Generative AI has reshaped how people create, imagine and interact with digital content. As AI models continue to grow in capability and complexity, they require more VRAM, or video random access memory. The base Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large model, for example, uses over 18 GB of VRAM - limiting the number of systems that can run it well. By applying quantization to the model, noncritical layers can be removed or run with lower precision. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series and the Ada Lovelace generation of NVIDIA RTX PRO GPUs support FP8 quantization to help run these quantized models, and the latest-generation NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs also add support for FP4.

NVIDIA collaborated with Stability AI to quantize its latest model, Stable Diffusion (SD) 3.5 Large, to FP8 - reducing VRAM consumption by 40%. Further optimizations to SD3.5 Large and Medium with the NVIDIA TensorRT software development kit (SDK) double performance. In addition, TensorRT has been reimagined for RTX AI PCs, combining its industry-leading performance with just-in-time (JIT), on-device engine building and an 8x smaller package size for seamless AI deployment to more than 100 million RTX AI PCs. TensorRT for RTX is now available as a standalone SDK for developers.

Microsoft's Xbox has just become the only console capable of playing the complete mainline Final Fantasy game saga. Thanks to a surprise release of Final Fantasy XVI for the Xbox Series X/S, announced during Xbox Showcase, this addition means all sixteen numbered titles are now playable on a single console family for the first time. For many years, PlayStation was the traditional platform for Square Enix's celebrated franchise. However, Microsoft has steadily changed that reality through its commitment to backward compatibility and a series of important cross-platform deals.

The arrival of the action-focused XVI completes a library that already includes classics like the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade set to join them this winter. The only title not included in this comprehensive lineup is Final Fantasy XI, which continues to thrive as a subscription-based online multiplayer game with its dedicated community. With its vast catalog, enhanced by the value of Game Pass, Xbox has successfully repositioned itself as a top-tier destination for RPG enthusiasts.

We're getting close to the Xbox Games Showcase, so you still have a little more time to download and play these games before we throw more at your "to be played" wishlist! For now, we have more updates, some day ones, and a few blasts from the past. Let's get to it!

Available Today:
Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Editions (Cloud and Console) - June 5
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Standard
Gather your party; the RPG saga returns. Immerse yourself in an epic RPG series where every choice matters. Play over 100 hours of adventure in enhanced editions of Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II!

Yesterday, keen trackers of brand-new Xbox accessories stumbled upon the first-ever 4 TB Storage Expansion Card—courtesy of Seagate. Prior to a fresh discovery of the (now inactive) listing on Best Buy, Xbox Series X|S owners were only able to select 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB options (produced by Seagate and WD). Since launching back in 2020, Microsoft's proprietary SDD design remains a controversial prospect—mostly due to high prices, associated with the utilization of a CFExpress standard. In comparison, Sony's rival current-gen consoles—the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro—can be user upgraded with relatively reasonably-priced standard-sized internal M.2 SSDs (depending on specs). The Xbox Series Expansion Card requires less "tech expertise," since it is simply inserted into a special rear port.

Before the scrubbing of Best Buy's prematurely published product page, gaming news outlets focused on a $429.99 cost of ownership. It is unclear whether eager customers have secured first batches of stock, but Microsoft and Seagate (its official storage provider partner) have not issued any press material regarding the leaked 4 TB flagship model. Curiously, Best Buy's brief sale included a special launch discount. According to screen captures, the normal MSRP would be $499.99. Seagate's 2 TB SKU is currently on offer: $219.99 (instead of $259.99), while the WD BLACK C50 2 TB card sports a full price tag of $299.99. Naturally, better value is offered by (USB-connected) external solutions. As of early 2025, hardcore storage enthusiasts can link up 16+ TB storage devices to Microsoft's Xbox Series X and S machines. Industry experts believe that Seagate's 4 TB Storage Expansion Card will be introduced during this weekend's (Sunday, June 8) Xbox Games Showcase.

