They say that the most difficult part of transportation planning is last-mile delivery. A network of warehouses and trucks can bring products within a mile of almost all customers, but logistical challenges and costs add up quickly in the process of delivering those goods to the right doors at the right time. There's a similar pattern in the AI space. Massive data center installations have empowered astonishing cloud-based AI services, but many researchers, developers, and data scientists need the power of an AI supercomputer to travel that last mile. They need machines that offer the convenience and space-saving design of a desktop PC, but go well above and beyond the capabilities of consumer-grade hardware, especially when it comes to available GPU memory.

Enter a new class of AI desktop supercomputers, powered by ASUS and NVIDIA. The upcoming ASUS AI supercomputer lineup, spearheaded by the ASUS ExpertCenter Pro ET900N G3 desktop PC and ASUS Ascent GX10 mini-PC, wield the latest NVIDIA Grace Blackwell superchips to deliver astounding performance in AI workflows. For those who need local, private supercomputing resources, but for whom a data center or rack server installation isn't feasible, these systems provide a transformative opportunity to seize the capabilities of AI.

Taiwan's electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers are accelerating their North American production plans in response to tariff threats, but component shortages and capacity constraints at US chip plants could hamper the AI server market for years, according to industry sources.

"Since Trump's election, Taiwanese manufacturers have been strategically expanding their US presence," said Yen Chou, an analyst at DIGITIMES Research. "Most server manufacturers are concentrating in Texas, with Foxconn's FII already operating there and planning expansions."

Agentic AI is redefining the cybersecurity landscape—introducing new opportunities that demand rethinking how to secure AI while offering the keys to addressing those challenges. Unlike standard AI systems, AI agents can take autonomous actions—interacting with tools, environments, other agents and sensitive data. This provides new opportunities for defenders but also introduces new classes of risks. Enterprises must now take a dual approach: defend both with and against agentic AI.

Building Cybersecurity Defense With Agentic AI
Cybersecurity teams are increasingly overwhelmed by talent shortages and growing alert volume. Agentic AI offers new ways to bolster threat detection, response and AI security—and requires a fundamental pivot in the foundations of the cybersecurity ecosystem. Agentic AI systems can perceive, reason and act autonomously to solve complex problems. They can also serve as intelligent collaborators for cyber experts to safeguard digital assets, mitigate risks in enterprise environments and boost efficiency in security operations centers. This frees up cybersecurity teams to focus on high-impact decisions, helping them scale their expertise while potentially reducing workforce burnout. For example, AI agents can cut the time needed to respond to software security vulnerabilities by investigating the risk of a new common vulnerability or exposure in just seconds. They can search external resources, evaluate environments and summarize and prioritize findings so human analysts can take swift, informed action.

LG unveiled the Dream Factory, a hub for the production of FC-BGAs (Flip Chip Ball Grid Arrays), the company's next-generation growth engine, to the media for the first time and announced it on the 30th April.

In 2022, LG Innotek announced its plans to launch a business producing FC-BGAs, high-value semiconductor substrates. To build the Dream Factory, the company acquired LG Electronics' Gumi 4 Factory and began full-scale mass production in February 2024.

A series of April leaks have suggested that Apple's mixed reality headset engineering team is concocting two distinct next-gen solutions. Mid-month, leakers shared alleged early shots of "Vision Air"-related connectors and external parts—hinting at a potential dark blue colorway. Combined with a selection of fairly legitimate-sounding predictions from a notorious industry watcher, so-called Vision Pro sequels are on the way. Apple's Chinese manufacturing partners are reportedly deep into mass production of crucial "Vision Pro 2" components. Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter has provided plenty of inside knowledge stories over the past couple of months—his latest article included a section dedicated to fresh VR/AR insights: "I reported earlier this month that Apple is full steam ahead on two new successors to the Vision Pro (2023): a lighter version at a cheaper price point, and a Mac-tethered model aimed at applications that need maximum responsiveness."

