Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, Ultra 7 265K and Ultra 5 245K Review Roundup

https://videocardz.com/188838/intel-core-ultra-9-285k-ultra-7-265k-and-ultra-5-245k-review-roundup

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel-core-ultra-9-285k/18.html

Absolute disaster

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D official performance leak: 8% better at gaming, 15% in multi-threaded apps vs. 7800X3D

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-official-performance-leak-8-better-at-gaming-15-in-multi-threaded-apps-vs-7800x3d

Way better than Intels new CPU but boy, both CPU manufacturers are trying their hardest to prevent people from upgrading.

Microsoft DirectSR gains AMD FSR 3.1 upscaling support

https://videocardz.com/pixel/microsoft-directsr-gains-amd-fsr-3-1-upscaling-support

I remember when MS originally showcased DirectML and we all thought that maybe they will have Ai upscaling for everyone... Come on MS, at the very least, you should be able to make a competitor to DLSS.

NVIDIA CEO Says Blackwell “Design Flaws” Were 100% On The Company, TSMC Had No Part To Play & Now Back To Full Production

https://wccftech.com/nvidia-ceo-confirms-blackwell-design-flaws-tsmc-had-no-part-to-play-now-resolved/

Nvidia admitting fault? Are pigs finally flying?

The mental gymnastics on videocardz.

Intel is truly is a rough position. Their consumer cpus suck. Their Ai datacenter projects have been a failure. They got outbid by AMD for the next gen consoles. Their GPU experiment was a failure. AMD is dominating the PC handheld space. No big players are even bothering with their nodes. They are on their way to becoming a penny stock like AMD once upon a time was. They gonna need a miracle if they want to stay afloat.

Well, at least Qualcomm has problems of its own, so desktop x86 PCs may be safe for a while longer.

AMD probably had a good idea of these numbers beforehand, hence why Zen 5 was released as-is with a focus on efficiency only. No competition on the horizon except maybe on that regard.

Sounds like I don't need to replace my CPU anytime soon.

I was expecting Intel to have better efficiency with a slight hit to performance. The efficiency, while better, still isn't great. The performance is a disaster. Seeing Arrow Lake lose to Zen 3 and Alder Lake in some of the tests is insane. Not previous gen architectures, chips from two gens ago. Arrow Lake wasn't ready to launch. I thought Zen 5 was bad in that regard but reviewers getting BSOD while doing fresh Windows installs for Arrow Lake... Damn!

It’s time for the Friday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

The Humble Store has two new sales:

• The Humble Halloween Fest 2024 is now live with games up to 95% off during7 days: https://es.humblebundle.com/store/promo/humble-halloween-fest-2024/
• The Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise is on sale with up to 75% discounts during 13 days: https://es.humblebundle.com/store/promo/like-a-dragon-sale/

Fanatical has three new deals (or not, you’ll see):

• The new Star Deal is Remnant II - Ultimate Edition, 58% off during … well, the counter says 53 minutes, but that can’t be right: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/remnant-ii-ultimate-edition
• NIS America puts its games on sale… or that’ what the banner says. Becaus eI can’t see a single game on sale. Anyway, you may have better luck later: https://www.fanatical.com/en/publishers/nis-america-inc
• And the Prestige Collection - Build your own Bundle: Thriller Edition has 16 games to choose for your 2+, 3+ or 5+ game bundles: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/prestige-collection-thriller-edition-build-your-own-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

INTEL Arc Graphics 32.0.101.6129/6045 driver
https://videocardz.com/driver/intel-arc-graphics-32-0-101-6129-6045

Highlights
Launch driver for Intel® Core™ Ultra 200S Series with Intel® Graphics. Support for:

• Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processor 245K (24M Cache, up to 5.20 Ghz)
• Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processor 245KF (24M Cache, up to 5.20 Ghz)
• Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 265K (30M Cache, up to 5.50 Ghz)
• Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 265KF (30M Cache, up to 5.50 Ghz)
• Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 285K (36M Cache, up to 5.70 Ghz)

Gaming Highlights:
Intel® Game On Driver support on Intel® Arc™ A-series Graphics GPUs and Intel® Core™ Ultra with built-in Intel® Arc™ GPUs for:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Game performance improvements on Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 1 with built-in Intel® Arc™ GPUs versus Intel® 31.0.101.6127 software driver for:

• Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred (DX12)
  • Up to 11% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Medium settings 

Fixed Issues
Intel® Arc™ A-Series Graphics Products:

• Blender may experience application crash while rendering certain benchmark scenes.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

God of War Mod for GTA 5 Has Been Released to Everyone
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/god-of-war-mod-for-gta-5-has-been-released-to-everyone/
In March 2024, we informed you about a God of War Mod for Grand Theft Auto 5. And today, we are happy to report that this mod is available to everyone. This is a really cool mod so make sure to download it.
To create this mod, JulioNIB took inspiration from GoW 3. The modder has implemented custom moves that were heavily inspired by those Kratos had in the original game.
In short, this mod will allow you to play and wreak havoc as Kratos. This mod is just for fun. It’s not meant to make GTA5 look like God of War. Regardless of that, what the modder has managed to achieve here is pretty incredible.
>> There’s an over 2 minutes video of the mod.

Metaphor: ReFantazio just got a must-have 4K Texture Pack
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/metaphor-refantazio-just-got-a-must-have-4k-texture-pack/
Metaphor: ReFantazio fans, here is something for you today. Modder ‘1vierrock’ has released a must-have 4K Texture Pack for this latest turn-based RPG.
The vanilla version of Metaphor: ReFantazio used some truly awful textures. That was a shame because the game’s art style is amazing. And, thanks to this 4K Texture Pack, you will be able to enjoy the game on the PC.
From what I can see, the modder has used AI tools to upscale the original textures. As such, the new modded ones retain the art style of the game. They also look way sharper than the original textures. So, this is a no-brainer. If you’re playing this RPG, you need to use this 4K Texture Pack.
>> The article has some comparison screenshots.

Baldur's Gate 3 holds up shockingly well in first person—so well, in fact, that Larian head Swen Vincke's been gobsmacked by his own game: 'Just look at it'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/baldurs-gate/baldurs-gate-3-holds-up-shockingly-well-in-first-person-so-well-in-fact-that-larian-head-swen-vinckes-been-gobsmacked-by-his-own-game-just-look-at-it/
Baldur's Gate 3 has, in spirit, carried on the tradition of mainstream isometric RPGs. Sure, there've been the Pillars of Eternity games—solid CRPGS in their own right—but even Obsidian's doing a pseudo-Skyrim, now, no matter how much it's saying otherwise. Meanwhile, Dragon Age has been getting more and more action RPG with each entry. The top-down flame has been held aloft by Larian & Co alone.
But what if the studio had erred? What if Larian had seen Skyrim and said: "Bet we could do that better"? What if, in some alternate universe, Baldur's Gate 3 was first-person? That's exactly the kind of question asked and answered by Proxy Gate Tactician, a harebrained challenge runner who strapped over six mods together to produce a first-person Baldur's Gate 3 (thanks, Gamesradar).
(...)
The effort even surprised Larian co-founder and game director Swen Vincke, who took to X to praise it: "Now I want to play this—just look at it," writes a man who—pound for pound—has probably looked at this game more than any of us. That's an impressive gold star for your modding efforts.
>> The result isn’t perfect, as the article explains, but it’s impressive. The’re an over 20 minutes video in the article and, in its description, there are the mods used for it, in case you want to give it a go.

Inspired modder makes Fruit Ninja but it's a Counter-Strike 2 aim trainer
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/inspired-modder-makes-fruit-ninja-but-its-a-counter-strike-2-aim-trainer/
One of the earlier smartphone smash hits was Halfbrick's Fruit Ninja, released in 2010. It had that magic combination of simplicity alongside an irresistible difficulty ramp: Not to mention, slicing pieces of fruit with a virtual blade is just incredibly satisfying. Turns out, blowing them away with an AK-47 works, too.
Modder Lillykyu and artist Ethurs have brought Fruit Ninja to Counter-Strike 2, turning it into an aim trainer for the greatest competitive FPS on the planet. Available now in the Steam workshop, the Fruit Ninja aim trainer offers three modes, a variety of fruit, and naturally manages to incorporate the bomb.
>> There’s an embedded tweet with a video of the mod.

