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AMD To Showcase Latest Innovations at “Capsaicin” Press Event & Webcast
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AMD To Showcase Latest Innovations at “Capsaicin” Press Event & Webcast

Capsaicin, whether you call it the essence of flavor or the distillation of pain (ed: it’s the latter), at its core capsaicin is what drives everything we call spicy. Using this as their inspiration AMD’s Radeon Technologies Group will be holding a press event for GDC, and they are naming said event after this terrifically terrifying substance.

The press event, which we will be present for, will also be getting a live webcast that will be available on AMD’s investor relations page next week on Monday March 14th, at 4:00 PM PT. After concluding the event a replay will be available to watch a few hours later, along with YouTube access as well.

At the event RTG plans on showcasing their own hardware, software, and gaming partners. As Capsaicin is the reason for that fire that inspires dishes worldwide, RTG will explore what they call the “inner essence” of the GPU and how it powers innovations that we will see in gaming and VR. Along these lines RTG plans to show the latest advancements drive both the enthusiast and developer communities as we approach a growing virtual reality market.

Meanwhile, that AMD is broadcasting a webcast should be considered significant. Due to Security and Exchange Commission rules, AMD is required to reveal certain types of information to investors at the same time as the press. In previous instances where AMD has announced a webcast via their investor relations site, there have been new product announcements. So it is reasonable to expect the same here.

For more information, please see the Capsaicin webcast announcement page. 

NVIDIA Releases 364.47 WHQL Game Ready Driver
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NVIDIA Releases 364.47 WHQL Game Ready Driver

Not even a week has passed and we have another driver update from NVIDIA. Despite the quick turnaround this is not a rushed released. Indeed, we have some heavy hitters found in a good number of fixes, a relatively large number of game ready updates, and even official Vulkan support.

This driver update introduces the 364 driver branch and NVIDIA has issued several bug fixes this time around. Among them including a crash in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate when ShadowPlay is enabled, a system hang during installation, crashing in Adobe Illustrator CC 2015, and a problem with the Twitch broadcast game title not matching Twitch’s game library. With all these fixes though, it is important to note that some users are reporting this driver update crashing their systems. Due to this issue a clean install is recommended even more so than it usually is.

Update: 03/08: NVIDIA has posted a new beta driver, 364.51, that is reported to resolve the earlier driver’s installation issues.

Meanwhile for game-specific updates, this driver brings performance and compatibility updates to Tom Clancy’s The Division, Hitman, Need for Speed, Ashes of the Singularity, and Rise of the Tomb Raider. Alongside the list game ready updates NVIDIA has provided SLI profiles for Hitman, The Technomancer, and Zui Shong Bing Qi (Ultimate Weapon).

Lastly, but possibly the biggest news of this update is that with the switch to a new driver branch, Vulkan support has moved out of beta and is now in NVIDIA’s mainstream drivers. We looked at Vulkan just last month as implemented in The Talos Principle, and though it’s merely proof of concept at this point, it represents significant progress in Vulkan development. However while we’re talking about API support, this latest driver branch still doesn’t have DirectX 12 support for NVIDIA’s Fermi architectre, though as we’ve seen it working in developer drivers it should still be on its way.

Anyone interested can download the updated drivers through GeForce Experience or on the NVIDIA driver download page.

NVIDIA Releases 364.47 WHQL Game Ready Driver
  • Comments are Closed

NVIDIA Releases 364.47 WHQL Game Ready Driver

Not even a week has passed and we have another driver update from NVIDIA. Despite the quick turnaround this is not a rushed released. Indeed, we have some heavy hitters found in a good number of fixes, a relatively large number of game ready updates, and even official Vulkan support.

This driver update introduces the 364 driver branch and NVIDIA has issued several bug fixes this time around. Among them including a crash in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate when ShadowPlay is enabled, a system hang during installation, crashing in Adobe Illustrator CC 2015, and a problem with the Twitch broadcast game title not matching Twitch’s game library. With all these fixes though, it is important to note that some users are reporting this driver update crashing their systems. Due to this issue a clean install is recommended even more so than it usually is.

Update: 03/08: NVIDIA has posted a new beta driver, 364.51, that is reported to resolve the earlier driver’s installation issues.

Meanwhile for game-specific updates, this driver brings performance and compatibility updates to Tom Clancy’s The Division, Hitman, Need for Speed, Ashes of the Singularity, and Rise of the Tomb Raider. Alongside the list game ready updates NVIDIA has provided SLI profiles for Hitman, The Technomancer, and Zui Shong Bing Qi (Ultimate Weapon).

Lastly, but possibly the biggest news of this update is that with the switch to a new driver branch, Vulkan support has moved out of beta and is now in NVIDIA’s mainstream drivers. We looked at Vulkan just last month as implemented in The Talos Principle, and though it’s merely proof of concept at this point, it represents significant progress in Vulkan development. However while we’re talking about API support, this latest driver branch still doesn’t have DirectX 12 support for NVIDIA’s Fermi architectre, though as we’ve seen it working in developer drivers it should still be on its way.

