Four months have passed since the release of AMD's impressive Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, and it seems the market still can't get enough of it. Supply has been reasonable, but demand has been overwhelming. And because this is yet another in-demand product built using TSMC's N4 process, the 9800X3D is fighting for supply with countless other sought-after chips.As a result, even today, the 9800X3D is often out of stock and difficult to purchase at MSRP. We should mention that when we were writing this Newegg had it in stock for $480 and it was their number one best-selling CPU.The reason for its extreme popularity is simple the 9800X3D is the world's fastest gaming processor, without exception, and at $480, it is affordable compared to even a basic graphics card. The only downside is that it isn't particularly strong in productivity workloads. For those who need both work and gaming performance, alternatives like the 7950X3D or Core Ultra 9 285K have been better choices.That changes today with the release of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, along with its sidekick, the 9900X3D.The 9950X3D is a 16-core/32-thread Zen 4-based processor featuring two 8-core CCDs, one of which is equipped with AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. It is priced at $700 the same MSRP as the previous generation 7950X3D. Meanwhile, the 12-core/24-thread 9900X3D is set to launch at $600, again matching the MSRP of its predecessor.Ryzen 9 9950X3DRyzen 9 9950XRyzen 9 9900X3DRyzen 9 9900XPrice (MSRP)$700$650$600$500Release DateMarch 12, 2025Aug 15, 2024March 12, 2025Aug 15, 2024Cores / Threads16 / 3212 / 24Base Clock4.3 GHz4.4 GHzBoost Clock5.7 GHz5.5 GHz5.6 GHzL3 Cache (Total)128 MB64 MB128 MB64 MBBox CoolerN/AChiplets2 x CCD, 1 x I/OCore Config2 x 8TDP170 W120 WWe have heard that initial supply for these new CPUs is quite good, particularly for high-end models. However, as was the case with the 9800X3D, it's unlikely there will be enough supply to meet demand, so getting one will likely be a challenge, at least for the next month or so.AMD has only sent out the 9950X3D for review, and frankly, it's the only part that truly makes sense. The 9900X3D is just 16% cheaper than the 9950X3D yet has 25% fewer cores, making it a poor value proposition. Worse still, only six cores have direct access to the larger 3D V-Cache, making it less effective for gaming. In a way, it's essentially an overpriced 6-core processor.Unless the 9900X3D is offered at a 30% discount relative to the 9950X3D, it isn't worth considering. This is likely why AMD has opted not to send it out for review.It may seem odd that these Zen 4, dual-CCD 3D V-Cache processors are only being released now four months after the 9800X3D. Supply constraints could be a factor, but another possibility is that AMD has been refining scheduling optimizations to prevent the 9950X3D from falling behind the 9800X3D in certain games due to improper CCD usage or excessive cross-CCD communication.To improve performance and ensure better scheduling, AMD has updated its Provisioning Packages Service and 3D V-Cache Performance Optimizer. Additionally, AMD is introducing a new Application Compatibility Database.The Provisioning Packages Service is a significant update, as it eliminates the need to reinstall Windows for a new Ryzen processor to function correctly. However, AMD still recommends a fresh install. The service monitors the system, and if it detects a change in CPU name, core count, logical processor count, or L3 cache size, it will automatically uninstall and reinstall the necessary drivers.This service is designed to optimize CPU power and performance for dual-CCD processors when gaming. It achieves this through a combination of power and frequency adjustments, along with core parking while using the Windows Game Mode power profile. These optimizations may be dynamically applied to specific power profiles, typically when launching an application.When the operating system detects that a game is running, it "parks" the cores on the non-3D V-Cache-enabled CCD, making those cores temporarily unavailable to the OS.Then there's the AMD 3D V-Cache Performance Optimizer, which enhances the performance of Ryzen 9 3D V-Cache processors for both gaming and non-gaming tasks by dynamically adjusting the favored processor cores based on the active application. When gaming, the operating system prioritizes cores connected to the larger L3 cache. Conversely, for non-gaming tasks, it prioritizes the highest-frequency cores. Unlike the Provisioning Packages Service, this software does not park cores.Finally, there's the AMD Application Compatibility Database, which requires both a new BIOS and chipset driver. This database is designed to address problematic games that cannot be fully optimized through the Provisioning Packages and supports all dual-CCD models. Currently, it includes optimizations for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Dying Light 2, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Total War: Warhammer III, and Wolfenstein: Youngblood.So a lot of effort has gone into ensuring that, when it comes to gaming, the 9950X3D performs just as well as the 9800X3D. We look forward to testing this claim with the 12 games in our day-one reviews and later exploring it further with a 40 50-game benchmark. For now though let's go over the data we haveTest System SpecsCPUMotherboardMemoryAMD Ryzen 9000 Series AMD Ryzen 7000 SeriesGigabyte X670E Aorus Master [BIOS F34b]G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30-38-38-96 Windows 11 24H2AMD Ryzen 5000 SeriesMSI MPG X570S Carbon MAX WiFi [BIOS 7D52v1B1]G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB DDR4-3600 CL14-15-15-35 Windows 11 24H2Intel Core Ultra 200SAsus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero [BIOS 1501]G.Skill Trident Z5 CK 32GB DDR5-8200 CL40-52-52-131 Windows 11 23H2 [24H2 = Slower]Intel 12th, 13th & 14thMSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi [BIOS 7D89v1E]G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5-7200 CL34-45-45-115 Windows 11 23H2 [24H2 = Slower]Graphics CardPower SupplyStorageAsus ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC EditionKolink Regulator Gold ATX 3.0 1200WTeamGroup T-Force Cardea A440 M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD 4TBGeForce Game Ready Driver 572.70 WHQLCPU Clock Behavior (Stock, PBO, Eco Mode)First, let's take a look at how the 9950X3D behaves out of the box with nothing more than EXPO settings applied. After half an hour of looping Cinebench's multi-core test, we recorded an average core clock frequency of 5,085 MHz and a peak CPU temperature of 84C. These results were recorded in an ATX case using a 360mm AIO.To enable PBO, we did this manually in the BIOS and benchmarked this configuration, which you will see in the following graphs. Using the advanced PBO options, the PPT, TDC, and EDC were all manually maxed out, the PBO scalar was set to 10X, the boost clock override was set to +200 MHz, and the curve optimizer was set to -20.Under these conditions, we saw an average clock frequency of 5,227 MHz, a mere 3% frequency increase over stock. However, because we used a negative curve optimizer, the peak CPU temperature dropped from 84C to just 78C, as the average package power dropped from 193W down to 186W.Finally, we also benchmarked the 9950X3D using Eco mode, which reduced the all-core frequency by almost 30% to 3,633 MHz. As