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August 3
- August MacBook Deals Bring Great Low Prices, Starting At Just $599
➀ A variety of Apple MacBook laptops are on sale, with some models at all-time low prices;
➁ The cheapest model is the 13.3-inch MacBook Air, available for $599 at Walmart;
➂ The 2025 MacBook Air is available for $799 at Amazon, featuring a 13.6-inch display and Apple's latest M4 silicon.
- Botched GPU baking job is fixed by a maestro chef — Northwest Repairs resuscitates a dead graphics card by reballing its core and memory
➀ A severely damaged AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT, previously subjected to a failed DIY oven reflow attempt, was expertly repaired by Northwest Repairs through GPU core and VRAM reballing;
➁ Thermal imaging and memory tests revealed short circuits and faulty VRAM chips, requiring meticulous component replacement and pad repairs;
➂ The restoration highlights the technical mastery of professional repair services in salvaging high-end hardware, emphasizing sustainability and the value of skilled craftsmanship in DIY culture.
- Nintendo Switch 2 thermal limits mean you need air conditioning if you want to play in a hot climate — Big N advises against use in environments above 35 degrees Celsius (95F) due to overheating risk
➀ Nintendo confirms Switch/2 risks overheating above 35°C (95°F), advising usage only within 5-35°C environments;
➁ Users report Switch 2 fan noise, crashes even in handheld mode while playing lightweight games like Pokémon;
➂ Global warming and underpowered hardware may worsen thermal challenges, especially in regions with extreme heat.
- Gigabyte quietly disables Gen5 PCIe 5.0 GPU support on B650 motherboards in F35 BIOS update — Stay on F34 if you value the unofficial PCIe 5.0 support
➀ Gigabyte removed unofficial PCIe 5.0 support for GPUs on B650 motherboards via BIOS F35, citing stability risks, with performance dips observed post-update;
➁ B650 boards lack AMD's official PCIe 5.0 validation, as it's reserved for B650E/X670E chipsets, leading to compatibility concerns;
➂ Users can revert to BIOS F34 to regain Gen5 support, while industry insiders hint at broader vendor lockouts to uphold AMD's chipset segmentation.
- Intel prepares for Nova Lake CPUs with new Linux support — retiring 20-year-old 'Family 6' designation in favor of 'Family 18'
➀ Intel abandons 20-year-old 'Family 6' CPU classification for Nova Lake processors, adopting 'Family 18' to unify client CPUs and separate server CPUs under Family 19;
➀ Linux kernel patches confirm Nova Lake and Nova Lake L models, laying groundwork for future driver integration and 2026 hardware releases;
➂ Nova Lake aims for 16P+32E+4LPE cores and Xe4 iGPU, with potential use in desktops, laptops, and gaming handhelds.
August 2
- If You Want An Original Switch Get It Now Before Nintendo’s Price Hike
➀ Nintendo is preparing to increase the price of its first-generation Switch consoles, including the Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite, along with select Switch accessories.
➁ The price increase is attributed to 'market conditions' and will take effect from Sunday, August 3, 2025.
➂ The original Switch remains a capable handheld with a massive install base of over 153 million units sold.
August 1
- AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming chip champ drops to $449 at Amazon — $29 off its MSRP
➀ AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming CPU drops to $449 at Amazon, offering the best 8-core gaming performance;
➁ The processor utilizes 3D V-Cache technology and improved thermal design, delivering 8% performance gains over its predecessor;
➂ Dominates Intel in 1080p gaming benchmarks, especially in esports titles like CS2 and Valorant.
- SK hynix dethrones Samsung to become world's top-selling memory maker for the first time — success mostly attributed to its HBM3 dominance for Nvidia's AI GPUs
➀ SK Hynix surpassed Samsung in Q2 2025 with $9.66B memory revenue (36.2% market share), marking its first leadership since 1983.
➁ Dominance driven by HBM3/HBM3E supply for NVIDIA's AI GPUs, while Samsung faced delays and price cuts in the HBM race.
