Hardware
- Summit supercomputer gets virtual farewell on Zoom — supercomputer going full tilt until last possible moment
> It's time to say goodbye.
- HighPoint launches a 492TB external NVMe RAID storage solution smaller than a shoebox — five-inch devices come with eight Solidigm SSDs and 28 GB/s transfer speedswww.tomshardware.com HighPoint launches a 492TB external NVMe RAID storage solution smaller than a shoebox — five-inch devices come with eight Solidigm SSDs and 28 GB/s transfer speeds
It’s going to cost you a small fortune, though.
> It’s going to cost you a small fortune, though.
- TSMC reportedly delays Fab 21 opening ceremony in Arizona until Januarywww.tomshardware.com TSMC reportedly delays Fab 21 opening ceremony in Arizona until January
Until when Donald Trump takes office.
> Until when Donald Trump takes office.
- U.S Department of Commerce finalizes $6.6 billion CHIPS Act funding for TSMC Fab 21 Arizona sitewww.tomshardware.com U.S Department of Commerce finalizes $6.6 billion CHIPS Act funding for TSMC Fab 21 Arizona site
The site will build chips on TSMC's A16 (1.6nm-class) and N2 (2nm-class) process technologies
> The site will build chips on TSMC's A16 (1.6nm-class) and N2 (2nm-class) process technologies
- Diamond-cooled GPUs are coming soon — startup claims 20C temp reduction, 25% more overclocking headroom as it seeks US govt funding for diamond-encrusted chip cooling solutionswww.tomshardware.com Diamond-cooled GPUs are coming soon — startup claims 20C temp reduction, 25% more overclocking headroom as it seeks US govt funding for diamond-encrusted chip cooling solutions
CHIPS Act helps with $18.2 million in direct funding and $50 million in federal and state tax credits.
> CHIPS Act helps with $18.2 million in direct funding and $50 million in federal and state tax credits.
- RISC-V motherboard for Framework 13 laptops and mini-PCs starts at $199 – quad-core RISC-V CPU and 8GB of RAM includedwww.tomshardware.com RISC-V motherboard for Framework 13 laptops and mini-PCs starts at $199 – quad-core RISC-V CPU and 8GB of RAM included
It won’t be fast, but it’ll exist, and that might be enough for now.
> It won’t be fast, but it’ll exist, and that might be enough for now.
- Qualcomm upgrades its gaming upscaler from spatial to temporal tech but it lacks AI smarts and may struggle to compete with Nvidia's highly polished DLSS performancewww.pcgamer.com Qualcomm upgrades its gaming upscaler from spatial to temporal tech but it lacks AI smarts and may struggle to compete with Nvidia's highly polished DLSS performance
Lots of work to do for Qualcomm, but you gotta start somewhere.
> Lots of work to do for Qualcomm, but you gotta start somewhere.
- TSMC discovers unexploded bomb at Kaohsiung chip fab construction site — bomb has since been safely removedwww.tomshardware.com TSMC discovers unexploded bomb at Kaohsiung chip fab construction site — bomb has since been safely removed
The Taiwanese army removed the 'unexploded ordnance' and it has been stored for future disposal.
> The Taiwanese army removed the 'unexploded ordnance' and it has been stored for future disposal.
- Solidigm reveals 122TB SSD, the world's highest-capacity drive for AI workloads — D5-P5336 offers unlimited write durabilitywww.tomshardware.com Solidigm reveals 122TB SSD, the world's highest-capacity drive for AI workloads — D5-P5336 offers unlimited write durability
Familiar controller, familiar 3D QLC NAND.
> Familiar controller, familiar 3D QLC NAND.
- NEC supercomputer combines Intel Xeon and AMD Instinct accelerators to nearly triple performancewww.tomshardware.com NEC supercomputer combines Intel Xeon and AMD Instinct accelerators to nearly triple performance
720 Intel Xeon 6900Ps, 280 AMD Instinct MI300As, 40.4 PFLOPs.
> 720 Intel Xeon 6900Ps, 280 AMD Instinct MI300As, 40.4 PFLOPs.
- Downed Russian drone used at least 30 chips from Western companies — silicon from Xilinx, TI, Marvell, Micron, and others found in the wreckagewww.tomshardware.com Downed Russian drone used at least 30 chips from Western companies — silicon from Xilinx, TI, Marvell, Micron, and others found in the wreckage
Analysis of Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B drone revealed vital Western components.
> Analysis of Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B drone revealed vital Western components.
- Valve finally made a white Steam Deck that you can actually buywww.theverge.com Valve finally made a white Steam Deck that you can actually buy
It’s limited edition, and costs $679.
> It’s limited edition, and costs $679.
