Latest News - Page 204

The next-gen PS6 handheld is going to be a beast, with leaks suggesting it'll be close to 3x faster in docked mode than the new Nintendo Switch 2, and it'll blow the newly-released Xbox Ally X handheld out of the water.

In a new video from leaker Moore's Law is Dead, who does some quick "scratch math" on how the PS6 handheld will perform versus the Nintendo Switch 2 in both handheld and docked modes, as well as the new Xbox Ally X. MLID notes it's obviously very early on as the PS6 handheld is still a couple of years away, but by the time it releases, we'll see it (and the full PS6) using superior FSR 4 or even FSR 5 upscaling, versus the NVIDIA DLSS 3.1 (which is nerfed) on the Switch 2.

MLID says that the PS6 handheld doesn't downclock its APU anywhere near as much as the NVIDIA chip inside of the Nintendo Switch 2, with the new "Canis" APU fabbed on TSMC's new 3nm process node working out to an estimated 3x or more performance between handheld modes (PS6 handheld vs Switch 2).

NVIDIA CEO and founder Jensen Huang visited TSMC's semiconductor manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona to celebrate something huge: the first NVIDIA Blackwell wafer produced on American soil.

To celebrate the milestone, Huang was joined by Y.L. Wang, the vice president of operations at TSMC, to personally sign the NVIDIA Blackwell wafer, commemorating a milestone that as NVIDIA writes "showcases how the engines of the world's AI infrastructure are now being constructed domestically".

This move strengthens the US supply chain as well as onshores the AI technology stack that will turn data into intelligence, and secure America's leadership for the AI era.

MSI has just quietly released its new compact enthusiast motherboard, the new MPG X870I EDGE TI EVO WIFI, which packs support for DDR5 memory speeds of over 10,000+ MT/s out of the box. Check it out:

The new MSI MPG X870I EDGE TI EVO WIFI motherboard features the AM5 socket and is ready for AMD's next-gen Zen 6-based Ryzen CPUs, with a high-end VRM setup that uses an 8+2+1 SPS 110A power phases, so you're ready to rock and roll when it comes to overclocking your CPU and RAM.

We have dual DIMM slots that MSI says support 10,000+ MT/s speeds, meaning we should expect some new DDR5 memory overclocking records on the new MPG X870I EDGE TI EVO WIFI motherboard, with MSI promising the 10,000+ MT/s speeds on RAM using a 1DPC 1R configuration. With a 1DPC 2R configuration, MSI says you'll be good for DDR5 speeds of around 8000 MT/s, but with some tweaks we could expect overclockers to breach that, too.

A PC chassis with a fully open and frame-like design is often built for the DIY scene and even media and creators who want direct access to components they can readily inspect, monitor, and swap out when conducting benchmarks. The new InWin SHIFT open-frame case, which is a part of its iBuildiShare initiative, lives up to this promise.

Crafted from premium CNC-machined aluminum that includes a "sandblasted finish and intricate laser engravings," it carries that open-frame look where the case on its own looks like a drone or UFO ready to take off from whatever desk or surface it's placed on. And it's a case built for hardware enthusiasts and testers, as it even sports reinforced screw holes to support the regular swapping out and installation of new components.

The InWin SHIFT open-frame chassis is also versatile, with support for up to E-ATX motherboards and GPUs up to 350mm in length. On the GPU front, there are also tool-less GPU holders that can support vertical, horizontal, and multi-GPU configurations. The case's "wings" are also adjustable to accommodate a wide range of AIO liquid cooler radiators, PSUs, and SSDs.

Battlefield 6's launch, from a sales, reception, and player sentiment perspective, has been one of the most positive and most significant in the franchise's long history. Although the whole game is available to play across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, the game and series have always been synonymous with PC gaming. And on that note, Battlefield 6 has debuted in a polished and optimized state that runs smoothly on the most popular PC gaming hardware of 2025.

This includes GPUs like the GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX 4060, where it's possible to get a smooth 60+ FPS experience even during the game's most chaotic moments. Turns out, Battlefield 6 is also playable on old 4GB GPUs that you can pick up for less than the cost of the game, including the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER and Radeon RX 570.

