Ok so its not SLI or NVIDIA related, but GTA IV is being released today!  I can't speak for everyone, but I know I am looking forward to playing it.  I have played all previous versions since Grant Theft Auto 3 first came out and enjoyed them all. 

This one has got me pretty excited to fire it up on PS3 connected to my big screen HDTV.

I probably won't be in line at 12am tonight, but I'll swing by on my way to work in the morning :)

    GeForce LAN at NVISION 08 is this summer’s dream destination for every gamer!  

Join thousands of gamers from all over the world for three days of non-stop adrenaline-pumping gaming right in the heart of the Silicon Valley.

Where:           San Jose McEnery Convention Center
                        150 West San Carlos St., San Jose, CA 95113

When:             Monday, August 25–Wednesday, August 27, 2008 

How much:    $50.00 on or Before June 1             (Early Bird Ticket)
                         $65.00 June 2 through August 27  (Standard Ticket)

                You will receive a food coupon with the purchase of your ticket.

Bring your own computer and play the hottest PC games; watch the 2008 Electronic Sports World Cup finals; participate in contests, raffles, and other fun activities; enter to win thousands worth of prizes; and be part of this Guinness-World-Record-breaking-attempt LAN party.

Seating is limited and expected to fill quickly, sign up now!

Today, NVIDIA mourns the loss of our dear friend Joe “Vengeance” Rupe, robotmod extraordinaire and former NVIDIA Focus Group member.

Known throughout the gaming community as "Vengeance," Joe influenced gaming and 3D graphics by providing invaluable feedback to us and the gaming community about NVIDIA products and technology. While he shared his enthusiasm for our products in the sometimes hostile waters of "Rage3D," he did so in a way that endeared him to the community and earned him far more friends than adversaries.

We join the gaming community in extending our condolences to his family and loved ones during this sad time.

Services will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday at Johnson-Smith Funeral Home, 207 S. Main St., Baltimore, with Bishop Dan Janke officiating. A caring cremation will follow. Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

You will be missed Vengy.

The prevailing thought in the industry is that any $500 PC is going to be saddled with low-end integrated graphics that are just not adequate for the latest games. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Yesterday the wise folks at Tom's Hardware Guide configured a hot, little PC that has a nice balance of CPU and GPU horsepower for $500. They built the gaming PC using a Pentium dual core CPU ($70) and a GeForce 8800 GS graphics card ($130, or $100 with rebate).   

Let me say that again since its not a typo: a fully upgradeable SLI-Ready PC for $500!

And today THG benchnmarked their $500 PC up against a $1000 PC they built in March 2008. How did it turn out?  From the looks of it, pretty good.

The $500 Gaming PC cost only 63% of the System Builder Marathon’s “Low Cost” configuration’s current price, yet provides 76% its stock-speed performance and the same “overall” overclocked performance. That gives the overclocked $500 machine a huge 73% value advantage over the stock SBM system, and a significant 63% lead when both systems are overclocked.

I just received word that there are even more ways to get the commerative Jen-Hsun Huang box.

In addition to the cards on eBay, there are also some more ways for you to get one.  Visit our website to find out more!

BFG Technologies recently teamed up with us to create GeForce 9800 GX2 with a limited edition box, featuring the image of Jen-Hsun and honors NVIDIA's selection by Forbes as "Company of the Year". The five boxes that are up for auction are signed by Jen-Hsun and Scott Herkleman, president of BFG.

All proceeds will be donated to Child's Play Charity and matched by NVIDIA. The auction ends on May 1 and is available to everyone. Please help a terrifc cause and place your bid!

Yesterday I briefly mentioned our program on Optimized PC and the importance of having that NVIDIA GPU.  In order to build an Optimized PC, we felt that we needed to help educate you when you are buying your PC.

So what we build is the Optimized PC configurator which shows you how you can see the added benefits of having an NVIDIA GPU while still keeping your budget.  You can view the configurator on NVIDIA.com here, and just click the "Launch Configurator" button.

In addition to our website, we are working with etail stores to get the configurator onto their websites so you can purchase the PCs or components right away.  Check out these stores:

• Buy.com
• Mwave
• NCIX
• Newegg
• TigerDirect
• ZipZoomfly

NVIDIA recently started talking about a new initiative, called Optimized PC.  You may have seen the website banners and changes on NVIDIA.com and SLIZone.com asking you to "Get Visual. Get GeForce."

Anyone who reads this blog probably already knows that an NVIDIA GeForce GPU enables incredible gaming.  Heck, I'm the SLI product manager so I live and breath games everyday.

But being involved in this initiative has actually exposed me to a few new applications that are faster when a GPU is in the PC.  If you've already seen these applications, then this post isn't for you.  If they are new to you, then read more.

• Google Picasa.  One of my favorite photo editing applications.  I share all my photos online using their client software.  Any new parent can't live without it.
• Microsoft Virtual Earth 3D.  Even I didn't realize how much 3D was in mapping software.  Its extremely cool right now, and you can download the Beta from Live Maps.  Just click the 3D button
• Piclens.  Their website describes it best: "Your favorites sites.  Full-screen 3D".  How cool is that?  Try the Google Image search viewer.
• Blu-ray movies. I've gone 100% Blu-ray now, so I'm glad I can still take my movies with my on my laptop.
• Mac OS X Leopard.  Obviously I love that fact that the entire GUI is 3D accelerated and you can embed 2D, 3D OpenGL, and video using Core Animation technology.

I'll send post some more info tomorrow on how we can help educate you on selecting components for an Optimized PC.

Often times I get asked the question if NVIDIA dabbles in the seedy underground world of extreme overclocking using advanced cooling techniques. 

Ok I'm kidding, extreme overclocking is not seedy at all.  In fact, its a terrific way to show your enthusiasm for your NVIDIA products and see how much you can push your PC.  I compare it a lot to adding a nitro tank to your car.  Many of our enthusiasts are always looking for new ways to cool their PC and get their NVIDIA system listed in the FutureMark Hall of Fame., like Vince "k|ingp|n" Lucido.

In fact, my favorite extreme overclocking video of all time has to be the AMD Duron exploding video.

So just in case anyone didn't believe it, yes we do like to dabble in overclocking and here's a picture from one of our labs :)

For me, one of the most highly anticipated events in 2008 is NVIDIA's first annual visual computing summit, NVISION 08.  I know Sam talked about the next GeForce LAN that will be taking place there, but NVISION will be more than just games.

NVISION is the first-ever, visual computing mega-event. It is big and far-reaching enough to gather together top visual computing professionals, world-class gamers, innovative artists and designers, and cutting-edge researchers to share their ideas, experiences, and passions.   This even will be in the heart of Silicon Valley, August 25-27. 

Needless to say we can't tell you everything that we will be showing there.  However, trust me, if you care about anything visual in your PC, you will want to come.  I promise to post here what cool new technology we will be showing anything related to SLI and gaming.