GAMING NEWS

The Thing: Remastered gets PC requirements & gameplay trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-thing-remastered-gets-pc-requirements-gameplay-trailer/
Nightdive Studios has revealed the official PC system requirements for The Thing: Remastered. Moreover, the team also shared its first gameplay trailer which you can find below.

Friday news, part two:

Blizzard announces Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, teases that you won't want to miss 'a single surprise'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/world-of-warcraft/blizzard-announces-warcraft-30th-anniversary-direct-teases-that-you-wont-want-to-miss-a-single-surprise/
Blizzard has announced Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, a livestream "special presentation celebrating 30 years of Warcraft and a look ahead at what’s next." The stream will apparently nod to everything from Warcraft: Orcs and Humans to the recent Warcraft Rumble, with both Hearthstone and World of Warcraft also featured.

What's the best way to deal with an army of the dead? Send some Cajun toads after them, of course
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/whats-the-best-way-to-deal-with-an-army-of-the-dead-send-some-cajun-toads-after-them-of-course/
Steam Next Fest is over, but a bunch of demos are still hanging around for one last round in the spotlight. If deckbuilding, tactical close combat and whimsical Cajun toads fighting an army of the dead are your thing, then you should probably carve out some time for Toads of the Bayou.

Dead Island is getting a new co-op horde mode: 'It's pure survival, and it's not for the faint of heart'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/dead-island-is-getting-a-new-co-op-horde-mode-its-pure-survival-and-its-not-for-the-faint-of-heart/
Alongside the Dead Island 2 Ultimate Edition announced a couple of days ago, which comes with both story expansions and some new stuff, Dambuster Studios has announced that a "massive, beastly" free patch will also introduce a new horde mode for everybody.

Overthrown is another cozy city builder, but this time you're a killer queen who can lift buildings and murder bandits
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/city-builder/overthrown-is-another-cozy-city-builder-but-this-time-youre-a-killer-queen-who-can-lift-buildings-and-murder-bandits/
The cozy city builder genre is almost as crowded as soft, easygoing farming sims right now, but Southeast Asian indie outfit Brimstone seems to think it's got the solution to spicing up the formula: slapstick cartoon violence.

The Sims 4 is adding—no, I'm not kidding—customizable grieving styles, the ability to finally bone the Grim Reaper, and changes ghost needs to important things like 'Goo Waste'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/the-sims-4-is-adding-no-im-not-kidding-customizable-grieving-styles-the-ability-to-finally-bone-the-grim-reaper-and-changes-ghost-needs-to-important-things-like-goo-waste/
Listen, I know The Sims 4 is meant to be a sim. It's right there in the name, after all. You can mold little virtual people to be as close or as far away from your real-life self as you want: Change their pronouns, romantic boundaries, walking style, life aspirations, likes, dislikes, the whole shebang really. The one thing I didn't quite expect to be customizable, though, is the way my Sims mourn someone.
That's changing with an upcoming base game update, which should be landing alongside new expansion Life and Death on October 31. According to the patch notes, Sims will now "react uniquely to others' deaths based on traits and relationships." So, uh, what exactly does that entail? Apparently, it can range from "sobbing for a loved one's passing to retching at a stranger's death."

Balatro adds new card backs from Stardew Valley, Cyberpunk 2077, Slay the Spire, and Binding of Isaac, and they're all free
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/card-games/balatro-adds-new-card-backs-from-stardew-valley-cyberpunk-2077-slay-the-spire-and-binding-of-isaac-and-theyre-all-free/
The Balatro party is getting bigger: Two months after surprising everyone by adding Geralt and Dave the Diver to the game in the Friends of Jimbo "collaboration pack," LocalThunk and Playstack have rolled out a new one with card art from Cyberpunk 2077, Slay the Spire, The Binding of Isaac, and Stardew Valley.

Overwatch 2 will return to 6v6 in 2 test modes next season, but Blizzard won’t keep them around if they don’t attract 'a surge of players’
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/overwatch-2-will-return-to-6v6-for-two-test-modes-next-season-but-blizzard-wont-keep-them-around-if-they-dont-attract-a-surge-of-players/
A decent chunk of Overwatch 2 players have been ranting and raving about the good ol’ days of 6v6 ever since the sequel opted for the new 5v5 format. Players are incredibly passionate about this issue, so much so that they managed to make Blizzard flinch and announce upcoming 6v6 playtests, which we now know more about.