These GPUs, from 2019 and 2017, respectively, were mainstream or sub-$200 budget offerings when they debuted, so they're not exactly cutting-edge. And with 4GB of VRAM, you'd think that there would be no way to run one of the biggest and most visually impressive shooters of the year and get a playable experience. Well, it's possible thanks to a pair of new videos by YouTube creator and fan of old-school GPUs, RandomGaminginHD.

Intel's 18A process or node, created in-house at its US-based Fab 52 semiconductor facility or Intel Foundry in Arizona, is set to be used in the company's upcoming Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest chips. The production-ready technology and Foundry are open for business, and Intel is looking to partner with big tech to manufacture new chips and technologies using the 18A or 18A-P process.

One of these new customers, according to a report over at SemiAccurate (via TechPowerUp), is Microsoft. The company is apparently planning to use Intel's 18A process for its next-gen Maia 3 accelerator for AI, codenamed "Griffin." And with that, depending on the yields and success of its latest AI hardware, Microsoft could also tap future Intel process technology like 18A-PT and 14A for future Maia accelerators.

Microsoft expressing interest in leveraging Intel technology for its AI accelerators isn't new. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella released a statement about Microsoft's plans to use 18A for an undisclosed chip when Intel announced its Foundry roadmap in early 2024.

Windows 11 25H2 update, which is the big October 2025 update for the operating system, is rolling out now to all users. Although it's light on bringing new features to the OS, the update is introducing a number of new bugs, including one that breaks the ability to recover Windows 11. Yes, as part of a newOctober 14, 2025 - KB5066835 update for Windows 11 25H2 that "addresses security issues for your Windows operating system," Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) has become unusable.

WinRE is the environment that you use for troubleshooting startup issues, restoring your system, resetting your PC, and accessing other tools when there are OS issues or you want to roll back updates, go into your BIOS, or repair your PC. It's an integral part of Windows, and with the latest Windows 11 25H2 update, USB keyboards and mice no longer work in the Windows Recovery Environment, rendering it unusable.

Microsoft has confirmed that the bug exists, with it being listed on the Windows 11 25H2 'Known Issues' page. Microsoft notes "this issue affects USB devices only within WinRE after installing Windows updates released on October 14, 2025," while confirming that a fix is on the way "in the coming days."

Dell's new Pro Max 16 laptop is in the wild, packing NVIDIA's new RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell GPU and 128GB of CAMM2 memory, check it out:

The folks over at Notebookcheck have gone hands-on with the new Dell Pro Max 16 laptop, putting it through its paces in a wide variety of benchmarks. The new Dell Pro Max 16 laptop is an interesting beast as it has the much more powerful RTX PRO 5000 GPU inside, alongside its 128GB of CAMM2 memory.

There's 24GB of GDDR7 memory on the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell GPU, which Dell has installed through its DGF (Dell Graphics Form Factor) module, meaning that it is replaceable, allowing for direct GPU upgrades along the way. Notebookcheck's benchmarks show that in professional benchmarks, the NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell GPU is quite strong, comparing it to the flagship GeForce RTX 5090 GPU.

New documents give key insight into the production process of Sony's best-selling Horizon franchise, revealing some of the more taxing and expensive parts of the game's design.

PlayStation's first-party Horizon series is dazzling and eye-catching, matching up colorful meso-American style with sci-fi futurism. The game's vibrant world is anchored by seven tribes that give players more agency in the Horizon universe. According to Guerrilla Games art director Jan-Bart van Beek, putting the tribes together was actually one of the most difficult parts of making the game. Guerrilla spent a lot of time and money meticulously crafting each tribe, and that attention to detail permeates throughout the games--from clothing to architecture, the games are distinct and striking.

The info comes by way of a written declaration from van Beek in regards to Sony's active copyright infringement lawsuit against Tencent. The company behind PlayStation is suing Tencent, saying that Tencent's game Light of Motiram is essentially a blatant imitator of Sony's Horizon series.

Despite the current controversies around pricing, an unprofitable business model, and a weakening market presence, Microsoft won't step out of the hardware market any time soon.

