Qualcomm warns OEMs now need to apply the fix in their devices.

Qualcomm warns OEMs now need to apply the fix in their devices.

AX Gaming has introduced its X3W Max lineup of GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards, which feature a custom L-shaped 16-pin power cable and hidden connector design.

The USB-C port on today’s laptops can connect to accessories, transmit power to your PC, and even support an extra display. The only problem? Not every USB-C port will necessarily support data, power, or an additional display. Microsoft is trying to change that by enforcing new standards for PC vendors. In a blog post, the company revealed that many users have been encountering USB-C inconsistency issues in laptops built with USB4, the latest version of the interface.  “Windows Diagnostics Data shows that 27% of PCs with USB4 have encountered a limited functionality notification, meaning that a customer plugged a USB-C device in, but a feature (alternate mode) that device needs was not implemented on the PC and Windows notified the user,” wrote Ugan Sivagnanenthirarajah, a technical product manager at Microsoft. That’s a problem, especially if the consumer expects that a USB-C port will support everything, including charging, data, and displays. Sivagnanenthirarajah mentions a case where the user plugged in an external display into a laptop’s USB-C port only to wonder why it didn’t work. “PC manufacturers can implement ports that look identical but differ wildly in functionality,” he added. “One may charge your laptop and run a 4K display; another might only deliver USB 2.0 data speeds. The USB specification allows this, and without clear enforcement, the consumer experiences frustration, guesswork, and endless troubleshooting.”  Recommended by Our EditorsIn response, Microsoft is implementing a “minimum bar for USB-C port capabilities on PCs,” that’ll require them to support data, power charging, and a display through each connection. The company will enforce the requirement through Microsoft’s “Windows Hardware Compatibility Program,” which PC vendors can use to certify that their products have been designed to run the Windows OS. (Credit: Microsoft)The goal is to turn optional features into mandatory ones, and “ensure a consistent level of performance you can count on,” Sivagnanenthirarajah said. “Your favorite USB 1, USB 2, and USB 3 peripherals, chargers, and displays will work exactly as advertised on any USB-C port on your WHCP-certified Windows 11 device,” he added.  Specifically, a USB-C port must offer USB Power Delivery charging and DisplayPort Alt-Mode. That said, the requirements permit each USB-C ports to differ in their data transfer speeds and display resolution support. In addition, Microsoft is enforcing a requirement for laptops that advertise USB4 40Gbps or 80Gbps ports. The same laptops “must “sustain full speed 40Gbps links on all USB-C ports,” the company says. The ports also need to offer full Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, support for up to two 4K monitors at 60Hz and feature “PCI Express tunnelling that allows external GPUs and NVMe enclosures to work seamlessly.”Still, the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program is both voluntary and not widely known among consumers. So it's unclear if PC vendors will commit to the requirements. Still, Microsoft’s blog post notes: “PC manufacturers are on track to achieve WHCP compliance across most systems in the coming years.”

