Very informative video

The only issue with RDNA 2 was that it was too good.

The 7600 is made on the same node as the 6600, though (a slightly lower cell height, true, but still the same electrical properties).

I wanted to give you a link to a "mod" which provide new difficulties levels for Final Fantasy XIII-2: it's a game changer

Link : https://steamcommunity.com/app/292140/discussions/0/616198623983091167/

I played the game when I was very young and the difficulty suited me, in fact it's one of my ten favourite games. But now it's a bit easy on 'normal'. This Cheat Engine table allows you to fix this problem and make the game infinitely more challenging and so more interesting (unless you only want to play for the story of course). I've found a similar mod for Final Fantasy XV that I'll be trying out in the future.

"This mod makes it one of my favorite JRPG's easily." so this dude said: https://www.reddit.com/r/JRPG/comments/xlvd27/final_fantasy_xiii2_is_so_fun_with_the_difficulty/ju5syi5/?context=3

The more I think about it, the more it feels like RDNA is a repeat of GCN.

RX200/RDNA 2 = Topdown competition against Nvidia
FuryX/7900XTX = HBM miss-step/MCM miss-step
Polaris/RDNA4 (rumour) = Entry-mid range

Thanks for sharing the mod. It sounds perfect for both those that want to make it a real challenge and also to those that want a less demanding experience.

Thank you, it's really better that way.

I also tried for FFXV, same thing. I recommand to take the mod to unlock very fast other characters (and make them playable), here's the links

- To play with others characters from the beginning of the game : https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy15/mods/166

- Hard Mode : https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy15/mods/71?tab=description

Cheat Engine can be use as a great tool instead of cheating.

Slightly higher densities on N6 vs N7 though.

N6 has a transistor density of 114.2.
N7 has a transistor density of 91.2-96.5.

Real world improvement (Once you start to account for patterning etc') is about 18%.

Uses the same design rules so design porting is easier.

N6 does use EUVL which reduces the number of exposures for multi-patterning though.

The 6600 is built on a 237mm die verses the 7600's 204mm die, so it should be relatively cheap to manufacture... Shame the price doesn't reflect that.

It's denser because N6 has single-diffusion breaks between standard N7 logic features just like the upcoming N3, which allows for better cell height scaling. The logic itself should dissipate the same power, that's what I meant.

Although considering this now: since that might allow for better isolation, it could be that it consumes slightly less power overall so that the IPC gains of RDNA3 are a net zero...

Anyone want news? I've got some here:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Baldur's Gate 3 smashes 500,000 concurrent users on Steam
https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-smashes-500000-concurrent-users-on-steam/
I knew Baldur's Gate 3 was going to be big, but I didn't think it was going to be this big: In its second day of release, Larian's epic D&D RPG has surpassed 500,000 concurrent players on Steam.
That's not enough to put it atop the Steam chart, which is immutably dominated by Counter-Strike: Global offensive, a game that routinely has well over 1 million people playing at any given time. But it does put it within spitting distance of the perennial runner-up, Dota 2, and well past other heavyweights like PUBG, Apex Legends, Naraka: Bladepoint, and Grand Theft Auto 5.

The Metal Gear series has sold 60 million copies
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-metal-gear-series-has-sold-60-million-copies/
Konami recently published a corporate update on its digital entertainment business, which is predictably dry reading—the company is "Creating New User Experiences" and "Focusing on Further Expansion and Stimulation of esports" and I'm already overdosing on buzzwords. There's one interesting titbit, however. Since its launch in July of 1987, the Metal Gear series has achieved 60 million total cumulative sales.

GOG has three new Deals of the Day and two new sales:

• These are the three Deals of the Day, available until Wednesday:
  • The first one is Necromunda: Hired Gun, 65% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/necromunda_hired_gun
  • The Curse of Monkey Island also gets a 65% deal: https://www.gog.com/en/game/the_curse_of_monkey_island
  • The third, and last DotD is Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Collection, 80% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/jazz_jackrabbit_2_collection
• The new Weekly Sale brings up to 90% discounts during 7 days: https://www.gog.com/en/promo/20230807_weekly_sale
• And the Simulated Reality Sale offers up to 90% discounts on city builders and simulation games during the next 7 days: https://www.gog.com/en/promo/2023_simulated_reality

There are two new deals at Humble:

• Humble Bundle has the Jackbox Jukebox: Playing the Odds Bundle, with up to 8 games to get during 11 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/jackbox-jukebox-playing-odds
• The Humble Store features the Run & Jump Sale, with up to 90% discounts during 4 days. The keys are for Steam or as a direct download: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/run-jump-sale

