Thailand Launch DTBB 2017 – South East Asia’s Biggest Digital And Tech Exhibition

This week, Thailand will be hosting Southeast Asia’s largest digital and tech exhibition, the Digital Thailand Big Bang (DTBB) 2017 from the 21st-24th of September. It focuses on all aspects of digital, especially in developing and accessing investment for Thai digital start-ups and building cybersecurity.
Digital Thailand Big Bang 2017
The event which is held at the IMPACT Convention Center in Muang Thong Thoni, has gathered venture capitalist, stat-up founders, and executives from many of the world’s leading digital technology companies. Start-ups from across Asia, Africe, the US, Europe and host nation Thailand will vie for prizes and funding. Also, companies developing AI, robotics, drone technology will demonstrate products and look to build commercial relationships.
The four day event will also be featuring Malaysian tech start-ups, which includes Runcloud, EasyParcel, BolehCompare, and HelloGold along with Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Center (MaGIC) to showcase their innovative and disruptive tech solutions, across the logistics and finance sectors. Malaysian tech companies and investors have begun to look forward to expanding to Thailand, thanks to the emergence of e-commerce and enterprise services on top of its business-friendly policies.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The event was all part of the plan set by the Thai government to transform Thailand’s economy from one based on manufacturing to one based on digital technology. It also has a firm backing from their Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Thailand is currently the third largest e-commerce market in the region, valued at US$ 900 million and is expected to increase 12 fold by 2025. Also sought by the Thai government is to enhance its own digital credentials and aims to be in the Top 50 of the United Nations e-Government rankings. They are also set for a smart city plan, with initiatives set for Phuket, Chang Mai and Khon Khaen.
To see more information and details of the event, you can check it right here
Pokdepinion: Although the event is hosted by Thailand, i see that it’s a great way for our local Malaysian companies to expand and get their ideas out there.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Earn 400 OPPO Club Member Points Simply By Walking To OPPO Concept Store

In this month’s OPPO Member’s Day, OPPO is giving out 400-point reward to those who walk-in during the special day at any OPPO Concept Store nationwide.
OPPO Member’s Day Reward
O-Club Member’s Day gift list
The monthly event takes place on the 18th of October and specially for existing O-Club members, every walk-in during the Member’s Day will get you a 400 point reward to your membership account.
With those points, you can use them to redeem gifts such as powerbank, shopping vouchers, merchandizes, and other rewards just by using their member points.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

If you are a current O-club member, you may head to the nearest OPPO Concept Store to reserve your gift to ensure its availability upon redemption. All redeemed gifts are ready to be collected on the Member’s Day.
Pokdepinion: If you’re a club member, well might as well as you spend those points in getting something for free guys. Don’t forget that you’d be getting 400 points for just entering the store.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


COLORFUL X15 XS gaming laptops announced with G-SYNC Ultimate support

The second-gen COLORFUL X15 XS brings with it the latest hardware Intel and NVIDIA has to offer, and crammed it into a sub-2KG package. While the brand name is COLORFUL, you only get two color options though, Pine Blue and Mist Grey. That’s still more than what most gaming laptops offer anyway.
COLORFUL X15 XS: 12th Gen Intel Core, GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
COLORFUL mentions G-SYNC Ultimate support, although the 15.6″ FHD 144Hz display here probably doesn’t support it with its 45% NTSC gamut support and 300 nits max brightness. There’s Adaptive Sync support too, so you are assured of a tear-free, fluid experience. The COLORFUL X15 XS also boasts a 86% screen-to-body ratio, although it is by no means a compact laptop.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Powering the display is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti mated to the latest 12th Gen Intel Core H-series processor. The Colorful X15 XS can be configured with the Intel Core i5-12500H or the Intel Core i7-12700H, giving you up to 14 cores and 20 threads for excellent performance be it in games or content creation.  Cooling is handled by the Storm Blade 2.0 cooling technology featuring four heatpipes, four vents and dual turbo fans, with a Freezing Mode that’s accessible via convenient hotkeys.
For RAM, you get 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM out of the box, with it being upgradeable thanks to COLORFUL’s use of SO-DIMM modules instead of soldering the memory onto the motherboard. The DDR4 implementation should also facilitate easier upgrading. Storage comes in the form of a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, which should also be easily upgradeable.
Aside from the hardware under the hood, the COLORFUL X15 XS promises a comfortable typing/gaming experience with a full-sized keyboard featuring 1.8mm of travel distance. The trackpad is also huge, being approximately 30% larger than what most other gaming laptops can offer. Rounding off the experience is the Sound Blaster Cinema 6+ feature for impactful, immersive sound.
COLORFUL X15 XS Specs and Pricing

Processor
Intel Core i5-12500H, 12C (4P + 8E) / 16T @ up to 4.5GHz, Intel 7
or
Intel Core i7-12700H, 14C (6P + 8E) / 20T @ up to 4.7GHz, Intel 7

RAM
16GB DDR4-3200 (2 x SO-DIMM)

Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6

Storage
512GB PCIe NVMe SSD

Display
15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, 300 nit, 45% NTSC gamut coverage
1 x HDMI
1 x mini DisplayPort 1.4

Connectivity
Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (WiFi 6E + BT 5.2)
1 x RJ45 LAN port
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps (Type-C)
1 x USB 3.0
1 x USB 2.0
1 x microSD
1 x 3.5mm combo audio jack

Power
54WHr battery
150W power adapter

Dimensions
359.5 x 238 x 22.7 mm

Weight
1.9kg

Price
Core i5-12500H: $999
Core i7-12700H: $1099

Local pricing has yet to be confirmed, but COLORFUL promised that it will be made available in Malaysia soon. Stay tuned!
Pokdepinion: The design is a bit polarizing but if the price is right, I think it can be a pretty interesting option for gamers looking to get max bang for buck.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Ghost of Tsushima Review — The Captivating Samurai Game We’ve Been Crying Out For

You’d definitely have known by now that we have an early copy of Ghost of Tsushima, the latest PS4 exclusive to hit the platform following The Last of Us Part II. Without wasting any time, let’s jump straight to the review.
This review is spoiler-free, so feel free to read on as it is.
What is The Ghost of Tsushima About?

Ghost of Tsushima review – Trailer
Ghost of Tsushima is brought to you by Sucker Punch, the same guys that made the Infamous game franchise. The game takes you to the year 1274 when the Mongol Empire invades the island of Tsushima, bringing havoc and chaos to where their eyes can see.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

You take on the role of Jin Sakai, one of the last remaining Samurai, where you rise back from the ashes and go beyond your tradition to free the land from tyranny. It certainly won’t be an easy journey, not just for Jin, but you as well.
A True Samurai Experience?
Ghost of Tsushima review
Right off the bat, I was already impressed with the game, and it’s just the main menu. There you get the standard calibration and language settings in order, but what I did not expect was the option to play the game fully in black and white. If you’re a big fan of Samurai movie classics like me, I dig the retro experience that it brings, similar to famed Akira Kurosawa’s titles, which they did took inspiration from as they’ve mentioned his name.
Ghost of Tsushima review
The world of Ghost of Tsushima is huge. You probably could say that it’s common in games in today’s world but what Sucker Punch did brilliantly is that they managed to give an authentic Japanese experience. You get the sense that you truly are a samurai in old Japan.
Ghost of Tsushima review – Sweat
Sucker Punch didn’t skimp out on the attention to detail in the game. Just look at the picture above, that’s actual sweat on the character. It’s not perfect by any means as it does have its shortcomings however, and one that irks me quite a bit.
Since you’re playing a Japanese-themed game, more likely than not, you’d choose Japanese dub over English right? Well, that’s what I did and to my surprise, the character’s mouth movement doesn’t sync up as it follows the English version. That really annoyed me in the game. While you can avoid this by going with the English dub, I feel like it loses out on the game’s theme. Not to mention, the characters sound rather dull in English.
You’re Going to See Time Fly Rather Quickly
Ghost of Tsushima review
A lot of people were wondering on whether the game would be something similar to the like of Bloodborne, Nioh, Dark Souls, and more. I can safely say that it isn’t, at least from the difficulty aspect. I wouldn’t say the game is easy to breeze through, but the challenges aren’t too difficult either.
I have experienced bugs in the game, particularly with regards to the AI. Considering how big of a world the game is set in, I’m actually not surprised. Thankfully, they aren’t game-breaking in any sense, at least from my own personal experience. The ones that I’ve encountered include floating in mid-air (for a few seconds), NPC tripping over obstacles repeatedly, and the same enemy unit respawning over and again. With the former, I found that to deal with it, you’d need to kill the unit and move on with the mission. I do expect some of these issues to be ironed out in the Day 1 patch.
Ghost of Tsushima review
There is timing involved in combat but it is definitely much easier than the likes of Dark Souls. For one, there’s no stamina system in the game, and I for one appreciate that. In terms of actual combat, it feels fluid and satisfying. There’s a handful of sword stances in Ghost of Tsushima, each coming with their own advantages. Overall, the game offers a decent enough challenge but not something that’s overwhelming.
Ghost of Tsushima review – Face-off
In the game, you are introduced to ‘Face-off’, a dueling system that you can initiate before you face your enemies. This gives you the opportunity to finish off your opponents with a single slash. Though you’re a samurai by heart, I like the fact that they give you the option to go ‘stealthy’, perfect for those who would like to quietly take the enemies out instead of wreaking havoc out in the open.
Ghost of Tsushima – Customizations
If you’ve been following the game closely enough, you’d probably have seen the game’s plethora of customizations. I kid you not, there are plenty of stuff to go around. You got a range of gears ranging from various types of armor, utility items, and skill sets.
That seems like an awesome thing to have in a game right? Well sadly, it comes with a drawback as well. Most of the items available in the game when it comes to gears are simple cosmetics. I personally wish that it had some effect on the game so you can get a different, more diversified feel. Not to mention the sense of gratification when getting stronger gear.
Ghost of Tsushima review
If you’re looking for a game where you can spend hours upon hours of playing, Ghost of Tsushima fits the bill perfectly. There are plenty of things to do in the game, ranging from side quests to point of interest areas. Your goal is to build a name for yourself and by doing these tasks, you go a step further in doing so.
Despite that, I can see how some gamers may feel that the game is repetitive, and I do get that feeling myself after some time. With that being said, I think it’s unfair to judge the game simply by that. I mean, your island is invaded by Mongols, so it’s unrealistic to expect something other than killing them, right?
Ghost of Tsushima review
This isn’t something that’s big in the game, but it’s surprisingly pretty fun. The game has implemented a Photo Mode rather well. All the pictures used in this review was captured thanks to the mode. There are a handful of things you can tweak with the mode, giving you the ability to take shots exactly the way you want it. It could even make for a great PS4 wallpaper.
Ghost of Tsushima Verdict
Ghost of Tsushima review
Seeing that Ghost of Tsushima is the last PS4 exclusive game before the PlayStation 5 is unleashed, I’d say the PlayStation team has delivered yet another awesome title to the platform.
Some might find RM249 a bit on the high side, but I definitely feel like it’s worth every cent. Considering the game offer hours of gameplay and enjoyable combat, I’d gladly recommend the game and give it our coveted Gold Pokdeward. If you’re a big fan of samurai-themed games on the PS4, then you don’t have to look any further than this.

