GTX 1080 Ti hits 3GHz on LN2, all on reference PCB

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Mar 22, 2017 7:22 PM CDT

Well... I don't even know what to say. The previous world record on the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti saw the GPU hitting speeds of over 2.5GHz - but now, legendary overclocker Kingpin - who seems to not sleep, or at least overclocks GPUs in his sleep - has hit a mind blowing 3GHz on the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition.

GTX 1080 Ti hits 3GHz on LN2, all on reference PCB

Kingpin used LN2 to keep the GPU cool enough for it to clock past 3GHz, hitting 3024MHz on the dot - the pixel fillrate throughput reaches 229.3 GPixel/s and texture fillrate throughput of 583.7 GTexel/s.

The new 3024MHz GPU clock on the overclocked GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition also marks a new record for the Pascal architecture, which had previously been pushed to 3012MHz on the GTX 1060.

Continue reading: GTX 1080 Ti hits 3GHz on LN2, all on reference PCB (full post)

Mass Effect: Andromeda has a $100 microtransaction

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 22, 2017 6:14 PM CDT

Electronic Arts is no stranger to MTX, also known as microtransactions--the publisher packs them into almost every online-based game to earn long-term revenue streams and fortify engagement. And like it's predecessor, Mass Effect: Andromeda's microtransactions get pretty pricey.

Mass Effect: Andromeda has a $100 microtransaction

We've known for a while now that Mass Effect: Andromeda's multiplayer component would have in-game purchases, but now we know just how much money you can spend to quickly unlock items in the mode. Surprising no one, gamers can spend up to $100 to unlock the game's premium currency, aka "Andromeda Points."

To make matters extra slimy, ME: Andromeda's multiplayer packs are randomized loot-bag style so you never ever know what you're actually going to get, further incentivizing players to buy more currency if they don't get what they want the first time.

Continue reading: Mass Effect: Andromeda has a $100 microtransaction (full post)

Sony still planning more 'Ghostbusters' films

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Mar 22, 2017 5:52 PM CDT

Seemingly unperturbed by the failure of last year's all-female 'Ghostbusters' reboot, Sony Pictures is moving ahead with plans to continue exploiting the franchise, which includes an animated and live-action feature film.

Sony still planning more 'Ghostbusters' films

Speaking to io9, Director Ivan Reitman who helmed both the original 1984 feature and 1989 sequel has confirmed that the series will live on, saying "we jumped into an animated film [after the last movie] and we are developing [a] live-action film. I want to bring all these stories together as a universe that makes sense within itself. Part of my job right now is to do that." Further along in production, the promised animated film doesn't have a current release date. "It depends on on how fast we can get it all together. It's hard to make an animated film."

So it seems that whether we want them or not, there's more 'Ghostbusters' adventures on the way.

Continue reading: Sony still planning more 'Ghostbusters' films (full post)

Fallout 4 might be the killer game VR desparately needs

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 22, 2017 4:16 PM CDT

Virtual Reality is undoubtedly the next forefront for interactive experiences, but when it comes to gaming, the platform still lacks a critical success point: a killer app. The Xbox had Halo, the PS4 has Horizon: Zero Dawn, Uncharted 4--but what does VR have? Right now gamers don't have a specific game that will push VR headset sales. Bethesda aims to change that with Fallout 4 VR.

Fallout 4 might be the killer game VR desparately needs

Bethesda wants to bring the entire wasteland into virtual reality by porting Fallout 4's full game into VR. Most of the time VR ports have bits and pieces of their full game counterparts, but Capcom made strides by releasing Resident Evil 7's full port onto PlayStation VR, and Bethesda might do the same.

"I talked to Todd the other day and I was like, 'Hey how's Fallout 4 [VR] coming?' and he said, 'Pete, Fallout 4 VR is the most incredible thing you've ever seen in your life. You can't even imagine what it's like playing in VR and how realistic it looks with everywhere you turn your head. It's gonna blow your mind. It's the craziest thing you've ever seen," Bethesda's Pete Hines told HipHop Gamer in a recent interview at PAX 2017.

Continue reading: Fallout 4 might be the killer game VR desparately needs (full post)

Nintendo Switch affected by Middle East flight ban

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 22, 2017 3:18 PM CDT

Flying into the U.S. or U.K. from the Middle East? You may not be able to bring the Nintendo Switch on board with you.

