ASML says it has boosted the light source power in its EUV lithography systems to 1,000 watts, up from roughly 600 W today. According to a Reuters report, the company claims the increase could enable up to 50% more chip output by the end of the decade. More source power translates directly into higher throughput. ASML says customers could process around 330 wafers per hour by 2030, compared to about 220 wafers per hour today, lowering the cost per chip. EUV light at a 13.5 nm wavelength is generated by firing a CO₂ laser at microscopic droplets of molten tin, creating plasma that emits EUV radiation. The light is then collected and directed through precision optics supplied by Carl Zeiss AG. To reach 1,000 W, ASML doubled the droplet rate to roughly 100,000 per second and shifted to a two-pulse laser shaping approach instead of a single pulse. The company says there is a path toward 1,500 W and potentially even 2,000 W over time.

ASML is the only supplier of commercial EUV scanners, used by major chipmakers including TSMC, SK Hynix, and Intel. The tools are considered critical to advanced node production and have been subject to export restrictions to China. The move is aimed at maintaining ASML's lead as U.S. companies, such as Pat Gelsinger's xLight EUV startup and Chinese efforts to develop competing lithography systems continue to ramp. Chinese companies have reportedly been sourcing parts from older ASML machines through secondary markets. Huawei is leading the charge, working to build a homegrown AI supply chain as a way around foreign tech restrictions. The company set up a large semiconductor manufacturing facility in Guanlan focused on 7 nm chips for its own processors. The Chinese government had initially aimed to have a working prototype from this effort by 2028.

The AMD VEK385 Evaluation Kit provides a fast, feature-rich, and scalable path to evaluating AMD Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 XC2VE3858 devices. With heterogeneous compute, high-performance I/O, comprehensive memory bandwidth, ready-to-run workloads, and robust bring-up tools, engineers can quickly assess system performance and accelerate the path from prototype to production.

Designed for Embedded AI, Control, and Vision Workloads
The VEK385 Evaluation Kit enables engineers to evaluate embedded AI, vision, and control systems through multiple, industry-standard interfaces:

• HDMI RX/TX and USB3/DP for 4K/8K vision pipelines
• PCIe x8 edge connector for Gen 5 x4 and Gen 3/4 x8 support
• QSFP28 and SFP28 connectors for 25-100 Gb/s high-speed Ethernet applications
• FMC+ for I/O expansion
• CAN-FD with PL/PS Ethernet for deterministic robotics and industrial control

Akasa, a leading provider of thermal solutions, introduced the Euler CMX, a compact, aluminium, fanless case designed for Mini-ITX motherboards. The Euler CMX supports Intel Core (8th-14th Gen) and Core Ultra (15th Gen) processors up to 35 W TDP and integrates a 220 W DC-to-DC power converter, delivering reliable performance in space-constrained environments while ensuring long-term durability for industrial automation, point-of-sale (POS), kiosk, digital signage, surveillance or other commercial systems.

This case is compatible with Mini-ITX motherboards with Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200 or LGA115X sockets, supporting Intel Core (8th-14th Gen) and Core Ultra (15th Gen) processors up to 35 W TDP.

Luckfox, a small Chinese company mostly known for its development boards and kits, expanded its portfolio with two new 16-inch 4K (3840 × 2400) and 2K (2560 × 1600) portable touch monitors. The 4K model uses an IPS panel with a pixel pitch of 0.0897 mm, 120 Hz refresh rate, and HDR support. Brightness is rated at 350 cd/m² while the 178° viewing angles are typical for a standard IPS panel. The display uses optical bonding and supports 10-point capacitive touch through a toughened glass surface. Connectivity includes Mini HDMI and USB Type-C for display input, plus a USB touch interface. A 3.5 mm audio jack and built-in Hi-fi speakers are also present. The enclosure is CNC-machined, and the monitor supports VESA 75 mm mounting. It ships with a detachable magnetic protective case that doubles as a stand with two viewing angles. The 4K model is priced at $319.99.

