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Gaming Computer 2019

Posted on by Dave

I’m currently working on a budget gaming PC. The following is the final list of components that I am using.

Gaming Computer Components

gaming computer build list

CPU: AMD RYZEN 5 2600 6-Core 3.4 GHz (3.6 GHz Turbo) Socket AM4 processor with Wraith Spire Cooler

AMD SenseMI Technology
Socket AM4
Max Turbo Frequency 3.6 GHz
16MB L3 Cache
3MB L2 Cache
DDR4 Support
Unlocked Processor
Thermal Design Power 65W
AMD Wraith Spire 95W Cooler Included

Motherboard: MSI B450M Bazooka

Supports AMD® Ryzen 1st and 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Athlon™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics Processors for Socket AM4
Supports DDR4 Memory, up to 3466+(OC) MHz
Lightning Fast Game experience: 1x TURBO M.2, Store MI technology
Core Boost: With premium layout optimized power design to support more cores and provide better performance.
DDR4 Boost: Advanced technology to deliver pure data signals for the best gaming performance and stability.
Audio Boost: Reward your ears with studio grade sound quality for the most immersive audio experience
PCI-E Steel Armor: Protecting VGA cards against bending and EMI
X-Boost: Software that auto-detects and allows you to boost the performance of any storage, Optane or USB device
EZ Debug LED: Easiest way to troubleshoot.

Memory: HyperX FURY 8GB (2 x 4GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2666 

HyperX® FURY DDR4 can handle even the toughest battle. It recognizes its host platform and overclocks to the highest frequency published (up to 2666MHz*) — so you can wreak havoc. FURY DDR4 runs at 1.2V, even at 2666MHz, so it stays cooler while you play. You don’t need to alter the voltage to reach higher speeds, which means there’s more power for other hardware in the system. FURY’s sleek, asymmetrical black heat spreader provides enhanced thermal dissipation to help keep your cool and help you stand out from the crowd.

Automatic overclocking — up to 2666MHz
Low power consumption at 1.2V
Optimized for X99 series motherboards
Stylish low profile heat spreader in black

Storage: (2) X Kingston – A400 240 GB 2.5″ Solid State Drive

Kingston’s A400 solid-state drive dramatically improves the responsiveness of your existing system with incredible boot, loading and transfer times compared to mechanical hard drives. Powered by a latest gen controller for read and write speeds up to 500MB/s and 450MB/s1, this SSD is 10x faster than a traditional hard drive1 for higher performance, ultra-responsive multi-tasking and an overall faster system. Also more reliable and durable than a hard drive, A400 is available in multiple capacities from 120GB–960GB2.

Fast start-up, loading and file transfers
More reliable and durable than a hard drive
Multiple capacities with space for applications or a hard drive replacement

Video Card: ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 DirectX 12 ZT-P10620A-10M 6GB 192-Bit GDDR5X

zotac video card

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB is a great graphics card for gamers seeking serious performance and features at a price that won’t bust the wallet. Based on the state-of-the-art Pascal architecture, the GeForce GTX 1060 is built using 16nm FinFET technology and equipped with 1280 CUDA processors that operate at unprecedented high clock speed. Coupled with high-bandwidth GDDR5 memory, the GeForce GTX 1060 delivers brilliant performance to take on the latest high-definition games. It also delivers innovative new gaming technologies and breakthrough VR experiences, making it the ideal choice for your gaming machine.

This ZOTAC ZT-P10620A-10M GeForce GTX 1060 6GB comes with dual large fans for efficient yet quiet cooling, and is built with superb components ensuring stability, reliability and durability you can count on in extreme gaming.

Case: ROSEWILL ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case

ROSEWILL ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case

Classic and Professional Design: ROSEWILL CHALLENGER S is a typical mid tower pc computer case with a gaming look to leverage the gaming practice and a solid gaming computer case comes with a blue LED case fan at the front for excellent gaming systems.

