Will Vista Run Your Games?

As many of you know already I am not a fan of Windows Vista, in fact I am pretty close to hating it. That is, in it's current resource hogging form. I am praying that with the final release that the resource usage will be addressed to a more reasonable level. However, I am not holding my breath for that to happen.
The big question many of you have had wondered about is "Will Vista run my games?". The short answer is "yes, but". The "but" is important because a few games such as Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory won't currently run. While I will admit this is not a problem of Vista per se, but the StarForce drivers and those pesky hidden Ring 0 driver causes a compatibility problem with Vista that prevents games using StarForce from loading.
There are some obvious kinks to be worked out of Vista before Microsoft can attempt to pull off their self proclaimed gaming revolution for PC's. This is not taking into account gamers needing to buy a expensive boat load of new pc parts to get all of this to run reasonably smoothly...but don't get me started on that.
Read the full article at ExtremeTech: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1969005,00.asp

-Eric

A few kinds words...

As the 3DCool Blogger, I wanted to take a chance to thank the 3DCool Crew (Lou Sr., Lou Jr. and Jeff) for affording me this creative literary outlet and "license".
Many of you have worked with these fine gentlemen over the phone or via email; whether it was Jeff recommending a part or Lou ensuring a package getting to you on time. What you don't know is how kind and genuinely great these guys truly are.
You can buy pc cooling parts just about anywhere, but to find the kindness, professionalism and breadth of knowledge 3DCool has is something truly unique. If it sounds like I am singing the 3DCool praises, then you would be right. I am not the only one impressed with 3DCool. Reseller Ratings show a lifetime rating of 9.79 and a six-month rating of a perfect 10 for 3DCool. Read about that here along with some glowing reviews of 3DCool:
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1652.html

To sum it up: Lou Sr., Lou Jr. and Jeff are just like their company they represent, top shelf and top notch. Thanks again for these opportunities. Next time your in the Rochester, NY area I highly recommend paying them a visit whether you need a part or just want to stop in and put a name and face together.

-Eric

Buyer Beware: NVIDIA 7900 series cards and overclocking, not a good mix

Looks like the vendors (BFGtech, XFX and EVGA) that sell these cards and overclock them are seeing a higher than normal RMA rate. This is primarily because of the cards are failing to some degree. The reason is quite simple: These cards are not made to go that fast.

So, if you’re an owner of a factory overclocked BFGtech, XFX and EVGA 7900 series video card and it isn't acting right (i.e. - random freezes or artifacting) rest assured knowing you’re not crazy. It’s the card, not you. So put away your anti-psychotic medication and put on your reading glasses.

Read all about it here, thanks to HardOCP for another good article:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA2OSwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

-Eric

Corsair PC2-6400C3 Meets AMD's AM2 Processors
2 gigs or 4 gigs of memory - which is "better"...

Looks like the guys over at Legit Reviews have answered a question that was burning in mind about the potential of the new AMD2 processors and associated new DDR2 memory. That question is "If I were to buy or build a new PC (using the new AMD proc and memory) how much memory should I buy?" The basis to this exercise is comparing 2 gigs to 4 gigs of memory. To sum it up, 2 gig of memory will do 99.9% of us just fine. The more important thing to remember is the tighter the timings the faster the memory (and the pc) will be. Remember this is for AMD systems. The Intel folks seem to go in the opposite direction when it comes to memory timings, that is a bit looser in the timing department.
At any rate enough of my ramblings and on to a very good read:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/347/1/


Eric

Sure signs of a slow tech news day...
IEMA Updates PC Packaging, Merges with VSDA

Last week, the IEMA also announced a new updated packaging standard for PC game retail boxes. It removes the "SOFTWARE" from the current "PC CD-ROM SOFTWARE" label, but more importantly standardizes its placement on the box. The appropriate logo, indicating whether the game is on CD or DVD as well as whether it is an online game, is now placed in the upper right of the box, over a black and gray pinstriped bar that spans the top 3/4" of the packaging. I spoke a bit to IEMA's Hal Halpin about the changes and the motivations behind them.

Gee, and to think they would have done something really useful like...put realistic system requirements for games instead of one that can barely make the game run. Pffff....

You can read more about this yawner here at Shacknews: http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/42229

Eric

AMD's new CPU...faster, more energy efficient and COOLER!

Today AMD set forth new series of CPU's that use DDR2 and less energy. That is great news for gaming enthusiasts any one who is of the energy consumption conscious.
The whole article is here from Digitimes:
http://www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20060523PR208.html

The great news is the new AMD CPU's are widening the gap against the Intel counterparts. It's nice to see the "little guy" stand a chance against the "800 pound gorilla" of the CPU world. In this case AMD is beating the pants off of Intel.