Big thanks to PlayStation Asia for giving us an early access copy of this game for the purposes of this review.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


HONOR Launches Magic Vs & Magic5 Series In Malaysia, With Country-Exclusive Model

The standard Magic5 model is sold exclusively for Malaysian market, being the sole overseas market outside of China.

In the event yesterday hosted in JW Marriott Hotel at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, HONOR has officially launched its dual-flagship Magic series smartphones, with the first foldable model, Magic Vs, and the latest Magic5 series available for the Malaysian market.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Starting off with Magic Vs foldable – being the very first foldable device from the brand, it’s packed with all the best HONOR has to offer, with various class-leading innovations. The company touts that the front display, utilizing a more mainstream 21:9 aspect ratio, should fit widescreen content better than competing models that uses non-standard aspect ratios. The screen measures at 6.45 inches and 90% screen-to-body ratio.
As for the inside display – measuring 7.9 inches – the zero-gap design can close the inside completely shut and keeps debris away from potentially damaging the more delicate parts of the phone. The display hinge, which HONOR says is rated for 400,000 folds or “above 10 years of use”, also gets hugely simplified to 4 major components, down from 92 parts. The entire unit, when folded, is 12.9mm thick and weighs 267g, which is on the light side for foldables and not much more bulkier than traditional candy bar form-factor smartphones.
Despite its relatively slim profile, the battery capacity is also class-leading at 5,000mAh split into two cells; only 46 minutes is needed to fully charge the phone thanks to 66W fast charging. This model will be sold at the RRP of RM5,999 (12+512GB) – with eligible free gifts worth up to RM2,200. Preorders starts now, with the launch set on 28th April – though preorder bonuses will only be available until 13th April.

The mainstream flagship Magic5 series meanwhile gets its usual hardware updates. The company says the Magic5 Pro has taken the leading spot in DXOMARK ranking with 152 points with what they refer as “Falcon Triple Main Camera”. The triple-sensor array features three 50MP sensors with the primary packed with OIS, EIS, and a custom sensor measuring at 1/1.2 inch, with emphasis put on speed. The new camera can start up twice as fast as its predecessor, while focus speeds are increased by 245%, imaging speed gets 118% boost and shutter reaction time is sped up by 147%.
Display-wise, the 6.81-inch display features 2160Hz PWM dimming with dynamic dimming feature; the Circadian Night Display meanwhile can improve sleep quality by reducing blue light emissions. The display is driven by a dedicated chipset that can upscale SDR to HDR, and standard HDR to HDR10+ video (alongside framerate boosting feature). As the flagship model, the SoC is unsurprisingly powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, with 12+512GB storage configuration, LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage standard.
Meanwhile on the battery department, HONOR’s new ultra high-density battery can fit a 5,100mAh cell in a 8.8mm thick chassis, which the company claims can handle up to 17 hours of YouTube playback. Same 66W charging applies – though unlike the foldable model, this one can be wirelessly fast-charged with 50W of power as well. The HONOR Magic5 Pro will retail at RM4,299 (12+512GB, with free gifts worth up to RM1,200 when preordered before 13th April), whereas the Malaysian-exclusive HONOR Magic5 will be priced at RM3,499 (eligible for RM700 early bird gifts) – with both models launching on 28th April as well.
Pokdepinion: The camera is serious hardware, reading through the specs there are lots of auxiliary sensors aside from the three main ones.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Microsoft Won’t Let You Disable Windows Defender Anymore and Here’s Why

It looks like Microsoft will no longer be giving users the ability to disable Windows Defender. However, there is a good reason for it regardless of how annoying it might be. Here’s why it’s important to never have it disabled anymore.
Here’s Why Microsoft Won’t Let You Disable Windows Defender Anymore

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

According to Microsoft, the purpose of the DisableAntiSpyware feature in Windows Defender (also known as Microsoft Defender) is to let IT professionals and system administrators to disable the antivirus engine. It’s a legacy option that has been removed as it no longer makes sense to have in today’s world.
To disable Windows Defender was never an option that meant for your everyday consumer so Microsoft has decided to remove the registry key for it.  This change is included with versions 4.18.2007.8 and higher of the Microsoft Defender AntiMalware platform with update KB 4052623.
Note that this setting includes a tamper protection, which is available in all Home and Pro editions of Windows 10 version 1903 and higher and is enabled by default. The impact of removing DisableAntiSpyware is limited to Windows 10 versions prior to 1903 with Microsoft Defender Antivirus. This change does not affect third-party antivirus. They will continue to work as they have been up to now.
Microsoft Officials
Windows Defender, which has since been rebranded to Microsoft Defender, is described as the “first line of protection” for many Windows PCs today. The feature has seen numerous improvements over the years as the company wants it to be more than capable on its own on Windows 10 machines without the need for a standalone antivirus program.
This didn’t sit well with everyone however, as security providers have criticized the move as taking advantage of their situation and installing the software on Windows 10 PCs by default. Kaspersky has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft with the European Commission, citing alleged abused of a dominant position to promote their own security solution and demanded that “all security solutions should be able to work on the Windows platform on equal terms.”
While it can work well on its own, there is still demand for standalone antivirus programs, albeit a diminished one compared to several years ago. For those who want to ensure the best security possible, they would still buy it anyway, and as it is, there is already a good number of options of free and paid programs for it.
Source
Pokdepinion: I personally have no need to disable it so I’m fine. It’s like the first line of defense against cyber-threats and it’s free. No complaints here.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


PS Plus April 2019 Free Games Lineup for US and EU Regions

If you’re a PS Plus member then chances that this is the time that you look forward to every month. The time to know what free games will be coming your way. Well, let’s not delay this any further and get right down to all the juicy details you need.
This is the PS Plus free games lineup for the US and EU regions.
First up in the llineup, we have Conan Exiles, a survival multiplayer game based on the relatively popular character Conan the Barbarian. Players are forced to do whatever they can to survive, including but not limited to hunting for food, building shelter, fending off intense weather conditions, and more, all within a vast and expansive open world.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The other big highlight for PS Plus April 2019 is The Surge, a 3rd-person, sci-fi RPG. In the game, players utilize an upgradable exoskeleton to take down a variety of different enemies. During your time in the world, you’ll be able to craft and equip new weapons to help you on your way. Right now, it’s not exactly clear if the version that’ll be free is the standard edition, or the augmented edition, however, chances are it’s just the former.
Of course, last month Sony stopped including PlayStation 3 and PS Vita titles in their PS Plus free games lineup and this month, of course, continues that promise, so these two games are all you’re getting.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered and The Witness, last month’s free games, is still available at the time of this writing. The new lineup will be officially available on 2nd April 2019.
Pokdepinion: Not gonna lie, these games are pretty good. Of course, it’s only worth it if you don’t have the game already.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Streamer Lose Followers After Her Face Filter Malfunctioned

We can’t deny that in today’s world, filters have become common thing in social media. Some use it for fun, while some utilize it to make them look better (who are we to judge them,anyways?). Now it seems that the feature has backfired for a streamer from China.
Known as “Your Highness Qiao Biluo“, the Chinese vlogger was revealed to be older than what she ‘appeared’ to be. Unfortunately for her, there was a technical glitch that occurred when she was on a joint-live stream with another streamer which exposed the fact that she has been using filters.
Qiao Biluo real face (left) vs filtered face (right)
It’s reported that her fans had been asking her to remove her filter and show her real face but she said that she’ll only reveal the truth if she’s gotten higher donations from her fans. She’s been reported to have said “I can’t show my face until I receive gifts worth 100,000 yuan (~RM59,969). After all, I’m a good-looking host”.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Money then began to roll-in for her and it all went south for her as her filter faded at one point. She then started to lose her followers, which she only noticed after noticing that fans were leaving from her paid VIP room. You can check out how she really looks like in the video linked below.

