TechPowerUP NEWS

[NextPowerUP]

DeepSeek, a company that took the AI world by storm with its R1 model, is preparing a new and reportedly much improved DeepSeek R2 model release, according to a well-known AI insider @iruletheworldmo on X (https://x.com/iruletheworldmo/status/1916084686637486394). Powered by Huawei's Ascend 910B chip clusters, a possible Huawei Atlas 900, and DeepSeek's in-house distributed training framework, R2 pushes these accelerators to an impressive 82% utilization, translating to 512 PetaFLOPS of FP16 performance—half an exaFLOP in computing power. According to Huawei lab data, that's roughly 91% of what NVIDIA's older A100 clusters deliver, yet DeepSeek claims it cuts per-unit training costs by a remarkable 97.3%. Behind DeepSeek R2 is a carefully cultivated ecosystem of partners. Tuowei Information, a leading OEM in the Ascend family, manages over half of DeepSeek's supercomputing hardware orders, while Sugon provides liquid-cooled server racks capable of handling up to 40 kW per unit. To keep power consumption in check, Innolight's silicon-photonics transceivers shave off another 35% compared to traditional solutions.

Geographically, operations are split across major hubs: Runjian Shares runs the South China supercomputing center under contracts exceeding ¥5 billion annually, and Zhongbei Communications maintains a 1,500-PetaFLOP reserve in the Northwest for peak demands. On the software side, DeepSeek R2 already supports private deployment and fine-tuning, powering smart-city initiatives in 15 provinces through the Yun Sai Zhilian platform. North China's node, overseen by Hongbo Shares' Yingbo Digital, adds another 3,000 PetaFLOPS to the mix. If computing power is scarce, Huawei is ready to deploy its CloudMatrix 384 system (https://www.techpowerup.com/335532/huawei-cloudmatrix-384-system-outperforms-nvidia-gb200-nvl72), which is positioned as a domestic alternative to NVIDIA's GB200 NVL72. It features 384 Ascend 910C accelerators to achieve 1.7× the overall petaFLOPS and 3.6× the total HBM capacity of the NVL72 cluster—yet it lags significantly in per-chip performance and consumes nearly four times more power. Nonetheless, the R2 model launch is expected to come smoothly online, and we are waiting for the official launch and benchmarks to see its performance.https://tpucdn.com/img/tuk59Eg9O8IkQZ0r_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/tuk59Eg9O8IkQZ0r.jpg)

More... (https://www.techpowerup.com/335984/deepseek-r2-leak-reveals-512-petaflops-push-on-domestic-ai-accelerator-infrastructure)

[NextPowerUP]

Microsoft has deployed three AI features to Copilot+ PCs through the Windows 11 April 2025 non-security preview update. Users can finally access the long-promised Recall, Click to Do, and enhanced Windows Search by enabling "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" in Settings > Windows Update. Recall operates as a background capture system that takes periodic screenshots, encrypts them via the device's TPM chip, and stores them locally. The system creates a searchable index organized by keywords, dates, and applications. Privacy controls include Windows Hello authentication for settings changes, app-specific exclusions, customizable retention periods, and snapshot deletion options. Windows E3 enterprise deployments can implement Group Policy controls for centralized management.

Click to Do functions at the window manager level, activated by Win + Click or touchscreen right swipe. The context-aware tool provides different capabilities based on content type, offering summarization and translation for text, and background removal and editing for images. Image processing works across all Copilot+ hardware, while text functionality currently supports only Snapdragon processors, with AMD Ryzen AI 300-series and Intel Core Ultra 200V compatibility scheduled for later release. The updated Windows Search implements a compact language model running directly on the device's NPU. This enables natural-language queries throughout Windows interfaces, allowing users to find content without exact filenames. The system operates on NPUs rated at over 40 TOPS and delivers 70 percent faster retrieval than Windows 10.https://tpucdn.com/img/UPmJoUOz5bQUydPC_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/UPmJoUOz5bQUydPC.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/wuAQf4AKjmqyVVLR_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/wuAQf4AKjmqyVVLR.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/PCnsLzPGV7ZhPCO8_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/PCnsLzPGV7ZhPCO8.jpg)

More... (https://www.techpowerup.com/335982/microsoft-launches-recall-and-integrates-ai-into-search-plus-other-updates)

[NextPowerUP]

War has ravaged Europe - but something far worse now grips the continent. A Bacterium of unknown origin has twisted the land, leaving behind only ruin, fear, and something far more sinister. In this PvPvE first person extraction RPG, players will scavenge a decaying world, face unspeakable horrors, and outlast rival survivors in desperate, high-risk expeditions where every step could be your last…

At its core, this is a deep, first-person RPG - one where your story unfolds through the high-stakes loop of a multiplayer extraction shooter. Progress from level 1 to 100 by completing quests, surviving Expeditions, and mastering a robust skill system that evolves with your choices. The extraction loop isn't just a gameplay feature - it's how you grow stronger, build your reputation, and gain access to advanced weapons, rare gear, bags, armor, cosmetics, ingredients, and other vital resources. Every Expedition shapes your path forward.https://tpucdn.com/img/sVbcfZ6fVi7HOvA7_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/sVbcfZ6fVi7HOvA7.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/S1STadgbeUKMSgKM_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/S1STadgbeUKMSgKM.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/sYmITzGq8fLnGnm3_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/sYmITzGq8fLnGnm3.jpg)
Read full story (https://www.techpowerup.com/335962/hunger-pvpve-rpg-details-unveiled-by-good-fun-corporation)

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[NextPowerUP]

It's April 25th, 2025!!… So that means that…World of Goo 2 (https://worldofgoo2.com/)—the followup to the indie-hit classic World of Goo, which was released almost 17 years ago…is available…EVERYWHERE! We're currently in the middle of running a fabulous Tomorrow Corporation/2DBOY Publisher Sale (https://store.steampowered.com/sale/worldofgoo2launch?snr=1_2108_9__2107) until Monday, April 28th—but the fun doesn't stop there! Starting today through May 9th we're offering a launch discount of 15% off World of Goo 2 (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3385670/World_of_Goo_2/) on Steam and GOG (https://www.gog.com/en/game/world_of_goo_2), and if you already own the award-winning World of Goo… you'll get an additional 15% off as an extra Thank You from the World of Goo 2 team! We're also running a bundle for additional savings if you also want to buy the soundtrack!

Discover realistic flowing, splashing, viscous liquid. Route the flow of liquid like a river, convert it into Goo Balls, extinguish fires, and solve puzzles. WHAT STRANGE NEW CREATURES!: discover new species of Goo: Jelly Goo, Liquid Launchers, Growing Goo, Shrinking Goo, Explosive Goo, and more. All with mysterious new properties. WELCOME TO…a thrilling new story to explore over the course of 5 new chapters, bursting with over 60 new levels, each featuring additional challenges.https://tpucdn.com/img/qqJhs9n0zEAhF2F4_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/qqJhs9n0zEAhF2F4.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/4gFmYAcJJjqAQ8MN_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/4gFmYAcJJjqAQ8MN.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/QYJVdPZwKGoNLEHZ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/QYJVdPZwKGoNLEHZ.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/x1jaGqm7ssrHvzU9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/x1jaGqm7ssrHvzU9.jpg)
Read full story (https://www.techpowerup.com/335963/world-of-goo-2-available-now-on-pc-mac-consoles-mobile-platforms)

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[NextPowerUP]

Rumors about the recent cancelation of an unannounced Blade Runner project; following the alleged completion of a pre-production phase at Supermassive Games. Insider Gaming's "exclusive" article proposes that the UK-based computer game development studio had started work on a "character focused, cinematic, action adventure" around September 2024. An inside source disclosed a "Blade Runner: Time To Live" title, and a futuristic "New Zurich" setting—in 2065. The online publication has acquired "internal company documents" that apparently outlined a 10-12 hour single player campaign experience and a "compelling story blending the philosophical themes of Blade Runner, with kinetic action-adventure gameplay." Veteran members of Supermassive's "The Quarry (https://www.techpowerup.com/295729/supermassives-the-quarry-is-now-available-worldwide)" core dev team were reportedly involved in the IP's early-stage production cycle.

Insider Gaming outlined a surprising mix of internal details—sourced from their industry mole—suggesting that this project is/was not related to Alcon Interactive Group and Annapurna Interactive's still in-progress Blade Runner title (https://www.techpowerup.com/310828/blade-runner-2033-labyrinth-teased-by-annapurna-interactive). The report described some of Supermassive's key goals: "a full release was planned for September 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the 'Gen 10' Xbox and PlayStation systems (https://www.techpowerup.com/331793/phil-spencer-wishes-for-innovative-next-gen-xbox-hardware-current-consoles-too-similar). It was set to have a full development budget of roughly $45 million with $9 million of it being used for external performance capture and acting talent. What wasn't included in the budget, however, was original music production, image rights and usage fees for performers, QA and game testing, localization, and any future DLC. As with any budget, the amount was subject to change as development got underway and costs rose or fell." The British company is still working on Directive 8020 (https://www.techpowerup.com/332741/directive-8020-launches-on-october-2-supermassive-discusses-gameplay-elements), an original premise sci-fi interactive adventure—presumably, nearing the end of full-blown production within the coming months.https://tpucdn.com/img/wl9M8iOkH06kHGyv_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/wl9M8iOkH06kHGyv.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/UsXsC3jYOhiOdM7q_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/UsXsC3jYOhiOdM7q.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/jkD1UPj6BpddKsnE_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/jkD1UPj6BpddKsnE.jpg)

More... (https://www.techpowerup.com/335961/supermassive-games-reportedly-ends-development-of-unannounced-blade-runner-ip)

[NextPowerUP]

Team, (yesterday) we reported our Q1 2025 results (https://newsroom.intel.com/corporate/intel-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results). It was a step in the right direction as we delivered revenue, gross margin and EPS (earnings per share) above our guidance, driven by Dave and Michelle's leadership. I want to thank them both, and all of you, for the good execution. We need to build on this progress—and it won't be easy. We are navigating an increasingly volatile and uncertain macroeconomic environment, which is reflected in our Q2 outlook. On top of that, there are many areas where we must improve. We need to confront our challenges head-on and take swift actions to get back on track. As I have said, this starts by revamping our culture. The feedback I have received from our customers and many of you has been consistent. We are seen as too slow, too complex and too set in our ways—and we need to change. Our flatter Executive Team (ET) structure that I shared last week was a first step. The next step is to drive greater simplicity, speed and collaboration across the entire company. To achieve these objectives, today I am announcing some important changes.

