From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
Optical Interconnects Address AI Hardware Scaling Limitations
The AI industry is increasingly adopting optical interconnects to overcome the physical limitations of copper cabling and traditional GPU scaling. This shift is driven by the need for higher bandwidth and lower latency in large-scale AI systems, as Moore's Law for silicon density is no longer sufficient for performance gains.
DDR4 vs. DDR5 Gaming Performance: Single DDR5 DIMM Outperforms Dual-Channel DDR4
Recent testing on Intel LGA 1700 CPUs shows that using DDR4 memory for gaming results in an average performance drop of 14%, with some games seeing up to a 25% reduction, compared to DDR5. Additionally, a single DDR5 DIMM configuration, while experiencing an 8-10% performance drop compared to dual-channel DDR5, still outperforms dual-channel DDR4, offering a viable option for PC builders facing high DDR5 pricing.
Google to produce 12-15 million TPU v9 chips by 2028, potentially exceeding Nvidia's AI GPU output
Google plans to produce 12-15 million TPU v9 processors by 2028, a volume that could surpass Nvidia's projected AI GPU shipments for the same year. This production scale may necessitate Google utilizing Intel Foundry's manufacturing capabilities in addition to TSMC.
USB4 Version 2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 to deliver 80 Gbps bandwidth by 2026
USB4 Version 2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 are being implemented in premium laptops and desktops, targeting 80 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth and 120 Gbps asymmetric modes. This transition aims to increase throughput and power delivery, while also simplifying the USB standard's complexity.
SMIC's 7nm N+3 node shows potential but lacks competitiveness against rivals
SMIC's third-generation 7nm technology demonstrates higher transistor density than TSMC's N6 without EUV, achieving 113.4 million transistors per square millimeter. However, the Kirin 9030's performance lags behind modern competitors, indicating challenges in matching overall process competitiveness.
Neutral atom quantum computing roadmap highlights key advancements and challenges
Neutral atom quantum computing is gaining attention for its potential due to recent technical advancements. Key players like QuEra, Atom Computing, and Pasqal are developing systems that utilize laser-cooled atoms as qubits, offering advantages over traditional superconducting qubits.
Rare Two-Player Computer Space Arcade Machine from 1973 Goes to Auction
A rare two-player Computer Space arcade machine, released in July 1973 and designed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, is currently up for auction. This green sparkle cabinet is part of a larger retro tech auction and is estimated to sell for over $200,000, significantly higher than the $69,000 fetched by a single-player version in 2024.
Windows 11 Weather App Consumes Over 1 GB of RAM, Attributed to WebView2 Framework
The built-in Windows 11 Weather app has been observed to consume over 1 GB of RAM, with usage reaching 1.5-1.6 GB during interaction. This high memory consumption is attributed to its WebView2 framework and Chromium-based subprocesses, potentially impacting performance on systems with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM.
Researcher Identifies x86 Instruction Taking 62 Seconds to Execute
Hardware researcher Christopher Domas created the "CPU Deoptimization" project, also known as the "Assembly Hall of Shame," to find the slowest possible single x86 instruction. The instruction `fxrstor64` on an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor was found to take 62 seconds, or 198 billion cycles, to complete under specific high-latency conditions. This research explores the inverse of typical performance optimization by intentionally maximizing instruction latency.
HP Releases HyperX Omen 15 and Omen Max 16 Gaming Laptops
HP has released two new gaming laptops, the HyperX Omen 15 and the HyperX Omen Max 16. The Omen 15, starting at $1,200, replaces the budget-friendly Victus 15 and features an RTX 5050 Laptop GPU and a 16:10 display. The Omen Max 16, priced at $4,699, includes a Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor and an RTX 5090 GPU, but its performance does not align with its cost.
Nashville City Council Approves Eminent Domain to Block Data Center Near Zoo
The Nashville Metro Council approved the use of eminent domain to acquire land intended for a 23-acre data center campus next to the Nashville Zoo. This action, passed by a 27-5 vote, aims to prevent the construction of a $700 million data center by developer DC Blox, following concerns from zoo officials and residents regarding potential noise and light pollution.
Microsoft Azure CTO Develops DoomPaint, Running Doom in MS Paint at up to 35 FPS
Mark Russinovich, CTO of Microsoft Azure, released DoomPaint, a project that runs the original shareware Doom game using Microsoft Paint as the display. The system renders each frame to the Windows clipboard and pastes it into Paint's canvas, achieving frame rates up to 35 FPS, and includes sound and music. This project demonstrates an unconventional method of running classic software.
AE Studio Uses AI to Locate Shipwrecks, Recruits Experienced Seafarers for Recovery
AE Studio, an AI research firm, is employing large language models to analyze 80 million pages of Spanish colonial records to identify undiscovered shipwrecks and lost cargo. The company is recruiting individuals with extensive nautical and diving experience to recover these treasures based on AI-generated coordinates, offering compensation that includes equity.
