Anthropic may already be testing its next-generation Claude models behind the scenes, and two unusual codenames are now drawing attention: “Marshmallow” and “Melon.” According to recent leaks, Anthropic is testing models internally identified as claude-marshmallow-eap and claude-melon-eap. While the names sound harmless, the performance gap between the two could offer an important clue about where […]
I was at Computex this year when NVIDIA's RTX SparkSystem-on-Chip (SoC) was revealed to the world, and from the start, I had a hunch that it would be a big deal.
Incredibly sleek and streamlined, these laptops were a smash hit on the show floor. Apparently, they're also far more popular than ASUS was expecting.
In a recent ASUS Q2 earnings call, it was revealed that the company is completely out of ProArt P14 and P16 units to ship to its partners (aka third-party retailers and distributors) as part of pre-order efforts.
As one of the first manufacturers to launch RTX Spark-based systems, the market response to pre-orders for our ProArt notebook P16 and P14 has been intense. They are currently completely sold out. [...] Regarding current demand, the market response has far exceeded our expectations. Essentially, the initial quantities we planned have already been fully pre-ordered by our channel partners. We’re continuing to place additional orders with our partners.
S.Y. Hsu, Co-CEO ASUS (ASUS Q2 earnings call)
More RTX Spark laptops are on the way, of course, and ASUS has some time to shore up supplies before the planned Q4 2026 release of the new Spark-powered ProArt PCs.
It's too bad that the earnings call doesn't mention anything about exact volumes, because it's hard to say exactly how popular these laptops really are. However, ASUS says that it's "very optimistic about next year's sales" thanks to the "high AI computing power relative to its compact size" in the RTX Spark laptops.
What is NVIDIA's RTX Spark?
A look at the NVIDIA RTX Spark chip that's (normally) inside the ProArt P16. (Image credit: Cale Hunt | Windows Central)
NVIDIA's RTX Spark is an ARM-powered SoC that's expected to compete directly with the likes of Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm for space in Windows 11 PCs.
I covered rumors of the "N1X" chip for months in the lead-up to Computex 2026, and indeed it seems just as powerful and efficient as pre-announcement estimates.
Spark takes efficient ARM-based CPU cores similar to those found in Qualcomm Snapdragon chips and pairs them with an NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPU, all while drawing from a unified memory setup that can hit 128GB.
A broken-down example of the ASUS ProArt P16 with RTX Spark. (Image credit: Cale Hunt | Windows Central)
This combination allows for massive performance that can shred standard and AI-related tasks without requiring a bulky discrete GPU.
Throw these chips into ASUS ProArt laptops with "all-day-long" battery life, wide port variety, super slim bodies, and 4K OLED displays, and it's easy to see why there's so much interest from retail partners.
ASUS Armoury Crate is but one piece of specialized management software that many of us have installed on our PC, perhaps without even knowing it. It comes preinstalled on ASUS gaming handhelds, including the Xbox Ally X, as well as ASUS gaming laptops.
If that sounds like hardware you use, it's time to check up on Armoury Crate. According to an August 10 update on the official ASUS advisory board, "a component used by Armoury Crate" is vulnerable and could be leaving you open to attacks.
Alongside that unmentioned component of Armoury Crate, ASUS has also released security updates for its GPU Tweak III, GPU Tweak II, and AI Suite 3 software.
This vulnerability, listed as CVE-2026-8917, comes with an 8.4 rating. That's out of a maximum of 10, meaning this isn't an issue you should ignore for long.
What does this ASUS vulnerability entail?
According to the CVE record, an "IOCTL vulnerability allows a local attacker to write a specific value to an arbitrary memory address, potentially leading to privilege escalation."
Although the CVE record doesn't mention Armoury Crate by name, it's clear that ASUS is concerned with that "certain component" alongside its other standalone software.
How do I update the vulnerable ASUS software?
