AMD releases new ReLive Edition 17.3.1 drivers

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Mar 8, 2017 2:08 AM CST

AMD has just launched its new Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Edition 17.3.1 drivers, with the company offering up to 6% performance increases on a Radeon RX 480 8GB graphics card - when compared to the previous 17.2.1 drivers.

AMD is also providing support for Ghost Recon Wildlands, with multi-GPU issues present - CrossFire owners will see flickering, or the game not launching at all. There should be a new driver that will fix multi-GPU issues in Wildlands soon. The new Crimson ReLive Edition 17.3.1 drivers fix various flickering texture issues in Battlefield 1, texture/character model flickering in For Honor, stuttering issues in CS:GO when using Radeon Chill, and stuttering issues in DOTA 2 with ReLive enabled.

There are also some issues fixed surrounding Radeon WattMan on the Radeon R9 380, and more. Grab the new AMD Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Edition 17.3.1 drivers right here.

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AMD teases Naples server CPUs, coming in Q2 2017

Anthony Garreffa | CPU, APU & Chipsets | Mar 8, 2017 12:46 AM CST

AMD has come out swinging in the desktop CPU market with their unbelievable Ryzen 7 family of CPUs, led by the impressive $499 chip in the Ryzen 7 1800X - but it's getting close to the time where they disrupt the datacenter market with Naples.

AMD teases Naples server CPUs, coming in Q2 2017

AMD's upcoming Naples CPU will offer up to 32 'Zen' cores, with huge bandwidth and IO numbers to boot, with "volume availability building in the second half of the year through OEM and channel partners". Forrest Norrod, senior vice president and general manager, Enterprise, Embedded and Semi-Custom business unit, AMD explains: "Today marks the first major milestone in AMD re-asserting its position as an innovator in the datacenter and returning choice to customers in high-performance server CPUs".

He continued: "Naples' represents a completely new approach to supporting the massive processing requirements of the modern datacenter. This groundbreaking system-on-chip delivers the unique high-performance features required to address highly virtualized environments, massive data sets and new, emerging workloads".

Continue reading: AMD teases Naples server CPUs, coming in Q2 2017 (full post)

Left Switch JoyCon disconnecting? Try these tips

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 8, 2017 12:06 AM CST

Lots of Nintendo Switch gamers are still having issues with their left JoyCons disconnecting mid-game. If this is happening to you, try re-calibrating and/or manually disconnecting and re-syncing your controller. Here's how to do it.

Left Switch JoyCon disconnecting? Try these tips

We haven't had any trouble with our Nintendo Switch JoyCons: in fact, we were able to get about 37 feet away from the system while docked or in handheld mode before the JoyCons disconnected. But lots of gamers aren't so lucky, and they feel spurned by Nintendo--and rightly so. After all if one JoyCon doesn't work, you can't play any games unless you replace it for $50 or buy a Switch Pro controller for $70. Not exactly too fun, is it?

Alas, there may be a solution! Gamers are told to keep their left and right JoyCons attached to the Nintendo Switch during the day one update, but some JoyCons still don't work after that. Next up you'll want to try a hard reset to reset the Bluetooth connections from the device and the controllers. But that still may not be enough. You may want to try re-calibrating the controllers themselves, or manually disconnecting and re-pairing them.

Continue reading: Left Switch JoyCon disconnecting? Try these tips (full post)

'Deep Space 9' doco crew hoping to add HD show footage

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Mar 7, 2017 9:42 PM CST

The creators of a new documentary exploring the legacy of the 'Star Trek' series 'Deep Space Nine' are in talks with CBS about gaining access to the original 35mm negative, in hopes that it will reach an agreement to feature select scenes remastered in 1080p.

Director Adam Nimoy and producers Ira Steven Behr and David Zappone have revealed that their upcoming feature 'What We Left Behind', which is currently winding up a hugely successful indiegogo campaign, may feature select scenes remastered from the original negative ala the extensive 'Star Trek: Next Generation' remastered Blu-ray collection.

While the network hasn't committed to remastering the series in the same manner due to the extensive computer graphics required, coupled with diminishing returns from physical media which would be required to make the project feasible, 'What We Left Behind' may very well serve as a tantalising glimpse as to what the show would look like, freed from its NTSC masters. The indiegogo campaign has three days left to go, and has now generated over half a million dollars in support.

Continue reading: 'Deep Space 9' doco crew hoping to add HD show footage (full post)

Nintendo Switch pulls 18W from dock, not 39W

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 7, 2017 9:32 PM CST

The Nintendo Switch dock only outputs a portion of its supplied input power to the Switch console via USB Type-C, and not the full 39W as we originally thought.

