Bitcoin has recently achieved a significant milestone, surpassing the $42,000 mark for the first time since May 2022, setting a new annual high. This resurgence in Bitcoin's value coincides with rising hopes in the US for an earlier reduction in interest rates, as indicated by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's statements. Additionally, rumors about the potential approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC in January next year have further fueled the market's optimism.
This upward trend in Bitcoin has led to a market shakeup, with Coinglass analysts noting that nearly $85 million worth of liquidations occurred during this price surge, predominantly from the closure of short positions. Following Bitcoin's peak at $42,000, a mass sell-off caused its price to revert to around $41,000. This movement was mirrored by other cryptocurrencies, leading to the liquidation of numerous long positions. However, indicators suggest that this upward trend may persist for an extended period.
The broader crypto market is experiencing its highest values since spring 2022, with major cryptocurrencies reaching new annual highs. This universal growth has propelled the total market capitalization to $1.55 trillion, a record high for 2023. These market dynamics are expected to significantly elevate Bitcoin's value and attract retail investors' attention to the crypto industry.
Meanwhile, the recent surge in Bitcoin and the overall crypto market could impact the GPU market, especially amidst the ongoing AI boom. Nvidia is experiencing a massive demand for its GPUs, which are well-suited for AI tasks, leading to a potential shortage and price hikes. This demand is particularly high in China, where Nvidia's modified AI-capable chips are in great demand. Prices for some Nvidia models have soared up to $36,500. This AI-driven demand, coupled with the potential continuation of the crypto market's upward trend, could lead to further strains on the GPU supply, echoing the previous shortages caused by cryptocurrency mining.
As we approach the end of 2023, Steam, the popular gaming platform by Valve, is set for significant changes. Starting January 1, 2024, Steam will officially discontinue support for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. This move marks the end of an era for these older operating systems, as users will no longer be able to run the Steam Client on them. This decision aligns with the evolving technology landscape and the need for more secure and advanced operating systems.
Simultaneously, Valve has released its November 2023 statistics, offering a glimpse into the hardware preferences of its user base. The top five graphics cards among Steam users highlight NVIDIA's dominance in the market. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 leads the pack with 4.89% of users, closely followed by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and GTX 1060, with 4.61% and 4.20% respectively. The list also includes the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and the RTX 2060, indicating a diverse range of gaming setups and preferences among Steam's vast user community.
The impending discontinuation of support for older Windows versions and the latest hardware statistics reflect Steam's commitment to advancing with technological trends. Users of older Windows versions are advised to upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to continue enjoying the vast library of games and services offered by Steam.
This transition period is a critical moment for Steam users still operating on older systems. It emphasizes the importance of staying updated with software to ensure compatibility and security. The shift also highlights the dynamic nature of the gaming industry, constantly evolving to incorporate the latest technological advancements.
Looking ahead, Steam's decision to phase out support for older Windows versions is a significant step towards a more modern, secure, and efficient gaming experience. As the platform continues to grow and adapt, users can expect ongoing enhancements and updates that align with the latest hardware and software innovations.
In recent news, a significant number of Call of Duty players using NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service have encountered an unexpected and distressing issue - they are being banned from the game. This problem appears to be caused by a glitch within the GeForce NOW service, which is mistakenly identifying the use of the cloud gaming platform as a form of cheating.
GeForce NOW, developed by NVIDIA, is a service that allows gamers to stream and play their favorite games, like Call of Duty, on less powerful hardware by accessing virtual machines hosted in the cloud. This service aims to provide a high-quality gaming experience, but the recent glitch has led to a wave of unwarranted bans, leaving many players frustrated and confused.
The issue was first reported by players on various online platforms, including Reddit, and has since gained considerable attention in the gaming community. Players affected by this glitch have shared their experiences of being wrongly tagged as cheaters by the game's anti-cheat systems, resulting in their accounts being banned.
This situation has prompted a response from both NVIDIA and the developers of Call of Duty, who are likely working on a fix to resolve this issue. In the meantime, Call of Duty players who use GeForce NOW are advised to exercise caution and stay updated on the situation through official channels.
