TechPowerUP NEWS

[NextPowerUP]

AMD and its board partners have finally debuted Radeon RX 7600 graphics cards this week, and hardware enthusiasts were somewhat pleased about Team Red's last minute adjustment to the lineup's MSRP - rumors had to pointed to an expected $299 base price, but the monolithic RDNA 3 Navi 33 XL GPU (6 nm) card hit the market with a starting SEP of $269/€299.99. Buyer perception is difficult to gauge, but recent GPU product launches have indicated that folks are simply not rushing to the store to pick up the latest and greatest from AMD and NVIDIA alike.

A major Spanish e-tailer, CoolMod, is reported to be the first European store to offer a custom Radeon RX 7600 card at a discounted price of €259.94 ($279) which includes VAT - having adjusted the figure a mere day after the official launch - resulting in a saving of €40 (13% reduction). The ASRock Challenger OC 8 GB model was announced yesterday, alongside its Steel Legend and Phantom Gaming siblings - the latter has been reviewed by TPU's W1zzard. His assessment concludes: "At its price point, the RX 7600 offers virtually the same price/performance as the RX 6600 XT ($250), which makes it a tough sale, especially when you factor in price increases for custom designs. While AMD does have some technological improvements like HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 and AV1 video encode/decode, I think none of these are relevant in this segment, at least not to the majority of potential customers; NVIDIA has the DLSS 3 carrot to dangle in front of gamers. The RX 7600 should really be $199 or $229 to make it an interesting option."

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(PR) MSI Rolls Out a Series of New Products A Strong Showing Starts at COMPUTEX 2023
MSI, a global leader in gaming, content creation, and business & productivity, unveils a powerful range of new products at COMPUTEX 2023 this year. With core values of creativity and passion to build top-performing products, MSI shows off the premium line-up to provide visitors with a comprehensive experience.

The major highlights include the latest graphics cards powered by the just-revealed NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics processor and designed with fans' craving for new graphics technology, high-performance circuit board design, and advanced cooling. With a sleek and light design, Prestige 16, the winner of the Red Dot Design Award in 2023, features the latest 13th Gen. Intel Core i7 processor and has been certified by the Intel Evo platform and NVIDIA Studio to enhance the overall user experience. MSI makes a compelling display of the all-new products at the booth, L0818, including laptops, desktops, graphics cards, motherboards, monitors, PC components, and collaboration with a popular application.
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Homeworld 3 Launch Window Rescheduled to February 2024
Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing have jointly announced that development on Homeworld 3 is being extended - a message was shared on social media and HW3-related store pages yesterday: "We are moving the launch of Homeworld 3 from the first half of 2023 to February 2024 so that we deliver the quality experience that fans deserve." The long anticipated follow-up to Homeworld 2 (2003) has been delayed numerous times since its 2019 unveiling and start of a crowd funding campaign, but yesterday's news arrived quite close to an expected summer-time launch - some of the fanbase will not be happy about another postponement, but it is encouraging that Blackbird Interactive (a studio founded by ex-Relic veterans) is not rushing an unfinished product to market.

The joint statement elaborates further: "Our primary goal is to deliver a Homeworld experience that lives up to the standards set by its predecessors and is worthy of this series' incredible legacy. Homeworld 3 is shaping up to be exactly that, but in order to fully realize that vision we need more time to refine and polish the game. We deeply appreciate your passion and dedication to this game, and we are working hard to get Homeworld 3 to you as soon as we can." The team encourages fans to take a look at a quick Q&A rundown which semi-explains their decision to delay HW3: "We want to deliver this game as soon as possible, but we can't and shouldn't do that at the cost of quality or the pillars the franchise is built on." A more in-depth preview event is lined up for the interim time before the February 2024 launch: "We are looking forward to sharing our biggest Homeworld 3 progress update yet later this summer. We've been working on a lot behind the scenes, and we can't wait to show everyone."
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OLED TV Prices Predicted to Fall in 2023 and 2024
According to a newly published study, by market analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), TV OLED panel production costs are set to fall consistently over the next two years. Thanks to increased efficiency and improved yields at key manufacturing facilities, premium TV models could drop in price within a few months (maybe in time for Christmas) - according to FlatPanelsHD. The DSCC report indicates that production costs per 55-inch OLED panel are predicted to decrease by roughly 20% (when compared to data from 2022), with the same percentage reduction lined up for 2024. LG Display's "white OLED" panel is the given example here - it is featured on many 2023 TV ranges including LG's own C3 and G3 models, as well as units from competing brands: Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Hisense, etc.

Samsung's proprietary QD-OLED TV technology is also forecasted to become cheaper to produce - by 30% - according to the market analysts at DSCC. The Display division's South Korean factory lines are capable of pumping out 65-inch QD-OLED panels at greater efficiency this year - with a reported higher overall yield when compared to 2022's results (from 68% to 84%). Samsung's quantum dot panels are usually reserved for flagship level TV models, but lower production costs could lead to more mid-range televisions adopting the high-end display technology.

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(PR) Drop Introduces Paragon Series Cyboard TKL Mechanical Keyboard
In a city named after night, the pursuit of one thing is shared by criminals, corporations, and citizens alike. It's apogee—the best, the greatest—and it's caused many to alter themselves with next-gen tech, building on their bodies and becoming borgs. The story's the same on the new Drop Paragon Series Cyboard: the latest installment in the highest tier of our Icon Collection.

Outfitted with the finest enthusiast components, including hand-lubricated Holy Panda X Clear Switches and Phantom Stabilizers, it delivers an unrivaled tactile typing experience. It also features hand-placed dampening material between the case and the PCBA to take that experience further with ultra-satisfying texture and acoustics. On the aesthetic side, apogee is all but attained via the Drop + MiTo DCX Cyber Keycap Set, elevated by an exclusive Cyber Yellow CTRL High-Profile aluminium case. It's a look straight out of 2077—hand-assembled in the USA for exceptional performance, and shipped with a soft carry case for secure, streamlined carry.
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(PR) Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Gameplay Demonstrated at Skulls Showcase
Following Games Workshop's Skulls Showcase earlier today, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive are thrilled to showcase brand new glimpses of gameplay for their upcoming action-packed blockbuster Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, coming soon to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Hosted by Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun's lead actor and Warhammer superfan Rahul Kohli, the event has given players their very first look at the Tyranid onslaught they will be facing at release. Watch today's video (below) and discover it for yourself!

Play as the greatest warriors of the Imperium
Embody a Space Marine of the Ultramarines Chapter, a superhuman warrior who protects humanity from untold horrors, in brutally efficient third-person action powered by the distinctively fast and fluid gameplay experience from best-in-class studio Saber Interactive, the team and engine behind World War Z.
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(PR) Microsoft Delves into New Features and Enhancements for Windows 11
Technology is creating amazing opportunities for our industry and the world, and Windows 11 is at the center of innovation with new experiences that transform how we interact with the Windows PC and each other. With Windows 11, we're seeing record engagement, our highest customer satisfaction over any previous version of Windows in the U.S., and accelerated growth in commercial deployments. In fact, we recently shared as part of our latest earnings report that over 90% of Fortune 500 companies are currently trialing or have already deployed Windows 11.

In February, we brought the new AI-powered Bing to the taskbar and other features to improve the way people get things done on their PCs. Today, we are providing a look at new features and enhancements for Windows 11 that will start to become available tomorrow, May 24, that focus on business needs, such as security and IT management, and new benefits that enhance professional and personal usability. For developers building on Windows, this week we are announcing new innovation at Microsoft Build.
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[NextPowerUP]

TechPowerUp partners with Team Group, the premier PC enthusiast memory and cooling solutions company, to bring you our Computex Giveaway. Team Group will be making a big splash this Computex, with the resurrection of the iconic Team Xtreem enthusiast memory brand, along with new PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSDs, flash drives, and liquid cooling solutions. Don't forget to check out our in depth coverage of Team Group next week!

Up for grabs are a Team Group Delta DDR5-6400 32 GB (2x 16 GB) memory kit, a Team Group M200 4 TB portable SSD; a Team Group Classic DDR4-3200 32 GB (2x 16 GB) kit, and a Team Group Vulcan Z 1 TB 2.5-inch SATA SSD. The Giveaway is open worldwide, with entries closing on June 6, 2023. All you need to do to participate, is fill up a tiny form, and answer a few Team Group-related questions. Good Luck!

For more information, and to Participate, visit this page.

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The Last of Us Part I Gets New v1.0.5.1 Patch
Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy have released the v1.0.5.1 Patch for the PC version of The Last of Us Part 1, bringing general and AMD GPU stability improvements, and fixing issues seen with all Intel Arc GPUs.

According to the rather short release notes, the newest update brings general stability improvements, fixes crashes on boot that were seen on all Intel Arc GPUs, as well as brings stability improvements for some AMD GPUs during an extended playthrough. Naughty Dog was keen to note that they are still closely watching for reports to support future improvements and patches, as well as actively optimizing, working on game stability, and implementing additional fixes that will be included in future updates.
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(PR) Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition Free During Epic MEGA Sale Week Two
The Vault is open again, and inside we have … more vaults! Our free game this week is Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition, which is famously full of vaults. You can grab the classic post-apocalyptic RPG from 11 AM May 25, 2023 to 11 AM, June 1.

For this week's giveaway, we have one free month of Discord Nitro, letting you access the awesome app's subscription-only features for a limited time.
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(PR) ASRock Releases New vBIOS of AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX AQUA 24 GB OC
ASRock, the leading global motherboard, graphics card and mini PC manufacturer, today announced its new powerful vBIOS designed for AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX AQUA 24 GB OC to offer users better gaming experience.

The new vBIOS (file name: RX7900XTX_24GB_Extreme_OC) of Radeon RX 7900 XTX AQUA 24 GB OC is equipped with better settings to make graphics card break previous performance limitation. Compared with AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX reference card, the new vBIOS settings have approximate 13.5% performance enhancement (3DMark Time Spy Score) and significantly improve user's gaming experience.
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XFX Unveils Radeon RX 7600 Speedster QICK 308 and SWFT 210 Graphics Cards
XFX started selling its Radeon RX 7600 series graphics cards, which consist of the affordable RX 7600 Speedster SWFT 210, and the premium RX 7600 Speedster QICK 308. The SWFT 210 is priced at the AMD MSRP for the RX 7600, of USD $269. The QICK 308 is priced at a $20-40 premium, although it has been spotted on e-tailers at the MSRP.

The SWFT 210 uses a simpler aluminium fin-stack cooler that uses a pair of 100 mm fans (hence the name 210, denoting 2x 100 mm fans). The card sticks to AMD-reference clock speeds of 2250 MHz Game clocks, and 2655 MHz boost. The larger QICK 308, on the other hand, uses a triple-slot, triple fan cooling solution, with a more elaborate multiple fin-stack heatsink, and three 80 mm fans (hence 308). This card comes with a factory-overclock. While the Game clock is untouched at 2250 MHz, the boost frequency is dialed up to 2755 MHz. This card uses the same 1x 8-pin PCIe power input configuration as its sibling.

