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June 2
- Nvidia reportedly developing new AI chip for China that meets export controls – B30 could include NVLink for creation of high-performance clusters
➀ NVIDIA is developing a Blackwell-based B30 AI chip for China with multi-GPU scaling, potentially using NVLink or PCIe 6.0 ConnectX-8 SuperNICs;
➁ The U.S. export ban on H20 chips impacted NVIDIA and AMD, with AMD facing $800 million losses from MI308 ban;
➂ Jensen Huang warned that U.S. export controls risk driving Chinese rivals like Huawei to innovate and set future global standards.
- Someone hacked an Apple Network Server to run DOOM – $10,000 IBM AIX unit from 1996 runs the game
➀ Tech enthusiast Cameron Kaiser successfully ported the iconic game DOOM to a 1996 Apple Network Server (ANS) running IBM's AIX OS through custom compilation and adjustments.
➁ The ANS, priced between $11k-$19k in the 90s with 64MB RAM and 2GB storage, required overcoming 8-bit color limitations and video hardware quirks to achieve playable performance.
➂ This retro hardware hack demonstrates the extreme adaptability of DOOM's codebase, with the project now open-sourced on GitHub for other vintage computing enthusiasts.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite variant rumored to have 50% more CPU cores — New chip with 18 cores and 64GB RAM is reportedly already in testing
➀ Qualcomm is reportedly testing the next-gen Snapdragon X2 Elite SoC with 18 Oryon V3 CPU cores and up to 64GB RAM, a 50% increase from its predecessor;
➁ The chip aims to compete with AMD and Intel's AI-enhanced laptop processors, with rumors suggesting potential desktop/server market expansion using advanced cooling solutions;
➂ Official announcements are expected at Snapdragon Summit 2025 in September, alongside new Windows-on-Arm device designs from partners.
June 1
- Contour RollerMouse Red Plus Wireless Review: More than just a very pricey wrist rest
➀ The Contour RollerMouse Red Plus Wireless offers a static input device with a unique roller bar and ergonomic wrist rest, aiming to reduce arm movement strain;
➁ While praised for its solid build and smooth operation, it lacks precision for tasks like photo editing and comes with a steep $409 price tag;
➂ The device features customizable buttons and modular keyboard risers but faces competition from more affordable ergonomic mice like Logitech's models.
- More affordable Strix Halo model emerges — Early Ryzen AI Max 385 Geekbench result reveals an eight-core option
➀ AMD launches affordable Strix Halo variants including 8-core Ryzen AI Max 385, targeting mainstream laptops;
➁ Geekbench scores show lower performance than flagship Max+ 395, though variables like power settings may affect results;
➂ HP ZBook Ultra G1a and Framework Desktop adopt the new APU, priced from $2,599 with shipments starting June 2025.
- Microsoft promises it is 'ending USB-C port confusion' with updated Windows 11 certified program
➀ Microsoft mandates all USB-C ports on Windows 11 devices to support data, charging, and display via WHCP certification;
➁ USB4 40Gbps ports must be fully compatible with Thunderbolt 3 peripherals;
➂ Device validation requires USB-IF certified hardware and Microsoft drivers for centralized security updates.
- Intel and SoftBank collaborate on power-efficient HBM substitute for AI data centers, says report
➀ Intel and SoftBank established a joint venture 'Saimemory' to develop a stacked DRAM solution aimed at replacing HBM, targeting a 50% reduction in power consumption for AI data centers;
➁ The technology leverages Intel's patents and Japanese academic research, with prototype validation by 2027 and commercialization before 2030;
➂ Japan aims to re-enter the global memory chip market after two decades, competing with current HBM leaders Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron.
- Logitech G915 X TKL Review: The same, but better?
➀ The Logitech G915 X TKL offers a premium low-profile wireless gaming experience with redesigned switches and 1000-hour battery life (RGB off);
➁ Its aluminum build and tri-mode connectivity enhance durability and versatility, though key rattle and lack of hot-swappable switches are drawbacks;
➂ Priced at $229.99, it targets enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for Logitech’s ecosystem despite cheaper alternatives like the $139 G515 TKL.
May 31
- Intel says you can download more FPS for Lunar Lake — new driver promises up to 10% higher average frame rates, 25% improvement in 99th percentiles
➀ Intel launches new Arc graphics driver 32.0.101.6874 for Core Ultra 200V devices, promising up to 10% higher average FPS and 25% 99th percentile improvements in gaming performance.
➀ The driver increases iGPU memory allocation to 57% (up from 50%), enabling 9.12GB VRAM on 16GB systems, while addressing bugs across games and applications.
➂ This follows Intel's trend of software-driven optimizations, with future updates expected for next-gen Celestial (Xe3) GPUs in Panther Lake CPUs.
- CAMM2 and modules smile to the camera, but do not expect them on the market soon
➀ G.Skill、Kingston和TeamGroup在Computex 2025展会上展示了面向发烧友的CAMM2 DDR5内存模块，最高频率达到DDR5-10000；
➁ CAMM2凭借更短的电气路径和128位总线宽度提高了信号完整性和密度，但主板厂商尚未确定支持该规格的产品上市时间；
➂ 尽管CAMM2在笔电和工作站领域逐渐普及，其桌面生态仍处于萌芽阶段，未来可能成为高端PC细分市场的新选择。
- Intel scores key jury ruling in $3 billion patent duel with VLSI — ruling threatens prior patent verdicts
➀ Intel secured a jury ruling that Fortress Investment Group controls both VLSI and Finjan, potentially overturning over $3 billion in prior patent infringement verdicts;
➁ The decision hinged on whether Intel's 2012 licensing agreement with Finjan, under Fortress' control, extends to VLSI, which initiated lawsuits against Intel in multiple jurisdictions;
➂ Intel and Apple previously accused VLSI of patent trolling, alleging opaque ownership structures designed to profit from litigation while concealing investor identities.
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Faceoff — Battle of the Gaming Flagships
➀ AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D dominates gaming performance with 35% higher FPS and superior 1% lows;
➁ Intel Core Ultra 9 285K leads in multi-threaded productivity workloads by up to 98.6%;
➂ Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers better value with $120 lower price and higher energy efficiency.
May 30
- Chip design software giant pauses China sales and suspends financial guidance — Synopsys slams on the brakes as Washington issues fresh crackdown on semiconductor software exports
➀ Synopsys suspends financial guidance and halts China sales after U.S. tightens semiconductor software export controls;
➀ Internal memo reveals immediate suspension of new orders and services in China;
➂ Move impacts partnerships with TSMC, Intel, and global chip supply chain dynamics.
- DRAM prices have jumped by 20% for the second month in a row — surging demand is likely due to stockpiling
➀ DRAM and NAND prices surged 27% in May, marking two consecutive months of over-20% increases.
➀ The spike is driven by global companies stockpiling chips to avoid tariffs announced by Trump, with a 90-day tariff grace period creating market uncertainty.
➂ Major DRAM manufacturers like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix are phasing out DDR4 production, while Chinese firms also reduce supply, further escalating pricing pressures.
- Microsoft shelves first-party Xbox handheld to work on Windows 11 portable performance
➀ Microsoft postpones its first-party Xbox handheld project to focus on optimizing Windows 11 for third-party devices like Asus' 'Kennan';
➁ SteamOS's superior performance on handhelds challenges Windows 11's dominance, driving Microsoft's strategic shift;
➂ Asus' 'Kennan' handheld, co-developed with Microsoft, is on track for a late 2025 launch with finalized hardware
May 29
- IDC says PC shipments will increase because of tariffs, now expects 274 million PCs to ship in 2025
➀ IDC revises 2025 global PC shipment forecast to 274M units, citing 4.1% YoY growth driven by manufacturers rushing to beat U.S. tariffs and Windows 11 migration;
➁ Tariff exemptions during a 90-day pause motivate bulk shipments to the U.S., but oversupply risks loom post-deadline;
➂ Windows 10's EOL in October 2025 may accelerate Windows 11 adoption, while AI PCs remain a delayed hope for 2026.
- 9,000 Asus routers compromised by botnet attack and persistent SSH backdoor that even firmware updates can't fix
➀ A botnet named 'AyySSHush' exploited vulnerabilities to compromise over 9,000 Asus routers;
➁ The SSH backdoor persists through firmware updates by writing to non-volatile memory and disabling security logging;
➂ Asus released a firmware patch, but manual checks and factory resets are required for infected devices.
- Nvidia RTX 5070 vs AMD RX 9070 Face Off
➀ The RTX 5070 and RX 9070 are closely matched in 1080p gaming, but AMD gains a notable edge at 1440p and 4K resolutions thanks to its RDNA4 architecture and Infinity Cache design.
➁ NVIDIA maintains advantages in ray tracing (especially path-tracing), software ecosystem (DLSS 4, RTX tools), and current market availability, while AMD offers superior raw performance per dollar at higher resolutions.
➂ With both GPUs priced at $549 MSRP, real-world pricing and availability significantly impact value, creating a rare near-tie in the mid-range GPU market.
- Western Digital still plans to start shipping 36TB HAMR hard drives in 2027
➀ Western Digital reaffirms plans to begin mass production of 36TB HAMR HDDs in 2027, alongside 40TB SMR and 44TB UltraSMR variants.
➁ A final generation of ePMR2-based HDDs, including a 36TB UltraSMR model, will launch in 2024 as a transitional product.
➂ Seagate has already shipped 36TB HAMR drives, securing an early lead, while Toshiba's HAMR roadmap remains undisclosed.
- Fanless AirJet Mini G2 cooler promises 42% higher performance at the same form-factor
➀ Frore Systems unveils AirJet Mini G2 with 42% higher cooling capacity (up to 7.5W) in the same 7g/2.5mm-thick form factor;
➁ Modular design enables multi-chip solutions (4x chips = 30W cooling) for laptops and industrial applications;
➂ First commercial deployment in Crevis industrial cameras, with potential for PCIe SSD and AI PC implementation.
- The high-end PCIe 5.0 SSD monopoly could be about to end: Silicon Motion’s SM2508-based SSDs were all around Computex
➀ The Phison PS5026-E26 controller's dominance in high-end PCIe 5.0 SSDs is challenged by Silicon Motion's SM2508, showcased by over a dozen manufacturers at Computex 2025.
➀ The SM2508 controller, based on Arm Cortex-R8 and TSMC's 6nm process, delivers 14 GB/s speeds and lower cooling requirements, enabling more affordable and efficient SSDs.
➂ Major brands like Micron, Kingston, and Adata are adopting the SM2508, signaling a potential shift in the enthusiast-grade SSD market.
- ASMedia and Via Labs are developing USB4 v2 controllers, still 18 months away from launch
➀ ASMedia and Via Labs are developing USB4 v2 controllers, aiming to break Apple and Intel's exclusivity by 2026-2027;
➁ The new controllers will support 80 Gb/s bidirectional bandwidth, 120 Gb/s asymmetric mode, and advanced PAM-3 encoding;
➂ USB4 v2 enables PCIe 4.0 and DisplayPort 2.1 tunneling, with AMD platforms poised to benefit from broader compatibility.
May 28
- Nvidia to boost AI server racks to megawatt scale, increasing power delivery by five times or more
➀ NVIDIA develops 800V HVDC architecture to support 1 MW server racks by 2027, addressing existing 54V DC system limitations;
➀ Current 54V DC systems struggle beyond 200kW, requiring impractical copper quantities for gigawatt data centers;
➂ New 800V HVDC integrates with 13.8kV AC sources, reduces copper use by 45%, and eliminates inefficient AC-DC conversions.
- Nvidia GB200 production ramps up after suppliers tackle AI server overheating and liquid cooling leaks
➀ NVIDIA's suppliers, including Foxconn and Dell, resolved technical challenges such as liquid cooling leaks and overheating, enabling accelerated production of the GB200 AI server racks;
➁ Delays in GB200 shipments were due to software bugs and inter-chip connectivity issues, with suppliers collaborating closely with NVIDIA for months;
➂ NVIDIA abandoned the Cordelia design for GB300, reverting to the older Bianca layout, which limits GPU replacement flexibility but expedites production.
- Dual-GPU versions of the Intel Arc B60 in the works at Sparkle, as company unveils passive, liquid-cooled, and blower options
① Sparkle showcased its Intel Arc Pro B60 GPUs at Computex 2025, confirming dual-GPU prototypes for AI inference and professional workloads;
② The card features 24GB GDDR6 memory and three cooling solutions (blower, passive, and liquid), though liquid cooling's necessity for a 200W TDP design is questioned;
③ Priced for workstation/server markets, these entry-level GPUs aim to compete via affordability rather than raw performance.
May 27
- Gigabyte drops BIOS update for TRX50 motherboards, now supports Ryzen Threadripper 9000-Series CPUs
➀ Gigabyte releases BIOS update for TRX50 motherboards to support AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9000-Series CPUs;
➁ Early BIOS rollout allows AMD and partners to identify compatibility issues before chip release;
➂ Users can update BIOS via multiple methods (Windows @BIOS, Q-Flash, Q-Flash Plus) without requiring old CPUs.
- Ultran's $3,000 add-in card holds 28 M.2 SSDs and delivers 109 GB/s — 400-Watt card houses up to 224TB of storage
➀ Ultrann unveils a PCIe 5.0 x16 add-in card housing 28 M.2 SSDs, delivering 109.6 GB/s read speeds and up to 224TB storage capacity;
➁ Powered by Broadcom's PCIe 5.0 switch, the card bypasses bandwidth limitations with 400W power draw and supports rack-scale deployments;
➂ Designed for data centers with low latency (0.48ms) and high IOPS, but lacks hot-swap and power-loss protection features.
- Top Chinese memory maker expected to abandon DDR4 manufacturing at the behest of Beijing
➀ CXMT, China's leading DRAM manufacturer, plans to phase out DDR4 production by mid-2025 under government directives to prioritize AI and HBM3 development;
➁ The sudden shift caused a 150% price surge for 8GB DDR4 chips, with major players like Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix also ending DDR3/DDR4 production;
➂ CXMT's DDR5 chips face stability issues at high temperatures, raising concerns about their readiness for mass adoption.
- 'Instead of crippling China's semiconductor ambitions, U.S. sanctions may be inadvertently accelerating them': Report claims Washington measures could be bolstering China's chip market
➀ U.S. semiconductor sanctions aimed at curbing China's growth may inadvertently boost its domestic industry, fostering a resilient ecosystem;
➀ Taiwanese IC substrate firms face divergent outcomes: Unimicron struggles with sanctions, while Zhen Ding thrives via a 'China for China' strategy;
➂ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang criticizes U.S. export bans as ineffective, noting Chinese competitors gain ground due to restricted access to advanced chips.
May 25
- Gallery showcases the dustiest, grimiest PCs in Germany — 400 images of fascinating horror for PC DIYers
➀ German magazine PCGH.de showcases 400+ images of shockingly dusty PCs, submitted by its community since 2012, revealing how dust impacts system performance;
➀ Many PCs in the gallery belong to users who neglected maintenance, including heavy smoker-owned systems and vintage hardware like Gainward GPUs and Asus Maximum III Formula motherboards;
➂ The article highlights tools like Wolfbox MF100 air duster (now discounted) and invites readers to share their own 'dust horror' stories.