High-speed 5G to hit PCs in 2021 through Intel and Mediatek partnership
Intel and Mediatek have partnered to co-develop the implementation of 5G connectivity on PCs like laptops and desktops, with a third developer coming onboard for M.2 card development. This collective will ensure that by early `2021, PC users have access to the fastest cellular data connections.
Early AMD RX 5500 testing shows it’s almost an RX 580, but at what price?
AMD's upcoming RX 5500 has been benchmarked as part of a new HP system and the results are impressive, but leave us with more questions. It manages to deliver performance comparable to an RX 580 and a GTX 1660, but without knowing more about its pricing, it's hard to tell just how good it is.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro still lacks this must-have pro feature
Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro is missing a key feature which professional users the world over would surely love to have: upgradeable components. The new MacBook Pro, just like its brethren, goes out of its way to stop you upgrading anything yourself, leading to costly repairs and a shorter use life.
Intel CPUs attacked again as ZombieLoad V2 exploit rises from Spectre’s grave
Intel is facing another speculative execution exploit known as ZombieLoad V2, a new variant of the MDS attack vector. This one affects even those that have hardware fixes against the Meltdown exploit, potentially requiring Intel to release yet another microcode fix for its flagship chips.
MSI leak reveals 64-core AMD Threadripper CPU is just around the corner
MSI has accidentally leaked the reveal of AMD's Threadripper 3990X, a 64-core HEDT processor that is in the works for a January unveil -- and a possible January release too. The CPU will be the most powerful HEDT chip ever released and should make Intel's life very difficult for the next 12 months.
You can buy a guaranteed 5.3GHz Intel Core i9-9900KS for $1,100
prIf you're willing to pay for the privilege, Case King and famed overclocker, Der8auer, have pretested a number of Intel Core i9-9900KS CPUs and can guarantee that they hit 5.3GHz on all cores with a little overclocking. They'll even give you all the settings for it, and have delidded it for better temperatures.
AMD promises Ryzen 4000 in early 2020, Zen 3 chips later in the year
AMD's CEO, Lisa Su, confirmed that Ryzen 4000 processors will debut in early 2020, followed by Zen 3-based desktop Ryzen processors later in the year. These launches should offer big boosts in performance to both laptop and desktop AMD systems, making 2020 AMD's most exciting year in a long time.
Intel and AMD are in an all-out, core-count war
Intel isn't going to break much new ground in 2020 with its server CPUs. It will debut a 14nm and 10nm processor line, much like its mobile sector, with Cooper Lake and Ice Lake chips. Neither will reach AMD's Epyc core counts though, and they'll launch just before AMD's next-generation, Zen 3 Epyc chips.
Nvidia RTX Super graphics cards: Everything you need to know
The Nvidia RTX Super graphics cards are a terribly kept secret. Although Nvidia hasn't shown us anything beyond a short teaser video of a graphics shroud with the word 'Super' written on it, we have a specification list, presumed release dates, and some alleged pricing that spell out what these new GPU have to offer.
The best mid-tower PC cases
The best mid-tower PC cases have great cooling, look good, and are reasonably priced too. To find out which are the best, though, we dug through our collection of chassis, looked over reviews, reports, and ratings, and came up with a list of our favorite mid-tower PC cases, to help you decide.
HDMI vs. DisplayPort
HDMI vs. DisplayPort, which is the better of the two standards? From TVs and games consoles to graphics cards and laptops, these two display standards are commonplace and some of the most popular ways to connect devices. Both have their advantages and will soon be upgraded to be even more capable.
The Surface Laptop 3 was a rough start, but AMD’s Zen 2 chips still have promise
AMD's inclusion in Microsoft's new Surface line up was a welcome surprise, but now that we've tested the Surface Laptop 3 with an AMD Ryzen CPU, it's hard to recommend. AMD is in desperate need of Zen 2 cores to bring some of its desktop CPU success to the mobile space, where Intel remains dominant.
Nvidia GTX Super cards want to rain on AMD’s RX 5500 parade, but can they?
AMD has a pair of new entry-level graphics cards coming down the pipe, in the form of the RX 5500 and 5500 XT, and Nvidia is ready to counter them. The GTX 1660 Super and 1650 Super are mere weeks away from release and are set to make 1080p gaming much more competitive than it's been in years.
Intel’s Compute Element PCIE CPUs may make first appearance inside NUC 9 Extreme
Intel's relatively nebulous NUC Compute Element has made its first tentative appearance inside the upcoming NUC 9 Extreme. It combines a CPU die, storage, and memory on a module that connects to a single PCI Express x16 slot. It's an intriguing piece of kit that could offer upgrades in tiny systems.
Microsoft’s Secured Core PCs could be the most hacker-resistant laptops ever
Microsoft has announced a new Secured Core designation which will guarantee certified devices offer firmware-level protection against hacking, by implementing a hardware secure core that checks the firmware before posting to make sure that it hasn't been infected by malware or other nefarious code.
