"The pipeline number will remain four while the NV35 will use two texture memory units (TMUs) that will give eight textures per clock but just if multi texturing is used."
Here's the link to the Inq.
There is a new patch here for Futuremarks 3DMark 2003! (Version: build 320) In case you do not have build 313 installed, get the whole 320 release version here.
There is a small article on this new version on Beyond3D.com.
Another preview @ the latest from nVidia can be checked out here.
Now what do we need? A nForce 3 Pro mobo, an Opteron CPU and one of those new Alienware cases! =)
"According to the executive from Intel Corporation, code-named Montecito processor, Intel’s first dual-core chip, that is due in 2005, will be two or three times faster than today’s Madison CPUs coming out later this year. Furthermore, the Tanglewood processor available in 2006 or 2007 will already be ten times faster compared to this year’s most powerful IA64 processor. In fact, Otellini did not said that this would be code-named Tanglewood, but referred to it as “future Itanium” processor, but everybody got the idea right. "
More about Intel's CPUs can be found in the newspost here @ XBit Labs.
X-Bit Labs have some information online about the nForce2 400 and nForce400 Ultra single-channel core-logic. Here's more.
"We learnt from our sources that NVIDIA will soon roll out its nForce2 400 core-logic without integrated graphics core and dual-channel memory controller. Despite of earlier expectations, nForce2 400 will inherit 400MHz PSB and PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory support from both nForce2 and nForce2 400 Ultra, hence, its performance will be comparable to VIA’s single-channel offerings"
New fun packs have been released for XP (home and pro):
[x] PowaToiz
[x] Media Player 9
[x] Movie Maker 2
[x] Photography and Browsing
... was just recently put in place by nVidia here.
"“The combination of the NVIDIA nForce3 Professional platform with the industry-leading performance of NVIDIA Quadro graphics solutions forms the foundation for an extremely compelling workstation solution for CAD professionals,” said Sam Corralz, vice president of engineering at @Xi Computer Corporation. “We look forward to being one of the first companies to bring the power of NVIDIA nForce3 Professional-based workstation solutions to the market.”"
A preview of nVidia's nForce3 chipset can be found over here... yeah right, it's FiringSquad action again. :)
"nForce3 Pro 150’s feature set is already well above AMD’s 8000 series chipset, but later this year NVIDIA will be adding the nForce3 Pro 250 to its product lineup. The nForce3 Pro 250 builds largely off the design of the Pro 150, the key additions being an integrated Silicon Image SATA link and transport layer for native Serial ATA support. (nForce3 Pro 150 can support Serial ATA through the third IDE controller, but an external chip will be required.) Four Serial ATA ports and two IDE channels are supported by the nForce3 Pro 250. Like nForce3 Pro 150, RAID Levels 0, 1, and 0+1 are also natively supported.
The second addition with nForce3 Pro 250 is Gigabit Ethernet."
Ha... ahm... the FiringSquad have an interview online with Epic’s Tim Sweeney about the 64bit generation of AMD CPUs... here's more.
"FiringSquad: Will you be adding any special features to 64-bit Unreal Tournament 2003 in particular?
No. Our goal in porting UT2003 to 64-bit was to show that it can be done without much work, that the platform is stable, and that it's ready for gaming. We're not doing anything that really takes advantage of over 4 gigs of RAM or the large virtual address space.
The next generation of the Unreal engine is where we'll be taking major advantage of 64-bit in a very visible way, in the 2005 timeframe. We expect to support 32-bit and 64-bit clients and servers for gameplay, but might require 64-bit for content creation, because of the significant requirements of our new content development tools. ..."
... hmmmm, I'm sorry this comes so late but ahm well, no excuses, I'm late that's all! ;) Hope everyone celebrating this in one or another way has had a lot of fun!
May the bunny have been with you!
Just a reminder to let you know where to get the latest version of TommTI's 3D-Analyze tool... it's available here.
Update: Changed the link. :)
... has been released and is available here.
Seems like there is also a new version of Intervideo's WinDVD Platinum. You can find a trial version here. Enjoy! =)
A new version of the DivX package is available right here. Version history and changes can be found here.
"Changed:
Fixed:
Matrox have released some new drivers for their Parhelia. Get v1.04.00.078 Win2K/XP here (~8MB).
Enjoy! ;)
Seems like there is a bug in the latest Detonator 43.45 drivers as several sources report that once a screensaver kicks in (that is a 3D screensaver) the Ultra boards' fans does not kick in as the application is not identified as a 3D app and the GPU starts to heat up a lot which might damage the card itself or more.
