From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
Intel Raises Prices on Core Ultra 200S Plus Processors by Up to $50
Intel has increased recommended customer prices for its Core Ultra 200S Plus processors, including the 270K Plus and 250K Plus models, by $30 to $50. This adjustment reflects high demand and increased supply chain costs. Meanwhile, the midrange Core Ultra 5 245K is heavily discounted, highlighting mixed pricing strategies in the industry.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 Review Highlights Display and Performance Shortcomings
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 laptop features a vibrant mini-LED display and powerful hardware but has key shortcomings such as missing PCIe 5.0 SSD and single-channel RAM. Priced at $4,999.99, it competes closely with Razer’s Blade 18 but presents notable limitations.
Rapidus to Offer Lower Wafer Prices than TSMC for 2nm Class Silicon
Japan’s Rapidus aims to attract customers by pricing its 2nm-class wafers at $18,550-$21,635, well below TSMC's estimated $30,000. The company plans to begin high-volume manufacturing in 2027, providing competition in the semiconductor market but facing TSMC's established advantages in technology and ecosystem.
Intel Reveals New Cross-Batch Memory Architecture in Patent Filing
Intel has filed a patent for a new memory architecture called Cross-Batch Memory (XBM), which replaces traditional HBM silicon interposers with back-end-of-line transistors and UCIe links. This aims to reduce costs and address memory bottlenecks in AI applications. This development highlights Intel's efforts to innovate in high-bandwidth memory, potentially altering AI hardware design.
Samsung samples Gaia AI accelerator for PCs with HP and Lenovo validation
Samsung is sampling its Gaia AI accelerator, a dedicated neural processing unit, for next-gen PCs. Major manufacturers HP and Lenovo are currently validating the chip's performance as they consider integrating it into upcoming systems due in late 2027 or early 2028.
Minecraft runs on Game Boy Color and Game Boy with 3D textures
Tobias Friedly has successfully adapted a limited version of Minecraft to run on the Game Boy Color in 3D. This achievement demonstrates significant advancements in retro game development and hardware limitations, showcasing Gamers' creative capabilities in adapting modern games to older systems.
TeamGroup G70 Pro 2TB SSD Offers High Performance at Affordable Price
The TeamGroup G70 Pro 2TB SSD is released, showcasing excellent random read latency and competitive pricing. Its performance makes it suitable for various applications, although poor power efficiency limits its use in laptops.
Reddit user exposes fake 16TB SSD scam on eBay
A Reddit user revealed they purchased a fake 16TB SSD on eBay, which only contained a microSD card and weights. This action exposes the prevalence of scams on online marketplaces, highlighting risks of significant data loss and illustrating consumer protection efficacy in recovering costs for buyers.
Sberbank seeks Chinese chips amid U.S. sanctions, signaling Sino-Russian trade tie-up
Sberbank aims to run its GigaChat AI on Huawei-made chips due to U.S. export controls limiting access to Western technology. This move underscores a growing reliance on Chinese technology, facilitating a Sino-Russian chip trade alliance as both nations seek alternatives to U.S. products.
AMD revives Ryzen 7 4700LE for budget PCs in prebuilt gaming systems
AMD has launched the Ryzen 7 4700LE in a new prebuilt gaming PC priced at $799.99, featuring an RTX 3050 GPU. This move allows AMD to leverage the aging AM4 platform and offer cost-effective options for budget-conscious gamers.
Future Nostalgia Project Encourages Data Preservation with 'Copy That Floppy!'
The Future Nostalgia Project, supported by Cambridge University Library, promotes the preservation of vintage data media through its initiative 'Copy That Floppy!'. The project provides a comprehensive guide for archiving data from various removable formats, including floppy disks, to combat data loss amid rising concerns about bit rot.
Initial benchmarks show limited gains for AMD EXPO ULL memory kits
AMD's EXPO Ultra Low Latency (ULL) memory kits are available, but initial tests show only a 4% performance improvement at a high price. While there are slight benefits in specific games, the overall gains do not justify the significant price increase.
Chinese courts rule heirs can inherit deceased gamers' digital assets
Chinese courts have established that heirs can inherit digital game accounts and assets after multiple rulings favoring deceased gamers' estates. This legal precedent extends beyond gaming to include in-game purchases and cryptocurrency, affirming the monetary value of digital properties.
