From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
Valve Celebrates 30th Anniversary, Marking Decades of Influence in PC Gaming
Valve, founded on August 24, 1996, by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The company significantly impacted PC gaming with the release of Half-Life in 1998 and the Steam platform in 2003, which revolutionized game distribution and community features.
Kyoto University develops 600°C silicon carbide transistor using standard ion implantation
Kyoto University researchers developed a silicon carbide (SiC) transistor capable of operating at 600°C, utilizing standard ion implantation and a bottom-gate design. This advancement addresses leakage and voltage drift issues in high-temperature SiC devices, making it compatible with existing chip manufacturing processes.
Nintendo Issues DMCA Takedowns for 400+ Switch Emulator Repositories on GitHub
Nintendo has issued DMCA takedowns against seven GitHub repositories hosting Nintendo Switch emulator code, resulting in the removal of 401 associated repositories. This action primarily targeted forks of the Suyu and Yuzu emulators, with Nintendo citing concerns over the circumvention of anti-piracy protections and the use of illegal cryptographic keys. The takedowns impact the availability of Switch emulator development on GitHub, affecting both active and defunct projects.
US Army Tests Autonomous Ford F-250 with Drone-Killing Shotgun Turret
The U.S. Army tested self-driving Ford F-250 trucks equipped with Edda counter-UAS shotgun turrets during a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg. This development provides autonomous breaching vehicles with the ability to neutralize fast-moving drones, addressing threats posed by FPV drone technology in military operations.
Nvidia GB300-powered DGX Station desktop listed for nearly $100,000
Exxact listed Nvidia's GB300-powered DGX Station desktop, the Valence VWS-158270643, for $94,930, confirming previous price estimates. This makes the enterprise-grade AI workstation available for purchase, offering local AI model fine-tuning and deployment capabilities for businesses.
Officials Face Death Threats and Gunfire Over Data Center Projects Nationwide
City officials across the United States are receiving death threats and experiencing violence, including gunfire, related to decisions on data center construction projects. This has led some councils to restrict public comment or postpone votes, highlighting increasing tensions and safety concerns for local government representatives.
US Console Sales Drop 39% in July; Physical Game Spending Hits Record Low
US console hardware sales decreased by 39% in unit volume in July compared to the previous year, while the average price for a new system increased by 16% to $542. This decline is attributed to rising memory and component costs, leading to console price increases across PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms.
Florida Sues OpenAI and Sam Altman, Seeks Public Nuisance Ruling for ChatGPT
Florida has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, seeking a court ruling that classifies ChatGPT as a public nuisance and alleging violations of state consumer protection laws. OpenAI removed the case to federal court, arguing federal jurisdiction due to a Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) claim, while Florida is fighting to keep the case in state court.
LG-PRI enters chip packaging market with maskless Laser Direct Imaging machine
LG Electronics Production Technology Institute (LG-PRI) has signed a contract to supply an OSAT with its maskless Laser Direct Imaging (LDI) lithography tool for semiconductor packaging. This move positions LG in the advanced packaging equipment market, offering a tool that can pattern fine interconnects with potential for higher yields.
Supermicro terminates employees after investigation into alleged $2.5 billion AI chip smuggling
Supermicro has fired several employees following an independent investigation into the alleged smuggling of Nvidia AI hardware to China. The investigation concluded that neither the company nor its current senior management had knowledge of the illicit transactions, which reportedly total $2.5 billion since 2024.
Nvidia denies report of China-specific LPU shipments by year-end
Nvidia has refuted a report claiming it would begin shipping a China-tailored Language Processing Unit (LPU) by the end of 2026. The company stated it has no LPU sales in China and no China-specific LPU product on its roadmap. This denial clarifies Nvidia's position on its LPU strategy for the Chinese market amidst ongoing export restrictions.