Luckfox also offers a more affordable 2K variant that keeps the IPS panel, HDR support, optical bonding, and 10-point touch, but increases the refresh rate to 165 Hz. It comes with the same magnetic case and multi-device compatibility, including support for full-featured USB-C PCs and smartphones, as well as boards such as Raspberry Pi and Jetson. Worth mentioning that both monitors are powered via USB-C with support for 20 W PD. The 2K version is listed at $189.99.

JAPANNEXT has expanded its portfolio with a new 31.5-inch monitor, named the JN-IPS326K-HSPC9 featuring 6K (6016 × 3384) resolution. The IPS panel with its 60 Hz, 8 ms response time, and E-LED backlighting is certainly suited towards home and office work rather than gaming. Pixel pitch is listed at 0.1159 mm, delivering a noticeably sharper image than standard 4K displays at this size. Brightness is rated at 500 nits, with a 1500:1 contrast ratio. The monitor covers 100% of the sRGB color space, 96% DCI-P3, and includes HDR 10 support. Viewing angles are specified at 178° horizontally and vertically, typical for an IPS panel.

The monitor comes with Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture options. These features can be useful for people who need to work with content from different sources at the same time. It also has Flicker-Free and Low Blue Light settings, HDCP support for DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C, and a built-in KVM switch. For connections, you'll find two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C 3.1 port that can deliver up to 90 W of power. There is also an audio output and built-in 2 W speakers, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync. The stand supports tilt, swivel, height, and pivot adjustments. VESA mounting (75 × 75 mm) is also available. The JAPANNEXT JN-IPS326K-HSPC9 monitor is currently listed at €1,399 on the company's official website.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition, a flagship keyboard created for users who want both peak performance and a refined desktop centerpiece. Positioned at the very top of Razer's keyboard portfolio, the Huntsman Signature Edition distills years of research in switch technology, acoustics, and materials into a single, meticulously crafted form.

Every unit is the result of a demanding multi-stage process including CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, anodizing, hand-polishing, PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finishing, and rigorous unit-level inspection, reflecting Razer's commitment to crafting top-tier products without compromise.

EIZO is preparing its first OLED monitor under the ColorEdge series, targeting professional 4K HDR and SDR workflows. The 31.5-inch panel features a 3840 × 2160 resolution, HDR support, a claimed 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio, and an anti-glare, low-reflection (AGLR) surface. To address the usual OLED ABL (Auto Brightness Limiter) behavior, which can dim the entire image during bright scenes, EIZO says it uses higher luminance thresholds to reduce unnecessary dimming and better preserve mid-tones. Two modes are available: Highlight Dimming, which mainly tones down bright areas, and Uniform Dimming, which lowers brightness evenly across the screen. A blue status LED indicator shows when luminance control is active.

The display also integrates EIZO's built-in calibration sensor for automated color maintenance and includes a dedicated circuit to reduce color fringing on high-contrast edges. This is particularly useful when displaying text as this will appear cleaner and clearer. The monitor will be shown at the NAB Show 2026 (April 19-22, Las Vegas) and MPTS 2026 (May 13-14, London), two of the world's premier events for media, production, and broadcast. Pricing and availability have not been announced.

WD (Nasdaq: WDC) today announced the re-launch of its G-DRIVE brand as the unified identity for its content creator and creative professional external storage product portfolio. The brand consolidation brings together high-capacity, high-performance storage solutions under a single name brand - G-DRIVE - known for its quality, performance, and reliability.

The G-DRIVE brand, also represented by the iconic "G" logo, will replace Sandisk Professional branding across WD's creator storage lineup, including desktop drives, portable drives and multi-bay RAID systems purpose-built for the creative community's most demanding workflows: high-resolution photography, video production, graphic design, and audio engineering. Supporting individuals, businesses and production studios, G-DRIVE solutions support the full creative lifecycle, from on-set capture and real-time editing to backup and post-production. Products currently branded as Sandisk Professional will transition to the G-DRIVE brand by the end of this month.