a result, we saw a peak CPU temperature of just 61C with a package power of only 88W.Productivity BenchmarksCinebench 2024, Multi CoreNow, let's look at Cinebench multi-core performance. Out of the box, the 9950X3D scored 2,448 points, making it 4% faster than the standard 9950X in our testing. However, to be fully transparent, we have not had a chance to update our 9950X data with the latest chipset drivers. When compared to the 285K, the 9950X3D was just 3% slower, and our 285K data is up to date.It's also worth noting that when compared to the 9800X3D, we observed a 77% performance boost. Manually enabling max PBO resulted in only a small 3% increase, while the power-efficient Eco mode reduced performance by 25%. We will examine power consumption shortly.Cinebench 2024, Single CoreAs for single-core performance, it remains the same as what we previously observed from the 9950X, scoring 141 points. The same performance was achieved using PBO, while the Eco mode resulted in just a one-point drop. When compared to the 285K, the 9950X3D was 6% slower.Cinebench 2024, Power ConsumptionWhen it comes to power consumption, we measured 229W across the EPS12V rails, the same power draw as the 9950X and 7950X. Thanks to a negative offset, PBO slightly reduced power consumption.The Eco mode, which also led to a 25% performance reduction, managed to cut power consumption by almost 60%, making it significantly more power-efficient. It's impressive that, for the same power draw as the 9600X, the 9950X3D delivers 87% more performance in this test.7-Zip File Manager CompressionNext, we have the 7-Zip File Manager Compression test, where the 9950X3D leads, outperforming the 7950X3D by 7% and the 9950X by 15%. This performance margin is similar to what we saw between the 9700X and 9800X3D. Even when using Eco mode, the 9950X3D still matched the 9950X, making it just 4% slower than the 285K while sipping power.7-Zip File Manager DecompressionFor decompression performance, the 9950X3D is comparable to the 9950X and 7950X, making it 31% faster than the 285K. Even in Eco mode, the 9950X3D was just 2% slower than the 285K, so AMD is crushing Intel in this workload.Blender Open DataMoving on to the Blender results, the 9950X3D once again tops the charts, coming in just 4% faster than both the 285K and 9950X. Enabling Eco mode kills performance, dropping the samples per minute to 202 an almost 30% reduction from stock. However, this is still roughly twice the performance of the 9600X for a similar power draw.Corona 10 BenchmarkThe 9950X3D also tops the charts in Corona, beating Intel's 285K by a 13% margin and the previous generation 7950X by 20%. Enabling max PBO only provided an additional 4% boost, but it still resulted in the best performance we have seen from a mainstream platform to date.Adobe Photoshop 2025Photoshop does not take full advantage of high-core-count CPUs, so the 9950X3D does not offer much improvement over the 9800X3D. In fact, out of the box, it was slightly slower. However, compared to the 285K, the 9950X3D was nearly 20% faster, making for a significant performance advantage.Adobe Premiere Pro 2024Premiere Pro benefits more from higher core counts but not to the same extent as 3D rendering tests. The 9950X3D was 5% slower than the 285K but matched the 14900K when running in low-power Eco mode.Gaming BenchmarksStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorTime for the gaming benchmarks, and we'll start with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Here, the 9950X3D was able to match the 9800X3D, which is a great result, though really to be expected given the 7950X3D matched the 7800X3D. This points to the 9950X3D being a significantly better all-rounder, especially for those who also want high-end gaming performance from a workstation, as the 9950X3D is 52% faster than the 285K here.The 7950X3D and 7800X3D were also comparable in The Last of Us Part 1, and the same is true of the 9950X3D and 9800X3D, with the dual-CCD Zen 4 part allowing for 210 fps, making it just 7% faster than the 285K in this example.Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom LibertyNow, the Cyberpunk 2077 results are interesting. Here, the 9950X3D allowed for 216 fps, making it just 1% slower than the 9800X3D, so in other words, performance was much the same. That's a great result because the 7950X3D is 8% slower than the 7800X3D here, and we've seen a bit of this in the past, where the dual-CCD model can be anywhere from a bit slower to a lot slower for gaming, and AMD has been working to solve this.Assetto Corsa CompetizioneScheduling issues weren't a problem for the 7950X3D in Assetto Corsa Competizione, as we can see it matched the 7800X3D. The same is true of the 9950X3D, which was able to match or even slightly nudge ahead of the 9800X3D, delivering chart-topping results. This also meant that the 9950X3D was an insane 77% faster than the 285K in this game.Remnant IIRemnant II is another game where we previously didn't see any scheduling issues, so the 9950X3D performed as expected, delivering a few more frames than the 9800X3D, making it 33% faster than the 285K.Homeworld 3The 9950X3D was a beast in Homeworld 3, despite slipping behind the 9800X3D by a small 4% margin. That's an excellent result given the 7950X3D was a massive 25% slower than the 7800X3D. This also meant that the 9950X3D was 52% faster than Intel's 285K.A Plague Tale: RequiemThe 7950X3D had some frame pacing issues in A Plague Tale: Requiem, and as a result, it ended up trailing the 7800X3D by a 6% margin when comparing the average frame rate and 20% slower for the 1% lows. The 9950X3D, on the other hand, behaves like the 9800X3D, delivering the same excellent performance, making it 58% faster than the 285K. By the way, we went back and re-tested the 285K, and sadly, in cases like this where performance is horrible, Intel has been unable to improve the situation.Counter-Strike 2The 7950X3D was only slightly slower than the 7800X3D in Counter-Strike 2, but whatever the issue was, it has been cleared up with the 9950X3D, which matched the 9800X3D almost exactly. This also made it 29% faster than the 285K.StarfieldThe previous-generation CPUs didn't suffer any major scheduling issues in Starfield, so unsurprisingly, the 9950X3D performs like a 9800X3D here, making it 11% faster than the 285K.Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2Next up, we have Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and here, the 9950X3D is delivering 9800X3D-like performance, which is great news as the 7950X3D was 10% slower than the 7800X3D in this title. This also means that, compared to the 285K, the 9950X3D is 25% faster.Hitman 3The Hitman 3 results are really surprising because here, the 9950X3D is actually 6% faster than the 9800X3D, allowing for 306 fps a 14% boost over the 285K. That's also a great result, as the 7950X3D was 4% slower than the 7800X3D.Watch Dogs: LegionFinally, we have Watch Dogs: Legion, and here, the 9950X3D was 3% faster than the 9800X3D, making it a massive 39% faster than the 285K. Overall, excellent gaming performance from the 9950X3D.Power Consumption When GamingCyberpunk 2077Now, when it comes to power consumption, the 9950X3D consumed 44% more power than the 9800X3D in Cyberpunk 2077, matching the 12900K and consuming just 8% less power than the 285K. But let's look at power efficiency when factoring in the resulting fps performance.Cyberpunk 2077 - Watt per FrameHere, we can see that