This incident highlights the complexities and challenges of cloud gaming services and their integration with traditional gaming platforms. It serves as a reminder of the importance of robust testing and quality assurance in the rapidly evolving world of online gaming.
The ASUS ROG Ally handheld console, popular among gamers, has received a custom modification by SlickBuys Mods and Repairs, significantly enhancing its performance. Initially equipped with 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory at 6400 MT/s, the modded version now boasts LPDDR5X memory with a capacity of 32 GB and a speed of 7500 MT/s. This breakthrough in modding opens new possibilities for enhancing portable gaming systems.
The modification involves replacing four memory modules and reprogramming the BIOS chip to support the updated capacity and speed. Although exact performance improvement data is lacking, significant enhancements, especially in games using the integrated AMD Phoenix RDNA3 graphics, are expected. However, it's important to note that such a modification requires specialized skills and equipment, and also voids the device's warranty.
These upgrades highlight the trend towards DIY modifications in the portable device industry, similar to modern laptops.
Japanese company Sycom has released a new model in the GeForce RTX 4000 series - the quad-slot GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Silent Master. This model is notable for using fans from Noctua, renowned for their quality and reliability. The RTX 4070 Ti Silent Master is the third in Sycom's Silent Master series, which already includes the RTX 4070 and RTX 4060 Ti models.
The Silent Master series is characterized by each graphics card having a specialized cooling system. Interestingly, Sycom offers these cards exclusively as part of their pre-built gaming computers, not selling them separately. This allows the company to control the quality and performance of the entire system.
The appearance of the new RTX 4070 Ti Silent Master is markedly different from standard models on the market. It lacks RGB lighting and features Noctua's signature brown-beige fans. These fans are mounted over a large radiator, ensuring effective cooling.
The card's design was developed in collaboration with Nagao Industry, which created a special metal frame for the graphics card. Each frame is handcrafted, emphasizing the uniqueness and exclusivity of the product.
Sycom also claims a low noise level for the graphics card. The officially stated noise level is on average less than 31.4 dB and 43.6 dB under high load. The Silent Master cooling system provides a temperature that is at least 5°C lower compared to standard coolers.
Users of Windows 10 and Windows 11 are encountering an unexpected issue – the HP Smart app is installing itself without their permission. This phenomenon has caused confusion and concern, particularly among those who have no HP devices.
Microsoft has taken notice of the user complaints and is currently investigating the cause of this unsolicited installation. The company has not yet provided a detailed explanation, but they are expected to address the issue soon.
The situation is further complicated by reports that the app is not just appearing on physical computers, but also on virtual machines. This has happened even after fresh installations of Windows, adding to the users' surprise.
This incident raises broader questions about the security and autonomy of Windows updates. The automatic inclusion of third-party applications without user consent is a significant concern for many.
As the situation unfolds, the Windows user community is eagerly awaiting further clarification from Microsoft. The resolution of this issue will be crucial in maintaining trust in the Windows ecosystem.
NVIDIA, a leading graphics processor manufacturer, is gearing up to launch its latest GPU architecture. According to insider Kopite7kimi, the company plans to name its next architecture, following Blackwell, in honor of American astronomer Vera Rubin, known for her research on galaxy rotation. This innovation, slated for release in 2025, marks a new frontier in graphic technology.
The company is expected to update its Hopper architecture for data centers next year with HBM3E technology. In the latter half of the year, NVIDIA aims to roll out chips based on the Blackwell architecture. The new Rubin architecture will be primarily used in data centers. However, it remains unclear whether Rubin will be applied in gaming GPUs.
Kopite7kimi reports that NVIDIA is already developing the R100 and GR100 GPUs based on the Rubin architecture. These processors, replacing the current X100 and GX200 models, will be specialized for data centers. While the release dates for gaming solutions based on Rubin are still unknown, gaming enthusiasts eagerly await updates on the GeForce RTX 60 series.