The Type-C USB connector has made it a lot easier—at least in theory—to connect devices, but it's not without its faults, especially as it's been hard to know what capabilities both the ports and the cables deliver. The USB-IF has solved most of the issues on the cable side with clearer markings on certified cables, but that still leaves both computers and devices as a gotcha point. Microsoft has now announced that it has a new WHCP (Windows Hardware Compatibility Program) certification program for Windows 11 laptops that guarantees certain features from a Type-C USB port. No, it doesn't mean all new Windows 11 WHCP laptops will support USB4, which is something of a letdown, but it does guarantee that all USB-C ports on new WHCP laptops will support charging of the laptop and at least DP Alt mode for one display.

As the older USB 3.x standard doesn't support many of the features of USB4, there are several limitations to laptops that lack USB4 support, beyond just data transfer speeds over USB, such as PCIe tunnelling and Thunderbolt 3 support. However, Microsoft mandates Thunderbolt 3 support on all WHCP laptops with USB4 support. USB4 equipped WHCP laptops also have to support 15 W device charging and at least a pair of 4K 60 Hz displays via DP Alt mode. Microsoft's new WHCP certification does at least remove some of the guesswork when buying a new laptop, but until all laptops support USB4, there will still be devices with limited USB Type-C ports in the market.

Microsoft has updated its most popular and most basic text editor with some new functionality. In Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11, Microsoft has updated Notepad to version 11.2504.50.0, introducing basic text formatting to its previously simple text editor. Now, it supports Markdown integration, featuring formatted Markdown and Markdown syntax views in the view menu, which allows users to type out Markdown syntax and view it rendered later on. While this may seem like a minor functionality improvement, it is an effort from Microsoft to enrich its basic text editor to a point where it is just enough for lightweight text editing but not close to its flagship Word text editor/processor. As you may recall, Microsoft also recently integrated Copilot, its AI assistant, into Notepad. This update, along with Copilot, will enable users to perform basic text processing with the help of AI, correcting grammar, spelling, and even Markdown syntax mistakes on the fly.

NVIDIA plans to introduce its first Arm-based "N1/N1x" gaming SoC in Dell's Alienware laptops later this year or early 2026, according to Taiwanese reports. The SoC is being developed with MediaTek, combining an Arm-derived CPU core and NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU architecture. Early rumors suggest that NVIDIA's new SoC will operate within an 80 W to 120 W power range, positioning it among existing high-performance laptop chips. When Qualcomm entered the Arm-based laptop design market with its Snapdragon X-series, it faced challenges because many titles required emulation through Microsoft's Prism framework, leading to compatibility issues and lower frame rates on Arm-based Windows devices. NVIDIA plans to work closely with Microsoft and game developers to ensure that Arm compatibility is present from day one, so every Arm SoC maker will benefit.

Rumors of an Arm-centric NVIDIA chip first appeared in 2023, and recent leaks suggest an engineering prototype already exists. During an earnings presentation earlier this year, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang announced that the company plans to integrate Arm CPU blocks into AI-oriented hardware, specifically mentioning the Digits compute system. Dell's CEO, Michael Dell, also hinted at a future AI-capable PC collaboration with NVIDIA, fueling speculation that Alienware will be the first to use the new chip. Beyond gaming, the partnership with MediaTek could lead to broader Arm solutions for both desktops and mobile devices. MediaTek is reportedly working on its own Arm-based PC processors, and AMD is exploring Arm architectures for future Surface devices. NVIDIA's entry into this space could turn Dell's Alienware laptops into a practical testbed for high-performance Arm technology in a market long dominated by x86 workforce.

This Sunday, June 8, it's time for another huge double feature. The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 kicks off at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK, immediately followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct—a deep-dive into the upcoming sequel to Obsidian Entertainment's award-winning sci-fi RPG. These shows are always an exciting moment for all of us at Xbox, offering a look at brand-new games and updates from across our first-party studios and our incredible partners across the globe. We hope you can join us to watch live. With that in mind, here are all the details you need to know ahead of Sunday.

