TechPowerUP NEWS

[NextPowerUP]

NuPhy earlier this year unveiled the Node 75, a 75% wireless mechanical keyboard with a retro design inspired by the Braun T3, and it has now brought that retro design language to an 1800 layout, which means you get a keyboard with a full-size num pad in a slightly more compact layout. The Node 100 also has the same touch-sensitive area on the right-hand side of the top edge of the keyboard—kind of mimicking the Apple Touch Bar in functionality—and the same dot matrix indicator LEDs on the left side of that same top edge. The Node 100 has a PCB gasket mount and is constructed of plastic, which allows NuPhy to bring the price down to a pretty reasonable $109.99, and it is available in Ink Grey, Lunar White, and Light Pink from NuPhy's online store. It is also available as both high- and low-profile designs and with a choice of linear, silent, and light tactile switches in both variants.

The Node series uses both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, with USB-C available as a wired option. The low-profile version uses NuPhy's Low-Profile Nano switches, which follow Gateron's Low-Profile 3.0 design, meaning the switch selection is somewhat limited at the time of writing. The low-profile version of the Node 100 keyboard is pitched as a portable option for on-the-go productivity, although it still weighs in at 787 g. Both versions of the keyboard have PBT keycaps, although the low-profile version uses NuPhy's nSA profile and dye-sublimated legends, while the high-profile version has double-shot keycaps in the mSA profile. Both versions of the Node 100 have two-stage adjustable feet for typing angles of 6°, 9°, and 12°. The front height of both versions of the keyboard are also reasonably low, at 13.8 mm on the low-profile keyboard and 18.9 mm on the full-height version.
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[NextPowerUP]

Microsoft has unveiled a new hardware-accelerated BitLocker encryption system for Windows 11, which shifts cryptographic operations from software to dedicated accelerator units integrated into future CPU microarchitectures. Historically, software-based BitLocker in Windows 11 has caused massive performance degradation. For example, in Windows 11 going from no BitLocker to software-based BitLocker has caused average number of cycles per I/O to skyrocket from roughly 400,000 cycles to about 1.9 million cycles. This is a 375% increase in cycles per I/O, and can cause significant storage performance degradations. However, Microsoft is finally bringing hardware-based encryption to solve this.

The new hardware acceleration, announced at Ignite 2025 in November, is now available in Windows 11 version 25H2 and Windows Server 2025 with the September update. Early testing shows that some workloads experience double the storage performance while reducing CPU usage by over 70%. The system offloads AES-XTS-256 encryption processing from the main processor to a fixed-function cryptography engine embedded within the SoC. Encryption keys are hardware-wrapped to enhance security against memory-based attacks. The initial rollout will target Intel vPro platforms with the upcoming Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors, but Microsoft plans to extend support to other vendors as well.
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[NextPowerUP]

KBDfans has officially announced version 3 of its famous Tofu60 custom gaming keyboard, which offers a variety of options, including myriad color options, the choice of wired mechanical in both soldered and hot-swap options, wireless mechanical, and wired Hall-effect PCBs. As the name suggests, the Tofu60 is a 60% keyboard, which means it opts for a small form factor over the convenience of a dedicated F row, num pad, arrow cluster, and navigation cluster. As with previous Tofu60 keyboards, the Tofu60 3.0 is made entirely of CNC-machined aluminium with an anodized finish and the dual-mode mechanical versions offer both wired and Bluetooth connectivity. The new case uses a top mount or a PCB gasket mount, and it comes with options for an aluminium, stainless steel, or copper weight bar. There are plenty of color options and combinations available, all of which can be previewed on the KBDfans online configuration tool, after which prospective buyers can purchase their configuration on the KBDfans store. Pre-orders are open from December 30, 2025, until January 30, 2026, and shipping is expected to start in Q2 2026.

