By Hilbert Hagedoorn @ Guru3D

It’s obvious that an RTX 3080 will be hard to get. The founder edition however was out of stock the second it went life yesterday. That raised some questions.

The 3080 was made available to consumers yesterday, but it appears to be nowhere in stock as it ran dry way too fast, and that as always will drive up prices in the entire channel for AIB cards as well. NVIDIA has shared a word or two about this ordeal. NVIDIA apologizes to customers. The demand is roaring, yesterday at places like US-based Microcenter you might have seen 100 people in one line to get a card (see video below). E-tailer websites yesterday even went offline. NVIDIA had 50 major retailers worldwide supplied (which does not sound like a lot?). All of them had stock at launch.

An employee of Microcenter in Tustin, USA, stated on Reddit that the store only had 85 cards in stock. Nvidia’s own site also struggled, which was flooded with buy orders and crashed as well. Another side effect has been that bots and speculative pa[rties tried to order, so NVIDIA now is taking orders manually. NVIDIA commented that its new cards are at an “excellent” production level, which gives some hope to those who did not get to buy one. Yesterday we launched the first reviews of the RTX 3080 (which if you have not seen yet, we recommend that you do so) and is that taking into account the performance offered by this graphics card and its launch price. This does not bode well, as we expect the GeForce RTX 3070 launch is going to ruffle feathers even worse.

Source: TechPowerUp!

NVIDIA has released the latest version of GeForce Game Ready software. Version 456.38 WHQL comes with support for the new GeForce RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 “Ampere” graphics cards. The mammoth software release also adds optimization for “Fortnite” with RTX and DLSS on all GeForce RTX GPUs. The new NVIDIA Reflex technology is formally launched, with support for “Fortnite” and “Valorant.” Reflex is supported on all NVIDIA GPUs going back to the GTX 900 series “Maxwell.” Optimizations are also added for “Halo 3: OSDT” and “Mafia: Definitive Edition.” Also introduced are the NVIDIA Broadcast app, and a host of new GeForce Experience features, including in-game performance/overlay, one-click performance tuning, HDR ShadowPlay Capture, AV1 decoding, support for new G-SYNC compatible displays.

Buried in the bowels of the driver change-log is a big disclosure, that the RTX 30-series “Ampere” GPUs don’t support SLI (as in implicit multi-GPU), only explicit multi-GPU through modern APIs such as DirectX 12 and Vulkan (if supported by the game). NVIDIA has already restricted the NVLink interface needed for SLI only to its topmost RTX 3090 SKU, so the lack of implicit multi-GPU effectively marks the end of SLI for future GPUs. That said, the technology itself is very much present on all GPUs that support it, provided games do. NVIDIA announced the GeForce RTX 30 series “Watch Dogs: Legion” + GeForce NOW bundle. Buying a new GeForce RTX 30-series graphics card now comes with a year’s membership of the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service, plus you get the next chapter in the Watch Dogs franchise, which supports a ton of NVIDIA RTX features, possibly including DLSS 8K.

You can download the GeForce 456.38 WHQL Game Ready drivers via GeForce.com.

NVIDIA  has released its new RTX 3080 Founders Edition graphics cards, along with custom cards from MSI, ASUS, Zotac and more.  Here’s a bit from NVIDIA about its new RTX 30 series cards…

Powered by Ampere, NVIDIA’s 2nd gen RTX architecture, GeForce RTX 30 Series graphics cards feature faster 2nd gen Ray Tracing Cores, faster 3rd gen Tensor Cores, and new streaming multiprocessors that together bring stunning visuals, faster frame rates, and AI acceleration for gamers and creators.

GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs also feature several world firsts: they’re the first gaming-class graphics cards with up to 24GB of new, blazing-fast GDDR6X VRAM; they’re the first GPUs with HDMI 2.1, for 4K high refresh rate and 8K gaming; they’re the first discrete GPUs with support for the AV1 codec, enabling you to watch high-resolution streams using significantly less bandwidth; and our Founders Edition cards are the first with innovative dual axial flow through cooling solutions.

We’ve gathered a large number of reviews for your convenience and posted the links to the reviews below.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Founders Edition:

• TECHPOWERUP!
• PC PERSPECTIVE
• GURU3D
• HOT HARDWARE
• TOM’S HARDWARE

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Custom Cards

• HOT HARDWARE - Palit GeForce RTX 3080 GamingPro OC
• TECHPOWERUP! - MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming X Trio
• GURU3D - ASUS GeForce RTX 3080 TUF Gaming OC
• OC3D - Gigabyte RTX 3080 Gaming OC 10G
• TECHPOWERUP! - Zotac GeForce RTX 3080 Trinity

CI Games takes the best-in-class sniping experience to the next level with precision long range shooting with targets over 1,000 meters away.

