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Intel Working on Fixing "Arrow Lake" Gaming Performance with Upcoming Patches

In an exclusive interview with Hot Hardware, Intel acknowledged that its recently launched Core Ultra 200 desktop processors, codenamed "Arrow Lake," have significant performance issues. However, Intel announced that a set of fixes are being developed. As our review confirmed, the launch of these new processors fell short of both consumer expectations and Intel's own projections, particularly in gaming performance, despite showing promise in productivity, content creation, and some AI workloads. In a discussion during a recent livestream, Intel's Robert Hallock, VP and general manager of client AI and technical marketing, addressed these concerns head-on, describing the Arrow Lake launch as "disastrous" and attributing the underwhelming performance to inadequately optimized systems.
Robert HallockI can't go into all the details yet, but we identified a series of multifactor issues at the OS level, at the BIOS level, and I will say that the performance we saw in reviews is not what we expected and not what we intended. The launch just didn't go as planned. That has been a humbling lesson for all of us, inspiring a fairly large response internally to get to the bottom of what happened and to fix it.

AMD Falling Behind: Radeon dGPUs Absent from Steam's Top 20

As we entered November, Valve just finished processing data for October in its monthly update of Steam Hardware and Software Survey, showcasing trend changes in the largest gaming community. And according to October data, AMD's discrete GPUs are not exactly in the best place. In the top 20 most commonly used GPUs, not a single discrete SKU was based on AMD. All of them included NVIDIA as their primary GPU choice. However, there is some change to AMD's entries, as the Radeon RX 580, which used to be the most popular AMD GPU, just got bested by the Radeon RX 6600 as the most common choice for AMD gamers. The AMD Radeon RX 6600 now holds 0.98% of the GPU market.

NVIDIA's situation paints a different picture, as the top 20 spots are all occupied by NVIDIA-powered gamers. The GeForce RTX 3060 remains the most popular GPU at 7.46% of the GPU market, but the number two spot is now held by the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU at 5.61%. This is an interesting change since this NVIDIA GPU was in third place, right behind the regular GeForce RTX 4060 for desktops. However, laptop gamers are in abundance, and they are showing their strength, placing the desktop GeForce RTX 4060 in third place, recording 5.25% usage.

StreamUnlimited in Partnership with Realtek Launched Stream210 Embedded Hardware Module for Audio Streaming

The Ameba RTL8730E was selected as the core of the new module as it fulfills the high demands of technically complex products while offering leading-edge size, power consumption and cost. Realtek Product Line Manager for IoT, Angus Hsu, said: "We are thrilled to be able to work with StreamUnlimited, a professional leader in the audio industry with a strong design capability, innovative thinking and wide market coverage across a range of segments ideally suited to our RTL8730E product."

StreamUnlimited, the innovative leader in embedded audio software and hardware solutions, supports customers through product development, certification, launch and long-term maintenance of products based on the same StreamSDK software stack. Markus Rutz, StreamUnlimited CTO, said: "We are delighted to work with Realtek for our Stream210 module, which complements our diverse family of certified modules, providing product managers across a wide variety of market sectors with the tools to be innovative, disruptive and ambitious when it comes to creating complete product families with StreamUnlimited."

Intel Clearwater Forest Pictured, First 18A Node High Volume Product

Yesterday, Intel launched its Xeon 6 family of server processors based on P-cores manufactured on Intel 3 node. While the early reviews seem promising, Intel is preparing a more advanced generation of processors that will make or break its product and foundry leadership. Codenamed "Clearwater Forest," these CPUs are expected to be the first high-volume production chips based on the Intel 18A node. We have pictures of the five-tile Clearwater Forest processor thanks to Tom's Hardware. During the Enterprise Tech Tour event in Portland, Oregon, Tom's Hardware managed to take a picture of the complex Clearwater Forest design. With compute logic built on 18A, this CPU uses Intel's 3-T process technology, which serves as the foundation for the base die, marking its debut in this role. Compute dies are stacked on this base die, making the CPU building more complex but more flexible.

