Exciting Tech and Gaming News Recap!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Intel's Accidental Roadmap Leak
• Rumored Intel i9-12900KS SKU
• Nvidia's Rumored RTX 3050 Series
• Nvidia's Launch of RTX 2050
• Intel's Driver Update and Roadmap
• Sony's Release of New PS5 Faceplates
• CD Projekt Red Settles Lawsuit
• Dell's Concept Luna Modular Laptop
• MSI's Limited Edition Z690 Godlike Motherboard
• Microsoft Partners with iFixit for OEM Repair Tools
• Nvidia's GeForce Now Offers 3080 Tier

Introduction

Welcome back to the hardware news Recap for the week! In this week's news, there are several exciting developments from major tech companies. Intel accidentally leaked its entire roadmap for the next four years, including details about its new GPUs. Nvidia has rumors surrounding the release of the RTX 3050 series, and they have also launched the RTX 2050 for laptops. There are reports of an upcoming Intel i9-12900KS SKU, while Microsoft is partnering with iFixit to manufacture and sell repair tools for its Surface devices. Dell is showcasing its concept Luna modular laptop prototype, and MSI has announced the limited edition Z690 Godlike motherboard. CD Projekt Red settles a class-action lawsuit, Sony releases new PS5 faceplates, and Nvidia introduces a new 3080 tier for its GeForce Now service.

Intel's Accidental Roadmap Leak

Intel recently made a major blunder by accidentally leaking its roadmap for the next four years. The leaked roadmap reveals information about upcoming products and technologies from Intel. While some of these details were already rumored, this leak confirms their accuracy. Among the information disclosed are details about Intel's upcoming DG3 GPUs, codenamed Elasti, and their Battle Mage architecture. These GPUs are expected to offer improved gaming performance and serve as competition to AMD's upcoming Zen 3D CPUs. In addition to the GPU information, the roadmap also mentions several unannounced CPU platforms, such as Raptor Lake, Meteor Lake, Arrow Lake, and Lunar Lake. Each of these platforms is expected to bring new advancements and features to Intel's lineup.

Rumored Intel i9-12900KS SKU

One of the intriguing revelations from the leaked Intel roadmap is the rumored release of the Intel i9-12900KS SKU. This special edition SKU is expected to follow the release of the i9-12900K and come with higher boost clock speeds. While the i9-12900K already boasts impressive performance, the rumored i9-12900KS is said to have an all-core P-Core boost of 5.2 GHz, which is higher than the 4.8-4.9 GHz boost of the regular i9-12900K. This release is likely an attempt by Intel to compete with AMD's Zen 3D CPUs, which boast a 15% improvement in gaming performance. If these rumors are accurate, the i9-12900KS could be unveiled at CES 2022, alongside Intel's other upcoming releases.

Nvidia's Rumored RTX 3050 Series

The rumors surrounding Nvidia's upcoming RTX 3050 series of GPUs are gaining traction. According to hardware leaker Copied7Kimi, Nvidia is planning to release two separate SKUs for the RTX 3050 series. These SKUs are expected to feature either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR6 memory and will be segmented based on the number of CUDA cores and possibly memory speed. The leak suggests that Nvidia might employ its GA106 silicon for the RTX 3050 series, which is already used in the RTX 3060. This is a common practice by silicon companies to utilize dies that didn't meet the specifications for higher-tier products. While Nvidia has not officially confirmed these details, CES 2022 seems like a probable time for the announcement, followed by a launch in late January or early February.

Nvidia's Launch of RTX 2050

Nvidia has made a surprising move by launching the RTX 2050, but before you get too excited, there's a catch. The RTX 2050 is not a desktop GPU like its predecessors. Instead, it is a laptop GPU based on Nvidia's Ampere architecture. Despite not being a desktop GPU, the RTX 2050 still carries the name of the popular desktop series. However, it is worth noting that the RTX 2050 for laptops is not as powerful as its desktop counterparts. It comes with 2048 CUDA cores and a lower boost clock compared to the desktop version. The RTX 2050 is already announced, but it won't be available until spring 2022. This release offers laptop gamers an affordable option with improved performance and ray-tracing capabilities.

