General Gaming Article

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• How to Download Without Installing Malware
• Double Fine Studios Featured in This Week's Humble Bundle
• I Won a $3K Gaming Rig from Maximum PC
• Google I/O Part 1: $9.99/Month Streaming Music, Unlocked Galaxy S4
• Newegg Daily Deals
• AMD Levels Up Never Settle Reloaded Bundle
• Lian Li Launches Curvaceous PC-Q30 Mini ITX Computer Case
• HP Taps Android for SlateBook x2 and Windows 8 for Split x2 Hybrids
• AMD Bills New Radeon 8970M as World's Fastest Mobile GPU

How to Download Without Installing Malware Posted: 15 May 2013 03:57 PM PDT A how to download PSA When the **** did it become so damn difficult to download a program from the Internet? If you've recently tried to grab a screensaver or software utility from the web, you know exactly what we're talking about. Somewhere along the way, the simple act of downloading a program has become anything but easy, even for Internet veterans who aren't easily duped. Many download sites are now designed to test the wits of savvy users and prey on the impatient with link landmines that will blow up your browser with toolbars and other unwanted add-ons. Even worse, you could end up with a malware infection. Should you give up?... Hell no! Downloading might not be as simple as it once was, but it's far from an impossible mission, convoluted download portals be damned. We'll show you how to wade through the sea of shady links and track down the program you're looking, but it doesn't end there. You also have to be careful when installing an application, as installers sometimes carry adware, especially ones for free programs. Free download links are often plastered with malicious links and adware To Click or Not to Click the Big Green Download Button? When we posted our "20 Awesome Screensavers" article with download links to each screensaver, some readers thought we screwed the pooch and served up malware infected URLs. Rest assured we verified that every screensaver we posted was clean, but actually downloading each one can be an exercise in frustration. Let's walk through the process of downloading "The Matrix" screensaver. The link we provided jettisons readers to where the screensaver is hosted on CNET's website. Here's what you should see when you navigate there: CNET's download.com is a popular website so you might not think twice about clicking the Download Now button, but take a closer look. The fine print indirectly admits to installing adware. If you hover your mouse over the button, you'll discover CNET is using an ad-supported wrapper. Not all downloads on CNET's website use the ad-supported stub installer, but the ones that do are indentified as such (so long as you're paying attention), both on the green Download button ("CNET Installer Enabled") and via the above pop-up box. Downloading and installing looks so simple and easy but it's often anything but. If you choose to proceed, you'll be presented with several attempts like the one shown above to install third-party software in addition to The Matrix screensaver. Simply click the Decline button to skip these offers one-by-one rather than mashing the oh-so-inviting Accept button. If you learned anything at all from mythology, it's that you should avoid being tempted by Sirens, and download sites serve up plenty of them. Do you really want to install random third party apps? Some screens are a little trickier than others and offer only two options: Full Installation (Recommended) Custom Installation (Advanced User) When you encounter one of these screens, check the Custom Installation radio button and then deselect any checkboxes asking if you want to install toolbars or other cruft. The legitimate download button is often the hardest one to find. If this seems like an unnecessarily long path to the end, that's because it is. Instead of jumping through CNET's third-party hoops, an easier way to grab The Matrix (and similar downloads) is to click on the direct download situated just below the download button. Easy cheesy, right? This particular link has SEVEN download buttons. Which one is the legitimate one? Lest anyone think we're picking on CNET, it's actually not that bad compared to plenty of other download sites that make things much harder than they need to be. It's certainly not uncommon to see adware/malware masquerading as legitimate download links. Some are worse than others. In the screenshot above, there are no less than seven links with the words "download" or "driver," but only one of them actually links to the file we're looking for. How can you tell? Once again, hover your mouse over each button/link and see where it points to. If it's a DoubleClick ad or anything similar, then move on to the next one. In this case, the second download button with a right-facing arrow directs us to a URL with the words "ARCHOS-101-XS-Tablet-Firmware-412-Download" contained within. That's the one we're looking for. Scan for Malware Virustotal.com is a great tool for sussing out malware Once you've finally found and downloaded the file you're looking for, be sure to scan it for malware, especially if you grabbed it from a site you've never heard of. Use any on-demand scanners you have installed (such as a daily AV program and/or Malewarebytes), and also upload the file to VirusTotal, a free cloud-based service that analyzes suspicious files and URLs for dirty code. Using Virustotal is extremely easy, especially with a browser extension If you're a Firefox user, we highly recommend installing VTzilla, an official VirusTotal browser extension. The extension adds a toolbar to Firefox, which you can disable if you prefer, as well as a right-click context menu entry to scan hyperlinks with VirusTotal before visiting the site in question. For further virus protection measures, check out our in-depth virus protection guide. Do you know of any safe downloading tips? Have a downloading horror story to tell?  Share them with us and other Maximum PC readers by posting in the comments section below!