The Foveros Direct 3D and EMIB technologies enable large-scale integration on a package, achieving capabilities that previous monolithic single-chip designs could not deliver. Other technologies like RibbonFET and PowerVia will also be present for Clearwater Forest. If everything continues to advance according to plan, we expect to see this next-generation CPU sometime next year. However, it is crucial to note that if this CPU shows that the high-volume production of Intel 18A is viable, many Intel Foundry customers would be reassured that Intel can compete with TSMC and Samsung in producing high-performance silicon on advanced nodes at scale.

MSI's Introduces New Server Platforms with Intel Xeon 6 Processor Featuring P-Cores

MSI, a leading global server provider, today introduced its latest server platforms, powered by Intel Xeon 6 processor with Performance Cores (P-cores). These new products deliver unprecedented performance for compute-intensive tasks, tailored to meet the diverse demands of data center workloads.

"The demand for data center performance has never been greater, driven by compute-intensive AI, HPC applications, and mission-critical database and analytics workloads," said Danny Hsu, General Manager of Enterprise Platform Solutions. "To meet these demands, IT teams need reliable performance across an increasingly diverse array of workloads." MSI's new server platforms, powered by Intel Xeon 6 processors, deliver high performance across a broad range of tasks, meeting diverse requirements for both performance and efficiency.

ESS Technology Introduces Industry's First High Performance 8-Channel SMART DAC

ESS Technology, Inc., the industry leader in audio semiconductor devices, today announces two 8-channel DACs with integrated line drivers with exceptional performance. The incorporated ESS patented Hyperstream IV architecture provides the listener with the legendary SABRE sound quality with improved audio performance and a refined and enjoyable listening experience.

The ES9082 SMART DAC and ES9081 DAC are ESS' next generation devices that deliver a True DNR of +120dB and -108dB THD+N with 2VRMS line driver for each of the 8 channels allowing for an amazing audio experience while reducing the Bill-Of-Material (BOM). Channels can be summed to improve performance in an application requiring fewer channels. A 2-channel differential configuration can achieve up to +127dB DNR with a 4VRMS output. ESS' True DNR performance does not rely on Dynamic Range Enhancement (DRE) technology that shows higher DNR but is known to cause pop noise in some applications.

AMD Confirms FidelityFX Super Resolution 4.0 will be AI-powered, Focused on Efficiency

According to Tom's Hardware, AMD has confirmed that its upcoming FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4.0) graphics upscaling solution will harness the power of AI for frame generation and frame interpolation. This update marks a significant shift from the company's previous analytical-based approaches, as revealed by Jack Huynh, AMD's senior vice president and general manager of the Computing and Graphics Business Group. Initially, FSR4's primary focus is addressing the persistent challenge of battery life in handheld gaming devices. Huynh emphasized the need for extended playtime, stating, "I need to play a Wukong for three hours, not 60 minutes." To achieve this, AMD has been working on AI-based upscaling techniques for nearly a year. As a reminder, FSR 1.0 used spatial upscaling, version 2.0 used temporal upscaling, and FSR 3.0 also used temporal upscaling with optional frame generation.

While the initial context for FSR4 centers on handheld devices, AMD's work with developing open-source, architecture-agnostic algorithms suggests broader applications. FSR4 might be compatible with a wide range of GPU solutions, including non-handheld devices, benefiting desktop and laptop users as well. This move to AI-based technology aligns AMD with competitors like Intel, who have implemented similar approaches in their XeSS technology, and NVIDIA with its DLSS solution. Although the release date for FSR4 remains unannounced, its year-long development suggests it may be nearing completion. However, as with previous upscaling solutions, widespread adoption in games may take time following its release.

Mobilint Debuts New AI Chips at Silicon Valley Summit

Mobilint, an edge AI chip company led by CEO Dongjoo Shin, is set to make waves at the upcoming AI Hardware & Edge AI Summit 2024 in Silicon Valley. The three-day event, starting on September 10th, will showcase Mobilint's latest innovations in AI chip technology. The company will demonstrate live demos of its high-efficiency SoC 'REGULUS' for on-device AI and high-performance acceleration chip 'ARIES' for on-premises AI.