Microsoft has no plans to stop making Xbox consoles, and is forging ahead on a new multi-year product roadmap with AMD. The common perception among enthusiast gamers is that Xbox is slowly pulling out of hardware so it can go all-in on software and services. This isn't the case, or at least not what Microsoft is publicly telegraphing, even if its marketing strategy is loudly reminding everyone that Xbox is a service and not just a console--that's why every platform is technically an Xbox.

In a recent interview with Variety, Xbox president Sarah Bond reaffirms Microsoft Gaming's plan for future systems. Bond reiterates Microsoft's roadmap with AMD on "next-gen hardware," a line of products that Microsoft has confirmed will consist of more than just Xbox consoles. The Xbox exec also confirms Microsoft is currently prototyping and designing the new lineup.

Sony and Tencent were exploring options for third-party licensing deals of key PlayStation franchises, including The Last of Us...before Sony sued Tencent for copyright infringement.

A new filing in the Sony vs Tencent copyright infringement case reveals an interesting development: At one point, Sony and Tencent were exploring ideas on a potential Last of Us collaboration.

In a written declaration, PlayStation's head of mobile Olivier Courtemanche recalls key events in the talks between Sony and Tencent, saying that at one point he met up with Tencent's in-house Aurora Studios to explore a potential Last of Us collaboration. Interestingly enough, Courtemanche says that Aurora Studios included assets from their Horizon imitator, Light of Motiram, in the presentation that he was shown. This presentation was supposed to include pitches and ideas for new games based on PlayStation IPs, including The Last of Us.

Microsoft is going all-in on AI, and this is splashing over to Xbox gaming. New reports say that generative AI plays a heavy hand in the development of new Halo games.

Two new Halo games are on the way: a remake of the original Halo Combat Evolved released in 2001, complete with new modern-day mechanics like sprinting, and a multiplayer-only live game similar to the cancelled Halo Online. These games are coming quick, set to launch in 2026. New reports say that gen AI may have been the secret to this speedy release cadence.

Sources tell Halo insider and YouTuber RebsGaming that Halo Studios has chosen to fully adopt Microsoft's generative AI technology to make the new Halo games.

2K Games hires FPS expert Ben Brinkman to lead game studio 31st Union on its new free-to-play roguelike shooter.

2K is bringing in another Call of Duty veteran to spearhead Project Ethos, a new innovative hero shooter: Ben Brinkman will now take over as studio head at 31st Union. Brinkman is a heavyweight in the FPS game, having served as producer on Call of Duty games at Treyarch and executive producer on Apex Legends. Brinkman replaces Michael Condrey, a fellow former Call of Duty veteran developer who had been let go back in February.

The publisher confirmed the news to Variety via an executive memo from 2K Games president David Ismailer. Project Ethos held a beta test last year, but has seen slower iteration throughout 2025. Brinkman's appointment is a bid to turn that around.

Halo Studios is appearing on stage at the Halo World Championship 2025 on October 24, where the studio is going to unveil the next Halo title and discuss what is in store for the franchise, leading into the future.

However, RebsGaming, a well-known Halo insider, has revealed what Halo Studios is planning on showcasing, or at the very least, what the developer is currently working on. In a new video, RebsGaming said Halo Studios is working on a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, along with the next mainline Halo game, but also a new standalone multiplayer-focused Halo title that's being designed to be a live-service project.

According to the insider, the live-service title is a "long-term updating multiplayer game," and its "live service component is like Fortnite". Despite being "like Fortnite," the insider said their source didn't mention that it was a battle royale game, nor did they give any other specifics. Reports indicate the live-service Halo title is being designed to have an evolving ecosystem, with developers rolling out seasonal updates, events, and providing rotating content.

Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone might not release in 2026 and could be delayed according to Mizuho Securities, citing issues with key design elements of the phone including the complex hinge system and flexible OLED display.

The analysts also said that the estimated flexible OLED panel production has been reduced from 13 million units to around 9 million units, a huge adjustment that hints at slower early-stage manufacturing. We could expect Apple to still launch its foldable iPhone in 2026, but internal testing standards from the company could push the release out considerably.

We were to expect Apple to unveil the foldable iPhone -- rumored as the iPhone Ultra -- alongside its next-gen iPhone 18 family of smartphones in 2026. Apple as a company is perfectionistic, where it won't release a product, especially something totally new for the company, unless it is as close to perfect as possible.

