The hottest Hardware Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Faster NTT with RISC-V Vector

Fprox’s Substack • 62 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Cryptography Hardware Algorithms
  1. The Number Theoretic Transform (NTT) can speed up polynomial multiplications, which are important for modern cryptography. Optimizing how this process works leads to significant performance improvements.
  2. Using assembly language can help tailor code for specific hardware, allowing more direct control over how instructions are executed, which can greatly enhance speed.
  3. Combining multiple steps of the NTT process into fewer loops and minimizing unnecessary calculations can lead to much lower execution times, achieving targets that seemed difficult at first.

ONE IMAGE: HOISTED FROM THE ARCHIVES FROM 2020: The Moment I Realized Intel Was in Huge Trouble—But I Did Not See the TSMC-NVIDIA Angle

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 161 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Hardware Semiconductors Innovation Corporate strategy Industry Analysis
  1. Intel has been struggling to keep up with competitors like TSMC and Apple, especially in chip performance and manufacturing processes. This gap has raised concerns about Intel's future viability.
  2. Performance per watt is becoming more important in chip design, meaning companies like Apple that focus on this can gain a significant advantage over others, including Intel.
  3. Many believe Intel is in a tough spot with little hope for recovery. If things don’t improve, its value may only come from any cash payments the government might offer, rather than from future profits.
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LLM Inference Hardware: Emerging from Nvidia's Shadow

Gradient Flow • 1138 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Hardware AI Inference GPU CPU
  1. Demand for efficient and cost-effective inference solutions for large language models is escalating, leading to a shift away from reliance solely on Nvidia GPUs.
  2. AMD GPUs offer a compelling alternative to Nvidia for LLM inference in 2024, particularly in terms of performance and efficiency, catering to the growing demand for diverse hardware options.
  3. CPU-based solutions, like those from Neural Magic and Intel, are emerging as viable options for LLM inference, demonstrating advancements in performance, optimization, and affordability, especially for teams with limited GPU access.

Maker News - May 2025 Round Up

Maker News • 7 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🕹 Technology Hardware Open Source DIY Projects Electronics Innovation
  1. There are innovative DIY projects that show how creativity can lead to amazing results, like a cheap instant camera made with basic parts and clever wiring.
  2. Some makers are pushing the boundaries of technology, like transmitting data over long distances or programming DIY CPUs to run games in unique ways.
  3. Community projects, such as open-source hardware and hackable devices, encourage sharing knowledge and tools, making it easier for anyone to get involved in building cool stuff.

AMD MI300 Ramp, GPT-4 Performance, ASP & Volumes

SemiAnalysis • 4141 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Market Analysis Artificial Intelligence Data Centers
  1. AMD's MI300 is positioned as a strong competitor in LLM inference against Nvidia and Google hardware.
  2. Major companies like Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, Google, and Amazon have already placed orders for AMD MI300.
  3. AMD's Datacenter GPU revenue is expected to reach over $2 billion in 2024 with strong demand from customers and supply constraints.

Tenstorrent Extends Japan Engagement

More Than Moore • 210 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors AI Development Engineering Hardware Software
  1. Tenstorrent is focusing on a combination of selling hardware and open-sourcing their software. This allows them to work closely with clients while still attracting broader interest.
  2. The company is training up to 200 Japanese engineers in their technology to help improve local manufacturing capabilities. This will enhance skills in the region and expand the use of their designs.
  3. Tenstorrent is growing its operations in Japan and developing local teams. This signals their commitment to being a key player in the Japanese semiconductor industry.

BIWEEKLY BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-12-05 Th

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 107 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Economics Cybersecurity Hardware Fintech
  1. Intel has faced a lot of trouble due to poor decisions made years ago. The issues they are now trying to fix are rooted in choices that stretch back more than a decade.
  2. Spending on AI is growing, but it's still far below what many companies expected. Big tech firms are investing heavily in AI to protect themselves from competition, even though they don't see immediate profits.
  3. China is now the main driver of global warming, and other countries have significantly cut their CO2 emissions. Tackling climate change is increasingly seen as a challenge that China needs to address.