The AI Hardware Summit is an annual event where global IT giants such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Google, Meta, and AMD, along with prominent startups, gather to share their developments in AI and machine learning. This year's summit features world-renowned AI experts as speakers, including Andrew Ng, CEO of Landing AI, and Mark Russinovich, CTO of Microsoft Azure.

Steam Survey August 2024 Update: Windows 11 Crosses 50% Share, Blows Past Windows 10

The latest Steam hardware and software survey reveals a significant shift in the gamer's operating system landscape, with Windows 11 gaining 3.36% among Windows OSes and finally surpassing the 50% mark in August 2024, now standing at 50.81%. This milestone is a notable achievement, considering the OS had been experiencing a decline in popularity just a month prior. The sudden surge in Windows 11 adoption can be attributed to users transitioning from Windows 10, which lost 3.29% of its user base in the same period. Additionally, a few users on older Windows versions, such as 8.1 and 7, have also switched to Windows 11.

Despite Windows 11's growing popularity, Windows 10 remains a formidable presence, with 48.66% of Steam users still preferring the older OS. Its success can be attributed to its stability and compatibility with a wide range of games and hardware. Many users have expressed concerns over Windows 11's performance and its stringent hardware requirements, which have made it less accessible for some gamers, especially those without the TPM 2.0-enhanced system. However, with Microsoft set to discontinue security updates and technical support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, users will need to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or another supported OS in the near future. The periodical resurgence of Windows 10 suggests that some users are hesitant to give up the older OS, but the writing is on the wall. As the deadline for Windows 10 support approaches, more users will likely make the transition to Windows 11.

AMD Ryzen 9000 Series "Zen 5" Tested on Windows 11 24H2 Update, Shows Significant Performance Gains

AMD's Ryzen processors have received a significant performance upgrade, thanks to the recent Windows 11 24H2 update. This development addresses initial disappointments with the Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" series performance, particularly in gaming applications. The update, which improves branch prediction capabilities, has resulted in substantial gains for both the Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" and Ryzen 7000 "Zen 4" CPU lineups. According to tests by Hardware Unboxed, Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" CPUs have shown double-digit performance increases across multiple game titles, a boost typically seen only between generational upgrades.

Interestingly, contrary to AMD's initial claims, the performance gains are not limited to the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7000 "Zen 4" processors have also benefited from the update, with minimal performance differences observed between comparable Zen 5 and Zen 4 models after the update. This development marks a crucial turning point for AMD, addressing earlier criticisms and narrowing the gap between reported and expected performance figures. As users install the Windows 11 24H2 update, they can expect enhanced gaming experiences across a wide range of titles, highlighting the complex interplay between hardware capabilities and software optimization in modern computing. Below are the results from Hardware Unboxed benchmarks.

"Indirector" is Intel's Latest Branch Predictor Vulnerability, But Patch is Already Out

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have unveiled a significant security vulnerability affecting Intel Raptor Lake and Alder Lake processors. The newly discovered flaw, dubbed "Indirector," exposes weaknesses in the Indirect Branch Predictor (IBP) and Branch Target Buffer (BTB), potentially allowing attackers to execute precise Branch Target Injection (BTI) attacks. The published study provides a detailed look into the intricate structures of the IBP and BTB within recent Intel processors, showcasing Spectre-style attach. For the first time, researchers have mapped out the size, structure, and precise functions governing index and tag hashing in these critical components. Particularly concerning is the discovery of previously unknown gaps in Intel's hardware defenses, including IBPB, IBRS, and STIBP. These findings suggest that even the latest security measures may be insufficient to protect against sophisticated attacks.

