Category Archives: Gaming

Business, Gaming, News

LEVEL UP KL 2022 Reinvigorates Malaysian Gaming Industry

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LEVEL UP KL has been a hallmark event for the Malaysian Gaming Industry since the conference ballooned into a regional event almost a decade ago. The regional conference brings together gamers, developers and publishers under one roof for a week on a yearly basis. This year, the conference returns to form with its first physical conference held from the 4th until the 7th of October 2022.

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[Source: MDEC] Tan Sri Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC, delivering his welcoming speech at LEVEL UP KL 2022 

This year’s edition of LEVEL UP KL saw over 1,500 participants, 80 speakers and over 100 exhibitors from all around the world. The conference also saw the participation of developers such as Streamline Studios, Metronomik, Larian Studios, Bandai Namco and PlayStation Studios. The conference saw these studios, among others, sharing their approaches to developing industry-leading games and the techniques they used behind the scenes.

Additionally, LEVEL UP KL was, once again, ground zero for the SEA Game Jam and SEA Game Awards. The former saw young, aspiring gamers put their mettle to the test in an arduous competition to build a game in a mere 48 hours. These aspiring developers had their hard work shown off at the exhibition in LEVEL UP KL 2022 among the many industry leaders present there.

The SEA Games Awards also crowned winners in multiple categories highlighting the talent and capabilities of developers in the region. This year’s nominees and winners raised the bar in each category with many of them achieving commercial game standards. The winners are listed below:

CategoryWinner
Best TechnologyDeterminant
by Khor Chin Heong
[Malaysia]
Best Visual ArtsCoffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
by Toge Productions
[Indonesia]
Best Game DesignCuisineer
by BattleBrew Productions
[Singapore]
Best AudioRhythm Doctor
by 7th Beat Games
[Malaysia]
Best StorytellingCoffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
by Toge Productions
[Indonesia]
Best InnovationRhythm Doctor
by 7th Beat Games
[Malaysia]
Best Student GameEnd of the Line
by University of Wollongong Malaysia, KDU
[Malaysia]
Best International GameThe Legend of Tianding
by CGCG
[Taiwan]
Rising StarFaerie Afterlight
by Clay Game Studio
[Indonesia]
Grand Jury AwardCoffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
by Toge Productions
[Indonesia]
Sponsored AwardEndura
by IFIO Studio
[Malaysia]
Audience Choice AwardPostknight 2
by Kurechii
[Malaysia]
Winners of the SEA Games Awards

MDEC Forges Key Partnerships at LEVEL UP KL 2022

Amidst the furore and celebration of LEVEL UP KL 2022, the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) also announced the forging of new partnerships which are geared toward positioning Malaysia as the regional game development hub. These partnerships not only forge open markets between Malaysia and other game development industries worldwide but also mark MDEC’s first steps into exploring the viability of the Metaverse in the Malaysian Gaming Industry.

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[Source: MDEC] MDEC launches LEVEL UP KL 2022 to empower Malaysia’s digital video game industry towards becoming the regional gaming hub.

MDEC signed a partnership memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nine66, a gaming company based in Saudi Arabia to explore and promote collaboration between the gaming industry in both countries. The MoU covers areas such as talent development and co-development.

Aside from Nine66, MDEC also signed an MoU with SEA Gamer Mall (SEAGM) to launch the Malaysia Game Fest (MGF). The Malaysia Game Fest will span a period of three months starting in October 2022 until December 2022. During this period, MDEC will be driving efforts with SEAGM to promote local game products and increase the commercialisation of Intellectual Properties (IPs) across Southeast Asian platform partners.

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[Source: MDEC] (From L-R) Datuk Fadzli Abdul Wahit, Head/Senior Vice President, Transformation of MDEC; Gopi Ganesalingam, Senior Vice President, Ecosystem Development, MDEC; Mohan Low, Director of Digital Creative Content, MDEC; Ts Mahadhir Aziz, CEO, MDEC; Raymond Foo, Senior Marketing Manager, SEA Gamer Mall; DC Gan, Managing Director Magnus Games Studio; Kadri Harma, CEO of Nine66

Finally, MDEC signed an MoU with Magnus Games Studio, a home-grown game studio to promote initiatives and projects involving the “Metaverse”. In this agreement, MDEC will be leveraging Magnus Games’ Metaverse to market and promote the upcoming Malaysia Digital Content Festival 2022 which will be happening on the 17th and 18th of December 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Gaming, News

PICO 4 Stand-alone Headset Available in Malaysia for MYR1,699

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Virtual Reality (VR) has ever been the next step in immersive gaming. In fact, in 2016 when the first VR headset was commercially available, the gaming industry was the first to jump on the possibilities for AAA games and the industry at large. However, many barriers have prevented wide adoption—one of the largest being the lack of viable options for the general consumer. That has changed in the past few months with the launch of the PICO 4 and PICO Neo 3 Link.

