From Tom's Hardware · 40 stories
DapuStor J5060 SSD Offers Configurable pSLC Region for Faster Random Writes
DapuStor introduced a new firmware configuration for its J5060 enterprise SSD, allowing users to allocate a fixed portion of QLC flash as a faster pSLC region. This trade-off of 6% to 20% of QLC capacity significantly improves random write performance by over seven times, targeting workloads like database journals and write-ahead logs.
CXMT Begins Mass Production of 5th-Gen DRAM with Quadruple-Patterning Technology
China's CXMT has started mass production using its 5th-generation (G5) DRAM process technology, which employs quadruple-patterning lithography to achieve an 11.95nm active-area half-pitch. This new process enables 24Gb LPDDR5X devices with 50% more capacity than previous CXMT products, marking a significant advancement in China's domestic DRAM manufacturing capabilities.
iPhone 18 Pro Max QLC NAND shows significant write speed drops under heavy load
The iPhone 18 Pro Max, which uses QLC NAND for higher storage capacities, exhibits substantial write performance degradation under sustained heavy workloads, with speeds dropping to 1.1 MB/s when storage is 60% full. This performance trade-off is due to QLC's higher data density compared to TLC, impacting users who frequently handle large files like 4K video.
New York State Recommends $1 Million Per Megawatt Community Investment from Data Centers
New York State introduced the Community Investment Framework (CIF), advising towns to seek $1 million per megawatt from data center developers for community benefits. This framework aims to help municipalities manage the impact of data centers, particularly AI data centers, which strain resources while offering limited local job creation.
PS3 Emulator RPCS3 Developers Work Around Nvidia Driver Bug, Boosting Performance Up to 37%
Developers of the open-source PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 found a workaround for an Nvidia driver bug, resulting in performance improvements of up to 37% in some games. This fix addresses a bottleneck specifically affecting Nvidia GPUs, with the RPCS3 team attempting to communicate the issue to Nvidia.
Chinese IMECAS develops DUV-based stacked-nanosheet GAA transistor process
The Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMECAS) has developed an experimental process flow for stacked-nanosheet gate-all-around (GAA) transistors using immersion DUV lithography. This development demonstrates China's capability to advance semiconductor technology without relying on EUV scanners, which are restricted to them.
Bambu Lab ordered to pay Stratasys $27.6M for patent infringement on 3D printer technology
A Texas jury found Bambu Lab liable for infringing Stratasys patents related to prime towers and bed leveling in its X1, P1, and A1 series 3D printers, awarding Stratasys $27.6 million in damages. This verdict impacts Bambu Lab's older printer models and highlights ongoing intellectual property disputes in the consumer 3D printing market.
Nvidia's RTX 60 Series GPUs Potentially Delayed Until 2028, Shifting Focus to Data Center
A prominent hardware leaker suggests Nvidia's RTX 60 series consumer GPUs, based on the Rubin architecture, may not launch until 2028, a further delay from previous expectations. This potential delay indicates Nvidia is prioritizing its data center products due to high demand and resource allocation, impacting the consumer GPU release schedule.
Researchers Develop Whisker-Based Navigation for Drones in Low-Visibility Environments
Researchers at Delft University of Technology developed a whisker-based tactile sensor system for drones, enabling navigation in dark, dusty, or smoky conditions where traditional sensors fail. This system allows sub-100 gram drones to achieve sub-millimeter precision using only 34KB of software, addressing challenges of sensor weight and environmental limitations for small autonomous robots.
Microsoft patents system to inject ads into games during downtimes for ad-free playtime credits
Microsoft has patented a system that freezes games to display ads during natural downtimes, such as loading screens or after boss fights. Watching these ads earns players ad-free playtime credits, allowing for monetization of free-to-play games without interrupting gameplay.
FBI Director Kash Patel Claims 605% Increase in AI Use and Direct Access to Major AI Vendors
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the bureau's use of AI has increased by 605% since he took office, though the specific metrics for this figure are unclear. Patel also claimed direct access to major AI company CEOs, who are reportedly cooperating with the FBI on law enforcement matters. This indicates a significant expansion of AI integration within the FBI for data triage and crime prevention, and a new level of collaboration with private AI firms.
Researchers Develop Electricity-Free DNA Computer Capable of 100-Bit Calculations
Researchers at Maynooth University have created a DNA molecular computer, called a Scaffolded DNA Computer (SDC), that performs complex mathematical operations without electricity. This system successfully executed 10 different molecular programs, including 100-bit calculations, by using self-assembling DNA strands. The development points to new possibilities for energy-efficient computation and long-term data storage.
Intel suspends bug bounty program, replaces it with unrewarded disclosure program
Intel has suspended its bug bounty program, which previously offered rewards up to $100,000 per flaw. The company replaced it with a responsible disclosure program on Intigriti that offers no financial rewards, without providing a reason for the change. This shift could reduce external security research contributions, impacting Intel's vulnerability discovery process.
