Gabe Newell responded to several emails from members of the Reddit Steam community who were interested in SSD Steam Decks. Specifically, people were wondering if it makes sense to buy the most expensive 512GB option, or rather buy the cheaper model and upgrade the SSD yourself. Valve's CEO has confirmed that the console uses an NVMe 2230 M.2 drive, which is indeed available in the retail market but is not widely available.

Gabe Newell in response to midnight_watch and BernardoOne, Source: Reddit

This email exchange resulted in Valve updating the official specs with the type of SSD. Valve has also made it clear that this actuator is not intended to be user-replaceable.

The M.2 2230 form factor is the smallest SSD on the market. It is not usually sold separately as most devices are already adapted for large SSDs, so a large number of drivers sold on eBay are being removed from existing devices. Upgrading to 512GB will easily cost around $200, however there are cases where used 1TB drives can be found for as little as $150.

In Europe, customers can find KIOXIA M2 2230 drives at reasonably good prices, the 512GB upgrade will cost €99.5 and the 1TB model costs €185. This technically allows you to upgrade a 64GB Steam Deck to 1TB for less than the official 512GB version, however this particular model is offered with an anti-glare screen and a protective case.

The Steam Deck won't be delivered to customers anytime soon. At the moment, no one has seen the insides of the device. However, there are groups of people who are already preparing to modify the console. 

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To respond to today's work challenges, professionals need powerful tools to tackle everyday tasks. The multifunctional monitor plays a decisive role in this. For professionals such as financial advisors, graphic designers, architects, programmers, anyone who needs more screen real estate to conveniently accommodate all the necessary applications, the new Philips 498 P 9 Z monitor is perfectwith a 32:9 aspect ratio screen and a 49" diagonal (48.8"/124 cm). The award-winning device features a durable, high-quality curved VA panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and adaptive sync for all-day comfort for work and play.

Horizon expansion

The SuperWide 32:9 49-inch 5120x1440 pixel display can replace a multi-monitor system while providing a truly wide view. Its area and dimensions correspond to two 27-inch QuadHD displays with an aspect ratio of 16:9, located side by side. Professionals will be impressed by the increased screen area of ​​the 49-inch monitor: spreadsheets will fit on the display completely, and video creators and programmers will be able to simultaneously monitor previews and timelines. The 1800R curve guarantees an immersive effect and provides a high level of comfort as it conforms to the natural field of vision. Glare and reflections are kept to a minimum. Architects, graphic designers, video makers, programmers and finance professionals all need space to enough to run multiple applications at the same time - this will support their creativity and help increase productivity. However, the new monitor is sure to impress any user.

Eye-safe visuals of the highest level

Certified to the VESA DisplayHDR 400 standard, the new monitor far outperforms conventional SDR displays, delivering stunning brightness, contrast and color. A rich palette, 165Hz refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync technology make the image pleasing to the eye and ensure the smoothness of the picture. Media files are displayed in the highest possible quality, the picture in games is also on top.

Designed for professionals and active users, the monitor is eye-safe. Thanks to the anti-reflective coating and reflectivity reduction, the image is crystal clear and clear. The combination of eye protection technologies - FlickerFree, EasyRead and LowBlue modes - ensures comfortable viewing by filtering out harmful blue light and reducing flicker.

Built for multitasking

The large screen area is ideal for multitasking. The aspect ratio and display size allow users to open multiple applications and documents at once without having to constantly move open windows. Chats, emails, videos, spreadsheets - everything fits on a 49-inch display. For even more complex systems and advanced multitasking, MultiView technology and a built-in KVM switch are provided. MultiView technology provides active dual connection and viewing, so users can work with multiple devices such as PC and laptop at the same time, and with the integrated KVM switch, they can control two different PCs with one set of monitor, keyboard and mouse, easily switching between sources. To make working in this mode easy and convenient, the monitor is equipped with a wide range of connection options, as well as a smart cable management system to keep the workplace clean and tidy. Companies will benefit from using such a large screen in workplaces designed for collaboration.

The Philips 498P9Z monitor will be available in August 2021 for a suggested retail price of UAH 37,199 .

