TechPowerUP NEWS

[NextPowerUP]

NZXT, a leader in PC gaming components, gear, and prebuilt gaming systems, is excited to announce the N9 X870E ATX motherboard, optimized for the new "Zen 5" architecture based AMD Ryzen 9000 series desktop processors. NZXT's latest motherboard combines high-performance features with a stunning new look that is geared towards enthusiast PC gamers building a high-end AMD system.

The N9 X870E boasts overclocking-ready power delivery and optimized thermals, providing gamers with the tools and headroom to overclock their AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000 or 7000 series processors and memory to their highest levels of performance. Additionally, the N9 X870E ensures prolonged compatibility with future and previous generations of Ryzen processors, thanks to AMD's commitment to support the AM5 platform until 2027+.https://tpucdn.com/img/Ohu0NLt6sCGXIYI4_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Ohu0NLt6sCGXIYI4.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/2HcCftnQpqWQh1FL_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2HcCftnQpqWQh1FL.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/PQKGzAfgPq2y4af9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/PQKGzAfgPq2y4af9.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/lQYx7RWQVaG2XlyI_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/lQYx7RWQVaG2XlyI.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/T4yecWF0A6x0bcKv_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/T4yecWF0A6x0bcKv.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

AMD today made four key announcements for its Ryzen 9000 series "Granite Ridge" desktop processors based on the "Zen 5" microarchitecture. These mainly aim to improve upon the products as originally launched in August. To begin with, AMD announced a 105 W cTDP (configurable TDP) mode for the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 7 9600X processors, with full warranty coverage. This setting can be enabled in the UEFI setup program of a motherboard running its latest version of UEFI firmware, which encapsulates the AGESA ComboAM5 PI 1.2.0.2 microcode. The setting raises the PPT (package power tracking) value of the 9700X and 9600X to 140 W, and treats them as if they were 105 W TDP processors. These chips were originally launched by AMD with 65 W (88 W PPT), and as reviewers quickly found out, unlocking power improves performance at stock clock speeds, as it improves boost frequency residence of these chips.

Next up, is the AGESA PI 1.2.0.2 microcode itself, which introduces the 105 W cTDP mode for the 9700X and 9600X along with warranty coverage, which we just talked about; plus works to improve the core-to-core latency on the Ryzen 9 9900X and Ryzen 9 9950X. These are processors with two CPU complex dies (CCDs), each with either 8 or 6 cores enabled. To the software, this is still a single-socket (1P) CPU with 12 or 16 cores. Although some awareness of the dual-CCD architecture is added to the OS scheduler to help it localize certain kinds of workloads (such as games) to a single CCD, reviewers noted that core-to-core latency on the dual-CCD chips was still too high, which should affect performance when a software's threads are migrating between cores, or if a workload is multithreaded, such as media encoding. AMD addressed exactly this with the new AGESA PI 1.2.0.2 update.https://tpucdn.com/img/60GZfBfEeeEj9scC_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/60GZfBfEeeEj9scC.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

ZOWIE is pleased to announce the release of the latest wireless versions of FK, ZA, and S series for Esports: FK2-DW, ZA13-DW, and S2-DW. Retaining their iconic shapes, these new wireless models have undergone rigorous testing, validated by sports science, to ensure improved performance in critical in-game actions such as micro adjustments, flick shots, lifting and tracking. Paired with our advanced 4K enhanced receiver, supporting up to 4,000 Hz polling rate, these models are designed to provide gamers with the precision and responsiveness needed to thrive in competitive environments.

FK2-DW Delivers Agile and Precise Micro Adjustments
The new wireless FK2-DW retains its signature low-hump design, lower than most competing mice, providing more space between the palm and the mouse. This design enhances flexibility for micro-adjustments, particularly when aiming at long distances or tracking moving targets. Sports science testing has shown that increasing the space between the palm and mouse allows for greater range of movement, leading to more precise micro-adjustments. Moreover, our research indicates that FK2-DW's design delivers shorter aiming time for shooting.https://tpucdn.com/img/NJaSu3L1grGOvLdM_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/NJaSu3L1grGOvLdM.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/2rwsfI6iXtzVv9cu_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2rwsfI6iXtzVv9cu.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/LNxvWYqEbgTbqNJY_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/LNxvWYqEbgTbqNJY.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/jlAGK6BoaPAxJMZc_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/jlAGK6BoaPAxJMZc.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/nYMkJH9cd2MESyHn_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/nYMkJH9cd2MESyHn.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/fEbE4xcu9HcyrxOD_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/fEbE4xcu9HcyrxOD.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Canon Inc. announced today that it will ship its most advanced lithography platform, the FPA-1200NZ2C nanoimprint lithography (NIL) system for semiconductor manufacturing, to the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE), a Texas-based semiconductor consortium. Canon became the first in the world to commercialize a semiconductor manufacturing system that uses NIL technology, which forms circuit patterns in a different method from conventional projection exposure technology, when it released the FPA-1200NZ2C on October 13, 2023.