Sandisk Launches NAS 600 SATA and NAS 800 NVMe SSDs with High Endurance Ratings
Sandisk has released two new series of SSDs, the NAS 600 SATA and NAS 800 NVMe, specifically designed for Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. The NAS 800 series, particularly the 7.68TB model, features an endurance rating of 14 petabytes written (PBW), allowing for daily full drive rewrites over five years, which is significantly higher than typical consumer and some NAS SSDs.
Enterprise SSDs 18.6x more expensive than HDDs; HDD supply sold out through 2027
The price of 30TB TLC enterprise SSDs has risen to $22,600, making them 18.6 times more expensive per terabyte than equivalent hard drives, according to VDURA's Flash Volatility Index. This price disparity, coupled with Seagate and Western Digital reporting nearline HDD output sold out through 2027, significantly impacts the cost and availability of storage for large-scale deployments, particularly for AI infrastructure.
DDR5 Scalper Bots Outnumber Shoppers 10:1, Driving Price Increases
A DataDome researcher reported that bots account for 91% of traffic on one retailer's DDR5 memory product pages, with automated requests hitting listings every 6.5 seconds. This bot activity, combined with supply constraints, has contributed to a significant increase in DDR5 prices, with a 32GB kit rising from $72 to $392 in one year.
Synopsys Validates PCIe 6.0 PHY in 3D Stack at 64 GT/s
Synopsys has published silicon results for a 3D PCIe 6.0 test chip, demonstrating a 5nm PHY operating at 64 GT/s per lane in a face-to-face stacked package. This validation addresses the challenges of integrating high-speed I/O like PCIe into 3D chip stacks, which is crucial for future high-performance computing architectures.
China's LineShine Supercomputer Tops TOP500 List, Highlighting Evolving Benchmarking
China's LineShine supercomputer debuted as the world's fastest on the June 2026 TOP500 list with 2.2 exaflops, marking China's return to the top ranking after 2017. This achievement underscores the increasing complexity of defining "fastest" in supercomputing, as different benchmarks yield varied results and private clusters remain unranked.
SMIC Reports Record $3 Billion Quarter and Hikes Wafer Prices Amid Strong Chinese AI Demand
SMIC achieved its first $3 billion revenue quarter, with a 36.1% year-on-year increase and nearly tripled net profit, and will raise wafer prices for Q3. This growth is driven by Chinese AI data center buildouts, which are cut off from leading-edge foundries like TSMC and Samsung due to US export controls, creating a captive market for SMIC.
Pine64 halts production of Linux devices until at least mid-2027 due to memory shortages
Pine64 has stopped manufacturing all Linux-based devices, including single-board computers, phones, and tablets, citing ongoing DRAM and eMMC shortages. This decision impacts its full lineup of Arm and RISC-V Linux hardware, with production not expected to resume until at least mid-2027. The company, which sells hardware near cost, stated it cannot absorb increased component prices, making it the first vendor to halt an entire product category due to the memory crunch.
Federal Judge Strikes Down ATF 'Ghost Gun' Rule for 3D Printed Parts
A U.S. District Court judge struck down an ATF rule that subjected firearm parts kits to the same regulations as complete guns, citing violations of the Fifth Amendment and historical gunsmithing traditions. This ruling impacts the 3D printer market and state efforts to regulate "ghost guns" by limiting 3D printing.
Samsung raises foundry prices by up to 15% on 4nm, 5nm, and 8nm processes
Samsung increased prices for new orders on its 4nm, 5nm, and 8nm foundry processes by up to 15% in July, with Chinese customers accepting the largest hikes due to U.S. export controls. This move comes as Samsung's 4nm lines are reportedly at full capacity, driven by AI demand, and could help its foundry business become profitable.
China Relocates AI Data Centers to Rural Provinces for Energy and Land
China is moving AI data center complexes to rural provinces like Guizhou, following a "Eastern Data, Western Computing" strategy. This move aims to utilize surplus energy and land, with companies like Huawei and Tencent building infrastructure in these areas, contrasting with data center development challenges in the US.
