a]:text-inherit [&>a]:underline">
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works .
First up, it's not only hyperscalers and neoclouds that have their eyes on AI. An increasingly popular segment among enthusiasts is PCs dedicated to running local AI models. With so many choices on the market currently, from the recently released RTX Spark to AMD's Strix Halo platform, we take a look at two unlikely contenders that are now going head-to-head: Nvidia's DGX Spark and Apple's Mac Studio. We ran a suite of real-world and synthetic benchmarks across both devices and tested large models on both machines. With prices at eye-watering levels, it's more crucial than ever that you make the correct choice for your intended workloads.
Going deep on local AI performance benchmarking with Apple’s Mac Studio with M5 Ultra taking on Nvidia DGX Spark — inference engine recipes mandatory for bigger models as MLX stack matures
DRAM capacity constraints have been an industry-wide sticking point as the AI buildout accelerates demand for dies. With costs spiraling across both client and enterprise hardware, AMD has shared further detail about MEXT, a predictive memory engine which aims to offer 99% of a server's performance while running on half the DRAM. Powered by a transformer model and clever use of flash storage, AMD is already running 145 servers with the system in place, with a view to expand that figure to 2,000 next year.
AMD shares how it can retain 95% of server performance with just half the DRAM, sidestepping memory shortages with MEXT — tech powers over 100 servers already running, with plans to expand to 2,000 servers in 2027
Next, we sat down with Cognichip's Chief Product Officer in an extensive interview to explore how the company is rolling out AI-powered chip design tools. Back in September, the company revealed a suite of proprietary AI models, named Artificial Chip Intelligence (ACI), which are specifically developed for semiconductor engineering. While the tools have yet to be used in a shipping product, it could substantially improve chip development productivity by automating labor-intensive tasks.
Cognichip reveals how its new AI-assisted program can slash chip design times from months to days — automating labor-intensive tasks cuts design time down, Chief Product Officer explains
The Jensen Huang scandal deepens, as the now-former Nvidia CEO has become embroiled in a series of alleged extramarital affairs and has since resigned from Nvidia. While much of the past week's stories have centered on his relationship with alleged Chinese Spy Alice Huang, we explored the former CEO's unlikely relationship with Kang Wei, Ms. Huang's husband, who recently landed in hot water with China's Securities Regulatory Commission.
This week on Tom's Hardware Premium: October 17, 2026
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/this-week-in-toms-hardware-premium-november-14-2026-mac-studio-versus-dgx-spark-amds-mext-cuts-dram-requirements-in-half-and-the-huang-saga-reaches-critical-mass#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/my-account
- From Chips to Skills, NVIDIA and Korea Expand Sovereign AI Collaboration
- AMD’s Venice-X maxes out family at 5.3 GHz, returning 3D V-Cache to data center after four years
- How NVIDIA Open Source Tools Are Helping Researchers Build Next-Generation 6G Networks
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns in the wake of multiple affairs, Chinese spy allegations
- Prusa launches new carbon-fiber and carbon-nanotube-filled 3D printing filament for electronics manufacturing
Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.