In contrast to conventional photolithography equipment, which transfers a circuit pattern by projecting it onto the resist coated wafer, the new product does it by pressing a mask imprinted with the circuit pattern into the resist on the wafer like a stamp. Because its circuit pattern transfer process does not go through an optical mechanism, fine circuit patterns on the mask can be faithfully reproduced on the wafer. With reduced power consumption and cost, the new system enables patterning with a minimum linewidth of 14 nm, equivalent to the 5 nm node that is required to produce most advanced logic semiconductors currently available.https://tpucdn.com/img/fv8Hy7t6M0dkaQ7x_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/fv8Hy7t6M0dkaQ7x.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Montech Teams Up with Gear Seekers to Launch the Exclusive KING 95 ULTRA PC Case Limited to 2,024 Units Worldwide. Elevating PC case design to new heights, Montech has partnered with Gear Seekers to unveil the KING 95 ULTRA, a cutting-edge PC case that blends unparalleled performance with a sleek, refined aesthetic. This limited-edition case is a true collector's item, combining the innovation of Montech with the bold, design expertise of Gear Seekers.

KING 95 ULTRA: Where Power Meets Prestige
Designed for those who seek both top-tier functionality and high-end style, the KING 95 ULTRA is a statement piece. Dressed in a unique Space Grey finish and featuring a sleek tinted glass panel, this case offers an aura of mystery and sophistication that will enhance any setup. With only 2,024 units available worldwide, each KING 95 ULTRA is a rare masterpiece, embodying exclusivity and craftsmanship.https://tpucdn.com/img/Xr74vHolHvkVrCs1_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Xr74vHolHvkVrCs1.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/Efb6YGrHuDaA94GB_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Efb6YGrHuDaA94GB.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/C0YLZSJey21H5p2P_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/C0YLZSJey21H5p2P.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Based on information shared by a Baidu user called Piglin, we now have access to an annotated die image of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor. This analysis provides insights into the architecture of this new system-on-chip, highlighting several key features, including large CPU cores, a GPU, and a complex cache system. The report indicates that the Snapdragon X Elite die measures 169.6 mm² and is fabricated using TSMC's N4P 4 nm-class process. A notable aspect of the die shot is the considerable size of the "Phoenix" Oryon CPU cores, each reportedly measuring around 2.55 mm². These cores are significantly larger than typical Arm CPU cores, which is logical given their original purpose for the data center. The SoC features a total of 12 CPU cores in an 8+4 configuration.

The GPU, called Adreno X1, takes up 24.3 mm² of die area, roughly half the size of the CPU and CPU cache section. Despite its compact size, Qualcomm claims the GPU delivers approximately 4.6 FP32 TFLOPS of raw performance. Interestingly, the 45 TOPS NPU, which Qualcomm has emphasized as a key feature, is not clearly visible in the image. Another significant aspect is the extensive cache system. The three quad-core CPU clusters each occupy 16.1 mm², and feature 12 MB of high-speed L2 cache. Additionally, 6 MB is dedicated to system-level cache on 5.09 mm² area, along with a separate GPU cache. In total, the CPU boasts 54 MB of caches distributed across the die. The report also compares the Snapdragon X Elite to Apple's M4 SoC. However, it's worth noting that this isn't an exact comparison, as Apple utilizes an N3E 3 nm-class node for its chip. Below is the annotated die of Snapdragon X Elite and Apple's M4 from the original report.https://tpucdn.com/img/C9CZkPI73wFjB5DS_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/C9CZkPI73wFjB5DS.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/2SAlgcuH4uft8oHP_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2SAlgcuH4uft8oHP.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Noctua today introduced its eagerly anticipated next-generation 140 mm fan. Succeeding the award-winning NF-A14 and building on the technological innovations of the ground-breaking NF-A12x25, the NF-A14x25 G2 is Noctua's new square-frame 140 mm flagship model: Made from Sterrox LCP, its highly optimised Progressive-Bend impeller with winglets, Flow Acceleration Channels and Centrifugal Turbulator hub combined with a tip-clearance of only 0.7 mm allow the NF-A14x25 G2 to significantly improve its predecessor's renowned quiet cooling performance.

"After almost a decade of development work, we're proud of the substantial performance uplift that we have managed to achieve with this fan", says Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "The NF-A14x25 G2 is easily our most advanced fan today, and we're confident that the massive advances in performance-to-noise efficiency will be of great value to our customers."https://tpucdn.com/img/eq58FiQm8ss46eMe_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/eq58FiQm8ss46eMe.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Having received much positive feedback from partners and visitors during its first announcement at Computex 2024, Sea Sonic is proud to launch the new Seasonic FOCUS GX (2024) Series. In the footsteps of the popular FOCUS Series power supplies, this new iteration introduces innovative features that aspire to follow the legacy and position the FOCUS GX (2024) at the new Center of Attention.