The research team developed a tool called "iBranch Locator," which can efficiently identify and manipulate specific branches within the IBP. This tool enables highly precise BTI attacks, potentially compromising security across various scenarios, including cross-process and cross-privilege environments. One of the most alarming implications of this vulnerability is its ability to bypass Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), a crucial security feature in modern operating systems. By exploiting the IBP and BTB, attackers could potentially break ASLR protections, exposing systems to a wide range of security threats. Experts recommend several mitigation strategies, including more aggressive use of Intel's IBPB (Indirect Branch Prediction Barrier) feature. However, the performance impact of this solution—up to 50% in some cases—makes it impractical for frequent domain transitions, such as those in browsers and sandboxes. In a statement for Tom's Hardware, Intel noted the following: "Intel reviewed the report submitted by academic researchers and determined previous mitigation guidance provided for issues such as IBRS, eIBRS and BHI are effective against this new research and no new mitigations or guidance is required."

AMD, Broadcom, Cisco, Google, HPE, Intel, Meta and Microsoft Form Ultra Accelerator Link (UALink) Promoter Group to Combat NVIDIA NVLink

AMD, Broadcom, Cisco, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Intel, Meta and Microsoft today announced they have aligned to develop a new industry standard dedicated to advancing high-speed and low latency communication for scale-up AI systems linking in Data Centers.

Called the Ultra Accelerator Link (UALink), this initial group will define and establish an open industry standard that will enable AI accelerators to communicate more effectively. By creating an interconnect based upon open standards, UALink will enable system OEMs, IT professionals and system integrators to create a pathway for easier integration, greater flexibility and scalability of their AI-connected data centers.

ZOTAC to Debut Limit-Pushing Handheld Gaming PC and Showcase AI-Centric Computing Solutions at Computex 2024

ZOTAC Technology, a global manufacturer focused on innovative and high-performance hardware solutions, will return to COMPUTEX 2024 to showcase its biggest push yet into brand-new product categories. At this year's exhibition, ZOTAC will unveil its first attempt at creating a unique Handheld Gaming PC with advanced controls and features, allowing gamers to enjoy their favorite games on the go like never before with maximum competitive advantage.

Also in ZOTAC's extensive lineup is a full-fledged selection of AI-focused computational hardware, including a new workstation-grade External GPU Box series for hassle-free GPU compute and AI acceleration, ZBOX mini PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra CPUs equipped with integrated neural processing units (NPU), as well as other enterprise-grade solutions, such as GPU Servers and Arm-based NVIDIA Jetson systems, offering users a broad selection of AI accelerators in applications big and small.

Apple Introduces the M4 Chip

Apple today announced M4, the latest chip delivering phenomenal performance to the all-new iPad Pro. Built using second-generation 3-nanometer technology, M4 is a system on a chip (SoC) that advances the industry-leading power efficiency of Apple silicon and enables the incredibly thin design of iPad Pro. It also features an entirely new display engine to drive the stunning precision, color, and brightness of the breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display on iPad Pro. A new CPU has up to 10 cores, while the new 10-core GPU builds on the next-generation GPU architecture introduced in M3, and brings Dynamic Caching, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and hardware-accelerated mesh shading to iPad for the first time. M4 has Apple's fastest Neural Engine ever, capable of up to 38 trillion operations per second, which is faster than the neural processing unit of any AI PC today. Combined with faster memory bandwidth, along with next-generation machine learning (ML) accelerators in the CPU, and a high-performance GPU, M4 makes the new iPad Pro an outrageously powerful device for artificial intelligence.

"The new iPad Pro with M4 is a great example of how building best-in-class custom silicon enables breakthrough products," said Johny Srouji, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. "The power-efficient performance of M4, along with its new display engine, makes the thin design and game-changing display of iPad Pro possible, while fundamental improvements to the CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, and memory system make M4 extremely well suited for the latest applications leveraging AI. Altogether, this new chip makes iPad Pro the most powerful device of its kind."

