tomshardware
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January 8
- China starts Big Fund III spending: $47 billion for ecosystem and fab tools➀ China's Big Fund III has begun spending its $47 billion allocation; ➁ The fund aims to support chip production equipment developers and makers; ➂ The investment is part of China's effort to become self-sufficient in semiconductor production.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 versus RTX 4090 — How does the new halo GPU compare with its predecessor?➀ The RTX 5090 boasts a 33% increase in GPU cores and 78% improvement in VRAM bandwidth over the RTX 4090; ➁ Nvidia's DLSS 4 leverages AI for multi-frame generation and improved performance; ➂ The RTX 5090's AI performance is expected to be 2.54 times that of the RTX 4090, with a focus on generative AI applications.
January 7
- HyperX wants you to print your own mouse➀ HyperX introduces a new modular gaming mouse with 3D printing capabilities; ➁ The Pulsefire Saga features interchangeable parts and a 3D print file for customization; ➂ HyperX updates the Pulsefire Haste 2 series with new wireless options and the Pulsefire Fuse for budget-friendly gaming.
- New Alienware Area-51 laptops have a Gorilla Glass window, color-shiting paint job➀ Dell's Alienware Area-51 returns with new 16- and 18-inch laptops featuring a Gorilla Glass window and color-shifting paint job; ➁ The laptops are set to offer high-end specifications including RTX 5090 GPUs and Core Ultra 9 CPUs; ➂ Dell also introduces a new Area-51 desktop with advanced cooling capabilities and a user-friendly upgrade process.
- Alienware unleashes 27-inch AW2725Q QD-OLED 4K 240Hz gaming monitor for gamers who like high ppi➀ Dell's Alienware introduces the 27-inch AW2725Q QD-OLED 4K 240Hz gaming monitor; ➁ The monitor features a 166 ppi pixel density, making it the highest for a QD-OLED gaming monitor; ➂ The AW2725Q offers 4K resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync.
- AMD explains the missing RDNA 4 GPUs in its CES 2025 livestream➀ AMD explains the absence of the RDNA 4 GPUs in its CES 2025 livestream; ➁ The company plans to reveal more details later this quarter; ➂ AMD's focus on the mid-range market with RDNA 4
January 6
- UK chipmaker Imagination Technologies up for sale — UKCT accuses current owners of stripping the company of its key technologies➀ Imagination Technologies, a British GPU and AI processing company, is reportedly for sale by its owner Canyon Bridge Capital Partners.➁ UKCT accuses Canyon Bridge, backed by the state-owned China Reform Fund Management, of transferring key assets to Chinese chipmakers.➃ Imagination denies any wrongdoing, emphasizing its compliance with regulations and industry standards.
- Alleged RTX 5080 retail packaging surfaces hours before CES — The GPU reportedly features 16GB of GDDR7 memory and Gainward is preparing for retail launch➀ The RTX 5080 GPU is rumored to feature 16GB of GDDR7 memory and a 256-bit interface; ➁ The GPU is expected to be powered by Nvidia's GB203-400-A1 die with 10,752 CUDA cores; ➂ The RTX 5080 is set to debut with the initial desktop lineup rumored to include the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070.
January 5
- Koorui to demo the 'world's first' 750 Hz gaming monitor at CES — TN panel device gets welcome color boost with the latest QD film➀ Koorui reveals the 'world's first' 750 Hz gaming monitor at CES; ➁ The Koorui G7 features a TN panel with Quantum Dot technology; ➂ The monitor is set to debut at CES 2025 with mass production planned.
- Intel Razer Lake, Nova Lake, and Wildcat Lake CPU PCI IDs added to Linux➀ Seven new PCI IDs have been added to the Linux kernel for upcoming Intel processors; ➁ The leak suggests preliminary enablement for Panther Lake, Wildcat Lake, Nova Lake, and Razer Lake CPUs; ➂ The processors include various market segments and features, with some rumored to have up to 16 cores and Xe3-core-based iGPU.
