The days of 32-bit software support in NVIDIA's drivers are coming to an end, and with that, so does the support for the once iconic PhysX real-time physics engine. According to NVIDIA's engineers on GeForce forums, the lack of PhysX support has been quietly acknowledged, as NVIDIA's latest GeForce RTX 50 series of GPUs are phasing out support for 32-bit CUDA software, slowly transitioning the gaming world to the 64-bit software entirely. While older NVIDIA GPUs from the Maxwell through Ada generations will maintain 32-bit CUDA support, this update breaks backward compatibility for physics acceleration in legacy PC games on new GPUs. Users running these titles on RTX 50 series cards may need to rely on CPU-based PhysX processing, which could result in suboptimal performance compared to previous GPU generations.

A Reddit user reported frame rates dropping below 60 FPS in Borderlands 2 while using basic game mechanics with a 9800X3D CPU and RTX 5090 GPU, all because 32-bit CUDA application support on Blackwell architecture is depreciated. When another user booted up a 64-bit PhysX application, Batman Arkham Knight, PhysX worked perfectly, as expected. It is just that a massive list of older games, which gamers would sometimes prefer to play, is now running a lot slower on the most powerful consumer GPU due to the phase-out of 32-bit CUDA app support.

Language proficiency is essential in today's globalized world, offering advantages in career growth, travel, and cultural connection. With Babbel's Lifetime Language Learning Subscription, you can gain fluency in 14 languages with a single purchase. For a limited time, use code LEARN40 to get lifetime access for just $129.99 (reg. $169.99)—a one-time payment for unlimited learning.

Babbel is a research-driven language learning platform developed by over 100 linguists and backed by academic studies from institutions like Yale University. Unlike other apps that focus on rote memorization, Babbel prioritizes real-world conversational skills, helping learners quickly apply new languages in practical settings.

Typically priced at $169.99, Babbel's Lifetime Subscription is now available for just $129.99 when you use code LEARN40 at checkout through February 23.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 9i is a powerhouse gaming and professional workstation laptop built for extreme performance, featuring cutting-edge hardware designed to tackle the most demanding games and professional workloads. However, power limitations can restrict its full potential. Many high-performance laptops, including the Legion Pro 9i, ship with limited 330 W AC adapter that doesn't provide sufficient sustained wattage, leading to throttling, performance drops, and even battery drain under heavy loads.

The Legion Pro 9i is equipped with the 14th Generation Intel Core i9-14900HX Processor, featuring 24 cores (8P + 16E), 32 threads, a 36 MB cache, and clock speeds reaching up to 5.80 GHz (P-Core Max) and 4.10 GHz (E-Core Max) with Turbo Boost. The CPU has a maximum turbo power draw of 157 W. This powerhouse CPU pairs with two high-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU options:

• RTX 4090 Laptop GPU (16 GB GDDR6, 175 W TGP)
• RTX 4080 Laptop GPU (12 GB GDDR6, 150 W TGP + 25 W Boost)

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of IPC solutions, motherboards, graphics cards, and PC peripherals, is set to showcase its latest industrial computing and edge AI computing solutions at upcoming Embedded World 2025. The event will take place from March 11-13, 2025, at Nurnberg Messe, Nurnberg, Germany, with BIOSTAR's booth located at 2-321, Hall 2.

At Embedded World 2025, BIOSTAR will spotlight its edge computing solutions powered by Intel CPUs, including AI-driven platforms tailored for industrial automation, smart cities, and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) applications. Key highlights will include 3.5" SBCs, NVIDIA Jetson Orin platforms, and industrial-grade systems engineered for scalable, efficient, and robust performance.

Under normal circumstances, Grand Theft Auto VI-related leaks have emerged from nefarious sources. Mid-February news reports have pulled information from an unlikely, yet fairly legitimate announcement. GTA franchise fans would not expect a leak to emerge from a company dealing in peripherals, but Corsair Gaming's Ronald van Veen disclosed a slightly surprising prediction during a recent company call with investors. The organization's financial VP believes that incoming AAA-blockbuster title will launch on PC mere months after an exclusive debut on home gaming consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series). Famously, Rockstar Games reserves a sizable time gap between its console and PC rollouts. An official statement—made back in December 2023—revealed a potential repeat of this release cadence; PC-bound GTA players feared another agonizing two to three year wait.

During an earnings call, Corsair's finance chief discussed the impact of high-profile franchises: "in terms of new games, I mean, there's been a steady stream of games. What we really haven't had for the last year or two is what we could call a 'Fortnite moment' or 'PUBG moment.' So, people are typically playing older games. And I think for our component business and for people looking at new cards, obviously, that tends to depend on new games that are super demanding that you need high-performance graphics in order to get 60 frames a second...If you actually look at the numbers across the last five years, peripheral sales are substantially up, like 50% or 60% up compared to pre-COVID. So, more people are gaming, but not all are gaming on new games. The activity around PC builds or gaming PC builds is roughly on par with pre-COVID now....GTA VI is probably the one everyone is talking about. And we'll get a glimpse of that, I think, later in the year for console. My understanding now it's going to come out in the fall for console, and then early 2026 for PC." Take-Two's CEO—Strauss Zelnick—believes that Grand Theft Auto VI will boost consoles sales upon launch.

Edifier, the award-winning manufacturer of premium sound systems, has announced the LolliClip Earbuds. These earbuds feature adaptive noise cancellation, a secure multi-curve ear hook, and immersive spatial audio with head-tracking. Certified for Hi-Res Wireless Audio, the LolliClip earbuds deliver rich sound via a 13 mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm. Equipped with 3+3 microphones and AI algorithm for clear calls, the buds are IP56-rated for durability. Multipoint connection enables seamless device switching, and the EDIFIER ConneX App offers extra features like heart rate detection and personalized controls."

Adaptive Noise-Cancelling and Secure Fit
Advanced adaptive active noise cancellation customizes sound based on your fit and surroundings, delivering a clear, immersive experience even in noisy environments - all while maintaining the comfort of the LolliClip open-ear design. The innovative multi-curvature ear hook, wrapped in skin-friendly silicone, ensures a secure, comfortable fit for daily use—perfect for workouts, outdoor adventures, or your workday routine.

For those of you that have been exploring the Living Lands in Avowed, thank you for taking a break to check out the latest Game Pass news! We have some exciting new reveals and exclusive Perks to tease your install buttons. Also, mark your calendars and check out the ID@Xbox Showcase during IGN Fan Fest 2025 on Monday, February 24 at 10am PT for even more Game Pass announcements. Let's get to the games!

Available Today
Avowed (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) - February 18. Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one! Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. Check out Xbox Wire for Starting Tips to Help You on Your Adventure in the Living Lands.

Inside sources—familiar with goings-ons at leading DRAM manufacturing firms—have predicted the end of DDR3 and DDR4 production lines. According to a DigiTimes Asia report (citing Nikkei), industry observers have noticed that the DRAM market is undergoing a so-called "shift." They believe that pricing trends are decreasing due to weak demand. Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron are named as major players; allegedly involved in devising new strategies—in reaction to fluid market circumstances. The DigiTimes insider network proposes that the big three: "may phase out DDR3 and DDR4 by 2025...by the end of 2025...anticipating a future focused on advanced memory technologies." Older standards are falling out of favor, with DDR5 and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) on the ascent. Industry watchdogs reckon that possible DDR3 and DDR4 supply shortages could occur "post-summer 2025."

Taiwan's Nanya Technology has predicted that the overall DRAM market will "bottom out" within the first half of 2025. An eventual recovery is envisioned by the second quarter; AI-related demands could help drive up demand by a large margin. Additionally, Nanya points to improved inventory management and global economic stimulus. Taiwanese DRAM production houses are expected to pick up some slack, but an unnamed "key component distributor" anticipates serious after-effects. An anonymous source believes that the: "anticipated halt in production could lead to significant supply constraints, challenging market dynamics and impacting pricing strategies." Nanya Technology and Winbond Electronics produce specialized DRAM-types; therefore are not touted to be great gap fillers. The latter is reportedly reacting to weak demand for "mature" DDR products—DigiTimes commented on this development: "Winbond Electronics is advancing its manufacturing by transitioning to a 16 nm process in the latter half of 2025. This upgrade from the current 20 nm process, primarily used for 4 Gb DDR3 and DDR4, will enable Winbond to produce 8 Gb DDR memory."