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Amsterdam, July 6, 2021 - Monitor specialist AOC has expanded its portfolio with the new I 1601 P . Portable monitors are a simple solution that allows you to quickly assemble a multi-display system when you need it - on the go, at work, in a small home office. The new 15.6-inch (39.5 cm) I 1601 P is compact and almost the size of a laptop display. The I1601P monitor has a Full HD resolution and an IPS panel that provides rich colors, good sharpness and wide viewing angles (170°/170°). The device can be connected via both USB-A and USB-C thanks to a single cable that is included in the package.

AOC I 1601 P Portable Monitor : Build a Multi-Display System with USB Hybrid Connection

Whether you're working at home or in the office, a second monitor can boost productivity by doubling the usable screen real estate. Many users have already seen that working on one screen - for example, on a laptop display - complicates processes, clutters up and overloads space.

The same applies to work on the go. Users who are accustomed to working with two displays at the office desk need the same high performance on the road - on the train, plane or just on the road.

In this case, a portable monitor will be a great helper. AOC's portable monitor portfolio includes many options. For example, the 15.6-inch I1601FWUX is equipped with USB-C connectivity, while the similar I1659FWUX is connected using USB DisplayLink technology using a USB-A connector.

The new I 1601 P combines the best of both worlds with a hybrid single cable solution. For USB-C equipped laptops and devices, the I1601P can be easily connected with a single USB-C cable. When connected, the display receives power and video signal through USB DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

Hybrid connection USB - C and USB - A in the new I 1601 P

(cable included)

More than just flexibility

Although USB-C technology is becoming more common, older laptops and other devices are not always equipped with this connector. In this case, the video signal can be transmitted using DisplayLink technology through a regular USB-A port. This will instantly increase the productivity of a range of old and new devices. DisplayLink drivers are available for download for various operating systems - Windows, macOS, Android, ChromeOS, Ubuntu.

USB - C DisplayLink technology in AOC I1601P

Due to the ability to connect both old and modern computers, several scenarios for using the I1601P can be distinguished. In offices and homes where only a few devices have a USB-C connector, and the rest are only USB-A, the I1601P guarantees an additional display connection. The convenience of this solution is obvious: on one monitor you can open an email or instant messaging program, and on the other, a Word document or spreadsheet. You'll also be able to watch videos on one display and take notes on the other - you're only limited by your imagination!

Take it with you anywhere - absolutely safe

The design of the I1601P is minimalistic: a gray aluminum back panel, thin black bezels on the front panel. The included SmartCase protects your display from scratches while you carry it, and doubles as a foldable stand. Weighing just 800g, the monitor is light enough to carry in your bag or backpack on planes, trains or on your daily commute.

AOC I 1601 P USB - C SmartCase

The AOC I1601P uses a 15.6-inch IPS panel with 1920x1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms GtG response time. With a brightness level of 220 nits and anti-glare coating, the device can be used in almost any light, while LowBlue technology reduces the level of potentially dangerous blue light. You can install the I1601P monitor in both landscape and portrait modes. Access to the OSD - using the physical buttons or via the i - Menu software . You can also enable the Auto-Pivot feature there.

The AOC I1601P monitor will go on sale in August 2021 for a suggested retail price of UAH 7,999 .

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VideoCardz discovered that the PowerColor website already has product categories for two unreleased AMD Radeon RX 6600 graphics cards.

The PowerColor site already has the Radeon RX 6600 XT and Radeon RX 6600 categories. These two cards based on the Navi 23 GPU are likely to be introduced soon because such updates usually happen very close to the product launch.

Unfortunately, there are no details about the cards themselves on the site. There are no graphics cards listed and no specifications provided. It looks like only the categories have been added at this stage.

PowerColor lists the Radeon RX 6600 series, source: VideoCardz

AMD was originally expected to release the single-fan Radeon RX 6600 series in the first half of 2021, as it was officially announced at CES back in January. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and discrete consumer models based on the Navi 23 experienced a delay. However, AMD has released as many as four Navi 23 products, including the Radeon RX 6600M (mobile GPU), Radeon Pro W6600 (and its mobile variant), and has confirmed that the Tesla car marker is now using the Navi 23 GPU for its infotainment. systems.

AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, Source: VideoCardz

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT will feature a Navi 23 XT GPU with 2048 stream processors, as well as 8GB of GDDR6 memory via a 128-bit interface. Judging by the specifications of other Navi 23 models, we should expect the RX 6600 XT to offer very high clock speeds as well as a relatively low TDP. The launch date is still unknown, but it is definitely getting closer.