Finding your own path is at the core of gameplay in Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen – players can go anywhere, climb anything, forge new routes, and follow their curiosity to find adventure. It’s not that different from how its creators, Visionary Realms, approaches building this MMORPG – they’re doing it their own way.Transporting players to the fantasy world of Terminus, Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen harkens back to classic MMOs, where accidental discovery wandering through an open world and social interactions with other players are at the heart of the game experience.Creating any multiplayer game is a challenge – but a highly social online game at this scale is an epic quest. We sat down with lead programmer Kyle Olsen about how the team is using Unity to connect players in this MMORPG fantasy world.So what makes Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen unique compared to other MMO games?It’s definitely the social aspect. You have to experience the world and move through it naturally. It can be a bit more of a grind in a way, but it I think connects you more to your character, to the game, and the world instead of just sort of teleporting everywhere and joining LFG systems or just being placed in a dungeon. You learn the land a bit better, you have to navigate and you use your eyes more than just bouncing around like a pinball from objective to objective, following quest markers and stuff. It’s more of a thought game.How are you managing synchronization between the player experience and specific world instances?We have our own network library we built for the socket transport layer called ViNL. That’s the bread and butter for all of the zone communications, between zones and player to zone. SQL server in the back end, kind of standard stuff there. But most of the transports are handled by our own network library.How do you approach asset loading for this giant world?We’ve got a step where we bake our continents out into these tiles, and we’ve got different backends that we can plug into that. We’ve got one that just outputs standard Prefabs, and we’ve got one that outputs subscenes that we were using before Unity 6, and then we’ve got actual full-on Unity scenes that you can load additively, so you can choose how you want to output your content. Before Unity 6, we had moved away from Prefabs and started loading the DOTS subscenes and using that, built on BRG.We also have an output that can render directly to our own custom batch render group as well, just using scriptable objects and managing our own data. So we’ve been able to experiment and test out the different ones, and see what yields the best client performance. Prior to Unity 6, we were outputting and rendering the entire continent with subscenes, but with Unity 6 we actually switched back to using Prefabs with Instantiate Async and Addressables to manage everything.We’re using the Resident Drawer and GPU occlusion culling, which ended up yielding even better performance than subscenes and our own batch render group – I’m assuming because GPU occlusion culling just isn’t supported by some of the other render paths at the moment. So we’ve bounced around quite a bit, and we landed on Addressables for managing all the memory and asset loading, and regular Instantiate Prefabs with the GPU Resident Drawer seems to be the best client-side performance at the moment.Did you upgrade to Unity 6 to take advantage of the GPU Resident Drawer, specifically?Actually, I really wanted it for the occlusion culling. I wasn’t aware that only certain render paths made use of the occlusion culling, so we were attempting to use it with the same subscene rendering that we were using prior to Unity 6 and realizing nothing’s actually being culled. So we opted to switch back to the Prefab output to see what that looked like with the Resident Drawer, and occlusion culling and FPS went up.We had some issues initially, because Instantiate Async wasn’t in before Unity 6, so we had some stalls when we would instantiate our tiles. There were quite a few things being instantiated, but switching that over to Instantiate Async after we fixed a couple of bugs we got rid of the stall on load and the overall frame rate was higher after load, so it was just a win-win.Were there any really remarkable productivity gains that came with the switch to Unity 6?Everything I've talked about so far was client-facing, so our players experienced those wins. For the developer side of things, the stability and performance of the Editor went up quite a bit. The Editor stability in Unity 6 has gone up pretty substantially – it’s very rare to actually crash now. That alone has been, at least for the coding side, a huge win. It feels more stable in its entirety for sure.How do you handle making changes and updates without breaking everything?We build with Addressables using the labels very heavily, and we do the Addressable packaging by labels. So if we edit a specific zone or an asset in a zone, or like a VFX that’s associated with a spell or something like that, only those bundles that touch that label get updated at all.And then, our own content delivery system, we have the game available on Steam and our own patcher, and those both handle the delta changes, where we’re just delivering small updates through those Addressable bundles. The netcode requires the same version to be connected in the first place, so the network library side of that is automatically handled in the handshake process.What guidance would you give someone who’s trying to tackle an MMO game or another ambitious multiplayer project?You kind of start small, I guess. It's a step-by-step process. If you’re a small team, you You start small. It's a step-by-step process. If you’re a small team, you can’t bite off too much. It’d be completely overwhelming – but that holds true with any larger-scale game, not just an MMO. Probably technology selection – making smart choices upfront and sticking to them. It’s going to be a lot of middleware and backend tech that you’re going to have to wrangle and get working well together, and swapping to the newest cool thing all the time is not going to bode well.What’s the most exciting technical achievement for your team with this game?I think that there aren’t many open world MMOs, period, that have been pulled off in Unity. We don’t have a huge team, and we're making a game that is genuinely massive, so we have to focus on little isolated areas, develop them as best we can, and then move on and get feedback.The whole package together is fairly new grounds – when there is an MMO, it needs to feel like an MMO in spirit, with lots of people all around, doing their own thing. And we’ve pulled that off – I think better than pretty much any Unity MMO ever has. I think we can pat ourselves on the back for that.Get more insights from developers on Unity’s Resources page and here on the blog. Check out Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen in Early Access on Steam.

