3lfk1ng's Tech Assault

Too all my supporters

2009-03-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

I was in a motorcycle accident 4 weeks ago.

I had surgery performed on my right leg 1.5 weeks ago.

Just now am I able to sit at my computer.

About 4 more weeks to heal if all goes well.

Sorry for the lack of updates, I know you will understand.

Volkwagon bringing the 270hp R20 GTI to the states

2009-02-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

This may not seem amazing, but read on, it is. Volkswagon will be bringing a 270hp AWD GTI stateside. The R20 GTI would use the same powertrain found in the $53,000 Audi S3 and offer a 6 speed MT or DSG.

Audi currently does not have any plans to bring the Audi S3 stateside. When contacted, this is the email that I got back.

Dear Drew:

Thank you for contacting Audi of America. No plans have been announced
at this time for production of the Audi S3 for North America, but we
will be happy to forward your note to the appropriate persons for
consideration in future planning. The preferences and opinions of our
customers are very important in developing models for the coming years.

Again, thank you for contacting us. Please write again if we can be of
any further assistance.

Evelyn
AudiTalk

The Audi S3 features a 2.0liter 4 cylinder 270hp turbocharged engine capable of 0-60times in the mid 5's; much faster than the STOCK 200hp A3 with a 0-60time of 6.7 seconds.

I highly doubt that Volkswagon will charge anywhere over $35,000 for this AWD 270hp GTI. This could be the ultimate Eurotuner. I cannot even begin to express how happy GTI and A3 owners will be to finally be able to purchase a car with the highly tuned S3 powertrain.

I hope to see you PVP hungry players in Darkfall.

2009-01-29T01:47:00.000-08:00

This game is absolutely brutal. If you play wow and like to pve, do NOT come to Darkfall.
If you play WOW and Wish you could steal peoples stuff, come to Darkfall.

Although the graphics may not be the best. (Leaked Footage from someone else)

Many of us beta testers are having a grand ol time!
This is turning out to be the best PVP game ever created! Dare you join the fray?

$50,000 Ford Focus incomming!

2009-01-29T00:57:00.000-08:00

Run for it, Ford has gone off the deep end!

Mustang drivers beware! This plastic badass could be rip roaring past you on the freeway within the next few months.

The new Ford Focus RS features a 2.5L turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine capable of generating 300hp and 325lb-ft with a 0-62 time of just 5.9 seconds. Roughly a half a second faster than a 2009 Mustang GT.

That's .1 seconds slower than a stock 2009 MazdaSpeed3 and .8 seconds faster than a stock 2009 Audi A3. (Sidenote: Sadly that is only .5 seconds slower than my 2008 A3.)

Although the extra $20,000 for a Ford might not seem worth it all someone might fancy a RICEY performance alternative to the Mustang.

The only Volvo that has ever caught my attention.

2009-01-29T00:52:00.000-08:00

...wait, it's a Volvo?

Yes indeed. Although it's not my taste, I find it rather amazing that someone could take a hideous car such as the Volvo C30 and turn it into a Civic eating Monster. Although these images were made by design firm Vizualtech, they certainly show what the C30 could be capable of.

I think these guys like the Honda CRX far too much, What do you guys think?

Beauty, in the eye of the beholder...

2009-01-29T00:36:00.000-08:00

...yeah whatever that means

Check this out: BAM! *pumps spice weasel*
If your checking out the balding male specimen, you have issues. If your checking out this bitch'n piece of your childhood, then keep reading.

This limited edition Varsity Jacket of an old school NES controller can be yours for just $200.
ONLY 15 LEFT

Get yours now or keep an eye out for scalpers on EBAY.

Promotion

2009-01-29T00:29:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to let you guys know that I received a promotion over at XCPUS.COM and I am now an official Hardware Reviewer.

Stop on by and check us out, I would love to hear from you. Afterall, if your reading my blog, then XCPUS is the place for you.

