I can scarcely imagine it, the annual smorgasbord of expertise that’s the Shopper Electronics Present, aka CES, is simply across the nook. The place did this 12 months go? So, what are you able to anticipate to emerge new-born and blinking underneath the Nevada solar in January, able to revolutionise your gaming in 2023?
The massive three will definitely have some new wares to point out off. The present kicks off correct on January 5, however AMD’s head honcho, Dr. Lisa Su can be doing her standard pre-show keynote sizzle shizzle on January 4.
In truth, AMD has already dished lots of the key particulars. These laptop computer chips are codenamed Dragon Vary and Phoenix. Aimed toward huge, high-performance desktop substitute rigs, the previous is principally the desktop Ryzen 7000 with its 5nm CPU chiplets and 6nm IO and graphics die repackaged for cellular. We’re anticipating variants with as much as 16 cores.
Arguably extra attention-grabbing is Phoenix. Like Ryzen 7000 and Dragon Vary, it is anticipated to be chiplet primarily based and use those self same 5nm Zen 4 cores, although this time with a most of eight somewhat than 16 of them. In fact, that is nonetheless an enormous quantity of processing energy and Phoenix additionally will get far more highly effective graphics in its IO chiplet.
The place Dragon Vary has the identical mini graphics core with simply two RDNA 2-spec compute models, Phoenix is anticipated to rock 12 RDNA 3-spec compute models. It nonetheless will not be an actual gaming powerhouse, however must be as much as the job of sunshine 1080p gaming.
Talking of cellular, AMD might additionally announce some new RDNA 3 laptop computer GPUs primarily based on the brand new Radeon RX 7000 collection (opens in new tab) . Assume RX 7900 and RX 7800 Mobility. Specs at this stage are speculative, however we would anticipate any cellular chips to be primarily based on the upcoming Navi 32 and Navi 33 GPUs, somewhat than the Navi 31 huge boy from the desktop 7900 XT and 7900 XTX playing cards.
At present, the perfect out there information suggests Navi 32 will rock 60 compute models and three,840 stream processors, whereas Navi 33 will run 32 compute models and a couple of,048 processors. For context, Navi 31 is 96 compute models and 6,144 processors.
Again on the desktop, we’re not anticipating AMD to announce new graphics playing cards given the current launch of the 7900 XT and 7900 XTX. However we might see some new CPUs. A 3D V-cache model of latest Zen 4 structure, alongside the traces of the Zen 3-based Ryzen 7 5800X3D, is feasible. We’re additionally anticipating extra inexpensive and decrease wattage non-X variations of the brand new Ryzen 7000 collection.
Intel strikes again
Cores, cores, cores: You will stand up to 24 of ’em in a Raptor lake laptop computer. (Picture credit score: Intel)
As for arch rival Intel, it can even be going huge on cellular with thirteenth Gen Raptor Lake (opens in new tab) laptop computer CPUs. The massive information right here is that Intel is anticipated to provide laptops the total Raptor Lake expertise. Meaning a Core i9 model with eight efficiency cores and all 16 effectivity cores. Yikes.
Lesser variants with decrease core counts, together with eight and eight, six and eight and 6 and 4, all efficiency and effectivity respectively are additionally seemingly.
As for Raptor Lake on the desktop, Intel previewed a 6GHz model just a little earlier this 12 months and spoke of early 2023 availability. So, anticipate that chip to be launched at CES and sure branded Core i9 13900KS. As for Intel’s Arc graphics, we do not assume Intel may have any huge bulletins at CES.
Nvidia’s plans
Nvidia launched, then un-launched the RTX 4080 12GB. (Picture credit score: Nvidia)
However what of the ultimate member of the unholy trinity, Nvidia? As soon as once more, cellular is anticipated to characteristic strongly, with RTX 40 collection for laptops being up entrance and centre. As we mentioned final month (opens in new tab) , we’re anticipating a full stack of RTX 40 collection laptop computer chips for CES, together with RTX 4090, 4080 and 4070.
As ever, these GPUs seemingly will not map on to the desktop variants. So the RTX 4090 will not be primarily based on the large, energy hungry AD102 chip within the desktop RTX 4090. As a substitute, it will be the AD103 GPU as seen within the desktop RTX 4080 that qualifies for RTX 4090 branding in a laptop computer.
When you’re maintaining with all that, it will be AD104 for the RTX 4080 cellular and the even smaller AD106 chip for the RTX 4070 cellular, although of all these cellular GPUs, the RTX 4070 is the least sure for launch at CES. It might observe later within the 12 months.
Anyway, the RTX 4090 cellular might be fairly the beast. The AD103 GPU rocks 9,728 shades and 112 render outputs, each round 30 % up on the meatiest chip from the outgoing RTX 30 collection cellular line up. Consider larger clocks, too, and laptop computer gaming efficiency will take a really good step ahead.