Key Takeaways Dell and Nvidia will together provide architecture for the next set of supercomputers, named Doudna, for the US Department of Energy. Dell will focus more on sustainable hardware and cooling systems, while Nvidia will provide its AI architecture, including the Vera Rubin AI chips. The US Department of Energy wants to focus more on the sustainable development of AI, hence the choice of environment-conscious companies. The US Department of Energy said that Dell’s next batch of supercomputers will be delivered with Nvidia’s ‘Vera Rubin’ AI chips, marking the beginning of a new era of AI dominance in research. The said systems are expected to be 10x faster than the current batch of supercomputers, which HP provided. The supercomputer will be named ‘Doudna,’ after Jennifer Doudna, a Nobel Prize winner who made key contributions in CRISPR gene-editing. Supercomputers have been instrumental in key scientific discoveries in the last few decades and also played a big role in the design and maintenance of the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. And now, with the introduction of artificial intelligence, we’re heading towards a new decade of faster and more efficient scientific research. It (supercomputers) is the foundation of scientific discovery for our country. It is also a foundation for economic and technological leadership. And with that, national security – Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang Dell Going All in on AI This isn’t the first time Dell and Nvidia have come together to develop newer AI solutions. Back in March 2024, Dell announced the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA, an end-to-end enterprise AI solution designed for businesses.  This joint venture used Dell’s infrastructure, such as servers, storage, and networking, combined with NVIDIA’s AI architecture and technologies such as GPUs, DPUs, and AI software. Image Credit – Dell For instance, the Dell PowerEdge server uses NVIDIA’s full AI stack to provide enterprises with solutions required for a wide range of AI applications, including speech recognition, cybersecurity, recommendation systems, and language-based services. The demand for Dell’s AI servers has also increased, reaching $12.1B in the first quarter of 2025, with a total backlog of $14.4B, which suggests a strong future demand and order book. The company has set a bold profit forecast between $28.5B and $29.5B, as against the analysts’ prediction of $ 25.05 B. With Doudna, Dell is well-positioned to lead the next generation of supercomputers in AI research, invention, and discoveries. Focus on Energy Efficiency Seagate has warned about the unprecedented increase in demand for AI data storage in the coming few years, which is a significant challenge to the sustainability of AI data centers. Global data volume is expected to increase threefold by 2028.  Image Credit – DIGITIMES Asian The data storage industry currently produces only 1-2 zettabytes (1 zettabyte equals 1 trillion gigabytes) of storage annually, which is much lower than what would be required in the next 4-5 years. At the same time, Goldman Sachs predicts that power requirements will also go up by 165% by 2030 due to increasing demand for AI data centers. This calls for a more sustainable approach for the supercomputing industry as well.  Dell will use its proprietary technologies, such as Direct Liquid Cooling, the PowerCool eRDHx, and Smart Flow design in the Doudna, ensuring energy efficiency. Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) increased computing density by supporting more cores per rack, which reduces cooling costs by as much as 45%. Dell’s PowerCool eRDHx is a self-contained airflow design that can capture 100% of the heat generated by IT systems. This reduces the dependency on expensive chillers, as eRDHx can work in usual temperatures of 32 and 36 degrees Celsius, leading to 60% savings in cooling energy costs. Lastly, the Dell Smart Flow design improves airflow within IT components and reduces the fan power by 52%. This leads to better performance with fewer cooling requirements. Besides this, Dell plans to incorporate Leak Sense Technology. If a coolant leak occurs, the system’s leak sensor will log an alert in the iDRAC system so that swift action can be taken. As per a report titled ‘Energy and AI’ by the IEA, the data center electricity demand will increase to 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030. For comparison, this is more than the total electricity consumption of Japan today. The US alone will consume more electricity in 2030 for processing data than for manufacturing all energy-intensive goods combined, including aluminum, steel, cement, and chemicals. Therefore, the need to develop sustainable AI data centers and supercomputers cannot be highlighted enough. Dell’s technology-focused, sustainable approach can be a pivotal point in how efficiently we use AI in the next decade. The US Department of Energy’s choice of Dell also seems to be a conscious move to shift towards companies that give importance to sustainability and can vouch for the long-term viability of research-intensive AI setups. Krishi is a seasoned tech journalist with over four years of experience writing about PC hardware, consumer technology, and artificial intelligence.  