Rock, Paper, Recession

2009-01-29T00:20:00.001-08:00

This recession is crap. I'm having a really tough time getting by, sorry for the lack of proper updates everyone.

I've just barely scrapped by these past 2 months, thank god for savings. I read everyday about more and more companies dropping employees. I heard stories from my friends about their company laying off 600+ workers in the next few months. I even walk downtown in beautiful Santa Barbara watching more and more businesses close their doors on State st.

Hopefully everyone is doing okay out there and hopefully things will turnaround in the next few months.

I'm excited for this upcoming stimulus package.

I know I could use the extra money. Hopefully it will help us more than last time.

GTA IV update

2009-01-29T00:17:00.000-08:00

Did you computer have issues with GTA IV?
Download this patch to fix it.

They also added some new sliders to improve the quality of those sketchy shadows.

Props to Rockstar for not leaving the project in shambles.
Negatives to Rockstar Toronto for releasing the game in crap condition.

Enjoy!

Darkfall delayed until the 25th of February

2009-01-25T18:49:00.000-08:00

In order to assure that the launch will be a great success, the game has been delayed until the 25th.

Darkfall coming out on the 22nd

2009-01-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

Darkfall, the mmo that was called Vaporware many a time is finally coming!
Having been in development for 8 years this game has a ton of new an innovative things to bring to the market.
Darkfall is also a FREE FOR ALL PVP MMORPG.

Meaning: If you kill someone, you can take absolutely everything that person is wearing, and everything in their inventory, including mounts.

The catch: Every item has a weight so your character can only pick up so much and if your looting, someone else could kill you and take everything.

This game has litterally hundreds of features the MMO genre has never seen before so I'm only going to touch base on a few of them:

1. If you need a sheild, find an NPC or Player that has a sheild equipped, what you see, is what you get.
2. NPCs are a pain in the ass to kill. Don't expect them to stand still and take it. They will dodge, run away, drink potions, buff up, call for help. If they kill you, they will take your gear to get stronger, eventually leveling up and learning new skills. NPCs that level can eventually become bosses.
3. Town building - Much more in depth than anything you have seen or heard of before.
4. Naval fleets - Thats right, if you want to be a guild of pirates, go for it.
5. No level system. As you become more proficient you will learn new skills. No more not being invited to the group because your too low.
6. No instancing, one huge seamless world, full of dungeons and caverns.

Read more about Darkfall on the Darkfall forums.
or Register to become a member of CotP, and join our ranks.

Vacation almost over

2009-01-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

To all my fellow readers, sorry about the lack of activity here at my blog. I know you come here to see unique stuff but things have been pretty crazy. In the last month I have spent 10 days in Vegas on two separate trips, one for a wedding, and the other for CES. Although it's been my vacation, it's also been a lot of work.
I hope I can make this all up to you!

If you don't find me here, you can always find me at xcpus.com

Vista Ultimate (RED)

2008-12-08T16:14:00.002-08:00

Coming December 15th, you will be able to help find a cure for AIDS for $219.95 ($64.95 for students). Preorders are already available through Amazon.

I love Vista very much, and so should you.

Finals

2008-12-08T16:14:00.001-08:00

4 more to go...

Overclockers Rejoice!

2008-11-21T01:24:00.000-08:00

RivaTuner 2.2 is now available.

Download here.

AMD 45nm Phenom II ES hits 6ghz

2008-11-21T01:17:00.000-08:00

Well... the title pretty much says all that needs to be said. Click this link for more

If that title didn't say enough already, then your going to feel pretty lame when you read the following:
Amd has an engineering sample of the new 45nm Phenom based on the Deneb architecture and it hit 6ghz with LN2 cooloing in Austin, Texas on November 20th when the temperature outside was 52 degrees and.... why the hell are you still reading?

Expect a lot of people to actually hit 4ghz stable this time around. AMD is back, thank god for competitive pricing.

