AMD: Ryzen 7 1700X, 1800X reporting temps incorrectly

Anthony Garreffa | CPU, APU & Chipsets | Mar 14, 2017 12:29 AM CDT

AMD has just issued a new community update on its brand new Ryzen CPUs, addressing issues over thread scheduling on Ryzen processors - but also detailed the problems over temperature reporting on Ryzen.

AMD: Ryzen 7 1700X, 1800X reporting temps incorrectly

AMD explains in the post that the "primary temperature reporting sensor of the AMD Ryzen processor is a sensor called 'T Control,' or tCTL for short. The tCTL sensor is derived from the junction (Tj) temperature-the interface point between the die and heatspreader-but it may be offset on certain CPU models so that all models on the AM4 Platform have the same maximum tCTL value. This approach ensures that all AMD Ryzen processors have a consistent fan policy".

The post continues in detail, with AMD explaining: "Specifically, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and 1800X carry a +20°C offset between the tCTL° (reported) temperature and the actual Tj° temperature. In the short term, users of the AMD Ryzen 1700X and 1800X can simply subtract 20°C to determine the true junction temperature of their processor. No arithmetic is required for the Ryzen 7 1700. Long term, we expect temperature monitoring software to better understand our tCTL offsets to report the junction temperature automatically".

Continue reading: AMD: Ryzen 7 1700X, 1800X reporting temps incorrectly (full post)

AMD addresses Windows 10's thread scheduler with Ryzen

Anthony Garreffa | CPU, APU & Chipsets | Mar 13, 2017 11:36 PM CDT

Now that AMD has launched its Ryzen processors, some niggly issues have popped up with one of them being the underwhelming performance at 1080p. AMD has hit back with an official statement, saying: "the Windows 10 thread scheduler is operating properly for Zen".

AMD addresses Windows 10's thread scheduler with Ryzen

AMD continues, saying that they "do not presently believe there is an issue with the scheduler adversely utilizing the logical and physical configurations of the architecture". There have been some differences between Windows 7 and Windows 10 performance over the thread scheduler, but AMD added that they "do not believe there is an issue with scheduling differences between the two versions of Windows" and that any performance differences between Windows 7 and Windows 10, come down to the difference between the operating systems - and not the Ryzen CPU.

AMD also talked about the SMT (the multi-threaded part of Ryzen) and the negative performance in some games, with the company saying that SMT offers a "neutral/positive benefit" in a range of processors. AMD added: "For the remaining outliers, AMD again sees multiple opportunities within the codebases of specific applications to improve how this software addresses the "Zen" architecture. We have already identified some simple changes that can improve a game's understanding of the "Zen" core/cache topology, and we intend to provide a status update to the community when they are ready".

Continue reading: AMD addresses Windows 10's thread scheduler with Ryzen (full post)

Gran Turismo Sport footage shown off at PAX East 2017

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Mar 13, 2017 11:21 PM CDT

PAX East 2017 had some great things for gamers to check out, but Gran Turismo Sport would have to be at the top of some gamers' lists - especially with Sony pushing it as a PS4 exclusive.

Gran Turismo Sport footage shown off at PAX East 2017

During the show, gamers got to test out Gran Turismo Sport before it is released - with some off-screen footage captured, showing off some of the various tracks that will be featured in the game. Check out the video above.

Sony confirmed during the Geneva Motor Show that they've partnered with watchmaker TAG Heuer for Gran Turismo Sport, with TAG Heuer becoming the game's official timekeeper. Sony explained: "TAG Heuer will appear as the official timekeeper and official watch of Gran Turismo Sport in all areas of the game, and TAG Heuer's Live Timing technology will be used to provide players with an experience that's just the same as real motor racing".

Continue reading: Gran Turismo Sport footage shown off at PAX East 2017 (full post)

Shadow of War dev: Xbox Scorpio is a powerful beast

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Mar 13, 2017 8:47 PM CDT

Microsoft has been pumping some serious hype into its upcoming Project Scorpio console, with the company touting it is the most powerful console ever created - with Middle-earth: Shadow of War developer Monolith Productions reiterating Microsoft's comments on the console.

Shadow of War dev: Xbox Scorpio is a powerful beast

Shadow of War was recently confirmed as the first Xbox Scorpio title, with Microsoft's backing, with it featuring 4K and HDR technology. During an interview with GamesRadar, Monolith Productions boss Kevin Stephens said: "I can't speak for Microsoft, but from our point of view they seem very committed to, you know, if you buy an Xbox One, whether it's a One, or an S, or a Scorpio you're going to buy a game and [be able to] play it on any of them. That seems very consistent with our experience of working on those platforms".

In previous interviews, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has teased with Project Scorpio: "We've found nothing false about their claims about the hardware. As far as we can tell, it will be the most powerful console ever created when it launches - unless somebody has an announcement I don't know about".

Continue reading: Shadow of War dev: Xbox Scorpio is a powerful beast (full post)

GTX 1080 Ti runs Mass Effect Andromeda at 4K 60FPS+

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Mar 13, 2017 7:40 PM CDT

The PC version of Mass Effect Andromeda has been confirmed to not be a console port, but what hardware will you need to run it at 720p and 1080p? We know that, which we've got below for you - but what about 4K 60FPS? Now we know that, too.

