Category: Computers

  • Early Details on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-24-100 Chipset

    Early Details on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-24-100 Chipset

    The Snapdragon X Plus chipsets have grown to a total of four variants since their launch in April, starting with the initial ‘X1P-64-100’ model. At this point, the Snapdragon X Plus lineup is equal in size to the Snapdragon X Elite SKUs, at least for now. Currently, Qualcomm provides the following Snapdragon X Plus variants to its partners:

    New Variants in Development

    In recent months, there have been claims that Qualcomm has been working on at least two additional variants that are positioned below the X1P-42-100 model. Reports suggest the existence of the X1P-39-100 and X1P-40-100 variants, but there has been no recent information confirming these chipsets.

    Upcoming X1P-24-100 Variant

    Recently, Roland Quandt revealed a new variant that seems to be more advanced than all current Snapdragon X Plus models. According to Quandt, there is evidence of the X1P-24-100, which has not been mentioned in prior discussions. He refers to unspecified ‘databases’ that indicate the X1P-24-100 will feature eight CPU cores, similar to the other Snapdragon X Plus chipsets.

    Considering the existing Snapdragon X Plus variants, it is reasonable to expect Qualcomm to differentiate the X1P-24-100 in four key aspects. However, its NPU performance, which must reach 45 TOPS to achieve ‘Copilot Plus’ status, is unlikely to be improved. It is anticipated that the X1P-24-100 will have a smaller CPU cache compared to the X1P-42-100 and X1P-46-100 models, along with a downclocked CPU. Additionally, it seems probable that the X1P-24-100 will feature a less powerful GPU in line with the trends seen in the Snapdragon X Plus series.

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  • Snapdragon X Elite Core Architecture Unveiled: Surprising Insights

    Snapdragon X Elite Core Architecture Unveiled: Surprising Insights

    The initial shipment of laptops featuring the Snapdragon X Elite began in June this year. This ARM-based chip differentiates itself from Intel processors mainly due to its exceptional power efficiency. This efficiency translates to extended battery life and enables manufacturers to create thinner and lighter devices since less cooling is required.

    Qualcomm’s Bold Claims

    Despite starting with ambitious efficiency promises from Qualcomm and ending with favorable reviews on battery longevity, there has been limited detailed information available about the chipset until now. Recent developments have unveiled kernel images and the module distribution map of the Snapdragon X Elite, allowing for a comparison with the Apple M4, revealing some intriguing insights.

    Size and Transistor Density

    The Snapdragon X Elite is only marginally larger than the Apple M4. Its core area measures 169.6 square millimeters, closely matching that of the Apple M4. However, the Snapdragon chip utilizes TSMC‘s 4nm process, while the Apple M4 is manufactured using a 3nm process. This means the Apple M4 can accommodate more transistors per square millimeter than the Snapdragon X Elite. Generally, as manufacturing processes shrink, the space between transistors decreases, enabling a higher transistor count in the same die area. Thus, the Apple M4 is expected to deliver better performance and energy efficiency compared to Qualcomm’s chip, although the performance disparity does not appear to be substantial.

    Performance Influencers

    While transistor density plays a crucial role, other elements such as architecture, design choices (like the number of CPU cores, cache sizes, and clock speeds), and optimization also greatly influence performance outcomes. For example, the design of individual cores and the integration of AI accelerators are essential factors to consider.

    CPU and GPU Specifications

    The Snapdragon X Elite features up to 12 Oryon architecture CPU cores, dubbed Phoenix, with each core occupying a single area of 2.55mm². This size is slightly less than the performance core of the Apple M4, which is 3mm², and matches the performance core of the A16. Each core includes 192KB of L1 instruction cache and 96KB of L1 data cache, while every four cores share a total of 12MB of 12-way L2 cache (36MB combined), with a single group area of 6.1mm².

    In contrast, the Adreno X1 GPU in the Snapdragon X Elite is only 24.3mm², making it 25% smaller than the GPU in the Apple M4.

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  • M4 14-inch MacBook Pro Box Leaks: Memory Upgrade & 10-Core CPU

    M4 14-inch MacBook Pro Box Leaks: Memory Upgrade & 10-Core CPU

    Over the last few months, there has been a flood of leaks and speculation about what Apple might unveil at its anticipated October event. While the company in Cupertino hasn’t officially announced the event, recent information and industry experts suggest it is likely, with M4-equipped MacBook Pros and entry-level iPads expected to be the highlights.

