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Hp Core Ultra 7
Game Reviews

HP Just Cut Almost $2000 from Its EliteBook Laptop Packing Intel Core Ultra 7, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD

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HP typically keeps discounts modest on its official website to protect its brand positioning and margins. But sometimes, the company unleashes aggressive promotions through Amazon that catch everyone off guard. This Prime Big Deal Day is one of those rare moments, with deals that don’t happen under normal circumstances. The HP EliteBook 6 G1i business laptop, equipped with an Intel 12-core Ultra 7 255U processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe SSD, has dropped to $1,149 from $2,999. That’s a 62% reduction and it’s slashing nearly $1,850 off the price. This isn’t just a modest trim on an overinflated MSRP: This is a legitimate business-class machine with enterprise-grade specs hitting a price point that makes it competitive with mid-range consumer laptops.

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AI-Powered Performance That Matters Most

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor is Intel’s newest architecture purpose-built for AI workloads. This 12-core processor sports 14 threads and up to 5.2 GHz in Intel Turbo Boost Technology, supported by 12MB of L3 cache. Here, the distinguishing factor is the onboard NPU which performs the work of doing AI tasks locally without burdening the processor or sending data to the cloud. This onboard AI accelerator enables features such as Microsoft Copilot, which is able to summarize documents, rewrite text, make contextual recommendations and keep you organized without the lag and attendant privacy issues of cloud computing.

The 16-inch screen is WUXGA resolution at 1920×1200 so you get additional vertical screen real estate versus typical 1920×1080 panels. You notice more in height when editing documents or in coding when you need to see more content and less scrolling. The UWVA IPS panel provides broad viewing angles and precise color rendition and the anti-glare treatment minimizes eye strain from long use. At 400 nits, the screen is still readable in brightly lit offices or in the vicinity of windows. Low Blue Light inhibits harmful wavelengths that interfere with sleep cycle for late-night work sessions to put less strain on eyes and circadian rhythms.

32GB of DDR5 RAM allows you to keep dozens of web pages and virtual machines running at the same time without pause. DDR5 is faster in its data transmission and more effective in power compared to DDR4 and that means snappier response and more life from your battery. With the 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, you have more than sufficient capacity for your files and media and fast read speeds that make boot times and transitions of files virtually instantaneous.

Wi-Fi 6E goes beyond the 6GHz frequency, giving you faster speeds and less congestion compared to regular Wi-Fi 6. This is significant in busy office spaces where dozens of devices are all fighting for bandwidth. Bluetooth 5.3 gives good connections for wireless peripherals with better range and lower power usage. Port selection includes two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports that support 40Gbps data transfer, USB Power Delivery 3.0 for power, and DisplayPort 2.1 for connecting high-res external displays. You also get two USB Type-A ports at 5Gbps for older devices, HDMI 2.1 for simple display connections and an RJ-45 Ethernet port for direct network connections.

For $1,149, this is business-class build quality made affordable for more than corporate buying departments.

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Inspiron Dell Laptop
Game Reviews

This Dell 16″ Laptop (2TB SSD, 64GB RAM, Core 7) Is $3,400 Off, Amazon Is Selling Out All Laptops

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The laptop market has become impossibly crowded with dozens of brands and hundreds of models, which makes it very difficult to know where to start. If you want a safe bet backed by decades of reliability and support infrastructure, Dell remains one of the smartest choices you can make.

Within Dell’s lineup, there’s something for every budget and every use case. Right now, if you want maximum performance at the absolute lowest price, Amazon has dropped a deal that borders on absurd: The Dell Inspiron 16 with upgraded specs (Intel Core 7, 64GB DDR5 RAM, 2TB SSD) has plummeted to $1,195 from its typical $4,599 price, which is a 74 percent discount that requires a double-take to believe.

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The Intel Core 7 150U processor boasts 10 cores and 12 threads with a turbo frequency of up to 5.4GHz and provides processing capability that tackles high-end workloads without pause. The 150U is part of Intel’s newest family of mobile processors using their power-efficient architecture, optimizing performance and battery life through smart power management.

Huge Upgrades That Transform Daily Computing

The memory and storage configuration makes it stand apart from bread-and-butter retail models. With 64GB of DDR5 RAM, you can have a bunch of browser tabs open, virtual machines and background processes simultaneously without any system slowdown. DDR5 is a generation improvement over DDR4 with exponentially greater data transfer rates, improved power efficiency and greater performance under heavy multitasking loads.