Ever since the incident happened, it is said that she has decided to suspend her channel, according to Weibo users. Some of them has said that it’s a good thing that she closed up for conning people’s money.
On the other hand, some even sympathized her, asking that people shouldn’t judge her by her image along and note that her rise to fame came from her voice.
Pokdepinion: I wouldn’t say that I’m shocked by what happened. I mean, it’s common. You’d find videos of how these streamers use filters all over the internet. The thing that I’m surprised is the fact that people were willing to throw cash at her to reveal her face.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Grab Malaysia Introduces GrabKitchen — Their First Ever Cloud Kitchen

The folks at Grab Malaysia has today announced their first cloud kitchen in the form of GrabKitchen, where it features 11 brands in one central location.
Grab Malaysia launches GrabKitchen

GrabKitchen was first introduced in Jakarta back in 2018, where it has expanded to 55 cloud kitchens throughout the Southeast Asia region. The one here in Malaysia is located at Hartamas where Sean Goh, the Managing Director of Grab Malaysia has said “Our regional experience with GrabKitchen makes us a suitable partner for F&B operators to expand their operations to address the growing evolution of the food industry and customers’ needs. Not only is the GrabKitchen concept a unique and cost-efficient model for F&B operators, but they will also have ready access to our merchant support tools, strong delivery network and wide customer base”.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

They’ve said that GrabKitchen is a lower risk option for restaurants and brands to expand to new areas without extensive financial investment. With the new service, you can “mix and match” orders from 10 brands while paying for just one delivery fee.
Grab Malaysia has said that they plan on expanding their network of GrabKitchen in the country. The service is available from 10am to 10pm, with last orders to be placed by 9.20pm or you can also choose the self-pick up (zero delivery fee) option.
Pokdepinion: It’s definitely a good service should you want to purchase more than 1 brand/restaurant to be delivered. Hopefully they’ll have more branches in the country to make it convenient for everyone.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Cooler Master V Gold SFX series available in Malaysia now, starting from RM529

Cooler Master has just announced their very first SFX PSUs, and they are now available in Malaysia. Available in three wattage options ranging up to 850W, the new Cooler Master V Gold SFX PSUs are ready to power all your SFF builds, even if you throw an overclocked 10th Gen Intel Core processor and GeForce RTX 3090 into the mix.
The Cooler Master V Gold SFX series is an evolution of the existing V Gold series, now in a smaller form factor. As the name implies, these power supplies feature 80+ Gold certification. The V Gold SFX series are all fully modular with 16 AWG PCIe cables to ensure better reliability.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The V Gold SFX series sports a 92mm FDB fan to keep it cool under load, with a semi-fanless mode that allows it to be absolutely silent under less than 15% load, making it perfect for your low profile build. If you one day decide that you have outgrown your SFF PC, you can also drop the Cooler Master V Gold SFX series into a larger case that supports ATX PSUs, with a SFX-to-ATX bracket.

You can already get the Cooler Master V650 Gold SFX and V750 Gold SFX in Malaysia now, while the V850 Gold SFX will be available starting mid-January 2021. The power supplies are priced as follows:

Cooler Master V650 Gold SFX – RM529
Cooler Master V750 Gold SFX – RM599
Cooler Master V850 Gold SFX – RM669

All of the Cooler Master V Gold SFX series are covered by a 10 year warranty.
Pokdepinion: Guess which PSU am I going to pick for my NR200P build?
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Microsoft to Acquire Obsidian Entertainment? – The Dev Behind Fallout: New Vegas

Microsoft to Acquire Obsidian Entertainment

A big change in the gaming industry is coming soon as Microsoft is said to be acquiring indie development studio Obsidian Entertainment, the same studio behind games like Fallout: New Vegas and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II.
At the moment, the offer has been made but no indication of signings just yet. This means that there is indeed a possibility that the deal may fall apart, just as many acquisition offers in the past has. However, it is being claimed that “sources” close to the companies stated that it is about 90% and it is believed that it is a matter of when, not if.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Such a deal will provide Obsidian Entertainment with plenty of resources, stability, and the backing of a huge company immediately, though game developments may be focused on more specific platforms in the future.
If and when it happens, it would not be the first time Microsoft has made such an acquisition. They have done similar deals with Mojang (the creator of Minecraft), Ninja Theory, and Playground (Forza Horizon). This will basically expand Microsoft’s roster of 1st party developers which will make them better suited to fight against the likes of Sony and Nintendo for platform dominance.
While Microsoft and Obsidian Entertainment has had some disagreements in the past, such as the case with the cancelled Xbox-exclusive Stormlands game, the Xbox team is now under a new leadership so the friction from before may be nonexistent now. For now, only time will tell.
Source: Kotaku
Pokdepinion: Well, I certainly didn’t see this coming. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more development studios getting acquired.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Donald Trump Is Permanently Banned From Twitter Even If He Becomes President Again

It feels like it’s been a long time since we’ve seen Donald Trump posted anything from his Twitter account.. Well it’s not surprising seeing that he was banned on multiple social media platforms while he was still the president of the United States. It seems that we won’t see any changes to that in the future, at least not on Twitter.
Donald Trump permanently banned on Twitter

"The way our policies work, when you're removed from the platform, you're removed from the platform whether you're a commentator, you're a CFO or you are a former or current public official," says $TWTR CFO @nedsegal on if President Trump's account could be restored. pic.twitter.com/ZZxascb9Rz
— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) February 10, 2021

The news was revealed in an interview done by Squawk Box CNBC, where Twitter CFO Ned Segal said that the former president is banned for good. He even said that should Trump run for presidency again, the ban will not be overturned.
In the interview Ned has said “The way our policies work, when you’re removed from the platform, you’re removed from the platform. Whether you’re a commentator, you’re a CFO, or you are a former or current public official. Remember, our policies are designed to make sure that people are not inciting violence, and if anybody does that, we have to remove them from the service and our policies don’t allow people to come back”.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Aside from Twitter, Donald Trump was also banned from Facebook and Instagram. Despite that, he was more known for his rants over at Twitter.
Despite his absence, Twitter claims that they’ve continued to gain new users even after the ban. The company’s CEO has said “We are a platform that is obviously much larger than any one topic or account”.
For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Source
Pokdepinion: I can see why they’ve banned him but I kind of miss his posts on Twitter and how funny they are.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Xiaomi Files Lawsuit Against US Government

In case you’ve missed the news, Xiaomi has been banned by the US government where they claim that the company as a “Communist Chinese military company”. You may recall that they did the same thing to HUAWEI previously. In the latest news, it appears that Xiaomi is taking action against them.
Xiaomi sues US government

The ban from the US government means that the brand would not be allowed to do dealings with American securities and investment companies, which is needless to say, a pretty huge deal.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

In turn, Xiaomi Corp has decided to file a lawsuit towards the U.S Defense and Treasury departments, where they are challenging the blacklist with the U.S district court of Columbia. The company has claimed that the blacklist to be “unconstitutional” and has said:
Xiaomi faces imminent, severe, and irreparable harm if the Designation remains in place and the restrictions take effect
The decision to blacklist the company was made by the previous Trump administration, considering that Biden has officially took over, it’d would be interesting to see how the story progresses. We’ll update you should there be any new updates, so till then, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Source
Pokdepinion: It will be interesting to see how things pan out. I still don’t get how they are getting the ban though, considering a lot more brands out there.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


New HONOR MagicBook 15 AMD Is Now Available For Pre-order

HONOR has announced that pre-orders for the new HONOR MagicBook 15 AMD is available now.
Pre-order the HONOR MagicBook 15 AMD now

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor and AMD Radeon graphics are standard on the HONOR MagicBook 15 AMD. It also has a 15.6-inch beautiful Eye Comfort HONOR FullView Display, a 100% sRGB colour gamut, and an 87% screen to body ratio. The MagicBook 15 also has TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification and TÜV Rheinland Flicker-free Certification, allowing users to work for long periods of time while remaining comfortable.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

HONOR’s new laptop has a sleek and lightweight design that weighs 1.54kg and is 16.9mm thin, making it easy to pack into any on-the-go luggage. The HONOR MagicBook 15 AMD has a big 56Wh battery power that provides all-day entertainment and is further strengthened by the 65Wh USB-C fast charging that charges up to 65% in just one hour.
Multitasking has also been made easier with Multi-screen Collaboration. Users can simply pair their HONOR 50 with the MagicBook 15 AMD with just a simple tap. From there, you can simply drag, drop, and edit your files in the HONOR 50 using the keyboard and mouse of the laptop.

