Archive for December 2024

Microsoft Drops mandatory TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11; Upgrade Now Possible Without It

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 35

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Microsoft has updated its upgrade policy to allow the installation of Windows 11 on systems that do not meet the previous hardware requirements, including those without a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. This change expands the potential user base for Windows 11 but also brings up concerns regarding system compatibility and security. In official support documents, Microsoft advises against installing Windows 11 on devices that do not meet the minimum system requirements. The company warns that such installations could cause compatibility problems, device malfunctions, and other operational issues
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Phanteks Releases NEXLINQ Ecosystem for Enhanced PC Thermal Management and Connectivity

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

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Phanteks has introduced the NEXLINQ ecosystem, a modular system designed to improve thermal performance, fan control, and cable management in personal computers. The core of the ecosystem is the Linq 6 connector, which allows for efficient cable organization and supports various PC configurations. The NEXLINQ system includes the Glacier One 360M25 G2 All-In-One Liquid CPU Cooler, M25 Gen 2 Fans, and the NEXLINQ Hub. These components are built to deliver high-performance cooling and flexibility, ensuring compatibility with the G400A chassis and upcoming Phanteks products. This comprehensive setup is suitable for gamers and PC enthusiasts looking to enhance system performance and maintain an organized build.
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Review: Core Ultra 7 258V - ASUS Zenbook S 14 (Lunar lake)

Processors 213 Laptop - Netbook - Ultra Portable 7 Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 3

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Intel announced Lunar Lake, a new laptop processor set to succeed Meteor Lake and identified by its Core Ultra 200 designation. We have previously discussed Lunar Lake's architecture in two previews, and now we will examine the processor's performance in an actual laptop. Intel provided an ASUS Zenbook S 14 equipped with the Core Ultra 7 258V and 32GB of RAM. Before conducting benchmarks, it is important to outline the key differences from the previous generation Core Ultra, as Lunar Lake represents more than a simple evolution of the existing design. For

JONSBO BO400 Mid-Tower Computer Case Looks Tempting

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 4

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JONSBO Shenzhen Technology introduced the BO400, a mid-tower computer case built with three tempered glass panels. The case includes tempered glass on the front, top, and left side, and the top panel can be replaced with a mesh panel to improve airflow. The BO400 supports up to ten cooling fans, including 120mm and 140mm sizes located on the top, bottom, motherboard side, and rear. It also allows for the installation of water-cooled radiators up to 360mm on the top, bottom, and motherboard areas, providing extensive cooling options. Inside, the BO400 features a dual-chamber design that separates storage drives from the power supply unit. It has two 3.5-inch bays and two 2.5-inch bays for drives, along with eight expansion slots. The case can accommodate graphics cards up to 435mm long, CPU coolers up to 173mm high, and power supplies up to 200mm deep.
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ASUS ProArt PA401 Wood Edition: Mid-Tower PC Case

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

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The ASUS ProArt PA401 Wood Edition supports a variety of system components, making it suitable for diverse PC builds. It accommodates ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, providing flexibility in hardware selection. The case features two 2.5-inch shadow drive bays and two additional 2.5/3.5-inch shadow drive bays, along with seven expansion slots that can handle graphics cards up to 315mm in length. Additionally, the PA401 allows for CPU coolers with a height of up to 160mm and power supply units with a depth of up to 170mm. Connectivity is facilitated through an I/O panel that includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and an audio port. The external dimensions are 225mm wide, 412mm deep, and 503mm tall, with the case weighing 8.61 kg, placing it within the mid-tower category.
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AMD Ryzen Master update lets users enable EXPO without a reboot

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 2

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AMD has updated its Ryzen Master software to enhance memory overclocking capabilities by introducing EXPO profile support. Users can now enable or disable EXPO profiles directly within Windows without needing to restart their system. EXPO profiles, which are AMD’s equivalent to Intel’s XMP, provide preset configurations for memory timings, voltage, and frequency that surpass the standard JEDEC specifications, thereby improving memory performance. The update also includes additional memory tuning options, allowing for more precise adjustments to memory settings without accessing the system's BIOS.
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MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED 32" Gaming Monitor: 4K Resolution and 240Hz Refresh Rate

