Podcast #863 - Ryzen 9950X3D2 Pricing, Raptor Lake Still Part of Intel Plan, Compress Your VRAM, Steam rates FPS + MORE!

·1 hr 16 min·5 clips

AMD prices its new Ryzen 9950X3D2 at $899, challenging Intel's hold on the high-end desktop market.

The episode opens with the hosts joking about their previous April Fools episode and thanking patrons. They transition into tech news, starting with AMD's announcement of the Ryzen 9950X3D2 processor, detailing its $899 price, April 22 availability, and positioning as a workstation-class part. The discussion compares it to Intel's offerings, noting Intel's statement that Raptor Lake remains a key part of their strategy. The conversation shifts to Intel's foundry efforts and EMIB packaging technology, with mentions of potential deals with Google and Amazon. Steam's new FPS estimation feature is briefly covered. A significant segment focuses on NVIDIA's AI-driven texture compression, showing VRAM reduction from 6.5GB to 970MB, though the hosts debate visual quality trade-offs. The hosts then address widespread price increases for PC components, including PCBs, plastics, and memory, noting laptop costs have risen sharply. Apple's market share growth in enterprise is discussed, attributed partly to Windows 11 missteps and Apple's supply chain contracts. Security topics include Russian state hackers hijacking TP-Link and MikroTik routers to steal credentials and a critical vulnerability in Claude's code following a source leak. A novel attack method turning fiber optic cables into microphones is explained. Gaming news covers a hypervisor bypass for Denuvo DRM, Nintendo's attempt to patent a battle system facing re-examination, and Linux's growing share on Steam. The episode concludes with 'Picks of the Week,' including sim racing gear, a hose reel, a Lian Li AIO, Arctic P12 Pro fans, and a no-bottom-bar baby gate.

As heard by us

A hardware roundup with skeptical banter, practical context, and a little side chatter.

PC Perspective's 863rd episode, recorded on April 8, 2026, keeps to the show's familiar mix of hardware talk and unruly banter. The hosts move from a joking reset after the prior April 1st outing into practical discussion, including an older Kindle support change, and they keep…

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Want episode 863’s PC news with sarcasm, pricing talk, and a few detours?

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