One of the main pillars that vendors of Arm-based processors often cite as a competitive advantage versus x86 processors is a keen focus on energy efficiency and predictability of performance. In the quest for higher efficiency and performance, Arm vendors have largely designed out the ability to operate on multiple threads concurrently—something that most enterprise-class CPUs have enabled for years under the technology description of "SMT"—which was also created in the name of enabling performance and efficiency benefits.

Arm vendors often claim that SMT brings security risks, creates performance unpredictability from shared resource contention and drives added cost and energy needed to implement SMT. Interestingly, Arm does support multi-threading in its Neoverse E1-class processor family for embedded uses such as automotive. Given these incongruities, this blog intends to provide a bit more clarity to help customers assess what attributes of performance and efficiency really bring them value for their critical workloads.

Optoma, the No. 1 DLP brand worldwide, today introduced the HCPro-4400 4K UHD projector powered by Dolby Vision technology. Bringing immersive images to the professional installation market and home cinema enthusiasts, the HCPro-4400 delivers cutting-edge 4K UHD visuals and is designed to be the first on the market with certifications for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and FILMMAKER MODE.

The HCPro-4400 provides unparalleled, lifelike imagery for enjoying your favorite movies and TV shows to viewing live sports with a 3,200,000:1 contrast ratio and 5,000 lumens of brightness for the best cinematic experience. With Dolby Vision optimizing each frame of content, the projector brings the big-screen experience home with remarkable brightness, contrast, and color - replicating the same image quality of Dolby Cinema in theaters. For greater visual detail and depth, HDR10+ enhances content for improved dynamic range and color precision.

TechPowerUp has discovered that there are NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards in retail circulation that come with too few render units, which lowers performance. Zotac's GeForce RTX 5090 Solid comes with fewer ROPs than it should—168 are enabled, instead of the 176 that are part of the RTX 5090 specifications. This loss of 8 ROPs has a small, but noticeable impact on performance. During recent testing, we noticed our Zotac RTX 5090 Solid sample underperformed slightly, falling behind even the NVIDIA RTX 5090 Founders Edition card. At the time we didn't pay attention to the ROP count that TechPowerUp GPU-Z was reporting, and instead spent time looking for other reasons, like clocks, power, cooling, etc.

Two days ago, one of our readers who goes by "Wuxi Gamer," posted this thread on the TechPowerUp Forums, reporting that his retail Zotac RTX 5090 Solid was showing fewer ROPs in GPU-Z than the RTX 5090 should have. The user tried everything from driver to software re-installs, to switching between the two video BIOSes the card comes with, all to no avail. What a coincidence that we had this card in our labs already, so we then dug out our sample. Lo and behold—our sample is missing ROPs, too! GPU-Z is able to read and report these units counts, in this case through NVIDIA's NVAPI driver interface. The 8 missing ROPs constitute a 4.54% loss in the GPU's raster hardware capability, and to illustrate what this means for performance, we've run a couple of tests.

MSI proudly announces the release of its first branded Google TV Smart Monitor - Modern MD272UPSW. The Smart Monitor supports Multi Control and KVM functions, making it a versatile choice for both entertainment and work. Equipped with 4K UHD resolution, IPS panel, and wide color gamut coverage of 94% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3, delivering vibrant and lifelike visuals. In addition, the monitor includes a USB Type-C port with 65 W Power Delivery and an ergonomic stand that tilts, swivels, rotates and is height adjustable for seamless connectivity and comfortable use while working.

The entertainment you love. With a little help from Google
No more jumping from app to app. Google TV brings together 400,000+ movies, TV episodes, and more from across your streaming services - organized in one place. Need inspiration? Get curated recommendations and use Google's powerful search to find shows across 10,000+ apps or to browse 800+ free live TV channels and thousands of free movies. Ask Google Assistant to find movies, stream apps, play music, and control the monitor - all with your voice. Simply press the Google Assistant button on the remote to get started.

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it has officially begun mass production of a 45-inch Gaming OLED monitor panel with ultra-high 5K2K resolution. By producing the world's highest-resolution Gaming OLED panel, the company is seeking to seize the growth potential of the high-end gaming display market.

This product not only features key gaming monitor specifications such as top-tier resolution, refresh rate, and response time, but it also delivers perfect black levels in any environment, providing the ultimate gaming experience.

Samsung Display unveiled two new, game-changing QD-OLED panels today at the CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, that are expected to reinforce the company's plans to dominate the premium, self-luminous monitor market.