AMD's "Strix Halo" APU, marketed as Ryzen AI Max+, has just been exposed in die-shot analysis. Confirming the processor's triple-die architecture, the package showcases a total silicon footprint of 441.72 mm² that integrates advanced CPU, GPU, and AI acceleration capabilities within a single package. The processor's architecture centers on two 67.07 mm² CPU CCDs, each housing eight Zen 5 cores with a dedicated 8 MB L2 cache. A substantial 307.58 mm² I/O complements these die that houses an RDNA 3.5-based integrated GPU featuring 40 CUs and AMD's XDNA 2 NPU. The memory subsystem demonstrates a 256-bit LPDDR5X interface capable of delivering 256 GB/s bandwidth, supported by 32 MB of strategically placed Last Level Cache to optimize data throughput.

The die shots reveal notable optimizations for mobile deployment, including shortened die-to-die interfaces that reduce the interconnect distance by 2 mm compared to desktop implementations. Some through-silicon via structures are present, which suggest potential compatibility with AMD's 3D V-Cache technology, though the company has not officially confirmed plans for such implementations. The I/O die integrates comprehensive connectivity options, including PCIe 4.0 x16 lanes and USB4 support, while also housing dedicated media engines with full AV1 codec support. Initial deployments of the Strix Halo APU will commence with the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 launch on February 25, marking the beginning of what AMD anticipates will be broad adoption across premium mobile computing platforms.

We spotted via IT Home a fresh PC case just released by GALAX under the name "Metal Master Dark Guard", a new case that works with both ATX and microATX (back connectors supported) motherboards. The case keeps the look of the Metal Master series, with clean lines and a nice beveled design. It also has a big tempered glass side panel that gives you a clear view of internal components. The case internal design shows special attention to cooling, as GALAX mentions that they put it through multiple airflow tests. It can fit up to eight 120 or 140 mm fans, and one 240/260/280 mm radiator which makes it great for high-end gaming PCs. The design has a smart air duct system to keep things cool, and there's plenty of room inside to make cable management easy. One cool thing about the design is that the USB 3.0, and Type-C connectors are placed at the front-bottom. This helps keep the overall look clean by hiding cables away from the user's eyes while keeping the airflow clean.

The case can fit the latest hardware components, including the new RTX 50 series graphics cards or any graphic card up to 400 mm long, and standard power supplies. GALAX has priced the Metal Master Dark Guard at 249 yuan about $35, at least that's the price on Asian markets. If it reaches Western markets around $50 it can be considered a viable option for those on a tight budget.

Welcome to the mission! Hi, I'm Will Doyle, the director of Directive 8020 at Supermassive Games. We revealed our action-packed story trailer during State of Play, and announced that the game will launch on October 2. I'm thrilled to take you deeper into the dangers that you'll face onboard the Cassiopeia. The team at Supermassive Games has worked tirelessly to craft a narrative experience that melds sci-fi exploration with spine-chilling horror, where every choice could lead to a disastrous death. We're unveiling some new layers to our story, exploring fragile alliances, unseen threats, and the limits of human resilience when faced with our deepest fears. We're venturing into uncharted territory: the unsettling abyss of space.

A deadly mission
Earth is dying, and humankind is seeking a new home in the stars. The Cassiopeia is the initial survey ship sent to scout our chosen planet. Think of it as a test run: the Cassiopeia is fully outfitted as a colony craft but is flying with a vastly reduced crew. Their mission is to test every procedure onboard without ever touching down on the planet they've been sent to orbit. However, people familiar with our games will know that our characters never have it easy and in Directive 8020 it will all start to go wrong very quickly and with very deadly consequences.

Well, the wait is over and early reviews for AMD's Strix Halo APUs have finally dropped. For those who kept up with the leaks and rumors, the high-end RDNA 3.5 Radeon 8060S iGPU was repeatedly rumored to features up to 40 CUs, allowing for raw performance that keeps up with several discrete-class mobile GPUs. Now that we have concrete information, it appears that the Strix Halo iGPU does indeed trade blows with mid-range mobile GPUs, which is an undeniably impressive feat for an integrated unit. Some of the fastest x86 iGPUs - the Arc 140 V, Radeon 890M, are all left in the dust, although Apple's highest-end offerings are unsurprisingly well ahead.

Starting off with 3D Mark Time Spy, the 40-CU Radeon 8060S, housed in the 13-inch ROG Flow Z13, managed an impressive score of 10,200 points according to Notebookcheck. This puts the iGPU in close proximity to other RTX 4070-powered 14-inch gaming laptops, such as the Zephyrus G14 which managed to rake in around 10,300 points. Compared to the previous iteration of the ROG Flow Z13, which boasts a 65-watt RTX 4070, the Radeon 8060S-powered Z13 pulls ahead by around 5%. Laptops with more substantial power envelopes do race ahead significantly, such as the 140-watt RTX 4070 Laptop-powered Razer Blade 14 which managed over 13,000 points. In the Steel Nomad benchmark, however, the Radeon 8060S appears less impressive, trailing behind not only the RTX 4070 Laptop, but also systems with the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (110 W).

A leaked document has revealed an alleged review release date of March 5; occurring the day before a rumored global market release of AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 graphics cards. VideoCardz has reported on its inspection of "NDA materials" intended for members of the press. Team Red has officially announced a proper RDNA 4-themed event; February 28 is an important date on their calendar. Fresh reportage suggests that hardware media outlets and online influencers will be briefed next week, mere days away from AMD's highly-anticipated presentation.

Following head-scratching delays and a secretive marketing strategy (earlier on in 2025), Team Red and its AIB co-conspirators are expected to deliver full specifications, performance data, and pricing during next week's special event. Leaks have pointed to a possible March 6 launch; VideoCardz did not spot any mentioning of this specific date in leaked Radeon RX 9070 NDA documents. A steady flow of insider knowledge has already hinted at speculative "Navi 48" technical details and pre-release performance figures. Will AMD confirm (rumored) PCIe 5.0 connectivity, or acknowledge leaked "Pro" 32 GB variants (with less sarcasm)?

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, players will explore feudal Japan as the fierce samurai Yasuke and stealthy shinobi Naoe. Ubisoft and gaming-peripheral maker Lexip have teamed up to help you play Assassin's Creed Shadows in style with a gaming accessory collaboration featuring six custom items and unique bundles that will include the game itself when it launches on March 20 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, and PC via Steam, the Ubisoft Store, and Epic Games Store.

Engraved Wireless Headset
Enter a new era with Lexip and Ubisoft's immersive headset. Proudly embody the very essence of feudal Japan, with its ancestral motifs and superior sound quality. Ultra-low latency and cross-platform compatibility.

GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics cards are due to hit international markets this Thursday (February 20), only in custom design form. NVIDIA will not be rolling out a Founders Edition model for this mid-to-high GPU product tier. Yesterday, an NDA-busting leak emerged online; hinting at a mixed bag of synthetic benchmark scores. When compared to new-gen and past-gen siblings, the incoming GB203 GPU-based family's "price-to-performance ratio" was greeted with plenty of online community skepticism. Considering that only a minority of AIB companies are reportedly engaged in the supply of cheaper offerings, the early outlook for overall GeForce RTX 5070 Ti launch pricing is generating further dissatisfaction. Team Green's first wave of "Blackwell" gaming GPUs launched late last month, straight into chaotic market conditions.

At CES 2025, NVIDIA set a baseline MSRP of $749. Fresh reports suggest that hardware review outlets will be delivering comprehensive verdicts tomorrow. VideoCardz believes that the lifted review embargo will be "exclusively for MSRP cards," based on information gleaned from their network of press contacts. The GPU specialist publication has kept tabs on fluctuating GeForce RTX 50-series prices for a while—several recent reports have levelled criticism at prominent Team Green board partners; namely ASUS and MSI. Plenty of venom was directed at the former, due to last month's launch of the: "GeForce RTX 5080 PRIME non-OC model at MSRP, and it was covered in the first reviews...Except, it was increased by 26% the following week. This way, ASUS has cheated the system and got both the early coverage and was still able to sell cards at a higher price." VideoCardz predicts a similar pattern for this week's release of custom GeForce RTX 5070 Ti designs, in particular ASUS PRIME and TUF Gaming SKUs. Their latest report directed additional ire toward the source of all things Blackwell: "unless NVIDIA has no problem with this, this is not how MSRP cards should be announced. It is very misleading for customers and puts reviewers in a very bad light. Their conclusions might be completely different if the card is said to cost much more."

