NVIDIA is making significant strides within the Linux community by announcing that starting with their R560 series drivers, the company will default to using an open-source GPU kernel for GeForce RTX 20 series and newer GPUs. This marks a substantial shift from their previously closed-source modules, which have historically limited development within the open-source community.
According to reports, the move aims to enhance the Linux user experience and level the competitive field with AMD, who has already been incorporating open-source drivers in their products, gaining considerable favor among Linux users. The update is expected to foster more robust development and integration of NVIDIA products within Linux ecosystems.
The open-source kernel will only be compatible with Turing and later GPU architectures. During the installation process from the .run file, the system will automatically opt for open kernel modules if the GPUs present support this option. However, users can still choose to install proprietary kernel modules through specific command-line options.
This initiative reflects NVIDIA’s increased commitment to supporting open-source development, a change anticipated by the community after notable hires from the open-source field. While the full transition to open-source drivers across all future architectures isn't confirmed, it is likely, considering the industry's trend towards more transparent and collaborative development practices.
NVIDIA's decision is well-received as it promises to significantly improve how their GPUs integrate with Linux systems, potentially increasing both performance and compatibility across a range of applications.
With the progression of PCIe standards such as PCIe 6.0 and 7.0, Intel has announced a novel thermal management technique to address the heat issues associated with higher transfer speeds. The new feature reduces the operating speed of PCIe links when excessive temperatures are detected, effectively managing thermal load without the need for external cooling solutions.
This thermal throttling mechanism has been incorporated into Intel's latest Linux driver update and is geared towards ensuring that PCIe interfaces do not overheat, maintaining functionality even under potential thermal stress. This initiative is part of Intel’s broader strategy to adapt to the evolving requirements of next-generation PCIe standards, ensuring system stability and performance integrity.
According to sources, AMD is preparing to introduce its next-generation RDNA5 graphics architecture, a significant leap forward from its predecessors. Leaks suggest that RDNA5 might not only enhance performance significantly but could also come with a new naming scheme, akin to AMD's Ryzen AI 100 series, set to debut alongside the Strix Point APU series next month.
The upcoming RDNA5 architecture, expected to release no earlier than late 2025, is touted as a 'clean sheet' design, reminiscent of the significant strides seen with the Zen series back in 2017. Insider 'wjm47196' hints that this new series might bring about a rebranding that departs from the traditional numbering system.
Previously anticipated RDNA4, presumed to bridge the gap between generations, has reportedly turned out to be merely a bug fix for RDNA3, offering performance on par with the Radeon RX 7900 XT, especially in terms of ray tracing enhancements. AMD's focus now seems to pivot to RDNA5, which promises to address performance and efficiency shortcomings of the RDNA3.
Interestingly, the involvement of a former Xilinx team, acquired by AMD, in developing new AI software for the ROCm platform suggests AMD’s increased focus on AI capabilities using its GPU technology.
These developments could significantly impact AMD’s strategy in the competitive high-performance GPU market, potentially reshaping its standing against rivals and enhancing its offerings in both desktop and mobile GPU segments.
ASUS has unveiled an updated version of its portable gaming console — the ROG Ally X. This new model, an upgrade from last year's version, is equipped with the enhanced AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, a clock speed of up to 5.1 GHz, 12 RDNA 3 compute units, and 24 MB of cache.
The console has received several significant enhancements: battery capacity has been increased by 30-40%, doubling the gaming time compared to the previous model. Storage capabilities have also been expanded thanks to support for NVMe M.2 SSDs up to 8 TB and upgraded LPDDR5X-7500 memory.
The chassis design remains the same with a 7-inch FHD screen offering a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. An issue with the SD card, caused by its placement next to the internal heatsink in the previous model, has been corrected.
The ROG Ally X will be offered in black, with a price expected to be higher than the original model's $699. More details will be revealed on June 2nd at a pre-Computex 2024 event.
ASUS has commenced the rollout of the AGESA 1.1.8.0 BIOS update for its high-performance X670E series motherboards. This update is designed to enhance support for the upcoming AMD Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" desktop processors expected to be released next month.
The new BIOS version, labeled as BETA, is now available for download for several models in the ROG Crosshair, ROG Strix, and ProArt series. The previous version, AGESA 1.1.7.0 BETA, released for AM5 motherboards, included support for X670E, X670, B650E, B650, and A620 chipsets. The current update focuses on improving the features of high-end boards and precedes the launch of the new processors at Computex 2024.
Download links for the new BIOS firmware for various models have been published and are available to users. Among the models that have received the update are ROG CROSSHAIR X670E HERO, ROG STRIX X670E-E GAMING WIFI, and PROART X670E CREATOR WIFI.
ASUS is expected to soon release AGESA 1.2.0.0, which will be the official BIOS version for the new Zen 5 processors. This update underscores ASUS's commitment to maintaining its products' compatibility with the latest advancements in processor technology and supporting users in leveraging the newest innovations.
Contrary to initial rumors that NVIDIA was set to launch its new GeForce RTX 50 "Blackwell" series starting with the flagship RTX 5090, recent updates from insider Kopite7kimi indicate a strategic shift. It is now expected that the RTX 5080 will hit the market first, followed by the RTX 5090. This marks a change from NVIDIA's previous approach where the "Ada Lovelace" RTX 40 series began with the RTX 4090.
