In other news... So apperently, the VRM heatsinks on the x299 platform are beyond horrible

God the more I hear about x299, the more I am glad that I went with Ryzen instead of waiting. You know, it's kinda funny. When Amd announced Zen, most people including me really thought, well, whats the worst they could do? At best, their IPC will be with Haswell/Broadwell, their 8 cores would probably be around the price range of 6900k with $100-$300 off and Intel probably has something in the works that will stop the hype train anyway.

Instead what we got is Amd having zomg worthy price with really good performance across the board and intel not only taking the shit but eating it too. How can a company that has been so dominant keep goofing this hard? They had time to prepare for Ryzen and this is what they came up with? Jesus Christ... From Bad marketing, to high tdp, to high temps, to wtf decisions like putting fucking quad core i5s and i7s on their HEDT platform to now shit vrm heatsinks. Granted vrm heatsinks is probably more of a manufacture issue but how the shit does all manufacture have similar vrm cooling issue on x299? He tested top of the line x299 boards from every manufacturer and they all had a similar problem! Like wtf?

Can't believe I am saying this after the FX line but thank god I went Amd. I really hope when Intel's next gen consumer line comes out, they get their act together cause this is just facepalm worthy.

It's probably because their both reaching the limits of extracting anymore scalar ILP without having to seriously impact the balance between die size and clocks ... 

If Skylake-X is a sign of things to come then that's probably as good as it's going to get for x86 cores for both AMD and Intel since it's a new microachitecture compared Skylake-S and it doesn't have any performance improvements ... 

You make it sound like it's impossible for an underdog like AMD to catch up to the likes of Intel but that's not true when one reaches a stride and that's exactly what happened to Intel since AMD took their time to stop goofing around and start reverse engineering their competitors microachitecture ... 

I still think AMD goofs around too much with the future since they are banking way too hard on DX12 to save their behinds at the graphics side ... 

Well, it looks like Intel got caught with their pants down, and by pushing the X299 platform launch two months earlier, they screwed their AIB partners.

But it could also be that manufacturers are more focused on aesthetics than functionality, and the VRM heatsinks were designed with LEDs and looks in mind rather than cooling.

So, it seems like Vega is possibly going to... not be good at all.

The CPU prospects look promising to AMD, but the RTG should get their stuff straight and stop fooling around, since it seems like their architecture can't scale beyond 44 CUs or so. They should be done already with GCN to begin with, it was a better architecture than Kepler, but that was it. Maxwell should have been reverse engineered at least a year ago.

AMD should have bought Nvidia instead of ATI as they originally considered, even if it meant Intel would have bought ATI instead to make their integrated GPUs (which is often alleged, but I don't think it would happen).

Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Inquisition are some of my favorite games of all time. This pleases me greatly in places that should not be mentioned in the public domain.

You would hope so. But it's still not a true 7nm process. :P

Well the deal was for 14nm plus it's vcariations like LPC, LPP etc'.

No reason why they couldn't expand on that at a later date if they need to. If.
Also I think Global Foundries also has a few deals with IBM for patents anyway? I would assume the same holds true with their Samsung connections.

Intel still has an edge in transistor technology though and is still a few years ahead of it's competitors.
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/246902-intel-claims-three-year-advantage-10nm-process-wants-change-define-process-nodes

Intel 14nm process is actually a 14nm process. Samsung's isn't. Intels 10nm process will actually be a 10nm process, Samsung's isn't.

https://www.extremetech.com/computing/249075-foundry-futures-tsmc-samsung-globalfoundries-intel-gear-7nm-beyond




As for EUV, while it's great to hope for it... At the moment it's still fairly expensive to implement (More so than multi-patterning approaches it seems). Right now Samsung seems to plan for it's introduction with it's CLN7FF+  process in 2019-2020.

Intel might introduce it much later at 5nm.