Some people say old legends never die. We fully agree with them, as we're willing to give a helping hand to those that wish to rise again. X-Out Resurfaced is a full-blown, high-definition remake of the old Commodore 64 classic X-Out. Featuring gorgeous visuals and a reworked control scheme, this new version is the perfect way to experience this incredible shoot'em up in all its glory. The game starts with a unique loadout screen, revolutionary for its time, allowing you to choose your craft, weaponry and option types, before submersing yourself in frantic, underwater shmup action.

The challenge will be tough and the enemies numerous, but Captain Granger and his faithful craft Trilobite are definitely up to the task. He is after all the last line of defense against the alien horrors that are trying to invade Earth through the ocean depths. These cosmic horrors sound like they might be too much for you to handle alone? Nothing to worry about, as X-Out Resurfaced features a brand new two-player mode. Sharing the underwater terror is caring after all.

According to a recent tidbit shared by the reliable tipster Evan Blass, Lenovo is gearing up to introduce a ThinkBook laptop with a foldable OLED screen. We already know that the company is also preparing to launch a laptop with a rollable display, but the ThinkBook Flip is intended to provide customers with even more screen real estate - when unfolded, of course. That said, it might be somewhat cumbersome to visualize what a foldable display-equipped laptop might look like. Unsurprisingly, the provided images sure do make the task a lot easier.

Basically, the Lenovo ThinkBook Flip will boast an impressively tall screen that folds in half backwards, allowing the laptop to function as a tablet when it is in the clamshell mode. When unfolded, the extra-tall display provides an absolute metric ton of screen real estate - though, only if customers are willing to stack their windows vertically. I am quite certain there a plethora of workflows that can take advantage of the abundance of vertical space, even though ergonomics will remain a point of contention. The screen can also be unfolded partially to create a propped-up display - according to the images - allowing for a 'tent' mode of sorts which can come in handy during presentations or one-on-one meetings. We do not have any information regarding pricing, but it would be safe to say that the ThinkBook Flip will most likely arrive with a hefty price tag.

GIGABYTE introduced its STEALTH series motherboard design at last summer's Computex event; where TechPowerUp staffers inspected a B650E AORUS STEALTH ICE sample model. The Taiwanese manufacturer was readying new board SKUs with backside connectors (power and I/O); destined to take on similar products from rival companies. GIGABYTE's debut wave of STEALTH did not include any AMD X670 chipset-based options, but a recent ECC filing points to possible forthcoming X870-based models. A weekend sleuthing session—performed by harukaze5719—unearthed multiple registrations of X870 and B850 boards. Two unannounced STEALTH ICE models were highlighted in the regional registry.

The X870 and B850 AORUS STEALTH ICE models are expected to arrive within the coming months, reportedly sporting familiar white designs—as seen on GIGABYTE's current-gen option. Insiders believe that a high-end X870E-based offering will not emerge, due to STEALTH occupying a very niche market segment. According to a Chinese leaker, B850 models could arrive in ATX and microATX form factors. Further up in product hierarchies, they reckon that the X870 AORUS STEALTH series: "comes standard with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 overclocking support. The flagship model comes with dual Thunderbolt 4 interfaces." GIGABYTE's back-connected X870 and B850 board designs could demand high asking prices; their current B650E AORUS STEALTH ICE is not readily available, but in some regions it is selling for $320+.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced that the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 is now available for pre-order. This versatile gaming 2-in-1 can feature up to AMD's newest AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Processor with Radeon 8060S Graphics and a unified memory structure, allowing for incredible performance and power efficiency. A new stainless steel and copper vapor chamber, larger intake vents, and 2nd Gen Arc Flow Fans offer 70% more airflow for quiet and efficient cooling.

This 13-inch tablet boasts a stunning ROG Nebula Display, a 2.5K resolution 180 Hz touchscreen with 500 nits of peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The Flow Z13 now also features a larger 70Wh battery, a larger touchpad and keycaps, and a convenient Command Center button for quick access to vital system functions. With dual USB-C ports, both of which support USB4 and power delivery, as well as a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port, the Flow Z13 lets gamers leave their dongles at home.

The global semiconductor manufacturing industry closed 2024 with strong fourth quarter results and solid year-on-year (YoY) growth across most of the key industry segments, SEMI announced today in its Q4 2024 publication of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Monitor (SMM) Report, prepared in partnership with TechInsights. The industry outlook is cautiously optimistic at the start of 2025 as seasonality and macroeconomic uncertainty may impede near-term growth despite momentum from strong investments related to AI applications.

After declining in the first half of 2024, electronics sales bounced back later in the year resulting in a 2% annual increase. Electronics sales grew 4% YoY in Q4 2024 and are expected to see a 1% YoY increase in Q1 2025 impacted by seasonality. Integrated circuit (IC) sales rose by 29% YoY in Q4 2024 and continued growth is expected in Q1 2025 with a 23% increase YoY as AI-fueled demand continues boosting shipments of high-performance computing (HPC) and datacenter memory chips.

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced the Micron 4600 PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD, an innovative client storage drive for OEMs that is designed to deliver exceptional performance and user experience for gamers, creators and professionals. Leveraging Micron G9 TLC NAND, the 4600 SSD is Micron's first Gen 5 client SSD and doubles the performance of its predecessor.

The Micron 4600 SSD showcases sequential read speeds of 14.5 GB/s and write speeds of 12.0 GB/s. These capabilities allow users to load a large language model (LLM) from the SSD to DRAM in less than one second, enhancing the user experience with AI PCs. For AI model loading times, the 4600 SSD reduces load times by up to 62% compared to Gen 4 performance SSDs ensuring rapid deployment of LLMs and other AI workloads. Additionally, the 4600 SSD provides up to 107% improved energy efficiency (MB/s per watt) compared to Gen 4 performance SSDs, enhancing battery life and overall system efficiency.

Nexa AI, today, announced NexaQuants of two DeepSeek R1 Distills: The DeepSeek R1 Distill Qwen 1.5B and DeepSeek R1 Distill Llama 8B. Popular quantization methods like the llama.cpp based Q4 K M allow large language models to significantly reduce their memory footprint and typically offer low perplexity loss for dense models as a tradeoff. However, even low perplexity loss can result in a reasoning capability hit for (dense or MoE) models that use Chain of Thought traces. Nexa AI has stated that NexaQuants are able to recover this reasoning capability loss (compared to the full 16-bit precision) while keeping the 4-bit quantization and all the while retaining the performance advantage. Benchmarks provided by Nexa AI can be seen below.

We can see that the Q4 K M quantized DeepSeek R1 distills score slightly less (except for the AIME24 bench on Llama 3 8b distill, which scores significantly lower) in LLM benchmarks like GPQA and AIME24 compared to their full 16-bit counter parts. Moving to a Q6 or Q8 quantization would be one way to fix this problem - but would result in the model becoming slightly slower to run and requiring more memory. Nexa AI has stated that NexaQuants use a proprietary quantization method to recover the loss while keeping the quantization at 4-bits. This means users can theoretically get the best of both worlds: accuracy and speed.

Yesterday, the ASUS Chinese office announced a special event—on February 25—dedicated to launching a next-gen AMD APU-powered premium notebook model: "ROG Magic X (or Illusion X) is the first to be equipped with the Ryzen AI MAX+ three-in-one chip, which can efficiently coordinate multiple modes, provide combat power and computing power on demand, and can handle e-sports, creation and AI with one chip!" The manufacturer's Weibo post has generated plenty of buzz; industry insiders reckon that reviews could be published today (February 18)—HXL/9550pro informed VideoCardz with a not so cryptic message: "STX-Halo NDA: Feb 18th 2025."

Western press outlets point out that the ROG Magic X is a local variant of the familiar ROG Flow Z13 design; a 2025 refresh brings in AMD's much anticipated "Strix Halo" APU design. Team Red-authored marketing material and pre-release evaluation leaks have hinted about impressive integrated graphics solution performance; equalling or even exceeding that of previous-gen dGPUs. Well-known North American hardware review outlets have dropped hints (NDA permitting) about AMD's Ryzen Al Max+ 395 and Max 390 processors. Hardware Canucks could barely contain their excitement regarding the potent Zen 4 and RDNA 3.5 combo package; to the point of wish listing a potential direct successor: "Strix Halo is one of the most exciting things launched into the PC space in the last half decade. Full stop...AMD can't keep this as a one-off. If it's followed up with Zen 6 and RDNA 4 next year...watch out." Naturally, Team Red's cutting-edge mobile CPU technology is arriving in devices with high asking prices. The aforementioned ROG Flow Z13 2025 model—configured with top specs—is priced at $2699. Notebookcheck reckons that ASUS has tacked on an extra $500, since an announcement of initial pricing at CES 2025.