He continued: "all signs point to the lighter model arriving between the end of this year and the first half of 2026. Despite the first version selling poorly, the company isn't abandoning ship here. The main uncertainty is whether the lighter version will be considered a replacement for the Vision Pro or a cheaper alternative." In theory, Apple could test "more mainstream" gaming waters with an initial rollout of the claimed cheaper + lightweight "Vision Air" model—perhaps set to do battle with readily available rival devices; e.g. Meta's dominant Quest 3 range. A full-blown Vision Pro follow-up could launch later on in 2026—likely reserved for upper-crust customers, with an increased focus on productivity applications.

Recent trends in the NAS market and general tech market has shown a propensity to lock down their devices to prevent you from using the device you paid for as you see fit. We at ASUSTOR do not believe in locking down your NAS device. As such, all ASUSTOR NAS devices come in an unlocked state. Today, ASUSTOR is announcing its intention to continue to maintain its devices in an unlocked state for maximum freedom.

Owning Your Products!
In recent years, companies across the tech industry have announced tighter and tighter vendor lock-in requirements that are largely arbitrary in nature. This has been in the form of putting software locks that disallow the use of unauthorized software or peripherals on devices you purchase with your hard earned money. Examples of this include companies forcing use of in-house branded hardware like hard drives in a NAS, locking out third party operating systems and apps not approved by the vendor This is part of a general trend towards disposable technology, vendor lock-in, planned obsolescence, and anti-consumer practices all at an unnecessary expense to you, the consumer. At ASUSTOR, we believe that you own the hardware you purchase, and as such, ASUSTOR NAS devices come in an unlocked state. ASUSTOR NAS devices do not place arbitrary restrictions on your use of the device, while using a non-approved drive on NAS devices with vendor lock-in policies can cause error messages or loss of features like building a RAID pool or knowledge of drive health and more.

Just before the official launch of Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics cards, members of the Chiphell forum expressed concerns about unnamed evaluation samples exhibiting worrying memory module temperatures. Days later, Western review outlets published similar findings across several board partner specimens. Typically, pre-launch and retail units have utilized SK hynix GDDR6 VRAM modules—TechPowerUp's W1zzard uncovered numerous examples of the manufacturer's "H56G42AS8DX-014" model during teardown sessions. Curiously, Chinese PC hardware enthusiasts have happened upon Radeon RX 9070 XT cards that utilize Samsung GDDR6 memory modules. It is not clear whether Yeston has outfitted its flagship Sakura Atlantis OC SKU with Samsung components from the very beginning, but one owner documented a GPU-Z diagnostics session—late last month—showing "GDDR6 (Samsung)" onboard. Earlier this month, insiders posited that NVIDIA was in the process of changing its main GDDR7 memory vendor—from Samsung to SK hynix—for the GeForce RTX 50-series.

According to a recent Guru3D news piece, additional cases were reported. Online conjecture points to "higher end" custom models being updated with "cooler" modules. Hilbert Hagedoorn—Guru3D's head honcho—has gathered compelling information via community feedback channels: "the transition to Samsung memory has yielded noticeable thermal advantages. Early reviews and comparisons indicate that the new memory modules help lower temperatures significantly. Custom RX 9070 XT models running demanding benchmarks like Furmark have demonstrated memory temperatures of 75°C or lower without necessitating an increase in voltage or a reduction in clock speeds. Notable manufacturers, including Sapphire, XFX, and GIGABYTE, have already integrated Samsung's GDDR6 into their custom variants. However, as of now, AMD has not authorized its partners to explicitly differentiate between models with SK hynix and Samsung memory, likely to avoid confusion among consumers and maintain a consistent product lineup." Additionally, TechPowerUp forum members have found Samsung GDDR6 memory on Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 custom models. Thanks for the tip, Fluffmeister.

PlayStation 5 Pro console—the most innovative PlayStation console to date—elevates gaming experiences to the next level with features like upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) - an AI-driven upscaling that delivers super sharp image clarity with high framerate gameplay. Today we're providing a closer look at the console's internal architecture, as Sony Interactive Entertainment engineers Shinya Tsuchida, PS5 Pro Mechanical Design Lead and Shinya Hiromitsu, PS5 Pro Electrical Design Lead, provide a deep-dive into the console's innovative technology and design philosophy.

