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September 2
- Remaking a Commodore 64 Datasette from 1982 using 1993 microcassette tech — TechTuber touts 1MB per tape, a 5x improvement over the original
➀ Tech enthusiast Bitluni recreated a Commodore 64 Datasette using 1993 microcassette tech, achieving 1MB storage per tape (5x original capacity);
➁ Custom PCB design, 3D-printed housing, and signal optimization enabled real-time data transfer at 500bps;
➂ Future plans include USB-C mass storage integration and running C64 emulators directly from tapes.
- Chinese social media firms comply with strict AI labelling law, making it clear to users and bots what's real and what's not
➀ Chinese social media platforms like WeChat and Douyin now legally require AI-generated content labeling with watermarks and metadata;
➁ The Cyberspace Administration of China enforces penalties for AI-driven misinformation, targeting paid online commentators;
➂ Global parallels emerge as IETF proposes AI disclosure standards and Google implements C2PA image credentials.
September 1
- 3D printing's tool changer wars heat up as Prusa re-enters the ring
➀ Prusa Research rekindles the 3D printing tool changer race with its six-tool-head CORE One prototype, challenging competitors like Bambu Lab and Snapmaker;
➁ Snapmaker's $649 U1 Kickstarter campaign shattered records with $13M in pledges, while Bambu Lab counters with the H2C nozzle-swapping system;
➂ Bondtech's upcoming INDX wireless tool changer kit and AtomForm's 12-nozzle Palette 300 add fuel to the multi-color 3D printing revolution.
- DDR4 costs soar as manufacturers pull the plug — panic buying and stockpiling impact DDR4 spot pricing as supply dwindles
➀ DDR4 prices surge as manufacturers shift production to DDR5 and HBM for AI demands, creating supply shortages;
➁ A market inversion occurs where DDR4 becomes more expensive than DDR5 despite its older technology;
➂ Contract prices are projected to keep rising, pushing builders toward DDR5 for future systems.
- Linux gaming OS Kazeta promises ‘console gaming experience of the 1990s’ for PC users — supports almost any DRM-free game, past or present
➀ Kazeta OS aims to provide a 1990s console-style 'plug-and-play' gaming experience on modern PCs, using DRM-free games loaded via custom SD card cartridges;
➁ Developers cite motivations including simplifying interfaces for non-technical users, nostalgia for physical game collections, and digital game preservation goals;
➂ Users must install the Linux-based OS on dedicated hardware, manually create game carts, while benefiting from offline DRM-free gameplay spanning modern titles and retro emulation.
August 31
- Nvidia 1080 Ti dunked into car transmission fluid for overclocking experiments using a Dodge Journey transmission cooler as a radiator — DIY immersion cooling rig delivers 7% to 16% gains
➀ A Reddit user created a DIY immersion cooling system using automotive transmission fluid (ATF) and a Dodge Journey transmission cooler as a radiator to overclock GPUs.
➁ The GTX 1060 achieved a 2160MHz boost clock (16% gain) and topped Firestrike benchmarks, while the 1080 Ti saw a more modest 7% improvement due to limited thermal headroom.
➂ While effective, ATF caused significant cleanup challenges, with the creator advising against its use for everyday builds due to staining and residue issues.
- Kioxia Exceria Plus G2 (2TB) review: Convex and compact
➀ Kioxia's Exceria Plus G2 features a compact aluminum shell with USB-C and USB-A cables included, though U.S. availability is limited.
➁ In benchmarks, it delivered consistent 10 Gbps SSD performance but trailed behind competitors like SK hynix Beetle X31 in real-world transfer tests.
➂ Pricing competitiveness varies by region, with Crucial's X9 Pro offering better value in the U.K., while Kioxia's software utility supports drive encryption and monitoring.
- Apple iMac G3 made from Legos has a chance to become an official retail set — a fan-designed model needs 4,000 more signatures to be considered by Lego
➀ A Lego iMac G3 model designed by fan Fuma Terai is under review on Lego Ideas, needing 4,000 more votes to reach the 10,000-vote threshold for official consideration；
➀The 700-piece replica mimics the 1998 iMac G3’s Bondi Blue design, complete with CRT and retro keyboard/mouse；
➂ Despite the creator’s prior success with Lego Ideas, approval hinges on both Lego’s legal team and Apple’s licensing agreement.
August 30
- Windows 8.1 graphics get bit-crushed into working in 40-year-old EGA graphics mode — less than half-megapixel display mode is limited to 16 colors
➀ A tech enthusiast installed Windows 8.1 on an emulated EGA graphics system, achieving minimal functionality with 16 colors at 640×350 resolution;
➁ EGA, IBM's 1984 standard with up to 800×600 resolution, was notoriously outdated compared to modern requirements;
➂ The project highlights retro-tech fascination, defying practical limitations in pursuit of 'because we can' experimentation.
- Nvidia App update furthers transition away from the 20-year-old Control Panel — multi-monitor and 3D settings among those migrated from classic Nvidia Control Panel
➀ NVIDIA's App update migrates key features like 3D settings and multi-monitor support from the legacy Control Panel;
➁ The update introduces offline mode for system control and driver settings, enhancing usability;
➂ This marks NVIDIA's ongoing effort to unify its consumer software stack, streamlining GPU management for users.
