HW News - AMD RX 9070 XT Inbound, Counterfeit 9800X3Ds, RTX 5090 Supply, KINGPIN Might Switch Sides

This week’s HW News recap covered Kingpin’s potential shift away from Nvidia cards and his focus on family and creative projects, alongside Silverstone’s retro floppy disk drive case being made available to enthusiasts. Additionally, the episode discussed challenges faced by TSMC in U.S. manufacturing, concerns about counterfeit AMD 9800X3D CPUs, and rumors of limited supply for the upcoming Nvidia RTX 590 graphics cards.

In this week’s HW News recap, several exciting topics were discussed, including updates from Kingpin regarding his GPU plans, the introduction of a retro floppy disk drive case by Silverstone, and news about AMD’s upcoming hardware. The episode was largely written by Tannon, a new team member, and featured a range of engaging stories. The video also highlighted a unique mini ITX case that utilizes magnets for closure, showcasing innovative design in the PC building community.

Kingpin shared insights on his future with graphics cards during a recent YouTube video. He expressed a desire to take a step back from the current generation of Nvidia cards due to various challenges and contractual obligations. While he remains passionate about graphics cards and hinted at potential collaborations with other companies, including AMD or Intel, he is currently focusing on family and returning to the U.S. Kingpin’s commitment to his YouTube channel and his passion for e-bike builds were also emphasized, suggesting that while he may be taking a break, his creative endeavors will continue.

Silverstone’s retro floppy disk drive case, initially launched as an April Fool’s joke, is now being made available to a wider audience. The case is inspired by the NEC 9800 from the 1980s and features modern design elements, including support for various motherboard sizes and multiple fan mounting options. The case’s nostalgic aesthetic is combined with practical features, such as a front I/O panel and ventilation for improved airflow. This unique product is expected to appeal to enthusiasts who appreciate retro designs in their builds.

The video also covered TSMC’s challenges in establishing its U.S. manufacturing plant, citing regulatory hurdles and increased operational costs. The company’s co-CEO explained that the Arizona facility is unlikely to receive the most advanced chip technology before the Taiwan fabs due to these complexities. This news aligns with similar delays faced by Intel, highlighting the difficulties both companies encounter while expanding their U.S. presence in the semiconductor industry.

Finally, the episode addressed concerns about counterfeit AMD 9800X3D CPUs circulating in the market, emphasizing the importance of purchasing from reputable sellers to avoid scams. Rapid-fire updates included AMD’s upcoming 9950X3D and 9900X3D, which are said to offer similar gaming performance to the 9800X3D. Additionally, rumors of supply shortages for the upcoming Nvidia RTX 590 graphics cards were discussed, with multiple sources indicating that availability may be limited at launch. Overall, the episode provided a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in hardware and gaming technology.