NVIDIA has released a new driver under version number 546.33, introducing support for The Finals and Fortnite Chapter 5. The focus of this new update is the support for DLSS 3 technology, designed to enhance the gaming experience in the latest games, including The Finals and Squad.
The driver update also includes support for DLAA and Reflex in The Finals, as well as an update for Squad. Additionally, it addresses issues such as muted colors in Discord during streaming and other minor bugs.
Users can download and install the update by going to the "Drivers" tab in GeForce Experience or visiting the official GeForce.com website. The driver update is expected to provide the best gaming experience for the latest gaming titles supporting DLSS 3 technology.
The future of memory standards looks promising as JEDEC has recently endorsed the new CAMM2 standard. While it's unclear if CAMM2 will completely replace traditional SO-DIMM designs by 2024, it offers key advantages that could be vital for industry progress. CAMM2 promises high memory speeds and is a more compact standard, making it ideal for modern devices.
The JEDC certification defines the standard as CAMM2, distributed into two models, one for DDR5 and the other for LPDDR5/5x. This expands the usability of CAMM2 across various devices and scenarios. Samsung and Micron have already announced plans to offer CAMM modules in various capacities and speeds, including modules up to 128 GB with speeds of 8533 MT/s, and even optimized versions with capacities over 192 GB and speeds of 9600 MT/s.
JEDEC's new CAMM2 standard brings significant benefits to the industry, including 128 GB memory modules, 8.5 Gbps speeds, and substantial space savings. However, despite its many advantages, CAMM has some drawbacks, such as the complexity of module replacement and upgrading, which could be costly.
Matthew Gallant from Naughty Dog highlights that new modes and features of CAMM2, like Lost Levels and the roguelike mode No Return, will add novelty and depth to the game. The CAMM2 memory standard, now officially published by JEDEC, offers capacities up to 128 GB, speeds up to 8.5 Gbps, and significant space savings.
In a striking advancement in the realm of computing, the Intel Core i5-14600 Non-K CPU has emerged as a noteworthy contender. Revelations from recent benchmark tests, specifically Cinebench R23 and CPU-Z, paint a picture of robust performance. The CPU impressively scored 1992 points in single-core and 22768 in multi-core tests under Maximum Turbo Power (MTP) conditions. These figures not only showcase the chip's capabilities but also hint at the potential that lies within the 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh series.
Delving deeper into the specifics, the AIDA64 Stability Test brought to light the Core i5-14600's power dynamics. With a maximum turbo power of 156.10 watts, it achieved a core clock of 4.8 GHz across all P-Cores and 3.9 GHz across all E-Cores, reaching a peak temperature of 81°C. This Non-K CPU, devoid of overclocking abilities, stands testament to Intel's strategic approach in balancing power and efficiency, a move that aligns with the broader industry trend towards sustainable high-performance computing.
At the heart of the Core i5-14600 lies its 14-core & 20-thread configuration, comprising 6 Performance and 8 Efficiency cores. This design mirrors its 13th-gen counterpart, suggesting a subtle yet significant evolution in Intel's chip design philosophy. The max turbo clock, pegged at 5.2 GHz, offers a mere 200 MHz increment over the Core i5-13600, underscoring Intel's focus on incremental improvements in speed and efficiency.
As part of the broader 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh Non-K series, the Core i5-14600 stands out with its unique positioning. Unlike the "K" SKUs, which are renowned for their overclocking prowess, the Non-K series chips are designed for mainstream usage, emphasizing high-volume production and reliability. This strategic differentiation highlights Intel's commitment to catering to diverse computing needs, from the enthusiast to the everyday user.
In conclusion, the leak of Intel's upcoming Core i5-14600 CPU's benchmarks by Enthusiast Citizen has unveiled a fascinating glimpse into the future of computing. With a performance profile closely mirroring its predecessor, the i5-13600, but edging closer to the capabilities of the unlocked 14600K, this CPU is a testament to Intel's ongoing pursuit of balanced performance and efficiency in computing technology.
During the recent UBS Global Technology Conference, NVIDIA's Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress hinted at the possibility of a partnership with Intel Foundry Services for the production of next-generation chips.