PICO 4 4

The PICO 4 brings the possibility of a cordless, untethered VR experience mainstream. Similar to its main competitor, the Meta Quest 2, the PICO 4 removes the need for bulky sensors and wide open spaces for an immersive VR experience. Instead, the sensors have been built-in into the headset itself to provide a more natural and user-centred experience.

Specc’d for Enthusiasts, Made for Everyone

PICO Interactive is consciously targeting the consumer with the new offering. However, enthusiasts are being left by the wayside neither, the PICO 4 is packed with features that enthusiasts are looking for. Underneath the sleek exterior of the PICO 4 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 system on a chip (SoC). Qualcomm has engineered the SoC from the ground up to power VR and AR experiences. The 64-bit quad-core processor has been proven to be able to handle some of the most complex VR experiences available now; even at high resolutions. Speaking of, the PICO 4 comes with high-resolution, 2K displays with refresh rates between 72Hz and 90Hz. PICO also uses pancake lenses which reduce the focal distance required for VR and allow for a slimmer, sleeker design.

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PICO 4 product presentation and demonstration by Mr Allen An, Regional Director, PICO Southeast Asia (Source: PICO Interactive)

Together with this, the standalone VR headset comes with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 support. Of course, no VR experience is possible without the sensors to provide an immersive experience. The PICO 4 comes with 6 degrees-of-freedom positioning system which will allow users to move freely and more naturally in VR. All the sensors required are built into the headset. In fact, users can define safe spaces for the VR experience. Beyond these boundaries, the VR headset will revert to see-through mode to allow the user to be aware of their surroundings. Completing the immersion is an integrated high-fidelity speaker with a dual mic.

A 5,300mAh battery powers the PICO 4 standalone headset and supports 20W fast charging via the Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 protocol. This allows for about three hours of gameplay and fast charging of up to 70% within an hour. A smaller battery pack also allows for the 295g weight of the headset.

Pricing & Availability

The PICO 4 will be available in two variants: a 128GB version and a 256GB version. The 128GB version will set you back MYR1,699. The 256GB, on the other hand, will cost MYR1,999. Early birds who place their order between the 12th and 16th of October will receive an MYR100 discount. Purchases made between now and January 2023 will also receive four free VR games.

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The PICO 4 will be available starting from 12th October 2022 onwards. You’ll be able to get your own from the official PICO Stores on Lazada, Shopee and TikTok Shop. It will also be available from PICO’s official retail partners Impulse Gaming, Thunder Match and Urban Republic. If you want to try out the headset, you can get a personal hands-on experience at the PICO roadshow happening at Sunway Pyramid’s Orange Concourse from the 13th to the 16th of October.

Computers, Gaming, News

GIGABYTE Kicks off Their GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs with WINDFORCE Bionic Shark Fans 

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Yes, you read that right. You read Bionic Shark Fans, not Fins, and you are reading that right, it is not a typo. Now that we got that out of the way, let us talk about NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4090 as envisioned by Gigabyte. 

NVIDIA’s latest GeForce RTX 40 series promises a lot of performance and power. The ADA Lovelace architecture, as they call it, is claimed to be miles ahead of its competition and is significantly more powerful than NVIDIA’s older 30 series GPUs. Of course, we are all waiting to see if that claim can be substantiated. 

While we are waiting around though, NVIDIA’s board partners are not. One of them, GIGABYTE has started introducing new GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs for the market. They did away with not just one GPU offering; they are offering four variants of the GeForce RTX 4090 alone.  

AORUS MASTER 

AORUS GeForce RTX® 4090 MASTER 24G
Source: GIGABYTE

First up is the AORUS MASTER GPU. Like all the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 cards released by Gigabyte, the AORUS MASTER offers better cooling performance with up to 30% more static pressure while reducing noise by up to 3dB. All this is possible thanks to Gigabyte’s latest WINDFORCE bionic shark fan design, and the AORUS MASTER gets three of them lined with RGB rings to keep the card cool in all kinds of conditions. Those are on top of larger heatsinks over the previous generation GPUs.  

The AORUS MASTER cards also offer an LCD read out at the side of the card. The read out allows you to personalise your PC’s look even further with your own graphics and what not. If not, you can access and monitor critical stats like power consumption, GPU temperature, and even its fan speed.  

To ensure that the GPU always works at optimal temperature, it is not just about having bigger coolers. It is also about using the right components in the construction of the card. That is why Gigabyte opted for aerospace grade PCB alongside Dual BIOS and 24+4 power phase design underneath an upgraded metal backplate to keep every component running at lower temperatures. Of course, the back plate also adds some rigidity to the card to minimise GPU sagging for a better look overall.  