In related news Dell is now going to start using AMD CPU’s in servers...YAY!
Now, if they can start using them in the desktops and laptops...
All the info is here at Informationweek.com:
http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=188100861&subSection=Personal+Computers

Windows Vista Official Requirements
Get ready to spend money...

As Microsoft's Windows Vista is set for release early next year, one thing has become clear - you going to spend some serious cash to get this puppy to wag its tail.
Gleaning over Microsoft’s site you can see what they say it will take to run the "new" OS: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
512 MB of system memory.
A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCsTo get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
1 GB of system memory.
A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2.
128 MB of graphics memory.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive3.
Audio output capability.
Internet access capability.

After reading the recommended system specs for this highly GPU, CPU and Memory intensive monster I am left to wonder is Microsoft settings themselves up for more failure with this product.
My point is, on a test machine I have set up with 512 MB of ram and a 3.0 Pent 4 CPU, Vista at Idle was using 60% of available memory. That is disgusting. Granted, this is a BETA version and I am sure (read: hope) more memory optimization and leak fixing will be done before release.
So, with the recommended 1 GB of memory Vista is using 30% of available memory at idle. That is still disgusting. I reason the main reason for this is the fact this is a very "pretty" and GUI intensive OS. I back that statement know that the upcoming DX10 (Direct X 10) is bound to the OS to drive all this eye candy.
What happens when you start anything memory intensive like current games, video editing etc...?
Bad things, like PC lock ups, slow downs and general user malcontent as a result.
What can be done? Well, Microsoft is hoping you and I will throw money at the problem in terms of buying MORE memory and a fast-er CPU (dual core anyone?) .
There really is no excuse for releasing a "prettied" up version of the current Windows XP and call it "new". Microsoft had a chance to redeem them selves by building a new OS from the ground up and they didn't. The result of this will mean, customers (me and you) and pc builders (Dell, Alienware, Gateway, HP etc) all lose out. The pc builders will now have to charge much higher prices for these systems because the requirements to run them have so dramatically increased. We as the consumer end up forking over more cash to buy these systems.
Some aftermarket pc makers have started to offer other OS's such as Linux in all sorts of flavors. Mainly because these OS's are less demanding on hardware and generally run much more efficiently. This will start to sway customers from the steely grasp of Microsoft.
Do you hear that Microsoft? Yup, that is cash registers ringing because of you and in spite of you. I would love to ask the question, "Do you care?" but I already know the answer to that.

Adding insult to injury...another blow for the gaming enthusiast.

DX10 (DirectX 10) the latest rendition of Microsoft’s API (Application Program Interfaces) builds upon the "cinematic" promises of gaming where DX9 left off. The full power of DX9 has yet to be tapped after two year of being in place, so I am left wondering what DX10 has in store. The problem is, I won't really know or be able to play any games coded for DX10. You see all of today’s gaming hardware (video cards) is not compatible. That right, I have to buy new video card(s) to play these games. So that $35 to $50 games now will cost of upwards of $800. All of you who scrambled to have the latest and greatest gaming rig have wasted a large portion of your money.
Another endearing thought is that DX10 is a integral part of Windows Vista (successor to Windows XP). This means that that entire pretty GUI is non-existent when DX10 fails. So, if DX10 gets corrupted, does that mean it is time to re-install the OS?
Survey says... "Yes". Joy.


For more info about DX10 read this article thanks to HardOCP: http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA0NSwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

Eric

Today’s technology and the laws of diminishing return. We come upon my first "rant". This rant will be about the ever-increasing cost of technology and the returns on your monetary investment. I will speak specifically to PC graphics. I will cut to the chase and make my point: Have we all lost our ever lovin' mind spending $1,000 to upwards of $3,000 for SLi video cards and motherboards? (SLi is technology that can use 2 or 4 video cards together. More info here http://www.slizone.com/page/slizone_learn.html)
I mean really now, that is more than my first car had cost. Don't forget I am just talking about the video cards and supporting motherboard...nothing else. A really top end "pimped" out gaming system is around $5,000 to $6,000.
Where does this all stop? Currently, you can run 4 video cards together at a time, what’s next...6, 8, 10 video cards? At that point I believe Lucas Arts would be placing a call to you, and ask if they could borrow your PC while they re-create reality with it.
The power of a system like this is all well and fine, the problem is 90% or more of the gaming world won't be able to afford such an animal. Only the gaming "elite" (read: filthy rich) will have these systems and never use them to the full potential. The gaming community websites have done reviews on these systems versus single card set-ups. What is found is at lower resolutions less than 1900 x 1200 the benefit is not so obvious, above that resolution is where SLi takes over. Great, if you have a 30" monitor. So, the majority of us (Non-Filthy Rich and not using gigantic monitors) will not buy into SLi.