The 2TB SSD has enough space for your whole digital life without constant file management anxiety. You can have your whole software suite installed, store years of photos and video, download enormous game collections and store local backups without even approaching capacity limits. SSD technology means all loading nearly at the same instant, from system booting to application launching to file copying.

The 16-inch FHD+ touchscreen uses a 1920×1200 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio that gives you more vertical space than typical 16:9 screens. It comes in handy while working with documents, spreadsheets, or code when you’d rather see more content without scrolling. The 300-nit brightness delivers clarity in light rooms and the touchscreen feature (no need to use it if you don’t want to) delivers convenience for faster interactions when the keyboard gets too formal.

Windows 11 Pro includes enterprise-grade features like BitLocker encryption, remote desktop, and domain join functionality that are not included in Home versions. The Copilot key provides direct access to Microsoft’s AI assistant.

Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E for extremely fast wireless speeds on supporting networks, Bluetooth for peripherals, USB-C and USB-A ports for legacy and newer devices, HDMI output for external monitors, and an SD card reader for photographers transferring files from cameras.

Battery life is 80 percent after just 60 minutes of charging, minimizing downtime when you simply need to have power ready at an instant between classes or meetings.

For $1,195, you’re getting technology that would otherwise cost three or four times that much.

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Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar on stand with TV in background
Product Reviews

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: a seriously immersive soundbar system with Dirac Live room correction

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Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar: One minute review

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar with optional Flexus SURR 200 rear speakers and Flexus SUB 200 subwoofer (Image credit: Future)

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 isn’t the cheapest Dolby Atmos soundbar you can buy, but those who can afford it will find it matches the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on just about every level.

Now, it might not be the best soundbar for everyone. Aside from the big price tag, it’s also physically big. But it does everything else right. It has all the ports one could want, and it has all the features you’d expect to see in the best soundbars. Most importantly, it sounds really good. And once you set it up with the Dirac Live feature, the sound quality goes from really good to great. It’s that last bit that really puts it over the edge for me.

If you’re looking for a soundbar system that gives a true theater experience at home, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is more than capable, and the experience gets even more immersive when you add the accompanying surround speakers and subwoofer.

  • Klipsch Flexus Core 300 at Sweetwater Sound for $1,199

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Price & release date

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 system packaging (Image credit: Future)

  • Price: $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830)
  • First available: September 2025

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar system reviewed here is anything but cheap. In fact,the Core 300 soundbar, with the Sub 200 subwoofer, and Surr 200 surround speakers that I tested will set you back an eye-wateringly high $2,299.97 / £1,827 (about AU$3,500).

Individually, the Core 300 soundbar goes for $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830), while the Sub 200 subwoofer is $599.99 / £419.00 (about AU$910) and the Surr 200 surround sound speakers are $499.99 / £359.00 (about AU$760) per pair. There are cheaper versions available of the subwoofer and surround speakers, so you can get away with a lower system cost, but you won’t have the same experience.

Also. Aussies will have to sit this one out (at least at the time of writing).

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Dimensions (W x H x D)

soundbar: 54 x 3 x 5 inch / 1371 x 76.2 x 127mm; subwoofer: 15.25 x 15.25 x 15.25 inches (387 x 387 x 387mm); surround speaker: 4.1 x 8.75 x 4.31 inches 105 x 222.25 x 109.5mm

Speaker channels

5.1.2 (soundbar), 7.1.4 (with sub and surround speakers)

Connections:

HDMI 2.1 passthrough, HDMI eARC, USB-C, optical digital, subwoofer output, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Sub included

Available separately

Rear speakers included

Available separately

Features

4K 120Hz passthrough, Dirac Live room calibration, AirPlay, Google Cast, Google Home support

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Features

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar and the optional wireless sub and rear speakers uses wireless dongles to transmit and receive audio signals (Image credit: Future)

  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
  • Night and dialog
  • Can adjust the volume of individual speakers

As you would expect from its price, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is feature-filled. It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and you can add an optional subwoofer (or two subwoofers since dual subs are supported) and wireless surround speakers for a full surround sound experience. On top of that, it has built-in Dirac Live, a calibration software that minimizes the effects of room reflections on the sound.

The Flexus Core 300 features movie and music modes, along with a night mode that compresses the audio dynamic range for late-night viewing. A dialog mode offers three different levels to emphasize the specific part of the mid-range where dialog sits. This is a bit more subtle than what I’ve found on other soundbars, but still effective.

In the app, there are quite a few additional options for fine-tuning the sound. There’s a three-band EQ, and you can adjust the individual volume of each channel if you feel like something is out of balance. The only thing missing, surprisingly, is any kind of voice assistant support – a feature typically found on the more expensive soundbars.