    New MacBook Pro Packaging

    Recently, a tweet from ShrimpApplePro featured an image that seems to show the packaging for the upcoming 14-inch MacBook Pro, which will include the M4 system on chip (SoC), 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage. The authenticity of the image is still uncertain, but there hasn’t been any strong evidence to dispute it.

    Upgraded Specifications

    The packaging appears to confirm that Apple will increase the base model’s RAM to 16 GB. While it’s possible this box could belong to a customized version, that’s unlikely, as Apple typically doesn’t list the details for built-to-order (BTO) models on the outer packaging.

    Additionally, prior reports indicated that the M4 MacBook Pros began mass production at the end of last month, making it plausible that they have already been packaged and could be ready to ship if the event occurs as expected.

    Expected Lineup

    The new M4 MacBook Pro lineup is rumored to include 14-inch and 16-inch models available in M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max configurations. With the rise of powerful processors from AMD and Intel, the anticipation for Apple’s M4 series is high among Apple enthusiasts. If the rumors about their upcoming release are accurate, we will soon see if Apple’s latest chips can outperform their x86 rivals or fall short.

    M4 14-inch MacBook Pro Box Leaks: Memory Upgrade & 10-Core CPU
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  • Thermal Grizzly $76 Device Protects Your GPU from Overheating

    Thermal Grizzly $76 Device Protects Your GPU from Overheating

    The RTX 4090 graphics cards encountered serious problems due to incidents involving melting 12VHPWR power connectors. These issues were largely caused by user errors and a flaw in the connector’s design, which made it hard to ensure a secure cable connection. In response, manufacturers of both GPUs and PSUs have created better connectors and cables that can deliver high power only when they are properly connected. Additionally, Thermal Grizzly has launched the WireView Pro, a device aimed at protecting your graphics card from these types of problems.

    Future-Proofing with WireView Pro

    With the anticipated RTX 5090 expected to consume even more power than the RTX 4090, using the WireView Pro can help avoid or lessen potential issues, safeguarding not just the graphics card but also the user. Unlike its predecessor, the WireView, the new WireView Pro has an alarm feature and a buzzer that notifies users if the connector is not securely plugged in.

    Important Features of the WireView Pro

    Thermal Grizzly notes that the WireView Pro can become hot during its operation, regardless of the cooling method for the GPU. For cards cooled by air, the device will cool down as the card itself cools, but it can still reach temperatures up to 60°C. In contrast, for water-cooled cards, the limited airflow near the connector might lead the device to heat up to 100°C. It is recommended to avoid touching the device unless absolutely necessary, such as when adjusting display settings. Thermal Grizzly has not specified whether these temperature readings were taken with cards that have a TDP of 450W or higher, meaning that temperatures could be even greater with the RTX 5090.

    Buying Considerations

    Potential buyers should also be mindful of the orientation of the power connector on their graphics cards. Some models feature reversed connectors, which would require the "Reverse (R)" version of the WireView Pro instead of the standard option.

    The WireView Pro is available for purchase through Thermal Grizzly’s official website, with a price tag of €70 or $76. It is designed to work well with standard horizontally mounted GPUs but may not perform optimally for vertical setups, as visibility could be an issue. There are hopes that Thermal Grizzly will introduce a version specifically for vertically mounted GPUs in the future.

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  • Benchmarking Mini PC with AMD Radeon 890M in AAA Games

    Benchmarking Mini PC with AMD Radeon 890M in AAA Games

    AMD’s Strix Point has launched with laptops, and now mini PC makers are rolling out their Zen 5 models. Among the first to be revealed is the Beelink SER9, which marks its global introduction. This system is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the highest option in the series.

    Performance of the APU

    The APU includes the Radeon 890M, which is approximately 18% quicker than the previous generation’s Radeon 780M. ETA Prime has evaluated the SER9 to assess the performance of the new RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU in a mini PC setup, and the results were quite promising.

    Game Benchmarks

    The first title tested by ETA Prime was Horizon Forbidden West. This demanding AAA game was played at 1080p with low graphics settings and frame generation enabled. The Radeon 890M achieved an average of about 70 FPS, whereas without frame generation, it dropped to around 47 FPS.

