Oh, and we're a bitlate with this but Futuremark have released a new patch build 340 for 3D Mark 2003. You can get the patch right here.
"Technical Details Associated with the New Patch:
- Patch changes the program's build number to 340;
- Maximum point sprite size is now limited to 256x256 instead of the maximum supported by the hardware;
- Incorporates new version of the Entech library (used to detect the clock frequency of the graphics chip core and memory);
- Provides more detailed and accurate system information and improved detection of hyperthreaded CPUs "
Xbit Labs report the following:
"Intel Corporation on Thursday unveiled revamped specifications of its code-named Montecito processor due in 2005. As expected, the chip will have two cores, but will incorporate spectacular 24MB of L3 cache, 6MB more than it was originally estimated."
Here's the whole posting.
24MB, wow... not too shabby! :)
Microsoft have released a winter fun pack for their Media Player software. You can get the collection of nice sknis and visualization plugins here.
"Dress up your Player for the holidays, organize your holiday music, or reorganize your whole music library. The Windows Media Player 9 Series Winter Fun Pack includes skins, auto playlists, a visualization, and a tool to export details about your whole catalog to put you and your computer into the holiday spirit."
Directly from Blizzard:
"Comprising a set of plugins for Discreet®’s 3ds max®, these tools allow advanced users to create, modify, and quickly preview models and animations, including particle and ribbon effects, that can be used in custom maps created with Warcraft III’s World Editor. Please note that Blizzard does not directly support the Warcraft III Art Tools, and the technical support staff will not be able to respond to any related inquiries. However, detailed and illustrated instructions on how to use the software are included with the download, and we have also created a forum for Warcraft III Art Tools users.
A valid license for Discreet®’s 3ds max® 4.0 is required in order to use the Warcraft III Art Tools. We highly recommend that 3ds max® version 4.26 is used, with the service pack 1 fixes. Windows® 2000 or XP is
suggested. Note: The Warcraft III Art Tools do not include a means for creating textures. To create textures, a paint program, such as Adobe®’s Photoshop®, is required.
Download [World][10.2 MB]
Download [USA]"
Here's more information.
Warp2Search have spotted a new driver release for Creative's Audigy 2 product line. Here's more information on the EAX 4.0 Adavanced HD driver update.
Gamespot.com have some pictures up showing the conceptual design for Sony's upcomming Playstation Portable device. Here's the juicy stuff.
EA have released a new patch for Command and Conquer: Generals (v1.7) which comes with the following changes/ fixes:
"1. FORCE FIRE - CHINA's Gattling Tanks can no longer force fire through buildings.
2. RALLY POINTS - Added rally points to the GLA Tunnel Networks.
3. IMPROVED ONLINE STATS - Made improvements to the code that tracks statistics and disconnects in online games.
4. CRASH FIX - Fixed a crash bug related to the Particle Cannon.
5. DESYNCH FIX - Fixed a mismatch that occurred when ordering a unit to attack right after they exited a building.
6. REGION ACCURACY - User tooltip in the Custom Match lobby now correctly displays the user's region.
7. HERO RADAR ICON - Jarmen Kell, Black Lotus and Colonel Burton now have a special icon on the radar map.
8. CHAT SOUND EFFECT - Added an audio cue to the communicator to alert users to an incoming message.
9. TEXT FIXES - Fixed text errors in the tooltips for USA Drone Armor and CHINA Nuclear Tank upgrades.
10. FIREWALL PORT OVERRIDE OPTIONS ITEM - Firewall Port Override values can now be set on the Options menu from the Main Menu."
You can download the patch below:
North American Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
Brazilian Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
Chinese Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
French Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
German Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
Italian Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
Korean Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
Polish Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
Spanish Patch - 1.7
Click to Download The 1.7 Retail Patch
New Catalyst drivers are available from ATI. Please head over to Warp2Search for links and more information. Here's the link.
Driver only link -> here.
In addition to the newly released drivers there are also some nice new Dx9 demos you might want to have a look at. They can be gathered from the PowerVR demos site here
"Cloth
Cloth Animation with VS_3_0 and PS_3_0.
Deferred Shading
Deferred Shading with Multiple Render Targets.
Voxels
Voxel Rendering with PS_3_0."
Update: Well, you must have read it in the forums or on other sites already, due to the fact that these demos require PS/VS3.0 hardware their release might be a sign for something to come. Keep your fingers crossed... ^^
PowerVR v2.1 (Build 2.01.21.0007) drivers have been released and can be downloaded right here from pvrdev.com. #Those are available for Linux too! ;)
AFAIK these are mainly offering a whole lot of new game fixes just in case you're interested in the changes before installing.