GIGABYTE GAMING OC 

GeForce RTX® 4090 GAMING OC 24G
Source: GIGABYTE

Then there is the GIGABYTE GAMING OC card. It is no AORUS, but it is still an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU which also means it packs a lot of power. It comes with the same WINDFORCE fan blade design as the AORUS MASTER. The WINDFORCE fans also uses graphene nano lubricant that is supposed to extend the fan’s life by up to 2.1 times compared to regular double ball bearing fans. The GAMING OC GPU also has three of the WINDFORCE fans that comes with the same RGB Halo from the AORUS MASTER GPU to keep everything cool alongside ULTRA DURABLE certified components. Dual BIOS should keep the card operating at lower noise levels. 

GIGABYTE WINDFORCE 

GeForce RTX® 4090 WINDFORCE 24G
Source: GIGABYTE

Sometimes you do not need the extremities that the AORUS MASTER offers. You do need the flashy RGB that the GAMING OC card offers too. You just want something that works. That is the GIGABYTE WINDFORCE NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 card.  

It still packs the same WINDFORCE coolling system, which also means you should not be getting any less cooling performance with the entry-level GeForce RTX 4090 GPU from GIGABYTE. Like its more extreme brothers too, it has a large vapour chamber in direct contact with the GPU to keep everything cool and optimised. It even comes with Dual BIOS to keep things quiet when you need it to.  

AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE 

AORUS GeForce RTX® 4090 XTREME WATERFORCE 24G
Source: GiGABYTE

The AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE is GIGABYTE’s answer to keeping the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 optimally cool in more extreme loads. It offers everything that the AORUS MASTER card offers, but with a slightly different cooling solution. Instead of relying on regular fan and heatsinks, it comes with a large water block and all-in-one aluminium radiator attached with three 120mm fans to keep things icy cold.  

Space management with liquid cooling designs are usually quite complex. You want to think about the placement of the radiators, especially if you are also going with an all-in-one cooling solution for the CPU as well. To make things easier, the inlet and outlet ports are placed at the back of the card, so that it is easier to place the radiator. The pipes are also 460mm soft tubes to give you that extra flexibility in radiator placements.  

GIGABYTE UD1000GM and UD850GM Power Supplies – PCIe 5.0 Empowerment 

The new GPUs are rather power hungry with a quoted TDP of up to 450W. That is not even considering the spikes that the GPUs might go through from time to time. You need a power supply with a tonne of capacity. Since these are PCIe 5.0 cards too, you want your PSU to have PCIe 5.0 support out of the box for the best experience with the GPUs.  

Introducing GIGABYTE’s UD1000GM and UD850GM 1000W and 850W power solutions made for PCIe 5.0 parts. As per PCIe 5.0 standards, the PSU offers a high-quality 16-pin connector that supports up to 600W of power output should your GPU need it. It is also a modular design with detachable cables for convenient cable management.  

Price and Availability 

There are no mentions on its local availability just yet. There are also no specific mentions on its pricing. You can expect the GPUs to be available once the reference cards from NVIDIA goes to market. You can also expect prices to be on the higher end of the scale compared to the reference cards with all the custom cooling solutions and components on their cards. More on GIGABYTE’s custom solutions for NVIDIA’s latest GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs can be found on their website.  

Accessories, Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

ASUS is Zen 4 Ready with New B650 Motherboards 

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AMD recently launched their new Zen 4 architecture platform in their Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. Yes, in case you have not known yet, the AMD Ryzen 5000 series is now outdated and is replaced with AMD’s brand-new Ryzen 7000 processors. Yes, benchmark numbers produced by AMD also shows rather promising figures too, they suggest performance numbers well beyond what their Ryzen 5000 Zen 3 processors can manage. They are promising larger performances even compared to their competitors too.  

While the past few years of AMD’s Ryzen goodness have been backward compatible with their AM4 socket, the new Ryzen 7000 with Zen 4 kicks things off for a new generation of socket made for the future, the AM5 socket platform. Gone are the flimsy pins on the chip itself and in comes push pins on the board instead, for a less nerve-wrecking installation process.  

While AMD can go on and on with how powerful and different their new processors are, their Ryzen 7000 chips are glorified paperweights if they cannot get on a proper motherboard. This is where ASUS comes sweeping in with brand new motherboards to support the new AM5 platform and take advantage of Zen 4 with the B650 chipset motherboards.  

You want to keep in mind that the AMD B650 boards are not the top-of-the-line computing platforms you can get for AMD’s latest and greatest. For the most current ultimate AMD experience, you want to go for the X670 boards. The B650 then is a sort of budgeted performance boards for those looking to build a powerful system that does not break the bank.  

