AMD "Strix Point" Die Annotated, Shows Zen 5 + Zen 5c Core Layout

AMD on Monday launched its Ryzen AI 300 line of mobile processors based on the 4 nm "Strix Point" monolithic silicon. This chip was described by AMD as having a maximum CPU core configuration of 12-core/24-thread, which would be a neat 50% increase in core-counts over the previous generation; but there's more to it. Although "Strix Point" implements "Zen 5," not all 12 CPU cores on the silicon are the regular variant of "Zen 5." The chip physically has four "Zen 5" cores, and eight "Zen 5c" compact cores. Nemez (GPUsAreMagic) attempted to annotate the "Strix Point" die based a high-resolution photo by System360Cheese from AMD's Computex keynote; and there are some interesting findings.

The annotation reveals that the four regular "Zen 5" cores, each with a 1 MB dedicated L2 cache, share a 16 MB L3 cache. The eight "Zen 5c" cores, on the other hand, appear to share a smaller 8 MB L3 cache, in what could be a separate CCX. They each have a 1 MB L2 cache, too. The "Zen 5c" cores have the same IPC as the "Zen 5" cores when measured with common INT and FP benchmarks that don't move a lot of data; however, it could lag behind in workloads with a lot of streaming data. What's more, the previous generation "Zen 4c" cores were traditionally limited to lower frequencies than regular "Zen 4" cores, as the physically compacted cores couldn't hold onto higher core voltages. If that's the case with "Zen 5c," then what we're really looking at with "Strix Point" is an interesting hybrid core setup with eight high-IPC efficiency cores.


https://www.techpowerup.com/323159/amd-s...ore-layout

(PR) GIGABYTE Joins COMPUTEX to Unveil Energy Efficiency and AI Acceleration Solutio

Giga Computing, a subsidiary of GIGABYTE and an industry leader in AI servers and green computing, today announced its participation in COMPUTEX and unveiling of solutions tackling complex AI workloads at scale, as well as advanced cooling infrastructure that will lead to greater energy efficiency. Additionally, to support innovations in accelerated computing and generative AI, GIGABYTE will have NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 systems available in Q1 2025. Discussions around GIGABYTE products will be held in booth #K0116 in Hall 1 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. As an NVIDIA-Certified System provider, GIGABYTE servers also support NVIDIA NIM inference microservices, part of the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform.

Redefining AI Servers and Future Data Centers
All new and upcoming CPU and accelerated computing technologies are being showcased at the GIGABYTE booth alongside GIGA POD, a rack-scale AI solution by GIGABYTE. The flexibility of GIGA POD is demonstrated with the latest solutions such as the NVIDIA HGX B100, NVIDIA HGX H200, NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip, and other OAM baseboard GPU systems. As a turnkey solution, GIGA POD is designed to support baseboard accelerators at scale with switches, networking, compute nodes, and more, including support for NVIDIA Spectrum -X to deliver powerful networking capabilities for generative AI infrastructures. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/323103/gigab...-solutions

ASUS Extends ROG Ally Warranty to 2-year in North America

ASUS announced that it has extended the warranty of its ROG Ally handheld game console (model: RC71L) in North America to 2 years. This would prove particularly useful for those intending to use the microSD card slot of the console, as a design oversight sees the card reader located too close to a thermal vent, and is known to cause memory cards to fail, and eventually even the card reader to. This extended warranty protects against failed card readers, but it doesn't cover fried memory cards. ASUS has since corrected the design in its new ROG Ally X game console.


https://www.techpowerup.com/323077/asus-...th-america

(PR) Getac Announces World's First AI-Ready Rugged Laptop Based on Intel Core Ultra

Getac today announced the launch of its brand-new AI-ready S510 rugged laptop, enabling organizations across industries such as utilities, public safety, manufacturing and automotive to utilise the power of edge AI on a daily basis. The new S510 enables workers to capitalise on the significant productivity benefits of AI-based applications. An Intel Core Ultra 5/7 processor with Intel AI Boost and Intel Graphics put powerful performance at users' fingertips, while a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key quickly awakens AI capabilities whenever needed.

The S510 combines this innovative feature set with MIL-STD-810H and IP53 certifications, alongside 3ft (0.9 m) drop and vibration resistance, giving users the peace of mind they need to work with confidence. The S510 also boasts a 15.6-inch display with 1,000 nits of brightness and Getac sunlight readable technology for optimal versatility in a variety of light conditions. In addition, the device provides robust connectivity options including WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 as standard, with optional 4G-LTE and 5G Sub-6 capabilities to keep users connected. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/322905/getac...core-ultra

Thermalright Intros Burst Assassin 120 EVO DARK CPU Cooler

Thermalright introduced the Burst Assassin 120 EVO DARK, a performance-segment air CPU cooler. The cooler relies on a conventional D-type aluminium fin-stack heatsink that's ventilated by a pair of fans in push-pull configuration. Its design involves a nickel-plated copper base from which six 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes draw heat, conveying it to an aluminium fin-stack. This 52 mm-thick fin-stack has fins with jagged edges to increase air turbulence, and heat dissipation. The stack is covered by a metal top-plate with a brushed aluminium finish. Ventilating the heatsink is a pair of 120 mm fans.