Ajinomoto reportedly cuts ABF supply to China by 30% amid global demand increase
Japanese chemical maker Ajinomoto has reportedly informed Chinese customers of a 30% reduction in the supply of ABF, a critical material for high-end processor packaging. This potential cut, alongside a confirmed 30% price hike, could impact Chinese chip manufacturers who rely heavily on Ajinomoto's dominant market share, and comes as global demand for ABF in servers and networking silicon grows.
Taiwan to Distribute $314 Cash Payout to Residents Funded by AI Server Boom
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te announced a plan to distribute NT$10,000 (approximately $314 USD) to every resident in 2027, funded by a surge in government revenue attributed to global demand for AI servers. This initiative aims to share the economic benefits of the AI industry's growth across the population, as Taiwan's economy experiences significant expansion driven by AI-related exports.
White House Updates Critical Technology List, Removing Data Centers and AR, Adding Post-Quantum Cryptography
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy revised its Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) list, reducing it from 18 to 14 categories. This update removes technologies like data centers, batteries, and augmented reality, while adding post-quantum cryptography, integrated photonics, and high entropy alloys. The CET list guides federal agencies in setting export controls, screening investments, vetting research proposals, and prioritizing R&D budgets.
Appeals Court Orders Review of DJI's 'Chinese Military Company' Designation
A U.S. appeals court partially reversed a ruling that kept drone maker DJI on the Pentagon's list of "Chinese military companies," ordering a district judge to review classified evidence regarding DJI's alleged contributions to China's defense industrial base. This decision means DJI remains on the list while the lower court re-examines the government's claims with previously unreviewed classified information.
AMD Details Zen 6 Epyc "Venice" and "Venice-X" CPUs, Featuring Up to 256 Cores and 1.15GB V-Cache
AMD has released initial details for its Zen 6 Epyc "Venice" server processors, including a 256-core variant, and the Venice-X CPU, scheduled for release in the second half of 2027. The Venice-X will feature 1152 MB of 3D V-Cache, 96 cores, and a 5.15 GHz boost clock, targeting high-performance computing workloads. The broader Venice lineup will include a 256-core Epyc 9996, offering up to 1.6 TB/s memory bandwidth and 128 PCIe 6 lanes.
Federal Court Upholds Judicial Immunity for Judge Allegedly Using AI for Rulings
A U.S. federal court ruled that judicial immunity protects a state judge from a civil lawsuit, even if the judge allegedly used AI to make a judicial decision. The ruling did not determine whether the judge actually used AI or if such use is legally permissible, but rather affirmed the broad scope of judicial immunity. This decision clarifies the limits of challenging judicial actions, even in novel circumstances involving AI.
Software Mod Unlocks Up to 64GB VRAM on Nvidia CMP 170HX Mining GPUs
A software-based solution called CMP Unlocker has been developed to restore previously disabled VRAM on Nvidia's CMP 170HX cryptocurrency mining GPUs, increasing their memory capacity from 8GB to 64GB or 10GB to 40GB. This development allows users to access the full physical memory present on the GA100 silicon, which was previously limited by firmware, potentially offering a way to address memory shortages for AI and other demanding applications.
Geekom Shipped Malware-Laced Network Drivers for AMD Mini PCs
Geekom acknowledged that network drivers for its A7, A8, AE7, AE8, AX7 Pro, and AX8 Pro mini-PCs contained the Asruex backdoor malware. The company removed the malicious package and advised users who installed it to perform a full system wipe, as the malware granted administrator-level permissions and could steal data or intercept keystrokes.
Alibaba Sells Gaming Unit Lingxi Games for Over $1.5 Billion to Fund AI Development
Alibaba is selling its game development unit, Lingxi Games, to private equity firm Trustar Capital for at least $1.5 billion. This divestment allows Alibaba to reallocate capital towards its expanding AI infrastructure program, which has exceeded its initial budget.