WiFi streaming supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay, and Google Cast. Google Home is the only supported smart home ecosystem.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Performance

Both the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar and SUB 200 subwoofer are large compared to most soundbar systems (Image credit: Future)

  • Basic sound quality is very good
  • Dirac Live elevates sound clarity
  • Immersive soundstage

There are two experiences when listening to the Klipsch Flexus Core 300: with and without Dirac Live. Without it, the soundbar sounds very good. Action movies like The Workman have that oomph you expect from a movie theater experience, where you can just feel the subwoofer. Whether it’s a sound effect of someone getting punched or the low notes in the score that add a sense of foreboding, the sound has an impressive sense of weight to it.

The treble is as good as you would expect from a soundbar this pricey as well, with synths, flutes, and windchimes sounding crisp with no loss of detail.

The mid-range is what suffers the most without Dirac Live as it sounds a bit overstuffed without adjustments and dialogue can get lost just a little bit. You can offset with a three-band EQ that provides a 6 dB boost or cut, and changes to the EQ, even with presets active, are noticeable.

But, the real solution is to use Dirac Live (which I describe below in the usability and setup section). Once you’ve gone through the Dirac Live setup, the soundbar will create a custom EQ profile to adjust for the reflections of soundwaves bouncing around your media room, and the difference is stark. Dirac Live makes this soundbar go from good to amazing, with everything sounding clean, especially in the mid-range.

I watched The Batman, the first episode of The Residence, and an Eagles vs Cowboys football game, along with plenty of music during my testing. No matter how complex the soundtrack or music was, I could hear everything with precision. That alone justifies the Flexus Core 300’s price. Other room calibration systems I’ve tried can be very good, but this one is great.

I also experienced immersive sound when testing the surround sound speakers, even when they were not as widely placed as they should be. For the most part, their presentation was subtle; I would almost not realize that there was audio coming through them until I paid attention and realized that I was hearing the sound of wind.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Design

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 has a bright alphanumeric LED display for control feedback (Image credit: Future)

  • Modern, elegant look
  • Large soundbar and subwoofer
  • Extensive ports

While the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 comes in basic black, there’s something about its look that’s more elegant than a lot of the competition. (A walnut version is also available.) The soundbar and subwoofer both have wood grain showing through the black (not so for the surround sound speakers), and a silver Klipsch logo is featured prominently on each unit.

Now, don’t mistake that elegance for compact. This isn’t Apple. The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar is 54 inches wide, and the SUB 200 subwoofer is a 15-inch cube. The SURR 200 surround speakers are just under nine inches tall and a bit over four inches wide and deep. If you’re limited on space, this is not the system for you.

Focusing on just the soundbar, I really appreciate that the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 has an alphanumeric LED display that’s bright and sizable enough that it’s easy to read.

As far as controls go, most of the functionality is either on the remote or in the app. The soundbar itself just has power, input, and volume up and down buttons situated off-center on top.

The Flexus Core 300 comes with just about everything portone could ask for, including but not limited to multiple HDMI ports featuring eARC and 4K 120Hz passthrough, along with an optical digital input and RCA subwoofer output. Of course, there’s Bluetooth as well.

Most of your interaction with the soundbar will probably be through the remote. While I wish it was rechargeable instead of using AAA batteries, that’s really the only criticism I can throw at it. It feels good to hold with its rounded back, and the layout allows you to adjust most functions without having to use the app, including switching sound modes and adjusting the volume of the surround speakers and subwoofer.

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Setup & usability

Klipsch’s control app lets you adjust all system functions and is also used for Dirac Live calibration (Image credit: Future)

  • Generally easy to set up
  • Sub and surround speakers use wireless dongles
  • Dirac Live calibration requires silence

Klipsch packs the soundbar, subwoofer, and surround speakers with their own manual, and setting them up is a fairly straightforward process, though not exactly plug-and-play. I’ve set up a few soundbar systems with wireless connections before, and those typically get paired right out of the box. Here, both the subwoofer and surround sound speakers come with their own wireless dongle that needs to be plugged into the soundbar before pairing.

Considering that the sub and surround speakers are separate purchases, that makes sense. But it’s an additional step, and you have to press the pairing button on each external speaker and wait for the soundbar to connect.

If you want to get the most functionality out of Klipsch’s system, you also need to set up the app. This part was easy – all I had to do was connect it to Wi-Fi and answer some personalization questions.

The only thing I found a little difficult was setting up the Dirac Live calibration, which is finicky compared to other automatic calibration systems I’ve used. But then again, Dirac Live is the standard that audiophiles use for room correction.