CXMT Reportedly Plans 3D NAND Production for SSDs, Expanding Beyond DRAM
CXMT, China's leading DRAM producer, is reportedly planning to establish a 3D NAND R&D production line at its second manufacturing facility near Beijing, aiming to diversify into flash memory for SSDs. This move would position CXMT to compete with YMTC and global memory giants like Micron and Samsung by offering both DRAM and NAND products.
House Passes Bill Requiring Large AI Data Centers to Fund Grid Upgrades
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which mandates that data centers with 100 megawatts or more capacity pay the full incremental cost of necessary grid upgrades. This legislation aims to prevent residential and small business consumers from bearing the financial burden of increased electricity demand from AI data centers.
NOR Flash and SLC NAND Face Severe Undersupply Due to AI Boom's Impact on Memory Production
The AI boom is causing a severe undersupply and price surge in older memory chips like NOR flash and SLC NAND, as manufacturing capacity is redirected to more profitable HBM, DRAM, and high-capacity NAND. This shift threatens the production of everyday electronics that rely on these essential, lower-margin components. Morgan Stanley predicts NOR flash will remain undersupplied through 2026, while SLC NAND prices are expected to rise significantly.
Symbiosis DeFi Exchange Hacked for $770,000 Due to Smart Contract Vulnerabilities
The Symbiosis DeFi network was exploited for at least $770,000 after a hacker leveraged a privilege escalation flaw and a negative transaction fee vulnerability in its smart contracts. The attacker minted 46 billion fake syBTC by setting transaction fees to a negative value, then traded these unbacked tokens to drain liquidity pools. This incident highlights critical security risks in DeFi smart contract design and auditing.
Man arrested for selling 3D-printed machine gun conversion kits to undercover agents
A 19-year-old in Florida was arrested for selling 3D-printed "Glock switches" that convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. This incident highlights ongoing concerns among authorities regarding the proliferation of 3D-printed firearm components and conversion devices.
Poland's Orlen energy group lost $230 million in cryptocurrency attempting to buy Venezuelan oil
Poland's state-backed Orlen energy group lost $230 million in USDT cryptocurrency during a failed attempt to purchase Venezuelan oil in 2023. The funds were lost through a series of transactions involving intermediaries and alleged scammers, highlighting the risks of using cryptocurrency for large-scale, complex international dealings, especially in sanctioned environments.
UK ARIA Funds $94 Million for Drone-Based Internet Service Experimentation
The UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) is investing $94 million into 18 projects focused on developing drone-based internet services, called high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS). This initiative aims to provide wireless communication to areas not served by terrestrial networks, offering an alternative to satellite internet solutions.
Micron announces 512GB DDR5-9200 memory modules for servers, enabling up to 12TB per server
Micron introduced its first 512GB DDR5-9200 memory module for servers, allowing systems to support up to 12TB of memory. These modules offer over 60% less operating power compared to four 128GB modules, addressing the growing memory demands of high-core-count processors and data-intensive applications like analytics and AI.
Memory Shortage Forces Device Makers to Redesign Products, Test for Fake Chips
A persistent memory shortage is compelling smaller smartphone and laptop manufacturers to alter product designs and implement rigorous testing for incoming memory chips. This situation is driven by availability issues and rising costs, with memory now accounting for up to 60% of a device's bill of materials for some companies, impacting budget-oriented products significantly.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Predicts China Will Develop Advanced Lithography by 2030
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that China will develop its own advanced lithography tools by 2030, citing the country's high-volume production capabilities. This prediction suggests a future shift in the global semiconductor manufacturing landscape, potentially reducing China's reliance on foreign technology for chip production.
Micron Offers $31,650 Bonus to Taiwan Employees; Unions Reject Offer, Demand Profit-Sharing
Micron announced a one-time cash bonus of NT$1 million (US$31,650) for its Taiwan-based employees as part of a record compensation package, following significant profits from AI memory chip sales. However, unions representing 10,000 of Micron's 15,000 Taiwan workforce rejected the offer, calling it a distraction and demanding a transparent profit-sharing system, after earlier strike threats and failed mediation.
Maryland Data Center Developers Offer $110M Community Benefits Package in Frederick County
Data center developers in Frederick County, Maryland, have proposed a $110 million community benefits package, including a new elementary school and water reclamation system, to gain approval for the Frederick Digital Campus. This initiative suggests a trend where tech companies are offering substantial local investments to address community concerns and secure approvals for large AI data centers.
US Customs Supervisor Arrested for Stealing PC Hardware from Homeland Security Computers
A US Customs and Border Protection supervisor, Terry Liu, was arrested for allegedly stealing Intel Core i7 CPUs, RAM, and hard drives from 46 Department of Homeland Security computers. Liu replaced the stolen components with inferior hardware and used Newegg's trade-in program to convert the stolen parts into store credit, causing an estimated $105,800 in damages.