Introducing a Technological Milestone: OptiSink
The FOCUS GX (2024) was redesigned with a brand new PCB layout and is produced during a new manufacturing process involving automated surface mount technology. Improved design also includes the use of smaller MOSFETs and heat sink components, which increases the internal space within the PSU to promote better airflow. All these enhancements not only improve the overall quality of the FOCUS GX (2024) Series, but also make it more efficient and more reliability in the long run.https://tpucdn.com/img/owVwkHpmLOXj8quW_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/owVwkHpmLOXj8quW.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/hsscYTLnvWoSA0Yl_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/hsscYTLnvWoSA0Yl.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/35gJhYfL5ibnT5SH_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/35gJhYfL5ibnT5SH.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/F9gkahjc5HDnRZoH_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/F9gkahjc5HDnRZoH.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/4Qq7536xMTIRdcED_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/4Qq7536xMTIRdcED.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

GIGABYTE Technology, one of the top global manufacturers of motherboards, graphics cards, and hardware solutions, unveils cutting-edge AMD X870E/X870 motherboards. Designed with AI accelerated performance boost, premium thermal management, next-generation memory optimization, intuitive DIY-friendly features, state-of-the-art BIOS technology, GIGABYTE X870E/X870 motherboards maximize the capabilities of the latest AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors and power the gaming performance for AI era.

AORUS AI SNATCH
GIGABYTE X870E/X870 lineup boasts the innovative AORUS AI SNATCH, which can unleash ultimate performance with simple one click. Powered by an AI engine, the memory and system performance can be boosted with improved multitasking and overall system responsiveness. Users can overclock like an expert in a snap through simple interface while enjoy smart and safe overclocking. The AI processing is accelerated as well for better performance with optimal power efficiency.https://tpucdn.com/img/PrPtbPhQ7YO6U0pt_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/PrPtbPhQ7YO6U0pt.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/U5r1Xz8yOgmIL4rl_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/U5r1Xz8yOgmIL4rl.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/svaiinxcXS3jTzIm_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/svaiinxcXS3jTzIm.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gmPVTDDAuTahO1Ey_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gmPVTDDAuTahO1Ey.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/E6EQnNhH0X7DKqNE_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/E6EQnNhH0X7DKqNE.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Huawei has reportedly started shipping its Ascend 910C accelerator—the company's domestic alternative to NVIDIA's H100 accelerator for AI training and inference. As the report from China South Morning Post notes, Huawei is shipping samples of its accelerator to large NVIDIA customers. This includes companies like Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent, which have ordered massive amounts of NVIDIA accelerators. However, Huawei is on track to deliver 70,000 chips, potentially worth $2 billion. With NVIDIA working on a B20 accelerator SKU that complies with US government export regulations, the Huawei Ascend 910C accelerator could potentially outperform NVIDIA's B20 processor, per some analyst expectations.

If the Ascend 910C receives positive results from Chinese tech giants, it could be the start of Huawei's expansion into data center accelerators, once hindered by the company's ability to manufacture advanced chips. Now, with foundries like SMIC printing 7 nm designs and possibly 5 nm coming soon, Huawei will leverage this technology to satisfy the domestic demand for more AI processing power. Competing on a global scale, though, remains a challenge. Companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel have access to advanced nodes, which gives their AI accelerators more efficiency and performance.https://tpucdn.com/img/aiCD8amBBda1QCZK_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/aiCD8amBBda1QCZK.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/FNkGPALcunEV1W2m_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/FNkGPALcunEV1W2m.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, is thrilled to showcase an incredibly high-speed overclock of G.SKILL DDR5 memory at DDR5-9000 CL44-56-56 with 48 GB (24 GB x2) kit capacity, featuring AMD EXPO overclock profile and demonstrating the memory overclock capability of the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard and the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G processor.

A New High-Speed Frontier with 24 GB x2 Continuing to explore the overclock limits of DDR5 memory speed in conjunction with the new ASUS NitroPath DRAM technology that provides enhanced DDR5 memory overclock performance, G.SKILL demonstrates an amazing DDR5-9000 CL44-56-56 with two 24 GB capacity modules. Refer to the screenshot below to see this G.SKILL memory kit reaching the astounding overclocked memory speed on the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G processorhttps://tpucdn.com/img/c9XECWqFhTdYIHOt_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/c9XECWqFhTdYIHOt.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/2xHLGfX1ZUoqaP4d_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2xHLGfX1ZUoqaP4d.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/IKsbeyfmeWF8TIZK_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/IKsbeyfmeWF8TIZK.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

ASRock, the global leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, mini PCs, and gaming monitors, today announced a full line-up of flagship to mainstream motherboards using the AMD X870E/X870 series chipset, which is designed expressly for the latest AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors using AM5 socket. New motherboards include the flagship series X870E Taichi and Taichi Lite, newly introduced flagship Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi, mainstream gaming X870 Riptide WiFi, plus the always popular X870 Steel Legend WiFi, X870 Pro RS and Pro RS WiFi, which are both now available in a white design.