Kanguru Unveils Defender Internal Self-Encrypting Hardware-Based SSDs

Kanguru announces their exceptional new line of hardware-based, internal self-encrypting drives designed to help organizations secure and protect their data. Under the Kanguru Defender Brand name customers know and trust, Kanguru is entering the internal hardware market with these new Defender internal hardware encrypted solid state drives. The self-encrypting SEDs are packed with security features to help organizations secure data on laptops and tablets, creating a secure data environment. The Defender SED's are also compliant with the Trusted Computing Group's Opal standard for secure drive architecture. In addition, Kanguru has partnered with Cigent, known for their innovative data security, device sanitation and ransomware prevention, to integrate additional cutting-edge endpoint protection into the suite of Kanguru Defender SED's.

Kanguru's military grade AES 256-bit hardware encryption is enforced on the entire drive using stand-alone, independent hardware-based encryption security, not just specific files or folders. These internal encrypted drives automatically lock themselves when powered off, making all data stored within, (including the Operating System) completely inaccessible.

Meta Opens OS Powering Meta Quest Devices to Third-Party Hardware Makers, ASUS ROG Gaming Headset Incoming

Today we're taking the next step toward our vision for a more open computing platform for the metaverse. We're opening up the operating system powering our Meta Quest devices to third-party hardware makers, giving more choice to consumers and a larger ecosystem for developers to build for. We're working with leading global technology companies to bring this new ecosystem to life and making it even easier for developers to build apps and reach their audiences on the platform.

Introducing Meta Horizon OS
This new hardware ecosystem will run on Meta Horizon OS, the mixed reality operating system that powers our Meta Quest headsets. We chose this name to reflect our vision of a computing platform built around people and connection—and the shared social fabric that makes this possible. Meta Horizon OS combines the core technologies powering today's mixed reality experiences with a suite of features that put social presence at the center of the platform.

Apricorn Introduces Industry's First 24 TB Hardware Encrypted USB Drive

Apricorn, the leading manufacturer of software-free, 256-bit AES XTS hardware-encrypted USB data storage devices, today announced the release of a 24 TB version of its Aegis Padlock DT and Padlock DT FIPS Desktop Drives. Continuing its position as an industry leader, Apricorn is the first to bring a 24 TB encrypted drive to market, delivering high performance and mass capacity to industries such as healthcare, financial services, education, and government, while ensuring the security of users' data. This is the third time Apricorn has brought to market the industry's largest capacity hardware encrypted USB drive, having previously done so in 20 TB and 22 TB sizes.

"Microsoft this month disclosed that the nation state attack it identified in January was still not fully contained. Since Microsoft is so deeply entrenched in just about every facet of our workflow, encrypting and storing data offline adds a layer of protection and resilience in the face of potential future attacks that could stem from breaches of this nature," said Kurt Markley, U.S. Managing Director at Apricorn. "The Aegis Padlock DT line is an ideal way for large organizations to protect vast amounts of data at rest in a highly secure and economic way."

Gaming Hardware Market Projected to Reach $277.08 billion by 2030: Exclusive Report by 360iResearch

The report titled "Gaming Hardware Market by Product (Dedicated Gaming Console, Dedicated Personal Computers/Laptops/Tablets, Gaming Router), Form Factor (All-In-One, Desktop, Small Form Factor), User Type, End-User - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $152.00 billion in 2023 to reach $277.08 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.95% over the forecast period.

The gaming hardware industry is experiencing unprecedented growth globally, driven by the active use of consoles, specialized gaming PCs, and a wide array of peripherals, including keyboards, mice, headsets, and cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality devices. This growth is fueled by the escalating popularity of esports, increased disposable incomes with a higher inclination toward entertainment spending, and a demand for more immersive gaming experiences. Challenges include the high costs associated with advanced gaming hardware development and a growing interest in cloud gaming.

IDC Forecasts Artificial Intelligence PCs to Account for Nearly 60% of All PC Shipments by 2027

A new forecast from International Data Corporation (IDC) shows shipments of artificial intelligence (AI) PCs - personal computers with specific system-on-a-chip (SoC) capabilities designed to run generative AI tasks locally - growing from nearly 50 million units in 2024 to more than 167 million in 2027. By the end of the forecast, IDC expects AI PCs will represent nearly 60% of all PC shipments worldwide.