Morse Micro, the world's leading provider of Wi-Fi HaLow chips, today announced the general availability of the world's first Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi HaLow gateway - certified by Wi-Fi Alliance. Featuring FCC, IC, and RCM certification, this breakthrough device enables developers, system integrators, and manufacturers to harness the power of long-range, energy-efficient Wi-Fi HaLow combined with traditional Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) connectivity in a single, compact gateway.

"The certification of the HaLowLink 1 reinforces the growing importance of reliable, interoperable Wi-Fi HaLow products in the connectivity ecosystem," said Maureen Gallagher, VP of Marketing at Wi-Fi Alliance. "With its extended range and low-power capabilities, Wi-Fi HaLow is a powerful solution for IoT applications, and Morse Micro is committed to accelerating adoption by delivering high-quality products through the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED program."

GameSir is excited to introduce its latest multi-platform gaming controller, the Super Nova. The Super Nova redefines gaming comfort and precision with its noise-free, responsive controls. Featuring noise-free ABXY buttons and advanced GameSir Hall Effect sensing sticks, it ensures smooth, precise feedback while minimizing distractions. Whether you're playing on PC, Switch, Android, or iOS, the Super Nova's tri-mode connectivity and full customization options make it the perfect choice for gamers seeking a flexible, immersive experience. Available for pre-order on GameSir's official website.

The Super Nova offers versatile connectivity, working flawlessly with PC, Switch, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections. It features GameSir Hall Effect sensing sticks, providing a durable lifespan of up to 5 million cycles, offering precise and responsive feedback. The anti-friction glide rings ensure super-smooth stick control, reducing stick grinding and extending usage time.

Transcend Information, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of memory storage solutions, announced the release of the MTE255S, a PCIe M.2 solid-state drive. Featuring a PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface, it delivers impressive read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds of 6,500 MB/s. This SSD offers exceptional storage experiences for gamers, content creators, and business users. Whether it's high-performance gaming, advanced video editing, or rapid data processing, the MTE255S significantly boosts desktop and laptop performance to meet demanding application needs.

Experience Unmatched Speed and Capacity
The MTE255S combines a PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface with a multichannel controller to achieve blazing-fast data transfer speeds. Users experience smooth gaming performance, accelerated video editing and rendering, and seamless processing of large business datasets. With storage options up to 2 TB, the MTE255S offers generous space for extensive game libraries, media projects, and enterprise workloads.

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading innovator in computing, networking, and storage solutions, today officially launched the QDA-UMP4A adapter. This adapter allows users to install an M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD into a 2.5-inch U.2 (SFF-8639) PCIe NVMe SSD slot of a QNAP NAS.

QNAP Product Manager Andy Chuang stated: "The QDA-UMP4A is ideal for users who need versatile drive options for various scenarios, from enterprise applications to multimedia workloads. Users can boost data-heavy applications with QNAP's U.2 SSD-based flagship all-flash NAS models."

AMD's openSIL project, aimed towards open CPU silicon initialization code, continues progressing despite a slight delay in its development timeline. The initiative, which will eventually replace the current AGESA system across AMD's client and server processors, received a new update. The company initially targeted the end of 2024 to release proof-of-concept code for Phoenix client SoCs and Turin server hardware. However, as we move through the first quarter of 2025, AMD has acknowledged a slight deviation from this schedule. In a recent statement, AMD representatives assured the developer community that work continues steadily on both Phoenix and Turin proof-of-concept releases.

"We are hard at work preparing the Phoenix and Turin POC's for public release," stated an AMD representative, emphasizing that these releases will serve as sample code previewing future production-worthy implementations. The company clarified that these initial releases are not intended for production environments. The delay has minimal impact on AMD's plan, as the primary goal remains focused on achieving full production readiness with the upcoming Zen 6 architecture. The openSIL project promises to enhance Coreboot support and provide developers with full access to low-level system components. Though limited to select reference motherboards, the proof-of-concept releases will serve as the first milestones in AMD's journey toward more open hardware solutions.

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it has officially begun mass production of a 45-inch Gaming OLED monitor panel with ultra-high 5K2K resolution. By producing the world's highest-resolution Gaming OLED panel, the company is seeking to seize the growth potential of the high-end gaming display market.

This product not only features key gaming monitor specifications such as top-tier resolution, refresh rate, and response time, but it also delivers perfect black levels in any environment, providing the ultimate gaming experience.

Hot off their debut from Sony's State of Play, Eclipse Glow Games has released a new gameplay video for their highly-anticipated, action-adventure title Tides of Annihilation. The 11-minute gameplay walkthrough video showcases the combat system where spectral knights can be summoned to perform devastating combo attacks. Watch Gwendolyn traverse an environment constantly shifting from powerful magical forces where modern London and mythical Avalon collide. And learn more of Gwendolyn's story in Tides of Annihilation as she faces off against the alluring Mordred in an epic boss confrontation.

Tides of Annihilation is a single-player, narrative-driven title set in a twisted version of modern London cataclysmically altered by an otherworldly invasion. Taking on the role of Gwendolyn, humanity's lone survivor, players embark on a legendary quest through London's iconic environs to unravel a mystery that will determine the fate of reality itself. Battling alongside summonable spectral knights, players will encounter hordes of enemies, unforgettable bosses, and vertical levels in the form of gigantic knights roaming the landscape.

EIZO Corporation (TSE: 6737) today introduced the 24.1-inch ColorEdge CG2400S color management monitor, the successor to the ColorEdge CG2420. It is the first 24.1-inch monitor in the CG series to feature HDR workflow support for professional creatives, as well as the first monitor in the ColorEdge lineup to have its housing made from recycled plastic for reducing environmental impact.

Designed to meet the diverse needs of professional creatives in fields such as photography, video editing, design, and print, the CG2400S features WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution on a 24.1-inch screen. With a typical contrast ratio of 1800:1, the highest in the ColorEdge CG series, the monitor produces true blacks to ensure shadows are rendered in high detail and lifelike accuracy. It is also equipped with a retardation film to overcome color distortion from optical shifts, allowing tones to retain their depth even when viewed from an angle.

ASUSTOR Inc. today is announcing the enterprise-grade Xpanstor 12R JBOD expansion unit and the SAS HBA AS-SAS8e. ASUSTOR NAS devices supporting the AS-SAS8e support the Xpanstor 12R JBOD expansion unit to provide convenient and robust file sharing, remote access, and backup functionality. When expansion of storage capacity is required, pair your NAS with the ASUSTOR Xpanstor 12R to allow additional hard drives to be connected to an ASUSTOR NAS through a SAS connection to create a robust enterprise storage environment for managing large volumes of data.

Effortless Configuration
Storage Manager in ADM enables easy management and configuration between an ASUSTOR NAS and an attached ASUSTOR expansion unit. Storage Manager also supports the creation of multiple volume types and snapshot features, further enhancing data security and reliability.

PowerColor, a trusted name in high-performance gaming hardware, is proud to introduce the ALPHYN AM10 Wireless Gaming Mouse, the latest addition to the ALPHYN series. Designed for gamers and content creators seeking the perfect balance of comfort and high-end specifications, the ALPHYN AM10 delivers cutting-edge technology in an ergonomic, lightweight form. With a powerful 26,000 DPI sensor, an 8,000 Hz polling rate in wired mode, Omron optical switches, and hybrid wireless connectivity, the AM10 is built to provide an exceptional user experience without compromise.

Designed for Performance & Comfort
The ALPHYN AM10 is built to offer precision tracking and responsive control, making every task—from intense gaming sessions to detailed creative work—effortless and fluid. Equipped with a PAW3395 sensor, it provides a DPI range from 100 to 26,000, allowing users to fine-tune sensitivity to their exact needs. With an 8,000 Hz polling rate in wired mode and 1,000 Hz in wireless mode, every movement is accurately registered, ensuring smooth and natural cursor motion. The Omron optical switches (rated for 70 million clicks) provide instant actuation and long-lasting durability, making every click crisp and reliable while reducing fatigue during extended use.