Pre-order the HONOR MagicBook 15 AMD for a special price of RM2,499 with an RM250 deposit on Shopee’s HONOR Official Store to secure this incredible deal. The HONOR MagicBook 15 AMD will be available nationwide beginning on October 10th, 2021, in the 8GB + 256GB configuration and Mystic Silver colour. For more information on HONOR’s new laptop, click the link here.
Pokdepinion: The price is pretty ok for the specs they offer. I wonder if we’ll get this for review in the future?
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 Prices in Korea Leaked

I’m sure many of you heard of claims that the upcoming foldables will be cheaper / more affordable compared to previous years. Now, we have a the leaked prices of both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 in South Korea, which should give you a better idea of what to expect.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip Prices in Korea Leaked

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Recent reports have revealed that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 will have a retail price between KRW 1,900,000 and KRW 1,999,999 ($1,655 to $1,741 / RM6,938.59 to RM7,299.14) while the Galaxy Z Flip3 will be between KRW 1,200,000 to 1,280,000 ($1,045 to $1,110 / RM4,381.16 to RM4,653.56) in South Korea.
Leaks of the pricing first came from South Korean forum Naver Blog, which also coincides with earlier reports that the new foldable smartphones will be 20% more affordable than its predecessors at launch. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold2 was retailing for KRW 2,398,000 ($2,088 / RM8,753.94) while the Galaxy Z Flip retailed for KRW 1,650,000 ($1,435 / RM6,016.24).
In order to push for higher sales of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3, the Korean giant will having a trade-in program with benefits that will encourage more people to swap out from their old devices to the new foldables. The best trade-in rates will be given to existing Fold and Flip owners, though that will be subjected to the device’s condition as well.
We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion: That’s a much bigger difference between the Fold and Flip than I expected. I guess I’ll have to wait and see for good trade-in deals and then decide which foldable to go for, hopefully with some good freebies as well.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


PNY GeForce RTX 4090 OC XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB Review – The Silent Beast

You should know by now how a RTX 4090 looks like – massive in size, thirsty on power, expensive in pricing, and just generally has a presence that you couldn’t ignore even if you wanted to. For the RTX 40 series, NVIDIA wants to create a generational gap so big, they have pretty much turned everything up to 11 – power limit, CUDA cores, L2 caches, and even brings a feature that literally generates frames.
While all of these sounds nice on paper, your AIB models is not going to differ very much in terms of performance or certain features, due to NVIDIA’s stringent control on how custom designs should be made (just ask EVGA). Here we have PNY’s flavor of GeForce RTX 4090 – can it differentiate itself from other AIB models? Let’s find out.
Unboxing
Box front.
With NVIDIA’s rebranding on GeForce few months earlier, that meant all products associated with it are now using a new font called “NVIDIA Sans NALA”. Most AIB packaging these days won’t be that much different from each other – at most you’ll be looking either a render of the card itself, or sometimes just with 3D rendered images of some abstract graphics on the same spot. In this case, it’s a depiction of the card itself, with that lightshow-grade RGB effects.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Box contents.
Opening the box reveals not a whole lot – the card itself, quick start guide, GPU support bracket (plus screws) and a 16-pin (12VHPWR) to 4x 8-pin PCIe adapter. If you have a PCIe 5.0 / ATX 3.0 power supply already on hand, you can ignore that adapter as it is designed for older ATX 2.0 standard PSUs that use PCIe 8-pin connectors (which supplies 150W on each connector).
Appearance
Front view.
Let’s just say unless your previous GPU happened to be a RTX 3090 or either of the 3080 series, you’re going to pause for a brief moment and look at the sheer size of this thing. Three 100mm fans covers the shroud which measures the entire card at 332mm. Not the biggest card that existed so far, just so you know.
PNY has toned down the design, doing away with the two tone “metal frame” look from the 30 series and instead go for a more mainstream shroud design. That being said, you can see there’s the huge X-shape lines around the center fan which is responsible for RGB lighting.
Top view.
On the top side, it’s dominated by heatsink fins – though you can see what is presumably a pair of fan connectors (the colored cables look distracting though), plus a 16-pin 12VHPWR connector that takes a much smaller footprint over what could have been four PCIe 8-pin connectors. However, this card is still rated at 450W – just like the vanilla model. Some users might try overclocking it so there’s still about 225W more headroom in theory (150W + 75W from slot) to work with. Other than that, you get a new GeForce RTX branding on the shroud, plus the illuminated XLR8 branding.
Bottom view.
Viewed from bottom, it’s all fin stacks and heatpipes – with nothing getting in the way of these metals. The PCB is painted black, pretty much the standard color for modern PCBs these days.
Rear view.
Backplate is mostly standard affair – with two-thirds of the metal-brushed plate fully enclosed (minus the exposed capacitors behind the silicon), bolted to the PCB while the outward one-third is cut with a flow-through opening to facilitate better cooling. PNY has cut the opening in the shape of arrow that resembles their XLR8 logo.
PCIe bracket & I/O.
Onto the I/O. Despite the metal bracket is covered with a big perforated area, that pretty much serves no purpose – this card is cooled through the standard “open-air” design that pushes hot air through the long side of the card, unlike the blower design of old or even the push-pull design that NVIDIA uses for their own Founder’s Edition models. The ports selection are identical to vanilla RTX 4090 – with a trio of DisplayPort 1.4 ports and a single HDMI 2.1 port. Measuring at 3.5 slots in thickness, this is pretty much as thick as GPU gets.

Setting up on our test rig, the RGB is given very generously here – certainly has enough of it to be your PC’s RGB centerpiece. Although that depends on your GPU placement – you’ll need a vertical PCIe riser if you want your GPU’s lighting to be on full display. For others that prefer a less in-your-face look, traditional side-mounted placement will only leave the XLR8 branding visible as RGB. Or you could just simply turn it off if RGB isn’t your thing. But you don’t do that on a card that has this much RGB on offer…
And then there’s the elephant in the room – that huge 4x 8-pin PCIe adapter. We don’t have a PCIe 5.0 capable PSU yet, so that meant we have to wire our GPUs this way. Looks fine on our part, but I definitely will think twice if this were to be my own personal PC. No one likes a thick cable getting in the way of aesthetics.
Specifications
PNY GeForce RTX 4090 OC XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB

GPU Core & VRAM:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

GPU Core Variant
AD102-300-A1

Microarchitecture
Ada Lovelace

Process Node
TSMC N4

Transistors
76.3 billion

Die size
608mm²

Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs)
128

CUDA Cores
16384

Tensor Cores
512

RT Cores
128

Cache
72MB (L2)

VRAM Configuration
24GB GDDR6X 384-bit

Memory Bandwidth
21Gbps, 1,008GB/s peak

Add-in board:
PNY GeForce RTX 4090 OC XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB

Base/Boost Clock
2235 / 2565 MHz
*Boost clock +45MHz over stock

TDP
450W

Recommended PSU
850W

Dual BIOS Mode
No

Display Outputs
3x DisplayPort 1.4
1x HDMI 2.1
*Max output resolution: 7680×4320 (8K) @120Hz

Power Connector
16-pin 12VHPWR connector (600W max)
*Optional 4x 8-pin PCIe adapter included

Bus Interface
PCIe 4.0 x16

Dimensions
3.5-slot, 331.8 x 136.8 x 71.1mm

Test System

CPU
Intel Core i9-13900K

Cooler
ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 AIO
Cooler Master MasterGel Maker

Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO

GPU
PNY GeForce RTX 4090 OC XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Founders Edition

Memory
Kingston FURY RENEGADE RGB DDR5-6400 CL32 (2x16GB)

Storage
Samsung SSD 980 PRO 256GB (Boot)
Kingston NV1 1TB

Power Supply
ASUS ROG Thor 1000W Platinum II

Case
VECTOR Bench Case (Open-air chassis)

OS
Windows 11 Pro 21H2

Performance
In the following performance comparison, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti will be used as comparison and reference. All benchmarks are done in out-of-the-box settings, unless otherwise specified.
Games are tested under these settings (upscaling features such as NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR are turned off):

Forza Horizon 5 (RT ON)
Maximum settings (all settings maxed out to EXTREME preset when available, Ray Tracing set to EXTREME).
Forza Horizon 5 (RT OFF)
Ultra High preset – Ray Tracing turned off.
Red Dead Redemption 2
All settings set to ULTRA – slightly higher quality over ‘Favor Quality’ from the in-game settings slider.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (RT ON)
HIGHEST preset. RT Shadows set to ULTRA (which overrides default Shadow settings).
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (RT OFF)
Same as the previous run – with the exception of RT Shadows turned OFF, with Shadow settings set to ULTRA instead.
F1 2022 (RT ON)
ULTRA HIGH preset. Ray Tracing is set to HIGH under this preset. (RT is always ON in all quality levels.)