All the new ASRock X870E/X870 motherboards, from the flagship Taichi series to the mainstream Steel Legend and Pro RS WiFi, feature a highly robust design for extreme performance. The Taichi series combines SPS Dr.MOS power delivery of up to 24+2+1 phases, server-grade 8-layer PCBs enabling excellent memory overclocking up to DDR5-8200, and exclusive low-ripple 1000μf 20K black capacitors that guarantee stable and superior performance for the CPU.https://tpucdn.com/img/SkiG4yXZu7beCyCE_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/SkiG4yXZu7beCyCE.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/ufhimS7HVvwaUXBj_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ufhimS7HVvwaUXBj.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, IPC solutions, and storage devices, today is excited to unveil the shiny new X870E VALKYRIE flagship motherboard designed to run the latest "Zen 5" architecture based AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors. Built on BIOSTAR's top-of-the-line VALKYRIE platform, the X870E VALKYRIE delivers exceptional features and functionality, catering to gamers, content creators, and PC enthusiasts alike.

Meticulously crafted to cater to the modern-day professional, the X870E VALKYRIE motherboard offers unparalleled power and stability across the most demanding applications. Whether you're designing immersive 3D worlds, rendering high-definition animations, editing ultra-high-resolution videos, or pushing the limits of AAA gaming, this motherboard is engineered to deliver. Powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors built on "Zen 5" architecture, with support for up to 192 GB of DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 technology, the X870E VALKYRIE ensures seamless, high-speed performance for even the most intensive tasks, including generative AI computing. With support for AMD EXPO & Intel XMP technologies, it can extract the maximum capability out of all hardware to deliver the best user experience.https://tpucdn.com/img/XSRDDRoueTMuJ0No_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/XSRDDRoueTMuJ0No.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gf5csrKYrur95Qw1_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gf5csrKYrur95Qw1.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/89DuU4KKT2R46f7U_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/89DuU4KKT2R46f7U.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/ONCCzuCKBiOEthyx_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ONCCzuCKBiOEthyx.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/2HqVCh1yGeOOJXxg_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2HqVCh1yGeOOJXxg.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Amazon Games recently launched the long-awaited free-to-play MMORPG, Throne and Liberty, in early access, and the game appears to have gone down quite well with the community. On Thursday, mere moments after the launch, Throne and Liberty already had a peak player count of 53,884—a figure it likely earned during its advanced access period in South East Asia and Korea, where it has been available since as early as December 2023.

Since then, Throne and Liberty has continued its success, rising to as many as 54,720 concurrent players on Saturday, September 28. While this only places it in third place for current top sellers on Steam, this player count is in spite of the free-to-play game's early access pass costing a minimum of $40 on Steam. Throne and Liberty has also garnered its significant following despite only 60% of its Steam user reviews being positive, making its success even more anomalous.https://tpucdn.com/img/7ewjplaOjvALVw6C_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/7ewjplaOjvALVw6C.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/tUE8x4v8QoigqRY9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/tUE8x4v8QoigqRY9.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/sMrpNufz0B8Gm5Z3_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/sMrpNufz0B8Gm5Z3.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Welcome to week 40, which is also the beginning of October and another week packed full of new game releases. This week's major release is a F2P MMORPG by NCSoft, for those that are into those kinds of things. This is followed by an animal horror game, an open world zombie survival, an arcade inspired isometric action shooter of sorts, some roguelike magic, a remake of a 2015 adventure game and finally a Japanese co-op action RPG. In addition to this, the first DLC for Starfield is out this week.

Throne and Liberty (https://www.playthroneandliberty.com/) / This week's major release / Tuesday 1 October
Welcome to Throne and Liberty, a free-to-play MMORPG that takes place in the vast open world of Solisium. You can scale expansive mountain ranges for new vantage points, scan open skies, traverse sprawling plains, explore a land full of depth and opportunity. Adapt your fight to survive and thrive through strategic decisions in PvP, PvE or both as you encounter evolving battlefields impacted by weather, time of day, and other players. There is no single path to victory as you seek to defeat Kazar and claim the throne while keeping rival guilds at bay. Steam link (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429640/THRONE_AND_LIBERTY/)https://tpucdn.com/img/ofrBkCUNbLXFrZb9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ofrBkCUNbLXFrZb9.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/W0J9FC20WYyDD6pj_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/W0J9FC20WYyDD6pj.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/RVGfb3XdFHBEPI2o_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/RVGfb3XdFHBEPI2o.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/5CTZOCfL6b8zifmi_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/5CTZOCfL6b8zifmi.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Since its inception, Razer Synapse has been designed with the goal of empowering gamers and elevating their experience; with core functions like key remapping and macro creation, Synapse enables users to create personally tailored setups to make Razer peripherals truly their own. For years, Synapse has been constantly innovating to meet evolving user needs. And now, as the Vice President of Software at Razer, it is with great pleasure and excitement that I am able to announce the official full rollout of Razer Synapse 4.