I got a new phone

2008-11-21T00:50:00.000-08:00

AT&T released the HTC FUZE last week and I was the first person...and the only person in Santa Barbara waiting in line to get it.

The HTC FUZE is the exact same phone as the HTC Touch Pro only AT&T decided to change the number keys to look like a keypad on the number keys and remove the front camera which actually had no purpose other than to take pictures of yourself (The video conferencing fincionality didn't work very well apparently) .

Some people were a little wary about the change buy I found that this increased my typing speed. Overall the phone is very comfortable to type on and text messaging has never been more easy. It's code name is also known as the HTC Raphael known by those who might frequent the xda-developers site for some really cool apps.

I avoided the G1 because of all its current issues.
I avoided the iPhone because it's a device for Mac owners (Sync) or people that cannot program their own alarm clocks (it just works and there is nothing you can do to change it).

My Fiance has an iphone and overall it is much more intuitive to use, yes. But at the same time I feel like I would be stuck with another peice of Mac proprietary [insert negative word here]. I like just knowing that I will have the ability to insert a 32MB MicroSD card in the near future. I also like to be able to swap batteries without having to send my phone in for a few weeks. I also like how I didn't have to create a proprietary plan through Apple. I cannot even begin to tell you how much more money I'm saving than she is with extremely similar plans. I won't rant or rave about how awesome this phone is because everyone has their own tastes. I am a modder so I needed a modders dream phone... you cannot get that with any other phone... not even you Nokia! (Although the N-95/96 did have my interest for a little while)

I have yet to really mess around with it and install a mod OS to remove the bloatware, but overall I will give the phone a 9/10 so far. 10/10 if it had breasts.

It has a few minor lag issues due to the bloatware and I have yet to get the GPS working.

I'll post a PART 2 on the HTC Fuze someday...

Car upgrade and video coming in January

2008-11-21T00:49:00.000-08:00

I should have the aftermarket APR RSC exhaust system installed come January.

I'll be sure to post some pictures and video.

I'm engaged

2008-11-21T00:48:00.000-08:00

I proposed to my GF and she said yes!

The car...Audi A3

2008-10-24T00:07:00.001-07:00

Big post... here we go!

Most of you know me as a computer modder. If it looks sick, I want to make it look ILL!

You name it, the schools computer, your computer, my computer.... I will mod it. Once I even put an external HDD that had blue leds into a computer chassis with a window... the teacher loved it.

Modding is a serious passion for me. I like to use it as a way to express myself; I don't like to settle for just "normal". I'm not one to own something that looks the same as 10,000 other people(s). It also gives me a way to unleash my inner creativity that I keep all pent up when I'm working to the bone.

I have refused to post pictures of our Audi A3 for one simple reason; I'm still working on it. So here is a standard A3.
It's a very sporty hatchback... and a complete sleeper.
It's main competition are the Volks GTI, the Suburu WRX, and the MazdaSpeed3. This car is no slouch, it a 4.0 liter turbocharged monster just waiting to be unleashed.

Here are some modded A3's

For those of you not in the "know"
-DSG (A3 and GTI) is World's fastest shifting transmission at 8ms, Ferrari Enzo shifts in 110ms, BMW M3 in 80ms.
-JD Power & Associates 5 star crash test rating
-Top 10 engine in the world.
-Same Engine and Transmission as it's brother the GTI.
-$26,000 base price
-0-60 in 7 seconds.
-200hp / 207lb ft tq.
-6500rpm
-Turbo stock (K03)
-Intercooler stock

With all the spare money that I used to dump into my computers, I have now found a new form of modding... the car.

Progress:
So far I have done very little too it, and I have far more to go.
But when it comes to modding I like to use the motto "GO before SHOW". My computer cost was never sacrificed by how many cold cathodes I wanted to have so my car's power won't be sacrificed for aesthetics either.

