction of the VisionTek VT4950 KVM docking station. This innovative product is the upgraded successor to the previously celebrated VT4900 KVM docking station and is designed to enhance the workflow of users in today's professional and remote work environments. The VT4950 enables users to seamlessly swap between two connected Windows, Mac, or Chromebook host systems with up to three 4K displays, accessories, and peripherals through a single USB-C connection to each.

"The VT4950 simplifies the process of switching between systems, saving users valuable time and making their workflow more efficient," said Nick Bill, director of product development and product marketing. "This frees these users from the tedium of unplugging and reconnecting everything as they switch between systems, resulting in significant time savings."

The first-ever custom set for our first-ever custom profile, MT3 /dev/tty is a collection of keycaps that invoke old-school computing and retro typing. Now, this trailblazing throwback set is returning for a third round—with a few updates worth mentioning. Those include expansions to the Base Kit, Triumph Kit, and Lost and Found Kit, as well as several small legend refinements across the set. As always, you'll find a satisfying spread of beige-grays with occasional splash of color, depending on which kit you choose.

On every kit, your fingertips will be treated to our exclusive MT3 profile, which features scooped keycap tops and a sculpted shape between rows to create a vintage typing feel with a modern flourish. (After all, "tty" stands for "teletype" or "teletypewriter"—and the entire name is a subtle nod to a certain file type for Linux users.) There's never been a better time to type /dev/tty.

EK, the premium water-cooling gear manufacturer, is launching a new distro plate for the Lian Li O11D XL chassis. The distro has a built-in EK-Quantum Lumen screen, a 7" IPS monitor that can be seen from the front of the case. It is designed to provide advanced water cooling with the latest 3rd-generation SATA-powered D5 pump, removing the need for additional 4-pin Molex cables. The Reflection² series distribution plates are EK-Matrix7 compliant.

The EK-Quantum Reflection² PC-O11D XL D5 PWM D-RGB - Screen Edition is a custom water-cooling reservoir, routing, and pump solution that seamlessly fits into the front of the case showing off a beautiful 7" IPS screen with an aluminum frame. This waterway is also equipped with six innovative push-in ports that come with female G1/4" threaded adapters. The idea is that users can easily assemble the whole radiator + fittings + tubing combo and use these push-in adapters to simply slide it into the distribution plate. The bottom radiator is mounted via a special metal bracket.

The Core product line takes shape with the new coolers in the usual high quality, excellent performance and functional design language. The heart of the copper cooler is an assembly of connector terminal and cooler, which is milled from one piece of copper. The fine workmanship combined with the hard and resistant chrome plating of the entire copper cooler meet the highest quality standards. The brass G1/4" threads integrated on both sides, also chrome-plated, stand out visually striking from the terminal and are one of the key points of the new design language that will be present in all products of the Core series.

The aluminium backplate matched to the design together with the terminal forms a single unit. It convinces with clear and homogeneous optics on the back of the cooler. The individually controllable lighting consists of digitally addressable RGB LEDs and enables the even and colorful illumination of the entire cooler.

Lots of performance at a fair price. With the Core Ocean AiO, Alphacool presents an all-in-one solution that offers an entry into performance-oriented CPU water cooling thanks to its excellent price-performance ratio. The difference to Alphacool's Eisbaer CPU AiO is that the Ocean All-in One is not expandable. Adding more components such as radiators, pump or expansion tank is not intended here. But also not necessary! The choice of components and the design of the Core Ocean AiO allow a long lifetime with low maintenance for water cooling of all common mainstream sockets from AMD and Intel. The included mounting hardware already allows Alphacool's latest all-in-one to be used on AMD's AM5 socket. Also included in the package is Alphacool's Subzero Thermal Grease. This electrically non-conductive 16 W/mk thermal compound is particularly well suited for high contact pressures, but can still be applied perfectly due to its viscosity of 850000 TF.

be quiet!, the German manufacturer for premium PC components, declares that all its AM4-compatible CPU coolers with top-mounting are compatible with AMD's recently introduced Socket AM5 for Ryzen 7000 processors. Thanks to AMD's efforts to keep the same dimensions between sockets AM4 and AM5, a conversion kit is not necessary.

The flagship models Ryzen 9 7950X and Ryzen 9 7900X require a high-performing cooling solution, such as the water cooler be quiet! Silent Loop 2 360 mm or Silent Loop 2 280 mm. For the Ryzen 7 7700X and Ryzen 5 7600X, be quiet! recommends any AM5-compatible be quiet! water cooler or air cooler, except Pure Rock Slim 2 and Shadow Rock LP. It should be noted that bigger cooling surfaces leave more headroom for overclocking or use in cases with restricted air flow, so when in doubt, users should opt for a larger CPU cooler.

CORSAIR, a world leader in enthusiast components for gamers, creators, and PC builders, today announced the wide ranging compatibility of its array of PC components with NVIDIA's newly announced 40-series graphics cards, including the revolutionary RTX 4090. From power supplies able to drive the world's most powerful gaming systems, to stylish and capable gaming cases and a huge array of cooling options and accessories, CORSAIR offers the hardware to power, house, and cool the world's most powerful graphics cards - the way they were meant to be.

The newly announced NVIDIA RTX 4090 promises a huge leap in performance, and the great news for PC enthusiasts is that CORSAIR's existing power supply lineup is already fully compatible with the new NVIDIA 40-series. While the RTX 4090 uses a new 12+4 pin 12VHPWR power connector, all cards will ship with a PCI-e 8-pin power to 12VHPWR adapter. There's no need to wait for future PSUs to support Intel's new ATX 3.0 standard and CORSAIR's power supplies already provide the needed reliability and quality components to support the higher power needs of the next generation of PC hardware. Whether it's an RM1000 that's seen many builds, or a brand new HX1500i, you can depend on your CORSAIR PSU to power your graphics cards into the future.

Bitspower, one of the world's leading suppliers of water-cooling equipment for performance computers, today launched the Bitspower AM5 kit which can transform AMD-based Bitspower CPU water blocks into an AM5-compatible product. More and more setups used by gamers, streamers, and creators will harness AMD's new AM5 platform, which provides native support for up to 170 W—meaning there's power to do more, play more, and create more than ever before. However, with this increased power comes higher temperatures.

Fortunately, AMD has ensured that existing AM4 cooling solutions can be supported with their newest motherboards, with the product's height and port distance being managed in a 7 mm increment. With the new AM5 kit, Bitspower's current range of AMD CPU blocks can directly migrate to AM5 socket motherboards. The company's latest generation CPU water blocks, such as the M Pro Water Blocks, are optimized for cooling Ryzen 7000-series CPUs, allowing users to take that already-powerful processor to new heights.