Weeew weeew - Hello Michael !'' Mio

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We already reported extensively about this graphics card from ATI. Yet more proof of the pudding is here as vr-zone got their grubby paws on a couple of slides saying it all. AMD are planning a sub-$150 HD 4000 series video card that will take on NVIDIA

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If you

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Nova Gaming on Friday announced it will unveil its Slider X 600 gaming mouse at E for All gaming expo in LA in October. The Slider X 600 has an uncommon side-mounted cable, uses ceramic feet and features a sensitivity of 3,200dpi. As expected, the Slider X 600 is customizable and will come with three mouse profiles, eight programmable buttons and five color options for its LED lighting.

Along with the new mouse, Nova announced an accessory to go with it in the form of the Over Slide mouse pad, sized at 16.5 by 11.4 inches and near quarter-inch thickness. It also sports a 12,000dpi micro-ball ceramic surface designed to optimize the operation of any laser device

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Shacknews reports that Jack Thompson, previously recommended for a 10 year disbarment from the Florida Bar, has talked his way into a permanent disbarment. Oh how sad ... ;)

Thompson now has thirty days to close out his practice--in "the interests of existing clients." Adding to his problems, "no motion for rehearing will be considered unless signed by a member in good standing of The Florida Bar other than [Thompson]." That is, if Thompson wants to seek a retrial, he has to have another Bar member vouch for him--something no one has done in his current trial.

Thompson has responded to the disbarment by filing a motion for rehearing--despite the legal inefficacy of doing so without another Bar member to do it on his behalf. In a news release on Kotaku, Thompson has taken to writing Boston Legal fan-fiction:

"The timing of this disbarment transparently reveals its motivation: This past Friday Thompson filed a federal civil rights action against The Bar, the Supreme Court, and all seven of its Justices. This rush to disbarment is in retribution for the filing of that federal suit. With enemies this foolish, Thompson needs only the loyal friends he has. ...

Thompson always wanted to own a Bar. Now, armed with multiple US Supreme Court rulings that no state bar can do what it has done to Thompson, he is set to own that Bar. "

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For those interested, this weekend only, all Rockstar titles are 50% off of their normal price! This means that titles such as Max Payne, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and others are half off.

This also means that the entire Rockstar Collection is only $29.99 (USD) instead of the $59.99 it normally would cost to buy each game separate at regular price. The package includes: GTA, GTA2, GTA3, GTA: San Andreas, GTA: Vice City, Manhunt, Max Payne, Max Payne 2, Midnight Club 2, and Wild Metal. Of course, you can also buy each game individually if you already own the others, also at a reduced cost.

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A new GeForce ForceWare 178.13 WHQL XP 32-bit driver available for download.

A new GeForce ForceWare 178.13 WHQL XP 64-bit driver available for download.

A new GeForce ForceWare 178.13 WHQL Vista 64-bit driver available for download.

A new GeForce ForceWare 178.13 WHQL Vista 32-bit driver available for download.

A new GeForce ForceWare 178.13 WHQL Windows Vista and XP 32/64-bit driver available for download.

• WHQL-certified driver for GeForce 6-series, 7-series, 8-series, 9-series, and 200-series GPUs, including the newly released GeForce 9800 GTX+, 9800 GT, 9500 GT and 9400 GT GPUs.
• Adds support for NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory (this driver package installs NVIDIA PhysX System Software v8.09.04).
• Experience GPU PhysX acceleration in several full games and demos today by downloading the GeForce Power Pack.
• Adds support for 2-way and 3-way NVIDIA SLI technology with GeForce GTX 200-series GPUs on Intel
  

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OCZ shipped out a waterblock called HydroFlow HF-MK1, it's compatible with the latest Intel and AMD processors and retails for $40. "The HydroFlow HF-MK1 targets the highest possible thermal exchange rate between a solid body and the surrounding fluid, while maintaining enough cross sectional area for superior thermal conductance within the fin structure,

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Some rumors on the web say that NVIDIA might change the naming of it's graphics cards significantly. You guys know the cards as GeForce 9800 GT, GeForce 8800 GTX etc etc,. The word out on the street I that NVIDIA wants to simplify that naming by dropping the 8000- and 9000-series names.

Basically by example, the 9800 GT would become GeForce GT + an extension.

So the 9000 series as GeForce GT G100, GT120, GT130, GT140 and GT150 models.  When the 2009 45 nm GPUs arrive, which is to be expected around Q1 or Q2, Nvidia will have fully transitioned to the new branding structure: Enthusiast GPUs will be integrated into the GTX200-series, performance GPUs into the GT200-series, mainstream GPUs into the GS200-series and entry-level products into the G200-series.

Rumor has it that the company will be announcing additional graphics cards in the GT200 series on October 15.

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Aah, the one game I look forward to sooo much. Developer Treyarch has revealed the system requirements for the PC version of its World War II shooter Call of Duty: World at War, which hits retailers on November 11 alongside the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS versions.