The soundbar comes with a wired microphone that gets placed around the sitting area, and the calibration process requires complete silence. If a pet passes by or someone calls out during the ten-minute Dirac Live calibration, or if the air conditioner is too loud, then the test will fail and need to be run again.

  • Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Value

Klipsch’s SURR 200 rear speakers are easy to setup and deliver immersive surround sound (Image credit: Future)

  • Expensive compared to other premium soundbars
  • Other premium systems not as well designed
  • Competition doesn’t support Dirac Live

As great as the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System is, it’s expensive compared to the competition. That’s especially true if you compare the system to premium models from large manufacturers like Samsung and LG, and not boutique audiophile brands that typically go for even more money.

As far as specific examples go, the LG S95AR is an impressive soundbar system in its own right – I gave it a very favorable review – and comes with surround speakers and a subwoofer without requiring an extra purchase. Its price tag of $1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AUD$2,610) might seem higher than the Flexus Core 300’s price tag of $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 / AU$1,695, but it’s actually a good deal when you consider it’s a complete package. The Klipsch is more aesthetically pleasing and sounds better, but both are quality systems.

The Samsung HW-Q990F, which retails for $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995. Is a feature-filled 11.1.4 system that also makes the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System feel overpriced. Again, there’s a difference in aesthetics and the Samsung (along with the LG) doesn’t support Dirac Live room calibration, although they do provide their own proprietary calibrations.

Should I buy the Klipsch Flexus Core 300?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Night and Dialog mode are all here along with Dirac Live room EQ

5 / 5

Performance

Very good immersion and basic sound quality that is strongly enhanced by Dirac Live

5 / 5

Design

Classy looking and with an LED display, but large for a soundbar

4.5 / 5

Setup & usability

Relatively easy to set up, though Dirac Live calibration can be finicky if you don’t have complete silence

4.5 / 5

Value

As great as this soundbar system is, it’s among the more expensive options

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Klipsch Flexus Core 300

Samsung HW-Q990F

LG S95AR

Sonos Arc Ultra

Price

$1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830)

$1,999 / £1,699 / AU$2,099

$1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AU$2,610)

$999 / £999 / AU$1,799

Dimensions (w x h x d)

Soundbar: 54 x 3 x 5 inch / 1371 x 76.2 x 127mm; subwoofer: 15.25 x 15.25 x 15.25 inches (387 x 387 x 387mm); surround speaker: 4.1 x 8.75 x 4.31 inches 105 x 222.25 x 109.5mm

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138 mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inch); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inch); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inch)

Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 in (1250 x 63.5 x 134.6mm); subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 in (200 x 406 x 404mm); rear speakers: 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 in (160 x 223.5 x 142mm)

2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches (75 x 1178 x 110.6mm)

Speaker channels

5.1.2 (soundbar), 7.1.4 (with sub and surround speakers)

11.1.4

9.1.5

9.1.4

Connections

HDMI 2.1 passthrough, HDMI eARC, USB-C, optical digital, subwoofer output, Bluetooth

1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

2x HDMI (1 with eARC), optical, digital, Bluetooth, USB type-A

1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

How I tested the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar

(Image credit: Future)

  • I used the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar system for several weeks
  • Tested with TV, movies, games, and music

I used the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System regularly for several weeks with TV, movies, games, and music. I tested the different modes and inputs, and I spent a lot of time with the Dirac Live calibration.

I’ve tested plenty of tech gear over the years ,from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: September 2025

Klipsch Flexus Core 300: Price Comparison



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Decrypt logo
NFT Gaming

Bitcoin Flat as Core US Inflation Holds at 2.9% in August

by admin



In brief

  • Bitcoin rebounds slightly to $109,300 after dipping below $109,000 late last night. It’s down 1.5% in 24 hours amid August inflation data showing 2.9% year-over-year increase in core inflation.
  • Over $970 million in crypto futures contracts liquidated in past day, with $852 million being long positions betting on price increases.
  • Some 69% of users now predict Bitcoin will fall to $105,000 before reaching $125,000, amid new Trump tariff announcements and Fed uncertainty.

Bitcoin gained slightly as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that inflation increased 2.7% year-over-year in August, coming in only a bit hotter than July’s 2.6% reading. Core consumer spending, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, shows that inflation has risen 2.9% compared to the same period last year.

“While this reinforces the Fed’s narrative of gradually easing price pressures, it still leaves policymakers balancing sticky inflation with signs of a softer labor market,” Fabian Dori, chief investment officer at Sygnum Bank, told Decrypt.

