Intel's revolutionary NUC (next unit of computing) ultra-compact desktop, which set out to offer performance rivaling desktops ten times its size, was traditionally limited to Core i5 chips at the top-end. Intel wants to change that, and is giving final touches to the first NUC to feature a Core i7 processor, and one based on its 5th generation Core "Broadwell" technology, at that. Bearing a model number of "NUC5i7RYH," this NUC will be driven by a Core i7-5557U dual-core processor (2 cores, 4 threads, 3.40 GHz clocks, 4 MB L3 cache, dual-channel DDR3L-1866 IMC), with Intel Iris-6100 graphics. That could make it the first Steambox-ready NUC to lack NVIDIA or AMD graphics. Intel could use a fan-heatsink to cool the 28W TDP chip.

Intel released a new driver with support for Intel 5th Generation Intel Core processors with HD Graphics 5500, HD Graphics 6000, and Iris Graphics 6100 and key enhancements for Intel 4th Generation Intel Core Processors. Benefits of updating to this driver include addition of partial hardware acceleration for the VP9 video format (for Chrome video playback, Google Hangouts), GPU accelerated decode of HEVC video format (for 4K Ultra HD video playback) and expanded Open CL and Open GL extension support.

This new driver is timed with the newly released 5th Generation Intel Core processor which has up to 34% faster 3D graphics, faster CPU performance, up to 50% better faster video conversion, and more than 1.5 hours longer battery life compared to previous generation.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Graphics Drivers 15.36 for Windows 8/7/Vista 64-bit | Windows 8/7/Vista 32-bit

MSI showed off the Z97A Gaming 6, the company's first motherboard to feature a USB 3.1 port, with the new Type-C connector. This board is essentially a Z97 Gaming 5, with a USB 3.1 controller, and the Type-C port on its rear panel. The board features an 8-phase CPU VRM, three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x8/x4/x4 when all three are populated), an M.2 slot, SATA-Express, Killer gigabit Ethernet controller, and the company's Audio Boost onboard audio, with ground-layer isolation. Expect this board to sell around the $160 mark.

Intel Corporation today announced a number of technology advancements and initiatives aimed at accelerating computing into the next dimension. The announcements include the Intel Curie module, a button-sized hardware product for wearable solutions; new applications for Intel RealSense cameras spanning robots, flying multi-copter drones and 3-D immersive experiences; and a broad, new Diversity in Technology initiative, which includes a $300 million investment to encourage more diversity at Intel and within the technology industry at large.

"The rise of new personal computing experiences, intelligent and connected devices, and the wearable revolution are redefining the relationship between consumers and technology," said Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO. "Our goal with Intel technology is to help solve real problems and enable experiences that are truly desired by people and businesses. In order to do this, we must also do more to lead the growth of diversity and inclusion within the technology industry. Women and under-represented minorities will continue to play a greater role as consumers, influencers, creators and leaders."

Lenovo today announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show its new lineup of YOGA convertibles and tablets with new technologies that take flexibility and interactivity to a new level. The family includes the thin and light YOGA 3 in 11-in and 14-in models (in a 13-in chassis) built especially for today's on-the-go and digitally-hungry consumers; the ThinkPad YOGA, optimized for businesses in a 12-in model, and a 14-in and 15-in model for pro-sumers with optional Intel RealSense 3D camera; and the 8-in YOGA Tablet 2 with Windows, featuring Lenovo AnyPen Technology, that turns nearly any pen into a tablet writing tool.

Today, Intel unveiled the 5th Generation Intel Core processor family. Built on Intel's cutting edge 14nm manufacturing process, the 5th Gen Intel Core processors deliver premium performance, stunning visuals and enables improved battery life to take computing to the next level. The performance also provides the foundation for more natural and interactive experiences with Intel RealSense technology, Intel Wireless Display (Intel WiDi) and voice assistants.