Becoming an Engineering-Focused Company
We need to get back to our roots and empower our engineers. That's why I elevated our core engineering functions to the ET. And many of the changes we will be driving are designed to make engineers more productive by removing burdensome workflows and processes that slow down the pace of innovation. To make necessary investments in our engineering talent and technology roadmaps, we need to find new ways to reduce our costs. While we have taken significant actions in the last year, our current cost structure is still well above competitive benchmarks. With that in mind, we have reduced our operating expense and capital spending targets going forward, which I will discuss during our investor call this afternoon.https://tpucdn.com/img/Woj6q5aNX7G7znK1_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Woj6q5aNX7G7znK1.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/uuzGzCuEKHEZsdiE_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/uuzGzCuEKHEZsdiE.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/YBdxLpkE7DmO7Lfd_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/YBdxLpkE7DmO7Lfd.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/Gr09Wgif9Q1q3Lc0_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Gr09Wgif9Q1q3Lc0.jpg)
Read full story (https://www.techpowerup.com/335960/intels-lip-bu-tan-outlines-path-forward-plan-ceo-announces-reduction-of-workforce)

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[NextPowerUP]

Officially (https://www.techpowerup.com/333315/amd-teases-upcoming-launch-of-radeon-rx-9060-series-slated-for-q2-2025), AMD is set to reveal the next wave of RDNA 4—in desktop form (https://www.techpowerup.com/335842/amd-readies-radeon-rx-9060-xt-for-may-18-launch)—at some point within the second quarter of this year. Unlike its main rival—NVIDIA—company representatives have not publicly discussed a comprehensive branch-off into dedicated laptop graphics solutions. Team Red's previous-gen "Navi Mobile" Radeon RX 7000M lineup received little fanfare, and early 2025 "official" talk (https://www.techpowerup.com/331727/amd-focused-on-delivering-rdna-4-to-desktop-mobile-a-secondary-concern) indicated that company engineers were focused on delivering RDNA 4 to desktop. Additionally, late March leaks suggested an increased future reliance (https://www.techpowerup.com/334361/amd-medusa-point-apu-with-zen-6-confirmed-to-use-rdna-3-5-rdna-4-reserved-for-discrete-gpus) on integrated RDNA 3.5-based graphics solutions. Seemingly out of nowhere, All The Watts!! has produced a list of six tentative Radeon RX 9000M family variants. As interpreted by VideoCardz, the leaker has cryptically included supposed compute unit (CU) counts and VRAM configurations. A rumored Radeon RX 9080M flagship SKU could be based on AMD's Navi 48 (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/amd-navi-48.g1071) GPU design; prepped with 64 RDNA 4 compute units (or 4096 stream processors) and 16 GB of video memory.

The leaked Radeon RX 9070M XT's basic details match certain data points present on the rumored Radeon RX 9070 GRE (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-rx-9070-gre.c4291) 12 GB desktop card's specification sheet. VideoCardz reckons that the RX 9070M XT will also utilize Team Red's Navi 48 GPU, but with a reduced compute unit count of 48 (or 3072 SPs). The four remaining RDNA 4 laptop SKUs—RX 9070M, RX 9070S, RX 9060M and RX 9060S—are said to be based on company's Navi 44 (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/amd-navi-44.g1070) GPU IP, and configured with 8 GB pools of VRAM. Two days ago, AMD hinted (https://www.techpowerup.com/335860/amd-announces-press-conference-livestream-at-computex-2025) about new generation Radeon Mobile gaming experiences getting introduced at next month's Computex 2025 trade show.https://tpucdn.com/img/nNVtiyq7H71GOHZa_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/nNVtiyq7H71GOHZa.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/G2ZLpljFQicS6c7K_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/G2ZLpljFQicS6c7K.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/d81dVhM60UypN4dx_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/d81dVhM60UypN4dx.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/i1F0DFNnNNPvRlWx_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/i1F0DFNnNNPvRlWx.jpg)

More... (https://www.techpowerup.com/335959/supposed-amd-radeon-rx-9000m-laptop-dgpu-identifiers-and-rdna-4-cu-counts-leaked)

[NextPowerUP]

Hello from id Software (https://www.idsoftware.com/en)! This is Hugo Martin, game director on Doom: The Dark Ages, releasing May 15 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC—it's right around the corner, I can't believe it. If you've been following along, you already know that Doom: The Dark Ages is a premium single-player campaign featuring three core pillars of engagement: story, combat, and exploration. I'm guessing you're reading this because you want to hear something new, something about the game no one else has heard about. Well, I've got a good one for you.

We think Doom: The Dark Ages (https://doom.bethesda.net/en-US/the-dark-ages) is the best Doom game we've ever made (but that'll be for you to decide). We gave this everything we had, left no feature unpolished: we have 22 levels of incredible FPS single-player combat; tons of gameplay innovations like the Shield Saw, flail, and new crazy guns; and an awesome roller coaster ride of an action story to carry you through to the finish. AND—we have huge worlds for you to explore.https://tpucdn.com/img/fN5OJlg4dADSDohb_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/fN5OJlg4dADSDohb.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/xSAS30t89Z7Mn5zu_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/xSAS30t89Z7Mn5zu.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/PA7Fmi6ZnfwgSZqd_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/PA7Fmi6ZnfwgSZqd.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/VbZKeVhhz9u2kwTn_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/VbZKeVhhz9u2kwTn.jpg)
Read full story (https://www.techpowerup.com/335957/doom-the-dark-ages-director-presents-gameplay-footage-from-the-universes-cosmic-realm)

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[NextPowerUP]

OKI Circuit Technology, the OKI Group printed circuit board (PCB) company, has successfully developed 124-layer PCB technology for wafer inspection equipment designed for next-generation high bandwidth memory, such as HBM mounted on AI semiconductors. This is a roughly 15% increase in the number of layers over conventional 108-layer designs. OTC is seeking to establish mass production technology by October 2025 at its Joetsu Plant in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, which has a proven track record and advanced development and production capabilities in the field of high multilayer, high-precision, large-format PCBs for semiconductor inspection equipment.

AI processing requires the transmission of vast data volumes between graphics processing unit (GPU) semiconductors and memory. As semiconductor performance increases, the memory installed is also required to have high-speed, high-frequency, and high-density data transfer capabilities. HBM features a stacked DRAM structure, requiring technology capable of fabricating wafers even more thinly and precisely. This configuration also requires that the PCBs used in inspection equipment meet even higher levels of performance and quality.https://tpucdn.com/img/OiV1zyMXhfP6cH33_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/OiV1zyMXhfP6cH33.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/up5dbqHgcykldfK1_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/up5dbqHgcykldfK1.jpg)
Read full story (https://www.techpowerup.com/335958/oki-develops-124-layer-pcb-technology-for-next-generation-semiconductor-testing-equipment)

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[NextPowerUP]

GuliKit showcased "Elves 2" prototype controllers at Gamescom 2024; last summer's product booth—in Cologne, Germany—also displayed an intriguing "Libra MAX" model. Enthusiasts have demanded more third-party options that sport "symmetrical" control layouts with non-PlayStation-esque ergonomic designs. GuliKit's "Elves (https://www.gulikit.com/productinfo/509136.html)" product series has borrowed some design inspiration from Sega's various Saturn controller models (https://video-games.fandom.com/wiki/Sega_Saturn_Controller). The appearance of fairly final-looking units—last August—prompted much online interest, but the brand's fanbase has grown increasingly impatient over the past six+ months. Many expected an Elves 2 SKU—with an off-white finish—to reach retail not long after last year's official unveiling. Many months later, Amazon product listings were discovered, complete with a (now missed) January release date.

Thankfully, GuliKit's social media account has started to promote an upcoming—May—arrival of their Elves 2 Pro white and black controller models—advertised as featuring "retro looks" combined with "pro performance." At the time of writing, the manufacturer has not published a dedicated product page on its official website. Teaser material lists the usual mod cons: Hall Effect sticks (anti-drift tech (https://www.techpowerup.com/333589/gulikit-reloads-kingkong-2-controller-series-with-tmr-stick-model)): maglev vibration, wired + Bluetooth connectivity, and a compact internal battery with (up to) twenty hours of operation. The GuliKit Elves 2 Pro will be a multi-platform controller—compatible with Nintendo Switch, PCs, iOS & Android mobile devices. The Elves 2 Pro's D-pad design could make it an attractive option to a growing audience of Fightpad fanatics. 8Bitdo's M30 model (https://www.8bitdo.com/m30/)—borrowing DNA from Sega's Genesis/Mega Drive controller—is another popular accessory, albeit minus "modern" analogue sticks.https://tpucdn.com/img/3rqDxBmj1dGYOyso_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/3rqDxBmj1dGYOyso.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/32S0N5uRjHe4P6gZ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/32S0N5uRjHe4P6gZ.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/qmRCDcCEHiTcbked_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/qmRCDcCEHiTcbked.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/PmmwV262iqnlEHHf_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/PmmwV262iqnlEHHf.jpg)

More... (https://www.techpowerup.com/335956/gulikit-teases-imminent-launch-of-elves-2-pro-controller)

[NextPowerUP]

The Hundred-day war between "extremeness" and "despair" begins..."The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3014080/The_Hundred_Line_Last_Defense_Academy/)" is finally out, as of yesterday! Please enjoy this one-of-a-kind work born from the creators' "madness and passion" to your heart's content. Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi join forces for the first time to deliver the ULTIMATE adventure game! 15 students are tasked with defending a school from grotesque monsters for 100 days. Can they make it to the end? And will they survive long enough to uncover the truth? Takumi Sumino is a totally average teenager living in the Tokyo Residential Complex, a place where every day is much like the last and nothing bad ever happens.

All that changes when freakish monsters attack the town and start wreaking havoc. A strange creature calling himself Sirei appears and offers Takumi the power to protect those he holds dear... All he has to do is stab himself in the chest! The next thing he knows, Takumi is in Last Defense Academy, a school in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a wall of otherworldly flames. He and 14 other students have been drafted into the Special Defense Unit, a team tasked with keeping the school safe for the next 100 days. How much are they willing to sacrifice to take back their normal lives and save the world from the grotesque school invaders?https://tpucdn.com/img/LNLiKAVtj509NC8h_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/LNLiKAVtj509NC8h.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/rPlgnHW96MpopmJl_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/rPlgnHW96MpopmJl.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/HhHcBHSiaFIlWcXl_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/HhHcBHSiaFIlWcXl.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/eQngqi9diQAl2ywT_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/eQngqi9diQAl2ywT.jpg)
Read full story (https://www.techpowerup.com/335955/the-hundred-line-last-defense-academy-out-now-on-pc-switch)

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[NextPowerUP]

As revealed during a recent Q1 earnings call (https://www.techpowerup.com/335941/intels-biggest-foundry-customer-is-intel-itself-fueled-by-intel-7-node), Intel leadership mentioned that "external clients are getting their ASICs designs tested." The company's foundry business is working towards the finalization of its much discussed 18A node process (https://www.techpowerup.com/334993/intels-18a-node-process-has-entered-risk-production-foundrys-output-scaling-up), with alleged trial samples receiving an "impressive performance rating (https://www.techpowerup.com/335442/intels-18a-node-outperforms-tsmc-n2-and-samsung-sf2-in-2-nm-performance-class)." According to Ctee Taiwan, Team Blue's foundry service has submitted test subjects to the likes of NVIDIA, Broadcom and Faraday Technology. The latter organization has (reportedly) disclosed that the 18A platform tape-out was completed last October—since then, received samples have been "successfully connected." Industry moles believe that NVIDIA and Broadcom are in the middle of conducting manufacturing tests. Additional whispers suggest the delivery of 18A prototypes chez IBM and several other unnamed partner companies. Insiders have indicated impressive/good "verification results." Contrary to reports from other sources (https://www.techpowerup.com/335787/intels-nova-lake-processors-reportedly-slated-for-tsmcs-2nm-node), Ctee has picked up on insider chatter about Intel's next-gen Nova Lake compute tile design being "not entirely outsourced." Further conjecture points to Team Blue becoming increasingly confident in its own manufacturing techniques.https://tpucdn.com/img/ORRZcqd9byP4j8ru_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ORRZcqd9byP4j8ru.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/yT8IXESEGg1pH5eJ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/yT8IXESEGg1pH5eJ.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/kVvTCYasObVQ0nsX_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/kVvTCYasObVQ0nsX.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Explorers, get ready for an extraordinary adventure! Microids and Microids Studio Paris are proud to launch Amerzone - The Explorer's Legacy (https://www.microids.com/amerzone-the-explorers-legacy/), the remake of Benoît Sokal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beno%C3%AEt_Sokal)'s cult-classic adventure game. The game is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Set off on a quest for the Great White Birds in a mysterious land full of secrets! Answer the call of exploration as you travel to Amerzone, a forgotten Latin American country, to fulfill the last wishes of a late explorer.

