News stories tagged with #CPU
Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus: Performance Gains in Gaming and Efficiency, but Minimal Edge Over AMD
Intel has officially launched the Core Ultra 200S Plus series with the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, delivering significant performance improvements over their predecessors, even surpassing the Core i9-14900K in gaming. However, internal benchmarks show only minimal gains of 0 to 4 percent compared to AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series, with notable advantages in applications like Blender. The processors are priced starting at around €220, with the 270K Plus available for about €320, though availability remains limited for certain SKUs.
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Drops to $190 as Intel Readies Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus for April 3
The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has dropped to $190, likely due to anticipation of Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus release on April 3. Intel is offering the KF variant, which lacks integrated graphics, at a $15 discount for users who don’t need iGPU functionality. This price adjustment makes the AMD processor more competitive ahead of the new Intel launch.
AMD Preparing Ryzen 7 9750X and Ryzen 5 9650X with 120W TDP and Higher Clock Speeds
AMD is reportedly preparing two new Ryzen CPUs, the Ryzen 7 9750X and Ryzen 5 9650X, with a 120W TDP and higher clock speeds than previous models. Both processors are expected to feature eight and six cores respectively, with 32 MB of L3 cache, but without 3D V-Cache. The new chips are part of AMD's ongoing efforts to enhance high-end desktop computing performance, though the information remains unconfirmed by the company.
AMD Medusa Point with Zen 6 and RDNA 4m: Next-Gen APU Spotted in Geekbench
AMD's upcoming mobile APU series, Ryzen AI 500 (codenamed 'Medusa Point'), has surfaced in the Geekbench database. Based on the new Zen 6 architecture, the chip features ten cores, 32 MB L3 cache, and is manufactured using TSMC's 2-nm process. Early benchmarks reveal impressive efficiency, approaching that of the Strix Point despite significantly lower clock speeds. Additionally, FP16 support for AI workloads has been spotted for the first time.
Chuwi CPU Scandal: CoreBook Laptops with Fake AMD Processors
Chinese manufacturer Chuwi is under suspicion for using counterfeit AMD Ryzen processors in its CoreBook X and CoreBook Plus laptops. Instead of the advertised Ryzen 5 7430U (Zen-3), the devices contain the older, less powerful Ryzen 5 5500U (Zen-2), leading to price and performance manipulation. The company confirmed the use of older chips, citing leftover stock from various production batches, and has launched an internal investigation. BIOS and system tools mislead users about the actual CPU, suggesting deliberate falsification.
Intel has confirmed the specifications of the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, featuring 24 cores and a clock speed of up to 5.4 GHz as part of the expected Arrow-Lake refresh generation. At the same time, Intel has released details on the Core Ultra Series 3, codenamed Panther Lake-H, which is based on the advanced 18A manufacturing process. The Panther Lake chip uses PowerVia, a backside power delivery system, making die shots more difficult to produce, and consists of three chiplets with different fabrication processes. These advancements highlight Intel’s focus on performance improvements for high-end laptops.
Starting with Linux 7.1, the kernel will automatically power off systems upon fatal ACPI errors to comply with standards. AMD has enhanced its AMDGPU and AMDKFD drivers with support for DCN 4.2, GFX 12.1, and 57-bit memory addressing, while also enabling Display Core by default for GCN 1.1 APUs. Linux 7.0 introduced a performance optimization for epoll that boosts network throughput by 1.5% on AMD Zen 2 CPUs. Additionally, AMD has expanded its Ryzen AI Embedded P100 family with 8, 10, and 12-core processors based on Zen 5 architecture, targeting industrial, automotive, and edge computing markets with availability from Q3 2026.
Intel bets on 18A and 14A: AI-driven CPU demand boosts production and profitability
Intel anticipates strong CPU demand, particularly in data centers driven by the AI boom, and plans to increase production of its new Intel 14A and 18A processors. The company aims to make its Foundry division profitable by 2027 through improved yields, advanced packaging, and growing external customer base. Demand for Panther Lake CPUs already exceeds supply, highlighting the strategic importance of these new technologies.
