AMD Issues Second Statement on Ryzen 7000 Burnout Issues: Caps SoC Voltages

Yesterday, AMD issued a statement surrounding the issues some users have been experiencing with their Ryzen 7000X3D processors. The problem reported widely across Reddit subforums, includes some Ryzen 7000X3D CPUs burning the CPU socket on AM5 motherboards and damaging the chips, rendering them dead. AMD has released a second statement regarding the issue, including what it is doing to rectify the problem and subdue any panic users and owners of the Ryzen 7000 series processors.


The official statement from AMD is as follows:


We have root caused the issue and have already distributed a new AGESA that puts measures in place on certain power rails on AM5 motherboards to prevent the CPU from operating beyond its specification limits, including a cap on SOC voltage at 1.3V. None of these changes affect the ability of our Ryzen 7000 Series processors to overclock memory using EXPO or XMP kits or boost performance using PBO technology.

We expect all of our ODM partners to release new BIOS for their AM5 boards over the next few days. We recommend all users to check their motherboard manufacturers website and update their BIOS to ensure their system has the most up to date software for their processor. 



Anyone whose CPU may have been impacted by this issue should contact AMD customer support. Our customer service team is aware of the situation and prioritizing these cases.


To counteract the problem, AMD has seemingly identified an issue with voltages going too high when users enable AMD’s EXPO memory profiles. The cap on SoC voltages looks to be the primary change in the AGESA firmware rollout, although AMD has identified a possible voltage rail within the CPU that is causing the burnouts. Along with SoC voltages, AMD has put a limit within the firmware that prevents the Ryzen 7000 CPUs from going beyond specification.


Enabling EXPO memory profiles on compatible DRAM looks to be pushing SoC voltages beyond AMD’s safe spot on the Ryzen 7000 processors, which AMD believes is the root cause of the burning issue.


One interesting point about AMD’s statement is that it eludes to whether or not the issue is just on its Ryzen 7000X3D processors or whether it affects all of its Ryzen 7000 processors entirely. Regardless of the Zen 4 chip that users may have, AMD is ambiguous in its language, and it seems to be that AMD is recommended that ALL users with a Ryzen 7000 series processor should update to the latest firmware.


AMD is actively working with its motherboard partners to release a new AGESA firmware, which they say has already been distributed, limits the SoC voltage to 1.30 V. AMD claims that all AM5 motherboard vendors and models should have a new BIOS version available to them within the next few days, and is recommending all users to update their BIOS at their earliest convenience.


Image source: Speedrookie/Reddit



Source: AnandTech – AMD Issues Second Statement on Ryzen 7000 Burnout Issues: Caps SoC Voltages

As sea levels rise, the East Coast is also sinking

Chesapeake Bay is subsiding up to 5 millimeters a year, greatly exacerbating sea-level rise. It's a growing problem up and down the Atlantic coast.

Enlarge / Chesapeake Bay is subsiding up to 5 millimeters a year, greatly exacerbating sea-level rise. It’s a growing problem up and down the Atlantic coast. (credit: Marli Miller/Getty Images)

Climate scientists already know that the East Coast of the United States could see around a foot of sea-level rise by 2050, which will be catastrophic on its own. But they are just beginning to thoroughly measure a “hidden vulnerability” that will make matters far worse: The coastline is also sinking. It’s a phenomenon known as subsidence, and it’s poised to make the rising ocean all the more dangerous, both for people and coastal ecosystems.

New research published in the journal Nature Communications finds that the Atlantic coast—home to more than a third of the US population—is dropping by several millimeters per year. In Charleston, South Carolina, and the Chesapeake Bay, it’s up to 5 millimeters (a fifth of an inch). In some areas of Delaware, it’s as much as twice that.

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Source: Ars Technica – As sea levels rise, the East Coast is also sinking

Cherry XTRFY Targets World Domination In A Huge eSports Gaming Peripheral Expansion

Cherry XTRFY Targets World Domination In A Huge eSports Gaming Peripheral Expansion
You’d be hard pressed to find a PC gamer who has not heard of Cherry, especially if they’ve ever shopped for a mechanical keyboard. Cherry MX key switches are in a plethora of planks from a wide range of manufacturers, including Corsair, HyperX, Razer, and others. What you may not be aware of, however, is that Cherry recently acquired Swedish

Source: Hot Hardware – Cherry XTRFY Targets World Domination In A Huge eSports Gaming Peripheral Expansion

Elizabeth Holmes Won't Report to Prison Today After All

After being convicted of wire fraud for her dealings with her failed blood startup Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes has white-knuckled herself to freedom for just a little bit longer. A last minute legal filing on Tuesday has delayed her 11-year prison sentence, which was expected to begin today.