Functional and stylish: The AK4W RGB Strip has plenty of space for modern hardware, room for up to eleven fans, and a tempered-glass side panel that provides a clear view of the installed hardware inside. The front panel has an integrated RGB strip along the base of the air-permeable mesh grille, providing a visual highlight in 16.7 million colors. On the top panel, the case is rounded off with up-to-date ports for a wide range of mobile and peripheral devices.

Apart from the front panel with its air-permeable mesh grille and RGB strip, the AK4W RGB Strip also has a side panel made of tempered glass to showcase the hardware build and the atmospheric illumination inside. Four 120 mm fans are already pre-installed in the AK4W RGB Strip - three behind the front panel and one 120 mm RGB PWM fan on the rear panel. Up to eleven fans will find room in the case.

GAMDIAS Technology, a leading brand in high-performance PC gaming hardware, is excited to unveil the new CHIONE P5 Series LCD display liquid cooler, as part of GAMDIAS's 2025 vision, embodied by the annual slogan "GAMING REIMAGINED." Available in sleek black and white color options, it comes in two sizes: 240mm and 360 mm. This cutting-edge cooler delivers exceptional CPU cooling, featuring a 3.4" customizable IPS LCD display, a high-performance PWM pump with speeds up to 2600 RPM, and ARGB PWM NOTUS fans. "The CHIONE P5 embodies our values and beliefs: through the combination of high-end technologies and the aesthetic design, GAMDIAS enables gamers at all levels to perform at their best," said Stimson Wang, CEO of GAMDIAS, making it the ultimate cooling solution for gamers and enthusiasts.

The CHIONE P5 Series features a brilliant 3.4-inch IPS LCD display with a high resolution of 480x480, allowing you to monitor real-time system performance statistics while offering full personalization by setting custom images or animated GIFs as the background. Below the LCD display, an ARGB lighting strip adds a vibrant glow, enhancing your system's aesthetics with dynamic lighting effects.

FinalWire Ltd. today announced the immediate availability of AIDA64 Extreme 7.60 software, a streamlined diagnostic and benchmarking tool for home users; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Engineer 7.60 software, a professional diagnostic and benchmarking solution for corporate IT technicians and engineers; the immediate availability of AIDA64 Business 7.60 software, an essential network management solution for small and medium scale enterprises; and the immediate availability of AIDA64 Network Audit 7.60 software, a dedicated network audit toolset to collect and manage corporate network inventories. The latest AIDA64 update introduces green and purple dark themes, support for Turing LCD screens, and supports the latest graphics and GPGPU computing technologies by AMD, Intel and NVIDIA.

DOWNLOAD: FinalWire AIDA64 Extreme v7.60

GAMEMAX is embarking on an exciting new era with the launch of its refreshed brand identity and next-generation product lineup. Under the theme "Roar to the Future," this milestone event showcases GAMEMAX's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge design. Featuring a bold new look and advanced PC gaming solutions, the brand is set to redefine the gaming experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Roar to the Future Event - March 4th
GAMEMAX invites media representatives, content creators, and industry partners to attend the upcoming "Roar to the Future" event on March 4, 2025. This exclusive unveiling marks a significant milestone for the brand, showcasing its bold new identity and next-generation product lineup.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Experience an exclusive first look at GAMEMAX's cutting-edge gaming innovations.
• Engage in an immersive virtual showcase exploring the brand's refreshed identity and vision.
• Connect with industry leaders, fellow creators, and gaming enthusiasts, fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations.

Sparkle, a notable Intel GPU board partner, introduced its dual-fan GUARDIAN custom design late last year. The Taiwan-based manufacturer's Arc B570 GUARDIAN 10 GB model launched mid-way through January—on day one, TechPowerUp's W1zzard awarded this particular card with "Highly Recommended" and "Great Value" badges. In a December leak, Sparkle's roadmap revealed Sparkle's plans for an upcoming Arc B580 GUARDIAN 12 GB SKU. A launch window was not denoted, but the new card would seemingly arrive after the early 2025 release of Sparkle's B580 TITAN Luna OC model. VideoCardz and its network of observers have detected a new listing on the official Sparkle website; signalling the B580 GUARDIAN's arrival.

Sparkle's Arc B580 GUARDIAN graphics card seems to be available for purchase in the United Kingdom, at the time of writing. CCL Computers and AWD IT have units in-stock at their respective warehouses, ready for immediate shipping. Both e-tailers have priced their offerings at £289.99 (including VAT), AWD has kindly knocked off £10 from their original demand of £299.99. Overclockers UK has a pre-order listing, coming in at a very reasonable £274.00 (incl. VAT). The Sparkle Arc B580 GUARDIAN 12 GB model conforms to Intel reference specifications, so global costs of ownership are likely sticking close to baseline MSRP.

If you've played a Hazelight Studios game before, you know that the characters they create for you and your co-op partner come with unique personalities, backgrounds, and motivations that produce unforgettable moments as their stories unfold. Hazelight Studios is keeping that trend up as they introduce two new player characters in Split Fiction, which is launching on March 6. Take control of two unpublished authors, Mio and Zoe, who you will quickly find are worlds apart! When you first meet Mio and Zoe, they have been lured into Rader Publishing Headquarters with the promise of a potential publishing deal which goes horribly wrong, trapping them inside a simulation of their stories which you have to help them escape. In this blog, we're diving deeper into their characters so that you can confidently pick your favorite when you get your hands on the game!

Mio Hudson—Science Fiction author
Reserved. Decisive. Realist. Introvert. Raised in the city with her father, Mio has barely scraped by for the last couple of years. She isn't looking for fame or recognition as an author, she's just in it for the money. Her love for all things sci-fi is reflected in her literary works, taking place in neon-lit cyberpunk cities, harsh futuristic weapon plants, and even in the coldness of outer space. Expect to see her love for sci-fi shine through in the abilities she gains inside the simulations, where she may become a gravity-defying ninja equipped with a lethally sharp energy sword, wear an advanced exosuit that grants remote control of drones, or dual-wield laser blasters in futuristic combat armor.

As reported almost a year ago, EMTEK graphics cards do not make regular appearances via Western reportage. The South Korean manufacturer has prepared its debut NVIDIA "Blackwell" GeForce RTX 50-series desktop product; as spotted by VideoCardz. The brand new EMTEK GeForce RTX 5080 MIRACLE WHITE D7 16 GB model has appeared online via Danawa's online price comparison engine. The lowest price comes in at 2,656,000 KRW (~$1841 USD), so there is clear evidence of major price hiking activities going on in South Korea. One store is offering EMTEK's cutting-edge white custom model for a cool 4,000,000 KRW (~$2773 USD).

EMTEK's GeForce RTX 5080 MIRACLE WHITE D7 16 GB graphics card conforms to Team Green's reference specifications; making the higher than expected entry fee even more painful to bear. We hope that prices level-off to reasonable lines in the near future. This snow-white custom design seemingly carries a couple of premium features; namely translucent ARGB-lit fans in a triple-formation. This integrated "dynamic lighting" system can be controlled through Windows 11 (via a USB-C connection), rather than proprietary software. VideoCardz reports that the South Korean graphics producer is not known to release its own RGB control suite. A cutaway render shows a very robust cooling solution that houses eight 6 mm heat pipes. Unfortunately, the PCB's shape is not as radical as the one found in an Ada Lovelace-based sibling. Judging from the internal promo shots, EMTEK has missed another opportunity to bung in a white board design, and attach similarly pale parts. Many NVIDIA AIBs should spend more time copying GALAX, Yeston, and PowerColor's (AMD-powered) homework—the latter's Spectral White Editions usually nail the almost all-white aesthetic.

Khadas is a relatively well-known name in realm of mini PCs, offering quite a unique approach. Unlike other mini PCs which rely on eGPUs and docks for expansion, the Khadas utilizes a base compute unit, aptly named the "Mind", which can dock with expansion units and eGPUs utilizing the 'Mind Link' interface, offering up to eight PCIe 5.0 lanes - or, in other words, a maximum bandwidth of 256 GT/s. That said, the Mind 2s was announced at CES, and is now available for purchase at a hefty price of $1,599. There exists only a single variant for now, and it is unclear as of this writing whether higher- and lower-tier variants will ever see the light of day.