Intel is enhancing its Linux integration with features like Linear Address Masking and Directed Package Thermal Interrupts to support future security technologies such as ChkTag and improved thermal management. Meanwhile, the Linux kernel is preparing for IBPB-on-Entry support in AMD SEV-SNP guest virtual machines to defend against speculative execution attacks. In parallel, Nvidia continues to dominate the dedicated desktop graphics card market with a 94% share, despite a 4.5% decline in quarterly sales. These developments highlight the convergence of hardware innovation, software security, and market dynamics shaping the future of computing.
AMD Faces Unexpected CPU Boom Driven by Agentic AI, Supply Tightens
AMD CEO Lisa Su warns of tightening supply for server CPUs as demand surges beyond expectations due to agentic AI applications. The upcoming Epyc Venice generation is set to launch in the second half of 2026, but current production capacities are under strain. AMD is adjusting its manufacturing and delivery processes and has sufficient capacity for future products like Instinct MI450, HBM4, and CoWoS.
Intel Unveils Arrow Lake Refresh with Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in March
Intel will unveil the Arrow Lake Refresh series in March with the new Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus processors. The models, designed for enhanced performance and efficiency, are set to be introduced on March 11 and released in the first half of the year. The top-tier Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has been discontinued, while the new models feature additional Efficiency cores. Early benchmarks indicate significant improvements in both single- and multi-threaded performance over previous generations.
Linux 7.0-rc3 Released: Major Updates for AMD and Intel CPUs, Drivers, and Security
Linux 7.0-rc3 has been released, marking one of the largest release candidates in recent history. It includes significant updates for AMDXDNA Ryzen AI drivers, graphics drivers, and security and performance enhancements for both Intel and AMD CPUs. Linus Torvalds noted the unusually large size due to a backlog of contributions. The kernel will serve as the default for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and Fedora 44, with ongoing testing to stabilize it before the final release.
AMD Ryzen AI 400 'Gorgon Point' Expected to Launch Early 2026 on AM5 Platform
AMD is set to launch the Ryzen AI 400 series, codenamed 'Gorgon Point', in early 2026, potentially as early as Q1, on the AM5 platform. The desktop APUs will feature up to 12 Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, a 16 CU RDNA 3.5 iGPU, and a 60 TOPS NPU, sharing silicon with the mobile Strix Point APUs but with enhanced clock speeds and power management. The processors are designed to deliver high performance for AI workloads and integrated graphics, marking a significant upgrade for the AM5 ecosystem.
Intel Nova Lake-S and AMD Olympic Ridge: Next-Gen CPUs Set for 2027 Launch
Intel and AMD have delayed the launch of their next-generation CPUs to 2027. Intel plans to debut its Core Ultra Series 4 processors, codenamed 'Nova Lake-S', likely at CES, while AMD will release its Zen 6-based Ryzen desktop CPUs under the name 'Olympic Ridge'. Both generations are expected to deliver higher performance, larger cache sizes, and continued support for the AM5 socket. The delay is attributed to ongoing silicon and DRAM shortages affecting the broader PC industry.
Intel Announces Unified Core Design and High-Performance Embedded CPU with Up to 12 P-Cores
Intel is transitioning away from its hybrid performance and efficiency core architecture, returning to a unified core design that could redefine future processors. Meanwhile, the 'Bartlett Lake-S' Core 200E family has been leaked, featuring up to 12 P-cores and a 5.9 GHz single-thread boost. These CPUs are designed exclusively for edge and embedded applications with LGA-1700 sockets and support vPro and ECC memory in high-power SKUs.
Thermal Grizzly Launches Delidded Ryzen 7 9850X3D for €749 with Two-Year Warranty
Thermal Grizzly has released a delidded version of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, enabling direct-die cooling for a 13 to 15°C temperature reduction and enhanced overclocking potential. Priced at €749 ($876.33), it offers a 270-euro premium over the standard model and includes a two-year warranty covering defects and overclocking within manufacturer guidelines, excluding physical or liquid damage. The product targets enthusiasts seeking optimal thermal performance for gaming and high-performance computing. It highlights a unique combination of performance, reliability, and long-term support.
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.