CI Games shared an in-engine teaser for Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2, setting the stage for one of the most important gameplay changes coming in the upcoming sequel: Extreme long-range sniping. Long-range shooting is something the Sniper Ghost Warrior community has asked for and the new video teases a shot taken 1,506 meters away. Contracts 2’s long-range shooting will be supported by more accurate weapons, heightened realism, and enhanced visuals when it launches this winter.

Watch the trailer here.

“The Sniper community really enjoyed the changes we made with Contracts and the sniper’s paradise sandboxes but, based on their feedback, we designed the latest game with very long-range shots in mind,” said CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski. “We hope to continue building on the best sniping gameplay around and make significant steps forward in bringing modern, realistic sniping experience to consoles and PC. Our team is really excited to introduce the extreme range campaign in Contracts 2.”

The first Contracts was well-received and re-established the Sniper Ghost Warrior formula with the best-in-class shooting set within open-world sandboxes. Contracts 2 takes these sniper’s paradises to the next level with challenging long-range maps set in the game’s new modern setting. In addition to the core contracts, these campaigns are hand-crafted to provide engaging and robust gameplay over extreme distances. These maps will challenge even the most skilled snipers as players complete complex challenges undetected from over a kilometer away.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 features a more grounded and relevant experience set in modern day 2021 Middle East. As Reaper, a sniper on a mission, players can take advantage of new weapons and gear to take down more intelligent enemies across new, expansive maps.

For more information about the Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2, head to the games official website.

Partisans 1941 mixes squad-based action, real-time tactics, and base-management; Closed Beta running until September 21st, applications are open.

Developer Alter Games and publisher Daedalic Entertainment announce today that Partisans 1941, the unique genre mix set on the Eastern Front during its occupation in WWII, releases worldwide on Steam on October 14th. The game is currently in Closed Beta until September 21st in order to gain community feedback and further polish the game until release. Players interested in trying the game for themselves can apply for the Beta here.

Watch the new gameplay trailer here.

Partisans 1941 combines real-time tactics and stealth with squad-based action, and base and resource management. After war-time prisoner and Red Army commander Alexey Zorin escapes a Nazi internment camp, he decides to form a guerilla group of partisans to attack and disrupt the local occupants. Players can recruit soldiers and civilians as unique allies to tackle a variety of missions – from focused sabotage to extensive attacks on German supply lines. In-between missions, they need to expand and manage their encampment to upgrade their forces. To successfully fight the occupying forces, it is important to scout your environments, find the best position to attack your enemies, and control the flow of the fight by effectively using the tactical pause.

Features:

• A fresh approach to the stealth tactics genre: A mix of combat, stealth, ambushes and a variety of special items brings chaos to the enemy ranks. Choose your own way of completing each mission.
• Lead a squad of Partisans: Find, recruit and level up new resistance members to build the squad of your choice. Use your characters’ strengths to find the right solution to different situations.
• Experience the life of a resistance group: Experience a partisan’s routine in between missions – develop your base, prepare for the next assignments, ensure you have the resources for the Partisan’s survival. Keep your troops motivated. Explore nearby regions, skirmish for enemy weak spots and opportunities to strike the enemy.
• A different perspective on WW II: Experience the story of a fierce resistance against the German occupation on the Eastern Front. Follow the stories and motives of various people who join the partisan forces – from soldiers to common folk.

Partisans 1941 is developed by Russian studio Alter Games and published by German studio Daedalic Entertainment. The game will be available on Steam on October 14th.

By Hilbert Hagedoorn @ Guru3D

In this technology preview and a bit of analysis, we’ll be discussing the pending GeForce RTX 3070, 3080 and 3090 from NVIDIA as well as Ampere architecture. This article is preliminary based on what NVIDIA has been sharing (to date) as well as the stories that made the news in the past weeks. All that to get a grasp of what NVIDIA is releasing, with their new Ampere GPU architecture. During the presentation today, we’ll try and fill in the gaps in specifications as anything you read hereafter this point, some are unconfirmed.

Read the Preview Here

Source: TechPowerUp!

AMD has posted the Radeon Software Adrenalin 20.8.3 WHQL drivers. This was earlier released as a beta in late-August. Besides the WHQL certification, nothing appears to have changed since 20.8.3 beta. The drivers come with optimization for “Marvel’s Avengers” (the game), “Project CARS 3,” and “Fortnite” (specific to DirectX 12 model in “Epic” setting). Other changes over the previous 20.8.2 drivers include new Vulkan API extensions, a number of game-specific fixes, improved compatibility of YouTube playback on certain browsers when paired with AMD Ryzen processors, and more.

The Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 20.8.3 drivers are available online at the AMD driver download page.

Check out these latest hardware announcements for today from around the web. Also included are some hardware news bits, and on some days, a few rumors tossed in for good measure. Click on the links below to read the official press release, visit the products web page, or to an independent news source.

