Tech & Hardware 24 Hours

Last updated: July 9, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

AMD and Intel CPU Updates

AMD has expanded its processor offerings with 11 new "Hawk Point" APUs, adding seven models to the Ryzen 200 series and four to the Ryzen 100 series. Intel's upcoming Nova Lake-S and -H CPUs will feature 12-core Arc Xe3P integrated graphics processors (iGPUs), with preliminary IDs appearing in the Linux kernel driver stack. Separately, a discussion on why Intel's onboard audio codecs handle USB better than AMD's suggests that internal "plumbing" differences may be the cause.

PC Hardware and Components

MSI has unveiled its new flagship PC components, including the MEG MAESTRO 900R full tower case and the MEG CORELIQUID E15 360 AIO liquid cooler. In Win has introduced the L50 BREEZE PC case, which uses reeded glass and its AWWA Pure Tone lighting system, moving away from typical aggressive RGB aesthetics. Micron is accelerating its U.S. investments, planning to spend over $250 billion through 2035 and has begun pouring concrete at its new New York fabrication facility. Rambus announced its complete DDR5 9600 Server RDIMM chipset, supporting high-performance CUDIMM and CQDIMM modules. XPG's Lancer Blade RGB DDR5-5600 16 GB CL46 memory kit is now available, noted for its low-profile design and RGB lighting is now available.

Gaming and Software News

The global PC market saw a 3.6% decline in 2Q26, with shipments falling to 65.7 million units amid supply pressures. Xbox is reportedly planning to adopt a strategy similar to PlayStation, focusing on single-player exclusives and cross-platform multiplayer games as part of a reset under new CEO Asha Sharma. The game Crimson Desert may eventually include multiplayer features, despite initial development plans being unclear. The XMG APEX 17 laptop is now available with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, featuring 12 GB of VRAM, an increase from the previous 8 GB. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for $10 through July 19. KAMRUI is offering discounts on its AK1PLUS and Pinova P1 mini PCs, with prices starting at $230.84 July deals.

Automotive and Launch Industry Developments

Ruf debuted its new 4.8 L eight-cylinder flat-eight engine at Goodwood, generating over 1,000 hp and 1,000 Nm. Waymo's autonomous vehicles may offer free rides in California due to a regulatory delay by a state agency concerning its new Ojai vehicle. The launch industry is seeing a shift where payloads are beginning to dictate terms, a change that was not anticipated in earlier phases of competition. The Starship program's "Pez dispenser" design is being noted for its industrial design and scale.

Legal and Societal Issues

A lawsuit claims a man used Grok to generate explicit images of his stepdaughter and subsequently died by suicide, with further lawsuits accusing X of shielding child predators. An Ivy League professor observed a 50% drop in scores after requiring an in-person final exam due to suspected AI cheating, stating that AI cheating leads to "a failed society". A judge rejected an attempt by Kalshi to override New York state gambling laws, with the state governor asserting the prediction market's attempt to ignore these laws.