TechPowerUP NEWS

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The newest leak from X (formerly Twitter) has detailed five Intel Granite Rapids SKUs, including the 6980P, 6979P, 6972P, 6952P, and the 6960P. Featuring up to 128 CPU cores and up to 504 MB of cache, these show that Intel Granite Rapids will double the amount of cores compared to the Emerald Rapids SKUs.

The newest leak coming from Jaykihn over at X, following the previous leak that detailed the most powerful SKU. The 6980P will pack 128 cores, pack 504 MB of cache, have a 2.0 GHz base frequency and a massive 500 W TDP rating. The rest of the SKUs have lower core count, ending with the 6960P, which comes with 72 cores, 432 MB of cache, but also a higher 2.7 GHz base frequency.
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[NextPowerUP]

In a conversation with Intel's CEO Pat Gelsinger, industry analyst Patrick Moorhead revealed that Intel's Meteor Lake CPU platform suffers from some production issues. More specifically, Intel has been facing some yield and/or back-end production issues with its Meteor Lake platform, resulting in a negative impact on Intel's margins when producing the chip. The market is showing great demand for these chips, and Intel has been forced to run productions of "hot lots"-- batch production of silicon with the highest priority that gets moved to the front of the production line so they can get packaged as fast as possible. While this is a good sign that the demand is there, running hot lots increases production costs overall as some other wafers have to go back so Meteor Lake can pass.

The yield issues associated with Meteor Lake could be stemming from the only tile made by Intel in the MTL package: the compute tile made on the Intel 4 process. Intel 4 process is specific to Meteor Lake. No other Intel product uses it, not even the Xeon 6, which uses Intel 3, or any of the upcoming CPUs like Arrow Lake, which uses the Intel 20A node. So, Intel is doing multiple nodes for multiple generations of processors, further driving up costs as typical high-volume production with a single node for multiple processors yields lower costs. Additionally, the company is left with lots of "wafers to burn" with Intel 4 node, so even with Meteor Lake having yield issues, the production is ultimately fine, while the operating costs and margins take a hit.

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[NextPowerUP]

Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2024 third quarter ended June 29, 2024. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $85.8 billion, up 5 percent year over year, and quarterly earnings per diluted share of $1.40, up 11 percent year over year. "Today Apple is reporting a new June quarter revenue record of $85.8 billion, up 5 percent from a year ago," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "During the quarter, we were excited to announce incredible updates to our software platforms at our Worldwide Developers Conference, including Apple Intelligence, a breakthrough personal intelligence system that puts powerful, private generative AI models at the core of iPhone, iPad, and Mac. We very much look forward to sharing these tools with our users, and we continue to invest significantly in the innovations that will enrich our customers' lives, while leading with the values that drive our work."

"During the quarter, our record business performance generated EPS growth of 11 percent and nearly $29 billion in operating cash flow, allowing us to return over $32 billion to shareholders," said Luca Maestri, Apple's CFO. "We are also very pleased that our installed base of active devices reached a new all-time high in all geographic segments, thanks to very high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty."
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[NextPowerUP]

In a statement for Tom's Hardware, Intel has announced a two-year warranty extension for its 13th and 14th Generation Core processors. This decision comes in response to widespread reports of crashes and instability affecting a broad range of models, from high-end flagship chips to mid-range offerings. The extension effectively increases the standard warranty period from three to five years for most boxed processors, with even the limited-edition models seeing an increase from one to three years. This move aims to reassure customers and mitigate concerns about potential long-term damage to affected chips. Intel has identified excessive voltage as the root cause of the problem, which has led to unexpected system crashes and blue screens of death (BSODs), particularly during gaming and other demanding tasks.

The company plans to release a microcode update by mid-August to prevent further degradation in unaffected processors. However, this update will not resolve issues in chips that have already experienced problems, and users with malfunctioning processors will need to seek replacements. The tech giant has faced criticism for its delayed response to the issue, which has plagued users for months. In its statement, Intel also addressed concerns about Via Oxidation, clarifying that while this separate issue was discovered in 2022, it is not the cause of the current instability problems. The company claims to have implemented fixes and enhanced screening procedures for Via Oxidation by early 2023, with affected chips reportedly removed from the supply chain by early 2024.
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[NextPowerUP]

Premier embedded computing provider AAEON (Stock Code: 6579), has announced the release of the PICO-MTU4, the smallest single-board computer to host the new Intel Core Ultra Processor platform. On the ultra-small 100 mm x 72 mm PICO-ITX form factor, the PICO-MTU4 leverages the disaggregated die design, hybrid CPU core architecture, and integrated VPU of the Intel Core Ultra series for a multi-thread performance increase of up to 24%, with a 50% reduction in SoC power consumption.
The board is available in SKUs featuring both Intel Core Ultra 7 and 5 Processors, all with a TDP of 15 W, maxing out at a total of 12 cores (2 P-cores, 8 E-cores, and a further 2 Low Power E-cores) and 14 threads of processing power.