Note: in this article, we refer to the PlayStation 5 model released in 2020 as the "original PS5," the PS5 released in 2023 as the "current PS5," and the PS5 Pro released in 2024 as the "PS5 Pro." Do not try this at home. Risk of fires, and exposure to electric shock or other injuries. Disassembling your console will invalidate your manufacturer's guarantee.

TrendForce's latest research reveals that although the U.S. has granted a 90-day grace period before implementing reciprocal tariffs—offering temporary relief for notebook brands—the broader market remains clouded by policy and economic uncertainty. Brands began frontloading inventory in late 2024, pushing Q4 shipment growth to 5.1%, with 1Q25 seeing a 7.2% YoY increase.

However, given persistent economic weakness and rising tariff risks, TrendForce has revised the full-year 2025 notebook brand shipment growth forecast downward from 3.6% to just 1.4%.

The Taiwan media is reporting that Foxconn has been busy moving more and more of its production from China to India, with the main focus being on Apple's iPhone and iPad products for now. Foxconn has been producing iPhones for the Indian market in India since 2019, but the story here is that China has banned Foxconn from sending Chinese staff to India to train the local staff and oversee the production. This has resulted in Foxconn having to send staff from Taiwan to India instead, but they might not be as familiar with the entire production process as the ones that are based in the factories in China.

This is only part of the issue though, as the news reports are also mentioning that China is preventing Foxconn from sending machines and equipment needed for the production to India. The same issue is said to be affecting other Taiwanese companies that are moving some of their production out of China to India, but they've had no issues when it comes to sending equipment to other nations in South East Asia. The equipment is apparently not possible to produce locally in India either, which means that these companies are more or less being forced to keep their production in China. To work around this issue, Foxconn is said to be sending half-finished phones and components to India, to do the final assembly there, to keep up production in India. So far, this is just rumours out of Taiwan, but it looks like China is intent on keeping the production on its shores for as long as it can.

JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, the global leader in the development of standards for the microelectronics industry, today announced the publication of its highly anticipated High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) DRAM standard: HBM4. Designed as an evolutionary step beyond the previous HBM3 standard, JESD270-4 HBM4 will further enhance data processing rates while maintaining essential features such as higher bandwidth, power efficiency, and increased capacity per die and/or stack, because the higher bandwidth enables the higher data processing rate.

The advancements introduced by HBM4 are vital for applications that require efficient handling of large datasets and complex calculations, including generative artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, high-end graphics cards, and servers. HBM4 introduces numerous improvements to the prior version of the standard, including:

The DOOM Slayer is back, and as we count down the days until you can explore the medieval world of DOOM: The Dark Ages, you'll need the right tools to get the job done. Introducing the Xbox Wireless Controller - DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 - DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition, and the Xbox Series X Wrap - DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition. This collection celebrates DOOM and the latest chapter in the franchise's storied history. From the runes adorning each piece, to specific homages like the matte green armor and the Mark of the Slayer, every detail in this collection has been thoughtfully selected to capture the essence of the DOOM universe.

If you're going to be the Slayer, you better look the part—gear up with the Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller in battle-worn green and silver. Crowned with 3D silver helmet spikes at the top and silver-plated sheathing on the two sides, this controller was forged for a demon-slaying super weapon. With additional touches like a rubberized, leather-like grip, a red thumbstick to match the chest port, and blood splatter resulting from your Shield Saw, every detail is crafted with the DOOM fan in mind.

As the US works to bring more semiconductor manufacturing back home, the machines needed to turn silicon into the world's most advanced processors are becoming pricier and harder to get, thanks to tariffs. Foundries building new fabs report that the specialized equipment they rely on, everything from extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography steppers to chemical vapor deposition chambers, carries a roughly 15% premium compared with similar gear sold overseas. Several forces are at play. The raw materials, high‑grade quartz for vacuum enclosures, and exotic metal alloys for precision optics have climbed in price. At the same time, key components like ultra‑accurate motion stages and alignment sensors are in short supply, sometimes stretching lead times for critical subsystems well beyond 18 months. For a fab racing to move from a 7 nm to a 5 nm process, those delays can mean missing tight ramp‑up targets and pushing out product launches.