Currently the car is generating about 260hp and 300lb ft tq. with a new rate up to 7200rpm.
Upgrades so far:
-GIAC ecu flash
-ECS Torque arm insert
-EVOMs Cold air Intake.

This car is now 0-60 in less than 6seconds.

I'm not even going to begin to show where my direction is going, but expect to start seeing some pictures and video of the car in the not too distant future.

Once the engagement ring is purchased, expect most of my hard earned money to get showered into this new found toy. If you have any questions... feel free to ask.

Getting Engaged

2008-10-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

Hopefully if all my hard work pays off, the money that I am earning will be spent on a beautiful ring for my wonderful girlfriend.

The ring I will be purchasing looks very similar to this one. The only difference is that the outside square and the 2nd to the inside square are laid with black diamonds.

We are both into things that are "Industrial" and this is about as "Industrial" of an engagement ring that I will ever find.

We have been living together (sinners!) for the last 3.5 years, the time is now.

History:
-We met playing World of Warcraft.
-I moved from Spokane, Wa to Santa Barbara, CA.
-Happily ever after.

Engineering Internship

2008-10-23T23:40:00.001-07:00

Most of you know that I work my ass off... day in and day out...I'm always busy and too swamped to post as often as I wish I could. I work hard in hopes that someday all this work will pay off.... and it better.

Here is what I did:

14 units of College (Physics, Math, Java, Philosophy, 2 labs)
1 full time job at Starbucks (25hours a week)

Well just last week I got hired as a paid Electrical Engineer Intern.

Here is what I do now:
14 units of College (Physics, Math, Java, Philosophy, 2 labs)
1 full time job at Starbucks (25hours a week)
1 part time job as an inten (25hours a week)

If my post count drops severely, you know know why. I'm normally always busy as you can now tell, but tonight I traded a shift so that I could relax before the storm that is next week. So I am taking this time to keep my fellow readers updated.

My Engineering Internship is really rad. I could not ask to be in a better place in my life. I have officially reached my goal, and now I just have to get through a few more years of college.

My Internship:
I cannot disclose much because I'm pretty sure it's confidential , but currently I am working on an Intel motherboard for a laptop due out next summer. I'm the guy routing the traces from the socket to the memory. I had no idea how important the length of those traces had to be, I do now.

It's a lot of learning! The program I am using is called Cadence Allegro, the licensing cost for this incredibly advanced software is $30,000.

...oh man, what a blast it is. I could go on and on, but if you have any questions feel free to ask me.

Vista SP2 coming... but when?

2008-10-23T23:35:00.000-07:00

Only time will tell, but VR-Zone found a leaked screenshot and some quick infomation on what SP2 might entail.

The best thing we can hope for ... is what SP1 failed us with... performance gains! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Nvidia assualts the notebook sector

2008-10-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

Intel's integrated chips could be in some serious beatings. Five major vendors including Apple have signed on to include the upcoming 9400m series integrated GPU in upcoming laptops.

Nvidia and leading analysts say that they could potentially carve out 30% of the IGP pie for themselves. This is a stance that Intel has feared for a while now. Intels last hope for the IGP market could be with the Larrabee platform.

This comes as great news to me. Although Intel's x4500HD may provide a better battery life for those that just IM, Surf and use MSWord, the performance of the 9400m is roughly 5 times as powerfull, perfect for the video editors and more intense people in the "industries". Besides if all you do are simple tasks, don't waste your money on a full fledged laptop, go get a netbook.

Ati 4830 released

2008-10-23T22:56:00.000-07:00

For all you gamers that are looking for a great card on a low budget. This card is for you. For a mere $130 you can get a great card that can handle almost anything you can throw at it.

	GPU: 575MHz
	Stream Processors				: 640

	Memory Clock:				1800MHz
	Memory Size:				512MB
	Memory Interface:				256-bit
	Memory Type:				GDDR3

Check out the review over at Anandtech.
Image courtesy of Anandtech