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AMD to debut Radeon RX 580 in April, before Vega in May
AMD unveiled their next-gen Radeon RX Vega graphics card family during their Capsaicin & Cream event at GDC 2017 last week, but the rumbles of their upcoming Radeon RX 580 aren't going away anytime soon.
AMD will be launching the Radeon RX 580 in just a few weeks time on April 4, according to the latest rumors - with the Radeon RX 570 to debut at the same time. According to the same rumor, AMD will launch the lower-end Radeon RX 560 and RX 550 graphics cards on April 11. All of them are expected to be rebrands, and slight tweaks of the current-gen Radeon RX 400 series cards.
The Radeon RX 580 will reportedly be a rebranded RX 480 with slightly tweaked GPU speeds of 1340MHz, a 74MHz bump from the RX 480 - while the RX 570 will be 38MHz faster than the RX 470. The Radeon RX 570 and RX 580 will be available in both 4GB, and 8GB variants.
Continue reading: AMD to debut Radeon RX 580 in April, before Vega in May (full post)
First 'Deadpool 2' teaser reminds audiences he'll return
While the upcoming sequel for 'Deadpool' hasn't even begun filming, 20th Century Fox has taken the opportunity to release a teaser trailer to the U.S. release of 'Logan' to remind audiences that he'll soon be making a return. While the Australian screening I caught on the weekend didn't indlude the footage, the studio has made it available online for all.
David Leitch is helming the sequel, following the departure of Tim Miller from the directing chair late last year. The upcoming sequel will return Ryan Reynolds in the lead role, while Brianna Hildebrand and Stefan Kapicic are expected to reprise their roles of Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Colossus, respectively.
'Deadpool 2' is expected to release in 2018.
Continue reading: First 'Deadpool 2' teaser reminds audiences he'll return (full post)
MSI's GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is coming VERY soon
MSI had some of the best GeForce GTX 10 series cards over the last year, and now they're teasing what will be the most powerful graphics card in their arsenal - the MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X graphics card.
We will enjoy cooler temperatures and much quieter fan operation thanks to the Twin Frozr VI cooler, with RGB LEDs that'll keep your system looking great. MSI should provide a full cover backplate, memory cooling plate, and PWM heat sink. While NVIDIA's own GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition will hit 2GHz, we should expect a little more out of MSI's custom card - and a cooler running card, too.
MSI's upcoming GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X will come with the same 11GB of GDDR5X at 11Gbps (seriously, seriously fast VRAM) and it will be faster than NVIDIA's Titan X, which costs $1200.
Continue reading: MSI's GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is coming VERY soon (full post)
ASUS goes all-in with RGB LEDs and Aura Sync
We all know that fully decked out gaming PCs with RGB LEDs are all the rage right now - ASUS has a big following as it is with its hugely popular lineup of motherboards, graphics cards, and more - now has Aura Sync.
ASUS Aura Sync can take control of all of your Aura-enabled ASUS products, so if you have the new ROG Maximus IX Formula alongside the new ROG STRIX-GTX1080-A8G-GAMING graphics card - and RGB LED strips, Aura Sync handles it in one easy spot.
Continue reading: ASUS goes all-in with RGB LEDs and Aura Sync (full post)
Nintendo Switch game saves cant be backed up
Although Nintendo's new handheld-and-console Switch hybrid can be expanded with extra storage via SD cards, users won't actually be able to copy their saves over.
Nintendo has confirmed that game saves are locked to the Switch's internal 25.9GB flash storage, meaning gamers have no way of exporting or copying their saved games progress to SD cards. So what happens if you play 300 hours of Zelda: Breath of the wild and your Switch console bricks?
You lose everything.
Continue reading: Nintendo Switch game saves cant be backed up (full post)
Nintendo Switch JoyCons work 37 feet away from console
There's reports floating around the Nintendo Switch JoyCons are still having de-sync issues, and we decided to test out the functional range of these nifty wireless gadgets to just how far they could go without disconnecting. And they can go pretty far.
