Synnex Technology International is a major Hong Kong-based distributor of PC components, which also retails directly. PC enthusiasts in Hong Kong have been trying to avail replacements for their Intel Core i9-14900K processors under Intel's laid down procedure, including extended warranties for the processor, which has been hit by the notorious physical degradation issue. A customer sent in their i9-14900K to find that they are not getting a replacement chip, because Synnex ran out of chips to send customers as replacements.

The retailer sent in a template response that the chip sent by the customer cannot be repaired or replaced, but the customer can avail a cash refund of HKD $4,200 (around $540), which is close to the street price of the processor. The processor itself has been running out of stock in many places, partly because inventory in the channel is being directed toward honoring warranty claims. The only practical way to honor a processor warranty claim is replacement, since there is very little that can be repaired by a distributor (except maybe the stock cooler). HKEPC reports that the user took Synnex up on its offer for refund, sold everything in their machine except the SSD, and is now planning to build a new machine based on the Ryzen 9 9950X.

SCHENKER is updating the KEY series with three new models for 2024. As the most powerful laptop in the portfolio, the 17.3-inch KEY 17 Pro desktop replacement workstation receives a significant upgrade to its comprehensive features: two Thunderbolt 5 ports allow for maximum flexibility. With the fastest laptop processor, the Intel Core i9-14900HX, and graphics cards up to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, the Varjo-Ready-certified KEY 17 Pro excels as a powerful, professional VR and content creation workstation. New additions to the product range include the 14-inch SCHENKER KEY 14 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and the 16-inch KEY 16 Pro with an Intel Core i9-14900HX. Both models feature graphics cards up to the GeForce RTX 4070 and are NVIDIA GeForce RTX Studio certified.

SCHENKER KEY 17 Pro: Desktop Replacement Workstation with Two Thunderbolt 5 Ports, PCIe 5.0 SSD, Optional UHD Display, and Varjo-Ready Certification
The SCHENKER KEY 17 Pro (M24) succeeds its predecessor with a crucial upgrade: two Thunderbolt 4 ports have been replaced by two Thunderbolt 5 ports with a total bandwidth of 80 Gbps (shared by both ports, depending on the bandwidth requirement per connection) for the best display experience. This laptop provides maximum performance with the next generation of Thunderbolt 5 peripherals, such as multifunctional docking stations and high-performance external storage solutions or the newest DP2.1 based displays. One of these multi-purpose ports can also support charging the workstation with up to 100 watts. The significantly increased bandwidth compared to the previous generation allows for the operation of up to three external 4K monitors at 144 Hz or dual 6K displays. Thunderbolt 5 technology offers maximum flexibility, being backwards compatible with existing Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 and USB peripherals. Additionally, Thunderbolt Share enables direct data exchange and ultra-low-latency screen sharing between two computers.

Minisforum is thrilled to announce the launch of the new G7 Ti Mini-PC, a marvel of engineering designed specifically for professionals in AI development, video rendering, 3D design, and AI-driven creative fields. This ultra-compact yet extraordinarily powerful system is set to revolutionize the market, offering top-tier performance in a sleek, space-saving design.

Unleashing Power with Intel Core i9-14900HX
At the heart of the G7 Ti Mini-PC lies the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, a dynamic powerhouse that brings desktop-caliber performance to a mini-PC format. With its advanced architecture, the i9-14900HX is optimized for high-speed computing tasks and multitasking, making it an ideal choice for professionals who demand efficiency and speed in their workflow.

Intel introduced a line of 14th Gen Core "Raptor Lake Refresh" Socket LGA1700 processors for the embedded systems market. A highlight of these chips is that they come with their "Gracemont" E-core clusters disabled, and are pure P-core chips. It's interesting that Intel targets these chips for the embedded systems segment, but isn't building these in the non-socketed BGA packages carried over from its mobile platforms. Intel is addressing nearly all performance market-segments with these chips, including the very top. The Core i9-14901KE processor leading the pack is an 8-core/16-thread chip with eight "Raptor Cove" cores sharing the full 36 MB L3 cache available on the "Raptor Lake-S" die, a maximum boost frequency of 5.80 GHz, base frequency of 3.80 GHz, and processor base power of 125 W. The chip features an iGPU. The "K" in KE denotes that the chip supports overclocking.

