tomshardware
Author page description
December 18
- AMD 3D V-Cache teardown shows the majority of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is dummy silicon➀ AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU teardown reveals a significant portion of the chip is dummy silicon for structural integrity; ➁ AMD's 3D V-Cache design shows impressive performance despite the dummy silicon; ➂ Intel has no plans to counter AMD's 3D V-Cache technology in the mainstream segment.
- High demand for Intel's Arc B580 as retailers receive weekly restocks — demand outstrips supply for the new $249 GPU champion➀ Intel's Arc B580 graphics card is in high demand as retailers receive weekly restocks; ➁ The demand outstrips supply for the $249 GPU champion; ➂ The success of the Arc B580 is a welcome change for Intel after recent challenges.
- Russia plans EUV chipmaking tools that it says will be cheaper and easier to build than ASML's — country outlines new roadmap to smaller chips➀ Russia unveils a plan to develop its own EUV lithography machines; ➁ The machines will use a laser with a 11.2nm wavelength, incompatible with existing EUV infrastructure; ➂ The development is divided into three stages, with the first focusing on foundational research.
- Qualcomm says its Oryon CPU cores have 1% or less of Arm's original technology — cores in Snapdragon X PC chips are almost entirely custom➀ Qualcomm's Oryon CPU cores use minimal Arm technology; ➁ Oryon cores are developed by Nuvia, a company co-founded by Gerard Williams III; ➂ Legal dispute between Arm and Qualcomm over Nuvia's architecture licenses and custom designs.
- GlobalWafers inks $406 million CHIPS Act deal to make 300mm wafers in the U.S.➀ GlobalWafers signs a $406 million deal with the U.S. government to produce 300mm wafers in the U.S.; ➁ The investment aims to boost domestic microelectronics production and localize wafer production; ➂ GlobalWafers plans to invest $4 billion in Missouri and Texas, creating about 2,580 jobs.
December 17
- Nvidia RTX 5080 allegedly adopts faster 30 Gbps GDDR7 modules, delivering 960 GB/s of bandwidth — The remaining Blackwell lineup is expected to stick with slower 28 Gbps memory➀ Nvidia's RTX 5080 rumored to feature 30 Gbps GDDR7 memory for 960 GB/s bandwidth; ➁ Remaining Blackwell lineup to use slower 28 Gbps modules; ➂ Nvidia's RTX 50 series expected to be first with GDDR7 memory
- AOC Agon Pro Porsche Design PD49 49-inch OLED gaming monitor review: High style and even higher performance➀ The AOC Agon Pro PD49 offers stunning visuals and high performance; ➁ It features a 49-inch QD-OLED panel with 240 Hz refresh rate and HDR400 support; ➂ The design collaboration with Porsche Design adds a premium aesthetic.
December 16
- SK hynix Beetle X31 (2TB) review: a solid, snazzy scarab➀ SK hynix's Beetle X31 2TB offers a spacious 2TB capacity with a solid metal shell and excellent accessories. ➁ Performance is decent but not outstanding in its class. ➂ The drive stands out with its unique design and included accessories.
- PowerColor Radeon RX 8000 'Reaper' series rumored to debut at CES 2025 next month➀ PowerColor is rumored to launch a new 'Reaper' GPU series for AMD's Radeon RX 8000 GPUs at CES 2025; ➁ The series is expected to target the budget/mainstream segment; ➂ It will include RX 8800 and RX 8600 models with XT variants, with Red Dragon and Hellhound variants rumored as well.
- Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard PC has been modded with an NVMe M.2 slot leveraging the device's conspicuously empty PCB header➀ Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard PC gets NVMe M.2 slot modification; ➁ Modders restore functionality by activating empty M.2 header; ➂ NVMe Gen 3 support enhances performance over SD cards
December 15
- Ventiva's Ionic Cooling Engine is quieter, higher performance, and more efficient than the Frore AirJet according to TechTuber teaser➀ Ventiva's Ionic Cooling Engine (ICE) is showcased by TechTuber Dave2D; ➁ The solid-state cooling technology uses ionic thrusters for heat dissipation without fans; ➂ Ventiva claims to have overcome the fragility issues of ionic coolers.
- Entire Intel Core 200 laptop lineup leaks out — Intel prepping to launch 22 new mobile CPUs next month at CES 2025➀ Intel's Core 200 laptop lineup is leaked, including 22 new mobile CPUs to be launched next month at CES 2025; ➁ The lineup is divided into Ultra and non-Ultra SKUs, with the Ultra series based on the latest Arrow Lake architecture; ➂ Detailed specifications of the CPUs are not yet available, but the leak suggests they are already with OEMs.
- BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ 400 Hz 25-inch gaming monitor review: Raw performance for esports➀ The BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ offers high performance gaming at a lower cost than OLED monitors; ➁ It boasts a 400 Hz TN panel with Adaptive-Sync and DyAc2 technology for smooth motion and low input lag; ➂ Despite lacking some features like HDR and wide gamut color, it is a solid choice for gamers.
December 14
- Overclocking Arrow Lake: How I set world records, plus simple tips to push your Core Ultra to the limit➀ Intel's Arrow Lake showcases significant memory overclocking potential; ➁ The author sets a world memory overclocking frequency record at DDR5-12666 MHz; ➂ Tips for enthusiasts on improving performance with standard cooling and liquid nitrogen overclocking.
- TSMC shares deep-dive details about its cutting edge 2nm process node at IEDM 2024 — 35 percent less power, or 15% more performance➀ TSMC unveiled details about its N2 (2nm-class) fabrication process at IEDM 2024; ➁ The new process promises a 24 to 35% power reduction or a 15% performance improvement at the same voltage; ➂ Key advancements include GAA nanosheet transistors and N2 NanoFlex design-technology co-optimization.
December 13
- Nvidia teases RTX 50 Blackwell Gaming GPUs for launch next month — The Witcher IV's first cinematic trailer likely leveraged the upcoming RTX 5090➀ Nvidia tease RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs; ➁ CES 2025 event announcement; ➂ The Witcher IV cinematic trailer hinting at RTX 5090
- AMD's fastest quad-core CPU gets tested — EPYC 4124P plays games at well over 60 FPS➀ AMD's new EPYC 4124P processor, a quad-core CPU, is tested in gaming scenarios; ➁ The processor, based on the Zen 4 architecture, offers over 60 FPS in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077; ➂ The CPU is tested with RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 Super GPUs, showing good performance in most titles.
- Sovol SV06 ACE Review: Affordable and Speedy➀ The Sovol SV06 ACE is a budget-friendly 3D printer with high speeds and quality features; ➁ It is inspired by Prusa's i3 machines and features Klipper firmware and a built-in camera; ➂ The printer offers auto bed leveling, high flow nozzle, and a variety of materials support.
- Intel executive says spinning off manufacturing unit is an 'open question'➀ Michelle Johnston Holthaus and David Zinsner, co-CEOs of Intel, have differing opinions on spinning off the Intel Foundry division; ➁ Intel is focused on making its 18A process technology successful; ➂ Intel has received several requests for proposals (RFPs) for its 18A technology.
December 12
- MSI MEG Maestro 700L PZ Case Review: Big and Luxurious➀ The MSI Maestoro 700KL PZ is a premium, eye-catching case designed for showing off components with vertical GPU installation options. ➁ It features high build quality, support for traditional and back-connector motherboards, and ample space for cooling. ➃ However, it has moderate thermal performance and a high price point.
- Synopsys announces Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP to power the next-generation of AI datacenters➀ Synopsys announces Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP for next-generation AI datacenters; ➁ The IPs support high-speed connectivity and intelligent multipathing; ➂ The technologies are expected to be launched in 2025.
- Huawei sticks to 7nm for latest processor as China's chip advancements stall➀ Huawei sticks to 7nm for its latest processor despite China's stagnation in semiconductor advancements; ➁ The Huawei Mate 70 Pro uses the HiSilicon Kirin 9020 processor with SMIC's 7nm-class technology; ➂ Huawei's reliance on SMIC's technology may delay the adoption of 5nm production until 2026.
December 11
- Gaming GPU sales plummet 14.5% in third quarter — Nvidia's RTX 5000-series launch looms large➀ Gaming GPU sales dropped 14.5% in Q3 2024; ➁ Nvidia's market share increased from 88% to 90%; ➂ Concerns over tariffs and economic recession may impact GPU sales.
- Nvidia could face massive $1 billion fine over antitrust violations in China — Nvidia's Mellanox acquisition is in Beijing's crosshairs➀ China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is investigating Nvidia over its 2019 acquisition of Mellanox Technologies; ➁ Nvidia faces a potential fine of up to $1.03 billion; ➂ The probe is part of China's retaliation against U.S. export controls on semiconductor technology.
- Lam Research unveils Dextro, a maintenance robot for fabs➀ Lam Research unveils Dextro, a collaborative robot for fab maintenance; ➁ Dextro improves accuracy and efficiency in equipment maintenance; ➂ The cobot is designed to reduce errors and enhance productivity in semiconductor manufacturing.
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W uses AI to make infinite flower paintings on an e-ink display➀ The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W uses AI to create infinite flower paintings on an e-ink display; ➁ Maker Dylan has developed PaperPi AI, a digital e-ink picture frame; ➂ The project runs on Raspberry Pi OS and uses OnnxStream for AI generation.
December 10
- Windows 11 for Arm can run natively on specific Android smartphones — the test device heats up very fast, and battery life substantially decreases➀ Windows 11 on Arm runs on selected Android smartphones but experiences rapid heating and significant battery drain; ➁ Despite performance issues, it can perform certain tasks and run older games; ➂ The experience is facilitated by Windows on Arm development focused on Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, with limitations due to incomplete driver support.
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang accused of $8 billion tax dodge by U.S. newspaper — his remaining family would be the beneficiaries of this estate tax avoidance➀ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is accused of tax evasion by the New York Times; ➁ The NYT estimates his family's estate tax bill could be reduced by $8 billion through legal tax avoidance strategies; ➂ These strategies include the use of irrevocable trusts, GRATs, and charitable foundations.
December 8
- TP-Link Deco BE5000 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router review: Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 for less than $300➀ The TP-Link Deco BE5000 offers an attractive price point of $299 but makes critical compromises like omitting the 6 GHz band and not including 5 Gbps LAN/WAN ports. ➁ Its design is compact and blends well with home decor, but setup requires the Deco app. ➂ Performance on the 5 GHz band is average, and MLO capabilities were not significantly impactful.
- NATO plans to deploy sea drones to monitor and protect undersea cables — Admiral expects drone fleet patrols to begin from June 2025➀ NATO plans to deploy sea drones to monitor and protect undersea cables; ➁ The project is expected to begin from June 2025; ➂ The aim is to enhance security and surveillance around Europe's major water bodies.