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Source: Gizmodo – Elizabeth Holmes Won’t Report to Prison Today After All

What Most People Miss When Doing a Tick Check

As tick populations grow (thanks, climate change) and tickborne diseases like Lyme become more widespread, tick checks have become routine for a lot of us. But do you really know what it means to “check yourself for ticks”? Chances are, you’re missing some important parts of the process.

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Source: LifeHacker – What Most People Miss When Doing a Tick Check

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Trailer Offers Full-Blown Beast Wars

It’s been five years since Paramount’s Transformers franchise underwent a soft reboot with the 80s throwback (and fairly charming) movie Bumblebee. The next entry in the series, Rise of the Beasts, operates in the same new timeline first formed by Bumblebee, and brings with it some new blood. Along with Creed II’s

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Source: Gizmodo – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Trailer Offers Full-Blown Beast Wars

The Easiest Way to Make Your Salad Less Boring

I get produce paralysis. Despite the world of salads being so incredibly diverse, somehow I’ll make the same one week after week, even if I’m bored of it. But after flipping through an old salad cookbook listing ingredients with no measurements, I remembered that recipes ain’t the boss of me. You can create a whole…

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Source: LifeHacker – The Easiest Way to Make Your Salad Less Boring

Zink OpenGL-On-Vulkan Driver Enables Shader Object Support

Introduced one month ago in Vulkan 1.3.246 was the new VK_EXT_shader_object extension that was worked on by developers from Activision to Valve. Zink lead developer Mike Blumenkrantz at Valve has been busy the past few weeks on getting this shader object support wired up for use by this OpenGL-on-Vulkan driver…

Source: Phoronix – Zink OpenGL-On-Vulkan Driver Enables Shader Object Support

The best 2-in-1 laptops for 2023

The perfect hybrid machine that’s just as good a tablet as it is a laptop still doesn’t exist. But throughout last year, companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google continued to improve their operating systems for machines that do double duty. Windows 11 has features that make it friendlier for multi-screen devices, while Android has been better optimized for larger displays. Plus, with the rise of ARM-based chips for laptops, especially Apple’s impressive M series, prospects for a powerful 2-in-1 with a vast touch-friendly app ecosystem is at an all-time high.

Even the best 2-in-1 laptops still have their limits, of course. Since they’re smaller than proper laptops, they tend to have less-powerful processors. Keyboards are often less sturdy, with condensed layouts and shallower travel. Plus, they’re almost always tablets first, leaving you to buy a keyboard case separately. (And those ain’t cheap!) So, you can’t always assume the advertised price is what you’ll actually spend on the 2-in-1 you want.

Sometimes, getting a third-party keyboard might be just as good, and they’re often cheaper than first-party offerings. If you’re looking to save some money, Logitech’s Slim Folio is an affordable option, and if you don’t need your keyboard to attach to your tablet, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Device wireless keyboard is also a good pick.

While we’ve typically made sure to include a budget 2-in-1 laptop in previous years, this time there isn’t a great choice. We would usually pick a Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, like cheaper Android tablets, are underpowered and don’t offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something around $500 that’s thin, lightweight and long-lasting, you’re better off this year looking at a conventional laptop (like those on our best budget PCs list).

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2020
Chris Velazco / Engadget

When you’re shopping for a 2-in-1, there are some basic criteria to keep in mind. First, look at the spec sheet to see how heavy the tablet is (alone, and with the keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 pounds, with the 1.94-pound Surface Pro 9 being one of the heaviest around. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8+ are both slightly lighter. If the overall weight of the tablet and its keyboard come close to 3 pounds, you’ll be better off just getting an ultraportable laptop.

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You’ll also want to opt for an 11-inch or 12-inch screen instead of a smaller 10-inch model. The bigger displays will make multitasking easier, plus their companion keyboards will be much better spaced. Also, try to get 6GB of RAM if you can for better performance — you’ll find this in the base model of the Galaxy Tab S7+, while this year’s iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 8 start with 8GB of RAM.

Finally, while some convertible laptops offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone will want to pay the premium for it. An integrated cellular radio makes checking emails or replying to messages on the go far more convenient. But it also often costs more, and that’s not counting what you’ll pay for data. And, as for 5G — you can hold off on it unless you live within range of a mmWave beacon. Coverage is still spotty and existing nationwide networks use the slower sub-6 technology that’s barely faster than LTE.

Best overall: Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

There’s no beating the Surface series when it comes to 2-in-1s. They’re powerful, sleek tablets running an OS that’s actually designed for productivity. The Surface Pro 9 is Microsoft’s latest and great tablet, and it builds upon the already excellent Pro 8. It features speedy 12th-gen Intel CPUs and all of the major upgrades from last year, including a 120Hz display and a more modern design. It’s the best implementation of Microsoft’s tablet PC vision yet.

Don’t confuse this with the similarly named Surface Pro 9 with 5G, though, which has a slower ARM processor and inferior software compatibility. Built-in cellular is nice and all, but the Intel Pro 9 is a far better PC.

Like most of the other convertible laptops on this list, the Pro 9 doesn’t come with a keyboard cover — you’ll have to pay extra for that. That’s a shame, considering it starts at $1,000. Microsoft offers a variety of Type Covers for its Surface Pros ranging from $100 to $180, depending on whether you want a slot for a stylus. But at least they’re comfortable and well-spaced. You can also get the Surface Slim Pen 2 ($130) for sketching out your diagrams or artwork, which features haptic feedback for a more responsive experience.

Best for Apple users: 12.9-inch iPad Pro

If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the best option for you is obviously an iPad. The 12-inch Pro is our pick. Like older models, this iPad Pro has a stunning 12.9-inch screen with a speedy 120Hz refresh rate, as well as mini-LED backlighting. This year, it includes Apple’s incredibly fast M2 chip and more battery life than ever before.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard provides a satisfying typing experience, and its trackpad means you won’t have to reach for the screen to launch apps. But it’ll also cost you an extra $300, making it the most expensive case on this list by a lot. The iPad also lacks a headphone jack and its webcam is awkwardly positioned along the left bezel when you prop it up horizontally, so be aware that it’s still far from a perfect laptop replacement. Still, with its sleek design and respectable battery life, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a good 2-in-1 for Apple users.

Best for Android users: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

While Windows is better than iPadOS and Android for productivity, it lags the other two when it comes to apps specifically designed for touchscreens. If you want a tablet that has all the apps you want, and only need it to occasionally double as a laptop, the Galaxy Tab S8+ is a solid option. You’ll enjoy watching movies and playing games on its gorgeous 12.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, and Samsung includes the S Pen, which is great for sketching and taking notes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and 8GB of RAM keep things running smoothly, too.

Last year, Samsung dramatically improved its keyboard case, making the Tab an even better convertible laptop. You could type for hours on this thing and not hate yourself (or Samsung). The battery life is also excellent, so you won’t need to worry about staying close to an outlet. The main caveat is that Android isn’t great as a desktop OS, even with the benefits of Android 12L. And while Samsung’s DeX mode offers a somewhat workable solution, it has plenty of quirks.

Read our Full Review of Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ 2-in-1 Laptop

Cherlynn Low contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-2-in-1-laptops-for-2023-155052641.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The best 2-in-1 laptops for 2023

How to Help Your Child Build Frustration Tolerance

Life doesn’t always go your way. This is one of the hardest and most universal lessons we learn as we move out of toddlerhood and into childhood and later adulthood. While it’s normal for a small child to throw a tantrum when they don’t get what they want when they want it, as kids get bigger, the ability to tolerate…

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Source: LifeHacker – How to Help Your Child Build Frustration Tolerance

Google Meet now offers 1080p video calls

Google Meet is rolling out 1080p resolution to give users a crisper image on their next video call. The update brings the company in-line with its competitors, Zoom and Microsoft Teams, who already offer calls in full HD. Previously, the best quality you could get on a Google Meet video call was 720p. 

The update has limited reach, as it’s web-only for now, requires a camera with 1080p capabilities and is limited to two-person meetings. It’s also only available for paid Google Meet versions, such as Google Workspace Business Standard or Plus and Enterprise Starter, Standard, Plus and Essential. Google One subscribers can also access the higher resolution if they have at least 2TB of storage on their device.

Qualifying customers will have to upgrade their resolution on Google Meet manually, as it’s off by default. The process is pretty simple: When you login to a new Google Meet video call, a popup will appear from the change button (labelled with three vertical dots) stating, “Let people see you in full HD” alongside information about the update. You can then choose to turn it on or dismiss the notification. Either way, you can change your resolution at any time by clicking that button, then settings, video and finally choosing from the resolution dropdown choices.

The option for higher resolution calls follows other recent Google Meet updates, like emoji reactions and automatic transcriptions

Google Meet will roll out 1080p resolution for customers with rapid release domains in the next two weeks and for those with scheduled release domains by May 19th. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-meet-now-offers-1080p-video-calls-114023670.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Google Meet now offers 1080p video calls

The Morning After: ‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ first impressions

One of the most anticipated games of the year is almost here. Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom may seem to feature the same basic graphics, map layout and general mechanics as its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, but it breaks new ground with Link’s new skills – Ascend (shooting to the ceiling), Recall (rewinding time for an item), Fuse (combining items and weapons for countless effects) and Ultrahand (building machines). These can seemingly help fight enemies or get you from A to B. I’m now pretty excited for May 12th. Check out all of our impressions from a 75-minute playthrough.

– Mat Smith

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The Morning After isn’t just a newsletter – it’s also a daily podcast. Get our daily audio briefings, Monday through Friday, by subscribing right here.

Beats Studio Buds+ leak on Amazon with a May 18th release date

The earbuds will have a transparent design option.

TMA
Amazon

What are Nothing Ear 1s? Beats might release its next-gen Studio Buds model on May 18th. MacRumors spotted an Amazon listing that showed images and details for Apple’s Beats Studio Buds+. The earbuds, listed for $170 or $20 more than the current model, will have a transparent option that puts their internal components on display, similar to Nothing’s design. The Studio Buds+ microphones are three times larger than the current model’s and have a more powerful processor. Those components enable 1.6 more active-noise canceling power and a transparency mode.

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‘Indiana Jones 5’ will feature a de-aged Harrison Ford for the first 25 minutes

The technology used old LucasFilm footage of Ford for accuracy.

The news that LucasFilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny would feature a de-aged Ford came at the end of last year, but an interview with director James Mangold in Total Film just revealed it will be for almost a fifth of the film’s running time. The news of Ford’s extended return to his 30s comes a few months after Disney, which produced the movie alongside LucasFilm, announced it had built an AI that could make an actor appear older or younger with relative ease at the end of last year. The researchers behind the AI noted it would only work with real people if there were images available of the person in those poses and lighting at a younger age.

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UK regulator blocks Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard merger over cloud concerns

Regulators say it’ll hand Microsoft too much power.

The UK’s antitrust regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority, has announced it will block Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. The CMA said the deal risks creating a monopoly player in cloud gaming. It added that, if the deal concluded, Microsoft would have a market share of between 60 and 70 percent, an “incentive to withhold [Activision Blizzard] games from competitors and substantially weaken competition in this important growing market.”

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Tile’s latest accessory helps track your cat

It’s a modified Tile sticker with a silicon collar attachment and costs $40.

TMA
Tile

The $40 Tile for Cats tracker from Life360 is a modified version of the Tile Sticker with a silicon collar attachment and 250-foot Bluetooth range. The idea is to give you peace of mind that your cat is somewhere in the house, and then help you figure out exactly where the sneaky floof is hiding. The attachment can stretch up to 1.7 times without breaking and is water resistant, so it’ll continue to function even if hit with a few drops.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-first-impressions-111530176.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The Morning After: ‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ first impressions

Linux Has A New Firewire IEEE-1394 Maintainer – Intends To Maintain Support To 2029

It’s likely been years since many of you have heard of Firewire and some readers likely never had the opportunity to use it. The Firewire interface was great back in the day and during the early period of digital video cameras, but modern versions of USB and Thunderbolt are far faster, allow longer cable distances, and numerous other advantages. While Firewire hasn’t seen much activity in years and can be outpaced by USB 3.0 and beyond, there is a new Firewire subsystem maintainer for the Linux kernel and he intends to keep at it for the next six years…

Source: Phoronix – Linux Has A New Firewire IEEE-1394 Maintainer – Intends To Maintain Support To 2029

DFRobot debuts compact x86 Single Board Computer

The LattePanda Sigma is a new single board computer featuring a 13th gen i5 processor along with an ATmega32 coprocessor. The device is equipped with multiple interfaces and flexible expansion ports. The new LattePanda model is available only with the following Intel core processor with support for four 4K simultaneous displays: i5-1340P – 12C/16T (4P+ […]

Source: LXer – DFRobot debuts compact x86 Single Board Computer