Qualcomm expands Snapdragon on PC with 7c and 8c for Always Connected laptops
Qualcomm continues its push into mainstream, Always Connected laptops, with a new pair of SoCs for manufacturers to choose from. The Snapdragon 8c and 7c aren't as powerful as the 8cx, but they should still be plenty capable, and offer even greater battery life and fan-less cooling for adaptive systems.
AMD just won the core wars, and it still has a trump card up its sleeve
AMD's third-generation Threadripper CPUs are finally here, and they're just as good, if not better than expected. With powerful multi-threading and single-threaded performance, there's little question of which company makes the best CPUs in the world. The red team are the victors, and they're not done yet.
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.
The Best Ultrawide Monitors
Ultrawide monitors offer a great alternative to multi-monitors setups by giving you the same kind of screen real estate, but without bezels in between. You even cut back on the monitor stand footprint, making for a tidier worktop. Here are the best ultrawide monitors you can buy today.
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.
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.
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.
The best 14-inch laptops
The best 14-inch laptops offer a little more than their 13-inch counterparts, but they don't quite have the heft of the 15 and 17-inch models that dominate the high-end laptop market. They are the perfect middle-ground of performance and practical portability and our favorites even have attractive price tags too.
The best graphics cards
Being a cutting-edge PC-gamer can be expensive, though thanks to the cryptocurrency downturn, things are getting a little better over time. Whether you're looking to game at 4K, have an entry-level budget, or want the best bang for your buck, here are the best graphics cards you can buy right now.
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?
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.
XPG Headshot 4D printed gaming mouse hands-on review
XPG wants to make custom gaming mice for everyone. Its new Headshot mouse can be 3D printed using scans of your hand and grip type, making a mouse that should fit you better than any that came before. When combined with a high-end Pixart sensor and Omron switches, this could be the last mouse you ever need.
Lenovo Yoga C940 hands-on review
Lenovo's Yoga C940 might sport a new, 10th-generation Ice Lake CPU in its 14-inch model, but it's small quality of life improvements that better define this new generation 2-in-1. Better audio, a redesigned hinge, Intel Athena certification, and a small bump to help you open the lid, all make it just that bit better.
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.
Asus ProArt StudioBook One hands-on review
Asus has broken new ground with its ProArt StudioBook One. It packs a fullsize Nvidia Quadro RTX6000 in its lid, making it the most graphically powerful laptop ever made. It's more powerful than most high-end desktops. To keep that and its Core i9 CPU cool, it has a unique cooling solution too.
AMD makes splash in GPU market by pullling off feat for first time in 5 years
AMD has sold more graphics card than Nvidia for the first time in five years, suggesting that its RX 5700 cards have been more popular than many might have expected. It's not ready to beat out Intel's onboard graphics sales yet, but AMD may be set to reverse a five-year trend of third-place finishes.
Intel’s in big trouble — AMD’s Threadripper 3000 crushes it in leaked test
Some leaked Geekbench tests results suggest AMD is on to a real winner with its next-generation Threadripper CPUs. An unnamed Sharktooth chip with 32 cores and a clock speed in excess of 4.1GHz, has delivered a multi-core score that's nearly double that of its 2990WX Threadripper predecessor.
Facebook to boost California internet options with Terragraph 5G Wi-Fi
Facebook's open source Terragraph technology is already seeing adoption from California-based Common Networks to expand its offerings of high-speed wireless internet. Speeds can reach a gigabit per second for just $50 a month and Common Networks doesn't even need to outlay millions for underground fiber.
Visually stunning HP Omen X 27 HDR TN display closes color gap with IPS monitors
HP's new Omen X 27 high-speed gaming display is amazingly fast, with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms overdrive response time. But that's not all. Thanks to HDR support and a strong dynamic contrast ratio, its color range is broader than most TN panels, offering gorgeous looks as well as speed.
AMD Ryzen and Nvidia GTX join forces in HP Pavilion laptops and desktops
HP has managed to get AMD and Nvidia to play nice in its new gaming desktop and laptop in the Pavilion range. These systems pack new, high-end AMD CPUs and Nvidia graphics to offer capable gaming performance at a reasonable price. There's also advanced cooling and new chassis designs to enjoy.