Try the Free Demo on Consoles & PC!
Players can experience a free playable demo on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429190/Amerzone__The_Explorers_Legacy/)! Step into the role of a daring journalist and embark on your first journey into this immersive adventure. This is the perfect opportunity to dive into the game's universe, explore its mechanics, and get a taste of the full experience. Even better, your progress in the demo will automatically transfer to the full game, allowing you to seamlessly continue your journey!https://tpucdn.com/img/OS0J2WDHd1OIbTfb_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/OS0J2WDHd1OIbTfb.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/ITa5hzOW0l1Pn3If_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ITa5hzOW0l1Pn3If.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/BAzRyKsmb6tcYiL2_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/BAzRyKsmb6tcYiL2.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/tKP21fP5O3tAR6Kw_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/tKP21fP5O3tAR6Kw.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

On April 15, NVIDIA revealed its "coming soon + starting at $299" GeForce RTX 5060 8 GB (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-5060.c4219) graphics card model—along with the freshly launched GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB and 8 GB cards. Not long after that, board partners introduced entire custom GeForce RTX 5060 Series product ranges (https://www.techpowerup.com/335541/gigabyte-launches-the-geforce-rtx-5060-ti-16gb-rtx-5060-ti-8gb-and-rtx-5060-series-graphics-cards). To the surprise of many, Team Green's mid-month PR material seemed to place a lot of emphasis on the cheapest offering. VideoCardz reckons that public demand for launch day GeForce RTX 5060 cards is not expected to reach high levels, but NVIDIA seems to be readying a simultaneous retail release and lifting of review embargoes. According to inside track information, May 19 appears to be the big day of choice.

Clever day one maneuvering could be in play—VideoCardz outlined a potential strategy: "this approach means customers may purchase the card without prior access to independent performance data. In other words, gamers will have to rely on NVIDIA's official benchmarks, unless they want to risk not being able to buy the card at MSRP." Team Green's mid-April "desktop family" marketing piece did tease the GeForce RTX 5060's Tensor and RT Core performance (respectively): 614 AI TOPs and 58 TFLOPS—versus RTX 5060 Ti's 750 AI TOPS, and 72 TFLOPS. Insider whispers suggest that AMD is readying rival hardware for release within a similar time frame (https://www.techpowerup.com/335842/amd-readies-radeon-rx-9060-xt-for-may-18-launch); Radeon RX 9060 XT (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-rx-9060-xt.c4251). The competing companies could be making important new product announcements just before the start of Computex 2025 (on May 20).https://tpucdn.com/img/4S4zqilIPx1SqmDS_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/4S4zqilIPx1SqmDS.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gA7XcLwS9HL2uaSk_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gA7XcLwS9HL2uaSk.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/KwFIXPuQhDF4GlNN_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/KwFIXPuQhDF4GlNN.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/iEKRZ8rOQ7Be872p_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/iEKRZ8rOQ7Be872p.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

F1 25 (https://www.ea.com/en/games/f1/f1-25) marks the return of the narrative-driven, Braking Point, an epic Formula 1 blockbuster mode set to excite players new and old when the game releases on May 30 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The fictional tale puts you right into the action, as the fate and destiny of the characters you control rests in your racing-gloved hands. So, with this being the latest instalment in the Braking Point story, how did we get here?

The Story So Far
While having roots back to F1 2019, Braking Point's debut in F1 2021 offered players the opportunity to adopt the role of Aiden Jackson, an F1 rookie looking to make a name for himself in the sport. He was met with many challenges along the way, including a ruthless rival, Devon Butler, a driver who would stop at nothing to succeed. In F1 23's instalment, which focused on the 2022 and 2023 seasons and the introduction of fictional team Konnersport, familiar faces returned alongside new protagonist Callie Mayer, the first woman to win the F2 Championship. The once infamous Devon Butler has his perspective of the sport turned upside down, opening up a spot for Callie's break into F1.https://tpucdn.com/img/6vbRbJ6ywP8M1HMk_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/6vbRbJ6ywP8M1HMk.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/5WtTruvuR1q6xSk9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/5WtTruvuR1q6xSk9.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/qBYREpnrVC0EkiAv_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/qBYREpnrVC0EkiAv.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

GALAX has deliberated over the fine-tuning of its pedigree custom GeForce RTX 5090D (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-5090-d.c4253) design throughout early 2025—mid-way through April (https://www.techpowerup.com/335498/galax-teases-imminent-launch-of-geforce-rtx-5090d-hof-xoc-limited-edition-in-china) we heard about an imminent retail release of the Chinese manufacturer's finalized Hall of Fame (HOF) Extreme Overclock (XOC) Limited Edition card. According to the latest reports, the brand has announced the availability of its ultra-premium option; featuring the very best pre-binned GB202 GPU dies and GDDR7 memory modules. Apparently reserved for upper echelon buyers; with a 29,999 RMB (~$4117 USD) launch price tag.

In parallel, GALAX seems to be launching two "lesser" variants—as reported by VideoCardz, the "OC LAB Plus-X" (~$3595 USD) and "OC LAB" (~$3582 USD) SKUs make do with single 12V-2×6 power connectors (https://www.techpowerup.com/333244/galax-geforce-rtx-5090d-hof-oc-lab-edition-pcb-revealed-features-38-power-phase-design). Despite this handicap, the Plus-X model is still a record breaker (https://www.techpowerup.com/333942/galax-rtx-5090d-hof-xoc-le-card-overclocked-to-3-27-ghz-record-breaking-prototype-enabled-w-second-12v-2x6-connector). Naturally, its XOC LE sibling—enabled with twin 12V-2×6 power inputs—sits atop global benchmark tables. GALAX currently boasts about this design achieving nine overclocking world records. Given the limited edition nature of GALAX's top 29,999 RMB offering, stock counts could be small—VideoCardz did not pick up on any local information about launch numbers or involved retail outlets/platforms. There are mutterings about a potential closing off of GB202 "Blackwell" GPU die shipments into China (https://www.techpowerup.com/335862/nvidia-reportedly-warns-chinese-aics-about-potential-geforce-rtx-5090d-gpu-supply-cut-off)—in effect this could lead to the end of GeForce RTX 5090D 32 GB custom card production.https://tpucdn.com/img/jzPMGmuZLS1Ck6xe_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/jzPMGmuZLS1Ck6xe.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/mxPHdJ6s4yhy5ISQ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/mxPHdJ6s4yhy5ISQ.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/6hDGbwRA5sGbwMAm_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/6hDGbwRA5sGbwMAm.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/VluucVjHbx2b1kMk_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/VluucVjHbx2b1kMk.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Welcome Aboard, Captain! We're kicking off the Road to Subnautica 2 (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1962700/Subnautica_2/) Early Access with our first Dev Vlog, as well as an exciting sneak-peek at some early game footage. Subnautica 2 (https://subnautica.com/en)'s Design Lead, Anthony Gallegos, invites you to join us on the Road to Early Access, as we share some enticing glimpses at what you can expect from the game later in 2025. Immerse yourself in a new adventure with Subnautica 2; an open-water survival game from the creators of the Subnautica series. Play alone or with friends as you explore alluring biomes and discover fascinating creatures. Craft vehicles, tools, and bases to survive this mysterious alien world.

Catch a glimpse of what's to come, with some incredible in-development footage of Subnautica 2, teasing parts of this all-new world, biomes, creatures, and vehicles you're set to encounter. You can speculate and discuss everything shown in the video on our official Discord server. Join the community (https://discord.gg/subnautica) and share your thoughts with your fellow Subnauts!https://tpucdn.com/img/1joXtsIatx6y5oKk_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/1joXtsIatx6y5oKk.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/WHJlftVTxDwgIQoP_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/WHJlftVTxDwgIQoP.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/TQefrI73sGR2bYhW_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/TQefrI73sGR2bYhW.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/2zaOWmKPCnAYqynb_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2zaOWmKPCnAYqynb.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Hyper Light Breaker received some significant criticism immediately after launch (https://www.techpowerup.com/331120/hyper-light-breaker-launches-to-early-access-on-steam-with-surprising-player-counts-and-mixed-reviews), largely for clunky combat, insubstantial progression, and a lack of world-building. Some community feedback is to be expected, since Hyper Light Breaker is still in Steam Early Access, but the community backlash was unexpected, given the success that the game's predecessor, Hyper Light Drifter, garnered. The first major content update (https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1534840/view/528718979655533125?l=english) aimed at addressing much of the criticism has just dropped on Steam, and many of the changes seem to be welcome by the community.

Some of the biggest changes to Hyper Light Breaker introduced in the Buried Below update include changes to character progression, weapon synergies, and the overall gameplay loop itself. Heart Machine also introduced a new playable character, Rondo, two new melee weapons, a new mini boss—a Crown called Maw—with its own player perks, and new areas for players to explore. Heart Machine also says it has streamlined the game's onboarding process, and that the changes to the game should make the game easier to get into for new players but more difficult to master. In terms of the gameplay loop, the new update reduces player lives from four per run to one per run, making things much less forgiving, however, players will also now always spawn in one of two locations, making the start of a new run more predictable. There are also a number of improvements to the enemy AI that should make encounters and battles somewhat more challenging and interesting. Players are also locked to a single character and companion for the duration of each run, which is a substantial change from the previous system which allowed players to switch characters and Sycoms mid-run. There are a number of other balance patches and new additions, which you can read about in the full patch notes below. Overall, judging from the comments in the Steam Community discussion under the update patch notes, players seem to be tentatively excited about the majority of the changes to the gameplay loop, although some concerns remain.https://tpucdn.com/img/QsgfAMorbBLNQHOA_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/QsgfAMorbBLNQHOA.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/yGjNwZtbNU6ffJN0_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/yGjNwZtbNU6ffJN0.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Throughout April, Nintendo has navigated choppy waters—not long after the much-anticipated Switch 2 hybrid console's big presentation (https://www.techpowerup.com/334972/nintendo-switch-2-launches-june-5-at-usd-449-99-with-new-hardware-and-games). Potential customers in the US (https://www.techpowerup.com/335076/nintendo-cancels-switch-2-pre-orders-in-the-us) and Canada (https://www.techpowerup.com/335264/nintendo-confirms-delay-of-switch-2-pre-orders-in-canada-june-5-launch-remains-unchanged) experienced an unfortunate delay of pre-order programs—thankfully resolved, as of late last week. The Japanese multinational gaming giant has raised Switch 2 accessory prices—in reaction to "Tariffgate"—but their core next-gen hardware will sell at originally intended levels (hopefully). Despite the company being a global force, a couple of Nintendo's regional distribution networks lack clout (https://www.techpowerup.com/332809/nintendo-creates-new-subsidiary-in-taiwan-advertised-as-fortification-of-local-business). Yesterday, a worrying news report emerged from Costa Rica. Teletica's article outlined a complete absence of Switch 2 and related products across Central American and Caribbean markets. According to insider sources, details were confirmed during: "a private meeting between Nintendo executives and official distributors in the region on Tuesday night (April 29)...The Japanese company announced that there will be no official distribution of consoles, games, or peripherals in these markets throughout 2025." This revelation adds insult to already prominent injuries—even in better-established South American market territories, gamers have voiced concerns about the spotty supply of first-gen Switch products.https://tpucdn.com/img/dVnVgiRe603GHs8E_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/dVnVgiRe603GHs8E.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/AfUgWnF58XSsHBnb_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/AfUgWnF58XSsHBnb.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gpqVQvaRxOy2ria4_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gpqVQvaRxOy2ria4.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