Next up, is the Core i9-14901E, the 65 W sibling of this chip, which lacks an unlocked multiplier, and boosts up to 5.60 GHz, with a 2.80 GHz base frequency. Things get interesting with the Core i7-14701E, because the differentiator between the Core i9 and Core i7 SKUs is E-core count, and here we see the i7-14701 retaining the same 8-core/16-thread pure P-core configuration as the Core i9 chips, but with a touch lower frequencies of 5.40 GHz maximum boost, and 2.60 GHz base.

ADLINK Technology Inc., a global leader in edge computing, and a global supplier of industrial PCs and motherboards, announces the launch of the new IMB-C Value Series of ATX motherboards, extending the IMB series motherboard range with new, more affordable, options for users seeking high-performance at a lower price point. The IMB-C value series comes with processor options ranging from Gen 10 to Gen 14 Intel Core i9/i7/i5/i3 and includes features such as 2.5 Gbe, PCIe 4.0, DDR4, and USB 3.0, to suit applications in warehousing, industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and new energy.

The IMB-C series expands the IMB ATX motherboard range, providing a cost-effective alternative to the high-performance IMB-M series. Tailored for budget-sensitive projects without sacrificing essential features, the IMB-C models support DDR4 and PCIe 4.0, catering to applications that require solid performance with cost efficiency. Conversely, the IMB-M series is designed for top-tier performance, supporting DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, ideal for cutting-edge industrial use. The IMB-C series offers a comprehensive portfolio from Intel's 10th to 14th gen processors. Specifically, the IMB-C46 and IMB-C46H models come equipped with the Q470 and H420E chipsets respectively, optimized for 10th Gen Intel Core processors. Meanwhile, the IMB-M47 with the Q670 chipset, and the IMB-M47H with the H610 chipset, both support the 12th to 14th gen Intel Core processors, aligning with advanced system requirements and higher performance expectations.

Lenovo announced the ThinkCenter Neo Ultra, a compact high-performance desktop meant for power users and creative professionals. This desktop is larger than what would qualify as a mini-PC, with its 3.6 L volume, but is significantly smaller than a tower. Despite its compact size, it comes with a full-featured I/O. The desktop is powered by Intel's 14th Gen Core vPro "Raptor Lake Refresh" platform, and uses a custom form-factor desktop motherboard based on Intel Q670 chipset that supports various commercial desktop features under vPro. The processor and memory are socketed and hence user upgradeable.

Processor options range from the Core i5-14500 (6P+8E), going all the way up to the Core i9-14900 (8P+16E), including vPro and regular SKUs; and energy-efficient "T" SKUs. Memory options range from 16 GB (1x 16 GB) up to 64 GB (2x 32 GB) DDR5-4800. The sole graphics option is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 desktop GPU, all four of its display connectors are directly wired out on the rear I/O. There are two M.2-2280 Gen 4 slots, storage options range from 1x 256 GB Gen 4, to 2x 1 TB Gen 4. Networking connectivity include 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6E. USB ports include a 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2x2 type-C on the front-panel, two 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2, and four additional USB 3.2 type-A ports at the back. The case measures 195 mm x 191 mm x 108 mm, and depending on the configuration, can weigh around 3.5 kg.

XMG introduces the XMG NEO 16, the definite flagship model of their 2024 laptop range in terms of performance and features. Accordingly, the latest model combines Intel's Core i9-14900HX with NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards up to an RTX 4090. The 16.0-inch laptop has been redesigned from the ground up and features a wide range of improvements, including a more compact aluminium chassis, a new cooling system with additional optimizations for the optional XMG OASIS laptop water cooling system, a 500 nits bright 16:10 display, and a revised keyboard layout.