Actually, 1890s Colorado is a reasonable place for the Scream guy to show up, says Hunt: Showdown developer: 'We believe the latest Ghost Face Rampage DLC fits into the dark, supernatural atmosphere'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/hunt-showdown-ghost-face-dlc-controversy-statement/
Crytek has responded to complaints about a new paid cosmetic in Hunt: Showdown 1896, saying that, actually, the mask from the Scream movies does fit into a supernatural monster-hunting game set in the 1890s.

Baldur's Gate 3 publishing chief calls out Ubisoft's 'broken strategy': If gamers need to get used to not owning games, 'developers must get used to not having jobs'
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/baldurs-gate-3-publishing-chief-calls-out-ubisofts-broken-strategy-if-gamers-need-to-get-used-to-not-owning-games-developers-must-get-used-to-not-having-jobs/
Larian director of publishing Michael Douse, never one to be shy about speaking his mind, has spoken his mind about Ubisoft's decision to disband the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown development team, saying it's the result of a "broken strategy" that prioritizes subscriptions over sales.
>> Shots fired.

'It is an affront to God': Fans react with horror and delight as Monster Hunter Wilds unveils its nastiest freak yet
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/it-is-an-affront-to-god-fans-react-with-horror-and-delight-as-monster-hunter-wilds-unveils-its-nastiest-freak-yet/
Monster Hunter is no stranger to outlandish creature designs. Many of the monsters we're sent to slaughter are majestic beauties, but the roster's also got its share of freaks. Standing beside the regal Teostra and imposing Zinogre are monsters like the Khezu: a flabby, drooling, lipped lamprey with wings, whose veined, rubbery flesh gains new dimensions of upsetting vascularity with every advancement of Capcom's graphics tech. But with its latest monster unveiling, Monster Hunter Wilds has set a new watermark for creature detestability. Behold the Rompopolo
>> It’s not a beauty, that’ for sure.

And today there’s also a third part of the news:

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's launch trailer brings a summer blockbuster vibe to BioWare's newest RPG
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/dragon-age-the-veilguards-launch-trailer-brings-a-summer-blockbuster-vibe-to-biowares-newest-rpg/
With just one week to go before the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Electronic Arts has dropped the official Dragon Age: The Veilguard launch trailer, an action-packed extravaganza of sound and fury signifying that a videogame will definitely be arriving soon.

Do you want to go to Boston? Because CD Projekt is looking for people to come to its studio to help test some new stuff
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/do-you-want-to-go-to-boston-because-cd-projekt-is-looking-for-people-to-come-to-its-studio-to-help-test-some-new-stuff/
CD Projekt is a Polish company but the runaway success of The Witcher and (eventually) Cyberpunk 2077 has seen it expand beyond those borders: Polaris, better known as The Witcher 4, is being developed in Warsaw, but Orion, the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, is being made in CD Projekt's Boston studio. The Witcher spinoff game, currently codenamed Sirius, is also being developed in Boston, at CD Projekt's Molasses Flood studio.
It only makes sense, then, that the studio has now opened its in-house playtesting program to gamers in North America—specifically Boston. If you live there, or are willing to travel (on your own dime), you can now sign up for a shot at an early glimpse of what CD Projekt has cooking.

Designing Silent Hill cost its original art director his love life: 'I never had any girlfriends, coz I had no time for it'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/designing-silent-hill-cost-its-original-art-director-his-love-life-i-never-had-any-girlfriends-coz-i-had-no-time-for-it/
Masahiro Ito is the legendary artist who worked on the original Silent Hill 1, 2, and 3 as art director—designing monsters in some of the most visually striking horror games of all time. But success comes at a price.

