TerraMaster, a trusted leader in innovative storage solutions, proudly introduces the D4-320U, a compact 1U 4-bay direct-attached storage (DAS) enclosure
designed for small offices, home users, and IT environments. Combining a space-saving rackmount design, massive 88 TB storage capacity, and lightning-fast 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance, the D4-320U delivers unmatched versatility and efficiency for modern data demands.

D4-320U Key Features
Compact Design for Seamless Deployment
The D4-320U redefines convenience with its miniaturized 1U rackmount form factor. Measuring just 241 mm (9.49 inches) in depth, 50% shorter than traditional chassis and weighing 3.2 kg, this sleek enclosure fits effortlessly into standard server racks without the need for rails, simplifying installation. Its space-efficient design maximizes room utilization in data centers, storage closets, stairwells, or offices, making it an ideal choice for small businesses and SOHO users seeking centralized storage solutions.

Infortrend Technology, Inc., the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, today announced the launch of its first NVMe all-flash expansion enclosure, or JBOF ("Just a Bunch of Flash") - the JB 4000U model. This new product provides an excellent storage expansion option for applications such as AI, Media & Entertainment (M&E), and Backup, where fast data access and large capacity are crucial.

Designed as a scalability solution for high-performance EonStor GS U.2 NVMe unified storage systems, the JB 4000U all-flash expansion enclosure features a 2U form factor, supporting up to 24 U.2 NVMe SSDs in a single appliance. In a dual-controller configuration, it delivers an impressive throughput of up to 24 GB/s, approximately 50% higher than that of the Infortrend's highest-performance SAS SSD expansion enclosure. JBOF offers superior performance at a lower cost compared to expansion enclosures supporting SAS SSDs, as U.2 NVMe SSDs are generally more affordable. Users can expand storage capacity with the JB 4000U, offering up to 1.47PB in a single unit. Adding up to three JBOFs can further increase the capacity to 4.4PB.

The ICY DOCK CP146 is a revolutionary mobile rack that transforms unused PCIe panel space into high-speed removable M.2 NVMe SSD bay (2230/2242/2260/2280). Unlike traditional PCIe adapters, the CP146 allows users to install M.2 NVMe SSDs without occupying any PCIe slots. Many modern system chassis include PCIe panel areas with no corresponding PCIe slots underneath—perfect for upgrading with the CP146.

With its SlimSAS 4i interface, the CP146 supports PCIe 4.0 x4 bandwidth, delivering up to 64 Gbps transfer speeds. The tool-free removable SSD tray streamlines SSD installation and replacement, making it ideal for users who prioritize both functionality and convenience.

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading innovator in computing, networking, and storage solutions, has unveiled the TS-h1277AFX, a 12-bay tower all-flash NAS designed to meet the rigorous demands of multimedia production and virtualization. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 9000 Series processor, the TS-h1277AFX can be upgraded to 25GbE via expansion cards for high-speed data access. Combining exceptional performance and capacity, it serves as a centralized hub for storage, backup, and disaster recovery, making it an ideal choice for dynamic and collaborative work environments.

"All-flash NAS solutions are crucial for media professionals," said Alex Shih, Product Manager of QNAP, adding "the TS-h1277AFX delivers low-latency, multi-user access that optimizes collaboration workflows. It provides an excellent price-to-performance ratio for creative teams, enabling seamless 4K/8K media transfers, real-time editing, and secure file management."

Montage Technology today announced the mass production of its I/O expansion device for the new-generation CPU platforms—the I/O Hub (IOH) chip M88IO3020. This product is specifically designed for Intel's Birch Stream platform, aiming to provide a highly integrated and flexible I/O expansion solution for applications such as cloud computing, big data, and enterprise storage.

Montage's IOH chip establishes connectivity with Intel's latest Granite Rapids processors via the PCIe bus, achieving a maximum bandwidth of 64 Gbps. The chip features configurable high-speed interfaces including PCIe, SATA, and USB to meet diverse application requirements.