GS: Are there any other PC-specific features you can tell us about in Call of Duty: World at War?

CS: Our goal is to bring the same game experience to multiple platforms, and I think we are hitting our mark. That said, my team is very consciously making a PC title with a focus on all the things we love about PC gaming. COD:WAW looks fantastic in higher PC resolutions than you can get on a console. It plays great on high-end rigs, but we've optimized for more-modest gear, too. The PC version is more configurable with respect to controls, graphics, and performance options. And support for mods--not just multiplayer but co-op mods too!

GS: So far, Call of Duty: World at War appears to be a graphically intense game. What system requirements will PC gamers need to jump into the fray?

CS: My team worked closely with hardware vendors such as Intel and Nvidia to optimize for various hardware configurations available on PC. This was especially important as we are really pushing the limits of the engine. So we were able to achieve this graphical intensity with only a modest bump in the minimum requirements from COD4:

Processor: AMD 64 3200+/Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz or better

Memory: 8 GB free hard-drive space, 512MB RAM (XP)/1GB RAM (Vista)

Graphics: Shader 3.0 or better, 256MB Nvidia GeForce 6600GT/ATI Radeon 1600XT or better

Meanwhile, series creator and Call of Duty 4 developer Infinity Ward is currently working on what publisher Activision refers to as Call of Duty 6, which releases next year.

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The folks from Ubisoft released two new trailers for Tom Clancy's EndWar, an upcoming real-time tactics game designed by Ubisoft Shanghai for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360 platforms, to be released on November 4, 2008 in North America and November 7, 2008 in Europe.

A PC version is planned for release at a later date.

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Nice volume size is going up ... Toshiba on Thursday unveiled a 256GB SSD in a 2.5-inch format, offering users a maximum of 120MB per second read speeds, and 80MB per second write. The announcement comes shortly after Samsung unveiled some low-cost and high-performance SSDs, with the Toshiba drives edging out over the Samsungs in terms of speed. Three flash modules for UMPCs and other handhelds were also unveiled, featuring read and write speeds of 80MB per second and 50MB per second, respectively, available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB sizes.

The 256GB drive boasts a slender form factor (3mm), while the flash modules measure 50mm by 30mm. Both offer a 3Gbps SATA connection for interfacing with a computer. Toshiba highlights a new MLC (multi-level cell) controller which it credits for the new SSD drive's faster read-write speeds, faster parallel data transfers, and improved wear leveling versus earlier MLC drives.

Toshiba is set to demonstrate the drives in Japan during the CEATEC conference in Makuhari. Mass production is due to commence during the fourth quarter of 2008, but other availability and pricing information was not readily available.

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A class action law suit alleging that "Nvidia and ATI conspired to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize prices of graphics processing chips and cards," has reached a settlement agreement, according to an NVIDIA SEC filing today.

The settlement was reached on 16th September for the class action: In re Graphics Processing Units Antitrust Litigation. The class encompasses "purchasers who bought graphics cards directly from the websites of ATI Technologies ULC or NVIDIA in the United States during the period December 4, 2002 to November 7, 2007." The plaintiffs were seeking triple damages and costs.

The filing states that "The Agreement calls for NVIDIA to pay $850,000 into a $1.7 million fund to be made available for payments to the certified class. We are not obligated under the Agreement to pay plaintiffs' attorneys' fees, costs, or make any other payments in connection with the settlement other than our payment of $850,000."

While it's not stated, it must be assumed that the other half of the $1.7 million will be paid by AMD/ATI. A settlement with the sole remaining indirect purchaser was reached on 9th September, which required NVIDIA to pay $112,500 in exchange for a dismissal of all claims. Again it must be assumed that the sum was matched by AMD/ATI.

Being saddled with a total payment of under $2 million appears to be a shrewd resolution to the affair for the two graphics giants.

Watcher [spotted via hexus]
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A test on the eVGA GeForce GTX 280 HC16 Hydro Copper.

A water-cooled pre-overclocked heavily pimped out EVGA GTX 280 HC 16 is what we'll review today. EVGA already overclocked this monster for you. The core is overclocked by another 89MHz (602MHz to 691MHz), memory by 108MHz (reference 1107MHz to 1215MHz) and the shaders are up from 1296MHz to 1458MHz.

Guys and gals .. this is one beast of a graphics card. Check it ...

Read the Guru3D review, click here.

 

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A lucky tester from Taiwan has got hold of two unheard of Dell S2209W monitors, perhaps the prototype, soon to release 22-inch monitors with 16:9 Aspect Ratio. Digital PC flat panel with native resolution of 1920

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Aah, finally ... The European Commission on Tuesday announced a planned law that would limit how much network providers can charge for text messages and downloads when users are roaming outside of their home country in Europe, according to a WSJ report (registration required). Under the proposed law, a single text message sent within the European Union will cost the equivalent of 16 US cents, down from about 42. Charges for passing on text messages between mobile operators will be limited to just under 6 cents.