Modder Integrates GTA III and Vice City as Mini-Games in GTA San Andreas
Modder Dryxio has created a modification that allows players to run GTA III and Vice City as mini-games within GTA San Andreas. The mod lets players switch between these games without pausing the action in San Andreas. This showcases the creativity of the modding community and requires players to own all three games.
Nintendo Switch 2 Discounts: $399 at Woot and $449.99 with Free Game at Amazon
The Nintendo Switch 2 console is currently available at a discounted price on different platforms. Woot offers it for $399 for new customers and $427 for returning customers, while Amazon sells it at $449.99, including a free digital game. This is significant as the console's price is set to rise to $499.99 in September.
Engineer Documents Authentic 1993 Computers Used in Jurassic Park
Fabien Sanglard, a Google engineer, cataloged the 1993 computer systems in "Jurassic Park", emphasizing their authenticity with a modern-day value of $4 million. This detailed inventory highlights the film's dedication to realistic technology amidst ongoing fan interest.
Jensen Huang's Leather Jacket Sells for $960,000 at Sotheby's Charity Auction
A leather jacket worn by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sold for $960,000 at a Sotheby's auction, significantly exceeding the estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. The proceeds will benefit the Edge Institute. The high auction price highlights collector interest in items associated with the tech industry.
Xtra Muse Camera Undercuts DJI Osmo Pocket 3 in Price Wars
Xtra Muse portable camera is now priced at $329, offering a $50 price advantage over the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. Both cameras target the vlogging market with features like Bluetooth mic compatibility. Price competitiveness in the portable camera segment intensifies, reflecting shifts in market strategies.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 Price Reduced by $900 at Best Buy
Best Buy has reduced the price of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet from $2,999.99 to $2,099.99. This 2-in-1 device features an AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 chipset, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it appealing for gaming and AI applications. The price drop makes this hybrid device a compelling purchase in the current market.
Developer Ports Linux to 1993 Atari Jaguar Console, Overcoming Hardware Constraints
Developer 'cakehonolulu' successfully ported Linux to the 1993 Atari Jaguar, overcoming significant hardware limitations such as its 2MB RAM and 13.3 MHz CPU. The project demonstrates technical skill in adapting modern software for retro hardware, highlighting the ongoing interest in preserving and utilizing vintage technology.
Open-Source Beavis Ultrasound PnP ISA Sound Card Replica Released
The Beavis Ultrasound PnP, an open-source replica of the Gravis Ultrasound PnP sound card, has been released on GitHub. This project offers complete schematics and reverse-engineered source code but requires a rare AMD InterWave chip. Such developments cater to retro computing enthusiasts seeking to recreate or customize classic hardware.
Samsung Launches Budget 990 SSD Amidst Criticism Over High Prices and Lower Speeds
Samsung has released its 990 SSD, a budget-friendly Gen 4 QLC drive available at $530 for 2TB and $270 for 1TB. It provides full Gen 4 throughput but exhibits slower performance compared to the 2022 Pro model and suffers from mediocre power efficiency. Despite these drawbacks, it remains noteworthy due to the increased prices and its budget positioning, serving users seeking lower-cost SSD options.
Colibrì Enables GLM-5.2 AI Model on Consumer Hardware with Minimal RAM
The Colibrì implementation allows the GLM-5.2 model to run on consumer machines with only 25 GB of RAM by using streaming technology. The model's Mixture-of-Experts architecture reduces memory requirements by streaming expert pathways from disk. While offering high-quality AI capabilities, the processing speed is significantly lower, impacting practical usability.
Nvidia Launches Free GeForce Trading Cards Featuring Iconic Moments in Gaming
Nvidia has introduced the GeForce Trading Cards Series 1, consisting of 11 collectible cards celebrating significant Nvidia GPUs, tech demos, and games. These cards will be available for free at various gaming events and online through Nvidia's 'Summer of RTX' initiatives. This release comes as Nvidia focuses on AI, delaying its consumer GPU releases until 2027, making the trading cards a nostalgic nod to PC gaming history.
Slopfix Offers Code Reduction Service for AI-Generated Codebases at $10k Weekly
Slopfix has introduced a service priced at $10,000 weekly to reduce AI-generated codebases by up to 65% while maintaining functionality. Employing both human oversight and AI agents, Slopfix offers an initial free code analysis and provides additional warranties on their refactoring work. This service aims to address inefficiencies and complexity in AI-generated code.
Photon Matrix Laser Mosquito Air Defense System Enters Mass Production and Sales
The Photon Matrix Infrared and Blue Laser Mosquito Air Defense system has begun mass production and is now available for purchase, with initial shipments expected this month. This device uses lasers, LiDAR, mmWave radar, and AI vision to detect and eliminate mosquitoes within a six-meter radius, offering a chemical-free alternative for mosquito control.
VLC Media Player Experiences 33-Second MP3 Playback Delay on Windows 11 Due to Microsoft Defender
VLC Media Player users on Windows 11 are reporting delays of up to 33 seconds when playing MP3 files, which VLC developers attribute to Microsoft Defender quarantining the player's plugin cache. This issue causes VLC to spend significant time processing its plugin system before playback begins.