That said, the Mind 2s is no slouch - the system packs the decently performant Core Ultra 7 255H Arrow Lake-H CPU paired with 64 GB of LPDDR5X memory. Clearly, the memory is not upgradeable, although the storage very much is, courtesy of the M.2 2230 slot. The ports on the Mind 2s 'brain' are far from plenty for a desktop system, featuring a single Thunderbolt 4, USB4, HDMI 2.1, and dual USB 3.2 ports. As mentioned previously, the system can be expanded using the Mind Link interface. For instance, the Khadas Mind Dock offers a plethora of additional I/O, and the Khadas Mind Graphics eGPU offers a massive boost to graphics performance. Another module, dubbed the Mind xPlay is also in the works, which will function as a portable external display for the Mind unit. The Mind 2s also features a 5.55 Wh built-in battery, allowing the system to go to sleep instead of completely dying on its user in the case of a power cut.

FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time is set to release on Wed, May 21st (GMT) for Nintendo Switch, PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Steam! Check the new trailer (below) showcasing all the things you can do in this Slow-Life RPG, such as the new Treasure Groves. Step into this Slow-Life RPG where you can freely switch between 14 unique jobs, so-called "Lives," and enjoy a carefree life in a fantasy world. Fish, cook, shape the island to your liking, or team up with friends to battle monsters across the vast world.

Initially planned for an April launch, LEVEL5 Inc. has set a new release date to ensure a high-quality product for fans. Due to platform expansion and accompanying graphical improvements, we have reviewed and adjusted the initial sales price to reflect a new price point. We appreciate your continued support and understanding.

Last Wednesday (February 12), an intriguing filing appeared online—the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has received multiple registrations of NVIDIA GPUs; courtesy of OEM Global Technologies Ltd. The parent company of ZOTAC Technology Limited has registered a wide span of Team Green SKUs, going back many generations to 2014's GeForce GT 710 "Kepler 2.0" design. When ignoring everything south of the latest "Blackwell" GPU lineup, harukaze5719 noticed three lower-end additions. The rumor mill has NVIDIA launching its more budget-friendly GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 (non-Ti) models at some point next month.

Board partner supply chain insiders believe that Team Green is clearing the current-gen flock; thus making way for lower-end "Blackwell" GPUs, but the newly-discovered registration of a GeForce RTX 5050 SKU has raised watchdog eyebrows. A rumored entry-level RTX 5050 Mobile variant turned up last December, but we have not heard much about a discrete equivalent in 2025. NVIDIA had plans for a GeForce RTX 4050 model, but desktop "Ada Lovelace" AD107 GPU-based products did not emerge into existence. The latest ECC filing suggests that a next-gen successor could be on the way. Industry soothsayers predict a sub-$300 price point for alleged GeForce RTX 5050 8 GB graphics cards—potentially lined up for battle with Intel's current-gen B580 and B570 offerings.

Hello, Hackers! We have some exciting news to share with you…the release of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is fast approaching! In March during GDC 2025, we will announce the game's release date during The MIX's Spring Game Showcase livestream.

As a reminder, Kickstarter backers at the Humanoid Mutant tier and above will receive a free key for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster when the game releases. Important note: similar to how you received your digital copy of System Shock Remake, your key will be sent to the email that you have listed on Backerkit. If you have any questions or issues receiving backer rewards including System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, please reach out to our support team (via e-mail). Thank you!

• Team Nightdive

NVIDIA and its memory partners, SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron, are preparing a new memory form factor called System on Chip Advanced Memory Module—SOCAMM shortly. This technology, adapting to the now well-known CAMM memory module standard, aims to bring additional memory density to NVIDIA systems. Taking inspiration from NVIDIA's Project DIGITS, it has now been developed independently by NVIDIA outside of any official memory consortium like JEDEC. Utilizing a detachable module design, SOCAMM delivers superior specifications compared to existing solutions, featuring 694 I/O ports (versus LPCAMM's 644 and traditional DRAM's 260), direct LPDDR5X memory substrate integration, and a more compact form factor.

For reference, current-generation Project DIGITS is using NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip capable of delivering one PetaFLOP of FP4 compute, paired with 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory. This configuration limits the size of AI models that run locally on the device, resulting in up to 200 billion parameter models running on a single Project DIGITS AI PC. Two stacked Project DIGITS PCs are needed for models like Llama 3.1 405B with 405 billion parameters. Most interestingly, memory capacity is the primary limiting factor; hence, NVIDIA devotes its time to developing a more memory-dense SOCAMM standard. Being a replacement compatible with LPDDR5, it can use the same controller silicon IP with only the SoC substrate being modified to fit the new memory. With NVIDIA rumored to enter the consumer PC market this year, we could also see an early implementation in consumer PC products, but the next-generation Project DIGITS is the primary target.

Upcoming AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 (non-XT) graphics card specification sheets remain under wraps; we will very likely be presented with the full kibosh on February 28. Throughout early 2025, Team Red and its board partners have divulged very little. Instead, PC hardware news outlets have depended on a steady flow of leaked information. The opening round of Team Red RDNA 4 models have been comprehensively linked to PCIe 4.0 connection standards, but recent anomalies have appeared online. Contradictory spec info arrived late last week, courtesy of a leaker having pre-release access to an allegedly very high-end custom design. The validity of an uploaded GPU-Z session screenshot was questioned by the PC gaming hardware community; the detected candidate card seemed to be connected via a PCI-Express 5.0 x16 bus interface. VideoCardz has stumbled upon additional evidence—their weekend reporting activities pointed to a compelling new product listing on the Micro Center website.

The North American e-tailer's webstore features a "PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil Limited Edition Overclocked Triple Fan 16 GB GDDR6 PCIe 5.0 Graphics Card." Micro Center's threadbare product page is devoid of promotional images/renders, in-depth technical details or specifications. The "no longer available" special edition package has an SKU assignment code of 796672, and a manufacturer part number read-out of LERX9070XT16GEO. VideoCardz reached out to their "inside source" at PowerColor for research purposes. The company mole confirmed that the PCIe 5.0 spec point is genuine. The leaked photo of "Red Devil packaging" did not reveal any PCIe interface-related info. The publication reckons that the PowerColor Radeon RX 9070 XT Red Devil model's interface "matches the appearance of the PCIe 5.0 standard," as seen on the new generation of NVIDIA RTX 50-series graphics cards. Looking back into recent history, Intel dropped initial plans for PCIe 5.0 connectivity with Arc "Battlemage" graphics cards. The B580 and B570 models have arrived at retail with bog-standard PCIe 4.0 x8 bus interfaces.

According to reliable tipster Mark Gurman, the M4-equipped MacBook Air is now expected to launch sometime next month. Earlier leaks had hinted at a spec bump for the iPad Pro with the M5 chipset sometime in the middle of this year, although the grapevine now states that the M5 iPad Pro will only arrive sometime in 2026, with the M5 SoC first seeing the light of day in a refreshed MacBook Pro in the third quarter of this year. Unfortunately, no major design changes are expected for either of the upcoming devices - which makes sense, since the iPad Pro received a major update less than a year ago, and the MacBook Pro is expected to boast a major overhaul next year.

Interestingly, however, the M4-powered Mac Studio and Mac Pro are still on track for launch in the middle of this year, likely during WWDC. Of course, the M4 'Ultra' - and perhaps an even higher-end M4 SoC - will offer significantly higher core counts than M5-powered MacBook Pros, but it would certainly be quite off-putting to see Apple's highest-end Macs lag a full generation behind MacBook Pros less than half a year after launch. Although the M5 SoCs will continue leveraging TSMC's 3 nm process, the high-end Pro and Max SKUs are expected to integrate TSMC's SoIC technology, enabling 3D chip-stacking, with discrete GPU and CPU units for improved efficiency and cost-savings.

One feature that gamers have loved about AMD Ryzen processors is the company's commitment to socket longevity. If you have a PC with an AMD Ryzen 7000 Series CPU and an AM5 motherboard, for example, you're able to upgrade to an AMD Ryzen 9000 Series CPU without stripping your PC down to the studs and replacing the motherboard. But perhaps you're starting from scratch with your first AM5 PC. In that case, you have several years' worth of AM5 motherboard options to consider, including the TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi from our B850 motherboard family.

For years, one of the most popular AM5 motherboards has been the TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi. This rock-solid, battle-proven board delivers on all fronts with its durable design, comprehensive cooling, and ruggedized aesthetic. Yet if you're building a new PC in 2025, we think you'll be happier in the long run with this board's successor, the TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi. Armed with key updates like a bolstered power solution, PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, Wi-Fi 7, and more and faster USB ports, this motherboard offers incredible value for your gaming rig.

