i-rocks introduces K60M PLUS RGB mechanical keyboard

Shaun Grimley | Peripherals | Sep 21, 2017 6:31 AM CDT

i-rocks has released their sleek, gaming orientated RGB mechanical keyboard, the K60M PLUS. Featuring dual-layer PCB and genuine Cherry MX switches, the K60M PLUS is the perfect example of engineering for reliable performance.

i-rocks introduces K60M PLUS RGB mechanical keyboard

The K60M PLUS has implemented a thick, high-quality aluminum chassis that is covered by layers of durable protective finish to prevent corrosion. For those long gaming marathon and for extreme typists, the K60M PLUS features a wrist-rest protector as a standard accessory to prove that ergonomics is as critical as performance.

The 16.7 million color backlight is completely customizable, with indivisual illumination configuration. Featuring in-built ARM Cortex processor, the K60M PLUS can record and playback up to 8 macros on-the-fly for quick command access and media control at your fingertip. Onboard memory lets you save profiles, macros and backlight settings for complete user preference. Optional software enables deeper customization and a visually intuitive user experience.

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Overwatch's next hero is playable, but wont be out soon

Shaun Grimley | Gaming | Sep 21, 2017 5:32 AM CDT

New heroes always add a new element to a game, too many new heroes too quickly can generally lead to balancing issues that can break a game. During a video withIGN's new Expert Mode, Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan discussed Overwatch's next hero, referred to only as "Hero 26".

Overwatch's next hero is playable, but wont be out soon

"Hero 26 is very playable and very fun internally, and that's all I'll say. It's not coming out as soon as you think, but Hero 26 is already amazing." Kaplan then further elaborated "I don't think there's such a thing as too many heroes, but I think we also need to come out with heroes at a good pace."

It's been a few months since we last saw a hero released, July 27 in fact when Doomfist was introduced into Overwatch. Blizzard have put their time and resources into their latest patch that saw a new game modes and map. Typically, Blizzard hype up and tease new heroes before their release. With Jeff's comments, it appears it may be an extended wait for Hero 26.

Continue reading: Overwatch's next hero is playable, but wont be out soon (full post)

PS4 & Xbox One cross-play briefly enabled for Fortnite

Shaun Grimley | Gaming | Sep 21, 2017 4:28 AM CDT

Cross-platform between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One sounds like a complex dream, or perhaps it's as simple as setting a few parameters?

PS4 & Xbox One cross-play briefly enabled for Fortnite

It was reported and later confirmed by an Epic Games representative, that cross-platform play between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for Epic's Fortnite was enabled over the weekend due to a configuration issue.

"We had a configuration issue and it has now been corrected" the spokesperson said.

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Thermaltake reveal the Versa H18 Window Micro case

Shaun Grimley | Cases, Cooling & PSU | Sep 21, 2017 3:13 AM CDT

Thermaltake have revealed their latest micro-ATX case, the Versa H18 Window Micro case. This traditional style case features a wide body with a front bezel that is dominated by a mesh grill, while the side-panel features a clear-acrylic window in favor of the more common, and expensive tempered glass.

Thermaltake reveal the Versa H18 Window Micro case

The front panel includes plenty of functionality with a USB 3.0 type-A port, two USB 2.0/1.1 ports, and HDA jacks. The Versa H18 Window Micro supports either three 120mm or two 140mm fans along the front, with either a 120/140mm on the top, and a 120mm rear exhaust fan. As for liquid cooling, there is enough room to mount a 240/280mm radiator at the front.

Weighing in at 4.5kg, this micro-ATX case is made from SECC steel and features a horizontal dual-compartment design that allows the PSU and 3.5" drives to be housed separately. With support for up to 350mm length graphics card, the Versa H18 Window Micro case presents extremely good value at $50.

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GIGABYTE's new X399 Designare EX motherboard looks GREAT

Anthony Garreffa | Motherboards | Sep 21, 2017 12:50 AM CDT

GIGABYTE's upcoming X399 Designare EX motherboard is on the way, with it being the new flagship motherboard that will be perfect for AMD's super-powered Ryzen Threadripper CPUs.

GIGABYTE's new X399 Designare EX motherboard looks GREAT

There's a slick as hell silver theme, with dual GbE ports, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C and Type-A) ports, 8 x DDR4 DIMMs, 4-way CrossFire and SLI support (awww YES), and 3 x M.2 slots. All of the PCIe slots on GIGABYTE's new X399 Designare EX motherboard are protected with metal shielding, while the M.2 slots have heat sinks by GIGABYTE.

