Tech News

  • Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD @ FunkyKit

    FunkyKit reviewed the Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD and found it to offer great value, especially for gamers upgrading the PlayStation 5 or looking for a high-capacity PC drive. The drive supports up to 7,000 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write speeds, and comes with a stylish heatsink and five-year warranty. Its compatibility across both PC and PS5 platforms adds to the appeal, and the massive 4 TB capacity allows users to store a large number of AAA titles without needing to shuffle files or delete games. FunkyKit pointed out that while the SE version lacks DRAM or HMB (Host Memory Buffer) compared to the original PLAY 2280 drive, the trade-off helps bring the cost down without significantly hurting typical console or consumer PC workloads.

    ...  Even though the Lexar PLAY 2280 SE lacks DRAM cache and HBM, it still offers plenty of storage with fast read/write speeds and will work on both PC or PS5. With a storage capacity of 4TB, you'll never have to worry about storage space. It's slightly cheaper than the original PLAY 2280 and comes with a unique and stylish heatsink for enhanced cooling, plus you get an impressive 5-year warranty too. 


    In terms of drawbacks FunkyKit noted relatively few. The absence of HMB or DRAM means it may not perform at the very top of the PC SSD hierarchy in all random I/O or workstation scenarios, but for gaming storage its performance is more than sufficient. Also, while the heatsink style and design are praised, it’s still based on a “single-sided” M.2 format which may require adequate board cooling in tightly packed builds. Nevertheless, the review concluded that for the price and capacity, the PLAY 2280 SE delivers a compelling, balanced package and earns an average score of 8.6 out of 10.

  • Crucial Unleashes Its Most Powerful Gaming Memory Yet: DDR5 Pro OC 6400 CL32

    Featuring a refined heatspreader, our newest high-performance low-latency memory is
    built for serious gamers who demand speed, style and reliability.



    BOISE, Idaho — [Oct. 21, 2025] — Crucial®, a brand of Micron Technology, Inc., is
    deepening its commitment to gamers with the debut of Crucial DDR5 Pro Overclocking
    (OC) 6400 CL32 Gaming DRAM. Engineered for tech enthusiasts and offered in 32GB kits or
    16GB single modules, this new memory delivers faster speeds, lower latency and a bold
    new design that looks as good as it performs. This launch cements Crucial’s commitment
    to PC gamers with new 10-nanosecond/CL32-class latency and delivers on feedback
    related to aesthetics, now with a new elevated heatspreader design.

    “Today’s AAA games are more immersive, fast paced and demanding than ever. They push
    systems to their limits with real-time action, intense multitasking and ultra-high frame
    rates,” said Dinesh Bahal, corporate vice president and general manager of Micron’s
    Commercial Products Group. “Gamers need memory that can keep up. Crucial DDR5 Pro
    OC 6400 CL32 is designed for those who want to win on both performance and style. It
    helps players load games faster, react instantly and stay ahead of the competition. It’s fast,
    reliable and looks incredible inside your rig.”


    Performance and specs:

    Delivering meaningful performance gains in memory-sensitive games like Watch Dogs:
    Legion and Red Dead Redemption, Crucial DDR5 Pro OC 6400 CL32 offers average frame
    rate improvements of up to 25%, for smoother gameplay. While performance gains vary by
    title and hardware configuration, the most significant improvements are typically seen in
    games and applications that are memory-intensive.

    Key features:

    • Faster than ever: Up to 6400MT/s speed and CL32 latency means quicker reactions
    and smoother gameplay: More than 14% faster than standard 5600 DRAM. 

    • Micron-powered performance: Backed by Micron’s trusted memory technology for
    long-term reliability and energy efficiency.

    • Multitask like a pro: Perfect for gaming, livestreaming, 3D rendering and content
    creation, making it ideal for custom builds or for anyone who uses data-intensive
    applications like AI and machine learning.