Core i9-14900HX, GeForce RTX Graphics Cards and a New Cooling System
Representing the high-end segment, the XMG NEO 16 (E24) combines Intel's fastest laptop CPU, the Core i9-14900HX, with a choice of mobile NVIDIA graphics cards from the GeForce RTX 4060 to the RTX 4090, which will continue to be the benchmark in 2024, including the maximum specified graphics performance of up to 175 watts (150 watts plus 25 watts Dynamic Boost).

The XMG PRO 16 Studio is receiving a significant upgrade as part of a model update. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX Studio-certified laptop, which includes graphics cards up to the GeForce RTX 4070, previously came with a conventional H-series laptop CPU. It now features an Intel Core i9-14900HX based on the design of desktop processors. Additionally, the laptop, which continues to be cooled by a massive vapor chamber in a 19.9 mm thin, predominantly aluminium chassis, is now lighter at only 2.3 kg. The 240 Hz IPS display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels is colour-calibrated and X-Rite certified. Furthermore, the otherwise identical chassis retains the extensive connectivity of the predecessor model.

Corsair today announced the launch of the Corsair ONE i500 PC, a compact powerhouse packed with cutting-edge components and boasting high-end performance for content creators, AI-savvy professionals, and gamers. The sleek, space-saving design houses up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card and Intel Core i9-14900K processor—both liquid cooled. Combined with next-gen DDR5 memory and 2 TB of NVMe SSD storage, the Corsair ONE i500 delivers the speed, storage, and reliability you'd expect from a high-end PC.

The Corsair ONE i500 PC is 30% smaller than a full-sized desktop PC but doesn't compromise on power. Modern liquid cooling delivers top-tier thermal efficiency, minimizing CPU and GPU temperatures while achieving faster performance, all while being noticeably quieter than traditional cooling. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 and 4080 SUPER graphics cards power a quantum leap in framerates and AI-powered graphics, while Intel 14th Gen CPU architecture makes sure you game and multitask without compromise.

ZOTAC Technology is announcing a new lineup of enterprise and healthcare-oriented mini PCs designed for specific applications and scalable deployment, as well as a whole new class of external GPU acceleration platforms for Thunderbolt 3-compatible PCs. Aside from the all-new additions, ZOTAC is also refreshing its best-selling performance mini PCs with the newest generations of Intel Core Processors and NVIDIA RTX-enabled GPUs. ZOTAC will debut these rugged, innovative solutions and showcase other AI-ready compute solutions during Hannover Messe 2024, reaffirming ZOTAC's commitment to embrace the AI-driven future.

ZOTAC ZBOX Healthcare Series: Medical AI Solution
With the all-new ZOTAC Healthcare Series, ZOTAC is offering the reputed superior quality and performance of ZOTAC ZBOX Mini PCs to the realm of Healthcare. The ZBOX H39R5000W and ZBOX H37R3500W are equipped with 13th Generation Intel Core i9 or i7 laptop processors, as well as professional-grade NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation laptop GPUs. These mini PCs are ready to power medical imaging, algorithms, and more, with some of the latest and greatest hardware currently available.

Intel has decided to discontinue its entire 13th Gen Raptor Lake lineup of overclockable "K-series" CPU SKUs. According to an official product change notice, the company will stop accepting orders for chips like the Core i9-13900KS, Core i9-13900K, Core i9-13900KF, Core i7-13700K, Core i7-13700KF, Core i5-13600K, and Core i5-13600KF after May 24th, 2024. Final shipments to vendors are targeted for June 28th. After those dates, availability of the unlocked Raptor Lake processors will rapidly diminish as the remaining inventory gets sold off, possibly at inflated prices due to shortages. This discontinuation comes just over a year after Raptor Lake's launch in late 2022, which delivered additional performance improvements over the previous Alder Lake generation.