Iran Captures Defective US Navy Underwater Drone, May Attempt Reverse-Engineering
Iranian forces recovered a malfunctioning 19-foot Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle belonging to the U.S. Navy near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is expected to study and attempt to reverse-engineer the drone, providing it with an opportunity to examine American undersea technology despite U.S. claims the vehicle was unclassified and defective.
Sanctioned Chinese Supercomputer Maker Sugon's ParaStor F9000 Removed from IO500 Production List
The IO500 Committee moved Sugon's ParaStor F9000 storage systems from its Production IO500 list to the Research list due to a lack of architectural details and general availability. This change restored Intel's Aurora to the top spot on the Production list, impacting the ranking of high-performance computing storage systems.
AMD Achieves Record X86 CPU Market Share in Q2 2026 Amidst Overall Market Growth
AMD reached its highest-ever x86 processor market share in Q2 2026, capturing 34.1% of the market including IoT and console SoCs, and 30.7% excluding them. This growth occurred as the overall CPU market saw a 10% sequential increase in unit shipments, driven by strong demand in data center and laptop segments, despite a decline in desktop CPU sales.
Windows 11 Gains Cloud Rebuild Feature for OS Reinstallation Without Boot Media
Microsoft introduced Cloud Rebuild for Windows 11, a new recovery feature that allows users to reinstall the operating system directly from the cloud, even if the existing installation is corrupted. This feature eliminates the need for a USB installation drive and is available in Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.9343, simplifying the process of restoring a non-booting system.
NATO Foils Russian Training Exercise Simulating Undersea Cable Sabotage Near Norway
NATO allies reportedly foiled a Russian training exercise simulating the deployment of a "secret weapon" to disable undersea cables near Norway's Svalbard archipelago. This event highlights the increasing geopolitical significance of critical undersea infrastructure.
Asus Receives FCC Conditional Approval for Router Sales in the US
The FCC granted conditional approval to Asus for its entire wireless networking product portfolio, allowing continued sales in the US market. This approval enables Asus to proceed with its plans for upcoming Wi-Fi 8 product releases, while competitor TP-Link remains without approval.
China's Biren Technology Reports Nearly 2,000% Revenue Growth in H1 2026
Chinese AI accelerator supplier Biren Technology reported a 1,998% year-over-year revenue increase in the first half of 2026, reaching $183.9 million. This growth follows the cessation of AI GPU supplies from American companies like Nvidia to China due to export controls, creating a demand for domestic alternatives.
Chinese High-Purity Quartz Approved for Semiconductor Equipment and DRAM Manufacturing
Jiangsu Pacific Quartz, a Chinese high-purity quartz producer, has received certification for its materials in domestic DRAM manufacturing, likely CXMT, and supplies major chipmaking tool companies. This development signifies China's progress in establishing a domestic supply chain for semiconductor components, though it still relies on foreign sources for ultra-high-purity quartz crucibles used in wafer production.
Steam's Australian Age Verification via Credit Cards Causes Debit Card Glitches
Steam implemented a new age verification system in Australia for online game purchases, requiring users to verify their age with a bank card. This system is causing issues for many users as debit card support is inconsistent, particularly for non-Mastercard debit cards and those not flagged as adults-only by issuing banks. The problem stems from a new Australian law requiring "appropriate age assurance measures" for online app and game sales.
OpenAI to Outsource Next-Gen AI Processor Production to Samsung Foundry, Alongside TSMC
OpenAI plans to use Samsung Foundry for the production of its next-generation AI processors, in addition to its existing partnership with TSMC. This dual-sourcing strategy indicates OpenAI's need for high-volume chip production for its AI accelerators.
Big Tech companies consider Patagonia for AI data centers due to climate and energy
Amazon, Google, and OpenAI are exploring Patagonia, Argentina, as a location for new AI data centers, drawn by its cool climate and abundant energy resources. The region's potential is hindered by a lack of high-speed networking infrastructure and political uncertainty. OpenAI has confirmed plans for a $25 billion, 500MW clean energy data center in the country.
Super Smash Bros Melee fully decompiled into C code after six years of development
The 2001 GameCube game Super Smash Bros Melee has been fully decompiled into C code, allowing for byte-for-byte identical compilation of the original main.dol file. This achievement enables deeper analysis of the game's mechanics and opens possibilities for future modding and porting efforts.
Sony Japan implements new customer harassment policy amid PlayStation physical disc phase-out backlash
Sony Japan introduced a new customer harassment policy, threatening to suspend customer service and pursue legal action against individuals exhibiting prohibited behaviors. This policy comes in response to significant backlash and lawsuits following Sony's decision to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs by January 2028.
NEC Reportedly Exits Quantum Computing Hardware Development, Shifts Focus to Applications
NEC has reportedly ceased development of quantum computing hardware as of March 2026, with many researchers moving to Fujitsu. The company will now concentrate on evaluating practical applications and industrialization of quantum technologies. This shift indicates NEC's conclusion that hardware development would not yield adequate returns in the near term, despite its historical contributions to the field.