There is real potential for this technology to backfire. What if it never gains wide acceptance? What if it doesn't become a standard? Don’t forget running video cards in tandem are nothing new. It has been tried once before and never gained acceptance, therefore dieing off.
Don't even get me started about the AgeiaPhysX cards....
-Eric

DirectX 10 & the Future of Gaming.... Oh Really?!??

That is what Microsoft is touting, and so be it for them to toot their own horn. The fact is DX10 is another product that claims "new levels of realism and depth to the game"
I have heard that before with the Ageia Physx card. DX10 and the aforementioned Ageia Physx card will really need a premier game to launch them to the spot light and wide acceptance.
What are your thoughts?

Credit for article goes to HardOCP:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA0NSw0LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

Eric

PC cases take a turn for the better. Cases that are as stunning as they are functional.

It wasn't long ago that cases were beige or white and we considered that a tough choice! My how cases have come along in a short amount of time. There are literally 100's and 100's of choices on the market now. From Small Form Factor to full blown server style...you name it.

I am focusing on two full size cases that are the best of the best. These cases are stylish, functional and innovative. Take a look:

Thermaltake Tai-Chi -
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Chassis/fulltower/tai-chi/vb5001sna.asp

Coolermaster CM Stacker RC 830 -
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/Products.aspx?pid=1083

Eric

2 or 4 video cards not enough for you hardcore gamers? Add a PPU (Physical Processing Unit)!!!!

Yup, you heard me right. The Ageia PhysX PPU will bring a new element and dimension to gaming, or so promised. A review is done
here, courtesy of the HardOCP crew. What you can be sure it will do is add a lot more work for those video cards. Looks like you better start saving those pennies or broker off your kids college fund for a quad SLi rig and a couple of gigs of low latency memory, your gonna need it.
The upcoming Windows Vista wasn't GPU intensive enough, now we can add a PPU to the mix....yay.

-Eric

The new hotness...gaming consoles.

With the forthcoming Microsoft Vista (all 7 flavors of it - ugh!) and the nose bleed system requirements it's no wonder why many people are looking to gaming consoles to scratch their gaming itch.
The Xbox 360, and the soon to arrive Sony Playstation 3 and Nintendo Revolution are the major choices gamers will be able to choose from.

Which brings me to the question, which console will you choose and why?

-Eric

World of Warcraft lovin'

A short movie, a teaser really, was released yesterday at E3 to get all of us WoW Heads pumped up for The Burning Crusade (expansion to WoW). Looks like a Turkey Day release for this expansion to an already overwhelming huge success for Blizzard Entertainment. More about it here http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/burningcrusade/



Eric

Re-introducing myself...

Eric, your article writing extraordinaire! (Ok, that was a bit self conceited!)
You might remember me for writing the articles on the 3DCool website. I have taken another role and this time its the Blogging Guy.

I will post my thought(s) of the day, which could be tech related current events or just something that ticks me off. Whatever it is, you can rest assured it will be amusing, enlightening and above all truthful.

At any rate, I am glad to be back. Look forward to Bloggin' with you soon.

-Eric
.:Viva La 3DCool:.

XBOX 360 Freezing up and Overheating?

3DCOOL.COM has tested a number of XBOX 360’s and found that overheating was one of the reasons some XBOX's are unstable and freezing up. 3DCOOL.COM has some recommended solutions.

1) NYKO Intercooler 360 - The Intercooler 360 is a snap on cooling attachment that easily connects to the Xbox 360 to significantly reduce the internal heat of the console. The Intercooler 360 provides increased air flow throughout the 360 which allows the internal circuitry to perform at cooler temperatures and last longer. No internal modification of the Xbox 360 is required. A pass through power connection utilizes the existing Xbox 360 power supply negating the need for an extra AC adaptor. The unit also powers on and off automatically with 360 and the intercoolers small size will fit in tight spaces like entertainment centers with your 360 displayed in either horizontal or vertical format.

2) Laptop Cooler Pads – There is a large selection to choose from on the website. Check out the Evercool Notebook Cooler. It has 4 fans which are adjustable and comes equipped with a 16 inch USB power cord.

Don’t let overheating ruin your system and gaming experience. Go to 3DCOOL.COM (http://www.3dcool.com/) and check out what is available for consoles and computers.