Intel's Driver Update and Roadmap

In an unexpected turn of events, Intel unintentionally leaked its entire roadmap through a driver update for the 11th Gen NUC. The roadmap provides insights into Intel's future CPU and GPU plans, as well as listing several unannounced CPU platforms. The leaked roadmap reveals upcoming releases such as Raptor Lake in 2022, Meteor Lake in 2023, Arrow Lake, and Lunar Lake. Additionally, Intel is allegedly planning to double or quadruple the GPU count of its integrated graphics processors (iGPUs) over the next few years, aiming to significantly improve graphics performance. While the accidental leak sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts, it's important to note that the information disclosed may be subject to change as Intel refines its product roadmap.

Sony's Release of New PS5 Faceplates

After much anticipation and legal battles, Sony has finally released new faceplates for the PlayStation 5. The company is offering a range of color options, including black, cosmic red, nova pink, starlight blue, and galactic purple. These faceplates allow PlayStation 5 owners to customize and personalize their consoles according to their preferred aesthetic. Sony has also introduced corresponding colored controllers, enabling users to create a Cohesive color scheme. The faceplates and controllers are sold separately, with options for black and cosmic red being available in January 2022, while the other colors will be released in the first half of 2022. This release opens up new possibilities for gamers to express themselves and make their PlayStation 5 truly their own.

CD Projekt Red Settles Lawsuit

CD Projekt Red, the embattled developer behind Cyberpunk 2077, has reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought against it by investors. The lawsuit was filed last year in U.S. courts and accused CD Projekt Red of misleading investors about the Game's readiness and performance. As part of the settlement, CD Projekt Red will pay a total of $1.85 million. While this amount may seem paltry compared to the game's budget and sales, it marks a significant step for CD Projekt Red in resolving the legal issues stemming from Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch. The settlement will also help restore investor confidence in the company as it moves forward with future projects.

Dell's Concept Luna Modular Laptop

Dell is showcasing its concept Luna modular laptop prototype, signaling a potential shift towards more repairable and sustainable products. While Dell's recent track Record has raised concerns about its commitment to repairability and e-waste reduction, the Luna prototype offers hope for a more environmentally conscious future. The Luna features a design that eliminates the need for adhesives and simplifies the use of screws and solder. It aims to offer granular control over repairs, allowing users to replace components like screens without rendering the entire laptop useless. Dell also mentions the possibility of part harvesting and reusing components from older systems, reducing waste and offering cost-effective solutions. While the Luna is still a concept, it demonstrates Dell's intent to prioritize repairability and sustainability in its future products.

MSI's Limited Edition Z690 Godlike Motherboard

MSI has unveiled its highly anticipated limited edition Z690 Godlike motherboard, targeting extreme enthusiasts and gamers. This premium motherboard comes with a hefty price tag of $2,100, signaling its exclusivity and high-end features. The Z690 Godlike is built on the larger-than-ATX EATX form factor and offers unrivaled power and performance. It boasts an array of cutting-edge features, including support for Intel's latest processors, PCIe Gen4, high-speed DDR5 memory, and unparalleled connectivity options. MSI is bundling the Z690 Godlike with an AIO liquid cooler from EKWB and a Kingston Fury kit of DDR5 6000 memory. The limited edition motherboard will be available for purchase in late January 2022.

Microsoft Partners with iFixit for OEM Repair Tools

In a surprising move that promotes repairability and customer empowerment, Microsoft has partnered with iFixit to manufacture and sell repair tools for its Surface devices. This partnership aims to provide authorized service providers, independent repairers, Microsoft experience centers, and commercial customers with the necessary tools to perform repairs on Surface devices. Initially, three tools will be available: the Surface display bonding frame, the service battery cover, and the service display debonding tool. Each tool will come with appropriate weights and accessories to facilitate repairs. While these tools are currently limited to specific parties, iFixit hopes to expand its offerings to the DIY community in the future, fostering a culture of repair and reducing electronic waste.

Nvidia's GeForce Now Offers 3080 Tier

Nvidia has announced that its highly anticipated GeForce Now game streaming service now offers a 3080 tier. This tier allows users to access a virtual RTX 3080 server for an enhanced gaming experience. GeForce Now is a bring-your-own-games platform, meaning users can log into their existing digital storefront accounts, such as Steam, Epic Games, or GOG, and stream their games from Nvidia's servers. The addition of the 3080 tier provides gamers with the opportunity to enjoy ray tracing, high-resolution gaming, and improved graphics fidelity without investing in expensive hardware. The service is available as a six-month subscription for $99 or a one-year subscription for $200. GeForce Now continues to be a compelling option for gamers looking for the convenience and flexibility of cloud gaming.