in terms of power efficiency, the 9950X3D is comparable to the 9600X and 7600X, making it 35% more power-efficient than the 285K in this example. Still, it was 48% less efficient than the 9800X3D, though that gap was reduced to 17% when using Eco mode.The Last of Us Part 1Measuring power usage in The Last of Us Part 1 saw the 9950X3D consume 32% more power than the 9800X3D but 14% less than the 285K. So, let's see how that works out when calculating efficiency.The Last of Us Part 1 - Watt per FrameThe 9950X3D is comparable to the 5800X3D or 7600X when it comes to power efficiency, making it around 30% less efficient than the 9800X3D and 37% less efficient than the 7950X3D. Still, when compared to the 285K, we're looking at an almost 20% improvement in efficiency.Performance SummaryHere's the 12-game average data, and no surprises the 9950X3D is a beast, taking the top spot and delivering essentially the same performance as the class-leading 9800X3D. Even in Eco mode, it was on average 8% faster than the 7800X3D and 31% faster than the 285K.Overall, we're only looking at a 1.4% performance boost from PBO, at least across the games we tested, but this did improve power efficiency, so it might be worth considering. That said, the overall performance is outstanding and remarkably consistent for a dual-CCD processor AMD has finally nailed it.X3D Turbo Mode: Enabled vs DisabledGigabyte made a big deal out of X3D Turbo Mode when they first introduced it in their BIOS, making bold claims about performance gains. At the time, no one really knew what it did. Since then, we've learned that it's a mostly useless feature that few would actually use.In short, this mode disables the second CCD entirely, along with SMT support, reducing a processor like the 9950X3D from a 16-core/32-thread CPU down to an 8-core/8-thread one. Gigabyte also tweaks some memory timings for better gaming performance. The idea is to ensure that games run on the CCD with the 3D V-Cache while disabling SMT, which can sometimes negatively impact gaming performance. However, our testing indicates that leaving SMT enabled is generally beneficial for gaming.The biggest issue with this feature is that it can only be enabled at the BIOS level, meaning the system must be completely reset every time you want to toggle it on or off. It's not something you can quickly and easily switch within Windows before launching a game. If a toggle option were available, this would be an incredibly useful and practical feature.With X3D Turbo Mode enabled, we saw a 3% improvement on average across the dozen games tested, with notable gains in titles like Homeworld 3 and Space Marine 2. However, there were also significant performance drops in other games, such as Starfield and The Last of Us Part I.Cost per FrameFor those solely interested in gaming, the 9950X3D doesn't make sense from a cost perspective, given that it costs $700 and delivers similar gaming performance to the much cheaper 9800X3D.Of course, if cost isn't a concern, there's no reason not to choose the 9950X3D over the 9800X3D, as both should provide essentially the same gaming performance. However, for those who prioritize value while still seeking high-end performance, the 9800X3D or even the 7800X3D is a much smarter choice.For a higher-core-count CPU, though, the 9950X3D is the best all-around solution, generally matching or beating the productivity performance of the Core Ultra 9 285K, while smashing it for gaming and offering better overall value.Bonus DDR ResultsA quick additional data point before our conclusion. G.Skill recently sent over their new Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL28-36-36-96 memory kit, so we decided to test how it performs with the 9950X3D.One of the known benefits of 3D V-Cache processors is that they aren't particularly sensitive to memory performance, so unsurprisingly, we saw minimal improvement with the lower-latency memory kit. This is good news, as 32GB CL30 kits can be found for under $100, making memory an affordable component.What We LearnedThe Ryzen 9 9950X3D is an easy recommendation with very few caveats. It's fair to say this new Ryzen chip has cemented itself as the best all-around processor for those seeking ultimate performance for both work and play. If productivity is your primary focus, the 9950X3D is likely the best option outside of a super expensive Threadripper processor.In workloads like Cinebench, the 9950X3D and Intel's 285K were neck and neck, with the Ryzen processor consuming just over 10% less power. In general, they should be highly competitive for productivity tasks, but as always, it's best to research specific application performance based on your workflow.Where Intel falls behind significantly is in gaming. Here, the 9950X3D delivered, on average, 35% more performance a mind-blowing margin unlike anything seen before in AMD vs. Intel comparisons, certainly prior to the release of the 9800X3D.It appears that AMD has effectively addressed the scheduling issues that previously affected 3D V-Cache-enabled dual-CCD processors, at least based on the games we tested. Of course, we will need to analyze this further in future content, but for now, we recommend checking out multiple reviews to get a broader perspective, as different sources will cover a wide range of games.The key takeaway here is that buying a dual-CCD processor with 3D V-Cache is now a far more reliable choice for gamers. There's significantly less need to rely on third-party applications to manually fix scheduling issues, making the overall experience much smoother.The 9950X3D is by far the best dual-CCD processor AMD has released it just works, and it works exceptionally well.Shopping Shortcuts:AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on AmazonAMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on AmazonIntel Core Ultra 9 285K on AmazonAMD Ryzen 9 9950X on AmazonAMD Ryzen 7 9700X on AmazonAMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon

The day is finally here: AMD is adding to its list of best processors, and gamers have something to be happy about they both have the same recommended list price (MSRP) as their last-gen counterparts.The Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D both feature AMDs famous 3D V-Cache tech that makes them gaming beasts, but unlike the 9800X3D, they sport more cores making them better picks for productivity. The initial batch might sell out quickly, so check out where to get them once they go on sale today.Recommended VideosSeveral retailers have already listed the Ryzen 9 9000X3D CPUs, so if youre in the U.S., youve got a good chance of being able to snap one up. RetailerAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DAMD Ryzen 9 9900X3DBest BuyB&H PhotoMicro CenterNeweggAs far as specifications go, AMD stayed true to the formula it appears to have perfected in the previous generation; both CPUs have the exact same specs. This means 16 cores and 32 threads for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 12 cores for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. The flagship sports 144MB of combined cache, while its cheaper counterpart offers 140MB.Despite the lack of updates in the specs, the CPUs should get a significant boost from the update to Zen 5 and a newer 3D V-Cache. So far, reviewers highlight that the 9950X3D can match the 9800X3D in gaming, while rivaling the 9950X in productivity. This isnt a surprise the same situation took place in the Ryzen 7000 generation, when the two CPUs to compare were the 7950X3D and the 7950X.At the time of writing, some retailers are still yet to list the CPU, as the sales start at 6am PT / 9am ET. However, a few listings are already here for you to keep an eye on and refresh. Come back here a little bit later to see an updated list of AMD Ryzen 9 9000X3D deals.