Intel is set to launch the Core Ultra 3 205 in the first quarter of 2025, with an announcement expected at CES 2025. This processor meets the demand for affordable CPUs capable of handling modern computing tasks. It features eight cores, including four Performance cores with speeds up to 4.8 GHz and four Efficiency cores up to 4.2 GHz, built on the Lion Cove and Skymont architectures. This configuration provides twice the number of cores compared to models like the i3-14100, targeting home users and entry-level gamers who need basic performance without high costs. The addition of Efficiency cores enhances multitasking capabilities, differentiating it from previous versions.
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AMD's upcoming RX 9070 series graphics cards, built on the RDNA 4-based Navi 48 GPU architecture, will support AV1 B-Frame encoding. This feature is particularly beneficial for content creators and streamers who require efficient video compression to maintain high-quality streams and recordings. By integrating AV1 encoding capabilities, the RX 9070 series aims to deliver improved performance in managing modern video encoding tasks, addressing the growing demands of the multimedia landscape. AV1 is an open, royalty-free video coding format designed for efficient video transmission over the Internet. The incorporation of B-Frame encoding in AV1 allows for bidirectional prediction frames, which utilize data from both preceding and succeeding frames to optimize compression efficiency and enhance video quality.
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X Platform Source @momomo_us found two Intel B860 motherboard (unboxing) reviews by Geeknetic, a Spanish media outlet, that were previously hidden from public access. These reviews were scheduled for release on January 13, 2025, which aligns with the launch of Intel's Core Ultra 200S processors and the planned removal of the sales ban on these motherboards. The early availability of these reviews suggests that the sales restrictions might be lifted before the official date, allowing consumers to access these products sooner. The Intel B860 chipset enhances connectivity by using DMI 4.0x4 channels for processor communication and providing 12 PCIe 4.0 channels for peripherals. This is an improvement over the previous B760 chipset, which offered a combination of PCIe 4.0 and 3.0 channels while maintaining the same total downstream PCIe bandwidth.
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The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), headquartered in Oregon, USA, has updated its DisplayHDR True Black and ClearMR specifications to incorporate recent advancements in display technologies. These updates specifically target OLED panels and high-refresh-rate e-sports monitors, ensuring that the standards remain relevant with the latest industry developments. VESA members are set to showcase display products that comply with these new standards at the upcoming CES 2025 event. The ClearMR specification assesses a display's dynamic clarity by calculating the Clear Motion Rate (CMR) index, which represents the ratio of clear to blurred pixels. Previously, the ClearMR standard included 11 levels ranging from 3000 to 13000. VESA has now introduced three additional levels: ClearMR 15000, 18000, and 21000.
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LG Electronics has introduced the UltraGear GX9 series, a new lineup of OLED gaming monitors set to premiere at CES 2025. The series includes the 45GX990A model, which has earned three CES 2025 Innovation Awards, and an all-in-one smart gaming monitor powered by LG webOS. Each GX9 model is equipped with curved WOLED panels that provide high brightness, deep black levels, accurate color reproduction, and optimized curvature. These displays are certified for low blue light emissions and feature an Anti-Glare & Low Reflection (AGLR) coating, reducing eye strain and minimizing screen reflections in various lighting environments. The GX9 series comprises the 45GX990A and 45GX950A models, both featuring 45-inch screens with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 5K2K resolution of 5120 x 2160 pixels, marking the first instance of OLED monitors with this resolution.
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The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 14", known for its slim 10.9 mm design, has been upgraded with Frore Systems' AirJet solid-state active cooling technology. This upgrade involved replacing the notebook's original two large fans with four AirJet chips, reducing the cooling system's footprint by 45%, from 8,800 mm² to 4,800 mm². The compact AirJet cooling system also allows for a larger battery capacity, increasing from 55.9 Wh to 64.8 Wh, a 16% improvement, and extends video playback time from 20 hours to approximately 23.2 hours. The integration of AirJet chips into the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 14" resulted in a 50% increase in sustained CPU and AI performance, raising the power from 12 Watts to 18 Watts. The AirJet solution maintains the notebook's dustproof and water-resistant features by removing the need for fan inlet holes on the back cover.
