The WAN Show - The Death of 3-way SLI?? & VR Medicine - May 13, 2016

The WAN Show from May 13, 2016 centers on the big hardware and VR topics of the moment, with Linus and the crew unpacking what Nvidia’s GTX 1000 series could mean for the PC building world. They begin by noting the unveiling event for the GTX 1080 and 1070, highlighting the leap in performance and the move to a new process node, while also acknowledging the inevitable confusion around model naming and marketing. The hosts discuss how Nvidia pitched the cards as optimized for multi-monitor setups and virtual reality, especially through features like simultaneous multi-projection, which promises better alignment across curved and multi-display configurations. They also touch on Ansel, Nvidia’s ambitious in-game screenshot tool, explaining how it can capture ultra high resolution images and enable free camera movement to create dramatic perspectives. Throughout, the conversation grounds its excitement in practical questions about game support, developer adoption, and how real-world benchmarks will shape consumer decisions. A significant portion of the show is devoted to the potential limits of SLI for the 1080 line, with EVGA and other partners suggesting two-way SLI as the practical limit, which could influence how enthusiasts plan multi-GPU rigs. The panel also delves into virtual reality therapy, citing an Oxford study showing VR can help treat severe paranoia by exposing patients to feared situations in a controlled environment, a topic that blends technology with health. They compare this VR work to other applications and speculate about future clinical and consumer uses, praising the potential to make therapy more accessible or engaging for patients. The discussion broadens to cover industry news such as Micron’s confirmation of GDDR5X mass production, the implications of Amazon Direct Video Service for content creators, and the ongoing evolution of digital payments and protections, including PayPal’s stance on crowdfunding, all while staying mindful of the changing landscape for content creators. The show closes with rapid-fire segments on Civilization VI and other gaming announcements, underscoring how Nvidia’s tech push could reshape strategy games and multiplayer experiences alike, before moving into hardware production timelines and the potential for future GPU generations to unlock new levels of detail and realism. The overall tone remains energetic and exploratory, with the hosts balancing hype about new capabilities with a grounded eye toward real-world impact and developer readiness. In sum, the WAN Show of May 13, 2016 weaves together high-end GPU news, VR innovations, and brave bets on how technology could transform gaming, media, and even medicine, while urging viewers to watch for practical benchmarks and developer uptake. The episode ends on a note of anticipation for upcoming games, tools, and platform changes, inviting audiences to consider how these advances will affect their own builds and workflows.

Topics · technology · science · gaming · virtual_reality · hardware