    Engineered to win, styled to stand out

    With a camo-inspired pattern, available in stealth matte black or snow fox white, Crucial’s
    refined heatspreader combines function with standout aesthetics. A diamond-cut Crucial
    logo and bold “Crucial Pro” spine branding introduce a refined, tactical look. Designed for
    durability, the new heatspreader delivers reliable cooling performance and a clean,
    modern finish that complements high-performance builds. Crucial DDR5 Pro OC 6400 CL32 Gaming DRAM will be available starting October 21, through e-tailers, retailers and channel partners. Visit Crucial.com for more information on where to purchase. 

  • Top 5 M.2 2280 SSD Coolers for PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 Drives on Amazon

    Modern NVMe drives are blisteringly fast, but heat can become a big problem on high performance PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 drives. Under real workloads, an M.2 controller can hit its thermal limits within seconds and clamp down performance to protect itself. That drop is noticeable in the places where gamers and content creators feel most. Just using the drive!

    Much like a CPU heatsink a M.2 SSD cooler reduces controller hotspots and works to dissipate heat so that clocks stay high and transfers stay smooth.

    Motherboard heatsinks help, but they are not magic. Many M.2 slots sit directly under the GPU or near a warm chipset in zones where airflow is often poor.  These heat spreaders quickly saturate and will often remain extremely hot.  That is where a purpose-built cooler earns its keep. Even a slim passive heatsink can shave 8 to 15 °C off peak controller temps in a well-ventilated case, while active designs with tiny PWM fans or micro blowers add headroom for long, sustained transfers. For gamers, that means fewer hitchy installs, faster level loads, and more consistent DirectStorage behavior. For content creators, it means steadier scratch-disk performance, fewer thermal slowdowns during long transfers and less time waiting on disk I/O as deadlines loom.

    Below are five M.2 2280 coolers that work in real builds. You will see a mix between compact active coolers, heat-pipe towers, and low-profile passive options. Before you buy, check clearance under your GPU, confirm whether the drive is single- or double-sided.  This will ensure that you pick the right pad thickness and ensure that the cooler will actually fit in your system.  For active coolers make sure you have a spare 3-pin or 4-pin header nearby.

     

    Our Top 5 picks:

     

    1) Thermaltake MS-1 M.2 2280 SSD Cooler

     



    Brief introduction: Compact active cooler for hot Gen4 and Gen5 drives, using a direct-touch heat pipe, dense fin stack, and an 8,000 RPM micro blower.

    Key specs:

    • Form factor: 2280, low-profile top-flow shroud
    • Cooling: copper heat pipe with aluminum heatsink, 8,000 RPM micro fan, rated about 16 dB
    • Power: 12 V, 3-pin fan header required
    • Design goal: sustain high read and write throughput on next-gen NVMe when case airflow is modest

    Why this pick: The MS-1 targets the controller hot spot with focused airflow while the heat pipe spreads heat into the fins. It is small enough for most x16 GPU clearances and is a strong fix when a motherboard shield is not keeping up during big installs or long captures.


    2) Thermalright M.2 2280 Heatsink Cooler


    Brief introduction: A tidy, clamp-on passive sink from a respected cooler brand. Great when you want zero noise and reliable mounting pressure.
    Key specs:

    • Size: roughly 70 × 24 × 12 mm for 2280 modules
    • Construction: aluminum body with double-sided clips and screws for firm contact
    • Accessories: thermal pads for controller and NAND

    Why this pick: If your case has decent airflow, this sink is a set-and-forget upgrade. The screw clamp compresses pads evenly for better thermal transfer than peel-and-stick plates, and the low profile avoids GPU interference in tight builds.


    3) ElecGear EL-80X Aluminum Heatsink with PWM Fan



    Brief introduction: Active fin-stack cooler with 2 × 4 mm copper heat pipes and a 30 mm PWM fan to keep PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 NVMe drives in the fast lane.


    Key specs:

    • 2280 form factor; double-deck aluminum heatsink with heat pipes 30 × 30 × 7 mm PWM fan up to 9300 RPM, 12 V, ~60 mA; 4-pin connector
    • Airflow spec about 3.16 CFM; pads for controller, NAND, and back side included
    • Dimensions approx. L80.5 × W24.1 × H45 mm

    Why this pick: When you push sustained writes or game installs, the extra heat-pipe mass and fast PWM fan add real headroom. Confirm vertical clearance if the slot sits under a GPU.


