Yo.
Sorry, I'm about to go into computer jargon again. If you don't want to trawl through, go ahead.
The aforementioned beast (aka my new desktop PC) is well in the planning stages and some stuff has been bought. I already have a case and a power supply unit. I got an Antec DF-10 case from a great small shop in town and a 650w Antec PSU from the same place. We get ink regularly from there so the guys there knocked a few quid off and did me the pair for £130. I'll post some links about the current pieces of hardware right here.
DF-10 case:
http://store.antec.com/Product/darkFleet/df-10/0-761345-15210-5.aspx
Antec Earthwatts 650w Green PSU:
http://store.antec.com/Product/power_supply-earthwatts/ea-650-green/0-761345-27654-2.aspx
I've also got on order my motherboard bundle. I had considered the AMD FX-8120 8 core CPU, but got chilly feet after seeing plenty of reviews for it. As a result, I'm now heading to wards the pricer (but definitley worth it) Intel Ivy Bridge i5 quad core 3550 - a standard speed of 3.3 GHz on it should be pretty awesome - particularly as AMD appear to have dropped the ball with the FX series.
i5-3550:
http://ark.intel.com/products/65516/Intel-Core-i5-3550-Processor-%286M-Cache-up-to-3_70-GHz%29
Still down for 16GB of RAM (1666 MHz) and I'm not sure what exact model of Motherboard I'm getting. But the guys in the shop said they'd get the best one for my bundle budget of £360.
And then, I need to order the real bad boy of the beast. An Intel 330 Solid State drive. A bad boy capable of 500MB/s read spead and 450MB/s write speed should see my system fly like a Spitfire in its heyday.
Windows 7 Ultimate is also on its way, so I can have XP mode for my really old games that 7 always spits out - or at least has indigestion with. And with 2 terrabytes of hard disk space, I won't be short.
And on Jim's recommendation (thanks pal) I might get a blu-ray burner.
A few case fans with pretty lights will top this off, then I can feel awesome in the only way that a nerd can (I can't hear you, don't care).
On a slightly similar note, as the tablet PC market is now over-saturated, I may well get an Android tablet in a few months. Tesco has a Motorola Xoom Android 3 32GB Wi-fi tablet going for a mere £280. I'm not fussed about there being no 3G as I probably wouldn't spend on a price plan anyway - just muck about and add games and other apps to it. Fallout 1 does run on it with a bit of jiggery-pokery (see here - different tab, same OS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7MWMInQeCE)
So yeah - eyes on a lot of stuff. More money needs to come in. Best get my CV printed off and sent out, I suppose...
I'll leave with what is essentially the tag line of Fallout:
"War... war never changes..."
Monday, 11 June 2012
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
And after 4 months, coursework and general forgetfulness...
Well, things have been odd.
I haven't posted since the end of January. However, I'm excited. I'm going to be building a new gaming rig over the next couple of months. First of all, the basic components of the PC. I've got my eyes on a lovely 8-core bundle, with the Motherboard being USB-3 capable and has HDMI. It comes with 8 Gig of RAM, but there's room for more. By the way, that's 8 cores at 3.1GHz each.
Next, I'll need a case and power supply. More than likely, I'll need a 650w power unit. I'll have to get a few pointers on that front. However, there are some nice looking cases about. This one looks rather nice.
Then I'll have a goosey for a damn good graphics card on a budget. If anyone has suggestions, let me know.
Of course, to go with this, the 2TB worth of Hard drive and DVD burner will be donated from my old, now retired dismantled machine (God Bless You, Old Thing) and an Intel 330 series Solid State drive will be added. This will run my programs at a well good lick. Plugged into my TV via HDMI, this will rock.
This is going to be awesome.
Until then, stay human...
I haven't posted since the end of January. However, I'm excited. I'm going to be building a new gaming rig over the next couple of months. First of all, the basic components of the PC. I've got my eyes on a lovely 8-core bundle, with the Motherboard being USB-3 capable and has HDMI. It comes with 8 Gig of RAM, but there's room for more. By the way, that's 8 cores at 3.1GHz each.
