From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
Autodafe Releases Vintage Emulator Studio, a Free MAME-Powered Synth Plugin
Autodafe released Vintage Emulator Studio (VES), a free plugin integrating 44 MAME-emulated vintage synthesizers. VES offers component-level emulation for accurate sound reproduction, distinguishing it from other synth plugins.
Thailand requests pause on 49 data center builds for new regulatory framework
Thailand's government has asked data center operators to suspend 49 ongoing construction projects while it develops a comprehensive legal framework for the industry. This move addresses concerns over power and water usage and aims to create unified legislation for data centers, which currently operate under limited specific laws.
Belgian-Chinese Researcher Arrested for Alleged GaN Semiconductor Trade Secret Theft
A Belgian-Chinese researcher was arrested in Brussels on suspicion of industrial espionage, accused of transferring gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor intellectual property from his former employer, BelGaN, to a Chinese chip firm, GanKool. This incident highlights increasing global competition and intellectual property disputes within the semiconductor industry.
Intel processes over one million High-NA EUV wafers, plans larger 6x12 photomasks
Intel announced it has processed over one million 300-mm wafers using High-NA EUV scanners, exceeding the combined total of the rest of the industry. The company is also developing larger 6x12-inch photomasks to eliminate stitching for full-field exposures, which currently reduces throughput and design flexibility.
Arm launches Neoverse CSS N4 'Ranger' platform with up to 128 cores on TSMC N3P
Arm introduced its next-generation Neoverse CSS N4 platform, codenamed 'Ranger,' which supports up to 128 cores per die and is built on TSMC's N3P process. This platform offers significant performance and efficiency upgrades over its predecessor, impacting cloud and data center infrastructure development.
xTool Unveils X1 Modular Laser System Supporting Multiple Laser Types
xTool announced the X1, a modular laser system that supports CO2, Diode, UV, Fiber, and MOPA lasers, and features a dual-head galvo and CO2 laser configuration. This system combines gantry-like size with galvo speed, offering versatility for various material processing tasks.
RPCS3 Emulator Adds Direct PS3 Game Playback from Blu-ray Discs on PC, Linux, and macOS
The RPCS3 PlayStation 3 emulator now supports playing games directly from physical Blu-ray discs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, utilizing compatible internal and external Blu-ray drives. This update allows users to access PS3 game libraries without relying on digital downloads or server access, impacting game preservation and accessibility for physical media owners.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Confirmed to Launch at 30 FPS on Consoles
Rockstar North confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be locked at 30 frames per second (FPS) on consoles at launch, with no performance mode promised. This decision is attributed to the game's complex simulations, including high NPC density and advanced AI, which strain console CPUs.
Former Old School RuneScape Developer Sentenced for $400,000 Virtual Gold Theft
A former Jagex employee, Andrew Lakeman, was sentenced to a three-year prison term, suspended for two years, for stealing over $400,000 worth of virtual gold from Old School RuneScape players and selling it on the black market. Jagex discovered the internal theft by modifying its firewall to track the illicit activity, leading to Lakeman's arrest and conviction.
Taiwan investigates 166 cases of illegal Chinese tech ownership, secures 36 convictions since 2020
Taiwan has investigated 166 cases of illegal Chinese ownership in its tech sector since 2020, resulting in at least 36 convictions. This crackdown aims to protect Taiwan's semiconductor industry and national security from Chinese efforts to acquire technology and talent.
Japan to Mass-Procure 3D-Printed Terra B1 Rocket-Powered Interceptor Drones
Japan's military will mass-procure Terra B1 interceptor drones, which are 3D-printed and designed to counter threats like Shahed drones and IAI Harpy loitering munitions. This procurement allows Japan to rapidly acquire effective counter-drone equipment, following a trend seen in other conflicts where traditional anti-air systems proved unsustainable against drone attacks.
Minisforum Launches AI Agent NAS N5 and AI Mini Workstation MS-S1 with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 495
Minisforum introduced the AI Agent NAS N5 Max-P495 and the AI Mini Workstation MS-S1 Max-P495, both featuring AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 495 processor. These devices are designed for local AI model execution and data storage, offering privacy and reduced latency for AI workloads.
AMD Unveils Threadripper Halo Station AI Workstation with 96 Cores and Dual MI350P Accelerators
AMD announced the Threadripper Halo Station, a new AI workstation featuring a 96-core Threadripper Pro 9995WX CPU and dual liquid-cooled Instinct MI350P accelerators, at IFA 2026. This workstation is designed for running large AI models, with AMD claiming it can handle trillion-parameter models, and is expected to be available through OEM partners.
Intel's Core Ultra 400 'Nova Lake' Mass Production Set for Q4 2026, Q1 2027 Launch
Intel's Core Ultra 400-series 'Nova Lake-S' CPUs are reportedly scheduled for mass production in Q4 2026, with the initial 28-core version launching in Q1 2027. This timeline confirms earlier leaks and indicates a staggered release for the new desktop processor platform, which will include a 52-core model later in 2027.