WoW stays true to form by dropping a $90 dinosaur mount during a controversial balance patch—and of course players are buying enough of them to gather in herds
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/world-of-warcraft/wow-stays-true-to-form-by-dropping-a-usd90-dinosaur-mount-during-a-controversial-balance-patch-and-of-course-players-are-buying-enough-of-them-to-gather-in-herds/
World of Warcraft's been making a lot of positive changes, recently—a more alt-friendly warband system, a bigger focus on character-driven story, and an overall ease-up on the grind. I mean, there still is a grind. This is World of Warcraft after all, but it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be. The future's looking bright, and—what's that? There's a $90 dinosaur mount? People are mad about balance patches? Ah, crud.

Destiny 2 players have spent the last week trying to prove that weapon perks are being weighted, and yeah, it turns out that 'Weightgate' might be real: 'We are now investigating a potential issue within our code'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/destiny-2-players-have-spent-the-last-week-trying-to-prove-that-weapon-perks-are-being-weighted-and-yeah-it-turns-out-that-weightgate-might-be-real-we-are-now-investigating-a-potential-issue-within-our-code/
Earlier this month, Bungie released Destiny 2's newest dungeon, Vesper's Host. It's a pretty good time—a fun reprisal of the some of the mechanics introduced in the Deep Stone Crypt raid, and with some unique boss encounters to boot. Good job all around, surely there won't be some major week-long drama off the back of it.
Reader, there has been major week-long drama off the back of it.

Silent Hill 2's new patch fixes its last patch in possible meta commentary on recursive horror
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/silent-hill-2s-new-patch-fixes-its-last-patch-in-possible-meta-commentary-on-recursive-horror/
Remember the Silent Hill 2 remake's 1.04 patch? The one that nerfed James' wide array of wizardly powers like matter-phasing and teleportation? Well, it turns out that in addition to severing our protagonist's connection to the arcane, it also severed some players' ability to, ah, complete Silent Hill 2. It introduced a bug that afflicted players who loaded a save in the Labyrinth area that would essentially block off further progression.
Which is not great. Fortunately, Bloober Team was pretty quick on the draw: The studio has released a new hotfix for the game just a few days later. Patch 1.05 is out now, and has "implemented a fix by adding a safeguard that forces proper activation of the necessary triggers" for anyone loading up a save in the Labyrinth, "ensuring smooth progression moving forward."

The Outlast Trials devs reveal more upcoming content for the end of the year after a 'cyber incident' set them back
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/the-outlast-trials-devs-reveal-more-upcoming-content-for-the-end-of-the-year-after-a-cyber-incident-set-them-back/
The Outlast Trials developers Red Barrels has announced its plans for the end of the year and the first part of 2025, even after a "cyber incident" that initially set the team back.

And here are the GOG and Steam deals for the weekend:

+GOG

• Let’s start with the Limited Time Offers, that will last 71 more hours:
  • Berserk Boy is 30% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/berserk_boy
  • Universe Sandbox, still in Early Access, gets a 33% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/universe_sandbox
  • D.I.G. - Deep In Galaxies will be 50% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/dig_deep_in_galaxies
  • Mary Skelter 2 has a 75% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/mary_skelter_2
  • The last one is The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day, 85% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/the_uncertain_last_quiet_day
• And the Daedalic Entertainment Publisher Sale features up to 90% discounts during 13 days: https://www.gog.com/en/promo/20241015_daedalic_publisher_sale

+Steam

• DAVE THE DIVER is going to be 30% off until October 31: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1868140/DAVE_THE_DIVER/
• The Forgive Me Father franchise is on sale with up to 55% discounts until October, the 31st: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/forgivemefatherfranchise
• Electronic Arts puts its last two rally games on sale, up to 90% off until the 31st: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/wrc-dirt-rally
• The Don’t Starve franchise is on sale featuring up to 75% discounts until the 4th of November: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/DontStarveFranchiseSale
• The Walking Dead franchise is on sale, up to 90% off until the 4th: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/twdsale2024
• Warner Bros puts its games on sale with up to 90% discounts until November 4: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/WarnerBros2024
• Fights in Tight Spaces is going to be 50% off until the 7th of November: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1265820/Fights_in_Tight_Spaces/
• And the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise is also on sale here with up to 70& discounts until November, the 7th: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/LikeADragonFranchiseSale2024

And that’s it. Until the next time, I wish you a happy and gaming weekend.