Raptor Lake brought higher clocks, more cache, additional efficiency cores, and enough muscle to compete with AMD's Ryzen 7000 CPUs in many workloads. Interestingly, Intel has not yet discontinued Alder Lake, suggesting those 12th-generation chips may still be available for some time. While the death of the overclockable Raptor Lake K-series CPUs is unfortunate for enthusiasts, there is an upside—it paves the way for Intel's current generation Raptor Lake refresh, 14th generation Core processors, to clear inventory before the next-generation processors arrive. The 15th generation "Arrow Lake" Core Ultra 2 series of processors could be teased at the upcoming Computex event in June.

The GEEKOM XT12 Pro, a new mini PC that rocks an incredible Intel Core i9-12900H processor, is now available for pre-orders! The unit with 32 GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and licensed Windows 11 Pro is priced at only $699, making the XT12 Pro arguably the best-bang-for-the-buck i9 powered mini PC ever.

The GEEKOM XT12 Pro employs a uni-body aluminium chassis that measures 117 x 111 x 38.5 mm (0.5 liter). The anodized matte finish gives the mini PC a refreshingly gorgeous look, and the minimalist design makes it DIY customization easy. As small as it is, the XT12 Pro still packs a wide array of I/O, including two full-function 40 Gbps USB4, four USB-A, two HDMI 2.0, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

ASRock proudly announces its new Z790I Lightning WiFi and B760I Lightning WiFi Mini-ITX motherboards. Equipped with a robust 14+1+1 power phase design and an optimized memory layout, these motherboards fully unleash the powerful performance of Intel Core 14th Gen K-series processors. Offering top-tier memory overclocking capabilities for supporting DDR5 8600+ memory modules, they present an excellent choice for gamers and mini-PC enthusiasts seeking the ultimate overclocking performance. The Z790I Lightning WiFi has achieved four overclocking world records on HWBOT.org with the Intel Core i9-14900KS processor. Additionally, the B760I Lightning WiFi received the "Best Motherboard" award at CES 2024 from Tom's Hardware, emphasizing its exceptional design and overclocking capabilities.

ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi and B760I Lightning WiFi motherboards feature a 14+1+1 Phase 110 A SPS Dr.MOS VRM, outperforming competing ITX offerings. ASRock has custom-designed a composite cooling solution for these boards, including enlarged aluminium heatsinks, heat-pipe, and a MOS fan, delivering robust cooling performance to enhance overclocking capabilities. This superior cooling ensures the processors perform at their peak.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced that an international group of elite overclockers has set four world records with an ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore motherboard featuring the new Intel Core i9-14900KS processor. Along with the ASUS overclocking team, overclocking expert Elmor pushed this processor to a dazzling 9117.75 MHz. Safedisk used the same setup to achieve three additional world records: PiFast completed in just 6.79 seconds, SuperPI 1M finished in 3.768 seconds, and PYPrime 32B finished in 97.596 seconds.

The ROG Maximus Z790 Apex motherboard family is the ultimate choice for enthusiasts and overclockers seeking style and power in their gaming setup. The motherboards are built to help the world's most talented overclockers shatter barriers on their way to new records. In the past few years, the ROG Maximus Z790 Apex motherboard was used to push a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900K processor past the 9 GHz barrier for an impressive world record, and the ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore was used to push the 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900KF to 9043.92 MHz.

The highly anticipated AORUS 16X, a brand-new 16-inch AI gaming laptop unveiled by the world's leading computer brand, GIGABYTE, is now available. Powered by the latest Intel Core 14th gen HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series laptop GPU, AORUS 16X sets a new standard for performance. Equipped with GIGABYTE AI Nexus technology, it optimizes power management and gaming performance while enhancing generative AI applications. Boasting patented innovations like the 4-sided Super-slim Bezel design and supporting Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, it creates a cinematic audiovisual experience unparalleled in its class. It holds the TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification and Pantone Validated color accuracy certification, which provide high comfort and confidence for extended use.