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsReady for mobile devicesVersatile, and ready to deployGoogles AI efforts are synonymous with Gemini, which has now become an integral element of its most popular products across the Worksuite software and hardware, as well. However, the company has also released multiple open-source AI models under the Gemma label for over a year now.Today, Google revealed its third generation open-source AI models with some impressive claims in tow. The Gemma 3 models come in four variants 1 billion, 4 billion, 12 billion, and 27 billion parameters and are designed to run on devices ranging from smartphones to beefy workstations.Recommended VideosGoogleGoogle says Gemma 3 is the worlds best single-accelerator model, which means it can run on a single GPU or TPU instead of requiring a whole cluster. Theoretically, that means a Gemma 3 AI model can natively run on the Pixel smartphones Tensor Processing Core (TPU) unit, just the way it runs the Gemini Nano model locally on phones. The biggest advantage of Gemma 3 over the Gemini family of AI models is that since its open-source, developers can package and ship it according to their unique requirements inside mobile apps and desktop software. Another crucial benefit is that Gemma supports over 140 languages, with 35 of them coming as part of a pre-trained package.Whats new in Gemma 3?And just like the latest Gemini 2.0 series models, Gemma 3 is also capable of understanding text, images, and videos. In a nutshell, it is multi-multimdal. On the performance side, Gemma 3 is claimed to surpass other popular open-source AI models such as DeepSeek V3, the reasoning-ready OpenAI o3-mini, and Metas Llama-405B variant.Taking about input range, Gemma 3 offers a context window worth 128,000 tokens. Thats enough to cover a full 200-page book pushed as an input. For comparison, the context window for Googles Gemini 2.0 Flash Lite model stands at a million tokens. In the context of AI models, an average English language word is roughly equivalent to 1.3 tokens.Gemma 3 processing visual input. GoogleGemma 3 also supports function calling and structured output, which essentially means it can interact with external datasets and perform tasks like an automated agent. The nearest analogy would be Gemini, and how it can get work done across different platforms such as Gmail or Docs seamlessly.The latest open-source AI models from Google can either be deployed locally, or through the companys cloud-based platforms such as the Vertex AI suite. Gemma 3 AI models are now available via the Google AI Studio, as well as third-party repositories such as Hugging Face, Ollama, and Kaggle.GoogleGemma 3 is part of an industry trend where companies are working on Large Language Models (Gemini, in Googles case) and simultaneously pushing out small language models (SLMs), as well. Microsoft also follows a similar strategy with its open-source Phi series of small language models.Small language models such as Gemma and Phi are extremely resource efficient, which makes them an ideal choice for running on devices such as smartphones. Moroever, as they offer a lower latency, they are particularly well-suited for mobile applications.Editors Recommendations

For many years, researchers have been working to build devices that can mimic photosynthesisthe process by which plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make their fuel. These artificial leaves use sunlight to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, which could then be used to fuel cars or generate electricity. Now a research team has taken aim at creating more energy-dense fuels. Companies have been manufacturing synthetic fuels for nearly a century by combining carbon monoxide (which can be sourced from carbon dioxide) and hydrogen under high temperatures. But the hope is that artificial leaves can eventually do a similar kind of synthesis in a more sustainable and efficient way, by tapping into the power of the sun. The groups device produces ethylene and ethane, proving that artificial leaves can create hydrocarbons. The development could offer a cheaper, cleaner way to make fuels, chemicals, and plastics. For research lead Virgil Andrei at the University of Cambridge, the ultimate goal is to use this technology to create fuels that dont leave a harmful carbon footprint after theyre burned. If the process uses carbon dioxide captured from the air or power plants, the resulting fuels could be carbon neutraland ease the need to keep digging up fossil fuels. Eventually we want to be able to source carbon dioxide to produce the fuels and chemicals that we need for industry and for everyday lives, says Andrei, who coauthored a study published in Nature Catalysis in February. You end up mimicking natures own carbon cycle, so you dont need additional fossil resources. Copper nanoflowers Like other artificial leaves, the teams device harnesses energy from the sun to create chemical products. But producing hydrocarbons is more complicated than making hydrogen because the process requires more energy. To accomplish this feat, the researchers introduced a few innovations. The first was to use a specialized catalyst made up of tiny flower-like copper structures, produced in the lab of coauthor Peidong Yang at the University of California, Berkeley. On one side of the device, electrons accumulated on the surfaces of these nanoflowers. These electrons were then used to convert carbon dioxide and water into a range of molecules including ethylene and ethane, hydrocarbons that each contain two carbon atoms. Microscope images of the devices copper nanoflowers.ANDREI, V., ROH, I., LIN, JA. ET AL. / NAT CATAL (2025) These nanoflower structures are tunable and could be adjusted to produce a wide range of molecules, says Andrei: Depending on the nanostructure of the copper catalyst you can get wildly different products. On the other side of the device, the team also developed a more energy-efficient way to source electrons by using light-absorbing silicon nanowires to process glycerol rather than water, which is more commonly used. An added benefit is that the glycerol-based process can produce useful compounds like glycerate, lactate, and acetate, which could be harvested for use in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Scaling up Even though the trial system worked, the advance is only a stepping stone toward creating a commercially viable source of fuel. This research shows this concept can work, says Yanwei Lum, a chemical and biomolecular engineering assistant professor at the National University of Singapore. But, he adds, the performance is still not sufficient for practical applications. Its still not there yet. Andrei says the device needs to be significantly more durable and efficient in order to be adopted for fuel production. But the work is moving in the right direction. We have been making this progress because we looked at more unconventional concepts and state-of-the-art techniques that were not really available, he says. Im quite optimistic that this technology could take off in the next five to 10 years.

