According to a study conducted by HowLongToBeat, PC emerged as the most popular gaming platform among gamers in 2023. The site, known for its game ratings and tracking game completion times, identified the PC as the leading platform, surpassing other gaming systems.
Nintendo Switch secured the second spot, followed by PlayStation 4 in third place. This finding is particularly notable as PlayStation 4 outperformed its successor, PlayStation 5, which came in fourth
Other platforms in the top 10 include the older PlayStation 3, which outpaced the more modern Xbox Series X|S consoles, and even the retro PlayStation 2. The presence of these older consoles in the ranking highlights gamers' affection for classics and their interest in retro gaming.
However, it's important to note that HowLongToBeat's data is based on the preferences of its community, which may not fully represent the current trends in the broader gaming market. Nonetheless, these results are an intriguing indicator of the popularity of different gaming platforms among gamers.
The HowLongToBeat study underscores the significance of the PC as a versatile gaming platform and indicates a sustained interest in PC gaming within the contemporary gaming culture.
In a surprising turn of events, a large European retailer mistakenly listed 24 models of the GeForce RTX 4090 SUPER graphics cards by NVIDIA. This unexpected listing sparked interest and discussion among gamers and industry analysts, as there had been no official announcement of a new series of graphics cards from NVIDIA.
The listing included various models of the RTX 4090 SUPER from renowned manufacturers like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte. This led to speculation that retailers might have received preliminary information about the upcoming launch of the new series of graphics cards, but published it prematurely.
News of these graphics cards quickly spread on social media, leading to speculation about the specifications and capabilities of the new GeForce RTX 4090 SUPER models. NVIDIA enthusiasts eagerly awaited official confirmation and details from the company.
This incident served as a reminder of the importance of accurate information in an industry where competition among graphics card manufacturers is incredibly high. Incorrect or premature information can lead to consumer confusion and ripples in the industry.
The retailer later removed the GeForce RTX 4090 SUPER cards from its website, confirming that it was a mistake. Nevertheless, the incident became a topic of discussion among gamers and highlighted the heightened interest in NVIDIA's next generation of graphics processors.
NVIDIA is gearing up for the release of its new GeForce RTX 4000 SUPER series graphics cards. The first in the lineup, the RTX 4070 Super, is scheduled to launch on January 17th, 2024. This new model is likely based on the AD104-350 or AD103-175 GPU and is expected to deliver a significant performance boost.
Other models in the series, including the RTX 4070 Ti Super and RTX 4080 Super, are also expected early in 2024. The RTX 4070 Ti Super is projected to be 14-22% faster than the RTX 4070 Ti and offer performance comparable to the RTX 4080. The expected price for the RTX 4070 Ti Super is around $599-$649.
The flagship model, the RTX 4080 Super, is anticipated for release in the first quarter of 2024, with an official announcement expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. The estimated price for this model is $1,199.
All the new GeForce RTX 4000 SUPER models feature upgraded VRAM, running at speeds of 21-22.4 Gbps. These enhancements underscore NVIDIA's commitment to delivering higher performance and image quality for gaming and professional applications.
The official announcement of NVIDIA's new RTX 40 series, including precise release dates and market availability, is expected in January. This event will mark a significant moment in the world of graphic technologies, offering gamers and professionals a new level of performance and image quality.
AMD has released the full source code and software stack of ROCm 6.0, now available for download. This significant update includes support for the Instinct MI300 and Radeon 7000 GPU series, opening up new possibilities for developers and users in the field of artificial intelligence (AI)
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During its "Advancing AI" event, AMD revealed plans to enhance its ROCm platform through an "updated" framework. Initially released on Linux, ROCm 6.0 demonstrates AMD's commitment to AI development.
ROCm 6.0 is AMD's attempt to compete with NVIDIA's CUDA platform. The new software stack has been upgraded to support AMD's latest Instinct MI300 GPUs and includes powerful new features that make ROCm 6.0 a viable alternative to CUDA.
Key features of ROCm 6.0 include expanded support and access for AMD's Instinct MI300A and MI300X GPUs, essential AI-supported features such as highly optimized attention algorithms and proven collective communications libraries, optimized performance with FP8 support in PyTorch and hipblasLT, and enhanced tools for developers available for download on the AMD Infinity Hub.
Additionally, ROCm 6.0 has added support for extra libraries like DeepSpeed, ONNX-RT, Jax, and CuPy, offering more flexibility in AI implementation. AMD officials have stated that ROCm 6.0 has reached software parity with CUDA on large language model training, signaling AMD's success in the field of AI-focused software resources, where NVIDIA has been dominant in recent years.
After the successful launch of the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and RX 7900 XT last year, AMD continues to surprise the market. Sources claim that in 2024, AMD is planning to release a new model - the Radeon RX 7950 XTX. Rumors suggest that this new addition will use the same Navi 31 chip as the 7900 XTX, but with increased working frequencies and possibly an expanded L3 cache memory. These improvements could provide a significant performance boost compared to the previous model.
This news might influence the strategies of AMD's competitors in the graphics card market. Specifically, there are rumors that Nvidia might reduce the price of its flagship RTX 4090 to $1400 in response to the upcoming release of the Radeon RX 7950 XTX. However, this information is not officially confirmed at this moment, and the details may change.
Therefore, 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the graphics processor market, as leading manufacturers continue to compete for consumer attention, offering increasingly powerful and innovative products.
AKASA has introduced new angled 12VHPWR power adapters for GeForce RTX 40 graphics cards. The main concept of these adapters is to openly showcase power cables instead of hiding them. The recently introduced G-Nexus P24 adapter utilizes three 8-pin power connectors, supporting a power capacity of up to 600W, although this exceeds standard specifications. Each 8-pin power cable can deliver a maximum of 150W, resulting in a cumulative connector output of 450W. This covers all RTX 4080 cards and even the RTX 4090, but overclocking may require either a different cable or an alternative adapter.