GTX 1080 Ti runs Mass Effect Andromeda at 4K 60FPS+

In order to run BioWare's upcoming Mass Effect Andromeda at 4K 60FPS+ you're going to need one of NVIDIA's fresh new GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards to hit 4K 60FPS+ according to BioWare Producer Michael Gamble. Gamble recently took to Twitter confirming Mass Effect Andromeda is indeed not a console port, but he was also asked "can the 1080 Ti run the game at 4K@Ultra smoothly?" with Gamble tweeting back "lol yes, 60+".

We will be running Mass Effect Andromeda through its paces when it drops on March 21 (in the US) and March 23 (in Europe).

Continue reading: GTX 1080 Ti runs Mass Effect Andromeda at 4K 60FPS+ (full post)

Sony Pictures reboots 'Dragon Tattoo' franchise

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Mar 13, 2017 5:00 PM CDT

Director David Fincher's spectacular Hollywood adaptation of Stieg Larsson's 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' series is finally set to continue nearly a decade from the release of the last film, albeit in a full reboot minus Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara and David Fincher.

According to The Wrap, Sony Pictures has hired 'Don't Breathe' director Fede Alvarez to take the helm of the fourth book in the series; 'The Girl in the Spider's Web', which has locked in a late 2018 release date. The 2009 adaptation grossed $232 million worldwide, but was seen as a disappointment based on the strong cultural awareness, coupled with the budget excesses for the r-rated film incurred by the infamously fussy director.

'The Girl in the Spider's Web' is set to hit cinemas in October 2018.

Continue reading: Sony Pictures reboots 'Dragon Tattoo' franchise (full post)

Huawei to launch Honor V9 globally as Honor 8 Pro

Lana Jelic | Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Mar 13, 2017 4:27 PM CDT

Huawei unveiled the Honor V9 back in February, and on April 5th the company will launch the global version of the device under a name Honor 8 Pro.

Huawei to launch Honor V9 globally as Honor 8 Pro

According to the rumors, the specs of the phone will remain the same as the device that was already announced in China meaning we are looking at a 5.7-inch QHD display, dual 12MP+12MP camera, and Kirin 960 processor.

There should also be 6GB of RAM on board if the specs of the Honor 8 Pro remain the same as the ones of the Honor V9. You can also choose between 64GB and 128GB of internal storage with the V9, so the same is expected with the Honor 8 Pro.

Continue reading: Huawei to launch Honor V9 globally as Honor 8 Pro (full post)

PS4 games coming to PC...via PlayStation Now

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 13, 2017 3:29 PM CDT

Sony today announced that PS4 games will soon be playable on the company's PlayStation Now games-streaming service, effectively bringing PS4 games to PC for the first time.

PS4 games coming to PC...via PlayStation Now

Soon gamers will be able to stream PS4 games to their PC with a PlayStation Now paid subscription. The service, which streams games over Sony's cloud infrastructure, will also act as a rental service for PS4 owners who will get to sample the available console titles. On top of the $20 a month subscription fee, users will also need a $25 DualShock wireless dongle to use console controllers on PC via PS Now.

"As many of you know, PlayStation Now lets you stream hundreds of PS3 games - currently 483 to be exact - to your PS4 and Windows PC. We're excited to announce that PS Now's catalog is set to grow even further, as we'll be expanding to include a new platform: PlayStation 4 games. All of the games in the service, including PS4 games, will be included with a single PS Now subscription. We'll share more information as we get closer to launch, so stay tuned," Sony said in a recent blog post.

Continue reading: PS4 games coming to PC...via PlayStation Now (full post)

Turkish businessman in exile buys Vertu for $61 million

Lana Jelic | Business, Financial & Legal | Mar 13, 2017 2:55 PM CDT

Vertu, a manufacturer, and retailer of luxury phones was established back in 1998 by Nokia. However, the company has changed hands a couple of times by now.

Turkish businessman in exile buys Vertu for $61 million

First, the company was sold to EQT VI in 2012, and their most recent owner, a Hong Kong-based holding company Godin Holdings, bought the company in 2015.

Now, Vertu once again has a new owner - a Turkish businessman Hakan Uzan, who is currently in exile. Uzan reportedly bought Vertu for $61 million.

Continue reading: Turkish businessman in exile buys Vertu for $61 million (full post)

Project Scorpio Game DVR records native 4K 60FPS

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 13, 2017 1:14 PM CDT

Microsoft's new Project Scorpio console may be the real deal when it comes to native 4K gaming, despite having only a scaled, console-grade 6TFLOP GPU. Reports indicate that Microsoft's "monster" 4K console could record gameplay footage at native 2160p 60FPS as well as stream 4K content.

Project Scorpio Game DVR records native 4K 60FPS

Windows Central received another tip from its Xbox sources that Project Scorpio will be capable of streaming and recording gameplay footage at 4K 60FPS. The outlet reports that Project Scorpio will leverage HEVC and VP9 codecs for decoding 4K video streams, as well as HEVC encoding for 3840 x 2160 resolution 60FPS Game DVR captures.

"Microsoft's Beam streaming service has been running public 4K stream tests for some time, and it's now fair to assume it will not only be PC streamers who will benefit. Project Scorpio's Game DVR will allow you to stream and record clips in 4K resolution with 60FPS, according to our sources, which is a massive, massive step up from the 720p, 30FPS you get on the current Xbox One," Windows Central's Jez Corden reports.

Continue reading: Project Scorpio Game DVR records native 4K 60FPS (full post)