Computex2019
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Intel's Core i9-9900KS CPU can run all eight cores at 5GHz
It wouldn't be Computex if Intel didn't have some sort of geek-friendly CPU reveals. This time around, it's the Core i9-9900KS, a "special edition" upgrade of its flagship 9900K. The biggest improvement? It'll be able to reach 5GHz boost speeds across all eight of its cores, instead of just on a single one. Intel isn't giving us many details about the chip until its Tuesday Computex keynote, but the company confirmed it'll have a 4GHz base speed, a slight leap beyond the 9900K's 3.6 GHz. Curiously, they wouldn't reveal the chip's TDP, so it's unclear if it'll demand more power than the original model. During a brief demo with press, Intel showed the chip running via Windows Task Manager, which had every core maxed out at 5GHz. So, at the very least, we know the silicon is real.
Intel's 10nm 'Ice Lake' CPUs can actually run games well in 1080p
In December, Intel promised that its upcoming 10nm laptop CPUs will feature integrated graphics with over a teraflop worth of computing power. Ahead of its Computex keynote later this week, the company gave us a better sense of what that improvement means for real-world gaming in 1080p. How does a 72 percent performance jump in CS: Go sound? Or maybe you'd prefer the 42 percent faster speeds in Overwatch? The big takeaway is that its 10nm CPUs and their 11th generation integrated graphics will actually be able to handle plenty of titles in 1080p without leaning on a dedicated GPU.
AMD partner leaks two mid-range Navi GPUs
AMD is set to announce more GPUs based on its 7-nanometer Navi tech, according to a leak from Sapphire, one of its largest graphics card partners. At Computex, CEO Lisa Su will reportedly unveil the Navi XT that can best the NVIDIA RTX 2070 for $499. AMD will also launch the Navi Pro, with performance between the RTX 2060 and RTX 2070 for $399. The Radeon VII, meanwhile, will remain AMD's flagship GPU.
MSI crams an unlocked, desktop-class Core i9 into its new laptop
MSI's Titan-series laptops can only be described as an Absolute Unit, and with a laptop this beefy, you need a chip that can keep up. That's why the new GT76 Titan is packing an unlocked, desktop-class Core i9 into its hefty frame.
NVIDIA teases something 'super'
NVIDIA's Computex press event will likely represent big news for PC gamers. The GPU maker has posted a teaser on its GeForce YouTube channel hinting that "something super is coming." The brief clip only shows an embossed metal "super" logo, but that's enough to suggest that it could represent one or more souped-up graphics cards. If so, there might already be an inkling of what to expect.
Acer's Nitro 5 and Swift 3 laptops pack the latest AMD Ryzen processors
Acer isn't just sticking to Intel for chips in its latest laptops. The company has rolled out versions of its Nitro 5 gaming laptop and Swift 3 thin-and-light that pack second-generation Ryzen Mobile processors. The 15.6-inch Nitro 5 (above) carries a 2.3GHz quad-core Ryzen 7 3750H and dedicated Radeon RX 560X graphics to handle a moderate amount of gaming. The 14-inch Swift 3 uses the more modest (but still quad-core) 2.3GHz Ryzen 7 3700U and defaults to integrated Vega graphics, but you can get Radeon RX 540X video if you'd like to squeak in some Overwatch when you're not writing reports.
What to expect at Computex 2019
Computex offers us a chance to check in on the health of the PC market in an era when it was expected to wither on the vine. At last year's show, the PC industry, either through desperation or a newfound confidence, started to innovate once more. We saw designs with multiple screens, attempts to kill off the keyboard and better ideas around portability. It may have taken far longer than expected, but PC makers have realized they can't simply expect people to buy their products just because. So this what we're expecting, and in some cases hoping, to see this year at Computex when we hit the ground in Taiwan next week.
Lenovo is working on a ThinkPad with a foldable display
Sure, foldable phones are intriguing, but have you considered foldable laptops? Lenovo has clearly been thinking about the concept for awhile, and today, it's ready to unveil an early preview of its latest experimental efforts. At its Accelerate conference in Florida, the company showed off the world's first foldable PC prototype, and we got to check it out at a recent briefing in New York.