The L-shaped power adapter offered by AKASA presents an interesting concept. However, it seems to counteract the key advantages of the 12VHPWR power cable, which has a smaller footprint and simplifies cable management. Fortunately, AKASA provides a range of adapters that should meet the diverse needs of users.
The pricing for the new adapters has not yet been confirmed. Users opting for this adapter must ensure its secure connection, being mindful that the 8-pin power cables do not exert excessive force on the connector. AKASA recommends keeping the cables away from heat sources, which may be a challenging task considering that the official render positions these cables near the RTX 40
Sony is developing the new PlayStation 5 Pro console, which will be equipped with an updated AMD RDNA3 GPU featuring 60 compute units (CUs). This console is aimed at higher refresh-rate gaming in 4K Ultra HD and enhanced in-game visuals, thanks to its faster hardware platform.
The new GPU architecture transitions from RDNA 2 to RDNA 3, incorporating some features from AMD's upcoming RDNA 4 series. Compared to the current PlayStation 5 GPU, which has 36 compute units, the new console promises significantly improved performance.
The PlayStation 5 Pro will feature 30 workgroup processors (WGPs), equating to 60 compute units or 3,840 stream processors, 120 AI accelerators, and 60 Ray accelerators. This is a substantial upgrade compared to the current internal GPU Oberon, based on the RDNA 2 architecture, and has only 18 WGPs (36 CUs or 2,304 stream processors).
Rumors suggest that the new RDNA 3 GPU in the PlayStation 5 Pro will operate at frequencies ranging from 2500 to 2800 MHz. Sony is reportedly testing multiple variants of the console to determine the most efficient configuration for the upcoming release.
NVIDIA has released a new driver under version number 546.33, introducing support for The Finals and Fortnite Chapter 5. The focus of this new update is the support for DLSS 3 technology, designed to enhance the gaming experience in the latest games, including The Finals and Squad.
The driver update also includes support for DLAA and Reflex in The Finals, as well as an update for Squad. Additionally, it addresses issues such as muted colors in Discord during streaming and other minor bugs.
Users can download and install the update by going to the "Drivers" tab in GeForce Experience or visiting the official GeForce.com website. The driver update is expected to provide the best gaming experience for the latest gaming titles supporting DLSS 3 technology.
The future of memory standards looks promising as JEDEC has recently endorsed the new CAMM2 standard. While it's unclear if CAMM2 will completely replace traditional SO-DIMM designs by 2024, it offers key advantages that could be vital for industry progress. CAMM2 promises high memory speeds and is a more compact standard, making it ideal for modern devices.
The JEDC certification defines the standard as CAMM2, distributed into two models, one for DDR5 and the other for LPDDR5/5x. This expands the usability of CAMM2 across various devices and scenarios. Samsung and Micron have already announced plans to offer CAMM modules in various capacities and speeds, including modules up to 128 GB with speeds of 8533 MT/s, and even optimized versions with capacities over 192 GB and speeds of 9600 MT/s.
JEDEC's new CAMM2 standard brings significant benefits to the industry, including 128 GB memory modules, 8.5 Gbps speeds, and substantial space savings. However, despite its many advantages, CAMM has some drawbacks, such as the complexity of module replacement and upgrading, which could be costly.
Matthew Gallant from Naughty Dog highlights that new modes and features of CAMM2, like Lost Levels and the roguelike mode No Return, will add novelty and depth to the game. The CAMM2 memory standard, now officially published by JEDEC, offers capacities up to 128 GB, speeds up to 8.5 Gbps, and significant space savings.
In a striking advancement in the realm of computing, the Intel Core i5-14600 Non-K CPU has emerged as a noteworthy contender. Revelations from recent benchmark tests, specifically Cinebench R23 and CPU-Z, paint a picture of robust performance. The CPU impressively scored 1992 points in single-core and 22768 in multi-core tests under Maximum Turbo Power (MTP) conditions. These figures not only showcase the chip's capabilities but also hint at the potential that lies within the 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh series.
Delving deeper into the specifics, the AIDA64 Stability Test brought to light the Core i5-14600's power dynamics. With a maximum turbo power of 156.10 watts, it achieved a core clock of 4.8 GHz across all P-Cores and 3.9 GHz across all E-Cores, reaching a peak temperature of 81°C. This Non-K CPU, devoid of overclocking abilities, stands testament to Intel's strategic approach in balancing power and efficiency, a move that aligns with the broader industry trend towards sustainable high-performance computing.
At the heart of the Core i5-14600 lies its 14-core & 20-thread configuration, comprising 6 Performance and 8 Efficiency cores. This design mirrors its 13th-gen counterpart, suggesting a subtle yet significant evolution in Intel's chip design philosophy. The max turbo clock, pegged at 5.2 GHz, offers a mere 200 MHz increment over the Core i5-13600, underscoring Intel's focus on incremental improvements in speed and efficiency.
As part of the broader 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh Non-K series, the Core i5-14600 stands out with its unique positioning. Unlike the "K" SKUs, which are renowned for their overclocking prowess, the Non-K series chips are designed for mainstream usage, emphasizing high-volume production and reliability. This strategic differentiation highlights Intel's commitment to catering to diverse computing needs, from the enthusiast to the everyday user.
In conclusion, the leak of Intel's upcoming Core i5-14600 CPU's benchmarks by Enthusiast Citizen has unveiled a fascinating glimpse into the future of computing. With a performance profile closely mirroring its predecessor, the i5-13600, but edging closer to the capabilities of the unlocked 14600K, this CPU is a testament to Intel's ongoing pursuit of balanced performance and efficiency in computing technology.