Nintendo Switch pulls 18W from dock, not 39W

Earlier today I reported that Nintendo is still selling standalone docks for the Switch, and on a whim, I flipped over my dock to see if I could find a product number. I found something quite interesting regarding how much power the dock passes to the Switch console: the dock is supplied an input energy rate of 15V at 2.6A (39 watts) from the AC adapter, but the dock's output rate is only 15V at 1.2A (18 watts).

This means the Nintendo Switch receives 18W of power from the dock, not the whole 39W of power that's pushed from the AC adapter.

Continue reading: Nintendo Switch pulls 18W from dock, not 39W (full post)

Switch is best-selling new console in Nintendo's history

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 7, 2017 8:20 PM CST

Nintendo's new Switch handheld-console hybrid system has smashed sales records, and has even outsold Nintendo's coveted Wii at launch.

Switch is best-selling new console in Nintendo's history

Nintendo's gambit has paid off in dividends: the Switch's first two-day launch sales in the Americas (North America and South America) exceeded any other console in Nintendo's history, including the company's superstar Wii. That's according to New York Times reporter Nick Wingfield, who talked shop with Nintendo America President Reggie Fils-Aime in an unpublished interview.

While Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime didn't provide exact numbers, sold out retailers all across the world echo the console's success. The extreme demand and well reception from critics triggered a meteoric rise of Nintendo shares, and the company has been enjoying a consistent upward climb since the system's launch on March 3. The Switch's main system-seller, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, now holds the mantle as the top-selling standalone launch title: in fact, Breath of the Wild even outsold Super Mario 64 at launch.

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Nintendo is still selling standalone Switch docks

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 7, 2017 5:11 PM CST

Contrary to what you might have heard, Nintendo is indeed still selling standalone Switch docks on its website.

Nintendo is still selling standalone Switch docks

I've seen reports going around that Nintendo is no longer selling individual Switch docks on its site as a result of it scratching console screens. This prompted buzz that Nintendo may be planning a revised Switch dock that doesn't scratch any screens, however it appears these publications didn't look too far, because Nintendo is still selling Switch docks.

Both the official Nintendo Japanese online store and the Nintendo U.S. online storefront are selling Switch docks without the main console, but the U.S. site is sold out. Interestingly enough I couldn't find a listing for the dock on the Switch UK site.

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Nintendo Switch first impressions

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 7, 2017 4:07 PM CST

After a few days with the Nintendo Switch we're ready to deliver some basic impressions. Don't worry, our review is coming soon!

Nintendo Switch first impressions

The Nintendo Switch is an incredibly interesting device. It's rather intriguing and, well, fun. The idea of melding mobile, handheld and console gaming to one device is revolutionary--but is it worth all the drawbacks? After all, the Switch is a lot less powerful than an Xbox One or PS4, and even those consoles are getting upgraded. But the Switch does something none of those do: provides impressive handheld performance.

All in all the Switch is a comfortable, efficient, and rather enjoyable piece of kit. Right now, however, it's more of an investment because it's lacking games. Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the major system-seller, and games like Shovel Knight are the best real ancillary titles--even better than the 1-2 Switch game that should've been a pack-in title. The real magic of the Switch is being able to take it with you and play with anyone on the go, but right now we don't have too many games that make use of that (just Bomberman R and 1-2 Switch). Here are our hands-on impressions of Nintendo's new merged console-handheld roadmap.

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Spielberg, Ford sign up for 'Indiana Jones 5' in 2019

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Mar 7, 2017 4:00 PM CST

In an effort to wash the bad taste from the last 'Indiana Jones' film 'The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull', Disney have today announced that the as-yet untitled 'Indiana Jones 5' is officially going ahead, setting a 2019 release date.

According to the studio's official announcement published by Slash Film, the film is set to hit cinemas on July 19, 2019 with Steven Spielberg stepping behind the camera, with Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role.

The Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn said in a statement: "Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can't wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019 .. It's rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn't be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven." No mention of co-creator George Lucas was again mentioned backing up previous conjecture, that he's just too darn busy enjoying retirement.

Continue reading: Spielberg, Ford sign up for 'Indiana Jones 5' in 2019 (full post)

'Ducktales' TV series reboot gets first trailer

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Mar 7, 2017 3:33 PM CST

Children of the 80's unite - the classic Disney animated series 'Ducktales' and its super catchy theme song by Jeff Pescetto (fun fact - he also served as sound designer on 'Tekken 5'), is coming back to TV screens later this year for a new generation of kids, and now Disney XD has released the first look at the series.

The crew of beloved characters are all back, including Scrooge McDuck, and his great-nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, Launchpad McQuack, Donald Duck, Duckworth, Gyro Gearloose, Flintheart Glomgold, Magica DeSpell, Poe, Ma Beagle and the evil Beagle Boys. David Tennant of 'Doctor Who' will voice Scrooge McDuck for the reboot.

'Ducktales' will premier on the DisneyXD network later this year.

Continue reading: 'Ducktales' TV series reboot gets first trailer (full post)