Fat & Slim

That’s it! I have finally gotten a hold of my PSP Slim and Fat. Yep, that’s two PSPs. Essentially, I only own one – the Slim, but I somehow managed to borrow the other from a Korean friend. I must say that I am really am lucky to have the Fat: my brother and I had a hell of a time WLAN gaming!

Frankly speaking, both systems exceeded my expectations by a mile. The pinnacle of the exhilaration has got to be the built in Wi-Fi. Prior to my purchase of my PSP, I actually anticipated for the Wi-Fi wireless gaming (or WLAN) to be a total flop, and it was there with the sole purpose of being a marketing gimmick; just to appeal to potential buyers. How wrong I was - the wireless functionality is reliable, speedy and hassle-free to say the least.

In case you would want to know, the PSP Slim runs on version 3.71 of the M33 custom firmware (arguably the finest firmware). I was hoping that Amos was right, when he told me that the pre-modified PSP will most probably run M33 firmware. Now, my worries of not being able to play ISO and CSO games have at long last been put to bed.

As for the functionality of the PSPs, I’m thoroughly stupefied. With an Internet browser, a multi-format video player, a music player, a photo viewer, and of course, a game player, what more could you ask for? Furthermore, it has the capability to make Skype VOIP calls and can function as a wireless PS3 controller. Not only that, with my custom firmware, the PSP opens the door to countless 3^rd party apps that I can run, rendering the PSP’s functionality limitless. No wonder why Amos bought another Fat after his former one got stolen by a repairman, lol.

Note: My Internet browsing experience with the PSP is pretty bad though, it comes nowhere close to the PC and iPod touch.

The Slim has quite a number of nice additions when directly compared to the Fat. Of which, the most outstanding is the reduction of its size and weight. Hands that have been seasoned with hours of gaming with the Fat will instantly notice the alteration. The micro stereo speakers have been moved up to the front now, but the infra-red sensor has been eliminated.

Wrapping up, given the notable functions of the PSP, it is most assuredly a fine addition to my growing line of tech gadgets.

Now, if you would excuse me, I have to go kick some ass!
T’ang

Amos' Build IT

edit: Amos has got the Razer DeathAdder instead of the Lachesis due to his preference for ergonomics to style and design (which I think is an absolutely smooth decision; it's needed for hardcore and intense gaming, period). Plus, additions to his PC include a Logitech X-530 5.1 speaker setup, an NZXT enclosure (which bears no resemblance to an Alienware chassis, wink wink), and a flashy blue LED 120mm exhaust fan.

The finalised build
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Amos Oh Boon Kiat has recently ordered a new PC (presumably from PlutoTech Singapore I guess), which I must say is quite remarkable. In fact, it's even slightly more formidable than Bryan's self-built (as always) PC. Another thing to take note of, is that Amos' originally planned built actually included an Nvidia 8800Ultra and possibly an Intel Quad Extreme! LOL! But then, I convinced him otherwise and right now, he has a sensibly more down-to-earth build. Glad to be able help, Amos! Anyway, what he has now can justly live up to the Bang for the Buck motif.

Here are his specs:

Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce XFX 8800GT 512MB
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Motherboard: MSI P7N Diamond (780i chipset)
Memory: 4GB DDR2 CORSAIR
HDD: Seagate 7200.11 500GB Barracuda ES2 32MB cache
Optical Drive: Liteon 20X 20A1S SATA Supermulti Box
Sound Card: Creative X-Fi XtremeAudio (came with mobo)
OS: Vista Home Premium 32bit
Mouse: Razer Razer DeathAdder - updated
Keyboard: Razer Lycosa
Speakers: Logitech X-530 - updated
Chassis: NZXT Apollo - updated
Estimated Price: S$3000+ <--- Dammn, that's one costly build haha

Plus, here's a link to his anarchist blog.

Happy fragging buddy!
T'ang

(image from http://past-the-exit.blogspot.com/)

One Moment Ago - One Wild Idea

In fact, assessing my video card choice, I can actually SLI two 9800GTXes. This may be possible as they "only" cost around 350 US; that's roughly the price of a 512MB GTS.

Whoa! Hold your horses! Two of the highest end single GPU cards at my disposal? I'm overwhelmed. Truthfully, I had never got the slightest thought that I would be purchasing such an overpowering rig. Playing the world's most graphically demanding game, Crysis, at mind-blowing frame rates? That's one of mine (insert: lol).

In reality, this is hardly justifiable. Right now, I've got to get back into the studying 'swing', for several tests are now at hand. But at the end, who knows?

Gulp! 3riple cards?! This is TOO much to ask for!

"There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope"
T'ang

(image from http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_9800gtx.html)

A Reschedule is in Order

Yes, I do think one is obligatory. It has been 4 months since I was supposed to get my Canadian PC. As I mentioned in my previous update, this is mostly due to Intel’s quads which refused to show their faces till now. With the Q6600 successor, the Q9300, emerging in quantities, the other two models (still only available as OEMs currently) are closely tagging along.

