TechPowerUP NEWS

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The ExpressSlot Elite MB840M5P-B transforms a PCIe 4x, 8x, or 16x expansion slot into a removable M.2 NVMe SSD bay, allowing for quick and easy SSD swaps without the need to open your computer case.

Cutting-Edge PCIe 5.0 Compatibility
The MB840M5P-B is designed to leverage the power of PCIe 5.0, offering blazing-fast 128 Gbps transfer speeds—double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0 (64 Gbps) and over 20x faster than SATA (6 Gbps). Engineered for PCIe 5.0, 4.0, and 3.0 x8/x16 slots, this high-speed NVMe solution ensures maximum flexibility across enterprise workstations, high-performance computing, AI training, and data-intensive applications. By utilizing direct PCIe connectivity, it eliminates bottlenecks, reduces cable clutter, and delivers ultra-low latency storage performance for next-generation workloads.
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OneXPlayer, famous for its super-sized gaming handhelds and the recent launch of the AMD Strix Halo-powered Super X gaming tablet, has officially confirmed that it will be putting the high-powered AMD Strix Halo APU into a compact gaming handheld with the OneXFly Apex. The Apex, officially teased by OneXPlayer, will be available with an AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 or Max+395, and exact pricing is yet to be confirmed, but a $1,000+ price point is fully expected, given its internals. No official release date has yet been announced for the OneXPlayer OneXFly Apex gaming handheld, either.

The OneXFly Apex will have a native landscape 8-inch display, so there will be no incompatibilities like there were in the early days of the Lenovo Legion Go, and that display will feature a 120 Hz refresh rate with VRR. The controller layout will be similar to that of the ASUS ROG Ally, with asymmetrical joysticks, and it will have two-stage triggers. It will also have a microSD card slot for storage expansion, but there is no word on what the internal storage size would be. OneXPlayer also mentioned what it calls the "ONE Dock silent liquid cooling system," but it has not provided any details about how the dock would work. The closest competitor to the OneXFly Apex is the GPD Win Max 5, which features a detachable 80 Wh battery.
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Microsoft is offering free Extended Security Updates (ESUs) to all Windows 10 users in the European Economic Area (EEA). As support for Windows 10 ends on October 14 this year, security vulnerabilities will become a concern for those still using the older operating system. While users with specific needs for Windows 10 can purchase ESUs, European customers will receive them at no cost due to strict EU regulations. To access these free ESUs, users must have an active Microsoft account. This is a significant benefit, as users outside the EEA must either pay for ESUs or upgrade to Windows 11 to continue receiving security updates and support. For Windows Central, Microsoft has confirmed that "In the European Economic Area, we're making updates to the enrollment process to ensure it meets local expectations and delivers a secure, streamlined experience. Our goal is to support customers and provide them with options as they transition to Windows 11, with uninterrupted access to critical security updates."

Additionally, Microsoft has clarified for Bleeping Computer that free ESUs will mandate sign-in with Microsoft account. The company claims that users need to "Sign in to your PC with a Microsoft account (MSA) and stay signed in to receive ESU updates at no additional cost. If your MSA is not used to sign in for a period of up to 60 days, ESU updates will be discontinued, and you'll need to re-enroll by signing in using the same MSA." For Windows 10 OS users in Europe, signing in with a Microsoft account seems like a no-brainer considering that the year of free updates can delay the need to transfer sensitive workloads to Windows 11.

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Building on the success of the flagship Celeris 1800, ENDORFY is redefining what a modern keyboard can be. The new Thock V2 series launches today with 17 models, all dressed in a sleek Alt Gray finish. While they may look familiar at first glance, but the list of upgrades over the original Thock is nothing short of impressive. With its premium build quality and features rarely seen at this price point, the Thock V2 lineup delivers more - for less.

