Category: Games

HyperSLI: Enable SLI on a Crossfire-Only Motherboard

I built my computer a little over two years ago. At the time, NVIDIA (a GPU manufacturer) and Intel (a CPU manufacturer) were at odds with their licensing agreements, and I ended up being stuck with a Crossfire-only motherboard. If I wanted to use multiple graphics cards in parallel, they had to be ATI cards. Nevertheless, I purchased an NVIDIA GTX280 card because it seemed like the best card for the price. Lo and behold, earlier this year I completely forgot my motherboard was Crossfire-only and I bought a second GTX280 in anticipation for new games such as Battlefield 3. That was basically a $200 mistake.

Fortunately, a lot of other people also wanted SLI on their Crossfire-only boards, and someone created SLIpatch.  SLIpatch is great, but it has a few shortcomings such as requiring modified NVIDIA drivers for each driver revision. A few days ago the developer released a new tool called HyperSLI, which greatly simplifies the process and doesn’t require modified drivers. HyperSLI currently only works for motherboards with Intel processors, so if you have an AMD processor, you’ll have to stick with SLIpatch [Edit: Now works with AMD chipsets] . But if you do meet the requirements, here’s how to make it work:

  1. Install the latest NVIDIA drivers for your card.
  2. If you’re upgrading from SLIpatch to HyperSLI, just run the HyperSLI installer and click “Update”. If otherwise, just click “Install”. Simple.
  3. When the computer is rebooting, open up the BIOS. Most computers use either F1, F2, or DEL to access the BIOS. Look for something called “Virtualization Technology” and make sure it is enabled.
  4. When the computer boots back up, open up the NVIDIA Control Panel and enable SLI.
That’s it. Pretty easy.

Modern Warfare 2

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Update:
Campaign: Beat it in about 6 hours, but it was very intense
Online: Getting frustrating because a) I suck and b) there is frequent latency issues
Special Ops: About halfway done on veteran, pretty difficult and fun

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This game is fun. Really fun. The weapons are awesome. The gameplay is awesome. Haven’t played campaign but I’m sure it’s relatively awesome too. But! there is a few things I will never get over (for the PC version).

1. (minor) Why Steam, WHY!? This game doesn’t need to be on Steam. What a horrible excuse for a gaming service.

2. (major) Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE  has heard about this one; no dedicated servers. That said, I don’t find the p2p type gaming all that bad. I played online for about 3.5 hours last night, and I only had one bad experience with lag. At least me and a few friends can stay grouped together as we bounce around hosts and games, *sigh*.

3. (minor) Special Ops, Campaign, and Multiplayer are not integrated into one. Not even the graphical settings and control options are linked. I wasn’t impressed when I had to change all their effed up control settings three times, and observe the game fail at detecting my default resolution over, and over, and over. Nor was I impressed when the campaign started before I could even change the campaign settings. Watching the intro movie to the campaign at 1024*768 wasn’t too pleasant.

4. (minor) The menus look awful. Especially the first menu to choose which game type I want to play. The game hasn’t actually launched at that point, only that menu to choose what game type I want launch. Either they could have a) not had a menu and just gave me the executables for each mode in the Start menu, or b) made the menu NOT look like it’s from 1994. It could have been a windowed box about 480px wide. I’m not blind, I don’t need three massive low res boxes full screened across my 23″ monitor. Once the game is launched it becomes evident from the menus that the PC version was a direct port from the Xbox360, as my friend Benson pointed out about 5 times. No optimization whatsoever.

5. (major) No coop in campaign mode. I really do not care if it doesn’t fit with their “story” or overall experience. It’s fun. Options are always nice. CoD:WaW did it, and that campaign was clearly not designed with coop in mind. I’ve come to the conclusion that IW didn’t put it in solely so that when Treyarch makes the next CoD game off the exact same code, people will have a reason to buy it.

6. (major). 12 players max online. What the EFF. IW marketed it as 18 player max online, but they failed to mention that was only in the Groundwar mode. I can’t remember the last online shooter I’ve played that only allowed 12 players. I’m going to contradict myself now and say that the maps are still super intense at 6v6. It’s just that the OPTION to play with more isn’t there.

Well that is my main gripes so far. Infinity Ward was one of my favorite developers. I remember the good ol’ days when they only released a polished product. The gameplay IS polished; I couldn’t ask for a more addicting experience, but the presentation and feature set is a complete slap in the face.

School, Games, Computers

Lately I haven’t had much motivation to post about anything. I’m now settled in Edmonton for another year of school, and everything is going smoothly; however, Math 201 (Differential equations) and Math 209 (Calc. III) are freaking me out. The last few lectures pretty much everything has been going over my head.