What time does Xbox Games Showcase begin? The Showcase will take place on Sunday, June 8, beginning at:

• PDT: June 8, 10am
• EDT: June 8, 1pm
• BST: June 8, 6pm
• CEST: June 8, 7pm
• JST: June 9, 2am
• AEST: June 9, 3am

Microsoft has quietly rolled out two updates to its DirectX Agility SDK, and developers are already finding reasons to celebrate. The 1.717-preview release brings Shader Execution Reordering (SER) and Cooperative Vectors to the table, while the 1.616-retail update introduces Opacity Micromaps (OMM) and D3D12 Tiled Resource Tier 4 support. Together, they promise smoother and more efficient ray tracing, as well as improved resource handling. In 1.717-preview, the arrival of Cooperative Vectors means that vector and matrix operations, essential for AI-driven effects, now enjoy dedicated hardware acceleration. Instead of performing complex calculations on the CPU, developers can offload these tasks to the GPU, potentially unlocking richer neural rendering techniques in real time. Additionally, SER provides ray tracing pipelines with a helpful feature: it reorganizes the order in which shader threads execute, reducing wasted cycles caused by thread divergence.

Early internal tests show up to a 2× performance boost in path-traced scenes when SER is enabled. The preview also updates Direct3D's video encoder with a HEVC Reference List extension for longer-term reference frames, a two-pass low-resolution first encode, and built-in PSNR metrics so creators can see exactly how crisp their output really is. The 1.616-retail SDK centers on Opacity Micromaps, a feature designed to handle alpha-tested geometry, such as foliage or chain-link fences, without firing off expensive AnyHit shader calls. With OMM, supported GPUs intelligently skip unnecessary work, and Microsoft's numbers suggest a speedup of as much as 2.3x in path-traced scenes. For example, one NVIDIA demo increased from approximately 55 FPS to around 90 FPS simply by enabling OMM. Today, only NVIDIA's RTX cards have driver-level support for these micromaps, but AMD and Intel are preparing their own updates for the coming months. That same 1.616-retail release also unlocks D3D12 Tiled Resource Tier 4, finally lifting the restriction on packed mipmaps in texture arrays. This means finer-grained texture streaming, less wasted memory, and more creative freedom in writing shader code. NVIDIA has confirmed its support for this tier, Intel's drivers are already shipping, and AMD is aiming to release compatible drivers by early June 2025.

Since the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft has seemingly had ambitions to consolidate as much control over what gets installed on your PC as possible. A perfect example of this is the push towards using the Microsoft Store to install programs instead of relying on .exe files. The company's latest move in this direction sees Windows start handling more than just system updates. Notably, it seems as though Microsoft is planning to use this new system alongside the Store instead of as a replacement for it. These plans come in spite of Windows updates continuing to cause BSOD issues as recently as April.

According to a Microsoft blog on the topic, Windows will soon start handling everything from driver and firmware updates to app updates. Microsoft explains that the current update and management platforms lead to a fragmented ecosystem: "Updates across the Windows ecosystem can feel like a fragmented experience for IT admins managing applications that have their own update orchestrators (e.g., line of business) and commercial management tools that handle their own download, install, restart, and notifications today," adding that the way things are currently handled causes a number of issues, including CPU and network usage spikes, increased support costs, and a poor user experience due to "confusing or conflicting notifications." Microsoft aims to address this by introducing what it calls the Windows Update orchestration platform.

Shuhei Yoshida, the former head of Sony Entertainment, has decried the outsized impact of game subscription services, essentially saying that they had the potential to stifle innovation and put too much emphasis on AAA and first-party games and make it even more difficult for indie developers to break into the scene. In an interview with Game Developer, Yoshida shared his concerns about the rise of subscription services, adding that Sony's approach was less harmful than Xbox Game Pass, specifically because Sony wasn't trying to launch AAA titles straight to the subscription model like Xbox is.