The Tofu60 3.0 is once again powered by ZMK firmware, which should make it quite efficient when it comes to battery life, although KBDfans has not made any battery life claims yet. The bottom case is available with both a matte and textured finish, and you can mix and match various color options on the store page. The Tofu60 3.0 is available in WK (with a Windows key), WKL (Win-keyless), and the coveted HHKB layout, and the mechanical variants offer both ANSI and ISO support. KBDfans also offers a variety of other plate options, including FR4, PEI, PC, aluminium, and carbon fiber, but users can also opt for a plate-less build, which would only really be practical for the soldered mechanical variant. The starting price for the barebones kit—meaning no switches, stabilizers, or keycaps, is $130, which also includes a carrying case. If you want to step up to a wireless hotswap PCB with ZMK firmware and internal case foams, the price jumps up to $159.01, and adding a weight bar will set you back $15 for the aluminium weight, $35 for the stainless steel weight, and $51 for the copper weight bar. The base model HE version comes in at $165.01 without any weight bar. There is also a "Custom Colors" variant with more exotic color options, which come at a higher price premium.

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[NextPowerUP]

It's no secret that NVIDIA GPUs have had a habit of burning up 12vHPWR and 12V-2x6 connectors, but increasingly, reports are emerging of the same thing happening to AMD's Radeon GPUs running the same connectors. The latest report of such burned connectors come from a user on r/Radeon on Reddit, where user u/divinethreshold posted an image of their burned Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU with a burned 12V-2x6 connector on the GPU cable side. According to the account, the GPU had been running in the same system for upwards of a year without issue before it started crashing mysteriously, prompting the redditor to disassemble the system and inspect for hardware issues.

[Editor's note: You can read our in-depth review of the Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Nitro+ graphics card here]

In the comments, the affected user explains that the burned cable was part of an included adaptor that connects the 12V-2x6 connector on the GPU to three 8-pin connectors on the PSU side. As commenters in the thread have also pointed out, these sorts of failures seem to be more common when similar adaptors are used, which makes sense, since most official sources attribute failures to overheating caused by improper contact across one or more pins. Increasing the number of potential failures also increases the likelihood of said failure.
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[NextPowerUP]

If you're bouncing between ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and half a dozen other AI tools to get one solid answer, you're probably paying for the same tools more than once. ChatPlayground AI offers a simpler alternative: one platform where you can run a single prompt and instantly compare responses from multiple top AI models side by side, with no message limits and no monthly fees.

The result? Instead of juggling tabs, subscriptions, and usage caps, ChatPlayground AI gives you lifetime access to more than 25 leading models in one streamlined dashboard. It's designed for anyone who relies on AI for writing, coding, research, or creative work and wants faster, more accurate results without burning credits across platforms.

Save 87% on this lifetime plan while you still can.

Grab your ChatPlayground AI lifetime subscription at $79 while you still can (MSRP $619). No coupon is needed.
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[NextPowerUP]

We've already seen the myriad far-reaching effects of the DRAM crisis play out in a number of ways, including bring-your-own-RAM offerings from custom PC builders and rumors of delayed next-gen consoles. However, a new report out of DigiTimes claims that DRAM producers, specifically mentioning Samsung and SK Hynix, are now selectively prioritizing certain hardware makers. Allegedly, large brands like Apple, ASUS, Dell, and Lenovo are receiving priority access to DRAM, which may result in smaller vendors—the likes of Framework—without DRAM supply.

The report also mentions that DRAM suppliers are starting to change their approach to the supply agreements, more frequently re-assessing the situation in order to take advantage of the limited capacity and likely adjust pricing and supply accordingly. Previously, we covered a report that claimed PC hardware vendors may have to adjust pricing, specs, and potentially launch dates of upcoming laptop and smartphone offerings, and these agreements are likely being pursued by mainstream brands, like Apple, ASUS, Dell, and Lenovo, in order to avoid or mitigate that eventuality.

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[NextPowerUP]

Perhaps in response to the overwhelming demand for DDR5 and the resulting price increase for PC hardware, ASUS is apparently planning to increase production of its B550 AM4 motherboards, which still rely on aging DDR4 RAM. This is according to a leak posted to Board Channels (via Videocardz), which claims that ASUS will make changes to its supply chain and production in the first quarter of 2026 in order to increase DDR4 motherboard production. This may be an indication that ASUS doesn't expect DDR5 supply and pricing to return to normal anytime soon, which lines up with recent rumors that console makers are considering postponing next-gen console launches until DRAM supply has stabilized.