As for Investment. Intel is still competitive with Samsung on that Front. So to counter Samsungs $7 billion dollar investment... I give you Intels $7 billion dollar investment. :P
http://www.pcgamer.com/intel-is-pouring-7-billion-into-7nm-chip-production-plant-in-arizona/

Intel is also opening up it's fabs for select 3rd partys as well.
https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/16/12507568/intel-arm-mobile-chips-licensing-deal-idf-2016
http://www.pcworld.com/article/209573/article.html

So that should help drive some additional investment for Intel.

Hence the "Caveats".

Still. If there is a demand/need that process can be improved upon for high-end, power hungry chip designs.
But even that 12nm process isn't a real 12nm process anyway.

I don't know about you, but I am tired of all the bullshit "nm" marketing angles that TSMC, Samsung, Global Foundries and IBM use. It gives people the incorrect idea.

Vega needed to launch 12 months ago...

Pretty much!

To be honest. It's turning me off from upgrading as well, x299 was going to be when I finally switched over to DDR4.
The x79 and x99 platforms were stupidly solid as well.

This. All the low hanging fruit has been picked... So we are at an impasse now... And chips are starting to go wider. Slowly.
It's the software that needs to catch up.

AMD doesn't have a graphics side. They aren't even really competing against nVidia right now.
Vega will help bridge the performance gap... But that was needed 12 months ago.

Vega needed to more than double Fury X's performance to be a sound winner, that's a hard task when AMD didn't increase the amount of pipelines in their design, so most of their gains comes from efficiency gains and clocks.

Hopefully Navi brings the goods.


*********************

Ryzen PRO has arrived.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/11591/amd-launches-ryzen-pro-cpus-enhanced-security-longer-warranty-better-quality

Basically "higher quality" silicon, Longer Warranty, Enhanced Security.

Interested to see if they can push over that 4ghz barrier.

Time for more news:

SALES & "SALES"/DEALS

329,970 copies of Rust have been refunded on Steam, totaling $4.3 million
http://www.pcgamer.com/329970-copies-of-rust-have-been-refunded-on-steam-totaling-43-million/
Garry Newman of Facepunch Studios, developer of Rust, reported on Twitter today that 329,970 copies of the Early Access survival game have been refunded on Steam. According to Newman (in another tweet), that comes to around 6% of all copies sold. (Extrapolating from that, it appears Steamspy's estimation of 5,509,983 Rust owners is pretty close to the mark.) In terms of dollars, those refunds total an eyebrow raising $4.3 million USD.

Gaijin’s action MMOG, Crossout, has passed three million players in less than a month
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/gaijins-action-mmog-crossout-has-passed-three-million-players-in-less-than-a-month/
Targem Games and Gaijin Entertainment announced that their action MMOG Crossout has kicked off with a landslide launch, attracting more than three million players in less than a month since going public. Players from all over the world have already spent millions of combined hours crafting, fighting, racing and trading in-game.

SOFTWARE

G2A will soon require key sellers to provide their name and address to buyers
http://www.pcgamer.com/g2a-update-means-key-sellers-must-provide-their-name-and-address-to-buyers/
G2A is making changes to its marketplace that will require game key resellers to provide detailed information to their customers, including full names and addresses. The site said the changes, set to take place on July 1, will "give more transparency to buyers and more control to sellers."

MODS/EMULATORS

343 Industries gives Installation 01 team its blessing
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/343-industries-gives-installation-01-team-its-blessing/
As you may already know, Installation 01 is a fan-made game created by Halo fans from all over the world, aiming to be both an artistic tribute to Halo and a fun way to experience Halo on PC, Mac and Linux free. The team behind it has created all of the game’s assets from scratch and it appears that 343 Industries has given its blessing to the team.

This Skyrim mod brings Bloodborne to Tamriel
http://www.pcgamer.com/this-skyrim-mod-brings-bloodborne-to-tamriel/
After stumbling over its awful pre-modded PC port in 2012, the Dark Souls series has gone on to become one of the most revered on our platform of choice—well deserved of its silver medal placing in The PC Gamer Top 100. Its console cousin Bloodborne, however, remains a PS4-exclusive to this day which is a right shame because it's, ahem, bloody brilliant.
Japanese modder Vicn seemingly thinks so too and has spent the last year working on Glenmoril—a gorgeous Skyrim mod that aims to transport Yharnam to Tamriel with quests, weapons and armour sets inspired by From Software's beautiful gothic nightmarescape.