August 29
- Montech HS01 Pro Case Review: excellent GPU cooling and dual exhaust
➀ Montech HS01 Pro revolutionizes GPU cooling with bottom-mounted intake fans, achieving 8°C lower GPU temperatures than competitors;
➁ The dual exhaust fan design balances CPU airflow but may impact air cooler efficiency, requiring additional front fans for optimal performance;
➂ Features back-connect motherboard support, SFX/ATX PSU compatibility, and modular storage solutions for versatile builds.
- Intel confirms it has already received $5.7 billion from US government, CFO claims the deal was to halt the sale of its chip fabs
➀ Intel received $5.7 billion from the U.S. government in exchange for a 10% stake to prevent the sale of its chip fab business;
➁ Struggling against TSMC and Samsung, Intel's foundry division faced a $13 billion loss in 2024, with potential plans to abandon 14A process development;
➂ The deal includes provisions to discourage majority stake sales, while SoftBank invests $2 billion, signaling confidence in government-backed Intel's stability.
- OpenAI and Microsoft's contract negotiations threaten investment and potential IPO — companies battle over AGI secrecy and Azure exclusivity
➀ Microsoft and OpenAI are locked in critical contract negotiations over access to AGI development and Azure exclusivity, risking a $10 billion SoftBank investment and OpenAI's potential IPO;
➁ OpenAI insists on retaining a clause to withhold AGI models from Microsoft, while Microsoft seeks broader access and aims to maintain its monopoly on AI services via Azure;
➂ Failure to reach an agreement by end of 2025 may force OpenAI to cede more equity to Microsoft and delay profitability amid ongoing financial losses.
- The best tech deals for Labor Day 2025 — holiday savings on SSDs, CPUs, GPUs, and much more
➀ Major discounts on GPUs like MSI RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (lowest ever $409.99) and AMD RX 9070 XT ($699.99) highlight gaming performance upgrades;
➁ CPU deals include Intel Core i5 14600K ($149.99) and AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D ($359), offering top-tier gaming/compute power;
➂ Laptops (ASUS ROG Strix G16) and SSDs (Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB at $372.42) see record-low prices for Labor Day sales.
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 gets huge $400 discount — RTX 5070 Ti gaming laptop equipped with 3K OLED display hits $1999 in BestBuy deal
➀ Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 with RTX 5070 Ti and Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU is now $1,999 (a $400 discount) at Best Buy;
➁ Features a 3K OLED display (2880x1800, 120Hz) with 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy and Dolby Vision support;
➂ Includes 32GB RAM, upgradable storage, Wi-Fi 7, and a slim design balancing performance and portability.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
July 31
- 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.
- 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.
- Samsung reportedly slashes HBM3 prices to woo Nvidia — cuts could put the heat on rivals SK hynix and Micron as company attempts to spur AI turnaround
➀ Samsung reports a 94% profit plunge in its chip division, driven by U.S. export restrictions and inventory corrections;
➁ The company pins recovery hopes on HBM3E production cost reductions to secure Nvidia's AI GPU supply chain, challenging SK Hynix and Micron;
➂ A $16.5 billion Tesla partnership and geopolitical risks, including U.S. tariffs, add complexity to Samsung's AI-driven turnaround strategy.
- Nvidia confirms end of Game Ready driver support for Maxwell and Pascal GPUs — affected products will get optimized drivers through October 2025
➀ NVIDIA confirms discontinuation of Game Ready drivers for Maxwell and Pascal GPUs post-October 2025, transitioning to quarterly security updates until 2028;
➁ Legacy GPUs like GTX 1080 Ti will lose DLSS/ray-tracing optimization but remain functional for non-RT titles;
➂ Windows 10 users receive extended driver support through October 2026 despite Microsoft ending OS updates in late 2025.
- China raises security concerns over Nvidia's H20 Chips — hardware may expose user data or hidden tracking functions
➀ China's Cyberspace Administration questioned Nvidia's H20 GPU over potential data security risks and hidden tracking functions linked to U.S. legislative proposals.
➁ The H20 is a modified export-compliant GPU for China, lacking tracking features, yet concerns may stem from efforts to boost domestic AI chip adoption (e.g., Cambricon, Huawei).
➂ Analysts view the scrutiny as symbolic, unlikely to escalate to a ban, as China still relies heavily on Nvidia's CUDA software ecosystem.
July 6
- Activision takes Call of Duty: WWII offline after hackers apparently disrupted the game with RCE exploits — malicious code wreaks havoc on PC gamers as bad actors take complete control of your computer
➀ Activision suspended Call of Duty: WWII servers after hackers exploited unpatched RCE vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorized PC control;
➁ The 2017 game's P2P matchmaking system and outdated anti-cheat tech (pre-Ricochet) amplified security risks;
➂ Hackers triggered Notepad pop-ups, forced shutdowns, and illicit content injections, prompting Microsoft Store removal despite Steam/Game Pass availability.
- FolderDrive USB-C flash storage drags computer folder icon into the physical world – Skeuomorphism in reverse
➀ The FolderDrive is a whimsical USB-C flash storage device shaped like a physical MacOS folder icon, offering 128GB capacity at $40;
➁ Designed as a 'conversation starter,' it emphasizes minimalistic aesthetics with 3D-printed construction, though performance specs remain undisclosed;
➂ Part of a broader trend of reverse skeuomorphism, it follows nostalgic designs like floppy disk-shaped USB drives and WinRAR-themed merchandise.