For the Hardcore Gamers – The ROG Strix Series 

  • ROG STRIX B650E E 01
    Source: ASUS
  • B650A 01 1.png
    Source: ASUS
  • B650E F 01
    Source: ASUS
  • B650E I 01
    Source: ASUS

Everybody wants an ROG. That is also because they are known to make some of the best gaming gears and hardware in the market. For the AMD Ryzen 7000 they have the ROG Strix B650-E, B650-F, B650-I, and B650-A Gaming WiFi motherboards.  

All of them comes with PCIe 5.0 drives of course. Only the ROG Strix B650-A does not carry any PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for peripherals. It is also the only one in the ROG Strix line-up that does not pack an I/O Shield. Then again, only the latest GPUs from NVIDIA are PCIe 5.0 peripherals. All of them support DDR5 memory though. True to their names too, they are all WiFi equipped boards.  

The top-of-the-line ROG Strix B650-A comes with 16+2 teamed power stages with 8+8 ProCool power connectors for even more flexible overclocking on AMD’s Ryzen 7000 processors. It also features a tonne of heatsinks to cool two M.2 slots and its VRM. There are two additional M.2 slots too, on top of the two that are wrapped under heatsinks. To make installation much more convenient, the M.2 drives do not have to be screwed in; they are latched by ASUS’ clever Q-Latch system. There is also a USB FlashBack feature that allows the BIOS to be flashed even without a processor or GPU installed on the system. All you need is a USB drive and power supply. Its audio is also greatly improved with USB-based ALC4080 audio codec alongside a new Savitech SV3H712 amp for better experience when you work with audiophile gears.  

For the Budget Gamers – The TUF Series 

  • 1 TUF GAMING B650M PLUS WIFI 2D2400PNG
    Source: ASUS
  • 1 TUF GAMING B650 PLUS 2D
    Source: ASUS
  • 1 TUF GAMING B650M PLUS 2D2400PNG
    Source: ASUS
  • 1 TUF GAMING B650 PLUS WIFI 2D
    Source: ASUS

If you still want something tailored for gaming, but do not want to spend on an ROG, there is the TUF gaming series of motherboards. The B650 motherboards from TUF line-up offers all everything you need to fully take advantage of Ryzen’s 7000 series of processors Zen 4 architecture. You can choose between ATX or micro-ATX options for builds designed for smaller footprints.  

Just because they are value offers for gamers, does not mean that they pack any less performance and features than their ROG cousins. You still get support for DDR5, PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, and onboard USB 3.2 2×2 Type-C ports for all sorts of stuff. Of course, all TUF boards also come with 2.5GBps ethernet ports for high-bandwidth internet connections and WiFi 6 in case you prefer things to be wireless.  

For the Creators – The ProArt Series 

4 ProArt B650 CREATOR KV
Source: ASUS

The gaming market is not the only hotbed for high-performing computing solutions. The content creator market is still heating up and their appetite for high-performance machines has increased in recent years. They also need high-performing machines that are quiet and svelte when they need to be.  

While contents take time to produce, speed in workflow is key in their projects. That is why having a PCIe 5.0 support on their M.2 slot is important. Plenty of content creator programs are memory hungry too, which also means that high-speed memory is important, you get that from new DDR5 RAM support. While the ProArt series only has PCIe 4.0 x16 slots as standard, it also means that users can fit up to two GPUs to handle all their content creation workflow needs in an x8/x8 confguration.  

Of course, connectivity could be key in a shared worlkflow. You get 10GBps ethernet port as standard on your boards. At the same time, you can work without a dedicated GPU if you choose with a built-in DisplayPort 1.4 output on the board itself. On top of that, you get the versatility of a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port support. 

For the Value Hunters – The Prime Series 

  • 1 Prime B650M A WIFI 2D
    Source: ASUS
  • 1 Prime B650M A AX 2D
    Source: ASUS
  • 1 Prime B650M A 2D
    Source: ASUS
  • 1 Prime B650 Plus 2D
    Source: ASUS

If you are just looking for something that does not break the bank but still take advantage of AMD’s latest and greatest, then look no further than the ASUS Prime series motherboards. It gives you the flexibility of using all sorts of budget cases and compat builds with ATX and micro-ATX solutions. It is the perfect daily driver, in ASUS’ books. 

The ASUS prime B650 boards offer up to 2.5GBps networking port, PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, and DDR5 support across their boards, The boards also packs BIOS FlashBack feature that allows you to reset your BIOS and even update it with nothing more than a USB stick and working power supply. You do not get PCIe 5.0 x16 slots just yet, but you really are not missing out on much at this point of time.  

Pricing and Availability 

There are no mentions yet on their official pricing currently. There is also no promised availability date for the boards at this time, but we are expecting them to be available pretty soon. For more information on the ASUS B650 motherboards made for AMD Ryzen 7000 Zen 4 processors, you can head over to their website.  