Double Fine Studios Featured in This Week's Humble Bundle Posted: 15 May 2013 02:22 PM PDT $1 donation lets you snag some of developer's best games The Humble Bundle is back after being on hiatus for a month. For you frugal gamers out there, you can donate $1 or more and receive a collection of titles from Double Fine Studios, the developer behind Psychonauts, Brutal Legend, and Stacking, this time around.  By donating $1 or more you'll receive Steam keys for Costume Quest, Psychonauts, and Stacking. If you donate more than $8.26 (the current average), you'll also receive Brutal Legend along with a few prototype games too. Donate $35 or more you'll receive Double Fine's upcoming game Broken Age. The highest tier is if you donate over $70 which will grant you a limited edition T-Shirt.     The Humble Bundle supports the developers who put their games on the service. You can also choose where your donation goes whether that be to Double Fine or charity (Child's Play Charity and/or the American Red Cross).

I Won a $3K Gaming Rig from Maximum PC Posted: 15 May 2013 01:15 PM PDT Five questions with the winner of our Maingear/AMD giveaway Last month we gave away a righteous rig (equipped with a i7-3770K CPU, two AMD Radeon HD 7970s in crossfire, and 8GB of Corsair Dominator Platinum RAM in a sleek Maingear F131 chassis) courtesy of AMD and Maingear on our Facebook page, and a enthusiastic gentleman named Sean Pisto from Canadia was the lucky recipient of the prize. We asked him to share with us whether or not he thought he was going to win, what his old gaming PC was running, and what it was like to take it out of the box for the first time. The Q&A is posted below! 1. How old are you, where do you live, and how long have you been a Maximum PC reader? I am 22, and I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. I've been reading and following Maximum PC for quite a few years. It started with me buying an issue every time I was on a ferry, and grew from there. 2. What are the specs of your current system? The PC I had when I entered the contest featured the following:  Processor - Intel Core i5-3570K Motherboard - ASUS P8Z77-V RAM - 16GB Mushkin Enhanced Redline Frostbyte Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 470 Case - Cooler Master HAF 922 Power Supply - Corsair 850TX 3. Did you think you had a chance of winning? Not in the slightest. I enter tons of contests and the pattern is I forget about it after a few days and never hear anything again. 4. What did you think when you first received contact from us? I was trying to remember what I entered.  I finally Googled it expecting it to be a mousepad or something, and couldn't believe my eyes when I found the contest page again and saw it was for a $3,000 gaming system. Then my brain ran through the number of ways this could be a hoax, a joke, or a scam.  Finally the truth set in and I got a wee bit excited. 5. What was the unboxing like, and what is the system like now that it's up and running? I knew it was supposed to come late on the Monday, so I sat in the front room of my house and frantically looked out the window every time I heard a vehicle.  When it finally arrived I immediately took it out of the box and just stared at it in awe for a while.  Finally I took the picture (above) and started setting it up. So far it runs like a top. It's nice being able to crank up every setting in games without having to even worry about performance.  On top of that it's significantly smaller (and prettier) than my old PC, which will be awesome for LAN's.  All in all, I can't thank Maximum PC enough. This was truly unreal. If you want to be notified about future contests, giveaways, and other generally cool stuff be sure to be a Fan of our Facebook page. The next giveaway is coming up soon, and without spoiling the surprise, well, we'll just say that for the lucky winner it'll be like a Dream come true.

