Will splashing out on expensive RAM make a real difference to PC performance? And if so, how much should you buy? We supply the benchmarks and lay the details bare.
According to legend, Bill Gates once concluded that “640KB of memory ought to be enough for anyone” (a legend he’s at pains to repudiate). These days it takes more than 800 times that much RAM just to make Windows Vista work smoothly.
But as the idea takes hold that more RAM is always good, we’re increasingly seeing home systems armed with a vast 4GB of storage. Indeed, with 64-bit Vista gaining traction, we’re sure the 8GB home PC can’t be far away. Is there any need for this much memory, or is it a waste of money beyond a certain point?
This month we set out to discover the truth. Armed with a comprehensive set of benchmarks and a big stack of DIMMs, we’ve tested performance on both XP and Vista to find out how much memory you really need.
But, of course, ... More »
Senior Manager Grace Chen of the PlayStation Store is back once again with this weekend's PSN video content update as follows:
Hi again! The weekend’s here – time for your weekly update of new movie & TV shows on the PlayStation Network.
This week we’ve added new video content from the following television series:
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Season 1
• Intervention, Season 4
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 4
• Pushing Daisies, Season 2
• Smallville, Season 8
• Solty Rei, Season 1
• Squidbillies, Season 3
• The First 48, Season 7
• The Secret Saturdays, Season 1
• The Unit, Season 4
We’ve also added the following feature films:
• Action Jackson
• American Gigolo
• An American Rhapsody
• Bad News Bears (2005)
• Best Defense
• Blood Brothers
• Bonnie and Clyde ... More »
Actually, the most exciting thing in the update today (for me at least) is the Theme Park for PS1.
Talking about things that we don’t get in the US store... EU store already has the Theme Hospital, C&C and Red Alert and we have nothing in the US store... Come on Sony!
Playable Content
• Spin Jam PS1 game (£3.99/€4.99)
• Theme Park PS1 game (£3.99/€4.99)
• Alone In The Dark: Inferno demo (free)
• Metal Gear Solid 4 demo (free)
Add-on Content
• LittleBigPlanet “Rare Week 1 T-Shirt” costume (£3.99/€4.99 - Available for one week only)
• LittleBigPlanet “MotorStorm” costume (£1.59/€)
• LittleBigPlanet “Spacesuit” costume (free)
• LittleBigPlanet “Halloween Mask” costume (free)
• Tom Clancy’s EndWar “Enlistment pack” (free - Available for one week only)
• Guitar Hero World Tour DLC (listed after the bre... More »
By now, the term 'Next-gen' has transformed itself into 'Current-gen' in the minds of videogame enthusiasts. Gamers all across the world have seen what the consoles are capable of, played the cream of the crop, bickered about which version has more Trees, etc.
While there have been a few flops this Gen (Yes, we're looking at YOU Too Human & Lair) there have certainly been plenty of hits. With excellent software having been released for all 3 platforms, we turn our attention to the teams behind the software.
#5- Nintendo EAD (Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports, LOZ: Twilight Princess)
Nintendo's dramatic shift into casual gaming caused a lot of anger and complaints: "Why all the casual games?!?", "Do they even care about core gamers?!! "What The heck is WiiFit?", all these were questions thrown at the Japanese video game juggernaut.
While it's clear the 'Old Nintendo' is long gone, the 'new' Nintendo still has the most valuable feature of... More »
Visit our Web Shop for the latest Deals on gaming gear today!
Use Coupon Code: holiday at check-out to get 15% OFF your order!
Product Manager Ed Loonam shared the following update via PS Blog for MotorStorm fans today:
One week to go until the launch of MotorStorm Pacific Rift. Hopefully you’ve been getting some good information on the game from Nigel and the team from Evolution Studios in their weekly MotorStorm Monday posts.
If you haven’t seen it yet, please keep your eyes out for the recently completed commercial of MotorStorm Pacific Rift. In an effort to introduce the new, remote island location, there were a few real-life Stormers who strapped into their atvs, bikes, buggys and trucks and jumped from a C-130 Hercules at 10,000 feet in an effort to start the evasion of Pacific Rift.
No special effects on this jump... just pure adrenaline and gritty attitude. Check out the commercial above along with some photos from the shoot.
Lunatics Unite!
Per Alan McDermott (Audio Lead, Evolution Studios) via PS Blog today:
Since Day 1, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to put a soundtrack together that would have the right vibe for a festival of racing like MotorStorm. You see, Music is one of those things that no one is ever “wrong” about. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone knows best, but no one is ever wrong!
After countless discussions with various people involved in creating the Festival Infrastructure around the MotorStorm racing events, my challenge was set: I needed to put together a lineup that not only fit with a racing game, but one which could feasibly be the Festival line up to end all Festival line ups.
It had to be Anarchic, Aggressive and Raucous. That was the easy part. The tough part was making sure that the soundtrack became as much a signature of MotorStorm as the racing itself was.
With Pacific Rift, I fa... More »
Per Grace Chen (Senior Manager, PLAYSTATION Store) today:
Hey, everyone. It’s time again for the PLAYSTATION Store weekly update. Enjoy!
Qore
Qore Episode 5 ($2.99 for episode / $24.99 for Annual Subscription)
Episode 5 celebrates Halloween with a scary game roundup. It also includes exclusive access to SEGA’s Valkyria Chronicles demo, some spooky/creepy artwork and new shooting galleries.
File Size: 1.68 GB
Games
Linger in Shadows ($2.99)
Linger in Shadows is a unique interactive digital art experience that uses the SIXAXIS controller to manipulate the very fabric of time and reality. Groundbreaking graphics and interactivity raise the bar for what is possible on PlayStation 3. Download Linger in Shadows and experience a truly unique journey that will change the way you think about games and art.
File Size: 100 MB
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords ($14.9... More »
Yes folks, it's October, which means that the crazy end-of-year games rush has begun. A boggling number of games are due out over the next few months, so let us guide you towards the titles we really think you should be keeping an eye on.
Remember though, most of these recommendations are based on previews, so wait until the final review verdict before picking any of them up.
1. Animal Crossing: City Folk - Wii, 16th Nov US, December EU
It might not be the great hardcore hope Reggie claims it to be, but the Wii version of Animal Crossing certainly promises to be the definitive entry in the series. It's got proper online play, mic and keyboard communications, Mii support, a new city area full of customisable gear to pick up and connectivity between Wii and DS. In other words, it's got everything Animal Crossing always needed. AC is one of those games you either love or just don't get at all, but if you're the former, this will be a must.
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