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

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MSI has introduced the MPG 321URXW QD-OLED, a 32-inch gaming monitor designed to meet the demands of high-performance gaming environments. Featuring a silver-white chassis, the monitor integrates Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel technology, which enhances color accuracy and contrast levels. The display supports a 4K resolution, providing sharp and detailed visuals, while the 240 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth motion handling, essential for fast-paced gaming scenarios. With a response time of 0.03 milliseconds, the monitor minimizes motion blur and input lag, contributing to a more responsive gaming experience. Additionally, the inclusion of HDR1000 and HDR True Black technologies allows for a wider dynamic range and deeper blacks, enhancing overall image quality.
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ASRock Introduces Phantom Gaming OLED Monitors Featuring Integrated Wi-Fi Antennas

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 6

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ASRock has launched the Phantom Gaming OLED series, which includes three monitor models: PGO32UFS, PGO27QFS, and PGO27QFV. These monitors utilize OLED technology, offering a wide color gamut of 99% DCI-P3 for accurate and vibrant color reproduction. They also feature an ultra-fast response time of 0.03 milliseconds and undergo color calibration to achieve Delta E values below two, ensuring precise and high-quality visuals. The series includes advanced cooling systems, pixel cleaning, and automatic brightness adjustments to enhance durability and prevent image retention, maintaining consistent performance during extended use.
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Steam Surpasses 39 Million Concurrent Users; New Releases Contribute to Growth

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 7

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Steam, the leading digital distribution platform for PC games developed by Valve Corporation, has recently surpassed 39 million concurrent users, establishing a new record. This achievement exceeds the previous milestone of 38 million concurrent players set in September 2024, with the latest peak reaching 39,205,447 concurrent users. The increase occurred over a period of approximately three months, indicating a consistent growth in user engagement on the platform. The rise in user numbers can be largely credited to the successful performance of several newly released games. Titles such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Marvel Rivals, and Path of Exile 2 have attracted substantial player engagement, drawing large audiences and contributing significantly to the overall increase in concurrent users.
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Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) download version 18.0.8.9

Videocards - Handy Utilities 86 Updated by Hilbert Hagedoorn 1

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Download Display Driver Uninstaller DDU - Display Driver Uninstaller is a driver removal utility that can help you completely uninstall AMD/NVIDIA graphics card drivers and packages from your system, without leaving leftovers behind (including registry keys, folders and files, and driver store). The AMD/NVIDIA video drivers can normally be uninstalled from the Windows Control panel, this driver uninstaller program was designed to be used in cases where the standard driver uninstall fails, or anyway when you need to thoroughly delete NVIDIA and ATI video card drivers. The current effect after you use this driver removal tool will be similar as if its the first time you install a new driver just like a fresh, clean install of Windows. As with any tool of this kind, we recommend creating a new system restore point before using it, so that you can revert your system at any time if you run into problems.

Microsoft to Launch Lunar Lake-Powered Surface and Surface Pro Laptops in Q1 2025

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 1

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Microsoft is set to expand its Surface lineup in the first quarter of 2025 by introducing a new 11-inch Surface device and an updated Surface Laptop Studio. The new 11-inch model is expected to be similar to the Surface Laptop Go but will feature a higher-quality design and will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus processor. This version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip includes 8 to 10 cores and a smaller integrated GPU, making it suitable for devices with limited thermal capacity. At the same time, the Surface Laptop Studio will receive a Copilot+ version, potentially using Intel's Lunar Lake-based Core Ultra 200 CPU, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 APUs with Strix Point, or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors. Depending on the release timeline, Microsoft may also consider using future processors like Panther Lake for this device.
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ViewSonic Said To be Working on 27" OLED Gaming Monitor @ 520 Hz