Gaming, News

The New Logitech G502 X Reinvents Logitech G’s Most Popular Gaming Mouse

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Logitech G is a brand that is no stranger to gamers. In fact, it’s one of the most popular gaming brands in the market at the moment particularly when it comes to gaming peripherals like mouses, keyboards and headphones. Over the years, the brand has become synonymous with some of the best gaming peripherals and esports teams.

One of their most popular offerings is their Logitech G502 gaming mouse. The lineup is one of the more affordable gaming mouses on the market. However, it’s always struck an impressive balance between affordability and functionality. Logitech is updating and reimagining the mouse with the announcement of their new Logitech G502 X lineup. Yep – that’s right a lineup. Not only is the mouse getting a design revamp, but it’s also becoming its own line.

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The new lineup will consist of three mouses: the Logitech G502 X, the Logitech G502 X PLUS and the Logitech 502 X LIGHTSPEED. Each of the mouses in the lineup has its own unique features but shares a common set of base features that are signature to the G502 X line.

LIGHTFORCE Technology with LIGHTSPEED Latency

The biggest change in the G502 X lineup is the introduction of a new hybrid switch – the LIGHTFORCE. The new microswitch technology combines the speed and responsiveness of optical technology with the actuation and tactility of mechanical switches. The switch uses galvanic parts that operate like mechanical switches. Paired with the optical component of the LIGHTFORCE switch, Logitech is able to deliver an experience that is reliable with ultra-low latency actuation.

The G502 X has been redesigned from the ground up to cater to a wider group of gamers. It now features a redesigned, reversible and removable DPI-shift button to fit into any sized hand and accommodate any grip type. The scroll wheel is also redesigned to be lighter and more stable. However, it still retains the iconic dual hyper-fast infinite scroll and rachet modes of the G502.

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All models in the new G502 X come with the HERO 25K high-precision gaming sensor. The sensor offers a 1:1 accuracy ratio at sub-micron levels. It also provides zero smoothing, filtering or acceleration making it more natural and intuitive to use. The HERO sensor and LIGHTFORCE technology work hand in hand allowing the new G502 X to have response times up to 68% faster than the previous generation.

The PLUS & LIGHTSPEED Factors

The Logitech G502 X PLUS and LIGHTSPEED feature LIGHTSPEED wireless technology. This allows low latency wireless connectivity between the PC and the mouse. What’s more, the new generation LIGHTSPEED protocol allows for up to two devices to connect to one receiver. So, you’ll be able to connect your new gaming mouse to LIGHTSPEED receivers if you have an existing LIGHTSPEED peripheral like the Logitech G915 or G715 gaming keyboards.

They also charge over USB-C. Additionally, the wireless versions of the G502 X are also compatible with the Logitech G POWERPLAY wireless charging mat which is able to charge the mouse while in use providing it with endless charge. The PLUS variant also comes with LIGHTSYNC RGB. This will allow you to customise the 8-LED lighting to fit your style and game.

Pricing & Availability

The new Logitech G502 X lineup is already available from retailers as well as official Logitech stores on Lazada and Shopee. The G502 X will retail for MYR319 while the G502 X LIGHTSPEED and PLUS will be priced at MYR549 and MYR689 respectively.

All G502 X mouses are available in Black and White colourways.

Computers, Gaming, News

Acer Predator Orion 7000 Gets a Boost with Intel’s 13th Generation Core Processors

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Acer’s Predator Gaming brand has one of the more diverse lineups of gaming laptops, peripherals and desktops. Their desktops have been one of the stars of their lineup bringing epic gaming performance together with price points that make sense.

Hot off the announcement of Intel’s 13th Generation Core processors, Acer is now bringing the new silicone to their Predator Orion 7000 desktops. The refreshed setup comes with a brand new Intel Core i9-13900K processor. However, Acer has opted to not refresh the Predator Orion 7000 with the latest NVIDIA RTX 40 series GPUs just yet. Instead, the Orion 7000 continues to come equipped with the NVIDIA RTX3090 and up to 64 GB of RAM.

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PredatorOrion 7000 002

Aside from the processor refresh, the Orion 7000 continues to use the same design launched last year. It comes with an EMI-compliant chassis which allows you to show off your setup and the flashy RGB lighting inside. The setup also features Predator FrostBlade 2.0 technology for cooling. With two 140mm fans in the front and a single 120mm fan in the back, cooling the system should be a breeze – literally. In addition to chassis cooling, the processor is also cooled by an AiO system with three Predator FrostBlade fans ensuring efficient cooling.

The system also comes with eye-catching ARGB so you can be as flashy as you want. The Predator Sense Software which comes pre-installed gives you more control of the cooling and optimisations for the PC. You can even set up device profiles and kick them into gear with the Predator Sense App on your smartphone or tablet.