Synthethic Benchmarks
Synthetic benchmarks. Just look at the sheer size of that gap between the two…
Right out of the gate, the PNY RTX 4090 made the RTX 3080 Ti look… weak. Remember back when we thought RTX 3090 (which the 3080 Ti roughly equals to) was ridiculously powerful? The RTX 4090 simply dwarfs that. So let’s go through the numbers individually.
Taking our previous generation RTX 3080 Ti as reference – you’d think for a second that looked like a midrange card’s performance, not from a previous generation near-flagship (ignoring the uber-expensive RTX 3090 and the power-limit-be-damned RTX 3090 Ti that is). Accounting for whole system’s performance – the PNY RTX 4090 nets 67% improvement over the RTX 3080 Ti. The GPU scores does 3080 Ti no favors – here the 4090 claims a staggering 88% jump over the former, leaving the older card eating the dust.
Next is Port Royal test, which determines a GPU’s raytracing performance. The 4090 effectively achieved double the performance over 3080 Ti with a 98% increase in scores. Finally, Superposition 4K has given 4090 a beatdown against the 3080 Ti with a huge +105% uplift.
Gaming – 4K (3840×2160)
Gaming benchmarks – tested on 4K.
And the bloodbath continues. To put it simply – 4K is 4090’s stomping ground, and this card absolutely stomps. Despite the graphics settings on some games cranked to the max, the RTX 4090 just crunches through it, often delivering 120FPS+ on average, even with RT turned on without DLSS’s assistance. However I shall remind you while this card is screaming fast, it also guzzles over 400 watts doing these kind of framerates. The fact of this card pulling slightly less than its 450W power limit is not a consolation prize here.
Let’s sum up the numbers. Forza Horizon 5 sees similar improvements with or without RT – 87.5% with RT on and 74% with RT off. Red Dead Redemption 2 do not come with raytracing – however this game is still plenty heavy to run. In this case the 4090 is still significantly faster over 3080 Ti, at 68%.
Both runs on Shadow of the Tomb Raider has given the 4090 massive wins, achieving +103% and +102% improvement over 3080 Ti on raytraced and pure rasterization performance respectively. Finally, F1 2022 is most demanding title of this list – which the RTX 4090 achieved 74 FPS, well over the 60 FPS mark. That also means it gets a 90% jump over RTX 3080 Ti.
A reminder here – RTX 4090 gets about 60% more cores than a RTX 3080 Ti. Most performance metrics here has more than exceeded this percentage (all 6 runs average at +87.5% over 3080 Ti) so I’d say it’s very well performed at this resolution.
Gaming – 1440P (2560×1440)
1440p gaming benchmarks.
As we go down with resolution, the CPU bottleneck begins to creep in and the RTX 4090’s advantage begins to diminish. Averaging +64% improvement over RTX 3080 Ti, gaps remained huge – so let’s go through them one-by-one.
Looking through Forza Horizon 5’s runs with different RT settings has given us a clue on RTX 4090’s strengths. With RT enabled, the gap is 63% in favor of the 4090 and with it disabled that number drops to “just” 46%. We could be looking at a potential CPU bottleneck here – which is a sign that this card is best for 4K, and probably nothing less (if you don’t want to waste money that is).
RDR2 has presented a small anomaly in this test, with the RTX 4090 achieving 70% more frames over the 3080 Ti. That is, in fact, a slightly bigger gap than 4K run presented earlier in this review. We can’t exactly determine the reason for this though, but based on the test on 1080p (below this section), it looks like CPU isn’t the biggest factor for this game’s performance.
SOTTR meanwhile, has shrunk the gap between two cards with a sizeable margin. From 2x framerates on both runs in 4K – now the improvements are 72% and 53% respectively. F1 2022 has given the RTX 4090 the biggest win at this resolution, by a margin of 80% over RTX 3080 Ti.
Gaming – 1080P (1920×1080)
Gaming benchmarks on 1080p.
Let me get this out of the way first – it’s not a bad idea per se to use 4090 exclusively on 1080p resolution, but it sure is a terrible value proposition. For the sake of testing – let’s run through these numbers.
Depending on each games and their rendering methods – you’ll see the gap fluctuating wildly, with pure rasterization runs giving RTX 4090 only a 10% advantage in Forza Horizon 5 (RT off) in particular. So if you play exclusively on 1080p screens and is thinking of getting this card (or any other RTX 4090s for that matter) – just be warned.
…unless you swear by ray tracing, in which case you can still get up to 64% improvement (F1 2022) based on our benchmark runs. Other games with RT enabled has given RTX 4090 relatively smaller but still noticeable improvement – FH5 with RT nets 50% ahead, SOTTR with RT has the framerates increased by 34%. RDR2, being the sole non-RT title, nets the RTX 4090 61% increase in FPS over the RTX 3080 Ti.
Thermals
Thermals – Sensor data provided by HWiNFO64.
Fan speed data – measured through HWiNFO64.
Here’s the part where PNY is actually doing the engineering and design work. Despite the massive 450W power draw – it remained virtually silent on a 10-minute Furmark stress test which sees the GPU pinned to 440 watts maximum. HWiNFO64’s data has shown the fan speed peaking and staying at 1,500RPM, and the fan noise pretty much sits within the noise floor of our office room.
Temperatures are very well managed – GPU core temp has stayed at 68°C for the most part of this stress test, giving it plenty of breathing room from the built-in 84°C thermal limit. Furmark doesn’t necessarily hit the VRAM as hard, but we still get a reasonable 70°C peak on occasions. That being said, observations on RDR2 benchmark run has seen the VRAM peaking at 74°C – hotter, but not by much. Given adequate airflow, this PNY RTX 4090 will have no issues handling the heat, despite its power draw.
Conclusion

As far as supersized RTX GPUs go, this is a solid one. The PNY GeForce RTX 4090 OC XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB has the basics done right: cooling, thermals, acoustics, all while keeping the dimensions relatively reasonable. Emphasis on “relatively”. Make no mistake, this is still a very huge card, and getting one of these pretty much requires careful planning that isn’t necessarily just a financial one.
What kind of careful planning, you might ask? With RTX 40 series effectively telling everyone to shoot power draw into the sky, that has caused some effects on the GPU size and peripheral requirements – and thus might cause some smaller cases unable to fit such a huge card. For the same reason – power supply is also one upgrade to consider due to the use of new 12VHPWR connector, unless you want to see a huge 4x 8-pin PCIe adapter dongle hanging off of your GPU. Ruins the aesthetics for one…
Performance wise, no question: this is the fastest gaming card available on Planet Earth right now. If you play on 4K, any other GPU will not even be on the same performance category, but I will not recommend you getting this card if you play on lower resolutions. Despite the power draw, thermals and noise are kept to a minimum – you are not sacrificing anything major (apart from the sheer size) for this amount of performance this card is capable of pushing.
Aside from performance, NVIDIA also introduces new features such as DLSS 3 – something that we aren’t able to test for now since we don’t have DLSS 3 titles. But my take on this feature is: much like motion smoothing feature on TVs, this is not something you would turn on all the time, but rather on a case-by-case basis. Those who play competitively should stay on native framerate or use Reflex instead.

For this particular card which offers the OC clock bump (not that it matters a lot, it’s just +45MHz or roughly <2%), it doesn’t have dual BIOS features that some other AIBs offer – but out-of-the-box wise, this is very much ready to rock with no configuration needed. Optionally, you can do some tuning and customization through their VelocityX software, but we have a small issue in RGB customization which it doesn’t seem to apply the setting at all. You might prefer to use MSi Afterburner – but the option is for you to choose.
And the price. PNY’s Shopee Store lists RM8,699 – which, for reference, is $1,978 at current exchange rate. This card is in fact priced $1,629 over at US – $30 more than the Founders Edition pricing. Though at this point I doubt anyone who are going for this price bracket is going to care how much it costs… (RTX 4090 is still sold out in many markets, mind you) it’s a halo product after all. If you can stomach that price, you won’t be losing out on the things that makes a graphics cards great.

Special thanks to PNY Malaysia for providing us the GeForce RTX 4090 OC XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB for the purpose of this review.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Persona 3 Portable Remaster Might Be On The Cards, According To New Leak

A new leak seems to be pointing towards a remaster of Persona 3 Portable coming soon. The leak also suggests that the remaster will be released across multiple platforms.
Is Persona 3 Portable remaster incoming?

The leak comes from serial leaker Zippo, who has a record of leaking Persona news that turns out to be true. He previously predicted that a Persona 4 Arena Ultimax remaster was in the works months before Atlus announcement during the recent The Game Awards 2021 event last weekend. Zippo also correctly predicted the release date of the Persona 4 Arena Ultimax remaster which is due to release on 17th March 2022 on PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Zippo did not provide many details regarding the Persona 3 Portable remaster except that the remaster will be released on multiple platforms. He did not reveal the platforms the remaster will be released on either but it would be safe to assume that it would be the same platforms as the Persona 4 Arena Ultimax remaster; PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Persona 3 Portable was first released back in 2009 in Japan for the PSP and is pretty much a trimmed down version of the original Persona 3 game on the PS2. Despite having many elements removed or altered from the original game, Persona 3 Portable is wildly considered as the definitive version of Persona 3 as it featured new gameplay and features. The most notable addition is the ability to play as a female protagonist which essentially changes the way the game’s story plays out in certain ways.
Source
Pokdepinion: I really hope this is true. P3P was my first real exposure to the Persona franchise as well as the Shin Megami Tensei franchise as a whole. It remains one of my all-time favourite games and will always be the first game I play whenever I install a PSP emulator on a phone.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


NVIDIA DLSS is accelerating performance in a growing list of over 55 games!

NVIDIA’s DLSS technology probably needs no further introduction. First debuting with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series graphics cards, it harness the Tensor cores in the Turing GPUs to bring improved performance in the latest games supporting the technology. It is currently implemented in over 55 games, including the latest and greatest titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Warzone, Rainbow Six Siege and more.
NVIDIA DLSS: How does it work

The gist of it is that NVIDIA uses an AI super resolution algorithm to achieve a higher resolution output from a lower resolution input, thus allowing for higher framerates than otherwise rendering at the higher resolution natively. NVIDIA DLSS uses four different inputs to deliver the final frame that you see:

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The lower resolution image rendered by the game engine
The motion vectors of the same image from the game engine
The high resolution output of the previous DLSS-enhanced frame
A large data set of 16K ground truth images that are used to train the AI network

All of this information is used by the AI network to generate a high resolution image on a pixel-by-pixel basis, without having motion artifacts and with sharper detail and edge quality than conventional upscaling methods. NVIDIA DLSS is enabled by the massive AI performance in the latest GeForce RTX GPUs, allowing gamers to enjoy all that in real time in games.

NVIDIA also compared DLSS against its own NVIDIA Image Sharpening, which can be used on all NVIDIA GeForce GPUs to upscale images and sharpen the result to enhance edges. Being non-AI and non-temporal, the results are often visibly less detailed than DLSS. Another example provided by NVIDIA was in Control. The game launched with DLSS that used a non-AI heuristic, before getting updated with DLSS 2.0, that harness AI. The difference is quite visible, especially in moving objects.