Clarity and accessibility are at the core of Krishi’s writing style. He believes technology writing should empower readers—not confuse them—and he’s committed to ensuring his content is always easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Over the years, Krishi has contributed to some of the most reputable names in the industry, including Techopedia, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide. A man of many talents, Krishi has also proven his mettle as a crypto writer, tackling complex topics with both ease and zeal. His work spans various formats—from in-depth explainers and news coverage to feature pieces and buying guides.  Behind the scenes, Krishi operates from a dual-monitor setup (including a 29-inch LG UltraWide) that’s always buzzing with news feeds, technical documentation, and research notes, as well as the occasional gaming sessions that keep him fresh.  Krishi thrives on staying current, always ready to dive into the latest announcements, industry shifts, and their far-reaching impacts.  When he's not deep into research on the latest PC hardware news, Krishi would love to chat with you about day trading and the financial markets—oh! And cricket, as well. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial process The Tech Report editorial policy is centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written by real authors.

There's a new GPU champion in town.

Buying a new GPU should be the last resort

Qualcomm has released security patches for three zero-day vulnerabilities in the Adreno Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) driver that impact dozens of chipsets and are actively exploited in targeted attacks. [...]

It’s hard to believe it’s already June, but here we are—only a few weeks away from the official start to summer. That means plenty of deals are available on outdoor essentials to get you through the long days ahead, including grill accessories, power stations, tool kits, and lawn mowers. Maybe you'd rather hang out indoors to escape the heat? Well, controllers, PS5 games, and even Apple’s latest MacBook Air are all discounted today. With Father’s Day coming up, many of these items also make great gifts for the father figures in your life. TL;DR: Deals for Today2025 MacBook Air (13-inch, M4)The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PS5SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming ControllerLowest Price EverAnker USB-C Charger (Nano 65W)Lowest Price EverJBL Bar 700Fremo TP300 Portable Power StationLowest Price EverCraftsman VERSASTACK Mechanics Tool SetThe Last of Us Part I for PS5Lowest Price of the YearPlayStation DualSenseJLab Talk Pro USB MicCuisinart 13-Piece Wooden Grill Tool SetFive Nights at Freddy's: Tales from the Pizzaplex Graphic Novel Collection Vol. 1Lowest Price EverEGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower KitLowest Price EverCharmast Portable Charger with Built in CablesBeyond these great deals, the Pokémon Destined Rivals TCG just dropped on Friday, leading a bunch of chase cards to crash. While some cards have regained value over the past couple of days, pre-order remorse is still alive and well. But whether you want to grab just a single card or a sealed pack, now might be a good time to buy. A pre-order for the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy bundle is also available at Walmart before the launch in a couple of weeks. 