Nvidia 10 Series Launch Recap

10: Gaming Perfected launch

In just a few short hours the Nvidia 1080 and 1070 will be officially launched.  These two cards blow all existing cards out of the water. The new 1080 is supposed to be better then two 980's SLI'd, and this card even knocks the Titan X out of the running. So now you may be asking how that's even possible? Well a lot of time and money can do a lot of things, making a powerful graphics card is no exception.

Both cards use Nvidia's new pascal architecture. Pascal is to offer 3X the performance from the last generation chips. This is helped by supporting DirectX 12. But don't worry lower versions are compatible. Pascal is also the first chipset to be made

Spec:	1080	1070	Titan X	980 TI	980	970
CUDA cores	2560	1920	3072	2816	2048	1664
Base Clock (MHz)	1607	1506	1000	1000	1126	1050
Boost Clock (MHz)	1733	1683	1075	1075	1216	1178
Memory Speed (Gbps)	10	8	7	7	7	7
Standard Memory Config	8GB GDDR5X	8GB GDDR5	12GB GDDR5	6GB GDDR5	4GB GDDR5	4GB GDDR5
Memory Interface Width	256-bit	256-bit	384-bit	384-bit	256-bit	256-bit
Memory Bandwidth (GB/sec)	320	256	336.5	336.5	224	224
Max Resolution	7680x4320@60Hz	7680x4320@60Hz	5120x3200	5120x3200	5120x3200	5120x3200
Height	4.376"	4.376"	4.376"	4.376"	4.376"	4.376"
Length	10.5"	10.5"	10.5"	10.5"	10.5"	10.5"
Width	2-slot	2-slot	2-slot	2-slot	2-slot	2-slot
Max Temp (C)	94	94	91	92	98	98
Power (W)	180	150	250	250	165	145
Connectors	8-pin	8-pin	6-pin+8-pin	6-pin+8-pin	2x6-pin	2x6-pin

As I look through these specs I notice one huge difference; the power consumption. Nvidia has not just made a powerful graphics card they made one that's very power efficient. It's also very weird to see only one 8-pin connector as well but it is proof to the efficiency of these cards.

Something that is going around is that you can no longer 3-way and 4-way SLI your cards. This is false, Nvidia just is not officially supporting it. If you want to do more than 2-way SLI you will have to apply for a key to unlock the feature and you very well can 3-way and 4-way SLI.

April Rocket League Updates

Rocket League Updates

This week Rocket League updated on all platforms. I decided to check out their website to see what was updated and to check what is coming up. Xbox got a new Deadmau5 topper and antenna. PC, Xbox and PS4 got a lot of new flags and antennas as well that are mainly countries but all a few game cross-overs as well. A new game-mode called Hoops was added. The overtime timer now counts how long overtime has run for. The free time score countdown clock has now been removed. The new map cosmic has been added to Rocket Labs. Equipping an NBA flag will record how many baskets you have made in Hoops. We can now save replays mid-game and then rename them afterwards. Xbox also got a whole slew of new online features including 4 Rocket Lab Maps. But there was a lot more excitement surrounding Rocket League in April.

During the Microsoft press conference it was announced that Rocket League will be the first game to provide cross-platform play. Xbox-One and PC cross-platform play is to be inbound pretty soon here as they said spring 2016 it will be coming. I'm hoping that when cross-platform play comes to PC and Xbox-One that there will be more information about the possibility of PS4 and Xbox-One cross-Network play. Hopefully Rocket League can be used as an example of friends playing together no matter what the platform This will hopefully end the struggle of coordinating which console to buy between friends. 

To celebrate the kick-off of NBA playoffs Rocket League announced new NBA Flag Pack. This DLC will be $1.99 USD. Seems a little expensive for a bunch of flags but remember this is officially licensed and does include all 30 NBA teams. If you don't want to pick up all the flags everyone will be getting the NBA logo flag along with an all new game mode. This new game mode is called Hoops. A new hardwood stadium has been created and has hoops coming out from the wall. When the game starts the ball bounces and your goal is to hit it into the hoops. The hoops are up in the air and there is a wall that comes down from them. Your battle-car can go through these walls but the ball can not however. It felt like a little bit more of a challenge trying to get the ball in the air but yet was still doable due to the smaller stadium. My brother and I played a couple rounds and had a lot of fun with it and thought they did a very good job of the new Hoops mode.

Goat Simulator added Rocket League mode into the game during their Payday DLC earlier in the year. Euro Truck Simulator also jumped in and added the iconic battle-car onto your dash and the ball can now be hung from your mirror to enjoy while you drive around Europe. Rocket League added some Goat Simulator lore of their own with two new antennas. The Majestic Goatenna and the G2 Robot antenna are now out for you to collect. Euro Truck Simulator also got some love with the added Euro Truck Simulator Rig antenna for you to collect. Geralt of Rivia's iconic Witcher Medallion made it's way into the game as well in the form of an antenna. When you get this item be sure to check out that amazing lens flare. Rocket League has an invasion of Worms going as well. You can get a brand new Worm topper, a grenade antenna and a flag advertising there upcoming game for Worms, Worms: W.M.D.

Dying Light: The Following Enhanced Edition got a little bit of Rocket League when they added a paint scheme to the buggies. The scheme is Rocket League signature colors, of course blue and orange, and the logo on the doors and back rack. The announcement also went on to say that Dying-Light inspired items will be coming to Rocket League this summer. Can't wait to see what they come up with.