2025-03-12T10:06:02Z Read in app The author's kids (not pictured) know they can use her as an excuse to get out of social plans. SolStock/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Once my kids started getting social invites from their friends, I told them they could say no. I also said they can use me as an excuse if they can't say anything else. We talk about the reasons they don't want to do things. When I was in 7th grade, the girl who lived across the street reluctantly invited me to a birthday sleepover because our mothers were friends. We hadn't really spent time together since elementary school, and I didn't want to go, but my mother said it would be rude not to attend. I dreaded that weekend for a month; it was just as awkward and uncomfortable as I imagined.That experience has stuck with me as my kids have started navigating social invitations. One of my sons was recently invited to a friend's house, but he wasn't feeling it. He struggled to say no without upsetting his friend, so we discussed some options. In the end, I gave him an easy out: blame me. Tell his friend we had family plans. His look of relief said it all. And, the next time this friend invited him to do something, he was more than happy to go.My teens know they can use me as an excuseThis isn't the first time I've done this. My teenagers know that they can use me as a scapegoat if they ever need an excuse to get out of an uncomfortable situation or simply to sidestep an awkward social interaction. Maybe they felt pressured to agree to plans they later regretted, or maybe they're unsure about attending an event but don't want to hurt someone's feelings. No matter what, I'm happy to take the blame.I understand the arguments against this kind of parental intervention. Shouldn't kids learn to stand up for themselves? Shouldn't they develop the skills to decline invitations politely but honestly? And yes, in the long run, I want my kids to feel confident in advocating for themselves, whether with teachers, coaches, or friends. But I also recognize that learning to manage social dynamics, especially in adolescence, is tricky. Learning how to say no gracefully takes time, and while they're still developing that skill, I see no harm in offering them a way out of something they're not prepared to handle on their own.I teach my kids to be kindI think most of us have used similar tactics to sidestep an uncomfortable situation regardless of age. At the heart of this is the understanding that not every situation calls for a direct, unfiltered response. We encourage kids to tell the truth but also teach them about kindness and tact. If my son doesn't want to go to a party, does he really need to tell his friend, "I don't want to hang out with you today"? Of course not. As adults, we wouldn't do that either. We'd soften the rejection, offer an alternative, or, yes, sometimes use a little white lie to make things easier.That's not to say I encourage dishonesty across the board. My kids know that honesty is non-negotiable when it comes to things like schoolwork, commitments, and personal responsibility. But social situations are often more nuanced. They require a level of diplomacy that teenagers are still figuring out. I'm all for it if giving them an easy, consequence-free excuse helps them navigate tricky situations with less stress.I want to be their safety netBeyond helping them avoid discomfort, this strategy also gives them an important safety net. They know that if they ever find themselves in a situation that feels wrong whether it's peer pressure or just a bad vibe they can use me as an out. No questions asked. "My mom needs me home" or "My parents won't let me" are built-in escape routes that let them quickly remove themselves from a situation.At the end of the day, I do think that learning to say no is an important life skill. But it's one that develops over time with experience and confidence. I try to keep the lines of communication open so that we can discuss these situations and their reasons for wanting to say no, which helps me better understand what they're dealing with. But until my kids are comfortable navigating those situations on their own, I'll be here, offering them an easy out whenever they need it. And if that means taking the blame for a few declined invitations? I'm more than happy to play the bad guy.