All-Around Airflow: With 2x front blue LED 120mm and 1x rear 120mm computer case fans pre-installed, the gaming case (CHALLENGER S) aims to create the best airflow for any gaming system. ROSEWILL CHALLENGER S can not only give the excellent ventilation but also the easy access I/O ports at the front.

Spacious Internal: The ATX case pre-installs 2x front blue LED 120mm and 1x rear 120mm and support another 2x 120mm gaming case fans (optional). Easy to customize interior components with screw-less design for 5.25″ external drive bays and 3.5″ HDD.

Hassle-free Installation: The ATX mid tower case offers tool-less installation of the 2.5″ drives and 3.5″ drives for a hassle-free build. Plus, the case has a bottom-mounted dust filter that protects the power supply from the threat of dust.

Great Expandability: With up to five internal 3.5” drive bays and two external 3.5” drive bays, the Rosewill CHALLENGER gives DIY builders ultimate flexibility in personalizing their PC. It’s also furnished with three 5.25″ external drive bays. Additionally, up to seven expansion slots let you better take advantage of your motherboard’s expandability.

Power Supply: EVGA 600 W 80+ Certified ATX

When building on a budget, the EVGA 600W 80 PLUS is a great choice at a low cost. Supporting 49 A on a single +12 V rail provides more options without having to reduce your component requirements. Save space with the 600W’s compact design, well-placed power switch and fully sleeved cables. The 600 W offers the connections and protections needed for basic system builds.

New Xbox One S

Posted on by Dave

Introducing the new Xbox One S. Play the greatest games lineup, including Xbox 360 classics, on a 40% smaller console. Experience richer, more luminous colors in games and video with High Dynamic Range. Stream 4K video on Netflix and Amazon Video, and watch UHD Blu-ray movies in stunning 4K Ultra HD. Then get the enhanced comfort and feel of the new Xbox Wireless Controller, featuring textured grip and Bluetooth.

Pre-Order

Release Day – PVZGW2

Posted on by Dave

Official Forum

On Release Day – PVZGW2, there seems to be a significant overpowering issue with one of the new characters. Rose. There is a lot of chatter in the general chat. But, lets not over-react. It is a game and it will get fixed eventually. My advice…play Rose…enjoy being overpowered.

If you have played the original PVZGW, then follow this link to import your characters.

How to import PVZGW characters

NOTE: We recommend that you import your characters before opening any of your free sticker packs. You can import your characters any time before February 1, 2017.

General Info

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is a third-person shooter, similar to Garden Warfare. Gameplay will largely remain the same as its predecessor, with the addition of 6 new plant and zombie classes, a zombie version of Garden Ops, titled Graveyard Ops, and a new mode called Herbal Assault mode, a swapped version of Gardens and Graveyards where the Zombies must defend the bases and preventing the Plants from capturing it, which supports up to 24 players. Different classes have different abilities. Most characters and modes (Team Vanquish, Garden Ops, etc.) from the original Garden Warfare will be returning. A new “remix” musics from the original Garden Warfare for the Zombies. New abilities for returning characters will also be introduced in Garden Warfare 2.

Unlike the first game, while in the original Garden Warfare can play solo only on Garden Ops, via private mode, in Garden Warfare 2 every mode in the game can be played solo. Split-screen multiplayer, private servers, twelve maps and forty different characters will be supported at launch. Free additional content will also be released regularly upon the game’s release. An internet connection will still be required as in the first game.

New Mode

A new mode called Backyard Battleground is also introduced. It serves as a hub world that is free for players to explore. In Backyard Battleground, players can access portals that are connected to missions, view unlocked characters’ bobbleheads, collect collectibles scattered in the world, and join King of the Hill-style matches known as Flag of power matches against artificial intelligence at will. When playing Backyard Battleground, the game will send waves of enemy heroes, although the game will also send crates, containing either an AI ally or coins. There are also plant pots or places where the player can build either plant turrets or Zombie bots. A shooting gallery and moon-based missions are also featured.

Plant and zombie variants the player earned in the original game will automatically transfer to this game. The UI has been improved, with Crazy Dave and Dr. Zomboss shown talking in 3D model of themselves (rather than appearing as 2D designs from the original Plants vs. Zombies).