What's new with Synapse 4
In this latest evolution, after nearly a year of intensive beta testing, Synapse 4 has redefined performance and usability, ensuring that all users will be able to enjoy a more reliable and intuitive experience on the platform.https://tpucdn.com/img/XLh7aP2sTjl457M1_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/XLh7aP2sTjl457M1.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/ZxNFhr2jV3k1AubQ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ZxNFhr2jV3k1AubQ.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

MSI unveiled the Force GC300 Wireless game controller. The controller has universal compatibility with PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, with variants of the consoles dating back a decade. It offers three forms of connectivity—a low-latency 2.4 GHz RF that requires the included USB-C to RF dongle to be plugged in; Bluetooth, which is more convenient, and does away with this dongle; and of course there's USB wired connection, which should come in handy for the least possible input latency and charging its battery during gameplay.

The MSI Force GC300 Wireless controller packs a 600 mAh battery, with MSI claiming up to 20 hours of gameplay on a full charge. The controller has a typical layout, with two thumb-sticks, a D-pack, four action buttons, two sets of triggers, and ring triggers. It also packs a 4-pole headset jack for audio. The controller measures 148 mm x 111 mm x 68 mm, weighing 230 g. The Force GC300 should start selling from around October 10.https://tpucdn.com/img/sj9WSHj8exL78jwP_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/sj9WSHj8exL78jwP.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/hK12lLRKLFYdm2KC_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/hK12lLRKLFYdm2KC.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/MzYqmJeUBwsTMTbe_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/MzYqmJeUBwsTMTbe.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Starfield's Shattered Space DLC launched on September 30, and it was meant to address many of the base game's major issues, with a more hand-crafted feel, more intimate encounters, and a more narrative-driven gameplay experience. Instead, Steam gamers and critics alike have lambasted the expansion online for boring and underwhelming, repetitive gameplay, calling it "more Starfield," essentially repeating the story of Starfield's initial launch. At the time of writing, the Shattered Space DLC has 1,601 reviews on Steam, with only just over 34% of those reviews rating the expansion positively—placing it squarely in the "Mostly Negative" category on Steam.

Likely the biggest disappointment when it comes to Shattered Space's poor reception is that the Starfield player base actually seemed quite optimistic about the expansion, thanks to previous gameplay and interviews about the intention behind the expansion. Critically, however, Starfield developer, Bethesda, deliberately didn't send out game keys (https://www.techpowerup.com/326954/bethesda-to-launch-usd-29-99-starfield-shattered-space-expansion-without-early-reviews) to the press for review prior to the launch of the game, so there was no real way for players to know whether they would enjoy the $29.99 expansion before buying it.https://tpucdn.com/img/vjFtZGwFE5gLNGFg_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/vjFtZGwFE5gLNGFg.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/68Zm4aF6B0e5cWi4_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/68Zm4aF6B0e5cWi4.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Samsung Electronics, the world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced it has begun mass-producing PM9E1, a PCIe 5.0 SSD with the industry's highest performance and largest capacity. Built on its in-house 5-nanometer (nm)-based controller and eighth-generation V-NAND (V8) technology, the PM9E1 will provide powerful performance and enhanced power efficiency, making it an optimal solution for on-device AI PCs. Key attributes in SSDs, including performance, storage capacity, power efficiency and security, have all been improved compared to its predecessor (PM9A1a).

"Our PM9E1 integrated with a 5 nm controller delivers industry-leading power efficiency and utmost performance validated by our key partners," said YongCheol Bae, Executive Vice President of Memory Product Planning at Samsung Electronics. "In the rapidly growing on-device AI era, Samsung's PM9E1 will offer a robust foundation for global customers to effectively plan their AI portfolios."https://tpucdn.com/img/TutuL9HWqFJCriLP_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/TutuL9HWqFJCriLP.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

addlink Technology, a leader in digital storage innovation, proudly announces the launch of its advanced M.2 Gen 5 SSD series, the G55 and G55H. Designed for AI professionals, gamers, and hardware enthusiasts, these SSDs promise to transform your storage experience. Achieve blazing speeds up to 10,300 MB/s with the G55 and G55H Gen 5 x4 SSDs, powered by a low-power TSMC 7 nm process controller. Offering performance 50% faster than Gen 4 and up to 20 times faster than SATA SSDs, these drives are fully optimized for the latest Intel and AMD Gen 5 platforms.

