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May 5
- Windows 11 24H2 update is now automatically downloading on some PCs
➀ Microsoft has entered the final phase of rolling out Windows 11 24H2, automatically pushing the update to unmanaged Home and Pro edition devices;
➁ Users can manually check for updates, but many will face automatic downloads with limited control over installation timing, potentially causing issues for storage-constrained devices;
➂ Despite Windows 10 still holding a 52.94% market share, Microsoft is aggressively promoting Windows 11 through ads and update prompts ahead of Windows 10's end-of-support in October 2025.
- Microsoft finally retires Skype after 22 years of service
➀ Microsoft retires Skype after 22 years, urging users to migrate to Microsoft Teams by January 2026;
➀ Skype's journey from 2003's revolutionary PC-to-PC calls to its $8.5B acquisition by Microsoft in 2011, peaking at 40% global call market share;
➂ Teams' dominance post-pandemic (300M users) eclipsed Skype's decline (36M users), leading to Microsoft's strategic consolidation.
- Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell appears online with an eye-watering price tag of over $11,000
➀ NVIDIA's RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell workstation GPU, priced over $11,000, targets professionals in AI, HPC, and 3D rendering with 24,064 CUDA cores and 96GB GDDR7 memory;
➁ Despite higher specs than the consumer-grade RTX 5090, early benchmarks show it slightly trailing in performance, likely due to unfinished drivers and power limitations;
➂ The GPU's niche appeal lies in enterprise applications, with its cost justified by specialized workloads rather than consumer gaming.
- Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition review: a blue-chip convertible
➀ The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 features a premium build, a vibrant 14-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and impressive 12.5-hour battery life for a Windows ultrabook.
➁ While it excels in productivity and multimedia performance, it struggles with excessive bloatware, difficult repairability, and a divisive keyboard layout.
➂ Competitively priced at $1,499 with 32GB RAM, it offers strong value against the HP OmniBook Flip 14 and Apple's non-convertible MacBook Pro.
- 10% surge in Taiwanese currency vs US dollar could hurt PC and components pricing
➀ The Taiwan Dollar (TWD) has surged 10% against the USD, marking its strongest appreciation in over 30 years, raising concerns about rising costs for electronics exports;
➁ Major Taiwanese tech firms like Acer, Asus, and TSMC face margin pressures, with semiconductor companies potentially absorbing 1.5% gross margin impacts per TWD appreciation;
➂ Taiwan's Central Bank intervened to stabilize the currency, attributing the surge to speculative trading and denying U.S. influence over exchange rates.
May 4
- Amazon lists the unannounced WD Black SN8100 with 14.9 GB/s reads for $225 (1TB)
➀ The WD Black SN8100 PCIe 5.0 SSD, with unannounced 14.9 GB/s read speeds, appears on Amazon Germany for $225 (1TB);
➁ Likely equipped with Silicon Motion's SM2508 controller and 218-layer TLC NAND, it outperforms competitors in sequential speeds but lags in random writes;
➂ Priced at 22.5 cents per GB, it targets enthusiasts despite higher costs compared to PCIe 4.0 alternatives.
- MSI Roamii BE Lite Wi-Fi 7 mesh router review: Affordable dual-band with class-leading long-range performance
➀ The MSI Roamii BE Lite is a budget-friendly dual-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh router offering wide coverage up to 5,800 sq. ft. but excludes the 6 GHz band, limiting full Wi-Fi 7 compliance;
➁ Despite using dual-band, it delivered stable long-range 5 GHz performance and outperformed competitors like TP-Link Deco BE5000 and Amazon Eero 7 in congested 25-foot tests;
➂ Priced at $225, it lacks 2.5 GbE LAN ports (only 1 GbE) and prioritizes affordability over cutting-edge specs, making it suitable for budget-conscious users.
- Brain interface used to edit YouTube video — paralyzed Neuralink patient also uses AI to narrate with his own voice
➀ Bradford Smith, a paralyzed ALS patient, used a Neuralink brain-computer interface (BCI) to edit and narrate a YouTube video solely with his thoughts, marking a groundbreaking advancement in assistive technology.
➀ The Neuralink BCI, implanted in his motor cortex, connects to a MacBook Pro via Bluetooth and uses tongue gestures to control a cursor, enabling seamless computer interaction without physical movement.
➁ AI voice synthesis reconstructed Smith’s natural speech using pre-diagnosis recordings, allowing him to narrate the video independently. Meanwhile, global BCI competitors like China’s Neucyber highlight the rapid pace of innovation in the field.
- Glorious Series 2 Pro Wireless Review: Ultra-light and slightly smaller
➀ The Glorious Series 2 Pro Wireless is a 55g ultra-lightweight gaming mouse with symmetrical design and 8K polling rate, delivering smooth tracking performance;
➁ Its side buttons and scroll wheel suffer from average tactile feedback, and the design lacks differentiation compared to other similar mice;
➂ Priced at $129.99, it faces competition from cheaper alternatives like the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless.
