From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
PlayStation community group calls for one-week blackout to protest Sony's digital-only shift
A community group called DoesItPlay is organizing a one-week PlayStation blackout from August 23-30 to protest Sony's plan to end physical game production by 2028. This protest aims to pressure Sony by asking players to avoid logging in, playing games, or making purchases on PlayStation platforms during the specified week. The effectiveness of this protest is debated, with some suggesting it may have minimal impact due to its timing and temporary nature.
Charges Dropped Against Individual Arrested for Clapping at Emporia Data Center Meeting
Emporia, Kansas has dropped criminal charges against Lux Claridge, a high school teacher arrested for clapping during a city data center meeting. The case has been sent to the County Attorney's office for review, and the city plans to resume in-person public meetings and public comment soon.
Commodore and CD Projekt Red Partner for Cyberpunk 2077-Themed Commodore 77
Commodore has partnered with CD Projekt Red to release the Commodore 77, a special edition of the Commodore 64 Ultimate. This version features a Cyberpunk 2077 aesthetic, an upgraded AMD Artix-7 XC7A100T FPGA, and an exclusive 2MB demo cartridge, marking Commodore's first franchise hardware partnership.
Ypsilanti Township Passes Moratorium on Electrical Infrastructure to Oppose Data Center
Ypsilanti Township in Michigan passed a six-month moratorium on major electrical utility infrastructure, a tactic to delay the construction of a $1.2 billion data center. The data center is a partnership between the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratories for nuclear weapons research, and residents have expressed concerns about its environmental impact and the need for new substations.
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.
KytyPS5 Emulator Progresses to Gameplay for Marvel's Wolverine, Still at Single-Digit Frame Rates
The KytyPS5 emulator can now run cinematics and gameplay for Marvel's Wolverine, though performance remains at single-digit frame rates. This development indicates progress in PS5 emulation for PC, despite the emulator being in early development stages.
OpenAI's new model solves ten math problems, prompting concerns about AI's role in mathematics
OpenAI announced that an unreleased AI model solved ten open problems in mathematics, including one in coding theory. This development raises questions about the future role of human mathematicians and the potential for AI to independently advance mathematical fields.
Ethernet Specification Version 1.0 Published by DEC, Intel, and Xerox in 1980
The first version of the Ethernet specification was published on this day in 1980 by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), Intel, and Xerox. This standard enabled the widespread adoption of local area networking, evolving from 10 Mbps coaxial cable to modern multi-gigabit fiber optics.
Zotac denies warranty claim for RTX 3060 in India due to import date policy
Zotac denied a warranty claim for an RTX 3060 graphics card in India, stating the card was out of warranty based on its import date, despite the customer's purchase date and product registration falling within the advertised warranty period. This incident highlights a discrepancy between Zotac's stated warranty policy and its application, potentially affecting consumers who purchase products that have been in retail inventory for extended periods.
Intel Nova Lake Platforms Pass USB and PCIe Compliance Testing
Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 400-series 'Nova Lake' mobile processors and 900-series desktop chipsets have passed USB and PCIe compliance tests, appearing on the USB Implementers Forum and PCI-SIG Integrators Lists. This indicates that these components meet industry standards for interoperability and are progressing towards their official launch.
Former Nvidia Advisor Claims $1 Billion in Stock Owed Due to 1993 Vesting Discrepancy
Eric Gullichsen, an early Nvidia technical advisor, claims he is owed 4.5 million shares of NVDA stock, valued at approximately $1 billion, due to a discrepancy in his 1993 stock option vesting schedule. He states that his grant document indicated a one-year vesting period, while Nvidia's records and a CFO letter reflected a four-year vesting schedule, leading to fewer shares vesting than he believes he was entitled to.
Noctua and Thermal Grizzly release quieter WireView Pro II GPU power monitor
Thermal Grizzly and Noctua collaborated to release the WireView Pro II Noctua Edition, a GPU power monitoring device with a quieter cooling fan. This new version addresses user feedback regarding fan noise in the original model by integrating Noctua's low-noise cooling technology.
ProsperoEden Emulator Enables Nintendo Switch Games on Jailbroken PS5 Consoles
A new emulator project, ProsperoEden, allows jailbroken PlayStation 5 consoles to run Nintendo Switch games. This development provides an alternative platform for playing Switch titles, though compatibility and performance vary significantly depending on the game and PS5 firmware version.
ASRock X870E Challenger Wifi Motherboard Offers Robust Features at $230 Price Point
ASRock released the X870E Challenger Wifi White motherboard, priced at $230, featuring robust power delivery, a flagship audio codec, and fast USB connectivity including USB4 ports. This AM5 board provides a competitive option for its price, despite some performance and BIOS limitations.
NorthPoint Development offers $10,000 per household for data center approval in Pennsylvania
NorthPoint Development proposed paying $10,000 to 4,500 households in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, to gain approval for a 1,300-acre data center. Residents largely oppose the offer, citing concerns over noise, property values, and distrust of developers and local government. This direct payment approach is a new tactic by developers to secure local support.
Custom 24-carat gold mini PC costs $1.7 million, weighs 28.7 pounds
A custom Kubb Fanless mini PC was ordered with a 24-carat gold chassis, increasing its cost to $1.7 million and its weight to 28.7 pounds. The gold chassis provides 30% to 50% faster heat transfer compared to aluminum, potentially improving Core Ultra chip performance.
Cooler Master V Platinum 3000W PSU offers Platinum efficiency and 12-year warranty
Cooler Master introduced the V Platinum 3000 Workstation power supply, providing 3000W output with 80 PLUS Platinum efficiency and a 12-year warranty. This power supply is designed for multi-GPU AI development boxes and rendering workstations, featuring four native 12V-2x6 connectors.
Linux Kernel Compilation Nears 10-Second Mark with Hardware and Software Optimizations
Linux kernel compilation times for a defconfig x86-64 build are approaching 10 seconds due to hardware advancements and software optimizations by Lorenzo Stoakes, with assistance from AI/LLMs. This reduction in build time impacts developers by speeding up the kernel development cycle.
Counterfeit Vinyl Record Manufacturer Sentenced to Three Years in UK Prison
Rehan Ahmed was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for operating a counterfeit vinyl record manufacturing business that generated nearly $3.5 million. The operation produced fake records of popular artists, leading to the largest seizure of counterfeit vinyl in the UK.
Taiwanese 'tech talisman' snack production faces halt after 94% strike vote
Production of Guai Guai snacks, traditionally placed on machinery in Taiwan's semiconductor industry for good luck, faces a potential halt after workers voted 94% in favor of strike action. The dispute stems from the company's planned relocation and workers' demands for better severance packages and pay raises, especially after the company sold its current factory for NT$5.6 billion.
Asus ROG Swift PG32UCWM 32-inch OLED Gaming Monitor Review
The Asus ROG Swift PG32UCWM, a 32-inch Tandem RGB Stripe OLED monitor, offers 4K resolution at 240 Hz and FHD at 480 Hz, with features like Adaptive-Sync, HDR10, and Dolby Vision. This monitor utilizes Tandem RGB Stripe OLED technology for improved image clarity, lower power consumption, and enhanced color volume, positioning it as a premium option in the OLED gaming monitor market.
Asus ROG Gjallar Soundbar Reviewed: Good Audio, Clunky Design
Asus has launched its first gaming soundbar, the ROG Gjallar, a 2.1.2 system with a wireless subwoofer and an audio control hub. While it offers good sound quality for a soundbar, its design is considered clunky and unattractive, with limited customization options for its control hub.