Items tagged with Gaming
We evaluated the original Dell XPS 730 in early May, shortly after its initial release. At the time, it was Dell's latest high-end gaming machine and word on the street was that it would be the last to carry the XPS badge. Moving forward, Dell was to concentrate on their Alienware gaming brand and the XPS brand would lose its gaming focus to embrace multimedia and content creation. Naturally, we checked with Dell directly, and while they did confirm the rumor, they also assured us that the XPS 730's life wouldn't be cut short and it would go one to live through a full product cycle. It seems they weren't bluffing. Shortly after Intel released their new Core i7 processors about a month...
Read more...
Although we can't disclose all of the details regarding NVIDIA's upcoming dual-GPU powered GeForce GTX 295 just yet, we do have some juicy information regarding the card and its proposed specifications that we can share with you today.We all knew that NVIDIA wasn't sitting idle since the initial release of AMD's popular ATI Radeon HD 4800 series of products. As today's information will show, it turns out NVIDIA was not only hard at work on a 55nm version of their GT200 GPU, but they have also designed a dual-GPU beast built around two of them. There is a bit more to the story though, as the specification will reveal. Fabrication Process 55 nm ...
Read more...
Some parents may find they got more than they bargained for this holiday season if Nintendo DS's Scrabble 2007 Edition was on their child's wish list. Tonya Carrington, a 36 year old British mother, recently gave her son Ethan the game as an educational asset. "Ethan is doing really well with English at school, so I decided to get this to help boost his vocabulary." Yet she soon discovered the game is just as naughty as it is nice. Trying the game herself, she was shocked to find her computer generated opponents using swear words to win. Towards the end of the game, her 'opponent' played the word 't*ts', which the game gave the definition of being 'a garden bird', as well as 'an informal word...
Read more...
Designed for high reliability and extra stability A-DATA Technology Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in high performance memory products, introduces today its entire XPG Gaming Series which represents the very best of A-DATA’s cutting edge technology in gaming memories, delivering the perfect blend of performance, durability and stability with low power consumption. XPG Gaming Series features highest reliability and fulfills exceptional requirements for high-end modules at a very attractive, low price.Perfect memory for gamers at every level In order to provide the ever growing PC gaming market with the best memory hardware designed for gamers at every level, all modules of Gaming Series is available...
Read more...
To DRM or not to DRM, that is the question. (For the uninitiated, DRM stands for digital rights management, and it is a means publishers use to restrict users from making unlicensed copies of software and other digital media--in essence, it is copy protection.) On the one hand, DRM limits the ability of casual users from making copies of media and then giving the copy to someone else. On the other hand, many DRM implementations impact the ability to easily access the media and sometimes even cause the media to be inaccessible--so that while publishers attempt to protect their intellectual property from pirates, they wind up biting the hand that feeds them: paying customers.Ubisoft, a game publisher...
Read more...
We're writing to let you all know that we have just posted a new article at HotHardware, in which we evaluate the features, overclockability, and performance of the Asus EN9800GT Matrix GeForce 9800GT. As its name implies, the EN9800GT Matrix is based on NVIDIA's GeForce 9800 GT GPU, but Asus puts their own spin on the card with a slight factory overclock and a unique custom cooler. Click the link below and check it out... Asus EN9800GT Matrix GeForce 9800GT...
Read more...
As the holidays loom near, we're sure many of you are itching to add some hot new hardware to your wish lists. Whether you're looking to upgrade or are seeking that perfect piece of hardware for a friend or loved one, finding the right match can be daunting. Further complicating matters is the recent severe economic downturn which is affecting us all. While the weak economy has an effect on consumer purchasing power, it also opens the doors for drastic price cuts as competition increases and inventories sit, collecting dust.No doubt, as the end of the month approaches, there will certainly be some attractive deals to be had. Whether you...
Read more...
Logitech Introduces Game-Changing Gameboard Logitech G13 Advanced Gameboard Features Naturally Contoured Design, Onboard Memory, Customizable Backlighting FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Whether you’re rescuing hostages, on a quest with your guild or saving humanity, you don’t want to worry about hand fatigue or hitting the wrong key. Today, Logitech (SIX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) introduced the Logitech® G13 advanced gameboard – a hybrid gaming keyboard designed to complement your Logitech keyboard and mouse – giving you game-changing comfort and control on a Mac® computer or a PC. “If you’re into serious gaming, there’s no better feeling than playing with the G13 gameboard by your side,”...