Yoshida's implication is that Sony's model of allowing games to have a traditional release before going to PlayStation Plus is likely a healthier approach than the day-one AAA launches that became popular on Xbox Game Pass. His concerns boil down to the aforementioned issues with innovation, saying that "what [type] of games can be created will be dictated by the owner of the subscription services," and adding that "the big companies dictate what games can be created, I don't think that will advance the industry," however he also takes issue with the financial side of things, implying that, if gamers have day-one access to games on subscription services, they won't want to pay up-front for games. This last point has implications for innovation as much as his former thought, because if game developers depend on subscription services for launches, it might make them more averse to trying new things. These comments seem all the more relevant in a modern gaming landscape, where indie developers seem to be largely responsible for pushing the envelope. You simply need to look at the popularity of games like Hades, Terraria, or the roguelike and survival-craft genre in general for evidence of such.

At Xbox, we want to help you spend more time playing the games you love, to be there when you need some help—and out of the way when you don't. Copilot for Gaming (Beta) is designed to do just that, and starting today, you can begin testing this new feature as it starts rolling out to the beta version of the Xbox app for mobile devices.

Copilot for Gaming is the ultimate gaming sidekick, making gaming with Xbox more seamless and personalized. In this early version of the feature for mobile, you'll be able to access Copilot for Gaming on a second screen, without distracting you from your core gameplay experience. The companion knows what game you're playing and understands your Xbox activity, so it can answer any questions about the games you're interested in, provide links to more information when its response includes web sources, or answer questions based on your account, play history and achievements.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, and we at CD Projekt Red have commemorated the milestone by collaborating with the Xbox team to create a tempered and battle-ready controller for players looking to expand their witcher's toolkit. Embark on the path with the Xbox Wireless Controller - The Witcher 3 10th Anniversary Special Edition and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 - Core The Witcher 3 10th Anniversary Special Edition. This is such a special moment for both our teams, and we wanted to share some insight into how Geralt's journey brought this design to life.

Our team has put great care into representing the style of The Witcher 3 and Geralt himself, headlined by the wolf medallion iconography at the center of the controller. The medallion acts as a constant for Geralt, one that allows him to adventure and warns him of lurking dangers, and we want players to connect with these controllers in the same way. We love how the design fits the layout of the controller, with the wolf's head coming below the Xbox button and between the other inputs with its glowing red eyes. It's very ominous and epic at the same time!

To defend regular users from bad actors wielding quantum computing power like Majorana 1, Windows 11 Insider Preview now includes built-in support for post-quantum cryptography (PQC), giving developers and security teams early access to algorithms designed to withstand the capabilities of future quantum computers. Available in Canary Channel Build 27852 and above, this update integrates two new schemes, ML-KEM for key exchange and ML-DSA for digital signatures, directly into the Cryptography API: Next Generation (CNG) and certificate management functions. ML-KEM addresses the "harvest now, decrypt later" threat model, in which adversaries collect encrypted data today to decrypt it once quantum hardware has advanced. Microsoft offers three levels of ML-KEM security: a Level 1 option that produces 800-byte ciphertexts and a 32-byte shared secret; a Level 3 configuration with 1,184-byte ciphertexts and the same 32-byte secret; and a Level 5 tier that increases ciphertext size to 1,568 bytes while keeping the shared secret at 32 bytes. These parameter sets allow organizations to balance performance and protection according to their threat models and operational requirements.

Make some space on your calendar—the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 will be livestreamed on Sunday, June 8, starting at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK time. Following in the footsteps of the 2023 Starfield Direct and 2024 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct, this year we will again have a double feature, with the Xbox Games Showcase immediately followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct.

It all begins with our annual Xbox Games Showcase, bringing you a look at upcoming titles from across our first-party studios, in addition to incredible new titles from our third-party partners across the globe. This year, the show will be digital-only—our livestream will bring you everything you'll need to know about what's next for Xbox, no matter where in the world you're watching.

Agentic AI is redefining scientific discovery and unlocking research breakthroughs and innovations across industries. Through deepened collaboration, NVIDIA and Microsoft are delivering advancements that accelerate agentic AI-powered applications from the cloud to the PC. At Microsoft Build, Microsoft unveiled Microsoft Discovery, an extensible platform built to empower researchers to transform the entire discovery process with agentic AI. This will help research and development departments across various industries accelerate the time to market for new products, as well as speed and expand the end-to-end discovery process for all scientists.