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(PR) Cooler Master Reveals Strategic Focus Areas to Drive Revolutionary Innovation
Cooler Master, a technology leader for business and retail markets, announced today its vision for the future, focusing on redefining a tech lifestyle and paving the way for immersive experiences and full ecosystems in today's ever-growing industry. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and pushing boundaries in both the retail and business sectors, Cooler Master aims to continue providing cutting-edge solutions that fuel success for businesses while growing its vibrant community of builders, gamers, and tech enthusiasts who dare to push the limits of what's possible.

Tech Lifestyle: Empowering Customers to Embrace a Digital Lifestyle
At the heart of Cooler Master's strategy lies a dedication to empowering customers and enabling them to embrace a tech lifestyle. The company aims to provide comprehensive ecosystems and tailored solutions for DIY builders, system owners, content creators, and businesses. Cooler Master believes in going beyond individual components, shaping complete systems that seamlessly integrate technology and cater to diverse needs.
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[NextPowerUP]

SK hynix Inc. announced today that it has completed the development of the industry's most advanced 1bnm, the fifth-generation of the 10 nm process technology, while the company and Intel began a joint evaluation of 1bnm and validation in the Intel Data Center Certified memory program for DDR5 products targeted at Intel Xeon Scalable platforms.

The move comes after SK hynix became the first in the industry to reach 1anm readiness and completed Intel's system validation of the 1anm DDR5, the fourth-generation of the 10 nm technology. The DDR5 products provided to Intel run at the world's fastest speed of 6.4 Gbps (Gigabits per second), representing a 33% improvement in data processing speed compared with test-run products in early days of DDR5 development.
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(PR) CORSAIR Announces DOMINATOR Titanium Series DDR5 Memory
CORSAIR, a world leader in enthusiast components for gamers, creators, and PC builders, today announced the latest addition to its award-winning memory line-up, DOMINATOR TITANIUM DDR5 memory. Built using some of the fastest DDR5 ICs alongside patented CORSAIR DHX cooling technology for improved overclocking potential, DOMINATOR TITANIUM continues the DOMINATOR legacy with stunning design and blazing performance.

Sporting an elegant, fresh new design and built using premium materials and components, DOMINATOR TITANIUM DDR5 memory will be available for both Intel and AMD platforms, supporting Intel XMP 3.0 when paired with 12th and 13th-Gen Core processors or AMD EXPO for Ryzen 7000 CPUs. These technologies enable easy overclocking in just a couple of clicks on compatible platforms.
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(PR) CORSAIR Revolutionizes DIY PC Building with the New iCUE LINK Smart Component Ecosystem
CORSAIR, a world leader in high-performance gear and systems for gamers, content creators, and PC enthusiasts, today ushered in a new era of smart, simplified DIY PC building as it revealed the iCUE LINK Smart Component Ecosystem. iCUE LINK changes the way experienced PC builders and newcomers alike will create their next PC, implementing patent-pending single-cable technology to reduce the time it takes to build and set up a new performance PC by as much as 50% while dramatically reducing cable management. No more nests of wires, connection hubs, PWM and RGB splitters cluttering up your case - all thanks to the unprecedented simplicity and potential of iCUE LINK.

A built-in microcontroller in every individual iCUE LINK component acts as a "brain" that communicates with the System Hub, enabling a generational leap in system intelligence and opening up exciting possibilities - such as the new Time Warp RGB lighting mode that uses a strobing effect to make it appear as if your fans are frozen in place or spinning backwards, and individual fan response curves that let you optimize for noise and performance like never before.
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(PR) Boosting Our iCUE CORSAIR Launches Improved iCUE Software and Elgato Stream Deck Plugin
CORSAIR (NASDAQ: CRSR), a world leader in enthusiast components for gamers, creators, and PC builders, today introduced major improvements to its CORSAIR iCUE software, making it easier for users to download iCUE and start customizing and controlling their systems immediately. With a smaller installer and a more streamlined, efficient file size for most users, iCUE is now more accessible, while remaining as powerful as ever.

When users install the new iCUE, both the installer size, and iCUE file size, will be dramatically reduced. The new modular architecture will recognize and include only the settings you need for your connected iCUE-compatible devices so your system resources will be optimized. Want a more extensive iCUE experience? You can add modules such as NVIDIA Broadcast, third-party smart lighting control, and RGB game integrations, or make a more personalized iCUE interface.
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(PR) Gigabyte Shows AI/HPC and Data Center Servers at Computex
GIGABYTE is exhibiting cutting-edge technologies and solutions at COMPUTEX 2023, presenting the theme "Future of COMPUTING". From May 30th to June 2nd, GIGABYTE is showcasing over 110 products that are driving future industry transformation, demonstrating the emerging trends of AI technology and sustainability, on the 1st floor, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1.

GIGABYTE and its subsidiary, Giga Computing, are introducing unparalleled AI/HPC server lineups, leading the era of exascale supercomputing. One of the stars is the industry's first NVIDIA-certified HGX H100 8-GPU SXM5 server, G593-SD0. Equipped with the 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors and GIGABYTE's industry-leading thermal design, G593-SD0 can perform extremely intensive workloads from generative AI and deep learning model training within a density-optimized 5U server chassis, making it a top choice for data centers aimed for AI breakthroughs. In addition, GIGABYTE is debuting AI computing servers supporting NVIDIA Grace CPU and Grace Hopper Superchips. The high-density servers are accelerated with NVLink-C2C technology under the ARM Neoverse V2 platform, setting a new standard for AI/HPC computing efficiency and bandwidth.
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(PR) AZZA Unveils New Shapes and Sizes at Computex 2023
AZZA, a leading manufacturer and provider of computer cases, power supplies, and PC components, presents new show-stopping cases and unveils a community project at Computex 2023. Starting off with the Sanctum 810, a spacious square glass enclosure with powerful airflow capabilities, and the Mesa 811 a stunning, asymmetrical clear-cut showpiece with individually removable glass and aluminium sheets.

The showcase also includes the Neo 500, a new mid-tower case with subtle front fans inside a chic mesh front panel, and Augment 510, a sturdy, premium aluminium enclosure encompassing mesh front and top panels. AZZA will officially unveil Design Beyond Limits, a community project that invites creatives to collaborate on creating a new case design. AZZA will be at Nangang Exhibition Hall 1, 4F booth no. L0401a from May 30th to June 2nd, 2023.
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Introducing Nodekeys: Discount Genuine Software You Need
Nodekeys is an international merchant of discount, genuine, globally-valid PC software you need for when you put together your swanky new next-generation gaming PC build, or really just any PC that you buy without pre-installed software. Get Genuine Windows 11 Pro operating system for an unbeatable price of $10.50. Windows 10 Pro can be had at just $9.10. Pair it with Office 2021 Professional Plus, the most powerful productivity suite out there, which can be had individually for $23.99. The MacOS version is now going at a web-exclusive price of just $29.99, a deal Mac users do not want to miss!

Buy Office 2021 Professional Plus at $23.99. Use the coupon code TPUOFF21 at checkout.

Buy Office 2019 Professional Plus at $14.99

Buy Office 2021 Home and Business for Mac at $29.99. Use the coupon code TPUOFF21 at checkout.

Use the coupon code TPUWIN for the following items to avail the prices you see here.
Buy Windows 11 Pro at $10.50 | Buy Windows 10 Pro at $9.10

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TSMC N3 Nodes Show SRAM Scaling is Hitting the Wall
When TSMC introduced its N3 lineup of nodes, the company only talked about the logic scaling of the two new semiconductor manufacturing steps. However, it turns out that there was a reason for it, as WikiChip confirms that the SRAM bit cells of N3 nodes are almost identical to the SRAM bit cells of N5 nodes. At TSMC 2023 Technology Symposium, TSMC presented additional details about its N3 node lineup, including logic and SRAM density. For starters, the N3 node is TSMC's "3 nm" node family that has two products: a Base N3 node (N3B) and an Enhanced N3 node (N3E). The base N3B uses a new (for TSMC) self-aligned contact (SAC) scheme that Intel introduced back in 2011 with a 22 nm node, which improves the node's yield.

Regardless of N3's logic density improvements compared to the "last-generation" N5, the SRAM density is almost identical. Initially, TSMC claimed N3B SRAM density was 1.2x over the N5 process. However, recent information shows that the actual SRAM density is merely a 5% difference. With SRAM taking a large portion of the transistor and area budget of a processor, N3B's soaring manufacturing costs are harder to justify when there is almost no area improvement. For some time, SRAM scaling wasn't following logic scaling; however, the two have now completely decoupled.

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[NextPowerUP]

Capcom has kindly provided a new benchmarking tool for folks who are wondering whether their souped-up PC gaming rigs can run the upcoming seventh (not sixth, despite the title) main entry in the Street Fighter series with aplomb - the testing suite can be downloaded from here. The development team's introductory message states: "The Street Fighter 6 Benchmark Tool monitors gameplay on the Street Fighter 6 demo and calculates a score that indicates your PC's performance. The results of the benchmarking will be shown as follows, with a score of 91 or above demonstrating that your PC can play the game with ease."

The explanation continues: "If your PC does not meet the system requirements needed to run this benchmarking software, it may not launch properly. If that happens, please reconfirm that you satisfy the criteria listed on this page under System Requirements." Street Fighter 6 is arriving this Friday (June 2), so Capcom's benchmarking tool only gives a little bit of advanced notice - an unfortunate few who "cannot operate the game" (with a 0-30 score) will need to make necessary PC upgrades in time for launch day action. Or they could simply buy the bare minimum point of entry on console: a PlayStation 4 Slim or the cheapest current generation system - Xbox Series S.

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(PR) HYTE Unveils its First All-in-One Liquid Cooler the THICC Q60
HYTE, the PC components, peripherals, and lifestyle brand of iBUYPOWER, today, announced its first all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler, the THICC Q60. Designed with the largest LCD display panel on a liquid cooler, the Q60 looks to defy industry standards. Prominently mounted over the water block of the Q60 is a 5" ultra-slim IPS display with a 720 x 1280 resolution. Behind the back cover of the LCD screen is a 42-pixel qRGB array that diffuses through the frosted surface providing ambient lighting. Users can customize both the LCD screen and the qRGB array through HYTE's Nexus software for a personal touch.

"Processor manufacturers are racing to stay competitive," said Rob Teller, Product Director of HYTE. "They're pumping up TDPs to break boundaries and stretch performance limits. The existing coolers on the market are just not cutting it anymore. They're failing to match up, causing those promised clock speeds to stay frustratingly out of reach. The THICC Q60 unleashes your processor, boosting your performance to previously unthinkable levels. A powerful trio of Dual Harmonic Pumps, a 52 mm-Thick Heat Exchanger, and a pair of 32 mm-Thick FT12 fans create a cooling density that's potent, efficient, and amazingly quiet. This isn't just about upgrading your computing performance; this will redefine your digital experience."
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(PR) HYTE Announces a Series of Powered by Nexus Components Including Keeb TKL
HYTE, the PC components, peripherals, and lifestyle brand of iBUYPOWER, today, announced the expansion of its software, Nexus, with a series of Powered by Nexus components using a new Nexus Link interface. Additionally, HYTE will also introduce a new powered by Nexus qRGB keyboard, Keeb TKL. HYTE's new Nexus Link interface for its Powered by Nexus components is a revolutionary new single cable standard, designed to drastically reduce cable management clutter and enabling two-way communication between the Nexus software and the hardware nodes. Nexus Link combines power, fan control, lighting control, and sensor data into a single connection. Further expanding the accessibility layer between the user and HYTE hardware, Nexus will enable never-before-seen qRGB capabilities and control for a variety of new third-party peripherals, creating a cohesive lighting universe.