As part of the 30th anniversary celebration for Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (https://en.gundam.info/about-gundam/series-pages/gundam-w/), Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is collaborating to bring "Operation Meteor" to Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.'s cross-platform and free-to-play team-based action game Overwatch 2 (https://overwatch.blizzard.com/). The iconic Mobile Suits—Wing Gundam Zero (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz), Gundam Epyon (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing), Gundam Deathscythe Hell (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz) and Tallgeese (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing)—come to life as Legendary skins for Mercy, Ramattra, Reaper, and Soldier: 76, respectively. The renowned art team at Blizzard Entertainment (https://www.blizzard.com/) worked closely with Bandai Namco Entertainment to ensure the perfect blend of Mobile Suits from Gundam Wing meshed with Overwatch 2 heroes. These new Legendary skins are now available to purchase in-game on every platform Overwatch 2 is available on: Windows PC via Battle.net, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

An optimistic vision of near-future Earth, Overwatch 2 is about a world worth fighting for, where super soldiers, scientists, cyborgs, and omnics clash for control of real-world-inspired locations from around the globe. Overwatch 2's 43 unique heroes—each armed with potent abilities and weaponry—battle across a variety of lively maps and locales, where players must work together and adapt to a variety of unique situations.https://tpucdn.com/img/1EIWrRC92VDBwU8L_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/1EIWrRC92VDBwU8L.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/oPwFT2TUjTX4XtEZ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/oPwFT2TUjTX4XtEZ.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/4LcHkiRiWqvLjbm2_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/4LcHkiRiWqvLjbm2.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

As disclosed in a new press release—issued by the US Commerce Department—TSMC's North American operation has started another expansion. Last month, Taiwan's leading chip foundry committed a substantial $100 billion investment—eventually leading to a greater production footprint in Phoenix, Arizona. Reports suggest that ground has already been broken, in a low-key manner—as of yesterday (April 29)—at a planned third location, only hours after TSMC's receiving of permits—aka a "thumbs up" from the US government. According to local news outlets, key administrative representatives were in attendance to witness the initiation of construction work. TSMC's third plant is destined to pump out cutting-edge products via a 2 nm (N2) process technology, with Apple, NVIDIA and AMD confirmed (https://www.techpowerup.com/335470/amd-achieves-first-tsmc-n2-product-silicon-milestone) as "front of the queue" customers. Despite recent fanfare and celebrations, industry analysts reckon that it will take up to a decade (https://www.techpowerup.com/336082/tsmcs-us-supply-chain-to-take-up-to-a-decade-to-complete) for the foundry's North American operation to solidify a dependable supply chain. In the interim, certain elements will require shipping to overseas locations—for packaging and finalization purposes.https://tpucdn.com/img/dGBjn9RGy4NFQYuz_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/dGBjn9RGy4NFQYuz.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/kmQFVjEpah7PJx0Q_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/kmQFVjEpah7PJx0Q.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/vbRgomVWuhuTIkuI_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/vbRgomVWuhuTIkuI.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

⁠GIGABYTE Technology, one of the top global manufacturers of motherboards, graphics cards, and hardware solutions, has achieved an unprecedented accomplishment by winning Red Dot Design Awards in 2025 for all its major motherboards lineup. This exceptional achievement highlights GIGABYTE's unwavering commitment to innovation and design excellence while further cementing the company's distinguished design legacy.

Known for creating products that blend cutting-edge technology with innovative DIY-friendly design and striking aesthetics, GIGABYTE's motherboards have earned prestigious recognition across multiple categories.https://tpucdn.com/img/HXU5OJqcCDzOrp0c_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/HXU5OJqcCDzOrp0c.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Recent evidence has emerged that Ubisoft may indeed be planning to—or may have been planning to—launch multiplayer game modes for Assassin's Creed Shadows. An online sleuth analyzed (https://x.com/Totocko97/status/1917365143895433361) the Assassin's Creed Shadows website's Boostrap files and found several mentions of Multiplayer and PVP maps and training areas in the files. It may, thus, be the case that the introduction of the new Animus Hub may have been a move to facilitate multiplayer gameplay.

That said, Ubisoft recently hosted an Assassin's Creed Shadows 1 Year Roadmap on YouTube, and there was no direct mention of multiplayer gameplay in the roadmap. Ubisoft did, however, hint at the addition of what it called Special Collaborations in the regular content section and new Animus content coming in the near future. Previous leaks (https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1fuq0ke/ac_shadows_coop_mode_in_development_tom_henderson/) indicated that the multiplayer modes in AC Shadows would feature a co-op mode, akin to Assassin's Creed Unity, but the new leaks indicate that Ubisoft may be planning a PVP mode, as well, which would make it much more like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It's also possible that the mention of multiplayer in the site files is just left-over information from before the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, and Ubisoft has scrapped the idea altogether. As we reported previously, it has been a rocky road to get Assassin's Creed Shadows to launch, with Ubisoft switching up its launch strategy (https://www.techpowerup.com/326980/ubisoft-shakes-up-assassins-creed-shadows-launch-with-day-1-steam-release-and-no-season-pass) and delaying the game (https://www.techpowerup.com/326948/ubisoft-delays-assassins-creed-shadows-to-february-2025-after-cancelling-tokyo-game-show-appearance-and-press-previews?cp=2) twice ahead of the official launch.https://tpucdn.com/img/3zJV8iYDNRqHKRce_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/3zJV8iYDNRqHKRce.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/pBZ8XuZ6Wu2UJnM8_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/pBZ8XuZ6Wu2UJnM8.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/tH9RBhnTMDJR1Eoc_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/tH9RBhnTMDJR1Eoc.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/c8IDZKTENtRMCAIP_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/c8IDZKTENtRMCAIP.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Hey everyone! Here we are announcing Mycopunk (https://www.mycopunkgame.com/). It's a game. There's a lot of cool stuff in it. We could tell you all about it, but that's a lot of work. So you should stop reading and go play the DEMO (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3247750/Mycopunk/). In case you've decided to keep reading (why??) let's take a look at some of the things in Mycopunk that we're most excited about. Mycopunk was born from our desire for a fun (FUN) co-op FPS that makes players want to keep coming back without any of that FOMO shit. This mostly manifested in three ways: shooting stuff is fun, progression is interesting, and [REDACTED].

Weapons
If you've played the demo you'll know your weapons feel good to shoot and carving up enemies is fun. If you disagree, come tell us to our face in the Mycopunk discord. Most of us don't bite. Some weapons are what you'd expect. The SMG is an SMG. It shoots bullets. But from the beginning we wanted to have some really weird, cool ass weapons. One of our favorites is the Swarm Launcher—it launches a swarm (no way) of pellets that hover above the ground and will dive down on enemies when you release the trigger. Some of the Swarm Launcher's upgrades let it do some really cool stuff, but we'll get to that later. We have four guns for you to play around with in this demo, and on release you'll have many more. Those guns are SECRET. For now…https://tpucdn.com/img/K6R60XKQbClYgVpg_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/K6R60XKQbClYgVpg.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/KacG3W9P1ET2agTx_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/KacG3W9P1ET2agTx.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/fqYgcc9Losx9oA5v_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/fqYgcc9Losx9oA5v.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/ZxAWxOVPP3hyxNJs_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ZxAWxOVPP3hyxNJs.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

More than 700 games and applications feature RTX technologies, and each week new games integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players. This week, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation is multiplying frame rates in ARC Raiders, Deadzone: Rogue, Diablo IV Season 8, and Where Winds Meet. DLSS Frame Generation accelerates performance in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Mistfall Hunter Beta 2 Test. And the DOOM: The Dark Ages GeForce RTX 50 Series Bundle is available now.

ARC Raiders Tech Test 2 Starts Today With Support For DLSS Multi Frame Generation
Embark Studios' THE FINALS is a much-loved team-based first-person shooter that's loaded with the full suite of DLSS technologies, plus Reflex and NVIDIA-enhanced ray tracing. Now, the Embark team is readying ARC Raiders, their new multiplayer game, for release with a new tech test that starts today. This extraction shooter sees you enlist as a Raider and thrive in a desolate future Earth. Shape your legacy as you scavenge the lethal surface, and build your home in the underground neighborhood of Speranza. But beware of the machines, and beware of Raiders praying on others. Build relationships with traders as you carry out quests and return from the surface with valuable loot. Trade it for gear and crucial upgrades to your den. But nothing worth having is for free.https://tpucdn.com/img/yOJhHnLa9SaP1eKo_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/yOJhHnLa9SaP1eKo.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/M5aSWFido0ryrL8q_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/M5aSWFido0ryrL8q.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/LVWaPCC43w0RSqO9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/LVWaPCC43w0RSqO9.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

PC hardware watchers continue to pore over official AMD repositories and adjacent databases, in the hopes of finding unannounced next-gen technologies. Olrak29 and InstLatX64 have presented their latest Team Red-related findings; apparently reaching across futuristic desktop, mobile, and workstation product families. As outlined and interpreted by VideoCardz, several of these next-gen branches are already somewhat "known" properties—namely AMD's allegedly Zen 5-based Ryzen Threadripper "Shimada Peak" 9000WX (workstation) processor series. Following almost two years of leaks, an official introduction is expected to happen during Computex 2025 (https://www.techpowerup.com/336027/amd-ryzen-threadripper-shimada-peak-9000wx-cpu-support-discovered-in-bios-update). The Ryzen 9000G "Gorgon Point" desktop (Zen 5 + RDNA 3.5) APU series (https://www.techpowerup.com/334869/amd-ryzen-9000g-desktop-apu-series-tipped-for-q4-2025-launch) has turned up again; now "fully" linked to the AM5 socket platform (not a big surprise). The two leakers have also uncovered another rumored AM5-bound product lineup—"Grado" chips could be based on existing "Granite Ridge" foundations, but elevated to commercial/enterprise levels. These speculated basic/entry-level "EPYC 4005" processors are floated as natural successors to currently available 4004 forebears (https://www.techpowerup.com/322650/amd-introduces-epyc-4004-series-socket-am5-server-processors-for-smb-and-dedicated-webhosting-markets) (related to Ryzen 7000 "Raphael" architecture).

