Category Archives: PC

CES 2025, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

AMD announces Ryzen 9 X3D variants & new AI CPUs

As expected, AMD kicked off its CES 2025 keynote starting with an expected announcement and it is more X3D or 3D-Cahce ready CPU variants of the current Ryzen Zen 5 family and now, it is the turn of the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X and the little brother Ryzen 9 9900X, respectively with Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D.

Let’s start on what gamers are looking for and yes, AMD officially announced the X3D cache ready variant of the Ryzen 9 9950X as the Ryzen 9950X3D, which will get gamers a noticeable boost on gaming performance.

The Ryzen 9 99050X3D features 16 Zen 5 cores with a Max Boost frequency of 5.7GHz with 2 V-Cache, one specifically for AMD’s 3D-Cache and the other for the regular use of Zen 5 core usage, sharing a memory space of 144MB.

MD says the 9950X3D should be around 8 percent faster on average than the previous 7950X3D, based on benchmarks run on 40 games at 1080p. The gaming performance should be similar to the 9800X3D, with AMD claiming it’s within 1 percent. AMD even claims the 9950X3D is 20 percent faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K in those same games

With this, AMD is going after Intel’s Core 285K, calling it “the world’s best gaming processor” and the “new king for content creators and actually, it was acknowledged that both gaming and content creators are the target audience with the bold claim the 9950X3D is 20 percent faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K.

Remember that X3D variants of Ryzen CPU doesn’t see much improvement of their predecessors for general productivity like Word Processors, Presentation, non-GPU assisted graphical designs even non-graphical software engineering.

For those in a new to go beyond Ryzen 7 9800X3D but not enough budget for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, Ryzen 9 9900X3D also makes its apprearance.

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D will include 12 Zen cores with24 threads, a 5.5GHz max boost, 140MB of cache, and a 120-watt TDP and with this, AMD said the cache is now less sensitive to high temperatures, allowing the CPU to boost to higher frequencies and deliver better performance in both gaming and creator tasks.

The new Zen 9 3D-Cache ready variants of the Zen 5 CPU family will be available starting March 2025, but prices were not immediately announced.

“Strix Halo” and “Fire Range” no more

The second announcement regarding CPU it aimed for mobile gaming or gaming laptop and once internally knew as “Strix Halo” and “Fire Range”, where announced today respectively as Ryzen AI Max family and the Ryzen HX/HX3D family.

Starting with AI Max family and more or less taking the queue of both Apple with the M processors and Qualcomm with Snapdragon X family, AMD is taking the best of both gaming and AI world with these two processors.

The Ryzen AI Max can have configuration of up to 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units, 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, and a new memory interface with 256GB per second of bandwidth and meanwhile, the Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 (the high end variant), as over 1.4x the graphics performance and 2.6x the 3D rendering performance of Intel’s highest-end Lunar Lake chip, the Intel Core 9 288V.

These specs in theory, makes a high end laptop beating a MacBook Pro built with a Apple M4 Pro, which tells you that laptops built with these processors are for a mix of gaming and productivity.

Finally the former Fire Range project, was announced as the family that includes the new HX- and X3D which its design will have them as a discrete processing units instead of discrete GPU.

The family includes the Ryzen 9 9850HX, Ryzen 9 9955HX and the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D which is obvious to say which one include 144MB of 3D-Cache or X3D and this will power the high-end gaming laptop for this year.

The processors are expected to be available in the first half of 2025 and are aimed at users who need powerful computing for gaming, content creation, and AI workloads

CES 2025, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

Intel confirms commitment to Arc GPUs business

In great news for those who are having a soft side for Intel, mainly in their efforts for their penetration of the GPU aspect of the computing and gaming PC side of their business, is that Intel is committing on their Arc brand and try to have a proper third GPU giant title along with Nvidia and AMD.

In a much needed contrast to former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger’s negativity on the GPU business with Intel Arc, which he saw it as a failed experiment, Intel’s new co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus has confirmed the audience in the company’s CES 2025 keynote, that Arc isn’t going away. 