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There is no Intel Alder Lake-S yet, but the parts required for the new platform are gradually becoming available. 

The biggest update to Intel's production processors is coming up. As we get closer to the launch of Intel's LGA1700-based processor series, more and more compatible products are being introduced. Just last week TeamGroup DDR5 memory went on sale and there are still no DDR5 compatible motherboards available for sale yet. Interestingly, the American company Dynatrom, which specializes in cooling equipment, has already listed its Q5 and Q6 coolers, supposedly compatible with the new LGA1700 socket.

Dynatron on Intel Alder Lake-S Compatibility, Source: Dynatron

The manufacturer emphasizes compatibility with the Intel Alder Lake-S series, as well as the LGA1700 socket. These are rumored to be mass-produced series of processors that are rumored to be released in the fourth quarter of this year. Interestingly, both cooling solutions presented by Dynatron are designed for workstations and servers. In other words, this is not a consumer/gaming Alder Lake-S series, but a series of workstations that should use the same connector and silicon.

Dynatron Q6 for Intel Alder Lake-S, Source: Dynatron

Dynatron Q5 for Intel Alder Lake-S, Source: Dynatron

Details of the Intel Alder Lake-S Workstation were leaked in April. These CPU series should have up to 16 cores and up to 125W TDP, though 65W and 35W variants are also expected. These processors will use the same LGA1700 socket as the gaming series. Alder Lake-S for the W680 workstation chipset was due to launch in Q3, according to leaked roadmaps, although the roadmap already incorrectly lists Rocket Lake-S as a Q1 2021 product and Sapphire Rapids as a Q4 launch 2021, both of which were delayed.

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According to a 3DCenter report, NVIDIA Ampere and AMD RDNA2 GPUs have hit price levels since February.

The report is based on data from the German market, which is at the top of the price spectrum. The data is collected from 10 stores in Germany and then compared by month to create a report.

GPU prices in January - July 2021, Source: 3DCenter

In their current state, the GPUs are 53% more expensive than they should be (above the suggested retail price). Although it sounds disappointing, this is the lowest price since February of this year, just before the price spike.

More importantly, the new RTX 3060 Ti and Radeon RX 6800 series are now available, something that hasn't been seen in quite some time. A return to normal pricing may still take a few weeks as retailers and distributors are unwilling to adjust prices to limit their profit margin losses.

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ELSA has teamed up with INNO3D to release a new GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card featuring a "stealthy" cooling system. 

Based on the SAC series, the new RTX 3060 model features the SAC 4 Evolution cooler, which is equipped with two 90mm fans with 15 blades each. This video card does not have LED backlight anywhere, which now for some reason seems to be a feature.

The RTX 3060 SAC/L is actually based on the INNO3D Twin X2 design. Although both cards have different shrouds and fans, it looks like they share the same PCB as well as the backplate.

ELSA RTX 3060 SAC/L is based on GA106 GPU with 3584 CUDA cores. This model is equipped with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory over a 192-bit bus. ELSA doesn't say if this is a new variant of the RTX 3060 (with GA106-302 GPU), though it would be odd if it didn't take into account that non-LHR models are no longer in production.

The new ELSA model is not factory overclocked, and comes with a stock clock speed of 1777MHz and a TDP of 170W, which is in line with NVIIDA's reference specs. The video card is now available in Japan for about 599 euros per dollar after conversion.

 

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Transcend Information Inc. (Transcend®), a leading embedded storage manufacturer, introduces 96-layer 3D NAND SSDs built with Intelligent Power Shield technology. This type of SSD guarantees the safe storage of data in the event of a sudden power outage, which increases the safety of information in case of unstable system power. The use of these reliable drives will allow business users to increase work efficiency, thanks to the high safety of important data.

IPS: Transcend's patented technology

Transcend has introduced Intelligent Power Shield (IPS) technology to embedded solid state drives. It involves the use of a voltage detector (VDT) that monitors the voltage level from the source powering the system. If the voltage drops too low, the drive is powered by polymer tantalum capacitors (PTC), which have enough charge to safely transfer data from the DRAM cache to the NAND flash memory. This technology improves the reliability of solid-state drives designed to operate in harsh environments. This approach is especially important for systems that process huge amounts of data for the purpose of their subsequent analysis, used, for example, in trading in market research.

