In this week’s hardware news roundup, several key topics were covered, starting with an accidental leak of Intel’s B770 GPU by Intel’s official gaming Twitter account. Although the tweet was quickly deleted, it suggests that Intel is preparing a higher power GPU, possibly to be announced at CES 2026. This B770 model is expected to be a scaled-up version of the B580, with a higher power draw and potentially more VRAM, which could offer more affordable mid-range options for PC builders amidst ongoing memory price challenges.
Speaking of memory, the DRAM shortage and price increases continue to worsen, with reports suggesting the shortage could persist until 2028. Samsung, one of the few major DRAM suppliers, is reportedly doubling its prices for business customers, which will likely trickle down to consumers. This shortage is driven largely by AI and data center demand, which is hoovering up available DRAM supplies. Additionally, hard drive prices are also rising after a long period of stability, influenced by increased demand in data centers and domestic PC manufacturing in China.
Nvidia has responded to community feedback by restoring 32-bit PhysX support for several older games on their RTX 50 series GPUs, a feature that was previously removed and caused performance issues in titles like Mirror’s Edge. This move is part of Nvidia’s ongoing updates following the open sourcing of PhysX SDK and GPU simulation kernel code earlier this year. Meanwhile, in China, Huawei has introduced the Ascend 950, an AI-focused GPU with an advanced multi-die design and significant VRAM, potentially challenging Nvidia’s dominance in the AI data center market, especially given ongoing US-China export control tensions.
On the enthusiast hardware front, MSI released the X870E Godlike Axe Edition motherboard priced at an eye-watering $1,300, featuring a premium black and gold design, extensive VRM power delivery, multiple M.2 slots, and a unique detachable display panel. This limited-edition board celebrates the Godlike line’s 10th anniversary and caters to extreme PC builders who can afford such high-end components. In software, AMD’s new Redstone update for its Avsar graphics driver has already been experimented with by the community, enabling frame generation features in unsupported games, showcasing the rapid pace of innovation and modification in GPU software.
Finally, Sony announced a set of limited-edition PlayStation-themed mechanical watches to celebrate 30 years of PlayStation, with prices starting at $780. These watches feature design elements inspired by the original PlayStation controller buttons and come with unique packaging and NFC memory capsules. The video also touched on ongoing right-to-repair issues affecting military equipment, where legislative efforts to require defense contractors to provide repair manuals and parts were blocked by lobbyists, highlighting the broader challenges of repairability and consumer rights in technology. Overall, the week’s news reflects a mix of exciting hardware developments, ongoing supply chain challenges, and cultural tech milestones.
