AMD teases FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0, coming Q2 2022

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-teases-fidelityfx-super-resolution-2-0-coming-q2-2022#disqus_thread

Seeing as how they used Deathloop as an example which has DLSS but they only compared FSR 2.0 against FSR 1.0 and Native, I think it's safe to say that DLSS will still be in the lead. As always, wait for independent testing as FSR looked good in AMD's slides but it turned out to be pretty terrible in most scenarios. Hell just look at FSR 2.0 vs 1.0...

Mac Studio Review - The Need for SPEED

https://wccftech.com/apple-m1-ultra-64-core-gpu-gets-smoked-by-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3090-in-compute-gaming-benchmarks/

I find it amusing to see how both AMD and Apple have managed to beat Intel but when it comes to Nvidia, they always seem to fall behind outside of specific areas despite their bullshit claims. And the test are done against Apple's Native Metal Api in Blender so no excuses now...

Expectation:

Reality:

Jensen after seeing the benchmarks:

It’s official: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D does not support overclocking

https://videocardz.com/newz/its-official-amd-ryzen-7-5800x3d-does-not-support-overclocking

Looks like the rumours were indeed true which is kinda bad. We will see how it performs though.

Another look at the Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED vs a 43" Gigabyte FV43U (VA) QLED.

Pretty good comparison. Unfortunately, the new AW doesn't accept a 4K signal. A deal breaker for me since PS5 doesn't support 1440P and will only display 1080P on this display. Looks to be a near perfect for PC usage though.. not for me. I guess the hunt for the perfect monitor continues.

Yea as a person that has been using an Ultrawide monitor (Alienware AW3418DW), you should never buy an ultrawide for consoles even if it accepts 4k signal. Consoles can't do ultrawide aspect ratios so either you have to deal with black borders or a stretched image which neither are good. It's one of the reasons why I bought my 32 inch 16x9 4k panel instead of buying another ultrawide. The only exception might be like a 49 inch super ultrawide where you have enough room to fit two 16x9 sources side by side.

The only real disappointment for me is that the Alienware doesn't support Display Stream Compression. This means you can't get 10 bit signal at 175hz, you can only get it at 144hz which is fine but Display Stream Compression is such a easy feature to add. But that seems to be an Nvidia G-sync Ultimate module problem along with the lack of HDMI 2.1 as they probably don't want to update the module until Display port 2.0 comes out with Lovelace which is kinda lame.

Personally I will probably be waiting until Alienware comes out with their 38 inch QD-OLED panel next year. While not confirmed, they do typically come out with 34 inch with new tech and release the 38 inch version the following year.

The Thursday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

This week's free game on the Epic Store is In Sound Mind: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/in-sound-mind .
Next week, the free game will be DEMON'S TILT.

At GOG there's an early Weekend Sale featuring Atari games up to 75% off during the next 4 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20220317_special_promo_atari_publisher_weekend.

Steam has a new daily deal: Shenmue III with an 80% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/878670/Shenmue_III/

And Fanatical has two new flash deals:

• Wasteland 3 is 72% off during 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/wasteland-3
• And Viscera Cleanup Detail will feature a 60% discount during the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/viscera-cleanup-detail-game

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

New Elden Ring Mod attempts to fix stuttering by implementing VKD3D fixes natively in DX12
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/new-elden-ring-mod-attempts-to-fix-stuttering-by-implementing-vkd3d-fixes-natively-in-dx12/
Now here is something interesting for all those that experience stutters in Elden Ring. Modder ‘soupstream’ released a mod/unofficial patch that aims to fix the stuttering that a lot of players have experienced.
According to soupstream, this patch implements various VKD3D fixes natively in D3D12. Theoretically, these VKD3D fixes should minimize the stutters that PC gamers have reported.
Now as with all mods/unofficial patches, we strongly recommend using it in Offline Mode. Otherwise, FromSoftware may ban you for using it.