Smaller chipmakers feel the squeeze the hardest. With fewer orders to negotiate volume discounts, second‑tier foundries may see their capital budgets balloon by 20 percent or more. In response, some are taking a mixed approach, sourcing commoditized tools such as oxidation furnaces and rapid thermal processors from multiple suppliers while reserving single‑vendor deals for high‑stakes systems like EUV scanners. Government support through the CHIPS Act offers a partial safety net, helping to subsidize capital expenditures. Yet even with grants and tax credits, the challenges will remain. Success will hinge on tight coordination between fabs, equipment makers, and policymakers to tame rising costs, shorten delivery schedules, and keep America's chip renaissance on track.

HP is expanding into the DIY gaming PC market with a new line of Omen-branded components, moving beyond its traditional prebuilt systems and laptops. The upcoming product lineup includes a single 120 mm RGB fan, a triple-pack of 120 mm modular RGB fans, a 1000 W modular power supply, a 240 mm LCD liquid cooling system, and a 360 mm aRGB liquid cooling system. HP confirms these components will work with non-Omen desktop systems, giving PC builders more flexibility.

The fans feature an annular design to help increase the airflow (up to 74 CFM) while reducing vibration through improved static pressure. Each fan includes aRGB LEDs that are customizable via HP's Omen Gaming Hub (OGH) software. They support HP's daisy chain system (up to 10 fans), or connect up to 16 fans through a single Omen Modular Hub. The AIO liquid cooling uses Asetek's 7th Gen pump with a built-in 2.1-inch IPS LCD (for the 240 mm model) and fans with aRGB Gen 2 lighting effects with OGH. HP is also offering the OMEN 1,000 W ATX 3.1 PSU with Cybernetics Platinum and 80 Plus Gold certification. The power supply is fully modular featuring 12 V-2×6 and 12VHPWR connectors with up to 600 W of power and a Zero RPM fan mode for quiet operation., While specific release dates and pricing haven't been announced, HP's website indicates these products are "coming soon."

Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced a new range of products that enhance cooling efficiency, offer streamlined form factors, and deliver reliable power for diverse computing needs. From the space-conscious Ncore 100 Air case to updates in the MasterLiquid and Hyper series, Cooler Master continues its focus on performance-driven, user-friendly designs.

"We're excited to introduce a fully integrated lineup that supports PC builders at every level," said Jimmy Sha, CEO of Cooler Master. "From the compact Ncore 100 Air case to our latest MasterLiquid and Hyper coolers, SickleFlow Edge fans, and the MWE Gold V3 PSU, each product underscores our goal of blending performance, reliability, and style into every build."

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual and EdTech solutions, has been honored at the prestigious iF Design Award 2025 for its outstanding design excellence. The company earned accolades for its Mac-compatible 5K monitor, 16-inch 16:10 portable monitors, and ViewShare wireless screen casting kit, showcasing its dedication to innovation, sustainability, and user-centric design.

ViewSonic has been honored at the iF Design Award 2025 for its outstanding design excellence
"We're thrilled to see our focus on user-centric innovation—like the ColorPro monitor's stunning 5K clarity for creative professionals, portable monitors for productivity on the go, and ViewShare for seamless collaboration—recognized for the eighth consecutive year at the iF Design Award," said Bonny Cheng, COO at ViewSonic. "Our goal is to deliver comprehensive solutions across business, education, and entertainment while prioritizing sustainability."

Considering that CPUs like the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D are turning heads everywhere for their unstoppable gaming prowess, you might be thinking about building a new PC in 2025. You'll need a potent graphics card to power your gaming ambitions. Today, you have more options on that front than ever. We're expanding our portfolio of AMD-powered graphics cards with Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 models from TUF Gaming and Prime.