Last December, Intel revealed that its next-generation "Celestial" GPU architecture was "complete." At the time, Team Blue's Tom "TAP" Petersen revealed: "our IP that's kind of called Xe3, which is the one after Xe2, that's pretty much baked... And so the software teams have a lot of work to do on Xe3. The hardware teams are off on the next thing (aka Xe4/Druid), right." Noted Intel inside info leaker—Raichu—believes that "Celestial" will be: "different from Panther Lake, Celestial dGPU looks like will maybe be based on Xe3P instead of Xe3. I estimate it will (be) based on INTC's process instead of outside." Their Friday evening (February 14) social media declaration suggests that Team Blue is bringing things in-house for the manufacturing of discrete "Celestial" graphics cards; utilizing an Intel Foundry node process, rather than rely on TSMC once more. The latter's foundry produced the Arc "Alchemist" and "Battlemage" dGPU generations.

Intel's rumored "Xe3P" architecture is not a fully known quantity, but reports from last November pointed to the existence of multiple "Xe3" variants; courtesy of information gleaned from an employee's LinkedIn profile. Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed plenty of leaks alluding to future Intel CPU families, but the flow of Arc graphic solutions-related leaks seemingly slowed down around the launch of Intel's budget-friendly "Battlemage" B570 card. Recent-ish insider disclosures have uncovered a possible expansion of the current-gen Arc series, with more SKUs rumored to be on the way. A certain group of industry watchdogs reckon that the unannounced "BGM-G31" GPU will be the basis for higher-end "Battlemage" B-series models, but others believe that options above B580 and B570 are canceled—potentially paving the way for "Xe3P-based" C-series designs later this year, or in 2026.

The dice have been cast! The official demo for Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is available now on Steam, and Xbox for all you multi-platform folks! Enter the Eternal Die: step back into the whimsical, dark fantasy world of Random—this time with a rogue-lite twist. In this free demo, you'll experience the first of four enchanting yet perilous worlds as Queen Aleksandra and her loyal die-companion, Fortune. Armed with your trusty sword, exciting ability cards, a new relic system, and, of course, Fortune, you'll take on formidable foes and maybe even defeat the first world boss—if luck is on your side.

But don't worry if you die. Each time you return to the Sanctuary, you'll have a chance to upgrade your skills and weapons, catch your breath, and prepare for your next run. Be sure to chat with the quirky inhabitants of the Black Die, whether it's seeking wisdom from Chance, honing your skills with Aama, or browsing Rack's weapon stash (just be ready for his terrible jokes).

Sapphire Technology has introduced a new NITRO+ motherboard model in China—weekend reports pointed to a listing on JD.com, where the latest addition resides alongside various previous-gen B650 options. This appears to be another region specific release—priced at 1299 RMB (~$179 USD). The NITRO+ B850M Wi-Fi model seems to share its overall aesthetic design with the preceding B650M-equipped equivalent. As surmised by VideoCardz, the Sapphire NITRO+ board's VRM patterning reminded them of the leaked premium-tier Radeon NITRO+ RX 9070 graphics card series.

The generational jump from AMD B650 to B850 chipset—as expected—yields only minor benefits (see below). The older NITRO+ B650M Wi-Fi model is a significantly cheaper prospect; coming in at 899 RMB ($124 USD). VideoCardz's weekend detective work settled on a nice improvement: "based on our research, the memory overclocking support has increased from 7600 MT/s+ to 8000 MT/s. Keep in mind that these figures may be higher for both motherboards; this is just what Sapphire guarantees when paired with a supported memory kit." Industry watchdogs believe that ASRock is likely involved in the contract manufacturing of Sapphire's motherboard offerings—the former has been long-involved in pumping out NZXT-badged products.

A new era of Rainbow Six Siege will be revealed on March 13 at the Siege X Showcase. A teaser shown during the championship weekend of the Six Invitational offered glimpses of the biggest transformation in the game's history, including graphical and audio upgrades, deepened tactical gameplay, and new ways to play the game. Tune in live for the showcase on March 13 at 10AM PT / 6PM CET on the Rainbow Six Siege Twitch channel, and learn more about how you can attend the event in-person in Atlanta, GA.

Year 10 of Rainbow Six Siege will also kick off soon with the launch of the first season: Operation Prep Phase. A new Operator named Rauora will join the Attackers and use her D.O.M. Launcher to deploy bulletproof panels in doorways, helping her team reshape the battlefield and dictate the flow of combat. Rauora will be available at the start of the season with the Operation Prep Phase Battle Pass, and unlockable two weeks later with Renown or R6 Credits.

Geekom has revealed yet another member of its 'XT' family of mini PCs. However, unlike most other mini PCs that have recently hit the scene, the Geekom XT1 Mega utilizes Intel Core Ultra 100H CPUs instead of the newer Arrow Lake-H units. The system can be equipped with either the Core Ultra 5 125H, or the Core Ultra 9 185H. Compared to the Core Ultra 9 285H, the 185H is roughly around 15% slower in multicore benchmarks, which is not exactly an earth-shattering difference. The integrated 8-core Arc iGPU (Xe LPG) found in the high-end SKUs boast enough compute power to challenge the RTX 2050 Mobile GPU in certain scenarios, although it is by no means powerful enough to compete with newer systems that feature discrete graphics.

The XT1 Mega mini PC can be configured with up to 64 GB of memory, courtesy of its dual SODIMM slots. A single M.2 2280 and a single M.2 2242 slot take care of storage requirements, although a 2.5-inch slot is not present. In terms of I/O, the XT1 boasts a total of five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, dual HDMI 2.0, dual 2.5 G ethernet, dual USB4, a single audio jack, and a single UBS 2.0 Type-A port. There is no room inside for discrete graphics, which would have made an OCuLink port a welcome addition. Due to its absence, however, customers will have to settle for slower USB4-based eGPUs. Wireless connectivity, on the other hand, is taken care of by Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. The Core Ultra 5 125H variant with 32 GB of memory and a 1 TB SSD costs $769, and the higher-end Core Ultra 9 185H variant costs $989.

TrendForce's latest findings reveal that the NAND Flash market continues to be plagued by oversupply in the first quarter of 2025, leading to sustained price declines and financial strain for suppliers. However, TrendForce anticipates a significant improvement in the market's supply-demand balance in the second half of the year.

Key factors contributing to this shift include proactive production cuts by manufacturers, inventory reductions in the smartphone sector, and growing demand driven by AI and DeepSeek applications. These elements are expected to alleviate oversupply and support a price rebound for NAND Flash.

ASUS's Republic of Gamers China account on Weibo has teased the ROG Magic X mobile device that combines laptop/tablet form with a detachable keyboard. Inside, the device is powered by AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ SoC, which ASUS called a "three-in-one" chip, mainly due to its CPU, NPU, and iGPU combination. One possible SKU for ROG Magic X is AMD's top-end Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 processor. Carrying 16 "Zen 5" cores and 32 threads, the chip is designed for AI-enhanced laptops with 126 combined TOPS of AI processing power. The Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 features 64 MB of L3 cache and operates at a base clock of 3 GHz, with boost capabilities up to 5.1 GHz, depending on workload conditions. Manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process node, the processor maintains a modest 55 W TDP, suitable for high-performance mobile systems. The chip includes support for ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5. It integrates the Radeon 8060S solution based on RDNA 3.5 architecture for graphics.

We are yet to see more details about the ROG Magic X, but with the arrival of AMD Ryzen AI MAX+, we assume this machine will result in a powerful gaming device for users on the go. More details are expected on February 25, when ASUS plans to showcase it. Pricing and availability are also expected to follow soon after.

Thanks to some early 3D Mark benchmarks obtained by VideoCardz, NVIDIA's upcoming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU paints an interesting picture of performance gains over the predecessor. Testing conducted with AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and 48 GB of DDR5-6000 memory has provided the first glimpse into the card's capabilities. The new GPU demonstrates a 16.6% performance improvement over its predecessor, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER. However, benchmark data shows it is falling short of the more expensive RTX 5080 by 13.2%, raising questions about the price-to-performance ratio given the $250 price difference between the two cards. Priced at $749 MSRP, the RTX 5070 Ti could be even pricier in retail channels at launch, especially with limited availability. The card's positioning becomes particularly interesting compared to the RTX 5080's $999 price point, which commands a 33% premium for its additional performance capabilities.