As a matter of fact, it is one of the most frequently asked question as Johnson claimed (quoted by The Verge).

With that Holthaus took the opportunity to say tat Intel will launch the Arc B570 GPU this next week, a card which is even more budget than the B580.

About that GPU, is based  on Xe2 “Battlemage” GPU architecture with 16 cores (some cores will be for direct computing and others for efficiency), up to 12GB of dedicated video memory, and up to 190W of energy usage and this Arc GPU aims to compete with Nvidia GeForce 4060 and Radeon 7600 XT.

 One thing that I would consider as expected, is that Intel might be going the same route that Nvidia and AMD are going regarding leveraging GPU for both gaming and AI as part of the strategic plans on the future includes their investment for AI solutions.

But hey, if this justifies Intel Arc’s existence and brings more choices for the consumer, mainly the budget consumer, it should be seen as a good thing.

CES 2025, Events, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

Qualcomm will help normalizing budget computers with AI

I guess that I should circle as the most unrelated gaming news of CES 2025, but I guess is fair to include an announcement from Qualcomm regarding on its quest to grind in the AI and Microsoft’s Copilot without being an expensive investment from computer and power users.

With this, Qualcomm has unveiled its new Snapdragon X chip at CES 2025, aimed at bringing AI-powered computing to more affordable laptops and mini PCs.

The Snapdragon X chip features an 8-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU, 45 TOPS NPU performance, and an integrated GPU and also, it is expected to offer 167% faster performance and better power efficiency compared to its competitors.

In other words, Qualcomm sees an opportunity with entry-level computer powered up with Copilot.

A important aspect that many will take proper attention, is that according to Qualcomm, a Snapdragon X-equipped test PC lasted 106% longer while streaming Netflix than an Intel Core 5-powered notebook and it is a fair thing to say that this detail is important as battery life has been a persistent problem for Intel-based systems for years.

Qualcomm also announced it is bringing its Snapdragon chips to desktop PCs.

The chip will be available in budget-friendly Copilot+ PCs starting at $600, with manufacturers like Acer, ASUS, Dell Technologies, HP, and Lenovo on board.

CES 2025, Events, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

Intel announces its 2025 Core Ultra 200 CPU family

The biggest announcement from Intel at their keyonote on CES 2025, was the second batch of the Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors, which are designed to be used on AI ready laptop computers and power high capacity mobile computers.

Of course, for our interest, this means that future laptops will benefit from enhanced gaming performance for this year 2025.

The 2025 Core Ultra 200 family incldes:

Core Ultra 200HX: Targeted at high-performance gaming laptops. It includes advanced features like overclocking capabilities and enhanced data lanes for maximum performance.

Core Ultra 200H: A middle ground option with integrated Intel Arc graphics, suitable for performance thin and light laptops.

Core Ultra 200U: Designed for budget-end systems and less demanding tasks, featuring Intel Graphics GPU.

Intel claims that the new processors offer double-digit performance improvements over previous generations in both single and multi-core workloads and specifically, the Core Ultra 200H series includes Intel Arc integrated graphics, providing more than 20% better GPU performance compared to previous models.

Also, these processors are designed to consume less power while maintaining high performance, making them ideal for gaming laptops and mainly, gaming on the go.

Talking about gaming, the combination of powerful CPU cores and advanced integrated graphics ensures a smooth and immersive gaming experience and again, taking for example the Core Ultra 200HX series, this specific CPI is designed to work seamlessly with discrete GPUs, providing maximum performance for gaming systems.

Intel says that it has addressed previous power management issues, ensuring that gaming laptops can deliver consistent performance without throttling and this take us to the other purpose of this family and it is housing an AI entity.

For Artificial Intelligence needs, Intel claims the processors feature a neural processing unit (NPU) with up to 99 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) for enhanced AI capabilities significant gen-over-gen performance advancements in key areas like media processing and AI analytics and mobile graphics benchmark improvement via AI graphical computing.