Sugon Teases 64-Thread Mobile Workstation for AI with Domestic CPU and 16GB VRAM
Chinese supercomputer manufacturer Sugon has revealed an upcoming mobile workstation featuring a domestic 64-thread processor and 16GB of VRAM, capable of processing 50 tokens per second on local 35B MoE AI models. This development signifies advancements in China's domestic hardware capabilities for AI applications, offering a portable solution for demanding computational tasks.
SK hynix Delays Hybrid Bonding for HBM to HBM5, Citing 775-Micron Thickness Limit
SK hynix announced that hybrid bonding technology for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) will not be ready for HBM4E and is now projected for HBM5 at the earliest. This delay is due to the industry-standard 775-micron thickness cap for HBM cubes, which necessitates thinner dies and narrower gaps for increased DRAM layers, posing manufacturing challenges for current technologies.
PwC Projects AI Data Center Investment to Reach $32 Trillion by 2050
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) estimates that global spending on AI data centers could reach $31.6 trillion by 2050, potentially hitting $50 trillion in optimistic scenarios. This projected investment surpasses historical capital expenditures for railways, electrification, and the internet, with continuous hardware upgrades required every four to six years.
Chinese court freezes $318M in Nexperia assets amid ownership dispute with Wingtech
A Chinese court in Dongguan has frozen 2.14 billion yuan (approximately $318 million) in assets belonging to Dutch chipmaker Nexperia and its equipment arm, ITEC. This action provides Chinese parent company Wingtech Technology with leverage in its ongoing dispute to regain control of Nexperia, which Dutch authorities intervened in during 2025.
Arm Faces Shareholder Pushback Over CEO's Potential $800 Million Pay Package
Arm is facing potential shareholder opposition to a performance-based pay package for CEO Rene Haas that could reach $800 million if the company achieves a $2 trillion valuation. Proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis have recommended shareholders vote against the plan, citing its excessive size and the uncommon nature of such compensation structures in the UK market.
Solid-state cooler uses waste heat for refrigeration, potentially for data centers
Scientists at KIT and the University of Tsukuba developed a solid-state cooling system that converts heat into mechanical work for refrigeration, eliminating the need for an electric actuator. This technology could enable processors and data centers to recycle their own waste heat for cooling, offering an alternative to conventional vapor-compression systems that use refrigerants with global warming potential.
Ibteda Digital Library digitizes 1,800 Urdu books using budget cameras and custom AI
A team of Pakistani archivists, operating as the Ibteda Digital Library, digitized 1,800 rare and out-of-print Urdu books over a decade using budget Nikon cameras, accumulating 902,000 shutter clicks. They developed a machine learning process to automate post-processing of 526,000 scans, addressing challenges posed by Urdu script and varied book conditions.
California Lawmakers Pass Exemption for Open-Source OS from Digital Age Assurance Act
California's legislature passed Assembly Bill 1856, exempting open-source operating systems like Linux distributions from the Digital Age Assurance Act, which is set to take effect in January 2027. This amendment clarifies that software distributed under permissive licenses such as GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache will not be required to collect user age data, resolving uncertainty for open-source projects.
Mara Raises $7 Million for Backpack-Portable Drone Interceptor System
San Francisco startup Mara secured $7 million in pre-seed funding to develop Spike, a portable counter-drone system. Spike uses 8.8-ounce autonomous interceptors designed to cost-effectively neutralize FPV quadcopters, which are a significant threat in modern combat.
US Navy's Saildrone Surveyor USV successfully launches missiles and performs EW tasks
The U.S. Navy successfully tested the Saildrone Surveyor SD-3001 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) in live-fire exercises, launching two Joint-Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) and demonstrating electronic warfare capabilities. This marks the first time the Navy has integrated an armed drone sailboat into a carrier strike group, indicating a shift towards autonomous combat assets.
Intel's 14A Process Defect Density Drops Faster Than Expected, CFO Compares to 22nm
Intel's 14A fabrication process is showing faster-than-anticipated defect density reduction, with CFO David Zinsner comparing its progress to the successful 22nm node. This development indicates potential for strong performance in Intel's future manufacturing, with risk production planned for late 2027 and high-volume manufacturing in 2028.
YMTC Aims to Become World's Largest NAND Producer by End of 2027, Plans $4.9B IPO
Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC) informed investors it plans to become the world's largest NAND flash producer by the end of 2027, surpassing Samsung and SK hynix. The company filed to raise 33 billion yuan ($4.9 billion) on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's STAR Market to fund production line upgrades and R&D, which is significant for the global memory market and China's semiconductor ambitions.
Glass Substrate Chip Packaging Nears Qualification, Commercial Product Delays Persist
Glass-core substrates, intended to replace organic chip packaging, are in final qualification by Absolics, but commercial product integration continues to be delayed. Despite technical advantages like increased interconnect density and reduced warpage, manufacturing challenges such as chipping and flatness control are contributing to the slower-than-anticipated adoption.