The new products includes the world's first 27-inch UHD (3840x2160) OLED panel with 240 Hz refresh rate and 27-inch 500 Hz OLED panel with QHD (2560x1440) resolution, boasting the highest refresh rate when compared to OLED displays currently on the market with the same resolution. Recently, global electronics manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics, ASUS, MSI, and others, announced the launch of their 2025 monitor lineups featuring these panels. Samsung Display intends to commence mass production of both panels in the first half of the year.

At CES 2025 we sneaked up on ViewSonic, as they were setting up a giant mosaic screen. The star attraction is the VG2748N, a 27-inch wireless monitor. The display uses Wi-Fi TX and a USB-C dongle to wirelessly get its display input from a supported source, such as a modern laptop. If you prefer wired connectivity, you get DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4. The display specs are nothing to write home about—1080p 60 Hz with 250 nits brightness; but the main pull is the wireless connectivity. The monitor isn't exactly portable, it looks conventional, but has a quick-setup stand. ViewSonic will launch this one later this quarter (before April).

For portability, the company has the VG1656N, a 16-inch portable monitor that you can cast wirelessly to. It features a 16:10 aspect ratio with 1920 x 1200 resolution, and 60 Hz refresh rate. The monitor has a built-in battery, and a pair of USB-C ports for two-way charging (to charge the monitor, as well as to charge your laptop from the monitor's battery). The monitor features a folio-type cover-stand. This monitor is available now for $300. We also spotted the XG275D-4K, a 27-inch wired monitor with 4K Ultra HD resolution. This display does 4K UHD at 160 Hz, or 1080p at 360 Hz. It packs NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, and AMD FreeSync Premium. Inputs include DisplayPort 2.0 and HDMI 2.1. ViewSonic plans to launch this some time in Q2-2025.

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual and edtech solutions, introduces new display products at the Pepcom Digital Experience, Jan. 6th, 2025, in Las Vegas. The company will debut and showcase the latest line-up of desktop monitors that will be available in the first half of 2025. The new monitors include the ViewSonic VG2748N, a 1080p, 27-inch monitor with wireless casting, and the XG275D-4K, a 4K gaming monitor that offers switchable refresh rates and resolutions settings allowing gamers to play with a variety of gaming devices with a single monitor.

Along with the new VG2748N and XG275D-4K desktop monitors, which offer exceptional functionality and performance, the company will highlight its award-winning line of portable monitors, as well as its latest portable projector. "ViewSonic is excited about its new line of product offerings in 2025," said Jeff Muto, Business Line Director at ViewSonic. "Our new desktop monitors, along with our current slate of portable display devices, showcase how ViewSonic continues to expand its display solutions to offer more choices, features, and functionality to any type of work or play lifestyle."

LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its reputation as a top provider of lifestyle projectors with the introduction of two brand-new models at CES 2025. Raising the bar for the lifestyle projector category, LG's "new-concept" models are designed to deliver maximum space efficiency. The CES Innovation Award-winning PF600U is a versatile device that seamlessly combines a projector with a Bluetooth speaker and LED mood lamp, while the CineBeam S (model PU615U) has the distinction of being LG's smallest-ever 4K Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector. Worthy successors to 2024's popular LG CineBeam Q, the innovative, new models boast exceptional picture quality, design and ease-of-use; making them the ideal lifestyle companions for modern consumers.

PF600U: A Versatile 3-in-1 Lifestyle Companion for Everyday Spaces
The groundbreaking PF600U, a CES Innovation Award honoree, transforms living spaces with its multifunctionality. Serving as a projector, Bluetooth speaker and LED mood lamp, it can tailor any room's ambiance to the user's preferences. Whether enjoying a private theater, soothing visuals or a mood-lit listening session, it effortlessly curates a distinctive experience that enriches the moment.

MSI, the world's leading manufacturer of true gaming hardware, is proudly expanding the hardware possibilities for all gamers. While OLED panels have become the preferred choice for high-end gaming, the OLED burn-in issue has consistently been a major concern for all users. MSI is proud to introduce an exceptional solution that effectively addresses the dreaded OLED problem.

The world's first DisplayPort 2.1a (UHBR20) 27" 4K 240 Hz QD-OLED monitor, the MPG 272URX QD-OLED, is equipped with a 5-layer tandem OLED panel featuring the EL Gen 3 technology. This new material composition improves efficiency up to 30%. This monitor offers stunning clarity with 166 PPI, which enhances text sharpness and significantly reduces color fringing, setting a new standard for daily visuals. Recognized for its design and innovation, it has earned the CES 2025 Innovation Award. ith G-SYNC Compatible support, the monitor delivers smoother, tear-free gaming with reduced lag and fully compatibility with future hardware. This monitor is also perfect for all AAA game titles, ensuring an exceptional gaming experience with flawless performance and visuals.