Currently, a significant portion of NVIDIA's Data Center GPUs for AI/HPC and Gaming chips is manufactured by TSMC. However, just one generation ago, Samsung was responsible for building NVIDIA's Gaming GPUs. Samsung played a crucial role in developing Ampere, NVIDIA's GPU family that powers the GeForce RTX 30 "Gaming" graphics cards. Samsung is now aiming to play a more prominent role in NVIDIA's data center revenue, making it a close partner to Team Green.
While TSMC is expected to remain a key partner for NVIDIA in producing Hopper H200 and Blackwell B100 GPUs, NVIDIA is open to expanding its ecosystem of foundry partners. Kress expressed the company's openness to having a third foundry partner, with Intel being a potential candidate. Kress stated, "Would we love a third one? Sure. We would love a third one."
Samsung Foundry has made significant strides in refining its processes and collaborating with NVIDIA over the past two years, making it a reliable supplier. Samsung's extensive range of equipment for semiconductor, memory, and packaging stages gives NVIDIA flexibility and options for its chip production.
Industry sources have mentioned Intel as a potential foundry partner for NVIDIA, and even NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang, has hinted at using Intel's Foundries for upcoming chips. A partnership with NVIDIA would be significant for Intel as the company seeks to expand its portfolio of IFS partners.
Having US-based foundry partners would also benefit NVIDIA and other major chip manufacturers such as AMD and Intel, which rely on TSMC for certain components. However, NVIDIA's CEO believes that achieving supply chain independence in the US is still decades away, and bringing TSMC and other major fabs to the US would be a crucial first step toward that goal.
AMD has released a new version of its drivers, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.12.1. lin Edition 23.12.1. This release includes numerous changes and improvements targeted at AMD's graphic solutions. A major update is the complete overhaul of the user interface, especially the "Home" and "Games" tabs in AMD Software. Users can now easily enable HYPR-RX profiles for individual games or globally. Additionally, the games on the "Home" tab will display colorful key art, making the interface more vibrant and attractive.
The drivers also extend the functionality of FRTC, Radeon Super Resolution, Overlay, Record, and Stream to applications using OpenGL. Additionally, the drivers have reactivated the hardware accelerated GPU scheduling feature, but only for the Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs. New Vulkan API extensions have also been included.
This driver release coincides with the launch of "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora," developed in collaboration with AMD. The new driver is expected to enhance performance and visual quality for this game, as well as other contemporary titles.
However, it is important to note that despite significant improvements and the addition of new features, individual compatibility or performance issues may arise on different hardware configurations. Users are advised to review the release notes and feedback from other users before updating their drivers.
Nvidia has released the new GeForce 546.29 WHQL driver, aimed at enhancing gaming experiences in the latest games supporting DLSS 3.5 technology, including "Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition" and "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Season 1." The update also introduces support for "THRONE AND LIBERTY," "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora," and "Fortnite Chapter 5."
This update includes a Resizable BAR profile for "Starfield," aimed at improving performance on GeForce RTX 40 Series and GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs. However, despite the introduction of new features, there remain unresolved issues within the driver. For instance, while an error in "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" was fixed, other problems are still pending resolution.
This release raises questions about the balance between implementing new features and addressing existing issues in Nvidia drivers. It highlights the need for the company to more rigorously address issues to ensure seamless operation and performance in gaming.
Recently, Rockstar Games stunned the gaming community by releasing the long-awaited trailer for the sixth installment of the iconic Grand Theft Auto series (GTA VI). According to an official press release from Take-Two Interactive, the game will initially be available exclusively for next-generation consoles — PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, thus confirming rumors and expectations of fans.
A highlight of the new installment is the storyline set in the fictional state of Leonida, with major events taking place in Vice City. The main characters — Lucia and Jason, a couple caught in a complex situation, will become the first playable characters in the series.
Take-Two also emphasized that the trailer was created using the game engine, without the use of CGI scenes, further demonstrating the capabilities and quality of the new game. At the time of writing this article, the trailer has garnered over 30 million views on YouTube.
It should be noted that the PC version of GTA VI is not expected until at least 2026. Based on the most powerful modern components, the system requirements for PC could include:
Minimum Requirements:
Processor: Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.