    4) SABRENT Rocket M.2 2280 SSD Heatsink



    Brief introduction: A well-known passive cooler that uses copper + aluminum to pull heat from the controller into a grooved fin body.


    Key specs:

    • 2280 fit; includes thermal pad and mounting bracket
    • Materials: copper heat spreader with aluminum finned shell
    • Approx. size 3.1 × 1.0 × 0.9 in on the silver variant

    Why this pick: If you want silent cooling from a storage brand builders trust, Rocket Heatsink is a tidy solution that fits most boards and avoids fan power cables.


    5) SilverStone TP05 Slim-Profile M.2 Heatsink



    Brief introduction: A slim, double-layer aluminum kit with quality pads that improves heat spread while keeping a very low Z-height for tight slots.


    Key specs:

    • Slim aluminum heatsink with top and bottom plates
    • Efficient thermal pads included; designed for M.2 2280
    • Low-profile design to reduce GPU-backplate conflicts

    Why this pick: Ideal when you need better thermals but only have a few millimeters of clearance. Easy to install, silent in operation, and from a trusted chassis and cooling brand.

    Quick fit and power reminders

    • Length: All picks fit M.2 2280 drives.
    • Height: Measure the space under a GPU backplate or chipset heatsink before choosing taller fin stacks.
    • Fan headers: Active models need an open 3-pin or 4-pin header.
    • Pad thickness: Match to single- or double-sided SSDs; replace pads if you remount.



    Final thoughts

    For gamers, an M.2 cooler is cheap insurance against stutter during installs, shader compilation, and asset streaming. For creators, it keeps scratch disks and render caches humming during long exports so CPU and GPU work is not bottlenecked by disk I/O. Motherboard shields are fine for light loads, but when you push PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 hard, an aftermarket cooler preserves top speed and reduces thermal cycling that can hurt longevity over time.

    If you want a compact active fix tuned for next-gen heat, Thermaltake’s MS-1 is a strong first choice. Prefer silent operation in a case with good airflow? Thermalright’s clamp-on sink is low profile and effective. Need maximum headroom for sustained transfers? Titanium Micro’s heat-pipe design with PWM is the brute-force option. For balanced active cooling that stays tidy in cramped builds, GRAUGEAR and ineo round out the list. Confirm clearance, pick the pad thickness that matches your SSD, and your NVMe drive will run cooler, faster, and longer.

  • CORSAIR Launches the Revolutionary AIR 5400 Triple-Chamber Mid Tower to Redefine Performance

    MILPITAS, CA, October 21, 2025 – CORSAIR® (Nasdaq: CRSR) is thrilled to announce the launch of the groundbreaking AIR 5400 triple-chamber mid-tower case.  This unique and innovative PC chassis separates the hottest components from each other with isolated cooling zones that reduce heat and fan noise and enhance performance. With dual airflow ducts in the main chamber, a wraparound glass exterior with swing-open doors, pre-installed reverse-rotor RGB fans, and a wide-open CPU chamber exhaust, the AIR 5400 delivers class-leading thermal performance and innovation. Just as CORSAIR brought dual-chamber cases into the mainstream in 2013 with the original AIR 540, it is poised to once again disrupt the status-quo of the PC case market with an even more functionally elegant solution.

    Unique Triple-Chamber Design

    Winner of multiple "Best of Computex" awards when the prototype was revealed in May of 2025, the AIR 5400 sets new standards for visuals and cooling performance in ATX mid-tower cases. Its triple-chamber layout transcends the case design mold by introducing a third chamber made for a 360mm all-in-one (AIO) CPU liquid cooler (sold separately). Most single- and dual-chamber cases require mounting an AIO in the top of the case, which provides the CPU cooler with air warmed by the GPU, which can result in less efficient CPU cooling. 