"Our aim is to create a seamless loop of empathy and response between you and your technology," said Rob Teller, Product Director of HYTE. "Nexus adapts to your state of mind, reflecting your feelings within its digital capabilities. Keeb allows a tangible way to express those feelings, turning them into digital counterparts. Meanwhile, the Portal brings them back into the physical world, rendering your state of mind through the hardware. In essence, we're closing the gap between feeling and function, ensuring your tech isn't just a tool, but an understanding companion."
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AMD Ryzen 5 7600X & 7600 CPU Prices Drop Significantly
Newegg has been running various discount promotions on Ryzen 7000-series desktop processors over the past month, but their latest offer finally affects one of AMD's lower end models. The Ryzen 5 7600X CPU is on offer over at the American e-tailer - by using a time limited promo code (MDSCS2342) when checking out you can get the price down to $209 - resulting in a saving of about $31 (from the normal $240). The Ryzen 5 7600 (non-X) CPU is not part of this Memorial Weekend promotion - it is currently listed at $223, with no active Newegg promo code granting a generous saving.

Both of these Zen 4 (Raphael) Ryzen 5 processors were awarded TPU's Editor's Choice accolade - despite receiving criticism for "high platform costs," so it is nice to see that the 7600X is available for just north of $200 in the United States - this saving can offset the added premium of an AM5 motherboard, DDR5 RAM and necessary CPU cooling solution (no Wraith unit is included in the slimline box). Customers in China are fortunate to get an even better online deal - the Ryzen 5 7600X and 7600 are available for way below MSRP via JD.com, with both CPUs priced at an all-time low of $183 (1299 RMB) each.

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ASUS Shows Concept GeForce RTX 4070 Without Power Connector
At its Computex 2023 showcase and ASUS HQ tour for the press, the company has unveiled a new ASUS ROG concept graphics card based on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 design, that actually has no standard power connectors, but draws power from the motherboard via a proprietary slot.

As noted, the graphics card is still in its concept phase, and actually draws power from a special PCIe like slot connector at the bottom of the graphics card. Of course, this also means that it will need a special motherboard, which ASUS had on display as well. The motherboard is based on a Z790 TUF Gaming motherboard, with a design that had all the connectors at the back of the motherboard. In addition to the standard power and other connectors like SATA ports, it also includes three 8-pin PCIe and single 12VHPWR connector, which are meant to power the graphics card. Of course, such motherboard also requires a special PC case that have cut-outs for those connectors.
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(PR) ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQN Ready for NVIDIA G-SYNC ULBM 2
When you're shopping for a gaming display, its refresh rate is often one of the top items on your checklist. But a high refresh rate is just one ingredient in the recipe for a great gaming monitor. It's also important to consider motion clarity: is the display equipped to minimize blur?

Today, we're ready to announce that the ROG Swift 360 Hz PG27AQN, already a fast display with excellent motion clarity, is about to get even better. After installing the latest firmware, PG27AQN owners will be able to use NVIDIA Ultra Low Motion Blur 2 (ULMB) to enjoy over 1000 Hz of effective motion clarity.
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(PR) PlaySide Introduces "Dynasty of the Sands" - for Fans of Pharaoh, Arriving via Early Access in 2024
PlaySide Studios is excited to announce their first publishing deal in partnership with Rocket Flair Studios, who are the indie developers of Dynasty of the Sands. 2024 will see Dynasty of the Sands launch into Early Access on Steam, so be prepared to enter a realm of limitless possibilities and to have the adventure of a lifetime.

What is Dynasty of the Sands?
Dynasty of the Sands is an Ancient Egypt-inspired creative/survival city builder hybrid set in a stunning open world. You and you alone are the creator and protector of your society's destiny. Help your Empire seamlessly run itself by creating laws and mandates, allowing you to focus on the most important aspects of building the mightiest of dynasties.
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[NextPowerUP]

ADATA Technology Co., Ltd., the world's leading memory brand, is committed to exploring breakthroughs that lead to extreme performance. PCIe Gen 5 SSDs are extremely fast but this powerful performance generates a corresponding degree of heat. In order to enhance stability and prolong product lifespan as well as maintain optimal speeds, innovative cooling solutions are a must for these latest-generation SSDs. During Computex 2023, the company will announce the launch of a number of patented SSD cooling solutions, not only speeding past the competition but also taking the lead in heat dissipation. Project NeonStorm Gen 5 solid-state drive (SSD) is the first in the industry to introduce a liquid and fan-cooled heat dissipation design on an M.2 SSD.

It uses coolant to absorb and then dual fans to dissipate heat, creating a perfect convection ecosystem. The LEGEND 970 Gen 5 SSD adopts a dual-layer aluminium alloy heatsink and fan to create active air cooling and a surface crystallization coating to improve thermal conductivity. The SE920 USB4 external SSD has a built-in micro fan to quickly discharge heat which is activated by extending the retractable casing. The structural R&D and excellent heat-dissipating characteristics of these designs are expected to become the most influential benchmark for extreme storage in the consumer market.
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(PR) Acer Announces Support for NVIDIA G-SYNC ULMB 2 Technology on Predator Gaming Monitors
Acer today announced the availability of the new NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultra Low Motion Blur 2 (ULMB 2) technology on its Predator series gaming monitors, beginning with the Predator XB273U F. It boasts a blazing 360 Hz refresh rate and is the first Acer gaming monitor to achieve compatibility with NVIDIA G-SYNC ULMB 2 and NVIDIA's Reflex Analyzer. Through a single-click firmware update, competitive gamers can now enjoy stunning frames as the new NVIDIA G-SYNC ULMB 2 delivers over 1000 Hz of effective motion clarity, backlight strobing and blur reduction capabilities.

The Predator XB273U F gaming monitor is packed with the latest gaming and display innovations to provide a cutting-edge gaming experience for any type of player. Games are brought to life through its 27-inch WQHD (2560 X 1440) panel, 360 Hz refresh rate, and up to 0.4 ms response time (G to G), showcasing clear-cut visuals on even the most graphic-heavy titles. It comes with support for 95% DCI-P3 color gamut and VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification for vibrant hues and deeper blacks. TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe certification helps reduce harmful blue light while maintaining high color accuracy all throughout. Alongside NVIDIA G-SYNC's upgraded ULMB 2 technology, gamers can experience full refresh rate backlight strobing techniques, elevated peak brightness, and effective motion clarity of up to 1440 Hz without sacrificing image quality.

The NVIDIA G-SYNC ULMB 2 software update is available for download starting today. More Acer Predator gaming monitors are also expected to achieve support for NVIDIA G-SYNC ULMB 2 technology moving forward.

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(PR) NVIDIA Reflex Comes to Diablo IV and More Games
NVIDIA Reflex is a must-have in games, reducing system latency so your actions occur quicker, giving you a competitive edge in multiplayer matches, and making single-player titles more responsive and enjoyable. NVIDIA Reflex is now used by over 50 million players each month, is available in 9 of the top 10 competitive shooters, including the Counter-Strike 2 beta, and is activated by 90% of GeForce gamers in 70+ supported titles. Recent recipients of Reflex include Redfall, Returnal, and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. Next month, Reflex will be available at launch in Diablo IV, and is coming to Metal: Hellsinger by way of a game update.

NVIDIA Reflex also encompasses optimized mice and monitors, which contribute to your overall system latency. By working with manufacturers we have built reporting capabilities into products, enabling GeForce gamers to measure their end-to-end system latency, seeing where their system may be holding them back. Additionally, four new GIGABYTE AORUS mice have added support for Reflex, along with a new LG UltraGear gaming monitor.
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(PR) MediaTek Partners With NVIDIA to Transform Automobiles With AI and Accelerated Computing
MediaTek, a leading innovator in connectivity and multimedia, is teaming with NVIDIA to bring drivers and passengers new experiences inside the car. The partnership was announced today at a COMPUTEX press conference with MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang.

"NVIDIA is a world-renowned pioneer and industry leader in AI and computing. With this partnership, our collaborative vision is to provide a global one-stop shop for the automotive industry, designing the next generation of intelligent, always-connected vehicles," said Tsai. "Through this special collaboration with NVIDIA, we will together be able to offer a truly unique platform for the compute-intensive, software-defined vehicle of the future."

"AI and accelerated computing are fueling the transformation of the entire auto industry," said Huang. "The combination of MediaTek's industry-leading system-on-chip plus NVIDIA's GPU and AI software technologies will enable new user experiences, enhanced safety and new connected services for all vehicle segments, from luxury to entry-level."
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(PR) ASUS Announces Availability of ExpertWiFi EBM68 and EBR63 Business Solutions
ASUS today announced the availability of the ExpertWiFi EBM68 and EBR63, two routers designed to serve commercial needs ranging from small cafes to medium-sized businesses. The ASUS ExpertWiFi EBM68 is a tri-band AX7800 mesh system suited to mid-size businesses or spaces with multiple-stories such as a hotel or a retail store, and the ASUS ExpertWiFi EBR63 is a dual band AX3000 business router suited to cafes, small offices or home offices (SOHOs).

With the ExpertWiFi series, ASUS uniquely delivers Self-Defined Network (SDN) and a variety of other innovative features to the business router ecosystem, including customizable guest portals with user-friendly interface and guidance for simple and accessible settings. They also bring VLAN and VPN support for advanced protection of business information and data, streamlined network expansion options, space-saving designs and easy device management with the new ASUS ExpertWiFi app.
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[NextPowerUP]

BIOSTAR at its Computex 2023 booth announced HPACT (acronym for High-level, Performance, Ability, Capacity, and Time). It is essentially a self-imposed standard for product quality and capabilities of its motherboards. It sets minimums for the company's motherboard component choices, durability, and performance. A possible analog for HPACT would be "Ultra Durable" by GIGABYTE, and the way the company set tiers for it. If a motherboard meets all five of the design goals in that acromym, it will be labelled as "HPACT," and depending on the model, the acronym is shortened.

The most entry-level of BIOSTAR's motherboards will meet at least the "ACT" acronym (Ability, Capacity, and Time), the mid-range ones "PACT," and the high-end ones HPACT. BIOSTAR showed us examples of its existing products that already meet HPACT. These include the B760A-SILVER, and B760T-SILVER. Among the PACT-rated motherboards are B550MX-E PRO, B760MZ-E PRO, and A620MP-E PRO. Entry-level ACT-rated motherboards include the likes of B760NH-E, H610MH D5, and H610-MT. We hope this ratings system can bring back the glory days of truly enthusiast-class BIOSTAR motherboards such as the T-Power I55.