    Forza Horizon 5 was next, also at 1080p but with medium settings and no frame generation. Here, the Radeon 890M recorded an impressive average of 109 FPS, a noticeable upgrade from the 89 FPS average of the Radeon 780M under similar conditions.

    Another game, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, was tested at 1080p with medium settings and without scaling. The RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU delivered an average of 56 FPS. Call of Duty MW3 was also benchmarked, achieving an average of 141 FPS while using a balanced preset and frame generation in balanced mode.

    Additional Game Tests

    Starfield was tested at 1080p with low settings, FSR, and frame generation enabled, where the Radeon 890M averaged 87 FPS. Lastly, Cyberpunk 2077 was played at 1080p with low settings and FSR set to auto, yielding an average of 90 FPS for the mini PC.

    In summary, the Strix Point mini PCs equipped with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 appear to be excellent for gaming. Additionally, it’s important to mention that during testing, the Beelink SER9 reached a maximum of 54W TDP. However, the mini PC is capable of going up to 65W, which might have enhanced the iGPU’s performance slightly.

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  • UnifyDrive Launches Early Bird Pricing for New UT2 Portable NAS

    UnifyDrive Launches Early Bird Pricing for New UT2 Portable NAS

    UnifyDrive recently announced the UT2 and has now launched its Kickstarter campaign. This initiative has unveiled the early bird price for the portable NAS, which is available for backers at $399 who wish to secure a unit during the campaign.

    Portable Backup Solution

    As previously mentioned, the UT2 serves as a mobile backup solution tailored for creatives and professionals on the move. This compact NAS can accommodate up to 16 TB of NVMe storage (currently, a 4 TB Samsung 990 Pro is priced at $279.99 on Amazon) and enables users to back up SD, TF, and CFe cards with just one click.

    Connectivity Features

    Additionally, the UnifyDrive UT2 includes an AP Mode that provides wireless access to the backup storage. For those who prefer a wired connection, there is an Ethernet port to integrate the portable NAS into their local network. The device also supports data synchronization from cloud services.

    Intelligent Data Management

    Moreover, the portable NAS comes equipped with an AI-driven data manager to facilitate organization. It features an HDMI port, enabling local playback, so you can utilize it as a media device capable of supporting 8K content.

    Technical Specifications

    On the hardware side, the standout feature of the UnifyDrive UT2 is its Rockchip RK3558C SoC, the same processor found in single-board computers like the Orange Pi 5. This chipset is combined with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 32 GB of eMMC storage. The device also has a built-in battery to ensure continuous data backups.

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  • Minisforum Mini PC with Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Rumored Price Tag

    Minisforum Mini PC with Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Rumored Price Tag

    Aoostar was one of the first companies to announce a Strix Point mini PC, followed by Beelink, which introduced the SER9 at a high starting price of $999. Minisforum has now teased the EliteMini AI370, marking it as their first device equipped with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor.

    Upcoming Launch Details

    While Minisforum has yet to provide additional specifics about the mini PC, a report from Lonely City Hardware on Weibo suggests it is set to launch in October. The source has also released a promotional poster that offers an initial glimpse at the design of the EliteMini AI370.

    Design and Features

    As previously speculated, this new mini PC appears to have a design similar to the EliteMini UM780 XTX. However, it seems to be slightly more compact, making it suitable for smaller work areas. The promotional material indicates a good variety of connectivity options, including one USB4 port, but it appears to lack an OCuLink port.

    In this case, the Aoostar GEM10 370 might be a preferable choice since it includes an OCuLink port, which is considered a better option than USB4 for external GPU setups. According to Lonely City Hardware, the Minisforum EliteMini AI370 is likely to be priced similarly to the GEM10 370 in China, which starts at CNY 5,699 (approximately $813).

    Price Comparison

    This price represents a significant increase compared to other high-end mini PCs like the Hawk Point and Phoenix Point models, such as the Geekom AE8, which is currently listed at $675.20 on Amazon. It seems that all Strix Point products will carry a hefty price tag, as AMD appears to be selling the Zen 5 chips at much higher rates compared to the Zen 4 processors.