• Genesis Announces Helium 100BT Wireless PC Speakers with RGB Illumination
• CORSAIR Launches 4000 Series of Mid-Tower Cases
• CORSAIR Launches iCUE ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Coolers
• Alphacool Announces Eisblock Aurora Plex GPX-N for RTX 3080/3090
• Bitspower Intros CPU+VRM Monoblock for MSI MEG Z490 Ace
• ADATA XPG Launches GAMMIX S50 Lite PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive
• Acer Unveils the XV282K 4K IPS 144Hz Gaming Monitor
• AMD Radeon RX 6000 “Big Navi” RDNA2 Reference Design Pictured
• Aerocool Reveal an Air Cooler That Looks Like an AIO Block
• ASUS ROG Teases Collaboration with IKEA for Gaming Furniture
• Roccat Announces the Elo Series Gaming Headsets
• HyperX Introduces New Blue Light Blocking Spectre Eyewear Collection
• Thrustmaster Releases T.Racing Scuderia Ferrari Gaming Headset
• CORSAIR Quietly Updates Hydro X CPU Blocks, Confirms RTX 3000-series GPU Blocks
• MSI Announces the MAG B550 TORPEDO Motherboard
• EK Expands Flow Indicator Portfolio With Nickel Variants
• EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 XC3 and FTW3 Pictures Leak Online

The new addition to the critically acclaimed aerial combat simulation series takes you over the sands of North Africa

IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings – Tobruk, the exciting new expansion for IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover – Blitz Desert War is now available via Steam, the official IL-2 Sturmovik store and other digital platforms for $69.99 USD / 64.99 EUR with a 15% launch discount during the first week!

This new addition to the long-standing and critically acclaimed IL-2 Sturmovik series of aerial combat simulators takes you over the sands of North Africa in the critical moment during WWII when the control of the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal was decided. Experience what it was like to fly and fight during the Desert War in deadly Messerschmitts, sleek Macchis, rugged Kittyhawks and the legendary Spitfires. IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings – Tobruk brings over 40 new flyable types and variants, more than 25 new tank, artillery and vehicle types added to the desert versions of the vehicles from the CLIFFS OF DOVER, as well as 15 new ships including British and Italian types which are historically accurate for the TOBRUK map.

The excellent multiplayer environment that allows over 100 players and dozens of AI aircraft online simultaneously, IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings – Tobruk promises intense and challenging human versus human aerial battles. For the Single Player enthusiasts, the game also includes 24 Quick Missions playable with any aircraft, 7 long form Campaigns based on historical Squadron experiences, another 14 single missions as well as two co-op missions playable both via multiplayer or single player.

Watch the IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings – Tobruk release trailer HERE.

New Update 0.9.7 deploys four new historical German CVs, starts a new Ranked sprint, features updated Hamburg Port and much more

World of Warships sees today the release of the new Update 0.9.7 introducing the highly-anticipated German aircraft carriers. The new German CVs are Tier IV Rhein, Tier VI Weser, Tier VIII August von Parseval and Tier X Manfred von Richthofen, and can now be researched by all players.

A new trailer celebrating the launch of the German aircraft carriers can be viewed here.

The German aircraft carriers branch features a series of capital ships that were either planned or partially constructed in the lead-up or during World War II, but never actually deployed. The German planes of these aircraft carriers have low HP pools but feature high speeds. The attack aircraft carry a new type of armor-penetrating rockets that are capable of inflicting heavy damage to enemy citadels with accurate shots. Torpedoes carried by the planes are fast, but short ranged. The dive bombers stationed on these aircraft carriers are armed with armor-piercing bombs.

Update 0.9.7 brings a new expansive in-game Collection called “Germany Navy”. This Collection includes unique collectibles such as emblems, ships, planes, uniforms, and historical personalities that pay homage to the history of German naval forces in the first half of the 20th century. The first elements will drop from new German Navy containers which can be obtained by completing Directives, combat missions and in the Armory. Players who completed the collection will receive the ability to feature a second flag and to use an alternative color scheme for their German ships.

Besides the German aircraft carriers, three new ships will become available with the release of Update 0.9.7: Tier IX German battleship Pommern, ready to brawl with her torpedoes, effective secondaries and 12 380 mm guns; the Tier VI German carrier Erich Loewenhardt, whose dive bombers carry high-explosive bombs instead of armor-piercing; and the Tier X Soviet battleship Slava, well suited for long-range firefights with her accurate guns but rather weak armor.

Update 0.9.7 also brings a new Ranked sprint with a 3vs3 format, playing Tier IX ships, new Unique Upgrades added to the Research Bureau in the Armory, as well as a renewed Hamburg port, and other technical improvements.

Further details on Update 0.9.7 can be found here.

Head over to worldofwarships.eu now to sign up for World of Warships for free.

Visit the official World of Warships website now for more game info and to sign up for World of Warships for free!