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 16

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ViewSonic is gearing up to make waves at CES 2025, scheduled for January, with the announcement of an extraordinary gaming monitor. According to ComputerBase, a trusted German tech publication, this forthcoming monitor will feature a cutting-edge OLED panel and an industry-leading refresh rate of 520 Hz. This promises an incredibly smooth gaming experience, especially when paired with the monitor's 1 ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) and AMD FreeSync Premium support. Its 27-inch screen size and WQHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 are expected to deliver impressive clarity and performance, striking a balance between sharp visuals and fluid gameplay.
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Download Intel network adapter driver package 29.4.1

Mainboard drivers - Intel 69 Updated by Hilbert Hagedoorn 4

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This driver package is for users seeking Intel network drivers, designed to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with a range of Intel Ethernet products. Suitable for various operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, this download offers a seamless and efficient installation process for Intel network adapters. The driver set is meticulously engineered to cater to a wide array of Intel networking hardware, providing essential software updates and drivers necessary for maintaining network connectivity and performance. Whether you're using the latest Windows operating system or maintaining a system on Windows 10, this driver package ensures your Intel network devices operate at peak efficiency. With this download, users can expect reliable and consistent network performance, critical for both personal and professional environments. The package includes drivers that are specifically tailored to support the diverse needs of different Intel network adapters, guaranteeing compatibility and streamlined functionality across various Windows platforms.

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Nvidia Latest 566.36 Driver Update Introduces Unified Nvidia App, Removing GeForce Experience

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 2

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dia has launched Graphics Driver Version 566.36, featuring the new Nvidia App that replaces both GeForce Experience and the Nvidia Control Panel. This update reflects Nvidia's initiative to consolidate GPU management tools into a single application. The Nvidia App, developed since early 2024, completed its beta phase on November 12. With this release, Nvidia has discontinued support for the GeForce Experience application and plans to phase out the Nvidia Control Panel once all its functionalities are incorporated into the NVIDIA app.
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Intel Working on Higher-end Graphics card, BMG-G31 GPU Export Data Appears

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 7

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Intel is progressing with the development of its Battlemage-generation graphics card, known internally as the BMG-G31. On December 3, the company announced two new models in the Battlemage series: the Intel Arc B580 with 12GB of memory and the Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of memory, both built on the BMG21 architecture. The Intel Arc B570 10GB model is set to be available for purchase on January 16. Import and export data have highlighted the importance of the BMG-G31 chip in Intel's Battlemage generation. Records show that Intel exported a shipment of graphics cards featuring the BMG-G31 chip from Malaysia to India.
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3DMark Adds DirectStorage Benchmark to Assess Microsoft’Storage Technology for PC Gaming

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

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UL has incorporated a DirectStorage feature test into the 3DMark Storage Benchmark DLC, providing gamers with a free update to evaluate the impact of Microsoft’s DirectStorage technology on their PC gaming performance. This benchmark enables users to measure the potential improvements in how game data is loaded, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness of DirectStorage. DirectStorage is a technology developed by Microsoft for Windows PCs equipped with PCIe SSDs. It aims to reduce the overhead associated with loading game assets by allowing the GPU to decompress certain data instead of the CPU, especially when used with technologies like GDeflate.
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Cooler Master teases Enhanced MasterFrame Series PC Cases with Advanced Customization

Published by Hilbert Hagedoorn 0

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Cooler Master is set to introduce an updated line of PC cases under its MasterFrame Series, focusing on increased modularity and user customization. Building on the MasterFrame 700 released in 2021, which featured an open modular design aimed at modders and testers by providing easy access to internal components, the new series adopts a more conventional sealed case structure. This change is intended to appeal to a wider audience, including professionals and enthusiasts who desire a streamlined appearance and enhanced protection for their builds while maintaining high levels of customization. The shift from an open to a sealed design reflects Cooler Master's commitment to evolving its product offerings to meet diverse user needs and market demands.
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