“For investors, the implications are twofold: If inflation trends lower, risk assets may find support from confidence in the Fed’s easing cycle; but any upside surprises in coming data could push back short-term rate cut expectations, weighing on equities and boosting the dollar,” he added.

Bitcoin dipped as low as $109,000 in the past 24 hours, but has rebounded slightly to about $109,300 early Friday morning. BTC has fallen 1.5% in the past day and 5.9% over the past week, according to data from crypto price aggregator CoinGecko.

It’s been a tough week for the world’s oldest cryptocurrency. At one point yesterday, more than $1 billion worth of crypto futures contracts had been liquidated over the previous 24 hours, as asset prices broadly fell alongside Bitcoin.

Things were little improved early this morning. In the past 24 hours, $970 million worth of contracts have been forced to close. Of those, $852 million of them were long contracts betting that prices would improve. The largest single liquidated position was a $19.2 million ETH-USDT contract on Singapore-based exchange HTX, according to CoinGlass.

That’s left users on Myriad, a prediction market owned by Decrypt parent company DASTAN, more pessimistic about the direction the Bitcoin price will head next. There’s now 69% of users predicting that BTC will fall to $105,000 before it’s able to break out to $125,000. Two days ago, the bears and bulls had been evenly tied.



That could be in part because of new tariffs President Donald Trump said will go into effect October 1. The new policy, which he announced late Thursday night on Truth Social, adds a 100% duty on branded drugs and 25% on heavy-duty trucks. Trump also said he would implement 50% tariffs on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, and a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture.

Dean Chen, an analyst for crypto derivatives exchange Bitunix, told Decrypt that inflation coming in at its forecasted level helped keep market reactions muted.

“However, the recently announced high tariffs remain an uncertain factor that could deliver one-off inflationary pressure while weighing on growth,” he said. “Overall, capital flows remain cautious, with risk assets under pressure and inflation-hedging sentiment persisting.”

He added that the tariffs will be a key concern for Bitcoin traders.

“Traders should keep leverage strictly controlled, scale into positions gradually, and validate breakouts/fake-outs through capital flows,” Chen added. “For BTC, focus on $108,000 as support and $111,000 as the near-term resistance zone.”

The president has also been using the social media platform, which is majority-owned by the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust,  to antagonize Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

“If it weren’t for Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell, we would be at 2% right now, and in the process of balancing our budget,” the president wrote. “The good news is that we’re powering through his incompetence, and we’ll soon be doing, as a country, better than we have ever done before!”

Bitcoin investors pay close attention to consumer spending because it’s the primary inflation gauge for the Federal Open Markets Committee. A surprise in spending data can shift rate expectations and yield curves. When there’s a big shift one way or another, it can set off volatility for equities, fixed income products, foreign exchange rates, and BTC.

Traders have also been looking to public comments from Fed chair for hints on how the FOMC may lean the next time it meets in October.

The CME FedWatch Tool now shows that traders give 87.7% odds to the FOMC approving another 25-basis point cut next month. That’s fallen slightly from 91.9% last week. The CME data skews more optimistic than users on Myriad. Participants in markets predicting how the FOMC will set policy in October show that 68% of users think there’ll be another 25-basis point decrease.

In a speech at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in Rhode Island on Tuesday, Powell sounded less alarmed about tariffs than he did earlier this year.

“The overall economic effects of the significant changes in trade, immigration, fiscal and regulatory policy remain to be seen,” he said. “A reasonable base case is that the tariff-related effects on inflation will be relatively short lived—a one-time shift in the price level.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated to add comments from Sygnum Bank and Bitunix analysts.

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Why Is Community Divided on Bitcoin Core v30?
NFT Gaming

Why Is Community Divided on Bitcoin Core v30?

by admin


The Bitcoin Core v30 update has split the Bitcoin community apart. There are now pro- and anti-Core v30s in the Bitcoin space. The latest debate is fueled by Luke Dashjr, a prominent developer renowned for his work on Bitcoin Knots. Dashjr, in a post on X, maintains that running Core v30 is an endorsement of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).

Bitcoin Core v30 creates Dashjr vs. Song divide

For perspective, Bitcoin Core is a software that serves as a node on the network, providing a BTC wallet that fully verifies network payments. Core v30 is an upgrade from the previous version, and it is scheduled for release in October 2025.

Notably, Dashjr was reacting to a vlog posted by Jimmy Song, a pro-Core v30 developer who believes that running the software on the network is not an existential threat to the asset. According to Song, while it is true that some bad actors could leverage it to spread CSAM content, it still will not kill Bitcoin.