At the same time, one megabyte of data will cost a maximum of 1 euro, or $1.46, between providers. Additionally, cellphone users will be able to set maximum cost levels that, when reached, would cut off the data service and hence avoid shockingly high bills.

The changes are brought on by a slow adoption of data services in Europe, with smaller network providers blaming the law on the high charges. Some smaller providers feel the 1 euro per megabyte cap still isn

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Now here's something new for ya. Movea on Wednesday announced the addition of the Air Mouse to its Gyration line of products. Thanks to its motion sensors, the Air Mouse will work in users' hands in free air, or in tight spaces thanks to dedicated media controls and presentation effects. The controls are also comatible with iTunes and Slingbox, allowing music tracks and TV channels to be changed at will.

Movea ensured the the Air Mouse weighs less than four ounces and can be used by both right- and left-handed users. The wireless mouse uses 2.4GHz radio frequency technology to endow it with a 100-foot range that will pass on commands even through walls. For more traditional desktop uses, the mouse features a tracking laser. The USB RF receiver can be stored in the mouse itself, and a travel bag is included.

The Air Mouse will be available in October, priced at a hefty $100.

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As you guys know there is a lot of restructuring going on inside NVIDIA. Ever since yesterday there are some rumors on the web that NVIDIA is ging to cut off some partners (AIBs) as early as Q1 2009. Here's a bit as posted on fudzilla:

The story behind is quite logical, the big partners can now twist Nvidia

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Historically that always happens this time of year. Contract prices of DRAM chips for the second half of September fell sharply as orders for memory chips from PC OEMs continued to dwindle, according to data available from DRAMeXchange.

Contract quotes for mainstream 1Gb DDR chips declined 16-19%, with the average price hitting a historical low of US$1.44, compared to a spot price of US$1.42, DRAMeXchange said. The latest average quotes for the second half of September were down almost 40% from pricing in July, the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) quoted DRAMeXchange as indicating.

Meanwhile, contract pricing for 1GB and 2GB DDR2 modules for the second half of September also dropped in a range of 13-15%, to a low of US$14.5 and US$29, respectively, DRAMeXchange added.

While the latest production reductions announced by Powerchip Semiconductor International (PSI), Elpida Memory and Hynix Semiconductor have helped shore up the share prices of Taiwan DRAM makers, it has not stabilized DRAM pricing, according to sources in Taiwan's memory industry.

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Earlier this week we already reported that the all new Creative Suite 4, bringing with it Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended, the latest versions to the photo editing application, optimized to take advantage of GPUs, along with many more features.

Aah, just when you think a company can't get anymore stubborn. The entire Spore ordeal is slowly becoming something close to a soap opera. An apparent case of "mis-communication" led to moderators on the official Spore message board threatening to ban posters from playing EA Maxis' PC evolution simulator if they discussed the title's controversial DRM. 

After inquiring about the DRM situation on the official Spore board, jpfrostfox's thread was locked, with the following added by a forum moderator:

'SecuROM as been discussed and discussed so much and it causes arguments in threads. If you want to talk about DRM SecuROM then please use another fansite forum. If there is any change you will be able to read it on the official Spore site. Please do not continue to post theses thread or you account may be at risk of banning which in some cases would mean you would need to buy a new copy to play Spore.'

Now that's just rediculous, just like the enforced DRM.

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Earlier this week we already reported that the all new Creative Suite 4, bringing with it Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended, the latest versions to the photo editing application, optimized to take advantage of GPUs, along with many more features. Photoshop CS4 also simplifies many tasks, with content-aware scaling, auto-align and auto-blend modes on 360 degree panoramas.

Photoshop CS4's new GPU-aware nature allows it to share intensive tasks with the graphics card, speeding up operations significantly. Photoshop will offload panning, zooming, canvas rotation and several other operations to the GPU, allowing users to also experience a more free-flowing workspace.

I received some movies from NVIDIA demonstrating the new GPU accelerated features. I copressed them into one big 50 MB archive, feel free to download and have a look. Looks pretty impressive really.

Click here to download.

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TGDaily posted an interesting story today. Shortly after that news item was posted we received documentation from several sources confirming that a lot of Radeon HD 3870 cards might be defective.

In particular we received a document which originated from Alienware who used these cards, questioning the high failure rate of the cards. Diamond Multimedia may have shipped between 15,000 and 20,000 AMD/ATI HD 3800-series with design/manufacturing defects to system builders and the retail market. Between January and July of this year more than 15,000 units may have ended up in customer hands or are still being sold. Diamond denied that there is a problem with its cards, but confirmed that there was an isolated problem with one system builder earlier this year.

According to our industry source, Diamond Multimedia has been aware of the problem, but decided to keep the

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