News stories tagged with #CPU
Linux 7.0 Prepares for PCIe 7.0 and Upcoming AMD Zen 6 & Intel Nova Lake Hardware
The Linux 7.0 kernel is introducing early preparations for PCIe 7.0, including register definitions, speed detection, and power efficiency improvements, though no hardware is available yet. It also brings key updates for upcoming AMD Zen 6 and Intel Nova Lake processors, along with new CPU and GPU driver features. Performance optimizations and enhanced support for embedded, mobile, and high-performance computing systems are also included. These developments highlight the Linux kernel’s ongoing adaptation to future hardware and performance demands.
AMD has delayed the release of its next-generation Ryzen processors, codenamed 'Olympic Ridge' with Zen 6 architecture, to 2027 due to challenges with DDR5 memory supply and supply chains. The processors will use the AM5 socket, feature up to 24 cores, 48 MB of L3 cache per CCD, and support AVX-512 for consumer applications. Meanwhile, AMD is also developing the Ryzen 500-Series 'Medusa Point' APU, which will include a mobile-optimized RDNA 4m integrated GPU with FSR 4 support and LPDDR6 memory, with the 'Medusa Halo' variant expected to use the more powerful RDNA 5 architecture.
AMD Unveils Zen-6 with RDNA 4m and Up to 24 Cores for Next-Gen Ryzen APUs
AMD is developing its next Ryzen generation with the Zen-6 architecture, featuring processors with 6 to 24 cores, enabled by a chiplet design with up to two CCDs. Alongside this, the RDNA 4m, a refresh of the RDNA 3 architecture, is being designed for these APUs and will support FSR 4 (FSR Redstone). The architecture introduces enhanced AI and GPU processing capabilities through FP8/BF8 conversion and WMMA instructions, improving performance for AI and GPU workloads. These advancements position AMD to better compete with Intel's Nova Lake.
A Look at Computer Hardware History: From the iAPX 432 to the Pentium 4 Prescott
On February 19, 1981, Intel introduced the iAPX 432, its first 32-bit processor, which failed due to high costs and low performance. On the same date in 1990, Adobe Photoshop 1.0 was released for the Macintosh, becoming a leading tool for digital image editing. In 2008, Toshiba announced the discontinuation of HD-DVD, sealing Blu-ray Disc's victory in the high-definition format war. A year later, on February 20, 2005, Intel launched the Pentium 4 Prescott 2M, a processor reaching up to 3.8 GHz, but it was one of the most inefficient due to high power consumption and heat output, marking the final step in the NetBurst architecture before Cedar Mill.
NVIDIA Sells Remaining ARM Stakes: Strategic Move for AI Infrastructure and Agentic AI
NVIDIA has sold its remaining $140 million stake in Arm Holdings to free up capital for future investments in AI infrastructure. This follows the failed $40 billion acquisition in 2020, which was blocked by regulators over competition concerns. While ending its ownership, NVIDIA retains licensing rights to Arm’s IP and instruction set for its Grace and Vera CPUs. The move is less a retreat from Arm and more a strategic diversification to adapt to the evolving demands of the Agentic-AI era, where x86 platforms are increasingly important.
A new tuning method enables direct access to the voltage and power regulators of the Radeon RX 9070 XTX via the PCGH-i2c tool, delivering real performance gains without hardware modifications. Meanwhile, another article compares the power consumption and efficiency of AMD and Intel processors in 2026, with an efficiency index based on benchmark data, analyzing differences in power usage, particularly the roles of TDP, PPT, TDC, and PL2, including the Ryzen 7 9850X3D.
AMD Releases Adrenalin 26.2.1 Driver and Advances openSIL Firmware for AM5 Motherboards
AMD has released the optional Adrenalin 26.2.1 driver, adding support for Nioh 3 and Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, along with fixes for graphics glitches and crashes. The driver is compatible with Windows 10 and 11 and supports all Radeon graphics cards from the RX-5000 series onward. Meanwhile, AMD's openSIL open-source firmware project is advancing on consumer AM5 motherboards, with a proof-of-concept implementation on MSI's PRO B850-P board using Coreboot. The initiative aims to replace legacy AGESA firmware and support future AMD Zen 6 processors, though it remains experimental and unsuitable for production use.
Intel Nova Lake-S: 52-Core 700W Processor May Require Special Motherboards and Cooling
Intel's upcoming Core Ultra Series 4 'Nova Lake-S' processor, featuring 52 cores (16 P-cores and 32 E-cores), can draw up to 700 W under full load when power limits are disabled. Expected to be part of a new Core X lineup, potentially branded as 'Core X9', it may only be supported by select motherboards due to thermal and power constraints that limit performance. The chip's extreme power consumption poses significant cooling and power delivery challenges for system builders and users alike.