A look at the GPU Tweak III download page at the ASUS support website. (Image credit: ASUS)
Updated versions of GPU Tweak III, GPU Tweak II, and AI Suite 3 software can be directly downloaded from the ASUS support website.
You want to be sure that you're grabbing the most recent version. For GPU Tweak III, I'm seeing version 2.1.7.2. This appears to be a newer version than what's listed as affected on the CVE website.
The GPU Tweak II version on the ASUS support page appears to still be the one affected. (Image credit: ASUS)
For GPU Tweak II, I'm seeing version 2.4.0.0 on the ASUS support page; unfortunately, this version is listed on the CVE page as vulnerable, so I can only guess that ASUS hasn't yet made the necessary updates to its download packages.
It's unclear why ASUS hasn't yet made the secure version of GPU Tweak II available for download. If you're concerned, my best advice is to simply remove the software entirely until it's updated.
And for the actual Armoury Crate software, you can choose to update from within the app itself.
Is there any alternative to ASUS Armoury Crate?
A look at the G-Helper app interface for ASUS laptops and gaming handhelds. (Image credit: Seerge (g-helper.com))
I often use Armoury Crate on my desktop gaming PC to control certain ROG and TUF components, but most of the time it sits idly in the background. It's not the best software, vulnerabilities aside, but it seems to get the job done.
I've read tales of some specific ASUS desktop hardware absolutely requiring Armoury Crate to function properly, but for other ASUS gaming devices, it can be replaced entirely.
Let me introduce you to G-Helper. It's designed to work with ASUS laptops and gaming handhelds, doing what Armoury Crate does in a streamlined, unbloated app that only eats up about 5MB of space.
AI continues to wreak havoc on the tech industry, driving up the prices of processors, RAM, motherboards, and more PC hardware so companies can keep up with its hunger for more power (and RAM).
Fortunately, Newegg is offering a limited sale on several discounted bundles containing AMD processors we've tested and rated highly for their solid performance, alongside compatible motherboards and 16GB RAM modules to help these CPUs reach their full potential.
So, if you're looking to upgrade your PC with some of the best CPUs for gaming or productivity content creation, along with the best motherboards and precious RAM to maintain their stability, this round-up could be your next best solution.
"True to its word, AMD has specifically targeted gamers with this affordable powerhouse, and I expect my upcoming tests only to cement its place in your next rig." — Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
"In a masterclass of performance-per-watt efficiency, AMD offers incredible single-core performance scores that beat its intended 14600K rival and even challenge the 14700K." — Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
This bundle contains an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X processor along with a compatible MSI B850 GAMING PLUS WIFI6E motherboard with fast WiFi 7 wireless connectivity and two 8GB RAM sticks.View Deal
This gaming-focused bundle contains an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor, a GIGABYTE B650E EAGLE WF6E motherboard that offers PCIe 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6E, and two 8GB RAM sticksView Deal
This bundle contains an AMD Ryzen 9 9900X processor with an ASUS TUF GAMING X870E-PLUS WIFI7 motherboard that features two onboard PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots with fast Wi-Fi 7 and two 8GB DDR5 RAM sticks.View Deal
FAQ
How long will these discounts last?
These discount deals will last from July 14, 2026 to July 31, 2026.
Are these AMD processors good for gaming?
Indeed, they are. AMD's Ryzen 9 9900X, Ryzen 7 7800X3D, and Ryzen 5 9600X processors all offer good to exceptional performance for boosting frame rates and smoothness, particularly the -X3D chips.
Which of these processors is good for productivity?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D productivity performance is somewhat underwhelming, while the Ryzen 9600X fares much better with creative apps and solid single-core performance.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D in socket
AI-generated image of an AMD processor with an MSI motherboard and Team Group RAM.
Claude Opus 5 Could Arrive as Early as July 20-21 Fresh leaks suggest Anthropic is preparing to launch Claude Opus 5 as early as July 20-21, making next week one of the biggest weeks for AI model releases. While Anthropic has not officially confirmed the model, multiple reports and community findings point toward an imminent […]
We have found a limited-time sale on the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X CPU, giving keyboard warriors and gamers a chance to significantly improve their PCs' performance for much less.