Unlike most other companies, Thermalright includes two different kinds of 120 mm fans. The first one is a Thermalright TL-C12B V2 meant to be installed in the "push" position, and the second one is a TL-C12RB V2 intended for the "pull" position. Both fans feature fluid dynamic bearings, 4-pin PWM inputs, and top speeds of 1,500 RPM; however the push fan offers 66.17 CFM of maximum airflow, while the pull fan does 58 CFM. The static pressure ratings of both fans are 1.58 mm H₂O, and both their maximum noise outputs are rated at 25.6 dBA. With the two fans in place, the Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 EVO DARK measures 124 mm x 156 mm x 102 mm (WxHxD). The company didn't mention weight. Among the CPU socket types supported are LGA1700, AM5, AM4, and LGA1200/115x.


https://www.techpowerup.com/322864/therm...cpu-cooler

(PR) Higround collaborates with Minecraft to unveil "Game as Art"

Higround, a leader in premium gaming peripherals, has unveiled a limited-edition collection celebrating the advancement of "gaming as art" in collaboration with Minecraft, the sandbox game beloved by players around the world. The collaboration brings the art and creativity of Minecraft players into our lives, inviting gamers to explore and express themselves through a range of expertly crafted peripherals.

The Higround x Minecraft collaboration proves that games can be used as a creative medium and as art. The collection highlights the Basecamp 65, Summit 65 and Performance 65 keyboards, along with matching mousepads and other accessories. Each product features iconic artwork from the blocky world of Minecraft, capturing the essence of its colorful worlds, characters and creatures. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/322837/higro...ame-as-art

This Week in Gaming (Week 22)

In case you missed it, we're about to enter the last week of May and soon summer is here. It's a pretty busy release for new games, even though there are no AAA releases, there are still plenty of interesting new games being released. This week's major release involves not getting sacrificed to the gods. The rest of this weeks' releases range from being the saviour of Persia to being in charge of Titans and that's just the first two releases. This is followed by taking the reins of a martial arts cat, exploring the black priory and racing F1 cars. Hopefully we've managed to cover most bases this week, but there's always next week for those of you that didn't see anything that tickled your fancy.

Soulmask / This week's major release / Friday 31 May
Soulmask is a sandbox game that prioritizes an authentic survival experience. As the "last one" blessed with the mysterious mask, players will grapple for survival in a primitive land steeped in mysterious faiths, carving out a path to ascendance. Start from nothing, explore, build, recruit tribesmen to fortify your clan, and ultimately unravel the mysterious truths hidden behind the civilizations of this world. Steam Link Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/322828/this-...ng-week-22

(PR) ID-Cooling Releases FX360 PRO 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler at $60

ID-COOLING today announced the release of its newest product, the FX360 PRO 360 mm AIO liquid cooler, priced at just $60. Building on the success of the FROSTFLOW series, the FX360 PRO features a redesigned Gen 7 pump core, boasting a higher speed of 2800 RPM and an enhanced water flow range to provide further improved cooling performance.

The FX360 PRO is designed with a sleek, all-black aesthetic, instead of ARGB lighting for a more minimalist look, highlighted only by the CD pattern pump cover. The water block chamber has also been redesigned to maximize water flow efficiency. Included in the package are three TF-12025-PRO black fans, each equipped with short daisy chain cables for streamlined cable management. These cables can be discreetly connected and extended to the back of the tray, simplifying the installation process. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/322769/id-co...-at-usd-60

(PR) Team Group Introduces T-Force Siren Series AIO CPU Coolers

Today, global memory leader Team Group Inc. announced today the launch of three AIO CPU liquid coolers - the T-FORCE SIREN DP360 ARGB, GA360M ARGB, and GA240M ARGB AIO CPU Liquid Coolers. With a revolutionary magnetic design on the water block, users can effortlessly attach either an LCD or ARGB module, complemented by a pre-installed fan lock on the radiator for added convenience. Compatible with the latest Intel LGA 1200/1700 sockets and AMD AM4 and AM5 platforms, the coolers empower users to harness the full potential of dual-platform processors. Combining powerful performance with striking aesthetics, these coolers redefine heat dissipation standards.

The T-FORCE SIREN DP360 ARGB utilizes Asetek's 8th module, featuring a six-wire, three-phase motor for exceptional liquid cooling performance. Its 30 mm thick aluminium radiator, combined with a pre-installed high-pressure ARGB PWM fan, significantly enhances cooling efficiency with the increased surface area. The DP360 ARGB offers fast and convenient installation, with two options available: with or without a magnetic LCD Display module on the water block. With the specially developed T-FORCE software, users can unleash their creativity, customizing high-resolution images up to 480 x 480 and displaying vibrant visuals with 16.8 million colors. Showcasing personalized GIF animations and real-time hardware monitoring to guarantee an elevated gaming experience. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/322729/team-...pu-coolers

(PR) GEEKOM A8 AI PC is Now Available for $749 Onward

The GEEKOM A8, a highly anticipated Next-Gen AI mini PC with an AMD HawkPoint Ryzen 8040 processor, is now available. The A8 employs a metal housing with rounded corners and anodized matte finish, giving it a gorgeous and stylish look. Having a footprint smaller than the palm of a hand, the mini PC will conveniently fit in all types of desktop arrangement and instantly elevate the aesthetics of any workspace.

There are two variants of the GEEKOM A8, users have the option to choose between two processors from the same AMD HawkPoint family: Ryzen 7 8845HS and Ryzen 9 8945HS. Both chips feature 8 -core Zen 4 CPU cores, 16 threads, 16 MB L3 cache, an AMD Radeon 780M integrated GPU as well as a Ryzen AI Engine NPU, but the Ryzen 9 8945HS is designed to offer slightly better performance, thanks to its higher CPU and GPU frequencies. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/322632/geeko...749-onward