The blue LED that GIGABYTE is using on the chipset cooler looks beyond awesome, as it works beautifully with the black and silver style on the X399 Designare EX motherboard. I want one so bad.

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Need for Speed: Payback teased at 4K on GTX 1080 Ti

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Sep 20, 2017 11:45 PM CDT

We're still just under two months away from the release of Need for Speed: Payback, with publisher EA and developer Ghost Games releasing the PC system requirements.

Need for Speed: Payback teased at 4K on GTX 1080 Ti

Need for Speed: Payback requires a Core i3 6300 or AMD FX 8150 processor as a minimum, coupled with a GeForce GTX 750 Ti or Radeon HD 7850, which will be good for 720p @ 30FPS with low settings. If you want 1080p 60FPS at high settings, you'll need a Core i5-4690K or AMD FX 8350 along with the Radeon RX 480 or GeForce GTX 1060.

NVIDIA is celebrating Need for Speed: Payback with a new 4K gameplay video, powered by a single GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. NVIDIA explains: "Check out our exclusive Need for Speed Payback Graveyard Shift PC gameplay in 4K running at 60 FPS, captured on a GeForce GTX 1080 Ti PC. Watch as Tyler heads to the airfield and takes on the street league Graveyard Shift, race down the runway, grab some serious air, and work his way up through Silver Canyon".

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AMD is making a self-driving AI processor for Tesla

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Sep 20, 2017 10:30 PM CDT

It looks like AMD might have scored a seriously large contract through electric car maker Tesla Motors, with the companies collaborating on a new AI accelerator for self-driving cars.

AMD is making a self-driving AI processor for Tesla

Jim Keller, the legendary engineer in AMD's ranks is reportedly involved in the deal, along with 50 engineers at Tesla. Keller has been involved with Apple's A4 and A5 processors, the original Athlon 64 processors, and AMD's latest Zen architecture.

AMD has reportedly already sent Tesla early samples of the new semi-custom chip, with testing already underway. For Tesla, this is the firs ttime they've opted for a purpose built AI processor, which will be using both AMD and Tesla IP.

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Google buys HTC's mobile division for $1.1 billion

Anthony Garreffa | BREAKING STORY | Sep 20, 2017 9:34 PM CDT

Google has just announced it has acquired HTC's mobile division in a deal worth $1.1 billion, which was expected after HTC announced it would briefly halt trading on the Taiwan stock exchange ahead of "material information" that was coming today.

Google buys HTC's mobile division for $1.1 billion

Google hardware boss, Rich Osterloh, said about the deal: "These future fellow Googlers are amazing folks we've already been working with closely on the Pixel smartphone line, and we're excited to see what we can do together as one team. The deal also includes a non-exclusive license for HTC intellectual property".

HTC made both the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphone for Google last year, with the Taiwanese smartphone maker being a silent contractor. Google marketed the smartphones as if they were their own, without mentioning HTC. But this new deal means Google can better compete, very directly, against Samsung, Apple, LG, Huawei, and others that are industry heavyweights.

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Project CARS 2 dev working on Fast and the Furious game

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Sep 20, 2017 9:16 PM CDT

Project CARS 2 is about to slide onto the market, with news breaking that developer Slightly Mad Studios is working on a new Fast and the Furious game.

Project CARS 2 dev working on Fast and the Furious game

Eurogamer reports that the CEO of Slightly Mad Studios, Ian Bell, teased the game in a big way. Bell said: "Guess what the latest Need for Speed game is doing and have a think about which Hollywood film they're copying, and then I can tell you we have a six-year deal with that major Hollywood company that'll beat what Need for Speed is doing. For the next six years".

Considering the kind of money that Fast and the Furious makes with each movie, it makes sense for there to be a game to tie into it. What do you think about the Project CARS developer making a Fast and the Furious game? What would you want to see in the game itself?

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AMD's next-gen Vega: made on 12nm FinFET, coming in 2018

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Sep 20, 2017 6:44 PM CDT

AMD can't get enough Radeon RX Vega cards into gamers' hands, or any Vega 10 GPUs into AIB partner hands at all, but we're already looking to the future with Vega 20 and the upcoming shift to the 12nm FinFET process.

AMD's next-gen Vega: made on 12nm FinFET, coming in 2018

AMD has confirmed it will be moving to the 12nm FinFET process for both Ryzen and Vega parts, withi the upcoming Zen+ parts to launch in the second half of 2018. We should expect naming systems like Ryzen 7 1850X (up from 1800X), and changes to Threadripper.

But for the new Vega 20 GPU, we should see it pushed onto 12nm FinFET with "more than 10% improvement in performance over industry 16nm FinFET solutions", with "up to 15% improvement in circuit density".

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