Archive for the ‘TECH’ Category

Multi-core processors instead of single-core faster processors are the rage in gaming PC’s in this modern era.  Fast dual core gaming machines where exciting at first followed up quickly by quad-core gaming rigs.  That was just a matter of time.  Now, with trumpets blaring Advanced Micro Devices has announced the first eight-core FX line of processors using the AMD Bulldozer architecture!

These multicore processors are completely unlocked and ready to turn up the heat on your favorite first person shooters while crunching the toughest HD multimedia and video editing around.  Two top online PC gaming rig makers are already incorporating these AMD chips into their machines along with a few other pc builders.  CyberPC and Origin PC have announced today that they will build AMD FX machines that include four, six and eight core processors.  CyberPC announced its Scorpius line of gaming PC’s using the AMD FX chips.  Origin PC, the people who used to build Alienware machines will allow you to configure your own high-end PC’s using their website.  Here’s a rundown of the new FX line you can get for your new gaming machine:

• FX-8150: Eight cores, 3.6 GHz CPU base (3.9 GHz Turbo Core, 4.2 GHz Max Turbo), $245 suggested retail price (U.S.)
• FX-8120: Eight cores, 3.1 GHz CPU base (3.4 GHz Turbo Core, 4.0 GHz Max Turbo), $205 suggested retail price (U.S.)
• FX-6100: Six cores, 3.3 GHz CPU base (3.6 GHz Turbo Core, 3.9 GHz Max Turbo), $165 suggested retail price (U.S.)
• FX-4100: Four cores, 3.6 GHz CPU base (3.7 GHz Turbo Core, 3.8 GHz Max Turbo), $115 suggested retail price (U.S.)

A quote from the Advanced Micro Devices news room today:

“AMD FX CPUs are back with a vengeance, as validated by the recent feat of setting a Guinness World Records® title for ‘Highest Frequency of a Computer Processor,’” said Chris Cloran, corporate vice president and general manager, Client Group at AMD. “While overclockers will certainly enjoy the frequencies the AMD FX processors can achieve, PC enthusiasts and HD media aficionados will appreciate the remarkable experience that AMD FX processors can provide as part of a balanced, affordable desktop system.”

Intel is the leader in the gaming PC chip market for now and AMD will definitely give them a run for their money with the first to sport an eight core processor commercially.  I wonder where computer engineers got the idea for eight cores?  Maybe the AMD engineers are fans of the Terminator movies and dreamed about the Cyberdyne Systems multi-core chip contained inside the cranial cavity of the T-1000?  Fact is more interesting than fiction.  Moore’s law has gone into overdrive where the number of transistors placed on an integrated circuit doubles almost every two years.  Bring on the sixteen core processors for the next Xbox.  Gamers and game developers are ready for that kind of computing power!  Heck, AMD already has the contract for the next Xbox graphics card so maybe they will include the latest FX multi-core processor into the latest gaming consoles too.

Click to expand the graph.

A new Xbox 360 S was unveiled at this years Comic-Con in San Diego 2010.  The Xbox 360 Slim Halo Reach limited edition designed by Halo studio Bungie in honor of their last triumphant Halo game, Halo Reach.  The system pulls no punches and includes two controllers, a 250 GB hard drive, a special edition silver-grey-metallic UNSC themed Xbox 360 S, and of course a copy of the game Halo Reach.  The console will be available on launch day September 14th for a whopping $399 US and £249 Europe.  Major Nelson “Herb” over on twitter says the console makes Halo sound effects when powered on or when the disc tray is ejected.  Awesome!

After the embarrassing PSP Go fail is Sony going to redeem itself with the announcement of the PSP 2 at this years E3 Los Angeles in June or at Gamescon in August?  That’s what industry insiders are saying.  This year may be the year.  A new PSP device with graphics on par with the PS3.  Yeah, a 2011 release!  I really love my PSP 1000 and Sony is such a great hardware designer the PSP 2 will surely be a winner.  I think that the PSP should have been a bigger hit, but Sony had so many problems with PS3 pricing and software the PSP just didn’t get the attention it deserved for marketing or software development.  The PSP wasn’t a failure, it just could have been a bigger success than it was.  Ok, the PSP Go?  What the hell was Sony thinking?  I think that was a device they wish they could have released in the PSP 1000′s place seven years ago to keep pirates away.  A little late don’t you think?