Intel 8088 processor's 45th anniversary marks start of PC era and x86 dominance
The Intel 8088 processor, launched 45 years ago, powered the IBM PC Model 5150, initiating the personal computer era and establishing the x86 architecture's long-term dominance. Its affordability and compatibility with existing software were key factors in its success, despite the existence of the more powerful 8086.
Optical disc shattering linked to cleaning chemicals and foam storage
Optical disc collectors report compact discs (CDs) shattering due to chemical degradation of their polycarbonate substrates. This degradation is attributed to cleaning substances or off-gassing from foam padding in storage cases, adding new concerns to existing issues like bit rot and laser rot for data preservation.
G.Skill Launches Trident Z5 NeoX RGB DDR5-6000 C30 Memory Kit with AMD EXPO ULL
G.Skill released the Trident Z5 NeoX RGB DDR5-6000 C30 memory kit, featuring AMD's EXPO Ultra Low Latency (ULL) technology. This memory kit is designed to optimize performance for AMD Ryzen processors by fine-tuning memory sub-timings.
Samsung Odyssey G80HS 6K Gaming Monitor Offers High Pixel Density and Dual Refresh Rates
Samsung has released the Odyssey G80HS, a 32-inch 6K gaming monitor featuring a 6144x3456 resolution at 165 Hz and a dual refresh mode for 3072x1728 at 330 Hz. This monitor pushes pixel density in gaming displays, but requires high-end hardware for optimal performance.
Modder attaches desktop CPU coolers to ZTE phone for sustained performance, runs games at 1080p
A hardware enthusiast modified a ZTE Nubia Z70 Ultra smartphone by attaching two desktop CPU air coolers to its internal components, creating a miniature desktop PC. This modification allowed the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC to sustain peak performance, achieving high stability scores in benchmarks and running demanding games like The Witcher 3 at 1080p ultra settings. The project demonstrates the potential for mobile chip performance when thermal throttling is eliminated.
Exploit Grants Hardware-Level Control on AMD 2011-2015 CPUs via Single Instruction
A new exploit named Skitter Creek Bath Salts (Skitter) allows access to protected memory areas on AMD CPUs from the 15h and 16h families (2011-2015) using a single instruction. This exploit grants full hardware-level control, including access to the Platform Security Processor and System Management Mode, but requires kernel-level access to the affected machine.
PS5 Emulation Progresses with Playable 3D Games and Steam Deck Boot
PlayStation 5 emulation has advanced significantly, with the KytyPS5 emulator now running two 3D games, XIII (2020) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Wrath of the Mutants, at up to 30 frames per second. Separately, the SharpEmu emulator successfully booted Astro's Playroom on a Steam Deck, demonstrating early cross-platform capability despite low performance.
Keychron Releases C100 8K Macro Pad with 100 Customizable Keys and Apex Switches
Keychron has launched the C100 8K macro pad, a device featuring 100 customizable keys, exclusive Keychron Apex tactile switches, and an 8K polling rate. This product offers extensive customization for users needing dedicated macro controls in gaming, productivity, and specialized applications.
Halcyon Video adds 3D video rental storefront to Jellyfin HTPC for nostalgic browsing
A new open-source, self-hosted application called Halcyon Video provides a 3D video rental store interface for Jellyfin HTPCs, allowing users to browse their media collections in a virtual environment. This project aims to recreate the experience of visiting a physical video rental store, offering a unique way to interact with digital media libraries.
Nova Lake CPUs with disabled E-cores may retain full L3 cache, increasing predicted cache sizes
New leaks suggest Intel's upcoming Nova Lake CPUs with partially disabled E-core clusters will retain their full L3 cache pool, contrary to earlier rumors. This change means certain configurations, like the 8+12+4 and 4+4+4, are now predicted to have larger L3 cache amounts than previously expected, potentially affecting performance for some midrange SKUs.
Commodore re-releases TAC-2 joystick with enhanced durability and new color options
Commodore has re-released the TAC-2 joystick, originally from 1983, after 40 years of being out of production. The new version features a strengthened internal assembly, five color options, and LEDs in some models, retailing for $49.99.
Modder creates 'SteamBoy' by fitting Steam Deck components into a Game Boy-sized shell
A modder named PhyFawkes has integrated Steam Deck components into a custom 3D-printed Game Boy-sized shell, creating a device called 'SteamBoy.' This project demonstrates the feasibility of miniaturizing the Steam Deck's core hardware, with plans to incorporate a high-resolution AMOLED display.
AMD BC-250 Repurposed as Budget Linux Gaming Board, Unlocking PS5 APU Capabilities
The AMD BC-250, a repurposed PlayStation 5 APU, is being used as a budget Linux gaming board, offering performance comparable to the Steam Machine at a lower cost. Community-developed tools allow users to unlock all 40 Compute Units and two additional Zen 2 cores, enhancing its gaming capabilities.