GAMING NEWS

Elden Ring Update 1.03 released, is 3GB, packs numerous bug fixes & balance tweaks, full patch notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/elden-ring-update-1-03-released-is-3gb-packs-numerous-bug-fixes-balance-tweaks-full-patch-notes/
FromSoftware has just released a brand new update for Elden Ring. Update 1.03 is 3GB in size on PC, features numerous bug fixes and balance tweaks, and you can find its full patch notes below.
>> This patch doesn't fix the stuttering, so the mod from above is still relevant.

Sniper Elite 5 releases on May 26th, gets new in-engine trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/sniper-elite-5-releases-on-may-26th-gets-new-in-engine-trailer/
Rebellion has announced that the latest part in its Sniper Elite series, Sniper Elite 5, will release on May 26th. In order to celebrate this announcement, the team has also released a new in-engine trailer that you can find below.

Trek To Yomi gets two lovely gameplay trailers
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/trek-to-yomi-gets-two-lovely-gameplay-trailers/
Devolver has released two lovely trailers for its upcoming samurai game, Trek to Yomi. The first trailer focuses on the game’s story, whereas the second trailer showcases its combat mechanics.

Redout 2 feels like a next-gen WipEout game in this new gameplay trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/redout-2-feels-like-a-next-gen-wipeout-game-in-this-new-gameplay-trailer/
Saber Interactive has released a brand new gameplay trailer for the upcoming futuristic anti-gravity racing game, Redout 2. Redout 2 feels like a next-gen WipEout game, so be sure to watch the trailer if you were fans of this 32-bit Playstation game.

Thursday news, part two:

XDefiant drops Tom Clancy branding as public testing signups open
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/xdefiant-drops-tom-clancy-branding-as-public-testing-signups-open/
Tom Clancy's XDefiant was introduced in 2021 as Ubisoft's free-to-play answer to Call of Duty multiplayer: A 6v6 competitive military FPS featuring factions from Tom Clancy franchises Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, and The Division. The title didn't exactly set the world on fire but the gameplay looked not bad; early beta tests ran in August 2021, and anyone interested was (and still is) able to sign up for future testing sessions, although none have been announced since.
That will apparently change in the near future, as Ubisoft has announced upcoming "Insider Sessions" for XDefiant that will enable members of the public to take part in testing sessions with and against developers. Testing will begin with a small number of participants on PC (exactly how many isn't stated) and will expand to more players, and more platforms, as the tests progress.

The first Minecraft 1.19 snapshot adds the Deep Dark biome and frogs
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/the-first-minecraft-119-snapshot-adds-the-deep-dark-biome-and-frogs/
Mojang has released the first snapshot of the Minecraft 1.19 update, which means players can finally get a proper look at what's happening out there in the big bad wild.

Fortnite leak says Doctor Strange is joining the battle royale
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/doctor-strange-fortnite/
Marvel's Doctor Strange is coming to Fortnite, according to info gathered by longtime data miners like ShiinaBR and YouTuber Tabor Hill. ShiinaBR cites multiple sources with insider info, and with a very reliable track record, I'm inclined to believe them.

Sam Barlow reveals the first trailer for his new 'interactive movie trilogy'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/sam-barlow-reveals-the-first-trailer-for-his-new-interactive-movie-trilogy/
In 2020, Sam Barlow said that his next game—code-named Project A███████—was going to be "ten times more ambitious" than his outstanding 2019 investigative thriller Telling Lies. It was revealed at the Future Games Show 2021 as Immortality, a decades-spanning mystery about Hollywood starlet Marissa Marcel, who appeared in three unreleased movies and then vanished from the face of the Earth. In today's ID@Xbox livestream, we finally got a proper look at gameplay—and it looks very good.

WrestleQuest turns '80s and '90s WWE into a JRPG starring Macho Man Randy Savage
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/wrestlequest-turns-80s-and-90s-wwe-into-a-jrpg-starring-macho-man-randy-savage/
WrestleQuest has been announced by Skybound Games and Mega Cat Studios, a pixel-art RPG that takes aim squarely at nostalgia for wrestling's glory years of the '80s and '90s. The game casts you as a young hopeful looking to become one of the wrestling greats, and combines RPG exploration and character building with turn-based in-ring combat—the cherry on the cake being the presence of big names that you'll face on the way.