2025-03-12T10:03:27Z Read in app Mukesh Ambani announced a partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX. SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images, Associated Press This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, announced a partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX.Ambani's Jio Platforms will bring Starlink's internet services to India, per the partnership.This deal comes at a welcome time for Musk.India's richest man is joining hands with Elon Musk to bring Starlink into the subcontinent.Mukesh Ambani, the billionaire owner of Indian mega-conglomerate Reliance Industries, announced a partnership with Musk's SpaceX to bring Starlink's internet services to India through its technology subsidiary, Jio Platforms.In a press release on Wednesday, Jio Platforms said that it would offer Starlink services to customers in India through its retail and online storefronts.The partnership would increase access connectivity across the subcontinent, even in "most rural and remote regions of India," the release wrote."Our collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India strengthens our commitment and marks a transformative step toward seamless broadband connectivity for all," Mathew Oommen, the CEO of Reliance Jio, said in the release.Jio Platforms said this agreement will be "subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations to sell Starlink in India."Jio Platforms did not specify when the partnership will be rolled out.If the partnership goes through, it will give Starlink access to the world's largest consumer market. India is the world's most populous country, with more than 1.4 billion people.Reliance Jio had 481.8 million subscribers in the country as of 2024, Reliance Industries said in its 2023-2024 annual report.Representatives for SpaceX and Reliance Industries did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.Musk said he's been running his businesses 'with great difficulty'The deal with Ambani, if confirmed, would be a welcome boost for Musk. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said in an interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, which aired Monday, that running the Department of Government Efficiency along with his companies hasn't been easy."With great difficulty," Musk said when asked how he managed his businesses.Tesla saw a postelection boost after President Donald Trump's victory in November, but the stock has slid by more than 50% from recent highs. Musk's EV company has also seen declining sales in Europe and China.In January, Tesla said it delivered 1.79 million vehicles last year, a 1% drop from the 1.81 million vehicles it delivered in 2023. This was the first time the company's annual sales declined in more than a decade.Musk's clashes with European politicians over the Ukraine war have resulted in increased scrutiny over the market dominance of his satellite internet service, Starlink. Musk initially supported Ukraine but has since called for the US to stop sending it military aid.On Sunday, Poland's foreign minister, Radosaw Sikorski, wrote in an X post that Poland "will be forced to look for other suppliers" of satellite internet services if SpaceX "proves to be an unreliable provider.""To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals," Musk wrote on X on Sunday."We would never do such a thing or use it as a bargaining chip," he added.

Earlier this week, we learned that a senior State Department official called Secretary of State Marco Rubio stupid. The insult was delivered using peculiar phrasing low IQ thats actually quite telling about the nature and ideas of the American right today.The official in question, Darren Beattie, is the acting under secretary of state for public diplomacy a fairly important job. He is also a creature of the internet fever swamps with a history of offensive behavior: He was fired from his speechwriting job in the first Trump administration for giving a talk at a white nationalist conference.On Monday, CNNs KFile went through some deleted tweets from Beatties X account. Among many inflammatory statements the reporters uncovered, one stood out as especially embarrassing a 2021 post where he insulted his now-boss in a number of vivid and explicit ways. On the list: a claim that the current secretary of state was low IQ.For a normal person whose brain has not been poisoned by the internet, low IQ just sounds like an overly complicated way of calling someone stupid. But for those of us familiar with the online world from which Beattie hails, it rang a very specific bell. In those spaces, there is an obsession with the concept of IQ not just intelligence in general, but this particular means of measuring it. This preoccupation, is at its heart, about race: the idea that genetic racial inequalities in everything from income to incarceration are best explained by Black and Latino people having lower IQs than white and Asian people. This racism, recently repackaged as race realism or human biodiversity, was once mostly a province of the fringe right so controversial that Jason Richwine, a researcher at the Heritage Foundation, was forced to resign in 2013 after his history of race-IQ theorizing came to light.But in the Trump era, this kind of thinking has become more mainstream so commonly accepted, in fact, that insults like low IQ are part of the lingua franca of the online right. This is why Trump appointed Richwine to a government post in 2020, and why race-IQ theorists believe theyre winning the war of ideas in Trumps second term.It is an open secret that [the tech right] is aware of race differences. Elon Musk frequently promotes HBD (human-biodiversity) X accounts, writes Nathan Cofnas, a Cambridge philosopher who was sanctioned by his college for his openly racist beliefs last year. Among young (most millennial, virtually all zoomer) intellectuals on the right, race realism isnt controversial.The rights renewed IQ obsession, explainedScientific racism is hardly a new thing, long predating even the infamous eugenics movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. In a 1787 essay, Thomas Jefferson bizarrely argued that Blacks were a distinct race because they secrete less by the kidneys, and more by the glands of the skin.These arguments seek to naturalize social inequality: to point to a social arrangement, be it slavery or the racial wealth gap, and argue that it reflects deep and unchangeable truths about humanity rather than the contingent choices of social actors who create a hierarchy within humanity for their own (nefarious) purposes.A central conceit of the modern race-and-IQ revival is that a right-wing position on race is intellectually indefensible without an appeal to biology. Mainstream conservative arguments blaming racial gaps on welfare or minority culture simply cant survive serious scrutiny; the only intellectually serious right, they argue, is a racist right.All non-racism-based cultural explanations for race differences have fatal problems that most intelligent people immediately recognize, Cofnas writes. If it were true that the races were on average psychologically equal, the best explanation for disparities would be the continued existence, or the legacy, of white racism.To be clear: IQ is a legitimate scientific concept. There is a large body of psychological evidence showing that IQ tests do measure aspects of intelligence, and that people with high IQs are more likely to have higher incomes and succeed in cognitively demanding fields like academia or the law.However, there is no real evidence for a genetically rooted IQ difference between racial groups let alone a genetic gap large enough to explain persistent social inequalities. Whatever IQ gaps do exist between these groups