Nintendo Switch affected by Middle East flight ban

The United States and United Kingdom have recently passed regulations banning electronic devices bigger than a smartphone on specific flights from numerous Middle East countries. The regulation restricts any electronic device, including laptops, smartphones or tablets, exceeding 16cm x 9.3cm x 1.5cm (6.2in x 3.6in x 0.5in).

Sadly, Nintendo's new Switch handheld is bigger than the specific dimensions, clocking in at 9.4in x 4.01in x 0.5in with the JoyCons attached, and 6.8in x 3.8in x 0.5in with the JoyCons detached.

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Switch JoyCon issue caused by 'manufacturing variation'

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 22, 2017 1:41 PM CDT

Nintendo has finally spoken out and explained how and why the Nintendo Switch's left JoyCons are de-syncing.

Switch JoyCon issue caused by 'manufacturing variation'

Earlier today we reported that Nintendo's official fix for faulty left JoyCons is extremely thrifty: a small piece of conductive foam. Now the Japanese console-maker has delivered an official statement on the JoyCons, confirming the issues were caused by a "manufacturing variation" that has been corrected. Nintendo also confirmed that no mass recall or replacement initiative will be happening.

"There is no design issue with the Joy-Con controllers, and no widespread proactive repair or replacement effort is underway. A manufacturing variation has resulted in wireless interference with a small number of the left Joy-Con. Moving forward this will not be an issue, as the manufacturing variation has been addressed and corrected at the factory level," Nintendo told IGN in an official statement.

Continue reading: Switch JoyCon issue caused by 'manufacturing variation' (full post)

Assassin's Creed: Empire latest leak is fake

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Mar 22, 2017 12:50 PM CDT

Rumors and forgeries are rampant in the games industry, and there's been lots of heresay surrounding Ubisoft's return to the Assassin's Creed franchise. While the studio has kept mum on official details, an employee squashed a fake "leak" that recently made the rounds.

Assassin's Creed: Empire latest leak is fake

Reports indicate Ubisoft will release Assassin's Creed: Empire this year, and the game will take place in ancient Egypt. This prompted all kinds of "leaks" to pop up, and last month a particular image (see above) took the Assassin's Creed community by storm.

But according to Assassin's Creed Head of Content Aymar Azaizia, the image is a fake. When asked about the image in a recent Reddit AmA, Azaizia delivered a simple answer: "Not AC :)".

Continue reading: Assassin's Creed: Empire latest leak is fake (full post)

HMD Global wants Nokia in the top 3 phone manufacturers

Lana Jelic | Business, Financial & Legal | Mar 22, 2017 12:36 PM CDT

Since HMD Global started manufacturing Nokia-branded phones, it has become clear that the company has big plans for the once mega-popular brand.

HMD Global wants Nokia in the top 3 phone manufacturers

At MWC in Barcelona, the company launched three Android smartphones and announced the return of the iconic Nokia 3310.

Read also: Did you want a Nokia Android smartphone? Here are three!

Continue reading: HMD Global wants Nokia in the top 3 phone manufacturers (full post)

Leaked video shows a working Galaxy S8

Lana Jelic | Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Mar 22, 2017 10:20 AM CDT

After seeing numerous photo leaks of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, a new day brings a new leak but this time in the form of a short unofficial video.

Leaked video shows a working Galaxy S8

The video shows a working Galaxy S8, and it is clear that the device doesn't have a front button. The fingerprint reader is now relocated to the back of the phone, next to the camera.

Both devices will have curved edges, minimal bezels, and an additional button on the side for virtual assistant Bixby that the company officially announced and confirmed that it would be featured on the upcoming devices.

Continue reading: Leaked video shows a working Galaxy S8 (full post)

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 leaks: Dual camera and smaller bezels

Lana Jelic | Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Mar 22, 2017 8:32 AM CDT

Less than four months after the launch of the Xiaomi's most ambitious phone so far, the Mi MIX, the company's CEO Lei Jun confirmed that they are working on its successor.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 leaks: Dual camera and smaller bezels

The company is reportedly aiming for 93 percent screen-to-body ratio this time, and it has been confirmed that Xiaomi is once again developing the phone with the help of French designer Philippe Starck, who worked on the design of the original Mi MIX.

A new leak on Chinese Weibo shows what is supposed to be the Mi MIX 2. Although it looks very similar to the original device, some differences are obvious.

Continue reading: Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 leaks: Dual camera and smaller bezels (full post)