News

Dummy loads burn up to 45% of energy just to keep power levels stableSkeleton’s GrapheneGPU delivers up to 40% more computing with the same hardwareAI workloads are killing energy efficiency, GrapheneGPU smooths power draw in real timeAs artificial intelligence systems grow more demanding, many data centers have found themselves consuming nearly twice the energy they technically need.This overuse isn’t due to system flaws or outdated hardware, it’s rooted in how GPUs behave, as their power demand can swing drastically within seconds, from full throttle to idle.To cope, operators often deploy dummy loads, deliberate energy wasters, to maintain a stable power draw - but these data centers deliberately slow the performance of tens of thousands of GPUs to prevent power outagesDummy loads mean massive wastage of energyWhile this avoids damage and blackouts, it means up to 45% of energy is lost as heat, performing no useful computation.Skeleton Technologies now claims it may have a more efficient alternative, one that allows GPUs to run at full capacity without overwhelming the grid.The Estonian company developed GrapheneGPU, a peak-shaving system using proprietary Curved Graphene supercapacitors.Unlike lithium-based systems, these capacitors can respond in just 10 microseconds, absorbing energy during idle periods and discharging it instantly when GPU loads spike.The result, according to Skeleton, is the ability to maintain consistent GPU performance without stressing the grid or resorting to throttling.Their tests suggest the system can deliver up to 40% more FLOPS - floating point operations per second - using the same GPUs, simply by removing the performance penalties associated with thermal de-rating and power instability.“GrapheneGPU delivers up to 40% more computing with the same energy footprint, while cutting both capital and operating costs by reducing grid upgrade needs, energy waste, and cooling,” said Taavi Madiberk, CEO of Skeleton Technologies.“Powered by our patented Curved Graphene, this is a fundamental shift in how AI infrastructure can scale - sustainably and economically”.The company also reports up to a 44% reduction in the power capacity that data centers must reserve from the grid.The core unit, the GrapheneGPU PCS 50, delivers up to 80 kW of peak power in a standard 1OU form factor, compatible with existing infrastructure and cooled by air or liquid.Importantly, it avoids lithium entirely, using Skeleton’s patented graphene-based material instead.According to Skeleton, this technology has been tested under rigorous hyperscaler-grade GPU workloads with positive results. However, it has not been independently tested for real-world performance and durability.The first shipment of this technology will commence in Germany by June 2025. The company also has a U.S. production site planned for early 2026.You might also likeTake a look at the best VPN with antivirus available right nowThese are the best password managers we've found so farThis dangerous new phishing scam spoofs a top Google program to try and hack Facebook accounts

Silicon Motion SM2324 9mm chip powers external SSDs with up to 32TB andIt promises true USB4 speeds of 4,000MB/sBuilt for filmmakers and backup warriors, this chip supports Apple Pro workflowsSilicon Motion has revealed a potentially transformative piece of storage tech at Computex 2025: the SM2324, a single-chip USB4 SSD controller aimed at powering external drives with up to 32TB of storage and read speeds of 4,000MB/s.The company says the SM2324 combines native USB4 support with an integrated Power Delivery controller, meaning fewer parts, reduced costs for OEMs, and more compact SSD enclosures.This could, in theory, usher in a new class of ultra-high-capacity portable drives -though affordability and availability are still big questions.A compact controller built for scale and cross-platform useUnlike multi-chip designs, it’s built to simplify production without compromising on performance, thanks to sequential write speeds that can reach 3,809MB/s -assuming cooling is adequate.It also offers full support for 3D TLC and QLC NAND, as well as compatibility with Power Delivery 3.1, and is built using TSMC’s 12nm low-power node to keep power demands reasonable.With support for up to 32TB and compatibility with Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Apple ProRes workflows on iPhones, the controller clearly targets a wide market -everyone from mobile filmmakers to enterprise backup users.Whether it ends up in the drives competing for best portable hard drive or best SSD status depends not just on its specs, but on how it's implemented.Still, there are caveats. While single-chip simplicity lowers BOM costs, there's no promise that 32TB USB4 SSDs based on the SM2324 will be priced for mainstream users.NAND prices, thermal management requirements, and power delivery constraints could all push the final product into specialist territory.So while it might eventually sit alongside the best external SSD options in performance, it may not do so in price.This device comes with security features which include support for AES 128/256-bit encryption, hardware SHA-384, a TRNG, and full TCG Opal 2.0 compliance.There’s even optional support for fingerprint-based authentication, though integration details are vague.It also integrates Silicon Motion’s NANDXtend LDPC ECC engine, improving endurance and reliability for both TLC and QLC memory.In terms of design, the chip is compact, just 9mm by 9mm, and includes an aluminum heat spreader, making it viable for slim external enclosures."At Silicon Motion, we're focused on delivering SSD controller solutions that lead in both performance and power efficiency," said Nelson Duann, Senior VP of Client & Automotive Storage Business at Silicon Motion."…the SM2324 redefines portable storage with a fully integrated single-chip USB4 solution. These technologies reflect our commitment to helping customers build faster, smaller, and more efficient SSDs for next-generation applications."You might also likeThese are the largest SSDs and hard drives in the marketHere are the best microSD cards for your microstorage needsCommvault attack may put SaaS companies across the world at risk, CISA warns