The processors are expected to be available starting early Q1 2025 for the Core Ultra 200H series, and late Q1 2025 for the Core Ultra 200HX series.

As for partners, Intel has not yet disclosed specific partners for the Core Ultra 200 series processors. However, given Intel’s extensive history of collaborations, it’s likely that major PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Asus will be among the first to integrate these processors into their new laptops and desktops.

Gaming, News, PC, Technology

Intel found its unlikely hero with Arc

In a year where Intel faced numerous challenges, the launch of their new Arc B580 Battlemage GPU has turned out to be a surprising triumph. Released just in time for the holiday season, the Arc B580 has quickly captivated the gaming community, selling out at major retailers such as Amazon and Newegg within mere days of its release.

Priced at an affordable $249, the Arc B580 has managed to offer a competitive edge in a market typically dominated by Nvidia and AMD. This GPU packs a punch with its impressive specifications, featuring 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM, a 256-bit memory interface, and a boost clock of 2.3 GHz. These features enable it to deliver a robust performance in 1440p gaming, rivaling the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 and AMD Radeon RX 7600, but at a more budget-friendly price point.

Performance and Features

One of the standout features of the Arc B580 is its efficiency in balancing power consumption with performance. Intel’s Xe-HPG architecture, the backbone of the Battlemage series, has brought significant improvements in ray tracing and AI-based supersampling. Early benchmarks indicate that the Arc B580 performs exceptionally well in modern titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, maintaining a consistent frame rate even at high settings.

The gaming community’s reception to the Arc B580 has been overwhelmingly positive. Reviews praise its value for money, performance per watt, and the effective cooling solution that keeps the GPU running at optimal temperatures even under heavy load. Moreover, the GPU’s support for the latest DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan APIs ensures that it remains future-proof for upcoming game releases.

This unexpected success couldn’t have come at a better time for Intel, which has faced significant hurdles in the CPU market and organizational changes, including the recent departure of CEO Pat Gelsinger. The Arc B580’s success has provided a much-needed morale boost and renewed confidence in Intel’s ability to innovate in the GPU space.

Intel has announced that they are ramping up production and working closely with partners to ensure steady inventory replenishments. This move aims to meet the high demand and prevent prolonged shortages that have often plagued new hardware launches.

Looking Ahead

As we approach CES 2025, the industry buzz is already building around Intel’s roadmap for their Battlemage GPUs. With Nvidia gearing up to launch their RTX 5000 series, it will be fascinating to see how Intel’s Battlemage series stands against the competition. Rumors suggest that Intel is also preparing to introduce even more powerful variants of the Battlemage GPU, which could further solidify their position in the market.

Intel’s Arc B580 Battlemage GPU has not only met but exceeded expectations, proving to be a formidable contender in the competitive GPU market. Its blend of performance, affordability, and advanced features make it a compelling choice for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. This launch marks a significant milestone for Intel, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of the graphics card industry.

Business, Games, Gaming, News, PC

Funko Pop! & itch.io – What happened?

In an unexpected turn of events, the popular indie game platform itch.io found itself temporarily offline due to actions taken by Funko, the company behind the iconic Funko Pop! collectibles. This incident has sparked significant controversy and raised questions about the use of automated brand protection services and the impact on smaller platforms and communities.

What Happened?

The entire Itch.io site was taken down after Funko filed a phishing report via an AI-powered brand protection service, BrandShield. This automated report incorrectly flagged the entire Itch.io domain, leading to its temporary removal from the internet. The report was initially aimed at a specific page on Itch.io that allegedly imitated Funko’s Funko Fusion game. However, due to the nature of the automated system, the whole platform was affected, causing widespread disruption.

Itch.io is a vital platform for indie game developers and enthusiasts, offering a space to share, discover, and support independent games. The temporary shutdown had significant repercussions:

  • Disruption of Sales: Many indie developers rely on Itch.io as their primary sales platform. The takedown meant lost revenue and exposure for numerous projects.
  • Community Frustration: Both developers and players expressed frustration and concern over the incident, emphasizing the need for more precise and fair handling of such reports.
  • Trust Issues: The incident has also led to trust issues between the indie game community and larger corporations that use automated tools to protect their brands.

