news and current affairs.
Valve says software makes new Steam Machine viable
Valve engineers attribute the new Steam Machine's potential for success to significant software advancements that were absent during the initial launch. They explained that the previous iteration failed primarily due to a limited game library compatible with its Linux-based SteamOS. The current proliferation of the Proton compatibility layer now allows thousands of Windows games to operate on the system, effectively resolving the critical software deficit. The hardware specifications position the machine between the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5, featuring a custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU with 8 GB of dedicated video memory. While early testing indicates some titles may struggle to achieve 4K performance targets, ongoing...
Samsung set for major DDR5 price hike to 50 percent
Samsung is reportedly implementing substantial price increases for its DDR5 memory, with some reports indicating hikes of up to 50 percent. This move is seen as a response to overwhelming demand from the artificial intelligence and data center sectors, which are securing large portions of the DRAM supply. The cost for a 32 GB DDR5 module has allegedly risen sharply. As one of the world's largest memory suppliers, Samsung's pricing strategy often influences the broader market. This trend suggests that other manufacturers may also adopt more aggressive pricing, which could negatively impact PC consumers. The rising cost of memory upgrades is becoming a significant concern for gamers and general users alike. Industry analysts attribute...
NCSoft says Sony is holding back PS5 Steel Frontiers
The recent announcement for Horizon Steel Frontiers, a massively multiplayer online game developed by NCSoft in collaboration with Guerrilla Games, revealed the title would launch on PC and mobile, with no mention of a PlayStation 5 version. According to an NCSoft executive, the studio has no objection to a PS5 release and wishes to pursue it, indicating the decision rests solely with Sony. An NCSoft executive producer stated the company would like to bring the game to the PlayStation 5 but requires further discussions with its partner, confirming that the platform holder holds the final say. This situation suggests Sony may be strategically withholding the console version to initially build a player base on other platforms or to...
Neowiz details five upcoming PC and console games
Neowiz, the publisher behind Lies of P, has confirmed a slate of five new console and PC projects currently in development. This lineup includes a confirmed sequel to its successful Souls-like title, which has sold over three million copies. A second, entirely new Souls-like project is also in production under the direction of Kay Lee. The remaining three internal projects expand the studio's genre portfolio. Developers are working on a narrative-focused RPG led by Seungho Jin, a life simulation game, and a survival action title. This diversified pipeline follows the critical and commercial success of Lies of P, which demonstrated the studio's capacity for innovation within a competitive genre. The announcement has generated...
Core Ultra X7 358H trails 265H in PassMark
New benchmark results for Intel's upcoming Panther Lake mobile processor, the Core Ultra X7 358H, indicate it may trail current-generation performance. Tested in PassMark, the 16-core chip demonstrated single-threaded and multi-threaded scores that were lower than those of existing Arrow Lake models like the Core Ultra 7 265H, by a margin of approximately 15 percent in multi-core performance. The integrated graphics solution, identified as the Intel Arc B390 with Xe3 architecture, was also evaluated. Its performance was found to be roughly 23 percent slower than a mobile GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, positioning it closer to a desktop GTX 1650 Super. These figures represent an early engineering sample, leaving room for improvement before the...
New Metroid Prime 4 trailer shows gameplay
With the launch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond approaching, Nintendo has released a new overview trailer detailing the game’s core mechanics. The footage confirms a departure from the series' traditional solitary exploration, showing Samus Aran cooperating with Galactic Federation soldiers on the planet Viewros. These allies appear to be a persistent element throughout the campaign. This trailer follows another promotional video released just one week prior, indicating the start of a sustained marketing initiative leading to the game’s release. A recent preview of the title described it as a highly polished and technically accomplished iteration of the classic Metroid Prime formula, featuring smooth performance on new hardware. The game...
Intel CEO Tan takes charge after AI chief's exit
Following the departure of its former AI chief, Sachin Katti, to OpenAI, Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan is assuming direct control of the company's artificial intelligence division. An internal memo revealed that Tan acknowledged recent inconsistencies within the AI teams and intends to refine the strategy personally. This leadership change comes after a significant restructuring that included the exit of several key executives. The move centralizes Intel's AI leadership under Tan, who is known for previous successful corporate turnarounds. Katti had been instrumental in driving Intel's AI roadmap, including initiatives like the Crescent Island AI chip and plans for an annual product release cycle. His departure had created uncertainty around...
MSI debuts B840 board with rear connectors
MSI has introduced a new PRO B840M-P EVO WIFI6E PZ motherboard, marking the first B840 chipset model to feature a rear-mounted connector design. This Project Zero iteration relocates all primary power and data cables to the back, including the 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors, front-panel USB headers, and SATA ports, facilitating a cleaner system build. The motherboard maintains support for AMD Ryzen AM5 processors and includes several enhancements over its predecessor, such as additional PCIe slots, more storage ports, and improved onboard heatsinks. It supports memory speeds up to 8000 MT/s and a maximum capacity of 256 GB. A notable upgrade is its 64 MB BIOS chip, which prepares the board for future processors like the...
Nvidia, AMD plan GPU price hikes on DRAM costs
Industry reports suggest that rising GDDR memory costs could lead to more expensive graphics cards from NVIDIA and AMD. A significant increase in DRAM pricing, which has nearly doubled for some components, is affecting the procurement of GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory used in modern GPUs. While neither company has issued an official announcement, they have reportedly acknowledged that their memory chip costs are increasing. This development will likely result in price hikes for existing graphics cards, potentially as early as December or in the first quarter of 2026. This would reverse a recent trend where GPUs had become available below their manufacturer-suggested retail price. The report also indicated that these memory market conditions...
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