ASML ships its second High-NA EUV lithography machine to a mystery client, Intel was first

Anthony Garreffa | Business, Financial & Legal | Apr 17, 2024 10:29 PM CDT

ASML has just shipped its second-ever High-NA EUV lithography machine to a mystery new customer, with the first chip-making tool -- worth $370 million, by the way -- received by Intel not too long ago now.

ASML ships its second High-NA EUV lithography machine to a mystery client, Intel was first

The Dutch company shipped its newest High-NA EUV lithography machine to Intel earlier this year, but it wouldn't announce who its second customer was. It's expected to be a company like TSMC, NVIDIA, Apple, or even Samsung.

Intel will use ASML's new Twinscan EXE:500 High-NA EUV lithography machine in early production sometime between 2026 and 2027, to make its next-gen Intel 14A-based processors. ASML is the largest company in the Netherlands, with the Dutch government recently enacting "Operation Beethoven" to keep ASML from branching out overseas, and keeping its most valuable asset in the Netherlands by improving infrastructure, schooling, housing, and more around the Eindhoven region where ASML is based.

Continue reading: ASML ships its second High-NA EUV lithography machine to a mystery client, Intel was first (full post)

Don't miss out: GEEKOM Mini IT12 Mini PC on sale for $440 off - grab yours today!

Sponsored Content | Deals | Apr 17, 2024 3:48 PM CDT

GEEKOM is dishing up a banging deal for TweakTown readers on its Mini IT12 mini PC. Powered by Intel's 12th-Gen Core i7-12650H processor, the GEEKOM Mini IT12 comes equipped with an impressive 32GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and the fast Bluetooth 5.2 and W-Fi 6E wireless technologies.

Don't miss out: GEEKOM Mini IT12 Mini PC on sale for $440 off - grab yours today!

This GEEKOM Mini IT12 can be yours for just $469, including free shipping in the United States, and it comes with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. When not on sale, this highly capable SFF computer sells for $909, but right now, you can save a huge $440 when buying it from GEEKOM. That's almost 52% off the normal price!

Enter coupon code tweaktownit12off at the checkout and save!

Continue reading: Don't miss out: GEEKOM Mini IT12 Mini PC on sale for $440 off - grab yours today! (full post)

NVIDIA's new SFF gaming PC ecosystem could be a test for a GeForce-powered console

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Apr 17, 2024 10:09 PM CDT

NVIDIA is working with the PC industry to create a new SFF gaming PC ecosystem that will be powered by "SFF Enthusiast GeForce" GPUs, which makes me think... could this be a huge test for a GeForce-powered console?

NVIDIA's new SFF gaming PC ecosystem could be a test for a GeForce-powered console

The new SFF Enthusiast GeForce GPU isn't going to be a new release, nor will it be some next-gen Blackwell-based Mini-ITX graphics card. What NVIDIA is doing here is working with AIB partners to get tiny GeForce RTX series GPUs, like the RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 4060, into Mini-ITX systems... but what about monster GPUs?

NVIDIA's higher-end GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER and flagship RTX 4090 graphics cards will need a much bigger case, more cooling, and a beefier PSU. There are particular SFF cases on the market that are capable of housing a triple-slot, huge graphics card, but with NVIDIA putting its foot into the SFF ecosystem this hard, we will see future chassis designs with NVIDIA's new SFF guidelines in place.

Continue reading: NVIDIA's new SFF gaming PC ecosystem could be a test for a GeForce-powered console (full post)

DLSS comes to three new games, Manor Lords sees a 47% average boost to performance in 4K

Kosta Andreadis | Video Cards & GPUs | Apr 17, 2024 9:58 PM CDT

With well over 500 games and apps using RTX technologies like DLSS, a new batch of PC games each week adds support for NVIDIA's AI-powered upscaling and Frame Generation tech. This week, three titles are adding support for DLSS 2 upscaling with DLAA, including the popular Manor Lords launching into Early Access on April 26.

DLSS comes to three new games, Manor Lords sees a 47% average boost to performance in 4K

The excellent news for GeForce RTX gamers is that DLSS will see a 47% average boost to performance when playing in 4K, with everything from the GeForce RTX 4070 and higher able to deliver a 60+ FPS experience at this resolution. NVIDIA notes that all desktop GeForce RTX 40 Series cards can provide a 60+ FPS experience at 1440p and 1080p with max settings.