Rapidus targets 2027 for 2nm fab production amid customer uncertainty
Rapidus plans to mass produce 2nm chips at its IIM-1 facility in Chitose, Hokkaido by 2027, but has yet to secure any volume commitments from customers. The company aims to ramp up production capacity significantly, counting on a collaborative initiative to foster a semiconductor ecosystem in the region.
JEDEC introduces SPHBM4 standard to reduce costs of high-bandwidth memory
JEDEC has released the SPHBM4 standard, which enables cheaper high-bandwidth memory (HBM) by allowing the use of organic substrates and eliminating the need for costly interposers. It utilizes a narrower 512-bit interface while maintaining high data transfer rates, potentially lowering memory costs in AI processors without addressing the DRAM shortage.
Global consumer Wi-Fi router shipments decline in Q1 2026 amid changing market dynamics
Global consumer Wi-Fi router shipments fell 6% year-over-year in Q1 2026, continuing a downward trend with a 34% decrease since their peak in 2021. Despite the overall decline, demand for mesh systems and certain brands like Asus and Google showed growth, highlighting shifts in consumer preferences and ISP bundling practices.
SiPearl Rhea CPU enters testing phase, set for late 2026 launch
SiPearl's Rhea CPU, designed for high-performance computing, has entered the testing phase. Scheduled for availability by the end of 2026, Rhea aims to be Europe's first sovereign HPC CPU.
Oregon approves 30% increase in data center electricity rates, lowers residential costs
Oregon's Public Utility Commission approved a 29.7% rate hike for large power users, targeting data centers and industrial consumers, while reducing residential electricity rates by 1.3%. This change, established under the POWER Act, aims to ensure large consumers contribute fairly to the electrical grid's costs, alleviating financial burdens on residential customers.
Cooler Master launches V4 and V8 3DHP air coolers with innovative technology
Cooler Master has introduced the V4 Alpha and V8 Ace air coolers featuring groundbreaking 3D heatpipe (3DHP) technology, which enhances thermal efficiency by increasing fin utilization to over 95%. While these coolers show strong performance and low noise levels, their effectiveness in gaming scenarios and higher price point for the V8 Ace may limit their appeal.
DLSS Swapper warns users of malware risk from user-uploaded DLLs
The DLSS Swapper tool has warned users against downloading user-submitted DLLs, which may contain malware. While the app itself is secure, files uploaded by users are not vetted, posing a threat to system security.
Valve releases Windows drivers for Steam hardware but won't provide support
Valve has launched a resource page with Windows drivers for Steam hardware, allowing users to install Windows more easily. However, the company has explicitly stated it will not offer support for users running Windows on Steam devices, emphasizing the limitations of SteamOS and ongoing anti-cheat compatibility issues.
Nvidia RTX 50 Super GPUs Listed with Higher TGP in Seasonic PSU Calculator
Seasonic's PSU wattage calculator shows unannounced RTX 50 Super GPUs with increased TGP values. The RTX 5080 Super, for example, has a board power rating of 415W, 15% higher than the RTX 5080, indicating potential performance upgrades.
Intel's Nova Lake CPUs to Support AVX-512 Across P-cores and E-cores
Intel's upcoming Nova Lake CPUs will reintroduce AVX-512 support for both P-cores and E-cores, allowing 512-bit instruction processing. This change resolves prior complications where tasks would crash when moved between core types, enhancing the performance capabilities of the hybrid architecture introduced with Alder Lake.
UK allows data centers to bypass local regulations for faster approvals
The UK has granted Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), including data centers, the ability to bypass local planning consultations and receive direct approval from the national government. This change is expected to accelerate data center projects, reducing timelines by up to a year and saving developers approximately $1.3 billion.
Corsair launches compact 2800X RS-R ARGB MicroATX PC case with ample features
Corsair has launched the 2800X RS-R ARGB, its first MicroATX case since 2024's 2500X. This more compact design retains spacious internals for large components, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
Kioxia and Sandisk unveil new 332-layer 3D NAND for data centers
Kioxia and Sandisk have begun sampling their 10th Generation BiCS 3D NAND, featuring 332 active layers which deliver a 59% increase in bit density. This new NAND is targeted at data center applications to enhance performance and reduce energy consumption.