Note that according to the sources this counts for reference design Geforce Ultra 5800 only.
Found this here on the inq too:
"THE PEEPS at Xbit Labs have got their hands on an Athlon 64, not released until September, but find it kind of lacking.
The site has an eleven page performance preview based on an engineering system out there in the wild."
The preview from xbit Labs can be found here.
"One of the most important is that a future Athlon64 chipset will support PCI-Express, which is slated to appear in machines next year and which we believe will change a lot of the rules for PC design, particularly as Microsoft is expected to support PCI Express with Longhorn."
The Inq do have an article up here containing some information about Via chipsets and Athlon64 chipset trends. Some of the info comes from a Via roadmap they've recently mentioned.
Need a tool which allows the modification of your windows XP product key the easy way? Why not try this one here.
"Modifies a certain registry value to trick Windows into thinking it has not been activated.
- Makes backups of all your OS's existing activation script files.
- Copies modified versions of these activation scripts to the appropriate locations.
- Executes the Windows Activation Wizard (system32oobemsoobe.exe /a).
- Waits for the Wizard to complete (The wizard will run automatically and completely because of the modified scripts.)
- Rolls back the original script files to their original locations.
- Removes temporary directories and scripts created during the process."
The Inq have some benchmarks ready for us, head over here if you're interested.
Benchmark part:
"In 3dmark 2001 the Geforce FX 5200 Go scored 6579 marks while Radeon 9200M scored 7534, almost a thousand more. In "Nvidia do not recommend" 3dmark03, Geforce FX 5200 GO got 871 while Radeon 9200M managed 1222 marks. In UT 2003 Asbestos the Geforce FX 5200 Go you will get about 62 FPS while Radeon 9200M will get you about 87 FPS. "
... 120% v1.4.3.410 and Alcohol 52% have been released just recently. Here's more info.
Some more fine news for DVD collectors... DVD Decrypter has been updated to v3.1.5.0 with the following changed:
"Improved detection of currently inserted media
Improved IFO/BUP file region patching code
Improved RCE Protection detection in IFO mode
Improved support for DVD+R/+RW drives
Improved error reporting
Improved drive region changing interface
Improved I/O Interface 'Debug Mode'
Improved device / disc information given in ISO modes
Improved SPTI drive detection code in NT 4.0
Improved Vob ID file splitting in IFO mode
Improved CSS cracking code
Added the ability to split by Vob ID in File mode
Added the ability to create MDS files for most image types. These can then be loaded into DAEMON Tools
Added the ability write several other types of images
Added the ability to change the volume label of supported image files
Added 'Maximum Write Speed' to the information window in ISO modes - For DVD media only
Added the ability to create Information files by right clicking on a PGC in IFO mode
Added the ability to patch the first GOP in an M2V stream so that the time is 00:00:00 instead of 00:59:59 or whatever - this allows chapter files to import directly within DVDMaestro and alike
Added support for 'Success' and 'Error' sounds
Added lots more user configurable options in the settings screen
Added 'Shutdown computer when finished' to the ISO write screen
Added the abilty to parse the ISO filesystem
Added automatic detection of which filesystem to parse (UDF or ISO)
Added automatic erasing / formatting of discs before burning
More command line options - see Readme.txt
Loads of other changes / fixes / requested features - too many to remember / mention! "
You can get the software here.
Some new info about recent "partnerships", it seems like nVidia have formed a strategic alliance with EA (or was it the other way round? ;) Warp2Search.net have the news up here.
"Electronic Arts has a tremendous track record for developing games that can be enjoyed by consumers of all ages and both the hardcore and casual gamer alike. By exclusively adopting NVIDIA hardware for their worldwide studios, EA is escalating the creative palette of its 3D artists and programmers," said Dan Vivoli, executive vice president of marketing at NVIDIA. "Our FX family of GPUs were designed to usher in an era of cinematic computing, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that EA has signed on to help us meet our goal."
Astroboy stuff for all fans out there... beware I'm NOT or at least not that much as I kind of do not dig the big head design but it looks like a nice one so head over and check the trailer... -> there ya go! (8-o)
For those of us interested in cloning their collection of DVDs, there is a piece of free software which does almost that. DVD Shrink enables you to re-author or re-compress a DVD to let it fit onto one of those recordable DVDs. Here's more and the latest binaries. Enjoy! ;)
BTW use this for legal doings only!