Song opined that node runners are not liable as verification is not equal to aiding and abetting the content. He maintained that Core v30 does not display images or videos and, as such, simply verifying does not make one a party to the evil activities of the bad actors.

Wrong. Very wrong. By running Core30 you aren’t just verifying the CSAM, you are actively supporting, storing, and distributing it. No additional tools are needed to access it either (aside from standard http request and image viewer, which there’s plenty of precedent on being…

— Luke Dashjr (@LukeDashjr) September 22, 2025

However, Dashjr strongly disagrees with this position, insisting that by running Core v30, the user is not just verifying the CSAM; they are also endorsing it. He considers it to be support as it aids in distribution and storage of those materials.

Dashjr explained that no additional tool is required to access such content put up by bad actors. This implies that anyone with a browser or image viewer could easily retrieve and view such content. Hence, Dashjr warned that “this will kill Bitcoin almost immediately if Core 30 gets significant adoption.”

Bitcoin community’s split response

This debate has lingered over long-standing concerns that include its dominance and the content that could be embedded in Bitcoin’s blockchain. Many have expressed worries that it could store other forms of data, including CSAM, beyond financial transactions.

Although Bitcoin Core minimizes legal risk already, Luke Dashjr claims that Core v30 could open the door for explicit content and “kill Bitcoin.” However, Jimmy Song disagrees, waving it off as mere exaggeration.

Users in the space are also divided in their opinion on the matter. Some alleged that those against an upgrade to Core v30 were just using CSAM as a fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) mechanism. Others in the space called for careful consideration, given the permanence of the blockchain. 





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An Intel Core i7-14700 CPU box, along with a cleaned-off version of the Core i5-13500 that was inside, next to a syringe of thermal paste
Product Reviews

I managed to snag a Core i5 CPU for $10, because someone scammed Amazon out of an i7-14700

by admin



The other day, I stopped into a local Amazon returns store on my lunch break. You probably know the type: chaotically overflowing other people’s returned orders, with half-open boxes scattered about in huge bins. It’s like some kind of post-apocalyptic ball pit game show, where you might find something worthwhile if you wade through enough discarded shelving kits, no-name iPhone cases, and shoe insoles. This particular store is only a few months old, and I’d visited a few times without finding much (other than a pair of insoles, which I needed because I walk 9-10 miles a day).

On this trip, the first day after a weekly restock, when everything in the bins costs $10, I managed to find a roll of Creality 3D printer PLA filament. That’s not a huge discount over its typical Amazon sale price, but I happened to need a new spool for my Anycubic printer, and I was a few blocks from home, so this saved me the hassle of ordering. After a few more minutes pawing through returns, I hadn’t found anything else and went up to pay. But there was a line, and I wound up waiting at the corner of one of the closest bins to the register. Killing time, I idly dug around while I waited, and soon spotted the familiar blue of an Intel CPU box. I flipped it over and saw an i7-14700 sticker!

Could I really have just found the frequency-locked version of Intel’s last-generation flagship for $10? And if so, had someone returned it because of the notorious instability issues? Something else? I could see the CPU in its plastic clamshell through the cardboard window. The back looked OK, but the top was covered in thermal paste.

I was suspicious, but by this time, I was next in line, curious, and decided to gamble $10 on Intel. That’s maybe not the smartest wager I could make in 2025, but I was curious, and figured this would at least be more interesting than wasting money on a scratch-off ticket. I checked out with three items: the filament, the CPU, and another pair of shoe insoles – seriously, I wear those things out and can never have enough.


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(Image credit: Future)

But it was a 13th Gen Core i5 – a Core i5 13500, to be specific. Not quite one of the best CPUs, and a generation older than what the box promised, but still a very usable chip, with 14 cores, 20 threads, and a Turbo Frequency of 4.8 GHz. It’s not the fastest chip, but it currently sells for $264 at Newegg – not a bad pickup for $10. If it works, anyway.

So why was a 13th Gen Core i5 returned in a Core i7-14700 box? For those who haven’t already connected the dots, it’s likely that someone scammed Amazon by buying a new, higher-end chip than what they had, put the old one back in the box (helpfully obscured by thermal paste), and returned it for a refund. And Amazon, dealing as it does with millions of packages a day, seemingly accepted the return without checking that the returned product was actually what was returned, eventually selling it as part of a lot of liquidated returns.

I have no way to verify any of this, of course, but it seems the most likely scenario. And it’s certainly unsurprising that Amazon would just accept a return without paying someone to open the box, wipe off the thermal paste, and confirm they had received the Core i7-14700 the customer had ordered. There’s no way Amazon could continue to run its business if it had to do something like that with even half of its returns.