Xinuos revives lawsuit against IBM over alleged Unix code infringement
Xinuos, formerly SCO, has revived a longstanding lawsuit against IBM, alleging copyright infringement related to Unix code. The latest legal developments stem from a 2021 lawsuit where Xinuos claims IBM's actions have harmed its market position, despite previous claims being dismissed.
Modder creates 8,192-core GPU with RISC-V microcontrollers at home
Matthias Balwierz has constructed a home-built GPU using 8,192 RISC-V microcontrollers, drawing over 2,000 watts. This project highlights the potential for DIY hardware innovation despite high commercial GPU prices.
Open Tools reveals working prototype of open-source, user-repairable printer
Open Tools has unveiled a working prototype of its DRM-free 'Open Printer', which utilizes refillable HP cartridges. The printer aims to provide user-repairability and operates without vendor drivers across multiple operating systems, although it lacks pricing, shipping dates, and speed details.
Sony headphones now serve as real-time head tracker for PC games
Developer Nicholas Slattery's 'Sony Head Tracker' app transforms compatible Sony headphones into real-time head tracking devices for PC racing and flight simulators. This innovation enhances immersion in over 200 supported games by utilizing existing sensors in the headphones, expanding their functionality beyond audio features.
Huawei to Enter South Korean AI Chip Market with Atlas SuperPods in 2026
Huawei plans to enter the South Korean AI accelerator market in late 2026 with its Ascend 950 processors and Atlas SuperPod platform. This move aims to challenge Nvidia's dominance by offering superior inference performance at significantly lower prices, appealing to customers seeking alternatives.
Valve Engineers Discuss Steam Machine Pricing and Design Challenges
Valve engineers discuss the Steam Machine's $1,049 pricing, design process, component shortages, and Windows support in a recent interview. They emphasize that while the price reflects current market conditions, the compact design offers unique features not found in traditional gaming PCs.
Wisconsin residents sue Microsoft over noise and pollution from AI data center
Residents of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, have filed a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft due to excessive noise and light pollution from its Fairwater AI data center. The complaint highlights inadequate noise mitigation measures and claims the disturbances have significantly impacted local quality of life.
Bigme launches 25.3-inch color e-ink monitor with 60 FPS refresh rate
Bigme has launched the B251 Pro, a 25.3-inch color e-ink monitor with a resolution of 3200 x 1800 and a claimed 60 FPS refresh rate. This model challenges previous e-ink monitoring capabilities, although practical applications may still be limited due to inherent display technology issues.
Germany's ICS video game archive project shuts down due to funding loss
The Internationale Computerspielesammlung (ICS), aimed at creating the world's largest video game archive, has been abandoned after €1.5 million in funding expired. The decision to wind down the project follows the federal government's refusal to renew funding, leaving the status of its extensive database of over 60,000 games uncertain.
Test of RTX 4080M graphics card shows lower performance than RX 9070 GRE
A Chinese reviewer tested a modified RTX 4080 graphics card, using a mobile core. It underperformed against similarly priced GPUs, especially in AAA games, raising questions about its value amid component shortages.
Hannah Montana Linux v26 released, modern remaster of nostalgic OS
Hannah Montana Linux has relaunched with version 26.0, built on Debian and featuring updated KDE Plasma. This modern remaster allows for secure browsing and easy software installation, updating a distro last seen in 2009.
US Navy tests 3D printed parts to reduce aircraft repair times by 50%
The U.S. Navy is testing 3D printed composite parts for F/A-18 Super Hornets to expedite repairs by around 50%. This approach allows for on-site manufacturing of parts, significantly improving operational readiness and logistical efficiency at forward operating bases.
F1 25 2026 Season Pack DLC introduces new teams, circuits, and gameplay mechanics
The 2026 Season Pack DLC for F1 25 adds two new teams, a new circuit, and gameplay updates including an Overtake Mode and Active Aero. These changes reflect real-life regulations and enhance the racing experience, notably increasing the emphasis on driver skill and strategy.
Fab2 rebrands from Atomic Semi to mass-produce small semiconductor fabs
Atomic Semi has rebranded as Fab2, focusing on mass-producing small semiconductor fabs. The company's unique 'fab fab' concept allows for rapid chip prototyping, although throughput remains a challenge.