These plans will include both AMD's B550 and A520 motherboards, both of which use the venerable AM4 socket, and Intel's B760M and H610M-G, and the increased supply will apparently be dedicated to e-commerce channels rather than physical retailers. These motherboards will cover up to AMD's Ryzen 5000 CPUs and Intel 14th-Gen CPUs. At the time of writing, there has been no confirmation from ASUS that these rumors are true, but the AM4 platform has continued to receive support from AMD, with the most recent AM4 CPU, the Ryzen 5 5600F, launching as recently as September 2025.

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[NextPowerUP]

TrendForce's recent findings show that, amid a sluggish economic recovery and cautious consumer spending, surging memory prices are squeezing notebook brands' profit margins and pricing freedom. Consequently, TrendForce has reduced its 2026 global projection for notebook shipments to a 5.4% YoY decrease, totaling around 173 million units. This shift indicates a more conservative approach by brands toward inventory management, promotions, and product setups in response to increasing cost pressures.

If memory price increases do not significantly slow down by the second quarter of 2026 and brands cannot pass on higher costs, the demand for entry-level and consumer notebooks might decline further. In this scenario, full-year 2026 shipments could turn more pessimistic, decreasing by as much as 10.1% YoY.
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[NextPowerUP]

MOAIPLAY, a brand driven by the mission of providing "affordable prices but better performance," today officially announces its debut product line—the ORA PRO G1 series power supplies. Built on the belief that every gamer is a legend in their own world, the ORA PRO G1 series delivers reliable, high-performance hardware to ensure the game never stops.

The Eye-Catcher: 148 mm Silent Fan Reaching the ATX Form Factor Limit
The most striking feature of the ORA PRO G1 series is the world-first 148 mm ultra-large silent cooling fan. By pushing the absolute limit of the ATX form factor, MOAIPLAY has integrated the largest possible fan within the standard 150 mm width of a PSU housing. This design maximizes airflow at lower RPMs, eliminating heat dead zones while maintaining a near-silent environment. This innovation allows users to focus entirely on their gameplay, supported by industry-leading acoustic performance:

• 750 W & 850 W Models: Certified with Cybenetics LAMBDA A++ for ultimate silence.
• 1000 W Model: Achieved Cybenetics LAMBDA A+ acoustic certification.

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[NextPowerUP]

ASUS announced the upcoming Always Incredible virtual launch event at CES 2026, where the company will unveil the latest portfolio of AI PCs. Streaming globally on January 6, 2026, at 09:00 PST (17:00 GMT) via the ASUS event site, the showcase will demonstrate how ASUS's vision of Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities is shaping the future of intelligent computing and redefining user experiences across work, creativity, and daily life.

AI Designed for Real-World Impact
ASUS is committed to enhancing everyday life through AI. The company will unveil a comprehensive AI ecosystem designed to deliver intelligent assistance across its portfolio of Copilot+ PCs, lightweight laptops, and creator solutions. This is brought to life through two key initiatives: Everyday AI, which enhances daily convenience and connectivity, and Creator AI, which provides advanced tools to accelerate creative workflows.
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[NextPowerUP]

GOG (formerly Good Old Games) has officially changed ownership, according to a statement put out by the company, with Michał Kiciński, co-founder of GOG and CD Projekt Red, taking over the game distribution platform from CD Projekt Red. According to some reports about the buyout, the total amount paid for the acquisition was on the order of $25.26 million (90.7 PLN). The sale of GOG aligns with CD Projekt Red's recent moves, like moving away from the Red engine to Unreal Engine 5 in what appears to be an attempt to focus more on the creative side of game development instead of investing time into technical game dev on a proprietary engine—the Cyberpunk 2 creative director previously said that "we want to make games, not engines," when asked about the move to UE5. Despite the change in ownership, CD Projekt Red games will continue to be published on GOG, and the existing library will also continue to be available on the platform.

