General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Cooler Master's Silencio 652S and 352 PC Cases Set Sail for North America

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 01:54 PM PST

CM Silencio Cases¡Silencio, por favor!

Cooler Master dropped us a note today to let us know that two of its newer Silencio cases are headed to North America. Specifically, Cooler Master's Silencio 652S and 352 enclosures will be available soon, in case you're looking to build a quiet system. Both cases utilize sound dampening material on the panels and both are capable of mounting at least one 240mm radiator.

The Silencio 652S is a mid-tower ATX chassis that measures 20 inches by 8.7 inches by 20 inches. It comes with two 120mm Silencio fans up front with a single one installed in the back. For liquid cooling duties, you can fit a 240mm radiator at the front and/or up top, and a 120mm radiator on the back.

It also supports up to 10 solid state drives and nine hard disk drives, along with CPU coolers up to 168mm tall and graphics cards up to 16.6 inches long.

For smaller builds, the Silencio 352 will accept micro-ATX and mini-ITX motherboards. It measures 17.8 inches by 7.8 inches by 14.9 inches, and in addition to having room for a 240mm at the front, it can also accommodate a 120mm radiator on the back. For air cooling chores, it comes with front and rear 120mm XtraFlo fans.

It can hold up to four SSDs and three HDDs. Compared to its larger sibling, there's a little less room CPU coolers (up to 155mm tall) and graphics cards (up to 14 inches).

No word yet on price.

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Newegg Daily Deals: Samsung 840 Evo 250GB SSD, AMD FX-8350 Black Edition Vishera, and More!

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 10:49 AM PST

Samsung 840 Evo 250GB SSDnewegg logo

Top Deal:

Friends don't let friends sputter along on a mechanical hard drive for primary OS chores. After all, slow loads and lost data due to faulty moving parts can lead to anxiety, depression, and all kinds of things. If your friend is still driving an HDD, direct him to today's top deal for a Samsung 840 Evo 240GB Solid State Drive for $115 with free shipping. We won't even make them input a coupon -- it doesn't get much easier than that! Before you know it, your friend will be back to his chipper self, talking about how the SSD upgrade changed his life.

Other Deals:

AMD FX-8350 Black Edition Vishera 8-Core 4.0GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Desktop Processor for $170 with free shipping (normally $180 - use coupon code: [EMCWWPF22])

Asus Radeon R9 280 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card for $190 with free shipping (normally $225 - use coupon code: [EMCWWPF26]; Additional $20 Mail-in rebate)

BenQ 24-inch 2ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor for $130 with free shipping (normally $150 - use coupon code: [EMCWWPF42])

G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory for $72 with free shipping (normally $79 - use coupon code: [EMCWWPF34])

AMD Rumored to Relaunch Radeon R9 290X with 8GB of GDDR5 Memory

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 10:31 AM PST

Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 8GBIs 8GB the new 4GB?

While still a rumor until we catch wind of an official statement or product, there are multiple reports that AMD is planning to launch a version of its Radeon R9 290X graphics card with a massive 8GB of GDDR5 memory on-board. We've actually already seen this with Sapphire earlier this year, though it appears AMD wants to see more hardware partners offer an 8GB SKU, including MSI, hence the upcoming relaunch.

Over at videocardz.com, there's a press photo of an MSI Radeon R9 290X Gaming graphics card advertised as having 8GB of memory (it appears on the side of the box). Granted, it could be a fancy Photoshop job, but with so much smoke -- plus Sapphire already having paved a path -- there's a good chance we'll see fire.

Other companies that have been named in the rumor include Club3D and PowerColor. If true, the good thing about having several vendors jump on board is that there's likely to be some price competition for what would otherwise be a niche product.

Why 8GB? It could be in response to separate rumors suggesting Nvidia is planning to launch 8GB versions of its Maxwell-based GeForce GTX 970 and 980 graphics cards.

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Nvidia Entices Gamers to Upgrade with 'Pick Your Path' Free Game Offer

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 10:06 AM PST

Pick Your PathPick your path, not your nose

Graphics card vendors often turn to free game bundles as way to lure players to their wares, and we're all for it -- if vendors want to throw free software at us for upgrading, then so be it! We bring this up because Nvidia has sweet-talked Ubisoft into letting gamers who purchase a qualifying GeForce GTX graphics card receive a free game as part of its "Pick Your Path" promotion.

