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Intel i9-9900K explained: The road to 5GHz
Intel has released its new line of desktop processors, including the i9-9900K, an eight-core CPU which can boost up to 5GHz. These chips are certainly fast, but they also showcase some of the challenges Intel and entire chip industry has had in crafting speedier processors. In the 2000s, most people would have predicted we'd have 5GHz chips by around 2008. Though the first 5GHz chips did finally appear in 2013, they were outperformed by most other high-end chips on the market. So how can a processor that runs faster perform worse than a slower chip, and how fast will the i9-9900K really be?
Sandia National Laboratories generates neutrons in a radical way
The Responsive Neutron Generator Product Deployment Center (say that quickly five times) at Sandia Labs in Albuquerque, NM has discovered a way to take the conventional cylindrical tubes out of the equation and introduce a more computer-chip like, mass-produced neutron source on an astonishingly smaller scale. For those seeking lay terms, we're hearing that possible practical applications include implantation close to tumors in cancer patients to minimize time in the hospital for treatment, and sensors for contraband. Sandia Labs' technical staff has created what it calls a "neutristor," which produces one neutron per transistor, a concept that was directly inspired by the two transistors per bit on microchips. The team is currently seeking funding to ensure future viability, and well, to pay for stuff. Check out the video after the break, as well as further information at the source.
Third Final Fantasy XIV notorious monster previewed
Zanig'oh is a monster. Not really by his own decision, as he was bred to be a biological weapon, further augmented by alchemical arts and powerful warding runes etched into his scales. But as far as Final Fantasy XIV players will be concerned, he's still the sort of monster that needs to be put down as fast as possible. After all, he's the third notorious monster previewed by the development team, and he drops the runestones that are already known to be the key to powerful armor sets. That means it's drake-hunting season once the December update arrives. This newest preview also contains the third set available from the allagan runestones, with this set suited toward the more lightly-armored disciples of war. With a strong pirate theme, the set is heavy on evasion, thus making it ideal for players who prefer a more nimble playstyle. We're also promised further previews of the non-levequest notorious monsters, something that should entice Final Fantasy XIV players with the prospect of more rewards and challenges in the wilds of Eorzea. After drake-hunting season is over, anyway.
Intel, Samsung, Toshiba form consortium aiming for 10nm chips by 2016
There isn't much to say here, so let's just get on with the facts: Intel, Samsung, and Toshiba are joining forces and pooling R&D efforts in a consortium funded in part by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (an expected 50 percent, or 5 billion yen / US $62 million) and the rest from the members. The goal? Semiconductor chips nearing 10nm by 2016. Ten more companies are expected to be invited once things get sorted out, so major chip-related corporations, please keep checking your mailboxes daily.
First commercial spaceport christens inaugural runway in New Mexico desert (video)
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo won't have to taxi down public runways for much longer. Today, founder Richard Branson and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson cut the ribbon at a nearly two-mile long runway for the world's first commercial spaceport. While the rest of the facilities at New Mexico's Spaceport America are still under construction and Branson estimates sub-orbital launches are still nine to eighteen months away, the 42-inch-thick strip of pavement is definitely complete -- see the WhiteKnightTwo mothership come in for a landing right after the break. Update: Our best pals over at Gadling got a few exclusive interview snippets in their own video!
The Mog Log: Hours of entertainment from just one boss
Every so often, column topics fall into my lap. Like when someone mentioned in the comments the other day that they were dreading the 18-hour boss fight from Final Fantasy XI would return in Final Fantasy XIV. For those of you who don't know what in the world that was referencing... well, it's time to take a look back at Pandemonium Warden, and the now legendary story of what it took for one linkshell to bring him down. Although by "bring him down," we really mean "fight him for nearly a full day and finally give up." That's the image that Final Fantasy XI's boss fights have in a lot of people's heads. It's a great and evocative image, and it's also riddled with inaccuracies. That having been said, the nigh-on insanity of some boss fights in the game merits discussion as we get closer and closer to Final Fantasy XIV's release. Whether you're wondering about the warden's odds of return or just still believe that the boss fight properly went on for nearly a day, jump on past the break. There's a lot to go over.