Microsoft Discovery will integrate the NVIDIA ALCHEMI NIM microservice, which optimizes AI inference for chemical simulations, to accelerate materials science research with property prediction and candidate recommendation. The platform will also integrate NVIDIA BioNeMo NIM microservices, tapping into pretrained AI workflows to speed up AI model development for drug discovery. These integrations equip researchers with accelerated performance for faster scientific discoveries. In testing, researchers at Microsoft used Microsoft Discovery to detect a novel coolant prototype with promising properties for immersion cooling in data centers in under 200 hours, rather than months or years with traditional methods.

Late last week, tech news headlines were generated by a curious Qualcomm/NUVIA job advertisement. The presence of Xbox-related activities—at the US firm's Redmond, Washington office—has set off watchdog alarm bells. Microsoft's HQ is also located in this Seattle Metropolitan Area business hub. The job description outlined a sales director position—including interesting tidbits: "support sell-in activities for the next generation of Surface and Xbox products built on Snapdragon solutions" and "help define the next generation Surface and Xbox portfolios." Older leaks have suggested Microsoft's weighing up of ARM64 processor architecture, with next-gen Xbox designs in mind. Since the publication of widespread reportage, Qualcomm has edited out any mention of Xbox from the offending job ad. Given the latest evidence, fresh speculation has emerged from online media outlets. In theory, the company's hardware engineers could be formulating a next-gen Arm-based handheld—not directly related to "Project Kennan."

Jez Corden, executive editor of Windows Central, has dismissed many next-gen "handheld" or "home console" projections. Insiders believe that in-progress first-party development centers around AMD (x86) solutions. Similarly, Sony is reportedly collaborating with Team Red. The speculated PlayStation 6 (and a handheld offshoot) has been linked to Zen 6 and UDNA/RDNA 5 IPs. In response to initial claims, Corden reached out to shadowy industry figures. As disclosed in his opinion piece: "sources confirmed to me this morning that the next Xbox systems are not based on Qualcomm chips. There might be some third-party "Designed for Xbox" Arm-based offerings, like the Logitech G Cloud. But, the main plan from Microsoft, at least for now, is for the next-gen Xbox systems to have as much compatibility with your current library as possible. The overheads required to emulate games built for Microsoft's AMD-based systems are beyond what the Snapdragon line up is currently capable of." Today, Digital Foundry pointed out that Microsoft's "Xbox Play Anywhere" marketing campaign has created a looser categorization of related hardware. Thus providing extra scope for adjacent and supplemental devices (in the near future).

Generative AI is transforming PC software into breakthrough experiences - from digital humans to writing assistants, intelligent agents and creative tools. NVIDIA RTX AI PCs are powering this transformation with technology that makes it simpler to get started experimenting with generative AI and unlock greater performance on Windows 11. NVIDIA TensorRT has been reimagined for RTX AI PCs, combining industry-leading TensorRT performance with just-in-time, on-device engine building and an 8x smaller package size for seamless AI deployment to more than 100 million RTX AI PCs.

Announced at Microsoft Build, TensorRT for RTX is natively supported by Windows ML - a new inference stack that provides app developers with both broad hardware compatibility and state-of-the-art performance. For developers looking for AI features ready to integrate, NVIDIA software development kits (SDKs) offer a wide array of options, from NVIDIA DLSS to multimedia enhancements like NVIDIA RTX Video. This month, top software applications from Autodesk, Bilibili, Chaos, LM Studio and Topaz Labs are releasing updates to unlock RTX AI features and acceleration.