Samsung's First QD-OLED TV Leaked on Amazon - Much Cheaper than Expected!

55 Inch coming in around $2200. By Black Friday, this will probably be $500-$600 less. LG is in big trouble if Samsung keeps this up with their fap worthy QD-OLED Hype!

NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU Prices Fall Of A Cliff Overnight In Australia, Global Prices Should Follow

https://wccftech.com/nvidia-rtx-3080-gpu-prices-fall-of-a-cliff-overnight-in-australia-global-prices-should-follow/

$1500 AUD for a 3080 ($1100 USD) is still a lot but we are edging towards that MSRP boys!

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin launches with major PC issues

https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/stranger-of-paradise-final-fantasy-origin-launches-with-major-pc-issues/

"One user with a GTX 1080 Ti noted that the game capped out at 99% GPU usage while running the game on low settings at 1080p. The game could reach 60 FPS and frame dips and slowdown would occur during combat. Another user with an RTX 3080 reported similar problems, with frame rates dropping into the low 40s."

As usual with Japanese devs...

Although after looking at Halo Infinite and BF2042, maybe it's just devs at this point...

That's true. For 16:9 sources and content, its not the most ideal solution. I can probably deal with it, seeing as this is an OLED; so at least there's no glow to put up with. Also no signal or scaling makes this a no go for me. Its a niche case but I also have a Chromecast Ultra that also only supports 720, 1080P and 4K. But yeah a bigger 16:9 4K monitor would probably makes more sense for general use and consoles. Hopefully Samsung has plans for more sizes like a 32" panel.  

I was also worried about the anti-glare as it does look quite glossy and reflective in a lot of reviews though I don't see many complaints and when there is content shown (and in bright rooms) it seems to handle reflections well. The lack of HDMI 2.1 and DSC is another meh thing. Like there's small compromises here and there that I could probably overlook if it was under 1K.. though over I'd expect it to offer the full package.

A 38" 1600P QD OLED would be sight be behold. Hopefully with Nvidia's RTX 4000 series graphics cards launching this year, Nvidia will bring out new G-Sync modules that support the latest HDMI feature (HDMI 2.1/DP 2.0) sets in future monitors. Its 2022 and all mid to high end monitors should have it standard. Next year I wouldn't even think of getting a monitor with lower specs.

Introducing the Humble Games lineup for 2022 and beyond!
https://www.humblegames.com/updates-article/2022gameslineup/
Today, we’re thrilled to introduce the latest additions to our ever-growing portfolio — six new games from talented studios and developers from around the globe—along with updates on several of our announced titles, all coming your way in 2022 and beyond. Check out everything we shared at our first-ever Humble Games Press Showcase!

The games are

• Monaco 2
• Stray Gods
• Coral Island
• Moonscars
• Ghost Song
• SIGNALIS
• Infinite Guitars
• Chinatown Detective Agency
• The Iron Oath

It's a shame, but at least the reason they give for that limitation makes sense:

https://www.techpowerup.com/293001/amds-robert-hallock-confirms-lack-of-manual-cpu-overclocking-for-ryzen-7-5800x3d

It turns out that the 3D V-Cache is Voltage limited to a maximum of 1.3 to 1.35 Volts, which means that the regular boost Voltage of individual Ryzen CPU cores, which can hit 1.45 to 1.5 Volts, would be too high for the 3D V-Cache to handle. As such, AMD implemented the restrictions for this CPU. However, the Infinity Fabric and memory bus can still be manually overclocked. The lower Voltage boost also helps explain why the Ryzen 7 5800X3D has lower boost clocks, as it's possible that the higher Voltages are needed to hit the higher frequencies.

It will be interesting to see exactly how much of a performance improvement the cache brings to gaming cause a 5800X is officially $100 cheaper and typically be had for even less than that. And Intel gives you more performance in games as well so for 5800X3D to be worth it, the cache really needs to carry a lot.