ESP32-S3 ZX Spectrum - Update 22-06-2024

Single Board ESP32 ZX Spectrum • 159 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Manufacturing Design Crowdfunding
  1. The creator is grateful for the support shown for the ESP32-S3 ZX Spectrum project, with 432 people signing up for updates.
  2. Progress has been made in applying to platforms like Crowd Supply, developing prototypes with new features, and creating new artwork for the project.
  3. Key questions are addressed about the project, including display options, pricing, support for games, and potential selling platforms.

Has the time come to take Mortal Computing seriously?

State of the Future • 32 implied HN points • 30 Apr 25
🕹 Technology Computers AI Hardware Software Innovation
  1. Mortal Computing is about embracing variability and imperfections in technology, moving away from the current trend of making every chip identical and perfect.
  2. Weakly Mortal designs could lead to huge gains in performance and efficiency by using smart systems that adapt to different conditions, instead of relying on perfect chips.
  3. Strongly Mortal computing could potentially unlock amazing new technologies, like self-repairing machines and entirely new types of computing that could change how we interact with technology.

Review: The Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II

Startup Strategies • 28 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gadgets Reviews Computing Innovation Hardware
  1. The Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II is well-built and durable, making it a solid choice for keyboard lovers. It has a nice premium feel and doesn’t slide around on the desk.
  2. The keyboard features RGB-lit keys for notifications, which can be customized using special software, but this feature isn't very useful for most people.
  3. At $219, it’s on the expensive side compared to other keyboards with similar features. You might find better value by getting a cheaper keyboard and using a separate monitor for notifications.

Your guide to AI: January 2025

Guide to AI • 7 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Tech Policy Startups Research Hardware
  1. The new US administration is making changes to AI policy, which might affect tech companies and regulations. These changes could ease some restrictions, but their real impact is still unclear.
  2. NVIDIA remains a strong player in AI hardware, especially as demand for Chinese chips grows. However, there's skepticism around whether newer companies can truly compete with established ones like NVIDIA.
  3. Europe is pushing to increase AI adoption and innovation, but there are concerns about their regulations stifling progress. Meanwhile, big investments are happening in AI startups across various sectors.

Under the microscope: Hang-On GP

Rings of Saturn • 14 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Internet Hardware Digital Media
  1. Some hidden cheat codes for the game Hang-On GP have been discovered after almost 30 years. These codes can unlock special bikes and game modes.
  2. Players can now easily unlock all tracks and unlimited time in Time Trial mode with specific button sequences. This makes the game more fun and accessible.
  3. The cheat codes seem to have varied availability online, and some might still be missing from popular gaming sites. Players can share and help complete these lists.

FPGAs: The Ultimate Flex

The Asianometry Newsletter • 2115 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Semiconductor Innovation
  1. FPGAs are integrated circuits that can be reprogrammed for prototyping and niche uses.
  2. The development of FPGAs evolved from PROMs to PLAs to PALs, eventually leading to the emergence of modern FPGAs.
  3. Xilinx and Altera were key players in the FPGA industry, with FPGAs now widely used in various sectors like aerospace, military, and telecom.

MCU land #11: Linux toolchain for Cortex-M

lcamtuf’s thing • 1428 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Coding Hardware Development Linux Programming
  1. Setting up a Linux toolchain for Cortex-M microcontrollers can be challenging but beneficial.
  2. When setting up the toolchain, ensure to get the Cortex-M cross-compiler, CMSIS library, and Device Family Pack.
  3. Compiling and programming the device requires additional steps like using the newlib C library and flashing the binary onto the chip.