Logitech G Pro X review: The ultimate gaming keyboard
The Logitech G Pro X mechanical gaming keyboard doesn't reinvent the wheel, so much as let you replace the nuts and tire if they wear out. This is a mechanical keyboard with swappable switches, letting you customize the switches under every key, as well as replace them if they go bad.
AMD’s rumored 3750X isn’t a 9900KS competitor, it’s a profit maximizer
AMD is reportedly working on yet another eight-core CPU, the Ryzen 3750X. It will have the same TDP as the 3800X, but its naming convention suggests it won't be as powerful. That leads us and everyone else wondering: Just what, and who, will this eight-core CPU be for? There are some intriguing possibilities.
How to install an Intel processor
Learning how to install an Intel CPU is the first step in building your new PC and it's going to be great. Don't sweat touching the heart of your system. CPUs are more robust than you think and with a few tips and tricks, the installation process can be smoother than you might think.
How to install an AMD processor
Learning how to install an AMD processor is little different from any other desktop chip, but there are a couple of additional considerations to take in the process. But it needn't be difficult. Just follow this step by step guide and your new AMD CPU will be powering your system in now time.
The Microsoft Surface Pro X has 3 times the performance than the Pro 6
Microsoft showed off a new Surface 2-in-1 at its big Surface event called the Surface Pro X. It packs a new system on a chip developed between Microsoft and Qualcomm. It has high performance, particularly in A.I. tasks, with a very low power draw, making for great performance per watt.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7 builds on pedigree to be the next great 2-in-1
Microsoft has a new generation of convertible laptops coming down the pipe, starting with the Surface Pro 7. This 2-in-1s builds upon a legacy of excellent Surface laptops and look set to take the line to new heights with exciting hardware and features, including the latest CPU from Intel.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 has AMD graphics, USB-C, and a removable drive
AMD CPUs will now form the core of Microsoft's Surface Laptops, as announced at the big Microsoft Surface event in New York. They will come in 13- and 15-inch sizes, with a few fun features introduced alongside its new hardware makeup. This isn't good news for Intel and its typical industry dominance.
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Desktop Kit review: Homebrew hacking
The Raspberry Pi 4 is the latest miniature computing sensation from the Raspberry Pi Foundation and is by far the most capable Pi yet. It adds dual HDMI support for twin 4K displays, a more powerful SoC, and the option of plenty of new RAM. It comes with everything you need to get started too.
Thanks to Zen 3, AMD’s Ryzen 4000 chips could run four threads per core
AMD's SM4 could make its next-generation Zen 3 architecture even more problematic for Intel. By doubling supported threads per core to four each, AMD could length its multithreaded performance lead considerably over an already single-threaded-focused Intel and its still-missing 10nm desktop hardware.
AMD’s 16-core Ryzen CPU may have been held up by lower-than-advertised speed
The AMD Ryzen 3950X may not have been delayed due to supply problems, but because it wasn't hitting its rated clock speeds, according to a new rumor. The CPU was supposed to hit 4.7GHz on one of its 16-cores in ideal scenarios, but the latest reports suggest it just hasn't been possible to meet that expectation.
Even Cascade Lake X won’t save Intel from AMD’s Threadripper 3000 CPUs
Intel's upcoming 10th-generation refresh of its HEDT line, currently known as Cascade Lake, isn't far away and it should be the most powerful high-end chips Intel's ever made. But they won't be enough if early benchmarks are to be believed. Threadripper 3000 chips are better at just about everything.
Here’s why crusty, old CRT monitors are still better than modern gaming displays
CRT monitors can still be great for modern gaming and even look and perform better than their modern LCD counterparts. They are big, bulky, and in some cases expensive, but the results are spectacular. With no input lag, no native resolution, and no motion resolution drops, they can look great even in modern games.
Here’s why a Surface Laptop 3 launch with Ryzen is exactly the win AMD needs
AMD CPUs may be an option in Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3. If that turns out to be true, it would be a major win for AMD which desperately needs to improve its mindshare and marketshare in the mobile space. Before a Zen 2 APU launch in 2020, AMD can lay the groundwork with its competitive Ryzen 3000 mobile chips.
In the battle between AMD and Intel, which processors are more secure?
The horse-race between AMD and Intel is fun to follow, but when it comes to security, there’s far more at stake than framerates in games. Speculative execution exploits like Spectre and its variants are still as scary as ever. But which processor company is less impacted by its effects? Is there a safer option?
Asus Chakram gaming mouse hands-on review
Joysticks might be the odd-one out in typical gaming controllers, but not with the Asus Chakram. It's a gaming mouse with a dual-axis joystick built into it, and it's a bizarre little rodent that few will find perfect for them. But for those that do, it could be a great addition to their gaming arsenal.