Read more...
Falcon Northwest and Bigfoot Networks have teamed up to bring a killer gaming experience to customers building one of Falcon's best-of-class, award-winning PC systems. Gamers can now order Bigfoot Networks' Killer NIC™ K1 gaming network card as an upgrade option on Falcon Northwest Gaming PCs, including the Mach V, Talon and FragBox systems. Now Falcon Northwest customers can get the competitive edge in their online gaming experience by using the Killer NIC K1 - the only network card that reduces lag and delivers smoother, more responsive online game play.As the perfect upgrade to Falcon Northwest's high-quality custom gaming PCs, the Killer NIC™ K1 is the affordable gaming networking...
Read more...
We're probably still a long way off from a realistic, full-immersion game-playing environment, but one vendor is trying to get us a little closer to the experience--although this company's approach appears to be more akin to using a Holodeck with the safeties turned off (alternatively, if you didn't get the Star Trek reference, it's like paying someone to kick you in the chest or head). The vendor is Redmond, Washington-based TN Games, and it makes force-feedback gaming products that you wear--designed to help you actually feel what is happening inside the game world. TN Games refers to its force feedback technology as "3rd Space," and its products as "impact generating gear." The company currently...
Read more...
EA Signed On To License NVIDIA PhysX Technology SANTA CLARA, CA--DECEMBER 8, 2008--NVIDIA Corporation today announced that Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) has licensed NVIDIA PhysX technology as a development platform which will be available for EA’s studios worldwide. NVIDIA PhysX technology is the world’s most pervasive development platform for physics acceleration in interactive entertainment.“PhysX is a great physics solution for the most popular platforms, and we're happy to make it available for EA’s development teams worldwide,” said Tim Wilson, Chief Technology Officer of EA’s Redwood Shores Studio. “Gameplay remains our number one goal, with character, vehicle and environmental interactivity...
Read more...
Microsoft's recent Xbox 360 update overhauls the existing blade-style interface, moving to a much more flowing, intuitive design. It promises to keep and improve upon legacy features, while adding new content and functionality. The new Xbox Experience promises a lot but does it truly deliver in both increased usability and speed? Let’s take a look at some of the features that have been revamped and added, and then we'll have a chat about what we think is still missing. ...
Read more...
On November 19, Microsoft released its new dashboard, dubbed "The New Xbox Experience". This free firmware update is mandatory for all consoles that connect to Xbox Live, and aims to redefine how users both use the Xbox and interact online. The new update completely overhauls the existing blade-style interface, moving to a much more flowing, intuitive design. It promises to keep and improve upon legacy features, while adding new content and functionality. Existing themes, gamer pictures, or backgrounds will work just fine in the new interface. However, the previous dashboard, which provided a mazelike jumble of movements to get to places of interest on each blade, has been replaced...
Read more...
DICE Puts Faith In NVIDIA PhysX Technology For Mirror's EdgeHighly Acclaimed First-Person Action Adventure Game Utilizes NVIDIA PhysX Technology to Take Gamers on an Awe-Inspiring Adventure SANTA CLARA, CA-NVIDIA-In the award-winning videogame Mirror’s Edge, DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio, introduces players to a new heroine named Faith. Faith belongs to a network of couriers called ‘runners’ who use acrobatic moves to transport confidential information across the cityscape of rooftops and aerial skyways to avoid being detected. To deliver this never-before-seen sense of movement and perspective, DICE has turned to NVIDIA PhysX technology to give gamers an eye-popping experience on the...
Read more...
Humans like to use energy. We also waste a ton of it, sometimes without realizing. The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) released a study last week, one that looked into just how much energy our gaming consoles are using. The study (.PDF), titled, "Lowering the Cost of Play: Improving the Energy Efficiency of Video Game Consoles,"was done by NRDC with and Ecos Consulting.The study, which they say is the first ever comprehensive study on the energy use of video game consoles, estimates that American video game consoles alone use the equivalent of the amount of energy used by the city of San Diego annually: 16 billion kWh per year. The study did make the assumption that 1/2 of gamers that...
Read more...