With the "Broadwell" microarchitecture expected to be the fastest mobile transition in company history, offering consumers a broad selection and availability of devices, the 5th Gen Intel Core processors are purpose-built for the next generation of compute devices offering a thin, light and more efficient experience across traditional notebooks, 2 in 1s, Ultrabook devices, Chromebooks, All-In-One desktop PCs and mini PCs.

MSI, world leading in motherboard technology, is proud to announce its X99S SLI Krait Edition motherboard. Introducing a newly designed fully black and white motherboard perfect for anyone looking for something different. The new MSI X99S SLI Krait Edition isn't just a good looking black & white motherboard, it also presents an arsenal of features and improvements. Offering reliable and fast Intel Gigabit LAN together with Nvidia SLI and AMD CrossFire support for enthusiasts looking to pair up multiple graphics cards.

Reward your ears with Audio Boost and all of its audio enhancing features. On-board Turbo M.2 with speeds up to 32 Gb/s makes sure users can enjoy blazing fast system boot up and loading of applications and games. A SATA Express port is also available. Guard-Pro and Military Class 4 provide all the stability you need through carefully selected and thoroughly tested components and materials.

The MSI X99S SLI PLUS, one of MSI's latest Intel X99 based motherboards, just managed to set the worlds' fastest DDR4 memory clock speed using Kingston Hyper X DDR4 4GB memory in the thands of overclocker Toppc. Running at an amazing 4032 MHz clock speed, the mighty X99S SLI PLUS remained fully stable and was even able to perform everyday tasks while setting this giant milestone at the 4032 MHz clock speed. This great achievement once again shows that the MSI X99S SLI PLUS motherboard is not only packed with an arsenal of features, it also packs plenty of power for heavy workstation tasks such as rendering and calculations.

Apple's next entry to its pathbreaking ultra-portable notebook, the MacBook Air, will be a new 12-inch screen size version. As with every new MacBook Air release for the past two years, there's talk of a screen resolution jump to "Retina" standards. Apple is preparing other cutting-edge hardware updates.

To begin with, Apple will tap Intel's latest Core M "Broadwell-U" chip, an SoC that combines a dual-core "Broadwell" CPU with graphics, a dual-channel DDR3L IMC, and system agent onto a single chip, with an overall TDP of 15W. Apple is working on a new fanless cooling system for this chip. The other big feature-set upgrade is the USB 3.1 port, which Intel plans to launch with the system agent for its next processor platform. USB 3.1 doubles bandwidth to 10 Gbps, and steps up power-delivery, letting you charge your portable devices faster.

MSI, world leading in motherboard technology, announces the true mini-ITX gaming solution, featuring ACK powered by Killer DoubleShot Pro, M.2 connectivity and a whole new gaming oriented PCB design. Gamers around the world looking for a powerful small-sized gaming machine with all the necessary bells & whistles can now get excited.

ACK powered by Killer DoubleShot Pro delivers 3.5x times lower latency and 2.9x times faster data throughput compared to traditional Wireless-N solutions. Killer Smart Teaming allows the use of LAN and WI-FI at the same time with speeds up to 1.867 Gbps and the ability to process gaming activity through LAN and other internet activity through Wi-Fi for the best lag-free gaming experience. Advanced Stream Detect automatically classifies and prioritizes the latency-sensitive applications for online games. Together with smart applications which allow you to control your bandwidth, MSI ACK is the one and only true wireless GAMING solution.

In what is a repeat of the design issues Intel faced with its previous X79 Express chipset, over its integrated storage controller, leading to motherboard vendors redesigning their products with fewer SATA/SAS ports than the platform is capable of, the company is facing design troubles with its already-launched X99 Express chipset, which drives its latest Core i7-5xxx "Haswell-E" HEDT platform. Intel X99 Express is based on a common silicon, on which the company's enterprise C610 chipset is also based. On paper, it features as many as ten SATA 6 Gb/s ports. The storage controller has its own exclusive Rapid Storage Technology driver, marked "RSTe" on Intel's Download website.

