news and current affairs.
ASUS B850M AYW WiFi7 leaves Ryzen records in ruins
ASUS manager Tony secured a dozen benchmark records using the B850M AYW Gaming OC WiFi7 motherboard paired with Ryzen 9000 series processors. The sub-$200 board achieved top scores in multiple Cinebench tests when combined with the Ryzen 9800X3D, Ryzen 9700X, and Ryzen 9900X3D chips. Liquid nitrogen cooling enabled Tony to push the processors to extreme frequencies. The Ryzen 9800X3D reached nearly 7.0 GHz, while the Ryzen 9700X hit 6.9 GHz, and the Ryzen 9900X3D achieved 6.7 GHz. The motherboard features 12+2+1 power phase design with 80A MOSFETs, and dense heatsinks support the overclocking performance. ASUS will release the board exclusively in Asia-Pacific markets despite strong interest from enthusiasts worldwide.
Silent Hill f hits 1 million in 24 hours, Konami flexes
Konami announced that Silent Hill f reached one million sales within 24 hours of its launch on Friday, Sept. 26, 2026. The horror game debuted on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2026, marking the franchise's first entry set in Japan rather than the United States. The publisher stated that Silent Hill f achieved the sales milestone six days faster than the Silent Hill 2 Remake, which required one week to reach the same figure after its 2025 release. Konami reported that the new game showed stronger shipment growth across all territories compared to the remake's performance. The achievement represents a significant comeback for the franchise after years without a new mainline installment. Silent Hill f...
EA sold for $55 billion, and Battlefield fate hangs
Electronic Arts will become a private company under a $55 billion all-cash acquisition by an investor group composed of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The video game publisher behind Battlefield and other franchises announced the definitive agreement on Monday, with PIF maintaining its current 9.9 percent ownership stake. The board of directors approved the transaction after reviewing the proposal. Lead Independent Director Luis A. Ubiñas stated the deal provides strong value for shareholders and benefits all parties involved. Regulatory agencies and EA stockholders must approve the purchase before completion. The company expects to finalize the deal during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, after which EA shares will no...
Apple Store iPhone 17 Pro demos scratched, chaos ensues
Apple Stores are addressing cosmetic damage appearing on iPhone 17 Pro display models through equipment modifications and enhanced maintenance protocols. The scratches stem from repeated contact with charging stands rather than device fragility. Store employees will apply silicone rings to MagSafe chargers to prevent metal-on-metal abrasion when customers handle demonstration units. Workers will also use a specialized salt-based cleaning formula to remove residue from the stands. The company aims to preserve the flawless appearance of its premium devices for prospective buyers. Appearance affects buying decisions for devices costing over $1,000. Many shoppers consider trading older iPhone 16 Pro models for the new titanium-built...
Apple and Tesla sniff glass chips, dream of silicon flex
Apple and Tesla are exploring glass substrate technology for future semiconductor products, according to ETNews. The material serves as a replacement for organic cores in advanced chip packaging. Tesla may integrate the technology into future self-driving chips. Apple could apply it to custom processors for devices like iPhones and MacBooks. Glass substrates provide greater signal density than organic materials, which enables manufacturers to build larger multi-chip packages with enhanced performance. The technology permits more efficient routing between multiple processor components. However, production challenges remain before widespread industry adoption becomes feasible. Manufacturing difficulties involve delicate handling...
Halo Combat Evolved remake leaks a hybrid Unreal 5-Blam engine with sprinting and tweaked maps
A developer working at a co-development studio shared details about the rumored Halo Combat Evolved remake with YouTube channel Rebs Gaming. The project reportedly uses Unreal Engine 5 for graphics rendering and a modified Halo Reach Blam engine for gameplay mechanics. The remake adds modern features such as sprinting and revises map layouts like The Library. The co-development studio previously collaborated with 343 Industries on Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Series co-creator Marcus Lehto discussed contemporary mechanics that could enhance the original experience. Performance concerns exist because multiple recent Unreal Engine 5 titles suffered optimization problems. Halo Studios plans to announce the franchise's direction at...
Apple wipes the floor with Xiaomi 17 as iPhone 17e set to crash China party
Apple captured market share from Chinese competitors after the iPhone 17 outperformed rival devices in sales. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported on X that Xiaomi reduced its model 17 shipment targets by 20 percent from 10 million units to 8 million units. The standard iPhone 17 attracted buyers with 256 gigabytes of base storage, an A19 processor, and an LTPO OLED display that adjusts between one hertz and 120 hertz refresh rates while maintaining a $799 price point. The California manufacturer plans to release the iPhone 17e during the first half of 2026 at a lower cost for budget-conscious consumers. Demand for premium Huawei smartphones declined as those devices operate on HarmonyOS software. The display...
MSI hides RTX 5070 Ti connector to stop the 16-pin melt fest
MSI designed a graphics card that relocates the 16-pin power connector approximately three inches beneath the backplate to prevent cable damage. Japanese YouTuber @harucan5492 demonstrated the white RTX 5070 Ti model that features a removable backplate section for cable access. Sharp cable bends within 35 millimeters of the connector have caused multiple power connector failures through loose connections that generate heat. The unconventional placement provides adequate clearance that meets manufacturer specifications for safe cable routing. The card resembles the Ventus series design, but the company has not released pricing or availability details. Users can attach the power cable through the removable section, then replace the cover...
Final Fantasy VII Remake port lands on Xbox Series S, memory gripes, but no meltdown
Game developers have criticized Xbox Series S for hardware limitations, but Ripple Effect claimed Battlefield 6 optimization improved through work on the console. Square Enix programmer Naoki Hamaguchi told Windows Central the Series S proved adequate for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. The console presented memory constraints with 10 gigabytes, but processing power remained sufficient. His team adapted Nanite principles from Unreal Engine 5 for custom solutions that earned Steam Deck verification. Square Enix announced Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade arrives on Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2 on Jan. 22, 2026. The publisher confirmed the trilogy will reach all major platforms. Release schedules for Rebirth...
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