HW News - AMD 5500X3D (9 Years of AM4), Intel B770 Rumor, $1.4M Nintendo Switch 2 Heist

The video covers major hardware news including the theft of $1.4 million worth of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, AMD’s release of the Ryzen 5500 X3D marking nine years of AM4 support, and Intel’s workforce cuts alongside rumors of new CPUs and GPUs. It also highlights notable developments such as the sale of Nexus Mods, Galax’s RGB GPU safety feature, Microsoft and AMD’s partnership for future Xbox silicon, and a unique project recreating a genuine PlayStation 1 motherboard from scratch.

The latest hardware news recap covers several significant updates in the tech and gaming world. Starting with a major heist, $1.4 million worth of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles were stolen from a semi-truck in Colorado while en route to a GameStop in Texas. The theft involved 2,810 units of the new consoles, each valued at around $500, highlighting the high demand and value of the upcoming Switch 2. Authorities are actively searching for the culprit, described humorously as a solo operator armed with turtle shells, referencing the popular Mario Kart game.

In CPU news, AMD continues to support its AM4 socket with the release of the Ryzen 5500 X3D, marking the ninth year of AM4 CPU launches. This new processor is a six-core, twelve-thread CPU based on the Zen 3 architecture, similar to the 5600 X3D but with lower clock speeds. Meanwhile, AMD also revealed first-party benchmarks for its upcoming high-end Threadripper 9000 series CPUs, claiming significant performance improvements over Intel’s Xeon counterparts, especially in content creation and AI workloads. These new Threadripper models are expected to launch in July with premium pricing.

Intel faces challenges with layoffs and product rumors. Reports indicate Intel plans to cut 15-20% of its factory workforce, potentially affecting over 10,000 jobs, citing affordability and financial pressures. This comes just months after a new CEO took charge and announced restructuring efforts. On the product front, leaks suggest Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake S CPUs will feature a new socket and chipset, promising next-generation features but requiring new motherboards, continuing Intel’s trend of frequent platform changes. Additionally, rumors swirl about Intel’s Battle Mage BMG G31 GPU, possibly linked to the rumored ARC B770 graphics card, though its status remains uncertain.

Other notable stories include the sale of gaming mod site Nexus Mods by its founder after 24 years, aiming to bring fresh leadership while maintaining community focus. The transition has sparked skepticism about potential monetization changes but remains hopeful for the site’s future. Galax has introduced RGB lighting on its GPUs to warn users of improper 12V power cable connections, addressing safety concerns with the new PCIe 5.0 power standard. Microsoft announced a multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon for future Xbox consoles and handheld devices, signaling continued collaboration despite Xbox’s recent sales struggles.

Finally, a remarkable engineering project was highlighted: a fully PlayStation 1 compatible motherboard built from scratch by a single enthusiast through reverse engineering. This NS1 board is not an emulator or FPGA but a genuine PS1 motherboard compatible with original chips, promising a new way to preserve the classic console. The video concluded with reminders to check out additional content on the channel, including reviews and consumer advocacy reports, and encouraged support through merchandise and Patreon.