Announcing the ESP32 ZX Spectrum

Single Board ESP32 ZX Spectrum • 99 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Features Challenges Production
  1. The ESP32 ZX Spectrum is a recreation of the ZXSpectrum using ESP32-S3 based PCB, with unique features like capacitive touch pads and a colorful display.
  2. Challenges faced include variability in displays and the need to improve the keyboard functionality to avoid ghosting of keys.
  3. Production risks include the complexity of larger production runs, the need for a stable display vendor, and the dependence on individual initiative for the project.

The Checkmate Move

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 479 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Design Hardware Corporate strategy
  1. Sam Altman is looking for talented people to challenge Apple, especially those who have worked on its products like the iPhone.
  2. He has teamed up with Jony Ive, a famous designer known for the iPhone, to work on a new AI hardware project.
  3. Altman's efforts show he's serious about competing in the tech scene and bringing fresh ideas to the market.

Vision

Sucks to Suck • 707 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Augmented reality Design Marketing Future Technology
  1. Software designers should be eager for the success of new technologies like AR/VR for continued employment opportunities.
  2. Apple's new AR/VR headset, Vision, follows a historical pattern of product launches indicating a potential for success.
  3. An important consideration for the future of Vision is whether it will evolve to address hardware design, pricing, and human possibilities.

Are You Ready for 2024?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 439 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Hardware Software Market Trends
  1. AMD is making big strides in AI, partnering with major customers to improve data center capabilities and deploying new technologies like MI300 accelerators.
  2. The market for data center AI accelerators is growing rapidly, with projections increasing from $150 billion to over $400 billion by 2027.
  3. AMD is also enhancing software development tools to better support AI workloads, making it easier for businesses to integrate AI into their operations.

Is Kimball Still Relevant?

Joe Reis • 648 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Data Modeling Open Source Hardware
  1. There are abundant tools and computing power available, but focusing on delivering business value with data is still crucial.
  2. Data modeling, like Kimball's dimensional model, remains relevant for effective analytics despite advancements in technology.
  3. Ignoring data modeling in favor of performance considerations can lead to a loss of understanding, business value, and overall impact.

Extending the demo: SoulCalibur (Dreamcast)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Development Communication
  1. The _SoulCalibur_ demo limits you to two characters and one mode, but a patch can unlock more characters and modes.
  2. This demo is an earlier version of the game, allowing players to explore new features not available in the final release.
  3. Some aspects of the game, like certain modes and features, may crash or behave differently compared to the full game.

The Last Laptop You'll Ever Need For Crypto

DeFi Education • 1019 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Security Hardware Software Finance Education
  1. Many people have lost lots of money in crypto scams, and hackers are getting smart. Good security is super important for keeping your money safe.
  2. There's a new laptop designed specifically for crypto security. It uses special software and tools to protect your data and makes it easier to use safely.
  3. This laptop isn't for everyone—it's aimed at serious users like business owners and developers who handle a lot of money. If you're not tech-savvy, it could save you headaches.

Under the microscope: Elevator Action Returns

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Cheat Codes Game design
  1. In Elevator Action Returns, you play as a special agent trying to stop terrorists. You use elevators to move around levels, which makes for some fun gameplay.
  2. A new code was discovered for unlocking extra options in the game like game speed and player lives. This adds more variety to how you can play.
  3. There's a hidden debug mode that lets you control the game in unique ways, but it can cause some glitches. A patch has been created to fix these issues and enhance the experience.

Kernel Bypass with Solarflare

Low Latency Trading Insights • 196 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Networking Hardware Software APIs Latency
  1. Solarflare specializes in high-performance, low-latency networking solutions like NICs used in data centers and financial services.
  2. Solarflare provides hardware such as Flareon adapters and XtremeScale NICs for high-speed networking.
  3. Software offerings from Solarflare like Onload and TCP Direct provide APIs for accelerated network performance and lower latency.

