AMD is launching new high-end Ryzen 9000 series processors, including the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, with improvements in speed, cache, and power consumption, targeting gamers and enthusiasts, expected to be announced at CES.
Microsoft is releasing Windows 11 version 26H1, which is focused on supporting upcoming specific silicon, likely Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon chips, with no major new features for general users. The update is available in the Windows Insider Canary channel and is part of Microsoft's annual release cycle, with the next major update (26H2) expected later in 2026. The release emphasizes platform support for new processors rather than feature enhancements.
Qualcomm has announced its new Snapdragon X Series chips, including the high-performance Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme for premium Windows 11 laptops, claiming they are the fastest and most efficient processors for PCs, with the first devices expected in early 2026.
NVIDIA announced that they will bring their CUDA software to RISC-V processors, expanding support beyond x86_64, AArch64, and previously IBM POWER, reflecting the growing interest in RISC-V for data centers. The Linux driver stack is portable, and similar support has been seen with AMD's ROCm on RISC-V and LoongArch processors.
Amazon's Black Friday sale offers significant discounts on AMD Ryzen processors, with the Ryzen 7 5700X available for $130, a 59% discount from its original price. This processor, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, is ideal for gamers and content creators due to its performance and energy efficiency. Other models like the Ryzen 9 5900X and Ryzen 7 5800X are also on sale, offering varying levels of performance at reduced prices. The Ryzen 7 5700X is highlighted as the best value option for those looking to upgrade their PCs.
AMD's new Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, featuring Zen 5 architecture and second-generation 3D V-Cache technology, outperforms its predecessors, showing a 14% speed increase over the 7800X3D and a 43% improvement over the 9700X. Tests conducted by ComputerBase, using a common platform, highlight the significant performance gains attributed to the enhanced cache rather than just CPU clock speeds. The 9800X3D also supports overclocking, unlike the 7800X3D, further showcasing its advanced capabilities.
Intel has introduced new AI technologies aimed at transforming the semiconductor landscape, with innovations in processing power and energy efficiency across data centers, PCs, and edge devices. The company's latest Xeon, Gaudi, and Core Ultra platforms promise flexible, secure, and cost-effective AI solutions, positioning Intel as a leader in the AI market.
AMD has announced new AI-enabled processors, the Ryzen PRO 8040 Series for laptops and mobile workstations, and the Ryzen PRO 8000 Series for desktops, built with advanced 4-nanometer technology, to expand its commercial AI PC portfolio. The new chips will compete with offerings from Nvidia and Intel, and are expected to be available in partner devices in the second quarter of this year.
AMD has introduced new processors, the Ryzen Pro 8040 series for laptops and the Ryzen Pro 8000 series for desktops, to power AI-enabled PCs, aiming to compete with Nvidia and Intel in the AI PC market. These chips, built with 4-nanometer technology, are set to feature in PC models from HP and Lenovo starting in the second quarter of 2024. The move comes as AI PCs are projected to make up 22% of all PC shipments in 2024, with Gartner estimating 54.5 million units to be shipped by the end of the year.
Apple is reportedly planning to release Macs with M4 processors later this year, with at least three main versions of the M4 expected. The M4 series is anticipated to focus more on artificial intelligence, with plans to update every model of the Mac with one of those chips by early 2025. The company aims to highlight the on-device AI processing capabilities of the M4 chipsets, integrating with the hardware and the latest version of macOS, and is also planning AI-focused upgrades to the processors used in this year's iPhones.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have developed a new technology called simultaneous and heterogeneous multithreading (SHMT) that can potentially double the performance of existing PCs by enabling a single task to be carried out across multiple processors simultaneously, reducing workload per processor and energy usage. However, challenges remain in ensuring compatibility with different processor architectures before the technology can be brought to market.
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside have developed a system called simultaneous and heterogeneous multithreading (SHMT) that could potentially double the speed of existing computers without requiring hardware upgrades. By allowing tasks to run simultaneously across multiple processors, SHMT could significantly improve processing speed and reduce energy usage. However, the technology faces challenges in ensuring quality and precision in processor architectures before it can be widely implemented.
At CES 2024, AMD has unveiled new desktop processors optimized for extreme gaming and creator performance, including the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G with built-in Radeon graphics and AI software. Additionally, AMD introduced the Radeon RX 7600 XT graphics card, offering high-end gaming at 1080P for under $350, with 16GB of memory and AI-driven performance. These new offerings expand AMD's product lineup, putting pressure on competitors like Nvidia and Intel to deliver better and more affordable options for PC users.
Intel announces its full 14th Gen mobile and desktop processor lineup, including the flagship Core i9-14900HX for gaming laptops, featuring 24 cores and up to 5.8GHz turbo frequency. The new chips also support up to 192GB of DDR5-5600, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thunderbolt 5. Intel compares its latest processors with AMD's Ryzen 9 7945HX, showing superior performance in most tests. Additionally, Intel launches 18 new mainstream 14th Gen desktop CPUs, including the flagship Core i9-14900 with 24 cores.
AMD has unveiled its Ryzen 8000-series desktop processors, featuring AI enhancements and impressive gaming performance on integrated graphics. The flagship Ryzen 7 8700G boasts eight Zen 4 cores, 16 threads, and an up to 5.1GHz boost clock, along with an XDNA neural processing unit for AI-powered features. The lineup also includes the Ryzen 5 8600G and less-powerful Ryzen 5 8500G and Ryzen 3 8300G chips. Additionally, AMD announced processors based on its older Zen 3 architecture, with the 8000- and 5000-series chip lineups set to be available on January 31st, 2024.