GAMING NEWS

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands – Update 5 is now available, weights over 7GB, full release notes
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/tom-clancys-ghost-recon-wildlands-update-5-7gb-release-notes/
Ubisoft has just released a new patch for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands. According to the release notes, this patch enables the reason for detection to be displayed above the mini-map, and fixes numerous bugs that have been reported.

Bluehole wants to offer cross-play between Xbox One and PC in Playerunknown’s Battleground
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/bluehole-cross-play-between-xbox-one-pc-playerunknowns-battleground/
At E3 2017, Bluehole Studios announced that it will be bringing its battle royale game, Playerunknown’s Battleground, on Xbox One. And from the looks of it, the team is looking into enabling cross-play between the Xbox One and PC users.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel releases on Steam next month, PC system requirements
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-of-cold-steel-steam-next-month-pc-system-requirements/
XSEED Games has revealed – via The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel’s Steam store page – that the game will be released next month. In addition, the team has also revealed the official PC requirements for it.

Here is 12 minutes of gameplay footage from the E3 2017 build of The Swords of Ditto
http://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/12-minutes-gameplay-footage-e3-2017-build-the-swords-of-ditto/
Devolver Digital has shared a new video, showing 12 minutes of gameplay footage from the E3 2017 build of The Swords of Ditto. The Swords of Ditto is described as a compact action RPG that creates a unique adventure for each new hero of legend in the relentless fight against the evil Mormo. Players will explore a delightful but dangerous overworld, brave menacing dungeons, and improve your hero in a charming village, during your quest to overcome the evil that plagues the island.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 – Closed Alpha Gameplay Footage Emerges
http://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/star-wars-battlefront-2-closed-alpha-gameplay-footage-emerges/
DICE and Electronic Arts have kicked off the closed alpha phase for Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and while there is an NDA, some YouTubers have already shared videos showing the game in action. This closed alpha phase appears to be featuring the same map that was shown at this year’s E3 event. In addition, it has been revealed that the game will feature loot crates and Star cards.

Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon releases on October 24th
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/nights-of-azure-2-bride-of-the-new-moon-releases-on-october-24th/
KOEI Tecmo has announced that the standalone sequel to the gothic fairy tale action RPG from developer GUST Studios, Nights of Azure, is headed to western shores as Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon on October 24th. In order to celebrate this announcement, KOEI Tecmo released a new trailer that can be viewed below.

Bioware will showcase new gameplay footage for Anthem at this year’s Gamescom
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/bioware-will-showcase-new-gameplay-footage-for-anthem-at-this-years-gamescom/
Anthem was easily one of the most impressive games at this year’s E3. And according to Arekkz Gaming, Bioware will showcase some new gameplay footage from this upcoming Destiny-like game at Gamescom 2017.

Part two of Thursday's news:

Rocket League to add Rick and Morty next week
http://www.pcgamer.com/rocket-league-to-add-rick-and-morty-next-week/
Having appeared as mods in Grand Theft Auto 5 and Dark Souls of late, Rick and Morty are now heading to Rocket League in an official capacity.
As part of its second year anniversary update, Adult Swim's perma-burping eccentric scientist and unassuming grandson duo will be available as free customisation items ("with friends in tow") as of next Wednesday, July 5.

Monster Hunter: World delayed release on PC is 'just a resources and manpower issue'
http://www.pcgamer.com/monster-hunter-world-delayed-release-on-pc-is-just-a-resources-and-manpower-issue/
A PC release of Monster Hunter: World was announced earlier this month at E3, as was the somewhat less exciting news that the PC version won't be out until sometime after the console releases. That's not because Capcom views the PC as a secondary platform, however, or piracy worries or a platform exclusivity deal. As producer Ryozo Tsujimoto told VG247, the simple fact is that they just don't have enough people to do it all at once.

