From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Upper Stage Expected to Crash into Moon in August
An upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is projected to crash into the Moon near the Einstein Crater on August 5. This event provides astronomers with a rare opportunity to observe an artificial impact in real-time, allowing for studies on dust plume movement and space debris hazards.
Developer Ports Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a to Native x64 for Modern Systems
Developer Justin Marshall has created a native x64 port of Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a, codenamed Opus, allowing the 1990 application to run on modern Windows 10 and 11 systems. This project involved rebuilding the original source code and replacing 16-bit assembly and Win16 platform boundaries with modern equivalents, making a historical software version accessible without emulation.
Sony Japan implements lottery system with 60-hour playtime requirement for PS5 Pro purchases
Sony Store Japan introduced a lottery system for PS5 Pro purchases, requiring a Japanese PSN account and at least 60 hours of PS4/PS5 playtime within the last two years. This measure aims to combat scalping and ensure consoles reach active gamers amidst device shortages and rising demand.
Nvidia's RTX 20 Series Launched in 2018, Introducing Real-Time Ray Tracing to PC Gaming
Nvidia released its GeForce RTX 2080 and 2080 Ti graphics cards in 2018, pioneering real-time ray tracing in PC gaming. This launch marked a significant technological shift for GPUs, though initial adoption was slow due to high prices and limited game support.
ABF Substrate Supply Faces Strain from AI Accelerator Demand
The rapid growth in AI accelerators is creating a supply crunch for ABF substrates, essential components for high-end CPUs, GPUs, and AI chips. This issue is compounded by the fact that Ajinomoto, a single company, supplies over 95% of the critical build-up film used in these substrates.
China's EUV Lithography Technology Compared to ASML's 2004 Capabilities
A UBS analyst report indicates that China's current EUV lithography technology is comparable to ASML's capabilities in 2004, highlighting a significant gap behind Western semiconductor manufacturing leaders. This assessment suggests that while China is advancing in other chipmaking tools, it still faces challenges in developing competitive lithography machines for modern chip production.
Samsung Foundry Faces Yield Challenges and Delays in 2nm Production and Taylor Fab
Samsung Foundry is experiencing low yield rates for its 2nm process, hindering profitability and its ability to compete with TSMC, despite securing a $16.5 billion contract with Tesla for AI6 processors. The Taylor, Texas fab, a key part of Samsung's roadmap, has faced construction delays and a reduced CHIPS Act award, with full mass production now targeted for 2027.
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.
Peer-Reviewed Study Ranks HGST Most Reliable Hard Drive Brand, Toshiba Least Reliable
A new IEEE study re-analyzed 12 years of Backblaze hard drive data, covering over 443,000 drives, and found that HGST drives had the lowest failure rates, while Toshiba drives had the highest. This analysis adjusted for factors like drive age, capacity, form factor, and operating temperature, providing a more refined comparison of reliability across brands.
Intel VP Predicts PC Market Split Between Mainstream and Enthusiast Platforms
Intel's Robert Hallock suggests the PC market is dividing into distinct mainstream and enthusiast segments due to rising costs, with mainstream platforms experiencing significant challenges. This split could lead to different socket designs across the industry to address varying consumer budgets.
Near-Packaged Optics (NPO) Gains Traction as Interim Solution Before Co-Packaged Optics (CPO)
Near-packaged optics (NPO) is emerging as an interim solution for data center networking, bridging the gap between traditional pluggable transceivers and future co-packaged optics (CPO). Analysts predict NPO silicon photonics products will see volume adoption through the end of the decade due to advantages like field-replaceable modules and simpler assembly compared to CPO.
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.
Dell XPS 13 (2026) reviewed: a thinner, lighter laptop with compromises for its $700 price
Dell's new XPS 13 (2026) model is thinner and lighter than previous versions, starting at $700, but features a more basic design, slower Intel Core hardware, and a mechanical trackpad. The review suggests that its 8GB RAM configuration is insufficient for comfortable Windows 11 use, despite its competitive pricing against the MacBook Neo.