NDAs in Data Center Development Raise Transparency Concerns for Local Residents
Research indicates that 25 out of 31 localities with data center projects use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), limiting public access to information. These NDAs are defended by officials as necessary for economic development and competitive bidding, but residents express distrust due to lack of transparency.
Earthjustice Sues EPA Over Approval of Toxic Semiconductor Manufacturing Chemicals
Earthjustice is suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for allegedly fast-tracking the approval of two photoacid generators used in semiconductor manufacturing, despite concerns about their toxicity and potential to cause "sudden death" and other health issues. The lawsuit claims the EPA approved these chemicals with minimal restrictions, failing its obligation to protect public health under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This legal challenge highlights concerns about chemical safety in the push to expand domestic semiconductor production.
Fujitsu's Monaka CPU features 2nm compute die, 5nm stacked cache, and 256-bit SVE2
Fujitsu unveiled details of its 144-core Monaka server CPU, confirming a design with a 2nm compute die, a separate 5nm die for the entire last-level cache, and dual 256-bit SVE2 vector units. This design aims for AI performance and power efficiency in green AI data centers, with evaluation samples available now and volume production in 2027.
d-Matrix Unveils Raptor AI Accelerator with 100 TB/s Bandwidth via 3D Stacked DRAM
d-Matrix introduced Raptor, an AI accelerator featuring a TSMC 4nm compute die bonded directly onto a custom DRAM die, achieving 100 TB/s bandwidth per card. This design inverts traditional 3D stacking to improve energy efficiency and throughput for generative AI inference, potentially offering higher performance than HBM-based solutions.
Arm details AGI server CPU with two 70-core N3P chiplets and 2 TB/s UCIe fabric link
Arm provided additional technical specifications for its AGI data center CPU at Hot Chips 2026, confirming its design and planned configurations for late 2026 shipment. The AGI CPU features two 70-core N3P chiplets, a 2 TB/s UCIe fabric link, and a 12-channel memory controller, differentiating its approach from competitors.
Intel's Wildcat Lake budget chip uses UCIe for cost reduction and 18A compute
Intel's Wildcat Lake, an entry-level chip, integrates the Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) to reduce manufacturing costs. This approach allows Intel to use its advanced 18A process technology in a budget-focused product, diverging from typical N-1 budget chip designs.
Intel Details Crescent Island AI Accelerator with Larger Caches and Deeper XMX Engines
Intel provided new architectural details for its Crescent Island AI accelerator at the Hot Chips symposium, highlighting increased cache sizes and deeper XMX engines. This accelerator is designed for lower-power, inference-first AI workloads, differentiating it from high-power training-focused GPUs.
China slows exports of germanium and quartz to Taiwan, affecting semiconductor and optics supply chains
China is delaying or restricting exports of germanium and quartz-based materials to Taiwan, impacting the island's semiconductor, optics, and robotics industries. This action creates supply constraints and causes Taiwanese manufacturers to lose orders due to extended customs procedures under China's export control regime.
GPT-5.6 Sol designs custom CPU running Doom in Turing Complete sandbox
An AI computing enthusiast demonstrated Doom running on a custom CPU named 'Codex-R32' designed by GPT-5.6 Sol within the Turing Complete game environment. This showcases the AI's capability to construct functional virtual hardware from basic logic components, indicating advancements in AI-driven hardware design.
Xinuos' Linux ownership appeal rejected, effectively ending decades-long dispute
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected Xinuos' claims that IBM and Red Hat improperly contributed Project Monterey UNIX code to Linux. This decision effectively ends a decades-long legal dispute over Linux code ownership, despite Xinuos' intent to seek a rehearing.
Intel Details Xeon 7 'Diamond Rapids' CPUs with up to 256 P-cores and 1.28 GB LLC
Intel released new details on its upcoming Xeon 7 'Diamond Rapids' CPUs, which will feature up to 256 P-cores, 1.28 GB of last-level cache, and utilize the 18A-P process, UCIe-S interconnects, and AVX 10.2. These data center CPUs are scheduled for release in 2027 and represent Intel's next-generation architecture and packaging advancements.
Marvell Introduces Three-Tier AI Memory Infrastructure, Promotes DDR4 Recycling for CXL
Marvell announced a three-tier "AI memory infrastructure" portfolio at FMS 2026, advocating for the reuse of DDR4 memory with CXL to address rising memory costs and shortages. This initiative includes a new PCIe 6.0 SSD controller and integrates existing CXL expansion controllers, switches, and optical memory technology.
Feasibility Study Confirms Undersea Cable to Antarctica is Viable
A feasibility study commissioned by Chile's telecom regulator Subtel concluded that an undersea fiber-optic cable across the Drake Passage to Antarctica is technically viable. This development could replace current satellite links and physical hard drive shipments for Antarctic research data with high-speed internet connectivity.