2025 MacBook Air (13-inch, M4)2025 MacBook Air (13-inch, M4)Apple’s newest MacBook Air model, which came out only a couple of months ago, already has $160 slashed off its list price, making it under $840. With it comes a powerful M4 processor offering a 10-core CPU and GPU paired with 16GB RAM for a performance boost from previous models. This laptop can zip through everyday tasks and supports Apple Intelligence. Of course, the 13-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, but this Air model supports a dual monitor setup as well. The camera also got an upgrade this time around, as it’s now 12MP and supports Center Stage and Desk View features. SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming ControllerSteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming ControllerWhile the SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming Controller was already a great budget option at its starting price of $50, the $15 price tag after using the code: STEELSERIES makes it a wildly cheap gamepad. Sure, this controller won’t offer the flash and customizations of higher-end offerings, but it gets the job done with Hall Effect triggers, quality hardware, a 20+ hour battery life, and ergonomic design. Pairing with a PC is simple using the lag-free wireless dongle, and Bluetooth support is available for playing on the best gaming phones. The Last of Us Part I and II for PS5The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PS5The Last of Us Part I for PS5PlayStation’s Days of Play sale isn’t only happening at the PlayStation Store; plenty of other retailers, including Amazon, are getting in on the action by dropping the prices of a bunch of PlayStation products. The Last of Us Part I and Part II for PS5 are both down to the low, low price of just $30. So, get ready to join Joel and Ellie on a harrowing journey across the post-apocalyptic United States. Anker USB-C Charger (Nano 65W)Lowest Price EverAnker USB-C Charger (Nano 65W)Skip the hassle of having multiple charging bricks to top up devices and opt for this all-in-one solution from Anker instead. It’s an absolute steal right now at just $30, for 46% savings. It comes with two USB-C ports capable of charging speeds up to 65W, which is plenty to charge most laptops and tablets quickly, while a USB-A port is available with up to 22.5W power delivery. Just be prepared for those outputs to lower when charging three devices simultaneously. JBL Bar 700Lowest Price EverJBL Bar 700Kick your home theater setup up a notch with a new sound bar. JBL’s Bar 700 is back on sale for its lowest price ever, knocking $350 off the price tag. This audio system features a 5.1-channel soundbar and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer for a cinematic experience delivering next-level sound with booming bass. With Dolby Atmos support, you’ll be placed right in the center of the action of your favorite movies, shows, and games. The built-in Wi-Fi with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast support also makes listening to your favorite music simple. Fremo TP300 Portable Power StationFremo TP300 Portable Power StationSummertime brings storms that can knock out power, and in case of emergencies, backup electricity is a must. Rather than grabbing a gas-guzzling generator, a portable power station that uses a lithium-ion battery is a simpler and safer solution for temporary outages. Fremo has an awesome power station that’s $120 off, costing just $150. It offers a 231 Wh capacity battery and five output ports for charging, including a USB-C, USB-A, AC, and car port. 300W of charging power is divided between those outputs, providing enough juice to top up phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. It only weighs 6.2 pounds too, making it a portable option for camping trips, while the built-in flashlight ensures easier navigation of darker spaces. Craftsman VERSASTACK Mechanics Tool SetLowest Price EverCraftsman VERSASTACK Mechanics Tool SetLooking to grab a gift for the car lover in your life? The Craftsman VERSASTACK Mechanics Tool Set is down to its lowest price ever, costing just $99 for 50% savings. Not only do you get a massive 230-piece tool set full of all the sockets, wrenches, ratchets, and bits needed to fix up a vehicle, but you can also enjoy the peace of mind knowing you’ll enjoy the high-quality craftsmanship for years to come. It also comes with a durable 3-drawer box to keep things organized. PlayStation DualSense ControllerLowest Price of the YearPlayStation DualSenseThe controller that comes packaged with the PlayStation 5 is at its lowest price of the year, setting you back under $55 for 27% savings. This wireless gamepad is comfortable to use, compatible with a range of gaming devices, and full of reliable controls. Haptics and adaptive triggers are baked in, amplifying your playing experience further. Plus, you can remap buttons, customizing the controls to give you a leg up in certain games. JLab Talk Pro USB MicJLab Talk Pro USB MicKick your game streams up a notch, as the JLab Talk Pro USB Mic is on sale for over 77% off on Woot, making it just $34.99. This plug-and-play microphone is easy to set up and features