More games supporting DLSS are coming

Ever since the arrival of DLSS, newer games have been adopting the technology. However it is now being added even to older games like Rainbow Six Siege, No Man’s Sky and Rust. Part of this push might be due to an increasing number of RTX-enabled gamers out there, but also because of growing support for DLSS across game engines. The DLSS plugin for Unreal Engine 5 has just been launched, and support for Unity is also incoming.

Even Linux gamers won’t be missing out on DLSS, with NVIDIA working with Valve to bring DLSS to Vulkan API games on Proton. DirectX titles running via Proton will also get support for DLSS later this year.

The upcoming LEGO Builder’s Journey will also feature raytracing and DLSS, while an update for Doom Eternal will bring raytracing and DLSS to the gory shooter this 29th June. The list of games available with DLSS will continue growing, bringing enhanced performance with no loss of visual quality to more RTX-enabled gamers out there.
Pokdepinion: I still remember the times when DLSS brought disastrous visual quality in games like Battlefield V, but I am glad that those times are now behind us, with DLSS 2.0 actually bringing better graphics when enabled in the latest titles.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Kaspersky Labs advises to skip e-angpaus and stick to tradition

The tradition of giving angpaus during Chinese New Year is probably something most singles look forward to. In this era where everything can be done online, local banks have offered e-angpau services since 2016. However as it is with all online transactions, security can be an issue.
It goes without saying that there are various measures taken by banks and other cashless service providers. The increasing popularity of online payments and cashless transactions has been attracting cybercriminals, with a 62% increase in payment fraud since October 2015. With the rise of more popular e-payment options, cybercriminals will be more likely to target them.
Aside from keeping the tradition alive, giving out angpaus physically circumvents all the threats, while giving everyone an opportunity to interact face-to-face. Sometimes traditions are worth keeping alive, especially when money is involved.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

To secure your online money, Kaspersky has these tips for you:

Use devices with the latest updates and a solid cybersecurity solution. Kaspersky Lab’s latest suite is designed for maximum financial security
Verify the legitimacy of the website or app you are using for the transaction
Use a strong and unique password. You can test your password’s strength at https://password.kaspersky.com
Use two-factor authentication
Download your payment apps from your respective official app store

Did you give or receive e-angpau this CNY season?
Pokdepinion: Anyone wanna drop me some e-angpaus?
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Say Hello To The AMD-powered IdeaPad Flex 5

IdeaPad Flex 5: Flexible, Portable, and Customisable

Lenovo Malaysia has just released the IdeaPad Flex 5 AMD, a convertible 2-in-1 laptop that’s designed for both work and play. Powering the IdeaPad Flex 5 AMD is an AMD Ryzen mobile processor (up to AMD Ryzen 7 4700U) with Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics.

The IdeaPad line is mostly known for its flexibility for being customisable and adaptable to any position and the IdeaPad Flex 5 AMD is no different. It can be simply converted from a normal laptop mode into a tablet or into a “tent” depending on the user’s need. There’s also support for the Lenovo Digital Pen which can allow users to sketch or draw freely on the display.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

In addition to that, the IdeaPad Flex 5 AMD has a battery life of up to 12 hours and has Quick Charge technology, perfect for users who love a mobile lifestyle and want to express their creativity while on the go. It also has Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 pre-installed so users can pretty much use the laptop for work or studies right off the bat.
The IdeaPad Flex 5 AMD is also designed with conference calls on its mind with features such as noise-cancelling dual microphone, speakers with Dolby Audio combined with a 720p high-resolution camera. There is also the addition of a built-in Privacy Shutter and an optional Fingerprint Reader for additional user security.

Other features include a 14 inch FHD IPS display, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB PCIe SSD, two USB 3.1 ports, one USB type-c port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. In terms of connectivity, it features 2×2 Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac as well as Bluetooth 4.2. Moreover, there are three different colour variants to choose from: Platinum Grey, Charcoal Grey, and Light Teal.
Users can also opt to add a 2-year Lenovo Premium Care, Lenovo’s warranty program that offers 24 hours access to technical support extended from 9am – 9pm on-site services for 365 days.
The IdeaPad Flex 5 AMD is available now for purchase online on Lenovo’s official website, official online retailers and at all Lenovo Exclusive Store (LES) across the country. It is available in two configurations:

AMD Ryzen 3 4300U or AMD Ryzen 5 4500U in Light Teal and Graphite Grey. Retails from RM2,399.
AMD Ryzen 7 4700U in Platinum Grey, Charcoal Grey, and Light Teal. Retails from RM3,475.12.

Do check out Lenovo’s official website for more information.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Apple A16 Bionic Supposedly To Include Ray Tracing But Scrapped Due To Power Issues

In what is a rare engineering mishap for the Cupertino giant – the SoC destined for iPhone 14 series didn’t receive GPU upgrades as they had expected.

Apple has been in an extremely strong position in the smartphone SoC race – their A-Series has proved difficult to compete against even for Snapdragon’s best days. However, a rare occurrence in this year’s keynote has seen the standard iPhone 14 models retain the existing A15 Bionic SoC while the new A16 Bionic is only for the Pro variants. A recent report from The Information is indicating a much worse situation over at Apple’s silicon department than what was initially thought.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The report has pointed Apple’s recent employee retention issues, with some employees claiming extremely long hours and stressful workloads. Some of these employees has since jumped to Apple’s potential rivals – Nuvia (now under Qualcomm as Oryon) and Rivos; Apple has since filed lawsuits to the said companies for alleged stealing of proprietary information.
A much more interesting insight comes down to the making of A16 Bionic – which contained design mistakes only found late in the development. The report says engineers were “too ambitious with adding new features” and prototype tests has produced a much higher power draw than what the simulation estimates had indicated. This, of course, meant potential battery or even thermal issues; and as a result, it was never finalized and produced for iPhone 14 Pros.
Current A16 Bionics within shipped iPhone 14 Pros has similar architecture as the preceding A15; the only known upgrade is 50% higher memory bandwidth for its 5-core GPU. The original design, supposedly, would’ve supported advanced features – including hardware-accelerated ray tracing (which the competing Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 currently supports).
The Information has used this as an example of the cracks seen in Apple’s in-house SoC efforts, which has so far given Apple significant advantages to its products, especially Macbooks. The GPU mistake is described as “unprecedented in the group’s history” – and the source continues to note that many of Apple’s leading chip engineers has left the firm in the past few years.
These includes Gerard Williams III, who founded Nuvia and is currently Qualcomm’s Senior VP of Engineering. He was later replaced by Mike Filippo – however he left after a clash with engineers and has since joined Microsoft earlier this year. No replacement was known since then. The report further mentions Apple has tried to reduce the ‘brain drain’ in the division by showing presentations to its engineers the risks of joining chip startup companies, warning that most would eventually fail.
Source: 9to5Mac | The Information
Pokdepinion: A17 vs. 8 Gen 3 is going to be an interesting one.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Sony’s Tokyo Game Show Press Con Announced; Bookmark this Page for the English Livestream!

Along with the Paris Games Week & PlayStation Experience, Sony Interactive Entertainment will be holding its annual pre-Tokyo Game Show press con in Japan.
The E3 of Japan is happening soon and just like in the past, Sony Interactive Entertainment will be holding their pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference. Here’s everything you need to know as well as where to watch it.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Sony’s Tokyo Game Show Press Con Announced

Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan and Asia has announced that their press conference will be held just before Tokyo Game Show. The conference will start at 4PM (Japan Time) on September 19th, which means that it will be happening at 7AM in Malaysia on the same day.
At the moment, the contents of the briefing have not been announced just yet, besides the usual mention of the fact that it will showcase the strategy from the PlayStation Team for the future.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that we’re in for a boring talk show about numbers and sales. That’s just what they say every year and the “strategy” mention is not very descriptive of the real briefing. The structure is very similar to E3, with a lot of announcement of Japanese PlayStation games and trailers.
So yes, if you were to think of Tokyo Game Show as the Japanese-equivalent of E3, you’d be right. We can’t be sure what kind of announcement they will make but we’re pretty sure something major will pop-up for the PlayStation. Hopefully nothing to do with the successor to the PlayStation 4 as it’s still pretty early.
It’s expected that Sony Interactive Entertainment will provide live audio interpretation during the conference, which has been known to be quite easy to follow. To watch the livestream, all you have to do is just click on that video on the top of this post.