- Japan readies ambitious $65 billion plan to revive homegrown semiconductor manufacturing — Expects economic return of over $1 trillionwww.tomshardware.com Japan readies ambitious $65 billion plan to revive homegrown semiconductor manufacturing — Expects economic return of over $1 trillion
The plan is set to be approved by the cabinet on November 22.
> The plan is set to be approved by the cabinet on November 22.
- Pizza Hut's new pizza warmer uses the PlayStation 5's heat to keep your pizza hot — you can 3D print the new PIZZAWARMR for freewww.tomshardware.com Pizza Hut's new pizza warmer uses the PlayStation 5's heat to keep your pizza hot — you can 3D print the new PIZZAWARMR for free
The company won't be selling this device but has made 3D printing source files available.
> The company won't be selling this device but has made 3D printing source files available.
- LG's new stretchable display can grow by 50%, bendy panels can be deformed into new form factorswww.tomshardware.com LG's new stretchable display can grow by 50%, bendy panels can be deformed into new form factors
This stretchable display unlocks an infinite number of possibilities.
> This stretchable display unlocks an infinite number of possibilities.
- Open source, single-PCB HIDman adapter lets peripherals to easily interface with old PCs that don't support USBwww.tomshardware.com Open source, single-PCB HIDman adapter lets peripherals to easily interface with old PCs that don't support USB
Also supports PlayStation controllers and other HID (not XInput) gamepads
> Also supports PlayStation controllers and other HID (not XInput) gamepads
- Huawei develops massive 72TB SSD-tape hybrid storage device — first-gen MED drive targets warm and cold storagewww.tomshardware.com Huawei develops massive 72TB SSD-tape hybrid storage device — first-gen MED drive targets warm and cold storage
Huawei's hybrid storage device can store up to 72 TB.
> Huawei's hybrid storage device can store up to 72 TB.
- Local and foreign chip manufacturers flee China, expand in Vietnam — companies move to Southeast Asia as US-China tensions simmerwww.tomshardware.com Local and foreign chip manufacturers flee China, expand in Vietnam — companies move to Southeast Asia as US-China tensions simmer
Is Vietnam the next semiconductor superpower?
> Is Vietnam the next semiconductor superpower?
- Due to export restrictions, Huawei has been forced to develop a weird hybrid SSD/tape storage drive for data archivingwww.pcgamer.com Due to export restrictions, Huawei has been forced to develop a weird hybrid SSD/tape storage drive for data archiving
SSD speed with tape's low cost and reliability. A match made in heaven or the worst of both worlds?
> SSD speed with tape's low cost and reliability. A match made in heaven or the worst of both worlds?
- Amazon wants chips with everything, crafting its own AI-focused line of silicon in a bid to dethrone Nvidiawww.pcgamer.com Amazon wants chips with everything, crafting its own AI-focused line of silicon in a bid to dethrone Nvidia
I prefer a crisp, battered cod myself.
> I prefer a crisp, battered cod myself.
- M4 Mac Mini SSD modded from 256GB to 1TB — modder solders higher-capacity NAND to the removable SSD modulewww.tomshardware.com M4 Mac Mini SSD modded from 256GB to 1TB — modder solders higher-capacity NAND to the removable SSD module
You still need to source blank NAND modules, have a spare machine on deck, and be able to solder them.
> You still need to source blank NAND modules, have a spare machine on deck, and be able to solder them.
- U.S. ordered TSMC to halt shipments of advanced AI processors to China: Reportwww.tomshardware.com U.S. ordered TSMC to halt shipments of advanced AI processors to China: Report
Till TSMC's customers get an export license?
> Till TSMC's customers get an export license?
- Arrow Lake and Zen 5 motherboards should be getting cheaper soon — Asus files a slew of budget Intel and AMD boards with regulatorswww.tomshardware.com Arrow Lake and Zen 5 motherboards should be getting cheaper soon — Asus files a slew of budget Intel and AMD boards with regulators
Even though AMD never announced a B850E chipset.
> Even though AMD never announced a B850E chipset.
- Taiwanese law prevents TSMC from producing 2nm chips overseas, Taiwanese govt official confirmswww.tomshardware.com Taiwanese law prevents TSMC from producing 2nm chips overseas, Taiwanese govt official confirms
But it will certainly be able to make them abroad later on.
> But it will certainly be able to make them abroad later on.
- AMD Strix Point CPU powers upcoming Ayaneo 3 gaming handheld — device sports up to Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and 7-inch OLED screenwww.tomshardware.com AMD Strix Point CPU powers upcoming Ayaneo 3 gaming handheld — device sports up to Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and 7-inch OLED screen
This is one of the first handheld consoles to sport the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.
> This is one of the first handheld consoles to sport the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.
- US Congressman accuses SMIC of making 7nm chips for China, violating U.S. sanctionswww.tomshardware.com US Congressman accuses SMIC of making 7nm chips for China, violating U.S. sanctions
Chinese semiconductor sector is thriving instead of struggling.