Synopsys has just announced a big milestone in its development of next-gen mobile memory, with the company unveiling the silicon bring-up of its LPDDR6 IP based on TSMC's bleeding-edge N2P process node.

The silicon bring-up stage of development is when the first power-on of a new chip happens, and in this case, it's an IP block. This involves testing a particular product in multiple stages, including hardware checks, power sequencing, and more. Synopsys has successfully developed a licensable building block of next-gen LPDDR6 memory technology, with bandwidth of up to 86GB/sec, aligning with JEDEC standards.

This is also one of the first times integrating TSMC's new N2P process node into an LPDDR6 IP block, with the IP block featuring two main components: the controller, and the PHY interface onboard. The controller works on the JEDEC protocol engine, joined with timing control and low-power states. TSMC's new N2P node will feature PHY analog and I/O circuits built on it, with N2P metal stacks and N2P I/O libraries.

Frore Systems has just introduced its new liquid cooling platform -- LiquidJet -- aimed for high-powered GPUs in AI data centers, replacing traditional 2D microchannel coldplates with precision-engineered 3D short-loop jet channels built using semiconductor manufacturing techniques. Check it out:

Frore Systems' new LiquidJet is already delivering game-changing results, cooling NVIDIA's new Blackwell Ultra GB300 and its 1400W TDP, outperforming traditional coldplates on every major cooling metric, including 2 x higher hotspot power density, 50% higher KW/lpm, and a 4 x lower pressure drop.

Seshu Madhavapeddy, CEO and Founder of Frore Systems said: "LiquidJet's unique 3D architecture, with customized short-loop jet channel microstructures, sets a new bar for coldplate thermal performance. Just as AirJet redefined active cooling for consumer and edge devices, LiquidJet transforms coldplates into a future-ready platform for the AI Factory".

TEAMGROUP has just introduced its new T-Force Z54E Gen5 SSD, powered by the Phison E28 Gen5 SSD controller, with 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities with read speeds of up to 14.9GB/sec. Check it out:

The new TEAMGROUP T-Force Z54E Gen5 SSD is its new flagship SSD offering, with Phison's new E28 Gen5 SSD controller which is fabbed on TSMC's older 6nm process node. Phison says its new E28 controller is capable of up to 14.9GB/sec (14,900MB/sec) sequential reads, and up to 14GB/sec (14,000MB/sec) sequential writes, delivering best-in-class storage performance on mainstream platforms (desktop and laptop PCs).

We've already seen a handful of Gen5 SSDs offering huge speeds of between 10GB/sec and 14GB/sec (and just over), with the Samsung 9100 PRO and Kingston FURY Renegade G5 pushing 14.8GB/sec, but now TEAMGROUP has taken over with slightly faster read speeds at a huge 14.9GB/sec (100MB/sec more than Samsung and Kingston's Gen5 SSD offerings).

Nintendo could produce 25 million Switch 2 consoles, and sell around 20 million systems throughout FY26, sources tell Bloomberg.

Nintendo is said to be ramping up production of its new Switch 2 console to a heavy degree. According to new reports, Nintendo could manufacture and ship up to 25 million units by March 2026, a new all-time record for the company. If accurate, this fusillade of hardware will help Nintendo meet analysts' expectations of 17.6 million sales for FY26.

It's also expected that the Japanese games-maker will achieve up to 20 million Switch 2 sales throughout this fiscal year, overshooting the company's public predictions. Officially, Nintendo's president Shuntaro Furukawa forecasts 15 million Switch 2 sales throughout the year.

Old-school gamers will get a kick out of this: Atari is releasing an Intellivision console.

In an interesting twist of fate, Atari purchased the rights to the Intellivision brand in 2024. The two companies were heated rivals in the early days of console gaming. Now the brands are unified under one roof, and Atari is making good on its investment by releasing an Intellivision retro console.

The new $150 Intellivision Sprint is an authentic recreation of the classic system, complete with two keypads (is this a controller, or a phone?) and 45 built-in games including B-17 Bomber and Bomb Squad, plus new-and-improved overlays required for each game.