Again on the desktop, Nvidia’s stillborn RTX 4080 12GB (opens in new tab) is broadly tipped to make a re-appearance at CES, stickered up because the RTX 4070 Ti. Specs are more likely to be precisely the identical because the defunct 4080 12GB, however the huge query is pricing. The 12GB was meant to go on sale at $899. Our guess is Nvidia will go for $799 for the 4070 Ti. Watch this area.
Laptops, laptops, laptops
Alienware’s final 18 incher was this ridiculous brick. (Picture credit score: Alienware)
Whereas we’re speaking laptops, Alienware lately teased its upcoming 18-inch laptop computer (opens in new tab) , which we anticipate to debut at CES. Alienware can also be rumoured to be engaged on an 18-inch mannequin. So 18 inches might be a giant theme at CES 2023.
Razer can also be rumoured to have a brand new 16-inch mannequin within the works. We’re hoping that it will get a little bit of a design overhaul. Razer’s present laptops have fairly fats chins and it is arguably about time they acquired a slim-bezel refresh. Fingers crossed.
Extra laptops with high-refresh OLED panels are additionally seemingly. Asus specifically goes laborious with OLED expertise, so look out for some scorching new laptops with super-fast, eye-popping OLED panels.
OLED Galore It will not simply be laptops with OLED goodness at CES. OLED PC screens are a nailed-on certainty for CES. Asus lately launched a pair of enormous format OLED panels. Nevertheless it’s smaller, extra, effectively, monitor-sized OLED screens that curiosity us.
Excessive up on the checklist is Samsung’s 34-inch ultrawide OLED monitor utilizing the identical 3,440 by 1,440 QD-OLED Samsung panel utilized by the Alienware 34 AW3423DW (opens in new tab) Samsung will seemingly launch a lot of different OLED screens on the present, too.
LG’s new OLED gaming screens must also be in attendance, ditto Asus’s 27-inch OLED panel, which makes use of the identical LG panel expertise. All, instructed there’ll virtually actually be an entire slew of OLED monitor bulletins at CES. What we’re not anticipating this 12 months, sadly, is excessive pixel density OLED monitor tech. 32-inch 4K high-refresh OLED does not look seemingly this 12 months.
8K should you actually should, plus DisplayPort 2.1
(Picture credit score: AMD)
We’re undecided if will probably be a serious pattern at CES, however there can be at the very least one 8K monitor at CES. Properly, we are saying 8K. Samsung’s up to date “8K” Neo G9 was previewed by AMD at its RDNA 3 launch occasion (opens in new tab) . It is 8K by way of horizontal pixel depend, however with its 32:9 facet, it is actually two 4K pixel grids and half 8K decision general.
Very seemingly, this new half-8K panel will debut at CES. Nevertheless, the issue with full 8K is twofold. Firstly, reaching respectable body charges at 8K is ridiculously laborious. It is 4 occasions the GPU load of 4K.
You additionally want monstrous show interface bandwidth to assist excessive refresh 8K gaming. Nevertheless, Nvidia’s newest RTX 40 collection don’t assist DisplayPort 2.1, which is in the end a requirement for top refresh 8K gaming. AMD’s new Radeon RX 7000 GPUs do assist DisplayPort 2.1. However we’re not satisfied that 8K is anyplace being a factor for PC gaming.
That stated, DisplayPort 2.1 may also allow even larger refreshes with present resolutions. 4K at past 240Hz? When you actually should, you will want DisplayPort 2.1.
PCIe Gen 5 SSDs
(Picture credit score: Apacer)
Might CES be floor zero for these overdue PCI Specific Gen 5 SSDs? Reportedly, the primary Gen 5 drive utilizing the Phison E26 controller chip went on sale lately in Japan. So, perhaps, simply perhaps.
PCIe Gen 5 drives provide double the theoretical bandwidth of Gen 4 SSDs. So, peak all through might hit as a lot as 15GB/s. Early Gen 5 drives in all probability will not be that fast. However one thing within the area of 12GB/s is reasonable for first-gen drives.
That stated, we’re extra serious about how a lot better these new SSD could be for IOPS and random entry efficiency. Arguably, that is the world of storage efficiency that actually wants a lift. Not peak sequential switch charges.
Ker-a-zeee ideas
(Picture credit score: Razer)
It is CES so foolish idea expertise is just about a given. Final 12 months, Razer gave us Undertaking Sophia, a modular PC constructed right into a desk with an enormous OLED show edge-lit glass tabletop and THX sound system. Alienware, in the meantime, confirmed off a watercooled exterior GPU, Dell had its modular, upgradable Idea Luna laptops and TCL teased us with micro-LED AR glasses.
Most of these things stays in idea standing, although Samsung’s QD-OLED tech from CES 2022 is at the very least now out there, included within the Alienware 34 monitor. As for what zany ideas you possibly can anticipate from CES 2023, that is anybody’s guess.
However proper out on the fringes of chance, what about an inexpensive gaming graphics card? Now that might be an unimaginable technical innovation. Yeah, you are proper. That is the stuff of science fiction. Oh effectively, it is good to dream.