The AORUS 16X is powered by the latest Intel Core i9 processor 14900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 dedicated graphics card. With a maximum graphic power of up to 140 W, it provides unmatched performance for gaming and creative tasks. The inclusion of NVIDIA Advanced Optimus technology (DDS) ensures seamless switching between integrated and dedicated graphics for optimal performance. Additionally, the WINDFORCE Infinity Cooling technology features the Icy Touch design and 0dB Cooling, enabling efficient heat dissipat ion during heavy loads, or maintaining a noise-free environment during low loads.

Simply NUC, Inc, a leading custom computing company, proudly announced the expansion of the Onyx product line with Onyx Pro, a revolutionary Mini Workstation designed to cater to diverse computing needs. Powered by the Intel Core i9 vPro "Raptor Lake" 13900H CPU, Intel IRIS Xe integrated graphics, and featuring optional graphics cards such as NVIDIA T1000, Radeon Pro WX 3200, and Intel Arc A40, the Onyx Pro redefines computing in a compact form factor.

"Introducing the Onyx Pro marks a pivotal moment for Simply NUC." said Jonny Smith, CEO of Simply NUC "Powered by Intel Core i9 vPro "Raptor Lake", it's our first product with 10G fiber (x2) and standard quad network ports. With unmatched performance, AI-readiness, and advanced networking, Onyx Pro sets a new standard for compact workstations."

A handful of Canadian online stores were a good source of pre-release "Raptor Lake Refresh" information in 2023—that tradition continues into the new year, with DirectDial publishing Intel Core i9-14900KS CPU specifications. This premature listing was highlighted by momomo_us, everyone's favorite PC hardware sleuth—prior to this week's discovery, they tracked down two Core i9-14900KS packages in France. The upcoming special edition flagship Raptor Lake Refresh SKU is expected to launch midway through next month—DirectDial's product page mentions that the item is a "New Arrival," with its status listed as "backordered." The BX8071514900KS part code also appeared on PC21 France's online store—confirming that both places will be offering Intel's retail packaged version. Canadian customers could be paying CA$1005 (~$740 USD) on launch day—the French leak outed a possible initial price of €768.34 (~$828 USD).

Intel's 14th Gen Core i9-14900KS is a "Tetracosa-core (24-Core) 3.20 GHz Processor" according to the DirectDial listing—basic specifications appeared online earlier in the month, so there are no big surprises here: 36 MB L3 Cache, 32 MB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processing, 6.2 GHz Overclocking Speed, Socket LGA-1700 and an Intel UHD 770 integrated graphics solution. The i9-14900KS's Thermal Design Power (TDP) max. spec is listed as 150 W, while its Thermal Specification is set at a maximum of 212°F (100°C). A mid-February HKEPC report put the spotlight on leaked OCCT results—the test unit was tracked with a 409 W maximum package power draw at stock speeds—the processor's PL2 power limit was unlocked via BIOS tweaks. High-end PC enthusiasts expected to Team Blue to unveil the selectively-binned special edition SKU at CES 2024—based on past traditions—but their Core i9-14900KS remained under wraps. We hope to see an official unveiling in March.

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, in collaboration with ASUS ROG and Intel, celebrates a monumental achievement of setting a new SuperPi-32M overclocking world record at an astonishing 2 min 59 sec 919 ms, marking the first time this benchmark category was achieved in under 3 minutes. This amazing world record was achieved by SAFEDISK, the legendary South Korean extreme overclocker, using G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 memory, ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore motherboard, and Intel Core i9-14900KF desktop processor under liquid nitrogen cooling, demonstrating the bleeding edge of hardware performance of the latest computing hardware. For more information, visit the validation page on hwbot.org.

Overclocking Milestone Unlocked - SuperPi-32M at 2 min 59 sec 919 ms
SuperPi-32M is one of the most popular benchmarks for CPU and memory overclockers, and this extreme overclocking milestone commemorates the first time a score of under 3 minutes was achieved. Using liquid nitrogen extreme cooling, SAFEDISK lowered the CPU temperature as low as -188°C to reach a remarkable 8449.2 MHz and the G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 memory as low as -60°C to reach DDR5-9052 with 32-48-45-36 timings on an ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore motherboard. This expertly configured setup and operation under extreme conditions gives testament to the breathtaking technical performance of modern computer systems.