Just in from Julia, thanks! ;)
"Imagination Technologies Announces New Licensee for PowerVR MBX Graphics
Core
London, UK, 9th April 2003: Imagination Technologies [LSE:IMG], a leader in
system-on-chip intellectual property (SoC IP), announced today that Texas
Instruments Incorporated (TI), has licensed Imagination's PowerVR MBX
graphics core for integration with TI's OMAPTM family of application
processors for mobile devices. PowerVR MBX is a very compact and efficient
2D/3D graphics solution for future wireless multimedia devices, optimised
for low power and high performance."
"Imagination's PowerVR MBX graphics cores provide mobile communication
devices with stunning embedded graphic capabilities, thereby opening up a
new world of mobile phone content, including 3D gaming.
"The convergence of communication network technologies and phones with
powerful multimedia capabilities, will enable content-rich applications that
will drive the new wireless market," said Paul Werp, worldwide director of
marketing for TI's OMAP platform. "The combination of TI's application
processor expertise and Imagination's graphics technology will provide the
basis for a mobile content revolution."
The PowerVR core will be coupled with applications processors to deliver
best in class processing performance for advanced mobile applications like
3D gaming, videoconferencing, multimedia messaging services (MMS) and many
other compelling services, while still delivering industry-leading power
consumption. PowerVR's unique tile-based graphics cores offer scalability
and performance with unparalleled memory efficiency and image quality.
"Texas Instruments is the world leader in wireless semiconductors, and
Imagination is pleased to provide them with compelling embedded graphics
features that will define content trends in wireless markets worldwide,"
said Hossein Yassaie, CEO, Imagination Technologies.
About Imagination Technologies
Imagination Technologies Group plc is an international IP licensing company
that develops, licenses and supplies market-leading graphics/video cores,
real-time DSP-enabled multithreaded processors, communication and broadcast
technologies for the consumer entertainment and PC markets. It supplies both
licensable IP (Intellectual Property) and related advanced development tools
to leading semiconductor and consumer electronics companies worldwide.
Imagination Technologies Group plc has its corporate headquarters in the
United Kingdom and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange
(FTSE:IMG). See: www.imgtec.com.
Contact:
David Harold/Julia Horne tel +44 (0)1923 260 511
PowerVR fax +44 (0)1923 270 188
Imagination Technologies email: david.harold@powervr.com
Home Park Estate
Kings Langley
Herts WD4 8LZ"
"A new four-scenario Norse campaign from the designers of the original AOM "Fall of the Trident" campaign is available for free."
Here's more info and you also get the files (english version only ATM)! ;)
Just found the following snippet fr0m Homelan Fred on Warp2Search.net:
"Microsoft is offering lots of money to id to make an exclusive Doom III Xbox port (id hasn't decided yet if they will do so) and in addition to the already announced multiplayer add-on there will also be a single player mission pack for Doom III. There is also the possiblity of a program that could generate unique Doom III levels on the fly, according to the article. The article also contains a number of new screenshots from the game."
Hmmmm... I kind of feel bad concerning current development of things lately... remember the Half-Life 2 on nVidia only rumours?!
There is a nice DirectX 9 tech demo available here. Looks splendid but seems to only run on pix and vertex shader 2.0 boards/ chips.
"Rthdribl is a "High Dynamic Range Image-Based Lighting" demo.
Technical features of the demo are:
- True HDR (High-Dynamic Range) Rendering
- IBL (Image-Based Lighting)
- Glare Generation (Afterimage, Bloom, Halo, Ghost, and Star)
- Automatic Exposure Adjustment
- Iris shaped Depth of Field blur
- Realistic Motion Blur
- FSAA (Full-Scene Anti-Alias)
- Fresnel Effect (Specular Reflectance) etc."
Again on the Inq... here's an article about Itanium 2 and it's performance. ;)
"Even though I'm a fan of AMD and am planning to get my personal Opteron box in April (why wait until Sept?) it is to be noted that at long last, the Itanium II is actually performing on par with similarly-classed processors. That is, if you look at the SPEC performance lists, boxes from Bull, HP, NEC and SGI with 1Ghz Itaniums are now doing as well as 1 Ghz Alphas. "
According to the Inq Microsoft calls AMD X86-64 operating system Anvil... here's more.
"Anvil will run on both Opteron and Athlon64 chips and, the sources added, Microsoft is billing it as causing a big adoption of PC 64-bit computing because these chips will run 32-bit and 64-bit code natively."
ImgTec have a new press release ready for you... :
"Polybump Reduces Polygon Numbers In Real-Time 3D Graphics Enabling Increased Graphic Performance In Embedded Applications"
... and it's available on PowerVR MBX. Here's the whole thing.