At the bases of both the Plants and the Zombies, there are several common features, including a Customization Room allowing the player to change and accessorize characters, a Quest Board with different objectives for Plants, Multiplayer, and Zombies, sticker Shops, a Multiplayer Portal, a Mailbox, and a special Garage, with quest missions for both sides.

Exclusive Rewards

The game also includes many exclusive rewards for players who have played the original Garden Warfare. The player can use their Mailbox in either side’s base to import all of the unlocked characters and abilities that they have unlocked in Garden Warfare, depending on if they actually played the first game. They can also use their rank from GW1 to get loyalty rewards, which rank from sticker packs to an extremely exclusive character for those who reached the max rank 313, the Unicorn Chomper. Also, players who either pre-ordered or purchased the deluxe edition of Garden Warfare 2 will get lots of exclusive items, from emoji customizations to an exclusive Mass Effect-themed character, the Z7 Imp.

PVZ Garden Warfare 2 – Plant Variants

Posted on by Dave

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2’s 14 playable classes is but the tip of the iceberg (lettuce). When the game launches later this month, there’ll also be more than 100 playable variants to unlock. EA and PopCap have launched a new trailer taking a quick look at some of the Plant variants you’ll see in the game.

“With over 100 playable variants to unlock, you’ll have no shortage of wacky, fun choices to play your way!” reads the latest blog post on the Garden Warfare website. “From Rock Pea to Zen Cactus, here’s a look some of the awesome new plant variants you’ll be able to unlock and play on February 23rd”.

You’ll be able to dig up Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 later this month for Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Check out the latest video below, then check out our own gameplay video with commentary for a look at more Plant and Zombie variants too. Carrots.

Launching on 2.23.16

12 New Maps

Player Loyalty Rewards

We love our fans, and we also love giving back to our fans. This is one of the reasons why we’re committed to supporting PvZGW2 with free DLC support after launch, but we wanted to do something extra special for everyone who played the original Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare. Not only will those players be able to port over all of their unlocks (aside from the promotional variants), but they’ll also get additional special rewards, based on the rank they achieved in the original game!

More Information

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 Beta

Posted on by Dave

As announced previously, the Garden Warfare 2 beta will offer players access to a scaled-down version of the Backyard Battleground, which is a hub world that acts as a menu and connects players to every map and mode. For the beta players, the following content will be available in Backyard Battleground, with descriptions courtesy of EA:

•The King of the Hill-inspired mode, Flag of Power – Raise the Flag of Power and do everything you can to prevent the enemy from lowering it; igniting an all-out war where you’ll have to fight off wave after wave of enemies in a frantic, escalating battle.
•Stats Room – Display all of your characters’ stats and achievements. There’s also a sticker book where you can get an overview of all the characters and accessories you’ve unlocked.
•Quest Board – Visit the Quest Board for a list of dynamically updated challenges that will reward you for every completed event, and increase your XP multiplier.

Also included in the beta are two 24-player game modes (Herbal Assault and Gardens & Graveyards) playable on two maps: Moon Base Z and Seeds of Time.

Alongside those, new modes and maps will be rotated in as the beta progresses. These include:
•Modes:◦Team Vanquish
•Vanquish Confirmed
•Gnome Bomb
•Suburbination

•Maps:
•Z-Tech Factory
•Frosty Creek

Finally, the following characters will be playable in the Garden Warfare 2 beta (descriptions written by EA):
•Kernel Corn – Leading the plant offensive as the primary assault class with dual cob busters and a high rate of fire.
•Rose – An extremely powerful sorceress that can turn zombie foes into fully playable goats.
•Citron – A time-travelling bounty hunter from the future – and also an orange.
 •Imp & Z-Mech – The smallest and most agile of the zombies that turns into a Z-Mech robo of mass destruction with missiles.
•Super Brainz – The flashy, punchy-powerhouse superhero with exceptional hair and charismatic smile.
•Captain Deadbeard – A crusty peg-legged captain with a trick weapon up his sleeve.