are most likely products of inequality rather than causes of it. We have been having this debate in public for decades now, since at least the publication of Charles Murray and Richard Herrnsteins The Bell Curve in 1994, and the evidence has increasingly pointed away from biological explanations.Yet in the Trump era, this reality hardly serves as a constraint. The modern reject rejects the academic consensus on everything from the science of vaccines to the benefits of free trade. The same arguments about woke academia and liberal bias used to effectively dismiss established medical and economic research are now deployed against the biological and psychological evidence for human equality.The Trump era has also demolished the moral constraints limiting the spread of these ideas.What was once career-ending at even a conservative institution like Heritage Richwines dissertation alleging that Hispanic immigration should be restricted because they were a low-IQ group is now reasonably similar to the rhetoric you hear from the president of the United States. Just last year, for example, Trump argued that immigrants coming across the southern border were likely to become murderers because they had bad genes.The decline of the rights moral guardrails against racism did not just encourage anonymous racist trolling, but also helped acceptance of gussied-up racist thinking among its elite.Id say that maybe half of the smartest conservative and libertarian writers at least suspect that there are genetic racial differences in IQ, or even take it for granted, writes Richard Hanania, an influential tech-right pundit who used to post anonymously on white nationalist websites (a past for which he has apologized).This is not the kind of sentiment youll see in columns by conservatives at the New York Times or the Washington Post. But behind the scenes, in right-wing group chats and salons, a race science renaissance is underway on the right. The use of low IQ as a common insult is merely the visible tip of the iceberg.See More:

As with seemingly everything in the UK, it all comes back to the class system. Verity Amersham, a scholarship student at Miss Mulligatawneys School for Promising Girls, is accused of pushing the hockey captain out of a window, and the schools fearsome headmistress is determined to expel her despite the flimsiest evidence. When Verity protests her innocence, Miss Mulligatawney remains unpersuaded, spelling out her reasoning in plain terms: as a northerner with working-class parents, Verity simply isnt the right sort.The injustice of it all is a potent driver, ensuring I set about my goal of preventing Veritys expulsion with determined zeal, much like Matilda defying the hateful Miss Trunchbull. As in developer Inkles 2021 game Overboard!, youre given a time limit to work within and a handful of areas to move between, from the library to the sick room (AKA the san, where the schools grumpy matron lurks). Each area has characters to talk to and objects to find, and each action moves the clock forward. The game follows a rigid school timetable: at 2pm, for example, all of the students will troop up to the library for Latin.The idea is to work out who will be where and when, and plan your exploration accordingly. You might, say, want to sneak into the san while matron is teaching gym in the grounds, so you can poke around in her locked medicine cabinet. The secrets you uncover will unlock new lines of conversation, which in turn unlock further secrets and more avenues of exploration, all with the eventual aim of preventing Veritys unjust expulsion.The injustice of it all is a potent driver Expelled! Photograph: InkleYou wont be able to achieve that on your first try, though. This game is designed to be played multiple times, each half-hour run improving your understanding of characters motivations and what exactly has been going on at this strange school. I wont spoil it here, but the plot goes to some delightfully unexpected places, and the 1922 setting offers an excuse to riff on the effects of empire, the first world war, and of course the class system. And that system really is rigged against Verity, who quickly discovers that the only way to fight back is to get nasty.Cheeky or venomous retorts will unlock further dialogue, and if you want to help Verity not only to avoid expulsion but also to succeed at becoming head girl, you will see her stoop to lying, stealing and blackmail. We also get the sense that Verity might be a somewhat unreliable narrator; the story subtly changes in each telling, as she relates it to her father.This helps to shake things up a little, but inevitably the structure of the game results in some repetition as you perform many of the same actions each day. It requires a little patience, then, as well as some mental agility, to hold all of the avenues of investigation in your head: some kind of in-game notebook to keep track of it all would have been welcome. But its worth persevering to uncover all of the schools intimate secrets, as well as to enjoy more of narrative director Jon Ingolds excellent writing.It will only take a couple of evenings to reach the games corker of an ending, and Veritys arc is supremely satisfying, as she goes from put-upon victim to master manipulator. Here, the public-school system serves mainly as a way to ingrain inequality, normalise bullying and encourage ruthlessness, and the only way to succeed is to beat the bastards at their own game. When the system is so rotten, what choice do you have?Expelled! is out on 12 March

Theres a lot going on with video games and generative AI right now. Microsoft and Google have each created models that can dream up virtual worlds, with significant limitations. And people have been using Grok, the gen-AI chatbot from Elon Musks xAI, to make rudimentary clones of old arcade games.All you have to do is type write me Pong and AI (sort of) does the rest, albeit quite badly. On Feb 21, xAI employee Taylor Silveira claimed to have created an accurate version of 1980 coin-op Pac-ManThe takeaway is that AI can apparently write simple video games in seconds, so long as you have a good command of the software. But is that really true? How good are these Pac-Man clones, and how do you make one? Can anyone do it? Could I do it? I decided to randomly approach some people on X who had posted their own Grok Pac-Man clones to ask how they did it, and I then had a stab at it myself.Attempt oneJohn Hesters Pac-Man. Illustration: AI-generatedAuthor: John Hester, @HesterJohnTime spent: two hoursFirst up, welcome retired corporate software developer John Hester from California. Perhaps Hester can help explain why people are gushing over Grok. Grok is a large language model (LLM) that competes with other language models like ChatGPT or Llama, he says over Zoom. Grok 3 is the most advanced because its learning new things on a daily basis.So, is it as easy as typing: Hello, Grok. Please write me Pac-Man? (Manners are important. My mum still says please and thank you to Alexa.) Almost, says Hester. I asked: Can you create [a version of] Pac-Man that I can play on a Windows desktop? I didnt give much more detail. It chose to write it in [coding language] Python I got a pretty good approximation in seconds. It knew Pac-Man was yellow, a ghost was red, and the maze was blue, but my Pac-Man was square. I had to say: Make Pac-Man round with its mouth open. Get the ghosts to actually chase Pac-Man. I need to add more ghosts, the power pills, more levels. From my experience as a software developer where I was using AI to write half of my code Im extremely impressed with Grok. Id give myself three out of five.I dont know if youve heard, but now Musk has announced hes starting his own gaming company using Grok to develop games, says