> Chinese semiconductor sector is thriving instead of struggling.
- ASE to bolster North American semiconductor supply chain — new packaging and test facility in Mexico expected to hire 500 engineers and technicians in first yearwww.tomshardware.com ASE to bolster North American semiconductor supply chain — new packaging and test facility in Mexico expected to hire 500 engineers and technicians in first year
In time for expanded chip production in the U.S.
> In time for expanded chip production in the U.S.
- Gorilla Glass maker Corning to receive up to $32 million under CHIPS Actwww.theverge.com Gorilla Glass maker Corning to receive up to $32 million under CHIPS Act
The Biden admin is making deals during its final months.
> The Biden admin is making deals during its final months.
- TSMC will stop making 7 nm chips for Chinese customersarstechnica.com TSMC will stop making 7 nm chips for Chinese customers
US restrictions on semiconductor tech are spurring the move.
> US restrictions on semiconductor tech are spurring the move.
- Semiconductor sales rose to $166,000,000,000 in a single quarter this year thanks to all that demand for AI-crunching siliconwww.pcgamer.com Semiconductor sales rose to $166,000,000,000 in a single quarter this year thanks to all that demand for AI-crunching silicon
The AI boom goes hypersonic for some.
> The AI boom goes hypersonic for some.
- Chipmakers race to get CHIPS Act dollars before White House changeover — TSMC and GlobalFoundries finalize applications, facilitating payoutswww.tomshardware.com Chipmakers race to get CHIPS Act dollars before White House changeover — TSMC and GlobalFoundries finalize applications, facilitating payouts
Changing administrations adds to tension.
> Changing administrations adds to tension.
- TSMC founder once asked Nvidia CEO Jensen to be TSMC's CEO — upcoming Morris Chang biography shares the detailswww.tomshardware.com TSMC founder once asked Nvidia CEO Jensen to be TSMC's CEO — upcoming Morris Chang biography shares the details
Jensen Huang was apparently not interested
> Jensen Huang was apparently not interested
- Apple has allegedly approached Foxconn and Lenovo to build AI servers based on Apple Siliconwww.tomshardware.com Apple has allegedly approached Foxconn and Lenovo to build AI servers based on Apple Silicon
To take advantage of Foxconn's knowledge of Nvidia-based machines.
> To take advantage of Foxconn's knowledge of Nvidia-based machines.
- Huawei trying to poach TSMC employees with 3X salarywww.tomshardware.com Huawei trying to poach TSMC employees with 3X salary
Desperate times call for desperate measures
> Desperate times call for desperate measures
- Nintendo says the Switch successor will be compatible with Switch gameswww.theverge.com Nintendo says the Switch successor will be compatible with Switch games
Still unannounced: the Switch successor itself.
> Still unannounced: the Switch successor itself.
- Kioxia forecasts a tripling in demand for NAND memory by 2028 — could further impact SSD pricingwww.tomshardware.com Kioxia forecasts a tripling in demand for NAND memory by 2028 — could further impact SSD pricing
Thanks to demand from the AI industry.
> Thanks to demand from the AI industry.
- MIT unveils ultra-efficient 3D nanoscale transistors that could revolutionize future electronicswww.tomshardware.com MIT unveils ultra-efficient 3D nanoscale transistors that could revolutionize future electronics
These ultra-small 3D transistors come with 6-nanometer-wide vertical nanowires, marking a new milestone in nanoscale technology.
> These ultra-small 3D transistors come with 6-nanometer-wide vertical nanowires, marking a new milestone in nanoscale technology.
- SMART Modular Technologies readies the T6EN series of hardware-level Self-Encryption SSDs with a conformal coating — SSDs made for aerospace, defense, and other industrial applicationswww.tomshardware.com SMART Modular Technologies readies the T6EN series of hardware-level Self-Encryption SSDs with a conformal coating — SSDs made for aerospace, defense, and other industrial applications
The T6EN drives have varying storage capacities and three interface options.
> The T6EN drives have varying storage capacities and three interface options.
- SK hynix announces the world's first 48GB 16-Hi HBM3E memory — Next-gen PCIe 6.0 SSDs and UFS 5.0 storage are also in the workswww.tomshardware.com SK hynix announces the world's first 48GB 16-Hi HBM3E memory — Next-gen PCIe 6.0 SSDs and UFS 5.0 storage are also in the works
SK hynix touts a 32% performance increment in inference vs its 12-Hi offerings.
> SK hynix touts a 32% performance increment in inference vs its 12-Hi offerings.
- For the first time ever, AMD outsells Intel in the datacenter spacewww.tomshardware.com For the first time ever, AMD outsells Intel in the datacenter space
But both fall far behind sales of Nvidia's AI GPUs.
> But both fall far behind sales of Nvidia's AI GPUs.