If Sony is smart about its next PSP darling the design better live up to gamer expectations.  First of all a touch screen better be included.  One on par with the quality screen of the iPhone and multi touch sensing.  Next, the device better damn well have two thumb sticks!  The first PSP thumb stick worked half-ass along with the D-pad.  This was one of the biggest complaints among gamers.  Another complaint was the PSP operating system.  The PSP 2 must have better operating software, not the “half baked” system the first PSP had.  Let software designers hack the thing so they can install legal third party software on it.  There is no way around this, but if Sony ever becomes friendly towards third party developers the next PSP should become more popular among the general public.  Embracing outside developers should only increase hardware and eventually software sales for the long term.  Lastly, make it affordable.  The Nintendo DS is affordable and I believe the larger screen 3D version the Nintendo 3Ds will be too.  If Sony wants to beat Nintendo they better make it more affordable for the average consumer.  At least a reasonable price for the hardware components associated with it.

If the “leaked” tech specs for the next PSP are to be believed then this piece of hardware will be truly impressive.  First, a 4-core CPU based on the PS3′s multicore cell processor would be powerful and on par with lower end gaming laptops.  The Power VR multicore graphics chip would only compliment the cell processor.  Power VR also makes the GPU for Apple corporations fantastic iPad.  Power VR specializes in mobile devices so they would definitely be a top choice for that component inside the PSP 2.  The rumors about the addition of a camera and microphone interfaced with 3G mobile networks would make the device a good communications tool with other users of the next PSP, the PS3, or even PC’s.  3G connectivity would compliment the standard Wi-fi  the PSP already possesses.  I wouldn’t worry about battery life for the next PSP if all of this high end tech were to be included.  Battery performance has only improved over the last seven years and the lithium ion battery in the iPad is nothing short of phenomenal.

So, is Sony hungry enough to stay in the handheld mobile device market?  I think so.  They are a smart group and proud of their past hardware.  I think they would like nothing more than to become the leader again in the mobile technology sector.  Nintendo has already claimed victory over Sony in the console and handheld realms and has turned its sights on Apple as its newest threat.  Sony probably feels they would like to enter the fray once again.  After all, the PS3 has lots of growth ahead of it.  At least for the next 5 years in the Dude’s opinion.

Finally, Ubisofts new Splinter Cell: Conviction will be arriving next month in a bundle after being delayed.  The box will contain a standard black Xbox 360 with a 250GB hard drive, 2 controllers and a copy of the game.  The price will be $399.  I guess Splinter Cell isn’t a big enough game franchise to warrant its own limited edition console like Infinity Wards Modern Warfare 2.  I suppose we’ll have to wait for Halo Reach before getting the largest hard drive with a limited console.

Getting a nice Splinter Cell bundle with a plain console is great and everything, but when is Microsoft going to let the rest of us buy a separate 250GB hard drive for our perfectly working Xbox 360′s?  I need to replace my 20Gig because the darn thing is full and I want more storage than a 120Gig.  Well?  Last I heard Microsoft has no plans on releasing a 250GB hard drive as a stand alone unit as of yet.  Halo fans must freakin’ wait.

The official Final Fantasy 13 Xbox 360 bundle has been announced by Microsoft at the X10 event.  The console will NOT be released in Japan as a PS3 FFX13 special graphics edition version of the PS3 console is on sale in that country.  This console bundle will not be a limited edition version like the Modern Warfare 2 system.  It will include a  standard white Xbox console with 2 controllers, a 250GB hard drive, downloadable avatar items, and a standard copy of the game.  A custom Final Fantasy 13 faceplate will be available and sold separately.

