Week 24 Tech Roundup – U.S. Semiconductor Expansion, HBM4 Milestone, AM5 Motherboards, and More

The tech world continues to move at a rapid pace with key developments across semiconductor manufacturing, AI hardware, and motherboard innovations. This week’s roundup focuses on major U.S. investment plans in memory production, Micron’s leap forward in HBM4, and new AMD-compatible motherboards from Gigabyte, ASRock, and MSI.

Micron Announces $200 Billion U.S. Semiconductor Expansion

Micron has committed to a massive expansion of its U.S. memory manufacturing and R&D capabilities, backed by the Trump Administration and federal CHIPS Act incentives.

Micron plans to invest $200 billion across multiple U.S. sites, including new fabs in Idaho and New York, and modernization of its Virginia facility. The effort will bring high-bandwidth memory (HBM) packaging capabilities stateside, aiming to serve AI, defense, and industrial sectors. The investment includes a $50 billion R&D push and is projected to create 90,000 direct and indirect jobs. Micron’s goal is to produce 40% of its DRAM in the U.S., supported by significant CHIPS Act funding and tax incentives under the proposed AMIC expansion bill.

Micron Ships HBM4 Samples with 2 TB/s Bandwidth

Micron is sampling its next-gen HBM4 memory, delivering 36 GB per stack and doubling bandwidth over its predecessor.

Using a 12-high DRAM die stack and a 2048-bit interface, Micron’s HBM4 modules deliver 2 TB/s of memory bandwidth—critical for generative AI and HPC workloads. The modules use the 1β process node, with future production slated to adopt the 1γ EUV-enabled node. NVIDIA and AMD are expected to adopt HBM4 for their 2026 AI accelerators. Micron’s next challenge is managing heat dissipation and validating performance in real-world deployments.

Gigabyte Revives “Force” Line with B850M microATX AM5 Board

Gigabyte has launched the B850M Force motherboard, a microATX AM5 platform reviving the orange-themed “SOC Force” branding.

Supporting AMD Ryzen 9000 processors, the B850M Force includes an 8+2+2 VRM, PCIe Gen 5, DDR5 memory support up to 9600 MT/s, and triple M.2 slots. A 2.5 GbE LAN and Wi-Fi 6E add connectivity, while retro fans will appreciate the inclusion of a PS/2 port. Display outputs include HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4. The board targets users looking for a balanced feature set in a compact form factor.

ASRock Industrial Unveils Intel Core 200S Motherboards

ASRock Industrial has introduced a wide range of industrial motherboards powered by Intel’s new Core 200S (Bartlett Lake-S) processors.

These boards support up to 24 cores and 192 GB of DDR5 memory, targeting smart manufacturing, edge AI, and robotics. Available in Mini-ITX, microATX, and ATX formats, the boards offer PCIe Gen 5 and Gen 4 slots, multi-display output, and advanced networking up to 10 GbE. DDR4 versions are also available for cost-sensitive deployments. The models support BIOS-level upgrades from 12th to 14th Gen CPUs, offering longevity for industrial applications.

MSI Introduces MPG B850I EDGE TI WIFI Mini-ITX Motherboard

MSI has launched a premium Mini-ITX B850 motherboard tailored for AMD’s AM5 platform and compact high-performance builds.

The MPG B850I EDGE TI WIFI features an 8+2+1 phase VRM, dual M.2 slots (including a CPU-connected PCIe 5.0 M.2 with active cooling), and support for DDR5 up to 8200 MT/s. It integrates Wi-Fi 7, 5 GbE LAN, Bluetooth 5.4, and comprehensive rear I/O including USB-C (20 Gbps), HDMI 2.1, and S/PDIF. Compact yet powerful, the board offers performance features typically found in larger ATX boards and is ideal for small form factor systems.

Synology Introduces the DiskStation DS425+

Synology has officially launched the DS425+, a compact 4-bay NAS aimed at users with moderate storage demands but professional-grade expectations.

The DS425+ supports up to 80 TB of raw capacity, includes 2.5GbE and 1GbE networking, and offers M.2 NVMe slots for caching or all-flash configurations. Powered by DSM, it supports core Synology services such as Drive (private cloud), Active Backup Suite (cross-platform backups), and Surveillance Station (IP camera management). Notably, the DS425+ adheres to Synology’s increasingly strict drive compatibility policy, though a validation program for third-party drives is available. It’s positioned as a versatile and secure NAS for smaller business deployments or advanced home users.

HighPoint Launches Gen5 NVMe RAID AIC at $999

HighPoint has introduced its Rocket 7604A and 1604A RAID AICs, offering unmatched performance and thermal design in a compact Gen5 format.

Targeted at industrial and high-performance computing, these AICs support 4x M.2 Gen 5 NVMe drives with dedicated x4 lanes per slot, reaching over 50 GB/s real-world speeds. A compact 167mm form factor, custom passive and active cooling, and intelligent RAID management tools (GUI, CLI, UEFI-HII) position them as ideal for edge applications. The 7604A also supports SafeStorage NVMe encryption and FRU/firmware tracking. With prices starting at $899, HighPoint is aggressively pricing Gen5 RAID for broader adoption.

Icy Dock CP155 E1.S SSD Adapter Concept Announced

Icy Dock revealed the CP155, a mechanical form-factor adapter that allows thinner E1.S SSDs to fit into standard 9.5 mm E1.S enclosures.

The adapter targets data centers and system integrators needing uniform SSD dimensions without custom tray designs. Constructed with a metal chassis and thermal pads, it enhances heat dissipation while maintaining full tool-less compatibility with hot-swap systems. LED passthrough windows align with SSD indicator positions, ensuring visibility of activity and power states. The CP155 simplifies deployment of 5.9 mm and 8.01 mm SSDs in environments standardized around 9.5 mm form factors.