Anyone interested can download the updated drivers through GeForce Experience or on the NVIDIA driver download page.

Origin PC Rolls-Out New Chronos SFF PCs with Enhanced Expandability
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Origin PC Rolls-Out New Chronos SFF PCs with Enhanced Expandability

Boutique system builder Origin PC on Monday officially launched its new Chronos SFF gaming PCs. Initially announced at CES 2016, the new Chronos SFF is the latest design in an increasing trend of SFF PCs developed by boutique builders, who have been able to take advantage of advancements in fields such as liquid cooling and M.2 storage to put complete, high-end systems into cases built around the mini-ITX form factor. As a result the latest Chronos SFF design is compatible with the highest-performing Intel Core i7 or Xeon microprocessors and graphics cards, and also supports enhanced expansion capabilities thanks to all-new custom chassis exclusive to the company.

The new Origin Chronos SFF design is based around mini-ITX motherboards for Intel Core processors in LGA1151 packaging or Intel Core/Xeon processors in LGA2011-3 form-factor. The mainboards are powered by the Intel Z170 or the Intel X99 platform controller hubs and Origin PC offers to choose between the GIGABYTE Z170N-Gaming 5, the MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC and the ASRock X99E-ITX/AC/USB 3.1. The manufacturer will start to offer multi-core Intel Xeon processors with its new Chronos SFF PCs (something, which it does not do with its current-gen SFF PCs), which will conceivably make it possible to install even Intel’s top-end 18-core Intel Xeon E5-2699 v3 CPU with 45MB cache into the system and transform it into an SFF workstation. Though for those who prefer the overclockable Core i5/Core i7 processors, Origin will continue to provide their $75 factory-overclocking service.

The new Origin Chronos PCs utilize the company’s all-new new chassis that has enough space to fit a full-size (2.5 slot) graphics card (such as the GeForce GTX Titan X or the Radeon R9 390X), the Origin Frostbyte 12 sealed liquid-cooling solution for CPUs, one 3.5” HDD, four 2.5” HDDs/SSDs, and a slim optical disc drive. Previous-generation Chronos PCs featuring SilverStone’s SG08 chassis could only house one 3.5” and two 2.5” storage devices. Keeping in mind that the all three mini-ITX motherboards used by Origin PCs feature M.2 slots for SSDs, the new Chronos systems can house up to six storage devices. In addition, the ASRock X99E-ITX motherboards support one eSATA device. The new chassis measures 11.75”(H) x 4” (W) x 13.75” (D) and supports both horizontal and vertical orientation, while utilizing an SFX form factor PSU to further cut down on space.

Specifications of 2016 Origin PC Chronos SFF Systems
  MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC GIGABYTE Z170N-Gaming5 ASRock X99E-ITX/AC/USB3.1
CPU Intel Core i5/i7 Skylake-S Intel Core i7/Intel Xeon
PCH Intel Z170 Intel X99
Graphics Up to AMD Radeon R9 Fury X or NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X
Memory Two DIMM slots, up to 32 GB of DDR4-3000
M.2 One M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) slot for up to 2280 SSDs
SATA connectors 4 2 4
SATAe connectors 1 2 1
eSATA connectors 0 0 1
Storage bays 1×3.5″, 4×2.5″, 1×5.25″
Wi-Fi 802.11ac + BT 4.2 802.11ac + BT 4.2 802.11ac + BT 4.0
Ethernet Intel I219V GbE Killer E2201 GbE Intel I218V GbE
Intel I211AT GbE
Display Outputs 1 HDMI,
1 DisplayPort		 1 HDMI
1 DVI-D		 None
Audio  Five 7.1-channel audio connectors, a mini-jack for headphones, a mini-jack for microphone
USB USB 3.0 type-A
USB 2.0 type-A		 1 USB 3.1 type-A
1 USB 3.1 type-C
USB 3.0 type-A
USB 2.0 type-A		 2 USB 3.1 type-A (10 Gbps, ASMedia ASM1142)
USB 3.0 type-A
USB 2.0 type-A
Dimensions 11.75″ (H) x 4″ (W) x 13.75″ (D)
298.45mm (H) x 101.6mm (W) x 349.25mm (D)
PSU Internal, SFX

Due to constraints of mini-ITX motherboards and currently-available memory modules, the Origin Chronos SFF PCs cannot support more than 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) of DDR4 memory. But that is about the only serious constraint the new systems have. Thanks to the fact that modern mini-ITX platforms integrate pretty much everything one can wish, the Chronos PCs will offer USB 3.1/3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1-channel audio, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless connectivity and so on.

Just like you would expect from a boutique PC maker, Origin PC offers custom paint, extended warranty and service as well as a bunch of exotic and high-end hardware to install. For example, it is possible to thrown in an HGST Ultrastar He8 8 TB hard drive or an NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X graphics card, two hardware components that are not easy to get. In addition, Origin PC can install a video capture device and the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB audio solution to the system.  

Origin PC does not specify baseline prices of the new Chronos SFF gaming PCs, but like with all bespoke boutique systems, sky is the limit when it comes to configuration and pricing.