    Source: Lonely City Hardware on Weibo via VideoCardz

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  • AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Launching in October; Ryzen 9 Models Next Year

    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Launching in October; Ryzen 9 Models Next Year

    Last year, AMD introduced the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Ryzen 9 7900X3D, followed shortly by the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Since that time, several new 3D V-cache models have been released, including the Ryzen 5 5600X3D, Ryzen 7 5700X3D, and Ryzen 5 7600X3D, appearing at various times. However, AMD seems to be planning a different approach for the upcoming Zen 5 X3D models, according to a recent rumor from Chiphell.

    Upcoming Launch

    The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is expected to debut alone in late October, accompanied by new X870 motherboards. There is a possibility that AMD could unveil the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Ryzen 9 9950X3D at the same time, although these processors are likely to be released next year, presumably after CES 2025. These new CPUs are rumored to feature ‘special attributes’ that distinguish them from previous generations.

    Performance Expectations

    Moore’s Law is Dead has speculated that the Ryzen 9 9950X3D may feature a doubled amount of 3D V-cache. It can be assumed that the Ryzen 9 9900X3D will receive similar enhancements, along with a potential price increase. If these speculations hold true, both CPUs are expected to perform exceptionally well in benchmarks, maintaining their top positions until the arrival of Zen 6. Neither of these models will support overclocking, which has been the norm since the Ryzen 7 5800X3D period.

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  • Intel Arc Battlemage GPU Debuts on Geekbench with 12 GB VRAM

    Intel Arc Battlemage GPU Debuts on Geekbench with 12 GB VRAM

    A new Intel desktop GPU has recently appeared on Geekbench for the first time. This marks the debut of the first Battlemage SKU on the benchmarking platform, where it achieved an impressive score of 97,943 points in the OpenCL test. This performance is comparable to that of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 and the Intel Arc A770 desktop. Additionally, on the AMD side, it positions itself between the Radeon RX 7700 XT and the RX 7600 XT.

    GPU Specifications Unveiled

    Further investigation into the Linux kernel driver database using the GPU’s PCIe ID (E20B) indicates that it is built on Intel’s upcoming Battlemage architecture. There are five Battlemage SKUs listed, and based on their names, this GPU is likely the second strongest in this lineup. The testing was conducted with an Intel Core i7-13700K on a Z970 motherboard, complemented by 32 GB of DDR5-4800 RAM.

    Performance Details

    In terms of specifications, the GPU features 160 compute units (which corresponds to 20 Xe cores), includes 12 GB of VRAM, and can reach a maximum boost clock of 2,850 MHz. This is the inaugural appearance of a Battlemage desktop GPU on Geekbench, so it is expected that Intel will showcase it soon. While a CES 2025 launch may seem optimistic, Intel will likely be busy presenting Arrow Lake laptop chips, non-K Arrow Lake-S desktop chips, and various other products during that time.

    Sources: Geekbench, Cateee.net, Benchleaks via Wccftech

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  • Razer Lake-S Codename Revealed for Upcoming Desktop CPUs

    Razer Lake-S Codename Revealed for Upcoming Desktop CPUs

    The LGA-1851 socket was initially intended to debut with Meteor Lake-S, but that plan has been completely abandoned. Instead, Intel is set to launch Arrow Lake-S as its first product next month, focusing on enhancing laptops and mini PCs with this new architecture. Additionally, Intel has opted to cancel the planned refresh for Arrow Lake-S, which was meant to bring minor improvements to the NPU and clock speeds.

    Industry Insights

    According to a leak from HXL, the successor to Nova Lake-S may be Razer Lake-S. This information is supported by industry insider BionicSquash, suggesting that Intel’s strategy for desktop CPUs may be undergoing a transformation.

    Future Speculations

    Details remain sparse at this point, but it seems that Nova Lake-S could be the chip designed for the LGA-1851 socket, contradicting earlier speculations. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as the updates may not be as significant as previously assumed.

    Changing Focus

    Intel has not provided a clear outline for their desktop CPU architecture and appears to be redirecting their efforts towards mobile platforms, particularly with the upcoming Lunar Lake and Panther Lake chips. Furthermore, they have remained tight-lipped about any advancements in their discrete GPU plans.

    This shift in Intel’s product approach indicates a stronger emphasis on mobile computing in recent times. As the landscape of personal computing evolves, Intel’s strategic decisions are likely to influence the market and the options available to consumers.

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