Corsair (Nasdaq: CRSR) is delighted to announce two new limited-edition cases joining the award-winning FRAME 4000D lineup. The FRAME 4000D Vault Series Nova and Galaxy models introduce color-shift paint finishes that change tone as light moves across the surface, creating a refined and subtle look that shifts with viewing angle and ambient lighting. Nova shifts from blue through teal to purple highlights, while Galaxy transitions from pink through green to gray, giving each case a distinct visual identity. Built on the FRAME 4000D foundation, both Vault Series models add a curated set of upgrades, including a compact PSU shroud that leaves space for a 120 mm fan on the case floor, a full tempered-glass side panel to showcase the build, and an upgraded front-panel I/O.

The front I/O has also been updated, now offering three USB Type-C connectors to make charging and connecting your devices easier, with the single yellow port supporting up to 20 Gbps and the two others at 5 Gbps. This front panel features a standard 3.5 mm audio jack and an ARGB power button, allowing users to match the lighting in their builds for an all-over aesthetic. This power button uses an MX-Style green mechanical switch for a satisfying feel, and can be swapped for another mechanical switch offering a different tactile feel. These limited-edition cases feature individually numbered aluminium badges riveted onto the top of the case next to the InfiniRail section.

NZXT, a leading brand in PC gaming components and prebuilt systems, today introduced the H2 Flow Mini-ITX Case and the C850 SFX Power Supply, two compact solutions designed to bring high-performance PC builds into smaller spaces without compromise. With a focus on airflow, compatibility, and ease of installation, these products make small form factor (SFF) systems more powerful and accessible than ever.

For players who want the performance and design of the H2 Flow without building it themselves, NZXT is also launching the H2 Mini PC, available for a limited time, exclusively in the United States. This prebuilt option delivers the same compact footprint and performance-focused design in a fully assembled, ready-to-play system, making small form factor PC gaming more accessible to a wider audience.

[Editor's note: You can read ourin-depth review of the NZXT H2 Flow Mini-ITX case here]

GXTrust expands its extensive gaming line-up with the launch of two new high-performance mice. Designed to bring precision, speed, and style to every session, the Felox+ Wired Gaming Mouse and the Felox+ Dual Wireless Illuminated Gaming Mouse give gamers the control and accuracy they need to master each and every game.

Get ready for freedom without compromise with Felox+ Dual Wireless Illuminated Gaming Mouse. Equipped with a PixArt PAW3311 12,000 DPI sensor and 1000 Hz polling rate, it guarantees precision and speed, whether playing wired or wirelessly. Gamers can choose their preferred connection via the ultra-low latency 2.4 GHz USB-A receiver or Bluetooth, and enjoy up to 40 hours of playtime thanks to the built-in rechargeable battery. There's even the option to keep on playing whilst charging with the included 1.5 m cable.

NVIDIA today announced a multiyear, multigenerational strategic partnership with Meta spanning on-premises, cloud and AI infrastructure. Meta will build hyperscale data centers optimized for both training and inference in support of the company's long-term AI infrastructure roadmap. This partnership will enable the large-scale deployment of NVIDIA CPUs and millions of NVIDIA Blackwell and Rubin GPUs, as well as the integration of NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet switches for Meta's Facebook Open Switching System platform.

"No one deploys AI at Meta's scale—integrating frontier research with industrial-scale infrastructure to power the world's largest personalization and recommendation systems for billions of users," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. "Through deep codesign across CPUs, GPUs, networking and software, we are bringing the full NVIDIA platform to Meta's researchers and engineers as they build the foundation for the next AI frontier."

Each week, new games and apps integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players. This week, Styx: Blades of Greed and Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown are launching with native support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, while NORSE: Oath of Blood can be upgraded to DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation via the NVIDIA app.

And Battlefield 6: Season 2 begins today, featuring support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation. Read on for all the details.