PredatorOrion 7000 001

Connectivity-wise, the Predator Orion 7000 comes with the Intel Killer E3100 2.5G Ethernet controller and Intel’s Killer WiFi 6E AX211 wireless module. These network adapters ensure that your gaming experience isn’t hindered by network bottlenecks and keep response rates high for gaming. It also comes with ample connectivity options with a splattering of ports including three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C and two audio jacks on the top. There are three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, two USB 2.0 ports and three audio jacks on the back.

Pricing and Availability

Acer hasn’t announced any pricing or availability for the desktops just yet.

Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 40 Series Ushers in the New Era of Ray Tracing and Neural Rendering

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NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 30 series, which they fondly refer to as the Ampere architecture processors, were rather potent. At its introduction, it presented the largest generation leap in performance from its predecessors. There were a lot of excitement for the Ampere built GPUs because of the generational gap presented between it, and the older GeForce RTX 20 series GPUs. Then there is the GeForce RTX 40 series that was just introduced by Jensen Huang last night. 

NVIDIA calls it the Ada Lovelace, and it builds upon the technologies presented in its predecessor, the Ampere platform. It is even more capable in its real-time ray tracing functions. It also packs enough power to run an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm of its own for 3D rendering and processing. That also means this time, AI is involved in rendering the pixels you see on your display.  

2X Performance

First up, you want to know how much faster the new RTX 40 series is compared to the RTX 30 series. In terms of ray tracing performance, the RTX40 is capable of up to 191 teraflops, nearly threefold of its predecessor. Its tensor cores are also capable of up to 1.32 petaflops, about five times the previous generation. But it is not just 3D rendering and ray tracing the gets the performance bump, you also get twice more NVENC decoders that allows the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series to half video workload times. 

How NVIDIA achieved these numbers is a little technical, so we might have to explore that in a different story. In short though, it is not like NVIDIA slapped twice more cores into their chip. They did put more cores into their processing chip, but they have also improved their RT cores with 4nm architectures (hence Ada Lovelace architecture). That results in an improved energy and thermal efficiency of their chips in their GPUs which also means they can push their cores even more than before. That also means that ray tracing performance is doubled over whatever that came before. Thanks to the new Micro-Mesh Engine, the new cores can also generate textures in greater detail than ever before without taking up performance and storage resources. 

DLSS 3.0

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), we think, was a rather clever technology when it was introduced. While plenty of electronic giants in the home entertainment industry spoke at lengths about how upscaling is the future of television, NVIDIA took it to the next level with DLSS in gaming. You could, for example, play your games in 4K resolution while the GPU only needs to render the graphics in 1080p Full HD, for example. DLSS 2.0 was a major upgrade to the clever feature and made DLSS properly good and reliable. DLSS 3.0 make DLSS a must have feature.  

Where the previous iterations of DLSS lack is speed. While DLSS 2.0 was fast, it lagged behind when you compare it to playing games at native resolution. The AI still must take its time to render each texture from each frame and upscale them to whatever higher resolution you want your games to play in. DLSS 3.0 allows the GPU to now render entire frames for an improved gaming experience, much faster than before. This is thanks to a rather powerful and clever neural engine packed into the GPU. 

RACER RTX ON
Source: NVIDIA

2X Video Rendering

Like we pointed out earlier, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 is not just made for gaming. It is a powerful GPU made for the modern content creator too. For 3D artists, the added power and improved DLSS 3.0 makes rendering scenes and graphics on-site much faster than before. Ray tracing is much more accurate than before as well, allowing textures to be rendered more accurately and more lifelike over previous generation GPUS, and all of it can be done in real time, cutting production times.  

Thanks to the inclusion of two eighth generation AV1 encoder, video editing suites gets an extra boost in power. That also means smoother real time rendering and scrubbing. It also means that videos gets rendered twice as fast now.  

NVIDIA Broadcast also benefited from the dual encoders. Partners now have access to features like Face Expression Estimation, Eye Contact, and even more realistic Virtual Backgrounds. That also means you get better, more interactive video calls, or even better streaming graphics.  

Introducing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 and RTX 4080

GeForce RTX 4090 Announce
Source: NVIDIA

For now, NVIDIA has only introduced the flagship GeForce RTX 4090 and high-end GeForce RTX 4080. They say that the GeForce RTX 4090 is about twice as fast as the RTX 3090 Ti while maintaining the same TDP at 450W. There are 76 billion transistors and 16,384 CUDA cores you can find on the silicon fitted on the flagship GPU. It is fitted with 24GB of the latest, fastest GDDR6X memory too.  