Google I/O Part 1: $9.99/Month Streaming Music, Unlocked Galaxy S4 Posted: 15 May 2013 11:44 AM PDT Plenty happening at Google I/O. Google I/O kicked off this morning and is still going on at the time of this writing, but rather than make you wait for a roundup of the highlights, we thought we'd pass along some of the more interesting developments that have already occurred. One of the biggest ones is the introduction of a streaming music service, as previously rumored, to go up against the likes of Pandora, Spotify, Slacker, and eventually Apple, to name a few. The search giant's All Access music service runs $9.99 per month, though you can sign up for a 30-day free trial before jumping in with your wallet. There is an incentive for being an early adopter -- sign up by June 30th and you'll only pay $7.99 per month. In addition to streaming songs you've already purchased, which is a trick you can already do with Google, the All Access service also allows you to tap into millions of tracks you don't own. Similar to Pandora, Google will provide personalized listening recommendations, including playlists curated by Google's music editors. No songs will be greyed out -- if you see it, you can play it. You can also turn songs into radio stations and peek at the related playlist. Notice a song on your station's playlist you don't like? Swipe it away! You can even rearrange songs, giving you unprecedented control in the streaming music space. Or as Google puts it, it's radio without rules. All Access is available immediately in the U.S. and will roll out to other parts of the world shortly. Moving along, the other big announcement thus far is that of an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 handset. This particular version of the S4 will be available from Google Play. It's built by Samsung, but is running a clean version of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean "with the same software experience" that Google ships on its Nexus devices. This version works with both AT&T and T-Mobile, has 4G LTE support, is equipped with 16GB of internal storage, has an unlocked bootloader, will receive Android updates "promptly" as they're made available, and will be available for $649 starting June 26 (an eerie silence from an otherwise energetic crowd emanated after the price was disclosed, followed by scattered nervous laughter). So, what do you think about the All Access music service and unlocked Galaxy S4? Post your thoughts in the comments section below! Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Newegg Daily Deals Posted: 15 May 2013 10:24 AM PDT Top Deal: Whether you're looking to get your first SSD or looking to build a new speedy computer, today's top deal has you covered. Newegg is running a 2.5-inch SanDisk SSD for $80 with shipping for $2 (normally $120). Considering it's a 128GB drive, that puts it well below a buck for a GB of storage. According to SanDisk, the SSD features sequential read speeds of up to 490 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 350 MB/s. The drive also comes with a three-year warranty. Other Deals: Eagle Bluetooth stereo headset for $35 with free shipping (normally $70 - use coupon code: EMCXRWS58) Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" internal hard drive for $110 with free shipping (normally $120 - use coupon code: AFNJ0785)  Eagle portable Bluetooth speaker with microphone for $60 with free shipping (normally $100 - use coupon code: EMCXRWS59)  Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 desktop memory for $60 with free shipping (normally $70)

AMD Levels Up Never Settle Reloaded Bundle Posted: 15 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT You asked, AMD listened. Two questions AMD tells us it's always getting asked by customers in regards to its sweet Never Settle game bundles are, "Can you add more games?" and "Why do I have to choose between Crysis 3 or Tomb Raider?" Lucky for you, these questions haven't fallen on deaf ears, as AMD is adding bonus games to its Never Settle Reloaded program as part of a limited-time offer. It's officially called "Level Up with Never Settle Reloaded," but who cares about the title. What you really want to know is what kind of gaming loot AMD is bundling with its graphics cards, and we have the skinny. Short and sweet, AMD's updated promotion adds Tomb Raider to the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition, HD 7970, HD 7950, and HD 7790 graphics cards, and Crysis 3 to the Radeon HD 7870 graphics card. Here's a tidy breakdown of the updated promotion (Level Up games bolded): Radeon HD 7970 and 7950: Crysis 3, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Radeon HD7870 GHz Edition: Crysis 3, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Radeon HD 7790: Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon The Level Up promotion goes into effect immediately at participating retailers and is valid "while supplies last." In addition, AMD is still giving away games as part of its regular Never Settle bundle. They include: Radeon HD 7990: Crysis 3, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, Hitman: Absolution, Sleeping Dogs, Deus Ex: Human Revolution Radeon HD 7850: Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Radeon HD 7770: Far Cry 3, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon So, who plans on upgrading? Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Lian Li Launches Curvaceous PC-Q30 Mini ITX Computer Case Posted: 15 May 2013 08:53 AM PDT A case with curves. If Leisure Suit Larry was the type to build his own small form factor (SFF) PC, we have little doubt he'd pick Lian Li's new PC-Q30 enclosure. After all, he's into curves, and the PC-Q30 obliges with a funky design that, once again, proves Lian Li isn't afraid to try something different. With its curved shaped design and large acrylic front window, Lian Li says its fully aluminum chassis is ready and willing to give onlookers a view of what it's packing inside. "Whether in the living room, bedroom, or office, the PC-Q30 with its curve-shape and brushed aluminum finish takes visual command without being ostentatious," Lian Li explains. "Additionally, DIY builders can put their stylized internal components and intricate builds on full display – as they should not be hidden from sight." Moving on from the aesthetics, the PC-Q30 supports graphics cards up to 7.8 inches long and can accommodate up to four 2.5-inch drives, which are mounted in a removable cage at the bottom. There's a 140mm rear fan to expel hot air, along with ventilation on the top and side for cool air to enter. I/O connectivity consists of a pair of USB 3.0 ports and HD Audio jacks on the side. Look for the PC-Q30 to be available in June for $149. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