The G55H is equipped with a premium heatsink to ensure consistent peak performance without throttling. Its slim 8.75 mm profile guarantees compatibility with most PCs and the PlayStation 5, providing unparalleled performance without compromise. The G55 features an ultraslim 2.3 mm design with high-density flash memory on one side, using 50% less power than other Gen 5 x4 SSDs. This makes it perfect for professionals who require high performance on the go without overheating or sacrificing battery life.https://tpucdn.com/img/2vXuNQx6PnbFIEIM_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2vXuNQx6PnbFIEIM.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/KZSD4pP9iBpt3AfF_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/KZSD4pP9iBpt3AfF.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Metal: Hellsinger is a first-person rhythm shooter featuring roguelike and boomer shooter elements and set to a heavy metal soundtrack with some of the metal world's biggest names. The game follows a mysterious protagonist, known simply as The Unknown, as she battles her way through the various levels of hell on a quest to regain her voice. Today, the rhythm shooter launches an additional VR version, with some interesting new VR-specific rhythm mechanics to spice things up.

Being a rhythm game, Metal: Hellsinger gives players bonuses for performing actions on-beat with the background music—which often gets quite challenging due to the fast pace and swarming enemies—but the VR version steps things up a notch, allowing you to aim the game's dual pistols individually, physically draw and release the crossbow, and actively reload the shotgun to the beat.https://tpucdn.com/img/Qb4fgiFb5LB7qOou_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Qb4fgiFb5LB7qOou.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Shyborg Games, an indie developer, is launching its first game—The Art Collector—on Steam on October 22nd. The game places you in the role of an artist tasked with taking over an art gallery to help your mentor. Customize your gallery and home, befriend local artists, help them gain exposure, and master the art of selling fine art in this narrative-driven, capital management, shopkeeper RPG.

Created by a team of two brothers whom I have personally known for most of my life, it is an awesome experience seeing their passion project, which took a monumental amount of effort, reach this point. With other close friends, family, and myself contributing through playtesting and offering feedback, the game has advanced at a remarkable pace. Considering all the effort that has gone into building this unique experience, I wanted to share it with our community. A demo is available on Steam now (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2986690/The_Art_Collector/), with a launch price of $12.99. You can view the full trailer, history, and all the in-game features after the break!https://tpucdn.com/img/k5zPvfNHRlwUrXAH_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/k5zPvfNHRlwUrXAH.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/QcCNwZViyCIJtZ7h_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/QcCNwZViyCIJtZ7h.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/dT9TWp8dyJqIimJI_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/dT9TWp8dyJqIimJI.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/nDnVIctTRCheJ20a_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/nDnVIctTRCheJ20a.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

It looks like Epic Games's Tim Sweeney was onto something earlier (https://www.techpowerup.com/327226/epic-games-leans-into-indie-games-and-social-features-at-unreal-fest) this week when he claimed that the gaming landscape is changing. According to new research by MIDiA Research, online PVP and couch co-op games are more popular than single-player games in audiences aged 16-24, with older audiences overwhelmingly preferring single-player games.

The researchers surveyed 9,000 gamers in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, South Korea, and Brazil, giving the study a pretty diverse sample, in terms of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Regardless of age group, single-player and PVP games were always the most popular genres, although a solid 53% of the participants in the study said that single-player games were their preference.https://tpucdn.com/img/vnxKdGbx2XNpuv7A_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/vnxKdGbx2XNpuv7A.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/Hz9R2Tpf3PCwpQWC_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Hz9R2Tpf3PCwpQWC.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Yesterday (https://www.techpowerup.com/327227/intel-arrow-lake-leak-confirms-october-10-announcement-date-for-core-ultra-200-cpus), we got a leak about Intel's "Arrow Lake" Core Ultra 200 series CPUs official public announcement on October 10 and the review embargo and official retail launch on October 24. However, today, we are able to look at some of the upcoming motherboards powering Core Ultra 200 CPUs, based on the Z890 chipset. Thanks to VideoCardz (https://videocardz.com/newz/asus-next-gen-intel-z890-motherboards-pictured-rog-maximus-rog-strix-tuf-and-prime-models), we can look at ASUS high-end motherboard pictures and decipher some of the common features that will be present on high-end boards, like a hefty VRM configuration, along with some new color schemes. We notice that there are new GPU slot reinforcement and M.2 release mechanisms, alongside WiFi 7 and Thunderbolt 4. Some leaked pricing also suggests that ASUS ROG Maximus boards could be retailing for more than the highest-end Core Ultra 9 285K SKU, while there are more budget "Prime" series of motherboards present as well. Here are all leaked ASUS boards:

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme:https://tpucdn.com/img/3ef6HR0GJ162nw35_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/3ef6HR0GJ162nw35.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/NHp9ppjR5EWnHo7X_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/NHp9ppjR5EWnHo7X.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/L3TltBvYqy21nt78_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/L3TltBvYqy21nt78.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/jSXpiDo9QDM68vbt_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/jSXpiDo9QDM68vbt.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Corsair is thrilled to announce two new additions to its K70 CORE series: K70 CORE TKL and K70 CORE TKL WIRELESS. A fresh tenkeyless profile meets the smooth typefeel and premier performance of the original K70 CORE, for versatile gaming that never runs out of deskspace. Pre-lubricated Corsair MLX Red v2 switches feel silky smooth, with satisfying sounds that endure for every battle-tested keystroke, up to 80 million clicks. Within K70 CORE TKL, two layers of premium sound dampening foam reduce unwanted pings and clacks for refined typing acoustics.

