COOLER MASTER LAUNCHES A KEYBOARD WITH
PRESSURE-SENSITIVE KEYS FOR $
This keyboard implements Aimpad technology for precision control.
Cooler Master’s new MK850 (not to
be confused with Logitech’s MK
keyboard and mouse combo) is an analog
plank that uses Cherry MX key switches
capable of sensing the entire 4mm range
of a key press. Traditional mechanical
keyboards can’t do this — the switches
simply register a press at the
actuation point.
“The MK850 is the world’s first
mechanical keyboard, using Cherry MXswitches, capable of sensing exactly how
far down you press the key,” says Lance
Madsen, Aimpad principle engineer. “It
provides unparalleled control in even the
most demanding PC games.”
Aimpad technology is already found in
other peripherals, such as aviation joysticks,
steering wheels, and game controllers. By
implementing pressure-sensitive input into
a keyboard, gamers have more fine-grain
control over movements.Beyond the pressure-sensitive keys, the
MK850 features a brushed aluminum deck
with keys that appear to float on top, as we
have seen in various other models. There
is a row of dedicated macro/gaming keys
on the left, and two “precision wheels” to
adjust things like volume RGB illumination,
dpi, and so forth. It also comes with a
magnetic wrist rest.PCPP Tech Bytes
FUTURE AMD GPUS MAY SUPPORTVARIABLE RATE SHADING
VR games could get a boost.
An AMD patent filing from 2017 that was recently made public shows
AMD exploring the implementation of variable rate shading (VRS)
technology in its next-generation GPUs. Although the patent doesn’t
specify which future architecture will get it, there’s a good chance
AMD will try to have the technology built into its upcoming Navi GPUs,
considering Nvidia has already integrated VRS into its latest
Turing architecture.
VRS resolves certain sections of a frame in full detail (like the center of
the screen, on which your eyes tend to focus) and reduces the detail on
other parts of the frame to lower the rendering load. In other words, the
shading in the game will happen at a variable rate (thus the “variable rateshading” name).
AMD hasn’t stated that this technology will be made available in the
company’s upcoming Navi GPUs, which doesn’t have an official release
date still. However, considering that Nvidia has already implemented VRS
in Turing, it’s possible AMD may implement it soon, too, as chances are
the two companies started working on VRS roughly at the same time.
VRS may be most useful to VR-enabled games, as well as consoles
that support VR gaming. The Navi architecture is rumored to be used in
the next-generation PlayStation, whose games could benefit from the
VRS support if Sony intends to once again pair its new console with a
next-generation VR headset.