Hester. Isnt computers writing code how Terminator starts? The main worry with the AI doomers is once machines are able to improve themselves, humans are out of the loop. Im sufficiently concerned, but also cautiously optimistic that AI is not going to kill us all.Score: 3 starsAttempt twoSuperTruckers Pac-Man. Illustration: AI-generatedAuthor: Justin Martin AKA SuperTrucker, @supertruckerTime spent: One hourI wanted to make a game for my four-year-old son, says 41-year-old ex-truck driver SuperTrucker, from New Jersey. I took programming in high school, but Im not a coder. It was surprisingly easy. My first attempt, Pac-Man was a dot, there were no pellets, the warp tunnels didnt work, and the ghosts wouldnt move until you were in their line of sight, but then came screaming at you. You cant ask open-ended questions like: make Cyan a hunter and Red a scavenger. You have to be specific. Sorting out the bugs was frustrating. After an hour, I decided to make Tetris instead. Grok is great at making Tetris.When I was behind the wheel, there was a massive push to recruit. There was a skill bar, and everyone has to be able to drive to a particular safety level. So they made the trucks easier to drive. Now the pool of truck drivers has gone through the roof and wages are down. I see the same thing happening with AI.Score: 3 starsAttempt three8 Bits Pac-Man. Illustration: AI-generatedAuthor: Jimmy AKA 8 Bit, @0rdlibraryTime spent: 15 minutesI found an image of the original Pac-Man and dragged it in. Its pretty freaking awesome how quickly it broke it down, says 8 Bit, who also lives in New Jersey. (Ive no idea why all these AI-assisted Pac-Man cloners live in New Jersey, so I ask Grok: Theres no evidence that people who use Grok are concentrated in New Jersey, it answers, uselessly.) The sound and maze could be more accurate, but its got an actual server for high scores. Id give it four out of five, says 8 Bit.Score: 3 starsAttempt fourOxLnks Pac-Man. Illustration: AI-generatedAuthor: Stiven AKA OxLnk, @LnkWeb3Time spent: Five minutesI wanted to see what Grok could do, says 32-year-old OxLnk over Zoom, who is from Estonia and works in HR but dabbles in AI and crypto in his spare time. I asked it to write me Pac-Man. It was so fast Im very impressed. However, Im not sure hes got the colours, maze, ghosts or even Pac-Man right, even if it was only a five-minute jobbie.Score: 1 starskip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionAttempt fiveZasts Pac-Man. Illustration: AI-generatedAuthor: Stephane AKA Zast, @zast57Time spent: 30 minutesI loved Pac-Man when I was young, says Zast from France over DM. I found it very easy, but I had to correct the controls and increase the intelligence of the ghosts. When you ask for modifications, it often adds a few bugs, which is annoying. Im impressed by Grok 3. In the time its taken to answer you, Ive used it to create a version of Arkanoid. Its that easy.Score: 3 starsAttempt sixPhreakops Pac-Man. Illustration: AI-generatedAuthor: Matt AKA Phreakops @phreakopsTime spent: 10 minsSo far, most of these games do look like Pac-Man. But what of the crapper efforts? Over to Phreakops, from somewhere in the UK, who has summed up the mood of the entire country in one Pac-Man clone. Id noticed Musks engagement accounts gushing over their creations Asteroids etc and gave it a go, he says over DM. Pac-Man didnt feel a big ask for something as hyped as Grok 3. The results were a lot worse than I expected. I wont be a game developer anytime soon!Score: 1 starAttempt sevenlackthornes Pac-Man. Illustration: AI-generatedAuthor: lackthorne, @BtcBlackthorneTime spent: UnknownI knew that randomly approaching people on X would backfire sooner or later. All it takes is a two- or three-sentence prompt. But it was kind of a failure, as Grok couldnt be bothered to place the Pac-Man in a non-wall area, says lackthorne over DM. Unfortunately, my invitation to chat further over Zoom apparently means Im after his crypto. [Expletive] you, scammer, he says. I ask if it would help if I sent over my Guardian credentials. How about [Expletive] you? comes the reply. Shame, as this is definitely the best Pac-Man clone yet everything from the ghosts eyes and the extra lives to the maze makes it a five-star attempt. But after such an unsavoury exchange, I feel compelled to knock it down to three.Score: 3 starsAttempt eightRich Pelleys Pac-Man.Author:@richpelleyTime spent: All afternoonHaving dished out the criticism, its only fair to have at go at it myself. Ill assume you want an accurate version of Pac-Man based on the classic arcade game complete with a proper maze, four ghosts with distinct behaviours, power pellets, and smoother gameplay? says Grok. Yes, please. Unfortunately, the next steps are beyond me. I was hoping a pixel-perfect version of Pac-Man would somehow pop up on my screen. Instead, I need to open the Terminal to install XCode and then use Pip to install PyGame and I think I need some fresh air, so decide to dress up as Blinky and run around the maze at my local park instead.Score: 0 stars

Will Skate succeed as a live service game? (EA)A closed alpha test for EAs Skate has raised alarm bells ahead of its early access launch this year.Fans of skateboarding games look set to be served well this year, with Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4, Skate Story, and EAs Skate reboot all due to launch in 2025.The biggest question mark hangs over the latter, which was announced five years ago and is switching to a free-to-play format for the first time. While it is called Skate, the next entry is technically the fourth mainline instalment in the series, and the first in 15 years since Skate 3.In an age when live service games come and go within months, theres naturally some trepidation around Skate going free-to-play something which has only been heightened by the presence of microtransactions in the ongoing closed alpha test.In an email sent to players who signed up to the alpha, which has been shared on Reddit, EA announced an epic gameplay update which includes new items and features, including the option to purchase and use in-game currency known as San Van Bucks.We want to provide [a] positive experience when purchasing items from the Skate store, reads the email. To ensure we achieve these goals at early access we have enabled the option to purchase and use virtual currency in our ongoing closed alpha playtest.Your feedback will be greatly appreciated in providing a great experience at early access launch.EA states any purchases made during the alpha period will be converted back to San Van Bucks of an equivalent value which will be available in your account at the early access launch, which is slated to begin at some point in 2025.More TrendingTo make sure this happens though, you have to use the same EA account for both playtesting and early access.While free-to-play games inevitably require microtransactions to keep the lights on, its unusual for them to be activated in alpha tests. If they are, typically developers will give players a certain amount of currency for free to test the in-game shop, so they can get feedback that way.EA is technically giving back any money spent on microtransactions during the alpha via in-game currency, when it launches in early access, but it still feels gross to lock in financial investment from players before it has even come out especially as its not even in early access yet.Skate is set to launch in early access this year across consoles, PC, and mobile, but EA has yet to announce a specific date. In the meantime, the remake of Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 will launch on July 11, 2025. Skate is set to launch this year in early access (EA)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy