Final Fantasy XIV Benchmark

The next Final Fantasy is the Fourteenth. It will be an MMORPG, just like XI, but with higher quality of graphics. They released a 350 MB benchmarking software that shows you how the game looks (and it was AWESOME) and as the demo roll on, it will keep track of your PC's frame rate. It will give a specific score that serves as a indicator whether our system will be ready for the stuff when it comes out - or not. 

So I ran the benchmark test on the highest resolution (1920x1080) and low resolution (1280x720), and was amazed by the graphics. In the end, I got a 1600 (high resolution) and 2700 (low resolution) for my Desktop. I thought that it was decent. I mean, my PC is, of course, outdated with Pentium i7 and ATI HD 5850 sprouting everywhere but I am confident that it is still decent for playing games. I haven't face any difficulty so far... so it should not be much problem right?

WRONG. Totally WRONG.

This is the description for scores between 1500-1999 and 2500-2999:

[2500-2999] Standard Performance (Low Resolution)

Capable of running the game on default settings.

[1500-1999] Low Performance (High Resolution)
Capable of running the game, but will experience considerable slowdown. Adjusting settings is unlikely to improve performance.

...and it was the range of scores right after the last!! @_@

Should I upgrade? Hmmm....

(If you are curious on how good your system is, you can click at this hyperlink to test. it's free.)

RIP - Microsoft Wireless 700 (2008-2010)

So the time finally cometh. The notoriously hard keyboard finally dies. I think the wireless module blew up after hundreds hours of usage. Just came back from office and when I tried to turn on my PC I realized that it isn't working anymore. What a shame.

So with the IT Crisis happening, I rushed my dinner and went to Challenger to find a new one. Thing is, the JP doesn't have the top-of-the-line keyboards unlike when I go to Funan. The choice were limited. Now considering all the hype with SC2 coming, I considered buying Razer. Yea.. the Razer. JP only have Lycosa and Arctosa - Having difficulties in deciding between them, I googled for reviews. and finally made my choice. I choose........

....

Microsoft Digital Media 3000. LOL.

The reviews for both Arctosa and Lycosa is worse than I think. And on top of that, this month sees me spending quite some bucks for one time spending: Air-con service, WC2010, extra flat rental, tickets for HK-Macau-Jogja, hotel and EAGC registration. And on top of that: Starcraft 2. So it will not be wise to pay for an overpriced keyboard. I choose a wired keyboard that is decent enough with economical value.

So far my only concern is that it's somewhat too low even when the stand is up. My fingers are feeling a bit discomfort. Other concern is that the key are smaller than my last keyboards and my arms are not used to it. yet. But I hope it'll get better after I am used to it.

So to close: in memoriam rock-hard keyboard. Welcome cheap alternatives XD

Let there be keyboards!
Eagerly waiting for Starcraft 2.
...well actually I'm waiting for holiday >.<... my mind is filled with stuffs right now..

Another Geek Post

I found this video today, it's about 3D modeling, but it captures the object from a webcam and make the 3D object from it. Mono-camera-based, not stereo camera. and afterward, it's able to track the object movement O_O

I feel like my FYP project was a child play. Man...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEOmzjImsVc&feature=player_embedded

Another Kewl Post

I'm in geeky mode right now =P. I think you know the anamorphism effect. People who draw something in 2D but can be seen in 3D when you see it from a certain angle. From other angles, it may look silly, but at a certain angle, it's really cool. Like this video below



So, there's a guy named Sander ter Braak (a student!) who created a REAL-TIME animated object, which tracks the position of the viewer and generate an anamorphism image such that wherever the viewer stands, it will be seen in 3D. Kewl! Videos communicates this easier.



Pre-holographic technologies eh? =D

This is Uber Kewl

Fantasies on iPhone

I checked iTunes store today and I found a surprising thing:

SquareEnix is porting the remake of Final Fantasy 1 and Final Fantasy 2 to iPhone.

And it is already available! =D

It's a good prelude before the real deal on 9th of March 2010. ;)

Now on Windows 7

Last week, since I got a lot of free time to spend, I decided to overhaul my PC. I have planned to do it from 4-5 months ago as the Windows 7 only released on November.

The best part of this is: I got the Ultimate Edition for S$ 0.00 \(^^)/. Thanks to my cousin =D. He got technician license and I got one from him hehehe... Special thanks for ko Robert ;)

Now, the hard part comes later. When I tried to install the new OS, I found that my Desktop overheated pretty fast. Then it won't restart properly-- always got a blue screen every time i do so, and the DVD Drive was looking like a snail smashed by a car. I actually spend 3 days to figure out what's wrong (after patching drivers, BIOS and the keyboard drama)-- my power supply broke. Great. I knew it has been starting to get spoiled since last year, but I never thought that it was THAT broke. So I need to spend some of my money which I saved a new Power Supply-- and it really does its magic =D. Special thanks to the guys at www.dslreports.com, Topaz and Adrian for helping me out on solving this one.

So.. I got the OS free but need to pay for PSU, even though I still got some $ saved, but it still a bit sad. ---but wait--- when I checked the receipt of my old PSU i found that it's on 2 years warranty. The expiry date: 13 Dec 2009. Next Saturday. Muahahahahahahaha... I directly went to Funan to claim =P. So I guess, I can salvage some money by selling the repaired unit. All went nice and well I guess =D

If you do got some money to spend on OS or looking for new Desktop/Notebook, I really suggest you upgrade to W7 (that is, if you're not going for Mac). It's fast and responsive, better than Vista but as light as XP. ^^~

Now, I know that this post may sound a little bit geeky, but I really had a nice experience tinkering my PC for the first time =). Now I know a little bit more about it, and I guess it's learning by doing. I promise you that the next posting will go back to my usual topic. hehe. Until then, I just want to say, Have a blessed advent weeks to all of us! =)

God Bless!