- Maker designs Raspberry Pi GameCube case that's free and 3D printable➀ Raspberry Pi is popular among gamers for retro console emulation; ➁ SilvestreDesignLab creates a 3D printable GameCube case for Raspberry Pi; ➂ The case is open-source and compatible with multiple Raspberry Pi models.
- World's fastest Arm PC put to the test — 128-core Ampere Altra Max CPU claims 128-core Cinebench 2024 world record➀ The System76 Thelio Astra achieves a world record in Cinebench 2024 with a 128-core Ampere Altra Max CPU; ➁ The system, designed for automotive software developers, starts at $3,299 and goes up to nearly $25,000; ➂ Despite its performance, the system faces limitations with PCIe 4.0, DDR4, and single-core performance.
January 4
- Take home this LG UltraGear 32GP83B-B 32-inch 165 Hz IPS monitor for $210, its lowest price yet➀ LG offers a significant discount on the 32-inch gaming monitor; ➁ The monitor features a 165 Hz IPS panel and QHD resolution; ➂ The price has been reduced from $299 to $210 with a promo code.
- Asus ZenWiFi BT8 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router review: Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh at a more affordable price point➀ Asus ZenWiFi BT8 offers strong performance at a reasonable price; ➁ Features Wi-Fi 7 technology and supports 2.5G backhaul; ➂ AsusWRT 5.0 software platform provides a customizable interface with free security software.
- It looks like the Raspberry Pi RP2350 Hacking Challenge has been beaten — Hacker gains access to the OTP secret by glitching the RISC-V cores to enable debugging➀ Hacker Aedan Cullen gains access to the OTP secret by glitching the RISC-V cores of the RP2350; ➁ The RP2350 was introduced as a successor to the RP2040 with added security features; ➂ The hacking challenge was to uncover a secret hidden in the RP2350's OTP memory.
- Maker uses Raspberry Pi 5 and Pico to power this multi-sensor project➀ Raspberry Pi 5 and Pico are used to power a sensor array; ➁ The sensor array is capable of collecting depth, thermal, and RGB data; ➂ The project aims to create a 'colormapped pointcloud' for 3D mapping and improve image resolution using joint bilateral upsampling.
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 13) Aura Edition Review: Lightest Carbon Yet➀ The ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 13) Aura Edition offers an impressive lightweight design, strong performance, and a great keyboard, but falls short in battery life compared to competitors. ➁ It features an Intel “Lunar Lake” Core Ultra processor, a 2.8k OLED display, and is tested against 12 MIL-STD durability tests. ➂ Despite its thin profile, it provides ample ports and excellent build quality.
January 3
- Latest Arc B580 graphics driver adds support for Intel Twin Lake and Core 200 CPUs➀ Intel releases new graphics driver for Arc B580; ➁ Driver supports Intel Core Processor N-series and Series 2 CPUs; ➂ Intel Twin Lake NX50 series and Intel Core 200 processors are upcoming
- MSI MAG CoreLiquid A13 AIO Liquid Cooler Review: Not bad for $99➀ The MSI A13 360 AIO Liquid Cooler offers reasonable performance and noise levels at $99 USD; ➁ It comes with pre-installed fans and good thermal performance; ➂ However, the 240mm version doesn't provide significant benefits over air coolers.
- China-made DDR5 Memory Chips are Nearly 40% Larger Than Samsung's DDR5
➀ China-based memory maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) began shipping DDR5 memory chips, but their die size is 40% larger than Samsung's;
➁ The larger die size is due to the use of less advanced chipmaking technology;
➂ CXMT's 16 Gb DDR5 die size is comparable to first-generation DDR5 chips;
➃ CXMT's DDR5 costs are likely higher than Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix;
➄ The large die size indicates CXMT is years behind in process technology compared to competitors.