    The AIR 5400 improves cooling efficiency with a CPU cooling chamber in the front of the chassis. This front-mounted chamber is designed for a 360mm AIO, which draws cool air into a radiator from outside the case and exhausts the resulting warm air immediately via a sculpted air vent that also keeps the chambers separate. This design allows the CPU to be cooled independently of the GPU, delivering superior cooling performance compared to top-mounted AIOs.
     

    Dual Airflow Ducts for Continuous Cooling

    The AIR 5400 features airflow ducts on the top and bottom of the main chamber. The bottom airflow duct is functional and directs cold air intake from 3x pre-installed reverse-rotor fans directly into the GPU above it, counteracting the fan vortex effect and channeling that air more productively while the top airflow duct is provided for aesthetic balance. Both airflow ducts also allow the installation of 30mm “max” fans, giving PC builders more options when choosing an optimal case fan layout.  

    GPU cooling performance is a primary focus of the AIR 5400, and with 430mm of GPU clearance, even the largest GPUs have room to breathe and get a constant supply of fresh air. The GPU sits in its own isolated chamber, unaffected by the CPU, resulting in excellent cooling performance. 

    The AIR 5400 is offered in two models, an ARGB version with 3x included RS120-R ARGB fans, or an iCUE Link version with 3x included LX120-R iCUE LINK RGB reverse-rotor fans pre-installed, giving buyers the option of simple motherboard fan control or easy cable management with iCUE LINK’s single-cable connectivity. Both types of fans offer unobstructed RGB lighting and powerful, low-noise cooling, with the LX120-R version featuring an iCUE LINK System Hub that provides per-fan control and monitoring, as well as support for up to 24 iCUE LINK devices in total, all connected via a single cable. 
     

    Enjoy the View

    The AIR 5400 introduces wraparound glass panels designed to swing open on hinges that disappear into the case for a clean look and effortless access, making it easier than ever to upgrade your hardware and providing a panoramic view from nearly any angle. 

    Cable Management Made Easy

    The spacious third chamber resides behind the motherboard, and provides ample room for a power supply, a single 3.5” HDD and two 2.5" SSDs, as well as any cables. The AIR 5400 features CORSAIR’s innovative RapidRoute 2.0 pegboard motherboard tray, which makes cable management easy with a modular cable tie-down system. Ratcheting cable tie-down anchors can be removed from the pegboard, extended in length, rotated, and positioned anywhere on the pegboard for precise and customizable cable management. 

    The case also supports the latest reverse-connector motherboards from Asus, MSI, and GIGABYTE, with plenty of room in the third chamber to easily secure all motherboard cables for a super-clean build. Nylon brushes between chambers allow for clean wiring, as cables can be routed to their exact location without relying on predetermined holes. The bristle design eliminates gaps and unsightly holes that could tarnish the interior’s look.

    Fast I/O and Builder-Friendly Features  

    A modern top I/O panel includes 3x USB Type-C ports: two at 5Gb/s and one at 10Gb/s for fast file transfers, alongside a microphone/headset jack and a power button. The case also includes a built-in Anti-sag Stabilization Arm, a reusable storage box for case screws, QuikTurn® screws to make fan installation faster and easier, and a microfiber polishing cloth to keep the glass panels sparkling clean. 

    Two Colors, Two Fan Options

    Available in black or white, the AIR 5400 ships with either 3x RS120-R PWM ARGB or 3x iCUE LINK LX120-R reverse-rotor fans. In both models, intake fans are pre-installed in the bottom of the case to provide cool air to the GPU. The LX120-R version includes an iCUE LINK System Hub to allow the connection of additional iCUE LINK devices. 

    CORSAIR is incredibly proud of the AIR 5400 and cannot wait to see customers build in it and experience a never-before-seen level of cooling and noise performance balance. As our first triple-chamber PC case, we’re excited to see the community create brand-new layouts that look incredible and push PC performance to the next level.