- More compact Arm variants of Microsoft Surface Pro and Laptop lines leaked
➀ Microsoft will unveil compact 12-inch Surface Pro 11 and 13-inch Surface Laptop 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chips at its May 6th event;
➁ Both devices feature UFS storage (up to 512GB), 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, and limited ports without bundled chargers;
➂ Specs differ from existing models with smaller displays, lower refresh rates, and ARM-based architecture targeting mobile productivity.
May 3
- Dynatron coolers support up to 660W for Intel Diamond Rapids and AMD Venice CPUs
➀ Dynatron发布三款新型散热器，最高支持660W功耗，适配英特尔Diamond Rapids和AMD Venice下一代服务器CPU；
➁ AMD Venice将基于台积电N2工艺和Zen 6架构，采用SP7插槽；英特尔Diamond Rapids则采用18A工艺和Foveros Direct 3D堆叠技术，使用LGA 9324插槽；
➂ J24/J25散热器针对AMD平台设计，C21散热器专为英特尔平台打造，暗示两家公司服务器平台将迎来重大升级。
- Minecraft runs on 8MB of VRAM using a 20-year-old GPU
➀ A YouTube channel successfully ran Minecraft on a 20-year-old GPU (3D Phantom XP-2800) with only 8MB VRAM using an Athlon 64 CPU and Windows XP;
➁ The project required downgrading to Minecraft Alpha 1.2.6, custom SiS drivers, and extreme settings like 8x8 textures and disabling visual effects;
➂ The experiment highlights retro gaming enthusiasts pushing hardware limits, though performance remained at ~1 fps in later versions.
- Intel Arc Xe3 Celestial GPU enters pre-validation stage
➀ Intel's Xe3 Celestial GPU has entered pre-silicon validation, testing architecture via software models with OEMs and BIOS vendors;
➀ Employee profiles reveal progress in power management and firmware development, indicating advanced preparation for system integration;
➂ The GPU is on track for potential release in 12-18 months, though Intel remains silent on higher-end Battlemage models.
- Montech Century II Gold 1050W ATX 3.1 power supply review
➀ Montech Century II Gold 1050W offers ATX 3.1 compliance and 10-year warranty with excellent ripple suppression;
➁ Delivers 90%+ efficiency and hybrid fan mode, but limited connectors and unproven OEM raise minor concerns;
➂ Priced at $110, it balances performance and affordability for mainstream gaming/workstation builds.
- Windows 11 won't let you shut down? Change this setting right away!
➀ Windows 11 prevents shutdown if apps are open, even without unsaved work;
➁ The feature is a safety measure but can be bypassed via registry edits;
➂ Adjusting AutoEndTasks and timeout settings forces apps to close faster during shutdown.
May 2
- Intel hedges its bet for High-NA EUV with the 14A process node — an alternate Low-NA technique has identical yield and design rules
➀ Intel adopts dual strategies for 14A node: High-NA EUV and Low-NA EUV with triple-patterning, both achieving yield parity and design compatibility;
➁ High-NA EUV reduces 40 process steps, lowering costs, but faces challenges in complementary technologies like photomasks and computational lithography;
➂ Intel's backup plan reflects lessons from past 10nm failures, while TSMC remains cautious on High-NA adoption for its A14 node.
- Hands-on with Lian Li's Lancool 217 PC case: High airflow, wood accents, no RGB
➀ The Lian Li Lancool 217 PC case features dual-chamber design, five pre-installed fans (including two massive 170mm front fans), and wood trim for a premium aesthetic.
➀ It supports up to seven storage drives, offers flexible PSU mounting options, and includes an anti-sag GPU bracket for stability.
➂ Despite strong airflow performance, its front-panel ports are awkwardly placed at the bottom, which may inconvenience desk users.
- Microsoft makes passkeys the default authentication method for all new accounts
➀ Microsoft now defaults to passkeys for new accounts, using email verification and biometric authentication to enhance security;
➁ Passkeys eliminate traditional passwords, reducing risks of phishing and credential theft;
➂ Microsoft aims to phase out passwords entirely, with experiments showing a 20% reduction in password usage.
- Build your dream PC with Chillblast and save £65 with our exclusive discount code
➀ Chillblast offers a £65 discount on custom-built PCs over £1,800 using code TH65AN until May 2025;
➁ Their configurator tool allows users to select components like AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, and NVIDIA RTX 5090 with guaranteed compatibility;
➂ All systems include a 5-year warranty, eliminating DIY troubleshooting risks.
- Nvidia's CEO says China is not far behind the U.S. in AI capabilities
➀ NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang states China's AI hardware capabilities are nearly on par with the U.S., citing Huawei's CloudMatrix 384 system as a key competitor to NVIDIA's GB200 NVL72.
➁ Huawei's CloudMatrix 384 delivers 300 PFLOPs BF16 compute with optical interconnects, but consumes 2.3x more power per FLOP than NVIDIA's solution.
➂ Despite Huawei's progress, NVIDIA's 2025 AI compute shipments (25,000-35,000 GB200 racks) will vastly outpace China's domestic deployments.