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EK Launches New $25k Racing Simulator
EK had a secret invite-only launch event in Taiwan this week, only letting the press know to expect something the company had never done before. We arrived to be greeted by a big racing simulator rig, currently titled EK Sim Racer, which the company is planning for retail launch in time for PAX West in early September. What distinguishes the EK Sim Racer is an extremely clean design that makes it look more like a finished car and has every feature you can think of. There's the expected seat with full motion, a 32:9 curved display, haptic feedback in various places, timing belts and a responsive wheel with plenty of buttons and sticks alike, and of course RGB lighting. The lighting in the front also acts as a visual indicator of the steering and braking in real time for the audience to look at, as we suspect this will be a product more likely to be seen in an arcade than in someone's home given the physical form factor—it will ship pre-assembled. Powering the EK Sim Racer is a pre-built EK liquid cooled system, although this is optional and you can use your own PC with the launch edition expected to sell for $19,999 by itself or $24,999 with the PC included.

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Milk-V Announces Another RISC-V SBC: The Milk-V Mars Wages War in a Raspberry Pi 3B Footprint
Shenzhen based Milk-V has been busy announcing some very high performance RISC-V based platforms, and has now added another to a rapidly growing list. The Milk-V Mars is a new hobbiest grade RISC-V SBC that intentionally mimics the footprint and layout of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, so much so that existing cases and accessories will fit. The credit-card sized Mars packs a very competent array of features, starting with the StarFive JH7110 SoC. The JH7110 contains four 64-bit SiFive U74 RISC-V cores clocked as high as 1.5 GHz as well as an integrated Imagination Technologies IMG BXE-2-32 graphics engine with support for Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL ES 3.x, OpenCL 3.0, and Android NN HAL. This SoC should be the perfect choice for an SBC in this form factor, as it has proven to be on the similarly sized PINE64 Star64 as well as StarFive's VisionFive 2. Surrounding the SoC is a single LPDDR4 module, configurable at purchase up to 8 GB, the traditional 40-pin GPIO header row, a M.2 E-Key for WiFi/BT expansion, a MIPI display serial interface with 4K30 output and H.264/H.265 4K60 decoding, MIPI camera serial interface, HDMI, a USB-C for 5 V power input, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and finally the rear I/O block which consists of three USB 3.0 Type-A, a single USB 2.0 Type-A, and the RJ-45 for Gigabit Ethernet as well as PoE. Storage is expandable with both eMMC and microSD cards. The last tiny header is for powering a fan, which many R Pi cases opt to include, but is not included with the Mars. Availability of the Milk-V Mars is listed as "Coming Soon" and prices have not yet been announced. However to compete with the other options on the market we hope, and expect, that it does not exceed $75 USD. Unlike the Milk-V Pioneer there hasn't been any word on whether the Mars will be as open-source friendly, but it would behoove them to consider the option for this type of hobbyist oriented device.

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Streacom and CALYOS Demonstrate the Fanless SG10 Chassis
The time has finally come for Streacom to reveal the fruits of their collaborative labor with CALYOS in creating the SG10 fanless chassis. Though originally based on the NSG S0 (or NSG0), the entire project has undergone a complete redesign over the last few years to deliver the SG10 being shown off at Computex 2023. The new design is a 15 kg metal and glass monster featuring two of CALYOS' specially designed "Loop Heat Pipe" evaporation cooling systems that pull heat from the CPU and GPU, then passively radiate that heat away via two large condensers at the top of the chassis. The main body of the chassis is assembled from steel and extruded aluminium, and features tempered glass side panels. The front, rear, top, and bottom are all open to allow air to move through the chassis. The interior of the chassis uses a dynamic rail system, similar to Streacom's other case designs such as the DA2 and DB4, where adjustable brackets mount to structural rails running along the top and bottom of the chassis. The main components, such as an ATX motherboard and the GPU, are to be mounted to these rails in an X configuration on opposite sides of the chassis, facing each of the glass panels, while the power supply mounts to the floor of the chassis behind the motherboard. For drive support the chassis features an array of extra brackets with slots for screws to affix five 3.5" or 2.5" drives to. The front and optional rear I/O plates mount to the vertical steel structures and can be placed anywhere on those sides.

Streacom had a demo at their booth with the SG10 cooling a Core i9-13900K and GeForce RTX 4080 under a FurMark load with a total system power draw of around 680 W. While the RTX 4080 was sitting at a quite comfortable 75° C, the i9-13900K was stuck right up against its thermal limit of 100° C. Streacom claims the CPU and GPU loops of the cooler utilize identical designs with the only difference being the mounting bracket, however due to the GPU block being mounted directly to the GPU die the cooling is rated at 350 W rather than 250 W. They claim if the CPU loop is mounted direct-die it would perform similarly to the GPU loop, and it's possible to add 120 mm fans along the top, below the condensers, to further improve cooling. Another complication—not unlike with custom water cooling parts—is the GPU side of the cooler requires that mounting brackets and VRM/VRAM heatsinks be made to fit specific generations of cards. As such Streacom only advertises compatibility with the most recent generations of GeForce RTX 3000 and 4000 series, as well as Radeon RX 6000 and 7000, and only those which have a PCB shorter than 280 mm, but support is expected to improve with new bracket kits available after launch. The pricing has yet to be confirmed for the SG10 but it's rumored that it will land around the $1000 USD price point when it launches.

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[NextPowerUP]

Cougar introduced several new gaming chair models at Computex 2023 including the Hotrod, NxSys Aero and Armor EVO. The NxSys Aero has been getting plenty of attention from attendees due to its mounted 200 mm aRGB cooling fan - this is positioned to provide cooling for the sweatiest of rears torsos. The advanced integrated cooling solution is apparently a first for the gaming chair market - Cougar thinks that this is a game changer - a power bank provides the necessary juice to run the fan and lighting system from a discreetly placed perch. The NxSys Aero features an innovative elastomeric mesh and ventilated back cover ensuring an airy yet cushioned seating experience. A physiotherapy-grade lumbar pillow and magnetic head cushion complete the package.

The Hotrod is a "motorsports-inspired" gaming chair designed to react to the intense maneuvers of fast-paced action. Cougar has studied real world racing seat in order to figure out the right balance of flexibility and resistance to body movements. The Hotrod's structure is formed out of synthetic PA fiberglass-reinforced plastic, yet the chair offers a high level of comfort thanks to multi-density cushioning along its backrest. An integrated height-adjustable head cushion adds comfy support for necks and heads - it is ergonomically engineered to prevent whiplash resulting from the most serious of high-octane gaming situations.

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(PR) Logitech Announces MX Keys S Combo, MX Keys S, and MX Anywhere 3S
Today, Logitech International announced MX Keys S Combo, MX Keys S, and MX Anywhere 3S, the latest additions to the premium Master Series designed for advanced users, such as software developers and creative professionals. With the addition of Smart Actions, a new feature in Logi Options+, these new products - MX Keys S Combo, upgraded MX Keys S keyboard and MX Anywhere 3S mouse - achieve your "flow state," the period of time when you feel the most productive, with greater ease.

"MX Users aim to achieve a state of flow where they become fully immersed in their creative process, finding balance between the challenge of the task at hand and their individual skills," said Anatoliy Polyanker, general manager of MX business at Logitech. "Our new Master Series products featuring Smart Actions in the Options + are designed for anyone seeking precision, speed and comfort to reach optimal performance and a feeling of enjoyment."
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(PR) Samsung Gaming Hub Portfolio Expands to Nearly 3,000 Games
Select Samsung Smart TV and Smart Monitor owners will now gain access to nearly 3,000 games as Antstream Arcade and Blacknut have been added to the Samsung Gaming Hub partner lineup, with the rollout starting today. Samsung makes it easy for players of all ages to find content and choose apps from industry-leading game streaming partners: Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Amazon Luna, Utomik, and now over 1,400 games with arcade classics from Antstream Arcade, and over 500 premium family titles and exclusive games from Blacknut.

"Samsung Gaming Hub offers players more ways to access the titles they love and discover new ones to play from our game streaming partners, no console required," said Mike Lucero, Head of Product Management for Gaming at Samsung Electronics. "With Antstream Arcade and Blacknut, we've made games even easier to jump into. Now all you need to do is pick up your Samsung TV remote to enjoy great games like "Pac-Man" and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", or pair your Bluetooth controller to access thousands of world-class games across genres. With more games and more ways to play, there has never been a better time to play games on Samsung Gaming Hub."
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Streacom Redesigning the PSU SFX Form-factor with ZS800
Streacom unveiled a rather interesting power supply unit at its Computex 2023 showcase, the 800 W ZS800. While it might look a bit strange, Streacom's reasons behind such a product makes sense, considering it started as a project to create a "better" power supply for SFF builds, leading to what you can see in these pictures below.

According to Streacom, the biggest improvement to be done were on the cables, namely the 24-pin ATX cable which is bulky and quite difficult to handle, especially in tight SFF cases. The breakthrough came with the announcement of Intel's ATX12VO specification (12 V-only) and since Streacom has experience with compact DC to DC ATX converters, this led to reduced number of pins for the 24-pin cable, at least on the PSU side, as it still needs a 24-pin adapter for the motherboard. Such a hybrid solution also means that the ZS800 is actually both ATX 3.0 and ATX12VO compatible.
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(PR) Age of Wonders 4 Director Hints that Extra Content is Arriving Soon
Welcome to the first Age of Wonders 4 development diary since release. My name is Lennart Sas game director / studio manager at Triumph. Today we'll be reflecting on the launch, the reception and we are going to be looking forward to the big Dragon Dawn DLC and specifically the free Wyvern Update that accompanies it.

Reflecting on the Launch
Wow! What a launch. For us the Age of Wonders 4 launch has been a dream: both a critical and commercial success. Paradox put out a press release the game is the fastest selling in the series; selling 250,000 units by day four of release. We are very grateful to all the people making this possible. The launch has been a rollercoaster in other ways too of course; some may have seen the user reviews directly after release. This was primarily caused by people not being able to launch the game after purchasing. This was unfortunate and we started investigating and preparing a hot fix which alleviated some of the issue.
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Cougar Showcases Polar X2 and GEX X2 PSUs at Computex
Cougar has presented its ATX 3.0 standard PSU models at this year's Computex event - in the shape of Polar X2 and GEX X2 offerings - with both families sporting HDB fans and 12+4 Pin 12VHPWR connectors for PCI Express 5.0 support. The Polar X2 has been introduced as the company's next generation flagship power supply unit - it is fully modular and 80 Plus Platinum certified. Cougar boasts that its pair of Polar X2 1200 W and 1050 W units will "service the new era of graphics cards, driving smarter, greener and more reliable power performance." These PSUs feature 100% Japanese-manufactured capacitors - the premium-grade components are advertised to extend unit operational lifespans by 300%. Cougar boasts that its range-topping power supply is more than prepared to take on the most modern and demanding GPU technologies, including NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 40 Series cards.

