HardOCP have scored five exclusive screenshots demonstrating a new gameplay mode called "PowerStruggle" in the Crysis Multiplayer Beta. Unfortunately, the multiplayer beta doesn't support DX10, and doesn't represent what we'll see in the final game. Nevertheless, the screens are set in a map called "Shore," and well, they speak for themselves.

In response to feedback from customers and partners, Microsoft's XP operating system will remain available for OEMs and retail channels until June 30th 2008. Mike Nash, corporate vice president of Windows Product Management, believes that customers "need a little more time to make the switch to Windows Vista."

If you remember back to IDF, Intel's Yorkfield processor busted seven world records. Recently, when in the hands of overclocker Kinc, the Core 2 Extreme QX9650 has broken another three records (those two, never a good mix): SuperPi 1MB, 3DMark 05 and 06. With his QX9650 coupled with an ASUS Maximus Formula, the new records are 8.110 seconds, 37,095 and 27,542 points, respectively.

With the HD 2900 Pro announced earlier in the week, AMD are now preparing for the launch of yet another R600 based product. The 2900 GT is supposedly arriving on October 8th to merely get rid of the remaining R600 cores that didn't reach XT speeds. The GT will share the same clocks as the XT and Pro, although it will only house 240 stream processors combined with a 256-bit memory interface.

Recently, there has been a lot of confusion regarding the naming scheme of Nvidia's G92 and G98 cores. The higher G92 core was essentially going to be named GeForce 8700 GTS, although Nvidia seem to have had a change of heart and are now reportedly introducing an 8800 GT. According to VR-Zone, the board will be available in 256MB/512MB versions priced at US $199 and $249, respectively.

A press release issued by Microsoft has indicated that on launch day, Halo 3 sold $170 million worth of copies. Microsoft added that the launch success was helped by the wide availability of the title. On a related note, the Xbox Live system is supposedly being pushed to its limits. Users have reportedly experienced inaccurate game stats, performance slowdown, inability to access friend lists, and an inability to perform system updates.

Recently an array of software has been released to free the iPhone from its AT&T woes. Apple has now made it clear that a future software update will result in unlocked iPhones "becoming permanently inoperable," and then noted that warranties will be void if such software is installed. Apple said that the hacks have "caused damage to the iPhone software," although many debate the claim...

TechConnect Magazine has revealed the prices and relative specs of Intel's 45nm Penryn parts. The site suggest that Intel's lineup will consist of four dual, and four quad-core parts. Five mobile parts will also be launched early next year, thanks to VR-Zone for the tip.

Nvidia is apparently set to release a new lineup of chipsets in November, for both Intel and AMD platforms. The Intel lineup will be marketed as the nForce 780i SLI and 750i SLI, while the AMD family will be dubbed nForce 780a SLI and 750a SLI. Highlights of the 780 series include three PCIe x16 Gen2 slots, while the 750 lineup only support two PCIe x16 Gen2 slots with eight-lane signalling.

It's honestly quite good to see AMD back in the news, what with Intel's developer forum dominating headlines last week. Today, AMD has unveiled the second processor to be labeled "Black Edition," namely the X2 5000+. As we reported two days ago, the chip is clocked at 2.6GHz, although it's in fact 65nm, not 90nm. The chip has a thermal rating of 65w and 1MB of L2 cache, also.

Following on from the world's first review of the HD 2900 Pro, TweakTown are helping the bandwagon gain momentum, publishing their evaluation of the same HIS 2900 Pro. The board looks identical to the XT, and honestly, is virtually identical, apart from the clocks. In the majority of tests, the board is just trailing the XT, while maintaining a steady lead over the 8800GTS.