Funko’s Response

Funko has since issued a statement addressing the incident. They clarified that the intention was to target a specific page on Itch.io that was allegedly infringing on their brand, not to take down the entire platform. Funko apologized for the inconvenience caused and assured that they would review their automated systems to prevent such incidents in the future.

Of course, this incident highlights several critical issues within the gaming and tech industries:

  • Automated Enforcement: The use of AI and automated systems for brand protection can lead to unintended consequences. There is a clear need for more nuanced and human oversight to avoid such widespread disruptions.
  • Vulnerability of Small Platforms: Smaller platforms like Itch.io are particularly vulnerable to such broad actions from larger entities. The incident underscores the need for fairer and more precise mechanisms to handle infringement claims.
  • Community Support: The strong reaction from the indie game community demonstrates the importance of platforms like Itch.io. It also showcases the power of community support in advocating for better practices and accountability.

For both Funko and the broader industry, this incident serves as a learning opportunity. It emphasizes the importance of careful and responsible use of technology in brand protection efforts. By fostering better communication and implementing more precise measures, companies can avoid unnecessary harm to valuable platforms and communities.

This controversy has also brought to light the resilience and unity of the indie game community, which continues to advocate for fairer treatment and better support for independent creators.

Breaking, Featured, Games, Gaming, News, PC, Playstation, Xbox

Surprising Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.2 is About New Ways to Express Yourself

Cyberpunk 2077 continues to evolve and captivate its player base with the release of Update 2.2, introducing a variety of new features designed to enhance player customization and immersion in the vibrant world of Night City.

Of course, the entry of a surprising new Update is a big deal as since early this year, CD Projekt Red told its investor that further Cyberpunk 2077 development has ceased with the integration of its team in both Project Polaris (The Witcher new triology) and Project Orion (Cyberpunk 2077 sequel).

Enhanced Character Customization

One of the most exciting aspects of Update 2.2 is the addition of over 100 new customization options for the protagonist, V. Players can now tweak every aspect of their character’s appearance, from hairstyles and tattoos to clothing and accessories. This extensive customization suite allows players to create a truly unique version of V, reflecting their personal style and preferences.

Vehicle Customization

In a city where your ride speaks volumes about who you are, the new vehicle customization options are a game-changer. Players can now use CrystalCoat and TWINTONE features to design their cars with unique colors and patterns. Whether you prefer a sleek, monochrome finish or a bold, eye-catching design, these new tools let you transform your vehicle into a reflection of your character’s persona.

Improved Photo Mode

For those who love to capture their adventures in Night City, the improved photo mode in Update 2.2 offers a range of new options. Players can experiment with different camera angles, aspect ratios, and lighting effects to create stunning images. Whether you’re capturing a high-octane chase through the neon-lit streets or a quiet moment of reflection on a rooftop, the enhanced photo mode provides all the tools needed to produce professional-quality shots.

Johnny Silverhand’s Return

One of the more immersive features of this update is the occasional appearance of Johnny Silverhand, the iconic character played by Keanu Reeves, in the passenger seat while V is driving. This unexpected interaction adds a layer of depth to the game’s narrative and makes for some memorable in-game moments.

Update 2.2 isn’t just about adding new features; it’s about giving players more freedom to express themselves within the game. These enhancements deepen the connection players have with their characters and vehicles, making the Cyberpunk 2077 experience even more personal and engaging. The continued support and updates from CD Projekt Red demonstrate their commitment to improving the game and delivering on their promise to the community.

As Night City grows and evolves, so too does the potential for unique player experiences. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer to its sprawling streets, Cyberpunk 2077’s latest update ensures there’s always something new to discover and enjoy.