Besides school, not much else is new. I bought NHL10 this week for my PS3, and it’s a pretty awesome game. There isn’t any major gameplay changes, but it feels like they made a ton of minor tweaks to enhance the realism. One popular “enhancement” I don’t like: fighting after the whistle. a) It slows down the games pace a lot, and b) my cpu team-mates like to take penalties during this time and it’s frustrating.

I also tried Resident Evil 5 and Need For Speed: Shift for the PC:

RE5 was a let down to me. The controls are very sluggish with a keyboard and mouse. It’s pretty pathetic that I have to use my Xbox 360 controller on a PC shooter in order to have decent controls. Other than controls, the game is beautiful and immersive.

Quite surprisingly, Need For Speed: Shift is an excellent game! I’ve only played a few races, but I’m impressed. The graphics are a little dated, but the driving mechanics have been overhauled to handle more like a racing simulator. The game just feels good.

Oh yeah, and I ordered a new printer and a new mouse from ncix.com:

The printer is a monochrome laser Brother HL2140. It is my third printer in less than a year. I’m quite happy with it, but then again I said that for the last two printers.
Pros: only cost $72.57; short power-on time; fast 23 ppm; relatively quiet; crisp text; cheap toner; compact; large paper tray
Cons: no duplexing ability (not even manual); included toner rated at 1000 pages while replacement toner is 1500 pages

As for the mouse, it’s a Razer Mamba! Right off the bat, let me just say I have no rational reasoning as to why I ordered this VERY expensive mouse. The last few months I have been looking for a new mouse since my Habu continued to have a double-clicking issue. I clicked through lists and lists of mice, and the Mamba is honestly the only one that caught my eye. I would have went with the Logitech MX Revolution but I HATE the free scrolling wheel ability (because it comes at the cost of the middle click). So anyway, the Mamba is amazing. Everything about it is pure overkill. I’ll do a mini-review in another post.

And one more thing. My friend Simon altered his website so his Facebook status would automatically update in his website description. Not to be left out, I found a widget that would do the same for me. It’s called StatusPress. I particularly like this version. It was kind of a pain the ass to find/make a Facebook RSS feed of my own status. This used to be very easy, it was right on the main page. Instead, I had to make a new Facebook account, add the real me as a friend, find the notes page and copy the rss link, then edit the rss link so it was for status instead of notes. Why Facebook, why…?

Wipeout HD Fury!

Here is a captured video of me trying out the WipeOut HD Fury add-on pack. In this video I’m playing the eliminator mode. Basically you try and destroy other racers and you get points for doing so. It’s a race to 200 points in this video.

I think making game videos is actually pretty fun. Unfortunately due to the limitations of the capture card I can only capture the ps3 at 720×480. Such a poor resolution makes me feel like I’m playing my Wii… Maybe I will upload some PC content in HD some time.

This is a random picture I admire. It makes me proud to be a Coke lover.

E3! I love being a gamer.

After watching the Nintendo and Sony E3 presentations today live on G4TV, I have to say I am completely overwhelmed, by one of them anyway ;).

Nintendo: Their conference was first. It started off quite boring I thought, and when EA came on and talked about their present and future garbage games that they’re pumping out on the Wii, I was ready to change the channel. Ninty obviously saved their big guns for the end. What they announced that I am excited for:

  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii – I loved the DS version, and this one is touting a multiplayer component of some sort. Hopefully (but doubtfully judging by the name) it will not be a direct port of the DS version.
  • Super Mario Galaxy 2 – The first one easily the best 3d platformer I’ve ever played. This definitely has me excited.
  • Metroid: Project M – Okay so this is one series I’ve never really played (embarrassed), but the news on this one is just too exciting. Nintendo is co-developing the game with Team Ninja, the guys behind the fantastic Ninja Gaiden franchise. The trailer is pretty cool, so here is the video:

Overall, their conference was pretty “meh”. The extreme enthusiasm of the on-stage presenters (mainly Cammie Dunaway, I very much dislike her) for the lack-luster material they were presenting for the first 95% of the show was frustrating.

Sony: Totally caught me off guard. This presentation was good, very good in my opinion. It did start off slow, but they played their cards right. Why I liked it:

PSP

  • The PSP Go was officially announced. Kaz Hirai humorously said it’s alternate name is “The Worst Kept Secret of E3“. Not many new details compared to my last post. It’s 50% smaller than original PSP. I must emphasize it’s not meant to be a PSP 2 nor replace the PSP-3000. In my last post about this, I was extremely upset with the PSP Go. After seeing it on video, I must change my opinion. This thing is very small and very slick. I want one.
  • Gran Turismo PSP – This is the game I’ve been wanting on my PSP since day one. It’s going to have 35 tracks, and get this OVER 800 cars!
  • Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker – The trailer wasn’t very good, but it’s Metal Gear Solid. Looks like there is going to be multiple Snakes. YES.
  • Resident Evil Portable – PSP exclusive. 2010. No other details.
  • Assassins Creed: Bloodline – I don’t know any details besides that it will be out this fall, hopefully it doesn’t stink.