Next, I'll need a case and power supply. More than likely, I'll need a 650w power unit. I'll have to get a few pointers on that front. However, there are some nice looking cases about. This one looks rather nice.
Of course, to go with this, the 2TB worth of Hard drive and DVD burner will be donated from my old, now retired dismantled machine (God Bless You, Old Thing) and an Intel 330 series Solid State drive will be added. This will run my programs at a well good lick. Plugged into my TV via HDMI, this will rock.
This is going to be awesome.
Until then, stay human...
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
The return - yet again
Hey yo.
Looks like I kind of forgot about this. Since my birthday, I've been back for the one day a week I have for semester 2. What have I done? Very little. I got angry at the BBC for various reasons, started being a hypochondriac (again) and just generally bummed around playing games. Is it any flipping wonder I'm not marketable to the female consumer?
I know I said I'd try not to whinge, but its something I excel at - usually irrationally. Maybe I could add another 40 years to my chronological age?
I suppose a few more things could be said on a positive note; the new rugby season starts this weekend and it's also the Superbowl on Sunday - and I'm off to a party! The bonus is its my beloved Pats playing to avenge the humiliation of 18-1. Yes, I still get that.
I watched the Royal Rumble on Sunday just gone, and was a bit disappointed by the event overall. Barring good and humourous bits, it wasn't special. However, i did get a CM Punk T-shirt over the weekend and have now finally returned to being a mark as well as a smark.
It seems the screen on my laptop is starting to go, so I tried out plugging it into my TV. My Heavens, it looked awesome. Might even use it as a monitor when I finally can be bothered building my new PC.
The room is a sty, as usual - so that needs clearing up. I have a couple of weeks until payday so I shall count down the days eagerly - despite having no idea of what to do with it. Maybe I should just forget about it and let it build up (barring necessary deductions) on the path to being a self-made rich person. then again, being rich is considered a faux pas these days isn't it, self-made or otherwise?
I got rid of WWE '12 today. After 2 months of waiting for the patch to make it all better, it is released and does very little/nothing. Then the free DLC of masked Kane ends up being listed for 80 MS points. I have already expressed my wish for THQ to go the way of the dodo, mistakes or not. I hit the limit of my patience with them. I now have a nice credit note for CeX.
On a less savoury note, I picked up a PS1 today. As my PS2 is a bit ropey with PS1 games, I need one - however, the one I bought (and presumed it to be tested with a game in) would not boot a game. Going back tomorrow.
However, I finally wrapped up the achievements in Mass Effect 2. That is a weight off my back.
The rambling reflects how exciting my life is for now. If anything cool happens, I'll see if I remember to post it.
Enjoy yourselves, and don't end up like me (socially speaking)
Cheerio
Looks like I kind of forgot about this. Since my birthday, I've been back for the one day a week I have for semester 2. What have I done? Very little. I got angry at the BBC for various reasons, started being a hypochondriac (again) and just generally bummed around playing games. Is it any flipping wonder I'm not marketable to the female consumer?
I know I said I'd try not to whinge, but its something I excel at - usually irrationally. Maybe I could add another 40 years to my chronological age?
I suppose a few more things could be said on a positive note; the new rugby season starts this weekend and it's also the Superbowl on Sunday - and I'm off to a party! The bonus is its my beloved Pats playing to avenge the humiliation of 18-1. Yes, I still get that.
I watched the Royal Rumble on Sunday just gone, and was a bit disappointed by the event overall. Barring good and humourous bits, it wasn't special. However, i did get a CM Punk T-shirt over the weekend and have now finally returned to being a mark as well as a smark.
It seems the screen on my laptop is starting to go, so I tried out plugging it into my TV. My Heavens, it looked awesome. Might even use it as a monitor when I finally can be bothered building my new PC.