SoftBank and AMD have started joint validation of AMD Instinct GPUs for next-generation AI infrastructure by focusing on a GPU partitioning mechanism that lets a single GPU handle multiple AI workloads simultaneously. SoftBank developed an Orchestrator system that divides AMD Instinct GPU resources based on workload requirements: model size, number of concurrent executions, and memory needs. The system splits compute workloads across multiple GPU instances running on individual Accelerator Complex Dies (XCDs). These can range from single instance mode (SPX mode) up to eight instances (CPX mode). The HBM memory pools are also divided into individual regions for each GPU instance to prevent latency spikes. The goal is to avoid the inefficiency of uniform GPU resource allocation, which can lead to GPU resource shortages or waste depending on workload demands.

SoftBank says the enhanced Orchestrator runs multiple AI applications on a single GPU with minimal resource strain. No performance figures have been shared yet, though SoftBank mentions improved resource allocation for small and mid-size language model workloads. The company also plans to explore similar orchestration for other AI accelerators beyond AMD. A live demonstration is planned at the AMD booth during MWC Barcelona 2026 in March 2-5. SoftBank also published technical details on architecture and Orchestrator management methods on its Research Institute of Advanced Technology blog. In a recent report, we noted that AMD's next-gen Instinct MI455X accelerators, set to compete with NVIDIA's Vera Rubin, are running into serious manufacturing problems that are pushing back AMD's roadmap. Only limited production is expected this year, with mass production pushed to Q2 2027.

KDE released Plasma 6.6 today, the latest version of the popular Linux desktop environment, also used in Steam Deck desktop mode. The biggest addition is the new Plasma Login Manager, a potential replacement for Simple Desktop Display Manager (SDDM) in distributions like Fedora Linux 44, CachyOS, and EndeavourOS. Note that it requires systemd, so it won't work on systemd-free distros. The Spectacle screenshot tool gains OCR capabilities, and a new USB portal lets sandboxed apps request access to USB devices. Users running Linux kernel 6.19 can now adjust the visual sharpness of all on-screen content. You can also turn your current Plasma setup into a global theme. KDE Plasma 6.6 adds XRandr emulation in KWin for better XWayland app compatibility, per-DRM-plane color pipeline support, and custom screen mode support in Wayland sessions. Screen mirroring is improved, and a new "Slow Keys" accessibility feature has been added.

Windows games with HDR running through Wine or Proton also get a color accuracy workaround. Wi-Fi passwords can now be stored in a root-owned location for better security, and a QR code in the Networks widget makes connecting easier. Battery handling on laptops is improved, ambient light sensor support enables automatic brightness adjustment, and colorblind user support has been enhanced. Windows can now be selectively excluded from screen recordings.

ASUS today announced ASUS ExpertBook B3 G2, a configurable Copilot+ PC designed for business, available in 14-inch and 16-inch models and featuring a durable, lightweight design starting from just 1.45 kg, a 180° lay-flat design, advanced AI capabilities, enterprise-grade security, and seamless collaboration.

Powered by up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 3 processors with integrated GPU and NPU acceleration power, ExpertBook B3 G2's advanced AI features—including ASUS MyExpert, Microsoft Copilot+, and noise-canceling technology—enhance business productivity. The lightweight, easily-maintained design offers extensive I/O options and support for high-speed Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Security is strengthened by ASUS ExpertGuardian, delivering NIST SP 800-193 compliance, dual-ROM recovery, and TPM 2.0 protection for robust data resilience.

Upgrade the standard 9.5 mm Ultra-Slim ODD bay into a removable U.2/U.3 NVMe SSD bay that delivers enterprise-class speed and reliability in limited space. Ideal for Dell, HP, and Lenovo business desktops, compact workstations, and industrial or government systems, the MB411V4PO-2B enables quick drive maintenance, secure data access, and flexible storage expansion for environments where uptime and serviceability matter. This conversion adapter enables quick drive maintenance, secure data access, and flexible storage expansion where uptime and serviceability are essential.

OCuLink 4i PCIe Gen 4 x4 - Native U.2/U.3 NVMe Performance
Equipped with a native OCuLink 4i (SFF-8612) interface, the MB411V4PO-2B connects directly to NVMe hosts for PCIe Gen 4 x4 performance, delivering up to 64 Gbps transfer bandwidth - over 10× faster than traditional SATA ODD interfaces (6 Gbps). This dramatic increase in throughput enables faster data migration, real-time backups, and improved workflow efficiency for business and industrial applications.