"The first Thock series laid a strong foundation. After the successful launch, we listened closely to community feedback and focused on what mattered most. We redesigned the construction, added hot-swap support, refined switches and stabilizers, and introduced advanced acoustic treatment. Many of these upgrades were directly inspired by our high-end Celeris," said Rafał Zaniewski, ENDORFY's Chief Product Officer Accessories.
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Breaking through a technological roadblock that has long limited efficient edge-AI learning, a team of French scientists developed the first hybrid memory technology to support adaptive local training and inference of artificial neural networks.

In a paper titled "A Ferroelectric-Memristor Memory for Both Training and Inference" published in Nature Electronics, the team presents a new hybrid memory system that combines the best traits of two previously incompatible technologies—ferroelectric capacitors and memristors—into a single, CMOS-compatible memory stack. This novel architecture delivers a long-sought solution to one of edge AI's most vexing challenges: how to perform both learning and inference on a chip without burning through energy budgets or challenging hardware constraints.
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D-Link Corporation (TWSE: 2332), global leader in networking solutions, today announced the launch of its latest Wi-Fi 7 routers: the AQUILA PRO AI M36 BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Smart Mesh Router and the AQUILA PRO AI R36 BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Smart Router. As hybrid work, streaming, and smart home adoption accelerate, households and small businesses increasingly require reliable, high-speed connectivity without complexity. In line with its brand promises of MIT quality, creative innovation, solution-oriented, one-stop service, and sustainable design, D-Link introduces these new Wi-Fi 7 solutions to deliver secure, easy-to-manage, and future-ready networks.

These cutting-edge routers are powered by the latest Wi-Fi 7 dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), wider 160 MHz channels, and advanced 4K-QAM modulation to deliver significantly higher speeds, lower latency, and greater efficiency to meet the diverse needs of modern households. Equipped with 2.5G WAN and LAN ports for fast wired connectivity, advanced AI Wi-Fi traffic management for efficient bandwidth allocation and reduced congestion, WPA3 encryption, and parental controls for safer protection. Easily managed through the AQUILA PRO AI app, they offer intuitive setup, monitoring, and customization, setting a new benchmark for Wi-Fi performance in smart homes and SMBs.
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Following its debut at Computex this year, ECS has now introduced the LIVA Z11 PLUS mini PC series. The Z11 Plus is a compact 0.71-liter system (114.4 x 114.4 x 54.5 mm) built to support Intel's Core Ultra processors from both Series 1 and Series 2 offering up to 96 TOPS of AI compute via integrated NPUs alongside Intel Arc graphics. Available processor options include Core Ultra 7 255H (which can be found in ASUS's NUC 15 Pro or GIGABYTE's BRIX Mini PC series), Core Ultra 5 225H, Core Ultra 7 155H, and Core Ultra 5 125H configurations. It supports up to 96 GB of dual-channel DDR5, with Series 1 CPUs running at 5600 MHz and Series 2 pushing up to 6400 MHz. Storage is handled by dual M.2 slots compatible with PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe SSDs in both 2280 and 2242 formats.

For display, the system provides four simultaneous 4K outputs—two HDMI and two USB4 (40 Gbps) Type-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode. Networking includes dual Ethernet ports (2.5 GbE and Gigabit) plus M.2 2230 wireless modules supporting speeds up to 3 Gbps. The front I/O sports one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, three USB 3.2 Gen 2, and a legacy USB 2.0 port. Rear connectivity includes two USB4 40 Gbps Type-C ports and two additional USB 2.0 ports. The system operates on 12 V/120 W power delivered via an external power supply. Despite ECS targeting mostly industrial and edge markets, at least the top-end configurations could look tempting for consumers seeking a compact Mini PC to tackle everyday tasks and even some light gaming. However, ECS has not announced (yet) pricing or specific availability details for the Z11 Plus series.

