Have DIY PCs peaked? Why Intel’s Panther Lake reveal gave me existential dread

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I by no means thought I’d suppose on laptops with envy. However right here I’m, writing these phrases.

It comes on the heels of Intel’s deep reveal of Panther Lake, which is what Adam, Will, and Mark have been studying about final week. (Such is the tremendous sekret lifetime of tech journalists.)

Mark’s fast rundown of the info is in depth, as overviews go—there’s simply that many particulars to cowl. I extremely advocate studying his deep dive as properly, however among the many highlights: Three chip households represented by one 8-core and two 16-core processors, with a declare of fifty % higher multithreaded efficiency over earlier generations. The highest-tier 16-core CPUs pack juggernaut-level built-in graphics, together with devoted help for ray-tracing. Stated built-in graphics take the type of Xe3 GPU cores touted as 50 % sooner on common in comparison with final gen. Multiframe technology help (yep, “faux frames”). 

Intel can be cramming in upgrades to the “picture processing unit” in its built-in laptop computer processors to spice up readability and coloration constancy of video throughout webcam calls. Inaccurate pores and skin tones and grainy low-light calls ought to be much less of an issue on a Panther Lake chip. However the function I would like in all chips, together with desktop? Auracast, which not solely allows you to wirelessly play movies throughout two units concurrently, but additionally use the onboard Bluetooth radio to triangulate the situation of a misplaced merchandise—whether or not the laptop computer itself or a linked machine, like earbuds.

So why the envy, when desktop may get Auracast (and certain will)? When kickass built-in graphics matter much less, given the pliability for discrete GPU help? When desktop processors outstrip efficiency on laptops?

Reminiscence points.

I imply after all the ominous stories of anticipated shortages and sharper rising prices for reminiscence. In a current interview, Phison’s CEO thought that demand from AI information facilities for NAND-based merchandise may create a dearth lasting so long as 10 years.

An entire-ass decade.

It’s not simply NAND, both. DRAM can be anticipated to endure from the identical shortages and worth hikes as demand skyrockets. (You possibly can learn Luke James’s glorious article over at Tom’s {Hardware} for extra of a dive into the components contributing to this bleak outlook.)

Right here’s my considering: CPUs and GPUs will proceed to enhance on desktop, sure. It’s doubtless options like Auracast will come to desktop processors, sure. However what good will that do me if I can’t afford to construct a PC round these chips?

Nowadays, I consider storage and reminiscence as fundamental staples amongst {hardware} elements—no completely different than the potatoes, rice, or bread of a meal. The concept of RAM and SSDs turning into each scarce and costly makes me begin to query what I can take with no consideration about desktop PCs and DIY constructing.

I’m wondering if curiosity in DIY constructing will gradual a bit, as a result of additional burden on budgets. If that can then result in an equal slowdown in client CPU and GPU improvements. If that then will increase the withdrawal from DIY constructing, main distributors to drag again on the innovation and selection in instances, followers, and different such elements.

I’m not predicting a demise spiral, however I concern a interval of dormancy that returns us to the temper and vibe of previous eras—when desktop PCs have been boring, bland, and never extremely performant until you had severe spare money to drop.

For now, I’m getting ready for austerity at the same time as I stay up for seeing what else may come from Intel’s Panther Lake, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite and Elite Excessive, and future laptop computer processors. I like the thought of highly effective cell chips. I hate the concept they might supplant desktop PCs as the one cheap choice for customers.

On this episode of The Full Nerd

On this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Will Smith, and particular visitor Edward Crisler, NA PR Supervisor at long-time GPU maker Sapphire Expertise, talk about the present state of GPUs, together with manufacturing challenges and benchmarking modifications.

I ought to speak extra in regards to the precise episode right here, however truthfully, Ed all the time has nice insights and it is best to positively try the entire dialog. Extra to the purpose, I’m nonetheless extraordinarily preoccupied by the lollipop scorpions that Adam introduced again as a memento for Willis.

Absolutely…that’s an HR violation? Isn’t it? Wouldn’t or not it’s? (Willis, watch out!)

Willis Lai / Foundry

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This week’s packed nerd information

Intel’s Panther Lake chips positively made the largest waves in tech information this week, however different fascinating, quirky, and downright unsettling tidbits popped up, too. I’m predictably cautious after studying a brand new report about AI fashions being simply corrupted, however balancing out the scales is a relatively pleasant DIY take from Google on a keyboard.

Additionally, we bought phrase of it just a few weeks in the past, however now it’s time to convey out the bugle—AOL’s dial-up service is now formally useless. Relaxation in peace, outdated pal.

Google

• Anticipate Thread Director modifications in Intel’s Panther Lake: Mark wasn’t the one one who dug deep into Panther Lake whereas on the press briefings in Arizona. Will took a dive with Intel Fellow Rajshree Chabukswar into the upcoming enhancements Intel is making to Thread Director for Panther Lake, too.

• Hold it secret. Hold it secure: Google’s permitting end-to-end encrypted emails to be despatched to non-Gmail recipients. It’s solely obtainable to Workspace customers, however I like what it may imply for private accounts down the street.

• I’d do that rotary dial keyboard: It will be gradual, sure. However I like what it may imply for accessibility choices. (Although possibly voice typing is quicker. Assuming it acknowledges what you’re saying with any accuracy. And it’s not all the time essentially as non-public as I’d like.)

Catch you all subsequent week—if I handle to flee the bins I’ll be swimming in, after taking stock of my October Amazon Prime Day purchases. None of it’s thrilling, however I’m excited that I bought a great deal on “boring” stuff. Yeah, I’ve reached that age.

~Alaina

This text is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and govt editor of {hardware} at PCWorld.