The GEX X2 lineup is comprised of 1200, 1000, 850, 750 and 650 W output offerings according to larger banners exhibited at Computex - Cougar's own website and online PR material only list 1000 W and 850 W. The fully modular GEX X2 is advertised as one of the most compact energy-efficient 80 Plus Gold certified PSUs - it also packs high quality 100% Japanese-manufactured capacitors. Cougar reckons that the unit's diminutive dimensions (length is measured as 140 mm) somewhat hide an energy efficient powerhouse. The GEX X2's modest footprint opens up many options when it comes to various PC build sizes and power requirements.
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(PR) MSI MEG 342C QD-OLED Gaming Monitor Coming to Europe in April
MSI, a leading brand in gaming technology, has exciting news for European gamers - the highly-anticipated MEG 342C QD-OLED gaming monitor will be available in April 2023, with an MSRP of €1,499. As a gesture of appreciation to our valued customers, we are delighted to announce the "MSI Premium Early Bird" promotion. From June. 1st, 2023 (00:01 local time) to Sep. 30th, 2023 (23:59 local time), customers who purchase the MEG 342C QD-OLED and leave a comment on selected etailer pages within the specified period will receive a complimentary USD$100 steam code or The Last of Us game code.

The MEG 342C QD-OLED is MSI first OLED gaming monitor boasting an ultra-thin, 34-inch form factor. This monitor combines OLED panel technology with Quantum Dot Technology, promising brilliant brightness and vibrant colors. It also packed full of premium gaming features including an ultra-fast 0.1 ms response time and an impressive 175 Hz refresh rate. In order to encourage customers to share their thoughts about MSI first QD-OLED monitor, customers who purchase a MEG 342C QD-OLED during the promotional period and leave a comment on eligible etailer will get a chance to win a $100 Steam Code or The Last of Us Part I PC Game Code. Furthermore, customers can earn five times the rewards for their purchase during the whole early bird program period during the Early Bird program.
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[NextPowerUP]

Patriot Memory introduced some truly unique memory and storage products at the 2023 Computex. The company showed us what is probably the world's first PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD with a DRAMless architecture. It also runs surprisingly cool for the kind of performance that's being claimed. The untitled Patriot Gen 5 SSD uses a Maxiotek MAP802A-F1C DRAMless controller that features a PCI-Express 5.0 x4 host interface. The drive comes in capacities of 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB. The performance on offer easily matches or beats some of the early Gen 5 SSDs based on Phison E26. You get sequential speeds of up to 12 GB/s, with up to 10.5 GB/s sequential writes.

The company also showcased the Viper PV553, a more traditional Gen 5 SSD that uses a DDR4-based DRAM cache that can be as large as 4 GB for the 2 TB model. At this point we don't know which controller is powering this drive, but it's confirmed that it uses a DRAM cache, and needs active cooling. The performance on offer is up to 12.4 GB/s sequential reads, with up to 11.8 GB/s sequential writes. A side-effect of Gen 5 SSDs picking up traction in the market is that Gen 4 SSDs with fairly powerful specs are taking up mainstream pricing. The Viper VP4300 Lite is one such drive, it is a revision of the VP4300 from 2021. This drive uses an InnoGrit-sourced controller paired with 3D TLC NAND flash, DDR4 DRAM cache, and sequential transfer speeds of up to 7.4 GB/s reads, with up to 6.8 GB/s writes. It comes in 500 GB thru 4 TB capacities, and unlike the original VP4300, lacks a heatsink.
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(PR) Microsoft Explains Improvements for Xbox App on PC
Earlier this month, we shared that PC Game Pass is now available in 40 new countries, the ability to take the expansive Game Pass library everywhere you go with the Asus ROG Ally, and the new PC Game Pass Friend Referral program where you can invite your friends and play together. You can find Friend Referral invitations on the Game Pass Home screen in the Xbox App on PC, just click the "Give PC Game Pass" button to share with up to 5 friends. Now, we're excited to share the latest Xbox app update to improve your PC gaming experience. Let's explore the new features and improvements.

Improved Discovery with Updated Game Card, Filtering, and New Collections
We've updated game cards throughout the app to give you more information and convenience. Now, you can see the game's title along with contextual metadata like publisher, pricing, HowLongToBeat time, coming to Game Pass date, leaving Game Pass date for those games leaving soon, and more! You will see all this information as you browse through games in the app. We have also made it easier for you to filter and sort game collections and your library with new filter options, including accessibility features and game ratings, as well as introducing HowLongToBeat as a new sorting option. This way, you can easily find the games you love and discover new ones that match your preferences.
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(PR) NVIDIA & VMware Collaborate on Enterprise-Grade XR Streaming
NVIDIA and VMware are helping professionals elevate extended reality (XR) by streaming from the cloud with Workspace ONE XR Hub, which includes an integration of NVIDIA CloudXR. Now available, Workspace ONE XR Hub enhances the user experience for VR headsets through advanced authentication and customization options. Combined with the cutting-edge streaming capabilities of CloudXR, Workspace ONE XR Hub enables more professionals, design teams and developers to quickly and securely access complex immersive environments using all-in-one headsets.

Many organizations across industries use XR technologies to boost productivity and enhance creativity. However, teams often come across challenges when it comes to integrating XR into their workflows. That's why NVIDIA and VMware are working together to make it easier for enterprises to adopt augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Whether it's running immersive training sessions or conducting virtual design reviews, professionals can achieve the highest fidelity experience with greater mobility through Workspace ONE XR Hub and CloudXR.
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(PR) Xbox Game Pass Announces Upcoming June Additions
Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Amnesia: The Bunker, Car Mechanic Simulator 2021, Dordogne, and more "available today" notifications! We're excited to bring you some simulators, slayers, stacking, and more. Let's get to the games! Starting off with the "Available Today" category:

Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world where you can draw on anything. Use your painting powers to explore new places, solve puzzles, help your friends, and change the world!
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Cooler Master Debuts Refreshed MM712 Gaming Mouse Models at Computex
Cooler Master is exhibiting new MM712 gaming mouse variants at Computex 2023 - the two updated offerings come in the form of a high-end "PRO" version and a (potentially) cheaper wired model. The original MM712 was released last autumn (after several delays) to a mostly warm reception, although user feedback did provide Cooler Master with plenty of insights for the development of possible successors. The peripheral design team has addressed a key negative point - the MM712 PRO and Wired models no longer sport primary button overhang - certain users complained about their fingers getting pinched by the original's sharp side pieces. The new model's sensor position has been adjusted to a more central placement according to documentation on hand.

The MM712 PRO looks to offer a significant bump in specifications (over the base model) thanks to it being fitted with Pixart's top PAW 3395 optical sensor. Cooler Master will be catching up with leading brands who already offer high polling rate gaming mice. The MM712 PRO in wired connection mode can operate at 8 kHz, while wireless operation is rated at 4 kHz via an included ultra-fast USB dongle. The spec upgrade has not meant that the model's weight has increased, Cooler Master reps at Computex claim that the PRO remains in the lightweight category - coming in at roughly 56 grams.

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ADATA XPG Storage and Memory Products at Computex: Project Neonstorm, Legend 970, Caster RGB DDR5-9000
ADATA and XPG, its gamer focused sub-brand, unveiled a plethora of memory and storage products at the 2023 Computex. We begin with PC memory, and we see the company showing off its upcoming models of the XPG DDR5 memory targeting enthusiasts. These include the XPG Caster RGB DDR5, which is capable of DDR5-9000, the XPG Lancer RGB ROG edition, capable of DDR5-7200, and the company's overclocking-capable DDR5-6400 R-DIMM targeting Xeon W workstations. The company also showed us "Project NeonStorm." This is an innovative new SSD cooling system that uses a self-contained liquid cooler.

The way this liquid cooler works is that a high conductivity heat spreader transfers heat to a chamber containing a coolant fluid. This coolant heats up an aluminium alloy tube via convection. The inner wall of this tube serves as an airflow channel for a 20 mm fan. ADATA claims that this solution offers "over 20% better heat dissipation compared to SSDs without water cooling." This is also one of the very first SSDs we've seen that utilize Silicon Motion SM2508 PCIe Gen 5 NVMe controller. ADATA claims sequential reads of up to 14 GB/s, with up to 12 GB/s sequential writes. The drive comes in capacity-based models of up to 8 TB (could include 2 TB, 4 TB, and 8 TB). ADATA also showed off the Legend 970 PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD that uses a Phison E26-series controller, and comes in capacities of 1 TB and 2 TB. This drive belts out up to 10 GB/s reads, with up to 10 GB/s writes.
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[NextPowerUP]

Fractal Design is taking the subtle route with its new Terra compact PC case, its sole new product on display at Computex - the small form factor Mini-ITX 10.4-liter enclosure has been "designed and engineered to reshape the small form factor gaming experience." Its creators have decided upon an unusual combination of materials and hues - the front panel features a wooden section where the power button and front ports are located, including USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C (offering 20 Gbps transfer speeds and fast charging). The overall aesthetic is fitting for a comfortable home environment, where RGB-laden gaming PCs can sometimes look out of place.

The Terra is offered up in three shades: Silver, Jade and Graphite - with its mostly aluminium construction sand blasted and anodized to give an intriguing textured look, with CNC-milled detailing. The front is comprised of an 8 mm-thick aluminium panel and a sliver of FSC-certified solid walnut. The case's truly dinky form factor (measuring 343 x 153 x 218 mm) can accommodate powerful GPUs up to 322 mm in length, as well as SFX and SFX-L format PSU models. A pair of SSDs can be installed internally via dedicated 2.5" drive mounts - there is only space for one storage unit if the user configures their Terra with a longer (SFX-L) power supply.
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Realtek's 5 Gbps Ethernet Solutions Will Reduce Cost and Power Draw Significantly
Realtek has decided to take consumer Ethernet speeds to a new level later this year with a family of 5 Gbps parts that are unlike anything its competitors have announced so far. The RTL8126-CG PCIe 3.0 x1 controller is a tiny QFN56 chip that measures 8 by 8 millimetres and consumes up to 1.7 Watt in use. This is unheard of when it comes to 5 Gbps solutions today, most of which are based on cut-down 10 Gbps chips. Realtek has verified the RTL8126-CG with stacked connectors for motherboards, as this was a requirement from the motherboard vendors. This solution should be available on most of the boards that were announced at Computex with 2.5 Gbps Ethernet support.

The company also has the RTL8251B-CG single port PHY which comes in the same packaging and same size as the PCIe controller. It's intended for use in 5 Gbps switches and should help bring down the cost, power consumption and thermals. Finally Realtek was showing off the RTL8157-CG, which is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) based 5 Gbps Ethernet bridge, which comes in a slightly different QFN68 package, but still apparently measures 8 by 8 millimetres. This one is expected to launch sometime in Q4 of this year. All three solutions are capable of delivering 5 Gbps Ethernet over Cat 5e cables of up to a 100 meter in length. We weren't given an exact price point of these solutions, but it sounded like the RTL8126-CG should end up at US$5 or less, which should be compared to at least US$20-30 for most similar solutions in the market today. It looks like the market for faster Ethernet is really getting interesting and Realtek is apparently planning a 10 Gbps solution for next year.

