ASUS ROG ARES II Graphics Card in Malaysia

I remember that back in the year 2012 when ASUS launched its first ARES graphics card, it was considered the most powerful and fastest card at that time. Now, with its newest addition (in partnership with AMD), the company has reclaimed the same title. The new graphics card runs on two AMD Redeon HD 7970 GHz Edition Graphic Processing Units.

What can be great than a two GPUs graphics card for gamers? Not only this, the 6GB GDDR5 video memory offers smooth frame rates while playing any of the current or upcoming PC games. Apart from this, overclockers will appreciate the hybrid cooling system that uses classic cooling fan and closed system liquid cooling solution, providing stability and enhanced heat dissipation.

The card named ASUS ROG ARES II supports dual-slot height that helps in stringing up two of these giants in a Crossfire configuration. Thus, making four GPUs running in a cycle for producing maximum level graphics without any delay.

But, one thing which you will not like is this is a limited edition product with only 1,000 pieces produced that are available at RM5,599. The card comes in a special ROG themed case and a laser-etched aluminium backplate denoting authenticity.

In association with this launch, AMD also revealed the return of ‘Never Settle: Reloaded’ program that packages four most anticipated titles of the year (Tomb Raider, Crysis 3, BioShock Infinite and  DmC) with selected AMD Radeon HD 7800 and HD 7900 cards.

Revamped PlayStation Store for the PS3

Hello! Friends. Here is a news for all game lovers. Sony Computer Entertainment has revealed the redesigned PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3. This became available on 28 February, 2013. The new version has come up with many new features for the users. You can now experience a new and improved interface, a powerful search option, a filter and sort option and more. All these features help users find more games and videos from a large database of games and additional content.

PlayStation Store for PS3 offers easy navigation and integration and allow users to instantly search for what they want. Sony has also improved the product pages with an aim to provide more information about the item along with an option to download. So, there’s a lot of content available to check out at the new PlayStation store.

I have already checked out the new store and according to me few things that you might not like are the old store used to provide games and videos separately, which is not the situation in the revamped version. Some of you might not like the Add-Ons section or might find some games missing. Well! You must check out the efforts of Sony.

New Shades of Sony PlayStation 3 Super Slim

I spend my Sundays with my PS3 and I think this is the best way to spend a fun holiday. Sony has launched PlayStation 3 in 2006 and I got it in 2008 as my birthday gift. It is a real powerhouse with customised NVIDIA graphics chip and cutting-edge Cell processor. Then came the PlayStation 3 Super Slim, which was the most significant hardware update to PS3. When I saw the super-slim version, I wished if I could get it, but decided not to replace my current PS3.

However, now with the news of launch of new shades of PS3 slim CECH-4600C series, I am planning to get one. The new shades – Azurite Blue and Garnet Red will be available from 26, February 2013.

I think the shades are inspired by deep and calm shades of precious stones Garnet and Azurite. My favourite is Azurite. These two shades will join the existing Charcoal Black and Classic White PlayStation 3 systems, expanding the range to choose from.

The PlayStation 3 with 500GB Hard Disk Drive will retail at a recommended price of RM1,099 as a limited offer. In addition, PlayStation Vita fans will be get the Wi-Fi model in an Ice Silver colour. This new colour variation is also priced at RM1,099 and will be available from 6 March, 2013.

I am definitely going to get the PS3 super slim this time. What do you think about the Azurite Blue?

China Planning to lift the Ban on Gaming Consoles

Do you know gaming consoles are banned in China? It has been more than a decade since the year 2000, when Chinese cultural ministers banned manufacture, sale and import of game consoles due to ‘potential harm to mental and physical development of the young.’

However, a good news seems to be coming for game lovers in the country as an anonymous Government source from China’s Ministry of Culture said that the government is reviewing the present China gaming consoles ban. This could be a more good news for some of the major vendors in the field such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo who have failed to gain an official foothold in China.

There is a gaming console ‘iQue DS’ which is available in the country since 2005 with the help of loopholes in the system. This can be plugged directly into the TV to play several downloadable Nintendo 64 games. However, with the lift of the ban, the gamers will get to enjoy more games.

According to Ars Technica, a technology news website, it won’t be all game for game console vendors even if the gaming consoles ban is lifted. Challenges such as rampant piracy, bootleg games will be some of the hurdles they have to face for conducting a smooth business in one of the largest markets of the world.

A Great Graphics Workshop by ASUS and NVIDIA for Gamers

I am a crazy gamer. I spend most of my free hours playing games. January 26 was a great day for me because of the graphics workshop at the orange. Thanks to ASUS and NVIDIA for organising the gathering. Me and my friend had made plans days before for this workshop. On the day, both of us headed to The Arena, Orange Internet Cafe in Seksyen 2 Wangsa Maju for the LAN party and to our surprise the venue was filled with gamers crowd.

What I liked about the graphic workshop for gamers was it was conducted by Malaysia’s gaming darlings Chai ‘Mushi’ Yee Fung and Ashley ‘Summer’ Khoo. Wow! I had a great longing to meet them and finally it was fulfilled. Apart from conducting the graphics workshop, Mushi also gave us tips on how we can become a better DOTA player. Fans were getting posters signed by Mushi and Summer and taking photos with them.

The event went on till 8 in the evening. We enjoyed sticking around and playing games in the cafe. We not only interacted with other gamers, but also with power users and members of NVIDIA and ASUS team. They shared knowledge about building improved gaming rigs and overclocking.

The sales Manager, TASA DT GPU Segment, NVIDIA, Hugo Hsu provided details about the  efficiency of NVIDIA graphics card. He also spoke about the Project SHIELD. Overall, it was a great event and a perfect weekend for all the gamers in Malaysia.