Manor Lords is currently the most wish-listed game on Steam, with the ambitious medieval strategy game mixing city-building, social simulation, and large-scale Total War-style battles. It's the sort of game that will push PC hardware to its limits, so it's a good thing it's launching with DLSS.

Continue reading: DLSS comes to three new games, Manor Lords sees a 47% average boost to performance in 4K (full post)

Razer Firefly V2 Pro announced, 'the world's first LED backlit gaming mouse mat'

Kosta Andreadis | Peripherals | Apr 17, 2024 9:31 PM CDT

Adding RGB to anything and everything related or adjacent to PC gaming is something we've all been observing for years. The idea of adding lights to a mouse mat isn't new, and there are several options out there. That said, they all do the same thing: putting an LED light strip around the edge of the mousepad.

Razer Firefly V2 Pro announced, 'the world's first LED backlit gaming mouse mat'

The new Razer Firefly V2 Pro does things a little differently. Razer describes it as "the world's first LED backlit gaming mouse mat." The Razer Firefly V2 Pro (available in Black and White) features a frosted surface to catch the light, and it has a 15-zone LED backlight system similar to a traditional LED LCD monitor, amplifying the lighting to spread it around the mouse mat.

Now, you're probably wondering why. You're probably wondering how distracting it could be to have a fully lit mouse mat with a bright neon glow. As with anything RGB, the best thing is to embrace it - and join the party.

Continue reading: Razer Firefly V2 Pro announced, 'the world's first LED backlit gaming mouse mat' (full post)

Corsair launches a pair of affordable new HS35 gaming headsets for PC and consoles

Kosta Andreadis | Audio, Sound & Speakers | Apr 17, 2024 8:59 PM CDT

Picking up an affordable gaming headset is easy; there are countless options to choose from. The tricky part is picking up a decent, affordable gaming headset that delivers a great audio experience and comfort. Corsair's HS35 wired gaming headset from a few years ago fits into this category, with the stereo headset offering great sound and comfort for the price.

Corsair launches a pair of affordable new HS35 gaming headsets for PC and consoles

And now, it's back with Corsair's new HS35 v2 Series, which includes the HS35 v2 stereo wired gaming headset and the HS35 SURROUND v2 wired gaming headset for those who want more immersion in their gaming audio.

The HS35 v2 series includes custom-tuned 50mm neodymium drivers for a big sound, with wired 3.5mm connections to ensure compatibility with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch hardware.

Continue reading: Corsair launches a pair of affordable new HS35 gaming headsets for PC and consoles (full post)

Micron to get $6.1 billion in US funding for chip plants in New York, Idaho

Anthony Garreffa | Business, Financial & Legal | Apr 17, 2024 8:29 PM CDT

The US government has been splashing cash and grants from its CHIPS Act, with US-based Micron Technology receiving $6.1 billion to produce advanced memory chips in New York and Idaho.

Micron to get $6.1 billion in US funding for chip plants in New York, Idaho

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer personally courted Micron to build four new chip factories near Syracuse in the town of Clay, where he said: "It will be the biggest memory chip plant in America, for the Syracuse area, this is the best thing that's happened probably since the Erie Canal".

The mention of the Erie Canal dates back to the 1825 infrastructure project that connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, with Schumer underlining how big of an economic impact -- and national security -- these new deals are creating with Micron.

Continue reading: Micron to get $6.1 billion in US funding for chip plants in New York, Idaho (full post)

Enthusiasts are building a custom 3dfx VoodooX graphics card with 32MB RAM, DVI output

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Apr 17, 2024 8:00 PM CDT

The days of the 3dfx Voodoo graphics card are some of my fondest PC gaming memories, so seeing X user @oscar_barea making a customized vintage 3dfx Voodo card makes me smile. Check it out:

Enthusiasts are building a custom 3dfx VoodooX graphics card with 32MB RAM, DVI output

The custom "VoodooX" graphics card is based on the 3dfx VSA-100 GPU, which was used across a few different 3dfx graphics cards including the 3dfx Voodoo 4 4500 and Voodoo5 5500 graphics cards. AshEvans81 worked on the project with Oscar, with the VoodooX using an auctioned-off "new" VSA100 chips that were used in Voodoo4 cards.