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Super Flower Shows Off Leadex VII Series ATX 3.0 PSUs at Computex
Power supply OEM giant Super Flower is making a comeback to the DIY retail channel with its latest Leadex VII series premium full-modular power supplies. These meet ATX 3.0 and PCIe Gen 5 specs, There are two sub-series, the Leadex VII XP and the Leadex VII XG (which meet 80 Plus Platinum and 80 Plus Gold efficiency standards, respectively). The XG series additionally boasts of Cybenetics Platinum switching efficiency. Both feature 15 cm body lengths, and use 140 mm FDB fans. Both come in 850 W and 1000 W models, and while the XP series tops out at 1200 W, the highest XG series model is 1300 W. Both feature Super Flower's signature straight universal modular connectors. The square ones take in any of the three pure-12 V connectors, including 16-pin 12VHPWR, 6+2 pin PCIe power, and 4+4 pin EPS.

We also caught a handful of SFX and SFX-L high-wattage PSUs in the Super Flower booth. The SF-1000F14SP is an SFX-L PSU that can put out 1000 W, and features universal connectors, as well as 16-pin 12VHPWR. A 120 mm FDB fan keeps it cool. The SF-750F12PX is a traditional SFX modular PSU with 750 W on tap, 80 Plus Platinum switching, one 600 W-capable 12VHPWR connector, and a 92 mm FDB cooling fan. Lastly, we spied the high-end Leadex 1600F14XP. the company's flagship in the booth. This one comes in a long 18 cm body and uses a 140 mm FDB fan to keep cool. It meets ATX 3.0 and PCIe Gen 5 specs, and offers two 600 W 12VHPWR using its universal 12 V connectors. You get 80 Plus Platinum switching efficiency.

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[NextPowerUP]

LASER IN ON THESE NOVELTIES - With an entrancing aesthetic that blends elements of vaporwave, cyberpunk, and outrun, GMK Laser is one our bestselling keycap sets of all time. It's easy to see why—and it's hard to get enough. Whether you have the set or not, you may find yourself wanting a little more Laser for your setup. Enter the Drop + MiTo GMK Laser Novelty Keycap Set.

Originally an available add-on kit for its namesake set, this Laser-focused collection of keycaps is now debuting in a standalone run to satisfy Laser fans new and old. Quickly scan the legends, and you'll find no shortage of thematic novelties, such as the iconic outrun sun, a sports car, a bowl of ramen, several different hazard signs, and much more. You'll also see arrow keys and a WASD cluster, both in alternate colorways from the GMK Laser's original Base Kit. If you're in search of the complete Laser look, this is the set to set your sights on.
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Leadtek Showcases NVIDIA GeForce WinFast RTX 40-series Hurricane Models at Computex 2023
Leadtek revealed its GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Hurricane custom graphics card at the tail end of last month. The latest refresh of the company's Hurricane cooling solution looked very space age with its curved central X-formation design. Leadtek has chosen to expand upon this aesthetic with bigger brother NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series cards shown off at Computex this week. The company's WinFast GPU lineup has grown with the additions of RTX 4090 Hurricane 24G, RTX 4080 Hurricane 16G, RTX 4070 Ti Hurricane 12G and RTX 4070 Hurricane 12G models.

All of these units sport metal backplates, but there are some differences in the makeup of attached cooling solutions. The RTX 4090 and 4080 models are cooled by a triple (100 m) fan array and eight heat pipes. The RTX 4070 Ti sports three "large" fans (size not specified) and six heat pipes. The RTX 4070 (non-Ti) makes do with only a pair of "large" fans, but has the same number of heat pipes (six) as its immediate sibling, albeit packed into a much shorter surround.

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AZZA Shows Interesting Case Designs at Computex 2023
AZZA, a company known for creating cases of interesting design, had a new lineup to show at Computex 2023. The star of the show may very well be AZZA's new Sanctum 810, a giant cube case with a cut corner that carries support for up to seven 120 mm fans, creating adequate airflow once configured. There is even room to mount a 360 mm radiator for a custom water cooling build, as shown in the pictures below.

Next, we have AZZA's oddly-shaped Mesa 811 -- a twisted cube case that supports E-ATX motherboards, has glass side panels, and even has perforated aluminium panels. It also fits three 120 mm fans in the front and only has one 120 mm in the back, but there is space to do a custom cooling loop.
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Gamiac Debuts Hot Swappable Keyboards and Mouse at Computex 2023
Gamiac is a brand new gaming peripherals outfit - recently created by Pro Gamersware GmbH. The plucky crew debuted their product range at this year's Computex with the aim of demonstrating gaming devices that offer excellent quality, flexibility and great value for money. The headliners appear to be two mechanical keyboard models - TKL-87G (87 keys) and TKL-68G (68 keys) - both sport 19 RGB modes, Kailh hot-swappable switches and durable PBT keycaps. A variety of casing and keycap color schemes will be available at launch - Gamiac estimates that the TKL-87G and TKL-68G keyboards will be out before the end of 2023.

The young brand also presented their PX-71 super light gaming mouse at Computex - this fancy pointing device features a modular design, so users can configure between solid and honey-comb shells. An interchangeable switch system is installed on the mouse's PCB - providing the option to hot-swap out the primary (M1 + M2) buttons. The PX-71 is a wired gaming mouse with a maximum 16,000 DPI - this likely points to it packing a Pixart PAW 3335 or PMW 3360 optical sensor. Gamiac will provide full specifications, pricing and launch information at a later date.
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AeroCool Showcases APNX Product Range at Computex 2023
AeroCool is presenting their newly introduced Performance Nexus (APNX) products at this year's Computex - including a case, power supply, CPU air cooler and case fans. They have decided to offer this hardware lineup in a wide variety of colors - let us start with the APNX-C1 ATX tower case which can be customized further with all sorts of alternative tone top plates. There are standard black and white options for traditionalists, as well as more adventurous variants in the form of green, pink and red color schemes. The internal layout can accommodate a maximum of 10 case fans - three APNX 120 mm units are pre-installed at the front. AeroCool indicates that the APNX-C1 case will be coming out later this year with an MSRP of $149/€139.

The APNX F1 are F2 are PWM case fans with ARGB lighting systems, offered up in two sizes: 120 mm and 140 mm. AeroCool has increased fan thickness to 30 mm on these Performance Nexus units, which they reckon contributes to greater cooling efficiency (by 50%) over standard 25 mm examples. The chunky casing features sizable anti-vibration rubber pads that ensure that the APNX F1 and F2 operate at super quiet levels. There were many color options on display at the company's booth - so system builders will be have plenty of tonal customizations to experiment with. The F1 has a bi-chromatic plastic design, while the F2 has a textured metal frame - the latter will be supplied with a swappable reverse air flow fan blade. AeroCool is still in the process of finalizing these F-models, so availability and pricing will be announced at a later time.
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[NextPowerUP]

Sparkle already announced that it will be coming up with the Intel Arc graphics card lineup soon, and it came to the Computex 2023 show in force, showing some rather impressive graphics cards, including the Arc A770 Watercooling concept, a couple of custom TITAN OC Edition graphics cards, and the A370 MXM version.

Sparkle's Intel Arc lineup starts off with some industrial low-profile graphics cards based on Intel Arc A310 and Arc A380 graphics cards, as well as standard Mini-ITX size ELF series versions which will be based on the same GPUs. Sparkle is also working on an Intel Arc A370 MXM GPU for laptops, which is a nice surprise. The main part of the showcase were certainly Sparkle's Intel Arc ORC and TITAN OC Edition custom versions of the Intel Arc A750 and Arc A770 chips. The biggest surprise though was the custom Sparkle A770 Watercooling concept. Sparkle is definitely serious in joining the Intel Arc team with Acer, ASRock, GUNNIR, Gigabyte, MSI and others, so hopefully we'll see some of these graphics cards on retail/e-tail shelves soon.

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Schenker Brings New XMG PRO 16 Studio, Schenker VISION and Schenker WORK Base-series Laptops to Computex 2023
Schenker XMG also unveiled the new PRO 16 Studio workstation laptop at the Computex 2023 event, which will be equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070. In addition, the company is announcing the new WORK Base series and Vision-series laptops that are available under the Schenker brand, introducing new form-factors and bringing several other updates.

The new XMG Pro 16 Studio promises to be quite a versatile workstation laptop aimed at content creators, using a 16:10 aspect ratio screen, and packing some serious power with Intel's Core i9-13900H CPU and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, as well as two DDR5 slots with DDR5-5200 support, and Thunderbolt 4. The XMG Pro 16 Studio also comes with NVIDIA Studio certification. Schenker also showed the efficient vapor chamber cooling that will be used in the XMG Pro 16 Studio. It also brings several upgrades compared to the current XMG Focus 16 laptop, which it can be compared to, at least performance-wise, including an additional USB-C power delivery, a Windows Hello camera, 2.5 Gbit LAN, longer battery life, and a slimmer aluminium body. Schenker notes that the XMG PRO 16 Studio should be available in Europe in late July or early August.
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Anaconda Showcases DDR5 Memory Kits with Up to 7000 MHz Speed at Computex 2023
Anaconda, a Taiwanese memory, storage, and accessories maker, had a booth at Computex 2023, where the company presented the new DDR5 memory kits with speeds ranging up to 7000 MHz. Starting off, we have the model called "Standard," which is just a standard DDR5 UDIMM memory kit available as 8 and 16 GB DIMM, in 2x 8 GB and 2x 16 GB capacities. Running at 4800 MHz, the standard kit has a CAS latency of 40, with a running voltage set to 1.1 Volts. Next is the KingSnake Overclocking UDIMM, which is, as the name suggests, a kit optimized for overclocking. Available in frequencies of 5600/6000/6200/7000 MHz, these memory modules run at 1.25 or 1.45 Volts at CAS latencies of 40 and 36. They also come in 16 GB and 32 GB capacities.

Last but not least, there is an ET (EryxTataricus) unbuffered UDIMM kit that is basically an RGB version of KingSnake, with all the same features except the inclusion of RGB lighting capable of syncing with all modern motherboard RGB software.

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Computex 2023: Montech Launches Open-Frame PC Case, ATX 3.0 PSUs, and New CPU Coolers
During Computex 2023, Montech had an entire fleet of new products spanning new PC enclosures, new open-frame cases, air-cooling products, and ATX 3.0 power supplies. Starting with the regular cases, Montec introduced AIR 903 MAX, AIR 300 MAX & AIR 3000 MAX series; the AIR 900 MAX can accommodate a broad spectrum of needs, as it supports both true E-ATX form factors and SSI-EEB motherboards. The case also has a capacity for 5 SSDs and 2 HDDs and is equipped with a USB TYPE-C port and USB 3.0 ports. It supports up to 360 mm AIO coolers at the front and top. Customers can choose between sleek black and pristine white, available in two variants, the AIR 903 MAX and AIR 903 BASE. Optimized for airflow, the front panel has a 51% porosity ventilation rate, along with four pre-installed HP 140 fans in the case.