The room is a sty, as usual - so that needs clearing up. I have a couple of weeks until payday so I shall count down the days eagerly - despite having no idea of what to do with it. Maybe I should just forget about it and let it build up (barring necessary deductions) on the path to being a self-made rich person. then again, being rich is considered a faux pas these days isn't it, self-made or otherwise?
I got rid of WWE '12 today. After 2 months of waiting for the patch to make it all better, it is released and does very little/nothing. Then the free DLC of masked Kane ends up being listed for 80 MS points. I have already expressed my wish for THQ to go the way of the dodo, mistakes or not. I hit the limit of my patience with them. I now have a nice credit note for CeX.
On a less savoury note, I picked up a PS1 today. As my PS2 is a bit ropey with PS1 games, I need one - however, the one I bought (and presumed it to be tested with a game in) would not boot a game. Going back tomorrow.
However, I finally wrapped up the achievements in Mass Effect 2. That is a weight off my back.
The rambling reflects how exciting my life is for now. If anything cool happens, I'll see if I remember to post it.
Enjoy yourselves, and don't end up like me (socially speaking)
Cheerio
Thursday, 12 January 2012
I'M FREE... for a week or so.
Hey yo.
I'MMMMM BAAAACK!
*ahem*
Yeah. Coursework's out the way. So I've a bit of time to do nothing but laugh at funny videos on a popular video streaming website.
On another not, I hit the big 22 on Monday, so I'm going to mourn that on Saturday night with some friends (hopefully plural), and enjoy myself like the world's coming to an end (get those "Mayan" prophecies away from me).
What makes it awesome is the fact that payday is imminent and the Christmas hours mounted up.
What isn't awesome is that my desk is an absolute mess. With it being shifted in maybe a couple of month's I probably won't have a better time to do it.
Best get a new room layout drafted up.
Just a quick post tonight - I've really had nothing to add over the last few weeks since I last posted. Masters coursework can do that (and I eagerly await my marks).
Suppose I can wait for the next Botchamania or see if turning 22 gives me anymore insight. Probably not, but you never now.
'till next time, keep on trooping.
I'MMMMM BAAAACK!
*ahem*
Yeah. Coursework's out the way. So I've a bit of time to do nothing but laugh at funny videos on a popular video streaming website.
On another not, I hit the big 22 on Monday, so I'm going to mourn that on Saturday night with some friends (hopefully plural), and enjoy myself like the world's coming to an end (get those "Mayan" prophecies away from me).
What makes it awesome is the fact that payday is imminent and the Christmas hours mounted up.
What isn't awesome is that my desk is an absolute mess. With it being shifted in maybe a couple of month's I probably won't have a better time to do it.
Best get a new room layout drafted up.
Just a quick post tonight - I've really had nothing to add over the last few weeks since I last posted. Masters coursework can do that (and I eagerly await my marks).
Suppose I can wait for the next Botchamania or see if turning 22 gives me anymore insight. Probably not, but you never now.
'till next time, keep on trooping.
Friday, 23 December 2011
"Time fades even legend..."
Evening.
I'm taking some time out of my coursework to pay homage to what is truly a great video game series. I am about 8 weeks too late for the anniversary, but what the hell.
On the 1st November 1996, Silicon Knights and Crystal Dynamics released a game on the then fairly new Sony Playstation called Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. This game didn't utilise the 3D capabilities to the extent that the console does have and played as a 2d, top-down hack-n-slash. You played as a Vampire named Kain, who (as a human) is murdered right at the start. He gets revived as a Vampire and kills his assassins, only to be drawn into a quest to restore the Pillars of Nosgoth, 9 pillars that protect the land and were corrupted by dark forces 30 years earlier.
As Kain, you had to kill the Circle of 9, the guardians of the pillars to restore them. On the way, you picked up awesome spells, and weapons, to aid you in your quest. There's a super plot twist involving a change in history, as well as at the end - where it emerges the Kain is the final guardian and you can choose self sacrifice or to rule Nosgoth in its Damnation.