Intel withdrew version 4.1.0.1046 of its RSTe drivers (even from the list of older drivers), and made its motherboard partners do the same. Replying to German publication Heise.de, ASUS explained that the driver was withdrawn because it doesn't support ATA TRIM command for SSDs striped in a RAID 0 array. The latest driver makes only six out of ten SATA 6 Gb/s ports visible to the operating system, and you can create RAID arrays using on these six ports. The other four ports become visible as part of a separate controller, only when a device is plugged into them. This controller is recognized by Windows' internal Standard AHCI controller driver. This also means that the four ports don't benefit from the SATA power management features the first six ports do, nor can they be part of a RAID array with drives plugged to the first six ports. Intel did not respond to the Heise article.

Today Intel demonstrated for the first time with Professor Stephen Hawking a new Intel-created communications platform to replace his decades-old system, dramatically improving his ability to communicate with the world. The customizable platform will be available to research and technology communities by January of next year.

By studying the acute needs of Hawking, and the very specific relationship between this man and his machine, Intel has delivered a tailored solution - called ACAT (Assistive Context Aware Toolkit) - that results in improved communication for Hawking with the world. It has the potential to become the backbone of a modern, customizable system other researchers and technologists can use to benefit those who have motor neuron diseases (MND) and quadriplegia. Hawking has an MND related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), a condition that has progressed over the years. He is almost entirely paralyzed and communicates through technology.

Today, Intel announced the acquisition of PasswordBox, a Montreal-based and award-winning provider of a cross-platform identity management service that gives users a convenient way to log into all of their websites and applications from any device without having to type or remember passwords. As a result of this acquisition, PasswordBox will become a part of the Safe Identity organization within Intel Security Group. The Safe Identity organization is committed to delivering solutions that reduce the pain of passwords, simplify and strengthen security and providing consumers with easy access to their digital lives.

Secure passwords are essential to protecting sensitive personal data. According to a recent report by consulting firm Deloitte, more than 90 percent of user-generated passwords are vulnerable to hacking, citing that the 10,000 most common passwords could access close to 98 percent of all accounts.1 Last year, Experian found that the average user had 26 password-protected online accounts but used only five different passwords.2 In fact, nearly 37 percent of users have asked for assistance on their username or password for at least one website per month. Together, Intel Security and PasswordBox will work to eliminate these problems.

Responding to the booming development of SSDs and the growing demands from users, QNAP Systems, Inc. has announced the TS-451S Turbo NAS, a 4-bay NAS that is optimized for high-density 2.5" SSDs and features an Intel Celeron 2.41GHz processor. Meanwhile, QNAP's powerful SS-x53 Pro series (SMB models that are optimized for high-density SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" SSDs) have been renamed the TS-453S Pro (4-bay) and TS-853S Pro (8-bay) respectively to assist users in quickly recognizing different options in the same product category.

"Users can enjoy numerous benefits when using SSDs in a Turbo NAS, including a smaller physical size to host at least 4 SSDs, higher-density storage capacity, RAID 5 configuration for data protection, quieter system operations, a home theater multimedia experience with the HD Station, and the exclusive QvPC Technology that allows the Turbo NAS to be used as a PC," said Jason Hsu, product manager of QNAP. The TS-x53S Pro series can also work silently and reliably with 2.5" hard drives as well.

At Intel Corporation's annual investor meeting today, the company announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in its cash dividend to 96 cents-per-share on an annual basis, a 6-cent increase, beginning with the dividend that will be declared in the first quarter of 2015. Intel also provided the 2015 business outlook. "Today's dividend announcement reflects the board's confidence in Intel's strategy," said Intel Chairman Andy Bryant. "It also reflects the board's ongoing commitment to create value and return cash to Intel's stockholders."

At the investor meeting, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich emphasized that Intel's highest shareholder value will come from a strategy to utilize the core assets that drive the company's PC and data center businesses to move into profitable, complementary market segments. Intel's leading-edge manufacturing capability, Intel architecture, and the use of shared IP are key elements of the growth strategy.