Live Session: CPUs, GPUs & LPUs + Ask Me Anything

Confessions of a Code Addict • 336 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Events
  1. The upcoming live session will focus on CPUs, GPUs, and LPUs, exploring what makes them non-deterministic and discussing Groq's LPU design and architecture.
  2. The live session will include an Ask Me Anything (AMA) segment, where attendees can freely ask questions related to the discussed topics or anything else they're curious about.
  3. The event is scheduled for March 17th from 16:30 UTC to 18:00 UTC and will be limited to 100 participants, offering a mix of informative content and interactive Q&A.

Meta Motivo behavioral foundation model, Multimodal AI Agents, Gemini 2.0 Flash, Real-time Video and screen-sharing in the Multimodal Live API and ChatGPT, Phi-4, Sora, TRELLIS, Deep Research & more

AI Brews • 22 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Hardware Innovation Research
  1. New AI tools and models are being constantly developed by major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta. These include models that improve reasoning and create high-quality 3D assets.
  2. There are exciting features like real-time video and screen-sharing for AI applications. These advancements help make interactions more dynamic and engaging.
  3. Various new products aim to simplify tasks and enhance creativity. This includes tools for preserving stories, creating AI characters, and comparing AI performance easily.

Which PC genres convert pre-launch interest the best?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 294 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Cloud Hardware Market Streaming
  1. Consider that the best-converting PC genre tag is 'Escape Room', but creating these games may pose challenges like online co-op mechanics.
  2. While 'Sports' is another well-converting genre, success in niche games might not guarantee significant financial results.
  3. Cloud gaming competition concerns arise as Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is cleared by the EU, with conditions, amid regulatory scrutiny.

Favorable Winds for AMD in the GenAI Chip Market

Gradient Flow • 139 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Hardware AI Software Privacy Analytics
  1. AMD's hardware offers performance and efficiency gains for AI tasks, with specialized optimizations making them well-suited for training and inference in advanced AI scenarios.
  2. AMD has invested in mature and optimized open-source software like the ROCm stack, providing a critical foundation for maximizing the performance of their hardware in real-world AI applications.
  3. Market trends are aligning favorably for AMD, with shorter lead times improving chip availability, notable endorsements from industry leaders, and growing momentum indicating a strong position in the AI silicon landscape.

How Far Can Moore's Law Go?

Tapa’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 07 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Computing Hardware Engineering AI Electronics
  1. Moore's Law shows that the number of transistors on chips grows, but the real limit to performance is how efficiently we can use power. Even if we add more transistors, we might not get better performance without better power management.
  2. We need to consider the costs of power and cooling when designing chips, not just the cost of the hardware itself. Cooling efforts can be more complex and expensive as we push for higher performance.
  3. New technologies and materials like photonics, 3D chip designs, and even concepts like spintronics might help enhance computing performance, especially for memory-related tasks, but there are many challenges to overcome.

Phi-3, your Pocket LLM!

Aziz et al. Paper Summaries • 79 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Hardware Software Data science
  1. Microsoft's Phi-3 is a new AI model that is small enough to run on your phone, yet still performs well. This is a big deal because most AI models are too large for personal devices.
  2. The model uses high-quality, filtered data for training, focusing on reasoning and educational materials. This approach makes Phi-3 better at understanding rather than just memorizing facts.
  3. Even though Phi-3 is powerful, it has some limitations, like not being multilingual. There are also tasks it struggles with, like those needing lots of factual knowledge.

The Astera Labs Extinction Event

Irrational Analysis • 99 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Connectivity Networking Hardware Software
  1. Astera Labs focuses on making "extender" chips called retimers, which enable design flexibility and cost savings by allowing the use of cheaper PCB materials.
  2. Understanding technical terms like SerDes, PCB stackup, signal integrity, loss, reflections, CTLE, DFE, jitter, adaptation, and CDR bandwidth is crucial in the semiconductor industry.
  3. Broadcom's recent product announcements have positioned them as a strong competitor to Astera Labs, showcasing superior power efficiency, compatibility, reach, and overall competitive advantages.