I am very surprised overall with the games coming to PSP. I thought the PSP was down for the count. I am very pleased with what Sony showed.

PS3

  • Rockstar North (creators of Grand Theft Auto Series) are making an exclusive PS3 title called Agent. That’s all Sony said in the conference, but what I can gather is that it’s an espionage game based in the 1970’s. I am hoping this game will be a AAA title like Rockstar always seems to put out.
  • Final Fanatasy 13 trailer was shown and it kicked ass, but here is the big news. Final Fantasy 14 is coming exclusively to the PS3. It will be an online game similar to FF11.
  • Another PS3 exclusive, The Last Guardian was shown. It’s from Team ICO (the creators ICO and Shadow of the Collosus). I have to be honest, I’ve never played any of their games. But is “I want to” good enough? Both ICO and SotC are regarded as masterpieces and this game looks absolutely beautiful.
  • Metal Gear Solid: Rising for the PS3 was announced. Looks like 360 and PC owners are getting it too! I just hope that doesnt mean they have to cripple the game somehow to accomadate all 3 platforms.
  • A trailer for Gran Turismo 5 was shown. For some reason it got me super excited. I want this game so bad.
  • A big surprise for me, a new game called Modnation Racers was announced exclusively for the PS3 and previewed. It’s a kart racer, but it has creation abilities similar to Little Big Planet. You should watch the video to do this game justice. It looks very polished already.
  • Several minutes of in-game footage of God of War 3 was shown. The video finished off with Kratos slamming a monsters horn through its eye. Saying it was epic is a definite understatement.
  • New singleplayer footage of Uncharted 2 was shown. This is my most anticipated game of 2009! A few hours after the conference I received an email from Sony, “oh.. boring..” I thought. I read the email; I was invited to the Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta! And it starts tomorrow!! I am so stoked for this I can’t describe it.
  • And saving the best for last (well Sony didn’t, I am), Sony unveiled  a new product for the PS3. Two engineers came out; you could tell they were not the normal overly enthusiastic presenter type. Somehow you could just tell whatever Sony was going to show, it was going to be amazing. Then an engineer brought out an oblong funny looking controller, and the video incrementally got more amazing. Here is the video:

Obviously Sony took some ideas from Nintendo, but this motion controller appears to be incredible. I love the fact that they were showing a working prototype in it’s early stages right on stage by none other than two engineers. Call me a fanboy, those tech demos look better than most Wii games I’ve played.

I must bring up Microsoft’s “Natal” which they unveiled yesterday. It’s very similar in concept to the PlayStation Eye Toy.  Maybe I’m biased, it looks too good to be true. WAY too good to be true. To be honest, it reminds me of what Sony used to do. Showcase a product that hasn’t even been made yet. This just looks far to advanced to be possible. If this works as good in real life as it does in this video, I will buy a 360, so chances are I won’t be buying a 360.

So far E3 has been a joy ride. I can’t wait to play these upcoming games, so so many games *drools*.

PSP Go! Announced

Leaked photos and specs of the PSP Go (not to be mistaken as a PSP 2) have emerged, but all I see is disappoinment.
Specs: press-sony-psp-go-1

  • 16GB Flash interal storage
  • Bluetooth for tethering and headsets
  • Memory Stick Micro slot
  • Playstation Network Full Integration
  • 3.8 inch display
  • 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000
  • No UMD drive

Personal opinion here: Aesthetically this looks “cheap” and internally it’s very similar to the PSP-1000, PSP-2000 and PSP-3000. What they added was 16GB of internal memory and a bluetooth channel. What they dropped was a UMD drive and Memory Stick Pro Duo slot (which previous PSP’s / Sony Camera’s use). The PSP was launched in Japan in December of 2004, the hardware is outdated.

Not all is bad though, this definitely has potential. I could see this online-only approach picking up a lot of independant developers, similar to Apple’s App Store. Funny thing is, the PSP I have from launch day (March 2005) can access this same PlayStation Network, and I can get a 16GB Memory Stick Pro Duo card for $100. In a way, it’s kudos to Sony for supporting their hardware so long, but at the same time I am ready to get a new portable gaming machine, and the PSP Go! is not it.

Anyway, check out the official pictures from Sony in all their high-res glory after the break.

Source: Engadget

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