The Garden Warfare 2 beta has not been announced for PC.

The full version of Garden Warfare 2 launches on February 23 across PS4, Xbox One, and PC. However, Xbox One and PC players can jump in five days early if they have an EA/Origin Access membership.

Videos of my beta gameplay

Xbox One

Posted on by Dave

The Dell Xbox One deal lasted for less than 3 seconds. I was refreshing the page from 5:55 p.m. until the deal was activated. I clicked on the link which send me to the disappointing page about being out of stock (if it ever was in stock).

So, I got a very similar deal from the Microsoft store. I got the Xbox One Gears of War 500gb version with a free game and $60 Microsoft store credit (which I can use to purchase a controller).

So, the final purchase price was $317.99 – $15.90 (discover) – $6.36 (fatwallet) = $295.73.

As with Black Friday, the Microsoft store itself offers the easiest and most versatile way of picking up a new console. It’s offering $50 off on all Xbox One bundles, as well as a $60 gift code and a free game (Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Sunset Overdrive or Rare Replay). That’s a lot of options for mixing and matching to your taste, and the $60 gift card means you could snag yourself a new release along with whatever in-stock bundle you want. If you just want to show up and buy an Xbox One, this is a good place to do it.

Source – The Best Cyber Monday Deals For Xbox One, 2015

In Search of an Xbox One

Posted on by Dave

This coming Friday, is black Friday and I am in search of an Xbox One.

The best deal so far is from DELL.

LINK TO DEAL

I’m going to attempt to use the following rebate sites.

10% Discover Deals

8% FatWallet.com

5% Dell Advantage

If I get all three the total would be $299.99 – $31.79 – $25.44 – $15.90 = $226.86

Xbox One history

Xbox One is the successor to Xbox 360, Microsoft’s previous video game console, which was introduced in 2005 as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. As of June 2015, it remains in production by Microsoft, having received a number of small hardware revisions to reduce the unit’s size and improve its reliability. In 2010, Microsoft’s Chris Lewis stated that the 360 was about “halfway” through its lifecycle; this was aided by the introduction of the Kinect device that year which Lewis stated would extend the lifecycle by five years.

Initial hardware for the 360’s successor, commonly referred to by the industry as the “Xbox 720”, was reportedly in hands of developers as early as May 2011. The official developer kit was codenamed Durango, and appeared to be available to developers by mid-2012. Leaked documents suggested that the new console would include an improved Kinect device, cloud access to games and media, integration with phone and tablet devices, and technology to provide players heads-up displays on glasses worn by the player, codenamed “Fortaleza”; Microsoft did not comment on these reported features. Similar, leaked design documents also suggested that Microsoft was seeking to eliminate the ability to play used games, though Microsoft later clarified they were still reviewing the design and were “thinking about what is next and how we can push the boundaries of technology like we did with Kinect”, but did not comment on the validity of the information.

The console was publicly unveiled under the name Xbox One on May 21, 2013 in a press conference designed to cover the unit’s broad multimedia and social capabilities. A second press event for the console was held during E3 on June 10, 2013, focusing on its video game-oriented functionality. At that time, Microsoft announced that the console would be released in 21 different markets on November 22, 2013, but this was later amended down to 13.The change, which pushed the release date for the other eight markets to 2014, was attributed to unforeseen complexity in localizing the device’s voice recognition capabilities.Later, in September 2014, the Xbox One was released in 26 markets, including remaining markets in Europe, the Japanese market, and Middle Eastern markets.

PVZ GW 10,000 Player Vanquishes

Posted on by Dave

A new milestone for me, PVZ Garden Warfare 10,000 Player Vanquishes.

PVZ GW 10,000 Player Vanquishes
PVZ GW 10,000 Player Vanquishes

Of course it only took 10 days of playing 24 hours non-stop. Now, that is a lot!!! of time played.