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Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, has teamed up with Electronic Arts (EA) to be the official peripherals partner for the highly anticipated Battlefield 6 game. Together, Razer and EA are looking to deliver an unparalleled sensory experience to one of the most anticipated shooters of the year. EA's latest entry into the iconic Battlefield franchise, Battlefield 6 is a large-scale multiplayer first-person shooter set in the year 2027. With the integration of Razer Sensa HD Haptics and Razer Chroma RGB, players can look forward to unprecedented immersion in all-out warfare and fast-paced close-quarters combat, coupled with Battlefield's signature tactical destruction gameplay.

"Immersion has always been at the core of Battlefield 6, and collaborating with Razer has given us new ways to deliver it. Sensa HD Haptics turns sound and visuals into something physical—you feel the weight of destruction, the shock of explosions, the energy of combat as it happens. With Chroma RGB, that same intensity reaches beyond the screen, filling your space with light and motion that react to every moment in the fight." Says Víðir Reynisson, Technical Director at DICE.
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BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of edge computing solutions, industrial motherboards, graphics cards, and storage devices, is proud to introduce the BITWL-150 industrial motherboard, a versatile industrial platform designed for modern system integration. Powered by the latest Intel Twin Lake N150 processor, the BITWL-150 delivers dependable performance, flexible connectivity, and long-term stability, ensuring seamless operation across industrial automation projects, edge computing, HMI systems, and digital signage solutions.

Engineered with versatility at its core, the BITWL-150 is purpose-built to support a broad spectrum of industrial applications. Its ultra-compact 10x10cm design makes it easy to deploy in space-constrained environments while maintaining the performance and reliability required for critical tasks. For system integrators, it provides a reliable platform to simplify complex workflows and ensure efficient business process management. Factory automation specialists benefit from its processor compatibility, which enables precise, real-time control and seamless device communication.
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Suit up and head for the cloud. Mecha BREAK, the popular third-person shooter, is now available to stream on GeForce NOW with NVIDIA DLSS 4 technology. Catch it this week as part of 10 new titles joining the nearly 5,000 games supported on GeForce NOW, in addition to Capcom's Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy. This week, Alan Wake 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl join the lineup of GeForce RTX 5080-ready titles, both already available on the service. Look for the "GeForce RTX 5080 Ready" row in the app or check out the full list.

Plus, LG is celebrating being the first to offer OLED TVs that can stream GeForce NOW natively at 4K 120 frames per second, powered by the new GeForce RTX 5080 servers. To mark the occasion, LG is giving away 100 one-month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership codes for free. Head over to the r/LG_UserHub Reddit page to enter.
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MSI and SEGA proudly announce a collaboration that will bring gamers an unprecedented racing experience. With the purchase of an eligible MSI gaming handheld Claw A8 product, users can redeem a FREE digital copy of the new Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds PC game, beginning on September 26, 2025. Race across land, sea, air, and space in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, powered by the MSI Claw A8! Warp through Travel Rings into new dimensions where something new awaits around every twist and turn.

Speed to victory solo or as a team in a variety of offline and online modes and compete against players from around the world. Build the ultimate vehicle to match your racing style, unlock gadgets to gain the upper hand, and unleash power-up items to bring home the win! For this collaboration, SEGA specially created an exclusive MSI custom race car for players to Race with the Best! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game! Experience the high-octane action in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds with the superior performance of the MSI Claw A8!
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Giga Computing, a subsidiary of GIGABYTE and an industry leader in servers for x86 and Arm-based platforms as well as advanced cooling technologies, today announces the launch of its broader portfolio of AmpereOne M servers, including the GIGABYTE R1A3-T40 and R2A3-T40. With its expanded AmpereOne M portfolio, Giga Computing provides customers access to next-generation performance, efficiency, and scalability for AI, cloud, and data center workloads. AmpereOne M servers will be showcased at the GIGABYTE booth at Korea Electronics Show (KES 2025) in Seoul, October 21-24, and at SuperComputing (SC25) in St. Louis, November 18-20.