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The Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Noctua Edition is a collaboration between Seasonic and Noctua, enhancing Seasonic's high-capacity power supply offerings. Priced around $540 USD, this power supply unit (PSU) is based on the Seasonic Prime TX-1600 model and includes a Noctua-designed 120mm A12x25 fan. It is compatible with PCIe 5.1 and ATX 3.1 standards, ensuring it works with the latest graphics cards and motherboard interfaces. The Prime TX-1600 Noctua Edition has an 80 Plus Titanium certification, indicating up to 94 percent efficiency under optimal conditions. It also has a Cybenetics Lambda A++ rating, showing excellent energy performance and reduced environmental impact.
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The Radeon RX 9000 series marks AMD's latest upcoming progress to the RDNA 4 GPU architecture, adopting a naming convention aligned with the company's Zen 5 processor series by omitting the Radeon RX 8000 series. The Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 likely will be unveiled at CES 2025. As the leading model in the RX 9000 lineup, the Radeon RX 9070 XT is built on the Navi 48 XTX GPU and equipped with 16GB of GDDR6 memory operating at 20Gbps. Initial reports indicated a Total Board Power (TBP) of approximately 260W, similar to NVIDIA's Total Graphics Power (TGP). However, AMD's sources reveal that the Radeon RX 9070 XT is expected to exceed 300W TBP. Additionally, information from the Chiphell forum suggests that some Add-In Board (AIB) partners may configure their Radeon RX 9070 XT models with TBP ratings up to 330W or higher, potentially improving performance at the cost of increased power consumption and thermal output.
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Intel could be preparing to release a new Arc graphics card in the Battlemage series, featuring 24 GB of memory, which is double the capacity of the current models. According to reports from Quantum Bits, the upcoming GPU will use the Battlemage architecture and incorporate the BGM-G21 GPU found in the existing Arc B580 model, which has 12 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 192-bit memory bus. The increased memory may be achieved through higher-density memory modules or a dual-sided module design. Further technical details have not been disclosed yet.
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Information from user momomo_us on the social media platform X indicates that ASUS is set to release two versions of the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: a TUF Gaming edition and a Prime variant. Both models are expected to support overclocking and will come with 16GB of video memory, likely using GDDR6 technology. In addition to the RX 9070 XT, ASUS plans to introduce TUF and Prime editions of the RX 9070 GPU, both featuring moderate overclocking and 16GB of memory. ASUS is reportedly developing four new graphics cards, including two variants of the GeForce RTX 5080 and two versions each of the Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070. Listings suggest that the RTX 5080 models will be part of the forthcoming ROG Astral product line, which has not been formally announced.
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CDKeyoffer also started offering special offers for those seeking original lifetime licenses for Microsoft software during Christmas. Use the discount code GURU30 to get an original Windows 11 pro key for only $22 at CDKeyoffer. Please don't hesitate, to come and have a look. Here are all the discounts you will have access to by entering the GURU30 promotional code:

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro OEM CD-KEY GLOBAL 22.0USD--(after 30% discount GURU30)
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM CD-KEY GLOBAL 16.2USD--(after 30% discount GURU30)
Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM CD-KEY GLOBAL 14.5USD--(after 30% discount GURU30)
Office2016 Professional Plus CD Key Global 27.8USD--(after 30% discount GURU30)
Office2019 Professional Plus CD Key Global 45.1USD--(after 30% discount GURU30)

New (unverified) information regarding the pricing of NVIDIA's upcoming RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards has been disclosed, providing insights into the expected costs for consumers in China. A screenshot shared by the Twitter user @wxnod on X/Twitter appears to display the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for these GPUs. According to the data, the RTX 4080 was priced at 9,499 RMB, which is approximately US$1,375. The RTX 5080 is anticipated to be slightly more expensive, listed at 9,999 RMB, translating to around US$1,450 after accounting for the 13% sales tax or VAT applicable in China.  In contrast, the RTX 5090 is expected to carry a significantly higher price tag. The previous RTX 4090 was sold at 12,999 RMB in China, and the RTX 5090's estimated price is 18,999 RMB, roughly equivalent to US$2,600. 
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