Intel's Core i9-14900T processor was "officially" released last month alongside an expanded population of "Raptor Lake Refresh" products—the T-class alternative to Team Blue's flagship desktop Core i9-14900 CPU is a less glamorous prospect, hence almost zero press coverage and tech reviews. Its apparent lack of visibility is not helped by non-existent availability at retail, despite inclusion in Team Blue's second wave of 14th Generation Core processors (Marketing Status = Launched). The Core i9-14900 (non-K) is readily obtainable around the globe, as a lower-power alternative to the ever greedy Core i9-14900K, but their T-class SKU sibling takes frugality to another level. TPU's resident CPU tester, W1zzard, implemented six distinct power limit settings during a i9-14900K supplemental experiment, with the lowest being 35 W—coincidentally, matching the i9-14900T's default base power.

His simulated findings were not encouraging, to say the least, but late last week BenchLeaks noticed that a lone test system had gauged the T-class part's efficiency-oriented processing prowess. Geekbench 6.2.2 results were generated by an ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 build (with 64 GB of 5586 MT/s DDR5 SDRAM)—scoring 3019 in the overall single-core category, and 16385 in multi-core stakes. The latter score indicates a 22% performance penalty when referenced against Tom Hardware's Geekbenched i9-14900K sample. The publication reckons that these figures place Intel's Core i9-14900T CPU in good company—notably AMD's Ryzen 9 7900 processor, one of the company's trio of 65 W "non-X" SKUs. Last March, W1zzard was suitably impressed by his review sample's "fantastic energy efficiency"—the Geekbench 6 official scoreboard awards it 2823 (single-core) and 16750 (multi-core) based on aggregated data from multiple submissions.

Eurocom, a leading manufacturer of high-performance laptops, has announced the release of two new models: the Raptor X17 and Nightsky RX415 with up to 96 GB of DDR5 memory. Both laptops are powered by the latest 14th generation Intel Core i7 14900HX CPU and now support 96 GB of DDR5 memory (2x 48 GB). The Raptor X17 is equipped with a 17.3-inch 240 Hz display, while the Nightsky RX415 features a 15.6-inch UHD OLED display. These laptops are designed to deliver exceptional performance and speed for gaming, content creation, and other demanding applications.

"While 96 GB of DDR5 memory may be considered overkill for certain use cases, it can deliver tangible benefits for professionals engaged in video editing, rendering, multitasking, virtualization, and other memory-intensive workloads. We are excited to be able to offer this option to our customers in the Nightsky RX415 and Raptor X17 high performance laptops as we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible inside a laptop form factor." Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.

ASUS today announced the full 2024 ExpertCenter series lineup at CES 2024. These desktops feature chassis updates for a sleeker look and a small-form-factor (SFF) design that's about 10% more compact than its predecessor, so they're ideal for small workspaces. The redesigned tool-free release mechanism makes it easier than ever to reconfigure or update components. Plus, the chassis are sustainably built and stringently tested to ensure military-grade toughness and durability.

Powered by the latest Intel Core i9 14th Gen CPUs and up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory, ExpertCenter desktops offer exceptional performance to cater to any organization, ranging from small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to Fortune 500 companies. Each model includes an exclusive suite of ASUS software to ensure enterprise-grade security and manageability to protect vital business data and information.

At CES 2024, Razer has updated its Blade laptop family spanning across various sizes, and even got a chance to present a "world's first" feature in a gaming product. The star of the Razer booth is the company's flagship Blade 16 laptop, which now supports 240 Hz refresh rate in its 16-inch OLED display format. Being the first to get there, Razer offers a high refresh rate at 2560 x 1600 QHD+ resolution. In addition to 0.2 ms response time and DCI-P3 100% color gamut, the display had VESA ClearMR 11000 and DisplayHDR True Black 500 certifications. At the center of the laptop is the 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with 175 Watt TGP. Pricing starts at $2999 for lower-end configurations and is available now.