Nanoscale computer chips set to invade your cells
If you've followed the progression of CPU tech you've surely learned that improving nanoscale chip fabrication of processors is the key to success these days. Smaller transistors means more speed in any given chip -- or smaller chips of the same speed, an idea that has some researchers pondering what would happen if you were to inject a CPU into your cells. The team, centered at the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, was able to insert 3µm chips into living cells. Of those receiving this augmentation 90 percent survived, meaning if you were to get this treatment today you'd only be 10 percent dead. Right now the chips do nothing, but future applications include the potential for embedding sensors inside you, down where you store your deepest, darkest secrets.
Intel and Micron announce smallest, cheapest NAND flash yet
Hynix was first out of the gate with triple-level-cell flash memory, but Intel and Micron just pushed the MLC state of the art with their new 34nm three-bits-per-cell NAND, which they say will produce even smaller and cheaper 32Gb chips than those currently on the market. That means we should be seeing some monster storage in some tiny packages later this year when these guys ship -- everyone ready for another round of flash drive purchases?[Via CNET]
Final Fantasy XI update to eliminate 18+ hour boss takedowns
The players of Final Fantasy XI have voiced their anguished concerns over a certain Notorious Monster (NM), and Square Enix seems to have listened. We recently reported on the extreme levels of commitment needed to take down the NM Pandemonium Warden in Final Fantasy XI. A linkshell (guild) ironically called Beyond the Limitation attempted to take the boss on over a solid 18 hour period, and still weren't able to succeed. Consensus from FFXI's players who've been vocal on the matter is that Pandemonium Warden isn't just beyond this particular linkshell's limits, they're beyond anyone's limits. In response, Square Enix stated, "Discussion has spread significantly throughout forums, and it has become apparent that this is indeed an issue of major unrest in the community." The company implied that the methods players have employed may have been sub-optimal, as Square Enix didn't anticipate that NM encounters would be as protracted as they've proven to be. To remedy this, they will alter the difficulty of defeating Pandemonium Warden, Absolute Virtue, and Jailer of Love. "The aim of these changes is to create battles where a decisive outcome may be reached within a shorter period of time," they said. The changes will go into effect with the next version update, which is scheduled for early September. [Via 1up]
It's Pandemonium in Final Fantasy XI
News has spread of a grueling new enemy encounter in Final Fantasy XI. The Notorious Monster (NM) Pandemonium Warden is one of the strongest opponents players can face in the game. But it seems Square-Enix may have raised the bar too high, given the extremes to which players must go to defeat Pandemonium Warden. A linkshell (guild) called Beyond the Limitation recently faced off against Pandemonium Warden over an 18 hour period, but the NM was still going strong. The NM shapeshifts into multiple forms, making it even more of a challenge to defeat; Beyond the Limitations fought Pandemonium Warden through twenty of his possible forms, some of which took hours to kill. Pet Food Alpha, a Final Fantasy XI community site, quotes a member of Beyond the Limitation stating: "People were passing out and getting physically ill. We decided to end it before we risked turning into a horrible new story about how video games ruin people's lives."
Final Fantasy XI players blast through new content to find ...?
The beginning of the month saw the folks at Square/Enix dropping a huge update onto the players of Final Fantasy XI. The June update has been months in the making, heavily anticipated by players at every level. For endgame players, one particularly appreciated addition to the game was the new Zeni Notorious Monsters system. Notorious Monsters in FFXI are what many players think of as 'nameds' in other games; they're common-model critters given interesting names and buffed up stats. There's an entire culture in Vana'diel around hunting these creatures, especially at higher level, so the ZNM system was a care package to the high-end players from the developers.Pet Food Alpha describes the process of working through these new monsters. There are 31 in all, each at a specific tier of content. The tiers have to be climbed in order to reach the most dangerous creatures, with a single fifth-tier monster called Pandemonium Warden being the ultimate goal. A collaboration of linkshells (guilds) worked day and night all month to reach the point where they could take on this beast ... only to have a low level 'test goblin' spawn in place of the monsterous ZNM finale. The developers are on the case.For more on this new system, check out the hugely informative Blue Gartr discussion thread on the subject or check below the cut to watch a 1st tier ZNM fight with the creature Ob.