This game had good (albeit rather cheesy cod-Shakespearean) voice acting, a deep story and long gameplay.
The sequels (Particularly the Soul Reavers) are gaming masterpieces. Its a story that's too long to give, so I'll direct you to the brilliant plot guide by LOKfanatic on Gamefaqs.
Why am I posting about this? Well, its 8 years since the series was left unresolved by Crystal Dynamics in Defiance. In that time, Amy Hennig (the lead writer) moved on to work at Naughty Dog and a further game was canned early into development. Since then, Eidos told Core where to stick it after the Clusterfuck of Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (which led to their eventual demise) and teamed up with CD (as they had done since Soul Reaver) for future games.
Sadly, these games had none of the atmosphere and challenge of the old games and were, quite simply, too easy. And when Eidos was bought out by Final Fantasy company Square Enix, they announced a further reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise.
The key gripe is that (on the CD Facebook page and on many online places) fans constantly ask CD to create another LOK game to at least complete the series - or like me, they want a full-blown redux of the original Blood Omen (which would require a Skyrim like world, that could make the game a hit). However, its all Tomb Raider this, Lara Croft that. This is a game whose legacy died (RIP) in 2000 after Chronicles was done and dusted (with its better days back in 1997-98). Legacy of Kain put CD on the map, and is easily the most underrated series in gaming history ever since the Atari motherboard was laid down.
In this age where Twilight disgracefully pollutes the Vampire folklore (that they are badass killers with a penchant for spilling blood and killing things in nasty ways) thanks to Stephanie Meyer's horrible idea of how a cross-species/necrophiliac relationship works (and Stephen King says the books are shite too), CD could easily have cashed in and revived Kain and Raziel (protagonist of Soul Reaver) to counter the image they were getting. No, they don't even announce the 15th Anniversary of the greatest game series they made! Its a sad state of affairs.
However, I leave you with a picture - its of a cover designed by a good friend of mine (with a few modifications of my own) of the whole series if it ever came out on the PS2. We were proud of it - more than CD appears to be proud of the Legacy of Kain.
Mind you, as Kain would say "The coin is still turning..."
I'm taking some time out of my coursework to pay homage to what is truly a great video game series. I am about 8 weeks too late for the anniversary, but what the hell.
On the 1st November 1996, Silicon Knights and Crystal Dynamics released a game on the then fairly new Sony Playstation called Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. This game didn't utilise the 3D capabilities to the extent that the console does have and played as a 2d, top-down hack-n-slash. You played as a Vampire named Kain, who (as a human) is murdered right at the start. He gets revived as a Vampire and kills his assassins, only to be drawn into a quest to restore the Pillars of Nosgoth, 9 pillars that protect the land and were corrupted by dark forces 30 years earlier.
As Kain, you had to kill the Circle of 9, the guardians of the pillars to restore them. On the way, you picked up awesome spells, and weapons, to aid you in your quest. There's a super plot twist involving a change in history, as well as at the end - where it emerges the Kain is the final guardian and you can choose self sacrifice or to rule Nosgoth in its Damnation.
This game had good (albeit rather cheesy cod-Shakespearean) voice acting, a deep story and long gameplay.
The sequels (Particularly the Soul Reavers) are gaming masterpieces. Its a story that's too long to give, so I'll direct you to the brilliant plot guide by LOKfanatic on Gamefaqs.
Why am I posting about this? Well, its 8 years since the series was left unresolved by Crystal Dynamics in Defiance. In that time, Amy Hennig (the lead writer) moved on to work at Naughty Dog and a further game was canned early into development. Since then, Eidos told Core where to stick it after the Clusterfuck of Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (which led to their eventual demise) and teamed up with CD (as they had done since Soul Reaver) for future games.