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 could be the last of its kind; according to Tom Warren's latest theories. Yesterday, The Verge's senior editor envisioned a streamlined future lineup of Microsoft's portable PC devices. According to inside track information, the tech giant is expected to announce the end-of-life (EOL) status for this relatively young branch of Surface products (debuted back in 2021). The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is advertised as being "a laptop like no other"—courtesy of a unique/versatile setup that features a "dynamic woven hinge." Three hybrid configurations are officially outlined as: "laptop mode for productivity, stage mode for streaming, and studio mode for creativity." Current generation models are powered by Intel's 13th Gen Core i7-13700H processor (aka the "Evo" platform), and can be configured with discrete NVIDIA mobile graphics solutions (GeForce RTX 4060, RTX 4050, or RTX 2000 Ada Generation). Under normal circumstances, a baseline build—reliant on an iGPU—starts at about $2400.

At the time of writing, Microsoft has not acknowledged The Verge's insider report. So far, resellers have shared top secret info—indicating an upcoming official announcement; possibly due by next month. Another group of unnamed sources claim that Surface Laptop Studio 2 manufacturing activities have already ended, as of early May (2025). The megacorporation has culled other Surface products in the past; sometimes coinciding with the departure of key executive team members and mass layoffs. A few days ago, mainstream news outlets covered Microsoft's latest batch of staff reductions—affecting roughly 6000 workers. Warren's article dashes all hopes of a potential third-gen design: "there doesn't appear to be a Surface Laptop Studio 3 on the horizon."

Global Accessibility Awareness Day, celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May, is dedicated to recognizing and raising awareness about the importance of accessibility. With billions of people playing video games in the world, including nearly 450 million players with some form of disability, our mission at Xbox is to create welcoming and accessible experiences so as many people as possible can enjoy the community and fun of gaming.

We recognize that every player can have different accessibility needs or preferences to support their play. This is why it's critical we partner with members of the disability community to help inform the hardware, platform experiences, and games we create.

The new Designed for Xbox collection has arrived. Introducing the Floral Collection, designed for players who seek accessories that blend beauty with performance. Each piece in this collection is adorned with unique intricate floral patterns, bringing a touch of elegance to your game time.

Night Blossom: PowerA Advantage Plus Wired Controller
Take your game and style to new limits with the officially licensed PowerA Advantage Plus Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11, featuring the stunning Night Blossom design. With our patented Quick-Twist Thumbsticks, you can easily adjust the thumbsticks to three different height settings with a simple twist. Enjoy a smoother, pro-level feel thanks to Hall Effect Modules that utilize contact-free magnetic sensors in the thumbsticks to help with precision and longevity. Plus, two Mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons, Dual Rumble Motors, and more. Available today for $42.99 USD ERP.

Late last month, data miners unearthed a wide variety of unannounced AMD Ryzen processor IPs. A "Sound Wave" product category received less attention, but Team Red's curious codename has reemerged in the middle of May. Thanks to fresh Kepler L2 theorizations, this mysterious mobile APU family has a potential end destination. Leaks from 2024 suggested that company engineers were working on an unusual Arm-based processor branch. AMD is cozily well-versed in all things x86, but an alleged present day diversification—into Arm (x64) territories—has confounded a fair few industry watchdogs.

In a tangential conversation—forking off from speculative "Zen 6" and PlayStation 6 APU chatter—Kepler L2 reckons that Team Red "Sound Wave" chips will be deployed in 2026, possibly within a refreshed Microsoft Surface lineup. Current-gen Arm-based offerings—leveraging Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors—have generated mixed user impressions (press and public alike). Microsoft and Qualcomm's "Windows on Arm" (WoA) platform partnership was elevated earlier on in May (with cheaper options), but troublesome hardware-to-software compatibility issues have reportedly caused some rifts in this relationship. As of last week, evaluators seemed to be poking around with NVIDIA's rumored Arm-based "N1" chip series on Windows. In theory, AMD's futuristic "Sound Wave" designs could do battle with (claimed) Team Green and MediaTek collaborative efforts.