Continue reading: Enthusiasts are building a custom 3dfx VoodooX graphics card with 32MB RAM, DVI output (full post)

Intel Lunar Lake-V CPUs: 8-core max, 8 Xe2 GPU cores, 32GB LPDDR5X, 17-30W TDP

Anthony Garreffa | CPU, APU & Chipsets | Apr 17, 2024 7:26 PM CDT

Intel's next-generation Lunar Lake-MX has been renamed to Lunar Lake-V, which features up to 8 CPU cores, 8 Xe2 GPU cores, and up to 32GB of on-package LPDDR5X memory.

Intel Lunar Lake-V CPUs: 8-core max, 8 Xe2 GPU cores, 32GB LPDDR5X, 17-30W TDP

Insider Golden Pig Upgrade has leaked the name change to Lunar Lake-V, that Intel is dropping the "MX" branding from Lunar Lake and using the "V" branding. That means these processors will fall into the new Core Ultra 200V series CPU family when they launch later this year and into 2025.

Intel will use a single die for its Lunar Lake-V processors, with 4 P-Cores based on the Lion Cove CPU architecture and 4 LP-E Cores based on the Skymont CPU architecture. Golden Pig Upgrade says that Intel's Lunar Lake-V fleet of processors will all feature the same core count but will vary with CPU frequency, up to 8 Xe2 GPU cores, on-package LPDDR5X-8533 memory, and an optional fanned or fanless design.

Continue reading: Intel Lunar Lake-V CPUs: 8-core max, 8 Xe2 GPU cores, 32GB LPDDR5X, 17-30W TDP (full post)

NVIDIA unveils two new single-slot Ampere-based RTX A1000, A400 workstation GPUs

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Apr 17, 2024 5:38 PM CDT

NVIDIA has just introduced two new entry-level workstation Ampere-based GPUs, with the new RTX A400 and RTX A1000 cards, both in single-slot design.

NVIDIA unveils two new single-slot Ampere-based RTX A1000, A400 workstation GPUs

The new NVIDIA RTX A1000 and RTX A400 workstation GPUs provide access to AI and ray tracing technologies, which are in the everyday workflows of professionals. The new NVIDIA RTX A1000 workstation GPU should have the GA106 GPU with 2304 CUDA cores, 72 Tensor Cores, and 18 RT Cores.

The RTX A1000 has up to 6.74 TFLOPS of FP32 compute performance, with 8GB of GDDR6 memory at 12Gbps speeds on a 128-bit memory bus that's capable of up to 192GB/sec of memory bandwidth. NVIDIA's new RTX A400 has 768 CUDA cores, 24 Tensor Cores, and 6 RT Cores. It'll feature up to 2.7 TFLOPS of FP32 compute performance, with 4GB of GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit memory bus with just 96GB/sec of memory bandwidth.

Continue reading: NVIDIA unveils two new single-slot Ampere-based RTX A1000, A400 workstation GPUs (full post)

Apple TV+ hit Silo is getting a third and fourth season according to someone who should know

Oliver Haslam | TV, Movies & Home Theatre | Apr 17, 2024 3:00 PM CDT

The Apple TV+ streaming service has had a ton of hits to call its own since its launch, and while the library it offers might not be as big as that boasted by Netflix or Disney+. it definitely makes up for the lack of quantity with top-notch quality. Silo is one example of a great offering, and while we already knew that there was a second season on the way, we now know there's more to the story than that.

Apple TV+ hit Silo is getting a third and fourth season according to someone who should know

While Apple TV+ hasn't officially confirmed anything yet, star of the show Rebecca Ferguson has told Collider that there will actually be a third and even a fourth season, with the latter two being filmed back to back. That might suggest that the seasons will be released closer together than usual, which will be extremely good news for people who don't want to wait.

The decision to share the Silo story across four seasons is interesting given the fact that the books the show is based on ended after the third. Ferguson told Collider that the ending is already decided and that it'll come at the end of that fourth season. But beyond that, everyone's keeping their cards close to their chest.

Continue reading: Apple TV+ hit Silo is getting a third and fourth season according to someone who should know (full post)