ASRock, the global leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, mini PCs, gaming monitors and power supply units, today launches its latest Phantom Gaming OLED series, featuring three high-performance models: PGO32UFS, PGO27QFS, and PGO27QFV. Equipped with cutting-edge OLED panel technology, these monitors deliver outstanding visual quality and exceptional performance, providing an unparalleled viewing experience for gamers.

PGO32UFS: Innovative Dual-Mode Large Screen Offering Speed and Clarity
The PGO32UFS features a 32-inch flat WOLED screen with UHD resolution and a native 240 Hz refresh rate for stunning image clarity and smooth motion. Its unique Dual-Mode function allows gamers to switch seamlessly to a 480 Hz refresh rate at FHD resolution, catering to both ultra-high-definition and ultra-high-speed gaming scenarios. Additionally, its stand integrates ASRock's patented Wi-Fi antenna technology, supporting the latest Wi-Fi 7 connectivity with up to 7dBi peak gain, significantly enhancing network stability and providing a low-latency gaming environment. To ensure sustained performance during extended use, the PGO32UFS features ASRock's exclusive heatsink technology combined with graphene film and a four-sided ventilation design, effectively reducing panel temperature and preventing image retention.

Chinese giant TCL has officially begun mass production of inkjet-printed OLED displays. The company's subsidiary, TCL CSOT, is leading this initiative with its first product: a 21.6-inch 4K UHD panel designed for professional monitors. The new display boasts a 204 pixels per inch density and coverage of 99% of the DCI-P3 color space. With a maximum brightness of 350 cd/m², the panel is suited for professional applications, with TCL CSOT targeting the medical sector. Additionally, the firm advertises more than 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Using the leftovers from JOLED's closure, a Japanese venture that previously attempted similar technology but filed for bankruptcy in 2023, TCL's approach utilizes Gen 5.5 glass substrates measuring 1,300 × 1,500 mm. Notably, it incorporates other materials from the former Japanese pioneer.

Printed OLED technology promises more cost-effective display production compared to traditional methods. Unlike traditional evaporation methods in OLED production that use shadow masks and waste significant amounts of material, inkjet OLED printing allows for precise deposition of organic materials directly onto substrates. This maskless process not only reduces material waste but also minimizes contamination risks, which is crucial given OLEDs' sensitivity to environmental factors. The choice of starting with medical monitors mirrors JOLED's initial strategy from 2017, when they launched a similar 21.6-inch 4K panel for the same market segment. TCL has already announced plans to expand its printed OLED lineup in 2025 with additional display sizes. The success of this venture could potentially revolutionize OLED display manufacturing, making high-quality screens more accessible across various market segments, and we hope, one day, the enthusiast segment. TCL's consumer brand carrying these printed displays will be named APEX.

AGON by AOC - one of the world's leading gaming monitor and IT accessories brands - proudly announces the launch of the AGON PRO AG346UCD, a cutting-edge 34-inch (86.4 cm) curved gaming monitor. Adding to its impressive W-OLED and QD-OLED range under its top-tier AGON PRO line-up for gaming enthusiasts, this new model features a QD-OLED panel, 175 Hz refresh rate, and UWQHD (3440x1440) resolution. The AG346UCD sets a new standard for immersive gaming experiences, in particular with wide, expansive RPG or story-driven games, as well as sim racing, flight simulators, and action-packed titles.

QD-OLED excellence meets high-performance gaming
The AGON PRO AG346UCD boasts a 34-inch (86.4 cm) QD-OLED panel with a gentle 1800R curvature, offering an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio and a sharp 3440x1440 UWQHD resolution. Effectively a wider, panoramic version of a 27-inch display with the same height, the AG346UCD fills users' peripheral vision. This combination provides an expansive field of view, perfect for racing simulations, flight simulators, and immersive action games. It's also great for games played from the first person perspective such as shooters and RPGs, as the 21:9 aspect ratio allows for a wider field of view. The monitor's smooth 175 Hz refresh rate and incredibly fast response times of up to 0.03 ms GtG ensure fluid gameplay and near-instantaneous pixel transitions, giving gamers a responsive experience in fast-paced scenarios.

