News
Intel Announces Its Range Of 13th Gen Core Processors
Intel’s 13th Gen processors have landed, offering support for DDR5 and DDR4 memory, with the same LGA1700 sockets used by the outgoing generation.
At the Intel Innovation event on September 27th, the processor giant revealed its latest 13th Generation Core processor family. The chips are powered by Intel’s performance hybrid architecture and come in six new unlocked variants for desktop applications.
The new lineup is headed by the monstrous Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KF, which utilize 24 cores for a total of 20 threads. The “E” cores sport a base frequency of 2.2Ghz, while the “P” cores max out at 3.0Ghz — though the turbo frequency can push those numbers to 4.3Ghz and 5.8Ghz, respectively. In terms of power draw, both top-of-the-line processors are rated at 125W, with max power topping out at 253W.
The range is codenamed “Raptor Lake“, and Intel claims that the entire family of processors will offer users up to a 15% increase in single-threaded performance and up to a 41% increase in multi-threaded performance compared to the outgoing 12th generation.
Speaking of the rest of the Raptor Lake family, two i7 and two i5 processors will also feature in the lineup, with K and KF variants of each, with the latter not supporting integrated graphics.
Also Read: Belgian Artist Creates Instagram Surveillance Tool
There’s also some good news for system builders and serial upgraders: Although limited to a max speed of 5600Mhz, DDR4 RAM will still be supported by the new processors, which also use the same LGA1700 socket configuration — meaning Z690 and Z790 motherboard owners can sample the power of Raptor Lake without the need for a complete system refresh.
As for laptop users, Intel has confirmed that the new 13th Gen processors will be finding their way into portable PCs in the near future, sticking to the familiar naming convention of U, P, H, and HX. The new 13th Gen Raptor Lake range will hit stores from October 20th, though there’s no word on availability levels as yet.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
Free VPNs: Should You Be Using Them?
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
Hyper-Personalization: How Far Is Too Far?
Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