Maingear Launches Instant Trade-In Program for Gaming PCs with SELLIT9 Partnership
Maingear, a custom PC seller, has introduced an instant trade-in program in collaboration with SELLIT9, allowing customers to receive immediate credit for used electronics towards new Maingear desktops or laptops. This initiative aims to make purchasing new gaming hardware more accessible by utilizing the value of old tech.
PS3 Emulator Developers Warn of Fake Blu-ray Drives Sold on Newegg and AliExpress
Developers of the RPCS3 PlayStation 3 emulator issued a warning about counterfeit Blu-ray drives being sold, particularly on Newegg and AliExpress. These fake drives use older, incompatible optical mechanisms with spoofed firmware and packaging to appear as higher-end models, impacting users seeking compatible hardware for the emulator.
Newegg Bundles Feature AMD Processors and DDR5 RAM with Substantial Discounts
Newegg has introduced various component bundles featuring AMD Ryzen processors and Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM, offering notable savings. These bundles include the Ryzen 5 9600X with 16GB RAM and a B650M motherboard for $519.99, along with a free AIO cooler. Such offers help mitigate high RAM prices, making them attractive for budget-conscious gaming PC builders.
Russian Missile Strikes Disrupt Popular Piracy Websites Hosted in Ukraine
Russian missile strikes in Ukraine caused downtime for popular torrent tracker websites 1337x and NordicQuality. These sites were affected due to their servers being located in Ukrainian data centers targeted by the attacks, demonstrating how physical conflict can impact digital infrastructure.
WiCi One external GPU box features Wi-Fi 7, 4TB SSD for local AI processing
The WiCi One is a new external GPU enclosure that uses Wi-Fi 7 for wireless connectivity and includes a built-in 4TB PCIe 5.0 SSD. It is designed for running local AI models, allowing multiple devices to share a single GPU over a network.
Nintendo wins $4.5 million in default judgment against Switch game pirate
Nintendo of America was awarded $4.5 million in damages in a lawsuit against James Williams, who allegedly sold pirated Nintendo Switch games. Williams did not respond to the lawsuit, resulting in a default judgment for Nintendo.
Samsung smart fridges bricked by firmware update, spoiling food for owners
A firmware update for Samsung's Bespoke AI smart fridges caused devices to stop functioning, leading to spoiled food for owners. The issue primarily affects 2024 and later four-door models in Korea, with hundreds of cases reported.
Raspberry Pi 5 firmware update blocks RAM chip modifications
A recent firmware update for the Raspberry Pi 5 prevents users from replacing the default RAM chip with a larger capacity one. This change impacts hobbyists who previously upgraded their devices for more memory-intensive projects.
MediaTek Dimensity CX C10 Max SoC to power new Googlebooks, shares specs with Kompanio Ultra
MediaTek announced its Dimensity CX C10 Max processor will be used in Google's new Googlebook laptops, launching on September 21. The 3nm SoC features an 8-core CPU, 11-core GPU, and NPU 890, but its specifications are largely similar to the existing Kompanio Ultra 910, with the main difference being increased memory speed.
GPT-6 Astra Deciphers WWI German Radio Message Encoded with ADFGVX Cipher
GPT-6 Astra successfully decoded a previously unsolved German radio message from World War I, which was encrypted using the ADFGVX method. This demonstrates the model's capability in cryptanalysis, specifically with historical ciphers that have resisted human efforts.
Packard Bell brand relaunches in Europe with DotBook 14 laptop and Dot series products
The Packard Bell brand, now under Acer, has relaunched in Europe with the DotBook 14 laptop and a range of Dot series peripherals and electronics. This marks the brand's return after 13 years, focusing on affordable and colorful products for the European market.