The rumors that only the RTX 5090 would be released this year have proven unfounded. Preliminary specs suggest that the RTX 5090 will utilize the GB202 GPU with up to 192 SM units and a 512-bit interface, while the RTX 5080 will feature the GB203 GPU with about 92 SM units and a 256-bit interface. Both models are expected to support the latest GDDR7 memory standard.
While official announcements at Computex 2024 are not anticipated, the first teasers of the new models could emerge by the end of Q3. This strategic pivot by NVIDIA highlights its flexibility in managing market expectations and adapting to consumer demand shifts.
AMD's latest quarterly report for the first three months of 2024 reveals a significant decline in graphics card sales. According to the report, sales decreased by 48% year-over-year and by 33% compared to the last quarter of 2023. This decline is attributed to NVIDIA's increased market dominance, particularly among Steam users, where NVIDIA's graphics cards continue to hold top popularity positions.
AMD's CFO, Jean Hu, expressed serious concerns about the ongoing sales decline and acknowledged that the outlook for the second half of 2024 also looks bleak for the company's gaming segment. Despite poor performance in the graphics card production, AMD is hoping to improve its overall financial results through increased sales of processors and server solutions, as well as products for artificial intelligence systems, which continue to perform well.
In this context, AMD is striving to diversify its product lineup and strengthen positions in other technology segments to offset the losses from declining graphics card sales. The company is focusing on innovation and the development of new products that could attract consumers and restore competitiveness in the graphics processor market.
In a strategic move, NVIDIA has announced that it will launch only the flagship model, GeForce RTX 5090, from the anticipated "Blackwell" series in 2024. This decision allows NVIDIA to efficiently manage production resources and respond to market demands amid intense competition in the graphics processor segment. The limited release is also influenced by the need to sell off remaining inventory from the previous RTX 40 series, significantly impacting the company's strategy.
The GeForce RTX 5090 is expected to significantly advance in performance and features compared to its predecessors. The introduction of the "Blackwell" architecture with the launch of the RTX 5090 will unveil key features and innovations that could potentially be applied to future models in the series. This approach not only helps NVIDIA maintain its market leadership but also optimizes its product line by focusing on high-margin AI GPUs, which are based on the same "Blackwell" architecture.
Intel has issued a directive to motherboard manufacturers to adopt "Intel Default Settings" as the default BIOS profile to address ongoing stability issues with its 13th and 14th generation CPUs. This move comes in response to numerous reports of system instability, crashes, and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) incidents when motherboards are set to the previously encouraged "Extreme" performance profiles. The "Extreme" settings often push the CPUs beyond their recommended power limits, leading to operational inconsistencies.
Intel’s decision underscores a shift towards ensuring system stability by standardizing how these CPUs are configured out of the box. The recommended "Intel Default Settings" are designed to maintain the processors within safer operational parameters, emphasizing reliability over maximum performance. This change is expected to significantly reduce instances of hardware failure and system instability that have been reported by users.
The adjustment involves setting the Power Level (PL) and Current Capability (IccMax) to levels that prevent undue stress on the CPUs. Specifically, Intel has outlined that the PL1/PL2 settings should be adjusted down to 125W/188W from the higher limits used under "Extreme" conditions, which can reach up to 253W. This reduction in power ceiling aims to curb the thermal and power demands on the processors, aligning them more closely with Intel’s engineering specifications and thermal design points.
Motherboard manufacturers have been given a deadline of May 31, 2024, to implement these changes in their default BIOS settings. Intel believes that this will not only solve the immediate issues of system crashes and instability but also prolong the lifespan of the CPUs and the motherboards themselves by reducing the thermal and electrical stresses endured during operation.
This initiative is part of Intel’s broader strategy to enhance customer satisfaction and trust in their products by ensuring that their CPUs perform reliably under all standard computing conditions. Intel also plans to engage with their partners to monitor the implementation of these settings and assess the impact on system performance and stability. Further adjustments and optimizations may be considered based on the collective feedback from the user base and technical communities.
The U.S. government recently concluded an online auction where the Cheyenne supercomputer was sold for $480,085. This system includes 8,064 Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4 processors with 18 cores and 36 threads each at 2.3 GHz, along with 313 TB of RAM divided across 4,890 64GB ECC-compliant modules. Employed for over seven years, the supercomputer was instrumental in climate and weather research across Wyoming and nationally.
Unfortunately for buyers, none of the 32 petabytes of high-speed storage was included in the sale. However, a knowledgeable eBay seller could potentially flip the processors and RAM for about $700,000, yielding a significant profit.
The auction was necessitated by a high failure rate and maintenance challenges, including faulty quick disconnects that caused water spray. These issues led to considerable downtime and maintenance costs, prompting the search for a replacement. Cheyenne will be replaced by the new Derecho supercomputer, costing between $35-40 million from HP.
The buyer is responsible for transporting the 30 server racks from the facility themselves; the government will not provide transport or include the necessary Ethernet or optical cabling to operationalize the machine. With the auction price representing just 2% of Cheyenne's estimated original construction cost of $25 million, this sale underscores the depreciation and operational challenges faced by high-end computing assets.
Both versions are tailored to fit the character limit while detailing the supercomputer's sale, technical specifications, and implications for buyers and the maintenance team.
