Attention Ryzen Enthusiasts: The 7950X3D’s Unexpected Pitfall

May 22, 2023 logan Uncategorized

You’ve probably heard the buzz about the new AMD Ryzen 7000X3D series, but recent events suggest there’s a potential hiccup you need to be aware of. Overclocking maven der8auer recently found that the Ryzen 9 7950X3D has a tendency to fail under certain conditions, even taking the motherboard with it. Let’s dive into the details of this surprising revelation.

A Tragic End to a Promising Overclocking Session

During a visit to Asus HQ, der8auer pushed the Ryzen 9 7950X3D to its limits. Using Asus’ ROG Crosshair X670E Extreme motherboard, he ramped up the voltage from the typical 1V to 1.35V. The system seemed stable even with the increased voltage, all while being cooled with liquid nitrogen to keep temperatures in check. But this was just the beginning.

Taking Overclocking a Step Further

Emboldened by the initial success, der8auer decided to up the ante by increasing the voltage to 1.55V. This is a significant jump, but one you might expect if you’re used to overclocking Intel or older AMD CPUs. However, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D had a different reaction. As soon as it booted up, the system crashed with the motherboard flashing an ominous ’00’ error code. Attempts to revive the system proved futile; the CPU had kicked the bucket, and it did so without even handling any computational load at the new voltage.

The Overlooked Culprit: Overvoltage

What’s surprising is that this catastrophic failure wasn’t expected. Usually, modern processors have a myriad of safeguards to prevent burning out. But in this case, it seems like the motherboard allowed the voltage to reach levels that the 3D V-Cache of the Ryzen 9 7950X3D couldn’t handle. This oversight might be the root cause of the problem.

The Fallout: Dead CPUs and Motherboards

And it’s not just a one-off incident. There have been reports of other Ryzen 7000X3D CPUs and Asus motherboards meeting a similar fate, all burning out at the exact same spot. This raises the question: could an aggressive automatic overclock by the motherboard be the culprit?

What Now? Caution and Lessons Learned

While it’s hard to draw definitive conclusions from a single case, the incident has prompted a rethink. Asus and AMD are likely to limit the maximum voltage for X3D chips to 1.35V in future BIOS updates. So, if you’re a proud owner of a Ryzen 7000X3D processor, keep your BIOS updated, use adequate cooling, and keep an eye on your CPU temps. Also, stay tuned for updates from AMD and motherboard vendors about this issue.

So, there you have it. The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a powerful beast, but it seems like it might need some careful handling when it comes to voltage and overclocking. Stay safe, fellow tech enthusiasts!

(Note: This article is based on the information available as of May 2023, and further updates or clarifications from AMD or motherboard manufacturers might change our understanding of the issue. So keep that in mind as you consider your overclocking adventures.)

Micron Technologies: Pioneering Advanced Chip Manufacturing in Japan

May 21, 2023 logan Uncategorized

Japan’s Push to Revitalize Its Chip Sector

Once a global leader in chip manufacturing, Japan’s market share has now dropped to around 10% from 50% in the late 1980s. To counter this trend, the country is striving to rejuvenate its chip sector. It’s bolstering advanced chip-making capabilities at home and seeking alliances to counter China’s advancements in chip and other advanced technologies.

Micron Technologies is set to become the first corporation to bring Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUV) production to Japan. EUV, a game-changing technology in the cutting-edge world of semiconductor device fabrication, is at the heart of Micron’s bold plan. The company intends to invest as much as 500 billion yen ($3.6 billion) into EUV to manufacture the next generation of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), also known as 1-gamma chips, at its Hiroshima facility.

DRAM: The Future of Memory

For those not in the know, DRAM chips are vital components in digital electronics, offering high-capacity memory at a low cost. Micron’s CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, expressed pride in leading the introduction of EUV technology in Japan, emphasizing Micron’s continued commitment to the nation. Mehrotra noted the company’s strong relationship with the Japanese government and praised the exceptional talent of the Micron Hiroshima team.

A Necessity Born from a Global Chip Shortage

The backdrop to this investment is a worldwide chip shortage and a rising US-China chip conflict, which has left many countries struggling. To combat these challenges, many governments, including Japan’s, are working on boosting their domestic chip manufacturing capabilities. Japan’s government has committed significant financial backing for next-gen chip development and manufacturing, including a partnership with Rapidus to create 2nm chips by 2025.

Prior Successes Fueling Micron’s Ambitious Plans

Micron’s latest investment in Japan follows the company’s announcement last year to build the largest-ever US semiconductor factory in New York, a $20 billion investment. They also began construction on a memory manufacturing facility in Boise, Idaho. The recent CHIPS and Science Act, which allocated $50 billion, has breathed new life into the US semiconductor manufacturing industry. This came at a critical time as the US’s market share has been dwindling in recent years.

Prime Minister Kishida’s Bold Move: Seeking Global Support

Amid this backdrop, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently convened a meeting with top executives from the world’s largest chipmakers, including Intel Corp., Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Samsung Electronics Co., Micron Technology Inc., and IBM. This meeting underscored Japan’s effort to bolster semiconductor manufacturing capacity domestically while reducing reliance on Taiwan.

Say Hello to Nvidia’s New RTX 4060 Family of GPUs

May 20, 2023 logan Nvidia

You’ve heard it here: Nvidia has pulled back the curtain on its new RTX 4060 lineup. This exciting reveal includes the RTX 4060 Ti set to launch next week, May 24th, with a tempting starting price of $399. But hold your breath, because here comes the game-changer: the RTX 4060. This wonder will hit the market in July for an astonishing $299, undercutting the original retail price of the RTX 3060 by $30. Add to the mix a beefed-up 16GB version of the RTX 4060 Ti coming this July for $499, and Nvidia is shaking up the gaming scene yet again.

Affordable Gaming Goodness with the RTX 4060 Family

60-class GPUs from Nvidia have been a fan-favorite among PC gamers on Steam. The release of the RTX 4060 family is making waves as it’s the first time we’ve seen Nvidia’s cutting-edge RTX 40-series cards break the sub-$500 barrier, even dipping below $300.

The $399 RTX 4060 Ti is set to roll out on May 24th sporting a respectable 8GB of VRAM, while the beefier 16GB variant is expected in July for a higher, yet still attractive, $499. The PC gaming community is buzzing with debates around the value of 8GB cards, especially given the emergence of high-demand games that push GPUs to their limits, even at 1080p, if you’re gunning for max settings.

Nvidia Plays Its Cards Right with 4060 Ti

Targeting the 1080p market, Nvidia has positioned its RTX 4060 Ti as the go-to option. Although the previous RTX 3060 Ti demonstrated competent performance at 1440p just a few years back, Nvidia only provided performance data at 1080p for the new release. But don’t write off 1440p performance just yet; we’ll have to wait for in-depth reviews for those numbers. Based on Nvidia’s data, don’t expect a huge performance jump from the RTX 3060 Ti to 4060 Ti, unless you’re running DLSS 3.

In terms of specs, the RTX 4060 Ti boasts a 22 teraflop card with AV1 encoder support and promises more efficient power usage. Both the 8GB and 16GB versions draw a total of 160 watts of power, with Nvidia estimating an average gaming power usage around 140 watts. This marks a significant improvement from the RTX 3060 Ti, which consumed 200 watts, indicating some serious strides in power efficiency.

The Surprisingly Powerful RTX 4060

Turning to the RTX 4060, we’re looking at a 15 teraflop card with 8GB of VRAM, 4GB less than the 12GB on the RTX 3060. However, Nvidia has made equally significant strides in energy efficiency. The RTX 4060’s total power draw is just 115 watts, with an average power usage during gaming at an estimated 110 watts. By comparison, the RTX 3060 drew 170 watts, showcasing the RTX 4060’s impressive power efficiency.

Nvidia Stands its Ground Against Intel

Intel’s recent efforts to pressure Nvidia’s RTX 3060 lineup by pricing its A750 competitor at $249 seems to have backfired. With its aggressive $299 pricing, Nvidia is making a bold move in the mainstream PC gaming market. Competition is great though, and with this it keeps pricing more affordable across the board.

The 8GB Question and What’s Next

The choice of 8GB VRAM for both the RTX 4060 Ti and 4060 might raise a few eyebrows. Many gamers, particularly those in the 60-class, are accustomed to 1080p resolution and optimizing settings for peak performance. However, Nvidia seems to be one step ahead, evidenced by the announcement of a 16GB RTX 4060 Ti. Still, one can’t help but wonder why there isn’t a push for 12GB on the base model to improve texture quality, ray tracing, and overall visual performance.

Interestingly, Nvidia might not be the only one in the 8GB bandwagon. Rumor has it that AMD is gearing up to launch an 8GB Radeon RX 7600, a move that comes just weeks after the company highlighted the disadvantages of lower VRAM cards.

Nvidia’s Bold Leap with the RTX 4060 Family

In a nutshell, Nvidia’s RTX 4060 family is set to make waves in the gaming scene with impressive specs and even more impressive price points. While questions remain about the 8GB VRAM allocation and 1080p performance targeting, the advances in power efficiency and the aggressive price point of the RTX 4060 are indisputable. The true performance capabilities of these new cards, however, will only be evident once they hit the market and get into the hands of gamers.

The arrival of the RTX 4060 lineup signifies Nvidia’s dedication to keeping PC gaming accessible, without compromising on performance. Now, it’s a waiting game to see how competitors respond and how the market evolves. Get ready, gamers, exciting times lie ahead!

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