    *Test configuration: FRAME 4000D, AIR 5400 without optional front dust filter, Asus Z790 TUF BTF motherboard, Nautilus 360 AIO, CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5-6000 XMP, CORSAIR MP700 SSD, RS120 fans. Test results provided for reference only. Due to system configuration and environmental variables, performance will vary significantly between configurations.
     

    Availability, Warranty and Pricing

    The CORSAIR AIR 5400 is available immediately from the CORSAIR webstore and the CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized retailers and distributors with North America availability occurring in late Q4.

    The CORSAIR AIR 5400 is backed by a two-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.

    For up-to-date pricing of the CORSAIR AIR 5400 please refer to the CORSAIR website or contact your local CORSAIR sales or PR representative.

  • Happy Triple Plus Day - Retro Modem Life Hack

    It would seem that there is a day for everything and on October 22 1985 the Hayes modem escape sequence was received its patent.  While it seems silly to patent an escape sequence it is an important bit of history that saw widespread use during the dialup and BBS era.

    For those who don't know Hayes modem commands were used to activate a modem from the serial terminal.  For instance, AT would start a command.  ATDT12345551234 would trigger the modem to dial the number 1 (234)555-1234.  If you were still at the modem terminal, once the modem on the other side would connect you could type messages back and forth.

    ATA would trigger the modem to answer a call while ATH would hang up the current session.

    There was another command, the +++ sequence that would trigger the modem to enter the Data Terminal Ready mode and also would terminate the active connection (in a way resetting the modem)

    So, why was the +++ sequence such a big deal?

    Well, people found out that transferring a file with the +++ embedded would sometimes trigger modems to automatically hang up.  There were also reports of certain modem-based MUDs where player names with +++ was cause other players to drop carrier when that name was shown on screen.   I think xkcd said it best with the following comic where the punchline was "I hope you learned to sanitize your inputs"

    southernamis.com is once again celebrating a bit of retro history with the 40-Year Anniversary of the Three Plus (+++) Salute and maybe one of the coolest modem easter eggs that very few will ever witness again.

  • Valkyrie V360 LCD Review @ TechPowerUp

    TechPowerUp described the Valkyrie V360 LCD as a premium 360 mm all-in-one liquid cooler that blends high thermal performance with striking aesthetics. It features a large radiator and pre-installed fans to simplify setup, and the standout attribute is its 3.5-inch LCD screen on the pump block which can display system statistics or custom visuals. Build quality impressed with its copper cold plate and robust mounting for both high-end Intel and AMD platforms. Installation was smooth, and in thermal testing the unit held up strongly under multi-core loads, showing it can stand alongside well-known competitors.

    The V360 LCD all-in-one liquid cooler by Valkyrie showcases remarkable performance. With a customizable IPS display, vibrant ARGB lighting, and streamlined software, it ticks all the right boxes. Meanwhile, the generous warranty and hidden anime girl art piece add to its appeal.


    The review also pointed out a few trade-offs. The LCD screen is paired with software that feels underdeveloped and lacks polish, reducing its practical appeal for some users. Additionally, the cooler is priced at a premium level which means you have to value both high performance and visual flair to justify it. While its performance and design are excellent, TechPowerUp concluded that the Valkyrie V360 LCD is best suited for those who prioritize both cooling capability and stylized presentation, provided they are comfortable with the higher cost and accept the software limitations.

  • Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16GB Graphics Card Review @ Funky Kit

    FunkyKit reviewed the Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G and found it to be a capable graphics card for 1440p and entry-level 4K gaming. Built on AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture, the card features 56 compute units, 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, and boost clocks up to 2700 MHz. Gigabyte’s WINDFORCE cooling system, which includes triple Hawk fans and a large heatsink, kept the GPU both cool and quiet during heavy loads. The card also offers a dual-BIOS switch for silent and performance modes, RGB lighting, and a reinforced backplate, all contributing to a solid, premium feel.


    ...  The Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC is a pretty decent graphics card and a good all-rounder, with price being its advantage. Its performance is what we expected, mostly matching the GeForce RTX 5070, while easily beating the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti.