More features with high endurance and performance

Transcend's solutions come with NVMe PCIe and SATA III interfaces, in 2.5", M.2 and mSATA form factors. These drives have a capacity of up to 2 TB. Based on 96-layer 3D NAND Flash, they deliver competitive speeds and withstand up to 3,000 write/erase cycles, ensuring reliability and stable performance from -20°C to 75°C. In addition, Transcend improves SSD reliability using corner pouring technology - an epoxy resin is applied around the perimeter of the silicon chip, which then hardens when treated with ultraviolet light. Due to this, a structural bond is formed between the chip and the printed circuit board, which can withstand high thermal, vibration loads and has a high fatigue safety factor.

Software and hardware integration

To enable business users to better manage storage peripherals, Transcend has developed specialized software. With its help, corporate users can remotely control devices, protect confidential data and restore information. A software development kit (SDK) will allow for seamless integration with existing systems. It becomes possible to carry out remote diagnostics of local and cloud systems, including checking SMART attributes and capacitance indicators of tantalum capacitors in SSDs. You can get information about the current state of the system, securely delete data, recover lost information and set password protection. Using this innovative software,

Transcend Embedded SSDs come with a three-year limited warranty.

Product	Interface/form factor	Capacity	Working temperature
MTE662P	NVMe PCIe Gen 3x4	256 GB	Extended operating temperature range from -20°C to 70°C
MTS952P	SATA III M.2 2280	64 GB to 1 TB
MSA452P	SATA III mSATA	128 GB
SSD452P	SATA III 2.5"	64 GB to 2 TB

 

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Shortly after Microsoft unveiled the latest version of its operating system with Windows 11, frustration spread among many users. Because no matter how good the OS ends up being, many probably won't be able to upgrade to Windows 11. This is because Windows 11 only supports relatively new processors. For example, 1st generation AMD Ryzen and 7th generation Intel processors are no longer supported. 

At the same time, hobbyists decided to make the released version of Windows 11 for ARM work on a range of unusual devices. Below you will find a brief overview:

OnePlus 6/6T

The members of the Renegade Project on Github managed to install the operating system on OnePlus 6/6T. In theory, you should be able to install the OS on any device with a Snapdragon 845. The software works quite well, at least at first glance.

The smartphone ran various Windows games such as Dead Space. While performance was a bit sub-optimal here, games ran smoothly with the operating system.

Raspberry Pi 4

While the Raspberry Pi 4 is mainly aimed at hobbyists, with each generation this series of devices is becoming more and more of a small, inexpensive alternative to the classic office PC. At least you can get that impression if you look at how smoothly the new Windows 11 runs on a device, even in preview.

While no videos can be played smoothly in HD quality due to the lack of video card driver support, this demo makes it pretty clear that the hopefully more powerful Raspberry Pi 5 can provide an alternative to a classic x64 computer. especially in the educational segment.

Parallels Desktop (coming soon)

The last point will surely disappoint many users of "old" processors. Because while buyers of the top processors of 2017 fade into the background, all Apple users will soon be able to try out the new Windows 11. Parallels Desktop virtualization software developers have already announced that in the future it will be possible to install a new operating system here.

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MSI has teamed up with Toho Co., Ltd to launch a Godzilla-style GeForce graphics card.

The MSI Gaming brand has always been associated with dragons, even the Gaming logo itself features a dragon. The company's mascot is Dragon Lucky, which has been used in various marketing campaigns and for products including MSI's clothing line, brick toys, or plush toys. For the current generation of graphics cards, MSI has released a new premium series called SUPRIM. The company has already announced that it will launch a 30th Anniversary model based on this series.

MSI GeForce RTX 3070 SUPRIM SE x GODZILLA is the latest addition to the manufacturer's lineup. This model is based on the latest RTX 3070 GPU with Lite Hash Rate enabled. It has an overclocking speed of up to 1785 MHz in Extreme Performance mode, which can be applied using the Dragon Center software. The default clock frequency is 1770 MHz. This is a completely custom design with a dual 8-pin power connector and a TDP of 240W. However, this model offers identical specs to the RTX 3070 LHR SUPRIM SE, which was released just last month.

The SUPRIM x GODZILLA model offers a new color scheme - black and amaranth. The back panel, completely made of brushed aluminum, was painted in amaranth color with the addition of Godzilla himself. It goes without saying that the SUPRIM x GODZILLA series is aimed at the Japanese market. At the moment, we do not know if MSI plans to release this model in other markets.

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