HP Taps Android for SlateBook x2 and Windows 8 for Split x2 Hybrids Posted: 15 May 2013 07:45 AM PDT Why play favorites? Microsoft is trying to make a play in mobile with its touch-tastic Windows 8 platform, while Android remains the popular choice among those who don't want an iPad. Rather than choose which one to roll with, Hewlett-Packard (HP) went and launched a pair of detachable PCs built around both platforms, essentially passing the buck onto you, Joe and Jane Consumer, as to which platform to invest in. Starting with Android, HP's new SlateBook x2 is a surprise entry with plenty of promise. It boasts a 10.1-inch Full HD 1080p (1920x1200) touchscreen IPS display and is powered by Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 4 SoC (System-on-Chip) clocked at 1.8GHz, making it the the first Android detachable device with Tegra 4 inside, HP claims. It also has 2GB of RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, DTS sound, 720p front-facing camera, 1080p rear-facing camera, a USB 2.0 port, SD card slot, HDMI output, combo audio jack, built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Over on the Windows side of the fence, HP introduced the Split x2 with a 13.3-inch HD (1366x768) IPS display. It's powered by 3rd Generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processor options and 2GB of RAM. Other specs include a 128GB mSATA SSD + 500GB HDD storage setup, Beats Audio, 1080p front-facing camera, 8MP rear-facing camera, microSD card reader, combo audio jack, one each USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, HDMI output, SD card slot, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and Windows 8. "Customers want to access and share content anywhere, anytime, on any internet connected device—and they expect those connections to be seamless," said Ron Coughlin, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer PCs, HP. "The HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2 are next-generation devices and the latest examples of our continued commitment to evolving the computing experience by providing the flexibility necessary for customers to be productive at home, at the office or on the go." The HP SlateBook x2 and Split x2 are expected to be available in August starting at $480 and $800, respectively. Both also come with a full-size keyboard with clickpad. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

AMD Bills New Radeon 8970M as World's Fastest Mobile GPU Posted: 14 May 2013 09:01 PM PDT There's a new mobile sheriff in town. Mobile gamers rejoice, for AMD hasn't forgotten about you. On the contrary, the Sunnyvale chip designer just unveiled its Radeon 8970M, which AMD claims is the fastest laptop GPU on the entire planet. And not only is it smoking fast, it's also more efficient than previous designs, which means you can expect longer battery life, according to AMD. AMD's 8000M series falls into three different tiers, including Mainstream (Radeon 8500M and 8600M Series), Performance + Gaming (Radeon 8700M and 8800M Series), and Enthusiast (Radeon HD 8900 Series). The 8970M part being launched today sits at the top of the mobile GPU totem pole and boasts 1,280 stream processors, an 850MHz engine clock (900MHz with boost), and 1,200MHz memory. That translates into 2304 GFLOPS of single precision compute power and 144 GFLOPS of double precision compute power. Speaking of which, AMD tells us the 8970M is engineered for compute with support for OpenCL and GPU acceleration. DirectX 11.1 is obviously part of the package, as is improved image quality and video playback. As for gaming performance, AMD provided a handful of benchmark comparisons that shine a positive light on its mobile part. For example, according to AMD's testing (Intel Core i7 3770K, 4GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM, Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 hard drive), a Radeon HD 8970M is 54 percent faster than a GeForce GTX 680M in Tomb Raider running at 1920x1080 with TressFX turned off (53.6 fps versus 34.8 fps). In Bioshock Infinite (also at 1920x1080), the 8970M benched 63.29 fps, which is 42 percent faster than the GTX 680M chip (44.52 fps). And so it goes across the board. One of the first notebooks to feature the 8970M will be MSI's GX70 gaming laptop, which is an upgraded version of the GX60 AMD's latest and greatest mobile part. It will come with a copy of Crysis 3. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

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