 

General Gameplay for Garden & Graveyards

Gardens & Graveyards is an objective Multiplayer game mode in Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare. Up to 12 Plants face up to 12 Zombies on a large, multi-section map. The objective of this game mode is for the Zombies team to attack five to six gardens and complete a final objective on the final base to win. The Plants team must defend the gardens and wait for the time to expire to win.

This game mode starts the clock with seven minutes (7:00). After every garden is captured, the clock resets to five minutes (5:00). If the clock runs out while a garden is being captured, the game will continue in overtime until the garden is captured or until all Zombies are removed.

Each garden takes at least 40 seconds to capture. The garden will only capture if more Zombies than plants are within the designated area. If there are three zombies and two plants, the garden will capture. If there are three zombies and three plants, the garden will not capture. The numbers of Plants and Zombies in the garden will be displayed on the capture meter at the top center of the screen.

Tips for playing Gardens & Graveyards

Team Plants

Spawnable Plants can be planted within glowing pots around the map. Use these as reinforcements to help your team. Remember, these can only be obtained in packs from the Sticker Shop, so use them wisely and remember to buy more in-between games if needed. Plant these in pots near the garden as a final line of defense.

Use the Cactus to set Potato Mines and the Chomper to set Spiked Grass near the Garden. This will either Vanquish or slow down enemy zombies. The Cactus can also set up Tallnut Battlements to slow down Spawnable Zombies.

Enemy Zombies may try to use Teleporters to get to the garden much faster. A purple door will appear if the Teleporter is active. Search for the Teleporter on foot, or use the Cactus’ Garlic Drone to find it from the air and destroy it with its primary weapon or corn strikes.
Team Zombies

Spawnable Zombies can be summoned from glowing dirt mounds around the map. Use these as reinforcements to help your team. Remember, these can only be obtained in packs from the Sticker Shop, so use them wisely and remember to buy more in-between games. A good strategy when playing as the Zombies is to overwhelm the target garden with a large number of Spawnable Zombies. Using the most common Zombie, the Browncoat, will overwhelm the Plants with many targets and won’t cost you any rare types.

In addition to Spawnable Zombies, the Engineer Zombie can build Zombot Turrets from glowing scrap piles. Their firepower can be upgraded twice by interacting with them, but the build time is much slower while upgrading.

Not only can Engineer Zombies build Zombot Turrets, but they can also build Teleporters. Broken down Teleporters can be found in one of two locations before every garden. They are marked by a purple wrench on the Engineer’s HUD. Interact with these broken down contraptions to fix them.

While the Teleporter is active a purple door will appear near the zombie base that instantly transports zombies to the Teleporter, which is much closer to the garden. Every zombie that uses the Teleporter will reward the Engineer that built it with 10 PvZ Coins. Be warned, Teleporters can be destroyed by Plant weapons. Make sure to build Zombot Turrets near the Teleporters to guard them.

Xbox One Backward Compatible Games

Posted on by Dave
Xbox One Backward Compatible Games
Xbox One Backward Compatible Games

Our launch of 104 titles on Nov. 12 is just the beginning. You can expect new Xbox One Backward Compatible games to be announced on a regular basis, starting in December. More titles are on the way, including fan favorites like Halo Reach, Halo Wars, Call of Duty®: Black Ops 1, Bioshock, Bioshock 2, Bioshock Infinite, and Skate 3. Stay tuned because this is just the beginning of a long list of Xbox 360 games that will run on Xbox One.

Here’s the list:

A Kingdom for Keflings
A World of Keflings
Alien Hominid HD
Assassin’s Creed II
Asteroids & Deluxe
Banjo Kazooie®: Nuts & Bolts
Banjo-Kazooie®
Banjo-Tooie®
BattleBlock Theater
Bejeweled 2
Bellator: MMA Onslaught
Beyond Good & Evil HD
Blood of the Werewolf
BloodRayne: Betrayal
Borderlands
Call of Juarez® Gunslinger
Castle Crashers
CastleStorm
Centipede & Millipede
Condemned: Criminal Origins
Crazy Taxi™
Deadliest Warrior: Legends
Defense Grid: The Awakening
DiRT 3
DiRT Showdown
Discs of Tron
Doom
Doom II
Dungeon Siege III
Earthworm Jim HD
Fable II
Fallout 3
Feeding Frenzy
Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown
Gears of War
Gears of War 2
Gears of War 3
Gears of War: Judgment
Golden Axe™
Halo: Spartan Assault
Hardwood Backgammon®
Hardwood Hearts®
Hardwood Spades®
Heavy Weapon
Hexic HD
Ikaruga
Jetpac Refuelled
Joy Ride Turbo
Just Cause 2
Kameo™: Elements of Power
LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Lode Runner™
LUMINES LIVE!
Mass Effect™
Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug XX
Might & Magic Clash of Heroes™
Mirror’s Edge™
Missile Command
Monday Night Combat
Monkey Island: Special Edition
Monkey Island 2: Special Edition
Ms. Splosion Man™
Mutant Blobs Attack!!!
N+
NBA JAM: On Fire Edition
NiGHTS into dreams…
Operation Flashpoint™: Dragon Rising
Pac-Man: Championship Edition™
Pac-Man: Championship Edition DX+
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark Zero
Phantom Breaker:Battle Grounds
Pinball FX™
Plants vs. Zombies
Prince of Persia
Putty Squad
Rayman 3 HD
R-Type Dimensions™
Sacred Citadel
Sega Vintage Collection: Alex Kidd & Co.
Sega Vintage Collection: Golden Axe
Sega Vintage Collection: Monster World
Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage
Shadow Complex
Sonic CD
Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Super Meat Boy
Supreme Commander 2
Tom Clancy’s RainbowSix Vegas
Tom Clancy’s RainbowSix Vegas 2
South Park: The Stick of Truth™
Torchlight
Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers: Cold War
Tron: Evolution
Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon
Viva Piñata
Viva Piñata: Trouble In Paradise
Wolfenstein 3D
Zuma

Source: Xbox News

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2

Posted on by Dave

PopCap Games, creator of some of the world’s most beloved video game franchises and a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), today announced Backyard Battleground, an all new dynamic hub in Plants vs Zombies™ Garden Warfare 2. This interactive environment connects players to every map and mode, and brings to life all new ways to experience the Plants vs. Zombies universe through solo and social play. As soon as the game starts, players will be immersed in a wild playground with dynamic events and tons to discover and do. They can invite up to three friends into their Backyard Battleground to do almost anything they want – take on daily quests, complete missions for Crazy Dave and Dr. Zomboss, interact with some of their favorite Plants vs. Zombies characters, ignite an all-out war by crossing over enemy lines and much more. The Backyard Battleground is an immersive hub unlike anything that has been in a Plants vs. Zombies game before.

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2
Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 is partnering with BioWare™ on an intergalactic pre-order. Fans who pre-order the game will get access to a new Grass Effect Z7-Mech when they start Garden Warfare 2. Crafted by Dr. Zomboss, and inspired by one of the development team’s most favorite videogame franchises, this mech will help ensure Zomburbia’s galactic future. Gamers will have a blast playing with what was built to be the best-looking bane of plants everywhere. The Z7-Mech comes strapped with tools like the melee Zomni-tool, as well as interlocking ceramic plate armor with kinetic padding. This character is designed to augment tech, biotic, and weapons damage.

The battle for Suburbia reaches crazy new heights in Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2. For the first time in franchise history, zombies have taken over Suburbia and plants are on the attack. Each faction has enlisted new characters to join the fight, including Rose, an all-powerful sorceress from the past that can turn zombies into playable goats and Captain Deadbeard, a crusty pirate that has been adrift for hundreds of years. All the over-the-top fun takes place across 12 new immersive maps that are bursting with personality and humor, spanning everything from a Time Travel Theme Park to Moon Base Z. Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 taps into the heart of what fans loved about the original and goes above and beyond to deliver the funniest, craziest, most over-the-top shooter.

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 ships in Spring 2016 and is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver. The game is available on Xbox One, the all-in-one gaming system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Origin™ for PC.