However, there is another impediment in view: my upcoming provincial examinations. With just no more than 2 months to go till they arrive at my doorstep, I do think that now is an ideal time to splurge all my cash and time on a rig. This is particularly true with habit-forming games (Crysis, World in Confict, Call of Duty 4 and all) waiting to be installed.

Urrggh! Can't wait!

But guess what, it may after all be a blessing in disguise! Intel’s upcoming chipset, the P45, is slated for release mid-June. Plus, after seeing the performance of the 9800GTX (the so-called 8800GTX successor, which I earnestly think is unworthy for such a quintessential position), I think Nvidia has pushed the G92 Graphics Processing Unit to its limits, for it will not produce any more significant performance gains. Perhaps it’s best to wait till Nvidia (or maybe even ATI) releases a fresh innovatory GPU.

What do you think?
T’ang

Darn delays after delays are pissing me off!

When can I complete my build?!

According to some reports, Intel's "Q" series quad core chips are slowly being shipped. This code-named Yorkfield series of processors have been delayed since December last year. Yes, it has been an excruciating 4 months, especially for people like me who have been waiting for the bloody chips to hit the shelves. If it wasn't for this 'delay', I'll have my rig by now. Sighz...

Well, there are many reasons (or excuses) this delay. For one, some are saying that this is due to the lack of competitive pressure from its arch rival, AMD. I just love the good old days where both companies just battle it out and push their products' prices to record low ones. Competition is SO nice... Next up will be the incompatibility issues of the Yorkfield processors with various motherboards. Hmm.. This sounds kind of fishy. If the EXTREME EDITION of this series (the QX9650 to be precise) can indeed be released months earlier, I don't see why there are incompatible issues with the non-extreme ones which are also built on the same manufacturing process.

Worse still. Currently, these Yorkfields will be shipping in limited quantities for the time being. They will first be shipped into pre-built systems, so people who wish to pick one up for their custom PC are unfortunately, out of luck. Previously Intel promised that the Yorkfields are slated for release in Q1 2008. It's now the 29th of March for crying out loud! It seems like Intel is dragging it on till the final day of Q1 2008.

How disappointing
T'ang

It's SLI-ck!

Most causual gamers feel that SLI (two or more graphic cards running in parallel) is a waste of resources. This includes Bryan who had just bought his new rig. What's with SLI anyway? Most casual users give the "excuse" that you don't get x2 the performance when you double the cards. I think that this reason is quite invalid. I mean, it is uncommon that you can buy technology where performance is directly proportional to it's price. Take for instance a television set. Is the price of a 32 inch LCD half the price of a 65 inch one? I think not. The price of the 65 incher is a great deal more than the 32! Or more specifically, LOADS more than double the price of the 32 incher (~US$9,999 vs ~US$1,299)!

OK. To be fair, most users do not require such a beefy graphics component. This gives them little reason to do so. Nevertheless, I still insist that SLI-ing 2 mid range cards (e.g. x2 8800GTS 512MB) is cheaper alternative and is much more worth than dumping all your cash on a single extreme version (e.g. 9800GX2). In fact, the performance of the dual GTSes can rival the ludicrously pricey GX2! Just take a peek:

A real-time benchmark that you can trust

Finally, with the advent of one of the finest BftB (Bang for the Buck) cards, the 8800GT and maybe the 8800GTS 512MB as well, there's no better time to get your grip on an SLI rig.

Note: The same goes for AMD/ATI's Crossfire.

Impressed now?
T'ang

(benchmark results from http://www.extremetech.com/image_popup/0,1694,iid=203330,00.asp)

HD DVD's Mayday

R.I.P. HD DVD... all hail Blu!

Yep. You’ve guessed it: it’s the white flag for HD DVD.

After years of a seemingly endless struggle for superiority, Blu Ray has finally emerged as cream of the crop. The death of HD DVD was not an immediate one though, as it was struck by a series of unfortunate events. The devastating blow was the defection of Warner Bros, while others, such as the decision of Wal-Mart to go Blu exclusive, and Best Buy to recommend Blu over HD DVD further crippled HD DVD. With Toshiba throwing in the towel, many early birds are now desperate to get rid of their HD DVD machines by selling them online with huge discounts.

So, just like the previous format war with VHS and Betamax, consumers like us will be able to purchase a format without feeling worried that the opposing one will emerge victorious at the end. However, we should hold our horses for now, and wait till versions standardize (Blu Ray Profile 2.0 is said to replace 1.1) and prices plummet.

Sony was right after all, when it insisted many times that no matter how deep your pockets are, you can’t win a format war when you’re only the company behind it. It’s simply bad luck for HD DVD. It will cost Toshiba millions as its HD DVD productions come to a screeching halt. As for Sony, it’s not an all-out party for them just yet, as they have lost far more money on its PS3 even though it has won this war. It’s what I would like to call: a pyrrhic victory. When the dust settles, all major movie studios will go with the flow and publicize support for Blu Ray.

Hope this will get things going
T’ang

(image from http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9874199-1.html)