During my time with the Nintendo Switch I've experienced zero de-synchronization issues with the JoyCon controllers (except when I purposefully went out of range for testing purposes). The left JoyCon works flawlessly alongside the right one at ranges in excess of 30 feet--or about 10 meters.
I tested the JoyCons' range in two different ways: both detached in either hand and combined in the JoyCon Grip. The results were the same either way. I also tested the range with the Switch docked in TV Mode, and in Tabletop mode with tablet set up on its kickstand.
Continue reading: Nintendo Switch JoyCons work 37 feet away from console (full post)
Nintendo Switch handheld battery life test results
One of the biggest worries about Nintendo's new Switch handheld-and-console hybrid is on-the-go battery life. Unlike most handhelds on the market (phones excluded!) system pelts out gaming at 720p HD resolution, but the battery life is actually pretty impressive given Nintendo's original projections. Here's our analysis.
To conduct this battery test I played the Switch's most demanding game, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, in handheld mode. Using a stopwatch app on my phone, I proceeded to play while writing down battery capacity as the stopwatch counted upwards.
The console's brand new 4310 mAh battery was fully charged, and hadn't really depleted much charge since I got it as I kept it docked for the most part. The JoyCons were attached for this test, and both the left and right controllers were fully charged too.
Continue reading: Nintendo Switch handheld battery life test results (full post)
GIVEAWAY: MSI Z270 GAMING M7 Motherboard & CORE FROZR L
Global entry! We have teamed up with MSI to give away an MSI Z270 GAMING M7 motherboard and CORE FROZR L CPU cooler.
You can find details on the Z270 GAMING M7 here, and details on the CORE FROZR L here.
How to Win
Continue reading: GIVEAWAY: MSI Z270 GAMING M7 Motherboard & CORE FROZR L (full post)
Nintendo Switch Pro controller size comparison
The Nintendo Switch Pro controller is exceptionally well-made, but it's also quite...small. We size up the Switch Pro against its DualShock and Xbox competitors--even the now-dead (but not forgotten) Wii U Pro controller.
When I saw the box for the $70 Switch Pro controller, I surely thought it was the wrong device. But alas, the box mirrored the controller's actual size. But unlike other controllers, none of its space is wasted. It's a compact, stylish and immensely comfortable piece of hardware that will bring 40 hours of pleasant gaming.
The controller feels solid in your hands, if not a bit heavy (certainly heavier than the Wii U Pro). But the way it's shaped also makes it feel light, and your fingers easily curl around the sides. It genuinely fits like a glove. The face buttons are well-placed, with the ABXY buttons enhanced to reduce the time needed to press them. The buttons themselves are easy to press--there's no pushing needed like with Xbox One controllers--and the triggers are absolutely fantastic. The triggers hang, but not too much, nothing like Sony's DualShock 4. Like the rest of the buttons they press in very easy.
Continue reading: Nintendo Switch Pro controller size comparison (full post)
Google confirms they will release the Pixel 2 this year
MWC 2017 - Google's Pixel smartphone was one of the best phones of last year, and the company has just confirmed that its successor will come this year.
Rick Osterloh, VP of Hardware at Google, confirmed this to Android Pit in a briefing at MWC.
Osterloh also confirmed that this year's Pixel would have more or less the same price as the original phone, meaning that we are looking at another premium device.
Continue reading: Google confirms they will release the Pixel 2 this year (full post)
Sony Xperia XZ Premium awarded Best new smartphone
MWC 2017 - Sony has announced their new flagship powered by Qualcomm's latest processor, the Snapdragon 835, and the Xperia XZ Premium was awarded the "Best new smartphone" title.
The Xperia XZ Premium is the world's first smartphone that has a 4K HDR display. It also features 960fps slow motion video, something that the company pointed out as one of their biggest accomplishments, and anti-distortion shutter.
As noted before, the phone is powered by a Snapdragon 835 and comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable with a microSD card.
Continue reading: Sony Xperia XZ Premium awarded Best new smartphone (full post)
NieR: Automata comes to PC on March 17
After long bouts of silence, Square Enix has finally announced NieR: Automata's PC release date: March 17, 2017.