The console bundle will be released with this fantastic game March 9th in North America.  The price will be $399.

The first Microsoft retail store is open for business in Scottsdale, AZ of all places.  Reporters were quick to draw parallels between the Microsoft store and the brick and mortar Apple stores.  People actually camped outside for this?  Maybe they wanted their consoles fixed badly?

Rows of tables bearing laptops and desktop monitors feature Microsoft’s products and offer a hands-on approach and the Answer Desk, a domineering counter at the rear of the store, is clearly a carbon copy of Apple’s “Genius” program.

- Destructoid 

Most of the store was not devoted to the XBOX.  Only 15% was set aside for console gaming while the rest of the store debuted other MS products and peripherals.  Unfortunately the PC Gaming section of the store was even smaller than 15%.  PC gaming is really taking a back seat to consoles lately.  Well, that’s another article for later.  A reporter from Destructoid was very impressed with the store either way.

Microsoft’s second store in Mission Viejo, Calif. will open on Oct. 29.  Microsoft is trying to reinvent itself it seems and has lots of catching up to do with Apple stores.  I’m sure people who have problems with Windows on their PC’s or the Red Ring Death on the XBOX 360′s will appreciate having somewhere “official” to go ask question and receive repairs.

ATI now powers current XBOX 360 graphics with a Xenos chip so it makes sense that Microsoft would stay with ATI for its next generation console.  ATI merged with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) a chip maker based in California in 2006.  Fudzilla reports that Microsoft was all too happy to get contract negotiations started as soon as possible.

Reasons for Microsoft’s eagerness may be they hold backwards compatibility for its games as a priority unlike other console makers.  Microsoft has a lot riding on its down-loadable games “on demand” content service  and doesn’t want to piss off its large XBOX LIVE user base.

Staying with chip maker ATI overcomes large hurdles for backwards compatibility says Techdirt, and speculation as to what the next gen XBOX will be named the XBOX 720 or XBOX 1080 is swirling the net.  Reports are that Microsoft will probably announce the next console sometime in 2010.  We won’t get our hands on the console that early, probably the new mystery machine will be delivered in 2012.

For you tech geeks, Fudzilla is reporting that given the amount of lead time the new graphics processor may be a 28-nanometer chip.  Ahhh, take that in Techies!  Be careful when crossing the street and watch out for buses or you might miss the next console.

This engine may be powering games for the next generation of consoles. Amazing!

New Xbox 360 bundles with 120GB and 250GB hard drives are about to arrive.  Plenty of space to download digital content and upload your favorite Xbox games.

The Halo 3 Bundle has been confirmed for release later this month in Europe and other PAL territories with North American NTSC release possibly to follow in the near future.  The console bundle is a black Xbox 360 Elite version and comes with a 120GB hard drive, a standard wireless controller, Halo 3 (full game), Halo 3 ODST (full game), and a beta key for Halo Reach multiplayer.  This would be a great Xbox setup for those who don’t own the console and have been itching to play the Xbox 360′s flagship game HALO 3.  Price?  No price is yet confirmed except it is going for around €280 or $410 USD in Europe.  The Dude would speculate the console would probably sell for $399 with included software.

Already own Halo 3, but need new a special limited edition console?  Then this Xbox 360 maybe for you.  The Modern Warfare 2 bundle has been officially announced for release in North America and will arrive November 10th.  The bundle includes a special limited edition MW2 console, a 250 GB hard drive, two standard wireless controllers, and a copy of the new Modern Warfare 2 game.  The price has been announced at $399.

Microsoft is going nuts releasing new bundles while upping the storage capacity of its console.  There is still lots of life left in the Xbox 360 and game developers are still finding ways to flush out its processing and graphical power.  The new 120GB and 250GB capacities are huge compared to the original 20GB Xbox 360.  There are rumors that a 250GB Forza Motorsport 3 racing console has been spotted in Germany and that a 500GB console will be introduced sometime in 2010.  Possibly a Halo Reach Xbox 360 special edition. Totally speculative, but very probable.