➂ The shift signals AI-centric demand reshaping memory industry profits, with SK Hynix advancing HBM4 R&D and Samsung seeking AMD/startup partnerships.
- 3D printing in space passes industry testing milestone for fabrication of spacecraft and associated equipment — promising future for zero gravity 3D printing
➀ Horizon Microtechnologies' 3D-printed components passed critical outgassing tests under the ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C standard, enabling their use in spacecraft manufacturing;
➀ The International Space Station (ISS) has successfully tested 3D printing in microgravity using low-temperature plastics;
➂ Specialized coating technology addresses material volatility, opening new possibilities for on-demand part fabrication in space.
- Dell's back-to-school sale takes $350 off the price of Alienware's 4K QD-OLED curved gaming monitor
➀ Dell offers a $350 discount on the Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED curved gaming monitor during its back-to-school sale, dropping the price to $849;
➁ The 32-inch monitor features a 240Hz refresh rate, HDR10/Dolby Vision, and exceptional color accuracy, earning Tom's Hardware's Editor's Choice award;
➂ Requires a high-end GPU to fully utilize its 4K resolution and performance, offering an immersive 1700R curved display for gamers.
- XeSS SDK 2.1 release opens up Intel's framegen tech to compatible AMD and Nvidia GPUs — Xe Low Latency also goes cross-platform if framegen is enabled
➀ Intel's XeSS 2.1 SDK enables cross-platform frame generation for AMD/Nvidia GPUs including GTX 10-series and RX 5000 series, though RTX 30/RX 6000+ is recommended;
➁ XeLL low-latency mode now works on non-Intel GPUs but requires active frame generation, with developers needing to adopt the updated SDK for implementation;
➂ Despite the openness, adoption is limited with only 22 games supporting XeSS 2, highlighting challenges against entrenched solutions like FSR and DLSS.
- Dr.-Ing. Ronny Tobias Zimmermann Awarded the Max Planck Society's Otto Hahn Medal
➀ Dr.-Ing. Ronny Tobias Zimmermann received the Otto Hahn Medal for his research on reactor and catalyst pellet designs enabling flexible chemical energy storage via Power-to-X processes;
➁ His work developed core-shell catalyst pellets that prevent temperature spikes under dynamic renewable energy conditions, maintaining high product yield without requiring reactor modifications;
➂ The innovation offers an economically viable solution for large-scale energy storage, with Zimmermann currently leading a research group at the Max Planck Institute in Magdeburg.
- Battlefield 6 requirements suggest it'll run on surprisingly modest PCs — EA VP says it still won't work on Steam Deck, though
➀ Battlefield 6 (BF6) requires surprisingly modest hardware, needing a 10th-gen Intel or Ryzen 3000 CPU and RTX 3060 Ti/RX 6700 XT GPU for optimal performance;
➁ EA confirms the game won’t run on Steam Deck at launch due to discrete GPU requirements but may work on handhelds with external GPUs or AMD Strix Halo chips;
➂ The free-to-play approach drives lower specs, contrasting with recent AAA titles demanding cutting-edge hardware.
- HiQ-CARB Project: More Sustainable Conductive Carbon Additives for Lithium-Ion Batteries
➀ The HiQ-CARB project developed sustainable conductive additives (carbon nanotubes and bio-based acetylene black) to reduce CO₂ emissions in lithium-ion batteries, replacing fossil-based materials;
➁ The additives improved battery performance, reduced material usage, and were validated in production by partners like Fraunhofer ISC and CustomCells, enabling lighter and more cost-effective batteries;
➂ Life cycle analysis confirmed a 50% lower CO₂ footprint compared to conventional methods, supporting Europe's transition to eco-friendly battery manufacturing and electric mobility.
- MLPerf Client 1.0 AI benchmark released — new testing toolkit sports a GUI, covers more models and tasks, and supports more hardware acceleration paths
➀ MLPerf Client 1.0 introduces a user-friendly GUI and expands support for Meta's Llama 2/3.1, Microsoft Phi, and experimental models;
➁ Enhanced hardware acceleration paths now cover Qualcomm, Apple, Intel, and NVIDIA devices via diverse SDKs and frameworks;
➂ New tasks like code analysis and large-context summarization enable deeper evaluation of AI performance across integrated and discrete hardware.