four directional patterns. Whether you’re looking to record podcasts and music or take phone calls and do ASMR, it’ll be the perfect partner. Sound quality will even be optimized for whatever you’re recording, and the mic features volume and gain controls, ensuring you come across crystal clear. Cuisinart 13-Piece Wooden Grill Tool SetCuisinart 13-Piece Wooden Grill Tool SetSummer means it’s grilling season, so it’s always a good idea to have a grill tool set on hand. Right now, Cuisinart has a great deal on a high-quality set for just $23.99. The reputable brand includes all the barbecue essentials in the kit, like a spatula, grill fork, cleaning brush, and tongs. Each of the tools features a sturdy wooden handle and stainless steel for a premium look and feel, while a case is included for safe storage. If you’re on the hunt for a Father’s Day gift, it also makes a great gift for those hard-to-buy-for dads and father figures. Five Nights at Freddy's: Tales from the Pizzaplex Graphic Novel Collection Vol. 1Five Nights at Freddy's: Tales from the Pizzaplex Graphic Novel Collection Vol. 1If you’re a fan of the horror video game, Five Nights at Freddy’s, a new graphic novel series from the creator, Scott Cawthon, is already discounted to the low price of just $8.90. This volume brings some horrifying and detailed comics to the story from the bestselling series Five Nights at Freddy's: Tales from the Pizzaplex, featuring the under-construction section of Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizzaplex, a Tube Maze, and some chaos. EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower KitLowest Price EverEGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower KitIt’s lawn mowing season, and battery-powered lawn mowers are beginning to take the reign from their gas-powered counterparts. You might think that these electric mowers offer less oomph, but the EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit will prove you wrong. It’s self-propelled, has a multicut blade system, and runs for 60 minutes on a single charge. A second battery is even included, so you can keep mowing while the other battery charges. Right now, you can grab this kit for its lowest price ever, $599.99. That’s 43% off. Charmast Portable Charger with Built in CablesLowest Price EverCharmast Portable Charger with Built in CablesPortable chargers are great and all, but if you forget the right cord, they’re pretty useless. Charmast fixes this problem by offering a 10,000mAh power bank with USB-C, Lightning, and MicroUSB cables built in, so it’s ready to top off just about any device. Plus, there’s a USB-A cord for charging up the power bank. Each of the cables also has a slot for storage on the portable charger, preventing anything from getting snagged when on the go. Now is the time to buy, too, as it’s back to its lowest price, costing just under $20. Pokémon Destined Rivals Sealed Products and Single CardsDestined RivalsBooster BundleDestined RivalsBooster BoxDestined RivalsElite Trainer BoxDestined RivalsPokemon Center Elite Trainer Box (Exclusive)Destined RivalsHalf Booster Box$199.99 at TCG PlayerDestined RivalsBooster PackDestined RivalsSleeved Booster PackDestined Rivals3 Pack Blister [Zebstrika]See it at TCG PlayerDestined Rivals3 Pack Blister [Kangaskhan]Destined RivalsBuild & Battle BoxAfter the best market value on Pokémon Destined Rivals sealed products? Some great deals are available from TCG Player, as big box stores continue to hike up the prices. Cynthia's Roserade - 184/182Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 229/182Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 231/182Team Rocket's Murkrow - 200/182Shaymin - 185/182Ethan's Ho-Oh ex - 230/182Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 234/182Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 240/182Ethan's Adventure - 236/182Misty's Psyduck - 193/182Misty's Lapras - 194/182Team Rocket's Giovanni - 238/182Team Rocket's Meowth - 203/182Rotom - 197/182Ethan's Typhlosion - 190/182Hydrapple - 188/182Blaziken - 192/182Rapidash - 189/182Kangaskhan - 204/182Jamming Tower - 243/182Clamperl - 195/182Team Rocket's Houndoom - 191/182Cynthia's Garchomp ex - 241/182Levincia - 244/182Cynthia's Garchomp ex - 232/182Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 233/182Team Rocket's Ariana - 237/182Crustle - 186/182Yanma - 183/182Arven's Mabosstiff ex - 235/182Team Rocket's Raticate - 202/182Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 242/182Team Rocket's Orbeetle - 198/182Team Rocket's Spidops - 187/182Arven's Greedent - 205/182Team Rocket's Weezing - 199/182Ethan's Ho-Oh ex - 239/182