As home networks become more complicated -- and more wireless -- it can seem like wired networking is old hat. Who needs a hard-wired connection from one of the best network switches when you can get Gigabit speeds or better from a shiny new Wi-Fi 6E router ? Then again, a wireless connection can introduce many variables. Protocol compatibility, wireless interference, signal-obliterating wall materials, or just poorly-designed radios/antennas can all slow a
Best Network Switches 2021: Add Ports, Speed and Versatility to Your Network
Nvidia's Virtualization Unlocked On Gaming GPUs via Hack
A group of enthusiasts has unlocked vGPU (GPU virtualization) capability, which is only supported on select datacenter and professional boards, on standard consumer Nvidia GeForce gaming graphics cards. Since the vGPU capability is supported by the silicon but locked out by software, it was only a matter of time and effort before enthusiasts unlocked the feature. As it turns out, according to a Reddit post , that time has come, potentially saving some users the thousands of dollars they would otherwise have to shell out
Intel Core i9-11900K and Core i5-11600K Review: Rocket Lake Blasts Off
Our Verdict
The Core i9-11900K is impressive in gaming and lightly-threaded work, but it trails the Ryzen 9 5900X tremendously in threaded work and doesn't cement itself well enough in gaming to justify the premium price tag.
For
- + Snappy single-threaded performance
- + Gaming performance
- + Overclocking enhancements
- + PCIe 4.0
- + Faster iGPU
Against
- - High pricing
- - High power consumption
- - Needs CPU cooler
- - Eight cores
- - Lackluster threaded performance
- - Gear 2 Memory Mode
Monoprice Cadet 3D Printer Review: Kid and Beginner-Friendly
Our Verdict
The Monoprice Cadet is a well-designed 3D printer for beginners, but it lacks some important features that would really let it soar.
For
- + Good for beginners, kids
- + Auto-leveling probe is fast and accurate
Against
- - Side-mounted spool holder doesn’t fit standard 1 kg spools
- - iOS Wi-Fi app doesn’t appear to work
- - Lack of part cooling fan can be a problem for complex shapes
Comet Lake In Your Palm: 8-Core CPU Crammed Onto A 3.5-Inch Board
Aaeon, a leading maker of embedded and commercial systems, has quietly unveiled a rather unique 3.5-inch single-board computer (SBC) that supports socketed Intel's Comet Lake processors. The SBC is designed mainly for embedded applications, but with some luck and DIY skills, you could use it to build an ultra-compact form-factor (UCFF) desktop with up to eight high-performance cores as well as advanced media playback capabilities.
Aaeon's Gene-
Intel Videos Explain the Basics of Modern CPU Architectures, Sans Marketing Fluff
Intel took to YouTube on Thursday with a deceptively simple goal—help people understand how a CPU works. The company uploaded two videos as part of those efforts: a Key Concepts video covering the most basic aspects of CPU design and a Microarchitecture Deep Dive offering more information about those concepts. Surprisingly, the videos come without the usual bit of marketing we would expect from the company, so they’re incredibly informative without pushing Intel’s products.
Both videos were hosted by Intel CVP of
Nvidia Gives Away GeForce RTX 3090 In GTC 2021 Treasure Hunt
Stealing a page out of Intel's playbook , Nvidia is holding a treasure hunt leading up to GTC (Graphics Technology Conference) 2021. To give the public an extra bit of motivation to participate, the chipmaker is offering up a ton of prizes, including the elusive GeForce RTX 3090 (Ampere) graphics card.
Earlier today, Nvidia released a short video to promote GTC 2021, which starts on April 1
Crowbits’ Programmable Magnetic Blocks STEM Kit Review: Build, Code and Play
Our Verdict
Crowbits’ progressive STEM kits teach future engineers (ages 6-10 and up) the basics of electronics and programming, but nondurable paper elements and poorly translated documentation could lead to frustration and incomplete projects.
For
- + 80+ Lego-compatible electronic modules and sensors
- + Helpful programming software
- + Progressive learning kits
- + Examples are very helpful
- + Engaging projects for pre-teen and teen engineers
Against
- - Inadequate and inaccurate project tutorial
- - Cable modules are stiff and pop off easily
- - Cardboard projects are flimsy and cumbersome
GlobalFoundries Owner Eyes $20 Billion Valuation for IPO
Mubadala Investment Co. has started preparations for GlobalFoundries' initial public offering (IPO), which is expected in late 2021. As chip demand is surging and the industry is suffering from shortages, GlobalFoundries' business is expected to thrive.
Bloomberg reported this week that Mubadala has initiated talks with potential advisers about an IPO of GlobalFoundries in the U.S., eyeing a $20 billion valuation. The sovereign investment fund has not yet selected underwriters for the listing, which
Eyecam Is a Raspberry Pi-Powered Webcam That Looks Like a Human Eye
Have a fear of being spied on? Then look out because the Eyecam is an eye-opening, open-source, Raspberry Pi -powered camera that eerily resembles a human eye. Half pet, half unused concept from David Cronenberg’s eXistenZ, this fleshy camera from Germany’s Saarland University is less of a Best Webcams contender and more of an art piece that highlights the surveillance we open ourselves up to when attaching sensors to personal devices.
“Imagine Eyecam waking up on