
Hardware
PC hardware and enthusiast computing. CPUs, graphics, fast storage and more.
Bykski's external liquid cooler packs nine 120mm fans
The Best SSDs and PC Storage - Holidays 2022
Fast storage is now a commodity, and hopefully it will only get bigger and faster. Our best storage picks are split into six categories covering SSDs, HDDs, portable and external drives.
Samsung will manufacture 3nm chips for Nvidia, Baidu, Qualcomm and IBM
In context: Samsung will use its most advanced manufacturing process to make chips for four well-known technology companies. The race to overtake TSMC as the world's largest chip foundry is on, while geopolitical conflicts are tearing the old economic balance apart.
Gabe Newell says his PC components come from multiple manufacturers, an openness that enabled the Steam Deck
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X vs. Intel Core i5-13600K: 54 Game Benchmark
Time for a massive benchmark comparison between the Ryzen 5 7600X and Core i5-13600K, covering 54 games across three resolutions using the GeForce RTX 4090.
TSMC reportedly plans to raise 3nm wafer prices 25 percent over 5nm to $20,000
TSMC founder: a new 3nm manufacturing plant in Arizona has already been planned
Forward-looking: TSMC is planning a second manufacturing plant in Arizona, a move that will bring the upcoming 3nm manufacturing process to the US. The facility could allow Apple to start making iPhones in the US but prices would go up. A lot.
Zen 4 CPU prices fall dramatically, Ryzen 9 7950X is now down to $554
What just happened? Since launching in September, AMD's Zen 4 processors have struggled to sell against Intel's Raptor Lake due to price and compatibility disadvantages. Team Red has addressed the situation with deep price cuts around the globe, but it's unclear if these are permanent drops or just holiday deals.
A Rocky Launch: Gamers Are Not Buying Nvidia's RTX 4080
The launch of Nvidia's RTX 4080 has not gone well, with weak demand for the high-end GPU which is unusual. That said, it's been an interesting month for the GPU market despite the slower movement.
Home Depot for DIY Chips: What's the going trend?
The big picture: Earlier this year we were reviewing Analyst Day slides from leading semiconductor companies and a clear theme emerged. Large companies are all shifting in a similar direction, posing some potential challenges for their long-term positions. More and more customers are looking for special purpose chips, a coping mechanism for dealing with the slowdown in Moore's Law. And the big players are all looking to support those customers.
LG announces the first 1440p 240Hz OLED monitor and it only costs $999
Something to look forward to: Monitor aficionados have been salivating at the thought of an affordable (well, relatively) medium-sized OLED monitor with a high refresh rate since LG teased the concept on its roadmap. Now the LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B has come along and ticked all the boxes. It has: a 2560 x 1440p resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and an OLED panel with 0.3 ms (GtG) response times.
AMD's latest RDNA 3 presentation appears to have removed a slide comparing RTX 4090 performance
Intel boosts Arc performance with new drivers, unveils XeSS plugin for the Unreal Engine
The Best CPUs: Productivity and Gaming
With readers constantly inquiring about which CPU they should buy, and after all the extensive testing you're familiar with, the TechnicalSides CPU buying guide narrows things down to a handful of recommendations you can trust.
Nvidia delivers official statement on melting RTX 4090 power cables
A hot potato: Power supply-related controversy has surrounded Nvidia's monstrous new flagship graphics card since before it launched. Users recently criticized the company after reports of melting power cables, but Nvidia claims only a handful of incidents occurred and that it was user error to blame.
Apple silicon supports the ancient Intel 8080 through a secret extension
Lian Li's new V3000 Plus can hold two PCs and four watercooling radiators
Trivia: Nvidia's first graphics card was released in 1995, what did the "complete" package include?
Qualcomm goes beyond the smartphone, shows off new hardware
Why it matters: Qualcomm's annual Snapdragon Summit is typically a celebration of all things smartphone. After all, it's the time and place where the company unveils its latest SoC design for the next generation of premium Android smartphones. True to form, the company did introduce Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is expected to be the engine powering upcoming premium phones from Samsung, Motorola, and many other vendors including Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.
RTX 4090 owner launches class-action lawsuit against Nvidia over melting adapters
Sonos plans to enter four new product categories starting next year
AMD Advantage arrives on desktops along with new performance boosting features
Global DRAM revenue falls nearly 30% in biggest drop since 2008 financial crisis
Can You Build a Gaming PC for $1,000?
It's been tough for anyone wanting a decent gaming PC the past few years. Parts were in short supply and expensive. But with the market more settled, can you finally build a gaming PC for $1,000?