Razer, the world's leading lifestyle brand for gamers, proudly announces the launch of the Razer NiKo Collection, an exclusive line created in partnership with Counter-Strike (CS) icon Nikola "NiKo" Kovač. Built for competitive dominance and inspired by NiKo's relentless pursuit of victory, this collection brings pro-level performance and bold design to gamers worldwide.

A year into his tenure with Team Razer, this collection marks a long-awaited milestone for NiKo and his community. Crafted through an extensive development process, this collaboration was guided by authenticity and intention - built to meet the standards of one of the greatest players in CS history.

UK-based seating specialist, Boulies, a leader in high-performance ergonomic seating, today announces the launch of the EP500 ergonomic chair, designed to provide all-day comfort for work, rest or gaming with adjustable features and a wide 51 cm seat to suit users of all different heights and body shapes.

Designed for larger body types and personalized comfort, the Boulies EP500 has a wide 51 cm seat and is built for people from 165 cm to 190 cm, ensuring that it can support people of all body types and a wide range of users. Combined with the adjustable backrest height and seat depth adjustment, it allows users to personalize their seating position, ensuring ergonomic support for people of different heights and body shapes.

Micron announced its 9650 NVMe SSD has entered mass production, making it the first PCIe Gen 6 data center drive to reach this milestone. The series was first unveiled in July 2025, and it features Micron G9 TLC NAND, including Micron designed SSD controller ASIC, DRAM, and Micron produced and validated firmware. The Micron 9650 delivers up to 28 GB/s in sequential reads, double that of PCIe Gen 5 drives. The drive's sequential write speed reaches 14 GB/s, while its random read performance hits 5.5 million IOPS and its random write achieves 900,000 IOPS. These numbers show 100%, 40%, 67%, and 22% gains over Gen 5. At a 25-watt power state, the drive offers double the performance of PCIe Gen 5 options. It has a sequential read efficiency of 1,120 MB/s per watt (2× better than Gen 5), and its sequential write efficiency is 560 MB/s per watt (1.4 times better). The random read efficiency stands at 220 KIOPS per watt (1.7 times higher) and random write at 36 KIOPS per watt (1.2 times improved).

The Micron 9650 supports both air-cooled and liquid-cooled configurations to handle higher performance densities in modern data centers. Micron conducted 18 months of interoperability testing across the PCIe Gen 6 ecosystem, including validation with high-port switches, retimers, and demonstrations at industry events. The drive is now being qualified by OEM and AI data center customers for deployment in AI training and inference workloads, particularly those requiring high-throughput data access for large language models and retrieval-augmented generation pipelines. The Micron 9650 is available in E1.S and E3.S form factors with E1.S available for liquid cooling.

Crystal Dynamics is excited to reveal two new video game titles in the Legacy of Kain franchise! Debuted today at Sony's State of Play, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered modernizes the iconic 2003 action-adventure game with new graphic upgrades, modernized controls, and extensive bonus content. Published by Crystal Dynamics and developed by Crystal Dynamics and PlayEveryWare, this definitive edition of the classic adventure launches for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on March 3, 2026, and is available to pre-order today. Customers who pre-order will receive Kain and Raziel character skins inspired by the "Shifter" game concept, the inspiration for the entire Soul Reaver saga. (If you know, you know).

Also announced today is Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, a fast-paced 2D action platformer published by Crystal Dynamics and developed by Bit Bot Media in association with FreakZone Games (A Bit Bot Company) that introduces a brand-new gameplay style to the franchise, and features original voice actors reprising their iconic roles: Simon Templeman as Kain, Michael Bell as Raziel, Anna Gunn as Ariel and Richard Doyle as Moebius, plus a soundtrack from hit recording artist Klayton (Celldweller), releasing for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on March 31, 2026.