Next-gen feature set
Armed with the latest RDNA 4 architecture and a supersized 16 GB serving of VRAM, these graphics cards stand poised to give you premium gaming experiences for years to come. Next-gen HYPR-RX tech delivers ultra-fast gaming, and you'll enjoy next-level immersion with the latest AI-powered features from AMD, including an improved experience with ray tracing. New for this generation is a machine-learning based super resolution mode compatible with select FSR 3.1 games that gives you an incredible balance of detailed images and fluid frame rates. DisplayPort 2.1 outputs give you incredible bandwidth for going big on resolution while supporting high-end refresh rates.

The Lords of Gondor have returned! Two new additions to the line of CSTM Kings. A line, a blade, a board - all that were once broken have been remade. Now, they can be custom-made, again and again. Inspired by the greatest kingdom of men; our Gondor CSTM80 and CSTM65 keyboards are kings of customization. Keeping safe all borders of these keebs, our all-new Gondor CSTM Decorative Cases feature exclusive artwork from the South Kingdom—as well as easy magnetic attachment for quick swapping with other cases in our collection.

Crowned with CSTM components fit for a King
Taking up the call of quality and customization alongside our Gondor accessories is a whole tower guard's worth of enthusiast components. Including: Gateron switches, customizable gasket mounting, case foam, case weights, and more...

Framework has finally introduced its next-generation Framework Laptop 13, now powered by the extremely potent Ryzen AI 300 "Strix Point" APUs. The product is already available for pre-order on Framework's website, with prices starting from $899 for the Do-It-Yourself variant, and $1,099 for the fully assembled variant. From the outside, the design of the product has been left mostly unchanged, which may appear somewhat disappointing at first, although an unaltered design likely indicates compatibility of components between the two laptops, which is undoubtedly one of the primary selling points for the Framework Laptop.

As mentioned, the biggest upgrade that the new Framework Laptop brings to the table is the new selection of processors, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU sitting at the highest-end. Unsurprisingly, the Strix Point APUs allow for excellent performance improvements to both CPU and GPU side of things. With 12 cores (4 Zen 5 + 8 Zen 5c) and 24 threads, the highest-end Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU performs admirably well in benchmarks as well as real-life workloads. The Radeon 890M iGPU is among the fastest available on the market, trading blows with the Arc 140T iGPU in synthetic benchmarks. Of course, the 50 TOPS NPU allows for CoPilot functionality, for those who care. The Windows variant ships with a dedicated CoPilot key as well, while the DIY variant does not.

Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, is excited to introduce the Pacific F-Pro Fitting - Chrome series and the Pacific PCTG Hard Tube series. Combining aesthetics with functionality, the F-Pro Fittings feature a sleek mirror-polished design, while the PCTG Hard Tubes provide high-temperature resistance. These new cooling components enhance durability and precision, making installation effortless and giving PC enthusiasts the freedom to create with confidence.

Pacific F-Pro Fitting - Chrome
The Pacific F-Pro Fitting Series stands out for its mirror-polished design, meticulously crafted to deliver a flawless, mirror-like finish. This treatment elevates the aesthetics of custom liquid cooling setups, offering a refined look. With six different fittings, this series provides a range of options, enabling you to build ideal liquid cooling systems for the ultimate performance and style.

We spotted via IT Home a fresh PC case just released by GALAX under the name "Metal Master Dark Guard", a new case that works with both ATX and microATX (back connectors supported) motherboards. The case keeps the look of the Metal Master series, with clean lines and a nice beveled design. It also has a big tempered glass side panel that gives you a clear view of internal components. The case internal design shows special attention to cooling, as GALAX mentions that they put it through multiple airflow tests. It can fit up to eight 120 or 140 mm fans, and one 240/260/280 mm radiator which makes it great for high-end gaming PCs. The design has a smart air duct system to keep things cool, and there's plenty of room inside to make cable management easy. One cool thing about the design is that the USB 3.0, and Type-C connectors are placed at the front-bottom. This helps keep the overall look clean by hiding cables away from the user's eyes while keeping the airflow clean.

The case can fit the latest hardware components, including the new RTX 50 series graphics cards or any graphic card up to 400 mm long, and standard power supplies. GALAX has priced the Metal Master Dark Guard at 249 yuan about $35, at least that's the price on Asian markets. If it reaches Western markets around $50 it can be considered a viable option for those on a tight budget.