The GeForce RTX 4080 packs up to 9,728 CUDA cores and up to 16GB of GDDR6S memory. There is also a 12GB edition with 7,680 CUDA cores and 12GB in GDDR6X memory. They say that the 16GB variant is twice more powerful than the current GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and more powerful than the current GeForce RTX 3090 Ti while maintaining a lower power consumption.  

Price and Availability

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 will be available in select regions from the 12th of October 2022 onward. Prices will start at US$ 1,599, US$ 100 more than the RTX 3090 when it was launched. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 16GB variant will retail for US$ 1,199 while the 12GB edition will go for US$ 899. Both NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 variants will be available only in November 2022. For more information on the new GeForce RTX 40 series, you can visit NVIDIA’s website.  

Computers, Gaming, News

HP Trucks in their New Gaming Laptops Spearheaded by the New OMEN 16 and Victus 16

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HP is updating their gaming lineup with the latest and greatest from AMD and Intel in a totally new, larger form factor. The new laptops announced are equipped with larger displays, higher refresh rates and more features to the company’s robust gaming offerings. Expanding both the OMEN by HP and Victus gaming lineups with more robust laptops and better build quality, HP is looking to bring something for every gamer.

Together with the new editions to their gaming lineup, HP Malaysia is also bringing back their HP Gaming Truck which will be making its way around Malaysia starting with the Klang Valley.

HP OMEN 16 – Supped up to Win

The new OMEN 16 expands the offerings under the OMEN by HP gaming brand with a more robust laptop with a larger 16-inch display. The OMEN 16 ushers in a new generation of OMEN by HP Gaming laptops which look to up the ante when it comes to gaming performance.

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The OMEN Gaming Laptop 16 comes with an improved Tempest cooling system that brings physical changes that impact performance. The updated Tempest Cooling System comes with an added fifth heat pipe and an additional fourth outflow vent. The former allows for better heat dissipation from the processor and GPU while the latter allows the air to be channelled out of the chassis keeping temperatures lower. HP claims that these improvements have resulted in a 3% reduction in temperature at the GPU hinge and a 14% reduction in temperature on the bottom of the SSD. Aside from the increased cooling, the new Tempest system is also 5% quieter than the last generation.

In addition to the physical heating system, HP has also spent some time looking at the internals of the OMEN 16. The new generation of OMEN 16 Gaming Laptops come with 12th Generation Intel processors ranging from the Core i5 to the Core i9 internationally. In Malaysia, this caps off at the Core i7. There are also configurations supporting the AMD Ryzen 6000 SoCs. Like the Intel versions, this caps out at the Ryzen 9. These processors are complemented with at least 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.

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The HP OMEN 16 comes with a 16.1-inch, QHD IPS display with a refresh rate of 165Hz. It also has a 3ms response time. The display supports 100% of the sRGB gamut with a 300-nits brightness and a micro-edge design. The laptops have configurations supporting up to the NVIDIA GeForce 3070 Ti GPU. HP isn’t skimping on ports either, the OMEN 16 comes with a full array of ports including an RJ45 ethernet port, ThunderBolt 4 and USB-A ports.

HP Victus 16 – Affordable Powerhouse

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The Victus inherits most of the ethos and DNA of the OMEN 16. However, it does it affordably; packing all the essentials. When it comes to processors, the HP Victus 16 comes with configurations supporting the 12th Generation Intel Core i7 and the AMD Ryzen 6000 series. This is paired with at least 8GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

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On the display front, the 16.1-inch IPS display has a 1080p FHD resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate and 250 nits brightness. The display comes with the same micro-edge design and covers 45% of the NTSC gamut. The HP Victus 16 has configurations with up to the NVIDIA RTX3050 Ti or the AMD Radeon 6500M.

Pricing & Availability

The HP OMEN 16 and Victus 16 are already available from HP via their official store or retail partners and online stores.

The OMEN 16 is priced from MYR7,599 for the AMD version and MYR7,799 for the Intel version.

The Victus 16 is priced from MYR4,299 for the AMD version and MYR3,749 for the Intel version.

Gaming, News

Legendary Pokémon Deoxys Appears in Digi Stores Across Malaysia

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Malaysian Pokémon Trainers! Listen up! Reports have emerged of the Legendary Pokémon, Deoxys, appearing at 237 locations across the nation. It is believed that these locations are stores belonging to the Telco named Digi. If the reports are accurate, you will be able to raid Deoxys at these locations throughout the weekend starting on 3rd September 2022.

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Source: Pokemon GO

Yep – you read that right. One of the largest Malaysian telcos is partnering up with Niantic to bring a special collaboration specifically for Pokémon Trainers. The partnership will turn 237 Digi stores nationwide into Gyms in Pokémon GO. To kick off the partnership, the Legendary Pokémon, Deoxys, will be obtainable at these gyms on both the 3rd and 4th of September. Deoxys will appear during scheduled raid battles throughout the day.