Close-up of an AMD Ryzen 7900X processor in clear packaging, showcasing its metallic surface and circuitry details. The tone is high-tech and sleek.
Close-up of an AMD Ryzen 7900X processor in clear packaging, showcasing its metallic surface and circuitry details. The tone is high-tech and sleek.
Anthropic has quietly made a massive move for developers. The company’s most powerful AI model, Claude Opus 4.7, is now the default model inside Claude Code fast mode. And the wild part?You only need one command: /fast That’s it. No extra setup. No complicated configuration. No additional payment tier. Developers using Claude Code can now […]
New leaks suggest Anthropic is getting ready to launch multiple next-generation AI systems, including the mysterious Claude Mythos 1 and an upgraded Claude Opus 4.8 model. The unreleased models recently appeared across several backend systems and internal UI references, hinting that Anthropic could be entering the final stages of rollout testing. Claude Mythos 1 Preview […]
ASUS now has Zenbook A16 and Zenbook S 16 models on the market, and at first glance, they seem quite similar. But once you get inside, differences begin to appear. I've put together this comparison based on our reviews of both laptops to help you make the right decision.
ASUS Zenbook A16 vs Zenbook S 16
I'm comparing the Zenbook A16 to the Zenbook S 16.
We got our hands on the new ASUS Zenbook A16 for in-depth testing, and it's clear that the new Windows laptop is gunning for Apple's lightweight MacBook Air 15. Here's how the two devices compare in terms of design, features, displays, performance, efficiency, and pricing.
ASUS Zenbook A16 vs. MacBook Air 15 (M5)
I'm putting the new ASUS Zenbook A16 up against the MacBook Air 15 with M5.
A combination of Qualcomm's phenomenal generational performance gains and refinements to ASUS' already stellar Zenbook design has crafted a practically perfect Windows laptop.
Studio photos of the 2026 ASUS Zenbook A16 laptop featuring the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme processor.
Studio photos of the 2026 ASUS Zenbook A16 laptop featuring the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme processor.
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is one of the best gaming processors you can currently upgrade your rig with to optimize your favorite game's performance, and it's enjoying its lowest discount yet for a limited time.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor held in front of a blue cloudy sky
Intel's Core Ultra 200S series CPUs come as a duo of Arrow Lake Refresh processors, and they're refreshingly cheap for creators, with gaming benefits to boot.
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and 270K Plus desktop processors on Intel box
Intel's Core Ultra 200S series CPUs come as a duo of Arrow Lake Refresh processors.
PC building is in a bad place right now with extortionate price increases and all-around shortages, so when a deal like this pops up on an RTX 5060 Ti it is not to be missed.
AI-Generated image of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 60 Ti visuallized
The RTX 5060 Ti is hard to find without paying a premium, so this isn't a deal to miss.
There is a 23% discount active for the ASUS Vivobook 14, a workhorse laptop equipped with a Snapdragon X CPU, long battery life, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and more features that help you survive the daily office grind.
AI generated image of the ASUS Vivobook 14, visualized
The ASUS Vivobook 14 is not flashy, but will get the job done with no fuss.
Amazon has acquired a special 34% discount for the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X, making one of the most affordable and power-efficient CPUs for PCs with RTX 4080 graphics cheaper than ever.
Amazon is hosting a special 14% discount for the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, a mighty mid-range CPU that will castly your PC gaming experience with 8 cores, 16 threads, a max clock boost of 5GHz, and more.
At CES 2026, ASUS refreshed the awesome Zenbook A14 — and announced a new, ultra-light 16-inch version powered by Qualcomm's most powerful laptop chips yet.
The Iceland Gray and the Zabriskie Beige ASUS Zenbook A16 laptops floating in the air near bubbles.
Connexion