F.E.A.R. Platinum—featuring the base game and both expansions—will be available as part of the GOG Preservation Program by next month. Originally scheduled for a later timeframe, we've decided to accelerate this release to properly recognize Monolith's contributions to gaming.

At GOG, we believe in celebrating the creative minds that have shaped gaming history. Monolith Productions has given players some of the most unforgettable experiences, blending groundbreaking gameplay with rich storytelling. To honor their legacy, we're proud to announce that F.E.A.R. Platinum will be joining the GOG Preservation Program—and sooner than planned, with other Monolith icons to join eventually as well. And this is just the beginning. Stay tuned; we have even more news to share about the GOG Preservation Program!

Today, we introduced the Framework Desktop, a tiny 4.5L Mini-ITX desktop powered by AMD's massive new Ryzen AI Max processors. Pre-orders are open now, with first shipments in early Q3 2025. When AMD shared the Ryzen AI Max with us, we immediately knew we had to use it. It has up to 16 CPU cores at 5.1 GHz boost clock, discrete-level Radeon 8060S graphics, and support for up to an insane 128 GB of unified LPDDR5x. That enables 1440p or higher gaming on the heaviest titles, big creative and workstation workloads, and true local AI use cases. This is an absolute monster of a processor, and we shifted our roadmap a year ago to make space for it. In a desktop form factor, we get to unlock every bit of its performance with 120 W sustained power and 140 W boost while staying quiet and cool.

You may still be wondering, why does Framework need to build a desktop? Aren't desktops already modular and upgradeable? They are. In fact, the desktop PC ethos is part of what inspired the Framework Laptop to begin with. The desktop world is amazing. There is a broad, long-lived, interoperable ecosystem with hundreds of brands and hundreds of millions of consumers participating. You can build, upgrade, repair, and personalize to the limits of your imagination (and budget, and desk space), and share your amazing creations with all of the other true believers. We want to make this space as accessible as we possibly can by building a desktop that is simultaneously small and simple and incredibly powerful and customizable. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the culture around PCs and PC gaming first-hand.

Martians have been visiting Earth for decades, abducting animals and humans and harvesting their atomic essence to create bizarre Martian-creature hybrids. This time they're here to claim our planet. In this turn-based strategy game, an unlikely group of commanders will lead Earth's military as they face an overwhelming Martian invasion. Fight high-tech saucers, grav-tanks and elite alien warriors in a battle for the planet's survival. Your secret weapon is the "Splice-O-Tron." With it, you can combine human "volunteers" with animals to create powerful hybrid super soldiers to fight alongside Earth's regular military.

Rain acid from the skies with the fast-moving cheetah-fly. Charge through enemy lines with devastating human-rhino hybrids. Or strike from the forests with your deadly squirrel-cow infantry. As the campaign progresses, you'll unlock new types of creatures, powerful unit upgrades and game-changing commander abilities. But as your army evolves, so will your enemy's, and you'll face everything from the sentient organic weapon known only as "The Creep" to the Martian's own mutant creations.

Japan's Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun newspaper believes that Rapidus will be installing a grand total of ten "extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure tools" at two cutting-edge semiconductor production sites. Government subsidies have assisted in boosting Japan's semiconductor industry to new highs—Rapidus is reportedly catching up with the likes of TSMC. Its 2 nm-class process node could be up and running by 2027, at the currently under-construction Innovative Integration for Manufacturing One (IIM-1) facility. This location welcomed its first ASML NXE:3800E EUV lithography machine last December—this occasion marked the debut deployment of said technology in Japan.

The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun report cites statements made by Rapidus CEO, Atsuyoshi Koike—according to the boss, ten new machines will be distributed across two fabrication facilities: at the aforementioned IIM-1, as well as IIM-2. The second location is expected to come online not long after the completion of IIM-1. It is not clear whether the foundries will be installing more examples of ASML's NXE:3800E model, and an exact timeframe was not disclosed. An older Nikkei article suggests that a trial run—utilizing 2 nm generation gate-all-around (GAA) technology—will begin around April (2025) at the primary Rapidus fab. A theorized schedule proposes that initial samples are due for shipment to Broadcom (in the USA) by mid-year.