The partnership isn’t just meant for Digi subscribers either, Pokémon GO players can redeem a free code for an exclusive in-game bundle. The bundle, worth MYR10, includes premium raid passes which you will need to battle and catch Deoxys during the weekend. All you have to do is spend a minimum of MYR5 at the Digi Self-service kiosks located in the Digi store. These kiosks don’t only provide contact points for Digi-related services but also enable users to pay for other services like Astro and Utilities. In addition, the first 50 players who walk into 5 selected Digi stores on 3rd September 2022 will receive an in-game bundle worth MYR30 each.

Digi x Pokemon GO

Of course, since it’s a Digi partnership, the telco is bringing even more benefits to their Postpaid and Prepaid Trainers. Trainers subscribed to Digi can get a leg up on their competition with unlimited data by purchasing a special Unlimited Pokémon GO Pass. With the pass, Trainers will be entitled to 7 days of unlimited access while they Catch ’em all on the app. In addition, prepaid users who renew or purchase their plans during the campaign period will receive an MYR5 credit to purchase the Unlimited Pokémon GO Pass.

Digi will also be having a “Guess The Pokémon” contest on their Facebook page. Anyone who is following Digi’s Facebook Page can take part and be in the running to win a Pokémon Funko Pop worth up to MYR60 each. The campaign runs from 3rd September until 15 October 2022. If you’re interested to find out where to be and getting more information on the giveaways, you can visit the Digi website.

Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

AMD Announced the Zen 4 Architecture in the Form of the Ryzen 7000 Series

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The AMD Ryzen 5000 series, at its launch, was the fastest CPUs for PCs in the world at the time. At launch, Intel did not even have a proper answer to AMD’s best offerings even with their 11th generation CPUs. Their 12th generation Core CPUS’s are something special though and claimed the throne as the best CPUs for Windows 11 and gaming at its time.

The AMD Ryzen line upheld up a few key advantages still over Intel’s best offerings. One of those advantage is that AMD’s offerings was still compatible with chipsets that were a few years old. It supported the first wave of PCIe Gen 4.0 devices before Intel could even hop on the bandwagon. Of course, Intel’s 12th generation CPUs works almost exclusively with DDR5, so there is that.

Now, there is this, the Ryzen 7000 series that just launched. No, they did learn how to count. The Ryzen 6000 series of CPUs are laptop CPUs.

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Source: AMD

The new Ryzen then, the fastest gaming chips in the world, they say. The recipe has not changed all that much with the newer CPUs. There is the fact that it is technically the most advanced chip made for the PC in the modern world. It is built with 5nm process now, which means there are more transistor count on the chips compared to what you get from the Ryzen 5000 chips.

The core count has not changed all that much though. At launch, the Ryzen 5 7600X packs six cores while the top end Ryzen 9 7950X packs 16 cores. We are guessing that the most popular option out of the four Ryzen 7000 models launched would be the Ryzen 7 7700X with eight cores and 16 threads.

The new generation Ryzen processors with Zen 4 are quite a bit more power hungry this time round too. The more budget conscious option, the Ryzen 5 7600X’s rated TDP is at 105W, the same TDP rated for the Ryzen 9 5950X at launch. While you might attribute the higher power draw to the increased transistor count thanks to 5nm process, it could also be the higher clock speeds of the new Zen 4 CPUs. The Ryzen 9 7950X, for example, clocks at 4.5GHz while the Ryzen 9 5950X clocks at 3.4GHz.

Instead of Zen 3+, AMD went straight for Zen 4 with the new Ryzen 7000, rightfully so. Thanks to smaller transistors as well, the newer generation processors will generate less heat, which would explain the higher clock speeds too. At the same time, Zen 4 will be all about DDR5 instead of support for DDR4, as well as PCIe 5.0.

With the new chip as well, they are finally retiring the AM4 socket and embracing a new generation of socket for the next few years at least until 2025. They call it the AM5 and the roadmap is pretty straightforward. The new AM5 platform will be exclusively DDR5 platforms with a planned update to PCIe 5.0 eventually.

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On paper, the AMD Ryzen 7000 seems like a leap in performance over the older chip. The top-of-the-line AMD Ryzen 7970X delivers 15% more performances across popular games over the older Ryzen 5 5950X in 1080p resolution. The biggest performance leap is across content creation capabilities though, at 40% average improvements over the older generation CPU. The higher performances can also be contributed to the much faster than before.

AMD’s new line-up of Ryzen 7000 processors will be available 27th of September 2022 onward. That is not necessarily when Malaysia will see the first chips hitting the market. Still, prices start at US$ 299 (MYR*) and tops out at US$ 699 (MYR*) which is about the price of the previous generation Ryzen CPUs. For more information on the next generation AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs, you can visit their website.