This significant event in the world of graphic technology highlights NVIDIA's innovative approach and serves as a tribute to Vera Rubin's outstanding contributions to astronomy. Her discoveries about galaxy rotation speeds and the existence of dark matter have profoundly impacted the scientific community, and now her name will be eternally linked with cutting-edge graphics accelerator technology
Sony is gearing up for a game-changing leap in console gaming with its upcoming PlayStation 6, although the release is still a distant prospect. In a recent video, RedGamingTech delves into early rumors surrounding Sony's next-gen console, shedding light on intriguing developments that could redefine the gaming landscape.
As per various sources, Sony is contemplating a chiplet design for the PlayStation 6, a strategy already employed by AMD in non-gaming products. The Japanese company is also exploring the incorporation of a large cache to assist developers in managing compute and mixed CPU-GPU workloads. Given the likely use of GDDR7 memory, there's consideration for mitigating latency concerns for the console's CPU.
While final specifications for the PlayStation 6 are pending, Sony's focus is evident – generative AI and advancements in ray tracing. The emphasis on generative AI could usher in transformative experiences across various game genres, fostering interactivity and immersion even in single-player titles. In the realm of ray tracing, Sony is reportedly developing a form of ray tracing reconstruction tech, reaffirming its significance in the future of console gaming.
In an unexpected turn of events, the recent ban on NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4090 under new US policies has inadvertently boosted the demand for AMD's Radeon RX 7900 XTX and 7900 XT GPUs in the Chinese market. These AMD graphics cards, known for their high VRAM capacities of 24 GB and 20 GB, are now considered viable alternatives for both gaming and AI applications.
However, the surge in demand has caught AMD off guard, leading to significant supply shortages. Sources suggest that these shortages are expected to persist not only in the fourth quarter of 2023 but also extend into the first quarter of 2024. The scarcity is attributed to insufficient production planning by AMD, creating a challenging situation for meeting the growing demand.
Adding to the complexity, an internal memo from Dell has hinted at potential restrictions on the sale of the Radeon RX 7900 XTX in the Chinese market. Although this primarily affects the OEM segment, retailers may exploit the situation, leading to artificial price hikes. The ban on RTX 4090 has already triggered price increases for AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and 7900 XT GPUs in recent weeks.
Despite the challenges faced by AMD, NVIDIA is responding to the market shift by introducing the GeForce RTX 4090 D, tailored to comply with US policies. While featuring reduced specifications and performance, this move aims to maintain NVIDIA's dominant position in the Chinese market.
Official prices for the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and RX 7900 XT are set at 7999 RMB and 7399 RMB, equivalent to $1130 and $1040 US, respectively. Although there was a significant price drop earlier in the year, current shortages are expected to drive further price increases in the coming months.
According to leaks from Persian outlet sakhtafzarmag, AMD is gearing up to release several new CPUs for the AM4 platform in early 2024, featuring the Ryzen 7 5700X3D and Ryzen 5 5500X3D. The upcoming SKUs include Ryzen 7 5700X3D, Ryzen 5 5600X3D, Ryzen 5 5600GT, Ryzen 5 5500GT, and Ryzen 7 5700.
Specifications for Ryzen 7 5700X3D and Ryzen 5 5600X3D
The Ryzen 7 5700X3D will be a slightly scaled-down version of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, maintaining the same 8 cores, 16 threads but with lower clock speeds at 3.0 GHz (base) and 4.1 GHz (boost). This chip will offer 96 MB of L3 cache and retain the same 105-watt TDP. As for the Ryzen 5 5500X3D, it features 6 cores, 12 threads, a base clock of 3.0 GHz, boost clocks up to 4.0 GHz, and the same 96 MB of L3 cache.
These new SKUs are poised to prolong the relevance of the AM4 platform, allowing mainstream users to benefit from the gaming performance boost offered by the addition of 3D V-Cache technology. In addition to the new CPUs, it seems that AMD is planning to replace the existing Ryzen 5 5600G APU with the Ryzen 5 5600GT and Ryzen 5 5500GT. The "GT" nomenclature suggests a slight performance upgrade. There's also the Ryzen 7 5700, expected to be an entry-level 8-core SKU, providing a standard CPU experience based on the Zen 3 core architecture.