Pokdepinion: Can’t wait to see what’s in store at Tokyo Game Show 2017. I sure wish I could’ve gone there myself but perhaps, it might happen in the future. We’ll see.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Qualcomm partners Lofelt to bring iPhone-like haptic feedback to Androids

Touch any recent iPhone, and the first thing that you will likely notice aside from the fluidity of the UI is the taut, precise haptic feedback. Every interaction with haptic feedback feels so natural that it becomes addictive. That is what Qualcomm hopes to be able to bring to Android devices in their partnership with Lofelt.
What Qualcomm and Lofelt are working together on is a universal software framework and API to enhance the haptic feedback in devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. They aren’t exactly shying away from directly mentioning Apple, in fact mentioning that the goal is to make Lofelt haptics for Android like iOS’ Core Haptics.
Once the framework has been developed, OEMs can then license it to add precise, intuitive haptic feedback to their devices. It will be quite interesting to see how Qualcomm plans to deliver the precise haptic feedback that iPhones are known for, given the huge variety of vibration motors in the market.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Google themselves are also working on improving vibrations with Android 12, so we should probably see really good haptic feedback in the future. As a whole, haptic feedback has the potential to make interactions more intuitive and also make the device feel more responsive. Aside from usual navigation, adding it to games can also make the experience a lot more immersive.
Qualcomm’s approach would provide them with an advantage versus the other chipmakers, as the competition like MediaTek and Samsung are really catching up in terms of performance. By promising a better user experience, Qualcomm will stay relevant a lot longer than just trying to deliver the fastest mobile chipset year after year.
Source
Pokdepinion: Can’t wait for the day that Androids can offer haptic feedback that can simulate a real button’s tactile feedback…
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Alleged iPhone 9 Case Revealed In The US

It’s hard to deny that a lot of Apple fans have been waiting for a successor for the iPhone SE which was released back in 2016. Now it seems that that may just come soon.
iPhone 9 Case Revealed

The case which is making it’s way to Best Buy, states that it is made for the “New iPhone 4.7″, 2020”, featuring a similar camera cut-out as the ones you’d find on a iPhone 7 or iPhone 8.
It’s reported that the iPhone 9 will not be a flagship smartphone from the company, where it could come with a relatively low-key launch.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Should reports be true, the iPhone 9 could be introduced alongside a 5.5″ variant that’s called the iPhone 9 Plus. Both will come with the A13 Bionic SoC. Memory wise, there’s 3GB RAM as well as the option for either 64GB or 128GB of storage.
It’s expected that the iPhone 9 will come at roughly $400 (~RM1,723) price tag.
Source
Pokdepinion: Hmm, I don’t know about you but at that price, I still wouldn’t consider it to be quite cheap for what it offers (at least until more details pop up).
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite Preview — best AMD X570 board for its price?

Introduction

GIGABYTE presented one of the widest ranges of AMD X570 boards in the Malaysian market, being the first brand to bring in an ITX board into our market. They also offer a wide range of boards, from the groundbreaking true 16-phase GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Xtreme to the entry-level GIGABYTE X570 Gaming X. Today we will be looking at the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite, their mid-range motherboard which offers quite a bit for the price.
Appearance

Instead of the fin stack that the higher-end boards feature, the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite here sports the more common aluminium blocks to handle the VRM’s thermal output.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The area beside and above the VRM tout distinct heatsinks instead of how the higher-end boards connect the two portions together with a heatpipe to balance out the thermal load between the two areas. Which once again is a visible cost-cutting measure by GIGABYTE, albeit one that has minimal effect on performance.

Like most AMD X570 boards, the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite here sports a fan over the AMD X570 chipset. The eagle insignia featured prominently, although GIGABYTE refrained from throwing on any RGB here. For those who are averse to some bling, this is a great design.

Over on the back of the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite we see a mostly bare PCB. We have seen high end boards without backplates, so this is perfectly fine.

Meanwhile for the rear I/O, AORUS used an integrated I/O shield, which is a boon for first-time builders. Even experienced builders might find the added convenience a godsend too. It is the first time I am seeing it on a board this affordable though, so kudos to GIGABYTE. There’s a nice assortment of ports, although it doesn’t come with built-in WiFi or a built-in USB-C port for upcoming peripherals.
Specifications
GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite

CPU support
AMD AM4
2nd, 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen processors (AMD Ryzen 2000 and Ryzen 3000 series)
1st, 2nd Generation AMD Ryzen Processors with Radeon Vega Graphics (AMD Ryzen 2000G and Ryzen 3000G series)

Power
1 x 24-pin ATX
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V
ISL69138 PWM controller (6*2 + 1*2 phase config)
ISL6617A doublers (6 x VCore, 1 x VSoC)
12 x SiC634 50A power stage for VCore
2 x 4C10N (46A) + 4C06N (69A)  for VSoC

Chipset
AMD X570

Memory
4 x DDR4 DIMM, max. 128GB un-buffered memory

Multi-GPU Support
2-way AMD CrossFireX

Expansion slots
1x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x16 electrically)
1x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4 electrically)
2x PCIe 4.0 x1

Storage
6 x SATA 6 Gb/s, supports RAID 0,1,10
2 x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4/SATA

Network
Intel I211-AT Gigabit LAN

USB
Rear I/O:
2 x USB 3.1 (10 Gbps)
4 x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
4 x USB 2.0
1 x HDMI 2.0
On-board headers:
1 x USB 3.1 (10 Gbps)
2 x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) (2 ports each)
2 x USB 2.0 (2 ports each)

Audio
Realtek ALC1200 codec

Other onboard connectors
1 x CPU fan header
1 x CPU cooler LED strip/RGB LED strip header
1 x water cooling CPU fan header
2 x system fan headers
2 x ARGB headers
2 x RGB LED headers

Form factor
ATX (12″ x 9.6″)

Taking a Closer Look
VRM
The VRM on this thing may look like a featherweight beside the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Master we previously reviewed, but make no mistake, it packs a real punch. Just to put it into perspective, the GIGABYTE X470 Gaming 7, which was GIGABYTE’s flagship X470 board, only had a 10+2 phase design. I am not saying that this VRM design is objectively better, but it does have the phases and power handling capability to push any 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen processor to its limits.

GIGABYTE uses ISL6617A doublers here to offer a real 12 phase design. You get twelve SiC634 50A power stages to feed the VCore, while the VSoC is handled by two sets of ONSemi 4C10N and 4C06N MOSFETs for the high side and low side, respectively. For those using this board with the Zen 2 processors, the VCore power is the most important, and the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite shines here.
The VRM design on the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite is solid, and you would definitely have a hard time finding a better VRM design than the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite on a board in the same price range. Most of the other vendors with boards in the same price bracket can’t even match this, not to mention deliver a better one, so I would say GIGABYTE did a great job here.
Expansion

The highlight of the AMD X570 platform is of course the PCIe 4.0 support, and the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite doesn’t disappoint. You get to make use of two M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 SSDs and also a full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.

We have another full-length PCIe slot on the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite, but is handled by the PCH, and it is limited to x4 speeds, so you won’t want to throw a GPU in that slot. The second M.2 socket does not come with a heatsink, but given how hot the M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs run, you would do better with a more substantial heatsink than the ones motherboard manufacturers offer anyway.

Meanwhile there are two more PCIe x1 slots which will work great if you want to add WiFi cards or sound cards to expand on the capabilities of your system. Do note they are close-ended though, so you can’t throw a PCIe SSD in there, even if you are willing to live with them running at PCIe x1 speeds.
Audio
While this is one of GIGABYTE’s lower-end boards, it still comes with a pretty well-equipped audio section. It is powered by the Realtek ALC1200 which isn’t too much to shout about, but GIGABYTE also outfitted it with HiFi-grade WIMA capacitors, which you don’t see on any other motherboard maker’s offerings.

To maintain the analog signal’s purity, the audio section is also separated from the rest of the motherboard by an audio noise guard. Just to make sure you notice it, AORUS throws in some LEDs here.
Conclusion
For RM1029, GIGABYTE did an amazing job with the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite. It has solid features, without the excessive over the top features that some of the higher end boards offer. It would have been nice if there was at least a Q-Code readout, but then again no board in this price range offers that feature, so I guess it’s just me asking for too much?

For anyone who wants to upgrade to the 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen processors and want to take advantage of all that PCIe 4.0 has to offer, the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite is definitely a solid choice.
Our video guy took these photos. Do you like them?

Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED now in Malaysia from RM3499

ASUS’ mini OLED TV, the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED is now available in Malaysia, priced at RM3499. As its name implies, the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED packs a stunning OLED display that will power a stunning entertainment experience in the compact dimensions of the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED.
ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED: a detachable tablet for work and entertainment

The beautiful 13.3″ FHD OLED display of the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED is Pantone Validated, and it also features Dolby Vision for a great viewing experience. It is capable of 100% DCI-P3 gamut, and there’s DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, promising vivid colors and deep, true blacks. In short, an excellent, top-grade display.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Just as important is the quad-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system, which ASUS equipped with smart amplifiers to allow them to deliver louder audio without distortion. If you desire even better audio, there’s a headphone jack for you to connect the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED to headphones or speakers. If you think that the display isn’t enough, you can also connect it to a larger display via the USB-C port to expand your working space.

Speaking of the display, the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED comes included with the ASUS Pen 2.0 stylus for your to unleash your creativity. There’s also a detachable keyboard and stand, for the moments when you want to just do some work with a good ol’ keyboard and trackpad combo.
ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Specs and Price in Malaysia

Processor
Intel Pentium Silver N6000, 4C/4T @ up to 3.3GHz, 10nm

RAM
8GB LPDDR4x

GPU
Intel UHD Graphics, 32EU @ up to 850MHz

Storage
Up to 256GB PCIe SSD

Connectivity
WiFi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2
2 x USB 3.2 Gen2, 10Gbps (Type-C)
1 x microSD card reader

Display
13.3″ FHD OLED display, 550 nits, 100% DCI-P3 gamut, Dolby Vision
2 x DisplayPort Alt Mode

Power
50WHr 3-cell LiPo battery
65W USB-C power adapter
Support USB-PD charging

Dimensions
309.9 x 190 x 7.9 mm

Weight
785g

Price
RM3499

Included Accessories
Detachable keyboard
Cover stand
ASUS Pen 2.0
Sleeve

The ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED is now available in Malaysia, with a free ASUS Mouse WT425 worth RM69 and and RM200 Touch ‘n Go eWallet reload PIN, adding some impressive bang for your buck. The freebies will only be available for the first 50 customers from now until 14th February! You can check it on Shopee here.
Pokdepinion: It’s a really pricey tablet for its specs, but you do get the full set of accessories so the overall user experience might be worth it?

Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS ZenFone 6 defies ordinary with a 3.5mm jack and triple slot SIM tray

It feels surreal that having a 3.5mm jack is now actually newsworthy. But yes, the ASUS ZenFone 6 will be one of the few flagships featuring a Snapdragon 855 and yet maintain a 3.5mm jack and also a triple slot SIM tray. This means it will have full support for dual-SIM configurations and expandable storage.
While these features are mainstays in mid-range devices, power users who need more horsepower in the palms of their hands are often forced to settle for hybrid dual-SIM setups. And don’t get me started on the audio jack. Why would a non-Pro variant of a certain smartphone have it, while the “Pro” variant drop it?

Keep the essentials. Come and join the livestream on May 16 2019 at 20:00 (CEST). #ZenFone6 #DefyOrdinary
Learn more: https://t.co/y3fiATPH71 pic.twitter.com/fJXefTldNV
— ASUS (@ASUS) May 8, 2019

The ASUS ZenFone 6 is shaping up to be an interesting flagship, with it expected to feature a bezel-less display, which means it will either sport a slider or a popup selfie camera. The ASUS ZenFone 6 is expected to be offered in the following configurations with their respective prices:

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

6GB + 128GB: NT$19 990 (~RM2680)
8GB + 256GB: NT$23 990 (~RM3217)
12GB + 512GB: NT$ 29 990 (~RM4022)

We do hope these prices aren’t the finalized ones though, as it would alienate a lot of ASUS’ fans who loved the ASUS ZenFone 5z for its flagship killing price tag.
Pokdepinion: ASUS really wasn’t joking when they said they wanted to make phones for power users. Dual SIM and microSD simultaneously? That’s god-sent for those who use their phones for more than just Facebook!
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Ubisoft Is Offering Anno 1602: Creation of a New World For Free — Here’s How To Claim It

With the holiday season soon to arrive, more games are being offered for free (we aren’t complaining). Now, Ubisoft has decided to give away Anno 1602: Creation of a New World free of charge.

From now until the 22nd of December 2018, you can get the game absolutely for free. In addition to that, you can choose to sign up for the closed beta for the upcoming Anno 1800, which will run from the 31st of January till the 4th of February.
Anno 1602 was launched back in 1998, where you start off with a ship in search of a place to build your settlement and build up your own city and army. To celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary, Ubisoft have thus decided to give the game for free.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Make sure you claim your free copy before it goes back to its original price. You can click on the link here to grab the game for free.
Pokdepinion: I don’t mind playing it again. It was quite the game back then. If you can look pass the outdated graphics, it is definitely fun.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


The US is trying to fund HUAWEI’s competitors to pick up the slack

HUAWEI’s networking hardware is part of the backbone in U.S.’ rural areas, which is one of the reasons why HUAWEI was given a 90-day reprieve to provide support on a number of occassions. Given that Trump appears to be set on taking a hard stance against HUAWEI, the US would have to turn to other networking hardware providers to pick up the slack.

Apparently U.S. officials has warned the Trump administration that there is no U.S. company capable of producing the equiment necessary to transmit the signals to and fro mobile smartphones and cell towers. With 5G just around the corner, Trump might have chosen the wrong time to pick a fight.
There has been talk of funding Nokia and Ericsson to provide generous financing terms to their customers, i.e. service providers. That should entice service providers to switch to the newer hardware from either company. The Trump administration has also apparently tried to get Oracle and Cisco to enter the radio transmission market. Both companies has reportedly turned down the idea as it would be too time consuming and expensive for them.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The U.S. administration will have to spend big bucks either way to allow 5G to be rolled out on time with the ongoing HUAWEI ban. A company called Altiostar is proposing software to help service providers use hardware from different suppliers to set up 5G networks, instead of having to rely on a single supplier like HUAWEI for the solution. They are urging the U.S. government to force hardware companies to support its software, although whether that will be successful remains to be seen.
Pokdepinion: Oh well, at least Malaysian 5G networks does seem to be well on track with HUAWEI’s hardware.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Horizon Forbidden West Review – A Must-Have on PS5

What is Horizon Forbidden West About?
Horizon Forbidden West Review

Taking place roughly half a year after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West once again puts us in the shoes of the young hunter of the Nora tribe, Aloy. Now, she leads a group of people on a quest to a new frontier known as the Forbidden West to investigate a mysterious plague that kills everything that it infects.
As Aloy ventures forward into uncharted territory, she finds new regions filled with natural threats, from massive storms, threatening new machines, and more. Alongside that, there is an array of environmental ecosystems to experience, including ruined cities, snowy mountains, dry deserts, and more. Can she push forward and unravel the mystery behind the plague?
Horizon Forbidden West Review
Horizon Forbidden West is available on both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. Unsurprisingly, the game will play better in the latter console as it brings 3D spatial audio, enhanced visuals, faster load times, and a more immersive gaming experience with the DualSense controller.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

If you want to see the retail price of all editions of Horizon Forbidden West and what’s included, click right here.
Bringing Aloy To New Horizons
Horizon Forbidden West Review
If you boil it down to its core gameplay, Horizon Forbidden West is your standard western RPG. You have main quests to follow, side quests to enrich the experience, and collectibles to give you some fun bits of backstory as well as some easter eggs. Without spoilers, going through just the main story will take roughly 30 hours (assuming you don’t get stuck.
However, that would be a waste as the game has so much to offer, and completing most, if not all of it should get you an additional 30 to 35 hours of gameplay. I would strongly suggest finishing every quest and completing all available quests to get the full experience, as you’d be surprised what some side quests can bring to the table.
Horizon Forbidden West Review
In terms of storytelling, it’s generally running at a good pace that keeps you hooked on for more, and all the optional things you can do lets you unlock more dungeons, reveal parts of the world map, gets you new machine overrides, and more. For the most part, doing more side quests leads to unlocking more side quests, which gives you more rewards and story bits to enjoy. As long as you’re in no rush, you don’t have to get the Platinum achievement, just enjoy the ride.
Apart from that, the game does introduce some upgrades over its predecessor that gives an overall better gaming experience. For starters, you get a cleaner HUD, it’s easier to manage your inventory, and 3D audio. With the use of the Sony Pulse 3D wireless headset and the DualSense controller, it’s an immersive experience unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.
Horizon Forbidden West Review
Walking around the rainforest lets you hear the sound of water, creatures, and other subtle sounds with depth and the distinguishable by direction. Even as you fight multiple Scroungers or Bristlebacks, you can easily tell which direction they may be coming from without seeing them on screen, which happens more often than you think given the camera angles.
A Next Gen Visual Spectacle
Horizon Forbidden West Review
Combat is a major part of Horizon Forbidden West, though it does start out feeling a little limited in terms of potential. After all, you only have access to light attacks, heavy attacks, archery, and slingshot for a while. As you start fighting different creatures in larger areas, you start to see more potential as you take advantage of enemy weaknesses, from elements to actual weak spots, to dish out a lot of damage.
The game doesn’t force you to play in any particular style either as you’re free to approach each enemy as you see fit. In fact, you could also avoid direct confrontations completely by sneaking behind enemies and stabbing for an instant kill. Whichever style you choose to rely on, you can further emphasize on it with your skill tree upgrades.
Horizon Forbidden West Review
The skill tree has multiple sections that you can choose to spend your points on. Regardless of whichever one you pick, the upgrades feel very minor that you are likely going to be amassing points and forgetting to spend it. The only exception here is with Valor Surge, which is a type of special move dependent on which tree you choose to upgrade. It can be a shield that absorbs damage to a shockwave blast with your spear. I personally wished there was more of this as it’s the only upgrade worth focusing on.
For the most part, Horizon Forbidden West is a treat for the eyes as there’s plenty of spectacular visuals to enjoy, especially in later parts of the game. As for the graphics settings, playing it in Performance Mode and Resolution Mode will give a noticeably different experience, and to me, playing it in 60FPS is far better than playing it in true 4K resolution as it gives that true next gen experience, but if you only care for the best visuals, no harm in prioritizing resolution.
Horizon Forbidden West Verdict
Horizon Forbidden West Review
Horizon Forbidden West is certainly a must-have if you own a PlayStation 5 console. For the PS4 however, it will still look great but my biggest worry is the loading speed, as it might be annoyingly slow at times. If you cannot get your hands on the PS5 soon, then by all means go for it but if you have the next gen console already, you shouldn’t miss out on this game, which is retailing for RM299 for the standard edition.
At the end of our Horizon Forbidden West review, I award this game with our coveted Gold Pokdeward.

Big thanks to PlayStation Asia for sending us this game for the purposes of this review.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS ZenFone 5 receives Android 9 Pie update

ASUS has begun rolling out Android 9 Pie for their mid-range ASUS ZenFone 5. While ASUS promised Android 9 Pie in late January 2019 for their flagship ZenFone 5z, so it seems that the updates are all well on track.
The update will bring the Snapdragon 636-packing ZenFone 5 onto the latest variant of Android. ASUS has customarily included a lot of the core optimizations built into each Android version, so we expect to see no different this time around.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

As usual, the update will be delivered to devices OTA gradually, but if you are impatient you can always download the update and install it manually. All you have to do is:

Download the update
Move the update to the microSD
Enter recovery mode (hold volume down + power button simultaneously)
Select “apply update from sdcard”
Select the update file, confirm and you are set
PROFIT

If you are more patient you can always wait for the update to arrive on your device. It shouldn’t be too long now before every ASUS ZenFone 5 gets updated to Android 9 Pie.
Pokdepinion: Stay strong, ASUS ZenFone 5z users. Stay strong.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related