Next up, we have two new models: AIR 300 MAX and AIR 3000 MAX. Both models have a detachable top bracket and a patented quick-slide metal dust filter, allowing for easy radiator adjustments and compatibility with RTX 4090 GPUs. The AIR 300 MAX is an m-ATX case featuring support for a 280 mm radiator at both the top and front, plus a 30 mm clearance provision for cable management. It has ARGB PWM Fans (2x HP140 & 1x HP120) for ventilation. Contrarily, the AIR 3000 MAX, is a full tower case, offering support for a 360 mm radiator at the top, front, and side, along with a large storage capacity for up to 11 HDDs using stacked brackets. This model comes fitted with four HP140 ARGB PWM fans.
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XMG Unveils New APEX 17 and APEX 15 Laptops With Ryzen 7 7735HS at Computex 2023
Schenker XMG has announced its new APEX-series laptops at Computex 2023 show which bring significant upgrades compared to the CORE-series, including a completely new cooling system and AMD's Phoenix platform with Ryzen 7 7735HS processor.

Both the APEX 17 and the APEX 15 feature a 144 Hz, 300-nits IPS screen with 1920x1080 resolution, and feature NVIDIA RTX 40 series GPUs, up to the 140 W mobile GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB. As noted, the APEX series will start off with the Zen 3 AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS SKU, an 8-core/16-thread CPU and RDNA 2-based Radeon 680M iGPU. XPG plans to introduce a Zen 4-based version at a later date, which will most likely be based on AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS SKU, and also receive more screen options and faster memory speeds. The rest of the specifications for both new APEX-series laptops include two DDR5 slots with support for DDR5-4800 memory, and two SSDs. According to XMG, the APEX series will be available later in June, starting at €1,399 for the APEX 15 with GeForce RTX 4060, while the APEX 17 will start at €1,299 with GeForce RTX 4050, and €1,457 for the SKU with GeForce RTX 4060.

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[NextPowerUP]

AVerMedia has unveiled two new game capture cards at the Computex 2023 show that will be a part of its Live Gamer lineup, the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) and the Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575). In addition to those two, AVerMedia also showcased a wide range of products designed for content creators, businesses and embedded markets.

The main part of AVerMedia's showcase were certainly the new HDMI 2.1 game capture devices. The Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 GS553G2 offers HDMI input up to 4K at 144 HDR/VRR with 4Kp60 video capture output. It allows users to capture footage from console, mobile, iPad, DSLR or any other device, and stream it to the PC or laptop. The AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575), which is actually the recipient of the Computex Best Choice 2023 award, is a PCIe video capture card offering zero latency with HDMI 2.1 input and passthrough and supports up to 4Kp144 resolution.
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AFUL Acoustics Launches Performer 8 Hybrid Driver In-Ear Monitors
AFUL (not awful, so don't start with that again) Acoustics is a recently established audio brand that impressed us with its electrical engineering prowess displayed in the Performer 5 IEMs reviewed recently. Soon after the Performer 5 was released internationally to good acclaim, the audiophile community learned that was based off the AFUL Band 5, a Chinese domestic set, and there was also a Band 8 Pro which built up anticipation about there being perhaps a Performer 8 in the coming weeks. Today AFUL Acoustics announced the Performer 8 IEMs to confirm as much and it uses a 1 DD/7 BA driver configuration in a 4-way crossover while costing $369.99 from HiFiGo. These IEMs build upon the Performer 5 in using long acoustic tubes for lower frequencies as well as a high-damping pressure relief tube for added comfort. There are at least two patented technologies used here and we will have a review sooner than later to see whether the new Performer 8 lives up to the hype. In the meantime, you can ogle at the photos below and see if you wish to purchase them in advance if you want to take a chance on the company again.

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(PR) Epic MEGA Sale Week Three Brings Midnight Ghost Hunt for Free
The doors of The Vault have ker-chunked open once again, revealing Epic MEGA Sale's week three highlights. Inside, you'll find asymmetrical multiplayer spook hunting game Midnight Ghost Hunt desperate to escape into your games library, and a fancy, free Fall Guys' Costume to look good in the Blunderdome.

This is also the first week you can start redeeming your Epic Rewards, and we've highlighted some brand-new games you can spend them on. Spend lots and prosper.
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Alphacool Presents Apex Stealth Metal Fans, Skeleton PC Case, and Water Cooling Solutions
Alphacool at Computex presented a few new products that highlighted what the company has been working on. First off, we have the Apex Stealth Metal fan among the latest products introduced by the brand, hailed as the world's first computer fan designed with entirely decoupled propellers, bearings, and motors from the chassis. The design minimizes both the vibration and the noise generated by the fan. The fan frame is constructed entirely of metal, showcasing the fresh Apex design. Additionally, it employs a 6-pole motor. The fan is touted as being silent due to its HDB (Hydro Dynamic Bearing) design. The fan blades are also fine-tuned to achieve maximum airflow and pressure, though specific details will still be released. The Apex Stealth Metal fan will be accessible in black, chrome, and white variants. Also in the pipeline is a unique variant called Alphacool ES Stealth Metal Fan Black, specifically designed for "Enterprise Solutions," featuring an integrated ventilation grill. The Apex Metal fan SKUs will be available for around $30 or less.
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[NextPowerUP]

At Computex 2023, MSI was showing off its USB4 100 W Expansion Card—also known as the MS-4489—which is the first officially announced USB4 add-in card in the market. MSI didn't specify the actual chip being used, but we've verified that the card is based on ASMedia's ASM4242 USB4 host controller. Just as with Thunderbolt cards, the MS-4489 needs to be connected internally to the motherboard with a cable that handles some of the communication with interfaces that can be routed over PCIe and this is the reason for the lower pin-header on the card. We're not sure what the USB 2.0 pin-header is for, as on Thunderbolt cards, this would be an input, but the ASM4242 supports native support for USB 2.0, unlike Thunderbolt, but it could be a USB 2.0 output.

What makes this card stand out compared to MSI's Thunderbolt 4 card is that it offers 100 Watt USB PD support on the primary USB-C port, with the secondary port delivering up to 27 Watts of power. As with Thunderbolt add-in cards, the MS-4489 relies on a pair of full-size DP inputs if you want to use DP Alt mode over USB-C to connect displays to the card. To be able to deliver this much power, MSI has added a 6-pin graphics cards style power connector to the card to be able to deliver enough power to the USB-C ports. Another oddity with the card is that it has a physical PCIe x8 slot, but it's only wired up for PCIe x4. This could limit compatibility on motherboards that lack either an open ended PCIe x4 slot or a x16 slot that's wired up for four lanes of PCIe. We're expecting to see more products like this later in the year from all the other motherboard manufacturers and maybe even some third parties.

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Asustor Unveils Pure-NVMe NAS, HDD NAS with M.2 Slots at Computex 2023
Asustor at Computex 2023 pointed us in the direction in which personal high-capacity storage, particularly NAS servers, are headed. The company unveiled its first pure-flash based NAS, and conventional HDD caddie-based NAS that have M.2 NVMe slots. The Flashstor 12 Pro (FS6712X) packs twelve M.2 NVMe slots, and is driven by a Celeron N5105 processor with 4 GB of DDR4-2933 memory on an SO-DIMM slot (which you can expand).

The M.2 slots support various NVMe RAID modes, including single, JBOD, RAID 0/1/5/6/10, etc. Besides these you get two 5 Gbps USB 3.2 ports. Networking interfaces include one 10 GbE. The company also unveiled a more compact version of this, with the Flashstor 6 (FS6706T), which comes with six M.2 NVMe slots, the same processor and NVMe RAID features, but two 2.5 GbE interfaces instead of the 10 GbE on the Flashstor 12 Pro.
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(PR) Kioxia Commences Operation of Two New R&D Facilities
Kioxia Corporation today commenced operation of two new R&D facilities - the Flagship Building at the Yokohama Technology Campus and the Shin-Koyasu Technology Front - strengthening the company's research and development capabilities in flash memory and solid-state drives (SSDs). Going forward, other R&D functions in Kanagawa Prefecture will be relocated to these new R&D hubs to improve research efficiency and promote further advancement in technological innovation.

With the addition of the new Flagship Building, the Yokohama Technology Campus will almost double in size, allowing Kioxia to expand its capabilities in evaluating flash memory and SSD products, thereby enhancing overall product development and product quality. Equipped with environmentally-friendly facilities, the Flagship Building has also acquired ZEB-Ready certification, which is given to buildings that reduce energy consumption by 50% or more through improved energy efficiency.
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Cooler Master Shows New X Series PSUs at Computex 2023
Cooler Master has showcased a couple of new PSUs at the Computex 2023, including the X Silent series Max and Edge PSUs, which are "near-silent" and fanless models that should be coming soon. In addition, Cooler Master has come up with some high-quality 12VHPWR 90 degree cables that should be better than standard ones.

The X Series Max is described as "near-silent" since it has a low speed RGB fan in order to support higher wattage, but will keep the noise at 20dB. The X Silent Max will be available in models of up to 1300 W and uses a single-piece heat dissipation structure. The X Series Edge is a whole different beast as this is a completely fanless PSU, that features special airflow-improving extended fan cover, vapor chamber technology, and the same single-piece heat dissipation structure. The X Series Edge will go to up to 750 W. Both of these X Series PSUs are ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 compliant, which means they come with 12VHPWR cables, and both support Cooler Master's MasterControl software, allowing users to monitor temperature, current load, and overall performance. Cooler Master also unveiled new 12VHPWR cables, with 90-degree angle that should prevent unnecessary bending, as well as an upgraded connector design with double springs and thicker wire, which should be better than those previous cables and reduce the connector temperatures by 5 degrees.

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(PR) Meta Quest 3 Coming This Fall and Lower Prices for Quest 2
Mark Zuckerberg just announced Meta Quest 3, our next-generation virtual and mixed reality headset, which launches later this year. It features higher resolution, stronger performance, breakthrough Meta Reality technology, and a slimmer, more comfortable form factor. Quest 3 will ship in all countries where Meta Quest is currently supported this fall. The 128 GB headset starts at $499.99 USD, and we'll offer an additional storage option for those who want some extra space. Mark your calendars because we'll have lots more to share at Meta Connect, which returns this year on September 27.

Quest 3 is the supercharged all-in-one headset you've been waiting for—no wires required. Sign up to be the first to learn about Meta Quest 3.
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(PR) Razer Redefines Fighting Game Experience with Kitsune
I am steeped in the culture of fighting games so it feels like destiny that I get to introduce you to a project that I'm so incredibly fortunate to have helped create.My journey with fighting games started with Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat 1 back in the 90s, and my love for the genre has been a relentless engine in my life ever since.