With ultra-fast SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS, K70 CORE TKL WIRELESS brings the reliability and speed of a wired connection, with the convenience of a cable-free desktop. Users can play for up to 890 hours via SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS, or up to 2,400 hours over Bluetooth - which adds up to literal months between charges. Otherwise, they can switch to USB to recharge while they play. K70 CORE TKL series includes an option to enable FlashTap, a brand new SOCD system with modes that prioritize the first or last key pressed. FlashTap gives competitive gamers an advantage in skilled movements like rapid strafing and mirroring, making every move faster and easier to master.https://tpucdn.com/img/QeCjh9WpxooQ2nFD_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/QeCjh9WpxooQ2nFD.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/51Mf3vxndJG8IX0f_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/51Mf3vxndJG8IX0f.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/7gV6GBcq5d9X6RS4_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/7gV6GBcq5d9X6RS4.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gb5xih6MDZTEZpiA_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gb5xih6MDZTEZpiA.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/lvBTHjDoCkhjT8dA_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/lvBTHjDoCkhjT8dA.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

ProGrade Digital, founded with a mission to provide the highest quality professional grade digital memory cards and workflow solutions, announces its new solid state drive (SSD) product line available in a 2 TB, 4 TB, and 8 TB capacities. The PG10 Pro SSD is based on the latest USB 4.0 technology which is designed to achieve speeds of up to 40Gbits/sec and provides a real-world read and write speed of up to 2500 MB/s, and a sustained write speed of 1500 MB/s (2 TB) and 2000 MB/s (4 TB and 8 TB) with no cache depletion. The PG10 is also equipped with ProGrade's patented magnetic base and comes with an adhesive metal plate that allows users to mount the reader to any work surface. The new SSD is also supplied with a high-quality certified USB 4.0 cable - assuring the maximum performance possible.

"ProGrade Digital is embarking into a new category of professional SSDs (Solid State Drives) with a product offering that aligns with all of the core values of our brand," said Wes Brewer, founder, and CEO of ProGrade Digital. "We have recognized for years that there is an opportunity to expand further into the professional workflow with a high capacity, high performance SSD but were waiting for just the right time to enter with a truly new and defining product that offers unique features and value. Our introduction of capacity points from 2 TB to 8 TB, and a USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 interface, allows us to provide industry-leading sustained performance and reliability for professionals that have traditionally had to settle for much slower and less reliable solutions. Our uniquely designed housing and internal heat-sink provide unmatched sustained write and read speeds ideal for long, multi-TB data file transfers".https://tpucdn.com/img/Sy5DxwEqGWq6u5gu_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Sy5DxwEqGWq6u5gu.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/aJbVaBSi7gtBgArc_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/aJbVaBSi7gtBgArc.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/SJVvIS8CRXJMmDX7_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/SJVvIS8CRXJMmDX7.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/kdIltf14tRo5Xh8L_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/kdIltf14tRo5Xh8L.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/WFk9s6JVNsdz9WbE_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/WFk9s6JVNsdz9WbE.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Microsoft has officially ended production of its HoloLens 2 mixed-reality headset, according to sources confirmed by The Register. The tech giant recently notified its partners that the HoloLens 2, introduced in 2019 as an enterprise-focused augmented reality device, is no longer available for purchase. This marks a significant shift in Microsoft's AR strategy, with the company stating, "Support for HoloLens 2, including security updates, will end on December 31, 2027." Despite aggressive marketing efforts, the HoloLens 2 struggled to gain widespread adoption, reflecting broader challenges in the AR/VR market where high-end headsets like HoloLens 2 and Apple Vision Pro retail for around $3,500, limiting their appeal. Some Microsoft employees reportedly expressed surprise that the project continued as long as it did, suggesting internal doubts about its viability.

