NVIDIA RTX 3060 Production Reportedly Returning While Apple M5 Max Show Performance Gains

Benchmark data shows MacBook Neo delivering CPU performance near M1 MacBook Air while trailing slightly in GPU tests.

Hardware by Shinji Okazaki on Mar 07, 2026

Apple is changing the names of the cores for anyone who has already bought a computer with the M5 Max. The main modification is to rename the current performance cores "super cores." The change includes information about the architecture used in the M5 Pro and M5 Max CPUs.

Apple added a new architecture to the M5 Pro and M5 Max, built on chiplets and featuring a new core structure. These CPUs have both super cores and performance cores. M5 processor has both performance cores and efficiency cores. People are now calling the performance cores in the regular M5 "super cores." Because of this, computers with the M5 receive an upgrade that renames those cores from efficiency cores to super cores.

NVIDIA, RTX 3060 Production Reportedly Returning, While Apple M5 Max Show Performance Gains, NoobFeed

The performance cores of the M5 Pro and M5 Max are a type of intermediate core. They are between the old high-performance cores and the new efficiency cores. Branding probably played a role in the name choice, since calling them "mid cores" wouldn't align with the product pitch.

The method is similar to what has been observed in other CPU architectures. For instance, AMD's Zen5 and Zen 5C cores are built on the same architecture but have different settings. Zen5C runs at lower clock speeds and is set up to be more efficient. The distinction between Apple's super cores and performance cores is that they share the same core design but differ in clock rates and efficiency goals. Efficiency cores are still separate in design and are not the same as the other sorts of cores.

An Overview of the Fractal Refine Chair

Fractal made the Refine chair using design ideas from Scandinavian furniture and studies on how to make things more comfortable. You can get the chair in black or white, and choose between soft padded fabric, breathable mesh, or Alcantara.

The Refine has adjustable lumbar support that can be changed in both height and depth. Armrests can be adjusted in four ways to support varied resting postures for work or play.

Fractal offers a five-year warranty on the basic construction and a three-year warranty on the softer parts. The frame is made of glass fiber and features an aluminum wheelbase designed to last a long time.

Results of the MacBook Neo with M5 Max Benchmark

Benchmarks are starting to appear for the MacBook Neo with the A18-based processor and for computers with the M5 Max chip.

Tests reveal that the MacBook Neo's CPU performance is better than the M1 MacBook Air's and close to the M4 MacBook Air's single-core performance. The system also beats the iPad11 and the M3 iPad Air in CPU tests.

The MacBook Neo only falls behind the M1 MacBook Air in GPU performance during Metal testing. The results are still competitive in most other tests, indicating that the performance is close to that of M1 systems on a newer device still under warranty.

M5 Max is also better than the last version. Benchmarks show that this model has around 9% better single-core performance and 13.7% better multi-core performance than the M4 Max. In tests, the single-core scores are also better than the M3 Ultra. Without major price changes, Apple chips are improving in processing power by about 10% each year.

Microsoft Talks About the Project Helix Console

Microsoft is working on its next console called Project Helix. The technology is supposed to work with both Xbox and PC games.

The idea is to create a platform that can run games for both Xbox and PC, thus merging the two ecosystems. There is yet no official name for the final product, and there isn't much information about its hardware specs or availability.

Deals on tech items are highlighted

As part of current sales, some hardware offers were brought to attention. The Sennheiser HD600 wired open-back headphones are on sale for $265, which is $234.95 off the regular price. During sales, the model usually costs around $300.

You can get a Nitro 49 curved gaming monitor with a 5120x1440 resolution and a 240 Hz refresh rate for $599.99. That's $200 less than the original price. The display is like having two 27-inch 1440p displays side by side, with no bezel.

M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD in an open-box Apple MacBook Air are available for $716.99, which is $1821 less than the original price.

Nintendo PlayStation Prototype Saved

The National Video Game Museum now houses the Nintendo PlayStation prototype, believed to be the oldest known version of the system. The prototype is an early attempt by Nintendo and Sony to work together.

The system used a cartridge-based design, a turning point in the history of gaming technology. The museum keeps the equipment as part of its historical archive. NVIDIA is said to have resumed production of RTX 3060s.

NVIDIA might start making the RTX 3060 graphics card again. According to reports, production of the GPU will start between March 10 and March 20, and then the units will be sent to add-in-board partners.

It is still not known which version of the RTX 3060 was used. The 8GB or 12GB model is one of two possible versions. It would take a lot of work to adapt the architecture to support a 9GB version, since GDDR6 memory modules are not usually available in 3GB sizes. If it comes out at a competitive price, the RTX 3060 could return as a cheaper option than newer GPUs like the RTX 5050.

Things to think about when upgrading RX 6800 systems

People asked whether it was worth upgrading from an RX 6800 with a Ryzen 5800X3D and 64GB DDR4 RAM to a newer GPU, such as the RX 9070 XT.

A newer GPU will perform better, technically speaking. But the reward depends on what you need for gaming right now. If your systems can handle esports games and comparable tasks, you may not need to improve them right now.

A speedier GPU might make a big difference for users who want to play hard AAA games. Recommendations depend on the games being played and the performance issues being experienced.

It's hard to guess when the next generation of hardware will come out because there isn't any public information about it yet. The best way to buy hardware is still to look at what's available at the time.

Storm power surges can damage hardware

After a storm destroyed a system, it was checked out. The RAM modules were still working, but other parts weren't. The motherboard had white damage patches, the CPU had burned pins, and the power supply unit wouldn't turn on. Plans include buying a cheap Dell OptiPlex system to use as a server and upgrading the main machine with a Zen 3 motherboard and processor.

Concerns about PC performance and Sony game releases

Some conversations brought up how poorly some PC games, including Spider-Man 2, did at launch. Other Sony PC ports have also had problems with their technology when they first came out.

But business indicators have more to do with when PCs are released than with what people think. Instead of just looking at how well each port performs, Sony considers how well the platform as a whole performs and how well the brand is positioned. There may be several firms in the game platform industry in the long run, such as Sony, Valve, and Apple.

NVIDIA, RTX 3060 Production Reportedly Returning, While Apple M5 Max Show Performance Gains, NoobFeed

Availability of Square Enix and Final Fantasy on Different Platforms

People were worried that Sony's plan might make it harder to get Final Fantasy games on Steam. Final Fantasy is not a game owned by Sony. Square Enix owns the brand and has used timed console exclusives in the past. Recent comments from the publisher show that these exclusive launch techniques may not have worked as planned. Square Enix, not Sony, still decides which platforms are available.

Final Thoughts

People were upset about the talk of a supposed 9GB RTX 5050 version. Many people said that the extra memory doesn't really solve the problems with the prices and performance of entry-level GPUs. Some others said the card should be much cheaper before it becomes interesting.

People also didn't like the MacBook Neo because they thought it was too similar to cheaper x86 computers. But the item is meant for a distinct group of buyers. It runs full macOS rather than a smaller operating system like ChromeOS, and Apple sees it as an entry point into its ecosystem.

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