Equipped with LPDDR5x, two LAN ports (2.5GbE and 1GbE), two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a variety of serial interfaces for industrial protocols like dual COM for RS-232/422/485, a 4-bit GPIO, and SMBus, AAEON have indicated the board will target the advanced industrial robotics market, with SCADA, MES, and system monitoring devices singled out as particularly suitable uses.
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[NextPowerUP]

Imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, presents patterned structures obtained after exposure with the 0.55NA EUV scanner in the joint ASML-imec High NA EUV Lithography Lab in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. Random logic structures down to 9,5 nm (19 nm pitch), random vias with 30 nm center-to-center distance, 2D features at 22 nm pitch, and a DRAM specific lay out at P32nm were printed after single exposure, using materials and baseline processes that were optimized for High NA EUV by imec and its partners in the framework of imec's Advanced Patterning Program. With these results, imec confirms the readiness of the ecosystem to enable single exposure high-resolution High NA EUV Lithography.

Following the recent opening of the joint ASML-imec High NA EUV Lithography Lab in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, customers now have access to the (TWINSCAN EXE:5000) High NA EUV scanner to develop private High NA EUV use cases leveraging the customer's own design rules and lay outs.
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[NextPowerUP]

AIC, a global leader in design and manufacturing of industrial-strength servers, in partnership with Unigen Corporation has launched the EB202-CP-UG, an ultra-efficient Artificial Intelligence (AI) inference server boasting over 400 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of performance. This innovative server is designed around the robust EB202-CP, a 2U Genoa-based storage server featuring a removable storage cage. By integrating eight Unigen Biscotti E1.S AI modules in place of standard E1.S SSDs, AIC is offering a specialized configuration for AI, the EB202-CP-UG—an air-cooled AI inference server characterized by an exceptional performance-per-watt ratio that ensures long-term cost savings.

"We are excited to partner with AIC to introduce innovative AI solutions," said Paul W. Heng, Founder and CEO of Unigen. "Their commitment to excellence in every product, especially their storage servers, made it clear that our AI technology would integrate seamlessly."
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[NextPowerUP]

Winbond Electronics Corporation, a leading global supplier of semiconductor solutions, has unveiled the W25N01KW, a 1 GB 1.8 V QspiNAND flash. This new NAND solution is designed to meet the increasing demands of wearable and battery-operated IoT devices with low standby power, small-form-factor package, and continuous read for fast boot and instant-on support.

The W25N01KW flash memory stands out for its high-speed read capabilities, achieving speeds up to 52 MB/sec in both Continuous Read and Sequential Read modes. The fast boot and instant-on support enhance energy efficiency and extend the devices' operational lifespan. It also offers an advanced deep power-down mode that reduces power consumption to as low as 1µA. The W25N01KW comes in a small form factor and is available in compact WSON8 (8 mm x 6 mm) and WSON8 (6 mm x 5 mm) packages. These exceptional features ensure ultra-fast code/data access, longer battery life, and compact design, contributing to an optimized user experience across various applications.
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[NextPowerUP]

Through September 3 only, you can get lifetime access to 1 TB of FolderFort Cloud Storage for just $69.99 (reg. $251). No matter who you are, you probably need a storage solution if you have a digital presence. One Google Drive alternative that's been popping up often is the FolderFort Cloud Storage Pro Plan. It is currently offering 1 TB of storage space for just $69.99, providing an ample solution for anyone looking to store, organize, and protect their data.

1 TB of storage loosely translates to approximately 200,000 photos or hundreds of hours of videos in standard format. This is ideal space for those looking for backups of everyday files for personal use or work. FolderFort helps ensure your data is always accessible with a guaranteed 99.99% uptime. This high level of reliability means you can trust that your files are available whenever you need them, minimizing downtime and disruptions. With this lifetime subscription, you'll enjoy quick and efficient data uploads with FolderFort's optimized infrastructure. Whether backing up large files or sharing documents with the family, fast upload speeds allow for a smooth and time-efficient experience.

You can pick up FolderFort Cloud Storage's 1 TB Pro Plan for just $69.99 through September 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
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[NextPowerUP]

As the demand for more detailed power supply information grows, Corsair (Nasdaq: CRSR) will begin exclusively using Cybenetics' more advanced certifications for both efficiency and noise, moving away from 80 Plus certification. As part of this process, Corsair is dedicated to improving consumer awareness of the differences between Cybenetics and 80 Plus, so that they can shop with the confidence when selecting a PSU that it has undergone rigorous testing to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and acoustics.