January 1
- Nvidia RTX 5080 rumored to hit shelves on January 21 — expected to debut at CES with sales embargo reportedly lifting two weeks later➀ Nvidia's RTX 5080 is rumored to launch on January 21; ➁ Expected to debut at CES with sales embargo lifting two weeks later; ➂ Features 84 SMs or 10,752 CUDA cores, 16GB of GDDR7 memory.
- AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD2 240 Hz OLED gaming monitor review: A faster and more colorful revision➀ The AG276QZD2 offers superior color and performance over its predecessor, making it one of the best values in the 240 Hz OLED category; ➁ It boasts excellent contrast, black levels, and video processing with low input lag; ➂ Despite lower brightness, it provides a premium gaming experience with its QHD resolution and wide color gamut.
- iHTP M.2 2280 NVMe Cooler Review: The best SSD heatsink only costs $6.99➀ iHTP's M.2 SSD cooler offers industry-leading thermal performance at a budget price of $6.99; ➁ It demonstrates strong compatibility with air coolers and features optional ARGB lighting; ➂ The review compares its performance with other SSD coolers and finds it to be one of the best.
December 31
- Intel's budget Core Ultra 200 series chips have smaller heat spreaders than higher-end models➀ The first images of Intel's upcoming budget Arrow Lake CPUs have leaked, revealing an integrated heat spreader (IHS) smaller than the one used for other Core Ultra 200 Series chips; ➁ The smaller IHS could potentially affect compatibility with LGA 1851 motherboards; ➂ The chips are manufactured in Vietnam, indicating a shift in Intel's production strategy.
- Intel Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake CPUs rejuvenate LG's Gram laptops — a quartet of Gram 2025 laptops with high-resolution screens➀ LG reveals four new Gram laptops for 2025; ➁ The LG Gram Pro series features high-resolution screens and Intel's latest laptop processors; ➂ The LG Gram Book is an entry-level option with a Core i5 chip.
- AMD Strix Halo Ryzen AI MAX 395+ laptop chip matches the desktop Ryzen 9 7950X in leaked benchmark — 16-core APU rumored to power Asus' upcoming ROG Flow Z13 laptop➀ AMD's Ryzen AI MAX 395+ APU from the Ryzen 300 or Zen 5 family matches the performance of the desktop Ryzen 9 7950X in benchmark tests; ➁ The chip is rumored to power Asus' upcoming ROG Flow Z13 laptop; ➂ AMD's Strix Halo APU is expected to be revealed at CES next month.
- China-made DDR5 memory chips use less advanced chipmaking technology — chips are nearly 40% larger than Samsung's DDR5➀ China-made DDR5 memory chips are nearly 40% larger than Samsung's; ➁ CXMT's 16 Gb DDR5 memory IC has a larger die size due to less advanced chipmaking technology; ➂ The cost of CXMT's DDR5 chips is likely higher than Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix due to the larger die size.
- Hacker demonstrates the supposedly-patched Windows 11 BitLocker is still vulnerable to hackers — default encryption can be overcome with network access➀ Hacker Thomas Lambertz demonstrates the vulnerability of patched Windows 11 BitLocker; ➁ Attack can be executed with a single physical device access and network connection; ➂ Fix is only surface-level, with UEFI firmware storage limitations affecting future Secure Boot certificates.
- Mode Sixty-Five (2024) Review: A Renewed Classic➀ The Mode Sixty-Five (2024) offers exceptional typing experience with a wide range of customization options; ➁ It features a new lattice block mounting system for enhanced sound and feel; ➂ The keyboard supports programmability and has a variety of switch options.
- ByteDance plans to sidestep U.S. sanctions by renting Nvidia GPUs in the cloud — report says it has set aside $7 billion budget➀ ByteDance plans to sidestep U.S. sanctions by renting Nvidia GPUs in the cloud; ➁ The company has allocated a $7 billion budget for this initiative; ➂ ByteDance aims to invest over $20 billion in AI infrastructure.