Sadly, these games had none of the atmosphere and challenge of the old games and were, quite simply, too easy. And when Eidos was bought out by Final Fantasy company Square Enix, they announced a further reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise.
The key gripe is that (on the CD Facebook page and on many online places) fans constantly ask CD to create another LOK game to at least complete the series - or like me, they want a full-blown redux of the original Blood Omen (which would require a Skyrim like world, that could make the game a hit). However, its all Tomb Raider this, Lara Croft that. This is a game whose legacy died (RIP) in 2000 after Chronicles was done and dusted (with its better days back in 1997-98). Legacy of Kain put CD on the map, and is easily the most underrated series in gaming history ever since the Atari motherboard was laid down.
In this age where Twilight disgracefully pollutes the Vampire folklore (that they are badass killers with a penchant for spilling blood and killing things in nasty ways) thanks to Stephanie Meyer's horrible idea of how a cross-species/necrophiliac relationship works (and Stephen King says the books are shite too), CD could easily have cashed in and revived Kain and Raziel (protagonist of Soul Reaver) to counter the image they were getting. No, they don't even announce the 15th Anniversary of the greatest game series they made! Its a sad state of affairs.
However, I leave you with a picture - its of a cover designed by a good friend of mine (with a few modifications of my own) of the whole series if it ever came out on the PS2. We were proud of it - more than CD appears to be proud of the Legacy of Kain.
Mind you, as Kain would say "The coin is still turning..."
Friday, 2 December 2011
Could it get anymore cold?
Hongi, guys.
Well, December is finally upon us - and the weather is finally starting to show it. I can't feel my toes so I'd best count 'em to be sure.
Oh yeah - I lost excitement for WWE 12 (although you probably knew this). Any game developer who can make Booker T look like Ronaldinho has really dropped a bollock or three. Instead, I'll get what could arguably be the Game of 2011 - Skyrim.
Coursework - Never before have I have a piece half done with a whole fortnight to go. I think I'm becoming organised. *shudder*. Outside of this, what have I done? Randomly gone around the outer fringes of the internet being bored out of my head. If ever was a good night out was needed then it is now. Bad thing is I've no money for a fortnight (Even though My Wii is getting sold this weekend, that money will be gone fairly sharpish).
On the upside - have you ever heard a tune (i.e. no lyrics for a reference) but never known the artist or the name of the track? Seriously, a track I heard years ago was played at a party I worked on about this time last year. For 12 whole months, I've trawled Youtube, you name it. Finally, I tried Midomi (a site that claims to find a tune based on you humming it). I finally hummed it in key (after months of fucking up then giving up when the responses sounded nothing like it) and got the track. That feeling of elation is one that you can't emulate and you feel like you conquered the world.
Not much to leave you with now, but this priceless quote from wrestling commentator and guru, Jim Ross:-
"If I live to be a hundred I will never understand why they keep so many damn weapons under the ring. It's almost like they want the competitors to use them on each other!"
(Oh, by the way - the track I was after was Heart of Asia by Watergate).
Fare thee well...
Well, December is finally upon us - and the weather is finally starting to show it. I can't feel my toes so I'd best count 'em to be sure.
Oh yeah - I lost excitement for WWE 12 (although you probably knew this). Any game developer who can make Booker T look like Ronaldinho has really dropped a bollock or three. Instead, I'll get what could arguably be the Game of 2011 - Skyrim.
Coursework - Never before have I have a piece half done with a whole fortnight to go. I think I'm becoming organised. *shudder*. Outside of this, what have I done? Randomly gone around the outer fringes of the internet being bored out of my head. If ever was a good night out was needed then it is now. Bad thing is I've no money for a fortnight (Even though My Wii is getting sold this weekend, that money will be gone fairly sharpish).
On the upside - have you ever heard a tune (i.e. no lyrics for a reference) but never known the artist or the name of the track? Seriously, a track I heard years ago was played at a party I worked on about this time last year. For 12 whole months, I've trawled Youtube, you name it. Finally, I tried Midomi (a site that claims to find a tune based on you humming it). I finally hummed it in key (after months of fucking up then giving up when the responses sounded nothing like it) and got the track. That feeling of elation is one that you can't emulate and you feel like you conquered the world.
