Welcome to The Full Nerd publication—your weekly dose of hardcore {hardware} discuss from the lovers at PCWorld. In it, we dig into the most popular matters from our YouTube show, plus scorching tidbits seen throughout the online.
This week, we crack open native Taiwanese beers whereas chatting about Computex—seize a chilly one among your individual (or possibly some Kuai Kuai chips?) as you be part of us on this high quality Friday!
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In this episode of The Full Nerd…
In this episode of The Full Nerd, it’s all issues Computex!
Live from Taiwan, Adam Patrick Murray joins up with Jeff of CraftComputing, Paul of Paul’s Hardware, and Nick of GearSeekers to speak concerning the highs and lows of their week. With Computex 2025 being a reasonably sleepy present, the blokes have a extra informal two-hour dialogue, with a couple of tangent about an fanatic scorching matter close to and expensive to the person’s coronary heart.
AI and enterprise servers benefitting us shoppers? Nvidia’s hijinks for RTX 5060 overview timing? Worst of Computex? Best of Computex? Yep, these are all coated. And much more, too.
Willis Lai / Foundry
- I actually did a double-take when Paul described this Computex’s vibe because the “enterprise sector being all sexy.” What? And but, in some way, the tech trade’s newest favourite buzzword may imply good issues for shoppers. As Jeff explains that AI’s impact on enterprise servers may have advantages for us at house—like if the bubble bursts and all of the sudden all that {hardware} makes it our manner. Or as Adam shares from a chat with SilverStone, we may see extra highly effective cooling options get tailored over, like thick radiators. There’s a muscle construct ready to occur.
- Is it a resistance? Or is a reprisal? PC reviewers are upset about Nvidia’s review practices—specifically, its choices for its launch of its new RTX 5060 graphics card. Sure, reviewers acquired samples in hand earlier than the launch, however not a pre-release driver—and the launch occurred throughout Computex. In different phrases? The incapacity to run numbers in a well timed style, that means potential patrons couldn’t make knowledgeable choices when contemplating this new 50-series GPU.
Should reviewers complain about not having practical free playing cards earlier than launch? It’s not that easy, says Nick. He factors out a overview pattern isn’t free, since a lot work goes into operating numbers and presenting the information. Readers and viewers anticipate to have info to information them, and when reviewers can’t present it, it’s problematic.
- Aesthetics vs efficiency—an age-old query, and one which bubbles up as Adam kicks off the Computex disappointments by naming the Hyte X50 & X50 Air. (He’s very flawed. The X50 in pink goes to look so good on my desk.)
Jeff pushes again, keen to sacrifice just a few p.c for the enjoyment of one thing he likes. More disappointing to him? Corsair Air 5400D, the corporate’s first triple-chamber case that has no panel on one aspect. And blocks the set up of further PCI-e add-in playing cards. But that’s not the one factor that baffled the blokes—Paul and Nick have their very own nits to choose, too. (You’ll have to look at the episode for that pun’s context!)
- I’m totally on-board with Paul’s choose for finest in present. In reality, I could have determined by myself high choose for PCWorld’s Best of Computex roundup after watching his report from G.Skill’s booth. Memory DIMMs might not sound racy, however a set in neon yellow and neon orange could make you rethink. (I want the sparkly silver idea end. Speaking of, go inform G.Skill you prefer it too, so it turns into a factor.)
But nobody can rival Adam’s enthusiasm for his high choose. In reality, he waxes so poetic about scented thermal paste that I’m barely reconsidering my stance in opposition to it. Still don’t suppose I’d construct with it, however okay, I suppose I may at the least see it in particular person. Not positive about that baby-diaper smelling one, although.
But these matters aren’t the entire of the dialog. Strap in for chatter about AMD’s Radeon technique, the extent of shopper curiosity in energy effectivity (it’s the U.S. vs the remainder of the world), fab capability, and extra.
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This week’s finest nerd information
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This week is chock filled with Computex reveals—that are particularly thrilling as a result of in contrast to CES, you’ll be able to largely rely on seeing these merchandise arrive on retail cabinets. The solely wrinkle? Pricing might not be sure for U.S. residents, as a consequence of ongoing fluctuations with tariffs.
- Get an AMD RX 9060 XT, not Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti? AMD claims its upcoming Radeon graphics card prices much less and performs higher than the Nvidia RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti. If critiques agree, this $350 card will likely be a boon for mid-range players upon its June 5 launch.
- Microsoft dropped a PC into coolant designed by AI: I’ve my doubts about AI’s usefulness, however this experiment at Microsoft Build was fairly dang cool. There was even a demo of Forza Motorsport performed on the submersed {hardware}!
- SilverStone made a throwback beige PC case: I’m going to catch warmth from the web (and my coworkers) for this, however I hated the beige containers of the 1990s and nonetheless do. However, this retro-style case does include a lock. And a Turbo button. Hmm.
- Cooler Master’s all-metal case fan is metal as heck: Its Masterfan XT Pro can hit such a excessive RPM (4,000) that the product has to ship with a fin grill for security. But solely on the entrance. Watch your fingers.
- Noctua brings brown town to AIO coolers: A particular form of particular person loves Noctua’s signature shade scheme (actually, one among our Discord server members is like this and he’s a gem). Now you’ll now not want to decide on between love for water cooling and for a lot brown and tan.
- A split mechanical gaming keyboard for the masses!: An ergonomic keyboard that doesn’t really feel gross when typing? And additionally a gaming keyboard? Sign me up. Y’all, this factor may be tented. (Vertical pitch makes this type of design far more cozy.)
- I want Hyte’s X50 case very badly: I discussed how a lot I need one in pink, proper? Adam’s so flawed concerning the bubbly edges. It’s so refreshing amongst a sea of sharp-edged boxy circumstances.
- AMD is dropping a 96-core Threadripper CPU: For once you crave workstation efficiency however not workstation costs. Ninety-six cores and 128 threads.
That’s all for this week—for all my fellow U.S. residents, benefit from the lengthy vacation weekend!
-Alaina
This publication is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and govt editor of {hardware} at PCWorld. Want The Full Nerd publication to return on to your inbox each Friday morning? Sign up on our website!