Walden, the Henry David Thoreau survival game, comes out on July 4
http://www.pcgamer.com/walden-the-henry-david-thoreau-survival-game-comes-out-on-july-4/
Walden, as Chris told us last week, is a unique take on the survival genre. Instead of monsters or zombies, you are Henry David Thoreau, and you've decided to "live deliberately" in the mid-19th century woods around Walden Pond. At the time, developer USC Gaming Innovation Lab said it was aiming to go from early access to full release sometime in July, and so it will be: It announced today that the full release will take place on America's freedom day, July 4.

For Honor ranked tournament public testing begins tomorrow
http://www.pcgamer.com/for-honor-ranked-tournament-public-testing-begins-tomorrow/
Ubisoft said in February that ranked play would be added to its faux-medieval duel simulator For Honor later this year, and tomorrow—June 29—it will take a big step toward making it happen with the start of the first public test for Duel Tournaments. The test is PC-exclusive and you need to have played the game prior to 5 pm PT on June 22, but aside from those restrictions it's open to anyone who wants to take part.

Warframe 'Chains of Harrow' update adds multi-powered priest, horror film-like quest
http://www.pcgamer.com/warframe-chains-of-harrow-update-adds-multi-powered-priest-horror-film-like-quest/
Earlier this month, Tom teased some then never before seen screenshots of Warframe's completely revamped Earth maps. They've now arrived as part of the free-to-play shooter's latest 'Chains of Harrow' update, which also brings with it a new lore-based quest, new weapons, and a neat Void power-harnessing priest playable character, among a host of other things.

Star Wars Battlefront 2 outlines how its crates and crafting systems work
http://www.pcgamer.com/star-wars-battlefront-2-outlines-how-its-crates-and-crafting-systems-work/
What do we know so far about Star Wars Battlefront 2? Well, we know it probably won't have a season pass, that its classes aim to add depth to its team play, we know it's being written by Spec Ops: The Line's lead writer, and that it has lasers that kick and classes that matter. Now, we also know how its crates, crafting and progression system works, courtesy of the latest Star Wars HQ video.

Hearthstone's infuriating Rogue Quest is getting nerfed
http://www.pcgamer.com/hearthstones-infuriating-rogue-quest-is-getting-nerfed/
Blizzard has announced that The Caverns Below, which is the legendary card card which Quest Rogue is built around, is getting nerfed. Whereas previously you had to play four minions with the same name in order to complete the Quest and get the payoff, after the balance patch you’ll have to play five, which should slow the deck down slightly.

Destiny 2 named Best PC Game in Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2017 voting
http://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-named-best-pc-game-in-game-critics-awards-best-of-e3-2017-voting/
The winners of the Game Critics: Awards Best of E3 2017 have been announced, and the nod for the Best PC Game has gone to Destiny 2—ironically, the sequel to a game that was never released for the PC. Somewhat surprisingly, it was also the only category that Destiny 2 claimed, as the Best Online Multiplayer award was handed to Star Wars Battlefront 2.

managed to get C&C 3 running at 60fps, though I had to turn down the game speed by 50% since running at 60fps means triple the game's speed.

And is the result worth of all the troubles to make run at 60fps?

You mean was it worth it for tweaking a patch file?, yeah I'd say it was

Really all I did was download the patch file that was linked in the tutorial video, he already had it set to unlock the fps, all I had to do was replace the existing 1.9 file and set the gamespeed to half. It really wasn't much of an issue. I feel it's within the same line as editing a config file, not much of a hassle compared to say, modding Skyrim and getting mods to play nice.

The animations look smoother, there isn't that much jutter when things get cluttered.

I also edited Generals ZH config file to give me my 1920x1080 res and also zooming the camera out further, my only issue is trying to solve the lag issue on the bigger maps when you're 15 mins into a game.

EA could really do with remastering/remaking the old C&C games, giving them higher res and texture support. They don't need a massive team to work on those old games either compared to what they had to do to make and then cancel Generals 2.