"As we enter a new year, the hype around generative AI has reached a fever pitch, and the PC industry is running fast to capitalize on the expected benefits of bringing AI capabilities down from the cloud to the client," said Tom Mainelli, group vice president, Devices and Consumer Research. "Promises around enhanced user productivity via faster performance, plus lower inferencing costs, and the benefit of on-device privacy and security, have driven strong IT decision-maker interest in AI PCs. In 2024, we'll see AI PC shipments begin to ramp, and over the next few years, we expect the technology to move from niche to a majority."

CPSC Demands a Recall of CableMod GPU Angled Adapters, Estimates $74.5K of Damaged Property

CableMod issued a statement—just before the last Christmas holiday—detailing a safety recall of 16-pin 12VHPWR angled adapters, version 1.0 and 1.1. This announcement received widespread media coverage (at least in tech circles), but some unfortunate customers have not yet received the memo about faulty adapters—CableMod's 90° angled and 180° hard connectors can overheat and in worst case scenarios, actually melt. HotHardware, amusingly named given this context, was the first hardware news outlet to notice that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had published a "GPU Angled Adapter" recall notice to its website earlier today, under "Recall number 24-112."

The US government body's listing outlines aforementioned hazardous conditions, along with an estimated 25,300 affected unit count. The CPSC's recommended "Remedy" advice is as follows: "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled angled adapters and contact CableMod for instructions on how to safely remove their adapter from the GPU and for a full refund, including cost of shipping, or a $60 store credit for non-customized products, with free standard shipping. Consumers will be asked to destroy the adapter and upload a photo of the destroyed product to cablemod.com/adapterrecall/. The instructions on how to safely remove the adapter are also located on that site. Once destroyed, consumers should discard the adapter in accordance with local laws." The Safety Commission has gathered some customer feedback intelligence on this matter: "The firm (CableMod Ltd., of China) has received 272 reports of the adapters becoming loose, overheating and melting into the GPU, with at least $74,500 in property damage claims in the United States. No injuries have been reported."

Threadripper Overclocking Blows a Hidden Fuse, AMD confirms: Warranty not Voided

According to Tom's Hardware, today we are finding out that AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series processors, codenamed Storm Peak, including Pro and non-Pro SKUs, blow a fuse on the chip when overclocking is enabled. Modern microprocessors have dozens of fuses that are used to store information inside the chip. For example, the factory stores the per-processor default voltage information in the fuses. On downgraded graphics chips, the shaders get disabled through such fuses, too. These fuses are not like your household circuit breakers—they will blow only when a specific command is sent to the processor, there is no way for them to break accidentally through system crashes or power spikes. In the case of Ryzen Threadripper 7000, the BIOS code will blow a fuse when the user enables overclocking in the BIOS settings, it reacts only to the user-initiated UI change, not to any kind of measurement. Before that happens a warning is shown. AMD uses this mechanism to see any indications if any kind of overclocking has been done to the processor.

While the messaging might suggest otherwise, just enabling overclocking does not void all warranties. In a statement to Tom's Hardware an AMD representative confirmed: "Threadripper 7000 Series processors do contain a fuse that is blown when overclocking is enabled. To be clear, blowing this fuse does not void your warranty. Statements that enabling an overclocking/overvolting feature will "void" the processor warranty are not correct. Per AMD's standard Terms of Sale, the warranty excludes any damage that results from overclocking/overvolting the processor. However, other unrelated issues could still qualify for warranty repair/replacement," noted the spokesperson. Ultimately, overclocking and overvolting by themselves will not cause the owner of AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series CPU to lose the right to repair and seek AMD's help. Other factors, such as damages induced by overclocking, will be a warranty-voiding factor though. These can occur from constant overheating, which significantly lowers the life expectancy of the CPU.