Maingear Selects Asetek To Cool New, Powerful F131 Gaming PCsIntel Core i7-based Custom Gaming PCs Deliver Outstanding Thermal Performance at Extremely Low Noise LevelsSAN JOSE, Calf. November 20, 2008 – Asetek announced today that its popular LCLC liquid cooling solution has been chosen by MAINGEAR Computers for their latest generation of high performance, luxury custom computers. Based on Intel's powerful Core i7 and Core i7 Extreme processors, the newest F131 systems can handle the most extreme gaming and entertainment applications. "We're confident the Asetek liquid-cooling unit is the premium solution for our i7 based F131. It has proven to be both powerful and reliable with very low noise,...
Read more...
Like many enthusiast system manufacturers, Velocity Micro makes hand-built, high-end gaming rigs using the latest components, such as Intel’s Core i7 processors. Velocity Micro claims that they pride themselves on their extensive customization options, meticulous assembly procedures, a technically trained staff, and in-house US-based support.Velocity Micro offers two series of gaming rigs—the Raptor and Edge series. The Raptor is “the best of the best” with more customization and tweaking options along with higher-end specs. The Raptor line offers two models: the Raptor Signature Edition (starting at $5,499) and the Raptor Z90 (starting at $3,599). The Edge series is also geared...
Read more...
Whenever AMD or Intel release a new processor and chipset platform, you can bet there’s going to be a good amount of excitement surrounding the release, along with anticipation as we eagerly await the arrival of systems that incorporate the new technologies. Velocity Micro’s new Edge Z55 Intel Core i7 Gaming System is out and we’ve had the chance to run it through our tests to see just how it stacks up. As you’ll see, the new Intel Core i7 CPU and X58 chipset enables the Velocity Micro Edge Z55 Gaming System to hold its own against the elite PCs of just a few months ago.The new Core i7 brings with it new chipsets, motherboards, and a new LGA1366 processor socket. What sets the Core i7 processor...
Read more...
Here at Hot Hardware, we are big fans of the XPS 700 series of gaming desktops. Over the last two years, they have consistently earned our coveted Editor's Choice award time and again. We thought the last incarnation of the 700-series, the XPS 730 H2C, was the best yet in the series. It seems Dell isn't quite done with the XPS 730. Today Dell is announcing a new update to the line-up in the form of the XPS 730x. The extra letter in the model number means an entirely updated platform from Core 2 to the new Core i7 series as well as updated video card options and some new additions to the chassis. The XPS 730x will be available with all three currently available Core i7 models, complete with a...
Read more...
Gaming notebooks and an affordable price tag generally don’t go hand in hand. Today, however, MSI announced its newest GX630-028US gaming notebook with a price tag of just $799.99. So just what do you get for this price? Well, the GX630-028US comes with an AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor, 15.4-inch WXGA display, NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT, a 250GB SATA hard drive, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, Super Multi optical drive, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a 2 megapixel Web cam. Not a bad deal, it seems. Like other MSI gaming notebooks, the GX630 features MSI Turbo Drive engine technology, which lets you over clock the notebook by as much as 15%. It also has the MSI ECO Engine with five different operating modes...
Read more...
Well, Wal-Mart may be having trouble keeping up with iTunes as far as being the top music retailer, but it doesn't have iTunes as a competitor among video games. Thus, we are where we are ...eMarketer.com conducted a survey of 2,000 gamers aged 12 to 54, dubbed "Are You Game?" It found that Wal-Mart was the most visited retailer for video games, with Best Buy and GameStop tied for second. The margin was 8%, a pretty large margin, as you can see below.After those three comes Target, and then Circuit City and Amazon, tied. Yes, the "I'm closing 155 stores" Circuit City, you've got it; still decently high in the rankings.So, based on this, not only is Wal-Mart the world's biggest...
Read more...
If you are an Apple iPhone or iPod touch owner, you've likely noticed that nearly every time you check out the App Store, there are several updates available for applications you've downloaded. At first, this makes sense, as the iPhone/iPod touch is still a relatively new platform for developers, which puts them still early on the learning curve--bugs needs to be squashed and new features added. But many users are finding that these "updated apps" neither fix bugs nor add new features. So then what is the purpose of the updates? As TouchMeme developer, Krishna Vegesna, points out in his blog, developers have been "gaming the system" in order to get their apps to show up as "new applications":...
Read more...