ಥ◡ಥ
This week is shaping up to be another dull one by the looks (hence the shortage of posting - no cheering you lot) to be taken up by more coursework. Might even have to go to Manchester due to the inadequacies of facilities I pay good money for. But I suppose watching the Good Ship Euro sink to the bottom of the sea of history should keep me quiet for the next few days/weeks.Not much to leave you with now, but this priceless quote from wrestling commentator and guru, Jim Ross:-
"If I live to be a hundred I will never understand why they keep so many damn weapons under the ring. It's almost like they want the competitors to use them on each other!"
(Oh, by the way - the track I was after was Heart of Asia by Watergate).
Fare thee well...
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
A lucky escape - or maybe not...
What a crazy afternoon.
I had to go to Tescos again this afternoon after finding my pre-order slip for Saints Row 3.
I'd decided to pass on the game on Friday as I had no spare cash. Dad offered to lend me the money - but seeing as I owe him already I decided against it. It was only this afternoon on finding the slip that I remembered that Tesco has a £5 deposit on games.
My arse fell out. I had missed the release date and reckoned that a fiver had gone down the pan just like that. I decided that, in the chance they'd take the slip, Dad can lend me the money. Luckily, I also had a "£3 off when you spend £20" voucher.
Thankfully, they still took the slip and I got the last copy in store. Saints Row for £30.
However, I got home and saw my £12 of clubcard vouchers staring up at me coldly. I blew my top.
Out of sheer frustration, I just handed them to my Dad. At least that's £12 off my debt.
However, I got down to it.
Seeing as I haven't played much - I hope I'm not going out on a limb by saying it's a bit disappointing compared to it's predecessor, the fantastic Saints Row 2. The city of Steelport seems a lot Smaller than Stillwater and has pretty much zero variety in the districts. It's rather dull to drive through.
However,, not to say it isn't fun - I'm having a right laugh running and doing DDTs, Undertaker-esque flying clotheslines (yes running attacks are wrestling moves). But it just doesn't seem to have the depth of it's predecessor - and doesn't seem to let you abuse the sandbox given to you so gratuitously as in the previous game. I will have to play it more so I'll reserve a full judgment.
I'll post again soon - until next time
...All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by...
I had to go to Tescos again this afternoon after finding my pre-order slip for Saints Row 3.
I'd decided to pass on the game on Friday as I had no spare cash. Dad offered to lend me the money - but seeing as I owe him already I decided against it. It was only this afternoon on finding the slip that I remembered that Tesco has a £5 deposit on games.
My arse fell out. I had missed the release date and reckoned that a fiver had gone down the pan just like that. I decided that, in the chance they'd take the slip, Dad can lend me the money. Luckily, I also had a "£3 off when you spend £20" voucher.
Thankfully, they still took the slip and I got the last copy in store. Saints Row for £30.
However, I got home and saw my £12 of clubcard vouchers staring up at me coldly. I blew my top.
Out of sheer frustration, I just handed them to my Dad. At least that's £12 off my debt.
However, I got down to it.
Seeing as I haven't played much - I hope I'm not going out on a limb by saying it's a bit disappointing compared to it's predecessor, the fantastic Saints Row 2. The city of Steelport seems a lot Smaller than Stillwater and has pretty much zero variety in the districts. It's rather dull to drive through.
However,, not to say it isn't fun - I'm having a right laugh running and doing DDTs, Undertaker-esque flying clotheslines (yes running attacks are wrestling moves). But it just doesn't seem to have the depth of it's predecessor - and doesn't seem to let you abuse the sandbox given to you so gratuitously as in the previous game. I will have to play it more so I'll reserve a full judgment.
I'll post again soon - until next time
...All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by...
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