The GameSir X3 Pro integrated cooler mobile controller merges an advanced cooling system with high-quality performance. It is designed to enhance your gaming comfort and elevate your gaming experience with extreme esports sensation. It's compatible with Android devices and iPhone 15 and above, supporting phones with a length of 110-180 mm. Now available in exclusive Deadpool edition.

Officially licensed by Marvel, this edition showcases Deadpool's iconic black and red color scheme, capturing the essence of the beloved anti-hero. Equipped with a 900 mm cooling plate, it delivers an impressive 12 W of cooling power, keeping your phone cool even during long gaming sessions or in high temperatures. The GameSir Hall Effect anti-drift sticks offer 360° precision control, providing seamless and pinpoint accuracy. Combined with their durability, they meet the high standards that gamers demand for a top-tier gaming experience.

Shrinking components was (and still is) the main way to boost the speed of all electronic devices; however, as devices get tinier, making them becomes trickier. A group of scientists from SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), at Osaka University has discovered another method to enhance performance: putting a special metal layer known as a metamaterial on top of a silicon base to make electrons move faster. This approach shows promise, but the tricky part is managing the metamaterial's structure so it can adapt to real-world needs.

To address this, the team looked into vanadium dioxide (VO₂). When heated, VO₂ changes from non-conductive to metallic, allowing it to carry electric charge like small adjustable electrodes. The researchers used this effect to create 'living' microelectrodes, which made silicon photodetectors better at spotting terahertz light. "We made a terahertz photodetector with VO₂ as a metamaterial. Using a precise method, we created a high-quality VO₂ layer on silicon. By controlling the temperature, we adjusted the size of the metallic regions—much larger than previously possible—which affected how the silicon detected terahertz light," says lead author Ai I. Osaka.

PNY Technologies today announced the latest additions to their USB Type-C flash drive lineup, headlined by the extreme-performance PRO Elite V3 that delivers read speeds up to 1,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 800 MB/s, and offers storage options ranging from 256 GB - 2 TB. The expanded Type-C portfolio also includes the ultra-compact Elite-X Fit and Elite models, providing a storage solution for all Type-C and high-performance portable needs without requiring a Type-C adapter.

Extreme Storage Solution—PRO Elite V3 Type-C
The PRO Elite V3 leads PNY's latest generation of Type-C USB storage solutions, crafted for professional content creators, designers, and gamers demanding high performance while working with large files and resource-demanding applications. With extreme read speeds up to 1,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 800 MB/s, users can safely transfer their valuable content at blazing fast speeds up to 265 times faster than standard USB 2.0 flash drives. A huge storage size increase of up to 2 TB provides professional users ample space to store large project files, 4K video collections, and extensive gaming libraries on a single storage device.

We build our TUF Gaming components for users who want an emphasis on substance, meaning you're paying for pure performance when you go TUF. That focus on function is where the TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 and TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5080 graphics cards excel, providing you with next-gen graphics capabilities as well as high-performance thermal solutions that'll hold up under 4K AAA gaming pressure. If you've been waiting to upgrade your rig and want to treat yourself to a premium power bump, now's the time to pull the trigger. You're in for a truly substantial generational leap with these high-end components featuring the power of NVIDIA's latest GPU architecture alongside the sophistication of our latest graphics card designs.

Next-gen tech for tomorrow's heavyweight games
The GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 comprise the top of the power stack for NVIDIA's 50 Series GPUs, so when you invest in either a TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 or 5080 graphics card, you're setting yourself up for years to come. The 50 Series is powered by NVIDIA's Blackwell architecture, meaning these GPUs feature 4th generation RT cores to give gamers the best ray tracing performance yet. They also pack neural shaders, which compress textures to cut down on memory usage and produce incredible real-time visuals. And NVIDIA has ensured its 50 Series is equipped for neural processing via a built-in AI management processor, so you'll get an optimal experience when harnessing the power of NVIDIA DLSS 4. Powered by 5th generation Tensor Cores, DLSS 4 uses a Multi Frame Generation solution to boost your framerate to new heights.