As a reminder, the RTX 5070 Ti boasts 8,960 CUDA cores, 280 texture units, 70 RT cores for ray tracing, and 280 tensor cores for AI computations, all supported by 16 GB of GDDR7 memory running at 28 Gbps effective speed across a 256-bit bus interface, resulting in an 896 GB/s bandwidth. We have to wait for proper reviews for the final performance conclusion, as synthetic benchmarks tell only part of the story. Modern gaming demands consideration of advanced features such as ray tracing and upscaling technologies, which can significantly impact real-world performance. The true test will come from comprehensive gaming benchmarks tested over various cases. The gaming community won't have to wait long for detailed analysis, as official reviews will be reportedly released in just a few days. Additional evaluations of non-MSRP versions should follow on February 20, the card's launch date.

According to sources close to the Wall Street Journal, Intel is weighing preliminary acquisition offers that could split the company into two parts: product and foundry. TSMC and Broadcom are independently exploring deals that would divide Intel's chip design and manufacturing operations. Broadcom has initiated informal discussions regarding Intel's chip design and marketing divisions, while TSMC is considering assembling an investor consortium to acquire Intel's facilities. This solution is improbable, as Intel's fabs are strategically one of the most critical aspects of the US semiconductor supply chain. Intel manufactures custom chips for the US Department of Defense; hence, having a foreign owner of fabs is not acceptable. The news about the acquisition comes as Intel grapples with manufacturing setbacks, including a total $13.4 billion loss in its foundry segment during 2024 and a significant erosion of market share in the AI processor market.

The acquisition talks face substantial regulatory hurdles, particularly regarding national security concerns. The US government has signaled resistance to foreign ownership of Intel's domestic manufacturing capabilities, which are deemed strategically vital to American technological sovereignty. This could particularly impact TSMC's bid for Intel's plants despite the Taiwanese company's position as the world's leading contract chipmaker. Intel's vulnerability to acquisition follows a series of strategic missteps under former leadership, including delayed manufacturing innovations and an increasing reliance on government subsidies for facility expansion. The company's share price has declined 60% from its 2021 highs amid these challenges, attracting potential buyers despite the complexity of any potential deal structure. Successful execution would require navigating both regulatory approval and the practical difficulties of disaggregating Intel's deeply integrated design and manufacturing operations.

Welcome to another week of new game releases and this week's AAA title takes place in the same world as Pillars of Eternity, for those that were a fan of that game from a decade ago. If RPG games aren't your cup of tea, how about a face full of Norwegian snow, or maybe the summer of 1995? How about some equestrian challenges, some pirate ninjas or maybe something a bit more dystopian? If so, we got the games for you this week.

Avowed / This week's AAA title / Tuesday 18 February
Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG set in the world of Eora, where your choices carve a path through war, intrigue, and ancient mysteries. Navigate a land in turmoil, forge powerful alliances or deadly rivalries, and wield magic and steel to shape the fate of the Living Lands—and your own destiny. Steam link

We live in crazy times, that's for sure. We have already witnessed a plethora of listings for AMD's RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT GPUs - both set to hit shelves early next month - indicating a decent value proposition compared to NVIDIA's RTX 5070 family, if the leaks and rumors are anything to go by. More recently, as spotted by @momomo_us, Amazon briefly listed a bunch of RX 9070 and 9070 XT cards from XFX. The pricing details are as follows:

• XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9070 OC - $649.99
• XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT - $749.99
• XFX Quicksilver AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT - $769.99
• XFX Mercury AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT OC - $819.99
• XFX Mercury AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Magnetic Air Edition - $849.99

The ASUS NUC 13 Pro lineup of mini PCs has been around for a while, and has now been updated with new Raptor Lake-H CPU options. There do not appear to be any other improvements or changes to the systems, with the product continuing to be available in "tall" and "slim" variants. As one might expect, the tall variant has room for a 2.5-inch drive, while the slim variant relies solely on M.2 storage. Both the systems can be equipped with up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 memory courtesy of dual SO-DIMM slots, and storage requirements are taken care of by an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0x4, as well as an M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0x1 slot.

In terms of CPU options, the NUC 13 Pro mini PC lineup will now be available with the Core i5-13420H, and the Core i7-13620H. Both are 45-watt units, although the i7 variant sports two additional 'Golden Cove' performance cores allowing for a ~35% increase in multicore performance. The i7 also sports a substantially faster iGPU with 64 EUs (vs 48), although the Intel UHD iGPUs found in the Raptor Lake-H chips were never that powerful to begin with. The port selection has remained the same, boasting dual Thunderbolt 4, dual HDMI 2.1, triple USB 3.2 Gen 2, single USB 2.0, audio jack, and a 2.5G Ethernet port. Prices start at $455 for the NUC 13 Pro slim barebones variant with the Core i7-13620H according to B&H Photo Video's listing, and increase based on the chosen configuration.

It would be safe to state that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 launch was anything but ideal. Gamers had to deal with whacky NVIDIA marketing material with absurd performance claims, followed by disappointing generational improvement for the RTX 5080, only to be left dealing with abysmal supply leading to obscene shortages and scalper-induced price inflation. However, it does seem like things are about to take a positive turn - NVIDIA is rumored to have ramped up production for its GB202 GPU, which the RTX 5090 is based on, according to a reliable source.

Spotted by VideoCardz, MEGAsizeGPU has claimed that the supply for the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU will soon be "stupidly high", which is absolute music to our ears. In a reply thread, the source further claimed that at least one AIB partner already has "tons of cards", which sure does paint a promising picture for the future. As such, the source expects that the supply will reach customers in about a month, which is to be expected since production has been cranked only recently. Apparently, demand for the GB200 GPU has been lower than usual, forcing NVIDIA to switch to producing GeForce GPUs instead. Of course, the margins for the gaming GPUs are lower, but the production capacity has to go somewhere.

Recent rumors hinted at a 32 GB variant of the Radeon RX 9070 XT being in the works, which were quickly dismissed as false information by AMD's Frank Azor. However, reliable sources seem to point to the contrary, stating that a 32 GB variant of the RX 9070 XT, likely dubbed the RX 9070 XTX, is under active development indeed. The source, as pointed out by Wccftech, has a decent track record with AMD-related claims, which sure does add weight to the assertion. Unlike previous XTX-class cards from AMD, which boasted higher clock speeds and core counts, the 9070 XTX is almost certain to feature the same core count as the XT, since the latter already utilizes the full Navi 48 chip - unless, of course, there is an even higher-end chip under wraps.

The VRAM amount seems to indicate that the card will likely be positioned to appease AI enthusiasts. There is also the possibility that the rumored card will be launched under a different branding entirely, although that is not what the post at Chiphell states. Interestingly, Frank Azor did specifically mention that a 32 GB "RX 9070 XT" card is not on the horizon - he did not state that a higher-end XTX card isn't either, which sure does leave room for us to speculate. Benchlife has also chimed in on the matter, claiming that they are aware of AIB partners working on a 32 GB RDNA 4 card with the Navi 48 GPU, which in some ways, confirms the information that came out of Chiphell. The RDNA 4 cards are set to see the light of day soon enough, it seems the wait won't be much longer. However, if the 32 GB card is indeed in the pipeline, it's likely still further down the road.

AMD is readying two important client segment processors powered by the next-generation "Zen 6" microarchitecture, according to a sensational new report by Moore's Law is Dead. These are the "Medusa Point" mobile processor, and the "Olympic Ridge" desktop. The former is a BGA roughly the size and Z-Height of the current "Strix Point," but the latter is being designed for the existing Socket AM5, making it the third (and probably final) microarchitecture to do so. If you recall, Socket AM4 served three generations of Zen, not counting the refreshed "Zen+." At the heart of the effort is a new CPU complex die (CCD) that AMD plans to use across its client and server lineup.

The "Zen 6" performance CCD is being designed for a 3 nm-class node, likely the TSMC N3E. This node promises a significant increase in transistor density, power, and clock speed improvements over the current TSMC N4P node being used to build the "Zen 5" CCD. Here's where it gets interesting. The CCD contains twelve full-sized "Zen 6" cores, marking the first increase in core-counts of AMD's performance cores since its very first "Zen" CCD. All 12 of these cores are part of a single CPU core complex (CCX), and share a common L3 cache. There could be a proportionate increase in cache size to 48 MB. AMD is also expected to improve the way the CCDs communicate with the I/O die and among each other.