This week’s HW News highlights ongoing supply issues with NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series GPUs, leading to intense competition and a significant stock drop for NVIDIA following the announcement of a rival AI model from a Chinese startup. Additionally, Intel introduced a new mid-range CPU, AMD acknowledged a microcode vulnerability, and the handheld gaming market saw innovation with Iano’s modular IO 3 device and a modded Steam Deck known as the “Steam Brick.”
In this week’s HW News recap, the focus is primarily on the ongoing challenges surrounding NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series graphics cards, which have been struggling with supply issues since their launch. Reports indicate that these GPUs sold out within minutes, with some system integrators noting that their costs exceeded the MSRP due to air freight and low volumes. An NVIDIA employee humorously mentioned a “trial by combat” for employees to obtain these cards, highlighting the intense competition for limited stock. Additionally, a campaign against bot scalpers has emerged, with users listing fake RTX 50 cards on eBay to trap bots, showcasing the frustration within the community.
The NVIDIA stock took a significant hit this week, dropping by $589 billion, a record-setting decline for a U.S. company. This drop was triggered by the announcement of a new AI model from the Chinese startup Deep Seek, which reportedly competes with NVIDIA’s offerings. The market reacted with panic selling, resulting in NVIDIA falling to third place among U.S. companies by market capitalization. Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger commented on the situation, suggesting that the market’s reaction was misguided and that lower AI costs could expand the market.
In other news, Intel introduced a new CPU called the Core Ultra 5 230F, which features a uniquely shaped heat spreader and is set to be available in the Chinese market. This processor boasts 10 cores and a base power of 65 watts, with specifications that suggest it is a mid-range option. The unusual design of the heat spreader has raised questions about Intel’s design choices, but it is speculated that it may not significantly impact performance. Meanwhile, ASUS accidentally leaked an AMD microcode vulnerability in a beta BIOS update, prompting AMD to acknowledge the issue and work on mitigations.
The handheld gaming device market also saw innovation with the announcement of Iano’s new IO 3, which claims to be the world’s first modular handheld. This device allows users to customize their controller layouts with interchangeable modules, enhancing the gaming experience. The IO 3 will feature various screen options, powerful AMD processors, and a range of storage capacities, with prices varying significantly based on configurations. The device is expected to ship in April, and interested users can find more details on Indiegogo.
Lastly, a modder known as Crator Pro successfully transformed a Steam Deck into a more compact version dubbed the “Steam Brick.” This project involved significant modifications, including removing the Steam Deck’s built-in components and creating a new shell. The result is a device that is nearly half the size of the original Steam Deck, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity within the gaming community. Overall, this week’s news highlights the ongoing challenges in the tech industry, from supply chain issues to innovative solutions from both companies and individual modders.