Expanding the already core-dense CPU lineup of the AmpereOne family, the AmpereOne M takes performance and scalability to the next level. AmpereOne M processors deliver up to 192 custom Ampere cores with a single-threaded Arm -based architecture optimized for consistent performance. Each processor supports 12 channels of DDR5 memory with one DIMM per channel, enabling configurations of up to 1.5 TB of system memory. To accelerate throughput, AmpereOne M integrates large L2 caches and dual 128-bit vector units per core, ensuring highly efficient execution across diverse workloads. Collectively, these innovations enable efficient, consistent performance for large-scale inference, modern data centers, and AI-driven services.
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A new leak seems to confirm previous rumors on Intel's upcoming high-performance mobile processors under the Core Ultra brand—including Ultra X7 368H, Ultra X7 358H, Ultra 5 338H, and X9 388H. With P-core clocks reportedly hitting 5.0-5.1 GHz and integrated GPU speeds up to 2.5 GHz, these chips could be Intel's biggest mobile performance jump in years. Intel is bringing in a new "Ultra X" tier alongside its standard Ultra branding. Hardware leaker HXL confirmed the naming, while former IThome editor @realVictor_M noted the Core Ultra 7 358H features 4 Performance cores, 8 Efficient cores, 4 Low-Power Efficient cores, and 12 Xe3 GPU cores. The Ultra X7 368H tops out at 5.0 GHz with 2.5 GHz iGPU clocks, while the X9 388H hits 5.1 GHz as the flagship. The Ultra 5 338H targets mid-range laptops.

Although early talk linked these parts to Panther Lake, the specs line up more with Intel's high-TDP Nova Lake-H roadmap for 2026. The high clocks match Nova Lake-H targets, not Panther Lake's efficiency focus. "H"-class chips power gaming laptops and workstations, while Panther Lake targets thin-and-light systems. There's no info yet on what "X" stands for—it could indicate GPU variants, NPU differences, or premium power tiers. Full Panther Lake details arrive when Intel's Tech Tour embargo lifts on October 9.

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Giga Computing, a subsidiary of GIGABYTE and an industry leader in servers for x86 and Arm-based platforms as well as advanced cooling technologies, today announces the launch of its broader portfolio of AmpereOne M servers, including the GIGABYTE R1A3-T40 and R2A3-T40. With its expanded AmpereOne M portfolio, Giga Computing provides customers access to next-generation performance, efficiency, and scalability for AI, cloud, and data center workloads. AmpereOne M servers will be showcased at the GIGABYTE booth at Korea Electronics Show (KES 2025) in Seoul, October 21-24, and at SuperComputing (SC25) in St. Louis, November 18-20.

Redefine Performance with AmpereOne M Processors
Expanding the already core-dense CPU lineup of the AmpereOne family, the AmpereOne M takes performance and scalability to the next level. AmpereOne M processors deliver up to 192 custom Ampere cores with a single-threaded Arm -based architecture optimized for consistent performance. Each processor supports 12 channels of DDR5 memory with one DIMM per channel, enabling configurations of up to 1.5 TB of system memory. To accelerate throughput, AmpereOne M integrates large L2 caches and dual 128-bit vector units per core, ensuring highly efficient execution across diverse workloads. Collectively, these innovations enable efficient, consistent performance for large-scale inference, modern data centers, and AI-driven services.
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Our goal with Game Pass has been clear: deliver unmatched value, benefits, and a deep library of games for our players. Since launching in 2017, we've steadily grown our subscriber and creator satisfaction - and today, creator participation and player engagement in Game Pass are at an all-time high. But we have the opportunity for Game Pass to help more players find the creators and games they love. We know not everyone wants the same thing in their Xbox experience, so we're evolving Game Pass to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players, whether you love day one releases, discovering hidden gems, or playing across multiple devices and screens and across Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud.

Starting today, we're introducing three upgraded Game Pass plans based on how players play: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. Each includes expanded game libraries, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits (including Riot Games titles), and a revamped Rewards with Xbox experience. Today's Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to Essential, Standard subscribers will transition to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate plan. It's all a part of our commitment to meet players where they are, so you can choose what works best for you, no matter how or where you love to play.
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