The tech world is constantly evolving, with new innovations and changes happening every day. This week's roundup features a mix of exciting advancements in PCIe technology, insightful reviews of CPU cooling solutions, and a bittersweet farewell to a long-standing voice in tech journalism.
PCI-SIG Advances PCIe Technology
PCI-SIG is pushing the boundaries of data transfer speeds. At FMS 2024, the organization demonstrated PCIe 6.0 interoperability and provided a sneak peek into PCIe 7.0. The goal? A blazing-fast 128 GT/s data rate with up to 512 GBps of bidirectional traffic using x16 links.
These advancements rely on technologies like PAM4 signaling and FLIT encoding to ensure data integrity and efficiency. The move to PAM4 signaling has brought higher bit-error rates compared to the previous NRZ scheme. This made it necessary to adopt a different error correction scheme in PCIe 6.0 - instead of operating on variable length packets, PCIe 6.0's Flow Control Unit (FLIT) encoding operates on fixed-size packets to aid in forward error correction. PCIe 7.0 retains these aspects.
Beyond speed, PCI-SIG is also exploring optical and cabling solutions to support evolving system architectures. "Even datacenters and enterprise systems are moving towards cabling solutions as it becomes evident that disaggregation of components such as storage from the CPU and GPU are better for thermal design," according to PCI-SIG.
Cooling Solutions: Endorfy, Cougar, and iBUYPOWER
Keeping your CPU cool is crucial for optimal performance, especially in gaming and other demanding applications. This week, we're looking at a few different cooling solutions.
First up is the Endorfy Fortis 5 Dual Fan CPU cooler. As a successor to SilentiumPC's popular Fera 5, the Fortis 5 aims to strike a balance between value, compatibility, and performance in the premium market.
Next, we have the Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB AIO cooler, which boasts vibrant ARGB lighting and a 360mm radiator. Cougar, backed by HEC/Compucase, is known for its gaming hardware, and the Poseidon Ultra aims to appeal to both performance enthusiasts and those seeking a visually stunning setup.
Finally, the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 AIO liquid cooler marks iBUYPOWER's entry into the cooling market. Known for their custom-built gaming PCs, iBUYPOWER is now offering its own cooling solutions to ensure optimal thermal performance and aesthetics.
A Farewell to AnandTech
After 27 years of in-depth tech journalism, AnandTech has announced its final day of publication. Founded by Anand Lal Shimpi, the site has been a respected source of hardware reviews, technology primers, and industry insights.
"It has been my immense privilege to write for AnandTech for the past 19 years – and to manage it as its editor-in-chief for the past decade," wrote Ryan Smith, editor-in-chief of AnandTech. "And while I carry more than a bit of remorse in being AnandTech’s final boss, I can at least take pride in everything we’ve accomplished over the years."
While new articles will no longer be published, the AnandTech website and forums will remain accessible, ensuring that its legacy lives on. Future PLC, AnandTech's publisher, will maintain the site's extensive archive. For those seeking similar content, Tom's Hardware will continue to cover the world of technology, with some familiar AnandTech faces joining their ranks. We wish the entire AnandTech team the best in their future endeavors!