Intel Corporation today unveiled silicon characterization results for its 1 to 32 Gbps high-speed SerDes on the 14nm process. This 32 Gbps SerDes is the second SerDes offering and adds to the previously announced 1 to 16 Gbps GP 14nm SerDes. It will be available by end of this year.

Intel's 14nm SerDes family is the second generation of SerDes offering and is built on the success of Intel's 12 and 28 Gbps SerDes, which is currently in production on Intel's 22nm Tri-gate process technology. Intel's 14nm SerDes extends the operating range while reducing power by 20 percent and area by more than 40 percent as compared to Intel's 22nm SerDes offering. This announcement marks the first time that a 32 Gbps, multiprotocol SerDes has been validated on any sub-20nm foundry process.

Intel Corporation todayannounced several new and enhanced technologies bolstering its leadership in high-performance computing (HPC). These include disclosure of the future generation Intel Xeon Phi processor, code-named Knights Hill, and new architectural and performance details for Intel Omni-Path Architecture, a new high-speed interconnect technology optimized for HPC deployments.

Intel also announced new software releases and collaborative efforts designed to make it easier for the HPC community to extract the full performance potential from current and future Intel industry-standard hardware. Together, these new HPC building blocks and industry collaborations will help to address the dual challenges of extreme scalability and mainstream use of HPC while providing the foundation for a cost-effective path to exascale computing.

Intel Corporation today reported third-quarter revenue of $14.6 billion, operating income of $4.5 billion, net income of $3.3 billion and EPS of $0.66. The company generated approximately $5.7 billion in cash from operations, paid dividends of $1.1 billion, and used $4.2 billion to repurchase 122 million shares of stock.

"We are pleased by the progress the company is making," said Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. "We achieved our best-ever revenue and strong profits in the third quarter. There is more to do, but our results give us confidence that we're successfully executing to our strategy of extending our products across a broad range of exciting new markets."

Synology today announced the new DiskStation DS415+, a powerful 4-bay NAS server designed to centralize data storage, backup, and file sharing for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as enthusiast home users. DS415+ features an Intel Atom 2.4Ghz quad-core processor with an AES-NI hardware encryption engine, a floating-point unit, as well as 2GB DDR3 RAM. The four drive bays accommodate huge amounts of storage capacity, while the USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and eSATA ports allow users to connect and access various external storage devices. Dual LAN ports support failover and link aggregation, thus improving resiliency and potential throughput.

"Thanks to its best-in-class combination of hardware specs and DSM software integration, DS415+ handles data transfer and encryption at blazingly fast speeds, bringing peace of mind to businesses or individuals who wish to safeguard their data while maintaining excellent performance," said Michael Wang, product manager at Synology Inc. As the first desktop DiskStation model to include a quad-core processor and AES-NI hardware encryption engine, DS415+ delivers performance and accelerated data encryption that is on par with more expensive high-end servers. With link aggregation enabled, DS415+ provides average reading and writing speeds that exceed 228 MB/s and 233 MB/s respectively, while encrypted file transfers retain an astoundingly similar level of performance, exceeding 232 MB/s reading and 206 MB/s writing.

The transition between DDR2 and DDR3 system memory types was slower than the one between DDR and DDR2. DDR3 made its mainstream debut with Intel's X38 and P35 Express platforms, at a time when the memory controller was still within the domain of a motherboard chipset, at least in Intel's case. The P35 supported both DDR2 and DDR3 memory types, and motherboard manufacturers made high-end products based on each of the two memory types, with some even supporting both.

Higher module prices posed a real, and higher latencies, posed a less real set of drawbacks to the initial adoption of DDR3. Those, coupled with the limited system bus bandwidth, to take advantage of DDR3. DDR3 only really took off with Nehalem, Intel's first processor with an integrated memory controller (IMC). An IMC, again in Intel's case, meant that the CPU came with memory I/O pins, and could only support one memory type - DDR3. Since then, DDR3 proliferated to the mainstream. Will the story repeat itself during the transition between DDR3 and the new DDR4 memory introduced alongside Intel's Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT platform? Not exactly.