Cybenetics certification offers a more comprehensive assessment of PSU performance than its predecessor. It still rates efficiency on a familiar tier system in the form of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium certifications, making the transition easy for PC enthusiasts. Cybenetics testing, however, is far more thorough and detailed than 80 Plus, leading to more accurate results.
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[NextPowerUP]

CTL, a global cloud-computing solution leader for education and enterprise, announced today the introduction of the new CTL Chromebook PX111E Series. These 11.6" Chromebooks equip students with the essential processing and connectivity they need in a durable, sustainable device. Easy ChromeOS device manageability combined with CTL's Life Cycle Services reduces the burdens of deployment and device management for IT departments.

"We've introduced several new Chromebooks lately, and this is our newest 11.6" entry-level device built for the rigors of daily student use. We have tested it to MIL-STD-810H standards, added a durable 180 lay-flat hinge, and even shoved it off desks to ensure survivability. When combined with the power of Google for Education, Intel N100 processing, Wi-Fi 6E, and other advanced technologies, the PX111E Series will serve students for years to come," said Erik Stromquist, CEO of CTL.
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Samsung Electronics has achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of supplying advanced memory chips for AI systems. Their latest fifth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, known as HBM3E, have finally passed all NVIDIA's tests. This approval will help Samsung in catching up with competitors SK Hynix and Micron in the race to provide HBM memory chips to NVIDIA. While a supply deal hasn't been finalized yet, deliveries are expected to start in late 2024.

However, it's worth noting that Samsung passed NVIDIA's tests for the eight-layer HBM3E chips while the more advanced twelve-layer version of the HBM3E chips is still struggling pass those tests. Both Samsung and NVIDIA declined to comment on these developments. Industry expert Dylan Patel notes that while Samsung is making progress, they're still behind SK Hynix, which is already preparing to ship its own twelve-layer HBM3E chips.
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[NextPowerUP]

In 2024, the use of magnetic switches in gaming keyboards is increasing at a rapid rate. Almost every brand has now come up with a magnetic gaming keyboard. Today, we are excited to announce that Varmilo has also came up with its latest magnetic gaming keyboard, presenting the Varmilo Muse65. Varmilo is a well-known brand among keyboard enthusiasts. The brand is known for its extensive range of mechanical keyboards with unique, colorful design themes.

The latest Muse65 is no different, the keyboard is available in multiple designer theme-based color options based on the Nordic mythology. The primary attraction on the MUSE65 keyboard would be the new-generation Gateron magnetic switches that support different functions such as Rapid trigger function, adjustable keystrokes, etc. The Muse65 can take your gaming and typing experience to the next level, the Magnetic switches not only offer silky smooth keystrokes, but also have instantaneous response making the keyboard an excellent choice for competitive gaming.
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[NextPowerUP]

Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, is thrilled to introduce the new-colored additions to The Tower 300 Micro Tower Chassis series, now in Matcha Plum and Peach Fuzz. The Tower 300 is a distinctive m-ATX case featuring an octagonal prism shape and supporting both vertical and horizontal placements, making it a standout piece for your gaming or workspace setups. To cater to the diverse aesthetic preferences of PC enthusiasts, now The Tower 300 is available in ten colors: Black, Snow, Turquoise, Racing Green, Matcha Green, Bumblebee, Hydrangea Blue, Bubble Pink, Matcha Plum, and Peach Fuzz.

Thermaltake bridges fashion and technology, boldly creating the chassis in dashing colors. Inspired by a captivating summer, the new color schemes feature vibrant and refreshing hues. The Tower 300 Matcha Plum is built with a matcha green exterior and pink elements, while The Tower 300 Peach Fuzz boasts a peach fuzz appearance with a hydrangea blue interior. These new colors combine Thermaltake's iconic matcha green and hydrangea blue with trendy shades, making The Tower 300 stand out.
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[NextPowerUP]

Despite recent rumors speculating on NVIDIA's supposed cancellation of the B100 in favor of the B200A, TrendForce reports that NVIDIA is still on track to launch both the B100 and B200 in the 2H24 as it aims to target CSP customers. Additionally, a scaled-down B200A is planned for other enterprise clients, focusing on edge AI applications.

TrendForce reports that NVIDIA will prioritize the B100 and B200 for CSP customers with higher demand due to the tight production capacity of CoWoS-L. Shipments are expected to commence after 3Q24. In light of yield and mass production challenges with CoWoS-L, NVIDIA is also planning the B200A for other enterprise clients, utilizing CoWoS-S packaging technology.
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