Acer unleashes a series of powerhouse gaming laptops, headlined by the refreshed models of the Predator Helios 18 and Predator Helios 16. Acer also announced the new Predator Helios Neo 18 gaming laptop and major updates to the Predator Helios Neo 16, all outfitted with the latest Intel Core 14th gen processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series Laptop GPUs with DLSS 3.5 technology and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus. NVIDIA RTX Laptop GPUs are packed with specialized AI Tensor Cores enabling unmatched AI performance and accelerations in creative apps, ultra-efficient productivity, blistering fast gaming, and more. The Predator laptops feature Microsoft's Copilot in Windows 11 and a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to AI-powered task assistance. They also come with one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving gamers access to hundreds of high-quality PC games.

Gamers seeking a competitive edge will be thrilled with the Predator Helios 18 and Predator Helios 16 laptops as they come with options for captivating Mini LED panels, MagKey 3.0 swappable mechanical switch for shorter key travel and response time, and lightning-fast network speeds with Wi-Fi 7 compatibility.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the 2024 Strix family of laptops, including the Strix SCAR 18, the first 18-inch ROG laptop equipped with the mini LED ROG Nebula HDR Display. As the vanguard of gaming laptops, all 2024 Strix machines feature the latest flagship Intel Core i9 processor 14900HX, with the Strix SCAR 16 and SCAR 18 sporting up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with 175 W max TGP. Paired with a complete suite of the latest intelligent cooling improvements, including Tri-Fan technology and Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on both the CPU and GPU, the 2024 Strix family of laptops has arrived to dominate the competition.

Brilliant detail
This year marks the introduction of the first ROG 18-inch display powered by Mini LED technology. HDR content and games have arrived on the big screen with the arrival of the 2024 Strix SCAR 18, with its Nebula HDR Display boasting over 2000 discrete dimming zones and 1100 nits of peak brightness. On an 18-inch panel, this dimming zone density coupled with the ROG Nebula HDR Engine minimizes blooming and haloing even in challenging scenes, giving the Strix SCAR 18 incredibly vivid HDR performance.

Intel today announced the release of its 14th Gen Core HX series "Raptor Lake Refresh" mobile processors. Processor models from this series are supposed to cap off the upper end of Intel's mobile processor portfolio. Although Intel released the Core Ultra "Meteor Lake" mobile processors late last year, those chips cover the U-segment, and H-segment (ultraportable, thin-and-light, and mainstream); with the fastest model being the Core Ultra 165H, which caps out at 6P+8E+2LP. The HX segment, which started out as enthusiast-class, broadened in scope over the years to cover the bulky gaming notebooks and portable workstations. These chips typically have a power rating of 55 W. All chips have maximum turbo power rating of 157 W. Intel is tapping into its "Raptor Lake Refresh" silicon to carve out these processors. This is a monolithic chip built on the Intel 7 process, and its package is a multi-chip module with an on-package PCH.

The lineup begins with the Core i9-14900HX, which maxes out the "Raptor Lake Refresh" silicon, with an 8P+16E core-count, with 2 MB of L2 cache per P-core, 4 MB of L2 cache per E-core cluster, and a shared 36 MB L3 cache. The processor's full I/O is wired out, including support for dual-channel DDR5 (SO-DIMMs only), a PCI-Express 5.0 x16 connection for discrete GPUs, a PCI-Express 4.0 x4 connection for a CPU-attached M.2 NVMe SSD, and DMI 4.0 x8 link between the processor die and the PCH die. This PCH puts out up to 16 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, besides up to 12 Gen 3 lanes, which notebook designers can combine with discrete Thunderbolt 4 controllers, and the likes. You can expect Wi-Fi 7 to be prevalent in this crop of premium gaming notebooks. The i9-14900HX features a P-core maximum boost frequency of 5.80 GHz, and an E-core boost frequency of 4.10 GHz.