NieR: Automata will be exclusive to Steam and apparently won't launch on Microsoft's Windows Store platform, which isn't a surprise since the game won't come to Xbox One either. The incoming PC release will be a simultaneous global launch similar to Final Fantasy XV's cross-regional release.
If you're interested in pre-ordering Square Enix is pulling one of their signature goofy pre-order bonuses for the Steam launch: pre-orders will unlock an awesome Valve gear accessory for 2B that resemble's the face of Valve.
Continue reading: NieR: Automata comes to PC on March 17 (full post)
Switch Pro controller recharges via USB 2.0 Type-A
The Switch's $70 Pro controller has a nifty USB Type-C port at the top that will make it much more future proof than other controllers. However, the device won't actually use the Type-C protocol to refill the Pro controller's internal 1300mAh battery--that's why it takes 6 hours to charge up.
The Nintendo Switch Pro controller 's Type-C integration is apparently only for convenience, not faster recharges or data transfers--at least when you use the included cord. The Pro controller comes with a fairly common USB Type-C to Type-A recharging cord. What's interesting is that the Type-A end, which channels energy from the Switch dock to the controller, is actually USB 2.0. This means the Pro controller won't see faster recharges and the standard 5V 1.8A recharge rate should apply.
Now how do we know all this, especially since there's no markings on the Switch Pro USB cord other than the HAC-010 model number? I admit I wasn't able to find exact specs of this USB cord. However I did find a clue. Nintendo has confirmed the Switch dock's single USB 3.0 port will only be USB 2.0 until a firmware patch is rolled out: "USB terminal (side × 2 [USB 2.0 compatible], back side × 1 (USB 3.0)* It will operate with USB 2.0. We plan to support USB 3.0 in future updates," the Switch dock spec page confirms.
Continue reading: Switch Pro controller recharges via USB 2.0 Type-A (full post)
Switch Pro controller comes with 60-inch Type-C cord
Nintendo doesn't skimp out on the Pro Controller's charging cord, but it's a bit shorter than we'd like.
If you use your Nintendo Switch in a sizable living room, you'll be pleased to know the included charging cord isn't pathetically short. Since the Switch Pro controller can be played wirelessly via Bluetooth connectivity, it's a nice option for families and gamers who want to play on their couch without being tethered. But when those inevitable Type-C charging sessions occur it's good to know that Nintendo included a decently sized USB recharging cord.
We got our hands-on a Switch Pro controller and did some measurements, concluding that the HAC-010 charging cord measures at 60-inches, or about 5 feet. The original NES controllers are still longer in sheer length (they measure 91.5 inches or about 7.6 feet) but we at least get double the insanely tiny NES Classic's 30-inch cords.
Continue reading: Switch Pro controller comes with 60-inch Type-C cord (full post)
One game, controller costs almost half of Switch's price
At $299 Nintendo's new Switch console is less than a PS4 or Xbox One, but the system has a galaxy of peripherals, accessories, and controllers that can rack the cost real high real fast.
Buying a Nintendo Switch Pro controller and Zelda: Breath of the Wild cost me $137 at my local Walmart: the Pro controller is $69.99 and Breath of the Wild cost your standard $59.99. That's nearly half of the Switch's total $299 retail price--so in essence I purchased a single game and a single controller for almost 50% of the console's price tag.
So why is the Nintendo Switch Pro controller so much, and why would you buy it when the Switch comes with two JoyCon controllers? The Pro controller sports the JoyCon's motion tracking, gyroscopes, accelerometer and HD Rumble tech in a much more user-friendly package. The controller is comfortable and well-made, and if you plan on getting the Switch to play Zelda: Breath of the Wild then you might want to invest in the device. But the biggest reason to pick it up is simple: gamers are having connection issues with the JoyCons.
Continue reading: One game, controller costs almost half of Switch's price (full post)
Ahoy! It's the new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' trailer!
Disney have always been great at the publicity game, and they're not wasting any opportunities to spruik the fifth entry in Disney's 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise which hits cinemas in May. Today they've released a brand new trailer which gives a few more hints at where the story goes next. Hint: there's pirates.