Olrak29 and InstLatX64 have also found multiple mysterious FP8 socket-related Ryzen AI Mobile SoCs. "Krackan2" could be a cheaper refresh of current "Krackan Point" APUs—Tom's Hardware proposes smaller designs that sport fewer cores, and not configured with NPUs. Kepler_L2 has weighed in on the matter of three listed "Gorgon Point" IPs—he reckons that the third variant ("Gorgon Point3") will be a spin-off (aka refresh) of a "Krackan2" design. As suggested by insider knowledge, Team Red's convoluted scheme (https://www.techpowerup.com/334584/amd-readies-gorgon-point-mobile-processor-for-2026-zen-5-rdna-3-5) points to "Gorgon Point" being the sequel to "Strix Point." An FF5-based "Soundwave" processor design has appeared alongside the aforementioned futuristic Ryzen AI Mobile chipsets—industry whispers propose that AMD will be leveraging Arm architecture within a lower product tier. InstLatX64 pulled additional compelling information from AMD's Technical Information Portal—providing further insight into Ryzen AI "Medusa Point (https://www.techpowerup.com/334720/amd-ryzen-ai-medusa-point-apu-could-arrive-with-larger-footprint-bga-fp10-dimensions-leaked)" APUs (Zen 6 + RDNA 3.5) being dreamt up, with a matching "larger footprint" FP10 platform.https://tpucdn.com/img/ZlhXNkgBfZgGlFyn_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ZlhXNkgBfZgGlFyn.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gimoPCKQhnCugVCs_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gimoPCKQhnCugVCs.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/y8pKxtO7gwYWoY6o_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/y8pKxtO7gwYWoY6o.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Intel is exploring a new way to cool its hottest chips by weaving tiny water channels into the processor package itself. At its Foundry Direct Connect showcase, via HardwareLuxx coverage (https://www.hardwareluxx.de/index.php/news/hardware/wasserkuehlung/66015-bis-zu-1-000-w-intel-arbeitet-an-wasserkuehlung-auf-package-level.html), the company revealed working prototypes for LGA desktop CPUs, BGA servers, and AI modules. Rather than flood the bare silicon, a slim copper block sits on top of the package, its microchannels precisely etched to carry coolant directly over the hottest areas. Intel engineers cooled Core Ultra desktop chips and high-end Xeon processors in live demonstrations. The system moves standard liquid-cooling fluid through those channels at a rate fast enough to whisk away up to 1,000 watts of heat. In the lab, that level of thermal performance isn't standard for everyday PC use, but it matches the demands of AI training, scientific computing, and professional workstations.

This design stands out because of its attention to every layer between the chip and the coolant. Intel carefully controls the thickness of the silicon die, the solder or liquid-metal thermal interface material, the integrated heat spreader, and the water block itself. By reducing or removing traditional barriers, thermal resistance falls, and engineers report roughly 20% better cooling than a standard water block mounted on a delidded die. Those copper blocks measure only a few millimeters in height yet still deliver strong flow rates. During chip layout, teams space out power-hungry blocks or flag-tight clusters so the cooling channels can target critical hotspots. This co-design of package and cooler goes much deeper than any off-the-shelf solution. While the basic research dates back nearly two decades, Intel has been refining the method for years. Still, with processors growing more powerful and densely packed, package-level liquid cooling could move from laboratory demo to essential tool for data centers and enthusiast rigs.https://tpucdn.com/img/SfQBo5NezrHcv0G6_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/SfQBo5NezrHcv0G6.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/UkOHWUfCcAhOBI8Y_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/UkOHWUfCcAhOBI8Y.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/nAj5lPn5X0m5wzpz_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/nAj5lPn5X0m5wzpz.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Far Cry 4 (https://store.ubisoft.com/us/far-cry-4) (2014) will now run at 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PS5 Pro, thanks to a free update deployed this week. Whether you're wingsuiting out of a gyrocopter for an aerial incursion, or wielding a rocket launcher atop an elephant as you charge into battle—the beautiful scenery and unbridled chaos have never been so inviting on console. Far Cry 4 will be coming to Game Pass for Xbox, PC, and cloud very soon. Alternatively, you can grab it for a big discount at one of these current sales: PlayStation Store (April 23-May 7), Xbox (April 20-May 5), and Ubisoft Store Legendary Sale (April 29-May 20).

Hidden in the towering Himalayas lies Kyrat, a country steeped in tradition and violence. You are Ajay Ghale. Traveling to Kyrat to fulfill your mother's dying wish, you find yourself caught up in a civil war to overthrow the oppressive regime of dictator Pagan Min. Explore and navigate this vast open world, where danger and unpredictability lurk around every corner. Here, every decision counts, and every second is a story. Welcome to Kyrat.https://tpucdn.com/img/uuQ7wcbu0y5FKZvk_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/uuQ7wcbu0y5FKZvk.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/RArDBTqCre7XDuKi_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/RArDBTqCre7XDuKi.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/xAkfC3UPwxmG9L6N_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/xAkfC3UPwxmG9L6N.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Last Saturday, Scythe Group announced the closure of its European branch. This followed mid-April reports of unusually low stock numbers in Germany—at the time, ComputerBase.de and its community highlighted the complete absence of the manufacturer's flagship Mugen 6 CPU air cooler at regional retail outlets. The site published an investigative article on April 22; presenting an important Consumer Protection Forum filing. Apparently "economic difficulties" have warranted the initiation of "preliminary insolvency proceedings"—as a result, Scythe EU GmbH faced an uncertain future. Looking back in TechPowerUp's news archive, the last official introduction of brand-new products—Mugen 6 standard and Black Edition coolers (https://www.techpowerup.com/318621/scythe-unveils-mugen-6-and-mugen-6-black-edition-cpu-coolers)—happened around early February. Also within the same month, TPU's crazyeyesreaper reviewed the brand's "highly-recommended" Fuma 3 model (https://www.techpowerup.com/review/scythe-fuma-3-cpu-air-cooler/). Despite releasing consistently high-grade and top-performing products; Scythe has faced aggressive competition across Europe—Chinese brands have flooded regional markers with cheaper alternatives. In particular, Thermalright has gained plenty of attention and uptake—due to a rapid cadence and wide variety of highly-acclaimed new releases (https://www.techpowerup.com/review/thermalright-phantom-spirit-120-evo-argb-cpu-air-cooler/).

Scythe's April 26 official notice stated: "To All Valued Clients, we deeply regret to inform you that SCYTHE EU will be ceasing operations. Moving forward, SCYTHE-branded products and customer support will remain available through our European distributors and online e-commerce platforms. During the transition period with our distributors/e-commerce channels, there may be some unfinished matters, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. SCYTHE will continue to uphold the principles of responsibility and integrity, ensuring consumer rights are protected in accordance with the law. We sincerely thank you for your support and loyalty to the SCYTHE brand over the years."https://tpucdn.com/img/RMgu87PmPL7bx05C_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/RMgu87PmPL7bx05C.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/uO6nXT0R0lNAqEXL_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/uO6nXT0R0lNAqEXL.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/f8TATmKOT4mxwby5_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/f8TATmKOT4mxwby5.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/DlmSaxoGIAlR2qpo_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/DlmSaxoGIAlR2qpo.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Towerborne (https://www.towerborne.com/) is available now in Xbox Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Cloud, Game Pass, and as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. It's a big moment for all of us at Stoic (https://stoicstudio.com/) (Banner Saga Trilogy), and we wanted to take a moment to talk about our journey so far—and where Towerborne is going next. At its core, Towerborne is a new kind of Looter Brawler—side-scrolling, pick-up-and-play combat fused with deep ARPG progression. You take on the role of an Ace, a spirit-forged hero sworn to defend the Belfry, humanity's last refuge. Venture solo or squad up in online co-op (or couch co-op on Xbox!); every swing, every loot drop, and every Umbra companion you recruit pushes back the darkness beyond those tower walls.

Our release via Xbox Game Preview marks a watershed moment in Towerborne's journey, a game we started building years ago. That early spark of imagination grew into the world you're stepping into today. Yesterday's release also brings a sizable update that deepens progression through the new Class Mastery system (https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/04/24/towerbornes-class-mastery-update/), reshapes the world map with dozens of handcrafted missions, and introduces fresh Umbra, legendary gear, and a formidable new foe.https://tpucdn.com/img/69U13Xc5Jr9KgSlG_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/69U13Xc5Jr9KgSlG.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/CJ8rpGwttsAhp31x_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/CJ8rpGwttsAhp31x.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/MaVQwDvuQBtX7dnN_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/MaVQwDvuQBtX7dnN.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/loV5rnRupuowXPcS_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/loV5rnRupuowXPcS.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Just over two weeks ago, NVIDIA officially outlined (https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/rtx-5060-desktop-family-laptop-5060-coming-soon/) a vague May launch window for GeForce RTX 5060 Mobile (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-5060-mobile.c4230) 8 GB dGPU-based partner-produced laptops/notebooks—"starting at $1099." Industry watchdogs reckon that a comprehensive product reveal will happen at Computex 2025. Team Green's mid-April PR article mentioned that models "are coming from every major OEM"—an included promotional image showcased devices built by Acer, ASUS, Dell, GIGABYTE, HP, Lenovo, MSI, and Razer (https://www.techpowerup.com/334229/razer-blade-16-with-geforce-rtx-5060-mobile-gpu-spotted-in-leaked-doc-msrp-usd-1999). The ever watchful Olrak29 has unearthed two unannounced COLORFUL devices; listings have appeared within the Geekbench Browser database. A next-gen "P15 Pro" entry—published on April 20—posted an OpenCL score of 109431 (in Geekbench 6.4).

This leak lists a Intel Core i9-13900HX (https://www.techpowerup.com/cpu-specs/core-i9-13900hx.c3018) "Raptor Lake" CPU and an "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU." A more modern specced "iGame M15 Origo"—powered by Team Blue's Core Ultra 9 285HX "Arrow Lake" APU—option was also put through the Geekbench 6.4 wringer; this sample produced an OpenCL score of 102564 (on April 27). As observed by VideoCardz, the lower end "Blackwell" GPU beats its "Ada Lovelace" predecessor—GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-4060-mobile.c3946)—by roughly 18% in overall OpenCL Geekbench gauntlets. Naturally, Vulkan-based scores would be better indicators of gaming performance. Early evaluators recorded maximum GPU clocks—of 2025 MHz and 2212 MHz (respectively)—on their GeForce RTX 5060 Mobile subjects.https://tpucdn.com/img/trOWZI3hYAdDQeJ1_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/trOWZI3hYAdDQeJ1.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/86YIhvUY6dcYkcgS_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/86YIhvUY6dcYkcgS.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/FRbxdl2peShKsIuI_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/FRbxdl2peShKsIuI.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Publisher Good Shepherd Entertainment (Monster Train, Dicefolk) and developer Violet Saint have officially released Moroi, a dark fantasy hack-and-slash adventure inspired by Romanian folklore, heavy metal and the profound works of David Lynch, on Steam.