ASUS Breaks Overclocking Records: 9 World Records, 16 Global First Places

ASUS today announced that an international group of elite overclockers has set nine world records and achieved sixteen first-place finishes in a variety of performance benchmarks with ASUS Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE and ASUS Pro WS TRX50-SAGE WIFI workstation motherboards. The motherboards leveraged AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-Series and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series processors which featured up to 96 cores and 192 threads. The group of overclockers included Der8auer, Elmor, Massman, OGS, Safedisk, Seby and Shamino.

Ready for CPU and memory overclocking
For AMD Threadripper 7000 series workstations and high-end desktop (HEDT) models, AMD offers CPU and DRAM overclocking options. To fully leverage the performance of the AMD processors, ASUS has incorporated an innovative dual power supply design on Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE and Pro WS TRX50-SAGE WIFI motherboards. Along with robust power delivery and advanced cooling modules, these boards exhibit rock-solid stability during overclocking.

YMTC Develops 128 and 232-Layer Xtacking 4.0 NAND Memory Chips

Chinese memory maker Yangtze Memory Technology Corp (YMTC) is allegedly preparing its next-generation Xtacking 4.0 3D NAND flash architecture for next-generation memory chips. According to the documentation obtained by Tom's Hardware, YMTC has developed two SKUs based on the upgraded Xtacking 4.0: X4-9060, a 128-layer three-bit-per-cell (TLC) 3D NAND, and the X4-9070, a 232-layer TLC 3D NAND. By using string stacking on both of these SKUs, YMTC plans to make the 3D NAND work by incorporating arrays with 64 and 116 active layers stacked on top of each other. This way, the export regulation rules from the US government are met, and the company can use the tools that are not under the sanction list.

While YMTC has yet to fully disclose the specific advantages of the Xtacking 4.0 technology, the industry anticipates significant enhancements in data transfer speeds and storage density. These improvements are expected to stem from increased plane counts for optimized parallel processing, refined bit/word line configurations to minimize latency, and the development of modified chip variants to boost production yields. When YMTC announced Xtacking 3.0, the company offered 128-layer TLC and 232-layer four-bit-per-cell (QLC) variants and was the first company to achieve 200+ layer count in the 3D NAND space. The Xtacking 3.0 architecture incorporates string stacking and hybrid bonding techniques and uses a mature process node for the chip's CMOS underlayer. We have to wait for the final Xtacking 4.0 details when YMTC's officially launches the SKUs.

Opal Launches Tadpole, the First Webcam Designed for Laptops

Today Opal Camera Inc. announced Tadpole, the first webcam built exclusively for laptops and tablets. Opal's newest product delivers ultra-portability with the best image quality on the market - at just one-eighth the size of an average webcam, Tadpole is the world's smallest webcam ever made. Powered with the first directional mic to be used on any webcam, along with AI noise isolation and a capacitive touch sensor for easy tap-to-mute functionality, Tadpole offers unprecedented audio quality designed for work anywhere.

"The way we work has changed. Modern work is fluid today. It doesn't just exist in an office or in a home. It happens on couches, in coffee shops, over poor hotel room WiFi," said Veeraj Chugh, CEO and Co-Founder of Opal Camera. "We wanted to build a great product specifically for the way people work today. Tadpole is the first product of its kind: it's tiny, works on any laptop, and comes with a huge sensor, really cool audio features and reliable stability."

Oxide Unveils the World's First Commercial Cloud Computer

Oxide Computer Company today unveiled the world's first commercial Cloud Computer, a true rack-scale system with fully unified hardware and software designed for on-premises cloud computing. The company also announced a $44 million Series A financing round led by Eclipse with participation from Intel Capital, Riot Ventures, Counterpart Ventures, and Rally Ventures to accelerate production for Fortune 1000 enterprises. This brings the company's total financing raised to date to $78 million.

Despite the rapid rise of cloud computing, the vast majority of IT infrastructure today continues to live outside the public cloud in on-premises data centers, where enterprises are forced to cobble together a set of disjointed hardware and software components to run their businesses. Since its inception, Oxide's mission has been to solve this problem, developing the first unified product that delivers the developer experience and operational efficiencies of the public cloud to on-premises environments.
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