We take a look at TechPowerUp's IT and hardware news.
New winds are blowing around AMD's house
AMD has come up with exciting new products in connection with the Ryzen 9000 processor family. Perhaps most interestingly, the Ryzen 7 9700X and 9600X models can now also be used in 105-watt TDP mode, which significantly increases their performance. In addition, the new AGESA microcode improves communication between cores, which can be especially useful for multi-threaded applications. AMD is apparently trying to get the most out of the new architecture.
A wireless mouse revolution for professionals
ZOWIE didn't cut corners: it launched wireless versions of its three classic mice on the market at the same time. The FK2-DW, ZA13-DW and S2-DW models retain their popular form, but now work wirelessly and with a sampling frequency of up to 4000Hz. The manufacturer has carried out serious sports science research to make the new mice even more accurate in critical game situations. If you play at a pro level, you might want to try them out!
Nanometer precision in Texas semiconductor manufacturing
Canon has delivered its latest lithography system to the Texas Institute for Electronics. The FPA-1200NZ2C nanoimprint lithography (NIL) system applies circuit patterns onto the silicon wafer in a revolutionary way, using a "stamping" technique. This method enables a line width of up to 14 nanometers, which is necessary for the production of the most advanced logic semiconductors currently available. With this cutting-edge technology, the Texas institute can be at the forefront of semiconductor production.
Limited series PC case for obsessives
Montech and Gear Seekers have teamed up to create a limited edition computer case called the KING 95 ULTRA. Only 2024 pieces will be produced worldwide, so it promises to be a real collector's item. The house is decorated in a unique space gray color with smoke-colored glass panels. If you want a special engine housing that is not only efficient, but also stylish, you should snap it up before it runs out!
Qualcomm's new flagship processor under the magnifying glass
Thanks to a Chinese source, we got a glimpse inside Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor. The 169,6 mm² chip contains 12 high-performance “Phoenix” Oryon CPU cores, each measuring 2,55 mm². The Adreno X1 GPU occupies a quarter of the chip and is said to be capable of 4,6 TFLOPS. The huge 54 MB cache system is also striking. It seems that Qualcomm is serious about entering the PC market.
Attention Noctua fans! The new peak fan has arrived
Noctua has introduced its long-awaited new 140mm fan, the NF-A14x25 G2. The new model transfers the technology of the award-winning NF-A12x25 to a larger size. The optimized blades made of Sterrox LCP material and the gap distance of only 0,7 mm significantly improve the cooling performance and noise level. According to Noctua, this is their most advanced fan, which is no small thing given the company's reputation.
Seasonic has rethought the power supply
Seasonic's new FOCUS GX (2024) series of power supplies is not just a simple upgrade. A new technology called OptiSink covers a completely new PCB layout and manufacturing process, resulting in better heat dissipation and greater reliability. Smaller components leave more room for air flow, so the power supply can be more efficient and quieter. If you need a reliable power supply, you should keep an eye on this series.
GIGABYTE's new motherboards: pioneers of the AI era
GIGABYTE presented its latest X870E and X870 motherboards, which are specially designed for AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors. The manufacturer placed a lot of emphasis on AI acceleration: with the AORUS AI SNATCH function, we can optimize system performance with a single click. This not only increases memory and processor speed, but AI processes will also be faster. If you like easy but effective tuning, these motherboards are for you.
Huawei: challenger in the market of AI accelerators
Huawei has started shipping samples of its AI accelerator called “Ascend 910C” to major customers such as Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent. This chip could be a competitor to NVIDIA's H100, and it is said that they can produce up to 70 units of it. If successful, this could be Huawei's big breakthrough in the data center accelerator market. Although they are still at a disadvantage in global competition due to the lack of advanced production technology, they can become a serious player in the Chinese market.
ASRock: complete arsenal for the new AMD platform
ASRock didn't mince words: from the high-end X870E Taichi to the mainstream X870 Pro RS, it offers motherboards for the new AMD Ryzen 9000 processors at all levels. The Taichi series can handle 24+2+1 phase power supply, 8-layer PCB and even DDR5-8200 memory. The new Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi model may be of interest to gamers. If you want a white motherboard, the Pro RS and Pro RS WiFi models are now also available in this color.
BIOSTAR X870E VALKYRIE: high-end motherboard for professionals
BIOSTAR also entered the competition with the X870E VALKYRIE motherboard. This top model is specifically aimed at professional users: it is recommended for 3D designers, video editors and hardcore gamers. The board supports up to 192 GB of DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 technology. It was especially emphasized that generative AI is also suitable for calculations. If you need maximum performance on an AMD platform, you should keep an eye on this motherboard.