Breaking, Featured, Games, Gaming, News, PC, Xbox

Anima Flux now available at GOG & Xbox

Anima Flux, a highly anticipated couch co-op Metroidvania game, has made its welcomed arrival at both GOG and Xbox as respectively the second and third gaming storefronts after its early release via Steam this year. Developed by a dedicated team from Eastern Europe, the game has been in the making since January 2017 and was developed by a dedicated team of 12 people from Eastern Europe and has been on a grind for all gaming fans looking for the next original video game.

Game Overview

Anima Flux is set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world where players control two genetically enhanced soldiers. These elite agents must navigate through a desolate space city, fighting off swarms of mutants to save humanity’s last stronghold. The game features stunning hand-drawn cutscenes and sharp, ironic dialogue that immerses players in its rich narrative.

Development Journey

The development team’s journey began with a desire to create an interactive retro sci-fi comic inspired by the 80s and 90s. Over time, the project evolved into a Metroidvania game, blending nostalgic elements with modern gameplay mechanics. The team’s passion for retro games and their love for the genre drove them to create a unique and engaging experience.

Key Features

  • Couch Co-Op: Players can team up with a friend for local co-op gameplay or play solo with an AI-controlled partner.
  • Dynamic World: The game features a procedurally generated world with diverse biomes and interactive systems.
  • Character Progression: Each character develops differently as the game progresses, encouraging collaboration and strategy.
  • Retro Aesthetic: Inspired by classic games like The Lost Vikings and Contra, Anima Flux delivers a visually stunning 2D art style.
Download QR-Code
Anima Flux
Developer: Avantaj Prim
Price: $ 19.99
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Anima Flux
Developer: Unknown
Price: 19.99
Download QR-Code
Anima Flux
Developer: JollyCo
Price: Free
Breaking, Business, Games, Gaming, News, PC

But of course, Amazon is promoting Secret Level TV Series with FREE games

Amazon Prime Gaming is celebrating the upcoming release of its animated show, Secret Level, by offering an additional 10 free games to subscribers. This surprise announcement comes as Prime Gaming gears up for the December 10 release of the show, which tells short stories set within the world of popular video games.

Prime Gaming subscribers can now claim these new titles, which include a mix of classic and modern games spread across different PC gaming platforms. Some of the games will be available for free into 2025, giving players plenty of time to enjoy them.

The free games lineup includes:

  • Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition (GOG)
  • Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition (GOG)
  • Necromunda: Hired Gun (Epic Games Store)
  • Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition (GOG)
  • The Outer Worlds (GOG)
  • Space Hulk: Deathwing – Enhanced Edition (Amazon Games)
  • Spelunky (GOG)
  • Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (Amazon Games)
  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (Amazon Games)
  • Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II (Amazon Games, coming December 12)

Prime Gaming has already announced 18 free games for December 2024, and this latest batch of 10 new titles adds to the excitement. Subscribers can claim these games by connecting their Amazon and Twitch accounts, making it easy to access and enjoy the free content.

This offer is a great way for Prime members to build hype for the Secret Level series by exploring the games that inspired it.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to add some fantastic titles to your gaming library for free!

Games, Gaming, News, PC, Xbox

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: PC Specs Revealed

Bethesda and MachineGames have unveiled the PC specifications required to run the highly anticipated game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Set to release on December 8, 2024, the game promises to take players on an exciting adventure with the iconic archaeologist, Indiana Jones.

To run Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, your PC will need to meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 @ 3.3GHz or better, AMD Ryzen 5 @ 3.1GHz or better
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB, AMD Radeon RX 6600 8 GB, or Intel Arc A580
  • Storage: 120 GB

These specs indicate that the game is designed to be accessible to a wide range of players, without requiring top-tier hardware. The inclusion of mid-range GPUs like the RTX 2060 SUPER and RX 6600 means that many gamers will be able to enjoy the game without needing to invest in the latest high-end graphics cards.

In addition to the standard requirements, the game will support DLSS 3.5 for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs, offering enhanced visuals and performance through ray reconstruction. AMD users can look forward to FSR 3.0 support, although specific details on its implementation have yet to be confirmed.

For those whose PCs may not meet the requirements, Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW will provide alternative ways to play the game without needing to upgrade hardware.