The semiconductor industry is expected to start 18 new fab construction projects in 2025, according to SEMI's latest quarterly World Fab Forecast report. The new projects include three 200 mm and fifteen 300 mm facilities, the majority of which are expected to begin operations from 2026 to 2027.

In 2025, the Americas and Japan are the leading regions with four projects each. The China and Europe & Middle East regions are each tied for third place with three planned construction projects. Taiwan has two planned projects, while Korea and Southeast Asia have one project each for 2025.

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.

Framework, the company known for making consumer-friendly, repairable, upgradeable laptops, has officially announced the first expansion bay for the Framework 16, its AMD-powered gaming laptop. The new storage module, which slots into the Expansion Bay, has dual M.2 slots for up to 16 TB total additional storage for the Framework 16. Part of the idea behind the storage expansion seems to be turning what is essentially a gaming laptop into a capable workstation. Crucially, upgrading the storage with the expansion bay requires removing the discrete Radeon 7700s GPU, although the Framework 16 already has dual M.2 slots on the motherboard, so this expansion isn't really intended for gamers, anyway.

One of the major selling points for the Framework 16 was that it offered PCIe expansion via a modular interface, and this is Framework's first real foray into expanding that ecosystem for its largest laptop. In addition to the storage expansion, Framework also announced a new Mystery Box system for its US and Canada Outlets to offload spare parts, like returned modules and components that it doesn't want to relegate to the e-waste pile but also cannot financially justify sorting through and refurbishing. These Mystery Boxes each contain at least three items and come with a warning that reads "Note that these don't come with a warranty and are non-returnable, so only get it if you want random scrap to play with!"

On the morning of the launch of Warframe 1999, the ambitious 90s-themed update and story expansion for sci-fi-fantasy looter-shooter Warframe, Digital Extremes published the update notes for Warframe 1999, which launched in the morning of December 13. Warframe 1999 introduces a new tile-set, called Höllvania, alongside its companion cinematic quest, which will send players back in time to discover the Protoframes and help find the Protoframe creator, Albrecht Entrati. Players will form part of an underground resistance team alongside the Protoframes, although players will not play as the Protoframes or even their own Warframes in 1999. Instead, players will travel to Höllvania and complete the new Hex quest as Drifter. Höllvania has its own seasons, and players will enter the new area in winter.

The update also adds new quests and mission types in the new map, which see players hunt down and stop the Techrot and Scaldra in a number of classic Warframe game modes, including assassination, exterminate, and Warframe's first PvPvE mode. Along with the new game modes, there is also a new Warframe—appropriately called Cyte-09, sticking with the 90s theme—who looks to be something of an all-rounder, thanks to his abilities. Cyte-09 also drops with his own signature rifle, the Reconifex, which applies a heat effect and reload speed buff on timed reloads, and the Vesper77 secondary, which appears to be a critical-based sidearm that highlights weak points when aiming down the sights. There are also a number of changes coming to Warframe's core gameplay, including the introduction of the Atomicycle motorcycle, which will be available for all open maps, and the long-awaited Nyx and Trinity reworks. Find out more about the more minor changes in the full Warframe 1999 patch notes.

Valve's headquarters is cooking something big, as the company has unveiled new branding guidelines for "Powered by SteamOS" as it prepares to expand SteamOS support for third-party handhelds and PCs. The branding guidelines include various cases. First in line is for games, which can carry a "Steam" logotype, showing that the game is available and runs on Steam. Next up is the "Steam Included" logo, which officially certifies that a hardware product comes with the Steam client pre-installed. To display this logo, manufacturers must comply with Valve's Steam Client Distribution Agreement and integrate the Steam client in its approved form—either as a bootloader or fully compiled software. What we are most interested in is the "Powered by SteamOS" logo, which certifies that a hardware device runs SteamOS as its primary operating system and launches directly into SteamOS when powered on, requiring hardware manufacturers and partners to use the official Steam system image either provided directly by Valve or developed in close partnership with Valve.