    In real-world tests, the RX 9070 Gaming OC showed strong performance across modern titles, maintaining stable frame rates with excellent thermal efficiency. Noise levels stayed low even under sustained gaming sessions. The only criticism was its pricing, which sits close to the RX 9070 XT model that offers a noticeable jump in performance. FunkyKit rated the card 8 out of 10, recommending it for gamers seeking a powerful and quiet mid-to-high-range GPU that balances performance, design, and thermal control effectively.

  • For Maximum Efficiency: P Pro Reverse Fans

    ARCTICs Premium Fans with Reverse Airflow

    ARCTIC is expanding its powerful P Pro series with new models featuring reverse airflow: P12 Pro Reverse A-RGB and P12 Pro Reverse A-RGB 3-Pack are now available. Specially designed for builds where performance and aesthetics are equally important, they draw air in from the rear – ideal for installation scenarios where fans with classic airflow direction would detract from the look. The P12 Pro Reverse A-RGB is the first model in the series, with unlit and 140 mm versions to follow.



    P12 Pro Reverse A-RGB

    The Reverse Airflow technology is specifically designed for reverse airflow and is ideal for pull installations and flawless RGB staging. In addition, minimal clearance, automatic balancing, and high-precision measurement reduce vibrations and ensure quiet, efficient, and longlasting performance.

    Already successfully used in Xtender cases, the Reverse models impress with powerful, quiet cooling and flawless RGB lighting. The addressable A-RGB lighting with twelve digitally controllable LEDs provides individual effects and seamless system integration.

    The flow-optimized design ensures maximum efficiency with minimal noise. A funnel-shaped inlet optimizes airflow, while teardrop-shaped struts minimize air resistance and reduce turbulence and noise.


  • LIAN LI Introduces the RB Series PSU with Advanced Cable Management

    October 17th, 2025, Taipei, Taiwan – LIAN LI, a leading manufacturer of computer chassis and accessories, launches the RB Series PSU, available in 550W, 650W, and 750W models with 80 PLUS® Bronze certification for up to 85% efficiency. Designed to deliver clean power and cleaner builds, the RB Series features an integrated cable management system with a built-in groove and Velcro straps to secure excess cables, paired with a semi-modular layout that lets users connect SATA and peripheral cables only when needed. Fully compliant with Intel’s ATX 3.1 specification, the 650W and 750W units also include a native PCIe Gen 5.1 12V-2x6 connector (up to 450W) for next-gen GPU support. With a high amperage single +12V rail and a DC-to-DC conversion design for enhanced voltage stability and power quality, the RB Series is engineered for reliable performance. Cooling is handled by a quiet 135mm FDB fan, ensuring efficient airflow while keeping noise levels in check.

    Advanced Cable Management with Semi-Modular Flexibility
    The RB Series stands out in the Bronze category with a unique cable management system built directly into the PSU housing. The integrated cable groove on one side and Velcro straps on three sides of the PSU allow users to secure excess cables neatly along the sides, reducing clutter and improving airflow. Along with this is a semi-modular design, where only the essential power cables are fixed. Users can connect SATA and peripheral cables as needed. This setup makes the build process easier while giving the flexibility to create a clean, efficient system without extra wiring.


    Modern Power Delivery for Next-Gen Hardware
    Fully compliant with the Intel ATX 3.1 standard, the RB Series ensures compatibility with today’s and tomorrow’s systems. The 650W and 750W models feature a native PCIe Gen 5.1 12V-2x6 (12+4-pin) connector, capable of delivering up to 450W. Additionally, the 750W PSU model includes an extra 12V-2x6 to PCIe 6+2-pin cable, providing reliable support for multiple devices beyond just GPUs. This cable is also well-suited for powering high-end AMD graphics cards, which need three PCIe 6+2-pin. Inside, a high-amperage single +12V rail supplies steady power for demanding components, while a DC-to-DC conversion design enhances voltage regulation, power efficiency, and noise reduction. These features work together to ensure reliable performance and clean power under various load conditions.