Rather than continuing as a hardware provider, Microsoft plans to pivot its role in the mixed reality space, focusing on "first-party software solutions and services, partnering with the broader mobile phone and mixed reality hardware ecosystem." This decision aligns with the current state of the AR/VR industry, where the ecosystem is still in its early stages, and companies like Meta are heavily investing in its development. Microsoft's shift from hardware production to ecosystem investment mirrors trends in the broader tech industry and could position the company for future opportunities as the mixed-reality market matures. As the ecosystem develops and more use cases emerge, Microsoft's investment in software and services could prove valuable despite the current challenges in justifying investments in a field that's still searching for compelling widespread applications.https://tpucdn.com/img/FxHFsA4DlYaswZnG_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/FxHFsA4DlYaswZnG.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

The mid-range graphics card segment is seeing some interesting moves by board partners of AMD and NVIDIA in recent times, making it possible to get a 1440p-class contemporary graphics card under $400. AMD markets the Radeon RX 7700 XT as a 1440p-class GPU, and our review (https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-7700-xt-pure/) agrees with this notion. VideoCardz spotted the card going for as cheap as $349, a $100 (22%) drop in price from its $449 launch price. The card in question is a PowerColor RX 7700 XT Fighter, the company's affordable custom-design based on the GPU, which is listed on Newegg for $349. The card comes with a triple-slot cooling solution with a triple-fan setup. It sticks to AMD reference clock speeds for the RX 7700 XT. Here's the kicker, even at this price, you are eligible for a game bundle worth $60 with this card, the current offer (https://www.techpowerup.com/325302/amd-to-bundle-unknown9-awakening-and-warhammer-space-marine-ii-with-processors-and-graphics-cards) includes copies of both "Warhammer 40000: Space Marine II," and "Unknown 9 Awakening."https://tpucdn.com/img/8lL9QKii5yoUKSEa_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/8lL9QKii5yoUKSEa.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Amazon's popular Fire HD 8 lineup is getting an upgrade. The new Fire HD 8, which starts shipping today, features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design that customers love, now with enhanced performance, for high-quality HD entertainment on the go. And just in time for Prime Big Deal Days, the new Fire HD 8 tablets will have introductory pricing with savings of up to 50% through October 9, with prices starting as low as $54.99.

We're also adding new generative AI-powered features to compatible Fire tablets to help customers be more productive and creative throughout their day. Here's what you need to know about the new Fire HD 8 tablets, and the new features coming to the broader Fire tablet family.https://tpucdn.com/img/gdbtDGH0IBbovB0H_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gdbtDGH0IBbovB0H.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/tAWZNOLCkP2Axvk0_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/tAWZNOLCkP2Axvk0.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/VdO5u1EjYKyiq2QN_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/VdO5u1EjYKyiq2QN.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/1YKFcsSwVBI93m49_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/1YKFcsSwVBI93m49.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Epic Games today announced the deployment of Unreal Engine pre-integrated and optimized for the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, a key platform of Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions, to create an out-of-box solution that empowers global automakers to deliver immersive user experiences. With the cohesive human machine interface (HMI) solution, automakers will be equipped to develop high-quality digital cockpit systems that are customizable and scalable across all vehicle types, and tiers.

The collaboration marks the first time Unreal Engine is being directly integrated into Snapdragon automotive platforms. Through the technology collaboration, global automakers who utilize Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions will have exclusive access to Unreal Engine tools with optimized features, providing powerful, never-before-seen, in-cabin visualization capabilities, which includes fully customizable 2D and 3D visuals to set new industry standards for in-cabin environments.https://tpucdn.com/img/CSm0VgUdaSjroYmO_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/CSm0VgUdaSjroYmO.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Intel has announced the release of an updated version of its AI Playground application, now optimized for the new Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" series of processors. This latest iteration, version 1.21b, brings a host of new features and improvements designed to make AI more accessible to users of Intel's AI-enabled PCs. AI Playground, first launched earlier this year, offers a user-friendly interface for various AI functions, including image generation, enhancement, and natural language processing. The new version introduces several key enhancements. These include a fresh, exclusive theme for 200V series processor users, an expanded LLM picker now featuring Phi3, Qwen2, and Mistral models, and a conversation manager for saving and revisiting chat discussions. Additionally, users will find adjustable font sizes for improved readability and a simplified aspect ratio tool for image creation and enhancement.

One of the most significant aspects of AI Playground is its ability to run entirely locally on the user's machine. This approach ensures that all computations, prompts, and outputs remain on the device, addressing privacy concerns often associated with cloud-based AI services. The application is optimized to take advantage of the Xe Cores and XMX AI engines found in the Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors, allowing even lightweight devices to perform complex AI tasks efficiently. Intel has also improved the installation process, addressing potential conflicts and providing better error handling. The company encourages user engagement through its Intel Insiders Discord channel (https://discord.gg/intel), helping the community around AI Playground's development and use. Although the models users can run locally are smaller in size, usually up to 7 billion parameters with 8/4-bit quants, having a centralized application to help run them locally is significant for slowly embedding AI in all aspects of personal computing.https://tpucdn.com/img/v8zkLcJ2LGhw642b_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/v8zkLcJ2LGhw642b.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/xzaXqEXcnEh9gyfe_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/xzaXqEXcnEh9gyfe.jpg)

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