Fanatical has launched its Summer Sale, and some "new" bundles:

• The Batman: Arkham Collection gets an 86% discount during the next 7 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/batman-arkham-collection
• Rimworld with all expansions will be 20% off during 13 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/rimworld-with-all-expansions
• The Jackbox Quintpack gets a 40% discount during 13 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/the-jackbox-quintpack
• And the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Complete Bundle is going to be 79% off during the same 13 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/stalker-complete-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

This GTA 5 Mod restores all the songs that were cut from the game
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/this-gta-5-mod-restores-all-the-songs-that-were-cut-from-the-game/
Modder ‘girlsonfilm’ has released a must-have mod for GTA 5 that restores all the songs that were cut from it. This mod adds more than 100 songs, so make sure to download it as it can significantly improve your in-game experience.
Now what’s cool here is that this mod does not replace any existing music stations or tracks. Instead, it adds more free content to the game. Furthermore, the mod features a fan’s interpretation of what the cut P.M.R station from GTA V could’ve entailed.
Pre-Millennium Radio is an unequivocal celebration of the A and B-sides of 90s rock, featuring a lengthy but uncompromising 76-song tracklist. P.M.R is an eclectic mix of alternative rock, grunge, britpop, industrial rock, shoegaze, baggy, rap rock, post-hardcore, nu-metal, indie, pop rock, dream pop, math rock, pop/skate punk, slacker rock and hard rock.
>> The article has two videos to hear some of the songs, and the Nexus Mod page lists all the new songs that the mod adds to the game.

New 21GB AI-enhanced 4K Texture Pack for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/new-21gb-ai-enhanced-4k-texture-pack-for-the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion/
Modder ‘Bobobass84’ has released a new AI-enhanced 4K mod that improves all the textures for The Elder Scrolls V: Oblivion. This pack is around 7.8GB in its zipped file and will require 21GB of free hard-disk space when unpacked.
As the title suggests, the modder has used AI techniques in order to enhance all of the game’s textures by four times. This package contains almost all textures for the main game and all its DLCs. And while Bobobass84 has not shared any comparison screenshots or videos, he did share the following modded screenshots.
>> The article has some screenshots.

Here’s the original Tomb Raider with RTX Remix Path Tracing
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/heres-the-original-tomb-raider-with-rtx-remix-path-tracing/
YouTube’s ‘Dominus Aurate’ has shared a video, showcasing a WIP RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod for the original Tomb Raider game. This video can give you a glimpse at the graphical improvements that RTX Remix can bring to old classic titles.
Tomb Raider came out in 1996 on 32-bit consoles (Playstation and Saturn) and PC. It was the game that made Lara Croft a household name in the industry.
By using RTX Remix, Aurate was able to significantly improve the graphics of this old PC game. In a way, this RTX Remix Mod reminded me of the good old 3DFX patches. Voodoo and Voodoo 2 were able to blow us away with the visuals they could produce back in the 90s. Ah, the memories of 3DFX and GLIDE.
>> The article has two videos.

Elden Ring Convergence Mod V1.3 is available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/elden-ring-convergence-mod-v1-3-is-available-for-download/
The modding team behind the amazing Convergence Mod for Elden Ring has just released a brand new version of it. Additionally, the team has shared the complete changelog/release notes of this new version that you can find below.
For those unaware, Elden Ring Convergence Mod adds dozens of new weapons and hundreds of new spells. Furthermore, it extensively revamps areas and maps, improves the game’s visuals, and brings new enemies and bosses. In short, this mod will feel like an unofficial DLC.
Version 1.3 of the Elden Ring Convergence Mod uses a separate location for its save data. According to the devs, this will help protect the integrity of vanilla save files and help prevent players from being banned from online play.
>> There's a 29 seconds video (trailer?) of the mod.

Elden Ring Resurrection is another gameplay overhaul mod, available now for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/elden-ring-resurrection-is-another-gameplay-overhaul-mod-available-now-for-download/
Modder ‘Valthryn’ has shared another gameplay overhaul mod for FromSoftware’s fantasy action RPG, called Elden Ring Resurrection. This mod, alongside the Convergence Mod, is best suited for your second playthrough as it can completely change the way you play the game.
According to the modder, Elden Ring Resurrection is a carefully revised gameplay experience for Elden Ring, featuring changes and improvements to gameplay systems, gear progression, animations, camera behavior, and more. Moreover, it comes with entirely new gameplay mechanics and an optional custom camera.
Going into slightly more details, Elden Ring Resurrection improves deflection mechanics, particularly on small shields and weapons. Furthermore, it introduces significant balance adjustments to all player combat animations (weapon movesets, casting movesets and weapon skills). Players can also expect new unique armor effects to all clothing and armor sets, ranging from simple stat increases to complex effects that get stronger as you fight.
It’s also worth noting that this mod adjusts boss fight mechanics, adjusts/tweaks enemy scaling game-wide, and improves consumables. And yes, the mod also packs a number of tweaks and adjustments to the game’s magic system.
>> The article has no screenshots nor videos.