The only lingering question I had was whether my $10 13th Gen Core i5 CPU actually works. So I grabbed my trusty Hoto screwdriver, removed the AIO waterblock on the system that previously served as our external SSD storage testbed, and removed the 12th Gen Core i5 CPU that previously resided in the LGA 1700 socket. I then dropped my 13th Gen Core i5 into the motherboard, applied five small drops of thermal paste, re-attached the cooler, and plugged the system back in.

(Image credit: Future)

I pressed the power button and stared at the blackness of my test bench monitor for what felt like too many seconds, but eventually I saw the spinning circle and soon the familiar Windows 11 login screen. The old system booted up without an issue, and after running a few benchmarks, it looks like my $10 chip performs as expected.

Now the only question is, what should I do with it? I don’t need another gaming rig – I’m writing this on an AMD Ryzen 7950X / Nvidia RTX 4090 PC I built back in 2023, and I already have a few other systems and CPUs for testing PC cases and accessories. Maybe I’ll build a system for a family member or friend.

All I know is, while it didn’t turn out to be a 14th Gen Core i7 promised on the box, I’m happy with the results of my $10 CPU gamble, and I wonder what I’ll find at the returns store next week. I don’t really need any more PC hardware, but if I could pass up enticing tech that I don’t really need, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into this crazy business in the first place.



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Another nice trash find
Product Reviews

Redditor fishes a fully-functional Core i5-9400F and GTX 1660 PC gaming rig out of the trash

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A Redditor thanked his father for gifting him something that he plucked out of the trash. Alternative-Run363 claims that his dad enjoyed a big ‘W’ by fishing out a PC packing an Intel Core i5-9400F, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660, and more. That’s a ‘W’ indeed, since it all seems to work, and Windows 11 is installed and activated. It’s certainly better than the kipper bones, tin cans, or old boots that Thomas Jasper Cat Sr. usually found in the trash.

My dad Found this pc to me in the Trash with an gtx 1660 and a i5 9400f w dad from r/PcBuild

In this latest case of finding computer treasure in the trash, we don’t get much of a backstory regarding the find. However, it certainly looks like the PC system in the picture has seen better days. You can clearly see dust and grime has built up in this machine over the years. From the single picture, it is difficult to determine if there are dust filters missing or if they were just unmaintained. According to the social media posting, there’s a glass side panel that was removed for the photo.

So, let’s take a closer look at what Alternative-Run363 managed to snag for the grand total of zero dollars and zero cents:


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  • CPU: Intel Core i5 9400F
  • CPU Cooler: Asetek Shark Gaming AiO
  • GPU: Asus Phoenix Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660*
  • Motherboard: Asus TUF B360-Plus Gaming motherboard*
  • RAM: 16GB dual-channel
  • Storage: 500GB Kingston A2000 M.2 NVMe SSD
  • Case: InWin chassis with at least two system fans
  • PSU: Unknown, unknown condition
  • OS: Windows 11 was installed by Alternative-Run363, and they found out it was activated
  • (*We guessed these precise component models after some pixel peeping)

In summary, we have here a mid-range gaming PC that was probably put together between 2018 and 2020. As it stands, it should perform respectably at 1080p in PC titles of that era (and older), and it will also be fine for daily office and web-based activities. We’d still recommend a thorough de-dusting of the system and would be tempted to throw in a fresh PSU (we can’t see any condition indicators for the existing top-mounted unit).

Depending on Alternative-Run363’s intended purpose for this system, the platform could be upgraded to a higher-tier 9th Gen Intel Core processor. Right now, the system packs a modest hexa-core CPU without hyperthreading. The B360 board could be upgraded with a Core i9-9900 to deliver 8 cores and 16 threads of processing, for example.

Meanwhile, there are oodles of GPU upgrades possible thanks to the enduring PCIe standard. But in the context of this system, and its PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, you would probably look for bargains from the old Nvidia RTX20 or AMD RX5000 series.

We note that the freshly unleashed Borderlands 4 official system requirements mention an Intel Core i7-9700 and RTX 2070 / RX 5700 XT in its minimum specifications column. So, in theory, this trash find could be dragged up to a level to enjoy the newest episode of this looter shooter. Don’t blame us if Borderlands 4 runs horribly, though; that seems to be a trend.

Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!