The "Steam Compatible" logo certifies that a third-party input peripheral has been reviewed by Valve and meets their established compatibility criteria for use with Steam on PCs, with manufacturers receiving licensing rights after Valve's verification of the device's implementation. Finally, the "Steam Play Here" logo identifies brick-and-mortar establishments with access to Steam games through the Steam PC Café Server, including commercial PC cafés, university computer labs, libraries, and trade shows, allowing these locations to promote their Steam gaming capabilities through window displays and interior signage, with all participating venues required to operate under the official Steam PC Café system guidelines.

ORICO, an industry-leading brand in data storage solutions, proudly announced MiniMate, an external SSD for Mac mini 2024. It is set to revolutionize the storage
experience for Mac mini users, especially for graphic designers, video editors, creators and influencers.

Easy-to-Get Storage Expansion Solution
MiniMate offers many nice capacity options ranging from 512 GB to 8 TB. This is an optimal choice for those who prefer Mac mini's base model at a premium price, and desire a flexible and scalable storage expansion for lots of inspiration. As creative professionals, content creators, and businesses continue to generate more data, MiniMate dramatically overcomes capacity limitations and enhances their productivity.

AEWIN is glad to launch our new member of AEWIN Network Expansion Modules, the NCT401. Built upon Intel XL710-BM1 LAN Controller and Intel X557-AT4 PHY, it provides quad port 10GbE RJ45 with two pairs of Gen 3 bypass. It is with AEWIN standard Expansion Module form factor of PCIe x8 connection. The front-access design makes NCT401 easy to maintain/service and it is compatible with various kinds of AEWIN existing Network Appliances providing great flexibility to tailor specific configurations for target workload effortlessly.

DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit) is supported to improve package forwarding for better efficiency. Along with implementing DPDK, Dynamic Device Personalization (DDP) enables programmable packet-processing pipeline which is optimized for specific workloads on demand. With these features, performance for network edge workloads can be enhanced which is perfect for solutions of Communications, Cloud and Networking.

ASRock, a global leader in motherboards, graphics cards, gaming monitors, and small form factor PCs, proudly announces the release of the Mars RPL Series mini PC. This series offers two models, one powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U processor and the other by the 12th Gen Intel Celeron 7305 processor. These compact yet powerful PCs are designed to cater to various user needs, delivering high-performance computing in a sleek, space-saving form factor suitable for a wide range of applications.

Exceptional Performance with Energy Efficiency
ASRock's Mars RPL series introduces two models, powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U processor and the 12th Gen Intel Celeron 7305 processor, respectively, designed to meet the diverse needs of modern users. Both models combine high performance with energy efficiency, making them ideal for a wide range of applications, including everyday office tasks, multimedia editing, and complex computational workloads. With exceptional multitasking capabilities and low power consumption, the Mars RPL series sets a new standard for compact and efficient computing solutions.

AEWIN is glad to introduce our latest storage adapter cards, RS110A and RS118A. Each card has two hot-swappable E1.S trays while RS110A in a Standard PCIe x8 FHHL form factor and RS118A is in AEWIN Expansion Module form factor. RS118A can be installed in current AEWIN platforms with AEWIN expansion module bays while RS110A is suitable for platforms with standard PCIe slots for flexible storage expansion. With RS110A and RS118A, two E1.S NVMe SSDs with Maximum 9.5 mm and 15 mm height can be applied to existing systems for excellent scalability.

Market researchers have reported that the E1.S form factor is projected to become the most widely adopted small form factor for enterprise SSDs of data center in the coming years. E1.S NVMe storage features better thermal management solutions and can utilize bigger power consumption of 20 W which can overcome the scaling issue that M.2 is having. In addition, E1.S storage has hot-swappable features to minimize downtime and perform easier maintenance for replacement or capacity upgrade of the servers.