GPUs that quality for the offer include the GeForce GTX 780, 780 Ti, 970, and 980. Alternately, if you pick up a notebook rocking a GeForce GTX 970M or 980M inside, it also qualifies. You can then choose to receive a download code for The Crew, Far Cry 4, or Assassin's Creed Unity at no extra cost.

"Each game is an excellent example of our GameWorks technology at work. By integrating technologies such as HBAO+ for realistic shadows and TXAA for cinema quality smoothness and enhanced 4K support, Ubisoft delivers games that push the industry forward," Nvidia said in a blog post.

The purchase must be made from a participating retailer, e-tailer, or system builder. To find out more, or to redeem your code, visit Nvidia's Pick Your Path portal.

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Logitech G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA Gaming Mouse Features Quick Click Action

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 09:25 AM PST

Logitech G302 Daedalus Prime MOBAIt's all about the buttons

We don't envy PC gaming peripheral makers trying to come up with new ways of differentiating their products from a crowded field of gear, but lest any of them think about throwing in the white flag, Logitech proved there are still new angles to exploit. How so? Logitech's new G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA gaming mouse wields a metal spring tensioning system that's supposed to improve left and right click responsiveness.

Yes, Logitech is pitching faster and more accurate click action, claiming the buttons are capable of registering up to five clicks per second to keep up with your rapid fire style of game play.

"This can sometimes be the difference between winning or losing an important game," Logitech says.

And carpal tunnel, but we won't go there. For what it's worth, Logitech says the G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA was designed for and tested by professional gamers, including players from Team SoloMid, Cloud9, CJ Entus Frost, CJ Entus Blaze, and Invictus Gaming.

Getting to the meat of the mouse, this lightweight rodent sports half a dozen programmable buttons, four DPI settings ranging from 240 to 4000 that can be accessed on-the-fly, a compact shape, and low friction feet.

The Logitech G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA will be available sometime this month for $50 MSRP.

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Acer Switch 12 is a Five-in-One Convertible Driven by an Intel Core M Processor

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 08:51 AM PST

Acer Aspire Switch 12One device, five modes

Acer today expanded its Switch line introduced earlier this year with the introduction of the Switch 12, a 12.5-inch Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) hybrid laptop with five distinct modes (notebook, tablet/pad, display, tent, and desktop). Powering the IPS display with Zero Air Gap direct bonding technology is an Intel Core M processor, though Acer isn't yet providing specific details on the choice of CPU.

The Switch 12 sports a unique kickstand design with a magnetic and latch-free detachable keyboard. This is what allows the Switch 12 to transition into five different use case scenarios, so you can use it as a traditional laptop, tablet with or without a keyboard, desktop PC, regular display, or in a tent configuration. Obviously Acer is taking some liberties here with pitching the device as a five-in-one hybrid, though we won't deny it's certainly a shape shifter.

Acer Aspire Switch 12 Tent

Details on specs and configuration options are rather light at the moment, though not totally non-existent. Acer says the Switch 12 will come with 60GB or 128GB SSD options. It will also feature micro USB 3.0 ports and micro HDMI ports, have a battery life of up to 8 hours, and presumably run Windows 8.1.

The Switch 12 will be available in the U.S. and Canada in early 2015. Pricing has not yet been determined.

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HP Sends a Thin and Light 'Omen' Laptop into the Gaming Community

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 07:39 AM PST

HP OmenGaming DNA comes to the forefront

HP isn't doing much with its Voodoo brand these days, but at the same time, it hasn't completely forgotten about gamers. Witness the new HP Omen, a svelte gaming laptop designed to handle triple-A titles without all the bulk of a desktop replacement. It has a 15.6-inch IPS display with a Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) resolution that's powered by an Intel Core i7 4710HQ processor, 8GB of DDR3L-1600 RAM, and Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics.

"Gamers told us they want uncompromised performance in a device that looks good and is designed for portability," said Mike Nash, vice president, Product Management, Consumer Personal Systems, HP. "The HP OMEN delivers the performance that today's triple-A titles demand and the features to enable customized game play, all in a package that looks great and can be easily carried."