Neo Geo AES+ Console Remake Delayed to September 2027 Due to AI-Induced Memory Shortage
The Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System+ (AES+) console remake has been delayed from November to September 16, 2027. Manufacturer Plaion Replai cited increased consumer demand and a global memory chip shortage, driven by AI infrastructure investment, as reasons for the significant delay.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Now Playable in Web Browser
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is now available to play directly in web browsers, utilizing a WebAssembly engine for instant access without large downloads. This browser-based version includes an integrated save manager and cross-platform support for desktop and mobile devices.
Lexar Introduces Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD with Proprietary SnapLink Cable
Lexar has announced the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, which measures 3.8mm thick and offers 512GB and 1TB capacities. The drive achieves its thin profile by using a proprietary magnetic SnapLink cable with pogo-pin connectors instead of a standard USB-C port. It provides read speeds up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000MB/s, supporting 4K Apple ProRes video recording at 120fps.
Nexus Mods Acquires SteamDB to Enhance Modding Platform Resources
Nexus Mods, the largest mod-sharing platform, has acquired SteamDB, an independent database for Steam. This acquisition aims to provide SteamDB with increased resources, development capacity, and long-term stability, while also benefiting Nexus Mods with better tracking of game versions for mod compatibility.
Working Apple I Computer, Signed by Steve Wozniak, Heads to Auction
A rare, working Apple I computer, known as the "Hatfield" Apple I, is going up for auction again, with an expected sale price between $500,000 and $800,000. This event matters as it highlights the enduring value of early computing artifacts and the historical significance of Apple's foundational products.
HyperX Launches Cloud Alpha Air, its First Open-Back Gaming Headset
HyperX released the Cloud Alpha Air, its first open-back gaming headset, priced at $150. This new model features a Bass Tube design to maintain low-end audio response, addressing a common characteristic of open-back headphones. The product launch expands HyperX's gaming accessory lineup with a new audio form factor.
Oklahoma AG Orders City to Waive $17K Records Fee for Data Center Arrest Information
The Oklahoma Attorney General has directed the city of Claremore to provide public records related to a data center project and a farmer's arrest without charging a $17,125.44 fee. This intervention ensures public access to information previously hindered by high costs, impacting transparency in local government dealings.
Acer Introduces Swift Blade 14 and Swift Air 16 Laptops with Intel Wildcat Lake Processors
Acer has unveiled two new laptops, the Swift Blade 14 and the Swift Air 16, both powered by Intel Wildcat Lake processors. The Swift Blade 14 weighs 1.76 pounds (799g) and is 0.51 inches (12.95mm) thin, making it lighter than Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air. These releases expand Acer's mid-level laptop offerings, with availability in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in December, and North America in Q1 2027.
BT could earn $2.7 billion from recycling 200,000 tons of copper from legacy network
BT, the UK's largest telecommunications provider, is projected to earn up to $2.7 billion by recycling 200,000 tons of copper from its legacy network as it upgrades to fiber. This revenue potential is driven by high copper prices, partly due to increased demand from AI data centers.
BlindLock Launches Hardware-Bound Local Password Vault Using Steganography in PNG Files
BlindLock released a new password vault that conceals encrypted user data within ordinary PNG image files, requiring a master password and authorized device for access. This approach aims to enhance security by removing a central vault database and making the vault invisible to attackers.
TP-Link announces Archer 8 Ultra Wi-Fi 8 router for September 30 preorder, Deco 8 Ultra in Q1 2027
TP-Link will launch its first consumer Wi-Fi 8 router, the Archer 8 Ultra BN19000, for preorder on September 30. The company also detailed the Deco 8 Ultra BN22000 mesh router, expected in Q1 2027, and future Wi-Fi 8 products.
Solo Developer Releases Playable ASCII Cyberpunk City in Browser Using Rust WebAssembly
Solo developer Grow Now! Games has released a playable browser version of an ASCII cyberpunk city, powered by a 283KB Rust WebAssembly engine and a WebGL renderer. This project demonstrates a novel approach to rendering complex 3D environments using only text characters, highlighting the capabilities of WebAssembly and WebGL for creative web development.