AMD's Instinct MI325X accelerator has struggled to gain traction with large customers, according to extensive data from SemiAnalysis. Launched in Q2 2025, the MI325X arrived roughly nine months after NVIDIA's H200 and concurrently with NVIDIA's "Blackwell" mass-production roll-out. That timing proved unfavourable, as many buyers opted instead for Blackwell's superior cost-per-performance ratio. Early interest from Microsoft in 2024 failed to translate into repeat orders. After the initial test purchases, Microsoft did not place any further commitments. In response, AMD reduced its margin expectations in an effort to attract other major clients. Oracle and a handful of additional hyperscalers have since expressed renewed interest, but these purchases remain modest compared with NVIDIA's volume.

A fundamental limitation of the MI325X is its eight-GPU scale-up capacity. By contrast, NVIDIA's rack-scale GB200 NVL72 supports up to 72 GPUs in a single cluster. For large-scale AI inference and frontier-level reasoning workloads, that difference is decisive. AMD positioned the MI325X against NVIDIA's air-cooled HGX B200 NVL8 and HGX B300 NVL16 modules. Even in that non-rack-scale segment, NVIDIA maintains an advantage in both raw performance and total-cost-of-ownership efficiency. Nonetheless, there remains potential for the MI325X in smaller-scale deployments that do not require extensive GPU clusters. Smaller model inference should be sufficient for eight GPU clusters, where lots of memory bandwidth and capacity are the primary needs. AMD continues to improve its software ecosystem and maintain competitive pricing, so AI labs developing mid-sized AI models may find the MI325X appealing.

According to Chosun Biz, Intel Foundry client acquisition efforts for the 18A node have shifted into high gear, with the latest reports indicating that Microsoft has inked a substantial foundry deal based on the 18A process. Talks with Google are also said to be advancing, suggesting that Intel may soon secure a second cloud giant for a customer of its 18A technology. Intel's flagship 18A node, which entered risk production earlier this year, is slated for full-scale volume manufacturing before the end of 2025. Beyond the baseline 18A offering, the company is already developing two enhanced variants: 18A-P, scheduled for rollout in 2026, and 18A-PT, targeted for 2028. Chosun Biz reports that prototype 18A-P wafers have been produced in Intel's domestic fabs, pointing out the foundry's swift pace of new node production.

Intel has even begun sharing early PDKs for its next-generation 14A node with select partners, paving the way for continued scaling beyond the 18A era. Strategically, Intel's extensive US fab footprint, which includes two under-construction fabs in Arizona (a USD 32 billion investment), expanded packaging facilities in New Mexico, a new 300 mm logic plant in Oregon, and two Ohio fabs earmarked for the early 2030s, could prove advantageous amid ongoing tariff uncertainties. Beyond North America, Intel is gearing up Fab 34 in Ireland for mass production of its Intel 4 node and inaugural 3 nm chips later this year. In Israel, Fab 38 is being outfitted for EUV-based, high-performance wafer manufacturing, while an advanced packaging site in Penang, Malaysia, supports global assembly and testing.

Copilot+ PCs continue to define the next wave of personal computing—fast, long lasting, secure PCs that are purpose-built to unlock AI experiences that empower us to get more done. Today, Microsoft and Surface expand the Copilot+ PC family with the new Surface Laptop, 13-inch and Surface Pro, 12-inch, designed with performance and portability in mind. These new PCs reflect the next chapter of Surface innovation bringing ultra-thin, lightweight and powerful Copilot+ PCs to more people at even lower price points.

Last May, we introduced a new category of devices—Copilot+ PCs, the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever, with our flagship Surface Laptop and Surface Pro representing the ultimate Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft. Copilot+ PCs are lightning fast, responsive devices with long battery life, built to be secure by design and by default, and unlock exclusive AI experiences, running locally thanks to the Neural Processing Unit in their advanced processors. Windows continues to invest in Copilot+ PCs, with a new agent in settings and new Copilot+ PC experiences announced today—rolling out first to Windows Insiders. Today, we are proud to introduce two new Surface Copilot+ PCs, powered by Snapdragon X Plus processors, that deliver great experiences for great value. You now have more options to choose the right Surface Copilot+ PC to fit your needs.