- How to tweak your Windows 11 and Windows 10 setup with Winaero Tweaker — easily remove ads, tracking, AI copilot, and more
➀ Winaero Tweaker is a free utility that enables deep customization of Windows 11/10, including removing ads, disabling telemetry/data tracking, and eliminating AI Copilot;
➁ The tool allows advanced users to freeze system states for benchmarking by disabling driver/Windows updates, while also restoring nostalgic features like classic shutdown shortcuts;
➂ Caution is advised when disabling critical security features like User Account Control (UAC), as it increases system vulnerability risks.
- Real-Time Measuring Method Extends Lifespan and Enhances Safety of Batteries
➀ Fraunhofer IFAM developed dynamic impedance spectroscopy for real-time monitoring of battery status during operation, improving safety and lifespan;
➁ The method enables immediate detection of overheating in electric vehicle batteries and optimizes charging strategies, reducing wear;
➂ Applications extend to renewable energy storage and safety-critical sectors like aviation, supporting diverse battery technologies, including solid-state and sodium-ion.
- Listening for Damage to Wind Turbines
➀ Fraunhofer IIS and IWES developed an acoustic sensor system with a specialized chip to remotely detect rotor blade damage in wind turbines, reducing costly inspections.
➁ The chip captures structural sound anomalies, transmits minimal data via mobile networks, and enables real-time monitoring, optimizing maintenance for offshore wind farms.
➂ Future upgrades aim to detect lightning strikes, enhancing reliability and supporting the energy transition through improved turbine durability.
- Detecting Damage in Wind Turbines via Acoustic Sensing
➀ Fraunhofer IIS and IWES developed a chip-based acoustic sensor system to remotely monitor internal damages (e.g., cracks) in wind turbine blades, reducing costly offshore maintenance;
➁ The solution captures structural sound waves via body sensors, identifies damage-specific acoustic patterns, and transmits only critical data via mobile networks for low-bandwidth efficiency;
➂ The ongoing project expands the system to detect lightning strikes, building on prior prototypes to enhance offshore wind farm reliability and optimize maintenance.
- Sustainable Mobility: Getting There Faster With AI
➀ Fraunhofer IOSB and partners developed an AI system for predicting shared mobility availability, improving intermodal transportation planning with real-time and historical data;
➁ The AI integrates into the GBFS standard, enabling routing apps to offer optimized, eco-friendly route suggestions combining public transit, bikes, and e-scooters;
➂ A public study showed 90% of users find AI predictions helpful, with 20% willing to reduce car usage, highlighting AI's role in advancing sustainable mobility.
- Sustainable Mobility: Faster to the Destination with AI
➀ The Fraunhofer Institute and partners developed an AI-based system in the DAKIMO project to predict availability of shared vehicles (e-bikes, scooters) and integrate intermodal route planning via apps;
➁ The system extends the global GBFS data standard to include AI-driven availability forecasts, aiming to simplify sustainable travel by combining public transport and shared mobility;
➂ A study shows 90% of users find the AI predictions helpful, and 20% would switch from private cars to public options, supporting climate goals.
- A Less Debilitating Approach to Cancer Diagnosis
➀ Fraunhofer researchers developed a multimodal imaging method combining X-ray and radar technologies to reduce radiation exposure in diagnosing breast and lung cancers;
➁ The approach co-registers X-ray and radar data, enhances image quality through reconstruction algorithms, and integrates radar data into CT scans to lower radiation doses and artifacts;
➂ The project aims to establish a lab system for accurate, low-radiation cancer diagnosis, funded by Fraunhofer with participation from multiple institutes.
- Gentler Cancer Diagnosis: Fraunhofer Combines X-ray and Radar for Safer Imaging
➀ Fraunhofer researchers develop a multimodal imaging method combining X-ray CT and radar to reduce radiation exposure in breast and lung cancer diagnosis;
➁ Radar provides 3D tissue imaging without radiation by analyzing electrical conductivity, complementing X-ray data for higher precision and artifact reduction;
➂ A three-year project aims to create a lab prototype for early, low-radiation detection of tissue changes, involving Fraunhofer EMI, MEVIS, and FHR institutes.