In an era where data has become a core asset for modern enterprises, TerraMaster, a global leader in data storage and management solutions, has announced the official launch of five high-performance integrated backup servers: T9-500 Pro, T12-500 Pro, U4-500, U8-500 Plus, and U12-500 Plus. This product release not only enriches TerraMaster enterprise-level product line but also provides enterprise users with an integrated, efficient, and secure data backup solution - from hardware to software - by pairing these devices with the company proprietary BBS Business Backup Suite.

Key Features of the New Integrated Backup Servers

• T9-500 Pro & T12-500 Pro: As new members of TerraMaster high-end series, these products feature compact designs and are easy to manage. With powerful processors, large memory capacities, and dual 10GbE network interfaces, they ensure high-efficiency data backup tasks, catering to the large-scale data storage and backup needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.
• U4-500: Designed for SOHO, small offices, and remote work scenarios, the U4-500 features a compact 4-bay design and convenient network connectivity, making it an ideal data backup solution. Its user-friendly management interface allows for easy deployment and maintenance.
• U8-500 Plus & U12-500 Plus: These two rackmount 8-bay and 12-bay upgraded models feature fully optimized designs, high-performance processors, and standard dual 10GbE high-speed interfaces. They not only improve data processing speeds but also enhance data security, making them particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises that need to handle large volumes of data backup and recovery.

Cervoz, a global leader in industrial-grade modules, proudly introduces its latest PCIe low-profile USB 3.2 expansion series—the MEC-USB-PL. Purpose-built to meet the rapidly growing demands for industrial connectivity, the MEC-USB-PL series is designed to offer unmatched flexibility and scalability, supporting up to 8 ports per card with both USB Type-A and Type-C connectors. The series delivers a robust and future-proof solution for a wide range of industrial applications, enabling seamless integration into modern, data-intensive operations.

Engineered for Industrial Performance and Reliability
The MEC-USB-PL series combines high port density with versatile configurations. Available in both 4-port and 8-port configurations, it allows industrial users to optimize connectivity setups based on specific needs. The 4-port model (MEC-USB-PL004) is ideal for applications needing focused, high-speed data transfer across devices, while the 8-port models (MEC-USB-PL008 and MEC-USB-PL008C) offer extensive connectivity. The MEC-USB-PL008C's mixed supporting of USB Type-A and Type-C enables compatibility across both legacy and modern devices.

Intel has plans to expands its chip packaging and testing operations in Chengdu, China. The company will put $300 million into Intel Products (Chengdu), as stated in a WeChat post by Chengdu's Reform and Development Commission, and reported by TrendForce. Intel announced its Chengdu plant in August 2003 as a semiconductor chip packaging and testing facility in the Chengdu Hi-Tech West Zone. The first phase began in February 2004 with the construction of a chipset factory, which was completed and put into production by the end of 2005. The second phase commenced in August 2005 and was completed in October 2006. By 2007, the packaging and testing facility was fully operational, handling Intel's most advanced processors.

Since its launch in 2003, Intel's Chengdu plant has handled over half of the packaging and testing for Intel's laptop processors. Even with rising US-China tensions, China remains Intel's biggest market making up 27 percent of its total income last year. The announced expansion will increase the packaging and testing ability of server chips and will add a new "customer solutions center." This center aims to make the supply chain more effective, give more support to Chinese customers, and speed up response times. Intel's Chengdu site plays a key role in the company's global supply chain, benefiting from the area's "favorable" business climate, CEO Patrick Gelsinger said during his visit last year.