Directed by franchise newcomers Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg (Kon-Tiki) from a script by Jeff Nathanson and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, 'Dead Men Tell No Tales' is set to return Johnny Depp as the iconic pirate, as well as Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush. Javier Bardem joins the series for the first time as the film's big bad; Captain Salazar.
'Dead Men Tell No Tales' is set to berth at theatres in 2D, 3D and IMAX across the world on May 26th.
Continue reading: Ahoy! It's the new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' trailer! (full post)
NVIDIA continues to improve DX12 performance on GeForce
NVIDIA Editor's Day 2017 - During NVIDIA's Editor's Day at GDC 2017, the company didn't just unveil their new super-beast graphics card in the form of the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti - but also the price drops on the GTX 1080 (with the faster 11Gbps GDDR5X memory) and the faster GTX 1060 (with 9Gbps GDDR5).
On top of that, the company also revealed its DX12 performance improvements over the last few months - all through driver updates. NVIDIA provided some performance numbers of their games running on a GeForce GTX 1080 at 4K, with games like The Division, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Gears of War 4, and more.
The biggest gains come from Rise of the Tomb Raider and Hitman - with performance improvements of 33% and 23%, respectively. NVIDIA compared the performance of the game on release, against the latest drivers, with some impressive performance increases. Things will only continue to improve in DX12 for GeForce gamers into the future.
Continue reading: NVIDIA continues to improve DX12 performance on GeForce (full post)
AMD teases massive multi-GPU improvements with EMA
GDC 2017 - Radeon Technologies Boss, and self proclaimed ice cream connoisseur announced during AMD's second annual Capsaicin & Cream event that the company has been working on improving the multi-GPU experience for gamers.
AMD has been working closely with developers on Explicit Multi-Adapter (EMA) technology, alongside DX12 and Vulkan, which bypasses the driver-based SLI and CrossFire technology.
During the event, AMD teased Sniper Elite 4 on the stage running in DX12 with EMA - with near perfect CF scaling. A single Radeon RX 480 graphics card was pushing around 30FPS at 4K with Very High textures enabled, but with EMA enabled and RX 480s in CF, the performance jumped to 60FPS - a significant, and very important increase.
Continue reading: AMD teases massive multi-GPU improvements with EMA (full post)
AMD heads into the gaming cloud with LiquidSky
GDC 2017 - AMD had quite the show at their second annual Capsaicin & Cream event during GDC 2017 this year, unveiling the new name of their next-gen Radeon RX Vega graphics cards - teasing 16K 120FPS VR, and so much more.
One of the more interesting announcements was the partnership between AMD and LiquidSky, the game streaming service - which will connect gamers to a host server, with the games being rendered in the cloud - similar to how GeForce Now works. You'll need a good internet connection obviously, but there are other issues in between.
The rendering of the game is done in the cloud by LiquidSky, which means there will be latency in between - unescapable latency, at least for now. AMD used a not-so-great Surface Book to run Battlefield 1 in the cloud, with the hope of the future to provide millions of gamers Vega-powered gaming from the cloud, to your desk (or TV) in the near future.
Continue reading: AMD heads into the gaming cloud with LiquidSky (full post)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 priced dropped to $499
NVIDIA had quite a lot to talk about during its recent Editor's Day in San Francisco alongside the Game Developers Conference, with the unveiling of the new GeForce GTX 1080 Ti - priced at $699.
But when the new GTX 1080 Ti is priced at $699 and beats the Titan X which costs $1200... what happens to the GTX 1080? Well, NVIDIA has provided quite the price drop - slicing $100 from the price, with a fresh new price of $499. Yes, $499 for the GTX 1080. But we're not finished yet.
At the same time, NVIDIA announced a new spruced up version of the GTX 1080 with the faster 11Gbps GDDR5X memory. Not only that, but there's also a new GTX 1060 with 9Gbps GDDR5 memory. We'll let you process that for a moment - because it's a lot of Team Green news to hear all at once.
Continue reading: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 priced dropped to $499 (full post)