Over the years, this passion led me to the frontlines of the fighting game community (FGC)/esports scene. Traveling to tournaments such as EVO, Combo Breaker, CEO, Tokyo Game Show, and more, I've been fortunate to make a career of it as well as developing peripherals for major players in the FGC community near and far. It's in this spirit that I'm thrilled to finally unveil a project that we at Razer have been passionately crafting the arcade controller that's poised to redefine the world of fighting games: the Razer Kitsune.
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[NextPowerUP]

As we enter summer, a blizzard from hell is this week's AAA title, a game some of you might already be playing, due to the limited editions coming with early access. Luckily, that's not all we have for you this week, as we also have thunderous gods, side scrollers, lots of horror and some harmony for you. Don't forget to go out in the sunshine and do something in the real world too, summer won't last forever.

Diablo IV / This week's AAA title / Tuesday 6 May
The endless battle between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells rages on as chaos threatens to consume Sanctuary. With ceaseless demons to slaughter, countless Abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and Legendary loot, this vast, open world brings the promise of adventure and devastation. Survive and conquer darkness—or succumb to the shadows.
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Streamplify Showcases its Game Streamer Gear at Computex 2023
Game streaming hardware brand Streamplify showcased its latest gear at the 2023 Computex. The booth begins with an example setup of a typical stream rig, with a height adjustable desktop, two Streamplify Glow Light 14 units, and a Mount Arm, which can hold onto a Streamplify Mic Pro. This mic features Ø16 mm condenser capsules, and upgraded 24-bit/192 kHz digital sampling rate.

Right behind the monitors are Streamplify's new generation >20 dB Acoustic Panels. The booth also featured Streamplify's new generation Cam Pro. The original Cam is full HD, and uses a manual telescopic concealment mechanism. With the new Cam Pro, you just turn a silver shroud to cover the camera lens and its in-built mic. The biggest feature upgrade is the resolution, as the Cam Pro is capable of 4K @ 30 FPS or 1080p @ 60 FPS. Streamplify is planning to sell this at just $99.99 a pop. The company also showed us their upcoming HDMI-based video capture card that the company claims will be an affordable solution for beginners. Lastly, there's a next-generation Hub Ctrl product with OLED screen buttons.

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Innodisk at Computex 2023: Has the Right Idea About Gen 5 SSDs, to Make them AICs
Innodisk has the right idea about how to do PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSDs—to ditch the M.2 form-factor, and make them PCIe add-in cards. This would remove the need for cartoonishly disproportionate cooling solutions with high-pitched 20 mm fans; and rather allow SSD designers to use cooling solutions resembling those of graphics cards. Gen 5 NVMe controllers have a TDP of around 15 W, or roughly similar to that of a motherboard chipset. The M.2-2280 form-factor is tiny for the deployment of a sufficiently large heatsink, and so SSD designers are resorting to active cooling, using 20 mm fans that don't sound pleasant. Most single-slot VGA cooling solutions can make short work of 15 W of heat while being much quieter, some even fanless.

The Innodisk 5TG-P AIC SSD uses a PCIe Gen 5 + NVMe 2.0 SSD controller with a large passive heatsink, a PCI-Express 5.0 x4 host interface, and 32 TB of capacity. The drive runs entirely on slot power, and besides the 3D TLC NAND flash, uses a large DDR4 DRAM cache. The company claims sequential transfer speeds of up to 13 GB/s in either direction. Innodisk is targeting the PCIe 5TG-P at workstation and HEDT use-cases. The company is building them in server-relevant form-factors such as U.2 and E.1S. A CDM screenshot shows 13.62 GB/s sequential reads, with 11.55 GB/s sequential writes.
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SilverStone Unveils a Vibrant Selection of ATX3.0 PSUs at Computex 2023
SilverStone showcased a large selection of new and upcoming PSUs at Computex 2023. The star attraction at their booth was the HELA 2050R Platinum (model: SST HA2050R PM), which is, well, hela powerful. This 2050 W PSU comes with two 16-pin 12VHPWR connectors each capable of 600 W continuous output, besides close to a dozen 6+2 pin PCIe power connectors. It includes a flattened, ribbon-type 12VHPWR cable that the company claims is "super flexible." The PSU meets both ATX 3.0 and PCIe Gen 5 standards. It meets Cybenetics Platinum switching efficiency. SilverStone plans to launch the HELA 2050R Platinum toward the end of June, 2023. This model will be joined by the HELA 1650R (SST HA1650R PM) later this year. This 1650 W model retains much of the feature-set of its 2050 W sibling, but in a lower depth body. You still get two 16-pin 12VHPWR connectors, the same Cybenetics Platinum switching efficiency, and those flat black 12VHWPR flexible cables. SilverStone plans to launch the HELA 1650R in September 2023.
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[NextPowerUP]

A drawback of liquid-cooling your CPU has been to leave the other hot components around your CPU socket without a source of passive airflow. SilverStone is planning to address this, with their IceMyst line of AIO CPU coolers. These coolers feature puck-shaped pump-blocks, their top covers come off, so you could telescopically stack up a few fans. Each of these 40-50 mm fans comes with an 8-shaped frame, with one half of it stacking up with the block and providing the rest of the frame with 360-degree mobility, and the other holding the motor and impeller in place.

You can position them anywhere around the pump-block, so you can direct airflow to components such as the memory slots, VRM heatsinks, M.2 SSD heatsinks, etc. SilverStone even showed us an example of a stack with 7 of these fans. The IceMyst series comes in four models based on radiator size—240 mm x 120 mm, 280 mm x 140 mm, 360 mm x 120 mm, and 420 mm x 140 mm. By default, these coolers don't include any of those stackable fans, they're meant to be purchased separately as part of IceMyst Upgrade Kits. SilverStone plans to launch the IceMyst AIO series, and its companion Upgrade Kits, in July 2023.

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Bug in AMD EPYC "Rome" Processors Puts Them to Sleep After 34 Months of Uptime
AMD recently published an errata for their second generation EPYC processors based on Zen 2 which states that, "A core will fail to exit CC6 after about 1044 days after the last system reset." 1044 days is roughly 34 months, or just shy of 3 years of total uptime, and is actually an over estimate according to some sysadmin sleuths on Reddit and Twitter that did the math and discovered the actual time is 1042 days and 12 hours. The problem occurs because the CPU REFCLK counts 10ns ticks in a 54-bit signed integer, and if you count just over 9 quadrillion of these ticks you get the resulting overflow at 1042.4999 days. Once this overflow occurs the cores are stuck forever in a zombie state, and will not take any external interrupt requests. Well, forever until you flip the power switch off and back on again, which will reset the counter.

It's certainly impressive that this problem was discovered at all, as it suggests that more than a single system has been running for almost three years straight without a single restart. Though this does put EPYC "Rome" out of the running for any possible awards for longest running systems, it may serve as a reminder to initiate system updates or patches for other vulnerabilities that have been discovered in the four years since that generation of processor were first launched. AMD does not plan to issue any fix for the CC6 bug, instead recommending that administrators disable CC6 to avoid the cores entering the zombified state, or simply initiating a restart every once in awhile before the time limit expires.

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SilverStone Commemorates 20 Years With Fresh Case Designs at Computex 2023
SilverStone showed up to Computex with a variety of new cases on offer covering everything from a hybrid rack-mountable / pedestal 5U, to a retro-inspired April Fool's joke, to their largest and flashiest ATX full-tower to date. SilverStone has a reputation for quality and over engineering and it clearly shows in this year's selection. Starting off with the most engineered, and likely most expensive: the recently released Alta F2 was on display with a fully water cooled build showing off the expansive options available in the giant tower. Alta F2 utilizes a 90 degree rotated configuration taking design elements from the older Raven and Fortress series of cases. What the Alta F2 does different is where it allows the GPU to be installed; along the left side (traditionally the back) there are three expansion slots tilted at precisely 11.3 degrees.

These tilted slots are intended to offer as much forced air cooling as possible to the GPU from the bottom mounted 180 mm Air Penetrator 184i PRO fans, and SilverStone dialed in this angle to decimal precision to ensure this. There still exists a standard 9-slot layout along the top of the case (remember, everything is rotated 90 degrees so that's where the "back" is) for those that fill every slot on their motherboard. Since airflow moves bottom-to-top there are intake filters lining the lower chamber of the chassis, and the top panel is almost entirely open for exhaust. The lower chamber is also setup to allow four 3.5 inch drives to be mounted, while four more drives can be mounted in the optional forward mounted, and also angled, drive cages. The Alta F2 has already reached retail and demands a hefty $800 USD price point.
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Wizmax at the 2023 Computex: GM and GX Series Cases, Titanium High-Wattage PSU
With their signature upward positioned front air vent, Wizmax cases were unmissable at the 2023 Computex. The company showcased four of the top case models, along with a new high-wattage ATX 3.0 PSU. The GX-3 Chang and GM-3 Moon are characterized by their distinct front-panel design that looks like a Chinese room divider pattern from the mid-19th century. Measuring 518 mm x 250 mm x 585 mm, the GX3-Chang features a horizontally-partitioned layout, its width opens up plenty of height for the CPU cooler and graphics card, of 18 cm; while you can use a graphics card up to 46 cm in length. The top- and front-panels each give you enough room for a radiator as big as 420 mm. Besides eight conventional add-on card slots, you get three vertical ones.

The GM3-Moon is a more compact mid-tower, measuring 485 mm x 225 mm x 392 mm, which opens up room for up to 34 cm long graphics cards, and up to 17.5 cm tall CPU coolers. You can mount a 360 mm radiator along the front-panel, and a radiator as large as 280 mm along the top panel. The GM1 Transform has a design novelty where its front-panel cover slides sideways to reveal a mesh intake. Don't want all those front fans glaring at you? Simply pull up the opaque front-panel. This mid-tower gives you room for graphics cards up to 35.5 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 16 cm in height, and no vertical slots. It comes in white and black color options.
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ECS Showcases LIVA Z5, LEET Gaming, and New SBCs at Computex 2023
ECS showed off a large array of products at their booth at Computex this year, demonstrating the range of markets they cater to, from consumer to industrial. To start with, their long lived LIVA series of mini PCs have received an update to Intel's 13th gen Core series of processors with the LIVA Z5. The LIVA Z5 lineup includes three new models: the Z5 Plus, a more spacious Z5E Plus, and a completely passive Z5F Plus. Each of these feature the new processor generation up to 15 W and are designed for smart retail and kiosk deployments. The series not only boasts the new processor generation, but also expandable DDR4-3200 with capacities up to 64 GB, M.2 PCI-E NVMe Gen 4x4 SSD storage (plus 2.5" SATA in the Z5E and Z5F), optional Wi-Fi 6 module, dual 2.5 GbE, three USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 Type-A, USB Type-C, HDMI, and COM ports. Each of these new models can support up to four simultaneous 4K displays. ECS had the Z5 and Z5E Plus running as a multi-display automated self-service kiosk in their booth where visitors could order a bubble tea. Beside these was also the new LIVA P300, a slightly larger ITX barebones machine with a Q670 motherboard supporting both 12th and 13th Gen processors on LGA 1700, up to 65 W TDP.
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