Category Archives: Hardware/Console

Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

Intel hasn’t called Game Over with Arc GPU business and Arc Battlemage Series enters the fray

Intel has officially announced its latest Arc Battlemage graphics cards, the B580 and B570, aimed at bringing high performance to budget-conscious gamers. These GPUs are designed to compete with mid-range offerings from Nvidia and AMD, offering impressive specs at competitive prices.

The Arc B580 will be available starting December 13, 2024, priced at $249. It features 12GB of VRAM, a clock speed of 2.67 GHz, and a power draw of 190W. The B580 is designed to deliver best-in-class performance-per-dollar, targeting 1440p gaming with support for Intel’s XeSS 2 upscaling technology.

Following closely, the Arc B570 will launch on January 16, 2025, with a price tag of $219. It comes with 10GB of VRAM, a clock speed of 2.5 GHz, and a power draw of 150W. Like its higher-end counterpart, the B570 also supports XeSS 2, promising enhanced performance and visual quality.

Intel’s new GPUs are built on the Xe2 architecture, which brings significant improvements in performance and efficiency. The B580 and B570 are expected to outperform their predecessors, the A750 and A770, by around 24% on average across a range of games.

With features like ray tracing and frame generation, these GPUs are set to offer a compelling option for gamers looking to upgrade their systems without breaking the bank.

The gaming community has been eagerly awaiting Intel’s entry into the GPU market, and the Battlemage series seems to be a promising step forward. With competitive pricing and strong performance, the Arc B580 and B570 could shake up the mid-range GPU market and provide more options for gamers.

Games, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Playstation

Sony wants to trigger nostalgia with previous Playstation boot loading screens on PS5

In celebration of Playstation’s 30th anniversary, Sony has released a special update for the PS5 that brings back nostalgic elements from previous console generations. For a limited time, PS5 owners can now customize their console’s design and boot-up sequence to reflect their favorite Playstation eras.

The update includes the iconic PS1 boot-up screen, complete with the classic white flash and startup sounds that many gamers fondly remember. Additionally, players can choose from themes based on the PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, and a special 30th-anniversary theme. Each theme not only changes the visual style of the home screen but also incorporates the unique sound effects from the respective console generations.

“This update is our way of saying thank you to our fans for three decades of incredible memories and experiences,” said a Sony representative. “We hope it brings back some great nostalgia and allows players to relive those cherished moments.”

The limited-time nature of this update has created a sense of urgency among fans, who are eager to experience these retro features before they disappear. Sony has also launched a 30th-anniversary sale on the Playstation Store, offering discounts on games from all generations, further adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

While some fans have expressed a desire for more permanent customization options, many are appreciating this temporary nod to the past.

As the gaming community continues to celebrate this milestone, it’s clear that Sony’s efforts to honor its history are resonating with players. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newer player, this update offers a unique way to connect with the rich history of Playstation.

Update New Firmware for PS5

Sony announced the entrance of version 24.08-10.40.00 for Playstation 5 consoles and the changelog includes:

We’ve improved the process of transferring data from another PS5 and enhanced stability when transferring large amounts of data, such as captures.

We’ve improved the messages and usability on some screens.

Business, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Playstation, Technology

Bloomberg: Sony is already working on a return to portable gaming market

PSP and PS Vita wasn’t much of an example of dethroning Nintendo in the portable section of the gaming market by Sony and while it did gained fans from Playstation pro players, the company decided to focus on home gaming console with the entrance of the Playstation 4.

Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck with the respective responses from MSI, Lenovo and two gaming generations later, Sony might be making a return of the spiritual successor of the Playstation Portable but with the due diligence and homework.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is in the “early stages” of developing the device, which is still years away from a potential release according to sources close to Bloomberg.

Obviously, Nintendo being challenged as never before in the portable gaming front by all ways including portable PC devices and Smartphones, Sony sees the opportunity to try things again and it seems that the Playstation Portal build some confidence on Playstation actually trying again.

This comes as Microsoft Gaming CEO confirmed that Xbox is developing its original portable hardware which admittedly, will not be ready for this year, leaving Sony with the opportunity to capitalize by also, not competing directly with the successor of the Nintendo Switch, due to be announce between this month up to March 2025.

The original PlayStation Portable (PSP), released by Sony in 2004, was a groundbreaking handheld gaming console that brought console-quality gaming to the palm of your hand. Despite its unceremonious run without the expected success, the PSP was a significant competitor to Nintendo’s handheld consoles and was praised for its powerful hardware and multimedia capabilities. It sold over 80 million units worldwide and had a lifespan from 2004 to 2014.