    Quiet Cooling and Certified Efficiency
    To keep noise levels low without sacrificing thermal performance, the RB Series features a 135mm fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) fan. Operating at just 33.2 dBA to 40.1 dBA, depending on the model, the fan delivers quiet performance even under full load. Each unit is 80 PLUS® Bronze certified for up to 85% efficiency, reducing wasted power and heat output. With support for continuous full-load operation at ambient temperatures up to 40°C, along with built-in protections (OPP, OVP, SCP, OCP, UVP, and OTP), the RB Series offers both reliable performance and peace of mind.


    Availability
    The LIAN LI RB Series PSUs are available in black only starting October 17th, 2025.

    MSRP

    RB 550W

    $49.99

    RB 650W

    $59.99

    RB 750W

    $69.99

     

  • Godfather of AI says risks are moving faster than guardrails

    Geoffrey Hinton, the deep-learning pioneer widely known as the “Godfather of AI,” is again urging policymakers and industry leaders to treat safety as a first-order problem after a recent YouTube video interview reignited debate over how fast frontier systems are advancing. In a new clip from The Diary of a CEO titled “Godfather of AI WARNS: ‘You Have No Idea What’s Coming,’” Hinton argues that model capabilities are compounding at a pace that voluntary pledges and traditional software guardrails cannot match, with near-term implications for jobs, security, and public trust.

    The thrust of Hinton’s argument is that scale alone, more data and compute and larger models, is producing qualitatively new behaviors that product teams cannot reliably predict in the lab. If general-purpose models continue to gain planning, tool use, and autonomy, he warns they will begin to influence high-stakes decisions across business and politics in ways their creators did not anticipate. That reframes the next phase of AI as a governance and engineering challenge rather than a product sprint, which is why he pushes for “safety proven in advance” instead of promises to fix harms after deployment.

    On the economy, Hinton’s outlook is decidedly unsentimental. He expects the productivity upside to be real yet, uneven. Value is likely to concentrate among a small set of model owners while a broad class of white-collar roles faces automation pressure. He has argued that without a deliberate policy, AI’s gains will widen inequality, with “a few people becoming much richer while most people become poorer.” Those concerns track with recent coverage of his remarks as well as his own interviews this year.

    Misuse sits at the center of his near-term worries. The same systems that write code and synthesize research can scale phishing, supercharge social engineering, and generate convincing deepfakes that undermine confidence in elections and media. Hinton also flags harder edge cases that concern national security officials, including model-assisted guidance that could lower barriers to biological or chemical threats. While these sound apocalyptic in nature the pragmatic outlook indicates that powerful tools also need proven brakes before they are shipped at scale.

    Timelines are what make his warning urgent. In multiple interviews, Hinton has framed the possibility of systems surpassing human competence not in centuries but within years to a couple of decades. Earlier this year he publicly estimated a 10 to 20 percent chance that AI could ultimately “take control” from humans, a non-trivial figure that helped push existential risk into mainstream policy discussions. The new clip does not dwell on precise odds, but it reinforces the same planning horizon and the need to act before capabilities harden into critical infrastructure.

    What he wants to see next is a two-track response. First, treat safety research as a core engineering requirement: red-team programs with teeth, interpretability work that can surface deceptive behavior, rigorous pre-deployment evaluation suites, and independent audits that measure dangerous capabilities rather than just leaderboard benchmarks. Second, build policy that matches the cross-border reality of frontier models, including incident reporting, certification regimes, and mechanisms to pause or throttle risky rollouts until safeguards are demonstrated. Hinton remains skeptical that purely voluntary industry pledges can keep pace with capability growth.

    Hinton’s credibility here is not incidental. His career spans foundational breakthroughs in neural networks and representation learning, and since leaving Google to speak more freely about risk, he has become a central voice translating lab-level concerns into public policy language. Whether readers agree with his tail-risk estimates or not, the case laid out in the recent YouTube interview is consistent: progress remains breathtaking, but without rigorous controls, transparent oversight, and real accountability, society is running a high-consequence experiment in public. The debate will continue, and the stakes, he argues, are already clear.