GOG says that Kiciński has committed to the buyout "because he wants to preserve and grow the original philosophy behind GOG," and the company insists that, under the new ownership, it will be doubling down on the co-founder's vision that "GOG stands for freedom, independence, and genuine control." For the time being, at least, nothing seems to be changing for the end-user. GOG will still provide DRM-free games and offline installers, with the option for GOG Galaxy 2.0 as a convenience option.
GOG has also promised to keep up its game preservation efforts via the Game Preservation Program, which has already preserved and modernized 267 games. GOG has also clarified that any tips donations made to GOG via Patreon or the store will still go towards the game preservation mission, and not into the pockets of publishers or the company's new owner.

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[NextPowerUP]

With CES 2026 just around the corner, leaks have started to pop up about hardware launches slated to appear at the annual show. Some of the latest leaks to come out of Windows Latest reveal HP's new line-up of HyperX Omen gaming products, which include a slew of new gaming monitors. The HP HyperX Omen gaming monitors will come in both 34-, 27-, and 24-inch variants, as the HyperX Omen OLED 34, Omen OLED 27qs and 27q, and Omen 24. The Omen OLED 34 is a 34-inch 21:9 ultra-wide OLED gaming monitor with a 360 Hz refresh rate and a VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification—which suggests at least 500 nits of brightness. The Omen OLED 34 will also have "Professional-Grade Color Accuracy," although exact color space and coverage specifications, along with a specific display resolution, are not mentioned in the leak.
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[NextPowerUP]

We've already seen signs that Cyberpunk 2's development is in full swing at CD Projekt Red, with the game studio earlier this year expanding its development team for the upcoming Unreal Engine 5-based game. Previously, no release date for the new game had been revealed, teased, or even proposed by the usual sources, but a Polish analytics firm, Noble Securities (via Strefa Inwestrów), has posited that Cyberpunk 2 would launch in 2030, specifically Q4, 2030, which would make the game a holiday release. The firm also predicts that the recently delayed final update for The Witcher 3 will land as early as May 2026 and the launch of The Witcher 4 in Q4 2027.

In addition to the launch dates, we also got a prediction for the budget of Cyberpunk 2, which the firm says will likely end up around the $419 million mark, which aligns with the reported ~$436 million budget of Cyberpunk 2027. A late launch lines up with the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, which launched in December, and it makes sense from a business point of view, since that is when gaming sales peak. Of course, being this far away from the projected launch date means that things are highly volatile—this being especially true in the current gaming landscape, where delays seem more common than ever.

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[NextPowerUP]

We have already reported on the outsized impact that the AI industry's demand for RAM and the ensuing RAM shortage have had on the PC gaming industry—including everything from price hikes to potential launch delays for next-gen PC hardware products—but now it seems as though console gamers may have to join PC gamers at the back of the line. According to a recent report by Insider Gaming, console hardware makers, likely referring to Microsoft and Sony, are in talks to delay the next console hardware generation.

Originally, the next-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles were slated to launch sometime in 2027 or 2028, and a new launch window has not yet been revealed, but hardware makers are seemingly considering the delay in the hopes that RAM prices and availability will stabilize ahead of the launch. Currently, brands like Samsung are planning on pivoting some of their NAND production to DRAM, and other makers are scurrying to build out their supply chain to meet demand, but that takes time. We have already seen the RAM shortage impact console makers, with increasing NAND and DRAM prices resulting in slimmer margins, while some brands have had to start considering increasing the retail prices of their hardware.

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[NextPowerUP]

UnifyDrive, an innovator in network storage solutions, today announced the release of the UnifyDrive UP6. This all-flash mobile NAS is the first of its kind to integrate a 6-inch touchscreen, a built-in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and local AI processing into a single portable chassis. Designed specifically for photographers, videographers, and data-sensitive professionals, the UP6 bridges the gap between high-capacity desktop storage and portable rugged drives. It allows creators to offload, preview, and manage massive datasets in the field without requiring a laptop or external power source.

Desktop Performance, Anywhere At the heart of the UP6 is the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor, featuring an integrated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) capable of 11 TOPS. Unlike traditional NAS units that rely on lower-power Arm chips, the UP6 offers true workstation capability.

• Performance: Supports 8K video transcoding and high-speed data ingestion.
• Capacity: The all-flash NVMe architecture supports up to 96 GB of DDR5 memory and 48 TB of storage, delivering the sustained read/write speeds required for collaborative editing directly from the drive.

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