ASUS today announced X99-E WS, a new Compact Electronics Bay (CEB) workstation motherboard based on the Intel X99 chipset and with support for four-way multi-GPU setups at full PCI Express 3.0 x16 speed for extreme graphics power. X99-E WS is engineered with premium components for premium efficiency, including an integrated Driver-MOSFET (Dr. MOS), exclusive Beat Thermal Chokes II, ultra-durable 12K capacitors and ProCool power connector. X99-E WS offers industry-leading storage opportunities with onboard M.2 x4 and support for the exclusive ASUS PIKE II (Proprietary I/O Kit Expansion) and ThunderboltEX II expansion cards. It also has many simple, efficient and ASUS-exclusive easy-maintenance tools, including Q-Code Logger and Dr. Power.

G.SKILL International Co., Ltd., the leading extreme performance memory manufacturer and designer, is excited to feature two extremely high end DDR4 memory at 3333MHz 32GB (4GBx8) and 3200MHz 32GB (8GBx4) during Intel Developer Forum 2014 (IDF 2014). Driven by the newest Intel i7-5960X CPU on the newest ASUS Rampage V Extreme X99 and X99-Deluxe motherboards, the Ripjaws 4 series DDR4 3333MHz 4GBx8 and 3200MHz 8GBx4 memory demonstrates the highest DDR4 speed available in 4GB and 8GB modules, respectively.

"It's very exciting to show the world what we can do with the new DDR4 memory standard for the latest Intel X99 platform. There is no doubt that breaking the 3000MHz memory barrier with ease is the next big thing in desktop performance, effectively doubling bandwidth throughput compared to the previous DDR3 memory standard," says Frank Hung, Product Marketing at G.SKILL.

Leveraging its data center storage insights, HGST, a Western Digital company (NASDAQ: WDC), is broadening its scope of innovation to capture new and growing opportunities in data center storage infrastructure. The company today announced six new offerings that will help organizations manage the increasing volume, velocity, variety and longevity of data in today's rapidly evolving data center.

In addition to maintaining its longstanding leadership in storage devices, the new offerings demonstrate HGST's commitment to transform the data center and itself through hardware and software solutions that elevate the value it provides to partners and customers. By creating innovative solutions that shape the emerging categories of Flash fabric solutions and active archive solutions, HGST is driving the data center evolution by helping organizations readily extract the information, knowledge and wisdom that lies within their data.

Enterprise storage leader HGST, a Western Digital company today announced it will extend the use of Intel NAND Flash technology as part of a cooperative agreement with Intel Corporation on Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) solid state drives (SSDs). Since 2008, HGST has successfully worked with Intel to develop industry-leading enterprise-class SAS SSDs for servers, workstations and storage systems. The resulting products have combined HGST's enterprise storage experience with Intel's NAND Flash expertise, and are the foundation for HGST's leading position in SAS SSDs.

Intel's focus and investment in NAND flash memory research and SSD development provides industry-leading advancements in next-generation NAND lithography and offers high-endurance SSD technology. HGST brings proven enterprise storage expertise in SAS design, firmware, reliability, customer qualification and system integration. This combination enables HGST to deliver world-class solutions with the performance, endurance and reliability that enterprise storage customers demand.

Intel Corporation CEO Brian Krzanich kicked off Intel's annual technical conference with a broad set of computing initiatives and projects showing how the company is moving quickly to enable new market segments where everything is smart and connected. Krzanich and other executives announced new hardware and software developer tools, previewed upcoming Intel technologies and announced new products across several technology segments.

"With our diverse product portfolio and developer tools that span key growth segments, operating systems and form factors, Intel offers hardware and software developers new ways to grow as well as design flexibility," said Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO. "If it's smart and connected, it is best with Intel."