PJM Proposes Rules to Prioritize Residential Power Over New Large Data Centers During Shortages
PJM Interconnection, the grid operator for 13 states and Washington D.C., has asked federal regulators to approve new rules that would allow it to cut power to new data centers (50 MW or more) before residential customers during electricity shortages. This proposal aims to address insufficient generation capacity following failed capacity auctions and projected load growth, requiring new large data centers to secure their own power supply to avoid curtailment.
Intel Arc Pro B70 Workstation GPU Price Increases Up To 48% Globally
The price of Intel's Arc Pro B70 workstation GPU has increased by up to 48% in various regions, with the card now costing significantly more than its initial MSRP. This price hike affects the 32GB Battlemage card, which is used for AI workloads, and reflects ongoing component crisis issues.
GoldenEye 007 N64 Game Fully Decompiled After Five-Year Project
The Nintendo 64 game GoldenEye 007 has been 100% decompiled by KholdFuzion after a five-year project, making its original code accessible. This achievement enables complex modifications and ports of the game to other systems, potentially leading to new versions beyond emulation.
Cherokee Nation Bans Hyperscale Data Center Development on Tribal Lands
The Cherokee Nation has prohibited hyperscale data center development on its tribally owned and trust lands following a task force report indicating citizen opposition due to concerns about energy, water, and environmental impact. This decision reflects a growing trend of local jurisdictions and tribal nations imposing moratoriums or restrictions on data center construction.
RTX 2080 Ti VRAM Upgrades to 22GB Offered by Services and Resellers
Services are now offering VRAM upgrades for Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti graphics cards, increasing memory from 11GB to 22GB. This modification involves replacing VRAM modules and adjusting PCB resistors to support a new BIOS, making older GPUs more suitable for current AI workloads. Pre-modified cards are also available for purchase, with one Hong Kong-based seller offering them for $499.
Ukraine reverse-engineers Chinese drone to create MICH 2000, used in Tu-95 bomber attack
Ukraine developed the MICH 2000 long-range drone by reverse-engineering a Chinese ZTK-150 after covertly photographing its production line. This drone, which costs $48,000 and has a 2,000 km range, was reportedly used to destroy a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber. The development highlights Ukraine's efforts to localize drone production and overcome export restrictions on critical components.
Google Reportedly Collaborates with AMD on 10th-Gen TPU with Integrated CPU Cores
Google is reportedly partnering with AMD to develop its 10th-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), potentially integrating AMD's CPU cores directly into the AI accelerator package. This collaboration suggests Google is exploring hybrid AI ASICs to handle CPU-heavy workloads, particularly for reinforcement learning and agentic models, which require more general-purpose compute alongside accelerator operations.
Ukrainian Drone Unit Overwhelms U.S. Armored Brigade in War Game, Exposing Vulnerabilities
A 3,500-strong U.S. Army armored brigade combat team was repeatedly "destroyed" by a Ukrainian drone unit during a war game in Germany, highlighting the vulnerability of traditional armored forces to modern drone tactics. The exercise revealed that heavy vehicles are easily spotted and targeted by drones, forcing continuous respawns and indicating shortcomings in current American counter-drone responses.
US Navy 3D Prints Drones and 1,000+ Parts Aboard USS Essex During RIMPAC Transit
The US Navy successfully 3D printed a dozen combat-ready drones and over 1,000 spare parts, including critical Apache helicopter components, aboard the USS Essex during a two-week transit to RIMPAC 2026. This demonstration, using Firestorm Labs' xCell expeditionary manufacturing platform, proves the viability of on-demand additive manufacturing at sea, even in rough conditions. The ability to produce parts and drones on-site reduces reliance on traditional supply chains, potentially cutting resupply times and operational costs for naval operations.
SK hynix offers original purchase price refunds for SSD warranties due to no stock, shortchanging customers
SK hynix is reportedly offering refunds at the original purchase price for malfunctioning SSDs under warranty, rather than replacements, due to a lack of available stock. This policy disadvantages customers because SSD prices have significantly increased due to a global storage shortage, making it impossible to purchase a comparable drive with the refunded amount.