Baldur's Gate 3's first background mod lets you play a character that was trapped in a goat's body for a decade
https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3s-first-background-mod-lets-you-play-a-character-that-was-trapped-in-a-goats-body-for-a-decade/
It's tradition at every TTRPG table to have that one player who rocks up with an absurd backstory: "My bard was raised by mimes in the woods", "my entire family died to a rogue bee swarm", "it's my goal to execute the Forgotten Realm's sickest backflip", that sort of thing.
You can continue this time-honoured tradition in Baldur's Gate 3 with its first full release-compatible background mod, the poetically named "was a goat for ten years", granting it its rightful place next to the pedestrian vanilla background options of "Urchin" or "Soldier".
Granted, plenty of similar mods made their way into the Early Access, but this is the first stand-out mod after the game released yesterday.
>> There's one screenshot.

Increase your Baldur's Gate 3 party size to 8 characters with this mod
https://www.pcgamer.com/increase-your-baldurs-gate-3-party-size-to-8-characters-with-this-mod/
Three's a crowd but four's a party, as they saying goes. But is four really a party? Four might be fine for a dinner, a card game, or a wife swap, but if you want to have a real party you've gotta invite more people over.
In Baldur's Gate 3 you can have a total of four characters at a time in your party, but deciding who stays behind at camp while you go running around the world can be tough. Now there's a mod that changes that restrictive party limit.
The Party Limit Begone mod lets you have up to eight adventurers in your party instead of just four. I've tested it and it definitely works, and it's also a breeze to install. Just download the mod (you'll need a free Nexus Mods account if you don't have one) and extract the folder into your Baldur's Gate 3 data folder typically found at steamappscommonBaldurs Gate 3Data
And that's really it. Start the game and the launcher will warn you that it's detected you're using a mod, but proceed and launch it. Once you're in the game, start by dismissing one of your companions to camp. Then you can start adding characters to your party (including whoever you dismissed). Now your party will max out at eight instead of four. If you don't have seven companions yet, don't forget you can have Withers provide you with hirelings and add them to your crew.
>> There are no screenshots nor videos about this mod.

GAMING NEWS

STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY Remake will use Denuvo, PC requirements revealed
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/star-ocean-the-second-story-remake-will-use-denuvo-pc-requirements-revealed/
Square Enix has revealed the official PC system requirements for STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY Remake via its Steam store page. Moreover, the publisher confirmed that this upcoming remake of STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY will be using the Denuvo anti-tamper tech.

Baldur’s Gate 3 gets its first patch/hotfix, addressing numerous bugs, crashes and visual issues
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/baldurs-gate-3-gets-its-first-patch-hotfix-addressing-numerous-bugs-crashes-and-visual-issues/
Larian Studios has just released the first patch/hotfix for its latest story-rich, party-based RPG, Baldur’s Gate 3. According to the team, this first update addresses a number of crashes, numerous bugs, and resolves some graphical/visual issues.

Remnant 2 August 4th Update is 3GB, packs optimization improvements, full patch notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/remnant-2-august-4th-update-is-3gb-packs-optimization-improvements-full-patch-notes/
Gunfire Games has released the first patch for its third-person action-survival shooter, Remnant 2, which packs optimization improvements.

Respawn focuses on making more money instead of improving the performance of Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/respawn-focuses-on-generating-more-money-instead-of-improving-the-performance-of-star-wars-jedi-survivor/
During its latest earnings briefing, Electronic Arts revealed that Respawn is currently focusing on porting Star Wars: Jedi Survivor to old-gen consoles instead of improving its performance and optimization on current-gen platforms. Yeap, instead of fixing and improving the current-gen version, Respawn has decided to milk the cow as much as possible.
>> Disappointing but, considering it's EA, not surprising.

Garou 2 is now called Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, gets first in-engine trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/garou-2-is-now-called-fatal-fury-city-of-the-wolves-gets-first-in-engine-trailer/
SNK has just revealed that Garou 2 will be now called Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Additionally, the company shared the first in-engine trailer for this upcoming fighting game that you can find below.