Synology BeeDrive 2.0 Adds Local AI Search

Synology has introduced “Deep Search” in BeeDrive 2.0, a beta-only feature for macOS users enabling local AI-powered file indexing and search.

Designed for Apple Silicon Macs with 16GB+ RAM, Deep Search allows natural language queries across file types (PDF, DOCX, images), using AI-generated tags, OCR, and scene descriptions—all performed locally for privacy. The feature expands BeeDrive’s utility as a secure DAS alternative to cloud platforms. Windows support is planned, and Deep Search aligns with Synology’s broader AI strategy, which includes DSM-integrated tools and enhanced Office productivity apps.

Synology Office 3.7.0 Beta Adds AI Assistance

Synology has released Office 3.7.0 in beta, adding AI assistant features across Documents, Spreadsheets, and Slides—though with hardware requirements.

The update adds capabilities like AI-powered summarization, tone adjustment, translation, formula suggestions, and contextual rewriting. Integration requires DSM 7.2.2+ and AI Console 1.1, with Docker and 8GB+ RAM needed for de-identification functions. While Documents and Slides benefit from well-rounded AI enhancements, Spreadsheets sees more limited gains. AI is activated via the AI Console and supports multilingual input, though translation support varies. The features are positioned as part of a long-term AI rollout across Synology’s productivity ecosystem.

Biwin Black Opal X570 SSD Reviewed: High Throughput, Mixed Real-World Performance

ComputerBase reviewed the Biwin Black Opal X570 SSD, a PCIe 5.0 NVMe drive featuring the Maxiotek MAP1806 controller, and found it competitive in benchmarks but inconsistent in practical use.

The 2 TB model, lacking DRAM, hit nearly 15 GB/s in synthetic sequential reads, rivaling top-tier SSDs. However, in real-world tasks like gaming and large file transfers, performance was often only slightly ahead of high-end PCIe 4.0 drives. Notably, sustained write performance remained solid after SLC caching, and office workloads showed better results than gaming. Thermal throttling was observed without a heatsink, although the SSD includes a copper foil layer for passive dissipation. At ~€220, the X570 offers solid performance but falls short of top-tier Gen5 competitors with DRAM.

Cloud Z4Pro+ NAS Debuts in China with AI and Media Capabilities

A new network storage solution, the Z4Pro+, has launched in China, combining AI-powered features with multimedia support and modern hardware.

Powered by Intel N150 or Core i3-N355 CPUs and up to 16 GB of RAM, the Z4Pro+ supports six storage bays (4x SATA, 2x M.2) for up to 136 TB total capacity. It offers AI-assisted photo analysis, facial recognition, OCR, and real-time media playback via HDMI 2.1. Connectivity includes dual 2.5GbE ports and USB 3.2 Gen 2. Aimed at smart home or prosumer users, the system balances storage flexibility with intelligent local processing. While global availability is unconfirmed, it may appeal to users seeking AI-enhanced local storage without cloud dependency.

OWC Releases 4TB Aura Pro X2 SSD for Mac

OWC has expanded its Mac upgrade options with a new 4TB version of the Aura Pro X2 SSD, compatible with a wide range of macOS systems from 2013 to 2019.

This PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD delivers read/write speeds over 3200 MB/s and is designed for macOS High Sierra and later. It supports SLC caching, advanced wear leveling, and end-to-end data protection, with a power efficiency advantage over many factory drives. The product targets creative professionals needing fast, large-capacity storage and comes bundled with DIY kits for easy installation. OWC continues to cater to Mac users seeking affordable, high-performance upgrades without replacing entire systems.

Kioxia Plans Production Expansion and Ultra-Fast SSDs

Kioxia has outlined major plans to double NAND production by 2030 and launch a “Super High IOPS SSD” reaching over 10 million IOPS using XL Flash.

The company’s roadmap includes ramping up BiCS8 QLC output and preparing for BiCS10 3D NAND, which will push layer counts to 332. Kioxia also revealed development of XL Flash-based SSDs connected via CXL, with extremely low read latencies (3–5 µs) and read performance far beyond current TLC offerings. Targeting AI-driven data centers, these products aim to bridge the performance gap between DRAM and NAND. Mass production is set for late 2026, with continued emphasis on energy efficiency and latency reduction across storage classes.

OWC Aura Pro X2 SSD Brings Large-Capacity, Affordable Speed to Legacy Macs

While already mentioned, it’s worth emphasizing that OWC’s new 4TB Aura Pro X2 SSD is notable for bringing high-speed NVMe storage to aging Macs, extending their life in creative workloads.

This release supports users reluctant to replace expensive Mac hardware by offering PCIe-based performance upgrades. Compatible with various MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro systems, the Aura Pro X2 delivers robust performance for photo, video, and audio professionals. It represents an important bridge between legacy systems and modern storage demands without resorting to full hardware replacements.

Key Insights:

• Micron’s $200 billion U.S. expansion reaffirms national semiconductor competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

• HBM4’s launch by Micron marks a critical step in meeting AI and HPC memory bandwidth requirements.

• New B850 motherboards from Gigabyte and MSI signal growing maturity in AMD’s AM5 ecosystem.

• Synology continues integrating AI into its ecosystem, spanning from BeeDrive to Office applications.

• Biwin’s X570 SSD proves that high theoretical speed doesn’t always translate to top-tier real-world performance.

• Kioxia’s 10M IOPS SSD plans point to a future where flash can edge closer to DRAM-level responsiveness.

Stay tuned for next week’s roundup, where we continue to follow developments in storage innovation, AI hardware, and network-attached systems.

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