Latest hardware news and stories
Intel FRED: New Technology Boosts CPU Performance on Linux with Panther Lake
Intel has introduced FRED (Flexible Return and Event Delivery) with its Panther Lake processors, a new technology that enhances CPU performance by optimizing event transitions between privilege levels. Benchmarks reveal significant performance improvements on Linux when FRED is enabled. Although supported in the Linux kernel since 2024, FRED remains disabled by default on Panther Lake systems and requires manual activation via the 'fred=on' boot parameter. A patch has now been submitted to enable FRED by default for supported processors, including Core Ultra Series 3 and upcoming Xeon Diamond Rapids, following demonstrated gains on Panther Lake hardware.
Oppo announces the Find X9 Ultra, a camera flagship powered by Hasselblad technology, set to launch globally starting April 2026. The device features an integrated 10x periscope zoom module with a 230mm equivalent focal length, eliminating the need for external teleconverters. A special Master Edition, styled after the Hasselblad X2D camera, will come with exclusive accessories including a 300mm teleconverter and a Pro mode. A dedicated camera shutter button further distinguishes it from competitors.
Elon Musk’s Terafab: $20 Billion Chip Factory for Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI – Ambition and Skepticism
Elon Musk has unveiled the ambitious Terafab project, a $20 billion semiconductor mega-factory in Austin, Texas, designed to produce chips for Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. The vertically integrated facility aims to consolidate the entire value chain—from chip design to manufacturing—under one roof and reduce reliance on external supply chains. However, the planned 2-nanometer technology is seen as extremely challenging both technically and financially. Experts express skepticism, noting Musk’s lack of proven success in scaling complex production processes.
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.
The Linux kernel receives significant updates, including the resumption of maintenance for the Loongson display driver, AMD's new 'pghot' patches to enhance memory management, and NVIDIA's scheduler optimizations for CPU-intensive workloads. These improvements aim to boost performance on memory- and CPU-heavy workloads through better SMT-awareness and integration with upcoming hardware platforms. The changes are expected to land in upcoming kernel releases such as Linux 7.1.
New E-Bikes with Belt Drives and Innovative Features: From City to Off-Road in Focus
The e-bike market is expanding with new models combining belt drives, mid-drives, and innovative designs. Giant introduces the NewTour E+ with 55 Nm torque and a 625-Wh integrated battery, Raymon offers the Tavano Comp with 90 Nm and off-road capability, Bastille E delivers a foldable design with 27.5-inch wheels, and Tenways presents the AGO Air with 80 Nm and a 5-speed hub gear. All models highlight modern technology and versatile use cases.
Crimson Desert: After Intel Arc Support Backlash, Pearl Abyss Works on Fixes
The open-world action game Crimson Desert faced backlash for initially lacking support for Intel Arc graphics cards. Intel emphasized that it had offered years of hardware optimization, drivers, and technical support to developer Pearl Abyss. Following public criticism and a controversial FAQ recommending refunds, Pearl Abyss apologized and confirmed ongoing work to improve compatibility and performance. While the game now launches on Arc GPUs, issues such as missing textures and black screens remain unresolved.
Nintendo Plans Switch 2 with User-Replaceable Battery for Europe to Meet EU Repair Regulations
Nintendo is preparing a modified version of the Switch 2 for the European market featuring a user-replaceable battery and more repairable Joy-Con controllers to comply with the EU's 2027 repairability regulations. This change aims to improve device longevity and sustainability, while consoles in other regions will remain less repair-friendly. The move reflects growing pressure on electronics manufacturers to meet environmental and consumer rights standards.
Intel launched the new professional graphics cards Arc Pro B70 and B65 on March 25, 2026, built on the powerful Big Battlemage architecture and featuring 32 GB GDDR6 memory each. The B70 boasts 32 Xe2 cores and delivers 22.9 TFLOPS FP32 performance, while the B65, with 20 cores, achieves 12.3 TFLOPS. Designed for workstations, content creation, and local AI inference, both cards support PCIe 5.0 x16 and Multi Frame Generation. The B70 starts at $949.