Patriot, a leading manufacturer of high-performance gaming memory modules, SSDs, flash memory, and gaming peripherals, has introduced its latest creation under the Viper Gaming brand - the Viper Gaming Series V30 A2 microSD card. This top-tier storage solution is specifically designed for gamers, offering capacities ranging from128GB to an impressive 1 TB. With cutting-edge technology, it delivers exceptional read and write speeds, allowing gamers to effortlessly store high-definition screenshots, 4K gameplay videos, and extensive game libraries, all while experiencing unparalleled performance without storage limitations.

The Viper Gaming Series V30 A2 microSD card is built on advanced U3, Class 10, A2, V30, and UHS-I technology standards, offering read speeds of up to 100 MB/s and write speeds of up to 90 MB/s. Whether loading massive AAA games or running high-performance applications, this microSD card ensures a smooth and responsive user experience. Its compact size makes it perfect for expanding game libraries on the go and is compatible with handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, smartphones, and tablets, enhancing gaming performance anywhere, anytime.

Alogic, a global leader in advanced connectivity solutions, is set to unveil and showcase an exciting array of new smart tech products at IFA 2024 in Berlin, beginning today. This year, Alogic will introduce innovative APEX mice, ECHELON Compact Wireless keyboards and ILLUMINATE monitor light with 4K webcam. The brand will also showcase its recently announced monitors including, Clarity Touch 5K, Edge 34 & 40 inch Ultrawide OHD, and Horizon 34 inch Ultrawide display. These cutting-edge products are expected to be available by the end of the year.

Leading the reveal is the Apex Wireless Performance Mouse, in black and white. The Apex mouse boasts ergonomic curves for comfort over long use, attempting to combat hand strain with a design conducive to a natural position of the hand. Apex includes preconfigured Mac and Windows shortcut profiles that make it easier for users to take screenshots, switch windows and navigate between desktops. Also included on Apex are extra buttons, a horizontal scroll wheel, and programmable keyboard shortcuts via the Apex Control app-which streamlines the process for Mac or Windows. Users can create custom shortcuts for Apex's buttons using the Apex Control app, available for Mac and Windows.

Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), today announced the launch of the new Sharp XP-X141Q RB laser projector. The new model is a high-end addition to the Installation PJ category, adding to Sharp's strong lineup of projectors, including the recently announced P series.

Providing 4K UHD images, the X141Q creates maximum detail and color reproduction, bringing content to life with 13,500 lumens for the ultimate viewing experience. The projectors are designed for applications requiring high brightness and are ideal for corporate conference rooms, higher education classrooms, museums, houses of worship, financial institutions, and more.

Acer today announced the expansion of its Predator gaming monitor line with two new 27-inch models that promise to deliver exceptional speed and stunning visuals for enjoying the latest titles in their full glory. Both monitors bring cutting-edge technology and innovation to the forefront, catering to the needs of gamers who demand only the best performance.

Equipped with a WQHD, 360 Hz panel, and the new NVIDIA G-SYNC Pulsar technology, the Predator XB273U F5 is a gaming powerhouse and is certain to awe even the most demanding players with smooth and dynamic frames. The Predator XB273K V5 comes with a 4K UHD resolution display with 160 Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync Premium technology to showcase crisp details and motion for enjoying games in stunning clarity. With Dynamic Frequency and Resolution (DFR) technology, users can opt to switch to FHD resolution at 320 Hz to tailor the gaming experience based on their preference.

Optoma, the No. 1 4K UHD projection and DLP Laser brand in Americas, introduced at InfoComm 2024 two new fixed lens, 4K UHD laser projectors designed to bring high brightness, dependability, and cutting-edge image technology to the professional installation market. The Optoma ZK810T and ZK810TST, short throw option, projectors deliver in spades on brightness and accurate color reproduction, along with installation flexibility and lifetime reliability, bringing to life stunning imagery and captivating content. The ZK810TST has been awarded the InfoComm 2024 Best of Show Award by ProjectorCentral.

Building on the success of the ZU920T and ZU920TST series and continuing to bring innovative solutions to the professional installation market, Optoma's award-winning ZK810TST is a first-of-its-kind and the only 4K UHD fixed lens short throw projector over 7,500 lumens on the market, saving space without sacrificing function. With true 4K resolution, the ZK810 series brings a new level of brightness and color accuracy to professional installations, delivering more immersive and lifelike viewing experiences that engage audiences.

Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a global leader in the projector and display markets, today announced the launch of the new Sharp P Series projectors - the XP-P601Q and XP-P721Q. The new P Series projectors are the first Sharp projectors developed leveraging more than 35 years of projector experience from NEC. The Sharp P Series projectors provide viewers with a stunning 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) image that is bright enough for commercial use across a number of industries and signage applications, including in corporate conference rooms, museums, and higher education classrooms.

The new Sharp P Series projectors create a picture that will leave a lasting impression, with the 6,000-lumen P601Q model and the 7,200-lumen P721Q model delivering incredibly sharp and crisp quality even in well-lit settings. This makes the Sharp P Series projectors ideal for corporate settings and higher education classrooms, as well as fast-growing, emerging markets such as museums and golf simulators, which have seen expansive growth in both consumer and commercial markets.

BenQ, the global No. 1 DLP 4K projector brand, announced today its newest 4K casual gaming projectors, the TK710 and TK710STi. Enhanced with 3200 ANSI lumens with high brightness and contrast, 95% Rec.709 and HDR compatibility, both projectors are easy to install and thrive in both light and dark rooms for enjoying movies and gaming. With low input lag and specialized HDR game modes, the projectors provide stunning imagery and fast-paced gaming for immersion into any entertainment.

An update to their predecessors which utilized a traditional lamp light source, the new projectors are equipped with 4K UHD laser-enhanced 3200 ANSI lumens, and each laser offers 20,000 hours of light source life. For a truly immersive gaming experience, the TK710 and TK710STi each have a low input lag of 16.7 ms (4K@60 Hz) and 4.2 ms (1080p@240 Hz), making both models ideal for gaming on the big screen.

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it has developed the first-ever Gaming OLED panel with a switchable refresh rate and resolution. The company has begun mass production of the 31.5-inch panel this month, accelerating its push into the high-end gaming display market with new concept products.

This groundbreaking Gaming OLED panel allows users to freely choose between a high refresh rate (FHD 480 Hz) and a high-resolution mode (UHD 240 Hz) depending on the content.

Optoma, a world-leading manufacturer of large display solutions and the No.1 4K UHD brand and the No.1 DLP brand worldwide and in the Americas, announces its new N-Series Professional Displays with intuitive, user-friendly software for business professionals to connect, present, and collaborate globally, both in-person and remotely. Featuring portrait and landscape orientation, Optoma's N-Series is built for use in corporate lobbies, reception areas, conference rooms, lecture halls, digital signage, and other professional environments.

In response to the growing demand for commercial display solutions, Optoma designed the N-Series Professional Displays to enhance the current conferencing setups of corporate and education settings and accommodate hybrid work and distance-learning scenarios. Engineered for simplified connectivity and heightened engagement.

ASUS IoT, a global leader in AIoT solutions, today announced the release of MDS-M700—an all-new medical box PC expertly engineered to deliver exemplary performance and service in diverse healthcare settings. As display and video capture technologies advance to ultra-high definition (UHD) resolutions, MDS-M700 is at the forefront, boasting support for 4K UHD imaging that offers unparalleled clarity and precision in visualizing human tissue, vessels and body structures. MDS-M700 meets medical safety industry standards, including CE, FCC, and IEC 60601-1-2 certifications.

With the growing demand for digital operating rooms and intelligent healthcare, MDS-M700 is engineered to be a trustworthy medical box PC. With an ultra-low noise level of 45 dB and a seamless one-piece cover, MDS-M700 helps to maintain a hygienic environment with resistance to alcohol, making it ideal for sterile settings such as surgery centers, operating rooms and training facilities. Powered by Intel Core (13th gen) processors, and optional NVIDIA RTX A5000/A4000 GPU cards, MDS-M700 delivers exceptional computing performance while operating quietly across a spectrum of applications.

Intel released the latest version of its Arc GPU Graphics drivers. Version 101.5122 WHQL comes with support for the 14th Gen Core HX and Desktop 65 W series processors with their Intel UHD 770/730 series integrated graphics based on the Xe-LP architecture. The drivers also add optimization for "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown." The company hasn't fixed any issues with this particular driver release, but identified a handful new issues to fix with future releases. Grab the drivers from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Arc GPU Graphics Drivers 101.5122 WHQL

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it will unveil its latest OLED products based on proprietary technology that revolutionize customer values at CES 2024. The company will operate two booths at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), with its main booth in the North Hall and an exclusive booth dedicated to automotive displays in the West Hall.

Under the theme of "A Better Future," signifying the company's various display solutions based on cutting-edge OLED technologies that can revolutionize consumer lifestyles, LG Display will present its latest large-sized OLED technology and next-generation automotive display solutions optimized for Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs).