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December 6
- NASA sets colossal 'spiderwebs' on surface of Mars as next target for famed rover➀ NASA has designated the giant 'spiderwebs' on Mars as the next exploration target for the Curiosity rover; ➁ The rover will travel to a location known as 'boxwork' to investigate signs of ancient microbial life; ➂ Researchers believe Martian boxwork deposits could be evidence of liquid water oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams that once existed on Mars.
- Intel's Xe3 'Battlemage-next' architecture has been finalized, team already working on Xe4➀ Intel has finalized the Xe3 'Celestial' architecture and is already working on Xe4; ➁ The Intel Arc B580 'Battlemage' GPU is set to launch on December 13, 2024; ➂ The Arc team has already moved on to developing the next generation of Xe architecture.
- GPU shipments in Q3 2024 dip, as gamers wait for NVIDIA's new GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs➀ JPR reports 73.6 million GPUs shipped in Q3 2024; ➁ GPU shipments are expected to decline at a -1.9% CAGR from 2025 to 2028; ➂ AMD and Intel released new CPUs in Q3.
- OC legend Splave sets new DDR5 frequency world record with a speed of DDR5-12666➀ OC champion Splave sets a new DDR5 frequency world record with a speed of DDR5-12666 using G.SKILL memory and ASRock Z890 Taichi OCF board; ➁ The record highlights the potential of Intel's Z890 platform and G.SKILL's OC-friendly kits; ➂ The achievement was made with Intel Core Ultra 285K CPU and liquid nitrogen cooling.
December 5
- Elden Ring creator confirms 'multiple projects' underway, with 'new FromSoftware' coming➀ Hidetaka Miyazaki confirms multiple projects in development at FromSoftware; ➁ The projects span a wide range of genres, some not directed by Miyazaki; ➂ Speculation about an Armored Core title, but no confirmation yet; ➃ Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree nominated for Game of the Year 2024
- Microsoft kills hope old PCs will run Windows 11 as death of world's most popular OS nears➀ Microsoft has confirmed that it will not relax the hardware requirements for Windows 11; ➁ The strict hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0, exclude older machines; ➂ Windows 10's market share remains high, and support ends in October 2025, posing security risks and hardware disposal issues.
- Bitcoin hits record peak of $100,000 per coin, marking a 126% increase since January➀ Bitcoin reached a new milestone at $100,000 per coin; ➁ The increase is attributed to Donald Trump's election victory and potential integration of Bitcoin into the US national reserve; ➂ Bitcoin's all-time high was $104,000, marking a 125% gain since January.
- SpaceX is in talks to sell shares at new global top 25 company valuation➀ SpaceX is in talks to sell private shares at a valuation of approximately $350 billion; ➁ The deal would make SpaceX the world's most valuable private company; ➂ SpaceX is a leader in space transportation with its Falcon rockets and has over 5 million Starlink users.
December 4
- Elon Musk launches new attack at OpenAI to prevent its much-wanted evolution➀ Elon Musk files an injunction against OpenAI and its CEO to prevent the company from becoming for-profit; ➁ Musk argues that OpenAI has deviated from its original non-profit mission; ➂ The case will be heard in January in California.
- Windows 11 loses customers amid the world's most popular OS gaining traction➀ Despite Microsoft's push to move Windows 10 users to Windows 11, the new OS is losing market share to its predecessor. ➁ Windows 10's market share has slightly increased while Windows 11's has decreased. ➃ Many Windows 10 devices may not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11, potentially leading to 240 million PCs becoming obsolete.
- Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger officially departs company likely against his will➀ Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has unexpectedly departed; ➁ The departure is effective December 1, 2024; ➂ Gelsinger's exit comes amidst Intel's challenges with CPU failures, AI market misses, and significant financial losses.
- NVIDIA's next-gen Rubin AI GPU could be pushed up 6 months ahead of schedule with HBM4➀ NVIDIA's Rubin AI GPU architecture, originally set for 2026, is now expected six months earlier; ➁ Utilizing TSMC's 3nm process and next-gen HBM4 memory; ➂ Follows the Blackwell architecture, with NVIDIA collaborating with Taiwanese partners on R100-powered AI servers.
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will need a GeForce RTX 4090 for 4K 60FPS ray tracing➀ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle requires a GeForce RTX 4090 for 4K 60FPS ray tracing; ➁ The game's PC requirements have been announced, with high-end hardware needed for full ray tracing mode; ➂ The game is set to launch on December 9.
- NVIDIA's new Thor chip for smart EVs picked up by BYD, SAIC Motors, other Chinese EV companies➀ NVIDIA is developing the Thor chip for future EVs, partnering with Chinese EV companies like BYD and SAIC Motors. ➁ The Thor platform, with five versions, aims for a full transition by late 2025 or early 2026. ➂ NVIDIA is moving into the automotive market with its new Drive Thor chip.
- MSI MPG 322URX gaming monitor: 4K 240Hz QD-OLED confirmed with DisplayPort 2.1a UHBR20 support➀ MSI's upcoming MPG 322URX 4K 240Hz QD-OLED gaming monitor supports DisplayPort 2.1a UHBR20 with 80Gbps of bandwidth; ➁ It features higher Power Delivery through USB-C, up to 98W; ➂ While not a major upgrade over the 2024 model, it aligns with NVIDIA's next-gen GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs.
- Ubisoft sunsets first-person shooter XDefiant due to unprofitability➀ Ubisoft has decided to sunset XDefiant, a free-to-play first-person shooter, due to its unprofitability. The game is no longer available for download or new registrations, but servers will remain online until June 2025. ➁ The game failed to meet internal expectations and struggled with performance. ➃ XDefiant attracted over 15 million players but was not popular enough to turn a profit at the desired rate.
- FromSoftware doesn't deny Elden Ring 2, but studio isn't actively working on it➀ Despite Elden Ring's success, no sequel is currently in development; ➁ Multiple projects are underway, showcasing a diverse range of genres and new creative directions; ➂ Hidetaka Miyazaki confirms no active development on Elden Ring 2, but the IP is not abandoned.
December 3
- Intel announces XeSS 2 with new Frame Generation and Low Latency tech➀ Intel XeSS 2 is an AI-driven technology that enhances gaming performance with Super Resolution, Frame Generation, and Low Latency; ➁ It significantly boosts FPS and reduces latency, as shown in F1 24; ➂ XeSS 2 requires game integration and will be supported in titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Dying Light 2.
- Elon Musk has priority access to NVIDIA GB200 AI GPU delivery in January 2025, costs $1.08B➀ Elon Musk's xAI startup has ordered NVIDIA GB200 AI servers for $1.08 billion, seeking priority access. ➁ The servers are to be delivered by January 2025 and are expected to enhance xAI's Colossus supercomputer capabilities. ➂ The order is a significant upgrade for xAI's AI computing power.
- ASUS will have X870 BTF motherboards + Ryzen 9 9000X3D processors on show at CES 2025➀ ASUS will showcase its new X870-based BTF motherboards at CES 2025; ➁ The motherboards will launch alongside AMD's Ryzen 9 9000X3D processors; ➂ AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors will also debut at the event.
- AMD Radeon RX 8800 XT rumor: flagship RDNA 4 GPU is 45% faster in RT gaming than 7900 XTX➀ AMD's Radeon RX 8800 XT, the top RDNA 4 GPU, is set for mass production in December with 25% less power consumption and 45% better ray tracing performance than the 7900 XTX; ➁ NVIDIA's upcoming GeForce RTX 5070 is expected to surpass the RDNA 4 stack at CES 2025; ➂ The RX 8800 XT is the last RDNA 4 card before UDNA, with performance and power consumption rumors suggesting significant improvements.
- Corsair is working on Vengeance DDR5 CUDIMM memory, ready for Z890 motherboards➀ Corsair is developing the new Vengeance DDR5 CUDIMM memory modules; ➁ The modules will feature RGB lighting and be available in black and white; ➂ The kits will offer speeds up to 10,000MT/s and are compatible with Z890 motherboards.
- Apple won't use TSMC 2nm chip for M5 chip over high costs, will use SoIC packaging in late 2025➀ Apple has ordered next-gen M5 chips from TSMC for iPad Pro and Macs, with production in 2H 2025; ➁ Apple will use TSMC's 3nm process and SoIC technology for the M5 chips; ➂ The new M5 chips are expected to enhance AI capabilities in consumer devices and cloud services.
December 2
- Windows 11 spikes in popularity with PC gamers, with biggest increase we've ever seen on Steam➀ Windows 11 usage on Steam has surged, now leading Windows 10 by nearly 10%; ➁ The November 2024 hardware survey shows a significant rise in Windows 11 usage, up by 4.18% to 52.98%; ➂ Windows 10's market share dropped by 4.15% to 43.31%.
- Nearly 3 years after Intel Arc graphics cards arrived, they're finally on Steam's top GPU list➀ Intel's Arc brand has entered Steam's GPU rankings with a 0.18% share; ➁ The ranking includes all Alchemist laptop GPUs; ➂ The integrated graphics solutions are grouped under one label.
- Gaming monitors, AMD CPUs, SSDs, laptops, and more discounted for Cyber Monday➀ Cyber Monday on Amazon offers significant discounts on PC gaming items; ➁ AMD Ryzen 7 5700X CPU is 59% off; ➂ Gaming monitors up to 48% off
- InWin's full-tower futuristic motorized 'Infinite' PC chassis weighs over 100 pounds➀ InWin's 11th-generation Infinite chassis is a 103.6-pound unit with a futuristic design featuring 180-degree curved glass and an aluminum shell; ➁ The case offers vertical or tilted positioning for easy access and includes a unique serial number for exclusivity; ➂ The curved glass is a 6mm thick engineering feat, making it a standout feature of the InWin Infinite case.
- MSI Claw 8 AI+ specs and pricing revealed, up to Intel Core Ultra 7-258V and 32GB of memory➀ The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is revealed with specs including Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and 32GB LPDDR5X memory; ➁ Priced at $899, it features an 8-inch 1080p display, 1TB SSD, and 80 WHr battery; ➂ It is the second portable PC gaming handheld from MSI built on Intel hardware running Windows 11.
- SEGA reveals exactly why it cancelled Hyenas, its live service Super Game➀ SEGA cancelled its FPS game Hyenas to focus on more viable titles like an Alien Isolation sequel; ➁ The cancellation was due to high costs associated with live games and the need to prioritize profitability; ➂ SEGA's decision was based on quantitative information and a review of the title portfolio.
- Intel launching two Battlemage GPUs - Arc B570 with 10GB and Arc B580 with 12GB of VRAM➀ Intel is launching two new Battlemage GPUs, the Arc B570 with 10GB VRAM and the Arc B580 with 12GB VRAM; ➁ The B570 has 18 Xe2 cores and 10GB VRAM, while the B580 has 20 Xe2 cores and 12GB VRAM; ➂ Both GPUs feature PCIe Gen 4.0 x 8, DisplayPort 2.1, and HDMI 2.1 connectivity.