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Geekom GeekBook X14 Pro
Gaming Gear

Geekom’s 14-inch GeekBook X14 Pro laptop weighs just 2.2 pounds and includes a Core Ultra 9 processor

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  • Geekom GeekBook X14 Pro laptop features Core Ultra 9 processor with Intel Arc 140T graphics
  • The 14-inch ultraportable weighs 999g thanks to its magnesium alloy chassis
  • Specs include 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe storage, USB4 ports, and 70Wh battery

Geekom has revealed a number of new products at IFA 2025, but while the Chinese manufacturer is best known for its mini PCs, French news site MiniMachines says it will also be using the event to also show off its ultrathin GeekBook X14 Pro business laptop.

The notebook measures 1.69cm x 31.17cm x 21.54cm and has a magnesium and aluminum alloy chassis, which helps keep the weight down to 999g (2.2 pounds).

The X14 Pro’s 14-inch OLED panel has a 2800 x 1880 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio and promises full coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.

Choice of processors

Geekom will reportedly offer two versions, one with an Arrow Lake Core Ultra 5 225H and Intel Arc 130T graphics, and another with the Core Ultra 9 285H paired with an Arc 140T GPU.

It will come with up to 32GB of LPDDR5-7500 RAM, and a 1TB NVMe Gen4 x4 SSD.

The laptop is limited to a maximum TDP of 35 watts, with Geekom saying the cooling design aims to keep the system efficient and quiet under load.

The GeekBook X14 Pro also features a 2MP webcam with a privacy shutter, a fingerprint reader built into the power button, and stereo speakers with DTS:X Ultra.


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There’s a 78-key backlit keyboard and a large touchpad, and connectivity includes HDMI 2.0, two USB4 ports, one USB 3.2 Type-A port, and a 3.5mm combo jack. It supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4.

There’s a 70Wh battery that can be charged through USB Type-C with a 65W GaN charger.

Alongside the smaller model, Geekom is reportedly also announcing the GeekBook X16 Pro – a larger 16-inch version measures 35.45cm x 24.94cm x 1.19cm and has a 2560 x 1600 IPS display with full sRGB coverage. There’s space for dual NVMe drives, and its keyboard expands to 98 keys with a dedicated numeric pad.

No release date or pricing has been made available for either laptop yet, although more details are expected soon.

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Warmachine releases the Khador Old Umbrey Core Expansion
Esports

Warmachine releases the Khador Old Umbrey Core Expansion

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A new Core Expansion joins the Warmachine roster with the Khador Old Umbrey Core Expansion:

Drawn from the wilds of Umbrey and bound by the Old Witch of Khador’s ancient will, this new Core Expansion brings lupine shapeshifters, all-devouring warbeasts and stalwart Umbrean Liegemen Wardens to Warmachine.
Umbreans fight with grit over pedigree, their ranks bolstered by shapeshifters who take the form of savage lupines, some even crossing the threshold into towering Apex beasts.

Inside the box, players will find a powerful expansion force, including:

  • Kapitan Maksim Azlanov, a new Old Umbrey warlock
  • The Starved, a relentless character warbeast
  • Liegemen Wardens and Shearlings infantry
  • Animist and Liegemen Primalist solos
  • Lupine Shifted and the mighty Lupine Apex

Several of these new models are also available as breakout boxes for layers who want to add specific models directly to their force.

The Old Umbrey Core Expansion can be combined with the Old Umbrey Command Starter and Battlegroup Box to field a full army worthy of Agha’s gifts, ready to defend Khador against Orgoth threats and beyond.

The Khador Old Umbrey Core Expansion is available now.


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Warmachine Core Book now available for pre-order
Esports

Warmachine Core Book now available for pre-order

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Steamforged Games has opened pre-orders for the Warmachine Core Book. This book will feature lore, rules, and everything a Warmachine player could want in one book:

Pre-orders open for the Warmachine Core Book, first teased in our 2025 AdeptiCon keynote.

Here by popular demand, the illustrated, hardback Core Book is an essential player’s guide to the war-torn history, deities, and diverse factions and armies of Immoren and the Iron Kingdoms. It includes all the core rules you’ll need to play the award-winning tabletop wargame, Warmachine, including a quickstart guide. Plus, a visual feast of artwork and painted miniatures, to inspire paint schemes and immerse players in the world of Warmachine. There’s also an updated world map depicting the current state of the Iron Kingdoms.

The Core Book designed to work alongside the free Warmachine app, which includes a free digital PDF of the just-the-rules (also available on the Steamforged website) as well as stat cards for every model in the game (plus even more lore!). At 140+ Warmachine-soaked pages, this book makes a fantastic addition to the collection of any Iron Kingdoms fan.


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