TSMC announced that its revenue for September 2024 reached NT$251.87 billion (US$7.80 billion), representing a 39% increase compared to the same month last year. The cumulative revenue for the first three quarters of 2024 climbed to NT$2,025.85 billion (US$62.72 billion), showing a 32% year-over-year growth. The company's third-quarter revenue amounted to NT$759.7 billion (US$23.52 billion), exceeding TSMC's own guidance of NT$706.6 billion to NT$731.5 billion (US$22.4 billion to US$23.2 billion). TSMC will report full third-quarter earnings on Oct. 17.

A report from Data Center Dynamics quotes sources saying that, due to increasing demand from NVIDIA and others, TSMC has been forced to change its CoWoS capacity expansion plan several times. In response, TSMC is building two more fabs, named P4 and P5, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, raising the company's total number of facilities in the region to five. Four months ago, the company announced that it would build a third 2 nm fab at Nanzih Technology Industrial Park in Kaohsiung. The company's P1 fab, which started in August 2022, is expected to begin mass production next year, while P2 and P3 are still in the construction phase. TSMC's CoWoS monthly capacity is expected to reach more than 40,000 wafers by the end of 2024, 65,000 wafers in 2025, and at least 80,000 wafers in 2026.

Starfield's Shattered Space DLC launched on September 30, and it was meant to address many of the base game's major issues, with a more hand-crafted feel, more intimate encounters, and a more narrative-driven gameplay experience. Instead, Steam gamers and critics alike have lambasted the expansion online for boring and underwhelming, repetitive gameplay, calling it "more Starfield," essentially repeating the story of Starfield's initial launch. At the time of writing, the Shattered Space DLC has 1,601 reviews on Steam, with only just over 34% of those reviews rating the expansion positively—placing it squarely in the "Mostly Negative" category on Steam.

Likely the biggest disappointment when it comes to Shattered Space's poor reception is that the Starfield player base actually seemed quite optimistic about the expansion, thanks to previous gameplay and interviews about the intention behind the expansion. Critically, however, Starfield developer, Bethesda, deliberately didn't send out game keys to the press for review prior to the launch of the game, so there was no real way for players to know whether they would enjoy the $29.99 expansion before buying it.

Digital Extremes's free-to-play third-person looter-shooter, Warframe, has changed radically over the years, serving as something of a golden example of how to do live-service games. The developer also shows no sign of slowing that progress, with the game's upcoming Warframe 1999 and Koumei & the Five Fates updates looking to introduce a slew of new content and gameplay updates. While both updates were previously announced, Digital Extremes revealed additional details about the rollout of the updates and their content at the Tokyo Game Show.

For starters, Digital Extremes announced that Warframe 1999—the 90s- and cyberpunk-themed story update—will be getting a playable demo on October 16, with an in-game cosmetic reward for players that try out the demo, to boot. The Koumei & the Five Fates update is slated to land on October 2 and deliver a new playable Warframe, Koumei, and a new Shrine Defense game mode with enemies inspired by Japanese folklore. There are also quality-of-life changes, new weapons, and weapon and Warframe mods coming in the same update, and an old Warframe will get a drastic rework and be available as a free login reward between October 3 and 16.

MSI unveils the X870E and X870 motherboards, designed to harness the full power of AMD's Ryzen 9000 Series desktop processors. The lineup includes four models: MEG X870E GODLIKE, MPG X870E CARBON WIFI, MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI, and PRO X870-P WIFI. These motherboards deliver exceptional value and performance with cutting-edge features and exclusive MSI innovations. Offering top components, innovative features, and easy DIY options, MSI's X870E and X870 motherboards make building and using your PC seamless.

Introducing MSI's Ultra Connect feature in the X870E and X870 motherboards, offering next-gen networking, storage, and expansion. With built-in 5G LAN and Wi-Fi 7, users can enjoy lightning-fast speeds, reaching up to 5.8 Gbps. As well as TriLink Connectivity, Expansion is made to future-proof with PCIe Gen 5.0 for next-gen graphics cards and SSDs. The USB4 ports, which are Thunderbolt compatible, enable fast data transfers and support a wide range of next-gen devices, including display output through USB-C.