Explore the theater of torment unfolding around you within the depths of Moroi's Cosmic Engine, a personalized hellscape of twisting corridors, rusted gears, and rotting flesh. Brave the surreal horrors ahead without any knowledge of your name, your sins, or your past. Claw your way through this realm and encounter grotesque inhabitants whose morbid humor offers the only flicker of light in this dark world. Cling to your sanity in an otherwise deteriorating existence styled as grimdark fantasy, a subgenre of fiction distinguished by bleak, dystopian settings and scenarios.https://tpucdn.com/img/TmAHW3RDJxI91JBO_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/TmAHW3RDJxI91JBO.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/fBLeqrhZQkMG02lL_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/fBLeqrhZQkMG02lL.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/iar9KBX9kmCzRstj_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/iar9KBX9kmCzRstj.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

We're so thrilled to be able to say this—Skin Deep (https://blendogames.com/skindeep/) is out now on Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/301280/Skin_Deep/). The response to our Steam Next Fest demo was really special, and it's such a pleasure to now share the full game with you all! Now that Skin Deep is available (Now! Did we say that already?), you can enjoy the full offering of starships, knick-knacks, creative chaos, and the entire roster of loveable cat personalities that color Nina Pasadena's sometimes wonky but always wonderful world.

Skin Deep combines immersive sim staples (stealth, multiple solutions to every problem) with a slapstick sense of humor. Play as Nina Pasadena and learn to defeat pirates with toilets, flammable deodorant, and laundry detergent. Suffer through one or two existential crises. Rescue your friends, who are talking cats. It's also another game fully developed in the id 4 Engine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Tech_4), and continues to push the boundaries of what we can achieve with that technology.https://tpucdn.com/img/Gr5OTqOSGWivdYfT_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Gr5OTqOSGWivdYfT.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/wS7dccrwxsnpWqy9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/wS7dccrwxsnpWqy9.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/Z872ZTLhxj8i7qr7_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Z872ZTLhxj8i7qr7.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gQ9Nb3paHsRjT401_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gQ9Nb3paHsRjT401.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

GeForce RTX 5090 (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-5090.c4216) graphics cards—whether in Founders Edition (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5090-founders-edition.b12225) or AIB custom form—are still in very high demand; certain buyers are even flying into nearby nations to take advantage of even the slightest favorable conditions. This was apparent during launch week—three months ago—with so-called "tourists" queuing up alongside locals in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea (https://www.techpowerup.com/332078/zotac-geforce-rtx-5090-solid-oc-on-auction-in-china-apparently-sourced-from-s-korea). Day one anti-scalping measures (https://www.techpowerup.com/331785/japanese-store-readies-lottery-system-ahead-of-geforce-rtx-5090-5080-gpu-launch) were implemented, but launch stock of GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards was rapidly depleted. According to the latest reports, (mostly) Chinese buyers have been making regular visits to Japan's big electronics retail hub, in Osaka. Up until fairly recently, tax-free circumstances—for non-natives—have made the purchase of flagship NVIDIA "Blackwell (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/?architecture=Blackwell+2.0&sort=generation)" GPU-based gaming GPUs worth the trip, even with the added expense of plane tickets and other overheads.

Additionally, certain outlets actually had units readily available on shelves or behind shop counters. Eventually, stores dropped the whole tax-free thing. This measure did not cause much discouragement; tourists were still willing to pay the extra cost—still reasonable, compared to escalated (global) card prices. As disclosed in a MyDrivers news report, multiple Osaka-based retailers have bolstered their anti-tourist sales methodologies—one visitor spotted an updated placard that stated: "GeForce RTX 5090/RTX 5080 cards are only sold to customers who use it in Japan. If the purchased product is to be taken out of Japan, it will not be sold." VideoCardz believes that this newer "symbolic" countermove will be tricky to enforce; are shop workers going to be tasked with performing "Japanese citizen tests" on a regular basis? Chinese ultra high-end GPU seekers could continue to source units from abroad; the latest rumblings (https://www.techpowerup.com/335862/nvidia-reportedly-warns-chinese-aics-about-potential-geforce-rtx-5090d-gpu-supply-cut-off) suggest a potential forthcoming ban of NVIDIA's region-exclusive GeForce RTX 5090D (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-5090-d.c4253) model.https://tpucdn.com/img/tUL9j3fx53NvXVEC_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/tUL9j3fx53NvXVEC.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/pr2MxYVpdUdURRGt_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/pr2MxYVpdUdURRGt.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/aQZh4beAowfMcTdt_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/aQZh4beAowfMcTdt.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/XMSsmLr3pNiIO6a4_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/XMSsmLr3pNiIO6a4.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Acer today announced the launch of two new cutting-edge gaming monitors - the Predator XB323QK V4 and Acer Nitro XV240 F6. Designed to offer enhancements to gaming visuals and performance, the new monitors set a high standard for gaming displays in the market, delivering exceptional refresh rates, stunning visuals, and advanced features tailored to meet the demands of competitive players and enthusiasts.

Predator XB323QK V4: Expansive 4K Gaming
The Predator XB323QK V4 brings an exceptional 4K UHD (3840x2160) resolution, offering gamers the clarity and details needed for a truly immersive gaming experience. Whether exploring expansive open worlds or engaging in high-intensity action sequences, the stunning visuals of the XB323QK V4 bring every game to life in breathtaking detail.https://tpucdn.com/img/dznTrsC0zxjLcIBR_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/dznTrsC0zxjLcIBR.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/4XjRXGrrOOzDsMf7_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/4XjRXGrrOOzDsMf7.jpg)
Read full story (https://www.techpowerup.com/336152/acer-unveils-two-new-gaming-monitors-predator-xb323qk-v4-with-4k-uhd-and-nitro-xv240-f6-ultraspeed-display)

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[NextPowerUP]

AI-powered image generation has progressed at a remarkable pace—from early examples of models creating images of humans with too many fingers to now producing strikingly photorealistic visuals. Even with such leaps, one challenge remains: achieving creative control. Creating scenes using text has gotten easier, no longer requiring complex descriptions—and models have improved alignment to prompts. But describing finer details like composition, camera angles and object placement with text alone is hard, and making adjustments is even more complex.

Advanced workflows using ControlNets—tools that enhance image generation by providing greater control over the output—offer solutions, but their setup complexity limits broader accessibility. To help overcome these challenges and fast-track access to advanced AI capabilities, NVIDIA at the CES trade show earlier this year announced the NVIDIA AI Blueprint for 3D-guided generative AI for RTX PCs (https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/rtx-ai-garage-ces-pc-nim-blueprints/). This sample workflow includes everything needed to start generating images with full composition control. Users can download the new Blueprint (https://build.nvidia.com/nvidia/genai-3d-guided) today.https://tpucdn.com/img/NMBm7HBTyNsoqtRn_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/NMBm7HBTyNsoqtRn.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/HhRD8rKQuMA27wVT_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/HhRD8rKQuMA27wVT.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Take-Two Interactive—the owner of Rockstar Games—has publicly endorsed the studio's decision to delay the launch (https://www.techpowerup.com/336256/rockstar-announces-grand-theft-auto-vi-delay-to-may-26-2026) of Grand Theft Auto VI into 2026. Following months of insider whispers, long-time franchise fans were not surprised when reading Rockstar's apology. Initially, Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) was pictured as an important system seller—industry experts and analysts theorized a sharp uptake of PlayStation 5 Pro units. Due to the AAA+ title's planned home console-exclusive release, many hardcore gamers would opt for the best available experience—enabled by flagship hardware.

Naturally, the game's publisher was looking forward to massive sale results in 2025—mainly driven by Rockstar's big open world blockbuster. With a revised release date of May 26—within the next financial year—company leadership remains confident about a current GTA VI-less calendar. Strauss Zelnick—Two Interactive Software's chairman and CEO—believes that an upward trajectory is still on the cards: "we support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations. While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence. As we continue to release our phenomenal pipeline, we expect to deliver a multi-year period of growth in our business and enhanced value for our shareholders."https://tpucdn.com/img/AxTzysRHVjfbPRbI_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/AxTzysRHVjfbPRbI.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/JMsLb4R6NS50Awnc_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/JMsLb4R6NS50Awnc.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/Pvt12mPI4vxtgjdu_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Pvt12mPI4vxtgjdu.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

Astera Labs, Inc., a global leader in semiconductor-based connectivity solutions for AI and cloud infrastructure, today announced its purpose-built PCIe 6 connectivity portfolio is ramping production to fast-track deployments of modern AI platforms at scale. Now featuring gearbox connectivity solutions alongside fabric switches, retimers, and active cable modules, Astera Labs' expanding PCIe 6 portfolio provides a comprehensive connectivity platform to deliver unparalleled performance, utilization, and scalability for next-generation AI and general-compute systems. Along with Astera Labs' demonstrated PCIe 6 connectivity over optical media, the portfolio will provide even greater AI rack-scale distance optionality. The transition to PCIe 6 is fueled by the insatiable demand for higher compute, memory, networking, and storage data throughput, ensuring advanced AI accelerators and GPUs operate at peak efficiency.

Thad Omura, Chief Business Officer, said, "Our PCIe 6 solutions have successfully completed qualification with leading AI and cloud server customers, and we are ramping up to volume production in parallel with their next generation AI platform rollouts. By continuing to expand our industry-leading PCIe connectivity portfolio with additional innovative solutions that includes Scorpio Fabric Switches, Aries Retimers, Gearboxes, Smart Cable Modules, and PCIe over optics technology, we are providing our hyperscaler and data center partners all the necessary tools to accelerate the development and deployment of leading-edge AI platforms."https://tpucdn.com/img/7va55jGOG3Zb4AhI_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/7va55jGOG3Zb4AhI.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

HYTE, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge PC components and peripherals, announced today its continued partnership with ATLUS for its latest HYTE Collection with Metaphor: ReFantazio (https://metaphor.atlus.com/). Starting today, fans can pre-order a Y70 computer case (https://hyte.com/store/metaphor-y70/cs-hyte-y70-metaphor) themed after the game, accompanying keycaps, desk pads, and more—all with an aesthetic that is fit for aspirant royalty! To learn more, and to pre-order these items, head over here (https://hyte.com/promo/atlus). As part of this latest project, HYTE worked closely with the Metaphor: ReFantazio team on the case, keycaps, and desk pad's design to ensure a high-quality product that is authentic to the game's environment and themes. The Metaphor: ReFantazio Y70 case lovingly displays the game's incredible artwork on its glass panels. Fans can also expect in-game elements thoughtfully integrated across the Y70's metal paneling, a custom metal plate that calls back to the game, and a deep mahogany colorway made for this collaboration.

Fans can also pre-order the Metaphor: ReFantazio Keycap Set (https://hyte.com/store/metaphor-keycaps/key-hyte-metaphor), which comes with 152 individual keycaps that are fully compatible with ANSI / ISO / JIS WW keyboards. Like with the Y70, in-game elements, typography, and design inspired by the game, along with the deep mahogany colorway, have also been integrated into the keycaps. As part of this lineup, HYTE is also launching three 900 mm x 400 mm Desk Pads, a 60 cm x 45 cm Wall Scroll, and a Metaphor: ReFantazio keychain with a special glowing effect that lets natural backlight shine through - all of which feature the game's impeccable artwork in stunning detail.https://tpucdn.com/img/pWuD4pom8U6MVIcQ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/pWuD4pom8U6MVIcQ.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/6n7RnkF42DWGNiN7_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/6n7RnkF42DWGNiN7.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/ifatVv9vhzNJDbjm_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ifatVv9vhzNJDbjm.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/tyNqnm0bqgSzsoG9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/tyNqnm0bqgSzsoG9.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Back in April, MSI unveiled the MAG 272UP QD-OLED X24 in China and now the display has tipped up on its global website, suggesting we'll see a world-wide release of what is set to be a more budget friendly 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor from the company. The base specs are quite similar to those of the MPG 272URX QD-OLED, as both models offer a 240 Hz refresh rate, a 0.03 ms response time, a peak HDR brightness of 1000 nits and a VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification. Both also have what MSI refers to as a graphene film with a custom heatsink to help cool the QD-OLED panel, as well as MSI's OLED Care 2.0 and a three-year warranty.