May 1
- Finally, the most powerful gaming graphics card is available in the UK at almost MSRP and comes with a free copy of DOOM: The Dark Ages
➀ The NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU is now available in the UK at near MSRP (£2,099) with a free copy of DOOM: The Dark Ages until May 21st;
➁ Featuring 32GB GDDR7 VRAM, 21760 CUDA cores, and DLSS 4 support, this GPU targets 4K ultra gaming enthusiasts;
➂ Requires a robust PC setup due to its 600W power draw and 3.5-slot triple-fan cooling system.
- Tipster claims AMD's RX 9060 XT 8GB is planned to launch at Computex — Dismisses cancellation rumors
➀ AMD denies rumors of canceling RX 9060 XT 8GB, confirms plans to launch at Computex;
➁ The GPU will offer 8GB and 16GB variants, priced around $350, with a $30-$50 gap between models;
➂ Concerns arise over 8GB VRAM's viability in 2025 gaming, as competitors like NVIDIA's RTX 5060 Ti face similar limitations.
- SteelSeries QCK Performance Series mousepad hands-on: pick your flavor
➀ SteelSeries launches QCK Performance mouse pads with three specialized surfaces: Speed, Balance, and Control for different playstyles;
➁ The larger-than-average 'Large' size (19.3×16.5 inches) may encroach on desk space, while the XL variant adapts better for extended setups;
➂ The Balance variant emerged as the reviewer's favorite, combining durability with a familiar micro-woven texture akin to SteelSeries' classic QCK Heavy.
- TSMC SVP Kevin Zhang opens up on process technology development & evolving demands: Interview
➀ TSMC adapts to diverse client needs by offering segment-specific leading-edge nodes (e.g., N3P, A16) and advanced packaging solutions for AI/HPC and consumer devices;
➁ The foundry's roadmap focuses on three directions: transistor scaling, backside power delivery optimization, and multi-die integration, with A16 (2026) and A14 (2028) targeting data centers;
➂ Despite slowing transistor density gains (7-10% per node), TSMC maintains 30% power efficiency improvements per generation, leveraging innovations like Super Power Rail and 3D packaging.
- How To Dual Boot Linux and Windows on any PC
➀ Guide to creating a bootable Linux USB using Rufus for UEFI systems;
➁ Step-by-step installation of Ubuntu 22.04.1 alongside Windows 11 with partition management;
➂ BIOS configuration to enable GRUB bootloader for dual OS selection.
April 30
- Intel details 14A performance and new 'Turbo Cells' that unlock maximum CPU and GPU frequency
➀ Intel announced its 14A process node at Intel Foundry Direct 2025, claiming 35% power reduction and 1.3X transistor density improvement over 18A;
➁ The new Turbo Cells technology optimizes critical speed paths in CPUs/GPUs through customizable double-height libraries, balancing power/performance/area (PPA);
➂ 14A node introduces three standard cell libraries (tall/mid/short) and RibbonFET 2 transistors, with risk production scheduled for 2027.
- Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation' would still be crashing hard drives without this audio processing filter
➀ In 2005, Janet Jackson's song 'Rhythm Nation' was found to crash laptops by resonating with hard drive frequencies, leading Microsoft to implement a Windows XP audio filter.
➁ Despite Windows updates allowing users to disable audio filters, Microsoft made an exception for this specific filter to prevent hardware crashes, even in Windows 11.
➂ The issue is now largely obsolete due to SSD adoption, but the legacy filter remains a quirky example of software-hardware interaction.
April 29
- Windows 7 users with a solid background color faced delayed login process — it took four months for Microsoft to fix
➀ Windows 7 users with solid-color backgrounds experienced a 30-second login delay due to a system waiting for nonexistent wallpaper data;
➁ Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen revealed the code-level bug caused the system to timeout while awaiting bitmap loading confirmation;
➂ The issue persisted for four months post-Windows 7 launch until Microsoft patched it in November 2009.
- MSI's 'secure' yellow-tipped RTX 5090 12V-2x6 cable is still vulnerable to melting, user report suggests
➀ MSI's yellow-tipped 12V-2x6 power cables for RTX 5090 GPUs, designed to prevent melting, still experienced thermal damage during a user's gaming session at 400W load.
➁ NVIDIA's connector design lacks per-pin current balancing, forcing uneven load distribution and risking individual pin overheating up to 150°C.
➂ Solutions like Asus' shunt resistors and Zotac's safety lights highlight alternative approaches, but users demand NVIDIA to address inherent power delivery flaws.
- Cooler Master revives Hyper 612 cooler with 30% smaller Apex design, dual fans, and stealthy design
➀ Cooler Master relaunches the Hyper 612 Apex CPU air cooler with a 30% smaller design and dual Mobius 120P fans (up to 2,400 RPM) for enhanced cooling;
➁ Features a stealthy, no-RGB design with a removable top cover for customization, and offset heat pipes for RAM compatibility;
➂ Priced at $64.99 (on sale), it supports Intel LGA 1156 to LGA 1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets, targeting minimalist PC builds.