Origin PC Rolls-Out New Chronos SFF PCs with Enhanced Expandability
  • Comments are Closed

Origin PC Rolls-Out New Chronos SFF PCs with Enhanced Expandability

Boutique system builder Origin PC on Monday officially launched its new Chronos SFF gaming PCs. Initially announced at CES 2016, the new Chronos SFF is the latest design in an increasing trend of SFF PCs developed by boutique builders, who have been able to take advantage of advancements in fields such as liquid cooling and M.2 storage to put complete, high-end systems into cases built around the mini-ITX form factor. As a result the latest Chronos SFF design is compatible with the highest-performing Intel Core i7 or Xeon microprocessors and graphics cards, and also supports enhanced expansion capabilities thanks to all-new custom chassis exclusive to the company.

The new Origin Chronos SFF design is based around mini-ITX motherboards for Intel Core processors in LGA1151 packaging or Intel Core/Xeon processors in LGA2011-3 form-factor. The mainboards are powered by the Intel Z170 or the Intel X99 platform controller hubs and Origin PC offers to choose between the GIGABYTE Z170N-Gaming 5, the MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC and the ASRock X99E-ITX/AC/USB 3.1. The manufacturer will start to offer multi-core Intel Xeon processors with its new Chronos SFF PCs (something, which it does not do with its current-gen SFF PCs), which will conceivably make it possible to install even Intel’s top-end 18-core Intel Xeon E5-2699 v3 CPU with 45MB cache into the system and transform it into an SFF workstation. Though for those who prefer the overclockable Core i5/Core i7 processors, Origin will continue to provide their $75 factory-overclocking service.

The new Origin Chronos PCs utilize the company’s all-new new chassis that has enough space to fit a full-size (2.5 slot) graphics card (such as the GeForce GTX Titan X or the Radeon R9 390X), the Origin Frostbyte 12 sealed liquid-cooling solution for CPUs, one 3.5” HDD, four 2.5” HDDs/SSDs, and a slim optical disc drive. Previous-generation Chronos PCs featuring SilverStone’s SG08 chassis could only house one 3.5” and two 2.5” storage devices. Keeping in mind that the all three mini-ITX motherboards used by Origin PCs feature M.2 slots for SSDs, the new Chronos systems can house up to six storage devices. In addition, the ASRock X99E-ITX motherboards support one eSATA device. The new chassis measures 11.75”(H) x 4” (W) x 13.75” (D) and supports both horizontal and vertical orientation, while utilizing an SFX form factor PSU to further cut down on space.

Specifications of 2016 Origin PC Chronos SFF Systems
  MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC GIGABYTE Z170N-Gaming5 ASRock X99E-ITX/AC/USB3.1
CPU Intel Core i5/i7 Skylake-S Intel Core i7/Intel Xeon
PCH Intel Z170 Intel X99
Graphics Up to AMD Radeon R9 Fury X or NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X
Memory Two DIMM slots, up to 32 GB of DDR4-3000
M.2 One M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) slot for up to 2280 SSDs
SATA connectors 4 2 4
SATAe connectors 1 2 1
eSATA connectors 0 0 1
Storage bays 1×3.5″, 4×2.5″, 1×5.25″
Wi-Fi 802.11ac + BT 4.2 802.11ac + BT 4.2 802.11ac + BT 4.0
Ethernet Intel I219V GbE Killer E2201 GbE Intel I218V GbE
Intel I211AT GbE
Display Outputs 1 HDMI,
1 DisplayPort		 1 HDMI
1 DVI-D		 None
Audio  Five 7.1-channel audio connectors, a mini-jack for headphones, a mini-jack for microphone
USB USB 3.0 type-A
USB 2.0 type-A		 1 USB 3.1 type-A
1 USB 3.1 type-C
USB 3.0 type-A
USB 2.0 type-A		 2 USB 3.1 type-A (10 Gbps, ASMedia ASM1142)
USB 3.0 type-A
USB 2.0 type-A
Dimensions 11.75″ (H) x 4″ (W) x 13.75″ (D)
298.45mm (H) x 101.6mm (W) x 349.25mm (D)
PSU Internal, SFX

Due to constraints of mini-ITX motherboards and currently-available memory modules, the Origin Chronos SFF PCs cannot support more than 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) of DDR4 memory. But that is about the only serious constraint the new systems have. Thanks to the fact that modern mini-ITX platforms integrate pretty much everything one can wish, the Chronos PCs will offer USB 3.1/3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1-channel audio, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless connectivity and so on.

Just like you would expect from a boutique PC maker, Origin PC offers custom paint, extended warranty and service as well as a bunch of exotic and high-end hardware to install. For example, it is possible to thrown in an HGST Ultrastar He8 8 TB hard drive or an NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X graphics card, two hardware components that are not easy to get. In addition, Origin PC can install a video capture device and the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB audio solution to the system.  

Origin PC does not specify baseline prices of the new Chronos SFF gaming PCs, but like with all bespoke boutique systems, sky is the limit when it comes to configuration and pricing.