However, the MAG 272UP QD-OLED X24 only comes with DP 1.4a support, rather than DP 2.1a, although both displays sport a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports and a USB Type-C input with DP Alt mode. That said, the MAG 272UP QD-OLED X24 only offers a meagre 15 W USB PD charging, whereas the MPG 272URX offer 98 W charging and MSI has also dropped the USB hub and KVM support on the MAG model, but a headphone jack is still present. MSI has also gone for basic VESA Adaptive-Sync support, so no FreeSync or G-Sync support on this one. On the plus side, MSI has added console specific modes at 60 and 120 Hz at three different resolutions, something we haven't seen before and VRR is supported for consoles as well. The overall design remains the same though, making it easy to mistake the affordable SKU for the more feature rich SKU. So far there's no word on pricing outside of China, where it costs 5,499 RMB.https://tpucdn.com/img/Rg07pHU648Wdh85q_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Rg07pHU648Wdh85q.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/jGp5Bn0v1eoiZ6nW_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/jGp5Bn0v1eoiZ6nW.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/gMe68ngIbYAfbAtw_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/gMe68ngIbYAfbAtw.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/13wVNMpWi1q2kTkn_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/13wVNMpWi1q2kTkn.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

ASUS has added a brand-new ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB GDDR7 OC Edition (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/asus-rog-strix-rtx-5070-ti-oc-edition.b11998) SKU to its wide-ranging NVIDIA GPU portfolio. The company introduced new generation ROG Strix cards earlier this year, but these offerings were missing (https://www.techpowerup.com/333633/asus-reveals-day-1-pricing-for-tuf-gaming-rtx-5070-oc-edition-usd-740-in-north-america) during the various GeForce RTX 50-series launch periods. Within the first quarter of 2025, ASUS seemingly concentrated on getting its TUF Gaming and PRIME lines onto retail shelves. As reported by VideoCardz, ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti evaluation samples seem to be in the possession of media outlets. BenchLife.info has teased an upcoming full review, but their swift "hands-on" bit of coverage divulged an interesting claim about an alleged reshuffling of ASUS product hierarchies.

The article's author—Chris L.—stated: "ROG Strix RTX 50-series is finally on the market! After finishing GeForce RTX 5060 Ti (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-5060-ti.c4246) tests, we return to a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. ASUS has made some changes to the GeForce RTX 50-series, replacing ROG Strix with ROG Astral to become the highest-end graphics card product line (for GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 tiers). As for ROG Strix and TUF Gaming, ProArt, Prime and DUAL series, they provide players with different choices. The flagship ROG Matrix still exists, but we won't see it until it is needed." Currently, new product listings point to ROG Strix being limited to custom (standard and overclocked) GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/asus-rog-strix-rtx-5070-oc-edition.b12000) options.https://tpucdn.com/img/B3ymkIpAcqIR3CS3_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/B3ymkIpAcqIR3CS3.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/qUm1VrMzDyf9wrEE_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/qUm1VrMzDyf9wrEE.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/BWRWJlH5BtTdA275_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/BWRWJlH5BtTdA275.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/aCV997ECMnHw5WVY_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/aCV997ECMnHw5WVY.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

One of the interesting long-term trends in the commercial market is the shift in how people are functionally using PCs. Over the past few years, AI has gone from a dinner party conversation piece to practical use cases. Hand-waved discussions of future benefits are now concrete benefits in the here-and-now, from writing and validating software code to shaping customer communication. While many of these early AI workloads were executed in the cloud, we are seeing new use cases that require new local PC capabilities - capabilities AMD has been working to develop as part of its larger AI PC initiative. We've seen AI deployment accelerate in PCs, particularly as Microsoft builds these functions right into the operating system via its Windows 11 Copilot+ PC program.

In just two years, we've moved from an environment where the NPU was an unsupported, unknown proposition, to integrating NPU support into first and third-party applications. Commercial OEMs are expected to introduce AI PCs and Copilot+ PCs at a variety of price points throughout 2025, making local AI support more available and affordable. That's an important factor for corporate customers, many of which will be simultaneously negotiating the end of Windows 10 support and a historically large, pandemic-related system refresh wave. AI presents a further variable. The nature of the AI question has evolved over the last couple of years from "Does AI have a future in the enterprise?" to "What are the best practices for enterprise AI and AI PC deployment?" That's a significant shift, and it's worth unpacking in a little more detail.https://tpucdn.com/img/chqAE1PZAzAVFpQ4_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/chqAE1PZAzAVFpQ4.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/mE9N11R3t4uah8zp_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/mE9N11R3t4uah8zp.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/Kfh4UBXVSMeIFmrg_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Kfh4UBXVSMeIFmrg.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Hollow Knight: Silksong (https://hollowknightsilksong.com/)'s long gestation period has frustrated many Team Cherry fans. The Adelaide, Australia-based independent development and publishing house has only released one title: Hollow Knight (https://www.hollowknight.com/) (2017). The much-anticipated sequel was officially delayed (https://www.techpowerup.com/308484/team-cherry-has-delayed-hollow-knight-silksong) two years ago; a "planned" H1 2023 launch window was scuppered. Since then, Metroidvania genre fanatics have pored over the slightest of new details or external insights. Team Cherry has maintained a very low profile the ensuing years, but hopes were elevated in March. At the time, Microsoft's ID@Xbox initiative boasted (https://www.techpowerup.com/334442/id-xbox-fund-helps-indie-developers-of-all-sizes-including-team-cherry-hollow-knight-silksong-coming-soon) about their empowering (aka supplementary funding) of development on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Descenders Next, FBC: Firebreak, and "of course Hollow Knight: Silksong." Early last month, Team Cherry's PR and marketing chief—Matthew Griffin—confirmed that the team was working on versions of Silksong for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles. Aditionally, two new in-game screenshots emerged via Nintendo of Japan's official website.

Fresh signs of activity were welcomed and celebrated by the upcoming game's intended audience. More good news has turned up this week—eagle-eyed observers noticed that The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will be previewing a playable build later this year. As disclosed within a new exhibit description: "Game Worlds transports you inside the levels of 30 unforgettable video games, from global blockbusters like World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment) to pioneer of the life simulation genre The Sims (https://www.techpowerup.com/332248/the-sims-at-25-veteran-developer-discusses-franchise-history) (Electronic Arts), Neopets (World of Neopia) and highly anticipated Australian title Hollow Knight: Silksong, plus more to be announced." The Melbourne-based museum could attract an unprecedented number of paying gamer tourists; playable titles will be showcased until February of next year.https://tpucdn.com/img/GYPlcipCvYuuSRUJ_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/GYPlcipCvYuuSRUJ.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/FYgdblAlYdoo7aEe_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/FYgdblAlYdoo7aEe.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/7VhobvsURu9FJlta_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/7VhobvsURu9FJlta.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

We're excited to present IBM Granite 4.0 Tiny Preview, a preliminary version of the smallest model in the upcoming Granite 4.0 family of language models, to the open source community. Granite 4.0 Tiny Preview is extremely compact and compute efficient: at FP8 precision, several concurrent sessions performing long context (128K) tasks can be run on consumer grade hardware, including GPUs commonly available for under $350 USD (https://www.ibm.com/new/announcements/ibm-granite-4-0-tiny-preview-sneak-peek#1). Though the model is only partially trained—it has only seen 2.5T of a planned 15T or more training tokens—it already offers performance rivaling that of IBM Granite 3.3 2B Instruct despite fewer active parameters and a roughly 72% reduction in memory requirements (https://www.ibm.com/new/announcements/ibm-granite-4-0-tiny-preview-sneak-peek#2). We anticipate Granite 4.0 Tiny's performance to be on par with that of Granite 3.3 8B Instruct by the time it has completed training and post-training.

As its name suggests, Granite 4.0 Tiny will be among the smallest offerings in the Granite 4.0 model family. It will be officially released this summer as part of a model lineup that also includes Granite 4.0 Small and Granite 4.0 Medium. Granite 4.0 continues IBM's firm commitment to making efficiency and practicality the cornerstone of its enterprise LLM development. This preliminary version of Granite 4.0 Tiny is now available on Hugging Face—though we do not yet recommend the preview version for enterprise use—under a standard Apache 2.0 license. Our intent is to allow even GPU-poor developers to experiment and tinker with the model on consumer-grade GPUs. The model's novel architecture is pending support in Hugging Face transformers and vLLM, which we anticipate will be completed shortly for both projects. Official support to run this model locally through platform partners including Ollama and LMStudio is expected in time for the full model release later this summer.https://tpucdn.com/img/EgXaFPq0xMfcSW5c_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/EgXaFPq0xMfcSW5c.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/OEGtKNjuXslXKJdu_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/OEGtKNjuXslXKJdu.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/sHsf1nXvvU8mILKI_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/sHsf1nXvvU8mILKI.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

At some point this week, the population of ASUS GeForce cards has grown again. In a very quiet manner, the brand has added over twenty new SKUs to its Team Green portfolio. The Taiwanese company seems to be catching up with a nearby AIB rival—since February, MSI has stealthily expanded its graphics card library. It will likely take a while—for PC hardware news outlets—to comb through everything, but momomo_us and Wccftech have put spotlights on two compelling "White Edition" spin-offs of already launched ASUS GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/asus-tuf-gaming-rtx-5070-ti-oc-edition.b12079) and RTX 5070 12 GB (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/asus-prime-rtx-5070-oc-edition.b12086) custom models. The manufacturer's TUF Gaming division is best known for running with an industrial/military aesthetic on mid-tier positioned products—a standard palette combines gunmetal gray tones, silver highlights and minimal ARGB lighting zones.

The freshly introduced TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB GDDR7 White OC Edition will be deployed with the exact same specifications and "military-grade" components present on its traditionally-shaded sibling. In a similar manner, the new PRIME GeForce RTX 5070 White OC Edition 12 GB GDDR7 SKU leverages a repeat of original model specifications. The ASUS global website does not provide pricing or availability details, at the time of writing. Under normal circumstances, PRIME graphics cards were intended to be "baseline MSRP" conformant. It is not clear whether this white-hued + overclocked variant will hover close to NVIDIA's recommended GeForce RTX 5070 starting level: $549.00. Unfortunately, both of these brand-new almost "all-white" setups do not extend to contained PCB designs—we are probably looking at standard model boards. Gaming graphics card enthusiasts have heaped praise on PowerColor; thanks to their inclusion of suitably pale PCBs within "Spectral White" products.https://tpucdn.com/img/D1GIPqKgdfbwx6Uv_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/D1GIPqKgdfbwx6Uv.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/e4Quc9YAc5d7SPqw_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/e4Quc9YAc5d7SPqw.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/9e4hzDdOnXasvXj2_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/9e4hzDdOnXasvXj2.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/6BrdcVhFTgGed9ZG_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/6BrdcVhFTgGed9ZG.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

In December, we reported that Intel's next‑generation Arc graphics cards, based on the Xe3 "Celestial" IP, are finished (https://www.techpowerup.com/329570/intel-xe3-celestial-architecture-is-complete-hardware-team-moves-on-to-xe4-druid-design). Tom Petersen of Intel confirmed that the Xe3 IP is baked, meaning that basic media engines, Xe cores, XMX matrix engines, ray‑tracing engines, and other parts of the gaming GPU are already designed and most likely awaiting trial fabrication. Today, we learn that Intel has reached pre‑silicon validation, meaning that trial production is imminent. According to the X account @Haze2K1, which shared a snippet of Intel's milestones, a pre‑silicon hardware model of the Intel Arc Xe3 Celestial IP is being used to map out frequency and power usage in firmware. As a reminder, Intel's pre‑silicon validation platform enables OEM and IBV partners to boot and test new chip architectures months before any physical silicon is available, catching design issues much earlier in the development cycle.