Bitcoin has recently achieved a significant milestone, surpassing the $42,000 mark for the first time since May 2022, setting a new annual high. This resurgence in Bitcoin's value coincides with rising hopes in the US for an earlier reduction in interest rates, as indicated by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's statements. Additionally, rumors about the potential approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC in January next year have further fueled the market's optimism.
This upward trend in Bitcoin has led to a market shakeup, with Coinglass analysts noting that nearly $85 million worth of liquidations occurred during this price surge, predominantly from the closure of short positions. Following Bitcoin's peak at $42,000, a mass sell-off caused its price to revert to around $41,000. This movement was mirrored by other cryptocurrencies, leading to the liquidation of numerous long positions. However, indicators suggest that this upward trend may persist for an extended period.
The broader crypto market is experiencing its highest values since spring 2022, with major cryptocurrencies reaching new annual highs. This universal growth has propelled the total market capitalization to $1.55 trillion, a record high for 2023. These market dynamics are expected to significantly elevate Bitcoin's value and attract retail investors' attention to the crypto industry.
Meanwhile, the recent surge in Bitcoin and the overall crypto market could impact the GPU market, especially amidst the ongoing AI boom. Nvidia is experiencing a massive demand for its GPUs, which are well-suited for AI tasks, leading to a potential shortage and price hikes. This demand is particularly high in China, where Nvidia's modified AI-capable chips are in great demand. Prices for some Nvidia models have soared up to $36,500. This AI-driven demand, coupled with the potential continuation of the crypto market's upward trend, could lead to further strains on the GPU supply, echoing the previous shortages caused by cryptocurrency mining.
As we approach the end of 2023, Steam, the popular gaming platform by Valve, is set for significant changes. Starting January 1, 2024, Steam will officially discontinue support for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. This move marks the end of an era for these older operating systems, as users will no longer be able to run the Steam Client on them. This decision aligns with the evolving technology landscape and the need for more secure and advanced operating systems.
Simultaneously, Valve has released its November 2023 statistics, offering a glimpse into the hardware preferences of its user base. The top five graphics cards among Steam users highlight NVIDIA's dominance in the market. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 leads the pack with 4.89% of users, closely followed by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and GTX 1060, with 4.61% and 4.20% respectively. The list also includes the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and the RTX 2060, indicating a diverse range of gaming setups and preferences among Steam's vast user community.
The impending discontinuation of support for older Windows versions and the latest hardware statistics reflect Steam's commitment to advancing with technological trends. Users of older Windows versions are advised to upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to continue enjoying the vast library of games and services offered by Steam.
This transition period is a critical moment for Steam users still operating on older systems. It emphasizes the importance of staying updated with software to ensure compatibility and security. The shift also highlights the dynamic nature of the gaming industry, constantly evolving to incorporate the latest technological advancements.
Looking ahead, Steam's decision to phase out support for older Windows versions is a significant step towards a more modern, secure, and efficient gaming experience. As the platform continues to grow and adapt, users can expect ongoing enhancements and updates that align with the latest hardware and software innovations.
In recent news, a significant number of Call of Duty players using NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service have encountered an unexpected and distressing issue - they are being banned from the game. This problem appears to be caused by a glitch within the GeForce NOW service, which is mistakenly identifying the use of the cloud gaming platform as a form of cheating.
GeForce NOW, developed by NVIDIA, is a service that allows gamers to stream and play their favorite games, like Call of Duty, on less powerful hardware by accessing virtual machines hosted in the cloud. This service aims to provide a high-quality gaming experience, but the recent glitch has led to a wave of unwarranted bans, leaving many players frustrated and confused.
The issue was first reported by players on various online platforms, including Reddit, and has since gained considerable attention in the gaming community. Players affected by this glitch have shared their experiences of being wrongly tagged as cheaters by the game's anti-cheat systems, resulting in their accounts being banned.
This situation has prompted a response from both NVIDIA and the developers of Call of Duty, who are likely working on a fix to resolve this issue. In the meantime, Call of Duty players who use GeForce NOW are advised to exercise caution and stay updated on the situation through official channels.
This incident highlights the complexities and challenges of cloud gaming services and their integration with traditional gaming platforms. It serves as a reminder of the importance of robust testing and quality assurance in the rapidly evolving world of online gaming.