Other hardware and features include a 128GB solid state drive, four USB 3.0 ports (all supporting USB Boost), a mini DisplayPort, HDMI output, headphone/microphone combo jack, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, media card reader, 1080p webcam with dual digital microphones, dual speakers with BeatsAudio, and Windows 8.1.

HP Omen Front

The thin (19.9mm) and light (4.68 pounds) chassis is CNC milled from solid aluminum and anodized with a black finish. HP also added a custom chrome hinge designed to elevate the display out of the way of hot exhaust air. Cooling chores are further aided by dual fans that pull cool air through the bottom of the system.

HP's Omen laptop is available now starting at $1,500.

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MMORPG News

MMORPG News


Hex: Public Beta Begins

Posted: 04 Nov 2014 06:13 AM PST

Public Beta Begins

Gameforge has announced that Hex: Shards of Fate has entered its public beta phase of development. Hex is a trading card game with over three hundred fifty cards with more to be added soon bringing the total to five hundred plus.

Warhammer 40.000: Eternal Crusade: A Closer Look at the Apothecary

Posted: 03 Nov 2014 02:59 PM PST

A Closer Look at the Apothecary

After Friday's big Eternal Crusade news, this week we're going to keep it short, and talk for a moment about the new things we have learned about the Space Marine support class, the Apothecary. There has been a lot of speculation about exactly how the various support classes were going to work. Brent Ellison, Lead Game Designer on Eternal Crusade has indicated in the past that Support classes were going to function as force multipliers.

Guild Wars 2: Echoes of the Past to Release Today

Posted: 03 Nov 2014 09:53 PM PST

Echoes of the Past to Release Today

ArenaNet will be releasing the anticipated "Echoes of the Past" update later today. Guild Wars 2 players will be able to pick up Living World Season 2 where it left off earlier this year and starts players on the road to the finale for the season. No specific time for the update's release has been revealed so keep an eye on Guild Wars 2 servers.

Swordsman: Gilded Wasteland - Focused on Guild and Large Group Play

Posted: 02 Nov 2014 02:21 PM PST

Gilded Wasteland - Focused on Guild and Large Group Play

Swordman is the new martial arts MMO from Perfect World Entertainment that just released in North America on July 29th of this year. It has so far enjoyed positive reviews from fans of the genre, but what's even more amazing is the fact that the game is already getting its first expansion this fall with Gilded Wasteland.

Skyforge: There Are Followers and Then There Are Adepts

Posted: 03 Nov 2014 01:35 PM PST

There Are Followers and Then There Are Adepts

The Skyforge team has laid out the details for 'adepts', a special type of follower that can be quite helpful to the budding deities in the game. Adepts come in several types including Engineer, Templar, Sorcerer, Mystic, Preacher, Healer, Envoy and Agent. Adepts can be sent out on special missions to carry out the orders of the player.

General: The Most Important MMOs Of The First Modern Decade

Posted: 02 Nov 2014 02:09 PM PST

The Most Important MMOs Of The First Modern Decade

There's no absolute consensus as to when the modern MMOG era started. Depending on the frame of reference you favor, it's possible to make a case for various dates. For the purpose of this article, I arbitrarily chose 1996, which is the year Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds launched in Korea and Meridian 59 in North America. This means the titles I selected all entered service between then and 2005.

Guild Wars 2: A Call For Greater Transparency

Posted: 02 Nov 2014 02:03 PM PST

A Call For Greater Transparency

MMO players come in all levels of ability. We all have our own take on what parts of a game are "too hard" or "too easy." I like to think that I'm reasonably tolerant of new players and am willing to help them along, but even I have my limits as to how much I'm willing to put up with folks who don't seem to have the capacity to learn some of the most basic aspects of a game.

General: Now's the Time

Posted: 02 Nov 2014 01:52 PM PST

Now

If you're a World of Warcraft player, there is no time more exciting than right now. The fifth expansion is days away from going live and Blizzcon is happening even sooner. If you haven't played in a while or have been on the fence about giving it a go, there is no better time than now.

Eldevin: Steam Launch on November 6th

Posted: 03 Nov 2014 08:01 AM PST

Steam Launch on November 6th

The Eldevin team has announced that it has completed a successful Steam Greenlight campaign and will launch on the multi-game platform on November 6th.

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