Crimson Desert: Mixed Reviews, Rising Expectations, and Determined Improvements
Crimson Desert received a Metascore of 78 on Metacritic but faced criticism for inconsistent controls, weak storytelling, and lack of comfort features. Despite its impressive visuals and open world, the game drew mixed reactions, with over 40% negative Steam reviews and a disappointing IGN 6/10 rating. Developer Pearl Abyss responded with major patches, addressing player feedback on controls, storage, and combat. The game’s troubled development, including a toxic work environment and last-minute narrative changes, also contributed to financial and reputational setbacks.
Sony Plans Native Frame Generation from 2027 – ASUS Unveils New ROG Cetra Open Wireless Earbuds
Sony has confirmed the introduction of native frame generation for future PlayStation consoles, set to launch in 2027 in collaboration with AMD and based on FSR 4 with machine learning. The technology will boost frame rates using artificial intelligence and marks a strategic shift toward shared platform solutions. Meanwhile, ASUS unveiled the ROG Cetra Open Wireless Earbuds, wireless earbuds with open-ear technology designed for gamers, emphasizing comfort and high audio quality during extended use. Previously, Sony surprised players with automatic refunds for microtransactions in Highguard following the game’s server shutdown in March 2026.
UGREEN iDX6011 Pro Review: High-Performance NAS with Local AI for Home and Professional Users
UGREEN unveils the iDX6011 Pro, a high-end NAS that also functions as a compact workstation and private AI server. Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 64 GB RAM, and 96 TOPS of local AI performance, the device supports six hard drives and two SSDs, along with 10-Gbit Ethernet and Thunderbolt 4. While AI features showed limitations in testing, the system is priced at €2,599 and scheduled for release in May, targeting premium users.
Ubisoft Shuts Down Red Storm's Development Division: 105 Jobs Cut, Studio Becomes Support Team
Ubisoft has shut down the game development division of veteran studio Red Storm Entertainment, cutting approximately 105 jobs. Founded in 1996 and part of Ubisoft since 2000, Red Storm contributed to at least ten projects, including Rainbow Six Siege, Ghost Recon, and The Division. Moving forward, the studio will operate solely as a support unit for IT and the Snowdrop engine. The move is part of Ubisoft’s broader cost-cutting strategy to streamline operations and improve financial efficiency.
Citizen has unveiled a range of exclusive limited-edition timepieces that combine advanced Eco-Drive technology with artistic and technical innovations. The lineup includes two titanium watches with color-changing dials and the new E036 movement, a 50th-anniversary model featuring traditional Washi paper art and the precise A060 caliber, and two new Promaster diver watches with light-reactive, structured dials. Each model is produced in limited quantities worldwide, highlighting Citizen’s commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology.
Mozilla Firefox 149: New Design, Free VPN, and Enhanced Privacy Features Launching End of March
Mozilla is rolling out a comprehensive update with Firefox 149, introducing an integrated free VPN with 50 GB of monthly data, a new user interface called 'Kit', and multitasking features such as 'Split View' and 'Tab Notes'. Set to launch at the end of March, these updates aim to enhance privacy and user experience. The VPN protects only browser traffic and is initially limited to selected countries. The update also includes fixes for over 40 security vulnerabilities and an improved privacy panel.
After 25 Years: Valve Overhauls Reloading in Counter-Strike 2
Valve has fundamentally changed the decades-old reloading mechanic in Counter-Strike 2: players now lose their entire magazine when reloading, not just leftover ammunition. This major update forces new tactical decisions and has sparked intense debate in the community. Additional changes include updated ammunition displays and map guides to modernize the shooter experience.
Arctic Senza AI 370: New Under-Desk PC with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Passive Cooling
Arctic has unveiled the Senza AI 370, a fanless second-generation under-desk PC with passive cooling, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 featuring Zen 5 and RDNA 3.5. The device includes 32 GB of RAM, USB4, Wi-Fi 7, and a detachable I/O panel, though it lacks upgradability due to soldered components.
Crimson Desert: Graphics Issues and Performance Tests – Linux, Windows, and Mac Compared
The PC test of Crimson Desert reveals impressive graphics with high technical demands, but also numerous issues such as image noise and pop-in, especially with ray tracing enabled. Linux with Mesa 26 shows significant improvement in ray tracing tests with AMD graphics cards, while Windows 11 remains faster. The new MacBooks with M5 chips deliver a notable GPU performance boost. Frame generation technologies like DLSS and FSR increase frame rates but introduce latency and uneven frametimes.
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.