Intel provides OEMs and IBVs access to a secure, cloud‑based environment that faithfully emulates hardware‑representative systems, allowing developers to validate firmware and software stacks from anywhere without the need for physical labs. Most likely, Intel is running massive emulations of hardware on FPGAs, which act as an ASIC chip—an Arc Xe3 GPU in this case. The pre‑silicon validation team is now optimizing the power‑frequency curve and the voltage in sleep, rest, and boost states, as well as their respective frequencies. With the Xe3 IP taking many forms, engineers are experimenting with every possible form factor, from mobile to discrete graphics. Additionally, data pathways depend on these frequency curves, which in turn rely on power states that allow voltage to spike up and down as the application requires. As this work is now complete, engineers are moving on to other areas for optimization, and once the silicon returns from volume production, it will be fully optimized. We expect the first trial of silicon soon, with volume production by the end of the year or in early 2026.https://tpucdn.com/img/vQTjSkrU8BAjanw7_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/vQTjSkrU8BAjanw7.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/nS9f8APK1cUlImtx_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/nS9f8APK1cUlImtx.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN (https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/nightreign), the standalone multiplayer co-op action survival game by FromSoftware, Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., unveiled a new trailer to showcase an overview of the systems at players' disposal to conquer the game's various challenges in its harsh and unforgiving world. The network test was just a glimpse of the surface of the game's malleability, as the world of Limveld can twist and change with each run. Discover what awaits players when ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN launches later this month, by watching the new Gameplay Overview trailer (below).

In ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN, players must make split-second decisions about combat and exploration across a map that can fluctuate with different biomes, weapons, and enemies in order to become stronger, and outrun the encroaching circle of fire to be able to take on terrifying bosses at the end of each day. This culminates on the third day, where if players were successful in surviving the night must take on one of the Nightlords—new bosses for this version. Nightfarers (https://www.techpowerup.com/336025/bandai-namco-explores-elden-ring-nightreigns-character-classes-reveals-pc-spec-requirements) must learn to cooperate to take down these challenges, combining their unique abilities together for an unparalleled experience in the ELDEN RING universe. All is not lost for those who fall in defeat. Unsuccessful runs will grant players relics to allow them to customize and upgrade their characters tailored to their personal play styles.https://tpucdn.com/img/hlpDjFkX1aK6DtoE_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/hlpDjFkX1aK6DtoE.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/6XoloEfPpe2mcWe2_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/6XoloEfPpe2mcWe2.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/8lT4WIzBF4lvUhKN_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/8lT4WIzBF4lvUhKN.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/ArEXPb7eiQ8orkS8_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/ArEXPb7eiQ8orkS8.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Today, we are looking at the latest benchmark results for NVIDIA's upcoming RTX PRO 6000 "Blackwell" workstation-class GPU. Based on the new GB202 GPU, this professional visualization card features an impressive 24,064 CUDA cores distributed across 188 streaming multiprocessors, with boost clocks up to 2,617 MHz. It also introduces 96 GB of GDDR7 memory with full error‑correcting code, a capacity made possible by dual‑sided 3 GB modules (https://www.techpowerup.com/336060/nvidia-rtx-pro-6000-gddr7-memory-comes-in-3-gb-modules-sandwiching-the-pcb-on-both-sides). In Geekbench 6.4.0 OpenCL trials, the PRO 6000 Blackwell registered a total score of 368,219. That result trails the gaming‑oriented GeForce RTX 5090, which posted 376,858 points despite having fewer cores (21,760 vs. 24,064 of RTX PRO) and a lower peak clock of 2,410 MHz versus the 2617 MHz of RTX PRO.

A breakdown of subtests reveals that the workstation card falls behind in background blur (263.9 versus 310.7 images per second) and face detection (196.7 versus 241.5 images per second), yet it leads modestly in horizon detection and Gaussian blur. These mixed outcomes are attributed to pre‑release drivers, a temporary cap on visible memory (currently limited to 23.8 GB), and power‑limit settings. If the card ran on release drivers, software (especially OpenCL) could greatly benefit from more cores and higher max frequency. One significant distinction within the RTX PRO 6000 family concerns power consumption. The Max‑Q Workstation Edition is engineered for a 300 W thermal design point, making it suitable for compact chassis and environments where quiet operation is essential. It retains all 24,064 cores and the full 96 GB of memory, but clocks and voltages are adjusted to fit the 300 W budget. By contrast, the standard Workstation and Server models allow a thermal budget of up to 600 W, enabling higher sustained frequencies and heavier compute workloads in full‑size desktop towers and rack‑mounted systems.https://tpucdn.com/img/2rPVMnInUhlqV5tt_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/2rPVMnInUhlqV5tt.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/8xuGtmf9xcB7igDg_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/8xuGtmf9xcB7igDg.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

The first couple of paragraphs within Anthropic's "Securing America's Compute Advantage: (Our) Position on the Diffusion Rule" article are standard fare. Roughly half-way through a read of this policy-related piece, the North American (Amazon-backed) AI startup makes some bizarre claims about the smuggling of AI-oriented products into China. Given ongoing global tensions and growing industry demands, these activities (https://www.techpowerup.com/280625/a-sign-of-the-times-hong-kong-authorities-dismantle-smuggling-operation-which-included-300-nvidia-cmp-cards) are somewhat expected—but Anthropic leadership described very specific methodologies. As stated within their "Chip Smuggling is a Major Threat" passage: "China has established sophisticated smuggling operations, with documented cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars worth of chips. In some cases, smugglers have employed creative methods to circumvent export controls, including hiding processors in prosthetic baby bumps and packing GPUs alongside live lobsters." Specific bits of hardware were not mentioned in this section, but the author later alludes to the frictionless transfer of thousands of "NVIDIA H100 advanced chips" into Chinese territories.

In a statement issued to CNBC, a Team Green spokesperson dismissed Anthropic's fanciful claims: "American firms should focus on innovation and rise to the challenge, rather than tell tall tales that large, heavy, and sensitive electronics are somehow smuggled in 'baby bumps' or 'alongside' live lobsters." This very public spat has received mainstream attention; with further coverage documenting additional "to and fro" barbs. NVIDIA criticized Anthropic's anti-foreign competition stance: "China, with half of the world's AI researchers, has highly capable AI experts at every layer of the AI stack. America cannot manipulate regulators to capture victory in AI." Amusingly, Anthropic's operations rely heavily on Team Green hardware—many online critics reckon that top US AI companies are jostling for priority access to cutting-edge GPUs/accelerators. In reaction to NVIDIA's dismissal of their report, a company spokesperson retorted with: "Anthropic stands by its recently filed public submission in support of strong and balanced export controls that help secure America's lead in infrastructure development and ensure that the values of freedom and democracy shape the future of AI."https://tpucdn.com/img/KfpNf7gdInGUkBn9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/KfpNf7gdInGUkBn9.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/VWxWvCVlu6HtVS3n_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/VWxWvCVlu6HtVS3n.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/KuVBdJRgWtQFkqX8_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/KuVBdJRgWtQFkqX8.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/uWZwv18rAWK01c1G_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/uWZwv18rAWK01c1G.jpg)

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[NextPowerUP]

The momentum around Deadzone's Early Access release has been amazing! Since this week's launch, over 30,000 players have jumped in, and the feedback has been super helpful. Thanks everybody! The most-requested feature so far is offline single-player mode, so we're making it a top priority. You'll be able to play Deadzone Rogue offline in single-player mode ASAP—we're aiming to have a patch out and live as quickly as possible.

We're also sorry if it wasn't clear that an online connection was required. We've updated our Steam page (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3228590/Deadzone_Rogue/) "System Requirements" with this info for now. Note: co-op mode will still require online play, so everyone can share the same game experience in real time. Thanks again for your support, it's been so exciting to see so many players enjoying Deadzone! In the meantime, keep the bug reports and feedback coming through Steam reviews, or Discord (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/discord.gg/deadzonerogue)—in our #feedback channel. Let's make this the best game possible!https://tpucdn.com/img/KWbyIMYT2Yv9wFP9_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/KWbyIMYT2Yv9wFP9.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/Rquv75r4AbUEfxPn_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/Rquv75r4AbUEfxPn.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/XcDVMYx3cG3OzcPa_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/XcDVMYx3cG3OzcPa.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/r1ocIaG92V4dnwEc_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/r1ocIaG92V4dnwEc.jpg)
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[NextPowerUP]

Mid-week, leakers produced an impressive list (https://www.techpowerup.com/336162/leaks-suggest-amd-am5-future-support-for-ryzen-9000g-gorgon-point-epyc-4005-grado-cpus) of unannounced next-gen AMD processor families—spanning across workstation, desktop, and laptop/notebook product lines. Additional data mining activities have outlined a possible "PRO model-only" release of Ryzen Threadripper Pro "Shimada Peak" 9000WX CPUs. AMD's upcoming Computex 2025 presentation plans could include an unveiling of their much-leaked (https://www.techpowerup.com/336027/amd-ryzen-threadripper-shimada-peak-9000wx-cpu-support-discovered-in-bios-update) Zen 5 workstation-grade processor family. Curiously, AMD's Technical Information Portal does not list a "Shimada Peak" High-End Desktop (HEDT) category—industry watchers expected to see a successor to the current-gen Ryzen Threadripper (non-PRO) 7000X "Storm Peak" series (https://www.amd.com/en/partner/articles/unchained-creativity-threadripper-7000-series.html). In theory, next-gen HEDT models could be introduced at a later date. All leaked identifiers have featured "-5WX" affixes; denoting workstation deployments. Keen observers have not found products IPs ending with "-0X." InstLatX64's supplementary investigations seemed to confirm presences of the vast majority of recently disclosed next-wave product ranges—namely Ryzen 9000G "Gorgon Point" APUs and EPYC 4005 "Grado" CPUs. Another anomaly was discovered; the alleged Arm-based "Soundwave" SoC family was notably absent from Team Red's tech info repository.https://tpucdn.com/img/JCuCq9NmVfVZkXPk_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/JCuCq9NmVfVZkXPk.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/R3V3iTSPfhngewqS_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/R3V3iTSPfhngewqS.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/QlgTEbku2sFlb8Ha_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/QlgTEbku2sFlb8Ha.jpg) https://tpucdn.com/img/s2exxsd1qC3CX4qp_thm.jpg (https://www.techpowerup.com/img/s2exxsd1qC3CX4qp.jpg)

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