- European XFEL Heated to Room Temperature for Major Maintenance and Upgrades for the First Time
➀ The European XFEL’s superconducting linear accelerator, operating at -271°C for over 8 years, has been gradually warmed to room temperature for mandatory maintenance and upgrades, marking its first such shutdown since installation;
➁ Planned work includes replacing helium valves, installing a new electron source, and preparing for superconducting undulators to enhance X-ray intensity and enable nanometer-scale research, with operations set to resume in early 2026;
➂ The upgrade supports the facility’s 2032 development strategy, which aims to expand experimental capabilities for global researchers studying atomic structures and ultrafast processes using the world’s most powerful X-ray laser.
- HiQ-CARB Project: Sustainable Conductive Carbon Additives for Lithium-Ion Batteries
➀ The EU-funded HiQ-CARB project developed sustainable conductive additives (carbon nanotubes and acetylene black) for lithium-ion batteries, reducing CO₂ emissions and material usage;
➁ The additives improved battery performance, seamlessly integrated into existing production processes, and demonstrated a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional materials;
➂ Partners like Fraunhofer ISC and CustomCells validated scalability, with life-cycle analysis confirming environmental benefits and Europe’s shift toward greener battery manufacturing.
July 31
- RoboCup in Brazil: CERI Team Wins Vice World Champion Title
➀ The CERI team from THWS secured second place in the @Work-League at RoboCup 2025, facing logistical challenges including complex robot transportation and last-minute technical adjustments;
➁ The competition tested autonomous robotics in industrial tasks, with SWOT excelling in precision and object recognition despite transport-induced electrical issues;
➂ German teams dominated the event, and Nuremberg was announced as the 2027 host, highlighting global collaboration and enthusiasm among participants and spectators.
- NVIDIA Extends Windows 10 Driver Support For Some GPUs, Puts Others Out To Pasture
➀ NVIDIA has announced that this October's Game Ready driver release will be the last one for a number of its vintage cards, coinciding with the end of Microsoft's support for Windows 10.
➁ The affected cards include Maxwell, Pascal, and Volta families, with the Pascal series excluding 16xx-series cards.
➂ NVIDIA will still release quarterly security updates for the affected cards for the next three years and extend support for RTX-series graphics cards until October 2026.
- The best CPU for gaming, AMD's 9800X3D, hits an all-time low price of £399 at Amazon — The lowest price in the UK right now
➀ AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D, dubbed the 'best gaming CPU,' hits a historic low price of £399 at Amazon UK;
➁ The processor leverages 3D V-Cache technology for superior gaming performance, excelling in esports and 1080p resolution with 8% gains over the previous generation;
➂ Thermal design improvements and unlocked overclocking capabilities make it a top choice for high-performance gaming builds.
- Lexar Unveils Play 2280 SE SSD For PS5 With Storage Capacity For 100+ AAA Games
➀ Lexar推出专为PlayStation 5设计的Play 2280 SE SSD，容量高达4TB，可存储约100款AAA游戏；
➁ 该SSD满足PS5的所有要求，包括PCIe 4.0接口和高达7000MB/s的读写速度；
➂ Lexar Play 2280 SE独家在Costco出售，价格为224.99美元。
- Adata XPG Lancer CUDIMM RGB DDR5-9200 review: Bleeding-edge memory with bragging rights included
➀ The XPG Lancer CUDIMM RGB DDR5-9200 C42 offers top-tier speed (up to 9200MT/s) and a sleek recycled aluminum design with RGB lighting, though compatibility is limited to Intel systems.
➁ AMD Zen 5 processors failed to support its 9200MT/s speed, while Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K struggled with Gear 2 mode, leading to performance compromises.
➂ Priced at $279.99 for 48GB, it's competitively positioned against DDR5-8400 kits but demands premium pricing for enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge performance.