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Filed under: Games, Utilities

AMD Releases Fusion for Gaming RC1


AMD's Fusion for Gaming tool is finally out of beta, and ready for download. So what's it all about?

Well, for starters, it's no doubt intended to create a little buzz for a platform that has taken a bit of a beating in the recent past.

Beyond that, Fusion is designed to boost performance by shutting down background processes and applications automatically before you settle in for a gaming session. While most power users already know how to do this using services.msc and other tools that ship with the OS, the average user or lazy efficiency-minded geek will find Fusion a very handy way to get the job done.

There really aren't any other tools out there right now that offer Fusion's one-click simplicity.

Overclocking features are built-in as well, though they'll only be available if you happen to be running a pure AMD platform (Athlon CPU and ATI video card). If you do, Fusion will automatically tweak your CPU and GPU to squeeze out a few extra ounces of gaming muscle.

Is it worth it? Try it yourself and see, you may get a few extra frames for your trouble.

Filed under: Audio, Internet, Video

AMD Live! Explorer beta: Browser for desktop and online media

AMD Live! Explorer
Chip maker AMD has released a beta version of a new media browser for Windows computers. AMD Live! Explorer requires a machine with an AMD processor to run, and you need a pretty speedy one at that. But the software is available as a free download, so we won't complain. Much.

AMD Live! Explorer provides you with yet another way to view photos, music, and movies stored on your computer. You browse your images and saved video files using either a thumbnail view, or a "Live!" view which is basically a fancy visualization similar to what you'd see if you were browsing online images using the Piclens add-on for Firefox. If you have a TV tuner and Windows Media Center on your PC, you can also watch live and recorded TV shows.

You can also download several AMD Live! Applications from within Live! Explorer, including a tool for transferring recorded TV shows to a portable device, and another tool that synchronizes your iTunes and Windows Media Player libraries.

[via TechnoSpot]

Filed under: Business, Windows

Dell removing AMD-based computer systems from online store?

What a short, strange trip it has been. Dell has reportedly stopped selling AMD-based computer systems from its online store, just 21 months after they announced their intention to sell AMD-based systems to the general public.

However, contrary to first reports and the sandwich board wearing doomsayers, this move doesn't mean the curtain is falling on the Dell/AMD releationship. In fact, Dell reiterated today their commitment to AMD on their Direct2Dell blog.

So what is Dell doing? For the time being, they have largely relegated their AMD-based systems to brick-and-mortar-big-box stores, such as Best Buy, Staples, Wal-Mart or Sam's Club. Thankfully, if your laziness precludes you from getting out of that easy chair, you can still order over the phone as well.

[via Softpedia]

Filed under: Fun, Video

Dell: The Musical?!

And now, as the kids say, for something completely different. Really, really, different. What do you get when you combine a bunch of mega-tech-CEOs (Michael Dell, EMC's Joe Tucci, Oracle's Larry Ellison, AMD's Hector Ruiz and Intel's Paul Otellini), JibJab-style animation, musical theatre and possibly Quaaludes? Dell: The Journey. I don't know what it is, or who thought it was just the good idea Dell needed, or whether it's the best thing ever or the worst, but I do know that you need to watch this. I don't want to spoil it or anything, but "Let's go kick some proprietary ass" is one quote I'm unlikely to forget any time soon.

[Thanks (I think), Matt!]

Filed under: Hardware

Nvidia to build x86 processors, take on Intel, AMD?

NvidiaThe Inquirer says it has "confirmed" that 3D graphics giant Nvidia is hard at work building its own x86 processor with integrated graphics to compete with the offerings of Intel and AMD. Both Intel and AMD--which acquried ATI back in July--have been busy strapping integrated graphics on their own chips, it seems logical that Nvidia would want to play, too. Their efforts would be bolstered by its recent hiring of a bunch of engineers from Stexar, a now-defunct company that was founded by ex-Intel brains. The Inq says development is already underway, and we'll be seeing a new CPU from Nvidia sometime in 2006 2008.

[Via Engadget]

Filed under: Business, Internet, Hardware, News, IBM, Microsoft, Novell

AMD's virtual tradeshow experience

AMD tradeshow
AMD has put together one of the most rich and engaging Internet presentations I have ever seen. Built in Flash, this "virtual experience" as they call it is quite impressive. AMD's virtual trade show is a great idea and makes you want to explore. Microsoft, Oracle, Novell, IBM, and others are among the booths at this "event" where you can watch keynotes, presentations, and even a virtual parody of sports center called "datacenter" at the AMD booth. AMD even showcases their processors in a boxing match with Intel's chips, using benchmarked specs. While this whole online experience is obviously a marketing move, AMD does a great job talking about their chips in a way that makes sense and is visually and aesthetically appealing. If you have a few minutes check it out. I learned more about AMD and their chips in a few minutes than I would have browsing their website, and all that without even trying. You can even get a virtual badge for yourself while you're there.

Read more →

Filed under: Hardware, News

Dell no longer rages against the AMD machine

AMD machineDell has always preferred Intel chips, at least as long as I can remember. Finally Dell has decided to swallow their pride and bite the bullet, and to that end has launched some AMD-based PCs. These machines are available as of yesterday from Dell, sporting AMD Sempron, Athlon 64, and Athlon 64 X2 chips. Dell isn't done with Intel obviously, as they still have new Intel versions of their PCs available (also as of yesterday). It looks like Dell wants to diversify their offerings in the dangerous and cut-throat business of making and selling PCs. Customers will be able to get what they want in either chip, as well as some lower cost options Dell is offering with the AMD Live! brand chips on the board, making the PCs price $360 for a entry level model. In my mind, Dell made a smart move here.

Filed under: Internet, Hardware, Windows

Intel and Skype cutting off AMD owners

SkypeCNet is reporting on a deal between Intel and Skype that would make certain conference-calling features available only to users running Intel's processors. In particular, if your computer's processor isn't made by Intel, you'll be limited to five-way conference calls rather than ten on certain Intel chips. The new deal will be in place for a limited but undisclosed period. This is a pretty lame move on the part of Skype, which has until now managed to exude a fairly "cool" image. Making deals like this is a pretty good way to turn off loyal users.

[Via Slashdot]

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