Meet the all-new YUNZII B98 PRO, our latest 1800-style (96%) mechanical keyboard designed to elevate every desk setup. With a wide range of colorways to match different aesthetics, seamless tri-mode connectivity for ultimate convenience, and an irresistibly cute silicone cat knob that melts hearts at first glance—this keyboard is more than just a tool, it's a personality piece. The matching cat-themed LED logo adds a playful touch, while full QMK/VIA support unlocks deep customization possibilities. From productivity to gaming, from minimal office setups to cozy pastel battlestations—the B98 PRO is built to impress at every glance and every click.

Tri-Mode Connectivity & Powerful Battery
The B98 PRO supports Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz wireless, and USB-C wired connections, allowing seamless switching across up to 5 devices and multiple systems including Windows, Mac, and Android.

Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS), a premier chip and silicon IP provider making data faster and safer, today announced the appointment of Victor Peng to its Board of Directors, effective Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Mr. Peng is an accomplished executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience at top semiconductor companies. Most recently, Mr. Peng served as president of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), leading AMD's embedded and data center GPU businesses, AI software, and the research and advanced development group. Prior to AMD, Mr. Peng served 14 years at Xilinx, holding senior level positions including president and chief executive officer, board member, chief operating officer, executive vice president, and general manager of products. Mr. Peng currently serves on the Boards of KLA Corporation and Microchip Technology Inc.

Pulsar Gaming Gears (AplusX Inc.), a leading developer of high-performance esports peripherals, and VAXEE Corporation, a respected innovator in gaming hardware, today announced the official launch schedule of the new Pulsar eS series of esports equipment. This highly-anticipated product line is the result of the strategic exclusive partnership and joint development work between the two companies, aimed at delivering unparalleled innovation and performance to the esports community.

The initial launch wave includes the Pulsar eS FS-1 Mouse, the Pulsar eS PD170 Mousepads, and the Pulsar eS Armsleeve (Arm Long XL, L, M). All products are in running production and are not limited editions, confirming Pulsar's commitment to making this reference-standard equipment widely available.

TechPowerUp today released version 2.69.0 of GPU-Z, the lightweight graphics subsystem information, monitoring, and diagnostic utility. The update adds support for new NVIDIA GPUs, including the GeForce RTX 5090 D V2, RTX 3050 A Mobile, and multiple RTX Pro Blackwell models (5000, 4500, 4000, 4000 SFF, 5000 Mobile, 5000 Embedded, 2000, 1000, and 500). It also updated device ID support for the Quadro P1000, P2000, and RTX 6000. On the AMD side, support has been introduced for the Radeon RX 7400, Radeon 820M iGPU found in Ryzen AI 5 330 processors, Radeon Pro W6600X, Radeon Pro W7800, and Radeon Pro V710. Improvements were also made for AMD Strix Halo platforms.

New Intel support includes Arrow Lake H as well as Arc A380E and A310E graphics. Support for Moore Threads S30 has also been added. This release fixes shader count detection on some unknown AMD and Intel APUs, resolves incorrect clock speed reporting and ReBAR detection on Intel DG1, and addresses OpenCL detection issues on certain AMD devices. It also resolved crashes on unknown AMD GPUs, and overall kernel-mode driver stability has been improved. Grab TechPowerUp GPU-Z from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: TechPowerUp GPU-Z v2.69.0

KRAFTON today unveiled Project Windless, a new open-world action RPG set in the fantasy universe of The Bird That Drinks Tears novel series, with the debut of its first-ever trailer during today's Sony PlayStation's State of Play. This marks the first public reveal of the single-player title, currently in development at KRAFTON Montréal Studio, and introduces players to a vast world shaped by myth, war, and legendary heroes.

A New Premium Open-World Action RPG
Designed as a player-driven open-world experience, Project Windless centers on a continent-spanning conflict, combining epic storytelling with visceral, mastery-driven combat and massive real-time battles. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game features a non-linear structure where player decisions shape alliances and the broader conflict unfolding across the world through exploration, combat, and interaction with key factions.